FIGURES OF THE WEEK

A & A Securities, Inc.JIFFYCAR Bldg., Ecowest Drive

(Beside SM City Davao), Davao CityTel. Nos.: 299-0199, 297-7233,

303-0555, 297-8090, 0917-7000911, 0922-8831358

Important: The information contained herein is based on sources which we believe are reliable but is not guaranteed by EDGEDAVAO and A & A SECURITIES, INC. This report is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the security mentioned herein.

STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE

PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX

US DOLLAR = PHILIPPINE PESO

As of November 18, 2011

VOL. 4 NO. 38NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011

T h e B u s i n e s s P A P E R

www.edgedavao.nete-mail: editorial@edgedavao.net / marketing@edgedavao.net

THIS ISSUE: P15 20 PAGESHIGHLIGHTS

PROPERTY FORUM P5

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EDGEDAVAOTHE BUSINESS PAPER

2 NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011VOL. 4 NO. 38

ON THE COVERIT FIGURES

n Peace and order, transparent city governance, favorable weather top listn Country’s 10 fastest growing cities bared

DABAWENYOS have identified more than 50 factors behind

the growth and progress of Davao City in the past and most likely in the coming years.

This, according to an opinion survey conducted through text messaging by Edge Davao during the pe-riod of November 15-17.

Of the 120 persons “text-ed,” 102 responded and list-ed what they thought were the reasons behind the phe-nomenal economic growth of this extended community that is home to 1.5 million people which will celebrate its 75the year as a chartered city in March of 2012.

“Stable peace and order” was at top of the list of 45 poll respondents, followed by “transparent, strong and effective governance” with 44 votes.

“Being an investment-friendly place ’’ and its year-round “favorable weather” shared third place with 15 votes each, followed by “ex-cellent quality of manpower resource ” with 14 votes.

“Vast tracts of land for development” and “friendly and hospitable people” got 13 votes each to land in 5th place.

The other factors cited were “its good schools” with 10 points, “media” 9 points, “strong and dynamic civil so-ciety” 8 points.

Five factors got 7 votes

each: “abundant potable wa-ter,” “abundant power sup-ply,” “aggressive migrants,” “strategic location” and “af-fordable lifestyle.”

“Presence of basic infra-structure facilities” scored 6, while “tourism” got 5 votes, the same as two others –“ef-fective police and military enforcers” and “strong pub-lic-private sector partner-ship.”

The other factors that served as magnets for growth and progress of the city were the “low cost of business op-eration,” “business process outsourcing industry,” partic-ularly call centers, “banks,” “aggressive property and real estate developers,” “competi-tive cost of labor,”

“expats” referring to Chinese and South Koreans, “malls and condominiums,” “ICT industry,” and “eco-nomic progress” itself.

Also listed were “popu-lar support for local govern-ment unit officials,” “support for SMEs (small medium en-terprises),” “smooth vehicu-lar traffic,” transportation fa-cilities such as “international airport and seaports,” “abun-dance of raw materials,” “excellent medical facilities,” “top caliber medical profes-sionals,” “critical mass of consumers,” “leisurely pace of life,” “abundance of fruits and vegetables,” “mystical charm of the city,” advent in the city of the country’s top property developers and mall

makers like Ayala, Henry Sy, Gokongwei, “consumer’s growing buying power,” the city’s “good image in the country and abroad,” the “overseas Filipino work-ers,” “the church,” “Central 911,” “strong middle class,” “honesty of the citizens,” “award-winning chamber of commerce,” “outstand-ing entrepreneurs,” “tax in-centives,” “good food,” and Davao Cty’s being “a melt-ing pot for migrants.”

The opinion poll re-spondents included influ-ential business leaders, some government officials, lawyers, a few media prac-titioners, professionals, civic leaders and prominent members of civil society and corporate executives.

The DutertesIn both “peace and

order” and “good gover-nance” factors, the names of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte were mentioned at least 8 times, lauding their political will in implement-ing ordinances that have

improved the discipline of the citizenry.

Among those who re-sponded to the text poll sur-vey were former Local Gov-ernment OIC secretary Lito Monico Lorenzana, his busi-nessman son Carlo,Davao City Chamber of Commerce president Dr. Malu G. Mon-teverde, seven other past presidents of the Davao City Chamber, mining company executive Rogelio “Jing” Bantayan, business leader and Rotarians Jesse Fortich, Oscar Paras and Virgilio So-jor, Butch Jocom, banker and Rotary past district governor Boy Reyes, Trade regional director Marizon Loreto, peace panel mem-ber Ednar G. Dayanghirang,

Former justice secre-tary Silvestre Bello III, law-yer Samuel Matunog of the software industry, retired development planner archi-tect Chito Gavino,

banana industry ex-ecutive Stephen Antig, As-

sistant secretary Yo Mon-tenegro of Mindanao De-velopment Authority, three city councilors, and many others.

Fastest growing cities

In a related develop-ment, data obtained by Edge Davao indicated that Cotabato is the coun-try’s fastest growing city in population with an av-erage annual rate of 6.52 percent, followed by Lapu-lapu 4.20, Puerto Princ-esa with 3.68, Zamboanga with 3.54, General Santos with 3.53, Quezon with 2.92, Mandaue with 2.86, Lucena and Angeles with 2.61, Cagayan de Oro with 2.54 and Baguio with 2.50.

Davao City with 2.44 is only no. 11 in the list.

No. 87Davao City is listed No.

87 fastest growing city in the world by the City May-ors Foundation, an inter-national think tank which looks into local affairs.

Davao is the only Phil-ippine city listed in the top 100. In the same list, only five Asean cities are includ-ed. The first four are found in Indonesia, while the fifth is Davao.

The next top 100 (numbers 101 to 200) listed Manila as No. 190.

Davao has 50 ‘magnets’for progressby Antonio M. Ajero

SMUGGLING OF MATURE COCONUTS. An aspiring citizen journalist took photos of what he alleged to be glaring exporting of mature coconuts which is prohibited by law. Only fresh young whole nuts and some kinds of processed coconuts are allowed.

In these photos taken in Calinan and Marilog districts, mature coconuts are being hauled into two container vans of American Presidents Lines, an ocean-going shipping company shipping out exports products and bringing in import products. [FC]

SARA RODY

BOP surplus reaches US$ 9.93B PAL incurs losses The Philippines’ bal-

ance of payment (BOP) position rose

to US$ 9.93 billion in end-October 2011 from month-ago’s US$ 9.72 billion, cen-tral bank data show.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipi-nas (BSP) show that the BOP surplus in the first 10 months this year was also higher than year-ago’s US$ 9.2 billion.

However, the US$ 208-million surplus last Oc-tober alone was lower than the previous month’s US$ 208 million and way below year-ago’s US$ 2.74 billion.

Last month’s surplus was also the lowest so far for this year, the same data show.

BOP is the summary of the country’s total transac-tions with the rest of the world.

Monetary officials ear-lier said the capital inflows and money being sent home by Filipinos abroad boosted the BOP surplus.

The BSP forecasts a US$ 6.7 billion BOP surplus for this year but this figure, along with the other BOP components, are now be-ing reviewed and result of which is expected to be re-

leased this month. The country’s BOP sur-

plus in 2010 reached US$ 14.31 billion, way above the US$ 6.42 billion in the previous year.

As of last September, remittances reached US$ 14.76 billion, 7.1 percent higher than year-ago’s US$ 13.78 billion.

While foreign portfo-lio investments, otherwise known as hot money, due to the speed it comes in and out of the economy, posted a YS$ 3.45 billion net in-flow as of October 29 this year, higher than year-ago’s US$ 2.51 billion. [PNA]

PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) on Friday said it posted a net loss of US$

39.4 million in the second quarter of its fiscal year end-ing March next year mostly because of skyrocketing jet fuel costs.

In a filing with the Se-curities and Exchange Com-mission (SEC), PAL said its total comprehensive losses in July to September were higher than the US$ 26 mil-lion net loss in the same pe-riod last year.

The airline said total revenues reached US$ 420.4 million, reflecting a 4.7 per-cent hike from US$ 401.6 million for the same three month period last year.

Total expenses, on the other hand, grew by US$ 84.8 million, or 22.6 per-

cent, to US$ 459.7 million for the second quarter of 2011.

Jet fuel, which contin-ued to be the airline’s big-gest expense, contributed the largest increase of US$ 48.3 million, or 33.9 per-cent, from US$ 142.5 mil-lion in 2010 to US$ 190.8 million for the current three-month period.

Average jet fuel prices rose from US$ 94.92 per barrel to US$ 131.99 per barrel.

PAL said that based on data released by the Inter-national Air Transport As-sociation (IATA), the airline industry in general achieved growth in passenger traffic year-on-year as of Septem-ber by an average of 6.3 percent.

27.4 percentDECREASE in the

country’s export earn-ings for September ow-ing to what local econ-omists believe to be not only weak demand from abroad, but also because of structural is-sues.

P19.3 millionWORTH of vehicles,

including an ambulance bought for P990,000, found “rotting” in sever-al warehouses owned by the Philippine Amuse-ment and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), according to the Commission on Au-dit (COA).

P14.5 billionAMOUNT in cash

raised by JG Summit Holdings of the Gokong-wei group from the sale of a small portion of its stake in Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT ) to a local affiliate of the telecommunica-tions giant’s controlling shareholder First Pacific group.

P56.8 billion CAPITAL spending

earmarked by SM In-vestments Corp. (SMIC), the listed holding com-pany of Henry Sy for the 2012. This one third more than its capex this year. The budget is intended to build new shopping malls and ex-pansion of residential and commercial real-estate segments.

P425 millionADDITIONAL fund-

ing infused by the De-partment of Budget and Management into the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astro-nomical Servicers Ad-ministration (Pagasa) to upgrade the state weather bureau’s fore-casting facilities and equipment.

640,000NUMBER of poor

families supposed to re-ceive the government’s conditional cash-trans-fer grant found missing, according to the Health Secretary Enrique Ona. Ona said government authorities that 12 per-cent of the 5.2 million poorest of the poor families listed under the National Household Targeting System have been relocated or are now residing in other places.

3

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 38

Camella Davao’s Mediter-ranean-inspired subdi-vision project in Mintal,

Camella Cerritos, is now well underway with construction work of its Lessandra phase also in full swing.

“We understand the desire of our homeowners to move into their dream homes soon, hence construction in Cerritos has gone full blast,” said Marlon B. Escalicas, Ca-mella Davao GM.

Camella is setting its sight on completing the road construction and the interior model houses by the end of the year, keeping its com-mitment to homeowners to deliver its promises on sched-ule. Even work on perimeter fencing is on track, now 40% complete and ongoing.

Fully completed is the Camella sales office on site, built to enable the developer to better serve the swelling number of homebuyers want-ing to call Camella Cerritos their home. The sales office will be formally launched on November 19.

“We’re also excited to reveal that the much-awaited commercial development that will include a mall is in its final stages of planning. This will provide Cerritos homeowners an accessible

place to get their daily es-sentials without having to go downtown,” added Escalicas.

Camella Cerritos is de-signed to become a self-sus-taining community where the residential development is complemented by the com-mercial component of the project, providing its home-owners, including the people in Mintal, everything they need on a daily basis.

The three-hectare com-mercial development will house a mall, shops, and stores, and will be situated right across the subdivision, allowing Cerritos homeown-ers only a few minute’s walk to get what they need. This enhances the homeowners’ standard of living while they enjoy their homes in comfort.

Camella Cerritos has an upscale appeal, with its well-appointed clubhouse, swimming pool, multi-pur-pose courts, open parks, playgrounds, tree-lined path-ways, grand entry gate, shut-tle service, and 24/7 security system with CCTV.

This charming neighbor-hood is detached from the hustle and bustle of down-town Davao, and its sculpted lawns, lush landscape, and Mintal’s fresh air await its homeowners after a hard

day’s work.Sprawled over nine

hectares of prime land, Ca-mella Cerritos is conveniently located along the national highway, making it quite ac-cessible to public transporta-tion and a short ride or drive to public utilities in Mintal. It is only about 20 minutes drive or ride to the city’s downtown area.

Camella Cerritos are offered from an affordable price of P680,000 to P3.5 million, with monthly amor-tizations as low as P6,826 or P210 a day. With its up-scale appeal yet mid-price range, it is the perfect home for any type of homeowner, from newly-wed couples and young families, to young pro-fessionals, OFWs, investors, and transients who send their children to school in Davao.

Camella Cerritos is an-other masterplan develop-ment of Camella Davao, a subsidiary of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land & Lifescapes. All in-quiries are welcome at 2/F Delgar Building (in front of Camella Northpoint), JP Lau-rel Ave., Bajada, Davao City, telephone numbers (082) 222-0963, (082) 222-5221, (082) 222-5223 (telefax) and 0917-8576572. #

Camella Cerritos in full swing

VIPINOY LOUNGE. Abreeza Mall opens Friday afternoon the VIPinoy Lounge at 3F Roof Garden, part of a special Ayala Malls overseas Fili-pino program. Overseas Filipino workers and their loved ones can avail themselves of a host of services from the VIPinoy lounge, including finan-cial advice from consultants. Attending the ribbon-cutting were Emilio J. Tumbocon Jr., senior vice president of Ayala Land Inc., Councilor Melchor

V.Quitan, representing Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, Tourism Regional Director Art Boncato, Accendo Com-mercial Corp general manager Clavel Tongco and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) regional head Zenobia Caro. KO

PROPERTY FORUM

THE BUSINESS PAPER

4 NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011VOL. 4 NO. 38

THE ECONOMY

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - January 2011)

Month 2011 2010 2009Average 45.11 47.637December 43.95 46.421November 43.49 47.032October 43.44 46.851

September 44.31 48.139August 45.18 48.161

July 46.32 48.146June 43.37 46.30 47.905May 43.13 45.60 47.524April 43.24 44.63 48.217

