Edge Davao 8 Issue 57

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

P 15.00 • 28 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL

A DAY FOR DADS GOLFER OF THE WEEK

Joel Yamyamin: Consistency is the name of his game SPORTS P23

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

(Editor’s Note: Edge Davao devotes this issue as Father’s Day Special with stories of sons talking about their Fathers. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte leads

a list of sons who will be sharing the legacy passed on them by their fathers.) uick here. How did Father’s Day start?

Q

This should trigger a race to Google’s search engine. Enter the name Sonora Smart Dodd. This woman is credited for having spun this observance

of sorts. Whereever you are seated, it’s either a succesful business spin or a simple cheap gimmickry.

No doubt about it,

FA DAY, P2

2 COVER STORY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

A DAY, P1

GOV. VICENTE DUTERTE

‘A generous, humble man’

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY and CHENEEN R. CAPON

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VERY humble and generous man who loves the people he served.

These were the traits Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte remembers of his father, the late Gov. Vicente Duterte.

These were same characteristics that the mayor inherited from the older Duterte.

“You must really love the people you serve. Not only in terms political terms, but you must truly love them as human beings because most of your constituency would be poor and for the most part of their lives they would need government to help them out,” says Duterte.

Duterte said his father had always emphasized that because of politics in the Philippines, people live in a feudal state.

“Because of prevalent poverty…abject poverty, we always go to the politician,” he says as he sat down with Edge Davao Friday night for a special Father’s Day supplement.

The mayor admitted he was closer to her mother, the late Soledad R. Duterte, but he can

vividly recall the goodness of his father, even going to the extent of giving to others without leaving something for him “He was a very humble man,” says Duterte of this one special gift the governor has when he was still alive.

This trait, humility, was also what the older Duterte had implanted on his children.

But, Duterte said one thing about his father which he finds not good was when his father became be extra charitable. “(He was) charitable to the people to a fault,” he said.

“Maski wala na siyang pera, ibibigay niya. Kaya he would come ruptured. Ang dala-dala niya lang araw-araw is pamasahe. I mean he left his entire salary to my mother. Ang kinukuha lang nya is yung pamasahe, kasi yung pagkain, pirma kami sa canteen,” the mayor added.

Duterte said when he lost his father he had a feeling of insecurity.

“When my father died, insecurity came into my soul,” he said The younger Duterte was only 21 years old then when the

governor of the then undivided Davao died at the age of 56.

“I outlived my father. I am now 70,” he said.

Duterte remembers his father discouraging him from staying away from politics, but when People Power I came he was named OIC vice mayor. He was then serving as assistant city prosecutor.

The mayor said he just accepted the offer to become vice mayor with the assurance he would be appointed city prosecutor.

But, as fate would have it, Duterte found himself running against then OIC Mayor Zafiro Respicio for the top City Hall post and won. He eventually became the longest serving mayor of Davao at 22 years.

Not only that, Duterte has become a strong presidential contender in next year’s elections.

As a father himself, Duterte said the greatest treasure that he gave his children was education.

“I’m hoping, and I’m praying that they would have a productive life,” he said.

Father’s Day is a hit.

Dummies.com traced the origin of Father’s Day, celebrated in the United States on the third Sunday of June, as a jump start from the formation of Mother’s Day. The website gave the credit for beginning Father’s Day celebrations to Sonora from Spokane, Washington.

Here’s how the story went: At the turn of the century, Mother’s Day observances were growing across the United States. The federal government had yet to recognize the holiday, but many states had adopted the third Sunday in May as a special celebration day honoring mothers. It was during a Mother’s Day church service on June 20, 1909, that Sonora Smart Dodd was struck with the idea of creating a special holiday to honor fathers, too.

When Sonora was 16, her mother died while giving birth to her sixth child, the last of five sons. Back then, like today, single parenthood was no easy task. By Sonoma’s account, though, Mr. Smart did a wonderful job. Because of this love and esteem, Sonoma Smart Dodd believed that her father deserved a special time of honor just like that given to mothers on Mother’s Day. In 1909, Sonoma Smart Dodd approached the Spokane YMCA and the Spokane Ministerial Alliance and suggested that her father’s birthday — June 5 — become a celebration day for Father’s Day. Because

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they wanted more time to prepare, the Ministerial Alliance chose June 19 instead.

The first Father’s Day was thus observed in the State of Washington on June 19, 1910. The idea of officially celebrating fatherhood spread quickly across the United States, as more and more states adopted the holiday. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recognized Father’s Day as the third Sunday in June of that year and encouraged states to do the same. Congress officially recognized Father’s Day in 1956 with the passage of a joint resolution.

Ten years later, in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson issued a proclamation calling for the third Sunday in June to be recognized as Father’s Day. In 1972, President Richard Nixon permanently established the observance of the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day in the United States.

Sonora Smart Dodd lived to see her idea come to fruition. She died in 1978 at the ripe old age of 96.

In the Philippines, Father’s Day became popular in recent years after the growth of Mother’s Day in terms of business revenues. There is notably high spending in these occasions and establishments have taken advantage of this special event to push gift items and services specially for moms and dads.

However, Father’s Day need not be that costly. A warm hug, a kiss or a stroll along the park and a hearty laughter should go down as one memorable day.

Surprising things to know about Father’s Day

ATHER’S Day, created to honor fathers the way Mother’s Day honors mothers, is celebrated on the third Sunday of June in the United States and many other countries. This year, Father’s Day falls on June 15. Here are seven surprising facts about Father’s Day: 1. Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Wash. is given credit for establishing Father’s Day in 1909 after listening to a Mother’s Day Sermon. Dodd wanted to honor her widowed Civil War veteran father, William Smart, and picked June 17, 1910 in honor of her father’s birthday.

2. The commercial success of Anna Jarvis’ Mother’s Day helped turn Father’s Day into an official holiday -- President Lyndon Johnson issued a proclamation in 1966 issuing the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day and President Richard Nixon signed it into law.

3. Father’s Day falls on the third Sunday of June every year.

4. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2008, there are an estimated 70.1 million fathers. Globally speaking, there are 1.5 billion fathers worldwide and each year, 122 million children are born worldwide.

5. Americans spend over $1 billion annually on Father’s Day presents. And while ties and flowers are popular gifts, the one item people buy the most of each Father’s Day are cards.

In fact, Hallmark claims that the fourth biggest card giving occasion in the world is Father’s Day, with 87 million cards exchanged each year.

6. The official flower of Father’s Day is the rose. Which color of rose you pick is symbolic -- red roses are for living fathers and white roses are for the deceased.

7. One of the most famous quotes about fathers comes from author Mark Twain, who said: “When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.”

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

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4 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

HONORS. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte is given arrival honors by the Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office at the Tandag City Airport. Duterte was invited by Governor Johnny T. Pimentel to speak in the 55th Araw ng Surigao del Sur last Friday. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

BLACK PROPAGANDA VS DUTERTE

Laviña questions piecemeal news release of COA reports

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ORMER councilor Peter T. Laviña yesterday questioned the piecemeal release of reports by the Commission on Audit (COA) questioning the expenditures of Davao City, saying it amounts to nothing more than “black propaganda” against Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.

“This series of COA reports are clear mud throwing designed to hit and derail the surging support for Duterte for President,” Laviña told EDGE Davao in a text message.

Laviña said that the people behind the reports might be from the present administration who have access to

COA files and then feed them to media. “(They are the) same people who tried to destroy Senator Grace Poe, who had access to her travel files,” he said.

Laviña said only high rank government officials can easily get files from “hapless civil servants.”

“To destroy others they do not need any FOI (Freedom of Information) Law, but for ordinary citizens getting access to these documents would be like finding needle in a hay stack,”he added.

Social news site Rappler had reported last week on a series of COA reports ques-

FLAVIÑA, 19

Surigao Sur guv’nor says dynasties are beneficial

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URIGAO del Sur Governor Johnny T. Pimentel believes political dynasties in every locality will be beneficial to the constituents.

In an interview in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur last Friday, Pimentel told reporters that political dynasties promote harmonious governance especially in delivering basic services to the people.

“At least kung kamo magsuon, dali lang man ang pagsinabtanay (At least you can easily understand each other if you deal with your siblings),” he said.

Pimental said when his

province was created, progress was very slow because the governor and congressman always had conflicts on their respective priority projects.

Pimentel said the province experienced problems in 1992 with the operation of the city’s P50 million bus terminal. The mayor, who was his cousin, did not see eye to eye with the governor.

Pimentel said when his brother Vicente Pimentel Jr. took over as the new governor in 1998, the bus terminal immediately operated.

FSURIGAO, 19

Architect shot dead

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

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W E L L- K N O W N architect was shot dead in Barrio Oberero, Davao City on Saturday morning.

Sta. Ana Police Station identified the victim as John Riz B. Fortuna, 43, a resident of Vinzon Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City.

Police said according to Fortuna’s wife, the victim was leaving their

home at around 8 a.m. on June 20, 2015 on board their car when she heard a gunshot.

When she went outside, she saw the gunman riding a tricycle going to the direction of Cabaguio Avenue.

The wife said she recognized the suspect and gave the name to the police.

The wife rushed the

victim to San Pedro Hospital through the help of Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Mobile 68 which had responded to the incident.

The victim, however, was declared dead on arrival.

Investigators found eight empty 9 millimeter shells at the crime scene.

The police believe the killing was brought on by

a personal grudge as the wife said her husband had sued the gunman for issuing a bouncing check.

The victim was well known in Davao City and his friends expressed shock over his killing.

“He was a good man,” one friend said on Facebook. “All those years I’ve never seen him angry. No enemy that I know of. He did not deserve it.”

Auxiliary) ako naga pasweldo ana, tanan naga limpyo sa kasilyas, health workers wala tay position (All the soldiers of Task Force Davao and the members of the SCAA, sanitation workers, health workers, I pay their salaries.

We don’t have regular positions for them),” he added.

At the same time, Duterte questioned the timing of the COA report since he had been hiring contractual since 1998. “Nganong karon lang man sila mag-question (Why are they questioning this

only now)?” he said.

According to the COA report, the city spent P708 million for the all the 14,499 employees in 2014, of whom 4,754 were from the City Mayor’s Office, 6,081 individuals were contractual, and 5,165 persons were job orders.

COA also noted that there were no clear contracts between the employees and the city government and there was no clear monitoring if the workers were reporting to their post every day.

Who’s afraid of COA? Not Mayor Duterte

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA and ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is willing to face the Commission on Audit (COA) to answer its questions regarding the hiring of 11,246 contractual workers in 2014.

Saying he is “not afraid” of the COA, Duterte explained that the hiring of contractual workers is necessary because the city does not have enough regular positions.

The COA had said of the total 14,499 persons working under the city government, only 3, 253 individuals have

plantilla (permanent or regular) positions.

The mayor, however, said the city limits the number of regular position because hiring more would be too costly.

“Walay basurero nga anaa sa plantilla (There are no garbage collectors in the plantilla). We have not added items for the position in the city,” he told reporters at the Tandag City Airport in Surigao del Sur. “Tanan sundalo sa Task Force, kasagaran ana SCAA (Special Civilian Active

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL

GLENN Y. ESCANDOR ON RET. COL. EMILIO D. ESCANDOR

‘He believed in me’

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

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ET’S admit it. Most of the habits we do today are lessons we learned from our fathers. And what we make of ourselves in the future is a result of what our fathers conceived us to be.

