Edge Davao 8 Issue 129

VOL. 8 ISSUE 129 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

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Philippines topples reigning champ Iran 87-63 P16

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

A DAY TO REMEMBER. Monday’s busy start of the week was made a day to remember as the Philippines defeated defending Asian champion Iran 8763 for the first time since the Gilas program was launched. A win by the Philippines in this tournament will put the Filipinos back to the basketball event of the Olympics. In this FIBA Asia website photo, Filipino guard Jayson Castro, barely six feet, eludes 7-4 Iranian giant Hamed Haddadi.

POLITICALLY MOTIVATED? Tourism head says abduction could be handiwork of Duterte’s rivals D

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

avao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) head Lisette Marques yesterday said it is possible that last week’s kidnapping of a Filipina and three foreigners in a resort in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) was politically motivated and intended to destroy the image of Davao City.

In an interview yesterday, Marques told reporters the kidnapping could have been staged because there is a growing clamor for Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to run for the presidency in 2016.

She said other incidents that could have been part of a demolition job were PEACE MONTH. A lady takes a look on the pictures in the Peace Month Photo Exhibit at SM City Annex the fake durian candies that downed yesterday. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

more than a thousand students in Surigao del Sur and the rumors of fake rice and fake noodles that were supposedly found in Davao City.

“We cannot discount all

of those incidents,” she said.

“We hope na huwag naman nilang lokohin ang mga tao. Kung political motivation sana hindi totoo yon

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Bansalan turns 63

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 129 • TUEDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

WHERE ARE THE TOURISTS? Passenger vessels plying the Davao City-Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) are docked at Sta. Ana wharf while waiting for commuters as visitors’ turn out in the island slowed down due to the abduction incident last week. Lean Daval Jr.

Murad: ‘Whatever happens to BBL is will of Allah’

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HE chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has issued an appeal “to everyone to hold fast to the Peace Process” even amid “trying times and enormous challenges,” particularly because chances of passing a Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that adheres to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by the Philippine government (GPH) and the MILF are “gradually diminishing as time passes by.”

“Whatever happens to the BBL, we should accept as the

will of Allah” who “will decide and grant us what is best for us in this World and the Hereafter,” MILF peace panel chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said.

Murad issued the appeal in his September 24 “Message of Solidarity and Unity to the Bangsamoro People, the Filipino People and Muslim Ummah” on the occasion of Eid’l Adha (also spelled as Eid-ul Adha or “Eid’ul Adzha”) Eid’l Adha, the Islamic feast of Sacrifice, was celebrated on September 24 although Malacanang declared the holi-

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Quitain: Country needs Rody

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

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AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte should reconsider his decision and seek the presidency in 2016 because the country needs his brand of leadership, city administrator Jesus Melchor V. Quitain said on Monday.

“It is my belief, and this is my opinion, that the country needs Mayor Rody Duterte to run the government,” Quitain told reporters after yesterday’s regular flag-raising ceremonies at City Hall.

Quitain said none of the three leaders who had earlier presented themselves for the presidency have the qualities of Duterte in running the show and leading the people.

“Based on their track records, and also taking into consideration Mayor Duterte’s track record, he is the one this country needs,” Quitain said, referring to Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Grace Poe, and former DILG secretary Mar Roxas.

“He (Duterte) should run,” added Quitain, who was elected councilor in the 2013 election only to resign from his post after Duterte named him city administrator.

Quitain issued the statement two days after the huge rally at Quirino Grandstand in Luneta where thousands of Duterte supporters renewed their call for the local chief executive to seek the presidency in May. Duterte did not make an appearance in the gathering

but issued a statement that brought new hope to his followers from across the land.

“I hear your clamor loud and clear. I know you want an alternative to those who now present themselves with their ambition to lead the country,” Duterte said in a message read by retired AFP chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon.

“Leaders answer not their self-interest or their personal glory. Leaders respond to duty and moral obligation,” the mayor added.

HE Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Ocean View of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 is still validating information on the status of the Filipina and three foreigners kidnapped from a resort in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) last week.

In a text message yesterday, PRO 11 deputy director for administration Federico L. Dulay, who heads the SITG, told EDGE Davao his group is validating the numerous reports it has received.

Dulay said the SITG is also gathering additional information that could help validate the reports given to the group.

“Hopefully, we can gather enough evidences to support the filing of cases,” he said.

Dulay said the abductors have still not communicated with the authorities or the victims’ families and have not given any demand yet.

“The investigation is still ongoing and our primary concern now is the safety and rescue of the victims,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS) forces have yet to establish “eyeball” confirmation on the presence of the three foreigners and a Filipina abducted by unidentified gunmen from a resort in Davao del Norte.

Brigadier General Alan Arrojado, JTGS commander, issued the statement following reports that the four abducted victims are already in Sulu.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who chairs the Region 11 Peace and

Order Council (RPOC), said on Sunday that based on information from a reliable intelligence report he received lately, the victims are already in Sulu but there is no demand for ransom so far.

“Negative pa rin eyeball (confirmation) sa kanila,” Arrojado told the Philippines News Agency as he disclosed that intelligence operatives have been deployed to track down and locate the victims.

Last Friday, the police recovered a watercraft but they have yet to determine whether it belongs to the gunmen who abducted the victims in the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte.

The watercraft, powered by two Fuso engines, was found at the coast of Barangay Silangkan, Pa-

rang, Sulu. It has bullet holes.

The police identified the victims as Kjartan Sekkinstad, 56, a Norwegian and the resort manager; Canadian guests John Ridsel, 68 and Robert Hall, 50. The Filipina identified only as a certain Tess is said to be Hall’s fiancé.

They were seized by unidentified gunmen last week at the Holiday Oceanview Samal Resort in the famous Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte.

Meanwhile, Arrojado said the focus military operations continue against the Abu Sayyaf in the province of Sulu.

The target of the FMO are the senior Abu Sayyaf leaders and their foreign cohorts. ABFJ With a report from PNA

Charges filed vs woman SITG validating status of Samal kidnap victims in P4.5-M drug buy-bust T

By ARMANDO FENEQUITO and FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

A

40-year-old woman is now facing charges after being arrested for selling P4.5 million worth of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) to an agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11 in Mati City on Friday afternoon.

The suspect was identified as Estela S. Pormanis, a resident of Purok Ilang-ilang, Upper Salazar, Barangay Central, Mati City, Davao Oriental.

She was arrested through the joint effort of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11, Eastern Mindanao Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (EMCIDU) 11, Aviation

Security Group 11, Mati City Police Station, and Air Intelligence Security and Squadron of Philippine Air Force.

Pormanis was apprehended in a buy bust operation on September 25 at around 5 p.m. on Nazareno Street, Central Poblacion, Mati City.

Police said they recovered 500 grams of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) with street value of P4.5 million from the possession of Pormanis.

The suspect is now detained at Mati City Police Station detention facility.

Pormanis was submitted for inquest procedure yesterday before Davao

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HUWARANG PAMILYA WINNER. Maribeth Basa who is from Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental, shares his happiness as her family is hailed the 2015 Huwarang Pamilya winner by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 11 in

PASS BBL. All Out Peace convener Lyndee Prieto and Ateneo de Davao University Community Engageyesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex. Joining her ment and Advocacy (ADDU-UCEAC) chairman lawyer Romeo Cabarde on Monday urge lawmakers for husband Gimmy , daughter Sylka Mae and DSWD 11 regional the immediate passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) within the remaining days of the President Benigno S. Aquino III. The two peace advocates said if the BBL will not be passed in the Aquino adminisdirector Priscilla Razon. Armando B. Fenequito Jr. tration, the 17 years peace efforts will be put to waste. Armando B. Fenquito Jr.

Manhunt on for two men in Koronadal grenade blast

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OLICE authorities here have launched a man hunt against two men who tossed a hand grenade Sunday night at a subdivision here that left one person wounded.

Superintendent Nestor Salcedo, Koronadal City PNP director, said two men lobbed a hand grenade at the house of Naga Mangudadatu, brother of Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto Mangudadatu on Sunday night.

Koronadal City police investigators said the grenade exploded at the back portion of Naga Mangudadatu’s house in Agreda Phase-I, Barangay Sto

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Nino, Koronadal City at 7 p.m.

Nora Mangudadatu, Naga’s wife, told DXOM-AM Radyo Bida that the blast injured Moktar Esmael, 25, a house caretaker.

Nora said she was at the back of the house when two men arrived on a motorbike and stopped then tossed a hand grenade at 7 p.m. The grenade landed beside the family owned vehicle and went off.

Nora claimed she saw Kumander Puigi of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 108th base command.

Nora believed the gre-

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DSWD sets Listahanan validation

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HE Department of Social Welfare and D e ve l o p m e n t - 1 1 (DSWD-11) is set to start the Listahanan validation and finalization phase in October.

“The validation phase will enable the Department to review the preliminary list of poor, non-poor, and near-poor households,” said DSWD regional director Priscilla N. Razon.

Razon said the validation aims to facilitate identification of wrong entries, inclusion of households not assessed, and integration of changes based on merit towards an accurate and credible

final list of poor.

She said the DSWD will organize a Local Verification Committee (LVC) to resolve complaints and appeals received during the validation period.

Members of LVC include the Local Chief Executive (LCE), Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO), Municipal Planning & Development Officer (MPDO), two officers designated by the LCE and Listahanan Area Supervisor The types of complaints/grievance that can be filed during validation are: 1] Exclusion Complaint Type 1 - refers to a claim that a specific

household should be included in the List of Poor but is in the Listahanan Database as non-poor; 2] Exclusion Complaint Type 2 - refers to a claim that a specific household should be included in the List of Poor but was not interviewed during the regular assessment; and 3] Inclusion Complaint Type 1 - refers to a claim that a specific household should not be in the List of Poor.

To implement the validation phase, DSWD hired 98 supervisors, 554 enumerators, 166 encoders, and 166 verifiers.

Razon has encouraged the public to partici-

pate in this activity to ensure that the final results will be reliable, complete and accurate.

Region 11 had a total of PHP85,584,333 budget for the recently concluded second round of assessment, employing 2,300 field workers.

“Following this second round Listahanan assessment, DSWD expects to have an expanded and updated database of poor. This will also serve as a tool in determining potential beneficiaries of existing and future programs and services of the department and other agencies,” Razon added.

(PNA)

Erwin Dable, Lebak traffic investigator, said the accident happened in Barangay Pansod, Lebak on Sunday.

Killed were Artemio Buscato Campong of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao; and Jojo Digos, 48, and Dodong

Garcia 53, both residents of Lebak.

