Edge Davao 8 Issue 100

VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

www.edgedavao.net

ILLEGAL DETENTION

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

MAGIC OF MANGOSTEEN. Legendary basketball star Alvin Patrimonio shows the thumbs up sign after having a mangosteen for dessert over lunch last Sunday. Patrimonio was in town to play in the MX3 Pilipinas Legends Tour. Boy Lim

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

Teen girl files raps against Bayan Muna solon, 7 others

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA and JON JOAQUIN

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14-YEAR-OLD girl who said she had been raped by soldiers in Talaingod, Davao del Norte before she and her family evacuated to the UCCP-Haran compound in Davao City has filed formal charges of Serious Illegal Detention and Violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Women and Children’s Law against Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate and seven others.

The complaint was filed on August 12, 2015 before the City Prosecution Office by the girl and affirmed by her mother.

In her affidavit, which was written in the form of a question-and-answer with Police Officer (PO)1 Maricel Owe, the girl said she did not know why she and her mother left Talaingod and went to Davao City.

She also said she had wanted to go home to Talaingod because their condition at the UCCP-Haran was “not good.”

Asked by Owe why she and her family did not leave Haran and go home, the girl said, “Because they didn’t allow us to go home.”

Asked again who would not allow them to go home, the girl replied, “One of the male person(s) inside named Harin.” She also said they were afraid to get out of Haran because there were people armed with bolos and sticks guarding the gates.

The affidavit indicated that PO1 Owe showed the girl some photographs to identify

FILLEGAL, 11

EDGEDAVAO Sports

Day’s Pinay mom’s sacrifices

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

DANCE-OFF. The Kadumaan Community Ensemble of Davao City performs in the preliminary round of Sayaw Mindanaw on Tuesday at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. A total of 10 groups are competing in the event, with the final round set today. Lean Daval Jr.

Heavy rain douses Kadayawan opening T HE opening ceremony of the 30th Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival was moved to Thursday after heavy rain doused the event on Monday night.

In an interview, festival executive committee (execom) spokesperson councilor Al Ryan Alejandre told reporters that the execom decided to move the event to Thursday because Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is not available on Wednesday and the students also have classes.

“We need to coordinate with the schools because the students had been excused from classes only for Monday),” Alejandre said.

In a separate interview, Duterte said the opening will be held in the Davao City Recreation Center – Almendras Gym if it is vacant.

“We will have to do it ear-

lier,” he added.

Alejandre, however, said the opening will still be held at the San Pedro Square despite the threat of rain because the choreography of the program is for outdoors.

He also said Almendras Gym is not vacant since there is an event there on Thursday.

Alejandre said the program will start at 5 p.m.

The opening was canceled when heavy rain fell past 6 p.m. on Monday.

At 6:45 p.m. the rain slowed down and at 7 p.m. the participants and the people left the area.

But at 8:15 p.m., even in the midst of a drizzle, the Kadayawan Street Party continued and many young people still converged at San Pedro Square. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

TRO fails to stop airport bid process

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

HE Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) last Monday went ahead and received the submissions of the pre-qualification documents for the P108.19 billion bundled maintenance project for five regional airports despite a 72-hour temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by a judge in Davao City.

A source familiar with the proceedings told EDGE Davao that this is because the TRO, which was issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) 11 Executive Judge Emmanuel C. Carpio on August 12 and received by the

DOTC on August 14, had no effect since the process was done outside of Davao City.

The TRO would have ended on Monday, August 17, the deadline for the submission of qualification documents by interested bidders.

The source said a TRO is only applicable to the jurisdiction area of the issuing regional court. The documents were received not in Davao City but in the DOTC conference room located at the Columbia Tower along Ortigas Avenue in Mandaluyong City.

The source said the petitioner should have filed for the

TRO in the RTC where the process was being conducted.

Last Monday, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center posted in its Facebook page that six firms submitted their respective pre-qualification documents.

These were San Miguel Holdings Corp.-Incheon International Airport Corp.; Philippine Airports Consortium (Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Aeroports de Paris Management S.A. and TAVHavalimanlari Holdings A.S.); Union Equities; GMR Infrastructure and Megawide Consortium; Sojitz-Jatco-Filinvest; and

Maya Consortium (Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. and VINCI Airports).

Meanwhile, the source told EDGE Davao that the private petitioner who filed for the TRO, Andre F. Bucu, asked for an extension after the TRO lapsed on Monday.

The hearing for the extension was scheduled for yesterday (Tuesday) but was postponed to September 1 because the DOTC failed to appear before the court.

Judge Carpio had issued the TRO on August 12, 2015 “enjoining and stopping”

Danao also said investigators will not rule out other angles such as possible involvement in illegal drugs or unpaid debts.

National Bureau of Investigation-South Eastern Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-SEMRO) regional director Dante Gieran also confirmed that Cali sought the help from his office because he was receiving threats.

Talomo Police Station reported that a witness, who was at the scene of the crime at around 10:45 a.m. on August 16, noticed a gray Honda Fit car at the shoulder of

MacArthur Highway.

The victim came out of the car and opened the left back door when a gunman walked up from behind him and shot him three times, causing his immediate death.

The gunman fled southward on board a waiting black Honda Wave motorcycle driven by another person.

Scene of the Crime operatives found three empty shells at the scene of the crime.

Police said Cali sustained a total of four gunshot wounds in the head. Two bullets did not exit while the third caused entry and exit wounds.

FTRO, 11

Killings won’t affect Duterte leaves Cali slay probe to police festival mood: Rody D D

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

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte gave his assurance to the public that it is still safe to celebrate the 30th Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival despite the series of killings in the city the past few weeks.

In an interview, Duterte downplayed the killings that happened since the cases involved illegal drugs or were caused by personal grudge.

“Kulang pa na, dugangan pa nato (It is not enough, I will add more),” he said.

He said people really die every day because there are more than a million people in

the city.

In a separate interview, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Senior Superintendent Vicente D. Danao Jr. agreed with Duterte and said the killings will not affect the celebration.

“Series of killings, sino ba yung mga namamatay kung mga maldito yung mga namamatay wala siguro tayong problema diyan (Who are those people being killed? If they are bad people then we don’t have a problem),” Danao said.

He said the DCPO and its

FKILLINGS, 11

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte is leaving the investigation on the August 16 killing of former Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) champion Ale Cali to the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).

“I will not talk on it right now because it is a delicate case,” Duterte said in an interview last Monday night.

Duterte said based on the information he has, there is a story behind the killing of Cali last Sunday morning.

He said the police may come up with result in their investigation on who the per-

petrator was behind Cali’s murder.

“Maybe the police have a celebrated answer for that but they are not supposed to divulge it for the meantime,” he said.

DCPO director Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr. had earlier said a love triangle angle was “more probable” in Cali’s killing.

Danao, however, would not reveal the persons involved in the love triangle since the theory is still unconfirmed.

But he said the case is “more of a personal grudge.”

VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

Pinoy among 19 killed in Bangkok explosion N

INETEEN people were killed and at least 117 others injured in an explosion in downtown Bangkok on Monday night, the Chinese embassy in Thailand cited Thai health authorities as saying.

Three Chinese nationals were killed, and around 15 others hurt, some of whom sustain moderate and severe injuries, in the blast that happened at about 7 p.m. local time near Erawan Shrine at Ratchaprasong intersection, a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists, the embassy said.

Among those killed were 10 Thais, one Filipino, and five others whose identities are yet to be confirmed, it added.

The explosive was planted by attackers and aimed at taking lives, national police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang said.

The injured, including Thais, Chinese nationals and Filipinos, have been rushed to nearby hospitals, according to Thai police.

Officials from the Chinese embassy in Thailand have rushed to the site of the blast, and to hospitals to visit the injured. Volunteers are being organized to provide interpretation services at the hospitals, according to the embassy.

The government has had the situation under control, deputy government spokesperson Sansern Kaewkamnerd said, urging the public not to panic.

Deputy government spokesman Major General Werachon Sukondhapatipak said it was too early to deter-

mine the motive behind the explosion.

The Nation newspaper quoted the Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC) as saying that there were three possible reasons for the blast, including political conflict, reshuffle of the government officials, and international terrorism. The ISOC ruled out insurgents from the Deep South.

Deputy Premier Prawit Wongsuwan said the incident might scare away foreign tourists to Bangkok and adversely affect tourist industry and economy as a whole.

He declined to comment if the bombing might have involved political conflict or separatist movement in the country’s southernmost region.

Premier Prayut Chan-ocha called an emergency meeting with high level government officials and military officers in charge of national security affairs at the headquarters of the National Police near the intersection.

There have been no instructions on closing educational or financial institutions, Werachon said.

But the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced that all schools under the BMA will close on Tuesday due to concerns over the safety of teachers and students.

The junta, or the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has denied rumors that it had declared state of emergency in Bangkok, saying there is no need for such a move. (PNA/Xinhua)

Palm oil farmers, industry players gather in GenSan for 9th nat’l gab

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UNDREDS of foreign and local palm oil farmers and industry players will gather here on Wednesday to discuss fresh strategies in sustaining the thriving industry’s growth as well as expansions within the next decade.

Alfredo Montecillo, president of the Philippine Palmoil Development Council, Inc. (PPDCI), said Tuesday around 600 industry stakeholders have confirmed to attend the two-day 9th National Palm Oil Congress, which slated Aug. 19 to 20.

He said the gathering, which will be held at the KCC Events and Convention Center, will focus on the theme: “Promoting Inclusive Growth in the Expanding Palm Oil Industry.”

