Edge Davao 8 Issue 75

VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

164T Davao voters have no biometrics P2 Duterte, next president P3

EDGEDAVAO MASSIVE RAID Serving a seamless society

7 drug pushers killed, 39 arrested

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

S

EVEN suspected drug pushers were killed in a massive anti-drug operation conducted in several places in Davao City in a span of over five hours yesterday.

A total of 39 persons were also apprehended in the joint operation of the Davao City

Police Office (DCPO), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 11, Police Regional Office (PRO) 11, and the Maritime Police.

The operation started at around 3 a.m. on July 15 and ended past 8 a.m.

The slain suspects were identified as Jabar Aboul, Cyril Abinoja, Reynaldo Quindao Alias Dodong Bilaan, Nonoy Tiongko, Marvin Flores Vargas, Jerome Portolazo, and Dodong Quiba.

They were killed separately in the respective areas of responsibility of Sta. Ana, San Pedro, and Talomo Police Stations.

Police said the seven tried to shoot it out with the arresting officers.

The 39 arrested suspects were also arrested in different places in the city.

Twelve

FMASSIVE, 10

NABBED. A police officer examines a handgun of a suspect arrested in simultaneous drug raids in Davao City before dawn yesterday. Seven suspected drug pushers were killed while 39 others were arrested in a joint operation of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 11, Police Regional Office (PRO) 11, and the Maritime Police. Lean Daval Jr.

MATCH. Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Sr. Supt. Vicente Danao Jr. holds a photograph of Brian C. Acmad, alleged Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commander who was one of the 39 suspects arrested in the simultaneous drug raids conducted by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 11, Police Regional Office (PRO) 11, and the Maritime Police in Davao City before dawn yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

The journey of Bobby Ray Parks Jr. Sports P16

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

SEIZED GUNS. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte inspects the handguns seized from the suspects arrested in simultaneous drug raids in Davao City before dawn yesterday. The raids were part of a weeklong nationwide Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operation dubbed “One Time Big Time” which started last Monday and will end on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr.

164K voters still need biometrics in Davao

A

ROUND 164,000 voters in Davao City still have no biometrics.

Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Commission on Elections (Comelec) 11 assistant regional director Marlon Casquejo said only around 15,000 had their biometrics done since last month when it was reported that a total 179,967 voters lacked biometrics.

“Medyo maraming tumugon sa ating panawagan (Many voters responded to our

call) to have their biometrics,” he said but added the city still has a high percentage of voters who dionot have their biometrics.

He said the Comelec will continue its satellite registrations in different barangays to serve those who are in the remote areas.

Casquejo said on July 25 and August 2, all district offices of Comelec will conduct a voters registration in SM City Davao in Ecoland.

He also reminded the people that the district offices can-

F164K, 10

Ampatuan patriarch in coma

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ORMER Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., principal suspect in the November 23, 2009 massacre of 58 persons in Ampatuan, town, Maguindanao, has been in coma at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City since Monday morning, his lawyer said.

Lawyer Salvador Panelo told ABS-CBN News Tuesday evening that Ampatuan Sr., who was admitted at the hospital on June 5 and diagnosed with liver cancer, had a massive heart attack Monday morning.

Panelo said they filed three motions to be heard in court Wednesday for his detained sons to visit him at the

hospital.

Detained along with him for the 2009 massacre of 58 persons, 32 of them from the media, are his sons Zaldy, second-term governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at the time of the massacre; Anwar, then mayor of Shariff Aguak; and Andal “Datu Unsay” Ampatuan, Jr., then mayor of Datu Unsay town, who is believed to have led the armed men who flagged down the convoy of the emissaries of political ally-turned-rival Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu and herded them off to the massacre site in Sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman in Ampatuan town.

Sajid, the patriarch’s

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Brit’s petition for bail denied

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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HE court yesterday denied the petition for bail of a British National apprehended for violation of Republic Act 9208 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 and RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. The suspect was identified as Lenox James Ellis, 71, a native of the United Kingdom.

According to Talomo Police station commander Chief Inspector Alfredo Santillana,

Ellis’ petition for bail was denied by the court because RA 9208 is non-bailable.

“He filed a petition for bail because he thought his case was only (RA) 7610. But he also has a case of trafficking in person (RA 9208) which is non-bailable,” Santillana said.

Ellis was apprehended by personnel of Talomo Police Precinct on Sunday afternoon after a concerned citizen reported that several minors were found inside his residence in Monteritz Subdivision, Maa, Davao City.

Santillana said investigation of the City Social and Services Development Office (CSSDO) found that the children had been sexually molested.

“When we received the CSSDO report we used taht as basis to go to his house to arrest him,” he said.

Police found six minors inside the residence and rescued them. Five of them were girls aged 6, 8, 11, 13, and 14 while the sixth was a boy aged 12.

Santillana said the parents

of the minors were relatives of Ellis’ ex-wife who is a Filipina.

Santillana said there is a possibility that the parents of the victims were knowledgeable of the incident since they claimed the British national had been helping them financially.

The minors are under the custody of the CSSDO. As of press time, Ellis was still at the Hall of Justice.

Santillana said he would be brought back to detention at the Talomo Police Precinct afterward.

Aquino said as of the moment the SIITG could not see any direct link between the incident and Quiboloy, who is the executive pastor of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ The Name Above Every Name to which the seven members belong.

The seven have been identified as Junnil Martinez Teriote, John Oben Dequilla, Joel Alferez Pasa, Richard Lawag Rivera, Martinez Sawit Bocay-

cay, Genelyn Dorgas Basa, and Henryto Bitco Amoguis.

Dismayed and distressed Meanwhile, Quiboloy’s legal counsel Charmalou D. Aldevera said Quiboloy was “deeply dismayed and distressed” upon being informed of the incident involving some of his members.

In an official statement, Aldevera said Quiboloy ex-

Probe to focus on KJC members, not Quiboloy

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Special Intelligence Investigation Task Group (SIITG) investigating the massive food poisoning in Surigaodel Sur cannot implicate Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloyin the matter.

Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, SIITG head Senior Superintendent Aaron Aquino said his group will only focus not on Quiboloy but on the

seven suspects who allegedly sold the durian candies that caused food poisoning on about 1,900 people.

“Sabi ko nga sa iba, paano kung ang nagtinda ay Iglesia ni Cristo kailangan ba namin mag- file ng kaso kay Manalo (As I’ve been telling people, what if the peddlershad been members of the Iglesiani Cristo? Would we be filing a case against [executive minister Eduardo] Manalo)?” he said.

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

‘Duterte, the next President’

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

W

POWER WOES. Linemen of Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) conduct routine power line maintenance along R. Castillo Avenue in Davao City yesterday.

DLPC warned its franchise area of possible 30-minute rotating blackouts in the coming days due to the 70 Megawatts deficiency in the Mindanao grid. Lean Daval Jr.

ILL Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte become the next President of the Philippines?

Councilor Halila Sudagar probably thinks so that she described the mayor the next president of the country during the opening of the 1st Mindanao Halal Festival yesterday at Abreeza Mall.

Sudagar was reading the message of Duterte to the organizers and participants of the activity when she excited the crowd with her closing statement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, the next president of the federal Republic of the Philippines,” she said, drawing applause from those in attendance.

Duterte had constantly denied he is seeking the country’s highest post in next

year’s elections despite good showing in the survey results from Pulse Asia and Social Weather Station.

The popular local chief executive recently appeared in television shows and his appearance in the regular program “Gandang Gabi Vice” on Sunday was a trending topic not only nationwide but also worldwide.

Although he keeps on denying he is running for president, Duterte has been pestered by calls for him to join the presidential derby, specially from his constituents in Davao.

Duterte, in a message read for him by Sudagar, conveyed his congratulations and appreciation to the organizers of the two-day Mindanao Halal Festival for their continuing efforts in promoting the hahal industry.

HE Department of Health in Davao Region has called on all persons with disabilities to enlist in the agency’s registration undertaking that aims to establish a database of PWDs for program planning.

Marialyn Avancena, nurse coordinator of DOH-XI’s Health and Wellness Program for PWDs and Older Persons, said the registration is a way of getting the actual count of PWDs in the region and their corresponding needs on health.

She said that the data gathering of PWDs has been going on for years now, but the list has not been finalized as of this time due to the low turn-out of registrants.

“That’s why we urge the PWDs of all ages and all types of disabilities to enlist through their barangays and health centers so they will be count-

ed and be assessed of their health needs,” stated Avancena who’s working under DOH-XI’s Non-Communicable Diseases division.

She attributed the low turn-out of PWD registrants as due to stigma, saying “marami pa rin sa mga PWDs or parents of children with special needs ang nahihiya to come out.”

The records of PWDs availing of services in health facilities are also not coherent to the regional data because there are PWD patients coming from outside Davao Region.

“We really have to strengthen our database of PWDs so we can assess their health needs,” Avancena emphasized.

She added, “We have various health programs available, but we don’t have specif-

DOH 11 urges PWDs to enlist for health assessment program

CIDG head wants probe T on ‘fake rice’ to continue

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE central office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) wants the investigation on fake rice in Davao City to continue despite a recommendation to halt it.

Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, CIDG director general Benjamin Magalong said he still wants the investigation to be conducted before the case is closed.

Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Fake Rice head Senior Superintendent Aar-

on Aquino had earlier said he asked Magalong to “provisionally close” the investigation since the report on fake rice in the city turned out to be an isolated case.

But Magalong said more angles need to be considered especially on the ongoing laboratory tests before moving forward.

“Once we get the definitive findings on the laboratory tests and simulation tests, that is the time we will decide if it will be ‘case closed,’” he said.

Magalong said the SITG should also continue its in-

Thousands in Davao to gather for Eid’l Fitr

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HOUSANDS of Muslims will gather on Friday, July 17, at the Tionko Football Field in Agro-Foundation College of the Philippines in Davao City to celebrate Eid’l Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

Basit M. Baraguir Al-Hadj, program officer of the Office of the Madrasah Comprehensive Development and Promotion Program, said the city government will provide 25,000 food packs to be shared by the Muslim families for their first daylight meal after Ramadan.

Each food pack contains five kilos of rice, coffee, sugar, and canned goods.

At the start of Ramadan last June 18, Muslim families received the same amount of goods.

“This is very beneficial for us. Somehow, it can help our people,” Baraguir said.

Baraguir, who has gone on pilgrimage to Mecca, explained that Ramadan is the time of the year when millions of Muslims across the world abstain from eating food, water, or even from speaking ill of others and lustful thoughts, starting before the break of dawn (4:15 a.m.) until sunset.

“And anything that gives us pleasure, even the air that we breathe,” he added.

He said that the observance of month-long fasting reminds them that Muslims, be they rich or poor, are made equal.

“Both rich and poor experience the same thing during fasting. Even if he has money,

FTHOUSANDS, 10

spection on the retailers and suppliers.

In a separate interview, Aquino said his group will respect the decision of Magalong to continue the investigation although the series of inspections his team conducted over the past weeks turned out negative.

The task force did not find any fake rice after more than a week of inspection on rice retailers and millers.

Aquino said the group is now is looking into the angle of contamination of the rice sample that had been submitted.

He said Carmencita Grinio, who had brought the sample to the National Food Authority (NFA) two weeks ago, may have inadvertently contaminated the rice.

Aquino said it took three days before Grinio and her family removed the rice from the refrigerator. He said the cellophane where the rice was placed might have contaminated the rice.

The rice was tested by the NFA Food Development Center in Manila which found ”90 percent likelihood for the pres-

FCIDG, 10

BIOMETRICS UPDATE. Commission on Election (Comelec) 11 assistant regional director Marlon Casquejo tells reporters there are still around 165,000 voters in Davao City who have no biometrics. Casquejo, who was

FDOH 11, 10

a guest in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media briefing, said the three Comelec district offices in the city will conduct a satellite voters registration on July 25 and August 2 at SM City Davao. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

EDGEDAVAO

4 SUBURBIA

VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

T’nalak ball to raise funds for scholars O

NCE again, benefactors joining the T’nalak charity ball will be extending educational aid to underprivileged students of South Cotabato, a tourism official said.

