Edge Davap 6 Issue 244

VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

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EDGEDAVAO

ALTERNATE YARD. A container yard worker guides a crane operator in hauling a van into a trailer truck in Sta. Ana wharf yesterday. The vacant lot inside the Sta. Ana wharf is now being used as a container yard due to the congestion in the existing yards in Sasa, the city’s shipping center. Lean Daval Jr.

Serving a seamless society

TOP COP KILLED Maragusan police chief shot dead in Tagum EDGEDAVAO Sports

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE police station commander of Maragusan, Compostela Valley Province was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Tagum City yesterday morning.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 identified the victim Chief Inspector Ger Igtanloc, station commander of Maragusan Municipal Police Station.

Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, PRO 11 spokesperson Chief Inspec-

tor Andrea dela Cerna said based on the initial report, the victim was shot at around 7:30 a.m. at the corner of Sobrecarey and Mabini Streets by two men riding a motorcycle.

Dela Cerna said according to a witness, one of the assailants, who was wearing a gray T-shirt, shot the victim several times, causing his immediate death.

“In our initial report the victim sustained 13 gunshot wounds and was declared dead on arrival,” she said.

The assailants fled immediately after the shooting.

Dela Cerna said before he was killed, Igtanloc had taken his child to school. He was shot as he was on his way home.

“Based on our initial information, the victim might have been followed by the suspects from home,” she said.

Dela Cerna said PRO 11 had not received any report that Igtanloc was involved in illegal drugs in the region.

She said according to Tagum City Police Office direc-

tor Superintendent Lito E. Patay, investigators will deepen their probe into the killing.

Dela Cerna said the last time she talked to Igtanloc, the victim mentioned the liquidation activities of the New People’s Army (NPA).

She, however, said PRO 11 will still wait for the result of the investigation conducted by the Tagum City Police Office.

“We still have to confirm the information because we do not want to preempt the ongoing investigation,” she said.

Sugar Barons take PAL Interclub lead p16

PUBLIC ENEMY NO. 1 p15

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

DEVELOPMENT. A young boy walks on the seawall of Sta. Ana wharf with a deforested portion of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) in the background. Samal is undergoing rapid development as more and more resorts are being built. Lean Daval Jr.

NGCP tower LP camp scored for using bombed again gov’t vehicles in campaign

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

HE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) yesterday announced that one of its towers in North Cotabato was bombed for the second time in less than two months.

NGCP corporate communications officer for Mindanao Milfrance Q. Capulong said Tower #63 of Kabacan-Sultan Kudarat 138kV line in Barangay Pagangan, Aleosan, Cotabato was bombed on the evening of March 1.

“Fortunately, the tower did not topple,” Capulong said in a text message yesterday.

Capulong said this was the third bombing of NGCP towers this year and the second

bombing for the same tower.

“Tower 63 was also bombed last January 14,” she said.

Capulong said restoration of tower 63 will commence as soon as the area is secured.

“Bombings only serve to increase the burden of the public, which must suffer through service interruptions when towers are bombed,” she said.

Capulong had earlier said aside from bombings, the problem on the right of way (ROW) as well as the upcoming national and local election in May continue to threaten the Mindanao power grid.

FNGCP, 10

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE camp of Partidong Demokratikong Pilipipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) presidential bet Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte scored Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Mar Roxas and his running mate Rep. Leni Robredo for allegedly using government vehicles in putting up campaign posters.

This after receiving reports that supporters of the administration front runners have been using government vehicles in its postering operations.

In a statement, PDP-La-

ban spokesperson lawyer Paola Alvarez said the use of red-plated vehicles by supporters of Roxas and Robredo “exposes the true nature of the administration and the kind of governance behind their slogan ‘Daang Matuwid.’”

“Daang Matuwid is but a platform of deceit that has been conditioning the minds of Filipinos that this administration has been clean and efficient, when in reality it is corrupt and worse than the past administrations it claims to admonish,” Alvarez said.

“It is not only a sham,

at most it is shameless and loathsome,” she added.

Alvarez was referring to a photo circulated online last week showing a mini-dump truck loaded with yellow campaign posters in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Another photo showed a black Toyota Hilux — with plate number SDK 417 — also loaded with campaign material bearing the word Roxas under the administration slogan Daang Matuwid.

Alvarez said the administration is “obviously at the height of desperation as its candidates continue to lag be-

hind in the survey.”

“This is proof of what desperation is. This administration is willing to do everything to the extent of devouring our national resources just so it can push its cards on the table,” she said.

For his part, Duterte’s spokesperson Peter Laviña reminded Filipinos of how Roxas has been “dangling government programs such as the Bottom-Up Budgetting and 4Ps” in his sorties.

“Government resources are now officially the campaign kitty of the bets of the administration,” he said.

ICE Presidential candidate Senator Chiz Escudero yesterday confirmed that it was their camp that canceled a scheduled rally in Davao City, laying to rest false stories that the city government had denied them a permit.

Speaking in a press conference yesterday Escudero admitted they canceled the rally because of the conflict of the schedules of their candidates.

“Hindi kami nag apply ng permit dito dahil kami mismo ang nagkansela ng aming schedule dito sa Davao City (We did not apply for a permit because we were the ones who canceled our schedule here in

Davao City),” he said.

News reports had earlier said Escudero and presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe had been denied a permit to hold a rally in Davao City because it was the bailiwick of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Escudero, however, said it was in Roxas City — bailiwick of Presidential candidate Mar Roxas — that they were not issued a permit.

“Ni hindi kami pinapasok sa mga eskwelahan doon (We were not even allowed to go inside the schools there),” he said.

Escudero’s admission confirmed Business Bureau chief lawyer Lawrence Bantiding’s

statement that it was the group of Poe and Escudero that canceled their rally in Davao City.

Bantiding was reacting to the statement of one of Poe’s senatorial candidates, lawyer Lorna Kapunan, who had said in the online news portal Interaksyon.com that the rally, which was supposed to be held on February 25, was diverted to Tacloban City because “there was really no issuance of permits.”

The Business Bureau chief denied the allegation and said Poe’s staff was the one who informed his office that they will not to pursue the permit because most of their senatorial line-up was unavailable during

the date they had set.

He said the staff member told their office that their rally might push through in March because all the senatorial candidates will be available by that time.

Bantiding said the city does not withhold the issuance of special permits for rallies regardless of political affiliation because it enshrined in the Philippine Constitution that it is the right of everyone to conduct mass gatherings.

He said that in his three years as the head of the business office, he cannot remember that the office denied any application for special permit.

Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

No Chinese occupation Escudero admits city gov’t did not deny rally permit of Quirino Atoll: WesCom V

W

ESTERN Command head Vice Admiral Alexander on Wednesday denied reports China has occupied and controlled Quirino Atoll.

The latter is internationally known as Jackson Atoll and lies between Lawak Island and Mischief Reef and is a rich fishing ground.

“That report is not accurate, it’s not true,” Lopez said in Filipino when asked to comment on the report.

And while confirming the sighting of Chinese ships off the area, the Western Command said these vessels have

already left.

“The Chinese, they can be anywhere (they want), and the sightings of those three to five Chinese ships are incidental, but it is not true that they have taken control of Quirino Atoll, in fact the last air patrol on February 24 reveal that Filipino fishermen are there,” Lopez pointed out.

And so far these Chinese ships, which are possibly fishing or coast guard vessels, are still to return, he added.

“And as far we are concerned, there is no sustained Chinese presence in the area,” Lopez pointed out. (PNA)

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

No order to roll back jeepney fare: LTFRB

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

A

abf@edgedavao.net

FTER more than a year, the Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) still has not acted on the Davao City Council’s resolution urging it to reduce jeepney fare rates.

This was confirmed by LTFRB 11 assistant regional director Edgar Violan in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps forum.

Violan said the regional office forwarded the City Council’s resolution, passed on January 27, 2015, to the Board En Banc of the LTFRB national

office which decides on fare rollback requests.

“Way back in 2015 we already forwarded it to LTFRB,” he said.

Violan said the city has not been granted a fare reduction because the transport groups agreed not to file any petition for a rollback.

“Early this year we were required to submit again because we conducted a dialogue and consultation with transport stakeholders. According to the transport groups, they

FNO, 10

Situation of OFWs in ME closely monitored: Palace

M

ALACAÑANG reiterated yesterday that the government is continuously monitoring the situation of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East who may be affected by the slump in the price of oil.

Presidential Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said the government is imple-

menting measures to assist the OFWs there.

“DOLE has established fully-integrated processes for new job applications and placements, livelihood assistance and training and other social safety nets for cushioning the impact of possible job losses in the Middle East,” he

FSITUATION, 10

Mindanao gets bulk of PRDP infra projects

M

INDANAO received the biggest bulk of infrastructure projects under the Philippine Rural Development Project for 2016.

The region got P11.261 billion worth of projects under PRDP’s I-BUILD (Intensified Building Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development).

According to Sherwin Manual, information officer who guested at the weekly Wednesdays at Abreeza Mall’s Habi and Kape media forum,

there were about 205 infrastructure projects for Mindanao, of which 122 are approved and 83 are in the pipeline.

PRDP’s I-BUILD allocation nationwide is P18.6 billion. These projects include farm-to-market roads, bridges, communal irrigation system, potable water supply, post-harvest facilities and other rural infrastructures.

Region X had P2.5 billion of projects (approved and in the pipeline) followed by Region XII with P2.14 billion,

FMINDANAO, 10

NO FARE REDUCTION. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 11 assistant director Edgar Violan (left) says the Davao City Council’s request to lower jeepney fares has still not been granted more

than a year after it was submitted. Violan and 10th ID spokesman Captain Ryan Batchar (right) were among the guests in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

Coal-fired plant trips twice, more blackouts announced

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

A

crc@edgedavao.net

FTER undergoing a ten-day preventive maintenance shutdown that ended on February 28, Unit 2 of Therma South, Inc. (TSI)’s coal-fired power plants tripped again yesterday — twice.

This prompted Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) to announce yesterday that it will impose another round of three- to four-hour rotating power interruptions in its franchise area.

“In the Davao Light franchise, this will result in the implementation of the rotating power interruptions again, which projected duration is within 2 to 3 hours,” DLPC said in statement.

DLPC had reduced the

blackouts from three hours to just 30 minutes in the last three days after TSI’s Unit 2 went back online last Sunday.

It had explained that blackouts would continue because of the effects of El Niño and the bombings of towers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), some of which have still to be repaired due to conflicts with private land owners.

Yesterday, however, DLPC said it had received an advisory from the NGCP that “one of the units of the Therma South Inc.(TSI) coal-fired power plant went offline.”

Wilfredo Rodolfo III, AboitizPower corporate branding and communication manager, told EDGE

Davao yesterday that Unit 2 of TSI with a 150MW capacity tripped twice yesterday, once in the morning and again in the afternoon.

“We’re still figuring out the reason why it tripped,” Rodolfo said.

Unit 2 is the same unit that went offline for 10 days in February for preventive maintenance.

It is also the same unit that tripped on Easter Sunday (April 5) last year, plunging the entire Mindanao in a blackout.

Aside from TSI, DLPC also said the one unit of the 200MW diesel plant of the power barge operator Therma Marine, Inc. also underwent preventive maintenance shutdown.

