Edge7issue116

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE. Rep. Luzviminda C. Ilagan (right)of Gabriela Women’s Partylist slams during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Annex Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Vicente Danao Jr. for alleged abusive behavior towards his wife.

Ilagan also suggested that proper actions should be made against Danao as he violated Republic Act No. 9262 also known as the “Anti-Violence Against Women and their children (VAWC) Act of 2004. Also in photo is Lyda Canson, chair emeritus of Gabriela-Southern Mindanao. Lean Daval Jr.

TOYOTA EXECS SUED FOR FELLING TREES THE BIG NEWS Page2

MANNY DREAMT OF PLAYING IN THE PBA SPORTS page 14

INSIDE EDGE

BACKGROUND CHECK ON COPS Gabriela pushes for stricter Randy’s story: A year after norms on police officials

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

M

ilitant party list group Gabriela is pushing for the passage of a bill requiring officials appointed to high ranking police posts to be cleared from history of violence.

Striking a point against Davao City Police Office (DCPO) chief Sr. Supt. Vicente D. Danao, who is enmeshed in a con-

troversy accusing him of violence committed against his estranged wife, Gabriela representative Luzviminda C. Ilagan said that this is a long-term and more concrete action against erring officials.

To be cleared of history of violence, according to Ilagan, is to be cleared of any violations

FBACKGROUND, 10

A

njb@edgedavao.net

year ago, Randy Halasan’s story was nominated as one of the five finalists to the Globe Davao Media Excellence Awards.

Randy, then an obscure public school teacher in remote Pegalongan somewhere in Marilog, had started to enmesh himself into a community that for generations, did not see hope in life away from the maddening metropolis.

Pegalongan is part of Davao

City’s vast landscape. But ask 10 Dabawenyos where it is, you would be lucky to have one who knows that it exists.

Pegalongan is part of Davao City’s vast landscape.

But it takes seven hours to get there—about the same time it takes to reach Cagayan de Oro City on a leisurely drive from Davao City via Bukidnon.

Pegalongan is part of Davao City’s vast landscape.

But not even the advertised

FRANDY, 10

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Some students spend their National Heroes Day holiday on the beach of Talicud Island nearby Island Garden City of Samal yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Only few VAWC cases prosper vs cops, soldiers

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

A

measly 9 of the 95 cases of violence against women and their children (VAWC) perpetrated by police and military in Davao City since 2004 prospered in court, a partylist representative said.

“This is because of the slow justice system which opt women to withdraw the case,” Gabriela partylist representative Luzviminda C. Ilagan said, adding that there should be a reform in the justice system.

Ilagan said that VAWC

cases usually take an average of seven years before being resolved with finality.

Lorna Mandin, head of the Integrated Gender Development Division of Davao City, said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex that of the 134 total VAWC cases in the city, 71 percent were perpetrated by officials of Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Philippine Air Force, an Philippine Navy, among others.

Mandin said that this

FONLY, 10

Camella lends symbolic significance to its support to Kadayawan

W

HILE Camella has consistently joined in the annual Kadayawan Festival in support to the city government, the masterplanned developer put a new spin by assisting others to participate in the festivity.

On top of joining the events of the festival, Camella also provided support to the Sta. Ana Elementary School and Sta. Ana High School, enabling the two schools to join the Inda-Indak sa Kadalanan competition. Sta. Ana High School proved its

mettle by winning third place.

Camella also sponsored the Klata tribe in the Fluvial Parade which featured the different tribes of Davao, and organized an evening event showcasing the dancing and singing talents of local performers such as the Do Band, Acousteens, SBoys, CBoy, and WCOPA gold medalist Jayra.

“We have always placed value in our engagement in the Kadayawan, even winning the top prize in some of the

FCAMELLA, 10

Toyota execs accused of felling coco trees

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

O

H@yahoo.com

FFICERS of an automotive distribution company in Davao and their subordinates were accused of violating Republic Act No. 8048, or the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995, for allegedly cutting down coconut trees without the knowledge and consent of the landowner and without permission from the Philippine Coconut Authority.

Charged in an affidavit-complaint executed last August 4 by a certain Edgar Rico of SIR Phase 2 in Matina, Davao City are Jose Lim, other unidentified officers of Toyota Motors Philippines Corpo-

ration-Davao City, and an undetermined number of “John Does.”

In the two-page affidavit sworn to before lawyer Edwin C. Dumalogdog, assistant regional officer of the DOJ (Department of Justice) Action Center 11, Rico, identified as private offended party, accused Lim and the other officers of Toyota-Davao of illegally cutting his productive coconut trees in violation of Sections 4, 5, and 8 of the Coconut Preservation Act. Attempts to contact Lim, the only identified person in the complaint, for his side of the story

yesterday, a holiday, failed.

Rico claimed to be the “owner of coconut trees on an alienable and disposable land located at Matina, Davao City, which I likewise possessed for more than ten (10) years now.”

He said that the felling of the coconut trees by laborers of Toyota-Davao were done “on or before July 22, 2014 until July 30, 2014” when he was in Canada.

Upon his arrival in Davao last August 4, Rico stopped the activity and had the matter recorded in the blotters of the barangay and the Davao City

Police Office. However, he did not specify in his affidavit the number of affected coconut trees.

Rico said the cutting of the coconut trees was done without permit from the PCA as allegedly confirmed by the provincial coconut development manager in Davao City.

Under the law, parties convicted of violating its provision, particularly Section 8, shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years, or a fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than P500,000, or both, in the discretion of the court.

Hotel for a one day forum on Oil Palm, Rubber and Livelihood Projects.

Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte is expected to open the day-long activity which will feature resource speakers who will present to the Paquibato stakeholders the prospects for Oil Palm and Rubber farming and

prospective livelihood opportunities.

Among the speakers are Oil Palm consultant Siew King Han of Malaysia, M’lang Mayor Joselito Pinol, PPC-MS2000 rubber clone propagator Pat Pinol, Dr. Jessyca Siasu of the Mindanao Rubber Development, Inc., the regional heads of the De-

velopment Bank of the Philippines and the Land Bank of the Philippines, and representatives of the Dept. of Trade and Industry.

Also attending the forum are the Davao City Councilors who represent the Paquibato District in the City Council and who

Forum on rubber and oil palm for Paquibato set August 29

By MANNY PINOL

M

AYOR Rody Duterte’s vision to transform the rebel-influenced and poverty-stricken Paquibato District of Davao City into an area of peace and development takes another giant step forward when leaders of the 13 barangays of the district gather on Aug. 29 at the Ritz

FFORUM, 10

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

3

Ice Bucket Challenge chilling Davao leaders

By CHARLIE V. MONFORTE

T NEED FOR SPEED. A young boy enjoys an afternoon bicycle ride at the bicycle and skating rink of Magsaysay Park in Davao City yesterday which was reopened recently after being closed for several years. Lean Daval Jr.

HE popular ALS Ice Bucket Challenge aimed at raising funds for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as well as other charities is starting to sweep Davao Region, with local officials joining the campaign.

Last Saturday evening Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte on his Facebook account posted his own ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and dared his sister, former Mayor Sara Duterte, Senator JV Ejercito, and Compostela Valley Board Member Ramil Gentugaya to do their own and also donate to charities of their own choice.

“They have 24 hours to do the challenge or

donate to (ALS) and to any local charity of their choice or both,” Paolo said.

He pledged to donate money to ALS and to Boys Town in Maa. In a comment on his own post, Paolo said he had already donated to als.org and was preparing to donate to Boys Town.

“Donate pod mo sa atoa local charity pag may time,” he said.

The following day Gentugaya did his turn and challenged four persons: Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy, Vice Governor Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora, Congresswoman Maricar Zamora,

two states they only created. So, it’s a horrible position I think is we’re saying now, while we know who the sovereign state is and the other one is just a terrorist state, ” he added.

Tabora said that the Palestinian people need a place to stay and the place where they are now is their homeland.

“It’s a similar struggle for homeland for the Mus-

lim populations, there that we have here in the Bangsamoro areas where the Muslim people are struggling for a homeland,” he said.

Tabora said that when they struggling with it, they are terrorized by the Israeli state which armed and re-armed by the United States of America and other western countries

FICE, 10

ADDU president asks gov’t to withdraw Israel support

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE head of the Jesuit-run Ateneo De Davao University (ADDU) urged national government to withdraw its recognition of Israel because of their inhumane behavior against Gaza.

ADDU President Fr. Joel Tabora S.J. told Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) assistant secretary Charles Jose that

despite the Hamas being considered a terrorist group, they should not attack some parts of Gaza and kill innocent people.

Tabora was reacting to the defense claims after Israel troops bombed Gaza which also affects the women and children in the area which is against the International Humanitarian Law. “I do not see why

CCTV not enough, Rody tells traders

D

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte asked businessmen to do more than just installing closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras to secure their establishments and prevent bad elements from committing crimes.

Even as the mayor is not keen in amending the city’s CCTV ordinance, tagging it as “about nil or nothing,” he said that the CCTV is no longer an effective tool for crime prevention but still good for crime review.

“Maybe they are just wasting electricity for the CCTV, but anyway the CCTV- recorded footage after the crime has happened can be used by police investigators,” he said.

This is especially for

the big malls which have security guards, he said, adding that the guards must go on roving around and be equipped with handheld radios for them to quickly inform others in case they have seen a crime occurring.

The problem lies on the greater number of small businessmen who have no guards after they installed their CCTV system, he said.

He urged them to be still vigilant, take other security measures and at least have a licensed .22 caliber handguns to be used against robbers and hold-up men.

“Dapat pusilon na sa ulo ang holdupper (they should shot a holdup man in the head),” he said. - Cha Monforte/Correspondent

we do not file a protest against them (Israel Government),” Tabora said.

Tabora said that the Philippines is not a country whose foreign policy can be determined only by economics it should also be based on morality and humanity.

He said that the Israel army already killed many lives because of the socalled aggression of the

terrorist group.

“The Palestinian problem is a problem that was created by the West rooted in the Zionism of a small group of Israeli’s… for the West to solve their problem, they created this Israeli’s state and put the state middle of the territory of the Palestinians,” Tabora said.