“One hundred percent of the ticket sales generated by the Governor’s T’nalak Charity Ball will go to the Kabugwason Paglaum Scholarship Program,” Zhaun Barry Agabe of the South Cotabato Arts, Culture and Tourism Office disclosed in a press conference.

“No part of the proceeds will be spent for the dinner or talent fee of the celebrity guests,” Agabe emphasized, adding that expenses for the ball have been shouldered by the provincial government.

The 16th T’nalak Festival Governor’s Charity Ball will be held at the Grand Fiesta BallINHERITED CRAFT. Jura Abdillah, 53, weaves a traditional fan made of buri palm in her house in Isla Verde, Davao City. This craft, which she learned from their ancestors, has been her source of living since she was 15 years old back in Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur. Mindanews Photo by Keith Bacongco

Sta. Cruz adopts new Mt. Apo trekking policy S

TA. Cruz Mayor Atty. Joel Ray Lopez approved Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 189-15 adopting the Common Trekking Policy among all local governments in Mt. Apo Natural Park (MANP) as earlier imposed by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).

In the new policy, all entry points to Mt. Apo with existing open trails will adopt a unified system of climbing registra-

tion, trekking fees, policy on guiding, and portering, among others.

As a salient point of the policy, the new uniform trekking fee will now become P1,000 per climber for regular season and P1,500 per person during peak season which is during Holy Week from Holy Monday to Easter Sunday.

The same amount shall also be collected as exit fee for climbers who decide to tra-

TARKEY Hearing Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to building better lives for hearing-impaired people across the world, will visit Sarangani for the third time for a hearing mission.

This time, the provincial government of Sarangani targets around 1,230 people to benefit from Starkey’s hearing aid gift-giving that costs roughly P15,000 to P20,000 each set.

The visit is slated in November.

Starkey is the world’s leading manufacturer of comprehensive hearing solutions and donates thousands of hearing aids in many countries every year.

At least 385 persons were already screened but only 256 qualified and underwent ear impression while 39 others were referred to an ear, nose

and throat specialist volunteer physician for a possible ear infection treatment.

Starkey is the partner foundation of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon’s office in its Serbisyong Sarangan Outreach Program that is anchored on addressing the needs of the less fortunate and people with disability (PWD) who have hearing defects.

The program also serves to create a friendly environment for PWDs in the province.

Program manager Asma Akmad said the partnership with Starkey was an offshoot of their effort of exploring possible partners that could help them “provide the needs of PWDs like hearing aids, and mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes and crutches.”

Starkey coming back for hearing mission S

FSTARKEY, 10

verse to other trails.

PAMB had come up with the policy because mountain climbing was not being strictly regulated in the past, leading to a lot of garbage being left in the country’s highest peak.

Sta. Cruz hosts a major portion of MANP and is one of the open trails to Mt. Apo for trekking and mountaineering activity.

One of the unique features

of Sta. Cruz trail is its iconic Boulder Face, a volcanic portion of the mountain occupied with huge rock formations and sulphur vents.

For inquiries about Sta. Cruz trail, one can visit the Tourism Office of Sta. Cruz or contact the personnel in charge through telephone number 082-2720741 or mobile number 09208567991.

(CDIO-Sta. Cruz/Julius R. Paner)

room at The Farm @Carpenter Hill, starting at 7:00 p.m. on July 17.

Singer-actor Christian Bautista will be the event’s guest performer. 2014 Bb. Pilipinas Universe MJ Lastimosa will also be there as guest.

Bautista and Lastimosa will be hosting the search for Mutya ng South Cotabato on Wednesday evening.

Agabe added that tickets for the charity event at on sale at P2,000.

“For those who will buy two to four tickets at one-time payment will only pay P1,800 per ticket while those who will pay for five or more tickets at one-time payment will only pay P1,500 per ticket,” he said.

Initially, organizers printed 500 tickets.

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Tagum Cooperative joins Minda coop power summit

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AGUM Cooperative joined the first ever One Mindanao Cooperative Power Summit held on July 8 at Limketkai Center, City of Cagayan de Oro. 2,724 cooperators of various cooperatives from six regions in Mindanao and some areas in Luzon and Visayas pooled in at the venue to support the cooperative movement.

Tagum Cooperative was among the 14 choice coops picked by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) to present their best practices, products and services, awards and recognitions; and to tell their history.

A five-minute-video presentation about Tagum Cooperative was shown during the summit, streaming not just its success story but the challenges it had surpassed throughout its 48 years in operation.

The crowd applauded after the audio-video presentation, and the applause grew intense

especially when Tagum Coop Chairperson Norma R. Pereyras cheered the crowd of participants with “Happy Yipee Yehey”, and said out loud President Aquino’s common line “sama-sama nating tahakin ang tuwid na daan (together, let’s walk through the straight path)”.

Being a homegrown multi-billionaire cooperative, Tagum Cooperative had been mentioned several times for its laudable contribution and reputation in the field of cooperativism.

“Tagum Cooperative attended the summit in full force in commitment of ‘putting our actions together, cooperatives can co-own the power in Mindanao’” Pereyras said.

Meanwhile, with the theme “Co-own the Power”, the gathering highlighted the organization and induction of 1 Mindanao Energy Cooperative (1MIECOOP) Federation which eyes to acquire Agus Pulangi Hydro Electric Power Plant.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

Esdevco to introduce CEO to clients

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

GLENN Y. ESCANDOR. President and CEO, Escandor Development Corporation

njb@edgedavao.net

M

ATINA Enclaves will formally introduce the man at the helm of real estate development firm Glenn Y. Escandor during its first major event onJuly 18 dubbed as Matina Enclaves’ Wine Night at the Royal Ballroom of the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

The Wine Night is rolled out for Matina Enclaves’ existing buyers and prospects.

The occasion will also mark the formal introduction of Esdevco president and chief

executive officer Escandor to the property buyers of Matina Enclaves.

Matina Enclaves is a mixed use real estate project of homegrown developer Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) which is one of the companies under Escandor Holdings which also own Davao Allied Security and Investigation Agency (DASIA) and The Royal Mandaya Hotel, among others.

“It is a PR Event for our President Mr. Glenn Y. Escan-

dor, as well as an appreciation night to all who have invested in the project,” said Gerald Garces, project manager of Matina Enclaves.

The formal affair will also unveil the exclusive Matina Enclaves VIP card as a way of appreciation to the clients of Esdevco’s initial venture.

“There is no better way to extend this appreciation than to give them a surprise gift through the Matina Enclaves VIP card,” Garces added.

The VIP card will entitle

buyers to perks and discounts on products and services from TRMH, Globe Franchise Stores, Brothers Burger and Mesa.

“Since this is the first of its kind in the property sector, it will definitely create a sense of pride among the buyers.

This will also be a good avenue in promoting the aforementioned businesses, and potentially generate additional revenue later on, especially that we have close to 250 buyers currently and counting,” Garces said.

But, stakeholders from the city’s business community, tourism sector and even the consumers have insisted the P17 billion is way too high and are not about to stop in their appeal to hold in abeyance the scheduled bidding.

The stakeholders are afraid that because of the high cost of the project, the winning bidder will ultimately increase pot fees and other charges to the consternation of the consumers.

“The Sasa Port currently has the lowest port charges compared with Cebu or Manila. To allow the winning bidder the leeway to increase charges to the level of Cebu or Manila or worst regional ports such as Singapore and Hong Kong is a total nightmare,” Konsumo Dabaw said in a press statement.

“This is not only objectionable, this is patently despicable. This is clearly a heavy yoke that will be forced on

DOTC rejects calls to postpone Sasa port bidding

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

T

HE Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) rejected calls to postpone the pre-qualification bid for Davao Sasa Port modernization project and will instead proceed with the process on July 29 as scheduled.

No less than Transportation and Communication Sec. Joseph Emilio Abaya came all the way from Manila to junk the appeal of the stakeholders during a recent forum in Davao

City organized by the business community.

Abaya insisted there is nothing irregular with the project and that the cost of P17 billion to modernize the Sasa port is not overpriced as stakeholders in the city are claiming it to be.

He said the cost can also go lower than P17 billion as long as the bidders can present a more cost-efficient plan and can pay the government with the highest concession fee.

the shoulders of shippers and eventually on us, the hapless consumers,” the consumer movement of Davao added.

The group is now appealing to DOTC and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to heed the call of the stakeholders.

“We further call on the DOTC and PPA to stop and recall this bidding process to allow all stakeholders to participate in planning what is good for the Sasa Port and the consumers who will use it,” it said.

“We certainly do not also agree that it will be converted into purely container terminal.

What about passenger facilities such as those for cruise tourism? What about the break-bulk cargo of mostly our agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, salt, grains, among others, which likewise impact on consumers? Konsumo Davao aked.

The Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

NCMF: Halal sector lacks promotion

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

HE National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) has called on both the public and private stakeholders of the halal industry to double their efforts in making the Philippines competitive with other Asean Muslim nations.

“Other Asean countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have already established their halal industry, while ours still needs a lot of promotion, among others,” NCMF Sec. Yasmin Busran-Lao said during the opening of the two-day 1st

Mindanao Halal Festival at the Abreeza Mall.

Lao said there is a need to enhance the skills and capability of the players in the halal industry in order to attract Muslim tourists, investors and players.

“The Asean (integration) is our most strategic entry point and the more we encourage Muslim Filipinos and non-Muslim Filipinos alike to venture and be competitive (the more we become at par with other Asean countries),” she said.

There is also a need to

More funds sought for tourism road

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HE Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region 12 has urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to allocate funds for the development of more road networks connecting various tourist destinations in the region.

In a resolution, the council asked the DPWH to specifically include in its budget for 2016 the upgrading or concreting of several priority tourism roads in parts of Region 12.

The move was based on a recommendation made to the RDC-12 by its Infrastructure and Utilities Development Committee (InfraCom).

Alfredo Hebrona Jr., InfraCom chair, said his committee was informed in an earlier meeting by officials of DPWH-12 that no additional tourism road projects will be implemented in the region in 2016.

He said the agency will focus its efforts on ensuring the completion by next year of ongoing tourism road projects, most of which were facing delays due to some problems.

The official said his committee believes that tourism road projects are vital to accelerate the socio-economic growth of the local government units hosting the tourism sites as well as the entire region.

He said it will help draw more tourists to these areas as well as boost local employment opportunities.

“The continued support and development of new tourism road projects are really critical for the development of the

region’s tourism industry,” he said.

In 2014, DPWH-12 allotted around P340 million for the upgrading of tourism road networks within the region’s four provinces and five cities.

Also known as Soccsksargen, Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Among those completed were three key access roads leading to emerging ecotourism and adventure sites in Makilala town in North Cotabato and in the municipalities of Glan and Maitum in Sarangani.

These were roads leading to the ecotourism park in Barangay New Israel in Makilala, white sand beaches in Barangay Gumasa in Glan and the water tubing adventure site in Barangay New La Union in Maitum.

In January 2012, the DPWH, Department of Tourism and the Research Education and Institutional Development Foundation Inc. forged a memorandum of agreement to pursue the integration of the plans and programs in support of the government’s tourism infrastructure development as mandated by Republic Act 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009.

As part of its commitments, the DPWH developed a Tourism Road Infrastructure Project Prioritization Criteria that served as a guide in the development of the local tourism infrastructure.

(PNA)

improve the status of entrepreneurs in the country on halal certification as well as the accreditation of halal tourism-related establishments like restaurants and hotels, according to Lao. The beauty industry is among the sub-sectors of Halal where Muslim Filipino entrepreneurs can venture.

“Other countries like Malaysia and Indonesia have Halal beauty products such as soap and toothpaste,” she said.

The Philippines, which has a minority population

of Muslim that are mostly in Mindanao, has a huge potential of becoming a big player in the multi-million global industry of Halal.

