Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 188 | Friday-Saturday, November 29-30, 2019

RAMIREZ TO ATHLETES: GO FOR THE GOLDS SPORTS P11

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VOL.12 ISSUE 188 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2019

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A young boy feeds and plays with the pigeons at Rizal Park in San Pedro Street, Davao City on Thursday. Dabawenyos converge at Rizal Park every afternoon for Pasko Fiesta's Christmas decors, Christmas rides and its resident friendly pigeons. Lean Daval Jr

PAY PARKING ZONES

CTTMO ready for enforcement of public fee parking zones T

By MAYA M. PADILLO

he City Transport and Traf�ic Management Of�ice (CTTMO) gears up for the implementation of the public fee parking zones that will commence by January 2020.

The city government has designated the CTMMO to implement a

public fee parking zone system starting January next year which aims to

prevent full parking but make public parking spaces in Davao City accessible to motorists.

CTTMO head Dionisio Abude Jr. told media that they are now focusing on conducting information dissemination to the Davaoeños and visitors of the city about the im-

plementation of the public parking fee zone next year.

“What we are waiting right now is by the end of December makatindog ang atong signages informing motorists of the parking fee,” Abude said.

The public parking fee system will be initially

implemented in some of the city’s main thoroughfares namely San Pedro Street, Ilustre Street, Pelayo Street, Iñigo Street, Villa Abrille Street, Monteverde Street, and Duterte Street. Noticeably, newly painted parking slots are now available in San Pedro, Ilustre, and Duter-

te streets.

“Para ang tanan dunay chance nga maka-parking ug dili gamiton lang sa pipila ang tibuok parking space 24 hours,” he said.

Abude also said the agency is now working hard to �inish the 75 bike racks set up in the said

PAY PARKING, P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 188 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2019

Chinese firm eyes durian import with Davao farmers

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Davao City Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC) head Dr. Jordana Ramiterre bares during I-Speak media forum on Thursday that the cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired immunodefi-

ciency syndrome (HIV-AIDS) is still increasing and as of June 2019 report, Davao Region belongs to the top 5 regions which are contributing to thr national epidemic. Lean Daval Jr

Chinese company is eyeing the importation of Davao’s durian to the People’s Republic of China with an investment of up to USD1 billion.

April Marie Dayap, the head of the Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC), bared that Honju Fruits, a Chongqing-based company took interest in importing durian because it has a huge market in China. Davao City and the municipality of Chongqing recently agreed to sign a sisterhood pact.

Honju Fruits, Dayap said, targets the importation of the Montong durian variety.

“For now, Honju imports durian from Thailand. Thailand cannot supply the demand of Montong variety. They want to import from us from September to March as these months are the low season of durian in Thailand,” Dayap said.

She said that of�icials of Honju Fruits will visit the city soon to personally discuss importation possibilities and to �ind out if the city can supply the demand.

“This will be a big op-

portunity for our businessmen in the city to expand their business and explore exporting their produce to China. We also encourage them to plant more durian,” she said.

The USD1 billion investment will also cover assistance to durian farmers to maintain the sustainability of the supply of the Montong variety.

Earlier, Candelario Miculob, the president of the Davao Durian Industry Development Council (DDIDC), said there is a growing demand in the export market to China.

Miculob said that Davao City has high durian production. The city shares half of the 40 tons of the total durian production in Davao region.

Recently, the City Agriculturist Of�ice and the Department of Agriculture (DA)-11 launched the Durian 500 Program to help farmers plant more durian seedlings.

Under the program, Miculob said the CAO and DA-11 not only provided seedlings but also conducted training and marketing assistance to the local farmers. CIO

WTE program banks on residents’ compliance High ranking NPA

By MAYA M. PADILLO ompliance begins at home.

The success of Davao City’s Waste-To-Energy (WTE) program will rely heavily on residents practicing proper waste disposal at home according to Paul Bermejo, head of the city government of Davao’s Ancillary Service Unit (ASU).

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Bermejo told media in Thursdays I-Speak media forum it is important to equip the Davaoeños �irst on proper waste segregation before setting up the WTE as not all wastes will be put in the said facility.

Apart from making the solid waste management ordinance more effective, solid waste disposal management compliant residents are an important factor before realizing the WTW project.

President to veto bill extending 2019 budget validity if unlawful

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resident Rodrigo Duterte will veto the bill extending the validity of this year’s national budget until the end of 2020 if he thinks it violates the Constitution, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this remark after the Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill which prolongs the availability of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) under the 2019 national budget from Dec. 31, 2019 to Dec. 30, 2020.

The House approved House Bill No. 5437 on Nov. 18 while the Senate adopted the lower chamber’s version of the bill on Nov. 26 without amendments.

However, the bill goes against Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) No. 91 which ordered the shift to cash budgeting system to speed up the utilization of the government’s 2019 �iscal

plan.

Under a cash-based budget system, appropriations must be used only until the end of the �iscal year.

Prior to this EO, the government has been operating on an obligations-based system which allowed funds to be spent beyond the �iscal year.

“Basta (If) it is in violation of the Constitution, he (the President) will veto it. Hindi naman nababago ‘yun eh (That does not change),” Panelo said in a Palace brie�ing.

“If the EO was made by the President, that means the assumption there is there is regularity and therefore in accordance with the Constitution,” he added.

Panelo said all measures, including the bill which extends the validity of the 2019 budget, should comply with the EO 91.

Asked if the President

PRESIDENT, P9

“Dapat man gud ready ta kay dili tanan wastes gikan sa households ibutang sa WTE facility. Sayang pud ang mga resources na puwede pa mapakinabangan. Kinahanglan naa ta proper implementation sa segregation. Dapat pud ta mag- reduce of using plastics. Naanad ta nga paghuman ug grocery ipangsulod tanan sa plastic. Kinahanglan ready ta halimbawa man ma- pursue ang implementation sa WTE project sa Davao City,” Bermejo said.

Bermejo also said that education on waste segregation must begin at home.

He said that households must understand the concepts related to waste management such as waste/ garbage, waste disposal, waste segregation, biodegradable, non-biodegradable, reuse, reduce, and recycle.

“Gikan dapat sa atong sariling household mismo bago ta magpatuman ug disiplina sa ubang tao.

Tanang makolekta na wastes didto na tanan sa land�ill ibutang ug didto pa na kuhaan ug recyclable materials sa mga scavengers. What is ironic kay mas nauna pa atong balaod

WTE, P9

Ancillary Service Unit (ASU) head Paul Bermejo urges Dabawenyos specially those who work for the government during this week’s I-Speak media forum to start practicing proper waste segregation before the

killed in ComVal

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high-ranking New People's Army (NPA) leader was killed during an inter-agency law enforcement operation in Brgy. Kapatagan, Laak, Compostela Valley on November 27, 2019.

The NPA leader identi�ied as Marjun Taba, also known as “Hiker” is the deputy secretary of the CPP-NPA’s Sub-regional Committee 4, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).

Hiker was killed in a brief skirmish after he re-

sisted arrest and fought it out with military personnel from the 10th Infantry Division and personnel from the PNP Laak who were about to serve six warrants of arrest for the crimes of murder, attempted murder, rebellion, serious illegal detention, double murder, and double frustrated murder against him in his safe house in the aforementioned barangay.

Lt. General Felimon T. Santos Jr., commander of Eastern Mindanao Com-

HIGH RANKING, P9

city government of Davao set up the waste-to-energy (WTE) project as not all wastes will be put in the facility. Lean Daval Jr

VOL.12 ISSUE 188 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

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4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 188 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2019

Palace to probe SEA Games hosting mess

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City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) head Dionisio Abude Jr says during I-Speak media forum on Thursday that the city government of Davao will collect parking fee in selected main thor-

oughfares of the city starting January next year in line with the implementation of Ordinance No. 052-13 Series of 2013. Lean Daval Jr

alacañang will investigate irregularities in the Philippines’ hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games following complaints from both local and foreign delegates.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who earlier expressed dismay over the reported issues, will most likely create a committee or assign a person to lead the Palace’s own probe after the games, his spokesman Salvador Panelo said Thursday.

“Any complaint lodged in the Of�ice of the President vis-a-vis any matter concerning the SEA Games will be subject to scrutiny,” Panelo said.

Transportation, accommodation, and food problems were reported by delegates days before the of�icial opening of Games, resulting in a barrage of criticism online, prompting organizers to issue an apology.

The Palace acknowl-

edged the mishaps pointed out by critics, saying the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), which leads preparations for the Games, “should perform better services expected of them.”

“The critics have a point. There is indeed something wrong with the preparations,” Panelo said.

In the meantime, Panelo urged Filipinos to let the Games proceed without “the attendant raucous bashing.”