Montecillo said most of the confirmed participants are farmers and industry players in Mindanao, and investors who have signified interest to go into the oil palm business.

He said they invited industry leaders from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia to share the latest techniques and technologies in the management of oil palm farms.

Malaysia is presently the world’s biggest exporter of palm oil, with Indonesia and

Thailand ranking next.

“This congress would be a great venue for local players to learn from the experiences of these countries,” he said.

Secretary Francis Pangilinan, presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernization, will keynote the congress’ opening.

Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) administrator Romulo Arancon will discuss the agency’s direction in promoting the country’s palm oil industry while Dr. Rolando Dy, vice president of the University of Asia and the Pacific, will tackle the strategies to inclusive growth in the industry.

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair, Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, will present MinDa’s initiatives in support of the industry while Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will introduce the local government’s support programs.

In a briefer, organizers said the congress is an important gathering for oil palm industry stakeholders as it provides information on the international trends, development initiatives and breakthroughs, advance technologies, investment opportunities, available

FPALM, 11

LIGHTS ON. An engineer tests the lights on the Bankerohan Bridge on 14 August 2015. Davao City Water District pipes run parallel to this bridge. MindaNews photo by PAM CHUA

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

68K families in Davao Region removed from 4Ps program

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IXTY-EIGHT thousand households in Region 11 have been removed from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) during the first half of this year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office on Monday said.

Speaking in Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City, DSWD 11 director Priscilla Razon said these households have been removed for failure to meet the conditions set by the agency or because they were not qualified at all.

Among the conditions is attendance of parents in health seminars and family development sessions.

Parents should also send their children to school.

Razon admitted that some households were listed by social

workers as beneficiaries even if they were not qualified.

“There are some who are not supposed to be included in the list because they are not really poor,” she said.

There are also cases where beneficiaries had been delisted for having a bad reputation in the communities.

DSWD 11 has so far recorded a total of 227,957 households as 4Ps beneficiaries.

The number is expected to increase after the completion of DSWD’s Listahanan Household Assessment. Of the 793,770 households surveyed, Razon said 80 percent has already been encoded.

She urged politicians not to take credit for 4P nor use it to amass votes for the upcoming 2016 elections. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

DENR clarifies report on seized illegal logs

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HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Southern Mindanao has clarified that illegal logs seized in Davao del Norte in the first semester of 2015 did not come from neighboring Bukidnon province.

A MindaNews report on July 27 quoted Victor Billones, chief of the Enforcement Division of DENR 11, as saying that 32 suspected illegal loggers were arrested in Davao Region, 17 cases of which were noted in Davao del Norte.

Billones was reported to have said this did not make

Davao del Norte as a hotspot and that the province has a strategic location for the transport of illegal logs, most especially coming from neighboring Bukidnon area.

In a letter sent to MindaNews, Billones clarified that what he meant was that Davao del Norte has a high concentration of wood processing plants (WPPs), and that it is a “strategic location and a convergence area from neighboring provinces or region like Davao Oriental, Agusan and Bukidnon.”

But this “cannot be con-

FDENR, 11

The Kadanag Dance Theater Collective of Butuan City performs in the preliminary round of Sayaw Mindanaw on Tuesday at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. A total of 10 groups are competing in the event, with the final round set today. Lean Daval Jr.

Cayetano to file Mindanao peace, dev’t bill on Friday

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

ENATOR Allan Peter Cayetano is set to file on Friday the Mindanao Peace and Development Bill which he said will give more funds to Mindanao.

In a press briefing on Monday afternoon at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, Cayetano said the bill will give self-determination not only to the Bangsamoro Region but also to the other regions of Mindanao.

GROUPIE. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte obliges a group of teenagers who want to have a “groupie” photo with him, ignoring the heavy downpour that caused the postponement of the 30th Kadayawan sa Dabaw opening ceremony on Monday evening. Lean Daval Jr.

“If we are going to give P100 billion a year to ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) to have peace and development, what about the rest of Mindanao?” he said.

He said if the government is willing to give much to the Bangsamoro Region which is led by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), then the same benefit should be also given to the areas that did not

rebel against the government.

“How much are we willing to give to the rest of the Mindanao, how much are we willing to give those who followed the law like Davao (City) because they did not rebel?” he said.

Cayetano said the bill could be a prelude to Federalism, which is what Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte is pushing for.

“We are fighting for just

and lasting peace and the whole Mindanao should be included in the development,” Cayetano said.

He said the bill also aims to establish an integrated sustainable transport system in Mindanao such as railway system and international and domestic airports and seaports.

Cayetano said the bill aim to establish universal health-

ESPITE the tragedy in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that left 66 persons dead on January 25 this year, Filipinos continue to prefer peaceful means over military operations in dealing with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the June 2015 survey of the Social Weather Stations, as well as 14 other SWS surveys on the same issue since 1999, show.

The findings are contained in the publication “Filipino Public Opinion on the Bagnsamoro Basic Law and the Mamasapano Incident” published

by SWS and The Asia Foundation (TAF).

Launched during the 30thanniversary celebration of the SWS at the Philippine Social Science Center in Quezon City on August 13, the

monograph contains results of the three survey rounds: the study on Core Bangsamoro territories and nearby areas from February 22 to March 1, 2015; the First Quarter Social Weather Survey from March 20 to 23, 2015; and the Second Quarter Social Weather Survey from June 5 to 8, 2015.

TAF Country Director, Dr. Steven Rood, who presented the findings at the launch, said the SWS surveys on the issue since 1999 have debunked “the myth in the country that military means are popular.”

“The data are clear. The average Filipino citizen was in favor of the peace process until January 26, 2015 (when Filipinos woke up to the news about the Mamasapano tragedy a day earlier). That’s really what happened. If you look at

the data asking them about the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, asking them about the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, you will see that there is favorability,” Rood said.

Referring to the surveys done after the Mamasapano tragedy, Rood noted that “when you ask them about Bangsmoro Basic Law … they turn negative.”

Still, he said, the people in the Bangsamoro “are in favor of the Basic Law, of the various provisions of it. They feel hopeful about the ability of the Basic law to bring peace in Mindanao.”

The BBL is a law that will apply only to the areas that will be under the Bangsamoro, including the core five provinces

HE Philippines on Monday denounced the attack near a popular Hindu Temple in Bangkok, killing at least 21 and injuring scores of others.

A Filipino was reported killed in the attack, but the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is still verifying said information.

Foreign Affairs Secretary

Albert del Rosario called the bombing “horrific” with an “apparent intention to sow terror.”

“We condemn this act in the strongest terms,” Del Rosario said in a statement. “The Philippines stands in solidarity with the government and people of Thailand at this trying moment.”

The Philippine Embassy in

Bangkok, he said, is in coordination with the hospitals in the area to verify if any Filipinos are among those who perished or have been injured and to provide assistance.

“Our people in Bangkok have been advised by our embassy to remain calm and to observe necessary precautions to ensure their personal safety,” Del Rosario said. (PNA)

FCAYETANO, 11

SWS surveys say Filipinos prefer peaceful means over military ops D

FSWS, 11

PHL deplores Bangkok attack T

5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

Kadayawan sale at SM Davao

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

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HE SM Store Davao and Lanang Premier are offering up to fifty percent discounts on great selection storewide now until August 23 in celebration of Davao City’s Kadayawan Festival.

The SM Store Davao branch marketing manager Alexandra L. dela Peña said shoppers may just present any of their SM Advatnage, SM Prestige or BDO Rewards cards to get a Voyager Luggage for only P888 with a minimum P3,00 single-receipt only on August 21 to 23.

“Enjoy the Kadayawan Festival happening only at The SM Store Davao and Lanang Premier,” dela Peña said during the regular Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex on Monday.

There are also sale offering for men and women shoppers during the great celebration of the Kadayawan.

Kristine Cruz, SM Store Davao selling manager for ladies fashion, said they are currently having a Dare to Denim Pop Up Store at SM City Davao.

Cruz said they brought a piece of The SM Store - Ladies Wear and Girls Teens Wear departments at Annex and just behind the Event Center fronting the elevator until August 31.

“Denim is for every size, for every age, for every style and for every woman. The

magic of denim is that it is a fashion for all,” Cruz said.

The sale offering include a wide assortment of denim from pants, shorts, skirts to blouses, dresses and even jumpsuits and jumpers.

Shoppers will find branded clothing lines such as Wrangler, Freego, Bobson, Fresh Gear, Tribal, Vondutch and the store’s very own SM Woman at a very reasonable price, also with marked down items from 30-50% off.

The SM Store’s selling manager for men’s fashion, Ruth Therese Pascual, meanwhile, said they will bring the SM Youth Bus in SM City Davao Mall Parking lot (near Starbucks) on August 18 and 19 and sell exclusive Invasion SM Youth T Shirts & Tee Culture Kadayawan Festival shirts.

SM Youth Ambassadors namely Janna Tee, Tommy Esguerra and LA Aguinaldo on will also be on hand on August 20 at the SM Store Ecoland Boys Teens Wear department and on August 21 at the SM Lanang.

The SM Youth Invasion Davao will also take place at the Crocodile Park open field on August 21 starting at 3:00 p.m. where one can also purchase merchandise of SM Youth T-shirts and Tee Culture festival shirts for as low as P149.75 to P399.75.

APEC economies to develop 5 areas

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EMBER economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) plan to develop five key areas through science and technology in higher education Delegates of APEC economies concluded the 1st High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science and Technology in Higher Education with a joint statement to develop science and technology innovators to attain an inclusive, resilient, and sustained growth in the region.

