Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 44 |Friday-Saturday, May 10-11, 2019

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HANDS OFF ►SPORTS P11

VOL.12 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 10-11, 2019

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Gov tells arrested son: Take responsibility for your actions FINAL TESTING AND SEALING. Board of Elections Inspectors (BEIs) assemble the vote-counting machine (VCM) ahead of the final testing and sealing of VCM at Vicente Hizon Sr. Elementary School in Bo. Pampanga, Lanang, Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

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avao Oriental governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang on Thursday said he is saddened by news of the arrest of his son Jossone Michael Dayanghirang in a buybust operation in Davao City the day before but heaved a sigh of relief after knowing that he is safe and alive.

In a press statement posted on the Province of Davao Oriental Facebook page, Governor Dayanghirang said the 32-year old alias Johnson, who was born out of wedlock, must take responsibility for his actions as he is already of age.

"We must always take responsibility for our actions," the governor said.

"Isip ginikanan, gikasubo nako ang maong panghitabo. Bisan pa niini, dako ang akong pasalamat nga siya nadakpang buhi aron siya manubag sa iyang binuhatan ug aron aduna pay higayon nga siya magbag-o," Dayanghirang said in the statement.

He said Jossone, whom he had not seen in six years, did not grow up under his watch but with his mother. He said he learned of the younger Dayang-

UPMIN CHORALE TO HOLD BENEFIT CONCERT THIS MAY FOR SPMC HOUSE OF HOPE

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hirang's involvement in illegal drugs and sent the latter twice to a drug rehabilitation facility.

After undergoing rehabilitation twice, the governor said he took Jossone to Manila during his term as �irst district Representative of Davao Oriental.

"Kini aron masiguro nako nga mahilayo siya sa mga dili maayong impluwensya ug sya mabag-o gayud," he said. "Apan luyo sa akong paningkamot, nagpadayon siya sa iyang bisyo nga dili maayo--hinungdan na nagkabuwag mi."

Dayanghirang said his son has to face the consequences of his actions and answer the charges against him.

He congratulated the law enforcers "for a job

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 10-11, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte greets some of the guests during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) campaign rally at the Garcia-Hernandez Sports and Training Center in Bohol on Wednesday night. Also in the photo are Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino, former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and former Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

PRRD not interested to file raps vs groups in matrices

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resident Rodrigo R. Duterte said he has no plans to �ile cases against personalities and groups conspiring to discredit his family and his administration.

“I’m not interested to �ile cases,” said Duterte in a campaign rally in Bohol on Wednesday night (May 8).

“I said -- I was asked if it was included in the propaganda for… Honestly, do people really believe in Otso Diretso? Diretso kayo sa impiyerno (You go straight to hell). If you vote for them, bahala kayo (It’s up to you),” he added.

Just hours before Duterte’s speech in Bohol, Presidential Spokesman

Salvador Panelo bared that members of the Liberal Party, Magdalo group, media outlets, and other LP supporters in the “Oust Duterte” matrix were conspiring to tarnish the President’s reputation and boost their candidates’ chances of winning a seat in the May 13 elections.

Duterte told the crowd that he obtained the information about the plotters from a foreign source he did not name.

“There is an intelligence community but it’s not Filipino,” Duterte said.

The President said he would rather not bother �iling cases against the plotters since they are “not

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Alvarez faces libel raps

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he Quezon City Prosecutors Of�ice has recommended the �iling of libel case against Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon D. Alvarez over his accusation that Davao del Norte 2nd Dist. Rep. Antonio R. Floirendo Jr. is a “land grabber”.

According to a statement from the Floirendo camp, the �iling of the charge against the erstwhile House Speaker is contained in a resolution approved April 26, 2019 by QC Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Dindo G. Venturanza by authority of the City Prosecutor. The resolution was penned by Assistant City Prosecutor Marizen B. Grutas.

The case stemmed from a March 21, 2018 press

conference, wherein Alvarez stated before House reporters, “Hindi Floirendo apelyido ko para maging landgrabber.” Alvarez was commenting on a report that the then House Speaker went on a buying spree of P500 million worth of properties in Siargao Island.

Tonyboy also complained that Alvarez had no basis in accusing him of being behind the spreading of stories about his (Alvarez) land-buying spree in

Surigao.

The defamatory remarks carried in print, TV and online media included remarks of Alvarez accusing the Floirendos as a family of land grabbers, as part of Alvarez’s deliberate effort to injure Floirendo’s reputation and character in the opinion of the people.

In his complaint, Rep. Tonyboy Floirendo charged that Rep. Bebot Alvarez attacked not just his reputation but also that of his father, Antonio O. Floirendo Sr. and the rest of his family-- and that his father who is now deceased is unable to personally address and confront the allegations made against him by Alvarez.

In his defense, Alvarez maintained that he was only giving comments based on his personal knowledge on facts known to be true.

However, the prosecutor stated in the resolution that “given the acrimonious relationship of the parties (Alvarez and Floirendo), the motives of (Alvarez) in making such statements and that he has no actual malice in when he made the defamatory statement is highly suspect”.

In the resolution, Assistant City prosecutor Grutas recommended “that an information for Libel under Article 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code be �iled against Pantaleon D. Alvarez.”

Davao security forces all set for Monday’s polls Over 200,000 teachers

to do May 13 poll duty

By ADAM B. MORRELL

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afety and security forces of Davao City are all set for the 2019 midterm elections slated on Monday, May 13.

This was bared by Davao City Police Of�ice (DCPO) director police colonel Alexander Tagum who was joined by Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) spokesperson LtCol Ezra Balagtey in last Thursday's AFP-PNP Press Corps media brie�ing held in The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

The DCPO director said the local police are already geared up for the upcoming election following the

of�icial send off ceremony held last week in the DCPO grounds.

"It's all systems go for DCPO. We already launched the send off ceremony last week kasama ang ibang security forces of Davao City," Tagum said.

Tagum, however, said 52 out of 182 barangays in Davao City are under the orange category of this election while the rest are labeled as green category or normal.

"The barangays under the orange category belongs to the hinterland areas of Paquibato, Marilog, Baguio, Calinan and Bu-

hangin," he elaborated.

Tagum further explained that the areas under the orange category are areas that are previously affected by the operations of the New People's Army (NPA).

These 52 barangays, said Tagum, will be covered as well by the 3rd Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to support the operations of the local authorities.

"Sinimulan na ng 3rd IB ang full support nila to ensure possible intrusion not to happen during the elections."

Balagtey, on the other hand, said the Eastmincom is ready as far as the election is concerned.

"The latest instruction of the Eastmincom commander is to organize the forces under their area of responsibility to assist the forces of the Philippine National Police," the lieutenant colonel said.

He also explained that these barangays covered under the orange category are now con�lict manageable considering the strong support they now get from the community.

Balagtey added that

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round 237,000 teachers will serve as Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) and Board of Election Tellers (BETs) during the May 13 mid-term elections, an of�icial of the Department of Education (DepEd) said Wednesday.

"We have just presented to the Cabinet last Monday regarding our preparations.

While being a member of the electoral board is no longer compulsory, subject to the teachers' consent, they are still the primary priority.

We will only get from other positions if their number is not enough," DepEd Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Nepomuceno Malaluan told

the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Malaluan said the teachers who will perform poll duties are entitled to honoraria, transportation allowance and minimum of �ive days service credit which can be converted to leave credits or can be monetized.

"There is no insurance but a medical bene�it PHP200,000 that will be shouldered by the government, death bene�it that is PHP500,000 in case of injury or death. There is legal indemni�ication amount also and we are in partnership with the Public Attorney's Of�ice," he said.

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VOL.12 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 10-11, 2019

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

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PH tourist arrivals up by 7.59% in Q1 2019

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he Department of Tourism (DOT) reported a 7.59 percent increase in tourist arrivals to the Philippines in the �irst quarter of 2019, indicating that the country's tourism "is on the right track."

According to �igures released by the DOT on Thursday, around 2,204,564 foreign visitors arrived in the country from January to March 2019, re�lecting a 7.59 percent rise from 2,049,094 over the same period last year.

“The DOT is working on enhancing our tourism products and tourism infrastructure to entice tourists to choose the Philippines as their next destination," DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said.

South Korea remains the top source market with 519,584 tourist arrivals compared to last year’s 477,087.

The period also saw the Chinese market ranking second with 463,804 tourists, 24.87 percent higher than the previous year’s tally of 371,429. In third spot is the United States, registering 293,780 visitors, up by 3.10 percent from last year.

Taiwanese visitors posted the highest percentage increase which grew to 77,908 from 59,877 in 2018 or 30.11 percent higher than last year.

Completing the top 12 markets for the three-month period are: Japan, 177,769; Taiwan, 77,908; Australia, 73,147; Canada, 72,352; United Kingdom, 53,402; Singapore, 39,484; Malaysia, 37,651; India, 36,275; and Germany, 33,725.

For March numbers alone, the DOT reported a visitor arrival of 714,309 or

an 11.13 percent growth versus the same month last year.

"Notably, France entered the top 12 for the month of March, posting 10,715 visitors, a 26.21 percent growth from last year’s March tally of 8,489 while Germany rose to 11th place with 11,075 visitors, sporting a 9 percent increase," the DOT said.

