Edge Davao 8 Issue 81

VOL. 8 ISSUE 81 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 24 - 25, 2015

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Catamco denies kidnapping yarn P2 INC denies alleged abduction of ministers P4

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

HURT. PO1 Robert Basan of Investigation and Detection Management Branch of Davao City Police Office is being treated by the police medical team. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

DIALOGUE. Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterter holds a dialogue with the tribal leaders of lumad evacuees from Talaingod, Davao del Norte and Bukidnon who are temporarily living at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Haran in Bankerohan yesterday.

Duterte intervened after a commotion between the members of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and the lumad evacuees and their support groups. Lean Daval Jr.

TENSION IN HARAN

2 cops, 10 lumads injured in commotion at UCCP

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

ENSION gripped the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Haran compound in Madapo Hills Thursday morning when police tried to go inside the premises in an attempt to rescue more than 1,000 indigenous peoples allegedly being held by IP officials and militant groups.

Members of the Davao City Police Office–Civil Disturbance Management (DCPO-CDM), equipped with riot shields and sticks, tired to force their way inside but were stopped in their tracks by a human bar-

ricade formed by the militant groups at the gate.

There were a lot of pushing and shoving during the incident as police tried to break through the barricade, with one law enforcer ending up bleeding from the nose after he was hit by a militant with stick.

Police identified the injured cop as PO1 Robert Basan of the Investigation and Detection Management Branch of the DCPO. He was immediately given a first aid by a medical team.

The National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP)

had sought police assistance after the lumads were reportedly being prevented from leaving the premises by IP officials and the militants.

The lumads had left their homes in Talaingod, Davao del Norte and evacuated to the UCCP Haran after they were allegedly harassed by government soldiers in the area.

There were no serious injuries during the scuffle, but the incident caused anxieties to the women and children lumads who had encamped at the UCCC Haran since February.

The police failed to recue any of the lumads, but police officials were able to go inside to talk with the IP leaders and the militant groups for a dialogue.

Acting Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte also rushed to the scene to give order and officials from the Department of Welfare and Development (DSWD) also negotiated to the militants for the release of the children, women and persons with illness.

Prior to the incident, tribal leaders from Kapalong, Davao

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EDGEDAVAO Sports Ella tied for 3rd in US Sports P14

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REUNITED. Pirot Malibato (third from right) breaks down in tears after reuniting with his family who are among the lumad evacuees which are temporarily living at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Haran in Bankerohan yesterday. Malibato failed to convince his family to go back home in Talaingod, Davao del Norte. Lean Daval Jr.

Up to 4 hours rotational brownouts in Mindanao

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INDANAO is experiencing rotational brownouts from an average of 1-4 hours due to the lower water level of dams, according to the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC) ”Based on the latest monitoring of the MPMC, rotation brownouts for each Distribution Utilities and Electric Cooperatives in Mindanao are averaging at one to four hours per feeder,” MPMC said in a statement Wednesday.

The dams were reported to have lower water levels

than last week’s records. ”The low water levels of the dams, which provide around half of Mindanao’s power supply, has brought down the capacity of the hydropower plants of the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complexes. This resulted to lower power supply in areas in Mindanao,” the committee added.

Lake Lanao currently has a water level of 699.24 meters above sea level (masl), slightly lower than July 17’s 699.26 masl.

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Catamco satisfied even if no lumad returned home

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ORTH Cotabato congresswoman Nancy Catamco believes that the operation to “rescue” the Lumads from the support groups was a success even if no evacuees agreed to go back to the hinterlands.

The 12 busses prepared to serve as their transport vehicle left empty after the Lumads declined to go back to their respective homes for fear of the alleged presence of para-military group “Alamara” and the reported militarization activities in their villages.

Catamco said that she cannot call the rescue operation as a failure with the city government of Davao entering the UCCP Haran and providing some assistance.

“It is not a failure for me, there is no such thing as a failure. May naibigay naman na 91, nakita nila (Lumads) na ang government is not inutile at hindi manhid,” Catamco said.

She also promised that as chair of the Indigenous People’s committee, she will conduct an investigation on the alleged militarization in the villages of the Lumads in Talaingod, Kapalong and Bukidnon.

However, Catamco said that she might not come back to Haran and will only hope that they will be sent back to their places in no time.

She said that she will no longer push her intention to bring back the Lumads home

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Catamco denies kidnapping yarn

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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ORTH Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco denied reports a mother and daughter were kidnapped from UCCP Haran Thursday noon.

Catamco said that Nora Kakay and her daughter named Juvy, 14, voluntarily went with them because they wanted to seek the assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

It was also learned that Juvy was a rape victim.

On the other hand, Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte said Kakay wanted to return to her home in Kapalong as her four children are sick.

Duterte brought with him the husband of Kakay together with their three-year-old child to be reunited with his wife and daughter.

He said that the father and his 14 year old daughter will

remain at DSWD until such time that the social workers will decide that they are ready to go back to their place.

“And mag amahan og katong anak nga babae mag pabilin to sa DSWD hantod mu-ingon ang DSWD nga pwede na sila mubalik sa ilahang lugar, katong inahan og 3 anyos nga anak, gidala na sa center sa Women and Children’s Protections Desk (WCPD),” Duterte said.

ippines (UCCP) grounds but is also highly illegal and criminal as it was done without any warrant or court order,” Rep. Zarate said.

“This forcibly entry is another blatant violation of the rights of the bakwits. The harassment, threats, killings, bombardments, and other human rights violations committed by state forces are the reason why these people has sought refuge at the UCCP Haran,” Rep. Zarate added.

Media reports showed that the police broke down the gates of UCCP Haran Cen-

ter despite the strong objections raised by church officials and the bakwits. Video of the incident posted in different social media showed how the lumad evacuees were visibly agitated by the breach of their sanctuary and some were even wounded when the policemen force their way into the evacuation camps.

“To force these bakwits to return home without assurance that the military, as well as the paramilitary forces like the military-backed Alamara, will pull-out of their communities proves how little regard

Duterte also told Catamco that as much as possible the family should not be separated.

“Kung mahimo dili unta bulagon ang pamilya, kung mahimo lang kuyog silang tanan dili kay mabilin ang bana o ang asawa,” Duterte said.

Around 1PM on Thursday, a commotion happened between the Lumads in UCCP Haran and alleged members

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Zarate condemns cops’dispersal of bakwits

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AYAN Muna Partylist Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate strongly condemned the “illegal, violent and forcible entry” by police operatives and paramilitary forces of a church compound in Davao City where 700 indigenous peoples have sought sanctuary because of massive militarization in their communities.

“This unprovoked action by the police and members of the paramilitary group Alamara is not only a disrespect of the privacy and sanctity of the United Church of Christ in Phil-

and respect, if at all, that the present government affords the lumad,” Rep. Zarate said.

“Bayan Muna condemns this act of brutality and disrespect and we will support all legal moves by the lumads and church authorities to make those responsible for these dastardly acts accountable,” Rep. Zarate said.

The attempt to force the lumad to return to their communities happened after North Cotabato Representative Nancy Catamco, chair of the House committee on indigenous peo-

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4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

EDGE DAVAO CITED. Edge Davao editor in chief Antonio M. Ajero (center) receives the citation for the company from the So Kim Cheng Sports Foundation during its 21st awards night at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday night. With him in the photo are (from left to right) Davao Sports Council president Dexter So, chief of staff of the

Greening program target for 2015 is 65% complete: DENR 11

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HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XI completed 65 percent of its target for the National Greening Program (NGP) this year.

In an interview Thursday, Forester Gloria Suboan, chief of the Production Management Section and Conservation and Development Division of DENR XI, said the agency’s target for this year is 18,810 hectares.

The agency is eyeing to plant at least 500 seedlings per hectare, or equivalent to around 9,405,000 trees for the entire Davao Region this year.

Of the total, Davao Oriental

has the biggest areas to be developed at 5,855 has. Compostela Valley came in second at 5,769 hectares, followed by Davao del Sur at 5,121 hectares, and Davao del Norte at 2,065 hectares.

DavOr and ComVal were among the most hit when Typhoon Pablo landed in the region in December 2012. DENR XI replanted 700 hectares in DavOr and 1,000 hectares in ComVal after Pablo.

The areas that have been identified as flood prone based on the geo-hazard maps of the Mines and Geoscience Bureau (MGB) are no longer rehabili-

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Mini-hospital to rise in remote village in Davao Sur town

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HE provincial government has set aside PHP2.5-million funds for the construction of a mini-hospital in the remote Barangay Bacungan here late this year to provide the basic health needs of the residents.

