Edge Davao 6 Issue 94

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

WAYWARD SCOUT. A Boy Scout breaks out of the flank during a fancy drill competition performance by the Don Vicente Hizon Elementary School which is part of the Boy Scout of the Philippines 48th Founding Anniversary at the Rizal Park in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

PAQUIBATO INVASION 2 mining firms ask to exploit Paquibato

By ANTONIO M. AJERO ELATED. Councilor Bonifacio Militar beams after the passage of the reinforced Liquor Ban yesterday in a special City Council session. Lean Daval Jr.

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ama@edgedavao.net

SURPRISED Davao City Council committee on environment and natural resources headed by veteran Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang yesterday hastily called for a public hearing on the application of two companies to exploit barangays Paquibato and Malabog within the city’s second legislative district.

The applicants are Albertos Gold Corp, a multinational based in

Michigan, USA, and PensonCorp., believed to be the same company partnering with conglomerate San Miguel to build a multi-billion peso project at the Clark International Airport.

Dayanghirang bared the applications during yesterday’s meeting of the Davao City Watershed Management Council, presided by acting City Administrator Jhopee Avancena- Agustin, the first under the administration of Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.

“The endorsement by the MGB (Mines and Geosciences Bureau) in

FPAQUIBATO ,10

INSIDE: Villarreiz asks FDA to ban e-cigarettes Soap brand monthly sales reach P80M And now, Cricket for Pinoys

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2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

BEAUTIES ALL. The 14 semifinalists who will compete for the coveted Miss Silka-Davao 2013 were formally presented to the media during yesterday’s press conference at the Outback Grill Davao along Bacaca Road. The pageant night is set August 10, 2013. Lean Daval Jr.

Villarreiz asks FDA O to ban e-cigarettes

Tricycle driver killed

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

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ama@edgedavao.net

R. DOMILYN VILLARREIZ, vice chair and action officer of the Davao City Anti-Smoking Task Force, has formally asked the Food and Drug Administration to ban the sale of e-cigarettes because of the dangers they pose for the health of smokers.

Villarreiz made her request in a formal letter to Dr. Kenneth Y. Hartigan-Go, FDA acting director general.

The lady physician

backed her request with quotations of findings by authorities on e-cigarettes. She cited the fact that Davao City has approved a New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance replacing its 11- year old Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance city needs to respond to the changing times such as the presence of new and emerging tobacco products.

She said “Our new ordinance (City Ordi-

nance 0367-12 series of 2012) covers all tobacco products (manufactured cigarettes, shisha etc.) and the use of electronic device systems with or without nicotine but depicts the act of smoking in a non-smoking area.”

“We used the General Welfare Clause of the Local Government Code in order to protect our constituencies from products which are not yet considered safe for use by a repu-

table health authority,” she said.

Ms Villarreiz said e-cigarette is not a legitimate alternative for smoking as the World Health Organization did not endorse it as a Nicotine Replacement Therapy. ”In a manufactured cigarette, the smoker can inhale at least 1-2 mg of Nicotine but using an e-cigarette, one user in Davao said he can use as high as 30 mg

and order in the city will now be addressed, like the problem of minors who frequent establishments on Torres St. and Times Beach and other places in the city where they come drunk and come home at about five o’clock in the morning. This is what the mayor wants

to stop, and when we say stop, it will be done at one o’clock in the morning,” Militar explained.

The ordinance also includes hotels, beer houses, disco houses, fun houses, motels, family KTV bars, restaurants, food hous-

FVILLARREIZ ,10

City Council okays 1 a.m. liquor ban

By CHERRY MAE PALICTE

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cdp@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Council yesterday approved at a special session a city ordinance prohibiting the selling and serving of liquor after 1 o’clock a.m.

The ordinance in effect amended Ordinance No. 1672, series of 1994 also known

as “An ordinance regulating the operations of business establishments selling liquors, coconut wine and other nature wine and other alcoholic beverages in the city of Davao” was authored by Councilor Bonifacio Militar.

“The problem of the mayor in keeping peace

FCITY COUNCIL ,10

NE Mark Laolao, 28, tricycle driver, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Aurora St., Barangay 25-C Davao City Tuesday afternoon.

The victim sustained one gunshot wound.

Initial investigation disclosed that eyewitness saw the victim driving his tricycle when one of two men following him aboard a motorcycle alighted and shot Laolao while he was

eating ice cream on the street.

In a radio report, the mother of the victim Myrna Laolao said that her son did not have any criminal record, but admitted he was involved in several gang riots when he was younger.

Sta. Ana police are investigating the incident which brought the death toll in mysterious murders in the city to 14 in less than three weeks. CMP

4 men nabbed for marijuana

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month of surveillance paid off yesterday afternoon with the arrest of four suspected big-time pushers of marijuana in the city by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Intelligence Division headed by Sr. Supt. Ronald Lao. According to Lao, two suspects were arrested during a buy-bust operation at 1:30 p.m. on 1st Avenue, Tulip Drive while at 2:30 p.m, two other two suspects were nabbed while engaged in a pot session on Diversion Road, this city.

The suspects were identified as Randy Dayto, 44, taxi driver; Grandel Lafuerte,35, ex-Cafgu member; Roilan Jomoc, 33, electrician, and Eming dela Cruz,31, truck helper.

“Lafuerte is from Cateel, Davao Oriental was involved in illegal drug trade deals in the city while Dayto has been transporting the marijuana,” Lao said, adding that in the buy-bust operation they confiscated one bundle of marijuana while the second operation yielded

six bundles of marijuana.

The seven bundles of marijuana weighing seven kilos have a street value P56, 000.

“They got the their drugs on the same source,” Lao said The four suspects are held at the DCPO detention facility while the marijuana is still in the custody of the Intelligence Division.

Also held by the office are two cellular phones, P1, 000 in marked money and the ignition key of the taxi used by Dayto.

Lafuerte and Dayto are facing a case for violation of Section 5 and Section 11 Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” while Jomoc and Dela Cruz will be facing a case for violation of Section 15 Article II of Republic Act 9165.

DCPO chief Ronald dela Rosa told Edge Davao that drug pushers, like criminals were not welcome in the city.

“Magbantay gyud sila,” he added. CMP

EDGEDAVAO

SUBURBIA

VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

3

TAGUM CITY

Rellon expresses support for PWDs I

N promoting God-centered, people-oriented and more humane governance under his socalled “EAGLE WINGS” Program, Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon joined the celebration of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Davao del Norte, in coordination with the Provincial Council on Disability Affairs, the 35th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week Celebration on Tuesday at the Tagum City Trade Center Pavilion.

In his message, Mayor Rellon urged the public to take an active role in defending the dignity of the differently-abled persons, with an emphasis that there should be a separate funding for them where they would have freedom to use such fund for their welfare, development and rehabilitation.

He told the crowd that one’s disability should not be a hindrance for

KIDAPAWAN CITY

improvement and easy mobility and as such, the Chief Executive assured that people who are differently-abled would be given easy access to all establishments in the city and went on to ensure the installation of ramps at the stage of Tagum City Pavilion.

The activity is pegged on the theme “Building an Inclusive and Non-Handicapping Environment for Persons With Disabilities,” and is celebrated every 23rd of July by virtue of Proclamation No. 361 in observance of the birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini, the Sublime Paralytic who became the outstanding Filipino icon for persons with disability (PWD).

The week-long celebration was geared towards stimulation of public awareness on the problems of disability, and encouragement of every citizen to take active responsibility in the upliftment

ORTH Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza pledge support to the foreign assisted project that covers seven provinces in Region 12 during the formal launching of Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian and Agriculture Development Project (MinSAAD) held at Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City recently.

MinSAAD is funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a non-government agency aimed to make intervention to the communities through an integrated and area-based strat-

egy focused on rural and agricultural development projects.

The project’s main objective is to increase agricultural productivity and income of the agrarian reform beneficiaries in the region.

MinSAAD choose seven municipalities from Cotabato Province as their benefactors – Makilala, Tulunan, Carmen, Banisilan, Pigcawayan, Libungan, and Alamada.

Governors and Mayors of Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, North

FOR THE PWDs.Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon speaks before the differently-abled persons gathered at the Tagum City Pavilion during the 35th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week Celebration last July 23,

2013. He urged the public to take an active role in defending the dignity of the differently-abled persons. Photo by Leo Timogan of CIO

of the economic and social conditions of the PWDs. Also present at the event were the representatives of Provincial Gov-

fairs Action OfficerArlene Semblante, RSW, other key PSWDO and PCDA personnel and the PWDs from Tagum City, Kapalong, B.E.

ernor Rodolfo del Rosario, Tagum City Social Welfare and Development Officer Nora Lupiba, Provincial Council on Disability Af-

Dujali, Panabo City, Sto. Tomas, New Corella, San Isidro, Asuncion, Talaingod, Carmen and IGACOS. Richi Gulle of CIO Tagum

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

NorCot Gov signs commitment to MinSAAD SouthCot village closed down due to floods N T

SURIGAO CITY

Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat attended the said launching as well.

Together, they signed a commitment of support to the projects implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DAR) and Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA) witnessed by DAR Undersecretary Jerry Pacturan and MINDA Secretary Lualhati Antonino.

Koichi Ibara, representative from the Office of the Consulate-Japan, in his message said it is their sincere intention that inspires them to help and improve the region’s

agricultural production.

One way to hand this support from MinSAAD is through the distribution of high-valued seedlings to the local farmers in the province.

The project officially started in 2012 with an allotted fund of PhP3.349B, and is expected to end in 2016.

The MinSAAD project will provide support for agricultural, agri-business, rural infrastructure development, water supply development, institutional development, and procurement of equipments in the region.

Higher dengue cases noted in Surigao Norte’s mining towns

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OST of the dengue cases this year in Surigao del Norte have been recorded in three mining towns, according to Carmilito C. Mantong, provincial supervising sanitary inspector of the Provincial Health Office.

