Edge Davao 7 Issue 125

VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

THE CURE COMETH

Cover Story P2

IN THIS ISSUE: EDGE DAVAO PAYS TRIBUTE TO TEACHER RANDY HALASAN

VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

EDGE

www.edgedavao.net

DAVAO SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

THIS SPECIAL ISSUE IS DEDICATED TO THE MATIGSALOGS OF PEGALONGAN

NOBODY GOT RICH FROM THE TEACHING PROFESSION BUT A TEACHER LIKE ME GETS RICH FROM SHARING KNOWLEDGE, VALUES AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE FROM THE COMMUNITY RANDY HALASAN

A TRIBUTE TO TEACHER RANDY

2014 RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARDEE FOR EMERGENT LEADERSHIP

2 COVER STORY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

The cure cometh

By JON JOAQUIN

N

OT many Filipinos know who he is, but Tim Tebow is a big name in sports.

As a quarterback, Tebow took American football by storm in 2011, often coming out from behind late in the fourth quarter of many games.

He is now a college football analyst for ESPN, but the name Tim Tebow still rings loud especially because he is not just a football player, he is also an outspoken Christian.

One of the things Tebow is known for is “Tebowing,” the act of for the act of kneeling on one knee in prayer with the head bowed and an arm resting on the bent knee. He is so vocal about his faith that he would make it a point to express it even without words.

Even fewer Filipinos know that Tebow was born in the Philippines (Manila, to be exact, in 1987), and that his parents worked as missionaries in Mindanao for many years (they

The facade of Tebow CURE Hospital

still have various ministries in the island up to now). This explains why Tebow, who has been a philanthropist since graduating from college, partnered with CURE International to put up a hospital project in Davao City.

Tebow CURE Hospital executive director Leron Lehman said the hospital focuses on pediatric orthopedics because CURE’s founder, Dr. Scott Harrison, is an orthopedist and began the ministry in 1996 when he saw first-hand the overwhelming devastation experienced by disabled children and their families in the Republic of Malawi in southeast Africa. CURE has since expanded to 30 countries (many of them in Africa), 10 of which have a hospital each while the work in others is done through partner clinics and hospitals. The tenth CURE hospital is the one in Davao City and will initially have a 17-bed capacity when it opens hopefully in November. “(Tim Tebow) is already involved in the US with other children’s hospitals and charities for disabled children, so the partnership between the Tim Tebow Foundation and CURE International is really a natural fit,” Lehman told Edge Davao in an interview.

“He’s one of our larger donors and we decided to use his name as part of the project. This is a

win-win for everybody.”

Lehman said Mindanao was chosen as the area for the hospital for a number of reasons.

First, the island region has always been underserved. “There are a lot of poor people here. The poorest communities are on Mindanao. There was a big opportunity for us as an organization to do what we do as a Chris-

Inside the boys’ ward with (from left) Executive director Leron Lehman, spiritual director Madel Dapit, Davao City artist Dadai Joaquin, and medical director Dr. Espiridion Reyes.

tian hospital,” he said.

Second, Davao City has a large number of well-trained medical workers like doctors, nurses, and clinical staff with whom CURE could partner. “There was also community support, and even some local financial donors,” he added.

On Tebow’s side, Mindanao has always been close to his heart

because his parents worked here as missionaries and still have ministries that they work with and support up to now. “The family is still involved with projects all throughout Mindanao,” Lehman said. In fact, Tim Tebow had been to Mindanao several times before sports stardom struck, visiting an orphanage his father Bob

had set up and has been supporting for a number of years.

“Really all the pieces came together,” Lehman said of the reasons CURE and Tebow decided to partner in putting up a hospital here. “That was in 2009 when we made those decisions.

And now five years later as we get close to

FTHE, 10

Inside Timmy’s Playroom. Filled with toys and games, the room aims to bring faith, hope, and love to patients and their families.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

EDGE

www.edgedavao.net

DAVAO SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

THIS SPECIAL ISSUE IS DEDICATED TO THE MATIGSALOGS OF PEGALONGAN

NOBODY GOT RICH FROM THE TEACHING PROFESSION BUT A TEACHER LIKE ME GETS RICH FROM SHARING KNOWLEDGE, VALUES AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE FROM THE COMMUNITY RANDY HALASAN

A TRIBUTE TO TEACHER RANDY

2014 RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARDEE FOR EMERGENT LEADERSHIP

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

A SIMPLE HERO

OUR SCHOOL. Two Matigsalog boys watch their school from a hill in Pegalongan. Photo from Randy Halasan’s facebook page

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

L

njb@edgedavao.net

IKE all the other kids in the Mandug neighborhood where he grew up, Randy Halasan adored superheroes.

From Pinoy superheroes to Superman and Batman, young Randy once dreamed of becoming a hero. But his was a different dream. Not one of heroes that fly in the skies clad in fanciful costumes, nor brandishing weapons or protected by amulets.

Born to parents whose means of livelihood is vending vegetables at Bankerohan Public Market, young Randy shaped his perspective of her-

oism in the likeness of his hardworking parents Candilario and Perpetua (both now deceased).

It was his parents’ diligence and resolve to send Randy and his sisters Ledy, Thelma and Mary Jean to school that shaped the modules of a hero in Randy’s subconscious mind.

That dream in his mind, Randy went to Magallanes Elementary School where he finished in 1995, Pablo Loren-

zo National High School where he finished secondary school in 1999 and at the University of Southeastern Philippines where he got his college degree in 2003.

Randy never became a hunk-type of a hero.

Not even close to a campus crush. He was just the ordinary unassuming guy admired by everyone for his humility and kind heart.

Last Sunday, August 31, at the historic Cul-

tural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Theater, Randy accomplished his dream of becoming a hero.

Not that heroic titles are given away, Randy’s conferment as one of five individual Ramon Magsaysay laureates and one non-government organization, put him in that Randy was adored like a superhero and mobbed like a rock star. The crowd milled around him to seek his photograph or

ask for a selfie. Everyone who had emerged from Randy’s corner at the lobby had only one thing to say—he is incredibly grounded.

No less than President Benigno Aquino III heaped praises for the 31-year old Halasan and four other laureates from China, Afghanistan, Indonesia and a Pakistani non-government organization during the hourlong presentation ceremonies of the prestigious

award known as Asia’s equivalent to the Nobel Peace Prize.

President Aquino cited the works of Halasan and another awardee, indigenous community teacher Saur Marlina Manurong of Indonesia for their efforts at educating marginalized communities.

“To all those of us who try to make this place a more inclusive place, the road to empowerment begins in the place of

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TRAVELLING TO PEGALONGAN. Randy Halasan’s journey to Pegalongan includes crossing two rivers, riding habal-habal, and taking a bamboo raft.

learning. It is here where we can share knowledge that individuals may maximize to make opportunities as they come. The innovations of Ms. Saur Marlina Manurong and Mr. Randy Halasan who have poured their hearts and souls in their work to educate indigenous communities bare witness to this,” Aquino said in his speech.

“Truly whenever one feels overcomed by cynicism, one can count on the Ramon Magsaysay Awards to point towards hope, towards stories of individuals who, confronted by the darkness of despair, have chosen to serve as beacons of light,” the President stressed.

Halasan, a graduate of the University of Southeastern Philippines, is now head teacher of Pegalongan Elementary School in the hills of Marilog and serves not only the Matigsalogs of Davao City but also some from neighboring Bukidnon province.

In his response before an exclusive crowd of 2,000 mostly from the academe and civil society organizations, the soft-spoken teacher recalled his life as a teacher as one that typically starts at the most undesirable and challenging of assignments.

“On January 8, 2007, as newly appointed public school teacher, I was sent

to Pegalongan Elementary School, the farthest school in all of Davao City, inaccessible, poor and isolated from any communication. At that time, we were only two teachers handling all grade levels. I told myself, I have to transfer immediately. I knew I wouldn’t be happy there,” Halasan said.

“But as the days passed, when I saw the poverty, when I saw the people’s eyes and gestures that they needed me, I began to love who they are and their simple lives,” Halasan said, adding that his vision for the Matigsalogs in Pegalongan is to uplift their lives from poverty. “This was also the vision of the late President Magsaysay who showed his passion and commitment to serve everyone equally.”

Being a Ramon Magsaysay awardee, according to Halasan, is not about being popular. He said that it is a calling to serve fellow Filipinos and to become a true role model and inspiration for others—rich or poor. “I believe there are no limitations in helping our fellowmen especially the poor.”

Halasan refrained what he has overly emphasized since he was announced one of the six laureates for 2014. “Nobody got rich from the teaching profession but a teacher like me gets rich

from sharing knowledge, values and positive attitude from the community.”

Speaking last, he was lustily applauded after his five-minute response.

Juan Santos, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) formally presented the five individuals and one organization from Afghanistan, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines who were accorded Asia’s premier prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

The other 2014 Awardees are: China’s Hu Shuli, Indonesia’s Manurong, Afghanistan’s Omara Khan Masoudi, China’s Wang Canfa and The Citizens Foundation of Pakistan.

Now part of the elite 300 or so laureates of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, Randy says everything is part of a process, part of living. “I know that this will come to pass and I will be back in Pegalongan where my life will be back to normal.”

For Randy, his mission is not over.

“Everyday, there’s some work cut out for each one of us. Mine is in Pegalongan today. I will never know what will it be next.”

Words like that could only come from a hero.

Plain, simple hero.

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EDGEDAVAO

THE MATINA ENCLAVES:

A PROGENY OF SOLID BUSINESS You can’t build a great building on a weak foundation. You must have a solid foundation if you’re going to have a strong superstructure.

-Gordon B. Hinckley

R

OCK-SOLID. That’s what comes to mind when the pedigree of proudly Dabawenyo developer Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) is the dish on the discussion table.

Imagine this. Davao Security and Investigation Agency (DASIA) and The Royal Mandaya Hotel— just two of a number of market leaders under one conglomerate— the Escandor Group of Companies (EGC).

It’s a simple thumb rule. Those who know Davao’s business landscape like the back of their hand should be no less than the homegrown taipans.

True to that, Esdevco emerges as the newest player in the real estate business in Davao. Despite entering the industry as a newbie, Esdevco prides itself of being founded on the solid reputation of a respected old hand in the

local business frontier.

Backed up by its tradition of excellence and reliability, Escandor Group of Companies’ new baby Esdevco comes to town offering Davao City’s first ever multi-family, mixed-use and exclusive contemporary living with its project called The Matina Enclaves.

That’s quite a splash for a new player creating a new innovation in the real estate business.

At the reigns of Esdevco is Glenn Yap Escandor, the man who inherited the EGC leadership from his father, the revered late Ret. Col. Emil Escandor—a visionary businessman who pioneered the security agency business in Davao City before diversifying into various businesses including one of Davao’s most prominent address The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

“I inherited my father’s business reputation and

our family is committed to keep that reputation in all of our business endeavors,” Escandor said.

According to the youthful Escandor, The Matina Enclaves is a product of long study from design to meeting the needs of clients of varied choices and requirements.

“It is never easy to come up with an idea and make it acceptable to the market. I assure that this project is a product of a lot of work and thinking.

It’s not like coming up with something because it’s the trend or it’s the bandwagon.

We had to understand the complexities of the market,” he said.