This was according to Governor Claude Bautista during a consultative meeting with municipal and barangay officials Tuesday afternoon at E&P Kamonsilan Resort in Barangay Barayong.

“I intend to construct this mini-hospital here since this is very strategic for five neighboring barangays to go to,” he said.

The governor said the mini-hospital will provide the basic health services, includ-

ing the safe delivery for pregnant mothers.

“An ambulance will also be purchased complete with oxygen and equipment like those in hospitals,” Bautista added.

Also during the meeting, Gov. Bautista turned over PHP17-million worth of checks to Magsaysay Mayor Arthur Davin who represented the local government unit.

Of the amount, the PHP10 million is the counterpart of the province for the ongoing construction of the PHP45 million new municipal hall while the remaining PHP7 million also its counterpart to the PHP70 million for the farm-to-market road in Balnate-Tagaytay. (PNA)

VOL. 8 ISSUE 81 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 24 - 25, 2015

City Mayor’s Office Neil Dalumpines, Willy Torres, former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Leon Gonzalo Montemayor, So Kim Cheng Sports Foundation chairman So Peng Kee and Councilor Diosdado Mahipus.

Lean Daval Jr.

INC denies alleged abduction of ministers T

HE Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has expelled Cristina “Tenny” Manalo, the widow of INC’s former executive minister Eraño “Erdy” Manalo, and their son, Felix Nathaniel “Angel,” an INC minister announced on Thursday.

In a press conference, INC General Evangelist Bienvenido Santiago said the INC leadership decided to expel the two from the general membership of the INC after they

appeared in a YouTube video claiming their lives are in danger and that some ministers have allegedly been abducted.

According to Santiago, there is no truth to the claims of Tenny and Angel.

“Yung lumabas sa YouTube kagabi na pahayag ni Angel Manalo at ng kanyang ina na nananawagan sa mga kaanib sa Iglesia para sila ay tulungan dahil diumano ay nanganganib ang kanilang bu-

hay at meron pang alegasyon na meron daw mga dinukot na mga ministro na wari’y ibig na palabasin na may kinalaman ang Iglesia, ay wala pong katotohanan. Hindi po totoo yun,” he said.

He alleged the two are just trying to gain sympathy from their members so they can interfere in the administration of INC affairs. He said the two violated the INC’s teachings and regulations.

“Ang basa namin doon sa ipinahayag nila kagabi sa YouTube ay ibig lamang nilang makakuha ng mga tao na magsisimpatya sa kanila para nang sa ganun ay makuha nila yung talagang gusto nila na mapakialaman ang pamamahala sa Iglesia,” said Santiago.

Angel’s elder brother, Eduardo, is the present executive minister of the powerful INC, which has at least 2.2

the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA.) She added the amendments to the law could usher increased services of foreign shipping players that will create a more productive and profitable import and export mechanism, which is considered an advantage for Mindanao’s growing industry.

President Benigno Aquino III signed into law on Tuesday the Foreign Ships Co-loading Act, which amends the decades-old Cabotage law.

The law allows foreign ships carrying imported goods and cargoes for export out of the country to dock in multiple

ports.

Under the law, foreign vessels will be allowed to transport and co-load foreign cargoes for domestic trans-shipment. The law also seeks to lower the cost of shipping export cargoes from Philippine ports to international ports and import cargoes coming from international ports.

In his speech, President Aquino said because of lack of competition, the current cost of transporting cargo container from Cagayan de Oro City to Hong Kong totals to P56,880, with P50,400 from that amount covering the cost for shipment from Cagayan de

Oro City to Manila. The other remaining P6,480 will cover for shipment cost from Manila to Hong Kong. With the amended Cabotage Law, shippers can directly transport goods from Cagayan de Oro City to Hong Kong for a cost of P22,500, allowing them to save P34,380 or 60 percent from the current shipment costs.

MinDA, through its priority policy agenda has been pushing for the amendment to the law seeing it as a move that will strengthen connectivity and help Mindanao maximize its economic potentials.

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With amended Cabotage Law, Minda leaders expect cuts in shipping costs K

EY government leaders and business players from Mindanao expressed full support to the approved amendments to the Cabotage Law, citing the move will result to healthy competition, make rates more competitive, and eventually bring down shipping costs.

“The President’s approval of the amendments to the Cabotage Law would be expected to hasten improvement of Mindanao’s cargo shipping industry and encourage efficient services that will result to more a competitive business climate,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chair of

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5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 81 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 24 - 25, 2015

Importers’ license now up to 3 years

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

HE validity of importers’ license will be extended up to three years instead of one year only, Custom Sec. Albert D. Lina announced.

“This will be a huge help to our importers since they will be able to save time and money from skipping the renewal of their accreditation in a span three years,” Lina said at the opening Thursday of the Mindanao Exporter’s

Congress 2015 at the SMX Convention Center.

Lina, who was the event’s keynote speaker, said members endorsed by the Philippine Exporters Confederation (PhilExport) will be automatically accredited for three years.

The move aims to align the Bureau of Custom (BOC)’s importers registration to the regulation of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), which

Davao del Sur is most competitive province

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AVAO del Sur got the highest rank as the most competitive province in the country in this year’s National Competitiveness Council’s Cities and Municipalities Index (CMCI).

The result was based on a performance assessment of 1,120 local government units (LGUs) as to the programs they implemented to improve economic dynamism, government efficiency and infrastructure competitiveness in their respective areas.

The provincial ranking is a new feature for this year’s CMCI and Davao del Sur is the first province to receive this award under the provincial category.

In his utmost desire to transform Davao del Sur as the best investment hub in the South, Governor Claude Bautista has undertaken bold steps to establish infrastructure projects to back up the current investment activities in the area.

The infrastructure projects include improvement of road networks in the rural areas and enhancement of sup-

port to agricultural infrastructure facilities to improve farm outputs.

Gov. Bautista’s remarkable support to rice enhancement program also led the province to receive an award as one of the best rice performing province in the country for 2014.

His initiatives to enhance public health care programs and efficiency on hospital services for the poor also generated national awards for the province from the Department of Health.

The National Competitiveness Council initiated this program, aligned with the goal to improve the country’s overall competitiveness, through collaborative efforts between the national and local government agencies, and the public and private sectors.

For this year, the Province of Cebu got the third place, Province of Misamis Oriental got the second place, and the province of Davao Del Sur was awarded the most competitive province for 2015.

The Competitiveness award was given during the

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issues the Importers Clearance Certificate (ICC) valid for three years.

In 2014, the Department of Finance issued a memorandum order requiring importers to secure BIR-ICC as a pre-requisite for the issuance of the importers license and accreditation.

Lina said importers that will be endorsed by the Philexport will be automatically registered and accredited by

the BOC. PhilExport-Davao chapter president Ferdinand Maranon said this will help bona fide member importing exporters.

Importers will be able to save time since there’s no need to renew their importer’s license every year, according to him.

Maranon also said that some exporters resort to importing raw material because

it is cheaper than purchasing needed materials in the local market.

“Exporters importing raw materials from other countries will be able to benefit from this announcement of the custom secretary,” Maranon said.

Big importers of raw materials for packaging such as multi-national banana exporters are those who will benefited the most from the

extension.

Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) executive director Stephen Antig said what Lina announced was a “welcome development.”

“It can help lessen vessel cost,” Antig said.

Antig said the PBGEA will look on the possibility of sitting down with BOC for the extension of the validity of the exporter’s license.

FREE TASTE. Pedestrians avail of the free taste test being offered by a beverage manufacturer along San Pedro Street in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

DTI: Phl fully committed in ASEAN integration

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HE Philippines is fully committed in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) taking place on the last day of this year, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) chief said.

DTI Secretary Gregory

L. Domingo, during The Manila Times 2nd Business Forum on Wednesday, said the Philippines was pursuing an open, liberal and integrated market -- the core of ASEAN integration.

“As a founding member

of ASEAN it actively participates in further steps to facilitate the movement of goods across borders. These include measures enhancing or improving customs and cross border procedures, clarifying issues regarding rules of

origin, as well as developing transportation and logistics infrastructures across the ASEAN economies,” said Domingo.

Domingo said that the country was addressing con-

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EDITORIAL

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 81 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 24 - 25, 2015

Taxi woes

OR years, Davao City’s taxi drivers have been known to be the country’s most disciplined and honest.

Unlike most of their counterparts in Metro Manila, Davao’s very own cabbies are generally a breed you can rely on. They give you your change, they use the taxi meter, they obey traffic rules and they yes, drive you safe.

While Manila cabbies are known to be snobs during peak hours and picky on passengers, Davao’s very own are a courteous lot who will be there to give you a ride with no questions asked.

