Edge Davao 8 Issue 28

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

PEACE. Muslim women flash the peace sign as they take part in a “boodle feast” at Matina Town Square in Davao City yesterday in support of the nationwide solidarity action dubbed Citizens Action for the Bangsamoro in time for the House ad hoc committee members on the Bangsamoro Basic Law’s voting. Lean Daval Jr.

‘VOTE FOR PEACE’ House Committee urged to pass BBL

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THE future of Mindanao and the Philippines is in your hands,” a Catholic priest said as he and other supporters of the peace process urged the 75 members of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law to cast their vote in favor of a Bangamoro Basic Law (BBL) that is faithful to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that the peace panels of the government (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Font (MILF) signed after 17 years of negotiations.

The Committee will begin voting on May 11 and 12, and according to Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of

the AHCBBL, May 13, “if necessary.”

Once approved, the Committee Report is expected to be brought to the Plenary on May 18 for debates.

Monday’s voting, which will begin at 1:30 p.m. in open session, will be greeted by a mass action of peace groups marching from St. Peter’s Parish along Commonwealth Avenue to the House of Representatives from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fr. Amado Picardal, Executive Secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ Basic Ecclesial Communities, said the BBL “is the fruit of the peace negotiation between the government

and the MILF that can lead to a lasting peace based on justice in Mindanao. The future of Mindanao and the Philippines is in your hands. Please pass the BBL without watering it down. We are all tired of war.

Peace is our only option.”

Last week, Mindanao’s lone Cardinal, Orlando B. Quevedo, the Archbishop of Cotabato, said legislators “are the key holders to a just and lasting peace in the Southern Philippines.”

“In the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the peace process of more than 15 years is in their hands.

They can lock the door to lasting peace if they so emasculate the BBL as to make the Bang-

samoro self-determination a meaningless word. Or they can unlock the door to a just peace if they act as the final crowning peacemakers who will create a Bangsamoro self-determining territory worth its name, as part and parcel of the Philippine republic,” he said.

An entire nation’s future Addressing the Committee members, Gus Miclat, Executive Director of the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) and co-convenor of the Mindanao Peaceweavers, said: “One is not given such a rare opportunity in his or her lifetime to help shape some-

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INSIDE EDGE

AN ADVENTURE FOR KIDS AND THE KIDS AT HEART Indulge A1

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

TEST ME. Davao City Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) chief Erwin Alparaque undergoes blood extraction during the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) test participated in by the city government’s department heads at the City Hall conference room yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

City execs undergo HIV test

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

EN heads of offices of the Davao City Government volunteered to undergo Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) testing yesterday morning.

The test was done right at the conference room of City Hall after the department heads’ meeting. The test was done by personnel of the City Health Office-Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (CHO-RHWC).

The 10 department heads who took the test were Leo Villareal of the City

Information Office, Erwin Alparaque of the Human Resource Management Office, Dr. Gene Gulanes of the Davao City Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Drug Dependents, Orly Escarilla of Museo Dabawenyo, Jose Ong of the Barangay Cultural and Community Affairs Division, Lisette Marques of the City Tourism and Operations Office, Maria Luisa Bemudo of the City Social Service and Development Office, Pedrita Badar of the City Library, Grace Na-

Cop faces admin case

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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MEMBER of the Buhangin Police Station is facing an administrative case following a commotion at a checkpoint in Dacudao Avenue on May 3.

The police officer was identified as Senior Inspector Eleseo Refalbor.

According to Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Senior Inspector Milgrace Driz, Refalbor has to submit today (Tuesday) his answer to the allegation filed against him.

Driz said Refalbor had been given five days to answer the allegation, which will end today (Tuesday).

Refalbor might face one count of grave misconduct

or irregularities in the performance of his duty for violating the standard operating procedure on the checkpoint, depending on the answer he will submit.

Criminal raps were filed on May 4 against the police officer for obstruction of justice and direct assault.

Refalbor also faces charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 also known as Illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions for carrying an unlicensed .45 calibre pistol.

Refalbor was involved in a commotion on May 3 at a checkpoint conducted by the Sta. Ana Police Station along

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bong of the City Records and Correspondence, and Lorna Mandin of the Integrated Gender and Development Division.

The test used was the antibody test, which is also called the “rapid test.” The blood drawn from the person is tested for antibodies to HIV, not the virus itself. If the person is positive of the antibodies, the result would be sent to the DOH National Epidemiology Center for confirmation that the HIV virus is actually present.

In an interview, CHORHWC head Dr. Jordana Ramiterre told Edge Davao that the voluntary HIV testing was intended to encourage more people to avail themselves of the free HIV testing and to erase the stigma on people who do so.

“With this activity, we hope to somehow decrease the stigma, decrease the discrimination of people having the test by showing that any person can just have it,” Ramiterre said.

She said all of the re-

cords and result of the test will be kept confidential. No one will know the results it except the peer counselor and medical technicians.

“We have trained medtechs, we have trained counselors. We will treat all forms and papers and documents according to the guidelines on HIV testing,” Ramiterre said.

In a separate interview, Bermudo said she took the test yesterday because she wants to help promote the city’s free voluntary HIV

testing.

“We in the local government unit... we are advocating this prevention program and as a local government head and employees we also need to undergo the test so that we can encourage the community,” she said.

“There is no harm in taking the voluntary HIV testing,” she added.

Bermudo said she hoped that in their “small way” they can encourage more people to avail themselves of the free test in the community.

efforts spend by the executive department, we also have the barangays. In this connection, that barangay captains and kagawads of these five barangays helped us,” Quitain said.

He said these were the barangays that were chosen by the team from the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) by lottery to validate the claims and reports submitted by the city government.

He said the reports submitted by the city was initiated and headed by the City Social Service and Development Office (CSSDO).

Quitain said with the ef-

forts of the officials of these five barangays and CSSDO, the city received last May 1 a P500,000 cash prize which will go to the CSSDO. He said aside from the prize, the city also got an additional P50,000 as one of the five finalists.

In an interview, CSSDO head Maria Luisa Bermudo said the CWC team was looking at the aspects of education, health, peace and order, children’s protection programs, and ordinances enacted for children’s welfare in these barangays.

Bermudo said what had

been validated in the city level were also validated in the barangay level.

She said the chosen barangays were categorized as barangay representing coastal areas, the Indigenous People (IP) Community, the highlands, highly urbanized, and model barangay.

Bermudo said Barangay Binugao is categorized as coastal barangay, Tagurano is categorized as highland barangay, Tamugan categorized as IP community barangay, Barangay 33-D categorized as highly urbanized barangay,

City gov’t lauds 5 barangays behind child-friendly award T

HE Davao City Government lauded five barangays that were behind the city’s winning of the 2014 Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities.

In yesterday’s flag raising ceremony at City Hall, city administrator Jesus Melchor V. Quitain commended the officials of Barangays 33-D in Poblacion, Buhangin Proper, Tagurano and Binugao in Toril, and Tamayong in Calinan for their contribution to bagging the award in the Highly Urbanized Cities Category.

“Hand in hand with the

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

MinDA: Investments to come despite tight power situation

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

INDANAO Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Luwalhati Antonino remained positive that investments in the region will continue to pour in despite the tight power situation as a result of the maintenance shutdown of STEAG coal-fired power plant in Misamis Oriental.

In a press conference for the 8th Mindanao Board Meeting at The Marco Polo Davao, Antonio said her optimism remained high because of different incoming power projects that will be online by the end of the year.

Based on the monitoring of the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC), among the projects that will be commissioning by the end of the year are the second 150 megawatts (MW) unit of Therma South Inc.’s coal-fired project; the first 100 MW unit of the Sarangani Energy Corporation’s 200 MW Southern Mindanao Coal-fired Power Station; 30 MW Puyo Hydroelectric Power Project of the First Gen Mindanao Hydropower Corp.; the first 150

MW unit of the 300MW SMC Davao Power Plant Project of the San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation in Malita, Davao del Sur. Power plants that will go online next year are the first 150 MW unit of the TSI; the 10 MW Kalilangan Bio-Energy Corporation Multi Feedstock Power Generating Facility; 10 MW Don Carlos Bio-Energy Corporation Multi Feedstock Power Generating Facility; 10 MW Malaybalay Bio-Energy Corporation Multi Feedstock Power Generating Facility; 10 MW Lamsan Power Corporation Biomass Power Plant Project; 25 MW Lake MainitHyrdo electric plant of the Agusan Power Corporation; the 405 MW Misamis Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) CoalFired Power Plant Project of FDC Utilities, Inc; the second 150 MW unit of the 300MW SMC Davao Power Plant Project of the San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation; and the second 100 MW unit of the Sarangani Energy Corporation’s 200 MW Southern Mindanao Coal-fired Power

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APPROVED PROPOSALS. Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair Luwalhati Antonino enumerates the approved project proposals of the Regional Development Council during the morning session of the 8th Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) board meeting

Rodriguez vows to do his best to pass BBL Despite reservations on constitutionality

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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AGAYAN de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), vowed to do his best to pass the BBL despite his own reservations on the constitutionality of some provisions of the law.

In an interview over 105.9 Balita FM, Rodriguez said the BBL is the key to a

peaceful Mindanao.

Rodriguez had previously said there are eight provisions in the BBL that can be considered unconstitutional.

Among these is the creation of a separate Commission on Audit (COA), Commission on Elections (Comelec), Civil Service Commission, Commission on Human Rights, and Of-

fice of the Ombudsman for the Bangsamoro.

Rodriguez said Congress cannot pass a law that will interfere with the functions and operations of independent constitutional commissions like the COA, Comelec, and the Ombudsman.

As of this writing, Congress was still voting on

HE police are conducting a thorough probe to unmask the gunmen behind the gun slay Sunday of a barangay official and injured another in Zamboanga Sibugay province, an official said Monday.

Senior Supt. Jose Bayani Gucela, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, identified the slain barangay official as Quil Tampipi, barangay councilor of Tigabon, Ma-

langas town.

Wounded was Tampipi’s nephew, Ading Mangigen. He was hospitalized.

Gucela said Tampi, and his wife, Monisa, were on their way home aboard a jeep driven by Mangigen when a group of unidentified gunmen waylaid them around 1 p.m. Sunday.

He said the gunmen commanded the victims’ vehicle and later shot them

with rifle and handguns.

Several empty shells of M-16 Armalite rifle, and calibers .45 and .9-mm pistols were recovered at the crime scene.

He said Tampipi died on the spot while Mangigen survived although wounded.

He said Tampipi’s wife, Monisa, managed to run and escaped unscathed.

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Barangay exec gunned down T FBARANGAY, 10

at The Marco Polo, Davao yesterday. Antonio, governors from the different provinces, and representative from the private sector talked to the members of local media in a press briefing for the said event.

Lean Daval Jr.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

SOLIDARITY. Ateneo de Davao University president Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ delivers his solidarity message during yesterday’s “Boodle Feast para sa BBL: Peoples’ Solidarity Lunch” at Matina Town Square in time for the casting of votes of the House ad hoc committee members on the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Lean Daval Jr.

