Edge Davao 6 Issue 52

VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

Shrinking world for SmokerS

STICKERS AGAINST STICKS. Davao City Anti-smoking Task Force head Dr. Domilyn C. Villareiz shows off the anti-smoking stickers which are currently distributed to the public to gain support for the expanded anti-smoking ordinance set to be implemented on May 31, 2013 during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao.

Lean Daval Jr.

Expanded anti-smoking ordinance takes effect in Davao on Friday

By Che Palicte

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

T

he anti-smoking law in Davao City will be expanded beginning Friday and the world of smokers will begin to shrink.

Ordinance No. 0367-12, also known as “The New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance” is set for implementation three days from now after it was signed last year.

Dr. Domilyn Villareiz, Anti-Smoking Task Force (ASTF) czarina, said that their group is ready for the full implementation after yesterday’s planning session with all police station commanders.

“Nothing’s so special, but we are ready and we BACK TO SCHOOL. Parents fill up the student’s profile form as requirement for enrollment at Kapitan Tomas Monteverde St. Elementary School along Ponciano Reyes Street in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

know exactly what to do on May 31,” she said, adding that all PNP personnel are enforcers of the ordinance and the PNP will make sure that no one will be allowed to smoke in public places especially in markets and on sidewalks.

All enforcers are required to undergo training on enforcement before they are deputized, and only those who completed and passed the training will be deployed as enforcers by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Deputized enforcers are authorized to issue the corresponding citation tickets.

Just recently, the ASTF removed big cigarette advertisements along the stretch of Quimpo Bou-

FSHRINKING WORLD, 10

Anti-smoking violators:

2,356 and counting

T

he anti-smoking campaign in Davao City has netted 2,356 violators in 2012 alone.

The figures are expected to increase with the full implementation of the expanded anti-smoking ordinance on Friday.

Anti-Smoking Task Force (ASTF) head Dr. Domilyn Villareiz told media yesterday at the Kapehan sa Dabaw SM Annex that the successful implementation of the campaign by the authorities made Davao City a model smoke-free city, not only in the Philippines but also in Asia.

“Davao City has always been a hall of Famer in winning the Red Orchid Award from the Department of health, that’s why we need to preserve the citation by imposing a more comprehensive anti-smoking ordinance starting this 31st of May,” she said.

Ordinance No. 0367-12, known as The New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance was passed by the City Council last year and approved by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio early this year. The ordinance repealed inconsistent provisions of the original.

Villareiz added that the new ordinance prohibits smoking of any tobacco product, in-

FANTI-SMOKING, 10

INSIDE: Davao City still on top of Next Wave Cities list Davao Oriental towns declared tourism areas Heat wins Game 3

2

3 15

2 THE BIG NEWS

WOMEN’S HEALTH. Lyda Canson, project director of the Development of Peoples Foundation (left), calls for the urgent implementation of RA 10354 or “Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood Act of 2012” while Jeff Y. Fuentes, program officer of the City Pop-

ulation Division, says that with the delay in the implementation of the law, more women are at risk, during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

COAST GUARD AUXILIARY. Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) Southeastern Mindanao’s Commodore Ben Sur, district commander (left), and RD Efren Elbanbuena,

EDGEDAVAO

deputy commander for admin, invite volunteers especially media men to be part of the organization. Lean Daval Jr.

Groups push for women’s health

Davao City still on top of Next Wave Cities list I

By Che Palicte

D

AVAO CITY- The City of Davao still retained the spot as the number one city in the list of Next Wave Cities in the country for 2013.

According to Bert Barriga, leader of the ICT Industry in the Davao region, the Next Wave Cities are areas in the country which are able to accommodate big Business Process Outsourcing and IT companies and the same time provide an environment which can nurture start-ups. he said the cities are scored on infrastructure, supply and quality of workforce, business environment and risk management. The cities are chosen by the Department of Science and

Technology (DOST) and the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).

Though these cities do not receive any monetary incentives but they are given marketing priority for ICT-BPO investors wanting to invest in the country.

Davao City was named as the top Next Wave City in 2010 and the list is updated every two years. Presently the top ten Next Wave Cities aside from Davao included Baguio City, Dumaguete City, Iloilo City, Lipa City, Metro Bulacan, Metro Cavite, Metro Laguna, Metro Naga and Metro Rizal.

The recognition should not stop us from

PCGA calling for volunteers

T

he Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) is in need of volunteers who are to assist the Philippine Coast Guard achieve its mission.

PCGA district commander Commodore Ben Sur told media yesterday at the Kapehan sa Dabaw in SM Annex that anyone who is capable of helping the organization may join.

“We can do a lot if we have more volunteers to assist the PCG in its missions and functions around the Davao Gulf,” he said.

Sur added that the main function of the PCGA is to give assistance to the PCG in saving and securing life and properties at sea, protecting the environment, assisting humanitarian needs, assure the safety of ships and in water search and rescue operations.

“I can say that we are capable of having additional volunteers because we have our facilities and just recently, we received safety devices from the central office to be used for

FPCGA CALLING, 10

pushing for more opportunities.” says Barriga. Among these initiatives include the putting up of training centers to produce better english-speaking agents, better programmers and better customer support personnel. he said they would want the City to be upgraded to Cities considered as Centers of excellence among the league of Metro Manila, Cebu City and Bacolod. “hopefully we can be the center of excellence when they release the list again.”

Barriga said.

Davao City’s burgeoning ICT-BPO industry is employing close to 16,000 workers and by the next year an estimated 3,000 more jobs will

be available with the entry of two big call center companies in the city.

KOREAN TRAVEL FAIR

Meantime, Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director Art Boncato yesterday said that Davao Region will be a featured destination for the 26th Korea World Travel Fair (KOTFA 2013) at the COeX convention and exhibition Center, Seoul, Korea on May 30 – June 2, 2013.

In addition, he said, Davao Cuisine will be also featured at the Philippine Food Festival on June 4-30, 2013 at Millennium hilton hotel also in Seoul.

FDAVAO CITY, 10

N line with the commemoration of International Day of Action for Women’s health, various groups are calling for the promotion, respect, protection and fulfillment of women’s reproductive health and rights in an event which convenes at 2 p.m. today, Tuesday, at the SM Annex, in ecoland, Davao City.

During the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM Cafe Rysus yesterday, Lyda Canson, project director of the Development of Peoples Foundation, said the event is spearheaded by the Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) with the support of Development of Peoples Foundation, City Population Divi-

sion-City health Office, Brokenshire Woman Center, Davao Doctors College, Kaugmaon Foundation, and Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy Center.

Canson said the celebration will assess and act on contraceptive methods; technologies that are used in discriminatory ways, coerced or as a means of population control.

“During the event we will stress to the guests and members the call for action and campaign materials on ‘Access to Contraceptives as a human Right’,” she said.

She added that issues will be raised on the protection and promotion of women’s health which should

FGROUPS PUSH, 10

WHERE’S MY CHILD’S NAME? A parent looks for the name of her child from the enrolment list posted on a wired fence yesterday at Kapitan Tomas Monteverde St. Elementary School along Ponciano Reyes Street in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 •TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

3

NBI: Military trained bagani tribal warriors A

lawyer of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) revealed before the Commission on human Rights (ChR) that the military was the one that trained the baganis (tribal warriors) so they could help in the counter-insurgency campaign. even former North Cotabato governor emmanuel Piñol corroborated the NBI lawyer’s statement, but he stressed that the purpose of the bagani is to defend the territories of the indigenous people. he admitted that the baganis were trained during his term as governor, from 1998 to 2007.

Wenceslao Galendez, agent of the NBI’s North eastern Mindanao Office based in Cagayan de Oro City, told the ChR panel that the bagani was led by Roelito Ayupat Gawilan, who is the barangay captain of Barangay Sinoda in Kitaotao, Bukidnon.

The ChR, led by chair Loretta Rosales, was in Davao City on May 22 to 24 for a three-day inquiry on the killing of Italian missionary Fausto Tentorio in Arakan, North Cotabato in October 2011. “In our re-

port, the term bagani, the lumad for warriors, was created, organized by the 73rd Infantry Battalion,” Galendez said.

Citing a report obtained by the ChR, Rosales asked Galendez: “So who organized this group, the military?” “Yes your honor,” the NBI agent confirmed.

Galendez added that the bagani was organized to assist the military in its counter-insurgency campaign.

Gawilan, who earlier appeared during the public inquiry on May 23, denied the accusation that he is the leader of the bagani group. he insisted he is a datu, not a bagani. But Gawilan, who is the chair of the Federation of the Matigsalug and Manobo Council of elders (FeMMATRICS), admitted that there are some members of his tribe who are part of the bagani. he added that there are bagani members who are on the side of the military and there are those who are on the side of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Gawilan said those who are on the side of the NPAs are known as “pulang bagani” (red warrior).

When asked by ChR

INQUIRY. Former North Cotabato governor Manny Piñol appears before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) panel during the public inquiry in Davao City on May 22 to 24, 2013 on the killing of Italian missionary Fausto Tento-

rio. Piñol said there is no denying that the bagani warriors were organized and trained by the military, having witnessed it himself. [Mindanews/Ruby Thursday More]

Commissioner Norberto dela Cruz who is the leader of the bagani, Gawilan responded: “It depends.

There are ‘pulang baganis,’

and there are baganis with the military.”

The tribal leader was referring to the NPA’s Pulang Bagani Command

headed by Leoncio Pitao, also known as Commander Parago. When Dela Cruz further asked what camp Gawilan belongs, the latter

the Diocese of Tagum, is uniquely Tagumeño as different groups in the city joined in the revival of this tradition.

After the holy Mass officiated by Msgr. Ulysses Perandos at the Parish of Christ the eucharistic King, the 26 sagalas walked down the road with their respective escorts, each pair made royal and grand with their arcs adorned with varieties of flowers.

The sagalas were dressed with gowns designed by leading fash-

ion designers based in Tagum City and Davao City.

The Santacruzan de Tagumeño is just part of the many activities staged in Tagum in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Under this monthlong activity, children in the different Gagmayng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) across the city devoted their time for Flores de Maria, where they were taught about the Catechetical teachings of the Church, of-

fered flowers and sing songs of praise to Mother Mary and recited the holy Rosary.