Of the 181 cases from January to June 18, 66 occurred in Claver, 33 in Tubod and 16 in Placer.

The figure for January to June 18 is just 10 cases lower than the 191 cases recorded last year for the whole province.

Mantong attributed the high incidence of dengue

in these towns to the presence of old tires owned by the mining firms where the mosquitoes would lay eggs.

In Claver, Barangays Taganito, Hayanggabon, and Cagdianao have the most number of dengue cases, Mantong told reporters yesterday in his office, adding this development has alarmed him.

These barangays host the Taganito Mining Corporation, Taganito Hydro Pressured Acid Leach Nickel Corporation and Platinum Group of Mining Companies.

Mantong said they are closely working with the health units in these barangays to address the problem.

In Tubod meanwhile, 22 of its dengue cases occurred in Barangay Timamana and eight in Barangay Motorpool.

Two large-scale mining companies, Australian-based Greenstone Resources Inc. and Silangan Mining Company, a subsidiary of Philex Mining are operating in Tubod.

But Tubod Mayor Christina Hemady R. Arcillas believes that the pres-

ence of several springs makes the town susceptible to the disease.

She said she would not blame the dengue cases on the mining firms, as they are located far from the affected barangays.

She added mining companies periodically cleaned the used tires from their heavy equipment.

The mayor said they will try to reduce the cases by the second half of the year through cleanup drive and information dissemination in different barangays. (Roel N. Catoto/MindaNews)

HE municipal government of Polomolok town in South Cotabato has closed down a riverside community in the area following the flashfloods over the weekend that displaced around 500 residents.

Rodelen Atimonan, Polomolok Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) head, said Wednesday the local government declared Purok Riverside in Barangay Silway 8 as a danger zone due to the possible occurrence of more major flashfloods.

“The entire area was also declared as restricted or off limits to any housing and related structures so all residents there will be relocated,” he said in a radio interview.

A total of 144 families or 513 individuals evacuated from Purok Riverside last Saturday due to flashfloods along the critical Matin-ao River.

The floods were triggered by hours of heavy rains spawned by the prevailing Intertropical Convergence Zone.

A report from the MDRRMO cited that no casualties were reported as a result of the incident

but it damaged 89 houses, 20 of which were totally destroyed after being washed away by the rushing floodwaters.

It said 89 families or 342 individuals are currently taking temporary shelter at the Silway 8 barangay hall and gymnasium.

Atimonan said they will no longer allow the evacuees to return to the area and will instead relocate them to a safer site.

“The relocation will cover families or residents who were not affected by the calamity,” he said.

Atimonan said the local government is presently working on the immediate acquisition and development of a relocation site within Barangay Silway 8.

Dante Cosep, Barangay Silway 8 chair, said they have recommended to the MDRRMC the purchase of a three-hectare property adjacent to the barangay hall as relocation site for Purok Riverside residents.

He said the proposed site would be enough to host the 173 families previously settled in Purok Riverside. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

4

EDGEDAVAO

NATION President defends P2.268-T 2014 budget P

RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III laid down the principles and reforms that shaped the proposed P2.268-trillion National Budget for 2014.

In his 2014 Budget Message, the Chief Executive said the 2014 National Budget will support his administration’s agenda for Inclusive Development.

The key reforms include the Performance-Informed Budgeting, Tighter Budget Prioritization for Inclusive Development, Better Collaboration as the New Standard in Government, Enabling the Private Sector as Engine of Economic Growth, Transparency at the Core of Effective Public Financial Management and Empowering the Citizenry Through the Budget.

“For this Proposed Budget for 2014, we embark on a bold move to change the way the Budget is presented. With the Performance-Informed Budget Structure (PIB), each peso is now presented alongside the results that we want to achieve,” the President said.

Before, the annual Budget presented an incomprehensible mix of financial numbers. With the PIB, the Budget has a new face which presents each peso together with the outcomes, outputs and performance targets that government agen-

VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

cies commit to achieve with their respective budgets.

In preparing the 2014 Budget, the President said the government issued a Budget Priorities Framework that enjoins all agencies to design their respective proposals along program priorities with the Key Result Areas of the Aquino Social Contract.

“This Budget Priorities Framework also identifies geographic focus areas where our poorest people are and where great potential lies. We have directed these departments to not only prioritize their resources for these programs and areas but also tighten their collaboration in these areas for greater impact,” the President stressed.

The President said Budget was designed not in the usual way, where agencies competed against each other for a share of scarce national resources.

With the Program Budgeting Approach, government agencies moved out of their silos to converge their efforts and resources along priority programs.

“Sa pagsasakatuparan ng ating Social Contract, mahalagang siguruhin na n a g b u b u k l u ra n — a t hindi nagkakanya-kanya—ang bawat institusyon ng ating pamahalaan,” he said.

He acknowledged

that government spending alone is not enough to push growth upwards. Thus, he underscored the need for the administration to create the right environment for the private sector to flourish.

“As we do our part in establishing the right environment for growth, the private sector must likewise fulfill its role as engine of economic growth,” he said.

This Budget seeks to sustain macroeconomic stability, pro-

mote the streamlining of business processes and invest in the needed public goods like infrastructure.

In line with the Public Financial Management Reform Roadmap, the government will move towards a Budget-as-Release Document regime in 2014.

“Last year, we announced the move toward a Budget-as-Release-Document Regime through the 2014 Budget. This regime promotes predictabil-

Palace is yet to act on Lim’s offer to resign.

In a radio interview, Lim revealed of ‘powerful forces’ that meddle within and outside the bureau.

The seemingly ‘common’ practice of corruption at the bureau, he said, led him to ask Executive Sec. Paquito Ochoa to relieve him of his duties and to be transferred to other agencies “no less than six times.”

Lim, however, declined to name those involved in the anomalous practices.

“It’s up to him [if he would like to work with us on this] but certainly we welcome

any revelations that will help us in the reform measures,” Lacierda said.

Following the moves of Customs chief Rozzano Rufino Biazon and Lim, another BOC deputy commissioner, Juan Lorenzo Tañada, offered to resign.

Lacierda said they have yet to receive Tañada’s resignation letter. Biazon’s offer to resign was not accepted by Aquino saying he still has full confidence in him.

Tañada, who heads the agency’s internal administration group, is second of six deputy commissioners in the BOC to tender his res-

ignation.

While he declined to go into details, Lacierda said “major” reform measures are underway to solve the “endemic, systemic corruption” in the BOC. “The corruption there is factual and to a large extent, institutionalized... Marami tayo gagawin dun sa Customs, hintayin na lang natin ang gagawin ng Pangulo dun,” he said.

“Abangan ang susunod na kabanata. Ang reporma ay malawakan but as of now we’re not at liberty to discuss the reforms that will be implemented,” he added. (PNA)

2014 BUDGET. House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte displays the cover page of the book containing the P 2.268 Trillion FY 2014 BUDGET ANNEX A VOLUME 2 with the Budget Sec. Florencio Abad (2nd right);Rep. Neptali M.Gon-

Palace welcomes ‘revelations’ on anomalies at BOC

M

ALACAÑANG welcomes any revelations that could help in the major reform measures that will be implemented at the corruption-ridden Bureau of Customs, a Palace official said on Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda also confirmed Malacañang’s receipt of Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Danilo Lim’s resignation letter in light of Pres.

Aquino’s rebuke of the agency for its corrupt practices during his fourth State of the Nation Address.

Lacierda said the

zales 11(left), Majority Floor Leader; Rep.Isidro T. Ungab, chairman (right) of the budget appropriation committee of the House during the submission of the 2014 budget Tuesday (PNA photo by Gil S.Calinga)

ity and speed in budgetary releases, as well as in implementation, as the budgets of agencies—except for those that need prior clearance, to be contained in a negative list—are considered as released as soon as the Budget is enacted,” he said.

In crafting the 2014 Budget, the government expanded mechanisms for citizen’s meaningful participation in the budget process.

“We introduced the process of Budget

Partnership Agreements between government agencies, corporations, and civil society organizations and piloted it in crafting the 2012 Budget.

In this process, government agencies and civil society organizations partners enter into a formal partnership in the review of the budgets, programs, and projects of the agencies, as well as in the crafting of their budget proposals for the following fiscal year,” he said. (PNA)

Palace: Admin allies not spared from P10-B ‘pork barrel’scam

M

ALACAÑANG vowed a thorough probe into the alleged P10-billion ‘pork barrel’ scam over the past decade even if administration allies are involved in the anomaly.

“This travesty will be investigated and we’ll investigate it no matter where the evidence will lead us,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters in a press briefing.

“We’ll investigate it from top to bottom.

There’s not going to be a stone unturned,” he added.

Janet Lim-Napoles is being implicated in a P10-billion scam using mainly pork barrel funds

of lawmakers for ghost projects.

Napoles denied the allegations saying her company, JLN Corporation, had never transacted business with the government or any of its agencies.

It was earlier revealed that at least 15 lawmakers allied with the Aquino administration may be involved in the scam.

In 2001, Napoles and her husband, retired Army Maj. Jaime Napoles, were among 18 personnel of the Navy Marine Corps and civilians, charged by the Office of Ombudsman in connection with the acquisition of substandard Kevlar helmets worth P3.8 million. (PNA)

THE ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

Soap brand monthly sales reach P80M

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

C

OSMETIQUE Asia, makers of Silka Papaya whitening soap, says the Davao market is their second biggest source of income in the entire country.

Melvin Belsonda, South Mindanao district

sales manager of Cosmetique Asia, revealed that next to Metro Manila, Davao City ranks second in the sales of the mass-based product grossing an average of P80 Million every month from the sales of 5 mil-

MISS SILKA 2013. Donna Abrina, event organizer of Miss Silka 2013 Davao, explains the mechanics of the pageant during yesterday’s press launch at the

lion bars of its 65-gram variant alone.

