Edge Davao Volume 12 Isuue 141 | Tuesday, September 24, 2019

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Coalition vows to stop D passage of SOGIE Bill

By MAYA M. PADILLO

SANITARY TOILET. A young girl defecates under a concrete house at a coastal community in Brgy 23-C Isla Verde, Davao City on Monday. The lack of sanitary toilets, specially on the coastal communities, is one of the factors seen by the authorities why polio virus re-emerged in the Philippines after the country was polio-free for 19 years. Lean Daval Jr

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avao-based Coalition of Concern Families of the Philippines (CCFP) vowed to stop the passage of the proposed Sexual Orientation Identity and Expression (SOGIE) equality bill.

Also known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB), SOGIE Bill is a proposed legislation of the Congress of the Philippines that aims to prevent various economic and public accommodation-related acts of discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. The current versions of the bill are being pushed by Kaka Bag-ao, Geraldine Roman, and Tom Villarin in the House of Representatives while Senator Risa Hontiveros is taking the cudgels in the Senate.

Pastor MelanioTecho, spokesperson of CCFP told media in Kapehan sa Davao that they are now appealing to the Senate not to pass the proposed bill as they deemed some provisions anti-family and anti-Filipino.

“We are not anti-LGBTQ but we want to stand with the entire nation to make clear ano talaga ang bill na ito at ano ang maging impact niya later sa bawat individual at pamilya sa bansa natin,” Techo said.

Techo said they are opposing the clarity of the provision. He said the country has enough

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VOL.12 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte attends as a mentor in the baptism of Sara Velasco at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City on Sunday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Gov’t ready to respond M to polio concerns: Go

PRRD sanctioned memo suspending loan negotiations with anti-drug war countries

By ADAM B. MORRELL

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iterated that the government offers free vaccinations for different diseases. “Hindi lang po sa polio, maraming mga vaccination program ang gobyerno na libre naman po. Nakikiusap po ako magtiwala po tayo sa ating programa. You may avail it.”

The Department of Health (DOH) has earlier assured the public of ample supply of polio vaccines in the country.

The Philippines has been polio-free since 2000, with the last wild polio virus detected in 1993. It takes only one con�irmed case of polio for DOH to declare an outbreak.

Go also addressed the concerns on the African Swine Fever (ASF) which surfaced after the Department of Agriculture (DA) started an investigation on incidents of hog deaths in Bulacan and Rizal. The �irst

case of ASF was con�irmed on September 9.

Asked on the security measures undertaken to prevent the spread of ASF, the senator called for sobriety as the DA has guaranteed the public that the situation is “under proper management”.

“Nakatutok po ngayon ang ating Department of Agriculture. Ayon sa kanila hindi naman daw po delikado,” Go said.

“Tayo ay may meat inspection. ‘Yun po hanapin niyo, kung dumaan sa meat inspection, ‘yun po ang ating kainin.

Sundin po natin ang payo ng Department of Agriculture para maiwasan ang pagspread ng African swine fever,” he added.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has so far released P80 million for the implementation of measures to prevent the spread of ASF in the country. On top of this, DA has also made available P60 million for the �inancial assistance for affected hog raisers at P30,000 per farmer, payable in three years at zero interest.

DA will also be giving P3,000 per live affected pig surrendered for culling and proper disposal. DA has already intensi�ied its efforts by activating and mobilizing its Quick Response Teams at its regional of�ices to conduct complementary measures, in addition to existing Malasakit desks in DA and its attached agencies, to easily respond to affected stakeholders.

DA also offered free ASF laboratory testing and free culling and disposal for affected animals. It is also strictly implementing its 1-7-10 protocol to prevent the spread of virus to other areas.

Go is a known public health advocate even before he was elected Senator. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, the senator �iled on July proposed health measures, including the institutionalization of the Malasakit Center program, the improvement of Philippine nursing education, and a bill expanding the coverage of the Mandatory Basic Immunization Program to improve the country’s healthcare system.

Side 4 Mangayon in Compostela, Sitio Bongloy, Pagsabangan in New Bataan, and three in Sitio Sapanglubog, Tibagon in Pantukan town.

Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy on Friday said all 11 classrooms are expected to be completed next month.

Uy said the "Bayanihan Para sa Paaralan" is a program of the provincial government to address the shortage of classrooms in the different public schools of the province.

Funding, he said, comes from the different private partners and stakeholders.

"The donation is about PHP9 million to �inance these projects and this will answer the issue of classroom shortage even without undergoing the usual lengthy government process of constructing classrooms," Uy stressed.

Apart from the classrooms, the project would also include facilities such as solar panels and a water tank.

The governor also bared that prior to the suspension of STICLC's operations, he had a meeting with the Department of Education (DepEd) to discuss possible alternatives for its learners.

“Once �inished, we encouraged the parents to enroll their students in these schools,” the governor said, referring to the schoolchildren who would travel for hours just to get to the schools in the Poblacion area of this town.

DepEd suspended 55 STICLC-managed schools in Davao Region following a report from National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon detailing Salugpungan's links with the communist New People's Army (NPA).

Meanwhile, Dr. Reynante

enator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said the government is prepared to respond to health concerns in the country particularly the re-ermergence of polio after 19 years.

“Magtiwala lang kayo sa gobyerno natin. Handa naman po ang gobyerno. Sa mga hindi pa po na-vaccinate para sa polio, magsipunta lang kayo sa DOH (health centers) para maiwasan po ang pagkalat at mapigilan itong polio (outbreak) na ito,” said Dabawenyo senator said at the sidelines of the 5th anniversary celebration of the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC) Movement in Pinnacle Hotel, Davao City on Sunday, September 22, where he was guest speaker.

The closest ally of President Rodrigo Duterte made the statement after two reported cases of polio were recorded in Lanao del Sur and Laguna in two weeks.

Go, who chairs health and demography in the Senate, re-

ComVal builds schools for Salugpungan learners

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leven classrooms are being constructed through the 'Bayanihan para sa Paaralan’ in �ive far-�lung barangays in this province to cater to the learners of Salugpungan Ta"Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center Inc. (STICLCI), which was recently suspended by the Department of Education (DepEd).

The construction of the classrooms simultaneously started last Friday are expected to bene�it schoolchildren in Barangays Panansalan in Compostela, Danawan Manurigao in New Bataan, Sitio

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alacañang on Monday clari�ied that it instructed government agencies and state-run �irms to halt negotiations and agreements on grants and loans from 18 countries that backed an investigation by the United Nations (UN) on the administration’s drug war.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte admitted that he instructed Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to issue the memo.

Duterte initially denied that he issued the memo but Panelo said he asked the President again about the matter.

On his second try, Panelo said the President recalled ordering Medialdea to issue the memo on his behalf.

“I asked him about it. He said, ‘I did call at the height of the Iceland resolution’ but somehow he momentarily forgot it but he said ‘I maintain that memorandum. I instructed him to do that,’” Panelo said in an interview.

“That is more on lapse in memory [for] a few minutes,” Panelo said. “But what is important is that memo exists and it is maintained.”

Panelo said Duterte came up with the directive because the Philippines was “insulted” by the Iceland-led resolution.

“We cannot allow this country to be insulting us. A country who condemns allegedly the slaying of certain victims and yet it allows abortion of unborn children up to less than six months old,” the Palace spokesman quoted the President as saying.

With 18 countries in favor, the United Nations Human Rights Council approved a resolution in July to compile a comprehensive report on Duterte’s three-year crackdown, during which at least 5,500 people have been killed in what police say were shootouts with dealers who resisted arrest.

Issued on August 27, the Palace memo said all agencies, state companies and government �inancial institutions should suspend negotiations or agreements “pending the assessment of our relations with these countries.”

These countries are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Fiji, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Uruguay.

Opposition lawmakers slammed the Palace memo with Senator Leila De Lima calling Duterte’s action “irrational” and “anti-poor.”

“This false pride of the Duterte administration foisted to block the UNHRC probe may ostracize the Philippines from concessional foreign �inance and would conveniently justify the country’s availment of Chinese loans with much higher interest rates and shorter grace periods,” Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said.

Lagman added the order was “ill-advised” and would jeopardize “almost half a billion dollars’ worth of �inancing” from countries like Australia, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Austria and some countries from the European Union including Spain’s �irst of�icial development assistance (ODA) which is already in the pipeline.

He said the foregone loans were earmarked for the development of infrastructure, trade and transport.

However, Panelo said there were other bilateral partners and other institutions that are offering grants.

“Other grants that are being offered are more on technical assistance so it will not affect this, the infrastructure of the government,” he said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. also defended the Palace directive.

“We don’t want to borrow money from those whose defense of the drug trade and attacks on anti-drug trade campaigns make us mighty suspicious about where the money’s coming from,” Locsin said on Twitter on Sunday.

Locsin said that “experience showed the same countries that voted for the Iceland resolution never gave or lent us anything worthwhile or offered with conditions more onerous than the loans we’d have to pay back.”