A chamber choir concert-competition dubbed as “harana Kay Birhen Maria” was also held last May 24 at the back of Christ the King Cathedral that was followed by the praying of the holy Rosary using the giant rosary at the foot of the statue of the Sacred heart of Jesus, which is believed to be the world’s largest rosary. Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum. [CIO/Tagum City]

26 sagalas in Flores de Tagumeño 2013

T

wenty-six beautiful sagalas paraded in Tagum City’s major thoroughfares as part of the culminating activities of the 5th Flores de Tagumeño last May 25, 2013, which is a month-long activity that honors the Blessed Virgin Mary.

City of Tagum Tourism Council Chairperson Madame Alma L. Uy said the Santacruzan de Tagumeño, as spearheaded by the City Government of Tagum together with the religious sectors under

SANTACRUZAN. 26 sagalas with their escorts paraded through Tagum City’s major streets as part of Santacruzan de Tagumeño held last May 25, 2013. Photo

by Leo Timogan of CIO Tagum

answered: “I am the datu of the tribe. The bagani is different from the datu.”

[Keith Bacongco / MindaNews]

Aquino cites DavSur electric coop’s economic contribution in Mindanao

P

ReSIDeNT Benigno S. Aquino III cited on Sunday the Davao del Sur electric Cooperative (DASUReCO) for its contribution to elevate the standard of service in the energization and helping the government in providing the people access to sustainable, efficient and reasonable electricity.

“Our energy infrastructure is the base upon which we establish equitable progress, enabling individuals and communities to obtain the promise of development by engaging in industries and increasing productivity,” he said in a message to DASUReCO on the occasion of 33rd Annual General Membership Assembly.

The DASUReCO conducted on Sunday the 33rd Annual General Membership Assembly which has for its theme “Building a Better Future, 37 years of Touching Lives” at the Sta. Cruz Central elementary School , Zone III, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur .

“Our goal as a nation anchors on these key components, and

so we turn to our partners in the energy sector to remain steadfast in driving our collective advancement. As one of our distinguished cooperatives, we trust that DASUReCO will continue to elevate the standard of service in energization and redefine the field with innovative solutions,” the President said.

The President acknowledged that DASUReCO is one of providers of quality and dependable supply of electricity at a reasonable cost.

“In this period of transition for Mindanao, your enterprise holds a position of great consequence.

We turn to you to brace the communities under your watch, as we sow the seeds of revitalization and transform this once tumultuous region into a hub of economic resurgence, built on the bedrock of justice and stability.

Let this assembly help you outline your initiatives and unite our endeavors in forging a more vibrant chapter for our people,” he said. [PNA]

4 NATION/WORLD

VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Taiwan protests Philippine ships in disputed waters T

AIWAN has protested to the Philippines for sending naval ships to disputed South China Sea islands in the latest diplomatic spat between the two governments.

“The foreign ministry expresses its serious concern and firm opposition over the Philippines’ dispatch of naval vessels to Renai (Second Thomas) Shoal in the Spratly Islands,” it said in a statement.

Taiwan’s government “denies all unlawful claims to sovereignty over, or occupation of, these areas by other countries” it said.

The statement did not say when and how many Philippine ships were allegedly sent to the area or for how long. A foreign ministry spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment when reached by AFP. The Spratlys, a sprawling group of islands, are claimed in

whole or part by Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei.

The potentially resource-rich sea, home to important trade routes, is an increasingly dangerous flashpoint and there have been a string of recent diplomatic rows between countries with overlapping territorial claims.

The Philippine government and military spokespeople declined to comment.

Taipei and Manila have already been embroiled in a diplomatic row over the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine coastguards who claimed his vessel had intruded into their territorial waters earlier this month.

Taiwan has rejected claims that the shooting took place in Philippine waters and that the killing was “unintended”.

President Ma Ying-jeou has described the incident

GROUNDED. A photo released by the Philippine government on May 23, 2013 shows an aerial view of BRP Sierra Madre, an amphibious vessel built for the US in 1944 and acquired by the Filipino navy in 1976, grounded at

Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. Taiwan has protested to the Philippines for sending naval ships to disputed South China Sea islands, in the latest diplomatic spat. [AFP]

as “cold-blooded murder”.

Amid widespread public outrage on the island, Taiwan’s gov-

tions against the country, including banning the entry of any more workers.

Taiwan has also re-

ernment has rejected repeated apologies from the Philippines and announced a series of economic sanc-

Catholic bishops ready to comply with PST law C

AThOLIC bishops said they will follow the recently approved law setting the Philippine Standard Time (PST).

Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said they will confer the new law with the ministry.

“We will discuss the matter with the clergy. It

will affect churchgoers who are also government workers. We may have to adjust,” said the former head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Just like, Lagdameo, Baguio Bishop Carlito Cenzon said they have to have to meet with the clergy and talk about the is-

sue. “We’ll talk about it at the clergy sessions. We’ll see,” he added.

Cubao Bishop honesto Ongtioco said they will follow the time set by the government. “I think there is only one reference when we speak of time, PST and we will follow,” he said.

For his part, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said

they are always obeying the standard time. “We are always punctual and following the standard time.

I hate being late,” he said.

On May 15, President Bengino Aquino III, signed a law that setting all public clocks to Philippine Standard Time. RA 10535 will be effective starting June 1.[PNA]

pare regulations.

When the ASeAN economic Community (AeC) is implemented in 2015, not only commodities and services will move freely within the region but also other products, including manpower.

In this case, Indonesia must prepare itself to improve the quality not only of its goods and services but also of its human skills, so that it would not serve as a mere mar-

ket for other countries in the region. It should also become a big exporter of skilled workers. After all, Indonesia has a population of about 240 million.

“To face the AeC`s formation in 2015, Indonesia needs to increase its competitive power,” ASeAN Competitiveness Institute Chairman Soy Pardede said during a seminar on Indonesia Banking expo (IBeX 2013) at the Jakarta Convention Center in

Jakarta on Friday.

According to him, Indonesia has a big population and competitive power with abundant human resources to become a major player in the ASeAN economic Community in 2015.

Besides, he added that unlike other ASeAN countries, Indonesia also has abundant natural resources and strategic geographic position. [PNA/ Antara]

Indonesia speeds up preparations for ASEAN market integration

I

NDONeSIA, which is a major player in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASeAN), must accelerate its preparations to face the region`s market integration in 2015.

Described as having 40 percent of the region`s economic resources or the Greater ASeAN, Indonesia must improve the competitive edge of its products and services, improve its human resources and pre-

called its de facto envoy and held a military exercise in waters near the northern Philippines last week. [AFP]

Syrian opposition shake-up falters ahead of peace confab

A

crisis in Syrian opposition ranks deepened on Monday when a Western and Arab-backed liberal bloc was offered only token representation in the Islamist-dominated Syrian National Coalition.

To the dismay of envoys of Western and Arab nations who have been monitoring four days of opposition talks in Istanbul, the 60-member coalition thwarted a deal to admit a bloc headed by opposition campaigner Michel Kilo with up to 22 new seats. his group received an offer of only five seats after a session that stretched nearly to dawn, coalition sources said.

The move kept the coalition controlled by a faction loyal to Qatari-backed Secretary-General Mustafa al-Sabbagh, and a bloc largely influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood.

That group led resistance to the rule of President Bashar al-Assad’s late father in the 1980s, when thousands of its members were tortured and executed.

Addressing the coalition, Kilo said, “We were talking about 25 names

as the basis for our negotiations, then there was agreement on 22 and then the number dropped to 20, then to 18, then to 15, then to five.

“I do not think you have a desire to cooperate and hold our extended hand. ... We wish you all the best.”

A source in the Kilo bloc said the group would hold a meeting in a few hours to decide whether to withdraw from the opposition conference.

Coalition spokesman Khaled Saleh described the outcome as “democratic,” but said the coalition could discuss the expansion issue further.

The development occurred hours before the european Union is scheduled at a meeting in Brussels to discuss lifting an arms embargo that could allow weapons to reach rebel fighters in Syria who are seeking to oust Assad.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will also meet privately in Paris on Monday to discuss the details of a peace conference that could be held in Geneva in the next few weeks.

[Reuters]

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

Xstrata Glencore, Indophil discuss Tampakan joint venture restructure

A

USTRALIAN firm Indophil Resources NL is in talks with Glencore Xstrata plc for the possible restructuring of the joint venture at the Tampakan project, South-

east Asia’s largest known copper-gold reserve, a company executive said Brian Phillips, Indophil chairman, said during the annual general meeting on May 23 in Australia that

the company is involved with several significant events, foremost of which is a discussion with the new merger.

“The most important of these, from an Indophil

shareholder perspective, is our discussions with the newly-formed Glencore Xstrata, including considering ways to restructure our joint venture on the Tampakan copper-gold

An old man hawks his own made handicrafts inside an establishment along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

project in the Philippines,” he said in a disclosure to the Australian Stock exchange.

“In the 21 days since the acquisition of Xstrata was completed, Glencore has demonstrated its willingness to act promptly and decisively. Glencore has a broad portfolio, and a considered but driven agenda,” Phillips added.

Glencore International plc announced on May 2 it has completed the takeover of Xstrata plc to form the GlenCore Xstrata, reportedly making it the world’s fourth-biggest mining company and the world’s biggest commodities trader.

Phillips said that Indophil executives have moved swiftly to engage constructively with Glencore Xstrata. There is much to be done, and we are approaching the next chapter in Tampakan’s development with an eye on the risk and with energy and enthusiasm, he noted.

Xstrata, through its wholly owned Xstrata Copper, owns 62.5 per-

cent of the 40 percent controlling equity at Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI), developer of the Tampakan project.

Indophil owns the rest or 37.5 percent of the controlling equity. It is Indophil’s flagship asset in its portfolio. The Tampakan project straddles the towns of Tampakan in South Cotabato, Columbio in Sultan Kudarat, Kiblawan in Davao del Sur and Malungon in Sarangani.

The Department of environment and Natural Resources had issued an environmental compliance certificate to the Tampakan project last February, after rejecting it twice last year on the ground of the open-pit ban imposed by the South Cotabato provincial government. In December last year, SMI announced that it was moving the start of commercial operation from 2016 to 2019. Among the major challenges the company cited facing its operation was the open-pit ban in South Cotabato. [Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews]

6 THE ECONOMY Stat Watch

1. Gross National Income Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

5.4 4th Qtr 2012

2. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

6.8 4th Qtr 2012

3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities

USD 3,969.51 million Dec 2012 USD 5,135.46 million Nov 2012 USD -1,585 million Nov 2012 USD -209 million Mar 2012 P 5,171,689 million Dec 2012

8. Interest Rates 4/

3.6 % Jan 2013 P155,308 million Nov 2012 P 5,381 billion Nov 2012

9. National Government Revenues 10. National government outstanding debt 11. Peso per US $ 5/

P 40.67 Feb 2013

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

6,242.7 Jan 2013

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

132.4 Feb 2013

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.4 Feb 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.8 Feb 2013

16. Visitor Arrivals

352,438 Nov 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

20.9% Jan 2013

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.1% Jan 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2012-February 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2013

2012

2011

40.67 40.73

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

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

It figures

VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Davao Oriental towns declared tourism areas P

ReSIDeNT Benigno Aquino III signed a new law last week declaring several areas in Davao Oriental as Tourism Development Area (TDAs), paving the way for infrastructure improvements and more private sector involvement in the tourism sector.