That translates to sales of roughly P960 Million or more than P1 billion including the other variants of the popular soap brand.

Belsonda said the fig-

ures this year have doubled that of the previous year’s revenues.

Silka Papaya soap has three variants—65gram, 90-gram and 135gram bars. It also has lotion and other skin care cosmetic products.

Outback Grill. With her is Melvin Baldoza, district sales manager of Cosmetique Asia, makers of the popular soap brand. Lean Daval Jr.

Belsonda says the company’s marketing principle is anchored on brand awareness.

“Our thrust is brand awareness. Sales and volume grows with awareness,” said Belsonda in an interview with Edge Davao shortly after launching the Search for Miss Silka 2013 in Davao yesterday at the Outback Grill.

According to Belsonda, Silka’s strength is anchored on affordability and visibility.

“We are everywhere from grocery stores to sari-sari stores,” said Celestino Lumpayao, assistant district sales manager of Cosmetique Asia whose sales territory includes Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental.

Lumpayao said that in most rural areas outside Davao City, the number of soap brands is trimmed down to around three to five brands. He said that Silka is one of the three remaining soap brands on the shelves in far-flung areas.

“As you go farther

down to the barrios, the soap brands that can penetrate there are about three and Silka is one of them,” Lumpayao said.

The Silka Papaya Bar Soap is a whitening herbal soap intended for everyday use.

Enriched with Papaya Enzymes and vitamin E, this soap helps improve the appearance of skin, making it softer and smoother. The Silka Papaya Soap has won the 2005 Consumer’s Choice Annual Awards for Most Outstanding Papaya Soap Brand, according to its manufacturer’s website.

Silka Papaya is positioned as a family soap which does wonders for skin. The soap is pitched as one that gently whitens skin due to one of its main ingredients, papaya enzymes. The vitamin E it contains helps soften skin and make it look younger. The soap features a fruity fragrance and comes in the form of an orange colored round bar of soap.

6

THE ECONOMY

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 11. Peso per US $ 5/

P 41.14 Apr 2013

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 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Int’l trade relations, cross-industry in 1st Mindanao Exporters Congress T

HE upcoming 1st Mindanao Exporters Congress (MEC) in Davao City is unique to other congresses because issues in plenary sessions will highlight international trade relations and cross-industry collaboration aimed at strengthening Mindanao exports.

Cross industry collaboration is important since businesses survive through linkages and do not operate in isolation, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PhilExport) 11-Davao President Ferdinand Marañon said.

PhilExport 11-Davao is the organizer of the event to take place on August 1-3 at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premier.

In the export business, manufacturers buy farmers’ produce, process it and sell it to exporters who in turn, solicit services of logistics companies to transport their products.

By looking at the value chain and how each enterprise fairs, we will be able to see gaps in the information flow as well as resource constraints, Marañon said.

By addressing these gaps, exporters will be equipped with the opportunity to restructure relationships and enhance their responsiveness to the supply and demand of the domestic and international markets.

Elaborating it further Marañon said, for instance, the demand for coconut and coconut by products may challenge key players in its export value chain.

Car lovers flock an area where the all-new Porsche Cayman S is on display yesterday at Abreeza Mall in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr. Farming methods may require upgrading, manufacturers may be challenged to innovate and produce value added commodities such as coco sugar, exporters maybe called on to penetrate new markets just as logistics companies may be called on to expand their areas for transportation of goods from far-flung areas to cities and ports.

The interaction among these enterprises are not limited to a linear exchange of products

and services, it is also affected by several other factors such as information flow, pricing and technology transfer.

“Hence, by fully understanding the symbiotic relationships in the export value chain, is a holistic and strategic approach to the development of Mindanao exports,” he said.

Topics in the plenary sessions would include the following: Improving Exports to Increase Philippine Competi-

tiveness; ASEAN Integration: Opportunities and Prospects; Readiness of Mindanao Agri-export sector towards ASEAN Integration; Strengthening the Enabling Environment for Mindanao’s Export Growth; How to Export Foods and Beverages to the USA; Europe Here We Come Doing Business in the European markets; Leveraging on ICT for Export Competitiveness; and Logistics System on Export.

(PhilExport11-Davao)

the goal of infusing the rice stock into the market to counteract any attempt to distort the rice market during the lean months.

“We are just concerned that during the period from July to September, when harvest is very minimal, the situation may be exploited by some traders who would constrict market supply to create an artificial shortage and raise prices,” he explained.

He recommended for the immediate disposition of the seized rice so that the BOC may help stabilize the price of rice in the market.

In the meantime, Calayag said the NFA’s legal team is currently re-evaluating the legal basis for the said proposal, particularly in connection with the Procurement Act in relation to the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines. (PNA)

angko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. expects the country’s foreign reserves to further rise this month.

“There is no final figure yet but it’s rising,” he told reporters late Tuesday night.

Central bank data show that gross international reserves (GIR) of the country stood at US$ 81.64 billion as of last June, lower than the previous month’s US$ 81.96 on account of revaluation of the central bank’s gold holdings.

Value of gold in the international market has been declining due to the impact of the political situation the Middle East.

Another factor to the slight drop in the country’s GIR is the payment by the national government of its maturing foreign-denominated

foreign debt.

However, the foreign reserves continue to remain firm due to the central bank’s foreign exchange operations, which Tetangco said is the reason for the rise of GIR for this month.

The central bank does not define foreign exchange rate in the Philippines but lets the market determine the exchange rate.

However, monetary officials admit that the BSP joins the foreign exchange market but only to address extreme volatility in the exchange rate.

Thus, it buys dollars to limit fluctuations in the peso-dollar rate, which in turn enables it to further accumulate dollar liquidity and boost the GIR. The central bank’s GIR target for this year is US$ 87 billion. (PNA)

NFA clarifies proposal to buy BSP sees rise in PHL foreign reserves Customs-held smuggled rice B T

HE National Food Authority clarified Tuesday its proposal to buy smuggled rice recently seized by the Bureau of Customs in Cebu City was only meant to give BOC an option for the expeditious disposition of the stocks and not to interfere with its operations.

NFA Administrator Orlan Calayag said the proposal to enter into an arrangement with BOC regarding the confiscated rice stocks was also made with the end view of strengthening the partnership between the two agencies.

Calayag issued the clarification in the wake of media reports that the NFA had allegedly attempted to prevent the BOC from undertaking a scheduled auction of the seized rice.

The NFA head said that the proposal to buy the BOC-held smuggled rice was made with

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

7 BIGGER PICTURE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

Living the Matigsalug dream

HER DREAM. Matigsalug native Myrna Ongoy is looking forward to the future with renewed hope.

M

ARILOG District comprises almost half of the land area of Davao, the vast mountainous rural parts where indigenous tribes thrive.

Located at the highlands of Marilog District, Davao City is Sitio Upian, a small community inhabited predominantly by the Matigsalug tribe. Matigsalug means “people along the ‘Salug River’ (Davao River)”.

The Matigsalugs are one of Davao’s most colorful lumads. The Matigsalugs are also known as sturdy, resilient and strong people.

They are best known for their fierceness and bravery as occasioned during territorial feuds and wars.

Forty-two year old Myrna Ongay lived in Sitio Upian for most of her life. “Kaming mga Matigsalug kulang mi og kaalam, wala mi kabalo unsa ng deworming o unsa kaimportante ang maayong panglawas sa amoang mga bata o ang edukasyon para sa ilang kaugmaon (We, the Matigsalugs, are illiterate, we did not know what deworming is or how important is health, nutrition and education to our children),” Myrna recalls.

Myrna and her husband, Renato earn a living by upland farming. They work hard to raise their seven children: Remie, 16 years old; Regina, 14; Renah Mae, 12; Ariah Mae, 11; Mery Ann, 7; Renato, 5; and Rene, 3 years old.

In 2010, Myrna and her family were included as one of the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. “Dako gyud nga tabang ang Pantawid Pamilya sa amoang mga Matigsalug, ilabi na sa akoa nga napili nga usa ka Parent Leader. Mahadlok pa ko nga dawaton sa una ang pagka-PL kay dili man ko kabalo moihap ug mobasa. Apan karon, nga na-PL ko nahimo kong instrument aron makatabang sa akoang mga kaubanan nga lumad aron usab sila makakat-on (Pantawid Pamilya has been a huge help to the Matigsalugs, especially to me that I was also chosen as a Parent Leader. I was afraid to be elected as PL before because I did not even know how to count or read. But when I accepted the role as PL, I became an instrument for my people, the lumads, to also learn),” shares Myrna.

“Makahinumdom

ko sa una nga wala pa ang Pantawid Pamilya, hugaw kaayo ni ang amoang palibot. Dili mi kabalo manglimpyo.

Basta mag-uma lang mi aron maka-kaon, wala mi pakialam sa amoang palibot. Apan pagabot sa programa, nakakat-on mi sa importansya sa sanitasyon ug kalimpyo sa palibot.

Karon kung makita nimo amoang komunidad, hinlo na kaayo.

Dili namo pasagdan nga hugaw ang palibot ilabi na naay mga bata (Before the program was introduced, we, the lumads, did not really care about cleanliness and sanitation. Our environment was very unhygienic.

We go to work at the farm without cleaning our backyards or houses. But when the program came, we learned about the importance of sanitation and the tidiness of our surroundings. Now, if you see our community, you can really appreciate the big change the program has made.

We will be mindful of our surroundings , especially with kids around.),” she added.

Myrna and other program beneficiaries endure the 10-kilometer walk to the barrio

HER CHILDREN. Remie, 16, and Rene,7, are two of Myrna’s seven children whose future she hopes to secure.

where the Health Center is located to make sure that their children are kept healthy.

“Pangandoy namo nga dili nami ma-behind sa uban nga mga tribo.

Tungod sa Pantawid Pamilya, dili na gyud kini damgo. Amoa na gyud gipuy-an ang amoang pangandoy (It

is our dream to not be left behind by other tribes. Because of Pantawid Pamilya, it is no longer a dream, we are now living the dream).”