AboitizPower, however,

FCOAL-FIRED, 10

Fisherfolk in Surigao blame mining for dwindling catch

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FOOTWORK. An exhausted Lumad participating in the Mindanao Lakbayan 2016 uses his feet to prop up a placard while he takes a nap on the pavement at Freedom Park where a press briefing of progressive groups is being held yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

said the TMI unit went back online in the afternoon yesterday.

When asked why the one unit of the TMI tripped, Rodolfo said the company is still conducting a probe on the possible cause.

AboitizPower owns TSI, TMI, and DLPC. The NGCP posted on its website that there was a deficiency in the power supply yesterday as the system peak reached 1,406MW but with only 1,231MW power supply from independent and stateowned generation utilities in the island.

The NGCP said there was a deficit of 175MW as of 1 p.m. yesterday.

ISHERFOLK in this town have blamed mining as the chief cause of why they have been getting lesser catch these days.

“Before we get 10-20 kilos of fish a day, but now we are lucky if we could get five kilos,” Cresencio Neuda, president of Barangay Alambique Fisherfolk Association, said in the vernacular.

Neuda pointed to siltation of the seabed caused by mining operations in neighboring Claver as the source of their problem.

He said the sea water has turned murky, and the corals and seaweeds are covered with laterites.

“Our lives are now more difficult compared to previous years, when we could catch fish just near the village,” he said.

Junvic Guiritan, a local fisherman said a recent study noted that sediments in the sea have

increased.

He said he used to get cray crabs, giant tiger prawns and shrimps.

“In 2007-2011, I could get a bucketful of lambay or blue crabs, but today I’m lucky if I could get five kilos,” he said.

He noted that shells and other fish have been gone.

Local fishermen admitted that illegal fishing activities also contributed to dwindling catch but emphasized that siltation is the biggest problem.

Claver town hosts several mining companies such as Adnama Mining Resources Inc., Taganito Mining Corporation and Platinum Group Metals Corporation.

In Nagubat Island, Alambique, a fisherman named Vincent Catulmo said their catch has decreased as a big portion of the sea has become silted. (Roel N. Catoto/MindaNews)

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

Tagum City’s anti-smoking campaign gets Red Orchid T

HE City Government of Tagum, through its City Health Office, was recently awarded the 2015 DOH Red Orchid Award for its massive and comprehensive efforts to implement a 100 percent Tobacco-Free Environment.

The accolade, which was given last February 26 at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City, is the highest award given by the Department of Health (DOH) on the anti-smoking advocacy of local government units, government hospitals and offices and DOH centers nationwide.

It was conferred by the DOH’s Davao Regional Office following the conduct of validation and site visits by the members of the validating team from the DOH, Department of Interior and Local Government, Civil Service Commission, and the Civil Society Organization.

The City of Tagum was awarded based on a set of criteria using the World Health Organization’s MPOWER Initiative which uses six proven tobacco control policies:

RED ORCHID. Tagum City Administrator Giovanni L. Rellon leads in the receiving of the Red Orchid Award 2015 from the Department of Health Region 11 for the city government’s massive and comprehensive efforts to implement a 100% Tobacco-Free Environment last February 26 at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City. Photo by Jay Apostol/ CIO Tagum 1) Monitor tobacco use and Offices, Government Hospitals L. Rellon was also conferred prevention; 2) Protect people and DOH Centers for Health by the DOH with the Heroes from the effects of tobacco Development and follows the for Health Sandugo Award for smoke; 3) Offer help to quit to- World Health Organization Outstanding Local Governbacco use; 4) Warn about the (WHO) Framework Conven- ment Units for the second year dangers of tobacco; 5) Enforce tion on Tobacco Control Article as a recognition of his active ban on tobacco advertising 8 that recommends the adop- involvement in the promotion and promotions; and 6) Raise tion of measures to provide of blood safety, rational use of taxes on tobacco. protection from exposure to blood, and efficiency of blood The Red Orchid Award smoke in indoor workplaces, services in the country. is the Search for 100 percent public transport, indoor placOther winners from Tobacco-Free Provinces, Mu- es, and other public places.

Tagum City who were recognicipalities, Cities, Government Tagum City Mayor Allan FTAGUM, 10

UM convenes business leaders, gov’t agencies for collaboration L

EADERS from industry, government, and the faculty and students of the University of Mindanao College of Business Administration gathered on February 4 at the Auditorium of the UM Matina campus to exchange ideas for deeper collaboration.

The CBAE hosted the event led by Dean Vicente E. Mon-

taño. Rowena C. Cinco, Program Head for Financial Management, made a presentation of their proposed collaboration with the industry leaders and professional to be able to offer co-curricular programs that will help expose third year business students to practical fieldwork, gain real world experience, and enhance their

Nutrition scholars association holds first general assembly

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ARANGAY Nutrition scholars convened Tuesday at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan for the 1st General Nutrition Assembly.

More than 200 nutrition scholars, who are members of the Davao del Norte Health and Nutrition Workers Association, participated in the event.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario thanked the scholars for their efforts in combating malnutrition in the barangays.

“Dako kamong kabahin sa akong pagdumala dinhi sa probinsya. Kung wala kamo nagpakita sa inyong kakugi sa pagatiman sa nutrisyion sa atong inahan ug kabatana sa barangay, dili unta nato makabaot ang usa ka himsog na katawhang Dabaonon” (You play a big part in governing the province. If you have not shown your efforts in attending the nourishment of our mothers and the children in

FNUTRITION, 10

DSWD organizes council on VAWC

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HE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 11 recently initiated the organization of the Inter-Agency Council on Violence against Women and Children (IAC VAWC).

Social Welfare Officer Pedrita Dimakiling, who presided over the meeting of representatives from various national line agencies based in Davao Region, said the IAC VAWC “is different” from the

Regional Interagency Council against Trafficking (RIACAT).

She said laws against trafficking and against violence on women and children are not the same, although some of the agencies involved in addressing such crimes are the same.

Invited to become part of the IAC VAWC were the Commission on Human Rights, Civil Service Commission, depart-

FDSWD, 10

marketability in the job arena prior to their on-the-job training.

This proposal is an offshoot from a benchmarking activity conducted in three universities in Singapore and Malaysia.

Bernardo Alejandro Jr., Education Supervisor II of the Commission on Higher Education, gave a positive reaction,

citing the need for an innovative approach to teaching and learning.

The half-day forum was attended by experts from the Department of Labor and Employment Region 11, Commission on Higher Education Region 11, and nine management leaders from various industry partners.

Inauguration of new city hall to banner 18th Araw ng Tagum

T

he City Government of Tagum will finally have a new address on the occasion of the formal and official transfer of the seat of government on Monday, March 7.

The Inauguration and Blessing of the New City Hall will be held at 8:30 in the morning of the Araw ng Tagum immediately after the Civic and Military Parade, and is part of the 5-in-1 Celebration of the Musikahan Festival, Tagumenyo Bisa’g Asa, the State of the City Address of Mayor Allan L. Rellon, and the 18th Araw ng Tagum.

Rellon will lead the Tagumenyos in the celebration of the city’s “debut” which was declared a special non-working holiday

by Malacañang through a presidential proclamation signed by President Benigno Aquino.

“I share your excitement. It is with great pride and honor to lead you as your City Mayor on this defining moment in our city’s history,” Rellon told Tagumenyos during his speech

at the opening ceremonies of 5-in-1 celebration last February 28.

The transfer, which will concurrently fall on the 18th anniversary of Tagum’s conversion into a component city, is provided for in City Ordinance No. 281, Series of 2008 enacted by the 4th City Council of the City of Tagum, stating that the local government unit shall specify the seat of government from where the governmental and corporate services shall be delivered.

The completion of the roughly 8-year old state of the art New City Hall, which sits on a sprawling 14.5- hectare property donated by the Ayala Family in Barangay Apokon, has become one of the most waited and widely anticipated events in the City of Tagum.

Meanwhile, Rellon said the Old City Hall will be converted into a museum which will be under the care of the City Historical and Cultural Commission.

Richi D. Gulle/ CIO-Tagum

BRAND NEW. The New City Hall of Tagum, located along JV Ayala Avenue in Barangay Apokon, will be finally inaugurated on March 7, 2016 in time for the 16th Araw ng Tagum. Kelvin Palermo/CIO Tagum

VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

It’s TIME to CHANGE THE GAME.

Your ads come to life with vivid, clear, crisp colors.

Get the value for your money and don’t settle for an awful copy on a badly printed space.

Advertise wisely.

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

As creative as you can get.

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EDGEDAVAO

6 ECONOMY

VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

Nograles to BIR: Don’t tax soldiers’provisional allowance

D

AVAO City first district Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles yesterday said the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) should reconsider its decision to tax the new monthly provisional allowance granted

by President Aquino to military personnel and officers as a way of showing gratitude for the men and women who risk their lives everyday to protect the country and its citizens.

Nograles said the government would not lose much if the BIR waives the usual withholding tax on the provisional allowance granted by President Aquino for military and uniformed personnel (MUP).

He said the exemption would go a long way in augmenting the meager salaries of our soldiers, most of whom are in the frontlines fighting not just the insurgents but also the depression that they have to go through being away from their families.

The provisional allowance granted by President Aquino is an interim measure to supplement the total compensation of MUPs pending the passage of the pension reform measures that would rationalize their Base Pay Schedule.

Nograles was reacting to the BIR’s pronouncement that it would still impose mandatory tax on the military allowances granted by President Aquino through Executive Order 201.

He noted that since the allowance is provisional in nature, the BIR might have the option and the discretion to waive the imposition of tax for this provisional allowance granted to MUPs.

“This is a gray area because it is a provisional allowance and is nowhere within the list of remunerations that are specifically listed as either taxable or non-taxable under Republic Act 9040,” Nograles said.

Under RA 9040, which is also known as “The AFP Tax Exemption for Pay and Allowances Act of 2001,” MUPs are exempt from paying taxes for their longevity pay; mandatory allowances namely cost of Living Allowance, Personnel Economic Relief Allowance and Hazardous Allowance; Collateral Pay, namely Specialist Pay, Combat Pay, Flying Pay, Air Mechanic’s Pay, Sea Duty Pay, Hazardous Duty Pay, Instructor’s Duty Pay, Parachutist’s Pay and Hardship Pay and Collateral Allowances, namely Special Clothing Allowance, Cold Winter’s Clothing Allowance and Cold Weather Clothing Maintenance Allowance, Winter Clothing Allowance, Initial Enlistment and Reenlistment Allowance and Laundry Allowance.

MUPs are also exempt from paying taxes for their retirement benefits, pensions, death, and disability Benefits.

“The list as provided by RA 9040 specified the items that are exempt from taxes but also did not specify the list of allowances that are subject to the usual taxes. So I think that this provisional allowance can be tax exempted without any legal complication,” Nograles said.

Aside from the new set of allowances, the EO also increased the hazard pay of uniformed personnel from P290 to P390 a month. █

MindDA exec Blackouts will continue until April

A

TOP executive of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said blackouts in the cities of Davao and Cagayan will continue because of low supply and high demand for electricity.

Romeo Montenegro, communications director of the MINDA, said these areas continue to have a high demand for electricity being the economic centers of Mindanao.

“We need to conserve energy during times when we have reserves and all the more need to do demand management on energy when our supply is decreasing,” he said.

He said electric cooperatives outside these cities are able to manage the electric consumption, consequently experiencing lesser power outage.