Lao said the combined 400 million population of Middle East and Southeast Asian Muslim Nations are just among the target market for halal products and services.

She, however, said the market opportunity for halal products and services are not limited to Muslim consumers, but also to health buffs and non-Muslim con-

sumers.

“We are looking at a market that is not only for Muslims but also for non-Muslims that are conscious of their diet,” Lao said.

The market and economic opportunity in the global halal industry is not limited to Muslim but also to those who are non-Muslim Filipinos, she added.

Non-Muslim entrepreneurs, for instance, can venture in distributing Halal food products and services which are needed by this specific market niche.

Lao said aside from campaigning Halal there is still a need for Muslim professional who can be employed in different industries.

“At present, there’s not enough number of Muslim young professionals,” she said. “That’s the reason we are encouraging the academe to offer courses that will address the demand for this sector of the labor force.”

Although there’s still a lot to be done in the local halal industry, Lao said Mindanao has a bright future in the sector.

HALAL FESTIVAL. National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Sec. Yasmin Busran-Lao (fourth from right) is joined by Davao City councilors Halila Sudagar (to her right) and Mabel Sunga-Acosta (beside Sudagar) and other officials and organizers during yesterday’s opening of the 1st Mindanao Halal Festival at the Abreeza Mall.

AISAT to offer pilot training soon D

AVAO-BASED aviation school Asian International School of Aeronautics and Technology (AISAT) will be offering soon a pilot training in the city as its sister flying company aims to establish a satellite operation in this part of the land.

“We might start offering pilot training by the end of the year,” AISAT president Myra Ann L. Wee Toe-Hio said in a press conference yesterday.

Hio said AISAT sister company Adventure Flight Education and Sports Inc. (AFES) will be investing P500,000 for the development of 300 square meter facility in a rented 800 square meter property at the general hanger located

at the old airport in Sasa.

“The expansion of our sister company here will give our students more actual training,” Hio said, adding that their pilot students have to fly to Cebu just to have the training.

Meanwhile, AISAT will be also offering a four-year course on aviation maintenance.

Hio said AISAT planned to offer four year course on aviation maintenance as the demand for skilled technicians in the local and international aviation industry continued to increase.

“We have already applied with the Commission of Higher Education (CHEd) for accreditation of our aviation

maintenance course as well as the digital arts program, which we hope to offer by next school year, 2016-2017,” she said.

There’s a huge demand coming from students and parents who want to have a bachelor’s degree on aviation maintenance, according to Hio. “We have been postponing our application, but because of the demand coming from parents who wanted their students to finish bachelor course, we are forced to apply for CHED accreditation,” she said.

At present, the Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) and Aviation Elec-

tronic Technology are being offered for a two-year-skillbased program.

Hio explained that the demand for skilled laborer on this specific expertise has been growing globally.

She said together with the growth in the aviation industry is also the growth in demand for aircraft technicians and pilots.

“There’s a huge market internationally that needs to be supplied with skilled aviation maintenance technicians,” Hio said.

To serve the untapped market as well as the increasing interest among Mindanawon students, AISAT has

ARDENIA Bakeries Philippines on Wednesday said it will cut prices of bread starting Aug. 4 to reflect the lower prices of flour in the local market.

In a text message, Gardenia President Simplicio Umali Jr. said Gardenia would reduce prices of loaf bread by Php0.50 and pandesal by Php 0.25.

Starting Aug. 4, Gardenia Classic White Bread will be

sold at Php61.50 from its prevailing price of Php62.00.

On the other hand, a 12-piece pack of Gardenia Soft Delight Pandesal weighing 300 grams will be sold at Php 36.25 from its current price of Php 36.50.

But other bread variants of Gardenia are not included in the price reduction as these are affected by increasing prices of some ingredi-

ents like raisins, fruit bits, and chocolate.

“We have successfully negotiated with the flour millers to reduce their flour prices as world prices of wheat have declined likewise. We are passing on the savings to consumers in the form of price reduction,” Umali said.

Other manufacturers that announced reduction in bread prices include Pinoy Tasty, Pi-

noy Pandesal, Tinapayan Festival, Liberty Foodmart, Sunmaru, and Creative Bakeries.

The price rollback follows request of the Department of Trade and Industry for lower prices of flour and bread last month after prices of wheat in the international market declined by 28.83 percent from January to April 2015 from the same period in the previous year.(PNA)

FAISAT, 10

Gardenia, other bakeries to cut bread prices G

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My first Tausug feast

VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

A

vibrant food scene in any great city is often a mix of many factors, it can be based on the number of fancy restaurants, the famous chefs in the area, the quality of ingredients at the locale, or the number of good restaurants that can be found.

Personally though, a vibrant urban food scene is when many different cultures and ethnicities open the doors of their kitchens to serve food with flavours that are unique and full of stories.

One new place that I recently discovered was Pers Satti Haus thanks to lunch with other travel writers together the Department of Tourism’s Eden David.

Pers Satti Haus located just across Matina Centerpoint’s parking area and serves Satti, the traditional breakfast of the Tausug composed of rice cooked

Even without tasting the dishes, I know I was in for a unique dining treat as the dishes look and smell different from any Pinoy dishes I had ever tasted before. in palm baskets, small grilled skewers of beef or chicken, and copious amounts of spicy sweet gravy that is eaten much like one would soup.

The culinary gem at Pers Satti Haus however has to be the authentic Tausug dishes that can usually be found in Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Basilan, and Zamboanga.

The dishes take time to prepare and orders have to be made at least a day in advance. To make the occasion even more festive, Eden was able to make advanced reservations so that the group will be able to try the Per Satti Haus’

Dulang feast.

The Dulang, as explained by Pers Satti Haus owner Almadzra “Madz” Mohammad, is a specially prepared meal for festive occasions and usually features a beef dish, a fish dish, a chicken dish, and accompanying sides plus dessert. Our Dulang set had nine dishes in total and included Suan suan, fried rock grouper with chilli sauce; Paliya, stir-fried bitter gourd with egg; Beef Kulma, the stewed beef in a spicy peanut, coconut sauce; Maras and Sambal, cucumber with shrimp paste; Ka-

Almadzra “Madz” Mohammad unveils the Dulang.

Tiula Itum literally means “black soup.”

Satti., the Tausug power breakfast. liya Kapaya, green papaya cooked in burnt coconut meat; Pancit, the Tausug version of Chinese fried noodles; Chicken Piyanggang, grilled chicken that has been marinated in coconut milk and burnt coconut meat; Tiyula Itum, a spicy beef soup that is black in colour thanks to the use also of burnt coconut meat; and a dessert

platter which featured Pastil, coconut candy, leche flan, and Utak-utak (Tausug fish cake).

Even without tasting the dishes, I know I was in for a unique dining treat as the dishes look and smell different from any Pinoy dishes I had ever tasted before. In fact, each spoonful of the Tiula Itum as well as the Beef Kulma reminded

me more closely of Malaysian and Peranakan cuisine as that part of the Philippines is geographically closer to Borneo than the rest of the Philippines.

What makes Tausug cuisine unique though is the use of burnt coconut meat not just as part of a marinade, as in the case of Chicken Pianggang, but as part of the dish as

well such as in Tiula Itum and Kaliya Kapaya. The addition of the charred coconut meat adds a richness to the dishes without the overtly heavy coconut taste one would get by using coconut milk. My favourite dish in the Dulang must be the Tiula Itum.

The soup was spicy and

URBANISSIMO A4

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

FOOD

Celebrating

EID AL-FITR

FOR as long as I can remember, the holy month of Ramadan is more than just fasting – it’s a celebration of life in general. I have been taught that the sacrifices made during the month enables us to cleanse ourselves holistically hence allowing us to live more according to the teaching of Islam.

The 9th month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is celebrated and observed on a worldwide scale by our Muslim brothers and sisters. The month lasts for 29-30 days and its observance is regarded as one of the 5 Pillars of Islam. Accordingly, it is believed to be based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon.

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is obligatory except

However, food and drinks is served daily – before dawn and after sunset.

After a month long of control, patience and laughter, a colourful feast is celebrated that marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the next lunar month. Known to us as the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, it is most often regarded as a festivity for those who have endured and

Known to us as the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, it is most often regarded as a festivity for those who have endured and sacrificed themselves during the holy month of Ramadan. for those who are elderly, pregnant, suffering from an illness and going through menstrual bleeding to name a few. While fasting from dawn to sunset, our Muslim brothers and sisters refrain from consuming food, water and other vices and also, engaging in sexual relations.

Fresh fruits make for a best first bite treat.

Grilled tomatoes, stuffed egghplant and meat slices the perfect meal to break a fast.

My sweet staple, dates.

sacrificed themselves during the holy month of Ramadan.

Today, as we come to the end of Ramadan, let me take this opportunity to greet my brothers and sisters in the Islamic faith with utmost sincerity and respect. True, we have endured more than our appetites and

vices; we have sacrificed a part of our lives and learned to appreciate the very life that we have. Personally, it is during this month that my patience and self-control was challenged to a different level. With such, I am thankful.

So, how do we celebrate Eid al-Fitr? In style, of course!

Just like the rest of the world, we too have our own ways of celebrating the breaking of the fast.

Normally celebrated for 3 days, in our country, the government declares it as a national holiday for everyone to celebrate. Here, families are re-united hence making it even more meaningful.

The “end” begins with a morning prayer and followed by a hearty feast participated by all. Some celebrate it in congregations while others opt for a more private feast with family and friends. Whichever way you choose to celebrate the breaking of the fast, it’s always best if done with a pure intention and heart to further the life that you have now.

In our family, we celebrate it with love, laughter and a hearty feast. Traditional dishes cooked with a twist, kiddie friendly meals and a whole lot of fruit selections – that’s how our table looks like. Not to mention, the many sweet cakes and creations sent by family and loved ones.

Again, to all my Muslim brothers and sisters, happy Eid al-Fitr.

Make #TheRoyalChef your Thursday habit. Tag me on instagram @herroyalheiress for your delicious food finds!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

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UP AND ABOUT

Shop and win a Suzuki Grand Vitara at SM Lanang Premier’s Great 3-Day Sale On July 17 to 19, awesome prizes and fantastic deals are up for grabs as SM Lanang Premier brings you the biggest and grandest sale this season.

Shop ‘till you drop at the Great 3-Day Sale and enjoy up to 70 percent off on great selections mallwide. Also, grab the chance to win a brand new Suzuki Grand Vitara in the raffle!

Every P1,000 single or accumulated purchases from The SM Store or from any participating mall establishment entitle you to one raffle coupon. You could also get one raffle coupon with every single purchase

of four SM Cinema tickets or with every P300 worth of tokens from participating amusement centers. When you shop on July 18 and 19, earn double raffle cou-

pons to win in the raffle.

Deadline of submission of raffle entries will be on July 19, 10 pm at the Atrium.

On July 18 and 19, enjoy Saturday and Sun-

day Specials at the Great 3-Day Sale. Get FREE P300 worth of SM Gift Certificates from 10am to 2pm with a minimum purchase of P5,000 single-receipt purchase within the promo period from any participating establishment. Only 100 shoppers can avail of this promo each day.

Apart from all these, get the low-down on the hottest fashion finds, delight in great music and be charmed by friendly pets during the Great 3-Day sale.

Watch the Denim Citizen fashion show and meet and greet with SM Youth Ambassadors LA Aguinaldo and Richard Juan on July

18, 6pm at the Atrium, be serenaded by Vince Lahorra as he plays his own brand of jazz music on July 19, 5pm at the Atrium, and witness Pet Club activities with Jojo Isorena on July 19, 3pm at The Fountain Court grounds.

For shopping convenience, mall hours are extended from 10am till

10pm on July 17 and 19 and until 12 midnight on July 18.

Don’t miss out on the great deals at SM Lanang Premier’s Great 3-Day Sale. For inquiries, contact 285-0943. Visit SM Lanang Premier on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for sale alerts, promos and event updates.