March 43.52 45.74 48.458February 43.70 46.31 47.585January 44.17 46.03 47.207

1. GNP Growth Rate(At Constant 1985 Prices) 2. GDP Growth Rate(At Constant 1985 Prices)

3. Exports 1/

4. Imports 1/

5. Trade Balance

6. Balance of Payments 2/

7. Broad Money Liabilities

8. Interest Rate 4/

9. National Government Revenues

10. National government outstanding debt

11. Peso per US $ 5/

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2000=100

15. Core Inflation Rate 2000=100

16. Visitor Arrivals

17. Underemployment Rate /7

18. Unemployment Rate /7

INDICATIOR LATEST1.9 %

2nd Qtr 2011

3.4 %2nd Qtr 2011

USD 4,128 million

Jun 2011

USD 4,503 millionJun 2011

USD -376 millionJun 2011

USD 222 millionJun 2011

P4,423,849 millionJun 2011

4.48%Apr 2011

P100,139 million Jun 2011

P 4,777 billion May 2010

P 42.81Jul 2011

4,503.6Jul 2011

126.4

Jul 2011

4.6Jul 2011

3.7Jul 2011

317,443Apr 2011

19.4%Apr 2011

7.2 %Apr 2011

STAT WATCH

Cebu Pacific Daily 5J961 / 5J962 5:45 Manila-Davao-Manila 6:15Zest Air Daily Z2390 / Z2390 5:45 Manila-Davao-Manila 6:25Cebu Pacific Daily 5J593 / 5J348 6:00 Cebu-Davao-Iloilo 6:30Philippine Airlines Daily PR809 / PR810 6:10 Manila-Davao-Manila 7:00Philippine Airlines Daily PR819 / PR820 7:50 Manila-Davao-Manila 8:50Cebu Pacific Daily 5J394 / 5J393 7:50 Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga 8:10Cebu Pacific Daily 5J599 / 5J594 8:00 Cebu-Davao-Cebu 8:30Cebu Pacific Daily 5J347 / 5J596 9:10 Iloilo-Davao-Cebu 9:40Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun 5J963 / 5J964 9:40 Manila-Davao-Manila 10:10Philippine Airlines Daily PR811 / PR812 11:30 Manila-Davao-Manila 12:20Cebu Pacific Daily 5J595 / 5J966 12:00 Cebu-Davao-Manila 12:30Silk Air Mon/Wed/Sat MI588 / MI588 18:55 Davao-Cebu-Singapore 13:35Cebu Pacific Thu 5J965 / 5J968 12:55 Manila-Davao-Manila 13:25Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat 5J965 / 5J968 13:35 Manila-Davao-Manila 14:05

Silk Air Thu/Sun MI566 / MI566 18:55 Davao-Singapore 15:20Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 5J507 / 5J598 15:00 Cebu-Davao-Cebu 15:30Philippine Airlines August 15:55 Mani2Mani 16:50Zest Air Daily Z2524 / Z2525 16:05 Cebu-Davao-Cebu 16:45Cebu Pacific Daily 5J967 / 5J600 16:35 Manila-Davao-Cebu 17:05Philippines Airlines Daily PR813 / PR814 16:55 Manila-Davao-Manila 17:45Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat 5J215 / 5J216 18:00 Cagayan de Oro-Davao-Cagayan de Oro 18:20Cebu Pacific Daily 5971 / 5J970 18:40 Manila-Davao-Manila 19:10Cebu Pacific Tue/Sat/Sun 5J973 / 5J974 20:00 Manila-Davao-Manila 20:30Cebu Pacific Daily 5J969 / 5J972 20:30 Manila-Davao-Manila 21:00Airphil Express Daily 2P987 / 2P988 20:30 Manila-Davao-Manila 21:00Philippine Airlines Daily except Sunday PR821 / PR822 21:20 Manila-Davao-Manila 21:50Philippine Airlines Sunday PR821 / PR822 22:20 Manila-Davao-Manila 22:50

as of august 2010

EDGEDAVAO

Who would have thought that one of the world’s known chocolate bars like Mars heav-

ily rely for their cacao supply on the Philippines, specifically the Davao re-gion.

Another significant chocolate maker based in Springfield, Missouri, USA which specializes in single origin chocolate in small batches, the Askinosie Chocolate, also sources out raw cacao supply from Davao City.

The owner, Shawn Askinosie, per-sonally visited Malagos, a small commu-nity found in the outskirts of the city. Con-vinced that the area is perfect for quality cacao production, Askinosie formalized partnership with local farmers to supply the company with raw cacao.

Through the company, the Davao White Chocolate Nibble Bar was named by the Times of London as one of the Ten Best Chocolate Bars in the World in September last year.

Giving back to the community that positively helped Askinosie Chocolate find its niche in the global market, the owner constantly pours in social development projects like establishment of Internet connection and enough number of com-puter units which can be of great use to the students of Malagos Elementary School.

Mars Chocolate, having been long established in the region, has also con-tributed much to the growth of the cacao industry.

The Mars Cocoa Development Cen-ter (MCDC) that started in 2008 was built to bring positive environmental and socio-economic benefits of sustainably grown cocoa to farmers.

It is through the center that farmers

get to learn best practices in cocoa cultiva-tion. It is here that they learn new meth-ods in pest control to better improve the quality of their cocao.

More than 3,000 farmers have been part of the center, most of them gradu-ated from the Farmer Field School.

MCDC has expanded its coverage from Malagos to other Davao provinces like Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental. Satellite demonstration farms were set up in those areas to further cater to more farmers and start engage in cacao produc-tion.

Another significant actor in the de-velopment of the cacao industry in Davao Region is the USDA-funded project Suc-cess Alliance II as implemented by ACDI/VOCA in partnership with CocoaPhil. In this project, farmers attended Farmer Field School activities wherein they didn›t just improve production but they have also strengthened the industry by engag-ing in collective venture.

Before the project, these farmers used to do farming as individuals. They were not yet educated about the realities of the value chain and importance of con-solidation.

Through time, these farmers grouped themselves and started doing things as Subasta Cocoa Farmers. They bought wet cocoa beans from their mem-bers and few from other farmers in the community. They sold and delivered these cocoa beans to Puentespina Farms, the leading market of these wet cocoa beans. The farmers also learned that they could also earn not just from wet cocoa. They started to sell dried and fermented cocoa beans by the assistance of ACDI/VOCA. A solar dryer, fermentary boxes and bean-grading toolkit were provided

An official of the Department of Trade and Industry here assured that pric-es of basic commodities in Davao are

manageable so far, saying that DTI keeps a tight watch on price movement in anticipa-tion of the holiday season.

DTI regional director Marizon Loreto said this assessment is based on her moni-toring where she noted a downward trend in prices of almost all products.

Loreto attributed the price decrease to keen competition among most traders who are selling the same products.

She said local traders are in fact of-fering their products in sets or packages that would benefit a customer a free item, which she said is a form of product promo-tion that every Filipino anticipates, espe-cially during the Christmas season.

Loreto said DTI monitoring teams have been vigilant in keeping an eye on prices, not only of basic goods, but also of Christ-mas items and construction materials.

In the implementation of the suggest-ed retail prices (SRPs) as of November 03, 2011, Loreto clarified that SRP only covers

Noche Buena products such as ham, cheese, mayonnaise, sandwich spread, elbow and macaroni pasta and spaghetti sauce.

The DTI official said that if an increase would be effected, the mark up would be minimal at the rate of P5 to P10 to cover for promotion and freight costs.

Loreto added that the DTI has so far not received any report of local traders violating the SRP. She ascribed this to DTI’s vigilant monitoring and intensified information drive. [Carina L. Cayon/PIA 11]

Davao commodity prices manageable

Davao cacao: Source of world’s best chocolates

to the Subasta farmers.Increased income led to the

building of additional post-har-vest facilities. These have further improved the cocoa production of the said farmers. They have mastered the skill, applied tech-nology, played the market, and joined the competition. At the end of the day, the lesson learned is the importance of collective work. Working individually in this industry, as they observed, may have been very promising at first, however, the consolidated effort of each farmer was found vital in the long run for the sus-tainability of the industry.

What urged farmers to fo-cus and better cocoa production is the turn out of the cocoa export in the recent years. Before when Davao was not yet known to be a conducive area for cocoa produc-tion farmers almost lost interest in farming cacao. Things changed

as international demand started coming in.

It was in 2008 to 2009 that the Bureau of Customs XI report-ed a six fold increase in exports from a mere 151 metric tons to 1,112 metric tons in 2009. Before the increase, it was barely Chi-na and the United States that im-port the cocoa products from the region. However, with the full-blast trainings and other form of capacity development efforts the BOC XI noted some expansion of the international market. It has expanded to Europe with the Netherlands as the shipping point. Not just that, neighbor-ing Asian countries like Malay-sia and Thailand also followed to import from the country.

More than half of the supply here was exported to Malaysia, a portion of the total supply went to Thailand, USA, and Netherlands. [PIA 11/MAI GEVERA-MACAPAGAT]

5

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 38

AGRITRENDS

The Northern Mind-anao Vegetable Pro-ducers Association

(NorMinVeggies) is imple-menting a groundbreak-ing farming and marketing system that has boosted the stock of hundreds of small-hold farmers across Mind-anao in the southern Phil-ippines, and revolutionized vegetable production in the region.

Starting with only 15 producer-members in 1999, NorMinVeggies’ core mem-bership has expanded to 178, which include farmers, cooperatives, foundations, and growers’ associations.

The transformation be-gan when NorminVeggies introduced the cluster farm-ing method to its members.

Under the clustering system, a group of farmers in selected areas are tasked to grow a particular crop utilizing a set of farming protocols and following a fixed production schedule.

The association could then schedule the volume of the crops it would pro-duce at a time based on the specific requirements of buyers.

Commodity clustering is not new to Mindanao, where it has long been practiced through contract-growing agreements be-tween farmers and large multinational agribusiness firms.

What makes Normin-Veggies’ approach different is that it builds on a part-nership between relatively small-scale “independent” growers with other sources of income and some access to capital and technology—its core members—and what it refers to as “small” growers with tiny family-operated farms, of which Mindanao has thousands.

Working with more than 3,000 affiliate grow-

ers in two provinces, Norm-inVeggies now produces at least 12 different kinds of semi-temperate vegetables, which include iceberg and romaine lettuce, broccoli, cherry tomato, cauliflower, carrots and sweet corn.

Through its “private-private” partnerships with these affiliate growers, it supplies bulk-buying clients in other regions in the Phil-ippines with at least 70 met-ric tons of vegetables week-ly, in addition to supplying more traditional markets in Mindanao.

In the first quarter of 2011, the association shipped out 1,273,255 kilo-grams (or 1,403 MT) of as-sorted vegetables to various buyers across the country.

In An Agenda for High and Inclusive Growth In the Philippines (2010), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) cited NorMinVeggies as a “model for facilitat-ing the grouping of small producers to achieve the advantages that clustering offers.”

The association’s expe-rience was also highlighted in the World Bank’s World Development Report 2008: Agriculture for Develop-ment and at the ADB glob-al food security forum in 2010.

When a handful of en-terprising vegetable grow-ers in Bukidnon province formed NorminVeggies 12 years ago, its members knew they were up against established farming com-petitors with access to more resources and advanced production technologies.

But the fledgling or-ganization was determined to address a major concern limiting the competitive-ness of small farmers in the region: how to efficiently ship out their produce to markets, while maintaining

quality and reducing post-harvest losses.

“Our goal was to en-gage marginal farmers who had very limited financial resources,” relates Marceli-no Remotigue, NorminVeg-gies president.

Most smallhold farms operating individually had no guarantee their produce would fetch good prices, or at the very least break even.

Local buyers explained they had to trim as much as 25 percent from the to-tal weight of vegetable de-liveries, to remove portions that were damaged during transport.

And due to the lack of proper production and post-harvest techniques, such farmers found it difficult to produce vegetables that could meet the strict quality requirements of prospective institutional buyers.

Remotigue recalls that small growers initially found it difficult to adjust to the system’s stringent protocols. But after a few months of trial and error, they began to realize the benefits of the innovative farming method.

They were not only producing better quality vegetables; production vol-umes also shot up. “I con-stantly reminded my mem-bers that if they wanted to be part of a cluster, they really had to strictly follow the system’s protocols,” he said.

By combining their har-vests, the growers are able to take advantage of econo-mies of scale and negotiate for better prices with buy-ers. The group regularly fills large volume orders which are shipped directly to buy-ers across the country.

“This way, the group is able to come up with a con-sistent quality and volume which is crucial to our buy-

CDO’S VEGETABLE CHAMPIONS Members of the newly-organized Cagayan de Oro-Vegetable Producers’ Federation (CDO-VPF) plant seedlings at the launch of its commercial-scale vegetable demonstration farm in Cagayan de Oro City. The group is composed of five major vegetable-producing barangays and is the first of its kind within the city. The federation was organized with assistance from the Northern Min-danao Vegetable Producers’ Association (NorMinVeggies); the U.S. Agency for Inter-national Development, through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program; the City Agriculture Office; and the Department of Agriculture (DA). USAID-GEM, in partnership with NorMinVeggies, DA, and other provincial and regional vegetable pro-ducer organizations, is helping to improve the production methods and post-handling techniques of Mindanao farming cooperatives and associations, and assisting them to develop markets for their produce. USAID-GEM is being implemented under the oversight of the Mindanao Development Authority.

NorMinVeggies experience: Finding strength in consolidation

ers,” Remotigue said. NorminVeggies devel-

oped its value chain with the help of the U.S. Agency for International Development, through USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM) Program.

USAID-GEM also pro-vided NorMinVeggies with training in Good Agricul-tural Practices (GAP), im-proved post-harvest han-dling techniques, marketing and logistics assistance as the association developed and started to expand its operations.

This assistance enabled the association to “break through” as a supplier to

institutional buyers and markets, says Joan Cua Uy, NorMinVeggies vice presi-dent for marketing.

The association now plays a vital role as a major service provider to the local vegetable sector by provid-ing training to farmers, ini-tiating market promotion activities, and organizing vegetable industry events.

In 2006, the associa-tion, again with support from USAID-GEM, estab-lished the NorMinVeg-gies Consolidation Center, which serves as a central-ized trading and consolida-tion area for the associa-tion’s produce.

Over time, the center has evolved to become a supply chain manager that coordinates, for a fee, the interaction among the small farmers, buyers, and service providers, such as seed and logistics companies.

“We see ourselves as growers who are also able to provide business devel-opment services for which other growers are prepared to pay,” Uy says.

NorMinVeggies’ clients now include a major super-market chain and a high-end hotel, consolidators for fastfood chains like KFC, and hotel and restaurant distributors.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday lowered

its palay growth projec-tion to 3 to 3.5 percent for the year from its ear-lier projection of 5.0 per-cent due to the onslaught of typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” that hit major rice producing provinces in the country.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, at the side-lines of the Joint Regional Executive Directors-Com-modity Program Coordina-tors meeting held at Marco Polo Hotel here, said ty-phoon Pedring alone has affected at least 77,864

hectares of land planted to rice, corn and other high-value cash crops with volume and value of pro-duction loss estimated at some 45,607 metric tons (MTs) and P725.11 mil-lion, respectively.

Of the total affected areas, some 67,627 hect-ares were rice land while 10,127 hectares were planted to corn and 110 hectares covered planta-tions for high-value crops.

Alcala, however, said agriculture grew by 4.28 percent in the first nine months of 2011.

Crop production re-corded a 9.04 percent in-

crease this year. It contrib-uted 50.07 percent to the total agricultural output. Palay and corn production recorded increments of 15.96 percent each.

Other gainers dur-ing the period included sugarcane, banana, pine-apple and cassava. At cur-rent prices, gross value of crop production reached P575.2 billion or 26.16 percent more than last year’s record.

Meanwhile, price cuts were noted for livestock products at an average of 1.52 percent. Poultry pric-es dropped by an average of 1.31 percent. [PNA]

Crop growth projection lovered

Tramline in Sibulan inaugurated

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is studying ways to fur-

ther improve the local agri-fishery sector’s resiliency to natural calamities par-ticularly as experts already project increasing on-slaught of violent weather disturbances in the country due to climate change.

“We intend to move towards weather-based and area yield-based insurance products and to find ways to support other innovative initiatives that can better prepare farmers and fishers for natural calamities such as cooperative insurance systems and insurance fund pool schemes,” said DA Secretary Proceso Alcala.

