Edge Davao 7 Issue 18

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte delivers his Birthday message for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and those present during the National Children’s Day Celebration at the Jose Maria College Compound last week. Quiboloy for the last ten years has been celebrating his birthday by turning the JMC Compound into a playground and providing food and gifts to the less fortunate children. (City Information Office)

‘IF IT’S GOD’S WILL, I WILL HUMBLY OBEY’

Rody opens up on condition for him to run for President

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte gave assurance that if it is God’s will for him to run for President, he will “humbly obey.”

Speaking before the congregation of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ which gathered in Davao City April 25 to celebrate the 64th birthday of its leader, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, Duterte said he believes the Presidency is a mission from

God. “I have never coveted the Presidency even up to this day but people are saying that I should run for President. That is not for me to decide. It is something which comes from God,” he said.

Quiboloy, who had been a friend of Mayor Duterte since the day he put up a small chapel near the Davao City Airport to start his religious congregation King of Jesus

Christ which now has millions of members worldwide, exhorted Duterte during his address to the thousands who celebrated his birthday to “listen to the voices of the people.”

“You cannot turn your back on the people. You have to remember that the voice of the people is the voice of God,” Quiboloy told Duterte.

Duterte, who last year flatly rejected the

idea of even considering the Presidency, is ranked third in a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey which asked people who they preferred to become the next President of the Philippines.

While he has been moving around the country over the last few months, Duterte said he is only advocating a shift from the Unitary Presidential form of government to a Federal Parliamenta-

ry which would lead to the creation of at least 12 highly autonomous Federal States all over the country.

Duterte has maintained that the Federal System would result in the establishment of a Bangsamoro Federal State, considered both an excellent option and an alternative to the beleaguered Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which is expected to be spurned by Congress and the Senate.

INSIDE EDGE

Sports P16

REVEALING THE PALARO TORCH MYSTERY

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ The Name Above Every Name cuts the cake to celebrate his 64th birthday on April 25 as Mayor Rodrigo Duterte looks on. Quiboloy urged Duterte to “listen to the voices of the people” who are calling on him to run for president in 2016. Lean Daval Jr.

DCWD pipe bridge suffers further delay Contractor to be penalized daily until completion

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

ABAWENYOS suffering from low water pressure will have to suffer some more as the Davao City Water District (DCWD) yesterday said the contractor of the pipe bridge in Bankerohan was not able to beat its extended deadline yesterday.

In an interview yesterday, DCWD spokesperson Bernardo D. Delima told Edge Davao that the project has suffered further delays due to the same problem of congestion at the Port of Manila from where the

pipes would be delivered to Davao City.

Delima said the project supposed to be completed yesterday (April 27) after the consortium of RD Policarpio & Co., Inc., Allado Construction Co., Inc., and TGV Builders, Inc. asked DCWD for a 29-day extension after missing the first completion date of March 28.

He said DCWD will now impose on the consortium a penalty of 1/10 of 1 percent per day of the unfinished work item. He did not give

the amount, however.

Delima said the contractors already know the consequence since a penalty clause is stipulated in the contract.

“Wala nahuman ang fabrication sa steel pipes kay ang raw materials lagi kay gikan pa sa Manila (The fabrication of the steel pipes was not finished because the raw materials have to come from Manila),” he said.

Delima said the contractors were not able to fabricate the steel pipes in time

interview.

The mayor said that a day earlier, on Friday, April 24, in the adjacent village of Campo Dos, also in Barangay Park Area, two minors were killed by suspected cattle rustlers. He said a witness testified having seen a boy who was hacked to death in a remote part of the village. Near the area, a girl was also found dead. The witness reportedly saw the bonnet-wearing suspect fleeing toward Sitio Magampong.

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due to the delay on the delivery of the raw materials.

“Kung delay ang pag-deliver, delay pud ang fabrication. Naa man jud nay ripple effect (If the delivery is delayed, the fabrication will also delayed. There is a ripple effect),” he said.

Unfortunately, there is no target date for the completion of the project. Delima said the materials have arrived but could not say when the fabrication will be completed.

“That is an internal matter within the contractors,”

he said.

“Wala pa nagsubmit ang contractor ug revised timetable. Pero ila nang paspasan because of the penalty per day (The contractor has not submitted a revised timetable. But it will work faster now because of the penalty per day),” Delima said.

He said the project is already 70 percent complete, with only the steel pipe needing to be installed.

“Ongoing pa ang fabrication (The fabrication is still ongoing),” he said.

The original schedule of the project completion was March 28 “under normal conditions” which meant no floods or other calamities.

Port congestion, however, was apparently not anticipated.

The mainline pipe that supplied water from the Dumoy pumps to the downtown area up to Sasa area was broken in December 2012. The pipe was replaced with two smaller ones with a diameter of .725 meter.

dum of Understanding (MOU) between the city government and UPMin. “To the squatters there in UP ground, go.

Don’t wait for me. I may decide to help you financially, but show me good faith,” Duterte said.

The mayor said the settlers in UPMin have already shown “bad faith” by building hous-

es in the area knowing very well that they do not own the land.

“There is a law, there is a restriction there, follow it. Pag sinabi what is the rule, follow the rule.

Yun lang naman common sense lang lahat,” he said.

In last week’s regular session, the councilors approved item 1151

titled “An ordinance authorizing Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be entered by the City Government of Davao and the University of the Philippines, relative to the intention of both parties to establish as sports complex at the latter’s campus.”

7 killed, 7 wounded Duterte mulls giving aid to UPMin settlers in Wao village attacks By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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HE mayor of Wao in Lanao del Sur has called for sobriety to prevent the escalation of violence that left seven residents dead and seven others injured over the weekend.

Five persons, two of them pregnant, were killed and seven others were wounded in an early morning attack Saturday by still unidentified armed men in the remote village of Magamong, Barangay Park Area, Mayor Elvino Balicao Jr told MindaNews in a telephone

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AYOR Rodrigo Duterte said he might give financial assistance to the settlers at the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) campus if they just vacate the area without any trouble.

This after the mayor lauded the City Council after it approved the signing of a Memoran-

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

City workers get P20K incentive

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. and CHENEEN R. CAPON

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EGULAR employees of the Davao City Government can now get the P20,000 Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) incentive as Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte approved the guidelines of the grant.

In yesterday’s flag raising ceremony at Quezon Park, city administrator Jesus Melchor Quitain announced to the city employees that Duterte signed last Saturday the resolution approving the guidelines on granting the signing bonus to all officials and employees.

“In the last three Mondays, I told you that we cannot release the incentive to all of you (employees) unless this resolution comes out because this is the last document that must in place before the release,” Quitain said.

He said the city was prompted to formulate a guideline due to some problem that occurred in a local government unit (LGU) in Cotabato which was forced to make the employees return the money because it released the signing bonus without a guideline.

“If you just imagine that if we are going to release the money to you without this resolution you will be required to refund and we do not like it to happen,” he said.

Quitain said the signing bonus was made possible by

the efforts of the employees who accomplished their targets at a lower cost.

Quitain also explained to the employees that the reason the job orders and contractual employees are not included in the CNA incentive is the guideline from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) limiting the grant to plantilla (regular) employees.

Earlier, Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) head Erwin Alapraque said the incentive is part of the agreement between the City Government and Davao City Hall Employees Association (DACHEA) inked in 2014 which gives a P25,000 incentive to the regular employees of the city.

Alparaque said that in 2014, the city released the initial P5,000 to the more than 2,600 plantilla employees of the city.

He said the funds of the CNA incentive will be drawn from the savings from the Maintenance Operating and Other Expenses (MOOE) of the city.

In a separate interview, assistant city administrator Dwight Tristan P. Domingo said around 2,700 employees are entitled to the incentive.

He also said these employees have until Wednesday to get their bonus.

“More or less 2,689 City

SIGNING BONUS. City administrator Melchor Quitain announces after yesterday’s flag ceremony that city government regular employees can now get their P20,000 signing bonus after Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte signed the resolution for the guidelines of the collective negotiation agreement for incentive. Lean Daval Jr. Hall employees holding plantilla position will receive the signing bonus depending on the length of service,” Domingo said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Annex yesterday.

Based on the Resolution No. 01 series of 2015, signed by City Administrator Melchor Quitain and DACHEA labor negotiation panel president James A. Zimmerman, employees “who have been appointed or joined the city

LBC workers stage picket

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

NSTEAD of having a lunch break, workers of courier company LBC picketed for the second time in front of LBC CM Recto Branch to demand a salary increase and to decry what they say are the injustices experienced by members of the LBC Davao Employees Union.

“We, the union, would like to ask for a 7 percent raise and other benefits specifically on rice allowance which is P2,400 per quarter,” LBC Davao Employees Union president Butch Gajudo said.

Gajudo said the workers were denied a higher 3 percent

salary raise despite the continuous growth of the company’s revenue through the years.

“The management is lying through its teeth at the negotiating table by insisting that LBC Express recorded zero or even negative growth year on year. In fact, by the admission of its top executives, LBC Express even gained a whopping P8.2 billion pesos and 12 percent growth in 2014. LBC’s greed is deplorable,” he said.

Gajudo said the union will not accept salary increase proposals below 7 percent as well as other benefits less than what they are currently seek-

ing.

“We used 2014 data in making the map more reliable at all times,” Timpac said.

Timpac said the map also contains contact information of establishments in Davao City offering primary services like Davao Light and Power Company and city government offices like the City Tourism Operations Office and Davao City Investment Promotions Center and even the City Mayor’s Office.

National government offices like the Bureau of In-

ternal Revenue, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, and Bureau of Immigration were also included.

There’s also contact information of emergency hotlines, Davao City Communication and Response Center and consular offices of Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Mexico.

“It is still important for a booming city like Davao to have maps like this because it offers reliability than using applications on mobile

He added that the union is prepared and determined to exercise all avenues, including the right to strike, in order to secure a wage increase and benefits that will improve the quality of life for the workers’ families.

“We are now more determined to win a just Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) because of the financial data we now have in our hands.

We are protesting so we can improve our families’ lives,” he said.

LBC Express is financially

Davao map launched

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AVAO City-based SolidTeam ADPRO Services launched the Davao City Guide and Map during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Annex yesterday.

Speaking to reporters, SolidTeam ADPRO Services chief finance officer Charlie A. Timpac said the Davao City Map and Guide is packed with updated data of tourism-related establishments like hotels, restaurants, beach resorts and wellness and spas, among others.

FLBC, 10

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government during the period from January 1 to December 31, 2014 or had been separated from service due to retirement, dismissal or any other cause, or had been suspended from service for any cause or reason, during the same period from January 1 to December 31, 2014 shall be entitled to a proportionate share of the payment of the calendar year (CY) 2014 CNA Incentives.”

The resolution said em-

ployees who are in service of more than nine months will receive 100 percent full benefit; those who are in service of more than 6 months up to nine months will receive 75 percent; employees servicing the city government for more than 3 months up to six months will receive 50 percent; and those working three months or less will receive 25 percent.

“All bonuses will be given either through cash or

through check over the counter,” Domingo said. “This is to avoid the money from proceeding to loan sharks.”

Domingo said each department of the city government is mandated to immediately submit lists of active, retired, suspended, or dismissed employees starting 2014.

He said the city government was able to give the P20,000 bonuses because the it has saving from 2014 that can be used as funding.

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

Duterte to cops: Go easy on Last 2 ushers

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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AYOR Rodrigo Duterte has asked police officers to spare small time last two “ushers” (bet takers) from arrest.

Duterte said he told the police to focus their effort on catching last two financiers instead.

“Sabi ko sa mga police at this time, yung mga last two ‘wag niyong paki alaman yan, kasi maraming runner yan.

Neighborhood lang naman yan (I told the police that for the meantime, don’t touch the ushers because they are just runners in the neighborhood),” he said.

“Pero kung mayroong

isang financier na nabubusog, ayaw ko na yan (But if there is a financier who is benefitting, I don’t want that),” he added.

Duterte also said if the ushers are forced to stop, they will simply go to more illegal endeavors.

“They will not be selling numbers anymore, they will go around selling shabu,” he said.

Duterte said he will not punish the last two runners but he will treat the financiers harshly.

“Whether you are friend or foe, I will arrest you and humiliate you in public,” he said.

