Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 134| Friday-Saturday, September 13-14, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

DLI: COMMITMENT MATTERS

Serving a seamless society

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ECONOMIC RISK VOL.12 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13-14, 2019

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ASF can deal PH economy a bad beating, says DA official

By ADAM B. MORRELL

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he Department of Agriculture (DA) in Davao City said African Swine Flu (ASF) will give the economy more beating than it will cause health risks to humans.

DA-Davao disease monitoring and surveillance unit chief Armie Capuyan on Wednesday, September 11, downplayed the risk to human health by the ASF but cautioned it will certainly hurt the hog industry.

“We are safe from African Swine Fever. However, ang mas malaking concern natin dyan is ang hog industry po natin dahil sa nakita po natin sa ibang bansa na affected ng ASF like China and other countries, millions po ng kanilang baboy ang namatay,” Capuyan said during the AFPPNP Press Corps media brie�ing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Capuyan disclosed that Davao Region is among the top producers of hogs in the entire Philippines with more than 940,000 swine heads recorded as of Jan-

uary 2019.

“Tulad ng nangyari sa China, hindi natin gustong mangyari yan dito sa atin particularly here in Region 11,” Capuyan said.

The DA of�icial also explained that an area which tested positive of ASF will be culled up to one kilometer radius. Culling is a way of eradicating animals in a herd to prevent the spread of disease.

“Ibig sabihin po, kahit isang baboy lang ang tinamaan ng ASF, hanggang isang kilometer po ang i-cu-culling. Mauubos po talaga yung farm hindi dahil sa sakit but sa culling,” Capuyan said.

Meantime, Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte created an African Swine Fever Task Force, primarily aims to protect the city from the severe viral disease that af-

ECONOMIC, P10

PLASTICS HILL. A Davao City Ancillary Services Unit (ASU) worker sits atop a stockpile of used plastic bottles inside R. Magsaysay Park in Davao City on Thursday. The plastic bottles were collected from the shorelines of the city by ‘Bantay Dagat’ volunteers and from recyclable bins of the city’s public parks. Lean Daval Jr

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13-14, 2019

‘Colorum’ tour operators told to get biz permits

By ADAM B. MORRELL he city government’s Business Bureau Of�ice advised ‘colorum’ tour operators in Davao City to secure business permits following complaints made by the City Tourism Operations Of�ice (CTOO).

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Business Bureau Of�ice of�ice-in-charge lawyer Marissa Torentera, during the I-Speak Media Forum held at the City Hall of Davao on Thurs-

day, September 12, said the CTOO have sent their complaints about illegal tour operators who have been arranging/holding travel and tours without

he photo of an old lumad woman teaching a younger woman and a child of the traditional way of weaving has been chosen winner of the Hulagway sa 34th Kadayawan Photo Contest, the Davao City Information Of�ice (CIO) announced on Thursday.

Titled “Pagtudlo sa Kaalam” by Jay Narangho, it was adjudged the winner not only for its impressive technical and artistic presentation, but because of its clear message of “tenderly passing a cultural gem from one generation to the next.”

“It had a powerful story, which captures the essence of Kadayawan — generations of the tribes in Davao,” said one of the judges, photojournalist Keith Bacongco.

Bacongco said photographers must understand the images they are capturing as it could greatly convey the correct message.

Davao City Information Of�icer Jefry Tupas said this year’s competition

received a total 900 entries, which were trimmed down to 120 in the pre-selection stage and further to 30 for the �inal judging of a mixed seasoned and award-winning photographers and journalists.

Dexter Arcenas won second place for his photo “Davao Beauties”, which showcases the 11 Hiyas sa Kadayawan candidates and winners.

The winning photo captured the moment from afar, having a wide perspective of the scene, including not only the Davao Beauties but also the whole artwork of the well-prepared stage.

“Davao Beauties perfectly captured the message of unity among the 11 tribes of Davao. Perfect in its colors, emotions, balance, and timing - it had all the elements of a winning photo,” Tupas said.

Jonel D. Amora was the 3rd placer for his photo “Sayaw”, showing a girl performing a ritual while holding threads of abaca.

“Sayaw showed the rawness of the story of a

securing business permits.

“Naay complaints ang city tourism nga daghan tour operators na walay business permits. Once mag engage ug any type of business dapat jud naay business permits,” Torentera said.

Torentera, however, said their of�ice is empowered to halt any trips or tours arranged by illegal tour operators just like what happened last Fri-

CIO bares Kadayawan photo contest winners T

tribe. It’s not only a photo about dance — but it’s also about the life of a community: how they produce crops, how they give thanks to the gods and goddesses for the good harvest, how they start over again. What made this photo sparkle was its eloquence in telling that story,” Tupas said.

“Production, agriculture, life— not just dance but the expression of life.”

Aside from Tupas, the judges were Dennis Tan, a seasoned Davao photographer who teaches photography to children with special needs; Keith Bacongco, an award-winning photojournalist; and, Drew Dejan Jr, a Youth Ambassador of the University of Mindanao (UM).

“We have this mix of judges because we are not only looking for the technical aspect of photography, but also the composition, the impact, the overall message of the photos.

We want to have different opinions, criticisms, and appreciation of the entries,” Tupas said.

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Wednesday, September 11, at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

"This is the very �irst time na i-host sa lain place ang celebration kay for the past years they have been celebrating it in Davao City," Lim said.

Lim, who was newly appointed as the peace ambassador of the International Peace Group (IPG), said the provincial government of Compostela Valley is genuinely elated to be chosen as the host for this year's host of the peace-oriented ac-

First Place

CIO, P10

ComVal hosts Nat'l Peace Consciousness Month celeb he provincial government of Compostela Valley will host for the very �irst the culmination of the National Peace Consciousness Month celebration with the theme "Tapang at Malasakit para sa Kapayapaan" on September 21 in Pantukan Gym, Compostela Valley.

Provincial Women Development Council (PWDC) chairperson Sholai Lim made the announcement during the AFP-PNP Press Corps media brie�ing held on

day, September 6 where a certain tour operator got nabbed by the Business Bureau Of�ice together with the CTOO. The Business Bureau Of�ice has also the authority to �ile appropriate legal action to violators.

“We will issue �irst notice for the �irst offense, then another notice for second offense, and then we will issue a closure order for the third offense.

Kung dili gyud gihapon

tivity spearheaded by the Mindanao Peace Council (MPC).

Picking Compostela Valley, which will soon be renamed Davao de Oro, as the host for the event came from the directive of Presidential Adviser on Peace secretary Carlito Guansing Galvez, Jr. Lim said Compostela Valley governor and chair of the Southern Mindanao Regional Peace and Order Council Jayvee Tyron Uy warmly welcomed the opportunity of hosting as

COMVAL, P10

Second Place

Third Place

nila tumanon ang closure order, ang next step will be the endorsement of the documents and �iling of the necessary case sa City Legal Of�ice,” Torentera explained.

Torentera urged consumers/travelers to cooperate through asking of�icial receipts from travel and tours operators.

“Dako kaayog tabang ang mga buyers kay pag mangayo silag receipt, mapugos ning mga illegal

operators nga magkuha ug business permits,” the Business Bureau of�icial said.

Torentera advised travel and tours operators without permits to visit Davao City’s BOSS which stands for Business One Stop Shop located at the ground �loor of Sanguniang Panglungsod where they can secure all the legal permits needed to make their business legitimate.

VOL.12 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13-14, 2019

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Increasing garbage in shorelines alarms official

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Davao City Business Bureau chief lawyer Marisa M. Torrentera warns the public against tourism business establishments in Davao City that are operating without necessary permits during I-Speak media forum at City Hall on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

he head of the Davao Ancillary Services Unit team has called on Dabawenyos, especially residents in coastal areas to clean surroundings and throw garbage properly following reports of the increasing volume of garbage in the city’s shorelines.

Paul Bermejo, the head of the Davao City Ancillary Services Unit (ASU), was alarmed that more than 3,000 sacks of garbage were collected from the shorelines in August.

Bermejo bared that the ASU’s Bantay Dagat team collected a total of 3,147 sacks of garbage last month. This is the biggest volume collected compared to 2,066 sacks of garbage collected in July.

“Although the increase in garbage collection from the coastlines can be attributed to the (onset of hagabat, it is still an indication that people (continue to) throw their garbage

anywhere and (these) ended up in the coastal areas,” Bermejo said.

Bermejo stressed it is high time for the public to go out of their homes and start cleaning to ensure that their wastes will not end up in the ocean.

“They should not wait for our coastal clean up every Saturday, they should make it a daily habit to clean their surroundings,” he said.

Bermejo also invited the public to join the Bantay Dagat team and volunteer for the International Clean Up Day on September 21.

“Let us all come out and start cleaning. This is not only the concern of the city government but by everyone,” he said.

Bantay Dagat is the team created by Mayor Inday Sara Duterte to clean the coastal areas of the city and organize volunteers for the regular Saturday clean up. CIO

he Army's 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) has called on the neighboring Malitbog municipal government to form a task group to complement the national government's Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Con�lict (RTF-ELCAC).

1Lt. Kenneth Cabbigat, 8IB's political of�icer, made the proposal during the joint Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) and Municipal Anti- Drug Abuse Council (Madac) meeting in Malitbog on Tuesday.

