Edge Davao 8 Issue 141

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

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Rody, aides DAVAO fly to Manila THE BIG NEWS Page 2

BALD MEANS YES

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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ORMER Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte had her hair shavenon Tuesday in an apparent bid to urge her father, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, to run for pres-

ident.

Sara first posted a photo on Tuesday night on her Instagram account showing the back of her head being cut short.

She wrote: “#justdoit #Duterte2016 sending #goodvibes to #Digong from #bakukangsaulo #Goodnightkaninyongtanan!”

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Duterte to file COC at noon today after getting Sara’s nod?

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

#KALBOPARASAPAGBABAGO. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte’s executive assistant Christopher Lawrence Go posts his picture SECOND TERM. Davao City councilor Diosdado Mahipus files his certificate of candidacy (COC) yesterday on Facebook yesterday having a haircut as he prepared to go to Manila for the possible filing of certificate of candidacy of Mayor for his re-election bid as third district councilor. Mahipus is running for his second term. Armando B. Rodrigo Duterte for president. Screenshot from the Facebook account of Christopher Lawrence Go Fenequito Jr.

Anakbayan to Duterte: Support progressive platform, candidates

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OUTH group Anakbayan today called on Davao Mayor City Rodrigo Duterte to continue pushing for pro-people advocacies even as he announced his decision not to run for president in 2016.

In particular, the group acknowledged Duterte’s commitment to resuming the now stalled peace negotiations between the Philippine government (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and address the root causes of the rebellion in the country.

“His commitment to pursuing just and lasting peace by addressing the root causes of the armed revolution should be picked up by other presidential candidates and should be a major agenda in the 2016 elections,” said Vencer Crisostomo, national chairperson of Anakbayan.

Crisostomo expressed admiration for Duterte’s audacious leadership style and noted his support to the progressive mass movement especially in Davao.

“Mayor Duterte is not

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Comelec offices security tightened

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HE Police Regional Office 11 has deployed more policemen to watch over the conduct of the filing of certificate of candidacies in all offices of the poll body in the region.

Superintendent Antonio Rivera, spokesperson of the PRO 11 said their primary concern is to institute order in the conduct of filing the Cocs.

He said policemen make themselves visible to ensure the safety and security of both the candidates and their supporters.

“Our primary concern is

to ensure order and the safety of all people who are in the premises of the Commission on Election offices in all cities, provinces and municipalities in the region,” Rivera said.

Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office said that policemen are instructed to include in their visibility patrol the vicinity of the offices of the poll body inside the Ramon Magsaysay Park.

Three poll body offices for the first, second and third districts, respectively, are located in the park’s compound. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Rody flies to Manila

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

A

LL indications point to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte running for president in the 2016 election.

A handful of staunch friends and supporters flew to Manila yesterday reportedly to assist the mayor when he files his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president today (Thursday) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Intramuros.

Some of the city’s barangay captains also flew to Ma-

nila yesterday afternoon in support of the mayor.

Those who took a noon flight to the capital yesterday were former North Cotabato Governor Manny Piñol, Caloy Mercado, Chito Fuentes, William I. Ramirez, and Peter Laviña.

Duterte’s close friend Bohol Mayor Leoncio “Jun” Evasco also flew to Manila from Cebu yesterday.

His executive assistant, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, was reportedly scheduled

to leave for Manila last night.

There were reports that Duterte was also scheduled to leave for Manila last night but this could not be confirmed as of press time.

None of Duterte’s men would also issue statements to the media.

If Duterte files his COC today, it would be a dramatic turn of events from last Monday’s press conference when Duterte again officially announced he would not run for president.

During the press conference, he cited his family’s opposition, especially from daughter Sara Duterte- Carpio who even wrote him a letter urging him not to seek the presidency.

“Do not run. You do not owe anybody anything,” Duterte quoted Sara as saying in her letter.

The announcement dashed hopes anew of Duterte’s supporters who were urging him to run for president,

said he did not know who the other candidates for councilor are because as he knew only incumbents were given a certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) by the party.

“Wala pa jud ko kabalo kung kinsa ang lain basta sure ko na ang mga incumbent kay natagaan gyud og CONA (I do not know who the other candidates are but I am sure all the incumbents were given their CONA),” he said.

Abellera said that there could be other candidates who

were given CONA such as Barangay 5-A chair Edgar Ibuyan Jr. Councilor Karlo S. Bello also received his CONA. He is running for the position of third district representative.

Duterte had earlier said he would not give a list of Hugpong candidates since it is already the ruling party in the city.

He said anyone who is a member of the party can file his or her COC within the pe-

FRODY, 10

5 reelectionist city councilors file COCs

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

F

abf@edgedavao.net

IVE incumbent Davao City councilors seeking reelection have filed their respective certificates of candidacy (COCs) before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The five were councilors Antoinette Principe and Mary Joselle Villafuerte of the third district, Danilo Dayanhirang and Diosdado Mahipus of the second district, and Nilo Abellera Jr. of the first district.

Principe was the first to file her COC on Tuesday after-

noon, followed by Villafuerte and Dayanghirang.

Mahipus and Abellera filed their COC yesterday morning along with their respective families and supporters.

Principe, Villafuerte, Dayanghirang, and Mahipus are running for their second term while Abellera is running for his third and last term.

They are all members of the local party Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod headed by Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.

In an interview, Abellera

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

#KALBOPARASAPAGBABAGO. Davao City councilors Danilo Dayanghirang (right) and Al Ryan Alejandre join the craze to have their heads shaven yesterday at The Gentleman’s Lounge along Bo. Obrero. Lean Daval Jr.

RTC junks bail plea of kidnap suspects

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HE Davao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has junked the petition for bail filed by two brothers accused of kidnapping an Indian national after the prosecution presented a strong evidence against them.

Executive Judge Emmanuel Carpio of RTC Branch 16 denied bail for siblings Noel and Bobby Onen as the evidence of the prosecution and testimony of the witnesses are “so immense” to deny their application for bail.

Carpio then ordered the pre-trial conference of the case

on November 16.

Assisted by Atty. Michael Castaños, the Onen brothers earlier argued that the evidence against them is insufficient to deprive them of their right to bail.

The Onen brothers are standing trial to the crime of kidnapping along with Indian national Jerry Singh Balbir and Josephine Onas for the abduction of another Indian national Jaspar Singh Malih on April 7.

In their motion, the Onen brothers questioned the claim of the police officers that they

FRTC, 10

Operations to rescue Samal kidnap victims to continue

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HE government will continue its quest for the three foreigners and a Filipino who were abducted by gunmen in a resort in Samal Island in southern Philippines last September, a Palace official said Wednesday.

This, even as a video of the victims and their captors was posted online recently demanding for the government to stop the operations against the group.

“Government’s aim is to ensure their safety and secure their release and all actions emanate from this,” Presiden-

tial Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.

Authorities have identified the victims as Canadian John Ridsdel, 68; and Robert Hall, 50; resort owner Kjartan Sekkingstad,56, a Norwegian; and Filipino Marites Flor, Hall’s girlfriend. They were kidnapped last September 21.

The victims were shown on the video sitting on the ground and surrounded by at least eight men who are holding high-powered guns, with

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City gov’t ready for any disaster

T

HE chief of the Emergency Response Center Central 911 assured the readiness of the local government in responding to disasters.

Emmanuel Jaldon, chief of the Central 911 said the local government is aware of the risks that might hit the city being at the end of the Davao River Basin.

He said the plans relative to disaster mitigation, preparedness and response are based on the risks threatening

the city.

“A long time ago, the city conducted several risk assessment and vulnerability assessment for all its sites,” Jaldon said.

He said the local government is also aware that the city is located on a flood plain and is indeed a catch basin.

Jaldon said that the currently the city looks not merely on mitigation but also in crafting new environmental laws to give more power in

FCITY, 10

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

EDGE DAVAO

The Vote 2016 DOLFO FOR IGACOS MAYOR. Comebacking former Rep. Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr. (right) of Davao del Norte’s 1st Congressional District raises the hands of Gov. Rodolfo “Dolfo” del Rosario who filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) and reelectionist Vice Mayor Al David Uy. The COC filing of del Rosario and Uy was done in IGaCoS yesterday.

Former MMDA chief seeks Senate seat E MBATTLED former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino on Wednesday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator as an independent candidate at the Commission on Elections in Intramuros.

Tolentino arrived at the Comelec at past 10 a.m. along with local officials of Cavite province headed by Governor Jonvic Remulla.

He served as MMDA chairman for more than five years.

“The political storm is over.

I hope so. Like any good soldier, the battle must be won at all cost. I ask for your support as I embark on a familiar territory,” Tolentino said.

On Sept. 29, Tolentino an-

nounced that he was running for senator in the 2016 polls.

He made the declaration in the presence of Cavite leaders from various political parties.

If elected, Tolentino plans to pursue the following platform: Greater empowerment of local government units and establishment of regional clusters for increased economic benefits at the grassroots.

