Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 181 | Wednesday, November 20, 2019

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VOL.12 ISSUE 181 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019

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A young boy laughs his heart out as he rides a carousel horse which is being prepared to be installed at Rizal Park along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Tuesday as part of the 'Pasko Fiesta' 2019 celebration scheduled to open on November 22. Lean Daval Jr

UPGRADE NEEDED Re-assess structural engineers’ capabilities, CEO chief urges

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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f it’s not about the building standards, it must be the skills.

This is the point City Engineers Of�ice (CEO) head Atty. Joseph Dominic Felizarta is hammering on which calls for the re-assessment of the capabilities of building professionals instead of reviewing the building codes.

“Siguro kumpyansa

lang ang mga structural engineers especially kay walay mga ingon ani nga intensity sa Davao so murag wala sila naniguro ug economical ra seguro kaayo ang pag design. For me no need to review the building code, ang expertise or skills lang sa structural

engineer dapat i –review,” Felizarta told Edge Davao.

The proper design and construction of buildings in accordance with building codes is among the roles of structural engineers.

With the recent earthquakes that damaged relatively new buildings in Davao City as compared to the old, Felizarta is more inclined on re-assessment of the skills instead of tweaking the

building standards.

He added that buildings in the city now should be able to withstand an 8 magnitude quake.

“Supposed to be mga intensity 8 na seguro kay ang nahibal-an sa Davao City sauna only intensity 6 and here comes PHIVOLCS reported nga niabot na ug 7.2 magnitude. It is safer na we will incorporate the intensity 8 in our construction de-

sign. Nakabutang na sa engineering terms unsaon pag compute,” he said.

Felizarta added that structural engineers should now review the computations and structural analysis of the buildings particularly high-rise buildings.

“For me i-review nato ang pag-compute sa atong structural analysis sa building particularly multi-story buildings.

Standard man na ang

book (building code) na atong ginagamit kung unsaon pag compute sa structural integrity sa atong building such as pila nga intensity sa earthquake ang atong i-incorporate. Sa structural analysis ang building man gud naay load like wind load or dead load ug naay computations ana nga i-incorporate ang earthquake,” he explained.

UPGRADE, P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 181 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte presides over the Joint National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police (AFP-PNP) Command Conference at the Malacañan Palace on Monday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Some schools taking T drills lightly: DepEd S

Samal Island, San Isidro town vow to eliminate plastic pollution by 2030

By MAYA M. PADILLO

ome schools in Davao Region are taking earthquake drills lightly, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Tuesday.

Dr. Warlito Hua, chief of education support and services division of the Department of Education (DepEd) Davao recommended that schools must aggressively implement earthquake and tsunami drills.

“In terms of drill adoption of the students in their respective schools, we are happy to inform that we have schools na nagiging national awardees ng Kalasag ibig sabihin yung implementation ng safety ng ating mga eskwelahan. Seguro

sa ibang eskwelahan na hindi pa masyadong aggressive ang implementation ng drills, we suggest and we recommend na pag-igihan pa natin ito but most of our schools are already very effective in this kid of adoption in terms of earthquake and tsunami drills,” he said.

Hua told media that there are schools in the region which have been conferred Gawad Kalasag awards, the country’s premier annual awards for excellent contributions in Disaster Risk

Reduction Management (DRRM) and humanitarian assistance.

Aside from nationwide earthquake drills conducted every quarter, Hua also cited that there are earthquake drills organized by the city government of Davao to ensure preparedness in time of �ire and earthquakes.

DepEd regional director Dr. Evelyn Fetalvero likewise emphasized the importance of conducting more drills on earthquake preparedness and properly execute “Duck, Cover, Hold” to prevent accident like what happened to a Grade 9 student in Kasuga National High School in the municipality of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur

who died after debris fall and hit the student in the head.

“It’s unfortunate that there is one casualty in Kasuga National High School in Davao del Sur. What happened why the student met her untimely death was even when there was shaking pa all the students came down because they were in the second �loor. All of them came down and the parapet of the building near the staircase ay nasira kaya nang bumagsak ang concrete doon sa ulo ng student,” Fetalvero explained.

Fetalvero is set to issue a memo for a weekly drill to be conducted in all

where in the municipality of Don Carlos.

The agency’s �irst information for the temblor pegged the epicenter at 07.64°N, 124.90°E – 006 km N 22° W of Kadingilan (Bukidnon), or somewhere in the southern edge of the municipality of Don Carlos near its boundary with Kadingilan.

Phivolcs said it was

of tectonic origin with a depth of focus of nine kilometers.

The agency was expecting damage as a result of the quake. It also expected aftershocks.

The quake was felt at Intensity V in Kadingilan, Damulog, Kalilangan, Talakag and Valencia City in Bukidnon and in the cities of Kidapawan and Marawi.

It was Intensity IV in Impasugong in Bukidnon, Cotabato City, Davao City, Koronadal City, Malungon in Sarangani and Cagayan de Oro City; Intensity III in Gingoog City, Tupi in South Cotabato and Alabel in Sarangani; and Intensity II in Kiamba in Sarangani, General Santos City and Mambajao in Camiguin.

(MindaNews)

SOME SCHOOLS, P9

Magnitude 5.9 quake jolts Bukidnon

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Magnitude 5.9 earthquake rocked Bukidnon at 9:22 p.m. Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

In its Earthquake Information No. 2, PHIVOLCS pegged the epicenter at 07.67°N, 124.92°E – 009 km N 01° W of Kadingilan (Bukidnon), or some-

he Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) and San Isidro, Davao Oriental will partner with the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines) to eliminate plastic pollution by 2030.

Czarina Constantino, project manager of WWF-Philippines’ Plastic Smart Cities Project (PSC), said in an email to MindaNews on Sunday that the international non-pro�it organization will formalize its partnership with the local government units (LGU) in a signing ceremony slated for December 2 with Igacos and December 3 with San Isidro town.

The PSC is a “global movement to push cities and tourism destinations that are �ighting plastic pollution.” It is implemented under WWF No Plastics in Nature initiative that aims to stop plastic waste leakage into the oceans in 2030.

Under this movement, Constantino said the WWF-Philippines will work with IGACOS in residual processing, implementation of its Environmental Code of 2018, and waste management with the stakeholders of the tourism sector there.

She said the island has implemented “a great work in segregation, collection, and diversion by strictly enforcing a no segregation, no collection” policy.

The policy makes it easy for the island to manage their garbage, Con-

stantino said, noting that biodegradables are used for composting, the recyclables are either brought to the junk shops or are upcycled for the beauti�ication program, and the residuals are brought to the sanitary land�ill.

She added that the LGU is planning to convert the residual wastes into chairs and paver blocks for their planned eco-park.

The WWF-Philippines will work with the city to “assess and implement the best option for residuals processing,” she said.

Constantino said her group will also provide Samal Island with technical guidance for the potential revisions of its environment code, and supporting its implementation.

She believed that engaging the stakeholders, including the divers, resorts, and tourists, is crucial for the success of the island’s waste management program.

“We believe that this is critical as IGACOS is a booming tourism destination,” she added.

On the partnership with San Isidro town, Constantino added that WWF-Philippines will provide technical guidance “in the creation of a Science-based single-use plastic ban policy.”

She added that they will also support the “Dili Na Ko Plastik” (I am against plastic) livelihood program, which aims to engage coastal communities by helping them generate additional income

SAMAL ISLAND, P9

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300 quake-affected families in Kidapawan return home

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A physically challenged person wearing Santa Claus Christmas hat begs for alms from park goers at Rizal Park in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr

Conference to introduce marketing innovations

By MAYA M. PADILLO he University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) through its Publication Unit under the Research Division will hold the Sustainable Agroecosystems and Emerging Innovations International Research Conference (SAEIIRC) slated on December 12 to 13 at Seda Abreeza in Davao City.

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Dr. Roger A. Montepio, USeP-Tagum Agri-Fishery Machinery Testing Center director, told media that they are advocating for the increase of the marketing value of some of the region’s produce like mango through innovations of different technologies from pre-harvest to post- harvest facilities.

“For pre-harvest facilities, we have problem right now on spraying and we are introducing a spraying innovation that will improve delivery system of the chemicals to the canopy of the mango tree,” Montepio said.

