Edge Davao 6 Issue 79

VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

THE KILLER. This man wearing a baseball cap and carrying a backpack was caught by a CCTV camera near the residence of slain transport leader Antonio Petalcorin. Investigators say the CCTV footage could lead them to the identity of the suspect.

PUNISHMENT FOR DISLOYALTY?

Mahipus left out

By GREGORIO G. DELIGERO

M

greg@edgedavao.net

EMBERS of the 17th Davao City Council have allocated on Tuesday evening the 30 standing committees among their ranks. But one man is obviously left out: Councilor Diosdado Mahipus.

Mahipus, a returning member of the city council and member of the ruling Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, ended up

with no committee to head.

Actually, there were two others who were left with no

FMAHIPUS, 10

Cops zooming in on Petalcorin killers

By CHERRY MAE PALICTE

UN-WHO AWARDEE. Rep. Isidro T. Ungab receives the United Nations-World Health Organization Award for Western Pacific Region from Dr Julie Hall, UN WHO Country Representative, for his outstanding performance in passing the Tobacco Excise Tax Reform Law in the Fifteenth Congress. Also in photo are

Dr. Susie Pineda-Mercado, DOH Sec. Enrique Ona, Sen. Franklin Drilon and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares. Ungab, Drilon and President Aquino (not in photo) are awardees. Commissioner Henares received the award in President Aquino’s behalf.

A

cdp@edgedavao.net

video footage of a closed circuit television camera (CCTV) could lead investigators to identify one of the suspects in the slaying of local transport leader Antonio “Dodong” Petalcorin.

The CCTV footage showed the alleged killer of Petalcorin in Block 4,

Lot 19, Maharlika St., Matina Aplaya, Davao City last Monday. Petalcorin was about to leave his house when shot in the back three times. The suspect then walked to a waiting motorcycle and rode towards the Times beach area.

FCOPS, 10

INSIDE:

Wayward bullet kills housewife Oil price net increase at P1.20

Aussie grabs Tour de France yellow jersey

2 5 16

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

Escandor is consultant, not city sports chief

B

USINESSMAN Glen Escandor is Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s consultant for sports development and not the appointed chief of the City Sports Development Office.

This was clarified by Mayor Duterte’s executive assistant Bong Go who clarified a report published in a local daily (not Edge Davao).

“He is a consultant,” Go said in a text message to this paper.

A source from within media circle reportedly revealed that Escandor, a hotelier

and avid sportsman, was appointed as city sports coordinator by Mayor Duterte. Escandor is a close friend of the Dutertes.

The sports office is one of the vacant confidential executive positions in the city government expected to be filled by Mayor Duterte.

On Monday, Mayor Duterte said he is eyeing former Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez for the position although he has not personally

FESCANDOR, 10

ISOLATED. Councilor Diosdado A. Mahipus Sr. wears a stoic face after ending up with not a single committee chairmanship during the first session of the 17th City Council at Sangguniang Panlungsod Tuesday night. Lean Daval Jr.

Wayward bullet M kills housewife

New tourism head to make city No. 1

By CHERRY MAE PALICTE cdp@edgedavao.net

W

HAT was to be a heroic pursuit instead resulted to a fatal ending.

A barangay police, who could have been a hero in the line of duty, became the unlikely suspect for the killing of a housewife who was walking with her husband along R. Castillo St. in Agdao at about 2:45 p.m. last Tuesday, when was accidentally shot in

the buttocks.

The victim, identified as Karen Gascon, 37, died less than two hours later at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) at around 4:11 p.m..

Police identified the suspect as Margarito Baguio, of Leon Garcia St. who had earlier apprehended two minors and was holding them on the

pavement of a construction site in front of a convenience store near Granland building.

The two minors, however, suddenly ran in different directions prompting the surprised village law enforcement officer to run after the feeling suspects. Police said Baguio pursued the suspect heading towards Agdao area but appar-

ently found his chase futile. At this point, Baguio drew his handgun and fired at the suspect but instead hit Gascon at the buttocks.

Baguio reportedly went into hiding immediately after the incident.

Yesterday, Baguio surfaced at around 10 am at the office of city police director Ronald Dela Rosa to surrender.

ARIA FELISA C. MARQUES, newly appointed head of the City Tourism Office, said yesterday that that she wants to make Davao City a premier tourist destination in the country.

Marques, formerly executive director of the Duaw Dabaw Festival Foundation who was appointed by Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte last Monday, admits that being head of the CTO is a big challenge.

“This is my first time to join the local government and I con-

in R. Castillo Avenue Tuesday afternoon, turns himself over to Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Ronald Dela Rosa yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

FNEW TOURISM, 10

Tagum consultant hired for P1 a year N

FROM HERO TO SUSPECT. Barangay police officer Margarito Baguio (right), who accidentally shot and killed a bystander while chasing thieves

sider it an honor to be of service to a very dynamic industry and a city that is dear to me,” she told Edge Davao, adding that the accomplishments of her predecessor, Jason Magnaye, would be hard to equal, but that would do her best to run the office.

“Jason Magnaye did a great job, and I know I have big shoes to fill, “she said.

Marques said her first task is to prepare for the Kadayawan Festival slated in August, adding that she is still

EW Tagum City mayor Allan Rellon has appointed his losing running mate, Cesar Cuntapay, as the city’s peace and order consultant for “one peso a year” salary.

Rellon announced this during the first convocation and flag-raising ceremony attended by city hall officials and employees Tuesday, where for two hours he outlined his vision and policies for the city.

Rellon underscored

the need for honesty, discipline, transparency and true service to the people.

A visibly surprised Cuntapay, in an interview, said he was humbled by the mayor’s appointment, adding he would be having a lot of work to do in the critical job given to him and to help ensure that Rellon would succeed on his first term in office.

“I was ambushed by my mayor,” he said in jest, adding that the FTAGUM CONSULTANT, 10

3 SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

DAVAO DEL NORTE

Police chief tackles illegal logging, drugs, gambling T

HE new Officer-in-Charge of the Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office (DNPPO) accepted the marching order of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario to stop illegal logging, drugs and gambling in the province.

“I promised the governor that I will do it,” said PSSupt. Samuel Gadingan, who assumed his fresh post in lieu of PSSupt. Edgardo Wycoco on July 2, 2013.

He said that he will start working on the governor’s instructions right away, making use of his knowledge in the ins and outs of the province.

Gadingan served as the deputy police chief of the province in 2001.

Del Rosario, who graced the turn-over ceremony, dared Gadingan to end the illegal logging and the transit of illegally-cut logs, illicit drug trade and

DAVAO DEL NORTE

prohibited numbers game, in order to sustain the development momentum.

The third-termer governor explained the first order seeks to arrest the corruption of the ecological balance, while the other two directives intends to stop the corruption of the morals of the people, especially the poor.

He said the challenge now for the new DNPPO commander is to contain the social threats to enable the people “to live with dignity, without fear, and economically prosperous.”

Del Rosario stressed his new administration continues its thrust of giving utmost importance to peace and order, as indespensable to development.

“Our investments in developing our communities shall go to waste if peace and order as a foundation is

TURNOVER. PCSupt. Anselmo Pinili hands over the office standard to new Davao del Norte OIC Police Director PSSupt. Samuel Gadingan, vice PSSupt. Edgardo Wycoco. [Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO]

weak,” he underscored.

The governor urged Gadingan to build on the accomplishments of Wycoco in his twoyear tour of duty in the

province.

He credited Wycocos leadership for decreasing the crime volume in the province by 28.8 percent, as well as,

for attaining 51.7 percent crime solution efficiency since 2010.

The insurgency problem was also constantly checked and

KORONADAL CITY

business confidence remained quite high in the province in the last two years, according to the governor. [Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO]

RDR vows completion of Talaingod-Bukidnon road SouthCot town gets P30M

D

AVAO del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario vowed anew to make vigorous efforts for the completion of Talaingod-Bukidnon road which would strategically link two provinces.

Also within the governor’s road infrastructure thrusts for completion in his last term are the roads from Kilometer 0, Asuncion to Laak, Compostela Valley and Veruela, Agusan del Sur, from Florida, Kapalong via Semong to Loreto, Agusan del Sur, from Mahayahay, Panabo to Paquibato, Davao City, and the circumferential road in Samal Island.

He informed these during the inaugural session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Monday where the governor was the guest of honor. He bared his wide-ranging development thrusts to the body.

Del Rosario thanked and sought anew policy support and partnership with the legislative body.

Vice Governor Victorio “Baby” Suaybaguio Jr thanked the governor and pledged support for his endeavors, saying that the legislative chamber has witnessed how the governor laid down through his previous two terms the development blueprint of the province.

DPWH Davao del Norte district engineer Fernando Ongkingco Jr said in an interview that “the Talaingod-Bukidnon road can be done, completed before the end of 2016.”