Displaced OFW gets DOLE livelihood aid

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GOVERNMENT agency helped a former Overseas Filipino Worker to start a business of her own.

The Department of Labor and Employment-National Reintegration Center for OFW (DOLE-NRCO) granted 56-year-old Cora B. Villlamor P10,000 livelihood assistance to expand her existing sari-sari store.

A resident at Malalag, Davao del Sur, Cora sought greener pastures in Dubai as a Household Service Worker

in 2004. It started well with her first employer but she suffered from verbal abuses after she was transferred to the next employer without her agency’s knowledge.

“I was accused of stealing things, scolded, and was not given the right wage for four months until my oneyear visa expired,” she said.

Cora escaped from her cruel employer and worked as a beautician for six years undocumented. She finally returned to the Philippines

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Employment set for persons displaced by Zambo siege

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HE local government has identified and selected 67 internally displaced persons (IDPs) to work under the Emergency Employment Program (EEP) as part of the government’s early recovery efforts.

The program was aimed to provide shortterm livelihood assistance to people displaced during the 21-day September 2013 siege in this city.

Belen Sheila Covarrubias, City Hall information officer, said the EEP is a continuing undertaking and is a result of the Livelihood Summit that was

held last November 2014 to synchronize all livelihood programs and opportunities for IDPs. Covarrubias said the EEP was initiated by the City Social Welfare and Development Office-Public Employment Service Office (CSWDO-PESO) in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the International Labor Organization (ILO).

She said the 67 identified beneficiaries are from the Buggoc, Rio Hondo, Masepla and Tulungatung transitory sites and are the

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DLPC implements one-hour rotating power interruptions T

HE Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) has implemented a maximum of one-hour rotating power interruptions starting yesterday, May 11, after the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) imposed a load curtailment due to about 200MW deficiency in the entire Mindanao grid.

Last May 10, DLPC received an advice from the NGCP of the much

reduced capabilities of NPC’s Agus 6 hydropower plant and the very low water inflow of Pulangi hydropower plant.

Moreover, as announced recently, the 1-unit of STEAG coalfired power plant is still offline as it undergoes an emergency shutdown, which is expected to be online by May 13.

Having this situation, DLPC said it is constrained to implement a

maximum of one-hour rotating power interruptions within its franchise.

“Davao Light will exert its best efforts to keep service interruptions at the least possible time or at all avoid disruptions by optimizing its embedded power sources, the standby diesel plant at Bajada and the HedcorSibulan and Talomo Hydropower plants. It will also optimize power supply from Therma Marine

Inc.’ s power barges and activate its Interruptible Load Program so that available power may be utilized by the smaller residential and commercial customers.” said Rossano Luga, AVP for reputation enhancement.

Davao Light said it apologizes for the inconvenience the rotating power outages may cause its customers, which are beyond its control.

enhanced participation in local governance and poverty alleviation projects.

The Bayani Ka Awards recognizes grassroots heroes and nurtures a pool of community champions.

Maragusan is a four-hour ride from Davao City. It is a first class municipality according to National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) and has a poverty incidence rate of 36 percent.

Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA here took off on September 20, 2012 but the implementation was halted due to the devastation brought by Typhoon Pablo on December 2012.

The joint rehabilitation efforts of the Municipal Local

Government Unit (MLGU) and community continue to pour long after the typhoon debris were put away.

Mayor Cesar M. Colina pointed out, “The government needs to provide help that has a long-term effect in the community. The community driven development (CDD) approach of Kalahi-CIDSS will help the victims rise after the calamity, rebuild their lives, and celebrate their newfound resilience.”

Varnell M. Dagansan, former Kalahi-CIDSS Area Coordinator of Maragusan recounted how the LGU helped finish the sub-projects since they already overlapped because of the typhoon.

“One strategy implemented by Kalahi-CIDSS and MLGU was to merge the two cycles, depending on the agreements made every Barangay Assembly. Downloading of local counterpart contribution (LCC) was made ahead of time, thus pushing Kalahi-CIDSS team to muster extra effort to finish the sub-projects.”

The MLGU assigned heavy equipment for free use such as back hoe, concrete mixers and dump trucks to fast track construction of sub-projects.

Presently, the MLGU helps complete the rest of Kalahi CIDSS-PAMANA 3rd cycle sub-projects.

PAMANA or Payapa at

Maragusan: Home to heroes L

AID back and remote, Maragusan town was able to withstand calamities and is now regarded by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as home to heroes.

The DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS (Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Services) has recognized Maragusan as the best Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) in Program Implementation during the 1st Bayani Ka Awards in January.

Kalahi-CIDSS is a community-driven development project of the Philippine Government that aims to empower communities through their

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

Northtown boasts of public safety complex

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

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HE Northtown in Buhangin will feature a public safety complex, making the residential development the first of its kind in Davao City.

Jolla A. Soriaga, assistant general manager of the business units group of developer Alsons Development and Investment Corporation, said the public safety complex is part of the 10-hectare town center for commercial establishments and educational institutions which will be built just outside the residential area.

“There’s a need to provide better service to the people,” Soriaga said after Saturday’s groundbreaking rites for Northrown’s The Club, the community’s hub for wellness, events, sports and recreation which sits on a sprawling 2.5-hectare area.

Soriaga said they will donate the land and the structure to the City Government of Davao that will house community support facilities like Central 911, police and fire station.

She said Alsons will

hold the groundbreaking for the public safety complex in the third quarter this year and turn this over to the city in the first quarter of 2016.

Once erected, Northtown will become the first residential project in Davao City that has a public safety component, according to Soriaga.

The 1,500 square meter-public safety complex will be built in an area will service Cabantian and neighboring localities.

Northtown is a 116-hectare sustainable residential development in the highlands of Buhangin, comprising 2,000 lots.

To be established in partnership with the country’s most illustrious master planner, architects and engineers, Northtown is envisioned to be a comprehensively planned community that provides a well-balanced lifestyle in a vibrant and safe suburban community.

The project boasts of a complete residential neighborhood that features sports facilities, walking

TIME CAPSULE. Former Sarangani governor Miguel Dominguez (fourth from left), joined by his family and the company’s executives, leads the lowering of the time capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony of Northtown

Davao’s The Club in Cabantian, Buhangin, Davao City on Saturday afternoon.

Northtown Davao is a project of Alsons Properties which will be the first world-class, masterplanned township development in the city. Lean Daval Jr.

and cycling paths, community spaces, and tree-lined sidewalks.

Nolrthtown is the eight residential project of Alsons, the developer that also built the likes of Ladi-

governor Miguel Dominguez led Alsons executives during the groundbreaking ceremonies also attended by the developer’s marketing staff, sales agents, lot owners and prospective

slawa, Woodridge, Las Terrazas and Northcrest.

Soriaga said 59 percent of Phase 1 is now sold out while almost 20 percent of Phase 2 is sold out.

Former Sarangani

buyers.

Amenities of The Club include a welcome pavilion, covered walkway, main pavilion, wellness pavilion and a world-class sports complex.

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

Dragon boat competition to boost sports tourism

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UGSAY Mindanao 2: Paddle for Peace Dragon Boat Racing competition is expected to draw a big number sports enthusiasts and spectators in the coastline of Waterfront Insular Hotel on May 15 – 16, 2015.

Event Organizer Clarise Jane Calolot said that Dragon Boat competition is another sports attraction that is expected to draw a big crowd because it is exciting and relatively new in this part of country.

“Dragon Boat racing in Mindanao is a budding water sport, so we are inviting sports enthusiasts and the general public to discover the excitement, entertainment value and unifying spirit that Bugsay Mindanao (Dragon Boat Competition) brings,” said Calolot, who is also the president of the Davao Dragon Boat Association (DDBA).

‘Bugsay Mindanao 2’ will be participated in by the Dragons Del Sur, Base Camp Dragons, and Hiraya Minokawa all under the supervision of DDBA. While visiting teams include Butuan City’s FSUU Blue Dragon; Cagayan de Oro’s Liceo de Cagayan Dragonoids; Iligan City’s Bakunawa Team and the Agusan del Sur Dragon Boat Team.

Calolot said that aside from promoting the spirit of

peace and unit in the event, it also aimed to showcase the beautiful shorelines of Mindanao, including Davao Gulf.

“We wish to bring the sport to other coastlines around Mindanao to highlight our beauty of our beaches as well as strengthen our advocacy on protecting the coastal and marine resources of the country. It is actually aligned at promoting eco-tourism development,” Calolot said.

Further, she added the use of boats is closely related to Mindanao culture owing to the fact that many communities and tribes in the region live along the shores of the island.

“For ages, we have used boats as means of transportation, source of livelihood, recreation and sports. Dragon Boat racing would just be another figure of it,” Calolot said.

“The Philippines is a force to reckon with in the international Dragon Boat competition and Mindanao has a strong potential to produce world class paddlers too,” Calolot added.

The Bugsay Mindanao 2: Paddle for Peace this weekend is staged here in Davao as a continuing effort to sustain the gains of its first edition in Cagayan de Oro City last year.

(PR)

Foreign cruise ship firms to hire 1,500 employees

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ANILA-BASED manpower recruitment agency Abojeb Company Inc. is targeting to employ some 1,500 ship crew members and seafarers nationwide until June next year.

“Our principals will be here by June 16 to conduct interview on candidates that will be part of their ship crew,” Abojeb vice president for business development Ellen Bolus said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex.

Bolus is referring to two to three foreign cruise ship companies based in Miami, Florida that Abojeb assisted in recruiting manpower necessary for the cruise ships, among others.

Bolus said foreign cruise ship companies are eyeing Filipino workers because of their trait of being hardworking, flexible and good communication skills.

She said there are about 400,000 Filipino seafarers and crew ship members around the world.

“We would like to recruit more seafarers because of their huge contribution to the country’s economy,” Bolus said, adding that each seafarer is contributing at least P3,000 annually to Philippine’s gross domestic product.

To recruit more manpower for this industry, Abojeb has expanded to Davao City with its office located at the Dacudao on the same building where the Department of Labor and Employment is currently lo-

cated.

“The potential of Davao City is very huge. In the past, we have received positive feedback from our principals because of our Dabawenyo hires,” Bolus said, adding that the company has already hired around 300 sea farers and ship crew members from Davao.

On the other hand, the company will also have its inauguration today.

Marissa Agravente, senior account manager for Abojeb-Davao, said the Davao City Branch of the company will be catering applicants from nearby provinces and nearby cities like General Santos City.

“We expanded our operation here in Davao City because we wanted to bring convenience to crew members. We don’t want them to go to Manila just to file some documents. We would like our existing hires to enjoy their vacation when they are here,” Agravante said.

The company is planning to expand it operation to Cagayan de Oro next year. Abojeb has satellite offices in Cebu and Iloilo.

