Edge Davao 8 Issue 21

VOL. 8 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 1 - 2, 2015

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

RODY PRAYS FOR PACMAN

FIGHT OF THE CENTURY. Boxer Manny Pacquiao delivers his message during a press conference Wednesday (Thursday PHL Time) in Las Vegas. Pacquiao will face Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a welterweight title fight in Las Vegas on Saturday. AP Photo

‘If he wins, the country wins, I wish him all the best’

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

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njb@edgedavao.net

AKING a break from his barnstorming Listening Tour in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte yesterday said he is praying for a big win by Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao three days ahead of the biggest fight of the century.

Mayor Duterte told Edge Davao in a telephone interview that a victory by Pacquiao is also a victory for the country and the millions of

Filipinos.

“In every fight of Manny Pacquiao, I pray that he will win. In every fight that he wins, the republic also wins,” Mayor Duterte said.

Pacquiao is fighting unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather on Sunday (PHL Time) in a fight that will determine the greatest fighter of this era, other than the billions of pesos of prize money that come with it. The Filipino

is bound to rake in P3.2 billion while Mayweather will amass P5.2 billion. Together, the prize money is the biggest ever in all of boxing.

Mayor Duterte did not make any fight predictions.

However, he wished the fighting Congressman from Sarangani Province a good fight against Mayweather who has yet to taste a single defeat in 47 professional fights.

“I wish him all the best,”

he said.

Duterte, however, said he had declined watching the fight in Las Vegas for personal reasons.

Instead, Mayor Duterte is treating boxing fans in Davao City a free public viewing of the megafight at the Davao City Recreation Center (Almendras Gym) on Sunday.

The free public viewing is held in cooperation with Phoenix Petroleum Philippines.

INSIDE EDGE

TRANSSEXUAL Agritrends P7 TILAPIA ON THE RISE

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 1 - 2, 2015

CLOSED. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) 11 director Glen A. Geraldino leads the enforcement of a closure order against Jaltan Enterprises, Inc., owner of the popular Jaltan fast food chain, for various tax offenses at its main branch along C.M. Recto Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Thirteen other Jaltan outlets were included in the closure order. Lean Daval Jr.

Illegal fishers face stiffer penalties T

HE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned unlicensed small and big fishing vessels that they face suffer stiffer penalties for violations if the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of the amended Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 is completed.

In a press briefing yesterday at Brokenshire Hotel-Resort and Convention Center, BFAR Central Office legal division chief lawyer Demosthenes R. Escoto said hefty fines will be slapped on violators once the IRR of Republic Act No. 10654 or “An Act to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate

Illegal, Unreported And Unregulated Fishing, Amending Republic Act No. 8550, Otherwise Known As “The Philippine Fisheries Code Of 1998,” and for Other Purposes” is released.

Esocto said amendment has already taken effect because it has already been published, but it will not be fully implemented yet since the IRR is still being drafted by the committee formed by the Department of Agriculture.

“Under the law, we are given six months to craft the IRR,” he said.

President Benigno Aquino

FILLEGAL, 10

911 ready for The Big One

T

HE Davao City Central 911 is ready to respond if a strong earthquake and other calamities strike the city.

Speaking in yesterday’s I-Speak Media Forum, Central 911 head Emmanuel Jaldon told reporters its rescue team has the capability in terms of skills for building collapse rescue.

Jaldon said the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DCDRRMC) has already formulated a response plan in case an earthquake as strong as the 7.5

magnitude one that hit Nepal occurs in the city.

He said different government agencies in the city have been tapped for different roles in case of any calamity.

“We involved several agencies. For instance, one of the critical agencies is the City Engineer’s Office since they have the heavy equipment,” he said.

Jaldon said Central 911 is conducting regular earthquake drills and exercises to practice the skill of its personnel.

He said the coastal areas in the city are still the major con-

F911, 10

BIR padlocks 14 Jaltan stores

By CHENEEN R. CAPON and FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

S

AY goodbye – at least temporarily – to your favorite kakanin and pancit Malabon as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) 11 padlocked all 14 restaurants and branches of Jaltan Food Centrum in Davao City and in Tagum City yesterday.

“All branches of the Jaltan Food Centrum, owned by Alfredo F. Tan IV, were closed because of its underclaration

of more than 30 percent of its taxable sales and failure to issue receipts as observed during the surveillance period,” BIR 11 regional director lawyer Glen Geraldino said during the implementation of ‘Oplan Kandado’ yesterday.

Geraldino said Jaltan underdeclared its taxable sales of around P20 million in 2014 and did not issue official receipts during the February to

March 2, 2015 surveillance period.

“We can only lift the temporary closure of this establishment if it will be able to settle its obligation which is P4 million,” he said.

He also said the company was given two weeks to comply with its tax requirements but failed to do so, leaving BIR with no choice but to padlock its branches.

BIR 11 assessment chief Maria Lita Chin said the company, Jaltan Enterprise Corporation, has total Value Added Tax (VAT) due of P3,573,362.58 while Alfredo Tan IV, who is one of the incorporators, has undeclared VAT for the last quarter of 2014 amounting to P637,794.64. The total amounts to P4,211,157.22.

Of the 14 restaurants and

the fleet of barges to take action on the non-wearing of lifejackets by thousands of passengers.

The mayor said Paolo, instead of expressing anger at the Philippine Coast Guard for its apparent laxity in implementing safety rules, should

just “communicate with concerned government officials.”

In a statement Thursday afternoon, Paolo said he was not lambasting the concerned government agencies and their officers but was merely raising his concern in a man-

Paolo: I was not angry

FBIR, 10

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte stood up to his father, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, on the matter of requiring passengers to wear life vests on board vessels traveling between Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS).

Paolo had earlier posted a rant on his Facebook account and followed up with a privilege speech in last Tuesday’s regular City Council session calling on the Philippine Coast Guard, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the Bangayan family which owns

FPAOLO, 10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 1 - 2, 2015

NEWS

30 families displaced by tornado in SouthCot

A

T least 30 families were displaced after a strong tornado ravaged two remote communities in Tantangan town in South Cotabato Wednesday afternoon.

Tantangan Mayor Benjamin Figueroa Jr. said Thursday the twister battered portions of Barangay Magon at past 4 p.m., destroying houses and uprooting trees.

Citing a report from the Magon barangay council, he said no casualties had been reported but it damaged a total of 30 houses.

Musa Magon, chair of Barangay Magon, said the incident happened quite sudden, rendering residents unprepared.

“The horizon just turned gloomy and then the rains and the tornado suddenly came,” he said in a radio interview.

Based on the barangay council’s initial assessment, Magon said eight houses were totally destroyed in Purok Talambungan and another eight in the upland portions of Sitio Takud.

Another 14 houses, which

are mainly made of light materials, in the two communities were partially destroyed.

“We evacuated some of the affected families to a warehouse of a local cooperative, a mosque and a school. There were some who chose to stay with their relatives,” Magon said.

He said they are still evaluating the value of damages and are determining whether there were other areas hit by the twister.

Magon said Mayor Figueroa and a team from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office immediately responded to the area on Wednesday night.

He said the team initially distributed food packs and relief items like blankets and mosquito nets.

The South Cotabato Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office has scheduled a visit to the area on Thursday morning to conduct an assessment and assist the needs of the affected families, he added. MindaNews

Diarrhea downs 34 in GenSan City

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T least 34 residents from a remote village here were hospitalized in the last several days due to a suspected diarrhea outbreak.

Dr. Amanda Robosa, medical officer of the City Health Office, said Wednesday the outbreak mainly affected two outskirt communities of Barangay Upper Labay.

She said the diarrhea cases started to emerge late last week and was initially believed to have been caused by a contaminated drinking water resource.

“Most of the victims were adults and have already recovered,” she said in an interview over TV Patrol Socsksargen.

Residents claimed the outbreak started after the area’s main drinking water resource started to taste and smell un-

usually foul.

Residents, specifically those of Puroks 7 and Almotak, draw their drinking water from rubber pipes attached to a spring water resource at an upland portion of Barangay Upper Labay.

Rosario Malig-on said her two grandchildren exhibited diarrhea-like symptoms after drinking the “foul-tasting” water.

Robosa said the area’s drinking water might have been contaminated due to some openings in portions of the rubber pipes.

“The prevailing intense dry weather could have also triggered some reactions on the pipes and eventually triggered the contamination,” she said.

FDIARRHEA, 10

Chief suspect in Esperat slay shows up in public gathering

T

HE principal suspect in the 2005 murder of columnist Marlene Esperat who has been eluding arrest for 10 years now showed up on April 22 in a public gathering in Matling, Malabang, Lanao del Sur in the presence of the municipal police chief, the governor of Lanao del Sur and the Army’s brigade and battalion commanders during a settlement of a rido (clan war) involving the suspect’s family.

The suspect, former Finance Officer Osmeña Montañer of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 12, was not arrested.

In fact, he sat at the Presidential table with officials who told MindaNews they did not know he was a wanted man.

Cotabato City-based reporter John Unson of Philippine Star posted on his Facebook wall on

Friday morning a photograph of Montañer at the gathering, seated beside Col. Ariel dela Vega of the 603rd Infantry Brigade and Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. and other officials.

Unson wrote on his FB wall a question addressed to Senior Inspector Benji Omalla, Malabang police chief. He asked “si dating budget officer Osmeña Montañer ng Dept. of Agriculture, Region 12, ay wanted for the murder of local print journalist (Marlene) Esperat, In fact yan ang reason kung bakit siya ay di na nakikita sa regional office ng DA-12 sa Koronadal City.

Bakit dito sa nangyaring ‘rido’ settlement sa Malabang just this week, eh nagpakita siya, umupo pa sa tabi ni Col. Dela Vega ng 603rd Brigade, kasama na si

FCHIEF, 10

WE’RE READY. Davao City Central 911 chief operations officer Emmanuel R. Jaldon (right) says his office is capable in terms of manpower and equipment if ever a major earthquake hits the city or its neighboring

3

provinces. Jaldon and Ronnel Abrenica (left) of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) were guests in yesterday’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall. Lean Daval Jr.

Sun Life in Davao marks 54% hike in assets mgt

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

UN Life Asset Management Company, Inc. (SLAMCI) marked a 54 percent increase in its assets under management (AUM) in Davao this year.

“In Davao, the AUM grew by 54 percent from March last year’s P666.7 million to P1.02 billion of March 2015,” SLAMCI president Valerie N. Pama said in a press conference at Seda Hotel yesterday.

Pama said this is a mixture of different funds.

She said as the company marks its 15th anniversary in the industry, SLAMCI continues to grow in terms of AUM. “Currently the largest nonbank affiliated asset management company in the Philippines today with P47.7 billion in AUM as of March 2015, SLAMCI has gone a long way since it started its operations in 200 with three funds totaling just over P150 million in AUM,” Pama said.

She said the management company is now managing eight funds collectively called the Sun Life Prosperity Funds: Bond Fund, Balanced Fund.

Equity Fund, Money Market Fund, GS (government securities) Fund, Dollar Advantage Fund, Dollar Abundance Fund and Dynamic Fund.

“We’re extremely proud of what our company has achieved in the past 15 years in serving the Filipinos because it shows how we’re able to help bring them closer to achieving prosperity and financial security,” Pama added.

Pama said the company continued to innovate and improve.

“Through our 2,515 financial advisors and 10 bank partners, SLAMCI’s number of clients has grown to 68,078

as of March 2015- marking a 12 percent growth versus the same period of the previous year,” she said.

“SLAMCI also made a new record when it launched the

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund last year which generated P2.8 billion in gross sales in only a month’s time.

Meanwhile, as of March 2015, its Balance Fund remains to

the largest mutual fund in the country,” she added.

The Sun Life Prosperity Funds marked considerable year-on-year returns, includ-

FSUN LIFE, 10

EDGEDAVAO

4 SUBURBIA

VOL. 8 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 1 - 2, 2015

With just five more days left before the megafight, art sign maker Chris Aclo, a former boxer himself, makes final touches on his painting showcasing Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Tuesday (28 April 2015) at his shop at Kaimo and Gemina Streets in Surigao City. Photo by Roel N. Catoto

CHR, LGU probe Wao killings DavNor imposes gunban as hundreds flee homes T

By NOEL BAGUIO

M

ORE than a thousand persons fled their homes in Barangay Park Area in Wao, Lanao del Sur following the reported killings of six people (not seven as earlier reported), prompting investigation from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and a crisis management committee created by the local government unit.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) estimated there are now 1,115 internally displaced persons because of the killings. They reportedly flocked to an area in the town proper called BLISS-Western.

Lominog Poloyagan, Wao’s municipal environment and natural resources officer who is a member of the town’s Maranao community, said the evacuees are a mix of Moro and settler folks from the upland areas.