The current hitch of the Talaingod-Bukidnon road, a national project since 2007, is that it is passable but road difficulties abound as it has many remaining untouched sections needing construction works due to lack of

funding.

The governor has been lobbying to the national government for the completion of the Talaingod-Bukidnon every change of President since Ramos time.

The road has a total stretch of 128.16 kilometers, connecting the two provinces from Kapalong town to the city of Valencia in Bukidnon. It is touted to cut travel time by three hours from Davao del Norte to Cagayan de Oro City if compared to taking the route via Buda, Davao City.

Earlier, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Luwalhati Antonino said that the Talaingod-Bukidnon road needed an additional P2.29 billion to complete the paving and ancillary works for the entire road stretch. The project has a total cost of P3.64 billion.

About P1.53 billion was needed to fully pave the road and construct slope protection in Bukidnon side, and another P764.8 million to fully pave the road in Davao Del Norte side.

The MinDA Board, through a resolution urged President Benigno Simeon Aquino III last year to highly prioritize the road’s completion. It is one of the priority infrastructure projects listed in the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework.

Governor del Rosario is member of the MinDA Board, being the president of the Mindanao Confederation of Governors. Del Rosario, being the president of the Confederation of the League of Governors and Mayors in Mindanao (CONFED).

[Rural Urban News/Cha Monforte]

for tourism development

T

HE Department of Tourism (DOT) is investing some P30 million this year for the development of various tourism-related infrastructure in Tupi town in South Cotabato.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said such investment is part of the DOT’s continuing efforts to develop new tourist attractions and destinations in the countryside, especially in parts of Mindanao.

“This is a financial grant for the construction of tourism facilities like cottages and tourist or visitor information centers as well as the improvement of road networks,” she said.

The governor said the project will be implemented in Barangay Linan in Tupi, which hosts a tarsier sanctuary.

She said the funds will be drawn from the

P30-million allotment earlier approved by the DOT’s Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA) for tourism projects in Lake Sebu town.

She said they asked TIEZA to realign the funds to Tupi town following the approval last month of a P120-million grant for the development of a road network within Lake Sebu’s “eco-tourism circuit.”

Tupi Mayor Reynaldo Tamayo said they are pushing for the utilization of the TIEZA funding for the improvement of the road from the tarsier sanctuary in Barangay Linan to the national highway.

He said they are eyeing for possible additional grants from the agency to further boost the development of the town’s tourist attractions. [Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews]

4 THE ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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

7.1 1st Qtr 2013

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

7.8 1st Qtr 2013

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

USD 3,741 million Feb 2013 USD 4,708 million Feb 2013 USD -967 million Feb 2013 USD -640 million Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 million Feb 2013

8. Interest Rates 4/

2.4 % Mar 2013 P113,609 million Mar 2013 P 5,281 billion Mar 2013

9. National Government Revenues 10. National government outstanding debt

P 41.14 Apr 2013

11. Peso per US $ 5/ 12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

6,847.5 Mar 2013

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

132.8 Apr 2013

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.6 Apr 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.1 Apr 2013

16. Visitor Arrivals

418,108 Feb 2013

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

20.9% Jan 2013

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.1% Jan 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2012-April 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

VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

Cacao, oil palm plantations to rise in Davao Oriental, Gov. Malanyaon

By ANTONIO M. AJERO ama@edgedavao.net

M

ATI CITY -The provincial government of Davao Oriental and the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao Inc. (CIDAMI) will jointly establish a huge cacao enterprise village as part of the province’s program to develop cacao as one of its major crops.

This was bared by Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon in her inaugural address as the elected chief executive of Davao Region’s biggest province for the third term.

In a speech which touched on the state of the province as it celebrated its 46th founding anniversary last July 1st, Malanyaon said Davao Oriental has already started groundwork on the development of the areas that will be planted with the crop.

She said Davao Oriental aspires to become the country’s top cacao producer in the next two years. Among those to be planted with the crop are areas devastated by typhoon Pablo last December.

According to CIDAMI chairman Rene Dalayon, the association had earmarked the development of about 20,000 hectares of cacao farms in Davao City and the provinces of Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental.

At the same time, Malanyaon also bared that another 20,000 hectares of mostly Pablo-devas-

A

BY THE NUMBERS Gov’t spending on infra increased by

35.6 percent in the first 5 months of 2013, slower than the

Malanyaon tated area will be dedicated to oil palm development in a joint venture with businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP).

Dalayon said that the entire region, which is the source of about 80% of the country’s cacao production at 8,000 metric tons annually, can increase its production by not only increasing the hectarage but improving its production per area.

According to the Department of Agriculture, cacao production in the country was about two kilograms per hectare, lower by a kilogram in international production.

The industry must enhance its production so it can slowly address the local demand of 55,000 metric tons a year as the country targets about 100,000 metric tons in cacao production by

45 percent spending hike in Januaryto-April period.

SOURCE: DBM

2020.

Last year, the national government set aside about P192 for the development of the industry.

“While agriculture is one of the most damaged sectors due to Pablo, we are confident we can overcome the stumbling block with more aggressive efforts,” Ms Malanyaon said.

The province lost about six

million coconut trees when strong winds destroyed the coconut farms in the towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston.

The province was the top coconut producer in the country before the supertyphoon as the governor acknowledged it would be hard to rehabilitate the farms considering that its maturity period is at least seven years.

Oil price net increase at P1.20

FTER several price adjustments since the start of the year, gasoline prices has to date posted a net increase of P1.20 per liter and diesel by P1.03 per liter, the Department of Energy (DOE) said.

As of July 1 this year, the energy department said most oil companies implemented a P0.55 per liter drop in the prices of gasoline while it is P0.45 per liter contraction for diesel.

Similarly, the contract price (CP) of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for July rose by US$ 29 per metric ton (MT) to US$ 791.50/MT from the previous month’s US$ 762.50/MT. “This translates to an estimated increase of P2.84/kg (VAT inclusive) in the domestic market,” DOE said in a statement.

The Energy department said most of the LPG companies “have not yet notified their adjustments except Isla Gas,” which increased the price of its LPG by P2.80/kg (VAT inclusive) effective on July 1, 2013.

MSMED WEEK. Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. president Arch. Daniel T. Lim (right) converses with Teolulo T. Pasawa, provincial director of the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC)-Davao, during yesterday’s Earlier, DOE Dir. Zenaida Monzada said movements of the US dollar due to the developments in the global economy, demand for oil as well as tensions in the Middle East are the major cause for oil

Club 888 media forum at the Marco Polo Davao where they promoted the upcoming Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Week 2013 set on July 8-14, 2013 at Abreeza Mall. Lean Daval Jr.

price adjustments.

She, on the other hand, said that amid the continued oil price increases the government is not considering to give out fuel subsidy to date.

“There’s no plan for a fuel

subsidy right now because the government is not keen on giving out subsidy. Current oil prices are still lower than in previous peaks so at this point we are not discussing what to do” she added. [PNA]

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

Cebu Pacific

Tue/Wed//Sat

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

5J965 / 5J968

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

13:35

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

Manila-Davao-Manila

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

14:05

Silk Air Mon/Sat Silk Air Wed/Sun Silk Air Thurs Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri Philippine Airlines August Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific

Daily

MI588 / MI588 13:35 MI566 / MI566 15:20 MI551 / MI551 12:05 5J507 / 5J598 15:00 15:55 Mani2Mani 16:50 Z2524 / Z2525 16:05 5J967 / 5J600

16:35

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

18:55 18:55 15:45 15:30

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

Manila-Davao-Cebu

17:05

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 •THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

THE ECONOMY

5

ADB goads PH, Asia-Pac peers on social protection spending

T

HE Philippines and other middle-income countries in Asia and the Pacific need to increase spending in labor,

assistance and social insurance programs to protect the poor and vulnerable people from unforeseen events, an Asian Develop-

ment Bank (ADB) report Wednesday showed.

Social protection systems in many of the region’s fast-growing econ-

omies fail to support such people that they are left exposed to risks and unexpected difficulties like unemployment, ill health

MECHANICAL MASSAGE. An old lady takes advantage of the free massage service being offered by a mechanical massager company to entice passersby in San Pedro Street, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

and natural disasters, the Manila-based ADB noted in a study, “The Social Protection Index: Assessing Results for Asia and the Pacific.”

“Many countries—especially middle-income countries—are spending far too little on social protection,” the report read.

Philippine spending on social protection initiatives such as social insurance, social assistance and labor market programs is at 2.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), way below the recommended 5 percent, the report noted.

This compares with high-income countries like Japan, Korea and Singapore which, on the average, spend 10.2 percent of GDP for social protection programs.