Meanwhile, the principals will be here in the Philippines on June 16 to conduct interviews on candidates from different parts of the country, while Abojeb will also conduct a job fair on either May 29 or June 5 at the covered court of DMMA College of Southern Philippines. CHENEEN R. CAPON

BOOST TO SPORTS TOURISM. Scene like this will be seen during the dragon boat competion this weekend at Waterfront Insular Hotel. (Photo by dragonboat. ph)

RDR to government: Consider other ports

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

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AVAO del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario called on the national government to consider others ports to develop rather than pouring in gargantuan funding on the controversial Davao Sasa Port.

“I don’t see any reason why we are focusing on Sasa Port,” del Rosario told reporters in a press conference at The Marco Polo Davao yesterday.

Del Rosario, who is also chair of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 11, said the government should consider looking into integrating different ports in Davao rather than spending mainly for the rehabilitation of the Sasa port.

The problem with the Davao Sasa Port, Dell Rosario said, is that it is already congested and it has no back-up area which causes further delay in loading and unloading

of cargoes.

“We have other ports that have huge potentials. Many ports along the Davao Gulf like the ports in Panabo City, Maco in Compostela Valley and Madaum, Tagum City can also be utilized,” he said.

“Sasa is not the only place.”

The governor said that having a single system for all ports in Davao will make the region more competitive in the Asean integration, what with its strategic location and proximity to other Asean countries compared to Singapore.

“If industrial countries like Japan, China and Korea will target the Asean market, it will be more logical to use the Davao Gulf as entry point to other Asean countries compared to Singapore,” Del Rosario said.

He then cited an RDC 11 resolution that was earlier approved asking the Nation-

al Economic and Development Authority to conduct a pre-feasibility study for the proposal.

The integration of port facilities in Davao Region was among the project suggested under the Davao Gulf Area Development Plan 20112030 Investment Program.

Based on RDC XI Resolution No. 40 Series of 2012 which cited the 19-year investment program for Davao Gulf, the seaports in Davao Gulf are proposed to be consolidated into an integrated port complex “to become one of Southeast Asia’s logistics hub.”

However, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Luwalhati Antonino said in the same press conference it is high time to push for the modernization of Davao Sasa Port because of its bigger market potential with the Asean integration.

“Whether we like it or not, there’s a need to improve Sasa (port). It’s for the people of Davao. We cannot go on with like that,” Antonino said.

“Davao is a big region.

There a need to import products. We’re not an island that can survive on our own,” she added.

The P17 billion floor bid price should not be an issue since it will be implemented by a private entity under the public-private partnership scheme, according to Antonino.

The Davao City Council had earlier summoned officials of NEDA, Philippine Port Authority, Department of Transportation and Communication, and the Davao City Planning and Development Office to appear today in the council’s Tuesday regular session to explain the alleged “high cost” of the modernization project.

MPERADOR Inc., the country’s largest liquor manufacturer, said that it is expressing interest in buying French cognac maker Louis Royer SAS, and will submit a preliminary offer on May 13, 2015.

In a clarification at the Philippine Stock Exchange, the Andrew Tan-led company clarified that the offer is still subject to the evaluation and final decision of the seller. Emperador further said

that the company is “currently debt-free and is, therefore, in a very strong financial position to further expand its business both globally and domestically.”

Louis Royer is owned by Japan’s Suntory group, and has been producing and selling cognac, a variety of brandy, for 150 years in the Cognac region of France. Apart from its flagship cognac brand, the Suntory Group is also known for producing other varieties

of brandy, liqueurs and vodka.

A report of the Philippine Daily Inquirer said the opportunity for Emperador to bid for the French cognac brand came after Suntory decided to acquire US-based Beam Inc. last year for USD16 billion, making Suntory the third largest spirits maker in the world. This acquisition resulted in Suntory reorganizing its business lines, and putting some units on the market to raise money for its deal with

Beam Inc. If the deal pushes through, this will be the third acquisition for Emperador, having acquired Scotland-based scotch maker Whyte & Mackay for P31 billion last year, and over 1,000 hectares of vineyard in Toledo, Spain, belonging previously to Bodega Las Copas and San Bruna S.A. Emperador earlier disclosed that it expects its revenues to grow by 35 percent this year.

Emperador to buy French liquor company E

INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

An adventure for kids and the kids at heart It may be the middle of summer vacation but the good times keep on rolling for us who are still on summer break and with more affordable budget airlines servicing the DavaoManila route such as the newly revitalised AirAsia and Cebu Pacific, Metro Manila with its many malls, entertainment establishments, and restaurants ranks high on the travel list.

New and hot on the Metro’s entertainment and dining list is the City of Dreams Manila. An integrated resort that features three world-class hotels namely Nobu Manila, Hyatt, and Crown Towers as well as a wide array of entertainment options for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Call me a geek but my favourite attraction at the City of Dreams would be DreamPlay by Dreamworks.

A collaboration with DreamWorks Animation, DreamPlay is a 5,000 square-meter, air conditioned, interactive and technology-rich play space

Parents and kids can explore Shreck’s house together. with an education-based entertainment concept inspired by the mantra of learning through play.

Both children and adults can interact with their favourite characters from popular DreamWorks Annimation franchises such as Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, and Madagascar by engaging in exciting, interactive activities such as creative storytelling and educational play.

Guests at this family entertainment centre can use their imagination as they enjoy DreamPlay attractions such as: How To Fly Your Dragon, DinoTrux Repair Game, Vertical Wall of Awesomeness, Whatever Floats Your Boat, Shifu’s Training Hall, and more.

URBANISSIMO A4

The 4D Dream Theatre.

Goofing about with City of Dream’s Director of Communications Erika Aquino.

The staff at DreamPlay explains the wall climbing challenge.

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UP AND ABOUT

Case Logic: Life, Simplified WITH a rich heritage of functional cases and bags, Case Logic continue to offer innovative and functional solutions to complement today’s favorite electronic gears.

Photo Backpacks Strap into comfort with an ergonomic photo backpack and take your DSLR, camera accessories and other devices with you. With softly padded, breathable shoulders and waist straps which are adjustable, anyone can enjoy maximum comfort with a lightweight pack. Modifiable foam walls and dividers allow custom-design storage to meet distinct packing. Keep favorite gears protected and enjoy the freedom to take it with you, whenever wherever.

Cross-body Bags Trendsetting messenger bags defies the typical camera case by offering depths of protection in a cushioned pod with customizable storage walls.

Case Logic body bags can also transform easily into a modern, casual carry-all with minimal adjustments. The versatility, contemporary details and multi-purpose pockets and storage will keep you stylish and organized whenever you step out.

Messenger bags feature a protective stash pockets for tablets and removable camera pod stores DSLR cameras, additional lens, flash or other accessories.

Laptop Sleeves The sleek solution for an urban-dweller. Subtly detailed, traditional sleeves provide a streamlined option that fits within anyone’s comfort zone. The wrap construction cradles laptops in substantial foam padding, and thoughtful details add hints of sophisticated styling. Plush lining cushions your investment while zippered pocket stores cords and accessories. Guard your trusty laptop from daily abuse with a sleeve designed for protection and slide the sleek jacket easily into your briefcase, backpack, tote or any other bag.

Gear up and pack up in style. Visit Case Logic at the second floor of SM City Davao Annex Building.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

3rd Geeks On A Beach Summit in Boracay this August 21 to 22 GEEKS ON A BEACH (GOAB) surfs its way back to Boracay Island this August for its third year of gathering tech startups, technopreneurs, businessmen, and designers from all over the world.

“Also known as the International Summit for Tech, Startups and Design, GOAB 3 eyes to create productive discussions on building products that make a difference and enhancing the lives of everyday people with less hype but more action,” said Tina Amper, TechTalks. ph founder.

With the past two years’ massive success, GOAB returns with a triple splash this coming August 20-21 which means triple number of innovative minds, triple funding opportunities, and triple dose of fun.

Amper confirmed the attendance of 17 tech champs so far to speak before an expected 600 to 1,000 participants from across the globe.

Some of the speakers include IdeaSpace President, Earl Valencia; Monk’s Hill Ventures Managing Director, Kuo-Yi Lim; Kickstart Ventures President, Minette Navarrete; Rappler CEO, Maria Ressa; SMART Communications Developer Evangelist, Paul Pajo; Department of Science and TechnologyInformation and Communications Office (DOST-ICTO) Deputy Executive Director, Mon Ibrahim; and 500 Startups Managing Partner, Khailee Ng. “GOAB will be maintained as an ‘honest-to-goodness, no holdsbarred conference’ where people exchange their share of truths about

startups, technology, and design— minus the long sleeves, coat and tie,” said David Overton, founder and CEO of Sym.ph CEO, and Chief Geek for GOAB. Two days are set aside exclusively for the main event but in a span of one week; all geeks are welcome to join the week-long run of workshops, training sessions, networking opportunities, pitching events, and product demonstrations with or without their flip-flops on.

Boracay Island, being one of the best islands in the world, sets a relaxing background of what is usually thought as an intense and stressful conference.

OrganizersTechTalks.ph and the DOST-ICTO have partnered once again with Sym.ph, Happy Garaje, and PRWorks Vis-Min, with major sponsorships by SMART DevNet, IdeaSpace, Microsoft, and Monk’s Hill Ventures.

DOST-ICTO continues to teamup with TechTalks.ph to encourage Filipino startups to get mentoring and funding in the country instead

of going abroad.

GOAB is open to anyone who is interested in the tech and startup industries in the Philippines - including those looking for tech and entrepreneurship learning events, business and investment opportunities, outsourcing partnerships, and connection with leaders in startups or “innovation driven enterprises” (IDE) in the Philippines as well as Southeast Asia.

Interested participants are invited to view event details or register at www.GeeksOnABeach.com. Early bird discount is up to 45% off and is valid until May 15 only. Potential sponsors are invited to contact GOAB at hello@GeeksOnABeach. com TechTalks.ph, organizer of numerous startup gathering in the country including GOAB and Startup Weekend, is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, supporting, and empowering Filipinos tech entrepreneurs and promoting the Philippine tech sector to the world.

MX3 treats Pangasinan to spectacular show PANGASINAN celebrated the month long foundation festivity with excellence and creativity. It is a festival that combined tradition and modern work of arts and culture. It depicts uniqueness in terms of how Pangasinenses preserved their cultural heritage and adopted the modern essence of development and progressiveness.

Once again MX3 and GMA Network join the celebration in providing entertainment through games and gift-giving for Pangasinenses. The yearly festivity of the Bangus Festival and Pista’y Dayat Festival is set to promote the Province’s Cultural identity.

Bangus Festival is the celebration of the bountiful harvest of

Bangus in Dagupan City. The celebration is one of the Philippines’ grandest Festivals that created a mark of culture for a global reputation of tastiest milkfish.

It culminated at the De Venecia Extension Road in Dagupan City with GMA Kapuso stars Dennis Trillo, Tom Rodriguez and Kris Bernal serenaded during the Kapuso Night.