POWER 101. Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC) assistant vice president for communications and branding Ross Luga conducts a “Power 101” lecture at the Edge Davao office yesterday. Power 101 aims to educate consumers on power consumption and safety tips. Lean Daval Jr.

NUJP slams GMA Network DavNorte responders trained for closing regional stations for sports injury management R

ESPONDERS from the different municipalities in this province train today at the Girls Scout of the Philippines Hall, Tagum City on handling sports injuries for the Palarong Pambansa 2015 on May 3-9.

Reden Cardinal, operations chief of the Davao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center, said that the training will enhance the responders’ skills in rescuing individuals.

“For this Palaro, they will increase their knowledge on rescuing for they will now handle sports injuries,” Cardinal said.

He said that there are aspects of trauma responding and handling sports injuries that differ especially in taping and bandaging techniques.

The responders numbering around 30 will be deployed at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex during the Palaro Pambansa.

Cardinal said that the responders will cover all six sporting events in the complex, which are football, athletics, tennis, badminton, swimming and archery.

During the training, the participants also learn the standing rules on medical assistance on each sport.

Cardinal said that their team will be working hand in hand with the police, army and other health providers in the area.

“We also prepare contingency plan for any untoward incident that will happen outside of the game area,” he said.

(PIA11, Michael Uy)

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE National Union Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP) slammed GMA Network for shutting down regional stations and shows, a move that it said led to the retrenchment of a number of journalists and workers.

In a statement, NUJP Davao City chapter chair Jefry U. Tupas said the GMA regional shows and stations suddenly folded “without the usual rituals.”

“It only showed the shocking truth about media organizations controlled by capitalists who consider journalism more of a business than public service,” he said.

Tupas said it raises many questions about how media

owners “undermine and circumvent labors laws to serve their corporate interests, devalue employees who are mostly journalists, and put the media’s role in a democracy in total jeopardy.”

“Damn the rights of the employees, us journalists, damn our future,” he said.

Tupas said the regional stations play a crucial role in the delivery of information relevant to the communities where they are located. “But just because they are deemed unprofitable, these stations are now being closed,” he said.

“In a country touted as one of the world’s most dangerous place for journalists to work, what the profit-oriented network is doing only

worsens the situation of journalists, who are not only being killed by bullets but also by the ruthless exploitation and oppression by corporate media owners,” he said.

“We call on all journalists, media workers and citizens to unite and fight this latest onslaught on journalists’ rights, which is also an attack on press freedom and the people’s right to know,” he added.

On Sunday, GMA Network also released a statement saying the company is not closing down any regional station.

It said a study is being made by its Regional TV Review Committee. “Pending completion of the study and recommendation of the Regional TV Review Committee,

DA 11 places damage of drought at P55.9M

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MONEY IN RUINS. A young resident digs into the mud to salvage loose coins, used plastic bottles, and other scrap materials from the ruins of the houses destroyed by the April Fool’s Day fire in Soliman, Quezon Boulevard in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

all the existing regional stations other than Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, and Dagupan will be continued as satellite selling stations,” it said.

“Though some regional programs in the morning and afternoon were cancelled, the afternoon news programs of Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, and Dagupan remain and will be further strengthened,” the statement said.

GMA also said all affected personnel will be offered severance packages.

“The strategic streamlining being undertaken by the Network is geared towards increasing ratings and revenues of all of its regional stations from more efficient operations,” it said.

HE Department of Agriculture reported a total cost at P55.9-Million worth of damage brought about by the long-dry spell as of April 21, 2015.

Herna Palma, focal point person of the DA in Davao Region told reporters that extended dry spell impacts on the rice and corn. She said the total damage in Davao City is P5.5 Million, Davao del Sur at P1.5 Million, Compostela Valley P4.2 Million, and Davao del Norte at P44.4 Million.

Palma said no report of damage emanates from Davao Oriental which experiences a relatively normal weather condition. “Some rain-feed areas even experience flooding due to heavy downpour,” she said. Palma said the DA 11 no longer en-

courages conducting clouding seeding operation in most affected areas since it is more practical to give corn seeds as buffer stocks to the affected areas where corn plants had been dried up due to the absence of moisture.

She said the DA has allocated a total of P22.2 Million for their banner programs like corn, rice, high value crops and development program and livestock. Palma said with this allocated, their agency is able to give out 6,923 bags of corn seeds, 4,200 bags of certified seeds, 1,130 bags of registered rice seeds, 125 units of irrigation pumps and five units of irrigation pumps. She said for high value crops 575 drums have been deployed to the affected areas, and 66

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

More damage seen from dry spell

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

HE long dry season which will continue until July will cause further damage to the rice sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 said.

Herna Palma, DA 11 focal person for the El Niño phenomenon, said they have recorded an initial damage of P5.16 million to the rice sector alone from March to Apri 21 this year.

“I feared that if the long dry season will continue, it will eventually affect the newly-planted rice plant in some rice producing provinces in the region,” Palma said

during the regular Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex Monday.

“The farmers became confident when the time they planted early February because the El Niño has not yet affected Davao by that time,” she added.

A DA 11 report showed that total rice areas totally and partially damaged by the scorching heat reached 1,427.81 hectares.

The province of Davao del Norte recorded the highest damaged with a total of 688.81 hectares amounting to P41.14 million, followed

by Compostela Valley with 325 hectares amounting P4.2 million; Davao City with 320 hectares amounting to P5.60 million; and Davao del Sur with 93 hectares or equivalent to P130,200 monetary loss.

Palma said rice production areas in Davao Oriental were not destroyed because of the recent frequent rainfall which irrigated vast rice fields.

But, the damage of El Niño in Davao del Norte even resulted to the declaration of a state of calamity in the province, according to Palma.

“The agriculture agency has allocated up to P5 million

for the cloud seeding activities in Davao del Norte,” she said.

Other local government units (LGUs), Palma said, can also apply for the application of cloud seeding on their respective area depending on the damage assessment of DA 11.

One of the LGUs that requested cloud seeding application from DA 11 was Davao City.

However, Palma said it would not be economical if DA 11 will implement the cloud seeding here because most of the damaged crops

cannot be saved anymore.

“The rice and corn fields affected in Davao City are already withered. It will be more economical if we will give those affected farmers seeds and seedlings for their next cropping season,” she said.

DA 11 will be allocating P22.21 million as part of the agency’s El Niño interventions with a huge bulk allocated to rice banner programs amounting P10.5 million.

“We’re planning to give 4,200 bags of certified rice seeds and 1,130 bags registered rice seeds,” Palma said.

DA 11 will also assist farmers in heavily affected areas by lending 125 units of pump irrigation system upon their request.

Palma said there will be five units of open source Pump Irrigation System which can be used for rehabilitation of heavily affected areas upon request.

The DA 11 is also planning to conduct demo farming of drought-resistant rice varieties starting next month until October to develop rice species that can improve farmers’ productivity even during drought season.

ketball court, adult and kiddie pools, and jogging and strolling paths around the area.

Urban Hive is located in Amazon Street off Bacaca Road in Davao City. It will have a groundbreaking this afternoon with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in attendance.

The day-long launch will begin with the unveiling of the Urban Hive showrooms along Jacinto Extension. The showrooms were designed by the interior design sister team of Ivy and Cynthia Almario of Atelier Almario, who will be

present in the event.

A cocktail lounge event at SMX Davao will be held with Tessa Prieto-Valdes and David Celdran as hosts of “the Big Reveal.” To be present are representatives of Datem Inc. and Eco Dwellings Corp. officers and directors led by Engr. Arnulfo De Asis (President), Edwin Roceles (Chief Operating Officer), Susan Yumul (General Manager), Engr. Levy Espiritu (Director), Engr. Morris Agoncillo (Director), Ruben Lugtu (Director), and Angelica San

Urban Hive breaks ground today

By JON JOAQUIN

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onstruction company Datem Inc. through its subsidiary development company Eco Dwellings is introducing today (April 28) its first residential condominium development, Urban Hive Palms, which is a joint venture with the Dizon family of Davao City.

The complex will stand on 2.8 hectares and will be composed of seven six-story buildings with a total of 852 units. It will have a clubhouse housing function rooms, a fully equipped fitness gym, bas-

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6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

SHOWROOM BLESSING. Suntrust Properties, Inc. president lawyer Harrison M. Paltongan (fourth from left), executive vice president and chief operating officer Deanna Jean A. Claveria (third from right), first vice president for Marketing and Business Devel-

opment Jerry R. Rubis (rightmost) and assistant vice president Engr. Nora Gutierrez lead the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening the blessing of Megaworld’s One Lakeshore Drive showroom along C.M. Recto Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

One Lakeshore Drive sales hit P1B

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

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HESE condo units are selling like pancakes.

Megaworld Corp. subsidiary Suntrust Properties, Inc. on Monday said sales for its residential project One Lakeshore Drive have reached P1 billion.

“We didn’t expect it would be that fast. We didn’t expect it would be that high,” Suntrust president Harrison M. Paltongan said in describing the overwhelming reception they got from the people of Davao with their township project.

Paltongan said the first residential tower is already sold out while the second tower is around 40 percent sold.

“We are very happy that we are welcome in Davao,” he said.

One Lakeshore Drive is a four-tower condominium cluster that will rise in Megaworld’s Davao Park District township project in Lanang, just near the SM mall.

This is Megaworld’s 15th township project and the 10th under Suntrust.

The project is nestled in an 11-hectare lot, with four

hectares intended to house offices and business process outsourcing (BPO) facilities, and seven hectares for the four towers.

Paltongan said they have already started constructing the offices and will start building the first two towers next year. The 15-storey Davao Finance Center is targeted for completion in 2016.

With One Lakeshore Drive, Suntrust plans to maximize the lake formed by a natural spring to develop a healthy lifestyle enclave.

“It’s an eco-tourism project,” Paltongan said. “It will soon turn into something else, a township concept.”

Paltongan was in Davao yesterday for the blessing of their showroom at Locsin Bldg., C.M. Recto St. “It indicates our commitment to stay in Davao even after completion of the projects,” he said.

Suntust EVP and chief executive officer Deanna Jean Claveria said with the way they are selling One Lakeshore Drive, they expect the four towers to be sold out within the year.

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Smart shines at 50th Anvil Awards

NDISPUTED leader in mobile Smart Communications (Smart) again asserted its leadership in the telecommunications industry, being the runaway winner among telco participants in the 50th Anvil Awards, considered the Oscars of Philippine public relations.

Smart’s customer, human

resources, and corporate social responsibility programs won eight Gold and Silver Anvils during a ceremony in Pasay City organized recently by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines.

Winning the coveted Gold Anvil was #SafePH, Smart’s disaster preparedness and emergency response pro-

gram which was put to the test by Supertyphoon Yolanda. #SafePH has already won several awards, including the “Best Use of Mobile in Emergency or Humanitarian Situations” citation at the prestigious GSMA Global Mobile Awards 2014 in Spain.

Smart received the Gold Anvil for quickly providing

emergency communications solutions to responding agencies and affected communities, as well as for speedily restoring network services in the aftermath of Yolanda.

Another Gold Anvil winner was Doon Po Sa Amin (DPSA), a program encouraging the Filipino youth to use technol-

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INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

Seda Abreeza’s balance of business and leisure DURIANBURG is seeing a boom when it comes to tourism these past couple of years and the hotels that are being put up in Davao City are taking on the challenge of providing top quality accommodations as well as memorable experience.

Barely two years old, Seda Abreeza Hotel is redefining the city’s hospitality scene with a fresh new take on Filipino hospitality which I was able to experience myself on one of those long holiday weekends.

The lobby of the Seda Abreeza which is just right across the Abreeza Mall is bright and cozy with a metal sculpture by Dabawenyo designer Ann Pamintuan dominating the space. The walls of the hotel as well as its adjoining all-day dining concept, Misto, are decorated with photographs of endemic Dabawenyo flora and fauna done is sepia.

Checking-in was quick and easy and in just a few minutes I was in my spacious Executive Room on the hotel’s 11th floor.

Located at the corner of the floor, my room had a sweeping view of the mall as well as of J.P. Laurel Avenue. It was bright and spacious and also featured a small kitchenette perfect for people who just plan to have food delivered and just grow roots in the room. And who can blame them, as Seda Abreeza’s king size bed was soft yet still supportive. The bathroom also features a deep soaking bath tub to relax one’s nerves away after a long day.