Cabbigat said the local counterpart to RTF-ELCAC would serve to validate and respond to issues gathered by the military during its Community Support Program (CSP) initiatives in villages that have strong presence of the New People's Army (NPA).

He said the task group would be composed of local agencies that will closely monitor and facilitate the delivery of basic services to the community.

1Lt. Lorjohn Hernandez, newly installed commander of the Alpha Company, updated the council on the security situation in the area of Malitbog and the role of CSP activities in addressing community issues that are being "exploited by communist rebels" in their recruitment drive.

In a separate statement on Tuesday, Lt. Col. Ronald Illana, 8IB commanding of�icer, also underscored the creation of a local task group against communist insurgency to harmonize the delivery of basic services to the barangays.

“We need to form this task group because the

Hainan province seeking Army urges Bukidnon town to form task group vs. NPA linkages with Davao City T

By MAYA M. PADILLO ainan, an island province of China, is seeking cooperation with Davao City in the areas of tourism, agriculture and commerce.

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The Hainan delegation led by Mao Wanchun, chairman of Hainan Provincial Committee of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) met with Davao of�icials from the city, tourism and business sectors, Wednesday during a courtesy visit at the City Hall Conference Room and offered strengthening friendship through cooperation and exchanges.

The province is also seeking sisterhood between Sanya City and Davao City.

Wanchun said they are

interested in commerce and trade with Davao citing Hainan’s platforms to develop services such as a program they call “Global Trade Window”, which is in a form of a business building that is currently welcoming investors from more than 50 countries to settle operations in the building.

“So we welcome those who are interested in this program and make trade investment in this building,” he said.

In the �ield of agriculture, Wanchun said both Hainan and Davao City are

Terrorist Joma can never be political refugee: Año

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epartment of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año on Thursday said exiled Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leader Joma Sison must be hallucinating when he claimed that he is absolutely protected in his self-imposed exile in the Netherlands.

“Ang isang kriminal ay hindi kailanman puwedeng ituring na political refugee.

Ang isang mass murderer ay hindi puwedeng maging refugee. Buking ka na, Joma, kaya panagutan mo ang mga kasalanan mong pagpatay sa mga kapwa mo Pilipino (A criminal can never be considered a political refugee. A mass murderer can never be a refugee. Joma, you are exposed so you better answer for your crime of killing your

fellow Filipinos),” Año said.

The Manila Regional Trial Court has recently issued a warrant of arrest against Joma and 36 of his alleged co-conspirators in the Inopacan massacre, a deadly purge of CPP/NPA members accused by the party of various offenses.

The remains of the victims were discovered in a mass grave in Inopacan, Leyte in 2006.

The DILG chief also called Sison a coward for hiding from the charges against him in a foreign country and living there like a king.

“Duwag ka (You are a coward), Joma. Now that you are in the last few years of your life, do something right for a change, own up to your sins against the Filipino people and face the

TERRORIST, P8

tropical areas and have many things to exchange in terms of agricultural products. He also said Davao is welcome to showcase products in their annual International Winter Agriculture Trade Fair every December in Hainan.

“We welcome enterprises and delegates from Davao to showcase their agricultural products in Hainan as well as promote more Davao City to Hainan,” he said.

The province expressed its desire to establish sister city relationship between Davao City and Sanya City, a city on the southern end of China’s Hainan Island popular for tourist resort with mountains, rivers and the best seaview. It is an important port for import

and export of trade with foreign countries.

“In the future we would like to establish sisterhood relations between Sanya City in Hainan Province and Davao City. Sanya City is famous for tourism spots in China. It is also the most open area in China,” he said.

Wanchun said since tourism industry in Davao City is booming, it best to create linkage in this sector to help the city strengthen tourist arrivals.

He said these cooperation and exchanges are part of the initiatives of opening Hainan to the other countries including the Philippines, especially Davao City.

“President Rodrigo

HAINAN, P8

ARMY, P8

The Tagum City Delegation led by Mayor Allan Rellon and Vice Mayor Eva Lorraine Estabillo pose for posterity after the awarding rites of the 2019 Honor Awards Program of the Civil Service Commission. CIO Tagum

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13-14, 2019

TDF rates rise due to high excess liquidity situation

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Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol zooms in on agriculture as a key driver to Mindanao’s new globalization preparedness, during the 5th Mindanao Policy Research Forum

held at Mindanao State University - General Santos City on September 10, 2019. MinDA

trong demand for term deposit facility (TDF) on high excess liquidity resulted in across-theboard drop of its interest rates Wednesday.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Wednesday showed that rate of the seven-day facility dropped to 4.3486 percent from last week’s 4.4141 percent.

This tenor was offered for PHP10 billion and tenders reached PHP23.7 billion.

Bid coverage ratio increased to 2.3700 from last week’s 2.4905.

Rate of the 14-day facility declined to 4.3995 percent from 4.4352 during the auction last September 4.

Tenders reached PHP34.454 billion, higher than the PHP20-billion offer.

Bid coverage ratio

PEZA chief believes she's not the one to be fired by Duterte

Piñol: Agri key to Mindanao P globalization preparedness

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iming to ensure Mindanao’s productive participation in the new globalization era, Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Emmanuel Piñol highlights the need to capacitate stakeholders, particularly those in the agriculture sector.

In a message during the 5th Mindanao Policy Research Forum, co-organized by MinDA, Philippines Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), and Mindanao State University-General Santos, Piñol said that Mindanao still needs to prepare in order to fully bene�it from globalization.

“Our agriculture sector can better compete globally if they are well-supported. We need to organize our farmers, and help them modernize. It’s the only way we can bene�it from globalization,” Piñol added.

The Mindanao Policy Research Forum is an annual activity conducted in support to the Development Policy Research Month (DPRM), spearheaded by PIDS every September.

DPRM is a whole of government initiative that highlights the importance of policy research in formulating policies and programs that are based on evidence-based studies, and are more responsive to the prevailing trends and challenges of the society.

This year’s theme “Navigating the New Globaliza-

Security Bank’s Education Program receives Award of Excellence

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he International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines recognized Security Bank Foundation’s �lagship education program, Build A School, Build A Nation: The Classrooms Project, with an Award of Excellence under the Communication Management: Corporate Social Responsibility category. This award comes on the heels of previous Award of Merit citations for the past 3 consecutive years.

The program’s holistic approach to Security Bank’s education advocacy is highlighted by end to end initiatives – from the construction of classrooms bene�itting the

students and the communities to spearheading leadership development for school heads and facilitating technical training for teachers. It also includes school painting activities where employees volunteer their time in support of the bene�iciaries.

Since 2011, Security Bank Foundation has already turned over 469 classrooms to 91 schools located in 49 cities and municipalities and provided conducive learning facilities to 98,000 Filipino students.

Security Bank Foundation Trustee Melissa Aquino represented Security Bank at the awarding ceremony on August 30.

tion: Local Actions for Mindanao” intends to tackle the challenges that come along with globalization, and identify proactive actions to ensure Mindanao’s productive participation in the global community.

“We can use globalization to our advantage, such as reaching out to markets that want to buy our agriculture produce.

For instance, we can produce high-quality organic rice that will appeal to the international market of health-conscious consumers,” Piñol said.

The MinDA Chairman cited the new partnership forged with Papua New Guinea, which is another identi�ied market for Mindanao premium rice. Hong Kong, Middle East, and United States are also market destinations for organic

rice currently being sold by the Mindanao-based Don Bosco Multi-purpose Cooperative.

Based on a presentation from PIDS, the key features of the new globalization include worsening inequality, economic restructuring, weakening of social cohesion and trust, and challenges to provision of global public goods.

PIDS President Celia Reyes emphasized there is a need to have a well-educated workforce, those who can easily adopt to new technologies, if we are to actively take part in the new globalization.

“We must also invest in human capital by improving access to basic education, especially for the indigenous peoples communities to address inequality,” Reyes added.

declined to 1.7227 from last week’s 2.2980 as last week’s PHP10-billion offer was met by PHP22.98-billion bids.

Average rate of the 28day facility went down to 4.4907 percent from last week’s 4.4950 percent.

Tenders totaled to PHP35.241 billion, higher than the PHP20-billion offer. Bid coverage ratio improved to 1.7621 from last week’s 1.4085.

Total offering in this week’s auction was increased to PHP50 billion from last week’s PHP40 billion.

BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. attributed this to “anticipation of higher excess liquidity to be siphoned from the �inancial system as a result of funds released from the deposits of the National Government with the BSP.” (PNA)

hilippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Charito Plaza believes she is not the economic of�icial �loated by President Rodrigo Duterte to be �ired.

"I don’t feel I am the one being alluded to," Plaza said at a press brie�ing in Taguig City on Wednesday. "I am just doing my job," she added.

On Tuesday, Duterte said a female of�icial of his administration is expected to get the ax not because of corrupt practices but due to poor performance.

“May tanggalin na naman ako. Though she is not corrupt, she is not in parity with others in terms of performance,” the President said.

“She is handling an economic of�ice…I have to [make the] change,” he added.

Plaza and the Department of Finance (DOF) have locked horns over the proposed rationalization of �iscal incentives under the proposed Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization

Act or CITIRA. The bill or the second package of the tax reform agenda aims to reduce the corporate income tax rate from 30% to 20% in 10 years and rationalize all �iscal incentives under one omnibus code.