That used to be the impression.

Of late, one can start having doubts.

Take for example the P10 reduced fee from flagdown rate imposed by the Land Transportation Franchising Board (LTFRB). Lately, there have been several incidents of passengers

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY Consultant

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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

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

complaining of drivers not imposing the reduced flagdown rate. Some of them just try to play unwary until the passenger demands for the reduced rate. There are some drivers too who reason out that the reduced rate is no longer in effect.

The LTFRB in the city has specifically pointed out that the reduced flagdown rate is still in effect unless expressly revoked. That gives no reason for cabbies not to give the exact change of passengers without having to wait for the latter demanding the same.

The good thing about it is that taxi companies said they regularly remind their cabbies that the reduced flagdown should be strictly complied with. As to whether or not their drivers follow this directive to the letter remains another question and leaves much to be desired.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

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

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 81 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 24 - 25, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

SLDC

sales directors and their Europe trip

By Bai Fauziah Fatima Sinsuat Ambolodto BUILDING sustainable communities and providing economic opportunities is what Santos Land Development Corporation (SLDC) is all about.

No doubt, behind such success, is a group of individuals which aims for nothing but the best in everything. Thus, SLDC recognizes and gives back to its many hard working men and women who have shown passion and dedication in helping the company provide the best value to their clients.

This time, it was an European tour that created memories to everyone who made it to the list. To state, SLDC is the first to reward its top sales force with an opportunity to travel to Europe.

The developer also awarded travels to Australia, Japan Beijing and Shanghai China.

SLDC also was the first developer to treat their sales force at Vikings-Davao (a total of 168

sales agents).

“SLDC never stop giving incentives to the Annual Sales Agents Awardees which includes the international travel incentive,” SLDC’s sales and marketing manager Estela B. Aguilos said, “We want to give them the best treat that the company vowed to offer because of their hardwork in promoting and

selling our (different) projects,” Aguilos added.

Sales people have happy feet, which to us mean “We enjoy life in travelling around the world.”

SLDC is a domestic, family owned corporation that engages in real estate development, road construction and agri-business ventures. The company subdivision projects include Ilumina Estates, La Vista Monte and Nova Tierra Village, to name a few.

Europe being a prime destination, it was hard to pinpoint a particular special moment out of the entire trip. So, here are some of the highlights from their recent trip. Again, congratulations!

MIGUEL MANIMBO Q: What was the best moment of the entire trip?

A: Being amazed of the breathtaking view of Switzerland – with the still emerald green lake and alpine mountains outside my hotel room window, it made every moment of my stay unforgettable.

SLDC A4

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UP AND ABOUT

Grand Regal Hotel joins Kasalang Filipino 2015

GRAND REGAL HOTEL joined the 3-day event being held from July 17-19,2015 at the Activity Center of Abreeza Mall. The year’s biggest wedding expo showcased various wedding supplies and products exhibited by wedding professionals like decorators, photographers, wedding planners, wedding dress designers, jewellers, beauticians, resorts and the only participating hotel, Grand Regal.

Being a premier wedding reception venue in the metro, Grand Regal Hotel boasts of a grand ballroom that can accommodate a banquet for 800 guests. The Grand Pilipinas ballroom has been witness to hundreds of couples celebrate the momentous occasion with family and well-meaning friends whose presence complete the one-time

memory that will forever be cherished. For a more intimate affair, a select guest of 100 may well enjoy the comfort of the Pilipinas Ballroom, whose classic interiors complement a backdrop of real picture-perfect captures.

Grand Regal Hotel’s wedding package includes free use of function room for families, friends & colleagues who wish the

couple well, overnight accommodation at the Bridal Suite with a fruit basket upon check-in, buffet breakfast for the couple the day after at The Brasserie. Other wedding reception items are also taken care of like birdcage and doves, wedding bells with coins, guestbook,

bottle of wine for the wine toasting, and the couple get to use the swimming pool, sauna and gym. This package is a minimum of 100 guests.

A considerable number of inquiries and bookings were made during the 3-day event, some of them were intended for next

Musikgarten Manila to hold 1st recital starring kids and toddlers

A music school that has a unique, non-traditional approach to learning music for all ages will be conducting its first recital on Sunday, July 26, 5pm, at the Atrium of SM Lanang Premier.

Musikgarten Manila, which is located at the 2nd Level of the metro’s premier shopping and lifestyle destination, will be having the ‘Music Is Life! The Launch - Season 1’ recital featuring its 15 students from various courses.

“The recital is in line with our vision to promote music as an essential part of life, an effective tool in creating balance towards wholesome living and sharpened creativity,” says Antoinette Zabala, Manager of Musikgarten Manila-SM Lanang Premier branch.

Students aged 5 to 13 years old who are taking up StarDev individual courses in voice, piano and violin will perform at the said recital. Tots aged 1.8 to 3 ½ years old who are enrolled in toddler classes will also perform some selected activities at the event.

The public is invited to watch the Musikgarten

Manila recital on Sunday. Tickets to the event are priced at P100 each and are available for purchase at the school or at the recital venue.

Musikgarten Manila makes use of Musikgarten, the preferred comprehensive early childhood development program in over 20 countries. It aims to make

music an anchor in child development and the bonding of the family.

For inquiries, call 2962842, email musikgartenmla.davao@gmail.com or check out MusikgartenMlaDavaoCity on FB. You may also visit its sole branch in Davao City at the 2nd Level beside SM Bowling Center at SM Lanang Premier.

year. But for couples who wish to plan ahead, they may visit Grand Regal Hotel so details of the big event shall be thoroughly discussed with the banquet personnel. It is also advisable for couples to see the venue so they may already include in their plans how to transform

the venue into something they dreamed of on their wedding day.

For further inquiries, couples may visit Grand Regal Hotel at JP Laurel Avenue or call 2350888 and 09328505162. Browse over it’s FB page: grandregalhoteldavao, follow them on Twitter: grandregalhotel.

Chalk launches 15 finalists for Bright Young Manila search this Saturday FIFTEEN of the hottest and brightest students who have the guts, the brains, and the looks will be revealed this Saturday (July 25) at the #ChalkLiveMore party for the kick-off of Chalk’s annual Bright Young Manila: Campus Hotties Edition search.

This year, Chalk gathered 15 college students from top schools in the metro in celebration of its 15th anniversary to be part of Bright Young Manila: Campus Hotties Edition, the longest running annual search to become Chalk’s ambassadors to push the ideals and talents of today’s Filipino youth.

Witness the unveiling of the 15 #ChalkBYMCampusHotties this Saturday at #ChalkLiveMore in Raven Manila and party the night away in a

bright young outfit with the hottest beats from DJ Nix Damn P. Since 2006, Chalk gathers college students who possess the caliber of conquering campus life and beyond for its Bright Young Manila search. The Bright Young Manila badge has become a status symbol among the Filipino youth and Chalk’s annual search has produced the best and brightest young talents who have made a legacy in various industries.

Chalk is a leading youth magazine in the country and is one of the titles published every month by ABS-CBN Publishing. For more information about Chalk’s Bright Young Manila: Campus Hotties Edition, visit chalkmagazine.abscbn.com.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Bobby Andrews and Angelu de Leon are reunited in new TV series GMA Network is bringing Bobby Andrews and Angelu de Leon back together via the family drama series Buena Familia set to premiere on July 28. They were among the most popular love teams in the ‘90s with a hit teen series T.G.I.S. to their credit.

Bobby expressed excitement over his new TV project with Angelu.

“We’re excited. Actually, this is the first time we’re gonna be working again after a long time. And it’s so nice kasi we’re playing different characters now. Hindi na kami pa-tweetums dito, serious na kami,” he said in an interview.

On being reunited with her T.G.I.S. partner after 20 years, Angelu remarked: “Natutuwa ako dahil talaga palang magkakatuluyan sila Peachy at Wacks. Parang ganun ‘yung nangyari, tinuloy lang namin [but] in a more serious role.

Mommy at daddy na.”

In Buena Familia, Bob-

by and Angelu portray the roles of Arthur and Bettina, respectively—a couple who is blessed with four loving kids namely Kylie Padilla (Celine), Julie Anne San Jose (Darling), Julian Trono (Edwin), and Mona Louise Rey (Faye).

Co n s i d e ring that it’s their first time to work with these young actors, Angelu explained that un-

them. “ What ’s nice about the kids is they’re very, very professional. I mean, sabi ko nga, you

could have the talent, everything that’s needed, pero kung medyo may attitude ka, mahirap. These kids are really nice, nakakatuwa sila,” said Angelu.