Pantawid Pamilya or the Conditional Cash Transfer Program gives cash assistance to identified poor households in the country

provided they comply with conditions on health, education and attendance to Family Development Sessions (FDS). Pantawid Pamilya covers 72,550 IP households in Davao Region or 38.5% of the total number of beneficiaries. DSWD/Sheryll Jane B. Sanico

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

EDITORIAL

Humanizing one’s worth and gender

A

S kids we were taught that it is fun to live happy and gay. Today, the word “gay” goes by differently and carries with it a slew of debate whenever taken within the context of society and its activities.

Gay activism has spurned several nations to have an open mind on the issue. Hence, we have seen laws passed to allow for gay marriages and grant equal rights and protection to the gay populations. This, of course, came with the usual rejection from the conservative church and religious groups.

Still, there is acceptance now for gays or in general, the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community, than perhaps 10 years ago. In Tagum City, the first ever gay summit will be staged next month. And let’s not go far, a proposed gay pageant may be held side by side with the traditional pageant during the Kadayawan Festival. The issue has caused some furor after the representative of the indigenous peoples in the City Council raised his objections.

What is really in gays to deserve all this attention and

EDGEDAVAO

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ruckus?

We found a startling revelation in asking some beauty pageant aspirants yesterday whether they are in favor of competing against gays. No offense meant here but nine of the 13 ladies we asked would not favor competing against gays for various reasons. Three of them admitted gays are more confident walking the ramp and answering questions than women. Does that mean gays are more confident of their sexuality than women?

We found that astonishing if not entertaining.

However, we believe that if ever gay pageants will be staged as part of the Kadayawan festivities, it must be done out of recognition and respect and not merely for crass commercialism or simply putting gays in a ridiculous situation. There are several ways to extend respect and recognition to our gay populace and that includes mainstreaming through worthy legislations like the anti-discrimination ordinance of Davao City.

Afterall, the issue here is not eliminating discrimination per se but it is humanizing one’s real worth and gender.

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

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 •THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

S

Prospects for a better future

TRONG WORDS AND STERN WARNING DURING SONA – The declarations had a familiar ring to the Filipino nation. It’s the Presidents annual achievement report to the people. Immediately right after President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III delivered his much-commended fourth State-of-the-NationAddress or SONA before the Joint Congress, political analysts and thoughtful observers immediately debated whether he could provide the push and direction for national unity and economic development. President PNoy customarily enumerated in his almost two-hour message to the people a long list of accomplishments during the past three years of his incumbency.

Government officials and employees and the entire Filipino population in particular are gratified with President PNoy after the SONA, and with good reasons. To address the people about the present state of the nation the President stipulates the preferential attention his administration has done for basic social services, job generation, infrastructure development, environmental protection, agriculture, and tourism. The Chief Executive likewise noted that every government project has been allotted a corresponding budget substantial enough to fund their respective managements.

That presidential gesture greeted PNoy with rounds of applause from members of Congress, representatives from the government and private sectors, business institutions, AFP and PNP, academe, professionals, farmer’s groups, youth sector, and indigenous communities.

Furthermore, he mentioned other important and specific programs that need better government consideration such as energy supply, crime prevention, AFP modernization program, mining, additional benefits for government employees, disaster preparedness, foreign economic and diplomatic policy, anti-money laundering law, distribution of

C

VANTAGE POINTS

OTABATO CITY -- There’s nothing really in the 4th SONA that we have not heard about in the last twelve months.

At least for those of us who have access to conventional and social media.

The choir wore ethnic-inspired costume that to my untrained eye looked Teduray. Why it didn’t seem to be a portent of things to be mentioned in the SONA, I have no idea.

Throughout the applause-interrupted 104-minute speech, I waited for issues regarding indigenous peoples to be mentioned. Nothing. Oh sorry, there was the choir. Then a wee bit about “katutubo” getting health insurance. And then images of indigenous people ready to give baskets to tourists. Then nothing.

I must have expected too much. The SONA should have been titled State of Metro Manila Address. What would a P200 million profit from water services mean to a Mindanawon, anyway? Or a fantastic railway system that would run the rat race faster? Instead of decongesting a sinking metro by dispersing resources, it seemed like an invitation for people in the provinces to congest it further. That then gives more justification for passing the Reproductive Health Law, maybe.

Surely there’s a connection between floodwaters and illegal logging; between rice and cartels; between full coverage and the spike in hospitalizations; between cash transfers and NGOs; between wealth-sharing and environmental protection. But in the speech the connections did not cross over. Di tumawid.

I leave the Alleluias for the accomplishments to each government office with its own press relations budget.

The non-mention of indigenous peoples’ issues is actually a reflection of the

CARP-covered lands, passage and approval of the Framework Agreement of the Bangsamoro (FAB) before his term ends and most importantly the smooth implementation of the Reproductive Health Law, which has been unceremoniously stalled because of stiff opposition from the over-bearing officials of the Catholic church and equally pretentious self-possessed prolife advocates.

President Aquino elaborated further that his leadership’s policy has been focused on national stability – social cohesion and peaceful and orderly atmosphere followed by economic progress and sustained development. Other major thrust are the upgrading of infrastructures, solve the power supply and enormous flooding problem, protection of the environment and wise use of our natural resources. Under his stewardship, the country has so far weathered the economic drawback with a more stable currency, positive GDP growth, and bullish stock market. However, some groups were upset because President PNoy failed to mention the plight of OFWs, the Freedom of Information Bill and other crucial issues.

President PNoy defends his “Daang Matuwid” (Straight Path) catchphrase stating that running after primary law violators particularly corrupt and wicked government officials and ranking employees would be fully intensified and seek justice for the aggrieved parties. Strong words and stern warning likewise

underscored his SONA by reprimanding top officials of government agencies that failed people in their expectations specifically naming the Bureau of Customs (BoC), Bureau of Immigration (BI) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA). He berated the BoC for its failure to curb rampant smuggling and the BI for being slipshod in dealing with prominent personalities who have pending heinous cases with the bureau. Top NIA officials on the other hand were scolded for its dismal failure to response to the urgent needs of the agriculture sector.

Meanwhile, opposition diehards, student activists, militant and progressive (or problematic?) groups, as their wont, have stick to their one-dimensional observation. They argue that the Aquino administration is living in a “rosy daydream”, accusing that its pursuits is selective development directly ignoring the country’s labor and agrarian majority. Of course, they are those who don’t want to see it that way – the country under the Aquino administration heading towards socio-economic progress and political maturity. And we could not even fathom why all through the years they remain blinded by the belief that government or whoever steers the wheels of power is anti-labor, anti-farmer, anti-poor and anti-masses.

While political specialists and legal experts may argue about who can deliver what the country needs, they generally agree what it is: dauntless and courageous leadership to revive the economy, expand social structures, reform the institutions and energize the people with new national goals. After the fourth SONA, people stay behind and still have high expectations of the Aquino leadership. A reputation for forthright action and strong words, so unlike the typical Filipino politician has made President Aquino seems a more likely instrument of reforms than his predecessors.

THE VOICE

legal bases of many actions the IPs are doing in the protection of their rights i.e.

Right to Ancestral Domain, Right to Cultural Integrity, Right to Self-Governance and Empowerment, and Social Justice & Human Rights.

Imagine protecting your ancestral lands with unseen walls? Imaginedecongesting anglo-saxon influenced courts with cases that cannot be decided speedily if filed anyway? Imagine deciding collectively so that accountability is not shouldered only by one person? Imagine not having had to bow down and be perpetually subservient to all forms of domination?

Oh, the Pork Barrel. Though it was not mentioned, it shone like lard in the gowns and cars. It was also exciting to note, too, that behind those glam and false eyelashes – are actually nothing. (MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Ms Gulo is the author is the Project Manager of IPDEV, an EU-funded project for IPs in the ARMM, implemented by the consortium of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and Development Consultant. The article is a personal account and the responsibility of the author and can in no way be taken to reflect the view of the European Union and IAG-KAS-DEVCON. “It would have been nice to hear the President mention at least the new appointments to the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP),” she said.

“Especially if they have plans to strengthen it.”

She is also the convenor of Vetiver Forum, a volunteer-driven citizen action towards environmental disaster risk reduction with the use of Vetiver Grass Technology).

Nothing

AVEEN ACUNA-GULO outright neglect of the Aquino administration to fulfill its part as duty holder. Issues like mining, logging, foreign investors, human rights. Moreover, it seems to have forgotten, too, that when the government passed Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) in 1997, it signed a Peace Agreement with the indigenous peoples of this country.

A Peace Agreement? Yes, it is. And what makes IPRA unique as a Peace Agreement is that it was largely fought in the legal arena, not in the war zone. It was won without a solid armed front. That makes two Peace Agreements that the government has become wanting in fulfilling its side of the pact. Do we know what is usually done to a party that reneges?

Despite its flaws, the IPRA is also a poverty alleviation program. Why subject IPs to the indignity of dole-outs and plastic cards when their indigenous knowledge, skills, and practices are still existing?

Why give them investors even if they sorely ask for schools? When they know how to read and write and be competitive, can’t they then decide for themselves what business endeavor to undertake?

When given the chance to manage their resources by themselves, can’t they not also show stewardship and prudence like their forefathers? Government is only the facilitator, the guide – and not party to the business.

Hindi na dapat makipag-kumpetensya ang gobyerno sa negosyo ng pribadong pamayanan.

Despite its flaws, the IPRA provides

9

Constitutional issues RIVERMAN’S VISTA ANTONIO G. M. LA VIÑA

W

(Conclusion)

ITH a broader tax base and higher share in the utilization of natural wealth, it is hoped that the Bangsamoro does not fall into the same fiscal trap and be able to generate income independent from the national government.

There is also the Special Development Fund coming from the national government transferred to the Bangsamoro for the purpose of rehabilitation and development of the territory.