Business tycoon Glenn Y. Escandor knows that too well.

Glenn, president of EDC Holdings, will always remember his father Ret. Col. Emilio Escandor each time he starts his day. His old man, a former military officer, is a strict drillmaster, a perfectionist when it comes to work.

“I know I am not even half the man he is but if that is enough to run this business and continue his legacy, I will be happy and contented because my father left a big shoe to fill,” he told Edge Davao in an interview.

He remembers the time when his late father was al-

ready weak due to a lingering illness, the latter called him up and got him ready for the passing of the torch.

“It’s like being subjected to a crash course.

I needed to learn these things in a short period of time because we knew he was not as strong as he has been,” Glenn said.

Growing up, Glenn recalls how struict a disciplinarian his father was. However, beneath that cloack of power is a loving and kind heart. “He was a disciplinarian. He was very strict and he would always ask for excellence in the things that we do.”

He narrated his father was like that not only to him and his only brother Gerome, but also to his grandchildren. “Even my kids were disciplined by him. He was tough but fair.”

His old man’s attention for details and the knack for being a perfecfectionist

were the traits that Glenn inherited. He considers his father as the standard for everything everytime he makes a decision. “I would think, if Daddy were alive,

would he do this, or would this be good for him?” I would always be reminded fondly.”

There were no deathbed wishes when his father

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I know I am not even half the m a n h e but if th is at to run th is enough is and con business tinue his legacy, happy a I will be nd because contented left a big my father shoe to fill

bade them goodbye on October 15, 2012. Glenn had been honed by his personal drillmaster slash mentor slash father before he succumbed to the Big C.

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person and that is he believed in me,” said Glenn, also a father of four children.

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FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

ATTY. RAMON EDISON BATACAN ON ELPIDIO DUMLAO BATACAN

Thoughts of my simple dad T

HIS year seems to be a tragic year for my family. Only a few months ago, we lost Mommy. We haven’t even barely coped from the loss, now it is Daddy. I cannot explain the feeling I have right now but the mere thought that both are gone forever from this material world, confines me in total sadness.

No more Dad, no more Mom. Suddenly, I and my siblings are transformed into complete orphans- without my consent, at least for the moment. I am only consoled by the fact that Daddy is with Mommy now in the bosom of our Creator.

How can I say a few thoughts about my dad?

As I was trying to look back, what comes out repeatedly on my mind is his simplicity, resilience, and kindness.

He lived a simple life. He was a simple person - no vanities, no conceits, no arrogance, ex-

cept perhaps of his indulgence of telling his friends that all his children are professionals which makes them croak with envy. Who would not? - three nurses, a doctor anda lawyer. Quite a feat. Of course, his accomplishment would not be possible without his flexibility. Dad was tough and he will not easily buckle down from a difficult situation. The only thing that he gave up in the end is the reality of facing death, which to my mind he readily accepted thus making his transition into the next world a tranquil one. Mom was there to meet him, I am certain.

Dad too, was very kind to everybody, even to his wrongdoers.

He does not harbor ill-feelings.

I overheard a neighbor saying : “yang taonayanlangangalamkongwalangkagalit”. That is why, I always take pride in telling my friends too that Dad’s longevity is God-given, sort of a

prize for his kind-heartedness.

I can only smile in silence……. I do not have that trait, I guess.

Not because I do not possess it innately but perhaps its because of my job as a lawyer. But this is another story.

Lastly, I’d like to stress that I am a witness to my dad’s love for my mom. I have never experienced a single instance where my dad would raise his voice in anger against my mom. When my mom expired in the hospital, daddy requested me to lift him up to her so he can hug her. He cried and cried and cried hugging mommy. There was no single day that my dad never cried after that. What a definition of love.

So now, with my heart weeping and objecting against this goodbye, I have learned a lot from my dad, and my mom too.

Bye dad for now, I know this parting is just transient. See you........ in His time.

DAVID GO ON GO HE

Our Dad’s legacy F

ATHERS come in different sizes and shapes. They are of different makes and varieties. Dads alsowear different hats and are of different ranks and stations.

As children, we often rise or fall in life based on who our father is. If our dad is talland hand-

some, chances are, we would inherit his traits and people would look up to us because of them.

If our father is rich and famous, othersare more likely to accept us and give us opportunities that mortals of lesser upbringing may not have. If our papa is a well-learned man with a dynam-

ic personality, others are likely to doff their hats to us based on that as well.

My late dad, Go He, patriarch of our clan and founder of the Davao GH Office Depot, was an ordinary man with humble beginnings. He did not have any outstanding physical traits

that would attract people’s attention. Soft-spoken and gentle, people who value charisma and eloquence hardly took notice of him.

Some had even taken advantage of him because of his forgiving nature. But our dad has given us so much and the legacy he had left behind is something we would not exchange for anything. We called him ‘papa’ dearly and sincerely because he was a man we highly respect and love. Our brood of nine brothers and sisters all honor and admire him. Even his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were always pleased to have him around. People who knew him well also salute him for his splendid personality.

Dad hadcharacter traits that are not visible from afar. But people who had lived or worked close to him would instantly recognize his unique traits, all of which emanated from his faith in Jesus Christ. For one, he was a hard-working man who never complained of pains or sufferings. This gift of diligence from God had enabled him to build the Davao GH Office Depot, practically single-handedly.

He was also a man of humor

who loved life dearly. Consequently, despite the many hardships he went through in life, one could always see him smiling and making witty statements. Obviously, he was a God-fearing man who did not only teach us honesty and fairness but who practiced these virtuesconsistently, even in the dogeat-dog world of business.

A man of integrity through and through, we had never seen him compromised on principles he had learned from the Bible. Dad was also a man of compassion who had treated friends and foes alike with kindness. He was particularly compassionate to those who have less in life, hence, many of his employees also eulogized of his generosity at his wake.

His greatest and most precious trait, I believe, was his love for God and faith in the truth of Gospel. It was his love for the Lord that made him treat others with charity andbenevolence, and made him prayerful. It was his faith in the message of Jesus Christ that made him hopeful in times of trials. This faith in Jesus also to made him turn his back on the world and fueled his passion to live the best he could for God’s glory.

INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

SM Lanang Premier marks 117th PHL Independence Day TO rekindle love of country and nationalism, SM Supermalls marked Philippine Independence Day with simultaneous flagraising ceremonies nationwide on June 12.

In SM Lanang Premier, more than 700 participants composed of mall employees, tenants, affiliates, security forces and various stakeholders in the community came together for the event.

Davao City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, on behalf of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, graced the ceremony, together with Department of Social

Welfare Development Assistant Regional Director Ma. Vilia Vigil, who represented DSWD Regional Director Priscilla Razon.

Also in attendance were Brgy. Captain Roger Galido of Brgy. San Antonio, Agdao District, Lanang Fire Station Commander Salvador Flores, Sta. Ana Police Station Chief Police Superintendent Royina Marzan Gar-

ma, Coast Guard Davao Station Commander Ernesto Cabatac, Task Force Davao Commander Macairog Alberto, and Environmental Management Bureau OIC-Regional Director Ma. Lourdes Batoctoy.

The mall’s security personnel led the parade of colors with participants from the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard South Eastern Mindanao, Task Force Davao, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Health Region XI, Environmental Management Bureau Region XI, Boy Scouts of the Philippines (Bernardo D. Carpio National High School), Girl Scouts of the Philippines (Davao Christian High School), Red Ant Productions, and Davao Dragonboat Association. Meanwhile, the Davao Girls’ Choir sang the national anthem.

SM Lanang Premier Mall Manager Mary Therese Lapeña-Manalo and Assistant Mall Manager Jerome Yeo gave the guests a warm welcome.

“Today, let me call on your nationalistic and patriotic side, that even in the advent of the many quirks of technology and the conveniences of

globalization, let us also not forget to assert our national identity, especially today when we are celebrating our independence,” said Councilor Dayanghirang as he delivered the Mayor’s message.

During the event, certificates of commendation were also presented to nine security personnel who exemplified service

excellence and honesty in the line of duty.

Apart from the flagraising activity, SM Lanang Premier also held an exhibit of Filipiniana gowns by Fashion Institute of Design and Arts and a live show of Singapore-based Filipino singer Miguel Antonio at the Atrium as part of the mall’s Independence Day celebration.

EVERY DAD IS UNIQUE AND SPECIAL. Make Dad look and feel dapper this Father’s Day. At Marks & Spencer, you’ll find the perfect gift for each and every one, from casual polo shirts, everyday accessories to smart ties & formal shirts. Enjoy 20% off on ALL Menswear this Father’s Day Weekend from June 20-21, 2015.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

ENTERTAINMENT

Kapuso Kapuso personalities

on the sheer joys of being a father

WHAT changes when a man becomes a dad? Everything does, instantly.

As the saying goes, “having children really does make a man more content with life.”

Seeing a smile on his child’s face, hearing words he thought he’d never hear, witnessing his son’s first walk, and feeling his daughter’s sweet embrace—nothing could ever compare to the happiness and contentment these moments bring.

This Father’s Day, learn more about dads’ perspective on parenting as some Kapuso personalities share their simplest joys and greatest accomplishments as fathers.

daily adventure.

Christopher de Leon (Beautiful Strangers) What are the joys of fatherhood for you? Aside from your relationship with your Creator and Savior, the kids are on top of the list. It’s always the family. The kids are the best gift to parents so kahit na minsan they’re rebellious and all that, you need to understand them and know where they’re coming from. You look back and makikita mo na ito pala ‘yung sinasabi ng mga parents mo noon.

You really just have to follow your parents.

As a father, what do you consider as your greatest accomplishment? It’s the fact that my children are turning out to be good kids. Magalang sila, nag-aaral sila ng maayos at may respeto sila sa Daddy nila. I think it’s a testament to how I raised them na lagi akong nandoon for them. Despite my schedule, I’m not the absentee father. I try to be there kapag my school activity sila or firsts, ‘yun.

Kapag nasakatan sila, kapag masaya sila. So far, na-me-maintain ko pa naman ‘yun and that’s something I take pride in.

As a father, what do you consider as your greatest accomplishment? So far, isa na lang ‘yung pinag-aaral ko and then two more years, he should be graduating, and then off he goes. I mean, I have five na ‘sige na, go ahead, do whatever your plans are.’

Mark Herras (Sunday All Stars) What are the joys of fatherhood for you? Having Ada in my life…seeing her grow, hearing my baby’s first word, noong nakita ko siyang maglakad for the first time—hindi ko ma-explain ‘yung feeling! But the best thing is ‘yung makita ko siyang lumaki ng maayos.

Dennis Trillo (My Faithful Husband) What are the joys of fatherhood for you? Loving a “mini me” is pure joy.

As a father, what do you consider as your greatest accomplishment? I think it’s the development of my sense of responsibility and patience.

Ivan Mayrina (#GMAnewsfeed and Unang Hirit) What are the joys of fatherhood for you? To see that my first born son is actually turning out to be like me. Nakikita ko kung paano siya maglakad, parang ganun ako maglakad. Kung paano niya igalaw ‘yung ulo niya, ‘yung demeanour niya. Those things, ‘yun ang mga nakakatuwa about fatherhood but it’s a challenge, it’s a

As a father, what do you consider as your greatest accomplishment? That I’m always going to be here for Ada no matter what.

