Edge Davao 7 Issue 154

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

COVERED. A staff nurse wearing a coverall suit is seen inside one of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC)’s special isolation wards yesterday. SPMC chief of hospital Dr. Leopoldo J. Vega admitted yesterday that the hospital is still incapable of treating Ebola patients for lack of facilities. Lean Daval Jr.

SECURITY IS TOP PRIORITY

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

ECURITY will be the top priority for host Davao City a week ahead of the 2nd Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines–East ASEAN

Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Business Leaders’ Conference and IMT-GT Trade Fair-the biggest event to be held in the city this year.

With a week to go be-

fore the Summit’s opening, organizers said they are not leaving any stone unturned in all areas of preparations, particularly security.

Overall, the city is now

80 percent ready, according to organizers.

Davao City Tourism and Operations Officer Maria Felisa Marques told reporters

FSECURITY, 10

AFP: INSIDE PROBE CIVILIAN EDGE DEATHS THE BIG NEWS page 2

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

FIRST IN DAVAO REGION. Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) chief of hospital Dr. Leopoldo J. Vega talks to members of media after the hospital received the ISO 9001:2008 certificate from TUV-SUD-PSBat SPMC ER conference room yesterday. SPMC is the first hospital in Davao Region to receive the certification. Lean Daval Jr.

AFP: Probe civilian deaths Patient info system

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

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ASTERN Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) commander Lieutenant General Aurelio B. Baladad directed the Army’s 10th Infantry Division to conduct full investigation on the reported death of two civilians killed in in SitioTaytayan, Brgy. Andap, New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province last Sunday, October 12.

The fatalities were identified as Lando Sabado Dangasan, 40, and his son Felix, 16, both residents of Purok

7, Taytayan, Andap.

They were reportedly killed by soldiers of 66th Infantry Battalion who were on security patrol along the routes of Barangays Andap and Manurigao as part of the humanitarian assistance operation to be held in Manurigao on October 14 when the incident transpired.

The investigating team will be headed by 10th ID commander Major General Eduardo Año alongside the

Philippine National Police (PNP).

For his part, 66th IB commander Lieutenant Colonel Michael Logico said they have already extended initial assistance to the Dangasan family and will fully cooperate with the conduct of the investigation on the incident.

Baladad said he will not tolerate any violation of human rights committed by soldiers.

“We enlisted the support of the PNP in the conduct

of investigation to ensure transparency and credibility of the result of the investigation,” he said.

Balalad also directed all military commanders under his command to comply strictly with the Rules of Engagement (ROE), the rule of law, protection of human rights, and adherence to the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the conduct of combat and non-combat operations in line with Internal Peace Security Plan, which is dubbed Bayanihan.

on ring nets and bag nets which has been identified by the bureau as the closed season for small pelagic fish.

According to Idris, the fishing ban produced an increase in presence of identified fish species, including yellow fin and other species of tuna.

The agency currently has four patrol boats, with an additional 28-foot vessel patrolling the gulf.

During the closed season, Idris said fishing for small pelagic fish has minimized so much that nearby regions complained of an increase of more commercial fishing vessels, citing Region XII waters as an example.

There has been no confirmed apprehension by the bureau during the test run this year, but it did not mean the agency was not taking action, Idris said.

“When our boats approached theirs, we told them (commercial vessels) to turn off their lights. This means that there will be no catch,” she said. “If their nets are up, bring these down,” she added Idris said the addition of the bigger boat for the bureau’s small fleet would allow the agency to pursue and apprehend foreign commercial fishing vessels traveling across the Pacific Ocean, within Philippine territorial waters.

This year’s ban on fishing for small pelagic fish, mandated by Joint Administrative Order No. 2, was delayed by more than a month after the agency had to comply with legal requirements such as the drafting of the implementing rules and regulations as well as publication.

However, in an earlier interview with BFAR’s regulatory, licensing and law enforcement division, officer in charge Jose Villanueva said the program was already successful despite the delay.

Villanueva said the JAO contributed to an increased presence of spawns in the gulf.

at SPMC is hi-tech

BY FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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HE patient information system of the Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC) is going hightech with Private Cloud, a system that allows medical practitioners to carry information on their patients even outside the hospital.

At a press conference

yesterday at the SPMC conference room, X2 Wave System, Inc. co-founder Dr. Adrian Flores said patients’ information can be loaded in tablets within seconds for doctors to view.

“This will help the medical practitioner to easily

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Rebel fires grenade at BFAR-11 to procure vessel for patrol operations soldiers in NorCot village

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HE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will be procuring a 40-foot vessel next year to patrol the region’s more turbulent waters, according to the bureau’s regional director.

In an interview Monday during the launch of BFAR’s Fish Conservation week at its regional office here, Regional Director Fatma Idris told reporters that the 40-foot ship will be made in the Philippines and will cost more than P1 million.

Idris said the BFAR will use the ship to monitor the waters facing the Pacific Ocean, especially during the June to August annual ban

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EMBERS of the New People’s Army (NPA) fired a rifle grenade near the barangay hall of a remote village of Magpet, North Cotabato in an apparent effort to drive away government forces on a peace and development mission, a ranking Army official said Thursday.

According to Colonel Nilo Vinluan, 57th Infantry Battalion commander, the grenade attack occurred at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the village of Balete where the military was conducting a peace and development outreach program.

Nobody was hurt among the civilians and military personnel.

The grenade, fired from M-79 grenade launcher, landed in an old basketball

court beside the barangay hall.

“It was a clear sabotage against the military’s peace and development outreach program,” Vinluan said.

“They do not want the soldiers in the area,” he added.

Vinluan appealed to the local residents of Balete not to fear military personnel in their communities for they remain with the government and will protect the people.

The Magpet police have joined the military in investigating the grenade attack.

Three days ago, a soldier was wounded when NPA snipers fired at a platoon of 57th IB elements conducting patrol in the village of Batac, also in Magpet, a town situated at the foot of the country’s highest peak where the rebels operate. (PNA)

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

Al Jazeera’s Veronica listens to Atty. Mohammad Al-amin Julkipli of the GRP Peace Panel legal team during the launching of the EU Peace Reporting Awards in Cotabato City. Also in the panel are MILF peace panel chair Moha-

EDGEDAVAO

gher Iqbal and Edoardo Manfredini of the EU Delation to the Philippines | Photo courtesy of OPAPP

Peace deal silences guns in Mindanao

By JEFRY M. TUPAS

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HE peace deal between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has silenced the guns in Mindanao for six months now.There are no more images of burned homes and villages that have become the fare of newspapers and evening television newscasts during the more than four decades of conflict.

“It’s time to look for other wars,” says journalist Edwin Espejo who has been covering the war for two decades.

“Now that the guns are silent, journalists can scour for the bigger wars that are

confronting majority of the people,” he says.

Espejo says the peace that Mindanao is experiencing now is an opportunity for journalists «to see through the realities on the ground and expose these, and tell these stories that can help strengthen this peace.»

Ten out of the 16 poorest provinces in the country are in Mindanao, with Lanao del Norte province leading the way with a 67.3 percent poverty incidence.

The problem exists despite Mindanao’s vast natural resources, which remained untapped due to the

decades-long conflict in the region.

Espejo says journalists now have the time «to go back to the root causes of the conflict, which are poverty and landlessness.»

“There are bigger wars still to fight,” says lawyer Jesus Durezs, a former journalist and a peace negotiator for the government.

“The war is no longer between MILF and the government,” he says, “but a continuous fight to make the peace agreement succeed.”

“This bigger fight or challenge has just started,” Dureza says.

FPEACE, 10

DSWD, DOT hito project helps Los Amigos’4Ps beneficiaries

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

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he barangay officials of Los Amigos in Davao City lauded the joint project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 11 and the Department of Tourism (DOT) 11 for their catfish (hito) production for tourism livelihood for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in the area.Los Amigo barangay captain Angelico Santander Jr. told reporters in yesterday’s I-Speak Media Forum that the project will really help his constituents not just in their livelihood but also the whole catfish industry in the area which is now one of the tourist destinations of the city.

“Nagpsalamat mi sa ilang suporta. Dako kayo na ikatabang sa atong community ilabi na gyud sa among barangay (We are thankful of their

support . It will give a huge help for our community especially in our barangay),” Santander said.

He said the DSWD identified 60 out of 248 4Ps beneficiaries in the area who will receive capital assistance for their livelihood.

“Ilahang target katong makasugod dayon sila, na naa silay pond and potential na makahimo sila nianang production. Kay kung panaglitan katong tagaan pud kay katong walay pond na mabutangan, hurot ra na ang capital, sayang ra pud (Their target are those who can immediately start the project who already have ponds and have potential to do the production. If they do not have the ponds, the capital will be wasted),” Satander said.

He said the beneficiaries do not necessarily have to own the ponds but may rent

someone else’s property to start their initial catfish production.

Santander said the beneficiaries have already finished their training and seminars and are also organized.

He said these beneficiaries are going to register with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as a requirement.

Santander said some beneficiaries have already started their production while the others are still waiting for the assistance.

He said each beneficiary will receive around P10,000 in livelihood assistance, enough to start and even earn a profit.

He said the other beneficiaries will receive their start-up capital during the Pantatan Festival on October 28.

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NEWS

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NEWS

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

Davao tourism sector seeks to regain MICE dominance

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

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OLLOWING the success of the “It’s more fun in the Philippine” campaign of the Department of Tourism, the tourism sector wants to regain the country’s rank as prime destination for meetings, incentives, conference, and exhibits (MICE).

Domingo Ramon Enerio III, Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) said the Philippines used to be a prime location for MICE in Asia but not anymore.

