Edge Davao 7 Issue 258

VOL. 7 ISSUE 258 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

29%

BINAY

14%

POE

ESTRADA

12%

DUTERTE

DEFENSORSANTIAGO

12%

9% MARCOS 6%

*BASED ON PULSE ASIA SURVEY AS OF MARCH 1-7, 2015 EDGE DAVAO Infographics

THE BIGGEST GAINER Mayor Rody pulls up in latest Pulse Asia survey

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

H

ERE comes Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Duterte made a remarkable showing in the latest Pulse Asia survey on preferred Presidential candidates by coming out of nowhere to grab the No. 3 spot, just behind embattled Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Grace Poe. Duterte cornered 12 percent in a tie with Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada in the Pulse Asia survey conducted from

March 1 to 7, a showing that elicited his band of volunteers who are helping him in his federalism advocacy.

“The result is very remarkable from not being mentioned as presidential prospect in the November 2014 survey to bagging 12 percent in March,” said Peter Laviña, one of his volunteers assigned in the Mindanao operations.

“This proves Listening Tour was effective to reach out and popularize his advocacy.

If he goes on, he will definitely get higher ratings,” added Laviña.

Binay, who is being hounded by allegations of corruption, is still on top with 29 percent, but his latest showing is a far cry from his 46 percent performance several months back.

Sen. Poe is a far second with 14 points, but breathing down on her neck is the extremely popular mayor of Davao.

“This is an indication of the increase of his popularity,” Sports Development Division-City Mayot’s Office officer-in-charge William “Butch” Ramirez said of Duterte.

“We are happy of the result of the latest survey in spite of the fact that he has not declared yet,” he added.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago got 9 percent and Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has 6 percent.

FTHE, 10

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2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 258 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

A pet owner and her Shih Tzu join the pet parade together with the city’s finest pups during the 78th Araw ng Davao Parada Davaoeño, the festivity’s culminating activity, on Monday along San Pedro Street. Lean Daval Jr.

‘Your heroes have monuments, our LapuLapu is a fish’: Rody

D

AVAO City Mayor Rody Duterte, took his Federal advocacy to a different level Wednesday night when he said that the concentration of power in highly Centralized Government based in Metro Manila has spawned biases against people from the provinces, including heroes and historical personalities.

“You are so unfair. Your heroes here like Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio are installed on pedestals and their birthdays are declared public holidays,” Duterte told members of the different Rotary Clubs of Metro Manila who gathered at the Century Park Sheraton.

“But what have you done to our hero, Lapu-lapu, the first Filipino to fight the Spanish colonialists? You named a fish after him and everyday you have fried Lapulapu and escabecheng Lapulapu,” Duterte said drawing wild laughter from the Rotarians who filled the function room of the Century Park Sheraton.

“Lapulapu is our hero and he ends up in the chopping board. We have another hero from Bohol, Francisco Dagohoy, who fought the Spaniards but his name is also given derogatory meaning,” he said.

“In police lingo, “Dago-

FYOUR, 10

Alan: I’ll run in 2016

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

S

ENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano reiterated his plan to run in the 2016 Presidential election.

Talking to the Davao media during the 78th Araw ng Dabaw, Cayetano has firmed up his bid for the presidency despite being in the city of another presidential timber--Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

However, the Senator stressed that he plans to tackle the most important matters first like the Mamasapano incident and the Bangsamoro Basic Law before talking about politics.

“Napaka bigat at napaka importante ng mga issue na hinaharap natin, I think many of those who are mak-

ing their political plans for the 2016 election including myself will put it on hold,” Cayetano said adding that he would be pleased to talk about the matter by the middle of the year. “Mag usap nalang tayo ng mga June or July kasi these issues now ay napaka bigat, it’s more than a 6 year term,” he said.

He said that the peace issue in Mindanao can make or break the Philippines.

Cayetano first declared his interest in the presidential seat early last year.

When asked about the Duterte for president movement, the senate majority floor leader said that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duter-

FALAN, 10

Give BBL provision a chance : advocate

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

crc@edgedavao.net

HE provision that will allow the participation of contiguous municipalities and provinces in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) should be given a chance, a Mindanao peace advocate said.

“I think this provision should be given a chance, “Mindanao CSO Platform for Peace secretariat Jun Aparece said. “Anyway, people will petition to be included if they see that the Bangsamoro government will succeed in ending the problem in attaining lasting peace.”

Aparece said that approving this provision will give

Mindanawons, who are resident in areas outside the core territory, the option to be part of the entity that will abolished and replaced the current Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) “Lawmakers should listen to Mindanawons,” Aparece said.

Ad hoc committee chair Cagayan de Oro Rufus Rodriguez had earlier said that the provision expanding the proposed core territory of the Bangsamoro area will be one of the provisions that will be removed.

Rodriguez was referring to paragraph d of section 2 of

Atricle III of House Bill 4994 that said: “All contiguous areas where there is resolution of the local government unit or a petition of at least 10 percent of the registered voters in the area asking to be included at least two months prior to the conduct of the ratification of BBL and the process of delimitation of the Bangsamoro.”

Government peace negotiating legal team member lawyer Mohammad Al-Amin Julkipli said this provision was included in the proposed law because it is meant to solve the problem on self-determination.

“We really want their wide

understanding on the deliberation of the bill so that they will be able to see that those provisions are meant to solve problems in the area,” Jukipli said.

If the provision is taken and scrapped, “I’m afraid that the problem may still persist.”

Jukilpi said provisions of the proposed BBL were guided by laws and were constitutional in nature but it is still up to the collective wisdom of lawmakers whether to approved provisions of the house bill.

“It’s really our hope that this provision along with the

HE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will launch additional 40 mobile centers that will cater the top 10 remote provinces all around the country.

TESDA Director General Sec. Joel Villanueva said the project was sealed after he signed a Memorandum of Agreement in partnership with the Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for the additional 40 mobile center.

Villanueva said the mobile center will go around the country to teach technical vocational courses for free.

“The mobile center will room around the country to teach technical vocational courses, this will be for free and there will be several courses that will be offered,” Villanueva said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

He said the mobile center will stay on the province for a month.

Villanueva said he hopes to start the program by June this year to cater to the Filipino citizens.

“Hopefully by next week it will be discussed on finance and then we go on procurement. I’m at June the earliest to start the program,” he said.

The TESDa chief also said that they will implement the national certificate program to make sure that the mobile center students will land on a job.

The mobile center will

have at least 4 disciplines per one unit to cater more courses.

TESDA identified Apayao, Masbate, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Camiguin among other areas that will be reached by the mobile center.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) 11 gave additional two vans to TESDA that will be converted into a mobile center. Funny Pearl A. Gajunera

FGIVE, 10

TESDA to launch 40 more mobile centers T

VOL. 7 ISSUE 258 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

3

Senate: Mamasapano a clear ‘massacre’

S

ENATOR Grace Poe on Tuesday released a committee report which found the Mamasapano incident as a clear ‘massacre’ that left 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos dead last Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. ”The Mamasapano incident is clearly a “massacre,” not simply a so-called “encounter” or “misencounter,” Poe said in a press briefing where she showed to the media a 120-page report of 5 public hearings, 5 executive sessions and 73 hours of full discussion attended by 37 resource persons in the Senate.

Poe, chairperson of the public order, said ‘concerned members’ of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and other armed groups have murdered and robbed the 44 SAF commandos. ”Survivors recount how their companies were surrounded and decimated – even wounded SAF soldiers were fired upon,” Poe said in the executive summary of the report.

Poe said the assailants

cannot validly claim that its fighters acted in self-defense because of the absence of the element of unlawful aggression on the part of the SAF troopers. ”The MILF’s claim of self-defense is, therefore, unavailing,” Poe said.

Although the Senate leaves the responsibility of identifying the particular assailants to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Poe said the murder and frustrated murder chargers ‘may be instituted against the MILF fighters as well as the BIFF and other armed groups involved in the massacre of the SAF 44.

Poe said former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Alan Purisima committed “usurpation of authority or official functions,” violating Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code when he involved himself in the Oplan Exodus despite his preventive suspension by the Ombudsman. ”In addition, an administrative complaint may be filed with the Ombudsman against Purisima for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service,” Poe said.

Maguindanao tribe joining 1 million signatures for peace

By ALEX D. LOPEZ

S

AYING that they are already tired of armed conflicts, more than a thousand Indigenous Peoples (IPs) belonging to the Teduray tribe showed up at the municipal gymnasium in the town of Upi in Maguindanao province on Saturday, March 14 to sign up for the One Million Signature Campaign for Peace.

The signature campaign was recently spearheaded by the Office of the Regional Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with the aim to generate at least one million of signatures from individuals, organizations and institutions

nationwide to support the ongoing peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and to underscore the call to end all wars in Mindanao.

“Peace is vital to the lives of IPs in Mindanao,” said Hilario Tanzo, the Deputy Regional Governor for the IPs in ARMM. Tanzo led the tribal people during the signature campaign for peace together with Upi Mayor Ramon Piang Sr. and the other top officials in the municipality.

“Wars have resulted to the displacement of thousands of

FMAGUINDANAO, 10

As for former SAF Chief Getulio Napenas, Poe said the relieved SAF official committed “grave misconduct, inefficiency and incompetence in the performance of official duties and for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of

service” under the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in Civil Service.”