Republic Act (RA) 10560 identified several areas in Davao Oriental, Mindanao as TDAs, including “municipalities endowed with natural beauty, small islands, waterfalls, beaches, sea and mountain resources, historical and natural landmarks, indigenous communities and other areas of interest to the tourism industry.”

Provinces declared as TDAs can expect the government to strengthen infrastructure in the region. Private firms are also given the go-signal to develop the tourism sector in the province by allowing them to create tour packages and identify investment opportunities.

There are about 80 declared TDAs in the country, according to the Philippine National Tourism Development Plan 20112016.

Meanwhile, a directive was signed by Mr. Aquino enjoining all national and local government units to “actively support” the crafting of comprehensive plans and programs for the country’s two leading tourist destinations: Baguio and Boracay.

C

ONSISTeNT with its promise to make economic growth more inclusive, the P-Noy government has recently announced that it is setting aside P25 billion for a war against rural poverty. The amount is to be used to fund pre-schools, health centers, water supplies, reforestation and flood mitigation projects. This antipoverty fund has been appropriately described as a drinking session.

Indeed, it is expected to be a drinking session where the fun is only until the liquor lasts. I wish this P20B rural pump priming fund is complemented by accelerated implementation of agrarian reform in order to ensure sustainability. But I’m not sure whether government understands this.

The selected projects to be undertaken in the rural areas are expected to provide employment but only temporarily. As soon as the projects are completed and the money earned by those who have worked on them is spent, it’s back to being poor. This type of pump priming works well in the urban areas but not in the rural areas.

In the urban areas, government spending for infrastructure projects provides employment which

P42 B Amount the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released to support the operational requirements of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, in line with the Aquino administration’s goal of facilitating socioeconomic reform and development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) through the creation of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Memorandum Circular No. 47, signed on May 17 and released yesterday, designated the Tourism department as the coordinator of a technical working group tasked to review the environmental, commercial, tourism and law situation “to preserve these vital national assets.”

“Rapid growth, commercialization, and the lack of a comprehensive development and zoning plan have caused the degradation and deterioration of the two localities,” the circular said.

About 1.2 million foreign and local tourists visited the island of Boracay in the Visayas last year, while Baguio City in the north of Luzon drew at least 600,000 visitors last year.

Total foreign tourist arrivals hit 4.3 million last year, still short of the 4.6 million goal, but an improvement from 2011’s 3.9 million tourists.

For the first three months this year, visitor arrivals reached a record high of 1.27 million, a 10.76% increase from 1.15 million arrivals for the same period in 2012. For the second time under Pres. Aquino, the tourism sector is able to sustain the 1 millionth arrival for the first quarter of the year.

Moreover, the sector is on track towards achieving the year-end target as arrivals is already hitting 23% of the target arrivals for the

by the numbers Food inflation in PHL eased to

2.1 percent in April 2013 from

2.8 percent in the previous month as most food commodity items posted slower annual price increments.

Source: NEDA

year. Double-digit gains were posted by the Russian Federation (26.90%), hong Kong (25.02%), Korea (23.93%), India (22.10%), Singapore (15.42%), Australia (12.65%) and Malaysia (11.86%). By regional grouping, the ASeAN market recorded a 14.82% overall growth while the east Asian market grew by 14.15%.

Among the key markets, only Taiwan experienced a decline in visitor arrivals.

Likewise, visitor arrivals for March 2013 saw a double-digit increase of 11.28% with 417,392 visitors compared to the previous year’s volume of 375,083. It should also be noted that this is the fourth consecutive month that the volume of arrivals passed the 400,000 mark. This upward trend could be attributed to the upcoming summer season which is a peak season for the tourism industry.

production to meet the increase in consumer demand. The increase in production causes more of the unemployed in the urban areas to be employed but not those in the rural areas. Demand for agricultural products also increases but the principal beneficiaries are those who have land. Those who merely work on them receive meager wages barely enough for survival.

So how is government supposed to remedy rural poverty?

Government must remind itself of the roots of rural poverty. The principal source of income in the rural areas is agriculture and, to a much lesser extent, fishery.

To benefit more fully from agriculture requires owning a piece of land to grow crops and raise livestock. But past colonial expropriation of land has dispossessed many and consolidated land ownership to a few. The majority has been reduced tenancy and, as I’ve pointed above, with meager incomes barely enough for survival.

The 8th Congress of which I’m privileged to have been a member has passed the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) as remedy. The intention of the law is to enable the greater number of those in the rural areas to own a piece of land on which they can plant crops and raise livestock to supply consumer demand both in the rural and urban areas.

Government pump priming in the rural areas therefore works better when a greater number of people are in control of the principal means of production which is land. But implementation of CARL has been painfully slow. P-Noy has promised to fully implement CARL by the end of his term. But why can’t it be sooner? My guess is that he is yet to fully appreciate the strategic implication of CARL in making the Philippines an economic powerhouse sooner.

Anti-poverty fund?

leads to an increase in personal consumption expenditure by those directly and indirectly employed in the projects. The increase in personal consumption expenditure then leads to an increase in the production of goods and services.

As producers increase capacity to accommodate the increase in consumer demand, they employ more people. The cycle repeats itself leading to sustainable growth.

But this cycle of government pump priming, increase in employment and increase in consumption does not lead to more employment in the rural areas. This is because the producers of goods and services are located in the urban areas. There are no factories in the rural areas. As soon as the government projects are completed and those who’ve worked on them have spent the money it’s back to zero and a terrible hangover for the rural folks Ironically, therefore, the pump priming that the P-Noy government is preparing for the rural areas actually benefits the urban areas more. As income and consumption increase in the rural areas because of government projects being implemented, factories in the urban areas increase

P3.17 B

$9.236 B

Amount the National Power Corp. (Napocor) wants to recover from off-grid consumers for fuel costs and foreign exchange fluctuations incurred in the second half of 2011. It has asked the Energy Regulatory Commission for the provisional authority to raise rates.

The Balance of Payment (BoP) surplus of PHL last year, exceeding the $6.8-billion forecast of the central bank. The BoP shows the country’s transactions with the rest of the world. A surplus indicates that more funds flowed into the economy than those that went out, providing a cushion against external volatility.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 •TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT 7

How to preserve food the traditional culture way F

ROM condensing the meat of whole cow to the size of a human fist, to preserving seabirds in sealskins, there are hundreds of ways in which traditional cultures can teach the wasteful developed world how to preserve and conserve one of our most-precious yet most-squandered resources: food. each year, an estimated one third of all food produced-an astonishing 1.3 billion tons, worth around US$1 trillion-ends up rotting in the bins of consumers and retailers or spoiling due to poor transportation and harvesting practices.

Aside from the moral implications of such wastage in a world where almost 900 million people go hungry every day, unconsumed food wastes both the energy put into growing it and the fuel spent on transporting produce across vast distances.

Added to this, significant amounts of the powerful greenhouse gas methane emanate from food decomposing on landfills, while livestock and forests cleared for food production contribute to global warming-for example, agriculture and land-use changes like deforestation account for over 30 per cent of total global greenhouse gas

emissions.

World environment Day 2013, whose global host is the government and people of Mongolia, is focused on the new UN environment Programme and UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) campaign Think.eat.

Save. Reduce Your Foodprint, which is aimed at slashing this wastage.

Mongolia is one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, and is aiming to ensure this growth goes hand in hand with a green economy and civilization. It neither wastes nor loses food at any significant level, but the nomadic life of many of its people does offer some ancient answers to the modern-day challenge of food waste.

As part of the celebrations, the UN environment Programme (UNeP) asked people to submit examples of traditional ways in which food is preserved. While some of the delicacies may not tickle the taste buds of the uninitiated, and are not intended to be replicated in countries adhering to other cultures, they demonstrate how humanity once valued food far more than it does today.

They also highlight the irony that, in an era where technology makes it ever easier to store food for longer, most people make

There are many traditional ways of preserving food. less effort to conserve food and thus waste money-all the more surprising considering the financial crisis that has forced many to tighten their belts and recent reports that world food prices are at a 40-year high.

“Reducing food waste and loss is an economic, ethical and environmental challenge that links to some of the greatest chal-

lenges of today, from hunger and nutrition to climate change, deforestation and land degradation,” said UN Under-Secretary-General and UNeP executive Director Achim Steiner. “One of the ways everyone can contribute to these twin challenges is by looking at how less-wasteful cultures place such value on every morsel of food and con-

sidering how to emulate them.”

The ways that indigenous peoples create preserved dishes are as many and varied as the cultures and food sources that form the basis of the recipes.

Mongolian general Chinggis Khan and his troops utilized a traditional food called borts to gallop across Asia without depend-

ing on elaborate supply chains. Borts is basically concentrated beef equal to the protein of an entire cow condensed and ground down to the size of a human fist. This remarkable method of food preservation, without refrigeration, produced a meal equivalent to several steaks when the protein was shaved into hot water to make soup. [UNeP]

FTeR busted fluorescent lamps were found dumped in garbage bins or lying around school corridors, the public was warned by an environmental group on Sunday to properly dispose waste, especially those that contained mercury.

This reminder was issued by the ecoWaste Coalition which visited 10 public schools in Manila last May 22 and 23 to observe the conduct of this year’s Brigada eskwela where these busted fluorescent lamps were found.

According to ecoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect Coordinator, Thony Dizon, the public should exercise essential precautions when installing new lamps and discarding busted ones to avoid breakage.

Dizon said that this breakage will let the elemental mercury vapor escape from the lamp

and contaminate the surroundings.

A study prepared by the ecoWaste Coalition and published in a United Nations environment Programme’s report on heavy metals in products has noted some challenges in the country’s mercury lamp waste management.

Among these were the lack of producer responsibility or take back system for discarded lamps, the lack of mercury information and precaution on product labels, the lack of public education on mercury exposure and emergency response measures and the like.

