Volume III, No. 3
website: www.mindanaostarbalita.com
APRIL 17-23, 2015
MindanaoSTAR
P10.00
THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
DOH launches new anti-pneumonia drive
THE Department of Health (DOH 10) launches on April 15 the “Laban Niyo. Mo.Niya-Libreng Bakuna Kontra Pneumonia” at the Andres Bonifacio Shrine, this city.
IMPROVING THE PEACE AND ORDER SITUATION – GOVERNOR BAMBI B. EMANO and VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ confer with each other before the start of the Joint Meeting of the Gingoog City Peace and Order Council and the Misamis Oriental Provincial Peace and Order Council which took place in Gingoog City. The joint meeting was initiated after a series of killings took place in Gingoog City that included Marc Anthony M. Bagaipo, a former City Councilor of Gingoog City and a Consultant of the Provincial Governor. Vice Governor Pelaez recently authored a Resolution urgently requesting the DOJ, PNP, NBI and the CIDG to provide all the necessary resources in conducting expeditious investigations on, and utilize the full force of the law in finding and in bringing to justice the perpetrators of, the killing of Marc Bagaipo and many other killings in Gingoog City. photoprovided
BFAR to lead removal of illegal fishing structure in Panguil Bay TANGUB City -- Ceremonial removal or dismantling of illegal fishing structures in Panguil Bay, particularly, filter nets or “sanggab” is set to be conducted in the city on April 17. The activity will be witnessed by Atty. Asis G. Perez, Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Director-General of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Visa Tan-Dimerin, director of BFAR, region 10. This will be done after PBDC’s This full council meeting, in the morning of the same day, at the Naomi’s Botanical Garden in Bañadero, Ozamiz City, after which, they will be ferried to the “sanggab” sites in Tangub City, by the BFAR
patrol boats, Dimerin said. Dimerin said the ceremony will also be witnessed by the local chief executives (LCE’s) and their Municipal Planning and Development Officers (MPDO’s) and Municipal Agriculture officers of local government units (LGU’s), who are members of the Panguil Bay Development Council (PBDC). These LGU’s include those of Maigo, Kolambugan, Tubod, Baroy, Lala and Kapatagan, in Lanao del Norte, Bonifacio, Clarin, Tangub and Ozamiz Cities, in Misamis Occidental and Aurora and Tambulig in Zamboanga del Sur, Dimerin added. Fisherfolk or filter net See removal, page 11
The launching is simultaneous with all other nine cities and five provinces in northern Mindanao, highlighted with the ceremonial immunization of babies with pneumococcal vaccine (PCV 13). DOH 10 Chief Local Health Support Division Dr. Ellenietta N. Gamolo noted that every year, thousands of Filipino children die due to pneumonia, the government has already subsidized the vaccinations for elderly, this time was expanded to cover infants aging 6 weeks to 11 months. “There is a need to See drive, page 11
‘Safe Motherhood’ program launched in Lanao del Norte
Tubod, Lanao del Norte -- More than 4,000 participants joined the launching of the ‘Safe Motherhood’ program initiated by the provincial government of this province. Lanao del Norte is the first LGU to launched this kind of health initiative that will support national government’s goal of achieving Millennium Development Goals 5 (improve maternal health) and 6 (reduce child mortality). The province-wide event was participated 4Ps beneficiaries, Provincial Volunteer Health Workers (PVHWs), barangay health workers, Khalid Dimaporo (rightmost) is accompanied by Vice-Governor Cristy Atay health professionals, Governor (2nd from right) in inspecting the health stations during the launching ceremony of See safe, page 11
‘Safe Motherhood’ program.
photo supplied
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2 MindanaoSTAR
APRIL 17-23, 2015
News Drought exacts toll on Cotabato farmers THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
COTABATO City -Farmer Deylon Musa, 62, shared boiled rice and steamed camote tops with his wife Pundo and a fiveyear-old granddaughter for lunch on Thursday at their small, dilapidated hut at Barangay Tamontaka here just beside his rice field. An hour earlier, under the scorching heat of the sun, Musa finished his routine working on a hectare of farm land that used to be soaked in water. But the drought has changed all that, as the dry spell has hit his farm bad since February. He could no longer harvest the rice on his field, the stalks still swaying with the wind. He gasped with despair.
Musa’s face showed how he and other farmers have suffered due to the dry spell. His farmland, used to be lush green, has turned into yellowish brown. If the drought goes on, Musa could not say how he could make both ends meet. His wife is earning just enough for the family’s food on the table through laundry jobs. “This is my worst problem,” Musa told reporters as he showed his devastated farmland. At least 19 of Cotabato City’s 37 villages have been placed under state of calamity due to the drought after the agriculture sector suffered P17 million losses to agricultural crops. See drought, page 11
German-trained Filipinos cited energy-firm social development efforts: AUFTRAG members cited energy-firm STEAG State Power Inc (SPI) for its significant contribution to the development of its host communities in Mindanao through the company’s various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. AUFTRAG stands for Association of United Filipinos Trained in Germany, Inc.. The group held recently its 1st general assembly at Steag’s power plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. AUFTRAG also visited Agutayan Island in Jasaan Misamis Oriental where a P6million Agutayan Reef Watchtower Project is being built. The project is joint project between Steag, the provincial government of Misamis Oriental and the Department of Energy. photo supplied
DENR-12 allots P7M for reforestation of 3 Maguindanao, SouthCot upland villages GENERAL Santos City -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 12 has allotted around P7 million for the reforestation of three upland villages in Maguindanao and South Cotabato. Datu Tungko Saikol, DENR Region 12 executive director, said the initiative is part of the expansion this year of its continuing reforestation project under the national government’s Sajahatra Bangsamoro program. He said they have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with implementers of the
Sajahatra Bangsamoro for the launching of the greening activities within this month in barangays Buliok in Pagalungan town and Sambulawan in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao, as well as in Sitio B’lungan, Barangay Upper Sepaka in Surallah, South Cotabato. The official said the three villages had been identified as priority expansion areas of the Sajahatra Bangsamoro. Under the MOA, he said the agency will specifically include the three villages in its coverage area for the National Greening Program (NGP). “We will be planting
coffee, fruit and forest trees in around 300 hectares of forest lands in these areas,” Saikol said in a statement. He said the P7-million allotment will cover for the seedling production, plantation establishment and the monitoring, maintenance and protection of the reforestation sites. Saikol said the agency will partner with people’s organizations based in the three villages for the implementation of the greening projects, which are due for completion by December 2017. Dr. Taugan Kikay, Sajahatra Bangsamoro
project management team leader, lauded the expansion of the greening program in the three villages. He said they’re hoping that the program will usher in more opportunities in terms of the development of idle upland areas within Bangsamoro communities. “This project complements with our efforts to bring sustainable livelihood opportunities to our marginalized communities and eventually improve the lives of residents,” he said. Sajahatra Bangsamoro is a joint undertaking of the Government of the Philippines and the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that aims to uplift and develop Bangsamoro communities. It covers initiatives on education, health and livelihood through scholarship grants, assistance to madaris, issuance of Philhealth cards, basic health care services, livelihood projects and cash for work. Launched in February 2013, the program is a product of talks between President Benigno S. Aquino III and MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim immediately after the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. (MindaNews)
Lamudi names Davao as M’nao’s real estate hotspot DAVAO City -- Online property portal Lamudi Philippines has identified Davao City as Mindanao’s real estate hotspot. The global real estate marketplace cited the massive investment of major property developers in the city, the local government’s intensified efforts to boost security and stability, and the surge in the city’s property listings. Lamudi data shows that Davao City has 2,471 listed properties for sale and 195 for rent, the second highest in any city outside Metro Manila after Cebu City. See lamudi, page 11
Solar power technology gains ground among APEC member-economies Energy experts from member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) said Photovoltaic (PV) solar power technologies in their countries have made inroads in their renewable energy (RE) programs. The Philippines amended its installation targets of solar energy generation from 50 MW to 500 MW last year after seeing solar power generation as one of the most promising RE sources. Director Mario Marasigan, of the Philippines’ Renewable Energy Management Bureau, said that while they amended its installation targets, the government remains careful so as not to hurt Gov. Bambi Emano emphasizes to those in attendance that the joint meeting was not meant to point accusing power consumers who fingers but to find common grounds for a stronger front against all forms of criminality hounding the residents don’t get power subsidies from the government. of Gingoog City for a time now. mindanao daily news photo by gerry lee gorit
“For the Philippines, we have implemented the net metering for PV solar installations in academic institutions. This encouraged the academe to build their own RE system such as the solar PV on their rooftops,” he said. The sharing of experiences was part of the on-going APEC-Expert Group on New Renewable Energy 44th Meeting (APEC-EGNRET44) being held at the Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel here. For his part, Gavin Yu of Korea noted a growing number of new renewable energy manufacturers as the RE sector develops. He said the number of manufacturers more than doubled from 2007 to 2013, the employment figure more than tripled, See power, page 11
MindanaoSTAR 3
APRIL 17-23, 2015
THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
3 DAY SALE AT SM Catch the biggest and grandest sale at SM City Cagayan de Oro on April 17, 18 and 19 and avail up to 70% off on great finds mall wide. Plus, get a chance to win 1 of 2 Suzuki Raider in the raffle draws on April 18 and 19. What’s more? Get a chance to meet and greet Ely Buendia and his band on April 18, 7pm at the SM Las Ramblas Parking Area. All these and more are happening only at SM City Cagayan de Oro on April 17 to 19!