The PEZA is �ighting to keep the incentivesfor investors in light of the Duterte administration’s initiative to rationalize �iscal perks.

"I am facing all this risk because I want to protect the interests of the Filipino people," Plaza said.

"He (Duterte) is fair and just. He listens. Before making an announcement whether it is me or not, it will be good if the President will give us time to be heard."

The PEZA chief said the agency has been requesting for an audience with President Duterte, "but I have not been granted one."

Plaza has earlier raised a caveat against revamping the tax incentives, saying it will weaken the trust and con�idence of investors.

Security Bank Foundation Trustee Melissa Aquino represented Security Bank at the awarding ceremony on August 30.

VOL.12 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13-14, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

Sugar stakeholders question SRA production estimates

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ugar industry stakeholders are questioning the production estimates for the year released by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

"The Sugar Regulatory Administration owes industry stakeholders as well as consumers an explanation for their production estimates for the current crop year," Tatak Kalamay, a movement composed of sugar industry stakeholders, said Wednesday in a statement.

Rayond Montinola, spokesman of Tatak Kalamay, noted that records from SRA itself will show that "in the past four crop years, except for one, their (SRA) estimates have been way off."

"This is very disconcerting since production estimates in�luence market forces and determine how SRA crafts its policies,” he said.

The SRA earlier said that raw sugar production for crop year 20192020 is projected at 2.096 million metric tons (MT), or 23,000 MT higher than last year's actual production of 2.072 million MT. The crop year for sugar starts every September and ends in August.

“This seeming penchant of SRA to overestimate production by huge margins instead of re�lecting the realities on the ground is extremely

harmful to the industry because these �igures are also the bases for drafting sugar orders and in determining implementation of the importation program," Montinola said.

Last year, SRA initially projected production at 2.225 million MT, or 152,000 MT higher than the actual output of 2.073 million MT. For crop year 20172018, production was projected at 2.380 million MT while actual output just reached 2.083 million MT, a difference of 297,000 MT. In crop year 20152016, SRA estimated production at 2.270 million MT against actual production of only 2.238 million MT, or 32,000 MT less.

The only exception was crop year 2016-2017, when production reached 2.500 million MT, higher than SRA’s estimate of 2.250 million MT. "This was around the time when the issue of high fructose corn syrup affected industry, sending prices spiraling downward,” Montinola added.

For his part, SRA board member and planters’ representative Dino Yulo said he supports the call for the "seemingly" high production estimate of the agency.

"I support the call of Tatak Kalamay as I, myself manifested my concern on both issues -- the

SUGAR, P10

ECONOMY 5

RedDoorz Philippines country manager Stefanie Irma walks members of the media through the background and services of the tech-enabled platform company during the media launch at Ritz Hotel in Bo. Obrero, Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

RedDoorz to open 4 Davao properties in two months

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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avao City is the new growth area of RedDoorz.

Tech-enabled accommodation platform RedDoorz is eyeing to open four properties in Davao City in two months.

“We have four partners scheduled to open this September and October this year with locations within the city and along Lanang,” said Stephanie Irma, RedDoorz Philippines country head, during its Davao City of�icial launch on Thursday.

RedDoorz entered Davao City four months ago. But it was during Kadayawan sa Davao 2019 that it took a leap and in a span of two months, has opened 26 properties here with locations including Matina, Poblacion, and near the airport.

Irma cited factors they considered in opening a property include proximity to the hospital, airport, and malls.

“These kinds of public demands where traf�ic is in and out. We are okay with any kind of location as long as the business model wherein hotel as a partner get our standards.

We do not exactly really mind with a lot of location because we go even to the smaller cities like Tacloban which is very far,” she added.

Raenald De Jesus, country marketing manager of RedDoorz Philippines said they captured the” practical” market, which is 40 percent in Davao City while the remaining are business and leisure clients.

“In Davao there is a lot of practical versus travel clients. Practical caters to

lobe Telecom-backed mobile wallet GCash is now covering up to P100,000 in compensation for unauthorized transactions on their app.

In a media brie�ing in Taguig City on Wednesday, GCash launched its Customer Protect program which assured users of compensation in cases when their accounts are compromised.

Under the program, a user could �ile a report regarding irregular transactions such as unauthorized withdrawal or pointof-sale purchases arising

from instances of stolen mobile phones or identity theft.

Users can report their concerns to GCash’s customer care channels within 15 days from the date of the questionable transaction.

GCash Risk Policy lead Louie Miguel Santos said “fully veri�ied” users can receive compensation of the actual amount of unauthorized transactions but not exceeding P100,000.

“Semi-veri�ied” users can get up to P10,000 while basic users can claim up to P2,000.

travelers looking for some place to stay. Practical are those who need to be near the school, university at may traf�ic. Here in Davao we see a lot of practical market,” he said.

He added that after Kadayawan and until now, the occupancy rate is consistently not lower than 70 percent.

“The growth has been consistent. For example, the Kadayawan last month pero even now na hindi Kadayawan the occupancy rate has been consistent. We are always on the growth trajectory,” De Jesus said.

Tagged as Southeast Asia’s largest and fastest-growing hotel management and booking platform, RedDoorz continues to expand across Philippines by adding 5,000 additional room nights from now until the end of the

REDDOORZ, P8

GCash covering up to P100K in case of fraud

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Fully veri�ied users are those who have provided government IDs and been interviewed by GCash call center agents. Semi-veri�ied users are those who only supplied the required information while basic users are those who simply downloaded the app and logged on to GCash.

“Actually this program is not required by any regulation in the Philippines.

We actually got inspired because one of our mother companies, which is Ant Financial, they actually have this … program in

GCASH, P8

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

VOL.12 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13-14, 2019

Boomerang

Senator Grace Poe must have barked on the wrong tree when she hit Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade for not solving Metro Manila’s traf�ic and calling him an under-performer.

The DOTr did not take the tirades of the lawmaker lightly. It �ired back by educating Poe on the mandate of the government agency and the performance card of its head. The of�ice clari�ied things by laying its argument beginning with its mandate that addressing traf�ic woes is not in its job description. That said, it also clari�ied that the agency is not washing its hands on the traf�ic woes of the metropolis by saying so.

Likewise, it clari�ied another thing: that Secretary Tugade was designated as the country’s traf�ic czar in a proposed bill in 2016 which did not push through.

It all began with Senator Poe saying in a television interview that Tugade must be replaced because he is underperforming and is unable to solve traf�ic congestion problems. To which, the DOTr quickly rattled off Tugade’s scorecard as head of the department--completion of 64 airports, 220 commercial and social/tourism port projects, and one land port under his leadership—not including another 133 airport projects, 121

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OLIVIA D. VELASCO D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JASPERSOLANI V. BACSAL General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist VP Operations General Manager JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

port projects, and six ongoing railway projects. The agency also defended its head saying Tugade pushed for the 24/7 construction and enforcement of partial operability timelines of projects.

Senator Poe obviously made a careless remark here. Perhaps she was not given the correct runaround by her advisers. Yes, talking on very delicate subjects like Manila’s traf�ic problems could get her in the news.

However, it is disrespectful to those who know the bureaucracy to bring up a topic that is of�hand out of sync. Like barking at the wrong tree.

Considering that Senator Poe was one of the lawmakers who blocked the measure to grant President Rodrigo Duterte the emergency powers to solve the traf�ic problems, the move that would have made Tugade the traf�ic solver, she should be pointing at herself for misjudging what could have been the rightful solution. Problem was, Poe was too malicious to think the President might abuse the emergency powers and use it for corruption.

Talking on subject that one is not too familiar with or has not been briefed correctly is indeed a challenging experience. It exposes novices who are unfamiliar with the executive environment.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Product Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13-14, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

LASANG LUMBER DOCK As its name suggests, the lumber dock of Lasang, host to many historic events, was situated in Lasang, a barangay north of Davao City; it was owned by Lasang Lumber Company, a wood �irm registered in the name of a Japanese civilian.

It was through the facility that ammunition, hardware and enemy troops destined for Davao Penal Colony (Dapecol), an internment camp, were landed and transported.

Supplies intended for the Lasang air�ield nearby were also coursed through the dock.

Located close to the Lasang riverway, the dock, constructed from hardwood and concrete, was situated near an air�ield and accessible by rough road and railway to the penal colony, just 17 miles (27.36 km) away.

There’s scanty detail that can be gleaned from records about the dock. As a lumber quay, it could have been used as hub for cut timbers, �litches, and sawn logs, and also for berthing and mooring of

launches, the fastest and most preferred transport available for heavy commodities.

During the war, the dock became the arrival and departure of area for American prisoners of wars (POWs) detained at Dapecol. After Davao was bombed and taken over by the Japanese Imperial Army, ill-equipped dockworkers at the wharf, chie�ly Filipinos, defended it against being used by the enemy.

In ‘The Deserter’ (2016), J.P. Gonzales wrote that the stevedores fought alongside “with a few policemen and army regulars” in repulsing enemy incursions from the sea. Lanao-born Abu Benghalid, son of a Moro datu who was working in the dock as security guard, was one of those who secured the quay only to end up as a POW at the penal colony.