Upper middle-income economies allot 4 percent of their output, and lower middle income 3.4 percent. Low-income countries spend 2.6 percent of GDP. Social protection spending of “5 percent

of GDP... is a realistic medium-term objective for middle-income countries in Asia and the Pacific,” the report read.

“However, spending in most middle-income countries, including Armenia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Samoa, remains below 3 percent of GDP,” the ADB said.

The ADB said increasing social protection coverage requires shoring up “additional public revenue which can be secured by broadening the tax base, improving tax collection, and improving public expenditure management.”

The bank told governments to encourage the private sector contribution “... to social insurance programs.”

“After many years of high growth, the Asia and Pacific region is in an excellent position to invest in better social protection systems that are attuned to the needs of its people,” the ADB said in a statement.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

N

VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 2013 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013 VOL.04, 6 ISSUE

Jesse’s legacy

EOPHYTE she may be, Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, has the makings of a good legislator.

It may be too early to say with just barely a week into the job, but legislator Leni sure learned a lot from her late husband Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and she carries this legacy into the halls of Congress. Her first salvo in Congress was a watered-down version of the Freedom of Information (FoI) filed during the first day of Congress’ new legislative calendar.

Designated as House Bill No. 21 and titled Full Disclosure Bill, Robredo’s measure wants every government departments and agencies to fully disclose their state budget and transactions to the public even without request from the public.

She explained that her legislative proposition will allow people to access data at any time

EDGEDAVAO

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc.

OLIVIA D. VELASCO General Manager

RICHARD C. EBONA Marketing AdvertisingSupervisor Specialist

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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

without the burden of technicalities and bureaucracy with the end view of creating a more transparent and accountable government.

The bill took an inspiration from her husband’s first initiative implemented under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2010-83 which ordered all local government units and DILG regional offices to report their finances as well as biddings and public offerings.

How the bill will survive the treacherous ocean of Congress, with all the personalities and personal interests involved, will be known when it goes through the rigid law-making process. Where the FoI has failed to convince our legislators, at least as of last Congress, will Leni’s “Full Discolure Bill” suffer the same fate?

This is where Leni’s groundwork and advocacy will be put to real test.

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 Correspondent

Columnists: MA. TERESA TERESA L.L.UNGSON UNGSON• EDCER • EDCER C. C. ESCUDERO ESCUDERO • AURELIO • AURELIO A. PEÑA A. PEÑA • ZHAUN • ZHAUN ORTEGA ORTEGA • MARY • BERNADETTE ANN “ADI” C.“ADDIE” QUISIDOB.• BORBON LEANDRO• B. MARY DAVAL ANN SR., “ADI” • NIKKI C. QUISIDO GOTIANSE-TAN • LEANDRO • NICASIO B. DAVAL ANGELO SR., •AGUSTIN NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • VIDA MIA VALVERDE • NICASIO• ANGELO EconomicAGUSTIN Analysts: ENRICO • EMILY ZEN “GICO” CHUA G. DAYANGIRANG • CARLOS MUNDA • JONALLIER EconomicM. Analyst: PEREZENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 •THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

C

VANTAGE POINTS

Making hard choices

ORRECT SOLUTIONS NEEDED RATHER THAN JUST TREATING THE SYMPTOMS – Since the start of a “temporary” economic slowdown – weakening of the peso and subsiding of the stock market, we have read and heard criticism of the situation in the popular media. Most commentators seem to come down hard on top government officials and economic think-tanks, unanimous in their judgment that the country faces grave economic problems due largely to alleged misguided or obsolete policy decisions. On the one hand, efforts dedicated to preserving the status quo have declined tremendously.

But a reminder is due that irrespective of the situation now, many of our people experienced dramatic improvements on their living conditions and lifestyles when the economy was relatively good. The lesson for government economists and financial managers is to learn from the current economic fiasco and shape their policies accordingly, and not to ignore constructive criticism and observations as obstacles to economic progress. Chances are that despite the prevailing economic reversals the country could immediately bounce back and redefine competitiveness and economic advantage in the ASEAN and Southeast Asian regions.

Top officials and government economic and financial planners might also reflect on the fact that tumbling currencies don’t have to lead to economic collapse. There was even a time when the US dollar tumbled against the yen and mark, but still the US economy reverberated. The reason is that American companies made hard choices about restructuring and formulated sound and pru-

dent decisions about where to invest capital. The value of a currency actually may loosely reflect a country’s economic fundamentals, but ultimately its value replicates the consensus about government’s ability to manage the economy and the nation.

It is a revelation to note that Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines are suffering because the world lacks confidence in their money as a store of value, and likewise lacks confidence in the leadership that supposedly stands behind it. The government needs to face up to realities, in fact, its responsibilities of enhanced authority may persuade economists and financial experts that greater effort and ingenuity are needed to produce tangible results.

Within this climate, keen observers insist that the real solution to the current economic situation is not only about strong currency and maintaining brisk growth in the stock market or other macroeconomic fixes presently capturing all the attention.

So far, the market is not very good therefore the debate for all of us, particularly for the government, is how it can entice foreign investors to establish business in the country and to continue pushing strong trade alliance with other countries. However, the problem is that in purely economic terms, the stock market trade only benefits few daring busi-

nessmen and has no greater impact on the social aspect while luring entrepreneurs to invest and engage in manufacturing and production like what worked so well in the past eventually generates employment. Furthermore, it is also widely consider that more business activities will lead to higher employment rate that would help lessen the country’s lingering poverty situation.

That’s why private economists and the business sector are declaring that it’s about time for a little creativity and innovation on the part of well-paid government economic and financial planners. It appears from their views that the abrupt reversal of foreign capital flows spurred by the recent economic upturn of the US started the slumping of the local currency while some thought otherwise saying that speculators brought the exchange rates to the lower points. If government economists and financial managers view the current market and the economy in a proper perspective, they should at least look for appropriate solutions rather than just treating the symptoms.

Still and all, the oft-repeated claim about the country’s rapid economic growth is actually consisted of two parts: productive investment that resulted from foreign capital and advance technology, and non-productive investment that Filipino entrepreneurs made with their own savings. This investment mostly in real estate and golf courses led to a supply far greater than demand, and was extremely inefficient. In reality, the supposed soaring economic growth was merely an ancillary effect of the enormous productive and technological revolution happening around us.

HE power issue is so com- lied on plex, I cannot wrap my mind its hydroaround the whole gamut of it p o w e r yet. capacity But what I have understood so to supply far is eye-opening. I would also like over half to say empowering because when of its powyou learn something new you nor- er needs. mally feel empowered, right? Not But the in this case, because the more I adage ‘old learn about the intricacies of how but relithe power sector works, the less I able’ no feel empowered as a consumer.

(1st of two parts) There is a lot of jargon used to describe the power issue that is lost on a common Mindanawon like me. If people don’t understand longer applies to our Agus Pulangi what the power players are say- Hydro Electric Power Complexes, ing, all they can do is rant against because at 57 years old it can no the power outages. longer operate at full capacity due There is a lot of speculation to high maintenance needs. Add to about our power woes in Mindan- the fact that the river systems of ao, but one thing that is not spec- Agus and Pulangi are already siltulation is that the power deficit is ed, reducing the amount of water real. The reality is as simple as the that is needed to turn the turbines law of supply and demand. The is- of the power plant. land’s power demand is rising and The power lack has posed huge our current capacity to generate opportunities for those with the power has not. resources to invest in the energy Mindanao has for decades re- sector. No wonder investments in

power generation has picked up of late, mostly from the usual big players in the industry. But until these projects come into stream in a few years, Mindanao will have to bear the shortage.

Some people say we in Davao are lucky we don’t have brownouts. Of course I appreciate our consistent power supply, but luck has nothing to do with it. I don’t feel lucky at all when I look at my power bills.

I break into sweat each time I receive it because it is now eating up a big chunk off my monthly household budget. While our consumption may have been the same month in month out, our power bill has a trajectory all its own.

That’s because we pay a premium for the assurance of having no power interruption. You know that old diesel power plant in Bajada that sometimes spews out smoke? That’s our reserve power, and while it only kicks in when the supply in the Mindanao grid is insufficient, we pay for it whether it’s operating or not.

T

Let’s talk power

7

For a strong republic, let’s have proper barangay elections WORM’S EYEVIEW

MANNY VALDEHUESA

(1st of two parts)

L

ET’S prepare well for the barangay elections in October. There’s enough time to consider and decide what changes we want for our neighborhoods: who should take charge, what programs and projects to initiate, what policies to adopt. The outcome will determine the character of our society and republic.

Keep in mind that the national condition is but the sum total of reality in the 42,000 barangays that make up our nation. As cells are to the human body, the barangays are to the body politic, our republic.