Given that it was an Executive Room, I also had access to the hotel’s Ex-

Cocktails at the Executive Lounge at the 11th floor.

ecutive Lounge, a definite perk where complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails were served. Businessmen will want the more private space to conduct their business meetings while those on vacation will love the extra space to relax and unwind, I love it for the free-flowing food and drinks, wine and beer included.

For those who need to further unwind, Seda Abreeza has a fitness centre as well as a pool for one to keep fit. Shopaholics on the other-hand will love to work out their wallets at the nearby Abreeza Mall with its many shops and restaurants.

Truly, Seda Abreeza seeks to combine the very

Seda Abreeza’s spacious Corner Executive Room.

best traits of a business and leisure hotel which is no wonder the Seda Hotel group is the Philippines’ Leading Hotel Group by the World Travel Awards.

To book your own stay at Seda Abreeza, you may visit http://www.sedahotels.com/abreeza/index. php.

Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter at @kannethkingong for more travel stories, foodie finds, and happenings in, around, and beyond Durianburg.

The fitness center overlooks the hotel’s pool.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

UP AND ABOUT

Living green at SM Appliance Center EMBRACING a green and healthy lifestyle is as easy as selecting the right appliances for your home. Modern technology has created cutting edge home innovations that are not only convenient, but also environmentally friendly.

This Panasonic Premium Single Split Type Inverter Airconditioners (CSUS12RKQ) gives you intelligent cooling and long lasting comfort with up to 50% energy savings.

This durable and energy efficient Samsung Top Mount Refrigerator (RT38FEAKDSL) will keep your foods freshness longer and healthy with its Moist Fresh Zone and AntiBacteria Protector. Other features include built-in easy access dispenser, auto ice maker and a multistorage box.

Just in time for Earth Day and the coming Environment Month, SM Appliance Center showcases its selection of energy efficient home appliances that help save the environment.

Amazing LEDs. Innovative LED television sets not only bring more natural, vivid on- screen images to your home, but are also energy efficient and use less power to produce light. The Skyworth LED TV sets, for example, use a matrix backlight technology that can adjust backlight brightness automatically according to the input signal, improve the image quality, reduce energy

This Skyworth LED TV (E510S) brings you an ultimate viewing experience at home with a backlight adjustment and Dolby digital technology in super slim design.

er inverter models from trusted brands like Kolin and Carrier.

Long Lasting Freshconsumption and relieve visual fatigue. You can ness. Inverter technolalso browse your favorite ogy refrigerators, on the apps through a powerful other hand, will keep your food fresh and crisp stream media.

Powerful Cool- so your family can enjoy ing. Stay comfortable healthy meals everyday. and cool while saving en- That’s because the invertergy at home with invert- er compressor ensures er type air conditioners. consistent and uniform Inverter technology flex- cooling that produces ibly changes compressor temperature stability and operation speed to suit lower noise levels. The different temperature Whirlpool Side by Side changes, and in doing so inverter refrigerators, for raises and lowers output example, not only add power. The Panasonic an elegant touch to your split type inverter air kitchen, but can also give conditioners at SM Ap- you up to 50% less energy pliance Center, for ex- consumption. Durable ample, can give as much and energy efficient Samas 50% energy savings sung and LG Top Mount with cooling comfort and inverter refrigerators can convenience. Check oth- also be great options.

This Samsung Digital Inverter Side by Side Refrigerator (RSA1STSL) has large capacity storage for all the foods you need for your whole family or party guest. Other features include LED lighting and no frost technology.

This Carrier Window Type Inverter Airconditioner (FP-53 CSD018308) provides you more efficient cooling at a lower electricity cost. It features a Silver Ion filter that can kill bacteria or prevent their activity by destroying their inner-configuration and absorbing the elements in their cells.

Perfect Laundry Match. Washing machines with inverter technology help save energy as you do your laundry chores with a quieter and cleaner wash. The Samsung Front Load Inverter Washing Machine, for example, has digital inverter motor that saves you energy. It also has activ dual wash system for delicate items, magic filter and wobble technology for an optimal fabric care and washing performance.

You can find these energy saving appliances at the selected outlets of SM Appliance Center nationwide. You may also want to visit our website and shop online at www. smappliance.com or like us at facebook.com/ This high performance Samsung Front Load Type Inverter Washing Machine (WA16J6750SP/FQ) features an active dual wash, magic dispenser and wobble technology for a perfect fabric care and great energy saving.

Biggest K-pop icon search sets Davao auditions Madrid meets Philippines A MULTI-MILLION PESO recording and management contract in Korea await the champion, and possibly another one from the top 10 finalists of the biggest K-Pop Icon Search (KISPINOY) that will kick off the provincial auditions in Davao on May 4-5 at the Almendras Gym at Quezon Boulevard, Davao City.

KISPINOY is a realitybased talent search that aims to discover young and talented Filipino KPop performers. To be shown on TV5, the aspiring contestants will be battling it out on

at Vikings Lanang

IN SUPPORT of the Flavours of the Philippines campaign of the Department of Tourism, Vikings Lanang takes its own spin of the Madrid Fusion event in Manila to make it more acU-Kiss performing for their fans during their free concert at the grand launch of KISPINOY at Mall of Asia last cessible to Davaoeños.

April 20. stage every week to win KISPINOY is open to 22-23, SM Mall of Asia; Witness the culia coveted stature in the all Filipinos ages 13 and April 24-25, SM Pampan- nary flexibility and Asian and global music up. Those interested can ga; May 2-4, SM South- expertise of our industry. Expect some record their songs and mall; May 6-9, SM CDO; corporate execuof Korea’s most promi- dance performances in May 9-11, Mandaluyong tive chef, Anthony nent artists to be seen booths that will be set (City Hall Gym); May 12- Abad as he infuses as guests and/or judges up in designated SM 14, SM North EDSA; May Philippine flavours and tastes with modern-style on the show. They will malls nationwide. These 13-15, SM Cebu; and cooking and presentation. also mentor the contes- recordings will be sent May 21-23, SM DasmariLet your culinary senses be tickled and indulge tants who will eventu- to Korea for screening. nas and SM Bacolod. on a gastronomic adventure from April 25 to 30, ally become the next The audition dates and For more information, 2015 at Vikings Lanang.

K-Pop sensations from a venues for other audi- email info@kispinoy.

For further inquiries and reservations, please call world-class brand. tions are as follows: April com 285-3888 or 285-4888.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Make your heart turn around and ‘Let The Love Begin’

YOUR DECISION to become someone for someone can let the love begin. A showcase of how love changes someone’s life is GMA network’s most recent offering on primetime, Let the Love Begin. The program premieres on May 4 after Pari ‘Koy on GMA Telebabad.

Let the Love Begin is topbilled by the newest Kapuso, Philippine Comedy Queen Ai-Ai de las Alas as Jeni, the hip and cool mother of Erick with GMA-7’s fast-rising loveteam Ruru Madrid as Erick, the eldest son of Jeni, Gabbi Garcia as Pia, the smart childhood friend of Erick and daughter of Jeni’s best friend, Tony.

GMA Network is proud to present a stellar cast of the country’s most respected artists in film and television: Gardo Versoza as Tony, Jeni’s best friend and the single father of Pia; Donita Rose as Celeste, wife of Tony and future step mother of Pia who will eventually despise her and focus on spoiling her niece Luchie; Mark Anthony Fernandez as Jom, the station manager who is in love with Jeni; Neil Ryan Sese

as Jess, the best friend of Jom, who secretly loves Jeni; Gladys Reyes as Katy, the Diva DJ and Jeni’s rival in the other station; and Ms. Gina Pareño as Lola Tacing, mother of Jeni and Erick’s grandmother.

Completing the powerhouse cast are Noel Trinidad as Milton, the head of maintenance in the bookstore where Erick works; Phytos Ramirez as Uno, the spoiled and brat son of Celeste’s friend; Abel Estanislao as Makoy, the career-oriented friend of Erick; Ricardo Cepeda as Rodney, the workaholic friend of Tony and the station manager of LSS FM; Joko Diaz as Enrico, Jeni’s alcoholic husband; Rita Daniela as Luchie, the ‘adopted’ niece of Celeste; Ar Angel Aviles as Elsa, Erick’s younger sister; Nomer Limatog as Jules, the younger brother of Makoy. Also joining the cast are Angeli Bayani, Sancho delas Alas, Therese Malvar, Ren Escano.

Let the Love Begin is all set to make audiences laugh, cry and fall in love as it presents the beautiful story of Jeni (Ai-Ai delas Alas) and Tony (Gardo Versoza) and their children, Erick (Ruru Madrid ) and Pia (Gabbi Garcia) that will

on fall in love.

Can their love help their parents heal their wounds? Will Jeni and Tony let the love begin for Pia and Erick?

Gina Alajar helms and Agnes Gagelonia is heading the writing team under the creative direction of Roy Iglesias and RJ Nuevas.

The program is another original creation of the GMA Drama group under the supervision of Senior Vice President for Entertainment TV Lilybeth G. Rasonable; Vice President for Drama

withstand the test of time.

Jeni and Tony are best friends who are part of a radio program that gives advices on love and life. Jeni is an independent woman has a live-in boyfriend, Enrico (Joko Diaz), and has two kids by him, Erick, the eldest and the perfect son and Elsa (Ar Angel Angeles), the youngest but the matured one because she thinks just

Redgie Acuña-Magno; Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl ChingSy; Program Manager Nini Matilac, and Executive Producer Lani Feliciano.

Let the Love Begin premieres May 4 right after Pari ‘Koy on GMA Telebabad.

Get the latest updates about Let the Love Begin from its official facebook page www.facebook. com/LetTheLoveGMA, twitter account @LetTheLoveGMA and the GMA Network website www.

GMANetwork.com.

like her mom, Jeni. On the other hand, Tony is a widower, with one daughter named Pia (Gabbi Garcia), a daddy’s girl who is deeply in love with arts.

A major problem will destroy Jeni and Tony’s strong bond of friendship. After so many years, Jeni and Tony will cross paths once again because Pia (Gabbi) and Erick (Ruru) become close friends and later

ABS-CBN wins Grand Anvil for ‘Tulong PH’ campaign ABS-CBN Corporation won the Grand Anvil Award--the highest form of recognition for a public relations program in the country--for the its “Tulong Na, Tabang Na, Tayo Na” campaign at the 50th Anvil Awards hosted by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines last April 17 at Marriott Grand Ballroom Resorts World Manila in Newport City, Pasay City.

The “Tulong Na, Tabang Na, Tayo Na” campaign, which also won a Gold Anvil, brought relief and rehabilitation for the victims of typhoon Pablo, Bohol quake, and typhoon Yolanda in 2013. The advocacy campaign included selling of Tulong shirts and conducting a star-studded Tulong fund-raising concerts with the country’s leading artists performing pro bono and raising funds from the public to help the victims.

ABS-CBN Corporation bagged a total of eight awards for its outstanding PR programs and tools, making it the most-awarded TV network in this year’s Anvil Awards, considered

as the Oscars of the public relations industry in the country.

SKY Cable Corporation won an Anvil under the PR Tools category for its 2013 campaign “Tugon ng SKY sa Yolanda: Saya at Pag-asa para sa Kapamilyang Nasalanta,” which aimed to serve, enrich and uplift the spirit of the Yolanda survivors by providing them with free TV viewing stations in Tacloban and Villamor Air Base.

ABS-CBN’s commuter safety mobile app, “PasaHero” bagged an Anvil for protecting the passengers by broadcasting trip details via social media and sending emergency notifications and location to the user’s trusted circle.

The “Spotlight Series: The Music of Ryan Cayabyab” of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra also received an Anvil for its achievement in planning and execution of a special event for an external audience.

ABS-CBN’s internal online contest for employees dubbed as “Heartthrobs on 30” received an award for successfully putting the spotlight on

ABS-CBN employees considered as heartthrobs but aged 30 and above and engaged the whole ABS-CBN workforce via an online voting competition.

The Filipino Channel’s “Boto Mo Kinabukasan ng Bawat Pilipino” achieved an Anvil for its extensive campaign to propagate voting among overseas Filipino workers.

The “Pamilya OnGuard” campaign was awarded an Anvil for being the first and only health news advisory on ABS-CBN that brings holistic and essential information on health and protection.

