Edge Davao 7 Issue 138

VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

SELFIE. A mall-goer takes a “selfie” with a friend while roaming around SM City Davao yesterday.

House Bill 4807 or the Protection against Personal Intrusion Act is now up for 3rd reading in the Lower House and, if passed, could make “selfies” illegal. Lean Daval Jr.

THE BIG NEWS page 2

DANAO RETURN TO DCPO UNCERTAIN

INSIDE EDGE

CAN GILAS END IRAN WOES TODAY? SPORTS page 16

NO WHITEWASH Pepino assures fair trial for suspect cops Relieved cops also linked to another killing

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Police Office (DCPO) officer-in-charge Superintendent Marvin Pepino assured the family of murder victim Manuel Corral VII that there will be no whitewash in the investigation of the case involving a police officer.

In an interview with DXAB 1296 Radyo Patrol , Pepino said that a whitewash is remote since Special Investigating Task Group (SITG) Corral is composed of various police agencies in the region such as the Regional Inter-

nal Affairs Section (RIAS), Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-11, Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), PNP Crime Laboratory, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 11.

The SITG is investigating the eight relieved members of the intelligence unit of Toril Police Station, including Police Officer (PO)1 Jeffer Villegas who was caught on CCTV mauling Cor-

FNO, 10

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WO intelligence operatives of Toril Police Precint who were recently relieved in the aftermath of investigations over the killing of a tricycle driver are linked to another killing, police investigators revealed yesterday.

The two relieved cops were identified as Police Officer 1 (PO1) Jeffer Villegas and PO2 Ric John Borja who are also linked to the killing of alleged drug suspect Rolando Locaberte. This surfaced as authorities are investigat-

ing their involvement on the Corral murder case.

However, Deputy Regional Director for Operations Sr. Superintendent Aaron Aquino clarified that Villegas was not involved on the Locaberte case.

Locaberte was shot dead in front of his wife and children at Silka, Street in Saypon, Toril on April 10 of this year.

“We are trying to convince the family of Locaberte, particularly his wife

FRELIEVED, 10

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

DDC gearing for K-12

VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

TRUCK MISHAP. Laborers unload bags of cement from a hauler that fell into an abandoned pit along Mabini Street in Davao City Tuesday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao Doctors College (DDC) is gearing for the full implementation of the K–12 program on basic education in 2016.

In an interview with reporters yesterday, DDC president Professor Miguel D. Soledad said the school had already included a senior high school program in its special program for optometry in 2012.

“We are one of the schools in the region that volunteered to be a model school to have a senior high school program approved by DepEd (Department of Education) CHED (Commission on Higher Education), and TESDA (Technical Educational and Skills Development Authority),” Soledad said.

He said the first batch of the program graduated

last April.

Soledad said when he became president in September 2011, he started aligning the K-12 initiative with the school’s programs.

Academic support services head Lily Babayen-on said DDC has already submitted its application and is just waiting for the accreditors from the DepEd national office to assess the school.

Babayen-on said as soon as the application is approved, they will offer specialization in line with the medical allied programs.

She said their senior high school graduates already have certificates with their special program for optometry, which means that they can be

FDDC, 10

2 children perish in Basilan fire Z

AMBOANGA CITY – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported that two children, described by their father as “special children,” perished in a fire incident in Isabela City in Basilan last Monday.

The children’s 75-yearold grandfather narrowly escaped death as he managed to crawl out of the burning house.

Senior Inspector Usman Hussin, Isabela City Fire Marshall, said the fire that razed the two-story wooden residential house broke out shortly before 2 p.m. at Strong Boulevard in Barangay Seaside.

The house was owned

by Ben Go and occupied by the family of Reynante Salazar.

Isabela City-based DXNO-Radyo Comunidad station manager Richard Falcatan quoted Salazar as saying that his two sons aged 10 and 14 were “special children,” or those with disabilities with special needs, and probably the reason why they failed to get out of the burning house.

Usman placed at P200,000 the worth of properties that were damaged during the fire. They have yet to determine the origin of the fire.

Isabela City Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar has ordered the release of financial assistance to Salazar’s family.

Also on Monday, a fire

F2 CHILDREN, 10

Davao still far from immunization rate target as deadline nears

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he city was still lagging behind all local government units in Region XI in terms of immunization coverage a week before the monthlong nationwide campaign to fight measles, rubella and polio ends this month, the Department of Health said.

In a telephone interview, Mary Divene Hilario, DOH officer-in-charge for information said the City Health Office had only reached 57% of its target for measles and 56% for polio as of Monday noon.

Davao City even had a lower coverage rate than Compostela Valley’s 66%, the second lowest in the region.

The coverage for Davao City translated to only 105,404 children vaccinated against measles and 121,226 against polio.

Hilario said the region as a whole had reached 68% coverage for measles and 67% for polio, adding their units were now scrambling to reach their respective targets by the end of the month.

She assured that children aged 0-59 months old in every barangay in the region would be accounted for and reached by their field personnel by going back to areas not previously covered.

The ideal coverage percentage for each area

FDAVAO, 10

Danao return to DCPO still uncertain

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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OT too fast. Former Davao City police director cannot return to his post.

Not just yet.

The fact finding committee investigating former Davao City Police Office (DCPO) chief Sr. Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr., said it has yet to determine whether the officer can still return to his former post.

Contrary to previous reports that Danao can go back to the office on October 1, Deputy Regional Director for Operations Sr. Superintendent Aaron Aquino said that the fact

finding committee have not finished their investigation yet.

“The fact finding committee under Police Senior Superintendent Federico Dulay Jr. will release the result on the first week of October, well it depends kung ano yug kalalabasan ng committee if colonel Danao can still go back to his position,” Aquino said.

“There is a big possibility that Danao can still go back,” he added.

Danao was temporarily relieved from his post as DCPO director on September 1, 2014 upon the

order of the PRO 11 signed by regional director Chief Superintendent Wendy Rosario.

Earlier, Rosario said that the team will investigate Danao’s tenure while he was in office and if the case filed against him will affect his work.

“The investigation of the fact finding committee is to see if he is still fit to head the DCPO or not,” Rosario said.

He said they will still deliberate on Danao’s accomplishments and performance and they also have to consider if he abuses his position.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on his part previously said that he does not want any police official to take over the position of Danao as DCPO director.

The mayor also challenged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to hear Danao’s case in Davao City.

Danao filled his counteraffidavit on the Regional Internal Affairs Service in Davao Region (RIAS 11), last September 19 in responses to the four counts of grave misconduct filed against him by his wife.

FDANAO, 10

VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

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Private schools also need gov’t subsidy: CEAP

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

A

crc@edgedavao.net

N organization of administrators of private Catholic schools and universities is seeking subsidies from government that it says will help the schools survive, especially with the implementation of the K-12 program.

“Private education in the Philippines should be supported in terms of additional slots for scholarship, teachers’ salary, and other funding that will prevent our schools from dying just

because the government is focusing on the development of state universities (SUs) and other public schools,” Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) president and Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) vice president Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ said in a press conference yesterday.

The CEAP is having a three-day national convention at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premier.

FPRIVATE, 10

Bayan Muna: AFP violated modernization law

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AYAN Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate yesterday hit the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for spending billions of pesos for “obsolete and decommissioned equipment and war materiel” under the modernization of the armed forces.

“To date the only notable purchases made by the AFP were the obsolete and decommissioned equipment mostly from the US, like the two coast guard Hamilton class cutters and 22 vintage armed personnel carriers (APCs). These were all in fact purchased by the AFP in violation of their own modernization law and now they are asking for an additional P20 billion more,” Zarate said in a statement.

He said during the ongoing plenary debates on the 2015 national budget, it was revealed that from 2000-2013, a total of P53.166 billion has already been released during the first phase of the AFP Modernization Program. Last year, another P5 billion was also additionally released for the same purpose.

“The defense department and the AFP should be held accountable for this; Congress should dig deeper further into how funding for this modernization program is being spent,” Zarate said.

The defense and AFP budget was eventually deferred on motion of the Makabayan bloc, citing the numerous human rights violations committed by members of the AFP, including the most recent incident in Abra.

SUBSIDIES. Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) president Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ (left), who is also vice president of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), bats for government subsidies for private schools

during a press conference yesterday at the 2014 CEAP National Convention at SM Lanang Premier’ SMX Convention Center. At right is CEAP president Br. Narciso S. Erguiza Jr., FSC. Lean Daval Jr.

2 cops injured in landmine explosion in S. Kudarat C

OTABATO CITY – Two policemen are still in critical condition after a powerful landmine exploded as they traversed a remote village in Sultan Kudarat province while riding a motorcycle last Tuesday.

Superintendent Rex dela Rosa, provincial director of Sultan Kudarat police, said the two policemen from the 2nd platoon of the Provincial Public Safety Company

of Sultan Kudarat had just left their barracks at around 11 a.m. on September 23 to conduct patrol security when the explosion took place in New Bantangan, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

“They might have been misconstrued as military men for wearing police fatigue uniform. We are convinced the New People’s Army (NPA) is behind (this), given their active presence in the area

and the explosive used from a command detonated landmine,” dela Rosa said.

He added that the explosion took place at the height of an ongoing firefight in Barangay Datalblaw between the NPA and elements of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, as soldiers are conducting combat operations on the sightings of the rebels.

Datalblaw is a few ki-

Authoritarianism does not solve a country’s problems: Aquino

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NO SPECIAL TREATMENT. The tight security in Davao City spares no one, not even this nun who has to undergo security and body check before entering the premises of a hotel in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

lometers from New Bantangan, near the border territory of Sultan Kudarat and Davao Del Sur. The police victims are identified as P01 Angelo Vilo, who suffered shrapnel wounds in his legs, hands, and body, and PO1 Ritchie Cabillo, who was badly hit in his torso and left face.

