Edge Davap Volume 12 Issue 105 | Tuesday-Thursday, December 24-26, 2019

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

VOL.12 ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2019

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LEBRON-LESS LAKERS IN 3RD STRAIGHT LOSS SPORTS P11

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avao and Zion Family

MOVING FINALLY Arraignment of fire official involved in NCCC fire set for March next year

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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fter two years since the �ire that gutted down the New City Commercial Center Mall Davao (NCCC Mall Davao leaving 38 people dead, the arraignment and pre-trial conference of a �ire of�icial who is facing charges for falsi�ication of documents is �inally set on March 2020.

The case reportedly dragged due to the voluminous documents and complex charges.

Senior Fire Of�icial 2 (SFO2) Joel Quismundo of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Davao (BFP-Davao) is charged with violation of Republic Act 9514 or the Revised Fire Code of the

Philippines of 2008.

Quismundo is charged for violation of paragraph 4 Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code for falsi�ication of public documents and making untruthful statements in a narration of facts.

The case is �iled at the Regional Trial Court

-Branch 14 in Davao City.

Other �ire of�icials with pending criminal cases are SF01 Roger Dumag, SF04 Dioscoro Baja Jr. and SF01 Leo Lauzon.

On December 23, 2017, a 32-hour blaze razed the popular NCCC Mall Davao that took the lives of 38 individuals

mostly employees of Survey Sampling International (SSI), a BPO company.

Findings from the investigation of the Inter-agency Anti-Arson Task Force (IAATF) include irregular installation of electrical wirings during the renovation at

MOVING, P8

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2019

Trump signs law banning Pres.Duterte, other De Lima jailers from entering US

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Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go talks to pregnant quake victim Darlene Montalvo during his visit in Padada, Davao del Sur over the weekend where he took lead the distribution of various government assistance. Lean Daval Jr

Hagonoy LGU seeks help for purchase of relocation site

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he Local Government Unit (LGU) of the municipality Hagonoy in Davao del Sur is seeking the assistance of national government for a relocation site intended for the quake victims.

Engineer Rolando Teves Jr, regional manager of the regional of�ice of the National Housing Authority (NHA 11), disclosed that Hagonoy Mayor Franco Calida plans to seek help from Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado for the acquisition of land for the affected residents particularly those whose houses were totally damaged after the series of earthquakes that jolted Southern Mindanao.

"Nag-istorya pud mi ni Mayor Calida of Hagonoy ingon siya magpatabang siya kay wala sila pondo na ipalit ug yuta. Siguro mangayo siya ug hinabang sa national government aron matagaan siya ug funding

aron makapalit siya ug yuta. Sulti niya mag sulat siya sa DBM Secretary para mangayo ug funding," Teves said.

Teves said NHA 11 is conducting �ield investigations in the areas identi�ied as relocation sites for those affected of the series of earthquakes in Davao Region.

"We are are conducting �ield investigations for the relocation sites and hopefully if okay na we can immediately start the building of the housing" he said.

He said LGUs of the municipalities of Padada, Kiblawan, Matanao, and Bansalan are also on the lookout for relocation sites.

He said they are still determining identi�ied sites if these are safe and buildable zones based on the evaluation the Mines and Bureau Sciences (MGB) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and

avao Light and Power Co., Inc. will conduct series of 15-minute power interruptions on December 31 affecting customers in city downtown of Davao and in northern part of Davao Light franchise area.

These service disruptions will be necessary to facilitate normalization of Davao Light ERA 138 kV Line and Substation.

The �irst short power interruption will be conducted anytime between 2:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. affecting customers from Gaisano Grand Citygate Buhangin going to Cabantian up to Acacia, including Communal and Indangan. Diversion road from Buhangin Underpass going to DPWH in Panacan and Malagamot, including Davao International Airport, and Catitipan are also affected.

Meanwhile, a 15-minute power interruption

will be conducted on the same day anytime between 2:30 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.. Speci�ically affected are customers in Panabo City and Carmen, including San Vicente, Sto. Nino and nearby areas. Also affected are customers in Bunawan, Lasang, Mahayag, Acacia, Bosque and neighboring areas.

Another 15-minute power interruption will also be experienced by customers in Sto. Tomas, Dujali, Paquibato, Manay, Malitbog, TADECO, DAPECOL, La Libertad, Alejal, Tibungco, Ilang, Mudiang, Bugac, and Buhisan anytime between 2:45 a.m. to 3:15 a.m..

A short service disruption will be conducted also anytime between 3:15 a.m. to 3:45 a.m.. Speci�ically affected are customers in R. Castillo St., Leon Garcia St., Lanang, Pampanga, Sasa, parts of Panacan and

HAGONOY, P8

Short power interruptions Dec.31

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SHORT, P8

S President Donald Trump has signed into law the US 2020 budget which includes an amendment authorizing the US secretary of state to stop the US entry of those behind Sen. Leila de Lima’s detention.

Trump signed the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill 2020 on Friday, Dec. 20, part of the US government’s $1.4-trillion spending package.

A provision in the budget on “Prohibition on Entry” allows US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to “apply sub-section (c) to foreign government of�icials about whom the Secretary has credible information have been involved in the wrongful imprisonment of…Senator Leila de Lima who was arrested in the Philippines in 2017.”

Subsection (c) refers to the Global Magnitsky Hu-

man Rights Accountability Act, a US law which authorizes the US government to sanction those who it sees as human rights offenders, freeze their assets, and ban them from entering the US. The provision in the US budget expressly classi�ies unjust or wrongful detention as part of “gross violation of human rights.”

The same provision also applies the ban to Egyptian government of�icials who jailed a sick American citizen as well as government of�icials of Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia who detained locally-employed staff of a US diplomatic mission or a US citizen or national.

On December 17, De Lima cited the initial list of those responsible for her arrest and detention.

These include: -President Rodrigo Duterte -Presidential Spokes-

Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and its revolutionary organization, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).

“We respectfully caution the Duterte administration over its move to reopen the peace negotiations with the NDFP. Why the past peace negotiations sorely failed could only be blamed on the countless criminal acts and treachery of NDFP-CPP-NPA — displayed even during times when cease�ires were supposed to be in place,” Duterte said.

She describes these

terrorist groups as spoilers of peace and also believes that the Christmas truce will be used by these groups as an opportunity to regain communities previously cleared of their presence, consolidate their forces, and derail the progress of existing government rural development projects.

“With this, we ask the Duterte government to exclude Davao City from the scope of the Christmas cease�ire with these terrorists. We also seek the same once the national government pursues the reopening of the formal peace negotiation,” she

TRUMP, P8

By MAYA M. PADILLO

M

ayor Sara Z. Duterte is appealing to the Duterte administration to exclude Davao City from the scope of the Christmas cease�ire declared by President Rodrigo Duterte through Spokesperson Salvador Panelo last Sunday.

The President declared a Christmas truce with leftist guerrillas as he ordered the reconstitution of the government panel to talk peace with leaders of the 50-year-old insurgency.

In a statement issued yesterday, the mayor stated that while the declaration of Christmas truce and the prospects of reopening

formal peace negotiations are acts of goodwill on the part of the Duterte government, demonstrating its strong political will to resolve the insurgency problem plaguing some parts of the country for the past years, she reminded the evil character and duplicitous nature of National Democratic

SARA, P8

Personnel from the 52nd Engineer Brigade of the Philippine Army construct comfort rooms in Quirino, Padada, Davao del Sur over the weekend. Lean Daval Jr

VOL.12 ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

3

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2019

Cotabateños condemn explosions

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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esidents of Cotabato City condemned the series of explosions in the city and in the nearby town of Libungan in North Cotabato on Sunday, December 22.

The �irst two explosions occurred around 5:58 pm near the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cotabato City.

In Libungan, two explosions happened around

6:15 in the evening wherein the �irst explosion happened near the town hall while another happened at a store selling liqui�ied petroleum gas.

The explosive ordi-

President Rodrigo Duterte orders a unilateral ceasefire with the communist guerrillas this Christmas season which will take effect from 12 a.m. of Dec. 23 and will end until 11:59 p.m. of January 7 next year. Lean Daval Jr

nance disposal (EOD) team identi�ied the �irst and secondary explosions in Libungan to have originated from a 60mm mortar.