Poe said President Benigno Aquino III “must bear responsibility for giving assent to and failing to prevent the unlawful exercise of the offi-

cial functions by Purisima. ”As to the President, he is ultimately responsible for the outcome of the Mamasapano mission,” Poe said. ”He assented to Purisima’s unlawful exercise of official functions, particularly the lat-

ter’s “usurpation of authority or official functions,” she added.

Under the committee report, Poe said the President must “display unquestionable leadership, be forthright and

ed to UN members “We will not confine ourselves in resolving these cases with our national government knowing the rotten justice system we have in our country, it is obvious we can’t get justice in the Philippines,” Fanagel said.

However, he said several cases will also be filed in the regular courts.

“I submitted personally some documents to the UN Rapporteur on Indigenous People” Fanagel said.

Fanagel added, his group will also submit the findings

of the International Solidarity Mission held in Balit, Agusan Del Sur and Talaingod, Davao Del Norte to the United Nation Human Rights Council, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Several leaders of different indigenous people in Asia also expressed their support and solidarity for the Philippine lumads who have been under military attacks. In a statement, they condemned the atrocities inflicted against IP and pledged their unity and solidarity for the IPs in the Philippines

FSENATE, 10

IP group assails AFP of HR violations

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

K

crc@edgedavao.net

ALUMARAN council member KerlanFanagel presented cases of human right violations against indigenous people perpetrated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including paramilitary groups during the recent 2015 preparatory meeting on United Nations (UN) mechanisms and procedures relating to Indigenous Peoples (IPs).

The gathering was hosted in Siem Reap, Cambodia by the Asia Indigenous People’s Pact or AIPP. In a press statement, Fa-

nagel, who is also the secretary-general of Pasaka or Confederation of Indigenous People in Southern Mindanao, said among the top cases presented were were illegal school and community encampment in different areas in the country mostly in Mindanao, forcible recruitment and harassments of paramilitary groups like the Maggahat Force and Alamara, forcible displacements due to military operations.

Several cases of killings, vilifications of activists, threats, harassments and intimidation were also present-

International group sees hope for GPH-MILF peace process

T An enforcer from the Traffic Management Group (TMC) trains his speed gun to monitor over speeding vehicles along R. Castillo Street in Davao City yesterday.

Even non-working holidays won’t stop the traffic group in enforcing the city’s over speeding ordinance to ensure the safety of the motorists, the riding public and the pedestrians. Lean Daval Jr.

HE new head of the International Monitoring Team-Mindanao 10 (IMT-M10) recently arrived in the country and expressed optimism for the success of the on-going peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Major General Dato Sheikh Muksin Bin Kasan took over as head of the IMT-M10 on last Sunday, March 15 in a ceremony held in Cotabato City.

“The duty towards peace for the past 17 years has gone through turbulence, calm, good progress

and challenges. The situation now is stable but tense and we hope that peace will prevail in Mindanao,” said Major General Kasan said.

The IMT-M10 head, together with top officers of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) both from the government and MILF side; the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of the government; the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP); and the local media also welcomed the new members of the monitoring team who arrived from Malaysia to Cotabato City on

FINTERNATIONAL, 10

EDGEDAVAO

4 ECONOMY

VOL. 7 ISSUE 258 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

DOST to give free access to wi-fi in public places

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

crc@edgedavao.net

HE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is planning to roll out the TV White Space (TVWS) initiative that will give free public Wi-Fi access to thousands of fourth to sixth municipalities in the Philippines by July this year.

Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo said the free Wi-Fi access in public places project has a budget of P1.408 billion, which was included in the 2015 General Appropriation Act (GAA).

Montejo had earlier told reporters that the initiative will use TV White Space, a new

wireless data communication standard, to deliver free internet connection especially to the countryside.

According to the Information and Communication Technology Office (ICTO) website, TVWS technology “uses un-allocated television frequency spectrum like VHF and UHF to provide data connectivity.”

The technology can be used for rural last mile connectivity and environmental sensor networks, the website said.

ICTO Field Operation Office for Mindanao Cluster director Alimbzar P. Asum said

BOI to convince more financial institutions to invest in ARMM

D

UE to the increasing interest in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the prospective Bangsamoro political entity by bank and non-bank financial institutions to provide financial services to foreign and local investors in the region, the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) is studying the grant of fiscal incentives.

These incentives are intended to bank and non-bank financial institutions that seek places of business in the ARMM in order to finance investment projects in the region.

In 2013 and 2014, the ARMM has enjoyed record-breaking investments of PHP1.4-B and PHP3.8-B, respectively.

This year the RBOI has already exceeded its official target for investments in 2015 of PHP700 million with the entry of two investment projects totaling PHP863 million in the

first quarter alone.

The ASEAN economic integration slated to be implemented this year is also spurring the ARMM regional government to find ways to be more competitive vis-à-vis other regions, particularly in the field of Islamic banking and finance.

“ARMM has a comparative advantage in attracting investments in banks and other nonbank financial institutions to have their base of operations or principal place of business in the ARMM since it is the only region where fiscal incentives can be given to them,” said Lawyer Ishak Mastura, RBOI chairman.

He cited one section in the ARMM Organic Act that provides that among the autonomous regional government’s sources of revenues are income taxes levied on banks and other financial institutions.

A

He said it will be implemented solely by the government, although many players from the private sector have expressed their interest in being partners.

“The utilization of TVWS will provide internet access to thousands of fourth, fifth, and sixth class municipalities in the country which have not been reached by commercial wireless and broadband services,” Montejo said.

The technology, he added, will help reach far-flung barangays that cover huge areas but have low density of users.

The project will be in-

stalled in public areas like public terminals, parks, and plazas where the public usually converge.

Montejo said the TVWS Initiative was already pilot tested in Bohol and Bulacan.

Cavite will be the next area for testing.

“We received positive response from the people where the project was piloted,” he said.

Earlier, Leo Ugto, chief of technical coordination and support division for ICTO Field Operation Office for Mindanao, told Edge Davao that 10 municipalities in the region

will have free internet access through the TVWS project.

“For the region, municipalities were identified by the Regional Development Council (RDC) 11 headed by Davao del Norte Rodolfo del Rosario as municipalities with high poverty incidence,” Ugto said.

The proposed priority fourth to sixth class municipalities in Davao Region are Jose Abad Santos, Saranggani, Don Marcelino, Kiblawan, and Malita in Davao del Sur; Talaingod in Davao del Norte; and Taragona, Manay, Caraga, and Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental.

REPAIR. Workers of an advertising company repair a huge billboard metal structure along Quirino Avenue in Davao City without harness and other safety

FBOI, 10 gears. Lean Daval Jr.

PAL resumes Manila-New York flights

FTER almost two decades of absence, flag-carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has started flying to New York again.

This came after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lifted the Philippines’ aviation status to Category 1 in April last year.

PAL Chairman Lucio Tan on Sunday led the inaugural flight, of which a 70-member delegation of government and airline officials attended.

These flights would be PAL’s 36th international destination.

Aside from New York, PAL has four other US destinations namely Guam, Honolulu, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, PAL said that the fourtimes-a-week service to the Manila-Vancouver-New York route will operate at Terminal 1 of New York’s JFK International Airport.

PAL will have full traffic rights between Vancouver and New York.

Flight PR 126 will depart

the free wireless internet will have a bandwidth of 4 megabits per second (MBPS) but will have a limit in every public place of 50 users at a time It will be installed in public plazas and parks, public primary and secondary central schools, public libraries, rural health units and government hospitals, state universities and colleges (SUCs), municipal halls, and national government offices.

Montejo said the DOST is just waiting for the terms of reference to bid out project before the program can be implemented.

Manila every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 11:50 pm, meanwhile arrival in Vancouver is 8:50 p.m. on the same day.

After a two-hour transit stop, the service continues on to New York at 10:50 p.m., touching down at Terminal 1 of JFK International at 7:00 a.m. the following day.

The return service, PR 127, will depart New York at 11:00 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and arrive in Vancouver at 1:50 p.m..

It will depart the Canadian city at 3:20 p.m. and land back in Manila at 8:35 p.m. the following day.

PAL will utilize the Airbus A340-300 jets, which seats 36 passengers in business class and 218 in economy.

Introductory round-trip fares are available for as low as USD 610 (exclusive of taxes and surcharges) for economy and as low as USD 3,560 for business class. (PNA)

Avila: Fish trading center to solve pollution problem in Bankerohan T

HE establishment of the Davao Fish Trading Center in Daliao, Toril will solve the pollution coming from the Bankerohan Public Market and increase the income of fishermen.

Councilor Leonardo Avila III, speaking in Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex, said the center will divert the trading between fish producers from Davao, General Santos City and Zamboanga, and wholesalers from here.

“The problem is that the Bankerohan Public Market has no proper sewerage and

septic tank that will contain the pollution coming from fish vendors and fish traders,” Avila said.

Avila said organic and animal waste to fish market resulted to the increase of coliform level in some the downstream of Davao River.

“I’ve been pushing this since the passage of sewerage and septage ordinance in 2013. We have taken photos showing the wastes from Bankerohan Public Market being flushed to the river,” he said.

He said the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) and City Agriculture

Office (CAO) must formulate a feasibility study on the fish trading center for Davao.

Avila said with the absence of a feasibility study, Davao Fish Complex manager Mario Macalinao has expressed interest in overseeing the center once it will be established in the complex “Macalinao said he is preparing the proposal to be submitted to the national government for possible funding,” Avila said.

Trading in some areas like in General Santos City are taking place at the complex, not in the market.

“The establishment of the center is one of the possible solutions that might lessen the wastes that are being disposed in the Davao River, “Avila said.