The Anvil Awards is an annual event organized by the PRSP that honors outstanding public relations programs and tools. Prior to the Anvil Awards, ABS-CBN earned 20 recognitions for its PR programs from the Philippine Quill Awards given by the International Association of Business Communicators. ABS-CBN was the most-awarded TV network in both Anvil and Quill Awards that honor the best works in public relations and business communications.

April 23-28, 2015

FURIOUS 7 Vin Diesel, Paul Walker PG

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

THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 3D Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Hemsworth PG

12:00 | 3:05 | 6:10 | 9:15 LFS

THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Hemsworth PG

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THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Hemsworth PG

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EDGEDAVAO AEON TOWERS

A4 INdulge!

LIFESTYLE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

Green building in the making

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

T

he trend these days in construction is sustainability and a lot of that goes to what is called “green construction.”

Enter Aeon Towers. This 33-story skyscraper that will soon lord it over the skies in the entire Mindanao is the signature project of FTC Group of Companies Inc., a homegrown developer that’s competing with the giants in the industry.

Aeon Towers is an epitome of the future of construction.

“We offer what would embody the future’s high standard quality of condominium living in Davao City,” FTC Group of Companies CEO and president Ian Cruz said.

The term aeon is actually an English word, which alternately means “life” or “being” and “forever” or “eternity.”

Cruz explains: “The concept of endlessness can be associated with the boundless possibilities of life in the city, and consequently, in the residence which Aeon will offer.”

Edge Davao contributing writer and columnist Henrilito Tacio reported that Aeon Towers’ developers envision it to “improve people’s perception of high end condominium urban living.” “(It) will provide a peek of what the twenty-first century condominium living in Davao City will look like.

There is a promise of a unique experience as first class (state of the art) amenities/features merge together with the natural environment and breathtaking views Davao has plenty to offer,” Cruz said in the Edge Davao interview.

Touted to be “a unique real-estate property,” Aeon Towers is a luxurious con-

dominium and a 5-star hotel in one roof. “It is a high-rise 33-storey building that will consist of commercial areas, hotel and 22 floors of residential condominium units.”

To those who will have an opportunity of getting a unit in Aeon Towers, Cruz offers this assurance: “Amidst the advance technology or state-of-the-art features of the condominium, the essence of home is never forgotten in every corner of the designs. It must still remain a home that is ‘close to the heart’ so there is also the promise of fond memories and unforgettable experiences if people choose to stay in Aeon Towers.”

One good thing about Aeon Towers is that it is envisioned to be environmentfriendly. Consider the following: ultraviolet protective tint for sun rays, sound proof glasses, open space in the middle for ventilation (no “inner units”), and rain water harvesting (which reuses rain water for cleaning and watering of landscapes found at the common areas). More importantly, the building is equipped with a lightning

transistor.

“The Aeon Towers is a structure that will embody the spirit of residents of Davao, towering over the Davao City landscape. A monolith that stands for the

endless possibilities that life in the fast evolving city has to offer. It is a perfect balance between boldness and tradition, between a carefree lifestyle and a progressive mindset,” Cruz said.

The construction started during the first quarter of 2012 and projected time of turnover will be on first quarter of 2016.

Once it is built, Aeon Towers is not just going to be one of Davao City’s landmarks but also an icon of sustainable construction.

EDGEDAVAO

SCIENCE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

7

Typhoons: What’s in a name?

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“

There is no month in the Philippines which is free from typhoons,” says the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA), which issues weather advisories for tropical cyclones.

“Each year, about 20 tropical cyclones enter our country,” says Rene Paciente, chief of PAGASA’s weather forecasting and warming system. Fortunately, only 6 to 9 of these tropical cyclones make landfall.

A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that develops in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. In eastern Pacific Ocean, identical phenomena are called hurricanes but when these tropical cyclones move into the western Pacific they are re-designated as typhoons.

Within the northwestern Pacific there are no official typhoon seasons as tropical cyclones form throughout the year. “On average, the northwestern Pacific features the most numerous and intense tropical cyclones globally,” reports Chris Landsea of the US National Hurricane Center.

“Nearly one-third of the world’s tropical cyclones form within the western Pacific,” wrote James B. Elsner and Kam-Biu Liu in a paper which appeared in Climate Research.

“This makes this basin the most active on Earth.”

Scientific studies have shown that Pacific typhoons have formed year round, with peak months from August to October. The peak months correspond to that of the Atlantic hurricane seasons.

Like any tropical cyclone, there are six main requirements for typhoon formation and development: sufficiently

warm sea surface temperatures, atmospheric instability, high humidity in the lower to middle levels of the troposphere, enough Coriolis force to develop a low pressure center, a pre-existing low level focus or disturbance, and low vertical wind shear.

Meteorologists – those who study interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere – say that while these conditions are necessary for tropical cyclone formation, they do not guarantee that a tropical cyclone will form.

Depending on the intensity and strength of the winds that they bring, tropical cyclones are classified as tropical depression, tropical storm, severe tropical storm, and typhoon.

(For trivia fanatics: “Bagyo,” a Filipino word which means typhoon, arose after a 1911 storm in the city of Baguio had a record rainfall of 46 inches within a 24-hour period.)

A tropical depression has maximum winds of up to 63 kilometers per hour (kph). A storm has winds moving anywhere from 64 kph to 87 kph.

It is considered severe storm when the winds move between 87 kph and 118 kph. When it exceeds 118 kph, typhoon ensues, according to PAGASA. The movement of a fullfledged typhoon is closely watched by weathermen through radar and satellite images. The eye of the typhoon is used as a reference point on the location of the typhoon.

If the typhoon is within the range of the radar, the meteorologists won’t have much problem in monitoring the typhoon. “The radar is more accurate because you see the eye of the typhoon more clearly,” explains Paciente.

Sendong aftermath (Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio)

“With a satellite, which covers half of the globe and gives a full disc picture, the eye is sometimes covered by clouds. It is hard to tell where a typhoon is if you can’t see the eye.”

So far, the author had experienced only one strong typhoon in his life. That was in the 1970s yet when Titang (international name: Kate) hit Mindanao and Western Visayas.

Although the reported damage was only P50 million, the typhoon killed 681 people with 284 others missing.

Before 1890, the world’s tropical cyclones were named arbitrarily. A typhoon which devastated Samar and Leyte on October 12, 1897 was called El Baguio de Samar y Leyte. Before the end of the 19th century, an Australian weatherman, Clement Wragge, started the practice of naming tropical cyclones after females. Those which formed elsewhere were given male names.

“Normally, Wragge was said to bestow this honor among politicians who had incurred his disfavor,” PAGASA said. In 1947, forecasters decided to identify using names in alphabetical order. Military communicators suggested female names for those forming in the northern hemisphere, and male names for those in southern half.

Since 1963, there have been three agencies who have named tropical cyclones within the north western Pacific Ocean which has often resulted in a cyclone having two names. From 1945 to 2000 the US Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center assigned names to tropical cyclones before the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), took over the naming of tropical cyclones in 2000. Both agen-

Typhoon aftermath (Photo by Darrell Blatchley) cies assigned names to tropical cyclones when they intensified into a tropical storm.

It wasn’t until in 1963 that the country’s weather bureau started assigning local names to a tropical cyclone that enter the country’s area of responsibility even if the cyclone has had an international name assigned to it.

In the beginning, PAGASA adopted four sets of Filipino women’s nickname ending in “ng” from A to Y to name all tropical cyclones occurring within the country’s area of responsibility. The four groups of names were prepared and arranged according to the Pilipino alphabet.

Names for each set are used for each year so that the groups will be repeated every four years. In cases when all names have been used and typhoons are still coming, the weather bureau has contingencies. “We have auxiliary names up to 10, starting from letter A to letter J,” says Venus Valdemoro, PAGASA’s information officer.

So far, as of this writing, only two typhoons had entered the Philippines this year: “Amang” and “Betty.”

The other names of typhoons this year are Chedeng, Dodong, Egay, Falcon, Goring, Hanna, Ineng, Jenny, Kabayan, Lando, Marilyn, Nonoy, Onyok, Perla, Quiel, Ramo , Sarah, Tisoy, Ursula, Viring, Weng, Yoyoy, and Zigzag. The auxiliary names are Abe, Berto, Charo, Dado, Estoy,

Felion, Gening, Herman, Irma, and Jaime.

For 2016, the names of typhoons are Ambo, Butchoy, Carina, Dindo, Enteng, Ferdie, Gener, Helen, Igme, Julian, Karen, Lawin, Marce, Nina, Ofel, Pepito, Quinta, Rolly, Siony, Tonyo, Ulysses, Vicky, Warren, Yoyong, and Zosimo. The additional names are Alakdan, Baldo, Clara, Dencio, Estong, Felipe, Gardo, Heling, Ismael, and Julio.

The lists of the names of typhoons, however, has been revised several times (in 1979, 1985, 2001 and 2005) for various reasons including to help minimize confusion in the historical records and to remove the names that might have negative associations with real persons.

Names of typhoons that were destructive, resulting in at least P1 billion in damages or have cuased at least 300 deaths, are decommissioned.

Titang, for instance, has already been delisted from the tropical cyclone names. Other names which have been omitted from the list include: Dading (1964), Welming (1967), Pitang, Sening, and Yoling (all in 1970), Wening (1974), Didang (1976), Atang and Kading (1978), Nitang and Undang (1984), Herming and Sisang (1987), Unsang and Yoning (1988), Ruping (1990), Uring (1991), and Rosing (1995).

At the start of the 2000s, the following names have been decommissioned: Loleng (2002), Harurot (2003), Unding, Viole-

After of typhoon Pablo (Photo by Darrell Blatchley)

ta and Winnie (2004), Milenyo (2006), Cosme and Frank (2008), Ondoy and Pepeng (2009), and Juan and Katring (2010).

In recent years, more names have been taken from the list: five in 2011 (Bebeng, Juaning, Mina, Pedring and Sendong), one in 2012 (Pablo), three in 2013 (Labuyo, Santi and Yolanda), and five in 2014 (Glenda, Jose, Mario, Ruby and Seniang).

According to Valdemoro, the weather bureau’s Weather Forecasting Section is responsible in assigning names for tropical storm that were decommissioned. However, names of prominent politicians and celebrities can’t be used “as these may cause public ridicule.” Filipino terminologies and phrases that are offensive to public decency are also not allowed.

Unlike in the olden times, the names of typhoons these days are not exclusively derived from people but also include names of flowers, animals, and foods. Agila and Bagwis, for instance, are names of birds.

The weather bureau brushed aside existing knowledge that typhoons are named after females in the past because of the tendency of women and typhoons to both change their minds in a very short span of time.

“Hindi totoong dahil pabago-bago ang isip ng bagyo tulad ng isang babae kung bakit binigyan sila ng pangalang babae,” a PAGASA official maintained.

8

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

EDITORIAL Reason to be optimistic

T

O say that traditional media are under siege is to state the obvious. For many years now, media companies all over the world have been feeling the pinch, with many agencies closing down due to declining readership and advertising revenue. This is largely attributed to the internet, which has diverted the attention and loyalties of people from print to the computer screen – or in this day and age, the mobile phone. With real-time updates delivered in pocketable devices, it is no wonder that more and more people are consuming information electronically.

And now we realize that even the powerful media networks that used to dominate the airwaves are also being affected. The high and mighty conglomerates are slowly but surely losing their hold on the people, and now we see that one of them has decided to “streamline” its regional operations in order to save its bottom line. While emotions are high against this network, it is really a business decision that can mean survival or going under. Of course it also highlights the sad plight of many journalists who are often

EDGEDAVAO

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PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO CHENEEN R. CAPON MEGHANN STA. INES Reporters NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN Lifestyle FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. CHA MONFORTE ARLENE D. PASAJE Photography Correspondents Cartoons Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. Columnists: CARLOS MUNDA • HENRYLITO TACIO • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • GREGORIO G. DELIGERO BORBON • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Economic ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG ZEN CHUAAnalysts: • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

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forced to work under unfair conditions, many of them still treated as “talents” or under contractual arrangements instead of being regular employees. This is something that the network must ultimately answer for.