ENTERTAINMENT

Solenn and Iya get ‘foodie high’ with Markki Stroem in Taste Buddies AN AWESOME Saturday awaits viewers in Taste Buddies as Solenn Heussaff and Iya Villania discover a new food destination: Tuscany in McKinley Hill.

The girls are not doing it on their own because hunky actormodel Markki Stroem joins the ladies in their food hunt!

Together, they check out three restaurants: Bag O’ Shrimp for a seafood feast, Lucky’s Burger and Bar for a burger and pasta overload, and Sophie’s Mom cake shop for Iya’s sweet challenge this week.

While Iya’s being served with a platter of red velvet cupcakes to finish, Solenn, meanwhile, dares Markki to take the ‘Quickie Quiz.’

It’s a fun Saturday night with Taste Buddies at 8:45PM on GMA News TV.

Nadine Lustre shares fitness tips in ‘Sports U’ KAPAMILYA actress Nadine Lustre shows off her boxing form and skills in “Sports U” this Thursday along with AJ Muhlach, the younger brother of Aga Muhlach, who is into weight training trying to bulk up.

Aside from Nadine and AJ, anchor Dyan Castillejo also gets to know one of the Philippine Triathlon team member, Nikko Huelgas, who is fresh from a gold medal performance in the recently-held SEA Games. Watch Nikko as he shares his story of finding the right sport and how he realized his dream of repre-

senting the country in international competitions.

Meanwhile, Dyan also embarks in her own adventure and travels to Panglao, Bohol to teach kids there about living a healthy lifestyle.

“Sports U” aims to promote athletes who have inspiring stories to share and may possibly become future sports stars of the country. It also promotes fitness and healthy lifestyle by looking into how celebrities stay in shape.

Tune in to “Sports U” this Thursday, 4:30 PM on ABS-CBN. Follow their Facebook page at http://facebook.com/SportsUtv and official Twitter account (@ SportsUTV) for more updates.

July 15 – 21, 2015

ANT-MAN Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly PG

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

MAGIC MIKE XXL Channing Tatum, Elizabeth Banks, Amber Heard R16

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

THE BREAKUP PLAYLIST/ * TERMINATOR GENISYS Sarah Geronimo, Piolo Pascual/ *J.K. Simmons, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney PG / * PG

R-16

12:15 | 2:30 LFS / * 4:50 | 7:25 | 10:00 LFS

MINIONS Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin, Sandra Bullock PG

12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

EVENT

VIP card for Matina Enclaves buyers

BUYERS of Matina Enclaves property will not just own a piece of one of the city’s best address.

They will also get the VIP treatment they deserve.

Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco), the homegrown develioper of Matina Enclaves, will formally launch the Matina Enclaves VIP card on Saturday, July 18, at the Royal Mandaya Hotel main ballroom.

“There is no better way to extend this appreciation than to give them a surprise gift through the Matina Enclaves VIP card,” Garces added.

The VIP card will entitle buyers to perks and discounts on products and services from TRMH, Globe Franchise Stores, Brothers Burger and Mesa.

“Since this is the first of its kind in the property sector, it will definitely create a sense of pride among the buyers. This will also be a good avenue in promoting the aforementioned businesses, and potentially generate additional revenue later on, especially that we have close to 250 buyers currently and counting,” Garces said.

On the same occasion, Matina Enclaves will also introduce the man at the helm of real estate development firm Glenn Y. Escandor, president and CEO of Esdevco, during its first major event dubbed as Matina Enclaves’ Wine Night.

“It is a PR Event for our President Mr. Glenn Y. Escandor, as well as an appreciation night to all who have invested in the project,” said Gerald Garces, project manager of Matina Enclaves.

The Wine Night is specially intended for Matina Enclaves’ existing buyers and prospects.

Matina Enclaves is a mixed use real estate project of homegrown developer Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) which is one of the companies under Escandor Holdings which also own Davao Allied Security and Investigation Agency (DASIA) and The Royal Mandaya Hotel, among others. (NJB)

URBANISSIMO A1 hearty that leaves me invigorated and warm in the belly.

And as if we were not full from the Dulang, Madz prepared traditional Tausug desserts for us to taste such as the Daral, a crepe filled with sweetened coconut; Wajit, glutenous rice cooked with coconut and sugar in a banana leaf; Putli Mandi, a glutenous rice ball filled with coconut sugar in the middle; and Pitis Patani, the Tausug version of the Pinoy suman with a more gelatinous texture.

My favourite dessert however is the Sabid-sabid, a sugar and glutenous rice dessert in the shape of the number “8.” The rich smoky coconut taste and the crisp and chewy texture reminded me of a dessert I tasted while at Kota Kinabalu that had a similar texture but using palm sugar instead.

Davao may not have the fancy restaurants nor the internationally renowned chefs, but what Davao does have are gems of Filipino cuisine that complete the Philippine dining landscape and redefine the limits and creativity in Filipino food.

Pers Satti Haus is open daily from 10:00AM to

Chicken Pianggang served over turmeric rice.

Tausug dessert platter.

8:00PM except on Wednesdays and is located at Unit 25-26 Tiyanggehan, Matina Pangi, Davao City right across Matina Centerpoint.

For reservations you may call them at 09355997344

or at 09177108153.

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

EDGEDAVAO

7 CULTURE & ARTS

VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

Fun, flowers and food at Eden Nature Park Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

M

INDANAO, the country’s second largest island after Luzon, is home to about 18 indigenous groups. To showcase their unique cultures, the Eden Nature Park and Resort came up with an idea of bringing them altogether in one place. At the midst of the resort is the cultural park called Tinubdan.

“The culture of the indigenous people of Southern Philippines is a colorful and diverse one,” its brochure explains. “We have made it part of our mission to help showcase lumad culture, sharing the wisdom and knowledge of (these ethnic groups).”

Three of my sisters and I visited the place last Tuesday. Elena Chase and Marilou Eplite are now both living in the United States. Elena is from Grand Rapids, Minnesota and she likes to visit tourist places.

Marilou, on the other hand, is from Deltona, Florida and she likes some action.

there were only three stopovers where the tourists can take photos of themselves. The first one was the amphitheater where various flowers and ornamentals abound. Except for Evangeline, all of us had our cameras. So we had fun clicking here and there.

Tinubdan was the second stopover. From our guide, we learned that the word comes from the native dialect tubod, which means “spring” or “source of water.” It was called such because Tinubdan is a source of wisdom. “As you enter the place, you get a glimpse of the customs, traditions, beliefs and how these groups of people live in Mindanao,” she explained.

To educate visitors, various signs are scattered all over the park. At the entrance, you get to see this sign: “Madayaw na Pagkani.” Simply, it means “a blissful welcome.” You are immediately captivated by the beautiful garden called “Tana-Tanaman.” Tana signifies land while tanaman means garden.

“It is truly a testament There is a house to how man’s ingenuity that never fails to atand concern for the tract the curiosity environment can create of those who come to the place: the a paradise on earth, balai kalimudan or making Eden a mustdatu’s house. Actuvisit ecological tourist ally, it is a traditional destination in the house (balai) where Philippines.” the datu (tribal chief or monarch) lives and holds T h e office. other sister who was with us is The last stopover was LoEvangeline Capuno. She now la’s Garden. This area is cooler lives in Digos City together as it is situated in one of the with her husband and son (the park’s upper portions; it also other son is already married). the best place to see the panAnother sister, Jeannyline Ar- oramic view of Davao City. riaga, failed to go with us since This place is famous for its cashe has two children to take rabao statue and wishing well, care of. whose water is decorated with It was almost 10 in the various colors of gumamela morning when we arrived at flowers.

Eden. We immediately joined The tour was over by a group that was leaving for a about 10:45. Since it was too tour. early to have lunch, we decidBrenda Ocampo, the re- ed to go to the aviary where sort’s marketing manager some of the most beautiful who personally picked us at birds were placed in a cage.

SM Ecoland, accompanied us. After taking some photos, EleDespite her busy schedule at na and I went up further -- to the resort, she went as far as the Butterfly Garden (my two bringing us back to Davao City. other sisters did not go with us Eden’s day tour takes since they were already tired). about almost an hour. And Elena was impressed

The siblings having fun at the resort

Healthy lunch. with the butterfly collection.

But what made her laugh was when the butterflies started to take a rest in her hands, shirt, and even her hair. “You must be the Butterfly Lady,” I teased her.

At 11:30, we went to the Vista Restaurant for our buffet lunch. Evangeline and Marilou had beef and chicken but Elena and I had fun eating the delicious fresh salad. I relished the salad since the vegetables were organically grown via hydroponics. “This is great, Manoy,” Elena said.

We rested for a few minutes after taking our lunch. Before the clock struck 1 p.m., we went to Edenfields, some 800 meters away from the resort.

This was where the trip became more interesting. Eden Tinubdan. is not known only for taking care of the environment (by Resort is nestled at the foot planting pine trees and man- of Mount Talomo in Toril. Its gosteen in its developed 60 brochure described the rehectares; 20 is still untapped) sort in these words: “It is truand organic food but also for ly a testament to how man’s ingenuity and concern for its sky adventures.

It was Marilou’s idea to the environment can create do the Skycycle and Skyrider. a paradise on earth, making Since she had no companion Eden a must-visit ecological to do it, Elena finally agreed tourist destination in the Philto accompany her sister. And ippines.”

At 2,650 feet above sea they did it! They were so courageous enough to do the ex- level, the resort offers breath taking views of Davao City and treme adventures!

Eden Nature Park and the Davao Gulf. “This place

The author riding the cemented carabao.

was remnant of logging concessionaires in the 1970s and was covered only by a blanket of wild grass,” our tourist guide told us during our first visit in 2008.

The resort owner saw the potential of the place in 1971.

So, he instructed his people to make terraces carved out of the mountain slope. As this developed, thousands of pine trees seedlings were planted to revitalize the area. Bamboos, which are native to the

Marilou Eplite conquered her fear of heights by doing the SkyRider.

place, were left to flourish.

How do you get there?

From Davao City, you must travel south towards the Toril District. At the corner of Mercury drug in the main highway, make a right and just follow the signs towards barangay Eden. From there, it is a 12-kilometer uphill climb (enjoy the scenery, though) consisting of asphalted, cemented and short stretches of dirt road. Travel time is about 45 minutes.

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

EDITORIAL No room for complacency

T

HE massive drug operation in Davao City yesterday that resulted in the deaths of seven suspected drug pushers and the arrest of 39 others presents something of a puzzle. On the one hand, the authorities must be lauded for successfully implementing the search warrants against drug suspects in a wide area in the city; an operation of that scale is not easy to mount and would have been easy to botch with results that could have been deadly to innocent bystanders. As it was, police units were able to move like clockwork and netted the 39 suspects and faced down seven others who had allegedly tried to fight it out with arresting officers. The operation also succeeded in confiscating millions of pesos worth of drugs as well as a number of firearms. From the sheer numbers, the raids were a huge success.

But while there is rejoicing over the operation, it must be a source of discomfiture, if not embarrassment, for city and barangay officials who had apparently allowed the drug trade to thrive in the first place. Davao City has built a reputation for being a drug-free and law-abiding place, but yesterday’s drug haul has shown us that this is something of a myth. The

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fact that P3.2 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and P73,000 worth of marijuana were seized in the raids means that at least that amount -- and certainly much more than that -- had been in the drug market, ready to be sold and abused. How that was allowed to happen in Davao City, of all places, is a puzzle.

It must be said, of course, that the drug problem is a continuing one, and that for as long as there are drug users then the industry will continue to thrive -- even in Davao City which shows little tolerance for the drug trade. This is the place, after all, that has been proclaimed “dangerous to criminals,” and over the past two decades such malefactors and hoodlums have indeed been falling like flies. But the drug trade has a life of its own, and those who use them are often willing to ignore the dangers in order to get their high. And drug dealers are also more than willing to face death if it means earning big bucks from the nefarious trade.