A guidebook published by the government called “Mercury-Containing Lamp Waste Management” has warned that mercury and its compounds are highly toxic especially to the developing nervous system, which is very sensitive to all forms of mercury. [PNA]

told to properly dispose Banana grower lauds concern Public mercury-containing wastes of environmental advocates A W

hILe they may not be on the same page, banana growers and environmental advocates both agree on the importance of protecting the environment.

Jose Alejandro Zamora, a banana grower in the Calinan district expressed his admiration for environmental groups in their dedication to push for the protection of the environment – a concern that is not yet shared by most.

“I understand the importance of protecting the environment not only for business but also for the lives of the future generations,” Zamora said in an interview in his 5-hectare Cavendish banana plantation. “It may seem ironic but the environment is of great concern especially for the agricultural sector as we also depend on the bounty of nature.”

Unknown to many, agricultural companies that are involved in export products are greatly dependent on nature.

The quality of water, soil, and even the air, affects the quality of their produce. The rich plains and rolling hills of Mindanao have made it an ideal location for vast agricultural development – especially high value crops, which rakes in bigger revenues and higher employment in the provinces.

“Our industry is about fruits and plants, things that depend on nature.

That is why we want to ensure that we are protecting the environment.

What good is 40 hectares of land if there is no water? If the soil is not healthy?” Zamora rhetorically asked.

“We just hope that the intentions of these environmental advocates is actually to help the

city become more environmentally sustainable and not just to get funding from donor organizations abroad, as there are a lot of rumors going on,” Zamora said. “Also, I hope they recognize us as partners and not as the bad guys, as they make it appear most of the time.”

Recently, a study was released by an environmental group citing the presence of traces of pesticides in some areas of the Davao River. however, agricultural growers like Zamora lament the fact that the study was not disclosed to their community or to a bigger audience.

For the past years, environmental groups have been singling out banana and pineapple plantations in the guise of environmental protection.

This is in stark contrast to the standards that have been set by the foreign markets that these

products are being exported to, which require as little input as possible. Some countries even send representatives to conduct sampling in the various plantations to ensure the strict compliance of their import regulations for agricultural products.

The banana industry has time and again sought for dialogue with key sectors of the community in their bid to continually improve their practices. But they have been shunned, and at times shamed, by environmental groups during public discussions. “how can we improve our practices if we are left in the dark? Is it really that difficult for us to work together for a better future?” Zamora said.

“I hope their intention is really about the environment and not kill our livelihood.”

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

‘Smokin’ Joe’s’ shrinking world

A

S the song goes, the world is ‘getting smaller everyday’ for smokers. In Davao City, anyway.

Smokers out there better know this: on Friday (May 31st), the expanded anti-smoking ordinance (Ordinance No. 0367-12) will be fully implemented.

This means that, aside from cigarettes, it is also prohibited to smoke any tobacco product and tobacco substitutes like e-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes), shishas (Middle eastern water pipe) and others falling under the same category. every ‘Smokin’ Joe’ should know: the prohibition operates in all accommodation and entertainment establishments, workplaces, enclosed public places, partially enclosed public places, public buildings, public outdoor spaces and all public conveyances, government-owned vehicles and other means of public transport within the jurisdiction of Davao City.

Which means, smokers practically have their home as their ‘last smoking frontier.’

Too bad, the world is indeed shrinking for you,

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guys.

We know for sure, smokers are not happy about this, but they will have to live with it. Otherwise, they change address. Some businesses are also unhappy about this, but they too, will have to live with it.

More tourists will be unhappy about this, but the heck they care, they’ll have to live with it.

It’s a damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don’t situation. This city will take both good comments and bad, the advantages and the repercussions.

The old anti-smoking ordinance survived for eleven years and Davao City remains unfazed. Now, as if that isn’t enough, here comes a stricter law.

So, what’s next? Ban all that smokes, from grilled tuna to barbecue? Of course not, they don’t contain the dreaded nicotine. Ban the use of names like Winston, Philip or Miller among boys born from here on and beyond? But that would be carrying the campaign into the realm of the ridiculous. And lawsuits.

Let’s wait until the smoke of battle clears.

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Photography

EJ DOMINIC C. FERNANDEZ • CHERRY MAE D. PALICTE Reporters

AQUILES Z. ZONIO Staff Writer

Columnists: MA. TERESA TERESA L.L.UNGSON UNGSON• •EDCER EDCERC.C.ESCUDERO ESCUDERO • AURELIO • AURELIO A. PEñA A. PEñA • ZHAUN • ZHAUN ORTEGA ORTEGA • BERNADETTE • MARY ANN “ADDIE” “ADI” C. B. QUISIDO BORBON • MARY LEANDRO ANNB.“ADI” DAVAL C. QUISIDO SR., • NIKKI • LEANDRO GOTIANSE-TAN B. DAVAL • NICASIO SR., • NIKKI ANGELO GOTIANSE-TAN AGUSTIN • •Economic NICASIO Analysts: ANGELOENRICO AGUSTIN “GICO” • EMILY G. DAYANGIRANG ZEN CHUA • CARLOS • JONALLIER MUNDAM. Economic PEREZ Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 •TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

Common agenda

B

ROAD CONSeNSUS ON CONSTITUTIONAL ReFORMS MUST Be STARTeD – More than a decade ago, political leaders of different parties assert it is necessary to introduce major changes to the present Charter in a manner that is open, transparent and broadly participatory. Administration and opposition stalwarts then conducted a political summit and its declaration calling for Charter change or Cha-cha.

Because of the nature of the revisions required and the conflicts of interest certain to arise, there is a strong sentiment in support of electing a constitutional assembly (Con-ass) delegates to propose the changes. however, some well-known political figures insist that for constitutional change, what is needed is a constitutional commission (Concom), not a con-ass.

Some may not share the same understanding in pushing Charter change, either through Con-ass or Concom, but they share the same vision of introducing major changes of the fundamental laws of the land. hence, they agreed to rewrite the Constitution by tapping the best minds, the most credible, the most knowledgeable, and the most perceptive of our citizens, regardless of party labels. Then let them pour into the revision of the Charter the noblest thoughts or the courageous Filipino qualities so we can move together forward to a brighter, newer world.

The summit’s group at that time who was in-charge of analyzing and discussing the 1897 Constitution, enumerated nine proposed changes to the Charter.

First: a redefinition of Philippine terri-

R

VANTAGE POINTS

tory; second: a change in the form of g o ve r n m e n t – presidential vs. parliamentary, federal vs. unitary, and unicameral vs. bicameral.

Third: reshaping the economic restrictions; fourth: a review of the term and term limits of elective officials; fifth: a review in the role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as protector of the people and State; sixth: define a separation of church and State and further take into consideration the Muslim perspective on the matter.

As for the other proposed changes – seventh: a review of the features of the electoral system (e.g. composition of the board of canvassers, representation of women, return of the two-party system and others); eight: revert the supervision of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the local government units (LGUs); ninth: provide for a mechanism in the plebiscite where individual changes may be presented to the electorate on a proposition by proposition basis so that debates and arguments can be focused upon. After more than a decade, it is now the common belief of political and business leaders to fully modernize the country’s politics and bring it closer to the democratic ideal a process of building broad consensus on constitutional reforms that must now

be started.

The common agenda is a united call for Charter change – a political reform to make democracy works, structural reforms to get the economy grow faster, law and order to make civil society possibly safe and comfortable, and national security to preserve and protect the Filipino homeland. There is now a strong public clamor for Charter change despite President Benigno Aquino III’s reluctance to support the awareness and intention of reviving the Cha-cha issue.

But his averseness can be talked about, discussed and debated. That is why the amendment process ensures that the proposed changes are not a foregone conclusion.

And this is the most likely scenario. In order for Congress to convene into a constituent assembly although others are favoring a constitutional commission, it has to receive more than half the votes of those present in quorum in both the Senate and the house of Representatives. Furthermore, three-quarter of the vote from the entire assembly is then required for the amendments to be passed. The final step is a nationwide plebiscite in which the proposals must obtain over 50% of the votes cast.

Political leaders, business groups and different sectors in society are hoping of putting a stop to the instability in government by uniting the parties towards the goal of nation building, instead of constantly being focused on self-serving politicking. Whether this unity can be achieved with Charter change, however, remains to be seen.

can see this forest from the village unless one crosses the coconut plantation to the right towards a deep ravine that leads to a rocky river below.

The ravine itself is so thickly forested with ancient towering trees like lawaan, mahogany, molave and other indigenous trees that one only finds in a rain forest. As you climb down that ravine, you have to be careful stepping on slippery rocks along a very narrow trail by the side of that mountainside on your way to the rocky river below.

It reminded me of the uncharted, unexplored rain forests of Mt Talomo whose trails were hacked, cleared and opened by a selected group of mountaineer-explorers of the Mt Apo Climbers Association of Davao City (MACADAC) in the 1980’s with me acting as its “scout” (which almost cost me my life when I fell from a cliff).

Anyway, the rain forest at Upper Bala is not totally protected from slash-and-burn farmers or kaingineros, despite warnings from the Department of environment and Natural Resources (DeNR) who had been helping the farm owner plant indigenous forest trees, intercropped between rows of coconut trees, the main bread-and-but-

ter crop of the farmer who had been producing copra here for many, many years.

I saw some of these trees--- narra, molave, lawaan--- still growing inside the coconut plantation, planted between rows of coconut trees from the plains to the steep mountain side almost reaching the peak.

It’s a sight to behold--- all these trees, coconut and forest trees growing along a steep slope here at Bala.

Anyway, its delightful to know that the twin Bala villages had become a favorite place for government programs and foreign projects all aimed to make Bala farmers more productive. One big mango plantation here was made into a model pilot mango farm by consultants fo Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Department of Trade and Industry.

That was why its wasn’t surprising for me to learn that the DeNR and Department of Agriculture technicians are also wooing coconut farmers here to intercrop their farms with rubber trees, coffee, or cocoa crops, but not getting enough takers because of the poor farmto-market road that remained neglected by congressmen, governors and mayors simply because of Bala’s political loyalties.

Yes, it’s all quite simple : politicians are blocking the growth and development of Bala because they didn’t win in the elections here. everyone calls that “dead-ma”---- they’re neglecting and abandoning Bala….

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

A virgin rain forest in Bala

AReLY could I walk thru a real virgin rain forest again--- unless I go back to climbing the rain forests of 8000foot Mt Talomo or the Kidapawan side of 10,000-foot Mt Apo which I did in the early 1980’s.

