Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 231 | Friday, January 31, 2020

VOL.12 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

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VIRUS WATCH 8 individuals held under home quarantine

By MAYA M. PADILLO

A ferry boat plying the Sasa-Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) route cruises along the Davao Gulf. The local government of IGaCoS has announced that it is implementing a temporary ban on Chinese and other Asian nationals to tour the island. Lean Daval Jr

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he Davao City Health Of�ice (CHO) disclosed that it has eight individuals under close watch and under home quarantine including one for suspected 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) symptoms.

CHO of�icer-in-charge Dr. Gene Gulanes said these persons are now undergoing home quarantine for 14 days. Two of those under quarantine are Filipinos while six are Chinese nationals.

One of the six foreigners

was placed under investigation for manifesting NCoV-like symptoms. He was later tested negative but still placed under home quarantine.

Gulanes said these individuals arrived from China and Thailand and

have voluntarily turned themselves in to the hospital fearing they got symptoms of the virus.

He also explained that except for the one placed under investigation, all other persons under monitoring (PUM)

manifested the symptoms but will not �it to the category of NCoV. Despite this development, Gulanes assured that Davao City is still clear from 2019-nCoV. In the regional sit-

VIRUS, P9

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VOL.12 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Xiamen Air passengers not from Hubei Province

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he Consulate General of the Republic of China in Davao City assured that the 79 passengers who arrived in Davao City on Wednesday are not from the place of origin of the dreaded novel coronavirus (2019nCoV) Hubei Province.

Chinese commercial airline Xiamen Air landed in Davao International Airport (DIA) on Wednesday afternoon with 79 Chinese nationals on board.

In a text message to Edge Davao, Chinese Consul General Li Lin said each passenger is not a bearer of Chinese passport issued by Hubei Province and none had been to Hubei within the previous 15 days before their travel.

Lin con�irmed that the Jinjiang �light to Davao had 79 inbound passengers including �ive Filipinos. The rest were Chinese and majority are Filipino-Chinese returning from the Spring Festival holiday in China.

“There were 37 people returning to Jinjiang yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, all Chinese. All inbound passengers and crew from Jinjiang were tested by the quarantine department at Davao International Airport before they got out of the cabin and all passengers had body temperature below 37.3 degrees Celsius,” Lin said.

Lin also said all 37 passengers going back to

XIAMEN, P9

President Rodrigo Duterte examines the photos on exhibit during the 69th founding anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City on Wednesday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Igacos orders temporary ban on Chinese tourists

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. he local government of Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) has implemented a temporary ban on Chinese and other Asian nationals to tour around the island.

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This was con�irmed by Igacos Information Of�icer Michael Anthony Homez in a phone interview on Thursday morning.

Homez said Mayor Al David Uy immediately

released the said statement after the arrival of at least 79 Chinese nationals coming from Jinjian, China on Wednesday.

He said Mayor Uy got alarmed because these

Chinese nationals might visit the island city which the latter said is not ready for the Novel Coronavirus (NCoV).

“Mao to, iyang gikahadlukan nga mo adtog Samal katong 79 ka buok ( He (Uy) was just afraid that those 79 nationals will go to Samal),” he said.

The 79 Xiamen Air passengers have been cleared after going through NCoV symptom tests.

Homez clari�ied that the local government unit might be accused for discrimination but explained that it was the most prudent thing to do to protect the welfare of the constituents.

Igacos does not have hospitals equipped to handle quarantine and isolation of the dreaded virus.

He said the said statement is directed to all tour

FBI arrests 3 Quiboloy church members in US

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hree administrators of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy's Kingdom of Jesus Christ were arrested here on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) on allegation of conspiracy to commit immigration fraud, the Federal Bureau

of Investigation said.

The complaint alleges a "years-long scheme" to bring full-time workers to the US under "false pretenses," turning them into fund-raisers and marrying them with church members who

are US citizens to keep them in the country, the US Department of Justice said in a statement.

The trio was accused of securing US visas for fellow church members and requiring them to solicit donations for a

charity called Children's Joy Foundation USA, the FBI said.

The arrested church members were identi�ied in the statement as Guia Cabactulan, 59, a "top of�icial" of the church

FBI, P9

operators since all foreign nationals will usually go to them if they want to visit Igacos.

“Willing si Mayor, for the meantime, I-sakripisyo ang tourism industry. Kay kung masudlan sa Coronavirus ang Samal, both ang tourism industry ug ang katawhan sa Samal ang mag-suffer (The Mayor is willing to sacri�ice the tourism industry because

if their city will be infected with Coronavirus, both the tourism industry and people of Samal will suffer the blow), “ he said.

Homez also bared that prior to the temporary ban, Igacos City Health Of�ice has monitored �ive Chinese nationals who are still staying in one of the resorts in the island.

He said the City Disaster Risk Reduction

IGACOS, P9

Woman nabbed in drug sting

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peratives of Bunawan Police Station arrested a 50-yearold lady for alleged possession of illegal drugs worth P1.2 million during a buy-bust operation inside a mall in Davao City on Wednesday afternoon.

The suspects was identi�ied Linda G. Ledres, a resident of Purok Santol, La Filipina, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Police report that the suspect was immediately arrested after she she handed over a sachet of suspected shabu weighing about 5 grams with an estimated value of P15,000 to the agent who acted as a

buyer in their transaction, around 2:40 p.m., of January 29 in a food court of a mall along Bajada.

The operatives immediately frisked the Ledres and seized 16 sachets of shabu weighing 75 grams with an estimated value of P1.2 million along with drug paraphernalia.

The suspect is now detained at Bunawan Police Station and will be submitted for inquest proceeding before the City Prosecution Of�ice for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. By Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

DBP donates P3-M check to each of DavSur, NorCot

R City Health Office (CHO) officer in charge Dr. Gene Gulanes bares during I-Speak media forum at City Hall on Thursday that seven individuals are being monitored and another person is under investigation for showing

symptoms of 2019 novel coronavirus. All individuals are now undergoing home quarantine for 14 days. Lean Daval Jr

anking of�icials of the Development Bank of the Philippines handed over checks worth P3 million each to the provinces of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato as the government bank’s �inancial assistance for the relief and rehabilitation of areas damaged by a succession of strong earthquakes late last year.

Gov. Douglas Ra. Cagas accepted the check for Davao del Sur and gave the same right away to the provincial treasurer who accompanied him together with other provincial of�icials. Reporting

on the thousands of people adversely affected by the earthquakes, Cagas thanked DBP of�icials headed by no less than President Emmanuel Herbosa who was accompanied by members of the DBP board and ranking of�icers for the humanitarian gesture.

The magnitude 6-plus quakes adversely affected Digos City, Bansalan, Magsaysay, Padada and Kiblawan in Davao del Sur. North Cotabato provincial board member Onofre Respicio, on the other hand, received the other P3-million DBP check in behalf of

DBP, P9

VOL.12 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

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4 NEWS

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VOL.12 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

No sacred cows A in gov’t: Duterte

Missing Kapa official found critically-injured in SoCot

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here will be no sacred cow in the �ight against corruption in government, President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated on Wednesday.

Amid his intensi�ied crackdown on rogue government of�icials and employees, Duterte renewed his vow that he has zero tolerance for corruption.

“Sabi ko, wala talaga akong sasantuhin dito basta corruption, basta corrupt (I said there will be no sacred cows in my �ight against corruption. If you are corrupt, you will not be tolerated),” Duterte said in a speech during the celebration of the 69th founding anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Quezon City. “’Pag pumunta sa akin iyang tao na iyan at mag-complain, sorry, I will call you sa opisina ko…

Tawagan kita sa opisina ko at doon tayo sa opisina ko mag-usap (If someone goes to my of�ice and make a complaint against you, sorry, I will call you to my of�ice. I will summon you to

my of�ice and we will talk there),” he added.

The President’s statement came following the release of Jan. 24 article published by American business magazine Forbes, which alleged that the Philippines is becoming a “more corrupt and less democratic state under President Rodrigo Duterte.”

The article, written by Panos Mourdoukoutas, reported that corruption and political oppression in the Philippines stay “intact,” supposedly preventing the country from “developing modern infrastructure, attracting foreign capital, lowering unemployment, sustain(ing) economic growth, and escap(ing) poverty.”

Contrary to the report, Duterte said there is a need to stop corruption in government, adding that getting rid of erring public workers would improve

the Philippine economy.

“If we can do away with corruption, in about 10 years time, we will really jump, parang (perhaps, we will have) a better economic situation. Pero kung may corruption, ah wala (But if corruption continues, there will be no progress),” the Chief Executive said.

On Sunday, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) chair Dante Jimenez told the Philippine News Agency that there was no truth to Forbes’ report that the Philippines is turning into a “more corrupt” state, stressing that Duterte’s anti-corruption drive has so far become “very successful.”

Jimenez, however, admitted that addressing corruption in government remains a challenge due to the “slow” justice system in the country.

Duterte, in his latest speech, said that some government agencies such as the bureaus of Customs and Internal Revenue, serve as a gateway to corruption.