To keep the body healthy, its cells must be healthy. Even one cell can afflict the body and cause illness. So also can even one barangay stress our republic and create instability. All you need is one barangay to recruit a platoon of rebels or a band of terrorists to hold the nation hostage.

It is essential therefore for the people of every barangay to tend to its affairs in order to keep our republic secure and stable. If democracy is operative in every barangay, democracy reigns in our republic. If every barangay is productive, we have a productive republic.

It’s the little things in our barangay that make up the big things in our republic.

Thus, if we want to straighten out or strengthen democracy throughout our republic, we must ensure that it is operative in our neighborhood, the barangay.

In other words, the reform effort must involve us and, if possible, start with us in our own community.

Reform begins with the way we think and do things. It becomes reality if we exemplify it as a way of life, a habit, and an attitude. And for it to last, it must be inclusive. It cannot be left to others or to the neighbors. Everyone must pitch-in.

And to be successful, keep three things in mind.

First, it’s important to awake to reality so you’ll see how our leaders have turned our democracy into an oligarchy—government in which power is in the hands of a few. In your city or barangay, do the people have power? Are you or your barangay assembly consulted or do they just go ahead and do what they like? Who are the oligarchs in Davao or in Bukidnon?

And yet the power/authority is supposed to be with the people. It’s time to stop the bad autocratic habits of oligarchs and the barangay is as good a starting place as any, aided by the Rule of Law. For example, oligarchs have managed to reduce our exercise of sovereignty to just one act every three years: casting a vote on election day, and we’re not even sure if our vote is counted. As if this isn’t bad enough, they’ve also managed over the years to suppress citizen authority (People Power) by not holding consultations, public hearings, referendums, or the like as mandated.

Refer to the Local Government Code where it ordains that the Barangay Assembly shall convene at least twice a year (Section 397). Note that they have effectively substituted “at least” with “at most.” Contrary to the Code, DILG has institutionalized the practice of having the Barangay Assembly meet only once in March and once in October each year.

This has robbed the constituents and their local parliament (Barangay Assembly) of the option to meet as often as they need to deliberate on the community’s agenda or to resolve its problems.

On the other hand, we have allowed it to go on for so long that it has become accepted practice routine and taken for granted! And we don’t complain. We don’t question or raise the issue. We don’t even have them report or account for their performance, not even for their expenditures. What do they take us for, Granted?

8

VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

9

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 •THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

Congratulations!

on your Grand opening July 5, 2013

Greetings from:

BEC BUILDERS

Door 4 Samco Building, F. Bangoy St., Agdao Davao City Telefax (082) 221-0129 Cell phone # 0917-704-1402/ 0917-704-1401 General Building Contractor

Congratulations! on your Grand opening Greetings from: July 5, 2013

10

VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

Mahipus.. FFROM 1 committee chairmanship—councilors Melchor Quitain and Bernie Al-ag. However, it is moot and academic for the part of Quitain and Al-ag.

Quitain deliberately did not take any chairmanship as he is set to leave the legislative branch and take the offer of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as the city administrator while Al-ag has been elected speaker pro-tempore of the legislative body.

That leaves Mahipus as the odd man out.

on finance, ways and means while Marissa Salvador-Abella chairs the committee on agriculture and food.

WAS HE PUNISHED? Mahipus, who has been elected seven times and appointed once as councilor, ran under the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod but reportedly fell out grace from the party’s leadership for allegedly supporting the congressional candidacy of Joji Ilagan-Bian, the closest rival of Rep. Mylene Garcia who was the party’s official candidate.

He did not answer calls made by Edge Davao but sent a short reply to a text inquiry.

“No comment. Honestly, I have nothing good to say about it.

So I keep silent,” he said.

Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte also replied with a short comment: “The councilors elected among themselves, they were free and independent.”

Two councilors who ran not under the Hugpong party got

their own committees.

Rene Elias Lopez even got two committees—the committee on games and amusement and the committee on publications while Joanne Bonguyan-Quilos chairs the committee on information technology.

Danilo Dayanghirang got the highest number of committees, with three: the committee on housing and land use, the committee on public works and the committee on environment.

Edgar R. Ibuyan Jr., who assumed the remaining term of Duterte as representative of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), got two committees—the committee on barangay affairs and the committee on labor and employment.

Leonardo Avila, another returning councilor, also got two committees—the committee on transportation and communication and the committee on appointment and government reorganization.

Tomas Monteverde, who was elected as majority floor leader, got the committee on laws, privileges, rules and ordinances while veteran first district councilor Bonifacio Militar, who was elected as assistant floor leader, also got the committee on cityowned enterprises.

Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz got the committee

finalizing the program for the tourism office.

“Perhaps I could share to the media the entire tourism work program once I have presented them to the Mayor,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Magnaye told Edge Davao that he is confident that Marques will be

doing a good job in handling the tourism office.

He also shared that his experience as a tourism head was fulfilling.

“It was both exciting and fulfilling, I learned a lot over the last three years,” he said.

He added that May-

or Duterte has clearly stated in his inaugural address that tourism will be among his priorities.

“I’m positive that the industry will remain strong, especially with the active participation and strong support by the private sectors,” he said. CMP

talked to the latter who is still in Manila until Monday.

Ramirez, in a text message to Edge Davao, said he will talk to Mayor Duterte and his current employer Fr. Joel Tabora, president of

Ateneo de Davao University.

Escandor owns The Royal Mandaya Hotel and Matina Enclaves basketball teams. He is a former basketball standout in college and remains active by play-

ing corporate-sponsored basketball tournaments. Escandor also organizes the annual The Royal Mandaya Hotel Cup basketball tournament for elementary and high school players.

New tourism..FFROM 2

Escandor.. FFROM 2

Nilo Abellera Jr. chairs the committee on government enterprises while the committee on tourism is chaired by Al Ryan Alejandre.

Other committees and the respective chairpersons are: committee on health-Mary Joselle Villafuerte; committee on peace and order and public safety –Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr.; committee on labor and employment—Edgar Ibuyan Jr.; committee on education— Maria Belen Acosta; committee on youth and sports—Jashera Gonzales; committee on international relations-- Antoniette Prinsipe; committee on housing for highend projects—Rachel Zozobrado; committee on housing for medium-end projects-- Jimmy Dureza; committee on cultural communities and Muslim affairs-- Berino Mambo-o; committee on energy – Louie John Bonguyan; committee on cooperatives—April Marie Dayap; committee on civil and political rights—Karlo Bello; committee on social s e r v i c e s —V i c t o r i o Advincula Jr.; committee on women and children—Leah Librado-Yap; and committee on trade and commerce—Jimmy Dureza.

EDGEDAVAO

DOH immunization program to cover 80,000 Davao City high school students

A

BOUT 80,000 high school students from all public schools in Davao City will soon receive free vaccination from the Department of Health (DOH) through its School-Based Adolescent Immunization program.

Starting August 5 to September 6 this year, all first year to fourth year high school students or the Grades 7-10 in government schools in the city shall be given a booster dose of vaccines that protect them against measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), tetanus and diphtheria (Td) diseases.

This program intends to immunize adolescents aged 10 to 19 years old, considering that this sector represents as the most active group and most vulnerable to vaccine preventable diseases like measles, diphtheria and pertussis.

Dr. Raquel Montejo, medical specialist of DOH Region 11, said it is the first adolescent immunization program for the region to begin in Davao City which was found to

have high cases of measles among high school students.

However, the implementing guidelines under DOH Department Memorandum No. 2013-0168 require a parental notification and consent for the students to be vaccinated.

Montejo was among the medical specialists from DOH who explained the program to various stakeholders from the government agencies, private sector and non-government organizations in the city during Tuesday’s (July 2) Partners’ Consultation Meeting on SchoolBased Adolescent Immunization held at the Marco Polo Hotel.

Aside from this consultation, there have been ongoing orientation activities for guidance counselors, nurses and social workers in public schools and partner-institutions, aiming to explain the guidelines and to achieve a high coverage of adolescent immunization.

Part of the implementing guidelines under DOH Department Memoran-

BANGSAMORO SUMMIT. Randy Ponteras of Akbayan (left) discusses the details of the ongoing two-day consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CSO) Summit which aims to resolve the impasse of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement between the Moro Islamic Lib-

dum No. 2013-0168, is a provision that MMR vaccine shall not be given to pregnant female eligible target, thus a mandate a for DOH and the Department of Education to conduct screening of all female students before immunization.

Dr. Mariblanca P. Piatos, chief of health and nutrition unit of DepEd 11, bared that pre-screening interviews will be conducted in schools on the last two weeks of July before the actual immunization to start on August 5.

Dr. Grace Bergia of DOH 11 assured that the pre-screening papers would be kept with confidentiality, saying that not even the school’s principal would know any information from the documents.