What we have learned in yesterday’s raid is that there is no room for complacency in the fight against drugs, and that even a city like Davao cannot afford to let its guard down.

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LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Specialist General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Mobile: (Smart) 0909-424-7990 Tel: (088) 852-4894

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EDGEDAVAO

T

Big things come from small packages

ODAY, we live in a world where big is always better. In a world dominated by commercials and advertisements extolling the virtues of big things, who wouldn’t think bigger is always better? And who amongst us wouldn’t like a big bank account, big house, or a big salary?

But the question is: Is big really better?

But then, on second thought, it was a small stone that killed Goliath. It was just one vote which saved American president Andrew Jackson from impeachment in 1868. Only three simple words – “I love you” – can start a lifetime commitment. And it only takes a spark to start a fire.

“What we call little things are merely the causes of great things; they are the beginning, the embryo, and it is the point of departure which, generally speaking, decides the whole future of an existence. One single black speck may be the beginning of a gangrene, of a storm, of a revolution,” commented Henri Frederic Amiel.

When you get down to the nitty-gritty, sometimes it’s the little things that add much more to the big picture. Look, it’s easy to focus your attention on having the big things, like driving the nice, new car or living in the super nice house. All of us can easily envision ourselves living the good life.

But it usually takes more than just seeing the big picture in order to live it. As John Wooden puts it, “It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.”

In the Old Testament, a verse reads, “A day of little things, no doubt, but who would dare despise it?” Well, never despise those little things.

Laurie Beth Jones, author of The Power of Positive Prophecy, related her own story about a former boss who didn’t want her to spend so much time with clients. “Go after the big clients,” she was told. “Leave the peanuts to the others.

But still she did what she wanted to do.

“When the numbers were totaled,” she wrote, “my combination of small sales outtotaled his few ‘big ones.’” She resigned from her job and

I

VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

S Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte running for President? He speaks in riddles. He is just back from a countrywide speaking tour testing public pulse re-federalism, he claimed. But, on the side, he entertained people with his political antics. He twitted human rights advocates and dared the Human Rights Commission chief to charge him in court in relation to the so-called “death squad” in Davao City. If elected president, he has a novel plan to rid the country of drug lords.

His “helehele bago querre” (the Chabacano for “ayaw raw pero may gusto rin pala”; in English, “No, no — ah, okay, yes”) gesture is a way of flirting for “political suitors”. If the opportunity is right, we think he will run. He has his own political antics to entertain the voters.

Of Entertainment: To digress, entertainment has always been the spice of political campaigns. The changes through the decades could have something to do with or is reflected in the shift from emphasis on issues and party platform of government to popularity by voters in choosing their candidates. We have witnessed the changes.

Until 1940, political campaigns were done by teams. An advance team of speakers entertained with fiery speeches the audience in one town while the main team with the candidates was in the adjacent town. Tirades on issues “for” and “against” flavored with truths and half-truths and venom held the audience — the more fiery the speaker, the wilder the applause. Speaker after speaker, the advance team gradually moved to the next town as the main team gradually arrived.

In the 1950s, movie personalities started “gracing” political campaigns – entertaining the audience between speeches. As they gradually moved out with the advance team to the next town, the overflowing audience gradually thinned out. Evidently, people came to see mov-

started her own THINK ON THESE! company. “Dinosaurs became extinct – yet rabbits still abound,” she observed.

At age 21, Jacques Lafitte, a son of a very poor carpenter from a small city, set out to seek his fortune and fu- Henrylito D. Tacio ture life’s work in Paris. He had no henrytacio@gmail.com references from influential people no brilliant academic career behind him, but he was young and full of hope.

With his usual thoroughness, he started looking for a job. Days became weeks, and still he had no job or income. But he kept at it. Nobody in Paris noticed this determined young man.

One morning, he applied at the office of a famous Swiss banker, Monsieur Perregaux. The banker asked him few questions about himself.

Then, he slowly shook his head and said there would be no job offered at the moment.

Sadly, and more discouraged than ever, Jacques left the bank and walked slowly across the courtyard. As he did so, he paused, stopped, and picked something up. Then, he continued into the busy street, wondering if perhaps it wasn’t time to return home.

At about that moment, he was overtaken by a man who tapped him on the shoulder. “Excuse me, sir,” he said, “I’m an employee at the bank. Monsieur Perregaux wishes to see you again.”

For the second time that morning, Jacques faced the famous banker. “Pardon me,” the banker said, “but I happened to be watching you as you crossed the courtyard of the bank. You stopped and picked something up. Would you mind telling me

Duterte: Should he run?

MIND DA NEWS

BY PATRICIO P. DIAZ ie stars, not to listen to speeches on issues and platform of government. Taking the cue, movie personalities entered politics. With their fellow movie stars as entertainers and their campaign managers, they handily won.

Later, not only movie personalities but local stage performers entertained. Candidates themselves had to sing, dance, or show whatever talent they had. With the advances in media technology and electronics communications, campaign gimmicks have changed going beyond entertainment.

Back to Duterte: The major national media must have been attracted by Duterte’s antics – his “helehele bago querre” flirting, his warning to the country of what to expect should he become president — including feeding the fishes of Manila Bay with thousands of incorrigible law-breakers, exiling drug lords in a ship in the middle the ocean with just rice for meals, etc. — were front page and prime time fares. His popularity rating poll surveys went up respectably.

Should Duterte run for president? If he has enough financier-suitors who will agree to his terms, we think he should run. His antics are just the icing. Beneath that is the cake that he is capable of offering – and making good his offers – to the Filipinos.

Prospective candidates like Vice President Jejomar Binay will surely campaign along old, well-trodden path of corruption and poverty. No one in the past has run on the issue of criminality especially the involvement of syndicates and other incorrigible law breakers. These are the roots of corruption and poverty.

Should Duterte run, will he dare run along

what it was?”

“Only this,” the young man replied, wonderingly, as he took a bright new straight pin from the underside of the lapel of his coat. “Aaah,” the banker exclaimed. “That changes everything. We always have room here for anyone who is careful about little things. You may start at once.”

That was how Jacques Lafitte started his long and amazingly successful association with the bank, ultimately assuming complete control of what became “Perregaux, Lafitte, and Company.”

Sweat that small stuff! Carlo Danao wrote this short poem as a reminder: “Little drops of water, little grains of sand, make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land. Thus the little minutes, humble though they be, make the mighty ages of eternity.”

Inspiration speaker Dale Carnegie once said, “Don’t be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones tend to take care of themselves.” Well said.

If we can glean anything from Mr. Carnegie’s comments, it should be that if we do a little everyday and keep doing it consistently, then a little can become a lot. No doubt about it, a little here and a little there sure beats the heck out of doing nothing. And doing the little things is easier than trying to scale the mountain all at once.

“Life is made up of small pleasures,” said Norman Lear. “Happiness is made up of those tiny successes. The big ones come too infrequently.

And if you don’t collect all these tiny successes, the big ones don’t really mean anything.”

Perhaps the statement of Art Linkletter is a good reminder to us all that that doing a little can pay big dividends: “Do a little more than you’re paid to. Give a little more than you have to. Try a little harder than you want to. Aim a little higher than you think possible. And give a lot of thanks to God for health, family, and friends.” this path past presidential candidates have avoided? Of course, if he makes good his ideas of “feeding the fishes of Manila Bay” and “exiling drug lords” he will get in trouble with the human rights advocates. If he touches syndicates in and out of government with strong congressional connections, he can get impeached. Will he dare to? Don’t bet your money against it.

Regarding human rights, this can be a novel political issue for a presidential candidate to run on. Directly or indirectly, human rights advocates – not excluding the Commission on Human Rights – protect the “human rights” of criminals and would-be criminals at the sacrifice or prejudice of the human rights of their victims or would-be victims. This must be corrected – the inordinate advocacy of principles regardless of ill-consequences.

What, if he wins and closes all the firecrackers factories in Bulacan and tries to make the country like Davao City on Christmas and New Year’s days? Will he not be inciting an uprising?

We think the advocates of federalism should raise campaign funds and rally behind Duterte on the proposition to federalize the country. Federalism is the remedy for the social, economic and political inequalities in the country today.

Why should economic development be concentrated in Manila and Luzon?

Why should 19 of the 24 senators come from Luzon and Metro Manila with the siblings Cayetano and Estrada – just two from Mindanao without any Muslim and three from the Visayas?

There must be equal representation in the Senate irrespective of population and state of economy in the regions as federal states.

Davao City is proof of Duterte’s political leadership, one, that the country needs today.

(Author’s Note: Mind da News, the alternate of COMMENT, is a comment on current news. The author may be contacted at patponcediaz@yahoo.com.)

VANTAGE POINTS

9

The night Rody captivated the country HASHTAGS BREW

BY CHA MONFORTE

S

HY presidentiable Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte finally captivated the nation Sunday night. It was his first time to appear full-length, for an hour, on national TV via Gandang Gabi Vice. He’s been a regional TV fixture for more than a decade, but in his first lengthy appearance in the comic, down-to-earth national show of supercomedian Vice Ganda, the mayor at first dished out guarded statements while on the hot seat. He only earned one censor beep to his natural cuss word.

In the show, he was frank to the nation watching him, saying candidly that people need to be informed about him. He was honest about the annulment of his marriage and on the current four women in his life. That let out transparency about some important parts of his private life that could potentially be exploited to the hilt by envious rivals when his good going gets better in the next cycle of pre-poll surveys.

It’s good that the reasons for key facets of his style of governance were given while the show’s mood remained surprisingly comic, full of laughter. It showed the funny side of the mayor, his ways of wooing, of cracking jokes. But he was a gentleman to the ladies presented to him by Vice Ganda for comments (PGMA, CHR’s Etta Rosales, and DOJ’s Leila Delima), comic even to his potential rivals to the Presidency (Poe, Binay, Roxas, all are good, but the fourth [him] is very good to the gallery’s and nation’s laughter).

The shy presidentiable is indeed Mr. Excitement as he excited a national audience while the show went on. He’s human like us, mortals, though he’s certainly a punisher to oppressors like those “who would oppress gays.” The show’s full of the coming President’s policy statements (and full of ads as well at about 18 ads per break at maybe half a million pesos per 30-seconder ad and the show earned ABS-CBN not less than P9 million per break or a total of not less than P30M for four breaks.)

A Duterte and Vice Ganda tandem as ad-getters on late night show plus social media pre-drumbeating for 2 weeks is a marketing side story. Nevertheless, it showed that bizmen and admen are getting excited over a Duterte Presidency.

The way he captivated the nation Sunday night, he’s destined to become our next President. Like it or not – and to the Church – the next President of the country would enshrine a same-sex marriage. Mayor Duterte mouthed it (and gestured a kiss aborted to Vice “his Vice President”). This era’s top comedian Vice Ganda and all the LGBT world would surely give a collective high-five to a Duterte Presidency. (Follow me @chamonforte on Twitter)

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of them were female while 27 were male.

The arrests were made through the implementation of a total of 36 search warrants by the city’s nine police stations through COPLAN KAAGAPAY. The raids were part of a weeklong nationwide CIDG operation dubbed “One Time Big Time” which started last Monday and will end on Saturday.

The operation in Davao City led to the recovery of a total of 353 grams of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) with an estimated street value of P3.2 million pesos and 73 grams of marijuana with estimated street value of P73,000.

Also recovered from the suspects were 13 firearms, 10 assorted bullets, and three motorcycles.

CIDG dIrector Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong lauded the efforts of police authorities in the city as well as the help of the local govern-

ment unit.

Magalong said in the three days of operation in different parts of the country, Davao City was the easiest to operate in because the security forces here work as one.

“The good thing about operating here in Davao is the overwhelming support of the local government, even the courts especially with the issuance of search warrants. Sa ibang lugar napakahirap niyan (In other places that is very difficult),” he said.