He also cited signifi-cance of establishing an early warning system that can help farmers and fish-erfolk prepare for calami-ties so damage to agricul-tural and fishery produc-tion can be lessened.

DA earlier com-

DA plans enhancing agri-fisherysector’s resiliency vs calamities

menced implementing several emergency quick turn-around initiatives for helping farmers and fish-erfolk cope with successive onslaught of typhoons ‘Pe-dring’ and ‘Quiel’ this year.

Such initiatives in-clude providing certified seeds and fingerlings, re-pairing damaged irriga-tion facilities and allocat-ing in Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) an initial P400 million which typhoon-affected farmers and fisherfolk can borrow for resuming respective

production activities. Earlier, government

identified five strategies for its 2011-2016 Agriculture and Fisheries Credit Strate-gic Plan to better help the local agri-fishery sector.

PhilRice noted Interna-tional Rice Research Insti-tute and University of Cali-fornia at Davis discovered the Sub1 gene in the Indian rice variety FR13A.

Alcala said among such strategies is strength-ening of agri-fishery credit guarantee and agricultural insurance programs. [PNA]

The Department of Agriculture (DA) re-cently inaugurated the

880-meter agricultural bi-cable tramline system worth P1 million at Sitio Mamaon, Barangay Sibulan, Toril dis-trict, a remote mountainous village of Davao City.

Raul Paz, national tram-line program leader of DA’s Philippine Center for Post-harvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), said the project will be a big

help to farmers as they will be able to save money in transporting their products to the market and reducing post-harvest losses.

Paz said the system is a hauling facility using cables and pulleys to transport agri-cultural products and inputs from isolated farms to near-est roads.

It is an alternative transport system that could benefit 250 farmers in the village.

“The establishment of the system is mainly to help the farmers reduce their hauling costs, prevent post-harvest losses and encour-age more farmers to increase their production. There would be also sufficiency in food supply,” he said.

“The system would help us save hauling cost and time. It could just take in five minutes. We could also pre-vent from having posthar-vest losses,” he said. [PNA]

BizQUIPS‘IT is said that good

public relations, not only increases trecognition, but more importantly, improves the credibility of an individual or organization.’

--Regional Director Ma. Lourdes D. Lim of the National Economic and Development Authority Region 11

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAOTHE BUSINESS PAPER

6 NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011VOL. 4 NO. 38

7

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 38

BizQUIPS

GOVERNANCE

Six out of eight goals of the Millennium Devel-opment Goals (MDG)

are most likely to be attained in Davao region provinces by 2015.

The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) came up with a study showing Davao region’s high probability to reach six goals, although two goals appeared to have medi-um probability.

NSCB 11 regional direc-tor Estrella Turingan said Goals 1 and 2 appeared to be lagging behind as monitored by the government office. Goal 1 is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger while Goal 2 is to achiev universal primary edu-cation.

The study used poverty in-cidence and poverty gap ration

to monitor efforts to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

In measuring the goal of achieving universal primary ed-ucation, NSCB used net enrol-ment ratio and cohort survival rate as indicators.

“Of the eight goals that we are working on, these two ar-eas appeared to be unlikely to be reached as compared to the six other goals.” she said.

Similar studies done in other regions outside Mind-anao would usually release results every end of the year. Study results in Mindanao re-gions showed that Regions 10, 11, and 12 exhibited high prob-ability of attaining MDG goals.

Turingan explained that countries which fail to attain these MDGs may not be sanc-tioned, however, it would re-

flect the performance of the country. This could be made basis if a country deserves to be granted foreign funding for project assistance.

The progress of countries in attaining the MDGs over the period 1990 to 2015 is being monitored through a set of core indicators defined by the UN and rationalized by countries to suit their respective thrusts.

MDGs are time-bound and measurable goals and tar-gets for combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, en-vironmental degradation and discrimination against women.

They consist of eight goals, 18 targets and 48 in-dicators that are periodically monitored at the international and country levels, based on a timeline from 1990 to 2015.

Davao likely to meet 6 out of 8millennium development goals

ACTIVE members and pensioners of the Government System

Insurance Service in the Davao Region are no longer to Union Bank when mak-ing bank transaction such as and replacing their e-cards and over-the-couner with-drawal of their salaries and pension.

They now have a choice of transacting with the near-est and most convenient branch of Land Bank of the Philippines instead of just a Union Bank branch no mat-ter how far it is from their place of residence or work.

This was the announce-ment made by Deity U. Manampan, GSIS Davao regional manager, to the 65,000 members of GSIS in the four provinces of Davao Region, including the city of Cotabato and the province

of North Cotabato.Manampan said that

GSIS re-established its part-nership with Land Bank as additional depository bank as part of the reforms intro-duced by the system’s new management team which took over from the one headed by former general manager Winston Garcia.

“This is for the good of members in places like Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Com-postela Valley and Cotabato Province where there are so many Land Bank branch-es but hardly a branch of Union Bank.

He said there are four ways how to transfer to Land Bank.

“No. 1. You can email us at e-services@gsis.com.ph Indicate your name, your date of birth to avoid com-

plication when you have a namesake, your common reference number, the one appearing in the unit card and state you preferred your Land Bank.

No. 2. You can also request for the transfer of your account from UPB to Land Bank by accessing our website at www.gsis.gov,com.ph

No. 3 is through the forms we are distributing all over the region, and

No. 4. The most recent is a campaign by agency.We still have a long way to go, sir.

He said the transfer of account is free of charge.

“However, this is not mandatory but offered only as an option for GSIS mem-bers for their own benefit and convenience,” Manam-pan said. AMA

Members, pensioners of GSIS can now transact with LandBank

The Department of Trade and Industry has considered Tin-

dahang Pinoy a milestone for the region’s tourism in-dustry, being the first in the country to showcase world-class products which are Davao-made.

DTI regional director Marizon Loreto said the es-tablishment of the Tindah-ang Pinoy in Davao Region has become one of the sig-nificant achievements of the tourism sector this year.

The Tindahang Pinoy branded as Davao Ecocrafts is a pasalubong center fea-turing the region’s authentic products with world-class, sustainable and green quali-ties ranging from processed foods, gift items and statio-neries, fashion accessories, furnishings and home decors and furniture.

Loreto reported that since the center’s launching in August this year, 12 ex-hibitors from the initial four are now displaying and sell-ing their products at the cen-ter located at the Aldevinco Shopping Center just across the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City.

She disclosed that an-

other three have recently sig-nified to display their crafts at the Davao Ecocrafts store which is being managed by the Davao Ecocrafts, Inc.

She said Davao Eco-crafts headed by its president Mary Ann M. Montemayor, is very selective in accepting high valued products which should be of world-class taste, sustainable and green or environment-friendly.

According to Loreto, the store has already earned P162,000 from August to September. She said that the high-end products at the pas-alubong center have “very reasonable prices” fit for their qualities for local and foreign tourists to afford.

She said the establish-ment of the Product Pro-curement Ordering System project in hotels and resorts in the region has helped pro-mote the Tindahang Pinoy which has been visited by prominent people like social-ite-philanthropist and col-umnist Tessa Prieto-Valdez.

Davao Region’s tour-ism and trade stakeholders from the government and private sectors have put in place through a Memoran-dum of Agreement the order-

ing system in September this year aiming to assist tourists in purchasing pasalubong goods.

The ordering system is also considered as a market-ing tool that promotes One Town, One Product (OTOP) program and provides sup-port to small and medium enterprises boost their sales.

In this project, hotels and resorts provide lists of Davao Region products for their guests to choose from. The hotels and resorts facili-tate the orders and delivery for the guests.

According to Loreto, Tindahang Pinoy was a brainchild of DTI which identified Davao as one of the three pilot areas.

The next pasalubong center would be launched in Cebu slated in December this year, while the third center will be put in Clark next year yet, she said.

Loreto also mentioned the plan of the City Tourism Office to put up another pas-alubong center that will ac-commodate all Davao prod-ucts. She said DTI will help in realizing this undertaking of the city. [PIA 11/Carina L. Cayon]

DTI takes Tindahang Pinoy a milestone for tourism

An official of the Depart-ment of Science and Technology has called

on all government agencies and the private sector in the re-gion to unify behind the “Juan Time” campaign that aims to promote time-consciousness among Filipinos.

DOST regional director Dr. Anthony C. Sales urged officials of the national gov-ernment agencies, local gov-ernment units and the private sector to adhere to the na-tional call for a synchronized use of the Philippine Standard Time (PST) dubbed as “Juan Time.”

The DOST regional office is set to launch the Juan Time

campaign on November 17 at the NCCC Mall, Davao City.

In a DXRP Talking Points forum, Sales said Juan Time is not just about the synchro-nization of time pieces in the country, but “more important-ly it is about instilling the cul-ture and value of timeliness among Filipinos.”

Sales said the govern-ment sector should be par-ticular not only about provid-ing quality services but also in taking importance of timeli-ness.

He cited that his office is starting to improve organiza-tional culture such as estab-lishing policies for personnel to arrive at meetings and sub-

mit reports on time.“This entails political will

to start from top to bottom,” Sales stated.

Sales disclosed a plan of presenting the Juan Time cam-paign to the Regional Develop-ment Council through the So-cial Development Committee which he currently chairs.

He said that through the RDC, the campaign would roll out to all other NGAs and LGUs for them to religiously observe the PST.

The DOST official also revealed an intention of im-parting this undertaking to the Chambers of Commerce that represent the private sectors. [PIA 11/Carina L. Cayon]

Government, private sectorsurged to follow ‘Juan Time’

THE Philippine econo-my is likely to grow at least 5 percent in the

third quarter compared to the previous quarter, accord-ing to a market report.

“Because of the con-tinuously strong industrial sector, decent national gov-ernment spending and OFW remittances, strong growth in China and US and the eas-ing euro-zone crisis, it has become more likely for GDP [gross domestic product] to reach a growth of at least 5 percent in the third quarter,” First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) and University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) said in its latest research note.

GDP is the total value of final goods and services pro-duced in the country.

In the second quarter, the economy, as measured by GDP grew by only 3.4 per-cent.

During the first half of the year, the GDP expanded by 4 percent, much lower than the government’s target of 7 percent to 8 percent this year.

Socioeconomic Plan-ning Secretary Cayetano Paderanga said the GDP in the third quarter is expected

PH economy to grow 5% in Q3to grow faster than the previ-ous quarter.

Paderanga attributed the growth to the improved government infrastructure spending and the strong ser-vices sector.

He, however, said that full-year growth may still hit the target of between 4.5 percent and 5.5 percent.

In spite of the negative annual growth rate of ex-ports in the past few months, FMIC and UA&P said the year-to-date export growth remains positive at 0.8 per-cent.

“Despite the fact that 50 percent of Philippine ex-ports are still purchased by the ASEAN and East Asia

(excluding Japan), the huge decline due to the weakness in Europe and the US forces us to lower our full-year forecast to 3 percent to 5 percent, assuming a rebound in the fourth quarter,” FMICa and UA&P said.

FMIC and UA&P added that remittances would con-tinue to be resilient in the last few months of the year due to seasonal factors.

“In addition, OFWs tend to send more dollar remit-tances to compensate for any appreciation bias of the peso leading us to maintain our 6 percent to 8 percent growth forecast in OFW $ remittanc-es for the year,” FMIC and UA&P said. [PNA]

LGUs ADOPT DSWD DATABASE ON POOR. Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon of Davao Oriental, Vice Governor Victorio R. Suaybaguio Jr. of Davao Del Norte, Governor Douglas Ra. Cagas of Davao Del Sur, and Governor Arturo T. Uy of Compotela Valley sign the Memorandum of Agreement on the utilization of the database that identifies who and where the poor are.

‘WE are targeting Davao-based businesses to expand or to look into business potentials in our city.’

--Mati City Mayor Michelle N. Rabat

THE BUSINESS PAPER

8 NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011VOL. 4 NO. 38

EDITORIAL

VANTAGE POINTSEDGEDAVAO

BizQUIPS

One of the most controver-sial issues in the country as of this writing (Thursday,

Nov, 17 is whether or not to al-low former President and now Pampanga Congresswoman Gloria M. Arroyo (GMA) to seek medical treatment abroad. For ordinary Filipinos like us, travel abroad for any reason would not be an issue at all for as long as we have a passport and a visa. But GMA is not an ordinary Filipino. She is a former President and, moreover, she is undergoing pre-liminary investigation for elec-toral sabotage for which she has yet to submit a counter-affidavit to the complaint.

The government fears that if allowed to leave the country, GMA won’t come back to face the case filed against her. That would mean justice won’t be served. There are enough rea-sons to entertain the thought that GMA, known for her lies and evil schemes in the past, would actu-ally do so.

Yet, I personally and strong-ly believe that GMA should be allowed to travel abroad only for medical treatment.

I am not a lawyer but I know that the Bill of Rights in our Constitution guarantees the right of every Filipino citizen to travel and to change abode except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health. As early as July this year, lawyers of the Arroyos have been invoking this constitutional provision or guarantee to question the inclu-sion of the Arroyos in the watch list order issued earlier by the Department of Justice for their alleged involvement in electoral fraud.

I also do not buy the idea that she could be treated in the country as earlier opined and in-sinuated by doctors from the Phil-ippine Medical Association. Even the recent suggestion for GMA to name her foreign doctors so that they could be brought to the Phil-ippines all expenses paid by the government is somewhat unac-ceptable. Any individual facing some signs of his mortality should be given the chance to choose his doctors and hospitals as well as the way he should be treated. It’s a personal choice and it should be respected. When I had a mi-nor surgery recently, I was asked to sign a waiver. And I willingly signed because I had full trust on my doctor whom I’ve personally chosen to perform the operation. Nobody imposed on me so that should anything happen to me it would only be me to be blamed.

There had been several cas-es where former Presidents and political prisoners were allowed to travel abroad for medical rea-sons or for any other reasons. The first that I could think of is, of course, the late Senator Ninoy Aquino. He was then facing charges of insurrection, rebellion and subversion but was allowed by his own political arch rival – the former President Marcos – to seek medical treatment in the US.

Then, we talk about serving justice to the few victims of the al-

leged election frauds. How long will it take the court to decide this “case” against GMA? Will it be sooner or later? Note that no case has ever been filed yet. Will jus-tice be really served soon so that we can hold the ailing Arroyos for the meantime as they face trial before they are allowed to travel abroad for medical reasons? It is the exigency of time which is an issue to me. As a case in point, look at the Mindanao massacre in 2009 and how the wheels of justice turn exceedingly slow.

The issue on the travel abroad of GMA is not purely medical and legal. It’s a compli-cated mix of various concerns which all have their roots on political ground. But the main reason, as I’ve mentioned above, is the fear that she won’t be able to keep her promise to come back and be accountable for the crimes she allegedly committed. Even with the limited powers she now holds, she could definitely extend indefinitely her stay abroad in the guise of continuing medical treatment and attention. Yet, this issue of bringing her back home “after the treatment” should alto-gether be treated separately.