In the statement, the delegates spelled out measures to develop five key areas through science and technology in higher education -- food production and security; environment, disaster risk reduction and response, climate change and energy; marine resources/ systems: economy, biodiversity and conservation; smart analytics and engineering innovations; and health systems.

“These themes are important for inclusive, resilient, and sustained growth of APEC member economies,” said Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Patricia Licuanan, who co-chairs the dialogue.

The delegates said in the statement that they “recognize the varying levels of advancements and diversity in the higher education systems, as well as marked differences in innovation and the scientific and technological progress among

APEC member economies”.

They also agreed during the two-day dialogue, to focus on the mobility of experts on science and technology to improve knowledge-sharing initiatives within the region.

They further proposed to “devise a plan that can lead to feasible mechanisms for increased and enhanced mobility of Science, Technology, and Innovation experts, informed by a cost-benefit analysis and user-based assessment”.

Recognizing the importance of inter-university collaboration for research cooperation, and the mobility of students and researchers, the delegates noted that universities in APEC economies “can and do make a vital contribution to economic growth and social well-being”, both through the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and research skills, and through the research that they undertake.

“In light of this evolving terrain in higher education, we propose to study where appropriate, or share information about qualification frameworks, professional standards, and novel quality assurance control policies or mechanisms that can promote equity and quality of expanding higher education systems in the APEC region,” the delegates said in the statement. (PNA/ PCOO News Release)

KADAYAWAN SALE. SM Store Davao selling manager for ladies fashion Kristine Cruz (center) announces at the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday their offering during the Kadayawan celebration. Also gracing the weekly media forum were branch marketing manager Alexandra L. dela Peña (left) and selling manager for men’s fashion Ruth Therese Pascual.

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

LIVEX 2015 CEO meeting on

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

A

crc@edgedavao.net

ROUND 300 chief executive officers of different ICT-BPO companies in the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines – East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) will participate in the ICT CEO Conference at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier today.

“This event will highlight key developments, trends, potentials and prospects of the sub-regions as well as discuss and address issues and concerns to pursue the goals of economic integration

through ICT development,” the Livelihood Exchange (LIVEX) 2015 said in its website.

The topics to be discussed in the CEO’s Forum are Steering ASEAN for 205 Integration- ICT Development Initiatives in the BIMP_EAGA Subregion; Innovation and Entrepreneurship Toward Building a Business Start-ups Ecosystem in Mindanao and BIMP-EAGA Development Corridors; Women in ICT; and Electronic Commerce (e-Commerce) Platform for the ASEAN Economic Com-

Capability trainings launched for SoCot project beneficiaries

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HE Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) has launched a series of capability-building trainings for beneficiaries of its pilot PHP39 million cassava granules production and marketing project in South Cotabato province.

Justina Navarrete, chief of the South Cotabato Provincial Agriculturist Office, said on Tuesday that an initial 250 members of farmers’ cooperatives and associations in the province have been enlisted for the training program, which will run for a month.

Navarrete said the initiative mainly aims to prepare local farmers for the full implementation of the cassava project by its main proponent Polo Samahang Nayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SNMPC) based in Polomolok town.

The PRDP, through the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 12, released to the provincial government last June the first two tranches of the project’s funding worth PHP20.17 million.

“The trainings and workshops involve modules that will help increase the capabilities of the farmers in managing the project,” she said.

Navarrete said the modules

Quips

include values formation, leadership skills, basic planning and problem solving, organizational management and team-building.

She said the month-long training program is divided into five clusters, with 50 participants for each group.

Cluster 1 comprise members of the Topland Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) in Koronadal City and Tantangan town; Cluster 2 of the Pobusilla MPC in Tampakan and Tupi; Cluster 3 of the Polo SNMPC in Polomolok, Tboli and Lake Sebu; Cluster 4 of San Jose MPC in Banga and Norala; and, Cluster 5 of the Self Reliant MPC in Surallah, T’boli, Lake Sebu and Sto. Nino.

Last month, the provincial government turned over an initial PHP4.8 million to the Polo SNMPC to facilitate the project’s implementation.

Navarrete said the funds will be utilized for the purchase of equipment and construction of the required facilities for the six-year project.

Out of the total amount, she said PHP2.92 million came from the loan proceeds while the remaining funds were from the national government’s share and the provincial government’s counterpart. (PNA)

“The mayor is very excited about it. He wants to make food available and affordable in every table.

Hopefully, this will start a revolution in Philippine agriculture,” - former North Cotabato governor Manny Piñol said of the model greenhouse set to be established in Davao City.

munity and Beyond.

LIVEX 2015 event organizer and ICT-Davao vice president Lizabel Holganza said the conference is just one of the many associated events under the four-day LIVEX 2015, which will be participated by a total of 5,000 participants.

The event is organized by the ICT-Davao in partnership with the Mindanao Development Authority, in coordination with different government agencies from the four East Asean nations.

Aside from the confer-

ence today will be also the opening of the two-day LIVEX Exhibition of different ICT products of 40 start-ups from the BIMP-EAGA region nation members.

“There will be 20 booths for our exhibitors,” Holganza earlier said in a press conference.

The two-day event will showcase different ICT projects from the BIMP_EAGA region countries.

“It will also feature startup companies and will cater to business to business meeting which will be housed in

the exhibition ares,” LIVEX 2015 said.

Meanwhile, around 5,000 participants from the four nations will participate in the four-day event which already started last August 18 with the BPO Developers Forum at Seda Hotel.

Events at the SMX Lanang Convention Center include the two day Philippine Computer Society Information and Computing Accreditation Board (PICAB) training starting today as well as the ICT CEO Forum which will be participated by 300 CEOs from

the four countries also today.

The simultaneous event will also have the gala night, launching of the MAATA’s online game Erectus and Virtual Reality Jam (Oculus Rift) all at the convention center today.

Holganza said the public can have hands-on experience of virtual reality using Oculus Rift technology in the two-day event.

Based on the website of LIVEX 2015, the four-day event provides a venue were stakeholders can highlight key areas of the ICT industry.

WE’RE READY. IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines executive director Genny Marcial discusses the readiness of Philippine IT-BPM for ASEAN Integration during LIVEX 2015 BPO Developers’ Forum and Familiarization Tours at Damosa Lounge, Damosa IT Park yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

2 Davao banana companies cited T

WO Davao-based banana companies have been recognized by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) 11 of the labor department for implementing the two-tiered wage system (TTWS).

“At this time of the year, we are awarding two banana companies for the Seal of Recognition on the two-tiered wage system, namely Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (Tadeco)and Tortuga Valley, Inc.,” Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 11 regional director Atty. Joffrey Suyao said in last Monday’s edition of Kapehan sa

Dabaw at SM City Annex.

Suyao said the TTWS is based on Republic Act 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act which mandates the setting of a minimum wage to be complemented by the Voluntary Productivity Scheme Suyao said the TTWS is a “proactive approach to minimum wage setting which aims to improve the coverage of minimum wages, promote worker and enterprise productivity; and address the gaps in the present system of wage determination.”

“This consists of mandatory floor or minimum wage to protect the vulnerable and

low-paid workers and a voluntary productivity-based incentive scheme to encourage productivity improvement through bipartite negotiations,” Suyao said.

Last year, the board issued Advisory No. RB XI-01 or known as the “Implementation of Productivity-Based Incentive Scheme for the Banana Industry in Davao Region” in a bid to make the region’s banana industry more productive and more competitive.

This advisory came after two years of consultation to the public and private stakeholders of the banana industry.

Suyao said the board has

chosen the banana industry to be piloted for the implementation of the advisory because of its contribution to the region Gross Regional Domestic Domestic Product (GRDP) being the top export commodity.

He also said the banana sector “has the advantage of an active Banana Industry Tripartite Council (BITC) and an existing industry and value chain map.”

“We hope this will encourage more companies to implement the two-tiered wage system, not just in the banana industry but in other industries as well,” Suyao said. CHENEEN R. CAPON

A

to Chokolate de San Isidro, Inc., Shared Service Facilities, specifically Cacao bean roaster, colloid mill and tempering machine worth P 730,000.

According to the data from DTI, the equipment will double the monthly production volume of the company from two tons to four tons.

Director Ambi said that the CSI has been one of the pillars of the Cacao industry in the country.

“As of today, 80% of the Cacao production in the country comes from Mindanao and most of it from Davao Region, where CSI is one of the biggest producing company,” Ambi

said.

CSI Vice President Theodore Delfin Garcia said that their company is exporting Cacao products to Netherlands and Germany.

“We are also expanding our market to Japan and Australia soon,” Garcia said. (PIA 11,/Michael Uy)

San Isidro gets cacao tablets processing facilities GROUP of Cacao farmers in the municipality of San Isidro, Davao del Norte received recently Cacao tablets (Tableya) processing facilities from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

DTI Region XI Director Maria Belenda Ambi turned over on Thursday (August 13)

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

EDGEDAVAO ARTS AND CULTURE

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES makes a smashing comeback in Manila I

remember watching the movie Birdcage back when I was entering high school. The Robin Williams and Nathan Lane starrer is one of those films I don’t mind seeing over and over again because, apart from its message of love and gender equality, it brings so much comic relief in a smart and sassy kind of way.