“Our local athletes deserve our support. Let us welcome our foreign guests with the kind of warm hospitality we are known for,” he said.

ver 22,000 local and overseas employment opportunities are available to job seekers at the seven job fair sites across the country in celebration of 86th founding anniversary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) next month.

In a statement Wednesday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said there are 22,280 jobs available, from around 200 employers in the job fairs to be held in National Capital Region (NCR), Region 1 (Ilocos Region), Region 4-A (CALABARZON), Region 5 (Bicol Region).

The local jobs with the most number of vacancies

are for the positions of production operator, customer service representative, technical support representative, counter support services, sewer, warehouse custodian, loan of�icers, retail service assistant, and receiving admin specialist.

For those seeking overseas employment, the top vacancies are for production workers, nurses, laboratory technicians, and respiratory technicians.

The job and business fairs will be held on the following dates and venues: November 28: Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City (NCR) December 4: Ayala Malls, Legazpi City, Albay

Polio virus detected in Davao City, Metro Manila samples, DOH says O

NO SPECIAL TREATMENT

Earlier in the day, Panelo also assured Filipinos that House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who chairs PHISGOC, will be included in the Palace investigation.

PALACE, P8

22K local, overseas jobs available as DOLE marks 86th anniversary

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he polio virus was detected in some two dozen samples from the environment, indicating that its carriers are continuously “shedding” or spreading the disease in their communities, the health department said Wednesday.

Twenty-six of 142 samples taken from bodies of water and sewage plants tested positive for polio, of which 25 were from the National Capital Region and 1 was from Davao City, the DOH said.

“If viruses contin-

ue to spread from person-to-person in areas with low immunization coverage, the polio virus evolves and regains the ability to cause paralysis,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

Duque again urged

Three militants killed in Maguindanao offensive

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hree members of the Dawlah Islamiyah turned into ashes as 105mm Howitzer �ire directly hit them while hiding in Pusao, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao on Monday as intensi�ied surgical operation was conducted against terror groups hiding in the rebel infested marshland of the region.

Maj. Arvin Encinas, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said that the main target of the Joint Task Force Central’s surgical operation were rebels under the Kumander Bungos faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Government troopers seized several explosives and �irearms during the offensive against the local terror group after combat clearing operations conducted by combined troops of the 601st Infantry Brigade, including the 33rd Infantry Battalion,

12th Special Forces Company and 5th Special Forces Company.

Earlier, troops of the 57th Infantry Battalion conducted combat clearing operations in Barangay Pamalian, Shariff Saydona Mustapha that led to the seizure of three M16 ri�les, three improvised explosive devices, and six improvised hand grenades.

Col. Jose Narciso, 601st Infantry Brigade commander, narrated the dif�iculty in the operation as activated IEDs were planted to ambush his troops but managed to outsmart the enemy.

“This all started in our Mamasapano campaign last week until we reached today in Datu Piang. The threat of activated IEDs is enormous as some were found to have been attached to phones, which were ringing when our men came close to

THREE, P8

parents to have their children aged 5 years old and below vaccinated for polio. The DOH on Monday launched the third round of its mass vaccination drive in Metro Manila and the second round in all of Mindanao, which will run until Dec. 7.

The samples were collected from July 1 to Nov. 26 in the NCR, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Central Visayas, Davao region, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases con�irmed the presence of poliovirus types 1 and 2, the DOH said.

In September, the DOH con�irmed the re-emergence of polio in the Philippines, nearly 2 decades since the World Health Organization declared the country free from the disease.

Polio is a “highly infectious viral disease, which mainly affects young children,” according to the WHO. Severe polio cases may cause paralysis and death.

City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) assistant head Marilyn Agoña says during I-Speak media forum on Thursday that there’s a big decrease in number of lumads who go down to the city proper from the mountains to ask for financial contributions and other

22K, P8

Christmas presents like old clothes, food items, and other goodies. The. Ity government of Davao has said it will go to the hinterlands to bring Pasko Fiesta celebration to the lumads. Lean Daval Jr

VOL.12 ISSUE 188 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2019

Senate approves P4.1-T 2020 nat’l budget on final reading

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oting 22-0, the Senate approved on third and �inal reading Wednesday the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara read the committee amendments to House Bill 4228 and no senator raised their individual amendments.

Angara said an additional P6 billion was allocated for the Department of Education’s Last Mile Schools Program “to address the gaps in resources and facilities of schools located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged and con�lict-affected areas.”

The DepEd will also get a P5.17-billion additional allocation for the Voucher Program for Private Senior High School.

The budget for State Universities and Colleges was increased by P1.158 billion.

The senator said the budget for the Philippine General Hospital was increased by P644 million.

An additional P3.173 billion have also been set aside under the Miscellaneous Personnel Bene�its Fund (MPBF) to upgrade the salaries of Nurse I and Nurse II positions, in compliance with the October 2019 Supreme Court decision (Ang Nars Party List et al vs. Executive Secretary) upgrading the minimum salary of government nurses (Nurse I) from SG 11 to SG 15, Angara said.

Angara said P920 million was allocated to the Philippine Army for the activation of one infantry division to directly address the continuing threat posed by the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi areas.

He added the Veterans

Memorial Medical Center will get an additional P150 million for drugs and medicines and hiring of job order workers.

The Philippine National Police will be getting P1.529 billion increase for its efforts to restore peace in the countryside (ELCAC program); for the Intelligence and Counter Intelligence activities of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group, and Internal Security Operations; and for the maintenance of newly procured H125 Helicopter, patrol vehicles, rubber boats and high speed tactical watercrafts, newly completed police stations and crime laboratories and Provincial Mobile Force Companies, among others, he further said.

The senators proposed an additional P32 billion under the MPBF for the next round of salary increases of government employees in response to the clamor of our public school teachers and other government of�icials, Angara said.

The items whose allocations were cut to make the adjustments are not immediately available for publication.

The Senate and House of Representatives will now convene the bicameral conference committee to reconcile the disagreeing provisions in the budget bill.

Members of the Senate contingent in the bicam are Angara, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senators Pan�ilo Lacson, Cynthia Villar, Pia Cayetano, Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, Imee Marcos, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Richard Gordon, Joel Villanueva, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, and Francis Pangilinan.

Adoption of renewable energy gaining ground in PH, Taiwan

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enewable energy’s (RE) contribution on Philippines’ total energy mix remains small, thus, it is working to increase such share to the overall supply, but the country is not alone on this effort, an of�icial of a power station here said.

In a brie�ing here Tuesday, of�icials of Linkou Thermal Power Plant, which is part of the government-owned Taiwan Power Company (Taipower), said shares of RE on their total portfolio remain small at nearly 10 percent.

Linkou Power Plant Deputy Plant General Manager Ru-Chin Chou said the government has adopted three years ago a target to increase RE’s share to total portfolio to 20 percent by 2025.

To date, the bulk of Taipower’s generation capacity is accounted for by coal-�ired power plants and combined-cycle power plants at 38 percent each, while the balance of 14 percent is accounted for by nuclear power.

In the Philippines, the Department of Energy (DOE) has earlier set a 30-

30-30-10 share for coal, natural gas, renewables, and other sources like oilbased power generation plants.

DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi earlier said that while this goal is good, he encouraged investors to �inance any power project that will boost the country’s capacity.

He clari�ied that what is important now is to increase the capacity to ensure that the rising electricity requirements of the domestic economy is met.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has also ordered the reduction of the country’s dependence on coal�ired power plants and increase on gas-�ired and RE power plants.

To date, RE now accounts for about 32 percent of the country’s total power source.

Cusi also underscored the importance of consumer-oriented policies that would further advance the country’s RE sector since this is part of the DOE’s nine-point Energy Agenda.

He said measures

ADOPTION, P8

5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

Colorful sliced fruits attract passersby along City Hall Drive in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

Mindanao to export mangoes, agri products to Malaysia, Indonesia

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armers from Mindanao will soon export mangoes and other agricultural produce to Malaysia and Indonesia as senior of�icials and ministers among these countries recently agreed to intensify trade beginning early next year.

MinDA executive director Janet M. Lopoz said during Wednesdays at Habi at Kape that Malaysia and Indonesia, in a gathering in Kuching, Sarawak in Malaysia last week, agreed to import agricultural produce from Mindanao, opening another opportunity for local mango growers.

She said Mindanao may also supply these countries with chicken and bananas.

“For those agreements, we are seeing a lot of promise. Mindanao is very much into it,” Lopoz said.

She said they encour-

age the fragmented mango organizations here to strengthen their ranks so they can easily gain a �irm footing once they enter these new international markets in the Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia and Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), a 25-yearold sub-regional economic cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia designed to spur economic development in the lagging sub-economies.