Germany nudged India to 13th place, with a total of 10,086, up slightly with a 1.52 percent increase vis-avis 9,935 of last year.

Meanwhile, visiting Philippine passport-holders permanently residing abroad (not including overseas Filipino workers), otherwise known as “balikbayans,” totaled 14,610 as of March.

Puyat attributed the growth in numbers of visitors to the rehabilitated Boracay Island, touted as a model of sustainable tourism development, as it continues to attract tourists since its reopening in October last year.

The DOT chief also credited improved connectivity for the upward trend in tourist arrivals to the country.

In her recent speech, Puyat said the DOT remains committed with its objective to establish the Philippines as a "quality destination" in the region.

"For that, we need to be able to prioritize the following: adequate infrastructure, ease in travel facilitation, safety and security and developed tourism areas," she said.

"To ensure that we get these done, the DOT is implementing a convergence approach where the Department works in partnership with other national government agencies," she added. (PNA)

PHILBEX AND TLEX. The 5th edition of Phillippine Building and Construction Expo and 3rd Travel and Leisure Expo formally opens its Davao leg at SMX Convention in Lanang, Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

Comelec, gov’t forces in Davao ready for polls

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he Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the over 7,000-strong police and military forces in Davao are ready for Monday’s elections, with about 2.8 million voters across the Davao Region expected to cast their votes.

Lawyer Krisna Caballero, Comelec-11 spokesperson, said the 1,139 vote counting machines have been deployed in all polling places in Region 11.

Caballero said the VCMs will be tested and sealed on Thursday, May 9, to ensure that they are functioning.

She said Comelec has contingencies should any of the VCM is found to be non-serviceable or malfunctioning.

Comelec has also trained police of�icers who

will be tapped as members of Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) as a contingency when the need arises, she added.

“The police of�icers will only be the last recourse,” she said, adding that Comelec guidelines also allow individuals from the private to be tapped as substitutes.

Likewise, the Department of Education in Region 11 (DepEd-11) said its 7,552 teachers are ready to serve as members of elec-

tion boards.

DepEd-11 spokesperson Jenielito Atillo reminded teachers who will serve in far-�lung barangays on their “serious responsibility in safeguarding the ballots.”

Atillo said they are con�ident of the teachers’ security while serving remote areas, where the presence of communist rebels is common.

On the part of the police and the military, Police Col. Eden Ugale said the region’s joint monitoring center has been operational and that the Police Regional Of�ice-11 will be focusing more on Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur because of intense political rivalry.

DepEd all set with poll monitoring apps

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CHIEF ENDORSER. Hugpong ng Pagbabago chair Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in the middle of the thick crowd in Thursday’s Grand Rally at San Pedro Street, Davao City.

Adam B. Morrell

Ugale, who is the PRO11 deputy director for operations, noted that both provinces have a presence of armed groups.

Col. Alexander Tagum, Davao City Police Of�ice (DCPO) director, said a total of 52 barangays in the city will be given priority because of previous incidents involving local armed groups.

This means, Tagum said, each polling area will be manned by a police team.

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson, said they have already activated all military units down to the barangay level to secure polling areas. (PNA)

he regional and division of�ices of the Department of Education (DepEd) will lead in the rollout of Facebook Workplace and election monitoring apps ahead of the May 13 midterm elections.

This came after Undersecretary Alain Del Bustamante Pascua, who supervises DepEd’s Administrative Service directed the ICT Service and all regional and division IT of�icers to assist all the concerned of�ices from the central to school levels.

Pascua said Wednesday the Commission on Elections has authorized them to roll out and use the Facebook Workplace and DepEd election monitoring apps to ensure compliance of the latter’s personnel with their election duties.

He said this is in accordance with DepEd Memorandum No. 052 series of 2019 which establishes the 2019 DepEd Election Task Force.

To use the Facebook Workplace app, DepEd personnel should register at Workplace using their personal DepEd email address-

es. The app would serve as the of�icial communication platform.

“The Information Technology Of�icers (ITOs) will be assisting all concerned in the creation of resetting of their DepEd email addresses, and in registering at Workplace,” Pascua said.

Teachers and personnel serving in the Electoral Boards (EBs)and the members of the Election Task Forces can download the monitoring apps starting on May 10 at http://electionmonitoring.deped.gov. ph Pascua said the monitoring apps will be used to answer queries, and �ile reports on incidents before and after the May 13 national and local polls.

“The success of the monitoring of the elections vis-a-vis the immediate and appropriate response on welfare, working conditions, honoraria and allowances, including other DepEd related issues and concerns would greatly depend of the timely utilization of the monitoring application,” he said. (Mart Sambalud/MindaNews)

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 10-11, 2019

Lower inflation to boost economy in countryside: DCCCII president

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LIVESTOCK RAISING. Livestock raisers carry their goats after the herd were able to escape from their pen along Chavez Street in Davao City onThursday. Although it’s located at a residential area, some residents resort to livestock raising just to earn a living. Lean Daval Jr

he easing of the country’s in�lation rate to 3 percent last month will drive more economic activities in the countryside, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. president Arturo Milan said.

In a statement on Wednesday, Milan said the lower in�lation would be a boon for businesses and countryside traders.

He said lower in�lation “opens up the possibility for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to lower the benchmark interest rates, which in turn, will spur lending and �inancial activities to increase volumes of trade.”

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the country’s in�lation last month further eased from 3.3 percent in March, resulting from a slower annual increase in the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index at 3 percent.

Slower annual incre-

ments were also noted in the indices in the alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 9.9 percent; clothing and footwear, 2.4 percent; housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels; and furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house, both at 3.2 percent; health, 3.7 percent; and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services, 3.5 percent.

Zamboanga Peninsula, comprising Zamboanga City and the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, reported an in�lation rate of 1.6 percent, the lowest in�lation rate in Mindanao and the second lowest in the country.

The in�lation in Caraga Region stood at 2.6 percent; Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 3.7 percent; Davao Region, 3.9 percent; Soccsksargen, 4 percent; and Northern Mindanao, 4.3 percent. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently approved the registration of the �irst one person corporation (OPC) organized under Republic Act No. 11232, or the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines.

Smart Transportation and Solutions OPC received its certi�icate of incorporation on May 7, becoming the country’s �irst corporation with a single stockholder, the SEC announced in a statement on Wednesday.

It was organized primarily to establish, operate and manage transportation services, including vehicle rental/ leasing, taxi or shuttle services, and transportation of goods or persons for any person.

To mark the milestone, SEC Commissioners Antonieta Ibe, Ephyro Luis Amatong, Javey Paul Francisco and Kelvin Lester Lee personally handed over the certi�icate of incorporation to Arnulfo Divina, the single stockholder of Smart Transportation and Solutions, within the same day the Commission received the application for registration.

“I had wanted to start a one-person corporation since I read about the initiative of the SEC to introduce such business structure in the Philippines,” said Divina, who also registered an OPC offering business consultancy or management services.

“With the provision on one person corporations, putting up a business has become easier. Entrepreneurs like me would not have to convince four other people to contribute or serve as incorporators, as previously required. It also allows for faster decision-making and affords greater protection to entre-

preneurs.”

Under the Revised Corporation Code, a natural person, trust or estate may establish an OPC. A foreign natural person may put up such corporation, subject to the applicable constitutional and statutory restrictions on foreign participation in certain investment areas or activities.

Meanwhile, banks, nonbank �inancial institutions, quasi-banks, preneed, trust and insurance companies, public and publicly listed companies, and non-chartered government-owned and/or -controlled corporations cannot incorporate as OPC. A natural person licensed to exercise a profession may not also organize an OPC for the purpose of exercising such profession unless provided under special laws.

“The successful incorporation of Smart Transportation and Solutions illustrates how the progressive provisions of the Revised Corporation Code could improve ease of doing business in the country and, thereby, encourage the formation of new businesses,” said SEC Chairperson Emilio Aquino.

Under the old Corporation Code, a minimum of �ive incorporators are required to start a corporation. In many cases, one of the incorporators invests 99 percent of the capital while the rest only subscribe to a share each for compliance. Alternatively, an entrepreneur would settle for a sole proprietorship and forego the bene�it of limited liability that a corporation enjoys.

Prior to the Revised Corporation Code, the SEC also required incorporators, when applicable, to seek endorsement from

Davao’s biggest trade SEC registers country’s first OPC shows open to public T A

s one of the fastest growing cities in the Philippines, Davao’s construction and tourism industries are both experiencing an unprecedented upsurge in growth and development. Amid such favorable economic conditions, the Philippine Building and Construction Expo (PHILBEX) and The Travel and Leisure Expo (TLEX) to Davao returns in perfect timing as the region gears up for expansion and far more ambitious undertakings.

Of�icially opening its doors last May 9, the backto-back trade shows of PHILBEX and TLEX Davao 2019 held a joint grand opening ceremony to of�iciate its launch. In attendance during the momentous occasion were guest of honor Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag along with Worldbex Services Internationals’ Founding Chairman Joseph Ang; Co-Founder Levi Ang, Executive Director, Arch. Francisco Flameño Jr., Directors Rene Ramos and Tessie Roque As remarked by Region XI Director of the National Economic and Development Authority, Ma. Lourdes Lim, “As the crown jewel of Mindanao, Davao City plays an important role in further boosting Mindanao’s position as among the premier destinations of local and foreign investments throughout the country.