“I told you na yung corruption diyan sa (that the corruption there in) Cus-

toms, BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue), they’re just pittance to the corruption being done upstairs in the highest echelons of government. Totoo talaga. So iyan ang masakit sa akin (That’s the truth. And it pains me),” he said.

The President also said some workers in the government forged several agreements with private �irms that are detrimental to the country.

He cited the concession agreements with water �irms Manila Water and Maynilad, which were respectively owned by Fernando Zobel de Ayala and Manuel V. Pangilinan, as among the deals that could be disadvantageous to the government.

Duterte also took note of the state-run Light Rail Transit (LRT) Authority’s existing contract with the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), which is a consortium of the Ayala-led AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Pangilinan-owned Metro Paci�ic Investments Corp., and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philip-

NO SACRED, P9

n of�icial of controversial religious group Kabus Padatuon or Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. (Kapa) who was reported missing last week was found critically-injured Wednesday dawn in Tupi town, South Cotabato.

Major Verlin Pampolina, Tupi police chief, said Remely Jombitado Iral, 42, was left handcuffed and injured by her captors at a portion of a pineapple plantation in Barangay Kablon, Tupi, but managed to seek help from nearby residents. She bore multiple stab wounds and other injuries, he added.

Pampolina said the victim was brought past 4 a.m. to the Tupi municipal hospital and was immediately referred to a bigger medical facility in Koronadal due to her critical condition. Her relatives later moved her to another hospital for treatment.

Police investigators found at the scene a cardboard with a message written in Filipino addressed to Pastor Joel Apolinario, the fugitive founder of Kapa.

Message reads: “Ihinto muna (sic) ang panloloko at panlilinlang sa taong bayan. Lahat ng opisyal ng Kapa susunod na kayo.

Sinira niyo ang serbisyo namin, Sinira niyo ang kinabukasan namin!!!"

(Stop defrauding and deceiving the people. All

of�icials of Kapa, you will be next. You destroyed our trust, you destroyed our future!!!”

Pampolina said the message could have come from disgruntled members of Kapa, which had operated an illegal investment scheme in parts of the country.

“That’s the focus of our investigation right now and we’re coordinating with other units about this,” the police of�icial told reporters.

The group was �lagged by the Securities and Exchange Commission last year for soliciting investments from the public in the form of donations at a monthly interest payout of 30 percent.

President Rodrigo Duterte personally ordered in June last year the stoppage of Kapa’s operations and the �iling of charges against Apolinario, who has remained in hiding, as well as its other of�icials.

Iral, a niece of Apolinario’s wife Reyna, was the acting manager of Kapa’s main branch in Alabel town, Sarangani province.

She was declared missing following an ambush on January 22 in Barangay San Isidro here that killed her driver, identi�ied as Bresnev Morada, 38. At that time, police did not say whether Iral was with her driver during the attack. (PNA)

BDO NETWORK BANK, INC. Balance Sheet – Head Office and Branches (As of December 31, 2019) ASSETS Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Available-for-Sale (AFS) Financial Assets - Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets - Net Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans - Net Investments in Non-Marketable Equity Security - Net

AMOUNT (PHP) 1,319,279,073.61 770,403,201.58 2,359,822,844.40 0.00 1,683,463,723.23 337,744,208.63 0.00 0.00

Loans and Receivables - Net Loans to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision

22,678,448,038.69 0.00 0.00 23,197,012,773.75 0.00 518,564,735.06

Other Financial Assets Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures - Net Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment - Net Real and Other Properties Acquired - Net Non-Current Assets Held for Sale Other Assets - Net Net Due from Head Office/Branches/Agencies, if any (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL ASSETS

166,936,217.83 0.00 1,997,529,884.90 5,553,293.82 0.00 1,245,231,568.08 0.00 32,564,412,054.77

LIABILITIES Financial Liabilities Designated at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Due to Other Banks Bills Payable a) BSP (Rediscounting and Other Advances) b) Interbank Loans Payable c) Other Deposit Substitute d) Others Bonds Payable - Net Unsecured Subordinated Debt - Net Redeemable Preferred Shares Special Time Deposit Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities Net Due to Head Office/Branches/Agencies (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL LIABILITIES STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings Assigned Capital TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

0.00 25,552,586,797.56 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 341,475,838.02 628,470,453.95 0.00 26,522,533,089.53 5,806,871,778.55 36,436,109.19 198,571,077.50 0.00 6,041,878,965.24 32,564,412,054.77

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Guarantees Issued Financial Standby Letters of Credit Performance Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Securities Held Under Custodianship by Bank Proper Trust Department Accounts a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts b) Agency Accounts c) Advisory/Consultancy Derivatives Others TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

AMOUNT (PHP) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 24,210,314.26 24,210,314.26

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gross total loan portfolio (TLP) Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) a) Gross NPLs b) Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) c) Net NPLs d) Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) e) Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%) f) Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPLs (%) Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross allowance of credit losses Ratio of DOSRI loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to gross TLP (%) Gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables to TLP (%) Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a) 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises b) 2% for Medium Enterprises Return on Equity (ROE) (%) Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations a) Total CAR (%) b) Tier 1 Ratio (%) Equity Tier 1 is only applicable to all Universal and Commercial c) Common Tier 1 Ratio (%) [Common Banks and their subsidiary banks.]

Deferred Charges not yet Written Down Unbooked Allowance for Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Received

24,673,327,289.71 1,476,314,515.96 1,904,701,598.38 7.72 757,716,165.85 3.07 104.73 77.51 3,105,139,523.36 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 11.22 0.07 3.54 18.05 17.19 17.18 0.00 0.00

We, Rogelio C. Basco and Jesus Antonio S. Itchon of the above-mentioned bank do solemnly swear that all matters set forth in the above balance sheet are true and correct to our best knowledge and belief.

(SGD.) ROGELIO C. BASCO Operations Group Head

(SGD.) JESUS ANTONIO S. ITCHON President

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 24th day of January 2020 at Davao City, Philippines, affiant exhibiting their Driver License No. N03-08-001465 and SSS No. 03-6988730-4 respectively.

Doc. No. 29 Book No. 7 Page No. XXXVI Series of 2020

(SGD.) ATTY. BAMBETH MAHAL C. JAMBANGAN Notary Public for Davao City Serial No. 2019-098-2020 until December 31, 2020 PTR No. 3595271 - Davao City - December 26, 2019 IBP Lifetime Member Roll No. 09796 - 03/11/11 - Pasig City

MCLE Compliance No. III-00205116 / IV-0001914 / V-0013946 / VI-0009714 Roll of Attorney’s No. 56206 BDO Network Bank, Inc., Km. 9, Sasa, Davao City

5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

PH stays open to free trade deals with US, EU

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Business Bureau Office chief Marissa Torrentera says during this week's I-Speak media forum at City Hall that there is a significant increase in the number of business applications and issued business permits this year compared to last year. Lean Daval Jr

Novel coronavirus concerns continue to drag PH share

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hilippine shares continued to sustain a beating on Wednesday as concerns over the novel coronavirus subdued trading activities.

The benchmark PSEi shed 6.39 points or 0.09% to 7,462.31 at the closing bell. The broader All Shares lost 10.61 points or 0.24% to 4,425.06.

“Philippine shares continued to drop, though slightly today, as fatalities from the Wuhan coronavirus surged to 132 in China with over 800 new

cases, bringing the total to more than 7,000 cases in China,” Regina Capital head of sales Luis Limlingan said.

In the Philippines, a Chinese national under investigation for possible novel coronavirus infection has died at San Lazaro Hospital, though it has not yet been determined that he had the virus.

Investment inflows for Davao at P3.46 billion as of Q3 2019

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nvestment in�lows for Davao Region reached P3.46 billion as of third quarter of 2019, comprising 50.14% of the government’s target of P6.9 billion for the year.

National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-Davao director Maria Lourdes Lim said that the region started huge in the �irst quarter of 2019 with an investment of P2.6 billion, but a dismal P700 million in the second and third

quarters.

Davao Region’s approved investments for the �irst three quarters of 2018 totaled P14.3 billion, placing the region at �ifth with biggest investments approved for the same period, according to the Board of Investments (BOI).

Lim said BOI-Davao has yet to release its fullyear report for 2019 by end of January 2020.

Despite attaining only halfway of the target as

of third quarter 2019, Lim said NEDA-Davao remained optimistic “that the full year 2019 investments shall be able to meet, if not exceed, its targets for the year.”

Of the investments approved for the �irst three months of last year, Lim said Davao del Norte cornered about 69% or P2.38 billion and Davao City at 31% or P1.08 billion.

Lim said that the biggest investments were

Batangas Land Company Inc. (BLCI).

The NDC Board has decided to work on the dissolution and non-extension of the corporate life of BLCI, a joint venture of NDC and Chevron (formerly Caltex) Philippines.

BLCI rented out NDC land in San Pascual, Batangas, which is used

by Chevron as oil import terminal.

The government found that Chevron has been paying only 4 percent of the current fair market

value for the property, and described it as “grossly disadvantageous” to the public.