Dable said the truck, driven by Balabagan Abas, was heading to Lebak proper from Cotabato City when the accident occurred at 7 a.m.

About 12 persons were

on board the cargo truck owned by Whie Yang Construction. The fatalities were pinned by the truck and by iron bars.

The driver and eight others are now confined in a hospital in Lebak.(PNA)

Man gets 4-year jail term 3 people killed, 9 hurt in SK highway mishap for fraudulent SSS claim

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HE Quezon City Regional Trial Court has sentenced a claimant attempting to obtain Social Security System (SSS) disability benefits for pulmonary tuberculosis using spurious medical documents to an imprisonment of over four years on top of paying a P5,000 fine.

Regional Trial Court Judge Charito B. Gonzales found Orlando P. Tabadero guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violating the Social Security Law and ordered his imprisonment for a minimum of six months up to four years and two months.

Tabadero did “willfully, unlawfully and feloniously make false representation/s” using a fake medical certificate and x-ray results showing he was “diagnosed with Pulmonary TB when in truth and in fact he was not examined by any radiologist or physician… and the same were only made for the purpose of obtaining payment for his disability claim,” the six-page decision said.

SSS Chief Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President for Legal Services Division Voltaire P. Agas said the court case, which

was handled by SSS lawyer Franco E. Bustamante, serves as a potent reminder of the legal consequences of trying to deceive the pension fund of undeserved benefits.

In March 2004, Tabadero filed a disability benefit claim at the SSS Biñan branch supported by a medical certificate showing a final diagnosis of pulmonary TB and x-ray results issued by a certain St. Ignatius Medical Clinic. The SSS did not process the claim on suspicions that it was fraudulent.

In his testimony, SSS fraud investigator Rolando R. Baldeo said Tabadero himself admitted that the doctor indicated in the medical certificate has not examined him. Moreover, the SSS discovered that the St. Ignatius Medical Clinic, the alleged source of the x-ray results, does not exist.

The accused defended himself by denying any participation in preparing the documents used for his claim, apart from attaching his photo and affixing his signature. Tabadero claimed that he was approached by a group of people led by a man

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HREE persons were killed when a cargo truck loaded with construction materials they were riding fell on a ravine in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat over the weekend.

Senior Police Officer 2

ALL FOR PEACE. (From L - R) All Out Peace convener Lyndee Prieto, SM City Davao public relations manager Apol Legario, Ateneo de Davao University Community Engagement and Advocacy (ADDU-UCEAC) chairman lawyer Ro-

meo Cabarde and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) Mindanao Media bureau chief Marlon de Dumo lead the ribbon cutting of the Peace Month Photo Exhibit for peace in Mindanao. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

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1,000 tourism officers coming

BY CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY And JESSA MARIESTELA P. PUTONG, AdDU Intern

T

HE Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) will hold its 16th National Convention on October 1 to 4 at the SMX Convention Center of SM Lanang Premier.

City Tourism and Operations Office (CTOO)

head Lisette Marques said around 1,000 delegates are attending the four-day assembly to be highlighted by the event’s first staging of the ATOP Expo.

Marques and Davao del Norte provincial tourism officer Noel

DTI 11 set to host BIMP-EAGA event T

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) 11, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Mindanao Business Council (MinBC) and city government of Davao will host the BIMP-EAGA Trade, Tourism and Investment Forum on October 5 at the Marco Polo Hotel, this city.

Around 200 delegates, comprising of contractors, exporters and importers, logistics companies and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), are expected to attend the gathering.

The forum is aimed at providing a platform for convergence of the BIMP-EAGA clusters and development partners to present business and investment opportunities, priority programs and projects, including those in the national and sub-regional economic growth corridors.

A business-matching session will be arranged and conducted for pre-matched clients in the afternoon. Although pre-matched clients will be given priority, walkin investors will also be accommodated.

Simultaneous with the forum and business-match-

ing will be a Product Investment and Tourism Information Exhibit at the lobby of the Marco Polo Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. The exhibit is set to showcase investment projects, trade opportunities, incentives (local and national), tourism destination packages, among others.

“The Trade, Tourism and Investment Forum is geared towards encouraging more information exchange and trade opportunities especially within the BIMP EAGA pillars,” DTI 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said.

The BIMP-EAGA Trade, Tourism and Investment Forum is part of a three-day event Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF) Cluster Meeting at Seda Abreeza Hotel that will be attended by the Heads of Delegation from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines on October 6 and 7.

In addition, the BIMP-EAGA Trade, Investment and Tourism Center will be launched at the second floor of Abreeza Ayala Mall in the afternoon of October 7. The center, which will showcase products of the sub-regional cooperation’s member countries, will be open to the public.

(PNA)

IMPORTANCE OF S&T. Alberto T. Ungab, chief of staff of Davao City Rep. Isidro T. Ungab, stresses the importance of developing children’s serious interest in science and technology in the country’s pursuit of economic development and progress. Ungab, a chemical engineer who worked for years in the United States, delivered the message of his brother lawmaker during the opening last Sept. 23 of the Travelling Science Centrum-Health Science On the Go at the Mindanao Science and Technology Centrum featuring 31 inventions.

Daquioag graced yesterday’s regular Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum at the SM City Annex to announce details on the coming event.

Organizers have invited several speakers to discuss issues concerning tourism during the

event, specifically on the second day of the convention where the plenary is scheduled.

Environment and Natural Resources Sec. Ramon Paje, ATOP founder Catalino Chan, USAID Philippine acting mission director Clay Epperson

and Green Economic Development senior adviser Rita Pilarca will speak separate issues during the plenary.

The benchmarking tours will be held on the third day of the convention, October 3, where participants will visit

several tourist spots in at least seven areas within the Davao Region.

In Davao City, the delegates will visit D’ Bone Collector Museum, Public Safety and Security Command Center, Central 911, Crocodile Park and Tribu K’ Mindanawan.

HARD LABOR. A laborer carries sacks of vegetables twice his weight at the Bagsakan area in Bankerohan yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

APEC plays crucial role in reducing food losses The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) plays a crucial role in addressing the global issue on food losses.

“APEC economies have a big role in addressing these challenges since majority of the total global food production comes from the APEC region,” Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHILMEC) Executive Director Rex L. Bingabing said.

Bingabing made the statement during the APEC Seminar for Strengthening Public-Private Partnership to Reduce Food Losses in the Supply Chain of Fishery and

Livestock on the margins of High Level Policy Dialogue on Food Security and the Blue Economy (HLDP-FSBE) in Iloilo City.

Studies show that onethird of total food production goes to food loss and waste.

The PHILMEC director mentioned that food losses in production to post-harvest processes are prevalent in developing economies as they have poor access to modern technologies unlike developed economies.

On the other note, Bingabing said that developed economies tend to have higher food waste. Food waste pertains to

Other speakers during the opening ceremony were Felimon T. Berba Jr., president of the Philippine Foundation of Science and Technology; Rhodora Palomar-Fresnedi, head of the sponsoring Unilab Foundation; Dr. Anthony C. Sales, Department of Science and Technology (DOST Region 11 director; Councilors Leon Avila, Marissa S. Abella and Ma. Belen Sunga-Acosta, among others.

food -- after post-harvest stage -- being wasted or spoiled.

“They have more money to buy food. They are buying more than they can consume.

Most of these are wasted or get spoiled,” he added.

Bingabing also cited additional challenges in food production such as climate change, decreasing production area and depletion of natural resources in which APEC economies should discuss the solutions.

“Because of the growing number of the global population and the significant figure of hunger incidence, there is a need to ensure sufficient sup-

ply of affordable, safe and good quality food,” he stressed.

For the part of APEC Agricultural Technical Cooperation Working Group Lead Shepherd Dr. Feng Dongxin, APEC economies should lead in addressing global issues on food loss as huge percentage of hunger incidence is in the region.

“Seventy percent of the hungry populations are living in the Asia Pacific region,” Dongxin noted.

Among the initiatives of APEC to mitigate food loss and waste is through the Chinese Taipei-led APEC Multi-Year Project (MYP). (PNA)

Strong S&T education for nation’s kids urged

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Travelling Science Centrum in Davao until October 23

DUCATION of Filipino children on the fundamentals of science and technology must be intensified as it is the key to meaningful economic growth of the country.

This was the gist of the messages delivered by a battery of speakers during the opening last Wednesday of the Travelling Science Centrum-Health Science on the Go at the Mindanao Science and Technology Centrum at Bago Oshiro, Davao City.

Rep. Isidro T. Ungab,

who finished agricultural economics from the University of the Philippines in Los Banos as well as advance studies in the Asian Institute of Management and the Development Academy of the Philippines, said that children must be taught to ask questions about the scientific creations such as mobile phones, tablets and other modern-day gadgets that they are enjoying now so that they will learn the importance of technological

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Support alternative budgets, Congress told

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N its bid to push for more allocation to catch up on the shortfalls in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Social Watch Philippines (SWP) appealed to the House of Representatives and the Senate to support alternative budget proposals for 2016.

SWP lead Convenor Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones, in a statement, said SWP engages the 2016 proposed budget through the Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI). The ABI clusters for education, health, environment, social protection, agriculture and persons with disabilities have crafted analyses and budget proposals for their respective sectors.

She said while new set of goals will be introduced during the Sustainable Development Summit on September 25-27, 2015 in the United Nations Head-

quarters, New York, it is increasingly clear that the key MDGs will not be attained come end-2015.

“The reckoning year of the MDGs shall conclude with alarming scenarios given the government missing its MDG poverty target of 17.2 percent by this year and its inability to achieve targets in 19 out of 28 indicators. And that is despite the steady surge in budget allocation which has gone up to P10.34 trillion for the last five years,” Briones said.

She said the ABI consortium recognizes the 2016 Budget as the last dance to the MDGs and as a prelude to financing for the post-Aquino regime.

Now on ABI’s 9th year, we will carry on our campaign for increased budgets in major social development areas anchored by the said international commitment.

TOURISM TALK. City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) head Lisette Marques graces the regular Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum yesterday at the CM City

Annex. With her is Davao del Norte provincial tourism officer Noel Daquioag.

Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

DavNor tourism not PhilHealth to members: Pay affected by abduction premiums before deadline

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

HE Philhealth Regional Office 11 is calling out to all its voluntary members to secure payment for their third quarter contributions on or before the deadline on September 30.

Since the agency is expecting high volume of foot traffic during deadlines, it is urging members to practice advance payment of premiums to avoid inconvenience caused by longer queues.

This reminder also comes with the objective to instill a sense of responsibility among members since updated payment of contributions is one of the primary requisites when availing of healthcare benefits.