Aside from diversion of fish trading, he said that there’s a bigger chance the fishermen can sell their fish catch at a better price.

“The price is more competitive because only legitimate buyers and wholesalers will have transaction with fishermen,” Avila said,, adding that the fish trading in the city either happens in the market or on the shores.

Cheneen R. Capon

5 PROPERTY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 258 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

Northpoint - the condo home for Davao’s favored lifestyle T

OURISTS flock to the city as it celebrates the Araw ng Dabaw to experience its festive environment, good food, and amazing sights. But an integral part of Davao’s unmistakable charm is its people with their warm hospitality and enviable way of life.

Davao’s pleasant lifestyle is made possible by the many residential places that allow its homeowners to live well.

On top of all these residential locations is Northpoint, the British colonial themed condominium community at the junction of Buhangin Road and JP Laurel Avenue in

Bajada.

Northpoint is a landmark development of Vista Residences, sister company of Camella and subsidiary of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land. It currently has three sold-out condominium buildings, a fourth one soon to be con-

structed, and a fifth tower that will soon be announced.

Davao can boast of Northpoint as the only pine estate within the city with hundreds of imported Caribbean pine trees currently growing on its grounds. As a veritable pine estate, Northpoint is like no other, making it one of Davao’s natural icons.

The rolling land that Northpoint is built on is tied to the city’s history. It was formerly owned by a Scottish family named Ker who came to Davao and established a thriving abaca business, making them one of the city’s early purveyors in business and commerce.

Northpoint has top-of-theline facilities and amenities showcased by its clubhouse, Wakefield Manor. There is a multi-purpose hall, a fitness gym, cabanas, grills, pits, a wellness pool with salinated water, as well as a playground, pocket gardens, nature park, and jogging track.

This masterplanned condominium community has the best living proposition: a quiet, nature-filled haven with all the modern amenities located at the heart of north Davao’s growth area. It is the ideal home for those who seek to live a good life.

With most of its condo units already taken, Northpoint will soon launch its fifth tower, Bradford. This condominium build-

ing will potentially be the last chance for those who want to own a prime investment property in Davao.

Northpoint condominiums do not only make the best homes, they are also the most viable investments. Its value appreciation continues its steady climb, and rental rates are comparably the highest owing to its world-class amenities, prime location, and unmatchable living proposition.

Out-of-towners who visit Davao can also make Northpoint their investment property or even their home away from home. They will find that owning a property in Davao is advantageous for them when they aim to take part in the city’s thriving economy, or simply want to enjoy the city’s rustic charm and cosmopolitan appeal.

Davao is the focal point of business, commerce, and tourism in Southern Mindanao. It has the best universities, hospitals, and hotels, the most exciting commercial and shopping hubs, a thriving BPO industry, and a real estate boom. It is simply the place to be, giving life to its slogan, “Davao – life is here.”

To call Northpoint home or make it your investment property, visit the Camella offices at Delgar Bldg., (fronting Northpoint) JP Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City, or call telephone 226-3100.

EDGEDAVAO

6 VANTAGE

VOL. 7 ISSUE 258 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

EDITORIAL Federalism in our mind

A

MONG all possible candidates for President in 2016, only Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte is identified with a clear advocacy, that of federalism. Mayor Rody wants a change in our present highly-centralized form of government, saying that this form of government has spawned so much unfairness particularly in the sharing of wealth and resources between the national government and the local government units (LGUs). The litany of complaints against the central government is long and perennial, a situation that had prompted the aggrieved provinces to deride the center of the country as “Imperial Manila,” rightly or wrongly.

Those who have seriously studied federalism believe that once adopted this system will bring about meaningful re-

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forms in the country.

Those who oppose it though advance the fear that federalism will result in the dismemberment of the country. This fear is unfounded when one enumerates the great countries which have embraced federalism. The list includes the United States of America, Germany, Canada, Malaysia, Switzerland, Australia, India, Austria and Belgium among many others. These countries have never been threatened with dismemberment at any point of their federal history.

To be more informed about Mayor Rody’s advocacy and to understand better why many would like to stick to the status quo, it is not yet late to educate ourselves and be able to compare these two forms of government and their variations.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY Consultant

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EIL Armstrong’s famous first words from the moon in 1969 (the same time our very own Gloria Diaz was declared the first Filipino to win the Miss Universe title) were heard as “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

But was that what he said? Grammarians have long been annoyed that such a world-famous moment was marred by bad grammar, arguing there should have been an “a” in front of “man.” Armstrong, however, has long asserted that he did, in fact, say the “a.”

The New American Webster defines grammar as “the science of word-endings and inflectional forms.” It also means “mode of speaking and writing according to the principles of grammar.”

When I was still in high school, I had a classmate who spoke English all the time. I thought she was grammatically correct – until our English teacher told us about grammar. Since then, I had been trying myself to be grammatically correct – whether I am talking or writing.

But I think some Filipinos don’t care about grammar at all. As long as they can talk or write using English words, that’s enough for them. A politician, who has never graduated from high school but very popular among his people, told a group: “If this election I win, I will kill cows, boys and girl. I will invite you my house and I will eat you all.” Translation: “If I will in this election, I will butcher cows, male and female. I will invite you to my house and all of you can eat in the feast.”

Remember the jeepney driver who

O

UTSIDE the gates and walls of a major university in Davao City are rows of tarpaulin trumpeting the “One Vision, One Identity, One Community” motto of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) which is set to launch the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the end of December 2015.

The creation of AEC aspires to transform ASEAN by 2020 “into a single market and production base, a highly competitive region, a region of equitable economic development and a region fully integrated into the global economy.”

According to the governments of each member-state, the foregoing “four pillars” are closely linked, “mutually reinforcing to ensure a durable, peaceful, stable and prosperous region.” Each pillar is guided by a blueprint serving as roadmap in the realization AEC. The university is obviously playing on the motto to attract enrollees in anticipation to AEC realization where areas of cooperation include the recognition of professional qualifications.

AEC has been billed as seventh largest market in the world with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than $2.4 trillion from over 620 million people. With a potential market larger than European Union (EU), it is also touted as having the world’s

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VANTAGE POINTS

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Say it again, please! wrote this sigTHINK ON THESE! nage in his vehicle: “Before pay, please tell where the get in before get the off.” I remember him when we (my friends and I) went to a beach resort Henrylito D. Tacio in Davao. If henrytacio@gmail.com you come to the said place, you will read eight rules “to be follows.”

The first one: “Safety the important things. The management will not shoulder, if anything is lost.”

Next: “Throw all plastic, cellophane in the sacks that hung in the tree.” Third: “Throw the biodegredable in the rubber garbagge.” (Those that I underlined are spelled that way, really, and in fact, my computer tried to correct them!)

Fourth: “Please don’t throw anywhere the bones, candies, ice cream pop wrappers, waste of fruits, cigarette butts.

Throw in the garbagge.” Fifth: “Don’t broke the bottle specially softdrinks, beer, and hard liquor. Once you caught penalty P100.00.” Sixth: “Stay were you are occupied cottage.”

Seventh: “Once you caught stay other cottage, you should pay another for that cottage.” Eight: “During eating time, please don’t stay or sit the other cottage.

So that we can identified cottage that are available for other customers come in.”

The rules ended with this note: “Be

discipline ourselves. This rules should be follow. Thank you very much…”

If you think only Filipinos commit blunders and errors like those above, wait till you go to other countries. From a hotel in Moscow, a sign reads: “If this is your first visit to the USSR, you are welcome to it.”

In Tokyo, Japan, don’t be surprised reading this notice in one of hotel’s elevator doors: “Do not open door until door opens first.” Another elevator sign: “Keep your hands away from unnecessary buttons for you.” Still another hotel posted: “Is forbidden to steal towels, please.

If you are not person to do such, please not to read notice.” Got you, you read it, right?

It seems that in almost all parts of the world, elevators seem not to function well. In Hotel del Paseo in Mexico City, this notice was posted: “We sorry to advice you that by a electric desperfect in the generator master of the elevator we have the necessity that don’t give service at our distuingishable guests.”

A hotel in Bucharest posted this notice: “The lift is being fixed for the next four days. During this time you will be unbearable.” In Hotel Deutschland, Leipzig: “Do not enter the lift backwards and only when lit up.” In China, one hotel posted this sign outside of its elevator: “Push up when you go up’ push down when you go down.” Understood?

Some business-minded people have their own way of attracting customers.

Notice found in a travel agency in Barcelona, Spain: “Go away.” In Hahariyya, Israel, a butcher promised: “I slaughter

myself twice daily.” A barber in Zanzibar advertised: “Gentlemen’s throats cut with nice sharp razors.” But this Japanese barber from Tokyo is more creative: “All customers promptly executed.”

If there are seven days a week or Snow White has seven dwarfs, there are also seven figures of speech: noun, pronoun, verb, adverb, adjective, preposition, and interjection. When I was in high school, our teacher told us: Never end a sentence with a preposition. So, if that is the case, how will sing the theme song of the movie, Mahogany? It goes this way: “Do you know where you’re going to?”

If you happen to be in the United States and talk with an American, please don’t be surprised if he uses foods in his figures of speech. For instance, when things go right, they are in apple pie order, or life is a bowl of cherries. But when they go wrong, it’s a fine kettle of fish, or a pretty pickle.

A husband doesn’t earn money, he earns dough, or he brings home the bacon. And if he’s working for peanuts, his wife may egg him on to butter up the boss.

