BusinessWeek Mindanao (June 3, 2020)

BusinessWeek M I N DA N A O CREDIBLE

Volume X, No. 142

Market Indicators AS OF 6:00 PM JUNE 2, 2020 (TUESDAY)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P 50.320

5,930.17

29

X X Briefly

cents

91.3

points

Fishery modernization THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it requested a $200-million loan from the Wor ld Bank which will support the modernization of the fisheries industry.

In a statement Monday, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said the loan will help provide technical support and capital for the industry.

The loan will also support efforts to achieve sustainability of the resource, and address socio-economic conditions in coastal communities.

Streamlining requirements DAVAO City -- Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio suggested to the Depar tment of Transportation to streamline the requirements for overseas foreign workers, stranded persons and the like before boarding the aircraft, and not to limit the prerequisites being asked by the destined local government unit.

She said it is best that the DOTr will set the requirements for OFWs and stranded persons to comply before boarding the plane.

Duterte-Carpio said the moment the person arrives at the LGU-airport, he will only have to present the requirements set by the national government.

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MGCQ awakens Misor’s stalled local economy www.businessweekmindanao.com

Wednesday|June 3, 2020

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Thank you for trusting us!

By GERRY LEE GORIT, Reporter

ISAMIS Oriental – More local establishments in the province have begun reopening their shops starting Monday following the declaration of the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

However, Sangguniang Pan l a l aw i g an me mb e rs Dexter Yasay and Nancy Madjos urged local residents to properly obser ve the necessary health protocols

UKAY-UKAY. Shoppers swarm an Ukay Ukay outlet near Cogon market in Cagayan de Oro City following the declaration of the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) starting June 1. However they were later ordered closed since they are still not allowed to open under CdO's MGCQ guidelines. photo by gerry lee gorit

Special permits ready for rationalized routes

By MARK FRANCISCO, Reporter

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Northern Mindanao will be releasing

special permits granting operators of public transport to collect special fares in areas affected by the COVID-19

crisis.

As of presstime, LTFRB 10 has identified the following rationalized routes: Baikingon, Balongis, PERMITS/PAGE 6

especially when they go out.

Under MGCQ, Yasay said that travelers will no longer be required to secure a "travel pass" if they travel ECONOMY/PAGE 6

Iligan salons reopen on 1st day of MGCQ

By DIVINA SUSON, Correspondent

ILIGAN City -- Beauty salons in this city have resumed operation following the decision of the national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on C ovid-19 to declare the entire Region 10 under the Modified General

Community Quarantine (MGCQ) starting Monday, June 1.

An accompanying E x e c ut i v e O rd e r ( E O ) released by Mayor Celso Regencia, however, made REOPEN/PAGE 6

CDO uses GI sheets to isolate community with Covid cases

By FROILAN GALLARDO, MindaNews

THE local government of Cagayan de Oro installed a makeshift gate made of used galvanized iron sheets to

prevent residents from leaving their neighborhood where a fourth case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was

reported on Sunday.

D r. L o r r a i n e Ne r y, Cagayan de Oro City Health Officer, said a 59-year-old woman from Zone 9 in ISOLATE/PAGE 6

‘BULAD’. Tilapia for sale in Marawi City.

mindanews photo by ferdinandh b . cabrera

MINDANAO DAILY

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Local

Lanao Norte guv mulls BPO village as ‘Balik’ model D AVAO City -Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Dimaporo, who earlier endorsed the town of Kauswagan as among the sites of the first three model resettlements

for the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program, is mulling for the establishment of a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) in another BP2 site.

In a Facebook post

on Monday, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said that during consultations with several town mayors in Lanao del Norte recently, Dimaporo expressed a

to avail of the accumulated P9.9 million of generation shares under the ER 1-94 policy of DOE’s Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).

The accumulated P9.9 million are remittances from 2018 and 2019.

Hedcor group’s remittances before 2018 that are with the Department of

Energy (DOE) are yet to be remitted by the agency to the Local Government Units’ bank accounts.

The ER 1-94 program supports Hedcor’s host communities to get a share of one centavo for every kilowatt-hour (P0.01/kWh) generated

by Hedcor’s plant facility in the area. Generating

WEDNESDAY|JUNE 3, 2020

desire to host more BP2 resettlement sites within Lanao del Norte.

Piñol said Kapatagan officials, in particular, wanted to establish a BPO outlet that would employ MODEL/PAGE 7

Cleanergy provides P9.9-M funds for fight vs COVID-19 MANOLO Fortich, Bukidnon -- While most of the community quarantines have now been gradually eased, the battle against the pandemic is far from over.

To further help the locals recover, Hedcor, a subsidiary of AboitizPower assisted its host communities in Mindanao

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Cleanergy, its brand for clean and renewable energy, Hedcor is able to further boost the economic outlook of its partner communities.

Originally, the generation shares of ER 1-94 program prioritizes projects on electrification; development and livelihood; reforestation and watershed management; and health environment enhancement.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, however, DOE FUNDS/PAGE 7

Members of the NFA Camiguin Inventory Committee witness the actual weighing during the bag to bag inventory count. (NFA 10)

NFA Camiguin conducts bag-to-bag inventory count MAMBAJAO, Camiguin-To ascertain the physical existence and condition of all items falling under Inventory Items for Sale and Empty Sacks as recorded in its Books of Accounts, the National Food Authority (NFA)Camiguin conducted a bag-to-bag count of stocks,

May 29, 2020.

NFA’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) number GM-WH12 prompted the provincial office for a bag-tobag count instead of a volumetric count.

The said SOP under Methods of Counting states that a bag-to-bag count with 100 percent weighing shall be conducted if the aggregate inventory level of the warehouse during the supposed date of actual counting is 5,000 bags and below, and no bag-to-bag count was made within a period of six months.