Propose amendments to the Local Government Code that will accomplish the following: Increase the allocation of Internal Revenue Allotment based on performance and its automatic release to local government units (LGUs);

FFORMER, 10

Maguindanao massacre ‘star witness’ files COC A

FTER one of the suspects in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor of a Maguindanao town on Monday, a star witness to the infamous carnage also filed his candidacy on Tuesday, this time for vice mayor of a nearby town.

Sukarno “Uka” Badal, who was included as among the suspects in the massacre but turned state witness, filed his candidacy for vice mayor in Sultan sa Barongis, as running mate of mayoralty candidate Bobby Katambak, a lawyer who is currently a board mem-

ber of Maguindanao’s second district.

Both are running under the ruling Liberal Party. An emotional Badal said he never thought he could come back politically after his career was ruined by his inclusion in the list of suspects in the carnage.

The Maguindanao massacre, seen as the country’s worst election-related violence in recent history, claimed the lives of 58 persons, 32 of

whom were journalists. “It was Atty. Katambak who advised and convinced me to surrender and tell all about the massacre. Now that I am back here, I want to continue serving my people,” Badal said.

Katambak told reporters that Badal’s decision to turn state witness against those behind the massacre was an indication he wants justice to prevail.

It was the reason, Katam-

bak said, why he partnered with the state witness. “Justice for the people of Sultan sa Barongis is our battle cry. We are facing with huge challenges here – peace and order and most especially, access to education,” he added.

Sultan sa Barongis is among the five towns in Maguindanao listed by both the police and the military as “areas of immediate concern.” Badal’s

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Zubiri runs for Senate as independent

I

NSPIRED by his No. 6 ranking in the latest survey of senatorial preferences, Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator as an independent on Wednesday at the Commission on Elections head office, accompanied by his wife, newspaper lifestyle columnist Audrey Tan-Zubiri.

“I’ve been very happy quietly living a private life with Audrey and our three kids, and tending to our small business for more than two years now. I really had no plans to return to politics,” Zubiri said.

“But people have been walking up to me and encouraging me to run for the

Senate. So here I am, moved and overwhelmed by their support,” Zubiri said.

“As Heneral Antonio Luna said: ‘Negosyo or kalayaan?

Bayan o sarili?’ Yan po ang ating Artikulo Uno!” Zubiri said, quoting lines from Heneral Luna, the blockbuster 2015 Filipino historical biopic film depicting General Antonio Luna’s leadership of the Philippine Revolutionary Army during the Philippine-American War. In the Sept. 8-14 Pulse Asia Research Inc. survey of senatorial preferences, Zubiri emerged as the sixth most favored by voters, after Vicente Sotto III, Panfilo Lacson,

Franklin Drilon, Francisco Pangilinan and Ralph Recto, without counting Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has filed his COC for vice president.

“As we embark on a national campaign, we are truly proud to say that the Zubiri name has never been tarnished by corruption -- not even at the height of the PDAF scam,” Zubiri said, referring to the widespread Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel rip-off that has ruined dozens of past and incumbent lawmakers.

“As an independent candidate, I am absolutely convinced that I will be able to

FZUBIRI, 10

Former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri shows his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for senator as Independent candidate on Wednesday (Oct.14,2015) at the COMELEC Central Office in Intramuros, Manila. Also in photo is his wife Audrey TanZubiri. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

“For allowing the readers to arrive with a stand, succeeded in manifesting the conviction of the community members while embodying transparency and excellence in delivering the news to the community.”

BEST EDITED COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER (DAILY) 2014 “Demonstrated the highest standards in terms of creativity, quality, utility and style of writing that uphold the highest journalistic standards and tradition. It presents with more consistency a strong and concise community relevant stories. The style of writing is such that even as an article deals on local events it is never myopic and parochial in treatment because its perspective also transcends beyond the locality. As a whole, Edge Davao is a paragon of high quality journalism; a local newspaper that combines, in seamless meld, high quality writing and community value.”

BEST EDITED COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 2013 “Actively dedicating regular coverage of environmental reports through news, features, columns and editorials that help promote high degree of environmental consciousness among the public. EDGE DAVAO is mindfully aware of the power of information in molding an environmentally-critical public.”

BEST IN ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING 2014 “Precisely exercised its excellence in a community-oriented culture, arts and history articles. It really focused on the preservation, protection and promotion of the cultural practices, local artists and presented to the readers the impact of arts and culture on community life.”

BEST IN CULTURE, ARTS AND HISTORY REPORTING 2014

The PPI. Or your pie.

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Blazing the trail in innovative journalism.

5

EDGEDAVAO

6 ECONOMY Abad: Programs for poor cannot be left unfunded

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ITH a budget allocation for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) amounting to P62.7 billion in the proposed 2016 National Budget, the National Government’s flagship poverty alleviation program will be able to broaden its coverage to include high school students, and thus help more indigent families.

Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said the 4Ps must not only be sustained, but also widened given that this is one of the most important and effective programs of the National Government that put resources in the hands of the poor and allow them to manage risks.

“Programs that protect the poor cannot be left underfunded. We will be able to further reduce the vulnerability of indigent families if we help them keep their children in school all the way to high school, as well as provide opportunities for employment and livelihood,” the budget chief said in the wake of Congress’s approval of the 2016 General Appropriations Bill after a marathon deliberation last Friday.

As the lead implementing agency of the 4Ps, the Department of Welfare and Social Development (DSWD) will get the sixth highest fund allocation among the various departments in the 2016 National Expenditure Program (NEP). Of the agency’s budget of P104.2 billion, P62.7 billion is allocated for the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, also known as the 4Ps. Of the amount allocated for the CCT program, P59.4 billion will benefit 4.4 million poor households registered under the regular CCT program. The remaining P3.3 billion will cov-

er 218,377 beneficiary households under the Modified CCT program. These beneficiaries range from itinerant families, homeless street families, and families in need of special protection due to man-made and natural disasters.

Because a number of the households are set to graduate from the CCT program, the Sustainable Livelihood Program will double its budget with P9.6 billion to help a targeted 170,470 families move from subsistence to self-sufficiency through micro-enterprise subsidies. The program will benefit 208,352 beneficiaries with skills and technical-vocational training to prepare them for future jobs.

Meanwhile, to increase communities’ access and participation in local planning, budgeting, and program implementation, the KALAHI-CIDSS National Community-Driven Development Program will get P10.9 billion to empower 13,357 barangays in 627 municipalities across 58 provinces.

Likewise, the DSWD budget is set to implement the provision of the senior citizens’ law—Republic Act 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010—mandating a P500-monthly pension for all indigent senior citizens nationwide. With a budgetary allocation of P7.5 billion, this pension program will target 1,182,941 senior citizens aged 60 years old and above.

The DSWD will also increase the budget of their Supplementary Feeding Program with an allocated P693 million, for a total budgetary support of P4.05 billion. This amount will help feed 2,150,621 day care children with nutritious meals.

The Aeon Towers, according to Cruz, will have four (4) spacious, high speed passenger elevators exclusively for condominium use.

Security and protection will also be a main characteristic feature of the building with advance fire protection alarm and sprinkler system and a 24-hour CCTV security camera.

Aeon Towers is also using Green Building Technology – by using UV protected glass for the entire building wall.

It will be fitted also with LED lighting system.

Inside every unit, provision of meticulously-selected pieces of complete facilities is in place. The entire building will be managed by NYC Property Management Corp.

Cruz said unit merging will be allowed with a fee and specified layouts for combined units. If the buyer or

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

ATOP prepares for Clark event in ‘16 T HE next host for the national convention of the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines (ATOP) in Clark, Angeles City starts planning the 2016 event after the successful hosting of Davao City.

Davao City tourism head Lisette Marquez said, “We have just shown them how Davao handles events, be it domestic or international.”

She said they saw the eagerness of the participants in the just-concluded ATOP convention to visit not only places but how things are handled here for visitors and tourists although they received good

feedbacks from guests on their Davao experience.

Pampanga provincial tourism officer Arwin Lingat admitted Davao really did a great job and has become a big challenge to them as the next host of the 17th ATOP national convention in 2016.

Lingat said, “We saw a lot of best practices here that must be replicated not only in my area but also in the different provinces and cities in the country.”

“The over 1,600 tourism officers around the Philippines brought home with them doable and worth emulating practices that would

strengthen the industry,” he said.

The 17th ATOP national convention will be held in Clark next year, Lingat said, adding that they want to sustain what Davao has offered.

Alphonsus Tesoro, ATOP national president, said Davao City is ready in hosting any kind of event, whether domestic or international.

He said it speaks well of Davao City as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Convention and Exhibits) destination.

Tesoro also said that the ATOP convention is always accompanied with tour packages but clarified it is not plain

tour but an activity where tourism officers will be exposed to destinations to gain new ideas, knowledge as well as techniques on how tours are handled.