This general feeling of para-noia among government officials has its own roots. In the past, there were instances where GMA did not honor even her own words; she would change her mind depending on what is best for her, her family and her allies. During her time as President, pol-icies were said to be unilaterally changed or twisted to secure her own position or to gain advan-tage over her close political oppo-nents and critics. Not only that, she had literally handcuffed or put in prison without the neces-sary legal proceedings those who dared to challenge her. Remem-ber General Ariel Querubin and the marines? Antonio Trillanes? General Danilo Lim? The rest of the Magdalo soldiers involved in the Oakwood mutinee? Sen. Panfilo Lacson?

She was then very power-ful. As many would say – “she’s a total bitch”! Now, her pow-ers – at least the physical ones – have limited her capacities to make better things happen even for her own benefit. Obviously, she’s now at the mercy of those who hold power. “KARMA, she deserves it,” most of us might say.

But, who are we to judge her motives now - her sincer-ity? She made her request and the government finally gave her the go signal. Whether or not she’ll keep her words this time to return and face each one of us after her treatment, let it be the burden of her own conscience not ours.

We have laws, that’s fine. We claim that we can serve jus-tice; that’s also great. When the government allowed her to go abroad for her much needed medical treatment abroad, we’ve proven that Filipinos also have a heart.

Feel free to send your com-ments to nic_agustin@yahoo.com.

Karma redefined

IT IS heartening to note that the regional police

leadership has finally let the axe fall on six policemen who tested positive for illegal drugs during a random examination conducted in July.

The law enforcers, who are members of the Davao City Police Office, will still have a chance to file a motion for reconsideration, which means asking Police Regional Director Jaime H. Morente to change his decision to fire them.

Whatever the final decision of Morente will be, it is hoped that the case of the six law enforcers will be a lesson to other policemen who violate the law that they are supposedly tasked

to enforce in the first place. On the other hand, if

the ouster of the six is eventually confirmed and become final and executory, the next step should be to watch their moves. In the past, policemen who were fired for a similar offense “graduated” to full-fledged drug pushers as an alternative source of livelihood.

Since there is no half-way house or something like it for drug offenders among law enforcers, the law-abiding ones remaining in the police force have no other choice but to be more vigilant and cast a sharper eye on the activities of their wayward former comrades.

Getting the axe

‘BECAUSE I was cheated, the voters were deprived of my services for more than four years.’

--Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III before Rotarians in Davao City

THE BUSINESS PAPER

9NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 38

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vantage POINTSEDGEDAVAO

FACE OFF

‘..I may be the brightest guy in the world, I may have the best intentions, and will do everything right but the typhoons may not cooperate also, so if you don’t mind, sir, give the one-year buffer to fulfill the promise.’

--Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala as quoted by President Aquino on the possibility of attaining rice self-sufficiency in 2012.

BizQUIPS

Samson and Delilah; P-Noy and Leila

“It was clear I won the fight. That’s boxing. I understand the crowd. Half of the crowd was Mexican and half was Filipino. The Filipinos were happy with the decision, but the Mexicans were disappointed. That’s part of the game.”

---Pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao

“For the best judge is the audience and they responded sensationally tonight. This time we not only beat him in the ring but also in the audience. The people were rooting for me and we are very happy with that. What do I need to do before the judges give me the fight?”

---Juan Manuel Marquez

“This was the closest they ever fought and I thought it would end in a draw. But Manny won the last two rounds and I wasn’t surprised by the judges decision.”

---Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach

“I feel that it is a joke for the people, for Manny and Juan Manuel Marquez to have a type decision like this. I felt very disapionted and frustrated . The real winner tonight I think is Juan Manuel Marquez , not Manny Pacquiao.”

---Marquez’s trainer Ignacio Beristain

ROSES are red, vio-lets are blue, sugar is sweet,” and idiots get

to our nerves.Yes, indeed, having

idiots under our skin can be emotionally upsetting and may ultimately shatter our mental equilibrium.

After reeling dizzily from the spooky effects of the recent Halloween nonsense, high-ranking officials of the Aquino government pricked the national consciousness with their idiotic outbursts and arrogant posturing vis-à-vis controversial issues – one pending in Congress, the oth-er awaiting judicial action.

Aquino’s chief legal an-chor Justice Secretary Leila Delima unleashed traces of idiocy as she tried to untan-gle the legal cobwebs pester-ing her mind, if not her con-science.

To allow, or not to allow former President Gloria Ar-royo to leave the country for medical treatment by special-ists in a foreign land.

That is the ques-tion that taunts, chal-lenges and titillates the former human rights commission chief. She acts with contempt dangling her own cre-ated Allow Departure Order (ADO) over Mrs. Arroyo’s head like a big brother holding a piece of lollipop above the head of a tip-toeing younger brother.

Weeks earlier, Delima hinted that she would al-low GMA to leave only after she has answered the formal charges of electoral sabotage. She even called her plan or decision as Solomonic.

Last week, the Supreme Court issued a TRO that al-lows Mrs. Arroyo to travel abroad. But Delima, feel-ing high and mighty, defied it and insisted Mrs. Arroyo must not be allowed to leave the country. The Supreme Court , she declared is wrong!

Thus spoke P-Noy’s jus-tice secretary. Step aside Co-rona & Co. Here comes Leila playing God, King Solomon and Supreme Court all rolled into one.

As chief dispenser of jus-tice Delima’s actions and pro-nouncements on the Arroyo travel issue, highly question-able. It is clear that she has

been influenced by her own doubts and suspicions on the future movements of the Arroyo camp. She even or-dered a probe on talks about political asylum based merely on text messages sent to re-porters. It’s incredible.

Delima placed herself in a dilemma of her own mak-ing, exhibiting autistic treat-ment of a simple legal and constitutional issue concern-ing the right of a citizen (not necessarily a former presi-dent) to travel outside the country.

But arrogant Leila Deli-ma wants to give her actions a touch of royalty by invoking King Solomon’s wisdom.

Samson had her Delilah, P-Noy has his Leila. Don’t forget what happened to Samson.

oooOoooHere’s another touch of

idiocy showed by a P-Noy ally – Vicente Sotto III, a.k.a. Tito Sotto, Senator of the Re-public.

This guy needs no fur-ther introduction having been in politics for decades.

Sotto was a front page item the other week when he was reported to have said that 14 billion people can live in the state of Texas, USA. And where did he get that incredulous thought? From the calculation of Pro-Life Phil. Foundation which, like Sotto, opposes population control. Both reject the RH Bill, and both believe that God will provide the needs of His creatures.

Who is Tito Sotto? He is the brain behind Eat Bulaga, a noontime variety show and the defunct Iskul Bukol where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a doctorate degree in toilet humor during the ‘70s – 80’s. As a senator, he is uninspiring and incon-sequential. He has a shallow intellect.

WHO really won the Pacquiao vs. Mar-quez trilogy?

Good question when one takes into account the hue and cry triggered by the ringside judges’ verdict of a majority decision win in fa-vor of Pacquiao. While one judge voted it even at 114-114 , the two others had it for Pacquiao 116-112 and 115-113. That did not sit well with the Mexican fans who greatly outnumbered the Filipinos inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Neither did many of Pacman’s countrymen watch-ing the delayed telecast at home as well as live on pay per view think he won. But that was because their great

expectation of a Pacman KO win was not to be, hence the head shaking by many Fili-pino fans.

I watched it live and while I was disappointed over Pacman’s failure to knock down Marquez, even once not to say put him to sleep as predicted by Freddie Roach, I believe that the fight was evenly fought , in which case Pacman would still retain his title. In a closely fought bout, it behooves the challenger to

clearly dominate the cham-pion to dethrone him. That didn’t happen. It was a bor-ing fight actually. Each time one boxer attacked, the other would back off. It was a back and forth boxing match that lacked the drama everyone expected, although there were a few instances when they did mix it up and ex-changing hits, none of them really doing much damage. Pacman’s cut above one eye was caused by an accidental

head butt, not a clean shot.So, who really won the

trilogy? The fight spawned in-

stant boxing experts from among those who watched it on television. The trouble with the boob tube, the view from where one sits on the sala sofa in one-dimensional, but the three judges at ring-side each has his own ver-sion of what transpired the sum total of which makes for a better appreciation of the whole.

So, who won the Pac-quiao vs. Marquez third fight? The judges said Pac-quiao won it by majority decision. That’s it, no matter what you or I think. End of debate.

End of debate

But arrogant Leila Delima wants to give her actions a touch

of royalty by invoking King Solomon’s

wisdom.

‘

THE BUSINESS PAPER

10 NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011VOL. 4 NO. 38COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO

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BizQUIPS‘THE business-friendly

environment, the urban infrastructure, social and protective services continue to attract investors and migrants to enjoy the fruits of the most livable city in the Philippines.’

--Davao City Planning and Development Coordinator Roberto Alabado III.

In celebration of the Bank of the Philippine Islands’ (BPI) 160th anniversary,

BPI and Globe Telecom teamed up anew to launch a commemorative Tattoo broadband stick that allows access to BPI Express Online and accompanying BPI web-sites without the need for prepaid load.

Bearing a stylish design celebrating one of the coun-try’s finest banking establish-ments, the Tattoo BPI 160th anniversary stick is the first and only co-branded internet broadband stick that allows access to various BPI web-sites, without using the stick’s preloaded amount. This means even at zero-prepaid balance, BPI clients can still do online banking transac-tions, such as fund transfers, prepaid mobile reloading,

bills payment, express cash reload, and balance inquiries.

In addition, BPI accoun-tholders can have continuous internet access since they can easily top up their BPI Tattoo sticks via BPI Express Online real time. The stick also has a call option so clients can ac-cess the BPI Express Phone for more banking services.

“Because more people are always on the go, there are a lot of bank errands like making deposits or pay-ing bills that are taken for granted. With the unique and innovative BPI Tattoo sticks, you can easily manage your bank account and invest-ments anytime, anywhere even if your Tattoo stick has no more load,” said Dong Ronquillo, Head for Nomadic Broadband of Globe

“As online banking con-

tinues to grow, broadband service becomes a necessity. That is where the speed and reliability of Tattoo comes in. As BPI banking clients contin-ues to grow in number, we hope more and more people choose Tattoo, the most preferred broadband in the country with more subscrib-ers,” Ronquillo added.

Last year, Globe has tied up with BPI for the first co-branded Globe-BPI mo-bile broadband stick, the BPI 24/7 Tattoo stick, bearing the same innovative features of the Tattoo BPI 160th anniver-sary stick, free access to BPI Express Online, even without load, plus, instant reloading of the stick via the account holders’ BPI, BPI Family Sav-ings Bank or BPI Direct De-posit account, to enjoy 24/7 continuous Internet access.

BPI Lifestyle: Photo shows several bloggers trying out the high-speed internet of the BPI Tattoo 160th anniversary stick, the first and only co-branded internet broadband stick that allows access to various BPI websites, without using the stick’s preloaded amount.

BPI and Globe launch limitededition BPI 160th Tattoo stick

DOST puts up STARBOOKSStudents and research-

ers here will soon gain easy access to online re-

searches in science and tech-nology information for free from an electronic library to be placed in major malls in the city.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) launched Thursday STARBOOKS or the Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly-Operated Kiosk Stations, at the NCCC Mall in Davao City.

DOST regional director

Dr. Anthony C. Sales said STARBOOKS is a computer booth or terminal contain-ing data bases on science and technology that could be retrieved speedily for the convenience of the public, particularly students and re-searchers.

“Everyone could have access of S&T information from different data systems,” Sales said, adding that STAR-BOOKS will also contain DOST researches and scien-tific-based information not found in the internet.

Sales said that the elec-tronic library is an enabling tool and source of informa-tion that will develop scientif-ic thinking, creativity and in-novation among the students in doing their school projects and researches.

STARBOOKS is a com-plementary program of DOST science scholarship program aiming to enhance science capabilities of its scholars from all school levels, he stat-ed during the Talking Points program of DXRP yesterday. [PIA11/Carina L. Cayon]

SM Supermalls invited FIFA Filipino Interna-tional Franchise As-

sociation to hold a series of Franchise Seminars for the SM Global Pinoy Centers at a total of 28 SM Shopping Malls.

The series started on November 7 at SM Tay-tay and covered in the first week the SM Malls in Ma-nila then North Luzon and Southern Luzon SM Malls and ending in the SM Malls of Visayas and Mindanao.

The free to the public

one-hour seminar is ideal for OFW to learn to choose a franchise and also for anyone who is interested to either buy a Franchise or to have their business fran-chised and is conducted by International Senior Fran-chise Consultant Rudolf A. Kotik of RK Franchise Consultancy, who has more than 33 years of Franchise Experience in 3 Continents and developed more than 400 Companies into Fran-chise systems. In Davao the free Franchise Seminar is on

Thursday, December 1 at 3 pm at the SM Event Center.

Besides of the knowl-edge about franchising you may get some freebies and win a complete DTC Mo-bile franchise. The photo shows the contract signing by Glenn D. Ang, Vice Presi-dent Operations of SM Su-permalls; Rudolf A. Kotik of FIFA and RK Franchise; and Ms. Annie S. Garcia, Presi-dent of SM Supermalls. For details about the Seminar series call (02) 912.2946 or 912.2973.

Free franchise seminars at SM

The “Kabisig National Government Expo and Trade Fair 2011” will

be held on November 22-24, 2011 at Abreeza Mall.

This is a one-stop in-formation exhibit that will showcase the profiles, ser-vices facilities, programs and accomplishments of government agencies and instrumentalities. For its trade fair component, Kabi-sig has invited small and medium entrepreneurs to participate.

The Kabisig program was created by virtue of a Presidential Proclamation No. 650 in 1990 during the term of the late President Cory Aquino.

Its mandate was “to facilitate, coordinate and monitor the implementa-tion of government pro-grams and projects. It also

provides linkages between and among the private sec-tor groups and government agencies and instrumentali-ties.”

Kabisig chairman Dan-iel Guillen explained that the information exhibit and trade fair will help the public know the good news about government not usu-ally publicized in media. This project is in partner-ship with Rotary Club of Calinan and LICI Central Davao.

In his message to Kabisig, President Aquino thanked Kabisig organizers “for being a key partner in our great task of nation-building through the years, beginning with its organiza-tion during the administra-tion of my late mother.”

He added that he trusts Kabisig to “continue to play

the vital role of linking us with the people as we insti-tute much needed reforms and reorient the bureau-cracy toward ideals of in-tegrity, competence, and performance.”

In support of the Kabi-sig project, President Aqui-no has issued Memorandum Circular No. 12 authorizing government agencies and instrumentalities to extend support and participation to the exhibits.

The last Kabisig Expo was at SM Mall of Asia on June 10-13, 2011. Secre-tary Coloma represented the President as guest of honor and speaker during the event. For Davao Expo, chairman Guillen has in-vited Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa to grace the opening on Nov. 22, 2011. [Kabisig]

Kabisig Expo 2011 at Abreeza Mall

Calling all jetsetters and filmmakers: The Phil-ippines’ largest airline,

Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) be-gins its search for the best travel video, and plans to give away amazing travel pack-ages through the Wandering Juan Music Video Contest. With the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), marketing arm of the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), as CEB’s major partner, the contest is aimed at boosting domestic tourism, as the airline cur-rently has the most extensive route network in the country.