"The people of Libungan is condemning the in-

cident to the highest order but at the same time we remain calm and civil," Libungan vice mayor Ronaldo Pader told Edge Davao.

Pader said the situa-

COTABATEÑOS, P8

79% of Pinoys satisfied by drug war, a wake-up call to critics

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alacañang on Monday hailed the results of a survey which showed that majority of Filipinos are still satis�ied by President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on illegal drugs.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the survey results should serve as a “wake-up call” against foreign groups and personalities who spread lies to discredit his campaign against illegal drugs.

“Once again, this is a loud and clear repudiation of the rambunctious political opposition and cantankerous detractors of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his Administration,” Panelo said.

“This too shall serve as a wake-up call against foreign countries and entities to take their cue from the genuine sentiments of the Filipino people and cease from their continuous affront against our sovereign

state with their pretended or feigned concern about human rights,” he added.

Results of a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that 79 percent of Filipinos were satis�ied with Duterte’s war on drugs, only 15 percent were dissatis�ied, and the remaining 6 percent were undecided.

This gives the President’s drug war a net satisfaction rating of +64, classi�ied by SWS as “very good.”: This �igure is similar to the “very good” rating in September 2018 to March 2017 which ranged from +63 to +66 but 6 points below the “excellent” +70 rating in June and March 2019.

The pollster said that net satisfaction with the anti-narcotics campaign has always been either very good or excellent in the past 12 survey rounds.

The campaign recorded its highest satisfaction

79%, P8

5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2019

Pork price stable during holiday season, DTI says

T Dabawenyos start to troop to fruit stalls area along Monteverde Street in Davao City to buy round-shaped fruits two days before Christmas Day. Lean Daval Jr

New sin taxes bill more of a health measure: DOF exec

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inance Assistant Secretary Antonio "Tony" Lambino on Sunday maintained that the proposed measure on new sin taxes is more of a health measure rather than a revenue-generating one.

In an interview, Lambino said the purpose of the measure is primarily to generate funds for the implementation of the Universal Health Care law. The

said law guarantees all Filipinos equal access to quality and affordable goods and services in healthcare.

"It's an investment that we really need to

make. Kasi 'yan 'yung isa sa pagkukulang talaga ng ating public investment, 'yung ating primary care at preventive care," he said.

"Itong sin tax, makakatulong siya. Pero hindi mapupunan 'yung buong gap, kulang," he added.

The measure on new sin taxes seeks to increase taxes on alcoholic drinks, heated tobacco products, and vapor cigarettes.

It also includes a provi-

PCSO eyeing at new games next year to raise funds

T

he Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Of�ice (PCSO) is looking to introduce new games in 2020 to raise revenues for its charity programs.

Royina Marzan-Garma, PCSO general manager, said that aside from �inding ways for their existing games, primarily the lotto and the Small Town Lottery (STL) games to produce more revenues, the agency has to introduce new ones to raise more funds for charity.

"Our gaming (Gaming, Product Development and Marketing Sector department) has to introduce

D

rug manufacturers group Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) on Saturday said its plan to reduce medicine prices is an effort by the private sector to support Universal Healthcare.

“Itong pagpapababa namin ng presyo ay way po namin to support Universal Healthcare law,” PHAP director Ted Padilla said in an interview.

Early this week, the

new games and �ind ways for our existing games to produce more revenues," Garma told reporters in a recent press brie�ing.

She said the games would raise more revenues for charity as most of its funds go to �inance the Duterte administration's �lagship social services program, primarily the universal health care (UHC) and the establishment of Malasakit Centers all over the country.

She added that their focus next year would be on sales and marketing in order to generate funds to support more government

projects.

Crucial to the plan is the opening of more provincial branches throughout the country next year.

For this purpose, she said they have already started hiring employees for the planned expansion.

Garma said they are currently reviewing the fees and the processes in franchise applications to streamline their system.

Arnel Casas, PCSO assistant general manager for gaming, product development and marketing sector department, said that the PCSO was count-

pharmaceutical group announced it is proposing to lower medicine prices by as much as 75% for 150 medicines covering 36 disease categories.

PHAP noted the medicines cover following conditions: heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, asthma, psoriasis, neurologic disorders, HIV, and infectious diseases.

The diseases covered are various types of cancer like breast, colorectal, lung,

cervical, kidney, ovarian, lymphomas, and prostate, the association noted.

Drug companies were also willing to give the same discount to the government for bulk purchases, according to PHAP. Padilla said the Department of Health (DOH) is now studying PHAP’s proposal.

“Ikinatutuwa namin na pinag-aralan ng DOH ang �ive-point proposal namin,”

PCSO, P8

PHARMACEUTICAL, P8

sion making the medicines for heart disease, diabetes, and cholesterol to be free of value-added tax (VAT) starting January 22.

Medicines for mental health, cancer, tuberculosis, and kidney diseases will also be VAT-free starting January 2023.

The measure is expected to generate some P22 billion in revenues for the government. However, this

NEW SIN, P8

he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Saturday the price of pork was stable despite the expected surge of demand during the holiday season.

DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said the hog industry has assured the public that there is enough supply of pork for Christmas and New Year.

"As of now, alam natin na mababa ang presyo talaga so dapat ang retail niyan ay nasa P170, P180 lang," Castelo said.

"Wala tayong problema at hindi siya tataas nang malaki kung gagalaw man pataas."

In Pasay City Public Market, pork is sold for P180 to P190 per kilogram, as of Sunday.

Prices of a kilo of liempo and pata cuts, which are in-demand during Christmas season, are P240 and P200, respectively.

La Loma district in Quezon City, a hub for producing lechon or roast suckling pig, is now busy with orders.

Lechonero Tantan Yang has over 20 orders of lechon for Sunday.

"Tradisyon na iyan,

iyan talaga ang hinahanap ng mga tao," he said.

Skewered roasted pigs come in various sizes, their prices ranging between P4,000 and P15,000.

Customer Eduardo Clarita bought P9,000 worth of lechon on Sunday for the Christening celebration of his child. He plans to get another lechon on Christmas day.

"Iyan kasi 'yung panghanda eh, para espesyal," he said. "Masaya kasi kapag may lechon eh, iyan naman kasi habol ng mga tao.

Nakakasawa naman 'yung ibang ulam."

Ramon Ferrero, president of La Loma Lechoneros Association, said their sales for lechon this year is down by 20 percent because of African swine fever reports. "'Yun bang demand sa baptismal, anniversary, at Christmas party, as is, nando'n pa rin. Kaya lang talagang nabawasan kami ng 20 percent. But we will assure the public na ang La Loma, under supervision kami ng Quezon City Veterenary Of�ice, napakahigpit namin, " he said.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2019

EDITORIAL

The loud voice against drugs

Now it can be told, President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war is backed by majority of Filipinos.

Results of a survey which showed that majority of Filipinos are still satis�ied by President Duterte’s crackdown on illegal drugs only goes to show that Filipinos are seeing the bigger picture--that on the general scheme of things, the drug war is the better option for the nation rather than falling into a narco state.

This is how the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey looked: 79 percent of Filipinos were satis�ied with Duterte’s war on drugs as against 15 percent who were dissatis�ied. The remaining 6 percent were undecided.

Overall, the drug war received a net satisfaction rating of +64, classi�ied by SWS as “very good.” This �igure is similar to the “very good” rating in September 2018 to March 2017 which ranged from +63 to +66 but 6 points below the “excellent” +70 rating in June and March 2019.

This net satisfaction with the anti-narcotics campaign has been consistently raking high satisfaction either very good or excellent in the past 12 survey rounds.

A close look at the results should provide the detractors the view of the silent majority who are satis�ied with the drug war,

EDGEDAVAO

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

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

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Photography

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

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

most of which have either a family member or a friend as victims.

The most common reason respondents remain satis�ied by the drug war is that drug suspects have lessened at 42 percent, followed by drug suspects have been arrested at 18 percent, and crime has lessened at 11 percent. Rounding the top �ive reasons are: it diminished the drug trade at 8 percent, and protected the youth from drugs 6 percent.