“It is more than a guided tour because there will be interaction as well as discussion in the area from policies to strategies and execution,” he said.

He said the familiarization tour is among the much attended activity by the tourism frontliners because there will always be new things in the area that could be adopted back in their respective areas.

(PNA)

SIA Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) energy ministers have encouraged member economies to look into the potential of nuclear power to support the region’s goal of cutting carbon footprint and emission of greenhouse gases.

“We reaffirm the importance of safe and efficient development of civil nuclear power as an option to clean, high-quality and advanced modern energy, which functions as a base load power source, to help ensure global energy security and sustainable development as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” the joint statement of the Energy Ministerial Meeting (EMM) read.

APEC energy ministers

have encouraged interested member economies to continue close cooperation such as exchange of information and best practices to improve nuclear safety performance.

Interested member economies should further collaborate in emergency response and preparedness mechanisms as well as conducting capacity building and training for safe and peaceful development and use of nuclear power.

“As far as APEC is concern, they are promoting nuclear power,” said Energy Undersecretary Loreta Ayson on the sidelines of a press conference concluding the EMM here.

“It’s an option, although not all economies are in to nuclear (power). Like in the Philippines, we have a problem

on social acceptability,” added Ayson, who also co-chaired the APEC Energy Working Group Meeting.

She said safety issue remains the top reason why people reject to tap nuclear energy.

“People fear it’s not safe.

But come to think of it, latest technology is in place so that safety is always there. But I think our people have yet to be informed. They have to be convinced,” the Energy official noted.

“It’s a clean fuel so it doesn’t emit greenhouse gas or carbon dioxide. It’s a clean and cheap fuel,” she stressed.

Earlier, Ayson said nuclear power remains part of the long-term options of the Department of Energy and it continues to conduct studies on

nuclear energy.

Ayson said that some APEC economies are increasing the share of nuclear energy to power generation while other member economies are putting up nuclear power facilities or exploring to tap the sector.

International Atomic Energy Agency data show APEC economies that are using nuclear energy are Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, and United States.

These economies’ nuclear share to electricity generation in 2014 ranged from 19 to 30 percent.

Ayson noted that neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam are looking into adopting nuclear resources as part of energy generation. (PNA)

buyers avail of this, TCT’s will be consolidated.

Each unit measures a floor to ceiling height of

2.80meters or 9.18 feet.

Aeon Towers is a mixed use real estate project with a land area of 4,574 square

meters. The building’s 33 levels will have 473 units with 300 parking slots at the basement. It will have a commer-

cial space on the ground floor, a Sky Deck on the 33rd floor and a luxury hotel on the 7th to 10th floors.

APEC ministers promote use of nuclear energy

A

Aeon Towers to set new trends in building design

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HE state-of-the-art Aeon Towers project of local developer FTC Group of Companies is set to create architectural trends in this part of the country.

The 33-level skyscraper project along J.P. Laurel Avenue will be the first to use aluminum forms on its warped design and UV-protected glass to encase the entire building.

“The aluminum forms are here and soon you will get a glimpse of this awesome structure,” said FTC president and CEO Ian Cruz.

Aeon Towers also boasts of fiber optic capability, wi-fi connectivity in common areas and for some units, the Smart Home technology may be availed of. The technology allows one to control major functionalities of his home fixtures from hundreds of miles away.

INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

EDGEDAVAO FOOD

A chill out dinner at

PRIVÉ FOR the food tripper, there are many dining options in Singapore.

From the many hawker places to the various food courts located in many of the Lion State’s malls, one can find many things to chow down on.

Aside from the pedestrian hustle of the food centres, there are also many quaint spots around Singapore that are less hectic and offer visiting diners a venue to chill out and eat and one of my favourite new spots to dine and recline is at Privé at the newly reopened Chijmes.

Located at the corner of Victoria Street in downtown Singapore, Chijmes is a complex of buildings that were once a school and which now house various hip restaurants and bars. Its grand AngloFrench Gothic chapel with elaborate wall frescoes and Belgian stained glass windows now serves as a beautiful function hall which hosts events and

weddings.

Flanked by green lawns at a corner of the complex is where we found Privé.

The vibe of the restaurant is immediately casual and friendly in sharp contrast with the architecture surrounding it. Its alfresco area with its low tables and festival lights allow diners to have a view of Chijmes

Decadent Sticky Date Toffee Pudding.

Chef Ian, Otoi, Kat and I share some mojitos.

Privé’s famous Wagyu Beef Burger.

courtyard.

Staying in line with its friendly and approachable theme, Privé’s menu is simple yet well-made.

From its juicy and mouthwatering Wagyu Beef Burger to its Aglio Olio pasta, the dishes are familiar yet done with an eye for details and flavour.

I ordered Privé’s famous Fish and Chips. The beer battered snapper was light and moist. While the crispy fries were made ex- The vibe at Privé Chijmes. tra delicious thanks to the extra Truffle Sauce we ordered. The dinner at Privé was a welcome break from all the Singaporean food I had.

Dinner was the highlight of the meal as we ordered Privé’s trademark Sticky Date Toffee Pudding. The sweetness of the house made butterscotch paired well with the walnuts and the actually pudding itself. The decadent dessert also came with a scoop of luscious vanilla bean ice cream which is sure to destroy any dieter’s Fish and Chips. plan.

Aside from regular ala carte meals, I also learned that Privé also offers a Picnic Lunch on its lawn (with prior reservations needed), which is one experience I would want to do when I visit Singapore again.

Many thanks to Chef Ian Palma and Katherine delos Santos for showing me around.

Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter at @kennethkingong fore more travel stories, foodie finds, and happenings in, around, Chijmes’ events hall was once a Gothic church. and beyond Durianburg.

Aglio Olio with pine nuts.

A2 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

FOOD NEVER been one to talk anecdotes and similes but as far as food is concern, I can come up with the most unexpected of anecdotes that even I cannot believe to have come from my mouth.

September 12 2015 marked a very special day.

Not only for me but to the individuals who have taken part in the recently concluded Vitarich CookOff Challenge held at AISAT. September 12 was when four schools, out of the seven, were judged to take part in the finals.

The atmosphere was full of positivity and aroma that you’d end up wanting to taste the dishes in an instant. It was as if we were in the set of a culinary show. The only difference? I was one to seat on the other side of the table… as a judge.

I admit, I am not a culinary connoisseur nor someone who has culinary prowess like my culinary superheroes, Chef Gene Gonzales and Jamie Oliver, to name a few. However, I love food. In general. I love the rich story behind every food – from the raw ingredients, concoctions, preparations and cooking, I love how each dish has a story to tell.

The contest was sponsored by Vitarich – one of the country’s leading poultry company.

With them providing high quality dory fillets, everyone was in a festive mood to cook and present a masterpiece. With seven of the most respected schools in Davao, each team came in prepared and ready to make it happen inside the kitchen. May I add, AISAT’s kitchen was so tempting – it’s like calling you to whip up a favorite in a snap.

Participants were briefed and given pre and during event instructions. They were to bring the ingredients – but nothing pre-cooked – except for the main ingredient to be provided

by Vitarich. They were given 1 hour and 30 minutes to prepare, cook and serve their dish-

Cook’s golden dory cook-off

es. Of course, there were criteria’s to which the qualifiers were chosen.

At the end, plated dishes were judged by yours truly, Chef Llerma Javier of Green Rocks Pasty and Sir Dei Endaya, Business/Product Development Manager of Vitarich. The winners were judged based on sanitation, cooking style, creativity and of course, overall taste.

Admittedly, the dishes were all good. However, it was a matter of who made the flavors work and highlighted the dory in all of its glory. It was not an easy task, having to eat all dishes non-stop and judge at the same time, that is. Still, it was a privilege to have tasted their masterpieces. #TheRoyalChef will forever remember this experience. Thank

you to AISAT and the organizers for the opportunity.

Cook’s Golden Dory Cook-Off 2015 Grand Finals took place last September 27, 2015 at the SMX Convention Centre. To the winners, Congratulations!

Make #TheRoyalChef your Thursday habit. I’m on instagram @herroyalheiress.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

ABS-CBN’s ‘Walang Iwanan’ kids ready to touch viewers’ hearts

ABS-CBN’S child actors Louise Abuel, Micko Laurente, Jon Michael, Raikko Mateo and Karla Cruz will be the little big stars of the network’s new afternoon offering “Walang Iwanan.”

“Walang Iwanan” follows the story of Jose, played by Abuel who played the young Jake Cuenca in “Ikaw Lamang,” who is the son of Anita, played by Roxanne Guinoo. His stepfather Kamlon, played by “It’s Showtime” host Jhong Hilario spares the young Jose the affection that a father gives a child since the boy was the fruit of Anita’s past relation-

ship.

Laurente plays Boy, the firstborn of Anita and Kamlon, who will make life hard for Jose to be friends with his other siblings.

His three other siblings include Criscencio (played by Jon Michael), Maribel (Cruz) and Michael (Mateo).