According to PhilHealth, a minimum re-

quirement of at least three months payment within the past six months prior to the first day of confinement is required to avail such benefits. To avoid disruption or suspension of eligibility, premiums should always be ample and updated.

The office has also put up collection points all over the city, including a two-day payment center in Abreeza Mall on September 29 and 30.

Through their PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN), members may also pay at authorized bayad centers such as Western Union, LBC Express, MLhuilierEbiz partners, SM Retail stores, Philpost offices and other accredited banks nationwide.

(PHIC-XI/Kleah Dublin)

T

HE abduction of three foreign nationals and a Filipino woman by gunmen at a resort in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) has not affected the tourism sector in Davao del Norte, the province’s tourism official said Monday.

Noel Daquioag, Davao del Norte provincial tourism officer, said the incident that took place in Barangay Camudmud in IGACOS didn’t result to cancellation of bookings in resorts.

“As I have talked to the resorts owners, no cancelation of bookings was being done. Honestly, we do not feel the effect of the incident and, if there is really an effect it is still early to conclude,” Daquioag said in yesterday’s regular Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum at SM City Annex.

He said only five percent of tourists who visited IGA-

COS are foreign nationals.

“That is why the tourism will not be really affected with the incident,” Daquioag added.

Based on the 2014 data of Davao del Norte, there were 679, 392 total tourist arrivals and only 29,477 were foreigners, while there were 649, 915 total local tourist arrivals.

Daquioag said as of the moment they treat the incident an isolated case since it only happened in an area where foreigners converged.

The place, he added, is not a regular resort for leisure because the area is where the yachts will be docked for refueling or repairs.

“Mao ng daghan tag mgalangyawdidto kay kasagaranna tag-iyasasamgayati kay langyaw man (That is why there many foreigners in the area because majority of the

yacht are owned by foreign nationals),” Daquioag said.

But, with the incident, he said the Davao del Norte provincial government is strengthening its tourism campaign to counter the negative image of the province especially IGACOS brought by the incident.

Daquioag said the travel ban issued by Canadian Embassy last week could be considered as negative effect because all of their citizens are advised to refrain from traveling in Davao provinces, including Davao del Norte.

“Apart from that, since the Norwegian Embassy did not issue a travel advisory, there are no other negative effects so far,” he said.

He then asked the people especially in the social media to refrain from giving negative image on the province or even in the region because the incident was just an iso-

lated case.

Daquioag said the negative image might waste the effort and money of all the local government units in the region who have invested more on promotion of their tourism destinations.

He said his office is still waiting for the report of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Ocean View on real reason of the abduction.

The incident happened at around 11:41 p.m. on September 21. The police said 11 armed men on board two motorized banca forcibly took the victims from the Holiday Oceanview Resort.

The Victims were identified as asKjartan Sekkinstad, a Norwegian national who is the operations manager of the resort, John Ridsel and Robert Hall who are both Canadian nationals, and Filipina Marithes Flor, the live-in partner of Hall.

Sec. Purisima calls on ASEAN to increase trade to 40%

By JON JOAQUIN

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ADDRESSING CHALLANGES. Finance Secretary delivers his speech during The Singapore Summit. Photo courtesy of the Department of Finance

INANCE Secretary Cesar Purisima called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to increase trade within the region from 24 percent to 40 percent in order to address the challenges that confront the group.

“I believe we can be more than just the sum of our individual strengths as nations,” Purisima said in his speech before the Singapore Summit on September 19.

“Paraphrasing a popular misquote from Charles Darwin, ‘it is not the strongest

of the countries or economies that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that most adapts to change.’

ASEAN’s promise has me convinced that the game of societal evolution need not be zero-sum.” He said.

Purisima said increasing intra-ASEAN trade from 24 percent to 40 percent will translate to US$2.5 trillion annually “especially if we are able to change the nature of trade from intermediate goods to final consumption goods.”

“McKinsey estimates re-

quired infrastructure and real estate investment at US$7 trillion from 2014 to 2030. Financing this need can also be another engine for growth. Our financial sector must deepen and integrate to withstand global stresses and to satisfy the increasing demands for long-term and risk-sharing capital,” he said.

Purisima said capital markets have a big role in increasing productivity, diversifying sources of financing, and mitigating capital flow volatility. “We must comple-

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EDGEDAVAO TRAVEL

Bansalan

celebrates 63rd anniversary LAST SEPTEMBER 18, the sleepy town of Bansalan in Davao del Sur celebrated its 63rd anniversary. This means that it became a municipality of itself when it separated from Digos (now a city) in 1952. But first, Miral (as it was known then) was just a barrio of Sta. Cruz. When Digos became a town, it brought Miral as among its barrios; this was in 1949.

When President Elpidio Quirino signed Executive Order No. 506 on June 6, 1952, Miral became a town and adopted Bansalan as its new name. Two of its barrios, Matan-ao and Magsaysay, separated themselves: the first on June 17, 1957 and the other on June 17, 1969.

If Bansalan was created as a town on June 6, why is it that it celebrates September 18 as its anniversa r y? T h e

Municipal Comprehensive Development Plan, written

by Richard T. Ortiz, gives us some insight: “The creation of Bansalan as a municipality in 1952 created vacant positions in the municipal government leadership. Emerging from the stiff competition for the coveted positions in the local government w a s dash-

ing Apolonio Iligan, a captain in the Constabulary who assumed as the first mayor on September 18, 1952, thence celebrated as the foundation day of Bansalan.”

This year’s celebration is the last of the current mayor, Edwin G. Reyes, having served three terms already. In next year’s election, a new mayor will be elected. But Reyes is credited for making

By Henrylito D. Tacio

Bansalan as a first class municipality.

“Bansalan: Kalambuan Ipadayon Ta!” was the theme of this year’s celebration. Literally, it means: “Let us continue its progress!” A fitting tribute indeed as the town is moving towards industrialization without destroying its environment.

Although September 18 was the town anniversary, several activities were prepared beforehand. It opened on September 11 with Agriculture Day in the morning and a

Hiphop Dance Competition at night.

September 12 saw teachers from all over the town showcased their talent on Teacher’s Night while the following day a musical concert was staged at the ABC Gym. The morning of September 14 was reserved for the Indigenous People’s Day while Queen of the World, sponsored by Mirage Productions, was held.

The ABC Gym came alive on September 15, when 15 schools (11 from elementary and 4 from high

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 129 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

UP AND ABOUT

Best Travel Photographer

AND THEN there was one.

From the four office workers chosen to participate in AirAsia Travel Photographer 2015, including a car salesman and a barista, the online votes have been tallied and 36-year old Velvet Lagman takes home the grand prize! Mentored by Malaysian photojournalist Adam Lee, Velvet has received the coveted title of AirAsia’s Best Travel Photographer of 2015 along with 100,00 AirAsia BIG Points and a Nikon D5500 with a 18mm-55mm lens kit. The photo contest was jointly organized by AirAsia and ThinkDharma Inc. (the exclusive distributor of Nikon Digital Cameras) in partnership with AirAsia BIG, the airline’s global loyalty programme. Lucky Voter Grand Prize Winner was awarded to Mia Celindro.

She received 100,000 AirAsia BIG Points and a Nikon 1 J5, while ten other lucky voting contestants were awarded with AirAsia BIG Points plus other goodies from Nikon.

Assisted by acclaimed photographers from the Philippines and

AirAsia Travel Photographer winner Velvet Lagman (3rd from left) with fellow contenders (L-R) TJ Nepomuceno III, Paul Delfin, and Sarah Garcia at the awarding ceremony held recently in Mandaluyong City, Philippines Malaysia as their personal coaches, via www.airasiatravelphotographer. bon-cutting of the exhibit featuring four pre-selected contestants trav- com was opened to the public from pictures taken on the contest leg. elled across Asia for one week, which August 20 and concluded on SepKeep updated with the next leg started on July 21. Contestants were tember 5. of the AirAsia Travel Photography tasked to capture unforgettable moPhilippines AirAsia Head of contest by using #IamAirAsiaTravments in categories: landscape, food, Commercial Gerard Penaflor led the elPhotographer and receive the latportrait, architecture and travel in awarding ceremony held in Manda- est updates via Twiiter (twitter.com/ Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Indone- luyong City, Philippines in Septem- AirAsiaPh) or Facebook (facebook. sia and Hong Kong. Online voting ber 18, 2015 and joined in the rib- com/AirAsiaPhilippines).

Int’l family biz experts to speak Journey to the past in family enterprise confab “CREATING the right climate for succession in family businesses is the most important thing a family should do,” said Dr. Dennis Jaffe who is set to speak in the 3rd Family Enterprise Excellence Conference (FEEC) on October 26 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.

Jaffe said the conference is going to bring families together to consider how they are creating the next generation in their respective business. “What are they doing together and what is it they can do to create and build a creative, energized, inspired and entrepreneurial next generation?”

“This is something that families want and the challenge is that many times they want it but they don’t actually know what to do

and how to do it,” said Jaffe.

Jaffe is a renowned international family business consultant with longstanding engagements with clients in Asia including the Philippines. He is also one of the founders of Family Firm Institute, a global network of thought-leaders in the field of family enterprise.

The event will also be graced by Francis Kong, renowned inspirational speaker and serial entrepreneur with extensive work experience in manufacturing and retail. Kong is also with the Inspire Leadership Consultancy which is one of the main sponsors of FEEC. The conference is organized by Premier Family Business Consulting Inc. (PFBC), the only family business consulting firm in Southeast Asia providing holistic services that integrates the family and business system and champions

family unity as a core value.

According to PFBC Founder Jon Ramos, succession is just one of the problems facing family businesses. Challenges such as business longevity, family dynamics, and preserving family wealth hound families in business, he said.

In the Philippines, 70 percent of the top twenty companies are owned or acquired by families.

Meanwhile, 90 percent of businesses worldwide are owned by families.

Ramos underscored the importance of family businesses, saying their survival has serious implications in terms of local employment and the economy as a whole.

For advanced registration and inquiries, call (032)266-2831, (032)2633401, (032)401-2939 or visit the website www.premierfamilybusiness.com.

BEING an iconic destination for over 50 years in Davao City, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao has been the location where many memories were and are being created. Many locals would jokingly say that you aren’t really from Davao City unless you have a photo that was taken here, most especially at the famous kalesa and animal topiaries. To bring to light these treasured recollections, and to give the perfect excuse to dig up those old photo albums, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao has come up with Journey to the Past, a Facebook Photo Contest.