Pistay Dayat Festival on the other hand is a thanksgiving celebration for an abundant

fishing industry in Lingayen that culminated at the Capitol Plaza.

The Kapuso affair was

graced by the “Once Upon a Kiss” Soap Opera love team: Miguel Tanfelix and Bianca

Umali. The presence of GMA Star Lovi Poe added much attention to the celebration.

Happiness marked the faces of many Pangasinenses receiving MX3 product samples.

All participating players of MX3 Game received MX3 gift bags. The MX3 Grand winner could not contain his happiness and thanksgiving upon receiving the grand prize.

The success of the Festival was a sign of success in line with the Province’s Vision: Pangasinan is the best place to invest, work, live and raise a family.

Indeed, a place worth seeing and visiting.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

GMA Network charts new grounds with summer launches AS GMA-7 celebrates its 65th anniversary of making a difference in the lives and hearts of the Filipinos, the Kapuso Station brings to fore an exhilarating line-up of new programs that will hit the airwaves this summer.

The newest Kapuso Network Artist, Ai-Ai de las Alas with the Kapuso Network’s fast-rising loveteam Ruru Madrid and Gabbi Garcia topbill the romantic drama Let the Love Begin.

The program is all set to make audiences laugh, cry and fall in love as it presents the beautiful story of Jeni (Ai-Ai delas Alas) and Tony (Gardo Versoza) and their children, Erick (Ruru Madrid ) and Pia (Gabbi Garcia) that will withstand the test of time. Jeni and Tony are best friends who are part of a radio program that gives advices on love and life. Jeni has a live-in boyfriend, Enrico (Joko Diaz), and has 2 kids by him, Erick and Elsa (Ar Angel Angeles). On the other hand, Tony is a widower, with one daughter named Pia (Gabbi Garcia). A major problem will destroy Jeni and Tony’s strong bond of friendship. After so many years, Jeni and Tony will cross paths once again because Pia (Gabbi) and Erick (Ruru) become close friends and later on fall in love. Can their love help their parents heal their wounds? Will Jeni and Tony let the love begin for Pia and Erick? Completing the powerhouse cast are Donita Rose as Celeste, wife of Tony; Mark Anthony Fernandez as Jom, the station manager; Gladys Reyes as Katy, the Diva DJ, Neil Ryan Sese as Jessie, the co-DJ of Jeni and Miss Gina Pareño as Lola Tacing, mother to Jeni and lola to Erick. Let The Love Begin is directed by Gina Alajar with Agnes Gagelonia

the program not only brings them down memory lane but also show sendin and present videos.

Sundays with the whole family will be more exciting and enjoyable as the network offers another familyfriendly drama series which showcases to the viewers that parenthood can even become three times better with InstaDad. Topbilled by award-winning Kapuso actor Gabby Eigenmann, InstaDAD revolves around the life of Kenneth, a famous chef and one of the most eligible bachelors in the metro. One day, fate turns Ken’s life upside down as he learns that he is

heading the writing team.

Soon to soar viewership ratings is the much awaited premiere of the compelling drama series The Rich Man’s Daughter.

Versatile Kapuso actress Rhian Ramos takes on the challenging role of Jade Tanchingco, an heiress from a very wealthy family.

In the story, Jade’s father is looking for a suitor for her and is willing to pay millions to any man who can make her fall in love with him. She will be joined by Glaiza de Castro, Katrina Halili and Luis Alandy. The series also stars Pauleen Luna, Paolo Contis, Chynna Ortaleza, Mike Tan, Sheena Halili, Charee Pineda and TJ Trinidad together with Al Tantay, Glydel Mercado, and Tony Mabesa. This primetime series is graced

by The Original Queen of Philippine Movies Ms. Gloria Romero who will play the role of the rich loving grandmother of Jade. The Rich Man’s Daughter is directed by Dominic Zapata with Suzette Doctolero heading the writing team.

Healing Hearts is a traditional family drama that will touch the hearts of the viewers as the program serves as a testimony that every mother deserves the forgiveness of her child.

The series features talented teen actors Joyce Ching and Kristoffer Martin.

It also stars Angelika dela Cruz, Mickey Ferriols, Tina Paner, Maureen Larrazabal, with the special participation of Neil Ryan Sese and Mr. Ronaldo Valdez. Under the direction of Roderick Lindayag, Healing Hearts will showcase to the viewers how a mother’s love can redeem a past and how a daughter’s forgiveness can define a future.

Denoy Navarro Punio head writes this heartwarming soap.

GMA Network presents another emotionally engaging series Family Secrets that will dramatically reveal how self-centeredness and ambition can destroy the most sacred relationships.

Directed

by Neal Del Rosario and Kenneth De Leon as Head

Writer, Family Secrets will showcase the first team up of Kapuso actress Gwen Zamora and Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista. Joining them is the loveteam of GMA Artist Center talents Kim Rodriguez and Kiko Estrada plus portrayals from respected actresses Lotlot De Leon, Shamaine Buencamino, and Meryll Soriano.

GMA makes summer an exciting time for all with the launch of the newest comedy program SabadoBadoo. The show, which premiered last March 14, is hosted by Kapuso laughteam and the network’s homegrown artists, Sef Cadayona and Betong Sumaya. Sabado-badoo offers a different level of comedy and entertainment every Saturday night as it features videos and scenes and presents them in a fresh and comedic manner.

They may be presented based on their categories, as a countdown, a mashup of different scenes, and many more. Viewers can definitely relate because

a father of not just one, but three daughters: Marikit (Gabbi Garcia), Mayumi (Ash Ortega), Maaya (Jazz Ocampo). Aside from not being knowledgeable of being a father, Ken struggles even more in dealing with the different personalities of his triplets. Under the direction of Neal del Rosario, InstaDad also stars Matet de Leon, Juancho Triviño, RJ Padilla and introduces new Kapuso teen Prince Villanueva. InstaDad premiered last April 5 at 4:30pm.

Without a doubt, the Kapuso Station continues to take the lead and chart new grounds this summer.

May 7-12, 2015

HOT PURSUIT Sofia Vergara, Reese Witherspoon R13

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

PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 Kevin James, Raini Rodriguez PG

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

BIG GAME / * CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR Samuel L. Jackson / * Nick Jonas PG / *R16

R-16

12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 LFS / * 6:10 | 8:05 | 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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VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

TRAVEL

DreamPlay’s entrace.

URBANISSIMO A1

Story telling and puppet shows can be found at the DreamTales area.

Huge touchscreen tables are found in DreamPlay’s Party Rooms.

The whole family can create, play, and learn as they enjoy activities such as wall climbing, toy building, 4D theatres, cooking classes and games.

I especially loved the How To Fly Your Dragon game where one can create their own dragons from parts, climb up a dragon tube course, and finally race the customised dragons from the top of the course. For those who want their kids to be more active and romp about, Shifu’s Training Hall with its many challenges and ropes course is a sure winner, just make sure you brought extra shirts. There is also an interactive storybook telling called DreamTales where story tellers and puppet masters tell stories from the DreamWorks universe.

Should one get hungry, there is Chez Gringy, an all-day-dining restaurant within the theme park which serves noodles, din dum, pizza, ice cream and other family favourites.

Guests can also participate in various cooking classes in an open show kitchen. Themed private rooms good for 90 persons are also available in case you want to throw a

Children racing to the top of the Fly Your Dragon maze to race their own custom -made dragon figures.

Signs leading to the Fly Your Dragon game.

Having a ball with the ball cannon.

party.

For true blue DreamWorks fans, there is also a DreamShop where various DreamWorks memorabilia can be purchased.

DreamPlay is located at the Level 2 Retail Arcade, Family Entertainment Center of the City of Dreams Manila as is open from 10 in the morning until 10 in the evening.

Follow me on Instagram of on Twitter at @kennethkingong for more travel tales, foodie finds and happenings in, around, and beyond Durianburg.

7 HEALTH

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

Osteoporosis: The looming disease among Filipinos

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

F

OR every three Filipino women, one is likely to suffer from osteoporosis. Among Filipino men, it’s one for every five males. That’s according to the National Nutrition and Health Survey, which used the Osteoporosis Assessment Tool for Asians (OSTA), a fairly sensitive screening tool for osteoporosis.

“Using the high risk category as our best estimate for osteoporosis,” said Dr. Julie Li-Yu of the Osteoporosis Society of the Philippines Foundation, Inc., “the projected number of at high risk for osteoporosis in 2020 and 2050 is four million and 10.2 million, respectively.”

Mabelle Aban, writing for “Medical Observer,” noted that the country’s institutional data identified hip fractures as the leading osteoporosis-related fractures. This is so because “they are easily recognized due to associated pain and minimal trauma, unlike the vertebral or spine fractures, which usually go unrecognized,” the author explained.

According to the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO), more than 50 percent of all osteoporotic hip fractures will occur in Asia by 2050. Further, some 10 to 20 percent of people suffering from hip fractures die within a year of suffering the fracture.

If the number of Filipinos having osteoporosis in coming years is overwhelming, the health-care costs they bring are even more mind-boggling. A study done in 2004 showed that

direct costs of hospitalization among patients who sustained hip fracture was estimated to be P92,000 in a government facility and P300,000 in a privately-owned health facility.

“If the same study is applied to those who are projected to have osteoporosis, the projected direct costs of hospitalization would amount to P3.2 billion in 2020 and P8.55 billion in 2050,” said Dr. Li-Yu. Osteoporosis literally means brittle or porous bones. “Osteoporosis is the loss of bone tissue and the subsequent damage to bone structure. Bones that were once sturdy supports for the body can be reduced to a fragile lacework, susceptible to being shattered if you pick up something heavy, or fall or twist the wrong way,” wrote Bridget Green in an article published in “Reader’s Digest.”

While many people think of bone as solid and impenetrable, it is in fact living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. “Bones grow throughout childhood and puberty, with much more tissue being added than lost.

During teenage years, the bones become sturdier by adding mass and increasing density,” Green informed.

When a woman turns 30, she starts to lose more bones than being developed. This can lead to osteoporosis if a woman does not take measures to maintain strong bones. As men have larger bones, greater muscle mass and tend to be more active, they develop osteoporosis about five years later than women.

The importance of calcium (from Wikipedia)

What happens to your bone when you have osteoporosis (from Wikipedia)

An old man with osteoporosis (Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio)

While osteoporosis is often thought of as disease of the older people, it can strike at any age. “There are certain established risk factors that put an individual at higher risk for osteoporosis compared to the general population,” noted Dr. Li-Yu. “These factors include low body weight, sedentary lifestyle, menopausal status, history of fractures after age 45 years, family history of fracture, and advanced age.”

Other risk factors in-

clude “current cigarette smoking status, alcohol intake of more than 2 units per day, inflammatoryarthritis, glucocorticoid use, and some other medical conditions that lead to secondary bone loss.”

The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), a line agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), has been looking for ways to help prevent osteoporosis. In its initial study, the FNRI discov-

ered that “we do not practice the rational approaches towards the prevention of the disease which should be started during childhood and adolescence.”