Montejo said they have also set to train on July 5 peer educators who will serve as interviewers to provide a comfortable atmosphere and to gain the trust and openness of the female students during the pre-screening interviews. [PIA 11/Carina L. Cayon]

eration Front (MILF) and the Philippine government during yesterday’s Club 888 media forum at the Marco Polo Davao. Also seen in the photo is Tom Macintosh, founder of Philippine Gospel Commission Foundation.

Lean Daval Jr.

Cops..FFROM 1 Talomo police station commander Julius Silagan told Edge Davao that the footage would help investigators in the eventual arrest of the suspect.

“As of now, we are enhancing the video footage in order to get a clearer image of the suspect,” Si-

lagan said.

The footage shows the suspect who is walking away from the house of Petalcorin.

Silagan said that the statement of the witness matched on the video footage that was given to them.

He described the suspect as chubby, wearing a baseball cap, standing around 5’2” to 5’4” and carrying a backpack.

“If we have the clearer image already, we will look for people who can help us identify the suspect,” he added.

mayor’s appointment was a complete surprise to him as he did not ask for it.

Cuntapay actively supported the mayoral bid of Rellon in the last polls although in the end he lost to now

Vice Mayor Geterito Gementiza.

“I have high respect and regard for Allan, and it’s not only me who supported him but the people of Tagum,” he said.

Cuntapay is a former police investiga-

tor and president of the Landowners and Landusers Association of Tagum City and of the Multi-sectoral Consumers Council for Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley provinces.

(PNA)

Tagum consultant..FFROM 2

11 NATION/WORLD

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

MANILA

DPWH to employ more ‘balik-probinsya’ workers T

OUTGOING AMBASSADOR. President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates outgoing Argentine Republic Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Joaquin Daniel Otero after conferring the Order of Sikatuna with a rank of Datu, Katangiang Pilak (Grand Cross, Silver Distinction) during the Farewell Call at the Music Room, Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (July 02, 2013). The Order of Sikatuna is the national order of diplomatic merit of the Republic

of the Philippines. It is conferred upon individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious services to the Republic of the Philippines, upon diplomats, officials and nationals of foreign states who have rendered conspicuous services in fostering, developing and strengthening relations between their country and the Philippines. [Lauro Montellano, Jr./ Malacañang Photo Bureau/ PNA]

MANILA

HE Department of Public Works and Highways is considering hiring more “balik-probinsya” workers for their infrastructure projects.

In a statement on Tuesday, DPWH Public Information Division Chief Elizabeth Pilorin said they have hired “balik-probinsya” workers in compliance with Public Works and Highways Sec. Rogelio L. Singson’s directive to engage the services of local residents as construction workers.

Pilorin said the DPWH shall hire more of them since it proves that job is available in rural areas, not just in the overcrowded cities, thus prevents them from seeking jobs in places where they can no longer be accommodated.

She cited that they have employed for a bridge project, Sofronio Lordan, a “balik-probinsiya” local resident in Looc, who decided to go back to his home province because of costly standard of living in Metro Manila.

BRUNEI

He was hired as a construction foreman having gained experience in Metro Manila where he lived for many years.

Pilorin said the balik-probinsya worker takes pride in being able to work on the bridge projects as it would bring progress to the island especially in facilitating the transport of goods and services and boosting the thriving tourism industry.

The DPWH was able to hire local residents in Romblon, through the Rural Road Network Development Project – Project Management Office (RRNDP-PMO), constructing 6 bridge projects along Looc – Odiongan – San Andres road in the island of Tablas, Romblon province with a total cost of P140.7 Million.

Two of the 6 bridges, Lumbia bridge and Limon Norte bridge are now passable to traffic while the other 4 bridges, Tumingad, Marigubdub, Matutuna, and Parpagoha are in various stages of construction.[PNA]

Backhoe man describes Maguindanao massacre Rivals play down China’s overture in S.China Sea A backhoe driver has described in chilling detail how he used the excavator to bury the 58 victims of the Philippines’ worst political massacre.

According to a copy of his deposition, minutes after the November 2009 shootings, Bong Andal said he excavated two pits on both sides of a rural road -- one to dump the victims’ bodies and the other to bury their cars.

He said his employer, clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Senior, had ordered

MANILA

him to take the excavator to the site. There, he saw the patriarch’s son and namesake, Andal Ampatuan Junior, with scores of other gunmen.

“I was shocked to see so many dead people, women and men, all of them soaked in blood. The dead were scattered along the side of the road,” the driver said in the undated statement, written in Filipino.

“It was then that Datu Unsay commanded me, ‘Bury all of them, including their cars’,” he added.

“Datu Unsay” is Ampatuan

Junior’s nickname.

The clan allegedly ordered the massacre to stop a political rival, Esmael Mangudadatu, from running against one of its members for the governorship of Maguindanao, a poor farming province in the south.

The Ampatuan patriarch, two sons and several family members are in custody and on trial for the murder of 58 victims, including 32 journalists who were covering the political contest.

The backhoe driver

was arrested last November after a three-year manhunt. More than 90 other suspects remain at large.

“I used the backhoe to push the vehicles into the hole first. Then I flattened them with its metal arm,” the driver said.

“Some of the vehicles had dead people inside, so I just closed my eyes out of fright and got on with it.”

After digging a second hole, the driver said he used the excavator’s arm to drag the bodies into the pit. [AFP and PNA]

PH deploys female diplomats amid sex scandal T HE Philippines is to deploy female labour officers to the Middle East, an official said yesterday, amid an enquiry into allegations some of its diplomats in these posts forced distressed Philippine workers there into prostitution.

A total of 13 women officials will be sent soon to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and also Malaysia, to work with current staff at Philippine embassies there, labour department spokesman Nicon Fameronag told AFP. They will mainly help

Philippine workers who had sought refuge at embassy shelters to escape abuses by their employers, he added.

“The decision to send in women is because there are more women overseas workers who are going to the shelters than men. The shelters are for women, not men,” he told AFP. “They (the women officials) will be able to relate more to women than men.”

The planned deployments were announced amid an investigation by the foreign department over allegations that at

least two diplomats were forcing Philippine women at the shelters to submit to sex, either with them or other men.

The enquiry was launched last month after a member of parliament told the foreign ministry he had received anonymous complaints by some women who had been in those shelters.

The allegations have triggered a firestorm in the Philippines, which relies heavily on the salary remittances of nearly 10 million citizens -- about a tenth of the population -- who

work abroad.

Fameronag denied that the deployment of the women labour officers was a reaction to the scandal, insisting it was part of official efforts to improve embassy services for overseas workers.

Since the allegations broke, the Philippines has recalled home a male labour attache from the Middle East to answer the allegations against him, he said.

However, Fameronag said government investigators have yet to confirm any of the claims. [AFP]

P

HILIPPINE Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario walked into a regional security forum this week to hear his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi reel off a list of complaints against Manila for stirring tensions over the South China Sea. Del Rosario was not scheduled to speak, but after hearing Wang’s speech at Sunday’s closed-door meeting in the kingdom of Brunei, he raised his hand and proceeded to rebut China’s allegations one by one, according to Philippine diplomats. The Singapore foreign minister called it “testy exchanges”.

The departure from the usual diplomatic niceties that mark such multilateral gatherings was the latest display of animosity over competing claims in the oilrich South China Sea, one of Asia’s most dangerous military flashpoints.

Despite rare progress towards easing tensions between China and Southeast Asian nations at the Brunei meeting, a binding agreement remains a distant prospect, with Beijing seen in no rush to limit a growing naval reach that is alarming neighbours such as Vietnam and the Philippines.

“My response was simply that the core issue is

that China has taken the position that they have indisputable sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea,” Del Rosario told reporters later. “Since that is a grossly excessive claim, we need to settle this in accordance with international law. So I asked everyone to support that.”

China’s agreement later that day to hold talks with Southeast Asia on maritime rules appeared to mark a new chapter in efforts to resolve the dispute.

After years of resisting efforts by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to start talks on the proposed Code of Conduct, China said it would host talks between senior officials in September.

The code however would not touch on countries’ territorial claims but would set “rules of the road” for actions by ships, aiming to minimise the risk of a misstep that could lead to conflict.