Starting December 1, 2011 until January 31, 2012 Wandering Juans can share their fun travels and adven-tures around the country by submitting a music video to CEB’s YouTube Channel.

“We all have reasons why we love a certain place here in the Philippines, and this is the chance to showcase that. With the help of video and music, more people can get to appreciate the undis-covered, the fun and the ex-citing places the Philippines has to offer,” says Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and distribution.

By the end of two months, CEB and TPB will select three winners to re-ceive amazing travel prizes. The winner for the best mu-sic video will get six domestic airline tickets along with a 3 days /2 nights stay in Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa in Boracay for six.

The second place win-ner gets four domestic air-line tickets and a 3 days/ 2 nights stay in Club Paradise in Coron, Palawan for four. The third placer will win four airline tickets and a 3 days

CebPac launches Video Contest/2 nights stay in Pearl Farm Beach Resort in Samal Island, Davao for four.

The video with the most number of “likes” on CEB’s Youtube Channel will emerge as the Wandering Juan Vot-er’s Choice winning two air-line tickets to any domestic destination.

To join, interested con-testants can submit their mu-sic video entries (in mpeg4/mp4 format) by visiting Cebu Pacific’s YouTube Channel,

(http://www.youtube.com/user/cebupacificair). Look for the official Wander-ing Juan Invitation to Join video, go to comments and click on “Create a Video Re-sponse.” Starting December 1, 2011, contestants can up-load their video entry with a short description of the video with their complete name, contact number and email address. A contestant may submit as many entries as they want. However, a con-testant may only win once.

“Tourism is everyone’s business, and this is our chance to boast of what our hometown or favorite Philip-pine city can offer. By creating videos, taking photos and go-ing online, we are welcoming domestic and foreign tourists

to the Philippines,” said DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez.

“Together, we can help share the beauty of the Phil-ippines with more people. We invite everyone to join Cebu Pacific’s Wandering Juan Music Video Contest, and be our partner in showcasing the wonders of the country,” says Domingo Ramon Enerio III, officer-in-charge of the Tour-ism Promotions Board.

To qualify, videos must show CEB airplane/s in the music video. The 2 to 4 min-ute video entry must be made in 2011 and must not have been previously shown or awarded in public. Before ap-pearing on the CEB YouTube Channel, all video entries and comments will be screened by CEB representatives.

Any travel-loving Fili-pino resident can join the Wandering Juan Music Video Contest. If the contestant is below 18 years old, he/she must submit a signed letter of consent from the parents or legal guardians.

Music video entries will be judged based on creativ-ity (25%), travel message/ story (25%), promotion of destination (25%), technical execution (10%), and overall impact (15%).

THE BUSINESS PAPER

11NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 38

competitive EDGEEDGEDAVAO

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINESREGIONAL TRIAL COURT11TH JUDICIAL REGION

OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFFDAVAO CITY

BALIKATAN HOUSING FINANCE, INC.,Mortgagee/Assignee, EJF-REM CASE NO. 12887-11

JOFEL I. PUNONGBAYAN,Mortgagor/s.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -xNOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by Balikatan Housing Finance, Inc., with postal address at the 24th Floor, BPI Buendia Center, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, against JOFEL I. PUNONGBAYAN, with postal addresses at c/o New City Commercial Center R. M agsaysay Ave., Davao City and Lot 26, Blk. 16, Ph. 2, Mabini St., ROSEVILLE SUBD.,BRGY. MAMAY, DAVAO CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR, the mortgagor/s, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of February 09, 2010 amounts to Two Hundred Seventy Thou-sand Seven Hundred Fifty Pesos (270,750.00), Philippine Currency,inclusive/ exclusive of interest, penalties and charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to 25% of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned will sell at public auction on December 08, 2011 at 10:00 A.M.., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Cur-rency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit:

Transfer Certificate/s of Title No/s. T-194638 “ A parcel of land of land of the consolidation-subdivision project (Lot 26, Blk.16, of the consolidation-subdivision plan Pcs-112402-001530, being a portion of Lots 2-B-2-B; 2-B-2-C, both of Psd-11-022746 & lot 555-B-2, Psd-11-019365), situated in the Barangay of Mamay, City of Davao; Island of Mindanao. xxx containing an area of SEVENTY SIX (76) SQUARE METERS, more or less. xxx” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date. In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on January 05, 2012 without further notice. Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.Davao City, Philippines, October 19, 2011.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF: (SGD.) SERGIO LEONARDO J. TUPAS Sheriff IVNoted by: (SGD) ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff

Copy furnished:The Mortgagee- Balikatan Housing Finance, Inc.The Mortgagor- JOFEL I. PUNONGBAYANPUBLISHER – EDGE DAVAOPOSTING – 3 conspicuous places( Edge- 11/14,21,28)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINESREGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFFDAVAO CITY

BALIKATAN HOUSING FINANCE, INC.,Mortgagee/Assignee, EJF-REM CASE NO. 12891-11

SPS. ALEX L. RECAÑA AND MA. DULCE F. RECAÑA,Mortgagor/s.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -xNOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by Balikatan Housing Finance, Inc., with postal address at the 24th Floor, BPI Buendia Center, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, against SPS. ALEX L. RECAÑA AND MA. DULCE F. RECAÑA, with postal addresses at Lot 24, Blk. 2, Ph. 3, NHA Kadayawan Homes, Housing Project, Bangkal ,Davao City, and Lot 24, Blk.2, Ph. 3, NHA KADAYAWAN HOMES HOUSING PROJECT, BO. TALOMO, DAVAO CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR, the mortgagor/s, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of Janu-ary 15, 2010 amounts to Two Hundred Twenty Three Thousand Seventy Five Pesos (223,075.00), Philippine Currency,inclusive/ exclusive of interest, penalties and charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to 25% of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned will sell at public auction on December 08, 2011 at 10:00 A.M.., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit:

Transfer Certificate/s of Title No/s. T-199396 “ A parcel of land of land of the consolidation-subdivision project (Lot 24, Blk.2, of the consolidation-subdivision plan Pcs-112402-001539, being a portion of Blk. 45, Pcs-112402-001339, Lot 337-I-3,(LRC) Psd-128813 & Lot 337-H, (LRC) Psd-115881), situated in the Baran-gay of Talomo, City of Davao; Island of Mindanao. xxx containing an area of EIGHTY EIGHT (88) SQUARE METERS, more or less. xxx” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date. In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on January 05, 2012 without further notice. Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.Davao City, Philippines, October 19, 2011.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF: (SGD.) SERGIO LEONARDO J. TUPAS Sheriff IVNoted by: (SGD) ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff

Copy furnished:The Mortgagee- Balikatan Housing Finance, Inc.The Mortgagor- SPS. ALEX L. RECAÑA AND MA. DULCE F. RECAÑAPUBLISHER – EDGE DAVAOPOSTING – 3 conspicuous places ( Edge- 11/14,21,28)

Republic of the PhilippinesREGIONAL TRIAL COURT

11TH Judicial Region Branch 15, Davao City

IN THE MATTER OF THE PROBATE OF THE WILL OF ABITONASP. PROC NO. 11,561-11

MICHELLE ABITONA, Petitioner

x------------------------------xORDER

A document having filed on August 1, 2011 in Court purporting to be the Notarial will and testament of Luciana Abitona and a petition having been presented to the Court requesting:

1.The probate of the will of Luciana Abitona; and

2.The letters testamentary be issued to Atty. Virgilio Murcia the designated ex ecutor who resides at Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte.

Wherefore, set hearing on the petition for probate of the will on Febru-ary15, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.

On the said date and time, any interested person may appear and contest the allowance of said notarial will and testament and the issuance of letter testamentary prayed for in the petition.

It is further ordered that this order containing the date and time of hear-ing be published for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Davao at the expense of the petitioner.

SO ORDERED Davao City, Philippines, September 26, 2011

( Sgd.) RIDGWAY M. TANJILI JudgeServe on: Atty. Raul Tolentino 2/F, Babo Bldg.San Pedro St. Davao City

Office of the Clerk of Court,Regional Trial Court, Ecoland, Davao CityMichelle Abitona/Peter Abitona Libby Talomo, Davao City (Edge 11/14,21,28)

Desert Rose at Danica’s Garden

SM Prime Holdings was recently awarded the 2011 Asia Com-

munity Award by the Inter-national Council for Shop-ping Centers Foundation for its Breaking the Pov-erty Chain campaign dur-ing the recent ICSC Recon Asia conference in Shang-hai, China.

During the event, the ICSC Foundation also awarded the John T. Rio-dan Professional Educa-tion Scholarship to Chivas Allejo of the SM Supermalls Leasing Division. Like-wise, SM Prime received two citations for the Asia Pacific Shopping Center Awards for two marketing programs: forMy City, My SM in the Public Relations category and for Global Pi-noy in the Cause Related category.

The Breaking the Pov-erty Chain campaign, which was held in time for the 25th Anniversary of SM City North EDSA, SM Prime’s first mall, was a partner-ship with Gawad Kalinga to build 25 homes for poverty stricken families. Volun-teers and employees of SM City North EDSA mobilized

to create a community that would change the quality of life for the 25 families, and at the same time boost the demographics of the area.

SM Prime Holdings President Hans T. Sy con-ducted a ceremony where each family received their new home. Overwhelmed by the joy of the recipi-ents, Mr. Hans decided to extend his initial campaign

and create an entire SM GK Village to benefit over 100 families. The campaign not only impacted the families who have received homes, but also allowed the com-munity to flourish. Once a slum area, it has since been converted into a successful, fully functioning commu-nity.

As the winner of the ICSC Foundation’s Com-

munity Support Award, SM Prime’s North EDSA mall will receive a US$5,000 do-nation to support their phil-anthropic cause. SM City North EDSA will also be eligible for the ICSC Foun-dation’s 2011 Albert Suss-man International Commu-nity Support Award, which honors the best community support program world-wide.

At the ICSC Awarding Ceremonies at the Recon Asia conference in Shanghai, China. ICSC President and CEO Michael Kercheval presents the ICSC Foundation 2011 Community Support Award to SM Supermalls President Annie Garcia and Regional Operations Manager Arch. Renee Bacani. Also shown in photo from left are SM Leasing Manager Mr. Chivas Allejo, recipient of ICSC Foundation’s John T. Riordan Professional Education Scholarship; SM VP for Marketing Millie Dizon and Regional Marketing Manager Richie Gonzales with Asia Pacific Awards with citations for the My City, My SM and Global Pinoy programs, respectively.

SM Prime wins ICSC Foundation AwardLooking for exciting gift

ideas to give your loved ones, friends, business

associates, or to yourself for Christmas? Eden Nature Park and Resort has an early Holiday treat made espe-cially for you. Avail of Eden Nature Park and Resort’s “Pre-Holiday Room Sale” and enjoy staying in this premier eco-tourism resort for as low as PhP 288.00 only!

Simply buy and book a room gift certificate on No-vember 1-30, 2011 for an overnight stay to be availed between January 7 and March 31, 2012.

Choose from any of these first-rate resort ac-commodations and enjoy their corresponding “Pre-Holiday Room Sale” rate: Aster Room (standard room for two) for only PhP288.00;

Begonia Room (standard room for four) for only PhP 688.00; Holiday Lodge (de-luxe room for two) for only PhP 602.00; Vista Cottage (deluxe room for two) for only PhP708.00; Gardenia Room (deluxe room for three) for only PhP 577.00; Camellia Room (deluxe room for four) for only PhP 772.00; and Gardenia Room (deluxe room for four) for only PhP 772. Rates are for rooms only (meals not in-cluded). Bringing of food is strictly prohibited.

Booking for “Pre-Holi-day Room Sale” is subject to availability. There is a maxi-mum limit of five (5) gift certificates per individual buyer. The gift certificates are transferable but non-refundable and not applica-ble for seminars, corporate events and wedding guests.

Stay at Eden Resort for as low as PhP 288!

Adenium is an excel-lent plant that thrives without much atten-

tion. The plant is a spread-ing succulent bush, two me-ters in height, with a thick, fleshy, twisted globose base that tapers gradually up-wards, may be rigid and up-right, with rather weak and

spreading, short branches.The dessert rose is an

evergreen native to the tropical regions of Africa and Arabia. It thrives in hu-mid climates with plenty of rainfall but cannot survive in standing water, making a high-drainage soil neces-sary.

Rosy adeniums are the latest invented hybrid ad-eniums. They have all the positive aspects of Adeni-ums/Desert Rose like be-ing low maintenance and producing flowers through-out the year. Plus, the new species boasts of a beauti-ful shape as seen in queen

of the flowers. Today, fra-grant rosy adeniums are also available in the mar-ket.

Discover more about Adenium, Cattleyas and other ornamental plants at Danica’s Garden located at the Garden Strip of SM City Davao.

BizQUIPS‘WE will continue

to offer good value products and services to our customers, and improve on areas that will give an even more enhanced shopping and e n t e r t a i n m e n t experience to them.’