Lopez said the NDC intends to do the same action in another NDC property in Las Piñas.

“In Las Piñas, we have the right to �irst refusal.

We use the right to �irst refusal there so we can consolidate and buy the shares back. If it’s consolidated, it will bene�it the government. We can plan better the future for that

INVESTMENT, P9

Gov’t eyes higher benefits from country's valuable properties

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s the Duterte administration is running after “onerous” contracts, Trade Secretary and National Development Company (NDC) Chairman Ramon Lopez said the government’s direction is to get higher bene�its from the state’s valuable properties.

Lopez said the government is looking to consolidate ownership of the land and acquire all shares of NDC properties, similar to the NDC’s action over the land operated by

GOV’T, P9

There are 23 persons under investigation in the country for possible novel coronavirus infection as of Wednesday, according to the Department of Health.

More than 496 million shares valued at P4.955 billion, changed hands.

Decliners led advancers, 118 to 69, and 42 issues were unchanged.

he Philippines remains open to move forward discussions on possible separate free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United States and the European Union after talks have recently slowed down, the country’s top trade of�icial said.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said the Philippines is still interested to pursue possible FTAs with the two giant economies, but the discussions will also depend on how keen the counterparts are in advancing the talks.

For Washington, Lopez agreed that it is not the best time to make a big push for possible trade pact talks with the current attitude of the US Congress towards Philippine of�icials.

The US Congress just passed a law with a provision that bans Philippine of�icials involved in the detention of Senator Leila de Lima.

But Lopez said the issue on denying the entry of some Philippine of�icials and the possible FTA talks are separate matters.

“We assume it’s a separate issue. But you can already have a sense of the mood in the Congress, in other words, anything to do with us there might be an issue. Maybe, they are not excited or may not be that supportive,”

he said.

Lopez further said the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has been keen on pursuing discussions with the Philippines regarding the possible FTA. In October 2018, Lopez and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced that bilateral trade issues were resolved between the two countries under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).

The TIFA also paved the way to pursue meetings for a possible trade pact.

“We are leaving it up to their politics so USTR will have to deal with that.

So if the USTR will be con�ident with the Congress, for sure, they will push for it also,” he added.

Lopez said even without the trade deal, Philippine exports to US grew 10 percent last year.

Likewise, even FTA talks with the EU have been put aside for now, he said the Philippines remains open for scheduling the next round of negotiations.

“As you know, we have also been open to that,” he added. “They have not set schedule (for the next round of negotiations), but with their new trade commissioner, we’ll see their priorities now.”

The Philippines enjoys a preferential tariff system with both the US and the EU. (PNA)

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

EDITORIAL

Unmasking the mask

There seems to be one looming “fashion” statement these days. It’s the protective mask. Be it N95s or surgical masks. Everyone’s into it. The question is, are people using the mask correctly or are they even causing more risk to themselves?

If one lives in Manila or nearby areas within the vicinity of Taal Volcano, that is understandable. The recent explosion--given the health risks from the ashfall-caused the running out of masks in the metro. But then the mask extended its demand with the outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus. Thus, the demand just went crazy. Wearing a mask has become as obligatory as wearing underwear as the consciousness for protection over the dreaded virus escalates day by day.

To date, there had been 7,711 con�irmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus in China’s 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps by the end of Wednesday. A total of 170 people have died of the disease. In the Philippines, the Wuhan coronavirus scare has turned everyone on the defensive side. Thus, the mask protection.

This leads to the question--can a mask protect one from the coronavirus?

Can a mask really keep you from catching the virus?

In China where the Wuhan coronavirus continues to spread, of�icials are urging citizens to wear masks in public to stop the spread of the virus.

To answer the question, it helps to clarify which kinds of masks we’re talking about. Dabawenyo doctor Richard Mata came up with a video which circulated on social media on Thursday explaining the use of the two types of masks--the N95s and the surgical mask. The explanation was extensive and should help everyone understand the usefulness of the mask under different circumstances.

As experts don’t yet know exactly how the virus is transmitted, they have recommended that health care workers treat it like an airborne pathogen — germs that can travel in particles or droplets in the air. That means health care workers interacting with a coronavirus patient should wear a heavy-duty mask

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NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Photography

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

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

called an N95 respirator. These respirators are designed to �it tightly around the nose and mouth, and, when worn correctly, block out at least 95% of small airborne particles. But wearing an N95 respirator is serious business. Health care workers who use these respirators are required by law to undergo an annual �it test — a check to make sure the mask forms a tight seal on the wearer’s face so that contaminated air can’t leak in. Although N95s are disposable, workers must also demonstrate that they know how to put on and wear the model that they are using. This type of mask is dif�icult to wear because it’s uncomfortable and one may �ind it harder to breathe when wearing them.

Experts, nevertheless, believe that’s the kind of protection that really works.

However, there’s no recommendation for the general public to wear them.

Unless one lives in Wuhan or Hubei Province where the virus originated.

By contrast, surgical masks do provide some bene�it but they’re far from foolproof. Surgical masks are just a physical barrier that will protect against a visible splash or spray of �luid or large droplets. These masks �it loosely on the face around the edges, so they don’t completely keep out germs, and small airborne particles can still get through.

Experts note that how you remove a mask, whether it is a surgical mask or an N95 respirator, is also important. If you touch the front when taking it off, you could end up contaminating yourself. That is why it pays to know its complexities.

As for wearing a mask outdoors in public? If you’re in a country where the risk of catching the Wuhan coronavirus is considered low, you may actually not need it. Wearing a surgical mask is a good idea if you have a respiratory illness and need to see the doctor. But that’s really so you won’t infect other people.

The reason why we are running out of masks is misinformation. If one does not know how to use it properly and how to dispose of it, it is better not to rush out and buy a mask. Not only is its misuse not actually working as a protection but otherwise, it’s also contributing to the shortage.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

JAPAN’S HIDDEN WAR AGENDA Historically, Japan’s military started making maps as early as 1870, and most of these were detailed graphs of neighboring countries with key importance to Japanese interests, particularly Korea and China.

This was part of the intention to be recognized as a military power and with the clout to control lands or create colonies within reach or adjacent to her territory.

Japan’s economic foothold in Davao following its successful control of the hemp industry in the �irst half of the 20th century became an incentive to pursue her country’s military agenda. Though disputed, the in�lux of Japanese nationals to Davao disguised as plantation workers was not lost among Filipino intelligence eavesdroppers.

The breakout of war, as expected, eviscerated some of Japan’s military secrets that were covertly known to member-countries in the Allied circle. Some of the information were subject to con�irmation.

A report (’20,000 Japanese at Davao for Fifth Column, Ranks‘) in The Courier-Mail (Brisbane,

Australia) on December 27, 1941, was interesting: In and around this [Davao] port. which the Japanese now claim to have captured, live 20,000 Japanese. Mindanao is one of the richest of the Philippine Islands. Although the Americans have an aerodrome and naval base in Davao, the Japanese have their own schools and hospitals, and police the outlying districts… They even have their own Consul…

Several years ago, it was rumoured that the Japanese had forti�ied Mount Apo and that they were smuggling in arms and ammunition. - It also was believed that they had a tunnel �ive miles long under the hemp plantations leading to a secret arsenal where, ammunition was manufactured.

Considerable �ifth column activity at Davao since the war begun seems to bear out these reports of intense Japanese preparation. (Italics mine.)

The same report claimed that in prewar times “large deposits of chromium, invaluable to armament makers, were found” but did not speci�ically identify the location in the

country. Accordingly, the “iron ore [was] the best in the East and [was] needed desperately by Japan.” Nothing concrete came out of this account, which was sourced from raw data.

But the most interesting account (‘Japs Stole Davao Before War‘) came out in the January 4, 1942, issue of The Sun, published in Sydney, Australia, which reported: Americans discovered maps and speci�ications of Davao’s defences hidden in a corpse being shipped back to Japan.

Japan’s undisguised peacetime stealing of Philippine areas is illustrated by this incident told by a young American now in Sydney after living most of his life in the Philippines.

A Japanese at Davao had died. Instead of cremating the body and returning the ashes to the homeland (the universal custom), the Japs were to send the body back untouched.

A suspicious American arranged an autopsy, which revealed maps and speci�ications of the town’s defences concealed in the corpse…

As the Jap colony grew,

more arms were smuggled in —machine-guns, Tommy guns, grenades, small arms, and ammunition coming in cof�ins.

Japanese warehouses became arsenals.

Factories were built, many with 6 ft. reinforced concrete walls— admirable fortresses.

While the story sounded fantastic, this has never been of�icially con�irmed. There’s a strong possibility, though, the report has basis. Dispatching dead bodies in tightly sealed aluminum casket was a preferred way of bringing home cadavers to loved ones in a foreign land. This was the case of Lt. Edward Bolton, American district governor of Davao who was killed in 1906.

Japan’s hidden war agenda, though continuously debated by scholars, has been extensively discussed in articles published in prestigious publications. In the July 2016 issue of National Geographic, Greg Miller wrote (‘Secret Japanese Military Maps Could Open a New Window on Asia’s Past ‘) about the maps recovered by the United States after the war.