Group tackles Solid Waste Issues The implementation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 has brought up various concerns among local government units. Vivian Barillo, Environment and Natural Resources Officer in a recent meeting of the Provincial Technical Working Group on Solid Waste Management mentioned the need to have a 10year Provincial Ecological Solid Waste Management Program (PESWMP) which the Solid Waste Management-Technical Working Group is crafting on to comply with the provision of the law. Josephine Maguad, Environment Management Bureau Focal Of-
ficer for Antique said that all municipal government units are obliged to submit Ecological Solid Waste Management Plan to the Environment Management Bureau copy furnished the Provincial Solid Waste Management Board for consolidation at the Provincial level. Likewise, LGUs are required to implement measures to reduce, reuse and recycle waste material and manage residual wastes, Maguad said. The Act also provides for implementation of Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in every barangay or cluster of barangays wherein residual waste are collected. MRF are solid waste transfer station or sorting sta-
tion, drop-off center, a composting facility, and a recycling facility. Maguad emphasized that only residual waste are to be collected by the Municipal government and be transferred to their disposal site. Biodegradable and recyclable waste material should be taken cared of by the barangay concerned. Residual wastes are those that can’t be recycled. The increasing number of residual wastes such as damage computers and accessories, cellphones, batteries, electronic appliances, florescent lamps and electric bulbs beyond repair also demand action among LGUs to establish See group, page 11
RICE ACHIEVERS. Senator Cynthia Villar(4th left), along with Usec. Emerson U. Palad (2nd left) Undersecretary for Operations (Crops) and Agribusiness and marketing and other government officials, poses with the Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers awardees on Saturday April 11,2015 at the New Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World, Pasay City. The Senator, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, commends the significant contributions of the awardees to the country’s food sufficiency program especially to the outstanding palay production. (PNA photo courtesy of office of Senator Villar)
4 MindanaoSTAR THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
Think A Minute
Jhan Tiafau Hurst
What’s Good Enough?
Think a minute… Is your voice good enough to sing a solo on T.V. or radio? If you’re like me, you’ll stick to singing in the shower only! So what are you good at? And compared to whom? If golf is your sport and you can beat your buddies in a round, how good are you compared to Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, or Veejay Singh? You and I cannot begin to measure up their world-class standard of golf! Years ago I had to learn a new language. After 3 months of study and practice, I felt quite good about my progress. Compared to the tourists, I was a whiz and very fluent. But compared to the locals, I talked like a 5-year-old little boy. In the same way, we may look at some really bad people and feel quite good about ourselves. Compared to them, we almost look like saints! But compared to God, how good do we look? Well, who doesn’t look like dirt compared to our perfect Creator! Even if we locked ourselves away from all temptation and prayed all day for the rest of our lives, we still could not come even close to being as pure and perfectly good as God is. So because we want to feel we’re still OK and good enough, we choose to compare ourselves to those really bad people. But there is only one way that God can accept you and me so we can live in a right relationship with Him. God has to give us the gift of His own perfect goodness. That’s why God the Son became a human being to pay the penalty of death for all our wrongs and sins. Not His, since he has no wrongs to die for. Jesus wants to give you His perfect goodness free, so you can be good enough to become God’s child and enjoy His life with Him—both now and in heaven after you die. But it’s up to you to ask Jesus for His free gift of forgiveness and new life. Just ask Him to forgive you for all your wrongs and living your own way. Then ask Him to take full charge of your life and start changing your character with His kind of goodness inside every day, for the rest of your life. Just Think a Minute…
april 17-23, 2015
Opinion Coffee Talk
THE WEATHER should be fine this June to welcome the rains that farmers are praying. Kidapawan City in North Cotabato and the Province of Zamboanga del Norte have just declared state of calamities over dried lands which have wiped out many of their agricultural crops. Elsewhere, the threat of El Niño is real that coffee lovers in Mindanao are apprehensive when prices will go up or where the last beans would come amidst poor harvest? Townsfolk who are not familiar with imports and franchised coffee shops depend on the highland coffee harvest of the Arabica variety grown in Mount Apo in Davao and Bukidnon. Coffee berries from the lowland are harvested from Maguindanao. Yes, it could even be planted in the unutilized fields of Mamasapano to provide more greenery in this troubled land. Coffee is the number one beverage of the world, in the Philippines
it is commercially classified under the food category, perhaps for taxation purposes. The World Health Organization estimated that 90 percent of the adult population cannot live without caffeine. In some forms, it is induced to non-coffee drinkers as ingredients for confectionary products. Food manufacturers used it as flavoring for candies that sweet tooth children are fascinated. Coffee has various uses in the cosmetic industry and medicine. Have you heard of the TV commercials “Coffee Extract” or “Anti-Oxidants”? It is true; coffee has Gallic Acid which prevents cancer and tumor growth in the bodies. Doctors, however, do not recommend coffee for people suffering from Peptic Ulcers and those with Parkinson disease. The other coffee variety, Robusta, has cylindrical beans, strong in aroma when roasted. It is popularly brewed as Cappuccino when milk foam is added. It
Traversing the Tourism Hi-way Ped T. Quiamjot becomes a Café Latte when concocted with a sweet cream. Doubt as brewed for royalties and available only in the upscale establishments which import the product from Brazil no matter if is available in Benguet and the other temperate area of the Mountain Province and Tagaytay. Robusta Coffee sells well among women since it prevents drying of their lips. In Asia, the best premium Arabica comes from Indonesia equaled only in quality by the Coffee Barako of Batangas and Alfonso, Cavite and perhaps that explains why Batanguinos and Caviteneos are tough and their women are fierce, a warning to men not to mesh around with
their ladies or one can end up in the blade of a deadly knife called, Veinte Nueve. We have vast tracks of fertile lands suitable for coffee plantations in Mindanao. The local government of the identified locations can initiate clearing of the areas for farming or even provide farm to market roads to encourage farmers to shift to this crop that will make millions of coffee lovers in the world happy. Coffee Plantations if properly managed are also good tourist attractions as in the case of the Monastery of Transfiguration where the Benedictine Monks cultivate a farm in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. While in Davao City, the Dizon
Coffee Farms at the foot of Mount Apo is a DOT accredited destination. There are bigger Coffee Farms in the uplands of Northern Luzon worth visiting to add to our foreign visitors experience while touring our country. Sometime in January, an article in a business paper came out with a report that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided funds to qualified private corporations with government endorsement as beneficiary of loan portfolios to finance more coffee farms and farmers cooperatives. One is Rocky Mountain Coffee in the Philippines which is a subsidiary of a Canadian brand. My friend Tony Arnaldo who is an Agriculture graduate from Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro is the Mindanao representative of the franchise. We should learn from him more of the coffee culture. Tony, owns me a cup of coffee, I love it more if is served ala Café Amerkano.