Jay Taruc (Motorcycle Diaries) As a father, what do you consider as your greatest accomplishment? I came to realize na at this point, masyado pang bata ‘yung dalawang anak ko. And I feel na ‘yung presence ko kailangan na mas malakas ngayon. Especially with my eldest, malapit na siyang maging teenager and napaka-crucial ng role ng Tatay. ‘Yung basic values, kailangan matanim na sa kanya bago siya maging teenager.

So ‘yung essence naming mga dad, nakikita ko mahalaga sa stage ng buhay nila. That’s why kapag wala akong shoot, I spend time with

them sa bahay, kahit hindi kami lumabas, we play board games, minsan we read together.

As a father, what do you consider as your greatest accomplishment? Sa akin, it’s the fact na we’re this close, ‘yung relationship namin ay maayos. Medyo challenging kasi kapag ang trabaho ng isang ama ay everyday wala ka or most of the time ginagabi ka. So when I have free time, I make it a point na kumonekta sa kanila. Gusto ko ‘yung relationship namin. Kahit anong gusto nilang itanong, naitatanong nila sa akin. Proud ako and tuwangtuwa kapag sinasabi ng mga tao na bibo ang anak mo, magalang, courteous.

Jomari Yllana (The Half Sisters) As a father, what do you consider as your greatest accomplishment? May kanya-kanyang level ‘yan. Sa akin, ‘yung anak ko, isa lang naman siya, tapos magse-17 years old na siya at meron na siyang lisensiya. Parang papunta na siya doon sa magkakaroon siya ng sarili niyang buhay at binata na siya. Pero sa stage ko ngayon, actually naiisip ko siya, nami-miss

ko ‘yung parang nine years old pa lang siya, ‘yung nalalaro ko. So make the most of what you have habang nandiyan siya kasi ang bilis lumipas ng oras.

As a father, what do you consider as your greatest accomplishment? Na hopefully napalaki ko siya ng tama. ‘Yung makapagaral siya ng maayos, makapagtapos siya, makahanap ng magandang trabaho, God-fearing, okay na ‘yun. Ang imporante mabait ‘yung bata at hindi salbahe.

Ryan Eigenmann (The Half Sisters) What are the joys of fatherhood for you? Knowing that you’re one of two people your kids can turn to anytime they need for whatever. If they’re scared, kung nadapa, kung nasaktan, alam mong isa ka lang sa dalawang makapagbibigay ng relief at makapagpapasaya sa kanila.

As a father, what do you consider as your greatest accomplishment? I guess turning out the way I turned out as a dad because prior to having kids, I was a kid myself.

So, having the babies, adulthood came and it came fast so I guess my greatest achievement is how I’m turning out. I guess I’m doing okay.

LEADING broadcast station GMA Network is proud of its artists for bagging prestigious acting awards at the recently concluded 38th Gawad Urian spearheaded by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

Among the Kapuso winners is Eula Valdes who was named Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktres. She is currently part of the no. 1 daytime drama program The Half Sisters. Eula described her best actress Urian win as a “dream come true”.

“No expectations at all but I was hoping though to get an Urian because yun na lang ang kulang ko and it would be a dream come true to get one. All the other nominees just got their respective awards abroad not to mention Ms. Nora Aunor herself is a co nominee and just won as well. All that I have achieved from this industry I dedicate to my number one fan, my late mother, Gracia Amorsolo Valdes.“ Respected actress and host Gladys Reyes bagged the Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres award.

Gladys, who is part of the Kapuso primetime series Let the Love Begin, is very happy and thankful of the award she received from Gawad Urian.

“Perfect birthday gift ni God itong Urian award ko because on June 23 is my birthday. Sana umpisa lang ito ng marami pang pagkakataon para sa akin na gumanap ng iba’t ibang character dahil bukod sa pananakit at pang-aapi sa bida, may iba

p W m a k

b ri m A fi a fe a n fo n fe y n m w in B th b to w p

Julie Anne S AT the young age of 21, Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose has already hit the high notes when it comes to her career and personal life.

The Kapuso star is getting her hands full currently with three regular shows namely Sunday All Stars, Pepito Manaloto, and GMA News TV’s Day Off, plus an upcoming afternoon soap Buena Familia, which is set to premiere in July.

Julie Anne will play the role of 19-year-old Darling Buena in the forthcoming series opposite Jake Vargas. “’Yung story po ng Buena Familia, nasa upper class ‘yung family namin tapos maghihirap kami,” she said during a recent interview.

Asked to share a bit more about her role, Julie Anne said: “Hindi siya sobrang mahinhin. Hindi siya pa-

cu ba po M m

un Ju “T Ka lo as ab hi ko na na gi tra

th up Au AB st le An co

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

o stars win big at 38th Gawad Urian

pa akong pwedeng ipakita.

Wish ko more TV shows and movie materials kasi bata pa ako ito na talaga ang gusto kong gawin.”

One of Kapuso Network’s best actors Martin del Rosaio was hailed as the Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktor. Being part for the first time of the prestigious award-giving body, Martin eels proud of having such an achievement. “The nomination is more than enough or me. Pero ‘yung ako ang nanalo, ibang klase ‘yung eeling, sobrang saya. Thank you Lord, thank you sa mga nakasama ko. First time kong ma-nominate at manalo.” He will be part of GMA’s upcomng afternoon prime series Buena Familia where he plays he role of Harry, a young businessman who has an ax o grind against the people who caused him pain in the past.

Internationally-acclaimed

The Half Sisters is still the leading afternoon drama

Filipino screenwriter, film director and one of the regular directors of Wagas and Karelasyon, Adolfo Alix, Jr., bagged the Pinakamahusay na Maikling Pelikula award for “Kinabukasan.” In this film, Superstar Nora Aunor shared the screen with GMA Network’s leading man Alden Richards.

GMA News TV’s Cine Totoo: Philippine International Documentary Film Festival product “Walang Rape sa Bontok,” by Lester Valle and Carla Ocampo, meanwhile, was recognized as the Pinakamahusay na Dokyumentaryo. It tackles the story of two Filipinas who were both victims of sexual abuse as they search for a utopia where women can live without being sexually violated.

With all the recognitions and awards, the Kapuso Network’s artists continue to prove excellence in the broadcast and film industry.

AVID VIEWERS and supporters of GMA Network’s The Half Sisters will have more reason to stay glued to their favorite Afternoon Prime series as the program will run until August this year.

Since its pilot airing, The Half Sisters has been dominating its timeslot with high TV ratings relative to competition. The show is celebrating its first anniversary this week with more surprises and plot twists to be revealed in the succeeding episodes. To this day, it is unquestionably the country’s number 1 daytime show nationwide.

Based on National Urban

Philippines data for May 1-31 (May 24-31 based on overnight data), The Half Sisters registered a household rating of 17.6 percent, leading ABS-CBN’s Flordeliza’s 12.9 percent by 4.7 points.

In Urban Luzon, which comprises 77 percent of the total urban TV households nationwide, The Half Sisters posted 19.6 percent household rating, 8.8 points higher than Flordeliza’s 10.8 percent.

The Afternoon Prime series likewise led in Mega Manila, which represents 59 percent of the total urban TV households in the country, with 20.5 percent household rating, leading

Flordeliza’s 9.6 percent by 10.9 points.

Director Mark Reyes is very happy that his program continues to remain at the top of its game. He is very grateful for the Kapuso viewers’ overwhelming support for The Half Sisters since it premiered in June last year.

“It is with much overwhelming Kapuso pride

that I would like to congratulate the entire cast, crew and the creative team of “The Half Sisters” on our first anniversary. I would like to thank the loyal viewers for consistently keeping us on the top spot and making us one of the longest-running original Afternoon Prime Drama series of the Kapuso Network.”

San Jose wants to make her parents proud

ute. Mahilig siyang lumaas at mag-shopping. Taos very artistic din siya.

Mahilig siyang kumanta at mag-play ng instruments.”

With a successful career nder her belt, how does ulie Anne juggle her time?

Time management lang. asi for me, as long as you ove what you’re doing and s long as you’re passionate bout your craft, hindingindi ka mapapagod. Hindi o po iniisip ‘yun kasi happy aman po ako sa mga giagawa ko, love ko ‘yung inagawa ko, love ko ‘yung abaho ko,” she explained.

Meanwhile, one more hing that will surely take p most of her time come ugust is her studies. An B Communication Arts tudent of Angelicum Colege in Quezon City, Julie nne plans to take up a full ourse load and wishes to

graduate next year so as to make her parents proud.

“Kailangan mataas ‘yung grades kasi last semester, Dean’s lister ako. So sabi ko, masarap sa feeling. Saka siyempre, sa mga magulang mo, masarap ‘yung feeling na ibabalita mo sa kanila na ‘okay naman po ako sa school,’” she shared.

With Father’s day just a few days away, Julie Anne was asked to share what she admires most about her father. “Si Papa, siya’ yung tipong kapag gusto niya, gusto niya talaga. Kapag ayaw niya, ayaw niya. Strict siya ng kaunti. Well, actually, strict talaga siya. I like the fact na nagkakasundo kami sa iba’t ibang bagay. For example, sa hobbies, sports, sa usual things na ginagawa ng father and daughter. Tapos sobra siyang maalaga sa pamilya namin,” she said.

June 17 – 23, 2015

JURASSIC WORLD Chris Pratt, Judy Greer PG

11:40 | 2:15 | 4:50 | 7:25 | 10:00 LFS

ENTOURAGE Adrian Grenier, Jeremy Piven, Kevin Connolly R16

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

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE Enrique Gil, Liza Soberano G

R-16

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

SAN ANDREAS / * INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3 Alexandra Daddario, Dwayne Johnson/ *Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott PG/*PG

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

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

EVENT

Sony Bravia’s Android invasion

By Kenneth Irving Ong THE Sony Center Abreeza played host to the Davao launch of the much-awaited next generation 4K and Full HD lineups of the new Bravia TV. “We at Sony are very excited to launch this new and improved product line as we always strive to put innovation and style together. As a company, we are in the business of making products that truly matter and we understand how important connectivity is to our customers. With this latest 4K and Full HD lineup of TVs with the Android OS, we have created a platform that our customers will value. We are continuously aiming to become a lifestyle brand fit for every forward-looking customer,” said Nobuyoshi Otake, President and Managing Director of Sony Philippines.

Designed to provide the most immersive and highresolution cinematic experience for customers, the new Bravia TV models feature a smarter television viewing experience using the latest Google Android TV operating system which allows users to easily stream video, share photos from other mobile devices, and even use the TV as a gaming device all over a WiFi network.

The latest Android TV operating system offers an intuitive user interface combined with numerous entertainment options for a more immersive viewing experience.

Aside from the Android operating system, the new Bravia 4K TVs come with Sony’s new 4K Processor X1 that provides advanced clarity, colour accuracy and contrast, all contributing to a better Sony 4K viewing experience.

The 4K Processor X1 was made to deliver breathtaking picture quality and phenomenal performance where colors burst into life, pictures are transformed with amazing clarity, and contrast is optimized at a whole new level.

Ranging from 43 to a massive 75 inches, the new Bravia 4K models include four new series and eight new models.

The Sony Bravia X9000C Android TV.