VOL.12 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

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VOL.12 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

IP leader bares sexual abuse at the hands of NPA commander

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ANTI-SOGIE BILL. Coalition of Concerned Families of the Phils. (CCFP) spokesperson Pastor Melanio Techo (left), together with CCFP education committee head Girly Mae Narciso (center) and Child Evangelism-Davao City media and promotion committee area director Pastor Ariel Gomez, says the group will stop the passage of the proposed Sexual Orientation

Identity and Expression (SOGIE) equality bill because soem of its provisions some are anti-family and anti-Filipino. Techo has also reiterated during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao that CCFP is not anti-LGBTQ. Lean Davao Jr

Polio re-emergence poses ‘very low’ risk for adults

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dults have a “very low” chance of contracting polio, the Department of Health said Monday, after the Philippines recorded its �irst cases of the crippling disease in 2 decades.

Polio, which can cause paralysis and even death and has no cure, was detected recently in sewage water samples from Manila and the southern city of Davao.

The highly infectious disease struck a 5-year-old boy in Laguna, a province near the capital, and a 3-year-old girl in Lanao del Sur. Children aged 5 below still have weak immune systems and are most vulnerable to polio, said DOH Spokesperson and Undersecretary Eric

Domingo.

“Ang talagang high-risk po sa polio is children 5 years below kaya talagang sila iyong ipina-prioritize sa pagbabakuna,” he said. “’Pag po adults, mababang-mababa po ang risk,” he added.

(Children 5 years old and below are at high risk of contacting polio so they are prioritized in the government’s vaccination drive. For adults, there is a very low risk.)

However, adults with very

Guv: Renaming ComVal to Davao de Oro will spur dev’t

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he provincial government here is optimistic about the approval on the renaming of this province to Davao de Oro, saying this would cater to development since it would mean that it is closer to Davao City.

Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, in an interview on Saturday, said the move would pave the way for the creation of more economic zones in the province.

Apart from that, the governor added that the province is rich in natural resources and has a stable economic status, which could entice more investors.

Uy disclosed that based on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 10600, the plebiscite on the rati�ication of the law renaming the province as Davao de Oro has been set on December 7.

It was set from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., wherein counting and canvassing

of votes will immediately follow.

He added that a total of PHP54 million was allotted for the conduct of the plebiscite on the said date.

“Comelec has numerous lined up activities in the memorandum. They will also spearhead the information dissemination campaign,” he stressed.

Representatives Maria Carmen “Maricar” Zamora, Ruwel Peter Gonzaga and Pedro Acharon Jr. �iled House Bill 7363, which sought to rename the province into Davao de Oro, on May 15, 2018.

Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sonny Angara �iled the Senate Bill 1746 last December 10, 2018.

The bills were consolidated on January 29 and RA 11297 (An Act Renaming the Province of Compostela Valley as the Province of Davao de Oro) was then signed into law on April 17, but was made public only on May 22. (PNA)

weak immune system can consult health specialists.

“Unless po siguro immuno-compromised, maaari silang magtanong sa kanilang center at tanungin kung kailangan silang bigyan ng bakuna rin [they can consult health experts if they still need vaccines,” he said.

Children can get oral polio vaccines at health centers while adults can prevent the spread of the disease through personal hygiene and restroom sanitation, Domingo said.

A global effort to eradicate the disease has slashed infections from more than 350,000 cases in 1988 to just 33 last year, according to World Health Organization data. Only Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan have failed

to stop transmission.

The Philippines’ �irst polio cases since 2001 came after vaccinations in the capital plunged to 24 percent of the target numbers in June from over 77 percent in 2016, partly due to mistrust stoked by a dengue vaccine scandal, the DOH earlier said.

In 2016, the Philippines became the �irst nation to use Dengvaxia, the world’s �irst dengue vaccine, in a country trial program involving hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren.

But controversy arose after its French manufacturer Sano�i disclosed a year later that it could worsen symptoms for people not previously infected with the virus. Manila stopped the program and

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CLIMATE EMERGENCY. Kim Fabular of Ecoteneo (center), accompanied by Cayle Dayrit (left) of Student Environment Alliance Davao and Rara Ada of Youth for Climate Justice, says we need to act fast to save our environment because the effect of climate change is irreversible. Fabular

tribal leader from Mindanao on Saturday bared that he was sexually exploited by a commander of the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Datu Langilan Asenad Bago, of the Matigtalomo Manobo Tribe, shared before the Filipino community here how he was sexually abused by the communist terrorist group.

“Most painful part for me in the Salugpungan school, my classmates were sent to become full-time warriors in the NPA while my cousin and I were left and being abused by our teachers who are also commanders of the armed group.

We are being raped by gays,” Bago said.

Bago added this also happened to other students of the Salugpungan school.

“I was raped by one of the commanders at the age of 14. It is the most painful experience to me, sometimes I lose my mind thinking that I have lost my future already because of my awful past,” he said.

Bago asked for support from the members of the Filipino community in order to attain justice for the IPs. Falling prey “Indigenous Peoples (fall victim) because they are easy victims. CPP-NPA comes to their ancestral domain in Mindanao and brainwashes them,” Ambassador of the Philippine Mission to Europe, H.E. Eduardo Jose De Vega said for his part.

Bae Lahong Chiary Balinan of Ata Tribe, meanwhile, said that she wants to expose the violent acts by the communist terrorist groups.

“My name Lahong means ‘voice,’ and it is given to me by our tribal leaders. So I want to use my voice to raise awareness to my fellow countrymen living abroad about what’s really happening to us, Indigenous Peoples, in the Philippines, she said.

Halt donations Moreover, the IP leaders called on Filipinos in Belgium not only to condemn the terrorists’ inhumane treatment to them but also to cease donations of money to international front organizations that help channel funds the CPP’s armed group, NPA. The Filipino community members here have also banded together to reject monetary solicitations by communist ter-

rorist organizations masking themselves as humanitarian institutions.

Faith Nuñez, a dentist who also volunteers for different NGOs, expressed dismay after hearing the deception being perpetrated by communist terrorists about the IPs. “I was so shocked because I’ve been supporting the Indigenous People for my whole life but I didn’t know about these all lies and covered up by some other organizations,” Nuñez said.

She said it was disturbing that communist terrorist groups are using children to solicit money for illegitimate purposes.

“I get goosebumps of what they are telling us here, those kids become one of the NPAs that we don’t know we have supported those fake NGOs giving them donations,” Nuñez added.

Duterte Diehard Supporters Europe Vice Chairman, Elmer Medrano, meanwhile, said that their engagement with the IPs was a “big eye-opener,” noting that they now “fully understand what’s really happening to our Indigenous Peoples back home.”

Medrano said Filipinos can help the IPs by sharing accurate information on social media.

“What we can do now is to spread this out, particularly here in Belgium. We will use our in�luence to spread these stories out and to stop funding the CPP-NPA,” he said.

He also expressed optimism that real peace will be achieved in the tribal leaders’ ancestral lands.

Active engagement Nida Angcos, who came all the way from Luxembourg to join the dialogue, lauded the government’s efforts in helping the IPs through active engagements in Europe.

“We are very far from the Philippines so we are thankful that the government is doing this effort to help the IPs deliver us their real stories,” she said.

“Now that we have found out the truth, we will let our families know about this. We will orient the people who donate funds to NGOs, we will let them know to be vigilant about this because not everyone knows what’s happening in the Philippines because we live far from the Philippines,” Angcos added.

has also announced during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao a Greta Thunberg-inspired rally for the climate emergency will be slated on September 27 at Freedom Park along Roxas Avenue in Davao City.

Lean Daval Jr

5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

Oil firms announce big-time price hike

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eftier pump prices of petroleum products will greet motorist this week, as �irms on Sunday reported a big-time hike to take effect next few days.

In an advisory, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. said it will hike prices per liter of gasoline by P2.35, diesel by P1.80, and kerosene by P1.75.

The changes will take effect at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 24.

Petro Gazz earlier announced similar changes, while other �irms have yet to make adjustments.

According to the latest data available from the Department of Energy (DOE), as of September 17, year-to-date adjustments stand at a net increase of P5.51 per liter for gasoline, P4.02 for diesel, and P2.01 for kerosene.

The DOE last week said the Philippines still has suf�icient supply of oil for local demand, but prices may be hit by the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil assets.

“Ang inventory natin, andiyan eh. We don’t see the problem of supply. Ang problema dito is ‘yung impact on the price,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said Wednesday.

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group over the weekend took responsibility for the attack on two plants at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s oil industry on Saturday, which knocked out over half of the Kingdom’s output.

The drone attacks are expected to cut Saudi’s output by 5.7 million barrels per day or over 5% of the global oil supply, according to a statement from state-run oil company Saudi Aramco.

This brought oil prices to surge to six-month highs on Monday, driving more worries over the geopolitical situation in the region, and worsening relations between Iran and the United States.

Saudi Arabia has since reassured markets on Tuesday that full production would be restored by the end of the month.