Battles that changed the course of history (13) The drive to retake Mindanao did not begin in earnest until one week after the month-long Battle of Manila ended. It would take all of four months (from March 10 to July 12, 1945) for allied troops to dislodge approximately 43,000 Japanese defenders from their positions in Davao, Malaybalay, Cagayan and the Zamboanga Peninsula. The Japanese were under the command of Lt. General Gyosaku Morozumi. McArthur’s Mindanao campaign was led by General Robert Eichelberger, Commander of the US 8th Army. In many instances, Filipino guerrillas under the command of Col. Wendell Fertig, fought alongside allied troops. Despite their string of victories, the allied troops would never completely neutralize the Japanese. The Japanese had adopted a strategy of defending major towns and cities and then withdrawing to the mountains. There they hoped to wage a
MindanaoSTAR
Speaking Out Ignacio Bunye protracted war. For McArthur, the objective was to capture targets with strategic and economic value. The cities, ports and airfields would permit Allied aircraft to further cut the line of communications from the Japanese-held Netherlands East Indies through the South China Sea to Japan. The ports would provide additional staging areas for the vast numbers of men and material needed for an invasion of the Japanese mainland. By this time , McArthur had already received word from the Joint Chiefs of Staff to prepare to invade Japan by November of 1945. Military historians Robert Ross Smith (“Triumph in the Philippines”) and Samuel Eliot Morison Telephone and or, fax number (088) 857-8447
THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
MindanaoStar, a bilingual newspaper, is published weekly in Cagayan de Oro City. It is circulated in key regional areas in Mindanao, including the Internet. MindanaoStar is located at Door 3, Tanleh Building, Abellanosa Street, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Region 10 with Certififcate No. 01787396 and Business Registration Plate No. BP-11263, Business License No. 201400976, TIN No. 311-832-910.
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(“The Liberation of the Philippines”) wrote interesting accounts of the series of military operations to liberate Mindanao. From these accounts, we reconstructed a timeline of the multi-pronged Allied offensive from Day 1 (corresponding to March 10, 1945) to Day 125 (corresponding to July 7, 1945). Day 1 started with a surprise landing in Illana Bay on the west coast of Mindanao. From Illana Bay, allied troops would try to race 160 kilometers eastward towards Davao. The Japanese mistakenly anticipated that the main invasion would come via Davao Gulf which the Japanese heavily mined. Thus the attack on Day 1 initially met with little resistance. On the same day, other
uncontested landings were staged in Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Sanga Sanga, Bongao and Zamboanga. Almost immediately, army engineers began augmenting captured air fields in Zamboanga, Sanga Sanga and Jolo. Day 2 to Day 16 – The next two weeks however were not easy for the troops that landed in Illana Bay. One group that pushed towards Malabang met with strong resistance from Japanese positions in the hills overlooking the plains. Day 14 – The Japanese started to pull back from Zamboanga. Day 27 – Allied troops received news that Filipino guerrillas under Col. Fertig had captured the Malabang air strip. Day 33 – The Japanese started withdrawing towards Cotabato. Day 37 – The Japanese put up stiff resistance around Mt. Daho in Jolo but withdrew farther inland after a week of fighting. Day 39 – More Allied troops landed unopposed in Malabang and Parang.
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They easily overcame scattered Japanese units in Malaybalay and Kabacan. Central Mindanao fell in Allied hands. Day 44 – The battle for Davao started with Allied troops taking Digos. Allied troops quickly overwhelmed Japanese defenders who were prepared only to repel a seaward assault from Davao Gulf – not an attack from the rear. Day 55 – Allied troops moved north and took Davao City with less opposition than expected. However, the Japanese destroyed as much of the city as they could before withdrawing inland. The Japanese then took refuge in the huge abaca grounds. Day 56 to Day 116 – The Japanese engaged the Allied troops in a g r ue l i ng t w o - m o nt h battle inside the abaca plantations. “To the foot soldiers fighting in Davao province, the word abaca was synonymous with hell…. Countless acres around Davao are covered with these thickSee bunye, page 11
Editorial Consultants CRIS DIAZ MIKE BANOS joe palabao ALLAN MEDIANTE Cheng Ordonez Nelson constantino
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april 17-23, 2015
Life/History
MindanaoSTAR 5 THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
LIFE OF DR.HILARIO CAMINO MONCADO DECLARATION FOR INDEPENDENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES ISLANDS
Written by Joe P. Palabao Vice President for Marketing Business Week Mindanao Corporation Book 2 Chapter 3
PHILIPPINE Independence Economic and Trade Relations Conference STATEMENT OF HON HILARIO CAMINO MONCADO, PRESIDENT OF THE FILIPINO FEDERATION OF AMERICA BEFORE THE JOINT PREPARATORY COMMITTEE ON THE PHILIPPINES INDEPENDENCE ON JULY 21, 1937, IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Gentlemen of the Joint Preparatory Committee on Philippine Affairs: I realize the importance of your work to future relations between the United States and the Philippines. I understand that the purpose of these hearings is to provide ample opportunity for the preservation of all kinds of views concerning economic and other relationship between the two countries. Mr. Francis B. Sayre, who acted as temporary chairman of the hearings in Washington, said that “it has been agreed that, within a certain specified scope, this committee should have general and fairly extensive powers of recommendation; that the Filipinos should be given an opportunity to attain economic as well as political independence; and that preferential trade relations between the United States and the Philippines should be terminated at the earliest practicable date consistent with affording the Philippines a reasonable opportunity to adjust their national economy.” Believing that Congress, the one which has the final word in any change of present United StatesPhilippine relations will give your recommendations close study and prompt consideration, I, as a citizen of the Philippines, president and founder of the Filipino Federation of America, by far the largest organization of Filipinos outside of the Philippines, and member of the Constitutional Convention which drafted the constitution of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, and member of the Constitutional Convention which drafted the constitution of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, appreciate this opportunity to present
In the course of human events in the minds of the Filipino people and millions of people in the United States suffering from excessive taxation it appears to be necessary for the Congress of the United States of America, to dissolve the political bands which have connected the Filipino people with the people of the United States and for the Philippine Islands to assume among the Powers of the Earth the separate and equal station, to which the laws of Nature and Nature’s God entitle them. A decent respect to the opinions of mankind creates the impelling urge that the United States Government holds to its past promises and the Jones Act, and graciously and magnanimously comply with the appeal of thirteen million Filipinos in the Philippine Islands, 100,000 Filipinos in the United States, 65,000 Filipinos in California, and millions of citizens of the United States; that the Congress some pertinent facts, which I hope will be helpful in the formulations of your report. President Manuel L. Quezon suggested that the date of Philippine Independence be advanced to 1933 or 1939. One of the reasons for his suggestion is that the present Philippine Status is uncertain and that Congress has violated the spirit of the Independence Act and may do so again. I admit that there have been changes concerning the importation of Philippine coconut oil, sugar and cordage, but those changes have not hurt the Philippines. In fact, they have helped the islands tremendously. A windfall of $50,000,000 is about to be delivered by the United States Treasury to the Philippine Government, thanks to the 3-cent tax on the processing of every pound of Philippine coconut oil in this country. I understand that the Philippines will continue to receive $24,000,000 annually from this single source alone. President Quezon himself has outlined a laudable plan on how to spend this tremendous sum. I am sure that the Filipino people will greatly benefit from this money brought about by an act of Congress, which was at first considered by Mr. Quezon and other Filipinos as a violation of the McDuffie-Tydings Act. The Jones-Costigan Act changed the quota of sugar from the Philippines, and yet again the change was for the better, as far as the islands were concerned. We were given a quota considerably larger than the one specified in the Independence Act. We should not complain about this either. And furthermore, if the new sugar bill will go through Congress, the Philippine government will receive about $15,000,000 annually. The limitation placed upon Philippine cordage was arrived at as compromise between Mr. Quezon himself and representatives of American cordage manufacturers. Experts say that the limitation was very liberal and did the Philippines much good. With all the money the Philippines
Col. Donald C. McDonald, Assistant Chief, Bureau of Insular Affairs, U.S. War Department, member of the Joint Preparatory Committee on Philippine Affairs, and Hon. Dr. Hilario Camino Moncado.