Wao’s population is composed of 83 percent settlers and 17 percent Moro.

Poloyagan added that the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) deployed a humanitarian team and distributed relief goods to evacuees.

He cited that some people have been spreading text messages with alarming messages such as the alleged occurrence of fighting in the upland areas causing the evacuations.

Desiree Macamay, Wao public information officer, said the CHR in the ARMM is investigating the killings.

Macamay said via telephone that a four-member team from CHR-ARMM met with Mayor Elvino Balicao Jr. and other local officials on Tuesday. The CHR group reportedly proceeded to Barangay Park Area, site of the killings.

Macamay stressed that

local police can only account for a total of four dead in the Sitio Magampong massacre early morning on April 25, the fourth being a victim who failed to reach the Kalilangan (Bukidnon) Emergency Hospital alive.

Nine others were injured in the massacre.

On April 24, bodies of two minors were found dead in Sitio Camp 2, also in Barangay Park Area. One of the bodies was that of a 15-year-old girl, believed to have been raped.

The other, that of a 13-year-old boy who was tending a carabao, was reportedly hacked.

Balicao has not taken call attempts from MindaNews lately, but Macamay said the mayor created a 12-member crisis management committee to help police investigate and control the situation to prevent the escalation of violence.

The group, referred to by other sources as a fact-finding com-

mittee, met to start functioning on Tuesday.

Macamay said among the members of the team include the Wao police chief and Fr. Floredelito “Yrap” Nazareno, parish priest of the Immaculate Concepcion Parish in Wao. Poloyagan said three elder members of the town’s Maranao community – namely, Ret. Col. Lomala Amer, Ustadz Wahid Macabantog, and former OIC vice mayor Solaiman Domato – were included in the team.

But Macamay said that Balicao clarified there is still no evidence connecting the slaying of two minors on April 24 in Camp 2 and the massacre that killed four and wounded nine others on April 25 in Sitio Magampong.

She said the mayor cited that it is what the local fact-finding team wants to find out in its investigation. (Walter I. Balane / MindaNews)

HE Monetary Board placed the Surigaonon Rural Banking Corporation under the receivership of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) by virtue of an MB resolution dated April 23.

As receiver, PDIC took over the bank the following day.

Surigaonon Rural Banking Corporation is a 10-unit rural bank with head offices located at the junction of Rizal and Gemina Streets in this city.

It has another branch in the city, and in the cities of Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Butuan.

Furthermore, it has four

branches in Surigao del Norte –in the towns of Dapa, General Luna, Placer and Tubod.

The bank is owned and founded by Alfredo T. Bonpin.

Nathaniel A. Tumbokon, information officer of PDIC, told MindaNews this afternoon that as of December 31, 2014, the rural bank had 13,184 accounts with total deposits P265.3 million. He said total insured deposits amounted to P249.4 million or 94 percent.

He said that in this takeover, all bank records shall be gathered, verified, and validated.

“The state deposit insurer

assured depositors that all valid deposits shall be paid up to the maximum deposit insurance coverage of P500,000,” Tumbokon said.

Depositors with valid deposit accounts with balances of P50,000 and below need not file deposit insurance claims, he said, except when they have outstanding obligation with the bank or acted as co-makers of the obligation and have incomplete and/ or have not updated their addresses with the bank.

Tumbokon stressed that the PDIC targets to start mailing payments to the depositors by the second week of May. He

advised depositors to update their addresses until May 4 using the mailing address update forms to be distributed

by PDIC representatives at the bank premises.

He said for depositors that are required to file deposits insurance claims, the PDIC targets to start claims settlement operation for these accounts by the third week of May. Tumbokon said the PDIC will conduct depositors-borrowers’ fora on May 7-8 to be held at the Surigao City Gymnasium to inform depositors of the requirements and procedures for the filing of deposit insurance claims.

Surigao rural bank placed under PDIC receivership T

HE Philippine National Police has implemented a gun ban in the province of Davao del Norte for the security of delegates and spectators of the Palarong Pambansa 2015.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario revealed the national headquarters of the Philippine National Police has approved the provincial government’s request for the imposition of gun ban in the province.

“We were able to secure the PNP’s order for a gun ban in the province from April 20 to May 10, 2015,” the governor said, during the opening of the Palaro Tiangge and Tourism Village.

Del Rosario launched the amenities within the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex (DNSTC) to allow participants and guests to dine, shop and have fellowship within the premises of the main playing venue.

He reiterated the safety of the delegates and visitors

with about 2,000 security forces deployed in playing sites, billeting quarters and other strategic areas.

Police Director Ricardo C. Marquez, head of the PNP Directorate for Operations directed PRO-11 Regional Director PCSupt. Wendy Garcia Rosario to coordinate with the provincial government, along with the city government of Tagum, to enforce the suspension of validity of permit to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) in specific places.

The gun ban is in line with the holding of the grassroots Olympics on May 3 to 9, 2015.

Davao del Norte is hosting this year’s edition of the country’s largest sports conclave 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.

This bank, photographed Wednesday (29 April 2015) is now under receivership of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) starting April 24. The PDIC has assured depositors they will get their money back, at least for those with deposits up to P500,000. MindaNews photo by Roel N. Catoto

5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 1 - 2, 2015

DTI monitoring school supplies M

A N U FAC T U R E RS have assured the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that they are not increasing the prices of school supplies this coming school year.

The Consumer Protection Group (CPG) of DTI met with the manufacturers and traders of school supplies recently to discuss the prices and supply of their products.

“The DTI has maintained an open communication with the industry of school supplies and we continuously discuss their price and supply situation to level the playing field among them and to guarantee their cooperation in promoting consumer welfare,” said Trade Undersecretary for CPG Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba.

Dimagiba added that the suppliers have already expressed their commitment to maintain the prices of their products.

“In the meeting, the Philippine School Pads and Notebooks Manufacturers Association, Inc. or PHISPANO, National Bookstore, Bridges Bookstore (formerly Goodwill Bookstore), and Morayta Bookstore (formerly Meriam and Webster Bookstore) declared that their prices are the same for this school year compared to three years ago and they are not increasing the prices of their products,” the Trade official said.

With the assurance from the manufacturers, DTI is extending its appreciation to them for their continued support for the protection of

consumers.

Annually, the DTI-CPG, through its Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB), requests for the suggested retail prices (SRPs) from the industry members of school and office supplies. The CPAB then validates the submitted SRPs against the costs of production, particularly raw materials. Once the SRPs are acceptable, the DTI publishes this list of products with the brands and SRPs from the manufacturers. This will then be the reference price guide for distributors and retailers.

Among the school supplies that are in the list are crayons, notebooks (composition, writing, and spiral), pad paper (grades 1-4, intermediate), ballpens, and pencils.

The said list is expected to be published by May, before classes start.

Apart from the prices, DTI is also looking into the quality of these products.

“Simultaneously, DTI will conduct its monitoring activities to check not only the reasonableness of prices and the availability of school supplies, but also the compliance with specific standards and labelling requirements,” Dimagiba said.

Per Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, any manufacturer, importer, distributor or retailer found to be not complying with the Philippine National Standards (PNS) requirements, shall face administrative charges, which include a maximum fine of P300,000 per violation.

Hot jobs on Labor Day N

URSES, agriculture and construction workers, and call center agents top the list of the most number of job vacancies for the 2015 May 1 Job Fair.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Davao region bared that a total of 34,096 job vacancies were solicited from the 100 local companies and 36 overseas agencies for the biggest job fair of the year.

Overseas employment posted 26,465 job vacancies.

Of the figure, 2,473 vacancies for nurses; 2,250 for skilled/ construction workers; 2,108 technicians; 1,951 engineers; and 1,765 caretakers.

Completing the top 10 list of overseas employment vacancies included frontline service workers, waiter/waitress, sales representatives, office clerks/assistants and therapists.

Most of the overseas employments are bound for the Middle East particularly United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Meanwhile, job vacancies for local employment posted a total of 7,631 available posi-

tions.

For local employment, some 1,258 agricultural workers are needed; 1,257 call center agents (both for voice and non-voice); 1,143 Tehcnical Support Staff; 689 Customer Frontline Service crew and 418 Homebased Online Teachers/workers.

Among the top 10 most number of vacancies also included production Service Workers, sales assistants/ clerks, construction workers, candidate soldier course (Army), and supervisors and managers.

“We are exerting our best effort to gather a high turnout of available jobs that we can offer to our Job seekers come Labor Day Job Fair and were are very glad for the overwhelming support of our local employers and overseas placement agencies,” said DOLE Davao Region OIC assistant director lawyer Jason P. Balais.

“We expect to have at least 5,000 job seekers and hopefully we could have at least 15% of them to be hired on the spot,” he said.

Gaisano Mall of Davao will

FHOT, 10

In Davao Region, DTI Officer-in-Charge Maria Belenda Q. Ambi already instructed all of their Provincial Offices to closely monitor the supply, prices, and quality of school supplies, especially during May when parents are already starting to buy.

“We have to ensure that no establishment in the region is violating the SRPs. If found guilty, there is always a law that will take care of it,” she said.

Every consumer and businessman must bear in mind that Section 2 of Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act states that “It is the policy of the State to ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without

denying legitimate business a fair return of investment.”

Thus, prices of these products must be within SRPs.

For clarifications and concerns, consumers may visit any DTI office near them. In Davao City, they may visit the

office at Mintade Building, corner Monteverde and Sales Streets, or reach them at 2240511.DTI11/NCL/jmm

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 1 - 2, 2015

Dusit hotel brand to ride with Davao’s rapid business growth

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USIT International plans to tap the burgeoning economic activity in Davao City with the entry of dusitD2 Davao, an upscale hotel that will cater to local and international business travellers. It will be built adjacent to the Dusit Thani Residences, a luxury apartment complex featuring 168 full-service residence units.

In partnership with Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation, Dusit International is set to bring its chain of distinctive and vibrant accommodations to Davao City, one of the country’s fastest developing business hubs. This will be the first dusitD2 hotel in the Philippines.

With prime real estate locations, world-class infrastructure and facilities, Davao City is quickly becoming a choice venue for Filipino entrepreneurs, as well as investors from Asia Pacific and beyond. Just outside the city limits lie destinations and vacation spots where one can enjoy the beach and other natural resources, creating a great work-life balance for both local residents and visitors.

“Dusit International created the dusitD2 brand with today’s travellers in mind. It features high-tech and modern conveniences coupled with contemporary design as seen in the world-class amenities

and overall aesthetics of the hotel. We are confident that this will match the youthful vibe and excitement of Davao City,”said Ryan Chen, Dusit International Director of Development for Asia Pacific.

Chen added that dusitD2 Davao guests will enjoy the same five-star treatment and gracious hospitality that is the hallmark of Dusit across all its hotels around the world.

Some of its amenities include an all-day dining restaurant, adult and kiddie pools, and a Dusit-branded specialty restaurant, spa, and gym. And for those who can’t resist combining business and pleasure, its conference facilities can accommodate business meetings and conferences.

To complement the amiable business culture in Davao, dusitD2’s aesthetic will carry a distinctly chic and playful vibe. “Davao is known for its distinctly trans-asean color, which fits the Dusit International brand image perfectly.

The design inspiration was derived from this principle and delivers a unique, modern, yet effortlessly timeless look which is complemented by the color scheme that is concentrated on earthy tones, pitched against a backdrop of reflective and glossy surfaces creating a harmonious balance between the sophisticat-

FDUSIT, 10

CONDO GROUNDBREAKING. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte (fourth from left) graces the groundbreaking ceremonies for Urban Hive Palms condominium project along Bacaca Road Tuesday. Also in photo are Datem Inc.

president Engr. Levy Espiritu, Engr. Morris Agoncillo, Datem Inc. vice president for operations Arnold de Asis, Madeline Dizon-Marfori, Eco Dwellings Edwin Roceles, Marco Dizon and Datem Homes VS sales and marketing Casey San Luis.

New condo project to rise in Bacaca Urban Hive Palms features seven 6-storey buildings

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

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AVAO City’s prominent Dizon family partnered with construction giant Datem Inc. to build a residential condominium project right in the heart of the city.

Urban Hive Palms, Davao’s latest urban dwelling, will soon rise in a 2.8-hectare lot along Bacaca Road, giving future homeowners easy access to some of Davao’s major malls, hospitals and churches.

Madeline Dizon-Marfori said they picked Datem as their partner in building Urban Hive Palms because of its track record, having construct-

ed some of the country’s most recognized commercial and residential projects like One Rockwell and One Shangri-La Place.

Datem Inc. vice president for operations Arnold de Asis said the company is elated to team up with the Dizon family and could not wait in establishing the project.