She said one of the issues that the government

is �ixing with its Malaysian and Indonesian counterparts include the phytosanitary standards, which bar the mango exporters to enter new international markets for failing to meet the required minimum residual level.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, mango production in the country from April to June 2019 stood at 556,000 metric tons, higher by 5.4 percent compared to 528,000 metric tons recorded in the same period of 2017.

It said the highest producer of mango during the period was Ilocos Region, contributing 22.6 percent to the total national production. Zamboanga Peninsula and Central Visayas followed with 10.5 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively.

Lopoz said Japan has

closed its doors to mango exports from the Philippines as it failed to satisfy standard maximum residue limit of certain pesticides used by local farmers that are deemed toxic by Japanese regulatory bodies.

Olie B. Dagala, director III for the Investment Promotions, International Relations and Area Of�ice of MinDA, said that the mango farms are spread all over Zamboanga Region but most of them are fragmented under different organizations and could not thus conduct uni�ied efforts in penetrating the Japanese market.

He said the government is currently talking with its Malaysian and Indonesian counterparts to come up with a set of guidelines on the phytosanitary protocols. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

Pamaskong Handog event and do our best to bring smile to their faces as they are far away from home during this time of the year.” said Genie Gloria, Senior Vice President and Head of BDO Remittance.

As a special holiday gift, exclusive deals and discounts await overseas Filipinos and their bene�iciaries. They get P300 off on any regular-priced item with a minimum single receipt purchase of P3,000 at all branches of The SM Store (December 7 and 14) and up to 20% off on selected gift items from Kultura branches nationwide (December 7, 14 and 21). BDO Kabayan Savings account holders may also claim a Php100 discount coupon from December 7to 21 at all SM Supermarket and SM Hypermarket branches nationwide and use the coupon for a minimum purchase of Php1,000 until December

31, 2019.

This year’s Pamaskong Handog will bring together some of the country’s biggest celebrities and performers. Joining the Pamaskong Handog celebration at SM Seaside City Cebu are actors Piolo Pascual and Kim Chiu; love team Ronnie Alonte and Loisa Andalio; pop rock band Aegis; and “Tawag ng Tanghalan” �inalist Jennie Gabriel. Piolo will also enterain the crowd at SM City Davao along with love team Edward Barber and Maymay Entrata; “Tawag ng Tanghalan” winner Elaine Duran, and OPM band Reo Brothers.

Serenading the crowd in SM City Telabastagan are love team Xian Lim & Kim Chiu and OPM icon Ogie Alcasid. For added fun and humor, comedians Ate Gay, MC and Lassy will be joining the Pamaskong handog events.

Aside from the celeb-

rity performances, raf�le prizes from The SM Store, Kultura, Miniso, Jollibee and Goldilocks are also up for grabs in all three (3) malls.

To join Pamaskong Handog event, BDO Kabayan Savings account holders plus one (1) companion each, just need to present their ATM card or passbook. For non-account holders, visit the BDO booth at the participating SM malls as early as 10AM. BDO is also setting up booths at various SM Supermalls for those interested in BDO Kabayan Savings.

For inquiries, clients may simply visit the BDO booths at the following SM Supermalls from December 5 to 7– SM City Fairview, Manila, Legazpi, Baguio & Iloilo; and from December 12 to 14 at SM City Valenzuela, Bicutan, San Jose Del Monte,

SM, BDO’s ‘Handog’ offers exclusive deals for OFW families

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M Supermalls and BDO are once again bringing a one-of-akind Christmas celebration to overseas Filipinos and their families with star-studded Pamaskong Handog events happening at SM Seaside City Cebu Mountain Wing Atrium on December 7, SM City Davao Event Center, Annex on December 14, and SM City Telabastagan Event Center on December 21.

"Overseas Filipino workers have made so many sacri�ices for their families. This is our way to help spread happiness during the most wonderful time of the year," shared Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing.

“Only SM and BDO have this kind of collaboration and exclusive offers for our kababayans.

Every year, we look forward to organizing our

SM, P8

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 188 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2019

EDITORIAL

Wasted opportunity drug czar. She said her job is far from over but has only just begun despite being booted out of the Inter-Agency Committee on AntiIllegal Drugs (ICAD).

She vowed to reveal some of the things she found out during her short stint.

So it appears that Robredo came to the of�ice without a briefcase of solution but stepped out with a closet of skeletons that she now wanted to expose. If that is the case, Robredo’s threat is empty. She could have done that while she was still co-chair of ICAD. To threaten to divulge acquired information by virtue of her of�ice only after she was removed is very suspicious of her real intent.

Sadly, Robredo gave the impression that all the while she was in of�ice, she had no intention of solving the problem or correcting was is wrong when she had all the opportunity to do so. She was there for a different agenda.

Vice President Leni Robredo has only herself to blame if she was immediately �ired as the country’s anti-drugs czar.

After over two weeks on the job, President Rodrigo Duterte must have seen enough. Two weeks is a long time to set your plans of action rolling. And without any positive action in sight, the President gave her the walking papers.

While Robredo was in the job, she did not do anything signi�icant in terms of pursuing a plan of action. Prior to her appointment, she had been vocal in her opposition against the bloody drug war and insisted the problem was a health issue. Once appointed though, it was clear that Robredo did not carry to the of�ice a briefcase of solutions. She came empty-handed and then wanted to dip her �inger on every data available. She talked aplenty and did so little.

Robredo made a bold pronouncement that she would not stop in her �ight against the illegal drug trade despite being �ired as the anti-

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VOL.12 ISSUE 188 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

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JOHN CARLO B. TRIA MY TWO CENTS’

WHY WE MUST REVISIT BIMP EAGA With the revival of the direct �light from Manado to Davao, the hopes for strengthening the subregional economic grouping called the Brunei-Indonesia Malaysia Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) have also been awakened.

These areas are grouped due to their proximity, which has created centuries old trade ties, and their distance from what are now the common and recognized trade routes from the capitals of their respective countries After all, direct shipping cannot be effectively facilitated without air links. Businessmen will need to visit one another across the islands to broaden ties even after shipments are made, and expansion if trade will be vital to

sustain such a relationship.

BIMP EAGA has had its �its and starts, and the �irst set of direct trade relations seemed to have �izzled out following the Asian �inancial crisis of 1997. Direct �lights were discontinued.

Hopefully, the contacts have remained and can be refreshed.

What is encouraging is that The difference between then and now is that both the Davao Region and North Sulawesi are experiencing high economic growth compared to their nations numbers.

North Sulawesis GDP growth rate in 2017 is at 6.3%, better than indonesia’s 5.5%, while our own growth in 29108 stood at 8.6%, better than the country’s 6%. It looks like bother regions will out-

pace their respective nation’s growth �igures over the next few years. Both have young populations and have products to share in a common platform for production and export.

On top of that, other developments the announcement of the move of the Indonesian administrative capital to Kalimantan, puts in�luence and resources of the formidable Indoesian economy into BIMP-EAGA. Secondly, the move by the Philippines in this direction is the restarting of the barter trade with the launching of the barter trade council this year. This is expected t push higher volumes of the already existing barter trade between Malaysia and the Philipines through the Bangsamoro Autonomous Re-

gion in Mindanao.

These are three compelling reasons for us to visit Manado and see how we can partner up.

Encouraging stronger economic relationships between ourselves and North Sulawesi will spur economic activity and lower poverty in both areas. This region is a buffer source for coconuts and corn, vital in[puts for our own feed mill and coconut industries. Tha abundance and low cost of such supplies will make processing investments more viable and attractive.

With this, it is but proper to understand that strengthening BIMP EAGA is part and parcel, if not a key effort in building the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) was to spur inclusive growth in ASE-

AN. Then ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 states it clearly in paragraph 6 ii: “Engender a more equitable and inclusive economic growth in ASEAN that narrows the development gap, eliminates if not reduces poverty signi�icantly, sustains high growth rates of per capita income, and maintains a rising middle class;” The ASEAN Economic community is an idea that needs to be developed further to allow de�inition in intercountry policies to spur actual trade. BIMP-EAGA’s growth is a vital cog in this effort.

These measures are going to boost trade in remote areas, giving more people access to economic opportunity, and growth.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

PULLING OTHERS DOWN “Any fools can criticize, complain and condemn – and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” – Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and In�luence People *** Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the country’s national hero, once said: “We need criticism to keep us awake.”

He was right, damned right. “Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of poor by the wellhoused, well-warmed, and well-fed,” American novelist Herman Melville reminded.

It simply means that when you criticize some be sure you know who you are putting in the limelight. I was reminded of an anecdote which was published in Reader’s Digest.

There was this well-known New York photographer who went to a socialite party. On his way in, the hostess told him, “Oh I love your photos; you must have an amazing camera!”