They are both being treated in an undisclosed hospital in General Santos City. (MindaNews)

ICTATORSHIP is not the solution to a country’s problems, President Benigno Aquino said during a discussion with students of Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government here Monday President Aquino was responding to an Indonesian student who asked him about his views on authoritarianism.

The President said Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is a close friend, who advises him when he is confronted with complicated problems.

Indonesia serves as a role model for him, he said, adding that this is because Indonesia’s population is larger than that of the Philippines.

“Having said that, a dictatorship can never be

a good solution. The person, no matter how good, good-intentioned, how thoroughly prepared, will have an absence of a check and balance; and, again, man is an imperfect being so his good will happen right away and his bad will be exacerbated,” he said.

The President also recounted the healing process that the nation has been undergoing after the dark years of martial rule, especially the granting of compensation to victims of human rights abuses.

The country’s lawmakers have passed the Human Rights Compensation Bill, in which the state recognizes its obligation to nurture and protect its citizens, the President said.

FAUTHORITARIANISM, 10

4 THE ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

Palace confident 2015 budget will be passed within the year M

ALACAÑANG has expressed confidence the 2015 National Budget will be passed within the year.

“We are confident with the leadership of (House of Representatives) Speaker Sonny Belmonte that the House will be able to pass the budget based on the calendar… for the approval of the 2015 National Budget,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters during Tuesday’s press briefing in Malacañang.

Lacierda said the Palace is thankful that the House was able to muster a quorum on Monday.

“Hopefully, the quo-

rum will continue until the last day of the plenary session on the approval of the budget in the lower house,” he said.

Lacierda was commenting on reports that Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco has threatened to continue questioning the quorum of the day if Budget Secretary Florencio Abad fails to release the detailed report on which legislators received funding through the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

Speaker Belmonte on Thursday called on Liberal Party leaders to ask their members to attend the budget deliberations to prevent a reenacted budget. (PCOO/PND)

EXPORTERS AND IMPORTERS FORUM. Marie Anne How (right), chief of Trade Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Heidi Villanueva, development management officer of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), promote the up-

Ph, Germany sign agreement to intensify tech voc training S

ECRETARY Joel Villanueva, Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), signed a Cooperation Agreement with Germany’s Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) for collaborative research and development of TVET and further promotion of the dual training system (DTS).

In a statement, Villanueva, who was in Europe with President Benigno Aquino, said that with the signing of the cooperation agreement, TESDA will embark on the next step of identifying concrete actions for capability-building, research and development and dual training.

The TESDA chief acknowledged the need to

coming 2nd BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT International Exporters and Importers Forum slated on October 24 at The Grand Regal Hotel. The two were guests in yesterday’s Club 888 media forum at The Marco Polo, Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Multipartite group to monitor Surigao mining firm operations

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strengthen the Philippine TVET research, and stressed that the cooperation agreement with the BIBB can open up channels to fund research projects in the country.

According to Villanueva, the outputs from research and development can address not only the current needs of the labor market, but also future needs such as technologies, markets and development strategies changes.

The German model of the dual training system has also served as an exemplar of DTS in the Philippines.

Dual training involves classroom instruction and hands-on training within an enterprise. This ensures that the graduates are jobready with the knowledge

and skills required by the industry.

“Each year, some 60 percent of German school-leavers choose to enter the dual system, ensuring that in Germany young people are integrated into the labor force with a degree of success almost unparalleled in Europe,” Villanueva said.

“We hope to beef up our DTS and make it a sustainable program especially for the youth. We will attain this by strengthening our advocacy and encourage more TVET institutions and companies to adopt this system,” he said.

Villanueva also witnessed the signing of a joint declaration of intent between the Philippines and Germany focused on “furthering technical voca-

tional education and training through consultancy, technical assistance, exchange of information, experiences, best practices, joint research, study tours and expert meetings.

Both initiatives are seen to boost TVET so that it could provide the skills needed by the graduates and make them eligible for work, thereby reducing unemployment and underemployment.

“In Germany, many students take vocational training, and for those not yet ready, an intensive pre-apprenticeship program backs the youth.

Their government has been investing massive amounts of talent and money on TVET, and it is paying off,” VIllanueva said.

ollowing complaints from residents of the discoloration of a creek where they bathe and wash their clothes, a multipartite group will be set up next week to monitor activities of the Silangan Mining Mindanao, Inc. in the municipality of Placer in Surigao del Norte.

According to Rene Gonzales, mines and safety division chief of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MBG) Caraga, the Multipartite Monitoring Team will be composed of representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its sub-offices (the MGB and the Environment Management Bureau), local government units, non-government organizations, and the religious sector.

Gonzales said no MMT has been set up yet for Silangan Mining to watch its activities because it is still in the development

Mall from October 1 to 8, is being co-sponsored by the SOCCSKSARGEN Organic Farmers and Producers Association, Inc. (SOFPA) led by its president, Alfredo Hebrona Jr. “Promoting organic agriculture is a major program of the city government,” Miguel said, “in fact, Mayor Peter Miguel wants to position Koronadal as an organic agriculture city.”

According to the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Information Division of the Department of Agriculture (DA) 12, Secretary Proceso Alcala has already confirmed his presence during the opening day on October 1.

At the congress, National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) alternate chair Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat will present

the opportunities and challenges of organic farming in the ASEAN Integration.

Leo Caneda, national program coordinator of the National Program Office of the National Organic Agriculture Plan (NOAP), will also discuss the roles of local government units in the implementation of Republic Act 10068 (Organic Agriculture Act of 2011) and the NOAP.

Success stories best practices in organic production and marketing will also be presented.

Speakers include Romano Laurilla, general manager of the Don Bosco Multi-purpose Cooperative, a leading exporter of organically-grown red, black and brown rice in the country.

Organizers have also invited Andry Lim, founder and board of director of the

stage.

He said he already talked with representatives of the mining firm about the creation of the MMT and the company has expressed its support.

“We should come up with MMT to monitor them,” he said.

Some residents in Barangay Boyongan in Placer are worried over the alleged polluted water in the creek, saying it has something to do with the ongoing mining operation of Silangan Mining.

Last week, residents in Barangay Boyongan, Placer, Surigao del Norte said the discoloration of the water has been happening since late last year.

Mamerto Tinaveras, a farmer, said the water appears whitish with some sediments. He blamed it for his carabao getting ill.

“We don’t use the water from the creek anymore because it is already whitish, sometimes it appears like milk,” he said.

Tribal Foundation International Inc., to talk on organic livestock and poultry growing; Jerry Mangalay, research and development organic operations manager of the EMP Feed Mix Manufacturing, on the production and marketing of organic inputs; and Dr. Engie Domondon, a naturopathic doctor, on the health benefits of local herbs and alternative medicine.

(DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

Organic agri to highlight Koronadal’s Negosyo Fest O

RGANIC agriculture will highlight the weeklong 14th Charter Anniversary and 4th Negosyo Festival of the City of Koronadal next week.

City agriculturist Emelita Miguel said the local government unit will host SOCCSKSARGEN’s fist regional congress and trade fair on organic agriculture.

The event, which will be held at the Gaisano Grand

VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

THE ECONOMY

5

Tuna industry wants unhampered operations in Bangsamoro waters G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY – Tuna industry players here urged Congress to ensure that tuna fishing activities in the seas off western Mindanao and the nearby areas will not be hampered once the proposed Bangsamoro region would be established.

Joaquin Lu, president of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries Inc., said the Senate and the House of Representatives should set some mechanisms that will guarantee the safe and free passage of fishing vessels in fishery areas that would be covered by Bangsamoro waters.

He said such arrangement should be included in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which is now known as House Bill (HB) 4994.

“The Bangsamoro waters, as part of the territorial waters of the Philippines, (should) remain available to all Filipino citizens for fishing subject to the regulation by the Bangsamoro government and the respective local governments with respect to their municipal waters,” he said.

The House of Repre-

sentatives referred HB 4994 on Monday last week to the newly-created ad hoc committee on the Bangsamoro, which is chaired by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

The establishment of the Bangsamoro region is the key feature of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the final peace deal between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The Bangsamoro region will be entrenched with the passage of the BBL and its ratification by the constituents in the proposed territory.

Under the CAB, the new Bangsamoro government will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The CAB contains the annexes on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing, Power Sharing, Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, and Normalization.

Lu noted that an addendum on Bangsamoro Waters and Zones of Joint Cooperation to the annexes on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing, and Power Sharing provid-

WATER FERRY. Mother and child bring home potable water in plastic containers aboard a wooden canoe in the calm waters of Masao River in Butuan City. MindaNews photo by Erwin Mascarinas ed that the Bangsamoro waters shall extend up to 22.224 kilometers (12 nautical miles) from the low-water mark of the coasts that are part of the Bangsamoro political en-

tity.

Municipal waters extend up to 15 kilometers from the coasts. Municipal waters are therefore part of the Bangsamoro waters.

“Zones of Joint Cooper-

ation will be created for the purposes of protection of traditional fishing grounds, creation of opportunities to benefit from the resources, and interconnectivity of the islands and

the mainland parts for the free movement of vessels, goods, and people,” he said, citing a briefer released by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

6 COMMUNITY SENSE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

Sun Life Foundation expands scholarship program to Butuan M

ORE deserving students can look forward to a brighter future as Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. expands its scholarship program for BS Accountancy and BS Information Technology to the students of Fr. Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) in Butuan.

FSUU students Geromar Paulito (BS Information Technology), Marionbelle Jairah Peteros (BS Accountancy), and Kirby Josol (BS Accountancy) were initially included in the program.

Rev. Father John Christian Young, president of FSUU, expressed gratitude for Sun Life’s help. “Our university is happy to partner with Sun Life Foundation in making the future of three scholarship grantees brighter,” he said.