FMINDDA, 10

EXPANSION. Philippine Airlines president and chief operating officer Jaime J. Bautista (center) announces the company’s planned route expansion and acquisition of seven new aircraft this year. Bautista is joined by senior vice

president for commercial group David Lim (left) and senior assistant vice president for Philippine sales Harry Inoferio during a luncheon interaction with Davao City media at The Marco Polo Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

PAL to launch Cebu-LA flight, offers free Davao-Cebu connection C

By JOHN TRIA

OINCIDING with its 75th anniversary, Philippine Airlines (PAL) yesterday announced a new direct service from Los Angeles to Cebu staring March 15, 2016.

And for a limited period after the Cebu-Los Angeles launch, Davao-Cebu flights will be free for those connecting to and from the US via Cebu. Passengers can also check in direct from Davao to the US and Japan when they connect via Cebu.

“This newest PAL service will enable our customers to

enjoy more travel options to and from Los Angeles,” PAL president Jaime Bautista said at a press conference at The Marco Polo Davao yesterday.

“PAL patrons from the Visayas and Mindanao may hop to Mactan (Cebu) via our domestic flights and then take the flight to L.A. Travelers from Los Angeles who need to fly to Cebu for business or leisure stand to benefit from the new service, which promises that distinct brand of Filipino hospitality,” he added.

The thrice-weekly service PR 122 (CEB-LAX) departs Cebu every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 6:25 p.m. Cebu time and arrives in Los Angeles at 5:55 p.m. local time.

The return flight PR 123 (LAX-CEB) leaves Los Angeles on the same days at 8:40 p.m. local time and touches down in Cebu at 4:40 p.m.+2.

In line with this, the airline also announced that it will increase its frequencies from Davao to Cebu starting April 2016.

According to Harry Inoferio, Senior Assistant Vice President for Philippine sales, PAL will add two flights to its current once daily flight, one in the afternoon and one in the evening from Cebu to and from Davao to cater to the increasing number of travelers between these two cities.

PAL also announced the renovation of its ticket offices in Davao City, and the offering of business class service between Manila and Cagayan de Oro. █

congestion.

“This is also because we are already moving to electronic filing,” he explained.

Aguila said electronic filing is already mandated and that certain taxpayers are required to pay electronically, otherwise they will be penalized for filing in the inappropriate venue.

In a presentation made

during the yesterday’s 2016 Tax campaign kick off at the BIR regional office 19 in Davao City, BIR deputy commissioner Nelson Aspe said the collection performance of the agency increased dramatically over the last six years, from P738 billion to P1.5 trillion last year.

“However, the ratio of taxpayers to non-taxpayers

is still very low. For every ten Filipinos, there is only one taxpayer,” he said. “This is why we want more to fall within the circle of taxpayers to help heal the burden of subsidizing taxpayers.”

“So, if we add several hundred thousand more taxpayers in 2016, then this will already be an achievement,” he added.

2016 BIR tax campaign encourages earlier filing

T

HE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) yesterday encouraged taxpayers to file their income tax returns by March 30, 2016, two weeks before the deadline of April 15.

According to BIR regional director Romulo Aguila, this is because they do not want taxpayers to be late so they can avoid penalties and system

F2016, 10

Emperador takes over Bodegas Fundador, other assets in Spain

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EREZ, Spain – Grupo Emperador Spain S.A. completed the purchase of Bodegas Fundador from Beam Suntory yesterday.

In a special ceremony in Jerez, known to be Spain’s brandy capital, Emperador was welcomed by the employees of Fundador and Spain’s local officials. The formal turnover was attended by Emperador chairman Dr. Andrew L. Tan, Jerez Mayor Carmen Sanchez, Philippine Ambassador to Spain Carlos Salinas and other city officials of Jerez.

Grupo Emperador Spain

S.A. Managing Director Jorge Domeq said the turnover of one of Spain’s most iconic, largest and oldest brandy production facility to Emperador is a major milestone for the company.

“With the combined brandy production facilities of Emperador and Fundador, the world’s largest brandy company is born. We now have almost 1,500 hectares of vineyard land in Spain, around 1,000,000 sqm of cellar and bottling facilities, and four distilleries worldwide,” Domecq

FEMPERADOR, 10

GOING DIGITAL. Taxpayers volunteer to avail themselves of electronic filing of tax returns at the kickoff of the 2016 Tax campaign of the Bureau of Internal Revenue at the BIR Regional Office in Davao City. John Tria

7 AGRITRENDS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

Fighting hunger through Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

S

OME years back, the Philippines was listed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as one of the 13 low-income food-deficit countries in Asia (“those that do not have enough food to feed their populations and for the most part lack the financial resources to pay for imports”).

The other 12 countries -most of them thickly populated -- were Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

“In many developing countries, rapid population growth makes it difficult for agricultural production to keep pace with the rising demand for food,” wrote Don Hinrichsen in a report published byPopulation Reports. “Most developing countries already are cultivating virtually all arable land and are bringing more marginal land under cultivation.”

Jacques Diouf, at the time when he was the director-general of FAO, echoed the same concern. “Population growth

FAI TH Basket composting

continues to outstrip food availability in many countries,” he pointed out during the 1996 World Food Summit in Rome.

This alarms experts so much that the concept of food security came into existence.

FAO defines it as a “state of

affairs where all people at all times have access to safe and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.”

People are said to experience lack food security when “either they cannot grow enough food themselves, or

they cannot afford to purchase enough in the domestic marketplace.” As a result, “they suffer from micronutrient and protein energy deficiencies in their diets.”

Hidden hunger Every night, an average Filipino joins at least 3.7 billion other people who go to sleep hungry. Their hunger, however, is not the growing, aching kind. Rather, it is silent, insidiously stunting their bodies and brains, weakening their immune systems, and sapping their energy -- and prospects for living productive lives.

Their hidden hunger is malnutrition, which reportedly contributes to killing an estimated 40,000 people each day.

“The impact of hidden hunger on people’s health is very real,” the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said in a statement. “It can result in more frequent and severe illness and complications during pregnancy, childbirth, infancy, and childhood.”

“We’re losing one generation after another to malnutrition and this just shouldn’t be happening anymore,” deplores Dr. Howart Bouis, a senior research fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based International Food Policy Research Institute.

Hunger is the world’s “most solvable problem,” declared the UN World Food Program. But in the Philippines, hunger persists across the country. But while the situation has improved, it has remains “serious,” according to the International Food Policy Research Institute said. In fact, the Philippines’ Global Hunger Index score of 13.2 ranks 28th worldwide.

It is very alarming, indeed.

Carin van der Hor, Country Director of Plan International, observed that malnutrition among Filipino children below the age of five has changed very little over the past 10 years.

“The reduction of child malnutrition has been alarmingly slow,” Hor said.

Citing the National Nutrition Surveys done in 2011, Hor said that children below five years old who are underweight remain at 20 percent while children who are below the average height-to-age ratio remain at 30 percent.

According to Sen. Poe, without sufficient nutrition, children’s motor development slows down and their cognitive skills become stunted. “And this has a long-term negative

impact on the development of our human capital. We cannot build the foundation of our future on emaciated bodies who are no longer in school. No nation on Earth can,” she decried.

FAITH Garden To help solve the problem of hunger, a homegrown solution is being pushed by the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC), a non-government organization based in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. MBRLC is using “FAITH” in its drive against malnutrition among rural areas. FAITH stands for “Food Always In The Home,” a vegetable gardening technology. It has been promoting the technology since the 1970s.

“With minimum capital and lots of native enterprise, a family can be assured of a steady supply of nutritious food – and even extra income,” says Roy Alimoane, MBRLC director.

FAITH not only provides food, but can also reduce a farmer’s heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides which pose health and environmental hazards.

“FAITH is a type of vegetable gardening that can provide the necessary protein, vitamins and mineral requirements needed by a family with 6 members,” Alimoane points out. “We designed it in such a way that it requires minimum labor.”

As the name suggests, there will be vegetables – and some fruits – all throughout the year if its recommended plan is properly followed. Based on a study, the garden can provide 300 grams (or one bowl) of fresh vegetables daily.

or ditches around the planting site. The garden site must also receive sunshine throughout the day as growing plants need sunshine to manufacture food.”

In addition, the garden site should be located near water sources. “Water is very important particularly during the dry season,” Alimoane adds.

“During rainy season, however, canals must be built to drain the water out from the garden plots.”

The garden is divided equally into 3 sections, with half of each section held in reserve for replanting. One section is planted with short-term vegetables that will be ready for use in two to 4 months such as soybeans, tomatoes, pechay (bok choy), cowpeas, bush sitao (string beans), radish, and sweet corn.

The second section is for crops which can produce vegetables for 6 to 9 months such as ampalaya (bitter gourd), okra, onions, garlic, eggplant, winged beans, golden squash, alugbati (vine spinach), and ginger.

Vegetables that will produce for 11 to 12 months are grown on the third section likepatani (lima beans), kulitis,sayote (chayote), kangkong (morning glory),kamote (sweet potato), gabi (taro), cassava, and kadios.

Along the boundary of the garden and in the year, permanent and semi-permanent crops are grown. Among these are malunggay, papaya, pineapple, calamansi, and guava.

For fencing purposes, nitrogen-fixing species like Flemingia macrophylla, Desmodium rensonii, Gliricidia sepium (kakawate), and Indigofera anil are planted; these can also be used as sources of green manure.

Vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals.

The recommended FAITH garden size is 6x16 meters.

The most fertile area in the backyard should be selected for this type of garden. The area should contain humus, a form of plant food. The types of soil needed for vegetable gardening are loam, silt-loam, or clay loam.

“Establish the garden on a light slope to provide drainage, especially during rainy season,” Alimoane suggests. “If the area is flat, dig drainage channels

Basket composting The central feature in FAITH gardening is basket composts, a series of raised garden beds set with bamboo baskets, about one foot in diameter and depth.

The baskets are filled with little animal manure (particularly goat manure) and some decomposed organic garbage and packed with leaves of leguminous trees and shrubs. If

F AGRITRENDS, 10

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

EDITORIAL Should Pacquiao’s fight be stopped?

M

ANNY Pacquiao’s troubles are not over.

After the infamous LGBT controversy brought about by his anti-gay remarks, the country’s iconic boxing superstar could yet lose a moneyed fight and have his senatorial bid imperiled.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it is possible to block the Philippine telecast of senatorial bet Manny Pacquiao’s upcoming boxing match that is feared to give him “undue advantage” over other candidates.

A petition was filed before the Comelec by another senatorial candidate, Walden Bello, to stop the Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley fight on April 9. The fight comes exactly a month before the May 9 polls.

Poll chairman Andres Bautista is of the opinion that postponing the fight is possible.

Bautista said the poll body has some form of control, or regulatory supervision, over entities that have a franchise during election period.

However, as to whether the poll body can stop Pacquiao from fighting, Bautista thinks it is an entirely different story. For petitioner Bello, the fight is “illegal.”

There are several scenarios, though. First, the fight being moved after the elections. Second, restrictions being imposed on the airing of the fight from Las Vegas.

The petition contends that the fight will give Pacquiao “a tremendous advantage in terms of publicity,” a violation of airtime limits for candidates.

The question is: Didn’t Pacquiao know beforehand that the fight falls during

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the election period and candidates like him are subject to some restrictions including the amount of airtime?

Had he realized that, he would have not made the boxing deal with Bradley.

Now here’s an interesting point from Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon. She believes that Pacquiao should postpone his match with Bradley for the sole reason that it is a “non-title fight.”

So what’s the difference if the fight is for a championship or not and why can’t the former be postponed and the latter alright?

