Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 185 | Tuesday, November 26, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

INTEREST IN CONDO STILL HIGH: ESDEVCO

Serving a seamless society

BIG INVESTOR Davao is Korean firm’s first f

VOL.12 ISSUE 185 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2019

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PROPERTY P8

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investment location in PH

By MAYA M. PADILLO ishel Group, a South Korea-based medical and aesthetics manufacturing �irm, will be pouring in investment in Davao City.

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The company was established to R&D (research and development), market, and distribute novel medical technologies for plastic and reconstruction and aesthetics (mesh suspension implants, dermal �illers, medical cosmetics, consumer cosmetics, toxins, and perfumery.

Jimmy Jong Woo Kim, chief executive of�icer of Zishel, told media in Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw, that Davao City will be their �irst location for investment in the Philippines.

Kim said they are planning to set up a company in the city and is

eyeing to work with local of�icials.

He also said they will also create an online stores to attract the customers and also looking at setting up a manufacturing business in Davao City in the future.

Today (November 26), the company will be launching Zishel Cosmetic and Zishel Medical at Marco Polo Davao, the �irst launching done by the group to introduce their products and services in the Philippines.

Zishel Cosmetics line includes EstherAction, Avlova and Pinka while Zishel Medical includes

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An exhausted young boy and his siblings fall asleep while waiting to get a ride home along Ponciano Reyes Street in Davao City over the weekend. Lean Daval Jr

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 185 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte receives a warm welcome upon his arrival at a hotel in Busan, Republic of Korea on Monday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

ComVal coco farmers T encouraged to diversify

Davao City brings Pasko Fiesta celebration to IP communities

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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rices of copra has plummeted down since last year pushing coconut farmers in Davao Region to the edge.

In July this year, price watch from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) showed an average farmgate price of copra declined to around P13 per kilo. The downtrend, which began last year has vastly affected pro�itability not only of the industry but the farmers as well.

In Compostela Valley Province about 5,000 coconut farmers have suffered from the slide of copra prices.

“As of last week nisaka

and millgate price sa atong copra at P20 per kilo but in ComVal presuming a P3 different more or less P16 to P17 per kilo of copra.

The PCA has no control over the price because the pricing is being dictated by the world market,” said Socorro So�ia Pueblo, provincial coconut manager of Davao del Norte and representative of PCA-ComVal told media in Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw.

To help these farmers cope with the crisis,

PCA-ComVal, Department of Trade and Industry-ComVal (DTI-ComVal) and other agencies urged coco farmers to diversify beyond copra.

According to Pueblo, one of the initiatives they introduced to farmers is to intercrop their coconuts.

“These are the initiatives that we are doing despite the current copra price. The price of copra was also in�luenced with the price of palm oil in the world market,” she said.

DTI-Compostela Valley Provincial director lawyer Lucky Siegfred Balleque said the agency is now pushing for other coconut byproducts like Virgin Co-

conut Oil (VCO), coco water, coco sugar and even on the non-food side like coco-based handicrafts.

“That is the direction really of DTI and other government agencies to develop other products other than copra. Just like any other commodity �luctuating man jud ang presyo that is why part of our initiative is on product development meaning we need to develop other products ug dili ta magsalig lang sa copra or sa oil,” Balleque said.

The slide of the price of copra will be among the focus of the upcoming 1st Coconut Summit in the Old Session Hall, Capitol slated

ao (NFEM) and members of the Indonesian Second Fleet Command.

The exercise ranges from naval doctrine discussion, tabletop exercise, and open sea drills and maneuvers, which aims to enhance the readiness of both navies in addressing their common maritime security concerns and interests.

In his remarks during the opening ceremony, Lt. Gen. Santos Jr. emphasized the proactive stance of both forces to be abreast with the dynamic mar-

itime security environment.

"It is imperative for us to keep up with the everchanging maritime security environment and develop more robust approaches in addressing maritime security," he said.

Four naval ships will be used during the MTA with NFEM deploying BRP Apolinario Mabini and BRP Liberato Picar, while the Indonesian will be utilizing KRI Layang and KRI Pandarong and will be sailing along the Philippine waters during the activity.

"The activity is Navy to Navy and it is more on military exercise compared to CORPAT- PHILINDO, which includes other civilian agencies from both countries," Commodore Antonio C. Palces, Commander of NFEM explained.

First Admiral Rachmad Jahadi, Commandant, Maritime Security Task Force of Second Fleet Command of the Indonesian Navy attended the activity and led the Indonesian delegates, which is also in preparation for the future con-

he Davao City government will roll out a series of Christmas activities for the Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities starting December 2.

Bringing Christmas spirit to remote areas for the IPs has been a practice by the city government so that lumads do not have to come down to carol in the city where their safety is at risk.

City Social Services Development Of�ice (CSSDO) Assistant head Marilyn Agonia said her of�ice will bring food packs, the mobile library and do parlor games just like in Christmas parties.

She said it is better for the lumads to celebrate Christmas in their area for their safety.

In past years, some lumads who come down to the city to carol city residents either get sick in the

crowded gym where they stay or met road accidents.

“Before there was an incident of car accident and fever, we would like to avoid that, so instead of letting them come into the city, we will come to them,” Agonia recalled.

Agonia said that starting December 2, the CSSDO will go to the IP communities in the city to distribute food packs and give them a little enjoyment through short programs.

“There will be parlor games for them and the mobile library will come with us so that the children can enjoy the books.

This is also an opportunity for them to experience the mobile library of the city,” she said.

The mobile library goes to the community, especially in the far-�lung areas to let the kids read books inside the library.

CIO

Mati CHO targets to 1st PH-Indo maritime training kicks-off immunize 17K kids

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t. General Felimon T. Santos Jr., Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command opened the First Philippine-Indonesia Maritime Training Activity (MTA) at the Naval Station Felix, Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City on November 25, 2019.

The one week combined force training activity that has kicked-off today and expected to conclude on November 30, 2019, will be hosted by the Philippines. It will involve personnel from the Naval Forces Eastern Mindan-

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1ST, P9

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he City Health Of�ice of the City of Mati is aiming to administer anti-polio vaccine to 17,000 children under 5 years old as the Mindanao-wide immunization kicks-off Monday, November 25.

No less than City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat led the ceremonial start of the immunization campaign for the anti-polio drive for children below �ive years old.

Mayor Michelle thanked the city health personnel for their ser-

vices to ensure that no kids will be af�licted with polio in the near future.

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a crippling and potentially deadly infectious disease. It is caused by the poliovirus. The virus spreads from person to person and can invade an infected person’s brain and spinal cord, causing paralysis.

City Health Of�icer Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan Jr. said they target to immunize 17,000 children under 5 years old in the City of Mati from November 25 until

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VOL.12 ISSUE 185 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2019

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Gov’t troops rescue Briton, wife from captors in Sulu

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overnment troops rescued a British businessman and his Filipino wife following a clash against their captors, Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits, in the hinterlands of Sulu, a top military of�icial said Monday.

Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said Allan Arthur Hyrons, 70, and his wife, Wilma, were rescued around 8 a.m. Monday in Mount Piahan, Parang, Sulu.

The couple was abducted on Oct. 4 by six gunmen from the family-owned resort in Barangay Alindahaw, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur. Vinluan said the couple’s rescue came after a series of clashes since Friday that constricted the movement of the ASG bandits.

“The abductors were driven to designated constriction area through the collective efforts of opera-

tionally controlled units of 11th ID (Infantry Division) as the concurrent integrator of AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) operations in Sulu,” Vinluan said.

After the series of armed confrontation with the government forces, Vinluan said the ASG’s main group was forced to hide the Hyrons couple with a minimal number of guards to avoid detection.

“They were unaware that we are monitoring and have anticipated their actions,” Vinluan said.

“Our troops were able to close in on the Abu Sayyaf Group and engaged them in a �ire�ight. Overwhelmed by our forces they withdrew from the site, allowing our soldiers to rescue the couple. Our unrelenting efforts to �lush out these terrorists allowed our troops to pinpoint the location of the enemy and �inally free the kidnap victims,” Vinluan added. (PNA)

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Compostela Valley Province director lawyer Lucky Seigfred Balleque, together with Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) provincial coconut manager of Davao del Norte Socorro

Sofia Pueblo, promotes the upcoming 1st Coconut Summit slated in Compostela Valley Province on November 27 during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr

PRRD fires Robredo T

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resident Rodrigo Duterte has �ired Vice President Leni Robredo as cochair of Interagency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) on Sunday after expressing dissatisfaction on her performance as drug czar.

Robredo accepted the post on November 6.