Given the chance to see the Manila production of La Cage aux Folles, the Tony Award-winning musical play which served as inspiration for the Birdcage, I decided to make it a family affair and extended the invitation to my husband’s friend and her folks. I was excited to see the story unfold live, complete with elaborate costumes and music. I was also eager to introduce my

daughter into the world of theater as my mom did when I was little.

Based on the 1973 French play by Jean Poiret, La Cage aux Folles fol-

lows the story of night club owner Georges and his life partner and the club’s star performer Albin. The plot reaches its climax when the former’s son, Jean-

Michel, announces his engagement and turns to his father for a special request which would pave the way

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

EVENT

A celebration of Davao’s iconic fruit at SM Lanang

By Kenneth Irving Ong

FANS of Davao City’s iconic fruit are set to have a field day at the Fountain Court of SM Lanang Premier as it, together with the Durian growers of Davao City, launched the 3rd Kadayawan Durian Festival last August 14.

With more and more people around the world falling in love with the spiky pungent fruit, it is no wonder Davao’s durian industry is growing by leaps and bounds as revealed by Larry Miculob, president of the Durian Industry Council of Davao.

“We have been exporting 30 metric tonnes to Singapore for two year and 18 metric tonnes to Hong Kong since last year” said Miculob “we are also being eyeing Japan as a new market for frozen durian.”

Although he admits that there are challenges such as the delayed rainfall this year which

has led to a late harvest season, Miculob is confident that the

Durian harvest this year will peak by September.

Aside from offering top quality durian at affordable prices,

the Kadayawan Durian Festival also features various varieties of Durian from all over the region as well as new durian varietals for the public to see and enjoy as exhibited by the local office of the Department of Agriculture.

There are also purveyors who sell mangosteen, rambutan, and other local exotic fruits creating a complete Davao fruit dining experience with the convenience of the mall nearby.

The 3rd Kadayawan Durian Festival at SM Lanang Premier is ongoing and will last until the 20th of September.

Gaisano Mall of Davao holds Denim Fest

By Kenneth Irving Ong CELEBRATING Davao’s laidback denim lifestyle, the Gaisano Mall of Davao together with Freego, Freshgear, Wrangle and Bobson recently launched their Denim Festival last August 15 at the Atrium of the mall.

The first-of-its-kind denim festival that features full-scale interactive installations, the Denim Festival was a beehive of activity as Chis Tiu, Lauryn Uy, together with other PBA stars joined the opening celebration.

Aside from getting discounts as well as checking out the latest jeans at the festival’s Denim Bar, visitors to the Denim Festival may join activities and games such as a Freego basketball hoops challenge, Bobson’s archery challenge, Wrangler’s cycling race, and Freshgear dance craze.

Touted as the biggest denim event of the year, the Denim Festival at the Gaisano Mall of Davao is ongoing and will last until the August 22.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

Mikael Daez and Andrea Torres’ Blood in Dispute sold-out in Cambodia that our talents have the potential of making it big outside the domestic market,” says GMA Worldwide, Inc. Vice President Roxanne J. Barcelona.

Mikael and Andrea had an eventful weekend in Cambodia, which included an interview and a pictorial with CTN for Blood in Dispute, as well as a courtesy

KAPUSO STARS Mikael Daez and Andrea Torres are certainly one of GMA Network’s mostsought after love teams, both locally and abroad, after a sold-out premiere night of their GMA and CTN co-produced mini-TV series Blood in Dispute in Cambodia.

The premiere night at the Legend Cinema was the highlight of the CTN Star Tour in Cambodia organized by GMA Worldwide, Inc., GMA’s content distribution arm, and CTN, Cambodia’s leading television network.

According to CTN, it was the first time that a local Khmer movie had sold out as the pair’s fans flocked to the cinema to see their favorite Filipino stars. The series’ premiere was well-received as Mikael and Andrea impressed the crowd with their performance, along with their Cambodian co-stars Khat Vaihang, Meas Thorn Sreynai and veteran actor Mr. Tep Rindaro.

Mikael expressed his gratitude for the support from their fans in Cambodia, as well as

the effort that was put into organizing the premiere night. “I was really impressed with the way they prepared for the premiere of Blood in Dispute. To the producers and the production crew, my sincerest gratitude! And to the fans who supported our movie, our heartfelt appreciation for making the premiere a big success. We hope to bring you more collaboration projects between the Philippines and Cambo-

dia,” he says.

Andrea also conveyed her tremendous gratitude to their Cambodian fans and hopes they enjoy the series. “Thank you very, very, very much for the support you have been giving me and Mikael. Cambodia is like a second home because of your love.

We’re always happy to visit you and make good movies! Enjoy Blood in Dispute!” she shares.

With the rising demand for GMA content

in the Asian region, Mikael and Andrea have gained a sizeable following after the airing of their series Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga on CTN. “Whenever we sell our dramas, we not only promote the content and our Filipino culture, but our stars as well. If the dramas rate well in a particular country, our talents gain recognition internationally. The very warm reception by local fans during our star tour promos proves

urday (Aug 15) with its #FunnyOneMoreTime performances where the “It’s Showtime” hosts and the final five “Funny One” komikeros joined forces in several comic acts.

Vice Ganda and Ryan

Rems Sarita swapped jokes about in fictional presidential debate.

Billy Crawford, Vhong Navarro, and Ryan Bang faced off with No Direction in an amusing dance showdown, while Bayani Agbayani nd Nonong Ballinan, and Anne Curtis and Gibis Alejandrino went all out in their skits.

Jugs and Teddy unleashed their inner komikeros by trading punch lines with the father-and-son Crazy Duo. Viewers nationwide watched the special performances that it recorded a national TV rating of 17.8%, based on data from Kantar Media.

Continue watching “It’s Showtime,” from Mondays to Saturdays on ABS-CBN.

call with His Excellency Christian B. Montero, Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia. They also took some time off to experience the local cuisine and meet their fans.

Blood in Dispute, also produced by Phum Pich Films, will begin airing in Cambodia on CTN and is scheduled to premiere in the Philippines on GMA this year.

Anne twerks on TV for first time, trends online CONCERT sweetheart Anne Curtis danced her way to Twitter’s list of trending topics after she showed off her mad twerking skills in a sexy production number yesterday (Aug 17) in “It’s Showtime.”

The hashtag #AnneSexy immediately entered trended on Twitter after netizens posted about and commended her hot performance.

Right after Anne’s performance, the Kapamilya noontime show launched its newest segment “Twerking Girls,” which also generated buzz online. It is just one of “It’s Showtime’s” segments, including “Papa Pogi” and “Sam-

ple Queen” that aim to give ordinary people a chance to show their talent and make the madlang people happy.

Before Anne set the stage on fire this week, the program also offered lots of fun last Sat-

August 19 – 25, 2015

INSIDE OUT Diane Lane, Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling PG

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

THE LOVE AFFAIR Bea Alonzo, Dawn Zulueta, Richard Gomez R13

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

HITMAN: AGENT 47 Zachary Quinto, Rupert Friend R13

R-16

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

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E./ * MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 5 Alicia Vikander, Henry Cavill, Hugh Grant/ *Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson PG/*PG

11:50 | 2:15 LFS / * 4:40 | 7:20 | 10:00 LFS

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EDGEDAVAO

ARTS AND CULTURE

METRO MOM A1 for his fiancée’s conservative family to bless their union.

The Manila staging by 9 Works Theatrical is a rerun of the same title which earned well-deserved attention and standing ovations back in February. There was a growing clamor, both from those who have seen and missed the run, to bring the wellloved musical back on stage. Thus, the reunion of the cast headed by veteran Filipino actors Michael De Mesa and Audie Gemora who plays Georges and Albin, respectively. Davao’s own Steven Silva is also back in the lineup and resumes his role as JeanMichel.

The theater experience set off more laughs than I expected. The comic timing in between sequences and lines are impeccable and the show-stopping numbers, as well as all the actors, are nothing short of magnifique. The treatment is both heart-rending and heat-pounding, funny and witty —- energetic and without a moment of boredom. Amid all the extravaganza, gaudy wardrobe and flashbulbs, the story hits you with the right feels and realization that love does conquer all.

If ever you’ll be in Manila any time soon, make sure to watch La Cage aux Folles at the RCBC Plaza, Makati. Show runs on all weekends of August until September 6, 2015, with Friday and Saturday galas at 8:00pm and Sunday matinees at 4:00pm.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

7 AGRITRENDS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

The fruits of Davao

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

D

AVAO, the most popular place in Mindanao, is a city noted for its legendary sights, and you’re likely to want to spend more than just a few days here. It’s a friendly place and a pleasant respite from the hustle and bustle of big cities in Luzon (especially Manila) and Visayas (particularly Cebu). It has some of the country’s finest hotels (Marco Polo, Seda, Grand Regal, and Apo View, to name a few), bargain shopping – especially for tribal handicrafts (you can have them at the Aldevinco Shopping Center) – and fresh seafood (think of fresh kinilaw,

Durian

crabs, and shrimp) sold in many restaurants is almost worth the trip alone.

But Davao is also the fruit basket of Mindanao, literally and figuratively. Name the fruit you have in mind, and Davao is most likely to have it. Now, meet some of these mouth-watering fruits:

Durian Topping the list is durian, which is native to the Philippines and its neighboring countries, particularly Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The fruit has been known to the Western world for about 600 years. The

19th-century British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace famously described its flesh as “a rich custard highly flavoured with almonds.”

Durian can be made into an excellent ice cream, or a cold milk shake. As a blender ingredient, though, it seems the king of fruits does not mix well with lesser commoners. The distinct durian flavor usually dominates, and in some cases mixing with other fruits accentuates the garlicky component of durian in unfavorable ways.