But the bigger picture also cannot be denied. Technology is developing so fast that those who cannot keep up with it are being left by the wayside. This is a troublesome development, but it can also be viewed in a positive light. Those who say the network’s closing of its regional offices is a threat to journalism ought to check their social media accounts. Information is flowing freely there, and in a very real sense everyone is now a journalist, or at least a potential one. Giant networks may be in trouble, but they are giving rise to a citizenry that is more active in information gathering and dissemination. It may be cruel to say it, but perhaps the demise of one form of communication is merely a prelude to the rise of a better one. It remains to be seen, but there is reason to be optimistic.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND P. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Specialist General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Mobile: (Sun) 0925-357-3460 Tel: (088) 852-4894 (Smart) 0907-202-3844

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

The suspense of travels

M

URPHY’S Law states: If something can go wrong, it will. This is especially true when you are traveling abroad. Some of those that are bound to happen are flight cancellations, delayed flights, lost or delayed luggage, and being singled out before entering your flight.

Speaking of lost luggage, here’s what Jerry Rankin has to say: “As much as I travel it’s amazing it doesn’t happen more often.

But when it does, the emotional reaction is surprising. To arrive at your destination without your luggage and necessary belongings is more than disappointing.”

At one time, Rankin – who, at one time, was the president of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in the United States – lost his luggage on a short flight from Calcutta, India to Dhaka, Bangladesh. “It had apparently been routed on a flight leaving about the same time to Chittagong,” he surmised.

Because his itinerary had him moving on to Bangkok (Thailand), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and Jakarta (Indonesia), the prospects were unlikely the bag would ever catch up with him. He left contact addresses in each place, but he never heard anything.

The airport in Calcutta is named “Dum-Dum International Airport.” He wrote numerous letters trying to retrieve his bag; in one he wrote, “Dear Sirs, your airport is appropriately named.”

Rankin continued to inquire in various airports on subsequent trips and each time the records showed that the bag had been forwarded. “Three months later, I was back in Jakarta, and the baggage office knew nothing about my suitcase,” he recalled. “I asked if I could look in the baggage storage area. I was confronted with a mountain of dust-covered luggage. There on the edge of the pile was my bag! The luscious ripe plums

I

VANTAGE POINTS

9

I was bringing THINK ON THESE! from India to friends in Bangladesh were still inside!”

Of course, there are thrilling stories when you travel to an unknown place. This one happened to Henrylito D. Tacio a friend, who henrytacio@gmail.com now lives in New York. LT (let’s just call him that way for obvious reasons) flew from San Francisco for a convention in St. Petersburg, Russia. “We were all going to meet first in Moscow, staying there for 3 days and then go by rail overnight to St. Petersburg where the 5-day convention was to be held,” he recalled. “My business partner in Bangkok was going to join me at the Metropolitan Hotel in Moscow. He was going to hand me the money he owed me.”

The currency rule in Russia is for a tourist to declare all currency coming in and then to compare currency leaving Russia with the original declaration. “The official form under the heading ‘Customs Declaration’ was handed to each of us at Moscow airport upon arrival,” LT said. “We had to show this plus all currency upon leaving for comparison.”

When his partner entered Russia, he declared only the amount of his money and failed to include the amount he was going to give me, thinking, “Why should I declare something that is not mine.” That was pure error on his part.

LT’s problem was how to bring out his money which was larger than the amount

he had declared coming in. The penalty was confiscation if “huge.” (No one told them how much was huge but a businessman from London who received his commission of US$70,000 dollars was held in a cell, and his money confiscated. As a result, he collapsed from sheer terror and exhaustion and was sent to a hospital in Moscow.

There, he could not use the underdeclared money to pay for his treatment and had to ask his London office to wire the money to him. Otherwise, if a small amount was involved, the Customs Office would convert the underdeclared currency into their own currency called rubles which at that time were not convertible anywhere in the world.)

LT’s partner had some underdeclared amount -- about US$130 and was given rubles in exchange for his underdeclared money. LT had much, much more than that amount.

Returning by rail to Moscow, they discussed their predicament. “He told me he would declare his money and I would have to solve my problem,” he said. “Leaving the hotel, I prayed to the Lord for help and the result was I made up my mind to tell the truth to the Customs Office no matter what.”

It so happened that LT reached the Moscow airport 35 minutes earlier than check-in time. He was going to line up at the check-in counter when a guard asked him what flight he was going to board. When the guard found out that he was 35 minutes too early, he asked LT to come with him and the guard led him to a room and asked him to wait in there until he would call him. “I was alone in the room and there were several forms stacked around me,” he said. “Next to me was a pile of declaration forms for incoming currency. I read it again and again, and saw – yes, this is the same form!“

LT filled out the form with the correct figures. Thereafter, he went through the customs smoothly. “I had few rubles as souvenir money in my pocket, but I was singing softly in my heart on the plane while counting it,” he remembers.

When traveling by air, never, never joke about bombs. A Thai lawyer was leaving Hong Kong and was at the airport. At the customs area, he was asked to place his carry-on bag on the inspection table and was asked, “What’s inside?” (This was done because the customs agent didn’t need to have it open and was relying on this passenger’s honesty). Jokingly, and mouth smiling widely, he replied, “A bomb?”

Now, the Thai lawyer did not realize this was not a laughing matter. In two seconds flat, without uttering a word, the officer seized his hands and led him away. The next he knew, he was in a holding cell. His flight was cancelled, passengers and pilots deplaned and led back to the airport building, and all luggage aboard unloaded for reinspection.

At his court trial the following day, the lawyer tried to explain that it was all a joke.

The judge berated him saying, “You are a lawyer and you should take airport regulations seriously at a time when every flight is threatened by hijackers and terrorists; one year imprisonment.”

As you travel from one country to another, you will discover more funs and excitement – and horrors, too! Just remember the words of Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish essayist and author of fiction and travel books: “I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.”

Do you have some other travel tales to tell? Please do share them to me. My email is henrytacio@gmail.com

THE WORM’S EYEVIEW

***** Writing and speaking out relentlessly since the issue surfaced two years ago, they’ve been urging action to prevent China from completing the structures (which are now in an advanced stage of completion).

As much as 60 hectares have already been reclaimed, with various facilities in place including a runway, helicopter pad, and berthing for supply ships. And they’ve accelerated the construction pace, obviously to complete the facilities before anyone can stop them one way or another.

From just one construction site last year, satellite photos today reveal seven sites, indicating how speedily the works are proceeding—with supplies and materials being unloaded and facilities installed quickly.

The stealth with which they accomplish the build up and occupation can be likened to a sneak attack, or like professional squatters taking over a site at lightning speed, putting up structures, installing themselves overnight while no one is around. ***** Unless these illegal works are stopped soon, it will be too late. It will take more than diplomacy or persuasion to get them dismantled or removed. Defiant, arrogant, and recalcitrant, China’s behavior suggests only one alternative: destroy the structures, just like what Israel did when it bombed Iraq nuclear plants years ago.

But we don’t have the equipment or capability to destroy them, although it is justified on grounds of national security. Leaving them

intact will make that portion of Philippine territory China’s staging area for its hegemonic designs, to become a naval superpower soon.

It will enable them to tap our undersea oil for the needs of their gargantuan military-industrial complex; they can exploit our fishing grounds more thoroughly; and harvest our exotic marine resources to their heart’s content. Surely an economic as well as military threat, and we have a right to protection and self-defense.

The question is: with faith in the righteousness of our cause, do we dare challenge and defy them? Can we find allies who will defend us?

The world media is already aware of this issue.

Their investigations confirm the truth of the land-grab and illegal occupation; and they are adding their voice to ours.

But for lack of initiative by our government (except to file a paper protest!), we are beginning to look like wimps. And ponder this: China’s spokesman has the effrontery to state that in order to avoid trouble, it is the U.S. and our government that should admonish everyone to get out of the way. ASTIG! What do we do?

(Manny is former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific; secretary-general, Southeast Asia Publishers Association; director, development academy of Philippines; member, Philippine Mission to the UN; vice chair, Local Government Academy; member, Cory Govt’s Peace Panel; awardee, PPI-UNICEF outstanding columnist. Author of books on governance, he is national chairman/convenor of Gising Barangay Movement Inc. valdehuesa@gmail.com)

Those greedy Chinese communist bullies!

GNORING international rules of engagement, especially United Nations protocols, China defies diplomatic efforts to settle its wild claims to ownership of islands in the West Philippine Sea. They just barge in and take over— and dare anyone to evict them!

The Spratlys are 120 miles west of Palawan—way inside the Philippines’ 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone. But China, 1,000 miles away, has stationed armed forces and construction crews in the area, claiming ownership of it, building illegal structures, and occupying them in defiance of international law.

The area has been a traditional fishing ground of Filipino fishermen since way back, but now Chinese vessels warn them away and confront them menacingly with warships.

Our government offers to settle the issue diplomatically or resolve it through international arbitration as is proper in disputes of this type. But the Chinese Communist officials arrogantly reject the idea and carry on with their illegal activity. A bullying, uncivilized behavior! **** This upsetting development could test the commitment or even loyalty of our brother Chinese-Filipinos that have nothing to do with China’s hostile behavior.

Or perhaps they can do something about it; an appeal or petition to the motherland maybe?

Or is this too much to ask?

China already has vast lands and resources on the mainland, but this doesn’t stop her from coveting part our territory.

We’re a small country; they’re a behemoth!

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA It’s immoral, illegitimate, and downright greedy to grab any part of a neighbor’s territory! ***** And they’re doing it by deceit: sneaking in on some shoals (shallow sandbars), filling them up with more sand from surrounding areas till they grow to the size of an island, then build structures on them for military and economic uses. Shameless opportunism!

To think that Chinese fishermen have also been getting away with poaching in our waters for years, making off with rare and endangered marine species!

Grabbing part of our territory there has been going on for several years. But, sadly, our own government has done nothing except file a protest with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)—which possesses no capability to enforce its rulings.

Fortunately, the issue has caught world media’s attention, for which we have thoughtful Filipino expatriates to thank. They’ve been monitoring (by satellite) China’s bullying tactics in our Western backyard and feeding the information to media.

The group is USPGG (U.S. Pinoys for Good Government)—headed by New York-based Loida Nicolas-Lewis, with lawyer California lawyer Ted Laguatan as legal counsel and West Coast media man Rodel Rodis as spokesperson.

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

7 killed... FROM 2

POOL CLEANUP. A worker cleans up the Olympic size swimming pool of Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex which will be used in the upcoming PalarongPambansa 2015 on May 3 in Tagum City. Lean Daval Jr.

Davao... FROM 3

LBC... FROM 3

phone,” Timpac said. “We still need to go old school.”

He said other cities like Manila and Cebu still use maps and guides for tourists roaming the cities for their various scenic destinations.

“This kind of maps can be used specially during emergency because most of the necessary information are printed together with the map,” Timpac said.

He said the map will be available in city government offices and some establishments in Davao City.

He also said company

will negotiate with National Bookstore for the distribution of the map.

“We’re targeting to distribute the maps to National Bookstore chains here by Thursday after the three-day launching event,” he said.

Timpac also said the company is planning to make the map available to android phones and smart phones before the year ends.

“Making the map available online is one of the target of the company,” he added. Cheneen R. Capon

bags of mungbean, one unit spring development, one unit farm reservoir and alternate stape crops and planting materials. Palma said that on the affected livestock drugs and biologics were also given to the affected areas.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte assured the readiness of the city government to help farmers whose farms will be affected by the dry spell.

Speaking in the public affairs program, “Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa,” he said that it will only take a declaration of a state of natural calamity in order for the funds to be released to the affected sector.

Duterte said the financial assistance is the immediate aid of the city once the farmers

go hungry, especially if nothing grows anymore because of the drought.

He projected that with the extended dry-spell even importing rice from Thailand, Vietnam and Lao might be affected since this country is also experiencing the impact of the drought. Duterte said the city is still lucky to have heavy downpours every now and then. “I hope the calamity fund would last because a long dry-spell will really result in the scarcity in food which will lead to hunger and chaos. Water and food are very important.

Without these basic needs, there will be chaos,” Duterte said. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

From building materials and equipment, interior design and renovation products, security and fire equipment, to topnotch services offered by both industry institutions and associations including architecture and interior design firms, mechanical and electrical engineering offices, information technologies and telecommunications providers, and construction promotion companies, the 2nd PHILBEX Davao is truly the place to be for industry professionals or

lifestyle and design enthusiasts alike to step up their design game – all for the goal of transforming the Davao construction industry into a globally-competitive sector.