While his stepfather doesn’t recognize him, and his stepbrothers and sister alienate him, Jose finds solace in his grandmothers, with whom he grew up with, Ina and Ebe, who shower the boy with the love that he’s missing out on. Their love prepared Jose to be strong enough

to be part of a true family. He grows up to be a fine-mannered boy who just wants a family that loves one another.

Trouble happens when the kids find their parents missing one morning and had to fend off for themselves. Jose and Boy try to work their differences out for the sake of their siblings as they hope to find out what happened to their parents and be together once again as a family.

Other members of the cast are John Estrada, Beauty Gonzales, and Nicco Manalo. For more information, visit ABS-CBN.com for updates.

Solenn Heussaff spills strict diet plan to maintain her physique SOLENN HEUSSAFF shares her tried and tested diet trick to keep her body fit as she joins last Sunday’s episode of Idol sa Kusina.

During her guesting stint, Solenn shared to hosts Chef Boy Logro and Bettinna Carlos that her love for vegetables bloomed in her teenage years.

She said, “Actually nung 15 lang ako [nag-start mahilig sa pagkain ng gulay].

Dati puro meat eater ako tapos nung umalis ako at pumunta ako sa France to study in college, ‘yun naging vegetable ‘yung favorite ingredient ko.”

According to the Taste Buddies host, the ease of food preparation is the reason she started to eat vegetables.

“Kasi since ‘di ko pa marunong magluto, parang ‘yun ‘yung pinakamadali.”

Aside from Solenn’s strict and intense workout plan, she also follows the no carb diet technique to keep her body fit at all times.

She revealed, “Usually ‘di ako kumakain ng carbs sa gabi. Zero. Tapos kapag gusto ko ng kanin, dalawang tablespoon lang.

Sa umaga lang puwede, afternoon bawal, gabi bawal.”

October 14 – 20, 2015

THE PRENUP Jennylyn Mercado, Sam Milby PG

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

BRIDGE OF SPIES Tom Hanks, Alan Alda PG

1:00 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:00 LFS

PAN Hugh Jackman, Levi Miller PG

R-16

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

CRIMSON PEAK Tom Hiddleton, Jessica Chastain R16

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

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

UP AND ABOUT

Planning the perfect wedding with Bridestory

SOME like their weddings to be the grandest celebration, regal and majestic in every detail. Then there are those who like it quaint and intimate. Others, however, prefer a scenic affair, a communion with Mother Nature.

A wedding celebrates the union of two people, and setting up the perfect scene for that oncein-a-lifetime moment is important. Sometimes, it proves to be difficult to plan out the perfect wedding and find the right vendors without that much effort.

Thankfully, a company from Indonesia found a way to give couples a hand

in planning their perfect wedding to every little detail.

Bridestory helps couples make their dream wedding come true by connecting them to wedding professionals across the globe. It has now become the leading wedding marketplace in Southeast Asia.

The firm targets the younger generation “who are savvy and prefer to obtain information online,” said Kevin Mintaraga, Chief Executive Officer of Bridestory.

“Couples that plan their wedding with Bridestory will end up with better, more beautiful, more savvy wedding, since we believe that they will make well-informed decision with Bridestory,” he added.

To craft a unique and personalized wedding, start with Bridestory. The

platform works both as an inspiration site and a directory for finding wedding professionals. Be inspired by a catalogue of works accomplished by wedding professionals from all over the world.

And unlike most inspiration sites, with Bridestory, engaged couples can easily connect with the vendor who has made that inspiration into a reality.

After launching their local Philippine website (www.bridestory.com.ph),

Bridestory has a curated list of over 200 local vendors. They are grouped based on the type of services that they offer—including dress and attire, catering, hair and makeup, flowers, and photography—in total of over 20 categories. You can easily find vendors based on location, specialty, colour, and most importantly, budget.

Engaged couples can also connect and engage wedding vendors from

top wedding destinations.

Over 15,000 vendors from 39 countries, including 12,000 hailing from the Southeast Asian region, have enlisted their businesses with Bridestory.

Thus, planning for an overseas wedding or photoshoot can easily be done, let it be a pre-wedding shoot in Amanpulo or a wedding in Bali.

Moreover, Bridestory also has a blog section, which contains wealth of wedding tips and inspirations that help couples to customize their wedding details into a unique concept that match their personality. Couples and vendors alike can also submit their wedding photos and get a chance to be featured in Bridestory’s international blog and social media, which are followed by more than 2 million international audiences.

Bridestory promises an inspirational, smooth and productive wedding planning experience. With Bridestory you can seamlessly turn your dream wedding into a reality, at the comfort of your fingertips.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

CDA welcomes coops merging C

OOPERATIVE Development Authority Region XI Director Elma Oguis is open to merging or consolidation of cooperatives to strengthen its resources amidst ASEAN Integration.

“After all interventions that we injected, might as well merge or consolidate those micro cooperatives with the large cooperatives,” Director Oguis emphasized.

Oguis revealed that there are 1,901 cooperatives listed in the region as of December 31, 2015 and 79% of it was micro enterprises.

According to Republic Act 9501 or the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, classification of business is according to its assets for micro, P3-million

and below; small, more than P3-million to P15-million; medium, more than P15-million to P100-million; and large, more than P100-million.

She added that only 2% of the cooperatives is large, 4% is medium and 15% is medium.

The director also disclosed that there was only 3% increase in the number of cooperatives from that of December 2013.

“As of September 2015, there were 40 cooperatives registered in the agency,” she said.

Oguis also underscored that their office continues to give training to improve the cooperatives especially on administration and governance.

(PIA11, Michael Uy)

LOBE Telecom provides the fastest LTE service in the Philippines, affirming the superiority of its mobile internet service and network infrastructure amid intensely competitive environment in the local telecommunications industry.

Based on OpenSignal’s State of LTE report for the third quarter of 2015, Globe Telecom’s LTE download speed is at 10 Mbps, double its competition’s LTE download speed of only 5 Mbps.

Globe Telecom’s LTE download speed is comparable to territories/countries like Hong Kong (Smart Tone), India (Airtel), Norway (Telenor, Network Norway), Portugal (NOS), Indonesia (Indosat), which all registered a 10 Mbps download speed, and even higher than the 8 Mbps download speed in Russia (MTS), Malaysia (DiGi) and even US (AT&T, US Cellular, Sprint, C Spire Wireless).

While Globe Telecom’s download speed of 10 Mbps is considered adequate, its competition’s download speed of 5 Mbps dragged down the Philippines’ average LTE download speed to 8Mbps. OpenSignal specializes in mobile coverage mapping by crowdsourcing signal strength, data speed and reliability. In terms of LTE coverage, that of Globe is also superior at 41% against its competitor’s 36%.

“These findings prove our success in continuously expanding our network capacities amid ever-increasing demand for high-speed mobile internet access as more and more of our customers build their life and work experiences around a digital lifestyle,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications, noting that about a third of the company’s 48.4

million mobile customers are now using smartphones.

As part of the company’s aggressive LTE rollout, the Globe network’s mobile ultra-broadband access in Visayas and Mindanao were expanded, utilizing the LTETDD and LTE-FDD technologies, Agustin said. Currently one of the most relevant mobile network technologies, 4G LTE offers much higher bandwidth, lower latency even as it increases overall network capacity. This allows customers to use more applications on their mobile devices.

Crisanto said the continuing expansion of Globe network capacities is intended to provide its customers with holistic digital experience as the company continues to offer products and services that enhance the Filipino digital lifestyle. “Globe is committed in providing the right infrastructure support to ensure that the data needs of our customers are served, thus strengthening our position as the network of choice for smartphone users in the country. When it comes to mobile internet speed, we believe that the Philippines can compete globally but there is a need to distinguish between mobile and wireline,” she added.

Amid ongoing network expansion, Globe capital expenditure this year is expected to reach $850 million. As of June this year, capex stood at P11.4 billion, bulk of which were allocated for data-related projects that include investments for the company’s broadband network, capacities for wireless data, LTE, domestic and international transmission facilities. A significant portion of the company’s capex for the year were also allotted for its IT infrastructure as Globe continues

Globe beats rivals in speed, coverage G

FGLOBE, 10

THE ECONOMY 7

Matina Enclaves Open House today

MATINA ENCLAVES. A view from the basement parking of the construction for Building 1 of The Residences of Matina Enclaves.

T

HE Matina Eclaves will hold another Open House today at its showroom at the Genesis Building along Ecoland.

Project head Gerald Garces said delectable promo, discounts and freebies are to be given away during the Open House which could go as high as P70,000 for a unit.

Garces also gave an update of the construction of the first two buildings of The Residences. The first one is already sold out and is undergoing vertical progress on its construction while the second

building which will commence construction soon is already 90 percent sold.

Building 1 is currently ongoing preparation for concreting of the Ground Floor and 1st Residential Floor. The target for building top-off is on January 2016 and the projected turnover will be on the last quarter of 2016.