Sony Philippines, Inc. president and managing director Nobuyoshi Otake together with Metro Plaza president Ruben Bangayan, Metro Plaza general manager Cathy Bangayan, and Metro Plaza manager CJ Deacosta, Sony Bravia marketing officer, demonstrates the features of Michele Bangayan. the latest Bravia Android TV model.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL

VIC LAO ON LAO CHING TEE

7

‘I still follow his advice’ M Y father was born in Fujian Province, China on December 7, 1917. He was brought to the Philippines as a young boy around 10 to 12 years old by my grandfather who is a merchant at that time. They lived in Ozamiz City and he used to travel around Northern Mindanao with my Grandpa when he was going around selling his merchandise. When he came of age, he was introduced to a

girl in Dipolog City by a Matchmaker and he married my Mom. They have 5 children, 2 boys and 3 girls. I am the eldest.

The earliest memories I have of my father is he was very hardworking and he loves his family very much. In those days travelling was not as convenient as today where you go from Davao to Manila in a couple of hours. The airlines industry was still in its infancy

I can still remember my father working up to the wee hours of the morning and my Mom had to ask him to rest already. stage and they only had DC3 airplanes.

Most travelling was done by bus and the roads were terrible. Travelling from Cagayan to Iligan would take you the whole day. Sometimes my father would be gone for weeks on end when he traveled.

Every time he came home he would still help my Mom with the household chores and he would even help in the small repacking livelihood business that my Mom set up just to pass the time. We repacked everything from peanuts to sugar to garlic that we could

sell in the market.

I can still remember my father working up to the wee hours of the morning and my Mom had to ask him to rest already. My father used to advice me that if I had a chance I should put up my own business because I would have better opportunities for growth and to help other people. I never understood him at that time because he himself was just an employee, but now I do. I am still following his advice until now and this will be the same advice I will give to my children.

8 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

SAF 44 kin received P80-M cash benefits

S

CULINARY FEST. Organizers Sally San Jose (second from right), president of Davao Tourism Association (DATA);Donald Dumalag, supplier of Global Solutions; coordinator Lilli Arellano (second from left); and SM Lanang Premier mall manager engineer Mary Therese Lapeña-Manalo promote the upcom-

Group question FAB, CAB in Supreme Court

A

GROUP that includes the Zamboanga Archbishop and a retired archbishop of Davao City filed with the Supreme Court on Friday a petition to declare unconstitutional the peace agreements signed by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

In a 26-page petition, the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) — headed

by Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and former Senator Francisco “Kit” Tatad – asked the Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), GMA News online reported.

The news site’s website

posted a photograph of the petitioners holding copies of the petition: Norberto Gonzales, former National Security Adviser and Defense Secretary under the Arroyo administration; Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo dela Cruz; PhilConsa president and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez; former Senator Francisco “Kit” Tatad of Phlilconsa; Davao City’s Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla; and former Justice Manuel Lazaro.

The report said Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, is also among the petitioners.

Gonzales and the archbishops are members of the National Transformation Council (NTC) which called on President Aquino to step down after the January 25

FGROUP, 19

Solon questions rice imports of NFA

B

AYAN Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares today questioned the reported planned importation of the National Food Authority (NFA) of 100,000 metric tons of rice from Vietnam.

“Just last year Department of Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala boasted that the rice sufficiency target of the department for the year was 98% and it will further improve in the succeeding years. If this is so then why are we importing still?” asked Senior Deputy Minority Leader Colmenares.

“We believe that it would be better for our agriculture particularly our local farmers if we allocate the budget for these rice imports to our local peasants. Bakit mga Vietnamese o Thai farmers pa ang makikinabang sa pondo natin?Dapat mga Filipinong mag-

sasaka ang makinabang ditto.

Kesa bayaran ng gobyerno ng bilyon bilyon ang mga Vietnamese na magsasaka, Ibuhos na lang ang perang ito sa ating magsasaka malaki pa maitulong nito sa ating agrikultura,” said the progressive solon.

It can be remembered last year that the issue of rice overpricing and rice importation anomalies came to the fore and was investigated by Congress.

Colmenares lamented that it was Pres. Aquino’s announcement during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last year authorizing the importation of 500,000 metric tons of rice was the cause of the spike in rice prices. His announcement effectively jacked up world market price of rice by $15 a ton because it

ing 12th Mindanao Culinary Festival (MCF) during the FAST Fridays media forum at Barrio Fiesta in SM Lanang Premier. The event is presented by the Davao Tourism Association in partnership with the Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC) and in cooperation with SM Lanang Premier. Lean Daval Jr.

URVIVING kin of the SAF 44 have received a total of Php 69,566,524.88 in lumpsum death benefits from the Office of the President, Philippine National Police and National Police Commission.

Another Php11-million in cash donations were also received by the SAF 44 families from the Senate, House of Representatives, and Dasmariñas, Cavite LGU. In addition to the lumpsum benefits and cash donations, qualified beneficiaries will receive an average monthly pension of P12,000.00 from the PNP and another P16,000.00 average monthly pension from the National Police Commission.

The lumpsum benefits received by all SAF 44 beneficiaries include P250,000.00

from the President’s Social Fund totaling P11-million; an average of P174,600.75 Special Financial Assistance (SFA) from the PNP totaling Php7.6-million; and an average of P218,294.19 Commutation of Accrued Leaves (CAL) totaling Php9.6-million.

Other individual lumpsum benefits received by each of the SAF 44 families include an average P26,062.79 in Back-Earned Pension from the PNP; an average of P65,759.80 in Burial Benefits from the NAPOLCOM; average of P263,039.18 NAPOLCOM Gratuity, an average of P38,222.36 Back-Earned Pension (BEP) from NAPOLCOM and an average of P557,677.12 insurance benefits from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc.

to buyers.

“This will result either in projects being harder to sell or the buyers will not buy,” he said. “Luging-lugi nyan ang mga developers.”

While not against the increase, Lim said stakeholders of the industry had a consensus in a recent meeting expressing that the rate increase should be implemented gradually.

He also said the BIR should also consider the city assessor’s rate aside from its own valuation and appraisers’ in determining the rate increase.

Lim said the BIR should

focus on implementing tax laws instead.

“The BIR should go after those who misdeclare their property values,” he added.

He said as a relevant issue, the proposed increase in zonal valuation will be discussed at the ICON plenary.

This year’s ICON will focus on investment areas in real estate as well as other opportunities in tourism and manufacturing.

The two-day conference is to be participated in by more than 100 local and foreign investors and will be held at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City.

FSAF 44, 19

Lim: New zonal valuation could affect investments

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

O

crc@edgedavao.net

RGANIZERS of the Davao Investment Conference (ICON) to be held on November 5 and 6 fear that the proposed increase in zonal valuation will pull down investments in the real estate industry in Davao City.

In an interview last Saturday, ICON chair architect Daniel Lim told EDGE Davao that participating land developers and other investors might stop developing land either for commercial or residential use because of the higher valuation that will be imposed soon by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

“The 200 to 300 percent

increase in the valuation is too high especially for a raw land,” Lim said, adding that it would have a negative effect on both the developers and the consuming public.

Lim said once implemented, the new zonal valuation will either make the selling of properties and developments – even low-cost housing projects – harder because they will be pegged at higher prices.

He said the current valuation rate for raw land is anchored at P300 per square meter, but if implemented it will skyrocket to P2,500 to P3,000 per square meter. This added cost will be passed on

AFTER PRAYERS. A Muslim man steps out of the Davao City Islamic Center along Quimpo Boulevard after mid-afternoon prayers during the third day of the

FSOLON, 19 observance of Ramadan on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

Luisito D. Pineda:

9 GAME CHANGER

A Dabawenyo at IBM Philippines’ helm

By JON JOAQUIN jon@edgedavao.net

L

UISITO D. Pineda is a scientist,

inventor, and banker who heads the Philippine office of one of the largest multinational companies in the world. The President and Country General Manager of IBM Philippines also happens to be a Dabawenyo, born and raised here until his family migrated to the US when he was 12 years old.

“Our house was along Mt. Apo Street,” Pineda, 47, told EDGE Davao before the start of a roundtable discussion with a few Davao City reporters on Wednesday night at The Marco Polo, Davao. His family owns some property in the now busy area, and he visits every time he is home.

Pineda studied elementary at the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) and still fondly remembers his school days there. But the 1970s were a difficult time for the Philippines, and so his father sought greener pastures in the US. “He went ahead of all of us

and he would come home every year, and then finally when I was 12 he told us we were all moving to the States.”

The family settled in Seattle, Washington where the fair weather proved agreeable to the young Pineda. After high school, he studied at the University of Washington where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.

Pineda joined IBM in 1991, and within three months of joining the company’s Silicon Valley Lab in California he invented a computer aided software engineering product that helped IBM’s developers gain a 10-fold improvement in productivity. “I found a better way to write applications,” he said matter-of-factly.

Pineda helped build several successful businesses in IBM and co-founded one of the first services businesses to utilize offshore capabilities in delivering complex Enterprise Solutions to clients worldwide. He traveled around the

globe, creating offshore delivery centers in Belarus, Egypt, Jordan, China, India, Latvia, and Russia. In 1999, he led the world’s first wireless banking solution, utilizing Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) at Svenska Handelsbanken.

“IBM supports its people when they have great entrepreneurial ideas,” he said. For the Philippines, Pineda started the first Software Group Technical Support Center which supported customers in North America.

Pineda has held various executive posts within IBM, including an assignment in Zurich, Switzerland as the Vice President of Technical Sales and Services for Northeast Europe, Vice President for Worldwide Client Success (Professional Services, Premium and Technical Support), and Director of Software Development. Prior to his appointment in the Philippines in September 2014, Pineda was Vice President of the Client Support and Success, Industry Cloud Solutions, IBM

Software Group.

As President and Country General Manager, P i neda is

on at The Marco Polo, Davao. Photo courtesy of IBM Philippines

TECH TALK. Pineda talks with Davao City media during a roundtable discussi

IBM PROJECT. Pineda and Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Francisco Villaroman hold a PSSCC jacket with an IBM logo during a meeting last week in Davao City.

IBM established the city’s Intelligent Operations Center (IOC) for Safety and Security. Photo courtesy of IBM Philippines

911. Pineda poses with Emmanuel Jaldon, head of the Davao City Central 911 which is among the agencies that use IBM’s Intelligent Operations Center (IOC). Photo courtesy of IBM Philippines

responsible for IBM’s sales and distribution, systems and technology, software and services units, and fully-owned subsidiaries offering global delivery including IBM Solutions Delivery and IBM Business Services.

Smarter analytics One of the areas Pineda wants IBM Philippines to focus on is analytics, which he said has a higher potential for growth than business process outsourcing (BPO). Pineda said while the BPO industry’s P300 billion market is bigger than analytics’ P233 billion, it is growing at only 5 percent.

In contrast, the analytics industry is growing at a rapid 15 percent.

“The BPO industry will have to transform itself,” he

said. “Data is the world’s new natural resource. It promises to be for the 21st century what steam power was for the 18th century, what electricity was for the 19th century, and what hydrocarbons were for the 20th century.”

Research firm Gartner had earlier predicted that while smarter analytics can create 4.4 million jobs by 2015, only 30 percent can be filled partly due to a lack of skilled workers. To address this, IBM signed an agreement with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on December 6, 2012 to collaborate on developing a comprehensive analytics education master plan for Philippine higher education institutions in order to prepare the country’s workforce towards the emerging trend towards analytics.

Pineda said the Philippines has a lot talent when it comes to analytics “but they just need opportunity.” He also said Filipino workers, particularly those in the BPO industry, must develop deeper skills in analytics in order to fill the need. He said ultimately, BPO companies must add value through analytics, giving their customers more information that would help companies and industries grow.