Thus, it is timely for an event such as PHILBEX and TLEX Davao to be held in the region to showcase some of the best and modern global standards and practices in the construction and tourism industry.”

A bolder construction and design hub for everyone Now on its 5th year, PHILBEX Davao aspires for “A World Built Bolder” as it turns the spotlight on the world-class expertise of homegrown and regional talents who have boldly dedicated their skills and

resources to improve Philippine communities, particularly in Mindanao. In line with this vision, this year’s PHILBEX Davao gathers leading players in the industry – from construction companies, manufacturers, professionals, and stakeholders – with the goal of developing and improving industry standards to the fast-growing construction and design sector of Mindanao.

Taking over a total of 4,480sqm of exhibition space, this year’s PHILBEX Davao boasts of 219 booths and over 100 exhibitors who all share the common goal of developing sustainable communities for the future generations to come.

In line with the objectives of its theme, this year’s PHILBEX Davao has added new �ixtures to its roster of event highlights.

These are the World of Safety and Security Davao, a section that features various safety and security products for the home, of�ice, and the community as well as the Furniture Pavilion, which showcases the region’s �inest furniture suppliers and their unique and topnotch interior �ixtures. Apart from these new show attractions, making a comeback are PHILBEX Davao’s line-up of signature events.

This year’s Architect’s Gallery showcases unique design perspectives and insights to the latest design

trends from the region’s top architects and their respective �irms such as the Far East Architects, the Philippine Institute of Architects – Greater Davao, the Raid Builders, UAP Balajaw Davao, UAP Datu Bago, and ILI Architects. Likewise, this year’s Interior Designer’s Gallery will be showcasing impressive interior spaces as envisioned by the Mindanaoan designers.

Taking pride in being a platform for the free-�lowing exchange of information as well as a venue where industry professionals, both seasoned and burgeoning, can share their talents and insights to the community, this year’s PHILBEX Davao also invites everyone not to miss the PHILBEX MiniCons, a series of conventions as presented by the IIEE Davao Chapter and the PICE Davao Chapter; the City of Tomorrow, scale model exhibit by select architectural �irms; and the 3rd Projeto Design Competition, which challenged student participants to redesign a space-saving and child-friendly 30sqm space for a small family.

Conceived to cater to industry professionals, students, investors, and enthusiasts alike, it is no wonder that PHILBEX Davao is considered by the industry’s most prestigious associations as the most signi�icant construction event in the region. As expressed by IIEE Davao Chapter President Edgar Ebeun, PHILBEX Davao is the ultimate venue for “public and private sector to collaborate and interact for the bene�it and development of the Philippine Building and Construction Industry.”

A Mindanaoan’s travel haven As Mindanao’s economy

continues to grow, so does the mobility and travel activity among its communities as well as the in�lux of foreign visitors with varied agendas in the region. One factor considered to have prompted this boost was the newly launched �lights between the city and key destinations in East Asia.

With this, Davao City Tourism Operations Of�ice Head Generose Tecson has declared that the city is targeting to reel in 2,640,000 tourists for this year, from last year’s tourist count of 2,376,000.

With these conditions set in motion, the role of TLEX Davao has only grown more apparent. Now on its third year, the highly-anticipated travel show is expected to fortify and empower the region’s fast-growing tourism and hospitality industry. Intent on letting everyone “Experience the Escape” from the hustle and bustle of daily life, this year’s TLEX Davao boasts of over 90 booths and over 40 exhibitors as it maximizes a total of 1,500sqm of exhibition space.

Gathering only the most reliable and trusted hotels, travel agencies, airlines, couriers, cruise lines, resorts, shipping companies, and recreational destinations, TLEX Davao 2019 aims to make travelling and tourism pursuits more accessible for the people of Mindanao. In the process, TLEX Davao also seeks to foster limitless B2B opportunities for industry players in the �ield.

Truly the ultimate backto-back events not to be missed, PHILBEX and TLEX Davao 2019 not only serve to “showcase the latest industry innovations and products” as stated by DCC-

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VOL.12 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 10-11, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY

5

Manulife Global offers regular income payout, long-term growth potential

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anulife Asset Management and Trust Corporation (MAMTC) recently launched the Manulife Global Preferred Income Feeder Fund (the “Fund”), a unit investment trust fund (UITF) that aims to provide investors with the potential for regular income pay-outs and longterm capital growth.

“The Fund aims to maximize total returns by investing all or substantially all of its assets in Manulife Global Fund (MGF) Preferred Securities Income Fund (the “Target Fund”).

The Target Fund invests at least 70% of its net assets in preferred securities, including preferred stocks and/or subordinated debt securities, listed or traded in any regulated market in the world,” said Aira Gaspar, President and Chief Executive Of�icer, MAMTC. “The Fund offers investors access to a portfolio of high quality securities with above average yields that can generate high income.”

Preferred securities are a unique hybrid of bonds and equities with features from both asset

classes, issued mainly by large and regulated institutions and/or companies with strong and stable cash �lows such as banks, utilities, and real-estate investment trusts (REITs).

They can offer attractive yields relative to other income-generating securities, similar to high yield bonds, but with generally lower credit risks. They also have lower historical correlations to other asset classes which serve to diversify clients’ investment portfolios.

“Aside from their compelling yields, preferred securities also show less interest rate sensitivity even in changing interest rate environments. They have also experienced fewer defaults compared to high yield issuers, and are in line with investment-grade issuers, globally1,” added Gaspar.

Customers can avail of the fund for a minimum investment of Php 50,000 or USD 1,000.

For more information about Manulife’s Global Preferred Income Feeder Fund, visit assetmanagement.manulife.com.ph or call (02) 884-7000.

PH credit rating upgrade result of reforms: DOF

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he Philippines’ credit rating upgrade to “BBB+” is a result of President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to invest his political capital wisely in “dif�icult but game-changing reforms”, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said on Wednesday.

Dominguez said reforms such as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law; the Rice Tarif�ication Act; the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program; the country’s skilled workforce is among the keys that have raised the country’s credit rating.

“Even when critics were noisy, President Duterte chose to throw his full support behind meaningful reform because it would bene�it the Filipino people,” said Dominguez in a press brie�ing in Malacañang.

According to Dominguez, economic think tank Standard and Poor (S&P) even cited TRAIN for increasing the government’s ability to fund public investments while relying less on foreign and domestic borrowings.

“When we do borrow, we prioritize of�icial development assistance or ODA as it has cheaper and longer terms of repayment as opposed to borrowing from private capital markets,” Dominguez said.

He said S&P also expressed con�idence in the Duterte administration’s efforts to ease in�lation, which has decelerated to 4.4 percent in January

and further decreased to 3 percent in April which is within the government’s target range of 2 to 4 percent.

Moreover, he noted that “the S&P report validates the soundness of the Duterte administration’s aggressive spending program to address the infrastructure gap.”

The Finance chief, however, clari�ied that these reforms were not pursued to get a better credit rating but improve lives of Filipinos.

“We did not pursue these reforms to get a better credit rating. This upgrade is the effect of pursuing ‘game-changing reforms’ that would lead to a �lourishing economy and more comfortable life for law-abiding Filipinos,” Dominguez said.

“President Duterte’s wise investment of political capital has not only been bene�icial to the country, now the administration has more political capital with which to continue his reform agenda,” he added.

Dominguez pointed out that the effect of a BBB+ rating may not be immediate, but described it as “a stepping stone” to sustaining upper-middle income country status in the near future.

“This is a de�initive win for the Duterte administration. The Philippines has grown at an impressively rapid rate over the past decade, outpacing many other countries, and S&P believes that we will continue to achieve above-average growth,” Dominguez said. (PNA)

Visitors lining up to visit the biggest two-in-one trade shows in Davao

Dominguez sees higher growth following 2019 budget passage

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inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III expects the domestic economy to expand at a higher clip for the rest of the year as in�lation continues trending towards the of�icial target range of 2-4 percent and the government accelerates implementation of infrastructure and human capital development projects to make up for the state underspending prompted by the quarter-long delay in the approval of the 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Given the 2019 budget snag, Dominguez pointed out that the gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5.6 percent in the �irst quarter was nonetheless a “decent expansion” that has kept the Philippines among the ranks of the region’s fastest-growing economies.

“The budget impasse in the Congress during the year’s �irst three months had set off a spending cutback, which, in turn, sti�led economic activity,” Dominguez said. “Were it not for the Senate-House deadlock over the 2019 GAB (General Appropriations Bill), which forced the government to operate on a reenacted 2018 budget for the entire �irst quarter, the economy could have received a tremendous boost

from what should have been much higher state spending on infrastructure modernization and human capital formation at the onset of 2019.”

As the Duterte administration was forced to put the originally planned 2019 disbursements on hold in the �irst quarter, the Finance secretary revealed that state spending fell by some P75 billion in that three-month period— based on an estimate of P1 billion per day—which meant “lost opportunity to fund new infrastructure projects, a setback aggravated by the public works ban this election campaign period.”