“We got to know them well.

acters already and we got personal with each other,” shared Bobby.

Playing the role of a mother is “not a hard adjustment” according to Angelu. “Bilang parent kasi, it’s there already, so innate na minsan ‘yung actions, it’s just the dialogues na minsan hindi mo naman normally sinasabi, ‘yun lang ang

pagkakaiba,” she said.

Bobby couldn’t agree more and added that it’s not that difficult for them to get into character because “the script is so well written.”

Do not miss the much-awaited premiere of Buena Familia on July 28, airing weekdays after The Half Sisters on GMA Afternoon Prime.

When w e started taping na, the transition was pretty easy because during the workshop, we’ve stretched out our char-

dergoing workshops really helpedbuild positive relationship among

Jana Agoncillo stars in newest Prime-Tanghali teleserye ABS-CBN’s newest drama series “Ningning” is all set to brighten and show the beauty of life to TV viewers as the upcoming show inspires everybody to hope, dream, believe and love starting on Monday (July 27).

Kapamilya child actress Jana Agoncillo will portray the character in the series, which is from the makers of the hit daytime series “Be Careful With My Heart” and “Oh My G.” From her remarkable portrayal in the charming drama series “Dream Dad,” Jana will now give life to the character of Ningning a cheerful little girl who is full of hope, dreams, and love for her parents Lovely (Beauty Gonzales) and Dondon (Ketchup Eusebio).

How will Ningning’s colorful world change when fate tests her fam-

ily’s strength? Will they still be able to see the bright side amid all the problems they are facing?

According to the director of the program Jeffrey Jeturian, he is amazed with the kind of talent and intelligence that Jana possesses.

“Jana is a one of a kind star. The likes of her only come once in a blue moon. Because aside from being tal-

ented, she is very smart for her age. She knows what she’s doing and she always comes to the set prepared,” said Direk Jeffrey, who also directed “Dream Dad” and “Be Careful With My Heart.”

Meanwhile, aside from the feel-good story of Jana’s character, “Ningning” will also feature the beautiful town of San Vicente, Palawan where some of the scenes of the series were

taken. The program will also present the beautiful and jaw-dropping view of the island, and the happy community residing in it.

Also joining Beauty, Ketchup, and Jana in the series are some of the most talented artists in the industry such as Sylvia Sanchez, Vandolph Quizon, Nyoy Volante, Rommel Padilla, Mercedes Cabral, Pooh, and John Steven de Guzman. Nonie Buencamino and Franco Daza will also appear for their special participation.

Don’t miss the beginning of the newest daytime drama series that will brighten the days of TV viewers, “Ningning” beginning on Monday before “It’s Showtime” on ABS-CBN. For more information about “Ningning,” just log on www.abs-cbn.com, or follow Twitter.com/abscbndotcom.

July 24 – 28, 2015

ANT-MAN * Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas PG

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

PAPER TOWNS Cara Delevingne, Nat Wolff, Halston Sage PG

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

CHAIN MAIL / * THE GALLOWS Meg Imperial, Shy Carlos, AJ Muhlach/ *Reese Mishler, Pfeifer Brown, Ryan Shoos R13/*R13

R-16

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

MINIONS Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin, Sandra Bullock

PG

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

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EVENT

SLDC A1 Q: What is your top travel tip?

A: Pack light, enjoy foreign delicacies, explore the town at your free time, savor the moment first before taking lots of pictures, and jot down important facts and daily events in your mini notepad for your trip down the memory lane.

CAROLYN MEDEL Q: What is the most interesting thing you have learnt?

A: I learned a lot. I was able to visit the places I’ve read about from books. Most importantly, that life is too short so make the most out of it.

Q: What was your favorite meal?

A: The buffet breakfast in Florence, the big pizzas of Sienna and croissant of Paris.

MARILYN LUY Q: What was the best moment of the entire trip?

A: The whole travel. The amazing places I visited. The people, culture and races.

Q: What was your favorite meal?

A: Pizza and gelato in Paris and Florence Q: What has been the useful item you have brought from?

A: Rosary from ROME AIMEE MATURAN Q: What was your favorite meal?

A: I loved the Tuna Pizza in Florence.

Q: What has been the most useful item you’ve brought?

A: 2 Swiss Military watch as a souvenir from Switzerland because it’s a dream place that my husband wants to bring me to.

Q: What was the hardest or most frustating part of the trip?

A: For me, there is no hardest or frustating part of the travel because I really enjoyed every moment and I always keep in mind that it is a great blessing given by God to have new experience to see the other partof the world while learning & understanding their different cultures.

FERNAN MATURAN Q: Do you prefer solo travel or with someone else?

A: There are times when we do travel with my family only but we used to travel with our team in real estate also. But in general, travel will be a very lonely thing without my spouse. God is so good. I really wished to come back to Switzerland with my spouse since I’ve been there without her once...And to His goodness, during this tour, all of the itinerary were new to me except for Luzern Switzerland on which I really dreamed to visit back with my wife.

Q: What has been weirdest thing you’ve seen?

A: I was just amazed by how Venice built a city with huge and beautiful buildings in pure and deep waters (not to mention that those structures were all way back in history) Q: What has been the most interesting item of food you’ve tested?

A: I was amazed how they made ice cream as an emergency food alternative (gelato)

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The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) game

S the President prepares for his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) next week, President Aquino has can brag about the high level of economic growth in the last five years of his administration. Truly, averaging between 5-6% is impressive given that the rest of Asia is not growing as well as the Philippines. It is worrying, however, that we have been slumping in our ability to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).

No less than the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, through its advisor John Forbes expressed concerns that while the country performed fairly well in gaining some $6 billion in foreign direct investments in 2014, concerns remain about the fact that in the first four months of 2015, this figure has fallen by almost 50 percent. While these figures sound impressive, these must nonetheless be juxtaposed with the performance of our ASEAN neighbors Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. In addition, the country’s FDIs plunged 43 percent year-onyear in April to $382 million, as reported by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas earlier this month.

are generalMY TWO CENTS’ ly defined as covering new investments in new companies and businesses from foreign countries, and increased John Tria capitalization ecisouth@gmail.com or expansion of existing companies by their mother companies abroad. That said, FDIs are a fairly credible barometer for the attractiveness or competitiveness of the Philippine economy when compared with other countries. Moreover, unlike OFW income from remittances, FDIs represent hard investments in business that generate employment and create considerable multiplier effects for more opportunity within the economy. FDIs also bring in technology to make important sectors like employment –intensive manufacturing efficient and profitable.

Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs)

Why FDIs matter

“

VANTAGE POINTS

OPTIMISM is the content of small men in high places.” This statement comes from the pen of Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, an American author of novels and short stories, whose works are the paradigmatic writings of the Jazz Age, a term he coined. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century.

Fitzgerald’s statement came to mind as I pondered upon the life of Helen Keller. At the age of two she suffered an illness that left her blind and deaf. Her parents took her to Dr. Alexander Graham Bell who recommended the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston.

At age of 7, Helen was tutored by Anne Sullivan through the sense of touch. As a result, Helen eventually learned to read Braille and began attending Radcliffe College, where her tutor interpreted lectures.

Helen graduated with highest honors. She learned to type on a Braille typewriter and wrote many books from 1903 to 1941. She also became concerned about all the blind, especially those blinded in war or by poor working conditions. She received numerous international honors for her efforts.

“Four things to learn in life: To think clearly without hurry, to love everybody sincerely, to act in everything with the highest motives, and to trust God unhesitatingly,” she wrote.

three years, a look at the comparative performance of the top 6 ASEAN economies from 2012-2014 (www.asean. org), Singapore takes the FDI cake with an average of 50-60 billion dollars more or less annually, followed by Indonesia US$15-20B, Malaysia and Thailand from between US$9-11B. Vietnam, at fifth has beat us in the FDI game over the last three years, averaging 8-9 billion dollars yearly.

In 2014, we beat our chests, proclaiming our highest FDI inflows ever at 6.01billion dollars , up from 3,859.8B in 2013 and 2,797.0B in 2012. Comparing ourselves to our neighbors, We, however, remain at a consistent 6th place, in the middle of ASEAN. Yet, we are the second most populous, with a third remaining poor and needing the opportunity to improve lots in life, to be included in the growth.

we need to take a better look at the opportunites to improve on these numbers, and make them relevant and beneficial for the people, whose welfare will depend on the economy.