The photographer never replied. And so they had dinner and at the end of the night, on his way out, the photographer commented to the hostess, “I really loved the food; you must have an amazing stove!”

“Criticism of others is thus an oblique form of self-commendation,” Fulton J. Sheen wrote in Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Lessons from Cana

and Calvary. “We think we make the picture hang straight on our wall by telling our neighbors that all his pictures are crooked.”

To criticize means, according to my dictionary, is “to �ind fault with” or “to point out the faults of.” But criticism also means “to consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly.”

The usually un�lappable Winston Churchill could handle almost anything in life; he endured the chaos and terror of World War II without losing his cool. But at least there was one event in his life that had a humbling effect on him; that was when he encountered Lady Nancy Astor, the �irst woman to sit in the British House of Commons.

At that time, the two were staying with Churchill’s cousin, the Duke of Marlborough, at Blenheim Palace. During the dinner, Lady Astor told the British prime minister: “Winston, if I were your wife, I’d put poison in your coffee.” He looked her straight to the eyes and remarked, “Nancy, if I were your husband, I’d drink it.”

But there’s a Filipino version to that. In a party, a woman told a young man who imbibed too many drinks. “You are drunk,” she said. The young man mumbled but still managed to say, “Tomorrow, I will be sober, but you will still be ugly!”

Their exchange of words may be funny but what if you were the recipient of such of-

fending words? What if someone will tell you any of the following statements: “Your work put a �irst grader to shame” (which actually means you don’t know what you’re doing) or “Your acting is no brainer” (another way of saying “It’s boring”).

Some people criticize others because the recipients are better than the critics themselves. Remember the movie Bituing Walang Ningning, where singing sensation Cherrie Gil told the upcoming phenomenal Sharon Cuneta: “You’re nothing but a second rate, trying hard copycat.”

There are two sides of a coin; the same is true with criticism: it is either bad criticism or good criticism. If someone criticize you, think it over.

Study how the person said it and ponder whether what he is saying is true or not.

“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary,” Sir Winston Churchill pointed out. “It ful�ills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”

American President Theodore Roosevelt explained it further with these words: “It is not the critics who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short

again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know their victory nor defeat.”

In most instances, even if you have given your best and done what you think is right, there are always those who will �ind fault on what you have accomplished. But don’t be discouraged. Listen to the words of American First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt: “Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.”

To those people who always criticize you, here’s a tip from French moralist and essayist Joseph Joubert. There was this man who interrupted one of Buddha’s lectures with a �lood of abuse. Buddha waited until he had �inished and then asked him: “If a man offered a gift to another but the gift was declined, to whom would the gift belong?” The man replied: “To the one who offered it.”

Buddha told the man: “I decline to accept your abuse and request you to keep it for yourself.”

But there are those who

criticize you in order for you to be better and to give your very best. “We need very strong ears to hear ourselves judged frankly, and because there are a few who can endure frank criticism without being stung by it, those who venture to criticize us perform a remarkable act of friendship, for to undertake to wound or offed a man for his own good is to have a healthy love for him,” French philosopher Michel de Montaigne said.

Perhaps, one of the surest marks of good character is a man’s ability to accept personal criticism without malice to the one who gives it. A woman at a mall was looking at the ice cream. Another woman came up behind her and grabbed hold of her hand. “Get away from there. You don’t need that. You’re already overweight.”

The startled woman turned around to face her critic. The woman who had approached her realized she had confused this woman with a friend. The woman gained her composure and responded to her critical assailant with these words: “You mean you have a friend!?!”

Lord Alfred Tennyson advices: “No man ever got very high by pulling other people down. The intelligent merchant does not knock his competitors. The sensible worker does not work those who work with him. Don’t knock your friends. Don’t knock your enemies. Don’t knock yourself.”

8 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

(L-R, Seated) Globe Chief Human Resource Officer Ato Jiao, Globe Chief Commercial Officer Albert de Larrazabal, FOPM President Joy Salazar, FOPM First Vice President for Operation and Managing Director Rigoberto Santos (L-R, Standing) Mynt Vice President for Merchant Solutions

VOL.12 ISSUE 188 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2019

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and Sales JM Aujero, Globe Executive Vice President for Channel Management Group Bernie Llamzon, Globe Business Vice President for Sales Meanne Quiambao, FOPM AVP for Human Resources Arnel Tamodra, and FOPM Vice President for Finance and Administration Neoli Kho

FOPM, Globe to accelerate digitally powered Megaworld properties

F

irst Oceanic Property Management Inc. (FOPM), the property management arm of Megaworld Corporation, and Globe Telecom enter into a strategic partnership that aims to revolutionize the property management industry through the integration of digital technology, design innovation, and connectivity into FOPM managed Megaworld developments.

makes it easier for us to make our developments future-ready, which will greatly bene�it those who own and occupy residential units in our managed properties.”

To this end, the Integrated FOPM Automated Experience (iFAE), in direct collaboration with GCash, is implementing digitized payment processes in residential and of�ice units, through Globe at Home and Globe Business. This

attentive digital service provides a 24/7 payment facility, offering “pay anywhere and pay anytime” security, and convenience in today’s fast-paced lifestyle environment.

This year, 25 FOPM-managed properties will be able to enjoy the prestigious bene�its of the program. More and more properties are expected to come online in 2020, allowing all of FOPM’s residential and of�ice customers to fully enjoy ef�icient, seamless, and personalized communications, through Globe Mobile offerings.

Globe Chief Commercial Of�icer Albert de Larrazabal shares his insights on the project: “To make this program a success, we need to have robust connectivity and uncompromising performance. This has to be supplemented by affordable offerings that users can utilize. These

fundamentals are the �ields that we at Globe have made available, and we keep improving and expanding on these areas to ensure that property owners and users in FOPM and Megaworld will bene�it and be covered.”

Aside from the different products and solutions that Globe offers, FOPM has also taken an interest to adopt the leading telecommunications’ sustainability programs. It plans to implement Project 1 Phone, Globe’s E-waste recycling campaign. The project aims to collect old and broken mobile phones, tablets, mp3 players, chargers, and other e-waste for proper disposal and recycling.

All proceeds from recycling these electronic waste go to Globe’s advocacy to help build public school classrooms around the country.

he country’s largest workers group Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) urges President Rodrigo Duterte to declare the 30th Southeast Asian Games to be held in Manila, Subic, Clark and in other locations in Luzon free entrance to all Filipinos particularly to ordinary workers and their families who cannot afford the entire cost of watching the games.

“Mr. President, maraming mga manggagawa at kanilang mga pamilya ang

gustong makapanood ng mga laro at magpahayag ng kanilang home grown support to Filipino athletes and help build that home grown advantage they needed but they cannot afford the entire cost of watching the games,” said its spokesperson Alan Tanjusay adding: “baka ho pwedeng ilibre na lang ninyo ang entrance fee.”

Initial news reports says tickets to the games are pegged at P300, P200 and P100. Prices of tickets to the opening ceremonies on Saturday, November 30th ranges from P1,000

to P12,000 per person.

“Aside from the cost of tickets, expenses for food, water and roundtrip transportation will cost ordinary workers a lot.

The rank-and-�ile workers cannot afford this luxury,” Tanjusay said.

“But as soon as the President declares free tickets, marami pong manonood,” he said.

Tanjusay said the SEA Games is also an opportunity as a rallying point for all Filipinos to re-unite amid the controversies and misunderstandings in preparations for the games

to be participated by ten other nations from Southeast Asia.

“The SEA Games is a rare opportunity to national healing, foster renewed patriotism and re-ignite unity among Filipinos behind all Filipino athletes.

The essence of the games is to unite all citizens in ASEANs and all Filipinos together. We cannot win as one nation if tickets and cost of watching games are affordable only to the privileged. The best way to make this happen is through a free and accessible venues,” Tanjusay said.

continuously put in place since a few years back to boost the RE sector are slowly gaining ground as more investors are looking into placing their money in this sector.

Among the DOE policies towards this goal include the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP)

and the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS).

An RPS for On-Grid Areas has been established as part of Republic Act (RA) 9513, or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

Under the RPS, distribution utilities (DUs) and retail electricity suppliers are required to source or

produce at least a percent of the mandated participants’ supply that are part of their net electricity sales from eligible RE facilities.

RPS rules for off-grid areas vie to increase RE utilization to boost power supply mix in these areas that are normally served

by diesel plants that have higher rates.

The RPR for this sector intends to rationalize the ef�icient use of universal charge for missionary electri�ication (UC-ME) and improve self-ef�iciency in power generation through the use of RE. (PNA)

“In this fast-changing digital world, we see the importance of aligning our developments to quickly adapt to new technologies, which we believe is an opportunity to disrupt ourselves and remain competitive in this ever-changing landscape,” shared FOPM President Joy Salazar.