He said the country was among the top five MICE destinations in the 1980s but has since been overtaken by neighboring countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

He said among the 113 countries worldwide that

are MICE destinations, the Philippines currently rank 41st.

“We have already lost the prestige,” Enerio said during the recent launching of Visit Philippine 2015 at The Marco Polo, Davao.

He said the MICE sector is a huge industry that can boost employment in the tourism and services sectors of the country and particularly the Davao Region.

Aside from employment, being a prime destination for meetings and conventions can bring more tourists in the region.

Enerio encouraged the private sector to do its

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Priest to gov’t: Rethink policy on mining and monocroping 16 police massacre suspects granted bail

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N the 23rd death anniversary of a Bukidnon priest killed for his environmental advocacy, a priest here urged the government to rethink its policy of allowing mining and monocrop plantations in the province, considering that it is considered as a watershed area.

“Let’s rethink our land use management in Bukidnon. It seems that the framework that Bukidnon is a watershed seems yet to sink in,” said Fr. Rey Raluto, dean of studies of St. Vianney Seminary, during Wedneday’s forum attended by coordinators and representatives of ecological desks from around the diocese.

“If we really think Bukidnon is indeed a watershed province, we should not just easily allow

entry of companies in mining … monocropping,” he stressed.

On October 14, 1991, Fr. Nery Satur and his female aide were ambushed on their way back to Valencia City, then a municipality, after celebrating a mass in Barangay Guinoyoran. He was shot pointblank with a shotgun after falling from his motorcycle. His head was smashed with a rifle butt. He was 29.

Satur, a forest protection officer deputized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), was killed a few years after the imposition of a logging moratorium in Bukidnon.

Raluto said that in his recent study of the land use plan in the province, he is

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IN DANGER. A street hawker peddles miniature Christmas lanterns to motorists along E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City yesterday, unmindful of the risk of being hit by vehicles. Lean Daval Jr.

Toto asks families of victims to be calm

By JEFRY M. TUPAS

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AG U I N DA N AO Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu has urged the families of the other victims of the gruesome Ampatuan Massacre to remain calm following a court decision that allowed 16 policemen — all of the implicated in the killing of the 58 victims — to post bail.

Mangudadatu’s appeal came as private and government prosecutors

continue to disagree on whether or not it is time to rest the case against the suspects.

“Private prosecutors continue to insist that more witnesses must be presented to shed light into the massacre. That they are not giving up yet is something that is heartwarming,” said Mangudadatu.

On Wednesday, Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Re-

gional Trial Court in Quezon City, has issued an order that allowed the 16 policemen to have temporary freedom if they can post bail.

But Mangudadatu said the decision does not mean that the 16 police are now free.

He was quick to dismiss speculations that he doubts the capacity of each of the policemen to raise the P11.6 million for all the 58 victims.

establishment along E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

FTOT ASKS, 10

Family farms key to food security, organic farming advocates claim

R DOING THE BUDOTS. A young boy performs a “budots” dance – popularamong barrio disco goers – in exchange for a few coins infront of an

He said private prosecutors will still present new set of witnesses who will hopefully pin down the accused.

“Not that I think the policemen will find it difficult to raise the amount, but the decision does not mean that it is the end of the fight,” said Mangudadatu.

Private prosecutors, he said, are contesting the presentation of more witnesses.

ECOGNIZING their important role in providing for Davao’s food security, this month’s celebration of World Food Day will focus on local family farms that practice organic farming.

“Smallholder farmer families are capable of feeding the world,” Go Organic Davao City member and IDIS executive director Ann Fuertes said.

Fuertes said in developing regions like Africa and Asia, around 500 million small family farms are responsible for 80 percent of all food production.

“These family farms practice the simplest methods of organic farming and are able to produce safe, nutritious

and affordable food for their communities unlike food harvested from corporate plantations which use toxic pesticides and are mainly for export,” she said.

According to GoDC, family farming includes all family-based agricultural activities and is linked to several areas of rural development. It is a means of organizing agricultural forestry, fisheries, pastoral and aquaculture productions which is managed and operated by a family and predominantly reliant on family labor.

But organic farming support groups are concerned that family farming is dwindling around the world.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

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EDGEDAVAO

THE ECONOMY

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

SEC approves Phoenix’s application for P2-B STCP

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DREAMWEAVERS. T’boli women weave T’nalak, which is made of abaca fibers, in Barangay Lamdadalag, Lake Sebu South Cotabato. The T’boli

weavers said the patterns of the T’nalak cloth are formed in their dreams.

Mindanews Photo by Keith Bacongco

AVAO City-based Phoenix Petroleum Corporation will offer P2 billion worth of Short-Term Commercial Paper (STCP) as approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In a disclosure with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) last Wednesday, the company said the SEC approved the registration and consequently issued the Certificate of Permit to Offer Securities for Sale in favor of Phoenix authorizing the sale and issuance of STCP of up to P2 billion in one or more tranches at an offer price of 100 percent face value.

Phoenix said the STCP will be offered and sold to the investing public through its Joint Issue Managers, namely Multination-

al Investment Bancorporation and AB Capital Investment Corporation.

The company said it will similarly be listed with the Philippine Dealings & Exchange Corp. (PDEx).

Phoenix said its Board of Directors had approved the P2 billion worth of securities last May 8.

Founded in Davao City in 2002, Phoenix is the first independent oil company and the first company from Davao City to be listed in the PSE after the Oil Deregulation Law was passed in 1998.

Phoenix is engaged in the business of trading refined petroleum products and lubricants, operation of oil depots and storage facilities, and allied services. Cheneen R. Capon

Services sector dominates IdeaSpace opens Davao Region economy 2015 startup tilt

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

HE services sector dominates the economy of Davao Region, preliminary results of the 2012 Census of the Philippine Business and Industry (CPBI) showed.

“Of the 1,528 total number of establishments with total employment of 20 and over in the region in 2012, 1,106 or 72.4 percent or about three-fourths… were engaged in the services sector,” Ma. Leah C. Magracia, statistician from the Philippine Statistics Authority 11, said yesterday.

Under the services sector are establishments engaged in wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; transportation and storage; accommodation and food service activities; information and communication; financial and insurance activities; real estate activities; professional, scientific, and technical services; ad-

ministrative and support service activities; education; human health and social works activities; art, entertainment and recreation; and other service activities.

The industry sector, meanwhile, accounted for 20.3 percent of the total number of business establishments in 2012 with 310 establishments.

The industry sector includes mining and quarrying; manufacturing; electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply; water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities; and construction.

The agriculture sector accounted for 7.3 percent of the total number of establishments in 2012 with 112 establishments.

This sector includes agriculture, forestry, and fishing.

In terms of revenue or total income earned by es-

tablishments, 51.1 percent contributed by the services sector at P141.5 billion, followed by the industry sector at P107.4 billion or 38.8 percent.

The 2012 census showed that across industries, 31.3 percent or 479 establishments were engaged in wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles This was followed by manufacturing which had 246 establishments or 16.2 percent.

The preliminary results of the 2012 CPBI also showed that the services sector had the highest number of workers, accounting for 56.6 percent or 81,595 of the total 144,227 employed workers from the 1,528 establishments.

The industry and agriculture sectors had almost the same number of workers of a little over 31,000.

The census also showed that employment in Region 11 grew from 102,186 workers in 2006 to 144,227 in 2012, or by 41.1 percent Leading the 18 economic sectors in terms of number of workers in the region were agriculture, forestry and fishing with 31, 081 workers; wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles with 26, 464 workers ; and manufacturing with a total 21,850 recorded workers in 2012.

On the average, there were 94 workers per establishment in the region.

This is lower than in the other regions like SOCCKSARGEN which had an average of 137.

Estela T. De Guzman, interim assistant national statistician for the economic sector of PSA, said the final result of 2012 CPBI is expected to finished before the year ends. CRC

you are given 15 days to meet your obligation. The Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) issued a final notice and demand letter last September 18, 2014 via regular mail we are waiting for information as to when the SRPI receive the final notice and demand letter,” Arnuco said in an interview.

“We will submit this (information) to the OGCC for legal action on the matter,” Arnuco said in case SRPI does not comply with the demand letter.

He said it is clear under the lease agreement that three non-payments of con-

secutive billings or demand letters would warrant a cancellation of the lease agreement.

He said the Zamboecozone Board of Directors approved and confirmed through a resolution on January 25, 2013 the least agreement of SRPI covering the operation of the 105-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant with port facility, which was subsequently ratified by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) entered into by and between the SRPI and Zamboecozone on January 27, 2013.

The lease agreement

covers the use by SRPI of 33 hectares at the Zamboecozone Second Industrial Park to build and operate 105MW coal-fired power plant and seafront stretch for the construction of SRPI’s seaport facility for the offloading of the imported coal that it shall use in its operations.

Arnuco said they have already cleared the 33-hectare area subscribed by SRPI at the Second Industrial Park of all illegal settlers and was duly turned over and received by SRPI as stipulated by the terms and conditions of the lease agreement.

(PNA)

Zamboecozone gives power firm grace period to settle P10.2-M obligation

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HE Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport (Zamboecozone) has given San Ramon Power, Inc. (SRPI) a grace period of 15 days upon receipt of a demand letter to settle its P10.2 million obligation to Zamboecozone.

Zamboecozone chair and administrator Christopher Lawrence Arnuco said the P10.2 million represents lease payment and security deposit due to the Zamboecozone since October 2013.

“Under the lease agreement, once you receive the final billing and notice of demand and billing statement,

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DEASPACE Foundation, Inc. (IdeaSpace), the largest privately-backed technology incubator and accelerator in the country, has announced the opening of its 2015 startup competition which seeks to find the next big great technology idea from the Philippines and around the region.