Banks worth $47T adopt new UN-backed climate principles

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anks with more than $47 trillion in assets, or a third of the global industry, adopted new UN-backed “responsible banking” principles to �ight climate change on Sunday that would shift their loan books away from fossil fuels.

Deutsche Bank, Citigroup and Barclays were among 130 banks to join the new framework on the eve of a United Nations summit in New York aimed at pushing companies and governments to act quickly to avert catastrophic global warming.

“These principles mean banks have to consider the impact of their loans on society— not just on their portfolio,” Simone Dettling, banking team lead for the Geneva-based United Nations Environment Finance Initiative, told Reuters.

Under pressure from investors, regulators and climate activists, some big banks have acknowledged the role lenders will need to play in a rapid transition to a low-carbon economy.

Financing for oil, gas and coal projects has come under particular scrutiny as climate scientists step up calls to

change the global economy’s deep reliance on fossil-fuels to avert disastrous warming.

The principles, drawn up jointly by UN of�icials and banks, require lenders to: - Align their strategies with the 2015 Paris Agreement to curb global warming and UNbacked targets to �ight poverty called the Sustainable Development Goals - Set targets to increase “positive impacts” and reduce “negative impacts” on people and the environment - Work with clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices - Be transparent and accountable about their progress.

The principles’ main backers say the norms will encourage banks to pivot their loan portfolios away from carbon-intensive assets and redirect capital to greener industries.

Critics argue that banks should go much further by explicitly committing to phasing out �inancing for fossil fuel projects and agribusiness that drive deforestation in the Amazon, Southeast Asia and other regions.

OIL PRICE HIKE. An oil company’s petroleum storage tanks tower over an industrial area in Bo. Pampanga, Davao City. Oil firms have announced a big-time price hike on their petroleum products which will take effect today. Lean Daval Jr

BDO Network Bank eyeing unbanked, unserved sector

By MAYA M. PADILLO DO Network Bank, formerly known as One Network Bank the rural bank subsidiary of BDO Unibank, is eyeing to capture the unbanked and underserved communities with the new name.

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“The common number is 30 percent banked and 70 percent unbanked and of the 70 percent its undocumented kasi so we can only guess but its a big part of the 70 percent that is unbanked and underserved and that we are trying to serve,” said Jesus Antonio Itchon, vice chairman and president in an interview.

Established as Network Rural Bank of Southern Philippine with nine branches in 1992, owned by the Consunjis, Network Rural Bank consolidated with Rural Bank of Panabo and Provident Rural Bank of Cotabato in 2004 to form One Network Bank commonly known as ONB. “In Mindanao One Network Bank is very well-known. When

we started expanding in Visayas and Luzon,talagang zero awareness and it is very hard to be able to serve communities na hindi kami kilala,” said Jesus Antonio Itchon, vice chairman and president in an interview.

Itchon is hopeful that with the new brand, it will open up to communities that they want to serve.

“Our mission is to serve the unbanked and the underserved communities. These communities are not used to banking and we have to be relevant to them.

Once we became the blue and yellow it’s almost magical. Since we’ve rebranded and used the new name in the areas na hindi kami kilala it is so much easier to do business. Pag nakita yung BDO may reception na kaagad,”

Itchon said.

Under its new name, the bank is rede�ining rural banking by living out its vision of a strong community bank and relentlessly bringing modern banking closer to the unbanked and underserved communities.

“When it also rebranded we’re almost ready to provide the whole network to the customers. When you are a customer of BDO you can now transact nationwide.The choice of the name BDO Network Bank is a combination of BDO and One Network Bank,” he said.

BDO Network Bank envisions to serve communities that are unserved through the promotion of meaningful �inancial products and services.

It provides accessible and inclusive banking products and services with a deposit requirement of as low as P100 and loan amounts for as low as P10,000.

Karen Cua, senior vice president of BDO Network Bank said they will continue to serve the teachers and the MSMEs. BDO Network Bank brings

Papua New Guinea officials inspect rice farms, rice mills

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Inspection Mission. Papua New Guinea’s Central Province Governor Robert Agarobe and his colleagues inspect farms and rice processing facilities in Davao and North Cotabato following the forging of agreement

for export of premium rice to PNG at P60 to P80 per kilo. The delegation will also join the Davao Agri Trade Expo, September 27-28, for opportunities in business networking and matching.

responsible personal �inancial management to public school teachers and helps them meet their personal aspiration of improving the economic well-being of their family through the education of their children, own professional development and advancement, ensuring the health and wellness of their family and nurturing business endeavor to augment their household income.

Under its Kabuhayan Loans,the bank provides dependable and timely access to working capital to help micro and small entrepreneurs grow their business and accumulate capital.

“For MSMEs our offering is a loan across the nation but every borrower we asked them to open a savings account as well. We are offering P30,000 to P500,000 loan depending on the size of the business,” Cua said.

Itchon said they launched BDO Network Bank in Davao early this month and the launch is still ongoing.

f�icials of the Central Province of Papua New Guinea led by Gov. Robert Agarobe inspected farms and rice processing facilities in Davao and North Cotabato over the weekend to �inalize the export of premium Mindanao Rice to the South Paci�ic country of 8 million.

The inspection mission came following the Agreement signed between Gov. Agarobe and Mindanao Rice Farmers groups in Port Moresby two weeks ago on Agricultural Cooperation, including the supply of Mindanao Premium Rice to PNG. The signing was witnessed by PNG Prime Minister James Marape and Philippine Ambassador Bienvenido Tejano.

The country, located in the Eastern Part of Papua Island, imports almost all of its rice needs.

As Filipino farmers compete with cheap rice imports from other countries, the Mindanao Development Authority opened the pros-

pects of exporting Premium Rice to PNG, where it is sold for as much as the equivalent of P60 to P80 per kilo.

Tomorrow, Gov. Agarobe and Don Bosco Multi-Purpose Cooperative, a pioneering farmers’ group in exporting organic rice, will forge the Memorandum of Agreement for the export of premium and organic rice to PNG. Governor Agarobe and his colleagues are expected to pay a courtesy visit to Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for potential government-to-government discussions and open potential partnership between the cities.

The delegation will also participate in this year’s Davao Agri Trade Expo, September 27-28, organized by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., which will provide them opportunities to do government networking and business-to-business matching.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

EDITORIAL Fighting polio After 19 years of being polio-free, the Philippines is facing an old nemesis again.

Polio is a dreaded nemesis plaguing poor communities. It is once a disease feared worldwide, striking suddenly and paralysing mainly children for life. Polio is now considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) to thrive only among the world’s poorest and most marginalized communities, where it stalks the most vulnerable children. There are only three remaining countries who have never stopped transmission of the disease and these are Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. The reason for that is weak health systems and poor sanitation.

And now, the country is in the polio list again. Sad, but it can only blamed on abject poverty which results to poor sanitation like the lack of toilets. There is high risk for transmission of poliovirus because of low vaccination coverage, poor early surveillance of polio symptoms, and substandard sanitation practices. Poliovirus spread through feces and where open defecation is practiced because of lack of toilets, there is no surprise why the disease is back.

Going through the polio timeline, the Philippines was declared poliofree in October 2000 with the last case of wild poliovirus reported in 1993. On September 19, the Department of Health (DOH) declared polio outbreak after con�irming the re-emergence of the disease 19 years

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CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL ADAM B. MORRELL DR. MAURO L. PUYOD LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Layout/Cartoons Reporter Cartoonist Photography Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

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

after the Philippines has been declared polio-free by the World Health Organization (WHO). On Monday, September 23, the DOH reported it has recorded seven suspected cases of poliomyelitis (polio) since January this year in Region 9. The seven is among the 15 cases of suspected Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) DOH has recorded in the region. AFP is de�ined as a sudden onset of paralysis or weakness in any part of the body of a child less than 15 years of age.

The city government must act swiftly on this before any case is detected. First vaccination must be intensi�ied. Unvaccinated children must be given the necessary shots as soon as possible. Senator Bong Go announced on Monday that vaccines are available for free at Health centers.

The campaign for “zero defecation” must also be strongly implemented and monitored. Edge Davao’s cover photo for this issue captured a young girl defecating openly with adults around her unperturbed.

Polio can be prevented with simple hygienic practices like properly defecating in toilets, handwashing, making sure water is safe for drinking, and preparing and cooking food thoroughly. These, albeit simple, have to be passed on to communities in an extensive awareness drive.

Bottomline is, keeping everyone safe by practicing hygiene. Above all, making sure every child is vaccinated.

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 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

PROTECTING THE PLANET’S SHIELD Thirty-two years ago, on September 16, the world adopted the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The signatories agreed that it was but proper to regulate the production and consumption of man-made ozone-depleting substances.

So far, 197 countries rati�ied the United Nations treaty, which was humanity’s response to the alarming havoc these chemicals are wreaking on the stratospheric ozone layer, the Earth’s protective shield against harmful levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

“The Montreal Protocol is considered to be one of the most successful international environmental treaties in history,” said Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim, executive director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, in a press statement.