“Data is valuable buy only if you know how to extract value and insights from it.

Data has the power to transform industries and professions,” he said.

10 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

EDITORIAL Check and balance

I

T is quite convenient for Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny T. Pimentel to say political dynasties are beneficial to constituents; after all, he is a member of one. By his own count there are currently four Pimentels holding government positions in the province: two members of the provincial board, a sister-in-law as mayor of Tandag City, and of course himself. Even history is on the side of the family, with five Pimentels before him holding on to the governorship: his father Vicente Sr. in 1946 to 1951 when Surigao Province was not yet divided; his grandmother in 1967-1971; his mother in 1986-1992; and his brother in 1998. Governor Johnny -whom we must always refer to by his first name to avoid confusion with the other Pimentels -- has told reporters that political dynasties actually promote “harmonious governance” especially in the delivery of basic services to the people. As his argument goes, it is easier to serve the people if all you have to deal with is your sibling.

He also argues from the province’s experience, which he said went through problems when the governor -- who was not a Pimentel -- could not see eye to eye with the other elected officials who were surnamed Pimentel. But when the family names became one and the same, everything began to run smoothly. Apparently,

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siblings, cousins, uncles, aunts, parents, and children never fight, and Governor Johnny believes the harmonious relationship will run smoothly in perpetuity. But as the current lingo goes, nothing is forever. As we have seen in every major political family in this country, cracks eventually appear in the relationship between members, and the bickering and outright battles can become a disruptive -- and sometimes deadly -- force.

Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, sponsor of the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, points out that having numerous politicians from the same family in public office defeats the purpose of check and balance in the system. Indeed, dynasties guarantee that there is no check and balance in governance, and government resources will almost certainly be abused and misused by family members who will either look the other way when someone dips into the coffers or will actively participate in the looting. And of course it needs to be said that the argument for political dynasties runs directly counter to the will of the people as expressed in the 1987 Constitution, which states in Article II Section 26: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

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EDGEDAVAO

I

WAS talking to a bunch of out of town visitors the other day and, as what seems to be happening more and more frequently of late, our discussion eventually turned to Davao’s most famous attraction – Mayor Rody Duterte.

Because of the extensive media coverage about his possible run at the presidency, the mayor – who was not exactly unknown before all this frenzy began – has become a bigger political star in the eyes of my guests – and the rest of the country.

After blowing through the usual topics of curiosity – from the his alleged involvement with the DDS and occasional moonlighting as a taxi driver, to the city’s renowned campaigns against drug pushers, smokers, and drivers who feel the need to speed beyond 30 KPH – we eventually got to the question that was foremost in their minds: Will Duterte run for President?

Not having had the opportunity to talk to the mayor himself, I will not claim to have a definitive answer. But after picking the brains of those whose social and political orbits revolve much closer to the alleged candidate, I would estimate that fully ninety-nine percent of the people involved in the Duterte for President movement believe he is going to run. The only caveat is that, since the remaining one percent represents the still noncommittal opinion of the mayor, majority rule definitely does not apply.

So the next question is, why hasn’t he announced his decision – whatever it is?

There are several possibilities floating around regarding this. Some think that the mayor isn’t really serious about running and is only using it as a way to leverage concessions from the other presidential wannabes. Then there are those who feel that he is merely waiting for

“

THE vigorous are no better than the lazy during one half of life, for all men are alike when asleep,” Greek philosopher Aristotle, one of the most influential thinkers of the ancient world, once said.

To which English poet, essayist and critic added: “Oh sleep! It is a gentle thing, beloved from pole to pole.” William Shakespeare, one of the giants of world literature, penned: “Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleeve of care.”

“Sleep is an acquired habit,” commented American inventor Thomas Edison. “Cells don’t swim. Fish swim in the water all night.

Even a horse doesn’t sleep. A man doesn’t need any sleep.” Science fiction writer Isaac Asimov agrees when he once said, “I never use an alarm clock. I can hardly wait till five A.M. In the army, I always woke before reveille. I hate sleeping. It wastes time.”

Everyone, it seems, has an idea about sleep or lack of it. But until now, no one yet knows exactly why we sleep or how much we really need to sleep. “Sleep is necessary for survival and good health, but why sleep is needed or exactly how it benefits people is not fully understood,” The Merck Manual of Medical Information notes.

Just a century ago, sleep was considered little more than a nightly vegetative state, a time when daily pursuits were stilled for eight to 10 hours. The brain temporarily ceased to function and the body disengaged, entering into total, quiet rest.

In the 1930s, with the first use of electroencephalogram (EEG) – an electronic brain scanning device – the doors to understanding sleep commence to creak open. But not until 1953, when scientists verified the phenomenon of rapid eye movement (REM) during sleep, did

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

Duterte of Davao

VANTAGE POINTS

11

enough funding support before he commits to the campaign.

Some speculate that he is a Trojan horse for another candidate, for whom he would throw his support and captured votes at the right time.

And still there are others who believe that the mayor is telling the truth when he says that he has no plans to run, and all this is simply being driven by the people around him.

As for myself, my guess is that he is holding back for the same reasons that kept Floyd Mayweather from taking on Pacquiao five years ago.

Just like Money May, Mayor Duterte also has an unbeaten streak to protect. And as tempting as the presidency is, I cannot imagine that it is an easy choice to risk for the mere possibility of winning. It has to be a certainty. In line with this, if the numbers continue to become as favorable as the latest polls, I expect the chances of his running will increase as well.

Now presuming he does go for it, what are his chances of winning? Seriously.

Again basing on the most recent surveys, if Poe runs, everyone can go home and we might just as well hand her the keys to the Palace. But since this is not yet a given and the vice presidency still remains an option for her, the possibility of a three cornered fight between Duterte, Binay, and Roxas for President still looms in the horizon. If this happens, I see Mayor Rody as

having the inside track in becoming a minority president like Ramos in 1992.

The recent acrimonious history between Poe and Binay, which observers credit for the decline in the VP’s popularity, could mean the majority of those who would have voted for her as President would now go for either Roxas or Duterte. In this case, owing to his populist, celebrity-like image, Duterte should have the upper hand particularly in the areas of Mindanao and in the class D and E groups. It is also for this same reason that Binay can expect a further decline in support in favor of Duterte as the contrast between their candidacies becomes more and more pronounced. These developments should be enough for the mayor to come out with a slim margin of victory over Roxas, with Binay coming in third.

Once the issue of his running is settled, the next big question for the mayor would be his choice for vice president. While there may be many who are eminently qualified for this position, I feel that the best course would be for him to run solo and simply endorse Poe for the position. By supporting her, the mayor not only benefits from Poe’s strong pull among those sectors where he is relatively weak but he also avoids the distractions of having to carry a less popular running mate that does not contribute anything positive to the campaign.

The last big question that remains, and one that goes directly into his ability to govern effectively after he wins, is whether or not he can do for the country what he has done for Davao.

The answer to this is crucial to his inherent attractiveness to the masses, and the point on which his whole candidacy turns. Just like Binay’s ganito kami sa Makati pitch, if Duterte

can convince the rest of the country that the Davao experience can be replicated in every barangay, town, city, and province, he should be a shoe-in as the next resident of Malacañang.

But then this must be balanced against the inevitable attacks against his human rights records and persistent rumors connecting him with the summary executions of criminals in Davao. With de Lima, Rosales, and other hounds baying at his heels, it is entirely possible that they would be able to convince a significant enough portion of the population to reject the Duterte Doctrine of Discipline, and thereby pose a serious obstacle to his candidacy.

In this regard, his campaigners should not be led to a false sense of security owing to the unquestioning love of this city for its mayor.

Davao after all is Davao, and its unique historical experience stemming from the lawlessness of the 1980’s makes it predisposed to Duterte’s style of governance. This is something that his campaign handlers should be always be cognizant of, especially when presenting the Davao model to other communities for example and emulation.

Because while Davaoeños have had the benefit of decades to grow into what we are now, trying to force the same on the rest of the Philippines in a shorter period of time would be like cooking those proverbial crabs by dumping them into an already boiling pot of water – expect a lot of thrashing around.

Finally, there are those who say that the presidency is a matter of destiny. If this is true, then it is truly an honor to be a Davaoeño at this time when the fate of one of our own can lift the whole community – and the country – to heights yet unreached.

the field of sleep THINK ON THESE! science become established.

REM is a period of intense brain activity, often associated with dreams, when body temperature and blood flow increase and vol- Henrylito D. Tacio untary muscles henrytacio@gmail.com are paralyzed; occurs regularly about every 90 minutes. “The discovery of the existence of REM offered first proof that in sleep the body is not at total rest,” write Charles B. Inlander and Cynthia K. Moran in their book, 67 Ways to Good Sleep.

“Sleep is a natural period within every 24 hours when the body repairs itself, tests its systems, consolidates memory, purges itself of cellular waste, and stockpiles energy for the day ahead,” explain Inlander and Moran. “On average, humans spend about a third of their lives asleep, or about 205,000 hours in a 70-year lifetime.”

Diane Hales, author of How to Sleep Like a Baby, explains that when you sleep, “you are not motionless like a car in a garage. (Sleep) is an altered form of consciousness, when muscles tense and relax, your pulse, like the temperature and blood pressure, rises and falls, the brain works, and chemicals course through the bloodstream.”

Sleep is not a uniform state; it has several distinct stages through which it normally

cycles five or six times every night. The home edition of Merck manual explains: “Sleep progresses from stage 1 (the lightest level, during which the sleeper can be awakened easily) to stage 4 (the deepest level, during which waking the sleeper is difficult). In stage 4, the muscles are relaxed, the blood pressure is at its lowest, and the heart and breathing rates are at their slowest. Besides these four stages, there is a form of sleep accompanied by REM and behavioral activity.”

During REM sleep, electrical activity in the brain is unusually high, somewhat resembling that of wakefulness. In REM sleep, the rate and depth of breathing increase, but the muscles are greatly relaxed – more so than during the deepest levels of non-REM sleep.

“Most dreaming occurs during REM and stage 3 sleep, while most talking during sleep, night terrors, and sleepwalking occur during stages 3 and 4,” the Merck manual says. “During a normal night’s sleep, REM sleep immediately follows each of the five or six cycles of fourstage non-REM sleep, but it can occur at any of the stages.”

But the question that really bugs most people is how much sleep does an individual really needs? “As with hair color and height, the amount of sleep a person needs differs by individual physiology, by age, and, at times, even by gender,” Inlander and Moran write in their book. “Adult sleep needs range from five to 10 hours a night, with the average adult needing between seven and eight hours. Statistics show that only one person in 1,000 can get by on fewer than 4.5 hours of sleep.”

Recent studies on sleep needs by age-group versus what each group is actually getting, bare

that: babies need and receive 18 hours per day; young to pre-teenage children need and generally receive 10 to 12 hours (eight after they stop napping); teens need up to 10 hours and average six; and adults need an average of seven to nine hours and get fewer than seven.

The elderly need about eight hours and get five to seven (some a bit more with naps).

“But these figures are simply averages,” Inlander and Moran point out. “They may not apply exactly to you.” So here’s a simple home test suggested by health writer Joan Barbato: “You are probably not getting enough sleep if you frequently: are drowsy when driving; get into accidents; are irritable; have impaired memory; have difficulty making decisions; wake up tired; feel your productivity diminish; sleep longer and feel better when the weekend comes.”