If a man is important, he’s top banana. If he’s not, he may be just a meatball. If he’s clumsy, he’s butterfingered.

If he’s cowardly, he’s chicken-livered. If he’s poised, he’s cool as a cucumber. If he’s smart, he’s an egghead. And if he’s a prizefighter, he very likely has cauliflower ears. If he talks too much, he spills the beans. And if he doesn’t talk enough, he clams up.

If you still don’t like what you read so far, just take it with a grain of salt.

third largest workforce.

The end of December 2015 is a target date for 100 percent compliance of more than 400 agreed AEC “Blueprint Commitments” aimed to ease tariffs, increase investment flows and open borders across 10 countries: Burma, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

“Like the fabled Y2K bug,” a regional official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) declared during a recent economic road show in assuring that no drastic changes will happen on January 1, 2016 and that December 31, 2015 is “not actually a day of reckoning.”

In fact, the official argued, the integration process has been taking place over past several years like the easing of tariff lines wherein 99.6 percent of which are already

brought down to zero among member-states since 2010. Following the implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area, common effective preferential tariff rates are virtually zero for intra-ASEAN trade.

True, ASEAN member states have been making major strides on the road to AEC. But there also remain the daunting challenges within each of the community’s declared “four pillars” including the need to beef up trade facilitation, harmonize standards and regulations, reduce huge disparities in income and levels of development and address the other intricacies of market-driven trade liberalization.

With all its technical complexities, interweaving all the challenges is the need to further engage the private sector—from business community and civil society organizations to faith-based groups and community organizations—in mainstreaming the government-led agenda into the consciousness of every citizen within and across the member countries.

Ordinary people in the streets may not have the slightest idea about AEC or even ASEAN for that matter. Even among the ranks of well-educated, a plethora of questions possibly remains unsettled in their minds: In what way the ten countries with a very diverse culture becomes one identity? How comes a

region with wide income disparities and huge development gaps becomes one community?

The poverty condition besetting Cambodia and Myanmar is a stark contrast to the high level of development taking place in Singapore and Brunei. The huge disparities can hardly suits in to the concept of an economic community, however it is put into context.

ASEAN is also comparatively more diverse than any of the world’s regions in terms of economic, political and cultural norms. Not even a single language is cognate and shared by the majority of citizens of the member countries.

Even English, the only working language of ASEAN, is rarely used—much more understood by majority of population—in several member countries. In fact, many people in Cambodia are now investing more to learn Chinese languages in their bid to land employment in the neighboring wealthy China.

Great potentials and benefits may lay ahead the regional economic fusion. But it certainly has its own downsides like the larger picture of globalization.

Unfortunately, in the Philippines, in spite of having an English-speaking population, not much has been known about AEC beyond the confines of academic institutions, the board rooms of corporations and the venues of economic forum or symposium.

Utter lack of public awareness

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Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas only has 4 percent in a tie with Sen. Chiz Escudero, followed

by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (3), Sen. Antonio Trillanes ( 2) and former senators Ping

Lacson and Richard Gordon (1).

Laviña said Duterte will be in OIzamis today to resume his Listening Tour, a nationwide, island-hopping campaign launched by the

local chief executive last January to draw support for his federalism advocacy.

The mayor’s volunteers believe that his rating will hit 18 or even 28 percent after the Holy Week.

hoy” means a holdupper,” he said. There are also other heroes from the Southern Philippines like Sultan Kudarat who ruled the plains of Central Mindanao in the 1600s who fought the invading Spaniards in bloody hand to hand combat.

He was declared a national hero, perhaps the only Muslim to be accorded the honor, by the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

Along with Lapulapu and Dagohoy, Sultan Kudarat is also largely unknown among people in the Northern Philippines.

“You have always looked at Mindanao as a distant star.

But we are Filipinos just like you and I am here to ask you to make us feel that we are your brothers,” Duterte told the Rotarians.

The colorful Davao City

Mayor’s appearance before the members of the different Rotary Clubs was part of the “Listening Tour” started

by Duterte in January, which has brought him to the different parts of the country to advocate for a shift from the Presidential Unitary form of government to a Federal Parliamentary form.

He said that a highly centralized government where almost every action by the local government units requires approval from the Central Government has stunted the growth of the regions.

Duterte cited the proposed light rail project for the city of Davao which was submitted to the National Economic Development Authority for review and assessment.

“It has been there for three years now but so far I have not received a word on

whether they will approve it or not,” he said.

The proposed light rail transit is planned to connect the southern most barangay of Davao City to its northern district to cut travel time and address the expected traffic congestion with the projected growth of the city years from now.

The South Korean consultants who have proposed the project, however, have complained that they have been given a run-around in Metro Manila.

“Kaya ang dapat itawag sa NEDA ay NADA, as in walang nada,” he said. (“Walang nada in the Visayan language means “walang silbi” or goodfor-nothing.)

After his Manila meeting with the Rotarians, Duterte flew to Bacolod for another leg of the “Listening Tour.”

others, have a good fighting chance. We are trying our best to give arguments and necessary data they (lawmakers) need to convince them and inspire them to think the allowability and constitutionality of the provision/s,” the lawyer said.

Julkipli said that it is not true that Bangsamoro Police will not be under the Philippine National Police.

“It is clear in the provisions in the BBL that the bangsamoro police will be under

the National Police Commision,” he said.

He alao clarified that Bangsamoro will have its auditing agency that will still work closely with the Commission on Audit.

“The reality now is that COA cannot reached the farthest island of ARMM and if there will be a auditing agency working hand in hand in the proposed Bangsamoro, this will prmote more transparency,” Jukipli said.

Davao Peace Movement

for BBL convenor Rasad Sawat, meanwhile, said it’s time to have a thorough review on the proposed BBL because lawmakers are pushing for the amendment of almost 80 percent of the provisions.

Among the provisions that need to be reviewed aside from allowing nonmember of the proposed core territory is the establishment of Bangsamoro police, power and wealth sharing between the central and proposed Bangsamoro government.

IPs in Mindanao,” Tanzo said in a statement, adding that displacements uproot the IPS from their communities and lands.

“Move away the IPs from their lands and you kill them.

It’s the wars that continually dislocate the IPs from their ancestral homes,” he pointed out.

He also emphasized the current calls of IP communities for peace. “Ang panawagan ngayon ng IPs ay sana wala nang giyera at matuloy na ang usapang pangkapayapaan(The call of the IPs now is to continue the peace talks and no more wars).”

On his side, Mayor Piang also expressed his people’s wish for lasting peace in Mindanao by saying “Lahat kami ang hangad ay matamo ang kapayapaan. Sana tuloy-tuloy

na ang pag-uusap ng gobyerno at MILF (We all aspire to achieve peace. I hope the talks between the government and the MILF will push through).”

Mayor Piang also narrated the difficult times that the town of Upi had experienced due to armed conflicts.

He recalled that the town of Upi experienced the worst war in the 1970’s up to 1974, the conflict against the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and with the MILF in the recent years.

He said worst effects of those wars include the displacement of the residents; the children stopped to go to school; and the loss of the livelihood of the people.

“Lalong naging magulo dahil nawalan nang hanapbuhay ang mga tao (The situ-

ation became worse because people lost their livelihood).

We are tired of wars,” he emphasized.

“Naranasan namin ang giyera, naranasan naming matulog sa mga damuhan, magpunta sa evacuation center, walang makain. Hindi na naming gusting maulit pa ang panahong iyon (We have experience war, we experienced sleeping on the grasses, lived in evacuation centers, no food to eat. We don’t want that to happen again.”

The Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is the key to the attainment of genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao, Tanzo and Piang both affirmed, adding that the proposed law includes the welfare of all residents in Mindanao regardless of tribe, race and religion.

The inherent power to tax income from these institutions allows the ARMM to give income tax holidays to banks and other non-bank financial institutions.

The ARMM remains severely underserviced by banks and other financial institutions according to a World Bank study.

In particular, Mastura said they are looking initially at giving income tax holidays to Islamic banking and finance institutions to make them competitive with conventional banking since currently one study by KPMG consulting firm shows that Islamic banking and finance institutions cannot com-

pete with conventional banking due to tax constraints.

The existing National Investment Priorities Plan ARMM List which RBOI administers already provides the Halal industry, which includes Islamic banking and finance, as being entitled to fiscal incentives.

(PNA)

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CHAMPIONS.Members of Matina Central Elementary School Drum And Bugle Corps. pose with their trophy after winning the Junior category of Banda Hudyaka 2015. (Hannah Andrea A. Sagsagat)

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te is capable to run for the position, though he believes the mayor does not want it.

“Mayor Duterte is very capable to run as president, marami na siyang napatunayan kaya lang I believe

hindi niya gusto yung position,” he said.

On the other hand, Duterte stressed that he will not run as president, and even insisted that Cayetano have done more things than him.

Early last year the Duterte for President movement started to urge Duterte to run on the presidential seat.

The movement has since snowballed to Visayas and Luzon areas.

candid with our people, accept the responsibility for decisions made, and mistakes perhaps, along the way. Nobody is infallible.” ”The President and other high-ranking government officials, could have done more under the circumstances to prevent or minimize the number of deaths that jolted the nation,” Poe said.

Poe said had the President and key security officials who were with him in Zamboanga City, discussed the incident and shared information clearly and openly in the early stages of the tragic day, coordination between the Army and the PNP might have been hastened and fewer lives could have been lost.