In 2007, Pacquiao fought Mexican hombre Jorge Solis in a title match. At that time, he was running for a seat in Congress and the Comelec ended up allowing only the broadcast of “the boxer’s pre-fight sparring sessions and the actual bout itself” in South Cotabato.

Pacquiao won the fight but lost the election.

The dilemma Comelec is facing now is whether or not to postpone it on the simple reason that it is a non-title fight as compared to the Solis fight which was a championship bout.

One thing about professional boxing promotions involving boxers of Pacquiao’s level is that it matters not if it is a title or a non-title fight.

Megafights in boxing, especially in the United States, are enmeshed with several contractual obligations that make it hard to call off a fight without the fighter facing sanctions and penalties. The stakes are so high that a postponement would mean not just lost revenues but one’s reputation in the boxing world.

In short, Pacquiao cannot just call it off unless the court orders it.

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I

VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

9

Why RP cannot win elusive Olympic gold

NCESSANT, sometimes childish and silly, bickerings between the Philippine Olympic Committee and National Sports Associations have not come to a full stop.

Today, on the lead up to the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics, the POC, led by its aging president Peping Cojuangco, continues to criticize the Alliance of Boxing Associations of the Philippines (ABAP) for bringing to the US its boxing team for training and exposure.

In so doing, Cojuangco flexed the POC’s administrative muscle by refusing to approve ABAP’s travel request that would have granted team members training and transportation money from the Philippine Sports Commission.

The set-up in the world of amateur sports is this: despite their supposed autonomy, the NSAs have to seek POC approval for monetary and material grants from the PSC which funds all NSA requirements.

Sans the POC green light, NSAs are thus at the former’s mercy.

ABAP, however, is backed by business

S

VANTAGE POINTS

INGER Roel Cortez, who rose to fame with hit songs like “Nakapasakit Kuya, Eddie” and “Baleleng” in the 1980s, died on April 1 last year after suffering from colon cancer. Six years earlier, President Corazon “Cory” Aquino likewise died of the same cancer.

Colon cancer is the most common form of colorectal cancer (CRC). “Almost all colorectal cancers are adenocarcinomas, which develop from the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum,” says The Merck Manual of Medical Information.

In the Philippines, March is considered the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

“This is an important campaign as colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer among Filipinos,” says Dr. Jun Ruiz, the head of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Task Force of The Medical City.

The top three cancers in the country are breast, lung, and liver.

Unlike other cancers, CRC is preventable, treatable, and beatable. “CRC screening can save lives, but not that many people are being screened,” points out Dr. Ruiz, a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine in Gastroenterology. “As an advocate, I believe that now is the time to educate the general public and mobilize the health community to beat colorectal cancer.”

According to the Merck manual, CRC usually starts as a button-like swelling on the surface of the intestinal or rectal lining or on a polyp. “As the cancer grows, it begins to invade the wall of the intestine or rectum,” the manual says. “Nearby lymph nodes also may be invaded.”

mogul MVP, SPECKS OF LIFE the guy who reigns supreme in several blue chip companies.

The ABAP boxing team proceeded to the US Fred C. Lumba n e ve r t h e less to further train and prepare Pinoy simonpures for qualification to the Brazil sportsfest.

The group – composed of 14 boxers (11 men & 3 women), 4 coaches and ABAP Executive Director Ed Picson – are now in the Bay Area (San Francisco). They will set up training camps and tough sparring stints in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

The POC and the PSC see the US trip as something unnecessary, Richie Garcia, PSC chair, said, in vetoing the travel request, the trip to the US was too close to the Asia/Oceania Olympic qualifying tournament set March 23 – April 3 in Quia Nan,

China.

Garcia explained that it would be too taxing for the boxers to return home from the US and then fly anew to China on limited time. PSC denied the ABAP crew of P3M in financial assistance.

Well, P3M is P3M in any language.

But this seems to be just peanuts for the ABAP leadership as they proceeded anyhow with their plans as designed by their coaching staff.

The wrinkle in this situation stems from the excessive power that has been vested on the POC. Remember, the POC is nothing without the NSAs. NSAs are autonomous in character.

ABAP looks with disdain the inquisitive and meddlesome attitude of the POC which treats them like it were a constrictor boa.

Before Cojuangco’s entry into the POC in 2000, the NSAs could design their internal plans and plot out their visions without any undue interference from their umbrella organization.

After Cojuangco got elected as POC honcho, he and his leech-like henchmen successfully manipulated to revise and

amend the POC constitution and by-laws.

The great power that is so centrally endowed upon and exercised by the POC president today has trampled upon the autonomy once enjoyed by the NSAs and leaves them no room to breathe.

Now, three Olympics and one coming up in Rio, the POC has NOTHING to show in terms of gold medal production. So, how come no resignations came despite THREE BIG EGGS harvested in the last three Olympiads?

Senators who sat then as chair of the committee on sports, from 1992 (including Tito Sotto, Robert Jaworski and now Chiz Escudero) have evidently failed to institute appropriate remedial legislation.

Only the former senator Joey Lina was truly actively involved in improving the exasperating sports set-up as he continued consulting all stakeholders, getting confidential inputs from the media, including this writer.

Corruption has also reared its head in Philippine sports, they say.

(Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) God bless the Philippines!

B e c a u s e THINK ON THESE! blood from the wall of the intestine and much of the rectum is carried to the liver, CRC usually spreads (metastasizes, in medical par- Henrylito D. Tacio lance) to the henrytacio@gmail.com liver soon after spreading to nearby lymph nodes.

Like most cancers, there are some risk factors of CRC. Dr. Ruiz cites the following: personal history of colorectal cancer or advanced polyps, family history of cancer in the colon and rectum, and age greater than 50.

“Those who are more than 50 years of age is the most common risk factor for this cancer, as there is a 90% of this cancer occurring after the age of 50,” Dr. Ruiz pinpoints in an article which appeared in Manila Bulletin.

“A family history of a first-degree relative with CRC is increased two to threefold,” says the doctor who finished his Gastroenterology fellowship at the George Washington University in Washington D.C. However, some lifestyle habits could contribute to the formation of this cancer.

Among these: cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and a diet that has high saturated fat, low fiber, and high red meat consumption.

“Living a healthy lifestyle by avoiding

smoking, not consuming excessive alcohol, regular exercise, and eating the right food can lower your risk for cancer in the colon and rectum,” Dr. Ruiz says.

CRC grows slowly and does not cause symptoms for a long time, the Merck manual says. Symptoms depend on the type, location, and extent of the cancer.

“Fatigue and weakness resulting from occult bleeding (bleeding not visible to the naked eye) may be the person’s only symptoms,” the Merck manual says. “A tumor in the left (descending) colon is likely to cause obstruction at an earlier stage, because the left colon has a smaller diameter and the stool is semisolid.

“Cancer tends to encircle this part of the colon, causing alternating constipation and frequent bowel movements before obstruction,” the Merck manual continues.

“The person may seek medical treatment because of crampy abdominal pain or severe abdominal pain and constipation.”

A tumor in the right (ascending) colon does not cause obstruction until late in the course of the cancer, “because the ascending colon has a large diameter and the contents flowing through it are liquid.”

Most colon cancers bleed, usually slowly. “The stool may be streaked or mixed with blood but often the blood cannot be seen; a test of the stool for occult blood is needed to detect it,” the Merck manual says. “The most common first symptom of rectal cancer is bleeding during a bowel movement.”

In almost all countries, CRC screening is recommended for people starting the age of 50 years. “Screening at an earlier

age, usually at 40, is advocated in first-degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer, and in those with other additional risk factors,” Dr. Ruiz says.

The gold standard for CRC screening, according to Dr. Ruiz, is a colonoscopy as it can detect and remove early lesions like polyps. “The procedure involves a flexible fiberoptic scope with a camera that is inserted through the rectum and is carefully advanced to visualize the colon under mild anesthesia,” he explains. “However, it is, however, an invasive test and has low potential to cause complications.”

There are some patients may not want to have an invasive test or may find the cost of a colonoscopy expensive. “A stool test called the Fecal Immunochemical test (FIT) is a good screening alternative,” Dr. Ruiz says. “FIT detects only human blood and is specific for bleeding in the colon.

The test is repeated every year if the initial test is negative. If the test is positive, a colonoscopy is needed to rule out the presence of cancer.”

As a gastroenterologist who advocates CRC screening, Dr. Ruiz recommends a screening colonoscopy in persons between 50 to 75 years of age who are healthy and in whom the complications are low. “If the patient does not want to start with a colonoscopy, I suggest starting with FIT,” he writes. “After a discussion with his physician, the patient can choose his preferred screening test.”

Dr. Ruiz ends his article with this statement: “By undergoing either method of CRC screening, we would be able to beat colorectal cancer.”

Beating colorectal cancer

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

NGCP... FROM 2

Tower 25 rendering the Agus 2-Kibawe 138kV line remains non-operational since it was bombed on Christmas Eve last year due to the refusal of claimants to cooperate with representatives of the NGCP.

Capulong said the Sambitory family, the claimant, refused entry to NGCP to repair the damaged tower.

This has led to the isolation of the Agus 1 and Agus 2 from the Mindanao Grid.

ments of Education, Interior and Local Government, Health, Justice, Labor and Employment, and National Defense.

Other agencies targeted to get involved in the IAC VAWC in Davao Region were the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, National Statistical Coordination Board, City Social Services and Development Office (Davao City), and the social welfare offices of the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Compostela Valley.

The Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Republic Act 9262, otherwise known as “An Act Defining Violence against Women and their Children, providing for Protective Measures for Victims, Prescribing Penalties Thereof and for Other Purposes,” sets

the creation of IAC VAWC to ensure the effective implementation of the law and for the Council to become the lead coordinator and monitoring body on VAWC intiatives.

Based on the Law, Council is tasked to undertake promotion of Anti-VAWC Act, capacity-building of stakeholders, development of comprehensive programs for VAWC victims-survivors, networking with other stakeholders and monitoring of the implementation of the RA 9262.

The Council is also tasked to conduct research to include the integrated approach to eliminate VAWC, nature and root causes of VAWC, battered woman syndrome, violence against lesbian relationships, violence against marginalized women, rehabilitation of VAWC perpetrators and documentation of good practices as bases for policy formulation and program development.

(PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron Abangan)

said.

Speaking during the ceremony, Emperador chair Dr. Andrew L. Tan said there is a huge opportunity for innovation and creativity in Spain’s brandy and sherry industry.

“A new era begins not just for Fundador, but the whole brandy and sherry industry in Spain. This is an era that will bring in more innovation and new ideas,” Tan said.

Tan’s goal is to create the

world’s best brandy. “If the world’s best whiskies are aged in sherry casks in Jerez, then many of the brandy products now aged in sherry casks in Jerez should become the best brandy in the world. In Bodegas Fundador, we have a sizable inventory of brandy that has been aged for more than 50 years. Once they are bottled, they should become one of the most valuable brandies in the world,” he said. █

basket composts are too laborious to do, you can also make trench composts.

If manure is not available, the leaves of leguminous trees and shrubs (flemingia, rensonii, kakawate and/or indigofera) will do. These are stuffed into the basket or trench composts to provide nitrogen and other nutrients needed by growing crops.

“You can immediately use the composts without waiting for the usual 3 to 4 month period as is necessary in the old method of composting,” Alimoane says.