are going to get from the United States, we shall be able to put to work many of the ideas we have been talking about for so long. The windfalls are tremendous, considering that the 1936 Philippine revenue from taxation was only $36,352,000, according to the latest report of the auditor of the Philippine government. I hope that the money we are getting from the United States shall not be boondoggled into pork barrel and other political projects or for the benefit of special interests but for the building up of a permanent economic system in the Philippines, which shall make the Philippines a really independent country. I hope that this committee will contribute its genius to the attainment of such a very much desired system. Mr. Quezon also believes that he can obtain a post-independence treaty from the United States which shall eliminate present uncertainties. What makes Mr. Quezon believe that the United States Senate would be willing to agree to a treaty treating the Philippines more literally than the Independence Act? What guarantee can he give us that the advancing of independence in 1938 or 1939 will not prove disastrous to us? Records of the United States Congress will show that I was one of the most ardent advocates of Philippine advocates. I appeared before many congressional committees fighting for the freedom of my country. While Filipino political leaders were talking about a nebulous “immediate, complete and absolute independence,” I took a practical attitude and advocated a fixed date. I traveled all over the United States to deliver speeches and have articles published urging Philippine independence. It gives me much honor satisfaction that my people recognized my work here by electing me to the Constitutional Convention. I want Philippine Independence to be a reality. I believe that the surest way to attain it is to continue the present relations with the United States until at least July 4, 1946. “It would not be fair or right suddenly to make abrupt changes which might entail economic disaster to the Philippines,” declared Assistant Secretary of State Sayre, “I am sure that the American people want the Philippine people to have every opportunity to establish a sound economic regime in order that they may be able to maintain their independence. Let us not ruin the chances for genuine and lasting independence. We can and should wait for 1946. That is early enough for every Filipino who puts the interests of country above personal ambition. Furthermore, there is much to be done under the protecting wings of the United States. The national defense program cannot possibly be ready by next year or 1939. It takes time to build up an effective army. With all due respect to Commanderin-Chief Quezon and Field Marshal Douglas MacArthur, I do not believe that they are magicians. Let us give the army more time to develop. Then there is the matter of Filipino status in the United States after independence. It should be determined before the islands are
of the United States shall pass legislation providing for the absolute independence of the Philippine Islands. Filipinos, natives of the only Christian country in the orient, educated and dominated by the Spanish for more than 300 years; educated in English and dominated by the United States for over thirty-two years, and the millions of United States Philippine Independence sympathizers believe that during this time of depression in the world, gang wars in the United States, there can be no more opportune time than during the seventy second session of the Congress of the United States, in which to pass legislation, complying with the Jones Act and giving immediate independence to the Philippine Islands. Filipino Federation of America, Inc. Los Angeles, California November 4, 1931
set free. Filipinos entered the country as American nationals, and any legislation or legislative inaction which would deprive them of their rights and privileges as nationals would be unjust. The number of Filipinos in continent United States is variously estimated from 50,000 to 75,000. For economic and other reasons many of them want to remain in this country. Thousands are married and employed in permanent occupations. Eminent evidence of the desire of Filipinos to stay in the United States is the fact that the Filipino repatriation measure enacted at the height of the depression could last year induce only 553 Filipinos to accept the offer of a free one-way trip to their homeland in exchange for their right of free re-entry into this country. Inasmuch as Filipinos in the United States are even now not citizens of this country, although they are not aliens because they are United States Nationals, their status will surely be more complicated after Philippine Independence, unless a clear definition of their status is made soon. Thousands of Filipinos in the United States want to acquire citizenship or at least be allowed to retain the privileges they now enjoy as nationals even after independence. Various studies made of Filipinos immigrant indicate that he is no disturber of the public peace, charge upon taxes, or menace to health and morals. On the other hand, during normal times he is almost indispensable. His economic competition with white Americans is limited almost entirely to the lowest wage-earning occupation. Inasmuch as the present number of Filipinos in the United States will continue to diminish as a result of the Philippine Independence act and Welch repatriation act, there can be no Filipino menace in the United States whether it be economic or social.
During the Federation’s efforts to lobby for the independence of the Philippines in our nation’s capitol, Washington D. C. Branch No. 10 was opened in March of 1930 to serve as the headquarters for the members on the East Coast. With Dr. Moncado in front of the branch office, was the secretary of the Federation’s Legal Department and newly-appointed manager of the branch, Mr. E. C. Pecson.
More than any Filipino I have had more to do with Filipino immigrants here. My organization, ever since its foundation, has worked for the betterment of the status and situation of the Filipinos in Hawaii and the United States. American observers have commented very favorably on the success of the Filipino Federation of America. There are many problems which for the lack of time I cannot discuss here. I am sure other Filipinos in Manila will take them up. These problems cannot be solved by bringing about the independence in 1938 or 1939. Let us take advantage of the time for preparation which Congress
has given us. Let us have commonsense in our patriotic outpourings. Let us not blame Congress for situations of uncertainty which we ourselves create by hasty declarations. Philippine Commerce and Industry have been disturbed by talk of independence next year. After they have painfully tried to adjust themselves to independence in 1946, why should we upset the whole arrangement again by setting another date? I yield to no man in my love for Philippine Independence, but I want it to be permanent and real. Independence next year or 1939 would be disastrous to the Philippines.
Author’s Note:
Si Brod Bundio ang pinili ni MASTER EFB alang sa pag-ayo sa mga masakiton, mga bakol, mga buta ug kadtong may mga balatian. Kining misyon ni Brod Bundion usa lamang ka paagi na matabangan ang katawhan na mama-ayo ug katong mga masakiton na maglisud ug bayad ug doctor.