All scholars also have the option to work in any Sun Life branch during their summer or semestral break so they could apply their knowledge and be exposed to office environment.

“When they graduate, the students will have the capacity not just to help

their families, but contribute to the country as well,” Sun Life Foundation Executive Director Joub Miradora said. “The Sun Life Foundation believes in supporting sustainable projects, and this scholarship program is a perfect example of that.”

The signing of the memorandum of agreement for the partnership was also graced by FSUU Office of Student Affairs Director Peter Rodolfo and FSUU Vice President for Academic Affairs Fr. Randy Jasper Odchigue.

“Education is one of the things we strongly support at Sun Life Foundation, and we’re delighted to be widening our reach across the Philippines so we can help more students,” said Sun Life Trustee Alex Narciso.

To date, there are now over 40 Sun Life Foundation scholars.

Sun Life Foundation is also working with Children’s Hour to finance the construction of 120 classrooms and basketball courts in areas that were affected by Typhoon Yolanda and the Bohol earthquake in 2013; and is also sup-

(L-R) Sun Life Foundation Executive Director Joub Miradora, Sun Life Foundation Trustee Alex Narciso, FSUU President Rev. Fr. John Christian Young, and

new Sun Life scholars Geromar Paulito, Marionbelle Jairah Peteros, and Kirby Josol

porting close to 200 students of the University of the Philippines Tacloban who are now continuing their education in UP Cebu.

Sun Life Financial - Philippines Foundation, Inc. is the philanthropy arm of Sun Life of Canada (Phil-

services to individuals and corporate customers.

Sun Life Financial and its partners have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philip-

Davao Light Panabo branch marks 20 years of service D

avao Light Panabo Branch marks two decades of service to customers in Panabo City and the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali, and Sto. Tomas.

The Panabo Branch of the Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Power Co. was established in September 1994 to cope with the growing demand for electricity in the northern part of its franchise.

Davao Light Panabo

Branch said it iis grateful to have contributed to the upscale of the economies of these Davao del Norte areas.

Over the years, the growing economies have enticed more investors such as malls, hospitals, schools, manufacturing, and other industrial big companies to locate. Part of the decision to put up their business is the reliable supply of electricity.

Guided by Davao Light’s

vision of “a responsible partner on the road to growth and development, essential to our community’s collective hope for a better life,” Davao Light Panabo actively engaged in CSR projects. To name a few, it has donated school buildings, computers and science laboratory equipment.

It has distributed school bags and slippers to various schools and has conducted medical missions to various barangays.

AVAO City Water District has scheduled three sets of water service interruption affecting different city parts.

First is a 12-hour water cut from 8:00 PM of September 26 until 8:00 AM of September 27 affecting a portion of Davao-Cotabato Road (from Talomo Bridge to entrance of Gulfview Executive Homes including Coca-Cola Company); the entire Talomo Proper including ULHA Village, Benedictine Sisters Road, Manggahan Village, UUHSA Village, Sunnyville

Subd., PLDT Subd., Josefina Village, Talomo Teachers Village I and II, AR Village, Blessed San Lorenzo Ruiz Subd., Talusa Village, Talomo Beach Side, New Washington Village, PNB Village, Mandaya-Talusa Village, Talomo Cemento, Paseo Solariega, Plantacion Solariega and Sto. Niño Village; and some areas in Bago Aplaya specifically Castro Village, Versari Village, Gulfview Executive Homes and Cartagena Compound.

DCWD said it needs to temporarily cut water supply in said areas to al-

low its Pipelines and Appurtenances Maintenance (PAMD) crew to repair the 450mm diameter Centrifugal Cast Iron pipe bridge crossing at Talomo Bridge near Coca-Cola Company.

Second water cut is scheduled for nine hours on September 27 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and will affect the entire Ubalde Village in Agdao. PAMD will realign the 100mm diameter Black Iron pipe at corner Lakandula St. in Ubalde Village and Jerome Extension in Agdao, thus the need for the water cut.

Water service interruptions in some city areas Sept. 26, 27, and 28 D

ippines), Inc. Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies, a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth products and

pines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2014, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $671 billion.

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGE DAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

Is coal really the answer?

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

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HE most viable source of electricity for Mindanao is still coal. That was what President Benigno Aquino III told the local press during the launching of the Mindanao Inclusive Agribusiness Program in Davao City recently.

When asked how his administration would address environmental groups’ resistance to government efforts to attract more investment for power generation in Mindanao, the president answered: ““If Mindanao needs it (power) now, coal is one of the most accessible at this point in time.”

Although the government wants to use renewable energy to address the power generation problem in the country’s second largest island, it is facing a lot of issues. “The problem is that we all know how expensive it would be if we go solar or other forms of renewable energy,” the President was quoted as saying by Philippine News Agency.

According to Aquino, his administration is looking into natural gas as possible source of power generation in Mindanao.

But again, natural gas also has some problems. “Our

problem with natural gas,” he said, “is that there is no regasification plant in the Philippines. Gas occupies a big volume, and transporting to producers requires that it be made into liquefied gas or compressed natural gas. And to use our turbine plants, it must be turned back into a completely gaseous state. That is what gasification is.”

During the recent Climate Change Media Workshop for Mindanao-based journalists, Dr. Rosa Perez of the Manila Observatory said that climate change will have adverse effects on agriculture, forest and biodiversity, health, marine resources, and energy.

Dr. Perez said Mindanao’s power supply, for instance, would suffer heavily as the heat would dry up the hydroelectric sources.

This would mean it has to rely more on imported coal and oil.

Although Secretary Lucille Sering, vice-chairperson of the Climate Change Commission, did not categorically support coal power plants, she said that Philippine carbon emission is below one percent when compared to develop countries.

But Sering warned that using coal power plants

to generate power would consume tons of water to produce the desired power supply capacity.

The question now is: Why is there so much ado about coal?

Coal (from the Old English term col, which has meant “mineral of fossilized carbon”) is a fossil fuel that supplies 28 percent of the world’s fuel.

“Coal began to form 300 million years ago when large regions of the earth were covered with tropical swamps containing dense vegetation,” wrote H. Steven Dashefsky, author of “Environmental Literacy: Everything You Need to Know about Saving Our Planet.” As the fast-growing vegetation died and accumulated under the water, it formed a material called peat, which is the first step in the formation of coal. The peat was gradually covered by sediment.

“Over time, pressure squeezed out much of the water and compressed the peat into lignite coal (also called brown coal), which contains about 40 percent moisture. With heat from the earth and continued pressure, lignite was transformed into a soft type of coal balled bituminous coal, which has only

about 3 percent moisture.

With continued heat and pressure, hard coal called anthracite was finally formed.”

The entire process took hundreds of millions of years. “Coal is not a pure substance,” wrote Penelope ReVelle and Charles ReVelle, authors of “The Environment: Issues and Choices for Society.” “In addition to carbon, it contains inorganic material that remains after coal has been burned; it’s called ash. Sulfur also occurs in coal, sometimes as iron sulphide and sometimes combined with organic compounds. Arsenic is also present in coal, as are radioactive elements.”

Coal may be “the dirtiest of the fossil fuels,” but it is a magnificent source of heat energy. “Burning 0.454 kilogram of bituminous coal releases 13,000 Btu, or 13,700 kilojoules of heat energy,” the ReVelles wrote.

At least 40 percent of the world’s electricity comes from coal. In 2012, about one-third of the United States’ electricity came from coal. Ten percent of the world’s coal reserves (identified deposits) are located in the US, while over 50 percent are in China.

Coal contains high heat content at economical costs, but many environmental problems are associated with its use.

Coal is touted to be the dirtiest fossil fuel to burn and it generates hundreds of millions of tons of waste products, including fly ash, bottom ash, and fluegas desulfurization sludge that contain mercury, uranium, thorium, arsenic, and other heavy metals.

Burning of coal releases pollutants that help contribute to acid rain. In addition, the burning may release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus causing the climate change phenomenon.

Studies have shown that coal-fired electric power generation emits around 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide for every megawatt-hour generated. This is almost double the approximately 1100 pounds of carbon dioxide released by a natural gas-fired electric plant per megawatt-hour generated.

According to Wikipedia, coal-fired power plants without effective fly ash capture systems are one of the largest sources of human-caused background radiation exposure. They also emit

mercury, selenium, and arsenic, which are harmful to human health and the environment.

But there’s good news.

“New technologies can burn coal more efficiently and more cleanly,” Dashefsky noted. “This includes the fluidized-bed combustion method, which will begin replacing old-style coal burners. It converts solid coal into gas or liquid fuels called synfuels.”

Mindanao gets its power from four major sources: hydropower, coal, oil, and geothermal – in that order. The bulk – 662 MW or 52 percent – comes from hydropower. Oil contributes 24 percent of the power supply (311 MW) while geothermal is the source of 8 percent (98 MW). The remaining 16 percent (203 MW) comes from coal.

“We are heavily dependent on hydropower which is coming only from one source, Lake Lanao,” says Manuel ‘Bobby’ Orig, first Vice President for Aboitiz Power Corp. in Mindanao. “This is the reason why during summer months or during long dry spell, when water level in Lake Lanao is very low, the power supply in Mindanao is gravely affected.”

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EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

EDITORIAL

No discrimination when it comes to education

T

he Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) has made a good point regarding the subsidies that government is giving to state-funded schools. In a message delivered the other night during the CEAP national convention in Davao City, the group’s vice president Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ, who is also the president of the Ateneo de Davao University, pointed out that while private schools and their students also pay taxes, these taxes do not benefit them by way of direct financial assistance. Scholarships and other funding are almost exclusively reserved for public schools, as well as taxpayers’ money for development and other improvements. Private schools, in contrast, can only utilize funds from the tuition and other fees their students pay which, contrary to popular perception, is not an inexhaustible resource. This means that, in theory, public schools can continue to develop while private schools, especially the smaller ones, can get waylaid by the skyrocketing expenses they need to keep up with.