First, Escandor believed that they have the best available strip of real estate in the city.

“We have the best location to start with.

Undeniably, you cannot find a better location than this at this point in Davao’s

growing metropolis,” Escandor said.

The Matina Enclaves is tucked along Quimpo Boulevard just across Davao City Golf Club and minutes- walk from SM City Davao. It is accessible to the city’s central commercial district, government offices and prominent schools.

The 5.3-hectare development is unique as it offers three residential options to choose from.

Matina Enclaves has a 1-hectare open lot development through its pocket development called The Plains. It also offers house and lot units through another 1-hectare pocket development called The Courtyard. And to complement The Plains and The Courtyard, Matina Enclaves boasts of its Medium-rise Condominium Project called The Enclaves Residences. Its condo

project will consist of 6-proposed buildings.

Matina Enclaves will also have a neighborhood commercial development called Arqadia which occupies one hectare of the development. Arqadia will have a boutique hotel, shops, a wellness center, a member-only gym-spa and cafe.

The Matina Enclaves Project Director Gerald Kent M. Garces said that Escandor has aggressively developed the entire property for the past seven months, paving way for the construction of roads, drainage system, landscaping and an imposing main entrance gate that will also have water features on both sides.

“Mr. Escandor has his full commitment towards developing a landmark in Davao. And by any standard, his passion towards creating a quality project is going to be the

key towards establishing Esdevco as a premier local developer,” Garces said.

Escandor has emphasized that Esdevco is venturing into the real estate business to help families get the best value for their money. “It’s not just building your home or buying a house and lot, or owning a condo unit.

It’s about investment. It’s about your hard-earned money.

That’s what this project will offer its clients—value for their money,” Escandor said.

And with a solid reputation in business, investors and homeowning clients can be pretty much assured that at the end of the day, they made the right decision.

(For inquiries, visit the Sales Office and Showroom at Unit 11 Genesis Arcade, Ecowest Drive. You may also contact (082) 2857059, 0932-1200497 or 09228177305.)

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

No one got rich teaching

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HAPPY RANDY. Despite the treacherous trek to Pegalongan, teacher Randy manages to smile in a raft ride crossing the river. (top photo). Lower photo, Randy with his fellow public school teachers in Marilog district.

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“N

O one got rich out of teaching; it’s your legacy that matters.” Those words came from the mouth of Randy Halasan.

If the name doesn’t ring a bell, well, he is the first Dabawenyo to ever receive the Nobel Prize of Asia. The board of trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) cited him for Emergent Leadership.

Halasan was given the award for “his purposeful dedication in nurturing his Matigsalug students and their community to transform their lives through quality education and sustainable livelihoods, doing so in ways that respect their uniqueness and preserve their integrity as indigenous peoples in a modernizing Philippines.”

“As an educator, I am very proud that the lone Filipino Ramon Magsaysay Awardee is a teacher by profession,” said Lorenzo E. Mendoza, who is with the regional office of the Department of Education in Davao City.

“Indeed, this prestigious award proves that doing small thing with great

love is being rewarded.”

Yes, Halasan is a public school teacher in Pegalongan Elementary School in Sitio Pegalongan, Malamba, Marilog District. Randy Halasan studied and obtained his postgraduate and undergraduate degrees in Educational Management and Elementary Education, from the University of Southeastern Philippines.

“Five days a week, he goes to school, teach his students and at the end of each day, come home and prepare for another day,” wrote managing editor Neilwin Joseph L. Bravo in a profile he wrote for Edge Davao.

“He wished life as a teacher is as simple as that.”

The RMAF agrees. “It is a truism that it takes a village to raise a child,” it said in a press statement.

“But it seems equally true that it takes just one person to launch this collective process of education. In the Philippines, where a public school system has been in place for over a century, many communities remain either unserved or underserved.

“Where physical access is difficult and dan-

gerous, government’s presence weak and facilities are meager, and people are too poor to even claim an education, the work of public school teachers is nothing less than heroic, and yet largely goes unheralded,” the RMAF further said.

According to Bravo, to get to Pegalongan, “Randy travels two hours by bus, another hour by ‘habal-habal’ motorcycle, plus around four hours of trekking,

which includes crossing two treacherous rivers -Simod River and Davao River -- that at times go as high as his chest.

The rivers that separate Pegalongan’s school and the communities spell life and death.”

Many lives have been lost crossing the rivers, Halasan told Bravo.

In fact, he almost got drowned himself. “Not even that stops Randy.

He keeps pushing even if the journey to Pegalongan is life risking. In one

of his treks to Marilog, he and some pupils almost lost their lives traversing the raging Davao River. It is a journey he has chosen to take with the community and his students, who also cross the chestdeep river everyday just to be educated.”

It was in 2007 when Halasan first arrived in Pegalongan. He was one of only two teachers in a two-room schoolhouse, teaching multi-grade classes between Grades 1 and 6. “There was no

electricity, amenities were primitive, and the place was virtually cut off from communication with the outside world.

The young novice teacher’s first thought was that he would seek a reassignment out of the place the first chance he could get,” the RMAF press statement said.

But something must have happened along the way. “My first grade that I taught is grade one and two and it’s a multi grade class and after

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HUMBLE BEGINNINGS. Randy Halasan finished college at the University of Southeastern Philippines in 2003. He was a simple, unassuming student who was kind at heart and humble.

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His assignment at Pegalongan Elementary School was a no-choice situation for him being the only available teaching position at that time.

that I transfer to grade five and six. I was their adviser when the school held its first closing exercise and it’s a memorable to me because I saw the happiness in their eyes the essence if you are already graduated,” Halasan told Bravo.

What Halasan thought was only for a short time became seven years -- and thinking of staying good. The RMAF observed: “Moved by compassion for the children who have to walk miles and cross rivers just to get to school, and who often fall asleep in class from hunger and fatigue, and driven by a sense of duty to help the impoverished and defenseless forest tribals against the encroachments of powerful outsiders, Halasan has embraced the Matigsalug community as his own.

He has turned down offers for reassignment, and his family often does not see him for many weeks on end.”

On his sixth year at Pegalongan Elementary School, he became the head teacher. With such capacity, “Halasanproactively lobbied with higher authorities to expand the Pegalongan school. What was once a two-room, two-teacher schoolhouse is now a permanent school with nine rooms, eight teachers, and 210 students.”

Here’s what RMAF further said: “Through his representation, a cultural-minority high school has been established, withHalasan as teacher-in-charge. Convinced that education is key to the Matigsalug’s survival in a changing world, he has convinced parents to keep their children in school; dis-

couraged the customary practices of early and arranged marriages; and promoted values of selfhelp and egalitarianism in the community.”

Halasan, however, has done more than those. He even helps the people living in Matigsalug to address food security. “If I only focus on education, nothing will happen; the children will continue to go hungry,” he was quoted as saying.

Bravo noted this in his article: “Randy asked help from agencies in the city so that the farmers can be trained on planting vegetables and durable crops. He also solicited seedlings to get the people start planting new crops. In time, the community has nurseries and vegetable gardens in their backyards.”

According to oral tradition, the word Pegalongan means “the place from which the light shines.” Because of one highly motivated civil servant such as Halasan, the village has become truly what its name suggests.

Last August 31, Halasan joined with other awardees (Hu Shuli and Wang Canfa, both from China; Saur Marlina Manurung from Indonesia; Omara Khan Masoudi from Afghanistan, and The Citizens Foundation from Pakistan) to receive a certificate, a medallion bearing the likeness of the late President Magsaysay, and a cash prize. They will be formally conferred the Magsaysay Award during formal Presentation Ceremonies to be held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

“The Magsaysay awardees of 2014,” said RMAF President Car-

mencita Abella, “are truly beacons of progress in Asia. All of them are creating bold solutions to deeply-rooted social problems in their respective societies, problems which are most damaging to the lives of those trapped in poverty, ignorance, and unjust systems.

“Their inspiring and path-breaking leadership addresses very diverse areas -- education for the poor and marginalized, environmental justice for pollution victims, increased transparency and accountability in corporate and public governance, and the restoration of cultural pride – and yet it is clear that each of this year’s Magsaysay awardees is building more hopeful lives among their people -one smart, responsible, and persistent step at a time.”

Since 1958, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is being given to persons - regardless of race, nationality, creed or gender - who address issues of human development in Asia with courage and creativity, and in doing so have made contributions which have transformed their societies for the better.

Halasan is the fourth person from Mindanao to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award. In 1974, Rev. Fr. William Francis Masterson was recognized for “his multinational education and inspiration of rural leaders prompting their return to and love of the land.”

Masterson, an American from New York, was the man behind the Southeast Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute

(SEARSOLIN) based at the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City.

Every year, the institute trained 50 rural leaders from Asian countries for eight months in applied agriculture and organization of farmers.

Eleven years later, in 1985, Rev. Harold Watson was given the recognition for “encouraging international utilization of the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) created by him and his co-workers to help the poorest of small tropical farmers.”

Watson, also an American who grew up in Mississippi, was the former director of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) based in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. Aside from SALT, the center also conducts training on various sustainable and organic farming systems.

In 2004, Benjamin Abadiano was cited for “his steadfast commitment to indigenous Filipinos and their hopes for peace and better lives consonant with their hallowed ways of life.”

To those who may not have heard of Abadiano, he was the executive coordinator for Tabang Mindanaw. He developed a rehabilitation program that integrated social welfare, governance, and livelihood measures with peace building. He was raised by his grandparents and educated at Xavier University.

In the beginning, there were only four awardees. In the coming years, there will be more from Mindanao or whose roots are from this island!

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EDGEDAVAO

S9 LAUREATES. With President Aquino during the Presentation Ceremonies, Randy Halasan (extreme left) joins fellow Ramon Magsaysay laureates (r-l) Hu Shuli, Saur Marlina Manurung, Omara Khan Masoudi, The Citizen’s Foundation representatives and Wang Canfa. RMAF photo

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‘A great passion to serve’ DELIVERING HIS SPEECH. Randy Halasan pays tribute to all Filipino teachers as President Aquino listens intently. RMAF photo

M

I N DA NAWO N public school teacher Randy Halasan, the lone Filipino among five Asians who received Sunday the Ramon Magsaysay Award, said in his acceptance speech that he “never expected” to receive the award.

“This is an extraordinary award and it makes me feel very happy and fulfilled,” the 31-year old teacher of Pegalungan Elementary School in the hinterlands of Marilog, Davao City, said during the awarding of what is touted as Asia’s version of the Nobel Prize, streamed live from the Cultural Center of the Philippines from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

“For me, being a Magsaysay awardee is not about becoming popular.

Rather, it is a strong call to have a greater passion to serve our fellow Filipinos and to become a true role model and inspiration for others,” Halasan said.

“We can build a strong Philippines,” he said, “if we open our hearts to serve the people without expecting any personal return.”

Halasan added that challenges and obstacles can be overcome “if we are determined, patient

and hardworking.”

“Mabuhay po ang mga Pilipino, Mabuhay po ang gurong Pilipino” (Long live the Filipinos, Long live the Philippine teachers), he said.

Halasan narrated that his dream was to be a lawyer or doctor but when he was in college, his father died and he had to work to send himself to school. Given his limited resources, “I therefore studied teaching.”