Now on its third year, the IdeaSpace competition continues to foster relevant ideas and breakthrough innovations from some of the region’s most brilliant minds by providing at least P1 million worth of seed funding, legal consulting, mentorship opportunities, office space, and market runway to eventual winners.

As in last year’s competition, the 2015 tilt will also be accepting early-stage startup ideas from founders based in countries from Southeast Asia, as the region emerges to become one of the most important technology startup hubs in the world.

Interested groups and individuals may file their applications via apply.ideaspacefoundation.org on or before January 15, 2015.

S u p p o r t ing the ecosystem In a statement, IdeaSpace President and Co-founder Earl Martin Valencia said innovative Filipino founders should take this opportunity to bring their brilliant technology ideas to reality and contribute to the emerging Philippine startup ecosystem.

“As we’ve seen in recent months, the local startup community is more vibrant than ever. Investors from here and around the world, including those from Silicon Valley, all have their eyes trained on

Philippine startups,” he said.

Just recently, IdeaSpace was instrumental in two of the biggest startup community events that brought key global investors and local startup players in one venue: Geeks on a Plane in Makati City and Geeks on a Beach in Cebu— both with Dave McClure of 500 Startups, considered the most active venture capital fund in Silicon Valley, in attendance.

“Investors are taking notice, and we have the brilliant ideas that could take the world by storm. IdeaSpace hopes to foster and nurture those kinds of innovation,” Valencia added.

Top ideas The top 20 ideas after three rounds of judging will officially enter IdeaSpace’s six-week incubation phase, where each startup will receive a P50,000 grant for prototype development, presentation materials, and customer validation, among others.

After the incubation phase, the IdeaSpace Board of Trustees will select the top ten startups that will enter the acceleration phase, an intensive 18-week program that will help each startup develop their products, set up their corporation and business permits, and conduct market validation, among others.

Each startup that successfully enters the acceleration phase will get P500,000 in seed funding, plus a separate grant worth at least another P500,000 inclusive of business management classes, marketing and financial consulting, intellectual property consulting and incorporation, office space, and business registration costs, among others.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

Barclays sees sustained rise of remittances to Phl

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NVESTMENt bank Barclays continues to see strong inflows from overseas Filipinos that will support the Philippines’ domestic consumption, which is a major contributor to growth.

In a research note issued Wednesday, Barclays said the six percent year-on-year rise of cash sent mostly by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) is stronger than the bank’s 4.5 percent growth forecast. ”Stable and sustained growth in remittances should continue to support domestic consumption,” it said.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Wednesday reported that cash remittances to the Philippines last August reached $2.05 billion, higher than year-ago’s $1.94 billion but a shade lower than month-ago’s $2.06 billion.

In the first eight months of the year, cash remittances totaled to $15.54 billion, up from the $14.68 billion yearago figure.

Remittances account for about 10 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GPD) and is the major factor for the strong domestic growth. (PNA)

Agri-business exec urges summit, meetings on ASEAN integration

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top agri-business executive has called on government leaders to help the private sector prepare well for the integration of the ASEAN economy next year.

Dr. Eulalio D. Lorenzo, president and chief executive officer of the EDL Group of Companies, made the call during the launch of the payper-view initially of cockfighting and gamefowl industry television shows and later the e-gazines of PitGames Media Inc. at the Max’s Restaurant at Ali Mall, Quezon City with Singapore-based partners, Advent Integra Solutions PTE. Ltd. “We have to prepare.

Business, government, and

the people. Everybody should prepare for the ASEAN Economic Community involving the Philippines and the nine other Southeast Avsian countries,” Lorenzo said.

“Up to now many people are still in the dark as to the immediate and long-term consequences of the ASEAN integration, especially to our business, the economy and the people,” he pointed out.

Lorenzo, who is a doctor of veterinary medicine by profession, said it will do well for the government and the business sector, including labor, to hold a series of summits on the ASEAN integration and then cascade information and instructions to cities and municipalities. (PNA)

THE ECONOMY

GOLDEN FIELD. The field appears gold as a farmer harvests rice in the early morning in Barangay Libertad, Butuan City. MindaNews photo by

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Erwin Mascarinas

Personal remittances up $17.2B in Jan-Aug 2014 P

ERSONAL remittances from overseas Filipinos (OFs) rose in August 2014, posting 7.2 percent growth year-on-year to reach US$2.3 billion.

This brought personal remittances for the first eight months of 2014 to US$17.2 billion, higher by 6.5 percent relative to the year-ago level, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced Wednesday.

The BSP said the increase in personal remittances was driven largely by the steady increase in transfers from land-based workers with work contracts of

one year or more (5.2 percent), and sea-based and land-based workers with work contracts of less than one year (8 percent).

Similarly, cash remittances from OFs coursed through banks grew by 6 percent year-on-year to US$2.1 billion in August 2014.

For the period January-August 2014, cash remittances reached US$15.5 billion, or a 5.8 percent increase compared to US$14.7 billion registered in the same period in 2013.

In particular, cash remittances from land-based

and sea-based workers rose by 5.2 percent to US$11.8 billion; and 8 percent to US$3.7 billion, respectively.

The bulk of cash remittances (about 79 percent) came from the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, Canada, and Hong Kong.

The strong demand for skilled Filipino workers overseas remained a key driver in the sustained growth of remittance flows.

Preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Adminis-

tration (POEA) showed that for January-August 2014, job orders reached 619,388, of which 38.6 percent were processed job orders intended for service, production, and professional, technical and related workers in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Taiwan, and Qatar.

Moreover, the efficient network of bank and nonbank remittance channels established worldwide and their efforts to expand financial services to cater to the various needs of OFs provided support to the inflow of remittances. (PNA)

charges of illegal recruitment.

According to Cacdac, it was the third time in as many years that an illegal recruiter was arrested at the POEA grounds.

The authorities found out that Mallari had been recruiting factory workers for Japan. His five latest victims whom he brought to the POEA to process their documents testified that the ille-

gal recruiter charged each of them P50,000.

Prior to his arrest, Mallari caught the suspicion of the POEA security guard when the former asked his victims to wait in the POEA lobby while he went to the second floor of the building.

Since Mallari was not accredited to transact with POEA personnel and his victims eventually became suspicious, they were invit-

ed to the POEA security office where they were interviewed by POEA Anti-Illegal Recruitment operatives.

Upon learning of Mallari’s modus operandi, the POEA immediately reported the incident to the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), whose operatives arrested and detained him on charges of illegal recruitment. (PNA)

Alleged illegal recruiter arrested in POEA premises

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n alleged illegal recruiter was arrested inside the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) premises in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday after the POEA Anti-Illegal Recruitment operatives discovered his modus operandi.

POEA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac identified the suspect as Regulus Mallari, 47, who is now facing

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EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

Lopsided

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OME sectors are pointing out that the Filipinos’ collective anger at the US government for continuing to claim custody over murder suspect US Marine Private Joseph Scott Pemberton instead of handing him over to the Philippine government is misplaced and even hypocritical given the volume of crimes happening in the country by Filipinos against Filipinos. They argue that instead of harping on this one case, the people should demand that government give full attention to reducing the crime rate and solving the ones that have already been committed. They also go to the extent that the “communists” are behind the “noise” and that the protests are being orchestrated by the left.

This is a lot of nonsense, of course. The case of Pemberton, who is accused of murdering Filipino transgender Jeffrey/Jennifer Laude, is an entirely different thing from the other crimes that are committed in the country because it involves an agreement between two sovereign countries.

The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) has always been crit-

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icized for being lopsided in favor of the US, and at no time is this more apparent than when something like the Laude murder case happens. Under the agreement, the Philippine government may only request custody of an American serviceman involved in a crime on Philippine soil. The US may or may not grant the request – showing how disadvantaged we are right on our very own soil.

This case is a strong argument for the termination of the VFA, and the people must keep the flames of their anger burning because our very soul is being stepped on here.

Jeffrey/Jennifer Laude has become a rallying point for the rage that must be shown against a system that makes Filipinos third-class citizens in our very own country while American servicemen are given preferential treatment.

This is a murder case, after all, and Philippine laws must handle it under the strictest of protocols. The case must be tackled under our own rules, our own terms, our own prerogatives.

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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“H

appiness,” said Rosamunde Pilcher, “is making the most of what you have.”

When people start to want things that they cannot have, complications arise. A wife wants a new house while the husband desires to have a new car. The daughter looks forward to having a two-week vacation in another country while the son yearns for a new computer and the latest gadgets.

If these longings cannot be met, then tears and sadness ensue. A fight is bound to happen along the way. Can a person live a simple life and live happily? “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated,” Confucius stated. “As you simplify your life,” Henry David Thoreau explained, “the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.”

So why make such a big fuss on making simple things complicated? “One reason people have difficulty in getting across their idea is they use more words than needed,” says a sage. “I know. I have done so too many times to count. I keep babbling on and on about something for far too long and fill the air with too many words.”

In some instances, that can be a good and enjoyable thing. But more often than not, talking about things most people have a hard time understanding is just a way to feed your own ego and keep the spotlight on yourself for as long as possible. “A lot of the time I think it can be useful to simplify and try to use fewer words,” the sage finally admits.

Keep it short and simple. That was also the advice of Rev. Harold R. Watson, the former director of the Davao-based Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) and recipient of the 1985 Ramon Magsaysay Award

I

N the general elections of June 6, 1928, the board of canvassers of Baganga, Davao Oriental, proclaimed Bernardo Veroy winner and elected municipal president (mayor) with 329 votes, while rivals Generoso Avellanosa obtained 257, and David Caobang, 51.