This, of course, is predicated on the assumption that government does give full attention to education, and

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that funds intended for state-funded schools actually do reach these institutions. The reality, however, is that government has historically given a pittance to education, and that its direction as far as higher educational institutions is concerned is to either privatize them or increase tuition so as not to strain the taxpayers any further. In fact, instead of increasing the subsidies, government has been decreasing them. Case in point is the University of the Philippines (UP), which has seen a marked tuition increase in the past few years as government acknowledged that funds are not enough to continue the support for the “iskolar ng bayan.”

Still, it is necessary for private schools to remind government that the provision of education is its main duty to its citizens, and in this the private sector is its partner, not its adversary. The word “subsidy” may raise eyebrows if applied to private schools, but the reality is that both private and public educational institutions serve the same people; there should be no dichotomy or discrimination when it comes to one of the most basic of human needs.

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

I

F he has his own way, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte would rather “retire and die early” than become the next President of the Philippines.

That was what he said during his weekly “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” recently.

“I save enough money because at the end of this earthly life when I grow old, I am now old,” he pointed out. “I would need a lot of money to sustain my medication and ‘yung oxygen ko sa hospital.

We have to prepare for that, inevitable ‘yan.”

Duterte, if you care to know, was born on March 28, 1945 in Maasin, Southern Leyte, so he is 69 years old now. If he will indeed file his candidacy as presidential aspirant in 2016 election, he will be 71 already. Is that too old?

In the United States, the oldest person to become President was Ronald Reagan, a former Hollywood actor. He was 69 years old when he was inaugurated on January 20, 1981. But Nelson Mandela was 76 when he became the President of South Africa.

The question is: Will Duterte retire when his term as the well-loved mayor of Davao City ends?

I don’t know what his speech would be but I am reminded of what General Douglas MacArthur said before a joint session of the U.S. Congress when he retired.

“I am closing my 52 years of military service,” MacArthur said. “When I joined the army, even before the turn of the century, it was the fulfillment of all my boyish hopes and dreams. The world has turned over many times since I took the oath on the plain at West Point, and the hopes and dreams have long since vanished, but I still remember the refrain of one of the most barracks ballads of that day which proclaimed most proudly that old soldiers never die; they just fade away. And like the old

P

ADTBRUGGE’S appointment as Ternate governor spelled trouble for the Spaniards, the Islamists, and the territories he wanted placed under Dutch influence. He visited regions that were not yet in Dutch possession and used diplomacy, persuasion, and tact in befriending rulers. His overtures would later bear fruits with some tribal nobles and their courts eventually acceding, making him their custodian.

One of those who signed a covenant with him was Datu Buisan of Davao, known as the king of Candahar (Kandahar). The datu’s reason for ceding his territories, which included the eastern coast of Mindanao and the Sarangani Island, was to get in return the assurance that the agreement would lead to a military alliance that would keep the raiders from the Maguindanao sultanate from encroaching in his son’s territory. He had no quarrel, though, with the Buayan sultanate because two of his sons were rajas there. The pact, entitled as the “Act by which the King of Candahar and his descendants cede, yield, and transfer to

VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

VANTAGE POINTS

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So long, farewell soldier of THINK ON THESE! that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that Henrylito D. Tacio duty. Goodhenrytacio@gmail.com bye.”

“Retirement has been a discovery of beauty for me,” admitted Hartman Jule. “I never had the time before to notice the beauty of my grandkids, my wife, the tree outside my very own front door. And, the beauty of time itself.”

To some people, retirement is like returning from work one day and telling your wife, “I’m home forever.” As Gene Perret puts it: “When you retire, you switch bosses – from the one who hired you to the one who married you.”

That’s true, indeed. Here’s another funny truth: “When a man retires and time is no longer a matter of urgent importance, his colleagues generally present him with a watch.” That’s according to R.C. Sherriff.

Life, someone once declared, begins at retirement. Another thought of it as the “world’s longest coffee break.” But American author Ernest Hemingway considered retirement as “the ugliest word in the language.” He did not elaborate why but I think Malcolm Forbes provided the answer: “Retirement kills more people than hard work ever did.”

“Don’t simply retire from something; have something to retire to,” Harry Emerson Fosdick advised. That’s right. Robert Frost wrote famous poems when he turned 80. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright did his best work

at 86. “Age is only a number, a cipher for the records. A man can’t retire his experience. He must use it,” Bernard Baruch pointed out.

After retirement, what comes next?

Death. Alfred Nobel, the man who invented the dynamite, amassed a fortune manufacturing and selling weapons of destruction. One morning in 1888, he woke up reading his own obituary in a newspaper. (Actually, it was his brother who had died, but a reporter mistakenly wrote Alfred’s obituary.)

So, for the first time, he saw himself as the world saw him: “the dynamite king” and nothing more. Nothing was ever mentioned about his efforts at breaking down barriers between people and ideas. He was simply a merchant of death, and he would be remembered for that alone.

Alfred was horrified with the thought. He determined that the world would know the true purpose of his life. So, he wrote his last will and testament and left his fortune to establish that most valued of all prizes: the Nobel Prize.

Life is short and before you know it, you will have to bid goodbye to everyone – whether you’re ready or not.

So, when you are no longer around in this world, what will people remember about you? Will those good deeds you had accomplished in life be remembered or those bad traits you had showed along the way.

A poem written by Michael Josephson is a good reminder for all of us – whether you are facing retirement or still young (forearmed, after all, is forewarned). Read it slowly and digest the thought: “Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and tem-

poral power will shrivel to irrelevance.

It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear. ”So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won’t matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived, at the end.

It won’t matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant. So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?

“What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.

“What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone. What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters.”

To end this piece, allow me to quote the first two lines of a song written by Paul Anka and popularized by Frank Sinatra: “And now, the end is near; and so I face the final curtain. My friend, I’ll say it clear, I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain. I’ve lived a life that’s full.

I’ve traveled each and every highway; and more, much more than this, I did it my way.”

gentleman Joan Henrik Thim as governor and director of the islands of the Moluccas, give order and transfer all the right, land and the claim that I have of such as the lands on Mindanao, the bay of Boetuan and Saranganie, including allits dependencies and appendages.

My kingly heart has acknowledged how our kingly presence and subjects are assured to be under the Company’s protection against enemy attack and destruction of our kingdom. I am thus decided because of the many benefits bestowed us by the Company. I further declare herewith to surrender all the riches of the same lands, with the guarantee that my descendants shall not lay claim anymore on these and place the possessions in the care of the Honorable Company by these.

“As a token of the truth I have confirmed this with my signature together with the kingly seal as well as the signatures of the officials that accompanied me.

“This was passed on the Island of Ternate in the Castle Orange, September 10,

1688.

“Datu Buisan, King of Candahar “Hendrik Manabon, Captain Laut of this kingdom “Katchil Simanciala, the King’s son and “Radja Muda Senghadje Tobo” The Dutch company, then the world’s richest private company with over 150 merchant ships, 40 warships, 50,000 employees, and a private army of 10,000 soldiers, never pursued their claims over the Buisan territories. While there were attempts to visit the place, construct a fortress, and establish permanent residence there, these plans were not realized due to the unfolding events that followed. Not only were the Dutch authorities saw the huge expense involved in managing new territories, there was also a prevailing sentiment to keep the status quo in the region by not intimidating the Spaniards.

This jibes with the original plan of the Dutch not to be involved in costly wars in Mindanao but to focus their interests mainly on firming up trade alliances and strengthening ties with the kingdoms.

Cession of Davao

FAST BACKWARD

BY THE ARCHIVIST

the honorable company all land, rights, claims that his Majesty has on the southern coasts of the island of Mindanao, the bay of Boetuan, Saranganie, etc. and all its dependencies and appendages of the same,” was sealed in 1688 and reads: “I, Datu Buisan, King of Candahar, having considered all the honors and favors shown and done to me in the cause of time by the Honorable Company and especially in its name by the Honorable

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 137 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

ral days before the latter was found dead.

Pepino said the case is close to being solved since they already filed an administrative case against Villegas while they are still investigating on the murder case of Corral.

“Considering that the element requirement for murder in filing a case has not yet met. We are expediting it,” Pepino said in the interview.

The PRO-11 has ordered to relieve PO3 Catalino Jalalon, PO3 Rico Adlawan, PO2 Eugenio Mendez, Senior Police Officer (SPO)1 Jeremias Cunanan, PO2 Ric John Borja, PO2 JanwedCagape, PO2 Bernardo Flauta, and PO1 Jeffer

Villegas while the investigation of the murder case of Corral is ongoing.

The eight are still in the custody of DCPO holding office.

Meanwhile, the SITG is also investigating other involvement of the eight relieved police aside from the case of Corral.

An information surfaced when the wife of alleged drug suspect Rolando Locaberte filed a complaint against some of the eight relieved men for allegedly killing her husband in a police operation last April.

The same radio report said Donesa Dabing, Locaberte’s wife, earned the courage to file a complaint after

the eight cops were relieved from their posts.

The report said that Dabing believed that the police really killed her husband because there are witnesses who told her that her husband did not retaliate with them during the operation.

The victim reportedly died while being transported to the hospital. The wife said that the police did not call the SOCO for investigation and did not record the incident.

Former Toril Police Station commander Chief Inspector Angel Sumagaysay, however, said Locaberte died in a legitimate operation last April.

to come out and execute an affidavit so that we can pin down whoever is being accused as the perpetrator of the said killing,” Aquino said.

“Yung wife niya (Locaberte) yun yung kinoconvince namin, but she was not able to file a case although she knows who killed her husband, nag karoon kasi siya ng threat. That’s the reason why she wasn’t able to file the case,” he added.