One known harmonious flavor with durian is coffee. Drink-

ing coffee while eating durian is quite pleasant and invigorating – and a durian-flavored gourmet coffee would be an exotic treat. If you happen to visit Davao City, where the fruit grows abundantly, try drinking the durian coffee at the Java Jive located in Quirino Street and Bajada.

For those who want to taste durian for the first time, be sure to buy the very best. But how will you know that the durian you are buying is the real thing?

Here’s a tip from the experts: “When picking a durian to buy, look at the stem, if it is dry the durian is probably old. If the stem is cut off, shake the fruit and listen for the seeds knocking around; if you hear something the pulp has probably lost some moisture and therefore not as tasty.”

Pomelo Known in the science world as Citrus maxima, pomelo is actually one of the top “pasalubong” items from Davao to Cebu, Manila and other parts of the country. Evident of this is the continued existence of at least 10 fruit stands along Ponciano Street.

The pomelo is native to Southeast Asia. In Thailand, the

Pomelo

fruit is called som-o, and is eaten raw, usually dipped into a salt, sugar and chili pepper mixture. In some parts of the region, it is a popular after lunch snack once it is sprinkled with salt and sliced hot pepper.

In rural areas, children often use it as a football.

Pomelo is one fruit which has a lot of uses from the outside to the inside. While the fruit pulp is the main reason why people buy pomelo, the peel is also very useful and can be turned into marmalade. The peel can also be used as flavoring.

Pomelo has actually found more uses in the Dabawenyo cuisine than what was traditionally practiced. Aside from being consumed raw, the fruits are now used in the preparation of juices and salads.

Mangosteen A Westerner who once traveled to Asia wrote after eating the fruit: “The pulp melts away in your mouth after the manner of a ripe peach or strawberry; it has a taste which nobody can de-

scribe any more than he can tell how a canary sings or a violet smells…”

Mangosteen is usually eaten fresh as dessert. Hold the fruit with the stem-end downward, take a sharp knife and cut around the middle completely through the rind, and lift off the top half, which leaves the fleshy segments exposed in the colorful “cup” – the bottom half of the rind. Lift out the segments by fork.

Since 2004, mangosteen has been included among an emerging category of novel functional foods sometimes called “superfruits” presumed to have a combination of: (1) appealing characteristics, such as taste, fragrance and visual qualities; (2) rich in nutrients; (3) antioxidant strength; and 4) potential impact for lowering risk against human diseases.

Mangosteen is known for its medicinal properties. In the Philippines, people employ a decoction of the leaves and bark as a febrifuge and to treat thrush, diarrhea, dysentery and

FAGRITRENDS, 11

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

W

Deeper roots

HAT does one make of Senator Allan Peter Cayetano’s plan to file what he calls a “Mindanao Peace and Development Bill” before the Senate on Friday? On the one hand, the bill sounds impressive and aims to give Mindanao the funds that it has long deserved. According to the Senator from Taguig, the bill aims for a lot of things: the establishment of an integrated sustainable transport system in Mindanao such as railway system and international and domestic airports and seaports; the establishment of universal healthcare in Mindanao such as heart center, lung center, kidney and transplant center, orthopedic center, children’s hospital, and cancer center; the introduction of education reform with more scholarships to be given for each region; and the establishment of agricultural and rural development programs that will benefit famers.

Lofty plans indeed. On the other hand, these programs are being introduced by a senator who has exhibited ignorance of the histo-

EDGEDAVAO

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ry and culture of Mindanao and placed the entire island in a bad light during his long speeches before the Senate some months ago as the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was being introduced. He has placed blame where blame does not belong and forgotten that much of the conflict in Mindanao stem not from a religious or even ideological background but from an unjust and inequitable system that has placed many residents at a serious disadvantage, especially when compared with their more privileged counterparts in the north.

With this background, does anyone in Mindanao actually believe Cayetano’s bill can solve the island’s problems? The senator seems to think that the solution is simply to throw money at the problem, hoping that putting funds at Mindanao leaders’ disposal will suddenly make Mindanao straighten up. He forgets that the problem has deeper roots, and solving it is not as easy as coming up with projects and programs that often are thought up in the comfort of air-conditioned rooms in what many Mindanaoans now refer to as “Imperial Manila.”

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EDGEDAVAO

O

ne Sunday afternoon, in one of our desultory conversations, I asked my husband, “Do you know the difference between torturous and tortuous?” Without skipping a beat, he replied, “Ano yan, pagkain?

Polvoron?” I started laughing because that exchange right there showed how we were night and day. I agonize how to argue for an academic paper while he has just finished taking a trip to Cotabato in an overspeeding van without a seatbelt. I teach Philosophy. He negotiates with shady politicians. I consider the nuances and meanings of words. He thinks about food. A close friend commented the first time she met Jun, “Vids, he’s too kanto for you.” Just like night and day, however, one cannot happen without the other even if one seems so different from the other.

In Chinese philosophy, the principle of yin and yang describes how seemingly opposing forces are ac-

O

VER the next week, thousands of Kadayawan visitors will wonder why and how Davao City residents are able to comply with rules that many others have difficulty complying with. Many local residents will be asked why, and they will have to dig deep into their knowledge of political culture to explain. If there is one secret to the high level of discipline that many view Davao with, it is consistent leadership. People have grown accustomed to tight rule implementation, swift justice, and prompt service. Davaoeños living elsewhere lament the lack of discipline and consistency of other locales.

What we ought to share with the rest of the country as it visits us is consistency in leadership. It would also be nice and helpful to share with them our hope that the next president will be consistent in the following: Implementing important laws Rather than wowing us with new legislative proposals, laws that cannot be implemented and seeing the implementation to fruition. The net benefit, for instance, of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts enacted in the late 1990s can only be felt decades after, and only if measures and programs to achieve regulating improvements in lowering air and water pollution levels are slowly achieved.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Tortuous Yin and Yang tually complementary to and interdependent with each other to create a harmonious whole. One stems from the other in a continuous cyclic process. This whole forms a dynamic system that is greater than each of the parts taken separately. Yin is the female and dark principle while yang is the male and light principle. It is said that this principle is manifested in us and in nature. The moon is yin while the sun is yang. I am yin. Jun is yang. He has once expressed that he is the EQ to my IQ. Together we make up a dynamic whole. We are able to do more because of each other. We

are more because of each other.

Thus, a chauvinistic culture that thinks one gender is superior or has more rights than the other upsets the balance of nature. Nature that is in equilibrium is in harmony, and allows for the flourishing of individuals. I was recently told that I have no right to speak for oppressed women even if I have the right politics because I have a husband who lets me be. What was overlooked was that Jun and I went through a torturous and tortuous process to get to where we are now. We went through an oppression of each other because we wanted to stand as strong individuals with separate agenda. It is only when we acknowledged that we actually found greater strength in each other that we harmonized our yin and yang. We are able to become because we let each other be. We let our own natures enrich the other.

Going back to the difference be-

tween torturous and tortuous… Torturous is used to identify and describe something that causes pain or suffering, something that causes torture. E.g. There is nothing so torturous as losing a loved one. It is torturous how politicians heartlessly plunder the country while millions of citizens are in poverty. Listening to the dull speaker drone on for two hours is torturous. Tortuous, on the other hand, means complex, intricate, or winding. E.g. The path to choosing the right partner in life is tortuous. (Though it could also be torturous given the pain we experience.) The road to Baguio is tortuous with its twists and turns. I cannot follow his tortuous reasoning.

My husband has made me laugh with his nonsensical response. Out of this nonsensicality, insightfulness stems. Just like night that stems out of day that stems out night. Just like yin that stems out of yang that stems out of yin.

We have this MY TWO CENTS’ great penchant for dreaming up new legislation that will supposedly correct various wrongs in our goverJohn Tria nance. But beecisouth@gmail.com fore we try to remix and throw out the baby’s bathwater, let’s clean the baby first.

with positive or negative results for the larger population felt only after a decade. Pure enrolment does not guarantee change. It takes time, constant follow-up, and evaluation so that the agreed-upon measures and the conditions attendant to the cash transfer are able to develop trade and work skills, and drive education of youngsters so that the family’s life conditions are improved. The long term trajectory is building a strong Filipino middle class, which will create, in turn, the kind of economic and political stability we need.

Rostow talks about the preconditions for sustained growth, and many economists are hoping that 2016 will be the fourth year in a prayed-for seven year continuous growth cycle that will truly push our economy to the next level. That said, growth and the benefits to all our families will take time. Consistent implementation of the programs and measures needed to sustain this growth and make it inclusive is the key.

can cause the economy to overheat.

Spend too little, and the economy may grow less than expected. As the country’s largest employer and the builder of public infrastructure, the role of the state as economic driver cannot be overemphasized. Until 2013, it has been analyzed by a few economists that the national budget is 50 percent for Luzon and the greater Manila area, while the rest is shared between the Visayas and Mindanao. It is only in the last year or two that budgets have been slightly aligned to achieve greater equality.

Bottom-up and performance-based budgeting is a new way of doing such an important task, and it is likewise hoped that such a process will enable Visayas and Mindanao regional units of national government agencies to implement the same programs with the same speed and efficiency.

Enough of the flash-in-the-pan brilliance, and we are tired of Arroyo-era media spin that has done nothing but dumb our political sensibilities. What we need now is a leader who is true to himself and us, who will say and do what is necessary, however unpopular with the masses and loathed by the elites to drive the consistency needed for sustained change. I will leave it to you who among the four leading presidentiables is the consistent leader.