“Davao brings us excitement,” de Asis said during the grand launch of the Urban Hive Palms at SM Lanand Premiere’s SMX Convention Center Tuesday night.

Datem president Levy Es-

piritu said they will bring the company’s innovative architectural designs and engineering knowledge to the Davao project.

Datem Inc., through its subsidiary development arm Eco Dwellings, will start constructing the initial building in June or July and vowed to complete the project in three and a half years.

Earlier in the day, the groundbreaking ceremony was held at the project site with no less than Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte

FNEW, 10

NDC tartgeting to develop food complex in five years

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

McDonald’s staff members deliver boxes of freshly cooked “The McRib” to Edge Davao office for food tasting yesterday.

The Mc Rib is a barbecue-flavored pork sandwich now available at all McDonald’s branches in Davao City.

crc@edgedavao.net

HE National Development Company (NDC) is targeting to develop the remaining 20-hectare property of the Davao Food Exchange Complex (DFEC) in Daliao, Toril for agri-tourism three to five years from now.

NDC general manager Maria Lourdes F. Rebueno said the 20-hectare development will be just beside the 5- hectare Agri Pinoy Trading Center.

The project is just awaiting approval from the City

Council and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the City Government and the Department of Agriculture 11, which will finance the construction of the center.

“There is already a Davaobased locator who expressed his interest of expanding his operation in the complex,” Rebueno said.

The DFEX will have four processing centers, cold storage, warehouse facilities, trading post, technology and

business incubation center, tourism component, agri-aqua culture, water filtration and bottling facility.

“The concept of the project is to develop the 25-hectare NDC-owned property located in Toril, Davao City into an economic zone for the establishment of a food exchange terminal,” Rebueno said during the fourth general membership meeting of the Davao City Chamber of Com-

FNDC, 10

INdulge!

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Huckleberry’s

MIDNIGHT RAMBLE SOME SAY that the party scene in Durianburg is the exclusive playground of the young and restless with lots of crazy dancing and loud noise that easily drowns out conversations.

Going the less rowdy route, Huckleberry Southern Kitchen and Bar together with Davao’s Manic Nightnings Productions hosted an exclusive summer party called Mid-

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UP AND ABOUT

Bayaning Bayan gives face to local Pinoy heroes Bayaning Bayan: Sa Ating mga Katutubong Epiko Mito at Alamat, a project spearheaded by the Philippine Cultural Education Program (PCEP) of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), is launched to give face to local Filipino heroes from various regional epics, myths and legends.

The project is geared towards building the imagery of heroes from local literature through visual arts or painting contest, conferences and exhibits. Bayaning Bayan aims to develop, establish and popularize clear images and visualizations of local heroes identified in the Sagisag Kultura ng Filipinas, the registry of cultural icons of the country.

Dr. Galileo Zafra, consultant for literature for the Bayaning Bayan project, identified twenty six characters from fourteen folk literatures hailing from various regions, including characters from the Darangen and Hudhud, two of the 19 Asian “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” listed by UNESCO. From the Luzon cluster, the characters identified were Pumbakhayon, Bugan and Aliguyon from the Hudhud of the Ifugaos; Banna from the Ullalim of Kalinga; Lam-ang from Biag ni Lam-ang of the Ilokanos and Kudaman from Kudaman of Palawan.

For the Visayan cluster, culled from the Panay epics were Dumalapdap, Humadapnon and Labaw Donggon from Humadapnon Sulod of Panay; and Labaw Donggon and Baranugun from the Labaw Donggon Sulod of Panay.

For the Mindanao clus-

ter, identified local heroes were Sandayo, Bolak Sonday, and Benebong of the Sandayo Subanon of Zamboanga; Taake and Tomitib Manaon of the Ag Tobig Nog Keboklagan (The Kingdom of Keboklagan) Sobanon of the Zamboanga; Sakandal and Pailalam ri Bolak of the Guman Subanon; Agyu and his son Tanagyaw from the Agyu Ilianon of Northern Cotabato; Agyu, his son Baybayan and his brother Lena (also known as Lono) from the Ulahingan LivunganenArumanen; Bantugan from the Darangen of Maranao; Panglima Hassan from the Parang Sabil of the Tausug; and Tuwaang from the Tuwaang of the Manobo.

Zafra also devised a list of references from which artist may base their interpretations of the characters they wish to give face.

Bayaning Bayan’s contest component is open to Filipino artists 18 years old and above. For Mindanao participants, they may submit their respective artworks to Ms. Jeselyn Dela Cuesta on or before May 28, 2015. Shortlisted pieces will be exhibited at SM Noth EDSA’s The Block in September.

A Bayaning Bayan National Conference spearheaded by the PCEP will also commence in September at the NCCA Lean-

dro V. Locsin Auditorium.

Winning pieces will be awarded and published as part of the Bayaning Bayan Booklet. The publication is created to supplement and aid in the development of instructional materials such as teaching manuals and multimedia resources for cultural education. It will be launched at the NCCA Locsin Auditorium in October.

Joining the panel for the whole of the Bayaning Bayan project are Mr. Joseph “Sonny” J. Cristobal, Head of the Philippine Cultural Education Program, NCCA; Professor Galileo S. Zafra of the University of the Philippines Diliman as the Literary Coordinator; Mr Salvado Ching, Artistic Coordinator; and Mr. Rene S. Napeñas, Head of the Public Affairs and Information Office of the NCCA. For inquiries and more details on the contest, please contact Mr. Joseph “Sonny” Cristobal, Head of the Philippine Cultural Education Program, at 527-2192 local 309 or Mr. Rene Sanchez Napeñas, Head of the NCCA Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) at 527-5529 or 0928-5081057. E-mail us at ncca.paio@gmail. com or pcep.secretarial@ gmail.com. You may also visit our Web site at www. ncca.gov.ph.

Agriculture and Livestock Expo set June 4 to 6 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang DAVAO AGRI- ket.

CULTURE and LiveThe three day event stock Expo is the will highlight the most agribusiness exhi- up-to-date and ground bition and confer- breaking inputs, techence organized by nologies and alliances CMB Events Man- which can enhance the agement annually. profitability of the inThe emphasis of terdependent industries this year’s event of agriculture, food and aims to help agri- Livestock. cultural producers On its 3rd year, the both in crops and organizer promises the livestock to im- event to be more capprove and increase tivating because there production in a will be more Agri prodsustainable way so ucts and Equipment on that they can be display, free seminars more competitive on Gamefowl and Hog in the World Mar- Raising with Free Snacks

plus raffle prizes to be given away to the lucky attendees.

Among the products to be displayed are Agricultural Chemicals • Animal Housing and Breeding • Animal Health and Nutrition • Aquaculture Equipment and Inputs • Dairy Products Equipment and Machinery • Facilities on Postharvest • Feed Ingredients • Feedmilling • Fertilizers and Pest Management • Fishery Products • Food Ingredients and Additives • Food Packaging • Food Processing • Fruits

and Vegetables • Greenhouses and Nurseries • Horticulture Inputs • Meat Products • Organic Farming and Hydroponics • Publications •Research and Consultancy • Seeds and Planting Materials • Irrigation Systems • Waste Management.

Participants of the event are 8 Sources Inc., Amazon Mfg., Kainitz/Bowa Machineries, Harbest Agri Products, Dynapharm, Tractorco Company Inc., San Miguel Foods Corp./ BMeg, Southern Synergy

Sales, Asuki Weighing Scale, Insta Pro International, ECR Marketing, Proline Group, Renros Industries, Known You Seeds Inc., Asia Giant, Plastmann Ind’l Corp., Bounty Agro Farms Corp., Guifts Inc. Honda Phils., Schalen Sales & Marketing, DMI-MX3, Chemvet Products, Payo Manufactring, Plastech Corp. Planters Products Inc., Sante International, Inavet Nutrition Technologies Inc., Sagrex Agri Corp.,Exceed Enterprises, Plastimer Ind’l. Corp., Nature’s

Bio Organic, Rojun Ind’l.

Corp., Sanko Phils., Julu Enterprises,. This event was also supported by Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bureau of Plants Industry and Livestock Development Council.

For participation or additional inquiries regarding the expo, you may call CMB Events Management at (02) 531-9947, 571-7143 or mobile phone at (0922) 7272405 or e-mail us at cmb_events@yahoo. com.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 1 - 2, 2015

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ENTERTAINMENT

Kapuso stars rally behind Pacquiao In his upcoming battle against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. this Sunday, May 3, Manny Pacquiao will have in his corner fellow Kapuso stars who, along with millions of Filipinos, have followed his journey to greatness.

And as fight day draws near, various GMA artists voice out their support for their fellow Kapuso, friend and countryman.

“Isa si Manny sa mga hinahangaan ko di lamang sa kanyang galing sa boxing kundi na rin sa kanyang matatag na pananampalataya at pagmamahal sa bayan,” says Dingdong Dantes.

“This is one of the biggest highlights not just for Manny’s career but also for the history of the Filipino people. Sabay ng tagumpay ni Pacman ang tagumpay ng bawat Pilipino. You make us proud, Kapuso!” he cheers.

And in the biggest fight of Pacquiao’s career, Marian Rivera-Dantes, who co-starred with him in the comedy series Show Me Da

Manny, expresses the sentiments of many. “Hangad ko, kasama ng buong sambayanang Pilipino, ang iyong tagumpay. Nawa’y gabayan ka ng ating Panginoon sa iyong muling pagsampa sa ring at patuloy ka pang maging inspirasyon sa marami.”

His past co-stars have nothing but good words for the man who has shown heart, courage and loyalty in and out of the ring. “We are praying for your victory.

As with all your past fights, we know you’ll make us proud to be Filipino,” says Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, who starred with Pacquiao in the boxing-themed series Totoy Bato. “You have poured your heart in uniting the Filipino people, and for that, we are grateful. To God be the glory!”

Despite many years in the spotlight, Manny’s fellow Kapuso artists attest to the man’s humility which has kept this man’s feet planted firmly on the ground.

“Manny is very easy to work with and treats everyone equally. He’s funny and likes to sing on set,” shares his MP Featuring Sport Science co-host Solenn Heussaff. “Manny is every Pinoy’s pride and I know he won’t disappoint.”

“I have nothing but praises for him,” says Lovi Poe, who also worked with Pacquiao on Show Me Da Manny. “He’s a very successful man who is idolized by almost everybody in the world yet he showed nothing but humility.”

While Pacquiao is known worldwide as one of the greatest boxers in recent history, in his home country, he is all that and more. Having shown great passion not just for the sport, but the country he represents, Pacquiao has truly proven himself to be a true Kapuso.

“Manny has been such behind you,” expresses Tom an inspiration to each Fili- Rodriguez.

And on Sunday, as Pacpino. Each time he faces an opponent in the ring, it is quiao proudly enters the not just for a title but also for Filipino pride. We thank you, Manny and we support you all the way!” says Carla Abellana.

Dennis Trillo also extends his support for the Filipino boxing hero saying, “Kasama mo kami, Pacman, at ang buong sambayanang Pilipino sa laban mong ito.

Sa bawat suntok at ilag na iaalay mo para sa ating bansa, nais din naming iparating sayo ang aming taos pusong paghanga at pasasalamat. Ipinagmamalaki ka namin, Kapuso!“ Truly the People’s champ in and out of the ring, Pacquiao has proven to be a unifying force for the nation.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa ‘yo Manny for all the pride and glory you have given the Filipino people.

And once again, we unite as one nation as we pray for you and give our all-out support. The Filipinos are all

ring to fight for the Filipino people, his fellow Kapuso will all exclaim in unison, “Go Manny!”

Goin’ Bulilit showcases Mommy Dionisia sketch THE “Goin’ Bulilit” cast go full throttle with their Manny Pacquiao episodes as they showcase another special sketch featuring Pacquiao’s number one fan, Mommy Dionisia on Sunday.

“Goin’ Bulilit” fuels the Pacman fever as they highlight all the funny personality ticks of Mommy Dionisia who is known to be an avid supporter of her son every time he fights inside the ring.

How far will “Goin’ Bulilit” go in their impersonation of Mommy D? Don’t miss “Goin’ Bulilit’s” episode this May 3 after watching the mega fight of Pacquiao and Mayweather.

April 30 – May 5, 2015

UNFRIENDED Hannah Sossaman, Matthew Bohrer R13

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

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

2:00 | 5:05 | 8:10 LFS

GET HARD Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart

Catch the Kapamilya comedy shows and make weekends complete! Watch “Home Sweetie Home,” “Banana Split: Extra Scoop,” “Banana Nite,” and “LUV

U.” Catch up on full episodes and past episodes of “Goin’ Bulilit” through ABS-CBNmobile. For more information, please go to www.abscbnmobile.com.