If you have any pictures that were taken at the hotel between the years 1961 to 2000, one would simply need to Like our Facebook Page, www.facebook. com/waterfront.davao, and send your photo entries via Private Message (PM) with a brief description for the caption, along with the hashtags #waterfrontDVO and #InsularMemories. This should not be more than three sentences long. Submission Pe-

riod is from September 20 up to October 20, 2015. All entries will be collated in an album and posted at the end of the submission period. Votation will run from October 20 up to November 20 and the photo with the most number of Likes will be declared the winner via PM and will also be announced on the Page. The winner will receive a gift certificate for an overnight stay in a Deluxe Premium Room with Buffet Breakfast for two and a gift certificate for Buffet Lunch for two at Café Uno. Throwbacks have never been this fun and exciting! Join the craze, unearth those dusty old albums and send in your entries.

Don’t miss out on this chance to get a free staycation at the only resort hotel in Davao City.

For inquiries, reservations and updates on our events, promos and culinary offerings, contact us at (082) 233 2881 to 87 or 300 8881 or visit our website at www. waterfronthotels.com.ph. Like us also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/waterfront.davao and follow us on Instagram and Twitter at WaterfrontDavao.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 129 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

ENTERTAINMENT

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MTRCB chief encourages youth, to watch

‘Papa Francisco: The Pope Francis Story’ “THIS is an opportunity for us to know him, his struggles, his triumphs, his joys.” It’s Atty. Eugenio “Toto” Villareal, Chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, speaking about Pope Francis in connection with the upcoming film entitled “Papa Francisco: The Pope Francis Story.”

pagbisita ng Santo Papa sa atin early this year,” he added.

Playing the role of Pope Francis in the film is Argentine actor Dario Grandinetti. “Very poignant and very human ang portrayal dito. Makikita rin yung kanyang malasakit, yung tinatawag na mercy and compassion sa ating mga kapwa,” he shared.

Also present during

During a special screening held at the SM Megamall Cinema 3 last September 17, Chair Toto urged everyone to intensify their affection for the

Pope. “I have been taught that we should love the Pope with that real love of a son or daughter for a father. Use this occasion to

the movie screening were Bishop Hubert Mylo Vergara, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Communications; Rev. Fr. Anton Pascual, President and COO of Radio Veritas; Rev. Fr. Francis Lucas, President of Catholic Media Network; Sr. Consolata Manding, FSP of CBCP Cinema; and Pioneer Films’ Karenina and Karla Yoluque.

formulate a resolution or two in regard to our love for the Pope,” he said.

The PG-rated bio flick, distributed locally by Pioneer Films, features the life of the Jesuit Father Jorge Bergoglio as a priest and his election as Pope.

It opens in Philippine cinemas on September 30.

“This film offers us a picture of, and inspired on, the man who in now Pope Francis. The strengths and weaknesses will be there, as will be the triumphs and joys,” said Villareal. “It’s a fitting follow-up doon sa ginawang

Thousands of Jadine fans attend ‘On the Wings of Love’ scrapbook launch THOUSANDS of fans of the hit JaDine love team of James Reid and Nadine Lustre flocked to the launch of the official scrapbook of the top-rating show “On the Wings of Love” last September 19.

An estimated 7,000 JaDine fans patiently waited in line even before the mall opening to make sure they were part of the lucky 300 that would have a chance to meet and greet James and Nadine.

At the meet and greet, James and Nadine gamely answered questions, posed for photos, and performed songs for fans.

A project by ABS-CBN Publishing with Dreamscape Entertainment, the official “On the Wings of Love” scrapbook was released so that JaDine fans could know more about the enigmatic love team beyond the characters they portray in the small and big screen. The scrapbook is divided

September 24, 2015

RESUREKSYON/ ATTACK ON TITAN 2 Paolo Avelino, Isabelle Daza / Haruma Miura, Kiko Mizuhara R16/R16

12:00 | 1:35 |3:10 LFS|4:45 |6:30 |8:15 |10:00 LFS

THE INTERN Anne Hathaway, Robert De Niro

into topics that focus on James and Nadine’s personal life and barkada life, career, and thoughts on love.

JaDine fans will also find cute surprises, stickers, and games in the scrapbook including a guessing game of James and Nadine’s cellphone numbers.

The meet and greet was organized by ABS-CBN Publishing and Dreamscape Entertainment with Ayala Malls and National Book Store.

The “On the Wings of Love” official scrapbook is now available nationwide in all leading bookstores and newsstands.

PG

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

HOTEL TRANSYVANIA 2 Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez

R-16

G

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

EVEREST/ HENERAL LUNA Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira Knightley/ John Arcilla, Epy Quizon PG/R13

12:20 | 2:55 LFS |5:30 | 7:45 |10:00 LFS

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school) competed against each other in the Folk Dance Contest. In the Elementary Division, the winners were Villa-Doneza Elementary School, first place; Mabuhay Elementary School, second place; and New Clarin Elementary School, third place.

The winners of the High School Division were as follows: Nazareth High School, first place; Pedro Arches National High School, second place; and St. Therese School of Bansalan, third place.

Two events were held on September 16: Drum and Lyre Presentation in the morning and “Suntukan sa Bansalan” in the afternoon.

The street of the town became lively when the street dancers romped and kicked during the Sayaw sa Kadalanan. Since it is no longer a competition, only five contingents participated: one from elementary (New Clarin Elementary School) and four from high school (Nazareth, St. Mary’s, Pedro Arches National and St. Therese).

“Although only very few schools participated this year, their produc-

tion are more beautiful and bongga,” observed Geraldine Hope Espino Batal, the municipal tourism officer. “All schools which participated tried their very best to outdo their past performances.”

On September 18, a Thanksgiving Mass was held at the ABC Gym. It was followed by the blessing of the newly renovated exterior municipal hall building. An anniversary program was done afterwards which ended at 12 noon.

By the way, there’s an interesting story on how Bansalan got its name.

The Provincial Tourism Development Plan shares this information: “Bansalan got its name from the one simple farmer named Bansalan who one day dug the earth in search of potable water to quench his thirst. Fortunately, he dug a spring which didn’t satisfy his thirst but also his other companions. Rain widened the spring and the constant erosion of soil led to its formation into a creek, and later into a river.

Bansalan did not live long.

His companions, who were recipients of Bansalan’s labor named the river after him.”

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EDGEDAVAO

ENVIRONMENT 7

Saving marine turtles from oblivion

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

O

N August 5, at around 1:30 a.m., Jessy Amora, a fisherman, caught a sea turtle on a fish net just one kilometer offshore Pinamitinan village in Marabut town.

A kind of leatherback turtle, it “measures six feet in length, 34 inches in width of carapace and 18 inches thickness.” However, the weight was unknown.

The state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported: “The photo of the pawikan tied to a bamboo post and a man sitting on top of it was posted on Facebook and it went viral online. Netizens and environmentalists reacted furiously, including the group Marine Watch of the Philippines.”

Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim, the director of the Bureau of Management Biodiversity (BMB), also saw it so she immediately alerted the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) “to take appropriate action.”

Ten hours after it was caught, the pawikan was released back at sea.

“It’s good that someone informed one of our personnel who advised locals to release the captured pawikan back to the sea. Fishermen would have slaughtered the reptile if authorities were not informed,” DENR Regional Director Leon-

ardo Sibbaluca was quoted as saying.

Marine turtles belong to the order Chelonia, an order of reptiles that has existed and flourished since prehistory with very little change in their basic structure.

Of the eight species of marine turtles known to man, five of them can be found in the Philippines. These are the Green Sea (known in the science world as Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricate), Loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and Leatherback (Dermocheyls coriacea).

The three others are the Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempi), Flatback (Chelonia depressa), and Black Sea (Chelonia agassizi).

Unfortunately, all eight species are listed under the Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which means the trade of these species and subspecies is strictly “prohibited except for educational, scientific or research and study purposes.”

The Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has also classified the eight species as endangered. This is so because “their populations are in danger of extinction and

whose survival is unlikely if the causal factors continue to operate.”

The Philippines is a signatory of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and implements the Pawikan Conservation Project nationwide through the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Since 2001, hunting, sale and killing of marine turtles have been banned in the country.

But despite sincere efforts by the government and some environmentalist groups to save marine turtles from extinction, the decimation of the endangered species continues unabated.

“All of the species found in our country are endangered except for the Hawksbill which is critically endangered,” said Dr. Arnel “AA” Yaptinchay, founder and director of the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines. “The only sure thing is that marine turtle populations are under tremendous threats and if these are not stopped, extinction is imminent.”

Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources believes so, too.

“Unless we, Filipinos, seriously take on the task of protecting

the much endangered marine turtles, these ancient creatures will soon be gone (from our waters),” Haribon, which is regarded as a pioneer of the environmental movement in the Philippines, said in a statement.

Unknowingly, most Filipinos don’t know that tourism may also play a big part in making marine turtles extinct.

“Tourism in natural places that does not take into account the effect they have to the environment is the threat,” explained Dr. Yaptinchay. “In the Philippines, where it seems that every inch of our beaches will soon be developed for tourism, this will become a big threat for marine turtles.”

According to Dr. Yaptinchay, development of the coast where buildings are to be constructed will displace marine turtles from one of their most important life cycle habitats, referring to the nesting beach.

“Lights, infrastructure, noise, domestic animals, and pollution will not only disturb those nesting females but also their hatchlings,” he said. “Marine turtles will not nest when disturbed.”

Studies have shown that marine turtles spend most of their life in the sea and get all the things they need there.

They even mate in the sea.

But when the time comes to lay their eggs, the females return to shore, usually in the same place where they were hatched.

“If you imagine a first time nester approaching its place of birth, how much do you think of its birth place or nesting beach remains over the last 35-50 years?” Dr. Yaptinchay asked. “I would guess there would be very little space left for it to nest and enough disturbance developed to shoo it away. We are preventing them from fulfilling their life purpose. For me this is very tragic.”

In some instances, some tourism facilities view marine turtles as attractions. “This is fine if you view marine turtles from a distance, but most (beach owners) are greedy and would take a turtle and put it in a tank for secured viewing for their guests,” Dr. Yaptinchay said.

But what he considered as worrisome is when beach owners would tie the turtle to a tree. “This has happened and is still happening,” deplored Dr. Yaptinchay.

Under sections 27 and 28 of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Act, penalty will be imposed by the DENR to people who is pictured riding, sitting, and tying pawikan in the post.

Some resorts located in

some islands sometimes think they are helping marine turtles by keeping hatchlings in containers and allow them to grow for a few months before releasing them into the open sea.

“What they do not realize is that they have just disrupted the whole life cycle of the turtles,” Dr. Yaptinchay said.

“Hatchlings are supposed to be in open pelagic waters for the first decade of their lives. Again an important phase in their lives is affected.”