The semi-annual inventory count was witnessed by the Provincial Inventory Committee chaired by Provincial Manager Leo V. Damole. (NFA Camiguin/ PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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3

CorporateWorld

CLI posts 13% Q1 revenue growth LEADING residential developer in VisMin Cebu Landmasters reported solid Q1 2020 growth of 13 percent year-on- year in consolidated revenues from P1.87 billion to P2.1 billion.

The increase in revenue was driven by robust sales from various segments and sustained construction of new developments alongside growing contributions from its expanding recurring business. Net income to CLI shareholders came in at P572 Million. CLI’s gross profit margin of 50% and net income margin of 31% for the year is within the company’s target ratios and above industry average.

During the first five

months of the year, the company registered P4.8 billion in reservation sales take-up or close to its 1H 2019 level of P5.26 billion.

Sales of P2 billion driven by its economic housing brand Casa Mira were recorded in the months of April and May, a period widely forecast to have little economic activity.

Over-all, CLI’s unsold inventory is down to only 10% of total inventory.

Cebu Landmasters continues to address the still underserved demand for residential projects in Visayas and Mindanao through its wide network of partner brokers and sales agents. The listed firm has digitalized buyer transactions from end-toREVENUE/PAGE 7

VISTA LAND & Lifescapes, Inc. (VLL) reported a 10% increase in profits last year, as it saw higher demand for its commercial assets.

In a statement, the Villar-led property developer said its net income grew to P11.6 billion from P10.5 billion.

Consolidated revenues were 7% higher at P44.4 billion.

Leasing income expanded by 20% to P8.5 billion, while contributions from real estate also climbed 3% to P32.8 billion.

“We are pleased with the company’s 2019

Budget airlines’ local flights, PAL int'l flights resume

P

HILIPPINES AirAsia, Inc. announced on Sunday that it will operate a total of 18 domestic commercial flights when it resumes on Wednesday, June 3.

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) instructed airlines on Saturday to cancel their flights on June 1 as the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFEID) had yet to approve their proposed routes for domestic air services for the first week of the month.

“AirAsia is set to gradually resume services in the Philippines on

3 June following the Philippine government’s directive of easing community quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila and several parts of the country,” the low-cost carrier said in an advisory.

It said the resumption of its commercial flights will initially be for domestic routes and will gradually increase to include international destinations in July.

The airline also said there will be 12 commercial flights between its hubs in Manila and Cebu, Davao, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, and Tagbilaran.

It will operate six

flights between Clark and Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao hubs.

AirAsia’s operations for domestic flights will be temporarily moved from Terminal 4 to Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“The temporary suspension of Terminal 4 operations is until further notice by airport authorities,” it said.

Philippines AirAsia Chief Executive Officer Ricardo P. Isla was quoted as saying: “During the hibernation of our fleet, we took the time to step up our handling procedures to ensure that our guests

have a swift and safe journey with us.”

“Needless to say, we are well prepared to welcome everyone onboard. As we resume our services around our network, AirAsia is determined to help rebuild our economy and country,” he added.

CEBU PACIFIC Cebu Pacific, operated

by Cebu Air, Inc., and its subsidiary Cebgo said on Saturday that they will resume their domestic passenger flights beginning Tuesday.

The Gokongwei-led airlines will be operating flights between Manila and General Santos, Naga, AIRLINES/PAGE 6

performance as both our leasing and residential businesses provided steady growth,” Vista Land Chairman Manuel B. Villar, Jr. said in the statement.

Vista Land currently has about 1.5 million square meters of investment properties.

It launched an estimated P38.5-billion worth of projects last year, composed of affordable housing and mid-rise buildings, mostly outside Metro Manila.

As the world faces the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic this year, Vista Land

President and CEO Manuel Paolo A. Villar said the company will optimize its existing portfolio of investment properties and its current land bank of about 3,000 hectares.

“We saw that demand for affordable housing persists and homebuyers, most of which are end

users, remain committed to completing payments,” he said.

The company said it will focus on building integrated urban developments that combine lifestyle retail, office space, university, healthcare, residential developments and leisure.

Vista Land posts 10% income growth in 2019

4

Opinion

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ORLAN R. RAVANERA Earth Democracy movements are struggles of the disadvantaged and excluded, aimed at conserving nature’s balance to preserve their survival. This is what Indigenous People have been advocating and fighting for but until now remains unheeded. When we lost the 17 million of dipterocarp forest which had been in existence for thousands, if not billions, of years and the billions species living in the

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Benefits of bonding Think a minute . . .

S c i e nt i f i c stu d i e s have shown that much of our world’s anger and violence comes from people who do not have close, caring relationships. It is a simple fact of life: “Ever ybody needs somebody.” Close, true friendships make our life successful and satisfying in all kinds of ways.

For one thing, friends make you stronger and more able to handle stress in your life. Friends encourage and support you so you know you are not alone in your disappointments and difficult times. People who are hurting need more than just sympathy—they need a friend. “When we succeed, our friends know, but when we fail, we know our true friends.” Remember : “A real friend walks in when everybody else walks out.”

There are few things sadder and lonelier than going through a painful time or tragedy in your life and not having a friend you can totally trust, talk to and lean on.

A s e cond b enef it of bonding with others is that

THINK A MINUTE

forest ecosystem even before the homo sapiens came into being, the ecological people (the Indigenous People) lost nature’s and sustenance economy. When we lost the 13 major bays which are now biologically dead together with the 25 major rivers in the country which had dried up or polluted, our country has gone down the drain on ecological security.

In h e r b o o k , E ar t h Democrac y for Justice, Sustainability and Peace, the world renowned e n v i r o n m e n t a l i s t , D r.

Vandana Shiva said, “Earth Democracy movements are struggles of the disadvantaged and excluded, aimed at c on s e r v i n g n atu re’s balance to preserve their survival. Ecology and justice movements offer the world a future by working to ensure the survival of, and protect the fundamental rights to,

the earth’s resources. They are movements of marginal communities who have been deprived of the benefits of market – and trade-led economic globalization but who bear all the costs. They reverse the trend of treating uprooted people as disposable people.”