In a statement, Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the designation of Robredo was an offer to make the campaign against illegal drugs better, “ a chance where both this Administration and the political opposition could have uni�ied in �ighting the social ill that has destroyed the lives of many and imperiled thousands others” but

Robredo, he said, “wasted such opportunity and used the same as a platform to attack the methods undertaken by this Administration.”

Panelo said the President’s �iring Robredo was also “in response to the suggestion of Liberal Party President, Senator Francis Pangilinan, to just �ire the Vice President from her post” and in response as well to the “taunt and dare of VP Robredo for the Pres-

6 of 7 confirmed polio cases are from Mindanao; 4 from BARMM

ident to just tell her that he wants her out.”

“It is time to put the issue to eternal rest and bury it in the graveyard of what could have been, as well as dismiss any obstacle that impedes the government to focus on the issue at hand,” he said.

The announcement of Robredo’s �iring came a day after Duterte said sorry for believing the “fake news” that she invited investigators from the United Nations (UN) to come to the country to probe the anti-drug campaign of his administration.

“I am sorry because I said you only realize that it is false news when the news comes out. And you hear it and you talk about

it, you react to it, that is the problem,” Duterte told reporters on Saturday.

Duterte initially dared Robredo to be the drug czar, which he said would be a Cabinet position. Robredo accepted the challenge. She was not named Cabinet member but as ICAD co-chair.

Duterte later said he could not trust Robredo because she belongs to the opposition Liberal Party.

“Hindi kami magka-partido (we are not partymates),” he said.

He added his acquaintance with Robredo was during the presidential race of 2010 when they campaigned for then Senator Benigno Aquino III

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A curious young mall goer checks the outdoor Christmas decorations being sold at Abreeza mall along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City over the weekend. Lean Daval Jr

he number of con�irmed cases of poliovirus in Mindanao has risen to six out of seven nationwide since the re-emergence of the highly infectious but preventable disease in September.

At least four of the six are from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday announced that the three new cases are children from Maguindanao, Cotabato City and North Cotabato, two of them not vaccinated at all and the other without the third dose.

The �irst con�irmed case of polio, announced by the DOH on September 19, is a three-year old girl from Marogong in Lanao del Sur, the second, announced on September 20, is a �iveyear old boy from Calamba, Laguna and the third, a four-year old girl from Datu Piang in Maguindanao, was announced on October 28.

The fourth con�irmed case, also from Mindanao, was announced by Health Secretary Francisco Duque during a media interview on November 5. But there were no details about the case except that the child af�licted is “from Mindanao.”

Of the six con�irmed cases in Mindanao, four are from the Bangsamoro region: two from Maguindanao, one from Lanao del Sur, and one from Cotabato City which voted yes to inclusion in the BARMM in the January 2019 plebiscite but has yet to be formally turned over. The two others are from North Cotabato and from a still unnamed area in Mindanao.

The DOH on September 19 announced that polio was con�irmed to have reemerged 19 years after its eradication in the country.

It said polio, an infectious disease which

spreads rapidly, can cause paralysis, and on rare occasions, can be fatal, has no cure but it can be prevented “with multiple doses of polio vaccine that have long been proven safe and effective.”

“A single con�irmed polio case of vaccine-derived polio virus type 2 (VDPV2) or two positive environmental samples that are genetically linked isolated in two different locations is considered an epidemic in a polio free country,” the DOH said on September 19.

On November 20, the DOH said samples from the three new cases that were sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Japan came out positive for poliovirus.

“Unacceptable” The three new cases – a two-year old girl from Maguindanao, a one-year old boy from Cotabato City and a four-year old girl from North Cotabato – were admitted to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Cotabato City.

The girl from Maguindanao (the DOH did not name the town) had fever and weakness in both legs, the boy from Cotabato City had fever, cough and weakness in both legs, while the girl from North Cotabato had fever, weakness of the right leg, neck, and facial muscles.

The girl from Maguindanao and the boy from Cotabato City were not vaccinated with the polio vaccine, while the third received incomplete doses, the DOH said.

The �irst con�irmed case in Lanao del Sur and the third con�irmed case in Datu Piang were not vaccinated.

Health Secretary Duque said it is “unacceptable that more children are falling victim to this vaccine-preventable disease.”

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 185 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2019

Growers, exporters want PH-SoKor banana tariff stalemate resolved

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Zishel Group chief executive officer Jimmy Jong Woo Kim (center) says during the Kapehan sa Davao at SM City Davao on Monday where he announces the launching of Zishel Cosmetic and Zishel medical products set today at Marco Polo Davao that the company sees a lot of business

potential in Davao City that’s why it is planning to pour in more investment in the city. Also in the photo is company owner and chief medical officer Dr. James Min Kim (right) and general manager Steven Doug Won Kang. Lean Daval Jr

Davao City records P283-B in total capitalization from new businesses

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pplications for new and renewal of existing businesses here reached 36,325 with total capitalization of 283 billion pesos as of the second quarter of 2019, an of�icial of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) said on Sunday.

Christian Cambaya, head of the Investor Assistance and Servicing Unit of the DCIPC, said the efforts of the government to invest in more public infrastructure projects made Davao more enticing to investors, indicating a strong development in the local economy.

“The �igures validate our claim Davao City is the country’s top investment destination,” he said.

Cambaya added the strong collaboration between the local government and the private sector had also improved the ease of doing business in the city.

He added that the local government has seen an uptick in the number of new businesses entering the city.

“There is always an increase in the number of new business establish-

ments, which is a good sign, as it projects the development of the city. This just goes to show that Davao City is conducive to investments, now more than ever,” he added.

He added the local government hopes to attract more investors after the local council passed the amended Davao City Investment Code, which enhanced the provisions on preferred investment areas and the incentive packages offered to potential investors, which cover investments in tourism and recreational facilities; light manufacturing; infrastructure and connectivity; information and communications technology; property development; health and

wellness, education, and sports facilities; generation of new sources of energy; and green projects.

He said investment incentives offered here include three-year exemption from business tax, and two-year exemption from real property tax for “new, expansion, and diversi�ication” of those businesses classi�ied under the preferred investment areas.

To spread the development outside the central business district, Cambaya added the local government offers longer period of exemptions for investments in Baguio, Calinan, Marilog, and Paquibato Districts. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

lines, 18 new substations, 63 upgraded substations, and an additional 15,634 MVA of transformer capacity has been installed in the past 10 years.

The company completed 109 projects which include, among others, the following: the Lumban-Bay 230kV Transmission Line Project which provided maximum dispatch of power plants from South Luzon to the Load Center; the San Esteban – Laoag 230kV Transmission Line Project which accommodated the renewal energy power plants in Northern Luzon; the Luzon Voltage Improvement Projects which provided additional MegaVolt Ampere Reactive (MVAR) capacity to improve power quality; the Bataan Grid Rein-

forcement Project which accommodated a 600MW Coal Power Plant in Bataan; the Santiago-Tuguegarao 230kV Transmission line project, ensuring a more reliable and better quality of power transmission services for power consumers in Isabela, Cagayan, Kalinga, Apayao; and the Typhoon Nina Rehabilitation Project which upgraded the wind rating of transmission towers in Bicol region to withstand super typhoon winds of up to 300 kph.

For Visayas, NGCP energized the submarine portion of the Cebu-Negros-Panay 230kV Backbone Stage 1 which provided an additional transfer capacity between Negros and Panay; the Ormoc-Babatngon 138kV Transmission

Line, reinforcing power transmission delivery in the Leyte and Samar provinces; the Southern Panay 138kV Backbone which addressed the load growth in the Panay area; the Calong-Calong-Toledo-Colon-Cebu 138kV Transmission Line, constructed to provide N-1 provision to the existing 138kV transmission corridor in Cebu; and the Bohol 138kV Backbone Line which provided a more stable and reliable transmission network in Bohol.

In Mindanao, the company completed, among others, the Balo-i-Villanueva (Kirahon)- Maramag-Bunawan 230kV Transmission Line, the �irst 230kV transmission line in the region that connects the northern

he country’s top banana growers and exporters are calling on both the South Korean and Philippine governments to immediately resolve stalemate on the proposed reduction of tariff rates on banana shipments.

The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association Inc. (PBGEA) urged Manila and Seoul to work on the speedy end to the issue of very high import tariffs imposed on Philippine bananas.

The negotiations between the Philippines and Korea have been on a stalemate as Korea insists on greater market access for its automotive exports to the Philippines in exchange for a lower if not zero tariffs for Philippine bananas.

“The negotiations have only started in the second quarter while the tariff rates for our competitors have been getting more and more favorable to our disadvantage,” Stephen Antig, executive director of PBGEA, in a statement on Sunday.