Future SONAs need to situate the Philippines as an ASEAN economy

It is worth noting that over the last

We need to be warned that as ASEAN economic integration is upon us, our ability to attract investments from within and outside ASEAN will show us how strong and sustainable our economic growth will be over the medium term, and therefore, how many jobs can be created and retained within the country, and how much wealth will stay to further push inclusive growth. As our neighbors seem to be doing a better job in attracting investments,

After PNOY, all future State of the Nation addresses will no longer picture the Philippines as a stand alone country and an isolated economy, but as part of larger ASEAN market economy. Maybe he or she can look at our high cost of electricity and food compared with our ASEAN neighbors, and the relative ease with which transport and cargo can flow from and through them compared with the Philippines. Likewise, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia spend better on infrastructure and have more efficient ports and airports. Perhaps he or she can further improve our improving ratings on corruption and prevent us from backsliding. These, among others, are major considerations that encourage foreign investment to flow into the country, and keep our economy strong. The next president needs to look at the Philippines this way if we are truly to perform as well, or better than our neighbors.

Such good THINK ON THESE! lessons in life, indeed. Some people see failures as setbacks but others consider them as challenges. “The essence of optimism is that Henrylito D. Tacio it takes no account of the henrytacio@gmail.com present, but it is a source of inspiration, of vitality and hope where others have resigned; it enables a man to hold his head high, to claim the future for himself and not to abandon it to his enemy,” Dietrich Bonhoeffer pointed out.

Literature and history are full of people who suffered from handicaps, had talents that were inferior to those around them, lived in the worst of circumstances, or faced many defeats. And yet, they pursued their dreams.

So one wonders: What made them achieve? “Focus on your potential instead of your limitations,” Alan Loy McGinnis suggested.

So who never heard the name Thomas Alva Edison? In his lifetime, he had invented about 1,093 things – making him as the person with more patents than

any other person in the world. While most people credit his ability to creative genius, he credited it to hard work.

“Genius,” Edison once said, “is 99% perspiration and one percent inspiration.” That’s true but there’s a third factor: his positive attitude. At one time, he exclaimed to an assistant marvelling at the bewildering total of his failures – 50,000 experiments before he succeeded with a new storage battery: “Results? Why man, I have gotten lots of results. I now know 50,000 things that won’t work.”

Edison was an optimist who saw the best in everything. “If we did all the things we were capable of doing,” he pointed out, “we would literally astound ourselves.”

More often than not, non-achievers blame their circumstances; winners rise above their circumstances. Some concentrate on the blank wall that boxes them in; winners always look for a way to get under it, over it, around it, or through it.

That’s the life philosophy of Nido Qubein, a businessman, motivational speaker, and President of High Point University since 2005. The youngest of 5 children to parents of Lebanese and Jordanian descent, he came to the United States in 1966 with limited knowledge of English and only $50 in his pocket. But he learned that the power

to affect your future lies within your own hands, and in your attitude.

In his latest book, The Power of Positive Influence, he suggested some ideas on what makes a person successful: “Surround yourself with positive influences. When you are surrounded by negative thinkers, image, or materials, it is easy to get bogged down in hopelessness.

“Read inspiring books and magazines. Listen to motivational recordings and speakers. Attend positive-thinking seminars or programs. Make it a point to read or watch or listen to something positive and inspiring at least once every day.

“Associate with positive people.

Look for friends who feel good about themselves, people who have the attitude of gratitude. People who need to tear down others are not happy with themselves and are not good for you or your attitude.”

But most important, never give up. “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up,” Thomas Alva Edison commented.

The words of American comedian Lucille Ball comes in handy: “One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”

Philippines vs. ASEAN in FDI terms

The power of optimism

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10 NEWS TENSION... FROM 1

del Norte and the militants inside the compoundhad talked for the release of the IP evacuees.

No resolution was reached during the dialogue, forcing the DSWD people to join the negotiation, to no avail.

In an interview, DSWD 11 social welfare officerPedritaDimakiling said their office want to rescue the lumadsbut the leaders of the group refused to turn them over.

“Istoryahoon pa dawnilaangmgabataogangmgakababaihan(They said they need to talk first to the children and the women),” Dimakiling said.

“We really need to pull them out, but we do not want them to be bothered. We have to respect the culture and we have to respect what the Haran administration tells us,” she added.

Dimakiling said the DSWD had also sent a team to the area to check the children and the women but was barred from entering the vicinity.

At around 8:30 a.m. yesterday, DCPO-CDMtried to enter the area afterreceiving reports from the NCIP that the group inside prevented the IPs to return home.

During the commotion, BagongAlyansangMakabayan (Bayan) spokesperson Sheena Duazoshouted at the policemen and asked for the presence of chief of police.

The militant groups insisted that police personnel cannot enter the area as this was a private property.

The police even ask the Bureau of Fire Protection to assist them in their operation.

Relatives of the IPs and some leaders from Davao del Norte were also waiting outside to fetch the lumads.

They even mounted a sound system outside the Haran compound in calling their relatives to return homet.

Duterte had asked the IPs and militant groups inside to let the DSWD and Central 911 to enter the area to check on the health conditions of the children and women.

His request was granted and some children were checked.

Duterte was also able to talk with other progressive

leaders Ariel Casilao and Joel Virador.

When the acting mayor asked the lumads if they want to go home, no one answered Instead, some IPs told Dutertethey will just return home if the soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) will pullout from their communities.

At 11:38 a.m., the gate at the compounds was opened and the militant groups and police went out of the area to give way to Duterte’s request.

After an hour, no lumad went out.

At 12:06 noon, North CotabatoRep. Nancy Catamco, chair of the committee on Indigenous People of the House of Representative, arrived at the area and asked Duterte to check the IPs. Duterte requested the IPs in the area since they declared Catamco as persona non grata or an unwelcome entity.

The vice mayor insisted to allow Catamcoinside the premises so she can check on the evacuees.

At 12:18 noon, Catamco entered Haran with Duterte.

Personnel from the Central 911 and DSWD also assisted the children.

In an interview, Catamco said she is thankful to the city government through Dutertefor the initiative, especially for the medical checkup given to the IPs. She said she also requested to the vice mayor to help the DSWD and NCIP assist the IPs to deliver the services needed.

“I am grateful that they are now given the right service,” she said.

When Catamco was about to leave the area, a commotion happened when an IP mother and her daughter were allegedly pulled out forcibly by the relative. But, the police said these people went out voluntarily because they want to go home.

The mother identified as Nora Kakay and her daughter named Juvy, 14.

Reporters had the chance talk with the mother, who said she just wanted to go out of Haran to talk to her relatives and explain why they do not want to go home.

ple, falsely and maliciously accused activists, the Makabayan Bloc of partylist groups, and the UCCP of “kidnapping and detaining” the lumads against their will.

“If there was any truth that the lumads are being held hostage by the church people and their support organizations, they might have welcomed the police’s help. But the lumads are firm in their demand for the military pull-out in their respective communities,” Rep. Zarate said.

“This is certainly not the way to convince the lumad to go home. We believe that this violent incident happened because of the instigation of the military.

Meanwhile, the police and Rep. Catamco are parroting the same lies and twisted justification

of the military. This gives us a glimpse of the violence, contempt, and disdain they experience from the military and the state’s mercenaries back home,” Rep Zarate added.

“The vilification of the bakwit, as well as the support groups that service the lumad adds even further insult,” Rep. Zarate further said.

“The full force of state repression is seemingly now being thrown against the hapless bakwits. Miles away from home, they are dogged by violations of their rights. The direness of the state of human rights in Mindanao and elsewhere in the country is in full view in this incident. This is the state of the nation certain to be absent from Pres. Aquino’s Sona,” Rep Zarate ended.

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Catamco denies... FROM 2 of the Military after Kakay and her daughter was forcibly pulled by the Military to get out in UCCP Haran.

Catamco then came to the area and brought the mother and daughter to WCPD station and later on transferred them to DSWD for assistance.

Meanwhile, Duterte gave food assistance to the lumads and provided them medical

assistance.

Catamco, for her part, also thanked Duterte’s effort for giving assistance to the lumads.

“The government should be visible to the Lumads,” she told Duterte.

Catamco said that she was grateful the lumads were given the right services they deserved.

as soon as possible saying that “there is always next time.”

Catamco returned to UCCP Haran Thursday noon after Vice Mayor Paulo Duterte asked the Lumads to let her enter the place to see if they were given proper assistance.

On Wednesday, the Ata Manobo tribe along with PASAKA declared Catamco as a Persona Non Grata in UCCP Haran. Catamco though said

that the declaration do not matter to her.

“It does not matter to me, I am not one of their members, all I want is that the Lumads will get out from Haran,” Catamco said.

Tension rose when policemen tried to forcibly evict the lumads and onto buses, 2 policemen and around 10 lumads were hurt after the commotion. Funny Pearl A. Gajunera

million members. Eduardo took over as executive minister after the death of his father Eraño in 2009.