He recalled how, as a newly-appointed teacher, he first set foot on January 8, 2007 in Pegalungan Elementary School, “the farthest school in all of Davao City,” and told himself “I have to transfer immediately.’ I knew I will not be happy there.”

But as the days passed, “when I saw the poverty in the community, when I saw in the people’s eyes and gestures that they needed me, I began to love who they are and their simple lives. “ He said elder Matigsalugs “openly cried” during the first graduation rites because “they never imagined to see their children finish elementary education, given Pegalungan’s remoteness and isolation.

It takes Halasan sev-

en hours to reach Pegalungan from his house in Davao City – two hours by bus, an hour by habal-habal motorcycle and three hours on foot, crossing two treacherous rivers.

The number of teacher in his school has since increased (there were only two of them in 2007, teaching all grade levels), other school facilities have been constructed and they have opened a high school that “benefits not only te Matigsalugs of Davao but also from Bukidnon.” Marilog is located along the boundary with Bukidnon province.

But Halasan said he was “not happy seeing my hungry students and their impoverished families” so even if he had become school in charge since 2010, “I could not concentrate only on formal education. I decided to extend my world to the community so they could learn how to make their ancestral lands productive.”

He encouraged the community to plant cacao, rubber, coffee and other fruit trees. “and the tribe is now practicing multicropping to become food sufficient.” They also planted hundreds of trees along the riverbanks to prevent erosion and floods.

“My vision for the

Matigsalug in Pegalungan is to uplift their lives from poverty. This was also the vision of the late President Magsaysay who showed his passion and commitment to serve everyone equally and to ensure justice to all Filipinos,” Halasan said.

He explained that nobody gets rich from teaching “but a teacher like me gets rich from sharing knowledge, values and positive attitude to the community.”

Halasan thanked his co-teachers, the Davao City government, field officers in education, agriculture and environment agencies and other generous partners for helping him in his development efforts.

“My deep gratitude also goes to the people of Sitio Pegalungan, officials and tribal elder, our students and their families.

They believe in our vision of a dedicated and foodsufficient community,” Halasan said.

He also thanked his former district supervisor, Ava Marie Santiago, the Bato Balani Foundation “and the media who called public attention to our work,” his family for their “unconditional love and acceptance has encouraged me through all the frustrations and dan-

gers” and God for always giving him strength.

Halasan, who received the award for Emergent Leadership, is being recognized for “his purposeful dedication in nurturing his Matigsalug students and their community to transform their lives through quality education and sustainable livelihoods, doing so in ways that respect their uniqueness and preserve their integrity as indigenous peoples in a modernizing Philippines.”

Halasan was the last awardee to deliver his response before President Benigno Simeon Aquino III delivered his message.

In his speech, Aquino said that for those who strive to make this world a more inclusive place, the road to empowerment begins in the place of learning. “The innovations of Ms. Saur Marlina Manurung and Mr. Randy Halasan, who have poured their hearts and souls into their work to educate indigenous communities, bear witness to this. Along with more traditional classroom subjects, they are teaching immediately applicable life skills, such as farming and awareness of the basic rights of each individual,” Aquino said.

Established in 1957,

the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honor and is widely regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

The Award celebrates the memory and leadership example of the President who died in a plane crash. It is given “every year to individuals or organizations in Asia who manifest the same selfless service that ruled the life of the late and beloved Filipino leader,” the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) website said.

Aside from Halasan, the other winners are journalist Hu Shuli and environmental laywer Wang Canfa from China, educator Saur Marlina Manurung from Indonesia, Omara Khan Masoudi from Afghanistan for protecting Afghan cultural heritage, and The Citizens Foundation from Pakistan for “the social vision and high-level professionalism of its founders and those who run its schools, in successfully pursuing their conviction that, with sustained civic responsiveness, quality education made available to all—irrespective of religion, gender, or economic status—is the key to Pakistan’s brighter future.”

(MindaNews)

EDGEDAVAO S12 DPWH 11 CITES AEON TOWERS FOR FIXING FLOOD WOES S

VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

AY goodbye to flooding at least in that dreaded J.P. Laurel section.

For many years, the Bajada road in J.P. Laurel has been always filled with flood every time heavy rains pour in the city. The flooding in the area has been a headache to motorists who almost always end up with mechanical trouble as cars get submerged to knee-high waters after an hour of heavy downpour.

Commuters are also affected with the occurrence since they will be stranded for a long-hour in the area.

To mitigate the problem of flood in the area, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) installed drainage in the area to unclog all the water in the road during rainy days. They called it Veloso Main Drainage which aims to unclog the flood. However, the size of the drainage culverts is not enough to pass off the waters in due time. What happens is that it takes long hours before the high waters will subside.

When the Aeon Towers project entered in the area the situation has started to change.

According to DPWH First Engineering District Construction Chief Engr. Milagros E. Delos Reyes, they asked Aeon Towers developer FTC to build a drainage system that will catch all the water during floods.

Delos Reyes said that this project is part of their requirements when Aeon Towers applied for a building permit.

Delos Reyes said that the management of Aeon Towers religiously complied with the requirements since this will be also for the good to their business.

Delos Reyes said that she did not expect they will make a bigger one that will really mitigate the flooding during rainy days. She said that the Aeon Towers constructed 70-meter length box-culvert drainage. It has a dimension of 2.5 meters in height same as the width. She said that even a seven-foot tall man can walk under the drainage.

“If I am going to describe the drainage they made, it is permanent and structurally prepared to unclog the flooding in the area,” Delos Reyes said.

She said that all the flood water in the area will first pass on their drainage which is now the main drainage in the area going to the culvert of Abreeza Mall, Veloso down to the city’s main drainage in Dacudao Avenue.

DPWH said that FTC offered the structure to relocate the main drainage inside their property. She said if their agency will spend the project it has a rough estimate of P3.5 million.

The project has started last week of May and completed on June 20 this year.

After the completion of the project, flooding became a rarity in the area despite the onset of the rainy season. (Armando B. Fenequito Jr.)

VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

S13

EDGEDAVAO

Randy’s story: A year after

NEWSMAKER. Randy Halasan first broke into the news in Davao City when Edge Davao published his story last year, followed by three more cover stories, a personal meeting with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, as well as radio and television interviews.

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

A

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 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 31year old graduate of stateowned University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) in Davao City.

After the announcement of Randy’s selection 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 teach-

ing 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 recogni-

tion 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 Rodrigo 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 he happy 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.

S14

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

IN EVERYTHING, THERE ARE PRIZES THAT MATTER.

THE FIFA WORLD CUP Most acclaimed prize in football

THE COCA COLA PPI TROPHY Most acclaimed prize for the country’s Best Edited Community Newspaper (2013)

BECAUSE THE ONE JUDGE THAT MATTERS IS YOU.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

THE BIG NEWS

FAST FRIDAYS. Intern Janessa Ford and spiritual director Madel Dapit of Tebow CURE Hospital (left photo) talk about the hospital’s focus of giving physical and spiritual healing while Matina Enclaves project head Gerard Garces and

3

architect James Magdadaro give reporters an update on the development project during last week’s edition of Fast Fridays at Archipelago 7107 by Barrio Fiesta at SM Lanang Premier. Lean Daval Jr.

Rody rejects A military coup

Visayas-Mindanao interconnect nixed

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

M

AYOR Rodrigo R. Duterte has categorically declared he will not join a government that is a product of military destabilization or coup d’etat.

The issue surfaced after his lawyer, Salvador Panelo,told reporters of a military destabilization plot in a press conference in Manila last week.

In a report from balita.net.ph, Panelo told Manila reporters that

there are destabilization plots against the Aquino administration and that two military generals had gone to Duterte to ask him support to them.

Panelo added that the generals wanted Duterte to be the President once the destabilization succeeds.

He said the reason the generals want to oust Aquino was the rampant corruption in his administration as exemplified

RESPECT. The daughter of one of the newly-wed couples of Friday afternoon’s “Kasalan sa Barangay” in Barangay 19-B El Rio Vista Village, Bacaca

by the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

When Davao City reporters asked Duterte on Thursday night to confirm Panelo’s statement, the mayor shook his head and said as a lawyer,he will not join a government which is a product of a destabilization plot made by the military.

“Pag-kudetamo-

dihaogkamolang, ayawko’giapil (Go on with your coup d’etat by yourselves, don’t involve me),” he said.

According to Panelo, Duterte told the generals to give President Aquino another chance since he has less than two years left in his term.

Panelo also said he was “very certain”Duterte will run for President in 2016 despite Duterte’srepeated denials.

kisses the hand of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte who administered the mass wedding. Lean Daval Jr.

crc@edgedavao.net

N executive of AboitizPower Corporation said instead of linking the Visayas and Mindanao power grids, investments should be increased in the power sector of Mindanao to solve the perennial power crisis in the island region.

“Instead of putting up a submarine cable, why not just built more power plants instead?”

AboitizPower first vice president for Mindanao Manuel M. Origsaid during the plenary session of the recent 23rd Mindanao Business Conference at KCC Mall.

Orig said the establishment of an under-

water cable will cost higher than setting up a power plant, either from a renewable or a non-renewable source.

Energy Secretary Jericho Petillahad earlier said the interconnection is a long-term measure to ease the power crisis in Mindanao.

“The interconnection is there to balance because the power situation is not the same every now and then. There will be deficiencies and there will be excesses, so it is good that we will have this line,” Petilla said.

He said the underwater cable project would cost the National Grid

HE Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 11 has expressed its opposition to the proposed bill of four congressmen, including Davao City third district representative Isidro Ungab, which seeks to ban mining activities in Davao City.

MGB-11 Mine Management Division officer-in-charge lawyer WilfredoMoncano told reporters in last Friday’s Kapihan sa PIA that House Bill (HB) 4348 “seeking to ban all mining operations in Davao City” is contrary to the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

Moncano said that there are also some assertions in the proposed

bill that are “contrary to reality,” such as the claim that large-scale mining has not contributed to the growth of the city’s economy.

“It is not true because large-scale mining companies such as Holcim-which is engaged in large-scale mining – are paying their taxes correctly,” he said.

Moncano said there are other sides of the city that can be explored for mineral deposits that can be used for economic growth.

“Minerals are one of the generators of wealth which can be used for other economic activities,” he said.

Moncano admitted

FVISAYAS, 10

MGB exec opposes mining ban in Davao T

FMGB, 10

4 THE ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

GenSan tuna industry to boost trade in ASEAN T HE tuna industry here could be a key contributor to the foreseen surge in trade exchanges within the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with the commencement of the regional economic integration next year.

Senator Cynthia Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, gave this assessment as she declared that the country’s fishery sub-sector, as bannered by the tuna industry, is presently considered as among the most ready and competitive for the 2015 ASEAN integration.

She said the tuna industry, which is mainly based in this city, has emerged as one of the top performers in the country’s agriculture sector as seen with its expanding reach in the export markets.

In 2013, she said government data showed that the country shipped around $1.43 billion worth of fishery products, with fresh and processed tuna accounting for around $632 million.

Villar described such export performance for tuna as the best in the last decade based on the recorded exports of just around $117 million in 2003.

“We should capitalize of these competitive advantages and enhance our strengths as we approach a more integrated regional economy in 2015,” she said in her keynote speech at the opening of the 16th National Tuna Congress at the SM Trade Hall here on Thursday afternoon.