However, Dr. Yaptinchay believes there are ways to develop tourism without compromising the integrity of the environment. “Technology and knowledge already exists,” he said. “We just need to learn to give the environment more importance than the money we earn.”

According to Dr. Yaptinchay, his organization is working with the tourism department in developing interaction guidelines for tourists, resorts, and dive operators to prevent disturbance to marine turtles.

Meanwhile, the environment department is intensifying its efforts in protecting the endangered marine turtles under the Pawikan Conservation Project. Mere possession and killing of this species under Wildlife Act is punishable under the law.

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EDITORIAL

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 129 • TUEDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

“Lawless”?

NE of the fears expressed by a number of Dabawenyos regarding the possible presidential run of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is that Davao City could become the stage for various incidents designed to embarrass the local chief executive, who has built a reputation for keeping the peace and order in the city. Unfortunately, this sort of thing is not unheard of; Mindanao, including Davao City, has often been a convenient staging ground for violent attacks and incidents that happen apparently out of thin air. In the cases of the bombing of the Davao International Airport and Sasa Wharf in 2003, no group or individual ever took credit for the attacks — a curious state of affairs given that terrorist attacks are intended to highlight a group’s existence and advocacies, no matter how twisted they are.

The two bomb attacks seem to have been mounted with no other intent but to sow fear and, many believe, divert attention from the then-turbulent political and social goings-on in Metro Manila.

City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) chief Lisette Marques herself expressed the suspicion that the Samal kidnapping — along with a few other incidents in the past — could have been politically motivated, calibrated to put Duterte on the spot and put into question his firm grasp of the peace and order situation in the city. After all, the

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abduction of a Filipina and three foreigners is a major security blunder that exposed major flaws in how the region is being guarded by the authorities. It does not matter that it did not actually happen in Davao City; as we have seen, most Manila-based media outlets simply identified the venue of the abduction as “Davao.” If we take the case as a “demolition job,” then the group behind the abduction succeeded in pushing Duterte against the proverbial wall without even having to enter Davao City itself.

Each day that passes that the kidnappers do not make themselves and their demands known strengthens the possibility that this is indeed another diversionary tactic, with Davao City again bearing the brunt and the people suffering the consequences. While the CTOO has reported that there have been no cancelations yet from tourists, this may change soon as the United Kingdom and Canada have already issued their respective travel advisories, urging their citizens to refrain from traveling to many areas of Mindanao. In a very real sense, the victims of the abduction are not just the four people whose fate is now in the hands of their kidnappers but the people of Mindanao who now see their island being labeled yet again “strife torn” and “lawless.”

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 129 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

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I

thought it was weird. When I returned to the United States in 2004, I observed that my nephew was using a tattered blanket.

I asked my sister why she never bought a new one for her son.

“That’s what he likes,” my sister replied.

“In fact, I had bought several blankets already but he wouldn’t use.”

Two years later, I went back to the United States. After attending an international conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, I flew to Grand Rapids, Minnesota, where my sister’s family was already living.

I thought my nephew would no longer be using the tattered blanket. But I was wrong.

It was sewn to the new blanket. I asked him and he replied: “I cannot sleep without my old blanket.”

My nephew is not alone though. Even Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte does that. In a feature which appeared in the Rappler, this information was written: “Like anyone else, Duterte has creature comforts, too.

He cannot sleep without a certain very old ramie blanket given to him by his mom when he was just a year old. He brings it everywhere he goes and tries to patch it up when it falls apart.”

It was reported that in the mid-1990s, Duterte was among those who joined for a trade mission to Indonesia. On their way, a city official “saw that ‘rag’ packed among the mayor’s things; he ordered it to be thrown

T

OMORROW never ends. So it seems do deadlines. The Congress has set December 16 as the new deadline for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (The Philippine Star, September 24, 2015: House, Senate set Dec. 16 BBL deadline). But the bill “continues to face opposition in and out of Congress due to its numerous questionable provisions”. Will this be the last of the many deadlines?

The Congress has just suspended the long-ongoing plenary sessions on the BBL to give way to the deliberations of the 2016 budget. Until the budget is passed on November 30 as scheduled no other matter will be taken up in the Congress.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the 75-member Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL, said: “On Nov. 3, we’ll hit the ground running because the budget will be on its way to the Senate, and we can resume deliberations on the BBL and finish it, including the period of amendments until Nov. 30.”

He said the same when President Aquino mentioned the BBL as an urgent legislation in his State of the Nation Address last July 27. Apparently, they broke their legs on hitting the ground when they resumed the interpellations last August 4; they hardly crawled. Will this not happen again after November 30?

What was the score when the Congress suspended deliberations on the BBL?

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Strange but true

away.”

THINK ON THESE! When Duterte saw what was happening, he told them: “If you throw that, you go ahead with the trade mission. I will return to Davao.

I cannot sleep without it.”

Henrylito D. Tacio Wikipedia henrytacio@gmail.com also reveals the following information about the mayor: “Duterte is known for being an avid fan of big bikes but detests luxury cars. He once owned a second-hand Harley Davidson and currently a Yamaha Virago. He was once a habitual smoker but he eventually quit after a doctor’s suggestion due to health concerns. Duterte is also openly supportive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights and is an avid reader of Robert Ludlum and Sydney Sheldon novels.”

Duterte maybe famous -- he will even become more famous if he runs as the next president of the Philippines -- but he is also a human being. He has his own indulgences, dreams, and wishes -- just like the rest of us.

That what The Book of Lists (The ‘90s Edition) seems to tell us, too. I found out some strange but true pieces of information. For

one, there’s that interesting story about Imelda Marcos and the late Benigno Aquino, Jr. “When she won the Ms. Manila beauty contest in 1953, Imelda Romualdez attracted several suitors,” the book recalled. “Among them was the young journalist Benigno Aquino, Jr. whom she dated for a time. But it was another of her suitors, politician Ferdinand Marcos, whom she married. Nearly 30 years later, the assassination of Aquino brought down the Marcos government and swept the widowed Corazon Aquino into power.”

Abortion is a no-no in this country. But in other countries, some famous women have undergone abortions and have all gone public with their stories. Among them: Anne Archer, Jill Clayburgh, Joan Collins, Whoopi Goldberg, Margot Kidder, Kathy Najimy and Sinead O’Connor.

Painters Antoine Matteau and Amadeo Modigliani, composers Carl Maria von Weber and Frederic Chopin, South American liberator Simon Bolivar, Russian dramatist Anton Chekov and philosopher Henry David Thoreau have one thing in common: they all died of tuberculosis (TB). Filipino president Manuel L. Quezon and Rene Requiestas also succumbed to TB. These famous people, according to the list book, were at one time in their lives afflicted with TB, too: singers Paul Anka and Judy Collins, inventor Alexander Graham

Bell, baseball executive Charles Finley, artist Paul Gauguin, American president Andrew Jackson, entertainer Al Jolson, author William Somerset Maugham, TV talk show host Jack Paar and Indian political leader Mahatma Gandhi.

Here are some information -- fascinating, odd, trivial and otherwise -- about some of the world famous celebrities. These were taken from various sources: Nicki Minaj is acrophobic, meaning she is afraid of heights. One Direction’s Liam Payne has a fear of spoons. Ke$ha is terrified of ghosts. Johnny Depp, believe it or not, has a fear of clowns and spiders. On the other hand, Orlando Bloom has swinophobia, which is a fear of pigs! Tobey Maguire, who played the character Spiderman, had a fear of heights!

Britney Spears loves vanilla candles. Johnny Depp, as a child, was allergic to chocolate.

Louis Tomlinsion, another One Direction member, hates baked beans. Demi Moore was cross-eyed as a child and wore an eye patch until her vision was corrected after two operations. Robert Downey Jr. claims that Burger King saved his life from his drug addiction.

Matthew Perry, of TV’s The Friends distinction, is missing a portion of his middle right finger due to a door slamming accident in his youth. Simon Cowell got his start as a runner on Stanley Kubrick’s scary classic, The Shining. He even polished the axe used by Jack Nicholson to bust through the door.

ground running” statement above, he intimated that the House would pass the budget by November 30 and transmit it to the Senate for concurrence.

There are only eight session days from December 1 to 16 for the Senate to concur the House budget bill, for the two chambers to reconcile their versions at the Bicameral Conference and for the two Houses to separately pass the Bicam-approved budget bill. The House cannot have the eight session days entirely for HB 5811.

To pass HB 5811, the interpellations have to be finished – with 13 interpellators on deck. Final voting will be done only after the period of amendments that follows the period of interpellations. Can this be done within whatever is available of the eight session days – considering also the continued “lack of quorum and support for the bill”?

Even if the House passes HB 5811

by December 16, a Wednesday, the Congress adjourns for the Christmas break on the Friday following, the 18th. The Congress resumes session on January 19, 2016. That will be the time the House can transmit HB 5811 to the Senate for concurrence.

Granting that the Senate has already passed SB 2894, there will be only eight session days until adjournment on February 5 for the Senate to concur HV 5811, for the two Houses to reconcile their versions in the Bicam and separately pass the Bicam-approved BBL. Can this be done in eight session

days?

What happens if the Senate still has to pass SB 2894? Don’t ignore the “IF” as a remote likelihood. It may be the inevitable just waiting for the December 16 to come to proclaim that no BBL will happen.

After adjournment on February 6, 2016, the Congress meets in what may be seen as a farewell and ministerial session on May 23 – not for legislation but for the canvassing of the returns of the presidential election, to proclaim the new president and vice president, to adjourn sine die on June 11, 2016.

The Star further reports that Rodriguez, without considering that the BBL once passed may be questioned at the Supreme Court, foresees the signing of the BBL by the end of December, the holding of the plebiscite by March 2016, the creation of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority before the ratification of the BBL and the postponement of the election of the Bangsamoro Parliament to May 2019. Interesting! But forget them. They make sense only after December 16 if the BBL is passed.

Tomorrow never ends. So does the extension of deadlines. Will it be a surprise if, comes December 16, the deadline to pass the BBL will be extended to another time.

[Author’s Note: Mind da News, the alternate of COMMENT, is a comment on current news. The author may be contacted at patponcediaz@yahoo.com.]

Tomorrow never ends

MIND DA VIEWS

BY PATRICIO P. DIAZ • The House set the December 16 deadline following the meeting of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and the President in Malacañang last week. As reported, the President “pleaded to have the BBL passed before he steps down from office”.

• According to Rodriguez the House still has 13 interpellators listed while the Senate has four. The Senate may pass its BBL bill ahead of the House.