Salazar adds: “It is about innovation, integration, and interconnectivity. The partnership between FOPM and Globe

Ordinary workers urges Duterte to declare SEA Games free entrance to foster healing, unity

T

ADOPTION... FROM5

Cayetano is Duterte’s defeated running mate in the 2016 elections. A known ally of the President, he was initially appointed to lead the Department of Foreign Affairs before running for congressman.

“Given the character of this President, wala naman ditong kai-kaibigan e.”

(Given the character of this President, there’s no friendship issue here.)

“He �ires people close to him. ‘Pag may (if there is) irregularity, graft, corruption, he will be accountable,” the Palace of�icial added.

Panelo earlier said that reported snafus in the Games “do not sit well” with the President.

Cayetano had downplayed criticism of the SEA Games hosting, attributing the problems to budget delays.

(Region 5) December 5: Bacnotan, La Union (Region 1) and Robinson's Galleria South, San Pedro City, Laguna (Region 4A) December 9: Robinson's Place, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte (Region 1) December 11: Don Leopoldo Sison Convention Center, Alaminos City, Pangasinan (Region 1) December 16: Dagupan City Astrodome, Dagupan City, Pangasinan (Region 1) Bello advised jobseekers to be ready with the following application re-

quirements: resume or curriculum vitae (bring extra copies for multiple job applications); 2 x 2 ID pictures; certi�icate of employment for those formerly employed; diploma and/ or transcript of records; and authenticated birth certi�icate.

The DOLE will mark its 86th founding anniversary on December 6 at the Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.

This year’s theme is "Patuloy sa Mahusay, Mabilis at Malinis na Serbisyo."

(PNA)

their locations,” Narciso narrated.

But aside from Bungos, the of�icer said they also came across members of the Dawlah Islamiyah Maguindanao, a local ISIS group led by Abu Toraife, an ally of the BIFF. He said they had to coordinate air assets, ground troop offensives and artillery �ire.

Narciso added that the coordination and help of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), whose elements served as blocking force, in the Liguasan Marsh has been effective and led to the success of operation.

After clearing and securing the area, operating troops coordinated with barangay of�icials of Pusao led by Kagawad Abo Kalim to identify the bodies and subsequently facilitate the proper burial of the slain BIFF �ighters.

Meanwhile, in Lanao del Sur, troops from two Army battalions are pursuing a band of 30 former Maute militants in Mount Malingao in the borders of Madamba and Madalum towns.

Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo, commander of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, said the militants �led to that direction after

the troops captured their camp in Madalum town last Nov. 22.

Cuerpo said the troops found 14 tents and personal belongings, including black ISIS shirts popular among the Maute rebels.

“Based on the size of the tents and camp layout, we estimated their strength to be around 30,” Cuerpo said.

Cuerpo said the remnants of the Daesh-inspired Maute militants have been on the run since government troops killed their leaders, Abdullah and Omar Maute, during the 2017 siege in Marawi City.

Philippine ISIS leader Isnilon Hapilon was killed along with the Maute brothers during the Marawi siege.

Cuerpo said the remnants of the Maute group are now led by a certain “ Zacaria” who replaced Owaidah Benito Marohombsar or Abu Dar, who was killed early this year.

Marohombsar, an imam, was designated as successor to the Maute brothers and was considered to replace Hapilon as the ISIS emir in Asia. (Ferdinandh Cabrera, with reports from Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)

Cauayan & General Santos.

Overseas Filipinos may join the fun by watching the live streaming of the Pamaskong Handog events on BDO Kabayan Facebook page with a special viewing inside BDO Remit of�ices in Hongkong, Macau, Japan, France, Italy, Spain at UK. It’s de�initely a #SparklingSMallidays to remember at SM. For more details on Pamaskong

Handog events or #SparklingSMallidays activities, visit www.smsupermalls. com/, www.bdo.com.ph, or BDO Kabayan Facebook page.

More surprises to double the fun will be given to overseas Filipino families during Pamaskong Handog events with exclusive treats from BDO Remit partners WorldRemit, MoneyGram, Western Union & Small World.

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EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

Thinkbook 14 Hero.

BUSINESS WITH STYLE LENOVO UNVEILS THE NEW THINKBOOKS FOR MODERN PROFESSIONALS

GLOBAL INNOVATION and technology leader Lenovo launches the ThinkBook 14 and ThinkBook 15 laptops in the Philippines specifically for today’s young and digitallyinclined professionals who seek the perfect balance between highend specifications and premium aesthetics in work devices.

According to a recent study commissioned by Lenovo and conducted by Forrester Consulting on workplace transformation, today’s millennials and Gen Z workers largely consider the appearance and material of work laptops as features they value most.

Moreover, it was revealed that they desire devices that complement their personality and offer smartphone-like experiences.

With the two age groups now making up nearly 60% of the new workforce, Lenovo developed the ThinkBook to include in-demand features such as the collaboration tools required to remain agile, the durability to handle work onthe-go, enhanced connectivity, AI-based technology, and enterprise-level support for greater peace of mind.

“The ThinkBook 14 and 15 combine standout performance and sophisticated design in one neat package.

Designed for optimum productivity, these devices are built to keep up with the demands of the modern workplace. With Lenovo, we want you to work smarter—not harder,” said Michael Ngan, General Manager, Lenovo Philippines.

Lenovo executives at the launch event.

Michael Ngan, Lenovo Philippines Country General Manager.

The Think brand has been known for their go-to business devices and was traditionally designed for big enterprises.

With the new ThinkBook line, Lenovo is offering small and medium businesses as well as entrepreneurs a professional level device that is both stylish and powerful.

Both the ThinkBook 14 and ThinkBook 15 offer full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution anti-glare IPS panels, with the screens bendable up to 180°, making it easy to collaborate and share. They come with narrow bezels, promising a screen-to-body ratio of 80% and up, leaving plenty of room

for work which means less distractions for the user.

Both devices feature lightning-quick processing thanks to their powerful 10thgeneration Intel® Core™ processors. According to Intel, these processors boast 2.5x faster AI performance, 3x faster connectivity due to Wi-Fi 6 support, and has up to 2x the graphics performance compared to the 8th Gen Intel Core processors. The ThinkBook 14 has an Intel Core i5-10210U processor, while the ThinkBook 15 is equipped with an Intel Core i7-10510U processor.

The devices are further enhanced by their memory and storage, with both coming with 8GB DDR4 memory and 512GB M.2 solid-state drives, allowing for faster loading times. In terms of graphics, the ThinkBook 14 will have Integrated Intel® UHD Graph-

Thinkbook 15 Hero. ics while the ThinkBook 15 is powered by an AMD Radeon 620 graphics card.

For premium style and appearance, the two devices come with a sleek mineral gray finish made of aluminum.

Both laptops are also MILSPEC-tested, making them durable enough to withstand the rigors of everyday business use and other conditions such as water spills and extreme high or low temperatures.

The ThinkBook 14 and 15 have several pre-loaded features designed to boost productivity. With an integrated fingerprint reader on the Smart Power Button, users can log in or boot up instantly just like on a smartphone. Furthermore, Skype calls can be made or dropped by clicking designated Business Hot Keys. Both devices also come with an Intel Optane Memory Module, which allows for faster access to frequently used business apps and the Trusted Platform Module, which enables Windows 10 security features and encrypts user data.

Truly meant to support modern workers, both devices are covered by Lenovo’s comprehensive support portfolio which includes services such as Think Service & Support that provides automatic access to business-grade expertise; Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) support that covers damages not usually part of standard warranties such as minor spills, drops, or damages to the screen; and Onsite Next Business Day Support, a support service exclusive to Think devices wherein technical support and expertise will be provided within the next business day on premises.

Prices of the ThinkBook 14 and 15 will start at PHP 48,990 and PHP 57,490, respectively.

Both devices will be available in December 2019. For more information, visit Lenovo PH’s website at https://www. lenovo.com/ph/en or contact the company on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ lenovophilippines/.

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

SM & BDO’S PAMASKONG HANDOG OFFERS EXCLUSIVE DEALS FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO FAMILIES SM SUPERMALLS and BDO are once again bringing a one-of-a-kind Christmas celebration to overseas Filipinos and their families with star-studded Pamaskong Handog events happening at SM Seaside City Cebu Mountain Wing Atrium on December 7, SM City Davao Event Center, Annex on December 14, and SM City Telabastagan Event Center on December 21!

“Overseas Filipino workers have made so many sacrifices for their families. This is our way to help spread happiness during the most wonderful time of the year,” shared Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing.

“Only SM & BDO have this kind of collaboration and exclusive offers for our kababayans. Every year, we look forward to organizing our Pamaskong Handog event and do our best to bring smile to their faces as they are far away from home during this time of the year.” said Genie Gloria, Senior Vice President and Head of BDO Remittance.