However, the time to plant seeds or seedlings around the basket or trench composts depends on the state of decomposition of materials inside the compost. “If the materials at the bottom part are nearly decomposed, seeds and/ or seedlings can be planted immediately,” says Alimoane.

“But if most of the materials are still fresh, planting may be done two to 3 weeks later.”

Like most gardening, good management is necessary.

The reserved areas should be planted in time so that there would be continuous supply of vegetables throughout the year.

Since kamote, alugbati, and kangkong are crawling plants, these should be planted in separate beds one meter wide and 6 meters long with a distance of 50 centimeters between beds. The plants should be set 20 centimeters apart.

For patani and winged beans, two to 3 seeds per hill are planted around the composts. These two legumes are the main providers of proteins. Other plants which are good sources of protein are soybeans, string beans, and bush sitao.

Some crawling vegetables like cucumber,ampalaya, and patola (should be provided with trellis; otherwise the vines will become a problem later on.

“Leafy vegetables are high in iron, calcium, vitamin A, and other minerals,” Alimoane shares. It helps to maintain “FAITH.”

DSWD... FROM 4

MURDER PROBE. Regional Police Office (PRO) 11 spokesperson Chief Inspector Andrea Dela Cerna (left) gives the details of the killing of Maragusan Municipality police chief Chief Inspector Ger Igtanloc who was shot dead

Coal-fired... FROM 3

Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC) head Romeo Montenegro told reporters earlier that the Mindanao power supply is continuing to contract as the deliverables of the major hydroelectric power plants here decreases.

Montenegro, who is also the director of the public relations and investment promotions division of the Mindanao Development Authority, said the long drought season is affecting the water level in the reservoirs of the Agus- Pulangi Hydroelectric Power Complexes.

“The Agus-Pulangi is only delivering 20 percent of its more than 900 MW installed capacity due to low water elevation,” Montenegro added.

He said the power supplied by the power plant even

drop to less than 200MW last week because of the El Niño phenomenon.

Montenegro said the derated capacity of the Agus and Pulangi is expected to dive further as the long drought season peaks in the summer period.

However, he said the entry of coal-fired power plants in Mindanao in the first quarter will ease the tight Mindanao power crisis.

He said the 100-MW 100MW unit of the Sarangani Energy Corporation in Maasim, Sarangani Province will come online in the first quarter of the year while the San Miguel Power Corporation will start commercial operation of its two power plants, each having a capacity of 150 MW, in the second quarter.

said.

Coloma said Labor Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz has sent labor officials to Saudi Arabia to negotiate for the salaries and benefits as well as for the release and exit, if necessary, of OFWs working in companies experiencing fi-

nancial troubles such as Saudi Oger Ltd and Saudi Bin Ladin Group.

The officials include Labor Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunsad III and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Director Albert Valenciano. (PRC-PIA)

Montenegro said the TSI coal-fired power plant in Binugao, Toril which was restored Sunday following a maintenance shutdown, cannot supply electricity beyond the contracted power needs for Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) since the power plant also allocates energy to other electric cooperatives in Mindanao.

He said the Davao Light has sourced its largest power needs from the Agus-Pulangi hydropower plant, which is the largest power source in Mindanao.

“The problem is, Agus-Pulangi can only produce up to 20 percent of its full capacity in the last several days. Given its 900 megawatt expected capacity, it can only deliver 200 megawatts or less, dropping to 150 megawatts three days ago because of the low water

level in Lake Lanao due to the El Niño phenomenon,” he said.

Montenegro said if DLPC takes all energy from the TSI coal fired power plant, it will result in brownouts in many areas of Mindanao.

“Davao Light can only tap up to the extent of its contracted power from the TSI. The entire capacity of the TSI is also contracted to other electric cooperatives that are equally in need of supply no matter how big or small it is based on their specific contracts,” he said.

Montenegro looked forward to a better power situation in Mindanao from April onwards due to the entry of more coal-fired power plants from Davao del Sur and Sarangani Province and for embedded 10-megawatt generator in Cagayan de Oro City to be operational. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Situation... FROM 3

MindDA... FROM 6

in Tagum City yesterday. Dela Cerna and Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz (right) graced yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

Mindanao... FROM 3 Region IX with P2.09-billion, Region XI with P1.9-billion, Caraga allocated P1.5 billion and the Autonomous Region of Moslem Mindanao receiving P1.099-billion.

The PRDP is a six-year national project under the Department of Agriculture jointly funded by the World Bank, the National Government and the Local Government Units,

it aims to establish a modern, value-chain oriented and climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries sector.

Manual said that the 26 provinces in Mindanao had submitted their Provincial Commodity Investment Plan which will serve as their bible in the proposal of infrastructure projects under the PRDP. (PIA/RG Alama)

will not, unlike in Manila, file a petition for fare rate decrease,” he said.

He, however, said the transport groups such as Southern Mindanao Diversified Drivers and Operators Cooperative (SEMDOC) and other transport groups in the city will follow such an order if it is given.

“The situation now is, we are awaiting with patience the resolution of the board,” he said.

Violan said last year only the National Capital Region (NCR) and Regions 3 and 4 were granted fare reduction.

He said it is also possible that the decision of the board will be released after the 2016 national and local election.

On January 27, 2015, City Council majority floor leader councilor Bernard E. Al-ag passed a resolution urging the LTFRB to decrease fare rates due to the decrease in fuel prices. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

nized during the DOH Regional Harmonized Awarding Ceremony were Tagum City Jail for Red Orchid Award and the Local Chief Executives of Barangays Cuambogan, Magugpo West, Busaon, Canocotan, La Filipina, Madaum, Magugpo East, Magugpo South, New Balamban, Nueva Fuerza,

Pandapan, Visayan Village, Apokon, Mankilam, San Agustin, Magugpo North, Magdum, Magugpo Poblacion, San Miguel and Pagsabangan who each earned a Sandugo Award for their dynamic participation in maintaining adequate safe blood supply in the city. Richi Gulle/CIO Tagum

the barangays, we would not have attained a healthy Dabaonon community),” the governor said.

Rosario said because of the barangay nutrition schol-

ars, the prevalence rate of malnutrition in the province decreased to 4.6 percent last year from 14 percent at the start of his administration as a governor. (PIA11, Michael Uy)

Aguila noted that for Davao Region, collection has improved in the past five years as both the goal and actual collection has already doubled in the last half decade, with the incease averaging 20 percent increase per year since 2010.

For last year’s P15.8 billion collection target, 14.3 billion was collected. This year’s target, he said, is more challenging at P21 billion, representing

a 41 percent higher target compared with last year.

To achieve this, the BIR intends to establish the High Net worth Individuals (HINIs) tax campaign targeting individuals with high income and net worth, apart from the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) and Oplan Kandado which will also institute a culture of tax consciousness among tax payers.

JOHN TRIA

No... FROM 3

Tagum... FROM 4

Nutrition... FROM 4 2016... FROM 6

Emperador... FROM 6

AGRITRENDS... FROM 7

11 ICT HUB

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Globe Galaxy Google takes ‘responsibility’ Experience at Wanderland 2016 in self-driving car accident T HE annual music and arts festival, Wanderland is gearing up for another musical fete with this year’s anticipated line-up of international and local talents. Together with the leader in digital lifestyle, Globe, on March 5, 2016, Saturday, at the Globe Circuit Events Grounds, festival aficionados are in for tons of special treats as they experience the excitement of the Globe Galaxy.

G

OOGLE acknowledged on Monday “some responsibility” in a minor fender-bender crash involving one of its autonomous vehicles earlier this month.

However, in explaining the situation on a street of Mountain View, Northern California, where the technology company is headquartered, Google reasoned that “if our car hadn’t moved there wouldn’t have been a collision.”

The self-driving car, a modified Lexus RX450h, struck the side of a public bus on Feb. 14 while operating on the autonomous mode, resulting in no injuries in the car or on the bus but causing damage to the car’s left front fender, front wheel and a driver side sensor.

As Google claimed in November that none of its cars had been the cause of the 17 minor accidents in the six-year-old project, during which about 3.2 million km were logged in autonomous and manual driving, the latest incident seemed to be the first caused by its fleet of selfdriving vehicles.

“Our vehicle was driving autonomously … It then detected sandbags near a storm drain blocking its path, so it needed to come to a stop,”

File photo of a Google self-driving car the Silicon Valley company said in a written statement.

“After waiting for some other vehicles to pass, our vehicle, still in autonomous mode, began angling back toward the center of the lane.”

The car was moving at about 3.2 km per hour, and “made contact” with the side of a passing bus traveling at about 24 km per hour.

The Department of Motor Vehicles of California posted an accident report filed on Feb. 23 by Chris Urmson, director of Google’s self-driving car project.

Referring to the accident report, the company said

“our car had detected the approaching bus, but predicted that it would yield to us because we were ahead of it.”

During the accident, the test driver, whose presence is required by state law, watched the bus in the mirror and expected it to slow or stop, therefore did not take over the wheel.

“This type of misunderstanding happens between human drivers on the road every day,” Google said.

Google has been pushing authorities for more extensive road tests of self-driving cars and has joined other

companies working on similar projects to make case that most of traffic accidents were the results of human errors.

Since the latest crash, the company said it has “reviewed this incident (and thousands of variations on it) in our simulator in detail and made refinements to our software.

From now on, our cars will more deeply understand that buses (and other large vehicles) are less likely to yield to us than other types of vehicles.”

“We hope to handle situations like this more gracefully in the future,” it said.

(PNA/Xinhua)

Microsoft and is under early adoption by companies such as Avanade.

The Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection service doesn’t appear to be available yet more broadly, Redmond Magazine said.

A Microsoft spokesperson indicated via e-mail that it could pop up sometime “in the coming months” for Windows Insider Program Windows 10 testers. This solution isn’t available for Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 as it was “specifically built into Windows 10,” according to the spokesperson.

There also was no explanation if the service would be an additional cost. Window Defender for consumers is a free service.

Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection will provide a “post-breach” means of detecting attacks using machine-learning capabilities. It can quickly detect if there’s been any compromise of a system for the clients that opt into

the protection, according to Terry Myerson, executive vice president of the Microsoft Windows and Devices Group.

It can check the breach status of PCs over the last six months.

Microsoft is also promising that Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection will remove the drudgery of having to comb through logs to detect security breaches.

“Simplified investigation tools replace the need to explore raw logs by exposing process, file, URL and network connection events for a specific m a c h i n e or across the enterprise,” Microsoft’s announcement explained.

A future release of the service will include “remediation tools for affected

endpoints,” the announcement promised.

The service taps Microsoft’s Big Data analysis capabilities to detect threats. It uses what Microsoft describes as its “intelligent security graph” to carry it out. █

Microsoft unveils Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection Service M ICROSOFT yesterday announced a new Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection service.

Redmond Magazine said according to Microsoft’s announcement, the service is described as “a combination of client technology built into Windows 10 and a robust cloud service.”

It’s a big step up from the Windows Defender consumer utility program, which is used to check Windows clients for malware. Windows Defender was built into the Windows 8 and Windows 10 operating systems, replacing the Microsoft Security Essentials consumer antimalware service. It currently provides antimalware protection across nearly “300 million devices,” according to Microsoft.

Microsoft’s announcement described Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection more as a service for organizations to use than as a utility program for consumers.