• BBL deliberations in the House have been sluggish due to a lack of quorum and support for the bill, although its proponents remain confident that it can be revived once the controversial provisions are clarified.

This statement from Rodriguez and other House leaders repeated a countless time has become monotonous. Will this change dramatically?

But the expectations premised on apparently dubious assumptions or presumptions are less than reassuring: Rodriguez said that following the new timeline the BBL might be passed and ratified by Congress on or about December 16 and signed into law by Aquino before the end of the year. His use of “might” referring to the passage means “grim possibility”.

And, rightly so. In his “hitting the

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(We hope that the people behind this will not deceive the people. I hope this does not have political motivation),” she added.

The kidnapping happened at around 11:41 p.m. on September 21. The police said 11 armed men on board two motorized bancas forcibly took the victims from the Holiday Oceanview Resort.

The victims were identified as as Kjartan Sekkinstad, a Norwegian national who is the operations manager of the resort; Canadians John Ridsel and Robert Hall; and Filipina Marithes Flor, the live-in partner of Hall.

Countermeasures Marques said several groups from the private sector have made a promotional plan to counter the negative effects of the kidnapping incident, which happened not in Davao City but in Samal which is part of Davao del Norte.

Marques said the incident was an isolated case and did not harm the city’s and the region’s tourism industry.

She said her office has not received any report of immediate cancelation from foreigners who booked hotel rooms in the city.

Marques, however, said one event has been postponed because the international speakers were advised by their government not to come to the city for safety purposes.

She said the tourism sector cannot stop foreign embassies from issuing travel advisories because it is their responsibility to take precautionary measure to protect their citizens.

“We do not say that their advisories are wrong but some of the advisories are sometimes being exaggerated. However, we cannot do anything,” she said.

Marques said the only way to counter the advisories is to strengthen the promotional campaign. “Word of mouth is still effective in promoting tourist destinations,” she said.

She said on October 1 to 4 Davao city along with other local government units (LGUs) in the region will host the 16th National Convention of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines.

This is the first time Davao City will host the event.

Marques said none of the participants have cancelled their registration.

and scientific inventions to humanity.

Rep. Ungab was represented in the ceremony by his brother and chief of staff, Alberto, a chemical engineer who had worked for years in the United States.

Ungab said beyond being serious and awesome, science must be taught as something fun and entertaining.

The Third District congressman who heads the powerful Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives also committed to help future projects of the Mindanao Science Centrum and the

Department of Science and Technology.

Felimon T. Berba Jr., president of the Philippine Foundation of Science and Technology, said countries had achieved economic growth and progress due to their consistent pursuit of scientific and technological innovations.

Berba, who keynoted the opening of the travelling science centrum featuring 31 exhibits, said science and technology development in the Philippines needs stronger government and private sector support, otherwise we will continue to lag behind such countries

as Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar which used to send their youths to study in Philippine schools in the past.

Rhodora Palomar-Fresnedi, executive director of the Unilab Foundation, said that United Laboratories’ sponsorship of the travelling science museum, is consistent with the foundation’s advocacy for health science. She said the Filipino’s wellness is on top of the consciousness of the people because of the growing number of health challenges they are facing nowadays.

On the other hand, Dr.

Anthony C. Sales, DOST 11 regional director, described the travelling exhibit as an “interactive science museum that will surely tickle one’s mind and senses.”

Other personalities who shared their thoughts during the centrum opening were Councilor Leonardo Avila III in behalf of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, Councilor Marissa S. Abella, Councilor Ma. Belen Sunga-Acosta and Regional Director Alberto T. Escobarte of the Department of Education.

The travelling science museum will be in Davao City until October 23. AMA

ment our reliance on the US, Europe, and Japan by looking to our neighbors, India and China. Odds come out more in our favor when we bet on ourselves,” he said.

In the same speech, Purisima also addressed the challenge of climate change, saying for the first time, global losses due to natural disasters have exceeded US$100 billion in three consecutive years.

“Asia-Pacific bears the brunt of this with an estimated US$ 71.3 billion in annual

losses. Speaking at the start of this month in Alaska, President Obama commented that ‘few things have as negative an impact on our economy as climate change.’ And yet we have devoted more attention to things other than climate change,” he said.

“ASEAN can form a unique voice in building multilateral cooperation on climate change. We recognized the urgency of coming up with solutions to climate change by responding as one region through ‘One ASEAN, One

Response’, which enables us to recover faster and at the same time lowers economic costs by shortening recovery time,” he added.

Purisima said ASEAN can look at disaster risk mitigation as a region. “The Philippines for example is looking at a program loan from the World Bank that shall help the government better manage fiscal risk if and when severe natural disaster hits the country – this pioneering product will write off a portion of our loan in case such

an event happens. This will give us the ability to protect our fiscal future, and not rely on the course of Mother Nature,” he said.

Oriental Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for violating sections 5 and 11 of the Republic Act 9165 the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

PDEA 11 driector Adzhar A. Albani said the collaborative effort of the law enforcement agencies and the com-

munity “serves as a warning to all drug perpetrators operating in the region that the law enforcement agencies of this region and the community are closely working together and always vigilant in the fight against illegal drugs.”

nade attack was related to a dispute involving MILF and Chairperson Ali Faizal of Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat last month.

Five persons were hurt when Commander Puigi and Chairman Faizal clashed early this month due to what police described as “rido” or clan war involving Moro families.

At least 500 families have fled after the warring

groups clashed when followers of Commander Puigi attacked the village in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat.

Salcedo also ordered a strict inspection of all motor vehicles coming in the city through various entry points.

Salcedo investigators are still getting information from the Mangudadatu family so charges could be filed against the suspects. (PNA)

day on September 25.

“We appeal to everyone to hold fast to the Peace Process, continue our arduous journey for peace and development and exhaust all means to achieve our aspiration for genuine, just, lasting and dignified peace and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro and the whole of the country,” he said, adding, “we have already travelled a long way and invested immeasurable efforts to attain our cherished objective.”

Murad said they are aware of the trying times and enormous challenges facing the peace process, “especially in the internal process of the government with the BBL,” citing

how “obsessed” the spoilers are in “building stumbling blocks to stop the enactment into law of the GPH-MILF agreed draft of the BBL.” Murad was referring to the draft BBL submitted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) to Congress in ceremonial rites in Malacanang on September 10, 2014.

The House of Representatives and the Senate have filed their respective substitute bills, both of which are not acceptable to the MILF as it provides for a new autonomous political entity that is “less than the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao” that it seeks to replace.

Congress will go on recess

from October 10 to November 3, will resume sessions November 3 to December 18 and will go on recess again from December 19 to January 18.

The House of Representatives on September 23 suspended the interpellation period for HB 5811, the substitute bill to the draft BBL prepared by the 15-member GPH-MILF BTC as the next sessions, starting September 28 until Congress goes on recess on October 10, will already focus on the national budget debates.

Lack of quorum has been hounding the House of Representatives since the period of interpellation began on August 4. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

Charges... FROM 2

Manhunt... FROM 4

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE DECEASED PERSON WITH SALE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late GEORGE V. JOVER has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF STATE WITH SALE executed among his heirs per Doc. No.37; Page No.8; Book No.10; Series of 2014, of the NOTARY PUBLIC RAUL C. ESPINA. 9/29,10/5,12

Sec... FROM 6

Murad... FROM 2

Man... FROM 4

named “Rocky,” who introduced himself as a retired SSS employee and offered him the opportunity to make money by filing a claim for partial disability.

Tabadero said “Rocky” then brought him to a clinic, made him wait outside, handed him documents, and instructed him

Win... FROM 16

way relentlessly to the basket for layups.

Gilas Pilipinas was able to stay close against Iran in the second quarter until Jayson Castro committed two straight costly errors. That opened the door for the Iranians to take their biggest lead at the half at nine points, 43-34.

Ranidel De Ocampo sank a triple right before the half-

to file his claim at SSS Biñan. But the court noted that Tabadero failed to show any evidence for his testimony, and even if third parties were involved, he still agreed to file the fraudulent claim.

“Since denial and alibi are so easy to concoct and fabricate, time buzzer as the Filipinos trimmed their deficit to six at the break.

Iran extended its lead to 10, 47-37, after Bahrami sank a free throw and a triple off an unsportsmanlike foul from Castro early in the third period.

But the Filipinos countered with a huge fightback.

Gilas Pilipinas launched a 9-0 run to stay close against Iran.

the same cannot prevail over the positive and credible testimony of the prosecution witness that the accused committed the crime,” the judge said, adding that “one who is found in possession of a forged document and who used and uttered it is presumed to be the forger.”

Gilas Pilipinas’ gunners then finally clicked as Terrence Romeo’s two straight triples put the Filipinos back on top, 58-57.

Terrence Romeo then sank a tough floater while Castro and Calvin Abueva connected to ignite Filipinos’ blitz to a 64-57 lead. Gilas Pilipinas carried a 65-60 lead entering the final frame.

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

Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service GERONIMO R. DELLOMES, JR. Case No. 2003-XI-01922 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 Regular Service on the route: SASA VIA CABAGUIO AVENUE with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on December 31, 2016. In the petition filed on September 23, 2015, petitioner request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on OCTOBER 12, 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, Reday gional Director, this 23rd of September 2015 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ

Chief Transportation Development Officer

COMPETITIVE EDGE 11

VOL. 8 ISSUE 129 • TUEDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

HGS holds Walk for Kids of Hope

H

OLIDAY Gym and Spa staged another edition of the annual Walk for the Kids of Hope last Saturday.

Every year, since 2007, Holiday Gym has assigned one day whereby they will walk for the Kids of Hope as their way of giving for the children afflicted with cancer.

The walk aims to raise people’s consciousness about the importance of being active and that walking is one of the easiest and cheapest way to keep oneself fit

and healthy. At the same time, the annual healthy living walk was also organized to raise funds for the children and aims to increase awareness among the community that there is a group that looks after the welfare of the children with cancer while they are undergoing treatment.

This year’s walk, held last September 26 (Saturday), gathered approximately close to 2,000 people. Among the participants were students from UM and USEP,

Philippine Navy, Coast Guards, DJs of Monster Radio 99.5, staff of HolidayGroup of Companies, Pulumbarit Badminton Club, FZ Group, Morning Girls, Zumba Group from Peoples’ Park, staff of the different brands under Primer Group (namely ROX, FOX, Salomon, Columbia, and North Face), and of course, also present were members and friends of Holiday Gym. Right after the walk, snacks and refreshments were served to the participants. A Zumba Fit-

ness Party was also held as a fitting way to celebrate the success of the event. To cap the activity, Holiday Gym handed over to Dr. Diez, representing Kids of Hope, the cash gathered from the walk which amounted to P27,000 pesos.