President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Republic of Korea (ROK) Commemorative Summit and other side events in Busan, South Korea on November 25-26.

South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-man earlier said at least four cooperation agreements in the �ields of social security, education, �isheries, and tourism will be signed after the two leader’s bilateral meeting.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for Asean Of�ice Affairs Junever Mahilum-West, however, said the signing of agreements between Manila and Seoul is still under negotiation.

PBGEA said they hope Duterte will raise anew the issue on banana import tariffs with South Korea President Moon Jae-in during the bilateral talks, along with other concerns on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the

two countries.

Duterte �irst brought up the banana imports issue during his �irst state visit to Seoul in June 2018.

The initial round of talks on the bilateral FTA was held in June this year with the aim of improving trade and investment activities between the two economies.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) tabled its demand to lower tariffs on agriculture exports.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said South Korean trade of�icials were amenable to tariffs cut as long as the Philippines lowers import duties on industrial products, especially automotive parts.

The Philippines hopes the FTA will translate to improved market access for its agricultural products such as banana, pineapple, okra, avocado, poultry products, and mango -- in exchange for Korea’s industrial goods.

Negotiators are looking at different tariff rate proposals aimed at erasing or at least narrow the trade de�icit between the Philippines and South Korea.

They initially looked at a possible conclusion of the talks this month. This may not proceed as planned because of so-called “gaps” in the mutual concessions between the parties.

Banana shipments to South Korean markets are taxed 30 percent. The country’s negotiators want this reduced to at least �ive percent, if not zero.

South Korea is the country’s third most important banana market, next to China and Japan.

Despite the high import tariff, banana shipments to this East Asian country reached 420,344 metric tons (MT) valued at USD203.69 million last year, from 379,144 MT (USD176.55 million) in 2017.

However, banana growers are worried that share in the South Korean market may be reduced as Cen-

Gov’t saves billions of pesos with NGCP ‘No web registration, providing the necessary grid expansion no salary loan’: SSS

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eing the country’s sole transmission service provider, NGCP lays the highways where reliable and sustainable power �lows from generating plants to distribution utilities, industries, businesses, and households. Tasked with operating, maintaining, and expanding the power grid, NGCP is dedicated to improving the country’s transmission network.

Better power transmission for the nation As it strives to become the strongest power grid in Southeast Asia, NGCP has so far invested PhP151 billion into the government’s aging transmission system. A total of 5,626 transmission structures, 2,472 circuit-kilometers of transmission

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embers of the Social Security System (SSS) can no longer apply for salary loans if they are not registered in the pension fund’s online portal.

According to a Real-Time Process of Loans (RTPL) Quick Reference Guide published by the SSS on November 6, 2019, all salary loans must be �iled online starting November 11.

“To avail of a Salary Loan, the member must register �irst at www.sss. gov.ph. Those without access to internet may proceed to nearest SSS Branch to avail of the e-Center facility for registration and/ or loan application,” the publication read.

The guide was signed

by Pedro Baoy, chairperson

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of the project team for the RTPL. Calamity, emergency, and education assistance loans will still have to be �iled in SSS branches for the documentary requirements.

“However, member’s registration at My.SSS will be a mandatory requirement for application,” it read.

The SSS is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) which operates the social insurance program for private sector employees.

Members are entitled to a package of bene�its under the Social Security and Employees’ Compensation (EC) Programs in the event of death, disability, sickness, maternity, and old age.

VOL.12 ISSUE 185 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 185 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2019

EDITORIAL Say hello to Mr. Crab Mentality strengthening initiatives for sustained economic growth. The same “Build, Build, Build” program Drilon called a dismal failure a few days back.

Hosting the 30th edition of the South East Asian Games from the 30th November to 11th December 2019 means an in�lux of an estimated 8,750 athletes and team of�icials; 2,050 technical of�icials, 1,500 press and media attendees; 12,000 volunteers; and more than 500 million viewers. In those two weeks, the Asean region, and their countrymen the world over, will be all eyes on the spectacle in the Philippines.

To simply think about how much these delegations will spend while they are in the country translates to dynamic economic activities.

Intangibles abound as well. There’s synergy with Asean neighbors, convergence and tourism, among others.

It’s not fair for people to put down the herculean efforts being made to put together this enormous undertaking. This is the moment for the country to sparkle. And it being a sorting activity, the Games knows no political color.

The SEA Games in the Philippines is for everyone. It even has a computer sports event like Aquino’s favorite DOTA.

With just a few days before the country hosts the 30th edition of the Southeast Asian Games, the Filipinos’ good old friend crab mentality is out to steal the limelight and spoil the party even before it begins.

The political opposition particularly Senator Franklin Drilon and former President Benigno Aquino III pounded on the Games’ cauldron which cost P55 million to build. Both are saying it is extravagant.

The views of both gentlemen could be fanned by their past failures and the present successes of the Duterte administration. They know that when the SEA Games begin, comparisons will be made. To say that both have no sporting inclinations or a some fondness towards some form of physical activities hence their mindset is too personal. Yet in some degree exhibits verisimilitude.

In bringing the Games to the country, the government spent some P11 billion of investment spent for development of hectares of land in Capas, Tarlac--home province of two former Presidents which did not experience this kind of infrastructure progress--to make way for the all-new Athletic Stadium, Aquatic Center and Athletes Village. The creation of the New Clark City Sports Hub banners the “Build, Build, Build” Program of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, with the aim of

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VOL.12 ISSUE 185 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

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ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

COIN SMUGGLING IN DAVAO On August 28, 2008, a composite team of government agents seized a container van in Manila bound for Pusan, South Korea, containing 17.9 metric tons of one-peso Philippine coins. Law enforcers valued the con�iscated currencies at P30 million, making it the biggest COIN smuggling of its kind in the country.

The surge in coin smuggling FIRST resonated in Resolution No. 922 �iled in the 14th Congress (2207-10) by Sen. Manuel VillaR. It urged the Senate committee on banks, �inancial institutions and currencies “to conduct an inquiry… on the unprecedented rise of cases involving the smuggling, defacement and mutilation of Philippine coins with the objective of promoting and maintaining the integrity of the Philippine peso.”

Coin smuggling, associated today with the extraction of copper and nickel content, dates to the colonial period. During the Galleon Trade, also known as the Manila-Acapulco Trade, coins were standard currencies.

Willem G. Wolters, in ‘Flooded with Foreign Coins: Spanish and American Administrators Dealing with Currency Problems in the Philippines 1890-1905’ (2001), explained the use of silver currencies in Asia in colonial times: “From about 1877 till 1903 the Philippine islands were part of a larger monetary world dominated by silver currencies, which also encompassed the Chinese coastal areas and parts of its hinterland, the British colony of Hong Kong, French Indochina, Singapore and the Straits Settlements, British Borneo and Labuan [Malaysia], and the islands of Sumatra and Borneo of the Netherland Indies. In fact, this whole region formed a de facto monetary union; the feeble attempts to establish border controls were largely ineffective.

Although Asia produces hardly any silver itself, its monetary systems were all based on the use of silver coins. This silver had bee supplied from the Americas on a large scale, ever since the European states had established mili-

tary and trade links between the Old World and the New World.

Even China, with hardly any silver in its own mines, had a monetary system based on silver.”

As late as 1887, traf�icked Mexican dollars entering the country from Hong Kong reached P150,000 monthly. Edward W. Harden, in the ‘Report on the Financial and Industrial Conditions of the Philippine Islands’ (1898), wrote: “The smuggling of silver into the islands was a recognized industry. It was carried on largely by the rich ‘mestizos’, or Chinese half-castes. There was a regular system for the bringing in of these coins, which would be shipped from Hong Kong in a special steamer and the cargo would be landed at some point north or south of Manila Bay.” In ‘Report of the United States Philippine Commission to the President,’ Vol. 1 (1900), American authorities found out that in only four months, from August to November 1900, the local banks were exporting over P3 million Mexican pesos to Chi-

na along with private speculators.

Coin smuggling, however, included Davao and Zamboanga as lucrative markets. The Tribune, in its November 25, 1932 article (“Spurious Coins Flooding South; Rush Report of Serious Situation in Davao, Zamboanga Received Here”) recounted: “Spurious coins in denominations of from �ive to 50 centavos, smuggled into the southern provinces, have been reported by the constabulary in Davao and Zamboanga to Manila headquarters as �looding those provinces.

“The counterfeit coins are crudely manufactured, according to the report. They have been in circulation in those regions for some time, resulting in the arrest and detention of scores of persons for attempting to pass them, but the provincial authorities are at a loss to know where the plant of the counterfeiters is situated.