Now where does this sit on the opinion of foreign groups and personalities who have debunked the Philippine drug war? It’s either a wake up call or a slap on their faces. These entities continue to stick to their unfounded belief that the drug war is a violation of human rights and that it is creating a culture of impunity.

The drug war has been the biggest chatter against the Duterte administration attracting the criticisms of some foreign countries and entities. Recently, the United States have stamped down the entry to its country of all personalities related to what it perceived to be “illegal” incarceration of Senator Leila de Lima who was charged for participation in the illegal drugs trade in the national penitentiary.

However, the real judgment will have to come from the Filipinos themselves, and by far the voice has been consistent.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

SOMETHING FOR CHRISTMAS Christmas is celebrated because of Jesus Christ and not because of food, gifts, and drinking. That should be what Christians should think this season.

“I have now disposed of all my property to my family,” Sir Patrick Henry once said. “There is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion.”

Francis Bacon acclaimed: “There never was found in any age of the world, either philosopher or sect, or law, or discipline which did so highly exalt the public good as the Christian faith.”

Why is this so? “The radiant Christian is more concerned with carrying his cross than with complaining about his callouses. He remembers the harvests, not the hardships. He thinks about his friends, not his failures. He talks more about his blessings than his backaches, more about his opportunities than his operations,” William A. Ward answers.

As We celebrate Christmas, allow me to share this story, which happened in the United States. The �irst one is a true story shared to me by a Filipino couple who now lives in the United States. Once in a while,

there are stories that touch your heart, your inner self, and your whole being. That’s what I felt when the wife shared the story of her husband, who was born to a poor family.

“When he was in high school, he contracted a very serious disease,” she said. “The disease was in a serious stage that caused my husband to be paralyzed from waist down. His parents, being so poor, could not afford to send him to a doctor or hospital.”

It so happened that there was this young doctor from a nearby town who traveled by car to his clinic in the same town where the poor family lived.

One morning, the father patiently waited for the doctor’s car to pass by their house as it was situated on the town’s main road.

The father stopped the car and the doctor came out and learned about my son’s illness.

The doctor suggested that the boy be brought to the hospital immediately for treatment.

When the father told him that they cannot afford hospital expenses, the doctor volunteered to stop by their house each day before he proceeded to his clinic.

Every day, the doctor gave

the boy injections and the medicines to take. “The doctor did this every day for several months until my husband was cured,” the wife said. “He did not charge a single centavo for the medications, injections and all of his services.”

Forty-�ive years later, the husband kept telling his wife how much he was indebted to this doctor who saved his life.

“After recovering from his illness, my husband �inished high school, went to an engineering school, and graduated as a mechanical engineer,” she recalled.

“We met and got married and in 1974, we immigrated to the United States.”

Yes For 30 years, the couple have not gone back to the Philippines (although they are planning of going home soon).

Her story continued: “Then one day, he wondered if this doctor is still alive and still practicing medicine. He would like very much to know if he could �ind a way to contact him so he could send his gratitude for saving his life.

“He searched the internet in hopes to get answers to his questions. Thanks to the advanced technology, he found out that this doctor is still alive and

still practicing at the age of 79.”

It was Christmas season and he thought this was a good time to send the doctor a short thank you letter for saving his life. In his letter, he enclosed a check in amount of US$100.00 as a small gift. He wrote the doctor that although he may not need the money but just the same it would make the sender happy if the doctor accepted it as a token of his appreciation.

He also invited him to come and visit them in Kansas City whenever he is travelling the United States.

Since then, they have been communicating with each other. Below are some excerpts of the doctor’s replies to the man’s letters: On May 4, 2009, the doctor wrote: “It is truly heart-warming to be remembered by nice people like you who remember the little favors you have received.

You belong to a very rare breed and there are not many like you in our age especially in this day and age where crass materialism and self-interest overrides humanity.”

In July of the same year, the doctor sent this note: “It is very heart-warming to receive a letter with enclosed check from

you. It is not the check that matters but the beautiful thought that goes with it. In the 55 years of my life as a doctor, I have not had a patient as sincerely grateful as you although I took care of you about 45 years ago. I am indeed very appreciative for your remembering me as a humble MD who was able to minister to you when you were very ill.

Your parents were very nice and simple people.”

On the 13th of November in 2009, the doctor shared this joy: “What I can say is that I’m blest to have a generous friend like you. The check you sent me is my biggest Christmas gift but what makes me happier is that you still remember me despite the years and distance.”

The wife noted: “The doctor also mentioned that my husband’s �irst letter and the �irst check he received were proudly shared with his staff at his clinic and that he framed the letter and the check. He and his staff were very touched.”

In another letter, the doctor wrote: “Someday, if health permits, I will try to travel to Missouri and would like to visit President Truman’s residence and library.”

Merry Christmas everyone.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

AGUDO’S, DAVAO’S CLASSIC STUDIO In the Commonwealth period, three of the popular photography out�its were owned by the Japanese, namely: the Daliaon Studio in Toril, owned

by H. Nakano; the Orient Studio in Calinan, owned by E. Watadani; and the Lucky Studio at San Pedro Street, owned by A Magoshi. The Moonlight Studio in Tambungon (Lasang) was owned by Filipino L. G. Agunod.

In the late 1940s, the liberation period, Agudo’s Photo Shop opened amid the ruins that characterized the landscape of Davao City. It became, in decades to come, the of�icial photographer of many schools.

It was owned by Vicente Agudo and his wife, Concepcion Villaraez, a former intern in Asilo de Molo (erstwhile Molo Asylum, Inc.) a convent in Molo, Iloilo City.

Prior to his marriage, Vicente, a high school undergraduate who already had experience in a photo studio, learned that American military forces in Manila were selling their personal belongings at a bargain so they would not have to bring such load back to the USA. Some of the articles up for sale were cameras and photographic supplies.

After the war, using person-

al savings, Vicente left for Manila to hunt for the bargains. His purchases later spared him the hassle of ordering studio materials for at least �ive years. After their wedding, the Capiz couple, apprised of the opportunities in Davao, by now home to Ilonggo migrants, �inalized their plan to move. Carrying along the photographic supplies, they migrated, boarded a ship to Davao City and permanently settled there.

Upon arrival in late 1946, Vicente, using a trusty bicycle, looked for space to rent and scouted for an area to set up a studio. There was no expectation the business, being new in the city, would promptly gain customers and patrons. They were optimistic, though, their edge in terms of photographic facilities and supplies would make a difference.

Agudo’s �irst shop was at the corner of Jacinto and Magsaysay streets, in a location where there used to be a gasoline station, in the area where a Unionbank branch now stands.

With the help of the Tomen family, also Ilonggo, Vicente opened his �irst studio there in 1947.

Years later, in the early 1950s, the studio relocated to Claveria (C. M. Recto) Street, in an area where Imperial Ho-

tel now stands and was named Agudo’s Photo Shop. The transfer was promising and choosing the location was deliberate because it was visible to commuters and travelers. The blessing of the new studio was well attended. Everybody was welcome, and Vicente took the extra mile in inviting drivers of auto calesa (forerunner of today’s jeepneys) to partake of the food; it was aa successful celebration.

Vicente’s affable association with people from all walks of life served him in good stead.

Beyond friendship, they became his clients who almost always commissioned him to cover memorable family engagements. To enhance the shop’s image, he acquired advanced German Leica cameras, a far cry from the old daguerreotype processes used in taking pictures.

In later years, three Jesuit priests from Ateneo de Davao showed up at the shop and asked Vicente, a bookworm, to become the school’s of�icial photographer, an event that would open new opportunities for the thriving business.

As luck smiled on the Agudo couple and children Arturo and Nelson, more schools, most

of them sectarian institutes, adopted the studio as of�icial portraitist. The roster of clients included, among others, Holy Cross of Davao, Maryknoll High School of Panabo, Holy Cross of Calinan, Immaculate Conception College, and Assumption School of Davao.

During this period, Vicente’s interest now included logging. Among the loggers he associated with was Gaudencio Mañalac, a Davao frontiersman who once assumed the presidency of the Philippine Lumber Producers’ Association. When Vicente decided to build a new studio later, the logger’s help was contributory in the construction of a shop that was made of hardwood.

The second studio had to be relocated later after the Diaz family, owner of the lot where the shop was built, decided to use the property to put up the Imperial Hotel.