Where are now the 15 million Indigenous People in the Philippines? They are now inside the vicious cycle of poverty and many of them have joined the Left.

In my sorties to the hinterlands touching base with the IPs who have organized themselves into cooperatives to combat poverty, I cannot help the outpourings of tears hearing stories of so much pains and injustice. Stories of their water rights being violated, turned into moneymaking water project of a local government unit in

Bukidnon while their families are without water. The “Abaga Ta Bayug” (the Mindamora Falls) the sacred place of the IPs is being converted into a tourist spot where construction is going-on, creating havoc to the most beautiful 3-storey falls amidst the amazing green scenery of radiating trees and blooming flowers where flocks of birds flying above as if dancing to the music of the wind.

Every inch of that green scenery is sacred to the IPs where they converge to pray – but now, destroyed for money-making by the rich and powerful. Newly born babies of the IPs are born with physical deformities, without arms, legs or anus because pregnant women drink from watersheds contaminated by surrounding plantations heavily using chemical fertilizers, pesticides and DEMOCRACY/PAGE 7

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JEROME DE LA FUENTE

Hong Kong and Singapore relax the ban on transit passengers at their airports effective first week of June while Spain keen to rebuild tourism ends its quarantine rule 1 July for foreign visitors.

Hong Kong Hong Kong Airport will reopen to transit flights from 1 June, after transit travel was suspended 25 March.

All transit passengers must wear face masks and undergo t e mp e r at u re s c re e n i n g

following their arrival at the airport.

Despite relaxing the transit passenger rule, entry into the territory remains restricted for non-residents.

Foreign nationals who aren’t residents of Hong Kong are not allowed to enter with a few exceptions. Those permitted to enter Hong Kong will be subject to 14 days compulsory quarantine and required to wear a wristband that monitors location. All arrivals to Hong Kong International airport are required to go through medical screening, including a deep throat saliva swabtest.

On the political front, protests continue to take place in Hong Kong. Some of these could turn into violent clashes.

Singapore Singapore Changi Airport will lift its transit passenger

ban 2 June Transit passengers will remain in designated facilities in the transit area and cannot mix with other passengers according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.

Cambodia All travellers, including Cambodian nationals, entering the countr y present a medical certificate indicating negative test results for Covid-19 and undergo a PCR swab test upon arrival at airports in the country.

Following the lifting of an entry ban on foreigners on 20 May; foreigners must also provide proof of a valid medical insurance policy.

Travellers who test positive will be required to quarantine at a government-designated facility.

South Korea From 1 June, foreign nationals residing in South

Korea on most types of longterm visas will need to apply for a re-entry permit before undertaking any travel out of South Korea.

If they leave without a reentry permit, they will need to apply for a new long-term visa before return to South Korea. Some visa holders may be exempt from these measures.

If you have been granted a re-entry permit allowing you to return, you’ll also need a medical certificate (in Korean or English) confirming a negative Covid test result or that you show no symptoms of illness. This certificate must be issued within 48 hours prior to boarding your return flight to South Korea.

Japan Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that travellers from Afghanistan, TRAVEL/PAGE 7

Pentecost Sunday JHAN TIAFAU HURST it guides us in our moral character and doing the right thing in life. When we bond with people, we want to treat them right. It is true: “You cannot legislate morality.” Laws can only limit or restrain us from doing bad and unlawful things to others, but they cannot change our hearts and make us good inside.

Only love in our heart can make us genuinely kind, forgiving, self-controlled, and honest. You want to do the right thing for people you love and care about.

So you do not need a law to stop you from robbing them, since that is the last thing in the world you want BONDING/PAGE 7

PENTECOST Sunday reminds us that God is always with us. It reminds us of a very wonderful truth of our faith as expressed by Christ himself: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him…I will not leave you orphans…” (Jn 14,16-18) This should embolden us to always be confident, at peace and cheerful no matter what happens, because at the end of the day, God is always with us. It would be a great pity if we fail to realize this reality, because we do not live our faith well and prefer instead to rely on our human estimations alone.

To live by faith in order to live in the Spirit does not mean that we should escape from the things of the

world. The Spirit is precisely everywhere. He is in all things that we handle, in all the situations that we can find ourselves in. What we have to do is to try to develop a contemplative spirit ourselves so that we can always discern the presence and the constant interventions of the Spirit in our lives.

This means that while we are immersed in the things of this world, we also have to learn to transcend from. That is to say that while we tackle the temporal and worldly dimensions of everything in our life here on earth, we do not allow ourselves to be trapped by them. We have to learn how to enter into the spiritual and supernatural dimension of our temporal and worldly affairs.

That is simply because God, who is pure spirit and completely supernatural, is in our temporal and worldly

affairs. We should not ignore this very important reality in our life. In fact, we should always be aware of it and try to correspond to it as best that we can.

To be sure, we are enabled to discern God’s presence and interventions, because of our intelligence and will.

These are powerful faculties that would enable us to know and to love, and eventually to enter in the lives of others and ultimately to be with God. But more importantly, we are always given the grace so that our capacity to be with God is actualized. It’s not enough that we are enabled to know and love God. That potency has to be put into act with the grace of God who gives it to us in abundance.

We have to do our part, of course. And the first thing to do is to be aware that there is such a reality as developing

HINTS AND TRACES

ROY CIMAGALA a life in the Spirit, and from there start cultivating the proper attitudes, skills and virtues.

This may look like a daunting, overwhelming task, but it can always be done. Sure, there will be difficult, awkward moments, but those usually happen in the beginning of the learning curve. As long as we persist, time will come when living in intimate relationship with PENTECOST/PAGE 7

Banking&Finance 5 BSP backs bills boosting banking system: Diokno Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

WEDNESDAY|JUNE 3, 2020

B

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno called on lawmakers’ consideration to help support the country’s banking system vis-à-vis the impact of the global pandemic.