The secret military dia-

grams and plates, numbering in the thousands, were con�iscated by the American soldiers, and covered nearly all of Asia.

Miller wrote: [The maps] went far beyond the local topography. They included detailed notes on climate, transportation systems, and the local people. It’s the kind of information that could be used to plan an invasion or an occupation, and some of it was gathered by spies operating behind enemy lines. To the Japanese, these maps are known as gaihōzu—maps of outer lands.”

To the Americans, they were a valuable source of intelligence, not just on a recently defeated foe, but also on a newly emerging one—the Soviet Union.

Though some of the maps are still hidden, kept for decades for safekeeping and almost forgotten, are now in the hands of scholars for further studies. Their existence undeniably con�irms the long-term plan of Japan to include the Philippines, particularly Davao, as future colonies of the land of the Rising Sun.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

MYSTERIOUS POWER OF HOPE “Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there’s no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.” – Laini Taylor *** In his book, Discover Your Possibilities, Dr. Robert H. Schuller shared an event where a psychiatrist lectured for thirty-�ive minutes at the Madrid Psychiatric Congress.

The theme of his talk was about hope.

“Hope! What is it?” he asked the audience. There was silence. Then, he talked again.

“What is it? I don’t know! Nobody knows! All we know is that we have all had patients who came to us week after week, month after month, and they sat there with their depressed, discouraged, despondent faces, skin hanging almost grey in color, like an old cloth hanging over dead bones, and their eyes �lat, dull, and devoid of sparkle.

“Week after week, they came back to us – listless, lethargic, dejectedly sitting down as lifeless as a sack of potatoes, without form, structure, energy or life. Then, as we talked to them, and listened to them, we suddenly saw a mysterious spark glitter in their eyes, grey

skin became pink, those �lat eyes became round, cheeks that were sunken began to blossom.

All we can say is, hope was born!

But what is it? Where does it come from? We do not know.”

Dr. Schuller said that each of us need hope – in the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of life. “Hope is the one thing every human being needs,” he pointed out.

“What happens when you have hope?” he asked. “Dreams begin to take root instead of vanishing into thin air! When you don’t have hope, a dream fades away! It never becomes a concrete reality. Without hope, decisions go unmade, opportunities pass, somebody else grabs them and you come in a ‘Johnny-come-lately’ second.

“Without hope,” Dr. Schuller continued, “problems overpower, stop, block, stagger, stumble and trip you! That is what happens without hope. Show me a person who has hope and I’ll show a person in whom dreams take root where opportunities are grasped, and problems are solved chip by chip, splinter by splinter, stone by stone, until the obstacle is gone! All this happens through the mysterious power we call hope.”

According to American author Tom Bodett, a person needs just three things to

be truly happy in this world: “someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” On the latter, award-winning American author William Faulkner explained it this way: “You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.”

Dr. Schuller shared the story of a little boy who attended kindergarten for the �irst time.

When his mother asked how he liked school, he answered, “I quit.” The mother inquired, “What do you mean? One day in school and you quit?” The little boy answered, “I can’t read, I can’t write and the teacher won’t let me talk. So why go back?”

“Without hope,” Dr. Schuller said, “you become a quitter.”

When I was still a teenager, I dreamed of becoming a comics illustrator. But I lived far from Manila, where comics were published. And so, I decided to become a storyteller. I submitted some stories for Atlas Publishing Company, Inc. But what I received in return were rejection slips.

But I was hoping that one day, my byline would appear in a national publication. So, I started collecting quotable quotes from all those I read: magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, and books.

I scribbled them in a notebook and tried to divide the quotes by theme: love, marriage, work, friendship, etc. I also compiled fascinating facts – trivial and otherwise. I went further by interviewing friends and other people who I came across.

I was already in college when I submitted some of my articles and features. I was no longer afraid of receiving rejection slips. I was still hoping that one or two of those I submitted pieces would be published.

Then, one day, Mod published my �irst feature. I was so happy that when my classmates knew it, they had congratulated me. It was just a matter of time that my byline appeared in various magazines: Woman’s Home Companion, Express Week, Philippine Focus, Mr. & Ms., Woman Today, and Philippine Free Press.

Hope springs eternal, so goes a saying. “Hope itself is like a star – not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity,” said English Baptist preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Martin Luther King, Jr. also stated, “If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that

helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream.”

“We dream to give ourselves hope,” Amy Tan wrote in The Hundred Secret Senses. “To stop dreaming – well, that’s like saying you can never change your fate.”

“The very least you can do in your life is �igure out what you hope for,” Barbara Kingsolver wrote in Animal Dreams.

“And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.”

Hope is what keeps people doing and moving on. “Strange as it may seem,” Lemony Snicket penned in The Beatrice Letters, “I still hope for the best, even though the best, like an interesting piece of mail, so rarely arrives, and even when it does it can be lost so easily.”

American journalist Chris Hedges sees hope in a different perspective. “Hope has a cost,” he said. “Hope is not comfortable or easy. Hope requires personal risk. It is not about the right attitude. Hope is not about peace of mind. Hope is action. Hope is doing something. The more futile, the more useless, the more irrelevant and incomprehensible an act of rebellion is, the vaster and more potent hope becomes.”

8 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

DURIAN: HATE IT OR LOVE IT!

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

F

inally, the boulder-like durian – Davao’s “king of fruits” – has penetrated the United States market.

Thanks to Lindsey Gasik, an American blogger who dabbles as food importer. This was reported by Maya M. Padillo, the roving reporter of Edge Davao.

Larry Miculob, former president of Davao Durian Industry Association Council, told the reporter that Gasik, a blogger from Oregon who visits Davao since 2010, has exported an initial 300 kilos of vacuum-packed durian.

Each pack of durian has a label that explains about the fruit, its variety and that it comes from Davao, Padillo quoted Miculob as saying.

“It’s not easy to enter the US market,” he said. “In fact, you have to pass the strict requirements. We submitted documents but since we already have been exporting to Japan, it was easy for us to enter the US market.”

Durian is known throughout Southeast Asia but not in industrialized countries like the United States. The New York Times considered it as the world’s smelliest fruit.

“Durian stinks so badly that it’s banned from hotels and mass transit in parts of Asia,” it said.

Although durian is one of the world’s most favorite fruits, it is also one of the most maligned fruits. In introducing durian to American readers, Huf�ington Post food and travel writer Alison Spiegel wrote: “If a fruit smelled like feet, would you eat it? If that fruit smelled like damp feet that had been festering in a soggy boot for hours, could you even bear to look at it? What if the moisture came not from a puddle or some sort of bad weather, but from dank, dirty sweat?

Would you run away and never speak this fruit’s name again?”

The fruit stinks so much that 550 people, mostly Australian students, were forced to evacuate the University of Canberra library “due to a gas leak,” but turned out the offending smell was due durian fruit, according to a CNN report.

Yes, it’s that notorious smell that makes durian controversial. In November 2018, an Indonesian plane was grounded after passengers complained of a stench in the cabin which was traced up to a cargo of durian.

Even if you wrap and place it in a box, the smell escapes. The smell isn’t only potent but it lingers, too. It is for this reason why durian fruits are now banned on airplanes and trains. It is also banned on many types of public transport across Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand.

In the Philippines, durian is prohibited to bring the fruit inside the hotels and other enclosed public places. Don’t be surprised to see “No Durian” signs plastered on the front desk. Hotel owners �ind it almost impossible to exorcise the smell from the beds and furnishings.

“Its odor is best described as pig shit, turpentine and onions garnished with a dirty gym sock,” wrote food writer Richard Sterling, adding that it can be smelled from yards away. Chef and television host Anthony Bourdain went on overboard with his description: “Your breath will smell as if you’ve been French kissing your dead grandmother.”

What makes this fruit’s smell so distinctly different from other fruits? A group of scientists from the German Research Center for Food Chemistry tried to discover the mystery on how exactly the fruit produces such a powerful stench. The study, published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, found 50 discrete compounds in the fruit responsible for its uncommon aroma.

“Their analysis suggests that it is not any single compound but instead the mixture of different chemicals that produces the fruit’s powerful stench,” wrote Joseph Stromberg, who obtained a copy of the study, in Smithsonian. “The compounds are identi�ied by their chemical formulas, which are likely cryptic to anyone without a degree in organic chemistry, but the research team associ-

ated each one with a particular odor.

“What’s interesting is that none of the compounds individually seem to match with the characteristic durian smell – they range widely, and include labels like fruity, skunky, metallic, rubbery, burnt, roasted onion, garlic, cheese, onion and honey,” Stromberg continued.

“A number of them have been detected in just a few other substances, such as cooked beef, yeast extract, dried squid and leeks. Somehow, the combination of these 50 chemicals produces the powerful scent that has entranced and repulsed people the world over.”

Despite the stench, a lot of people love it. In his book, Following the Equator, Mark Twain wrote about his durian experience in Southeast Asia through these words: “It was a most strange fruit, and incomparably delicious to the taste, but not to the smell.”

British naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace had the same observation. After a visit with the Interior of Borneo in 1855, he observed the offensive smell of durian in the house; some people did not even attempt to taste it. “This was also my own experience when I �irst tried it in Malacca; but in Borneo, I found a ripe fruit on the ground, and eating it out-of-doors, I become con�irmed durian eater.”

Durian is described as the “king of fruits” – maybe because of its size (the fruit can weigh as much as seven pounds) or maybe because of its taste, which has been described as “sugar cream or crème brulee, but with more personality.”

“To durian lovers, the taste is mildly sweet, almondy and very creamy, not unlike a rich cheesecake,” wrote Monica Tan for The Guardian.

“It has a whiff of alcohol about it, which explains why eating it gives you this hot feeling inside – like you’ve downed a shot of vodka.”

There are several varieties of durian. The most important ones, commercial-wise, are Chanee, Mon Thong, Alcon Fancy, Arancillo,

Atabrine, Duyaya, GD 69, Lacson Uno, Mamer, and Puyat.

The �lesh or pulp of the fruit can range in color. It’s most commonly yellow or white, but can also be red or green.

By weight, the edible portion (pulp or aril as experts call it) is only 26% on the average. Sixty percent of it is the rind while the remaining 14% are seeds.

According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, the fruit is rich in vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, and iron. It also contains fair amounts of thiamine, ribo�lavin, and niacin. It is also

a good source of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development says durian can be made into jam, candy, tart, and “polvoron.” Unripe durian can be cooked like a vegetable. Half-ripe or unripe durian are also utilized in making chips and soups.

Durian can be made into an excellent ice cream, or a cold milk shake. As a blender ingredient, though, it seems the king of fruits does not mix well with lesser commoners.

The distinct durian �lavor usually dominates, and in some cases mixing with other fruits accentuates the garlicky component of durian in unfavourable ways.

One known harmonious �lavour with durian is coffee.

Drinking coffee while eating durian is quite pleasant and invigorating – and a durian-�lavored gourmet coffee would be an exotic treat. If you happen to visit Davao City, there are places where coffee is mixed with durian fruits.

Some experts believe consuming durian at the same time as alcohol can cause health problems.

“Scientists believe that sulfur-like compounds in durian may prevent certain enzymes from breaking down alcohol, causing increased alcohol levels in the blood,” healthline.com explains.

“Eating durian with hard liquor is considered a no-no; it leads to an uncomfortably bloated belly,” writes Anita Isalska for Lonely Planet.

“Accompanying durian with

beer is thought to create a fermenting effect that may make you unpopular on long-distance bus journeys.”

Pregnant women or people with high blood pressure are traditionally advised not to consume durian. Here’s another warning: Discover magazine reported an incident where a woman with preexisting renal failure ate a durian and ended up critically ill from potassium overdose.

The word “durian” comes from the Indonesia “duri” (thorn) and is botanically known as Durio zibethinus.

It is native to Indonesia and Malaysia. It also grows in other Asian countries like Brunei, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Now, are you ready for your durian?

You need gloves or mitts to protect your hands when opening the durian’s hard, spiky shell. Cut the shell with a knife and pry it open with your hands before gently removing the �lesh. Then eat it with much gusto.

To those who want to taste the durian for the �irst time, be sure to buy the very best. But how will you know that the durian you are buying is the real thing? Here’s a tip from the experts: “When picking a durian to buy, look at the stem. If it is dry, the durian is probably old. If the stem is cut off, shake the fruit and listen for the seeds knocking around; if you hear something, the pulp has probably lost some moisture and therefore not as tasty.”

Never mind the smell. “It tastes like heaven,” said one scribe of durian!

VOL.12 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

TRMH LEAPS INTO THE METAL RAT

AS PART of its revered traditions, Davao City’s homebred luxury hotel The Royal Mandaya Hotel welcomed the new lunar year with an entertaining Chinese event at the hotel lobby on January 25, 2020.

In celebration of the Year of the Rat, hotel guests and invitees were entertained with traditional lion dance led by the Kim Ling KungFu Lion-Dragon Dance Troupe and a traditional Chinese dance routine by the Cabantian Highness dancers.

TRMH also brought back their version of “Little Chinatown” where guests had fortune telling consultation with the Mystique Angels Card Readers and wrote their wishes at the

fortune wall.

To complete the treat, the hotel’s battery of chefs whipped up a sumptuous Chinese-themed dinner at the Kamayo Cafe with their Chinese New Year Buffet 4+1 Dinner Promo where banquet staff also served fortune cookies to the diners with four special prizes.

Two lucky winners won a gift certificate for a lunch or dinner for two at the Kamayo Cafe and another 2 winners won a gift certificate for an overnight stay in a Superior Room at the hotel.

The Royal Mandaya Hotel ushers in the Metal Rat with more upgrades like the renovation of its swimming pool area. The old Pasag Grill will now be renamed Cabana.

Cheers to more fortune and lovely stays in the Metal Rat year.

EDGED

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EVENT

STA. CRUZ HOLDS 1ST PANAGDAYAG FESTIVAL TWO ABOITIZPOWER UNITS SUPPORT

INITIATED by Municipal Mayor Jaime Lao, Sta. Cruz celebrated its first Panagdayag Festival inspired by the Sinulog Festival in Cebu. Both festivals are commemorated in honor of the patron Santo Niño.

serves as an expression of both celebration and gratitude to the blessings brought about by the Santo Niño to the municipality.

Aside from celebration, Panagdayag became an avenue to generate income among its locals as they marketed local products, promoting sustainable local economic development in Sta. Cruz.

Hedcor, having been operating its hydropower facilities in the municipality over the past decade, has always been thankful

The festival’s namesake, Panagdayag, is derived from the Bisaya word “dayag”, meaning expression. According to tourism officer Julius Paner, this festival

to find a partner in the community of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Likewise, Therma South, Inc. has been providing development to the area for over 5 years now, as the municipality serves as a host community for their power plant. These two Business Units of Aboitiz Power Corporation took part in the festivities, showcasing their iteration of a colorful floral float.

Hedcor and Therma South’s participation is a panagdayag of

thankfulness to the community that continues to house and safekeep their facilities.

Hedcor has been harnessing hydropower from the Sibulan river in Sta. Cruz. Through this, Hedcor is able to generate 57.4 MW of Cleanergy, while Therma South generates 300 MW through its power plant based at the border of the municipality, supplying electricity to households and commercial establishments across Mindanao.

UP AND ABOUT

UNIONBANK BECOMES FIRST GLOBE 5G POWERED BANK IN PHL

UNION BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES (UnionBank) once again became the first Philippine bank to launch a smart branch that leverages world-class 5G technology for seamless connectivity with IOT (Internet of Things)-enabled services.

Partnering with Globe Business, the enterprise arm of Globe Telecom, UnionBank deployed 5G-grade connectivity at its Dasmarinas, Cavite branch – the first of its ARK 2.0 branches - for faster speeds, higher bandwidth, and a more stable internet connection. Twenty times faster than other networks available,

5G technology will allow branch employees to connect 32 devices at the same time without sacrificing performance.

Researchers say that 5G banking will take customer experience to the next level via augmented reality and virtual reality on their smartphones. According to leading digital financial publication The Financial Brand, by combining 5G and artificial intelligence (AI), banks can better harness the always on, real-time data coming from devices, which will allow better prediction and anticipation of a customer’s preferences and behaviors.

“Excellent customer experience will always be an important driver to a company’s growth and relevance. This is the very reason why we at UnionBank constantly innovate and improve our services to ensure that we offer nothing but the best to our clients,” said UnionBank executive vice president and chief information officer Dennis Omila. “Partnering with Globe for its revolutionary 5G network and connectivity is one way we can provide a more seamless and efficient operations.”

“5G is an important building block in helping Philippine

companies remain competitive in the digital age. This is the reason we are accelerating our efforts to deploy 5G, so we can provide more Filipino companies like UnionBank the chance to go beyond what the current technology allows them to do,” added Globe Business senior vice president Peter Maquera.

Earlier at the launch of UnionBank’s 15 new ARKs – or fully digital branches - led by the pioneering ARK for Business, UnionBank president and CEO shared the plan to take their network infrastructure to the next level with software-defined

and artificial intelligence capabilities. The bank has a “Tech Up, Pilipinas” advocacy that seeks to utilize technology to make financial services available to all Filipinos.

Meanwhile, its valued partner Globe Business continues to redefine how businesses work— which goes beyond functions, numbers, and performance. It is committed to enable its clients and partners to catapult their enterprises to success by providing the right technology, infrastructure, and know-how to create a positive impact and transform people’s lives.

In photo Officer), P Presiden Chief Info Managem Collabora

EDAVAO

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VOL.12 ISSUE 231 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

o (from left to right): Albert de Larrazabal (Globe Telecom Chief Commercial Peter Maquera (Globe Business Senior Vice President), Ernest Cu (Globe Telecom nt & Chief Executive Officer), Denis Omila (UnionBank Executive Vice President & formation Officer), Ryan Acosta (UnionBank Head for Infrastructure and Service ement), Paulo Santos (UnionBank Head of Enterprise Communication and ration).