The Agudo family, in 1959, decided to lease a lot from the family of Dr. Jose Ebro, just across the shop’s location, and built on it its third studio. The three-story wooden structure was situated beside Aldevinco Shopping Center. Its lower section served as reception area and laboratory; the second

�loor was a mezzanine; and the third �loor was the family residence.

The studio later made its �inal transfer in the 1970s. It moved to San Pedro Street and was housed in an edi�ice owned by the Falcasantos family. As the Agudo couple started to feel the wear and tear of old age, they decided to close the shop and retire. There was no one to follow in the footsteps because the sons chosen their career paths unrelated to photography.

A little-known aspect of Vicente’s life as a portraitist and amateur artist was the Mindanao Colleges logo he painted at the instance of Guillermo E. Torres, Sr., a friend and school founder. The logo, which has a sail mounted on the bow of a vinta, bore the letters MC but has since been changed to UM after the school became a university.

Competing with Agudo’s during its halcyon days were Cap’s, owned by the Caperal family; Park’s Studio, with shops at San Pedro and near the Bonifacio Monument, where the Colasa’s chicken house now stands; and D’mour, with outlets at Magallanes (now Pichon Sr.) Street and Recto Street, beside Lawaan theatre.

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the third �loor, sprinkler system at the fourth �loor occupied by SSI was not functional, absence of appropriate license of some workers performing electrical works and absence of building permit during renovation.

Other �indings include insuf�icient means of egress for the fourth �loor,

and failure to notify nearest �ire station when the �ire alarm system and sprinkler systems were out of service for more than four hours.

Last year, the City Prosecutor’s Of�ice in Davao City dismissed charges of reckless of imprudence �iled by against the owners and executives of NCCC Mall Davao and SSI.

person Salvador Panelo -Online personalities Mocha Uson, Sass Rogando Sasot, RJ Nieto (or Thinking Pinoy) -Former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, former DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, Solicitor General Jose Calida, Public Attorneys’ Of�ice chief Per-

sida Acosta, Sandra Cam, Dante Jimenez, Reps. Rey Umali and former Rep. Rudy Fariñas Democrat Senators Dick Durbin and Patrick Leahy authored the amendment which the US Senate Appropriations Committee passed in September.

said.

Duterte said these moves, however commendable, are useless and deleterious to the accomplishments of the local peace initiative, the Peace 911.

Peace 911 is a comprehensive peace-building program of the Davao City government for con�lict-affected areas of the city.

It is primarily focused in Paquibato District and Barangay Dominga in Calinan District, areas identi�ied as strongholds of the NPA terrorists.

From June to December 2019, the program has successfully sprung Paquibato District and Barangay Dominga from the shackles of the NPA terrorists. Paquibato is thickly populated by Ata-Manobo lumads.

The civilian-led peace group has opened roads and bridges, health centers, and schools. It also capacitated lumads by introducing Peace Economy, helping farmers receive proper literacy on farming and marketing — linking them directly to buyers.

With Peace 911 people were given access to government agencies and non-government organizations that could help in the development of their communities — the Cooperative Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, the Technical Education and Skills De-

velopment Authority, Department of Social Work and Development.

More and more NPA members and their supporters are also turning themselves into the folds of the government through the program.

To be covered by the cease�ire or the peace negotiations will only disrupt and threaten the gains of our process of peace and development in these communities formerly controlled by the terrorists, the lady chief executive said, “For these terrorist organizations, sincerity is a strange word. To believe that they desire a peaceful end to the insurgency problem would be playing ignorant of their bloody habit — how they slaughtered countless civilians in the past and made many countryside communities suffer from poverty and underdevelopment, and blaming the government for it,” Duterte said.

She added that these groups manipulate and turn communities to rise against the government, propagate fear, in�lict abuses, extort, and execute and murder civilians through its deranged brand of revolutionary justice.

“These and more are the reason why these groups are called terrorists. And we should never negotiate with terrorists,” Duterte said.

tion in their town is now under control. He also said authorities have leads already after the incident but refused to give details as investigation is still ongoing.

According to him there were no fatalities but there were seven persons wounded in the blast. He said they need to transport one of the wounded to a higher level hospital facility for further medical evaluation and treatment.

"Medyo malalim ang mga sugat niya," Pader said.

Pader also said that they have doubled up security measures around town. He said Libungan Mayor Christopher Cuan is

convening of�icials and security forces for municipal peace and order planning.

He also said they will augment local civilian forces that are being deployed to help ensure security especially in time of Simbang Gabi.

According to Pader, it helped that Libungan residents cooperated by providing helpful information aside from the consolidated reports received by the police.

"We would like to acknowledge the cooperation of the citizens who provided us additional info as reliable reports received by the police are still being consolidated," he said.

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Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

"The area for Kiblawan is yet to be determined as well as Padada, Matanao and Bansalan. I think ang Matanao LGU naa na sila napalit na yuta but we are in the process of evaluating it tan-awon nato kung safe ug buildable ug layo sa fault lines. Ongoing pa ang atong �ield investigations for veri�ications," Teves said.

He said they are expecting to implement the housing project before the end of �irst quarter of next year.

Teves said under the calamity program of NHA they have allocated a budget of P260,000 per permanent house free of charge for the bene�iciaries.

"But the land will be acquired by the LGU. Ang atong programa sa pabahay is for those areas declared as "no build zone" kay delikado na ug dapat na sila pangitaan ug location ug buhatan sila ug mga balay," Teves said.

The municipality of Magsaysay in Davao del Sur was the �irst to acquire land for relocation site. The said municipality is among the hardest hit areas of the series of earthquakes.

The site, which is about three hectares, is where permanent houses will

be built for the 110 families including those from Purok 6 Malawanit in the municipality of Magsaysay, which was declared as "no build zone" after a landslide happened during the earthquake in October this year.

"That is why ang mayor nagdeklara ibalhin na ang mga tao kay delikado na ang lugar.

According to Teves, once documents will be submitted they can start building permanent houses for the residents. He said they are targeting to start the construction of the houses in two months time.

NHA 11 has distributed �inancial assistance to the quake victims in the municipality of Padada last Sunday.

During the ceremonial distribution arranged by the of�ice of Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go at Quirino Gymnasium, NHA 11 extended �inancial assistance of P30,000 for totally damaged houses while P20,000 for partially damaged.

"Padayon ta sa pag pahigayon sa distribution ato lang i-schedule taga munisipyo," Teves said. By Maya M. Padillo

rating in December 2016 at excellent +77.

By area, net satisfaction with the drug war is highest in Mindanao at excellent +74, followed by very good levels in the Visayas at +69, Metro Manila at +67, and Balance Luzon at +55.

The most common reason respondents remain satis�ied by the drug war is that drug suspects have lessened at 42 percent, followed by drug suspects have been arrested at 18 percent, and crime has lessened at 11 percent.

Rounding the top �ive reasons are: it diminished the drug trade at 8 percent,

and protected the youth from drugs 6 percent.

The SWS survey, �ielded from September 27-30, 2019, was done using faceto-face interviews of 1,800 adults nationwide.

Local and foreign human rights groups have condemned the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, saying it is creating atrocities and a culture of impunity.

The government has denied claims that the killings were state-sponsored and that cases are �iled against police proven to be guilty of abusing their powers. (PNA)

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neighboring areas.

Moreover, customers in J.P. Laurel Avenue speci�ically from Abreeza Mall to Gaisano Mall of Davao, Barrio Obrero, F. Torres, E. Jacinto Street, Guerrero Street, parts of R. Magsaysay and Sta. Ana Avenue will experience a 15-minute power interruption anytime between 4:00 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.. Also affected in this power interruption are customers in Bacaca Road going to Mandug via El Rio, Jade Valley, Juliville, Panorama, Tigatto, parts of Indangan and neighboring areas.