In a Viber message to journalists Monday, Diokno said “Philippine banks will play a key role in the recovery process” thus, “Congress shouldn’t weaken them.”

“The strong and wellcapitalized banking industry

is one of the pillar strengths of the Philippine economy going into this once-in-a-lifetime health and economic crisis.

Moving forward, the Philippine banks will play a pivotal role in the post-coronavirus recovery process. And Congress should be cautious not to unduly weaken them,” he said.

Diokno added that monetary officials “support both FIST and GUIDE.” He is referring to the proposed Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST)

law targeted to lessen the pandemic’s burden on banks through the institutions of asset management corporations (AMCs), where banks can sell their non-performing assets (NPA).

Proceeds of the sale can be used by banks to boost their capacity to lend to more micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and boost economic capacity.

The proposed Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed

Enterprises for Economic Recovery or GUIDE Act aims to strengthen the capacity of government financial institutions (GFIs) to address the liquidity requirements of MSMEs and other strategically important companies.

This will benefit the Philippine Guarantee Corporation (PhilGuarantee), the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank), and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

Diokno earlier clarified that

although they are supporting these measures, the domestic banking system remains strong because of reforms instituted in the past.

For one, the sector’s nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio at the end of the first quarter this year remains low at 2.2 percent, he said.

Diokno said a stress test done to check the sectors’ strength showed that the level will remain manageable even if NPLs increased to 5 percent.

(PNA)

S&P affirms PH's 'BBB+' rating, stable outlook S&P Global Ratings has affirmed its ‘BBB+’ investment rating with a stable outlook on the Philippines as it forecasts a strong bounce back with a growth of 9 percent for the domestic economy in 2021 from a projected 0.2-percent contraction this year.

“Although the economic slowdown will weigh heavily on fiscal and debt metrics over the near term, we expect a meaningful stabilization over the next three to four years owing to strong economic fundamentals and generally orthodox policymaking,” the debt rater said in a statement Saturday.

It said this growth outlook assumed that the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) will be “generally contained” globally in the first half of next year.

S&P Global Ratings added the rating’s outlook “reflects our expectations that the economy will continue to achieve above-average growth over the medium term, which will drive constructive development outcomes and underpin broader credit metrics.”

“Although the country's fiscal and debt settings will deteriorate due to the Covid-19 stimulus measures, the government's long track record of fiscal prudence provides some buffer, assuming a meaningful stabilization begins in 2021. The ratings are also supported by the economy's sound external settings,” it said.

Reforms in the past years benefit the domestic economy, it said, adding these reforms enable the Philippines to

become one of the fast-growing economies in the world due mainly to supportive policy dynamics and improving investment climate.

“The economy's constructive trajectory is underpinned by strong household and company balance sheets, sizable inward remittance flows, and an adequately performing financial system. Prior to the outbreak of Covid-19, the country's unemployment rate had been declining for a few years, signaling the economy's strengthening labor market even as the working-age population continued to grow,” it added.

With the need to ensure that the economy recovers fast from the pandemic, the government has formulated

a PHP1.7 trillion worth four-pillar program and S&P forecasts this to widen the government’s budget gap to 7.3 percent of domestic output this year.

This budget deficit level vis-à-vis the gross domestic product (GDP) is seen to increase the net general government debt stock to about a decade high of 35 percent of GDP, but S&P said this level is lower compared to similarly-rated economies.

With the affirmation of the country’s credit rating and its outlook, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said this shows the credit rater’s “unequivocal recognition” of the economy’s resilience.

“We are confident that our government’s four-pillar strategy to deal with the

pandemic will see us through this global health emergency as we remain focused on saving lives and protecting communities while gradually lifting mobility restrictions to restart the economy and get people back to work,” he said in a statement.

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority Director General Karl Kendrick Chua said the government’s ample buffers and fiscal space serve as a springboard for the government to finance needed programs on “healthcare, infrastructure, and the entire food value chain.”

“No country has been spared from the economic effects of this global

pandemic, but our strong economic fundamentals and inclusive recovery measures will power our return to growth,” he said.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said the central bank continues to enjoy monetary policy space because of years of instituting reforms and sound policy management.

“While being mindful of our price and financial stability mandates, we are thinking outside the box to enact policies that ultimately help safeguard the lives and livelihoods of our people. Such is our solemn responsibility in this once-in-a-lifetime crisis, and I am confident that our approach will demonstrate the resilience of our country," he added. (PNA)

6

Economy... from page 1

within the province, including those residents coming from Cagayan de Oro City.

He said only travelers traveling to other provinces such as Bukidnon, Camiguin and Lanao are required to secure a travel pass. "They must secure their travel passes from the Philippine National Police (PNP)," said Yasay.

"Wala nawala ang Covid," said Madjos as she reminded residents to always wear facemask, and observe "social distancing."

They said checkpoints are still installed in some key areas to continue the monitoring of body temperatures of those people coming in and out the province.

Ya s ay s ai d " ang k a s " or backriders are still not allowed in the province.

He said "mass gathering" is also not allowed and that only 50-percent of the total capacity of a commercial establishment must strictly be observed.

Madjos, on one hand, said that about 90 percent of commercial establishments in Misamis Oriental, including beaches and tourist spots, have started to open shops.

As of today, Madjos said that no cases of Covid-19 has been recorded in Misamis Oriental. "But all of us are potential carrier of Covid-19," said Yasay.

Madjos attributed the "zero Covid-19 case" in Misamis Oriental to the early preparation and efforts of Misamis Oriental Governor Bambi Emano.

Mis amis Or ient a l is comp os ed of 23 towns and two component cities, which are organized into two legislative districts, and further subdivided into 424 barangays.