As a special holiday gift, exclusive deals and discounts await overseas Filipinos and their beneficiaries. They get P300 off on any regular-priced item with a minimum single receipt purchase of P3,000 at all branches of The SM Store (December 7 & 14) and up to 20% off on selected gift items from Kultura branches nationwide (December 7, 14 & 21).

BDO Kabayan Savings account holders may also claim a Php100 discount coupon from December 7 to 21 at all SM Supermarket and SM Hypermarket branches nationwide and use the coupon for a minimum purchase of Php1,000 until December 31, 2019.

This year’s Pamaskong Handog will bring together some of the country’s biggest celebrities and performers. Joining the Pamaskong Handog celebration at SM Seaside City Cebu are actors Piolo Pascual and Kim Chiu; love team Ronnie Alonte and Loisa Andalio; pop rock band Aegis; and “Tawag ng Tanghalan” finalist Jennie Gabriel. Piolo will also enterain the crowd at SM City Davao along with love team Edward Barber and Maymay Entrata; “Tawag ng Tanghalan” winner Elaine Duran, and OPM band Reo Brothers. Serenading the crowd in SM City Telabastagan are love team Xian Lim & Kim Chiu and OPM icon Ogie Alcasid. For added fun and humor, comedians Ate Gay, MC & Lassy will be joining the Pamaskong handog events.

Aside from the celebrity performances, raffle prizes from The SM Store, Kultura, Miniso, Jollibee and Goldilocks are also up for grabs in all three malls.

To join Pamaskong Handog event, BDO Kabayan Savings account holders plus one companion each, just need to present their ATM card or passbook. For non-account holders, visit the BDO booth at the participating SM malls as early as 10AM. BDO is also setting up booths at various SM Supermalls for those interested in BDO Kabayan Savings. For inquiries, clients may simply visit the BDO booths at the following SM Supermalls from December 5 to 7– SM City Fairview, Manila, Legazpi, Baguio & Iloilo; and from December 12 to 14 at SM City Valenzuela, Bicutan, San Jose Del Monte, Cauayan & General Santos.

Overseas Filipinos may join the fun by watching the live streaming of the Pamaskong Handog events on BDO Kabayan Facebook page with a special viewing inside BDO Remit offices in Hongkong, Macau, Japan, France, Italy, Spain at UK. It’s definitely a #SparklingSMallidays to remember at SM! For more details on Pamaskong Handog events or #SparklingSMallidays activities, visit www.smsupermalls.com/, www.bdo.com.ph, or BDO Kabayan Facebook page.

More surprises to double the fun will be given to overseas Filipino families during Pamaskong Handog events with exclusive treats from BDO Remit partners WorldRemit, MoneyGram, Western Union & Small World.

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGED

CREATIVE CHRISTMAS PHOTO IDEAS FOR YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA FEED

CHRISTMAS is the time of the year when so many places just come alive with color and textures, calling to be Instacaptured. To help you capture all the inspiring vibrance that this season has to offer, Xiaomi gathered its Elite 8 - a group of Mi fans who are passionate about photography - to share tips on how you can shoot with the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the pioneer of the Philippines’ 64MP quad-camera system, which delivers insanely rich and high resolution photos.

Tip #1: Go small to make a big impact Marivic “Ice” Agular’s (Once Upon a Shot) and Leomer Artillaga’s (Leom3r) photos have shown that you can set yourself apart simply by zooming in and capturing angles and details others may miss. This is easy courtesy of the 64MP camera of the Redmi Note 8 Pro, which enables you to take ultra-high resolution photos even of items that are small or at a far distance.

Tip #2: Open up to the beauty of Mother Nature While we often celebrate Mother Nature’s majestic and breathtaking landscapes, we often miss her quiet and subtle moments, which can be just as beautiful. Arjhay de Leon (RGee

de Leon) has shown us how the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s ultra-high resolution 64MP camera system can help us immortalize these, making it the ideal smartphone to take along our vacations and trips this Christmas break.

Tip #3: Get bright even at night While shooting at night can

be hit-or-miss with other phone cameras, Joshua Romero shows us how dark nights can become breathtaking backdrops for unique colors when captured with the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s 4-in-1 Super Pixel technology.

Your Simbang Gabi (Christmas Mass) photos will never be the same again!

Tip #4: W ments If you Christm or restau how the

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VOL.12 ISSUE 188 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

JUN VENERACION CROSSES BORDERS FOR REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK ANNIVERSARY

UR

Wait for magical mo-

u find yourself having a mas party at a rooftop bar urant, pay attention to sky changes and shifts

IN the second installment of Reporter’s Notebook’s four-part anniversary series “Crossing Borders” this Thursday (November 28), Jun Veneracion goes to Cambodia and Vietnam where he takes a look at the two countries’ mass transport systems.

One of GMA Network’s most seasoned reporters, Jun joined veteran reporter and multi-awarded host Maki Pulido in Reporter’s Notebook in 2018. Jun shares that becoming part of the award-winning program is an honor for someone like him who has been with GMA since 2003.

As a senior news reporter, Jun has reported on armed conflicts, covered the defense beat, and followed stories on government agencies such as the Bureau of Customs.

“I feel proud to be part of this kind of program. [It’s a] different platform from reportorial [work] because

the mood of your surroundings.

As Arjhay de Leon (RGee de Leon) have shown, the Redmi Note 8 Pro can play with whatever light is available to help you capture the magic.

Aside from its powerful cameras, the Redmi Note 8 Pro has a big 4,500mAh battery and fast charge support so it will last allday and night. It is also powered

by Helio G90T with LiquidCool technology for a smooth smartphone performance, and features an immersive 6.53” FHD+ dot drop display for a better viewing experience.

You can get the Redmi Note 8 Pro at Lazada, Mi Stores, and Mi Zones. The 6GB + 64GB is priced at Php 11,490 while the 6GB + 128GB is priced at Php 12,990.

They come in Mineral Gray, Forest Green, and Pearl White.

Mondays to Fridays, I am a reporter. It’s really a big deal for any reporter to be part [of] such a multi-titled program,” says Jun. “Dito mo puwedeng ma-explore yung mga ‘di mo usually nagagawa. Yung ganitong documentary na mas mahaba, ang dami mong puwedeng gawin, [ang] dami mong puwedeng i-inject na

ideas sa story,” he adds.

Jun says that his favorite part of doing a story for Reporter’s Notebook is what comes after the story airs. “When a certain government official, or kung sinuman from the private sector, would acknowledge na mayroong something [that] has to be done. Sa akin, yun ang biggest re-

ward,” the Kapuso journalist explains.

“I take pride in being part of a program that steers public awareness and steers government action.

Yun talaga ang importante para sa akin—na maging aware yung public about a certain problem at kapag nagkaroon ng action, especially from the government or kung anumang sektor, fulfillment yun para sa akin kasi ‘yun yung manifestation na ‘Yes, we did well’,” he shares.

Watch the second part of “Crossing Borders” on Reporters’ Notebook, this Thursday after Saksi on GMA-7.

Kapuso viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.

OPENAIR CINEMA ONE RETURNS WITH “FANTASTICA” AND “ALONE/TOGETHER” CINEMA ONE stirs up another highly anticipated event for movie aficionados before the year ends with the comeback of its outdoor movie screening event OpenAir Cinema One, featuring “Fantastica” and “Alone/ Together,” happening this December 7 (Saturday) at Evoliving Grounds, Nuvali.

In partnership with Nuvali Night Sky Cinema, the event will undoubtedly unite friends and families for the upcoming holidays as Cinema One brings music and movies for a day-to-

night weekend festivity.

Prepare to laugh along with your family while watching Vice Ganda’s “Fantastica,” which revolves around a struggling carnival owner’s journey to find three princesses to help revive his business.

“Alone/Together” on the other hand will surely make the viewers cozy up to their romantic partners while witnessing Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil’s affecting acting chops in a story that questions whether young love is something worth rekindling years after its end.

Meanwhile, making the occasion more dynamic is the quirky KaladKaren as the event’s host, as well as enchanting Filipino band UDD who will serenade the crowd with their hits like “Oo,” “Tadhana” and “Kapit,” which is the official theme song of the featured film “Alone/Together.” Fun, engaging games and amazing prizes also await attendees, definitely making the experience an unforgettable one.

OpenAir Cinema One is just one of the premier cable channel’s innovations to

bring the moviegoing experience face-to-face to its audiences through remarkable Kapamilya outdoor events for the enjoyment of family and friends. Over the years, it has brought blockbuster hits from ABS-CBN Films to an open air screening, delivering laughter and heartwarming moments to thousands of audience.

Usher in the Christmas season with free movies and music in OpenAir Cinema One this December 7 (Saturday) at Evoliving Grounds, Nuvali! Gates open at 2pm.