Don’t miss this chance to witness the biggest building and construction exposition to happen in the region! The 2nd Philippine Building and Construction Exposition happens on May 14 to 17, 2015 at the SMX Davao Convention Center at SM Lanang. The best part is, admission is free!

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

capable to give the CBA demands of its workers, he added.

“We are calling on the management again to move past its greed for profit and to give the workers their just share,” Gajudo said in a press statement.

Gajudo also said the membership of the union continues to decline because of the various harassment experienced by the members.

“From 150, we are down to 97 and this is going down further because of different harassment and unjust punishments like suspension,” he added.

The union and LBC man-

agement are in a collective bargaining deadlock as management has refused to budge on its counterproposal on wage increase and benefits improvement.

Gajudo said the union will have a meeting today with the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) to lobby their concerns on the CBA deadlock and issues on the violations of some CBA provisions.

He said the union is now coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 11 NCMB ugma kita kabahin sa CBA deadlock pagpampalapas ng CBA provisions.

ogy to promote unique stories about their hometown. While the Internet is teeming with content about mainstream Philippine destinations, very little information can be found about other parts of the country.

DPSA seeks to address this gap by encouraging students to share online stories about their hometown’s history, traditions, festivals and other activities, places to visit, notable people, unique plants and animals, special delicacies, and local products. Information is presented in the form of online presentations, digital flipbooks, and videos which are pinned on an online map in the DPSA website.

In effect, DPSA encourages the youth to be producers of local content and, at the same time, helps boost local tourism.

Meanwhile, six other Smart programs won Silver Anvils. These are: Gilas Pilipinas on ViewStream, a mobile application that allowed Smart, Talk ‘N Text, and Sun Cellular subscribers to watch the Gilas Pilipinas games at the FIBA World Cup live and without advertisements, for just P15 a day. Users did not even need a credit card, as the cost was charged against their prepaid load or on top of their postpaid bill.

OurSmartStory, the company-wide digital launch of Smart’s new vision, mission, and values. The company now

envisions a world where everyone is empowered to live more. Its mission is to enable Filipinos to create awesome moments in life through mobile and digital innovations.

Paskong Pasasalamat, Smart’s simple yet meaningful Christmas and yearend celebration for 2013. The five-day event covering on-ground and digital activities empowered employees to help Yolanda survivors rebuild their lives.

People Festival, an event celebrating Smart employees’ passion and commitment. It also highlighted Smart’s talent referral program, e-learning portal, idea generation portal, online magazine, and commendation portal.

The #SafePH Community Preparedness Program, a twopronged initiative that builds the capacity of local government units to better prepare for, mitigate, and respond to disasters, and promotes a culture of preparedness among families in vulnerable communities.

Smart Bro Dashboard, an online portal that enables Smart Bro prepaid subscribers to monitor their Internet usage, check their load, avail of Smart Bro packages, and avoid unwanted charges.

Smart has been reaping several Anvil Awards every year, a testimony to the relevance and effectiveness of its programs and services that enable Filipinos to live more using technology.

Smart... FROM 6

Balicao, in an earlier interview said three children aged 15, 13 and 9 were tending to their carabaos separately in Sitio Campo Dos, Park area, Wao, Lanao del Sur on Friday afternoon when unidentified men tried to grab one of the carabaos. The 15-year old girl reportedly resisted but was no match to the suspects. The mayor said she was later found dead, with hack wounds in different parts of her body.

Balicao said the girl may have been molested before she was killed but this has yet to be verified.

Balicao added that as the cattle rustlers left the place, they saw the 13-year-old boy who was also tending another carabao. He said the armed men took the carabao and hacked the boy to death.

Balicao said the 9-year-old boy, a younger brother of the 13-year old, heard the commotion from several meters away and proceeded to where his brother was. He found him bloodied and lifeless. He also saw one of the suspects washing a bladed weapon.

Balicao said the boy cried and ran away. The suspects chased him but failed to catch up. The boy reached home and told his parents what happened.

The next morning, at a little past 5 a.m. Saturday, residents of Sitio Magampong, a Moro-dominated village were awakened by gunshots.

“Empty shells of cal. 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm were recovered and craters allegedly caused by explosions from 40 mm were also visible at the incident area,” a military report forwarded to Mindanews said.

Bakwits Scores of residents from the barangay fled to the town proper for fear that violence would escalate. Magampong is a Maranao-dominated village, which is part of Barangay Park Area, which is inhabited predominantly by settlers.

Balicao said he cannot as yet ascertain the identity of the perpetrators of both inci-

dents.

He added that three persons were seen fleeing the vicinity in the Campo Dos incident.

But he said there are no witnesses.

He said the attackers were reported to have fired at three houses in the village Peace Balicao called for peace in the wake of the killings.

“Di nato gusto maguba pagusab ang relasyon (We don’t want to ruin the relations anymore). We don’t want to go back to square one of this, the mayor said, referring to the communal violence that occurred in his area in the 1970s.

Balicao said he already called the attention of the Moro leadership in Wao “so we can talk about this.”

He said he already requested for troops to stay in the area to help prevent escalation of violence. As of Sunday, police and military forces had been deployed to the area to prevent violence.

“We will do our best that this will no longer escalate,” he said.

Justice, not vengeance Fr. Floredelito “Yrap” Nazareno, parish priest of the Catholic church in Wao, said they called on parishioners during their masses, to pray for peace.

He said police should investigate and the people of Wao should seek justice, not vengeance.

He feared that the incident could fuel divisiveness in Wao considering the threats of violence by some groups.

Nazareno acknowledges the possibility that “wayward groups will ride on the situation,” hence the need to work together to ensure violence will not be resorted to.

Wao, which is 83 percent inhabited by setters and 17 per cent by Moro, had earlier asked not to be automatically included in the proposed core territory of the Bangsamoro even as Lanao del Sur is part of the core territory.

Luis (VP Sales and Marketing).

San Luis said the company opened buildings 6 and 7 for pre-selling in November last year and has so far sold more than 100 units.

“About 70 percent of the project are one-bedroom units.

Since we are so near the city, our market is startup families, newlyweds, young executives, and young professionals,” San Luis told Edge Davao in an interview.

She said a number of buyers are also Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Prices start at P2.8 million for one-bedroom units, P3.4 million for two bedroom units, and P6 million for three bedroom units.

“The reception has been pretty good for a new developer like us,” San Luis said, adding this is Urban Hive’s first condominium project.

“Our mother company is really a contractor for other developers. After 30 years of doing this it decided that if it can build for other companies, then it can build for itself,” she

said San Luis said many luxury residential condominiums, commercial shopping malls, popular hotel chains, office towers, and hospitals all over Makati and Metro Manila are under the roster of clientele of Datem Corp.

Some of these projects are Serendra, One Rockwell, One Shangri-La Place, Grand Hyatt Residences, Axis Residences commercial buildings Powerplant Mall, Greenbelt Ayala Mall, Market Market, Shangri-La Mall- New Wing, St. Luke’s Global City, Discovery Shores Boracay, Marriot Hotel Resorts World, and Maxim Hotel Resorts World.

San Luis said Datem Inc. is fully committed to setting up its roots in Davao. After the groundbreaking today, construction will commence next month.

The completion of the first two buildings of Urban Hive Palms will be ready for turnover to the unit owners as early as the second quarter of 2016.

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PHILBEX Davao 2015:

11 COMMUNITY SENSE

The next frontier of construction and design F

OLLOWING the success of the first-ever Philippine Building and Construction Exposition Davao, or simply PHILBEX Davao, the country’s leading exhibitions and events organizer Worldbex Services International returns with a bigger and bolder second installment on May 14 to 17, 2015 at the SMX Davao Convention Center at SM Lanang.

Proving to be the most comprehensive trade show to ever hit the region, a total of 12,000 visitors flocked to last year’s PHILBEX Davao. Boasting of over 130 exhibitors and 240 booths, the local construction industry surely got a taste of a world-class exposition.

Now, if the first year was all about breaking new grounds and making history, the 2nd PHILBEX Davao is intent on outdoing its initial installment as it envisions elevating things to a whole new level. Indeed, tons of surprises and an even more compelling line-up of event highlights abound visitors in this year’s presentation.

If the previous year’s thrust focused on raising awareness on environmental sustainability and resiliency, this year’s theme will revolve around – “Building Visions in the Realm of the ASEAN integration.” Channeling its focus on grooming the industry for the necessary improvements essential to its development, the 2nd PHILBEX Davao will take everything up several notches higher in light of increasingly global economic landscape.

Occupying a total of 4,480sqm of exhibition space, PHILBEX Davao 2015 is seen to similarly attract high foot traffic if not even more. Likewise, if last year got a 96% rate

of satisfaction and 88% rate of show success, this year is poised to enjoy an even more prosperous outcome.

Among the partner associations for this year’s installment are the European Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Association, Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, MIAP, Filipino Professional Architects, and the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers.

Meanwhile, its major sponsors include Apo Roofs, Apo Floors, Boysen, Firely, Atlanta, Citi, Davies, Eurolux, JEA, Hafele, Kenneth and Mock Designs Inc., Multi Rich Home Decors Inc., Polylite Industrial Corporation, Essential Brands Group, Nature’s Spring, and Golden Prince Hotel and Suites.

Like its predecessor, PHILBEX Davao 2015 will not only impress visitors with its sweeping presentation of the latest and most innovative products and services available in the market, but also put forward an insightful and enlightening experience with its interesting line-up of pocket events and galleries. But ultimately setting this year’s installment apart from the first are new event highlights that will change the way visitors see and experience trade shows.

The Philippine Institute of Interior Designers, Mindanao Chapter, harbors much-needed aesthetic inspiration as they facilitate this year’s Interior Designers Gallery with a new range of capsule presentations by top professional designers.

On the other hand, those who are looking to upgrade their spaces are invited to drop by the Architects Gallery to wit-

PCSO hands over special ambulance

T

HE city government of Davao received on Sunday one ambulance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office specifically intended for high-risk patients of cases like ebola, meningo, rabies, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERSCoV).

The ambulance, turned over Saturday afternoon at the Marco Polo Davao, was received by Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and other officials.

According to city council committee on health chair Mary Joselle Villafuerte, the ambulance donation comes after months of requests and hearings starting September last year.

The city originally asked

for two ambulances.

In February, a nurse coming from Riyadh volunteered for self-quarantine at the Southern Philippines Medical Center here after feeling flu-like symptoms like cough and fever, one of the indicators of the virus.

The nurse left the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Jan. 31 and arrived in Manila Feb. 2.

The nurse later tested negative.

In December, the SPMC also cleared an OFW from Sierra Leone from Ebola, after the patient was quarantined at the hospital for 21 days.

At the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, a second thermal scanner for incoming passengers is awaiting the six plantilla positions from the city government.

(MindaNews)

PHILBEX Davao 2015 is all about pushing the envelopes and elevating the industry’s standards in pursuit of global distinction.

Thousands of industry professionals and lifestyle enthusiasts are expected to flock to the four-day expo for a world-class trade show experience.

PHILBEX Davao aims to champion design by encouraging exhibitors to do the same as it hosts the Best Booth Awards, in which Kenneth & Mock won in the first-ever installment. ness vignettes by groups like the Philippine Institute of Architects Greater Davao, the UP Mindanao faculty of architects, Tancontian Co., and WTA Architecture & Design Studio which will reflect this year’s global theme.

In line with championing design and culture, PHILBEX Davao also invites visitors to watch out for the Best Booth Awards which honors exhibitors that exercise mindful design executions for their booths. Last year, Kenneth & Mock won the title. It would definitely be exciting to guess who this year’s winner would be!

Apart from the engaging galleries, various exhibitors will also be holding each of their own product presentations throughout the four-

day expo to provide visitors a first-hand experience of their products. Moreover, industry professionals can take advantage of the highly anticipated PhilBex Seminars to gain new knowledge as select speakers discuss a broad range of topics and issues concerning the construction industry. Topics include “Solar Shading in the Tropics” by Arch. Iluminado Quinto, Jr., “Urban Design and the Greening of Cities: Trends and Technologies” by Archt.