“The report was rushed to Manila constabulary headquarters yesterday in the hope of ob-

taining aid from the intelligence division in locating the source of the spurious money. Investigators suspect that the coins have been smuggled from other countries.

“Governor General [Theodore Jr.] Roosevelt has requested Japanese Consul General Kimura [Atsushi] to cooperate with the insular government in stopping the �low into the country of bogus American �ive-dollar coins, allegedly being sold by peddlers in Yokohama.”

While coin smuggling has not been reported in Davao region in the postwar period, currency traf�icking in form of gold bars has been rampant in the past three decades, chie�ly using black market channels and backdoor networks. Most of the gold came from illegal mining.

Records in the Bangko Sentral, particularly those gold bars bought from Diwalwal sources in Monkayo, Compostela Valley, re�lect very low trading due to high taxes on sales and the �luctuating and unpredictable gold prices in the world market.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

TRUSTING SOMEONE “Trust each other again and again. When the trust level gets high enough, people transcend apparent limits, discovering new and awesome abilities of which they were previously unaware.” – David Armistead *** In a press brie�ing recently at Malacañang, President Rodrigo R. Duterte admitted that he cannot trust the Vice President Leni Robredo. “The problem is,” he told the press, “I cannot trust her not only because she is with the opposition. I do not trust her because I do not know her.”

Trust – that’s the key word.

“Trusting is hard,” Maria V. Snuyder wrote in Poison Study.

“Knowing who to trust, even harder.”

It reminds me of an anecdote told by Ernst Lange. It goes this way: Two four-year-old boys were playing “follow the leader” on top of an old tottering city wall, fully 18 feet above the ground.

Each dared the other to harder and harder challenges.

They tiptoed across very narrow spots to prove that they would not get giddy or dizzy.

They spat down in contempt from the heights. Then they came to where the wall had crumbled completely. As they

stood there looking down, the part behind them broke off. So, how they were stranded on a little island 18 feet above the ground.

The two had called for help.

A man came up, stood at the foot of the wall, stretched out his arms and yelled to them, “Jump down. I’ll catch you.”

Well, what to do? The two young boys were so alike, as almost to be twins, but each reacted to the invitation in opposite ways.

One jumped off the edge of the wall without hesitation.

The other sank to his knees, cried in panic and waited for the �ireman to come with their long ladders.

The question now is: why did one boy have the courage to jump and the other not? The answer is easy: the man down below was the �irst boy’s father.

That what trust is all about.

But most people still have a hard time �iguring out what trust really means. “Trust is like blood pressure,” says Frank Sonnenberg, author of Follow Your Conscience. “It’s silent, vital to good health, and if abused it can be deadly.”

Trust usually involves two persons. As Charles H. Green explained in his book, The Trusted Advisor, “It takes two to do the trust tango – the one

who risks (the trustor) and the one who is trustworthy (the trustee); each must play their role.”

Trust encompasses various elements. “Trust is involved in all the basic elements of a healthy relationship: namely, love (respect and consideration for another person), communication, commitment and honesty,” states American life coach and pastor Harold Duarte-Bernhardt.

Finding someone to trust is not an easy task. “Deciding whether or not to trust a person is like deciding whether or not to climb a tree, because you might get a wonderful view from the highest branch, or you might simply get covered in sap, and for this reason many people choose to spend their time alone and indoors, where it is harder to get a splinter,” says Lemony Snicket, the pen name of American novelist Daniel Handler.

But there are people whom you can really trust. And they are usually your friends. After all, respect and trust are the two things friendship is built upon. “Both elements have to be there,” explains Steig Larrson, the author of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. “And it has to be mutual. You can have respect for someone, but if you

don’t have trust, the friendship will crumble.”

In The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien, there was this conversation between Frodo, Sam and Merry about giving a trust to someone. Frodo told Sam, “But it does not seem that I can trust anyone.”

Sam looked at Frodo unhappily. “It all depends on what you want,” put in Merry. “You can trust us to stick with you through thick and thin – to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours – closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo.”

Find that someone you can trust. “Trust is a skill learned over time so that, like a welltrained athlete, one makes the right moves, usually without much re�lection,” contends American Professor Robert C. Solomon. Irish poet and singer Thomas Moore has the same contention: “We need people in our lives with whom we can be as open as possible. To have real conversations with people may seem like such a simple, obvious suggestion, but it involves courage and risk.”

How we wish the world is perfect and every person we meet can be trusted. “If we can

just let go and trust that things will work out the way they’re supposed to, without trying to control the outcome, then we can begin to enjoy the moment more fully,” says Oscar-winning Goldie Hawn. “The joy of freedom it brings become more pleasurable than the experience itself.”

But life isn’t fair. There are always people you cannot trust at all. This is especially true when it comes to love.

But when a person is in love, he or she gambles not knowing whether he or she would win in the end.

“Everyone suffers at least one bad betrayal in their lifetime,” says bestselling American writer Sherrilyn Kenyon. “It’s what unite us. The trick is not to let it destroy your trust in others when that happens. Don’t let them take that from you.”

As David Levithan puts it in his book, The Lover’s Dictionary: “‘It was a mistake,’ you said. But the cruel thing was, it felt like the mistake was mine, for trusting (loving) you.”

“Never trust anyone, especially the people you admire,” Carlos Ruiz Safon reminds in The Shadow of the Wind.

“Those are the ones who will make you suffer the worst blows.”

Remember that!

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PROPERTY

Architect's rendition of the Enclaves Towers project of Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco).

Interest in condo still high: Esdevco

C

ontrary to the condominium fears allayed by some after a series of earthquakes damaged at some condominium buildings in Davao City, interest in condominium property still exists.

Gerald Kent Garces, project head of homegrown developer Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco), the company behind the Matina Enclaves and the Arcadia, said the market's interest of condominium property in Davao City is not be heavily affected.

Esdevco recently held an

Open House for the month of November for its would-be clients.

Dubbed as "Yes-vember Open House", the good attendance is a testament homebuyers are not saying "No" to condos.

With its regular Open House events, Esdevco offers as low as P15,000 reservation fee which is considered as among the best value in the market. For its promotional offer, buyers avail of 9 treats when they invest in Matina Enclaves. These are air condition units, 52-inch LED television, sofa set, dining table, queen size bed, rangehood, convection

oven, air fryer, combi blinds, mattress deluxe set, 7.5-kilogram washing machine, induction hob, 8-cubic feet inverter re�irgierator, 1-year association dues waived, 1-year Arcadia membership and huge cash discounts.

According to Garces, the initial fears "could be just immediate reactions to the the series of earthquakes but generally, the situation is still normal. Davao City remains a sought-after market."

Recently, real estate consultancy �irm Prime Philippines

said the growth in land values, robust supply of condominium units and increasing supply of of�ice spaces are among key factors to consider Davao City as premier center of commerce in Mindanao Region.

In an interview with Edge Davao, Maria Luisa "Chai" R. Abaya, regional head Davao Of�ice said Davao City has become a Central Business District (CBD) and among the key indicators are the infrastructure and availability of the workforce.

According to industry experts, there is a robust supply

growth in residential condominium sector and the primary drivers of demand are the remittances of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), local investors from Mindanao and reinvestment opportunities particularly in the downtown area.

The expected total additional residential condominium units from 2020 to 2024 is 13,168 units. Prime Philippines also forecasted an increase of 48 percent and 40 percent in the number of condominium units by the end of 2019 and 2020, respectively.

ith the rise of several real estate developers in the city, it comes no surprise then that the current trend is to offer services that will capture the expectations and

interests of the Davao market.

Condo buyers and investors are in search for something new and innovative in property features.

Aeon Towers has kept up with the trend by offering cut-

ting-edge condominium technology. It offers the latest, groundbreaking solutions and safety systems to serve condo owners and tenants even better.

Advanced Communication

Systems Aeon Towers has designed Smarthome-ready units, which come with an in-room automation system that allows condo owners conveniently control lights, curtains and appliances such as airconditioning units through their electronic devices.

Condo residents will also have access to their own App where they can check their condominium dependencies such as �illing up the condominium corporation online forms, booking for amenity usage, pay association dues and other services.

Powered by a high-end communication system, Aeon Towers provides each owner a video phone to easily communicate with the Condo Lobby. The video phone also serves as an added security feature, which prevents unauthorized persons to gain access to condo units.

Aeon Towers takes communication technologies up a notch by utilizing state-of-the-art infrastructure with seamless connection within the condo unit.

Provisions of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), FIBR-ready high-speed internet access and digital telephone lines will be set up in every room.