“When at that time, they said there should be

UPDATES. City Information Office (CIO) chief Leo Villareal (left) gives updates during this week’s edition of Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao on Task Force Isla Verde’s efforts to rehabilitate the fire-gutted 8.8-hectare residential area in Brgy. 23-C, Boulevard, Davao City. At right

FADDU, 10

is Councilor Leo Avila who talked about Empowerment for Sustainability Ordinance of Davao City, an ordinance strengthening and institutionalizing the system for partnership between the city government of Davao and the people of Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

4 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Peñalosa: Organic farming at its best

Text and Photos

by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Ramon Dayrit Peñalosa Jr.

F

ROM a swamp area where mechanics dumped trash over a decade ago to a place teeming with vegetable crops, fruit trees, herbs, ornamentals, livestock, fish, and poultry today, the Peñalosa Farm has gone a long, long way indeed.

Located right at the back of a mall in the heart of Victorias City, the 0.9-hectare farm is one of the top agri-tourism destinations in Negros Occidental. “We can address the problem of poverty by teaching people about farming,” said Ramon Dayrit Peñalosa, Jr., the owner of the farm.

“Mr. Organic,” the moniker Peñalosa earned for venturing into organic farming, never really thought of becoming an agripreneur. When his former business – a bus transport system – closed down, he was left with property that was used as garage and repair area for vehicles.

“We had to think of

Fishpond

something that would make our property productive,” recalled the organic guru and pillar of organic farming in Negros Island and Western Visayas.

“So we tried something far off from bus lines.”

In the beginning, he planted kangkong in the property, particularly near the water-logged areas. Later on, the whole area was swamped with kangkong, so he decided to raise pigs. He found it so viable that he added more pigs, and before he knew it he was already raising 40 pigs all in all. He then thought of raising tilapia, ducks, and chickens, and he planted fruit trees and vegetable crops.

It was just a matter of time before he learned about integrated farming.

From there, it was just a step away from organic agriculture.

According to the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, organic agriculture refers to “all agricultural systems that promote the ecologically sound, socially acceptable, economically viable, and technically feasible production of foods.”

But to Peñalosa, organic farming has a lot to do with “maka” (a Hiligaynon prefix that usually means “for”): “maka-tao” (people-friendly), “maka-kalikasan” (environment and

Hanging garden wildlife as the main focus), “maka-lupa” (pro-soil), “maka-kalusugan”(does not threaten the well-being of a person), “maka-kinabukasan” (pro-future), “maka-bulsa” (profitable), and “maka-Diyos” (pro-God).

Peñalosa believes that a farmer should not be content with merely planting seeds into the soil and seeing them grow. “To become a successful farmer, he has to understand the whole concept of agricultural production,” he explained. “He also has to learn the business side.”

He coined the word “agripreneur” for a farmer who also engages in business. As a good agripreneur, he followed the “business tree” of production, marketing, finance, organization, and management. All these can be accomplished by using what he called as “agripreneur’s toolbox.”

“My tools include the language of the soil, language of the plants, language of the animals, and the art of war against pests and diseases,” he pointed out.

In an article, Peñalosa disclosed what he meant by those tools: Language of the soil: This pertains to learning the basics of all crops being grown in the farm.

“Knowing how to properly nourish and condition of the soil can increase chances of good crops.”

Language of the plants: It’s not enough to understand the crop a farmer plants, its characteristics, weaknesses, and strengths. “You also need to know the necessary hormone to be induced to make the crops do specific things.”

Language of the animals: Again, a farmer needs to know all the basics about livestock, the diseases they usually encounter, and other means of making them more productive.

Art of war against pests and diseases: “The farm is not always free from attacks of the enemies so you need to know your ene-

mies well. By doing so, you can do effective ways to counter any infestation on crops and livestock.”

Peñalosa believes farmers should never go hungry and should be well. But such is not the case in the real sense. “Sixty percent of Filipinos are into agriculture and fishery, and yet they still belong to the poorest sector,” he says.

That’s why Peñalosa recommends that farmers think like a businessman.

“An agripreneur should go into business opportunities under the concept of farm-to-market, farm-tokitchen, and farm-to-plate,” he says.

The most profitable venture in his farm is the probiotic pigs. Probiotics are formulations of beneficial organisms and enzymes as well as vitamins and minerals which are added to the animal feed.

A news dispatch released by the media service of the Department of Science and Technology shares this information: “Probiotics contain good bacteria that improve the immune system of the pigs, preventing harmful bacteria that cause four odor and diseases.”

This must be the reason why at the Peñalosa Farm, the swine farm requires no commercial disinfectant like footbath and no antibiotic injections except the hog cholera vaccine. The use of probiotics allows him also to let the animals live without batching them regularly,

which is the usual practice in most commercial piggery farms.

“Going into probiotic swine production requires a major change in the way a farmer would conventionally raise swine,” Peñalosa says.

After 4-6 months – or when the pigs’ live weight reaches 85-90 kilograms – the fattened pigs are ready to be butchered.

Hog manure is collected and mixed with other manure. “Farmers can cut on production by reusing organic matters available within the farm,” he says.

During an interview with Davao journalists, Peñalosa said he was happy that the Department of Tourism has chosen his farm as one of the region’s tourist destinations. “You can earn more from people than in livestock or crops,” he said.

What he simply means is that if he could draw more tourists to his farm, he could earn more from the people than from what he plants and raises. “People come, buy something from our farm, eat organic food in our restaurant, and may opt to stay in our hostel for training,” he further explained.

Peñalosa believes the success of his integrated organic farm is because of his belief in the Almighty, the Supreme Being who is the source of all knowledge. “A farmer who does not know how to pray,” he declares, “is not a good farmer.”

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

5

6 THE ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

PHL has buffers vs Fed rate hike

T

HE high liquidity situation in the Philippines will partly help shield the domestic financial market from the impact of any possible tightening in financial conditions once the Federal Reserve starts hiking its key rates.

Based on the minutes of the July 29 and 30, 2014 meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), many US monetary officials are confident that progress in the US economy are enough for the Fed to start hiking its key rates, which to date is at record-low of zero to 0.25 percent.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the BSP will continue to implement a “disciplined macroeconomic policies and prudent financial sector oversight” to “keep (the) house in order” pointing out that “the best defense is a good offense.”

He said Philippine monetary officials see that there will continue to be broad stability in funding conditions in the country once the Fed

rates increase.

“Rising rates will impact primarily on financial market volatility but we don’t expect significant tightening of financial conditions because of ample peso and FX (foreign exchange) liquidity,” he said.

Tetangco also said some counterweight is being exerted by the accommodative monetary policies of the BOJ (Bank of Japan) and the ECB (European Central Bank), referring to the stimulus program being implemented by the said central banks.

“The BSP will also use the full menu of instruments in its toolkit to respond to the ebb/flow of capital, depending on nature of shocks,” he said.

Tetangco identified some of these instruments as the exchange rate flexibility, presence in foreign exchange market (if needed), interest rate action (if needed), liquidity-enhancing contingency measures (if needed), regulatory forbearance, and careful/ clear communication to

A farm attendant waters his produce sold at the organic market at the Rizal Park in Davao City. The organic market is a weekly feature at the park, mounted every Friday. MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano manage sentiment. These are the same policy responses that we used to stabilize the economy during the peak of the global financial crisis.

Currently, the Fed’s

monthly bond-buying program amounts to USD 25 billion and some analysts forecast this to end

by October 2014 and the key rates are projected to increase in the middle of

2015.

Tetangco cited that “there is still considerable uncertainty about the timing and the magnitude of the Fed’s shift into normalization mode.”

“Markets will continue to be highly sensitive to news about key indicators on growth, labor market conditions and inflation,” he added. (PNA)

T is a normal thing now that people pay their purchases in department stores and supermarkets through electronic payment or e-payment.

Ironically, the number of payments made through this system is trivial: one percent of the 2.5 billion payments monthly. ”In a country where mobile penetration exceeds by 100 percent and people are engaged in technology and mobile data services, this is quite incongruous,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said recently.

The reason: lack of e-payment infrastructure.

In an e-mail, Tetangco said e-payment is not just about the use of the automated teller machines (ATMs) but also the cash card and mobile wallet, among others.

He said using e-cash is far safer and more convenient than bringing actual money.

But he noted that e-payment usage cannot advance yet domestically because of several factors, like the number of Filipinos who still do not have access to the formal banking system and the acceptance of the merchants for this system.

“We need to have an appropriate market infrastructure to promote the use of electronic payment,” he said.

For one, electronic transactions sometimes fail because of signal problems in using the point of sale (POS) terminals.

Tetangco said another factor is the need for greater transparency in pricing of ATM services.

He explained that on regulatory side, the central bank needs to “es-

tablish or put up the appropriate framework for a robust financial market infrastructure.” ”This framework will have to be aligned with principles of financial market infrastructure that have been put together by BIS,” he said.

Tetangco noted that it is a good thing that the ATM networks, namely Bancnet and Expressnet, have agreed to interconnect.

There is still, however, a lack of interoperability system, he lamented.

In April 2012, the Bank of International Settlements’ (BIS) Technical Staff of the Committee on Payment and Settlement System (CPSS) and the International Organization of Securities Commission (IOSCO) came out with the Principles of financial market infrastructures (FMIs).

(PNA)

Clark to put up container yard BSP eyes changes in e-payment system to ease Manila port congestion I T

HE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA)-administered Clark Development Corporation (CDC) will open up the Clark Freeport Zone for the establishment of a container yard that will help decongest the Manila port.

In a statement, BCDA president Arnel Paciano D. Casanova said CDC and the Lina-led CargoHaus Inc. have inked a lease agreement to put up a three-hectare container yard in Clark Freeport which can accommodate around 20,000 shipping containers.

The container yard in Clark Freeport can accept empty containers from other ports such as

It figures

the Manila Port and other ports in Northern and Central Luzon.

“The container yard in Clark Freeport will help ease congestion in the Manila ports and at the same time help Central Luzon Special Economic Zone locators achieve cost efficient movement of goods,” said Casanova.

“The action taken by CDC president Arthur Tugade is commendable as it will greatly contribute to uplift our economy,” he added.

He noted that it is the first container yard being established inside a special economic zone.

BCDA also said the container yard in Clark Freeport will help clear up some roads of Metro

Manila that are used as parking spaces for empty shipping containers which triggered heavy traffic situation in the metropolis.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) recently said the number of empty containers clogging the Manila port is now declining.