We deserve a consistent president

Maintaining the policy of inclusive growth.

Whether we like PNOY or not or if we agree with him is not the issue when it comes to the policy of inclusive growth. The most recent SWS surveys proclaiming a decrease in self rated poverty and hunger statistics do not show that inclusive growth is working. It shows the potential that it can work, that it can drive cash flows up into the middle class and drive new enterprise that, in turn, create additional employment among the lower income groups. It is, to use an often-abused term, “pump-priming” the poor.

That said, the policy of inclusive growth, including the Pantawid Pilipino Program or Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), show more potential,

Creating and sustaining an equitable national budget.

How the State spends its budget has a deep and long-term effect on how well the economy performs. The responsible use of such resources are key to driving economic growth as a whole. Spend too much and you

10 ICT HUB EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

STARBOOKS: A ‘makeover’ for librarians “Q

UIET please!”

Does this sound familiar to you? Are you one of those who think librarians are like “Miss Minchin” – so serious and so strict?

With STARBOOKS (Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station), gone are the days when you’d only see librarians inside a typical library.

Based on Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Assistant Secretary Raymund Liboro’s observation, more students and library users will likely approach the librarians in STARBOOKS, the first science digital library in the country.

Liboro cited that librarians hold the key to information in STARBOOKS, which is also increasing in number. As such, he encourages librarians to learn how to navigate through the STARBOOKS’ contents and to familiarize themselves with such contents.

He explained that by knowing its contents, librarians will be able to recommend appropriate materials to students and teachers.

These sources, he added, can be easily accessed in

STARBOOKS. “Library system as a platform is evolving. Digital is the way to go,” Liboro said.

STARBOOKS has been developed by DOST’s Science and Technology Information Institute (STII). It is user-friendly and may be accessed without internet connection. It contains local and foreign science and technology resources in text, video, and audio formats, including journals, investigatory materials, and livelihood videos. The materials cover a diverse range of topics, from food and nutrition, health and medicine, energy, to environment, livelihood technologies, and many others.

It earned recognition from the international community when it was awarded with the American Library Association Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects last June 29, 2015 at the International Librarians Reception at the San Francisco Library in San Francisco, California.

Aside from being internationally-recognized, STARBOOKS reached another milestone last July when it inked a partnership with the National Library of the Philippines (NLP). With the

signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between DOST and NLP, select pilot municipal libraries will boost their resources with the addition of STARBOOKS with NLP content into their collection, thus making

these extensive materials more accessible to more Filipinos.

The pilot municipal libraries are located in Quezon City, Manila, Pasig, Marikina, Malabon, Navotas, Las Piñas, Makati, Taguig,

Tondo, Mandaluyong and Pateros.

Liboro said that eventually, STARBOOKS will be accessed online. Thus, Filipinos can look forward to “SUPER STARBOOKS.” According to Liboro, ‘SU-

PER STARBOOKS’ will contain some 20,000 livelihood materials, including 120 full-length livelihood videos on how to make longanisa, chicharon, and many more.

Ma. Cristina C. Arayata/ PNA

STARBOOKS. Mallgoers in Butuan City check out the country’s first digital science library which was recently launched at the mall. STARBOOKS boasts of free S&T materials in various formats, is user friendly, and does not require internet connectivity. DOST-STII

VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

ILLEGAL... FROM 1 who were preventing them from leaving, and she pointed to Zarate, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Sheena Duazo, Datu Ginumao Andil, Kerlan Fanagel, Tony Salubre, former Bayan Muna Rep. Joel Virador, Juno Marteen Vegas, and Malaya Genotiva.

In a separate affidavit, the girl’s mother said she and her daughter went to Davao City on July 7, 2015 to file a complaint against the soldier who abused her daughter.

She said they stayed in Haran because her older sister was also staying there.

After three weeks they wanted to leave but she said they were prevented by marshals.

She said they were rescued by police authorities and North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco on July 23, 2015 and taken to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

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

Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service

Case No.2003-XI-00417 EUFEMIA S. ALDERITE, Petitioner

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

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a FILCAB Ordinary Service on the route: CIRCULATION ROUTE 5 with the use of ONE (1) unit, which certificate will expire on February 5, 2016.

In the petition filed on August 6, 2015, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on SEPTEMBER 01, 2015 at 09:40 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

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

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 6th day of August 2015 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

Zarate, for his part, the filing of the charge was “a desperate act of those who want to vilify and discredit those with valid causes and are helping the Lumad staying in Haran.”

“They are muddling the issue by filling trumped-up charges against those who are supporting the cause of the Lumads like me and who are calling for an investigation on the militarization in their homes,” Zarate told EDGE Davao.

He said the police and military are “apparently trying to silence us, but they are mistaken.”

“It’s a wrong move. It will only embolden us to fight for the rights of the Lumads and continue our work… I will not take this sitting down. I will answer this,” he said.

Zarate also said the charges are “acts of desperation” of the military because Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communication LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service

Case No.2010-XI-00514 RAUL N. SAPLOT, Petitioner

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

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ-DUAL Ordinary Service on the route: SASA VIA JP LAUREL AVENUE and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which certificate will expire on October 18, 2015. In the petition filed on August 6, 2015, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on SEPTEMBER 01, 2015 at 09:10 a.m. at this office at the above address.

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

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

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 6th day of August 2015 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

NEWS 11

EDGEDAVAO they have been exposed especially in the misinterpretation of UN Special Rapporteur Cheloka Beyani, who was misquoted by the military as saying the Lumads in Haran were being manipulated by progressive groups.

“That caused an international embarrassment and now they want to get back at us by making trumped-up charges,” he said.

“I believe when the time comes, these charges will be dismissed. Ang kaluoy ang victim. In her effort to get justice for being raped by soldiers, she ended up being manipulated,” he said.

Zarate, however, said he has not yet received a copy of the charges.

Duazo also said the charges were “trumped up.”

“The 14-year-old girl is a rape victim and among the victims of militarization, which was why they went

here to Davao to seek help and sanctuary. This is a desperate move by the PNP, AFP, and Catamco to cover up the mess they made during the July 23 ‘rescue operation’ and the twisting of UN special Rapporteur dr. Bbeyani’s report/statement,” she told EDGE Davao.

Duazo also said the DSWD “surely will have to answer as to why they let the child being used by the state agents, of PNP and AFP, including Nancy Catamco.

Instead of helping the victim pursue a case against the rape suspect which is a military, they want to discredit the legitimacy of the Indigenous Peoples being forcibly evacuated from their community.”

Duazo said they will consult with their lawyers regarding their next step.

“Definitely we will face the charges,” she said.

strued that illegal logs are transported to a strategic location in Davao del Norte and that said illegal logs are sourced from the neighboring Bukidnon area,” he said.

“I know for a fact how strict the LGU of Bukidnon is in their implementation of the forestry laws, rules, and regulations but also the fact on how they have effectively managed to protect their area from illegal cutting of trees,” he said.

Of the 32 suspected illegal loggers, four from Davao del Norte and one from Compostela Valley have been charged for violation of PD 389, also known as Forestry Reform Code of the

Philippines, as amended by PD 705.

DENR 11 has intensified its anti-illegal logging drive in the region, along with the military which set up 10 checkpoints throughout the region. DENR 11 hired 59 forest protection officers who report any illegal logging operations in their communities.

Authorities have so far recovered 521.90 cubic meters with market value placed at P1.9 million. This is higher than last year’s record of 510.32 cubic meters of logs worth P1.8 million from 56 apprehensions for the entire year of 2014.

(MindaNews)

care in Mindanao such as heart center, lung center, kidney and transplant center, orthopedic center, children’s hospital, and cancer center.

He said Mindanao does not have all of these centers because services are concentrated in Metro Manila.

Cayetano said the Mindanao education reform is also

included in the bill in which more scholarships will be given for each region.

He said the State Universities and Colleges (SUC) in the island will be tapped for the scholars.

Cayetano said there will be also agricultural and rural development programs in the bill that will benefit famers.

and two cities that constitute the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Rood added that despite Mamasapan, surveys show that nationwide, Filipinos “believe the peace process will benefit the Philippines as a whole (although) people down in Mindanao think it more… and very importantly, and I’ve been saying this for the better part of the decade, people prefer peaceful means to deal with the MILF.” Debunking the myth “It’s very important that we say this because it is a myth in in this country that military means are popular,” he said.

He explained that the “allout war” waged against the MILF by then President Joseph Estrada in 2000 “did not raise his popularity (ratings).”

“It’s a terrible myth, that’s a dangerous myth because it might tempt some politicians to advocate for all out war but consistently, even now, the average person prefers peaceful

means to military means,” he said.

In the March 2014 SWS survey, the number of Filipinos who preferred peaceful means was higher, at 62%, while those who favored military operations was only 9% and 29% said military and peaceful means were equally effective.

The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) of the government and the MILF was signed on March 27, 2014.

In the March 2015 survey – done after the Mamasapano tragedy – those who favored peaceful negotiations declined by 17 points from 62% in March 2014 to 45% in March 2015; those who preferred military operations rose by 11 points from 9% in March 2014 to 20% in March 2015; while those who said peaceful and military means were equally effective rose to 35% from 29%.

(Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

DENR... FROM 4

Cayetano... FROM 4

SWS... FROM 4

TRO... FROM 2

the DOTC, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and others “from conducting the publication of the Invitation to Pre-qualify and Bid and including related acts and issuance promulgated thereafter in Davao City.”