INC NOT A CORPORATION Santiago stressed Eduardo’s succession to the INC hierarchy underwent due process. He also noted that the INC is not a corporation but a religion.

“Dapat malaman ng lahat na ang Iglesia ay hindi isang korporasyon na pangpamilya, ito ay isang relihiyon na ang sinusunod ay ang mga patakaran at mga aral ng Diyos na nakasulat sa Bibliya,” he said.

“Hindi po makakapayag ang kapatid na Eduardo Manalo... na ang Iglesia ay guluhin ng sinumang tao. Kaya doon sa ginawa nila na yun kagabi na maliwanag naman ang layon ay makalikha ng mga pagkakakabaha-bahagi, ay hindi maiiwasan na ipatupad sa kanila yung mga

tuntunin at patakaran ng Iglesia na ipinatutupad sa lahat ng mga kaanib sa Iglesia.

“Kaya masakit man sa loob ng kapatid na Eduardo Manalo ay ipinasya nila na itiwalag yung mga lumilikha ng mga pagkakabaha-bahagi sa Iglesia,” he added.

Santiago said the expulsion of the two will be announced in INC’s worship services Thursday afternoon.

“Hindi maaaring basta’t komo kamag-anak ka o kapatid ka ay ilalagay ka sa pwestong gusto mo. Siyempre kung sino yung nakatutugon ng kakayahan at katangian doon sa gampanin, yun ang ilalagay doon.

“Kaya ka nga nasa Iglesia dahil sa sinusunod mo yung mga aral, gusto mong sundin yung mga aral. Eh kung ayaw mo nang sumunod sa mga aral ano pang gagawin mo sa Iglesia?” he said. ABS-CBN NEWS

“With this law already in place, we can fully tap the potentials of the Mindanao Development Corridors and focus on building a more connected and globally-competitive Mindanao,” said Antonino.

She added the law will also will facilitate a more competitive Mindanao business environment in terms of trade with BIMP-EAGA and ASEAN, and other countries around the globe.

BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, a sub-regional grouping formed with the goals of promoting trade, investment, and tourism within the sub-region.

“We laud this development, as Mindanao products bound for export will become more competitive in the world market,” said Vicente Lao, chair of the Mindanao Business Council.

He added that imported raw materials that are needed for production in Mindanao will also become cheaper due to the anticipated cuts in shipping costs.

The Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon), an annual gathering of the region’s key business leaders has been pushing for the approval of the amendments to the Cabotage Law. The Mindanao Exporters Congress (MEC), a regular assembly of Mindanao export industry stakeholders has also been urging the Aquino Government to approve the amendments to the law.

A discussion on the approved amendments will be conducted today and Friday as the MEC reconvenes for a three-day congress here in this city at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center.

“This is a good move of the Aquino administration, and we welcome this development as it will foster competition among domestic shipping companies in the country,” said Ferdinand Marañon, president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport) – Davao in a news statement.

Marañon, a key convenor of the MEC added the new law will pave way for lower shipping costs since logistics costs are expected to drop.

Catamco... FROM 2

INC... FROM 4

With... FROM 4

Up... FROM 2

Agus 4, on the other hand, has a water level of 358.31 masl, slowly nearing its minimum operating level of 357 meters. It is also lower than the 358.88 masl monitored a couple of days ago.

Bukidnon-based Pulangi 4 has a water level of 280.40 masl, also slightly lower than the last recorded 281.02 masl.

It has a minimum operating level of 282 masl, producing just 20 MW of its 250 MW capacity.

Not only that, Mindanao’s power shortage was also worsened by the preventive maintenance shutdown (PMS) of the 105-MW Unit 2 of the 210 MW STEAG coal-fired power plant in Misamis Oriental. It is expected to return online on Aug. 16.

The grid operator, National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), said that Mindanao had a power deficiency of 248 megawatts (MWs) at 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday.

As a temporary solution, distribution utilities and electric cooperatives had implemented either manual load dropping (MLD) or activated the Interruptible Load Program (ILP), which is the tapping of generator sets to lower the consumption demand.

Electric cooperatives (ECs) that had implemented MLD or rotational brownouts due to the shortage are Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO) losing power for nine hours; Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative 2 (ZAMSURECO 2) for five hours, Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative (SUKELCO) for five hours, Surigao del Norte (SURNECO) for 4.5 hours.

Other ECs, such as South Cotabato Electric Cooperative 2 (SOCOTECO 2) and Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (DASURECO), had fared better with its modular generator sets temporarily providing power. (PNA)

tated.

“If that’s already identified as flood prone, we are not replanting it,” Suboan said.

She said several people’s organizations and companies have been tapped in the implementation of NGP, most especially partnering with the communities to ensure that the seedlings planted will survive.

Among the fruit trees that are recommended under the NGP are coffee, cacao, and rubber, which provide livelihood for the communities in the hinterland.

Davao City Councilor Leonardo Avila III, who was the former chief of the City Agriculture Office (CAO), recommended the planting of fruit trees under agro-reforestation program, saying that these will prevent the farmers in the hinterland to cut trees, as these will provide

them livable income in the long run.

“As of now, some POs who joined in the tree planting are now starting to earn. There are also buyers who get supply from them,” Suboan said.

Among the objectives of NGP include food security and poverty reduction. Others include biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and sustainable development.

The five-year NGP seeks to plant 1.5 billion trees covering 1.5 million hectares nationwide.

In the region, the agency eyes to develop 64,183 hectares with 32,348,512 seedlings.

The NGP was implemented after President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Executive Order (EO) No. 26 on February 24, 2011. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

3rd Regional Competitiveness Summit held at PICC on July 16, 2015 with about 2,000 delegates from Local Government

Units all over the country, national agencies and private organizations. (PGO-Davao del Sur)

cerns on non-tariff barriers such as product standards, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and import licensing.

The DTI chief also noted that the newly signed Philippine Competition Law and the amendments in Cabotage Law were proof of the government’s sustained efforts to liberalize economy and institutionalize economic reforms.

“The Philippine Fair Competition Act effectively levels the playing field as it criminalizes and imposes heavy fines on business activities that promote monopolies and obstruct equal access to market opportunities... The amended Cabotage Law will allow foreign vessels to transport and co-load foreign cargoes for domestic transhipment,” Domingo explained.

“The AEC in full force will

enable enterprises in Member States to significantly minimize transaction costs and optimize trade gains. The cost of doing business would be reduced with lower tariffs, streamlined export and import procedures, easier access to suppliers, and better business licensing processes, among others,” he added.

Aside from the Competition Law and the amended Cabotage Law, recent developments made by the government include amendments in the banking law which eliminates limits of foreign ownership in banking sector; the Quadruple A Rating, a new license category for contractors enabling foreign firms to secure construction permits and participate in local projects; and the further amendments to the foreign investment negative list. (PNA)

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Urban agriculture: Growing crops in the cities

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

H

UNGER, poverty, and environmental degradation – these are the problems most urban areas in developing countries are facing. “The vast, increasing population of the urban poor often go hungry because they cannot afford to purchase food,” deplores the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Low income urban dwellers spend between 40% and 60% of their income on food each year, according to UN Human Settlements Program. Around the world, 250 million hungry people in the world live in cities.

Today, 50% of the world’s population lives in cities. Currently, 26 cities in the world have a population of 10 million or more.

To feed a city of this size at least 6,600 tons of food must be imported each day. The Social Weather Station once reported that 20% (or one in five) of Filipinos people are hungry-poor. This is especially acute in the urban areas.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said that people in the cities rely almost entirely on purchased food, much of it commercially prepared. “They are more vulnerable to economic factors affecting commercial food markets, since they spend a high proportion of their budget on food and are dependent on wage labor,” FAO said.

The possible solution to the problem: urban agriculture. “Farming in urban areas is a single solution to many of the modern city’s problems, especially persistent hunger and environmental degradation,” the UNDP pointed out. “Farming in the urban areas is not only competitive but economic and sustainable.”

FAO defines urban agriculture as “an industry that produces, processes and markets food and fuel, largely in response to the daily demand of consumers within a town, city, or metropolis, on land and water dispersed throughout the urban and peri-urban area, applying intensive production methods, using and reusing natural re-

sources and urban wastes to yield a diversity of crops and livestock.”

Urban agriculture, UNDP claimed, has the potential of providing much higher nutritional improvement, hunger reduction, income generation, enterprise development, and environmental improvement to the city. This is possible only, UNDP said, “if the farming activity of enterprising agencies and the constraints facing the farmers are removed.”