The talks to be held in China are relatively low-level and were carefully described in the joint ASEAN-China statement on Sunday as “consultations” rather than “negotiations” - an important nuance that signals that no real progress is likely. [AFP]

12 CLASSIFIEDS ADS EDGEDavao Davao Partners

VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

EDGEDavao Gensan Partners

EDGEDAVAO

Health and Wellness

Tel No. (083) 553-2211 / (083) 877-0019 / (083) 878-0308

FDA APPROVED! HALAL APPROVED! SOFT ICE CREAM POWDER MIX, P135 ONLY COFFEE VENDING POWDER MIX, P185 ONLY ALSO AVAILABLE: SHAKE/PALAMIG/SCRAMBLE POWDER MIXES; CONES/ TOPPINGS OTHER CONSUMMABLE SUPPLIES; SOFT ICE CREAM MACHINES; COFFEE VENDING MACHINES TEXT/CALL: 0932-8865224; LANDLINE 082-2993703 FREE DELIVERY WITHIN DAVAO CITY

Realty FOR SALE:

1) 1-hectare commercial lot at P10,000/sq m, along National Highway, facing east, beside NCCC Panacan, Davao City. 2) 17,940sq m commercial lot at P2,500/sq m, along Matina Diversion Road. 3) 3,831 sq m lot along Matina Diversion Road. 4) 41,408 sq m commercial/ industrial lot at P800/sq m along the National Highway, Bunawan. 5) 7,056 sq m at P1,200/sq m commercial/residential lot along Indangan Road, Buhangin District. 6) 27,411 sq m commercial/ industrial lot along the National Highway in Bincungan, Tagum City. 7) 116.15 to 245.92 sq meters , at P5.5M to P12.3M commercial/ office condo units in Bajada, Davao City. 8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina Town Center, along the National Highway, Dumoy, Toril. 9) Ready-for-Occupancy Residential Properties: 4BR/3T&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in Dumoy, Toril.; 3BR 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, Davao City; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, Diversion Road. 10) 1BR/2BR residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, Obrero, Davao City. 11) FOR ASSUME (RUSH): 1BR res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. Note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, in-house or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (PRC REB Lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908-883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.

Best for kids ages 1 to 12 years old High in CGF, Taurine, L-Lysine Contains Fortified with DHA Available at all Drugstore near you

Multivitamins for Teens & young adults ages 13 to22 years old Available at all Drugstore near you

Take 2mg Ener-plus Capsule one hour before your intimate encounter • Improve Blood Circulation • Provide Extra Strength & Sexual Stamina • Increase Libido & Sexdrive

Available at all Drugstore near you

NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 78466 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 60271301 issued to PEDRO JARAVATA was lost.

Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

7/4,11,18

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 •THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

EDGEDavao

Serving a seamless society

Sales Representatives (2) -

-

Male / Female, not more than 30 years old Candidate must posses a Bachelor/ College Degree in any Business field.

Willing to work under pressure, flexible, persuasive, can speak fluently and computer literate A team player With Basic Salary, Transportation, Communication, allowance + Commission

For interested applicants, you may send your resume to: HR Department EDGEDavao Doors 13 & 14 Alcrej B;dg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel. No. (082) 221-3601 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com

CLASSIFIEDS ADS13

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013 UMBRELLA. John Ferriols of Matina Enclaves find the defense of Rashaw Savage of Soldiers for Christ too tough to get off a shot in their match at the DCRC on Monday. The bible-preaching Soldiers won 67-56. Boy Lim

EDGEDAVAO

Clippers land Reddick, Dudley T

HE Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks have reached agreement on a three-team trade that will send J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley to L.A., league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Suns will receive Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe and forward Caron Butler while the Bucks – who facilitated the deal with a sign-and-trade of Redick – get two sec-

ond-round draft picks, sources said.

Redick received a four-year, $27 million contract that includes a trade kicker, sources said.

Under new general manager Ryan McDonough, the Suns are moving swiftly in reshaping their roster, acquiring a center in Alex Len, the fifth overall pick in the NBA draft, and a talented, young point guard in Bledsoe.

Phoenix can’t negotiate a contract extension with Bledsoe until after the deal is finalized on July 10.

New Clippers executive VP and coach Doc Rivers had dinner with Redick on Tuesday night and further solidified Redick’s belief that joining the Clippers and competing for a championship was his desire, sources said.

The Bucks traded for Redick at the February deadline and ultimately decided against re-signing him for the nearly $8 million per season the Clippers did.

The Bucks get a

trade exception back in the deal, but it has to be renounced because they’re under the salary cap.

The Clippers and Suns will each send one future second round pick to the Bucks.

The deal was conceived and completed within 24 hours, beginning Monday and finishing early Tuesday afternoon. Once Chris Paul notified the Clippers officially that he would sign a fiveyear extension, Rivers was willing to part with Bledsoe in a deal, sources said.

As an assistant GM with the Boston Celtics, McDonough – who was hired as Suns GM in April – had been part of trying to acquire Bledsoe in a package for Kevin Garnett. McDonough was the catalyst on Monday and Tuesday to try to complete the deal, officials in the talks said.

Phoenix has two point guards, Goran Dragic and Kendall Marshall, who will become expandable with the arrival of Bledsoe.

B R I E F S

Tablenet, chess DSA topics at Dexter’s Pizza Stadium A TABLE tennis tournament hosted by the Indonesian Consulate and the annual Emcor Chess Tournament are main dishes as the Davao Sportwriters Association (DSA) Forum resumes at 10:30 a.m. today at Dexter’s Pizza Stadium in Matina.

Consul General Eko Hartono will brief DSA members on a table tennis meet slated July 13 at SM City Davao. It will be held in celebration of the Indonesia’s Independence Day. National master (NM) Prospero “Bebot” Cruz tackles the Emcor chessfest that will pit boys and girls chess teams of different schools and colleges in Davao City.

Dexter’s Pizza Stadium, owned by Jimmy and Bai Lim, is host of the weekly sports forum today and on July 11.

Radwanska ousts Li LONDON (AP) -- Agnieszka Radwanska moved a win away from her second straight Wimbledon final, defeating Li Na 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-2 on Tuesday in a match that took nearly 3 1/2 hours to complete, including two rain delays, an injury timeout and a 10-minute final game.

The fourth-seeded Radwanska won on her eighth match point to close out a game in which she also saved three break points.

In Thursday’s semifinals, Bartoli faces 20th-seeded Kirsten Flipkens, who defeated 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Hanging out at Bo’s Coffee.

The different coffee concoctions at Bo’s.

Celebrations of life at the AlNor Compound IF there is one thing I would be most proud of, it would have to be the development in my hometown of Cotabato City. For years, I have clamored for a place to hang out and just chill with my family and friends. Nowadays, I need not think far.

Imagine a compound where you can shop, eat and chill at the same time.

Not to mention, you get to see everybody on your contact lists having a blast.

ALNOR compound in Cotabato City is your ultimate one stop food and leisure haven. Offering a wide variety of amenities and more than enough cafes that line its strip, there is indeed nothing more than you can ask for.

For starters, its façade could get you lured in at

branded products it offers.

Locals and visitors from neighboring places frequent this part of the compound for unique finds for themselves or as gifts for family and friends.

Nonetheless, the shops and boutiques are just but an appetizer. I am most amazed at the number of restaurants and cafes that first glance. With a num- welcomes one upon enber of shops conveniently tering. Kids, yuppies and located at the upper floor, the kids at heart take their you can certainly get lost places to begin a merry with the many local and night of chitchat and

laughter. With food and beverages on their table, you can verily enjoy the light atmosphere it offers.

For a quasi – anti-social like me, I would go for somewhere I can be me despite the many people around. Somewhere I can browse my epub and blast my earphones with Alesso, Talsik Ways and LDP beats without the usual stares of the crowd. Here at the AlNor Compound, I can do that.

Dip in their warm and colorful pool or take a seat at the poolside cabana if that is your take. Alternatively, have a therapeutic and relaxing massage be-

AlNor suites.

An evening out with family and friends at AlNor Complex.

Sweet and Spicy Shrimps at Jamaica Le Cafe.

Jamaica Le Cafe.

Vegetable Medley with Seafood at Gelatto at Fiorgelato.

Jamaica Le Cafe

fore heading out for dinner. Whatever your preference is, AlNor has it.

Subjectively, I am regular -- whenever I am home, that is. I always crave for Alibaba’s chicken and shawarma, Jamaican Café’s crab rice and Emperor’s hot shrimp salad and orange chicken. Nadi’s Filipino dishes are also a must try.

At night or when the kids are around, munch on baked goodies from Bo’s coffee and some delectable Italian Ice Cream from Fiorgelatto. Or if you feel like staying late, a good hot cup of coffee (from Bo’s Coffee) and a slice of thin

crusted pizza from Calda is all you need.

Hence, when you are in town, do not forego the opportunity and experience Cotabato City in a completely new light! Visit ALNOR compound and be amazed.

Thank you Boyki Photography and Bai Omayrah S. Zainal for the photos.

Do you want to be a part of Davao’s Thursday habit?

Send me your recipes, questions, suggestions and comments and be featured.

If you are interested, then email me at leebai@chefroyale.com or visit www. chefroyale.com for more recipes. Happy Cooking!