The President was with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas, National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, acting PNP Chief Leonardo Espina, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Pio Catapang in Zamboanga in the morning of January 25. ”Since he was familiar with the plan, the President

might have stepped in and displayed stronger positioning leadership regarding the rescue operations if he was given the proper information,” Poe said. ”As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the President wields great power and has vast resources at his disposal. The decision of the President and his men not to use those resources immediately to prevent the carnage must be explained,” Poe added.

The lady lawmaker said there were indications that the planning and execution of the botched mission “were not 100-percent Filipino-planned and implemented.” ”US personnel played a role in the training for and monitoring of the said operation,” Poe said. ”The Committees found that the United States substantially invested in the entirety of Oplan Exodus. They provided equipment, training and intelligence. However, this raises the question of whether the PNP leadership would have entered into such a risky and hazardous operation without the support of the United

States and the million reward offered for Marwan’s capture,” Poe said.

The Senate panel also recommended that the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) should pursue peace with justice. ”The peace that we seek must be based on justice, where the rule of law reigns supreme, and where violators are brought before the bar of justice. The blood and heroism of the SAF 44 must not be dis-honored. Our people will accept no less,” Poe said.

Poe said the 120-page committee report has yet to be signed by the other senators. ”Other senators may introduce amendments,” she said.

Senator Ralph Recto commended Poe’s report, saying the lady lawmaker ‘correctly pointed out when the command structure fractured.” ”My first impression is that it, the report , is FPJ – fair perceptive and judicious,” Recto said, adopting the monicker of Poe’s father, the late movie actor FPJ or Fernando Poe Jr. (PNA)

Sunday.

He also cited the seriousness of both the government and MILF panels in working hand-in-hand for peace in Mindanao and recognized the challenges that both panels face today, which he said can be “captured through understanding.”

“It’s time for us to turn to each other not on each other. Working for peace in the future is to work in the present mind. And

peace cannot be achieved through violence it can only be attained through understanding. So let’s understand each other and proceed with peace. Together we can make it happen,” General Kasan pointed out.

IMT-M10 will be composed of contingents from Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Japan and Norway.

On the same occasion, Brig. General Manolito Orense, chair of the GPH

AHJAG and deputy commander of 6th Infantry Division also asserted his confidence that peace can be attained in Mindanao as long as everyone will do their share in working for it.

“The IMT-M10, just like the IMT-M9 will be another partner in the peace process. By working together, hopefully, we will be able to gain peace in the near future,” Orense said. ALEX D. LOPEZ

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AMBASSADORS. Councilor Maria Belen Acosta (5th from left) Ronulfo “Popong” Landero, and Joey Ayala are joined in this photo by (from left) DOST-Technology Application and Promotion Institute Director Edgar Garcia, DOST-XI official, DOST-ARMM Regional Director Myra Alih, DOST-XI Regional Director Anthony Sales, and DOST Asst. Sec. Raymund Liboro. Not in picture is S&T Ambassador Marissa Salvador Abella.

Meet the Science ambassadors

By Henrylito D. Tacio

W

HAT do Senator Paulo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV (chair of the Senate Committee on Youth), Vice Governor Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora of Compostela Valley, Representative Mario U. Piamonte (senior vice chair of the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives), Councilor Maria Belen Sunga-Acosta, Councilor Marissa S. Abella, Joey Ayala and Ronulfo “Popong” Landero have one thing in common?

They have been named early this month

by Secretary Mario Montejo of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as science and technology (S&T) ambassadors who will champion S&T programs in Davao Region.

Sen. Aquino, the youngest senator of the 16th Congress, is a member of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology. He authored the S.B. 1091: Magna Carta for Philippine Internet Freedom which includes provisions on security and privacy of data and information, establishment of an executive department for information and communications technology, and penalties for cybercrimes and other prohibited acts, among others.

“Bam has dedicated his entire career to empowering the youth and

the poor, helping thousands of Filipinos improve their lives through access to opportunities and crucial support systems,” said a press release circulated during the awarding ceremony.

“Way Kurat” had his humble beginnings as a farmer and an agriculturist who relied on science and technology to be more productive. In fact, he even invented a bicycle pedal-powered peanut sheller that won him third prize at an inventor’s contest in Mindanao in the early 1980s.

“His legislative work in a large part means attending to his constituents’ needs,” the press statement said. “Zamora is truly recognized for, even his colleagues acknowledge, is the service he provides to the sick or drying constituents from either side of the law, something he had done

from his early days as a public servant up to the present.”

Piamonte of the A-Teacher Party List is considered as a true advocate of science in the House. Among the bills he authored or co-authored include House Bill 3512, which mandates the provision of computer laboratory in every school campus, the computerization of teaching modules and the equipping of teachers through training programs.

Davao City Councilors Acosta and Abella were cited for their respective advocacies. “Coming from a family of educators, her advocacy was geared towards the learning development of the youth,” said the citation for Acosta, who is currently the chairperson of the Committee on Education, Science and Technology, and Arts and

Culture.

Abella, on the other hand, was cited “in her continuing dedication and passion to preserve the environment.” It further stated: “Abella spent most of her time helping people both from the upland and downstream areas and generate income from the surrounding natural resources.”

Both Ayala and Landero are Davao-based performer-song writers and environmental advocates.

In the press release, Ayala was quoted as saying wanting “to impart the virtue of having an organic lifestyle starting at home, such as waste segregation and even eating organic food as much as possible.”

It was also stated that Ayala’s songs “embrace the importance of environment” and “how man can contribute to the well-being of nature.”

Landero, aside from being a fulltime musician, “is also an environmental advocate,” the citation said. “Some of his songs are replete with lyrics that reflect the beauty of the environment and infused with the pleasant sound of Mother Nature.”

The announcement of S&T ambassadors was held at the gymnasium and cultural center of the University of Southeastern Philippines, at Barrio Obrero in Davao City. It was part of the campaign called “Science Nation Tour” which aims to bring to the regions relevant science and technology programs that help boost the economy of local governments. The campaign uses conventional and alternative activities, such as concerts and physical fitness, to make people appreciate how S&T weaves into their daily lives.

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DAVAO CITY MAIN OFFICE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY MARKETING OFFICE

Director of Sales

Marketing Specialist

JOCELYN S. PANES

Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel: (082) 224-1413 Telefax: (082) 221-3601

EDMUND P. RENDON

General Santos City

Mobile: (Sun) 0925-357-3460 (Smart) 0907-202-3844

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

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WOMEN

The sweetest connection

THEY say pâtissiers are the happiest and most gentle of all chefs. They are well tempered, maintain good balance, light handed and creative. Looking at these three Dabawenyas who love to pat a cake, I’d say sweetness doesn’t even cover it. Their bright and cheery dispositions make a good company, even more so when they are in their element.

They are wives, all mothers with two kids, they have careers that keep them on their toes. They tread on another common ground, the spot by the oven—these women are in business of baking, too.

Maybe it was fated for 30-year old Carol Co to get into baking. Not only is the family business into the retailing of baking and restaurant supplies, which make everything she needs for baking within reach, her sweet tooth made it logical to for her to create her own version of her favorite desserts.

Mary Kathleen “Kay” Gempesaw, 40, took up a cake decorating course when she opened Baby Cakes with her sister-inlaw. Her partner bakes and she takes charge of decorating the made-toorder cakes. Kay knows of Carol since she purchases her sweet shop’s needs from her store.

The scent of freshly

Bakers’ bind. Kay in Pink Fizz knitted top, jeggings in tint shade, printed scarf & tan belt, all from M&S Collection; Karina in M&S Collection white linen top, black leggings & red belt, with Classic printed pink scarf; and Carol in M&S Collection inner white vest under her coral knitted cardigan, Indigo striped pants, accessories from M&S Collection & Autograph.

baked bread is what Katrina “Ina” Sison-Briones, 37, wakes up to with the commissary of the familyowned bakery just next door. Is it surprising that she ended up working in the family business? Ina is the HR and Administrative Head of Royal Breadhaus and its Cake Line Department Head, which involves conceptualizing the cakes and its designs before it lands on the shelves of the outlets. Carol knows of Ina as a client of the bakery supply store.

Other than this connection, these women didn’t

Springtime cool. Kay in an all M&S Collection ensemble: printed white top with pink trip top, tapered crop pants in white.

know each other on the personal level. Not until Marks & Spencer fashioned an exclusive tea party that got these ladies together. In this event, they found yet another common interest that instantly bound them together like long-time friends, like little girls playing with teacups.

Teacups. Yes. The women love tea and have a fascination for teacups and they scour the marketplace for the finest pieces they can lay their hands

MetroMom A4

Spring is in the air. Carol in printed white top & white tapered crop pants from M&S Collection, denim jacket by Indigo.

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UP AND ABOUT

ENTERTAINMENT

“Your Face NCC and Smart award country’s top cheerdance teams VIEWERS nationwide watched the eight celebrity performers of “Your Face Sounds Familiar” transform into legendary music icons as the two pilot episodes of ABS-CBN’s newest variety show gained a ratings victory over rival shows.

A

Jay-R was named the first winner of the competition with his flawless impersonation of Pinoy rock icon Pepe Smith, which impressed jurors Gary Valenciano, Jed Madela, and Sharon Cuneta, as well as his co-performers. Jay-R garnered a total of 36 points from them and won P100,000, half of which will be donated to his chosen charity, Stairway Foundation.