ENTERTAINMENT

ULTIMATE BATTLE OF THE MONDRAGONS IN FINAL WEEK OF “KADENANG GINTO” WITH PAIN and revenge as their motivation, the four Mondragons are preparing for the biggest war of their lives in the final week of the top-rating teleserye “Kadenang Ginto.”

Daniela (Dimples Romana), still harboring on the idea that Romina (Beauty Gonzalez) took everything away from her, has become vindictive than ever after her husband Carlos (Adrian Alandy) died in her arms for defending her mortal enemy.

While Daniela is cooking up her plans, Romina is determined to prove that Daniela is the mastermind behind the threats against her and her family. However, with the menacing Hector (Joko Diaz) still scheming

behind bars and a spy still in their midst, Romina will have to fight tooth and nail to put a stop to her enemies.

Meanwhile, Cassie (Francine) is still in hiding to continue the charade of being dead, and Marga (Andrea)—twisted by her mother’s manipulations—has rejoined Daniela’s side and blames Romina for the death of her father. She will take matters into her own hands as she suspects that Cassie’s death was fake.

What plans does Daniela have under her sleeve, and what are Romina’s final moves? Will Cassie and Marga remain enemies until the end?

“Kadenang Ginto,” which has been airing for more than a year, has consistently topped its timeslot in terms of nationwide TV ratings and produced memes online.

Its massive success has even gone international as it is currently airing in Myanmar and has also earned an Indonesian adaptation.

The series also spawned the hit teen quartet The Gold Squad, composed by stars Andrea, Francine, Seth Fedelin, and Kyle Echarri, who have recently launched their first digital movies on iWant and 1.8 million subscribers on their official YouTube channel.

Don’t miss the battle of the Mondragons in “Kadenang Ginto” on ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Gold.

ARVEY TO DROP SOPHOMORE SINGLE “UMAGA” FILIPINO rapper Arvey makes a comeback with his newest single titled “Umaga,” picking up from the success of his smash hit “Dalaga” which was released last year under Star Music.

“Umaga” is a feel-good hip-hop rap song about a guy who compares his admiration towards a special girl to ‘a lovely morning.’ It also encourages positivity and being inspired by someone’s mere presence.

The track is written by Rovic de Veyra, more popularly known as Arvey himself, arranged and mixed by Theo Martel, and produced by ABS-CBN Music’s audio content head Jonathan Manalo.

The 17-year old Filipino rapper is also the lyricist behind 2019’s hit song “Dalaga,” which now has over 20M streams on Spotify and 50M views of combined YouTube videos as of writing.

While he is currently a senior high school student, the young artist still finds the time to throw together catchy rap verses and rhythmic flows. He is part of the talented artists under ABS-CBN Music—home to some of the best OPM music of today from the country’s leading media and entertainment

company, ABS-CBN. Welcome mornings with a cheerful heart with Arvey’s latest track, “Umaga,” which will drop this Friday (January 31) in various music streaming sites. For more details, like Star Music on facebook. com/starmusicph, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @StarMusicPH

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EVENTAND CULTURE ARTS TRAVEL TECH

EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE 223 ISSUE •216 WEDNESDAY, 231 • FRIDAY,JANUARY 31, 22, VOL.12 ISSUE 219 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 14, 2020

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINENEW ELIMINATES SINGLEHONDA PHILIPPINES LAUNCHES SONY INTRODUCES GP-VPT2BT USE PLASTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLES ACROSS FLEET THE ALL-NEW AIRBLADE150 WIRELESS SHOOTING GRIP MAYA ON THE BLOCK A1

ka weaver naga-himo,” he said.

This is also among the reasons why Limon will go to Sitio Sangab to introduce the cotton weaving. He believes that using cotton threads into Dagmay as well as their embroidery will help sustain their livelihood.

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In with aconnectivity standout look,eliminated power free and and a 2018, the Company cutting-edge comfort inmoisshared reliable dust and single-use plastic straws across riding. ture its fleetresistant and privatedesign. destinaSo, whether athis young Compatible withareaofvariety tions, and as a you result professional trying to beat of Sony’s latest digital most recent initiative, itcamerwill the the traffic or six a millennial who as, GP-VPT2BT connects replace over million singleenjoys riding around the city easily via Bluetooth, allowing use plastic water bottles every with your this AT Bike creators tofriends, simplythe aim and year.

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A4 INdulge!

advanced specs at a very reasonable price point.

It boasts of its lightweight precision and a superb engine that delivers maximum power performance and fuel efficiency.

It has a 4.4 Li-fuel tank capacity and can go up to 47km/Li-fuel consumption.

What’s more, The All-New Airblade150 is packed with a actor and activist Jaden Smith powerful 150cc liquid-cooled and family, JUST takes an inSOHC engine for superior funcnovative approach to sourcing tion packaging in stop-and-go situations and the world’s most and prime acceleration valued resource - water.without The lag for hassle-free long rides. revolutionary company focuses ThisanAT Bike also offers a 22.7L on impact model, taking U-Box that can accommodate into consideration both how the full-faced helmetsand andpackaged. enough water is sourced room for the rider’s JUST is 100% springpersonal water in a belongings. carton. The carton plant-based It is also equipped with other is made of 82% renewable matecutting-edge features, such as rials – the paper carton is made Smarttrees Key, grown Power in Socket for from responrecharging devices andand smartsibly-managed forests the phones, a front-wheel cap and and shoulder are made Anti-lock Braking Systemplastic.

(ABS) from a sugarcane-based which helps determine and preIt is refillable and recyclable. vent wheels from locking up.

JUST has a global presence Thebottling All-New Airblade150 with facilities in Glenn comesNY; in three unique Northern colors: Falls, Ballymena, Matte Galaxy Black Metallic, Ireland; and Ballarat, Australia, Candy Caribbean Blue Sea, and thus allowing the company to Candydemand Rosy Red. It willthe beworld availmeet around able at allshipping Honda’swater dealerships without from a this March 2020 with a suggestsingle production source.

JUST ed retail price of PHP109,000.00. takes care to use the most effiCustomers mayoptions now visit the cient shipping available. nearest Honda dealer for reserFor more information about vations.

Norwegian Cruise Line ships For more details about and their itineraries, or toHonda book and promos, aproducts cruise, please contactfollow a travel them at their call Facebook page, professional, 888-NCLHonda Philippines, and CRUISE (625-2784)Inc. or visit Instagram page, @hondaph_mc. www.ncl.com.

A4 INdulge! man gudBusiness kaayoPlanning Department of HPI Mr. Susumu Mitsuishi, InAldevinco the photo: L-Rdo Mr.not Jomelcarry Jerezo,DagGeneral Manager“Wala of the Motorcycle president of HPI HPI Celebrity Brand Ambassador Coco Martinna HPIpieces Celebrityand Brand Ambassador Yassi Pressman Mr. Hiroyuki Yasunaga, may cloth.

Mandaya mostly EVP, Manufacturing Division, HPI Beth S. Alejandro, AVP for Finance of HPI. T’boli products ang sa Aldevinco. Sa Manila T’boli lang mostly makita nako na ginahimo accent ug Yakan, beads sa Bagobo, balud from Lanao and Inaul. Walay something from the Mandaya community,” hetosaid.

CO2 emissions rate, increase thrilled make such an impact to our Sail & Sustain program cotton Dagmay design sustainable sourcing and invest by The eliminating single-use bever- and believe wholeheartedly in clothing not yetchanged available ly,initemerging has an adjustment wheel and can beisquickly technologies. age bottles across our fleet. in the importance of preserving with That istightened why and we passenger another top consid“The Cutting Edge” theajust market as Limon and his can befriends. loosened orspecial into tripod simply ex“This is a very It’s oneisby of the ways we are ourAsnatural resources.

Webuilt will conceptualized The All-New eration intothe minds ofimmertoday’s to be enjoyed by both drivermakgroup are still in the tovery allow for seamless operapanding the bottom portion, proud moment for us,” working preserve our oceans continue to strive towards Airblade150 with shared riding enabling millennial customers, and The andenvironmentally passenger, The All-New sion the stage of the project. tion with cameras of different easy stable, handssaid Harry Sommer, president and destinations we visit. ing conscious in mind,” said Susumu MitsuiAll-New Airblade150 is the bike decisions Airblade150 serves as anearth.” all-new “Wethis will their sizes and The grip free shooting. and chiefweights. executive officer of While isevaluate just the pa beginning to benefit our shi, includes presidentCruise Honda that we believe will fulfill motorcycle thatand hasfounded a “cuttingcapacity and kung willing sila also aofflip button, inThe GP-VPT2BT Wireless Norwegian Line.Philip“As of what we and others canthat do, Envisioned by Inc. “The of need.” edge” features, bringing together makipag-collaborate,” he said. dicator light andcomfort lock we switch, Grip will committed be availapines, leading cruise line, arethe Shooting we are incredibly American rapper, songwriter,

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

EDGEDAVAO

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VIRUS... FROM1

uation, Department of Health (DOH) regional director Dr. Annabelle Yumang has con�irmed that one person is under investigation for 2019-nCoV in the entire Davao Region.