“Your skeleton is like a bank account,” says Dr. Carolyn Becker, an endocrinologist who heads the Osteoporosis Center of Western Connecticut at Danbury Hospital. “You put in bone deposits during your first 30 years or so; then you start to withdraw. The big-

ger your account, the more you have to draw on for the rest of your life.”

“Public awareness and education programs can only go so far,” the FNRI said in a statement. “Individuals must recognize the severity of the problem and make a conscious decision to make changes to their lifestyles.

Only then can we create a world without osteoporotic fractures.”

“There are ways where experts offer early diagnosis of osteoporosis before an actual fracture sets in,” says Dr. Li-Yu. “Individuals at risk can undergo a bone densitometry examination not only for diagnosis but also to assess his/her fracture risk and determine rate of bone loss as well as monitor treatment response.”

Until now, there is still no cure for osteoporosis, but it can be prevented. One of the best ways to prevent it is to be aware of what osteoporosis is, what your predispositions are and how to handle your predispositions.

In doing so, the risk of fracturing bones is reduced.

A diet rich in calcium – along with vitamin D, which helps the small intestine absorb this vital element – is crucial to the prevention of osteoporosis. “Aside from ensuring optimal absorption of calcium, vitamin D also stabilizes nerves that keep reflexes intact, which helps a person maintain balance and prevent falls that can lead to fractures,” says Professor Leilani B. Mercado-Asis, of the Osteoporosis Society of the Philippines.

Studies indicate that calcium combined with vitamin D supplementation can reduce the risk of fracture in men and women over the age of 65. Other studies also show that calcium plus vitamin D increases muscle strength and reduces the frequency of falls among the elderly.

Another preventive factor: exercise. “Regular exercise helps prevent osteoporosis, stimulating bones to thicken,” wrote Per Ola and Emily D’Aulaire. “When muscles attached to it strain and contract, a bone responds by building denser tissue. But if the muscle is underused, the bone dissembles itself.”

To increase bone mass, doctors recommend activities such as walking, running, tennis, dancing, and low-impact aerobics.

“Exercise,” says Dr. Barbara Drinkwater, a research psychologist at Pacific Medical Center in Seattle, “may help delay osteoporosis fractures by ten to 15 years.”

You may not be at risk of osteoporosis now, but remember this: everyone loses some bone after 35. It’s never too early to start – not too late.

8

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

W

Groundbreaking

ITH Davao City among the cities in the country with a high incidence of HIV and AIDS, it is becoming more and more imperative that we as a community – not just government but the private sector as well – do something about it. One of the main problems is information, or rather misinformation, as numerous myths continue to surround and be believed about the virus and the disease it causes. To this day, people still believe HIV can be “caught” by handshakes, kissing, using “infected” toilet seats, and by breathing in droplets from an infected person. And to this day, people still shun, ridicule, and ostracize those they know to have the virus.

The fact is that HIV is a very difficult virus to contract. It takes a few specific actions to transfer the virus from person to person: unprotected sex, sharing needles, pregnancy and childbirth, and blood transfusion or transplant. There are also some occupations that are exposed to hazard, such as medi-

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cal practitioners who could possible get pricked by an infected needle. But all in all these are activities that can either be avoided or, barring that, from which one can protect oneself.

In this day and age, contracting HIV should not be a problem.

Except that ignorance makes everyone susceptible to it.

If the people do not know that safe sex – the use of condoms – can go a long way in protecting themselves, then they will continue to practice unsafe sex. Drug users who do not know any better will continue to share needles. And those who fear getting tested will continue to act as if they are uninfected – exposing those with whom they are sexually intimate to the virus. This is why what the Davao City government department heads did yesterday – undergoing voluntary HIV testing – was so important and groundbreaking. The people should see that there is no shame in taking it, and that the test is an important part of our life as a community. The time to act against HIV is now, and we should all take our officials’ cue.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY Consultant

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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OLIVIA D. VELASCO D.D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JOCELYN S. PANES SOLANI SOLANI MARATAS General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist General Manager Director of Sales Finance RICHARD C. EBONA Marketing Supervisor

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

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VANTAGE POINTS

9

Manny Pacquiao should know he has duties

HE Pacman is a billionaire many times over. And he’s getting wealthier by the day—not just from boxing but from all sorts of lucrative endorsements, sponsorships, and other contracts.

The amounts, rewards, and entitlements he receives are way beyond ordinary Filipinos can dream about. And no one can say he doesn’t deserve them; for indeed he is a gifted pugilist whose ring performance impresses everyone—commoners, royals, and celebrities alike. The stuff of which living legends are made.

So acclaimed is Manny that the nation hails him as a hero: the People’s Champ, Pambansang Kamao (The Nation’s Fist!), such that Sarangani voters have gifted him with the highest honor a community can bestow on one of its own: to represent them and be their lawgiver/lawmaker in Congress.

No other Filipino in the boxing world has attained this stature, nor anyone match his fame or fortune. And he earned these with what seemed an impeccable attitude and behaviour: prayerful, humble, grateful, and respectful even in moments of triumph. ***** But somehow something is changing.

Politics is getting into his head. The thought of becoming a senator next year turns on a twinkle in his eye, plus more twinkles at the thought of a presidency four years down the road!

A little knowledge, they say, can be a dangerous thing. And hubris can bring down a

“

VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

WORK every day. No matter what has happened the day or night before, get up and bite on the nail.” That statement comes from the pen of one of America’s most celebrated authors, Ernest Hemingway.

Hemingway is one of my favorite authors. I never read his books when I was growing up, but I came to “know” him only after I saw the film adaptation of his book, The Old Man and the Sea. Forget the fact that he committed suicide at the height of his career, but his timely tips about writing are still being quoted just like his novels which are still being read all over the world.

A person who does not work every day is dead. You have to do something in order for you to live – even breathing and eating are work. And thinking and writing, too. That’s why I write every day.

Writing is just a like a hobby to me. And to think of, it’s part of my job. Imagine, doing your hobby every day and still being paid for doing so. What a privilege, indeed. I am sure there are many people who are working but don’t like what they are doing. Too bad!

Anyone who knows how to write can be called a writer. But the difference between those who just write for the sake of writing and those who make a living out of writing is writing well. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well and doing well whatever you do.”

In writing well, you have to consider your grammar (you must know when to use “is” and “are,” the difference between “me” and “mine,” etc.), your vocabulary (ap-

god or a titan! So Manny had better be forewarned…. Fame can be a fickle thing; popular idols can fall from grace.

With the MayPac affair on the sidelines now, he should start making up for lost opportunities in his career. He should start warming his cold, cold seat in Congress.

Manny should start doing his homework, even a little at a time. It can’t be all boxing and basketball playing and coaching, you know.

It’s time to get serious. Time for lawmaking, for championing his constituents. ***** Someone should whisper to him that while philanthropy is great (sharing some of his bounty), indulging in patronage politics is not. He should know by now that playing with politics and politicos instead of working for reforms and good governance isn’t good either.

Manny shouldn’t make the mistake of taking the goodwill and public adulation he enjoys for granted. He owes society. He has public responsibility. His powerful influence on the masses can go a long way to improve their political behavior and sense of public morality. A teaching mission, one might say, a duty to promote the common good.

For the nation, his international renown can do a lot to raise our Republic’s honor,

dignity, and credibility. Instead of hiring himself out to China as its boxing consultant—so there will be lots of Communist boxing champions!—he should tell Beijing to back off from the West Philippine Sea. What has he got to lose?

He can as well be our ambassador— self-appointed, if necessary—championing our diplomatic causes, upholding our national sovereignty and security, earning more of our people’s eternal gratitude for doing it. ***** Instead of just playing basketball, he could be playing diplomat! Surrounding himself with good, knowledgeable advisers, he can go the rounds of South East Asia and urge ASEAN to ratify the Maritime Code of Conduct in the South China Sea that has been long overdue.

The Code won’t put a stop to the skulduggery at the Panatag Shoal and other parts, or solve our problems with Communist Chinese aggression, but a Manny Pacquiao raising the issue would be a powerful megaphone drawing the world’s attention to the utter impropriety or arrogance of a gargantuan power picking on us and our neighbors.

In other words, by rousing international interest and attention to the issue, Manny could be a foil to China’s bullying of our poor and militarily weak Republic. What can China do about it, knock him out?

Not least, he is perfectly within his rights as a Saranggani congressman to demand that China stop stealing from that province’s off-

shore marine fishery and other resources.

Saranggani fishermen are victimized by the thievery! ***** Not least, someone should whisper to him—as well as to Mommy D and to Madam Jinkee—that it is time for him to stop hanging out with the rough crowd. Hobnobbing with the likes of Jojo Binay and Chavit Singson may make him feel good but it does no good for the fine things they crave for themselves, for their children, and for everyone—like a better quality of life and prosperity.

It’s time to get serious about public service. For the family, the kids are growing up; they need Dad as a role model, and Mom as conscientious public servant, being already a vice governor.

It’s time to improve the quality of the news, too—so that what gets played up aren’t just Manny’s hobbies and vices and antics, Jinkee’s admission of his infidelities, or Mommy D’s boyfriends or dance partner. Better to play up what they, individually and as a family, do for society, nation, and posterity.

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

pease, soothe, THINK ON THESE! mollify, placate, and pacify all mean the same thing), and the ideas you expound. Words are your tool and you must have lots of them. “What’s this business of Henrylito D. Tacio being a writer?” henrytacio@gmail.com Irving Thalberg asked. “It’s just putting one word after another.”

But you have to put those words in a perfect manner that could be understood by anyone who reads it. “A perfectly healthy sentence, it is true, is extremely rare,” Henry David Thoreau said. “For the most part we miss the hue and fragrance of the thought; as if we could be satisfied with the dews of the morning or evening without their colors, or the heavens without their azure.”

I started writing well when I was in high school. My English teacher observed that those I wrote for our formal themes were different from those written by my classmates. “You had a style of your own,” she told me. She impelled me to write more -- on various subject matters.

When I watched Finding Forrester a couple of years back, I was reminded of what I went through. The words of Sean Connery’s character came into my mind: “Write your first draft with your heart. Re-write with

your head.”

But it was not until I was in college that I started writing for magazines and newspapers. My very first national article was published in a weekly magazine. It was a short piece on what children say about doctors.

From that, I started writing for other publications as a freelancer. At first, I wrote lifestyle features and when I joined a non-government organization as its staff writer, I started writing about agricultural stories. After attending a workshop convened by Philippine Press Institute, I found my niche: science reporting.

It was also at time when I wrote for Ang Peryodiko Dabaw (which later became Sun. Star Davao). I also started contributing for Press Foundation of Asia, with Paul Icamina and Erlinda Bolido as my science editors.

And before I knew it, I was winning one journalism awards after another. In 1999, the Philippine Press Institute elevated me the hall of fame in science reporting, the first and only Filipino journalist to accomplish the feat. That year also, the Rotary Club of Manila had chosen me as Journalist of the Year. Now, I write for the Asian edition of Reader’s Digest and other national and internal publications.