To sustain its competitiveness, Villar said the industry needs to focus its efforts on addressing various fishery-related issues and concerns, specifically on sustainability.

She said specific precautionary measures should be in place to ensure long-term sustainability for the country’s fishery resources.

Villar cited the need for the industry and the country to observe international treaty obligations on food safety as well as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

She said tuna industry players need to fully comply with the conservation and management measures set by international fishery conventions that involves the country.

These include regulations set by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.

“There’s no question that we need to maintain a good balance between the requirements for increased production to contribute to food sufficiency against the need to conserve and protect our resources,” she said.

Around 500 domestic and foreign tuna industry players are currently gathered here for the two-day congress, which mainly centers on “bringing the Philippine Tuna to greater heights and making quality the forefront of trade strategy.”

The congress, which was organized by the

Socksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc., carries the theme “Shared Resources, Shared Responsibility.”

The tuna congress is among the highlights of the city’s 46th city charter anniversary and 16th Tuna Festival, which opened on Friday.

Dubbed the country’s “tuna capital,” this city has hosted the National Tuna Congress since it was first staged 15 years ago.

The city hosts six of the country’s seven tuna canneries and other related ventures that generate an average of nearly $300 million in annual export receipts. (MindaNews)

next year.

The project is being undertaken by a local developer, the Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) against big players.

Garces said their competitive edge is that the company can “confidently claim that we have the lowest prices in the market.”

“We offer functionality and not merely living in a boxy home,” he said.

Garces said they are also banking on the location which is right beside a golf course.

“It will provide the residents with suburban comforts without being far from the city, as it is a five-minute walk away from SM City Davao and near major schools and universities,” he said.

Magdadaro, for his part, said the design of the homes is “modern contemporary with the usage of straight lines and shed type roofing.”

“The property was designed to eliminate pedestrian and vehicular travel and promotes going around on foot,” he added.

Alveo Land’s Signature Address in Abreeza Davao wins award. Alveo Land’s Abreeza Residences has been adjudged as the Best Condominium Development in Davao at the 2014 Philippines Property Awards. In partnership with Accendo Commercial Corp., it is the maiden residential offering in

Matina Enclaves moving on schedule

C

ONSTRUCTION work on Matina Enclaves is moving on schedule as the road network of Phase 1 or “The Plains” has been completed and four units have been built in Phase 2, or “The Courtyard.”

Speaking to reporters in last Friday’s Fast Fridays at Archipelago 7107 by Barrio Fiesta at SM Lanang Premier, project head Gerald Garces and architect James Magdadaro said the construction of the medium-rise condominiums will begin in March

the equally pioneering Abreeza district in Davao City — the first masterplanned Ayala township in the region. Receiving the award are Ayala Land Group Head for Visayas-Mindanao and Superblock Projects Emilio J. Tumbocon and Alveo Land Project Manager for Visayas-Mindanao VC Bacungan.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

THE ECONOMY

5

APT Global’s contract as MRT-3 provider extended A

UTRE Porte Technique Global Inc. (APT Global) will remain the maintenance provider of the Metro Rail

Transit (MRT) 3 after its contract was extended Friday.

The Department of Transportation and Com-

munications (DOTC) said that while the maintenance contract expired, the agency has yet to decide on a new mainte-

nance provider.

DOTC spokesperson Michael Arthur Sagcal told reporters that the contract extension will be

on an interim on a monthto-month basis wherein APT Global will continue to receive P57 million a month.

The DOTC is currently in the process of bidding out a P2.25 billion, threeyear contract for the MRT3 system’s maintenance.

Potential bidders have until October 13 to submit their offers. The contract is meanwhile set to

be awarded by December.

Instead of a one-year contract, the DOTC will extend it to three years to attract large maintenance providers with greater expertise, the agency earlier said.

At present, the DOTC is exerting efforts to make the MRT-3 safe and convenient for its passengers, despite its glitches. (PNA)

DA asks airlines to lower rates for ME-bound tuna exports

T

HE Department of Agriculture has opened negotiations with Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines (PAL) for the setting of special or preferential airfreight rates for the country’s tuna exports to the Middle East.

Gil Herico, agriculture attache of the Philippine embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala is specifically seeking for reduced or lower airfreight rates than the current $2.60 to $3.60

per kilo being charged by foreign airlines to tuna shipments, which mainly come from this city.

Sec. Acala has initially reached out to chief executive officers and presidents Ramon Ang of PAL and Lance Gokongwei of Cebu Pacific regarding the move, he said.

He said his office is also assisting the talks with the two airlines, which maintain regular flights to Dubai and other key destinations in the Middle East. (MindaNews)

6

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

A

VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

Truth retold

N APPLE a day reduces risk of developing heart disease by 40 percent. This is the finding of a seven-year study of nearly half a million people in 10 areas of China with no history of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and who were not taking medication for hypertension.

Dr. Huaidong Du from Oxford, UK presented the study at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Barcelona on September 1.

The study recorded the subjects’ fruit consumption habits categorized as: never, monthly, 1-3 days per week, 4-6 days per week or daily.

“About 18 percent of the participants consumed fruit daily, and 6.3 percent never consumed fruit, with the average daily amount being 1.5 portions, about 150gs,” the study said.

Overall risk of CVD was reduced by 25 to 40 percent, according to the finding.

However, more than reducing the risk for heart dis-

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ease, the study found eating fruit also lowers blood pressure, saying that “daily fruit consumption was associated with a 3.4 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure and a 4.1 mmHg lower diastolic blood pressure by comparison to fruit abstainers.”

The importance of fruit diet in man’s health is practically a universal truth retold a million times, backed by studies like the one just discussed in Barcelona.

In the Philippines, the problem is the continued failure of parents, educators and the government to inculcate fruit consumption as an ideal habit among children. The dilemma is exacerbated by the excesses and irresponsibility of commercial media and the advertising industry. Riding high over the gullibility and ignorance of the market, this deadly tandem is notorious in promoting junk food and highly questionable panacea.

Frustrated by ineffectual government regulators, responsible members of the medical profession can just watch the anarchic situation in utter helplessness.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. CHENEEN R. CAPON BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO Reporters MEGHANN STA. INES AQUILES Z. ZONIO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA Lifestyle Photography CHA MONFORTE JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Correspondents ARLENE D. PASAJE Contributing Photographer Cartoons MUNDA • HENRYLITO TACIO • MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO AURELIO A. PEÑA • MARY Columnists: CARLOS MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. ANN “ADI”• C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • VIDA MIA VALVERDE • Economic Analysts:• ENRICO BORBON MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN EMILY “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER PEREZENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA EconomicM. Analyst:

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EDGEDAVAO

O

N a bright Saturday morning recently, an adult female Philippine Eagle was found dead in Mount Apo, leaving a seven-month old eaglet behind. Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje condemned the killing of the endangered bird.

“Upon learning the news of the eagle’s death, Paje immediately ordered the regional environment officials in Davao City to investigate the incident and to seek the assistance of the police and the local government in tracking down the perpetrator and cause the filing of appropriate criminal charges,” reported the website of the environment department.

“We are appalled by this awful news,” Paje said. “It is sad to think that while we are trying to save the endangered Philippine Eagle from extinction, there are those who are undermining our conservation efforts.”

According to Paje, the eagle was among those being monitored by the environment department and the Davaobased Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) for years. The bird was apparently felled by a bullet.

In a report by the PEF, the decomposing body of the eagle was retrieved August 14 in barangay Kapatagan, 10 kilometers away from its nesting site at sitio Mitondo, in Sibulan, Davao City. The eagle bore a crack at its keel bone, giving suspicion the bird was shot to death.

The environment chief gave assurance that the DENR “will do everything to

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

VANTAGE POINTS

7

Saving the iconic bird ensure that the THINK ON THESE! eaglet will survive through the fledgling stage.”

In July 1995, then President Fidel V. Ramos signed Proclamation No. 615 naming the Henrylito D. Tacio Philippine Eagle the country’s national bird. He said the bird is found only in the Philippines and as such should be a source of national pride.

The Philippine Eagle is listed by the International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources as among the country’s threatened birds. If the national bird dies, according to Ramos, “so will all the country’s efforts at conserving its natural resources and treasures.”

PEF executive director Dennis Salvador cited deforestation as the culprit as to why the eagles are fast disappearing from this part of the world. “Deforestation is terrible,” he pointed out. “The Philippine Eagle has become a critically endangered species because the loss of the forest had made it lose its natural habitat.”

Studies have shown that a pair of Philippine Eagle needs at least 7,000 to 13,000 hectares of forest as a nesting territory.

“If Filipinos don’t get their act together for the cause of the endangered bird,

it shall be doomed to die,” Salvador said.

PEF, which manages the eagle center in Malagos, Baguio District of Davao City, is a non-governmental organization which deals with the conservation and protection of endangered “Pithecophaga jefferyi,” described by American aviator Charles Lindbergh as “the world’s noblest flier.”

More than two decades ago, the Philippine Eagle Center became the toast of the world when it made the impossible task: having a tropical eagle born in captivity. It was the result of a long and tedious work of the PEF to save the very rare bird found only in the Philippines.

Today, the center is one of the most often visited places in Davao City. Some 30 kilometers northwest and about an hour’s ride from the heart of the city, it hosts about 100,000 tourists and visitors every year.

Almost always, people who have a close encounter with the country’s iconic bird are mesmerized by its beauty.

“They are impressive birds,” said Chad Gessele, an American from Oregon who edits Better Life Television, Inc. “Before my mini-trip there, I knew of these things, knew their basic statistics, but seeing them up close is a different deal.”

The eagle center was opened to the public in 1988. Simulating a tropical rain forest environment, it offers visitors a glimpse into the country’s forest ecosystem (as it is located at the foothills of Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak).

Here, visitors – both locals and foreigners – can see more than a dozen eagles,

some of which were rescued after they were trapped or shot.

Almost three dozens birds have been raised as part of a breeding program.

Most of them are being induced to breed in captivity. Pag-asa (a Tagalog word for “hope”) is one of its noted attractions.

Yes, it is the first tropical eagle conceived through artificial insemination.

“Pag-asa connotes hope for the continued survival of the Philippine Eagle, hope that if people get together for the cause of the eagle, it shall not be doomed to die,” says Salvador.

In the near future, PEF aims to release the captive birds and those that have been artificially bred back into its natural habitat. But “if time will come that we have enough stocks of Philippine Eagles, where shall we release them?”

Salvador asked.

In the meantime, the center has been doing its best to educate the Filipino people as to the importance of the bird and its habitat.

Guests are charged a nominal fee to enter the facility. The proceeds are used to support research and conservation efforts of the PEFI. The center depends largely on donations from individuals and multinational companies.

The question remains: Will the Philippine Eagle go the same way as the extinct dodo?

Before we forget, hunting and killing of the Philippine Eagle is punishable under Republic Act 6147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, by 12 years in jail and heavy fines.

both military and environmental threats.

Appeals for cooperation would be more fruitful also if they hold security drills in the community to heighten people’s awareness and readiness.

Such disruptive events and their frequency reveal how weak, disorganized, and easily infiltrated our barangays or communities are. It shows them to be readily intimidated, prone to disarray when their jurisdiction is trespassed or assaulted.