The amount shall be proposed by the Transition Committee. *Constitutional issues* One critical question is the provision on automatic appropriation for the budget of the Bangsamoro. For sure, this will be a contentious issue in Congress for both political (Congress is jealous of its power of the purse) and constitutional reasons (the provisions on the natonal budget). To implement this agreed provision, the Transition Commission and Congress must be cautious and draft the pertinent sections of the organic law in a manner that makes it immune from constitutional challenge.

Another question may be asked: Does the Annex violate the regalian doctrine as enunciated in sec. 2 Art. XII (National Economy and Patrimony) mandating that natural resources are owned by the State and with the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated. Moreover, it provides that the exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State? Simply stated, does the Annex provide for the full abdication by the State of its sovereign right to own and control the natural resources in favor of the Bangsamoro?

The answer hinges on a final determination by the High Court on the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro should a petition on this issue be raised before it; unless of course, Congress deems it fit to adjust the Constitution to conform to the agreement. To refresh us on the Bangsamoro constitutional debate – some believe that the Bangsamoro political entity is within the parameters or within the flexibilities of the existing Constitution; while others are of the contrary opinion that the agreement will not pass constitutional muster particularly because it creates a political entity not found in the basic charter. To the latter the Constitution does not provide for an asymmetrical relationship nor does it contemplate another autonomous region other than Cordillera and Muslim Mindanao. Should there be a judicial determination that the Bangsamoro is still part and parcel of the State, then of course, the necessary implication is that the grant under the Annex is not an abdication by the State’s right to own and control the natural resources found therein. If however the Bangsamoro shares the same fate as the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) and subsequently found to be a new independent and separate political creature not within the ambit of the present constitution, then the Annex will be seen as an usurpation by the Bangsamoro of the ownership rights of the State.

Nonetheless, it is futile at this point to jump the gun on the High Court on whether it will sustain or not the legality of Bangsamoro. Neither is there a need to speculate on whether or not Congress will deem it fit to amend the Constitution to accommodate the Bangsamoro agreement.

Still on natural resources, one interesting observation that have been made about the Annex is that it is silent on the other, arguably more important natural resurces – land, forests, fisheries and wildlife. This is imprtant because there is already revenue from the utilization of those resources waiting to be shared while revenue from minerals, oil and gas are merely potential and theoretical at this stage. Is this gap because of unresolved issues related to the regalian doctrine? I am not privy to the negotiations and will not spteculate on the reasons except to say that at some point this has to be resolved. Perhaps, the right time would be when the parties negotiate the power-sharing agreement. For all its worth, my expert opinion is that the regalian doctrine is inapplicable to the lands and resources covered by the Bangsamoro being owned since time immemorial by the Bangsamoro people and indigenous peoples within that territory.

This constitutional issues aside, the Revenue and Wealth Sharing Annex is still a critical step towards achieving peace. The origin of many conflicts around the world is the issue on the allocation of control over natural resources management. If we may recall, the starting point for the conflict between The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian government was the discovery of natural resources.

The conflict was resolved only after the Indonesian government agreed to the 70-30 sharing arrangement. With a mutually acceptable agreement on how to share wealth and revenue, both the GPH and MILF have surmounted another difficult obstacle although there are still foreseen and unforeseen obstacles ahead.

Because it’s a long road ahead, best to keep our fingers crossed and take one step at a time.

10

VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Paquibato.. FFROM 1 Region 11 surprised us,” said Dayanghirang, adding his staff has started sending out notices to MGB, the applicant companies, and other concerned agencies to attend the public hearing on Monday.

Dayanghirang said he would likewise ask the leaders of the barangays concerned, especially chieftains of the indigenous people in the area, to ascertain whether they had been consulted and had given their consent to the applicants to go ahead seek the approval of the city government, through the city council.

The firms are applying to exploit two areas of 1,800 hectares each in Paquibato and

Malabog, according to Dayanghirang.

Whenever it hears about such applications, the committee always has in mind the policy enunciated by both Mayor Rody and former mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio against any mining activity within Davao City, he said.

Dayanghirang, who also heads the powerful committees on ways and means, and finance, said that environmentalists and environment advocacy groups will likewise be invited to the hearing on Monday at the SangguningPanlungsod building.

He said that he would also inquire from Rep. Isidro T. Ung-

ab of the 3rd district on the progress of Ungab’s House bill proposing to declare Davao City as a no-mining zone as requested of him by Mayor Rody and former Mayor Sara.

The hinterland areas of Paquibato district are reportedly rich in precious minerals, like copper and gold, a reason mining companies have been salivating to mine the verdant hills and mountains of the second and third districts.

Any such venture within the city is expected to be highly profitable considering the huge savings in transporting the minerals from the site to the ports of Davao City, Dayanghirang said.

of nicotine per day. The question now is: Who controls the amount of Nicotine used by a vapereveryday?” she said.

“When does nicotine poisoning begin?” she said.

Villarreiz said that when this product was first introduced in the Philippines, then Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral was interviewed together with an e-cigarette distributor but she was not prepared to respond to it. The distributor even proposed a partnership with the Department of Health (DOH).

“We strongly believe that when a new product enters our country FDA and DOH should be ready to confirm or deny claims of safety,” she said, adding that today, there is an increasing number of vapers.

She argued that “this product obviously delivers nicotine which

is addictive so how can a person stop his nicotine addiction using e-cigarette?”

Countries with more advanced tobacco control regulations such as Brazil, Seychelles, Singapore and Uruguay have already banned the manufacture, importation, distribution and sale of electronic nicotine device systems (ENDS), Villarreiz said.

She said Seychelles and Singapore considered ENDS as a tobacco imitation product, regardless of accompanying health claims and the presence or absence of tobacco or nicotine extracts. Singapore’s Tobacco Act, section 16, states that “No person shall import, distribute, sell or offer for sale any confectionery or other food product or any toy or other article that is designed to resemble a

tobacco product or the packaging of which is designed to resemble the packaging commonly associated with tobacco products”.

(Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems including E-cigarettes, Report by the Convention Secretariat, 5th Session of the Conference of Parties, 12-17 November 2012, Seoul, Republic of Korea) She said she “strongly suggest(s) that the e-juice of this e-cigarettes should undergo regulatory scrutiny and pre-market approval by FDA to verify the claims made regarding quality, safety and efficacy.” “ We further suggest that cities should ban the use of this product in a non-smoking area or FDA should make a strong stand to ban its use and distribution if proven to be unsafe, “ Villarreiz said.

es, stores, and the like, whether tourist accredited establishments or not where liquor may not be served after 1 a.m.

The amendment includes banning consumption of liquor in plazas, streets and parking lots during the liquor ban time. The penalty was raised to P3, 000 for the first offense, P5, 000 or imprisonment for three months or both upon the discretion of the court for the second

offense, and P5, 000 or imprisonment of one year, including revocation of business permit for the third offense.

The ordinance shall take effect upon approval and after due posting and publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality for three consecutive times.

Militar confirmed that no owners of business establishments which are included in the ordinance opposed it. “The Davao City

Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) manifested on record that they are supporting the ordinance,” he added.

Also during the special session, the city councilor approved on the third and final reading the request of Lt. Col Erick Escarcha, of the Philippine Air Force for amusement tax exemption for the film showing of “Boses” an independent film depicting children’s welfare and rights.

Villarreiz.. FFROM 2

City council.. FFROM 2

SHELTER. A dog seeks cover under the shade of a wooden computer game console while its owner fixes

it for his computer game business in Barangay 23-C, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

2 farmers killed, vengeance seen

By CHERRY MAE PALICTE

I

cdp@edgedavao.net

N what was described as “revenge killing,” two farmers were slain by an armed group Kiblawan, Davao del Sur Saturday morning.

The victims were identified as Santiago Mariguit, 19, and Osman Labisores, 20, both single..

In a press release from Capt. William Alfred Rodriguez, information officer of thr 1002nd Brigade, Mariguit was tending cattle in Sitio Banog, Barangay Kimlawis at about 6 a.m. when a ten-man group armed with M16 rifles and 12-gauge shot-

guns arrived and shot him dead on the spot, after which one member of the rebel group chopped off Mariguit’s left hand. The group then proceeded to shoot to death Labisores who had been resting in a hut nearby.

Initial investigation disclosed that the group was led by Gufenia Planda, a B’laan resident of Barangay Malabod, Malungon, Sarangani. He was believed to be conducting an “almilew” (B’laan practice of seeking vengeance in in the same place where a family member had been killed)..

Planda’s son, Sun Planda, was killed in Kimlawis last June 28 by an unidentified person.

Rodriguez said that in the B’laan culture, vengeance is meted out against the first person one meets upon arrival at the place of “almilew”.

Rodriguez said that the suspects behind the deaths of Mariquit and Labisores were not necessarily members of the NPA. He added that a manhunt operation was conducted to the possible arrest of Planda and his men.

prove the effectiveness and efficiency of the efforts of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s administration to alleviate poverty, create jobs, ensure food security, and provide a healthy and safe environment through convergence arrangements.

Besides Alcala and Montejo, the other signatories were Secretaries Gregory Domingo (Trade and Industry), Ramon Jimenez (Tourism), Corazon Soliman (Social Welfare and Development), Rosalinda Baldoz (Labor and Employment), Virgilio Delos Reyes (Agrarian Reform) as well as official representatives from the Departments of Health, Interior and Local Government and Environment and Natural Resources.

Alcala said that the DA has always been in collaboration with the different national government agencies towards the smooth implementation of its programs.

With the DOST, he said he passes many problems plaguing the agriculture sector to the said department as it had all the science and technology to deal with them.

“I pass all my problems to Secretary Montejo for his department to research,” he said.

The Agriculture chief cited the case of the Panama disease, a plant disease that strikes the roots of banana plants, wherein the DOST came up with seedlings that were resistant to the said disease.