The Manila port congestion, which started in the latter part of 2013, was aggravated by the extended truck ban implemented by the city government of Manila.

Two months ago, a total of 99,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers were piled up at the Manila Port.

Empty containers also reached up to 22,000 TEUs. (PNA)

40,566

P12 B

6 percent

THE government is set to spend at least P10 billion for 40,566 new teachers and support staff for the public school system next year, according to Party-list Rep. Arnel Ty of LPG-MA. The huge amount is included in the proposed P2.6-trillion General Appropriations Act for 2015. Business Mirror, August 17, 2014.

AMOUNT of reduction recommended by the Department of Budget and Management on the P20.2-billion budget proposed for the Supreme Court for 2015. Due to the P12-billion cut, the proposed SC budget is now 38 percent lower.

Business World, August 17, 2014.

DROP in the number of tourist arrivals in Subic Bay Freeport during the first half of 2014, compared to arrivals in the same period last year due to good roads.

Good roads allowed motorists to go to Subic and come home the same day, and made them not to be counted as tourists, according to lawyer Ruel John Kabigting, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority deputy administrator for business. PDI, August 17, 2014. World, August 17, 2014.

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Will the Philippine Tarsier be soon extinct?

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

T

HE Philippines is known for the tarsier, but not too many know that there are actually several species of them. They have been reported in Dinagat Province for years now, but it’s only now that those found in the island have been found to be a new species.

The paper “Conservation Genetics of the Philippine Tarsier: Cryptic Genetic Variation Restructures Conservation Priorities for an Island Archipelago Primate” reported that the species is distinct from those found in Bohol-Samar-Leyte and Zamboanga-Mindanao phylogeographic clusters.

That’s according to the genetic tests done by University of the Philippines (UP).

Although the taxonomic status of the Dinagat tarsier is still being finalized, Dr. Perry S. Ong said he is already hopeful that their research “would be the springboard for improved tarsier conservation efforts in the country.”

Dr. Ong, who is with the UP Diliman Institute of Biology, is the author of the paper that was published in PLOS ONE, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal of the Public Library of Science.

According to Dr. Ong,

for a wildlife-conversation strategy to be effective, it must be unique to the species due to distinctions in behavior and environment since what works for one may not work for a different species.

The Philippine tarsier is endemic to the country.

It is found in the southeastern part of the archipelago, particularly the islands of Bohol, Samar, and Leyte. Its geographic range also includes Maripipi Island, Siargao Island, Basilan Island, and Dinagat Island.

“A large-eyed insect-eating monkey which, when fully grown, is smaller than a child’s fist.” That was how a high school biology textbook described the Philippine tarsier, known as “maomag” among Boholanos or “mago” among Mindanaoans.

Known in the science world as Tarsius syrichta, the tarsier derives its name from its elongated tarsus or ankle bone. It is a tiny animal, measuring about 85 to 160 millimeters in height, which makes it difficult to spot.

The mass for males is between 80 and 160 grams, and it is usually lighter for females.

“The world’s smallest monkey” is an of-

ten-heard slogan.

Actually, the tarsier is not a monkey. In truth, its classification is somewhat problematic. Some scientists consider tarsiers to be a taxonomic suborder among the primates. But because they are closely related to lemurs, lorises, and bushbabies, tarsiers are classified by others with the prosimians to which these animals belong.

Philippine tarsiers usually have gray fur and a nearly hairless tail. Apart from its huge eyes (disproportionate to its head and body) and elongated “toes” with adhesive discs at the tips, the tarsier’s other distinguishing characteristics its ability to spot prey and its ability to navigate its way through trees.

Before it leaps from one branch to another, it will quickly turn its head to spot exactly where it will go and then make a speedy jump – backward – in that direction.

The Philippine tarsier’s ears resemble those of a bat while its facial features resemble a monkey’s. A tarsier locates its prey visually but also uses its heightened sense of hearing and sensitive sense of smell. They live exclusively on animal prey. Their diet includes

primarily insects such as cockroaches and crickets, but may occasionally be extended to reptiles, birds, and bats. In captivity, it eats shrimp and fish in a bowl of water.

Like all species of tarsiers, the Philippine tarsier is nocturnal in habit.

“It stays at the edges and right inside dense vegetation of different types, including inside patches of dipterocarp forests and secondary forests, preferably among dense bushes and low undergrowths,” the environmental group Haribon Foundation reports.

“Occasionally, tarsier stays even inside dense bushes that grow at the edges of cogonal grasslands in areas which have been cleared and abandoned to grass,” Haribon adds. It also inhabits coastal forests.

In the 1960s, Philippine tarsiers used to abound, particularly in Bohol. There were so many that tarsiers were run over by passing cars. People recalled that masses of tarsiers used to cross the roads at night, doing their slow hop-crawl on the ground.

Today, such is not the case anymore. They are on the verge of extinction. The dwindling of Philippine forests has

posed a grave and significant threat to the survival of these animals because this results in the destruction of their natural habitat. Indiscriminate and illegal logging, cutting of trees for firewood, kaingin (slash-and-burn farming), and urbanization patterns have encroached on the habitats of the tarsier.

The unabated hunting of the species by humans for house pets or for trade has contributed to its decline as well. Hunting tarsiers to sell as pets was a thriving industry until recently. Because of its adorable and benign appearance, many have been lured to keep the Philippine tarsier as pets.

This demand fuels the capture and illegal trade of the animal, further diminishing its remaining number. “(Philippine tarsiers) fell prey only to their natural enemies, such as civets and snakes.

But habitat destruction, unabated hunting, and illegal trade have reduced their population to near extinction,” said the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc. (PTFI), a non-government organization spearheading a campaign to save the tarsiers.

During the time of

the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos, the Philippine tarsier was declared as “a specially protected faunal species of the Philippines.”

Presidential Proclamation No. 1030 prohibits “the hunting, killing, wounding, taking away or possession of the Philippine tarsier” and activities that would destroy its habitats.

The 1966 International Union Center for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Animals classifies the Philippine tarsier under the “near-threatened category.”

The UN Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed the Philippine tarsier under Appendix II, which means trade of the species and subspecies “is strictly regulated.”

“Both listings mean that the species is not yet threatened with extinction but may become so if appropriate conservation measures and trade regulations are not carried out,” explained Dr. Wilfredo S. Pollisco who was then the director of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau when interviewed by this author.

8

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Slow action

A

S leaders of women’s rights groups pointed out in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw, there seems to be a disjoint between reality and what the city’s officials see as important. Last week the City Council deemed it urgent and necessary to declare comedian/UP professor Ramon Bautista persona non grata, using up a regular session to come up with a resolution that is, in actuality, non-binding and unenforceable. Meanwhile, the councilors turned a blind eye to a video uploaded on Youtube showing the city’s police director, Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr., apparently manhandling his own wife during an argument.

Perhaps the councilors were waiting for more details on the matter, but why were they

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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

so quick to condemn a comedian and so slow to call out Danao? The City Council did not raise a hoot even though the latter was the one issue that was clearly a violation of the Women’s Development Code and Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004. Is a joke given by a comedian more important than getting to the bottom of a domestic violence case involving the city’s top cop?

True, this could be a private matter between a husband and wife, but as the women’s rights advocates correctly said, Danao’s position imbues the matter with public interest. To paraphrase 1 Timothy 3:5, “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of the city’s security?”

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Photography Contributing Photographer Creative Solutions ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. AQUILES Z. ZONIO ARLENE D. PASAJE CHENEEN R. CAPON Correspondent Cartoons Reporters

the national association of newspapers

Columnists: CARLOS MUNDA • MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NICASIO AGUSTIN • VIDA A. MIA VALVERDE • Economic ENRICO“ADDIE” “GICO” G. Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER ANGELO C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA Analysts: • BERNADETTE B. DAYANGIRANG M.QUISIDO PEREZ • Lifestyle Columnists: BAISR., FAUZIAH SINSUAT •AMBOLODTO • MEGHANN STA. INES BORBON • MARY• JONALLIER ANN “ADI” C. • LEANDRO B. DAVAL • NIKKIFATIMA GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY •ZEN NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

GENERAL OFFICE SANTOS CITY CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OLIVIA D. VELASCO OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARDRICHARD C. EBONAC. EBONA SOLANI D. MARATAS MARKETING OFFICE | Marketing Manager General Manager General ManagerMarketingAdvertising FinanceLEIZEL A. DELOSOLEIZEL Supervisor SpecialistFinance A. DELOSO | MarketingFLORENCE ManagerS. VILLARIN

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Marketing Specialist Cagayan de Oro City c/o PZ Villarin Marketing Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894

Tel: (088) 852-4894

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

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Leadership and citizenship are complementary BBL draft with

H

ARDLY a day passes but that a community in some part of Mindanao is threatened or, worse, trespassed, terrorized, or vandalized.

Whether it’s done by the New People’s Army, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Abu Sayyaf, or some other bandit group, how is it possible for an armed band the size of a platoon or even a squad to move around in barangays, municipios, or provinces without being noted by functionaries of their local governments?

This has been happening too frequently. But reports on them usually deal with what army or police units say or do about them. It is poor reporting, insufficient coverage. It’s the community that’s being threatened, trespassed, terrorized, or vandalized—not the army or the police.

Part of the reporting ought to be about the effect of the occurrence on the community—its inhabitants, what they say or do about it, and what the officials do since they have charge of the community and its welfare. **** The army and the police are a great help but they are mere auxiliaries to the community and its officials. The officials are the civil authority. (Think civilian supremacy and all that.) They have the primary task of securing the jurisdiction— seeing to the people’s wellbeing and safety, day-to-day as well as long-term.

If the jurisdiction is breached, the officials ought to be in central position working with security units—alerting and mobilizing everyone, marshalling logistics and support. They have as important a role as that of security units.

But from the usual reports, they seem to have a peripheral role only. They’re not even heard from. They seem subordinate

P

RESIDENT Noynoy should just say “No” to moves by his “alipores” to amend the Constitution so that he gets a reelection shot at another six-year presidential term.

He should simply concentrate on doing what needs to be done for the good of the people in the remaining two years of his term.