This innovation will be introduced during the conference that will gather scientists, inventors,

scholars, industry practitioners, and other experts who will share their expertise in the �ields of agriculture, engineering, technology and closely related research �ields and discuss pressing issues that affect the society.

“We will be talking about on fertilization by the use of biological nitrogen �ixators like bacteria, food processing, marketing, storage of produce, and irrigation,” said Dr. Gilbert Importante, USeP research director.

Importante said the gathering also aims to gather experts around the world in promoting sustainable agro-�ishery system and emerging innovations. The conference

will feature international researchers who will serve as keynote speakers and as discussants during the paper presentation sessions.

Invited speakers are Engineer Sean Ligtvoet of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 11, Dr. Ravindra Joshi, Paci�ic coordinator of the Tropical Agriculture Association and consultant of International Rice Research Institute; Rosanna Tuason-Fores, CEO of Hijo Resources Corporation; Dr. Roehlano Briones, senior research fellow of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS); Kriza Faye Calumba, Assistant Professor at the Department of Food Science and Chemistry of the University of the Philippines Mindanao; Peter O’Gorman, director of Innovation and Learning at AI (Arti�icial Intelligence) Darwin; and Peter Sprang, Sustainable Rice Platform technical coordinator based at the International Rice Re-

lose to 300 families who sought refuge in evacuation centers here due the series of powerful earthquakes last month have returned to their homes starting Friday upon the order of the city government, an of�icial said Monday.

Psalmer Bernalte, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Of�ice (CDRRMO), said those who returned belong to Category 1, or those who left because of fear of further earthquakes but that their houses did not incur any damage.

The families under Category 2, or those with houses damaged by the temblors, are entitled to cash assistance of up to P20,000 to purchase construction materials once they leave the evacuation centers, he added.

Data from CDRRMO showed that at least 1,700 families under Category 3 remained at the evacuation sites in barangays Ilomavis, Balabag and Perez, all located at the foot of Mount Apo, the country’s tallest peak.

Category 3 refers to families with destroyed houses that are located in areas declared by the

Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) as “no build zones.”

Bernalte said they ordered the quake victims belonging to Categories 1 and 2 to return to their houses to minimize the health hazard of staying in makeshift tents.

He said the evacuees are vulnerable to respiratory and digestive problems, among others, if they are exposed to too much heat or rain, and to risks of snakebites.

On Friday, Modesto Bayawan, a lumad in�licted with asthma, had died.

His cof�in was placed in a makeshift tent at the evacuation center in Barangay Ilomavis.

“If Mr. Bayawan wasn’t inside the tent, he could have lived longer. His illness worsened because he was exposed to hot or warm weather during daytime and cold during nighttime. (The evacuees are also exposed to) the rains,” he said.

Bernalte said the city government allotted P9 million a month to feed the evacuees.

Last month’s strong tremors prompted 2,099 families or 10,145 indi-

300, P9

CONFERENCE, P9

3rd PWS project of PRDP turned over in Mati

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third potable water system project of the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) was turned over to the City of Mati LGU under the new administration of Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat.

The turnover was made on Monday, November 18, and was attended by Mayor Michelle along with Engr. Rosendo B. Linsag of the City Mayors Of�ice, City Planning and Development Of�ice Engr. Rowel Magdagasang, City Agriculture Head Eleanor E. Sambas, barangay Captain

of barangay Taguibo Rico L. Mabawad, among others.

The PWS project in Barangay Taguibo is funded by the World Bank thru the Philippine Rural Development Program.

The construction of Barangay Taguibo PWS Level II has a total project cost of P4,996,084.33.

The project were cost sharing from World Bank loan amounting to P3,996,867.48, Government of the Philippines amounting to P499,608.44 and from the City of Mati LGU amounting to P499,068.44.

The project is consists of one unit spring box, one unit reservoir with 32 tap stands for 840 residents with 168 households that would bene�it from the projects.

Last October of this year two potable water system projects in barangays Tagbinonga and Sanghay were also turned over by PRDP. About 8 more projects of the PRDP from spring development to infrastructures are expected to be completed and turned over this year or the next. (CIO MATI)

A man talks on the phone in front of a nutcracker soldier decoration at City Hall in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 181 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019

NEDA wants POGOs taxed

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A portion of Ecoland 4000 has sustained major damage after the October 31 earthquake. City Engineer’s Office (CEO) head Engr. Joseph Dominic Felizarta said the skills of the structural engineers in Davao City is needed instead of amending the building code. Lean Daval Jr

he National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Monday opposed the Of�ice of the Solicitor General’s (OSG) opinion that online casinos or Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) could not be taxed.

“In fact, they [NEDA execs] want to tax that sector,” said Senate �inance committee chair Sen. Sonny Angara during budget deliberations for NEDA’s P10.66-billion proposed 2020 allocation.

“I was told by both Sec. [Ernesto] Pernia and Presidential Adviser [Vince] Dizon that they do not agree to that (OSG opinion that POGOs cannot be taxed), that is not a national policy,” he added.

Angara said NEDA of�icials were set to discuss with the OSG the issue on taxing POGOs due to the “difference in opinion,” stressing that NEDA was “informed only today

[Monday]” about the OSG opinion.

“They [NEDA exces] are consistent in saying [the industry] has to be taxed.”

Sen. Joel Villanueva also said there was “a need to regulate POGOs,” given reports of money laundering, criminality, among others.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III also told reporters Monday that POGOs must pay corporate income taxes and their workers’ personal income taxes.

“The BIR issued an opinion to this effect months ago saying that the status of income is where the services are rendered,” he said.

“Thus, since Pogos are providing services to their counterparts in the Philippines, they are subject to income tax,” Dominguez told reporters, adding that POGOs should also pay value-added tax (VAT).

journalists Monday they increased the growth projections for next year partly because of the recovery of domestic growth in the third quarter this year.

He said they do not see a repeat of the delay in the approval for next year’s national budget.

“That’s why, we have the increase in growth rate for next year,” he added.

Meanwhile, in�lation is seen to end 2019 at 1.6 percent and 3 percent in 2020, which are both within the government’s 2-4 percent target band until 2021.

Rate of price increases has generally decelerated since peaking at 6.7 percent in September and October 2018.

Last October, in�lation decelerated further to 0.8 percent from month-ago’s 0.9 percent, bringing the average to date to 2.6 percent.

Helbling attributed the drop in in�lation rates to

lower oil prices, rice tarri�ication, and the decisive monetary policy response.

“We see the risks to the outlook as tilted to the downside mostly on account of higher external risks. The near-term rebound in GDP growth could be weaker than expected because of global trade tensions and weaker global economic growth uncertainty especially when it comes to global trade policies, a change in the global �inancial conditions and natural disasters,” he said.

Upside risks, in turn, include structural reform progress and infrastructure spending is seen as a plus to growth.

Helbling said discussions with Philippine of�icials focused on how to sustain domestic growth based on the economy’s potential, how to meet in�lation target, how to address �inancial security risks and the structural

NEDA, P9

IMF keeps 2019 GDP forecast for PH at 5.7%

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he International Monetary Fund (IMF) has maintained its 2019 growth forecast for the Philippines at 5.7 percent and raised its 2020 projection to 6.3 percent from 6.2 percent previously.

In a brie�ing Monday, Thomas Helbling, mission chief of the IMF Article IV Consultation to the Philippines from November 5-18, 2019, said they expect domestic growth to post stronger output after a slide in the �irst half of the year.

He attributed the better outlook to the combination of increased government spending on infrastructure projects, and the total of 75 basis points reduction in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key policy rates this year.

“The medium-term economic outlook remains favorable especially if the strong structural reform momentum continues,” he

said. “The Philippines remains one of the best-performing economies in the region.”

Helbling cited the “substantial” increase on government’s infrastructure investment from about 3 percent of GDP to about 5 percent in recent years.

“It is (a) welcome (development). I think what the Philippines needs is close the infrastructure gap. And the government probably has plans to further increase infrastructure expenditure,” he said.

Helbling said increasing infrastructure spending vis-à-vis the domestic output is generally a challenge for governments

Coca-Cola provides earthquake-hit Mindanao with clean drinking water

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ollowing the disastrous earthquakes that struck Mindanao, which left displaced residents without access to potable water, the Coca-Cola System in the Philippines immediately mobilized volunteers and resources to facilitate the donation of Wilkins™ water.