In March, for instance, Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) data showed that national government dis-

bursement totaled just P287.3 billion, down by 8 percent or 25.7 billion from the same period last year, partly on account of the congressional delay in the approval of the 2019 GAA. Dominguez pointed out that state economic managers have anticipated the adverse impact on the economy of the Congress’ budget deadlock and the public spending cutback that it subsequently touched off, prompting the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) to adjust in March the GDP growth target in 2019 to 6-7 percent from the original 7-8 percent range.

He issued the statement after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that GDP growth for the �irst quarter of 2019 clocked in at 5.6 percent.

The services sector recorded the fastest expansion at 7.0 percent, followed by industry, which grew 4.4 percent, and agriculture, which expanded 0.8 percent in the �irst quarter.

Services contributed the most to GDP with 4.0 percentage points, followed by industry with 1.5 percentage points, and ag-

riculture with 0.1 percentage point, the PSA said.

On the expenditure side, the major contributors to GDP growth were Household Final Consumption Expenditures (HFCE) at 4.3 percentage points; durable equipment, 1.1 percentage points; and Government Final Consumption Expenditure (GFCE), 0.8 percentage point.

“Economic growth is expected to �inish stronger over the April-June period and for the rest of 2019 as the government puts ‘Build, Build, Build’ on the fast lane following the passage of the 2019 GAA and domestic consumption picks up amid cooling in�lation,” Dominguez said.

In implementing a catch-up plan to accelerate state investments, Dominguez said ‘the Duterte administration aims to offset the lower spending at the outset of 2019 resulting from the budget delay and the construction ban during the election season.”

“Henceforth, we expect growth to pick up on higher state spending in continuance of last year’s upward momentum,” he added.

(DOF)

and other products in the open ocean, an enclosed section of the ocean, or in tanks, ponds or raceways that are �illed with seawater.

The BFAR is promoting mariculture as an alternative source of income and sustainable livelihood for �isherfolks, making use of such aquaculture technologies as �ish cage farming and sea ranching.

"Mariculture is a way of raising �ish (just like in) farming. We are in the stage of rehabilitation (for the existing mariculture parks in the country)," Bayate said.

As of April, the total

number of registered aquaculture farms in the country amounted to 523.

Fish species cultivated in these farms include milk�ish (bangus), pompano (pampano), red grouper (suno), siganid (kitang), seabass (apahap), mouse grouper (panther), tilapia, (saline), red snapper (maya-maya), and tiger grouper (lapu-lapu). Other �ishery products are seaweeds, sea urchins, and sea cucumber.

At present, Bayate said, the BFAR is focused on encouraging stakeholders to engage in mariculture. "We bank on this to increase our production in the next

three to �ive years," she said.

"The (Agriculture) Secretary (Emmanuel Piñol) has made available all assistance, (such as) credit, technical assistance and support to the stakeholders," Bayate said.

Piñol on Tuesday said he has directed the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) to discuss with BFAR how to increase the amount that may be loaned by �isherfolks.

Unlike farmers, he said �ishermen need more money for capital, to buy boats and other equipment needed to sustain their livelihood. (PNA)

BFAR to develop 300 fish cages in every region

T

he Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), which is under the Department of Agriculture (DA), will establish 300 �ish cages in every region of the country to boost �ish production and attain food sustainability.

This was bared by BFAR Assistant Director for Technical Services Drusila Esther Bayate in a press briefing during the culminating program of the Visayan Sea seaborne operations held at Culasi Port in Roxas City on Monday.

Mariculture is a specialized branch of aquaculture involving the cultivation of marine organisms for food

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 10-11, 2019

EDITORIAL Vigilance, the right recourse On May 13, expect the usual.

Philippine elections will not be complete without the election offenses. There will be for sure. But just how does one properly report and complain an election offense is something that everyone must be taught.

According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the public must document these offenses like vote buying activities and not just post photos and allegations on social media. Days before the elections, there have been quite a few posts--photos and videos alike--of what is claimed to be election offenses. However, posting on social media platforms like Facebook is not the proper action.

It may gather widespread attention, reactions and comments, but de�initely, it is not the right forum.

The way to do it is for voters who actually personally witness the commission of election offenses, and not mere hearsay, to �ile of�icial

EDGEDAVAO

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BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO Social Media Manager/Lifestyle KENNETH IRVING K. ONG MEGHANN STA. INES NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN Lifestyle

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. CHA MONFORTE Correspondent

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

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

complaints and present evidence to that effect. Well-documented vote buying acts plus the presence of witnesses who can testify to the commission of the offense is the right thing to do.

The Comelec has strongly emphasized that photos of money and sample ballots or possession of envelopes containing money allegedly meant for vote buying are not enough to prosecute a candidate. Vote buying, as de�ined in the Omnibus Election Code, is an election offense wherein an individual gives, offers, or promises money or anything of value to induce the public to vote for or against any candidate. An election offense carries the penalty of one to six years imprisonment, removal of the right to vote, and disquali�ication to hold public of�ice.

Everyone needs to be vigilant but not overzealous as to becloud a reasonable mind to properly assess the situation. The elections can only be far from the usual if everyone does his part.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

GENERALDE SANTOS MANILA MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN OROCITY MARKETING OFFICE MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Product Development officer Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Marketing Specialist Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City General Santos Cagayan de Oro CityCity Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe) (Smart) 09382022120 Tel: Mobile: (088) 852-4894

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 10-11, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

MUJAHID NAVARRA UNDERSTANDING ISLAM

OTHER GOOD DEEDS IN RAMADHAN Ramadhan is not only a month of fasting during the day and praying voluntary prayers at night. It is also a month to be taken advantage of in doing all sorts of acts of worship and other good deeds. Good deeds done during Ramadhan are seen as superior in quality in comparison to other months and are better rewarded this month as well.

Below are some of the other good deeds to be observed during Ramadhan.

OMRAH: Omrah is a voluntary form of pilgrimage that may be performed any day of the year which is its main difference compared to Hajj or the obligatory pilgrimage which happens once a year on the last month of the Muslim calendar. Prophet Muhammad said, “Omrah in Ramadhan is equivalent to Hajj.”

Most Muslims choose to perform Omrah during this season as it is vacation season also for most Muslim countries and they choose to be in Makkah during the last ten days of Ramadhan which are considered as the best days of the year.

I’TIKAF: I’tikaf is a form of retreat or isolation of a Muslim in a mosque in order to devote himself in the worship of Allah by reading the Quran,

remembering Allah and offering voluntary prayers. It is a voluntary act of worship that is being performed on the last ten days of Ramadhan as a form of compliance to Prophet Muhammad’s example that he does every year until he passed away.

A Muslim during I’tikaf should cut off all communications with the outside world at all cost and devote himself to acts of worship. Staying inside the mosque while holding the mobile phone and keeping himself updated through social media is not I’tikaf. I’tikaf is about being alone in worshipping Allah. It has even been reported that some scholars prefer to stay in mosques where nobody knows them so that they may not be disturbed by people who may have questions and other needs. A Muslim during I’tikaf may leave the mosque to go to the restroom or go home and eat without doing anything else. He may even have food delivered to him and eat it in an area within the premises of the mosque.

The mosques are sacred and anything worldly should be avoided inside it and it is practiced even more during Ramadhan.

READING QURAN: Ramadhan is the month when the Qu-

ran was sent down to the Prophet Muhammad. Because of this, it is only most �itting that the Muslim read much of the Quran this month than on any other month of the year. It has been customary to read the entire Quran during the whole month of Ramadhan at least once or even more according to one’s ability and opportunity.

STUDYING QURAN: Ramadhan is also the month that Prophet Muhammad reviews the recitation of the Quran to Angel Gabriel once a year and twice on the year that he died.

Because of this, it is most �itting for anyone to study the Quran and its sciences that pertain to the way it is read and understood during the blessed month of Ramadhan. It is also the most opportune time for anyone who does not know how to read the Quran to learn how to read it.

Studying the Quran inside the mosques is the best way according to what Prophet Muhammad said, “No group of people that congregate inside a mosque in order to read and study the book of Allah except that they are surrounded by the angels, serenity will descend upon them and Allah shall mention them to the angels around Him.” FEEDING THE FASTING

PERSON: Fasting in Ramadhan runs for 29 or 30 days and every day of fasting is culminated

by Iftar or breaking of the fast.

Breaking of the fast for Muslims is by a light meal that includes dates, water, and other healthy foods. Some people who feed people during the breaking of the fast also provide dinner as well. This act of kindness requires a huge amount of logistics as most people, especially the poor, prefer to break their fast in the mosques that usually provide these meals. Fortunately, the act of feeding a person has huge rewards according to what Prophet Muhammad said, “Whoever gives food to a fasting person for him to break his fast shall have the same reward as him, without diminishing the fasting person’s reward in any way.”

CHARITY: The Messenger of Allah was the most generous of all people, and he used to reach the peak of his generosity in the month of Ramadan. He was more generous than a strong uncontrollable wind in readiness and would hasten to do charitable deeds. Because of this, Ramadhan is a month of generosity. Many of the actions here revolve around generosity and charity such as feeding the fast-

ing person mentioned above.

The month of Ramadhan also ends with the payment of Zakatul Fitr, which is a form of payment for any lapses the Muslim may have done during fasting. At the end of Ramadhan before the beginning of the Eid prayers or prayers during the celebration marking the of�icial end of the month of Ramadhan, the Muslim pays for himself and each one of his dependents more or less 3 kilos of rice or common food staple in their area as a charity.