Subscriptions to services such as Tvolution Stick and Net�lix will be available upon turnover to condo owners, through

the Aeon Property Management Group, the division that oversees the building maintenance and operations of Aeon Towers.

Surveillance Technologies for Enhanced Security To ensure the safety of all residents and guests in Aeon Towers, 24-hour operating CCTV cameras will be installed all throughout the building. A total of 328 CCTV cameras will be placed in strategic locations apart from the property’s dedicated surveillance personnel.

For added security purposes, condo owners will be the only ones granted access to their speci�ic �loors, the amenities and other common areas. These, plus a long-distance Radio-Frequency Identi�ication (RFID) Card will be issued per parking slot to condo owners with real time logs and pictures of vehicle while entering and exiting building premises.

Setting a Trend in Condominium Innovation As Aeon Towers progresses towards completion, features such as modern communication and surveillance systems are carefully planned and integrated into the building to meet the increasing needs of condo residents. These make Aeon Towers the forerunner in creating premium property developments in Davao and in the entire Mindanao region.

Aeon Towers highlights trailblazing condo tech W

Condominium units at Aeon Towers come with Smarthome technology that lets residents conveniently control appliance functions.

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EVENT

CHRISTMAS IN DAVAO GETS BRIGHTER WITH

ABREEZA’S FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

AYALA Triangle Gardens in Makati has become a must-visit among Metro Manila dwellers every Christmas season for its annual Festival of Lights. Now, this wellloved light show brings its dazzling lights and colors to Davao City for the very first time, making Christmas even brighter for Davaoeños.

Ayala Malls Abreeza launched the Festival of Lights at its 3F Roof Garden on November 20, kicking off a nightly spectacle set to cheerful Yuletide medleys that will run until January 6, 2020. Shoppers can now gather at the Roof Garden and marvel at six-minute light shows that play every 30 minutes beginning 6pm until the mall closes. Spectators of various musical tastes will be delighted to witness lights danc-

ing and changing according to each show’s musical theme, with arrangements ranging from upbeat English techno to soothing jazz to cheery Filipino.

Gathering to unveil the Festival of Lights were Ayala Malls Abreeza General Manager Janice Parreño and Marketing

Manager Ruby Ochoa, Abreeza Central Estate Association Manager Luigi Escano, City Tourism Office Head Generose Tecson, and Davao Tourism Association (DATA) Executive Vice President Susabel Reta.

This Ayala Land signature event is all set to awaken a daz-

zling Christmas among different communities throughout the country, with other shows simultaneously running at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Ayala Malls Centrio in Cagayan de Oro City, Ayala Center Cebu, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, and Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City.

Abreeza continues to build up the Yuletide mood for all who visit with pre-Christmas thrills and deals. For shoppers who want to get a headstart on their gift-shopping, Abreeza’s mall-wide Paint the Town Red Pre-Christmas Sale is ongoing until November 24. All customers who shop or watch movies at Abreeza from November 15 to December 15 are also entitled to fantastic prizes with The Great Christmas Dash, a series of pre-Christmas

giveaways. With Noche Buena Bonanza, shoppers who present two same-day cinema tickets at the Main Concierge get the chance to be among five winners of P10,000-worth Robinsons Supermarket gift certificates. With 1-Minute Gift Grab, shoppers who present P1,000worth same-day receipts from any Abreeza store, Robinsons Department Store, or Robinsons Supermarket at the Main Concierge get the chance to be among five winners of oneminute gift-shopping sprees at Robinsons Department Store worth up to P30,000 each.

For updates and more information on Abreeza’s holiday season activities, like @ AbreezaMall on Facebook and follow @abreezatweets on Twitter and @iloveabreezamall on Instagram.

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UP AND ABOUT

EVENT

MACTAN-CEBU INT’L AIRPORT WELCOMES AIR BUSAN’S CEBU-INCHEON SERVICE GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), in partnership with the airport authority, Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), is proud to announce and welcome the inaugural flight of Air Busan from Incheon International Airport on November 13, 2019. The flight arrived at 03:10 p.m. with a total of 194 passengers. The aircraft was hailed with a water cannon salute.

Air Busan also started the operation of its direct service from MCIA to Incheon on the same day at 04:40 pm. The carrier will operate the Cebu-Incheon route daily using Airbus 321-200 with a 195-passenger capacity and Mono class service.

“Air Busan has been a strong airline partner of MCIA through the years and we are glad to welcome their newest service to Incheon.

Korea remains the top international market in Cebu, and we proudly partner with Air Busan, one of the top carriers in Korea, in sustaining the growth that we achieved over the past years,” spoke Louie Ferrer, GMCAC President.

Ferrer credits the partnership with the MCIAA in stimulating the growth of the airport these past few years. “Through the strong support of the MCIAA, we are able to provide a robust and compelling business case to airlines such as Air Busan that fuels passenger and airline growth at MCIA which greatly benefits tourists and travelling Filipinos,” he stated.

Currently, Air Busan offers 6 domestic routes and 32 international routes (including Incheon – Cebu). The airline also has plans to continuously expand their route to Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and, in Guam.

“Air Busan has been in service for the past nine years in Cebu with only Busan-Cebu-Busan as its destination. As part of the company’s growth, we are eyeing to expand business opportunities by opening various schedules to customers, and one of them is by providing an additional service to Cebu at the Incheon Airport, which is known to be the largest airport in Korea. Being the major gateway of travel in Korea, the influx of travelers will surely make a good business output,” said Suzette Mae Agonia-Tacocong, Air Busan Cebu Branch Manager.

With this new route, Air Busan is excited to offer this service to Filipino and foreign travelers. “We are excited to offer this service because it’s a daily noontime flight hence, travelers can get a good connecting time from Cebu to other destinations in the world,” according to Tacocong.

INCREASING PASSENGER VOLUME MCIA closed the third quarter of this year with a total of 9.5 million passengers comprised of 6.3 million domestic passengers and 3.2 million international passengers. GMCAC is on track to meet its 12.8 million-passenger target this year. For the full year of 2018, MCIA brought in a total of 11.5 million passengers compared to just 6.9 million in 2014.

“For these first five years, we have seen strong, positive growth at MCIA, most notably in connectivity and passenger traffic and we were able achieve this through the strong support of our partners and stakeholders. Together with the MCIAA, the Cebuano community, and our partners, we will continue to transform the MCIA into a main hub in Southeast Asia,” said GMCAC President Louie Ferrer. He also said that the new challenge for GMCAC growing outbound traffic to destinations like Korea. “Our inbound traffic from Korea remains strong, but we are also exploring ways to help increase Filipino traffic going to Korea. We want to promote tourism to these countries as well,” he stated.

Currently, MCIA is connected to 23 international destinations from only 7 at handover in 2014; and 28 domestic destinations from 23 in 2014. The airport also has a total of 26 partner carriers – nine Philippine-based and 17 foreign airline partners – from just 11 in 2014.

FEEL GOOD HOLIDAY VIBES AT PARK INN

BY RADISSON DAVAO CHRISTMAS is indeed the season of giving, and with the Philippines celebrating the longest Christmas season in the world, the season of sharing one’s blessing through the year is already in high gear.

Last November 15, Park Inn

by Radisson Davao held its ceremonial Christmas Tree Lighting. The event is an annual tradition that marks the start of the holiday festivities in the hotel and this year, the hotel embraces the vibe of creating a “Feel Good Christmas.”

The event was attended by distinguished guests from the City Government of Davao, government agencies, foreign consulates, local media, corporate clients, associations; and,

affiliates from the SM Group. It started with a beautiful symphony from the UP Mindanao Koro Kantahanay who sang awe-inspiring Christmas songs.

Messages were then heard from Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s General Manager Ms. Emelyn Rosales; and, Department of Tourism XI’s Regional Director Ms. Tanya Rabat-Tan. “We all know that Christmas is all about happy times,

and treasured moments. This evening gives all of us an opportunity to gather around each other and welcome the happiest season and most celebrated time of the year. This year, we have the theme ‘Feel Good Christmas’ which centres on our unique Filipino values of coming together with family and friends and spending time to cherish happy times and create feel good memories,” as shared by General Manager Ms. Emelyn Rosales.

Making the event more at home and meaningful was the presence of the SOS Children’s Village Davao as headed by Village Director Mr. Leonilo N. Rivera. SOS Children’s Village

Dav aban chil belo and with supp plac Rad hote chil tend com the acco Rad Hea Tulo er w Kan “C

EDAVAO

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O

vao is a place for orphaned, ndoned, and neglected ldren where they can feel onged to a home and family; d, where they are provided h unconditional love and port for them to take their ce in society. As part of the disson Cares program, the el is sponsoring one of the ldren for its advocacy to exd feel good moments to the mmunity. The children from SOS Children’s Village were ompanied by Park Inn by disson Davao’s Department ads as they sang “Tuloy na oy pa rin ang Pasko” togethwith UP Mindanao Koro ntahanay.