Trailing Jay-R were Edgar Allan Guzman as Usher (23

stunning show of dancing and gymnastic skills marked the 10th National Cheerleading Championships (NCC), with teams from the National University and Parañaque National High School emerging as the big winners in the college and high school categories of the country’s largest cheerdance competition, held recently at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Meanwhile, the crews from the Quezon City Polytechnic University and the Las Piñas East National High School drew massive support to take home the Texter’s Choice in the college and high school divisions, awarded by Smart Prepaid, NCC’s major partner for the competition.

Over 120 teams from all over the country proved their mettle in the intense two-day finals, drawing thousands of students, parents and faculty to support them. Each team dished out fierce routines with synchronized choreography and heart-stopping acrobatic feats in the spirit of fun and healthy competition.

“Smart Prepaid is proud to partner with NCC in its milestone year, marking a decade of providing the youth a platform to pursue cheerdancing with a passion, elevating it to a serious endeavor in which the values of teamwork and perseverance shine,” said Joel Lumanlan, Smart Prepaid head.

“It is in supporting these kinds of events that Smart Prepaid allows the youth to push their limits and pursue their passions without fear or hesitation, which is at the core of our Jump In campaign.”

Since the founding of NCC, the competition has become a venue for the country’s cheerleaders to hone their potentials, using it as

“That Thing continues wi ABOVE: Las Piñas East National High School bags the Smart Texter’s Choice Award in high school category at the recent National Cheerleading Championships, the biggest cheerdance competition in the country. Smart Prepaid is the main partner of the event, in line with its Jump In campaign to encourage the youth to pursue their passions.

LEFT: Lucky Smart Prepaid subscribers win One Direction tickets after topping up and subscribing to value-packed Jump In promos at the National Cheerleading Championships. Smart Prepaid is represented by Senior Manager Gerard Milan (rightmost).

a stepping stone to compete in the international level, according to NCC National Director Paula Nunag.

Other winners for the different cheerdance categories are: De La Salle College of St. Benilde (College All-Girl Cheer); National University (College All-Girl Group Stunts); De La Salle Lipa

(College All-Girl Pom); Miriam College High School (High School All-Girl Pom); Saint Pedro Poveda College (Junior All-Girl Cheer); Marist Elite All Stars (Coed Elite Cheer); National University (Coed Group Stunts); School of the Holy Spirit of Quezon City (High School All-Girl Cheer); and TCU Varsity Pep Squad (Partner

Quezon City Polytechnic University bags the Smart Texter’s Choice Award in the college category at the Cheerleading Championships, the biggest cheerdance competition in the country. Smart Prepaid is the main partner of the event, which has been a stepping stone for Filipinos to compete in the international level.

Stunts).

NCC also awarded the best dance groups of different schools, including: Assumption College Makati (All-Girl Hip Hop); School of the Holy Spirit of Quezon City (All-Girl High School Hip Hop); Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (College Coed Hip Hop); St. Louis University (College AllGirl Jazz); Assumption College (High School All-Girl Jazz); St. Paul College Pasic (Junior AllGirl Jazz); and La Salle Greenhills (Mixed Hip Hop).

As a treat, Smart Prepaid subscribers at the event got a chance to win much-coveted tickets to the upcoming One Direction concert after they topped up and subscribed to value-packed Smart Jump In promos.

To get the latest updates from Smart Jump In, simply follow the official Jump In Facebook page www.facebook.com/SmartJumpIn) and the official accounts of Smart Communications, Inc. on Facebook www.facebook.com/SmartCommunications) and Twitter (@ SMARTcares).

THE Cinema One Originals film “That Thing Called Tadhana” continues to soar. After a successful nationwide release last month and positive responses from critics and film viewers, the Angelica Panganiban-JM de Guzman starrer is heading to US theaters starting this March 27.

The phenomenal blockbuster hit, which amassed a staggering 134 million pesos last month, has been named the highest grossing indie film of all time, with screenings always sold out nationwide. Director Antoinette Jadaone’s romantic-comedy film has also harvested numerous awards, including the Audience Choice and Best Actress awards at the 2014 Cinema One Originals Film Festival, as well as the Best Actor award at the Gawad Pasado.

“That Thing Called Tadhana” has also been selected in various international film festivals. Jadaone’s film will compete at the Osaka Asian Film Festival 2015 and will be part of the Los Angeles Asian Film FeStival, and at the Hawaii International Film Festival.

Angelica is elated on the film’s continued success. She recently shared her excitement about the film’s slated screenings abroad at the film’s victory party.

“I am very excited because our Kapamilya abroad will have the chance to watch the film. I hope that ‘Tadhana’ will experience the same success abroad as it did here in the country,” Angelica

P

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m fi fi g

th e I a fi a I b is w ti ta

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ce Sounds Familiar’s” two-episode premiere a hit

Karla as Sharon Cuneta, Nyoy as Michael Jackson, Tutti as Freddie Aguilar, Maxene as Taylor Swift, Jay-R as Pepe Smith, Jolina as Lady Gaga, EA as Usher, Melai as Nora Aunor. points), Karla Estrada as the Magdangal as Lady Gaga (9 Others have a chance to imMegastar (20 points), Nyoy Vo- points), Maxene Magalong as prove their rankings because lante as Michael Jackson (17 Taylor Swift (8 points), and Tut- in the show, no one will be points), Melai Cantiveros as ti Caringal as Freddie Aguilar (7 eliminated, as their scores are Nora Aunor (12 points), Jolina points). tallied up each week.

Your Face Sounds Familiar jurors Jed Madela, Sharon Cuneta, Gary Valenciano.

Watch out for this week’s Don’t miss “Your Face transformations and live per- Sounds Familiar” Saturdays formances of Jolina as Sampa- after “MMK” and Sundays afguita, Karla as Chaka Khan, Jay- ter “Rated K” on ABS-CBN. For R as Stevie Wonder, EA as Gary program updates, like www.

V, Maxene as Pilita Corrales, facebook.com/yourfaceph, folTutti as Adam Levine, Nyoy as low @YourFacePH on Twitter Yoyoy Villame, and Melai as and Instagram, or visit yourBritney Spears on March 21 facesoundsfamiliar.abs-cbn. and 22. com.

Called Tadhana” craze Zanjoe feels with screenings abroad blessed because

Panganiban said.

On winning best actress in awards shows, Angelica said he experience is humbling.

“Just being nominated ogether with ate Guy (Nora Aunor), ate Vi (Vilma Santos), Sharon Cuneta, is such an honor. I felt that the nominaion itself was already a win because my name was in the same category with them,” she added.

Meanwhile, JM de Guzman, who recently won his first best actor award for the film, said he is grateful to be given the part of Anthony.

“I am very thankful that he role of Anthony was given to me. From the very start, have believed in the script and the people behind the film because ‘Tadhana’ has a very compelling story, but did not expect that it would be such a big hit. Everything s happening so fast. I mean, we already have an internaional screening and we’re aking part in international

of “Dream Dad”

film festivals. It’s so surreal,” JM shared.

JM also reacted on how ‘Tadhana’ served as his big comeback to showbiz with a big charming smile.

“I just laughed a lot when people say that ‘That Thing Called Tadhana’ catapulted me to matinee idol status.

I did leading man roles before, but becoming a matinee idol didn’t occur to me.

Thinking about it just makes me laugh,” JM said.

JM is also pleased about “Tadhana’s” international screenings because it will generate more awareness about indie filmmakers, actors, and producers.

Aside from international screenings, “That Thing Called Tadhana” will have an outdoor screening at Cinema One’s Boracay summer event on March 28 (Saturday) and director Antoinette Jadaone’s breakthrough film will also have a book adaptation.

KAPAMILYA leading man Zanjoe Marudo expressed his gratitude over the continuous and growing support of TV viewers in ABS-CBN’s charming primetime drama series “Dream Dad,” which he stars with child actress Jana Agoncillo.

“We are all very happy and thankful for the love and support that viewers have given us.

It makes our work easier and less stressful, not only because our hard work has paid off, but also because we are able to make people happy every night,” said Zanjoe who plays the role of Baste, who is now more known as Mr. President.

Aside from Zanjoe and Jana’s cute tandem, “Dream Dad” viewers also look forward to the love team of the series’ characters Baste and Alex (portrayed by Beauty Gonzales), now known as the ‘BasLex’ love team.

“We didn’t expect that the viewers will be showing this kind of support for my team-up with Beauty. We are very happy to hear the good feedback of viewers about our love team,” Zanjoe said.

“TV viewers should watch to find out if Baste will succeed in adopting Baby and finally become her legal father. They should also look forward to Baste, Alex, and Paul’s (Matt Evans) love triangle, and the blossoming relationship of Make (Ketchup Eusebio) and Precious (Katya Santos),” Zanjoe added.

“Dream Dad” also stars Gloria Diaz, Ariel Ureta, Yen Santos, Maxene Magalona, Ces Quesada, Atoy Co, and Dante Ponce. It is under the direction of Alan Chanliongco and Jeffrey Jeturian.

Don’t miss the continuation of the feel-good family drama series that will draw smiles in the hearts of viewers, “Dream Dad,” weeknights, after “TV Patrol,” on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida. For more information about “Dream Dad,” log on to the show’s official social networking sites Facebook.com/DreamDadOfficial, Twitter. com/DreamDadTV, and Instagram.com/DreamDadTV.