Six years in office as President are certainly enough for any well-intentioned leader to do something to advance the common good. But it would certainly be too short for any egotistical maniac who thinks that he is the only person capable of managing the affairs of the country as President, and who has to solve all the ills of the nation.

Once one gets into that mindset that he or she is the Messiah, that will be the beginning of one’s own doom, and, worse, the eventual demise also of the people’s hopes for a better tomorrow.

Locally, Marcos was a graphic example. After his first four-year term in 1969, the people reelected him to another term.

Before the end of his new term in 1973, he started hallucinating that only he can bring peace and development to the country. The fantasy so overwhelmed Marcos’s rational mind that he declared martial rule in 1972.

Everyone knows that thereafter the Rule of Law was savaged beyond recognition, the rights of the people were ruthlessly repressed, and only the privileged cronies enjoyed the blessings that autocratic rule brought to their door-

THE WORM’S EYEVIEW

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA to the security units. This is not right. It shows a community without leadership in an emergency, the people leaderless or disorganized at a time when they need guidance, motivation, and coordination.

Hundreds of barangays are victimized by intruders, insurgents, or bandits for lack of capability to organize, mobilize, or even just to react rationally to contingencies. ***** It reflects badly upon a community and its officials to be resigned to threats helplessly, passive while people in its neighborhoods are shunted aside, intimidated, terrorized.

It is why dynamic leadership is essential for public office, why public officials must be carefully selected, for there are times when resourcefulness and even heroism are urgently needed. It is also why a leader must be capable of making good decisions, undertaking decisive steps in response to emergency and, not least, inspire the community to be in control of its circumstances.

In other words, courage, discernment, and decisiveness are essential in one who aspires to be a leader or who wants to remain one—qualities that must be matched by ability to recognize leadership in others, and self- confidence that does not feel threatened by the emergence of other leaders. In other words, what’s needed is leadership that inspires citizenry to take charge, to get organized in order to secure the neighborhood, liberate it from threats, or rescue it from hostile forces. *****

Just say ‘No!’ FREE THROWS

BY NENE PIMENTEL

steps.

It took the people some 14 years of sacrifice and resistance – mainly peaceful – before they mustered enough courage to say,“Tama na, “Sobra na!”

That meant that it was time for Marcos to leave Malacañang. And ultimately he fled into exile to Hawaii where he eventually died.

Otherwise, he would have met the violent fates of Viktor Yankovitch of Ukraine; Hosni Mubarak of Egypt; Maummar al Khadaffi of Libya; Zine al Abidine of Tunisia, and Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen, among others of recent, sad memory.

The gory endings of the autocratic regimes mentioned above are lessons that ought not to be forgotten by all wielders of State powers.

Hence, President Noynoy should hearken to the voice of history instead of listening to the voices of his alleged “bosses” on the matter of amending the Constitution for some questionable ends.

For him to say that he wants to consult with the people appears to be a good political move. The reality, however, is that it is but a crass political gimmickry.

The reason is that the first and the loudest voices he’d hear would be the hallelujahs of the people around him

Such leadership, along with a citizenry that’s aware of its sovereignty, is what every community needs to enable it to proceed confidently to its destiny. Under such a people-powered dispensation, a community need not be beholden to anyone who purports to be indispensable or irreplaceable as its leader.

Self-reliant communities with discerning leaders are the mark of a civilized polity. Anchored on the rule of law and an abiding sense of order, they are virtually indestructible.

Unfortunately, we still have a long way to establish this ideal social order. People Power is still weak, prone to brownouts when intimidated. Like a battery, our communities need charging, such that neighbors develop capability to act autonomously, connecting and networking to found a truly people-powered community, able to mobilize spontaneously in an emergency.

At the least, learning from the intermittent threats and emergency situations that arise, local leaders should be initiating regular drills and neighborhood-vigil routines. The initiative for doing so lies not only with the officials—civilian, police, military, civil society—but also with the citizenry so insurgency and banditry may not run roughshod over peaceable communities. ***** It wasn’t too long ago when armed insurgents blithely entered Claver town in Surigao del Norte and took over several barangays, destroying property and equipment. They herded the people like cattle in a holding corral, in broad daylight on a working day, disturbing the peace in the barangays of Taganito, Cagdianao, and Cabugo. It wasn’t the first time this happened in Caraga but it seems no lessons are learned from such incidents.

– the presidential choir, so to speak – who’d want him to junk delicadeza and go for more power no matter what the cost.

And to oil their way into the presidential heart, the presidential chorus would most likely sing Handel’s Messiah to convince him that he is THE savior of the nation. Of course, for their own purposes, and not necessarily for the welfare of the people.

Wisely, then, the President should simply uphold the democratic example that his mother, Cory, had left as one of her greatest legacies: to share, not monopolize, power.

When Cory’s presidency was coming to a close in 1992, a good number of her confidants were egging her to run for a “sure second term.” She simply said “No.” And by that selfless example, she ensured that the people, not one person, or only a clique of the well connected, would have the decisive role in choosing the leader of this Republic.

President Noynoy, then, does not have much of a choice. If he wants to earn the love and respect of the people on a more permanent basis, not ephemerally, he should douse talks about his need for a second term not only with ice cold, but with acid-laced water.

His people and the country expect and deserve no less from him. (MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. of Cagayan de Oro City prefers to be called “Nene Pimentel.”)

the President; then what?

MIND DA NEWS

BY PATRICIO P, DIAZ

I

N a rare occurrence, Luwaran.com, the official website of the MILF Central Committee on Information has beaten the local and national media, including the OPAPP Website, in publishing the latest development concerning the Bangsamoro Basic Law draft.

In its early morning report (August 21, 2014:Bangsamoro Basic Law submitted to President Aquino), it said,“The draft of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) has been submitted to President Benigno Aquino III at around 8:00 pm last night.”

The report clarified that the timeline agreed last August 15 to submit the revised BBL draft to the President was“August 20”, not“August 18”.

The report states: “Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., in the presence of Atty. Alfredo Benjamin Caguiao, Aquino’s chief legal counsel, and Atty. Mike Musngi, assistant executive secretary, received the document, signed by Mohagher Iqbal, as chair of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC).

“As per agreement of the parties, after the review of the President, they will meet again to finally put in place the final text of the BBL which the President would certify as urgent bill to Congress.

“The two parties are also in the same level of understanding that an ‘agreed version’ of the BBL is the only way that would strengthen their partnership in jointly pushing for the early passage of the bill in Congress.

“In the cover letter of the document addressed to Secretary Ochoa, Mohagher Iqbal, signing as BTC Chairman, said:‘We are respectfully submitting the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) … and we are ready to adhere to our understanding to work on the final text of the proposed BBL after its review by the President’.(Bold ours) “A reliable source told Luwaran that President Aquino would start his review of the BBL today”.

(This was replicated byINQUIRER. netin its 12:39 pm August 21 report, “Draft of Bangsamoro law submitted to Aquino”,datelined Manila:“The draft of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law has been presented to President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday night.”)

It must be noted:The reports says that the BBL draft was presented to the President through Executive Secretary Ochoa at 8:00 pm, August 20 and the President“would start reviewing it today”, August 21; but it is silent as to when the draft will be submitted to the Congress. The prevailing timelines are“August 26”and“by the end of the month”. Why then was the media fed theAugust 18timeline? Both parties will jointly push for the early passage of the BBL. After all the scrambling, it is reassuring that a“mutually agreed”copy of the BBL draft is in the hands of the President for review.Then, What?

First: Then, what after the President’s review?

“Parties”in Paragraphs 2 and 3 must be referring to the GPH, MILF and BTC. The copy presented to the President is not yet the finally“fine-tuned”copy referred to by Secretary Deles. “As per agreement”, after the President has reviewed the copy, he will return it to the “parties”. It must be the BTC that will“finally put in place the final text of the BBL” –the“finally fine-tuned”draft; the GPH and MILF panels will jointly approve the fine-tuned text then return the BBL draft to the President for certification to the Congress.

How long will it take the President to review the draft? How long will it take the parties to put in place the final text and fine-tune it?These are the enigmatic questions with the anticipation that the BBL bill can be certified to the Congress by the end of August.

10 NEWS

Background...FFROM 1

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

against such laws as the Davao City Women’s Development Code, Magna Carta of Women and International Law on the Elimination of Violence.

IIagan said that the clearance shall be issued by government agencies like Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Commission on Women and corresponding local government unit where the offi-

cer was last assigned.

“It is the high time that we stand for women’s right,” Ilagan said, adding that Danao’s alleged abusive behavior toward Mrs. Danao is “condemnable”.

Ilagan said that based on the Republic Act 9262 or Anti-violation Against Women and their Children, domestic violence is not a private matter.

Even the relatives of the victimized women can file a case against the

perpetrator.

“We are serious in this matter. Dili na ra papel [referring to laws and ordinance], kinabuhi nato na. Laws and ordinances are not only crafted and printed- out, but also enforced ,” she said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex yesterday.

According to Lorna Mandin, head of the Davao City Integrated Gender Development Division (IGDD), of the 134

recorded VAWC cases in the city 71 percent or more than 134 cases are perpetrated by men in uniform like police officers in DCPO, Philippine National Police (PNP), Air Force, Philippine Navy among others.

“This is alarming because the very people we expect to protect women are also the one who are violating the law,” Lyda Canson, Gabriela women’s right advocacy group chairwoman, said.

Atty. Romero Cabarde, Jr., director of Ateneo Public Interest on Legal Advocacy, said that domestic violence is a global issue which remained undiscussed because of the patriarchal.

He said that the patriarchal society resulted to unjust and submissive kind of social system.

Ilagan, meanwhile, said that they are also requesting the PNP to conduct investigation on Danao’s case. She also

said that she will raise Danao’s issue to DILG secretary Mar Roxas who will be attending the next budget meeting on Thursday.

Earlier, Gabriela announced their support for Mrs. Danao over the case filed against the DCPO chief, who also received a separate complaint of alleged mauling of a member of the Special Civilian Active Auxiliary of Task Force Davao.

CRC

reach of any mobile network could reach it. When Globe recognized Randy’s story last year, his heart virtually leapt for joy as this could be a portent of things to come.

“I was hoping this could be the opportunity for us to get a cell site,” said Randy who had to stay in Pegalongan for a week or two each month and endure being incommunicado. “Like all of my dreams for Pegalongan, my hope still springs eternal.”