Through its nationwide network of 19 bottling plants, employee volunteers, and NGO partners such as the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Caritas Manila, and other organizations, the Coca-Cola System has thus far provided over 115,000 liters of Wilkins™ water to communities severely hit by the devastating earthquakes.

From day zero, Coca-Cola mobilized its resources to contribute to the relief efforts. Coca-Cola

Beverages Philippines, Inc. President and CEO Gareth McGeown, with CCBPI’s local Davao team, led the delivery of Wilkins™ water to the hardest-hit areas in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur; they were received by Magsaysay Mayor Arthur Davin.

Wilkins™ water was likewise distributed to Digos, Davao del Sur; and Tulunan, Kidapawan, Makilala, and Magpet, in Cotabato.

More Wilkins™ water— close to 34,560 liters—are on their way from nearby Coca-Cola bottling plants and distribution centers.

The Coca-Cola System is also working with the Tagum City Council of Women Foundation Inc. on the deployment of Coca-Cola’s SETA machine—a mobile water plant that treats water to make it clean and potable—in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

around the globe since they face capacity constraints along the way in terms of project appraisal and implementation.

He thus cited the need “to be pragmatic and (to) use the tools you have…to increase capacity.”

Citing the latest IMF assessment on the country’s public management, Helbling said results of the assessment showed that “the basic framework for the Philippines is good” although there “few areas that could be strengthened, including project appraisal”.

“But in our experience, these are issues all countries face. These are often big projects, multidimensional in terms of challenges ranging from land, technical feasibility, and so on,” he added.

Helbling also underscored the change in the list of infrastructure projects that the government considers as priorities are “in some ways speaks

for the strength of the approach because I think projects that may not be feasible for economic and technical reasons have been dropped”.

“We think that that is fundamental strength,” he added.

Helbling said they have included in their fullyear growth forecast the assessment for the third quarter, wherein growth recovered and posted an output of 6.2 percent.

The third-quarter �igure brought GDP of the last nine months to 5.8 percent, slightly below the government’s full-year target of 6-7 percent.

GDP only expanded by 5.6 percent and 5.5 percent in the �irst and second quarters this year. Authorities attributed the lower �irst-quarter growth to the impact of the delay in the approval of this year’s national budget.

IMF Country Representative to the Philippines Yongzheng Yang told

IMF, P9

President and CEO Gareth McGeown with CCBPI’s local Davao team led the delivery of Wilkins™ water to hardest-hit areas in Mindanao.

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EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5 PAL says on-time flights a record high in October

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Construction workers work on the metal structure of the new Agdao Public Market building in Brgy. Agdao, Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr

PRRD: Drilon doesn’t know how to count P resident Rodrigo Duterte has hit back at Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon's comment that the administration's �lagship "Build, Build, Build" infrastructure program is a "dismal failure," saying that the opposition lawmaker "doesn't know how to count."

"Of course not! You can see for yourself. Ilang airport. You travel around, look at Luzon. Look at the stretch," the President said in an interview.

Duterte went on to decry "statements that are out of tune."

"Hindi mo pa pinagawa, sinasabi nang may corruption diyan, eh di huwag na lang," he said.

"Hindi niya tinitignan.

He doesn’t really know how to count. If his statement is just a delusion, wala man

tayong magawa. Libre 'yan eh. People judge best when they condemn," he added.

Drilon last week called the "Build, Build, Build" program a "dismal failure" after learning that only nine of the original 75 projects are underway halfway through Duterte's term.

“We only have two years and a half left in this administration. I don’t think any substantial progress insofar as that program is concerned will be achieve.

I repeat, the execution is

simply dismal,” he added.

In 2016, the Duterte administration announced that it would allot P8.2 trillion to fund the program, which would usher in a "golden age of infrastructure" in the country.

Earlier this month, however, the National Economic and Development Authority announced adjustments made to the �lagship program, including the shrinking of the funding by almost half to P4.7 trillion.

Several smaller projects were also added to the list, bringing the number up to 100 after some of the big-ticket projects had to be scrapped.

Drilon called the revised list a "cosmetic" move and said that some of the projects that had been added to the list were already ongoing. "[I]sinama doon sa �lagship projects para

sabihin siguro at the end of this administration, they can claim na out of 100 �lagship projects, so many were done, so they will get good grades," he said.

No to emergency powers Drilon also objected to a bill �iled to grant Duterte special powers to fast-track Build, Build, Build.

“You do not need emergency powers to make sure that you spend your money on time," he said.

Duterte himself said he does not think that granting him emergency powers would speed up the projects.

"Kung mag duda kayo na mag corrupt ako, bakit mo pa ako bigyan ng pera?

Especially emergency powers? You can buy anything without a bidding? Ah, that is really rich for corruption," he said.

day extension after the Trump administration initially planned a shortterm two-week reprieve, but ran into bureaucratic issues and opted instead to issue another 90-day extension.

"The Temporary General License extension will allow carriers to continue to service customers in some of the most remote areas of the United States who would otherwise be left in the dark,” said US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in a statement.

"The Department will continue to rigorously monitor sensitive technology exports to ensure that our innovations are not harnessed by those who would threaten our national security."

The US Commerce

Department added Huawei to its "Entity List" in May after it concluded the company is engaged in activities "contrary to US national security or foreign policy interests."

Huawei said Monday the extension "won't have a substantial impact on Huawei's business either way. This decision does not change the fact that Huawei continues to be treated unfairly either."

The company argues the decision to "add Huawei to the Entity List has caused more harm to the US than to Huawei. This has done signi�icant economic harm to the American companies with which Huawei does business."

In May, President Donald Trump also signed an executive order declaring

a national emergency and barring US companies from using telecommunications equipment made by companies posing a national security risk. The Commerce Department was directed to draw up an enforcement plan by mid-October but has yet to publish one.

The Commerce Department is also considering whether to grant individual licenses for US �irms to sell components to Huawei after receiving more than 200 requests.

No action on those was taken on Monday.

The development comes amid discussions between the United States and China aimed at coming to an initial agreement to resolve a trade war that has lasted for over a year.

US grants Huawei new 90-day license extension

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he Trump administration on Monday issued a new 90-day extension allowing US companies to continue doing business with China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd as US regulators continue crafting rules on telecommunications �irms that pose national security risks.

After adding Huawei to an economic blacklist in May citing national security concerns, the US Commerce Department has allowed it to purchase some American-made goods in a series of 90-day license extensions that it says aim to minimize disruption for its customers, many of which operate networks in rural America.

Reuters on Sunday reported the planned 90-

hilippine Airlines (PAL) has registered a record high on-time �lgiht performance in October, lifting its year-todate record to top Filipino carriers �lying out of Manila, the �lag carrier said late Monday.

It achieved a 92% ontime �lights in October 2019, covering both international and domestic �lights, the airline said in a state OTP takes into consideration the number of departures and arrivals made within 15 minutes of schedule, including canceled �lights.

In September, PAL notched an 89% OTP on the heels of 82% in August and 80% in July, all 7 percentage points higher than its closest competitors, the airline said.

“Over the entire year, month by month, the PAL Group consistently maintained a lead of �ive to 15 percentage points in on-time departures from the Manila hub, including �lights operated by PAL Express,” the carrier said.

“PAL’s surge in OTP since July is the result of concerted initiatives

by PAL and PAL Express network and operations teams to achieve more ef�icient aircraft movement and schedule management, pre-�light passenger and ground handling processes, post-�light evaluation designed to re�ine and improve all action steps, and closer coordination with the airport and aviation authorities,” it added.

PAL and other Philippine carriers committed to regulators in July to improve OTP through �light operations management and airport slots usage.

“The combined efforts of the authorities and the airlines were instrumental in signi�icantly improving the reliability of airline operations at the NAIA, which is the hub of various Philippine carriers,” it said.

According to PAL, it operates the largest international airline hub at the NAIA complex with �lights out of NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3.

CREATIVE EXCELLENCE. YouTube awards BDO with the Crystal Award in the Multi-video Storytelling category for its Kwentong Kabayan video series and a Bronze Award in the Financial Institutions and Services category for “Europe,” one of three videos in the winning series.