Holiday thanked the following sponsors of the event, namely: Holiday Cafe, Councilor Ibuyan, Unifrutti, Morning Girls, FZ Group, North Face, Hygienix, Poten Cee, and Robinsons Supermarket.

According to Prof.

“Bomen”, the novel is set in the historical period of Rizal and focuses on the game of “sungka” and on the search for a winning combination through the use of a machine, and other philosophical meditations.

When asked, he confessed that he used the novel form, instead of the essay

or non-fiction form, partly to amuse himself, and also to align the book to the tradition of the Filipino novel in the 1900-1930 period, which he referred to as “the golden age of the Filipino novel” wherein the novel served to introduce new ideas and to provoke discussions among the public.

At the insistence of the audience, he read the opening, “Mula sa kinatatayuan natin ngayon, kinamamangha natin ang kamangmangan mga panauhin ng kasaysayan; tungkol sa kanilang sariling daigdig at panahon.

Kapag nagbabasa ng mga kasaysayan ay umiiling-iling tayo habang pinagmamasdan silang lumulusob sa mga landas na nalalaman natin ngayon ay walang pinatutunguhan. Hindi natin sila mapipigilan habang sila’y tumatalon sa mga dagat na walang sukat ang kalaliman, o buong tiwalang lumulusob sa mga malaput na kumunoy na hindi na nila matatakasan. Natitiyak natin na ang mga eksperimento nila ay mabibigo kahit na ilang beses pang ulit-ulitin.

Paulit-ulit itong mabibigo.

Pero nakikita natin, sa hindi mabilang na halimbawa, na wala nang nilalang

na mas matigas pa ang ulo kaysa sa isang tao na ayaw tumanggap ng pagkatalo.

Bugbog-sarado, pikit na ang mga mata, basag ang mga buto ng mga daliri, nakahandusay sa maruming kanal, pero ang lagi pa ring sinasambit na parang nababaliw, ‘Darating din ang araw na maglalaho ang mga inaapi at mang-aapi!

Mababanaag ang pagkapantay-pantay ng sangkatauhan!’”

In addition, Prof. “Bomen” showed a sheet of paper that showed the numbers to play in order to win a sungka game everytime, which, he said, forms part of the book. He disclosed that he used a computer to make millions of iterations in order to come up with the numbers to win.

On the question of Filipino readership, he said that current studies showed that Filipinos bought an average of only 5 books a year --mostly on the Bible, romances, and cookbooks-while Malaysians, Indonesians, Vietnamese, and Singaporeans read much more. He said that Japan published 440,000 books in 2014 while the Philippines published only 5,000.

Award-winning novelist gives talk in UPMin

P

ROF. Ramon “Bomen” Guillermo gave a talk on September 28 in U.P. Mindanao about his novel, “Ang Makina ni Mang Turing”, published by U.P. Press and the recipient of the Juan C. Laya Prize for Best Novel in a Philippine Language conferred by the National Book Development Board in 2014.

SUNGKA. Prof. Ramon “Bomen” Guillermo displaying the “sungka”, a subject of his novel, “Ang Makina ni Mang Turing”

Smart Big Bytes Plan 799 offers freebies The country’s undisputed mobile services leader allows you to share the Smart Life and enjoy your online fix anytime with your friends with its fast and reliable Smart Bro 4G Pocket WiFi, which comes FREE with Big Bytes Plan 799.

The powerful Smart Bro 4G Pocket WiFi can connect up to 10 gadgets, making it the perfect device for sharing highspeed mobile Internet to cover all your barkada’s surfing and online entertainment needs – whether you are out on a spontaneous road trip, a quick outdoor adventure, or a weekend at the beach.

The Smart Bro 4G Pocket WiFi is also musthave tool if you go about the city with multiple gadgets because it allows

you to connect your laptop, tablet and other Internet-enabled gadgets all at once for seamless multitasking.

Share entertainment on the go with your

DTI 11 hosts BIMP-EAGA event in Davao in October

T

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI 11), in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT 11), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Mindanao Business Council (MinBC), and the city government of Davao, will be hosting the BIMP-EAGA Trade, Tourism and Investment Forum on October 5 at The Marco Polo, Davao.

Around 200 delegates comprised of contractors, exporters and importers, logistics companies and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are expected to attend the gath-

ering.

The forum is aimed at becoming a platform for convergence of the BIMP-EAGA clusters and development partners to present business and investment opportunities, priority programs and projects, including those in the national and sub-regional economic growth corridors.

In the afternoon, after the forum proper, a business-matching session will be arranged and conducted for pre-matched clients. Although pre-matched clients will be given priority, walkin investors will also be accommodated.

12 MOTORING

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Honda Philippines records 1,700-unit sales in August

H ANOTHER WIN. Davao City businessman and president of University of Mindanao Dr. Willie Torres shows off his two trophies for winning the GT300 10-lap Sprint and 17-lap GT race of Leg 5 of the PGTC at Batangas Racing Circuit over the weekend. WT Photo

Car Awards Group launches search for 2015 Car of the Year-Philippines T HE Car Awards Group, Inc. (CAGI), the country’s premier automotive award-giving body, formally launched their 2015 Car of the Year-Philippines (COTY-P) and Truck of the Year-Philippines (TOTY-P) testing season today, at ceremonies held at the Manila Polo Club.

In behalf of DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, LTO Assistant Secretary Alfonso V. Tan, Jr. served as the launch’s guest speaker who talked about reforms in the LTO and how it is affecting the automotive industry.

Also present were the top executives from the automotive industry, as well as partners and special guests of the Car Awards Group.

“The Philippine automotive industry has been

enjoying robust sales for the past year, with some manufacturers breaking all-time records for number of vehicles sold. More than ever, potential buyers are looking for reputable sources to guide them in making informed choices when purchasing vehicles,” said Robby Consunji, President of the Car Awards Group, Inc. “Independently recognizing the best vehicles in each class without the sway of advertising revenue is CAGI’s contribution to raising public awareness. Our diverse membership from different media platforms has always guaranteed impartial results,” he added.

At the launch, CAGI announced its partnership with auditing firm R.G. Manabat & Co., to further improve the pro-

cess and methodology in determining this year’s winners. R.G. Manabat & Co. is a Philippine partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”).

Established in 2004, the Car Awards Group, Inc. is an organization of motoring journalists from the country’s premier print, broadcast and online publications.

Since its incorporation, the group has strived to find the best vehicles in the country through comprehensive testing involving quantitative and qualitative analysis of the vehicle’s performance, design, safety, value and other relevant factors.

The 2015 testing sea-

son is open to all “allnew” or “significantly updated” vehicles launched to the local market from October 2014 to October 2015. For purposes of definition, “significantly updated” refers to vehicles that have had significant mechanical or electronic changes to the powertrain, drivetrain, suspension or activity systems that affect the way they drive or operate. Testing dates are scheduled to take place in October at the Fontana Hot Spring Leisure Parks & Casino in Clark Field, Pampanga, followed by a golf tournament and an awarding ceremony to be held on November 13, 2015 to coincide with the Fontana Clark Auto Motorama 2015 to be held from November 13 to 15, 2015.

ONDA Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Honda’s automobile business unit in the Philippines, reports that it sold 1,700 vehicles for the month of August. To date, a total of 12,167 Honda vehicles have been sold in 2015. This indicates a 48% increase compared to its sales over the same period last year.

The lone locally-produced Honda vehicle, the City, remains the Company’s best seller contributing 44 percent to HCPI’s August sales.

Furthermore, the recently launched Mobilio shows a lot of promise as it registered a 22 percent contribution to HCPI August sales. For the month of August, the Mobilio garnered 830 new reservations proving that customers have a strong desire for this type of vehicle in the market today. The Mobilio is Honda’s first seven-seater Multi-purpose Utility Vehicle (MUV) that addresses the market’s need for an affordable family vehicle.

Suzuki renews contract with Kiefer Ravena

R

ECOGNIZING the power of sports in the Philippine market, Suzuki Philippines (SPH) renewed its contract with threetime Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and 2010 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Under-18 Championship Mythical Team member Kiefer Ravena, extending his endorsement agreement with the company for another year.

The 21-year-old University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 77 Most Valuable Player signed the contract on Monday, September 7, with SPH President Hiroshi Suzuki, SPH General Manager for Automobile Shuzo Hoshikura, and SPH Managing Director and Treasurer Norminio Mojica.

Ravena’s endorsement deal with the carmaker started in 2013, and the Ateneo Blue Eagle player said

that his partnership with SPH is his longest running endorsement thus far and that the relationship has been mutually fruitful.

“Being a part of this family is something that I really treasure.

Iba na rin ‘yung nabuild kong relationship with them. (I’ve built a unique relationship with them.) It goes beyond contracts,” he said.

For his part, SPH President Hiroshi Suzuki expressed, “We have always believed that Kiefer Ravena is the perfect celebrity-athlete to promote Suzuki as he embodies someone who is young, fun to be with, reliable, excellent, and active – in short, somebody who exemplifies the Suzuki way of life. As such, we are very excited and happy for this renewal of partnership as his image and reputation will help make the youth sector relate to the things that we represent and offer.”

VOL. 8 ISSUE 129 • TUEDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

ZION

ACCUPRINT PUBLISHING, INC.

Is in need of:

MACHINE OPERATOR (Printing Press)

Qualifications:

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

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

COMMUNITY SENSE 13

Basa Family of DavOc is 2015 Huwarang Pamilya winner

D

ON Marcelino, Davao Occidental -“Our family is a circle of strength, founded on faith, joined by love and kept by God. Sa tanan nga amoang kalisdanan, kahuyangan, kalipay ug sa tanan nga grasya nga amoang nadawat, gina-hangad namo tanan sa Ginoo (All our hardships, weaknesses, happiness and for all the blessings that we have received, we offer everything to God),” shared 35-year old Marebeth Basa of Barangay Linadasan here.

The Basas live in a humble oceanfront home.

Marebeth’s husband – Gimmy, 42, is a fisherman.

To augment the income they earn from fishing, they opened up a small sari-sari store.

“Ginabinuangan gani ko sa akoang mga silingan nga lugi daw kaayo ko sa akoang sari-sari store kay P 600+ lang ang akoang gina-kompra gikan Malita kada bula, unya ang pamasahe padulong ug pauli kay P 500 (My neighbors oftentimes tease me that my sari-sari store is losing and unprofitable since I only purchase around P 600-worth of goods per month. The round trip van fare to Malita [neighboring municipality where I get the goods] is P 500),” recalled

Marebeth.