(PNA)

DA signs pact with other NGAs A

GRICULTURE Secretary Proceso Alcala, along with fellow Cabinet members, signed Wednesday a Convergence Memorandum of Understanding that will facilitate cooperation and complementation on the different programs and projects, including those for community-based sustainable livelihood and enterprise development in the countryside.

The signing of the MOU was held at the SMX Convention Center in ceremonies held as part of the celebrations of the National Science and Technology Week hosted by the Department of Science and Technology headed by Secretary Mario Montejo.

Montejo said the purpose of the MOU is to im-

11 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

Search for Pisay 2014 scholars on I

F you are a graduating elementary pupil from any DepEd recognized elementary school or private school, join the annual search for Philippine Science High School scholars for SY 20132014 and be part of the country’s brightest high school scholars.

The annual scholarship is open to all pupils who belong to the upper 10% of the batch (SY 2012-2013) and do not have a grade below 80% as certified by the School Principal or Registrar. If the applicant does not belong to the upper 10%, he/she should have special aptitude in Science and Math as evidenced by the report card, with at least a final grade of 85% in Science and Math and 80% in all other subjects. The applicant must be a Filipino citizen with no pending application as immigrant to any foreign country; born on

or after June 1, 1999; in good health and fit to undergo a rigorous academic program; of good moral character, and has not taken the PSHS National Competitive Examination (NCE) previously.

The PSHS System National Competitive Examination (NCE) will be on September 28, 2013. This onetime screening is composed of test items designed to measure the scientific and quantitative ability, abstract reasoning, and verbal aptitude of the applicant.

Application forms are available and may be submitted at the PSHS Southern Mindanao Campus or the DOST Regional and Provincial Offices.

Forms may also be downloaded from the official PSHS website at http://www.pshs. edu.ph. Deadline for filing of application is on August 2, 2013.

PSHS DAVAO. The Philippine Science High School Davao Campus in Mintal awaits new batch of students for next school year.

Water service interruption on Saturday D

avao City Water District announced that there will be no water on July 27, 2013 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in some areas in R. Castillo Agdao specifically the entire Fatima Village, Sta. Lucia Village, Nagsil, Mintrade Drive and South San Juan Agdao.

DCWD’s Operation and Maintenance crew will need to tap the 100mm diameter unplasticized

Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC) pipeline to the existing150mm diameter uPVC main pipeline over the newly laid concrete culvert at R. Castillo Street in Agdao for preventive maintenance purposes.

Acting general manager Edwin V. Regalado asked for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers and advised them to store

enough water prior to the scheduled water interruption as water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may call the DCWD trunk line at 221-9400 and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to the latest daily water updates, or contact its call center through the

24-hour hotlines 2219412, 0927-798-8966, 0908-441-0653 or 0925-511-3293 for updates, complaints, queries and other matters pertaining to DCWD services. This announcement is also posted on the DCWD website (www.davao-water.gov. ph) and official Facebook account (www. facebook.com/davaocitywaterdistrict). (Jovana T. Duhaylungsod)

validation of votes,” said Yoly C. Crisanto, Head of Globe Corporate Communications.

The 2nd Cebu Media Excellence Awards (CMEA) is slated on the third week of September to coincide with the Cebu Press Freedom Week celebration which commemorates the dark days of martial law when the basic right to press freedom was curtailed. On the other hand, the 2nd Davao Media Excellence Awards (DMEA) is scheduled in November. Both awards aim to encourage media excellence in the

fields of civic, investigative, and explanatory journalism.

All journalists in Cebu and Davao may submit entries for the following categories: Reporter of the Year for Print, Feature Story of the Year for Print, Feature Story of the Year for Broadcast, Columnist of the Year, Reporter of the Year for TV, Reporter of the Year for Radio, Blogger of the Year, Photojournalist of the Year, and Social Media Advocate of the Year.

As in the previous year, entries shall explore and promote

advocacies in business and entrepreneurship, information and communications technology, environment and disaster response, governance and social progress, and youth and education.

Deadline for submission of entries for Cebu is on July 26, 2013 while Davao is on September 6, 2013.

The awards were initiated by Globe to provide an opportunity and venue for print and broadcast journalists as well as bloggers to be recognized in their fields of work.

SGV & Co official tabulator for Globe media excellence awards

S

GV & Co., the country’s largest multidisciplinary professional services firm, will serve as official tabulator for the second Globe Telecom Cebu and Davao media excellence awards this year.

“SGV’s participation in this important undertaking will further lend credence to the determination of winners. With its reputation and track record of having a high level of professional and ethical standards, we can assure everyone an honest and error-free counting and

PAREB confab set in Bohol

A

strong 45-men delegation of PAREB – Metro Davao Real Estate Board, Inc. (formerly Davao Board of Realtors Foundation, Inc.) is attending the PAREB 2013 Visayas-Mindanao Joint Regional Conference in Panglao, Bohol on July 26-27, 2013.

The conference theme: “Mixing Business with Pleasure: the Bohol Adventure” is an experience every delegate is looking forward to especially so that it is going to be held in a place where people, nature, history, culture and religion blendperfectly, says Engr. Leonora P. Gutierrez, PAREB Senior Vice President in an interview. As Real Estate Service Professionals whose nature of work is always on the go, this conference is a welcome respite from our daily business routine…

We welcome the opportunity of bonding with our colleagues in the Visayas & Mindanao Regions as we anticipate to learn,

exchange listings and do business during the entire conference, Gutierrez added.

PAREB-MDREB is the leading real estate professional organization in the region with 62 years of active involvement not only in professionalizing the real estate industry through its education and information drive, it also partners with various government agencies and non-government organizations as part of its corporate social responsibility. Since the enactment and effectivity of RA 9646 otherwise known as RESA (or the Real Estate Service Act), PAREB-MDREB has already produced hundreds of PRC licensed real estate practitioners with a good number of them landing in the Top 10.

PAREB, its mother organization remains to be the largest and the first real estate service organization in the country with more than 60 member boards spread all over the country and still counting….

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

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14 SPORTS Globe puts fun in Ironman W

HILE everything is now set for the fifth staging of Ironman 70.3 Philippines on August 4 in Cebu City, leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom is also all geared towards making the highly-popular global triathlon a fun experience for the participating athletes.

Globe, which is a strong supporter of Ironman 70.3 Philippines since it was introduced locally in 2009, will be tapping the power of social media during the event to bring the message to the world that Ironman is entertaining and enjoyable. Such will be made possible by the high-speed broadband internet connection Globe

will provide at the venue.

“We want to give everyone a wonderful digital experience through our improved network by providing them an opportunity to share their Ironman 70.3 experience using Twitter and Instagram. We want to show people not only in the Philippines but also abroad that Globe makes Ironman fun,” said Yoly C. Crisanto, Head of Globe Corporate Communications.

To make the activity more exciting, Globe will provide special prizes to the most number of tweets using a pre-determined hashtag and the most number of photos and/or videos shared via Twitter or Instagram.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

BEEFCAKE. Reigning Mr. Davao 2013 Eliaquim Balbero shows off his sculptured physique during the 19th So Kim Cheng Sports Awards Night where he was cited as bodybuilder of the year. Lean Daval Jr.

PHL wants FIBA Asia title back

T

HE Philippines has been on the hunt for the FIBA Men’s basketball crown for the past 18 years since it last dominated the competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Filipinos won the biennial event five times, including the inaugural tournament in Manila in 1960.

In 1985, the Philippine team was coached by American Ron Jacobs and reinforced with naturalized Filipinos Arthur “Chip” Engelland, Jeff Moore and Dennis Still who combined well with locals led by topnotch players Hector Calma, Avelino “Samboy” Lim, and Allan Caidic to win the diadem , followed by a draught for nearly two decades.

This time, the Philippines will play host to the 27th FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship where its team is expecting the help of the hometown crowd as its sixth man when the tournament begins on August 1.

Other countries that have fielded their respective teams are Taiwan, Jordan, Saudi Arabia,

Hong Kong, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Malaysia, Bahrain, India, Kazakhstan and Thailand.

Iran remains as the heavy favorite to unseat China and take the title for the third time.

The Iranians ruled the competition in 2007 in Tokushima, Japan)and the 2009 version in Tianjin, China.

The Iranians also won the 2012 Fiba Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan and the 2013 Jones Cup in Taiwan.

But People’s Republic of China is serious in its bid to repeat and win the tournament for the 16th time.

And so with the sharp-shooting South Koreans who are continually improving in international jousts.

The mainland Chinese edged Jordan, 70-69, in the last staging of the event in Wuhan, China and with a new Greek coach in Panagiotis Giannakis calling the shots, the Chinese finished second behind Argentina in the 2013 and the FIBA Stankovic Continental Champions Cup in Guangzhuo, China last July. (PNA)

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

An evening with the one and only Nanay Conching HOW time flies as I remember setting foot onto Conching’s along Araullo Street a couple of years back and taking my first bite of their delicious lechon native chicken. Now on it’s fifth year of operations, the place remains as festive as ever with the food still as delicious as before.

Conching’s Davao was in a festive mood.

Nothing tastes better than freshly cooked Tuna panga.

All smiles at Conching’s.

This evening though was special since not only was I celebrating the 5th year of the restaurant with the Davao franchise owners, I was actually going to meet THE queen of native lechon manok herself Nanay Conching.

Dressed in a simple blue dress and jeans, who would have thought Cebu’s grilled chicken queen would be so simple and down to earth. Yet her character speaks for itself when it comes to her food.

I later learned that it was actually Nanay Conching who went to the market herself to buy the ingredients and, yes, she was the one who cooked the dishes for the party that night too.

I especially loved her Tuna panga which was served hot off the grill. The tuna was flaky and had a nice char too it and the taste was just amazing.

Of course when at Conching’s one must order the native lechon chicken that

Conching’s great wall of celebrities.

best enjoyed whole and paired with their puso, rice cooked in a palm basket (weight watchers can order brown rice puso instead).