YouTube awards BDO Kwentong Kabayan videos

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DO Unibank, Inc. became the only bank to be recognized for its creative excellence during the 2019 YouTube Ads Awards.

The bank was conferred with a coveted Crystal Award in the Multi-video Storytelling category for its Kwentong Kabayan video series and a Bronze Award in the Financial Institutions and Services category for “Europe,” one of three videos in the winning series.

Launched in 2018, the Kwentong Kabayan series was produced by BDO together with creative agency Hemisphere-Leo Burnett and production house Film Pabrika.

It depicts the real life experiences of overseas Filipinos who take on unique jobs to provide for their families. “Middle East” documents a father’s journey as he traverses dangerous zones to deliver water from one location to another; “Japan” shows how a young Filipina takes on the role of a tokushu seiso, a person hired to clean-up the belongings of someone who dies alone; while “Europe”

tells the story of a father who performs in a nightclub as a celebrated drag queen.

The YouTube Ads Awards recognizes “outstanding campaigns that demonstrate the power of innovative and creative story telling” on the video-sharing website.

“The Kwentong Kabayan series is our way of paying tribute to overseas Filipinos and their hard work, self-sacri�ice, and incredible love for family.

As their bank partner, we know �irst-hand that there is nothing they wouldn’t do just to care for their loved ones back at home,” said Geneva Gloria, senior vice president and head of BDO Remit. “Through our remittance services, it is our honor to play a role in their life stories.”

BDO created the BDO Kabayan Savings Accounts to bridge overseas Filipinos and their bene�iciaries. Overseas Filipinos can make their remittances in the bank’s full-service branches in Hong Kong and Singapore as well as 20 remittance and representative of�ices in

YOUTUBE, P9

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 181 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019

EDITORIAL Ineptitude cannot be concealed wants Leni out of law enforcement matters when it comes to the government’s war on drugs despite her designation as co-chair of the government’s anti-drug body.

In the mind of PNP Police Of�icer-in-Charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, Leni should focus instead on improving the advocacy and rehabilitation clusters of her committee, and leave the campaign’s law enforcement side to relevant agencies such as the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

When Leni accepted the job, it was expected that she has at least a plan of action as she has been harping against the bloody drug war long before she got the job.

Either she really didn’t have any alternative action in mind or she is just plain naive.

If she wants to take her sweet time, the government will have to kiss the anti-illegal drugs campaign goodbye. In this war, every minute matters. Drug deals are made every minute.

And the longer Leni tries to camou�lage her ineptitude, the more lives will be destroyed by drugs.

Vice President Leni Robredo appears to be a wide-eyed curious cat wandering about a kitchen and not knowing what to eat.

That’s what happens when you move into a job without a perceived plan of action. Barely a month into her new assignment, the newly-designated drug czar wants to dip her �inger into just about everything but clearly didn’t know where to start.

Leni is like a 100-meter dash runner participating in a race who doesn’t know where the �inish line is. She just hopped into the starting blocks, looked around the other runners and when the gun barked, was stalled there at the blocks.

Forgive this early appraisal but when a person who did a lot of talking against one thing gets the chance to do the job himself and could not show he knows how to �ix is far worse than a fool.

It’s like having a plumber advertise his skill and when hired to �ix a leaking pipe, came to the jobsite without any tools. The problem is, she wants to get into the house and check everything not just the kitchen sink.

That’s why you can’t blame the Philippine National Police if it

EDGEDAVAO

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VANTAGE POINTS

7

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

2019 BINHI AWARDS TO BE LAUNCHED “The Philippines is an agricultural country, with two-thirds of its population involved directly and indirectly in agriculture,” said Senator Cynthia A. Villar during the Binhi Awards some years back. “As such, we cannot overemphasize the important contribution of the sector in national growth and development.”

The Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc. (PAJ) is very much aware of this fact. So much so that the organization was founded on September 10, 1976 with a mission of promoting agricultural development in the country through media advocacy and excellence in journalism.

Next to the National Press Club, PAJ is the longest surviving national association of media practitioners and development communicators in the country today. As Cora Abio wrote in a Binhi awards souvenir program: “(PAJ) has evolved into a dynamic organization and presently has more than 177 active members and backed up by four regional chapters, sharing common passion for excellence in agricultural journalism as a big leap towards elimination of biases against the agriculture sector.”

It was the multi-awarded journalist Dr. Zosimo Ma. Poblico who suggested the name. Patterned after the now defunct Asian Agricultural Journalism and Writers Association, it’s a precur-

sor of the Philippine Association of Agricultural Writers which was organized earlier in 1976.

In 1987, PAJ recognized excellent works in agricultural journalism through the annual Binhi Awards. Environmental reports, mostly related to agriculture, have been included in the search years later.

In recent years, the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) – involved in agriculture through various ventures in its 130-year history – has been supporting the Binhi Awards.

Through the years, PAJ has opened camaraderie and strengthen the natural ties and independence among agricultural journalists and writers. It also paved way for these people to gain respect and trusts from research institutions, agricultural colleges and universities, industry associations, non-government organizations and government entities.

In the past, only those involved in tri-media (print, television and radio) were included in the contest. But in 2016, it was opened to online journalists. Climate change reporting was also included in the regular categories.

This year, a special award is given on the best “water sustainability” story.

This year, Agriculture Secretary William Dar is af�irming his support to the Binhi Awards to further promote excellence in

agricultural reporting in the Philippines in line with his “Masaganang Ani at Malaking Kita New Thinking in Agriculture” program.

In a press release obtained by this columnist, it said: “Secretary Dar made the assurance during an interaction and call by the of�icers and directors of the Philippine Agricultural Journalists Inc. (PAJ) led by its president veteran journalist, educator and author Alfred Gabot and vice presidents Noel Reyes and Fermin Diaz at his of�ice at the Department of Agriculture and past president Roman Floresca.”

Below is the continuation of the press release: Over the past years, Secretary Dar, an ardent advocate of research and communications in agriculture, has been supporting the PAJ while in various capacities in government, academe and the private sector.

The PAJ, which is the nation’s organization of agricultural editors, writers, broadcasters and communicators, will celebrate its 44th year with the presentation of the PAJ SMC Binhi Awards as part of the Farmers and Fishermen’s Month celebration led by Secretary Dar and the DA in May 2020.

Secretary Dar will lead the launching of the start of acceptance of contestants of the 2019 Binhi Awards on November 26, at 3 p.m., at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) auditorium at the Elliptical Circle

corner Visayas Avenue in Quezon City.

The launching ceremonies is part of the celebration of PAJ as an active member of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), the global organization of agricultural writers, educators and communications people with over 70 member countries.

San Miguel Corporation president and chief operations of�icer Ramon S. Ang, who is the Binhi Awards partner of the PAJ for years now, will be invited to talk on new promising frontiers in agri-business.

Others to be invited are Monetary Board Member Bruce Tolentino who will talk on the New Media and Agriculture and Chairman Henry Lim Bon Liong of SL Agritech on hybrid rice production.

Also to be invited are other PAJ supporters and sponsors of the annual agricultural journalism contest.

Roman Floresca, PAJ past president and this year’s Binhi Awards Chairman, said the 2019 PAJ SMC Binhi Awards will be expanded to include budding agricultural writers, researchers and communicators in colleges, universities and high schools. The PAJ will tap the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education (DepED) to co-spearhead the youth awards.

Secretary Dar lauded the

PAJ for including the youth in the awards as this supports the DA program to encourage the youth to be active in agriculture and take over eventually from the country’s aging farmers and �ishers.

He renewed his call for the youngsters in schools and out of school to engage in new thinking in agriculture that ensures bigger harvest and higher income through various programs, support and projects of the DA and its agencies.

Farm tourism reporting will also be included in this year’s awards, said PAJ President Alfred Gabot, who sits in the IFAJ Executive Council representing the PAJ. Revitalization of agricultural reporting is spearheaded by the PAJ and supported by the National Press Club led by its president Rolando Gonzalo, who is PAJ public relations of�icer for broadcast; the Philippine Rural Broadcasters Federation led by Dr. Rogelio Matalang, a member of the PAJ Board of Directors; the different PAJ chapters in Northern Luzon, Pangasinan, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Visayas and Mindanao, among others.