Loss of sleep accumulates, so sleep debt, or deficit, is the cumulative total of sleep hours you are behind. Stanford University’s sleep-research pioneer William C. Dement, told Family Circle: “Until you sleep, that debt remains unsatisfied in the same way that you’re thirsty until you drink.” In other words, you can resist, but eventually the debt will overwhelm you.

The good news? A reasonably healthy human is remarkably resilient and is able to reduce or repay a sleep debt with just a little concerted effort. “Even if the person’s missed all sleep for 10 days,” notes Mayo Clinic sleep expert Peter Hauri in No More Sleepless Nights, “a sleep of 14 to 18 hours a day for three days followed by returning to a normal schedule will eliminate the debt.” The typical formula, according to experts, is: One hour of sleep can repay two lost hours of sleep.

While you were sleeping

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EDGEDAVAO

14 ECONOMY

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

Phinma eyes more projects in Davao Developer’s CEO: `You have a fantastic mayor’

BY CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

P

HINMA Properties has started constructing Arezzo Place Davao, an affordable condominium project in Davao City.

And, as the land development for the modern Italian-inspired residential project commences, Phinma Properties announced it is planning to put up three to four more projects in Davao.

“We’re looking forward to have more projects in Davao,” Phinma Properties president and CEO Willie J. Uy said in Saturday’s blessing of their Davao sales office along J.P. Laurel Avenue.

Uy said the booming Davao economy and a good local government unit (LGU) make the city attractive to investors.

“You have a very good local government. You have a fantastic mayor,” Uy said while noting the sudden surge of Mayor Rodri-

go R. Duterte as a strong presidential contender.

“I’m not into politics, but I think he would be a good President,” he added.

The top executive of Phinma Properties didn’t say what these projects are but the fact that the developer set up an office in Davao is an indication it is bullish about the Davao market.

“We’re also looking at Cebu,” Uy said.

Phinma Properties assistant marketing manager Enrique Moran said they started erecting the structures in the outer areas like the sales and marketing office, guardhouse and the perimeter fence.

Land development of the project like road component has also commenced.

Project director Gene Arcena said they hope to finish constructing the first building by the first quarter of next year.

NEW OFFICE. Phinma properties executives led by president and chief executive officer Willy J. Uy (second from right, front row), brokers, and guests flash the number one sign during the blessing and inauguration of the company’s Davao Office at Carriedo Building along J.P. Laurel Avenue yesterday. Lean Daval Jr. Arezzo Place Davao is composed of 12 buildings at 90 units each, and sits on a 2.6-hectare lot in Doña Pilar Avenue, Bo.

Pampanga. It is Phinma Properties’ first real estate development outside of Manila.

“This is our first proj-

ect in the shores of Davao.

We wanted Davao to be our first project outside of Manila,” Moran said.

“We are here to stay,

and this office is a testament that we wanted to stay in Davao. We wanted to stay in Mindanao,” he added.

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EDGEDAVAO

THE ECONOMY 15

Baketech opens Davao branch

BY CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

A

DEVELOPER and distributor of high quality food and bakery equipment and machines from Manila opened its doors in Davao City with a promise of good after sales and affordable products to its customers.

Baketech Solutions, a Filipino-owned company that has been in the business for years now, opened its Davao branch along Sta. Ana Avenue last May 5 after finding the city to be business-friendly.

“We don’t have relatives

here in Davao, but we put up a business here,” Baketch owner Jackson Chua said. “In Davao, you are at home.”

Baketech designs, fabricates and sells locally manufactured and high-quality products for its clients. Its products include bakery equipment and machines, commercial food equipment and stainless kitchen equipment.

Chua said 95 percent of their products are locally-fabricated with only five percent imported.

Baketech not only serves the Davao market, but the entire Mindanao. The company has so far sold products to Butuan, General Santos City and Surigao.

One good thing about Baketech, Chua said, is the good after sales service. It provides logistics like the shipment of the products from Manila.

“Our products are also affordable,” Chua said..

Aside from designing and fabricating equipment, Baketech works for the customiza-

HE Regional Development Council in Region 11 has submitted to the House Committee on Agrarian Reform a matrix of inputs and recommendations for House Bill 5161, in aid of legislation.

HB5161, An Act Regulating the Establishment and Implementation of Agribusiness Venture Arrangements (AVAs) in Agrarian Reform Areas, has been the subject of protests from banana plantations as well as cooperatives of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

Authored by Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat, Jr., the proposed bill contains provisions unacceptable to most banana plantations companies and its ARBs. RDC 11, led by Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo P. Del Rosario, in its First Quarter Regular meeting, discussed the provi-

sions of HB 5161 with the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA).

Among others, the regional development council recommended to the Agrarian Reform Committee that the rental for lease agreements should not be pegged at 10% of the gross sales per harvest.

Instead, the RDC recommended that the committee should use the formula mandated by DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform), which includes “other factors such as projected inflation, environmental costs for soil and water conservation and fertility maintenance, and provision for other forms of remuneration/benefits for the lessor ARBs.” The council also recommended that a specific timeframe be indicated “for the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) to act on cases

submitted to it for review and approval. Article 7(F) of the proposed bill provides that “The AVAs shall be subjected to the approval of the PARC, otherwise, it shall become void and become unenforceable.

PBGEA, however, argued that the provision should be deleted or at least modified to read as follows: “The AVAs and any renewal or extension thereof shall be subject to the approval of the PARC within a period of 60 days from submission, otherwise, it is deemed approved.”

In a review titled A Report on the Status of Agribusiness Venture Arrangements (AVAs) in Region XI), it was revealed that there were several AVAs that were not acted upon by the DAR for more than a year and some applications remain pending for about five years.

One of the recommendations

tion of specific equipment that each business needs. It also holds seminars and training sessions people who wish to learn more about baking and those who want to run their own business.

Baketech first opened in Manila in 2006, and then opened its first branches in Isabela (2013) and Pangasina (2014). In July 8 this year, the firm will also open the San Pablo, Laguna branch.

RDC 11 submits changes to‘unacceptable’HB5161 T

Megaworld’s rental income expected to hit P9B this year

P

ROPERTY giant Megaworld, the country’s leading developer of integrated urban townships, is optimistic that its rental income will grow to P9 billion this year as it continues to aggressively expand its leasing portfolio driven by office, malls and commercial centers, and hotels.

Megaworld’s rental income reached P2.7 billion in 2010. In 2011, this soared to P3.8 billion, a remarkable 41-percent year-on-year growth. A year after, rental income grew by 32% to P5 billion, and in 2013, it again grew by 20-percent to P6 billion.

Last year, the company’s rental income reached P7.1 billion, still maintaining a double digit growth of 18-percent.

“This year, we expect an-

other double digit growth to our rental income by another 27 percent to P9 billion. However, looking back, we haven’t just achieved double digit growth in our rental income in the last five years but have grown even more than twofold, and this is a favorable indication of the company’s overall growth,” Megaworld chief finance officer Francis Canuto said.

Megaworld is opening seven new malls and commercial centers in its five township developments namely: Uptown Place and Uptown Parade in Uptown Bonifacio; Venice Grand Canal in McKinley Hill; Mactan Alfresco in The Mactan Newtown in Cebu; Eight Forbestown Road and Burgos Parklane in Forbes Town Cen-

FMEGAWORLD, 19

FRDC, 19 Baketech Solutions along Sta. Ana Ave., Davao City

Chua said they also intend to open a branch in Cebu.

Baketect Solutions will participate in the Davao Food Expo from September 4 to 6 at the SMX Convention Center of SM Lanang Premier.

16 CULTURE & ARTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

DURIAN:

Davao’s most controversial fruit

Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“

IF Davao City were a fruit, what kind of fruit would it be?”

If you ask that question to someone who is not from Davao, the most possible answer you will get is: durian.

That’s what most people think of when they hear Davao.

More often than not, people who visit the city always bring back home some durian as pasalubong -- in various forms like candy bars, candy cubes, durian preserves, and durian cake.

Actually, durian is not a native fruit of Davao and no one knows who brought the fruit here. But these days, durian is now associated with Davao because it is the place where most people can have it almost all year round.

Foreigners and locals who come to the city should not miss eating the “excellent

taste” of the fruit whose “flavor surpasses all the other fruits in the world,” to quote the words of old traveler Linchott.

Those who despise the fruit say durian “smells like hell” or “rotten onion.” But durian aficionados describe “this fruit of a hot and humid nature” as something that “tastes like heaven.”

One foreign scribe wrote it aptly: “Love it or hate it – there’s no emotion in between.

People either swarm to it like bees to honey, or bolt from the room. They faint with lusty joy, or they faint, period, with a handkerchief pressed to their nostrils.”

In his book “Following the Equator,” Mark Twain wrote about his durian experience in Southeast Asia: “It was a most strange fruit, and incomparably delicious to the taste, but not to the smell.”

Durian flowers.

Durian for sale.

The American humorist further wrote: “We found many who had eaten the durian, and they all spoke of it with a sort of rapture. They said that if you could hold your nose until the fruit was in your mouth a sacred joy would suffuse you from head to foot that would make you oblivious to the smell of the rind, but that if your grip slipped and you caught the smell of the rind before the fruit was in your mouth, you would faint.”

British naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace had the same experience. After a visit with the Interior of Borneo in 1855, he observed the offensive smell of durian in the house; some persons did not even attempt to taste it. “This was also my own experience when I first tried to taste it in Malacca; but in Borneo, I found a ripe fruit on the ground, and eating it out-of-doors, I become confirmed durian eater.”

Because of the durian’s “foul-smelling odor,” most airlines don’t allow the fruit on board. In Singapore, the Asian country with the most rigid policy and rules concerning the care for the environment, the durian is forbidden even on subway stations and trains.

Despite this, there is an increasing demand for durian in the export market. It is called an “exotic tropical fruit” in North America and Europe where customers offer premium price. Durian is also highly regarded in other Asian countries.

In the past, Thailand and Malaysia were the leading suppliers of durian to China.

But since both countries were not able to cope with the huge demand, China is opening its doors to the Philippines, particularly Davao, where most fruits are grown.

“Davao’s favorite fruit durian is spreading its smell into the international markets.

From Singapore in 2013, this

year, our locally grown fruit has recently set foot in China, the world’s largest market,” reports Noel T. Provido, the chief of the information section of the regional office of Department of Agriculture.

Provido, in a news report, wrote that Larry Miculob, a durian grower from Davao, shipped about 14 tons of durian to China last May. “The initial export of durian to China only shows that our product is at par with leading global suppliers and that we can compete with them in terms of quality,” he was quoted as saying.

By weight, the edible portion (or aril as experts call it) of durian fruit is only 26 percent on the average. Sixty percent of it is the rind while the remaining 14 percent are seeds.

According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, the fruit is rich in vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, and iron.

It is also contains fair amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin. It is also a good source of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

According to a website, “the fruit is made of soft, easily digestible flesh made of simple sugars like fructose and sucrose that when eaten replenishes energy and revitalizes the body instantly. Though it

contains a relatively higher amount of fats among the fruits, it is free from saturated fats and cholesterol.”

Here’s another health benefit: “Durian is rich in dietary fiber, which makes it a good bulk laxative. The fiber content helps protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time to toxins. It also helps bind and eliminate cancer-causing chemicals from the gut.”