It also shows how poorly led they are, left helpless by their own officials in times of emergency, and sorely lacking in ability to cope.

Civil officials—barangay chair, kagawads, mayors, councilors—should head efforts to devise, in collaboration with military and police authorities, protective or defensive measures for such contingencies, including overt and covert mobilization of constituents.

As for the citizenry, such incidents should not only alarm them but cause them to demand that their officials take appropriate action, exercise leadership, and be heroic if necessary. ***** In general, people should view security matters as everyone’s concern, not just of the police or the armed forces. It’s people after all who are victimized by raiders and other predatory forces.

And when the police or military say they cannot combat criminality and other threats without the people’s help, they should be heeded. Everyone should be concerned and act affirmatively.

To think of security as primarily a matter for the police and military to handle will only lull others into thinking they have no responsibility for securing themselves, their property, or their community.

This attitude is reinforced by the practice of reporting incidents to the police or military only when trouble develops, side-lining the civil authorities.

Governors, mayors, or barangay chairmen should not so readily surrender their leadership to the armed forces. They should not hole up in their offices during emergencies. That’s when their leadership is needed most.

Peace and order, harmony, and cooperation, are part of the mandate of political leadership.

Manny is former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific; secretary-general, Southeast Asia Publishers Association; director, development academy of Philippines; member, Philippine Mission to the UN; vice chair, Local Government Academy; member, Cory Govt’s Peace Panel; awardee, PPI-UNICEF outstanding columnist. He is president/national convenor, Gising Barangay Movement Inc. valdehuesa@gmail.com

Civil officials are also responsible for security

T’S getting to be monotonous learning that still another raid has taken place in some barangay, town, or business compound—with the raiders getting away unscathed, leaving destruction or murder in their wake.

Just days ago, raiders swooped down on a private subdivision in Bukidnon’s Manolo Fortich Town, just half an hour’s drive from Cagayan de Oro, and made off with the weapons of the subdivision’s security unit, escaping before anyone could react.

It was the latest in a series of raids in the province; each one netting the raiders more weapons and ammunition from local security units. In most cases, they also destroy or disable equipment, facilities, or infrastructure as they’ve done several times to Del Monte Philippines Inc. A week before that, a banana plantation, also belonging to Del Monte, was raided in Tubay Town in Agusan del Norte. Then again the week before that, two soldiers were abducted while on civilian duty in Impasug-ong Town, Bukidnon. They are now “prisoners of war” of the New People’s Army. ***** These outlaws are amassing quite an arsenal from their take in these raids, which they seem to be able to do at will— in the process, they embarrass both civilian and armed forces officials.

THE WORM’S EYEVIEW

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA That they do so with great success every time ought to be enough to open the eyes of civilian, police, and military authorities to the reality that current arrangements, strategies, and protocols are utterly inadequate.

To the community, it is obvious that neither their civil officials nor the police and military are up to their mission of securing people, property, or community, let alone stopping criminality—a failure that should be of the greatest concern to them.

Every time a raid occurs, all we hear are the usual noises about launching hot pursuit operations, barricading roadways traversed by the raiders (which they’re not likely to use so soon after!), and lame admonitions about the need for vigilance and cooperation of the people.

But the raids go on anyway—successfully! You’d think it would rouse officials to earnestly review the security situation and figure out what can be done or devise more effective strategies. ***** The least they can do is to make clear to everyone what role or action to take when threats arise. This holds true for

8

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

42 YEARS

OF TOPNOTCH SERVICE

42 years ago, Davao Security and Investigation Agency, Inc. (DASIA) pioneered the industry when Davao City was just struggling to its feet.

A brainchild of the late visionary Ret. Col. Emilio Escandor, DASIA epitomized the growth of a home-grown enterprise into a competitive brand that has expanded to the rest of the country’s islands.

Today, as Davao City emerges to become the country’s most promising local economy, DASIA likewise has stretched its reach to serve the country with its topnotch service that has earned the accolade of the Philippine National Police as Most Outstanding Security Agency of the Year in 2012 and 2013.

As a private security provider to major establishments in Davao City, DASIA takes pride in having contributed to the city’s status as one of the most liveable cities in the world. That commitment, built around years of dedicated service and the strong resolve to power itself with modern equipment and training, is the solid foundation DASIA’s name will be forever be known.

CARRY ON, DASIA. Greetings from:

DAVAO SECURITY AND INVESTIGATION AGENCY INC. A member of the Escandor Group of Companies

Matina Enclaves exclusivity within reach

VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

9

16

Years Business with a Heart An oasis in the heart of Davao’s bustling metropolis, The Royal Mandaya Hotel is as iconic as Davao’s durian, eagles and Mt. Apo. It’s actually more of a symbiotic existence.

The Royal Mandaya Hotel prides itself as one truly Dabawenyo luxury hotel. In the same breath, Davao City puts its best hospitality foot forward with the authentic Dabawenyo feel and flavors that’s put to life by The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

A city known for being proud of its heritage, Davao City has The Royal Mandaya Hotel to call its very own.

Now at 16 years, The Royal Mandaya Hotel continues to serve Davao City’s guests with that unique Dabawenyo hospitality guided by its anniversary slogan -Business With A Heart.

Greetings from:

Matina Enclaves exclusivity within reach

10 NEWS

The... FFROM 2

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

opening, it’s certainly been the right decision.

It’s a great place to have the hospital. We have a big opportunity to help a lot of children.”

Never turn a child away The most common ailment CURE treats is clubfoot, which medical director Dr. Espiridion Reyes said occurs in one out of every 1,000 live births. It is a very treatable condition using the Ponseti method, which involves manipulating the affected foot or feet and, in severe cases, a surgical correction. Done early enough, the treatment is almost a hundred percent successful.

Unfortunately, many poor families cannot afford to have their chil-

dren treated, so these grow up with a deformity that prevents them from actively pursuing life.

This is what CURE wants to address through subsidies and outright free treatment.

“In CURE we say, ‘We’ll never turn a child away,’” Lehman said.

This means using every means in order to make sure that no patient is left untreated just because there is no money. Tim Tebow may be the biggest donor, but the hospital also counts on other sponsors like churches, foundations, and individual donors.

Patients who are subsidized or treated for free are of course screened by social workers to make sure their families really need the

help, but Lehman said CURE would apply this with a degree of laxity.

“We’re willing to be taken advantage of to an extent,” he said. For those living far away from Davao City and can’t afford transportation, CURE will even provide fare for the patient and some family members.

Healing changes everything Tebow CURE Hospital is targeted for opening in November, with Lehman and Dr. Reyes currently working hard on its license from the Department of Health (DOH).

It will “soft open” with an initial 17 beds and a staff of 55, including about 10 doctors. The grand opening will be in February next week, and Lehman said Tebow

has committed to being present.

The building has six floors, and at the time of this writing the facilities are “99 percent complete,” according to Lehman. Aside from two operating rooms and wards/rooms for the patients, the hospital will have a rehabilitation center and “Timmy’s Playroom,” a place “where kids can be kids,” Lehman said.

Filled with toys and games, the room aims to bring faith, hope, and love to patients and their families.

And this is really at the core of what CURE does. Lehman said the organization leans heavily on Luke 9:2 in the Bible, which says, “… and he (Jesus) sent them

Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the investor of the project, an estimated $1billion if it will take the Leyte-Surigao route.

The cost of a NegrosZamboanga route is still undetermined.

MilfranceCapulong, regional corporate communication head of NGCP in Mindanao, said they are studying the Leyte- Ozamiz City route after finding out that the Leyte- Surigao route is not feasible because of technical issues.

Capulong said the study is expected to be finished anytime by now and construction of the cable line will start in 2016 and will be completed by 2018 A report said NGCP president Henry Syestimates the whole project to cost $500 million.

Meanwhile, Origsaid the expected excess in the power supply in Mindanao will be temporary.

Although Mindanao expects that there will be an excess in the power supply of 1,270 megawatts (MW) from 2016 to 2017 because of the commissioning of new coal-fired power plants, it will be just enough for the increasing power

demand in the island-region.

In an earlier forum, officials from the Department of Energy (DOE) had projected that demand for power will increase because of emerging industries due to development in Mindanao by 2018. They said there will be a power shortage by 2020.

“By then, Mindanao will not be capable anymore of rechanneling excess power because there will be a shortage again,” Orig said.

This developed as the NGCP said it is studying new routes for the Visayas-Mindanao grid.

Fernando S. Javier, head for Mindanao System Planning of NGCP, told reporters on the sidelines of the Mindanao Power Summit at The Marco Polo, Davao that the country’s transmission provider is eyeing either the Cebu- Zamboanga del Norte or the Southern Negros- Zamboanga del Norte routes.

“These are the two closest islands in terms of proximity aside from the Leyte- Surigao route which was already rejected because of technical issues,” he said.

Javier said it is impossible to install the

submarine cable in the Leyte- Surigao route because of the depth.

“Based on our study, it will be harder because the Surigao Deep is there. It is 1,000 meters below the sea bed. The submarine cable will be at risk,” he said.

He also said an earthquake fault line and volcanoes were found in the route that was first proposed in the study conducted by Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA) in the 1980s.

There are also bombs from the World War II that did not explode.

“JICA failed to identify these possible hazards because when they conducted the study in the 1980s there was still no sophisticated machine or equipment that can identify what’s on the sea bed,” Javier said.

NGCP’s initial study on the new route revealed that the length of the submarine cable that will connect the power grid of Mindanao and Visayas will be doubled.

“It will probably reach to an estimated of 50 kilometer-long cables because it is a

longer route compared with the 23 kilometers for the Leyte- Surigao route,” Javier said.

He said the estimated cost of the whole project might increase from the original $500 million estimation of NGCP president Henry Sy because of the longer route.

Aside from the submarine cable, NGCP will be also installing a new inland overhead transmission line.

Javier said it will be up to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) if there will be an increase in transmission rate.

He said NGCP still does not have an idea on how the interconnectivity will affect power rates and bills of consumers in the macro and micro levels. He said the ERC has not approved the project yet because it is still in the stage of a feasibility study.

Despite some changes in possible routes to be taken, Javier is still positive that the project will be finished by 2018 if it will commence by 2016.

“We are targeting to finish the study this year,” he said.

that there adverse effects of mining in the environment, but he said the city can choose companies whose advocacy is responsible mining.

Moncano also pointed out that if the four congressmen insist on

the bill, “the sand and gravel quarry activities in the city would be also prohibited.”

He added, however, that MGB will respect the measure if it passes into law.

The proposed law

aims to slap a penalty of imprisonment of six to 12 years and a fine of P100,000 to P500,000 at the court’s discretion against violators. Violating corporation will also face permanent revocation of their license to

operate.

The measure also provides that existing mining operations will be given two years to wind down and close operations upon the approval of the proposed Act. ABF

Visayas...FFROM 3

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(the 12 disciples) out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

“We prioritize both,” he said. CURE hospitals do not just treat the physical ailments of the patients, they also share the Gospel to them and their families. The message is not forced on the patients, however; the preaching of the Word is made real as it is paired with the good work of healing. “Our mission is clear,” Lehman said.

“We’re here to be Jesus to everyone we meet.”

He also said CURE has a tagline: “Healing changes everything.”

“The people that we serve,” he continued, “they’re typically not life or death situations.