Lastly, a 15-minute power interruption anytime between 4:15 a.m. to 4:45 a.m. affecting customers in most parts of Davao City downtown area including Roxas Avenue, C.M. Recto Avenue, Quirino Avenue, San Pedro St., A. Pichon St., C. Bangoy St., Bonifacio St., Rizal St., Illustre St., Gov. Duterte St., Legaspi St., Bankerohan, Marfori, Circumferential Road, and Sandawa. Customers in Bajada from Car-

melite Church to Abreeza Mall, including Cabaguio, Davao Light Bajada Of�ice going to Panorama Subd. via Buhangin Underpass and Mandug Road, including Dumanlas, Ladislawa, and San Pedro Village will also experience this short power interruption. Also affected are customers in Gaisano Grand Mall Toril going to Binugao, including Catigan, Baracatan and nearby areas.

Davao Light apologizes for the inconvenience brought about by these scheduled power interruptions. But it will exert all efforts to restore electric service as scheduled or earlier. However, there may be instances where restoration may extend beyond the schedule due to unavoidable circumstances.

Please contact our 24/7 Customer Contact Service at 229-3572, 0917-864-2793 (Globe) or 0920-970-1357 (Smart) for any power interruption that will fall outside the given schedule.

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amount may actually be lower considering the VAT exemptions for medicine.

"Siguro doon sa P22 billion, mababawasan 'yan ng mga around P5 billion sa �irst year from the reduced VAT. So P17 billion ang neto niyan, around P17 billion," he said. "[This is] just to show na talagang this is not just about the revenue. It's about the health status of the Filipino people," he added.

Apart from generating revenues for the implementation of the Universal Health Care law, Lambino said the measure also seeks to reduce public consumption of sin products like cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and vapes.

"Kitang-kita naman natin na taxation is one of the most effective ways para babaan ang pagkonsumo ng produkto na hindi mabuti para sa ating kalusugan. Makikita naman natin na even though merong reduction, hindi mawawala ang consumption," he said.

"We're asking those who insist on consuming

mga unhealthy products na mas malaki na lang 'yung ambag nila sa ating Universal Health Care dahil... the likelihood is maga-access sila ng mga health treatments dahil mas prone sila na magkasakit talaga," he added.

Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo also believes higher taxes could discourage people from consuming addictive products. "'Yung medyo may edad na, may pera at talagang addicted na, kasi nakaka-addict talaga ang tabako at 'yung vape dahil sa nicotine. 'Yan ay hindi masyadong nababawasan," he said.

"Pero ang maganda, 'yung mga bata na hindi pa gumagamit ng mga produktong ito, bumabawas 'yung sumusubok dahil hindi na nila kayang bilhin," he added.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have rati�ied the bicameral committee report on the measure on new sin taxes.

The bill will now be sent to Malacañang for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.

ing on the private sector to help them come up with new games.

Casas said the PCSO welcomes new game proposals, and have even streamlined the process for private gaming �irms to submit proposals.

Casas said the primary consideration for the approval of new games was that these should not take away business or grab share from the existing games of the PCSO such as the Lotto games, the STL, the Peryahan ng Bayan, the Keno Lotto, and the Scratch-It sweepstakes games.

Garma said the PCSO would continue its charity programs such as their

Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP) where they issue �inancial assistance for medical care to needy individuals, their Institutional Partnership Program (IPP) where they provide �inancial support to charity organizations like orphanages such as the Hospicio de San Jose or homes for the elderly, and even their program where they provide medical transport vehicles or ambulances to geographically isolated or disadvantaged municipalities all over the country.

Garma urged the public to patronize the products of PCSO as a large chunk of its revenues goes to charity programs. (PNA)

he said.

The group also believes the prices of medicines in the country is now comparable to the rest of the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as Padilla belied accusations that drug companies were overpricing.

“Wala pong cartel sa aming hanay. Bawal po 'yan,” he said.

In October, the association was in talks with the DOH on lowering medicine prices in the country.

In a separate interview,

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reiterated that the DOH is drafting an executive order to be recommended to the Of�ice of the President to subject some 120 medicines under maximum drug retail prices (MDRP). "'Yang EO ay pinagaaralan pa ng mga abugado ng Of�ice of the President," Duque said.

"Siguro by �irst quarter next year maaari nang mailabas ito... Nais natin maramdaman ng mamamayan ang bagsak-presyo ng gamot," the Health chief said.

Warriors, who fell to 2-4 like the Dreamers.

Steven Thomas

amassed 12 points, 20 rebounds, two assists, and one block. (PNA)

leading scorer Kawhi Leonard (25.5 points per game) after he played 27 minutes on Saturday night in a 134109 win at the San Antonio Spurs. Leonard has not played in back-to-back games this season because of lingering knee issues.

Los Angeles is 18-5 with Leonard in the lineup and 4-5 without.

The Thunder played without second-leading scorer Danilo Gallinari (18.0), who was a late scratch because of an ankle injury.

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Aeon Luxe’s Business Development Consultant Bruce Musick talks about Club Aeon, which integrates a broad range of premium amenities for condo residents.

A NIGHT OF BLEU

Group’s VP for Human Resources, Training and Quality AEON LUXE AWARDS TOP CONTRIBUTORS, REVEALS DETAILS OF NEXT PROJECT FTCAssurance Jonna Serafin with the Stars of the Night.

DAVAO-BASED PREMIUM PROPERTY DEVELOPER – Aeon Luxe Properties, Inc. – held a year-end party last December 16, 2019 at the Garden Oases Convention Center, The Ritz Hotel in Davao City.

Dubbed the “Blue Party,” the annual event was held in recognition of the company’s contributors for the year, gathering top sellers and valued partners in one venue to thank them for their loyalty and support towards the growth of Aeon Luxe.

Around eight individuals received major awards for their outstanding sales achievement at the event.

Close to 30 plaques of special recognition were handed to those who contributed significantly to the company.

Guests were treated to a night of revelry from a live band and musical performances from participating teams of Aeon Idol, a talent competition among sellers inspired from the popular TV reality show. They also had a chance to take photos at the Instagrammable spots at the event.

To make the evening extra fun, Aeon Luxe gave away

raffle prizes, including four iPad Minis and Smart TVs to lucky guests at the Blue Party.

Not all was fun and games as, Aeon Luxe Properties Business Development Consultant Bruce Musick shared some exciting news about the company’s forthcoming project – the Aeon Bleu development, a mixeduse facility along Bacaca Road in Davao City.

An integrated community with residential, hospitality and commercial components. Aeon Bleu is composed of three residential towers, a condotel, an office tower and a members-only club, Club Aeon, all designed to achieve a strong sense of community for living, working and playing all in one convenient address.

Aeon Luxe is the property development arm of FTC Group of Companies Corporation, which operates diverse businesses in Davao. It aims to be a market leader in terms of providing distinctive and quality developments and creating transformative communities.

For more information, visit www.aeonluxe.com.ph and follow Aeon Luxe Properties on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/AeonLuxeDVO/.

Francisco T. Cruz (left), Chairman of FTC Group of Companies Corporation (FTC GOCC), with Aeon Luxe Properties Business Development Consultant, Bruce Musick.

The 2019 Top Unit Manager Sheina Mae Ulep (center) with FTC Group of Companies Chairman Francisco T. Cruz (2nd from right) and the Sales team headed by SVP for Sales Andrew Bautista (leftmost).

Aeon Luxe Properties Inc. Marketing Communications Director Mara Mariano (left) and SVP for Sales Andrew Bautista (right) with the raffle prize winner of one LED TV.

Aeon Luxe’s Top Business Unit Head of 2019 Alyandro Miguel Bautista with FTC Group Chairman Francisco T. Cruz and Aeon Luxe SVP for Sales Andrew Bautista.

Ian Y. Cruz, President and CEO of Aeon Luxe Rhomer John Lao (center) receives the Aeon Luxe Top Agency Manager plaque from Properties, Inc. at the Blue Party held at Garden FTC Group of Companies Chairman Francisco T. Cruz (2nd from right) and the Sales Oases Convention Center. team headed by Andrew Bautista (leftmost), SVP for Sales of Aeon Luxe Properties.

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EVENT

La Union’s pride, Rico Dumaguin (left) and Roger Casug

La Union Pro 2019 Juniors Shortboard Champion Noah Arkfeld (Siargao).

EPIC FINALS DAY SURFING AND SURPRISE CHAMPIONS

ANTICIPATION filled the air as the whole beach was treated to a flurry surprise. After day three’s series of upsets, finals day proved to a mix of epic victories and sportsmanship.