Reopen... from page 1

it clear that salon operators must abide by all health protocols.

Salon owners, who lost money for over two months since the quarantine started, said compliance with the minimum health standards set by the government was a small price to pay to be able to generate income again.

A local salon, Hair Goals, only accepts 10 customers at a time instead of 20, which is the establishment's normal capacity, while only half of the staff will be working daily in alternating shifts.

Pe r s o n a l p r o t e c t i v e equipment (PPE) is also a must for all personnel.

"We had more than 10 customers here when we opened at 8 a,m. Some of them wanted their hair done, others wanted manicurepedicure services," said Anna Kundiman, cashier of Hair Goals Salon.

One of the salon's staff, Jay-ar Tamparong, said most of their day was spent cleaning and disinfecting their place and equipment.

They also had to prepare a footbath and disinfection area to comply with the health

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guidelines.

"This place is still dusty since we closed shop for more than two months," Larong said.

Tamparong and Kundiman said that they used the PHP5,000 emergency cash assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment as capital to venture into online selling.

Tess Andos, the owner of Stylist's Salon, said her workers have been working since last month to repaint and rearrange the interior looks of the salon because she wanted a new look for her business after the community quarantine.

"It took some time for us to finish because not all workers could go out every day since their home quarantine pass are scheduled," Andos said.

To comply wit h t he D e p ar t m e nt of He a lt h protocols, Andos bought her staff a complete set of PPE sewn by a local dressmaker consisting of an overall suit, head cover, face shield, facemask, and gloves.

"Aside from making sure of the safety of our customers, we are also making sure our staff is safe. I am not allowing them to use a cloth mask. I prepared boxes of surgical facemasks for their uses," she said.

Stylist's salon's first customer, Liezel Seares, had her nails done. She arrived an hour after the salon opened.

"This is far better than I expected. I only expect a footbath, a sanitizer. Seeing the staff who handled me in a complete PPE makes me comfortable," Seares said.

(PNA)

Permits... from page 1

Balulang, Bayabas, Bonbon, Bulua via coastal road, Bulua to Carmen, Calaanan, Dansolihon, Gran Europa, Iponan to Pueblo, Iponan to Carmen, Kisanlu, NHA, Pagatpat, Regency, San Simon, Tagpangi, Tignapoloan, Tumpagon, Xavier Heights, Zayas, Alae to Puerto, Bugo via JR B orja extension, Bugo to Cogon, Buena Oro, Cugman/Gusa, Indahag, Lapasan to Carmen market, Lapasan to Cogon, Macabalan (Pier) to Cogon, Macabalan (Pier) to westbound, Valencia to Kibawe, Valencia to Kadingilan, Valencia to Kalilangan, Alae to Quezon, Alae to Maramag, Alae to Valencia, Alae to Kibawe, Mambajao-Mahinog-BenoniGuinsiliban-Sagay-Catarman, Sapang Dalaga to Bonifacio, Calamba to Baliangao, Sapang Dalaga to C oncep cion, Bonifacio to Don Victoriano, Magsaysay to Balingoan, Balingoan to CDO, Magsaysay to CDO, Lugait to CDO, El Salvador to Jasaan, Balingasag to Laguindingan airport, Molugan to Villanueva, Kapatagan to Iligan, Pantar to Iligan, Alae to CDO, CDO to Iligan and CDO to Oroquieta.

LT F R B 1 0 d i r e c t o r Aminoden Guro explained that they are granting special permits to associations only i.e. cooperatives and corporations which have all

their units managed in one fleet.

Guro pointed out that each route will have a limited number of units to ply meaning that if one association has 40 units and the route is granted only 30 to ply, jeepneys and PUV units must travel on an alternate basis.

“S i l a n a b a h a l a s a cooperative ug sa corporation kung unsay ilang kaugalingong sistema. What is important is that all units are managed in one fleet,” he said.

Prior to the granting of the number of units per route, LTFRB has already conducted surveys in each of the points of the origin to determine on how many households are residing in those communities.

“We are limiting our calculations to only two persons per household – ang isa gatrabaho u gang isa homemaker nga pwede maoy mag-merkado,” he said.

For example, only ten PUV units are allowed to ply the Grand Europa to Cogon market route.

“A lt hou g h t an an n a g itu g ot an n g a pu w e d e makagawas but in spirit, since we are still in modified general community quarantine, the basic policy still applies: stay at home if you don’t have business outside. That is the principle why gamay ra among gi-allow nga ipabiyahe,” Guro said.

The fares for these special routes are also higher than the pre-COVID routes.

The minimum fare is P9 for traditional jeepneys, P11 for modernized jeepneys, P11 for non-airconditioned PUVs and P13 for airconditioned PUVs. Again, this is meant to discourage people from loitering outside in this era of the new normal.

Isolate...

from page 1 Sitio Macanhan, Barangay Carmen, tested positive of COVID-19, the first reported case since the city shifted to Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) on Monday, June 1, but the fourth in Macanhan.

Nery said the latest case is a neighbor of the first COVID-19-positive in the area – a 62-year-old female who passed away on May 15.

The community has been on isolation since May 16 following the death of the first case.

On Monday (June 1), the city government sealed the community entrance with a makeshift gate made of used galvanized iron sheets to prevent residents from going out.

“The city government provides them with free food so long as they do not go out,” a nearby resident said.

Nery said the containment would have been lifted on June 5 but with the recent COVID-19 case, the quarantine will continue until June 15.

Nery said that aside from the new patient, the husband and daughter of the 62-year-

old woman who died on May 15 also tested positive of COVID-19.

The two and the 59-yearold neighbor who tested positive have been held in isolation in an undisclosed medical facility in the city.

She said there are now five active COVID-19 cases to include the two students who arrived from Cebu City last May 19.

Of 30 COVID-19 cases in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao), Cagayan de Oro City posted the highest with 13 cases, including five deaths, as of May 31, according to the Department of Health’s Center for Health Development in Northern Mindanao.