--Hans T. Sy, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. president

THE BUSINESS PAPER

12 NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011VOL. 4 NO. 38

EDGEDAVAO

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINESREGIONAL TRIAL COURT11TH JUDICIAL REGION

OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFFDAVAO CITY

BALIKATAN HOUSING FINANCE, INC.,Mortgagee/Assignee, EJF-REM CASE NO. 12890-11

SPS. ARMANDO A. RECAMADAS, SR. AND MANUELITA N. RECAMADAS,Mortgagor/s.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by Balikatan Housing Finance, Inc., with postal address at the 24th Floor, BPI Buendia Center, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, against SPS.ARMANDO A. RECAMADAS, SR. AND MANUELITA N. RECAMADAS, with postal addresses at Lot 20, Blk. 32, NHA Kadayawan Homes Housing project, Bangkal,Davao City and Lot 20, Blk.32,LANZONES ST., NHA-Kadayawan Homes Housing Project, Bo. Talomo, DAVAO CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR, the mortgagor/s, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of January 25, 2010 amounts to One Hundred Ninety One Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Seven Thousand and 50/100 (191,387.50), Philippine Currency,inclusive/ exclusive of in-terest, penalties and charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to 25% of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned will sell at public auc-tion on December 08, 2011 at 10:00 A.M.., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit:

Transfer Certificate/s of Title No/s. T-185686 “ A parcel of land of land of the consolidation-subdivision project (Lot 20, Blk.32, of the consolidation-subdivision plan Pcs-112402-001339, being a portion of lots 337-N to 337-T, all of (LRC) Psd-115581; Lots 25 to 115 & 118 to 119, Blk.1; Lots 43 to 45, Blk.3; Lots 1 to 2 &4 to 36, Blk.9; Lots 1 to 29,31,33 &35 to 48, Blk.10; Lots 1 to 14, Blk. 11; Lots 1 to 23, Blk. 12; Lots 1 to 21, Blk. 13; and Road Lots 8 to 16, all of (LRC) Psd-177069, and Lot 337-I-4-C, (LRC) Psd-283459, situated in the Barrio of Talomo; City of Davao, Island of Mindanao. xxx containing an area of EIGHTY (80) SQUARE METERS, more or less. xxx” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date. In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on January 05, 2012 without further notice. Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.Davao City, Philippines, October 19, 2011.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF: (SGD.) SERGIO LEONARDO J. TUPAS Sheriff IVNoted by: (SGD) ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff

Copy furnished:The Mortgagee- Balikatan Housing Finance, Inc.The Mortgagor- SPS. ARMANDO A. RECAMADAS, SR. AND MANUELITA N. RECAMADASPUBLISHER – EDGE DAVAOPOSTING – 3 conspicuous places( Edge- 11/14,21,28)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINESREGIONAL TRIAL COURT11TH JUDICIAL REGION

OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFFDAVAO CITY

BALIKATAN HOUSING FINANCE, INC.,Mortgagee/Assignee, EJF-REM CASE NO. 12889-11

SPS. GASPAR F. QUIBOD AND LORNA G. QUIBOD,Mortgagor/s.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -xNOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by Balikatan Housing Finance, Inc., with postal address at the 24th Floor, BPI Buendia Center, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, against SPS.GASPAR F. QUIBOD AND LORNA G. QUIBOD, with postal addresses at Diho, Buhangin, Davao City and Lot 3, Blk.16, Ph. 4, PAG-IBIG GREEN MEADOWS, BO. MINTAL, DAVAO CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR, the mortgagor/s, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of June 15, 2009 amounts to Three Hundred Thirty Three Thousand Four Hundred Two Pesos and 50/100 (333, 402.50), Philippine Currency,inclusive/ exclusive of interest, penalties and charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to 25% of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of fore-closure and sale; the undersigned will sell at public auction on December 08, 2011 at 10:00 A.M.., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit:

Transfer Certificate/s of Title No/s. T-234468 “ A parcel of land of land of the consolidation-subdivision project (Lot 3, Blk.16, of the consolidation-subdivision plan Pcs-11-001554, being a portion of Lots 1-C-11, 1-C-12,1-C-13,1-C-14 & 1-C-15, Psd-11024548 Amd. & Lot 1-C-16-A & 1-C-16-B, Psd-112402-032444), situated in the Barangay of Mintal, City of Davao, Island of Mindanao. xxx containing an area of ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE (141) SQUARE METERS, more or less. xxx” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date. In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on January 05, 2012 without further notice. Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.Davao City, Philippines, October 19, 2011.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF: (SGD.) SERGIO LEONARDO J. TUPAS Sheriff IVNoted by: (SGD) ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff

Copy furnished:The Mortgagee- Balikatan Housing Finance, Inc.The Mortgagor- SPS. GASPAR F. QUIBOD AND LORNA G. QUIBODPUBLISHER – EDGE DAVAOPOSTING – 3 conspicuous places( Edge- 11/14,21,28)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT11TH JUDICIAL REGION

OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFFDAVAO CITY

BALIKATAN HOUSING FINANCE, INC.,Mortgagee/Assignee, EJF-REM CASE NO. 12888-11

TERESITA B. PAPARON,Mortgagor/s.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -xNOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by Balikatan Housing Finance, Inc., with postal address at the 24th Floor, BPI Buendia Center, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, against TERESITA B. PAPARON, with postal addresses at New Visayas, Panabo, Davao del Norte and Lot 8,Blk.9,Ezra St., EMILY HOMES SUBD., BO. CABANTIAN, DAVAO CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR, the mortgagor/s, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of January 11, 2010 amounts to Two Hundred Thirty Seven Five Hundred Eighty Five Pesos (237.585.00), Philippine Currency,inclusive/ exclusive of interest, penalties and charges, plus at-torney’s fees equivalent to 25% of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned will sell at public auction on December 08, 2011 at 10:00 A.M.., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City to the high-est bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit:

Transfer Certificate/s of Title No/s. T-248124 “ A parcel of land of land of the consolidation-subdivision project (Lot 8, Blk.9, of the consolidation-subdivision plan Pcs-11-002119, being a portion of Lots 11425-D-1 (LRC) psd-146690,1914-B,(LRC) psd-74304, A, (LRC) Psd-130686 & Lot 1343, Cad. 102, situated at Caban-tian, Davao City, Island of Mindanao. xxx containing an area of ONE HUNDRED TEN (110) SQUARE METERS, more or less. xxx” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date. In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on January 05, 2012 without further notice. Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.Davao City, Philippines, October 19, 2011.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF: (SGD.) SERGIO LEONARDO J. TUPAS Sheriff IVNoted by: (SGD) ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff

Copy furnished:The Mortgagee- Balikatan Housing Finance, Inc.The Mortgagor- TERESITA B. PAPARONPUBLISHER – EDGE DAVAOPOSTING – 3 conspicuous places( Edge- 11/14,21,28)

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has turned

over farm-to-market road projects worth P8.5 million to San Isidro, Davao Orien-tal to benefit beneficiaries at the LACAMBITA Agrar-ian Reform Community.

The LGU accepted the road projects that improved and concreted the Junction National Highway to Tali-say FMR and the Bangkok 1 to Purok Dahlia.

LACAMBITA ARC cov-ers the barangays of La Union, Cambaleon, Bitao-gan and Talisay that have about 11,000 population who are mainly depending

on farming as their liveli-hood and enterprise.

The DAR-ARISP III (Agrarian Reform Infra-structure Support Projects phase III) implemented the road projects, with fund-ing from Japan Bank for International Corporation (JBIC).

DAR regional director Datu Yusoph B. Mama em-phasized that the project as-sistance aimed to increase opportunities for farmers to make their farm productive and increase their income, thus improve their standard of living.

Mama said the farm-ers› sector is one of the two

important sectors in the so-ciety whose role is to pro-duce food for the country.

He said that with the projects given to them, the farmers must value the blessings they have re-ceived and feel the sincer-ity of the government im-plementers in doing their works.

DAR provincial agrar-ian reform officer Venchito S. Mandap said that the na-tional government strives to support the needs of the farmers. He added that the recipients of the projects must protect and take care of the projects as their con-tribution for sustainability.

DAR turns over P8.5M farm-to-market roads to DavOr farmer- beneficiaries

A jeepney-turned-sci-ence laboratory has started unlocking new

ideas for grades five, six, and first year high school stu-dents in five public schools in Sarangani province.

JeepneED, a mobile sci-ence laboratory that runs on used vegetable oil, is an engaging outdoor learning area equipped with 10 net-books, 3G hub for internet connectivity, and basic sci-ence materials.

Sarangani is JeepneED’s pilot site for this first-ever

science mobile and technolo-gy laboratory in the country.

Governor Migs Domin-guez said JeepneED had rightly chosen Sarangani as its pilot site because com-munities (here) are “hungry for innovation, hungry for development, and most im-portantly hungry for new op-portunities that come their way.”

The governor said JeepneED is “not only to de-liver opportunities through a laboratory on wheels. How-ever the real message here

is, we have to continuously innovate.”

Shaina Tantuico, JeepneED co-founder, said the project sought to address gaps of science teaching methods in public schools where teachers usually re-sort to lectures only due to unavailability of resource materials and other expo-sure activities.

The mobile laboratory, Tantuico said, would stir students’ interest to discover new things from indigenous materials.

JeepneEd drives thru Sarangani

BASIC EDUCATION FOR ATA-MANOBOS. Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Regional Director Priscilla N. Razon and Department of Education District Superintendent Aurora B. Cubero cut the ceremonial ribbon during the blessing and inauguration of the three-classroom school building built through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Project in Sitio Mesolong, Barangay Sto. Niño, Talaingod, Davao Del Norte. The P1.5 million school building is the first classroom sub-project in the municipality known for its tribal communities. In the past, most of the proposed community projects were tribal housing and capacity building for sustainable agriculture. [DSWD/Leslie Lao-Francisco]

INTERNET-READY. Students of Alabel National Science High School use the netbooks of JeepneED which has a 3G hub for internet connectivity. JeepneED, which has started driving thru five schools in the province, is a mobile science laboratory that runs on used vegetable oil and an engaging outdoor learning facility equipped with 10 netbooks, 3G hub for internet connectivity, and basic science materials. (Russel Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

COMMUNITYSENSE

13

THE BUSINESS PAPER

NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 38

EDGEDAVAO

SUBURBIA

Republic of the PhilippinesREGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF THE DAVAO CITY

11TH Judicial regionBRANCH 11

SPECIAL PROC. NO. 11504-11

IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ERRONEOUS ENTRIES APPEARING IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTHS OF AMIE FELNA KOYAMA RABANES AND JOYCE KOYAMA RABANES

ALL REGISTERED IN THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR OF DAVAO CITY

AMIE FELNA KOYAMA RABANESAND JOYCE KOYAMA RABANESPetitioners

-versus-

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF DAVAO CITY,

Respondentx======================================x

ORDER

By this verified petition and for the reason therein stated, the above-named petitioners, assisted by counsel, seek for an Order of this court directing the Office of the City Civil Registrar of Davao to correct/change their certificates of live birth, to wit:

In the Birth Certificate of AMIE FELNA KOYAMA RABANES: the date of marriage of parents from February 14, 1966 to February 19, 1966, and

In the birth Certificate of JOYCE KOYAMA RABANES: the date of marriage of parents from February 17, 1966 to February 19, 1966.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance , the same is hereby set for hearing before this Court, sitting at the Hall of Justice, Candelaria St., Ecoland, Matina, Davao City, on December 14, 2011 at 2:00 in the afternoon, at which place, date and time any interested person may appear and show cause, if any, why the some should not be granted.

Let this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for three (3) successive weeks in a newspaper published in the city of Davao and of general circulation in the said city and the provinces of Davao determined by raffle in accordance with law.

Furnish, each with a copy of the petition and of this Order the Local Civil Registrar of Davao City and City legal office of Davao City as counsel for the City of Davao.

SO ORDERED.

Given this 3rd day of November, 2011, in Davao City, Philippines.

SGD) VIRGINIA HOFILEÑA-EUROPA Judge

Serve on:Atty. Jerome A. undalok-Davao CityThe City Legal Office- Davao City (with the copy of the petition)The Office of the Clerk of Court, RTC-Davao City (for raffling)(Edge Nov. 21, 28, Dec. 05)

“TRAVELING to Davao Oriental through its sce-nic highway is an exhil-

arating experience,” says Corazon N. Malanyaon, the governor of the province.

“Visitors pass through rustic towns with their roads lined with canopies of drooping acacia trees, majestic narra and gmelina trees,” the lady governor said. “They navigate along a winding road bordered by steep mountains on one side and the panoramic view of deep blue sea dot-ted with jutting inlands and islands on the other.”

Going around the prov-ince is even more challeng-ing and exciting. Davao Oriental is known for its di-verse natural marvels – from cascading waterfalls to pris-tine lakes and rivers, from idyllic white sand beaches to exotic islands, from mys-terious caves and coves to a lush forest with very unique pygmy (bonsai) trees.

“Our place has so much economic and tourism po-tentials,” said Governor Malanyaon during the re-cent business and invest-ment forum held in Mati City . She added that the provin-cial and city government are working together “pursuing tourism vigorously as part of our economic development.”

Congresswoman Thel-ma Z. Almario, who was also present during the forum, believes tourism is the main industry of the city which can be an engine for eco-nomic growth. “People will

Davao Oriental: A tourism haven

come here for nature, adven-ture, and culture,” she said.

Davao Oriental, the co-pra (dried coconut meat) producer capital of the Phil-ippines is bordered to the west by Compostela Valley, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur to the north. It is the easternmost province of the country with Pusan Point as the easternmost location. The Philippine Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean, faces Davao Oriental to the east. Part of the province lies on an unnamed peninsula that encloses the Davao Gulf to the west.

The province is com-posed of 11 towns, with Mati – one of the country’s newest cities – as its capital. The ten others are Baganga,

Banaybanay, Boston, Cara-ga, Cateel, Governor Gen-eroso, Lupon, Manay, San Isidro, and Tarragona.

The inhabitants of the province are a mixture of natives and migrants from other provinces of the coun-try who brought different forms of religion. Mandaya is the most dominant tribe while the native dialect is Dabawenyo. Other natives are Mansaka, Manobo, and Kalagan. Tagalog, Visayan, and English languages are generally spoken by the populace.

Davao Oriental has total land area of 5,164 square kilometers. Its major products – aside from coco-nut – are rice, corn, durian, mango, and pomelo. The major industries are fishing, grains milling, lumber prod-ucts, parquet tiles, and tour-ism.

Among the major tourist

destinations are: Aliwagwag Falls – About

25 kilometers from the town of Cateel , the falls being one of the highest and most unique waterfalls in the country. It is not on the tourist map and is known mainly to locals and intrepid adventurers; it is not even listed in international travel guide books.

Caraga Church – This is one of the oldest churches in Mindanao, located in Cateel. It houses the 1802 church bell brought by the friars from Spain. In front of the church is the municipal hall.

Sleeping Dinosaur – A natural attraction visible while passing through the eight-kilometer winding road from Badas to Mati.

Pujada Island – A 156-hectare island located at the entrance of Pujada Bay in barangay Lawigan, Mati. It is surrounded by white sandy beaches ideal for swimming, sunbathing

and snorkeling. Pujada Bay – It is con-

sidered among the richest bays in the South East Asia as it is home to 15,700 spe-cies of sea creatures. Sea cow (dugong), hammerhead shark, blue whale, manta ray, and different kinds of turtles are just among the many sea animals that can be found in the bay. Scuba diving is also experienced here.

Waniban Island – A four-hectare island located at barangay Tamisan, Mati. It is ideal for picnics, swim-ming and sunbathing be-cause of its white sand.

Oak Island – This very small island of white sand is only visible during low tide and disappears during high tide. Not far from the Pu-jada Island.

Dahican Beach – It is characterized by white sand and oftentimes strong winds

making it ideal for wind and board surfing. It is approxi-mately a 15-minute ride from the heart of Mati and accessible by any means of land transport.

Philippine Eagle Sanc-tuary – This covers 7,000 hectares of tropical forest within barangays Cabuaya and Luban in Mati. The nesting tree is at the heart of the sanctuary in an old growth forest on Mount Malantao.

Buso Hot Spring – It is located in the forest of barangay Buso in Mati. The hot mineral water can really provide invigorat-ing and revitalizing effect to one’s tired body after a hard day’s work.

Mayo Beach – It has s deep blue lagoon and cold spring water. The place has cottages ideal for pic-nic and small gatherings. The wind coming from the ocean is soothing to one’s tired mind and body.

DAHICAN BEACH

ALIWAGWAG FALLS

MALANYAON

PUJADA BAY

ALMARIO

By Jims Vincent T. Capuno

THE BUSINESS PAPER

14 NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011VOL. 4 NO. 38

EDGEDAVAO

ICTHUB

BizQUIPS‘ … M A L A C A N A N G

should also seek some clarifications from its own peace adviser about this instead of falsely accusing me just so they have someone else to blame for its own missteps.’