Through these years, what have I learned as a writer? First and foremost, don’t wait for inspiration to write. Just write whatever comes into your mind – as long as you know what you are writing. Raymond Chandler suggests, “The faster I write the better my output. If I’m going slower, I’m in trouble. It means I’m pushing the words instead of be-

ing pulled by them.”

Don’t forget to read. When I go to other countries, I usually buy books, magazines and other publications. “Read, read, read,” urges William Faulkner. “Read everything trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read!

You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out of the window.”

There is nothing new under the heat of the sun, the Ecclesiastes writer said. Everything is already written. All you have to do is make the subject fresh. “If you steal from one author, it’s plagiarism; if you steal from many, its research,” observed Wilson Mizner.

Award-winning author James Michener echoed the same sentiment when he said, “I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.”

Now, here are some great rules of writing from William Safire. “Do not put statements in the negative form. And don’t start sentences with a conjunction. If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing. Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do. Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all. De-accession euphemisms. If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is. Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky. Last, but not least, avoid clichés like the plague.”

Now, why I like to write? As Edward Robert Bulwer-Lytton, Richeliue, II puts it, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

THE WORM’S EYEVIEW

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA

So you want to be a writer?

10 NEWS VOTE... FROM 1

one’s, nay, an entire people’s– an entire nation’s future. That is where you are at today. But even with such an awesome responsibility and a ton of expectations either way, you are already blessed,” he said, adding he prays that “you will pass on your blessing to Mindanao as you soberly deliberate and decide on passing an inclusive and just Bangsamoro Basic Law that not only adheres to the spirit of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, but that will also finally unshackle the Bangsamoro people from the bondage of bigotry, the barnacles of underdevelopment and the cuffs of colonialism.”

“May you be guided by the divine wisdom that reside in the tears of the mothers and widows in Maguindanao, the wry wrinkles and dry throats of evacuees in the makeshift camps in Pikit and Parang, the calloused fingers and throbbing hearts of soldiers and mujahideens in the fastness of Lanao and Sulu, and the smiles and soft laughter of the children in the fields, backyards, classrooms and streets all over Mindanao. Pass the BBL. It’s the right thing to do,” he said.

Historic opportunity Samira Gutoc of the Young Moro Professionals and Friends of Peace, has a simple message to the legislators: “Let your name carve out in memory as one who pushed and signed the basic bill that fundamentally altered the

City... FROM 2

lives of conflict-battered civilians.”

Government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer is asking Congress to “please make a good BBL your legacy to the country” while MILF peace panel and concurrent BTC chair Mohagher Iqbal says legislators “should rise above selves and respond to the call of peace by passing a good BBL.” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said the country is“faced with the historic opportunity to finally fulfill the constitutional mandate and promise of true autonomy; bring to an end four decades of violent conflict in Mindanao; install and strengthen democratic institutions to overcome deprivation and lawlessness; and collectively embrace and celebrate the richness of our multiple identities, cultures, and narratives.”

She said she hopes legislators will “wholeheartedly claim – and not deny nor squander – their key role in fulfilling this opportunity that may not come again within our lifetime.”

“We need a BBL that will embody our best hopes and not give in to our worst fears.

In the coming vote on the BBL, please let the children be the focus of attention and concern – their lives, their future – the children of Mamasapano equally with the children of Metro Manila.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

and Buhangin Proper categorized as the model barangay.

This the fourth time the city won the award. The first three were in 1998, 1999, and 2013.

Last January, the city received the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance from Department of So-

cial Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The Award was presented by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) in recognition of the city’s commitment in promoting children’s rights to survival, development, protection and participation. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

Masaganang Pamayanan, is a Kalahi-CIDSS modality that aims to improve access of conflict-affected barangays (CABs) to quality basic social services and responsive, transparent and accountable local governments.

To date, a total of 53 sub-projects were completed through Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA. Some 12,717 households already reaped benefits from the sub-projects.

Colina has much confidence in the CDD process of Kalahi-CIDSS. He plans of replicating it with local funds to serve non-prioritized barangays.

He appreciates the pro-people process. “The purpose crosses technical borders -from educating the volunteers, maximizing the funds, improving participation in the community, transparency, sense of ownership of sub-projects, to employment generation in the communities.”

“Since the program heavily

promotes transparency in the community, I required the ACT (Area Coordinating Team) to submit weekly reports of accomplishment including that of other government agencies present in the locality, and I discuss these reports in the local FM Station every Monday.”

He wants the people to know where their taxes go, earning him the trust and confidence of the community.

Colina believes that once an established and well-developed place is attained, everyone that lives in it also improves.

“The well-being of individuals is higher, the quality of living is healthier as well as the economic boost that it gives to the people. The employment opportunity is greater too.

These benefits would lead to a better and secure future for all. And we’re not just talking about numbers, but also happier homes, stronger families and more children finishing school. This is my vision for my community.” (PNA)

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TOURISM BOOST. Davao del Norte Tourism Council president Araceli Ayuste says the recently concluded Palarong Pambansa 2015 boosted the province’s business and tourism industries. Ayuste graced yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

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Dacudao Avenue.

Police had flagged down a certain Pedrito Palero, reportedly an asset of the Buhangin Police Station, for driving without a helmet and a driver’s license.

Police said a certain Robin Quimpong suddenly arrived and argued with the police on Palero’s behalf.

A few minutes later, Refalbor, who is a reportedly friend of Quimpong’s, ar-

rived on board a Buhangin Police Station mobile patrol unit and joined the altercation.

Refalbor was disarmed following the incident. Authorities also believe the officer was under the influence of liquor during the incident.

Quimpong was also sued for obstruction of justice and direct assault. Both were detained at Sta. Ana Police Station.

the BBL. The votation will last for three days or until Wednesday.

At the ongoing votation, the panel will also discuss the 60 out of 221 proposed amendments on the draft BBL, including the 20 sections that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) wants to retain.

Rodriguez said there is still the possibility that the Senate will not pass the law.

“If the Senate will see that there are still provisions which they consider as unconstitutional, there is a big possibility that they will not pass it (BBL),” he

said.

Last month, MILF Central Committee Vice Chair Ghazali Jaafar said the group does not intend to renegotiate with the government regarding the provisions of the BBL. “We have already signed an agreement, and the negotiation is already finished.

We do not intend to renegotiate what we have negotiated for many many years,” Jaafar said.

Jaafar also said if the nation’s leaders do not want the BBL to pass, they should find an alternative solution to stop the war in Mindanao.

on May 22, 2011.

“I am thankful to DOLE-NRCO for giving me capital to start again and venture into a business of my own. I will really make my sari-sari store grow,” she said.

She also said it will help her a lot especially since she is left alone to sustain herself.

DOLE-NRCO aims to enable OFWs like Cora and their families work and live with entrepreneurial mindset, primarily through the creation of awareness on the value of saving, and empowering them to plan for

investment, business, or local employment upon their return, while responding to the reintegration needs of displaced OFWs and OFWs in distressful situations.

The National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) is the youngest bureau under the Department of Labor and Employment.

It acts as the Philippine government’s Reintegration Manager, addressing the multifaceted needs of our modern heroes and their families to a more productive return to the Philippines. (Roberto A. Gumba, Jr./DOLE GIP)

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She sought help at a nearby house.

He said the police in Malangas are conducting intensive investigation and case

build-up aimed to identify and arrest the suspects.

He said the motive of the incident is believed to be personal grudge. (PNA)

Station.

By 2016, three more power projects are expected to become online including the 1.6 MW Biomass Cogeneration Facility of the Philippine Trade Center, Inc.; 9 MW Limbatangon Hydroelectric Power Project of the Turbines Resource & Development Corp.; and the 540 MW of the PsagCorp Coal-Fired Power Plant of GN Power Kauswagan.

Antonino, however, was dismayed over the delayed commissioning of the first 150MW unit of TSI, which was moved to February next year because of damaged attained by its auxiliary components to the boiler.

Affected areas and components include the air-preheater as well as the electrostatic precipitator, which is part of the power plant’s pollution control system, The SI said earlier.

An official of AboitizPower told Edge Davao that the sudden loss of power last April 5 resulted in an increase in the temperature in the plant that in turn damaged the components.

In Davao City, the maintenance shutdown of STEAG opted Davao Light Power Company (DLPC) to implement up to one hour rotating blackout from May 11 to May 17.

second batch of program beneficiaries.

She said the program covers a period of 20 days starting on May 20. Another batch of beneficiaries will be identified and selected after the 20-day period.

She said the beneficiaries will be tasked to do

clean-up activities in their individual transitory sites with a daily pay of Php280 with social benefits.

The benefits include a three-month coverage in the Social Security System (SSS), Philhealth Insurance and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). (PNA)

ter-ended March 31, 2015 surged 19 percent to US$296.1 million from the US$248.9 million reported in the same period in 2014.

The increase in revenues was mainly due to volume growth, higher ancillary services, tariff rate adjustments at certain terminals, new contracts with shipping lines and forwarders, favorable impact of the consolidation of terminal operations at Yantai, China, continuing ramp-up at the terminals in Puerto Cortes, Hon-

duras and Manzanillo, Mexico which posted increases of 67 percent and 49 percent, respectively, and the revenue contribution of the company’s new terminal in Basra, Iraq.

ICTSI is widely acknowledged to be a leading global developer, manager and operator of container terminals in the 50,000 to 2.5 million TEU/ year range. ICTSI has an experience record that spans six continents and continues to pursue container terminal opportunities around the world.

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ICT HUB 11 Chip, the world’s first $9 computer N EDGEDAVAO

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2.1M people in the US still use dial-up I

N an age where the average US broadband speed is 11.4 Mbps, some 2.1 million people in the country are still using the decades old AOL dial-up to connect to the Internet.

AOL reported the mind puzzling number in its quarterly earnings last week. About 70 per cent of Americans use broadband that is 200 times faster than AOL’s dial-up.

However, it seems AOL loyalists prefer to experience the Web like it is 1995. Even smartphones are more than a hundred times faster than AOL’s meager 56 Kbps speed, or the lack of it.

A 56 Kbps modem connection means the pictures download topto-bottom, just extremely slow. Given the present day bombardment of ads, software add-ons, GIFs, auto-play video content, and more interactive sites, it is indeed surpris-

An old dial-up modem ing to see AOL having such a fan following.

Despite the turtle-pace, AOL customers are still paying $20/ month on an average for the service, CNN Money reports. The service says that its 2.1 million dial-up

customers include some subscribers who are paying reduced monthly fees, and some on free trials.

A 2009 Pew Research Centre study notes that about 32 per cent of dial-up users couldn’t afford to upgrade, while

most of the rest believe broadband either wasn’t available or they just didn’t care to change.

AOL counted 4.6 million dial-up users in 2010, and only 500,000 people or so leave every year.

of Windows, we’re all still working on Windows 10.”