Last Wednesday, DOH disclosed a total of 23 persons have been recorded under investigation for the 2019-nCoV nationwide with one case in Davao Region.

Meantime, Chinese health authorities announced Thursday that 7,711 con�irmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus had been reported in 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps

by the end of Wednesday.

A total of 170 people have died of the disease.

The National Health Commission said in its daily report that 1,370 patients remained in critical condition, and 12,167 people were suspected of being infected with the virus as of the end of Wednesday.

A total of 124 people had been discharged from the hospital after recovery.

Wednesday saw 1,737 new con�irmed cases, including the �irst con�irmed case in Tibet Autonomous Region, 4,148 new suspected cases, and 38 deaths -- 37 in Hubei Province and one in Sich-

uan Province.

Also on Wednesday, 131 patients became seriously ill, and 21 people were discharged from hospital after recovery.

A total of 88,693 close contacts had been traced, the commission said, adding that among them, 2,364 were discharged from medical observation on Wednesday, with 81,947 others still under medical observation.

By the end of Wednesday, 10 con�irmed cases had been reported in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, seven in Macao Special Administrative Region and eight in Taiwan. (With a report from PNA/Xinhua)

Management Council will convene next for the appropriate measures that need to be implement-

ed against NCoV in their area.

Homez said their mayor will also meet the De-

partment of Tourism on the said temporary ban of the said foreign nationals in their city.

Jinjiang had their body temperature taken before departure and all were below 37.3 degrees Celsius.

Health experts advise all people tested with temperatures above 37.3 degrees Celsius to go to the hospitals for tests and

treatment. The common clinical signs and symptoms reported are mainly fever, with a few cases having dif�iculty in breathing, and chest radiographs showing invasive pneumonic in�iltrates in both lungs.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Quarantine Davao has con�irmed that the passengers were tested negative for nCoV. The passengers were checked through thermometer and went through the thermal scanner at the arrival area.

who had direct communications with its Philippines' leadership; Marissa Duenas, 41, who allegedly handled immigration documents and kept the victims' passports; and Amanda Estopare, 48, who handled "�inancial aspects" and fundraising.

"They are forcing these individuals, in some cases, to work all day, solicit funds, for what they are saying for impoverished children in the Philippines. In reality, we believe the money is going to fund the lavish lifestyles of the leaders of this scheme,"

said Laura Eimillier, a spokeswoman for the FBI. The recruits work "every single day, for little or no pay," Eimillier said. "If they don't raise enough money, we believe they are abused physically as well," she said.

"We are asking anyone who believe they might be a victim or may know something about a victim, we're asking those people to come forward," she said.

Federal agents served search warrants on the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Van Nuys,

an of�ice in Glendale and 3 other locations in the Los Angeles area. Two locations in Hawaii were also searched, according to the statement from the US Department of Justice.

"Agents fanned out across the United States to interview witnesses as part of a larger investigation into the organization," it said.

In February 2008, Quiboloy was brie�ly detained at Honolulu airport for a day after federal agents found $350,000 from the private plane that he was on.

North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco. The town of Makilala and Kidapawan City in North Cotabato suffered widespread damage due to the quakes and were now in various stages of rehabilitation, according to Board Member Respicio, who read the message of thanks of Governor Catamco.

Cagas directed the provincial treasurer and other concerned provincial of�icials to deposit their disaster funds and other bank accounts in a reciprocal gesture to DBP. The turnover of the checks was witnessed by Secretary Emmanuel Pinol of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA)

who earlier facilitated the DBP of�icers’ presentation of the bank’s lending programs, and high-yielding products.

Pinol said that the DBP will �inance several MinDA-inspired development projects designed to liberate a dozen of municipalities in Mindanao from poverty.

pines) Pte. Ltd. The President also learned about the low payment of property developer Ayala Land Inc. to the University of the Philippines (UP) for the rental

of Technohub property in Diliman, Quezon City.

“Itong corruption sa gobyerno, iyan talaga ang problema (The corruption in government is really a problem),” he said.

“I know the dimension of how it was done. It’s not merely in the water sector.

It’s in the LRT and some lands that were leased to them,” Duterte added.

(PNA)

property,” he said.

Lopez further said the government has more control if it will consolidate its ownership and

shares over NDC valuable properties.

“We won’t sell it because you don’t bene�it on the appreciation. If ever,

long-term lease or participate in a joint venture projects that can extract more value,” he added.

(PNA)

IGACOS... FROM2

XIAMEN... FROM2

FBI... FROM2

DBP... FROM2

NO SACRED... FROM4

GOV’T... FROM5

INVESTMENT... FROM5

9

by a new export producer of coconut products in Sitio Pantukan, Barangay JP Laurel, Panabo City, Davao del Norte, amounting to P994 million; new bulk water supply project in Barangay Magdum, Tagum City, P586 million; and a new developer of an economic and low-cost housing project in Barangay Communal, Buhangin, Davao City, P416 million.

The government has remained optimistic that

the economic output of the Davao Region will grow between 9.5% and 10.5% for 2019 despite a series of major earthquakes last year that affected the property development sector, according to Lim. She said that the macroeconomic fundamentals of the region—which comprise �ive provinces, six cities and 43 municipalities—had remained stable at the end of 2019.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will release a report on Davao’s economic performance by March this year, she said.

“We have yet to see the impact [of the earthquakes] for the quarter updates but I’m still optimistic this will not really make a big dent in terms of our GRDP (gross regional domestic product),” Lim said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horri�ic time. Thank you for all the prayers.

We de�initely need them.

We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gi-

anna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.”

Vanessa also asked everyone to help and support other families involved in the tragedy by donating in MambaOnThree Fund.

“To honor our Team

Mamba family, the Mamba Sports Foundation has set up the MambaOnThree Fund to help support the other families affected by this tragedy. To donate, please go to MambaOnThree.org. To further Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in youth sports, please visit MambaSportsFoundation.org.”

dal, 33, must wait another year to try to become the �irst man in the Open era -- and only the third in history -- to win all four Major titles twice, after Roy Emerson and Rod Laver.

The Australian Open is his least successful Slam, having won just once in 2009, and he met his match in fellow baseliner Thiem.

Nadal beat the Austrian in the last two French Open �inals and had a 9-4 record in his favour.

But Thiem, 26, rose to the occasion when it

mattered with Nadal suggesting his younger legs helped.

“I need a little bit more determination in some moments -- true. It’s true that in some moments, conditions have been a little bit heavy,” he said.

“I had two breaks with new balls. Then I felt more comfortable with the new balls. The ball became so heavy. He’s younger, he’s very quick. With these heavy balls, it’s dif�icult to produce sometimes winners.

“He has a lot of power,

so he’s able to produce these amazing shots from a very dif�icult position.”

Asked if there was anything he would have done differently, Nadal replied: “Yes, win any tiebreak.”

“But that’s how it works. Sometimes things are not going the way that you would like,” he added.

“But he played with the right determination.

He was putting one more ball in all the time in a dif�icult position for me. He’s playing with a lot of energy, aggressive, determination.”

hosted the 1st Pilipinas Para Games last year.

CDM Diaz believes that all these programs have helped the Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) to discover more talents for the national pool.

“Dahil sa ating grassroots development program at sa support ng PSC, lumawak po yung training pool ng ating coaches at naka-identify sila ng mga para-athletes para mapalakas ang national team.” shared CDM Diaz.

In the upcoming 2020 APG, the host Philippines will send 250 para-athletes including over 80 of�icials for the largest

multisport event for the differently-abled athletes in Southeast Asia which only happens biennially.

This is expected to be the biggest Philippine contingent in APG history. In the 2017 edition held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, there were 80 para-athletes and 20 of�icials participating.

In the said year, the Philippines placed 5th overall, the best-ever �inish of the country so far in the games, with a total of 69 medals: 20 golds, 20 silvers, and 29 bronzes.

As the country hosts the APG this year, CDM Diaz is hoping that the Philippine para-athletes will surpass the previous

standing in Malaysia.

“Basta ang commitment natin, we will try to improve our last �inish in the ASEAN Para Games.

Kung maging no. 4 tayo, that’s an improvement already. Kung no. 3, mas maganda. So syempre, we will aspire for a podium �inish.” said Diaz.

16 regular sports archery, athletics, badminton, boccia, bowling, chess, cycling, 7-a-side CP football, goalball, judo, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, table tennis, triathlon, wheelchair basketball; and 1 demonstration - para obstacle course will all be played in this year’s APG slated March 20 to 28.

to slay the giants from General Santos City.

Carrying to �ight for the host Davao City are the Agro-Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines (AIFCP) Sailors, who reigned supreme in the recent Collegiate Sponsors League (CSL) Escandor Cup. The Sailors want nothing but to unload the Wildcats from the throne. Another Davao squad Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) will likewise try to exact vengeance against their

long-time tormentors and should be installed as the tournament's darkhorse.