O f M i n d a n a o’s 2 7 provinces and 33 cities, only the cities of Davao and Zamboanga, which have the highest number of cases, have been classified as “mediumrisk” and under General Community Quarantine.

The rest, including Cagayan de Oro City, are “low-risk” and under MGCQ from June 1 to 15.

Under t he Omnibus Guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the body that made the risk assessments and quarantine classifications, t h e c l a s s i f i c at i on s a re “without prejudice to the declaration of localized ECQ in critical areas.”

Airlines... from page 3

Cagayan de Oro, and Cebu from June 2 to June 4. In Manila, all their flights will depart and arrive at the NAIA Terminal 3.

The budget airlines also reminded the public that leisure travel is not yet being allowed by the government.

Passengers should also check the guidelines from the IATF-EID and coordinate with the local governments of their origin and destination for the necessary documents when travelling.

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES Also on Saturday, flag carrier Philippine Airlines, operated by PAL Holdings, Inc., said that it will begin re s u m i n g it s d om e s t i c passenger flights on June 8 instead of June 1, which it had initially announced last Friday before CAB’s advisory.

PAL will operate flights between Manila and Basco, L aoag, L egazpi, Puer to Princesa, Busuanga, Bacolod, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Caticlan, Roxas, Ta c l o b a n , Ta g b i l a r a n , Butuan, Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro, Dipolog, Davao, General Santos, Ozamis, Pagadian, and Zamboanga.

There will also be flights between Cebu and Davao effective June 8.

PAL will also resume operating limited international services on June 1.

The flag carrier is set to operate flights between Manila and San Francisco starting June 1; followed

by Singapore on June 3; Los

Angeles on June 8; Vancouver and Toronto on June 10; New York on June 11; Guam on June 12; Honolulu Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur on June 13; Ho Chi Minh, Doha,

Dubai, Dammam, and Riyadh on June 15; Taipei on June 16; Xiamen on June 17; Hong Kong on June 19; and Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya on June 22.

Stakeholders batok sa COVID gipasalamatan ni Emano DAKUNG pasalamat ni Gov. Bambi Emano sa kaikag ug kadasig sa mayores, kapitanes ug Provincial Task Force for COVID-19 chairperson Dr. Jerie Calingasan nga hangtud karon, Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) na lang, zero-confirmed case pa gihapon sa coronavirus disease 2019 ang Misamis Oriental.

“Crossing our fingers, pero daku atong pasalamat uyamot sa local chief executives sa kalungsuran, duha ka dakbayan, 424 ka kapitanes ug kang Task Force chief Dr. Jerie, because we are able to maintain Misamis Oriental’s graph as flat as zero-case. We are now under MGCQ, hugka na ang tanan. But let us not be complacent and over confident. We will still work hand-in-hand.

We don’t know what’s waiting for us in the coming days,” matud ni Gov. Emano.

Sugod Hunyo 1, 2020, gipahimutang na sa luag nga pagpatuman sa

community quarantine ang tibuok Rehiyon 10 human kini gi-categorize isip low-risk area. Lakip sa Rehiyon 10 ang Camiguin, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte ug Misamis Oriental, buot pasabot mibalik na ang kagawasan sa tanan nga mamalit, malulinghayaw, ug mobyahe.

Nagtuo si Gov. Emano nga wala pa kita mahuman sa atong pakigbatok sa COVID-19, mao nga hangyo niini sa publiko nga unta ibutang sa hunahuna nga nagsugod pa lang kita aron tanan dili magkompiyansa.

Lakip gipasalamatan sa Gobernador ang tanang ulo sa departamento sa kapitolyo sa ilang hugot nga suporta sa tanang lakang sa iyang pamunuan hilabina sa tanang hangyo ni Task Force chief Dr. Calingasa, gikan sa ayuda padulong sa pagpalit sa gamit pang-depensa batok sa makamatay nga virus.

7

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Bonding... from page 4

to do to people you love.

S ome t h i ng els e t hat bonding with others gives us is meaning to our success.

“One of the most miserable persons on earth is the one who has money and no friends.” The world is full of wealthy, lonely people who live in big, beautiful houses that are empty, with no real love inside. But when you truly care about people, then your success means you are providing for the people you love. You’re also helping the many lives that your job or business serves.

Your professional goal is not just to make money, but to enjoy using it to help improve other people’s lives, which is far more valuable than the money itself.

So won’t you ask the One who loves you more than anyone to become your closest friend? If you wholeheartedly ask Jesus to come into your life today, He can start filling your heart with His real love so you are able to bond more closely with those people you need, and those who need you.

Just think a minute .

Democracy... from page 4

herbicides, many of which are already banned in other countries.

What is worse is when their Ancestral Domains are converted into plantations or are subjected as CommunityBased Forest Management Agreements (CBFMA) without their knowledge. The Chieftains approached me and queries were raised, i.e., Kami ba ay tinuturing pang tao? Di ba may karapatan din kami? But they assured me, they will not join the Left. They will mobilize their collective power as cooperatives to fight for their rights.

Recently, they wrote our beloved President to narrate their sad stories of being harassed, of being exploited and whose rights are being violated.

Ang sabi nila sa sulat, “Tulungan po ninyo kami mahal naming Pangulo. Pag nagpatuloy pa ang kanilang kasuwapangan, kami po ay handang magpakamatay at pumatay.”

To those who are underestimating them, may I share with you this truism. Yes, as cooperatives, the IPs are now harnessing their collective power peacefully. But you should know that these cooperatives are now headed by no less than the former 6th Brigade Commander of the MILF Special Force Unit, who is half Maranaw and half Higaonon with some 1,500 combatants of the North Eastern Mindanao Front at Camp Arkam Special Force Unit.