R16

R-16

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

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

12:45 | 3:50 | 6:55 | 10:00 LFS

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EVENT

Urbanissimo A1 night Ramble last April 25 featuring Manila-based Brazilian DJ Luane de Lima.

Trading-in loud dance beats for deep and funky house music, Midnight Ramble was a fresh and relaxing departure from the younger set’s EDM festivals. Where usually loud shouting was needed to just talk to each other, guests who belong to the yuppy set can can easily strike up a conversation and mingle to make new

friends. No crazy face paint and wet shirts here.

Instead guests came in dressed to impress accord-

ingly, of course, to match the warm summer night.

Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter at @kenneth-

kingong for more travel stories, foodie finds, and events in, around, and beyond Durianburg.

7 AGRITRENDS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 1 - 2, 2015

Transsexual tilapia on the rise

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

I

T was in 1950 when Deogracias Villadolid of the Philippine Fisheries Commission brought some species of Tilapia mossambica from Thailand into the country. Although there were no studies made on its management, the fish was introduced in some ponds. As tilapia is a prolific fish, the result was an overcrowded pond.

Many growers considered tilapia as nuisance because it competed for the food of bangus (milkfish), which at that time was considerably more profitable than tilapia. As a result, tilapia vanished into oblivion.

But in 1972, a new tilapia species -- Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) -- was again introduced. It caught the attention of the Filipinos as it had better features particularly its whiter color, bigger size, and faster growth.

Today, the Philippines is “now one of leading producers of tilapia in the world,” reports Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, an Academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology who popularized tilapia raising in the country today.

In 2013, the Philippines was the fourth largest producer of tilapia in the world with a total production of 316.536 metric tons valued at US$669.8 million. Eighty-five percent of the production was from aquaculture and 15% from inland water fishing.

As a world leader, the Philippines has also set the pace for the use of several technological innovations for tilapia.

One of these is the sex reversal technology (SRT). “The technology which is regarded as a milestone in global aquaculture is widely applied in the Philippines and other countries like Israel, Thailand, and the United States,” Dr. Guerrero says.

Dr. Guerrero is regarded as the “Father of Tilapia Sex Reversal.” In 2004, he was conferred the Mgr. Jan D. F. Heine Memorial Award by the International Tilapia Foundation

Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III

for his work.

As much as 90% of the tilapia cultured in the country is sex-reversed. “At least 50% of the tilapia produced in the United States, Canada, Israel, the Caribbean and Asia is sex-reversed,” he points out.

Sex reversal technology The sex reversal technology is based on the theory that the development of the sex organ (testis for male and ovary for female) in the fish can be artificially influenced by feeding of a synthetic sex hormone during the “sexless period” of the young. Hormonal or induced sex reversal was first demonstrated in the 1950s by

Tilapia fishing

Tilapia fish T. K-O. Yamamoto of Japan in the medaka, an aquarium fish.

Artificial sex reversal is considered the most effective, efficient and economical method for solving the major drawback of growing tilapias to market-size caused by unwanted reproduction.

“With mix-sex (male and female) stocks, the fish matures early and breeds frequently resulting in stunted growth due to overpopulation in ponds,” Dr. Guerrero explains. “By growing all-male tilapia produced through hand-sexing (manual separation of sexes), hybridization (crossbreeding of two appropriate species) or sex reversal, the yield of large-sized tilapias is significantly increased by 30 percent to 50 percent because of the faster-growing males

compared to females and the control of reproduction.”

Since its development as a “breakthrough,” the application of tilapia sex reversal has undergone a number of innovations. While at first it was believed that the treatment of fry could only be done under a shade, it is now being done in outdoor tanks and ponds.

Although anyone with the proper know-how and equipment can prepare the hormone-feed and apply it, there is a tilapia sex reversal feed (SRT-95) now available in the market for those who find it more convenient and practical.

“Applying the sex reversal feed method with a success rate of at least 95 percent requires the production of the right age of the fry for treatment, preparation of the hormone feed or its procurement, and the proper application of the treatment,” Dr. Guerrero says.

It is also important that the fry to be treated be not more than three days from the time they are released by the mouth brooding females in breeding ponds when the fry are about 10 days old from hatching of the eggs and 9 millimeters to 11 millimeters in total length.

“The fry to be treated also need to be stocked in tanks or ponds at the proper densities and fed at recommended feeding rates for good growth and survival, and effective sex reversal,” Dr. Guerrero says.

Because of innovation, there is now a much better commercial SRT feed and it’s called SR Premix. “From SRT95 which was a single use feed for treating 4,000 fry with at

least 95% male percentage of treated fish with proper use, we developed a sex reversal premix which can be mixed at one kilogram of the Premix with 9 kilograms of the fry feed to produce 10 kilograms of SRT-99 for treating 40,000 fry,” Dr. Guerrero says.

The SR Premix, he says, is easier and cheaper to transport. SRT-99 is an improvement over SRT-95 because it is capable of producing up to 99-100% male fry with proper use.

Aquatic Biosystems, a consultancy and marketing firm based in Bay, Laguna, is the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of the SR Premix. It is selling SRT 99 at only P400/ kg for treating 40,000 tilapia fry in three weeks.

Safe to eat But the question is: are sex-reversed tilapia safe to eat?

The synthetic sex hormone used in sex reversal technology is methyltestosterone, a man-made form of testosterone. A naturally occurring sex hormone, testosterone is produced in a man’s testicles. Small amounts of testosterone are also produced in a woman’s ovaries and adrenal system.

“Methyltestosterone is used in men and boys to treat conditions caused by a lack of this hormone, such as delayed puberty or other hormonal imbalances,” notes www.drug. com. “Methyltestosterone is also used in women to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.”

According to Dr. Guerrero, the oral treatment with methyltestosterone in tilapia is only

for 3-4 weeks during the sexless stage of the fry or what he calls as “the stage of sexual differentiation.”

“After withdrawal of the treatment,” he assures, “there are no residuals left in the system of the fish after 92 hours.”

He based this statement from some studies being done.

“Since the fry are grown for at least 3-4 months for market and human consumption, it is very safe,” he says.

“There can, therefore, be no side effects if there is no synthetic hormone left in the systems of the fish.”

There is also the question of what happens to the metabolites (excreted compounds) of the synthetic hormone which are eliminated in the environment. Can they affect other organisms and affect people? Dr. Guerrero gives this answer: “Studies have shown that, in the tropics, the high temperature and the effect of sunlight breaks down the metabolites into simpler compounds through biodegradation and photo-oxidation that have no effect on humans.”

Aside from those done in the Philippines, there are also studies conducted in other countries that showed endocrine disruptors from plastics and insecticides in the environment can influence the direction of sex of fishes and possibly humans who consume them towards femaleness or hermaphroditism and not maleness. “Methyl testosterone, which is for maleness, is therefore not in question,” Dr. Guerrero says.

The use of methyl testosterone for tilapia sex reversal is generally accepted throughout the world except in Europe which has a strict organic (no synthetics) policy. “So far, since its application more than 30 years ago, there is no negative or harmful effect on humans reported.”

Food fish In the Philippines, tilapia ranks as the second most important farmed fish and is considered the “people’s fish” because of its stable market prices and reliable supplies. In fact, most of the tilapia raised in the country are consumed locally.

The popularity of tilapia as a food fish is not exclusive in the country. “In the United States, tilapia has shown the biggest gains in popularity among seafood, and this trend is expected to continue as consumption is projected to increase,” the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reported.

Like Americans, Europeans are also fond of tilapia since they consider it as “white meat,” a health food low in cholesterol and fat. Also, European chefs have a preference for tilapia’s firm meat.

But there’s more to tilapia than just providing food. In the United States, tilapias are stocked in the canals that serve as the drinking water sources for the cities of Phoenix, Mesa, and others. The fish reportedly help purify the water by consuming vegetation and detritus, thus greatly reducing purification costs.

Tilapia also serves as a natural, biological control for most aquatic plant problems. Tilapia consumes floating aquatic plants, such as duckweed watermeal, the most “undesirable” submerged plants, and most forms of algae.

In Thailand, tilapia is becoming the plant control method of choice in reducing, if not eliminating, the use of toxic chemicals and heavy metal-based algaecides. In Kenya, tilapia helps control malaria-causing mosquitoes. Tilapia consumes mosquito larvae, which reduces the numbers of adult females, the disease’s vector.

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VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 1 - 2, 2015

EDITORIAL Laboring for the future

I

t is fitting that the saga of Mary Jane Veloso is happening right around this time as the country – and much of the world – marks Labor Day. This year’s commemoration is doubly significant because Mary Jane, whose execution was deemed so irreversible that several newspapers actually published her death the following day, is still alive today thanks to a last minute suspension ordered by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. It is rare for Labor Day to be an actual celebration, with most workers using it as an opportunity to call for higher wages and better conditions, but today we can rejoice in this bit of good news.

We must, however, continue the struggle so that the circumstances that forced Mary Jane to unwittingly leave the country with a stash of illegal drugs are forever erased from this country. Mary Jane had dreamt of giving her family a good life, and the only way she could think of was to work abroad. Like millions of Filipinos, work in a foreign country is the only option,

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

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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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for if they stay here there would be no hope for a better life.

The government under the Aquino administration has prided itself in pushing the economy to greater heights, but it must also be remembered that this has not resulted in an increase in the number of jobs. It is true that there is more money in the Philippines, but only a few people are holding it.

Today, as we mark Labor Day, we stand with every Filipino who struggles for just wages, for proper benefits, for equitable distribution of wealth, for fair treatment in the workplace. We seek an end to the poverty that drives so many of us away from our families, the squalor that divides the very core of our society just because there is not enough here home. We call out the greedy, the corrupt, those who would steal directly or indirectly from the people so that they get to live the good life at everybody else’s expense. May Mary Jane’s story inspire us to do our country better, so that no more Mary Janes have to be exploited and literally sent to their deaths.

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

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 1 - 2, 2015

Sweat of your brow

“

THERE is a perennial nobleness, and even sacredness, in work,” wrote Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle. Blessed is he who has found his work; let him ask no other blessedness; he has a life purpose. Labor is life.”

Whether you like it or not, you have to work.

For God said so: “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground” (Genesis 3:19). Adam, the first man, was given the job to take care of the Garden of Eden. All throughout the Bible, God has commanded man to work. In the Ten Commandments, He said, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work.”

Francois-Marie Arouet, known by his nom de plume Voltaire, said that work keeps us from three great evils: boredom, vice, and poverty.

With that concept in mind, we can look at the benefits and understand that “you don’t ‘pay the price’ – you enjoy the benefits.”

If you don’t work, you get nothing. I was reminded of a story told by Aesop. It goes this way: An old gardener was dying and sent for his two sons. He told them, “For years, our orchard has given the best of fruit – golden delicious fruit.

Look at my calloused hands, worn by the spade.

But you two have never done a day’s work in your lives. I’ll tell you what I had been doing: I have hidden a treasure in my orchard for you to find. It is not near the tree trunks; it is midway between the trees. It is yours for the trouble of digging, that’s all.”

So, the father sent his two sons away and no longer afterwards he died. The orchard became the property of the sons. So without delay, they set to work to dig the treasure that had been promised them.

They dug and dug, day after day, week after week. They dug up all the stones and picked out all the weeds. Rainy season passed and summer came and the trees were loaded with blossoms and perfume. After months came harvest time, but the brothers had not yet found the hidden treasure.

A business man came to buy the fruit crop and he was astounded, “This is the finest crop I have ever seen,” he told them. “I’ll give you twenty bags of money for this crop.”

I

That was THINK ON THESE! more money than the two boys had ever seen in their life. They struck a bargain with the business man, took the bags of money, while the latter began to gather the fruit.

He told them, “I’ll Henrylito D. Tacio be glad to buy your crop next henrytacio@gmail.com year again. You must have worked with your spades to produce such a crop.”

When the business man went, the two boys sat looking at each other over the bags of money.

Then they look down at their rough hands and smiled as one said, “You know, I think this is the treasure we’ve been digging for all year.”

American social reformer and speaker Henry Ward Beecher expounds it this way: “When God wanted sponges and oysters, He made them and put one on a rock and the other in the mud.

When He made man, He did not make him to be a sponge or an oyster; He made him with feet and hands, and head and heart, and vital blood, and a place to use them, and He said to him, ‘Go work.’”

While there are some people who are happy with the work, or there are also those who aren’t.

The answer is maybe, the latter are in the wrong job. If you think you are not happy with what you are doing now, you better resign and find another one. Find a job that make you happy.