The Wildcats dumped the Crusaders twice in the championship round of the Mindanao Finals.

Debuting Mats College of Technology (MCT) will be the third force from Davao. Albeit newcomers, they don't run out of ambitions.

Cagayan de Oro City will parade STI College while the Zamboangeños are going to rely on Unibersided de Zambo-

anga.

Collectively, this year's Mindanao Finals is perfectly balanced cast of three veteran teams and three neophytes.

At stake in the tournament is the coveted ticket to the National Finals.

The tournament is organized by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas Davao Region under the leadership of regional director Glenn Escandor, who also double as President Rodrigo Duterte's sports adviser.

KOBE... FROM11

NADAL... FROM11

PSC... FROM11

OLD VS... FROM12

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Mark Dickel, TNT coaching consultant in the PBA, has been tapped to coach Gilas Men in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

T

h e Samahang Basket-

bol ng Pilipinas on Wednesday of�icially named Mark Dickel as the head coach for Gilas Pilipinas Men in the �irst window of the FIBA Asia Cup Quali�iers.

Dickel, currently the coaching consultant of TNT in the Philippine Basketball Association,

will take over the coaching reins for Gilas Men in the �irst two games of the quali�iers, a Feb. 20 showdown against Thailand at home and a Feb. 2 3

g a m e against Indonesia in Jakarta.

This will be the �irst time the 43-year-old Kiwi will handle a national team since coaching Albania from 2010-2011, all while playing for

Greek side Trikala, Kiwi squad Southland Sharks, and Australian club Sydney Kings.

Recruited to assist head coach Bong Ravena in 2018, Dickel helped the KaTropa make it to the 2019 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals, and came close to another championship series stint in the Governors' Cup. “In his short stint in the Philippines, Coach Mark has performed creditably well,” said SBP chairman emeritus Manny Pangilinan in a state-

ment.

“We all know what he did to help TNT in such a short span and we’re con�ident he can also move things quickly as we prepare for the �irst window this February,” he added.

SBP, however, clari�ied that Dickel is just an "interim" coach for Gilas Men and still intends to name its full-time head coach for the rest of the FIBA Asia Cup Quali�iers

by November, just before the second window.

(PNA)

Kobe’s wife beaks silence: I wish they’re here forever

V

anessa Bryant broke her silence following the sudden deaths of her husband and basketball icon, Kobe Bryant, and 13-year-old daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash on Sunday. The legendary Lakers star was 41.

On Thursday (Manila time), Vanessa expressed grief and devastation for the loss of two “beautiful blessings taken from us too soon.”

“There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now. I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved,” Vanessa wrote in an Instagram post of their complete family picture.

“I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them,” she said.

Vanessa said their family is incredibly blessed to have had both Kobe and Gianna.

“I wish they were here with us forever,” she continued.

“But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way. Our love for them is endless — and that’s to say, immeasurable. I just wish I could hug them, kiss them and bless them.

Have them here with us, forever.”

Meanwhile, she also thanked the millions of people across the world who showed love and support for them.

She acknowledged the prayers sent to her and to the Bryant family but asked the public to give them privacy at the moment.

“Thank you for sharing your joy, your grief and your support with us. We ask that you grant us the respect and privacy we will need to navigate this new reality.”

“My girls and I want

KOBE, P9

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid wearing Kobe Bryants number 24 (his regular number is 21) shoots past Golden State Warriors forward Marquese Chriss (32) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Reuters.

Nadal sad to kiss no. 20 goodbye R afael Nadal said he was “sad” to be out of the Australian Open Wednesday, depriving him of the chance to equal Roger Federer’s 20 Grand Slam titles, but credited “great opponent” Dominic Thiem after their

Federer is still in the tournament and plays Novak Djokovic for a place in the �inal on Thursday as the ageless Swiss hunts for a 21st Slam crown to pull further away from his old rival.

“Of course, I am sad. I

lost an opportunity to be in the semi-�inals of another Grand Slam,” said Nadal. “But I lost against a great opponent. And he deserved it, too. Well done for him.”

Defeat also means Na-

spot in his heart’ para sa mga para-athletes natin.

And he truly inspires our para-athletes for what he does in PSC,” said Team Philippines’ Chef de Mission Francis Diaz.

“Blockbuster ang support ng Philippine Sports Commission. The national government through PSC is virtually funding all the training, international competitions to all our para-athletes. We are very thankful for that commitment.” added CDM Diaz.

From 2017-2019, the PSC spent P182 billion budget for the training and exposures of national para-athletes.

With the PSC’s backing, Pinay table tennis Paralympian Josephine Medina won a gold medal at the 2019 ITTF Para Bangkok Open in Thailand and was behind the historic 10 golds, 8 silvers and 11 bronze medals of the national para team at 2018 Asian Para Games in Indonesia where all the medalists

received a total of P16.2 million cash incentive from the agency.

The agency has also helped the para-athletes community to receive equal bene�its as the abled athletes. The agency is also supporting Para National Games which started in 2012, Nationwide Alay PARA Atleta Program which was launched during the 1st Philippine Sports Summit in 2017 held in Diliman, Quezon City and

NADAL, P9

PSC support inspire PHI para athletes

P Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa: There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now.

four-set thriller.

The Spanish world number one was upset by the Austrian �ifth seed in the quarter-�inals, losing three tie-breakers as he went down 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (8/6) it a 4hrs 10mins marathon.

hilippine para-athletes acknowledge the unprecedented support they are receiving from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) as one of the major factors of their recent successes and inspiration to perform their best in the upcoming 10th ASEAN Para Games which will be hosted by the country from March 20 to 28.

“Si Chairman (Butch) Ramirez, palagi niyang sinasabi na, ‘he has a soft

PSC, P9

12 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS BRACE FOR BATTLE EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 164 VOL.12 VOL.12 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, ISSUE ISSUE 231 78••FRIDAY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER JANUARY JUNE 25-26, 27, 31,2019 2020

OLD VS NEW

4 games up as Escandor Cup Collegiate Sponsors League resumes Saturday

By ADAM B. MORRELL

A

heavy four-game bill Royal Mandaya Hotel, Dais on its way as ac- vies Paints, Mandarin SPC tion in the Collegiate Branch, Max's Fried ChickSponsors League (CSL) en and PTT Lubricants.

Escandor Cup resumes on Meantime, the Saturday, October 26, at Agro-Industrial Foundathe Davao City Recreation tion College of the PhilipCenter. pines (AIFCP) Sailors and The curtain raiser will the UM Wildcats shared feature a "David versus the top spot in bracket A Goliath" match up as odds- with a 2-0 record each, on favorite Jose Maria Col- followed by the CJC Red lege (JMC) Kings takes on Lions with 1-0. The MCT the struggling Brokenshire Navigators landed on College of Davao (BCD) the fourth spot with 1-1, dribblers at 3:00pm. trailed by the defending The clash between the champion Holy Cross of San Pedro College (SPC) Davao College (HCDC) Stallions and the visiting Crusaders with 1-2, DMCor Jesu College (CJC) MACSP Mariners 0-1, of Digos City Red Lions SPCD Saints 0-1, and SPC will go after at 4:30 pm, Stallions with 0-2. followed by the exciting The bracket B, meanbattle between tradition- while, is currently led by al powerhouse teams St. the Holy Cross College John Paul II College of of Sasa (HCCS) Spartans 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

I

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO 14 12 EDGE

nterestingly in- gence of new contriguing. tenders who are If the forth- out to make an imcoming Philippine pact for themselves Collegiate Champi- in this big stage. on's League (PCCL) On top of the list Mindanao Finals is is perennial chamto be de�ined, that pion Holy Trinity would be the accu- College (HTC) of rate words.

General Santos Slated February Wildcats who are 3 to 5 at the Davao out to claim an City Recreation u n p r e c e d e n t e d Center, the Mind- eighth-straight title of Mindanao will anao Finals will be University this year. make itwhile three in athe row contested by six of tryo to But Saturday as action the the �inest collegiate onWildcats are inthe SponsorsfavorLeague teams in the island Collegiate sentimental Cup resumes in what could be (CSL) itesEscandor on paper, there the Davao Recreation a basketball treat at are threeCityother tiEscandor teams Cup/CSL for the hoop-crazy Center. tle-hungry photo VOL.11 VOL.12 ISSUE 241 ISSUE • SUNDAY-MONDAY, 6Dabawenyos.

• SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 24-25, 17-18, VOL.12 ISSUE 51 •FEBRUARY TUESDAY, 21,2019 2019 VOL.12 ISSUE 45 • SUNDAYMONDAY, MAYMAY 12 -13, from Davao City, What could Cagayan de Oro VOL.12 ISSUE 21 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, VOL.12 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MAY 26-27, 2019 make the tourna- City and Zamboanment more inter- ga City who have esting will be the something else at return of the pow- the back of their erhouse teams and heads, and that is the emerOLD VS, P9

EDGEDAVAO

NOT DONE YET A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO SEE STORY ON P11

6 teams compete for PCCL Mindanao Finals title