Usually they’re elective surgeries, and what we Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a TH FREIGHT TRUCK Service MICHAEL JOSEPH A. PIATOS, Petitioner Case No.2014-XI-00657

x- - - - - - - - -- - - -----x

NOTICE OF HEARING Applicant requests authority for a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a TH FREIGHT TRUCK SERVICE for the transportation of freight on the route.

WITHIN DAVAO CITY AND FROM SAID PLACE TO ANY POINT IN THE ISLAND OF MINDANAO ACCESSIBLE TO MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC AND VICE VERSA with the use of THREE (3) units.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on SEPTEMBER 22, 2014 at 09:20 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 27th day of August 2014 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

find in Africa is that these disabled children have no hope for the future. There is shame in them and their family. Often they don’t get an education. If they do they’re probably made fun of. They’re outcasts.

All these issues surrounding them make it difficult for them to become real functioning part of society.”

Lehman said when a child comes in and can’t walk, CURE treats him or her “and we send them walking with two legs. Instead of being somebody who’s an outcast and ashamed of his or her physical condition, it puts them back to the ability to support family, the ability to get a job, the ability to be part of the community.”

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service RIVELLA DIGAL VERFUERTH, Petitioner

Case No. 99-XI-00911 x- - - - - - - - -- - - -----x

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ-DUAL Ordinary Regular Service on the route: MULIG ROUTE and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which certificate will expire on October 5,2015. In the petition filed on August 28, 2014, petitioner request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 at 09:20 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 28th day of August 2014 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

11 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

THE LOOMING WAR OVER WATER

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

A

FTER signing the historic accord in 1979 that brought peace between Israel and Egypt, President Anwar Sadat commented: “The only matter that could take Egypt to war again is water.”

“The world has got a very big water problem,” says Sir Crispin Tickell, former British ambassador to the United Nations and one of the organizers of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. “It will be the progenitor of more wars than oil.”

Humans use an enormous amount of water.

“We dam rivers, pump groundwater, and siphon lakes and rivers to grow our food, quench our thirst, spur our industry,” writes Jerome Casagrande, director of Environmental Innovations Initiative.

“We use our rivers, lakes, and oceans intentionally and unintentionally as dumping grounds for our waste. We fell the forests and pave the land, reducing the soil’s ability to retain water – so more water flows to the sea and become unavailable for irrigation, industrial use or drinking, not to mention unavailable to the plants and animals with

whom we share the land,” Casagrande adds.

“Water is the most precious asset on Earth,” points out Dr. Sandra Postel, director of the Massachusetts-based Global Water Policy Project. “It is the basis of life.”

Next to air, water is the element most necessary for survival. Water makes up more than 60 percent of your body weight. Proteins make up only 18 percent while fats encompass 15 percent, minerals 4 percent, carbohydrates 2 percent, and vitamins less than one percent.

Your brain contains 74 percent water, blood contains 83 percent water, lean muscle has 75 percent water, and bone has 22 percent water. A lack of water affects everything from your digestive tract to your immune system. It also helps regulate your body temperature.

If you are short serving yourself on water, you’re making yourself sick. In his book, Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, Dr. F. Batmanghelidj proposes a paradigm-shifting theory: Chronic, unintentional dehydration is the root of many of your serious maladies, including asthma, arthritis, lower back pain, and hyperten-

sion.

“Your body maintains its fluid volume by a system of electrolytic mineral exchange in and out of your body’s cells,” explains Dr. Julian Whitaker, an American medical author with extensive experience in the fields of preventive medicine and natural healing. “The mineral central to this is sodium. When water volume is suboptimal, the kidneys reabsorb more sodium, which is followed by a rise in fluid levels in the body. Because adequate hydration is so important, the body is remarkably efficient at maintaining water balance.”

What happens when you drink less water frequently? “If fluid losses are too great or water intake chronically deficient,” Dr. Whitaker points out, “your body makes adjustments to maintain fluid and blood flow to the areas most crucial for life. Blood is shunted from less essential tissues in the peripheral areas so that the brain, heart, and other vital organs continue to receive enough to meet their basic needs.”

The editors of Super Life, Super Health contend our busy body loses 10 to 12 cups of water

every day just from all the normal things we do.

When we sweat, urinate, excrete waste, or even just breathe, we’re getting rid of some of the moisture. We also lose extra water under special circumstances, such as fever, diarrhea, kidney disease, or diabetes.

The bad news is: the Philippines is facing a water shortage. Columnist Peter Wallace contends, “A population of 170 million, a short 30 years from now, will need around 34,000 million liters per day. Metro Manila’s around 12.5 million residents need about 2,500 million liters of water per day.”

When there is a shortage of water, the Jekylland-Hyde paradox comes alive: from giving life, water turns into a “killing machine.” “I understood when I was just a child that without water, everything dies,” Marq de Villiers once observed.

“Children, especially those below three years old, are more vulnerable and susceptible to diseases caused by disasters like flooding and water shortage,” explains Dr. Marinus Gotink, UNICEF’s chief of the health and nutrition division.

In 24 provinces, one of every five residents quaffs water from dubious sources, the Philippine Human Development Report points out.

These provinces are: Sulu, Maguindanao, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Masbate, Zamboanga del Norte and Sur, Negros Oriental and Occidental, Sultan Kudarat, Palawan, Camarines Norte, Leyte, Misamis Occidental, Apayao, Quezon, North Cotabato, Bukidnon, Iloilo, Guimaras, Agusan del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, Ilocos Norte, and Benguet.

Today’s “crisis in water and sanitation is – above all – a crisis of the poor,” says the United Nations Development Program study, Beyond Scarcity: Power, Poverty and the Water Crisis. In Tawi-Tawi province, 82 out of every 100 residents lack safe water. (Compare that with three in Bataan province and 39 in Capiz.) It is obscene “if people cannot drink water without courting disease or death,” says Postel, who wrote The Last Oasis.

“You cannot wash filthy water,” the Arab proverb says.

According to the government’s monitoring data, just

over 36 percent of the river systems in the Philippines are classified as sources of public water supply. Up to 58 percent of groundwater sampled is contaminated with coliform and needs treatment.

Approximately 31 percent of illnesses monitored for a five-year period were also caused by water-borne sources, and many areas are experiencing a shortage of water supply, during the dry season.

“Water, water everywhere,” wrote Samuel Taylor Coleridge in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, “but not a drop to drink.”

Only 2.5 percent of the water that covers over 70 percent of the earth’s surface is considered fresh water. And only 1.3 percent is available for human use since most of the freshwater are trapped in glaciers, ice sheets, and mountainous areas.

Fresh water is drawn either from wells (tapping underground sources called aquifers) or from surface flows (like lakes, rivers, and man-made reservoirs).

“Whiskey’s for drinkin’,” Mark Twain once wrote. “But water is for fightin’ over.”

12 CLASSIFIED

(

)

Billiard Supplies

Cell Nos.

Phone Nos.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

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EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

The 25th Philippine Travel Mart

A showcase of Mindanao’s colourful and diverse destinations

By Kenneth Irving Ong THE Philippine Travel Mart (PTM), the biggest and longest travel trade exposition that puts dream Philippine holidays “on sale” was recently held last September 5 to 7 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. As it celebrated its 25th anniversary, the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) highlighted the diversity of travel opportunities across the Philippine archipelago as expected by regular travel mart goers.

Delivering a more exciting exhibition, the PTM takes its cue from the Department of Tourism’s battle cry “Its More Fun in the Philippines” as the entire country gets ready for the much awaited ASEAN Integration in 2015 as well as the upcoming Visit Philippines Year 2015.

“We’ve been known for being friendly and accommodating, and we wanted to reinforce and weave these characteristics into this year’s travel mart.” says PTM Chairman

Ceasar Cruz “Tourism is not just about marketing the places where travellers can rest in vacation spots; it is, in fact a holistic business that involves the culture, the charm, and even the merchandises the locals offer to tourists.”

New tourism products were introduced to the travel mart attendees such as tour packages that are offered with as much as a 70% discount for exciting destination such as Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, Dumaguete, Ilocos, Bicol, Pala-

wan, and Davao; deals to steal on the country’s best luxury destinations like Bluewaters Resorts, El Nido Resorts, and Huma Island Resort; and the “Twinning” packages that

will allow travellers to mix and match their favourite local and Asian destinations such as Cebu/ Singapore, Bali/Boracay, Coron/Vietnam, Puerto Princessa/Kuala Lumpur

for as low as US$228.

A spotlight on Mindanao This year’s PTM featured the participation of all six Mindanao re-

gions with each region showcasing their colourful heritage, attractions, tourist packages, as well as new and up-and-coming

FTHE, A4

EDGEDAVAO

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UP AND ABOUT

Smart offers trips, gadgets, and more in postpaid promo Postpaid subscriptions with Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have gotten more rewarding.

The wireless services leader is giving away trips, gadgets, and gift certificates to lucky postpaid subscribers who will use its self-care channels to easily and quickly complete various customer service transactions.

At stake in Smart’s Lifestyle Rewards Promo are several units of iPhone 5S and iPad Mini; trips for two to Pearl of the Pacific Boracay, Dahilayan Adventure Park in Cagayan de Oro, and Bauan Diver’s Sanctuary in Batangas; and gift certificates from Escolta at Peninsula Manila, The Spa, and S&R. Subscribers of Freedom Plan and other postpaid packages can register to the promo by texting the following to 2213: SLRP <space> NAME/COMPLETE ADDRESS/AGE/ACCOUNT NUMBER. (Example: SLRP Juan Ramos/36 J.P. Rizal St., Dasmariñas, Makati/21/0729107382) Registration is free.

They can start earning raffle entries by paying Smart postpaid bills via banks, Smart Money, Pay and Load machines in selected Smart Stores, and other alternative payment channels (SM, SaveMore, Bayad Center, 7- El eve n , ECPay outlets, LBC, Cebuana Lhuillier); activating their phone’s MMS, GPRS, or 3G settings using the Customer Support or SIM Settings Menu, which can be downloaded for free by texting MENU to 9888; Using the online customer service portal my.Smart (smart.com.ph/account) to enroll to electronic postpaid statements or pay bills via credit card; or text LIFT to 5438 to continue to enjoy Smart postpaid services even after exceeding their credit limit (subject to Smart’s validation).

Smart postpaid subscribers can complete as many transactions as they can to earn more raffle entries until the end of the promo period on December 31. Winners will be determined via raffle draw on January 19, 2015.

For more information about Smart’s Lifestyle Rewards promo, please visit smart.com.ph/selfcare or text Self Care to 888.

BABY COMPANY DIAPER DEALS IS ON! Get great deals from your facvorite diaper brands: Mamy Poko, Drypers, EQ, Cooshies & Huggies and save more than P100 pesos on select diapers. Plus, exclusive to Mom Card members, get a Free ‘Watch Me Grow’ photo clock. Just purchase P2,000 minimum single-receipt of any diaper and toiletries brand. So visit Baby Company now and stock up on your favorite diaper brands now until September 30 only. Per DTI FTEB SPD Permit No. 2295 Series of 2014

VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

EVENT

Jack Newman visits SM Lanang Premier Spreads breastfeeding awareness and advocacy IN CELEBRATION of Breastfeeding Awareness Month this August, SM Lanang Premier officially unveiled its Breastfeeding Station as part of SM Cares Program on Women and Breastfeeding on August 10, 2014.