Avellanosa, represented by former Davao mayor Celestino Chaves, filed a protest with the CFI of Davao, claiming Veroy did not file his certificate of candidacy, making him ineligible and the vote cast, counted, and arbitrated in his favor were null and void. An answer was also filed by the winner in court.

In its decision, the court declared Veroy disqualified to become municipal president (mayor) for lack of certificate of candidacy and declared Avellanosa elected.

Veroy, however, appealed the decision, asserting the court made an error in declaring him ineligible in accordance with the Election Law. Docketed as G.R. No. 30591, the case reached the high tribunal. It cited Section 408 of the Election Law, as amended by Act No. 3387, approved on Dec. 3, 1927: “When an ineligible person is elected to a provincial or a municipal office, his right thereto must be challenged by

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

VANTAGE POINTS

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Simple is beautiful for peace and international THINK ON THESE! understanding. He is a believer of E.F. S c h u m a c k e r, the man behind the bestselling Small is Beautiful. “Any intelligent fool can make things Henrylito D. Tacio bigger, more complex, and henrytacio@gmail.com more violent,” Schumacker said. “It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.”

Coming from the United States, Watson introduced modern technologies in 19-hectare farm in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. But small-scale farmers didn’t know how to use those tractors, drip irrigations, and artificial insemination, among others. Watson changed his strategy. He talked with the farmers and learned what they already knew.

And from there, he developed what can be done to help them. “It takes technical people to make things complicated but a wise man to make complicated things simple and workable,” he said.

Hearing Watson talk, I was reminded of the words of American industrialist Lee Iacocca: “You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, your ideas won’t get you anywhere.” Well, look at those technical papers and reports. Do people read them?

Most of them are in university or public libraries gathering dust. Indeed, what a waste of valuable information.

“The ability to simplify means to elimi-

nate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak,” master painter and pioneering educator Hans Hofmann reminds. To which the great novelist Ernest Hemingway adds, “My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way.”

If these famous people can do things in simple manner, why can’t we? “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” Italian painter Leonardo Da Vinci once said. “Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” That’s what Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said.

Know who you are and your standing in life. “Knowing your purpose simplifies your life,” wrote Rick Warren, the author of the bestselling The Purpose-Driven Life. “It defines what you do and what you don’t do.

Your purpose becomes the standard you use to evaluate which activities are essential and which aren’t.”

More often than not, all of us want to be a star, to be the center of attraction. But only a few can become stars in their own right. So, if you can’t be a star, then be a tree. But be a tree that bears fruit. And if you cannot be a tree, then be content with being grass. Don’t settle, however, for being just a grass. If possible, be the best grass of all grasses. Simple enough, isn’t it?

Why make things so complicated? Karen Jogerst, author of If I Could Just Get Organized!, suggests, “Take a few things off your plate and take a vacation, get some sleep, eat better, drink less coffee, resolve any conflicts weighing on your mind, get some exercise, get away by yourself once in awhile, take off a few pounds, read a good book, and stop and smell the roses.”

Now, let’s go back to words. Simpler

words are easier to understand: use flood instead of inundate, kiss instead of osculate, woman instead of dowager. Write to express, not to impress, my editor thundered. “In the beginning was the word,” John 1:1 stated.

Here’s a story: It came to pass that the heart, the brain and the tongue agreed that they would not make any more simple words. “Those simple words only weigh me down and make me soft,” the heart said. “Today, everyone must use complex words.”

The brain added, “Great ideas, formulas, speculation – these are the things that produce results. Simple words are only a waste of time.”

The tongue agreed: “I specialize in technical terms, foreign words, and great speeches. I can’t be bothered any longer with simple words.”

So the heart began to send only complex and harsh words to the tongue. The brain produced only learned words and the tongue made great speeches. No more simple words came from the lips. After that decision, the world became empty, cold, and hopeless.

But there were some people who remembered the simple words. They started to search for them in past history. At first, they were afraid of being laughed at. But interestingly, the simple words, with their built-in joy, began to pass from mouth to mouth, from head to head, from heart to heart, and in no time they won wide circulation. And the world became a friendlier place to live again.

Do you want to know what those simple words are? Among them are: Thanks! Welcome! Please! Keep up the good work! May I help you? Don’t quit! I’m sorry! Take care!

That’s excellent! I miss you! I love you! God bless you!

nounced its decision without special announcement as to costs. Two grounds might have convinced the high tribunal to favor Veroy: the case was filed outside the two-week requirement provided by the electoral code, and the case was decided nine months, instead of 30 days, after the proclamation.

Meanwhile, in the general elections of June 5, 1934, Sebastian T. Generoso was proclaimed winner by the provincial board of canvassers over Juan A. Sarenas for the position of governor of Davao. But in a protest filed before the CFI of Davao, the decision was reverse; instead, Sarenas was proclaimed governor-elect with a majority of 82 votes.

Generoso filed an appeal contesting the court’s decision, citing 23 assignments of error, counting the nicknames that were not reflected in the certificate of candidacy.

This electoral protest was one of the most contentious in Davao’s political history. The ballots under question were keenly scrutinized, and the results adjudicated.

In its decision dated June 29, 1935, the SC (G.R. No. L-42685)

ruled that under the assignments of error submitted by Sarenas, Generoso should be “credited with a gain of eighty-five (85) votes under six assignments of error and that from this gain there should be deducted ten (10) votes under the first assignment of error of… Sarenas giving a total net gain to Generoso of seventy-five (75) votes which should be added to the 6,472 votes adjudicated to him by the trial court or a total of 6,547 votes.”

On the other hand, in Generoso’s assignments of error, the high tribunal ruled “there should be deducted from the total number of votes adjudicated to… Sarenas ninety-eight votes less two credited to him under his second assignment of error.

Therefore ninety-six votes should be deducted from the 6,554 votes adjudicated to… Sarenas by the trial court leaving a total of 6,458 votes in his favor.” In fine, the SC reversed the decision of the lower court and sided with Generoso as the winner in the election for Davao governor “with a plurality of eighty-nine (89) votes the contestant appellee Juan A. Sarenas, with costs against the latter in both instances.”

Two electoral disputes

FAST BACKWARD

BY THE ARCHIVIST any elector of the province or municipality concerned by instituting special proceedings in the nature of quo warranto before the Court of First Instance or before the Supreme Court within two weeks after the proclamation of his election. The case shall be tried in accordance with the usual procedure in quo warranto provided by law, and shall be decided by the court within thirty days after the finding of the complaint.”

The SC, its Sept. 27, 1929 verdict, reversed the cause of appeal and pro-

10

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yesterday they have already conducted simulations at all venues since Wednesday with the members of local Philippine National Police (PNP) and other security forces.

Marques said that they also worked with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for airport coordination and the national agencies with local government departments.

“There are some adjustments but, as our undersecretary Janet M. Lopoz (Executive Director of Mindanao Development Authority (Minda))had said parang (it is like)we, are eight out of 10 rating para sa atong (for our) preparations,” Marques said.

Marques said that their top priority is the safety and security of the delegates which is the marching order given them by Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.

She said that the Eastern Mindanao Command and local PNP has conducted a meeting yesterday morning for their security plan after the simulation last Wednesday.

“We are very happy that we see their full support nila.

They are assigning also security officers in different delegates and VIPs,” She said.

More than 300 participants have confirmed from foreign contingents Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. Marques said they are optimistic that they will reach the projected 800 delegates most of whom coming from the Philippines.

She said that they are hoping that the numbers of delegation can be still manageable so they really provide the security to them.

“So that, our foreign delegates and even the locals will go home with a positive note about Davao. Like our Department of Tourism has said it is really the image that we want to project ,” Maques said.

Marques said that the meetings of the different committees still continue since there are around 10 side events aside from the business leaders conference.

The Summit will likewise feature side events such as food festival, film festival, ICT Congress, Importers-Exporters Forum and a Friendship Golf Tournament.

“So we hope that everybody they have the chance to register as walk-in participants to see what is really know the issues and our status in BIMP-EAGA,” Marques said.

Marques said that Indonesia and Malaysia had already told the organizers that there are around 140 -170 participants who will join the event next week.

On October 22, Marques said that the city government will sponsor the welcome dinner for the delegates. Former president Fidel V. Ramos has confirmed his attendance.

She said that the two ambassadors from Indonesia and Thailand expressed to join the dinner but have yet to confirm.

Earlier, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Senior Superintendent Vicente D. Danao Jr. said that they will implement strict security measures in the upcoming business leader’s forum.

Danao asked the public, especially the delegates, to cooperate with the security measures that will be implemented during the event.

diagnose the patient’s condition anytime anywhere.

They can access it now, not only here in the hospital but even outside the vicinity through this new system,” Flores said.

“The SPMC Private Cloud is also ready to integrate in any government agency and can also share records, especially with PhilHealth and to the rest of other medical

institutions throughout the country,” he added.

Flores said the system is also covered with a strict security system that will prevent hackers from tracking the information of patients.

It can also be accessed even without the internet to make it more accessible to the medical practitioners.

“Doctors can move around with their patients’

information and nurses can also do their bedside management pretty quickly, innovatively, and portably,” Flores said.

Flores said the project will not cost SPMC a single centavo.

“We have chosen SPMC to introduce the system because we know that we can really make a difference here,” he said.

Santander said aside from 4Ps beneficiaries, other catfish farmers and restaurants also benefited fomr the program of DOTDSWD through the culinary trainings which started last month.