Christmas season is the

ENTERTAINMENT

ABS-CBN TO AIR GAZINI’S FIGHT FOR BACK-TO-BACK MISS UNIVERSE WIN

MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES Gazini Ganados makes her bid to bring home the Miss Universe crown for a back-to-back win for the Philippines when she competes in the 68th Miss Universe to be aired live from the US on ABS-CBN on December 9 (Monday), at 8 AM. Hailing from Talisay, Cebu, Gazini first impressed pageant enthusiasts during her performance at the Binibining Pilipinas 2019 where she showed confidence, grace, and wit, ultimately taking home the coveted title. Now, fans are excited to see her strut as the country’s representative in the popular pageant with her signature “Ganado walk” and be the successor of the current Miss Universe titleholder Catriona Gray.

Hosted by comedian Steve Harvey, the Miss Universe coronation night will be held at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Filipinos can also root for the country’s bet via Skydirect on channel 2, SKYcable channel 08 (SD) or 167 (HD) in Metro Manila and channel 2 (SD) and 700 (HD) in regional

areas. Sky subscribers can also live stream The 68th Miss Universe via SKY on Demand or iwant.ph.

Pageant fans, meanwhile, can relive Gazini’s battle against the other candidates from 92 countries on Metro Channel on December

17 at 7pm, with replays on December 18 (8am), December 20 (9pm), December 22 (8am), and December 25 (3pm).

For more stories and information, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

DORAEMON AND FRIENDS VISIT SM CITY DAVAO

time of the year when we are given thee opportunity to extend our cordial greetings to everyone, a time to be merry and a time to give thanks; a time when we become extra generous not just to our loved ones but also to other people who need a helping hand,” shared Dir. Rabat-Tan. General Manager Emelyn Rosales and RD Tanya RabatTan together with SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation’s Vice President for Quality & Sustainability Chef Leah Magallanes led the much-awaited lighting of the hotel’s Christmas Tree which shone in hues of blue and white, giving modern and cozy vibes as the tree and lobby lit up. Afterwards, the guests enjoyed a bountiful feast prepared by Park Inn’s culinary team featuring dishes that reminded everyone of a homey Christmas dinner. The hotel’s Christmas Store was also opened which offered merry treats that are perfect as take-home and gifts for your loved ones.

The Christmas feel good vibe is truly bright and glowing at the Park Inn by Radisson Davao. So whether you’re with family or friends the Park Inn

by Radisson Davao is one place in Durianburg to experience happy holidays.

JAPANESE robotic cat Doraemon and his friends are visiting SM City Davao on November 22 to 30 in celebration of the show’s 20th year of airing on Philippine TV. Initially aired on GMA in 1999, ABSCBN in May of this year started airing Doraemon on YeY. The tour also marks the show’s 50th global anniversary next year (2020).

Doraemon is based on a Japanese comic book

by Fujiko Fujio in 1969. It tells the story of the adorable cat who came from the future to help a young boy named Nobita with

his daily adventures and misadventures using his cool gadgets.

Majority of Doraemon episodes are comedies with moral lessons promoting values of integrity, perseverance, courage, family and respect for elders. In March 2008, Japan’s Foreign Ministry appointed Doraemon as the nation’s first “anime ambassador.”

Meet Doraemon, Nobita, Shizuka, Suneo and Gian this Saturday and Sunday, 3PM-5PM, at the Annex Event Center. For a minimum purchase of P1,000 from any mall tenant, fans

can get a chance to take a photo with the gang. With P500 worth of spend, kids can also join the fun coloring activity. Pop-up display

will run until November 30.

For event and promo updates, like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow SM Davao on Instagram.

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ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

PERKINS TWINS STAR IN INTERNATIONAL MOVIE, KAIBIGAN PHENOMENAL, multi-awarded Filipino-American twins Jesse and Christian Perkins popularly known as the Perkins Twins are young Fil-Am recording and dance artists who are also staunch advocates against drugs, bullying, alcohol, smoking and promote purity.

Well accepted and sought after in the campus circle, the boyish duo has already made the rounds and performed in more than 1,000 school campuses and 90 malls nationwide over the past three years.

With strong and solid social media presence, their combined following to date is capped at 300,000 with more than 200,000 followers on Facebook. The stats are steadily growing, signaling to an aggressive spread of their popularity.

There’s no stopping The Perkins Twins from reaching the stars and strongly connecting to the millen-

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nial generation as they take the lead in their first venture in the local film entitled ‘Kaibigan’.

Kaibigan (Friend) delves on the challenges, struggles, changes and the strong bonds of friendship among family and friends. It speaks of a beautiful journey towards personal transformation and restoration of relationships, especially that of the family.

The family-oriented film stars Hollywood actor Stephen Baldwin pitting talents with veteran thespians Tirso Cruz, Cesar Montano, Jean Garcia, Lani Mercado, Victor Basa, Emmanuelle Vera and Janina Vela. Danica Sotto, Tim Cone and Vince Hizon also make guest appearances.

The Perkins Twins are excited to be on tour and set foot on school campuses again and in various malls to connect with their follow-

ers and promote their inspiring movie and the movie theme song also entitled ‘Kaibigan’. The song is beautifully penned by well-respected composer Vehnee Saturno and will be released soon.

‘Kaibigan’, the movie premieres in cinemas nationwide on Dec 4, 2019.

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

UP AND FURNITURE A1 ABOUTa silly method but for EJ and

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BIG... FROM1

He disclosed that they are planning to set up a company and platform with all the attractions for doctors and other clients who are coming to the Philippines.

“We are looking forward to register our business here and we already had a meeting with the City Council of Davao and the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC). We are currently studying how much and how we are going to invest in Davao,” Kim added.

Kim also said they already have a team assigned in Davao City who will take responsibility of connecting with the investors here.

“We always try to bring in something unique and innovative mostly in aesthetics. We are also looking forward to be pro-active in

the community so we have a wide spectrum of products from premium to medium to low end products.

We have the expertise,” he said.

The brand is currently targeting many locations but in the Philippines they want to start in Davao City before expanding to Metro Manila.

Zishel Group is the only company present in all �ive major sectors of the life and lifestyle concerning markets: general medicine, aesthetic medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and appliances, selective logistics, and retailing.

The company is looking at the long-term development of each of its 12 operating units and companies in keeping with their identities, mission statements, and expertise.

in Nabunturan on November 27.

Among the objectives of the summit is to gather all the coconut farmers and processors and orient them about the coconut industry roadmap prepared by PCA in consultation with the other concerned agencies; introduce value-adding technologies and production technologies to provide coconut farmers and processors the capacity to respond to the constantly changing climate on the products and by-product developments of the market.

Balleque said through the summit, they hope to create coconut market linkages for the farmers and offer the coconut industry opportunities for capacity development �inancing, among others.

“The summit will focus oin access to �inance, market, and value-adding among others. We thought of focusing the coconut industry this time because we cannot deny the said industry is one of the priority industries of the province and we know as far as ComVal coconut industry is one of the contributors

to job generation, domestic sales, export sales, and MSME development,” Balleque said.

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Manny Pinol will be the guest speaker of the summit.

“For the �irst time we will have our Compostela Valley Coconut Summit.

In the past week we were conducting convergence of efforts to help develop further the coconut industry in the Province of Compostela Valley that is soon to be Davao de Oro,” Balleque said.

duct of Coordinated Patrol along the common borders of the two countries in the Celebes Sea. It can be recalled that the RP-RI Border Commit-

tee Chairmen's Conference was held last week at the Water Front Hotel, Davao City wherein both Chairmen agreed to continuously intensify the conduct

of Coordinated Patrol operations that will seek to ensure the security and maritime control in both countries' common borders. (EastMinCom)

who ran and later won as President.

“Nagkampanya kami kay (I campaigned for) Aquino for the simple reason that the mother of Aquino (late President Corazon Aquino) appointed me once upon a time the vice mayor OIC (of�i-

cer-in-charge) of Davao City,” he added.

Dissatis�ied with Robredo’s performance as co-chair of ICAD, the President said she has yet to see the Vice President perform her job.

“She would be asking for the job description. It’s

there in the law, it’s there in the executive order creating itong ICAD, ICAD o ICAD. Nandiyan ‘yan. So basahin lang niya ‘yan (she just needs to read that), it’s all there and that is where she would really exercise,” he added. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

tral American economies secured trade deals with Seoul that reduced, if not eliminated, tariff on their banana.