The 2018 Scienti�ic Assessment of Ozone Depletion report said that parts of the ozone layer have recovered at a rate of one to three per cent every decade since 2000. The commitment of those who signed the protocol has led to the phase-out of 99% of ozone-depleting chemicals in refrigerators, air-conditioners, and many other products.

“The healing of our ozone layer through every nation’s adherence to the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol

is proof that when nations unite and work together, we can �ight a challenge as great as ozone layer depletion,” said lawmaker Loren Legarda when she was still with the Senate.

Why so much ado about ozone layer?

“Without the ozone layer’s protection,” Lim said, “the sun’s UV rays penetrate deep into oceans, damaging coral reefs and adversely affecting marine life, a vital source of the world’s food supply and livelihood.”

According to Lim, the depletion of the ozone layer also affects plant growth, disrupting photosynthesis. “Uncontrolled ozone depletion signi�icantly reduces crop yield worldwide,” she said. “It also threatens the wild �lora that serve as forest cover and provide various ecosystems services.”

Without the ozone layer, there would be more people who will suffer from skin cancer. The most common forms of skin cancer in humans – basal and squamous cell carcinomas – have been strongly linked to UVB exposure.

By combining epidemiological data with results of animal studies, scientists have estimated that a one-percent decrease in stratospheric ozone would increase the incidence of these cancers by 2%, reports Frank R. de Gruijl in his article, “Impacts

of a Projected Depletion of the Ozone Layer,” which appeared in Consequences.

Ozone, a simple molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, is a minor constituent of the atmosphere, comprising only a few millionths of its total volume.

The Earth’s atmosphere is divided into several layers. According to science, the lowest region, the troposphere, extends from the planet’s surface up to about 10 kilometers in altitude. Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain on the planet, is only about 9 kilometers high. Virtually all human activities occur in the troposphere. Ozone at the bottom of the troposphere is a harmful pollutant resulting from automobile exhausts and other sources.

The next layer, the stratosphere, continues from 10 kilometers to about 50 kilometers.

Most commercial airline traf�ic occurs in the lower part of the stratosphere. It is in this layer where the ozone shield is found.

Scientists claim that if all the ozone contained in the atmosphere from ground level to a height of some 50 kilometers could be assembled at the earth’s surface, it would comprise a layer of gas only about three millimeters thick, weighing some 3,000 million tons.

But terrestrial life depends

on the presence of ozone. Ozone has the ability to absorb ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun. If ultraviolet radiation is allowed to reach the Earth’s surface, life – if it existed at all – would assume very different forms to those we know today.

The fact that most of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet radiation in the atmosphere is due mainly to the ozone layer which acts as a kind of umbrella against the ultraviolet, shielding life on this planet from an extremely harmful form of radiation.

Thus, depletion of the ozone would allow more ultraviolet radiation to reach the Earth’s surface. “Protecting the ozone is crucial since it is the only gas in the atmosphere that limits the amount of harmful solar ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth,” points out Cynthia Pollack Shea, a senior researcher at the Washington, D.C.-based Worldwatch Institute. “Without ozone, life on earth would be impossible.”

The ozone saga started as early as 1957 when British Antarctic Survey headed by Dr. Joseph Farman monitored ozone levels from Halley Bay, a scienti�ic outpost on the Antarctic coast. Measurements taken with the spectrophotometer remained stable until the team observed in the 1970s a sharp

decline in ozone during the months of September and October.

The scientists refused to believe their �indings, dismissing them as either human or technical error. The 40% drop was too signi�icant to be believed. The “hole,” as media called it, was as big as the United States and as deep as Mount Everest.

In 1974, two American scientists – Mario Molina and F. Sherwood Rowland from the Jet Propulsion Institute of Pasadena and the University of Southern California in Irvine, respectively – hypothesized that man-made chloro�luorocarbons (CFCs) were escaping into the atmosphere and “eating” the ozone layer. Their groundbreaking article, published in the British journal, Nature, touched off a debate in the scienti�ic and corporate communities.

By the way, the theme for the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was apt: “32 Years and Healing.”

“While much work still needs to be done in protecting biodiversity and securing a thriving world for present and future generations, our decades-long cooperation that has led to the healing of our ozone layer is a gain we celebrate today for our planet and our future,” Lim pointed out.

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

KARAOKE AND THE NATIONAL SEAFARERS’ DAY It is an understatement to say that karaoke is a central part of pop culture of Filipinos , including seafarers whether on board or in between contracts.

Karaoke is indeed a favorite past time of Filipino seafarers as one of the coping mechanisms aboard international and domestic shipping vessels to address stress and boredom.

The sea can’t stop the seafarers in mastering the art of vocal mimicry from contagiously belting out songs like the infamous “My Way.” Karaoke is the clipped compound of Japanese kara (empty) and ōkesutora (orchestra) that is an interactive entertainment in which an amateur singer sings along with recorded music (or a music video) using a microphone.

The music is normally an instrumental version of a wellknown popular song. Lyrics are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol, changing colour, or music video images, to guide the singer.

The world’s �irst karaoke machine, the Juke-8, was built

by Japanese inventor and musician Daisuke Inoue in 1971. But it is Filipino inventor Roberto del Rosario of Trebel Music Corporation who holds the machine’s patent for the Karaoke Sing-Along System in 1975.

In between contracts, Pinoy seafarers and maritime students converging along Kalaw show their singing prowess through a weekly show organized by volunteers.

As part of National Seafarers Day ( NSD) celebration this year, the Boses ng Marino Karaoke Challenge will be included in the Pasiklaban Musicfest at the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, followed by the battle of the bands.

A sunset environmental concert dubbed as Harana sa Inang Dagat by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Symphonic and Combo Band will likewise be held along Baywalk in Roxas Boulevard that pays homage to the oceans and seas to keep our seafarers safe in their voyage

Harana was an exclusively nocturnal practice which gained popularity in the early part of the Spanish Period widely practiced in many parts of the Philippines with a set of protocols, a code of conduct, and a speci�ic romantic style of music.

Organized in 2000, the PCG band is composed of both junior and senior ranking non-commissioned of�icers who represented the institution in the different parts of the country, be it for entertainment, advertisement and for keeping the PCG’s vision, mission and primary functions thru musical entertainment.

The Philippines is considered as the major supplier of maritime labor globally as it is estimated that there is one Filipino seafarer for every four to �ive complements on board a vessel at any time.

The estimated 337,502 deployed Filipino seafarers in 2018 remitted $6.14 billion or around P318.55 billion. The sea-based sector’s remittance comprise at least 22% of the to-

tal dollar remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

These remittances help spur domestic consumption in the Philippines and a key ingredient in the country’s drive to achieve higher but sustainable growth.

Former president Fidel V. Ramos issued on July 9, 1996 Proclamation No. 828 declaring Aug. 18 as National Seafarers’ Day aimed at giving due recognition to the vital role of Filipino seafarers towards the development of the Philippines as a maritime country. Later, Proclamation No. 1094 was issued in 1997 by President Ramos which moved NSD to every last Sunday of September every year.

The Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) Philippines was tasked to coordinate with the public and private sectors in activities related to the celebration of said event.

This year’s NSD is set on September 29, 2019 with the theme “ Marinong Filipino- Kababaihan: Palakasin sa Industriya!” in line with 2019 World

Maritime Day theme ( Empowering Women in the Maritime Community).

The Sunday masses during the NSD all over the country are offered to the Filipino seafarers.

Other weeklong NSD activities nationwide led by AOS include memorial at sea, novenas, oratorical/art /photo contest, search for the Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines (TOMSP) and the grand parade participated in by stakeholders.

The NSD coincides with the National Maritime Week celebrated every last week of September spearheaded alternatively by the government agencies Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). *** Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law of�ices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez. com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786).

8 PROPERTY EDGEDAVAO

Aeon Luxe Properties president and CEO Ian Y. Cruz

VOL.12 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

The state-of-the-art Aeon Towers project

Is it art or is it just real estate?

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

U

p and coming homegrown real estate developer Ian Y. Cruz looks to trends in art whenever he thinks of architecture, to inspire his work.

Add to that, he also sees trends in home living and blends it with real estate concepts.

Art in real estate development is very much evident in Cruz's projects. Several years ago, this young entrepreneur with the DNA of Davaoeño-Chinese business emperors created a ripple when he steered FTC Group of Companies to build the mid-rise glass-covered

FTC Towers which housed medical clinics, laboratories, and Green Windows, one of Davao's most successful boutique hotels slash dormitories.

The young businessman was not done yet. It's been a while since the FTC Towers and Green Windows made Cruz a legit emerging force in the industry.

His next major project was the Aeon Towers. Conceptualized to be Mindanao's �irst tallest condominium building at 33 levels, Aeon Towers was a 'de�iant' piece of architecture. Towering over Davao's skyline

and designed not merely to look like a stock of tall blocks as most condominium buildings do, Aeon Towers is made both to express and impress.

It expresses the statement that Davao City has arrived. Far from the boring landscape and skyscape that it once was, Davao is an emerging metropolis with a fast-changing skyline. Buildings have mushroomed in the past �ive years and its economy abuzz.