Si Brod Bundio Ruelo sukad pa niadtong 2005 nanambal sa may mga balatian, mga buta, mga bakol, mga sakit na cancer ug mga sakit na dili masabtan sa kahimtang sa tawo. Si MASTER EFB nagahatag kaniya ug gasa ug giya. Usa kini ka crystal na susama porma sa diamond ug dinhi Makita ang nagatubo na Mapa sa Pilipinas ug sa kalibutan. Ang Iyang Misyon mao ang pagpanambal sa mga mga tawong may mga balatian dinhi sa Pilipinas ug sa kalibutan. Sa dihang nasugdan pagsulat ang Kinabuhi ni MAESTRO EQUI FRILI BRIUM (EFB) u gang iyang Cell Number nahipatik daghan na kaayo ang nanawag kaniya nagpatambal pinaagi sa pagpalatay sa cell phone ug pagbendisyon sa tubig. Apan niadtong 2013 ang maong “Crystal na Butang” gibawi kaniya. Ug karong bag-o lamang, Lunes-April 13, 2015 gihatag pagbalik kaniya ang maong butang. Ug daghang na kaayo ang nagpatambal kaniya. Bag-ohay lamang gikan sa Quezon City may nagpatambal kaniya: ug human ug tambal daghang gagmayng mananap nanggawas sa lawas sa gitambalan. Ug karon ana-a na siya sa pagka-ayo. Balatian na dili masabtan sa pasyente iya kining maayo. Salamat kaayo GAMHANANG MASTER EFB. Kon kamo may mga balatian, adunay ikunsulta sa pagpanalipud sa inyong panimalay ug kaayohan sa lawas ug sa kahimtang sa kinabuhi PALIHUG PAGTAWAG KANIYA SA CELL NO. 0926-417-2639.
6 MindanaoSTAR THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
april 17-23, 2015
april 17-23, 2015
MindanaoSTAR 7 THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
Una esquina de España:
Ayala Malls Gastronomy Festival brings Madrid Fusión Manila to Centrio Mall Ayala Malls brings the flavors of Spain to Cagayan de Oro through The Gastronomy Festival, a day-long showcase of music, film, and delicious FilipinoSpa nish fa re, i n celebration of the arrival of Madrid Fusión in Manila. Considered Spain’s most important international gastronomy event for progressive haute cuisine, Madrid Fusión will be held outside Madrid for the first time ever, and brought to Manila through the efforts of the Department of Tourism as part of their ‘Visit the Philippines 2015’ project. Madrid Fusión Manila shines the spotlight on the Philippines as an Asian center of gastronomy, and promotes the country as a top culinary destination for 2015. But pr ior to Mad r id Fusión Manila, which runs from April 24-26, 2015, at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Ayala Malls will bring to Cagayan de Oro a hint of this exclusive event with The Gastronomy Festival scheduled from 11am8pm this Saturday, April 18, 2015 at the Centrio Mall Activity Center. “We recognize Madrid Fusión Manila as a much awaited trade event by the country’s chefs and the culinary experts. In fact, we are expecting a lot of tourists to come to the Philippines. But the fun side of the trade happens at the Ayala Malls,” said Maricris Bernardino, Ayala Malls division manager for marketing. “Ayala Malls aims to bring Madrid Fusión Manila down to the level of the Kagayanon consumer that won’t be heavy on their pockets,” she added. The Gastronomy Festi-
Kagay-anon Chef Patrick Roa of Patricio’s Cevicheria
CIC Chef Anthony Troy Morales
Monester Kitchen Chef Rodney Seraspe
Monster Kitchen Chef Leonilo Mercado
sinuglaw-festival
val at Centrio kicks off at 11:00am with a short opening program and Film Screening of “18 Comidas”, a short film in partnership with Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan and the Spanish Embassy. The second feature film by Jorge Coira, “18 Comidas” features an unusual series of interconnected stories and improvised dialogues. In the city of Santiago de Compostela, the meals are more important than just eating. The important conversations, socially and for all other reasons, are done around food. This happens one day with intertwined lives in the historic city. Several characters struggle to find happiness over breakfast, lunch and dinner in the same day: a street musician who is reunited with the love of his life; a cook who dreams of being a singer; a Macedonian lost
in Santiago de Compostela because of a disappointment in love; an old couple who have nothing left to say; a waiter in love with a young woman who loves another; two men in love; two drunks breakfasting on shellfish; a man who cooks while he waits for his love. The film screening is but a prelude to Pelikula, a Spanish Foodie Film Festival that depict the rich art of gastronomy which runs from April 22-26 exclusively at Greenbelt 3 cinemas in Makati City. The festival resumes at 3:00PM after an hour-long break with Fiesta! a food and music fest that blends the colorful worlds of gastronomy and music. The highlight of this portion of the festival is the prelude to the Cagayan de Oro Hotels and Restaurant’s (COHARA) Sinuglaw Festival, which will officially kick off on June
15 Kumbira 2015, the largest culinary event outside Metro Manila. VIP Hotel Chef Titing will conduct a demo on how to prepare this unique Kagay-anon delicacy, after which 16 other COHARA establishments will also prepare their versions to be followed by a sinuglaw food sampling, amidst the dance and music of Spain courtesy of the Capitol University Dance Troupe and classical guitarist Joshua Arrabaca. So what’s a Kagay-anon delicacy doing in the middle of a festival celebrating Spanish gastronomy? Seems the Madrid Fusión team who visited Manila realized that the kinilaw sets us apart from everything else in the world. They found k inilaw to be ingenious and unique, and once they learned how it had existed for over a thousand years, they chose it as a represen-
tative of every other part of the Philippines where it can be done in a different way depending on what is available. Patricios’ chef and owner, Patrick Roa, the aviator son of local historian Nanette Roa, has come up with a basic kinilaw made from raw tuna, cane vinegar, salt, onions, suwa (small native lime) and ginger slices, topped by the local fruit tabun-tabun that is endemic in Agusan, where the earliest forms of kinilaw were discovered. Roa added roasted pork to create another uniquely Filipino dish, the Kagayanon sinuglaw. And for the festival highlight, Cocinas Viajeras gets going at 5:30PM after another short break following the Fiesta! Cocinas Viajeras (the Traveling Kitchen) features Seda Centrio Chef Jerr y Montenegro Cruz with his
SEDA Centrio Chef Jerry Montenegro Cruz
Bacalao; Monster Kitchen Chefs Leonilo Mercado and Rodney Seraspe with their Pollo al Chilidron and White Bean, and Chorizo Chard Bruschetta; and Culinary Institute of Cagayan de Oro Chef Anthony Troy Morales and his rendition of Paella Valenciana and Jamon Croquettas with Boneless Bangus Tinapa. For more details on The Gastronomy Festival, visit Ayala Malls on Facebook at facebook .com /Aya laMa l ls360; on Tw it ter @ AyalaMalls; on Instagram @iloveayalamalls; or log on to www.ayalamalls.com.ph. Madrid Fusión Manila 2015 is a joint undertaking of the Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DoT) the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Madrid Fusión organizers Foro de Debate and Arum Estrategias de Internacionalización. For more information on Madrid Fusión Manila, visit madridfusionmanila.com. ¡Buen provecho!