Reports said that Locaberte attempted to surrender but was gunned to death mercilessly by some police op-

eratives. The killing was witnessed by his wife Donesa Dabing.

Locaberte was allegedly a well-known drug pusher at Toril area.

Earlier, the eight operatives were relieved from their post at Toril Precint due to the killing of Corral which was linked to Villegas.

The intelligence operatives were identified as Police Officer (PO)3 Catalino Jalalon, PO3 Rico Adlawan, PO2 Eugenio Mendez, Senior Police Officer (SPO)1 Jeremias Cunanan, PO2

Janwed Cagape, and PO2 Bernardo Flauta.

The seven operatives are relieved from Toril PNP while investigations are ongoing while Villegas is under restricted custody.

On the other hand, one slug was recovered by the security guard of the convenience store, Tuesday where the killing of Corral happened.

The empty shell is now under cross matching examination to identify if it matches to any of the firearms owned by the suspects.

certified as opticians.

Babayen-on said they are also preparing their faculty by encouraging them to earn education units to be able to take the Licensure Exam for Teachers and qualify to teach in their senior high school program.

She said aside from preparing their faculty, they also prepared their facilities and other human resources to cater to the incoming senior high school students in 2016.

Babayen-on said they are targeting around 800 enrollees for senior high school.

ENTREPRENEURIAL APPRECIATION SUBJECTS IN ALL PROGRAMS Aside from preparing

for K-12, DDC also included in its curriculum entrepreneurial appreciation subjects in all college programs.

Soledad said the aim is for the students to be ready after graduation.

Soledad said they enhanced the education program offering by giving all students the appreciation courses in entrepreneurship.

He said every student has to go through entrepreneurial appreciation classes in all year levels.

Soledad said the idea is to expand their possible career pathways after graduation because right now most of the students are just thirsting to have a job after graduation.

“If there are no jobs out there, then you can create a job out of yourself,” he said.

Soledad said that in their first year, they will go through with business awareness lessons to find what the personal characteristic of an entrepreneur are.

In their second year, they will undergo exploration of business ideas to know what the possible entrepreneurial ventures are in the discipline they have studied.

When they reach third year, students will take up how to make business ideas and planning.

Senior years will have business leadership contests.

in the region was 95%, according to the DOH. Davao Oriental has the highest immunization coverage with 83% for measles and 81% for polio, followed by Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur. Lower figures for the city, especially in the health districts of Buhangin, Sasa, Bunawan, and Talomo (North, South and Central), have sent the City Health Office scrambling to meet its immunization coverage targets.

By mid-September the DOH reported that the

city had only attained a 48% rate or 2% short of its target. The figure was also the lowest in Region XI halfway through the immunization period.

Hilario said the vaccination campaign was supposed to end on Sept. 30 but pointed out that the city needed to conduct “mop-up” operations until October 3 to reach children who were not vaccinated during the period.

“We have only vaccinated 115,000 children as of Tuesday,” she said.

Davao City was target-

ing to vaccinate around 200,000 children.

Hilario said among the factors for the low immunization rate in the city are the absence of either the children or the parents at home and the refusal of caretakers to have their wards vaccinated in the parents’ absence.

She said that as of September 15, there had been 13 deaths attributed to measles, with 2,688 suspected cases and 210 confirmed to be positive of the disease. (MindaNews)

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NO THREAT. Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) chief Francisco V. Villaroman (left) gives assurance that there is no terrorist threat in Davao City in the wake of the recent bombing that hit General Santos

2 children..FFROM 2

City. With Villaroman in yeterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel is Major General Eduardo Año, commanding general of the 10th Aguila Division of the Philippine Army. Lean Daval Jr.

broke out in Dipolog City, almost razing down a two-story semi-concrete building that houses the Department of Education (DepEd)-Zamboanga del Norte Division Office in Barangay Estaka.

Senior Inspector Rich-

ard Timosa, Dipolog City Fire Marshall, said three houses made of light materials were also gutted down in the fire that broke out around 8:20 p.m.

Timosa said the possible cause of the fire was faulty electrical wiring as

the security guard on duty told them he noticed electrical sparks before the fire broke out.

He said the blaze was contained and was declared fire out at 11 p.m.

Damage was estimated at P2.5 million.

Last year, Danao’s wife filed four counts of grave misconduct before the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles, California.

This was endorsed to the National Internal Affairs of the Philippine National

Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame and then turned over to the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11.

In her sworn statement, Danao’s wife said her husband slapped her

four times inside their conjugal house in 2002.

The controversies with Danao came out after a video of his argument with his wife was posted in a social video sharing site YouTube.

Tabora said public education, composed of state universities (SUs) and other public schools, are expanding and developing without consideration for how will these will affect the operation of Catholic and other private schools.

Tabora forecasted that Philippine education will eventually be eaten up by public education system which he says promotes homogeneity rather than innovativeness and creativity which private schools promote.

He said private schools should in fact complement public schools CEAP executive director Rhodora Angela F. Ferrer said government provides assistance to private schools but this is not enough.

She said government is implementing the Government Assistance

to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) in partnership with the World Bank through its Education Service Program.

“There are 840,000 beneficiaries in 2, 800 participating private schools today who are already in their junior years,” she said, but CEAP wants more allocation by the time the K-12 program is fully implemented.

“Under the law that created the K-12 program, students who will be transferring from public schools to private schools will be redeeming vouchers subsidized by the government. The government recognizes that public schools cannot accept all senior students,” she added.

Ferrer said the implementing rules and regulation for the voucher program is still being pol-

ished by the Department of Education (DepEd).

CEAP legal counsel lawyer Joseph Noel M. Estrada said government should utilize private and Catholic schools since these dominate the country in terms of the number of schools.

“Eighty percent of the schools and universities in the Philippines are either privately-owned or Catholic-run, while the rest are state funded. With this situation, the government should utilize these available resources instead of building new education facilities that will cost more,” Estrada explained.

CEAP board member Fr. Dionisio M. Miranda, who is president of San Carlos University, said private schools deserve to receive assistance from the government because they also pay taxes.

“And after that, there is an award for recognition of the same, so that there is compensation for what was inflicted upon our people,” he said, adding this state recognition

also puts on record individual accounts of what rights were violated during the dark days of Martial Law. “The end point being, we learn the lessons

so that we do not have a situation that repeats itself, that really brought our country to the depths that it had entered into,” President Aquino said.

(PCOO-PND)

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ICT HUB 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

Samsung launches Note 4 S

OUTH Korea’s Samsung launched the latest version of its oversized Galaxy Note smartphone earlier than expected after US rival Apple reported record sales of its latest iPhone 6.

Samsung said the Galaxy Note 4 -- initially scheduled for launch in October -- would hit stores in South Korea and China this week before being sold in 140 nations by the end of next month.

It would be the first time a flagship Samsung

product has gone on sale in China ahead of other markets, reflecting the firm’s desire to battle growing competition from cheaper Chinese-made rivals.

The decision to bring forward the launch date also came after rival Apple reported a record opening weekend for its latest range of iPhones, including the iPhone 6 Plus -- the US firm’s first foray into the big-screen market.

Sales topped 10 million in just three days

following Friday’s launch in the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico and Singapore.

The new iPhone is not yet available in China.

Samsung initially pioneered the market for the “phablet” devices -- sized between a smartphone and a tablet computer -- when it introduced its Galaxy Note series in 2011.

Along with the Galaxy S smartphones, they helped the South Ko-

rean electronics giant dethrone Apple as the world’s top maker of smartphones.

But Samsung has faced a growing challenge in an increasingly saturated market, where competition from cheaper Chinese handset makers has intensified in recent years.

The company in July reported a 20-percent drop in its net profit for the second quarter, and its shares are currently trading at a two-year low.

“We are temporarily

going through a difficult business situation,” Lee Don-Joo, head of sales and marketing for Samsung’s mobile unit, told reporters at Wednesday’s launch in Seoul “But...we hope that we would be able to recover soon based on our fundamental capability for technical innovation,” Lee said.

Sales of Galaxy Note 3 topped 10 million in two months after its launch in 2013, and Lee predicted the Note 4 would outperform that.

The 5.7-inch Note 4 comes with S-pen stylus allowing users to draw and write on the screen and perform various tasks simultaneously.

The presence of a stylus pen -- not offered by iPhone 6 -- offers a “unique input methodology,” said Lee YoungHee, executive vice president of Samsung’s mobile unit.

“No other phablets offered by rival companies offer such an intuitive experience,” Lee said.

test manage four-anda-half to five-and-a-half hours on a single charge.

Therefore anything above seven hours is deemed excellent performance.

Yet the Sony Xperia Z3 managed a remarkable nine hours and 29 minutes before the screen died and the handset needed recharging, putting it top of the pile.

The Huawei Ascend Mate 7 came second with

nine hours and three minutes, and in third place was the Samsung Galaxy S5 with seven hours and 38 minutes.

The iPhone 6 managed just five hours and 22 minutes under the same conditions, putting it in ninth place, just above the iPhone 5S (five hours and two minutes) and just behind the Motorola Moto X (five hours and 45 minutes).

However, the iPhone 6 Plus, despite its bigger screen, managed six hours and 32 minutes, making it the fifth best performing smartphone, just behind the HTC One M8 in fourth (seven hours and 12 minutes), but above the equally phablet-sized LG G3 in sixth (six hours and 14 minutes) and the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (six hours and eight minutes) in seventh place.

Sony’s Xperia Z3 is the best smartphone for battery life I

n grueling real-life tests, the latest Sony flagship beats all other premium handsets, including the latest iPhones.

Phone Arena used a custom web script that is designed to replicate real-life smartphone usage, so constantly checking alerts, opening and closing apps, browsing and watching video clips. On average, smartphones that get put through this

12 CLASSIFIED

Billiard Supplies

Phone Nos.

Cell Nos.