From armed struggle, they are now advancing c o op e r at i v i s m a s t h e y shouted: “Mga pagari ak’n, sama-sama tanu kooperatiba.

Isa lang ang armas natin ngayon, kooperatiba lang!”

Let it be known by Dr. Vandana Shiva, a good friend in the environmental movement that in Mindanao the Indigenous People are advancing Earth Democracy for Ju st i c e, Pe a c e an d Sustainability. All for God’s greater glory!

Travel... from page 4

Argentina, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Ghana, Guinea, India, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, South Africa and Tajikistan would be indefinitely barred from entering the country as of 27 May. It brings Japan’s entry ban up to 111 nations.

Spain Spain will lift the quarantine rule for overseas travellers from 1 July. Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya announced that the country’s 14-day quarantine period for those arriving from overseas would be lifted to boost tourism.

Norway Norway has closed all of its borders to all nonresident foreign travellers until at least 20 August, to prevent further spread of Covid-19. European Union and European Economic Area citizens who are family members of Norwegians, who own property in Norway or who are seasonal agricultural workers, are exempt. All travellers are subject to a 10-day self-quarantine upon arrival, excluding crossborder workers with Finland and Sweden.

Portugal Tap Air will resume at least 240 international flights from 1 July, including to Spain, Italy, Germany and Belgium, among other countries.

Pentecost... from page 4

the Spirit becomes second nature to us.

If we live the life in the Spirit, we would always be checking the spirit behind everything in our life. We cannot be naïve and just accept things as they come.

We need to check if the spirit behind comes from God or not.

In this, we have received enough warnings from Sacred Scripture. “Beloved,” St. John, for example, in his first letter tells us, “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (4,1) There are many kinds of spirits roaming around the world, and we have to learn how to discern them. There is the spirit of God, the spirit of Christ as opposed to the antichrist. There is also the evil spirit, and the spirit of the world that is dominated by the evil one.

Model... from page 2

returning Lanao del Norte residents.

“Just like the Kauswagan model, the Kapatagan Balik Probinsya Village will also have a housing project where

the returning residents will stay,’ Piñol said.

He added that another town would like to set up a BP2 village where the residents would be involved in tree farming with coffee and cacao intercrop.

“Governor Dimaporo said that what is important is the constant coordination between the national government agencies and the local government units for the implementation of the program. And she said that they fully support this program initiated by Senator Bong Go and being endorsed

by President Duterte," Piñol said.

L a n a o d e l Nor t e i s expected to roll out the first Balik Probinsya model community in two weeks, as Kauswagan has already prepared the town for the program. (PNA)

Funds... from page 2

issued Department Circular 2020-004-00080, dictating that the ER 1-94 funds received by host communities may now be used in full for efforts towards managing the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The said funds are to be enjoyed by over 12 barangays; four cities and municipalities; the provinces of Davao del Sur and Bukidnon; and Region XI. This is on top of Hedcor’s three-wave relief assistance that prioritized ready-to-eat goods and medical supplies distribution.

Combined with the efforts in Luzon, the total funds available for Hedcor’s host communities across the country is at P20.1 million.

Story... from page 8

beheaded inside Ateneo de Cagayan campus for passing information to the guerrillas.

He was only 16 years old.

He felt the urge to join the fight for home and freedom but his parents were against it. He was still too young and besides the Japanese was too strong.

Everything was uncertain. In fact, there was no news if the Americans would come back to retake the country, his parents said.

But he was determined, so he ran away from home and enlisted in Alubijid with the guerrilla group organized by Maj. Angeles Limena.

He was assigned to the 120th Regiment, 108th Division with regimental headquarters at Lugait Central School, Misamis Oriental.

Young as he was, with no military training, he started as a stable boy, tending horses of officers and enlisted USAFFE men. He was transferred to office duty when an officer discovered he knew how to use a typewriter.

He also rolled local tobacco, called Tigol, for the officers.

His training on the guerrilla tactic of shoot-and-run paid off when a large group of Japanese troops attacked their headquarters at Lugait. They fought hard and pushed back the Japanese to Iligan.

In the troop formation

after the Japanese withdrawal, the regimental commander acknowledged him as the only soldier in the whole regiment who fought the Japanese in two separate encounters in one day, while berating some officers and USAFFE veterans who ran and fled at the first sight of the enemy.

"Bata, magaling ka!" his Ilocano Regimental Commander, Maj. Pedro Andres, said in Tagalog, in front of the troops.

As his reputation grew, he was given assignments fit for senior and veteran soldiers. First sergeants started giving him bigger responsibilities, bypassing senior and veteran soldiers.

"It felt awkward. I was only a private and very young, “he recalled.

The young and brave civilian volunteer became a choice bodyguard of officers on dangerous missions. But perilous missions paid off and were rewarded wit h pleasures when Iligan was liberated.

Prominent Iliganon families invited officers to festive celebratory parties. As a trusted bodyguard he was ordered to tag along.

"For the first time in two years I tasted real food," He said.

"The host entertained us with piano music played by their lovely daughters who were teen- agers like me. Some of them were my classmates in Misamis Oriental Provincial High School. But I avoided them and stayed at a safe distance because I did not want them to smell my body odor which was common to guerrillas. Besides, I was insecure - and barefoot!” he would muse, smiling and feeling amused at the memory.

One of the highlights of his guerrilla life was the time they went to Jimenez, Misamis Occidental.

He was chosen as one of the 12 escorts of Maj. Limena was the latter was ordered to report to 10th Military District headquarters.

For 4 months Col. Fertig did not know what to do with Limena's rebellion. He tried withholding supplies from Limena. Limena retaliated by confiscating logistics intended for other areas and disarming men and officers that passed through his territory.

Fertig also considered sending Maj. Bowler to settle the issue by force. He later rescinded the order realizing he would rather spill more Japanese blood than have Americans and Filipinos killing each other.

Limena bravely went to Jimenez to submit to military inquiry. He would face a court martial if need be, just to settle the issue once and for all.