Mariwasa unveils 2nd generation Full HD Tile Collection at 2015 WorldBEX The latest innovation in ceramic tile technology is now in the Philippines with the introduction of Mariwasa Full HD Collection. Hailed as the “real digital tiles”, this year, Mariwasa Full HD will be launching its 2nd generation of tile series with a wide variety of styles ranging from wood, stone, marble, geometric patterns and nature-inspired designs. Initially available in 40x40 cm and 30x60 cm sizes, the Mariwasa 2015 Full HD Collection is bringing this innova-
tion to greater heights by introducing 60x60 cm, the biggest tile size in the local market. Mariwasa Full HD is an avant-garde ceramic tile collection that resemble real-life natural designs ideal for floor and wall applications whether for indoor or outdoor setting. Mariwasa Full HD also enhances details and fine prints making any room scene or outdoor setup more beautiful and vibrant. The digital printing technology gives an exceptionally clear image of the tile design in 360 dpi resolution making
the image of HD Tiles up to 10 times sharper than the regular tiles. A total of 29 Series consisting of 60 SKUs completes this year’s Full HD Tile Collection. Some of the tile series include the brick-inspired STANWOOD, ROSSLAND, FORTRESS, SANTIAGO and CRISOLOGO series, the marble-styled VALERIUS and IRVING series and the woodthemed MELAKA, CHANCE, MURILLO, NORWOOD, CAMERON and WOODRAFT series. The Mariwasa 2015 Full HD Collection is part
2015 WorldBEX SCG Cotto & Mariwasa Booth Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies
of SCG’s campaign ”The Inspiration of Living” and was showcased at Mariwasa Booth in 2015
WorldBEX from March 11-15, 2015 at World Trade Center Metro Manila, Pasay City. The
said collection is now available in authorized Mariwasa distributors across the country.
8 MindanaoSTAR THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
april 17-23, 2015
MindanaoSTAR 9
april 17-23, 2015
THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
CAMIGUIN PROVINCE - 2014 NORTMIN FAVORED TOURIST DESTINATION
White Island
The tourism industry in Northern Mindanao soars up high as Camiguin Province “Island Paradise of the Pacific” is still the considered as the most- favored tourist destination for the year 2014. This is followed by Misamis Oriental/Gingoog Cluster. Camiguin captured 33 percent share while the latter cornered 23 percent share of the total arrivals of the Region. Year-on-year, the same clusters led in getting the most number of tourists arrivals constituting 32 and 26 percent shares of the total arrivals, respectively. Tourists arrivals for the 4th quarter of 2014 totalled to 465,646. This
is 49 percent higher than the 313,311 arrivals during the same period in 2013. Of the total tourist arrivals for the reference quarter, majority were domestic tourists comprising about 98 percent (454,789), while foreign tourists comprised a meager share of around 2 percent (10,857). During the year, majority of the foreign tourists were mostly from East Asia, Europe and North America constituting 21, 17, and 16 percent shares of the total foreign tourist arrivals, respective ly. H owever, c omp ared to last year, East Asia (28 percent) and North America (18 percent)
Tourism Czar Catalino “Butch” E. Chan III
clusters recorded the highest decreases while ASEAN (42 percent) and Middle East (24 percent) clusters posted increases in the total regional arrivals. On hotel occupancy it was noted that the region’s rate for the entire year of 2014 was 38 percent. The Province of Camiguin as the most favored destination during the year consequently recorded the highest hotel
occupancy rate amongst the regional clusters at 71 percent. This is followed by Bukidnon-Malaybalay, Valencia at 38 percent, Misamis OrientalCagayan de Oro City, Gingoog City Cluyster at 35 percent and Lanao del Norte-Iligan City cluster at 31 percent. Misamis Occidental-Tangub City, Oroquieta , Ozamis City cluster had the lowest occupancy rate at 14 percent.
For the fourth quarter of 2014, the average hotel occupancy rate of the region was 41 percent with Misamis OrientalCagayan de Oro City, Gingoog City cluster posting the highest rate at 88 percent among the clusters. While the combined total number of conventions and seminars/ workshops held in the region during the year reached to 3,217(+20percent year-on-year) with total number of participants of 529,144 (+54 percent year-on-year). About 93 percent of these events were locally-orga-
nized activities. Misamis Occidental-Tangub City, Oroquieta, Ozamis City cluster hosted 978 events or 30 percent of the total events for the year. Misamis Oriental-Cagayan de Oro City, Gingoog City cluster trailed closely behind with a total of 864 events or 27 percent of the regional total. With the able leadership of Tourism Czar for Mindanao-Regional Director Catalino ‘Butch’ E. Chan 111, the booming tourism industry of the Region will catapult Northern Mindanao as one of the country’s top tourist destination.
Katibawasan Falls
Pag-IBIG to Delfin Lee: fight the syndicated estafa charge in the courts, not in the Senate NBI, DOJ found Lee, Globe Asiatique to have defrauded Pag-IBIG in the amount of P7 Billion Pag-IBIG Fund President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe said in a statement that the camp of Delfin Lee is obviously misusing the Senate inquiry into the transactions of the family of Vice President Binay as a platform to elicit sympathy from the public. Delfin Lee is facing a syndicated estafa charge for defrauding Pag-IBIG Fund to the tune of P7 Billion, and was a fugitive from justice until March of last year, when he was arrested on the strength of outstanding warrants of arrest and a P2 Million bounty offered by President Noynoy Aquino. VP Binay is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Pag-IBIG Fund. “They can engage in doublespeak and propagate falsehoods, but the fact remains that, as found by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in separate independent investigations, Delfin Lee and GA committed a P7
billion crime against PagIBIG Fund and Pag-IBIG members. Hindi po inuusig ng Pag-IBIG Fund si Mr. Lee ng walang basehan. Kaya nga po ang kaso ay People of the Philippines versus Delfin Lee, at hindi lamang Pag-IBIG versus Delfin Lee”, Berberabe said. Berberabe was reacting to the statement of Lee’s camp that Globe Asiatique (GA) does not owe Pag-IBIG Fund billions of pesos. “The context of my response in the Senate was that GA did not have a development loan. However this does not mean that GA does not have a liability based on the fraud that it committed. What happened was that GA solicited and pre-approved loan applications of individual Pag-IBIG members for his Xevera Bacolor and Mabalacat developments, and the P7 Billion was released by Pag-IBIG to GA under retail loan accounts. However, it turned out upon audit that these
“members” are either ghost or non-existent borrowers or members who were paid by Lee the amount of P5,000 to agree to be the borrower. This is the fraudulent scheme. Lee and GA induced the Fund to release about P7 billion of Pag-IBIG members’ money through employment of fraud, and that is precisely the reason why the trial court indicted him and four others for syndicated estafa, which landed him in jail,” Berberabe explained. Berberabe emphasized that the NBI and DOJ, in separate independent investigations, found Delfin Lee and four others to have defrauded Pag-IBIG Fund of about P7 billion of Pag-IBIG members’ money. She added that the Regional Trial Court of Pampanga also found probable cause to indict Delfin Lee. She pointed out that Senators who participated in two Senate investigations in 2010 and 2014 on the GA controversy all agreed that Lee should be charged
in court. She said it is unfortunate that just on a mere affidavit of accused Delfin Lee, Senator Antonio Trillanes has swiftly concluded that there should be no case against Lee. “It is clear that it was not only Pag-IBIG that saw Mr. Lee’s and GA’s culpability, but other competent government agencies as well,” said Berberabe. The Pag-IBIG President also slammed the selective information that Lee’s camp disseminates to the public, saying that half-truths are no different from lies. In previous statements, Lee claimed that he has won every legal tangle in every court that has jurisdiction over the cases against him. This was denied by Berberabe, who said that Lee is in jail precisely because the Court of Appeals’ order quashing the warrant of arrest issued against Lee has been stopped by no less than the Supreme Court (SC), through the issuance of
temporary restraining orders (TROs) that are effective indefinitely. The appellate court also denied the petition for habeas corpus filed by Lee, which paved the way for his arraignment for the crime of syndicated estafa. The same court likewise denied the petition of Lee’s coaccused, GA accounting head Cristina Salagan, to have a TRO issued against the warrant for her arrest. The Resolution of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 58 favoring Lee was also restrained by the SC. “Mr. Lee’s camp has been trumpeting that they have won all their cases in court but they conveniently skip the fact that all these cases have been issued TROs by the highest court of the land, the SC,” Berberabe emphasized. Berberabe also dismissed Lee’s claim of political persecution. She reiterated that months before Vice President Binay assumed the Chairman-
ship of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, Pag-IBIG already discovered, through regular validation conducted in the first and second quarters of 2010, that “buyers” of housing units of the Xevera projects of GA were spurious. The housing units were purchased through PagIBIG financing. “When VP Binay became aware of the investigation of the fraudulent transactions of GA, he immediately requested the NBI for assistance in the investigation. Again, it was the State, through the DOJ under Sec. Leila De Lima, that filed the case against Lee and cohorts and it was the Philippine National Police under the Department of the Interior and Local Government headed by Sec. Mar Roxas, who facilitated the arrest of Lee. Clearly, all legal processes have been observed in this case,” Berberabe explained. “Pag-IBIG is determined to get justice on behalf of Pag-IBIG members and we will not falter,” Berberabe added.