Almost a year after his story was told, Randy was named one of the six laureates of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award—the only Filipino to make it in this year’s batch and the very first Dabawenyo to be named to Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Randy’s accolade came after his story spread over to the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. He earlier won an annual award given by

Bato Balani Foundation last year for his community works.

“A story like Randy’s is something you cannot just ignore. It’s incredible that he had all that patience and energy to rise above the challenges and bring about change,” said Kelly Austria, PR counselor for Bato Balani Foundation who personally went to Pegalongan last year to “experience” Randy’s journey and document Pegalongan’s transformation under Randy’s head start.

Randy said the RMAF made verification visits and study of Randy’s community initiatives and the rest, as they say, is history. “I did not know that was it. I just thought they came to see us and check our situation. Yun na pala,” said the 31-year old graduate of state-owned University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) in Davao City.

After the announcement of Randy’s selec-

tion as one of the Ramon Magsaysay laureates, everyone wanted a chunk of Randy and his story. He was soon stormed with interviews and engagements.

Department of Education (DEPED) secretary Armin Luistro called him up to personally congratulate him and expressed how he has transcended the noble public teaching profession. Randy, like many graduates of education, waited years to get a teaching position and when an opening was available, it was the Pegalongan assignment many before him had turned down.

“Walang gustong kumuha ng assignment na ito (Nobody wanted to take this assignment),” said Randy, adding that he had to keep from his family how hard it is to be assigned in Pegalongan.

When his story was published in Edge Davao on September last year, it was then that his family

discovered the hard life he had to go through as a public school teacher.

“Umiyak sila. Naintindihan na nila ako pagkatapos nila mabasa yun (They cried. They learned to understand me after they read the story),” he said.

His story and recognition by Bato Balani Foundation last year also meant promises by politicians to extend help to Randy’s dream of connecting Pegalongan to the city.

Yes, Pegalongan may be part of Davao City but it will take lots of guts and courage for one to get there and survive nature’s obstacles. Two treacherous rivers stand between Pegalongan and civilization. Randy and the Matigsalogs of Pegalongan could not keep count of how many children’s lives perished while crossing these two rivers just to reach school.

Upon his wish, Randy met Davao City mayor Ro-

drigo Duterte and personally asked him is the city government can provide funds for those bridges.

“Mahiya tayo na tanggihan (It is shameful to turn him down),” said Duterte after shaking Randy’s hand when the two finally met at Marco Polo Davao last August 5.

Is hey now?

Randy said he is thrilled to hear that from Mayor Duterte himself.

However, he keeps his fingers crossed that this, too, will not perish with the ripples of the rivers.

Randy’s story had come full circle from his awakening that his love for Pegalongan (which literally means “light”) goes beyond his tour of duty as a teacher to the mornings that he wake up with calls and text messages from various media organizations seeking for interviews and from public officials and private groups wanting to get a slice of the Randy bandwagon.

Randy, afterall, is as

obscure as Pegalongan.

He is so grounded and unassuming inside and out that in one media forum he came in and got seated at a corner waiting to be called and no one even recognized him until he stood up—a collarless shirt on and a backpack in tow.

Today, life has changed radically for Randy. From obscurity, his name is now almost like household commodity. Social media is flooded with posts of his accomplishment. People wanted to be photographed with him. Everyone wanted to get his phone number.

Randy could only shake his head. This is his moment. But he knows too that this is not forever. Soon he will be back dreaming of bridges again and waking up on serene mornings without phone calls and text messages in his little place on earth somewhere in Davao City called Pegalongan—no cell sites, no bright lights.

is not yet the total VAWC cases, since there were still unreported cases in the city.

“Pipila lang ang nagagagwas kay mahadlok sila sa ilahag mga partners lalo na kung ang offender ay police nga naay mga baril,” Mandin sad.

According to her, since the IGDD office was created in 2004, VAWC cas-

es increased every year despite the existence of Republic Act 9262 or Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children and the Davao City’s Women’s Development Code.

Mandin said the reported cases are not limited to legal wives of the offenders but also to extra-marital partners who were either verbally,

physically, psychologically or economically abused by their male partners.

She said that VAWC victims in the city can avail protection order either from barangay or court.

The city government is also giving free assistance to VAWC victims who needed legal assistance. CRC

events. So now it’s taking the extra mile to enhance our support to the local government, at the same time putting more significance to our participation,” said Marlon B. Escalicas, Camella Southern Mindanao Cluster Head.

Escalicas was particularly proud of the Kla-

ta fluvial float Camella has sponsored, which had an intricately compelling design filled with local flowers that attracted a lot of attention. He said featuring the tribe in the fluvial float also helped raise public awareness on the Klata tribe.

“It’s being true to the essence of Kadayawan which honors the many ethnic groups of Davao,” said Escalicas, adding that the support they extended in the Kadayawan is also a manifestation of Camella’s corporate social responsibility.

are expected to initiate legislative measures to support the Mayor Duterte’s program which is now called the Paquibato Initiative.

At the end of the one day activity, former North Cotabato Governor Manny Pinol will make a presentation on the comprehensive development approach for Paquibato District based on the inputs of the participants.

The former North Cotabato governor is credited with reducing the Poverty Incidence Per Family (PCPF) of North Cotabato from 52% in 1998 to only 29% when he left office in 2007.

Mayor Duterte is expected to deliver a statement of commitment and support to the Paquibato Initiative.

A press briefing will be held after Mayor Duterte’s statement.

The one day forum follows a field exposure trip which involved a visit by Paquibato barangay and tribal leaders to Oil Palm farms in North Cotabato and the Oil Mil in Buluan, Maguindanao.

The forum is expected to be followed by a trip to Sabah, Malaysia by the Davao City Barangay Officials to expose them to the benefits of Oil Palm and Rubber to rural communities in Malaysia.

in order to build defended place against the groups who are longing for their homeland.

Tabora said that the

problem in Gaza is much deeper and not properly understood because people did not know their historical, cultural and re-

ligious roots of the place.

“We got carried away by the propaganda of the powerful nation,” he cautioned.

and Joanna Gentugaya, the board member’s wife.

Gentugaya pledged to donate to ALS and/or to Gawad Kalinga.

Yesterday afternoon, Davao City first district Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles also posted a video of his ice bucket challenge.

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge raises funds for the ALS Association which dedicates itself to do research and ultimately find a cure.

The ALS Association describes itself as the “the only national not-forprofit health organization

dedicated solely to the fight against ALS.” Some quarters in the US, however, warned potential donors to be cautious in donating money to the association considering its track record and use of donated funds.

(PNA)

Randy... FFROM 1

Only... FFROM 2

Forum...FFROM 2

Camella...FFROM 2

ADDU... FFROM 3

Ice... FFROM 3

11 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Davao Oriental speeds up P256-M irrigation project

P

ROVINCE of Davao O r i e n t a l —T h e provincial government of Davao Oriental is speeding up the completion of the P256 million Irrigation Project in Cateel.

Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon told the team from the Mindanao Rural Development Program, during their site visit in Cateel on Monday, August 18, that the province is doubling its efforts to have the big-ticket project substantially completed by the end of August and hopefully inaugurated by October.

MRDP Program Director, Lealyn Ramos explains that the agency’s impending transition to Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) this year elicits the need to urge local government units to complete all rural infrastructure subprojects, covered under the program, by the end of the month.

The Provincial Engineer’s Office said that in order to fast track completion of the irrigation project, workers and engineers for the past two months have been working on shifts for the daily 24-hour operation.

The engineering team said this is necessary in order to compensate for

the times that their operations were hampered due to several disasters that hit the province, which includes typhoon Pablo in December 2012 that washed out most of the completed diversion works. Earlier this year, another disaster—the LPA-Agaton hit the province, causing another heavy blow to the already recuperating project.

“The construction of the massive project was a matter of surmounting the odds,” said Governor Malanyaon. “It’s a test of our endurance, our patience and our determination,” she added.

To date, the three packages of the project are significantly making remarkable developments.

Package one, which consists of diversion works is 91%complete. Package two, which is the canalization, is now at 92%, while package three for canal structures is 80% complete.

Funded by MRDPWorld Bank and the Provincial Government, the Cateel Irrigation Project is touted to be the one of the biggest irrigation projects in Mindanao.

Set to irrigate additional 1,600 hectares of rice fields in Cateel, the

irrigation system would tap the huge water reserve of Cateel River to channel its flow to the surrounding rice fields in eleven barangays.

Residents said that most of these wide plains are rain-fed areas and remains unirrigated for many years due to the lack of funding for an irrigation system.

Governor Malanyaon considers this project as a valuable investment to develop the rice production potentials of the province. “We see

this irrigation system can help us achieve one hundred percent rice sufficiency level, which in turn can also contribute to the country’s food sufficiency,” she said.

She also stressed that this project would not only help local farmers as it would also aid in boosting opportunities for businesses and create more livelihoods.

TAKING RISKS Stemming from the governor’s dream of stepping up the province’s food production

while opening up more opportunities for local farmers, Governor Malanyaon, earlier in her term as governor, seized the opportunity presented by MRDP to avail the agency’s huge funds for infra projects.

“I was told that there are huge funds waiting to be tapped, however none had availed because of the 50% required equity,” she explained.

Taking the risk, Governor Malanyaon accepted the challenge

only to learn, at the time when the proposal was about to be approved in 2011, that the Department of Agriculture will shoulder 80% of the 50% equity supposed to be shelled out by the local government unit.

“It was really a huge surprise for us learning we got the biggest slice of the MRDP budget and was only required a small counterpart,” she said. “Sometimes, God rewards those who take the risks,” she added. By KLD

ment Unit of Maco has no center to cater these victims, she and her fellow social workers usually share their homes as temporary shelter of the abused.

“Makabati ko sa ilang mga kasakit ug kahadlok, sa ilahang kawad-an ug paglaom na makuha ang hustisya na ilang ginapangandoy” (I can feel their pain, fear and the hopelessness of obtaining the justice they yearn).

Crunching the numbers Based on the 2010 census on population, the municipality has 34,603 women and 30,311 children from ages 0 to below 18 years. These sectors are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

In 2012, 49 women

and 35 children in the municipality were reported victims of neglect, abuse and exploitation.