The news website explained how Microsoft has been working on the base of Windows 10 all through last year even when it launched Windows 8.1. The company will continue to further push updates to this latest OS, but will avoid releasing a complete new version.

The reason for this change is Microsoft reportedly plans to launch Windows as a service. However,

it doesn’t really explain how it plans to do so.

“Microsoft has altered the way it engineers and delivers Windows, and the initial result is Windows 10.

Instead of big releases, there will be regular improvements and updates. Part of this is achieved by splitting up operating system components like the Start Menu and built-in apps to be separate parts that can be updated independently to the entire Windows core operating

system,” TheVerge report says.

“Recent comments at Ignite about Windows 10 are reflective of the way Windows will be delivered as a service bringing new innovations and updates in an ongoing manner, with continuous value for our consumer and business customers,” a Microsoft spokesperson later told the news site.

The company recently announced the latest build for Windows 10.

No Windows 11?

The Windows 10 home screen

T

HERE won’t be a Windows 11 after all. Reports have it that Windows 10 is the last traditional release from Microsoft, and the company will improve it by adding enhancements and updates in the future.

TheVerge quotes Microsoft employee Jerry Nixon, a developer evangelist speaking at the company’s Ignite conference, as saying, “Right now we’re releasing Windows 10, and because Windows 10 is the last version

EXT Thing, the company that launched OTTO (a hackable gif camera) last year, is now back on Kickstarter with its $9 (approximately P400) microcomputer, called Chip.

The Chip is an Open Hardware microcomputer of the type popularized by the Raspberry Pi, with a single circuit board the size of a credit card and no screen or keyboard; though it can be connected to a monitor and keyboard and put to use.

The company touts that the Chip is the “world’s first $9 computer.” The Kickstarter campaign of Next Thing had crossed the $50,000 goal and was around $620,000 mark.

For a pledge of $9, backers will get the Chip microcomputer single circuit board and is expected to start shipping in December this year.

Backers can opt for an optional VGA adaptor or HDMI adaptor by shelling out extra $19 and $25 respectively. Both optional adaptors are expected to start shipping in May next year. Importantly, the Chip unlike other similar microcomputers comes with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity built-in.

Next Thing’s plan is not just limited to the Chip and extends to the PocketChip which makes the single circuit board portable. It features a 4.3-inch (272x470 pixels) touchscreen with resistive touch; QWERTY keyboard; 5 hour battery backup with a 3000mAh battery, and sports a rugged injection molded

shell. Backers will have to pledge for $49 to get the PocketChip, which is also expected to start shipping worldwide May next year.

Some of the key specifications of Chip microcomputer include 1GHz Allwinner ‘R8’ A13 processor; Mali-400 GPU; 512MB of RAM (DDR3); 4GB of built-in storage; a USB port; a Micro-USB port with OTG functionality support; a microphone jack that doubles as a composite video-out; Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, and Bluetooth 4.0. The Chip also comes preloaded with various open source software including the LibreOffice, for working on documents; Chromium browser, to surf the web, and Scratch, a coding tool to learn the basics of programming by making stories, games, and animations. It is based on an open source operating system.

Explaining the motive behind Chip, Dave Rauchwerk, one of Next Thing’s founders, told DIY publication Make, “The $9 becomes really interesting when lots of people can help make it awesome. We wanted to find a way to not only give everyone access to it but to give them the ability to participate in this process of developing it.”

“Success for us is them seeing what we’ve done and being excited about it and backing it,” Rauchwerk added.

Next Thing’s Chip microcomputer is seen as a direct competitor to Raspberry Pi 2 Model B priced at $35, which was launched in February.

12 CLASSIFIED

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• All text • Telephone Number (bigger point size) • Bold Header Price: 100.00

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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

13 Rallies held as House committee votes on BBL VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

P

EACE advocates on Monday held rallies in key cities in Mindanao to drumbeat support for the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law which was scheduled for voting at the House ad hoc committee on the BBL. In Cagayan de Oro, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, and parishioners took to the streets to urge Congress to pass the bill.

“View the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) as partners. Internal security issues like the Abu Sayyaf, BIFF and the MNLF can be best handled by the Muslims them-

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS

selves,” Ledesma said at the rally in Gaston Park.

The archbishop warned the House that the “alternative of scrapping the Bangsamoro Basic Law would be a return to square one a generation ago and may ensue in continuing violence and unrest in Mindanao.”

“The only ones who stand to gain are arms dealers and some politicians who attract attention by polarizing communities,” he said.

Ledesma said the BBL represents a reasonable, practical and carefully crafted settlement for attaining lasting

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. That CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No. (s)21023004 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 183243-9/NNN130005218 issued to VICTORIA B. TAGUILOB was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

5/5/12/19

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. That CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 21029925 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 10139514-9 issued to JUDITH URSAL was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

5/12/19/26

CALL FOR BBL PASSAGE. A young girl joins thousands of rallyists calling for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law outside the House of Representatives in Quezon City on May 11, 2015. MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano peace and justice in Mindanao.

The House 75-member ad hoc committee headed by Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd district, Cagayan de Oro) was set to end their deliberations and vote on the BBL Monday afternoon or Tuesday.

Peace groups led by Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman staged a huge rally outside the House of Representatives complex in Quezon City urging the congressmen to pass the

bill “in its entirety.”

Rallies were also held in the cities of Davao, Cotabato and Iligan on Monday.

Ledesma led some 500 of his parishioners and Maranaos from the Plaza Rotunda to Gaston Park where a brief rally was held Monday morning.

Muslim Youth Council chair Soriaya Ali reminded the lawmakers that the Moro youth will inherit “an island of peace” if they pass an “unadul-

terated” BBL. “Our people need a structural change to break the cycle of violence that is happening now,” Ali said.

Balay Mindanaw chair Charlito Manlupig appealed to Rodriguez and other representatives to think of the legacy they would leave behind.

“We ask you to bear in mind how your decisions can affect the peace process and impact the lives of millions of people in the conflict-affected

areas in Mindanao. We ask you to think about the thousands of IDPs (internally displaced persons) who are still currently suffering in evacuation centers,” Manlupig said.

He said peace advocates see the BBL as the only viable, logical and constitutional answer that would end not only the armed conflict but also the years of underdevelopment, poverty and corruption.

(Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)

14 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

Purisima: Phl resilient I against external risks F

INANCE Secretary Cesar V. Purisima yesterday said the Philippines stands as one of the most resilient countries in the region, with ample safeguards against shocks in a volatile global environment. As many anticipate the impending normalization of interest rate conditions planned by the United States Federal Reserve, the Philippines’ high level of resiliency against external risks is expected to be a boon to the country’s fiscal footing.

“We have built ample buffers that strongly position the Philippines to weather changes in the external environment,” Purisima said. “We are less vulnerable to external risks, but we will never be complacent. We continue with our relentless pursuit of meaningful reforms to accelerate fiscal sustainability, strengthen governance, and boost our competitiveness. We refuse to be Asia’s sick man once again: expect that the virtuous cycle we are enjoying will be leveraged to forge brighter paths ahead.”

Taking advantage of strong domestic liquidity, the Philippines’ increased reliance on peso funding also bolsters

debt sustainability. As a consequence, vulnerability to foreign exchange risk is tempered with the country’s heavy bias towards local currency. Moreover, interest payments have been locked at low rates with the country’s debt portfolio predominantly in fixed terms.

The external debt of the national government has gone down to 15 percent of GDP, or 0.5x of FX reserves—one of the lowest levels in Asia. Moreover, only 4 percent of external debt will be maturing within a year, reflecting an average residual maturity of over 11 years. Recent improvements in domestic liquidity conditions has allowed increased reliance on peso funding, tempering vulnerabilities to foreign exchange risk and bolstering debt sustainability. Interest rate exposure is also limited by a portfolio composition that is 98 percent on fixed-interest terms.

The Philippines also benefits from sustained current account surpluses that began in 2003. Forex reserves have grown and remained at formidable levels behind the strength of the business process outsourcing industry and steady remittance flows.

Meanwhile, an improved export manufacturing sector have narrowed the trade deficit further easing balance of payment pressures.

On the domestic front, the Philippines’ buoyant economy provides a solid line of defense against events and actions that increase external risks. The country’s fiscal position remains formidable with 2014 deficit only amounting to 0.6 percent of GDP following continued positive trajectories in revenue collections, leaving ample resources to accelerate productive spending particularly for infrastructure to get greater traction.

Purisima stressed, “We are confident that our consistent and measured approach at buttressing against global volatility will reap great returns each time the country confronts global economic forces, ensuring that the Philippines stands on solid footing. We will continue taking actions to confront external headwinds and stay the course on our path of sustained, higher and inclusive growth. We remain committed to our focus on fortifying economic fundamentals we have built over the past 5 years.”

Purisima noted that the

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has been particularly proactive in ensuring expectations remain well-anchored and that inflation is maintained within the target band of 2-4 percent for 2015 to 2016. Liquidity is well-managed to support favorable alignment of inflation and broad-based growth.

“Following improvements in our investment ratings, we continue to diversify our investor base. Investor sentiments reflect increasing demand for exposure for Philippine debt papers as seen in this January’s successful $2 billion issuance amid global financial volatility,” Purisima noted.

“We expect fiscal headroom to be further scaled-up with growth enhancing revenue reforms to support longterm growth. We continue to expand our fiscal space to accommodate public investments in infrastructure and social services, and to provide social safety nets for the vulnerable. To expand our tax base, as well as to create a more efficient and equitable tax structure, we will work closely with Congress for the passage of key legislation to further boost our economic standing,” Purisima added.

PHILBEX Davao. What ensued was a resounding success and this year, WSI continues head strong in its mission to cultivate what it had sowed in the southern region as it returns for the 2nd PHILBEX Davao on May 14 to 17, 2015 at the SMX Conven-

tion Center Davao at SM Lanang from 10AM to 7PM. Conceptualized as the biggest and most-anticipated construction exposition in the region, PHILBEX Davao 2015 will be featuring the latest product and service innovations with over

130 exhibiting companies – resulting in a whopping aggregate of 240 booths. Moreover, the four-day trade show seeks to become the most ideal platform for business-to-business opportunities as it gathers the region’s top industry professionals and trade

THE 2ND PHILBEX DAVAO SEMINARS

ICTSI 1Q 2015 net income up 3% to US$54 million NTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) yesterday reported unaudited consolidated financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 posting revenue from port operations of US$296.1 million, an increase of 19 percent over the US$248.9 million reported for the same period last year.

ICTSI also reported Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) of US$127.5 million, 23 percent higher than the US$103.6 million generated in the first quarter of 2014.

It also reported net income attributable to equity holders of US$54.0 million, up three percent over the US$52.4 million earned in the same period last year.

In a statement, ICTSI said the increase in net income was mainly driven by continued margin improvement at Contecon Manzanillo S.A. (CMSA) in Manzanillo, Mexico and Operadora Portuaria Centroamericana, S.A. de C.V (OPC) in Puerto Cortes, Honduras, as these two container terminals entered their second full year of commercial operations.