Siargao surfers Jevy Mae “Ikit Agudo”, Nilbie Blancada and Noah Arkfeld, claimed the championship for the Women’s Open Longboard, Women’s Open Shortboard, and Juniors Shortboard, respectively. Neil

Men’s Open Longboard winners.

Sanchez, the pride of Baler, bagged the championship for Men’s Open Shortboard.

It was a four-woman heat for the finals in the Women’s Open Longboard. Defending champion Daisy Valdez (La Union) was up against fellow locals and relatives Antoinette Valdez and Ashlee Lopez and lone Siargaonon Jevy Mae Agudo.

It was a close fight between Valdez and Agudo but like any other competition, time runs out. On the last few minutes of the heat, Agudo posted the highest single-wave score of 6.00 points, pushing her first-place lead even further against Valdez.

With a combined total score of 10.40 points, Agudo paddled back to shore as champion, a first for herself since joining PSCT and a first for Siargao.

“It wasn’t easy, the waves were tricky, but I did my best.”

Meanwhile, La Union locals held their ground as the top longboarders in the country as Rico Dumaguin, first-timer in the finals was up against Roger Casugay, recently crowned champion from the 9th Guiuan Odyssey Waves.

A competitor in the PSCT since 2017, 21-year-old Dumaguin didn’t expect to get into the finals. “It’s all luck!” Dumaguin says. “I knew I had to give more than what I was showing to win.

I’m stoked to be here!”

“I’m so happy! It feels good.

It wasn’t an easy heat; the waves weren’t easy and local knowledge played out in the final heat.” Casugay explains. “Rico and I are good friends and even

Women’s Open Longboard winners. though we’re team riders, I know he’s hungry to win, and it’s always a good challenge. He did well!”

Nilbie Blancada returns to professional surfing this year and makes one of the most epic comebacks as she bags the championship for the Women’s Open Shortboard. Competing in the PSCT since 2017, Blancada has always been known to hit the podiums in the finals.

Her win comes to no surprise as she clinched the title again in La Union. “It’s crazy. When I think about my journey during the last year to get here, I’m grateful to be back.” a beaming Blancada responds.

Siargaonon surfers ruled the Juniors Shortboard division as

finalists John Carlos Noguerra, and Noah Arkfeld took to the waves. Another surprise victory greeted the crowd and judges as Noah Arkfeld scored 7.00 points, the highest single-wave and sealing his victory over Noguerra with a combined total of 13.00 points.

“I can’t believe it, but I’m here!

I’m glad my Dad’s here to watch and support me, so this win means so much to me,” explains Arkfeld. A first for Arkfeld to win the championship, the future looks bright as the majority of his usual competitors in the finals are proceeding to the Men’s Open Shortboard next year, leaving him a lot of room in the Juniors Division.

The flurry of excitement from

the q to th as an fina (Siar Sanc and val M “I Lolo is ou “I’m fina cham seas com onestill in L er,” h B disb fina Neil ful t been year for m the P Th ners Wom Jevy Cha Dais Seco Ash Thir Anto Equ

Men Rog Cha

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ENTERTAINMENT

GMA NETWORK UNVEILS POWERHOUSE LINE-UP OF PRIMETIME PROGRAMS FOR 2020

gay (right).

quarterfinals poured over he Men’s Open Shortboard nother first-timer in the als, Jefferson “Loloy” Espejon rgao) was up against Neil chez, 2017 Oakley Pro Baler 15th Lanuza Surfing FestiMen’s Shortboard champion.

I’ve never competed with oy in a heat before, so this ur first time,” says Sanchez. m just happy to back in the ls!” No stranger to winning mpionships, the closing son of 2019 proved to be the meback year for the twenty-year-old Sanchez. “There’s Borongan but winning here La Union can’t be any sweethe adds.

Breathless and in a state of belief that he made it into the ls with former champion l Sanchez, Espejon is grateto have gotten this far. “I’ve n surfing for almost nine rs, and this is the first time me to get into the finals in PSCT,” The La Union Pro 2019 wins are: men’s Longboard y Mae Agudo (Siargao) ampion sy Valdez (La Union) ond Place hlee Lopez (La Union) - Equal rd oinette Valdez (La Union) ual Third

n’s Longboard ger Casugay (La Union) ampion

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VOL.12 ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2019

Women’s Open Shortboard winners.

Jevy Mae Agudo (Siargao), your La Union Pro 2019 Women’s Open Longboard Champion.

Rico Dumaguin (La Union) Second Place Mark Aguila (Baler) - Equal Third Jay-R Esquivel (La Union) Equal Third Women’s Shortboard Nilbie Blancada (Siargao) Champion Daisy Valdez (La Union) Second Place Dianne Nogalo (Siargao) - Equal Third Vea Estrellado (Sorsogon) Equal Third Juniors Noah Arkfeld (Siargao) Champion John Carlos Noguerra (Siargao) Second Place Gabriel Lerog (Siargao) - Equal Third Marbin Delamide (Siargao) Equal Third Men’s Shortboard Neil Sanchez (Baler) - Champion Jefferson Espejon (Siargao) Second Place John Mark Tokong (Siargao) Equal Third Eduardo Alciso (Siargao) - Equal Third All eyes look back to Samar as the final stop of the PSCT this 2019 ends in Borongan, Samar.

All set for the Surf in the City 2019 where we crown our grand champions—with the title race slightly shaken up; anything can happen.

2020 is shaping up to be an exciting year for loyal Kapuso viewers as GMA Network sets the bar higher with a powerhouse line-up of all-new primetime offerings.

Kicking off the new year is the TV adaptation of the hit 1984 movie, ‘Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday,’ starring Primetime Princess Barbie Forteza, Kate Valdez, Ms. Snooky Serna and Ms. Dina Bonnevie. Barbie and Kate are set to portray best friends Ginalyn and Caitlyn.

Unbeknownst to them, their mothers – Amy (Snooky Serna) and Sussie (Dina Bonnevie) – are mortal enemies who fell in love with the same man, Joaquin (Jay Manalo), who is also the father of both Ginalyn and Caitlyn. Joining them are Teresa Loyzaga, Migo Adecer, Faith Da Silva, Benedict Cua, and Ms. Celia Rodriguez. Max Collins and Lovi Poe make the project more exciting as the young Snooky Serna and young Dina Bonnevie. Anak ni Waray vs.

Anak ni Biday is directed by Mark Sicat dela Cruz.

Meanwhile, viewers should also watch out for the premiere of the muchawaited series, ‘Love Of My Life’. Top-billed by some of the Network’s brightest stars – Carla Abellana, Mikael Daez, and Rhian Ramos; also starring Ms. Coney Reyes; and highly-talented Kapuso actor Tom Rodriguez in a very special role – the inspirational drama harks on the tale of three intriguing women who will do anything and everything for the love of their lives. Love of My Life is under the direction of Don Michael Perez.

The highly-anticipated local adaptation of hit Korean series, ‘Descendants of the Sun (DOTS),’ also hits Philippine TV screens this 2020. Headlined by Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes and Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado, DOTS Ph tells the emotional love story of alpha team leader Captain Lucas Manalo or ‘Big Boss’ and Dr. Maxine dela Cruz a.k.a. Beauty. Joining them are Rocco Nacino as Diego Ramos or ‘Wolf’ and Jasmine Curtis-Smith as Moira Defensor. To rightfully represent the country’s military forces, GMA’s Entertainment Group inked a partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for this very important flagship project.

Joining them is a highlytalented cast composed of the Soldiers Team: Lucho

Ayala, Jon Lucas, Paul Salas, Prince Clemente, Ricardo Cepeda, and Antonio Aquitania; the Doctors and Nurses Team: Andre Paras, Chariz Solomon, Nicole Donesa, Jenzel Angeles, Reese Tuazon, and Renz Fernandez; also starring Neil Ryan Sese, Ian Ignacio, Rich Asuncion, Marina Benipayo, Hailey Mendes, and Roi Vinzon, plus a host of exciting artists in cameo roles.

Esteemed director Dominic Zapata is at the helm of this ambitious project.

After many years, Sen. Bong Revilla, Jr. makes his much-awaited comeback to GMA-7 next year. Kapuso fans who are eager to watch his return on-screen will be able to join him as he takes flight via drama-fantasy program, ‘Agimat ng Agila’.