Other PAJ of�icers are Inez Magbual, treasurer; Ruby Lumongsod, secretary; Aileen Garcia, asst. secretary; Michael Alunan, PRO for print; Thelma Tolentino, auditor; Johnny Goluyogo, Melly Tenorio, Charisma Love Gado Gonzales, and Dr. Rex Navarro.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

CHARLES F. CLAGG, LORD OF THE FLIES His name may not a ring a bill but Charles F. Clagg, an American entomologist (an expert in insects) who made scienti�ic researches about crane �lies, was instrumental in putting on the world map what is now known as Davao Occidental, especially the town of Don Marcelino.

Clagg explored the Lalun mountains in the village of Calian, Don Marcelino, where he lived with the Manobos, who helped him discover new species of �lies and other insects. While there, he built his own shack at high altitude using only local materials, such as leaves from orchids and wild bananas, and fronds from giant tree ferns, and surviving the way the natives did.

Born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA, in 1904, Clagg earned a degree in Bachelor of Science from the Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1927. He tried taking graduate studies but failed to �inish it; nevertheless, his school records register him as a graduate student.

Clagg’s affair with �lies in the Philippines started in 1930.

Starting June that year, with the advice of American friends living near the gulf of Davao and with the help of natives as guides, he braved the unexplored forests of Lalun mountains and started gathering crane �ly specimens

in and around Mt. Apo, especially in the Lawa and Calian river valleys, now part of the own of Don Marcelino. Crane �lies are colloquially known as mosquito hawks or daddy longlegs.

Clagg’s choice of Calian and the hills adjacent to it as center of activity could have been due to the region’s distinction as home to American-owned hemp and coconut plantations. The following year, he explored the eastern peninsula of the town, again entering uncharted territories only familiar to Manobos. After his stint in Davao Occidental, he continued working as an entomologist in the U.S. Navy, with Paci�ic region as his base.

Among the �ly species Clagg collected and contributed to insect science are the Scamboneura minndanaoensis sp. nov.; Scamboneura davaoensis; synchaeta; Limonia (Limonia) pronotalis; Limonia cynnotis; Limonia (Limonia) prolixicornis sp. nov.; Limonia (Limonia) pilosicaudata; Limonia (Limonia) calianensis; and Limonia Limonia (Limonia) claggi sp. nov; Bellula sp. nov.

Scamboneura (Limonia) minndanaoensis, Scamboneura (Limonia) davaoensis, and Limonia (Limonia) calianensis are named in honor of Mindanao, Davao, and Calian, respectively.

In his memoirs, partly scrib-

bled on surviving pictures, Clagg, after whom the Limonia (Limonia) claggi was named, wrote about the Manobos trading native onions for soap, the wild strawberries of Calian that were better tasting than those being grown in his native state of Kansas, and the highly valued brass and copper ring bracelets and anklets the natives used.

Clagg also had the opportunity to meet American expatriates, particularly brothers Henry and George Pahl, who owned a coconut plantation. Here he observed farm laborers harvesting coconuts, stripping hemp �iber from abaca, trading with the Manobos, and seeing �irst-hand the indigenous horse-�ighting. He even wrote an eyewitness account of the animal courtship game.

In the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute, Clagg’s collection is even more extensive. Among the specimens attributed to him are the Pseudolimnophila legitima Alexander; Gnophomyia apoensis; Eriocera (Eriocera) vittula Alexander; Limonia (Limonia) patula Alexander; Trentepohlia (Mongoma) aequialba Alexander; Epiphragma (Polyphragma) apoensis Alexander; Gonomyia (Gonomyia) nebulicola Alexander; Trentepohlia (Mongoma) aequinigra Alexander; Taiwanina

mindanica Alexander; Epiphragma (Polyphragma) griseicapilla Alexander; Limonia (Libnotes) quadriplagiata Alexander; Helius (Helius) apoensis Alexander; Epiphragma (Polyphragma) hastata Alexander; Limonia (Libnotes) henrici Alexander; Toxorhina (Toxorhina) tuberculata Alexander; Gnophomyia obesula Alexander; Limonia (Laosa) manobo Alexander; Hexatoma (Eriocera) apoensis Alexander; Trentepohlia (Paramongoma) chionopoda Alexander; Epiphragma (Polyphragma) latitergata Alexander; Limnophila (Limnophila) bituminosa Alexander; Trentepohlia (Mongoma) teneroides Alexander; Limonia (Limonia) desiderata Alexander; Epiphragma (Epiphragma) distivena Alexander; Limonia (Limonia) bagobo Alexander; Atarba (Atarbodes) apoensis Alexander; Adelphomyia apoana Alexander; Limnophila (Limnophila) petulans Alexander; Eriocera nigronotata Alexander; Trentepohlia (Anchimongoma) apoicola Alexander; Limonia (Pseudoglochina) bilatior Alexander; Trentepohlia (Trentepohlia) laetipennis Alexander; Orimarga (Orimarga) quadrilobata Alexander; Erioptera (Erioptera) alta Alexander; Epiphragma (Polyphragma) angusticrenula

Alexander; Teucholabis (Teucholabis) rutilans Alexander; Pseudolimnophila auripes Alexander; Limonia (Libnotes) astuta Alexander; Trentepohlia (Mongoma) majuscula Alexander; Limonia (Alexandriaria) tecta Alexander; Trentepohlia (Paramongoma) luteola Alexander; Epiphragma (Polyphragma) caninota Alexander; Epiphragma (Polyphragma) nigrotibiata Alexander; Ula mindanica Alexander; Limonia (Euglochina) captiosa Alexander; Limonia (Limonia) bilan Alexander; Limonia (Dicranomyia) moronis Alexander; Limonia (Dicranomyia) punctulatoides Alexander; Thaumastoptera (Thaumastoptera) maculivena Alexander; Limonia (Limonia) capella Alexander; Pilaria leucopoda Alexander; Erioptera (Psiloconopa) apoensis; Pseudolimnophila illegitima Alexander; Helius (Eurhamphidia) glabristylatus Alexander; Limonia (Limonia) subprolixa Alexander; Adelphomyia paucisetosa Alexander; Trentepohlia (Mongoma) fulvinota Alexander; Limonia (Limonia) atroaurata Alexander; Helius (Helius) procerus Alexander; Eriocera (Eriocera) dignitosa Alexander; Helius (Eurhamphidia) ata Alexander; and Limonia (Dicranomyia) orthioides Alexander.

8 BIGGER PICTURE EDGEDAVAO

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GOLDEN HARVEST

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

I

n the 12th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards last year, I wasn’t able to attend the awarding ceremony since I was in the United States when it happened. I was in Deltona, Florida when I received a text message inviting me to attend the ceremony.

So, I asked out EDGE Editor, Antonio M. Ajero, to attend in my behalf, which he did. My feature, “The grass that feeds Filipinos,” was adjudged Agriculture Story of the Year.

It was my third award from the same award-giving body.

Last October, I received another text message if I can attend the awarding ceremony of the 13th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards. I immediately replied I would attend. As in the previous winnings, I never knew which of my agricultural stories won the coveted award.

I was thinking of three features. The �irst one was my story on Sustainable Agroforest Land Technology (SALT 3), a farming system developed by the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) for a land area of two hectares.

One hectare is planted to agricultural crops while the other hectare is allotted to forestry.

Actually, it is a modi�ication of the original Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT 1), which earned its developer, American agriculturist Harold Ray Watson, the 1985 Ramon Magsaysay Award for peace and international understanding. SALT 2 refers to Small Agro-Livestock Technology, where 12 does and 1 buck are raised together in half-a-hectare farm.

All the winners

The second feature was Food Always In The Home (FAITH), a vegetable gardening system which is touted to be the “refrigerator in the farm.”

In a 100-square-meter garden, a family of six members can be supplied with vegetables throughout the year.

The main component of the FAITH garden, which MBRLC also developed, are the basket and trench compost. Instead of waiting the usual three months for the organic garbage to be transformed into as fertilizer, they can immediately be used by vegetables as they are planted just outside the basket or trench composts.

However, the third feature, “Coconut: Major Export of Filipino Farmers,” got me the award. I wrote the story because coconut industry supports the livelihood of over a third of the Filipino population.

The price of copra, the main export product, was going down. Farmers were asking the government to raise the price but the government can’t do so as it is the world market that dictates the price.