South Korea’s trade deal with the �ive Central American nations took effect in October.

Talks for an FTA with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama began in June 2015

to ease duties on more than 95 percent of goods and open up the services and investment markets.

The formal agreement was inked in February 2018.

Victor Mercado Jr., PBGEA president, said the Central American bananas have been slowly eroding the market share of the Philippines.

“If this continues any further, the Philippines will not be able to compete,” he added.

For his part, Alberto Bacani, PBGEA chairman, said South Korea should also consider the special relationship with the Philippines “because of historical circumstances, particularly during the Korean War in the 1950s.” (PNA)

have been used for international events may times in the past and have met the IF requirements, it was a no-brainer that some of the SEA Games events are hosted by our venues,” Ramirez said.

“These are very old venues, we admit. But the history that wraps every leaves and grass around

these facilities speak of the heroism of our athletes. We deemed it right to put the venues back in their original forms,” Ramirez added.

While the Phisgoc is in charge of running the whole SEA Games affair, Ramirez made sure the training of the Filipino athletes competing in the biennial meet were funded

well by the agency tasked by government to look after their welfare.

“We have spent more than a billion pesos for the athletes’ training alone.

We are not looking just at the SEA Games, we are also funding their training for possible Olympic slots, in Tokyo and beyond,” Ramirez narrated.

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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Zishel Group owner and chief medical of�icer Dr. James Min Kim, who was also present during the media forum, is known to perform exceptional cases over 20 years and committed to providing the safest and most effective treatments in aesthetic reconstructions and dermatology.

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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

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December 7.

Mati CHO said that all 26 barangays in the city will be covered by the 70 teams that will be dispatched to make a houseto-house vaccination starting today.

Each teams will be composed of midwife, DOH personnel, nurse, Red Cross personnel, and volunteer nursing students.

Mati CHO said that all 34 barangay health stations in the city will be activated for the massive anti-polio vaccination while three �ixed sites namely the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center, St. Camillus, and bus terminal/ Mati public market will also have vaccination stations to cater to kids under 5 years old.

Those administered with the anti-polio vaccine will be color-marked on their left pinkie. Mati CHO said they have prepared a total of 1,032 vials for the campaign with each vial being able to deliver oral vaccination for 18-20 kids.

Another round of vaccination is scheduled on January 6-18, 2020. (CIO MATI)

“We are more determined than ever to make sure that no child shall be missed during the next round of the Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio in Metro Manila and Mindanao,” he said.

“We should not be satis�ied with our children receiving only one or two doses of the polio vaccine.

Let us ensure that they receive the complete doses of the vaccine to fully protect them from Polio,” Duque added.The oral polio vaccine (OPV) has three doses.

Synchronized In October, the DOH in coordination with local government units and concerned national agencies, and with the support of World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and other partners, launched “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio” (Synchronized Polio Vaccination) to protect every child under the age of 5 in areas at risk.

The Sabayang Patak in October reported a 96% coverage among children

0-59 months old from the 17 cities/municipality in the National Capital Region (NCR), the DOH said.

It added that Davao del Sur recorded a 92% coverage from its 10 city/ municipalities while Lanao del Sur reported an 85% coverage from 40 city/municipalities.

“We are reiterating to all parents and caregivers to have their 0-59 months children immunized with the polio vaccine from November 25 to December 7,” Duque said.

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim had earlier called on residents in the BARMM to have their children vaccinated.

In a videotaped message before the October 14 launch of the “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio,” Ebrahim urged residents to have their children under 5 vaccinated.

As Muslims, he said, their obligation is to take care of their health, including ensuring vaccination against preventable diseas-

es.

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He cited a 2018 fatwa titled “The Legitimacy of Vaccination in Islamic Jurisprudence,” where several ulama (religious leaders) said vaccination is halal (permissible) and urged Muslims to have their children vaccinated.

The synchronized vaccination campaign “aims to boost immunization coverage against polio by giving three doses of the oral polio vaccine to all children �ive years old and below.”

The �irst round of the campaign was on October 14 to 27 in the National Capital Region and in Mindanao’s Lanao del Sur, Davao City and Davao del Sur; the second in all regions of Mindanao from November 25 until December 7 and the third from January 6 to 18, 2020.

Vaccination of children under 5 was also held in Datu Piang, Maguindanao on November 4 to 8, following the con�irmation of the third case coming from that town. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

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and southern Mindanao; the Aurora-Polanco 138kV Transmission Line which improved the reliability and power quality in Zamboanga del Norte; the Matanao- Culaman (Malita) 230kV Line which accommodated a new generating capacity in the Davao Occidental; the General Santos-Tacurong 138kV Transmission Line which catered the load growth and provided reliable transmission facility in SOCCSKSARGEN region; the MatanaoGeneral Santos 138kV Line which provided N-1 to the existing line; and various

substations such as Toril Substation and Opol Substation.

More in the pipeline NGCP’s Transmission Development Plan (TDP) details these priority projects to improve transmission backbones and alternative transmission corridors, and to develop resiliency policies for power transmission facilities.

The company is set to complete more projects in the coming years, among which are: 500kV Substation Projects (Taguig and Marilao) and 230kV Substation Projects (Pa-

However, Phisgoc stressed that it requested the Cambodian team to wait in an air-conditioned private hotel conference room to let them “rest and feel comfortable” while waiting for their rooms since they arrived ahead of the standard 2 p.m. check-in time.

“We sincerely apologize to our athlete guests from Timor-Leste, Myanmar, and Cambodia for the inconvenience caused to them by the confusion regarding their transportation and hotel arrangements,” it said in a press statement.

Phisgoc said the incidents involving the four foreign football teams would serve as a “constant reminder for us as organizers to be more diligent.”

“The incident with the two teams remains a constant reminder for us as organizers to be more diligent. We owe it to our guests and our countrymen,” it added.

For Panelo, incidents of delays in transport and accommodation happen in international sports and games “by reason of the number of countries and athletes involved.”

The Palace of�icial, nevertheless, said the government would not make any excuses, and would instead strive harder to avoid a repeat of such incidents.

“We understand that the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee has already apologized to our athlete-guests from Timor-Leste, Myanmar, and Cambodia for the inconvenience they experienced when they arrived in the country,” he said.

“We can no longer undo what has been done. The Of�ice of the President will not offer any excuses. As host country, we apologize for the unintentional inconvenience suffered by our athlete-guests,” Panelo added.

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say, Navotas, and Antipolo) which intend to cater the load growth of Metro Manila; the Cebu – Bohol 230kV Interconnection Project which intends to accommodate the load growth and provide reliability of Bohol Island; the Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay Interconnection Project which intends to accommodate the load growth and provide reliability of the Boracay Island; the Visayas Voltage Improvement Project which intends to improve the power quality in Visayas; the Mindanao 230kV backbone project which

will upgrade the region’s transmission capacity and secure the reliability of power transmission services throughout the island; the Mindanao Substation Upgrading Project which intends to increase the substation capacity and improve power quality; and the Kabacan 138kV Substation Project which will contribute to power reliability in South Western Mindanao area.

An estimated total investment worth PhP463 billion is programmed for the next ten years.

NGCP is on-track to complete the Mindan-

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ABSOLUTE SALE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late YOLANDA SINGSON AMABLE who died inestate on May 24, 2018 at Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao City, has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ABSOLUTE SALE executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.378; Page No.75; Book No.167, Series of 2019, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY.SALVADOR M. BIJIS. Nov. 19, 26 and Dec. 3, 2019

ao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), considered as the largest energy infrastructure in the history of the country. “We are dedicated to completing the MVIP by December 2020 not only because we committed this, but also because interconnection among the three main grids is long overdue. The interconnection of Visayas and Mindanao was �irst proposed by government in 1984; but it was private entity NGCP which brought the government’s decades old plan from the feasibility stage to the implemen-

tation and completion stage,” stated NGCP. “Our projects, which will be worth PhP188 billion by end of 2019, and those in the pipeline, are meticulously planned by our engineers and updated year after year with careful consideration for the needs of every single area in the country,” NGCP noted.

NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority shareholders Henry Sy, Jr. and Robert Coyiuto, Jr.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF DECEASED CRISPINA VDA DE LIBUDAN WITH SALE OF TWO (2) PORTIONS THEREOF Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late CRISPINA VDA DE LIBUDAN who died inestate on December 27, 1999, has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SALE OF TWO (2) PORTIONS THEREOF executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.50; Page No.11; Book No.XXXIX, Series of 2019, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. BANSALAN B. METILLA. Nov. 19, 26 and Dec. 3, 2019

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RMSC, Philsports now ready for SEAG: Butch

I

n what many call as a miracle no short of its feat in 2005, facilities owned and operated by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have been refurbished completely and are ready for use by the athletes competing in the 30th Southeast Asian Games �iring off on November 30.