This is given to the Muslim poor in their community Also, laws have been enacted for those who are not able to fast such as those who are sick and are not expected to get well enough to fast that they give some sort of ransom or payment for being unable to fast. This is done by feeding one poor person for every day that he or she is not able to fast. He or she is to feed a poor person with a complete meal according to the standard of his or her country.

Most Muslims also opt to pay their obligatory charities known as Zakah during Ramadhan in order to be easily reminded when it is due and to take advantage of having good deeds better rewarded during Ramadhan.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

THE CAVES OF DAVAO In 2013, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) forbade, except for scienti�ic and educational drives, the exploration of caves in Davao region. The restriction was con�ined to 12 underground chambers, which are part of the 500 already identi�ied.

Beyond tourism and spelunking, caves played key roles in local history. During World War II, they were used as shelters by either side of the war theatre. The Japanese in Davao region, particularly, evaded Allied incursions by hiding in caverns. For their part, the escaping civilians secured their families by hiding in caverns far from enemy detection.

Richard Julius Hermann Krebs (1905-51), who uses the pseudonym Jan Valtin, wrote in ‘Children of Yesterday’ (1946) that four Japanese soldiers, cornered in a during the city’s liberation by an American ri�le squad, who committed suicide with the use of grenades.

A tourist destination in Samal island is a cavern called Japanese Cave House, which has a narrow entrance and dif�icult to spot; it was used by �leeing Jap-

anese soldiers as storage depot for supplies, ordnance, and ammunition. There are also other underground chambers in the island employed during the war as shelters for Filipinos �leeing enemy persecutions.

Inarguably, the most exciting in Samal is the Monfort Bat Cave Sanctuary, one of 70 caves in the island, which hosts the world’s largest known population of Geoffrey’s Rousette fruit bats. It is found in Barangay Tambo and is recognized by the Guinness World Record in 2010 as the largest single collection of bats of its kind. An estimated 2.3 million bats comprise the colony.

At Talikud Island, the most popular is Baga Cave, which is full of legends and made more mythical by the presence of a banyan tree (balete) and the narratives suggesting it is connected underground to the mainland. Adding mysticism is the prayer conspicuously placed at the entrance of the chamber for recitation before a trekker starts his journey to the inner sanctum.

In far south, escaping enemy forces also sought shelter in

a Digos cave near Mahilak Falls when American forces, with a mission to liberate Davao, went on a hot pursuit of stragglers.

There is very little research on the signi�icance the cave played at the height of the war.

The 2013 classi�ication of caves, with three categories, invoked Republic Act 9072, the Cave Act of 2001 signed on April 8, 2001, which orders the DENR “to manage and protect caves and cave resources.” It declares the state policy “to conserve, protect and manage caves and cave resources as part of the country’s natural wealth [and] strengthen cooperation and exchange of information between governmental authorities and people who utilize caves and cave resources for scienti�ic, educational, recreational, tourism and other purposes.”

Categorized as Class 1 are caves with archeological artefacts and used for scienti�ic and educational drives and can be utilized for exploration, mapping and photography. Class II are caves with wildlife that cannot be tampered with and allow visitors only to a certain point of the underground chamber.

Class III are caves opened to spelunking and �it for ecotourism purposes.

Davao caves in Category 1 are Kapunit Cave and GR Cave in the town of Kapalong; Mangitngit Cave in San Isidro; Borja Cave in New Corella; Garcia Cave, Baong Cave, Taclobo Cave 1 and 2 and Santol Cave on the Island Garden City of Samal, all in Davao del Norte; Sto. Nino Cave No. 5 in Compostela Valley, and Mera Cave I and Mat-I Cave 3, both in Davao Oriental.

The region, moreover, has 23 Class II caves, 17 are in Davao del Norte, four in Compostela Valley and two in Davao Oriental. Those classi�ied as Class III include four in Davao del Norte, (Kambal Cave, Bandera Caves 1 and 2, and Linggasakan Cave); two in Compostela Valley (Sto. Niño Caves 2 and 3) and one in Davao Oriental (Mat-I Cave 2).

In 2014, the DENR classi�ied 206 additional caves with the thrust to conserve, protect, and manage of the natural resources. One of those categorized as safe for inexperienced tourist is the Mat-I Cave 2 in Baganga, Davao Oriental. Two years earlier, the agency also

put 158 caves under its protection to safeguard them from treasure-hunters, vandals and looters.

In 2015, the DENR announced again a new classi�ication of 415 caves under DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2015-08, which categorized the caverns as “important wildlife habitats and possess signi�icant geological, cultural, historical and archaeological values.”

The memo included the categorization of seven caves as Class I on account of “their delicate and fragile geological formations and threatened species.” The Burial Cave in Caraga, Davao Oriental, is one of them.

Licup Cave in Samal Island is counted in Class II while Balite Cave, also in Samal, is one of eight caves categorized as Class III. Under the circular, 19 caves in Davao region were listed as newly classi�ied.

In terms of sobriquet, Kapalong, Davao del Norte, is recognized among cave explorers as the ‘caving capital of Mindanao,’ with four of its caves, namely, Okbot, Alina, Underground River, and Otso, as open to spelunkers and adventurers.

8

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 10-11, 2019

COMPETITIVE EDGE

WARRIORS... FROM 11

UPMin chorale to hold benefit concert this May for SPMC House of Hope

K

oro Kantahanay, UP Mindanao’s of�icial university chorale, will be holding a bene�it concert dubbed “Duyan: A Concert for a Cause”. It will pay homage, as well as donate all proceeds, to House of Hope, SPMC’s transient home for children undergoing cancer treatment.

The concert will be held on May 11, 2019, at CAP Auditorium, F. Inigo St., Davao City.

Jessi Anne Aligato, former choir director and one of the event’s co-organizers, said that they chose House of Hope as bene�iciary because “we believe that these children should have the best possible chance of surviving cancer. We hope our donations may be able to contribute to childhood cancer research, to �ind better ways of curing these children.”

Koro Kantahanay was founded by Joey Vargas, now a current member of

the Philippine Madrigal Singers, in 2001, and is one of the longest-existing organizations on campus.

Since then, it has been a bastion of promoting culture and the arts in the university, as well as being at the fore of celebrating the unique musical culture of Mindanao.

Some of its members have gone on to pursue musical careers and roles,

while some have been members of local chorales, such as The Himig Singers, Koro Dabawenyo, and the Sta. Cecilia Chorale.

“Choral singing plays a big part in the Davao City music scene. It has given honor and pride to Davaoenos every time choral groups from the city performs or wins various competition not only here in Mindanao but also

in international competitions. In choral singing, we are able to tell our stories and express Mindanao’s rich culture through music,” said Aligato.

The concert will be directed by resident choir director and 4th year BA Communication Arts student Juven Villacastin. The concert will feature both resident student members and alumni.

the progressing number of NPA surrenderees is also a big factor to lessen the threat coming from the terrorist group.

Meantime, President Rodrigo Duterte, on, Thursday, May 9, signed a proclamation No. 719, declaring May 13, Monday, as special

non-working holiday in time for the national and local midterm elections.

"Whereas, there is a need to declare Monday, 13

May 2019, a special (nonworking holiday to enable the people to properly exercise their right to vote,” read the proclamation.

issue by exploring rainfall patterns in Mindanao in the last 50 years and the impact on crop production and the supply of freshwater resources.

This was what Father Villarin, who used to work with the Manila Observatory, has found: Rainfall over the northern coast of Mindanao has generally increased over the decades, with the northeast section receiving most of the increase. But the southern regions are experiencing decreasing rainfall, mostly

in the south-central parts.

A person is missed when he is longer around, so goes a saying. The same is true with trees. “We have laid to waste millions of hectares of forest land, as though heedless of the tragic examples of the countries of Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, where large areas have become barren, if not deserti�ied. If we have not, in fact, reached this state, we are almost at the point of irreversibility,” Alvarez reminded.

One day, Filipinos may

wake up without trees anymore. “A person without children would face a hopeless future,” American President Theodore Roosevelt declared, “a country without trees is almost as helpless.”

Something must be done before it’s too late. “From 21 million hectares of forests in 1900, we are now left with less than seven million hectares of forests,” Senator Legarda lamented. “This cannot be allowed to be left unchecked. Only by working

together, by rallying Filipinos and our leaders to this cause, will we be able to reverse the tide.”

The statement of Fulgencio Factoran, when he was the DENR head, is a good reminder. “Our countrymen should not accept environmental degradation as a fact of modern life; instead, they should be willing to go to the forefront with shovel and seedling in hand, or with placards and principles, and articulate their renewed af�inity with nature and its elements.”

DAVAO... FROM 2

WHERE... FROM 10

a �ifth straight trip to the West �inals.

The Warriors will get their �irst opportunity to earn advancement in Game 6 of the series on Friday night in Houston. Game 7, if necessary, would be played Sunday in Oakland.

After the Rockets rallied from 20 down to take the lead late in the third quarter, and with Durant in the locker room for the �inal 14 minutes following a calf injury, the Warriors out�inished their fourth-seeded foe.