Because of this, I tried to �ind ways how can the coconut farmers improved their standard of living. With a compendium of coconut livelihood opportunities from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), I found out that there are possible other exports that coconut farmers can engage with.

In the �irst part, I discussed the buko juice as it is a very popular drink in the United States. The former agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol also promoted it during the

Henrylito Tacio and his trophy Palarong Pambansa that was held in Davao City.

The second part highlighted coco sugar, which is good for diabetics. Benjamin Lao, of barangay Eman in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, is one of the most successful farmers who adopted the technology of producing coco sugar. In fact, he is now exporting the product to other countries.

The third part talked about the virgin coconut oil, which has been promoted as not just healthy but also can cure some diseases. In fact, VCO can

be used as adjuvant treatment for cancer, as reported by a press release circulated by Growth Publishing.

The last part was about coconut vinegar. Vinegar became the talk of town when DOST scientists revealed that eight out of ten vinegar sold in the market used chemicals derived from petroleum-based sources.

The said series was chosen as Best Agriculture Feature Story under the regional category as it was published in a provincial newspaper, Edge Davao.

The winner of the Best Agriculture News Story (Regional) was Ofelia Empian for “Veggie Farmers Learn Ways to Mitigate Frost,” which appeared in Baguio Midland Courier.

Three leading newspapers managed to win awards. Business Mirror, a consistent winner, won three awards: Best Tobacco Story of the Year for “Tax Thrust Threatens Tobacco Tillers’ Take” by Jasper Arcelas and Elijah Felice Rosales; Best Tobacco Photo of the Year for “Golden Leaves” by Laila Austria; and Best

Agriculture Feature Story (National) for Jonathan Mayuga.

Philippine Daily Inquirer also won three awards: Agriculture Story of the Year for “Farm Tourism Grows in Leyte Village” by Joey Gabieta; Agricultural Photo of the Year for “Salt harvest” by Willie Lomibao; and Best Agricultural News Story (National) for “In Nueva Ecija, Farmers Keep Their Chill Even as El Nino Scorches” by Karl Angelica R. Ocampo.

Philippine Star settled for the newest category.

Louise Maureen Simeon won the Best Story in Tobacco Product Alternatives for her feature, “Smoke Free Puf�ing in the Philippines Soon? Philip Morris to Sell Heat-NotBurn.”

Other winners were: Best Television Program or Segment to GMA Network’s “Drought in Numbers, Farmers Farming No More,” produced by Amielle Ordonez; Best Radio Program or Segment to Sheila Tubalinal of DZMM 630kHZ for her episode “”Sa Kabukiran,” and Best Online Story to Jessica Bartolome and Donabel Magsino for their feature, “A Very Long Summer,” which appeared in GMA News Online.

There were two recipients of the Oriental Leaf Award: Ian Ocampo Flora of SunStar Pampanga and Karren M. Verona of “Agri

GOLDEN HARVEST, P10

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VOL.12 ISSUE 181 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

DARREN ESPANTO PERFORMS IN A CONCERT FOR A CAUSE AT ABREEZA

DARREN ESPANTO joined Ayala Malls Abreeza in inspiring a spirit of generosity at his recent Christmas concert in Davao.

Held on November 16, Darren’s show was a concert for the benefit of Mindanaoans who suffered the devastation of the recent earthquakes. Shoppers who made a P100 donation to the Ayala Foundation got to join the audience at Abreeza’s Activity Center, where the teen singing sensation unleashed his renditions of popular Christmas songs, his own Christmas single “Pasko Na,” and his hit cover of “Dying Inside to Hold You” by Timmy Thomas.

The Christmas concert is one of many ways Ayala Malls Abreeza awakens the season of gifts and giving with programs that inspire generosity. The Main Concierge at the GF continues to accept donations for earthquake victims, and other similar programs will be rolled out within the season. In keeping with the theme, this year’s Christmas décor designed by T’nalak Home uses a gift motif and serves to remind shoppers of the value of giving.

Another pre-Christmas spectacle that’s sure to warm shoppers’ hearts is the Festi-

Darren Espanto’s concert is for the benefit of Mindanaoan earthquake victims. val of Lights. The well-loved Christmas light show that has made Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati a must-visit every holiday season heads to Davao for the first time with a run at Abreeza’s 3F Roof Garden beginning November 20 at 6pm until January 6. This spectacular show of sights and sounds makes its way exclusively to Ayala Land estates nationwide every holiday season.

Darren Espanto thanked shoppers for their generosity at his concert for a cause.

For shoppers who want to get a headstart on gift-shopping for their loved ones, Abreeza’s mall-wide Paint the Town Red Pre-Christmas Sale is ongoing until November 24.

Thrills and deals also await customers who shop or watch movies at Abreeza from November 15 to December 15 with The Great Christmas Dash, a series of pre-Christmas giveaways. With Noche Buena Bonanza, shoppers who present two same-day cinema tickets at the Main Concierge get the chance to be among five winners of P10,000-worth Robinsons Supermarket gift certificates. With 1-Minute Gift Grab, shoppers who present P1,000worth same-day receipts from any Abreeza store, Robinsons Department Store, or Robinsons Supermarket at the Main Concierge get the chance to be among five winners of oneminute gift-shopping sprees at Robinsons Department Store worth up to P30,000 each.

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

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EVENT

A BOLD AND BRIGH CHRISTMAS AT THE SPARKLING lights and yuletide carols marked the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year: Christmas. Last November 13, the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao ushered in the festive season and made all things ‘Bold and Bright’ for the holidays.

The evening started with a

WATERFRON

short program at the hotel’s lobby where a 15-foot Christmas tree shone brightly like a holiday beacon. Harkening back to the place where Jesus Christ was born, the tree was festooned with over 50 colorful Moroccan lamps with matching holiday ornaments all over its pine boughs.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by the enchanting Voices of the South who gave wonderful renditions of Filipino and foreign Christmas carols.

The launch highlighted a curtain reveal of the tree and celebratory toast led by the Hotel Manager Bryan Yves Lasala, Sales and Marketing Manager Jennifer Romero and Waterfront Hotels and Casinos’ Group Marketing Communications Manager Rossana Unson, the hotel’s Department Heads and Sales and Marketing. Joining them were guests of honor: Hon. Ralph Abella, City Councilor; Ms. Regina Rosa Tecson, Officer-in-Charge of the City Tourism Operations Office; and Ms. Elinor Marcelino, President of the Davao Events Suppliers Association.

“More than merrymaking, at Christmas we take a moment to make room for a cause and

dedicate the season for children with cancer,” Bryan shared during his welcome address. “On behalf of Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao and the House of Hope Foundation, our partner for 12 heartwarming years, I

invite you to join us on the 26th of November for a fundraising gala titled “HOPE: The Heart of Christmas”. With this initiative, we aim to raise funds for their constant treatment and help them live for many more Christ-

mases Gue evenin and m and V Antho spread

EDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

‘SILA SILA’ , ‘METAMORPHOSIS’ RECEIVE TOP HONORS AT CINEMA ONE ORIGINALS 2019 Giancarlo Abrahan’s gay rom-com “Sila Sila” was named Best Picture, while J.E. Tiglao’s feature debut “Metamorphosis” also emerged triumphant with five awards in this year’s Cinema One Originals film festival held last November at the Dolphy Theater.

Best Picture “Sila Sila” established Giancarlo as a force to reckon with, since he had already placed first in the 2017 edition of the film fest for his sophomore film “Paki.”

“I dedicate this award to the entire spectrum in the LGBT community. . . . Nandito kaming lahat ngayon nakatayo sa harap ninyo, baklang direktor, baklang manunulat, at baklang mga aktor (We’re all here standing in front of you—a gay director, a gay screenwriter, and gay actors). We are seen,” said Giancarlo in his acceptance speech.

Aside from receiving the top award, “Sila Sila” also won Audience Choice and Best Screenplay for Daniel Saniana, while Topper Fabregas was named as Best Supporting Actor for his role in the contemporary flick which won a total of four recognition.

On the other hand, the coming-of-age drama about an intersex person, “Metamorphosis,” secured the Best Actor award for protagonist Gold Aceron, Best

GHT HE

NT

s to come.“ ests were treated to an ng of holiday mingling merriment at the Vinta Bar Vinta Bar Patio where Chef ony “Nino” Ante’s cocktail d offered some hotel-made

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Best Supporting Actor Topper Fabregas with ‘Sila Sila’ director Giancarlo Abrahan, screenwriter Daniel Saniana and Gio Gahol.