But last week, I found myself again inside a virgin forest in the mountains of Upper Bala village in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, after going along with the family that owns a large tract of rugged, mountainous land planted to coconuts and fruit trees.

From the town of Bansalan to Lower Bala is about 13 kilometers, and from the lower village to the Upper Bala, it’s about 5 kilometers of narrow dirt road that winds thru coconut farms, mango farms, corn fields and vegetable plots with robust, healthy crops that are helping farmers and villagers earn enough money to send their children to school and buy modern appliances as refrigerators, latest TV sets with flat screens, cable TV connections and even videoke equipment that breaks the quietness of the twin mountain villages here.

Names of congressmen and mayors printed on tarp streamers dot the hopeless, narrow dirt road that remained unpaved thru several elections, despite a million vows that the road here would be paved from the asphalted Magsaysay road to that road that leads to Bala.

Despite all these unpleasant distractions, I was led to a “secret” rain forest that was like the rainforests I saw at Mt Talomo. Although it’s inaccurate to call it “secret”, it seems like it was, because no one

9

Scale Your Everest

W

heN you a r e old and gray, will you still jump and play? hopefully, yes, but perhaps the jumping part will be a toned down a bit to be kinder to creaking joints. But the question bears reflection and response.

Just last week, Japanese mountaineer Yuichiro Miura, conquered the summit of the world’s highest mountain at the notso-young age of 80. An interesting note to his feat: during the climb he sat down to a meal of freshly prepared sushi he himself made. Miura holds the world record of oldest man to reach the peak of Mt. everest. however, his record might very soon be broken by 81-year old Nepalese Sherchan who is due to set off on the same climb.

Far from resigning themselves to the so-called twilight of their lives, these octogenarians are setting standards the youthful among us would find nearly impossible to match. Such feats are not about having money or youth. It is about having a zest for life and choosing to live accordingly.

No what if’s (What if I get injured? What if I’ll go bankrupt?). No rationalizations.

(I’m too old, or too busy. It’s not practical).

No laziness. (There’s a marathon of Vampire Diaries on TV. Or you just choose to numbingly scroll through social media).

On the more material mundane level, no MacDonald’s, no Coke, no Krispy Kreme.

We definitely cannot be all about psyching ourselves up but we take in garbage for food, no matter how heavenly to the taste buds. Nature did not mean for us to ingest highly processed food and live well on it.

The remarkable octogenarians do not settle for just existing or coasting through life.

Something bigger always drives them. As Sherchan expressed, ““It is to challenge (my) own ultimate limit. It is to honor the great Mother Nature.”

It is a fairly common and, somehow, sad occurrence that seemingly strong men (it is mostly men who have such hang-ups) lose their drive to work and contribute positively to society after having been retrenched or retired from a good-paying job. There is this mentality that it would be beneath them to work with less pay when they used to be somebody and earned so much. The male ego has always to be catered to and family and society willingly stroke it. A strong able-bodied respected elderly man who was supposed to be a principal sponsor in a wedding came up with a lame excuse not to attend the ceremony. Apparently, he was anxious that he no longer had the same stature and would pale in comparison to the other principal sponsors.

Accomplished managers from multinational companies allow their wives be the primary breadwinner of the family rather than build again from scratch. The wives, loving and understanding creatures that they are, uncomplainingly serve. Well and good.For better, for worse;for richer, for poorer. The vows must indeed be fulfilled. But when the men constantly hark back to how great they really were in their past undertakings, it becomes painful and tragic. They choose to play reruns rather than create new movies because recognition and appreciation of something bigger elude them.

Though it would be truly amazing to climb Mt. everest, we do not physically need to. But like Miura and Sherchan, we need to grab life by the balls and fearlessly climb our own everest.Our everest may be pride or that damned overwhelming need to be right, illness, ignorance, poverty, heartbreak, or unforgiveness. Like Miura and Sherchan, we arm ourselves with knowledge, fitness, action, and prayer. Take one element for granted and we lessen our chances to summit and truly enjoy the breathtaking view that is life.

Thus, when we always choose to scale our everests, we can still very well play even when we are old and gray.

10 NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Shrinking world..FFROM 1 levard and in barangays Maa and Buhangin. According to Villareiz, the removal of the ads may not be a deterrent but these ads violate the new anti-smoking ordinance.

The ASTF is tasked

to inspect and monitor all places covered by the ordinance, certify to the appropriateness of designated smoking areas, apprehend violators, and recommend closure of non-compliant establishments in accordance

with the provisions of existing laws.

The ASTF explained that the purpose of smoking regulations is to protect non-smokers from the adverse effects of exposure to tobacco smoke.

cluding e-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes), shishas and the like, in all accommodation and entertainment establishments, workplaces, enclosed public places, partially enclosed public places, public buildings, public outdoor spaces and all public conveyances, government-owned vehicles and other means of public transport within the jurisdiction of Davao City.

She also stressed that designated smoking areas in commercial and business establishments must be located in an open outdoor space with no roof or walls located 10 meters from entrances or exits with an area not

larger than five square meters.

“Violators of the new ordinance will be issued citation tickets indicating the specific violation and the corresponding administrative penalty of P500.00 and to undergo a smoke cessation seminar. The citation ticket must be returned to the police station three to five days after the violation in order to avoid criminal charges,” she explained.

Villareiz added that the person issued the ticket has the option to contest the violation in court, or voluntarily pay the penalty imposed to avoid being criminally prosecuted within three days of

apprehension.

Villareiz added that upon the implementation of the new ordinance on the 31st of May, ASTF will be awarding certificates to the following police stations with the highest number of apprehended violators: San Pedro police station with 410 apprehensions; Calinan police station (313); Buhangin police station (243); Mobile Patrol Group (224), and Bunawan police station (211).

Villareiz added that the ASTF hopes that the number of smoking violators will decrease upon the implementation of the new ordinance. CMP

be examined, deliberated on, projected and acted on by the government.

Canson said sex education should also be given much attention since many of those who are involved in unwanted pregnancies are teenagers.

Meanwhile, Jeff Fuentes, program offi-

cer of the City Population Division, said the event will also be discussing issues on maternal health.

“We have to be aware that around 13 women in the Philippines die everyday due to maternal health complications, and unless this is tackled and addressed, more and

more women will die,” he said.

This commemoration will highlight cultural performances by local artists of Mebuyan, a discussion-forum on women’s health, and an honoring ceremony recognizing the pillars of Davao City’s women’s health movement.

Robert Garcia, the same trainer who handles former Filipino world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. Aldeguer said ALA Promotions and Top Rank have agreed in principle to help develop and provide international exposure for promising boxers under the Cebu-based outfit.

Pagara dropped herrera with a vicious combination to the head and body in the second round and cut him below the eye in the 6th round but could not put away the game Mexican who had his moments in the 7th and 8th rounds when he tagged Pagara with some of his vaunted wicked left hooks.

But Pagara, kept at bay with herrera’s lead right jabs, was able to sneak in some jarring uppercuts when he cut

the distance close on those times he worked on the Mexican’s body.

The judges scored the fight all on Pagara’s favor 115-112, 119-108 and 116-111.

Two other Filipinos conquered their visiting rivals in the 20th edition of the country’s most successful boxing series.

Genesis “Azukal” Servania was simply awesome in scoring a third round knockout win over Isack Junior of Indonesia while Jimrex Jaca captured the WBO Oriental light welterweight title with a unanimous decision over a tough Jose emilio Perea of Mexico.

Jaca survived a cut below his right eye early in the fight to batter Perea, who appear to be an immovable force despite the onslaught thrown by the Filipino.

however, unconfirmed reports said that a television crew caught Perea taking an injection in the locker room before climbing the ring. The vial reportedly contained epinephrine, a adrenaline-boosting drug.

ALA Promotions vice president Dennis Canete said they are still investigating the report.

Perea was one pound overweight when he first tipped the scales in Friday’s weigh-in and it took him another hour to shed off the extra poundage. Boxers who try in vain to make the weight usually get winded out.

“We have not seen the video but definitely we will investigate it and if it’s true then we will make the proper action,” said Canete.

Anti-smoking.. FFROM 1

Groups push.. FFROM 2

Pagara.. FFROM 15

Members of the Philippine Red Cross Davao City Water Safety Team who were recently awarded over-all champion of the Boracay 2nd Festival of the Winds

Lifesaving Skills competition held in Boracay Island pose for a souvenir photograph at SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

DLPC: 15-minute power interruption on May 30 D AVAO Light and Power Co. will conduct a 15-minute power interruption on May 30, Thursday, from 6:30 AM to 6:45 AM affecting customers within the southern part of its franchise.

Ross Luga, Communication Officer, said that the scheduled outage is necessary to facilitate the annual Preventive Maintenance Servicing of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ 150 MVA transformer.

Affected by this

service disruption are those from SIR Matina up to Bago Aplaya which includes areas of ecoland, Matina, Bangkal, Catalunan Grande and Puan.

Also to experience are those from Ulas going to Mintal, Tugbok and Calinan areas.

Davao City Water District’s sump pumps in the above mentioned areas will also be affected by this power interruption.

Davao Light apologizes for the inconvenience of this scheduled power in-

terruption. But, it will exert all efforts to restore electric service as scheduled or earlier. however, there may be instances where restoration may extend beyond the schedule due to unavoidable circumstances.

Davao Light’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) remotely controls switches in substations and along the distribution lines. hence, restoration of power supply is implemented at the barest minimum.

our rescue operations,” he explained.

Meanwhile, PCGA deputy commander for administration in Mindanao, efren elbanbuena, added that there are some projects of the PCGA which provide

support to the PCG, like marine safety, marine search and rescue, marine environmental protection, and marine community relations.

“We would also like to stress that it’s not only the seas we are

protecting, we are also monitoring lakes as part of our function,” he said. elbanbuena added that the PCGA is recognized as a national uniformed volunteer organization. CMP

Boncato said they just came from the worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events (IMeX) in Frankfurt, Germany where Davao won a free stand in the expo together with Fukuoka City, Japan.

“We were introduced as new international MICe destinations. There were 120 countries present and over 2,000 buyers attended the event,” he said in a text message.

In Korea, Boncato said they are set to meet with executives of South Korean Airlines to discuss the possibility of flying direct flights to Davao City with

Korea Congresswoman Jasmin Leee, who hails from Davao City, as the guest of honor.

Korean market posed a double digit growth in arrivals in the Philippines at 18.23%. The Department of Tourism welcomed the 1 Millionth Korean Tourists to the Philippines in 2012.