--former Presidental Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza, on being

Samsung to release modified tablet

Hewlett-Packard unveils ultrabook’ laptop

Music service at Google

Globe intensifies securityoperations vs. illegal ISRGlobe Telecom steps up

its security operations to crackdown conduct

of illegal international simple resale (ISR) activities follow-ing the arrests of perpetrators in key areas in Metro Manila.

ISR refers to the unau-thorized routing and com-pleting of international long distance calls using lines, cables, antennae, and/or air wave frequency and connect-ing these calls directly to the local or domestic exchange facilities of the country where destined.

Working closely with local government units and police forces, Globe reported four (4) cases of illegal ISR activities from July to Sep-tember this year. During the

Samsung Electronics said Thursday it had modified the design of

its newest tablet PC to by-pass a sales ban in Germany and would start selling it there as early as this week.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1N, based on the Galaxy Tab 10.1, has a different metal frame and the location of the speakers has been changed, a spokesman for the South Korean company told AFP.

Samsung was dealt a blow in September when a German court ruled that it infringed upon Apple’s design patents for its iPad. The court banned sales and marketing for the Galaxy Tab 10.1.

In a spate of lawsuits, Samsung and Apple ac-cuse each other of copying designs or technology for their smartphones and tab-let computers.

Apart from Germany, they have also launched patent claims against each another in the United

States, Japan, South Korea and Australia.

Apple last month won a victory against Samsung in Australia, when a judge upheld a temporary injunc-tion blocking the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Later in October Sam-sung announced it was trying to block the sale of Apple’s newest product, the iPhone 4S, in Japan and Australia.

The decision to release

a modified Galaxy reflects Samsung’s eagerness to be-gin selling its tablet in Ger-many before the year-end shopping season.

But Apple’s response to the new version would be crucial, said HI Investment and Securities analyst Song Myung-Sup.

It was not yet possible to say whether the modified tablet “will be free of any legal disputes with Apple”, Song said

Hewlett-Packard (HP) on Wednesday un-veiled a lightweight

laptop computer to take on Apple’s MacBook Air in the hot “Ultrabook” arena.

The HP Folio will be priced at $900 when it hits the market on December 7, less than two months after the California-based technol-ogy titan scuttled plans to abandon making personal computers.

Google Inc has turned on the music at its new online store, aiming to

wrest the lead from Apple Inc and Amazon.com Inc in audio entertainment distribu-tion despite the absence of a major record label.

Google Music, with more 13 million songs, will be inte-grated with Android Market, the company’s online store for smartphone apps and vid-eos as it plays catch-up with its rivals. Apple, Amazon and Facebook have to varying de-grees integrated music into their core online and mobile products.

Google Music will allow the Web search leader to do the same by letting consum-ers access music from various Internet-connected devices and easily share tracks with

friends.But analysts said the lack

of soundtracks from Warner Music - a major label whose artists include Led Zeppelin and Prince, among others - will limit the appeal of Google Music.

“They’ve got to get that catalog filled pretty quickly,” said Mike McGuire, an ana-lyst at industry research firm Gartner. “It’s a launch, but it’s kind of like a work-in-progress.” Google Music was unveiled at a splashy event at the Mr. Brainwash Studios in Hollywood, California on Wednesday.

Google has negotiated U.S. deals with three of the four major music companies: Vivendi SA’s Universal Music Group; Sony Corp’s Sony Mu-sic Entertainment; and EMI.

Republic of the PhilippinesDepartment of Transportation and

Communications

LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND

REGULATORY BOARDRegional Office No. XI

Davao city

Petition for Renewal of Certificate of

Public Convenience to operate an AIRCONDITIONED

TAXI Service.

EDGAR C. PALAZUELO, Case No.2010-XI-01098Petitioner

x- - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -- - xNOTICE HEARING

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI service on the route: WHITIN DAVAO CITY to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on December 31, 2011. In the petition filed on October 25, 2011, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same units previously authorized. NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on January 25, 2012 at 09:40 a. m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 25th day of October 2011 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ

Chief Transport Development Officer

/hocCopy furnished:Petitioner, Edgar C. Palazuelo, Lot 29, Sandawa Road, SIR, New Matina, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Magin C. Natividad, Balusong Avenue, Matina, Davao CityNOTE: Affidavit of Publication and newspaper where notice was published must be submitted three (3) days before the scheduled hearing.

Passage Hotline:DAVAO (082)234-5824 GENSAN (083) 553-5974

BUTUAN (085) 342-8529 COTABATO (064) 421-4175

arrest, ISR apparatus con-sisting of GSM equipment, modems, routers, laptops, an-tennas and thousands of used Globe SIM cards were found and recovered from the vari-ous sites.

“These illegal activities have no place in the society, especially as it impacts qual-ity of service being provided to customers,” said Atty. Froilan Castelo, Head for Corporate and Legal Services Group of Globe. “Globe will remain proactive and relent-less in capturing ISR perpe-trators nationwide through our strengthened partner-ships with the police and the courts.”

In July, a simultaneous raid was conducted by the District Police Intelligence and Operating Unit (DPIOU), Manila Police District (MPD) and the Globe Security Group at Unit 2206-B, 22F, Maka-ti Prime Tower, Kalayaan Street, Poblacion, Makati City and 1694 Evangelista St., Bangkal, Makati City in com-pliance with the Warrants of Arrest issued by Judge Win-love Dumayas of the Makati RTC Branch 59. Arrested at the Makati Prime Tower were occupants Simon Mok, Mar-vin Liwanag, Ricardo Duazo, and Heizel Tungpalan, while Roderick Pantig and Sharyl Garzon were caught in Bang-

kal, Makati City. Another arrest was con-

ducted last August 9, 2011 at Unit 4H Tower 4, Avida Con-dominium in San Antonio, Sucat, Paranaque upon the issuance of Search Warrant No. 11-003 by Judge Gina Palamos of Paranaque City. Occupant and Korean nation-al Kim Gyoung Hwan and a number of carton boxes were brought to the National Bu-reau of Investigation (NBI).

Two separate arrests were made in September in-volving a former PBA player, and Korean and Japanese nationals. In September 3, 2011, another ISR-related arrest was conducted at Unit 714, 7F Benavidez Garden, Binondo, Manila upon the is-suance of Search Warrant No. 11-18426 by Presiding Judge Carolina Rivera-Colasito of the Manila RTC Branch 23. The seized evidence, together with former PBA player Ryan Dy, were brought to the MPD Headquarters for further in-vestigation.

Following the earlier ar-rest was another entrapment last September 13, 2011 at Unit A – 1608 Alpha Grand-view Condominium in M.H. Del Pilar St. in Malate, Manila in compliance with Search Warrant No. 11-18506 issued by Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. of the Manila RTC Branch 26.

HP tailored the Folio for business, making it thin and light with a battery life of as long as nine hours.

The Folio weighs 3.3 pounds (1.5 kilograms) and features solid state drives along with 13.3-inch (33.8-centimeter) high-defi-nition screens.

“This category of prod-uct breaks new ground and will be a likely choice for businesses to offer to em-ployees looking for a more consumer-centric experi-ence,” said IDC chief re-search officer Crawford Del Prete.

“We expect Ultrabooks will re-ignite interest in the small form factor PC catego-ry, and by 2015 expect 95 million Ultrabooks will be shipping worldwide annual-ly,” the industry analyst said.

Folio laptops will be powered by Windows 7 oper-ating systems, which promise to appeal to the broad array of businesses that rely on Micro-soft software.

A model of Folio will be available with a built-in secu-rity chip to encrypt and protect email and stored data, accord-ing to HP.

HP’s new chief executive Meg Whitman, the former chief executive of online auction gi-ant eBay, said in October that the company will keep its PC division and also resume mak-ing tablets.

Whitman’s announce-ments were a dramatic repu-diation of strategic decisions which led to the ouster of her predecessor, Leo Apotheker, after less than a year at the helm of the world’s biggest computer maker.

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

15NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 38

IN A WORLD where origi-nals are rare and imitations are a dime-a-dozen, one could say that the world is

now chock full of fakes. From the ubiquitous “LV” Speedys to the now popular and much cov-eted Birkins, you name it, they can fake it, much to every social climber’s heart’s content. But what if someone buys something assuming it was the real deal only to find out their beloved Kelly bag paid with real hard earned cash turns out to be a scam? Or how about the poor cashier getting duped with fake cash? Ouch! That is why HP together with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas recently launched the No to Fakes: Know the Origi-nal in Davao together with campaign ambassadors, Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Bam Aquino. The campaign is a proactive stand against the proliferation of fake goods in the country and aims to raise public aware-ness and commitment to stop the propagation of frequently counterfeited items as exempli-

fied by banknotes and original HP inks. Ms. Maja Gratia L. Malic the Manager of the BS’sP Cur-rency Analysis and Redeption Division presented the colorful new generation of Philippine banknotes and their many security features that would thwart any would-be counter-feiters. Part of the long list of security features include serial numbers, raised printing, secu-rity fibers (including UV visible ones), watermarked images of the portraits, security threads, concealed value (value of the bill that is only visible from a specific angle), and even a color shifting hologram for the P500 and P1,000 peso bills. HP’s Charles Lizares also highlighted the many new secu-rity features of HP ink cartridg-es that include QR scan codes which allow you to check for the

E-mail: edgedavao_editorial@yahoo.com.ph

LIVING60 Peso food trip P18

Fake out!

HP and the BSP stand together to say No to Fakes!

The real deal! Columnist together with the new generation BSP banknotes and the original sea-princess, Ms. Tessa Prieto-Valdes

Mike Dakudao gets a hands-on lesson on using HP ink cartridge’s QB code.

EDGE Davao’s EIC Tony Ajero and Ms. Tessa Prieto Valdes.

The security features on every HP ink cartridge ensures you of worry-free, hi-quality printing.

authenticity of the product im-mediately with an smartphone and an image-shifting holo-gram sticker. This ensures that you are getting your money’s worth and that the original HP ink cartridge you just bought will give you twice as many pag-es as refilled cartridges and you need not worry about the car-tridge damaging your printer. So this coming Christmas season, be aware and say No to Fakes!

EDGEDAVAOTHE BUSINESS PAPER

16 NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011VOL. 4 NO. 38

UP AND ABOUT STYLE

DIETHER OCAMPO, Bugoy Drilon and comedian Ate Gay brought joy to homesick OFWs in Hong Kong and Taiwan in early Christmas salu-salos presented by Globe Telecom, in partnership with Hong Kong’s CSL and Taiwan Mobile. There are an estimated 200,000 Filipinos living and working in Hong Kong and about 96,000 in Taiwan. Many of them have missed spending Christmas with their fam-ilies in the Philippines in past years. “Christmas in the Philippines is touted to be the longest and most colorful yuletide celebration in the world, and we want to bring a piece of that to our kababayans abroad to help ease their homesickness and loneliness,” said Ailene Averion, Head of Marketing and Business Development of Globe Telecom’s International Business Group, “Through these simple gatherings, we hope that our kababayans in Hong Kong and Taiwan get a feel of Christmas though they’re far away from home.” Diether, who’s invested time and resources to charity work, primar-ity through the Kabataang Inyong

Dapat Suportahan (K.I.D.S.) Foun-dation and the annual Diether Oc-ampo Cup golf event, said he was deeply touched by the warmth and excitement shown by OFWs who attended the show. Diether head-lined the Kababayan Jam of Globe and Taiwan Mobile held last Octo-ber 23 near the Won Won Mall in Taiwan’s Chungshan District. “It was really a simple show and simple party of sorts, but it felt

good to have brought a piece of the Phil-ippines to OFWs,” shared Diether. Meanwhile, Ate Gay hosted games and brought gifts during the Globe-CSL Kababayan Jam at the Caritas Center in Central Hong Kong last October 9. Bugoy Drilon, on the other

hand, rocked the house for Pinoys last October 23 at the Mariners Club in Kowloon, Hong Kong. With its worldwidest coverage, Globe brings OFWs closer to home with the most affordable IDD rates to the Philippines. In Hong Kong, the Globe-CSL Kamusta Kababayan SIM card has a special IDD rate of just HK$0.95 per minutes for calls to any Globe or TM number in the Philippines and HK$1.25 per min-ute for International Video Calls.

In Taiwan, the Globe-Taiwan Mo-bile OK Kababayan SIM card gives a special IDD rate of NT$3.60 per minute for calls to any Globe or TM number in the Philippines while the Globe-Taiwan Mobile Yes IDD call card, priced at NT$200 each, gives 65 minutes worth of calls to any Globe or TM number in the Philip-pines. Watch out for more Pinoy yule-tide cheer as Globe Kababayan Jam runs until December 2011!

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIP-PINES Alumni Association-Davao Inc. (UPAA-DAVAO) recently launched the Mathematics Literacy Development Project (MLDP), a com-prehensive program for the training of Mathematics teachers in the City at the Nanay Bebeng Restaurant. The launch featured a keynote speech by former UP President and National Academy of Science and Technology president Dr. Emil Javier. According to UPAA Davao Presi-

dent Dr. Doris Tagle Villareal, the MLDP was designed to assist the city’s public and private schools im-prove the performance of elemen-tary school students in mathematics. Davao City recently placed a poor 151 in the 2008 National Elementary Achievement Tests (NEAT). “Beyond helping improve our math scores, however, this project is our response to assist our teachers to inspire our young to appreciate mathematics as in important foundation for logic

later in life,” Villareal said. UPAA Director and project chair-person John Tria likewise explained that the program will conduct train-ing courses for elementary math teachers from public and private schools using Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and DepEd approved materials developed by the Ateneo de Manila University.”After the training, the trainers, mainly coming from UP Mindanao’s Applied Mathematics Department, will con-

duct regular visits to the schools to monitor the implementation of the approaches taught in the seminar,” he said. Villareal further added that this training program is patterned after a similar approach in Laguna province conducted by former University of the Philippines Los Baños Chancel-lor Dr. Ruben Villareal, wherein after the trainings, a noticeable increase in NEAT scores were observed in the pupils.

Diether, Bugoy and Ate Gay bring early yuletide cheer to OFWs

UPAA Davao launch math project for city schools

OVER THE YEARS, SM Malls have been privileged to be part of every Filipino’s Christmas Celebration with a challenge to delight more than 3.5 million costumers each. For Dabawenyos, SM City Davao has been a holi-day destination of choice for nearly 10 years. Year after year, SM Super-malls try to find a touch of something different. This year, everyone’s favourite mall pays tribute to the youngest of its customers—the children. “As we dedicate this season to children, we invite everyone to help make every child feel the spirit, understand the true meaning of Christ-mas and help make it last forever,” mall manager Lynette Lopez shares. Last November 12, SM City Davao unfolded to the public its Giant Christmas Wreath which symbolizes eternal love, which has no begin-ning and end. This reminds SM shoppers the true meaning of Christ-mas. SM Davao ushered in the jolliest season with performances from the city’s top choral groups-- UIC Girls Choir, USEP Harmonia Polifonica Chorale, Sta. Cecilia Chorale, Matina Aplaya Children’s Choir and Univer-sity of Mindanao Chorale. Shoppers also got to see a sneak peek at SM Supermalls Christmas ad which stars child YouTube sensation Maria Aragon who added pop and youth to SM’s Christmas Jingle. Davao’s pride Nica Tupas sang the jingle, live. For the 50 kids from the city Poblacion and Agdao districts, Christ-mas indeed came early as SM City Davao and Santa Claus handed them their first Christmas gifts for the year. The afternoon was then filled with shrieks as Facebook’s most fol-lowed youth James Reid sang for the crowd at the Event Centre.Celebrate your favourite season at your favourite mall—SM City Davao! For event and promo updates, call 2967.6998 local 126 or like SM City Davao on Facebook.