Among the constraints UNDP cited includes lack of support from policy-making, research, and extension agencies. And there is lack of access to land, solid waste and waste water, credit, inputs, markets and market information, and extension services.

To think of, urban agriculture can improve the environment of the cities and achieve more sustainable waste management. By putting its unused and unusable land and water bodies to farming use, the city provides space for farming enterprises to develop, while improving its air, water, and soil quality and improving the living environment of the city.

Urban agriculture likewise offers land and waste management potentials. “Farming in the city aids the land management and environment of the city by increasing biodiversity and green spaces and improving degraded lands,” the UNDP said.

Beyond providing jobs and good nutrition, urban farming can have a whole range of health benefits. Research has connected gardening to reducing risks of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and occupational injuries. For urban folks especially, working with plants and being in the outdoors can both prevent illness and help with healing.

Wayne Roberts of the Toronto Food Policy Council sees urban agriculture as the “new frontier in public health,” benefiting health twice: first, by supplying urbanites with more foods and, second, by affording them the exercise involved in raising food.

For cities confronted with growing waste disposal, the strongest environmental argument for local farming is the opportunity to reuse urban organic waste that would otherwise end up in distant, swollen landfills.

In the Philippines, a presidential decree obliged owners, or entitled others with owners’ permission, to cultivate unused private lands and some public lands adjoining streets or highways in Metro Manila. In Davao City, the agriculturist’s office is promoting the “Gulayan sa Barangay.” This program pushes for the growth and propagation of organically-grown vegetables.

In a survey conducted for the United Nations, cities worldwide already produce about one third of the food consumed by their residents on average. This percentage is “likely to grow in coming decades, given that the need for urban agriculture could be greater now than ever before,” wrote Brian Halweil and Danielle Nierenberg, authors of “Farming the Cities,” which appeared in “States of the World,” published by the Worldwatch Institute.

In 2011, Party-list Rep. Catalina Bagasina filed a bill seeking to promote agricultural and farming activities in highly urbanized areas, particularly Metro Manila. She said urban farming should be encouraged by the government like what other countries have been pursuing in their respective countries.

In House Bill 4750, known as the “Urban Agriculture Act of 2011,” Bagasina said Metro Manila has a huge area where food production through agriculture can be pursued. The bill seeks to promote urban farming in cities to address food security concerns and regenerate ecosystems functions.

She pointed out, in her bill, that government lots and buildings that are idle or abandoned by either national or local governments or available land resources in state universities and colleges should be given prime consider-

ation for growing crops, raising livestock and producing food.

Perhaps one of the systems that urban people can adopt in their respective areas is the Food Always In The Home (FAITH) gardening developed by the Davaobased Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC).

“FAITH is a type of vegetable gardening that can provide the necessary protein, vitamins and mineral requirements needed by a family with six members,” explains MBRLC Director Roy C. Alimoane. “We designed it in such a way that it requires minimum labor.”

The recommended FAITH garden size is six by sixteen meters. “Establish the garden on a light slope to provide drainage, especially during rainy season,” Alimoane says. “If the area is flat, dig drainage channels or ditches around the planting site. The garden site must also receive sunshine throughout the day as growing plants need sunshine to manufacture food.”

The garden is divided equally into three sections, with one-half of each section held in reserve for later replanting. One section is planted with short-term vegetables that will be ready for use in two to four months. The second section is given over to crops which can produce vegetables for six to nine months. Vegetables that will produce for 11 to 12 months are grown on the third section.

The central feature in FAITH gardening is basket composts, a series of raised garden beds into which bamboo baskets are set about one foot in diameter and depth. These are filled with little animal manure (particularly goat) and some decomposed organic garbage and packed with leaves of leguminous trees and shrubs. If basket composts are too laborious to do, you can also make trench composts.

The time to plant seeds or seedlings around the basket or trench composts depends on the

state of decomposition of materials inside the composts. “If the materials at the bottom part are nearly decomposed, seeds and/or seedlings can be planted immediately,” says Alimoane. “But if most of the materials are still fresh, planting may be done two to three weeks later.”

Another farming scheme that is suited for urban areas is the bio-intensive gardening (BIG), which was developed by Dr. Julian Gonsalves, who was a recipient of the United Nations Environment Program’s Global 500 Roll of Honor.

“The bio-intensive approach is a biological form of agriculture in which a small plot is intensively cultivated, suing nature’s own ingredients to rebuild and then maintain the soil’s productivity,” Dr. Gonsalves explained.

At the heart of the approach is the effort to improve the capability of the soil to nurture and sustain plant life. What the bio-intensive gardener does is replicate a natural forest: constant recycling of nutrients and maintenance of soil, moisture and microbial conditions.

The BIG approach puts strong emphasis on the use of indigenous vegetable varieties. Ideally, a home garden should aim at 100 percent dependency on selected traditional seed varieties.

BIG also relies on alternative pest management to reduce if not

eliminate dependence on expensive, hazardous agrochemicals. It includes diversified cropping (growing of different crops together), crop rotation (to prevent the build-up of pest population), mechanical measures (using nets to prevent birds and insects from attacking the vegetables), and use of botanical, microbial or biological pest control measures.

Tests conducted by Gonsalves himself showed that BIG scheme can yield the same quantity and quality of produce as conventional gardening technology. The garden produces an average of about 400 kilograms of vegetables a month.

Urban agriculture is nothing new. The hanging gardens in Babylon, for instance, were an example of urban agriculture, while residents of the first cities of ancient Iran, Syria, and Iraq produced vegetables in home gardens.

“In ancient times, the cost of transport was much greater,” explains Jac Smit, head of the New York-based Urban Agriculture Network, “so the impetus for growing food in cities was greater.”

Despite all that farming can do for the city landscape and the urban soul, politicians, businesses, and planners continue to regard food as a “rural issue” that does not demand the same attention as housing, crime, or transportation.

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EDGEDAVAO

NEWS13

Hedcor promotes good oral health care to schools in DavSur town

T

HE Hedcor Sibulan, Inc. and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.

helped some 3,000 school children prepare to face their future with bright-

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 1002534 under Loyola Contract No (s). 360185/UUU111735735 issued to MERCEDES J. DEGOLACION 82777 under Loyola Contract No (s). 6027752-3 issued to JOSEFINA E. SANICO 9015 under Loyola Contract No (s). 751717-0 issued to LUZVISMINDA S. VELOS were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

7/18,25

er smiles as they were reminded of good oral health care through a comprehensive information education campaign drive.

This month, Hedcor implemented its dental health program in its eight adopted public schools in the municipality of Sta. Cruz. The school recipients were Tudaya Elementary School, Pogpog Elementary School, Tibolo Elementary School,

Idong Elementary School, Sibulan Elementary School, Don Amancio Elementary School, Darong Elementary School and Almendras Elementary School.

The program is in partnership with the Dental Chapters of the Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Provincial Local Government of Davao del Sur, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

Dental experts lec-

tured on and demonstrated proper tooth brushing, flossing, mouth rinsing and made the children aware of the existence of oral cancer and how proper dental care helps in reducing the risk from this dreaded disease.

Rolando Pacquiao, Hedcor vice president for Mindanao operations said, “We are helping our beneficiary-public-teachers promote good oral hygiene among students,

analyze and evaluate dental needs, and maintain dental records of students for future reference”.

At the end of the demonstration, each student was given a hygiene kit containing a face towel, soap, and two pairs of toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Hedcor is a subsidiary of AboitizPower engaged in run-of-river hydro development and operations.(PNA)

14 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.88ISSUE ISSUE81 81• FRIDAY • FRIDAY- SATURDAY, - SATURDAY,JULY JULY24 24- 25, - 25,2015 2015

ATHLETES OF THE YEAR. 2015 So Kim Cheng Sports Awards Athletes of the Year Darlene Ross Maramara and Julian Ambrose Ramirez receive their plaques and framed Edge Davao covers during the awards night on Wednesday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. Also in photo are (l-r) Dexter So, president of the Davao City Sports Council, Atty. Neil Dalumpines of the City Mayor’s Office, Dr. Guillermo Torres Jr., Lifetime Achievement Awardee, former PSC Commissioner Binggoy Montemayor, Edge Davao editor Antonio Ajero, So Kim Cheng Sports Foundation chairman So Peng Kee and city councilor Diosdado Mahipus. Lean Daval Jr.

IN THE HUNT Ella tied for third after 36 holes in Veritas

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

D

SECOND BEST SCORE FOR THE DAY. Ella Nagayo beams after scoring an 81 in the second round. FB Photo of Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo

AVAO City’s Alessandra Christine “Ella” Nagayo sputtered on the way back to the clubhouse on Thursday (PH Time) and ended up tied for third after 36 holes of the 2015 Veritas World Junior Golf Championships at the Brookside course in Pasadena, California.