Aeon Towers is also designed to impress. The glass-encased tower with circular corners and a

Skydeck resembling a ship reminiscent of Singapore's Marina Bay Sands, it is more than just a piece of real estate--it's an art that allows everyone to get into the zeitgeist of the time.

In the world of high-end real estate, the importance of art is surfacing in more ways than one as a theme in new condo developments.

Why not? People don't just buy condo units to live or sell. There are those who look at condo living like a painting on the wall. In Cruz's mind, there are buyers out there who have an appreciation for art and he

is the kind who instinctively bond with these kindred spirits who appreciate such nuanced pursuits.

Cruz's approach has been drawing interest. From Aeon Towers, Cruz's �irm Aeon Luxe Properties now swings into its next project Aeon Bleu.

Aeon Luxe's second high-rise project Aeon Bleu is tucked at a 'hidden paradise' within the CBD around the Bacaca area. This project is something Dabawenyos would have to look forward to years from now along with the wide expanse of real estate development in

the metropolis.

Aeon Bleu is designed to have an overwhelming architectural work inspired by terraces. Imagine decks of towers looking like a stairway up to the sky where you have 'ownership' of the cool breeze and are calmed by the symphony of Davao River's running waters. Aeon Bleu will be a combination of residential and commercial kind of modern living.

For Cruz, every step of the way is an artistic journey where real estate blends with art, and where art is moulded to produce the Zen spirituality of modern living.

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of

Accounting Clerks Iloilo Business Park hosts GFNY PH leg

O

ver 300 elite international riders from 15 Asian nations took to the streets of Iloilo during the Gran Fondo NY Asian Championships (GFNY) at Megaworld's Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao on Sunday, September 22.

The 72-hectare township was named the of�icial venue of the Philippine leg of the GFNY, the world's biggest cycling event, with Festive Walk Mall hosting the majority of the events.

Daily group rides were held ahead of the race prop-

er, and local bikers took part as well. Festive Walk Mall served as the starting point for the preparatory rides.

The of�icial race kicked off at 6:30 a.m. Sunday at Festive Walk Mall. This Philippine leg features a competitive long-distance course of 133 kilometers and 650 meters of climbing, as well as a non-competitive middle distance course covering 64 kilometers with a 220-meter climb.

The quali�ier race is one of the �ive continental title

series that form part of the 2019-2020 GFNY World Race season.

The overall male and female winners of this leg earned a ticket to compete at the Campagnolo GFNY World Championship 2020 to be hosted in New York City in May next year.

Twenty percent (20%) of �inishers from each age group in the long route will get a coveted start seeding in the GFNY Quali�ier Corral for 380 days, including at the Campagnolo GFNY World Championship 2020.

Still, their semi�inal stint was the highest �inish among the three PBA teams that competed in the week-long meet, along with TNT KaTropa and Blackwater.

Lester Prosper, the other San Miguel import, contributed with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Alex Cabagnot had 15, while Kelly Nabong shot 4-of-6 from beyond the arc and �inished with 14 points. Ter-

rence Romeo, who delighted the crown in his previous stints, went scoreless.

Wells and Cabagnot willed the Beermen back from an 86-77 de�icit late in the game. Wells' three-pointer with 2.6 seconds left had San Miguel threatening for the last time at 91-89.

Chinese national team player Jinqiu Hu led the Lions with 31 points, while import Jalen Reynolds had a

double-double of 22 points and 15 rebounds.

The scores: Zhejiang Guangsha (91) Hu 31, Reynolds 22, Jackson 18, Su 8, Zhu 5, Sun 4, Liu 2, Wu 1.

San Miguel (89) - Wells 33, Prosper 16, Cabagnot 15, Nabong 14, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Pessumal 3, Santos 2, Ross 0, Romeo 0.

Quarter scores: 18-18; 37-24; 63-62; 91-89.

ONE MORE.. FROM12

Qualifications: • BS Accountancy / Accounting Technology Graduate or any business related courses • Male/Female • Can work with minimum supervision • With or without experience

Account Executives Qualifications: • BS Marketing Graduate or any related courses • Male/Female • With pleasing personality • With or without experience and willing to be trained

Social Media Lead Qualifications: • Candidate must be creative and enjoys social media • Experience in creating social media post for news, business and organization • Good command of English • Experience in graphic design is a plus Send your application letter and resume to: Ella P. Tingzon HR/Admin Supervisor Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City or email at edgedavao@gmail.com or ella_tingzon@yahoo.com

INdulge!

VOL.12 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

MUCH TO LOVE ABOUT ONE can never put a great destination down and Hong Kong is one of these destinations that we all love thanks to its vibrant energy, character and culture.

While it may be true that protests are still happening, most of the protests have been peaceful and there are already signs of tourists coming back to Hong Kong. “From the initial dip, we are actually seeing a rise again in hotel bookings,” shared Marco Polo Hong Kong hotel’s General Manager Dalip Singh who was recently in town together with Communications Director Samantha Poon and Wharf Estate’s Karen Tam to share positive news and the latest offerings of the Marco Polo Hong Kong and Harbour City.

FRAGRANT STAYS AT THE ‘FRAGRANT HARBOUR’ Hong Kong got its name from the exotic scents and fragrances emanating from the spices and commodities being traded from its busting harbour. Guests visiting Hon-

MARCO POLO HONG KONG

gkong can get to travel back to the fragrant harbour days in style at the Marco Polo Hongkong because from September 1 to October 31, Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel presents Guerlain themed Deluxe Harbour View Suites. Combining elegant brand decorations and aromatic amenities from the luxury French perfume maker, guests can enjoy a scented staycation with spectacular harbour views and exclusive privileges Benefits include Guerlain’s Aqua Allegoria amenities (fragrance, shower gel and body lotion), Guerlain travel size gift bag (one set for each room), Sensational Guerlain Perfume Welcome Drinks at Cucina (one glass per guest), access to Continental Club Lounge with full benefits, and a bottle of cham-

pagne and one set of chocolate strawberries (one set per room).

AN OKTOBERFEST LIKE NO OTHER Hong Kong’s award-winning

outdoor Oktoberfest, the Marco Polo German Bierfest, returns this 17 to 27 October at Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel. The event brings a carnival-like atmosphere through its trans-

parent marquee and unique outdoor setting, allowing guests to experience traditional Bierfest fun, food and follies against

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TRMH WEDDING OF THE MONTH:

TREAT HER LIKE A ROSE “THERE may be many flowers in a man’s life, but there is only one rose.”

That’s how the groom, Jean Paolo will always remember and feel towards his bride Rosedel Jobelle when they finally tied the knot with each other forever on the 26th of July.

It was a lovely wedding evening for the Palo couple at the ballroom of The Royal Mandaya Hotel with their family and friends congratulating and welcoming them to this new milestone in their lives together.

The reception area with its classic touch looked even more elegant decked with the white and peach colors as planned by the couple and executed by their event organizer and decorator. The ladies walked with grace and stood out in maroon and emerald green together with the groomsmen

who looking dapper in their suits.

The Royal Mandaya Hotel

has always been one of the top choices of couples as their reception venue for this un-

forgettable event of their lives not only because of the venue’s look but also the sumptuous dinner served and the mostfriendly banquet staffs assisting them all throughout the night.

“Out of all the wedding venues that we checked out, Mandaya Hotel topped our list because of their wedding package which comprises the important things that we need for the wedding. You can have a hotel room, a bridal car, and the wedding reception venue all at a reasonable price,” the bride said.

TRMH also offers bridal car rental for those who wish to have an extravagant entrance and experience for their spe-

cial day but at a very affordable price.

A groom will always treat his wife with the best they can give as much as possible and that’s how Jean Paolo Palo captured the heart of Rosedel Jobelle Gulanes, who is now his loving and happy wife.

Plan your wedding reception with The Royal Mandaya Hotel! For wedding packages and inquiries call the Hotel’s Banquet Events Supervisor, Michelle S. Sollano, at (82) 225-8888 loc 6179, (82) 2446603 or at 0956-136-3840.

You may also send an e-mail at banquetevents@theroyalmandayahotel.com or visit The Royal Mandaya Hotel, J. Palma Gil Street, Davao City.

CATHAY PACIFIC: A YEAR OF LIFE WELL TRAVELLED FROM DA

By KENNETH IRVING ONG CATHAY DRAGON, the regional wing of Cathay Pacific Airlines celebrated its first year anniversary with a special exhibition and sale at the Atrium of SM Lanang Premier last September 13 to 15 with special fares to Hong Kong and other exciting destinations like Taipei, Beijing, Tokyo, Sydney, Vancouver and Los Angeles were of offer.

Aside from ticket deals, the airline also partnered with Big Sky Nation who offered Travel Wifi unit and packages at massively discounted rates.

MORE THAN THE USUAL BUSINESS TRAVEL Another highlight of the exhibit is the introduction of Cathay Pacific’s Corporate Travel Programmes which are designed to meet the needs of business travellers.