Bucu had filed his petition on August 11, 2015 to stop the bidding process of the P40.57-billion development operation and maintenance of the Davao International Airport.

The DIA, however, is only one of five airports included in the bundled maintenance project. The others are Laguindingan Airport, New Bohol Airport, Bacolod-Silay Airport, and Iloilo Airport.

The project is divided into two bundles. The first bundle

is composed of the P20.26-billion Bacolod-Silay Airport and P30.40-billion Iloilo Airport, while the second bundle consists of the P40.57-billion Davao Airport (DIA), P14.62-billion Laguindingan Airport, and P2.34-billion New Bohol Airport.

The winning concessionaire for each bundle will be responsible for the expansion, construction, operation, and maintenance of the airports for 30 years.

For DIA, the project involves the construction of a full parallel taxiway and a new apron.

The project also involves the expansion of passenger terminal, cargo terminal, more parking areas, and an administration building.

support groups are ready to secure the people, especially the visitors, during the weeklong celebration.

“Rest assured that we will do our best to secure everyone,” Danao said.

Around 3,000 personnel will be deployed in different areas and activity of the fes-

tival, 1,400 from the DCPO, 600 from the United Force Multipliers which is a civic group that volunteered to secure the event, 600 from Barangay Peace and Order Unit (BPOU), and 100 from Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) 11. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

banking and financial support concerning oil palm.

Success stories, particularly among local government unis, on using oil palm as a tool in overcoming poverty and promoting prosperous communities are shared, it said.

Aside from the congress, various exhibits will open at the venue regarding emerging technologies in oil palm.

The annual congress is organized by the PPDCI and co-sponsored by the Kenram

Palmoil Industries, Inc. based in Sultan Kudarat province, Agusan Plantations, Inc. Group of Companies, A Brown Energy and Resources Development, Inc., Filipinas Palm Oil Plantation Inc., Land Bank of the Philippines and the Department of Agriculture.

It is supported by the departments of Trade and Industry, Agrarian Reform, Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Board of Investments and PCA. (PNA)

urinary disorders. In Malaysia, an infusion of the leaves, combined with unripe banana and a little benzoin is applied to the wound of circumcision. A root decoction is taken to regulate menstruation.

or blended with milk and ice to make thick milkshakes.

Killings... FROM 2

Palm... FROM 3

AGRITRENDS... FROM 7

Mango “The rich juicy flavored mango from the Philippines is the most fantastic fruit I have ever tasted,” said Larry Stoffel, an American who is married to a Filipina. “It’s true that we import mangoes from other countries but those imports cannot duplicate the mangoes I have eaten in the Philippines.”

The Philippines is noted for its “Manila Super Mango” because of its taste which until now is “still unmatched.”

Former Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Q. Montemayor said the variety has found its way in the Guinness Book of World Records as the sweetest of its kind in the world.

Ripe mangoes are eaten fresh as a dessert or processed into dried mangoes, puree, juice, concentrate, shakes, and many more. When eaten green, they are a tasty treat for lovers of sour fruits as they are usually dipped in salt, fermented fish, or shrimp (bagoong). Green mangoes are also pressed into juice and shakes.

Mango is also used to make juices, both in ripe and unripe form. Pieces of fruit can be mashed and used in ice cream

Banana In popular culture and commerce, “banana” usually refers to soft, sweet “dessert” bananas that are usually eaten raw. The bananas from a group of cultivars with firmer, starchier fruit are called plantains, and are generally used in cooking rather than eaten raw. The word “banana” is derived from the Arabic word “finger.”

In The Healthy Food Directory, author Michael Van Straten ranks banana near the top because the fruit helps alleviate 14 medical conditions. “The banana is nature’s wonder fruit and the perfect fast food,” hailed Dr. Willie T. Ong in his book,How to Live Longer.

According to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, incorporating bananas in one’s day-to-day meals can actually cut stroke-related deaths by as much as 40 percent.

There are several kinds of bananas grown in the country but the most popular ones are the latundan, lakatan, and saba.

These are mostly grown in the backyard or as a component in an intercropping scheme with minimum care and management. Cavendish is the export variety grown by commercial banana plantations in southern Philippines, particularly in Davao.

12 CLASSIFIED

EDGEDAVAO

DAVAO CITY MAIN OFFICE JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel: (082) 224-1413 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 GENERAL SANTOS CITY MARKETING OFFICE EDMUND D. RENDON Marketing Specialist Mobile: (Smart) 0909-424-7990 MANILA MARKETING OFFICE ANGELICA R. GARCIA Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

13 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

Uber beats deadline for TNC application

By JON JOAQUIN jon@edgedavao.net

U

S-BASED transportation network Uber on Monday confirmed that it has submitted an application for Transportation Network Company (TNC) accreditation before the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), beating the August 20 deadline set by the board.

This came three months after the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC)’s decision to allow TNCs to operate in the Philippines.

“A few months ago, the DOTC and LTFRB demonstrated tremendous vision by creating the first-of-its-kind national dedicated framework for ridesharing. That was an important milestone and a fantastic example of what could be achieved through collaboration between government and industry,” Uber Manila general manager Laurence Cua said in an official statement dated August 17.

2015.

The DOTC decision had made the Philippines the first country to establish regulations for ride-hailing and ride-sharing apps like Uber.

Cua noted that there has been “heated debate” in the news and social media in recent weeks about the deadlines imposed by the authorities.

The deadline had been set

for August 20, and the LTFRB had warned that it will apprehend drivers of Uber and another ride-sharing company, GrabCar, who are unregistered.

Cua said Uber had been

preparing its submission for TNC accreditation over the past few months “with the expert guidance of the DOTC and LTFRB.” “Today, we can confirm that Uber’s application has

been submitted and has been well received by the authorities,” Cua said.

“Since the beginning, Uber has always had one goal – to provide access to reliable, affordable and safe transpor-

tation options anytime and anywhere to all Filipinos at the push of a button and we look forward to the continued support and leadership of the government of the Philippines in achieving this,” he added.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR MAMASAPANO CHILDREN. Team Seda Abreeza turns over 200 sets of school supplies to representatives of the Office of the Governor of Maguindanao, for the benefit of the school children in Mamasapano. The funds are from the proceeds of Pamahaw ug Pagtabang: A Breakfast for a Cause Year 2, the hotel’s anniversary event last April 2015.

EDGEDAVAO

14 PROPERTY

VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

Aeon Towers moving right on sked R

OUND the clock, cranes, equipment and construction workers are abuzz at the site of the iconic Aeon Towers.

At this pace, FTC Group of Companies president and CEO Ian Cruz said the project is right on schedule for its completion by December of 2016.

Aeon Towers, the initial venture of one of the most aggressive homegrown developers in Davao City FTC Group of Companies, is now moving up from levels from the ground with its mighty foundation composed of four levels under the ground.

The Aeon Towers project is predicted to become Davao City’s iconic skyscraper inspired by modern architecture and sophisticated living.

With construction fast moving upwards, Cruz is confident everything is moving right on target.

Sales of Aeon Towers’ residential units increased at the start of the year. It is expected to keep its pace with more prospects indicating their interest.

“People are investing wisely on a project that is of high value,” said Cruz.

Cruz stressed five reasons why people should invest in Aeon Towers--best investment, best location, lifestyle convenience, iconic structure using green technology, and future-ready with fiber optic backbone.

Aeon Towers has one of

the highest property value that provides the investors the return of investment (ROI) over years. At present, land value at J.P Laurel Avenue (Bajada) has consistently yielded high appraisal due to the fast developments happening in the area as it is being transformed into a modern metropolis. Aeon Towers is situated perfectly where one can have the view of the wide expanse of the blue of Davao Gulf on one side and the majestic Mt. Apo on the other.

In terms of location, Aeon Towers is situated at a prime location in the central business district (CBD) of Davao which allows for an easy access to major education centers, public service and health facilities, churches, entertainment complex and commercial hubs.

Peoplo who value their lifestyle should find Aeon Towers’s access to life’s basic necessities for living, work, and playing in a community that offers boundless possibilities more than what they are looking for. There’s the easy access to public transport for both jeepneys and taxi cabs to all available routes in the city.

The environs include upscale shops, restaurants, de luxe cinema recreational facilities and points of interest. It provides comfortable living space with its spacious units, high ceiling, contemporary modular furniture from an industry leader.

If there’s anything that

would make Aeon Towers stand out even from a distance is its design. Soon to become the iconic figure representing Davao, Aeon Towers promises to be an iconic skyscraper that will be the king of Mindanao and Visayas skies. Other than being the tallest, it will also be a fine example of combining the comforts of modern living with a conscientious green lifestyle. It adopts “Green

Technology” using LED lights and energy and water-saving pre-paid consumption system.

Aeon Towers will also be the only “all-glass” tower to rise in the heart of Davao City.

It creates a very unique structural design that will redefine luxurious condo living.

Finally, there’s the advanced technology resident of Aeon should be in advantage over the rest of the populace.

It will be the first ever condo property in the country that has the capability for Smart Home Technology. Aeon Towers is fitted with fiber optic backbone in every unit. Fused with wireless technology, it gives residents the opportunity to experience a new level of modern, truly smart amnd connected living with Cisco Smart Connected Home System.

Cisco technology allows residents to be the master of the house. How? The house simply takes care of you.