The meat of the free-range chicken is flavourful, tender and moist. In fact, I believe I can down two chickens in a sitting.

And based on the full house composed of locals and tourists alike that evening, it seems that Nanay Conching’s chicken has found a place in everyone’s must-eat list.

Congratulations to Conching’s Davao for five delicious years and here is to more delicious years to come!

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

Meeting Nanay Conching was a treat and we both wore blue too!

Nothing that is, unless it is Conching’s native chicken paired with puso (rice in a basket).

Whole chickens on the grill.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

UP AND ABOUT

FOOD

DCE 2013 at SM Davao The Annex, July 26-28

Chicken Recipes for the Soul:

ALL ROADS lead to the island’s biggest gathering of cyber citizens at the Davao Cyber Expo 2013 at the Annex Event Center on July 26-28.

Davao cyber games are wicked than ever as professional players from all over the country fight for supremacy in the battle grounds of League of Legend and the Heroes of New Earth. Blink and you’ll miss the action at the Davao Cyber Games.

It’s a geek’s and techie’s paradise at the LANparty Xtreme as fans and enthusiasts flaunt their wares of custom-made and finetuned computers. Get a glimpse of the region’s best rigs in full regalia.

If the latest gadgets itch you, worry not as leading tech and gaming companies introduce their latest line of products and promotions at Tech Xtreme Exhibition. Who knows, you might get cool loots too!

Plus, it’s Cosplay Mania on Saturday and Sunday!

Come in your favorite game character and be judged by the cosplay royalties Ashley and Alodia Gosiengfiao.

PC gamers and enthusiasts unite and troop to the Davao Cyber Expo this weekend.

For inquiries, please call 297.6998 local 126. Like SM City Davao on Facebook and follow @smcitydavao for event and promo updates.

BlackBerry kicks off Global Scholars Program with more than 500 applicants Eight esteemed women, led by Alicia Keys, will select up to ten recipients to receive full four-year tuition scholarships in STEM-related fields GLOBALLY, women are vastly under-represented in technology fields. To help attract more women to our industry and address this massive gender gap, BlackBerry® is championing the next generation of women leaders in mobile computing as they advance their careers in this highly-competitive industry.

The BlackBerry® Scholars Program, announced in May by Alicia Keys, BlackBerry’s creative director, is a global four-year scholarship program for outstanding women entering their first year of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university. The Program is designed to help drive the number of women engaged in mobile computing and related science, technology, engineering and math fields.

We are pleased to announce that in this first year of the program, we received over 500 applications from women across 43 countries over the two month application period.

From this group, up to ten talented and passionate young women will be chosen to receive full tuition scholarships.

A panel of inspirational and accomplished women leaders in this space will choose the scholars based on their academic merit and passion for entering the mobile computing industry. This panel, headed by Alicia Keys, includes: • Barbara Stymiest, Chairperson, BlackBerry (Canada) • Shinta W. Dhanuwardoyo, Founder, Bubu.com; Managing Partner, Nusantara Ventures (Indonesia) • Delphine Ernotte-Cunci, Executive Director, Orange (France) • Linda D. Hallman, Executive Director and CEO, American Association of University Women (USA) • Sara Martinez-Tucker, President and CEO, National Math and Science Initiative (USA) • Belinda Parmar, Founder and CEO, Lady Geek (UK) • Maria Teresa Ruiz, Astronomer (Chile) In addition to providing full, four-year course tuition, BlackBerry® will also offer mentorship and professional opportunities to each of the scholars. Selected scholars are expected to be announced on the 31st July.

A Ramadhan feast The holy month of Ramadan signals a month of sacrifice.

Contrary to how other sees it, it is not a punishment nor will it ever quantify as a suffering. It is rite to cleanse and purify the self. More so, strengthen his or her faith to Allah (S.A.W.).

I thank Allah (S.A.W.) for every possibility and chance that allows me to undergo fasting.

This year, like any other year, I come up with recipes that my nanny is able to cook even in the wee hours of the morning. I take time to cook and ask her to observe and at the same time, I tell her to take down notes of the procedures. So far, so good.

This week, I will pay homage to our beloved chicken. I mean, we all love chicken (the meat) but not being called one though.

Get it, chicken?!

Anyway, let me share with you five of my most favorite Ramadhan chicken recipes that could be cooked the night before and enjoyed in the morning. Have some stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator and heat when needed. Enjoy!

Chicken is a very versatile white meat. It could be served fried, steamed, crunchy, with sauce, in a soup, kebab style and many more. The choices is unlimited; the taste endless! For a healthier chicken dish, remove the skin (that’s what I do) before cooking.

Chicken Afritada A personal favorite that has been reinvented more than once in my book!

Have this hot over rice and your all set for the day.

Procedure: Sauté garlic and onions.

Add chicken and brown on each side. Add chicken stock (1-liter water + 1 chicken bouillon cube) and tomato sauce. Simmer until chicken is tender. Stir and add potatoes and carrots until just cooked. Add bell pepper and green peas.

Season to taste.

Chicken Tinola Love how this simple yet flavorful soup could soothe my aching body af-

Grand Mosque in Cotabato City is as majestic as a real life castle to devotees aand visitors alike. Photo

by Christopher Robert Sinsuat Cabaloza

Chicken afritada. ter a day’s work. I love the ‘dahon ng sili’ and green papaya combination.

Procedure: Sauté garlic, onion, and ginger. Put in chicken pieces and pour in water from rice washing. Bring to a boil then simmer until chicken is tender. Add some lemongrass for more flavor. Slowly add fish sauce to your desired saltiness. Add green papaya slices until slightly soft.

Top with ‘dahon ng sili’ just until they start to wilt. Turn off heat. Season to taste.

Chicken Barbecue I do not know how to perfectly barbeque a chicken; mostly, I burn them. But with a great marinade, I learned how not to burn my chicken and have the juiciest barbeque ever – nothing like in the restaurants.

Procedure: For at least an hour or overnight, marinate chicken pieces in oyster sauce, raw sugar, garlic, soy sauce, sprite, and black pepper.

Grill over hot coals or on a skillet. The marinade doubles as sauce. Thicken with slurry (part cornstarch + water).

Chicken Curry Inspired by Jamie Oliver, I try to mimic his curry

Chicken barbeque. dishes (to any avail?!). Here is my take on a creamy curry that could also be served with beef strips. Add chili flakes for that added gastronomical kick.

Procedure: Sauté garlic, onion, and ginger. Add chicken until slightly brown. Add water and potatoes. Bring to a boil. Simmer until chicken is tender. Add curry powder and red bell peppers.

Add coconut milk and season as desired.

Chicken Adobo One dish that I could never perfect. Mama told me to imitate her ways but even if I did, I still end up not making adobo haha.

Here is my poor attempt to perfect our all time favorite chicken adobo dish (keeping my fingers crossed).

Procedure: Marinate chicken in a lot of garlic, vinegar, and soy sauce, oil for at least

one hour or overnight. Put the entire mixture on fire, add bay leaves and whole peppercorns. Bring to a boil. For a different take on this classic Pinoy dish, add pineapple juice and pineapple chunks. Stir. Simmer until chicken is done.

To all my Muslim brothers and sisters, Happy Ramadhan! Belated happy birthday to my cousin, Czarina Sinsuat Cabaloza.

Erratum from July 11 2013 feature on Hog’s Breath Café: should have been MARINARA sauce and not margarita. My apologies. Thank you.

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!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

GMA Network wins big at the Yahoo! OMG Awards 2013 A-LIST stars of GMA Network bagged numerous awards at the Yahoo! OMG Awards 2013 held at the Mall of Asia Arena.

There’s no stopping Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera from reaping success. After she reclaimed her title as FHM’s Sexiest Woman in the Philippines, she was voted by thousands of fans as the Yahoo! OMG Celebrity of the Year.

Aside from GMA primetime queen, box-office actor Vic Sotto and phenomenal child superstar Ryzza Mae Dizon joined the circle of winners as they received the Favorite Male TV Host of the Year and Child star of the Year awards respectively while Eat Bulaga also won in the newly added category Best Noontime Show.

Remaining undisputed is Celebrity Bluff’s host and award-winning actress Eugene Domingo.

She was voted Comedienne of the Year for third year in a row.

Hottest teen star Elmo Magalona and multi-platinum artist Julie Anne San

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Julie Ann San Jose and Elmo Magalona.

Jose were named Male the Best Station of the and Female Performers of Year award for the second the Year. Joining their suc- consecutive year. cess was JuliEmo Pexers From June 4 to July 12, which became the Fan- a total of 9,258,508 online club of the Year. and text votes were gathAlso, GMA Network’s ered for the 22 categories Flagship FM station Ba- which determined the rangay LS 97.1 received winners of the said event.

Eugene Domingo.

GROWN UPS 2 2D Adam Sandler, Kevin James PG 13

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A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

EVENTS

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

GT Cosmetics signs up as Ms. PH-USA sponsor

DEMAND for GT Cosmetics has reached the United States and this Philippine-made product makes its official debut on American soil in the Miss Philippines USA 2013 beauty pageant on Aug. 18 at the La Mirada Theater of Performing Arts in La Mirada, California.

This much-needed break by GT Cosmetics Manufacturing came after the Liloan, Cebu-based company agreed to sponsor this year’s search for Miss Philippines USA. Looking for the right opportunity and means to introduce GT Cosmetics to a wider American public, GT founder Engr.

Leonora B. Salvane never had any second thoughts and signed the contract in a New York minute when pageant organizers sought GT’s sponsorship.

“I got excited when Michael (Farnum) told me about the sponsorship deal,” Salvane said. “I was praying for such a break, so I told him to go right ahead.”

Michael Farnum is the chief executive officer of Elegantly Pure, the exclusive distributor of GT Cosmetics in the United States.