For Davao Region, the Koreans are the third biggest foreign arrivals. In 2010, Davao was visited by 4,896 tourists; 2011 posted 5,322 while 2012 registered 7,983 Korean tourists.

With a growing Korean community in Davao, they already have a Davao Korean Association with 3,000

members. Around five travel agencies focusing on the inbound travel of Koreans, at least eight restaurants; five schools; three spas three KTV bars; three mini-grocery stores and even a 40-room pension house are owned and operated by Koreans in Davao.

As Koreans rank number one in our tourist arrivals in the country, Davao has become one of the top of mind destination.

The Philippine Department of Tourism is positioning Davao for this growing Korean tourist market. Last March, Korean bloggers visited the city and came up with

PCGA calling.. FFROM 2

Davao City.. FFROM 1

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 •TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

COMPETITIVE EDGE 11

Holcim Inc., SHDA sign deal to help pinoysgetquality,affordablehomes L

eADING cement manufacturer holcim Philippines, Inc. and the Subdivision and housing Developers Association of the Philippines

(ShDA) signed a deal to ensure steady supply to the group’s members at a competitive price, in support of the latter’s goal to build quality but affordable homes.

DEAL. Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) Chairman and National President Paul Tanchi and Holcim Philippines CEO Ed Sahagun (center) recently signed a deal to supply the group’s members with the

Cardiologists’ nat’l confab set May 29-31

B

OTh local and foreign heart experts alike will explore and showcase the cardiac diagnostic test and therapeutic maneuvers in an upcoming health convention.

This will be done in the Philippine heart Association’s 44th Annual Convention & Scientific Meeting which will be held on May 29 to 31 at the edsa Shangri-La hotel in Mandaluyong City.

Two cardiology giants from the United States— American College of Cardiology President Dr. William Zoghibi and Nobel Prize laureate Drs. Luis Ignarro are set to each deliver a lecture.

Topics like “Nitric Oxide ‘s Role as a Signalling Molecule in the Cardiovasular System” and “An Update on hypertension Prevalence in the Philippines” will be discussed

during the convention/scientific meeting.

Other topics include “Dengue Myocarditis Revisited”, “how to Keep the Foot in the Shoe: Advances in Peripheral Intervention for Critical Limb Ischemia”, “Approach and Management of Adolescents with Rheumatic Fever/ Rheumatic heart Disease” and “ST2 in heart Failure: A New Paradigm for Patient Risk Stratification.” among others.

The PhA is an organization of cardiovascular specialists and lay members that ensure accessible, affordable and quality cardiovascular education and care for every Filipino.

It is also one of the leading organizations of cardiovascular specialties in the Asia-Pacific region in the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. [PR]

Signing the agreement earlier this month were holcim Philippines CeO eduardo Sahagun and Vice President for Commercial William Sumalinog

along with ShDA Chairman and National President Paul Tanchi and Auditor Rodelio Racadio.

Tanchi acknowledged that the agree-

company’s cement at a competitive price. With them are Holcim Philippines Vice-President for Commercial William Sumalinog (right) and SHDA Auditor Rodelio Racadio (left).

ment is particularly significant during this time of high demand.

“Cement is obviously an important aspect of our projects, and securing a steady supply of quality products at competitive prices from holcim Philippines is very important to us. This allows our developer members to build better and more affordable houses for the millions of aspiring homeowners,” Tanchi aded.

This is the fifth straight year that the ShDA, a top organization of housing developers in the country with over 200 members, has signed up with holcim Philippines. Tanchi commended holcim Philippines for being a reliable supplier and said

that ShDA was confident that its members would continue to benefit from the partnership.

Sumalinog explained that partnerships with associations like ShDA are part of holcim’s efforts to build mutually-beneficial relationships with its customers.

“By providing ShDA with reliable supply, we help them with their goal of providing homes for Filipinos and, in turn, they help us move towards our vision of building foundations for society’s future. We will also continue to look for innovative products and solutions to help our partners reduce their cost like our holcim Wallright for masonry applications.”

partnerships here in the Philippines and abroad, such as Launchgarage with Proudcloud, which is taking on its second batch, and now with Kickstart@Plug and Play Tech Center in the US, bring startup founders in the Philippines into wider global innovation communities.”

PnP currently has a network of 300 tech startups, 180 venture capital investors, and a community of university and corporate partners.

Through PnP, new tech businesses which want to make it big in Silicon Valley can rent office space; join industry networking events, education and immersion programs; and get introductions to potential customers, investors or acquirers.

Since it started in January 2006, PnP has already helped startups raise over USD1 billion in venture funding. Its

startup companies have created a cumulative value of USD2 billion. It has partnerships with top-tier venture capital firms such as Sequioa Capital, Menlo Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Accel Partners. Corporate partners include Google, Lenovo, Microsoft, Zanox, Best Buy, hP, PayPal, and Sun Microsystems.

As a corporate partner of PnP, Kickstart will establish a presence in PnP’s Silicon Valley office and send select startup teams to the Valley for a three-month incubation program.

These young companies will be given a chance to participate in the Plug and Play University, networking events, mentoring activities, and potentially pitch their business at the quarterly Plug and Play eXPO where around 300400 investors and acquirers attend.

Globe subsidiary partners with Plug and Play center K ICKSTART Ventures, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe Telecom, has tapped California-based global accelerator Plug and Play Tech Center (PnP) as an international corporate partner, thereby giving select Philippine tech startups a bridge to Silicon Valley.

“Plug and Play will work with Kickstart to first identify technology areas of interest, and we will then seek out high tech startups that are developing innovative products or solutions in these areas and help them grow their business.

We have already started to build partnerships in different countries such as Canada, egypt, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Russia, and Germany and we’re glad to be working with Kickstart in the Philippines,” said Saeed Amidi, CeO and Founder of Plug and Play Tech Center.

“The world looks

to Silicon Valley for innovation, entrepreneurship and venture capital success stories, and even as we build a unique Philippine startup ecosystem, there is much to learn from those who are genuinely driving innovation in the valley. We are excited to partner with one of its more active players to bring startups the kind of game-changing exposure to the bestin-class learning, capabilities and collaboration needed for success,” said Minette Navarrete, President of Kickstart.

She added: “By creating more opportunities for our portfolio companies to operate in Silicon Valley and participate in Plug and Play Tech Center’s programs, Kickstart is helping build a stronger, broader, more engaged startup ecosystem. Innovation cultures require communities of collaboration and trust; our

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14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

TOO STRONG. Genesis Servania (right) goes for the knockout of Indonesia’s Isack Junior in the third round of the Pinoy Pride XX fight on Saturday night.

Michael Ocana

EDGEDAVAO

Servania now ready for Macau S

weet-punching, 21 year old super bantamweight Genesis “Azukal’ Servania abandoned his usual patient style and went after his opponent, Indonesia’s tough Isack Junior with both fists blazing to score a 3rd round knockout at the Waterfront hotel and Casino in Cebu on Saturday.

Servania landed some vicious combinations from the opening bell as he rained punches on the Indonesian. however, he was cautioned for a low blow in round two that dropped Isack who was given time to recover by referee Ben Necessario.

That was the only respite for the hapless Indonesian as Servania ripped into him with devastating punches to the body that ended with Isack crumbling to the canvas to be counted out at 2:15 of the third round.

The fight was a fitting tune-up for the undefeated Servania who improved to 20-0 with 8 knockouts and will next face Japan’s Konosuke Tomiyama in an eight round bout at the Venetian in Macau on July 27.

The 30 year old Tomiyama has a record of 23-51 with 8 knockouts and is coming off an eight round unanimous decision with over Takuya Miyamori last March 8.

Jimrex “The executioner” Jaca survived a

knockdown in the dying seconds of the twelfth and final round to hammer out a comfortable unanimous decision to win the vacant WBO Oriental light welterweight title over Mexico’s game Jose emilio Perea.

In a slambang battle Jaca’s southpaw style appeared to confuse Perea in the early going as he buckled the Mexican’s knees in the third round with a cracking left but Perea fought back in the fifth and caught Jaca with a big right that threw him backwards.

A head-butt by Jaca in round 9 saw referee Danrex Tapdasan correctly deduct a point from the Filipino veteran before the two exchanged huge left hands which enabled Perea who finished with a one-two combination to steal the round.

Jaca had his best round in the eleventh when he staggered Perea with a solid combination and drove him across the ring with another explosive left-right combo to the body.

The final saw Perea catch Jaca with a big left hand as Jaca was off balance as he was moving backwards to drop the southpaw but it turned out to be too little, too late as all three judges had Jaca the winner. Samson Libres scored it 116-110, edward Ligas 115-112 and Teddy Alivio 115-112.

Did Mexican boxer use dope?

C

eBU CITY--Did Jimrex Jaca’s Mexican opponent take performance enhancing drugs?

ALA Promotions is looking into a videotape that reportedly showed Jose emelio Perea of Mexico took epinephrine on Saturday night when he fought Jaca for the vacant WBO Oriental light welterweight title in the Pinoy Pride XX at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Cebu Waterfront hotel.

“We are still checking the video if there are evidence of misuse of the drug,” ALA Promotions vice president Dennis Canete said.

The videotape reportedly showed a vial of epinephrine found in Perea’s corner. epinephrine is an adrenaline-boosting drug.

Canete, however, said that the vial of epinephrine could have been used

by Perea’s corner and cutman to decrease bloodflow by having a cotton

swab soaked in it and applied to a cut with pressure.

“We will advice further. We will just wait if we have concrete evidence,” said Canete. epinephrine is also known as adrenaline, a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands.

Medical studies show that epinephrine is involved in the fight or flight response in humans. This occurs when a person is subjected to a threat and causes the body to react to the potential danger. epinephrine initiates several responses but its function is to provide energy so that the major muscles of the body can respond to the perceived threat.

The doping issue involving a Mexican fighter comes off the heels of the repeated allegations against Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao for using banned substance specifically PeDs or performance enhancing drugs. NJB

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

EVENTS

A dog day at the Fountain Court

By Kenneth Irving Ong

Dr. Kenneth Lao and his opening speech.

SM Lanang Premier’s Fountain Court was abuzz with activity last May 25 as the mall officially announces their pet-friendly campaign. Recognising that pets are part of the family, SM Lanang Premier redefines the shopping experience in Davao by providing pet stations in areas around the mall and allowing owners to shop in the mall along with their pets and to walk along with their pets in the alfresco areas of the mall.