For Building 2, piling is scheduled on November 2016 while the projected turnover is on the third quarter of 2017.

A signature project of homegrown developer Escandor Development Corpora-

NEW SCHOLARS. Davao Light and Power Co. Community Relations Manager Fermin P. Edillon (6th from left, front) hands over the financial support amounting to P25,000.00 to the new college scholars last September 30, 2015 at the

tion, The Matina Enclaves will soon launch the third building of The Residences which will have six buildings when completed.

According to Garces, Building 3 will be a combination of the old Studio unit with 32 square meter, 2-BR with the original 57-sqm and its new offering which is a 2BR with 45-sqm and 3BR with 65-sqm.

Building 3 is also for the expanding market base for 2-BR buyers by introducing 45-sqm units, which offers same quality finish as earlier

models, but having 1-Toilet.

This makes the unit affordable due to smaller area.

“Esdevco has to respond to current public interest on quality affordable condo units.

Making it affordable does not mean compromising the look, quality and livability. While maintaining a sizeable area that can accommodate family living, the current units will still be equipped with the same lifestylish finishes that the earlier models have,” Garces said.

Building 3 is expected to have a turnover date in the mid 2018.

Davao Light Lanang office. This was funded by the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. in support of the First Semester of SY 2015-2016. This covers the students’ tuition fee, book allowance, school uniform and other school related expenses.

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

EDITORIAL Get the hostages safe

T

HE notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) finally claimed responsibility for the abduction of a Filipino woman and three foreign nationals at a resort in the Island Garden City of Samal last month. The bandits showed proof of their crime by releasing a video of the four hostages, with the recording now making the rounds in social media and eliciting grave concern from netizens and the public for this dastardly act.

The video, of course, was still a positive development as it confirmed they are all alive, giving hopes to their families who have been worried about their whereabouts ever since Filipino Marites Flor, Canadians John Ridsdel, and Robert Hall and Norwegian and resort manager Kjartan Sekkingstad were snatched from the Holiday Oceanview Resort on the night of September 21. In the video, the hostages, looking weak and terrified as they were surrounded by several Abu Sayyaf bandits, urged the Philippine government not to launch military

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operations and to stop the artillery attacks in the hinterlands of Jolo, Sulu where they are being held in captivity.

One of the gunmen in the video was holding a piece of paper supposedly containing a prepared statement and was telling the government to heed the call of the hostages so that negotiations for their release can commence. The family of Marites Flor and the governments of the foreign nationals have been in constant communication with the Philippine government regarding the kidnapping for weeks now, but nothing positive has come out from the search and rescue operation that was launched.

Now, that the Abu Sayyaf has finally come forward to admit being behind this latest abduction as the Philippine military has suspected all along, it’s time for government forces to undertake a calibrated and precise operation to run after these criminals – but with the safety of the victims as the primordial consideration.

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I

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

9

Beyond the four walls: Land and conflict

N our Principles of Economics class, we study why peace is important to the economy. We relate the absence of peace to wasting scarce resources such as land (including all natural resources), labor, and capital – the basic factors of production.

Just like what I shared on Facebook a week ago, conflicts in Mindanao are not conflicts borne out of differences in religion as others would depict it. Many conflicts in Mindanao have been caused by land issues.

Incidentally, when our lectures were about “Peace and Order: Basic Need (in an economy)” and “Economics and Land Reform” the news stories on media depicted the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as dead. The story of Lumad killings in Surigao also hogged headlines.

So I found it useful to sprinkle our economics discussion with ounces of history.

Once upon a time, Mindanao, just like other islands in what is now the Philippines, was a vast land occupied by its indigenous peoples. Modern historians from Mindanao now point out some aspects that are made vague in history books taught in elementary and high school (and even in college).

In the 1300s, Arab traders brought Islam to the islands, making way for Islamized IPs who thrived largely in southern Mindanao and the islands like Tawi-tawi, Sulu, and Basilan. In the 1500s, the Spaniards came and spread Christianity in the islands. Because many parts of Mindanao had been Islamized,

A

VANTAGE POINTS

RE you happy? A friend once asked me.

I replied affirmatively. Yes, despite all the struggles in life, the crisis we encounter, and the trials we face every day, we can still smile and laugh. After all, Filipinos are among the happiest peoples in the world.

Happiness can’t be measured by one’s wealth. A vagabond on the street once said, “I’d be happy if only I had five hundred pesos.” A person passing by who heard him handed the vagabond a P500 bill. The man who received it said, “I should have asked for one thousand pesos.”

Yes, it’s not how much you have money in the bank, what kind of car you’re driving, or the house you are now living. Jane Canfield reminds, “The happiest people are rarely the richest, or the most beautiful, or even the most talented.

Happy people do not depend on excitement and ‘fun’ supplied by externals. They enjoy the fundamental, often very simple, things of life.

They waste no time thinking other pastures are greener; they do not yearn for yesterday or tomorrow. They savor the moment, glad to be alive, enjoying their work, their families, and the good things around them.”

Live simply. That’s the first rule of happiness.

Life is getting complicated these days. Before we only use telephones. Now, we have cellular phones which we can carry anywhere and with so many things you can do. Before, we only had cameras that take pictures; now we have cameras that will not only take photos but take videos as well. In the past, I only used typewriters to write my articles; now I am using computer which can accomplish almost anything – from editing to checking wrong spellings.

Christianity spread widely in Luzon, the Visayas and in Mindanao, only in the northern and eastern parts, where indigenous peoples had not converted to being Muslims.

I have to mention this to some students who are confused about the conflicts around them. There are those who do not have any idea what the BBL is trying to address and who care less if it is “dead” in Congress.

I remember Prof. Rudy “Ompong” Rodil, whose many lectures I have had the opportunity to listen to. He showed how Manila-centered and colonial-backed Philippine governments imposed policies that marinated the viand of conflict in Mindanao.

Ompong, who was in Bukidnon State University in 2008 to explain about the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), showed how policies like Public Land Act 926, passed on October 7, 1903 and Public Land Act of 1919 displaced both Islamized and non-Islamized indigenous peoples from their ancestral domains.

The first law declared all unregistered land tracts as public domain and open for homestead and the second appropriated a maximum of 10 hectares in homestead lots for “Muslim Filipinos” and “wild tribes”, and 24 hectares for “non-Muslim Filipinos”. “Non-Muslim Fili-

pinos” included migrants from Luzon and the Visayas but not indigenous peoples.

Here is a profile of the “resettlement policy” in the country by then: In 1903, the public land law dictated that a homesteader from Luzon and the Visayas may own 16 hectares of land. There was no provision for “Moros and the wild tribes”. On the other hand, corporations, like pineapple plantations were allowed 1,024 hectares.

In 1919, there was already a provision of 10 hectares for “Moros and wild tribes”. But the allotment for homesteaders was also increased from 16 hectares to 24 hectares. Corporations remained high and mighty at 1,024 hectares (remember this was the American period and the pineapple plantations were owned by Americans.)

In 1936, the provision for homesteaders was reduced back to the original 16 hectares. Likewise, provision for “Moros and Wild Tribes” was reduced to four hectares. In economics parlance, the allotment for corporations “was held constant” or ceteris paribus.

Policies like these cause major turbulence in the peace situation.

Some historians refer to the policy of sponsoring the migration to Mindanao of landless families from Luzon and the Visayas as formula for conflict.

The settlers came with official titles to parcels of land. Conflict erupted almost immediately between settlers who claimed their new legal rights and Islamized and non-Islamized

indigenous peoples who resisted such “legal rights”. The former were keen on titles as proof of “ownership”. The latter considered their long-time occupation and stewardship of land from their ancestors as their proof.

“So now, what?” one student asked. “Are we going to send back the settlers to where they came from?” I directed the question to the class. Half of them came from settler ancestors, the other half, Lumad of Bukidnon. The answer was either “no need” or “we don’t agree.”

Most people who have studied Mindanao history, including its conflicts, may find this information outdated and probably, an old issue that is being recycled.

But for the youth, including my students in the university, this could mean a lot, this could change a lot.

Peace is a basic need. In fact, it is a major factor of production. Even if business has land, labor and capital, there can never be sustained productivity if there is no peace. No economy grows “well” if peace remains elusive.

In class, we agreed that the preferred course of action is to be able to understand history, accept these circumstances as reality, and live and aspire for a Mindanao based on these realities.

This reality requires that we can talk about how we can co-exist and move on.

(MindaNews contributor Walter I. Balane teaches journalism and economics and manages the university radio station of Bukidnon State University.)

A lot of people I know are THINK ON THESE! not happy because they make their lives miserable by joining the bandwagon of modern living. They hoard many things that they don’t actually need.

Henrylito D. Tacio The trouble is, henrytacio@gmail.com they don’t have enough means to pay for their whims. “Live simply, so others may simply live,” someone once said.