Where does the “foul-smelling” odor come from? In the 1912 issue of the Philippine Journal of Science, O.W. Barrett noted: “The chemical body which is responsible for the very pronounced odor is probably one of the sulfur compounds with some base perhaps related to that in butyric acid; it is not an oil nor a sugar, not a true starch but a substance new to the organic chemist.”

There are several varieties of durian in Davao. With 30 percent of edible portion, Arancillo is one of the best. Its drawback: fruits spoil easily during continuous downpour of rain.

Puyat has yellow-orange flesh and doesn’t get easily rotten.

Chanee tastes like sweet potato but sweet. Kob comes in two colors: yellow and white.

Mon thong has thick and sweet flesh with mild aroma. Duyaya is a bright yellow durian with a strange, elongated shape. But the best of them all is still the native variety whose smell is so strong that those who have not tried durian yet should not attempt to.

Here’s a timely tip to people visiting Davao and who would like to eat durian. After eating, put some water into the empty durian shell and wash your hands in it. This technique reportedly removes the smell of the durian from your fingers.

Try anything else -- detergents, deodorants or whatever, but all these will be useless-the smell will remain just as pungent.

The word “durian” comes from the Indonesian “duri” (thorn) and is botanically known as Durio zibethinus. It is native to Indonesia and Malaysia. It also grows in Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In the Malay Archipelago, about 150 years ago, famed Victorian naturalist and evolutionary theorist Alfred Russel Wallace wrote, “To eat durian is a new sensation worth a voyage to the East to experience.”

Durian pasalubong.

17 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

BagoSphere expands training to curb youth unemployment

S

Receiving the awards from FinanceAsia executives for Globe Telecom are (second from left) Senior Vice President of Internal Controls and Chief Audit Executive Carmina Herbosa and (fourth from left) Vice President for Financial Planning and Analysis Jan Lester Olaño.

Finance Asia cites Globe as one of best firms in Phl F

OR earning high regard among investors and analysts across the region in terms of its financial performance, industry leadership and corporate management, Globe Telecom was formally recognized as one of the best companies in the country and in the region by Finance Asia, a leading publisher of financial news in the Asia-Pacific region.

As one of the best-managed companies in the country, Globe was bestowed with four major company awards and an individual category ci-

F

tation. The telco also received high rankings for best corporate governance, the “most committed to paying good dividends,” and in investor relations. The company’s President & CEO Ernest Cu was also adjudged as one of the best chief executive officers.

“It is an honor to be recognized as among the best companies in the Philippines.

Globe remains committed to its stakeholders by marking exemplary results and exceeding performance metrics through the collective efforts of its people who are passion-

ate to serve and its strong leadership,“ said Globe Chief Financial Officer Albert de Larrazabal.

According to FinanceAsia, the responses were culled from over 250 portfolio managers and buy-side analysts from around the world on their opinions on Asian-listed companies. Globe figured prominently in the survey on the strength of an excellent financial performance last year, which saw record highs in terms of consolidated service revenues of P99 billion, a 9 percent growth

year-on-year; total consolidated EBITDA of P39 billion, 8 percent higher than 2014; and core net income at P14 billion, up 25 percent from last year.

During the first quarter of 2015, officials from the telco revealed that Globe generated P26.2 billion consolidated service revenues, 13 percent higher than 2014, while EBITDA level was at P11 billion, up 25 percent year-on -year. Its core net income was at P4.2 billion, a 25 percent rise compared to last year.

OCIAL enterprise BagoSphere is expanding its intensive and affordable job training program to key cities in the Philippines to give more high school and college graduates better opportunities to jumpstart their career in the outsourcing industry.

“When we first started BagoSphere, we wanted to create an affordable solution to tackle youth unemployment. In the last two years testing and implementing our training model in Bago City, we learned a lot about helping young people find meaningful jobs. We saw life-transforming results and measurable social impact.

Now, we have started our expansion plans with Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental, and we hope to help more high school and college graduates gain relevant communication and IT skills in an authentic work setting and get them hired,” said Zhihan Lee, co-founder and CEO of BagoSphere.

Lee, together with two other Singaporeans Ellwyn Tan and Ivan Lau, founded Bagosphere after leading volunteer projects in Bago City while still college students at the National University of Singapore.

After Bacolod City, Bagosphere is setting its sights on Quezon City, which is scheduled to open by fourth quarter of the year.

“We started BagoSphere because we have seen that youth unemployment is one of the strongest drivers for poverty,” Lee said. “At the same time, we live in a world where a college degree doesn’t guarantee a job anymore, and it’s a long and expensive road getting there.”

Bagosphere’s expansion is being backed by its latest impact investor elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalisation, a Swiss-based organization supporting social enterprises based in developing countries.

“As a philanthropic im-

pact investor active all across emerging economies, elea Foundation has chosen to support BagoSphere because of its outstanding, sustainable approach in the professional skill building space. Its combination of an effective, scalable training program with micro-loan funding and a focus on building a strong community of students, trainers and graduates already brings great opportunities to underprivileged youths in the Philippines.,” said Adrian Ackeret, Associate at elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization and member of BagoSphere’s Board of Advisors.

Operating since January 2013, BagoSphere already boasts of having 373 graduates, of which 240 have been hired by BPOs despite 53 percent of them having zero previous work experience.

The graduates also received an average starting salary and performance incentives of P10,000 per month.

BagoSphere has partnered with Teleperformance, Transcom, and Panasiatic, three of the leading global outsourcing companies in the country, for immediate placements after undergoing training. Lee expects to replicate their success in Bago City to the Bacolod and Quezon City branches.

The training also attracted the attention of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region VI, which has tapped BagoSphere to train students belonging to the conditional cash transfer (CCT) beneficiary-families from Bago City. With 80 percent of students under the first DSWD batch finding call center employment within two weeks of graduation, DSWD is now looking at a long-term partnership with BagoSphere.

BagoSphere is currently accepting applications for its August 10 classes in the cities of Bacolod and Bago.

UNIQLO collaborates with SMB Pale Pilsen

INALLY, a Philippine icon on a Uniqlo T-shirt.

Iconic Japanese brand Uniqlo now carries San Miguel Pale Pilsen on its new corporate collaborations project. These collaborations make UNIQLO closer to more people around the world.

Availabe in all Uniqlo stores nationwide and selected ASEAN countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, the specially-designed shirts are expected to delight customers of both brands. The brand is also collaborating with some of the ASEAN region’s iconic homegrown brands, as well as designers and music legends.

“In celebration of our third year in the Philippines, UNIQLO collaborated with San Miguel Pale Pilsen to give Filipinos a valued offering that is in line with the goals of our companies. UNIQLO’s collaboration with San Miguel will not disappoint our fans. Our T-shirts will bring us closer to the hearts of many Filipinos,” said Geraldine Sia, Fast Retailing Philippines, Inc.’s General Manager.

“Our collaboration with Uniqlo brings us excitement. San Miguel Pale Pilsen which is celebrating its

125th year is one of the world’s best beers – a real pride of the Philippines. Uniqlo, with its humble beginnings is now a global retail leader which highly speaks of the hard work and passion for excellence of the Japanese. I think both companies share the same passion in giving our customers only the best. Also Interestingly, San Miguel Brewery Inc. has a Japanese firm Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd. as business partner,” said Menlou Bibonia, San Miguel Brewery Inc.’s Marketing Manager.

“Employees as well as the SMB’s customers expressed both excitement and amusement that they can finally see their favorite beer brand in Uniqlo’s shelves,” she added.

Store sources say the T-shirts are selling very well since it started its debut in Uniqlo stalls in June 1.

The shirts are available in white, black, and yellow, and will be in stalls until 3rd Quarter of 2016.

UNIQLO is the leading apparel brand in the world that has always been true to its vision of making clothes that are made for all, going beyond age, gender, occupation, ethnicity and all other ways that

define people. Its clothes are simple yet essential and universal that consumers can freely combine

to create their own style.

The UNIQLO ASEAN T-shirt line supports UNIQLO’s Life Wear philoso-

phy where simple every day wear has evolved into quality garments to benefit consumers in their daily

lives. For more information on UNIQLO ASEAN T-shirts, visit www.uniqlo. com/ph.

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Laviña... FROM 4 the Department of Education (DepEd)-Davao City division failed to comply with the previous audit recommendation regarding the utilization of Special Education Fund (SEF) Rappler, however, corrected its headline on the story to show that it was not the Davao City government that was the subject of the COA report but

He said right Surigao del Sur has a number of Pimentels. Two are in the provincial board while his sister-in-law Roxanne Pimentel is Tandag City mayor.

The governor said the Pimentel family has had five governors in the province.

First was his father Vicente Sr. in 1946 to 1951 when Surigao province was not yet divided.

His grandmother followed in 1967-1971, his mother in 1986-1992, and his brother in 1998.

Pimentel said in every election there are members of

the clan who run in different positions in the province.

Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro said in an interview with ANC that political families are one of the reasons some political hopefuls are discouraged from running.

Castro, the sponsor of the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, said having numerous politicians from the same family in public office, with some holding national posts and their relative local positions, defeats the purpose of check and balance in the system. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. That CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 1003265 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 31467-6 issued to MONTANA, LILIA C. Reinstatement papers: 2401-106509, 2401106513-514, 2401-91170, 2401-77468, 240195493, 2401-95500-503, 2401-95516, 2401-95524, 2401-73056, 2401-95524, 2401-95544 issued to TERESITA F.ERAMIS were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

6/8,15,22

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tioning the expenditures of Davao City.

Rappler’s first report was on Duterte’s hiring of 11,246 contractual workers in 2014, which cost the city government P708 million.

The second report was on the irregularities in Davao City’s supposed use of education funds. COA had noted

Surigao... FROM 4

EDGEDAVAO

DepEd. The third report was the city’s priorities in spending its calamity fund in 2014. The report said the city government spent P45 million of the fund on motor vehicles issued to the Davao City Mayor’s Office, Davao City Police Office, Emergency Response Center, and the Traffic Management

Center.

The report said according to COA, the purchases were not included in the city’s Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LDRRM) Fund Investment Plan, leading to questions about their necessity in line with their proposed budget for 2014. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

projected a steep climb in rice demand. This announcement also jacked up local commercial rice prices by P2-3 per kilo.

With the supposed NFA 1 billion probe, as early as February last year the Makabayan bloc warned that the country will again be reeling from the “sabotaging economic effects” of unchecked overpriced rice importation as the NFA has again decided to import rice for the July-September buffer

stock.

“Pres. Aquino should explain in his next SONA whatever happened to his promise of rice self-sufficiency during his term. Also with the importation anomalies revealed last year, I hope that the new NFA administration has done its homework and addressed these problems. As it is though we will continue to monitor the price of rice and its effect on the Filipino people,” ended Rep.Colmenares.

was to deem the AVA applications approved if not acted upon by DAR within 90 days.

Contract duration Another controversial provision as provided in Article 7(G) says that the duration of the AVA shall be mutually agreed upon by all parties, but not more than 10 years subject to renewal. PBGEA’s claims 10 years will not enable the investor to fully recover with reasonable rate of return.

The RDC recommended that, “the draft bill distinguish specific guidelines and duration for each type of AVA considering their peculiarities.” There are different AVAs used in the banana industry, each of which provides different features. An AVA for lease agreements may not necessarily hold true for growership or joint venture arrangements.

The clamor of PBGEA to adjust the period of the contract in order for them to re-

cover their investments should be considered but may not be the “initial 25-year period “ as suggested, the RDC said.