Paulo G. Alcazaren, “Upholding the R.A. 10350 Why We Love Our Profession… Our Craft” by Idr. Ian Manglicmot, and “What To Expect From Your Interior Designer: Designing Within Your Budget” by Idr. Hazel Garces-Resari.

But ultimately taking center stage in this year’s in-

stallment are the new pocket events that abound visitors.

Going beyond the confines of your run of the mill trade show, PHILBEX Davao celebrates talent, artistry, and culture as it teams up with Interior Design students to set up 11 vignettes that will promote the indigenous products of Mindanao by incorporating them into furniture and other home accessories. On the other hand, artworks of local artists from Mindanao will be put on display through a custom art installation that will be exclusively seen at the event.

Plus, PHILBEX Davao will put the spotlight on the most innovative products from select exhibitors from the recently-held WORLDBEX to be showcased in the regional show. Among the participating companies include K-Plast Inc. for the 3D Lite, Bestank Manufacturing Corporation for the

Modular Tank System, La Casa Deco for the Rocco Wall Covering, Unitec Pipe Manufacturing Corporation for the Ecogen Heat Recovery System, Filtrific Rainwater Filter, and Flotender Grey Water System, Sea Olympus Marketing Inc. for the Ecofoam Fill Em Up product, Shutter Canopy system, and the Solflex Superior Solid Surface Material, Pacific Paint Philippines Inc. for the Knoxout Air Cleaning Paint, Akari Lighting and Technology Corp. for the Nxled Color Changing LED Downlight, Fisher Martin Tech Inc. for the Helix Micro-Rebar, Wilcon Depot for the Grohe Blue, Limson Marketing Inc. for the Yale Fingerprint Digital Door lock, Teleeye Philippines Inc. for the TeleEye GX, Solar Savers for the Grid-Tied Solar Home Kit, and Puyat Steel Corporation for the Color Coating Tension Line.

the region: from home at work, or on the road. The “Fight of the Century’s” availability online via TFC.tv will even enable Filipinos who are in their workplace, to witness the fight as it falls on a work day or May 3 at 4 a.m. in KSA and 5 a.m. in UAE).

To complete the better than ‘ringside view’ of the fight, TFC will also take a peek into People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao’s road to boxing destiny via pre-fight specials airing on TFC in the Middle East.

On April 25 KSA Time, TFC will air the “Balitang America” documentary “Legacy: Pacquiao vs. Mayweather,” a 30-minute look into the fight, the fighters and their future after the battle.

Also on April 25 KSA time, famed sports commentator Anton Roxas will share his analysis on “Balitang Global” on the “Fight of the Century” round per round; his assess-

ment of the legendary fighters form and style; and his fearless forecast on the outcome of the legendary fighters’ battle for one destiny and possible scenarios for the two fighters post-battle.

The analysis completes “Balitang Global’s” in-depth look as the show also presented World Boxing Organization and the Ring Light Flyweight World Champion Donnie Nietes and senior analyst Ed Toletino’s previous assessments in its earlier April episodes.

Meantime, on April 26 KSA time, TFC will document the heavy training of the Poundfor-Pound fighter via “Pacman: Laban Kung Laban” before he faces his biggest opponent, Mayweather Jr. TFC will take viewers to Pacquiao’s coach Freddie Roach’s incisive hours of training and strategies that hope to win the prized fighter his biggest battle yet.

Catch Balitang Global’s

pre-fight specials on April 25 and 26 (KSA Time) on TFC via satellite and IPTV and via TFC’s official online service – TFC.tv before the fight.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of history and witness the fight for only USD 34 via TFC.tv Plus, enjoy “Kid Kulafu” the movie for free when you subscribe to TFC.tv before May 2.

“The Fight of the Century will also be available live with English annotations via Pay Per View on TFC (May 3 at 4 a.m. in KSA and 5 a.m. in UAE).

For more information on the “Pacquiao Mayweather Fight of the Century,” visit http://mayweathervspacquiao.me (Accessible in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, Libya, Yemen, Egypt, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq).

FPHILBEX, 10

TFC delivers ‘Fight of the Century’in M.E.

T

FC lets ‘kabayans’ in the Middle East witness the Battle for Greatness from anywhere in the region via TFC.tv; pre-fight special to detail the People’s Champ road to his boxing destiny.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (April 25, 2015) – As the buzz continues, the anticipation heightens and the eventful date draws near, exclusive distributor of the Mayweather – Pacquiao fight in the Middle East, The Filipino Channel (TFC), is giving our kabayans in the region more opportunities to join the whole world and witness the “Fight of the Century.”

Through TFC.tv, viewers in the Middle East can witness the monumental battle between undefeated five-division World Champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. and the Philippines’ People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao, in high definition video, anywhere they are in

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DAVAO CITY MAIN OFFICE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY MARKETING OFFICE

Director of Sales

Marketing Specialist

JOCELYN S. PANES

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

EDMUND P. RENDON

General Santos City

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

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EDGEDAVAO

NEWS

13

Tagum cities set to Maguindanao extends state Davao, implement Jobstart Phils. of calamity due to dry spell S

A

FTER the displacement of thousands of civilians caused by the “all-out offensive” against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Maguindanao is now dealing with another calamity – the damage to aqua-agricultural resources due to the dry spell.

In a press conference here Saturday, Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu announced that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) extended the state of calamity that was declared last month in response to the

drought that has affected 34 of the province’s 36 towns.

He said the declaration authorized the provincial and municipal governments to use their calamity funds for the rehabilitation of affected farms and farmers.

Local agriculture officials reported on April 14 that the drought already damaged 24,415 metric tons of rice, corn, root crops, fruits, coffee and legumes in 7,816 hectares of farms cultivated by 7,979 farmers, placing the value of the damages at P97.3-million.

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. That CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s)21024602 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 10256553-9 issued to MARY ANN B. VICENTE CASH SURRENDER FORMS: 0001-17186, 000117269, 0001-23977, PLAN ASSIGNMENT FORMS: 1009-06515, 1009-06517-06529, 1009-1778317790, 1009-17792-17800, 1009-17781 issued to TERESITA F. ERAMIS were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

4/7/21/28

Citing the officials’ warning the dry spell could worsen, Mangudadatu appealed for assistance from the national government.

“The national government should also assist Maguindanao, not just other provinces like what we are seeing on TV. Aside from the manmade calamity we are facing, we are also affected by the dry spell, and this is the biggest,” he said.

He said the support could be in the form of high-yielding seeds or vegetable seeds.

Last March 4, the SP declared a state of calamity after the offensive against the BIFF spread to 13 municipalities, displacing some 125,000 residents.

Provincial agriculture officer Salik Panalunsong said the military offensive, which reportedly left some 100 casualties mostly from the rebel group, forced hundreds of farmers to

abandon 2,680 hectares of rice, corn and green mongo farms.

He said the abandoned crops were damaged during the dry spell resulting to a loss of 8,622 metric tons valued at P27.6-million.

Integrated Provincial Health Officer Tahir Sulaik said the dry spell also aggravated the situation in evacuation camps because potable water became scarce.

Mangudadatu confirmed that some evacuees have remained in evacuation camps for fear of their safety if they return to their homes.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which has been complementing the relief operations, reported last week that 10,648 displaced families have already returned home but 14,400 others remained in evacuation camps.

(Ferdinandh C a b re ra / M i n d a N e w s , with reports from Cayetado Daquiado)

OME 400 youths in Davao City and Tagum City will have the chance to enhance their employability through internship or on-thejob training under the newly-launched JobStart Philippines.

Davao City and Tagum City are among the second wave pilot areas in the country set to implement JobStart PH that aims to provide young adults the appropriate training on technical skills and work attitude to ensure employment in the business sector.

The qualified beneficiaries are 18-24 years old, must have graduated from high school, not currently working nor enrolled in a study or training, must not have more than oneyear work experience, and is seeking work.

The beneficiaries will randomly be selected through public draw after having registered as youth candidates with JobStart.

The local government units of said cities through their respective Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) will conduct assessment on the youth’s job readiness and provide life skills training focusing on work attitudes, career guidance and labor market infor-

mation.

The PESOs will also undertake job matching of beneficiaries to available internships and make referrals with employers who registered with JobStart.

The JobStart PH is a new program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the youth sector, particularly aiming to assist young Filipinos with their career development pathways in partnership with private establishments.

The benefits of the program for the employers include the opportunity to hire interns with life skills training, to pay six-month internship at reduced cost which is 75 percent of the minimum wage and to be compensated with up to P9,000 training fee per internship.

Aside from gaining technical and life skills and knowledge on job searches, the youth beneficiaries will also be paid stipends from their work experience in the companies.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz recently headed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between DOLE and the LGUs of Davao City and Tagum City for the implementation for the program. (PIA-XI/ Carina L. Cayon)

14 MOTORING EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

Top 10 most expensive cars in the world

T

HE 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe was sold for $8.7 million in 1987. That and many others won’t be included in this list, they are

World’s Most Expensive Cars: Lamborghini Veneno $4,500,000. The Veneno gets you from 0 to 60 mph in a swift 2.8 seconds allowing you to hit a top speed of 221 mph. Only three cars are being made available every year. If you want to own this hyper-supercar, you will have to be placed on a waiting list along with other aficionados.

1

3

Bugatti Veyron Super Sports $2,400,000. This is no longer the most expensive street legal production car available on the market today (the base Veyron costs $1,700,000). Capable of reaching 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds, the Veyron is the fastest street legal car when tested again on July 10, 2010 with the 2010 Super Sport Version reaching a top speed of 267 mph (430 km/h). When competing against a Bugatti Veyron, you better be prepared!

no longer available in the market.

If you can afford it, you would probably invest a small fraction of that on a bevy of supercars for your garage. Here

are 10 of the most expensive street legal production cars on the market (at least 2 available); concept cars are not included.

2

Lykan Hypersport $3,400,000. The Dubai based company W Motors are planning to make seven of these. The Lykan Hypersport is powered by a flat 6 twin-turbo engine, which produces 750 horsepower, and takes you from 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds with an estimated top speed of 245 mph.

There is a tie for no. 4.

Aston Martin One-77 $1,850,000. The name “One-77” says it all: beauty and power in One, limited to 77 units. With 750 hp, it is able to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds with a maximum speed of 220 mph (354 km/h).

4

Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster $1,850,000. One of the most exotic cars out there is also one of the most expensive. It can go from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 217 mph (349 km/h).

5

Zenvo ST1 $1,225,000.

Able to reach 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 233 mph (375 km/h).

The Zenvo ST1 is from a new Danish supercar company that will compete to be the best in speed and style. The ST1 is limited to 15 units and the company even promised “flying doctors” to keep your car running.

We have another tie for 6th place.

Lamborghini Reventon $1,600,000. The most powerful and the most expensive Lamborghini ever built takes third place on the list. It reaches 60 mph in 3.3 seconds from 0, to go with a top speed of 211 mph (339 km/h). Its rare (limited to 20) and slick design are reasons why it is expensive and costly to own.

6

Koenigsegg Agera R $1,600,000. The Agera R goes from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds, reaching a maximum speed of 260 mph (418 km/h). It is capable of reaching 270 mph, but this supercar is electronically limited to 235 mph (378 km/h). You will need to sign a waiver, only then does the company unlock the speed limiter.

8

McLaren P1 $1,350,000.

McLaren announced that only 375 of the P1 will be made. Under the hood is a hybrid-modified 3.8 liter V8 twin-turbo engine. When combined with the electric motor, it is expected to produce 903 horsepower aided by a 7 speed dual clutch paddle shifter. Time trial estimates put the P1 to go from 0 to 60 in 2.7 seconds, while it is expected to have an electronically limited top speed of 217 mph.

10

Hennessey Venom GT Spyder $1,100,000. What makes the 2013 Hennessey Venom GT Spyder is its price tag, a compelling 1.1 million dollars. There is no other convertible in the world today that can match-up with this car. Not to mention that it goes from 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds.

7

Maybach Landaulet $1,380,000. The Landaulet is the most expensive sedan on the market and it can go from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds. It is one the most luxurious cars ever made, this comes with a convertible roof that fully opens at the rear. This Maybach is made especially for CEOs and Executives who have their own personal driver.