For twenty years, he worked in the “trenches” in hospital emergency rooms, only to find himself overwhelmed with a bad case of “burnout.” He describes his work this way: “It was years of screaming, dying, drunks, drug overdose, terminal cancer, and exhaustion.” It was at that time that Dr. Lance Gentile enrolled in the University of Southern California’s film school.

While continuing to save lives on hospital

late shifts, he tried his hand at writing a screenplay. State of Emergency was turned into an HBO movie. Then, the offer to be part of the successful popular television show, ER, came. He did not act in the series but part of his job was to monitor story lines to ensure no harm was done to make-believe patients or the show’s credibility.

He made sure actors use correct terminology, hold instruments correctly, and have their X-rays right side up.

Here’s a reminder from H.L. Neri on how you should treat your work: “If you don’t love your work, you’ll need three times the energy: to force yourself to work, to resist the force, and finally to work.”

On the contrary, if you love your work, you don’t need that kind of energy. Neri puts it this way: “If you love your work, your desire to do it will be like a wind to propel your ship with much less fuel.”

Not only that. “If you like your work, you work no more – for work, when you like it, is work no longer, but sheer enjoyment. If you enjoy your work, you’ll work and work without counting the hours. And you’ll reap and enjoy more earnings as well.” It’s like a basketball player who is being given a salary but still playing.

By the way, a lot of people became rich and millionaire because they work – hard. They don’t believe in luck. The Laggard’s Excuse confirms the principle that the man who is born the luckiest is the man who doesn’t believe in luck – but in work! “He worked by day and toiled by night,” the poem states. “He gave up play and some delight. Dry books he reads, new things to learn and forged ahead, success to earn. He plodded on with faith and pluck. And when he won, men called it luck.”

One sage puts it this way: Luck is always waiting for something to turn up. Work, on the other hand, with keen eyes and strong will, turns up something. Luck lies in bed and wishes the postman would bring him news of an unexpected inheritance. Work springs out of bed in the morning and lays the foundation for success with competence.

– is at fault. RANDOM THOUGHTS The academic tradition under which I was reared prevents me from precisely doing that. Veloso’s is a legal case; let us leave that to the legal machineries of Jonallier M. Perez both countries.

One might argue that it is deeply rooted in the socio-economic condition of the Philippines. If that is so, then there is something that should assuage us then. Recently, the country has been considered as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, even surpassing some Western European countries, such as Greece and Portugal. We enjoy one of the highest foreign investment confidence levels in Asia. We are not just a little tiger. We are a roaring little tiger.

What we are missing is simply this: Right or wrong, when in Rome, one must act like a Roman. Indonesia has a very serious national illegal drugs crisis. President Jokowi Widodo won the elections because he promised to be tough with it, among others. I cannot blame Veloso herself, although I am inclined to do so because of her apparent naivety. Death penalty is Draconian, yes. And there are indications that the Indonesian judiciary is rigged with charges

of corruption, much like here in the Philippines.

Be that as it may.

We find it so easy to condemn a nation that simply implements its penal laws seriously.

Yet, we turn a blind eye to our own daily petty violations of traffic and light criminal laws – criminal nevertheless. We are easily incensed on social media especially over the alleged government neglect in Veloso’s case. Yet, we hardly stop and talk to beggars and show that we care for them, too. We find it so convenient to take a passionate stand on select issues whose ramifications are indirect and secondary. Yet we hardly read any proposed local ordinance whose implications to our daily lives are immediate, highly localized, and direct. We are very good at pointing out what is wrong with others, with our government, with other countries, with our adversaries, with our neighbors, with our delinquent young family members, with anyone.

But we are not good at telling ourselves how wrong we were at some point in our lives. We are content at identifying the problems in a very passionate and seemingly infallible manner.

We hardly offer solutions. This is what we are missing right now.

Yes, Mary Jane remains alive, at least for now. And I am hopeful that her conviction will be overturned or, at least, her liability mitigated which may no longer merit death should we successfully prove that she was duped by a drug ring. Whatever euphoric feeling we have right now as one nation, I hope, will not prevent us from seeing what is missing in the end. The challenge remains.

Beyond Mary Jane Veloso

T seems that everyone is talking about the temporary reprieve granted to convicted Filipino worker in Indonesia. I am, therefore, not going to talk about what, how or why it happened. There is just too much talk and trash talk, even on social media – the most efficient and effective platform for public discussion. Incidentally, it is also the most rabid and counterproductive mode, considering our penchant to merely skim news articles. We are mostly content at reading the often misleading titles and captions and, perhaps, some few initial lines or paragraphs, then embark on an infallible public discourse. We quickly blame the government, her family, her recruiter. We blame her. We blame everyone.

I do not intend to be insensitive to the feelings of her family and those who care for her. There is strong indication that Mary Jane Veloso is a mere victim of human trafficking, a mere pawn in the international illegal drugs syndicate. Driven by desire to improve the economic conditions of her family, she took the pains of working in an alien land. Needless to say, the suspended death penalty by firing squad is something we must rejoice at – for the meantime. There are plenty of Mary Janes around the world. And the government has yet to make an inventory of similar cases and we must prioritize cases involving the ultimate penalty of death. After the entire hullabaloo, we are still missing something.

I am not privy of the details of her case. I cannot, therefore, say which party – be it Veloso herself, the Indonesian prosecution, her alleged recruiter and “Ike” or even our own government

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Global warming and food EDGEWISE

BY JESUS QUITAIN

First of two parts

W

EATHER watchers and scientists agree that 2015 will be the hottest year of the decade 2010 to 2019. In 2003 a heat wave cut agricultural production in Europe to 30% causing the cost of food to go up not only in Europe but all over. European meat, milk, cheese, jams fruits are exported to Asia so the Asian consumers also suffered. The 2012 U.S heat wave wilted farms causing prices of animal feed (Corn, sorghum, soy beans, etc.) to go up. US and Canada are the biggest exporters of meat (chicken, lamb beef) to the world.

Their supply of meat and form products went down because of the El Niño, causing prices worldwide to go up alarming Japan, China, India etc. who import more than 30% of their food from North America.

My unscientific superstitious gauge had always been 1. If December is rainy, the incoming year will be rainy. 2. If it rains during Holy week, there will be rain all year round. 3. If there is no or little rain during the Christmas season and Holy week, we are in trouble.

The hottest year we had was in 1976, when an intensity 7.7 undersea earthquake in Moro Gulf created a tsunami killing thousands in the coasts of Zamboanga and Cotabato at around 11 PM. In 1976 there were forest fires in remote fires where before there were none. Unfortunately the National Disaster Council is hooked on typhoons and earthquakes. As early as November 2014, the US and other world weather centers were already telling people that the 2015 heat wave will be very very bad.

Instead of preparing and coordinating, with the water resources council, the irrigation agency and the Departments of Agriculture and Energy to start conserving water and food, the NDC focused on 3 typhoons which they said will be like Yolanda and were eagerly looking for more typhoons. All the while, the US, Japan, China, India and world weather bureaus were laughing they knew that no typhoons will hit us until August and that most will be of lower category because of the bad drought.

60% of the electricity in Luzon and 70% in Mindanao is hydro powered. This means the turbines that produced heat creating electricity are powered/turned by the very strong push of cascading gushing water into the propellers.

All of Luzon’s hydro power dams, Mindanao’s lake Lanao and Bukidnon’s Pulangi musuan dams have no/very little water to turn the tribunes/propeller and make electricity. The eight Luzon and one Mindanao coal power plants are not enough to fill all the power needs. Less electricity will shut reduce/business and industry.

Less irrigation for rice, mean less food for people and less corn mean less food for pigs, chickens, etc. Less food will cause hoarding, jacking up of prices and worse bring food riots, hunger, death, disease, epidemics.

When 1999 ended and 2000 came, there were projections about what will be the world’s biggest problems from 2000 to 2050. Surprisingly, food shortage was number one while war, natural disasters like earthquakes, comet/asteroid falling on earth, etc. were way below. The London School of Economics, the Washington Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, and the United Nations Inter Governmental Panel on climate change stressed that the world’s 7 billion people will be greatly affected by the risks of food shortage. (TO BE CONTINUED)

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did not sign the amendment, allowing it to lapse into law on February 27, 2015.

Under the amended law, unauthorized fishing refers to the capture or gathering of fish, fry or fingerlings of any fishery species without license or permit from BFAR and local government unit (LGU).

The amendment also says commercial fishing vessels are not allowed to fish in municipal waters.

“Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the boat captain and the three highest officers of the commercial fishing vessel and the owner or operator who violate this provision shall be penalized with confiscation of catch and gear, and an administrative fine of five times the value of the catch or the amount,” the amended law says.

It stipulates the maximum penalty of each vessel class: up to P100,000 penalty for smallscale commercial fishing, P500,000 penalty for medium-scale commercial fishing, and up to P5 million for largescale commercial fishing.

“The boat captain and the three highest officers of the commercial fishing vessel shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of six months and confiscation of catch and gear and twice the amount of the administrative fine,” the law says.

It also says that any person not listed in the registry of municipal fisherfolk to engage in any commercial fishing activity in municipal waters will not be allowed.

“The offender of this provision shall be punished with an It shall be unlawful for any person to exploit, occupy, produce, breed or culture fish, fry or fingerlings of any fishery

species or fishery products or construct and operate fish corrals, fish traps, fish pens and fish cages or fishponds without a license, lease or permit,” the law says.

The violators will be also penalized with an administrative fine of P1 million, the dismantling or removal of the structure at the expense of the offender, the rehabilitation of the area affected by the activity, and confiscation of stocks.

The offender will also suffer the penalty of imprisonment of six months upon conviction by a court of law and a fine equivalent to twice the amount of the administrative fine.

The law states any person will be prohibited to fish in the high seas, in the territorial seas, archipelagic waters, and Exclusive Economic Zones of other states using a Philippine flagged fishing vessel without first securing a fishing permit from the Department and authorization from the coastal state.

The law states the maximum penalty such as up to P9 million fine for small-scale commercial vessel, P15 million for medium-scale commercial vessel.

For large-scale commercial fishing vessels, maximum of P20 million for less than 750 gross tons and maximum of P45 million for more than 750 tons.

The three highest officers of the commercial fishing vessel will suffer the penalty of imprisonment of six months upon conviction by a court of law, a fine equivalent to twice the amount of the administrative fine, and confiscation of catch and gear. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

ing the Philippine Equity Fund at 18.37 percent, Balance Fund at 13.28 percent and Dollar Abundance Fund at 5.93 percent. The Dynamic Fund posted at 13.96 percent return form July 2014 (inception) to March 2015.

As it celebrates its 15th anniversary alongside the 120th anniversary of its parent company Sun Life Canada (Philippines), Inc., SLAMCI will be rolling out several initiatives in line with its mission of helping clients achieve prosperity.

“Distribution channels are set to be expanded further, new products will be developed and launched in the market, more financial planning session and investment

forums will be held, and the company’s digital presence and online capabilities will be also strengthened,” she added.

On May 5, SLAMCI will be launching the Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index (PSI) Fund which aims to mirror the performance of the PSEi by investing in index constituent securities at their index weights.

“SLAMCI welcomes the opportunities and challenge to reach out to even more Filipinos and help them discover the significant benefits that investing offers,” she said.

“On our 15th year, we remain committed and inspired to be our best for the people we serve.”

Robosa said they are currently evaluating water resources to determine whether these were also contaminated.

“So far, we have already contained the diarrhea cases but we need to still trace its actual cause,” she said.

Robosa said they already sent samples and rectal swabs of the victims to confirm the type of microorganisms that caused the rise in diarrhea

cases.

In the meantime, Robosa said they advised residents to practice proper hygiene, like regular hand washing and properly boiling their drinking water.

“We also educated them about some alternative treatments in case they will have problems accessing medicines later on,” she added. MindaNews

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Paolo... FROM 2

ner he thought would catch the attention of the officials.

“I’m sorry Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, MARINA, Coast Guard, and Mr. Bangayan ug ni react ko kay nabutang sa delikado ang ako pamilya ug ang mga tao. Dugay ko na ning gi bring up few years ago but it fell on deaf ears. And since nagpa bungol bungol sila, atong kusgan ang tingog that’s why now they’re listening (I’m sorry if I reacted that way, but it was because the lives of my family and of many people were put in danger. I had raised this concern many years ago but it had fallen on deaf ears. And since they are playing deaf, I rasised my voice, and that’s why now they’re listening),” the vice mayor said.

“I was not angry, I was stressing a point. If you think I went ballistic, then so be it.

I’m not doing this for anyone in particular, but for the safety of the people I serve. Di ko maghulat nga naay maunlod (I won’t wait until someone drowns). I’m sorry but that’s not my style,” he added.

Paolo also said he was “convinced” that Duterte would have done the same thing if the mayor had been in his shoes.