Living simply is a philosophy of life. In his book, Voluntary Simplicity, Duane Elgin wrote: “To live simply is to unburden our lives — to live more lightly, cleanly, aerodynamically. It is to establish a more direct, unpretentious and unencumbered relationship with all aspects of our lives: the things we consume, the work we do, our relationships with others, our connections with nature and the cosmos.”

The next rule: Serve others. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” said Mahatma Gandhi. Wilfred Greenfell added, “The service we render for others is really the rent we pay for our room on this earth.”

You might think you cannot serve others because you are not famous, you are not mighty, or you are poor. But it’s not all about your status in life that matters but the capacity to serve others. Someone once asked a famous conductor

which orchestral instrument he considered the most difficult to play.

The conductor thought a moment and answered, “Second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists. But to find one who can play second fiddle with enthusiasm – that’s a problem. And if we have no second fiddles, we have no harmony!” You may a second rate personality, but you are still important in the cast.

Og Mandino, the author of The Greatest Salesman in the World, points out: “Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.”

Nathan C. Scheaffer asks: “At the close of life, the question will be not, How much have you got? How much have you given? not How much have you won? but How much have you done? not How much have you saved? but How much have you sacrificed? it will be How much have you loved and served, not How much were you honored?”

And you cannot serve others if you don’t share your treasure, talent or time. So when you leave this world, what will people think of you? An e-mail sent to me by a friend has this answer: “What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone. What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave?”

The third rule for happiness: Trust God. American President Abraham Lincoln once admitted: “That the Almighty does make use of human agencies and directly intervenes in human affairs is one of the plainest statements in the Bible. I have had so many evidences of His direction, so many instances when I have been controlled by some other power than my own will, that I cannot doubt that this power comes from above.”

If you are looking for happiness, why not ask from Him? The Bible promises, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).

Our personal relationship with God must be right, or all else comes to naught. “When we leave God out of our reckoning, difficulties will daunt us, temptations will triumph over us, sin will seduce us, self will sway us, the world will warp us, seeming impossibilities will irritate us, unbelief will undermine our faith, fear will frighten us, and all things will bear a somber hue,” F. E. Marsh reminds.

“But when God is recognized as the One who undertakes for us, then difficulties are opportunities to trust Him, temptations are the harbingers of victory, sin has no attraction, self is denied, unbelief is ignored, service is a delight, contentment sings in the heart, and all things are possible,” he adds.

These are my three rules for happiness.

Live simply. Serve others. Trust God. Happiness comes not from having much to live on but having much to live for.

COMMENTARY

BY WALTER I. BALANE

Three rules for happiness

10 NEWS BALD... FROM 1

Yesterday morning, Sara posted another photo of her face with her hair was being shaven off.

This time, she wrote: “Nagpa upaw na lang ko samtang naghulat (I had my head shaved while waiting).”

She posted the hashtags #Duterte2016 #kalboparasapagbabago #NohairWecare “Bisan walay kwarta, bisan way makinarya, bisan mapildi #justDUit (Even with no money, even with no machinery, even if we lose, just do it),” she added.

Mayor Duterte has been saying that one of the reasons for his decision not to run for president is his family’s opposition, particularly Sara’s.

In his press conference

last Monday in which he announced again his decision not to run, Duterte read aloud a letter Sara had sent him discouraging him from running.

“Do not run for president.

You do not owe anybody anything,” Sara said in her letter.

Duterte said Sara told him he has already done everything for public service and does not need prove himself anymore.

Sara’s posts yesterday apparently showed a change of heart on her part.

Duterte’s spokesperson, former Davao City councilor Peter Laviña, said Sara’s post was “great news from the family This partly answer many people’s prayer.”

were arrested in an entrapment operation right at their residence in Punta Dumalag, Matina, Davao City on April 10.

“It is unlikely that a criminal will agree to receive ransom money in their own doorstep,” Castaños argued.

Malih, a resident of Wellspring Village, Catalunan Pequeño, was snatched by unidentified men in Barangay Ula, Tugbok District, Davao City last April 7.

Balbir, Onas and the Onen brothers were arrested by police authorities on April 10, or three days after the incident.

The group earlier demanded for a Php20-million

ransom and negotiations on until the ransom was reduced to just Php200,000 but no payoff happened.

The authorities had received information that the victim will be transported from Barangay Datu Salumay in Marilog District to the city proper.

Acting on the information, the Task Force Davao immediately set up a checkpoint in Barangay Lacson, Calinan District and intercepted the victim on board a passenger bus.

Police then conducted a manhunt that resulted to the arrest of the four suspects.

(PNA)

Create a Police Youth Reserve Corps to help in peace and order and disaster response; Establish and support community colleges supported by the national government offering courses attuned to the needs of communities where they are located and subsidies for the National Government; Establish community airports in support of tourism; Create a Philippine Urban Development Commission that will work closely with LGUs to promote the concept of planned cities that will prevent the problems experienced in Metropolitan Manila from happening elsewhere; Propose that the national government allocate funds to a Community Rehabilitation/ Recovery Trust Fund for LGUs. Propose the setting up of a well-planned system for rehabilitating communities adversely affected by natural and man-made disasters, with

the assistance of the private sector, thru appropriate tax incentives; Propose the practice of responsible mining coupled with assured revenues for host communities to be used for community development projects; Propose that tax holidays be given to environment-friendly companies and enterprises as incentives; Propose that children in school automatically becomedirect beneficiaries of PhilHealth and educational health insurance as an effective way of investing in their future and in the future of our country; Propose women’s statutory right to wellness and health facilities for their children; Tolentino was credited for upgrading the salary grade of MMDA employees upgrades, increasing Christmas bonuses, housing and scholarship for permanent employees, and other benefits. (PNA)

five-year agreement to adopt an additional hectare each and turned-over their donation to DCWD for the first year.

These are the Davao International Airport Cooperative represented by its chairman Albin M. Durano, general manager Rossel F. Antonihao, and bookkeeper Leah B. Delmoro, and the Manuel Guianga and Sirib Growers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative represented by CEO Agripino L. Flores.

EWPD manager Engr.

Anthony D. Miranda signed on behalf of the water utility.

DCWD also received the donations from the Toril Community Cooperative and JC Workers Employees Cooperative, both active adopters.

Witnessing the signing of agreements and turn-over of pledges was Davao City councilor April Marie C. Dayap, chairperson of the Committee on Cooperative Development and People’s Participation and cooperative officers. (Jamae G. Dela Cruz)

RTC... FROM 3

Former... FROM 4

DCWD... FROM 13

EDGEDAVAO

Rody... FROM 2

and even dismayed some of his closest friends and supporters who were expecting him to finally make the declaration.

A twist happened yesterday morning, however, when Sara posted a photo of herself

on Instagram with her head shaven, with hashtags that seemed to indicate she had changed her mind and is now supporting her father’s bid for the presidency. (See related story.)

riod for filing from October 12 to 16.

Duterte also did not say who the party will endorse for vice mayor but added he could still endorse his son, in-

cumbent Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte.

He has been urging his daughter Sara to run for mayor, a position she held from 2010 to 2013.

the implementation of the climate change advocacy, by mainstreaming the CCA in the disaster risk reduction and management.

“The new laws will add up to give more teeth to the existing laws and will give impact more to the implementation and enforcement,” he said.

Professor Esteban Godilano, resident scientist of the Climate Change Congress of the Philippines projected grim scenario of the city in the event of a strong flash flood given its location being on a flood plain.

Reckoning the existing hazard map, he said the city remains under the threat of flashflood in the event a strong downpour occurs on the highlands of Bukidnon and its boundary with Davao

City.

An interfaith dialogue on Climate Change was held here to rally religious leaders to support the government’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution target of seventy percent reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions in the country by 2030.

First convened in 2010, the IFD had conducted 10 regional dialogues and three national conferences nationwide. It is convened by the Climate Change Commission, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Council for Evangelical Churches, Climate Change Congress of the Philippines and the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

former ally, Sultan sa Barongis Mayor Alidatu Angas, is seeking reelection.

Sajid Islam Ampatuan, son of former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and among the suspects in the massacre, has filed his candidacy for mayor of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

He is temporarily out on

bail after posting P11-million bail bond.

Esmael Lidasan, Sultan sa Barongis election officer, has appealed to all candidates to contribute in making next year’s election as peaceful as ever by simply obeying election policies and never engage in guns, gold and goons type of political campaign.

humbly serve our people better in the Senate. The Filipino family and the people will be my party,” Zubiri said.

“As a non-partisan, I hope to serve the country freely and without conditions -without being weighed down by having to perform any obligations to a political party or faction,” he added.

Zubiri previously served as a senator for four years and as congressman for three consecutive terms representing the third district of Bukidnon.

Zubiri’s father, Jose Jr., is the incumbent governor of Bukidnon. His older brother, Jose III, is an independent congressman.

to create platform for new products as well as to build on its IT transmission initiatives.