The dock is prominently included in wartime chronicles over a year after Davao City was bombed by Japanese planes on December 8, 1941.

This was the time when POWs

from Luzon internment camps were relocated due to congestion.

John C. Shively, in ‘Pro�iles in Survival: The Experiences of American POWS in the Philippines During World War II,’ (2011), wrote: “At midmorning on November 7, 1942, the Erie Maru tied up at the Lasang Lumber Dock near Davao City on the southern coast of Mindanao.

The prisoners had been at sea for eleven days. For them, it had been a pleasure cruise compared to the hell they had endured for �ive months at Cabanatuan. They did not know what was in store for them in the new camp, but some… now wondered if they should have taken over the ship when they had had the chance… His salvation in escape would now have to be made through the jungles and swamps of a wholly unknown and hostile island.”

Erie Maru was a decrepit hellship compared to a pigsty; it was one of the numerous �loating cof�ins commissioned by the Japanese to deliver

POWs to internment camps.

Maj. Jack Hawkins, one of ten prisoners who later escaped from the penal colony, recounted that upon reaching Lasang, some of them were shuttled on motorboats to the shoreline.

A year before Davao City was liberated on May 5, 1945, the Lasang dock again entered the history books for its role in the hasty transfer of hungry, unkempt and emaciated POWs after the Filipino American guerrillas were about to liberate the prison camp.

After Dapecol was locked on June 6, 1944 as an incarceration camp, the Japanese authorities decided to move the POWs to Cebu so the guerrillas would not be able rescue them.

With ten Americans and two Filipino convicts having successfully escaped already from the facility on April 4, 1943, the enemy forces wanted to use the inmates as shields.

Around 1,240 POWs, tied together, blindfolded, and forced to stand, were hauled to the Lasang dock, where

they were loaded on the Yashu Maru, an old freighter converted into a prison ship, for their next destination.

Sally Mott Freeman, in ‘The Jersey Brothers: A Missing Naval Of�icer in the Paci�ic and His Family’s Quest to Bring Him Home,” (2017) poignantly wrote about the tragic event: “Once on the docks, the men were ordered to sit in the hot sun for hours while the trucks left to collect the rest of the prisoners. Anchored out in the harbor was a single ship: a rusted freighter with Yashu Maru printed on its side... When the second group of prisoners arrived those that were removed from Davao in April to work on the �ield were not among them… In the peak afternoon heat, the prisoners were ferried out by launch to Yashu Maru, and the dreaded boarding begun.”

It will be an interesting narrative if we further research will provide us details on what happened to the historic dock after the war was over.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

FINDING HAPPINESS “You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.” – Albert Camus *** We live in a world full of miseries, obstacles, hardships, and poverty. Sadness abound but happiness is actually just around the corner. All you have to do is �ind it. But most of the time, we often miss it because we are looking somewhere.

Read the story below shared by William Bausch: Once there was a man who had grown weary of life. So, one day, he decided to leave his own hometown, his ancestral village, to search for the perfect Magical City where all would be different, new, full, and rewarding. So, without saying goodbye, he left.

On his journey, he found himself in a forest. As he settled down for the night, he was careful to take off his shoes and point them in the new direction toward which he was going. However, unknown to him, there was a jokester who came along during the night and turned his shoes around.

When the man awoke the next morning, he carefully stepped into his shoes and continued on his journey to the Magical City. After a few days

of walking, he �inally arrived to what he thought was the city he was looking for.

Not quite as large as he had imagined it would be, however. In fact, it looked somewhat familiar. He found a familiar street, knocked at a familiar door, met a familiar family he found there – and lived happily ever after.

“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for,” American author and radio host Tom Bodett once said.

Again, to most people, happiness is elusive. A tale of the Middle Ages relates how Astrid wandered in the splendid garden seeking �lowers for the wreath she was twining, but always when the last one had just been woven into the garland, it would drop apart in her hands, and she had to begin again her sad endeavor, ever renewed, and ever in vain… an allegory of the endless search for happiness.

Now, there was this story penned by Herbert Prochnow about an old dog who saw a puppy chasing its tail. “Why are you chasing your tail,” the old dog asked.

“I have mastered philosophy,” the puppy replied. “I have solved the problems of the

universe, which no dog before me had rightly solved. I have learned that the best thing for a dog is happiness. And happiness for me is my tail. Therefore, I am chasing it. And when I catch it, I shall have it.”

The old dog shook his head.

“I have also have paid attention to the problems of the universe in a small way,” he told the puppy. “And I, too, have formed some opinions. I, too, have judged that happiness is a �ine thing for a dog; and that happiness is in my tail. But I have noticed that when I chase my tail, it keeps running away from me.

But when I go about my business, my tail comes after me.”

And so does happiness!

The opposite of happiness is sadness. In his novel, The Zahir, Paulo Coelho created a character named Ester, who asked an old man why people are sad.

“That’s simple,” says the old man. “They are the prisoners of their personal history. Everyone believes that the main aim in life is to follow a plan. They never ask if that plan is theirs or if it was created by another person. They accumulate experiences, memories, things, other people’s ideas, and it is more than they can possibly cope with. And that is why they forget their dreams.”

To Elizabeth Gilbert, author

of Eat, Pray, Love, happiness is the consequence of personal effort. “You �ight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it,” she wrote. “You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay a�loat on top of it.”

Not too many people know that happiness can be equated with success. Viktor E. Frankl pointed this out in In Man’s Search for Meaning: ““Don’t aim at success. The more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself.

“Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it. I want you to listen to what your conscience commands you to do and go on to carry it out to the best of your knowledge. Then you will live to see that in the long-

run—in the long-run, I say! – success will follow you precisely because you had forgotten to think about it.”

There was this anecdote posted in Facebook. A group of 50 people was attending a seminar. Suddenly, the speaker stopped and decided to do a group activity. He started giving each one a balloon. Each one was asked to write his/her name on it using a pentel pen.

Then all the balloons were collected and put in another room.

Now, the participants were let in that room and asked to �ind the balloon which had their name written, within �ive minutes. Everyone was frantically searching for their names, colliding with each other, pushing around others and there was utter chaos.

At the end of 5 minutes, no one could �ind their own balloon. Now each one was asked to randomly collect a balloon and give it to the person whose name was written on it. Within minutes, everyone had their own balloon.

The speaker explained: “Exactly this is happening in our lives. Everyone is frantically looking for happiness all around, not knowing where it is. Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Give them their happiness; you will get your own happiness.”

8 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13-14, 2019

HAINAN... FROM3

The Tagum City Delegation led by Mayor Allan Rellon and Vice Mayor Eva Lorraine Estabillo pose for posterity after the awarding rites of the 2019 Honor Awards Program of the Civil Service Commission. CIO Tagum

LGU Tagum civil servants rake CSC Pagasa awards

M

ALACANAN PALACE SEPT 10, 2019—No less than President Rodrigo Roa Duterte conferred upon ten employees of the City Government of Tagum the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Pagasa Award (Group Category) in a �itting ceremony at the Palace for their trailblazing and innovative programs that have bene�ited farmers and �isherfolks of Tagum City.

Civil servants from the City Agriculture Of�ice (CAGRO) and the City Environment and Natural Resources Of�ice (CENRO) bagged the highly-coveted Pagasa award, said to be the highest prize for government workers in the Philippines.

CAGRO was recognized for its Tagumpay Agrivolving Fund “for conceptualizing and offering the agri-volving fund, an easy access credit facility that has broken the

oppressive cycle of debt that has beset Tagum City farmers.”

The CSC noted that “the initiative has spurred �inancial literacy among farmers,” adding that “from a starting fund of Php 3 Million in 2016, the program has doubled the funds dedicated to farmers’ needs.

CAGRO’s team who received the award were Joel Marcelo de Leon, Emiliano Dakingking, Jr., Jul-Mar Liong, Renante Sabanal, and Jerson Sobrevilla.

The CENRO, meanwhile, was also recognized for “breakthrough programs in marine ecosystem protection, conservation and management” through its Integrated Management and Sustainable Environmental Approach to Coastal and Underwater Resources (I’m SEACURe).

The jury assembled by

the CSC was impressed with the program’s implementation since it resulted to the increase of �ish biomass at 34 metric tons per square kilometers, the highest in the entire Davao Gulf, as validated by a study by the University of the Philippines.

According to the CSC, the initiatives of CENRO — which included the establishment of a �ish sanctuary, installation of arti�icial coral reefs, desiltation of rivers and waterways, and restoration of mangroves — resulted to an improved socio-economic status of marginalized �isherfolks through increased �ish catch as evidenced by a 100% �ish haul in 2018 at 600 metric tons.

Making this possible is the team composed of CENRO Department Head Engr.

Vivian Bahalla, along with division chiefs Analyn Piñero, Ronnie Senangote, Cicero

Tiamson, and Nonito dela Torre.

Respective groups received a plaque and individual members received a gold-gilded medallion designed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and 100,000 pesos cash prize.

Mayor Allan Rellon, himself a Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardee in 2017, congratulated all the awardees who he said “provides a shining example of the brand of service that LGU employees gives to the public.”