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Munchies at Munchtown

DABAWENYOS naturally love comfort food. Food that is simple yet hearty and filling.

Armed with this idea, local restauranteur Carlo Lorenzana together with business partner Marga Nograles approached Chef Robby Goco, the creative genius behind Tequila Joe’s, Cyma, Ristra’s, Charlie’s Grind & Grill, Green Pastures, among others, to bring his Munchtown food concept to Durianburg. Luckily for us, Chef Gogo said yes and so Munchtown Diner was born.

Whereas, the original Muchtown is just a cinema food counter at the Greenhills Cinema. For the Munchtown Diner concept, Chef Goco kept things simple with a menu that is composed of Mucnhtown’s bestsellers such as the mighty Black Angus burgers, Angus sliders, juicy hotdog smokies, French fried

chicken, Mexican burrito bowl, taco salad topped with smoked meat, freshly-baked pizzas, original Greek gyro, pita & dips, and even Canadian poutine fries among many others.

“We want to keep things simple,” says Robby “if you look at out menu, we only have two kinds of burger, the Black Angus Cheeseburger, and the Black Angus Double Cheeseburger.

I wanted the actual burger

Poutine.

Serving Munchtown’s Pizza.

Black Angus Burger. to be flavourful and not be masked by many different toppings and condiments.”

He also revealed that the patties of their burgers are never frozen and are mode fresh everyday. “We also make our own bread,” beamed Robby “our burger and smokee buns are baked, fresh everyday to ensure we serve the best burgers and smokees one can have all the time.”

French fries addicts will love the many different Fries and Sides on offer at Munchtown Diner. From creamy gravy and cheese curd-topped Poutine to my favourite Black Truffle Fries with chicken liver, Munchtown’s freshly cut and fried fries are a delicious treat especially when paired with their burgers.

But what sets Muchtown Diner apart from the original Munchtown counter is the diner’s blue plate specials which can only be found in the Davao restaurant. Diners can choose from succulent Roast Chicken, Beef Meatballs, Fish and Chips, Spa-

Chef Robby Goco, Marga Nograles and Carlo Lorenzana.

Black Truffle Fries.

Some of Munchtown’s many Smokees. ghetti Bolognese, and rustic Chicken Fried Steak.

Dessert at Munchtown Diner is also a treat with their creamy milkshakes and decadent cakes.

Munchtown Diner is located at the Ground Floor Fountain Court of SM Lanang Premier.

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

Inside Munchtown Diner.

Pulled Pork Burrito.

Dark and decadent Mudpie.

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Sun Broadband unveils the easiest way to go online with new prepaid offers SUN BROADBAND is making it easier for you to access the best of the online world with the introduction of a new budget-friendly prepaid SIM and various load offers! You can now stay connected with consistent, fast, and reliable mobile broadband anytime, anywhere.

Now available for just P15, the all-new Sun Broadband prepaid SIM jumpstarts your journey into the vast online world with FREE access to Facebook for one day. Instantly check what your friends are doing, upload a photo or two, or share the latest update about work or school with allday access to Facebook upon activation.

Sun Broadband’s 3G dongle (available for P595) and Pocket WiFi (P1,795) also come with 250MB of data that you can use for a period of three days. “ We’re launchin g our all-new prepaid lineup for Sun Broadband to address the specific Internet needs of our subscribers,” said Michele Curran, Data and International Services Marketing Head at Sun Cellular. “These are the most affordable SIM and prepaid load options in the market today, making it very easy for Filipinos to instantly connect to the online world.”

‘Lite’ loads Itching to share the latest barkada “chismis” with friends on Facebook? Or perhaps you want to tweet your favorite celebrities on Twitter? But what if you just want to share a quick #OOTD post on Instagram? With Sun Broadband’s new Surf Net Lite loads, all you need is P15 pesos for all-day access to your favorite social networking sites—plus more!

Sun Broadband’s new Surf Net Lite loads give you instant connection to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram plus all-day access to email, search, chat, and website browsing.

Want more beyond the usual? Subscribe to the Booster 5 add-on for an all-access Internet experience for 15 minutes.

“Not everyone is a heavy user of the Internet. For all the light users out there that simply want to check out their social networking accounts, there is now a more affordable prepaid load option, thanks to Sun Broadband,” Curran added.

You can do all these things for as low as P15 for one day, P25 for three days, P50 for five days or P100 for seven days of light Internet access.

All-access For heavy Internet users, Sun Broadband also has the perfect load for you: the new Surf Net Mega Loads. This type of load allows access to all sites and online services for as low as P25 for one day of up to 150MB in volume consumption.

Sun Broadband’s Surf Net Mega Loads also come in P50 (250MB for three days) and P100 (500MB for five days) variants. These new loads are already enough for your basic Internet needs because posting 100 Facebook status updates will only consume 1MB of your allocation. Browsing five of your favorite blogs will only consume about 2MB. And uploading 20 Instagram photos will only cost you 4MB. With Sun Broadband’s expanded coverage nationwide, you won’t have to worry about getting good broadband signal to do all the things you want on the Internet!

The new Sun Broadband prepaid loads are available via Xpress Load, CUBE (cube.sunbroadband.ph), call cards, and via load conversion. To convert your load to these new prepaid options, text LITE15, LITE25, LITE50, LITE100, MEGA25, MEGA50 or MEGA100 to 247.

So what are you waiting for? Get a Sun Broadband Prepaid SIM for your smartphone, tablets, or broadband devices today! Enjoy an amazing mobile surfing experience with the new Surf Net Lite and Surf Net Mega Loads from Sun Broadband.

For more information, visit a Sun Shop near you or log on to www.suncellular.com.ph. You can also check online for updates by logging on to the Sun Cellular’s official social media sites: www.facebook.com/suncellularph or www.twitter.com/ suncelldeals.

Sun Cellular is the mobile brand of Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc., a member of the PLDT Group.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

No more OFW ‘drama’ with Smart Sulit IDD

TALES of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) – and the families they leave behind – abound with sadness, but TV host and actress Carmina Villaroel wants to change that in her latest endorsement for the Smart Sulit IDD card, a much simpler and more affordable way for Filipinos to contact loved ones abroad.

A new offer by wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), the Smart Sulit IDD card offers a no-frills way to contact loved ones abroad on any phone for as low as P2.50 per minute.

“We know how distance puts a lot of strain on relationships, and even more so when a whole family is involved, such as in the case of many OFW families,” says Carmina, whose family has become a model for many Filipinos.

“But with constant communication, made possible by the Smart Sulit IDD card, OFW families are able to keep their bond and strengthen their ties, leaving little room for drama,” she added.

“We Filipinos are known all over the world for our strong family ties, but this should not suffer when a member of the family has to head out for work abroad. With Smart Sulit IDD card, it is now a lot easier for anyone to catch up with relatives wherever they are, share heartwarming stories, or give them a much needed morale boost,” said Ritumalta.

Offering affordable rates for the largest scope of overseas destinations, the Smart Sulit IDD card enables Filipinos to stay in touch with more than 2 million OFWs around the world, or get in touch with over 10 million Filipinos who are residing overseas, explained Ritumalta.

The user-friendly Smart Sulit IDD card acts like a separate wallet on top of your regular load. Once loaded up, it can be used to immediately call international numbers, without any prefixes or additional steps, and without a required maintaining regular load balance.

To make a call using the Smart Sulit IDD card, Smart Prepaid subscribers just simply dial 00 + country code + area code + phone number.

The card offers a very low rate of P2.50 per minute for calls made to OFW relatives in the United States, Canada, Guam, Hawaii and Hong Kong. It may also be used to stay in touch with relatives in Brunei, China, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan for only P5 per minute.

On the other hand, calls made to Australia, Bahrain, India, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom are charged P8 per minute, while calls made to all the other countries not mentioned

above are charged a flat rate of $0.40 per minute.

Available in denominations of P50, P100 and P500, the Smart Sulit IDD card may be loaded up on one’s mobile phone by sending <LOAD><SPACE><CARD PIN> to 1510.

Keeping tabs on one’s Smart Sulit IDD balance is also as simple as texting ?1515 to 214 for free. A message will arrive shortly, indicating the available balance for free.

Smart Sulit IDD 50, 100 and 500 are valid for 15 days, 30 days and 90 days, respectively.

The Smart Sulit IDD Tawag card is available at all Smart retailers nationwide.

Aside from the card, subscribers may also enjoy Smart Sulit IDD load by converting their regular load via a simple text. Subscribers simply need to send their chosen denomination <SULITIDD50/SULITIDD100/SULITIDD500> to 8165.

Subscribers may also avail of Smart Sulit IDD load via Smart Eload retailers.

Globe partners with WeatherPhilippines Foundation to create wonderful disaster resilient communities Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom helps create disaster resilient communities by partnering with WeatherPhilippines Foundation in providing localized and real time weather updates to help the public prepare for typhoons, heavy rains, and severe flooding.

Globe powers up 420 automated weather stations (AWS) scattered nationwide. Globe provides text and data plans which AWS can use to give accurate data on wind speed and direction, average rainfall, temperature, pressure, solar radiation, and humidity within a two-to-15 kilometer radius (depending on topography) every ten minutes. The figure is expected

Signing the Memorandum of Agreement are (from L-R): Celso C. Caballero III, General Manager, WeatherPhilippines Foundation; Yoly Crisanto, Senior Vice President , Corporate Communications, Globe Telecom; and Susan Valdez, President of WeatherPhilippines Foundation and SVP & Chief Reputation and Risk Officer of the Aboitiz Group of Companies. to reach about 1,000 as WPF bared plans to install more AWS across the Philippines.

“We are delighted to be a partner of WeatherPhilippines as it is ingrained in Globe Telecom’s sustain-

ability efforts to take care of the community and the environment. This is a very important endeavor that will enable organizations and local government units to increase their readiness

and resilience whenever disaster strikes,” said Yoly Crisanto, Senior Vice President, Globe Corporate Communications.