EDGEDAVAO

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BEAUTY

VOL.12 ISSUE 188 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2019

EYELASH WISDOM AND MORE FROM AYUMI

Women can take on the world if they have gorgeous lashes and beautiful nails.

DR. MILEN AQUINO swears by a beauty tip that boosts her productivity: she cuts down her makeup time by investing in good eyelashes.

“If you wake up with nice lashes, you will have one less thing to worry about,” she said.

As more women spend in beauty and consider it as priority, Aquino’s tip becomes modern wisdom for girl bosses, working moms, and stylish students. For Aquino, when you spend a shorter amount of time doing makeup, you can do so much more with your day.

“You don’t want to stress out on how to look like when you’re hopping from one meeting and appointment to another,” she added. “If you have gorgeous lashes and beautiful nails then you’re ready to go.”

Aquino’s affair with lash extensions spans for almost a decade. “I was addicted to lash extensions back in the day and I have searched far and wide for the best,” she said. Her enlightenment translated into a beauty business venture.

Her go-to for lashes

and nails is the salon brand that she brought to Davao in SM Lanang Premier: Ayumi. The salon has been in the Philippines for over six years now, operating in more than a dozen locations.

Aquino said Ayumi prides in high quality lash and nail products from Japan. “Ayumi’s premium lash extensions from sable mink hair are soft and lightweight—it doesn’t feel like you have them at all,” Aquino said.

“Vitamins and collagen in the glue that we use fortify your natural lashes, too!”

Ayumi’s beauty technicians, likewise, are trained with modern and sound techniques from Japan to ensure maximum style and, of course, safety.

Best seller that she recommends women to invest in is the Ayumi Queen Package. It makes everyday looks extraordinary with 5D lash extensions, gel manicure, and a foot spa and pedicure.

Who wouldn’t want that?

Get your beauty fix in Ayumi in the lower ground level of SM Lanang Premier and follow @ayumi.davao in Facebook and Instagram.

Dr. Milen Aquino brings the Ayumi salon brand to Davao in SM Lanang Premier.

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PAY PARKING... FROM1

seven streets.

“This will also encourage our bicycle community as there are already bike racks being set up in the corners of the street.

Karon every corner naa nata ibutang six slots para sa bikes kung asa nimo i-lock ang imong bike,” Abude added.

The implementation of parking rates is based on the City Ordinance No. 052, Series of 2013, the ordinance that amended Ordinance No. 153-A, Series of 1990, entitled An Ordi-

nance imposing Parking Fees on all vehicle owners/drivers for using certain streets in Davao City as Parking Spaces and for other purposes.

A fee of P20 for the �irst two hours and P10 for the succeeding hours will be imposed to light vehicles while for bicycles there will be P2 fee for �irst two hours and P1 for the succeeding hours and for motorcycles, a P5 fee will be imposed for the �irst two hours and P2 every succeeding hours.

Abude added they are now processing the hiring of 80 parking fee enforcers. He said they will start training the enforcers next month.

“Meaning to say within two hours na mu-parking ka sa isa ka slot in San Pedro Street immediately ang atong parking fee enforcer will issue an order of payment ug cash receipt to the driver. Paghuman ug parking muduol nimo ang enforcer para tan-won ang time of arrival and time of departure,” he said.

kaysa sa Kitakyushu City pero gi-implement dayon nila ang segregation. Apan kita hangtod karon, for 19 years murag wala gihapon epekto ang balaod sa atoa,” he said.

Bermejo also urged government of�ices and employees to segregate sachets, food packs, and plastic bottles. He said the ASU will be the one to collect these trash because Davao City Environmental and Natural Resources Of�ice (CENRO) only collects residual wastes.

“Dapat kita ang maguna bilang frontliners.

Kami ang mag-kolekta sa sachets and plastics as CENRO only collects residual wastes,” he said.

He said collected plastics and sachets will be

turned over to a facility that converted trash into plastic chairs that will be donated to various daycare centers in the city. He also said there is a need to institutionalize the Information Education Campaign (IEC) of CENRO in barangay level.

Davao City has a sister city agreement with Kitakyushu City since 2018 where the latter committed to provide the technical support in the construction of the WTE. “Dapat i-implement sa barangay committee on environment kay dili tanan barangays naay MRF unya kung naa man wala sila kabalo kung asa i-transfer ang ilang nakolekta na recyclables. Kitakyushu is now pushing to build the

WTE facility in Davao City pero kung mao lang gihapon ang atong practice nga wala ta naga- segregate dili pud na. Dapat mauna ta sa segregation,” he said.

Mayor Sara Duterte is bringing the city government’s education campaign on proper waste disposal to all schools in Davao City as she makes a stronger stance on protecting the environment.

She emphasized the need to educate pupils on the importance of proper waste disposal and its effects on the environment after meeting Japan’s Kitakyushu Mayor Kenji Kitahashi, who stressed on the proper disposal of wastes and shifting to environment-friendly appliances in October this year.

mand, said efforts have been exhausted by the local government units, his family and the 1001st Infantry Brigade for his peaceful surrender but he adamantly refused.

"Not with standing the local government, our units on the ground, and his family’s efforts for him and his NPA cohorts to surrender, they continued to be with the terrorist group

and continuously terrorize communities in the boundaries of Compostela Valley, Agusan del Sur, and Davao del Norte," he said.

"We are offering them to peacefully surrender, if they refuse and continue with their violent means, we will employ all legal means to run after them.

They can never run away from the long arm of the law, more so with the

strong resolve of the government to end the armed con�lict," Lt. Gen. Santos added.

Recovered from the encounter site was Taba’s cadaver alongside his cal .45 pistol, and two International Humanitarian Law banned anti-personnel land mine.

Hiker is the 34th NPA's High Value Individual to be neutralized this year.

is not inclined to support the bill, Panelo said: “If in violation of the Constitution, we will not support it.”

Senator Sonny Angara earlier said the approval of the bill is necessary as all appropriations that were not released, obligated or paid by the end of Dec. 31, 2019 will lapse and revert to the National Treasury, as provided under the implementation of the cash budgeting system.

He said the measure will enable government agencies to extend assistance in relief efforts for victims of calamities.

“In other words, with-

out the approval of this measure, precious funds might not be spent and our people will experience even more delays in the projects and social services promised to them,” he said.

Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, said extending the validity of the funds would enable government agencies to implement their projects and provide their services to the people.

“Through this measure, we would be extending a big helping hand to the Executive branch which has had to operate in the �irst few months of this year on

journey to competition venues and the traf�ic here is like what you will �ind in Jakarta,” he said, hoping Indonesia’s athletes will make their country proud.

The 2019 SEA Games opening ceremony will be held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan while the closing ceremony is

scheduled on Dec 11 at the newly-built New Clark City Athletics Stadium.

Over 8,000 athletes from 10 ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste will be taking part in 56 sports at the competition themed, “We Win as One”.

This is the fourth time the Philippines is hosting

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of

Accounting Clerks 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

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a reenacted budget, and the rest (of the year) under pressure to spend up to PHP3.687 trillion of total available appropriations in a span of approximately seven to eight months amidst an election ban on government projects this year,” he added.

The 2019 GAA was signed only last April 15 due to budget impasse in the versions of the House and Senate.

The Duterte government was forced to operate on a reenacted 2018 national budget for the �irst four months of the year.

(PNA)

of the tournament after being outscored by the Agro-Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines (AIFCP) Sailors through quotient system tie-breaker.

MCT, AIFCP, Holy Cross of Dabao College (HCDC), DMMA College of Southern Philippines (DMMACSP), and University of Mindanao (UM) acquired 4-3 win-lose card each at the end of the 7-game eliminate round in bracket A. But UM (1.052), HCDC (1.013), and AIFCP

(1.006) came out with a better quotient points to join the scoreboard leader and topseed St. John Paul II College of Davao (SJPIICD).

On the other hand, the much-awaited crossover quarter�inals is set on Saturday, November 30 at the Davao City Recreation Center.

The SJPIICD Saints and the Rizal Memorial Colleges Bulldogs will raise the curtain at 3:30pm followed by the matches between Jose Maria College Kings and AIFCP Sailors at

5:00pm, the UM Wildcats against the Brokenshire College of Davao Green Dragons at 6:30pm, and the defending champion HCDC Crusaders versus Holy Cross College of Sasa Spartans at 8:00pm.

The tournament is presented by Presidential Adviser on Sports and SBP Davao Regional Director Glenm Y. Escandor and is bankrolled by Davies Paints, Max’s Fried Chicken, PTT Lubricants, Mandarin SPC-Branch and The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

an intensive international buildup courtesy of the Philippine Sports Commission and the PBF headed by chairman Sen. Tito Sotto and president Steve Robles.