The RDC also commented that Article 6(C) pertaining to the qualifications of prospective investors is ambiguous as they are prone to subjectivity and/or misinterpretation. The council also suggested that, “the ground for the revocation of AVA contracts should be limited to the breach of the terms and conditions of the contracts reasonable to protect the interests of ARBs as well as that of the investors.

The RDC also recommended that the penal provisions specified in Article 13 be deleted due to its ambiguity, which may lead to various interpretations. The council also suggested that the house bill incorporate safeguards to protect the interest of the investors.

The council is awaiting feedback from Rep. Baguilat.

ter; and Twin Lakes Shopping Village in Twin Lakes, Batangas.

Also this year, the company is set to complete two buildings under the portfolio of Megaworld’s office spaces.

These office buildings include one in Uptown Bonifacio, and one in The Mactan Newtown.

Megaworld remains to be the country’s top developer and landlord of office spaces today.

Megaworld is also opening two new hotels this year: Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, a 149room business hotel in Iloilo Business Park, and the 480room Belmont Luxury Hotel in Newport City.

By year-end, Megaworld would have added around 300,000 square meters of gross floor area in its overall rental portfolio.

The company also announced this year that it is launching five new integrated urban townships across the country, in order to complete the 20 township developments that it is aiming for in 2015. So far, two townships have been launched: Northill Gateway and The Upper East, both in Negros Occidental. The other three townships are scheduled to be announced within the year.

“We started the township trend in the Philippines. So the direction is to continue to expand our township footprint to maintain this pioneering leadership. Every year, expect us to build more exciting and innovative integrated urban townships that are integral to community development and nation-building,” Canuto said.

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(PSMBFI).

Each individual SAF 44 beneficiary has received an average of Php 1,593,656.19 in total lumpsum benefits depending on rank.

All lumpsum benefits from government were received thru individual checks.

Meantime, pension payments to beneficiaries were paid thru individual ATM accounts with the Land Bank of the Philippines.

The National Police Commission is also granting educational scholarship to deserving children of the SAF 44. (PNP)

tragedy in Mamasapano.

The report said petitioners also asked the high tribunal to stop the Budget Department from releasing funds to pursue or implement the FAB, the CAB; and the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which is still under deliberation in the two houses of Congress.

The FAB was signed on October 15, 2012 by then government peace panel chair Marvic Leonen (now Supreme Court Associate Justice) and MILF chair Mohagher Iqbal while the CAB was signed on March 27, 2014 by government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and the MILF’s Iqbal.

Shared destiny In a statement sent to MindaNews, Ferrer said they “reserve comment on its merits until we get a copy.”

But Ferrer reiterated their conviction that “bringing to life social justice and meaningful autonomy as mandated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution is at the heart of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. “ Ferrer said she is saddened that some groups and individuals “continue to mount road blocks to our forward march to peace and development in Mindanao, a right that belongs to all Filipinos.”

She noted that despite the delay in passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the MILF is staying on the peace track.

Last Tuesday, President Aquino witnessed the ceremonial decommissioning of 75 high powered and crewserved weapons and 145 combatants.

“We will not lose this historic momentum to silence the guns in the Bangsamoro through democratic reform that would strengthen our commitment to a shared destiny as one peaceful and progressive country,” Ferrer said.

Iqbal told MindaNews: “Why only now and the people behind (the petition) are close to the Marcoses and GMA (former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo).”

“Unimaginable” GMA News online said the petitioners alleged that Leonen as GPH panel chair who negotiated the FAB, “agreed and granted unimaginable social, economic, political, and financial benefits to the MILF which the Executive Department may not legally grant without the concurrence of the legislative or the judicial department, or without first amending the 1987 Constitution.”

The report said the petitioners also alleged that the conduct of the peace process

was flawed because it did not include the Moro National Liberation and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

They also said the Aquino administration did not follow Executive Order125 which defines the approach and administrative structure for the government’s peace efforts, a panel of advisers consisting of three members – one each from the Senate, House of Representatives and the Cabinet – should participate in the negotiations, something which was not done according to the petitioners.

The petitioners alleged Leonen and Ferrer usurped a power they did not have when they committed to cause the amendment of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and existing laws to conform with the FAB and CAB. Leonen and Ferrer had repeatedly said there was no need to amend the Constitution as the Bangamoro, the new autonomous political entity that both government and the MILF had agreed to, can be set up “within the flexibilities of the 1987 Constitution.”

The 1987 Constitution specifically provides for autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras.

Status in Congress GMA News online quoted a portion of the petition that said the draft BBL was a “specific potion being dispensed by the quack doctor,” that it is a potent extract from the poisonous roots FAB and CAB nourished by the (GPH) and MILF panels.”

The petitioners said only the first post-EDSA Congress that was authorized by the Constitution to create autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras.

Romualdez is the cousin of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., chair of the Senate committee on Local Government tackling the BBL. Marcos had said in a privilege speech in early June that the BBL in its present form and substance would not bring peace but “lead us to perdition” and that he would file a substitute bill.

He vowed to submit the Committee report to the Senate before Congress resumes session on July 27, also the day when President Aquino delivers his sixth and last State of the Nation Address.

In the House of Representatives, the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (AHCBBL) approved its substitute bill on May 20. The period of interpellation began on June 2 but was suspended evening of June 10, before Congress adjourned sine die.

(MindaNews)

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 57 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 21 - 22, 2015

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GOLFER OF THE WEEK

EDGEDAVAO Sports

JOEL YAMYAMIN: Consistency is the name of his game

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO The diminutive Yamyamin may be underestimated for his size but his long drives and precise short game is enough to spread intimidation when-

JOEL YAMYAMIN Started playing golf: 1993 What’s inside his bag?

Driver: Ryoma

njb@edgedavao.net

If there’s one name synonimous with winning titles after titles in the local golf scene, it must be Joel Yamyamin.

23

ever he goes up to the first tee mound of a golf tournament.

Yamyamin has won practically every title in local golf tournaments and has even taken his clubs to tournaments in Manila. He is a regular fixture in the Philippine Airlines Interclub golf tournament with Rancho Palos Verdes before he skipped this year’s edition in Cebu City. His latest win came at the 27th GET Memorial Golf Tournament at the Apo Golf and Country Club course after shooting 38 points to win Class A gross title.

He runs the Golf View driving range located right next to Marfori Bridge going to Maa. Recently, he also opened a pro shop at Golf View where he also hones his swing.

Woods: Ryoma Putter: Titleist Cameron Ball: Nike Golf outfit: Nike

Brazilian star Neymar banned in Copa B

CMO tops PNP Selection anew C

ITY Mayors Office made it two wins in row against Philippine National Police Selection with a 100 – 82 decision on Wednesday night in the second game of their Friendly Match at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. CMO started strong and followed through the rest of the game as the City Hall dribblers outplayed the gritty Policemen for the second straight game in a blowout fashion.

Christopher “Bong” Go displayed another quality performance, putting up 39 points with five baskets from behind the arc.

Glenn Escandor and Jai-

me Cruz had an impressive outing contributing 14 and 13 points respectively for the City Hall dribblers who beat the Policemen twice in three days.

Ariel Bone top scored for the PNP Selection with 19 baskets as Marlon Cabanog had 15.

The Policemen seemed to counter profoundly late in the third period behind their run and gun type of play that did well in the first meeting.

But the City Hall dribblers kept the pressure up and maintained the comfortable lead entering the pay off period.

Ricky Sumagang scored 19 points for the CMO. (Rico Biliran)

RAZIL superstar Neymar was dramatically thrown out of the Copa America as Chile shrugged off the drunk-driving controversy surrounding Arturo Vidal to power into the quarter-finals.

Neymar’s participation in the South American footballing showpiece came to an abrupt end after a disciplinary hearing slapped him with a four-match ban for headbutting a Colombian opponent.

The punishment deprives the tournament of one of its most recognizable stars and leaves Brazil in turmoil as it contemplates the remainder of the tournament without their captain and best player.

Neymar’s fate had been in the balance after he was given a red card for headbut-

ting an opponent during a post-match brawl that erupted after Brazil’s 1-0 upset loss to Colombia in Group C on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old superstar was already ruled out of Brazil’s final group game against Venezuela on Sunday after collecting a second yellow card of the tournament against the Colombians.

Neymar, who was also fined $10,000, can appeal the punishment. But unless the ban is reduced it means he has played his last game of the Copa, with Brazil having at most four games left.

Alberto Lozada, a member of the disciplinary committee, revealed Neymar had received a heavier punishment because he had abused match officials in the tunnel

BOXING REVOLUTION III. Former world champion Edrin “The Sting” Dapudong (second from right) with fellow Sonshine Sports Management fighters Jun Ocampo, Rolando Magbanua and Roskie Cristobal. Also in photo are trainer Dante

following his dismissal.

“Worst of all was that after the match he waited for the referee in the tunnel and insulted him, which aggravated the matter and led to the longer ban,” Lozada told Brazilian media.

“This constituted an act of aggression which required punishment of more matches.”

Colombian player Carlos Bacca, who shoved Neymar following his butt on goal scorer Jeison Murillo, was suspended for two games.

- Fall from grace Neymar’s shock early departure marks a stunning fall from grace for the young forward, who had been carrying his nation’s hopes as they chased a first Copa America crown since 2007.

There was already bad blood between Neymar and the Colombian team heading into Wednesday’s match.

The Brazilian suffered a tournament-ending fractured vertebra during a stormy World Cup quarter-final battle with Colombia last year.

However Neymar arrived in Chile brimming with confidence and good form following a starring role in Barcelona’s treble-winning season, scoring the final goal in the Spanish giants’ Champions League victory over Juventus in Berlin on June 6.

The Brazilian was also in sparkling form against Peru in his country’s opening game of the tournament, scoring one goal and setting up an injury-time winner for the fivetime world champions.

Lerio and Aaron Vergara of Jose Maria College. The Sonshine fighters announced the forthcoming Boxing Revolution III during the Fast Fridays media forum last Friday at SM Lanang Premier’s Archipelago 7107 Restaurant. Lean Daval Jr.

24 EDGEDAVAO Aeon Towers now moving from ground up

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T

HINGS are really lokking up now for the much-talked about 33-level Aeon Towers, the signature project of local developer FTC Group of Companies.

With the development now focusing from ground level going up, the project’s engineering team has intensified work round-the-clock for the future tallest skyscraper in Mindanao.

With the construction side is now shifting to vertical development, its marketing team likewise intensified its sales campaign for the keenly-awaited project.

FTC Group of Companies president Ian Cruz said construction of the project is right within target. “It’s all going up from here,” he said.

Aeon Towers is a 33-level mixed usehigh-rise venture. It is the signature project of local developer FTC and, when completed by 2016, is reputed to be the tallest building in Mindanao.

This marvellous skyscraper will house 473 residential units, a fourstar hotel, office spaces, retail mall, and basement parking.

If you are looking at finding your own place in the tallest skyscraper of Mindanao in the very near future, you are not reaching literally for the skies.

FTC Group of Companies, the homegrown developer of Aeon Towers, is offering P10,000 reservation fee in the residential units of the 33-level mixed use development that’s expected to be completed by 2016.

For only P10,000 reservation fee, one can be a step closer to that dream unit. For people who wish to know more about Aeon Towers, the project can be experienced at its Showroom or at SM Lanang Premier’s main atrium and at SM City Davao where ongoing exhibits are mounted. Real-time updates of construction can also be viewed.