The conferment of the awards in Malacanang, the conclusion of the monthslong search for outstanding government of�icials and employees through the CSC’s Honor Awards Program, highlighted the celebration of the 119thanniversary of the Philippine Civil Service. Louie Lapat/CIO Tagum

charges against you and give justice to the victims of the Inopacan massacre, among many others,” he says.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), he said, is also closely coordinating with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for the issuance of a red notice for Sison’s arrest, which serves as a valid request for provisional arrest.

“We have referred the warrant issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court to Interpol for publication of a red notice which is de�ined as a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action,” he says.

“Once the Interpol publishes a red notice, Joma Sison becomes a wanted man all over the world,” he adds.

Año said that while there is no bilateral extradition treaty between the Philippines and the Netherlands, it is possible to explore the possibility of transmitting this as a request to the Dutch government for mutual legal assistance (MLA) on criminal

matters.

According to the DILG chief, although Sison has been granted refugee status in The Netherlands due to alleged political persecution in the Philippines, “the grounds for the grant of such refugee status to Joma Sison no longer exist and should therefore be revoked.”

He said the government will seek a special arrangement with the Dutch government for the extradition of Joma Sison on the grounds that his “refugee status” is no longer tenable because he participated in the commission of crimes and other criminal acts, as determined by the Regional Trial Court that renders him effectively ineligible.

The DILG Secretary also stressed that the communist leader continues to direct his terrorist forces in the country from his self-imposed exile in the Netherlands through public statements and issuances, such as directing the New People’s Army to kill and plunder in the countryside.

“This fact has been established when the United States, the European Union, and the Duterte adminis-

tration declared the CPP/ NPA as a terrorist organization,” he said.

In 1992, The Netherlands recognized Joma as a “political refugee” on the basis of his alleged persecution by the Marcos regime.

He says that the government is now actively working with the European Union to have Sison’s so-called refugee status in The Netherlands revoked as soon as possible. The Netherlands is part of the European Union.

“Wala nang rason pa para kanlungin pa ng Netherlands si Joma dahil ang Pilipinas at ang EU mismo kung saan kasapi ang Netherlands ay nagsasabing isang terrorist organization ang CPP na pinamumunuan ni Sison. Ang ibig sabihin si Sison ay isang terorista na hindi kailangan binibigyang proteksyon ng kahit sino mang gobyerno (There is no longer a reason why the Netherlands should provide protection to Joma because the Philippines and the EU, to which the Netherlands is a member, say that the CPP led

by Joma is a terrorist organization which does not need protection from any

government),” he stressed.

Año said initial talks with the EU deputy ambassador were positive, with the latter committing to help the Philippine government in this matter.

At the same time, the DILG and the PNP have teamed up with the Department of Justice, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Foreign Affairs to arrest all the others who were found to be responsible for the Inopacan massacre.

Aside from Sison, among those included in the warrant of arrest issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 are National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) senior adviser Luis Jalandoni, communist leaders Rodolfo Salas and Leo Velasco, and Sison’s wife, Juliet.

“Sumisikip na ang mundo mo, Joma. Malapit na ang araw ng pagtutuos para sa mga kasalanang ginawa mo sa ating bansa at sa mga biktima ng Inopacan massacre (Your world is getting smaller, Joma. The day of reckoning for you to pay for your sins to the country and to the victims of the Inopacan massacre is nearing),” Año said. (PR)

TERRORIST... FROM3

Duterte has visited China several times and also in Hainan to attend the Boao Forum. During the last Boao forum, Duterte have net President Xi Jinping and they had a nice talk. In all this regard, I believe that both sides could sign cooperation and exchanges in the various �ields,” he said.

Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc (DCCCII) President Arturo Milan described this as a welcome development because the city is trying to expand trade relations especially now that the Davao City International Airport (DIA) is being positioned as an international gateway to Mindanao and the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines (BIMP) countries.

“That is a welcome development that they are open of expanding trade relations between Davao.

Hopefully it would include the entire Mindanao,” Milan said in an interview.

In terms of prospects for business, Milan said there is still need to explore in Hainan.

“I heard a lot of the potentials of having this trade relation between Haina.

There are a lot of products

to be explored in terms of business. This is the �irst time that we are receiving of�icials from Hainan and hopefully this would really translate into a bigger trade relation between Davao,” he said.

For its part, the Davao City government expressed optimism in fostering relationships with Hainan.

Generose Tecson, City Tourism Operations Of�ice head, said cooperation with Hainan is a good opportunity for Davao as it is going to open more avenues not only for tourism but for investments as well.

Tecson said this would strengthen Davao as MICE destination.

“I am looking forward to that because looking at all the things that they are building in Hainan I feel that once we have the MICE board in place, then they (Chinese) would be very interested also in investing here because they will see that we are very serious about being a MICE destination. More importantly on myside I would be more interested on the investments which the people from Hainan province can bring here in Davao,” she said.

government has many programs, only that they can’t reach the farthest barangays. Through you, we can bring these programs directly to the people," Illana said.

“I appreciate the decisions of the local of�icials declaring the CNTs (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army Terrorists) and its organizations persona non grata in their community,” he

added.

During the meeting, the two councils also adopted a resolution declaring the NPA persona non-grata in Malitbog.

The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)

year. The new hotels will be strategically positioned across key metro districts and in major cities in province’s across the country by the end of this year.

Irma said after Davao City and General Santos, other areas in Mindanao they are looking to expand this year is Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga.

RedDoorz will be opening new properties in tourist heavy destinations like Boracay, Bohol, Antique, Capiz, Dumanguete, Tacloban, and Negros Occidental.

RedDoorz has been pioneering the hotel and hospitality sector in Southeast

Asia since the company was formed in 2015. It now offers three categories of hotel including RedDoorz, RedDoorz Plus and RedDoorz Premium wherein each is offering a varying degree of value properties including clean rooms complete with clean bedsheets, free WiFi connectivity and essential amenities.

“This is staying in a very nice facilities without spending too much,” De Jesus said.

As of �irst quarter this year, RedDoorz is directly responsible for the creation of over 1,000 jobs across the different districts and cities it operates in.

China,” GCash risk manager Peach Orbe said.

“They trained us to balance risk and customer experience well. That’s why we are con�ident we can manage our risks and be able to compensate for cases of unauthorized transaction,” Orbe said.

GCash is operated by Mynt—a partnership involving Globe Telecom, Ayala Corporation, and Ant Financial. It provides consumers, merchants, and organizations h innovative and �irst-in-world

�intech solutions.

Ant Financial, formerly Alipay, is an af�iliate of the Alibaba Group founded by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma. “It’s actually elevating the �inancial landscape.

Most �intech companies in the Philippine battle for the most convenient products but it is high time for everyone to start talking about security. If you are able to provide this platform you should be able to back it up and protect users as well,” Santos noted.

ARMY... FROM3

REDDOORZ... FROM5

GCASH... FROM5

INdulge!

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EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

DLI: COMMITMENT MATTERS

DAMOSA LAND INC (DLI) makes commitment a serious business.

“If we tell them that their units will be ready at a certain time we really as much as possible to meet those deadlines. Since we topped off the structure is completed and everything inside,” DLI Vice President Ricardo “Cary” Lagdameo disclosed in an interview with Edge Davao as his office.

True enough, the recent topping off of the Tower 5 of DLI’s Seawind project, which is three months ahead of schedule, is a proof of the company’s commitment to the buyers that the project is nearing completion and turnover of units is not a distant away.

This is also a plus point to DLI--giving what they promise to buyers.

THE PROJECT Seawind is a six-tower mid-rise con-

dominium project of DLI in a 2.7 hectare property in Sasa. Imagine looking out your window with a park instantly greets you in the compound, where the low-rise buildings and the many amenities are spaciously laid out.

The design of Seawind’s buildings doesn’t just provide breathing space, but ample privacy as well.

Seawind will also have a commercial complex with a public transport terminal that will provide basic services for the community.

Seawind was launched on August 8, 2015. It is located in an elevated area with the view of the Davao Gulf and Samal Island. It has alloted only 25 percent of the entire development to building spaces while 75 percent is dedicated to open living spaces such as the clubhouse, pocket parks, and walkways.

From a homegrown developer

ON THE BLOCK A4

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

EVENT

FROM BARTENDER TO BAR BOSS

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

ROGELIO CANALES, known to many as Budoy, only knew one thing as a living--being a waiter. Until he learned about bartending.

Five years later, he finally become his own boss – as chief executive officer of Mixed Temptations Mobile Bar Davao.

“It’s a dream come true,” says Canales, who completed a two-year-course on Hotel and Restaurant Management at Alemarz School of Science and Technology as a government scholar under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) program.

Canales opened his own bar recently at Ponciano Reyes Street. “I believe if you follow your passion and dream, everything will happen in the right time,” he said.

Almarie “Al” Ajero, Canales’ loving wife who hails from Kidapawan City, is very supportive of what her husband is doing for the family. “I totally support him all the way,” said Al. Canales has gone a long way indeed.

Back then, while still in college, everything was uncertain. He underwent his on-the-job training at the Marco Polo Hotel in 2006 and after graduation, he was absorbed as an on-call banquet waiter.

From being a waiter, he was promoted as a bartender in Marco Polo Davao’s Lotus Court Chinese Restaurant (2008-2011) and at the Pool Bar (2013-2014). For a year, he was in-charge at the Banquet Bar as bar captain. He was transferred the following year at the Eagles Bar, where he was in-charge of all bar outlets.