A 3-pointer by Eric Gordon had the Rockets down just 89-88 with 4:49 to play, and a free throw by James Harden kept Houston within 91-89 with 3:39 to go.

But Green then buried his 3-pointer, and after a Houston turnover, Thompson bombed in his trey to push the Golden State lead to 97-89 with 2:34 to go.

Houston got as close as three one more time, on a layup by Harden with 18.6 seconds left, before Thompson, after nearly throwing the ball away, dropped in an interior hoop for the clinching basket with 4.1 seconds left.

Durant's injury occurred innocently enough after he hit a jumper from the right side with 2:05 left in the third quarter.

He took a step toward the defensive end of the court before grimacing in

pain and looking down at his lower right leg, leading to concerns he might have ruptured his Achilles.

However, the injury was later announced by the Warriors to be a strained right calf.

Thompson �inished with 27 points, Stephen Curry 25 and Durant 22 for the Warriors, who continued a run of home wins by the teams in the series.

Andre Iguodala added 11 points, while Green had a brilliant all-around game before fouling out, complementing eight points with 12 rebounds and 11 assists.

Harden was the game's leading scorer with 31 points for the Rockets, who were both outshot by the Warriors from the �ield 45.9 percent to 41.8 percent and outscored on 3-pointers 39-36.

Gordon chipped in with 19 points for Houston, while P.J. Tucker had 13 to go with 10 rebounds.

Chris Paul and Iman Shumpert had 11 points apiece, and Houston's Clint Capela was the game's leading rebounder with 14 to go with six points.

The Warriors used a 17-0 burst late in the �irst half to go up 57-37, only to see the entire advantage disappear before the end of the third period, when Harden's �loater gave Houston a 71-70 lead.

other government agencies, such as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in the case of a transport business.

The Commission is banking on the progressive provisions of the Revised Corporation Code to unlock the potential of more than a million inactive corporations and partnerships registered with the SEC as of end-2018 along with the 2.5 million active business names registered with the Department of Trade and Industry by March 2019.

The SEC started accepting applications for registration of OPCs on May 6, following the approval of the pertinent guidelines

through Memorandum Circular No. 7, Series of 2019, on April 25.

Initially, applications shall be �iled manually with the SEC Company Registration and Monitoring Department (CRMD) at the ground �loor of Secretariat Building in Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Registering an OPC takes �ive easy steps: name reservation and veri�ication, pre-processing of articles of incorporation with the necessary attachments, payment of �iling fees, submission of signed and notarized documentary requirements, and claiming of the certi�icate of incorporation. (PR)

SEC... FROM 4

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late CESAR R. LAREDO who died intestate on April 15, 2004 in Davao City, Philippines has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SALE executed among his heirs, per Doc. No. 232; Page No.67; Book No. 05 Series of 2010, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. TEODORO V. ANGEL.

May 10, 17 and 24, 2019

INdulge!

VOL.12 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 10-11, 2019

EDGEDAVAO ARTS & CULTURE

TANYA GAISANO LEE: A CELEBRATION OF MOTHERHOOD

YOUNG contemporary Dabawenya artist, Tanya Gaisano-Lee recently opened her “Beyond the Womb” art exhibit at the lobby of the Marco Polo Davao last May 3 just in time for Mother’s Day. Her first solo exhibition outside of Metro Manila, the event was wellattended by supportive family members of Davao’s Chinese-Filipino business community and art lovers alike.

“Beyond the Womb” features nudes and mother and child themes all with Tanya’s bold and dynamic style and tackles her four-year journey in conceiving her daughter. “The exhibit recounts my long journey in trying to bear a child. The pieces on exhibit were a way for me to express myself and for me to cope with the challenges me and my husband, Jeric faced” shared Tanya.

“Honestly, I paint better when I am mad or not at ease.

Painting is my release and it enables me to shut out all the irritants of life” she added.

This current exhibit is a departure from her first solo exhibit held at Manila’s The Crucible Gallery where she exhibited erotic art last year.

”The curator wanted me to push the boundaries of my art which is constantly evolving” Tanya said.

“Beyond the Womb” is on

exhibit at the ground floor lobby of the Marco Polo Davao and is free for the public to view. The exhibit runs until the end of May, 2019.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

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DAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL.12 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 10-11, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

Jean Garcia reaffirms ties with GMA 7 AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS Jean Garcia remains a loyal Kapuso as she renewed her exclusive contract with GMA Network, Inc. last May 6.

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The highly-talented Kapuso actress, who has starred in various projects with the Kapuso Station for thirteen years, shares that she has opted to renew her contract with GMA because they continue to provide challenging and meaty roles for her through the years, “I’m very grateful and thankful to GMA sa walang sawa nilang pagmamahal.

Importante ‘yung pagtitiwala nila sa akin. Sa magagandang projects na binibigay nila sa akin every time.”

Jean has topbilled numerous TV shows in GMA including La Vendetta, Dyesebel, All About Eve, Stairway to Heaven, Ilumina, Alakdana, One True Love, Once Again, high-rating Afternoon Prime series The Half Sisters and Ika-5 Utos, and hit primetime soap Kambal, Karibal.

“Yung experience ko sa kanila, never nila ako binigyan ng project na never ako magiging proud.

Pinipili talaga nila ‘yung charaters na ginagawa ko tapos tumatatak siya sa audience. That’s why I’m very thankful. Parating maayos, maganda ‘yung character, saka ibaiba,” she added.

In the course of her stay in

GMA, Jean has portrayed a myriad of roles that truly pushes the limits of actresses her age. Regardless of the project, Jean values her love for acting more than anything. “Isa lang naman ang nasa isip ko, mahal ko ang pag-aartista at ang pag-arte, nag-eenjoy ako. Ang mapa-promise ko lang is palaging 100% sa trabaho, hard work and siyempre ‘yung loyalty and mapasaya ‘yung ating audience,” the seasoned Kapuso actress shared.

During the contract signing, GMA Entertainment Group’s Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable expressed her utmost admiration over the veteran actress’ expertise and passion for her craft. “Magaling talagang artista

si Jean. Sino ba naman ang hindi mae-engganyo na bigyan siya ng role na talagang challenging para sa kaniya. Ilang taon na siya sa GMA at nandito pa rin siya and I’m very happy.”

Present in the contract signing were GMA Entertainment Group’s Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable, GMA Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie A. Magno, GMA Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, GMA Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Senior Program Managers Redgynn S. Alba, Camille Hermoso-Hafezan, Ali N. Dedicatoria, Enri Calaycay and Manny Valera, Jean’s manager.

Bright and happy days with ‘Summer is Love’ shirts SUMMERTIME is already in full swing and to make the most out of this delightful season, make the days bright and merry with ABS-CBN’s “Summer Is Love” shirts.

Choose from the five colors available—coral, kiwi, light blue, navy blue, and white—and feel the Kapamilya stars’ season excitement seen at ABS-CBN’s 2019 Summer Station ID launched on “It’s Showtime.”

Cool and comfy “Summer Is Love” shirts are the perfect accessory to summertime getaways and quick breaks with family and friends. They will not only cool off the sizzling hot days but will also brighten smiles with their invigorating colors and refreshing charm.

Get your “Summer Is Love” tees at www.abs-cbnstore. com, ABS-CBN Store (ELJ Building and G/F Glorietta 2), ABS-CBN Studio Experience in Trinoma, ABSCBN Store on O Shopping, ABS-CBN Store on Shopee and and ABS-CBN Flagship Store on Lazada, 7 Eleven branches, and the SM Store branches nationwide.

Go from the city to the beach with espadrilles and sandal slides from Parisian Shoes.

Bright Idea: Vibrant Rani heels in mustard.

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 10-11, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 10-11, 2019

HANDS OFF... FROM 1

well done and for properly imposing the law."

Police arrested Jossone and Rojhel Abear Sanchez in a drug buy-bust operation on Wednesday afternoon.

The suspects were arrested by a Joint Intelligence Team of Toril Police Station together with Intelligence Branch of the Davao City Police Of�ice at around 4:00 p.m. of May 8 inside Room 11 Jasmine Blooms Apartelle, University Avenue in Juna Subdivision, Talomo District.

According to the police report, recovered from the suspects were the following: 1) One(1) pc square small-sized sachet (buybust item) , 2) two (2) big square size sachets (sako), 3) one (1) medi-

um-sized square sachet, 4) three (3) small elogated plastic sachetsAll the above items were found to be containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu with an approximate total weight of 13 grams and an estimated street value of P 208,000.

5) and one (1) glass tube with suspected shabu residue with one aluminum foil strip, one pc improvised aluminum tooter and green diaposable lighter with improvised needle; Also recovered were non-drug items including: 1) one (1) unit of cellular phone (samsung), black pouch, 2) and one 500 peso bill (genuine) and one counter�iet 500 bill and two 1000 peso bills used

for marked money and boodle money.

According to the police report, the police poseur buyer was able to buy one square small-size of plastic sachet containing crystalline substance believed to be shabu from Dayanghirang and subsequently recovered the abovementioned suspected drugs items from his possession and control.

On the other hand, Sanchez, alias Ivan, was caught in the act snif�ing shabu using the above mentioned drug paraphernalia near the place of the drug transaction.

The two suspects and the con�iscated contraband items are presently under the custody of PS8 while a criminal case is being prepared for �iling in Court.