There are two programmes designed to maximise the value of business travel spending. The first is Business Plus, a rewards programme ideal for growing enterprises. With online selfmanagement, you’ll have control over your bookings, benefits, and rewards 24/7.

Earn and accrue Business Plus points to get more rewards and sta-

tus privileges including upgrades, lounge access, and Marco Polo Club memberships. Travel administrators can oversee and manage each travellers’ journey with control over flight bookings, rewards assignment, and other functions.

Travel reports can also be downloaded from Business Plus to help travel administrators oversee and manage their travel spending.

The second is Business Travel Contracting, a fully customisable travel programme made for companies with frequent travel requirements. Cathay can tailor the programme for each company’s specific needs.

HONG KONG AND BEYOND Cathay Dragon currently flies direct to Hong Kong four-times weekly from Davao International Airport and connects to hundreds

of destinations worldwide.

The Cathay Pacific Anniversary sale is extended until September 30. Check out their website at www. cathaypacific.com for more details.

EDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

BARBIE, PAULO, AND STEPHEN ENTANGLED IN A LOVE TRIANGLE IN IWANT’S ‘TAIWAN THAT YOU LOVE’ BARBIE Imperial embarks on a matchmaking mission in the midst of a love triangle between Paulo Angeles and Taiwanese actor Stephen Rong in iWant’s original romantic comedyfantasy series “Taiwan That You Love,” streaming on Wednesday (September 25).

Barbie plays optimistic Ivi, who follows her long-time boyfriend Eric (Paulo) to Taiwan for his summer internship. She lies to him about having accepted a teacher assistant job, while in truth, she operates an underground walking tour service in Taiwan.

During one of these, Ivi encounters brooding artist Wei-Ting (Stephen), another tenant in their condominium, where they unintentionally knock out an old man.

This old man turns out to be Yue Lao, the Matchmaking God, who tells Ivi that she is the next matchmaking Goddess and is supposed to bring together couples who are destined for each other as written in the magical book he turns over to her.

Since the names in the book are written in Chinese, she seeks the help of Wei-Ting, who is hesitant at first, but is eventually charmed by Ivi’s persistence. The two set out on their mission and grow closer together, causing friction on her and Eric’s relationship and her boyfriend to become jealous.

Amidst being torn between the two, Ivi is daunted by the fact that if she fails her matchmaking duties, she would be destined to be forever alone.

Will Ivi succeed in her mission?

Will she fall for Wei-Ting or will she make amends with Eric?

“Taiwan That You Love” features Barbie’s second lead role in a series after last year’s hit Kapamilya teleserye “Araw Gabi.” Paulo, a member of “It’s Showtime’s” Hashtags, also appeared in “Araw Gabi,” “Dream Dad,” and “La Luna Sangre.” Stephen, meanwhile, is an actor, singer-songwriter, DJ, model, and host, who was once challenged in a stage play by performing 18 different characters. His experience spans stage, TV, movies, and music.

The digital series is directed by Theodore Boborol, who also helmed the romantic comedy-drama films “Fi-

nally Found Someone,” “Vince & Kath & James,” and “Just The Way You Are.” The series also stars Jai Agpangan, Igi Boy Flores, Romnick Sarmienta, Mickey Ferriols, Anna Tian Yu Xuan, Ed Ngo, Charles Wu, Sharon Landon, and Melvin Sia. Set out on a journey of love and fate in “Taiwan That You Love,” streaming on the iWant app (iOs and Android) or iwant.ph for free starting September 25. For updates, like www.facebook. com/iWant, and follow @iwant on Twitter and @iwantofficial and @ dreamscapedigital on Instagram, and subscribe to www.youtube.com/ iWantPH.

‘NEVER BE NUMBER TWO’ SAYS JELAI ANDRES

AVAO AND BEYOND The Cathay Dragon team during the Anniversary Sale event.

Big Sky Nation gave discounts on SkyRoam pocket WiFi units and travel WiFi packages.

INTERNET star Jelai Andres dips her toes into the waters of writing as she launches “Never Be Number Two”—an amusing and relatable self-help book that provides hearty insights on living through relationship and marital woes, published under ABS-CBN Books.

The fun and witty read lists down her rules on relationships, but more importantly, emphasizes the importance of self-love even after being extremely hurt by one’s romantic partner.

It also further expands commonly-heard terms nowadays such as “ghosting,” “orbiting,” and “breadcrumbing,” and introduces the author’s own relationship terms like “pillowing,” “orbiting (the house),” and “pa-yummy-ing.”

Jelai said that writing this guide for her ‘mi loves’ (her term of endearment for her followers) allowed her to release some of her bottled feelings and thoughts which she hopes could encourage the readers to forge ahead despite their pain. “I hope that they would be inspired and be aware. Because when we have problems about love life, even if our situations differ, we experience the same signs,” she added.

The vlogger-turned-author also teased what makes her book very compelling. “I wrote something here that nobody knows about. It’s something that should actually remain a secret but I wrote it in this book. What I did was something that you wouldn’t really think I could do but I did it, all because of love,” she shared.

Jelai joins the exciting roster of authors under ABS-CBN Books. The publishing arm of the country’s leading media and entertainment company, ABS-CBN, continues to bring the Kapamilya experience in print with its extensive fiction, nonfiction, movie-based, self-help, and inspirational reads.

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VOL.12 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

URBANISSIMO A1 stunning Victoria Harbour views. This year, guests booking a stay at Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, Gateway Hotel or Prince Hotel can enjoy free admission to the highly-anticipated event.

As Hong Kong’s longestrunning German beer festival, the Marco Polo German Bierfest proudly serves Erdinger, the world-famous wheat beer dating back more than 130 years, with a special-edition Erdinger Oktoberfestbier produced once a year for the festival. Guests can enjoy all-night dancing and drinking against panoramic views of Victoria Harbour.

It wouldn’t be a Bierfest without traditional tunes, and the German band The Notenhobler are here to play hearty folk music and games, including Alphorn-blowing contest, chicken dance and drinking competitions, for a truly memorable festival.

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FRONT ROW EXPERIENCE AT ASIA’S LARGEST WINE FESTIVAL Every year, travellers descend

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into Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. The event serves world-class food and drinks from around the globe at the Central Harbourfront.

To celebrate the 11th year of the event, Marco Polo Hotels – Hong Kong is introducing a ‘Wine and Dine Stay’ room package, allowing guests to experience delicacies and wines against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour. From 1 September until 2 November 2019, book this room package and stay anytime from 31 October to 3 November 2019

for special privileges which include two sets of Premium Pack Wine and Dine Pass (Each set includes one complimentary entry ticket, four wine tokens, two food tokens and a plastic tasting glass), guaranteed room upgrade to the next category, and complimentary late checkout until 3pm.

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SHOPPING FINDS AND GREAT DEALS “For shoppers, now is the time to shop with many brands going on sale and offering massive discounts,” shared Wharf Estate’s Karen Tam. Wharf Estate is the owner of Hong

Kong’s largest shopping mall, outlets, an art gallery, an obserHarbour City and iconic tourist vatory deck, three hotels and a spot Times Square in Causeway cruise terminal all under one Bay. roof. With the Star Ferry pier Spreading over 195,000 (named one of the “50 Places square metres of prime real of a Lifetime” by the National VOL.12 VOL.12 IS estate, Harbour City is the larg- Geographic Traveller), it is est and most diverse shopping home to cruise liner berths, mall in Hong Kong. Located at maritime history and fabulous the heart of the city alongside harbour view – all at its doorthe beautiful Victoria Harbour, step. It is easy to see where the Harbour City offers a wide mall drew inspiration for its range of shopping, dining, name. entertainment and sightseeing A lot is being said about VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 9484 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY JULY 19-20, 5-6, 2019 options as a major attraction in Hong Kong these days but Hong Kong. looking beyond the noise, there Harbour City is a one-stop is definitely a lot to love about shopping paradise with over Hong Kong and the Marco Polo 450 shops, 70 food & beverage Hong Kong hotels.

VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 9484 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY JULY 19-20, 5-6, 2019

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

UP AND FURNITURE A1 ABOUTa silly method but for EJ and

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

EDGEDAVAO 9

VOL.12 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

STOP SOGIE.. FROM1

laws already the protects the rights across genders, age, children and women.

“Napakaganda ng title ng bill kasi it stands against discrimination. Discrimination happens to a lot of people.

We cannot in a way create speci�ic law for a particular group of people because even the constitution walang pinapaboran na certain groups.

Ang batas natin ay pantay ang pagtingin sa Lahat, “ Techo said.

Girly Mae Narciso, education committee head of CCFP cited Section 5 of SOGIE Bill that penalizes any act that promotes stigma on the basis of the SOGIE.

“This alone would curtail the freedom of speech. Ang constitution natin have freedom of speech. This proposed bill pag maging law careful ka na ngayon in expressing your ideas at the same time medyo bias kasi sa feelings although we have no intention of hurting one’s feelings pero dahil na hurt siya you will be held liable. Yun ang ayaw namin sa SOGIE bill,” Narciso said.