From 2016 to 2018, Canales became the officer-in-charge of the Lotus Court and also served as department trainer for service and beverage skills. In February last year, he resigned from his job to pursue what he had been dreaming: a business of his own. After all, he rose to become the president of the Davao chapter of Bartenders Brotherhood Association of the Philippines. Not bad for one who never knew about bartending.

“I really have no idea about bartending; what I know is only about waitering. When I was transferred to Lotus Court, it was there that I learned

how to brew tea, coffee and fruit juices.

If our guest order cocktails, we went to the lobby lounge or Eagles Bar. The reason was that we were not allowed to mixed cocktails. Aside from that, we didn’t know how and we didn’t have the ingredients,” he recalled. “When the Lotus Court was renovated, the staff were distributed to other outlets and I was assigned at the Pool Bar.” Canales was uncomfortable with the changes in the workplace. “I was afraid because I don’t have any knowledge about cocktails, mocktails, spirits and wine,” he admitted.

But what really frightened him the most was having conversation with the guests and visitors. “The Pool Bar is the hangout place for most foreign guests,” he said. “At that time, what I only know was to answer yes or no.”

Instead of being intimidated, he focused on learning the basics of bartending. “I forced myself to study, research and attend seminars. I also asked some techniques in the preparation of basic mixed drinks, spirits and wine from the legends and masters in the bartending industry,” he said. As he learned more about bartending, Canales also gained some confidence in talking with the guests.

Later on, “I felt in love with what I was doing. In fact, I enjoy doing it.”

He recalled, “along the way, I learned the ways and means of the bartending industry. But most importantly, I developed my self-esteem and confidence. If in the past I had only

two English words, I am now able to converse with foreigners although not really fluently thought but enough to talk with them and understand what they are telling me.”

At his own bar, he serves mojito, daiquiri, margarita, whisky sour, piña colada, mai-tai, gin fizz, tequila sunrise, blue lagoon, and Singapore sling.

The mocktails include Shirley Temple, pine-orange passion, and four seasons.

There are three shooters: B-52, flaming tower, and blow-job.

For food, the bar serves salmon steak, tuna steak, grilled chicken, crispy kawali, and baby back ribs.

For seafoods, the choices are dragon head squid, fish and chips, kinilaw na malasugue, and black calamares. For pork lovers, there’s sinuglaw, chicharon bulaklak, and sizzling pork head sisig

while chicken diggers will be delighted with buffalo and spicy chicken wings.

For pica-pica, the bar serves cheese stick, mani with dilis, kropek, nachos muchos, and French fries.

The mobile bar services include a package of black (P10,800 net), platinum (P14,800 net), or premium (P18,800 net). All three have 5-hour bar service with two seasoned and experienced bartenders, one well-experience waiter, and one bar manager.

Canales’ crew is composed of Armand Mortejo, sales and marketing; Clark Ravanas, bar supervisor; Zeus Maruya, mobile bar supervisor; Mark Teves, assistant supervisor; Kenny Meremilla, bartender; and Nino Saniel and Rodel Himtog, waiters. Jayson Remolleno is the bar’s resident chef with George Francia as his assistant.

DAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL.12 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 13-14, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

ABS-CBN’S “WILDFLOWER” NOW SHOWING IN NEW CALEDONIA, POLYNESIA, AND REUNION ISLANDS ABS-CBN continues to evolve into a global media and entertainment company as another one of its wildly successful TV series makes it groundbreaking launch in three French-speaking territories in the Pacific and Indian oceans, which aired in August 19 via French network, Outre-mer la 1ere.

‘Wildflower,” which was top billed by “The Killer Bride” actress Maja Salvador, debuted in New Caledonia, Polynesia, and Reunion, which was made possible through ABS-CBN’s partnership with Ampersand Fiction, a French content distributor. It is also being aired in all French-speaking African countries through the deal made with Startimes and is expected to invade TV screens in Madagascar beginning October.

The Kapamilya network’s “Wildflower” was one of the most watched programs during its run on television and spawned a thousand memes on social media too for its feisty episodes.

The airing of “Wildflower” in French-speaking territories follows ABS-CBN’s string of successes in capturing more non-Filipino viewers in international markets this 2019, with “Pangako Sa’Yo” in the Dominican Republic, “Halikl” in Tanzania, “Forevermore” in Thailand, “The Blood Sisters” in Kazakhstan, “The General’s Daughter” and “Ngayon at Kailan-

man” in Myanmar, and the upcoming co-production of ABS-CBN and Limon

Yapim of “Hanggang Saan” in Turkey.

ABS-CBN’s content, popular for their heartfelt Filipino stories, are available across other territories through ABS-CBN International Distribution, recognized in the global arena as a reliable foreign content provider.

It has been a premier source of high quality Filipino programming in over 50 territories all over the world and has sold over 50,000 hours of content worldwide. Living up to this recognition, ABS-CBN International Distribution commits to add to its first line-up of high-caliber programs and movies with cast and storylines that appeal to various cultures. Visit https://www. abs-cbn.com/internationalsales/about for more details.

PORE OVER JOY AND ETHAN’S JOURNEY IN “HELLO, LOVE, GOODBYE” BOOK THE highest grossing Filipino film of all time is now in print as ABS-CBN Books has published “Hello, Love, Goodbye” The Novel written by fiction author Charmaine Lasar.

Based on the record-breaking Star Cinema movie released just over a month ago, the new read “Hello, Love, Goodbye” relives the heartwarming Hong Kong journey of Joy and Ethan, portrayed by Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards, respectively, in the film.

Those who haven’t watched the film can discover what happens to Mr. Chill (Ethan), who after a huge heartbreak opts to take it easy and enjoy life, and Ms. I’m Too Busy For You (Joy), who’s looking forward to achieving her dreams as a nurse in Canada.

Readers can also unravel the book’s exclusives, including Joy’s backstory in the Philippines before she moved to HK, an epilogue to a future possibility, and various behind-the-scene and on-set photos.

Leaf through the pains and emotions in “Hello, Love, Goodbye” The Novel, available online on Lazada, Shopee, ABS-CBN Books’ Facebook page, and in leading bookstores and newsstands for only P195. For updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit www.abs-cbn. com/newsroom.

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known for its premium quality living and strong attention to customer service, Seawind promises residents, single residents and families, tranquility as they come home.

ON TRACK Lagdameo said the topping off shows they are sticking to their timetable and their commitment to the customers.

In terms of the construction of Tower 5, they’re actually two or three months ahead of schedule and is set to be completed in May 2020.

He said they are targeting to

EDGEDAVAO turn over units of Tower 5 by next year. The Tower 5 houses a total of 214 units.

“Turn over will be done floor by floor. We based it on one is the availability of the units. Because everybody purchased units in different times so it has to match with their payment schedules,” he said.

True to its promise of delivering on time, the construction of the Tower 6 has been ahead of schedule as developments are already at the third floor of the tower.

Lagdameo said they are eyeing to finish construction of Tower 6 by next year and looking at completing the whole

project by end 2020.

“All six towers should be finish already by the end of 2020 which is actually our original construction schedule. Our original plan was to finish it in six years. We are sticking to that schedule,” Lagdameo said.

The topping off of Tower 5 coincided with the blessing of Tower 4.

DLI is the real estate and property development company of the Anflocor Group, known for developing one of the first mixed use developments in Davao City, the Damosa District in Lanang.

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UP AND FURNITURE A1 ABOUTa silly method but for EJ and

9 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

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MOVING

PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE

FORWARD

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

ern technology like proper crop fertilization and adding value to the crops like coffee and cacao. “Relative to that, there is a need to diversify crop production in the Philippine agricultural landscape,” he said, adding that 80% of the country’s farms are devoted solely to rice, corn, and coconut.

By modernizing agriculture, Dr. Dar believed the young people may �inally be attracted to go into farming. “Since the youth are tech-savvy and receptive to technology, their entry into the agriculture sector, especially as agripreneurs a n d info“The new thinking” for agriculture. That is how Dr. William D. Dar, the new secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), calls the eight paradigms which he believes would level up the country’s agriculture sector.

The mission he is bringing is: “to collectively empower farmers and �isherfolk and the private sector to increase agricultural productivity and pro�itability, taking into account sustainability and resilience.”

“The new thinking should have for its vision: A food-secure Philippines with prosperous farmers and �isherfolk,” said Dr. Dar, who prefers to be called “Manong Willie” by farmers and those who know him well.

“The mission and vision should guide the actors and stakeholders in the agriculture sector to ensure the achievement of the objective of making farmers and �isherfolk prosperous, with the eight paradigms putting in place the required policies, programs, projects and funding,” he explained.

Dr. Dar knows what he is talking about. With a doctoral degree from the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, he became the �irst director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) in 1988. Later on, he was appointed as the executive director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

During the time of the presidency of Joseph Estrada, he served as agriculture secretary and as presidential adviser on rural development. However, it was a short stint since he accepted to become the direc-

tor-general of International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).

That was in 1999. Fourteen years later, on June 24, 2013, the was conferred with MS Swaminathan Award for leadership in agriculture. In between those events, he has authored “Feeding the forgotten poor.”

According to Dr. Dar, Philippine agriculture is in a “critical stage,” as it has grown “erratically” in the past �ive years.