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Fourth of July all-American treats at SM Lanang Premier This 4th of July, celebrate Philippine-American Friendship Day with all-American treats at SM Lanang Premier. Indulge in the best American dining deals and retail markdowns from the metro’s top U.S. clothing brands.

For a dose of retail therapy and authentic American fashion, shop at Forever 21, Guess, Arrow and Mossimo and avail of discounts on selected items.

Dine at Clawdaddy’s & New Orleans at the Fountain Court for their Great American Experience promo and win exciting prizes. Enjoy 10% off from your total bill if you dine in from 10am-11am. You could also get 5% discount on selected items and cap off your meal with a glass of megashake for only 149.00. You may also want to grab the buy 1 take 1 offer on San Miguel Pilsen and House Wine at both restaurants.

For another American-inspired dining option, have a sumptuous feast at Army Navy for a taste of Texas and Mexican food well loved by U.S. soldiers. Then lounge at Starbucks and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf with your family or friends for a taste of your favorite brew. You could also go for some original glazed and other flavored donuts from Krispy Kreme.

For inquiries, contact 285-0943. Like SM Lanang Premier on Facebook and follow @SMLanangPremier on Twitter for exclusive promos and sale alerts.

Travel Asia when you shop at Ayala Malls

WANT to visit the most in-demand destinations here in the Philippines and Asia? Join the Travel Ayala Malls Promo for a chance to win a trip for two to the hottest and most-wanted travel destinations today.

Shop or dine at Abreeza Mall from July 1 to September 30, 2013 for a chance to win trips for four to Hong Kong, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Phuket, Guangzhou, and Jakarta in the grand draw, or trips for two to Manila in the monthly draws!

Also, enjoy shopping with BPI More Fun Prepaid Visa Card and accommodations at Seda Hotels, El Nido Resorts, InterContinental Hotels Group and Cebu City Marriot.

Simply register and create a promo account via www. ayalamalls.com.ph to at the Concierge of Abreeza Mall. Exchange your receipts for electronic raffle coupons at the Concierge where your purchase was made.

Every Php500 worth of single/accumulated receipt/s from any Abreeza Mall establishment entitles you to one electronic raffle coupon, or get two electronic raffle coupons when you use your BPI-Ayala Malls Amore Visa Credit Card.

See posters or check out the website http://shopayalamalls.com for more details.

True Value Red, White and Tlue Sale on til July 31!

TRUE Value’s most awaited sale is finally here!

Get up to 70% off on a great selection of items in the RED, WHITE AND TRUE SALE! Enjoy big savings on Painter’s Select, gorilla racks, Lite Fiber step ladders, massage tables, Willow Lane candles, Lifetime tables, Seville shelving and organizers, Honey Can Do items, plus more. True Value is located at the 2nd floor of Abreeza Mall!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

EVENTS

Waterfront Davao glitters in fab appreciation night WATERFRONT Insular Hotel Davao recently held its annual “Clients’ Appreciation Night” and it was very timely to usher in guests to its new Garden Pavilion.

A contingent of guests representing corporate and government sectors, travel executives and tourism partners were on hand to witness an extravagant fusion of Hollywood and Broadway. Invitees were fabulously garbed in their cocktail red and black attire as they walked the red carpet and got their photos taken ala Hollywood style.

The Davao Singing Teens rendered Broadway musicals and played music from the recently-successful Academy Award-winning film Les Miserable while aerial dancer, Nash Villa, unleashed an unusual treat for Davao crowd.

In between astonishing performances of Jaz Up dancers and Davao’s song diva, Juliet Bajala, Waterfront has given recognition to its top accounts for bagging the highest production for the year 2012. Formed part of the evening’s highlight was paying tribute to industry partners and loyal supporters. Moreover, special citation and trophies of gratitude were granted to Mr. Efren Elbanbuena of Phil. Information Agency, Marilyn Roque of Mindanao Times, Okinawa Tours, Golden Touch by Noel Tanza and Château del Mar. General Manager, Mr. Rouel P. Guanzon in his welcome remarks aptly stated, “Like stars and celebrities in Hollywood and Broadway, our clients only deserve to be treated like stars in their own rights here at Waterfront.” Guanzon thanked business partners and loyal clients for their

support and trust through all these years. Along with Waterfront’s management team, a wine toast was offered to culminate wonderful years & look forward to a fabulous 2013.

The entertainment finale was as superb as the food specially prepared by its culinary team.

Indeed, it was another remarkable evening of Waterfront’s distinct brand of hosting gala events with this year’s wellthough of and well-planned carrying theme.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Egai-Sai’ Japanese film festival returns to the Phl

JULY 4, 2013

NOW

1:15 3:50 6:25 9:00

SHOWING

12:30 2:40

12:15 3:10 6:05 9:00

BLING RING

(R16)

4:50 WORLD WAR Z

(PG-13)

6:55 9:00

HAUNTED MOTEL

(R-13)

THE WHITE HOUSE DOWN (PG-13)

11:00 2:00 4:20 6:40 9:00

10:40 1:15 3:50 6:25 9:00

12:45 3:30 6:15 9:00

DESPICABLE ME 2

(GP)

FOUR SISTERS AND A WEDDING

MY LADY BOSS

(PG-13)

(PG-13)

11:40 2:00 4:20 6:40 9:00

DESPICABLE ME 2 3D (GP)

(G)

THE Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in cooperation with The Japan Foundation, Manila, stages the much-anticipated “Eiga-Sai” (Japanese Film Festival. In celebration of the Philippines–Japan Friendship Month in July and the 40th Year of ASEAN – Japan Friendship and Cooperation anchored on the theme “ASEANJapan Partnership: Thoughts ConnectedFuture Connected”, a series of culturally-inspiring and artisticallystimulating activities are in place. The festival commences with an invitational screening of the film “About Her Brother” (“Otouto”) on July 3 at Shang Cineplex Cinema 2, EDSA, Mandaluyong City.

“Otouto” is Master filmmaker Yoji Yamada’s first contemporary feature in ten years. He has always been known for his humanistic films.Paying hom-

age to Ichikawa Kon’s film of the same title, the film’s story revolves on a widow’s unconditional love for her prodigal brother, as well as that of other people who have been touched by her kindness.

It is a heartwarming depiction of the bond between a hard-working older sister Ginko (Yoshinaga Sayuri) and her younger brother Tetsuro (Shofukutei Tsurube), an unsuccessful performer and drunkard. Widowed young, Ginko runs a pharmacy in Tokyo and lives with her daughter, Koharu (Aoi Yu). Koharu is to marry a distinguished doctor; but, out of the blue, Ginko’s long lost brother, Tetsuro shows up at the wedding—wasted and not in his best elements, he ruins the occasion. Having to put up with him all her life, Ginko is ready to disown her burdensome younger brother; but, some things are easier said than done.

The film has enjoyed successful runs at various international film festivals

abroad and emerged as one of the most acclaimed films from Japan in 2010, earningthe closing night attraction at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival.

This year’s festival will also feature the complete edition of Always Sunset on Third Street (ALWAYS Sancho-me no Yuhi) Part 1 to 3, Confessions (Kokuhaku), Kamui (Kamui Gaiden), Rinco’s Restaurant (Shokudo Katatsumuri), Mai Mai Miracle (Mai Mai Shinko to sennen no maho), Castle Under Fiery Skies (Katen no Shiro), Japan, Our Homeland, Parade and Dear Doctor.

All films will be shown with English subtitles.

Screening venues are at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 2 (July 4 to 14), Abreeza, Ayala and FDCP Cinematheque, Davao City (July 19 to 28), Ayala Center Cinema 4, Cebu City (August 7 to 11) and UP Film Institute, Quezon City (August 19 to 25).

Interested parties may visit http://www.fdcp.ph for the complete schedule and synopsis of the films.

Stunts gone wrong, cases of animal cruelty air this Thursday in Alisto DARING stunts and exhibitions do not always end up in commendable situations. This Thursday on GMA-7’s Alisto, witness how horribly executed stunts put the lives of thrill-seekers in danger. In Alisto’s Top 10 Videos, a thrill-seeker’s stomach gets flattened by a metal bar, while a daredevil’s motorcycle mishap throws him off-balance. Find out more about stunts gone wrong and how to avoid these accidents this Thursday in Alisto.

FOUR SISTERS & A WEDDING 2D Toni Gonzaga, Bea Alonzo, Angel Locsin, Shaina Magdayao, Enchong Dee

PG 13

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

DESPICABLE ME 2 2D Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig GP

Meanwhile, a collection of footage from CCTV and mobile phone cameras documents horrifying counts of animal cruelty—pets getting stolen, hurled onto the street, thrown into rivers, and forced to drink bleach. Learn how to respond to cases of animal

abuse this Thursday.