March 18-24, 2015

INSURGENT Shailene Woodley, Theo James PG

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

CINDERELLA Lily James, Hayley Atwell, Richard Madden G

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

DRAGON NEST: WARRIOR'S DAWN Jiao Xu, Guanlin Ji, Ying Huang G

R-16

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

RUN ALL NIGHT/ * THE GUNMAN R16/ *R16

Liam Neeson, Joel Kinnaman/ * Sean Penn, Idris Elba 12:10 | 2:40 | 5:10 LFS / * 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

EDGEDAVAO

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WOMEN Spring in Bohemia. Katrina in printed cardigan from Indigo, M&S Collection inner vest in coral, tint-shade jeggings, & accessories.

MetroMom A1 on.

Over tea and biscuits, the ladies shared their thoughts on what made them collect these fine, delicate beverage receptacles.

Ina’s fondest moment while collecting is she got to bond with her mother, who also loves collecting antiques and vintage home decors. “She taught me how to appreciate pe-

riod pieces and identify which has value.”

For Kay, it was she went tea set hunting with her kinds at the Covent Garden.

“A seller and collector told us a story of the legend of the Blue Willow Pattern. It’s about starcrossed lovers in China who turned into Doves after they died. My kids and I remember this story every time we use our Blue Willow Tea set,” shared

Kay. Carol finds everything she has collected precious.

Even more precious is her bonding time with her daughter, “We get to play with the tea sets,” she said.

These ladies are just three of the big and growing community of collectors. When asked what advice they can give to budding collectors, Ina said, “Choose carefully.

Consider which pattern or print and shape of the

teacup that really catches your fancy. Most importantly, make sure the pieces are in best condition before purchasing because the condition will determine its value.”

“My advice for budding collectors is to use their collections. These beautiful pieces are meant to be used and enjoyed,” said Kay. Carol shared hers, “Buy the genuine pieces, and what catches your eyes.”

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Davao City to host PICE Nat’l Confab T

HE Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Davao City Chapter officially announced that the PICE National Board under the leadership of DPWH Asst. Secretary Eugenio R. Pipo, Jr. has finally decided to award to Davao City the hosting of its 2015 national midyear convention on May 28-30.

The pronouncement came after the final presentation and evaluation of Davao City's bid to host the event in Manila last Friday.

Engr. Erdsan Rene S. Suero, chair of the convention executive board and 2012 PICE Davao City President said in a press briefing that he was officially informed by Engr. Ranulfo C. Feliciano, National 1st Vice President and chair of the conventions committee, just moments after the board’s approval was made.

“With the readiness of the needed infrastructure facilities and the all-out support of the government and private sectors in the city; the PICE National board after thorough deliberation has eventually awarded the hosting of this national event to Davao City,” he added.

Engr. Angel T. Torrejon, PICE Davao City Chapter President further said that this is the third time that Davao City will host the national midyear convention which is considered the largest gathering of civil engineers in the country with expected 3,500 – 5,000

The Executive Board of the PICE Convention Committee during the Press Briefing announcing the 2015PICE National Midyear Convention. (From L-R) Engr. Juliet T. Luy, Chair of the Convention’sAdministration Center, Engr. Erdsan Rene S. Suero, 2012 PICE DCC President delegates.

Earlier, prior to the announcement of the next venue of the event; the city government of Davao, the city’s first congressional district and the

Department of Tourism XI through Mayor Rodrigo R.Duterte, Representative Karlo Alexei B. Nograles and Regional Director Roberto P. Alabado III respectively have formally

& Chair of theConvention Executive Board; Engr. Angel T. Torrejon, Chapter President of PICE Davao City and Engr.Roderick R. Tecson, Chair of the Convention’s Operation Center. (PICE PHOTO)

endorsed the bid of PICE Davao City chapter to host this annual national convention.

The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) is the only profes-

sional organization of civil engineers in the country accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission, composed of more than 75,000 registered civil engineer-mem-

bers in 97 local and 8 international chapters and some 46,646 civil engineering student-members in 179 student chapters throughout the country. (PIO-PICE LCEB)

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FTC lauds top agents F

TC Group of Companies awarded its top-selling agents during its monthly appreciation dinner for all members of its Marketing team held last March 6 at Vikings Davao at the SM Lanang Premier.

Ian Cruz, president of FTC Group of Companies, personally handd over the plaques of recorgnition to the high-achievers for the months of January and February 2015.

FTC is the developer of the much-anticipated Aeon Towers, a 33-level mixed use development located at J.P. Laurel Avenue at the heart of Davao City’s CBD. Once completed by 2016, the project is reputed to be the tallest skyscraper in

Mindanao.

The January top achievers are Virgie Rubio as top agency manager, Pio Alfeche as top unit manager, and Loche Alfeche as top property specialist. The three awardees also topped the February sales.

“It’s our way of appreciating the efforts of our hardworking agents. To the achievers, I commend them for a job well done and for the rest of the team, I am happy with their overall performance. However, there is such a thing as breaking your own record and I am looking forward to that in the months to come,” said Cruz.

The next recognition night will be on March 28 at the Aeon Towers Showroom.

SEC joins community rally

to champion K to 12

T

HE Alsons Power Group’s Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) has officially donated to the Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday, March 16, its three-classroom technical-vocational workshop building inclusive of tools and equipment.

SEC Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Tirso G. Santillan, Jr. said the move embodies the company’s corporate social responsibility especially in supporting the K to 12 Basic Education Program.

With the formal turning over of the facility, Santillan stressed out the company will still be an active part of the school’s strengthening of its technical-vocational curriculum.

“Expect that we continue supporting the competence center.

We pledge that we will continue helping you,” he said.

In collaboration with then Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Alcantara Dominguez, Local Government of Maasim, DepEd and Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), SEC has established in September, 2010, the Maasim Technical Competence Center (MTCC) at Mangelen Integrated School campus in

T

Barangay Kamanga, this municipality.

Free extensive skills training that were given to the out of school youth of Maasim and other outlying communities include Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Plumbing and Masonry. Financial assistance was also extended to graduates who seek TESDA National Competence – 2 (NC2) Accreditation.

The initiative was given due recognition in 2013 as SEC bagged the TESDA Kabalikat Awards (Industry Category) for the entire Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN), for “creating and operating the MTCC.” 180 out of 315 MTCC graduates have been presently hired in SEC’s power plant construction workforce. SEC’s initial 105-Megawatt phase of its 210-MW coal fired power plant project now nears completion, and is seen to be commercially operational come later part of 2015.

For his part, DepEd-12 Regional Director (RD) Allan Farnazo proudly stated: “As we capacitate ourselves, we become eventually part of a company that will be providing the much needed energy source for the whole of Mindanao.”

AEON TOWERS TOP AGENTS. Top agency, unit managers and property specialist performers of Aeon Towers for the month of January and February 2015 pose after receiving their plaques from FTC Group of Companies president Ian Cruz last March 6 at Vikings Davao. (PR)

Kiwanis Club celebrates 1st founding day at DSWD-RSCC

HE Kiwanis Club of Agila Dabaw, one of the newly chartered Clubs of Kiwanis International visited the Reception

and Study Center for Children (RSCC) at Southern Philippines Medical Center compound in Bajada, this city last Saturday for an

DSWD-RSCC EXPOSURE STAY. The Kiwanis Club of Agila Dabaw headed by its Charter President, Engr. Erdsan Rene S. Suero together with Engr. Angel T. Torrejon, President of the Kiwanis Club of Hamog Dabaw and PICE Davao City Chapter (men standing next to Jollibee mascot to the right) joined by

exposure stay and gift giving activity to celebrate its first founding anniversary.

Kiwanis International is a renowned global volunteer

organization committed to serve the children of the world.

In a simple ceremony, the Club’s Charter President,

other PICE and Kiwanis volunteers during their exposure and gift-giving visit at DSWD’s Reception and Study Center for Children in Davao City to celebrate the 1st Charter Anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Agila Dabaw. (Photo by Jude Ausa)

Engr. Erdsan Rene S. Suero explains briefly the importance of the visit. Suero said “we need to maximize our resources and donations.”

There is no other way for our volunteers to find out how the abandoned and abused children are being cared and nurtured but to expose own self to a moment of parenting, he added.

The RSCC in Davao City was created by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office XI to provide an alternative home and family to children who are abandoned, dependent, neglected and abused.

The activity was joined by dozens of volunteers coming from the Kiwanis Club of Hamog Dabaw and the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Davao City Chapter. Games, entertainment, food treats

and interactions through direct parenting and exposure tour to the home of around 43 neglected and 17 special children are among the highlights of the celebration that culminates to the turn-over of gifts and donations.

Agila Dabaw President, Engr. Suero and Engr. Angel T. Torrejon, the president of Kiwanis Club of Hamog Dabaw who happens to be the current president of PICE Davao City Chapter, together with all the PICE and Kiwanis volunteers and members present during the event personally handed dozens of premium infant formulas, diapers and other stuffs needed in tending children to Ms. Venus E. Valenzuela, head of the Social Service Staff of the center. Valenzuela in return expresses gratefulness to the support extended by the group to the center. (REB)

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CHEERDANCE. Vee Ann Hollero (middle) of Survey Sampling International announces the Davao Call Centers Basketball League Cheerdance Competition during the SCOOP Davao Forum at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Tuesday.

Other guests are Emmie Orteza of the 38th FEDBOP National Duckpin Championships and Maki Ancajas, DCCBL commissioner. (NJB)

Davao Call Centers Basketball League cheerdance tilt set

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GOING THE BACKDOOR. Alfred Anecito Sedillo of The Royal Mandaya Hotel-CMO goes under the basket over the outstretched arms of Jay Collado of RM Zamboanga in Monday’s opener of the 2015 Araw ng Davao Basketball tournament at the Almendras Gym. Lean Daval Jr.