The DOT-DSWD’s ONE STEP program identified Los Amigos in Tugbok District for Agri-Tourism on Catfish Production with emphasis on Cuisine Tourism.

The 4Ps ONE STEP project condenses the goal of

the national government to provide livelihood and opportunities to the grassroots as an approach to economic development in the countryside through tourism.

It is the move of the two agencies to improve the lives of the people living below poverty line with more direct interventions through tourism activities.

The beneficiaries of the program could avail the Sustainable Livelihood

training of DSWD (basic employment and the basic business management skills trainings) in which they will be organized into an association through the Community Driven Enterprise Development approach.

After the training, the participants will be provided capital assistance coming from United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for them to start their micro-enterprise.

“I have read the decision and it appears that there is insufficient evidence against them,” he said.

Almost 200 people, including the prime suspects — the once powerful and wealthy Ampatuan clan — allegedly took part in the massacre.

There were originally 17 policemen implicated in the massacre, all of them members of the Provincial Patrol Group of the regional command of the Autonomous Region in Muslim

Mindanao (ARMM). One of the policemen, PO2 Hermanie Decipiulo Jr reportedly committed suicide while in detention inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City in February 2012.

The policemen were allegedly tasked to set up checkpoints in the town of Ampatuan and monitor the arrival of the convoy of Mangudadatu. The convoy as comprised of 32 journalists — all of them included in the 58 victims.

Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes has ruled that the

16 policemen may be able to temporarily be freed as there was no evidence strong enough to prove that they directly participated in the gruesome massacre.

The judge, however, set the bail at P200,000 for each of the victims.

With this development, Mangudadatu appealed for sobriety from the families of the other victims.

“Let’s be calm and let us keep on praying. What we are going through now is difficult, but we will overcome this,” he said.

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yet to see that the framework of Bukidnon as watershed is already in place.

He said that allowing mining and monocropping plantations is not “recommended ecologically” if the province intends wildlife to diversify and to protect endangered species.

The priest noted that monocrop agricultural plantations occupy large tracts of prime agricultural lands in the province that is supposed to be headwater of river basins in Mindanao.

He discouraged the promotion of tree planting and tree farming to be harvested later because it serves only human interests.

Raluto admitted that the government’s policy for development has to welcome business. But he stressed that a dialogue is a basic step in considering such projects, as it might contradict with the efforts to reforest and protect the watershed.

Leo Abejuela, a representative from the Diocese’s ecology desk who

gave a talk during the event, clarified that companies are required to adhere to their Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECCs) for their operations. He cited that small individual farmers are also to blame for environmental destruction because of their poor agricultural practices and lack of knowledge.

In a video presentation about Malaybalay City’s surrounding environment, Abejuela showed footage of the city’s dumpsite and destruction of landscape allegedly due to marginal farmers’ use of “round up” technology.

Abejuela urged for unity among different stakeholders, citing the “big tasks” ahead.

The forum became the launching pad for the “I love You Tree” program of the Diocese of Malaybalay’s ecology commission where parishioners who seek to receive the sacrament of marriage, baptism, and confirmation will be asked to plant three fruit trees each.

Raluto, who finished

theology in Leuven University in Belgium, welcome the move as “very practical” as it discourages people from cutting trees.

Fr. Noel Suarez, head of the diocese’s ecological commission, clarified that the “I Love You Tree” project is for everyone, not only for those who seek to receive the sacraments.

He said that they are ready to do “extra-legal moves” in the campaign against logging, as the church did during the time of Fr. Satur.

In 1988, then environment secretary Fulgencio Factoran Jr. declared a logging moratorium in Bukidnon in the wake of anti-logging protests initiated by the people of San Fernando town, which culminated in a hunger strike in Manila.

Satur and 44 other priests were given police power by the DENR to enforce forest laws.

Quoting a DENR-10 official, Raluto said that the police power given to the priests is still valid up to now as it has not been revoked.

part in promoting the city as a MICE destination.

He also said the TPB is working on the proposal of certifying all MICE professionals nationwide, including event organizers.

One of the biggest MICE events that will be hosted by Davao city is the 2nd BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines- East Asean Growth Area) and IMT-

GT (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand- Growth Triangle) Trade Fair and Business Leaders’ Conference on October 22-26, 2014.

The five-day trade fair and exhibit is expected to draw 250 exhibitors and a total of 700 delegates from the five participating countries and other nations.

The event and is expected to generate around $64 million in booked transac-

tions.

For the exhibit, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam have 50 booths each, Thailand has 10, and Mindanao-based companies have 40 booths.

Exhibitors will be coming from the following industries: agriculture and agro-based, Halal, services, manufacturing, and infrastructure. CRC

John Unson, who covers Mindanao for the national daily Philippine Star, says journalists “have a big mission ahead to continue the task of helping break barriers and prejudices that separate people in the past.”

He says the end of the conflict will give a chance for media to show to the world the “religious and cultural pluralism” of various peoples of Mindanao, including the Muslims, Christians, and tribal communities.

Television reporter Ferdinandh Cabrera, however, says that «peace stories» are «less attractive» and are treated with less prominence by media newsdesks and information gatekeepers.

Ambassador Guy Ledoux of the European Union agrees.

“Bad news sells well, like pictures of fighting, people dying so it’s a challenge to sell good news,” says Ledoux at the launch of the EU Peace Journalism Awards on Friday.

The competition aims to encourage journalists to write good stories about

peace in Mindanao.

Ledoux says journalism is a business. “Your employers want to sell more news, make more hits,” he adds.

But peace stories, “those that tell of reconciliation,” can also sell, Ledoux says.

Veronica Pedrosa of Al Jazeera, speaking during the launch of the project, reminds journalists to “look outside the box and to constantly give voice to those who do not have it.”

“It is very important to go back to the basics,” she says. Journalists must distinguish themselves from being mere observers who upload opinion and photographs on social media, she adds.

Telling stories with accuracy and balance continues to be important, she says, adding that it is important for journalists to influence the public and shift the environment to where people choose peace over conflict.

Ledoux says the aim of the journalism awards is to pose a healthy challenge for journalists.

“It is more challenging to find [positive] stories that will hit the front page of the newspaper. I think if you dig well enough ... if it’s well-written you can also attract the attention the public,” he says.

Ledoux says the awards continues the long-standing support of the EU to the peace process and is a “recognition of the role Philippine journalists can play in peace-building.”

Since the 1990s, the EU has helped reduce poverty in Mindanao, seeing the lack of livelihood, education and other means as among the foremost reasons for the proliferation of arms.

EU is the largest donor for the Mindanao Trust Fund to fuel community-based development projects. In 2013 alone, the union contributed at least US$10 million to rebuild and strengthen livelihoods in the region.

The EU has also provided about US$44.6 million in aid to victims of natural and man-made disasters in Mindanao.

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Children and the sex trade

By Henrylito D. Tacio

(Photos from Wikipedia)

M

arianne (not her real name) is only 18 years old but she’s already involved in the world’s oldest profession – prostitution. She was only 15 when she lost her virginity to her boyfriend, who was two years older than her.

Her boyfriend left her when he found out that she was pregnant. To avoid embarrassment for her family, she also left her hometown and came to Davao City. She stayed with a 17-year-old friend, who worked as a guest relations officer in a sleazy bar.

After the baby was born, Marianne joined her friend. To provide her child milk and other needs, she also moonlighted as a sexy dancer in another bar.

She also goes out with some of her customers. “I accepted this as my fate,” she says.

Although there is no exact figure of how many prostituted women there are in Davao City, Jeanette Ampog estimates some 2,000 freelance prostitutes in Davao Region. The number of those engaged in the sex trade are increasing every year and getting younger, says the executive director of Talikala (Chain), a non-government organization dealing with prostituted women and children.

Some years back, the Child Protection Unit listed Davao City as one of the top five areas for child prostitution and sex tourism. The reference was based on reports from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Center for Women’s Resources. The other four areas were Angeles City (Pampanga), Puerto Galera (Mindoro), Cebu, and Metro Manila.

“Child prostitution is relatively widespread in the

Philippines, both as part of the general sex industry and other abuses of children’s rights,” says the End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism (ECPAT), a group created in 1990 with more than 200 affiliates in 25 countries. The ECPAT works on advocacy, education, and lobbying campaigns against child sex tourism and prostitution.

According to ECPAT, tourists are very eager to visit poor countries because they “have realized that human life is cheaper in the Third World.”

Some of them even described the Philippines as the “pedophiles’ paradise” and a “treasure land of prostitutes.”

A pedophile may be a homosexual, bisexual, or heterosexual who engages in pedophilia, a sexual activity where the preferred sex partner is a person who is of minor age or below 18 years old. Pedophiles from wealthy countries like the United States, Japan, France, Great Britain, Germany, and Australia find the Philippines a convenient place where they can satisfy their lust on young yet cheap child prostitutes.

Although prostitution is illegal and a serious criminal offense in the country, it is available through brothels (also known as casa), bars, karaoke bars, massage parlors, and escort services. In recent years, however, some young girls have become more creative in selling sex. They are using mobile phones for their clients to contact them.

“They no longer have to be out on streets or in the brothels, they now wait in their houses where they will just be texted,” Ampog told a news conference convened by the

Philippine Information Agency. Text prostitutes, as they are called, are considered freelancers – which means they are not registered and mostly rely on pimps.

Girls are not the only ones doing so -- even boys barely in their teens. Jake, a 19-year-old student, befriends some older men or women. First, they exchange some ideas and after that he would ask the number of his “new” friend.

Once they start texting, he would know what the older person wants. If the person

wants him, he will just say that it’s up to the other person how much he would give him. More texting would follow and after that, a price is set.