Gold Aceron wins Best Actor for ‘Metamorphosis’ at the 2019 Cinema One Originals 2019.

Supporting Actress award for Iana Bernardez, and Best Director award for Tiglao. It also won Best Sound for Immanuel Verona and Vince Banta as well as the Best Cinematography award for Tey Clamor, who shared the recognition with “Tia Madre’s” Carlos Mauricio.

Meanwhile, Victor Villanueva’s “Lucid,” which

UP AND ABOUT

EARLY HOLIDAY FEASTS IN THE SM FOOD HALL

seasonal delights.

While Christmas at Waterfront is as bold and bright as it can get, it is its warm hospitality that beckons guests to enjoy the comforts of the season where it truly feels like home.

The SM Lanang Premier Food Hall is bringing the holiday cheers early with exciting food surprises this November.

Hangout with your friends and chill out with Juice Co. The juice bar offers 16 refreshing fruit juices and yogurt drinks to-go—all made from fresh Davao fruits. Enjoy a free classic 12 oz juice for every three large premium juice purchase.

Get your caffeine fix in Club Coffee with your bestie; enjoy signature 12 oz frappes with their buy one, get one promo.

Diners also get surprises big and small from seafood restaurant La-Ku-Sea-Na, Filipino specialties from JG SALO, fried delights from The Kitchn, and sweet Korean treats from Noonsaram.

Find the things you crave and make every meal a celebration in the SM Lanang Premier Food Hall. Follow @smlanangpremier for more exciting food news.

delved into the lucid dreaming phenomenon, also reaped three awards, consisting of the Best Actress distinction for Alessandra de Rossi, Best Editing for Benjamin Tolentino, and Best Music for Emerzon Texon, which Kevin Dayrit of the film “O” also won.

Finally, Dustin Celestino’s “Utopia” took home

the Best Production Design award, as well as the Jury Prize.

This year’s awards jury included Lav Diaz, Paulo Avelino, Sari Dalena, Emil Hofileña, and Sungho Park.

For 15 years, Cinema One Originals has been producing breakthrough films with thought-provoking contents for the Filipino audience.

Throughout these years, its purpose has always been to provide filmmakers, first-timers and otherwise, a platform to fully realize their visions.

The 2019 Cinema One Originals runs until Sunday. For more updates, visit @CinemaOneOriginals (FB), @c1origs (Twitter) and @c1originals (IG) for more updates. #C1ORIGINALS #IAMORIGINAL.

NOT DONE YET A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO Mats College of Technol- by JMC Kings (2-0), Asian ogy (MCT) Navigators at International School of 6:00 pm.

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

Saturday's quadruple header sponsored by The

EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO A4 INdulge!

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EDGEDAVAO

Collegiate Sponsors League (CSL) Escandor Cup resumes at the Davao City Recreation Center. Escandor Cup/CSL photo VOL.11 VOL.12 ISSUE 241 ISSUE • SUNDAY-MONDAY, 6VOL.12 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 24-25, 17-18, ISSUE 51 •FEBRUARY TUESDAY, 21,2019 2019 VOL.12 ISSUE 45 • SUNDAYMONDAY, MAYMAY 12 -13,

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A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

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

UP AND FURNITURE A1 ABOUTa silly method but for EJ and

EDGEDAVAO 9

VOL.12 ISSUE 181 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019

UPGRADE... FROM1 In engineering, loads (dead, live, and wind) are major considerations in any building design and based on the National Building Code of the Philippines, the live load refers to loads that do, or can, change over time, such as people walking around a building (occupancy) or movable objects such as furniture and are variable as they depend on usage and capacity; wind load is the

“load” placed by the wind speed and its air density onto a building and the dead load is the vertical load due to the weight of permanent structural and non-structural components and attachments of a building such as walls, �loors, ceilings, partitions, among others.

In the wake of the recent earthquakes, Davao's business sector has urged for the re-assessment of the National Building

Code of the Philippines.

Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc (DCCCII) president Arturo Milan believed that even the construction methodology and structural designs must be reviewed.

“We need really to look at that seriously and the structural designs because most of those that went in to “mata-mata” lang are those structures that were heavily affected,” he said.

schools.

For her part, DepEd assistant regional director Dr. Maria Ines Asuncion announced classes in Davao City have returned to normalcy. She also

mentioned that buildings in Sta. Ana National High School are safe. She added that in Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School (DRANHS) it was an old building that they already

condemned and is about to be demolished that was damaged.

“Luckily we do not have new buildings found condemnable due to the incident,” Asuncion said.

through recycling and mangrove propagation.

“The Plastic Smart Cities project is currently working in Davao Gulf – the 10th most productive �ishing ground in the Philippines – speci�ically in Davao City, IGACOS, Digos

City, Sta. Cruz, Tagum City, San Isidro, and Lupon.

We are also expanding to cities and tourist destinations in Manila, Donsol in Sorsogon, and Palawan,” she said.

Under the project, she said partner cities and

municipalities have committed at least 30 percent waste diversion through increased collection and segregation, recycling, reduction of plastic waste, and land�ill management.

(Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

search Institute.

Importante added that they are also inviting coop members, recipients of the Comprehensive Agrar-

ian Reform Program, academe, and farmers for them to be able to learn new technologies that they can adopt in order to

sustain production.

“Hindi po yung one time big time lang kumikita tapos in the future mawawala rin,” he said.

said PFF president Nonong Araneta in a separate statement.

He added that Younghusband’s “tremendous” contribution to Philippine football will never be forgotten.

“May his legacy continue to inspire the next crop of football players,” he said.

Since leaving Chelsea’s academy to venture into

the Philippine football scene, he and James both played for Mendiola, then known as San Beda FC, Meralco Manila, and Davao Aguilas.

After Davao disbanded after the 2018 Philippines Football League season, Phil remained a free agent although rumors surfaced about him taking his talents to Indonesia.

During free agency, he

married model Margaret Hall, and four months after they tied the knot, he decided to retire from the game.

Phil’s retirement leaves James Younghusband, who is currently playing for Ceres Negros, and David Basa, who is signed with Global Makati, as the only players from the Azkals’ 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup team still actively playing. (PNA)

calf injury.

Leonard, 28, is averaging 26.8 points, 8.9

rebounds and six assists through his �irst nine games with the Clippers.

Beverley, 31, is averaging seven points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

suggesting that he still has hopes of a 21st major title in 2020.

Dominic Thiem, who took a set off Nadal in the �inal of the French Open, moves up to number four after reaching the �inal of the ATP Finals where he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The 21-year-old Greek closes the year at number six, just behind Daniil Medvedev, after his triumph in London.

Former world number one Andy Murray began the year ranked at 240 and the prospect of retirement.

As he struggled with surgery on a hip injury and the subsequent recuperation he had slipped to 503 in September before

a dramatic return to the courts, which produced a remarkable victory at the European Open in Antwerp, lifted him to a yearend 126.

ATP year-end rankings as of November 18: 1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 9,985 pts 2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 9,145 3. Roger Federer (SUI) 6,590 4. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 5,825 (+1) 5. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 5,705 (-1) 6. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 5,300 7. Alexander Zverev (GER) 3,345 8. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 2,870

9. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2,540 10. Gaël Mon�ils (FRA) 2,530 11. David Gof�in (BEL) 2,335 12. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2,290 13. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 2,180 14. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2,125 15. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 2,050 16. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 2,000 17. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 1840 18. Alex De Minaur (AUS) 1775 19. John Isner (USA) 1770 20. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 1747

SOME SCHOOLS... FROM2 SAMAL ISLAND... FROM2

CONFERENCE... FROM3

PHIL... FROM11

INJURED... FROM11

NADAL... FROM11

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of

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

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

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

300... FROM3

viduals to evacuate, data showed.

The city government plans to buy 25 hectares as relocation sites for the families displaced by the quakes.

Bernalte said the city government plans to borrow P100 million from

the Land Bank of the Philippines to address the quakes’ impact.

Last week, the city council granted Mayor Joseph Evangelista the authority to negotiate a bank loan.