“One does not need to be a

vice mayor or a public official to fully understand the perils that the people get thru once on the vessel. I have all the right to raise the issue. We were paying passengers and our safety is their priority and concern. It’s not all about the money. Expect a louder voice if this goes unheeded again,” he said.

The barges plying the said route is owned by the Bangayan family, which also owns a fleet of taxis operating in the city. The Bangayans are friends of the Dutertes and had been very supportive of the Duterte administration.

Vice Mayor Duterte, however, said that his family’s close ties with the Bangayans must be set aside since the welfare of the public is already at stake.

Mayor Duterte had reacted to his son’s tirades, saying there was no reason to get angry at the Coast Guard and MARINA. “Maybe we just call the attention of the persons who enforce the law. I think there is Coast Guard or there is Maritime Police… Dito sa Davao, hindi man under sa atin yang Coast Guard. My suggestion is ask what’s the law, then follow it,” he said.

branches closed by the regional office of the BIR together with its revenue officers, 12 are located in Davao City: C.M. Recto Avenue, A. Pichon Street, Damosa, Victoria Plaza, Victoria Plaza Park n Shop, Gaisano Mall of Davao, NCCC Mall in Matina, City Triangle in Roxas Avenue, JS Citimall, SM City Davao (Ecoland), SM City Davao Annex, and the one along LTO Boulevard.

Two branches in Tagum City were also padlocked: in Cuntapoy Building and in Gaisano Mall of Tagum.

Jaltan bookkeeper Lilia Torreon said the company received a notice from BIR 11 before it was temporarily closed yesterday morning when it was still preparing its food menu.

Torreon said the company will settle its obligation as soon as possible so that it can go back to its normal opera-

tion.

Oplan Kandado is one of the initiatives of the BIR to increase government tax collection. The program cracks down business establishments that do not pay proper taxes and violate the tax code.

Yesterday’s action came a day before Labor Day and affected several workers of Jaltan. One of them, Lenlen Lispo, said they had no clue the BIR would shut down the restaurant.

She said she and her co-workers were already cooking and displaying their products when the BIR team arrived.

“Wala jud mi kabalo samo buhaton, nanindog gani akong balahibo kay nashock jud ko.

Wala pa pud mi nag ka storya samo amo (We didn’t know what to do. I was shocked. We haven’t talked to our employer yet),” she said.

Gov. Bombit Adiong (left of Dela Vega). Is this alright? something just fine with you?”

It certainly was not fine for lawyer Nena Santos, Esperat’s friend who served as lawyer for her family after her murder. “He has a pending warrant of arrest issued by the Makati court for the murder of Marlene Esperat.

The case is pending kasi di pa sya nahuli (because he has not been arrested). The people around him should arrest him and turn him over the authorities, otherwise, they will be charged with obstruction of justice.”

The police chief, the Army brigade commander, the governor and regional vice governor all claimed they were not aware Montañer was a wanted man.

Heads must roll Rowena Carranza-Paraan,

chair of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), told MindaNews it was “shocking to see a photo of a wanted murder suspect seated together with high-ranking officials with the latter seeming oblivious to the heinous murder that was condemned by the entire world.”

“It had always been perplexing how for the longest time the police could not serve the arrest warrant but it is clear from the photo that it has no intention of doing so. We demand an investigation on why a wanted suspected murderer was not arrested when there was opportunity to do so. Was it mere stupidity or deliberate flouting of the law?

Either way, heads must roll,” she said. Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews

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911... FROM 2 cern of Central 911 in case of earthquakes because of the possibility of tsunamis.

He said the DCDRRMC has made an early warning system in the coastal areas to inform the communities of possible disaster.

“More importantly, our communities especially the barangays have already their own emergency response team formed for tsunamis and earthquakes,” he said. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

hold the Job Fair on May 1-2, 2015. While SM City Davao will hold the event on May 1.

Gaisano Mall of Tagum will also be hosting Job Fair on May 1 to cater applicants from the provinces of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and even those from Davao Oriental. Another Job Fair is conducted at Brgy. Darong, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. “The DOLE and our part-

ners work to make it easy and fast for jobseekers to find jobs that fit their qualifications, interests, and career inclinations,” Balais said.

“This is the biggest and the grandest Job Fair we host for the year. And we urged newly graduated students to take advantage of this gathering of employers and job opportunities in one setting,” he added.

(Sherwin B. Manual/DOLE11)

gracing the affair and even laying the time capsule for the Urban Hive Palms development.

The unveiling of the project’s showroom was also staged.

“The seven-building complex comprise the six storey multi unit condominium with a clubhouse housing function rooms, a fully equipped fitness gym, basketball court, adult and kiddie pools, and jogging and strolling paths around the area,” the developers

said in a press statement.

Urban Hive Palms is also less than a kilometer away from Abreeza and Victoria Plaza, and about 1.5 km to MDMRC Hospital and Davao Medical School. Its nearby places of worship are the Redemptorist Church and Bajada Bible Baptist Church.

Guests, buyers and prospective investors witnessed the specially constructed 4-D version of Urban Hive Palms during the grand launch.

Hot... FROM 5

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Dusit... FROM 6 ed, luxurious atmosphere and rejuvenating, casual comfort,”said master designer Manny Samson.

The P2-billion luxury serviced residences and hotel is expected to open its doors in 2018. It will be nestled within the Siam 8000 community project, a master planned community located along Maryknoll Drive in Barangay Pampanga, Davao City.

Dusit International’s entry into the Davao market is landmarked by the adjoining Dusit

Thani Residences, which is also being built in partnership with Torre Lorenzo and located within Siam 8000.

Headquartered in Makati City, Torre Lorenzo first made a name in the real estate market through its highly successful student-targeted university housing project located well within Manila’s school district. The firm all the more solidified its reputation in the property industry with the development of its first township venture in Davao, Ciudades.

merce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) at Seda Hotel.

The complex will cater to processors of meat, fruits, vegetables, halal foods, fish and other aquamarine products.

“The complex will also have a tourism component because we are planning to set up “dampa-type restaurants, festival market place, retail outlets for food, fresh fruits and other agricultural products,” Rebueno said.

She added that 95 percent of the 200 sample producers in Davao Region are willing to supply the DFEC with around 60,114 metric tons of products per year.

“Several potential locators and suppliers have expressed interest to invest in vertical facilities for fresh and processed fruits, like mango, durian, banana, mangosteen and cacao, among others,” Rebueno said.

For the implementation

scheme, NDC is looking at borrowing funding from stateowned banks like Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines for the vertical development.

“For this option, we’re planning to lease out the developed land to locators on a long-term basis where the locator will construct vertical facilities,” Rebueno said.

On the other hand, NDC is also looking at leasing out the land on “as-is-where-is” basis wherein the private developer will undertake the horizontal development of the plan in accordance with the master plan.

“NDC will share from private developer’s profit of 5 percent on the lease revenue of the developed lots,” she said.

The private developer has to pay one year profit share in advance under this scheme.

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ICT HUB 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 1 - 2, 2015

Camera360, Smart support Pacquiao T

TechTalks.ph, Microsoft offer free‘Startup Camps’

A

S the “Fight of the Century” between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather nears, Camera360, one of the most popular photography apps in the Philippines and worldwide, has announced a new collaboration with Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) to support the country’s boxing hero Manny Pacquiao.

Following last year’s launch of a co-branded app, this time Camera360 has expanded the strategic

partnership with Smart, by joining the “#SugodManny” campaign to support Philippines’ national pride Manny Pacquiao in the biggest showdown in boxing history.

Smart is leading the call for Filipinos to let the whole world see, hear, and feel the country’s support for the people’s champion. And users of Smart-Camera360’s co-branded app will have exclusive access to Manny themed posters/scenes. They are also encouraged to share

their photos taken with Camera360 to show support and connect with Manny on social media.

As an eight-division world champion boxer, Manny Pacquiao is not just the national pride of the Philippine s , but also serves as an inspiration to work hard and push the limits for the whole nation to live more.

“Manny’s significance goes beyond boxing. Camera360 is very delighted to participate in the most

ICROSOFT Corp. on Wednesday announced new features in Windows 10 and unveiled a set of software development kits (SDKs) to help developers bring their code for the Web, .NET, Win32, Android and iOS to Windows 10.

At the company’s annual Build developer conference, Microsoft also announced new Microsoft Azure data services for intelligent applications; Visual Studio and .NET tools and runtimes for Windows, Mac and Linux; and APIs that enable developers to build rich apps with Office 365.

“Microsoft has bold ambitions for platforms that empower developers across Windows, Azure and Office,” said Satya Nadella , CEO of Microsoft. “Together, we will

create more personal and more intelligent experiences that empower billions of people to achieve more.”

Microsoft showcased several new features in Windows 10, from new capabilities to scale applications across devices to new ways for developers to build code for Windows 10. Capturing the breadth of opportunity, the company declared its ambition to have 1 billion active Windows 10 devices

by FY18.

The company further detailed ways in which developers can create a single app that scales across all Windows 10 devices, automatically adapting to different screen sizes. With the Universal Windows Platform, developers can tailor their apps to the unique capabilities of each device,

integrate Cortana and Xbox Live into their apps, offer trusted commerce, create holograms, and publish their apps into the Windows Store. Also as part of the Universal Windows Platform, the company shared how apps can scale using Continuum for phones, enabling people to use their phones like PCs for productivity or entertainment. 1 The Windows Store will also offer a single unified experience for Windows 10 customers across devices and make finding great content easier than ever — across apps, games, music, video and other content. 2 Transactions will take advantage of a range of popular payment options, including the largest carrier billing footprint of any ecosystem supporting 90 mobile oper-

Microsoft empowers OS developers to reach billions of new customers M

anticipated fight in boxing.

By partnering with Smart, we want our Filipino users to have unique ways to express their support for their boxing legend.” Says Xu Hao, CEO of Camera360.

Users of Smart-Camera360’s co-branded app will also be able to have exclusive in-app features like the Manny-themed Camera360 homepage background.

Camera360 is available on App Store and Google Play.

PRNewswire

ECHTALKS.PH, a non-profit organization of technology, business, and startup enthusiasts, is partnering with Microsoft Philippines to offer “Startup Camps” in various cities in the Philippines.

“Startup Camps” is a free and open to the public oneday workshop. It is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs, startup founders, academe (professors, students) and those interested in starting their own technology-based businesses or “startups.” Entrepreneurs who want to use technology to enhance their business are also invited to join.

The first event was held last April 11 in Batangas and was co-organized with Brainsparks.ph. The event was sold out with some attendees from Manila.

The next TechTalks.ph Startup Camp will be held this coming May 7 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol and May 9 in Cebu City.

“At this Startup Camp, the participants will learn about tech startups or Innovation-Driven enterprises (IDE) as well as ways to start their own businesses. Entrepreneurs and members of the business sector will gain more knowledge on the ways to enhance their businesses with technological tools,” said Tina Amper, TechTalks. ph Founder.

Amper added that participants will also learn about building websites, mobile

applications, and enterprise-class applications using Microsoft products.

An information overview of Microsoft BizSpark program will also grace the camp. This provides technology, support, visibility, and community to qualified, promising startups and entrepreneurs—at no charge.

Software developers and tech startup founders will witness the unveiling of the new Microsoft Azure features and services. Azure is Microsoft’s cloud platform: a growing collection of integrated services: compute, storage, data, networking, and app—that helps companies move faster, do more, and save money.

These basic concepts will be explained during the workshop. We welcome all to join this learning event. For more details, visit www.TechTalks. ph, our official Facebook page at TechTalks.ph, or our Twitter @techtalks_ph. For those interested, join the mailing list at www.TechTalks.ph to get more updates about the event.

TechTalks.ph is a non-profit, independent community of business, technology, and startup enthusiasts. Members meet to share ideas, learn new skills, and discover growing opportunities in the field of technology.

TechTalks.ph also organizes various tech and entrepreneurship events such as Startup Weekend and Geeks on a Beach (GOAB).

ators. USA Today, WeChat, Disney and Netflix Inc. are a few of the partners referenced in the keynote already building apps for the Windows Store.

Microsoft welcomed all developers to the Universal Windows Platform by announcing four new software development toolkits that will make it easy to bring their code for the Web, .NET, Win32, iOS and Android to the Windows Store with minimal code modifications.

This will enable developers to start with an existing code base such as Android or iOS, integrate with the Universal Windows Platform capabilities, and then distribute their new application through the Windows Store.