SM Lanang Premier’s pro-pet campaign highlights how pets are very much part of people’s lives and promotes responsible pet ownership, too, as a way of building healthy, lasting relationships between pets and pet owners. In fact, the mall has already set up pet litter bins outside the mall so dog/cat owners can easily clean up

after their pets. Pet owners are also encouraged to put their canine friends on a leash at all times and keep small pets in carriers when inside the mall.

The campaign was formally launched through the Pet Project Runway, a showcase of pets that are groomed and styled with cute and interesting outfits. The weather that afternoon was perfect as one by one the pets and their owners walked down the runway, with the crowd cheering everyone on.

The Fountain Court made a beautiful setting where after the event, the pets and their owners were

able to run about and have a rowdy good time.

The Pet Project Runway was supported by One Fab Pooch, The Ark Veterinary Clinic, Pizza Hut and Hog’s Breath Café.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

CEB boosts Mindanao connectivity with more flights ThE Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) increases connectivity to and from Mindanao, by adding flight frequencies and options to travelers headed for Zamboanga, TawiTawi and Davao.

Starting June 15, 2013, CEB will add two weekly flights using an Airbus A320 aircraft between Cebu and Zamboanga, making it a six times weekly service.

Meanwhile, starting July 1, 2013, CEB will add thrice weekly flights from Manila to Zamboanga, and from Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi, making it a 24 times weekly service and a daily service, respectively.

The airline will operate a total of 32 weekly flights between Cebu and Davao also starting July 1, 2013, with the addition of four more weekly flights.

“Cebu Pacific continues to develop its routes and hubs in Mindanao, to further benefit Philippine tourism and trade.

These additional flights mean more choices for our guests, be it same-day returns for business meetings or more opportunities for travel due to seat sales,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

In Q1 2013, CEB grew its domestic passengers to and from Zamboanga by 17%, as well as its Davao hub in Davao by 20%.Travel between the Visayas and Mindanao also grew by 13%, while travel within Mindanao grew by 45%. CEB launched multiple flights from Iloilo, Davao and Cagayan de Oro in the 4th quarter of 2012.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines (02)7020-888 or (032)230-8888. The latest seat sales can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter and Facebook pages.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

MOVIES

Fast & Furious 6: 6 ways the latest is revved up to be the best yet!

HARD to believe what started as a streetracing version of Point Break would spawn five sequels, but if there’s anything we learned since the 2001 original, it’s never underestimate gravely voiced Vin Diesel. Now the series goes into overdrive with smarter GlOBE Telecom, through its mass market brand baddies and faster (and furiouser!) roadsters TM, maintained its strong presence in regional fes- for adrenaline-fueled chases that span the tivities and celebrations with its support and par- globe.

Globe supports Masbate’s Rodeo Festival 2013

ticipation in the recent Rodeo Festival in Masbate, the home of Philippine Rodeo.

The Rodeo Festival 2013 is a 2-week actionpacked event that featured unique competitions in the National Rodeo Finals showcasing daily ranch activities like bull riding, bull whipping, cattle lassoing wrestle tie-down and cattle drive, and herding competitions. Thirtysix (36) teams competed in the finals with teams coming from as far north as Benguet down to Cagayan de Oro. Other events in the two-week festivities included the parade of western decorated floats and establishments, beef cooking contest, calesa ride and ranch tour, and the search for Mr. and Ms. Rodeo Philippines.

At the Rodeo Festival, TM showcased its TM Combo10 offer, which provides subscribers with unlimited texts and 10-minute calls to Globe/TM and 50 texts to all networks for only P10 valid for 1 day, as well as its TM EXTEND offer which extends the validity of a TM promo for another day for only P5.

TM also treated visitors and local residents to exclusive discounts, such as the marked-down TM SIM available for only P20 instead of P30. The discounted SIM was also bundled with free two days of all-network texts and additional P10 load. TM also dressed up the event with branded banderitas, making it more festive, celebratory, and fun.

“We are happy to support the Rodeo Festival as part of our strategy to strengthen regional visibility with our ‘Astig’ product portfolio,” says Issa Cabreira, TM head. “Our subscribers can definitely expect more innovations, event partnerships, and value-for-money promos from Globe Telecom’s astig brand.” To register to TM Combo10, text COMBO10 or C10 to 8888. To extend a promo to an additional day, text EXTEND to 8888.

The 20th Rodeo Festival was founded by the Rodeo Masbateno Inc. (RMI), the only ranchers association in Masbate. According to RMI president Judge Manuel Sese, the Rodeo Festival 2013 is among the most successful staging of the Festival in its two decades of existence. As one of its major undertakings, RMI is geared on establishing the first Rodeo Academy in Asia.

Dominic Teretto, (Diesel) keeps his crew (somewhat) grounded.

Paul Walker, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson and Jordana Brewster are all back.

Even Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) who presumably exploded in the fourth one returns—albeit with a convenient case of amnesia. Throughout the series, there have been endless bouts between musclebound dudes, sexy babes and NoZ-equipped rides, yet somewhere along the way, F&F recognized how over-the-top it was and cleverly, shifted gears from just a racing flick to heist plots that are easy to swallow with tongue firmly in cheek. One-liners are plenty. Explosions still many. Director Justin Lin encourages us to laugh and laugh often. This is a pure movie with no pretentions of being a film.

Expectations are high since the last entry, Fast Five (2011) was loved by audiences, raking in $626 million worldwide. Furious 6 might be better.

Don’t believe us?

Here Are Six Things That Make Furious 6 The Most Revved Up Yet: Justin Lin = Pure Escapism. Michael Bay, Please Take Notes… Director Lin first buckled up with the third one, Tokyo Drift (2006), which falls into the so-bad-it’s-good cat-

1

egory. None of the original cast were around save for a quick cameo by Torreto at the end. Drift (as in drifting the cars on killer turns) followed a teen (who looked 30) whose bad behavior stateside gets him “exiled” to Japan. The film is laughably bad, but this is where Lin’s talent for great pacing and action scenes began. As the next one, Fast & Furious (2009) got the gang back together with some welcome additions (Han! Roman! Tej!), everything started to gel.

Walker became less uptight cop, more sympathetic outsider. By Five (2011), Vin (and now Dwayne Johnson) kept wearing tight shirts. Lin’s FF flicks live in a world that could have been made

by Bay (Transformers), but are wonderfully self-

aware and devoid of hectic MTV-editing. So we’re sad to hear that Lin is taking a break and will not return for FF7.

Amazing Team Assembled and No Super Powers! For all the unbelievable, crazy, heartpumping moments there’s something old-school cool about Dom and his crew saving the world solely with tricked out Mustangs. Tony Stark probably couldn’t care less, but that just makes seeing the team take down a tank more awesome.

Speaking of…

About THAT Tank Scene. When Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) promises full pardons to Dom and his crew if they can take down a group bent on stealing highly classified military intel, their first race pits them against futuristic-looking go carts that have the ability to topple cars. By the time the tank arrives, reality is beyond stretched, but a lot of it looks shot on loca-

2 3

tion. We assume Roman (Gibson) flying to his buddy Brian (Walker) is CG though.

Welcome Gina Carano. Welcome back, Michelle Rodriguez. Former MMA champion Gina Carano (Haywire) is Riley, new sidekick for cop Hobbs (Johnson) and kick she does. Her womano y womano against Letty (Rodriguez) is one of the best brawls in years. Who will you root for?

The Other Crew Looking over their wrap sheets, Roman (Gibson) sees their rivals as “evil twins” of themselves. Naturally, the hot blond (Clara Paget) is a ringer for Brian (Walker.) Shaw (Luke Evans) is their leader: A man who sees his crew as disposable as faulty engine parts.

Stay For the Credits to See What’s in Store for the Third Fast & Furious Trilogy James Wan (Insidious) will be directing FF7.

As for the villain? All we’re saying is, whoa!

4 5 6

VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

2013 Cannes Film Festival:

MAY 24, 2013

Blue Is the Warmest Color wins Palme d’Or

NOW

1:00 3:40 6:20 9:00

12:20 2:30 4:40 6:50 9:00

11:10 1:55

(PG-13)

12:50 2:40

11:30 2:10

1:15 3:55 6:35 9:00

4:30 6:45 9:00 BROMANCE (PG-13)

Blue Is the Warmest Color has won the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

The competition jury announced the festival’s most prestigious award to the movie’s director, Abdellatif Kechiche and also honored the two young stars of the French drama, Adèle Exarchopoulos and léa Seydoux.

The Coen brothers’ flick Inside Llewyn Davis, starring Justin Timberlake and Carey Mulligan, also won big at Cannes.

The period piece landed the Grand Prix award, but neither Joel nor Ethan Coen were in attendance for the ceremony.

Congrats to all films who participated and won! Below is the complete list of winners: Palme d’Or: Blue Is The Warmest Color, director: Abdellatif Kechiche

Grand Prize: Inside Llewyn Davis, Ethan and Joel Coen Best Director: Amat Escalante, Heli Jury Prize: Like Father, Like Son, director: hirokazu Kore-Eda Best Screenplay: Zhangke Jia, A Touch Of Sin Best Actress: Bérénice Bejo, The Past

11:20 1:45

EPIC (GP)

APARTMENT 143 (R-13)

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (PG-13)

4:40 6:50 9:00

EPIC (GP)

FAST & FURIOUS 6

IT’S official!

SHOWING

FAST & FURIOUS 6 (PG-13

4:40 6:55 9:00

CARS 2 3D (GP)

4:30 7:30

FAST & FURIOUS 6

THE CALL (R-16)

(PG-13)

STAR TREK INTO THE DARKNESS 3D (PG-13)

Best Actor: Bruce Dern, Nebraska Camera d’Or: Ilo Ilo, director: Anthony Chen Short Film: Safe, director: Byoung-Gon Moon Special mention: 37°4 S, director: Adriano Valerio, Whale Valley director: Gudmundur Arnar Gudmundsson

Amanda Bynes tweets post-arrest: “I was sexually harassed by one of the cops” AMANDA ByNES tweeting mad.

is

Following her arrest in New york City Thursday night, the Easy A actress hit Twitter Saturday to give her side of what supposedly went down, claiming that she was sexually harrassed by a police officer.

“Don’t believe the reports about me being arrested,” Bynes wrote Saturday. “It’s all lies. I was sexually harassed by one of the cops the night before last which is who then arrested me. he lied and said I threw a bong out the window when I opened the window for fresh air. hilarious. he slapped my vagina.

Sexual harassment. Big deal.”