In response to the emerging problem, C.A.R.E.S (Children, Adult Ready Emergency Shelter), a drop-in center, was proposed for the appropriate placement of the victims through KALAHI-CIDSS GPBP (Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process), formerly BUB or Bottom-Up Budgeting.

KALAHI-CIDSS is a community-driven project of the National Government and implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It aims to empower ordinary citizens to directly participate in local governance by identifying their own

community needs, planning, developing, implementing, managing and sustaining projects together to address local poverty issues.

GPBP on the other hand, is an approach to preparing the budget proposal of national government agencies, considering the development needs of cities/municipalities as identified in their respective Local Poverty Reduction Action Plans (LPRAP) that shall be formulated with strong participation of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

The drop-in center project aims to prevent the women and children from being exposed to further exploitation. The end goal is to for the victims to regain self-es-

teem and dignity through protective and rehabilitative services.

Intensified collaboration and coordination between government and non-government organizations are currently being undertaken in support to achieving the goals of the center.

To build and restore The building is already 75 per cent complete.

“The drop in center, aside from its goal of ensuring the safety of victims, also provides jobs to beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program,” said Yu. Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries take the lead in the construction of the drop-in center. To them, it’s self-fulfilling that they are able to par-

ticipate in the process of providing protection and safety to the victims.

“Kaya ko ang pagbabago dahil iminulat sa akin ng ahensya ng DSWD at ng kanilang mga proyekto na lahat ng mamamayan ay may kakayahan na tumulong sa pagbibigay proteksyon sa mga kabataan at kababaihan na biktima ng karahasan at pang-aabuso,” Yu pointed out.

Now, women and children are more driven to move on. They are now comforted knowing that there are people who take stand to be their support system.

Most importantly, they now have a safe haven to stay while they are on the process of healing.

(DSWD/Julie Ace Brandon F. Ramos/ccd)

KALAHI-CIDSS builds shelter for abused women, children M

ACO, Compostela Valley – “Their journey is never easy. We want to make them feel safe, loved and protected in the best way that we can because they too, deserve to rise up and have a peaceful life,” shared Elizabeth Uy, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer here for 27 years now.

She considers her job as one of the most painstaking, yet most fulfilling.

In her length of service, she admits she performs more than what is expected of her. She has encountered countless trials in handling people in difficult circumstances.

She consoles, feeds, and assists women and children who are victims of violence and abuse.

Since the Local Govern-

12 CLASSIFIED

(

)

Billiard Supplies

Phone Nos.

Cell Nos.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

Alveo Land’s signature address in Abreeza Davao wins award A

LVEO Land’s Abreeza Residences has been adjudged as the Best Condominium Development in Davao at the 2014 Philippines Property Awards.

The project, in partnership with Accendo Commercial Corp., launched in 2011, is the maiden residential offering in the equally pioneering Abreeza district in Davao City— the first masterplanned Ayala township in the region.

Alveo is the standard bearer for innovation of Ayala Land, the most experienced and trusted real estate developer in the Philippines.

“This recognition is important to us because it affirms our success in bringing our city living expertise to fast-developing regional centers such as Mindanao,” said Robert Lao, Alveo Land president, in a statement.

“This award is also a testament to the faith of our buyers who share our vision of innovation and dynamic modern living,” he added.

The Philippines Property Award is a precursor to the South East Asia Property Awards, a component of the Asia Property Awards which started in Thailand in 2005.

The Asia Property Awards offer an unrivalled showcase of the region’s real estate industry, boosting awareness and highlighting top quality developers, projects and services. The competition shines a spotlight on the high-caliber work within the Asian real estate industry, encompassing con-

struction, architecture and interior design.

Most Desirable Address in Davao Abreeza Residences holds the distinction of innovating city living in Southern Philippines with its contemporary condo lifestyle—providing a desirable, exclusive address for the growing segment of discriminating residents in the region.

The 26-story residential development is located right in the heart of the city capital of Davao. Its 243 units provide a variety of studio to three-bedroom configurations, ranging from 31 square meters to 218 square meters.

In a few years since its introduction in the market, the development has nearly been completely sold out, with target completion and turnover to unit owners by the last quarter of 2015.

Abreeza Residences provides unparalleled convenience being integrated into the Abreeza district masterplan, which includes the Abreeza Mall, Seda Abreeza boutique hotel, as well as the Abreeza Technohub office complex.

The newest component of the Abreeza district is the twin-tower Abreeza Place high-rise condominium. “Buying a unit at Abreeza Place is the latest opportunity for homeseekers to be part of the Abreeza community,” said Lao.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Stay in touch with modernday heroes via Smart International Flexi Call &Text

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

TRAVEL

THERE IS no better way to celebrate National Heroes’ Day than by keeping in mind the millions of modern-day Filipino heroes who work hard abroad and put up with a lot of sacrifices just to raise and support their families.

There is no better way to celebrate National Heroes’ Day than by keeping in mind the millions of modern-day Filipino heroes who work hard abroad and put up with a lot of sacrifices just to raise and support their families.

And with Smart International Flexi Call & Text service, staying in touch with your OFW relatives wherever they are has become much easier and more affordable via any Smart Prepaid or Postpaid number.

P5 per IDD minute or text to destinations in North America and Asia Smart International Flexi Call & Text 30 allows you to connect to your loved ones in the United States, Hawaii, Guam, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea for only P5.00 per call minute or message.

Valid for three days, Smart International Flexi Call & Text 30 is available to prepaid users of Smart and Talk ‘N Text by simply texting FCT30 to 433. Smart Postpaid subscribers may also register to the service by texting FCT30 to 7577 (for All-In Plans); 9990 (for Freedom Plans) and 2207 (all other Postpaid plans).

P10 per IDD minute or text to destinations in Europe, Middle East, etc.

On the other hand, Smart International Flexi Call & Text 50 offers international calls and texts to Saudi, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Italy and Taiwan for only P10 per minute or message.

Valid for seven days, Smart International Flexi Call & Text 50 is available to prepaid users of Smart and Talk ‘N Text by simply texting FCT50 to 433. Smart Postpaid subscribers may also register to the service by texting FCT50 to 7577 (for All-In Plans); 9990 (for Freedom Plans) and 2207 (all other Postpaid plans).

P1.25 per IDD minute or text to US, Canada, HK and SG For greater value for money, Smart Postpaid users may avail of the International Flexi Call and Text 500, which offers calls and texts for only P1.25 per minute or message to loved ones – or a total of 400 call minutes or messages – sent to the United States, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Valid for 30 days, Smart International Flexi Call &Text 500 may be availed by simply texting IDDMAX to 7577 (for All-In Plans); 9990 (for Freedom Plans) and 2207 (all other Postpaid plans).

For more information on Smart’s line-up of International Services, visit http://www.smart.com.ph/international.

Cool and ecclectic at Bag of Beans

Chinese paintings on porcelain plates, teapots, and scrolls to be on exhibit at SM Lanang Premier The metro’s premier shopping and lifestyle destination – SM Lanang Premier – celebrates the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival by bringing back another breakthrough exhibition of traditional Chinese arts to Davao City.

From August 30 to September 14, ‘An Exhibit of Chinese and Western Paintings’ by Chan Lim Family of Artists and Students will showcase over 200 artworks done in Chinese paintings, oil, porcelain plates, a teapot set and scrolls by 36 artists at the Atrium, SM Lanang Premier.

This is the third year that Chan Lim will stage an exhibit in partnership with SM Lanang Premier since 2012.

What makes this upcoming exhibit unique is the display of Chinese paintings on porcelain plates, which measure 10 inches in diameter and are meticulously created for a year – from conceptualization, painting, glazing to baking the artwork. Another visual attraction is the delicate set of teapot with six tea cups to be featured at the exhibit.

The Chan Lim family is one of the few remaining notable Chinese brush painting artists in the country today and has been conducting numerous painting exhibits and seminars, art workshops and on-the-spot painting demonstrations for more than four decades.

On Saturday, August 30, at 2:30 pm, the Chan Lim exhibit will be launched at the Atrium, SM Lanang Premier with performances from students of Davao Chinese schools.

A free Chinese Painting Workshop will also be held on August 30 starting 3 pm. Limited slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To register and inquire about the workshop, please contact the organizers, Davao Filipino-Chinese Cultural Foundation/Dynamic Youth, Inc. at 226-3571 or 221-6004.

The public is invited to visit the 16-day art exhibit in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival at SM Lanang Premier.

The exhibit is co-presented by Dynamic Youth, Inc., the Davao Filipino-Chinese Cultural Foundation, Park Inn

by Radisson and Air 21.

Stay up to date on the events happening at SM Lanang Premier. Visit SM Lanang Premier on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

KNOWN for its cool mountain breeze, food finds, as well as vibrant art scene.

Tagaytay City is a mecca for urbanites needing a weekend respite from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila. Combining good food, artsy ambience, and vistas to enjoy the city’s cool surroundings, Bag of Beans is a new addition to Tagaytay’s places to visit.

Just a short ride from Tagaytay Crosswinds, Vista Land’s breathtaking Swiss Chalet community and condotel in Tagaytay, Bag of Beans is a coffee shop and bakery with interiors that are an eclectic cross of a rustic Tagaytay home and an art gallery.

I instantly fell in love with the vibe of the place.

The upper balcony was nice and cool thanks to the blowing breeze and the open area below has many cozy nooks that can be intimate enough for couples or wide enough

for big families.

For the hungry, Bag of Beans features an all-day breakfast menu featuring pancakes, omelettes, English breakfast sets, and sandwiches. Although it was already early evening, I decided to have heartier fare in the form of a sinful platter of Eggs Benedict and creamed spinach.

Bag of beans, as the

name suggests however is a coffee shop and what is a coffee shop in Batangas if it does not serve the famous Kapeng Barako?

I had mine black. The Kapeng Barako was rich and tangy with earthy and woody tones, a perfect counter to compliment the richness of the Eggs Benedict.

Buying pasalubong

from Bag of Beans is no problem since it is also a bakery. Goodies to try and buy include their sinfully good sylvannas, cream cheese cookies, and famous banana bread.