The other escorts were Pvts.

Abres, Enad, Abella, Ebonia, Sgt George Carvajal, Sgt Delfin Reyes, PFC Boboy Austria, Pvt Quinton Joaquin, Pvt Mariano Francisco, and Sgt Domingo Baldomino.

The officers with Maj. Limena were Capt. Ricardo Abellanosa, Capt. Vicente Austria, Capt.

Ronaldo Tiano and Lt. Ramon Legazpi.

The trip itself was dangerous.

They had to sail across the Japanese infested Panguil Bay to the headquarters of Col. Wendell Fertig, Commander of the 10th Military District.

(To be continued)

Revenue... from page 3

end and made payment terms more affordable and attractive to customers.

“We exp e c t demand for quality housing and residential units to rise prompted by the greater desire for safer and better planned living environments in the aftermath of COVID 19. Over the years, CLI has built a reputation for offering great value to its buyers and is ideally positioned to serve this rising demand,” Soberano said.

To fund these expansions, C ebu L and maste rs has secured P8 billion worth of corporate notes and several bilateral facilities with major banks, tailored per project. CLI’s incremental cost of borrowing is between 3.8% to 4.2% for 5-, 7- and 10-year money, making it well positioned to m an age it s b a l an c e sheet, lower its financing costs and having sufficient res ources to allo cating funding for judicious capital expenditures.

“CLI is moving forward with both prudence and conviction. We will still be launching over 13 projects total this year, especially in key segments with sustained demand including economic vertical and horizontal housing. VisMin will recover faster, as restrictions have eased sooner with strong measures in place. There is sustained demand amidst a low supply environment in key Vismin cities, as evidenced by our 2 Billion sales take-up over April to May.

“As we are quick to adapt to this new normal and catchup to 100% site operations, we are aiming to achieve a full-year guidance that will closely match 2019 levels.”

CLI has also played an active role in supporting various frontliners at the height of the pandemic. It has released supplemental income to over 5,000 3rd party construction workers who have continued to work on CLI projects. It has provided relief goods to over 20 barangays where CLI is present, and has provided support to various LGU efforts.

Accounting for a total market share of 12 percent, CLI was dubbed as the leading residential developer in the Visayas and Mindanao regions in a 2019 study by Santos Knight Frank.

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the late ANDRES D. ABENOJA, who died on July 6, 2013 in Cagayan de Oro City and SIMEONA J. ABENOJA who died on August 6, 2004, without any debts and without any will; that the both deceased left a Parcel of land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. ET-6512 situated in the Barrio of Aglayan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon containing an area of 24, 033 square meters, and has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE, filed by the heirs of ANDRES D. ABENOJA and SIMEONA J. ABENOJA, per DOC #145; PAGE #29; BOOK #63, Series of 2016 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. CHESTER C. CASTAÑOS. BWM: June 3, 10 & 17, 2020

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Maj. Fidencio Laplap became Police Chief of Cagayan de Oro after the war.

FEATURE

IN-DEPTH

8

Wednesday|June 3, 2020

Maj. Pedro Andres.

Major Angeles Limena

Cpl. Jesus B. Ilogon

We must tell their story laplap family photo

photo by pedring timonera

part

By RAUL B. ILOGON

A

S A child, I loved listening to my father tell stories about his exploits as a young guerrilla civilian volunteer during World War II. Against all odds, they

fought and endured the Japanese occupation. They risked their lives rather than live on bended knees.

It was an endless rewind told over lunch or dinner. Surprisingly, we never get bored of hearing the same story told over and over again.

It was as if my siblings and I were hearing it for the first time. My father's war stories never failed to excite us.

He eyes glittered as he retold the battle field heroics of Maj. Angeles Limena and Maj. Fidencio Laplap. Their bravery

and defiance against the mighty Japanese army gave hope to the demoralized and defeated people.

Their names became by-words and travelled far and wide across Mindanao.

They were there when the people needed heroes.

Their battles told them that Japanese could be defeated. Their victories, however small, shattered the Japanese cloak of invincibility.

My father, Jesus B. Ilogon, was 16 when World War II broke out.

He was a 4th year high School at Misamis Oriental Provincial High School (now MOGCHS). After the April 8, 1941 flag ceremony, they were told to go home. Pearl Harbor was bombed. War had started.

They were the last family in Licoan to evacuate to Lapad, Laguindingan. His mother was too weak to travel having recently suffered a miscarriage.

Unfortunately, the aerial bombing that shook the ground was too much for his mother and the unborn baby to bear.

One day the Japanese puppet mayor of Alubijid made a speech during the Tabo at Aromahon, sitio

1

of

2

The author demonstrates h ow t o ro l l a Tus t os o r hand-rolled cigar at Lapad, Laguindingan where his father Cpl. Jake Ilogon used to do the same for guerrilla officers. photo by mike baĂąos Inset shows a tigol with tobacco wrapped in Lomboy leaf. photo nonoy ilogon

near their evacuation place in Lapad, Laguindingan.

He was ashamed of what he heard. The Japanese puppet mayor of Alubijid was peddling "fake news".

Unable to contain his anger, he shouted at the top of his voice" BAKAK! " "DAKPA!" The mayor shouted to his policemen.

He ran home to Lapad as fast as he could.

His excellent running skills saved his life many times later when joined

the guerrilla movement.

The guerrillas were issued only 8 bullets. After firing 4 bullets the guerrilla had to run away as fast as he could.

His anguish was unbearable when learned of the death a basketball team mate. Before the war they had a basketball team called Parke.

Cox Banquerigo resided near Parke, now Gaston Park. He was STORY/PAGE 7

The rolling hills of Lapad, Laguindingan where Cpl. Jake Ilogon spent his time in the farm of his father Pastor Ilogon, Sr. during World War II as a guerrilla. photo by mike baĂąos