Among the controversial provisions in the SOGIE equality bill are: insulting members of LGBTQ+ (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, queers, etc.) will result in a penalty of P500,000 and imprisonment for 6 years

and 6 months; assigning sex on newborns’ birth certi�icates is not allowed until they reach 12 years old; and members of the LGBTQ can now kiss in public.

Narciso said the proposed bill is selective and oppressive to other groups.

She said there are already existing laws such as the revised penal code for crimes against person, labor code for discrimination on employment, and existing anti-discrimination laws to protect everyone. She said there is no need to enact SOGIE bill.

“If you think parang tinapakan ang rights mo you can go to court using these laws,”

she said.

Pastor Ariel Gomez, media and promotion committee of CCFP said they believe SOGIE bill is against Divine law.

“Dahil God only created man and woman. It is also against natural law and moral law. Science says there are only two sexes determine by chromosomes,” Gomez said.

Techo said they submitted already their position paper to the Senate. He said what they are concerning right now is that there are more pro-SOGIE in the Senate.

“So far ang concern namin dahil silent ang mga

Solitario, superintendent of Department of Education (DepEd) Compostela Valley Division, said the sites cho-

sen for the project have existing STICLCI schools.

Solitario said DepEd will move for the accreditation

of the new schools and integrate the existing Salugpungan schools in the province.

Solitario said Compos-

tela Valley province has 24 STICLCI-managed tribal schools covering about 317 students. (PNA)

banned the vaccine.

The disclosure sparked a

nationwide panic, with some parents alleging the vaccine

killed their children, though a government-commissioned

investigation found no conclusive proof that it did.

COMVAL.. FROM2

POLIO.. FROM4

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late SPS. AURELIO POLBERA JAVILLES and ROSARIO C. JAVILLES leaving a parcel of land with TCT Number T-219075 has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among their heirs, per Doc. No.254; Page No.52; Book No.III Series of 2019, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. SUZETTE H. TAN

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ANTONIO N. CALUNGSOD who died on November 22, 1993 at Matina ,Davao City, leaving a parcel of land with TCT Number CARP2018000194 has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among his heirs, per Doc. No.260; Page No.53; Book No.III Series of 2019, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. SUZETTE H. TAN

9/24,10/01,08, 2019

9/24,10/01,08, 2019

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND (HDMF) , Mortgagee, - versus EJF-REM CASE NO. 17,483-19 EDELBERTO S. CATOLINAN married to VINA E. CATOLINAN, Mortgagors.

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NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE OF REAL PROPERTY Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by mortgagee HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND against EDELBERTO S. CATOLINAN, married to VINA E. CATOLINAN, with postal address at LOT 19 & 21, BLK. 41, DECA HOMES RESORT RESIDENCES SUBD., BARANGAY TUGBOK, MINTAL, DAVAO CITY, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness in the total amount of Php=1,291,046.97, Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest and penalty charges as of July 31, 2019, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to 10% of the total indebtedness and other legal expenses incident to foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on OCTOBER 17, 2019 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH and/or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property mentioned and described below with all the improvements found thereon, to wit; TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2017020493 “A PARCEL OF LAND XXX (LOT 19, BLK. 41, XXX PCS-11-003470 , XXX) SITUATED IN THE BARANGAY TUGBOK, CITY OF DAVAO, ISLAND OF MINDANAO. XXX CONTAINING AN AREA OF ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS.” TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2017020494 “A PARCEL OF LAND XXX (LOT 19, BLK. 41, XXX PCS-11-003470 , XXX) SITUATED IN THE BARANGAY TUGBOK, CITY OF DAVAO, ISLAND OF MINDANAO. XXX CONTAINING AN AREA OF ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS.” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on NOVEMBER 14, 2019 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described real property/ies and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, SEPTEMBER 09, 2019.

Sept. 17, 24 & Oct. 1, 2019

Senators I think there are more pro-SOGIE, siyam ang opposed. We were really telling them (Senators) this is our position paper and this will go beyond their terms.

They maybe still senators but you are passing a law that will affect every individual because it’s a preference. Huwag nilang iwanan ang acting bayan ng is ang batas na delikado kasi po this will affect us as a country bilang Pilipino, “ he said.

He said they are appealing to the Senators not to pass the bill.

“I hope they will not leave a legacy that will destroy everything that you and I and

our lolos have built for us. We emphasized how it will affect the present and future legislation na meron because it really affects individuals and families,” Techo said.

“I don’t think you will rejoice if ka mag-anak mo nakulong if the bill is passed. I told the Senators that let’s make provisions as there is enough laws to protect eveyone. Ito po ang �inal pleadings namin sa kanila. Let’s think it over, “ Techo said.

To intensify awareness, CCFP will hold a dawn rally on September 30 in Rizal Park with expected participants of 5,000 from religious organizations.

NOTICE

Please be informed that your request dated August 22, 2019 to conduct survey in your area over Lot 16-N, Csd-112508-020481, portion of mother lot 16,Cad-289 claimed by FELISA Q. DIPUTADO located at So. Manaul, Brgy.

Central, Manay, Davao Oriental is granted, the schedule will be set on September 24-26, 2019.

Be informed further, that the said lot is REVERSED and SET ASIDE and DECLARED as PUBLIC LAND as per Recommendation of the Office of the Solicitor general, Bernard G. Hernandez, Asst. Solicitor General and Lenie L. Layug-Delfin State Solicitor 1 at Makati City for Cagayan de Oro City dated July 6, 2017.

In line with this as per RA 2259, as amended by Sec. 35 of PD No. 1529, under paragraph “a & b” to publicize the conduct of survey in the Official Gazette/newspaper for publication and circulation of the said undertaking.

9/10/17/24

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City

HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND (HDMF) Mortgagee, - versus EJF-REM CASE NO. 17,477-2019 NOEL G. BATAC, Mortgagor/s.

SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM (SSS), Mortgagee, - versus EJF-REM CASE NO. 17,474-19 MARIO RESPONDO married to EDITH RESPONDO, Mortgagor/s.

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NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by mortgagee HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND against the mortgagor NOEL G. BATAC, with postal address at Lot 07, Block 12, Phase 10, Deca Homes Resort Residences Subd., Brgy. Tacunan, Mintal, Davao City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of May 15, 2019 amounted to ONE MILLION TWO HUNDRED THIRTY SIX THOUSAND EIGHTY THREE PESOS and 87/100 (Php 1,236,083.87), Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest and penalty charge and other legal expenses incident to the foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on OCTOBER 17, 2019 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH and/or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property mentioned and described below with all the improvements found thereon, to wit; TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2016011465 “A PARCEL OF LAND (LOT 7, BLOCK 12 OF THE SUBDIVISION PLAN PSD-11-107053, BEING A PORTION OF LOT 49, PCS-3076 AMD.), SITUATED IN THE BARANGAY OF TACUNAN, CITY OF DAVAO, ISLAND OF MINDANAO. CONTAINING AN AREA OF EIGHTY (80) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS XXX.” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the abovestated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on NOVEMBER 14, 2019 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described real property/ies and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, SEPTEMBER 06, 2019.

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the above-mentioned mortgagee against the mortgagor/s MARIO RESPONDO, married to EDITH RESPONDO, with postal address at #54 Jade Street, Lot 11 Blk. 6, Doña Luisa Village, Matina, Davao City, the indebtedness of the mortgagor as of July 01, 2019 amounts to Three Million Three Hundred Forty One Thousand Thirty Four Pesos & 42/100 (Php=3,341,034.42), Philippine Currency, including interest thereon, penalties and other charges and plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale, the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on October 17, 2019 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder to CASH and/or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property/ies mentioned and described below together with all its improvements found thereon, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-123212 “A parcel of land (Lot 11, Blk. 6 of the consolidationsubdivision project, Pcs-11-000781, being a portion of Lots 1-23-, Block 1;1-3, Block 2; 1-17, Block 3; 16-17, Block 4; 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27 & 43,Blk. 6; 1-30; Blk. 7; 1-20, Blk. 8; 1-8, Blk. 9; 1-21, Blk. 10; Road Lots 1-7 & 10, all of Pcs-11-000239), situated in the Barrio of Matina, City of Davao, Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY (150) SQUARE METERS, more or less xxx.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

That in the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on November 14, 2019 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described real property and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, September 11, 2019.

For ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – the OIC Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff

For ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – the OIC Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff

For ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – the OIC Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff

(sgd.) JOSEPH T. CASTRO, JR., Sheriff IV

(sgd.) SUNNY D. MAURILLO Sheriff IV

(sgd.) JAY C. ESPERANZA Sheriff IV

Sept. 17, 24 & Oct. 1, 2019

Sept. 17, 24 & Oct. 1, 2019

10 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

11

Team Salami is champ E J Casintahan, arguably Davao City's top young amateur golfer today, towed Team Salami to the Flight A gross championship at the close of the 11th Eaglemasters Golf Championship.

With Casintahan brandishing his usual precise shotmaking prowess, Team Salami carded 373 points in the tricourse tournament played at Davao's premier courses Apo Golf and Cpuntry Club, Rancho Palos Verdes and South Paci�ic Golf and Country Club.