To ensure quick reporting of election-related concerns, Malaluan said the DepEd has developed a mobile application for teachers.

"I have not seen it but I think we will be using it this

election. It's in our report to the Cabinet. They can use it to report pre-election, during election and post-election [incidents]," he said.

"We are also doing the �inal orientation of those

who will be part of our election task forces at the central, regional, division and even district levels which we will setup on the noon of May 12, Sunday and will be up until 5 p.m. of May 14," he added. (PNA)

CII President Arturo Milan, but also, “provide the best platform for suppliers to showcase the latest industry innovations and products to a captive audience.”

Organized by Worldbex Services International, the

5th Philippine Building and Construction Expo (PHILBEX) Davao and 3rd Travel and Leisure Expo (TLEX) Davao will simultaneously run until May 12 from 11am to 8pm at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Pre-

mier. For more information, call (02) 656-9239, email inquire@worldbexevents. com, visit www.philbexdavao.com and www.tlex. ph, or follow @worldbex and @tlex.ph on Facebook and Instagram.

OVER... FROM 2

DAVAO’S... FROM 4

PRRD... FROM 2

worth anything.”

“Just look at them.

Look at how dirty they play. It’s very dirty,” Duterte said.

Duterte defended the release of the matrices anew, insisting that it was the right of public to know, especially since some of the names were running for a seat in the Senate.

“I released it because the public are entitled to know. I revealed the names of those seeking public of�ice,” Duterte said.

He also bared that the hooded �igure who referred to himself as “Bikoy” in the controversial “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos which tag him, his family, and allies in the illegal drug trade was produced by the Magdalo group, led by opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV. “It was a Magdalo production, Trillanes. You’ve heard how he talks. It’s a soldier’s lingo. It’s sarcastic,” Duterte said.

“Well anyway, the truth

9

always comes out,” he added.

Earlier, Panelo alleged that Peter Joemel Advincula, a man claiming to be Bikoy in the videos, was only being used as a “pawn” by the plotters named in the matrices.

Panelo said the Palace will leave it to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to decide whether it will pursue cases against the personalities and groups mentioned in the matrices.

(PNA)

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao OFFICE OF THE CITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Notice of Pending Application for Request for Reclassification Notice is hereby given that an application for a Request for Reclassification, per Article XII Section 1, of the Zoning Ordinance of Davao City No. 0546-13, series of 2013, series of 2013, for proposed LPU Town Davao located at Brgy. Sasa, Buhangin District, Davao City has been filed with the office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator by Lyceum of the Philippines Inc. The aforesaid application as well as the papers attached thereto is open for inspection during business hours by interested parties.

This publication is in compliance of Article IX Section 1.5 of the Zoning Ordinance.

Issued this 22nd day of April 2019.

10

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VOL.12 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 10-11, 2019

ENVIRONMENT

WHERE HAVE ALL OUR TREES GONE? Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“Overall, destruction of our natural resources is continuing, despite efforts of some of our concerned citizens to protect and manage them.” – Dr. Angel C. Alcala, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Public Service

“A few hundred years ago, at least 95% of the Philippines was covered by rain forest; only a few patches of open woodland and seasonal forest, mostly on Luzon, broke the expanse of moist, verdant land,” noted Dr. Lawrence R. Heaney, an American curator who holds honorary appointments at the Philippine National Museum.

By the time the Ferdinand Magellan “rediscovered” the Philippines on March 16, 1521, scattered coastal areas had been cleared for agriculture and residences.

Three hundred years later, historical records showed rainforest still covered about 70% of the country.

But during the time of the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, forests were devoid of trees. One critic wrote: “The government under Marcos had close ties to the major logging companies and had allowed the massive deforestation to stimulate the economy though exports.”

Today, what remains are but fragments of forests which are scattered all over the country.

“We only have less than a third of the forest cover we had at the turn of the

20th century,” deplored Senator Loren Legarda in a statement.

The country losses around 47,000 hectares of forest cover each year, according to the University of the Philippines and Harvard University alumnus. “Most of the country’s once-rich forest are gone,” said the UN Food and Agriculture (FAO) publication, Sustainable Forest Management. “Forest recovery, through natural and arti�icial means, never coped with the destruction rate.”

The forest cover in the lowlands, called mangroves, are not spared from denudation. “Approximately two-thirds of the country’s original mangroves have been lost,” reported Kathleen Mogelgaard, of the Washington, D.C.-based Population Reference Bureau.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the principal causes of the decimation of the country’s forest cover in the uplands are logging (both legal and illegal), forest �ires, and natural calamities (like earthquakes).

Additional threats to Philippine forests come from mining operations –

which also cause pollution – collection of fuelwoods (85% of meals in developing countries, according to FAO, are cooked over wood or charcoal), and kainginfarming (slash-and-burn agriculture).

Surging population has multiplied the problem. In the mid-1970s, there were only 43 million Filipinos. Today, there are some 107 million Filipinos and projected to grow to 147 million in 2050.

“Poverty, lack of jobs and wages, and absence of farm lots in the lowlands have forced some people to invade the forest,” observed Heherson Alvarez, former DENR honcho and lawmaker, adding that “the illness of the forest is complicated and cannot be cured with a one-stop prescription of a single medicine.”

Spreading cities have also contributed to the decimation of forest cover. “Asphalt is often the last harvest for many forests,” the late National Scientist Dioscoro Umali once stated in his speech.

“Where have all our forest gone?” Roy Alimoane, the retired director of Davao-based Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center, wondered. “If we do not do anything to reverse this trend, these losses will have tragic consequences,” Senator Legarda reminded.

Deforestation is often equated with calamities like landslides and �lash �loods. Philippine Daily Inquirer, in its editorial, deplored: “In just one decade, 2000 to 2010, 27 �loods and 17 landslides occurred, affecting about 1.6 million people each year and destroying crops and infrastructure worth tens of million pesos a year. In all these �loods and landslides, deforestation was a major factor. Bald mountains, depleted forests and barren watersheds caused rainwater to �low down and �lood the plains.”

The removal of forest cover makes the country susceptible to various environmental catastrophes.

“Most of these were not seen in such intensity and magnitude before our time,” Alimoane stressed. “The signs cry out for immediate, nationwide attention.”

Take the case of the wild �lora and fauna living in the forests. “Rapid forest loss has eliminated habitat for unique and threatened plant and animal species,” Mogelgaard pointed out.

More than 400 plant and animal species found only in the Philippines are currently threatened with extinction, including the Philippine eagle, tamaraw, and waling-waling, according to the World Conservation Union.

A pair of Philippine eagle needs at least 7,000 to 13,000 hectares of forest as nesting territory, according to the FAO. “Deforestation is terrible,” commented Dennis Salvador, the executive director of Philippine Eagle Center. “The Philippine eagle has become a critically endangered species because the loss of forest had made it lose its natural habitat.”

Once a species is gone, it cannot be brought back to life again. “When the last individual of a race of living beings breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such one can be seen again,” naturalist William Beebe said.

The removal of forest cover has bolstered soil erosion in the uplands, which comprise 60% of the country’s total land area of 30 million hectares. “Soil erosion is an enemy to any nation – far worse than any outside enemy into a country and conquering it because it is an enemy you cannot see vividly,” warned Harold R. Watson, an American agriculturist who received a Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1985 for international understanding. “It’s a slow creeping enemy that soon possesses the land.”

But soil erosion is more just than just landslide. More importantly,

it threatens food production. In their book, Soil Erosion: Quiet Crisis in the World Economy, Lester Brown and Edward Wolf wrote: “The loss of topsoil affects the ability to grow food in two ways. It reduces the inherent productivity of land, both through the loss of nutrients and degradation of the physical structure. It also increases the costs of food production.”

Without forest cover, the watersheds loss their capability to capture water during the rainy season. “There has been a drop of 30% to 50% in the country’s water resources in the past 20 years or so,” said Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, an academician with the National Academy of Science and Technology.

Today’s “crisis in water and sanitation is – above all – a crisis of the poor,” said the United Nations Development Program study, Beyond Scarcity: Power, Poverty and the Water Crisis.

“Unlike the energy crisis,” noted Klaus Toepfer, former executive director of UN Environment Program, “the water crisis is life threatening.”

Deforestation has also altered the climatic condition in the country. Ask Father Jesus Ramon Villarin, a Jesuit scientist, who localized the global climate

WHERE, P8

EDGEDAVAO

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11

Warriors survive Rockets in Game 5

D Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks goes to the basket against the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Bucks close out Celtics

T

he team with the best record in the NBA regular season also won the race to be the �irst into the postseason conference �inals Wednesday night, when the Milwaukee Bucks ran away from the visiting Boston Celtics for a series-clinching, 11691 victory.

The top-seeded Bucks now advance to the Eastern �inals, where they will have the home-court advantage over the winner of the other Eastern semi�inal between Toronto and Philadelphia.

Those two hopefuls meet in a Game 6 in Philadelphia on Thursday night, with the second-seeded Raptors holding a 3-2 series lead.

“It’s amazing. It was a team effort,” said Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 20 points. We did not mess around with the game. We

did our job. We defended.

We moved the ball. That’s how we were able to close the game.”