“Usually, we meet in a bar and afterwards we go together to the hotel,” he says, adding that he receives from P1,000 to P2,000 per sexual tryst.

Others use the social network, particularly Facebook, to entice customers. Nineteenyear-old Jefferson posts his photos where he wears skimpy outfits like briefs. “Some people would add me and later on ask me if I am available,” he informs. “If the price is right, I would go with him or her.”

In the Philippines, child prostitution takes many appearances – from stripping and indecent dance to massage; from guest relations to mobile sex trade in streets and malls; from on board docked ships or boats to outright sex slavery in sex dens.

“Sex has become a multi-billion dollar industry, and today children are being bought, sold, and traded like any other mass-produced good,” writes Aaron Sachs in a report which appeared in Worldwatch.

Every year, more than one million children around the world are forced into the flesh market, the UNICEF reports.

“Street children are not necessarily prostitutes,” clarifies Alan Whaites of the World Vision International (WVI). “But it is an unfortunate reality that wherever they exist, some will feel compelled to enter the sex trade in order to survive.”

A study conducted in the Philippines has shown that

street children make up three percent of the children and youth in the urban centers.

Some of them moonlight as sex workers during evenings or early mornings.

“The increase in child prostitution (in developing countries) is directly linked to the increase in tourism and sometimes caused by it directly,” argues the Ecumenical Coalition on Third World Tourism.

It may be recalled that a former American government official in a controversial statement said that 40 percent of the male foreign tourists who come to the Philippines come for sex tourism. (He made an apology later for making the statement.)

However, a study by the Women’s Education, Development, Productivity and Research Organization says while there are a “substantial proportion” of foreign customers due to sex tourism, “Filipinos are the main users of Filipinas forced into prostitution.”

It may be shocking but there is more to child prostitution than meets the eye. It is just one facet of the horrors daily served to children working in what the International Labor Organization (ILO) calls “the worst form of labor,” be it on the street or in the sea.

The causes of child prostitution are complex, according to WVI’s Laura Montgomery.

In industrialized countries like the United States, the major forces driving children into sex trade include family dysfunction, alcoholism, and an ineffective or absent parent or parents.

In the Philippines, as in

most developing countries, the root cause is poverty. An ILO study found that many Filipino child prostitutes were street workers from urban slums, who started out by selling cigarettes and other goods, or shining shoes. They were eventually enticed into prostitution by leaders of sex rings or by other children engaged in the activity. “They became involved largely because prostitution pays well,” the study concludes.

To some child prostitutes, there is no way out. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in East Asia and Pacific, published by UNICEF, explains: “Once in sex trade, it is difficult – if not impossible – to get out. Mentally scarred, the child prostitutes become street-wise, cynical, hardened, and embittered. Sex becomes a commodity to be traded. It also becomes their only means of financial support.”

The impact of prostitution upon the children is physical, emotional, social, and spiritual devastations. Many children have died at the hands of pimps or customers.

That was the fate of a 12-year-old Rosario who, writhing in agony, was brought to Olongapo City General Hospital. The doctors found part of a broken sex toy in her uterus. It was several inches long and had a rusty screw at one end.

The doctors who examined her estimated that the object may have been inside Rosario’s uterus “for as long as five months.” Despite the removal of the object, she did not survive.

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DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER AND SALE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late LORNA MAY YAMSON AJERO has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT with waiver and sale executed among her heirs per Doc. No.147; Page No. 30; Book No. LIV; Series of 2014, of the NOTARY PUBLIC LEO B.DELGRA. 10/2/9/16

NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 63974 under Loyola Contract No(s). 297594-1 issued to VIRGINIA LIBRE 1001219 under Loyola Contract No(s). 2983511 issued to COROZON N. FLORIDA 10003216 under Loyola Contract No(s). 192103-1 issued to COROZON N. FLORIDA were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

10/2/9/16

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. That CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 1005321 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 32948-0 issued to NANNETTE B. MALALUAN was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

10/16/23/30

Billiard Supplies

Phone Nos.

Cell Nos.

INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

STYLE

THE ART OF

SCRUMPTIOUS Emilia Sitjar Jewelry’s Joaillerie D’ Art

By Kenneth Irving Ong Photo by Brian Dexter Medija

A

S the celebrated American essayist, lecturer and poet would say “Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art.” and the absolute embodiment of the quote would be Emilia Sitjar Jewellery’s Joaillerie D’ Art collection.

South Sea Pearl drops with an exquisite Akoya Pearl lariat.

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

EVENT

Globe launches portal for Samsung Galaxy Note 4 to serve early customers GLOBE TELECOM is gearing up to welcome the newest Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Gear S to Philippine shores with an online portal to serve early customers. The portal accepts registration of interest among customers purchasing the latest devices with a postpaid plan from Globe.

Available on the Globe website via https://samsungnote4.globe.com.ph, the registration of interest portal allows new and existing postpaid customers to choose their device color in advance and register their personal details such as name, mobile number, and e-mail address. The customer database will be used to update registered customers with postpaid plan offers and pricing details. A reference number will be provided to customers so they can track status of their application.

“We are excited to launch the new Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Gear S with our wonderful postpaid offers and superior customer experience. As the leader in postpaid and preferred telco carrier of the latest smartphones and “phablets”, we are poised to take one’s device experience to the next level with our lifestyle bundles, which gives customers access to their digital lifestyle while enjoying the amazing features of the devices,” shares Raul Macatangay, Vice President for Postpaid Business and Devices at Globe.

“With our registration of interest portal, customers get first dibs on our offers as well as exclusive privileges which they can avail when they get the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Gear S from Globe.”

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 has a 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display, a 2.7GHz Quad-Core processor, Android 4.4, 3.7MP front-facing F1.9 lens camera, 16MP Smart OIS back camera, Advanced S Pen, and 3GB RAM + 32GB Internal memory which supports microSD up to 64GB. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Gear S has a 2.0” Curved Super AMOLED display, Dual core 1.0 GHz, 512MB RAM memory and 4GB Internal Memory storage.

Maan Hontiveros recognized as Filipina of distinction THE Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) has selected Maan Hontiveros, CEO of AirAsia Inc. Philippines and chair of AirAsia Zest as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World (Global FWN100)- Builder award category for 2014.

The award, according to FWN, is given to those who have demonstrated exceptional business impact at a large workplace environment; displaying deep passion for a cause through collaborative initiatives or alliances with nonprofit organizations on behalf of her own organization; demonstrates high potential and skill with measurable results at a government agency, or organization in the public and private sectors.

The 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World Award recognizes Filipina women who are influencing the face of leadership in the global workplace, having reached status for outstanding work in their respective fields and are recognized for their leadership, achievement and contributions to society.

“They are powerful examples of women doing extraordinary work who will motivate our youth and future leaders,” said Thelma Boac, Chair of the Global FWN100 Worldwide Search and Selection Committee. “They were selected based on the size and scope of their positions, influence in their industries and their communities, board affiliations and other leadership roles. Nominations were received from 16 countries.”

Maan was recognized for the “To Philippines with Love” (#toPHwithLove) campaign which took place over a six-week period between November 16 to December 31, 2013 when the airline group launched a region-wide donation campaign to enable its guest to contribute to Typhoon Haiyan reconstruction efforts. The multi-tiered campaign included collections of cash donations on board flights and at selected airports throughout the AirAsia Group network, as well as a dedicated AirAsia Foundation microsite.

Two days after Haiyan first made landfall, AirAsia Philippines led by Maan as the head of Task Force Yolanda, started to mount rescue and relief flights to Cebu, Kalibo and a few days later directly to the most devastated area in Visayas, Tacloban.

Actual Weaving during the Mabal B’laan Exhibit Launching.

Mabal B’laan: Weaving the threads of heritage exhibit LAST October 13, Mabal B’laan: Weaving the Threads of Heritage, the first traditional textiles exhibition in the region was launched at The Event Center of SM City General Santos.

The exhibition features the B’laan Tabih, the traditional hand-woven cloth made from abaca of the B’laan tribe. Among the distinct weaves of the different tribes in Mindanao, the Tabih is becoming a very rare indigenous fabric. It is almost very difficult to find and only a few masters still know how to design the fabric.

Mr. Emi Alexander Englis, co-Curator for Mabal The exhibition also features the B’laan Exhibit. lives and works of B’laan master weavers Fu Yabing from Polomolok, South Cotabato and Fu Gusiye of Sarangani, with Ms. Helen Lumbos, head of Lamlifew Village Museum.

Discover the history behind the B’laan Tabih and other traditional textiles including the T’nalak of the T’boli tribe and the Inab’l of the Bagobo tribe.

The exhibit is organized by Mr. Leonardo Rey Cariño- Curator, Mr. Emi Alexander Englis- Co-curator with consultants; Mr. Toto Tirando and Mr. Arjho Turner with the support of Governor Steve Solon of Sarangani Province and Department of Vice Governor of Sarangani Province, Hon. Tourism Region 12 presented by Jinky Pacquiao present at the launching of the Lamlifew Village Museum in Mabal B’laan Exhibit. partnership with SM City General Santos.

For event updates and inquiries, check-out SM City General Santos (Official) on Facebook, or call (083) 878-0667.

Department of Tourism- Region XII Director, Ms. Nelly Dillera on her Speech during the Launching.

An active B’laan weaver and one of the Masters of Mabal Tabih Technique.

Mr. Leonardo Rey Cariño, Curator of Mabal Tabih Master from Kibala, a Resident Teacher of Mabal Tabih School of Living Translation.

B’laan Exhibit.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

A kapre named Itim on ‘Elemento’ THE legendary Kapre makes a heroic stand in this Friday’s episode of GMA’s Halloween Series Elemento.