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

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

GMA 7 brings heartwarming nights with new primetime series Strawberry Lane THIS SEPTEMBER, GMA Network continues to captivate the hearts and touch the lives of Filipino viewers as it airs the newest primetime light family drama series, Strawberry Lane, on GMA Telebabad.

Kapuso viewers will surely have another reason to enjoy their weeknights as Strawberry Lane features an original and inspiring story of four girls with hopes and dreams, highlighting the significance of family and friends in achieving them.

It also brings a unique ensemble of some of the brightest Kapuso stars in the Philippine entertainment industry.

Kapuso teen actresses Bea Binene, Kim Rodriguez, Joyce Ching, and Joanna Marie Tan are set to breathe life to the characters of Clarissa, Jack, Dorine, and Lupe, respectively. Also joining the cast are promising Kapuso stars Jake Vargas, Kiko Estrada, and Jeric Gonzales.

Kim shared her excitement to play a challenging role in Strawberry

able to execute it na lang that will make it unique.”

Sheryl meanwhile expressed her gratitude to GMA Network as she returns on primetime TV. “I would like to thank GMA for all the support that they have been giving me. I’m happy that I will have the chance to work with these actors.”

Lane. “Sobrang pressured po ako, pero masaya kasi first time kong magkaroon ng lead role sa primetime. I feel challenged dito sa role ko kasi boyish po ako dito, dati kasi girly talaga yung mga roles ko.”

On being part of this newest primetime offering, Joyce also expressed her delight. “Masaya ako and excited, but at the

same time pressured kasi primetime ito so medyo mataas ang expectation ng mga tao. Pero dito sa Strawberry Lane, ipapakita namin kung paano aabutin ang mga pangarap kahit maraming challenges.”

Meanwhile, respected television actors Sunshine Dizon, Christian Bautista, TJ Trinidad, Ms Chanda Romero, and

Under the helm of director Don Michael Perez, Strawberry Lane will certainly be another well-loved drama series of Filipino viewers from all ages.

Catch the story of hopes and dreams in Strawberry Lane this September on GMA Telebabad.

Sheryl Cruz play equally important roles in the upcoming primetime series.

Sunshine shared that this primetime series caters to the taste of Filipino viewers. “I’m very excited with this new project.

Strawberry Lane is more of everything that the viewers want. Halos lahat nandito na – drama, family, friendship, and romance. It’s how we will be

GMA premieres first medical drama series on Phl TV: Sa Puso Ni Dok FOUR-TIME George Foster Peabody awardee GMA News and Public Affairs unveiled another groundbreaking, socially relevant drama with the premiere of the first original medical TV series on local television – Sa Puso Ni Dok – last Sunday, August 24.

Serving as an eye-opener on the harsh realities of public health in the country, Sa Puso ni Dok is a six-part weekly series produced by the award-winning team of GMA News TV, the same creative group behind highly acclaimed drama series Bayan Ko and Titser.

“Sa Puso Ni Dok’s ultimate battlecry is the improvement of public health care in the country. We also want to showcase the heroism of many of our government employed doctors, nurses and health workers who value integrity and service for their fellow Filipinos,” reveals Sa Puso ni Dok creator and Program Manager

Sherilyn Bruan. She adds “Aside from the program’s extensive research, the medical drama series has consulted medical experts to make the series more realistic in presenting various medical-related situations.”

Topbilled by multiawarded actor Dennis Trillo together with award-winning actress Bela Padilla and under the direction of Adolf Alix Jr., Sa Puso Ni Dok tells the story of stern,

unorthodox and mysterious head resident Doc Dennis De Vera (Dennis) and fresh grad, idealistic Doc Gabrielle dela Cruz (Bela) whose lives and loves get intertwined inside the public hospital of Melchora Aquino General Hospital.

“I find my character very interesting. Masungit ako na doktor dito pero unorthodox while Bela’s character is by the book, making us clash in many ways,” shares

Dennis about his character, head resident Doc Dennis De Vera.

Bela, on the other hand, enthuses that her character, Doc Gabrielle, is lovable.

“Gab is very easy to love because she always means well. She is bubbly, young, and an ambitious doctor.

And even when things get in the way, she always finds solutions especially if her patients are in need.”

Both playing the role of a doctor for the first time, Dennis and Bela confess watching a US-based medical drama series as part of their preparation for the drama. Dennis adds that he also did some research to understand some nuances, medical terms, and hospital procedures.

Completing the cast of Sa Puso ni Dok are Anita Linda, Menggie Cobarrubias, Maey Bautista, AJ Dee, Gigi Locsin, Stephanie Sol, Elijah Alejo, Flor Salanga, and Sunshine Teodoro.

TALK BACK AND YOU'RE DEAD James Reid, Nadine Lustre, Joseph Marco PG 13

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

PLANES 2 Dane Cook, Julie Bowen GP

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

THE EXPENDABLES 3 / *TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES R-16

PG 13 / * PG 13

Sylvester Stallone / * Megan Fox, Johnny Knoxville 12:10 | 2:45 LFS / * 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

RUROUNI KENSHIN 2 Takeru Satoh R 13

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

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

TRAVEL

Staying cozy in Gensan

By Kenneth Irving Ong

GENERAL SANTOS CITY is fast becoming a hub for adventure and with the upcoming Tuna Festival it can be sure that many Dabawenyo urbanites as well as guests from all over the region will be in GenSan to join the festivities.

Call: 224-0733 • Tionko St., Davao City

Finding a place to stay in General Santos City used to be a task with limited rooms, as well as the hassle of actually booking a room. Thankfully with Agoda.com, hotel hunting at the country’s tuna capital is now easier than ever.

Here are some of the more popular hotels in Gensan as ranked by Agoda.com.

East Asia Royale Hotel Nestled in the heart of General Santos City’s Lagao district, East Asia Royale Hotel is an ideal spot from which to discover General Santos and Sarangani. Guests enjoy easy access to all that the lively

Green Leaf Hotel Gensan.

Gensan has to offer.

East Asia Royale Hotel has a total of 100 rooms, all tastefully furnished and come with air conditioning, LCD television, and complimentary wireless Internet access. The hotel also has a coffee shop, and bar.

Microtel by Wyndham General Santos Designed for both business and leisure travel, Microtel by Wyndham General Santos is ideally situated in City Heights, General Santos; one of the city’s more popular locales. The hotel is not too far from the city center: just away, and it normally takes about 30 minutes to reach the airport. A haven of rest and relaxation, the hotel is just

steps away from the city’s numerous attractions such as Mega 1 Shopping Center, Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), and the San Antonio De Padua Chapel.

Microtel by Wyndham General Santos is the only hotel in GenSan managed by an intentional chain and every effort is made to make guests feel comfortable. The hotel offers facilities for disabled guests, meeting facilities, luggage storage, airport transfer, 24-hour front desk.

Guests can choose from 65 rooms, all of which exude an atmosphere of total peace and harmony. The hotel’s recreational facilities, which include a garden, and massage services are designed for escape

and relaxation.

Green Leaf Hotel Gensan Built in 2013, Greenleaf Hotel Gensan is the newest addition to General Santos fast growing hotel scene and a modern smart choice for travellers. Visitors to the hotel can take pleasure touring the city’s top shopping centres such as Gaisano Mall and SM City General Santos which is literally just a stone’s throw away.

Greenleaf Hotel Gensan offers impeccable service and all the essential amenities to invigorate travellers. The hotel has a bar, fitness centre, pool, shops, and Wi-Fi in public areas to ensure our guests the greatest comfort.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

SPORTS 13

EDGEDAVAO

YAMAHA PRODUCT LAUNCH. Kaoru Ogura (center), Yamaha Philippines Sales and Marketing Director, explains the market share of the Yamaha motorcycles in the country during the press conference to launch their new product Yamaha XTZ at the Rancho Palos Verdes

Clubhouse. Also in photo are (l-r) Maria Leinie Alombro, marketing and communications supervisor, Peter Salvadico, Mindanao asistant manager, and Ryan Jude Camus, marketing section manager. NJB

XTZ125, Serow250 revs in Kadayawan

Y

AMAHA Motor Philippines, Inc. takes the Off-Roads in Mindanao by storm at the 29th Kadayawan Cyclomax Mx in Davao Crocodile Park Complex Ma-a, Davao City. Riders in the south can now dominate the dirt tracks with the arrival of these Off Road Gems, the XTZ125 and the Serow250.

These dual purpose bikes were introduced last month at the Yamaha’s Head Office in Lima, Batangas. After a successful launch, it didn’t take long for these machines to make their way to the roads of Mindanao and the unpaved terrain of the Kadayawan MX. Davao’enos were finally able to set their sights on the 2 units after they

were unveiled during the event proper. The XTZ125, a lightweight, high performance bike that features smooth drivability, and reliability; an easy, safe, and comfortable ride with its compact body, stable full HT steel frame and engine guard. The SEROW 250, features excellent maneuverability suited for mountain trails. The bike also features a powerful torque, a fuel-injected engine, and an easy ride with a low-seat height Guests had the opportunity to test ride the XTZ 125 that allows them to navigate through any terrain, enjoying superior traction, handling, agility, and power, making the off road your road.

Then it was time for the Motocross to begin,

with riders eagerly awaiting the challenges that were going to be present in the race course this year.

It was also a chance to see what the XTZ125 could really do as the competition unfolded. After everything was said and done, winners were awarded but everyone went home champions having enjoyed the 29th Kadayawan MX and the showcase of Yamaha’s newest unit.

The Yamaha XTZ 125 is now available with a suggested retail price of Php81, 900, and the Serow 250 will be offered in September with the suggested price of Php229, 000. The ride doesn’t get any more exciting than this. Welcome to a new world, the Off-Road World by YAMAHA.

14

EDGEDAVAO Sports

Execs rout BJMP 102-91 C

ITY Hall Executive Oldies bucked a slow start and the absence of their second leading scorer to whip BJMP, 102 – 91, in the ongoing 2014 IBP-CMO Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Hall of Justice Covered Court in Ecoland.

The Executive Oldies went into scoring surge bridging the second and third period behind their three points shooting to break loose en route to their fourth straight win and remain solo at the top of the standing.

Christopher “Bong” Go nailed six triples while Michael Peloton converted four in the third canto alone as the Executive Oldies took an 85 – 58 lead entering the pay off canto.