Competing in the Girls 11 division, Nagayo fired the day’s second best round of 9-over par 81 despite running into trouble on hole no.

17 for a two-day total of

167.

T h e 1 1 - ye a r old standout from Brainworks Learning Center, backed up by Apo Golf and Country Club, is bunched at 27 over par with American Madison Starke (77-90) of Walnut Creek, California.

Nagayo began the tournament with a fat 86 but she recovered in the second round after making the right adjustments to her game.

“Tied 3 ang rank ni Ella, kulba our hearts,” Nagayo’s mother, councilor Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo, told this writer. “86 sya sa first day (rank 6), then sa second day 81 score nya (tied rank 3).”

Another Filipina, Annyka Chanel Cayabyab, of San Juan, kept the lead with another huge round of three over par 75 to

go with an earlier 76 for a 36-hole total of 11 over par 151. Athena Nguyen of the United States is a far second at 166 (82-84), 15 strokes adrift.

“Sa second round she got the second best score.

But her first day score pulled her down a little kaya tied 3rd ang rank nya sa total. May round 3 pa,” her mother said. “agsabog sya sa Hole number 17 sa second round. Grabe siguro ka kulba nya.”

Mexico’s Azul Amezcua Avila is at solo 5th with 173 (85-88), Amgel Ignatius of the US is at 6th with 181 (89-92), followed by three more Americans--Priscilla Corral (184-94-90), Xiaoyang Wang (187-86-101), and Sasha Garcha (203-10895).

Nagayo will be competing in two major world junior golf tournaments after earning a ticket through the Qualifying School held in Manila. Her next stop is the US Kids World Championships on July 29.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 81 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 24 - 25, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS15

Go’s 42 not enough to lift CMO A

CE gunner Christopher “Bong” Go uncorked 42 points but his tournament-high output wasn’t good enough to carry the City Mayors Office to victory.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources came out hot early and weathered a CMO rally down the stretch to pull off a 104 – 90 win in the ongoing Apollo C. Quiboloy Cup Commercial B League at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym on Tuesday night.

DENR delivered a flurry of baskets early behind Ryan Abanes and Dado Ayson to

keep the City Hall dribblers trailing in the entire first half.

CMO clawed back in the third frame courtesy of a fiery run sparked by Go, the sweet-shooting executive assistant of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, to stay in contention.

Go, who rifled in ten triples on his way to league-best scoring performance, even put his team at the driver seat with his ninth trey providing CMO the lead.

But the City Hall dribblers, who plays almost every other day, “run out of gas” in the final frame.

DENR taking advantage of

the CMO foldup charged back to storm the pay off period and pull away with the win.

Abanes came through with 22 points while Ayson made 17 for the DENR that took the services of the playing policemen. Padua and Art Atablanco had 12 points apiece.

It was the fifth defeat in eight games for the City Hall dribblers who clearly beat the odds in this high level tourney.

Rodel Bantilan and Michael Walingan scored 11 points each for the CMO which merely compose of City Hall employees.

SMC compound. “But hindi naman natin matitiyak ‘yun.

We can only hope.”

The SMC boss said he just heeded Ginebra fans’ call for Cone to handle the league’s most popular team.

“I think we’ll just give in to the request of the fans na siya naman ang mag-coach.”

“Hindi ko pa alam kung anong gagawin ni Tim Cone na play,” he added. “So we’ll just hope na ma-jell niya ‘yung team at makabigay ng magandang resulta.”

But Ang is tempering fans’ expectations on Cone, the Gin Kings’ seventh coach

since 2008 who is expected to instill his proven triangle offense to the squad.

“In basketball, you cannot be sure of anything. Bilog ang bola eh,” Ang said. “If you remember, na-eliminate nga ‘yung SMB last conference (Commissioner’s Cup).”

Asked to comment on the status of former Ginebra coach Frankie Lim, Ang gave an indirect answer.

“I think we’ll just hope kung anong pinaka-mabuting pwedeng mangyari sa mga team natin at sa mga players natin.”

to where they should be,” Hibbert said.

The Lakers were thrilled to swing a trade for Hibbert, the 7-foot-2 center who spent the past seven seasons with the Indiana Pacers. The two-time AllStar had already moved to Los Angeles before the deal happened, and he is determined to return to dominant defensive form after a perceived down season precipitated his departure from Indiana.

While the Pacers are trying to get smaller and faster, the Lakers could use a bulky stopper after struggling as one of the NBA’s worst defensive

teams last year.

“Looking at the team here, they have a lot of firepower,” Hibbert said. “My main presence is going to be at the rim.

Last year, the Lakers were (29th) in defensive efficiency, so my job is to make sure I clog up the paint, (provide) help-side defense, and whatever else I get on the offensive end is candy.”

Hibbert’s perceived decline last season wasn’t visible in most statistics. He started 76 games and averaged 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots per game — all numbers that look great to the Lakers.

Cone transfer a response to fans’clamor

S

AN Miguel Corp. CEO Ramon S. Ang is hoping Star will remain competitive despite the departure of Tim Cone.

With the PBA’s most successful coach now with Barangay Ginebra and tasked to resurrect the Gin Kings, questions have risen on whether the Hotshots will be in good hands with rookie tactician Jason Webb now calling the shots.

“Of course, we always hope na all our teams will do well,” Ang said on Tuesday night during San Miguel Beer’s victory party at the

Hibbert looks to fresh start with Lakers

R

IGHT after Roy Hibbert, Lou Williams and Brandon Bass received their new gold jerseys Wednesday, they all spoke variations on the same theme.

The three veteran NBA players entered the summer looking for a fresh start, and they’re all eager to get it with the Los Angeles Lakers.

They’re also looking forward to playing with Kobe Bryant — after they get a chance to talk to him.

“I appreciate the Lakers getting me out here, and I’m going to work extremely hard to make sure the Lakers get back

NEW LAKERS. Roy Hibbert, Lou Williams and Brandon Bass are introduced as new Lakers by GM Mitch Kupchak.

DUSTING OFF. Petron XCS teammates Gretchen Ho (right) and Cha Soriano dust off the sand in their bodies during a break in the PSL Beach Volley Challenge at the MOA Sands by the Bay. PSP photo

Favorites look for vengeance in PSL beach volley T HE favorites look to bounce back after suffering early upsets as the Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup 2015 enters its second day of competition on Saturday at the Sands By the Bay in SM Mall of Asia.

Pre-tournament favorites Michelle Laborte and Cha

Cruz of Cignal HD Spikers A tumbled when they suffered a straight-set loss to the hungrier, more aggressive tandem of Danica Gendrauli and Norie Diaz of Gilligan’s.

The duo of Alexa Micek and Fille Cayetano of Sprint 4T fell to a more prepared team of Bea Tan and Pau Soriano of Foton Hurricane, while crowd darlings Charo Soriano and Gretchen Ho of Petron XCS were beaten in straight sets by April Ross Hingpit and Wensh Tiu of Cignal HD Spikers. PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said the opening-day results show the depth and competitiveness of the field.

“It goes to show how balanced and competitive this tournament is,” said Suzara.

“This is a kill-or-be killed tournament with only the toughest team set to survive.

This is not designed to be a walk-in-the park for the heavyweight teams.”

A bronze medalist in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games in Manila, Laborte is heavily tipped to dominate the field after being partnered with another skilled spiker in Cruz. But things didn’t go according to plan as Gendrauli, a beach volleyball sensation for Southwestern University in the Cebu collegiate league,

and Diaz had a strong start and an even stronger finish.

The same thing happened to Micek and Cayetano of reigning PSL All-Filipino Conference champion Petron. “Errors, erros and more errors, that’s the story of the game,” said Micek, a Filipino-American stunnner who drew the largest cheers from the large weekend crowd.

“But this is still far from over. We can still redeem ourselves. We will train hard and come back stronger next game.”

While Cignal HD Spikers B of Hingpit and Tiu are already safely in the quarterfinals after demolishing Aurora Tripoli and Rochet Dela Paz of Accel Quantum Plus B Perpetual Molino, Cignal HD Spikers A can still book a ticket to the next round if they prevail over Petron Sprint 4T and Foton Hurricane.

Micek and Cayetano must beat Gilligan’s while Soriano and Ho must overcome Accel Quantum Plus B Perpetual Molino in a separate encounter to remain in the hunt for the title in the tournament backed by PLDT Home Ultera-Philippine, Smart, Accel, Sands By the Bay and Maynilad, and organized by Sports Core.

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