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Sharapova, Bouchard win

AROLINE Wozniacki became the biggest name to fall at the BNP Paribas Open on Monday when the fourth seed was ousted 6-4 6-4 by Swiss teen Belinda Bencic on Monday.

Second seed Maria Sharapova won an absorbing baseline battle with long-time rival Victoria Azarenka 6-4 6-3 in just under two hours while sixth-seed Eugenie Bouchard demolished American CoCo Vandeweghe 6-3 6-2.

Wozniacki, champion at Indian Wells in 2011, had overwhelmed Bencic 6-0 6-0 in their only previous meeting in Istanbul last year but it was a very different story at the California desert venue as the Dane struggled for consis-

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HERE’S blood in John Vincent Moralde’s hand but he did no crime.

The 20-year old Dabawenyo boxer nicknamed “Mulawin” went to Brisbane, Australia to battle local hero Braydon Smith. The unbeaten Moralde battered Smith in a 10-round featherweight title fight for the WBC Asian Boxing Council continental diadem.

With the win, Moralde improved his record to a very impressive 12-0 with six knockouts to his name. In his young professional career, Moralde has boxed 55 rounds with a 50 percent KO clip according to

tency.

"Honestly, it was two completely different matches," Wozniacki said after being broken twice in the opening set and once in the second at a sun-bathed Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

"I went out there today and I didn't play well at all.

"She was steady. She took the ball early as normal, and she served pretty decently, but I didn't put three balls in play today. She only had to put balls back in my court."

Bencic, who celebrated her 18th birthday last week, was delighted to clinch her first victory over a top-five player.

"In Istanbul I had maybe too much respect and I was afraid, nervous," said the Swiss,

who gave notice of her potential by reaching last year's U.S. Open quarter-finals.

"Today I really had a good game plan. I did what I had to do."

SERVING WOES Sharapova and Azarenka treated the stadium court crowd to one of the best women's matches so far.

The Belarusian saved five match points before Sharapova sealed victory at the sixth attempt, ending the contest with a dipping crosscourt backhand.

"My serve let me down in the first set," Sharapova said after levelling her career record against her fellow former world number one at 7-7. "I did everything else well, except

IX BPO outsourcing companies will battle it out in a different turf with the staging of the first ever Davao Call Centers Basketball League cheerdance competition on April 5, 2015 at the Gaisano Southmall SkyGym. The six team-field is composed of Sutherland Global Services, Survey Sampling International (SSI), iQor, IBEX Global, Teleperformance and Offsourcing Philippines.

Vee Ann Hollero of SSI represented the organizers in yesterday’s forum at SCOOP Davao at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in formally announcing the event. Hollero was joined by DCCBL commissioner Maki Ancajas.

The champion will bring home the top kitty of P5,000 plus a trophy while the first runner up gets P3,000 and trophy and the second and third runners-up get P1,000 and a trophy each.

Hollero said there will be 15 to 25 members per team with at least seven male members who will be performing a routine not exceeding 5 minutes.

“It’s basically a cheerdancing competition and we see it as a complementing event to the basketball league,” said Hollero.

Ancajas meantime announced that the basketball league is underway with games played at the SkyGym. (NJB)

HE 38th edition of the annual FEDBOP National Duckpin Bowling Tournament returns to Davao City for the third straight year on April 20-24 at the Mega Dover Lanes.

Organizer Emmie Orteza announced during the weekly SCOOP Forum at the Royal mandaya Hotel that the biggest duckpin bowling competition of the country will again be staged in the city with a bigger field this time.

Orteza said more than 600 players will be competing from all over the country.

“We have opened the tournament without restrictions to other groups,” said Orteza downplaying the emerghing factions among duckpin bowling associations.

“Davao’s hosting of the tournament is an indication that the sport is very much alive here and we have the support of our city government which is primarily

what any host of this national event shouls have,” Orteza added.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has thrown his support to the tournament through the Davao City Sports Office.

The Fellowship Night will be held on April 20 with no less than Mayor Duterte as special guest.

Meantime, the 78th Araw ng Davao Bowling tournament rolled off last night at the Davao Fairlanes Bowling Center.(NJB)

Davao hosts 38th FEDBOP kegfest T

serving.

"I did a much better job in the second set. She will play until the last point and that's what made it so tough."

The two players traded breaks in the seventh and eighth games before Sharapova

took the opening set in 67 minutes, a marathon 10th game ending when a miss-timed Azarenka forehand flew wide.

With improved serving, Sharapova seized control of the second set and broke Azarenka in the fourth and sixth to

take a 5-1 lead. The Belarusian clawed her way back to 3-5 but the second seed then served out for the win.

While Sharapova had to battle before sinking Azarenka, it was plain sailing for Bouchard.

pronounced.

Smith had been in an induced coma at a Brisbane hospital since collapsing 90 minutes that bout with Moralde.

Smith lost in a unanimous points decision, before praising his opponent and congratulating Moralde on the win and then returning to his dressing room. His spokesman said Smith was animated immediately following the bout before collapsing.

I’ve seen Moralde fight last April 20, 2013 at the USEP Gym in the undercard of the Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista-Jose “Negro” Ramirez fight where

he demolished Jovil Gayhun in six rounds. He sent Gayhun once in the opening round and went on to earn a unanimous decision and improved to 5-0.

Moralde’s victims in the ring included Rolando Navarrete, Jr. whom he beat in a fourth round technical decision in Cebu in June 22, 2013.

Navarrete Jr. is the son of former world junior lightweight champion known in the boxing world as the “Bad Boy from Dadiangas.”

The death of Smith saddens us even if Moralde’s market value should shoot up with his 12-0 record. At 20, Moralde

is still not in his prime and I can only imagine when he becomes more mature and turn into a more scientific fighter.

Moralde needs to move on amidst Smith’s death, his psyche should not be affected the next time he climbs up the ring. It’s an accident and it happens.

Those fists could be the next most important fists in Philippine boxing.

Notes: Listen to “Let’s Get It On with Neil Bravo” at 105.9 Balita FM every Saturday 8 am to 10 am. You may write the author at bravoneil@rocketmail.com.

Death for Dabawenyo boxer’s prey

BoxRec. The bout against Smith was so one-sided that Moralde earned the nod of all judges with Phil Austin scoring it 99-91, Cyril Cairns 98-92 and Adrian Cairns 97-93.

The 23-year-old Australian boxer died two days after losing consciousness.

The death of Smith, who was in the final year of a law degree, is a very sorry loss for Australian boxing and his family. Boxing is not one of Australia’s popular sports and we have seen but a few Aussie champs in boxing like Jeff Fenech.

LET’S GET IT ON

Neil Bravo I asked around some guys in Oz if they knew Manny Pacquiao and most of them shot back, “Manny Pacquiao who?” in a manner so awkwardly

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YOUNG GUNS San Beda-powered TRMH-CMO downs Zambo 67-77

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NVESTING on youth, defending champion The Royal Mandaya Hotel-City Mayor’s Office, powered by the San Beda Red Lions “B” squad, opened its campaign on a high note with a 77-67 win over RM Zamboanga City in the Mayor Rody and Vice Mayor Pulong Duterte Araw ng Dabaw Basketball tournament at the Almendras gym Monday night.

TRMH-CMO relied on its teamwork to compensate for height and heft deficiency over the struggling Zamboanga squad that’s owned by world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao. Lancelot Abude and Francis Abarcar, two of the four San Beda players from Davao City, led TRH-CMO with 13 and 12 points respectively.

The other Dabawenyo Van Adam Abatayo added nine points while Baser Amer remained in Manila to try a spot with the PH Sinag national training pool.

The Red Lions of coach Ford Arao only enjoyed a 14-13 lead in the first quarter before taking a 33-29 halftime advantage. The Red Lions used their speed and trapping defense to widen their

lead, 58-52 midway in the final half.

Instead of recruiting former PBA players and a foreign import, TRMH-CMO decided to go with a youth-laden line-up and hooked up with the San Beda squad of the NCAA. The Red Lions, however, could only send six of their Team A players and the rest are “B” squad members.

“I am happy with the win.

Not much expectations now because I know the other teams are big and experienced,” said TRMH-CMO team owner Glenn Escandor.

Ping Masaglang scored 17 points for RM’s losing effort while former MP Pacman pointguard Louie Medalla added 12 while Atoy Guiab had 11.

In the nightcap, Montana Pawnshop led by burly 6-foot-7 import Lanory Sanjo from Cameron exploded in the final quarter to beat arch-rival Goldstar Hardware, 64-59.

As of press time, Montana of coach Nick Serafica was playing against the RM Zamboanga coached by Dennison Miller while TRMH-CMO takes on archrival Goldstar with coach Ice Gravador at the helm.

CEREMONIAL JUMP. City Sports Development Division OIC Butch Ramirez, former national coach Joe Lipa, and sports consultant Glenn Escandor preside over the ceremonial jump between The Royal Mandaya Hotel-CMO and RM Zamboanga during the 2015 Araw ng Davao Basketball tournament at the Almendras Gym. Lean Daval Jr. The champion will earn P100,000, second P60,000, third P40,000 and fourth P30,000 with trophies. The Most Valuable Player and

Best Coach will both received P5,000 each.

City Sports Development Division OIC Butch Ramirez welcomed all the

teams and guests during the opening together with Mayor Rody Duterte’s Special Assistant Bong Go, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas

regional director Regino “Boy” Cua, city sports consultant Glenn Escandor and former national coach Joe Lipa.