“We are grateful for Globe Telecom’s genuine support for our disaster-preparedness advocacy. We are looking forward to a fruitful partnership with them.” said Susan Valdez, WeatherPhilippines President and Chief Risk & Reputation Officer of the Aboitiz Group.

The partnership is part of Globe Telecom’s Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction Program where accurate localized weather information are given to key decision makers in the local government units to execute plans properly during disasters.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Kapuso stars shine at 6th PMPC Star Awards for Music

KAPUSO stars triumphed at the 6th PMPC (Philippine Movie Press Club) Star Awards for Music, as they bagged major awards at the prestigious event, held last September 14 at the Solaire Resort and Casino.

R&B Prince Kris Lawrence reigned supreme as he earned two incredible feats. The Sunday All Stars crooner was recognized as the R&B Art-

ist of the Year while his album Spread the Love, under GMA Records, was named as the R&B Album of the Year. One of the songs in the album, Ikaw Pala, was used as the theme song of Kapuso Network’s Koreanovela Padam Padam.

One of GMA’s powerful belters Jonalyn Viray took the spotlight as her song Help Me Get Over was crowned Song of the

Year. The song gained more popularity when it was used as one of the theme songs of the hit series My Husband’s Lover.

EB Dabarkads members Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, and Ryzza Mae Dizon were also hailed as winners. Their catchy song Cha Cha Dabarkads did not only give birth to a dance craze, but was also recognized as the Novelty Song of the Year.

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid won the Album Cover of the Year award for her studio album Hulog Ka ng Langit. Aside from promoting her album, the Asia’s Songbird is also busy appearing on Sunday All Stars and hosting Sarap Diva. She is also poised to host the upcoming reality talent search Bet ng Bayan alongside Alden Richards.

The award-winning game show becomes bigger and stronger RECEIVING the prestigious Anak TV Seal Award does not stop Bonakid PreSchool and GMA Network from renewing their partnership and making their action-packed mom and kid game show bigger and strongerthis year.

The Anak TV Seal Award is awarded to family-orineted and child-sensitive TV programs in the country and receiving this accolade has inspired Bonakid Pre-School to continue its partnership with GMA Network for an even more exciting Bonakid Pre-School Ready Set Laban Season 2!

From its audition process down to its game arena, everything about the show just gets bigger and more exciting!

This year, Bonakid Pre-School Ready Set Laban 2 calls out all moms and their “Batang May Laban” to join the game show, not only from Metro Manila, but nationwide! Besides bringing its auditions to Cebu, Davao, and Metro Manila, BonakidPre-School and GMA Network also open the floor for online auditions. By just visiting www. gmanetwork.com/promos/readysetlaban and submitting the necessary requirements, there is surely no reason for any mom and kid tandem to miss the opportunity of being part of the show.

Bonakid Pre-School Ready Set Laban 2’s Home Partner Promo even

goes digital! Viewers at home can easily participate and win cash prizes. All they have to do is to watch the show and submit their entries at www.gmanetwork.com/promos/readysetlaban.

Every week, one lucky home partner will win Php20,000 cash!

As Bonakid Pre-School and GMA Network make the show’s components bigger, they of course, would not forget making the key element of the show - the Game Arena - twice as big from last year! The challenges

and activities in the game arena are inspired by Pinoy games that moms today nostalgically gew up with. ‘We want to encourage kids to experience Pinoy games just like their moms did.

With these games, we want to demonstrate the strength, energy, and resilience of these kids and bring out the “Batang May Laban” in them. This is part of Bonakid Pre-School’s commitment to help moms empower their kids so that they will have the strength and confidence to conquer any challenge,” says Claudine Serrano, Product Manager of Bonakid Pre-School.

Hosted by one of the most sought after TV hosts in the country, Drew Arellano, this show will indeed make Sunday mornings bright and cheerful! To quote Drew, “Bonakid PreSchool Ready Set Laban is actually an achieved goal for me. I have been asking my manager for a program, specifically a game show, wherein I would be interacting with kids because I feel like this would bring out more of my fun and light personality.

When I was graced with this project, I couldn’t keep my excitement hosting the show.”

Starting on October 5, join Drew for a second season of Bonakid PreSchool Ready Set Laban everySunday morning (10:45AM)after iBilib, only on GMA Network.

‘Imelda’ airs on GMA News TV this Saturday FEW contemporary political figures of this century have been as controversial and outspoken - or as misunderstood - as Imelda Marcos, former First Lady and widow of the late Ferdinand Marcos, who was the President of the Philippines for 18 years.

US based Filipina filmmaker Ramona Diaz captures the essence of Imelda in an awardwinning documentary to be shown on GMA News TV this weekend.

The feature documentary details Mrs. Marcos’ rise from humble provincial origins with a combination of guile, ambition

and beauty to become one of the richest and most powerful women in contemporary history and one of the few known by her first name.

Imelda tells her story through rare interviews and archival footage as well as scenes from her daily life in which she is both vivacious and intriguing.

Catch the documentary Imelda by acclaimed documentarist Ramona Diaz only on GMA News TV Channel 11 this Saturday, September 27 at 9:45 PM -- with reruns on Monday, September 29 at 6 AM and again on Sunday night, October 5 at 10 PM.

RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE LEGEND ENDS Takeru Satoh R 13

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

MARIA LEONORA TERESA / * A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONE R 13 / * R13

Iza Calzado, Zanjoe Marudo, Jodi Sta. Maria / *Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens

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

THE REMAINING Johnny Pacar, Shaun Sipos R 13

12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 | 6:10 | 8:05 | 10:00 LFS

R-16 THE MAZE RUNNER Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario PG 13

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

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

FOOD

Food and September specials at the Grand Regal Hotel IN celebration of Grandparent’s Day last September 13, 2014, Grand Regal Hotel Davao, home of the largest Pagcor-Casino in Mindanao, served a bountiful selection of healthy and delicious food choices at their premier Champagne Bar. Fondly called C-Bar, the lounge bar is cozily located at the end of the hotel lobby and is best known for its all- day dining of international cuisines perfect for business and personal leisure. Not only that, at night, it transforms into a romantic entertainment lounge that features some of the best live performers in the city.

Paying homage to our lineage, C-Bar offered an assortment of delectable cuisines prepared solely to plaster a smile on everyone’s face. Their buffet included some tender Beef Caldereta, crispy and savory Chopsuey, fresh Sweet and Sour MayaMaya, rich Chicken Cordon Bleu, hot soup and textured Seafood Valenciana that was packed with flavors!

Also on their menu was a sweet variety of desserts like the maja blanca, cre-

ma de fruta cake nibbles and an array of fresh local fruit staples were on display. They too had their famous salad bar with every bit of ingredient you can think of and a sushi bar that served the freshest fish on this side of the metro.

Only for a night? Most definitely NOT! Aside from their buffet and daily ala carte servings, C-Bar adds a new twist on their menu every month. Yes, from appetizers to snacks,

Rising Sun Spicy Tuna.

Oriental Burger Sandwich.

Paying homage to our lineage, C-Bar offered an assortment of delectable cuisines prepared solely to plaster a smile on everyone’s face. chorizo burger anyone?!).

The next time you want to try something new, visit the Grand Regal Hotel Davao, the 14-storey hotel nestled on the northern part of the city, and head on straight to their Champagne Bar (daily; 6am to 12mn) for the newest palate quenching adventure you deserve. They also offer some of the best cakes and freshly brewed coffee at their Montmartre Café (daily; 6am to 12mn), a breakfast buffet at The Brasserie Restaurant (daily; 6am to 10am), a poolside al fresco dining experience at the Sundeck Bar and some mouthwatering epicurean recipes at their Kadayawan Restaurant.

It’s all here!

For more exciting news, visit them at www.grandregalhotels.com Make #TheRoyalChef your Thursday habit! Email me at leebay457@yahoo. com (subject:RoyalChef) or tag me on instagram (herroyalheiress) for your deliAt the Champagne Bar. cious pics and food finds!

they have something new for the hungry you.

This September, their exiting Chef’s Specialty Menu (ala carte) includes Rising Sun Spicy Tuna, Shrimps and Chicken Corn Soup, Beef Pescado, Pizza Seafood Al Fresco (experience a new and exciting twist in your usual pizza – with some turnips!) and their unique Oriental Burger Sandwich (beef and

Service with a smile at the Champagne Bar.

Paella was part of the special buffet.

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

VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

ZION

CLASSIFIED 13

EDGEDAVAO

ACCUPRINT PUBLISHING, INC.

Is in need of:

MACHINE OPERATOR

EDGE

Serving a seamless society

DAVAO

WANTS YOU!

(Printing Press)

Qualifications:

- At least high school graduate, not more than 30 years old - Physically and mentally fit - Can handle minor repairs of the machine - Has the ability to be cool under pressure of deadlines and complex projects - Experience of at least one year

Send application letter & resume to: HR Supervisor ZION Accuprint Publishing, Inc. Door 14 Alcrej Building, Quirino Ave., 8000 Davao City, Philippines E-mail: marketing@edgedavao.net zion_publishing@yahoo.com Telefax: (082) 2213601 Website: www.edgedavao.net

Account Executives (3) - Male / Female, not more than 30 years old - Candidate must posses a Bachelor/ College Degree in any Business field.

- Willing to work under pressure, flexible, persuasive, can speak fluently and computer literate - A team player - With Basic Salary, Transportation, Communication, allowance + Commission For interested applicants, you may send your resume to: HR Department EDGEDavao

Doors 13 & 14 Alcrej B;dg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel. No. (082) 221-3601 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com

14 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

Daniel Parantac of the Philippines performs in the men's wushu taijijian round of the 2014 Asian Games. Photo by Manan Vatsyayana/AFP

FACTBOX (Part 5 of a series): Here’s the factbox on the sports events at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea from September 9-October 4:

The other medals have generally gone to the other handful of nations that take the game seriously, like Pakistan and Bangladesh, but Iran’s men were a bolt from the blue at Guangzhou before getting thrashed

by India in the final.