10 MindanaoSTAR
april 17-23, 2015
RIO IS BACK! THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
Live and Feel more with the new MyPhone RIO Get ready to live more, and feel more, with the colors from the newest colorful series from MyPhone, the RIO 2 series, launched last March 31 at the Green Sun, Makati. The event, “MyPhone RIO 2: Be Inspired Launch,” featured two of the units under the second wave of the RIO series, the RIO 2 and RIO 2 Lite. This launch was held few days before the anniversary of the unveiling of the first RIO series at Teatrino, Promenade, Greenhills. “These units will definitely continue what MyPhone started almost a year ago when it launched the first RIO unit, to turn the country into a #RION-
ation,” shared MyPhone Vice-President for Marketing and Business Development Richard De Quina. MyPhone also officially introduced its newest logo with their new tag line “Be Inspired.” The hashtag #BeINSPIRED also trended #3 nationwide on twitter during the said event. Just like forming a #RIONation, MyPhone aims to go back to where it started inspiring Filipinos through the product it delivers. The launch was attended by media friends from print, radio, television, and online. Kapamilya and Kapuso stars were also spotted dur-
ing the launch. Among them were Kapuso stars Miguel Tanfelix, Bianca Umali, and Karyn Johnston, Kapamilya Stars Teejay Marquez, Kyra Custodio, MyPhone ambassadors Upgrade and Kris Angelica, and the brand's lovely endorser Ms. Devon Seron. For more updates on MyPhone's upcoming phone models and events, like our official Facebook page www.fb.com/myphone and www.fb.com/ myphoneevents, and follow us on Twiter: @ MyPhoneOfficial and @MyPhoneEvents. See us also on Instagram: @ MyPhonePH and @MyPhoneEvents.
OPENS NEW PLANT & SHOWROOM IN THE CITY OF GOLDEN FRIENDSHIP
URATEX, known for its Excellence, Integrity and Dependability, now opens a new showroom and plant in Cagayan de Oro-the City of Golden Friendship. With its presence in the city, URATEX fulfills its promise to provide more Filipinos in the Vis-Min region access to world-class, best quality foam products that are competitive with other global brands yet truly affordable. Throughout its prolific history, the RGC Group of Companies has remained true to its long tradition of excellence, integrity and innovation. Today, RGC Group’s flagship company, Uratex, is proud to be the leading foam and mattress manufacturer in
the Philippines. For more than four decades, Uratex is the Philippines’ largest manufacturer of commercial and automotive polyurethane foam products and is considered as one of South East Asia’s leading foam brands. It is consistent recipient of the Reader’s Digest “Most Trusted Brand” Platinum award since 2009. The brand is also known for its commitment to product quality and excellence, sound financial management, and inspiring people skills. Plus with its “Quali 5 Cellular Technology,” Uratex ensures that its foams are produced with a high degree of product superiority and world-class
quality that will benefit more Kagay-anons and the entire Vis-Min region. It also continues to invest in newer and updated technologies to gain operational excellence in order to manufacture the best foam products that conform to the strictest global standards yet are available at the most affordable price segments. In the City of Golden
Friendship, Uratex Showroom vis.a.vis its new plant is situated at the busy business district of Barangay Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City. With its presence in this up-coming highly urbanized city in the Philippines, Uratex fulfills its promise to provide more Filipinos in the Vis-Min region to world-class, best quality foam products
that are competitive with other global brands yet truly available. Uratex foam products are also available leading super malls in the city. Furthermore, Mr. Eddie Gallor, Executive Vice President RGC Group of Companies says that “Cagayan de Oro has always been known as a melting pot because of its accessibility, which makes
it an attractive base for businesses in Mindanao. It has always been considered to be one of the most progress8ve cities in the Philippines. Establishing a manufacturing plant and showroom in CDO is part of our commitment to expand our business in Visayas and Mindanao, and support the continued developSee uratex, page 11
MindanaoSTAR 11
april 17-23, 2015
THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
Bunye... from page 4
stemmed plants, fifteen to twenty feet high; the plants grow as closely together as sugar cane….so dense that a strong man must fight with the whole weight of his body for each foot of progress… In the abaca fields visibility was rarely more than ten feet… The common way for scouts to locate a Japanese position in abaca was to advance until they received machinegun fire at a range of three to five yards.” Day 89 – Allies captured the villages of Tacunan, Ula, Matina Biao, and Magtuod. Day 92 – The capture of Mandug signaled the end of the Battle of Davao and the general withdrawal of the Japanese into the mountains of Bukidnon. Day 107 – Allied troops landed east of Macajalar Bay and moved along the Agusan River in search of Japanese concentrations. Day 125 – Allied troops carried out minor operations, clearing the Japanese from the entrance of Davao Gulf and seizing Sarangani and Balut Islands , off the southern tip of Mindanao. The main Japanese resistance in Mindanao was over. But the Japanese continued to hold out in the mountains for the remainder of the war. At war’s end, 22,000 emerged from the jungles to surrender. More than 10,000 died in combat while 8,000 or more died from starvation or disease during the campaign. Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@ gmail.com.
Uratex... from page 10
ment in the region.” In an interview, Frederick Y. Sow-Uratex, General Manager of Vis-Min said that the opening of the CDO plant and showroom is also part of Uratex plan to open production centers in the key cities in the region after it opened similar facilities after it opened similar facilities in Cebu, Davao City. Other areas the region such as Iloilo, Tacloban, Butuan, Iligan and General Santos City are also being eyed for future development. At A Glance - The Group’s foam business began in 1968 when Robert Cheng realized his dream of producing high-quality foam. He founded Polyfoam Chemical Corporation and, later on, expanded into related businesses to address the growing needs of the autonomous, furniture, bedding, footwear, textile, garment, and food industries. The Uratex Automotive Division has created a name in the Philippines as one of the foremost
providers of quality automotive seat assembly. It is divided into two companies: Multican and Roberts AIMPC. Multican is known for manufacturing components, capabilities and solutions to 4-wheeler brands and bus transportation. The exterior finish of the vehicles is wonderfully complemented with Uratex materials making it easier to tag leather seats and covers for a more attractive interior. Roberts AIMPC makes sure that these vehicles run superbly by equipping and furnishing them with essential parts such as airconditioners, radiators, fan belts, etc. The RGC Textile Manufacturing Corporation is known in the industry for its versatile capabilities and diverse product range. It has the experience, the expertise and the high-tech equipment to manufacture virtually any kind of fabric. With its expanded presence in the region, especially in Cagayan de Oro, Uratex is partnering with businessmen as they expand operations alongside the province’s rapid development. It is this kind of support that the RGC Group hopes to provide local businesses, as the company continues with its expansion nationwide to provide more Filipinos with good, healthful and restful sleep.