Infamous in the town of San Benito for his teasing ways, a Kapre named Itim entertains himself by scaring children … and now and then, transporting them in their sleep. Little Budyong (played by child actor Joshen Bernardo) is a victim of this when he wakes up to find himself in the branches of a mango tree, the morning after bragging to all his friends that he does not believe in Kapres.

The townsfolk don’t mind Itim’s pranks as he and his trees have protected San Benito from countless floods

over the years.

But when a young developer decides to cut down the trees in town for his new subdivision, Itim begins to die. Forced to fight for his life, the Kapre kidnaps the children of San Benito – including the developer’s own daughter.

In the end it is up to the children to save the trees ... and the town’s resident Kapre.

A series combining folklore, horror and environmental awareness, Elemento makes its mark as a unique family friendly television offering. Produced

by GMA News and Public Affairs, Elemento airs every Friday of October at 5:45PM on GMA-7.

Is Judy Ann the busiest mom in showbiz?

WITH TV shows airing from Monday to Sunday, a movie to be shown this month and shooting of endorsements left and right, definitely, “Bet On Your Baby” host Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo has her hands full.

“Blessings are blessings and whenever they come my way, I thank God for everything. We are always prepared for whatever project will be given to us especially when it’s for the entertainment of the public,” said the award-winning Queen of Pinoy Soap Opera who continues to impress the viewers as a host of “Bet On Your Baby” that airs from Monday to Friday and her

hit weekend realiserye on ABS-CBN, “I Do” which is now down on its last four weeks before the much awaited dream grand wedding of the winning couple

who will be determined by public votes and will win additional prizes including P1 million, house and lot, and a ‘negosyo package.’

But no matter how hectic her work schedule is, Juday clarifies that family remains on top of her priority list.

She said that she remains a full-time mom and wife to her family. In fact, she was the one who organized the recently held 4th birthday celebration of her son, Lucho.

Viewers will surely get more engaged in the next episodes of “Bet On Your Baby” as talented toddlers like Baby Lucho will be featured in the show. The kid-

die contestants who came from various parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will be given the chance to change their future like Baby Tisoy dela Cruz of Gen. Trias Cavite who won P175,000 in the jackpot round last week.

Enjoy the game, bond with whole family and watch “Bet On Your Baby,” weekday afternoons, 5PM, before “Pure Love” on ABSCBN. For more updates on the show, visit Betonyourbaby.abs-cbn.com ot follow its official social media accounts at Facebook.com/ betonyourbabyph, Twitter. com/BetOnYourBabyPH and Instagram.com/BetOnYourBabyPhilippines.

Kapuso Network airs historical Koreanovela series ‘Empress Ki’ BEGINNING Monday, get ready to go back in time as Kapuso Network airs the hit fictional period Koreanovela series, Empress Ki, on GMA Telebabad.

Following the huge success of historical Korean dramas Jewel in the Palace, Jumong, and The Legend, GMA Network brings another phenomenal primetime Koreanovela offering that will bring timeless memories to Filipino viewers. It exquisitely presents an epic tale of ancient figures during the 1300s involving the Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, the King of Korea, and a woman disguising as a man who will eventually hold immense influence in

the country.

Empress Ki even won the Golden Bird Prize for the Serial Drama Category in the 2014 Seoul International Drama Awards because of its poignant storyline, heroic battle scenes, dramatic visual effects, and brilliant

performances of the cast, proving how phenomenal this historical drama series is.

The story revolves around the life of Seung Nyang (Ha Ji Won), a woman who was raised as a boy to avoid being taken as one of the tribute women to the Yuan Em-

pire. She will later ascend to power and become an empress of the Yuan Dynasty despite the restrictions of the era’s class system after marrying the dashing Emperor Huizong (Ji Chang Wook).

Conflict arises when the valiant King Wang Yu (Joo Min Mo), the worst enemy of Emperor Huizong, falls in love with Empress Ki and will do everything to steal her heart from the emperor.

With a sword in one hand and a flower in another, witness how Empress Ki begins to conquer the world in the midst of life’s challenges.

Catch the grand unfolding of the historical Koreanovela series, Empress Ki, starting Monday right after Hiram na Alaala on GMA Telebabad.

BOOK OF LIFE Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum GP

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

THE TRIAL John Lloyd Cruz, Jessy Mendiola, Gretchen Barretto, Richard Gomez R 13

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

ALEXANDER & THE TERRIBLE HORRIBLE NO GOOD VERY BAD DAY Jennifer Garner, Steve Carell PG 13

R-16

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

DRACULA UNTOLD Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper R 13

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

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

STYLE

A statement Pendant with multi color gemstones.

Marquis shaped Natural Peridot with orange sapphires and diamond halo ring.

Fairy necklace in vermiel with colored stone details and a triple layer opal and a yellow topaz drop.

South Sea Pearl and Organic gold statement ring with South Sea Pearl strands.

Artist carved Agate Cameo Pendant set with diamonds and gold.

New for the season, Emilia Sitjar Jewellery’s Joaillerie D’ Art pushes the creative envelope even further to showcase its different art experiences in jewellery. Incorporating different colours and hues with contrasting metal textures and finishes, each piece is an art story.

The latest collection goes beyond the commercial norm bringing new and exciting shapes and concepts using handcarved rubies, sapphires and emeralds in organic without sacrificing aesthetics that are pleasing to the eye, the classic hand craftsmanship and techniques used for every piece precise and exquisite.

Going beyond ordinary gems, the collection also features designs that are inspired by nature and filled with surprising colours such as green turquoise, black tourmaline, and angel skin corals.

Rose cut diamonds are also incorporated onto the pieces to give an old world element to an otherwise modern jewellery art perspective and interpretation.

From conceptualization, to illustration, to choosing the gems and finally to set them and put them together in a collection is nothing but a wonderful

art experience. Each piece is imagination made real.

An imagination so rich, one views the collection

positively different from another.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

EDGE

Serving a seamless society

DAVAO

WANTS YOU!

CLASSIFIED 13

ZION

ACCUPRINT PUBLISHING, INC.

Is in need of:

MACHINE OPERATOR (Printing Press)

Qualifications:

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

- 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

14 SPORTS

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

COMEBACK KID. Is Bobby Parks coming back to play for NU?

Could Parks be coming back?

Execs snap 2-game skid INTENSE. Glenn Escandor of City Hall Executives try to wiggle his way in against the tight defense in this file photo. Escandor’s team won in Wednesday’s continuing series against Everball Columbia 75-72 behind Bong Go’s 29 markers.

Lean Daval Jr.

C

HRISTOPHER “Bong” Go went hot early and the City Hall Executives held off Everball Columbia fourth period onslaught to cop a pulsating 75 – 72 decision in Game No. 9 of their basketball friendly series on Wednesday night at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. Go, the executive assistant of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, came through with 29 points, accounting 17 in the first half, to lead the Executives’ balanced attack as they got back in the winning track after dropping the last two outings. His scoring partner Glenn Escandor added 6 points.

Ricky Sumagang

chipped in 13 baskets as Joel Aberilla added 11 for the Executives who boosted up their series lead, 7 – 2.

Leading by 2, 74 – 72, Go, who had been delivering remarkably at the clutch for the Executives, was fouled with 1 second remaining and given two free throws via penalty.

The 2014 IBP-CMO MVP had a chance to seal the win but he split his foul shots that gave Everball an opportunity to send the game into overtime.

Skipper Earl Angsinco, who played remarkably in this game for Everball, made the potential game-tying heave but the shot went nothing but the air.

Everball Columbia was trailing by double digit entering the payoff canto, 60 – 50, but gradually crawled back behind its gutsy effort.

Angsinco and Macarandan provided the spark for Everball Columbia to get back in the game and engage to a down the wire finish.

Rico Kwan Tiu and Macarandan paced with 16 points apiece for Everball Columbia. Angsinco had 14.

Go sparked a scoring blast in the second period that helped Executives picked up a 41 – 32 lead at the half.

The Executives nearly took an immediate revenge of their 93 – 75 Game No.

7 blowout loss in the last game.

But beanpole forward Eugene Labor muffed two potential game-winning free throws four seconds remaining with Everball only leading by 1. (Rico Biliran) Box scores: City Hall Executives 75 – Go 29, Sumagang 13, Aberilla 11, Escandor 6, Flores 6, Cloribel 4, Peloton 3, Apostol 3, Poliquit 0, Labor 0, Reyes 0.

Everball Columbia – 72 – Kwan Tiu 16, Macarandan 16, Angsinco 14, Mending 8, Balisalisa 4, Deveza 3, Caballero 3, Maligro 2, Macatabong 2, De Felix 2, Martinez 2.

Wednesday. “If guys are being injured because there’s so many games, we can’t promote it at a high level.”

Indiana star Paul George will miss the upcoming season after breaking his leg in a scrimmage for the US team that went on to win the Basketball World Cup, while five-time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City is out at least two months with a broken foot.

“I’m not saying it’s because of the amount of games, but anything will help,” James said of the physical stress on players.

James does not see trimming four minutes from every game as much help in that respect.

“The minutes don’t mean anything. We could

play 50-minute games if we had to,” James said. “Once you go out and play on the floor it doesn’t matter if you’re playing 22 minutes or 40 minutes.

“Once you play it takes a toll on your body.”

With the NBA just inking a $24 billion television contract extension to broadcast more games, any cutback is unlikely in the near future.

“It’s something that obviously won’t change tomorrow or anytime soon,” James said. “But it’s something we should definitely talk about.”