There’s the touch screen master controller that allows residents to dim lights, turn the aircon on and off, draw curtains, play your favorite music, adjust shower temperature and control door access from anywhere and wherever, 24 hours a day.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 100 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

MAMA’S LOVE

FILIPINO-AUSTRALIAN. Jason Day shows fine form in winning the US PGA Championship. Inset, Jason’s Pinay mother Dening Day proudly shows off a newspaper showing his son’s recent accomplishment.

Jason Day: Golfer’s real-life tale of rags to riches inspired by Pinay mom’s huge financial sacrifice

NEW DAY DAWNS P

J

Jason Day win confirms change of the guard

ASON Day’s breakthrough victory at the PGA Championship served notice that a changing of the guard is now complete with an exciting posse of young guns set to dominate the majors for the next decade.

Newly crowned world number one Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy are already established as the game’s leading duo but Australian Day, 27, American Rickie Fowler, 26, and rising Japanese talent Hideki Matsuyama, 23, are in hot pursuit.

Six of the last seven major championships have been won by twenty-somethings, proof positive that the ‘Big Five’ era of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Retief Goosen is over.

“The game now is certainly very healthy, exciting and strong,” American Paul Azinger, who won the 1993 PGA Championship at Inverness and has since been become an acclaimed golf analyst on television, told Reuters.

“We are beginning to blend into a post-Tiger era. This year in all four majors, it seems like the same cast of three or four characters are right at the top.

“Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Jordan Spieth have all been in contention, and now Rory McIlroy is back after his injury absence (a ruptured ligament in his left ankle).”

Northern Irishman McIlroy, now aged 26, won the last two majors of 2014 and the remarkable Spieth, who celebrated his 22nd birthday last month, clinched the first two majors this year before tying for fourth at the British Open and finishing second behind Day at the PGA Championship on Sunday.

“Jordan Spieth continues to amaze,” said Azinger. “I don’t know if anybody would have even thought we would ever see anybody like him with that maturity at such a young age.

“He’s my favourite golfer to watch and I also love watching Jason Day. He is a mega talent, and he certainly proved that this week at Whistling Straits.”

Day, after several close calls at the majors over the past five years, finally crossed the finish line triumphantly on Sunday with a major record low of 20-under 268.

YOUNG GUN CHALLENGE His emotion-charged win lifted him to a career-high third in the world rankings and he looks forward to challenging players such as Spieth and McIlroy on a regular basis in golf’s blue riband events.

“I know exactly what I have done to get myself in a position where I’m holding the (PGA Championship) trophy right now,” said Day.

SPORTS 15

ROUD mum Dening Day is certain golf helped save her son Jason when teenage troubles threatened to derail his rise to major winner before it had even started.

The work ethic, winning grace and poise under pressure in his three-stroke win at the US PGA Championship are all a glowing endorsement of Day’s high standards.

There’s a lashing of that same work ethic in mum because Dening would not take a sickie to watch her son win his first major on TV. As normal, she was diligently at work in customer service at AAL Shipping Lines at their Brisbane office in Bowen Hills with plans to watch the golf on replay.

For mum, his first major title was the wonderful high

point to a journey through good times and bad since the young Day first picked up a club at three.

“We knew he had the potential and the commitment but the waiting was making us anxious,” Dening said of Day’s rash of near-misses.

Day’s father Alvyn died when he was 12 and their daily partnership as supportive dad and budding golfer was broken at the same difficult time.

“He’d be doing cartwheels in heaven. He’d be very, very proud too,” Dening said.

It was Alvyn who fished an old three wood from the local tip at Beaudesert as the first club the young Day would swat around the family yard.

Any young son is scrambled by the death of a father

and Day was no different.

“It was when Alvyn passed on that Jason lost his footing.

He had no one … and I was a little bit soft for him,” Dening said.

“He was drinking and listening to his peers instead of his parent.

“But, he was committed to his sport. Golf saved him.”

It was at that point that Dening sold the family home in Beaudesert and moved back from Rockhampton so young Day could attend boarding school at the Kooralbyn Internatioanl School near Beaudesert.

“It was the last resort to sell the house but it was not a choice because, for me, I had to give him that chance to be the very good golfer he had the potential to be,” Dening said.

Hooking up with coach Col Swatton at Kooralbyn not only filled a void in terms of a golf savvy mentor but it nourished something more important within Day. “I’m glad Col was there when Jason was starting out at Kooralbyn,” Dening said.

“Col understood there were some underlying problems with character, he was able to accept the situation and work really well with Jason.

“Put together he was mentor and a father figure.”

A hard background without lavish trimmings growing up is part of what makes Day tick.

“When you are poor, you become more hungry. It gives you more reason to reach your goals,” Dening said.

minutes on the flight from Manila to Istanbul, Turkey mostly fast asleep.

“We were so tired. All of us.

The practices have not been that easy. It’s crazy, so everyone on the plane were asleep for the duration of the flight,” said Gilas center Asi Taulava.

Arriving in Istanbul, Gilas coach Tab Baldwin advised all of the players to stay awake so they won’t have problems dealing with the time zone once they get to their final destination.

“Coach Tab told us to stay awake,” said Taulava while on a six-hour layover in Turkey.

“We have to adjust immediately because we’ll have a very tight schedule in Estonia.”

Form Turkey, the Gilas team will take another threehour flight to Tallinn airport.

“When we arrive there, we will no longer sleep. We are advised to just walk around and wait for the night,” said Taulava. “We will rest for the rest of the day there, then we go back to practice the next

morning.”

The Philippine five will play in a pocket tournament in Estonia, their first tournament since being formed last July 29, against the host country including European teams the Netherlands and Iceland, starting Thursday.

The Estonia trip is part of the Gilas’ preparations for the coming Fiba Asia championships, a 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics qualifier, in Changsha, China set from September 23 to October 3.

Gilas arrives in Estonia for training, pocket tournament

T

HE sacrifices for the 16man Gilas Pilipinas pool is not just limited to the hardcourt.

Jet lag is now the biggest enemy for the national players on their way to Estonia, where they will be based for the next six days for training, scrimmages and tuneup matches.

The nationals left Manila at around 7 p.m. on Monday, a few hours after their last heavy practice at the Meralco Gym. No wonder the players spent the 11 hours and 15

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.88ISSUE ISSUE100 100••WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY,AUGUST AUGUST19, 19,2015 2015

MX3 LEGENDS TOUR. Pilipinas Legends Commissioner Chito Loyzaga presides over the ceremonial tip off between the MX3 Pilipinas Legends and the CMO-Matina Enclaves Davao All Stars squads. Lean Daval Jr.

Ale Cali’s death na crime of passion?

A

LE Cali’s death could be a case of crime of passion.

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) hinted the possibility of a love triangle as the reason for the murder of the former Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) champion Ale Cali on Sunday morning in Ulas.

DCPO director Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr. said the love triangle angle was “more probable” in Cali’s killing. Other angles are indebtedness and illegal drugs but the police admitted they have no evidence to point to these angles.

“We see this as an isolated case, another case of love triangle because it is more probable that we are looking for,” he said.

The police, however, would not reveal the persons involved in the love triangle since the

theory is still unconfirmed although there are reports that it involved a military official.

But he said the case is “more of a personal grudge.”

The 24-year old Cali’s remains have been taken to his hometown in Davao del Sur for burial.

Cali, a former amateur boxing standout, rose to prominence in 2012 when he won the prestigious PXC flyweight title against Jesse Taitano of Guam in a third-round technical knockout (TKO). He defended it with a third-round win against fellow Filipino Erwin Tagle nine months after he won the title.

However, Cali was dethroned by Louis Smolka in a first-round TKO in November 2013. Cali was also defeated in March 2014 by Ernesto Montilla Jr.

WITH THE CAPTAIN. Pilipinas Legends skipper Alvin Patrimonio (left) with the CMO-Matina Enclaves Davao All Stars’ shooting duo of Bong Go and Glenn Escandor. Lean Daval Jr.

Hunat Dabaw Fun Color Run on Sept. 6

T

HE annual Hunat Dabaw Fun Run takes a different twist this year with the regular footrace evolving into a color run on Sept. 6 which begins and ends at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

“We’re going back to what fun run is really is all about which is real fun,” said Benjamen Banzon, general manager of TRMH at the SCOOP Session of The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Participants can still enjoy the sumptuous buffet breakfast after the race.

“We’re the only fun run event that offers buffet breakfast for all the runners” Banzon said.

Also present was race chair Megzyl Rose Jolejole.

“This time we will also have that Hindu colors for more fun during the race,” Jolejole said.

Prizes worth P200,000 will be given away including fabulous raffle prizes.

Registration fees are P350 for 3K, P400 for 5K and P450 for 10K inclusive of buffet breakfast, singlet, race bid, certificate and raffle coupon.

The 10K runners starts from the TRMH along Palma Gil St. going to Elpidio Quirino St. and J.P. Laurel Avenue and turn back at Carmelite Monastery in Lanang.

The 3K runners makes a turnabout at Imperial Plaza in Bajada while the 5K at the Durian Hotel.

The event dubbed also as

“Dagan Para sa Kinaiyahan” is held in celebration of the hotel’s anniversary.

“All the proceeds will be used for our community project with feeding and medical mission in Baracatan on Sept.

12,” said Banzon.

Used clothing will also be distributed to at least 400 indigents in Baracatan.

TRMH will also have a tree planting activity on Sept. 12 at the watershed of Davao in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

For inquiries and reservations, call tel. (082) 225-8888 or visit www.theroyalmandayahotel.com or info@theroyalmandayahotel.com.