For his part, DCPO director Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr. said the operation will serve as a warning to different drug syndicates in the city to stop their operations here.

“This is already a warning to them na hindi natin sila titigilan hangga’t nan dito sila sa city (that we will not stop while they are still here in the city),” he said.

Out of the 38 suspects, 12 of which were female and 26 were male.

not capture biometrics during the conduct of satellite registrations in the barangays.

Casquejo reiterated to voters that the Comelec will strictly implement the ‘No BioNo Boto’ policy of the Comelec central office.

Davao City has a total of 888,442 registered voters,

lower than the more than 970,000 registered voters in 2013.

Based on the data of Comelec-Davao City, the barangays of Talomo and Bucana have the most number of registered voters who do not have biometrics. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

youngest son and running mate in the 2007 polls, was released on bail on March 9 this year, upon payment of P11.6 million or P200,000 each for the 58 cases of murder.

A handwritten certificate

by Dr. Jade Jamias of the NKTI on June 26 said the Ampatuan patriarch is “currently being managed as a case of advanced liver cancer with signs of decompensation,” and the prognosis is “currently dim as pharmacologic intervention is limited.”

“Expected life expectancy for such case is usually 3-6 (three to six) months but may be shorter if the liver function will continuously and progressively deteriorate,” Jamias said.

Jamias’ certification was used as “Annex A” of the manifestation made by Ampatuan’s son, Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr., also known as Datu Unsay, submitted to the Regional Trial Court Branch 221, to allow him to visit his father.

Ampatuan Sr., served as long-time mayor of Shariff Aguak before he was elected governor of Maguindanao in 2001. In the 2007 polls for his third term, he ran for governor with youngest son Sajid as candidate for vice governor.

He and his sons Zaldy, Anwar, Sajid and son-in-law Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan, then mayor of Mamasapano town, were arrested hours after martial law was declared in Maguindanao and neigh-

boring areas on December 5, 2009.

Andal Ampatuan Jr. or Datu Unsay was handed over by then ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan to then Chief Preidential Legal Counsel Jesus Dureza who was designated crisis manager, and Chief Supt. Felizardo Serapio of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations on November 26, 2009 at the compound of the then Maguindanao capitol.

Dureza accompanied him to General Santos City where he was turned over to then Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera and flown to Metro Manila.

Ampatuan Jr., was supposed to file his certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor then, expecting he would run unopposed like his father was in 2007. But former ally Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, then vice mayor of Buluan town, announced he would run for governor and sent his wife, sisters and his lawyers, accompanied by the media, to file his certificate of candidacy at the provincial office of the Commission on Elections at the provincial capitol in Shariff Aguak town, on November 23, 2009.

The convoy of vehicles was stopped along the highway in Ampatuan, including two other vehicles that were not part of the convoy but happened to pass at the wrong time.(Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

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pressed “deep sympathy and concern” for the well-being of those who fell ill “and instructed us to extend help and support in whatever way to them.”

“This incident, although unfortunate and unintentional, may well be a source of lessons learned, especially to the congregation’s volunteer workers who sacrifice their time and effort to find some livelihood by selling to the public some items and products to supplement their meager income and which we somehow support in many ways,” Aldevera said.

“We will continue to provide support to them during these difficult times. Pastor Quiboloy will continue to pray for everyone while an investigation is still underway,” she added.

Aldevera had earlier confirmed that the seven are members of the congregation.

Charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple serious physical injuries, violation of the Food Safety Act of 2013, and violation

of the Consumer Act of the Philippines have been filed against the seven in Surigao del Sur. Aquino said he still needs a statement from Quiboloy’s representative to clear things out.

“I told them, make an official statement so everything will be clarified and nobody will make speculations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Aquino said out of about 1,900 victims who were mostly school children, only 37 are now still in hospital while the rest have been discharged.

Aldevera said a team was sent to Surigao del Sur on Monday morning to investigate the matter.

She said Quiboloy was saddened by the incident but added that he had no knowledge that his members were moving around Mindanao selling durian candies.

Aldevera also said she herself does not know about the mobilization which is allegedly being done to raise funds for scholarships.

ence of dibutyl phthalate.”

According to GreenFacts (greenfacts.org), dibutylphthalate (DBP) is used in a wide range of products for

everyday use such as plastics, paints, inks, and cosmetics.

Its widespread use has raised some concerns on the safety of this compound, the group said.

a rich person could not use it to buy something because he is on fast. It’s the same feeling for the rich and poor,” he said in Filipino.

This way, the sense of compassion is strengthened when a Muslim gives a helping hand to another, he said.

Ramadan is also a test of discipline among the Muslims, as they are called to adhere to do fasting, or Sawm, one of the five pillars of Islam. The other four are Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, and Hajj.

“Dito natin malalaman kung ano ba yung bunga ng sacrifice ng fasting natin for 30 days at significance ng ating pagpupuasa,” he said.

Values formation But the discipline and the heart to help should start at a young age, and Muslim values are taught at Madrasah Centers, Baraguir said.

He emphasized the need to teach the young ones because he believes that the most disciplined Muslims are those who are well-versed in Islamic education.

“Hindi yan maliligaw kahit kailan kasi may foundation sya na matakutin sa Allah,” he said, adding that teachers give students a deeper sense of spiritual learning.

In fact, at least 50 to 70 percent of the subjects at Ma-

drasah schools are centered on values formation, he pointed out.

There are 52 Madrasah Centers spread across the city, with 4,000 students enrolled every year, supported by the Local School Board (LSB) since 2004.

Baraguir said it is only in the city in the country that Madrasah schools get P11,747,000 in support from the local government through the LSB. “We are thankful of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Since he became mayor he is supportive of the education of our Muslim children,” he said.

Even Christians are admitted to Madrasah schools.

“Para malaman nila kung ano ang itinuturo sa Madrasah. The way teachers teach our students is general knowledge,” he said.

Just like in regular schools, however, the Madrasah schools are short of 30 more teachers, what with only 120 teachers at present who cater to thousands of students a day.

Two months after Eid’f Fitr, the city will sponsor 20 participants who will be sent to Mecca for a month-long pilgrimage. The program started in 2001 and has since produced around 200 Hajis. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

In 2013, Starkey distributed P9.3 million worth of hearing aids to some 1,200 patients in the province.

Last year, a total of 1,570 patients from all over SOCSARGEN area and Cagayan de Oro got their early Christmas gift from the foundation.

Akmad said, Starkey spent

around P34.5 million for all types of hearing instruments that were distributed in their 2015 mission in the province.

This included the seven specialized hearing aids costing P120,000 a set for those patients with no outer ear. (BCPaoyon- Sarangani Information Office/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

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DOH 11... FROM 3 ic health assistance for PWDs and senior citizens.”

The DOH registration would also complement the World Health Organization survey on WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) which also assesses the health needs of PWDs. WHODAS is catering to those PWDs needing health assistance, she explained, adding that DOH-XI is currently undertaking training activities for health personnel to administer the WHODAS survey.

The DOH registry and WHODAS both aim to come up with a database of PWDs and classification of specific needs, Avancena stated, citing the physically impaired in need of assistive devices and special children requiring therapies.

Meanwhile, the Persons with Disability Office under the Davao City Social Services and Development Office has already completed its data banking in the first quarter and finalizing the second quarter records.

Teogenes Comiling of CSSDO, a physically-impaired PWD, said the first quarter data showed that there are many children with special needs in Davao City.

The PWDs will take the center stage as the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week will be celebrated on July 17-23 in the entire country.

The celebration banners the theme: “Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities, Opportunities Towards an Inclusive Development for All.” (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)

“South Cotabateños living abroad who cannot come to this year’s Tnalak Festival but would like to donate may also deposit donations through a bank account that the provincial government has opened for the charity ball,” Agabe said. For this, interested persons may contact ACT Office at telephone no. (083) 228 3447.

Formerly called “Balikbayan Night,” the event was renamed last year as “Governor’s T’nalak Charity Ball” to expand participation not only to “balikbayans” and their visitors but also successful local entrepreneurs, and other guests who are interested in joining the fund-raising event.

Along with the renaming of the event, the provincial government also started the initiative to use the income of the charity ball to Kabugwason Paglaum Scholar-

ship Program, The tourism office reported that in 2014 the charity ball raised P220,000 for the KPSP. Kabugwason Paglaum Scholarship Program is South Cotabato’s flagship scholarship program. It was conceptualized by then Vice Governor (currently Koronadal City Vice Mayor) Eliordo Ogena and passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in 2005.

It offers matriculation assistance to poor but deserving students as well students who have excelled in academics and sports. The scholarship program has also set scholarship slots specific to indigenous peoples and muslims.

This year, it opened scholarships for young professionals who would like to earn degrees in Bachelor of Laws or Doctor of Medicine. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

(DCCCII) had organized the forum at the Park Inn to give the DOTC the chance to air its position on the controversial issue and to respond to the mounting opposition against the project, which will be implemented under a private-public partnership (PPP) scheme.

As expected, Abaya pushed hard for the realization of the Sasa port modernization and the stakeholders expressing their opposition against the project and its huge cost.

The Mindanao Business Council (MBC) through its chair Vicente Lao pointed out that a modernized Sasa Port may compete with other ports.

He said the region already has two modern ports, the one owned by the Davao International Container Terminal (DITC) and the other by Hijos Resources Corporation.

These two ports, Lao said,

can accommodate the shipment of goods of the local exporters.

«It is not the policy of the government to compete with private sector,» Lao said.

But, Abaya said modernizing Sasa Port will result to a more efficient operation. He said at the current state of the port, it takes two days to load and unload cargoes while it will only take four hours with the modernized port.

He explained that building a port that can accommodate bigger cargo vessels and is more efficient will bring down the shipping cost.

Abaya added that every major city needs a modern port that will support its growth, insisting that the plan is a product of both «science and vision» that local players may not appreciate today.

(With a report from Mindanews)

been constantly partnering with local aviation industry for the hand-on training of their students.

Hio said training is neces-

sary for students to be highly employable because it will give them edge when applying to jobs both locally and internationally. Cheneen R. Capon

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MS to celebrate Windows 10 launch globally on July 29 M

ICROSOFT Corp. on Monday announced its plans to launch Windows 10 on July 29 with global fan celebrations, joint efforts with thousands of retailers, including all Microsoft store locations, a new global advertising campaign, and a new year-long initiative to celebrate people and organizations making a difference around the world.

Available for the first time as a free upgrade, Windows 10 delivers a fast and familiar experience that is more secure and automatically up-to-date. Featuring new innovations like Cortana, Microsoft Edge, and Xbox integration, Windows 10 is the best Windows ever.

“Windows 10 was built to empower people to do great things.

We are thrilled to celebrate the launch of Windows 10 with our fans,” said Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of Windows and Devices Marketing at Microsoft. “We’ll mark the launch of Windows 10 by celebrating the people and organizations that upgrade the world every day – and by helping them do more in their communities.»

Global launch celebrations for Windows fans Windows fans have helped

shape Windows 10, with 5 million Windows Insiders providing valuable feedback. The Windows Insiders will be the first to receive Windows 10 and are invited to join Windows 10 fan celebrations in 13 cities around the world, including Sydney, Tokyo, Singapore, Beijing, New Delhi, Dubai, Nairobi, Berlin, Johannesburg, Madrid, London, Sao Paolo, and New York City. Fan celebrations will offer hands-on opportunities, experiential demos, entertainment and opportunities to meet the Windows team.

Global advertising campaign celebrates a more human way to do A new global advertising campaign for Windows 10 will celebrate the newest generation and invites people to join a new era with us. July 20 in the U.S. and July 29 globally, the first wave of TV and digital ads will highlight how Windows 10 delivers a more human way to do – brought to life with features like Windows Hello and Microsoft Edge.

Upgrade Your World seeks to inspire Upgrade Your World is a new year-long initiative to celebrate

ASUS announces new thin and light laptops

those who inspire and empower others, led by Microsoft’s vision to help people achieve more through technology and in celebration of the Windows 10 launch.