Also airing are videos uploaded by concerned citizens documenting action-packed sequences and gripping responses to real-life emergencies.

Join Arnold Clavio this Thursday night, June 4, in Aliso after Saksi on GMA7.

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

WHITE HOUSE DOWN 2D Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx PG 13

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

R-16 THE HEAT 2D/ *WORLD WAR Z 2D Sandra Bullock/ *Brad Pitt R 13/ *PG 13

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | *7:30 | 10:00 LFS

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

FOOD

VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

Through the White House time machince THE rainy season is indeed here. What would have normally taken me 20 minutes to traverse took me almost an hour, no thanks to the long wait for a cab.

In the end though I was able to arrive at The White House safe and dry enough and ready to start tasting some delicious food paired with fantastic wines courtesy of The Wine Cellar Wines and Spirits (which used to be called Forth and Tay) and the crazy guys of Barcino. It was only then that I found out that I was actually just in time for the cocktails to start. Apparently the rain also delayed some other guests so the event had to adjust.

The event was held at the upper floor of The White House restaurant and it was my first time to experience dining in their function space. The rich hardwood floors and walls, the elegant chandeliers and the capiz shelled windows harken back to a more opulent time, far from the modern grind of catching up with time.

While waiting for more guests to arrive, we had cocktail portions of Chicken Popcorn in a teriyaki sauce and Beef Salpicao paired with Castillo de Almansa, a rich, deep-colored Spanish wine that is smooth with distinct aromas and flavours of blueberry and blackberry.

Everybody finally got settled in the main dining room for the five-course set menu. The first course is a Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad with Parma Ham, Grapes, Walnuts and Quail Egg paired with Altozano Shiraz Rosé. The crisp freshness and strawberry

The main dining room on The White House’s upper floor.

notes blended well with the fruit-forward salad.

The second course is a delicious and flaky Pan Seared Salmon served with Apples, Carrots, Cucumber, Onions and Orange Butter Sauce that is paired with Borsao Blanco, a white Spanish wine that is fresh with a bit of acidity to cut through the fattiness of the fish. The tropical fruit notes complimented the buttery goodness of the salmon although I was looking for some citrus notes that would complement the fish even more.

My favourite pairing of the evening though would be the Braised Pork But a Kakuni with Japanese Mustard, Bok Choy and Sesame Seeds served with Borsao Tinto Joven, a beautiful Spanish Red that is cherry red in colour and has a heavenly bouquet of chocolate, red berries, and cherry. And the Borsao

Wines, lined up and ready to serve.

Pan Seared Salmon.

Buta Kakuni.

Tinto Joven does not disap- duction, Seasonal Vegetapoint on the palate either, bles and Pumpkin Risoni. as it is rich and full-bodied The steak was paired with with a nice balance of acid- Terrapura Cabernet Sauity. vignon, a punchy Chilean A runner-up for me red wine that is full of red would be the fourth course, fruit, blueberry, and plum a U.S. Hanging Tender flavours that complimentSteak with a Red Wine Re- ed the fattiness of the beef.

Dessert was The White House’s signature Cheesecake paired with Vallformosa Moscatel, a sweet silky dessert wine with hits of honey and vanilla. As the last bit of cheesecake was downed and the last tipple of wine was sipped, that was then that I realised that it was time to head back home.

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

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 •THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

SPORTS 15

WHO’S THAT GIRL? Flipkens in semis after shocking Kvitova L

ONDON (AP) -Kirsten Flipkens was diagnosed with life-threatening blood clots in both her legs just over a year ago. On Tuesday, the Belgian reached the Wimbledon semifinals. ‘’It’s amazing, it’s more than a dream come true to be in the semifinals of a Grand Slam, it’s ridiculous,’’ the 20th-ranked Flipkens said. ‘’Last year I did not even get into the qualifying at Wimbledon.

I was 260th in the world and today I am in the semifinals of Wimbledon.

It cannot be better. I still cannot believe it. I am so happy I cannot imagine myself waking up. ‘’ A former Wimbledon and US Open junior winner, Flipkens upset former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to advance. Playing in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, she had only five unforced errors in a gutsy performance. She fell face first on the court and kissed the grass after closing out the match with an ace that was challenged

by Kvitova. ‘’I never expected this

to happen in my life,’’ she said. ‘’Being in the semifinals of a Grand Slam, of the biggest tournament throughout the year, it has no words.’’

It was after a long flight in which Flipkens felt the acute pain in her legs and was diagnosed with her condition last April. As a result, she missed two months of competition and her ranking dropped to No. 262. ‘’Maybe I start to know what’s important in life,’’ said Flipkens, who wears glasses when she plays. ‘’I think winning or losing a tennis match doesn’t make a big difference. I mean, if you lose, you have a next tournament next week, so ... I just start to see things in perspective.’’

Flipkens, who had never advanced past the third round at Wimbledon before this year, is clearly on an ascending path.

Now training with former World No. 1 and fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters, she reached the final at Rosmalen at her Wimbledon warm-up tournament after losing in the Australian Open fourth round to Maria Sharapova.

Djokovic, Murray head QFinal cast

L

ONDON (AP) -- No. 1-seeded Novak Djokovic and No. 2 Andy Murray have yet to lose a set, let alone a match, so far at Wimbledon.

The way things have been going at the All England Club this fortnight, that’s quite an accomplishment.

Rafael Nadal, a 12time Grand Slam champion, was beaten in the first round. Roger Federer, owner of a record 17 major titles, went out in the second, as did four-time major champ Maria Sharapova. Five-time Wimbledon winner Serena Williams’ 34-match winning streak ended in the fourth round.

And on and on it’s gone, with no top-20 player other than Murray left on his side of the draw, and a record-equaling number of withdrawals

or mid-match retirements because of health problems. ‘’Everyone was a bit on edge, a little bit uptight,’’ reigning U.S. Open champion Murray acknowledged, ‘’because of what was happening with the injuries, withdrawals, upsets and stuff.’’

He and Djokovic have made it all look so routine, though, heading into the men’s quarterfinals Wednesday.

On the top half of the bracket, Djokovic - a sixtime Grand Slam titlist and the only remaining past Wimbledon winner - will face No. 7 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, the 2010 runner-up. No. 4 David Ferrer of Spain plays No. 8 Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, the 2009 U.S. Open champion and the third man who hasn’t dropped a set through four matches.

QUICK RELIEF. Agnieszka Radwanska (top) gets a quick medical attention in a win over Li Na. (Below), Kirsten Flipkens throws the ball after her win in the quarterfinals.

16

VOL. 6 ISSUE 79 • THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2013

N

ICE, France (Reuters) Orica-GreenEdge’s remarkable start to the Tour de France continued when Simon Gerrans snatched the yellow jersey after the Australian outfit won the team time trial on Tuesday.

The man the Australian had to particularly thank was not one of his team mates but the man who handed him his first bike - Phil Anderson, the first Australian to wear the famous jersey.

“He was my first coach, it’s thanks to him,” Gerrans told a news conference. “So it’s pretty special to follow in his footsteps.”

Gerrans started cycling after his neighbor Anderson, the first non-European to wear the yellow jersey in 1981, advised him to ride a bike to help him recover from a knee injury suffered in a motorbike crash.

Gerrans took the jersey 24 hours after he won an individual stage.

His Orica-GreenEdge team crossed the line in Nice with a time of 25 minutes 56 seconds after the 25 kms, making it the fastest stage in the Tour’s history although the previous record was set on a much longer course.

They finished one second ahead of Belgian world champions Omega Pharma-Quick-Step with Britain’s Team Sky a further two seconds behind in third after the fourth stage.

Gerrans is the sixth Australian to don the leader’s jersey after Anderson, Stuart O’Grady, Bradley McGee, Robbie McEwen and Cadel Evans.

“It has been a dream start for us,” Orica-GreenEdge sporting director Matt White said in a finish-line interview. “We knew we would be competitive but to win (the time trial), we are very surprised.”

Overall, Team Sky’s Chris Froome is the best placed of the top contenders in seventh, three seconds behind Gerrans and in the same time as his lieutenant, eighth-placed Richie Porte of Australia.

Spain’s Alberto Contador is 12th, six seconds further back, after his Team Saxo-Tinkoff limited the damage by finishing the stage fourth, nine seconds off Orica-GreenEdge’s pace.

The Australian team were in the limelight for the wrong reasons on Saturday’s opening stage when their bus got stuck under the overhead banner at the finish line as the speeding peloton was approaching.

Aussie grabs Tour de France yellow jersey

EDGEDAVAO Sports GREEN EDGE. Team Orica Green Edge pedal its way through in Stage 5 of the Tour De France. The win in the Team Time Trials gave the Aussies the lead.

WIZARD FROM OZ