In January 2014, the company booked a US$13.2 million one-time gain on sale of non-core asset when it divested its holdings in Cebu International Container Terminal, Inc. Excluding the one-time

gain, recurring net income surged 38 percent in the first quarter of 2015.

ICTSI handled consolidated volume of 1,982,773 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, 13 percent more than the 1,757,095 TEUs handled in the same period in 2014.

The increase in volume was mainly due to the improvement in international and domestic trade in most of the company’s terminals, new shipping lines and services, continuing volume ramp-up in the company’s terminal operations in Mexico and Honduras, favorable impact of terminal consolidation at Yantai, China, and the contribution of the company’s new terminal in Basra, Iraq which began commercial operation in November 2014.

Excluding the volume generated by the new terminal in Iraq, organic volume growth was at 11 percent.

The company’s eight key terminal operations in Manila, Brazil, Poland, Madagascar, China, Ecuador, Pakistan and Honduras, which accounted for 77 percent of the Group’s consolidated volume in the first quarter of 2015, grew 8 percent compared to the same period last year.

Gross revenues from port operations for the quar-

FICTSI, 10

Elevating the Industry to Global Heights

I

N its ceaseless pursuit for excellence, Worldbex Services International (WSI), the country’s leading exhibitions and events organizer, broke new ground in 2014 after launching the first-ever Philippine Building and Construction Exposition or

From the latest industry trends and forecasts to insightful tips and strategies, interested participants will surely gain a productive experience at any of the PHILBEX Seminars.

PHILBEX Seminars aspires to elevate the standards of the industry by being an agent of continued learning.

Free and accessible, visitors are encouraged to take advantage of PHILBEX Seminars as it offers a range of timely, relevant, and highly-informative talks.

Each year, PHILBEX Seminars features a crop of distinguished industry experts to impart their knowledge and share their personal experiences.

experts who are collectively driven and eager to elevate the industry to greater heights.

Heralding the theme of “Building Visions in the Realm of ASEAN Integration,” the 2nd PHILBEX Davao will continue to defy conventions as it strives to deliver an all-inclusive exposition.

This year, visitors are bound to experience a series of insightful and informative encounters as PHILBEX Seminars return for its second year.

Inspired by the need to elevate the standards of the industry to be at par with international standards, the 2nd PHILBEX Davao Seminars will zero in on topics that will impart interested participants with valuable insights as the industry work its way towards a global economic field.

Open to all exhibit goers and absolutely free of charge, PHILBEX Seminars 2015 will tackle smart tips relating to design with talks such as Idr. Hazel Garces-Resari’s “What to expect from your Interior Designer: Designing within your Budget” and “A Design Interpretation: From Arts to Bouquet” by Idr. Frances Marie Tendencia.

Meanwhile, visitors are expected to learn more about the advantages and philosophies of sustainable and resilient design with seminars like “Urban Design and the Greening of Cities: Trends and Technologies” by Archt. Paulo G. Alcazaren, “Solar Shading in the Tropics” by Archt. Iluminado Quinto Jr., and “Beyond Green, Beyond the Building: The Rise of

Alternative Design and Building Construction in the Asean” by Archt. Glory Rose Dy. Last but not the least, industry professionals are sure to relinquish their passion for their craft with talks such as Idr. Ian Manglicmot’s “Upholding the RA 10350 - Why We love our Profession... Our Craft” and “IP Appreciation Program for PEE, REE & RME Professional and Practitioners” by Romel Villar Gador.

Undeniably so, PHILBEX Davao is bound to be a truly world-class exposition that is expected to yield the rife potential of the southern gem that is the greater Davao region into a formidable economic sector.

From building materials and equipment, interior design and renovation products, security and fire equipment, to topnotch services offered by both industry institutions and associations including architecture and interior design firms, mechanical and electrical engineering offices, information technologies and telecommunications provider, and construction promotion companies, PHILBEX Davao is the onestop construction exposition that will address all the needs of both industry professionals and design enthusiasts.

Don’t miss the chance to experience a world-class trade exposition as the 2nd PHILBEX Davao returns with bigger and bolder presentations such as the PHILBEX Davao Seminars. Be there on May 14 to 17, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center Davao at SM Lanang from 10AM to 7PM.

EDGEDAVAO Sports 15

VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

LeBron lifts Cavs over Bulls L

EBRON James watched his coach draw up the final play — and then drew one up of his own.

“Give me the ball and get out of the way,” he said.

James overruled Cleveland coach David Blatt’s idea for a last-second inbounds play and drained a jumper from the corner at the buzzer to give the Cavaliers an 86-84 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, evening the Eastern Conference semifinal series at 2-2.

During a stoppage the Cavs only got because the officials were reviewing a play, Blatt designed a play that had James taking the ball out. The four-time NBA MVP has been in enough pressure situations that he vetoed his coach.

“I was supposed to take the ball out,” James said. “I told Coach there was no way I’m taking the ball out unless I could shoot it over the backboard and go in. So I told him, ‘Have somebody else take the ball out.’ The play that was drawn up, I scratched it. I just told Coach, ‘Just give me the ball. We’re either going to go into overtime or I’m going to win it for us.’”

James, playing the final quarter on a sprained left ankle, finished with 25 points to help the Cavaliers win in another wild finish, returning the favor after Chicago took Game 3 on Derrick Rose’s banked 3-pointer at the horn.

This time, James got whistled for an offensive foul when he elbowed Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Rose scored on a driving

layup with 9.4 seconds left.

Blatt tried to call a timeout but didn’t have one and assistant Tyronn Lue alertly pulled him off the court.

Then, following an animated break, James ended it with the 21-foot jumper over Jimmy Butler, setting off a wild celebration by Cleveland’s players who pinned James to the scorer’s table.

Game 5 of the best-ofseven series that’s had about everything is Tuesday night in Cleveland.

James rolled his left ankle in the third quarter, but fought off the injury. He committed eight turnovers and struggled again from the field, hitting 10 of 30 shots after going 8 of 25 in Game 3. But he also had 14 rebounds, eight assists and a shot that gave Cleveland fans some comfort after Rose broke their hearts on Friday night.

“There’s nothing you can do about it,” Rose said of James’ contested jumper. “He hit a great shot. He’s a hell of a player. We just have to make sure that if we’re in that position again, just make sure that we force him out a little bit more or make someone else get the ball.”

Kyrie Irving, playing with a sprained right foot, was 2 of 10 and had 12 points and two assists.

Timofey Mozgov had 15 points and nine rebounds, and J.R. Smith, who was suspended for Games 1 and 2, came on strong for Cleveland down the stretch, scoring 11 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter.

Clippers rout Rockets to take 3-1 series lead

Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James (second from left) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning basket during the playoff series against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on Sunday. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Pinay wins world boxing title in Australia

F

ILIPINA boxer Marnelle “Shark 2” Verano of Valencia City, Bukidnon captured the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) world super flyweight crown Friday night at the La Mirage Receptions and Convention Centre in Somerton, Victoria, Australia.

The 27-year old Verano (6-2-1, 2 KOs) scored a unanimous decision against previously unbeaten Australia female bantamweight champion Sylvia Scharper (3-1, 1 KO) in 10-round championship fight.

Two judges saw the fight 97-93 and the third judge had it 98-92 all in favor of the 5-foot-6 Verano.

Verano fought 37th ranked, five spots lower than Scharper in bantamweight.

She is the second female boxer from the Philippines to win WIBA world title and third Asian champion in 115-pound division next to Zhengzhou, China native Cheng Jing and South Korean Yoon-Joo Shin from Seoul.

The first Filipina WIBA title-holder was Gretchen Abaniel, a native of Palawan who beat Thailand’s Nongbua Lookprai-aree for the WIBA minimumweight title in Manila Hotel in 2009.

Before her WIBA championship fight, Verano stopped Joan Ambalongo by a third round technical knockout at

the Barangay Biasong covered court in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Note last October 6, 2014.

Verano also fought but lost in the Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) female flyweight championship against Japanese Asami Shikasho by a unanimous decision at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan last June 14, 2010.

Verano was also stopped by another Japanese Naoko Yamaguchi in the fourth round by a TKO at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on October 12, 2009.

Before her back-to-back setbacks, Verano won four of her five first fights. She debuted by knocking down once for a unanimous decision on

Babay Teckok in Muntinlupa City on June 30, 2007.

In her next outing, Verano only settled a majority draw with Geremie Tabastabas at the Elorde Sports Center in Paranaque on August 4.

Verano came back to its winning form by whipping Baina Londo by a unanimous decision on Nov. 9 in Pasay City. She then scored a first round TKO against Cheralyn Dagit at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel on March 25, 2008.

Verano went to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan to beat Teeraporn Pannimit of Thailand by a unanimous decisionon September 13. Lolito T. delos Reyes

H

OUSTON’S strategy of intentionally fouling poor free-throw shooter DeAndre Jordan backfired in a big way.

Jordan scored 26 points, making 14 of 34 free throws after attempting an NBA playoff-record 28 in the first half, and the Los Angeles Clippers won 128-95 on Sunday night to take a 3-1 series lead.

“All of us kind of got freaked out by it early, and then after that we were fine,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said.

They certainly were.

Jordan had 17 rebounds.

Blake Griffin added 21 points, J.J. Redick had 18 points and Chris Paul finished with 15 points and 12 assists in the Clippers’ second straight blowout win in the best-of-7 Western Conference semifinal series.

“They beat the hell out of us,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said.

Los Angeles can advance to the conference finals for the first time in franchise history with a victory in Game 5 on Tuesday night in Houston.

“That’s not what we want to achieve,” Jordan said. “We want to win nine more games.”

An impish Jordan flashed a grin from the bench in the fourth before turning deadly serious on the video board. By then, the game was all but over and fans began doing the wave in celebration.

“I didn’t really know how many I was shooting,” he said.

“I was just trying to make as many as I could for our team, and on the other end just try to get us as many stops as I could in a row.”

James Harden scored 21 points and Trevor Ariza added 18 for the Rockets. Dwight Howard was held to seven points and six rebounds after picking up two fouls 3:40 into the game. That’s when the Rockets decided to start forcing Jordan to the line, grinding the game to a virtual halt. Howard was ejected with 9:52 remaining in the game after getting called for a second technical.

“This is the ultimate adversity right now,” Harden said.

Jordan’s first trip came 3:40 into the game. During one stretch, he made four straight visits to the line, keeping his cool but verbally expressing disgust. The fans detested the incessant fouling, too, with some of them cursing McHale.

“Personally, I don’t like it,” Harden said, “but I guess different coaches have their different philosophies.”

The Rockets used their reserves to do most of the early fouling, with Clint Capela and Kostas Papanikolaou picking up four each. They barely touched Jordan, often just placing a hand on him, enough to trigger the referees’ whistle.

“It just slows the game down so much,” Griffin said.

“Anybody that shoots 28 free throws in the first half, that’s just crazy.”

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 28 • TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015