The Breastfeeding Station at the 3rd Level of the mall is set up to provide an alternative option for mothers to breastfeed their babies in a private and comfortable environment.

Breastfeeding, however, is allowed at any location in all SM malls to encourage interaction between mothers and their children.

Dr. Jack Newman, Canadian physician and Consultant for UNICEF’s Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, graced the launch. He was joined by Donna Metran Escosora, representative of Councilor Maria Belen Acosta, Angelia Rovie Villareal, Newborn Screening Nurse Coordinator of the Department of Health Regional Office XI, Chona Dazon, Breastfeeding Program Coordinator of the Davao City Health Office (CHO), Alex Hao, President of Lactation, Attachment, Training, Counseling, Help (LATCH) Davao, and Jason Molina, Dean of Nutrition and Dietetics of the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC).

SM Cares led by Elena Horn, Bernadette Velasco and Joanne Colayco and SM Lanang Premier Assistant Mall Manager Nick Santos welcomed the guests.

Apart from the launch of the said Breastfeeding Station, a talk by Dr. Newman was also held at the Atrium. It debunked myths on breastfeeding and encouraged participants to support and be advocates of breastfeeding.

About 600 mothers and barangay health volunteers from nearby communities such as Buhangin, Agdao, Sasa, nu-

Canadian physician and Consultant for UNICEF’s Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Dr. Jack Newman (center) leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the launch of the Breastfeeding Station at SM Lanang Premier on August 10. Joining him are representatives from Department of Health Region XI, Davao City Health Office and SM Executives.

Dr. Jack Newman signs his name on one of the breastfeeding awareness posters displayed at SM Lanang Premier’s Breastfeeding Station at the 3rd Level.

Bernadette Velasco, SM Cares Program Director for Breastfeeding, stresses on the importance of breastfeeding.

Karen Musni-Lamorena of breastfeeding support group LATCH Davao encourages UNICEF Consultant Dr. Newman talks about the participants to be breastfeeding advocates bottle feeding mentality and breastfeeding myths at the event held in the Atrium, SM Lanang propagated in our society.

Premier. trition professionals from CHO, nursing and nutrition and dietetics students from UIC, participated in the said talk to learn more about breastfeeding.

SM’s Breastfeeding Awareness celebration at SM Lanang Premier was

held in partnership with LATCH Davao, a group of very enthusiastic and active breastfeeding advocates.

The activity was part of SM’s Program on Women and Breastfeeding under SM Cares, the mall-based

division of SM Foundation, which undertakes corporate social responsibility efforts for the benefit of the community. SM aims to foster a nurturing and comfortable breastfeeding environment for mothers.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Camille, Kiko and Martin sign exclusive contracts with GMA KAPUSO stars Camille Prats, Kiko Estrada and Martin del Rosario inked exclusive contracts with GMA Network last September 2 at the GMA Network Center.

Present in the contract signing were GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment Lilybeth G. Rasonable, GMA Vice President for Entertainment Marivin T. Arayata, GMA Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl C. Sy, GMA Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi S. Lara, GMA Artist Center Assistant Vice President and Head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Unit Simoun F. Ferrer and manager Arnold Vegafria.

Kapuso actress and host Camille Prats acknowledged the challenging projects that the Network has been giving her and she’s looking forward to work and grow more as an actress in GMA. “Happy kasi ever since naman po, I’ve been very happy with my home network, and happy din ako sa mga shows

with GMA and noted that they are good addition to GMA Network’s stable of talents. “Kaya naman natin piniling mapunta sila sa atin or i-renew in the case of Camille, kasi alam natin na makakadagdag sa ating stable of talents na magagaling sa drama.”

She added that the three stars will be given drama projects to showcase their knack for act-

na they’ve been giving me, most of them are really very challenging, especially itong Second Chances na I had to cut my hair short for this role.

I took it as a really good challenge. I’m working with Direk Laurice Guillen and a really, really good ensemble cast, so very very happy, and excited.

Tsaka ngayon parang ang sarap din sa feeling na you’re still part of the network where I’ve been staying for the past years. So I’m very happy talaga where I am now, and I’m glad na mayroon ulit akong pagkakataon

na magawa ‘yung gusto kong gawin which is acting,” shares Camille.

Upon signing the contract, promising young star Kiko Estrada mentioned that he’s very pleased to be back in GMA. “I’m really thankful to GMA because they gave me a new project, Strawberry Lane, right away.

I’m back and I’m happy.

So I’m going to work harder because I want to be one of the best actors someday.”

Meanwhile, actor and endorser Martin del Rosario assured the Net-

GMA Network calls on aspiring beauty queens from all over the country to file their Miss World Philippines 2014 applications as the General Screening will be held on September 9.

Miss World Philippines 2014 opens this opportunity to single Filipinas from 17 to 24 years of age, at least five feet and six inches tall, possessing good moral character, charm, poise, and pleasing personality to join this year’s prestigious pageant.

Applicants must fill out the Official Contestant Entry Form and bring the original and photocopy of their documents (passport or NSO certified birth certificate). Upon submission of the entry form, they are also requested to bring three recent copies of 5R colored

photographs: one closeup facial shot (taken with minimal make-up) and two full-body shots.

On the General Screening, aspiring beauty queens are required to bring their casual wear, swimwear, long gown, and high heels. Qualified applicants will proceed to the Final Screening, which will be held on September 10.

Last year, the Philippines made a significant milestone as Ms Megan Young was the first Filipino to be hailed Miss World.

The Filipina who wins this coveted crown will be a shining example of the heart and soul of Filipino womanhood. The winner and her court will put her beauty to good use by caring for the marginalized women and children of the Philippines

through various charities.

The 2014 Miss World Philippines Pageant will be held in October and viewed nationwide in GMA Network. Viewers all over the world may catch it through GMA Pinoy TV.

ing. “Si Camille, she’s already doing Second Chances na talagang you’ll see a different Camille this time that will test her acting prowess talaga. And then si Kiko also, is doing primetime soap, Strawberry Lane. Si Martin, he just did a very impressive Magpakailanman, and we’re preparing a soap for him. So lahat ‘yan, drama.”

work that he will be committed in giving his best in every project that the management will give him.

“Masaya po ako dahil matagal ko nang hinihintay ang araw na ito. Ngayon po, official na Kapuso na ako. I’m very excited sa magagandang proyekto na ipagkakatiwala sa akin ng GMA and I will give my best para maipakita na pinahahalagahan ko ang tiwalang ibingay nila,” says Martin.

Rasonable shared that she is very happy that Camille, Kiko and Martin inked exclusive contracts

Miss World Philippines 2014 screening set on September 9

THE GIFTED Anne Curtis, Cristine Reyes and Sam Milby R 13

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

IF I STAY Chloe Grace Moretz, Mireille Enos PG 13

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

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Vincent Cassel, Lea Seydoux

R-16

PG 13

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

RUROUNI KENSHIN 2 / * THE GIVER Takeru Satoh / *Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep R 13 / * PG 13

12:30 | 3:10 LFS / * 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

A4 INdulge!

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

The...FFROM A1 events and destinations.

The booth of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao was a crowd-drawer with its colourful woven mats called baluy as well as other handicrafts. The photos of Tawi-tawi and Sulu’s pristine beaches also helped charm the crowd.

Highlighting their region’s unique culture and strong Spanish heritage, Region 9 offers tours and experiences that are rich in history such as Rizal’s shrine in Dapitan and Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City, but also that of nature such as Sta. Cruz Island’s pink sand beaches.

Culture and eco-adventure was the theme of the Province of South Cotabato’s pavilion, the home province of Lake Sebu and the T’boli tribe whose dream weavers are responsible for the creation of T’nalak. The province is introducing new and more exciting tourism products such as ATV tours, adventure trails, and zip lines.

Region 12 where South Cotabato is part of is also developing parasailing as a new adventure tourism product that is available all-year long.

Offering adventures from the sea, the Caraga region is the home of the famous Cloud 9 which challenges local and international surfers as well as the blue-green waters of Surigao’s Enchated River.

Beyond the mainland, one can also visit the hidden paradise of the Britania Islands or Bukasgrande Island where one can swim with stingless jellyfish.

The Dahilayan Ecopark as well as river rafting adventures are the latest offerings of Northern Mindanao with the region aiming to host their first international river raft-

DOT Assistant Secretary Art Boncato (second from left) together with Mutya ng Dabaw 2014 Franchesca Enriquez, DOT-XI’s Eden David and Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2014 Susan Batawan pose in front of the Davao pavilion.

Models show off the colorful fashion creations inspired by the many different provincial festivals of Northern Mindanao at the Philippine pavilion. ing competition by 2015.

Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival is also expected to draw visitors thanks to its rich and colourful celebration.

Aside from the Kadayawan Festival, the Davao Region offered various tour packages in conjunction to the holding of Davao City’s second Visit Davao Fun Sale, the first and only city-wide sale in the Philippines. Also Western Mindanao showcased their unique culture through dances highlighted are the re- that highlight their strong Spanish heritage. gion’s natural beauty and bounty from the islands to the highlands with ecotourism, sports tourism, and food and agri-tourism.

PTM Chairman Ceasar Cruz and Caraga’s presentations included DOT Asec Art Boncato. colourful tribal dances.

ARMM’s awe inspiring pavilion drew a huge crowd of visitors.

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

The contingent from the province of South Cotabato.

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14 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

FAST FRIDAYS. Mae Bornillo (center) explains the mechanics of Spikers Island as his co-organizers Kai del Corro (left) and Khrist Maestre (right) await their turn to answer

queries during the FAST Fridays forum at Archipelago 7107

by Barrio Fiesta at SM Lanang Premier. Lean Daval Jr.

DACS SPORTSFEST

Ateneo, HC Mintal enter semifinals

D

EFENDING champion Ateneo de Davao University and Holy Cross of Mintal scored contrasting wins to both advance into the semifinals of the high school boys basketball of the DACS Sportsfest last Friday at the UIC Bajada gym.

As usual, the MigsSolitaria-mentored Ateneo squad displayed its unstoppable running game and dominated the boards to rout St. Peter’s College of Toril, 75-50.

The Blue Knights

again started with another big run, 22-9 in the first quarter then widened its lead by 18 points, 60-42 midway in the final half. Francis “Ep-Ep” Escandor led Ateneo with 13 points as the Blue Knights remained undefeated in five games.

It was a different story for the HCM Marians as they had to escape only in the last one minute to beat Holy Cross College of Sasa, 68-62.

The game was still tied at 62-all in the fi-

nal 1:42. But the Marians were able to execute more on their defense and fastbreaks for the win.

Meanwhile, Ateneo barged into the finals of the high school girls division with an easy walkover win over a no-show Assumption Academy of Penaplata last Friday.

Ateneo will vie for the title against Assumption College of Davao, which eliminated Holy Cross of Davao College, 75-49.

In high school girls’

volleyball, Ateneo de Davao University, Assumption College of Davao, Holy Cross College of Sasa and University of Immaculate Conception beat separate rivals in the quarterfinals.

Ateneo whipped Stella Maris Academy, 25-7, 25-10 while ACD walloped Holy Cross College of Calinan, 253, 25-15. HCCS downed St. Paul College of Davao, 25-2, 25-12 while UIC trounced St. Peter’s College of Toril, 25-8, 25-9

Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA).