Salvane said GT Cosmetics’ big break in the U.S. was made possible by Farnum, “and I’m very grateful for all his efforts.”

The Miss Philippines USA 2013 pageant is a celebration of the beauty, grace, elegance, and confidence of young FilipinoAmerican women in the United States.

During the pageant, GT Cosmetics will showcase its products which come in a different packaging for

the U.S. market. The GT Carrot, Papaya, and AntiAging soap variants have been repackaged to bring the American consumers’ focus on the products’ essential values.

“It’s the substance that counts, not the product’s name or form. Our products have spoken for themselves. Our products are good just the way they are. Otherwise, we would never have come this far,” Salvane said.

Since it was founded in 1994, GT Cosmetics has slowly captured its market initially by word of mouth and lately through social media – or “peer to peer” marketing – that miraculously made its products among the sought-after brands in the Philippines today.

GT Cosmetics will also be conducting an online voting for Miss GT Philippines USA at the pageant’s Facebook page.

Just like Miss Philippines USA, Salvane said Miss GT is expected to represent the rich and beautiful culture of the Philippines and be a role model for the Fil-Am communities in the U.S. as well.

In the U.S. so far, GT products are available at the New Asia Market and Pearl Marketing in Connecticut and at the Chinese-American Mini Market in Rhode Island.

In the Philippines, GT products are sold in about 200 retail outlets and all leading drugstores nationwide, including Watsons Personal Care stores, Robinsons supermarkets, SM malls and supermarkets, Savemore supermarkets, Gaisano Metro chain of stores, and in other leading malls, department stores, and supermarkets.

EIGA SAI JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL OPENING AT THE CINEMATHEQUE DAVAO JULY 19, 2013. The event was attended by (from left) FDCP Davao City Coordinator Peter Philip Lat, Hon. Consul Guilbert Go, Japanese Consul General Koichi Ibara, Malaysian Consul General Abdullah Zawawi Tahir.

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 •THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013 NO EASY TIME. Guarding Lebron James is no easy time for Smart Gilas forward Marc Pingris.

2013 FIBA ASIA SCHEDULE OF GAMES August 1, 2013 11:00 a.m. – SM Mall of Asia Arena – Iran versus Malaysia (Group C) 1:15 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – Jordan versus Chinese Taipei (Group A) 3:30 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – Japan versus Qatar (Group B) 5:45 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – China versus South Korea (Group C) 6 p.m. — Ninoy Aquino Stadium – India versus Bahrain (Group D) 8:15 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – Philippines versus Saudi Arabia (Group A) 10:30 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – Kazakhstan versus Thailand (Group D) August 2, 2013 11:00 a.m. – SM Mall of Asia Arena – China versus Malaysia (Group C) 1:15 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – Chinese Taipei versus Saudi Arabia (Group A) 3:30 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – Japan versus Hong Kong (Group B) 5:45 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – South Korea versus Iran (Group C) 6 p.m. — Ninoy Aquino Stadium – Bahrain versus Kazakhstan (Group D) 8:15 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – Philippines versus Jordan (Group A) 10:30 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – Thailand versus India (Group D) August 3, 2013 11:00 a.m. – SM Mall of Asia Arena – Malaysia versus South Korea (Group C) 1:15 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – India versus Kazakhstan (Group D) 3:30 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – Hong Kong versus Qatar (Group B) 5:45 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – Iran versus China (Group C) 6 p.m. — Ninoy Aquino Stadium – Bahrain versus Thailand (Group D) 8:15 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – Philippines versus Chinese Taipei (Group A) 10:30 p.m. — SM Mall of Asia Arena – Saudi Arabia versus Jordan (Group A

GUARDING LEBRON

Pingris relishes experience guarding King James

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EBRON James was merely supposed to coach a team of college stars during a scrimmage against the Philippine national men’s basketball team during his “Witness History” event on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

But when the fourtime NBA Most Valuable Player checked himself into the game, Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes had a huge problem on his hands.

Reyes turned to San Mig Coffee forward Marc Pingris, the man he has designated as the national team’s top defensive stopper, to try to stop the reigning back-to-back NBA finals MVP. But James showed why he was the best player in the world, knocking down multiple three-pointers over Pingris.

CANCER SURVIVOR. Cole Johanson went from battling the Big C to designing Jordan 3s.

“Ginawa siyang asintahan,” said Reyes with a laugh after the scrimmage.

Pingris said it was a good experience matching up with James.

“Tina-try ko yung best ko na stop-in siya, pero wala, kinain ako,” he admitted good-naturedly.

“Siyempre, masarap kasi si LeBron James, pinapanood mo lang yan, tapos nasa harap mo, dinedepensahan mo ngayon.

“At least maganda yung experience.”

Gilas had the last laugh, as the national team ended up winning the scrimmage after two James misses late.

“The reason why I missed those last two shots,” James said in an address to the jampacked crowd, “is because my jersey is too damn small.”

PLAYING WITH THE KING. Miami Heat superstar Lebron James with collegiate standouts like Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo and Ray Ray Parks of National University.

LeBron: ‘Coach Spo told me about your basketball passion’

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WO-TIME NBA champion LeBron James has only been in Manila less than a day, but he’s already acquainted with the Philippines’ love affair with the game of basketball.

For that, he can thank his Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who is of Filipino descent. James said his coach has told him all about the Philippines.

“Just that it’s a great culture and (Filipino fans) are very passionate about what they love and what they believe in,” James said in a press conference at the Shangri-La Hotel Makati on Tuesday.

“And that basketball is huge. It’s probably the biggest sport over here. And (the fans are) very passionate about it.”

In the Philippines for the first time, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player admitted that being a global icon was not part of his goals growing up. He called the reception “overwhelming.”

James will get a chance to witness Filipinos’ passion firsthand when he appears before fans at the SM Mall of Asia on Tuesday afternoon.

IF THE SHOE FITS Teen designs Air Jordans after conquering cancer A

FTER weeks in the ICU with a tumor the size of a grapefruit in his stomach, 9-year-old Cole Johanson’s parents looked down at him in that Oregon hospital bed and they weren’t sure whether their son would live or die. There was so much pain, and the boy was hardly speaking. Were they losing him?

Then one night, Cole told his dad in a soft voice that when this was all over, he was going to do something special.

Doug Johanson had no idea what that might be.

Cancer came swiftly and viciously to the fourth grader. His stomach started growing during the summer of 2008 and he thought he must have eaten too many cheeseburg-

ers. Then, during a family vacation in Utah, he had trouble breathing. The family went to the ER and got horrible news: it was a rare and aggressive lymphoma. Cole would need intense chemotherapy right away.

“Those weeks in the ICU were so scary,” Cole said by phone on Tuesday, “because I felt so sick.”

The treatment

worked, and Cole began to get better. So much better, in fact, that by the time he had his Make-A-Wish day – a visit with Chris Paul the next summer that was filmed by ESPN – he was cancer-free. Doug was asked on camera what his son’s special gift turned out to be, and he said it was simply his survival and his courage through withering pain.

16 VOL. 6 ISSUE 94 • THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013

AND NOW, CRICKET FOR PINOYS port, we can go very far,” he declared.

Captain of the Philippine National Cricket Team Faisal Khan concurred that the PCA is very happy to partner with Globe Business, saying that “this will further the cause of our organization as well as the sport. Since the country has progressed in the game more than its neighbors in the region, we hope that this collaboration will spur much interest in Philippine cricket.”

“With Globe Business powering the PCA, we believe it will encourage young local players to be affiliated with the national team. Local exposure for the sport will be bigger, and more Filipinos will get to know what the game is all about,” Khan enthused.

Globe Business Sales Head Francis Mendoza confirmed that “Globe has a huge clientele of companies with Indians working with them, and we recognize their passion for the game. Through this initiative, we hope to grow our relationship further.”

The formal signing was a culmination of the 2nd Enterprise Sixers Tournament, where elite cricket teams from Globe Business clientele took part. The crew from Cognizant emerged as the Champion, while JP Morgan Chase & Co. was runner-up of the day-long tournament.

Ruchin Chandra of Accenture was adjudged the Best Catch, Amit Sharma was awarded the Best Baller and Arun Gaikwad, Best Batsman.

“So much interest has been generated by the tournament and the partnership, we will increase the number of teams from eight to 12 and extend the tournament to two playing dates next year,” said Mendoza.

Likewise, Globe Business Head of Enterprise Sales Grace Castillo told that having started with the local outsourcing and offshoring sectors, the succeeding Sixers Tournament will reach out to include teams from other industries such as banking and manufacturing. “With the fast-growing number of Indian business leaders and expat community, Globe Business will definitely stage a bigger competition in 2014. We will also ensure that working closely with the PCA, the sport of cricket will flourish in the country.”

The partnership also celebrates a century since the introduction of the sport in Philippine shores by British expatriates.

Cricket is now declared a medal sport in the Asian Games and was an exhibition sport in the last South East Asian Games.

It is also being considered for inclusion in the upcoming Olympics.

Globe Business bats for PHL cricket I n a move to bring cricket into the collective sporting consciousness in the Philippines, Globe Business recently announced it will do a major pitch to make the international game a local staple by teaming-up with the Philippine Cricket Association (PCA), the governing body for the sport in the country.

With this agreement, Globe Business will be the lead sponsor for the Philippine National Cricket Team and the International Sixers Tournament, with naming rights for the squad as well as company branding and exposure for all PCA-hosted collateral and events, among others.

It also includes a lock-out for Globe of the Nomad Sports Club in Paranaque, the most active cricket ground in the country where organized tournaments have been staged since 1914.

According to PCA president Andrew Gotia, the collaboration with Globe Business will be a big boost for the sport of cricket in the country. “Before, it was just a pure expat game; it was fortunate that quite a number of Globe clients are lovers of the sport, particularly the Indian community. We are enthusiastic that there will be more exposure for the national team and the sport at large. But this is just the first step and with Globe as a major company with its sponsorship and sup-

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