The women’s tournament is likely to be more open, at least for the minor medals, with Thailand and Iran expected to challenge.

--

KARATE

Karate, meaning ‘empty hand’, is a striking martial art developed in Okinawa, Japan and uses punching, kicking, knee strikes, elbow strikes and open hand techniques.

A karate practitioner is called a karateka.

The Karate competition will take place at the Gyeyang Gymnasium from Oct. 2-4 and there will be 13 golds up for grabs, seven for men and six for women.

Unsurprisingly, Japan have been the powerhouse in the sport since it was introduced at the Hiroshima Games in 1994, emerging as the most successful nation at each edition since its inclusion with 36 medals in total, including 23 golds.

Iran and Malaysia are next on the all-time table with the Iranians bagging nine golds among their 22 medals, while the Malaysians have taken home six golds in a 26-medal haul.

--

MODERN PENTATHLON

ACID TEST Gilas faces biggest challenge today vs. Iran

T

HE Philippines takes on Iran at 2 pm this afternoon for the most crucial game of the 17th Asian Games basketball tournament in Incheon, South Korea.

After taking an 85-76 win over India, Gilas Pilipinas knows this game should serve as the barometer if they are to aspire for the most important gold medal of the country’s Asiad campaign.

If India coach Scott Flemming will be asked, he believes Gilas Pilipinas can beat Iran only if it can consistently hit its outside shots today at the Hwaseong Sports Complex.

The American coach said the Philippine team has the tools to beat the reigning Asian champi-

onships, based on the Filipinos’ performance in the Fiba World Cup last month where they beat Senegal and more than held their own against some of the world’s topranked teams.

“On a given night, they are good enough to beat anybody,” said Flemming during the postgame conference on Tuesday after Gilas held off his hot-shooting Indian side, 85-76, on Tuesday.

“They held their own in the World Cup. I watched some of those games and they weren’t embarrassed at all even in the games that they lost.

They were pretty close.

“If they can play those teams like that, they can certainly beat Iran.” The Philippines is eyeing a sweep of Group E in the

preliminary round with a win against fellow Fiba World Cup qualifier Iran, who like the Filipinos won one game in Spain.

Flemming, however, warned that beating the highly-touted Iranians won’t be easy. “Iran is good. They have their (Gilas’) number a pretty number of times. But they can definitely beat them. They’ve got to hit their outside shots.

They’ve got shooters,” Flemming said. Jeff Chan, Gary David, and LA Tenorio clicked from the outside against India, although head coach Chot Reyes admitted later that Gilas was outplayed by the Indians for most of the way.

But Flemming stressed that Gilas was tough to play - mainly

because of its quickness and outside shooting, not to mention its huge crowd support.

“They did a lot of things very well. They have a lot of quickness and a lot of shooters.

They are a tough matchup because they bring a lot of shooters off the bench,” said Flemming.

“Plus they have a sixth man out there. It felt like an away game,” said Flemming of Filipino fans who supported Gilas from the stands in Hwaseong, which is about an hour away by train from Incheon.

Still, Fleming said Gilas’ shooters can’t afford to go cold against the tall Iranians. “They can’t afford to have a cold night against Iran and try to win,” said Flemming.

The modern pentathlon comprises five disciplines held in one day with participants competing in fencing, swimming, equestrian, and the final combined event of shooting and running.

A staple of the Olympic Games since 1912, the event has appeared at the Asian Games in 1994, 2002 and 2010.

The combined event is a handicapped start with the rankings leader starting first in a 3,000m run broken up by three shooting sections at five targets.

The first competitor to cross the line at the end of the combined event wins gold.

The rankings are determined based on the total amount of points from the three pervious disciplines and four medals are being offered at the Asian Games, in both men’s and women’s team and individual events.

The competition is due to take place on Oct. 2-3 at four venues within the Dream Park complex with two medals awarded on each of the days.

South Korea, China and Kazakhstan have accounted for the gold medals in the event, with the hosts claiming six of the 12 handed out since its inclusion.

--

ROWING

Asian Games rowers could be forgiven for feeling a little isolated from their team mates in other sports as they will be competing at a venue situated the furthest away from the hub of the action.

While the Chungju Tangeum Lake International Rowing Center in North Chungcheong province is a fantastic venue that hosted the 2013 World Rowing Championships, it is located more than 100 km from Incheon.

Once racing gets underway in the six days of competition from Sept. 20-25, 14 golds will be awarded in an even split of events between men and women rowers.

China has a virtual monopoly on the success in regional rowing competitions and is expected to dominate again after bagging 74 of the 86 gold medals awarded in the history of the sport since it was introduced in 1982.

--

RUGBY SEVENS

Rugby sevens was introduced with just men’s teams in 1998 in Bangkok, Thailand with South Korea beating Japan in the final.

To be continued...

VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15 OFF TO A GOOD START. The tandem of Lee Vann Corteza and Dennis Orcollo got off to a good start in defense of their World Cup of Pool title. Betway World Cup of Pool photo

SMOOTH OPENING

Corteza-Orcollo duo wins Word Cup of Pool opener I

T wasn’t as easy as expected, but the defending champions from the Philippines are through to the next round of the Betway World Cup of Pool.

On Tuesday Lee Vann Corteza of Davao City and partner Dennis Orcollo gutted out a 7-5 victory in the round of 32 against a game Chilean side in the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth, England. The Philippines next plays France in the round of 16 on Thursday.

The defending champions were given a tough game against the South

American qualifiers, namely Alejandro Carvajal and Enrique Rojas.

The Chileans pulled to within 2-3 with a fluked nine ball in rack five. In the next game Carvajal scratched, handing the rack to the Philippines for 4-2.

Rack seven also went to the Pinoys for a more comfortable 5-7 lead.

But Chile showed some true grit to take the next rack then break-and-runout rack nine to pull to within one at 4-5. A see-saw rack ten eventually went to the Philippines as they got to the hill. Chile steeled their

nerve to capture rack eleven to keep within one rack of the defending champs.

But in rack twelve the Chileans were finally doomed when Rojas scratched unluckily on the break, allowing the Philippines to run out for victory.

“Race to seven is very short and we struggled in the beginning. We didn’t get nice breaks and had two scratches and a dry break,” said a relieved Orcollo, a former 8 Ball world champion.

“It felt like playing at home because of the support from the Filipino com-

ment.

Sithsaithung has won his last 11 fights with six of them all by knockouts.

Dapudong, 28, has a fight record of 29 wins with 7 knockouts, six loses and no draw.

Dapudong, a native of M’lang first lost to Gideon Buthelezi of South Africa by a controversial decision last November 10, 2012. But in their mandatory rematch, Dapudong made sure that he will not be robbed already of his victory by knocking out Buthelezi in 2:29 of the first round last June 15, 2013 at the Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park,

Gauteng, South Africa.

The Dapudong-Sithasithung tenner is one of the triple main events in the boxing event dubbed as the “Raw Power: Clash of The Little Titans”.

The other main headers will feature Rey “Hitman” Loreto of La Trinidad, Benguet against Heri “The Magic Baby” Amol of Indonesia (10 rds.-108 lbs.) and Denver Cubelo versus Jaipeth Chaiyongym (10 rds.-108 lbs.).

Loreto has 18 wins with 10 Kos against 13 defeats and no draw while Amol is toting 34 wins with 14 Kos against 19 loses and four draws.

Dapudong to face Thai Oct. 11

F

ORMER International Boxing Organization (IBO) world super flyweight champon Edrin Dapudong of North Cotabato will face dangerous Wisanlek Sithsaithung of Thailand in a non-title bout on October 11 at the Almendras gym.

It will be Dapudong’s first fight since losing his title by a controversial split decision against Lwandie Sityaha in South Africa last July 18.

“This will be a tuneup for his rematch against Sityaha. But his Thai opponent is not a patsy,” said promoter Manny Pinol of the Sonshine Sports Manage-

munity here in England.

This event is very special for us and we really wanted to come through the first round,” he added.

The first two rounds are races-to-seven, with the quarters extending to races-to-nine and the final a race to ten.

Only the Philippines has won the World Cup of Pool more than once. The duo of Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante claimed the title in 2006 and 2009, while Corteza and Orcollo beat the Netherlands in last year’s final.

In other results, Mika

Immonen and Petri Makkonen of Finland whitewashed Korea 7-0 to cruise into the second round. They next meet either Poland or Australia, Immonen and Makkonen won this event in 2012 the last time it was held in the Philippines.

Should Immonen and Makkonen win the next match they will cross swords with the Filipinos on Saturday’s quarterfinals.

Russia’s Ruslan Chinakhov and Kosta Stepanov also qualified for the second round via a tense 7-6 win against Japan.

The day before Greece tripped Indonesia 7-6, France overcame Italy 7-4 for the right to meet the Philippines, and Austria handily defeated Portugal 7-2. Austria features Albin Ouschan, the brother of former women’s world champ Jasmin. Albin lost the final of the world 9 ball championship earlier in the year to Niels Feijen of the Netherlands.

The rest of the round of 32 matchups will continue until Thursday, which is also when the next round begins. (Bob Guerrero of Yahoo Sports) Taney Dragons pitcher Mo’Ne Davis helped lead her team to the the United States semifinals at the Little League World Series, captivating the nation with her performances on the mound. Davis, who tossed out first pitches at Phillies and Dodgers games earlier this summer, is donating one of her jerseys to the Baseball Hall Of Fame in Cooperstown, and will play a game with her teammates at the Hall on Thursday.

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 138 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014