Casintahan was ably backed up by teammates Addy Briones, Jerico Bajo, Jing Tan

and Jong Tan. Awarding the prizes during the glitzy ceremonies were tournament chairman Randy Cadiogan and Eaglemasters president Leo Abellera Magno.

Finishing �irst runner up in the Flight A championship division was Team UBI Tapa King-Nike TGIS with 348 points. The team was powered by Alrey Ceniza, Monchit Mackay, Patrick Tan and Jorge Martinez.

The tournament attracted a �ield of 600 golfers coming from golf clubs across the country and overseas. (NJB)

PH boxer Marcia settles for silver E umir Felix Marcial settled for silver medal after losing to hometown opponent Gleb Bakshi in their battle for gold in the AIBA World Boxing Chamionship in Ekaterinburg, Russia on Saturday night (September 21).

Marcial was leading in the scorecards after the �irst round when he got caught by a wayward left hook during a wild exchange halfway in the second.

The Russian then coasted the rest of the �ight to secure the gold medal of the middleweight category.

The 23-year-old Filipino pug immediately got up at the count of 3, but the Russian smartly avoided his desperate attempts to salvage the situation.

After three rounds, three judges had it 29-28 for Bakshi while two scored it 29-27, awarding the hometown boy a unanimous decision and the gold medal in the middleweight (75 kg) division.

“Eumir showed a lot of determination and skill, and to be No. 2 in the world is a major achievement," Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) president Ricky Vargas said in a

short statement.

"We'll support him and our other worthy boxers in getting more intensive training on the road to the SEA Games and the Olympic quali�iers next year. We will again request PSC for their usual assistance,” he added.

Elite men head coach Ronald Chavez worked Marcial's corner with foreign consultant Don Abnett and Australian head coach Kevin Smith, a former ABAP consultant who volunteered to help out when coach Roel Velasco had to rush home after his mother passed away during the tournament.

“Marcial performed superbly but just got unlucky.

But we need to get him to develop his own boxing brand which he cannot do at home because of lack of sparring partners in his weight division. We need to get him (and our other big guys) appropriate training partners,” Abnett said.

ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson is in �inal negotiations with the Great Britain Boxing Association for a training camp in the England Institute of Sport (EIS) in Shef�ield, England next month.

CHAMPS. 11th Eaglemasters tournament chairman Randy Cadiogan (extreme left) and Eaglemasters president Leo Abellera Magno (extreme right) award the championship trophy to Team Salami composed of Addy Briones, Jerico Bajo, EJ Casintahan, Jing Tan and Jong Tan. BOY LIM

FIRST RUNNER UP. Team UBI Tapa King-Nike TGIS composed of Alrey Ceniza, Monchit Mackay, Patrick Tan and Jorge Martinez receive their trophy.

BOY LIM

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

EJ OBIENA: BRIGHT TOKYO OLYMPICS PROSPECT He is not yet a household name nor is he among the sports stars lionized by our sporting youths in Philippine sports today.

His forte is not even frequently talked nor written about in the sports pages of Philippine dailies because it is not something that every kid cherishes to take up as a sports career.

Until just recently when he achieved a milestone to become the �irst Filipino to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in pole vault, a �ield event in athletics.

EJ (Ernest John) Obiena, 23, startled the local grapevine when he captured �irst honors in the recently concluded XXXIII Asta in Piaza Indoor Athletics Championships held Sept. 3 in Chiari, Italy with a 5.8 meter clearance over the bar.

Previous to this record-breaking feat, EJ, a senior student at UST taking up Electronics Engineering, also copped the gold medals in the prestigious 2019 World University Games in Napoli, Italy (July 12) and the 23rd Asian Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar (April 21) where he established a New Games Record.

EJ is currently in Italy taking part in several European tournaments as part of his preparation for the forthcoming Manila SEAG, being the defending champion.

The Philippine Sports Commission is funding EJ’s sojourn In Europe on a shoe-string budget.

His parents, Emerson and Jeanette, are praying for private sponsors to come in as their son is making do with the meager

funds he has, renting a small room and living a spartan life instead of staying in a hotel.

EJ is 6’2”, well-built and well-focused. This scribbler is convinced the lad could just spring a surprise next year in Tokyo. His interest in pole vault he certainly inherited from his dad who himself was a former pole vaulter in the national athletics team.

A UAAP Rookie of the Year in 2012, EJ’s progress is remarkable. He is now the 14th ranked pole vaulter around the world.

He is being coached by Vitaly Petrov, the Russian mentor who tutored the Olympic champion Sergey Bubka, a Ukraine-born athlete who served under the Soviet �lag until it dissolved in 1991.

Now 55 years old, Bubka is

sentimentally remembered as the �irst man to clear 6.0 meters in the pole vault event, claiming the gold in the 1988 South Korea Summer Olympics with record-establishing feat of 6:14 mtrs.

From then on, Bubka broke his record 35 more times and thus established his mark as the most enduring of all.

As of 2015, 6 meters had been cleared by all athletes worldwide 100 times or more. The current world record holder is France’s Renaud Lavillenie who copped the gold in the 2012 London Olympics with a record-breaking 6:16 meters.

Elite pole vaulters are generally tall and stand over 6 feet or more. That is why at 6’2’, EJ stands a good chance of spring-

ing a surprise over his higher-rated opponents.

American- Swedish Armand Duplantis is the current world record holder of the under 20-age level with a mark of 5.82 meters.

He is likely to give EJ a run for the money.

But EJ’s winning vault of 5.8 is not too far behind from those above him in the rankings. His mom, Jeanette, who I chatted with last week, con�ided that her son is attentively focused and devoted to his European training.

“EJ is eyeing to break the 6-meter barrier,” Jeanette said.

Which makes EJ the huge favorite to re-establish his hold on this event in the Manila SEAG this November. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

12 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

VOL.12VOL.12 ISSUE 141 ISSUE • TUESDAY, 78 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER JUNE 27, 24, 2019

ONE MORE TIME

Beermen looks forward to another Terrific 12 stint T

EDGEDAVAO

he San Miguel Beermen The Beermen lost a close are looking for more in- 91-89 defeat to the Zhejiang ternational stints after Guangsha Lions in the battle tasting its �irst as a PBA ball- for third place at the Tap Seac club in the East Asia Super Multisport Pavilion on SunLeague’s The Terri�ic 12. day.

Playing in the tough 12The depleted Beermen team derby featuring the best played catch-up for most of pro clubs from China, Korea, the game, but gave the Lions a Japan and the Philippines, the big scare until the end as imBeermen �inished with a de- port Dezmine Wells' despercent fourth place result after ate three-point attempt from making it to the semi�inals of the backcourt just fell short at the Terri�ic 12 and missing the buzzer. out on a podium by losing to The victory earned for the the CBA’s Zhejiang Guangsha Chinese Basketball AssociaLions Sunday. tion (CBA) ballclub the bronze The Beermen cherished medal and the $50,000 prize the opportunity to compete money that goes with it. in the East Asia Super League Wells, who will serve as and are now looking forward San Miguel's import in the to the next one.

PBA Governors' Cup, had 33 “We’re so lucky to be in- points, 5 rebounds, and 4 asvited in this tournament,” sists. But the Beermen missed head coach Leo Austria said. the services of big man Chris“And we’re looking forward tian Standhardinger, who sat next year for us to be invit- out the game with a hurt knee. ed here again.”

Standhardinger was in According to the uniform but didn't suit up, multi-titled and instead joined injured men- teammates June Mar Fajardo tor, and Marcio Lassiter at the San t h e Miguel bench.

Beermen The Beermen fell in the gained a lot o f battle for third place after abknowledge and e x p e - sorbing a 111-89 beating at rience playing in the tourna- the hands of Lance Stephenment where they got tested son and the Liaoning Flying mostly CBA teams.

Leopards duringMAY the knockout VOL.11by VOL.12 ISSUE 241 ISSUE • SUNDAY-MONDAY, 6VOL.12 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 24-25, 17-18, ISSUE 51 •FEBRUARY TUESDAY, 21,2019 2019 VOL.12 MONDAY, MAY 12 -13, “We’re ISSUE able to45 see• SUNDAYa lot of semi�inals on Saturday.

VOL.12 ISSUE 21 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2019 VOL.12 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MAYhard 26-27, good players, especially com"It's really to win ing from the CBA, KBL, and games against those mighty [B.League] from Japan. By teams with a lot of size," said joining this tournament, you SMB coach Leo Austria. "Maycan see your neighbors how be if Christian played with us good they are and it’s a good (tonight), I think we might opportunity for us to learn,” have �inished third place." he added. ONE MORE, P8

EDGEDAVAO

NOT DONE YET A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO 14 12 EDGE

Manny Pacquiao says even at 40, he is not finished yet.

SEE STORY ON P11

Terrence Romeo, who delighted the crown in his previous stints, went scoreless against Zhejiang Guangsha Lions.