Go, the sweet-shooting executive assistant of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and the team’s leading scorer, wrapped the game up with 44 points, including 23 in the final half.

Peloton, who stepped up in the absence of spotup shooter Glen Escandor, converted a total of five three pointers to finish the game with 19 for the Executive Oldies who got 14 from Eugene Labor and 10 from Warren Cloribel.

BJMP came out strong early, leading the entire first period which ended 19 – 17 on its favor.

But the Executive Oldies erupted with barrage of baskets from all angles in the second period to take a 47 – 31 lead at the break.

Go and the rest of the

gang continued to pound in the third period to enter the final frame with a secure advantage.

Lanzuela paced with 20 points for the Jailmen who drew 17 from Eyao.

In the other game, IBP Davao Oriental pulled off a shocker as it upset IBP Davao, 95 – 90, in the second game of the triple bill.

Arman Dioso took charge with 43 points for the IBP Davao Oriental which bounced back strong after losing to BJMP few weeks back.

Judge Emilio Dayanghirang chipped in 8 baskets marked with two triples. Baguio top scored for IBP Davao with 17 markers.

Team Judiciary defeated IBP Davao Del Norte in a high-scoring encounter, 113 – 106.

of Andray Blatche who scored 14 in the second half. Gilas bigs Marc Pingris and June Mar Fajardo also played good games as they scored 12 and eight points, respectively, while Paul Lee added six.

With Blatche struggling from the field, Gilas Pilipinas faced a 31-29 deficit after the first 20 minutes of action.

The naturalized Filipino finally woke up in the third quarter as he scored

seven points to give Gilas a seven-point advantage at 53-46 heading into the final quarter.

After Egypt sliced the Philippines’ lead down to four points, Chan and Ranidel De Ocampo conspired for an 8-0 blast for a 70-58 Gilas lead with only 4:12 remaining in the game.

Gilas Pilipinas will close out its series of tune-up matches against the Dominican Republic.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 MARKED MAN. Bong Go (18) of the City Hall Executives is challenged in this sequence. Go led his team to a 102 – 91 win over BJMP in the ongoing 2014 IBP-CMO Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Hall of Justice Covered Court in Ecoland. Lean Daval Jr.

Gilas turns back Egypt 74-65 A

FTER suffering a five-game losing skid in tune-up games, Gilas Pilipinas finally got a confidence building victory as they defeated Egypt, 74-65, in Guadalajara, Spain early Monday morning Manila time.

With Filipino fans coming out in full force, Gilas banked on the hot shooting of Jeff Chan who exploded for 20 points and the steady presence

Premonition? Manny dreamt of the PBA 3 years ago

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

T

njb@edgedavao.net

HREE years ago, global boxing icon Manny Pacquiao had a dream. It is the preacher in him that says dreams have significance in one’s future.

In that dream, he was competing fiercely in the arena. Only this time, it was not the squared arena of boxing but on a basketball court. He narrated how he was dunking over his opponents and imposing himself on the court.

“Nagda-dunk ako, umiiskor. Basta naalala ko lang maraming tao ang nanood,” the eight-division world champion narrated to Edge Davao in a light talk in Davao City last week after playing basketball for his team MP Hotel.

“Ngayon ko naisip nay un pala ang ibig sabihin nun. Ito na pala yun,” said the Sarangani representative over dinner hosted by his good friend Glenn Escandor, president of The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Yesterday, Pacquiao became the first reigning

world champion to become a multi-sport professional athlete after he was picked as the 11th overall selection of the 2014 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft at the Robinson’s Place in Ermita, Manila.

That means Pacquiao will be playing for expansion ballclub Kia and at the same time sit as the team’s head coach.

Pacquiao also became the oldest rookie selection in the PBA at 36 years old.

His selection was the confirmation to that dream he had in 2011.

Meantime, Pacquiao’s friends in Davao where he has played in two tournaments, shared their views on his new ballgame.

“He should be no. 1.

For me, he is no. 1 pick material if I am a team owner. Advertising, marketing and publicity-wise, Manny can easily make impact on a team by his mere presence. As a player, you cannot underesti-

mate him. He can shoot and he is a fierce competitor. To Manny, I wish him well and I am happy his dream finally came true,” said Escandor after learning of Pacquiao’s selection. Pacquiao played for Escandor’s team last year in a pocket tournament.

His teammates included future 1-2 PBA draft selections Greg Slaughter and Ian Sangalang.

“Manny is a welcome addition to the PBA family. His entry to the league creates global interest in the PBA. With Manny playing, everyone in the world would follow how he performs as a basketball player,” Escandor added.

Bong Go, executive assistant of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and a friend of Pacquiao, said he is happy for Manny. “As expected, Kia’s first pick. I’m excited to see him play his first professional ballgame and I’m sure he will give more excitement to the league.”

ESCAPE. Manny Pacquiao, the PBA’s no. 11 pick, tries to escape the defense of import Mike Harry of the Royal Mandaya Hotel-CMO. Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

UM, Tagum bets shine U

NIVERSITY of Mindanao (UM) and Tagum City National High School blew away the competition in the 1st Blue Knights at BlueJaz Beach Volleyball tournament at Samal Island over the weekend.

Six schools battled it out in the high school category, namely, Tagum National High School A & B (girls) composed of players May Luna, Isabel Licelis, Chriszelle Anne Caasi and Anne Krizza Caasi under coaches Guenevere Jane Cabrera and Felannie Caasi, Ateneo De Davao University (ADDU) composed of Allia Paula Maspinas and Samantha Nicole Dizon, ACD-A bannered by Danielle Beterbo and Marielle Joyce Abuda under coach Ruel Larutin, ACD-B composed of Sid Yvonne Valen and Martina Toraja, UM Tagum composed of Shania Kaye Verana and Marie John Villanueva, the UM Tagum A (boys) under coach Roselio Celis led by Joseph GP Alegado and Frank Jasper Gallardo, UM Tagum B composed of Recel Albert Celis and Ben Ralph Fave Bagajo, PLNHS (Pablo Lorenzo Nat’l High) Mandug composed of Kim Espanola and Joma Crisostomo, Ateneo De Davao University led by Wency Kyle Adlao and Angelo Gabriele B. Alba, Holy Cross College of Sasa under coach Celboy Atendido composed of Akira Mallari and Henrod Saraza and Davao City National High under coach Manuel Ramirez and composed of Kobe Daniel Miranda and Jhevel Nunez.

After the single round robin elims, the two squads of Tagum National High A and B girls under coaches Cabrera and Caasi managed to arrange a showdown for the title, while ACD A and UM Tagum squared off to de-

termine the 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively.

On the other hand, the teams for the college division reached a total of 8 for the men and 6 for the women’s category.

For the women’s side, UM Tagum under coach Mailyn Que and composed of Dana Angela Quisado and Mary Cris Asena managed to make it to the finals against sister squad UM Davao B under coach Joaquin Sarabia led by Mitch Agton and Reynalyn Raterta.

The battle for the second a n d

third s p o t s was set between D a v a o composed Princess Oliveros and Lyka Malikoz uncoach VicenKaressa verHoly Cross Davao College.

UM A o f der t e sus o f

BEACH ACTION. The region’s top lady spikers show their wares in last weekend’s Blue Knights at BlueJaz Beach Volleyball Festival in Samal Island. University of Mindanao and Tagum City National High School topped the men’s and women’s competitions. Emiliano Bacalla

For the men’s division, UM Tagum led by Achaliah Gilbuena and Johnrel Amora battled for the third spot versus UM Davao composed of Francis Calinga and Marvin Antonio under coach Jonathan Vanta.

For the championship round, the match was between DCSP (formerly Davao Merchant Marine Academy) bannered by the duo of Mohamad Mendoza and Abim Usman and Holy Cross of Davao College composed of Edmar Flores and Calvin Sarte under coach Rogelio Cabantug.

The other competing squads for the college division were UIC A & B (men) led by Aidee Von Lubaton, Ervin Gamiro, Renzel and Dennis Tecarro under coach Gelsa Gelacio, USEP-Obrero composed of Alvin Mark Cabelino and Jade Carpio under coach Teodorico Dela Cruz, Davao Doctor’s College led by Jonelle Sere and Seth Munez under coach Rodel Hernandez, San Pedro College (women) and JMC (Jose Maria College) A & B (women) composed of Joan Pol i n a r, Grecel Lucagbu, Mayc h a Aposin a nd April Rose Yura under coache s A l m a A d i z a s and Llewelyn Villaber.

DCGC rules Southern Ladies T

HE Davao City Golf Club scored 341 points to bag the team title in the 51st Southern Ladies Golf Tournament held Aug. 20-22 at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

The foursome of Madilyn Balbuena (118), Stella Barnes (114), Josephine Vergara (109) and Roselyn Sara (99) won by one point against HI-5 of Apo GCG composed of Irene Shinmura (117), Evelyn Quinsay (115), Virgie Hermiston (106) and Felisa Weckler (102).

HI-5 settled for the first runner-up with a count back victory over The Lady Eagles (340) played by Ge-

dle dela Cerna (125), Beth Crisologo (107), Tina Bandolon (104) and Winnie Dixon (104).

Princess Superal of The Country Club carded 169 to cop the over-all title in the individual category while TCC’s Yuka Saso (161) ruled the Championship division. TCC’s Sofia Chabon (155) and Samantha Martinez (147) placed first and second runners-up, respectively.

In Class A, Apo’s Gendle dela Cerna won with 150 points followed by Apo’s Irene Shinmura (131) and Philippine Navy’s Evangeline Omlang (122). Herminston (122) topped Class B with Apo’s Cecile

Co (105) and Barnes (103) as first and second runners-up.

Apo’s Rotchie Albers (92) bagged the Class C title followed by Davao’s Faye Jayno (87) and Dixon (82). Baguio’s Nora Sy (59) won the Seniors division followed by Apo’s Honey Lopez (59).

Yvonne Bisera (103) topped the special division for Apo Jungolf girls. Maffy Singson (79) and Danka Nagayo (65) placed second and third.

The 3-day event was organized by the National Golf Association of the Phils. (NGAP) led by its president Caloy Coscolluela.

NO LOOK UP. Faye Jayno pitches from the fringe during the Southern Ladies Golf tournament at the Apo Golf and Country Club over the weekend. Boy Lim

16

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014