Drive... from page 1
lessen the risk of this disease not just for kids but for everyone, the vaccine does not guarantee 100 percent protection so it’s best for mothers not to completely let down their guard,” she said. Gamolo also called on mothers to avail now of the free vaccines because it can be very expensive if availed in private hospitals. Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno, for his part, urged public health servants to aspire and make a difference in the lives of other people. PIA
Removal... from page 1
owners, who will be affected by the voluntary removal or dismantling of their illegal fishing structures, here, have been assured of immediate assistance from the city government. The assurance came from lawyer Philip T. Tan, city mayor of Tangub, during the consultation meeting with the filter net operators and workers held last February 12, a day after the Panguil Bay Development Council (PBDC) full council meeting held at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Fish Farm Train-
ing Center, in Barangay La Pacita, Lala, Lanao del Norte. In that consultation meeting with the fisherfolk from Tangub, Tan explained that the drive to rid Panguil Bay of illegal fishing structures is in line with keeping the bay, “our food source and provider, which we have taken for granted by over-fishing and interrupting the growth of the marine resources by catching them while they’re still very small, through the filter nets.” Tan said “God gave us everything in order to eat. He gave us Panguil Bay, home to the crabs, shrimps, fish and other marine resources, that in turn give us millions of eggs. But where are these eggs now? These eggs will not develop because we already catch the fish and crabs, even when they are still very small.” “This is basically the reason why the filter nets (sanggab) are considered destructive because these marine resources are prevented from growing up and lead to their dwindling up and nothing for the future generation, Tan said. “Let’s clean-up Paguil Bay and let the fish and crabs grow, so many will be able to eat),” mayor Tan also said. PIA
Drought... from page 2
More than 300 farmers in 400 hectares farmlands planted to rice and corn have been affected by the drought in the city’s agricultural sites. “All I pray is rain, more rain because we cannot rely on water from the river. Strong rain is what we need here,” Musa said as he was about to embarked on another round of farm work going to his vegetable yard. Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. said the Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved a resolution putting the affected villages under a state of calamity so the local government could use its calamity fund in helping the affected farmers. “State of calamity has been declared in 19 villages so that our farmers can receive assistance from concerned government agencies while our government workers can avail of calamity loan,” Guiani said in an interview. He also chided the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for what he called a “ghost project” in Barangay Tamontaka, referring to a 100-hectare irrigation rehabilitation project in the area implemented by NIA with a budget of P64 million, expected to have been completed in 2012.
Guiani could hardly believe the city rice fields have dried up when there are several tributaries to the farms. Furthermore, Cotabato is surrounded by two big rivers – Rio Grande de Mindanao and the Tamontaka River. The mayor said there must be an investigation on the project. It turned out the project was mothballed. “Our farmers are now suffering because hundred of hectares of farmlands programmed for irrigation with this huge budget was not completed,” he said. Guiani stressed that the farmers here should not have experienced drought as there is supposed to be ample water supply, if only the irrigation project was pushed through. Food Security Secretary Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who also chairs NIA, was asked about the alleged “ghost project” during his visit to Maguindanao but declined to comment, saying no report about it has reached his office. He said he will call for an investigation. MindaNews contacted the public information office of NIA-12 but the woman on the phone could not comment on the issue, saying only her boss, who was not in the office, was authorized to respond. MindaNews also asked for the regional director’s number, but NIA has not yet replied as of press time. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews with reports from Joyce Toledo and Tanto Piang Jr., University of Southern Mindanao Development Communication interns)
Lamudi... from page 2
after Cebu City. A great majority of Davao’s listed properties are houses, which are a big drawcard for buyers. Price data from Lamudi shows that a good number of houses in the city are costing more than Php40 million, and 116 inventories have asking prices of Php10 million and up. The median house price in the city stands at Php4.147 million, while the average condo price per square meter stands at Php72,220, based on Lamudi price data. The price to rent a condo in the city currently stands at Php652 per sqm. According to Colliers International, a total of 6,708 condo units are expected to be delivered in Davao City’s residential condo market between 2013 and 2017, while sales take-up of units surged 83 percent year-on-year to 2014, the highest recorded since the condo market started in 2009. Many
of these condo projects are from the industry’s biggest players, such as Ayala Land, SMDC, and Megaworld, which is telling for the city’s buoyant real estate market. New Service to Bridge the Gap between Online and Offline Real Estate Market While the Internet has proven to be a powerful and effective tool in the house-hunting process, there is still a large group of homebuyers who prefer to look for property the old-fashioned way. Often they still prefer picking up the phone and calling a licensed real estate broker to searching online. To cater to these offline house-hunters, Lamudi Philippines launches Dial 4 Home, a service where home-buyers can call the company’s hotline and talk directly to a customer care representative. House-hunters can explain their requirements (such as property type, size, location and price) and Lamudi’s customer care staff will cross-reference these with the platform’s 90,000-plus property listings. “This is one of the innovative solutions that Lamudi Philippines is offering Davao’s real estate market,” said the platform’s managing director, Jacqueline van den Ende. “What we are trying to do is bridge the gap between nontech-savvy Filipinos and those who have already switched online to look for real estate.” The new service will put offline property seekers in touch with a wide selection of property listings from Lamudi, be it residential, commercial, industrial, even raw and agricultural lands. The service was designed to meet the needs of those who have not yet switched online to look for property, said van den Ende. Many older Filipino homebuyers, those aged between 40 and 60, are not heavy Internet users, although they have a relatively higher spending power compared to their younger counterparts. “Most of these people are looking into buying investment properties or second homes, so they generally take their time before making their purchase decisions. For this reason, it is really important that a customer care representative is on hand to help them at the very early stage of their research,” she said. To get in touch with a Lamudi Dial 4 Home representative, homebuyers can call +63920 133 9841 or +63927 331 6809.
Power... from page 2
while the revenue size increased six-folds. He noted that Korea
has a distinct microgrid system in small island areas instead of independent systems which rely on fuel-fed generators. The country piloted connection projects that generated energy from wind, PV solar and geothermal integrating with Energy Storage System (ESS) all in Ulleung Island. With its sound Renewable Portfolio Standard, the rooftop and parking lot of Renault Samsung Motors in Busan was converted into a Solar PV Power Plant, now the largest solar PV plant for the single factory and provides electricity to 7,300 households. Korea’s PV Rental Program is also promising as it allows household owners to reduce their electricity bill to 80 percent. “PV rental companies earn rental fee and benefit from the Renewable Energy Point set by the government”, Yu said. For its part, Chinese Taipei said it has devised a solar PV mechanism that has ensured fair participation of applicants and reveal the actual market value and costs of PV installation. The country also convinced its banking institutions to provide financing support. At least 26 banks have embraced green financing with the green energy investment fund growing from US$1.6 million in 2011 to $222 million in 2013. Japan is geared towards installing PV solar and wind power technologies because of its good wind resource. Takao Ikeda of Japan said the government allocated more than 27 billion yen in 2014 for the research and development of utility scale battery system. By 2020, it targets to reduce the cost of Lithium batteries, Redox Flow battery, NAS battery and other existing batteries. The United States, for its part, conducted the 2014 SunShot Grand Challenge Summit and Peer Review in support of the ten-year SunShot initiative that started in 2010. The SunShot initiative targets the production of grid connected PV power at 5 to 6 cents/kWh. (MCA/FGM)
Group... from page 3
age area to contain hazardous chemicals that are found these electronic gadgets. Beyond the intensive effort of the local government unit to manage community garbage, the households are also encouraged to handle the garbage at their own level. Recycling and biocomposting should start at the household level to minimize the collection at the MRF, Maguad said. (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)
12 MindanaoSTAR THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH, JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT
april 17-23, 2015