The OpenSignal data is collected from real consumer smartphones and is recorded under conditions of normal usage. Rather than approximate the user experience, it is directly measured from the users of OpenSignal smartphone application, which can be freely downloaded on both iOS and Android devices, and thus it is able to constantly monitor the true network experience that users are getting on those devices.

Through the app, OpenSignal is able to observe the network exactly as the end

user experiences it. Such customer-centric approach allows OpenSignal to measure the true end-to-end experience of the mobile network. It isolated the networks in the Philippines by extracting all those points sent with network IDs corresponding to the brands operational there and then perform a geographical query to isolate only those data points that have been captured within the region. The different brands have been identified by investigating the network names associated with the SIM in the reporting device and the network which is serving the device.

5 reelectionist... FROM 2 City... FROM 3

Maguindanao... FROM 4

Zubiri... FROM 4

Globe... FROM 7

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

Anakbayan... FROM 2 someone who settles for empty rhetoric but has matched his talk with action,” said Crisostomo who cited the mayor’s repeated calls for the resumption of the GPH-NDFP peace talks, his condemnation of military harassment and killing of lumad leaders as well as his role in the release of various prisoners of wars in Mindanao.

He said Duterte, with youth organizations can push for a “people’s agenda” for

2016 which includes fighting for free education at all levels, genuine agrarian reform, living wage and employment for all, defence of national sovereignty, basic social services, peace based on justice, and the rights of marginalized sectors.

“Duterte can also help boost the candidacy of Makabayan senatorial bet Neri Colmenares and significantly increase the representatives of progressive partylists in congress,” he said.

one also holding a big knife.

The foreigners spoke on the video appealing to the military to stop the operations against the kidnappers.

One of the gunmen also spoke, in English, reiterating their demand.

Authorities maintain that they have not determined the group behind the kidnapping

nor do they know the whereabouts of the victims.

Army’s 602nd Brigade spokesperson Captain Antonio Bulao was quoted as saying that their operations in Jolo last October 8 was against Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron, who is in the US government’s terrorists list.

(PNA)

Operations... FROM 3

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

Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a TOURIST CAR TRANSPORT SERVICE Case No.2015-XI-00920 RONALD C. GO, Petitioner

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

NOTICE OF HEARING Applicant requests authority for a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a TOURIST CAR TRANSPORT Service for the transportation of passengers and freight on the route. WITHIN DAVAO CITY AND FROM SAID PLACE TO ANY POINT IN THE ISLAND OF MINDANAO ACCESSIBLE TO MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC AND VICE VERSA with the use of FIVE (5) units.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on OCTOBER 27, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at this office at the above address.

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

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

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

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

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

Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a TH FREIGHT TRUCK Service Case No.2015-XI-00906 ARNOLD D. NAVALES, Petitioner

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

NOTICE OF HEARING Applicant requests authority for a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a TH FREIGHT TRUCK SERVICES for the transportation of freight on the route. WITHIN DAVAO CITY AND FROM SAID PLACE TO ANY POINT IN THE ISLAND OF MINDANAO ACCESSIBLE TO MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC AND VICE VERSA with the use of ONE (01) unit.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on OCTOBER 28, 2015 at 09:40 a.m. at this office at the above address.

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

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

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 2nd day of October 2015 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

11 AGRITRENDS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

Pili nut: A potential dollar earner Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

I

F there’s another tree in the Philippines that should be named as a national symbol, it should be the pili nut. If waling-waling – a native of the Mount Apo forests – has been elevated as the country’s second flower icon (after sampaguita), pili nut should get the distinction, too.

After all, half of the word “Pilipinas” is “pili.” Besides, pili nut (scientific name: Canarium ovatum) is native to the Philippines. Although it is grown heavily in Bicol, pili can be grown anywhere in the country. However, they abound most in Southern Tagalog, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Southern Mindanao, and Caraga.

“Pili nut is one economically important tree that deserves attention not only from the government officials but also from farmers,” says Roy C. Alimoane, the director of the Davao-based Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc. “Although it is native to our country, there is still no commercial planting of the crop.”

In some Asian countries, pili nuts are also grown but mostly as ornamental. Despite the fact that it has no pili nuts plantation to speak of, the Philippines is the only country that produces and processes pili nuts commercially. “As such, pili nut has the possibility of becoming a major dollar earner and source of income for our farmers,” Alimoane points out.

“Pili nuts possess the characteristics to become among our country’s most valuable export commodity.

Categorically, they can compete with cashew, almond, and macadamia in terms of texture, taste, and extracted micronutrient yield,” said a study conducted by a team of biotechnologists, who urged the current administration to

Pili nuts

support the pili industry.

In 1977, the country reportedly exported some 3.8 tons of pili preparation to Guam and Australia. Before World War II, pili nuts were exported to Hawaii, Germany, France, Great Britain, and Japan, according to the Plant Industry Digest published in 1970.

Today, however, the largest buyers of pili nuts are in Hong Kong and Taiwan, where the kernel is used as one of the major ingredients in one type of the famous Chinese festive desserts known as the “moon cake.”

“The current status of the pili is equivalent to that of the macadamia some 30 years ago,” says Richard A. Hamilton, a macadamia breeder at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. “It has great potential to develop into a major industry.” (The expensive macadamia nuts are in demand in Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Austria.)

Pili trees are attractive symmetrically shaped evergreens, averaging 20 meters tall with resinous wood and resistance to strong wind.

It prefers deep, fertile, welldrained soil, warm temperatures, and well-distributed rainfall.

The immediate concern in pili production is the difficulty of propagation. Refrigeration of seeds at 4°C to 13°C resulted in loss of viability after 5 days. Seed germination is highly recalcitrant, reduced from 98-19 percent after 12 weeks of storage at room temperature; seeds stored for more than 137 days do not germinate.

According to experts, asexual propagations using marcotting, budding, and grafting are too inconsistent to be used in commercial production. Young shoots of pili were believed to have functional internal phloems, which rendered bark ringing ineffective as a way of build-

ing up carbohydrate levels in the wood.

There are three pili cultivars grown in the Philippines: “katutubo,” “mayon” and “oas.” Most of the production in the Philippines are from trees that developed from seedlings and are highly variable in kernel qualities and production. Harvesting is from May to October, peaking in June to August, and requires several pickings.

Most pili kernels tend to stick to the shell when fresh, but come off easily after being dried to 3-5 percent moisture. Properly dried shelled nuts can be stored in the shade for one year without deterioration of quality.

The kernel is the most important product from pili. When raw, it resembles the flavor of roasted pumpkin seed; when roasted, its mild, nutty flavor and tender-crispy texture is superior to that of the almond. In early days, emulsion from crushed kernels were used by the natives as substitute for infant’s milk.

Nutritionists claim the kernel is high in calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.

In addition, pili nut is rich in fats and protein. Scientists from the University of Guelph in Canada reported that proteins in pili are as important as the proteins found in commercially important oilseeds.

“I love its tender-crisp texture, the smooth exterior, the subtle sweet flavor,” commented one consumer. “It has the highest oil content among all edible nuts and that’s what probably accounts for the soft yet crunchy feel.”

The young shoots and the fruit pulp are also edible.

The shoots are used in salads, and the pulp is eaten after it is boiled and seasoned. When boiled, the pili pulp resembles sweet potato in texture but oily (about 12%). It is considered to have food value similar to avocado.

Pili nuts for sale Among the entire world’s nut, pili reigns supreme in oil content – over 70 percent.

The pulp oil – highly prized for its lanoline content – can be extracted and used for cooking or as a substitute for cottonseed oil in the manufacture of soap and edible products.

“Chemical and nutritional analyses of pili pulp oil are very similar to olive oil,” the Department of Science and Technology reported. “However, pili pulp oil has more beta-carotene, a known vitamin A source, and carotenoids, which makes it more nutritious than olive oil.”

It’s no wonder why in Bicol and other parts of the country, the pili pulp oil is used in treating skin diseases such as scabies and de-worming capability for livestock such as pigs and chicken.

There are several other uses. The stony shells are excellent as fuel or as porous, inert growth medium for orchids and anthurium. The sap of the trunk is a valued ingredient for perfume-making and the wood itself, after the fruit-bearing life of the tree, is good for making furniture.

Growing pili nut is economically feasible. A three hundred hectare pili farm with 60,000 sixty thousand pili trees was established in

Negros Occidental by the ECJ and Sons Agricultural Enterprises. They started planting seedlings in 1992. By 1996, they realized that almost half of the population they planted were male. On the same year, they started grafting the male trees with scions from trees selected from the 20 or so thousand trees that were already producing fruits.

Since then, the company has been processing pili into several products and also selling raw nuts to processors.

Pili nuts for sale

12 CLASSIFIED

EDGEDAVAO

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

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

DCWD takes part in Cooperative Month D

AVAO City Water District (DCWD) participated in the Cooperative Month celebration last October 3 at Matina Town Square by presenting the updates of the Adopt-a-Site project to its partner cooperatives.