“What we have is a solid and �ighting team that is capable of winning at least two gold medals.”

Coo said playing on their home �loor would not be a factor in the tournament.

“Bowling is an immeasurable sport. A lot of factors would be in play once the tournament started,” said Coo, who is regarded as the greatest Filipino bowler of all time togeth-

er with Paeng Nepomuceno.

“Playing at home could even be a disadvantage as players tend to get conscious and nervous.

But our team is ready.

They have trained hard and long enough to brush off distractions and focus on winning the gold.”

the SEA Games after having done so in 1981, 1991 and 2005.

The Malaysian contingent of 773 athletes and 339 of�icials, led by chef de mission, Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, is targeting 70 gold medals, 51 silver and 105 bronze from 52 sports. (Bernama)

This is the fourth time the Philippines is hosting the event. The �irst one was in 1981, when it was still called the Southeast Asian Peninsular Games.

Filipinos placed second during their second hosting in 1991, before �inally winning the overall cham-

pionship in what is now known as “The Miracle of 2005.”

That year, the Philippines asserted its supremacy in the region by harvesting 291 medals (113 golds, 84 silvers, 94 bronzes), with Thailand securing 2nd spot, and

Vietnam placing 3rd.

“Nobody expected us to win in 2005, but we did,” said Ramirez. “For nine days that year, Filipinos were united by our athletes’ sporting achievement. We did it once, let’s do it again, for �lag and country.”

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NOT DONE YET A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO Davao (SPCD) Saints and with 3-0 card, followed Mats College of Technol- by JMC Kings (2-0), Asian ogy (MCT) Navigators at International School of 6:00 pm.

Aeronautics and TechnolAt 7:00pm, the un- ogy (AISAT) (1-1), Atebeaten University of Min- neo de Davao University danao (UM) Wildcats Knights (1-2), Mannywill Pacquiao(Addu) says evenBlue at 40, he is not finished yet. stake its clean slate against BCD (0-1), UM Penaplata DMMA College of South- (0-1), and Rizal Memoern Philippines (DMMAC- rial Colleges (RMC) SP) Mariners to wrap up Bulldogs (0-2).

Saturday's quadruple header sponsored by The

EDGE DAVAO EDGEDAVAO DAVAO 14 12 10 EDGE

SEE STORY ON P11

Collegiate Sponsors League (CSL) Escandor Cup resumes at the Davao City Recreation Center. Escandor Cup/CSL photo VOL.11 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 ISSUE 45 • SUNDAYMONDAY, MAYMAY 12 -13,

VOL.12 ISSUE 21• SUNDAY-MONDAY, • SUNDAY-MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2019 VOL.12 ISSUE 55 MAY 26-27, VOL.12 ISSUE 188 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2019

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EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

VOL.12 VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE ISSUE 94 100 84 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, • SUNDAY-MONDAY, • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY JULY 19-20, 28-29, 5-6, 2019

UP AND LAUNDRY FURNITURE A2A1 ABOUTa silly method but for EJ and

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VOL.12 ISSUE 188 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2019

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Navigators get free pass to PCCL Mindanao Finals

T

he Mats College of Technology (MCT) Navigators received a free pass to the Mindanao Finals of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) despite being eliminated in the ongoing Collegiate Sponsors League (CSL) Escandor Cup on Wednesday, November 27.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Davao executive program of�icer and league chairman Ronel Leuterio granted on Thursday, November 28, the MCT Navigators an opportunity to represent Davao Region in the Mindanao Finals for consistently bringing their crowd in every game as well as practicing good conduct inside the playing court.

“While you and your team has been eliminated but because of your team’s decorum, crowd support and the way you play, congratulations Thommy Mier Collados

(head coach) and Mats College of Technology, you are the �irst team to qualify together with the champion to represent Davao in the Mindanao Finals,” Leuterio announced via Facebook post.

Leuterio also urged Collados and the rest of the Navigators to continue the good gesture and they might advance to the PCCL Visayas-Mindanao Finals at all cost.

“Continue bringing in the crowd and the gritty play baka makasama pa kayo sa Vis/Min �inals,” the of�icer told Collados.

The Navigators will join the CSL champion in representing Davao Region in the Mindanao Finals slated 2020 in Davao City. The Mindanao Finals is the quali�ier for the PCCL National Finals which will also be hosted in Davao City.

Meanwhile, the Navigators were booted out

NAVIGATORS, P9

PH bowlers eye golds

N

ational bowlers vowed to come up with strong performance when they see action in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Philippine Bowling Federation (PBF) secretary general Bong Coo said they are looking at winning at least two gold medals in the prestigious biennial tourney set from 3 to 8 December at the Coronado Lanes inside Starmall in Mandaluyong City.

A legendary bowler who is known for winning six gold medals in the country’s �irst hosting of the Games in 1981, Coo said she is pinning her hopes on veterans Liza del Rosario and Frederick Ong as well as rising star Merwin Tan. Del Rosario has been

campaigning internationally for more than two decades while Ong is the last player to win a gold medal in the SEA Games after ruling the men’s singles event of the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia in 2011.

The 19-year-old Tan, for his part, is the Asian youth champion and is tipped to give the keglers from powerhouse countries like Singapore and Malaysia a run for their money.

Rounding out the team are Patrick Nuqui, Kenneth Chua, Lara Posadas-Wong, Alexis Sy and Bea Hernandez.

“We’re not promising anything, but we will surely give other teams a very good �ight,” said Coo, whose wards had

PH BOWLERS, P9

The presence of Kelly Hayes gives the Philippines a viable shot at gold in SEA Games women’s basketball. FIBA/file

Ramirez to athletes: Go for the golds

T

wo days before the 30th Southeast Asian Games’ opening ceremonies, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez extolled the Filipino athletes to win the overall championship for �lag and country.

“Go for the golds as if your life depended on them and an entire nation will be grateful,” said Ramirez, chef de mission of Team Philippines in these games and Chairman of the PSC. “Let’s bring good news to everyone. We need it, all Filipinos need it.” Ramirez’s

call isn’t an empty plea or a mere sound bite.

For spending P1 billion on the national athletes’ international training and exposure, equipment, foreign coaches, education and nutrition, the PSC expects a return of its huge investment in the form of a successful run not only in these games, but in the coming Tokyo Olympics and Hangzhou Asian Games, as well.

“Government has been very supportive of our national athletes. And it’s high time that such support gets the results expected from the ath-

letes’ all-out campaign in the SEA Games. We expect nothing less than a 100 percent effort from our national athletes in front of their fellow Filipinos, who I am very sure, will come out in droves to support them.”

As expected, the Philippines is �ielding the largest delegation in the SEA Games – numbering 1,115 athletes and 753 coaches and of�icials for a total of 1,868.

The athletes will be shooting for most of the 530 golds at stake in 56 sports, scattered in 44 venues spread across

RAMIREZ, P9

SEAG press hail 'modern' Clark int'l broadcast center

C

The International Broadcast Center in New Clark City (Photo courtesy of Philippine Information Agency)

Metro Manila and Southern Luzon, Subic and New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

Combat sports account for most of the gold-medal projection, with arnis tipped to get at least 15 golds from the 20 events on tap. There are at least �ive golds each from judo, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, sambo, wrestling, according to research by sports leaders.

Outside of combat sports, dancesport is projected to get 10 gold medals, while athletics and gymnastics are con�ident of getting nine.

LARK – Just two more days to go before the 30th SEA Games of�icially begins, journalists are pleased with the readiness of the ASEAN Convention Center here, which is the main press center and International Broadcast Centre (IBC) for journalists from around the globe covering the biennial games.

BERNAMA took a look around the press base and was delighted to �ind working desktop computers, a master control room, massage chairs, a dining hall and a media lounge, which received huge praise from many ASEAN journalists.

Nguyen Tuan Anh from Vietnam Television (VTV), who is covering his �irst SEA Games, said he is impressed with arrangements at the center as the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) is in a rush to get things ready before the opening ceremony

on Saturday (Nov. 30).

“I just arrived in Clark from Hanoi yesterday evening and I’m very surprised by the media center which is very modern, with delicious food provided. However, it is quite hot and competition venues are quite far from the IBC, but I’m �ine with that,” he said.

He said that 35 TVT crew members will be covering the event at three main clusters: Metro Manila, Clark, and Subic.

He has his hopes pinned on Vietnam’s athletes bringing home 60 70 gold medals, especially from men’s and women’s football.

Jakarta Post journalist, Rahmat Mega Putra, who arrived two days ago, is satis�ied with facilities at the Clark media center, too.

“At the moment, accommodation is very good, the only thing is it’s a long

SEAG, P9

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VOL.12 ISSUE 188 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2019