It’s currently being used across

Enter the Globe Galaxy Globe Galaxy takes Wanderland 2016 to the next level through its interactive activities, and games that everyone can explore and enjoy. The digital lifestyle is brought to life with this all-in-one interactive hub made up of 7 planets – Zero Gravity, Lifestyle Odyssey, Movie Planetarium, Space Race, Astro Rocks, GCash Vortex, and The Transporter On Zero Gravity, guests can defy gravity on the trampoline and shoot the coolest videos ready to upload on YouTube and upload their GIF photos on Instagram; Lifestyle Odyssey lets one take OOTDs and discover new content from Globe such as the latest fitness app K-Fit; the Movie Planetarium then challenges one’s movie knowledge with fun quizzes to win premium items; Space Race and Astro Rocks provides a fun way of learning about mobile games and Spotify hacks as well as a chance to take the mic and sing your heart out with the Digital Rockeoke Barkada challenge ; the GCash Vortex allows guests to go cashless with the use of the GCash App; and lastly, The Transporter planet lets you update your Grab app.

“Together with the latest advancements we have achieved on mobile, part of our mission at Globe is to bring these to life through events like Wanderland. Music and arts is such an integral part of the life-

style of today’s youth. It allows them to express themselves and inspires them to explore.

Through our partnership with Karpos Multimedia for the annual Wanderland Festival, we are given the opportunity to bring our customers closer to what they love the most. The winning line-up of artists this year is really something to look forward to,” shares Globe Senior Vice President for Consumer Mobile Marketing, Issa Cabreira.

Wanderland #OOTD Through a special partnership with leading online fashion site, ZALORA, wanderers can put together their outfits through The Wanderer Collection. Made up of epic outfits to take your fashion statement out of this world, The Wanderer Collection features on-trend pieces curated for the festival vibe.

Guys and girls can choose from the different collections of ZALORA, Factorie, Velvet, Something Borrowed, Rubi and 2401 by visiting http:// zlrph.com/GLOBEWanderer.

For a minimum spend of P500, customers will get a 15% discount by using the code: WANDERER. Festival Playlist To get into that festival spirit, Globe has also put together a catch-up Spotify playlist to make sure you can sing together with the artists as they take over the Wanderland stage. From Bon Iver’s laidback tunes to Death Cab for Cutie’s hits, the #GlobeWanderland2016 playlist on Spotify should be on repeat this whole week.

Wanderland 2016 is a festival by Karpos Multimedia and presented by the #1 mobile brand, Globe. The annual Wanderland festival bring is anticipated international indie bands alongside homegrown indie acts on the same stage to cater to a diaspora of music tastes. This year, guests can look forward to winning performances from two stellar headliners: alternative rock legend Death Cab For Cutie and Manila first-timer Bon Iver. They are joined by Kiwi electronic group The Naked And Famous; Australian indie pop band San Cisco; and other international acts including electronic duo Panama; Blackbird Blackbird; Chad Valley and Commandeur. Talented Filipino artists will also take over Wanderland with Crwn + Jess Connelly, Curtismith, Cheats, Jensen And The Flips, and the Wanderband 2016 victor: Oh, Flamingo!

Wanderland has curated a loyal following, making it the premier music festival in the Philippines. █

12 CLASSIFIEDS

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

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EDGEDAVAO EVENT

Matteo Isaac daddy Marlon and mommy Ma. Isabel Matteo Isaac prepares to blow the candles on his birthday cake

A prehistoric party

by Lean Daval Jr.

It was a trip to the prehistoric era as Matteo Isaac Escalicas, unico hijo of Camella South Mindanao cluster head Marlon Escalicas and wife Ma. Isabel, celebrated his 7th birthday with a dinosaur-themed party last February 12 at Camella Northpoint’s clubhouse, the Wakefield Manor.

Wakefield Manor, a three-story structure and the centerpiece of Northpoint’s deluxe facilities and amenities, was transformed into a “Jurassic Park” where guests were made to experience and feel what it must have been like to live with those giant creatures when they still roamed these lands. The venue was decorated with vines, dinosaur replicas and sculpted balloons by event orga-

nizer Event Master.

The always beaming and bubbly Isaac, together with his friends, classmates, and older guests who are kids at heart were treated to an afternoon of fun and surprises with activities such as magic show, face painting, balloon sculpting, and parlor games. There was also photo booth were guests did their wackiest poses and a candy bar that offered a wide variety of

Camella Northpoint’s Wakefield Manor clubhouse

Isaac with daddy Marlon enjoying the balloon sculpting

sweet treats.

Of course a party won’t be complete without a lavish feast and sumptuous food.

Jelyn’s C a tering op erated

by Lai Hofe r Jelyn Virtudazo made su re the kids

and other guests were satisfied.

Because lil’ Isaac fancies dinosaurs, he took home dinosaur replica toys as presents from Daddy Marlon, Mommy Isabel, family, relatives, classmates, and teachers from the Davao Chong Hua High School.

It’s undeniably a happy and an unforgettable experience for Isaac made possible by his loving parents. Without a doubt next year’s celebration will be much more exciting and surprising.

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FOOD

Comfort eating at its best SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW – nah, it’s not about anybody’s wedding. This statement, even as a local, is how I always see Davao. With its vast land area, I always am in awe of the things and places I discover. Of course, of the people I meet and share experieneces with. In Davao, you’d truly never know what to expect.

An institution in itself, Lispher Inn has been one of Davao’s many hidden gems. It’s quaint facade is an indicator of how they value their heritage – but one that would not intimidate you in any way.

Once you step inside, you’d be transported into an era-esque interior that is, at the same time, very pleasant and welcoming.

Something that most hotels lack.

It used to be a residence but has since been transformed into a hotel that caters to travelers who seek serenity in the city minus the chaos.

Foremost, it’s location is

a factor. Located at the metropolis’ south area, it’s surrounded with a number of establishments (that includes a number of malls, restaurants and cafes), an IT park, and a school. Hence, it’s location is perfect for

any of your exploration endeavor.s Here’s the thing, when you are in the vicinity and are hungry, why not head to Lispher Inn’s restaurant/cafe for a gastronomical fix that you’d surely love to repeat. Avenida, their in-house restaurant/ cafe, is a treasure chest in its own. It’s simple – yes - but the food that they serve is something you’d not find any where else.

Their menu is not as complicated as you’d expect it to be. Just like the interiors of Avenida, it’s downright basic and straight to the point.

What they offer is an array of personal favorites (as Paul Borromeo, owner and proprietor, stated) cooked according to how they (the owners) love them. These are dishes that they themselves have grown up with. Dishes and recipes passed on, perfected through time and now, served to others to enjoy.

What are they known for? Many rave of their rice toppings. Of which, their Beef Misono is a favorite – chunks of juicy beef over perfectly steamed rice topped with a hefty dollop of creamy, buttery sauce. Nothing fancy. Just a plain dish that will have you cleaning your bowl in an instant. What makes this worthy of all the calories is that the beef chunks are fork and bite juicy. Not at all dry. The addition of

the sauce, that which enables the beef to suck in the flavours, plays well with the palate. Try the beef with or without the sauce and experience the difference.

Aside from the rice toppings, they also have an array of dishes that will satisfy your every craving.

Of which, their plate of Sizzling Seafood is a must try. Bite size pieces of seafood goodness, mixed with diced vegetables and topped with rich sauce is what this dish is all about.

It’s very pungent (in a good way) and has that lasting but not umay taste on the palate. In addition, you can always ask for seconds with the sauce.

Another must try is

their Fried Bangus Belly with KangKong. Although fried, the bangus is still juicy and bursting with sweetness. Same goes for the belly. Take a forkful of the fish and the blanched greens, with or without the sauce, and you’d fall in love with the bangus all over again. The simplicity of this dish is what makes this a musttry.

For the veggie lover in you, try their Curried Vegetables. Imagine a plateful of blanched vegetables topped with curried sauce cooked and tweaked to suit the Filipino palate. Though cooked with curry, the pairing creates a texure that allows you to taste the veg-

gies and savour the curry without overpowering each other.

Lispher Inn also offers a festive Mongolian Buffet every Mondays and Fridays for only P165.00.

The next time you crave Asian flavours, go ahead and make Lispher Inn your destination.

Lispher Inn is located at #13 Juna Avenue, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City. For bookings and reservations, you may call them at 082 299 1610 or 0922 832 9134.

Make #TheRoyalChef your Thursday habit! Follow my messy royal food affair at theroyalchefeats. wordpress.com and on Instagram @theroyalchefleebai.

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EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

JolinareturnstoStarMusicwith‘BacktoLove’ J O L I N A MAGDANGAL HAS COME HOME to the label that produced her biggest hits – Star Music – with an allnew album aptly titled “Back to Love,” a collection of unapologetically romantic love songs.

“It’s who I really am – I love love songs. I am sentimental. I’m happy when I sing ‘hugot’ songs. Mas kinikilig ako pag senti ‘yung kanta,” shared Jolina on her conscious choice to include only love songs in the album.

Her return to the recording scene was

warmly welcomed by her fans as “Back to Love” recently scored a gold record award for having sold more than 7,500 units, just two weeks after its release.

Jolina also considers “Back to Love,” first album with Star Music in 14 years, a personal project as she has been involved in its making from its conception to its packaging.

“I’m super handson with this album.

I involved myself in everything – from choosing the concept, choosing the songs, to making the cover and music video. I’m also very thankful to Star Music for giving me a

chance,” she shared.

“Back to Love” includes her first single “Ikaw Ba ‘Yon,” as well as “Kaya Mo Pa Ba,” “Paano Na To,” and “Nasaan Na” – all original ballads thick with heartache.

Jolina’s ‘90s hit “Kapag Ako Ay Nagmahal” also gets two re-recordings on the album – the mellow 2015 version and a remix featuring Gloc-9.

Moreover, Jolina collaborates with Vice Ganda on “Chuva Choo Choo 2.0,” which is made even more playful with the ‘unkabogable’ comedian’s vocals.

Completing the track list are “Sa Panaginip Lang,” “Still You,”

“Ganito Pala Ang Pagibig,” and “Throwback Lang,” a duet with Kyla.

“Back to Love” can now be streamed on Spotify and is now available at all record bars nationwide at P299. Digital tracks can also be downloaded via online music stores such as ABS-CBN Store, iTunes, Mymusicstore. com.ph, Amazon.com, OneMusic.ph, and Starmusic.ph.

For more information, visit Starmusic.ph or follow Star Music’s official social media accounts at Facebook.com/ starrecordsphil, Twitter. co m /s t a r r e co r d s p h and Instagram.com/ Starmusicph.

Ruru Madrid talks about working with BJ Pascual and Kelsey Merritt for magazine cover DID YOU KNOW IT’S RURU’S FIRST TIME TO BE ON A MAGAZINE COVER?

“First time ko magcover sa lahat ng magazine,” Kapuso star Ruru Madrid gushed.

He felt the same way just like any first-time moments, “Sobrang saya kasi [ang] Preview [magazine ay] hindi naman sila [madalas] nagko-cover ng lalaki eh, ‘pag may ka-pair lang lagi na babae like ‘yung kay Solenn [Heussaff kasama ang] boyfriend niya.”

He even cracked a

joke about the shoot, “Actually, binuhusan ako ng isang baldeng tubig, tapos si BJ (Pascual) kasi sobrang galing.” He admires the skills of the top fashion photographer, “Iba kasi si BJ Pascual [kasi] sobrang saya [at] hinahayaan niya ako eh. Nakuha niya ‘yung tamang anggulo [ko].”