“I then called the cops on him,” she continued. “he handcuffed me, which I resisted, quite unlike any of the reports stated. Then I was

sent to a mental hospital. Offensive. I kept asking for my lawyer but they wouldn’t let me. The cops were creepy.

The cop sexually harassed me, they found no pot on me or bong outside my window. That’s why the judge let me go. Don’t believe any reports.”

The 26-year-old starlet was busted in after allegedly

throwing a bong out of her Midtown Manhattan apartment window when police showed up to respond to call about a disorderly person in her building.

She was then booked on charges of reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence and criminal possession of marijuana, and was taken to Roosevelt hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.

After being taken to a police station for processing that night, Bynes faced a judge in court Friday (wearing a wild blonde wig) and was arraigned and released.

She is scheduled to return to court July 9.

A New york Police Department public information officer tells E! News that Bynes’ claims are pending investigation by the NyPD internal affairs bureau.

BROMANCE Zanjoe Marudo, Christine Reyes PG-13

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

EPIC- 3D Amanda Seyfried , Colin Farrell GP

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

STAR TREK *FAST AND FURIOUS 6 Chris Pine , | *Vin Diesel PG-13

12:00 | 2:30 | * 06:15 | 8:45 LFS

R-16 FAST AND FURIOUS 6 Vin Diesel , Michelle Rodriguez PG-13

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

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

TRAVEl

VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

The Lion City’s iconic and colorful shophouses SAY Singapore and immediately one talks about the futuristic buildings and out of this world modern designs that dot the Lion City.

But visit the older portions of the island state and one can go back in time to an era where shophouses were the norm.

Singapore’s shophouses were the norm in what was the old downtown of Singapore during the colonial era. These ornate and colorful rows of two or three storey buildings served as both commercial establishment on the lower floor and residence on the higher floor.

Traditional shophouses have facade ornamentation that are taken from neo-classical, Malay and Chinese motifs. The more elaborate the motifs, the more prosperous the owners of the building generally are.

And with the on-going transformation of Singapore, so have the shophouses. Where there were cottage industries and

TOP: A mix of old and new.

A shophouse at Singapore’s Chinatown.

LEFT: Colorful Peranakan ornamentation around Bugis.

BOTTOM : A collage of the many different shophouses around Singapore.

simple services and food outlets, there are now hotels, coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and high tech offices. In fact, I was able to stay at a hotel in Chi-

natown that used to be a shophouse, although the rooms are small, the experience was clearly unique.

So when visiting Singapore, try to visit Bugis or

Chinatown to take a walk through time and through Singapore’s unique architectural heritage.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @kennethkingong for more travel tips, foodie finds and happenings in, around and beyond Durianburg.

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 •TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

MAN IN THE MIDDLE POSTING LOW. Lebron James gets sandwiched by the Indiana defense in Game 3.

Lebron posts down low and Spo’s got the Heat burning in Game 3 I

NDIANAPOLIS -- Miami put LeBron James right in the middle of the action Sunday night, and this time, the Indiana Pacers didn’t have an answer for him or his Miami heat teammates.

By moving James to the post, the heat won the scoring battle in the paint, kept Indiana at arm’s length and pulled away for a 114-96 victory and a 2-1 lead in the eastern Conference finals.

“I made a conscious ef-

fort to get down in the post tonight, to put pressure on their defense,” James said.

“The coaching staff wanted me to be down there tonight, and my teammates allowed me to do that.”

It was a move reminiscent of when the Los Angeles Lakers played Magic Johnson in the post in place of the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during the NBA Finals more than two decades ago.

And it worked just as well.

James rebounded from the two late turnovers that cost Miami in Game 2 by scoring 22 points, grabbing four rebounds and dishing out three assists. hours after Dwyane Wade learned he would only be tagged with a flagrant foul from Game 2 and not a suspension, he finished with 18 points, eight assists and four rebounds. Chris Bosh added 15 points and three rebounds, and all five Miami starters reached double figures.

The move allowed Miami to outscore Indiana 56-32 in the paint.

Perhaps that much should be expected from a team with this much scoring punch and that has won 23 of its last 24 on the road.

The other stuff, not so much.

Miami committed a playoff franchise-low one turnover in the first half and finished with only five.

James finished with none.

The heat shot 54.5 per-

cent against a team that finished the regular season with the NBA’s best defensive field goal percentage and also made 24-of-28 free throws. They matched the highest scoring output in a quarter during this season’s playoffs with 34, broke the franchise playoff record for points in a half (70) and fell one point short of tying the third-highest point total in a playoff game in franchise history.

But the biggest difference between the first two

Pagara takes baby steps C to world title

By Neil Bravo

BRIGHT PROSPECT. Jason Pagara of the Philippines punishes Mexico’s Aaron Herrera on the way to earning a unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel.

Michael Ocana

eBU CITY--Jason “el Nino” Pagara of the Philippines took another baby step towards world championship level after his convincing win over Aaron “The Jewel” herrera in a WBO International light welterweight title fight on Saturday night.

The 22 –year old native of Cagayan de Oro City showcased his boxing arsenal before a packed crowd who came to watch the Pinoy Pride XX sequel at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Cebu Waterfront hotel in scoring a unanimous decision victory against the cocky Mexican. he picked up his 31st win (19 KOs with 2 losses) in the process and

games and Sunday night’s rout was what James’ work on the inside.

“It was something we wanted to get to just to help settle us and get into a more aggressive attack,” coach erik Spoelstra said of the decision to post up the 6-foot-8 James. “We wanted to be a little more aggressive, a little more committed to getting into the paint and seeing what would happen. LeBron was very committed and focused not to settle.”

defended his title for the second time.

But what really mattered is that Pagara’s impressive showing was enough to convince ALA Promotions chief executive officer Michael Aldeguer to bring him to the United States next year and train under Bob Arum’s Top Rank outfit. “he’s going there (world championship level) but we don’t need to rush things. It will come at the right time and Jason is well on his way to getting there,” said Aldeguer after the fight.

The young promoter bared he will be bringing Pagara to the US next year and train possibly under

FPAGARA, 10

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 52 • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

STANDINGS

W

L

LTO-MOONBeeM

2

0

ORO eAST

3

1

VMO

GOLDSTAR DCPO JYC

PURPLe BeAN BLBe

1 1 2 1 0 0

EDGEDAVAO Sports

Moonbeem, Oro East post wins

0 0

M

OONBeeM marked its second W in two outings on the ledger after punishing the DCPO side 99-74 in the Phoenix Above 36 Basketball Tournament on Saturday night at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Lindy Dawal and Balong Ramos were once again at the firing end of Moonbeem’s attack with identical 33 points as the duo conspired to break the Davao’s Finest’s defenses for another one-sided win. Dawal and Ramos also combined for 58 points i n their

2 2 1 4

FLOATER. VMO skipper Christopher “Bong” Go lofts a teardrop in their match against BLBE in the Phoenix Above 36 basketball tournament at the DCRC Gym. The Vice Mayor’s men won. Lean Daval Jr.

112-75 dem-

P

ARIS (AP) – There were two ways to go for the Williams sisters. Serena in and Venus out.

Grimacing after some poor shots, leaning forward with hands on knees while catching her breath after others, Venus Williams left the French Open after the first round for the first time since 2001.

Serena made a fluent return to the clay-court tournament in the early afternoon Sunday, overwhelming 74th-ranked Anna Tatishvili 6-0, 6-1 - and then addressing an appreciative audience at Court Philippe Chatrier in the local language.

Magnifique! ‘’I have been speaking French for years and years, but I don’t really have a lot of confidence,’’ Serena said later, in english. ‘’It’s way,

way more nerve-racking than playing tennis.’’

On this day, for her, absolutely.

With shadows creeping across the court in the early evening, Venus had a much tougher time against Urszula, who is far-less-accomplished than Agnieszka, the French Open’s fourth seed.

Truth be told, this result really was not nearly as stunning as Serena’s French Open loss last year to 111th-ranked Virginie Razzano, who also won Sunday. That remains Serena’s only first-round departure in 51 appearances at Grand Slams, and she rebounded by winning Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the London Olympics.

On the other hand, Venus, a seven-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1-ranked player seeded 30th at Roland Garros, felt

hampered by a bad back, had problems with her serve - all sorts of strokes, actually - and lost 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-4 Sunday to 40thranked Urszula Radwanska of Poland, who never has been past the second round of a major tournament.

Inflammation in her lower back limited Williams to two matches over the previous 1 1/2 months, preparation she called, with a chuckle, ‘’extremely unideal.’’ ‘’I can’t really serve very hard. It’s painful when I do that. But I’m getting better.

I just, you know, ran out of time to get better for this tournament,’’ said Williams, broken 11 of the 17 times she served Sunday. ‘’My strategy was more or less to put the ball in, and that’s very difficult for me, too, because that’s not who I am. But that’s all I had.’’

BIG FOREHAND. Monica Puig of Puerto Rico plays a forehand during her women’s singles match against Nadia Petrova of Russia during day one of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

MAGNIFIQUE! SERENA IN, VENUS OUT OF FRENCH OPEN

olition of erstwhile leader Oro east on May 22.

In the second match of the night, Oro east got back on track after that loss to Moonbeem fashioning out a 101-80 massacre win over a debuting Purple Bean.

Tata Farochillen led the Miners with 25 and Butch Antipuesto backed him up with 20 in that morale-boosting win. The Miners now tote a 3-1 win-loss card which stood at fourth in the overall standings next to Moonbeem (2-0), VMO and Goldstar (1-0).

DCPO dropped to 2-2, JYC is 1-2, Purple Bean at 0-1 and BLBe in the cellar at 0-4.

Results: May 25, Game 1 Moonbeem 99--Dawal 33 Ramos 33 Monciller 15 Alesna 9 Ang 5 Caballero 2 Rubi 2 Barrios 0 Marata 0 Tan 0 DCPO 74-- Torres 19 Go Resty 18 Serafin 13 Bustaleno 9 Josol 7 Lopecillo 4 Lao 4 Jaca 0 Maligro 0 Go Ryan 0 Pedida 0 Leonardo 0 May 25, Game 2 Oro east 101-- Farochilen 25 Antipuesto 20 Macabinguil 17 Josol Allan 18 Sumampong 11 Dizon 10 Delvo 0 Ybarra 0 Montalban 0 Barriga 0 Mauhay 0 Purple Bean 80-- Rubi Jomer 19 Pido 16 Pinto 10 Dumalag 8 Bayer 7 Yu 6 Pitalyer 4 Ochigue 4 Baguhin 2 Rubi 2 Pua 2Relucio 0 Gonzales 0