Presenter was water-

shed management chief Engr.

Lorna M. Maxino of the Environment and Watershed Protection Division (EWPD), the implementing arm of DCWD’s Adopt-a-Site project.

She said through the Adopt-a-Site project, various groups are able to take part

Davao City cooperatives continue support to DCWD’s Adopt-a-Site project.

Environment and Watershed Protection Division manager Engr. Anthony D. Miranda (fourth from left) receives the monetary donation from the cooper-

in the rehabilitation of Mt. Talomo-Lipadas Watershed through their annual donation of P6,000 for five years for every hectare of land adopted.

Many cooperatives have been supporting this project hence every year, and DCWD takes the Cooperative Month

celebration as an opportunity to keep the cooperative part- NGCP’s System Operations-National Control Center serves as the nerve center ners abreast of the develop- of power grid operations in the Philippines. ments.

In the same event, two cooperatives that have recently completed their five-year commitment signed another

FDCWD, 10

NGCP showcases National Control Center at ASEAN training program

T

HE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) shared its best practices in real time power system operations and dispatching when it hosted a technical tour of its state-of-the-art System Operations - National Control Center for the ASEAN region’s top engineers and industry experts on 9 October 2015.

Participants from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand were in Manila with their Filipino counterparts from September 28 to October 9, 2015 to attend the ASEAN Residential School in Electric Power Engineering (ARSEPE) – an annual two-week program of the Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities Association (HAPUA) Working Group No. 5 (Human Resources).

The program, with the theme “Turbocharging the Electric Power Distribution Sector Beyond the ASEAN Power Grid,” ative adopters with councilor April Marie C. Dayap, chairperson of the Com- provided an overview of the mittee on Cooperative Development and People’s Participation (second from existing and emerging technologies of the energy and power right) witnessing the turnover.

industry in the Philippines and promoted the exchange of best practices among the member utilities.

Highlighting the training program was the visit of local and foreign delegates to NGCP’s National Control Center which serves as the nerve center of power grid operations for the entire country. This is where monitoring and controlling the operations of the grid and balancing of power supply and demand are done.

NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets.

Apart from organizing the guided technical tour of the National Control Center, NGCP also hosted the closing ceremonies of the ARSEPE training program.

14 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.88ISSUE ISSUE141 141••THURSDAY, THURSDAY,OCTOBER OCTOBER15, 15,2015 2015

OLYMPIC DREAM IS ALIVE PBA bares 17-man pool for Rio Qualifiers T

HE PBA on Wednesday announced the 17-player pool of the Philippine national men’s basketball team in its campaign in the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year.

Part of the list are reigning back-to-back MVP June Mar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter of San Miguel Beer; Greg

Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel; Paul Lee, Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine; Jayson Castro, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Troy Rosario, Ranidel De Ocampo and Ryan Reyes of Talk ‘N Text; Marc Pingris and Ian Sangalang of Star; Calvin Abueva of Alaska

GILAS 3. The PBA has cleared its schedule for the national team to play in the Olympic qualifiers.

and Terrence Romeo of GlobalPort.

The list was released after the PBA Board of Governors held a special meeting to discuss the league’s involvement with the national team that is hoping to keep its Olympic dream alive in next year’s wildcard qualifier.

Meantime, the PBA

on Wednesday agreed to make changes to its calendar to accommodate the Philippine national men’s basketball team in its quest to bring the country back to Olympics.

The league announced that its season-ending conference, the Governors’ Cup, will be moved after the conclusion of the 2016 FIBA World Olympic

IS HE GOING TO PLAY? Junmar Fajardo has been named to the pool.

Qualifying Tournament that is slated from July 5 to July 11 next year.

The tournament, where Gilas Pilipinas and fellow runners-up from different continents have qualified, offers three tickets to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The PBA also said that the players included in the 17-man Gilas Pilipinas

pool will be allowed to attend national team practices once a week starting this November.

Gilas Pilipinas fell short of clinching an outright berth in the Olympics after settling for silver in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

The Filipinos haven’t reached the Olympic basketball stage since 1972.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 141 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15

6 teams in Mandaya Cup hoopfest F

OUR collegiate teams and two high school squads will battle it out for supremacy in the Royal Mandaya Hotel Cup basketball tournament set to start on Saturday at the Genesis Gym in Ecoland.

Collegiate Division 2 varsity teams Philippine Women’s College, University of the Immaculate Conception, San Pedro College, and Holy Cross

of Davao College will battle with the top two high school varsity squads in Assumption College of Davao and Ateneo de Davao University.

The tournament, sanctioned by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas Region 11 under regional director Regino “Boy” Cua, will fire off at 9:30 a.m. after a brief opening ceremonies.

“This is going to be a good

venue for our local players to enhance their God-given talents in preparation for future national tournaments,” said TRMH president Glenn Escandor who is also the city’s sports consultant.

Ateneo and Assumption are two of the top high school squads in the city today and should not see any problem competing with the Division 2 collegiate teams.

ipinas in the final, Zhou scored 16 points and 14 points and proved to be difficult to beat inside t h e paint in China’s title-clinching 78-67 win.

On its outlook on Zhou, draftexpress wrote: “One of the most talented international prospects in the 1996 class. Extremely gifted 7-footer with tremendous versatility and an advanced offensive game for his age. Shows good timing defensively. Very productive at the junior level.

“Mental makeup is a bit of a question mark.

Doesn’t show great passion for the game.

Sometimes looks like he’s playing because he’s tall and talented, not because he enjoys it. Still extremely young both age-wise and physically, so has plenty of time to continue to develop.”

Apart from Zhou, China’s Wang Zhelin also ranked 99th on the list.

Chinese teener now an NBA prospect C

RIVALRY. Assumption College of Davao and Ateneo led by Francis Gabriel Escandor (18) will renew their rivalry in the 2015 Mandaya Cup. Lean Daval Jr.

Tin 24 tops CMO in Game 3 T EAM Tin 24 defeated City Mayors Office, 96 – 75, in Game 3 of their best of five semi-final series to move one win away to the finals of the DENR RD Cup on Tuesday night at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. Team Tin 24 broke away from a tight game in the second half behind the timely shots of Jan Lumogda to

take a 2-1 series lead.

Lumogda, the reigning AFP-PNP hoopfest MVP, finished the game with 24 points for Team Tin 24 which got enough support from its supporting cast.

Christopher Jatico chipped in 14 points as Robert Namuag provided 10 for the Ondo Conda mentored squad.

Christopher “Bong” Go and Weng Farochillen paced

the City Hall dribblers with 13 points each. Bob Ilanga and JR De Guzman also had double digit scoring in the losing cause with 12 apiece.

Team Tin 24 tries to close out the series in Game 4 as of press time and arrange a titular showdown with Goldstar Hardware.

For its part, CMO will not leave any stone unturned to force a rubber match Game 5.

LBERT Pagara, the younger of the fighting Pagara brothers, is eager to impress fans with a win in his US debut against one-time world title contender William Gonzalez in the main featured bout of ALA Promotions’ first US event, Pinoy Pride 33 - “Philippines vs. the World”, at the StubHub Cen-

ter in Carson, California on Oct. 17.

“I’m in great condition.

Yes, I’m very excited. My opponent is also good. I should not take any chances because he is tough. I will show my best performance above the ring,” Pagara said.

Pagara, 21, was very impressive in his first international contest, knocking out

Jesus Rios in just a single round at the World Trade Center in Dubai last August.

“Somebody is going down in this fight. But I will leave talking inside the ring,” said Albert Pagara, who has stopped five of his last six opponents.

Albert is 24-0 with 17 knockouts, while Gonzalez is 27-5 with 23 knockouts.

HINESE player Zhou Qi ranked 14th on the 2016 NBA mock draft list, according to the US basketball site draftexpress on Tuesday.

Zhou played a key frontcourt role for the Chinese team that won the FIBA Asia Championship title against Gilas Pilipinas. As the new starting center, he produced outstanding performances and earned the best center title of the tournament.

“He will have a great career,” said China head coach Gong Luming. “Everybody knows his talent, potential and the ability to handle pressure.”

The 19-year-old Zhou, who averaged 9.9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks in the Asian championship, is also rated first among the international basketball players born after 1996.

He is a teammate of Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Andray Blatche at Chinese club Xinjiang Flying Tigers.

Against Gilas Pil-

Younger Pagara eager to impress fans A

Albert’s older sibling, Jason (36-2, 22 KOs), is also seeing action in the show against veteran Santos Benavides (27-5-2, 19 KOs).

Another highly-touted prospect Mark Magsayo (11-0, 9 KOs) is also slated in the undercard against undefeated Mexican Yardley Suarez (13-0, 8 KOs).

(PNA)

Zhou Qi played a key frontcourt role for the Chinese team that won the FIBA Asia Championship title against Gilas Pilipinas. FIBA Asia photo

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