Avenging a seven-game, �irst-round loss to the Celtics last season, the Bucks won four straight in the series after being stunned 122-90 at home in the best-of-seven opener.

“The �irst game, we weren’t focused enough,” Antetokounmpo said. “We weren’t ourselves. The next four games, we came out with a different approach, a different mindset, a killer mind-set, and we were able to win the four games.”

Milwaukee trailed for just a matter of seconds late in the �irst quarter in the clincher, building as much as a 16-point lead in the second quarter and 18 in the third before coasting home.

The Bucks used bal-

anced scoring and a stingy defense to eliminate the fourth-seeded Celtics, who had reached the Eastern �inals against Cleveland each of the past two seasons.

Antetokounmpo led seven players in double �igures for the Bucks, who will be making their �irst appearance in the conference �inals since 2001, when they lost to Philadelphia.

Antetokounmpo also found time for eight rebounds and a game-high eight assists.

Khris Middleton (19 points), Eric Bledsoe (18), George Hill (16), Nikola Mirotic (10) and Ersan Ilyasova (10) also scored in double �igures for the Bucks, who shot 44.7 percent overall and outscored the Celtics 45-21 on 3-pointers.

The Bucks also got 10 points in 16 minutes from

guard Malcolm Brogdon, who was returning from a heel injury that had sidelined him since March 15.

Mirotic shared teamhigh rebounding honors with Pat Connaughton with 11 apiece.

Kyrie Irving had 15 points to top the Celtics, who had beaten the Bucks in �ive of their previous six postseason head-to-heads.

Irving shot 6-for-21 overall and 1-for-7 on 3-point attempts, and he was limited to one assist in what could be his �inal game as a Celtic. He can become a free agent this summer Marcus Morris and Jayson Tatum �inished with 14 points apiece, and Jaylen Brown had 12 for the Celtics, who shot just 31.2 percent from the �ield.

Morris completed a double-double with a team-high 11 rebounds.

FRED C. LUMBA

raymond Green and Klay Thompson buried 3-pointers on consecutive possessions late in the game Wednesday night, allowing the Golden State Warriors to survive the loss of Kevin Durant and hold off the Houston Rockets 104-99 in Game 5 of the Western Conference semi�inals in Oakland, Calif.

Top-seeded Golden State's third narrow win of the best-of-seven series puts the defending champions one victory away from a �ifth straight trip to the West �inals.

The Warriors will get their �irst opportunity to earn advancement in Game 6 of the series on Friday night in Houston. Game 7, if necessary, would be played Sunday in Oakland.

After the Rockets rallied from 20 down to take the lead late in the third quarter, and with Durant in the locker room for the �inal 14 minutes following a calf injury, the Warriors out�inished their fourth-seeded foe.

A 3-pointer by Eric Gordon had the Rockets down just 89-88 with 4:49 to play, and a free throw by James Harden kept Houston within 91-89 with 3:39 to go.

But Green then buried his 3-pointer, and after a Houston turnover, Thompson bombed in his trey to push the Golden State lead to 97-89 with 2:34 to go.

Houston got as close as three one more time, on a layup by Harden with 18.6 seconds left, before Thompson, after nearly throwing the ball away, dropped in an interior hoop for the clinching basket with 4.1 seconds left.

Durant's injury occurred innocently enough after he hit a jumper from the right side with 2:05 left in the third quarter.

He took a step toward the defensive end of the court before grimacing in

pain and looking down at his lower right leg, leading to concerns he might have ruptured his Achilles.

However, the injury was later announced by the Warriors to be a strained right calf.

Thompson �inished with 27 points, Stephen Curry 25 and Durant 22 for the Warriors, who continued a run of home wins by the teams in the series.

Andre Iguodala added 11 points, while Green had a brilliant all-around game before fouling out, complementing eight points with 12 rebounds and 11 assists.

Harden was the game's leading scorer with 31 points for the Rockets, who were both outshot by the Warriors from the �ield 45.9 percent to 41.8 percent and outscored on 3-pointers 39-36.

Gordon chipped in with 19 points for Houston, while P.J. Tucker had 13 to go with 10 rebounds.

Chris Paul and Iman Shumpert had 11 points apiece, and Houston's Clint Capela was the game's leading rebounder with 14 to go with six points.

The Warriors used a 17-0 burst late in the �irst half to go up 57-37, only to see the entire advantage disappear before the end of the third period, when Harden's �loater gave Houston a 71-70 lead.

Draymond Green and Klay Thompson buried 3-pointers on consecutive possessions late in the game Wednesday night, allowing the Golden State Warriors to survive the loss of Kevin Durant and hold off the Houston Rockets 104-99 in Game 5 of the Western Conference semi�inals in Oakland, Calif.

Top-seeded Golden State's third narrow win of the best-of-seven series puts the defending champions one victory away from

WARRIORS, P8

SPORTS KEN

PALARO ADVICE FROM MAYOR SARA In my decades of sports coverage and many years of touring with the Palarong Pambansa, I have not heard of any message as candid, frank and straight to the point the advice that Mayor Inday Sara gave to athletes who attended the very successful annual students sportsfest recently in Davao City.

In so many words, what rang a bell was when she said: “Huwag muna kayo mag-asawa, wag kayo magbuntis, magaral, magtapos muna kayo.”

I am certain only Mayor Sara was the first and only Palaro host who rendered such a statement, a motherly one if you will, and which must have left an indelible mark in the minds of the young athletes.

I should tell you that friendly and romantic bonds between teen athletes belonging to the same delegation and coming from the same institution are not strange and far-fetched. They arise and develop during months-long training of young athletes together.

I have had athlete-friends in my high school years who became teen-age sweethearts and ended up getting married prematurely because the boy “accidentally” impregnated his girlfriend.

Traditionally, Palaro hosts deliver messages that always center on sportsmanship, discipline and excellence in the athlete’s chosen sport.

Mayor Sara’s counsel is

nobly different, very timely and should not be left as if said in a casual, moralizing fashion.

I suggest that Dep-Ed officials make it a permanent fixture in souvenir programs distributed during every Palaro conclave that will serve as a strong positive reminder. ******* Tiger Woods was recently awarded the Medal of Freedom by no less than US Pres.

Donald Trump.

The award is the highest to be conferred to a civilian awardee.

Woods recently captured his fifth Masters golf championship and wore anew the symbolic green jacket after almost falling into oblivion for the last ten years.

Oddly insignificant for some because of his phenomenal rise to fame during his younger years, Wood’s victory at the Masters’ can be attributed to his unyielding spartan discipline and self-confidence.

For me, I label that as the “triumph of the human spirit.”

Despite suffering from a near debilitating disease, several operations and family problems, Woods, whom I saw play in the World Juniors in the early 90s in California, survived and is now clearly on the way to complete recovery. ******* San Miguel Beer equalized at 2-2, taking Game 4 in the best of seven finals of the PBA Commissioners Cup. It is amazing though how

Magnolia can ably defend against San Miguel’s twin towers - 6’10” center Jun Mar Fajardo and 6’8” Christian Standhardinger Hotshots big guys Raffy Reavis and Ian Sangalang get saddled with early fouls but their ability to ride out this handicap keep them to finish the game without fouling out.

Fajardo just received another Best Player of the Game trophy before the start of Game 5.

It is now down to a best of three. Whichever team takes Game 5 could win the title. The enormous pressure is on coach Leo Austria’s shoulders while the Hotshots are hungrier. #######

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SPORTS

RIGHT ONTRACK SEAG main venue finished by August

The main venue of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will be completed by the end of August.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) bared the construction updates of the New Clark City Sports Complex during Monday’s Cabinet meeting, presided by President Rodrigo Duterte at the Malacañan Palace.

“The Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee reported that SEA Games-related construction will be completed at the end of August 2019,” said Panelo in a statement.

Earlier, PHISGOC chairman and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the new sports complex is expected to be completed by September.

According to Panelo, Cayetano also brought up how the Philippine hosting of the SEA Games is rife with politics.

“Ang nabanggit niya ganito, ‘Alam mo pala, Mr. President, akala ko sports, sports lang. Pero mas matindi pala ang pulitika doon kaysa sa gobyerno.’ Iyon ang sabi niya (He said, ‘You know, Mr. President, I thought it was just sports. But it seems like politics here is worse than in government.’ That’s what he said),” Panelo said.

Cayetano was referring to controversy hounding delays in the

estimated PHP5 billion budget for the hosting of the sporting event, Panelo said.

Panelo said the President issued a directive to immediately release the funds for the country’s fourth hosting of the biennial regional sports meet.

“There was a motion there to approve the presentation, as well as to direct iyong pondo na i-prepare kasi mukhang (the funds because) it will put us again in the world map given the fact that 11 countries will be participating,” Panelo said.

The participating countries are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Over 10,000 athletes are expected to compete in 56 sports and 528 events to be held in various venues including the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 this year.

Earlier, Cayetano assured that PHISGOC remains unfazed by challenges confronting the Philippine hosting of the 30th SEA games and expressed determination to make this event successful.

PHISGOC has been tapping private companies to sponsor the Games and augment its budget.

Philippines last hosted the SEA Games in 2005 when the country emerged as the overall champion.

(PNA)

The construction of the New Clark City Sports Complex will be completed by August according to organizers.