9

Pagani Huayra $1,300,000. Named after the “God of the winds” in Quechua, this Italian mid-engine comes with a 6.0 liter, V12 twin-turbo charged engine that produces 720 horsepower. It can reach from 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds, and possibly reaching a top speed of 224 mph.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

Beach volleyball approved

by Deped as exhibition sport

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao Del Norte provincial government will introduce the beach volleyball as an exhibition sport in this year’s Palarong Pambansa to be held in Tagum City next week.

In the recent Fast Fridays at Archipelago 7107 in SM Lanang Premiere, Davao del Norte provincial sports co-

ordinator Giovanni Gulanes said the Department of Education (Deped) has approved its request to introduce beach volleyball as in initial step to be part of Palarong Pambansa 2015.

“We want the delegates from different regions to have a view on the pristine beaches in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS),” he

said.

Gulanes said the provincial government prompted to include the event in this year’s annual sporting event, to promote sports tourism in the region.

“Let’s begin with exhibition game,” he said.

He said the game is set on May 7 up to 8 since the main sporting events in

Palarong Pambansa will be in the semi-finals where other delegates are already eliminated.

Gulanes said the event will be at Paradise Island and Beach Resort where they expect 300 participants.

“On the second day since it is a knock-out system game, it will be in Tagum City,” Gulanes said.

Fil-am girl to sing anthem alongside singing pastors

N

N

Two Mannys face off

INE days before his blockbuster fight with Floyd Mayweather, Jr., the people’s champ and Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao faced off with another Manny from back home –PLDT and Smart Communications chairman and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan.

In a video call held Friday morning in the Philippines (Thursday evening in the US), the two Mannys discussed the possibility of holding the second Pacquiao-Mayweather fight in the Philippines, and joked about running together for public office.

The Smart chairman made the call to wish Pacquiao luck in his fight. Smart recently launched the #SugodManny campaign to call on all Filipinos to let the whole world see, hear, and feel their support for the people’s champion.

“When he goes on that ring, let’s make sure he’s not alone. The entire 100 million Filipinos will be there with him, with best wishes and fervent prayers. After all, Manny’s not doing it only for himself, but really for all of us,” Pangilinan said.

During the call, the businessman told Pacquiao, “Nabasa ko sa [diyaryo], sabi mo kung may second fight kayo ni Mayweather, dito [gawin] sa Pinas… We will support that 100 percent.”

Pacquiao then invited Pangilinan to discuss this over dinner once he gets back to the Philippines. The latter joked, “Puwede, basta ikaw ang magbayad.”

“Ako ang magbabayad, walang problema,” Pacquiao said.

The boxer then thanked Pangilinan for Smart’s support

DavNor Palaro will be shown during the opening ceremony.

It features Philippine sports greats Elma Muros-Posadas and Eric Buhain and football star Yannick Tuason.

Directed by Willia Apa, the video will also show young athletes Kier James Maceren,

a football player from Davao City, as well Roger Porton Jr., a swimmer from Samal, and Mariafe Basong, a member of the Talaingod DavNor Runners, the Davao del Norte athletics team which is a product of a sports program that trains lumad children into be-

The torch... FROM 16

for the past several years.

“Maraming salamat sa suporta’t dasal. Matagal na po kayong sumusuporta sa akin.

Malaking bagay po sa akin yun.”

Smart has backed Pacquiao for more than 10 years, and even got him as endorser of the value brand Talk ‘N Text in 2008.

The “Pambansang Kamao” took Pangilinan’s call from his home in Los Angeles, after one of his rigorous trainings.

“Nakikita kita palagi, takbo nang takbo sa bundok sa L.A. Baka naman tatakbo ka rito pagdating mo?” the Smart chairman asked.

“Pag sinuportahan mo ako,” Pacquiao said.

“Sasabayan nga kita e,” Pangilinan replied.

The two have been rumored to have plans of running for public office next year. coming elite athletes in track and field.

The scenes were shot in Talikud Island in the Island Garden City of Samal, the municipalities of Talaingod and New Corella, and in Tagum City. All are local government units of Davao del Norte.

The shooting took eight days because materials generated from the shoot were

Pangilinan has denied having any interest in running for President, while Pacquiao is serving his second term as Sarangani congressman.

The two Mannys also talked about basketball, Pangilinan being the team owner of Philippine Basketball Association powerhouse Talk ‘N Text, and Pacquiao being the head coach of the Kia team.

“Yung Kia team tinalo yung Talk ‘N Text,” Pangilinan noted, referring to Kia’s stunning upset of Pangilinan’s team last February.

“Naka-tsamba kami,” Pacquiao said.

The call ended with Pangilinan saying the whole nation was anticipating Pacquiao’s homecoming after the fight.

“Hihintayin ka namin dito para mag-celebrate ng tagumpay mo,” he said.

also used in the music video and TVC. Gulanes also hinted the origin of the torch from where it will be brought to the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex.

“There is going to be a parachutist who will bring the torch down,” Gulanes said but declined to further elaborate.

INETEEN year-old Gail Banawis of the Bronx has been singing the Philippine National Anthem since she was a kid. She has also performed in a numerous times in various cultural, artistic and sports event in the TriState area.

On May 2nd (May 3rd in the Philippines), the Filipina-American teenager and a recognizable name in the FilAm community in the New York and New Jersey performing scene, will sing it in the biggest stage of them all.

Banawis has been chosen by no less than Manny Pacquiao himself to perform the “Lupang Hinirang” alongside a group of singing pastors from the Philippines.

“I was invited by the Congressman himself to come over and try to work it out with the pastors and see if we could work together,” Banawis told Philboxing.com.

Banawis and her family flew to Los Angeles last week, met with the singing pastors and she rehearsed with the group for the first time Saturday.

“It was pretty exciting, because just having all the voices blend together, it felt like magic actually.”

The rehearsal went pretty smoothly according to Banawis, and in the words of a typical teenager, she described the experience as “awesome.”

Gail is a Vocal Major graduate from the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School Performing Arts in the Upper West Side, an esteemed high school in Manhattan that is specializing in teaching visual and performing arts. The said school was where the motion picture “Fame” was based on.

She is currently a second semester freshman at Brooklyn College, taking Speech Pathology.

Excited was the least adjective that one can use to describe her reaction when she received the notice from Pacquiao. She was once asked by the Filipino icon to perform the national anthem in his previous fights but that did not materialize as planned.

On Saturday, not only will she get her wish, she will also be joining Pacquiao in the biggest fight of the boxer’s career.

“This is a Manny Pacquiao fight and not only just any fight. It is the one against Mayweather, so of course it’s a big deal for me. I was pretty speechless. I am just excited and nervous at the same time.“

Mavericks down Rockets to stay alive in playoffs

T

HE Dallas Mavericks stayed alive in the NBA playoffs on Sunday with a 121-109 victory over the Houston Rockets.

Down 3-0 in their bestof-seven Western Conference first-round series, the Mavs opted to give J.J. Barea and Al-Farouq Aminu their first starts of the post-season and both produced double-doubles.

Barea scored 17 points and handed out 13 assists, enlivening a starting lineup that has been without injured Chandler Parsons and Rajon Rondo.

Aminu added 16 points -- including five straight in the fourth quarter that helped thwart a Houston rally -- and pulled down 12 rebounds.

Monta Ellis scored 31

points for the Mavs, who will try again to avoid elimination when they visit Houston for game five on Tuesday.

They still face a tough task. No team has rallied from an 0-3 deficit to win a best-ofseven NBA playoff series.

As in game three, the Mavericks dominated the second quarter and led at halftime.

But this time, they kept the pressure on in the third, Ellis scoring 10 points in a 20-4 run to open the second half.

Houston whittled away at a 24-point deficit, with Josh Smith scoring eight unanswered points to help the Rockets pull within 109-99.

James Harden led the Rockets with 24 points, but Houston couldn’t get over the hump.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 8 ISSUE 18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015

THE TORCH MYSTERY Parachutist to bring tri-people torch down from the skies

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

I

N 1992 in Barcelona, a Spanish archer darted a flaming arrow to the skies. When the arrow reached its arc and started to drop rapidly down like a falling meteor, it lighted a huge cauldron that was to be the Olympic urn. Not everyone expected such a spectacular torch-lighting ceremonies and the unknown Robin Hood was whisked away from the limelight never to be unveiled to the rest of the world.

In 1996 in Atlanta, a Parkison’s Disease-stricken Muhammad Ali lent an emotional torch-lighting rites to the Olympic Games.

In 2012 in London, a mix of giant video holograms and real-time scenes by famous British celebrities like Rowan Atkinson and Daniel Craig, and even Queen Elizabeth combined

for a futuristic opening ceremonies.

Such is the lasting effect of the torch-lighting rites in Olympic Games history.

In this year’s Palarong Pambansa, organizers from the province of Davao del Norte are already cooking up a grand torch lighting rites which could be the most colorful, significant and memorable yet in all of Palarong Pambansa history.

A sneak preview of the ceremonies will have the torch brought down from the skies through a parachutist, and the rest is left by organizers to the imagnation.

“It’s a secret but we can give you a little hint about it,” said Giovanni Gulanes, provincial sports coordinator of Davao del Norte who heads the Technical Committee, during the Fast

Fridays media forum.

The 2015 torch-lighting rites will go by the theme peace and unity and emphasizing on a borderless society throughout the 2015 Palarong Pambansa that runs from May 3 to 9.

Gulanes said the torch will represent the tri-people of the country--lumads, Christians and Muslims.

According to organizers, the torch is made up of 3 parts—the top part inspired by the tambara, an altar where lumads make their offerings to the spirits; the middle part made up of authentic materials from the Muslim culture, including the sequins, and the bottom part which is a chalice depicting Christianity.

The whole torch is made up of bamboo, abaca and beadwork, according to its designer, Banjo

Saporre Jr., Ford Academy of the Arts in Davao and a former production designer for theater. It reportedly took four days to make.

“The torch is inspired by the tri-people diversity of Mindanao which the 2015 Palarong Pambansa has chosen to highlight,” Davao del Norte Governor Rodrigo del Rosario said in a statement. “Peace can exist in this diverse composition of the island.”

The Palaro, supported by the Tagum Agricultural Development Company Inc. or TADECO, Damosa Land, Davao Packaging Corporation (DPC), Davao International Container Terminal, Inc. (DICT) and Pearl Farm Beach Resort, kicks off on May 3 at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex.

A video of the 2015

FTHE TORCH, 10

Guidebook: Bible for Palaro delegates T

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

HE province of Davao del Norte has produced a guidebook to assist delegates to the 2015 Palarong Pambansa which gets underway from May 3 to 9 in Tagum City.

Guesting at Fast Fridays media forum at the SM Lanang Premier, Giovanni Gulanes, the provincial sports coordinator, said this is the first time in the history of Palaro that the host locality has come up with this kind of publication.

The 65-page guidebook, called bible of Palaro delegates by the host prov-

ince, was printed to help not only the competing student-athletes but also coaches, regional officials and even their parents for the entire duration of the sports event.

All information about the Palaro, including telephone numbers of security forces and hospitals, and even the distance between the billeting quarters and the playing venues, are found in the guidebook.

The guidebook is basically divided into eight parts, namely the billeting schools, playing venues,

food and water sources, online information, health and medical, transportation, tourist destinations and other establishments and safety and security.

Gulanes said they already distributed copies of the guidebook to local and regional government officials, Department of Education (Deped) officials and members of the media.

Several copies of the guidebook will also be sold during the competition.

On top of this, the host province also came up with the Palaro web-

site—davnorpalaro2015. com—which will show all information needed by the delegates.

And, compared to other local government units which usually put information about the results and schedule of games in their websites before, every information that is found in the guidebook can be found in the website.

Gulanes said they also social media accounts on the guidebook, and delegates can also follow the host province thru its official hashtags.

THE THREE PARTS OF THE TRI-PEOPLE TORCH The top part of the three-segment torch, which will be used during the opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa on May 4, is inspired by the tambara, an altar where lumads make their offerings to the spirits.

The middle part of the three-segment torch, which will be used during the opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa on May 4, is made up of authentic materials from the Muslim culture.

The bottom part of the three-segment torch, which will be used during the opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa on May 4, is a chalice that depicts Christianity.

The torch, which will be used during the opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa on May 4, is inspired by the tri-people diversity of Mindanao which the 2015 Palarong Pambansa has chosen to highlight.

EDGEDAVAO INFOGRAPHICS