Despite their meager income, Marebeth and Gimmy strived to send their children to school – Sylka Mae, now 14; Brian James, now 9; and Jim Marey, now 5 years old.

The Basa Family became beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in 2009.

“Dako kaayo nga tabang ang programa ilabi na sa pag-eskwela sa amoang mga anak. Mas na-engganyo sila mo eskwela tungod sa programa (The program has been a huge help especially in my children’s studies.

They are more inspired to attend school because of the program),” Gimmy shared.

Another unexpected blessing came to the family when they became recipients of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) in 2012.

Marebeth and Gimmy being accustomed to simple, frugal way of living, promised to smartly invest the money they loaned from SLP. “Aron makatipid sa pamasahe nga P 500 gikan Malita, naga-hitch lang ko sa mga molabay nga truck padulong Don Marcelino. Bahala’g galisod ko sa mga bitbit nga pinalit, basta maka-save ko sa pamasahe kay saying ang kwarta (To save on the P 500 fare from Malita, I hitch

a ride with private trucks going home to Don Marcelino.

No matter the heavy load of groceries I carry, as long I can save as money is valuable)” admitted Marebeth.

In two years’ time, Marebeth and Gimmy were able to multiply their capital ten folds. From a small sari-sari store, they opened a new, bigger store just beside their house.

Marebeth and Gimmy never fail to inculcate positive values to their three children. It is evident in their children’s performance at school.

To share the blessings they received and pay it forward, the Basas sends 10 IP students to school. They also sponsor students to Girl Scout campings annually.

“Buot namo nga ipa-ambit pud ang among grasya nga nadawat gikan sa Ginoo ug sa DSWD. Tungod niini nga programa, sigurado mi nga makaya namong magtiayon ug makaya usab sa akoang mga anak ang molampos (We want to share all the blessings we received from God and from DSWD. Because of this program, my husband and I and my children are certain that we will succeed),” stressed Marebeth. (DSWD/Sheryll Jane S. Fernandez)

14 CLASSIFIED

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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

SPORTS

VOL. 8 ISSUE 129 • TUEDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

15

Blue Knights get back at rival ACD

By NEIL BRAVO

F

RANCIS Gabriel Escandor once again showed his all-court brilliance as he paced Ateneo de Davao University past bitter rival Assumption College of Davao 79-64 on Saturday to move up the standings in the 12th Gaisano Grand Cup basketball tournament at the Gaisano SkyGym. The six-foot-one Escandor fired 17 points including two triples as the Blue Knights exacted sweet revenge over their tormentors in last week’s Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) tournament. It was also a personal vindication for the vastly-improved Escandor who scored a game-high 18 in the loss to the Warriors in the DACS Finals.

The Blue Knights now tow the Junior Division of the biggest school-based cagefest in Davao City which attracted 94 varsity teams.

Unlike the last time the two teams met, Ateneo jumped off to a 15-7 first quarter lead that ballooned to 13 at the half 35-22. Escan-

ONE ON ONE. Francis Gabriel Escandor of Ateneo goes one on one against Axel Doromal of Assumption College during the two teams’ battle last Saturday. Escandor scored 17 points for Ateneo while Doromal fired 19. Escandor’s team won the battle 79-64. Lean Daval Jr. dor had 10 at the half conspiring with spritely guard Jethro Taculin who dropped a couple of triples, and Matt Martinez who drilled in 5 in the first period.

Taculin finished with 14 while Dom Cane added 11 for Ateneo. Axel Doromal led the Warriors with 19 points.

The Blue Knights and the Warriors each have

one championship this year with Ateneo winning the season opening Matina Enclaves Inter-School Tournament and Assumption College of Davao taking the DACS crown.

AAK Davao’s Ramirez, Maramara, Agulo win golds

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AK Davao bagged three gold medals on top of three silvers and four bronzes on Sunday in another impressive performance in the 2015 Milo SM Karate Kids Age Group Championships at SM Marikina.

Julian Ambrose Ramirez, this year’s Athlete of the Year winner in the annual So Kim Cheng Sports Awards, won the first gold in the 14-15 boys cadets kata. Ramirez, a standout of Precious International School scored a convincing win in the judges’ scorecards.

University of Immaculate Conception’s Sofia Agulo followed suit with a gold medal performance in girls 14-15 kumite and a bronze in kata.

Then it was the turn of 2015 Female Athlete of the Year Darlene Ross Maramara of Davao City national High School to make her mark by taking home the gold in the 16 to ATHLETES OF THE YEAR. Darlene Ross Maramara and Ju- 17 years old kumite and bronze in lian Ambrose Ramirez with former PSC Commissioner Leon kata.

Montemayor. File photo by Lean Daval Jr. The other medalists are John

Paul Ponce of Precious International School of Davao with a silver in kata and bronze in kumite 10-11 years old boys, Daryl Sulla of UIC with a silver in kata and kumite 16-17 boys and 5-year old Atsuko Kaiyel Tan of Davao Christian High School who won a bronze medal in the 6 to 8 girls kata categories.

UIC’s Jelynn Landong lost her bout in the bronze medal match in the 15 above girls kata.

AAK Davao head coach Rommel Tan said the team fielded seven karatekas in the tournament which serves as a selection and tune up game for the team who will be competing in the Asian Pacific Gojukai Karatedo Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia on November 25 to December 1.

“The team would like to thank the parents who supported the trip, Jay and Joann Ramirez, Edgar and Maethel Ponce, Rommel and Rubylin Sulla, Ruth Agullo, Rachelle Maramara and Mithos Landong,” Tan said.

(NJB)

EASY TWINNER. Ateneo forward/center Onin Miguel Carlos Develos (no.12) goes for a twinner as teammate Rochie Amoguis looks on. (BEST CENTER SPORTS-DAVAO)

Ateneo bags twin crowns

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TENEO de Davao University scored a championship double on Saturday over archnemesis Holy Child College of Davao at the conclusion of the 2015 Milo Best Center SportsDavao City Eliminations at the Philippine Womens College covered court.

The Blue Knights took the Mini and Passerelle crowns over the Reds in contrasting fashion.

The Mini Blue Knights took the Division crown over the Reds, 67-23 to record its first back-to-back title since 2013. Under coaches Ramon Pido and Frankie Argoncillo, the Blue Knights took a 2-24 lead at the start of the first canto and never looked back for the win.

CMO ends skid, beats DENR 98-88

Marapara a different challenge for PAL field C

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ASTERS will try to stave off all-comers for the fifth straight year starting October 8 over a layout that provides an entirely different challenge for the talented field in the 10th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Ladies Interclub set in bustling Bacolod City.

The Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club, known formerly as the Marapara, is one of the toughest layouts there is in the country and is expected to push everyone to the limit

because of its tight fairways and tree-lined make up.

SW-Masters, which rallied to pip Cebu Country Club by a point last year at ravine-laden Alta Vista in Cebu, will be shooting to keep its domination of the field yet again, but this year’s venue gives no one an edge and would require sharpness from every player.

Unlike Alta Vista, Marapara, which is relatively short by international standards, will punish shots that stray just a little off the

fairways as its greens are much smaller, making approach shots difficult to stop with imperfect hits.

There will be a total of 19 teams seeing action in the three-day event where titles in the Championship, Founders, Sportswriters and Friendship divisions are at stake.

Aside from Masters and CCC, the other participating clubs are the Alabang Country Club, Apo Golf and Country Club, Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club, Bacolod

Golf and Country Club, Manila Golf Club, Iloilo Golf Ladies Club, Manila Southwoods Masters Team, Negros Occidental Golf Club, Pueblo de Oro Gold Team, Rancho Palos Verdes Golf Club, Valley Golfer and Country Club, Victorias Golf and Country Club, Mactan Island Golf Club-Team B, Wack Wack Golf and Country Club,Del Monte Golf Club, Eagle Ridge (Ladies Group), Davao City Golf and the Club Lady Eagles Australian Golfers, the only foreign-based squad.

Playmaker Aaron Amaneo brought home the Mini Division MVP crown for the second time as supported by teammates Kirk Uy, Ethan Liston, Francis Aliviado, Onin Miguel Develos, Joseph Estinozo, Richie Ruales, Giero Velasquez, Joaquin Battad, Justin Cruz, Uno Salvador, Nathan Oribello, Tristan Coquilla, Christian Blanco and Rochie Amoguis.

Their Passerelle counterparts also made their mark after beating the Reds 82-79.

The victory was called sweet revenge for the Blue Knights under coaches Miguel Solitaria, Mark Bonifacio and Harry Hipolito after losing to the Tating Sorrosa and Roger Rabago-mentored quintet in last year’s city eliminations.

ITY Mayors Office barged its way to the win column with a 98 – 88 victory over league host Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the DENR Cup Class B Tournament on Saturday at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. Christopher “Bong” Go and Bob Ilanga sparked the City Hall dribblers who ended their two game losing streak with the resounding win.

Go, the sweet-shoot-

ing trusted aide of Mayor Rody Duterte, and Ilanga scored identical 22 points for the CMO which improves to 1 – 2 .

Ryan Abanes banked in 18 points to pace the DENR which got big numbers from Dado Ayson who made 15 baskets.

Marcus Fragada had 14 points for DENR. Greggy Delica chipped in 19 points for the City Hall dribblers who lost their first two outings against Land Transportation Office and Goldstar Hardware.

20 EDGEDAVAO Sports MEMORABLE WIN. Terrence Romeo had a number of highlight moves against Iran.

FIBA Asia Photo

VOL. 8 ISSUE 129 • TUEDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

WIN AT LAST

Gilas topple mighty Iran

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HE Philippine national men’s basketball team finally solved the puzzle as Gilas Pilipinas toppled long-time tormentor and defending champion Iran, 87-73, in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship campaign on Monday at CSWC Dayun in Changsha, China.

The Filipinos trailed by as much as 10 points in the third quarter but a fu-

rious fightback allowed them to overcome the Iranians.

The win was crucial for Gilas Pilipinas as it is now poised to grab the top spot in Group E and avoid a clash with host China in the knockout stages until the final.

Gilas Pilipinas engaged Iran, dominant all tournament long, in a tight battle right at the opening tip, unleashing a zone defense.

With Andray Blatche defending him, Iran star center Hamed Haddadi also couldn’t lord it over at the post like he used to.

But Blatche was slapped with two early fouls in the first period. Gilas Pilipinas gambled and let him stay on the floor as the Filipinos grabbed a 17-11 lead after five straight points courtesy of a Gabe Norwood jumper and a Castro triple.

The Iranians, however, regained the lead, 25-22, after their guards took advantage of Blatche’s foul situation and drove their

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