New features for Microsoft Edge, the new browser for Windows 10, were also unveiled, offering developers better discoverability of their apps and future extensibility with JavaScript and

HTML. Highlighting the opportunity with Windows 10, Microsoft shared the progress it has made in fewer than 100 days since unveiling Microsoft HoloLens — the world’s first untethered holographic computer powered by Windows 10 — and showcased how customers like Trimble, Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic are using this innovative new technology. PRNewswire

12 CLASSIFIED

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DAVAO CITY MAIN OFFICE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY MARKETING OFFICE

Director of Sales

Marketing Specialist

JOCELYN S. PANES

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

EDMUND P. RENDON

General Santos City

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

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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

VOL. 8 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 1 - 2, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS13

Davao City’s Central 911 to be deployed in Palarong Pambansa 2015

E

MERGENCY Response Center Central 911 will deploy its ambulance and personnel at the venues of the Palarong Pambansa 2015 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte to look into the health of the athletes and to immediately respond to contingencies.

Cynthia Perez, spokesperson of the Central 911 said two small and one bus-type vehicles will be assigned in the playing venues while 12 medical per-

sonnel will tag along from May 1 up to the culmination of the Palaro on May 9.

“We will look into the welfare of the players, particularly their health needs,” she said.

On the other hand, Senior Superintendent Camilo Cascolan, chief of staff of the Police Regional Office 11 said the security sector composed of the police, military and the local government units in the area is already in placed with the arrival of the delegations

from various parts of the country.

He said three hundred soldiers from the 10th Infantry Divisiion will be directly involved to secure the playing venues and billeting areas.

“They will be responsible for the inner security and the border security checkpoints,” Cascolan said.

He said checkpoints will be set up on a regular basis composed of military and police personnel

VM Security Technologies Inc., Wholesaler and Retailer of Security Equipments (e.g.cctv, biometrics, fire and burglar alarm, access control) and System Integrator (Structured Cabling/Auxiliary System), is currently hiring for the ff. positions:

1. Marketing Manager (2) 2. Sales/Area Manager (5)

Qualifications are as follows:

*College Graduate (Any Course) *Male/Female at least 21 years old *With very good Public Relations (P.R.) Skills *Good looks and pleasing personality is a big plus *Applicants with experience in Retail/Corporate Sales will be an advantage *Willing to travel Visayas/Mindanao Area *Female Models with experience in Exhibits/Trade Shows are also encouraged to apply

*Applicants who will be hired as regular staff will receive the ff. benefits: **SSS, Philhealth and Pagibig **Transportation and Communication Allowance **Monthly food allowance **Annual Sales Commission of around P800,000 to P1,000,000 for those who will meet Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Sales Target.

**Interested applicants may email their resume at sales@vmtech.com.ph or call our office at (0917)3293471(CEBU) or (0917)7952469 (DAVAO) for interview schedule

**NOW HIRING FOR CEBU AND DAVAO!!!!!!!

whose concern is not only the borders of Tagum City, but also outside of the city, in Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte and as far as Davao del Sur. “These checkpoints will be set up by the municipal police stations in coordination with the Philippine Army,” Cascolan.

He said days-off for policemen are cancelled for the meantime.

Cascolan said security will be provided to athletes

who would visit the tourist destinations in the region.

“These people will be escorted at the same time infokits about the contact numbers of municipal police stations and Army patrol basis will be given to them, so that authorities can easily coordinate and secure properly all those who would be going out of the area, especially those visiting tourist spots,” he said.

Earlier, Lt. General Aurelio Baladad, commander

of the Eastern Mindanao Command said a military task force has been organized to support the security needs of the Palarong Pambansa 2015.

He clarified that the police will take the lead role in the implementation of security while the Army lends support.

Baladad assured that the military will provide the assistance of bomb experts as the need arises.

(PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

allowing rampant contractualization, labor repression through hiring and firing policy and the preference of government to foreign investments and public-private partnership.

Ybanez said that the cheap labor policy favors more the capitalists than the workers since the former rake more profit than the laborers who solely rely on their wages.

He stressed that the real value of the minimum wage in Davao Region at P317 is only P214.19, while a family of five needs more than a thousand peso-living wage a day to enjoy a decent life.

“It is sad that the government never addressed our plight effectively for the past five years,” Ybanez said.

He urged the government to certify as urgent the bills assuring the Security of Tenure, living wage, universal health system and the passage of a better Bangsamoro Basic Law. Ybanez said they will dramatize these concerns by marching from the Freedom Park towards the city thoroughfare and back to show that the workers are aware of the issues besetting their plight. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Moderate labor groups to muster 5,000 workers for Labor Day

A

TOTAL of 5,000 workers under the banner of Nagkaisa, a coalition of moderate labor groups will gather at the People’s Park at Roxas Avenue to dramatize their plea in time for the commemoration of the Labor Day on May 1.

Michael Ybanez, spokesperson of Nagkaisa said efforts of the government to address the issues of unemployment need improvement.

He said the issues like unemployment and underemployment remain unchanged because of the prevalence of cheap labor policy, regulations

14 EDGEDAVAO Sports

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READY TO RUMBLE

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FLOYD’S 5 KEYS TO VICTORY

BODY SHOTS

2 MOVEMENT 3

GAMESMANSHIP

4

RIGHT STRAIGHT

5 SIZE

EDGE DAVAO INFOGRAPHICS

Boxers Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, and Manny Pacquiao pose with a WBC belt during a press conference Wednesday (Thursday PHL Time) in Las Vegas. Mayweather will face Pacquiao in a welterweight title fight in Las Vegas on May 2.

JOHN LOCHER AP PHOTO

Analysis: 5 keys to victory for Floyd Mayweather against Manny Pacquiao

F Money is the big thing as Pacquiao, Mayweather are ready to fight

H

IS middle name is Money, or at least it used to be before Floyd Mayweather Jr. stopped flashing $100,000 wads of cash every time he saw a camera.

That doesn’t mean money is ever very far from his mind.

Certainly not now, when he’s the richest man in the richest fight ever.

Mayweather has spent as much time this week talking about the mansion in Las Vegas, the home in Miami and the private jet that seats 14 than he has about Manny Pacquiao. He even figured out the math when it comes to dividing it up among his kids.

“Let’s say I make $200 million,” Mayweather said. “That means my kids for this fight will get $50 million apiece. I think I made a smart move.”

Indeed, Mayweather proved a smart businessman in signing for a fight that will likely earn him $180 million or more. But the smartest thing he may have done was delay the fight five years so it would be must-see TV, even at a record price of $99.95.

“Five years ago this was a $50 million fight for me,” Mayweather said, “and a $20 million fight for him.”

The frenzy for the boxing’s biggest event of the century continued to build Wednesday, even if the two fighters themselves were very subdued. They appeared at a final prefight press conference with nothing bad to say about each other, and couldn’t even bring themselves to scowl for pictures.

If the past five years were personal, with the two camps trading barbs, the fight itself is not. Pacquiao will be fight-

ing for his legacy and a country desperate for him to win, while Mayweather will be fighting to add to his already substantial bank accounts.

That was apparent when Mayweather was asked if being undefeated was the biggest motivation for him.

“At the end of the day my daughter can’t eat no zero,” Mayweather said of his unbeaten mark. “She can’t spend a boxing ring.”

Money shouldn’t be a problem for the Mayweather family after this fight. Not with total revenue of some $300 million — and possibly more if the pay-per-view is the hit that network executives privately think it will be.

Mayweather won’t be the only one getting rich. Pacquiao will also share in the $120 million or so his side will pocket for the fight, beginning with a $25 million check from promoter Bob Arum the night of the fight.

“I don’t like to write checks of an amount I don’t have in the bank,” Arum said.

“I can cover 25 so that’s the amount he will get fight night.”

Pacquiao said he couldn’t even conceive of the kind of money he makes now to fight.

“I used to sleep in the street starving and hungry,” the Filipino congressman said. “I can’t imagine the boy who slept in the streets was raised to this level where I am today.”

Both fighters finished their major preparation earlier in the week, with both facing challenges unlike they have seen before.

In Mayweather’s case it’s a southpaw who fights in spurts and comes from differ-

ent angles, a style he will have to figure out early in the fight.

For Pacquiao, it’s a defensive wizard who has fought 47 fighters and beaten every one of them.

“I think we can outpoint this guy,” trainer Freddie Roach said. “If a knockout comes it will be a bonus.”

Mayweather has been rather quiet about his strategy, preferring instead to talk about how he became the highest paid athlete in the world or promoting his websites. But he said his father, Floyd Sr., has crafted a game plan that will help him remain unbeaten after 19 years in the sport.

He said critics of the way he fights don’t really understand boxing, and that he doesn’t need to be great defensively to beat Pacquiao.

“I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a very exciting fight,” Mayweather said. “But sometimes I shut guys out and they call it a split decision or majority decision. My hands are always tied behind my back.

The standards are always set higher for me.”

The two fighters did disagree on which man was the one to actually get the fight to happen five years after it should have happened.

Mayweather said he kept calling his adviser, Al Haymon, telling him to make the fight because he wanted it so much. But Pacquiao said it was the pressure he put on since beating Chris Algieri in Macau last November that finally forced Mayweather’s hand.

“I feel I’m the one who really wanted this fight to happen,” Pacquiao said.

LOYD Mayweather at 1/2 against Manny Pacquiao is a tasty prospect given that there is not even a hint of a chink in his armour.

Mayweather (47-0) is favourite and deservingly so but he cannot get reckless against a very capable opponent in Pacquiao.

We’ve pinpointed five strategies that Money will need to employ to keep his professional record intact come Sunday morning.

1. Body shots As much of an anti-climax as it would be for the millions of fight fans who tune in to watch the superfight, this bout finishing due to a body blow is a fathomable prospect.

When you look at Pacquiao’s losses, two of them have come with body shots which brings into question his ability to absorb punishment.

And facing Pacquiao will be Mayweather, a fighter that lands body shots for fun and, while he prefers the straight punches to the body that keep his opponent at distance, even those less powerful strikes would wear on anyone over 12 rounds.

That’s not to say that Mayweather can’t finish with body punches because he has done. As a matter of fact, his professional debut finished with this devastating torqued hook to the solar plexus.

2. Movement Mayweather’s footwork can sometimes make his fights look amazingly artistic when you consider the fact that it’s essentially two men trying to steal the other’s consciousness.

Pacquiao loves to brawl and will absolutely trouble Mayweather if the American stands in front of him but that’s about as likely as Mayweather asking for the cheapest pint at the hotel bar.

You can see against Carlos Baldomir how Mayweather supremely manages to stay just out of range of any shots thrown by his opponent to the point that he often appears more like a matador than a professional boxer.

His movement is not restricted to getting his feet out of the way though. At close quarters it often seems like Mayweather sees the world in slow motion so proficient is he at getting his chin

out of danger.

Mayweather will need to keep his head on a swivel because, despite being the smaller man, Pacquiao has surprising power and is doggedly aggressive.

3. Gamesmanship This may not go down too well among purists but Mayweather may have to fight dirty against Pacquiao and he’s made no bones about doing so in the past.

It was rather rich hearing Money refer to Marcos Maidana as a dirty fighter in the build-up to their clash because Mayweather is far from an angel himself.

He employs a number of tactics from stepping in with grazing elbows to forcing his opponent’s head down, both of which he used repeatedly against Shane Mosley.

You’d think that Manny Pacquiao would not resort to those dirty tactics, considering how honest a fighter he is, which means that Mayweather could niggle away with these almost-fouls and frustrate the Filipino.

Mayweather even used a bit of a cheap shot, albeit in response to a Victor Ortiz headbutt, to knock his opponent out and while we’re not condoning the use of any cheating in the ring, it has to be said that Mayweather is very good at sneaking his dirty tactics past referees which he could use to his advantage against Pac-man.

4. Right straight The fact that Pacquiao is a southpaw fighter is a double-edged sword for Money.

Manny’s power punch being his left will reduce the effectiveness of Mayweather’s patented shoulder roll because he will, as Freddie Roach noted, be rolling into Pacquiao’s power.

But the benefit of Mayweather facing a southpaw is that his lead right hand, one of his most deadly punches, becomes all the more effective.

Left-handed Sharmba Mitchell found that out the hard way when Mayweather put on a clinic using his lead right as the primary weapon en route to a 6th round TKO. And Pacquiao does have a

tendency to sometimes feint his way into the right hands of his opponents which just makes the punch more powerful.

That’s what got Pac-man knocked out against Juan Manuel Marquez and something Floyd will definitely be looking to incorporate into his gameplan.

5. Size It’s expected that, come fight time, Floyd Mayweather will be much heavier than Manny Pacquiao who could arguably still make 140lbs.

That extra size, you’d imagine, would lead to Mayweather’s ability to wear Pac-man out even when the pair clinch up.