Philippine Little Azkals member Jed Diamante led the Blue Knights with four goals all made in the first half – 6th, 9th, 18th and 25th.

In the second half, Anton Lopez converted from on top of the box in the 55th for a 5-0 lead.

John ReyLagura then added two markers in the 79th and 89th before Joshua James Valdez scored the final goal in the dying seconds.

“The boys were prepared and inspired to play,” said coach Lim,

who revealed that his team have been training since June.

Philippine Women’s College beat University of Immaculate Conception, 3-0 to cop third place.

Ateneo entered the finals after whipping PWC, 6-0 in the semifinals while HCM blanked UIC, 2-0. Ateneo started its title-retention bid by routing Assumption College of Davao, 22-0, and later demolished Holy Cross of Babak, 11-0. In the quarter-finals, Ateneo drubbed HC Calinan, 8-0 to top its bracket.

The other Ateneo players are Enzo Magno, Javi Romero-Salas, Patric Pineda, Joshua Lim, Luke Amoguis, Gabriel Layso, Rafael Pilapil, Kyron Pamisa, ChioUy, Rafael Lagon, JJ de Luna, Martin Antipuesto and Vincent Lascano.

Alex Adolfo is the assistant coach.

The event was officiated by the Davao Football Association with MelchorAnzures as the tournament coordinator.

Meanwhile, the swimming competition will be held on Sept. 20 at the DMMA pool.

Ateneo eleven retains DACS title

D

EFENDING champion Ateneo de Davao University boy’s football team retained yesterday its title via a clean sweep in this year’s Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) Sportsfest held at the Tiongco grounds.

The Albert Ryan Lim-mentored Ateneobooters blanked Holy Cross of Mintal, 8-0 in the championship game to again earn a slot to the DACS Regional Meet.

Ateneo is also the reigning champion in the Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) and

SPIKERS ISLAND

All set for 8th AdDU Beach Volley Festival

By VINCENT RELL GONZAGA Intern

I

T’S all systems go for the 8thAteneo de Davao University (AdDU) Beach Volleyball Festival on September 7, 2014, Sunday, at Blue Jaz Resort and Waterpark, Island Garden City of Samal.

Speaking at the Fast Fridays media forum held at SM Lanang Premier on Friday, event organizer Mae Bornillo of the Paragon Productions said everything is already in place, including the players, beach goers and venue.

“The players are good to go as well as the venue… we are expecting atleast 500 people to come”, Bornillo said.

Spikers’ Island 2014, the official name of this year’s beach volleyball event, is an inter-division volleyball competition with 10 opposing teams from the different divisions and faculty of AdDU. The pirate-themed beach volley competition will also feature activities for non-players including parlor games, foam party and avail resort’s amenities.

Tickets are sold at 350 pesos, inclusive of back and forth boat fare, entrance fee, lunch meal, foam party and one free pass at Starr.

Also, the said event is a fund raising activity that aims to help

two community-based beneficiaries namely the Galon Elementary School and SAKADAB GawadKalinga Village.

Galon Elementary School is located at Sitio Coog, Brgy. Mandug, Davao City, about an hourdrive away from the city proper. It currently has 250 students with one classroom assignment per year level.

The school lacks a clean water supply since the area is not yet connected to the city’s water district.

Meanwhile, SAKADAB (Samahan ng may iba’t ibang kakayahan sa Dabaw) Gawad Kalinga Village at Brgy. Los Amigos, Tugbok, Davao City is home to 27 differently-abled persons, 23 are in wheelchairs while 4 are in stretchers.

Despite their condition, they want to have a wood shop in their community, wherein they are going to create and sell wooden crafts such as wooden toys, accessories and the like.

All proceeds will be given to these beneficiaries.

The Paragon Productions is the official production team of the senior mass communication students of Ateneo de Davao University.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

ELIGIBLE. Andray Blatche is eligible to play for the Philippines in the Asian Games according to FIBA.

FIBA: Blatche is eligible Gilas: Among the W

ORLD basketball governing body FIBA has thrown its support behind the Philippine national men’s basketball team regarding the eligibility of naturalized center Andray Blatche for the Asian Games in South Korea this September.

Blatche has been disqualified from the Asian Games after organizers demanded proof of the NBA center’s residency of at least three years in the Philippines. He was granted Filipino citizenship under a special law signed by President Benigno Aquino last June.

In a letter obtained

by InterAksyon.com addressed to the Asian Games Organizing Committee, FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann said that Blatche should be allowed to suit up for the Philippines.

“We have been informed that you are in

charge of entering and accrediting the various athletes for the upcoming Asian Games in Incheon and have just been informed that you have delisted from Entry one of the basketball athletes for the Philippine delegation,” Baumann wrote.

“We would like to inform you that the International Basketball Federation establishes the eligibility criteria for all basketball athletes worldwide for the purpose of their participation in national team competitions in official basketball competitions organized or sanctioned by FIBA. “The player that you have prohibited Entry plays is registered in FIBA’s eligibility system as a player for the Philippines and has, in fact, just played several games this past week at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain for that country. It is quite

confusing to hear that he is now not allowed to compete for the same team just a few weeks later.”

Baumann added that FIBA establishes the eligibility for players who represent their respective national teams, and that rule should be followed in all international competitions, including the Asian Games.

“You may not know, but – probably similar to other sports – FIBA’s eligibility rules apply, as an example, for all FIBA World Championships and for the Olympic Games. Also as an example, during an event like the Asian Games, FIBA’s International Referees officiate the Games and apply the Official Basketball Rules as edited by FIBA. “I am sure therefore that there must be a misunderstanding and I would kindly request that you review your decision and apply FIBA’s regulations on

SLIPPERY. LA Tenorio tries to squeak past NBA veteran JJ Barea of Puerto Rico.

eligibility for all teams participating in the basketball tournaments at the Asian Games and re-enlist the Filipino player. This would certainly be fair for the athlete concerned and his country.

“Equally, if the same set of eligibility rules, namely that of the International Federation, is being applied to all international basketball events for national teams across the world, it ensures clarity for the media and the fans alike and credibility for the sport.”

Apart from Blatche, Asian Games organizers are also questioning the eligibility of Gilas Pilipinas wingmen Gabe Norwood and Jared Dillinger.

After its return to the World Cup after 40 years, the Philippines is looking to end its 16-year medal drought in the basketball competition of the Asian Games.

best in World Cup C

AN Gilas Pilipinas be considered as one of the best teams to represent Philippines in the FIBA World Cup? If the performance and the average losing margin will be used as basis, the answer is yes.

“The mere fact that they’re already playing in the World Cup and played every game as if they have a chance of winning each time makes them as one of the best ever,” former national team coach Yeng Guiao told online sports website InterAksyon.com.

Gilas Pilipinas became the first team since the 1974 Philippine squad to qualify for the World Cup of Basketball.

Although the win-loss record of the Philippine team 40 years ago was a lot better than this edition’s national squad, Gilas Pilipinas was able to play competitive each game, pushing its rivals to the limit.

The Filipinos lost four of its five games in the group stage matches by just an average of less than six points.

The losing margin is the lowest ever for any Philippine squad to play on the world stage, even better than the 1954 squad bannered by basketball legend Caloy Loyzaga, whose team finished third place in the tournament — the highest for any Asian team in the World Cup’s history.

But Guiao clarified that doesn’t take away what the 1954 squad achieved despite Loyzaga and com-

pany dropping a couple of lopsided games en route to a bronze medal finish. Gilas Pilipinas, despite its close games, failed to advance to the Round of 16.

“You can have one bad night and lose by 50 and then win by two or three points, that’s a very bad average for a losing margin,” added Guiao. “The basis would still be depend on what you’ve finished and how you competed each game.”

“In terms of competing each game, Gilas has done that so well, so I believe pwede na natin silang ma-consider as one of the best Philippine teams to play in the world level,” said Guiao.

After Gilas Pilipinas’ performance, Guiao said that the Filipinos wouldn’t be ignored anymore by more fancied teams.

“Dati, hindi nila tayo iniintindi. They’re not even including us in their scouting report. This time, hindi na pupuwede yung hindi nila tayo i-scout kasi alam nila tatalunin na natin sila,” said Guiao.

“Not only that we earned the respect of everyone in the World Cup, we’ve played each game where we had a chance of winning.”

Blatche, Fajardo, Alapag top performers for Gilas Andray Blatche, Jimmy Alapag and June Mar Fajardo were some of the top performers for the Philippines’ five-game campaign in the FIBA World Cup.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 7 ISSUE 125 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2014

A STAR IS BORN STEPPING UP. Junmar Fajardo, shown here defending against NBA veteran Georghi Dieng of Senegal, stepped up for the Philippines after Andray Blatche fouled out. FIBA.com photo

Hello Junmar, goodbye Jimmy L

AST year he was an almost forgotten role player in the FIBA Asia campaign. This year, he’s a big reason why the Philippines has ended an almost four-decade-long wait for victory at the FIBA worlds.

On Thursday 24-yearold June Mar Fajardo came up large in the 81-79 overtime victory against Senegal. Coach Chot Reyes employed Fajardo as half of a twin-towers attack alongside Andray Blatche. The gambit worked as Fajardo scored fifteen points on five-for-ten shooting from the field.

Fajardo narrowly missed a double-double as he grabbed nine rebounds against the towering Africans, second-best on the team to Blatche’s 14. Fajardo only turned the ball over once in 32 minutes of play.

Only Alapag and Blatche logged more time.

The Pinamungajan, Cebu native also chipped in a pair of assists and, startlingly, a couple of steals as well.

The 6’11” center has been getting lots of praise for being the FIBA World Cup’s second-most efficient player after Spain’s Pau Gasol. And on Thursday he backed up that reputation with an efficiency score of 20, two more than the next efficient Gilas player, Blatche, and four more than Jimmy Alapag.

There were plenty of other moments for Fajardo in the game. With two minutes to go in the fourth, the Senegalese defense was

caught napping, leaving the Cebuano alone on the baseline. Blatche spotted Fajardo with a perfect bullet pass and the big fella finished the play with a colossal two-handed dunk for a vital 62-61 lead.

Fajardo is not known for his prowess from the free throw line, averaging around 67%. But in the overtime period there would be no Hack-a-Kraken. With just under a minute to play Fajardo bloodlessly drained two charities to give the Philippines the all-important two-possession lead at 75-71.

The Beerman finished with a 71% clip from the line, five from seven.

Most Pinoys were watching the game on TV 5 but those tuning in on Basketball TV heard FIBA’s English-language commentators gush over Fajardo’s sparkling play and how he manned up against the Senegalese bigs like Hamady Ndiaye and Timberwolf Gorgui Dieng. In previous Gilas games, the commentators even wondered aloud why Fajardo wasn’t getting much playing time, adding they wanted to see the Kraken play alongside Blatche more.

Fajardo finishes the World Cup with averages of 6.6 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game, a huge improvement from the recent FIBA Asia Cup, where he only normed 1.8 points and 2.2 boards per outing.

No doubt June Mar caught the eye of one pundit, who is used to towering above opponents herself.

RETIRING. Jimmy Alapag of the Philippines has made a grand exit in his international basketball career. FIBA. com