“Prosperity is non-existent in almost all agriculture households in the Philippines,” Dr. Dar said in a position paper that was circulated during the press conference held in Davao City recently.

He cited the Family Income and Expenditure Survey released by the Philippine Statistics Authority which showed a typical Filipino farmer earning only an average income of only P100,000 per year. “This is a little below the poverty line of P108,000 of 2105,” Dr. Dar pointed out.

Dr. Dar’s battle cry as the agriculture head is: “Masagang Ani at Malaking Kita.” This simply means that farmers could have a bumper harvest from his farm so that his income will increase.

“Increasing the low incomes of small Filipino farmers and �isherfolk could be the key to leveling up the country’s agriculture sector, starting in the remaining three years of the Duterte administration,” he said.

Dr. Dar cited nine reasons why the income of farmers and �isherfolk are low: low farm productivity,

lack of labor, unaffordable and inaccessible credit, limited use of technology, limited

farmland diversi�ication, underdeveloped agri-manufacturing and export, severe deforestation/land degradation, aging farmers and �isherfolk, and climate change.

He believed, however, income of farmers and �isherfolk can be doubled in �ive years. It is doable, he said, adding that “their sources of income should include off-farm and non-farm activities like agri-tourism.”

Doubling the income could also be done “with the use of relevant and innovative technologies, provision of affordable credit, wide adoption of economies of scale through collective action, value-adding, developing markets at the local, national and global level, sustained empowerment and skills development of farmers and �isherfolk, and provision of sustained government budget support augmented by private sector investments.”

To make these strategies effective and sustainable, other imperatives

must also be undertaken like mechanization, development of rural infrastructure (including market infrastructure), research and development, development-oriented regulatory support, and climate-smart agriculture.

The eight paradigms Dr. Dar is trying to adopt are the following: modernization must continue; industrialization of agriculture is the key; promotion of exports is a necessity; consolidation of small- and medium-sized farms; infrastructure development would be critical; higher and investment for agriculture; legislative support is needed; and roadmap development is paramount.

Modernization of agriculture is crucial To most smallholder farmers, “modernization” is a bit intimidating as most of them believe the term means getting rid of the carabao in favor of farm machines. “But in a modernized farming environment,” Dr. Dar explained, “the carabao is no longer used as a beast of burden but a source of income by way of dairy production.”

Modernization also means application of mod-

med i aries, w o u l d greatly help modernize Philippine agriculture,” he said.

Agriculture industrialization is a must “Agriculture must be treated as an industry, with the objective of industrializing the value chain of every agricultural commodity,” Dr. Dar said. “While productivity increase is a major objective, it is equally important to produce more income by value adding, processing, manufacturing, and developing markets for both raw and processed agricultural products.”

He also suggested the formation of community agriculture management companies or corporations (CAMCs) to ignite industrialization and modernization in the rural farm economy.

“Operating at the barangay or municipal level, the CAMC’s mandate is to institute a pro�it-based model in transforming communities by taking part in rural production systems, establishing contractual partnerships that are more socially equitable compared to their traditional economic relations, and introducing newer technologies to the farmer-partners by way of required meetings and learning sessions,” he explained.

Promotion of exports is a necessity Dr. Dar said exports of agricultural products should not be dependent on surplus production to supply the international market. “What should be done is to achieve economies of scale in on-farm production that would give us sustained quantity and quality of export products,” he said.

This is where the vital part of private sector comes in. “(Their) role will be essential in developing and promoting agricultural products, including establishing and seeking the markets abroad,” he said.

Consolidation of smalland medium-sized farms is integral Today is the right time for the government to “promote and support land consolidation arrangements to bring about economies of scale, particularly for crops that require mechanization and massive use of technology.”

As Dr. Dar puts it: “Consolidating small- and medium-sized farms is also a crucial step to achieve collective action, since it would be easier for government and private entities to deal or transact with organized farmers. This will also help link more farmers to the agro-industrial sector.”

Infrastructure development will be critical “Build, build, build” is the mantra of President Rodrigo Duterte. This must also be for agriculture.

“There is a need to engage the private sector in a ‘build and transfer’ scheme to accelerate the development of national irrigation systems,” he said. “Irrigation development, however, also cover high-value commercial crops and not just rice.”

Dr. Dar also recommended that massive investments must be provided for rainwater harvesting not just for economic purposes but also for �lood mitigation. In addition, he batted for the construction of more solar-powered irrigation systems all over the country.

He likewise backed for the construction of food terminal markets in strategic places including facilities for post-harvest handling, packaging and related facilities, and farm-to-market roads to enhance agri-industrialization in rural areas.

Budget and investment for agriculture must match needs “With a forward-looking Philippine agriculture

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fects domestic and wild pigs.

Duterte’s primary thrust is to protect the Philippine swine industry, with an estimated worth of P200 billion.

The ASF Task Force will implement the Davao City African Swine Fever Pro-

tection Program. The ASF Task Force will be headed by the city mayor with the city administrator as authorized representative.

The City Veterinarian’s Of�ice is co-chairperson.

Among the member departments and agencies are the City Planning and

Development Of�ice, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Of�ice, City Agriculturist Of�ice, City Health Of�ice, City Information Of�ice, and the Hog Raisers (Commercial and Backyard) as Private Sector Representatives among others.

Aside from the three winners, Tupas said each category of the competition also has runners up plus a Mayor’s Choice Award who received consolation prize each.

Among the winners were Arcenas, Longakit, and Cane from Kasikas category.

Losantas, Braganza, and Daquigan also won from the Tabuan category.

Junsay, Dupista, and Longakit bagged an award from the Pamulak category.

Batain with two entries won under the Pamulak category, and Maboloc who is also the Mayor’s

Choice Award winner, won under the Panagtagpo Category.

Arcenas, Ng, and Pajares Jr. were the runners up for the Tunog ug Sayaw category.

Batain and Acebuche are the runners up under the Indak indak category.

CIO

it is also a chance to showcase the developing peace in the province.

"It will allow us to showcase what we do for peace in Comval, para pud mapakita namo na naay ginabuhat ang peace and order council chair not only for the peace and security in the province but also in the entire Davao Region," Lim said.

The whole day activity will jump off with a "Walk for Peace" and followed with provision of services from the national departments including the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade ane Industry (DTI), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) among

others.

The activity will come after the commencement of simultaneous building of schools in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) areas where Saluglungan Schools used to operate as part of the peace and order program of Compostela Valley Province. By Adam B. Morrell

only two months left before the start of the meet.

"If there are any laps-

es, the PSC will come in to �ill in the gaps. We have no more time. We have just a

bit over two months before the Games," said Ramirez in a statement. (PNA)

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that has a roadmap, the government with the strong and popular support from the citizenry, must provide the necessary budget and investment to grow and develop Philippine agriculture,” Dr. Dar contend. “The increased budget will help unlock the bigger potential contributions of agriculture and agribusiness to the economy, including more employment opportunities.

“New ideas, new programs and projects are needed to innovate Philippine agriculture,” he added.

Pro-poor legislative support is urgently needed “The country’s agriculture sector needs the help of both the Senate and the House of Representatives,” Dr. Dar said, referring to the policy and structural reforms that need to be legislated and institutionalized.

The president himself “can also certify urgent legislative measures for agricultural and rural development.”

Development of new roadmap is paramount The new roadmap, as envisioned by Dr. Dar, should have the following goals: increased productivity, pro�itability, competitive-

ness, sustainability and resilience. Those who should also be involved in the formulation of the roadmap are the smallholder farmers and �isherfolk, local government units, SCUs (schools, college and universities), civil society groups, and the private sector.

The agriculture department, however, takes the lead in generating the “big ideas” for the roadmap, with inputs from the private sector as it has more access to the export markets and funding for research and development. “(The roadmap) must also cover a period of at least �ive years and the ultimate aim is to double the income of smallholder farmers and �isherfolk,” he said.

Currently, the agriculture sector accounts for about 9% of the country’s gross domestic product, while 25% is accounted for by agro-processing and related activities, according to Dr. Dar. Of the 42.8-million workforce, about 25% (10.3 million) are engaged in agriculture sector.

“Since the 1960s and 1970s,” Dr. Dar recalled, “the government has introduced many af�irmative ac-

tion programs that sought to help the farm sector, including three waves of agrarian reform to give land to the landless, farm credit programs and support initiatives under various presidents, farm extension, tens of thousands of kilometers of farm to market roads, some level of farm mechanization in select areas, and price support programs as well as quantitative restrictions.”

But still, agricultural development continues to lag instead of moving up to the next level. “(Past programs and initiatives didn’t really take off as) they were designed to solve the problems of an ideal set of bene�iciaries – land-owning, educated, with a modicum of political connections – far from the real circumstances of the average Filipino smallhold farmer who is unable to access low cost �inance for inputs, has limited links to the value chain and retail markets, and no access to better inputs and modern technologies,” Dr. Dar pointed out.

This is the reason why he is promoting the eight paradigms to level up Philippine agriculture.

seemingly high production estimate and the need to ensure domestic supply by having an all 'B' program," he said in a text message to reporters on

Thursday.

Meanwhile, Clarence Ortiz, another convenor of Tatak Kalamay, said their group is joining other industry stakeholders

in opposing the 5% US quota allocation. This is around 100,000 MT, which he said was priced way below domestic sugar.