James suggested 66 games, the number played during a lockout shortened campaign. But James would spread the load over the typical six-month time span to avoid playing such time-

crunched schedules as three games in three nights as was done in the shortened season to allow for a full playoff program.

Dallas big man Nowitzki was a proponent of shortening the number of games in the NBA march to the playoffs as well.

“I think you don’t need 82 games to determine the best eight in each conference,” the German said.

“That could be done a lot quicker, but I always understand that it’s about money, and every missed game means missed money for both parties, for the league, for the owners, for the players.

“I would say that (a number of games) in the mid-60s would be enough, which is still a lot of games.”

Lebron, Dirk want shorter season C

INCINNATI – Fourtime NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James and German NBA star Dirk Nowitzki say the league needs to look at shortening its 82-game per club regular-season schedule.

Both players spoke out this week in the wake of the league planning an exhibition game that lasts only 44 minutes instead of the usual 48.

James and Nowitzki say it’s the length of the season, not the games in it, that causes troubles, and they would both be willing to take less money.

“Less games is less concessions and less tickets and all that, but at the end of the day we want to protect the prize, and the prize is the players,” James said

H

IS mind may be set on chasing his NBA dream but two-time UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. admitted that he has not closed the door on the possibility of returning to play for the newly-crowned UAAP champion National University Bulldogs.

Parks, who was one of over 25,000 fans in attendance at the historic Game Three of the UAAP Finals on Wednesday, said that he had thought about returning to play in the UAAP on multiple occasions.

“Definitely, millions of times,” Parks told InterAksyon.com shortly after the Bulldogs clinched the

title with a win over the FEU Tamaraws.

Parks enjoyed some success with the Bulldogs, winning two MVP awards and leading the team to two final four appearances.

Though he is busy training in the United States with an eye on attending the Los Angeles Lakers’ camp, the former NU star is keeping his options open, especially as he still has years of eligibility left in the UAAP. A return to help defend the UAAP Season 77 title is not likely but maybe not completely out of the question for Parks.

“May two years pa ako,” he teased.

Danny I: Late NU coach smiling from up there

D

anny Ildefonso and the late longtime National University coach Sonny Paguia have been through some dark times together – and the former Bulldogs star believes that his old mentor would have been elated to see what the current NU squad was able to accomplish this year.

Ildefonso spoke to InterAksyon.com after the Bulldogs bagged the UAAP Season 77 championship, the school’s first men’s basketball title in 60 years, on Wednesday.

“Siguro kung nasaan man si Tatay Sonny, baka kung ano yung saya ko kanina at lundag ko kanina, baka mas higit pa yung gawin niya doon,” the PBA veteran said. “ito kasi yung inaantay

niya. Syempre maski naman yung pamilya niya, masaya rin ngayon.”

When Ildefonso was still in NU under Paguia in the mid 1990s, the team was known as the UAAP’s perennial whipping boys.

Though they had a talented, hard-working bunch that included Ildefonso and Lordy Tugade, the Bulldogs struggled to be successful, considering the meager budget that the NU sports program had during their time.

That’s why Ildefonso was overjoyed watching NU return to greatness, even if he does feel some pangs of jealousy.

“Sa totoo lang naiingit ako sa kanila eh. Nakasama nga ako sa celebration pero wala naman ako sa loob ng court,” he said.

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

SWEET SUCCESS. The NU Bulldogs celebrate after winning the Season 77 UAAP title at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on 15 October 2014.

(Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

END OF THE DROUGHT Bulldogs break out of 60-year funk

A

60-year title drought finally ends for an embattled team that dwelled in the cellar for so very long.

In front of a record-breaking crowd of 25,118, the National University Bulldogs defeated the Far Eastern University Tamaraws 75-59 Wednesday afternoon at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum to win their first Universities Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball title since 1954.

With former Philippine President and NU alumnus Fidel V. Ramos in attendance, the Bulldogs used a huge third quarter run to put the pressure on the Tamaraws.

The fourth quarter was more coronation than competition as FEU’s implosion was completed when Raymar Jose was thrown out of the ball game at the 1:51 mark of the fourth after committing his second unsportsmanlike foul. Graduating Bulldog Glenn Khobuntin gave NU a 73-57 lead to put the game away.

Alfred Aroga led NU with a monstrous 24-point, 18-rebound effort. NU’s dominant import who was not able to play for the Bulldogs last season was named the Finals MVP. Gelo Alolino and

Khobuntin added a combined 22 points and 15 rebounds.

The victory ended 60 frustrating years for a school that for so long was regarded as the doormat of the league. It was also the fifth straight do-or-die game that the Bulldogs won this season, stretching back to their one-game playoff for fourth place against the UE Warriors which was followed by their Final Four conquest of top seed Ateneo where they overcame a twice-to-beat disadvantage.

And after the Tamaraws captured Game 1, the Bulldogs bounced back and tied the series at one game apiece with a convincing Game 2 win.

The Main Man: NU started slow with Aroga riding the bench. When he stepped into the game, the Bulldogs quickly took the lead and never looked back. FEU simply could not find a way to defend NU’s import as he scored at will and gobbled up every loose ball he could get his hands on.

Honorable Mentions: Alolino and Khobuntin both played great games as they hit timely baskets while making sure that their younger teammates never took their focus out of the game.

Game Turning Point: Jjay Alejandro’s six points late in the third quarter sapped the energy out of FEU. However, it was NU’s game long brilliance on defense that spelled the difference for them. The Tamaraws never got themselves going as NU took away most of their options, forcing them to rely mostly on Tolomia.

They Said It: Eric Altamirano: I’m thankful that we got Alfred.

He’s not just a good player. He’s a great guy. We lost most of our starters but there was something special about this team. More than myself, I give it to our boys.

They really love playing for each other. Di talaga sila bumibigay.

Alfred Aroga: It feels really great to be here because we went through a lot. Teams that win championships have a story, and we have a story.

The scores: NU 75: Aroga 24, Alolino 12, Khobuntin 10, Alejandro 10, Neypes 8, Rosario 6, Diputado 5, Javelona 0, Salim 0, Perez 0, Betayene 0.

FEU 59: Tolomia 23, Belo 17, Dennison 6, Cruz 4, Jose 4, Inigo 3, Hargrove 2, Tamsi 0, Pogoy 0, Ugsang 0, Escoto 0, Escoto 0.

Quarters: 20-18, 30-26, 55-44, 75-59

NU ALUMNUS. Former Philippine President and NU alumnus Fidel V. Ramos was present to witness his team

make history. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

Arroga named MVP N

U center Alfred Aroga was named the UAAP Season 77 Finals MVP after leading the Bulldogs to its first title in 60 years in Game Three of the UAAP Finals on Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-foot-7 Aroga averaged 16 points on 47% shooting and 13 rebounds per game in the title series and saved the best for last, putting up 24

points and 18 rebounds in the series-clinching game, which they won, 75-58.

NU coach Eric Altamirano had nothing but praise for the Cameroonian center, who was not only the best player for the Bulldogs but also one of the most vocal leaders on the squad.

“I’m really thankful we were able to get Alfred.

He’s not just a great player, he’s also a great person,” the coach said.

“He went through a lot of heartaches. Dami. From not being able to play last year, from the time that he arrived here, andami niyang problema. I thank God for bringing Alfred to our team. He brought a sense of leadership and the way he handles himself on and off the court.”

Aroga, who is playing in just his first season with the Bulldogs, has two more years of eligibility in the UAAP.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 7 ISSUE 154 • FRIDAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

STRONG START

Amit pummels Indon in opener T HE Philippines’ Rubilen Amit won her first match but not so with two other Pinay bets in the 2014 World 9-Ball Women’s Championships.

Amit, the country’s top bet, defeated Sunti Damani of Indonesia 7-2 in Group E. Defending champion Han Yu was stretched to the limit by fellow Chinese Chen Xue 7-6.

Another Pinay, Iris Ranola, was sent home after losing two straight. But the Philippines still has two players left with the addition of 15 year old Chezka Centeno. Centeno came to Guilin with her mom and dad and entered one of the qualifiers, which she won. She lost her first match today, but rebounded with a solid 7-4 over Poland’s Katarzyna Wesolowska, to get one more chance on Thursday.

In one of the featured matches for the day, Kelly Fisher has been around professional pool long enough to know that sometimes in this sport, as in life, you have to go through hell to get to heaven.

Hell in this case for the 2012 World 9-ball Champion was losing her first round match on day 1 today at the Women’s World 9-ball Championship against hall of famer and pool’s most recognized personality, Jeanette Lee, 7-4. The Brit, who three months ago had open heart

surgery to repair a congenital defect, had trouble with the lightning quick speed of the table. The match was even halfway, but Fisher gave away too many shots and the Black Widow waltzed. In the double elimination group stages, Fisher knew her back was suddenly against the wall.

Hall of Famers Karen Corr and Allison Fisher also won easily.

“Now it’s cutthroat time,” she said while waiting for her next match which could see her go an embarrassing two-and-out.

“There’s no second chances.”

If having to tangle with the likes of Lee wasn’t enough, Fisher then had to step into the ring in a do or die match with none other than Austria’s Jasmin Ouschan, who had just lost a cliff hanger to Japan’s Chichiro Kawahara, 7-6. If you’re getting the idea that this is the proverbial “Group of Death,” you’re absolutely correct.

All four of these players are capable of taking the world title.

With one of pool’s stars on the verge of taking a rapid road out of town, Fisher and Ouschan put on a splendid show. Ouschan stood in front of clear table down 6-5 but incredibly missed an easy 3-ball to hand Fisher the match, 7-5.

ALL FOCUS. In file photo, Rubilen Amit of the Philippines lines up her next shot.