As for the other half of the “KelRu” love team, he described model Kelsey Merritt as “sobrang bait.” The charming actor thought, “Akala ko Englisera siya eh [pero] ‘di pala eh [kasi] ang kulit niya magsalita, parang

the way siya magsalita, walang ka-arte-arte [at] parang katropa mo lang.”

His fellow Kapuso

stars Andre Paras and Derrick Monasterio also graced the cover for Preview’s February 2016 edition.

XianLimbaressecrettohiswinningphysique WITH A NEW TELESERYE, “The Story of Us” actor Xian Lim has to stay fit more than ever.

This Thursday (March 3) on “Sports U,” Lim will share his workout routine to inspire people to be active and eat right, especially with summer around the corner. Meanwhile, Dyan Castillejo also meets with Filipino pole vault “boy wonder” EJ Obiena, who will be training in an Olympic camp in Italy. Is he our hope for an Olympic gold medal?

See more of Xian and EJ

and learn how to achieve the “beach body” on “Sports U,” on Thursday (March 3) after “Bandila” on ABS-CBN. “Sports U” aims to promote athletes who have inspiring stories to share and may possibly become future sports stars of the country. It also promotes fitness and healthy lifestyle by looking into how celebrities stay in shape.

Follow their Facebook page at http://facebook. com/SportsUtv and official Twitter account (@SportsUTV) for more updates.

March 3 – 8, 2016

ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE Gerald Anderson, Arci Muňoz

PG

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

LONDON HAS FALLEN Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman R13

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

THE FINEST HOURS Chris Pine, Casey Affleck PG

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

GODS OF EGYPT Gerard Butler, Abbey Lee, Courtney Eaton PG

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

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

UP AND ABOUT

Metrobank art exhibit to open in SM Lanang Premier BRINGING ART CLOSER TO THE PUBLIC, SM Lanang Premier, in partnership with Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) will be bringing to Davao an exhibit of winning artworks made by contemporary Filipino artists on March 3 to 7.

Titled “2016 Art MADE Public,” the said travelling retrospec tive exhibition marks the 32nd year of the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE), one of the country’s most prestigious art and design recognition programs.

With the theme “Finding Phenoms in Art,” MADE hails Filipino artistry and creativity through its annual recognition programs for painters, sculptors, interior designers and architects.

“Art MADE Public” will be launched on Thursday, March 3 at The Atrium, SM Lanang Premier. It will showcase the actual art pieces of some of the notable artists who were past MADE awardees such as Anthony Palomo,

Stanley Gallermo, Ferdinand Montemayor, Dominador Pamisa, Jr., Bryan Teves, Andre Tan, Nelson Ferraris, Ronald Jeresano, Jonathan Carpio, Ronson Culubrina, Arthur Moreno, Salvador Ching, Elemer Borlongan, Lester Rodriguez, and Don Bryan Bunag to name a few.

Alongside the exhibit, a lecture series on visual arts and design for students will

be held on Friday, March 4, from 1 pm to 5 pm at The Atrium. A “HeART for Healing Workshop” for the differently abled will also be held on Saturday, March 5, from 1 pm to 5 pm in partnership with

the Autism Society of the Philippines. Admission is free for all activities.

Now on its 4th year, “Art MADE Public” aims to raise public appreciation for the arts and promote MADE to

young Filipino artists to join its recognition programs and be provided opportunities to launch their respective careers. Art exhibitions and art lectures are being held nationwide in various cultural institutions, the academe, including commercial spaces in partnership with SM Supermalls.

Prior to its run in SM Lanang Premier, “Art Made Public” was placed on exhibit in SM Aura Premier and SM Seaside City Cebu and will next be held at SM Center Angono.

For slot reservation and inquiries regarding MADE competitions for painting, sculpture, architecture, and interior design, please contact Henri Palma of the Metrobank Foundation, Inc., at tel. no. 8988856; mobile no.: 09178107846; or e-mail henri. p a l m a @ m e t r o b a n k . co m . ph. You may also visit MADE Facebook page “Metrobank ArtandDesignExcellence” and follow its instagram account: @madecompetition.

Nurture your interest in art at the “2016 Art MADE Public” at SM Lanang Premier. For event updates, contact 2850943 or follow SM Lanang Premier on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 13

Earth Hour shines light on climate action T

HE World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is again urging its supporters to switch-off and shine a light on climate action as the world enters a new era of climate action.

From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on March 19, Earth’s most iconic landmarks will once more switch off their lights for Earth Hour 2016. WWF-Philippines revealed its campaign plans the other day at a kick-off at the Raffles and Fairmont Hotel in Makati.

The kick-off was led by national ambassadors Marc Nelson, Rovilson Fernandez, and Iza Calzado, plus Earth Hour Steward Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworksi.

Earth Hour, which began as a single-city event in 2007, celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2016.

Earth Hour Philippines’ main switch-off event shall be held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on March 19, Saturday night. “It shall be a showcase of climate solutions,” Earth Hour Philippines director Atty. Gia Ibay said.

“Stationary bikes will partially power this year’s event to show that united, Pinoys can light up this country with their collective energy. Togeth-

er, anything is possible,” Ibay added.

Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off lights for 60 minutes to deliver a powerful message about the need for decisive climate change solutions. In the past decade, the movement has grown from a symbolic switch-off event in Sydney, Australia to the world’s largest open-sourced environmental campaign mobilising hundreds of millions of people in over 7000 cities and 172 countries.

The Philippines has been championing the switch-off since 2008 and has topped participation records from 2009 to 2013 – earning it the title of Earth Hour Hero Country. A growing list of allies has pledged to support this year’s efforts, led by government partners such as the Climate Change Commission (CCC), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of National Defense (DND), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department

GOING SOLAR. One of Earth Hour Philippines’ projects is to aims to distribute solar lights among fish ranchers and seaweed farmers in Beton, an offshore community in Taytay, Northern Palawan. (Photo from Earth Hour Philippines) of Science and Technology (DOST), League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), Local Government of Quezon City, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

Social media users can

promote their commitment to the planet by donating their Facebook feeds to spread climate awareness and action in a few clicks on earthhour.org/ climateaction. Users can also use the hashtags #EarthHourPhilippines, #ChangeClimateChange, and #RenewableisDoable to promote climate solutions.

“Social media knows no physical boundaries and neither does climate change,” Earth Hour global executive director Siddarth Das said. “A simple action on social media is the kind of powerful statement that can excite friends and communities to be a part of the climate action we need to take on this global chal-

lenge.”

Since 2007, WWF and Earth Hour teams worldwide have harnessed the power of the movement to raise support and funds for access to renewable energy, protection of wildlife and their habitats, building sustainable livelihoods and driving climate-friendly legislation and policy.

14 MOTORING EDGEDAVAO

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Meet the 2016 Subaru Levorg F

RANKLY, it’s hard to classify what the Subaru Levorg is. Subaru calls it a compact sports tourer which is marketing speak for: We can’t decide if it’s a compact car, a sports sedan, or a wagon, so we’ll just blend it all together. And true enough, the recipe of the Levorg is largely that: a front-end shared with the WRX, a dashboard similar to that of an XV, and the trunk space comparable to that of a Forester. And while this amalgam of Legacy + Revolution + Touring sounds as disastrous as “Aldub”, the resulting car is actually quite good. It’s excellent. It’s a gamble that’s paid off handsomely for Subaru.

Outside, it’s clear the Levorg is based off the WRX (sharing even its wheelbase) but with more chrome. There’s some of that bright work on the grille, fog lamp clusters, window moldings, and mirrors. The front bumpers have been massaged, adding some curves near the fog lamp clusters that lessen the Evo-lookalike vibe. It’s from the B-pillar backward where the Levorg gets its own unique character. The long, angular roofline that stretches past almost to the taillights is reminiscent of the boxy Volvo 850 wagon and for that alone, it gets sexy points. And on top of that, you get turbine-style 18-inch alloy wheels with high-performance tires and twin tailpipes with a built-in diffuser. This is so much win.

Inside, the Levorg is a case of “if it isn’t broken, why fix it” and thus, it replicates the WRX’s driver-oriented cabin down to the flat-bottomed steering wheel. The driving position is spot on and exterior visibility is excellent thanks to the large windows.

There are no complaints with the available space for the front occupants. The seats, with their generous bolsters, are extremely comfy and you can actually spread your legs without fear of banging knees anywhere. And understanding they have to lure a more sophisticated set, it’s got upped touch points with more leather, more chrome, more piano black accents, a lit glove box, and one-touch operation for all the windows. It also has a touchscreen infotainment system with voice controls that actually work and six USB charging points scattered throughout the cabin. Blue hues break the black color scheme and it’s everywhere— the seats, the gauges, and at night, the climate controls.

Oddly enough, all other controls not located on the dash itself (steering wheel, windows, transmission tunnel) are still lit in red. This is the

first Subaru with mismatched interior lighting and hopefully, it’s going to be the last.

While those in front will be all thumbs up for its supportive seats and cavernous interior, those in the back won’t be as lucky. The rear seats, though capable of seating three, will have to live with compromised comfort. Although the seat backs themselves are adjustable via a lever, the cushion length barely reaches the middle of the thighs forcing those in the back to sit uncomfortably straight resulting in, likely, sore bums after hours in traffic.

As a grocery getter, the Levorg has a taller and wider, but shorter cargo compartment compared to say, the Mazda6 Sport Wagon. In terms of numbers though, it gives up 78 liters in trunk space compared to the Forester with the rear seats folded (1,446 versus 1,524 liters).

The hood-mounted scoop hints at some sporty pretensions and in that regard, the Levorg doesn’t disappoint, largely.

The sole engine is a direct-injection, turbocharged version of the FB16 with 170 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque.

Driven smoothly, there’s good pull from the engine and the power delivery is surprisingly linear. It feels more like a normally-aspirated 2.5-liter engine than a forced-induction motor except for the characteristic turbo whistle past 3,000

rpm. It’s also surprisingly quiet even at past 100 km/h, where the only unfiltered sounds are from the tires and sometimes, the suspension bits bobbing up and down. It’s only when you drive it hard that the weaknesses show. Jab the throttle and for a split-second, you can feel the CVT shuffling its ratios.

From almost no power, it gives a jolt of torque past 2,000 rpm.

This unpredictable on/off power delivery is somewhat quelled when engaging ‘Sport’ on the Subaru SI-Drive, but you should be ready to hit the brakes anytime. Thankfully, this car’s got front and rear vented disc brakes.

Locally, the Levorg is the first Subaru model equipped with an idle start/ stop function.

It operates smoothly and is unobtrusively.

And for the geeks at heart, the gauge cluster actually displays the liters of premium unleaded saved. Surprisingly, that did little to lift the Levorg’s fuel efficiency numbers. It manages just 7.93 km/L in heavy (average speed 15 km/h) and 10.41 in light traffic (average speed 24 km/h). Still, it can realistically do 400 kilometers between fill ups thanks to a generous 60-liter tank.

The WRX-based under-

pinnings allow the Levorg to be quick in a straight line as well as through corners.

It’s fun, maneuverable, and tossable through c u r v y roads. The initial turn in is quick and it’s

mighty predictable thanks to the well-tuned chassis. It’s not as quick as the WRX, but without a back-to-back comparison, you can’t tell. The chassis’ predictability is closely matched by the flat, almost non-existent body roll making this one confident car to push flat out. Subaru says they’ve benchmarked

the Volvo V60 and Audi S3 in developing the Levorg, and it shows. And get this: it doesn’t compromise the ride in any way. It rides firmly for sure, but it remains controlled whether it’s absorbing undulating potholes or road cracks.