In this thrilling and actionpacked series, Sen. Bong will take viewers on vivid and whimsical adventures that will illuminate moral lessons and tackle societal issues.

Completing the stellar roster of primetime offerings is the much-awaited comeback of Primetime Queen Marian Rivera-Dantes and her team up with sought-after actor Gabby Concepcion in ‘First Yaya’. In the series, Gabby steps into the shoes of the Vice President of the Philippines who soon finds himself falling for the endearing yaya, brought to life by Marian. The romance is challenged by the PSG (Presidential Security Group) Head, played by Pancho Magno.

As early as now, netizens and fans are buzzing with excitement to witness the onscreen chemistry between two of the Network’s prime stars. The light, romanticcomedy series will showcase a heart-warming tale about love and how it binds every family together.

Don’t miss the exciting line up of programs for the first semester of 2020 on GMA-7.

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UP AND ABOUT

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HOLI-YAY TIPS FOR A #FLAKEFREECHRISTMAS

‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY, to spread love, and share the spirit of Christmas with your loved ones.

Of course, what better way to have fun in the season of sharing when you know your scalp and hair are healthy and flake-free? White Christmas may not happen in our country, but have you checked if your scalp is experiencing a ‘Winter Wonderland’ from the visible flakes caused by the change in season?

Other than the dry air, we can’t deny the fact that we were tempted once (or even many times) to skip washing our hair because of the extremely cold water, and we don’t even realize that it’s a step closer to dandruff.

And because people are more prone to dandruff than any other time of the year, here are some tips you can do to fully enjoy a #FlakeFreeChristmas this December.

BRACE YOURSELF FOR THE COLD WEATHER! As the Ber month starts to enter, some places in the Philippines with higher altitude starts to get colder.

You might want to bring out those thick clothing because the sweater weather is coming in! Walk in style with your stylish sweaters, pants, and even boots to protect yourself from the cold breeze. With the northwest monsoon coming in, dandruff is most likely to occur as well in this season because of the

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make your hair oh so fragrant!

dry air and infrequent washing. Using the right anti-dandruff shampoo can cleanse your scalp while keeping the dandruff away.

TAKE IT SLOW. CHILL. It’s the perfect time to de-stress!

Forget your worries at the moment.

Learn how to take things slow and treat yourself. You may visit the mall to check out an interesting flick to watch, eat in a fancy restaurant, or buy some new clothes for the coming holiday parties. You can channel your inner Zen as well by visiting the spa to get a massage or practice daily meditation or yoga at home. Occasionally, a ten-minute walk or a regular jogging also helps to blow off steam.

Being stressed and anxious can weaken the body’s natural defenses, making it hard for the body to naturally fight disease-causing bacteria like Malassezia globosa – the main culprit to dandruff. That is why unwinding every now and then is not only beneficial for your mind but also scalp and hair. To complete

your total scalp care, use Head & Shoulders! With magnetic lifting foam that removes all traces of dandruff and scalp odor and makes your shower experience more enjoyable with its creamy lather.

SCHEDULE AN OUT-OF-TOWN TRIP. Tired of celebrating at the same old place? Why not go somewhere you’ve never been to before? Book a flight or take an out-of-town trip!

Explore, discover cities and meet new people from different walks of life. Starting from our country, there are lots of places to visit, and different activities to do. This Christmas, why not experience your first hike in Mount Pulag in Benguet, or go spelunking and sight-see the stalagmites and stalactites of the famously known Sumaguing Cave in Sagada? If you’re more of a beach person and would like to avoid the holiday traffic, travel the outskirts of Batangas to snorkel or dive with the fishes or just a relaxing swim at Tingloy or Laiya, or go surfing in

the waves of Siargao.

Travelling with a buddy like Head & Shoulders Cool Menthol will also make you feel cool and clean no matter the weather.

A4 INdulge!

REUNITE WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Christmas is a great time to revisit and create new memories with your family and friends. But as the gatherings and party invites start to turn up, you might overbeat your hair with styling products that cause damages like nutrient loss, split ends, frizziness, breakage, dryness, and hair fall. You may also start to feel itchy from the product buildup that may result to a flaky scalp.

Despite of these fears, you can still feel confident to keep a close contact with anyone with the right shampoo that can keep the itching and soon-to-be dandruff away. Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky can make your dandruff worries away and nourish hair from the damages.

It also has a floral scent that will

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

CHEERS TO A DANDRUFFFREE 2020 As the year comes to a close, think of ways on how to make a better version of yourself for the next year! Set the goals you want to reach, and achievements you want to have – a new skill, job promotion, a new career, what have you.

Everyone sets a healthy lifestyle and eating at the start of the year, but did you know that by living healthily can also be beneficial for your scalp and hair? Eradicating bad fats such as chocolate and dairy may not only good for losing baby fats, but also in having an oily hair. Add vegetables to your diet that are rich in vitamin B to promote hair growth.

Having a #FlakeFreeChristmas is easy with Head & Shoulders that protects your hair from dandruff and scalp odor. With Tri-Action formula that removes dandruff and scalp odor, protects the scalp from accumulating dandruff, and moisturizes hair to make it smooth and soft to touch.

Be confident to put your #HeadsTogether and let your family and friends admire your healthy hair that’s dandruff-free and odor-free without you worrying about getting close.

Get to know more about Head & Shoulders here: https://www.headandshoulders.ph/en-ph

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

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

VOL.12 ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2019

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao

OFFICE OF THE CITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Notice of Pending Application for Request for Additional Allowable Use Notice is hereby given that an application for a Request for Additional Allowable Use, per Article XII Section I, of the Zoning Ordinance of Davao City No. 0546-13, series of 2013, for a proposed memorial park located at Acacia, Buhangin District, Davao City has been filed with the Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator by Golden Bria Holdings, 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 28th day of November, 2019.

EDGEDAVAO 9

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

Marketing Assistant 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

10SPORTS 12 EDGE DAVAO EDGE DAVAO

SPORTS BRACE FOR BATTLE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 205164 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, VOL.12 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, ISSUE 78 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER OCTOBER JUNE 25-26, 24-26, 27, 2019

4 games up as Escandor Cup Collegiate Sponsors League resumes Saturday

By ADAM B. MORRELL

A

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

Escandor Cup resumes on Meantime, the Saturday, October 26, at Agro-Industrial Foundathe Davao City Recreation tion College of the PhilipCenter. pines (AIFCP) Sailors and The curtain raiser will the UM Wildcats shared feature a "David versus the top spot in bracket A Goliath" match up as odds- with a 2-0 record each, on favorite Jose Maria Col- followed by the CJC Red lege (JMC) Kings takes on Lions with 1-0. The MCT the struggling Brokenshire Navigators landed on College of Davao (BCD) the fourth spot with 1-1, dribblers at 3:00pm. trailed by the defending The clash between the champion Holy Cross of San Pedro College (SPC) Davao College (HCDC) Stallions and the visiting Crusaders with 1-2, DMCor Jesu College (CJC) MACSP Mariners 0-1, of Digos City Red Lions SPCD Saints 0-1, and SPC will go after at 4:30 pm, Stallions with 0-2. followed by the exciting The bracket B, meanbattle between tradition- while, is currently led by al powerhouse teams St. the Holy Cross College John Paul II College of of Sasa (HCCS) Spartans Davao (SPCD) Saints and with 3-0 card, followed Mats College of Technol- by JMC Kings (2-0), Asian ogy (MCT) Navigators at International School of 6:00 pm.

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

Saturday's quadruple header sponsored by The

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

NOT DONE YET A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

14 12

EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

SEE STORY ON P11

University of Mindanao will tryo to make it three in a row on Saturday as action in the Collegiate Sponsors League (CSL) Escandor Cup resumes at the Davao City Recreation Center. Escandor Cup/CSL photo VOL.11 VOL.12 ISSUE 241 ISSUE • SUNDAY-MONDAY, 6VOL.12 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 24-25, 17-18, ISSUE 51 •FEBRUARY TUESDAY, 21,2019 2019 VOL.12 ISSUE 45 • SUNDAYMONDAY, MAYMAY 12 -13,

VOL.12ISSUE ISSUE55 21• SUNDAY-MONDAY, • SUNDAY-MONDAY,MAY APRIL 7-8, 2019 VOL.12 26-27,

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2019

Marikina is new host of Palaro

T

he �irst Palarong Pambansa of the new decade will happen in Metro Manila.