Sight of workers �illing the gaps at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex wound down over the weekend as PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez announced the completion to competition form of the Rizal Basketball Coliseum, the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, the Rizal Football Field, the RMSC lawn tennis court and the facilities at the Philsports in Pasig City.

“We were on target,” Ramirez exclaimed. “We gave the people an assur-

ance that we will �inish the competition areas on top and our various teams in the PSC did their jobs well. They delivered.”

Ramirez also clari�ied that the squash competition is traditionally held at the Manila Polo Club.

These facilities, Ramirez said, were not originally intended for use of the SEA Games hosting.

The Phisgoc (Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee) had wanted all disciplines held at the Subic and Clark complexes, including the newly-built New Clark City, which is owned and managed by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

“But several of their facilities were not up to IF (International Federation) standards. And since the PSC-owned facilities

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The newly refurbished Rizal Memorial Stadium where Filipino world champion Carlo Yulo is expected to give the country medals in gymnastics.

Palace assures SEA Games athletes of ‘memorable’ stay in Philippines

M

alacañang on Sunday assured the athletes of the 30th Southeast Asian Games that they will have a “pleasant, productive, and memorable” stay in the Philippines, this year’s host of the biennial regional multi-sport event.

“We are not promising that the Games will run without a hitch, given the countless athletes who will participate and represent their respective countries,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“But we will exercise due diligence in making sure everyone will have a pleasant, productive, and memorable stay in the Philippines,” he added.

Panelo made the assur-

ance following several complaints from foreign football teams about the Philippines’ supposed ill-preparedness for this year’s SEA Games.

Football teams of Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Cambodia, and Thailand vented frustrations over issues concerning transportation, lodging, and training upon their arrival in Manila ahead of the competition.

In a statement, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games

Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) acknowledged the mistakes and apologized for the inconvenience the athletes had experienced.

Phisgoc, led by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, vowed to “do better” by ensuring “proper coordination of the arrival details, airport welcome and transportation provisions of all international teams to their respective assigned hotels.”

Phisgoc explained that it

was able to send Timor-Leste football team to Hotel Jen, after they were mistakenly brought to Century Hotel, which is a few minutes away from the athletes’ accommodation.

With regard to the Cambodian football team, Phisgoc said transportation was “immediately provided,” despite the change in their arrival details that were relayed late to the Phisgoc Games Services Department.

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CHARLY HOLGANZA THE ATHLETE’S FOOT

A WICKED WEEK FOR BASKETBALL ADDICTS Once again, cage fanatics were treated to loads and loads of sizzling action this week. From the exciting new line-ups in the NBA, to the ongoing mad rush among teams to join the local PBA playoffs, to the thrilla-minute battles that characterized the �inals in both the NCAA and UAAP collegiate wars, and �inally, to the preparations to defend the cage crown in the incoming Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), Pinoy basketball diehards have had frenetic non-stop action at its best. Being a bona�ide hardcourt fan and a couch potato myself, I could hardly leave my seat to get my �ill of popcorn and pizza, as the boobtube action presented highlight after glorious highlight of fun and energy.

A world away, spanking new line-ups and alliances in the NBA are duelling in what are enticing appetizers to determine who will step forward for the epic battles come the playoffs next April.

After 5 months of jostling and jawing for top stars and dominant rookies, the NBA season got underway in spectacular fashion. It’s a wide open race for the crown this time; and each week, we have been regaled with match-ups made in Hoop Heaven. Not a week goes by without dynamic duos such as the Lakers’ King Lebron and Anthony Davis, or the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, or the Rockets’ James Harden and Russell West-

brook, or the Sixers’ Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons or the Celtics’ Kemba Walker and the Jayson-Jaylen twins locking horns, matching wits against each other. And it certainly looks like it will be an exciting race for playoff spots.

In the Eastern Conference, the top seeds Milwaukee Bucks (12-3) and Philadelphia 76ers (9-5) are being challenged strongly by the surprising Boston Celtics (11-3), the under-the-radar Miami Heat (10-3), and reigning but Kawhi-less Toronto Raptors (10-4). The Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo will not give up his regular season MVP crown without a �ight. After a strong start, Embiid and Simmons have been in and out of sick bay, hence the Sixers low �light in the past weeks. The Celtics, despite losing Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, are showing that good teamwork will always trump individual talent.

Boston’s diminutive Kemba Walker is showing better leadership than the stylish Kyrie, squeezing more juice from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, despite the injury on Gordon Hayward. The Raptors, starring budding star Paskal Siakam, are using last year’s playoff experience to push themselves despite Kawhi’s �light and the injury on Kyle Lowry, their spiritual leader.

In the Western Conference, the LA’s Lakers (12-2) and Clippers (105) are revving an inter-town rivalry.

But they too are challenged, as the

Denver Nuggets (10-3), the Houston Rockets (11-4), the Dallas Mevericks (9-5) and the Utah Jazz (9-5) are �lexing their muscles for all to see. After a forgettable �irst game against the Clippers, King Lebron’s Lakers are �inally showing steady progress. The Clippers, on the other hand, have shown glimpses of greatness, with Paul George returning to action. But the load management program that has Kawhi missing some important match-ups is not sitting well with some fans. In Houston, the fragile Harden-Westbrook alliance seems to be holding. We’ll see how it goes when the going gets tough in the playoffs. In Dallas, Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic is taking it a step higher with his sizzling MVP numbers.

In the Southeast Asian scene, the Philippines’ newest version of the Gilas squad is getting ready for the SEA Games. It is the last international bastion that cage-crazy Philippines is holding on to, but the Thais and the Indons have slowly been inching closer with their new breed of players. With a mix crew of oldies and newbies, resurrected national coach Tim Cone hopes that he doesn’t end up with the ignominy of being the coach that gave it all away.

Veterans June Mar Fajardo, LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar and Roger Pogoy will lead the campaign. Notable absentees are the wily court leader Jayson Castro, Ginebra’s behemoth Greg Slaughter and crowd

favorite Terrence Romeo. The tourney will kick-off on December 4 here in Manila.

In the PBA scene, the NLEX Warriors, Meralco Bolts and the TNT Katropa �inished with similar 8-3 slots as the wild regular round-robin ended. The three were joined by crowd favorite Ginebra Kings to gain top honors and twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs. The powerhouse San Miguel Beermen have their dreams of a rare sweep in jeopardy as they landed 5th in the elimination round.

The PBA will take a break as the SEA Games take center stage this early December.

In the NCAA, the storied rivalry between the Letran Knights and the San Beda Red Lions hit the roof, with the Knights nipping the Lions 81-79 in Game 3 of a heart-stopping best-of-3 Finals series. In 2015, the Knights had spoiled the Red Lions’ bid for a glorious 6-peat, fashioning an overtime win in another Game 3 series. Once again, the Knights have stopped the Lions’ 3-peat bid on its road to another championship. Before a sellout crowd of over 19,000 at the MOA Arena, the Knights’ Jerrick Balanza - making a heroic comeback this year after a risky brain surgery - unleashed 27 points to break the hearts of the Lions’ fans.

And over in the UAAP, the Ateneo Blue Eagles completed a rare tournament sweep, with 16 straight wins covering the eliminations up to the

�inal round. But the dream feat was by no means easy, as the UST Growling Tigers kept pounding till the end.

UST had almost capped a cinderella season, coming from behind countless times to take the second Finals slot away from erstwhile tourney favorite, UP Fighting Maroons.

But the Eagles simply would not be denied. Thirdy Ravena, for the longest time playing under the shadow of his multi-awarded bigbro Kiefer, became the �irst and only 3-time MVP in UAAP’s Men’s Basketball Finals. And cerebral Coach Tab Baldwin, de�lected the praises coolly, opting to pour love and extreme compliments on his wards. Indeed, the Eagles have soared so much higher for anyone to catch.

There you have it, folks. The week that was. Will El-Ay’s Lakers and the Clippers duke it out for the Western Conference crown in the NBA? Or will the Rockets spoil the Laker-Clipper thriller? Will the Celtics be able to slip past the gauntlet set by the Bucks and the Sixers in the east? Will the Philippines keep its last international basketball crown in the international arena? Will the San Miguel Beermen be able to achieve that rare sweep of the year’s 3 PBA tourneys?

Stay glued.

Last week’s offerings have been good for sports fanatics like me. Tune in for more next week.

For more sports stuff, visit cbholganza.com.

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