Microsoft will partner with 10 global and 100 national nonprofits in the year-long initiative to help them upgrade the world. A total $10 million cash investment will be made in support of their missions and to promote awareness of their causes.

The participating global nonprofits are CARE, Code.org, Keep a Child Alive, Malala Fund, Pencils of Promise, Save the Children, Special Olympics, The Global Poverty Project, and The Nature Conservancy. Microsoft will work with these organizations on projects and initiatives to upgrade the world, through a combination of technology, cash investments, and development of shared campaigns to raise awareness.

Beginning July 29, Microsoft and its partners will invite people around the world to nominate a 10th global nonprofit to participate. People are also encouraged to participate by sharing how they are doing big and small things to make an impact in their community and beyond using #UpgradeYourWorld. PRNewswire

COMMUNITY IMPACT. Upgrade Your World is a new year-long initiative to celebrate those who inspire and empower others.

OPPO partners with FC Barcelona

A

SUS on Tuesday announced two new K Series laptops that boast a minimalist design with a brushed-alumin u m finish for a crafted, premium look.

T h e 14-inch K401 and the 15-inch K501 are powered by up to Intel Core i7 processors and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M discrete graphics for smooth performance in everyday computing, video playback and gaming.

In addition, they feature several innovative ASUS-exclusive technologies for improved user ergonomics and experiences.

Tactile metallic surfaces and a solid build quality ASUS K Series laptops have a solid build quality, and feature a minimalist aluminum design with crafted lines for a premium feel that is ideal for work or play.

With a brushed-aluminum top cover finished in black and a sandblasted palm-rest, K Series laptops have tactile surfaces that invite the user’s touch.

There are also attractive little design touches like the spun-metal finish on the power button and precise diamond-cut touchpad edges Fast, responsive com-

puting for work or play ASUS K Series laptops are powered by up to an Intel Core i7 processor for fast and responsive multi-tasking computing; and can be specced with up to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M graphics with Microsoft DirectX 11 for fast and fluid gaming visuals and movie playback as well.

K Series features a choice of 14- and 15-inch LED-backlit, Full HD 1920 x 1080 panels (K401 and K501). The K501 provides 94% sRGB color gamut for accurate, life-like colors when handling design tasks, watching movies, or viewing photos.

K Series laptops can be optioned with a 128GB or 256GB solid-state drive (SSD) for faster data access and application loading times.

ASUS IceCool and other exclusive technologies ASUS K Series laptops have ASUS IceCool technology that uses a unique internal component layout to address palm-rest heating issues. This

S

MARTPHONE brand OPPO has entered into a new three-year partnership with FC Barcelona, a move seen to increase public awareness and interest and cement OPPO’s status as a global player.

The partnership, announced on May 31, will see OPPO serve as Barcelona’s official partner for the mobile phone category starting from the upcoming season until 2018.

The agreement covers a wide range of activities including soccer events, fan

keeps palm-rest surface temperatures between 28 and 35 degrees Celsius, significantly lower than body temperature so users stay cool and comfortable.

The 15-inch K501 has an exclusive dual cooling system design — an intelligent

activities, TV advertisements and accessories. OPPO’s logo will also be prominently displayed at the Spanish football club’s home stadium, the Camp Nou. With Barcelona’s position as one of the world’s most recognized sports brands, this groundbreaking partnership is set to bring OPPO closer to the legions of fans that follow every move of the football club and its star players such as Lionel Messi and Neymar. Barcelona is the first sports team to amass more than 50 million fans on

thermal solution that is both efficient and silent, ensuring users enjoy a comfortable computing environment.

K Series laptops have a seamless one-piece keyboard for a solid typing feel, along with a large touchpad with ASUS Smart Gesture technolo-

Facebook, with many of them in countries as diverse as Indonesia, Egypt, Brazil, and Mexico.

FC Barcelona Chief Executive Officer Ignacio Mestre expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “We are thrilled to team up with OPPO and hope that the partnership will excite fans around the world. As a global leading smartphone brand that values artistry in design and innovation in technology, OPPO is more than at home in Barcelona.”

This deal with Barcelo-

gy to support a range of Windows 8.1 touch commands for quicker, responsive input.

Exclusive ASUS SonicMaster audio, incorporating ICEpower technology, delivers outstanding audio quality; while ASUS AudioWizard gives users five preset audio

na comes as the smartphone maker charges forward with a new global expansion strategy that was put in place in 2014, as an integral part of OPPO’s mid- to long-term growth strategy. As of April 2015, the brand has been registered in 116 countries.

“OPPO is focusing heavily on overseas expansion in recent years,” OPPO CEO Tony Chen said. “From the very beginning, we have positioned ourselves as a global company and our dynamic expansion strategy fully demonstrates this commitment.”

modes with settings tailored for music, movies, or games.

ASUS Splendid technology ensures accurate color reproduction, incredible detail and vibrant, lifelike colors, ensuring K Series laptops deliver stunning visuals for work, movies or games.

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

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Newly-appointed PA chief vows to defeat rebel, ASG threats P

NEWS 13

Deles, Ferrer hailed for key role in Bangsamoro peace process

W

ITH the Internal Peace and Security Program “Bayanihan” to be concluded by 2016, newly-appointed Philippine Army (PA) head Major General Eduardo Año vowed to defeat the New People’s Army by 2016.

“The objective is to de-

feat the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army by the end of 2016, so we will focus on areas (with heavy rebel and lawless element presence), particularly the Eastern Mindanao area. We will focus our resources and deploy the best commanders

there,” Año said.

Aside from the Eastern Mindanao area, other rebel-infiltrated areas include Bicol and parts of the Eastern Visayas.

NPA strength is currently placed at 4,100 or 400 lower than the 4,500 reported in 2014.

About half of them are based in the Eastern Mindanao provinces.

With this prioritization, Año believes that the objective of beating the NPA threat means that the insurgent threat must be reduced to make it inconsequential.

“This means to say that they can be regarded as (just) a law enforcement matter,” he added.

And in regards to the Abu Sayyaf, the newly-appointed PA chief said that they will continue sending elite units in Basilan and Sulu to complement ongoing law enforcement operations there.

However, Año said that he is not giving any timetable on the destruction of the estimated 1,000 bandits as these are merely concentrated in small groups.

(PNA)

RESIDENTIAL Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles and Government Peace Panel Chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer have been feted as ideal women peacemakers in a report recently released by the New York-based International Peace Institute (IPI).

The IPI report, titled “Reimagining Peacemaking: Women’s Roles in Peace Processes,” went into great lengths to study and compare two peace processes that reached milestones in the Philippines: the government peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The report highlighted the breakthrough in the country’s peace process from the time Deles, the Philippines’ first woman peace presidential adviser, took the lead in peace talks in 2010.

It likewise underscored the critical roles played by Deles and Ferrer in the GPH-MILF peace negotiations. Ferrer is the first female to chair the Philippine government panel in talks with the MILF. The study’s authors not-

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 40641 under Loyola Contract No(s). 906145-8 issued to ALEJANDRO U. CINCO, JR. 52112 under Loyola Contract No(s). 481493-5 issued to REMBERTO ABA-A were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

7/2,9,16

ed how the inclusive and direct participation of Deles and Ferrer, among other women participants both from the government and the MILF panels, in the peace process impacted the signing of the historic Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), primarily ensuring economic, social, and political guarantees for women through provisions that promote gender equality and greater women’s participation in public life.

“Women negotiators united across the table, both to promote gender issues and to push the overall process forward. They emphasized the importance of this united approach when presenting to the media throughout the talks. They worked to demonstrate progress and build support for the peace process, and to persuade the public that continuing the negotiations was a smarter, better approach than returning to violence,” the authors remarked.

On the other hand, they observed that in the Philippine government-NDF peace talks, “the women’s engagement in the NDF process beyond the peace table in Oslo was limited.

The process lacked additional mechanisms for inclusion… the influence of women in the NDF process was weak.”

They added that “women were not meaningful participants in the peace process. Instead, the women participating in the NDF negotiating panel were the wives of the organization’s leaders, which compromised their inputs.” (PNA)

14 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

MOA SIGNING. Davao Light EVP and COO Arturo M. Milan (in stripes) hands over the P1M check to DESEMULCO Chairman Margarita B. Pulleda while Aboitiz Foundation’s Enterprise Development and Micro-Finance Manager Jennifer Sabianan (Milan’s left) gives the check worth P1M to BFI’s Executive Director Cristita R. Epal. The MOA Signing was also witnessed by the

members and officers of the DESEMULCO and the BFI. Also in photo are Davao Light Community Relations Manager Fermin Edillon (2nd from left) and Aboitiz Foundation’s Micro-Finance Senior Project Officer Jennelyn De La Cerna (rightmost).

VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

Davao Light extends help to local coops T

HE Davao Ecoland Small Entrepreneurs Multi-purpose Cooperative (DESEMULCO) and the Baba’s Foundation Inc. (BFI) through Davao Light and Power Co. have been recipients of the micro-finance loans of the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (AFI) During the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of agreement last July 10, P1M worth of loan package has been granted to each cooperative to support the capital needs for the business projects of the members of DESEMULCO and BFI. Through Davao Light, AFI was able to reach out to Davao-based cooperatives to extend its micro-finance

loans. The main purpose of the program is to support small cooperatives that are in need of additional resources to implement the projects of its members.

The DESEMULCO is a cooperative of small vendors who sell pasalubong items and other treats in the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal. While the BFI is a non-profit organization that provides development programs to women, farmers and children.

Davao Light has been assisting AFI in identifying beneficiaries of the micro-financing loan since 2011. A total of 3.2 million was already granted to local cooperatives including this year’s grant.

MPERADOR, Inc. is estimated to have realized about P18 billion in revenues in the first six months of 2015, approximately 38 percent higher year-on-year.

In a statement, Emperador president Winston Co said the company’s net income would likely reach about P3.3 billion during the first six months of this year.

“Liquor consumption was softer in the first semester, but we expect a better performance in the second half of 2015,” he said.

Emperador remains the leader nationwide with a dominant market share of 50 percent.

Emperador launched Smirnoff Mule last May and generated good consumer reception. he company is set to launch its Andy Player whisky in the early part of the fourth quarter of this year.

Emperador aims to promote a whisky segment in the spirits industry targeting the young sophisticated consumers.

Phl, US ink agreement Emperador revenues higher by 38% in first half of 2015 to implement FATCA E

By JON JOAQUIN

F

jon@edgedavao.net

INANCE Secretary Cesar V. Purisima and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg signed a reciprocal intergovernmental agreement (IGA) to implement provisions of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) to promote transparency in financial accounts between the two nations for tax purposes.

The agreement underscores growing international cooperation to curb offshore tax evasion and avoidance.

“The Philippines continues to stand at the forefront of fiscal transparency across the Asia-Pacific region, reaping measurable returns for our people,” Purisima said. “In fact, fiscal transparency is one of the four pillars of the Cebu Action Plan (CAP) the Philippines is advancing in its hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Process (FMP) meetings.”

“Tax evasion across borders is an alarming problem that we can beat back with openness and mutual cooperation. This IGA is an affirmation of that ideal,” he added.

For his part, Goldberg said

the signing “marks a significant step forward in our efforts to work collaboratively to combat offshore tax evasion – an objective that mutually benefits our two countries.”

“By working together to detect, deter, and discourage tax abuses through increased transparency and enhanced reporting, we can help to build a stronger, more stable, and more accountable global financial system,” Goldberg said.

The two countries have an existing tax treaty containing an Exchange of Information provision, a valuable tool for promoting tax cooperation between countries. Under this provision, information may be exchanged between the competent authorities in response to a specific request, or on an automatic basis, or spontaneously.