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Team USA guard Donovan Mitchell takes off his jersey after the shocking loss to France.

Ramirez sets crucial SEA Games meeting

P

hilippine Sports Commission chairman William 'Butch' Ramirez, the Philippine Team chef de mission (CDM) to the 30th Southeast Asian Games, has called for a meeting on Friday in relation to the country's hosting of the biennial sports meet from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 this year.

The competition managers and the presidents and secretaries-general of the national sports associations (NSAs) are expected to be in attendance in the meeting, the �ifth time

Ramirez has called such, to be held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

The decision was made during the regular meeting by Ramirez's CDM team on Wednesday.

Among the agenda in Ramirez's meeting with the NSA's are ticketing and protocol matters, the venues, billeting, transportation, as well as the upcoming Torch Run. Ramirez also expressed readiness should some loopholes arise with

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B

The throne is vacant

EIJING (China) - A new champion will be crowned at the end of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China after France derailed the title defense of the backto-back champions USA in the Quarter-Finals.

Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier orchestrated France’s �irst-ever victory against the top-ranked team in the World, 89-79, to headline the four teams moving to the Semi-Finals in Beijing to �ight for the

famed Naismith Trophy, with Argentina, Australia and Spain.

After eliminating the title-holders, Les Bleus will take on Argentina in the next phase of the competition after the South Americans registered a memorable upset of their own, beating Serbia 9787 a day previously, also in Dongguan.

The other side of the bracket will pit Australia and Spain against each other in the Semi-Finals.

The Boomers punched their ticket to Beijing with a convincing 82-70 victory against Czech Republic in Shanghai, extending their winning streak in China to six games and ensuring their best-ever �inish in the competition.

Also unbeaten, Spain topped Poland in their Quarter-Final 90-78 on Tuesday.

From the four teams still in contention for the FIBA Basketball World Cup title, only Argentina

and Spain have captured the Naismith Trophy in the past. The South Americans won the inaugural edition of the competition in 1950, while the Spanish lifted the trophy the last time the World Cup was organized in Asia in 2006.

Both Semi-Finals will take place on Friday, September 13 in Beijing, with the champions crowned at the Wukesong Sport Arena on Sunday, September 15.

ed three Olympic golds and two world titles -- came to a juddering halt against France on Wednesday.

The 89-79 quarter-�inals loss in China means the USA will now have to play fellow fallen title favourites Serbia in a virtually meaningless classi�ication game later Thursday.

With the defending

Olympic champions already quali�ied for Tokyo 2020, the debacle in Dongguan, China will likely raise pressure on the USA to lock in big stars for next year or risk missing out on Games gold.

"Obviously if you're going to listen to all that stuff, then you’re going to have a lot of problems at the end

of the day," the Brooklyn Nets' Joe Harris said of the inevitable talk about the lack of NBA A-listers.

"For us, we try to keep everything internal. We know how much work we put in.

"We know how much each guy sacri�iced to come and spend 39 days away from home right now."

Debacle in Dongguan casts doubts on USA Olympic bid

B

EIJING -- Deprived of the likes of LeBron James and thrown together at the last minute, a young United States team always looked vulnerable at the Basketball World Cup -- and so it proved.

USA Basketball's long winning streak in major competitions stretching back to 2006 -- which yield-

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

GUIAO IS AN HONORABLE MAN As far as I’m concerned, the FIBA World Cup is already over.

That’s because the USA, touted always as the kings of world basketball, was embarrassed by France in the quarter�inals and thus closed its aspirations to annex anew the other title that almost parallels the prestige of the Olympics gold.

Never mind. Without the acknowledged US stars (Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, James Harden, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Paul George, Chris Paul) in the American lineup, no basketball fanatic worth his salt will put his marbles on the ragtag US team.

My point is that head coach Greg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs made do with what he could assemble as the “best” pla-

toon that will scrimmage against the world’s contenders dying to “eliminate” the American domination of the hoops game.

This is the context that I wish to convey to Pinoy basketball fans: That coach Yeng Guiao also made do with the materials he had, the time constraints that included the cultivation and development of a team chemistry and the lack of adequate foreign exposure. Kumbaga, remedyo na lang.

I had expected Guiao’s resignation ASAP because of the disappointing performance of Gilas.

Not a single win in four matches is just too much to bear. The guy needed no more prompting because Guiao is an honorable person.

Granting even if SBP hired the

best coach that could be found at the time, the chap would not be able to immediately transform that same Gilas into a marvelous �ighting machine. No way, Jose.

Pinoy sports fans should squarely put the blame on the SBP and the PBA instead. Why? Because they are the policy and decision makers who could have afforded the Guiao-led Gilas more than just the equitable time to prepare, train and jell together.

But they did not.

The SBP people knew what kind of opposition Gilas would meet in the WC. Why did they not request the PBA to suspend the Commissioner’s Cup for a little while and let all the best PBA players nominated to the Gilas national team join the practices much ahead of the Aug. 31 FIBA

competitions?

Watching Gilas sorely grope for form during their encounters against Italy, Serbia, Angola and Iran was just exasperating. Too many turnovers, tentative offensive maneuvers, poor outside shooting and the absence of team chemistry did the Filipinos in.

Anyway, I salute Guiao for handing in his resignation, giving SBP a free hand to pick a new head coach if they so deem.

Let’s not call the China WC a debacle. As a long time basketball observer, (I had watched Caloy Loyzaga et al battle their counterparts since the 1954 Manila Asian Games and have compared the evolution of the national team from then on till now) I can tell you that our Asian opponents – China, South Korea, Iran,

Jordan, Japan and even Taiwan – are moving better ahead of us in talent identi�ication, recruitment and development.

Had SBP moved promptly in the scouting area, it could have already worked much earlier with FIBA to assure the inclusion of Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson when he initially entered the NBA �ive or four seasons ago.

Anyway, this is already water under the bridge. I hope there were great though bitter lessons learned from the China experience.

Last word: SBP guys should likewise apologize to the nation.

If Yeng Guiao is being cruci�ied by fanatics, they should also carry the cross. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

12 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

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ON TOP OF HER GAME Nagayo wins Toronto junior golf tourney

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

T

oronto has a new ju- ment head following her nior golf Cinderella impressive performances story and her name in the Maple Leaf Junior is Swingderella.

Golf Tour (MJT).

Yes, that's the moniNagayo carded a �ive ker of Alessandra Chris- over par 77 to beat Vidya tine "Ella" Nagayo, Davao Ramarine who �inished City golf sensation who with an 80. has conquered Australia Nagayo's smashing and now, Canada. performance on CanaPlaying in perhaps the dian soil also earned for biggest tournament in her a spot in Canada's juher �irst two months stint nior golf squad that will in Canada on Saturday, represent the country in the 15-year old Nagayo Australia’s upcoming Jack romped away with the Newton International junior girls champion- Junior Classic, a tournaship trophy in the City ment billed as the ‘largest of Toronto Golf Cham- junior golf event in the pionships at the Tam O Southern Hemisphere’ Shanter Golf Club. with competitors from The tough tournament several countries taking attracted the nation's top part. junior and senior Manny men's Pacquiao saysThe even at 40,Boston he is not finishedPizyet. and women's amateur za-sponsored MJT angolfers who had to un- nounced on its website dergo a tough qualifying on Wednesday that after school. Nagayo got at au- qualifying via numertomatic pass via direct in- ous MJT tournaments vitation from the tourna- held across the country,

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the golfers selected to compete as part of MJT Team Canada are Nagayo from the Don Valley Golf Course in Toronto, ON, Morgan Rutledge from Melancthon, ON, playing out of Shelburne Golf and Country Club, Tommy McKenzie from Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Calgary, AB, Kyle Mayner from Kelowna Golf and Country Club in Kelowna, BC, and Danny Im from Redwoods Golf Club in Langley, BC. This will be the eleventh appearance for MJT Team Canada in the Australian event, which runs a Junior (15 to 17 years) as well as a Sub-Junior (14 and under) SEE STORY ON P11 Championship simultaneously from September 30 through October 4, in Hunter Valley, New South Wales. The �ive-player team, accompanied by

MJT Tournament Director and PGA of Canada Professional, John Deneer, will be participating in the Junior Championship and out�itted with uniforms and golf bags courtesy of MJT’s Of�icial Travel Insurance Partner, TuGo. TuGo also supports the MJT via a partnership where the non-pro�it program receives 10% back from every travel insurance policy sold to MJT member families.

"I am very much looking forward to guiding the Canadian players through what is sure to be a fantastic trip offering many great experiences!”

VOL.11 ISSUE 241 ISSUE • SUNDAY-MONDAY, 6VOL.12 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 24-25, 17-18, ISSUE 51 •FEBRUARY TUESDAY, 21,2019 2019 VOL.12 ISSUE 45 • SUNDAYMONDAY, MAYMAY 12 -13, said Deneer. “Taking partVOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE 21 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2019 in a top level, internation-VOL.12 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MAY 26-27, al event is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our juniors and I am excited to represent Ella Nagayo won the Toronto City Golf Championship junior girls title the MJT as this seasons and will lead Canada in the Jack Newton International Junior Classic coach.” in Australia.

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