Add to that the fact that Mayweather stands at 5 ft 8 ins means he’s over an inch and a half taller than his Filipino counterpart while the reach comparison is 72 ins - 67 ins which is an awful lot by boxing standards.

You could argue that size won’t play much of a part because Pacquiao has come through bigger men before, just look at his performance against Oscar De La Hoya, but Mayweather is a different kind of big.

De La Hoya’s style was to look for that knockout blow with his superior strength and power but Mayweather will be quite happy to use his reach advantage to outscore and frustrate Pacquiao, just as Erik Morales (who just so happens to have the exact same dimensions as Floyd Mayweather) did in their first meeting.

Mayweather is a far better technician than Morales so can use his reach even more significantly to keep Pacquiao right on the end of his punches, like Money did against Miguel Cotto who also has a reach of just 67 inches.

At 38, Floyd Mayweather’s undefeated record is looking in increasing danger as age starts to take its toll on the five-division world champion but he can keep his career perfect on Saturday night if he punishes Pacquiao with body shots, frustrates him with superior movement, uses as much gamesmanship as referee Kenny Bayless will allow, land his lead right as often as possible and envelop Pac-man with Mayweather’s greater stature in the ring.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 1 - 2, 2015

MANNY’S 5 KEYS TO VICTORY

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START EARLY

2 PRESSURE 5

HEART, BUT CLEVER HEART

4

ALL THE WAY IN OR ALL THE WAY OUT

3

AVAIL OF SOUTHPAW STANCE

EDGE DAVAO INFOGRAPHICS

Analysis: 5 keys to victory for Manny Pacquiao against Floyd Mayweather

M

ANNY Pacquiao is considered a 2/1 underdog by most bookmakers for Saturday night’s massively anticipated fight against Floyd Mayweather.

And the odds are hardly unjust considering the fact that Mayweather has shown nigh-on perfection in his professional career while Pacquiao has endured five losses and been held to a draw twice.

That’s not to say that the Filipino can’t win because there is every possibility that he could pull off the upset and retire, content with the knowledge that he is the solitary blemish on the record of his long-time rival.

But Pacquiao (57-5-2) must strictly follow a gameplan if he is to come away with the win in Mayweather’s own backyward and we’ve pinpointed a number of strategies that he must adhere to if he has any hope of getting his hand raised.

1. Start early There can be no feeling out process for Pacquiao on Saturday night because once Floyd Mayweather gets ahead on the scorecards, he is a master at defending that lead and shutting you out for the remainder of the fight.

Pac-man must explode out of the traps and let Mayweather know that he’s there for more than just a payday.

One of Mayweather’s greatest skills comes when he gets into his comfort zone and coasts his way to a unanimous decision.

If Manny can come out and stun Mayweather with a hard shot in the early minutes and even steal one or two of the opening rounds then Mayweather will panic because he’s never been put in that position before.

Even in Pacquiao’s second round knockout of Ricky Hatton, he let the Manchester fighter dictate the pace in the opening minute which is something he has to avoid against Money.

Pacquiao should revert to the fighter of old who would get started right out of the gates, like he did against Seung Kon Chae in 2000.

2. Pressure After starting early, Pacquiao has to be careful not to let the pace drop due to the fact that he

wore himself out in the opening rounds.

If his training camp has gone according to plan which it has by all reports, then he should be in prime condition to keep the pace on Mayweather for 12 rounds.

If Pac-man wilts because he emptied his gas-tank too soon then Mayweather will get the better of the Filipino.

The game-plan should be to use volume punching to upset the rhythm of Mayweather and ensure that he doesn’t give Money a moment’s rest.

Against Brandon Rios, Pacquiao threw punches in bunches for the duration of the fight and the Texan couldn’t deal with the pressure.

Marcos Maidana had great success in the first half of his second bout against Mayweather using volume punches and, although Floyd went on to win, the “punch hard and often” strategy could be the antidote for Mayweather’s movement.

3. Avail of southpaw stance Mayweather’s most distinctive technique is his patented shoulder roll which he uses to nullify the power punches of orthodox strikers.

Not only does the technique protect the chin of Mayweather when he faces up against right-handed fighters but it also set up the perfect counter of a right straight.

The shoulder roll does not prove advantageous against southpaws though because the Mayweather’s left shoulder will be protecting him from just the jab of fighters like Pacquiao, leaving the jaw open for the overhand right of Pacquiao which is one of his strongest weapons.

Pacquiao’s coach Freddie Roach has pinpointed the possibility for Floyd’s shoulder roll’s failure against southpaws as a technique that the Filipino intends to avail of.

He said: “He’s rolling right into a southpaw’s power. That’s a huge advantage for us.”

4. All the way in or all the way out Movement will decide this fight and whoever employs the more intelligent motion will likely take this one.

Nothing makes Mayweather

happier than having a stationary opponent at whom to aim and Pacquiao is one of the best in the business at getting inside, striking and getting out of harm’s way.

Possibly the greatest display of movement in Pacquiao’s entire career came during his late knockout victory over Miguel Cotto in 2009.

Pac-man masterfully punished the Puerto Rican by leaping in and out like an elite fencer and never looked in any danger of getting caught.

Needless to say that Mayweather is on another level than Cotto and that Pacquiao will need to be careful not to move in straight lines when he is attacking. He will have to use side-toside movement to accompany his in-and-out attacks to keep Mayweather guessing.

While Mayweather’s best attribute could very well be his defensive prowess, Pacquiao’s is likely his ability to cut angles and feint on the way in which makes him an almost impossible target to hit at times.

5. Heart, but clever heart One thing that can’t be measured but could truly be the deciding factor in this already legendary bout is Pacquiao’s undeniably strong mental toughness.

If the above strategies don’t work on a stellar opponent in Floyd Mayweather, there is no doubt that Manny will not lose faith.

He is one of the most honest, hardworking boxers that the sport has ever seen but he mustn’t get discouraged if he doesn’t drop Mayweather which he won’t in all probability.

He must stick to his guns and stay fired up for the duration because Saturday night is going to come down to an outscoring contest.

Pacquiao’s chin is strong enough to withstand anything that Mayweather pours onto it and, if he gets dragged into the latter rounds, Pac-man will have to use every ounce of his mental toughness to keep in the fight and give himself a chance.

There is no clearer evidence of Pacquiao’s toughness than his pair of fights against Timothy Bradley.

The American had been

A

SPORTS 15

The megafight as I see it

LOT has been said about the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather megafight this Sunday in Las Vegas. From the boxing experts to the self-proclaimed geniuses in barbershop talks, everyone has had their piece of the outcome of Sunday’s biggest fight of the century.

As expected, most of the forecasts and opinions from every boxing mind in this Pacquiao-crazy nation points to a big win for the fighting congressman from Sarangani. The patriotic bias is understandable from the point of view of die-hard Pinoy fans whose faith with their boxing hero is unflappable.

Let me just point out some matters about the megafight.

1. FLOYD MAYWEATHER IS JUST A BOXER. MANNY IS MORE THAN THAT. Give Floyd Mayweather his lion’s share of the fight--60 percent to Manny’s 40 percent. But that is what Floyd will be getting. He is just a fighter and his bread and butter is in the squared arena. Manny is boxer, congressman, professional basketball coach and player, pastor, actor, singer and more.

Manny’s earnings transcend beyond boxing. He is actually building an empire.

2. FLOYD MAYWEATHER IS NOT A ROLE MODEL. MANNY IS AN ICON WHO IS WORSHIPPED AS A HERO. Look, Floyd Mayweather does not have endorsements with Nike or major sports brands. Because of that, he created his own brand TMT to mask the fact that he cannot push a product. Manny has endorsements here and there. His face is in practically every billboard and television commercial in the Philippines (and some in the United States). In fact, Manny boxing shorts will have sponsorship space that has thus far amassed close to P100

million.

2. THIS IS NOT THE LAST TIME THE TWO WILL FIGHT. Regardless of the no-rematch clause, this is not going to be the last time the two will go up against each other. The money is just too much to pass. With the massive financial revenues the two fighters will be getting from this fight, the itch to go for another fight, possibly a trilogy is a big possibility. After this fight, Floyd and Manny will have no appetite fighting other boxers and taking crumbs.

Approaching the twilight of their careers, why put up the same training time and effort for a lower pay with other fighters when they can do it again?

3. AMERICA AND THE GODS OF BOXING WILL GIVE FLOYD HIS RECORD. Remember the fight happens in Las Vegas--gambling capital of the world. The odds are widely stacked in Mayweather’s favor. Afterall, he is the favorite son of Vegas. Manny is the outsider.

Floyd is 47-0 and is just two wins shy of Rocky Marciano’s unblemished mark. I say the gods of gambling and boxing will conspire to keep Floyd’s record and that’s a very formidable odds for Manny to overcome. At worse, a draw will still keep that undefeated streak intact.

4. WHAT DID THE TWO BOXERS TALK FOR NEARLY TWO HOURS? Nearly two hours of talk

in Miami? This January 27 talk was perhaps the clincher for the megafight to happen. Other than the fight details, what would have taken the talk that long? After this talk, everything was in relatively calm waters. Both fighters went their own ways in training and hardly do we see some sparks in the fight buildup. Surprisingly quiet, didn’t you notice? One thing, this talk I surmise defined the rest of the events that transpired after that.

5. MANNY WILL STILL BE MANNY WIN OR LOSE. This one relates to no.

1. Floyd has everything to lose in this fight. If he loses, the record is gone and his legend goes with it. He will still have the money, but that could ne his last big loot. But Manny? He will still be Manny--a legend, a sports hero back home, a politician out to conquer a higher territory, a preacher, and a basketball pro wannabe. The nation will be behind Manny win or lose. Manny can come back one or two fights more or ask for a rematch with Floyd which the latter cannot turn down. Oh, the lust for money.

6. BE PREPARED FOR A CONTROVERSIAL ENDING. Brace yourselves for a dirty, controversial ending.

A draw is not remote. A split decision is likely. Whichever way it goes, the decision will spark a debate too open-ended as not to demand another fight. Dirty ending is not far fetched too. Floyd must have taken extra time for some Dirty Tactics lessons as if he does not have enough of it yet.

On Sunday, I ask you to just stay cool and relaxed.

Enjoy the fight but never get too emotional. These two fighters can smile their way to the bank and a good part of that is because of boxing lunatics like us who have been so rabid about the sport.

HE Memphis Grizzlies missed one chance to finish off their firstround series and get some much-needed rest before facing the Golden State Warriors.

They didn’t waste a second, especially on their own court.

Marc Gasol had 26 points and 14 rebounds as the Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference semifinals by beating the Portland Trail Blazers 99-93 on Wednesday night, closing out the series 4-1. ‘’It feels great,’’ Gasol said. ‘’It feels great to have a little time off to do some things around the house. I’m going to have a little time to be with my little girl. It’s actually great to be home.’’

In the West semifinals for the third time in five

years, the Grizzlies will play Game 1 on Sunday at top-seeded Golden State.

Vince Carter said older players like himself appreciate the rest more than anybody. ‘’We wanted to go get the job done now, get some days of rest to get ready for the next tough series,’’ Carter said. ‘’This is just a warmup for the next one, and the next one and the next one.’’

Memphis closed it out despite not having point guard Mike Conley for a second straight game as he recovers from surgery to repair broken bones near his left eye.

Courtney Lee scored 20 points for Memphis, Zach Randolph had 16 and Jeff Green added 10 off the bench.

CJ McCollum led Portland with a career-high 33 points. Damian Lillard had 22 points, and LaMarcus Aldridge had 14 before fouling out late as they combined to shoot 13 of 37.

The Trail Blazers lost in the first round for the seventh time in their last eight postseasons after reaching the West semifinals last year. ‘’The season was going to be a very special season,’’ Portland coach Terry Stotts said. ‘’Unfortunately some things didn’t turn out the way we wanted to.’’

The Grizzlies finished off the game hitting 10 of 14 free throws in the final 64 seconds. ‘’The guys were running on fumes,’’ Memphis coach Dave Joerger said of the fourth quarter. ‘’I played guys a lot of minutes.’’

LET’S GET IT ON

Neil Bravo

Grizzlies close out Trailblazers T

awarded a controversial decision victory over Pacquiao in 2012 but Pacquiao remained humble in defeat and rebounded in a rematch last year.

In that second fight, Bradley arguably took the first round but Pacquiao showed his fight-smarts

and doggedness to come back and take the victory, avenging his loss.

It’s determination like this which could make Pacquiao too tough for Mayweather to overcome.

Despite his status as clear underdog, Pacquiao could very well

pull off the upset if he comes out of the gates early, maintains his aggression in the form of volume punches, take advantage of his southpaw stance, use in-and-out movement to avoid punishment and display the heart we all know he has.

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 1 - 2, 2015