In a statement, the Department of Finance (DOF) said the innovation that the IGA introduces is the automatic reporting of financial accounts maintained by US persons in Philippine financial institutions to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), which, in turn, will annually transmit the in-

formation to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

“The reciprocal nature of the IGA provides the equivalent benefit to the Philippines as the IRS will routinely provide the BIR reports on financial accounts maintained

by Philippine residents in US financial institutions. According to Secretary Purisima, signing the IGA also eases the compliance burden of Philippine financial institutions, who risked facing a 30 percent withholding tax on certain USsourced income if they failed to comply with FATCA-related reporting requirements,” the DOF said.

“The automatic reporting of financial accounts is premised on the appropriate safeguard measures to ensure confidentially of information that will be used solely for tax purposes, and the necessary infrastructure to effect timely, accurate, and secure exchange.

Once in place, these will trigger the automatic exchange,” it added.

Enacted by the US in 2010 to combat offshore tax evasion by encouraging transparency and obtaining information on

hub as we offer our customers easy, affordable, and hassle-free Internet access on their mobile devices anytime, anywhere,” Go added.

Over the last few years, Globe has set a revolution in the mobile data business when it took the lead in forging breakthrough partnerships with leading global brands such as Google, Facebook, Viber, Spotify, NBA, HOOQ, and recently, e-commerce sites such as Lazada and Zalora to enrich the customer experience amid the growing propensity for multimedia applications on devices.

With GoSURF, customers get free access to the widest selection of entertainment content that cater to today’s digital lifestyle, may

it be music streaming via Spotify, sports through the NBA, TV and movie hits on HOOQ, and recently, mobile gaming and social networking with the return of Free Facebook.

As of March 2015, Globe asserted leadership in the mobile data business after posting mobile data revenues of P4.4 billion, double the combined revenues of its competitors at P2.2 billion. Globe mobile data revenues significantly grew by 58 percent from previous year’s P2.8 billion and by 8 percent from previous quarter’s P4.1 billion. Meanwhile, combined mobile Internet revenues of Smart and Sun rose by 19 percent to P2.2 billion from P1.9 billion in the same three months of last year.

GoSURF posts 130% growth G

LOBE Telecom’s flagship consumable mobile data plan GoSURF posted a 130 percent growth in subscriptions and 125 percent increase in revenues since it launched in 2014.

“The phenomenal growth of our mobile data business can be attributed to how GoSURF changed the mobile browsing experience in the country by offering free access to a suite of music, social networking, and entertainment content aside from more megabytes (MB) of data for longer mobile browsing,” said Jil Go, Vice President for Content at Globe.

“We believe that this pioneering innovation from Globe is indeed helping drive our positioning as the world’s next digital lifestyle

accounts held by US taxpayers in other countries, FATCA is rapidly becoming the global standard in the effort to curtail offshore tax evasion. To date, 65 FATCA IGAs have been signed, 47 agreements have been agreed to in substance, and several others are under discussion.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 75 • THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS15 Nietes undergoes MRI

Army crushes CMO W T

HE 10th Infantry Agila Division of the Philippine Army turned back City Mayors Office, 97 – 84, in their elimination clash in the ongoing Apollo C. Quiboloy Cup Commercial B League on Tuesday night at the Davao

City Recreation Center.

The Army leaned on their fast pace plays to hand the City Hall dribblers their first loss in three games.

Eduardo Mahilum led the charge with 22 points for the Army which got 17 from Blazo

and 15 from Galleto.

Ace gunner Christopher “Bong” Go paced the CMO with 20 baskets with four three pointers.

Weng Farochillen stepped up in the paint with 18 points and John Barsalote had 11 for

the CMO which won its first two games.

The City Hall dribblers opened their campaign unprecedented wins over the youthful Viva Machinery and powerhouse Goldstar Hardware Davao.

Spieth: Eyes ion the prize J

EYES ON SPIETH. With the Masters and US Open titles intact, is the British Open next for Jordan Spieth?

ORDAN Spieth drew some attention during his Masters victory for the way he hit some of his shorter putts — he looked at the hole instead of the ball.

Who knows, the trend may be catching on.

Louis Oosthuizen said he used the technique several times at the U.S. Open, where he rallied with a final nine of 29 at Chambers Bay that left him just one shot short of a playoff with Spieth.

“I did it a lot coming into the last nine holes on Sunday and it worked,” Oosthuizen said. “On a clutch putt which I felt I needed to make, I freed my stroke a bit by doing that.”

Tiger Woods played with Oosthuizen the first two rounds of the Open and noticed.

“I’ve played a lot of golf with Louis, but I’ve never seen him look at the hole before,” Woods said. “He was looking at the hole when he was hitting putts, and they were going in from all different distances. I’ve never seen that before, but it obviously worked.”

Woods has his own issues with putting in the Greenbrier Classic, but didn’t start looking at the hole. Instead, he re-gripped his putter, making it slightly larger.

“I’ve used that grip for probably maybe a year and a half or so, so you can see my indentations of my fingers in there,” he said. “That’s probably a sign when it’s time to change it.” ____ BUBBA’S CHANCES: Listen to Bubba Watson talk, and you might think he doesn’t stand a chance in the British Open at St. Andrews.

The two-time Masters winner says the combination of wind and rain predicted for this week will make it difficult for his game.

“The ball bounces around a lot, rolls a lot,” he said. “The way I like to move it in heavy winds is pretty difficult. On paper it’s probably not the best for me, with all the conditions you add to it. I don’t really play good in the rain because I move the ball so much. Lucky for me that we don’t play every course like this.”

Watson, who missed the cut when the Open was last held at St. Andrews in 2010, said he sometimes wishes he didn’t move the ball so much sideways when it comes to playing courses like this.

“I want to be like the greats of the game, hit the ball dead straight,” he said. “I just can’t do it. I’ve never tried to do it and I don’t want to change my game.

I’m getting to play the Open championship, so my moving the ball is doing OK. The winds can get up pretty high here, so I’ve just got to figure out how to hit it a little bit straighter.”

BO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes was examined by Dr. Carmelo Arenajo, a bone and joint specialist yesterday morning following an injury to his right hand in the 7th round of his masterful title defense against former WBO minimumweight champion and mandatory challenger Francisco Rodriguez of Mexico before a jam-packed crowd at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu on Saturday night.

Nietes told the New Standard/boxingmirror.com that he was “alright but still feels some pain” and was instructed to undergo an MRI which was done at the Cebu Doctors Hospital.

The longest reigning Filipino world champion who was applauded for his superb performance against the tough and talented 21 year old Rodriguez returned to the office of Dr. Arenajo for the final check up.

However, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer who was scheduled to leave for Los Angeles Tuesday night for discus-

sions with officials of the StubHub Center in Carson, California regarding a big card of ALA Promotions in their inaugural foray into the United States later this year, said Dr. Arenajo informed him that he “cannot issue the Official Medical Findings until such time as he receives the MRI results which the Cebu Doctors Hospital had still not forwarded” to the office of Dr. Arenajo.

Based on his initial examination of Nietes’ right hand Dr. Arenajo said he “does not forsee any serious injury” but still insists on waiting for the MRI before issuing an official statement on the injury to Nietes’ right hand.

Nietes said he hurt h is right hand when he connected with a punch to the head of Rodriguez in the seventh round which prevented him from scoring a knockout.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within your body and helps determine the extent of the injury in this case.

TIGER WOODS. I’m not that old.

I’m not burried and done: Tiger

W

INLESS in nearly two years, Tiger Woods at least has experience on his side at St. Andrews.

It has been 20 years since he first played the Old Course as a 19-year-old amateur and heard the secret was to hit it hard and hit it left. After playing the British Open four times at St. Andrews, and winning twice, he realized that wasn’t the case. There are bunkers to avoid and angles to create, and it can change with the slightest shift in direction of the notorious wind.

Whether that’s enough to carry him this week depends more on his golf, which he says is not as hopeless as it might appear.

“I’m still young. I’m not 40 yet,” said Woods, who has five months left in his 30s. “I know some of you guys think I’m buried and done, but I’m still right here in front of you. Yeah, I love playing. I love competing, and I love playing these events.”

He just doesn’t win them — his last major was the 2008 U.S. Open — and it’s rare he even contends since he chose last year to change his swing about the same time he was trying to recover from another round of injuries.

Hope comes from more than just his affection for St. Andrews.

Woods said the way he struck the ball in his last tournament round — a 67 at The Greenbrier

Classic to tie for 32nd — was as good as he has in two years.

“That was awfully nice to be able to do coming into this week,” he said. “I’ve hit the ball just as well in my practice rounds.”

If that’s the case, that would make this an important week because it would be the first time since his last victory — August 2013 at Firestone — that he goes into a major with good health and a reasonable idea what to expect.

Consider his last four majors: —He was out three months because of back surgery, missed the cut in his return at Congressional, and then had his worst 72-hole finish in a major at the British Open.

—He withdrew in the final round at Firestone after jarring his lower back, showed up late for the PGA Championship and missed the cut.

—He took two months off to fix a short game in disarray and returned at the Masters, where he tied for 17th. Woods said he “had a chance to win” at Augusta National, but he was 10 shots behind going into the final round and ended up 13 shots behind Jordan Spieth —He shot the worst score of his career (85) at the Memorial, and then posted his highest 36hole score (156) to miss the cut at the U.S. Open.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.88ISSUE ISSUE75 75••THURSDAY, THURSDAY,JULY JULY16, 16,2015 2015

SUBBING FROM SIDELINES. Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (9) gets set to come in for Dallas along with rookie draft pick Justin Anderson. Instagram photo by Mo Twister

THE

BOBBYJOURNEY RAY PARKS NBA aspirant faces off Fil-Am Laker Jordan Clarkson today

FREE THROWS. Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (9) hits one of two from the line against Portland for his only point so far in the NBA Summer League.

Videograb from the internet

B

OBBY Ray Parks gets a chance to play against fellow Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson when the Dallas Mavericks face the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday (Thursday morning, Manila time) in the championship round of the NBA Summer League.

Gametime is set at 5:30 a.m. Manila time at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, with the winner moving on to face a selection from the NBA D-League in the next round of tournament play.

After finishing the round-robin stage with an 0-3 win-loss record, Parks and the Mavericks ended up ranked 22nd and drew a match against the 11th placer which turned out t o

be

the Lakers (1-2).

That set the stage for the face-off between Parks and Clarkson, a late draft pick who won a spot in the AllNBA Rookie Team after a season that saw him relegated at one point to the D-League.

The two Fil-Am guards, though, go to the game in contrasting form.

While Clarkson has picked up from where he left off in his rookie season by averaging 18.3 points in his three Summer League games with the Lakers, Parks has struggled to impress with the Mavericks.

The two-time UAAP MVP out of the National University Bulldogs has seen limited action in his three games with the Mavericks. On Tuesday, he only saw court time for one minute and 53 seconds in a 79-85 loss to the Wizards.

But the son of many-time PBA Best Import awardee Bobby Parks said he is staying patient, saying that he is making the most out of the playing time allotted to him.

“Nag-aadjust ako ng mindset na kung ano ‘yung kaya kong bigay sa oras na binigay sa akin,”

said Parks.

Parks said he is also drawing inspiration from Clarkson’s own journey, savoring a meeting he had with the Lakers guard in Las Vegas prior to the Mavericks-Lakers match-up.

“I mean, he’s a cool guy. He’s been there.

He’s in the NBA and really it’s tough kasi wala akong alam. Kailangan, ano, ready lang ako sa may dumating,” said Parks.

Parks suffered another loss in his NBA Summer League stint as his team yielded an 85-79 result to the Washington Wizards on Tuesday (Wednesday morning Philippine time) in Las Vegas.

Parks didn’t have a huge impact in the game, playing for only one minute and 53 seconds and committing one personal foul. He only saw action in the third quarter.

Parks was subbed in at the sixth minute mark of the third frame, replacing Mavericks rookie Justin Anderson.

The Filipino then gave up a foul just 46 seconds after before heading to the bench with still over four minutes left in the quarter.