Subaru’s chop suey strategy shouldn’t make any sense, but with the Levorg it does.

Priced at P 1,718,000, it’s trapped in a sea of executive

sedans and compact crossovers, and yet, it stands out not just for its excellent handling but for its quirky and unique packaging.

Let’s also not forget that it’s now Subaru’s now affordable turbocharged model. For this price, it comes packed with features some of which aren’t available in other more expensive Subaru models.

Apart from the idle start/stop, it has blind spot monitors, cross traffic alert, and even a high-beam assist for the headlights. Of course, like all other Subarus, the Levorg is destined for the owner-driver.

It’s fun and enjoyable rather than plush and cushy. Subaru has given the best they’ve got with the Levorg and for that, it’s worthy of consideration. (www.carguide.ph)

SPORTS15

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

PUBLIC ENEMY NO. 1 Gilas out to give Tony Parker and France rude reception in Olympic qualifier

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XPECT Gilas Pilipinas to give Tony Parker a rude welcome – at least on the day the Philippines and France square off in the opener of the Manila leg of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament July 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Parker recently confirmed he is suiting up for the French national team in the Rio Olympics qualifiers, news that’s a boon for basketball fans, while a bane for the Filipino dribblers.

“We will welcome him to Manila and I hope the kababayans welcome him in the way that only the Filipino fans can welcome an opposing player and a player who will be in that situ-

ation when we play them very much disliked in this country,” national coach Tab Baldwin said on Monday after the national team’s weekly practice.

“He could possibly be public enemy number one,” he added. “If a hundred million fans denote him as public enemy number one, then he should have a relatively uncomfortable day.”

But after the two teams meet, Gilas can get back to being fans of the San Antonio Spurs star point guard.

“The day after, we can love Tony for all the wonderful things that he is and has given to the game of basketball,” Baldwin said.

Southwoods Warriors tame Hawks in overtime begins repeat bid D C

LARK Field, Pampanga – A wide-open race for the centerpiece Championship Division title in the 69th Philippine Airlines Interclub swings into action beginning Wednesday, with Manila Southwoods seeking a rare repeat.

Canlubang is back in the tournament with a lineup that could very well pass as the national team; Orchard has a merry mix of young guns and experience; Del Monte is parading members of its grassroots program and Cebu Country Club is rock-solid as ever as action starts at Mimosa’s Mountain View layout here.

As of presstime, the first day of action is underway with a field of 98 teams seeing action.

Jobim Carlos, who will make the jump to the Asian Tour and local ICTSI circuit after this event, is going to be the focus of attention as he tries to come up with a great going away present and anchor a triumphant return for the Sugar Barons, the tournament’s winningest team of all time.

Rupert Zaragosa is also seeing action for Canlubang, which took a leave several years ago when handicapping rules prevented the best players in the land from playing together in one team.

Justin Quiban and reigning club champion, 16-yearold Yuto Katsuragawa of Japan will be the aces of the defending champions, even as former pro Raymond Sangil anchors Orchard, the champi-

on two years ago.

Cebu CC will still have its team of tested campaigners led by Carl Almario, Mark Dy and Eric Deen while Del Monte parades a squad led by the promising Jelmert Gamolo.

Katsuragawa is a rookie who is expected to shoulder a lot of the load for the Carmona-based squad and make it a dangerous side capable of springing an upset.

Luisita is another club that will make a first appearance in the centerpiece division for the first time in ages and it will feature a lineup built for the future in Basti and Santi Lorenzo and Dan Cruz.

Gab Manotoc, Carlo Villaroman, Carl Corpuz and Aidric Chan are the other young guns in the Canlubang lineup, with Abe Rosal coming out of retirement to provide a steadying presence and the much-needed Interclub experience.

The Interclub is sponsored by People Asia, Travelife, Mareco Broadcasting Network (Crossover), Manila Broadcasting Corporation, Airbus, Business Mirror and Philippine National Bank.

Other supporters are Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer.net, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Tanduay Distillers, Asia Brewery, Splash Corporation, RFM Corporation, Goldilocks, Eastgate Publishing Corporation, Robinsons Land and Rolls-Royce.

Titles in the Founders, Aviators, Sportswriters and Friendship divisions will also be staked.

RAYMOND Green somehow caught Andrew Bogut’s baseline save pass at his knees and avoided a diving Kent Bazemore, then let the ball fly as his legs split in the air.

Green hit an off-balance 3-pointer as the shot clock expired with 40.2 seconds remaining in overtime, and the Golden State Warriors escaped with a 109-105 win against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time) while Stephen Curry watched in street clothes with an injured ankle.

“It’s just a desperation heave,” Green said. “It’s just one of those things sometimes the ball just bounces your way and that one fell for me, unlike a lot of the other ones.”

Klay Thompson made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:54 remaining and another big basket at the 11.4-second mark on the way to 26 points.

The Warriors won their second straight overtime game to earn a franchise-best 43rd straight regular-season home

victory and 25th in a row this season.

Golden State (54-5) can tie the Bulls’ 44-game unbeaten mark at home from March 30, 1995, to April 4, 1996, when the Warriors host Oklahoma City on Thursday. They are

also chasing the ‘95-96 Chicago team’s record 72-win season.

The Warriors won their sixth straight overall, improved to 5-0 in OT and haven’t lost at Oracle Arena since a 113-111 defeat to the Bulls

on Jan. 27, 2015.

Atlanta’s Paul Millsap missed a wide open 3-pointer with 24 seconds left in regulation, and then Thompson and Bogut each missed potential winning shots in the closing seconds.

Draymond Green and the Warriors survive a huge scare from the hardfighting Hawks. AP

Ateneo’s Morado stays positive after loss to La Salle

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TENEO de Manila University setter Jia Morado pointed to “small details” that can be fixed in training as the primary reasons for their loss to De La Salle Saturday last Saturday.

She also remained positive that the Lady Eagles can bounce back.

The Lady Eagles saw their 24-match winning streak come to an end, when the Lady Spikers made quick work of them 25-22, 25-14, 25-18, in a match-up that was far less competitive than many projected.

Both Morado and team captain Alyssa Valdez acknowledged that nerves

played a role in their sputtering performance, with several key members of the team – including both liberos Jaime Lavitoria and Gizelle Tan – playing in such a massive game for the first time in their UAAP careers.

Yet Morado, who registered only 10 excellent sets as Ateneo found itself struggling to receive all throughout the game, refused to dwell on the end of their winning streak or on the three-set defeat.

“First round pa lang naman,” she said. “Maaga pa naman po. So lahat kami, positive ang pag-tingin namin sa talong ito.”

Of Ateneo’s errors in re-

ception and floor defense, Morado said: “Well, unforced errors, those things can be fixed in training.”

“And it’s really early in the season,” she stressed. “So may mga bagay – small details lang sabi ni Coach Tai (Bundit) – small details na pwede naming ayusin sa training.” “’Yun lang naman ang nagpatalo sa amin, mga unforced errors. Consistency lang talaga sa amin ang kulang.”

Morado also said La Salle did not do anything that they were not prepared for.

“Matagal na rin kaming nanonood ng La Salle,” she said. “Hindi lang namin na-translate masyado ‘yung

training namin sa game.”

After experiencing a loss in the UAAP for the first time in almost two years, Morado believes the Lady Eagles are more than capable of bouncing back.

“Of course, makakabawi din kami,” she said. “We’ll try our best to play harder, play better next time. That’s what we do naman in training – we try to improve. Kahit panalo, meron kaming bagong ma-improve for the next game.”

“So we want to gain more experience through training and through the other games, para hopefully next round, we play better.”

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 8 ISSUE 244 • THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

SWEET RETURN Sugar Barons take PAL Interclub lead C

LARK Field, Pampanga – Jobim Carlos played according to pre-tournament hype, shooting a three-under-par 69 worth 39 points to power Canlubang to a one-point lead over defending champion Manila Southwoods at the start yesterday of the 69th PAL Interclub Men’s Championship.

The 23-year-old Carlos, who is using this event as his final amateur event before joining the pro ranks next week, mixed six birdies with three bogeys at the pictur-

esque Mountain View layout of the Mimosa here to get the Sugar Barons to a 138 total for the day.

Young Aidric Chan pooled 34 points and Marco Olives assembled 33 for the Sugar Barons, who are making their first appearance in this tournament since 2011 and are looking to complete another Men’s-Senior’s double since 2010.

Abe Rosal fired 32 points and was the last player to count for Canlubang, which discarded the 31 of Carl Corpus.

Yuto Katsuragawa scored

38 points and national pool member Justin Quiban shot 37 as Southwoods tallied a 137 after getting 32 points from Chepe Dulay and 30 from he veteran Jun Jun Plana. Ivan Monsalve failed to count with 29.

“I just want to play well for my team,” Carlos, who was a member of that 2010 squad, said. “I have no aspirations for the individual award. Team comes first here.”

Orchard, the champion two years ago in Bacolod, tallied 125 built around the 35 of

MEDIA GOLFERS. Members of the media covering the 69th PAL Interclub in Clark, Pampanga show their knuckles, the signature campaign gesture of presidential bet Davao Ciry mayor Rodrigo Duterte, during a break in the Media Golf Tournament at Bevery Place Golf and Country Club.

Liam Cully, with Richard Joson and ex-pro Raymond Sangil counting with 31s even as Luisita lay another five points back at 120 after getting 31s from Koreans Tom Kim and Chan Jung-park.

Rodel Mangulabnan scored 28 and Orchard threw away the 27 of Jay Reyes.

Southwoods fielded its top two players in the 16-year-old Katsuragawa and the long-hitting Quiban but fell a tad short in the first round as action shifts to the shorter Acacia and Lake View nines today.

“This is a better line-up for us, but the team faces a stiff challenge with Canlubang around,” Thirdy Escano, Southwoods’ non-playing skipper, said.

With ex-pro turned businessman Gary Sales shooting 34 points, Villamor zoomed to a five-point lead over Forest Hills in the Founders Division, which also got going at the composite Acacia and Lake View nines.

Sales had all two of his birdies in the back nine and Villamor, which won in the Sportswriters Division 10 years ago, got 30 from Richard Delos Santos, 28 from Jun Bautista, 27 from JayJay Dinglasan before throwing away Jun Ar-

Jobim Carlos (in photo) scored a three-under-par 69, equivalent to 39 PAL points, to give Canlubang (138) a one-point lead over defending champ Manila Southwoods (137) in the championship division at the start of the regular competition of the 69th PAL Interclub at Clark, Angeles, Pampanga on Wednesday. Orchard assembled 125 while Luisita had 120. ceo’s 36 for 119.

Forest Hills, powered by the 35 points of Jude Eustaquio, has a four-point edge over Cebu Country Club, which got relegated to the lower division at the 11th hour.

Rancho Palos Verdes, with Vicente Gumapac shooting 32 and Ronald Galicia and Christopher Tan contributing 26s, shot 109 to lead Apo Golf by a point in the Aviators Division.

The Interclub is sponsored by People Asia, Travelife,

Mareco Broadcasting Network (Crossover), Manila Broadcasting Corporation, Airbus, Business Mirror and Philippine National Bank.

Other supporters are Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer. net, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Tanduay Distillers, Asia Brewery, Splash Corporation, RFM Corporation, Goldilocks, Eastgate Publishing Corporation, Robinsons Land, TMC, Mastercard, Hytera and RollsRoyce.