Of the P100 million, half will be allotted for the

reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructures, 25 percent for the purchase of the relocation sites and the rest for livelihood assistance to those who lost their jobs because of the quakes.

(Malu Cadelina-Manar / MindaNews)

reforms that will further enhance the expansion of domestic economy and reduce poverty.

He also cited the need for the BSP to be prepared for macroprudential pol-

icy responses if renewed high credit growth poses risk to systemic �inancial stability on account of expected improvement in domestic growth.

He added it is import-

ant to fasten the implementation of reforms like the rice tarif�ication, tax measures, national ID system, ease of doing business, and the BSP Charter amendments. (PNA)

The Bureau of Internal Revenue issued a circular

in 2017 taxing POGOs licensed by the Philippine

Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, bene�iciaries can claim remittances from over 1,100 BDO branches, more than 150 BDO Network Bank branches, and about 100 BDO Remit counters in SM Malls as well as 5,000 plus Cash Agad partner locations nationwide.

Cash Agad is a service that allows accountholders in areas where there are limited banks and ATMs to withdraw their cash or remittances conveniently.

Each Kwentong Kabayan video has been well-received online with

an outpouring of positive engagement on the BDO Kabayan Facebook page, which has over 360,000 followers consisting mostly of overseas Filipinos and their bene�iciaries. On the BDO Unibank YouTube channel, each video has already reached millions of views with “Middle East” getting 7.9 million views to date.

Earlier this year, the Kwentong Kabayan series was recognized with a Gold Award in the 2019 Kidlat Awards as well as a Gold in Best Production Design for the “Japan” video.

The second YouTube Ads Awards received more than 360 entries. Of this number, only 42 videos were selected to win Crystal, Silver, and Bronze Awards across 17 categories by the esteemed judging panel composed of advertising and marketing executives, �ilm and commercial directors, and entertainment personalities.

“We are thankful for this recognition but more so for the value it puts on the stories of our overseas Filipinos, whom we consider as our modern-day unsung heroes,” concluded Gloria.

IMF... FROM4

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Board chair Krip Yuson

GOLDEN HARVEST... FROM8

Tayo Dito” of ABS-CBN Davao. All two received the awards �ive times each.

The secretariat reportedly received 800 entries, of which 500 made it to the �inals. The panel of judges who selected the winners were: Dr. Isabelita Orlina Reyes, Francis Abraham, J. Albert Gamboa, Ralph Semino Galan, Edwin Sallan, Gabriel Fernandez, Rina Jimenez-David, Sev Sarmenta, Rem Zamora, and Jake Maderazo. Award-winning writer Alfred “Krip”Yuson served

as the Chairman of the Board of Judges.

In his speech, Yuson considered agriculture as “the backbone of our nation’s industry.” Addressing the winners, he said: “Your stories highlight the importance of scientific thinking and research in making sure that our farms and �isheries are able to withstand and survive during the harshest of weathers. Your showcase the resilience and survival instincts of the men and women who perform the

work necessary to keep the agriculture alive.”

Gracing the awarding ceremony was Denis Gorkun, president of the PMFTC, Inc., who delivered a thought-provoking speech focusing on “the importance of change and the media’s valuable contribution in raising awareness about the agricultural industry in the Philippines.”

He also talked about the PMFTC’s transformation as it aligns with the company’s bold vision to

design a smoke-free future.

“Around the world, we are building our future on smoke-free products that eliminate combustion, the primary cause of smoking-related health problems,” Gorkun said in his speech. “Trough multidisciplinary capabilities in agronomy, science and technology, we aim to ensure that our smoke-free products meet adult consumer preferences and rigorous regulatory requirements.”

PMFTC President Denis Gorkun

ERRATUM In the Oct. 29, Nov. 5 & 12, 2019 issues of Edge Davao, in the Notice of Extra-Judicial Sale filed by Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) against LEILA C. OROGO married to ROLINDO N. OROGO, with EJF-REM CASE NO. 17,567-19, the given name LIELA was erroneously printed as LEILA. Our apologies.

– The Editors.

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11

Phil hangs up his boots for good

O

Solido FC-JT Manukan Grill of Davao City inches closer to a finals berth after chalking up its fourth win in five matches.

Solido notches 4th win

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

M

ulti-titled Davao City club Solido FC blanked Cyrex United if Montevista 3-0 to notch its fourth win in the DavNor Kuya Gob Men’s Open Invitational Football League 2019 at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex on Sunday.

Amir Amaikurot opened up the scoring for Solido with a free kick in the 32nd minute. That 1-0

scoreline stood until the halftime whistle as both teams plugged their defensive lines well.

The team backed up

by JTs Manukan Grill then added another marker early in the second half after Arman Valencia found the back of the net with another free kick in the 54th.

Riding the momentum of a 2-nil lead, Solido made excellent touches before

Johnmark Diamat converted on a 25-yard volley in the 66th minute to put the match beyond recall. Solido then clamped down on defense the rest of the way to preserve the win.

Gregorio Zamora Jr. was named man of the match.

Solido now has four wins and 1 draw and will complete its schedule on Saturday, November 23. A

draw at least over Orlando FC of Tagum City will shove the Grillers to an encounter against the playoff winner between the second and third place teams on December 15.

The tournament is organized by the Davao del Norte RFA and the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte.

ne of the catalysts for the renaissance of Philippine football has called it quits.

Phil Younghusband, arguably the most decorated local footballer in recent history, announced his retirement from playing at age 32 on Monday night. “[I’m] hanging up my boots!” Younghusband said via his social media account.

Younghusband still played earlier this year for the national team during the AFC Asian Cup, the �irst time the team, known by the moniker Azkals , made the continental tournament.

Phil and older brother James were once members of Chelsea’s reserve team when a gamer’s discovery led to their being referred to the Philippine Football Federation.

Five years after their Azkals debut, the Younghusband brothers became key members of the national team that stunned Vietnam in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, eventually bringing the squad to its breakthrough semi�inal appearance.

The so-called “Miracle in Hanoi” paved the way for football to become more relevant among the basketball-crazy Filipinos, and the Azkals eventually became the top football team in Southeast Asia at some point.

Phil will retire with 52 international goals for the Azkals, the most by a Philippine national player.

“We thank Phil Younghusband for his storied career with the Philippine Men’s National Team,”

PHIL, P9

Injured Kawhi to miss 3rd straight game

K

awhi Leonard is absent for more than just load management this time.

The Los Angeles Clippers forward will miss a third straight game on Monday night when Los Angeles hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder. Leonard sustained a left knee contusion against the Houston Rockets last Wednesday.

He missed L.A.'s 132-127 road loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday and its 150-101 win against the visiting Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. After Monday, the Clippers' next game is at home against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

Paul George has �illed in admirably in Leonard's absence, scoring a combined

Nadal ends year as no. 1 for 5th time

R

afael Nadal was con�irmed as the yearend world number one for the �ifth time after the ATP released its season-closing rankings on Monday.

The Spaniard did not make it beyond the group stage of last week's ATP Finals in London but Novak Djokovic's failure to reach the semi-�inals meant Nadal closed the year with 9,985 points, 840 clear of the Serb.

Nadal draws level with rivals Djokovic and Roger Federer, who have also �inished the year in top spot �ive times, and moves one behind six-time endof-year number one Pete Sampras.

Nadal and Djokovic have been this year's two dominant players after

winning two Majors each.

Djokovic won the Australian Open and Wimbledon with Nadal cleaning up at Roland Garros and the US Open.

Federer ends the season at number three for the second year running.

The Swiss, who turned 38 in August, has cut down his Tour commitments to focus on events around Grand Slams.

He reached the semi-�inals of the French Open where he lost to Nadal and the last eight at Flushing Meadows where he lost in �ive sets to world number 20 Gregor Dimitrov.

In between he lost an epic Wimbledon �inal against Djokovic, the �irst to be decided by a tie-break in the �ifth set,

NADAL, P9

70 points in his �irst two games with the Clippers following offseason shoulder surgeries.

Los Angeles entered Monday with an 8-5 overall record but only 3-3 in its past six.

Guard Patrick Beverley also was questionable for the Monday game due to a

INJURED, P9

Spain's Rafael Nadal will end the year as no. 1 for the 5th time.

Phil Younghusband will retire with 52 international goals for the Azkals, the most by a Philippine national player.

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