Marikina City was recently named the new host of the annual sports meet among elementary and high school student-athletes after Mamburao, the originally designated host town for 2020, begged off.

Mamburao and the entirety of the Occidental Mindoro province were heavily affected by Typhoon “Tisoy”, which actually made a direct hit in the entire Mindoro Island.

Based on the �indings

by Occidental Mindoro’s disaster risk management of�ice, the withdrawal of the Palarong Pambansa

hosting was suggested.

Education Undersecretary Revsee Escobedo, in a memorandum given to Marikina Schools Division of�icer-in-charge Sheryll Gayola, con�irmed that Marikina will replace Mamburao as the host of next year’s Palaro.

In the said letter, Escobedo, the secretary-general of the meet, was to send a management team to the Marikina Sports Center on Friday to inspect the said venue and some other areas that could host some games.

This will be the �irst time Marikina City will host Palarong Pambansa, while it will be Metro Manila’s �ifth hosting gig but �irst since 1966. (PNA)

lab Pilipinas prevailed over Formosa on the road as Khalif Wyatt scored the game-winning three-point basket to give his squad a 100-99 win at the Changhua County Stadium in Taiwan on Sunday.

Wyatt's triple with 27 seconds left saved Alab from a late show by Anthony Tucker that saw him put up four triples in succession to give the Dreamers a 99-97 lead from an eightpoint de�icit.

Tucker still tried to steal the win for Formosa, but he missed two straight triples before time expired.

Sam Deguara made 20 points and nine rebounds for Alab, who have now won four straight games to gain a share of the top spot with Mono Vampire, which clobbered Eastern at home, 98-75, later Sunday.

At the Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand, Mono slowly pulled away from Eastern and posted a lead as high as 25 points late in the game before settling for the 23-point margin in the end.

Mike Singletary put up 24 markers, 14 boards, two

dimes, and one steal for Mono, which moved up to 4-1 like Alab.

George Kell made 26 points, eight caroms, and seven dimes for Eastern, which remained winless at 0-3.

Brandon Costner (19 points and 12 rebounds) and Michael Holy�ield (18 points and 14 rebounds) each added a double-double.

In the other scheduled game on Sunday, the Singapore Slingers turned back the Macau Wolf Warriors, 76-72, at the former's OCBC Arena.

The Slingers came back from a �ive-point Wolf Warriors lead midway through the fourth to escape with the home win.

Xavier Alexander posted a triple-double of 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists with one steal for the Slingers, who won for the �irst time this season.

Anthony McClain added 19 markers, 15 boards, and three swats.

Douglas Herring put up 21 points, six rebounds, and �ive assists for the Wolf

11

Alab nips Formosa 100-99

A

ALAB, P8

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (9) at Staples Center. Reuters

Lebron-less Lakers in 3rd straight loss

P

aul Millsap scored 21 points and Gary Harris added 19 as the Denver Nuggets used a second-half burst for a 128-104 victory Sunday over the host Los Angeles Lakers, who played without the injured LeBron James.

Nikola Jokic had 18 points and six rebounds, while Will Barton �inished with 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Nuggets, who won their sixth straight. Malik Beasley chipped in 16 points off the bench.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 32 points, 11

rebounds and four blocks, but sustained a knee injury.

Kyle Kuzma, who returned after missing the previous �ive games with an ankle sprain, had 16 points off the bench for the Lakers, who dropped their third in a row. No other Laker scored in double �igures.

James missed a game for the �irst time this season with a thoracic muscle strain in his back.

Denver prevailed despite guard Jamal Murray, who entered the contest averaging 17.9 points per contest, scoring six points on 3-of-11 shooting, including 0-for-6 on 3-point-

ers.

The Nuggets took control with a solid third quarter and buried the Lakers in the fourth. A 12-0 run lifted the Nuggets to 7767 advantage after two free throws by Barton with 4:38 left in the third quarter. They increased the margin to 91-78 on a tip-in by Mason Plumlee to end the third. Denver outscored Los Angeles 36-25 in the quarter.

The Nuggets also forced six Lakers turnovers in the quarter without committing any. The Nuggets had only eight miscues in the game to 19 for the Lakers.

Thunder shocks Clippers

S

Dennis Schroder scored 14 of his 28 points in the final 3:36 to help the Thunder come from behind and then pull away in the final minutes. Reuters

Davis left the game with 3:13 remaining in the third after tweaking his right knee and picking up his fourth foul. He returned to start the fourth quarter but it didn’t make any difference.

The Nuggets led, 55-53, at the break. They also outshot the Lakers, 44.4 percent to 39.2 percent, in the �irst half. Overall, Denver hit 48.9 percent of its �ield goals to 47 percent for Los Angeles.

The Nuggets also converted 11 of 32 3-pointers (34.4 percent) to 10 of 29 (34.5 percent) for the Lakers.

hai Gilgeous-Alexander matched his career high of 32 points set in his previous game to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 118-112 win against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night.

Gilgeous-Alexander was part of the trade that sent six-time NBA All-Star Paul George to the Clippers last July.

George, who received a warm reception from the crowd in his �irst return to Oklahoma City, �inished with 18 points.

Dennis Schroder scored 14 of his 28 points in the �inal 3:36 to help the Thunder come from behind and then pull away in the �inal minutes.

Steven Adams had 20 points and a season-high 17 rebounds and Chris Paul had 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists for Oklahoma City, which has won a season-high four straight games to move over .500 for the �irst time (15-14).

Lou Williams made a rare start for the Clippers,

�illing in for Patrick Beverley (sore groin), and scored a team-high 22 points.

Montrezl Harrell added 18 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

The Thunder took their �irst lead since the opening four minutes when Paul made a pull-up jumper to make it 103-102 with 3:05 left.

Schroder's 3-pointer with 1:47 remaining gave Oklahoma City the lead for good at 108-106 and sparked a 9-0 run.

George and Ivica Zubac each made their �irst three shots as the Clippers built an early 21-14 lead.

Los Angeles led by as many as 18 in the second quarter before Gilgeous-Alexander scored 10 points in a 15-2 run that cut the de�icit to 55-50 with 2:22 left in the half.

The Thunder twice came back to tie the score in the third quarter before Paul's 3-pointer at the buzzer cut the de�icit to three entering the fourth.

The Clippers rested

THUNDER, P8

12 SPORTS

MIAMI HIT EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 205 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2019

Dabawenyo fighter Moralde scores first round stoppage vs Argentinian foe

D

avao City’s John Vincent Moralde, shocked Argentinian opponent Mattias Arriagada by knocking him down three times before the referee saved him from further punishment in the very �irst round on Sunday (PH Time) at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo in Miami, Florida.

It was a massive win in the US soil for Moralde, nicknamed “Mulawin” and �ighting out of Sanman stable, who improved to 23 wins against 3 defeats with 13 stoppages.

Fellow Sanman super bantamweight pros-

pect “Magic” Mike Plania (W23 KO12 L1 D0) also closed the year with a bang scoring a shutout UD win against previously unbeaten Nicaraguan opponent Giovanni Gutierrez (W9 KO6 L1 D0).

Gutierrez was sent to the canvas once before being schooled by the more experienced Plania all throughout the rounds. All judges scored it 100-89 for the Filipino.

With the win, he takes home the IBF North America Super Bantamweight Belt.

“I really thought he was done when he went down. I wanted to �inish the �ight early but props

to my tough opponent. I did good though in boxing him the following rounds. I am hoping to go up in the IBF ranking having won the North America belt. I am praying hard for bigger �ights next year especially for a world title �ight”, Plania stated.

Sanman CEO Jim Claude Manangquil was very happy about his boxers’ win in Miami. “It was a step-up game for them especially for Mike.

We are targeting a world title match for him next year. A little more polishing and he’s ready for the big time”, Manangquil said.

Dabawenyo fighter John Vincent Moralde stopped Argentinian opponent Mattias Arriagada in the first round on Sunday in Miami.