Christmas kicks off at SM Davao!

City Mayor Sara Duterte (middle) drops by SM Davao Christmas installation. Also in the photo are (L-R) Assistant Mall Manager Jerome Yeo, Mall Manager Lynette Lopez, Group Marketing Manager Russel Lopez and Assistant Mall Manager Nick Santos.

Nica Tupas sings SM Supermalls’ Christmas jingle.Keynote speaker former UP President and National Academy of Science and Technology president Dr. Emil Javier.

Dr. Ruben Villareal, Dr. Emil Javier, UP MIndanao’s Vice Chancelor Emma Bagoyan and DepEd’s Ms. Emily Aranjuez.

UPAA-Davao President Doris VIllareal (middle) and the Bank of the Philippine Island’s Area Business Director for Davao Mr. Art Perez and BPI Foundation Inc.’s Finance and Administration Manager Ms. Gina Astilla.

SM Assistant Mall Managers Jerome Yeo and Nick Santos, Mall Manager Lynette, Mutya ng Davao beauties Aliyah Heitz and Janelle Tee, and 2010 PBB Teen Edition big winner James Reid lights up the mall’s Christmas Giant Wreath. Also in the photo (leftmost) is Nica Tupas

Fifty kids from City Poblacion and Agdao districts receive early Christmas gifts from SM City Davao

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

17NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 38HEALTHHEALTH

VIDEO GAMES are so popu-lar with kids n o w a d a y s

who spend hours playing video games and may be hardwired to behave that way -- or their brains may have been altered as a result of all the gam-ing. The answer is not yet clear, but when researchers compared the brains of 14-year-olds who played video games excessively to those who played less often, they found key differences in an area of the brain associ-ated with reward and addiction. The brain imaging study revealed that the structure and activity in the part of the brain associated with reward processing was bigger in fre-quent gamers. Specifically, an area of the brain known as the ventral striatum -- considered key to motivation and reward -- had more gray matter in kids who played video games nine hours or more a week compared to those who spent less time gaming. It was not clear if playing video games led to the in-crease or if kids with larger volumes of ventral striatum were more drawn to video games in the first place. Re-searcher Simone Kuhn, PhD, of the University of Ghent in Belgium, says more research is needed to tease this out. But she says that it may be that people with larger ven-tral striatum volumes might derive more pleasure from playing video games. The study included 154 German 14-year-olds who were asked about their video game habits. The teens un-derwent brain scans, and the researchers examined dif-ferences in their brains. The study participants were con-sidered frequent gamers if they reported playing more than nine hours a week or in-frequent gamers if they spent less time playing video games.The scans revealed that the

frequent gamers had more gray matter volume in the part of the brain known for re-ward and addiction. And they also showed more evidence of brain activity in this region when they completed a gam-bling task designed to simu-late winning a video game. The findings suggest that people with more gray matter in this part of the brain might experience video gaming as more rewarding, Kuhn says. In an effort to determine if playing video games actually alters the brain, Kuhn and col-leagues plan to study people who have not previously played them. The researchers plan to scan these people’s brains before and several months after they are intro-

duced to video gaming. Social psychologist Andrew Przybylski, PhD, who is a vis-iting fellow at the University of Essex in England, studies why people play video games. Przybylski says that the re-search as a whole does not suggest that video games are addictive the way cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs are. He believes that for most people who enjoy them, video games are intensely pleasurable in the way that some people find golf and watching television on TV very pleasurable. “I don’t believe there is anything inherently addictive about video games any more than other things that people find fun,” he says. Whether video games are

addicting or not has still to be further studied. We should keep in mind that “addiction” could be both seen as positive and negative. It depends on what results of further stud-ies would indicate. There are some health issues though on too much video gaming of children. It keeps them from helping out in house-hold chores and much needed physical activity such as exer-cise. It also lessens the time families would interact and spend quality time together. However, video games is in-deed a brain exercise since it requires planning and strat-egizing to win the game. Video games has its good and bad points but what is important is maintaining a balance in life and allocating time for family, socializing with friends, and your God. As long as you keep a balance, one could always live a healthy and happy life.

Brain and video games

THIS MONTH, Café Marco at Marco Polo Davao presents a new line of Asian sig-nature dishes that promises to enrich the already extensive international din-ner buffet spread. Both seasoned and seasonal, entrées include the Skewered Sate and Chicken Pandan of Thailand, Beef and Noodle Salad and Shrimp Paste on Sugar Cane from Vietnam, Laksa of Malaysia, Singa-pore’s Char Kway Teow, the ever-popu-lar Nasi Goreng of Indonesia, and our sumptuous take on the Biryani of India,

among others. Satisfy your craving for that particu-larly piquant Asian aroma, head on over to Café Marco for “A Taste of Southeast Asia.” Buffet dinner comes with a glass of “Asian Fame”, the freshest cocktail juice concoction of papaya, pineapple, and a touch of lemon. The Asian sensations are exclusively offered from 14 November to 14 De-cember 2011. For inquiries and reser-vations in the new Café Marco, contact 221-0888.

Taste of Southeast Asia at Café MarcoFOOD

EDGEDAVAOTHE BUSINESS PAPER

18 NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011VOL. 4 NO. 38

HERE IS THE DEAL: from a Financial point of view, December is one of the best months. During this

month, most people spend a lot, but they also make a lot. The common partyphile however, may find it a wee bit difficult to maintain their hedonis-tic tendencies while still trying to put a cap on their budget. Obviously, the partyphile’s budget for alcohol and partying shall be left unchanged, thus finding other ways of pinching pen-nies is inevitable. So where can one partyphile cut costs? I say: on trans-portation, fashion, and of course, food. And that brings us to this article’s topic: food. But not just any other type of food, cheap food. Why am I writing about this on a party column? Because again (if you didn’t get the intro to this article), it is the perfect time to cut costs and partyphiles may find it dif-ficult to do that. Moreover, my afford-able food finds taste expensive and hit you in the right spot; making eating in my suggested food establishment a pleasurable (albeit affordable) experi-ence; and we all know that hedonism is one of the more recognizable of par-typhile traits. The Challenge: To find affordable meals for sixty pesos.The Venue: Within the vicinity of the Ateneo de Davao University Jacinto Campus. Why? Because cheap food

establishment are in abundance near schools.The Requirement: Great taste. Decent establishment. Good service.The Candidates: Harley Boulevard Motor Café: This quaint resto is popular among the cool kids in the University because they serve alcohol. However, the rea-son why students and non-students keep on coming back is because they have really good American food that is served hot and fresh and for a measly price. The resto is decorated with dif-ferent relics of modern Americana

and makes the place inviting, interest-ing, and quirky. Their menu consists of comfort-food like Shepherd’s Pie, Sloppy Joes, their ever-popular Extra-Large burger, Buffalo wings, Chili-dogs, Mashed Potatoes, Spaghetti ad Meatballs, and other American favor-ites. To cater to the local crowd howev-er, they also serve some food with rice. My affordable choice from Harley’s is the Chili Cheese Bowl—a bowl of steaming-hot white rice topped with a hefty serving of Harley Boulevard’s signature Chili con Carne and some grated cheese. This meal is very satis-fying and very comforting. The spices in the chilli complement the sharp flavour of the local cheese that top the dish and the white rice mutes the flavours and lends some sort of homi-ness to the dish making it both novel yet familiar to the palette. An order of Chili Cheese Bowl goes for sixty pesos. If you are into spicy food, you will en-joy the fact that Harley’s has their own signature hot sauce that they place in used Rum bottles and serve with ev-ery meal. Find Harley’s at Juan Luna Street corner Juan dela Cruz Street Star Bistro: Meals, Coffee, and More: This food establishment is just one of those places that you’d want to stay in for hours and hours. It is cozy, cool, and quite conducive for conver-sation. More importantly, their menu is filled with surprising offerings like waffles, pancakes, their signature Bistro Chicken, pork chop, breakfast food, Filipino favorites, English Muf-fin sandwiches, tarts, cakes, cookies, and a lot of other affordable gastro-nomic treats. I ordered one of their set rice meals when I was there and went for their Cheese sausage. It came with a cup of rice, a small serving of but-tered corn and carrots, and some may-onnaise ad ketchup. Obviously, this is a very Filipino way of enjoying sau-sages, but I find nothing wrong with it. Moreover, they serve a whole piece of sausage for a quarter of the price as coffeeshops would. Although they do not actually create their sausages (but seriously, who does?) they have mas-tered the art of cooking it perfectly:

with a slightly oily and toasted outside and an extremely soft and juicy inside. Find star bistro at Juan Luna Street. Khash Persian Kebab: Khash or “Kebab” as more popularly known in the area, has been in operation for years and years now. In many ways, Khash has been imbedded in the culture of AdDU and thus reminds me (and many others) of very fond memories in the place. Although it has already survived a couple of renovations, the same old Khash Ke-bab vibe is still there; and hordes of students still eat up at this establish-ment for lunch or some merienda. Because I had a sixty peso budget, I decided to order a single Beef Kebab which is a long strip of ground beef that is expertly seasoned and grilled to mouth-watering perfection, a cup of steamed white rice with a dollop of butter on top, some of their home made gravy (which costs thirty-seven pesos), and a roasted tomato (which I ordered separately and costs three pe-sos). As if that was not sinful enough,

HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS DECISIONS.

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8100 PhilippinesTel. No.: (084) 216-3003Cell No,: 0939-243-8539

NATIONAL HIGHWAY, TAGUM CITY 8100 TEL 6384 2188380 CEL 63917 7193982

EMAIL EMERALDUY@GMAIL.COMFACEBOOK YUYU CAFE AND DESSERT SHOP

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60-Peso food trip I also order a serving of their slightly spicy mashed potato drowned in their glorious gravy for only twenty pesos. The meal is satisfying as heck and is kind of exciting as well. The beef ke-bab goes perfectly well with the but-tered rice, and the grilled provides a fresh contrast to the heavily spiced main course. The mashed potato is silky and smooth and quite addictive.

Find Khash Persian Kebab at Jacinto Street. Thanks to Dorothy Falcon for the pho-tos. Tune in to Confessions of a Partyphile on the radio every Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 in the PM. For comments, suggestions, and more confessions from this partyphile, log on to http://party.i.ph or follow the columnist on twitter.com/zhaun

CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISORQualifications:

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duct of meetings and preparation of reportso Work job control measures to ensure the quality of construction and their completion within

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The contract or employment compensation is negotiable.

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Feel free to contact Ms. Grace Fadriquela at Tel. No. (082) 234 2994, local 214 for further inquiries.

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19

THE BUSINESS PAPER

NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 38

EDGEDAVAO

GAMES

The ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour winds up its third season next week

with Wack Wack hosting for the first time the second rich-est leg in this year’s circuit – the P2.5 million ICTSI Wack Wack Championship featur-ing the cream of the pro crop at WW’s fabled East Course.

Davao’s Elmer Salvador, the Order of Merit cham-pion in the tour’s inaugurals in 2009, and reigning OOM winner Jay Bayron, another Dabawenyo, are back to lead the title chase in the three-day tournament firing off Nov. 23, toughened up by their stints on the Asian Tour and both geared-up to bank the top P450,000 purse.

Juvic Pagunsan topped the other P2.5 million event at the ICTSI Orchard Golf

Championship last May, topping an international-flavored field and highlight-ing his four-leg romp on the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. be-fore his suspension last Sep-tember.

Despite Pagunsan’s absence, the depth of the competing field in the up-coming tournament remains as talent-laden as ever with Artemio Murakami seeking a follow-up to his eight-shot romp over Jerson Balasabas and Richard Sinfuego at ICT-SI Canlubang Invitational two weeks ago.

“I feel good, I’ve been hitting the ball well and my short game and putting are okay. I’m looking for back-to-back wins,” said Murakami.

Another Dabawenyo,

Jhonnel Ababa also resumes his bid to match Pagunsan’s four-leg victory at the close of the 16-stage circuit spon-sored by International Con-tainer Terminals Services, Inc., while townmatesTony Lascuna, Marvin Dumandan and Cassius Casas go all out to nail the elusive win.

“With the strong field, it looks like it’s going to be any-one’s tournament,” said PGTI general manager Colo Vento-sa. “Coming from a big win in Canlubang, Murakami has a good chance of staying at the top and maybe even winning this leg.”

But she stressed Muraka-mi has to contend with a lot of talented players, including Salvador, Bayron and Ababa, all leg winners this year, and the challenging course.[PR]

FREESTYLE FOOTBALL. Urban Street Team (UST) of Singapore thrilled the audience at the Davao Central High School and St. Paul College-Pasig Davao Campus recently during the Mindanao Travel Channel Freestyle Football

Tour. Davao Football Associatio (DFA) president Edward “Chaya” Lam (extreme right) hosted the team at the DCHS while Neil Bravo of MTC and Bravetower Promotions led the Singapore-based football magicians.

P2.5M ICTSI Wack Wackto wind up Phil. Golf Tour Cristie Kerr

Cristie Kerr is an Ameri-can professional golfer who plays on the U.S.-

based LPGA Tour. She has 14 wins on the LPGA Tour, including two major cham-pionships, and over $13 mil-lion in career earnings. Kerr was the number one-ranked golfer in the Women’s World Golf Rankings for three time periods in 2010.

Kerr was born in Miami, Florida, and started play-ing golf at the age of eight. She had a very successful amateur career, winning the 1994 Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Champi-onship and the 1995 Wom-en’s Western Amateur. She was the 1995 American Ju-nior Golf Association Junior Player of the Year. In 1996 she played in the Curtis Cup and was the low amateur at the U.S. Women’s Open. She graduated from Miami Sunset High School in West Kendall, Florida.

The hallmarks of Kerr’s game are putting; she fin-ished in the top five on the LPGA Tour in putts/greens hit in 2005 and 2006 and iron play. She was fifth in greens-in-regulation in 2005. In 2005, Kerr finished in the top 10 in half of the tournaments she entered, and ranked second in the LPGA in scoring average,

trailing only Annika Sören-stam.

In 2010, Kerr won two of the first 10 tournaments on the LPGA Tour, includ-ing the LPGA Championship, which she won by a record-breaking 12-stroke margin over the second-place finish-er Song-Hee Kim. As a result of this finish, she went to the top of the Women’s World Golf Rankings on June 28, 2010.[12] Kerr held the po-sition for three weeks before Ai Miyazato again regained the top ranking by a margin of 0.0006 average points.

Kerr is actively involved in fund-raising for breast cancer research.

The LPGA and the Su-san G. Komen Breast Can-cer Foundation awarded Kerr the 2006 LPGA Ko-men Award due to her dedication to find a cure for breast cancer through the foundation that she founded called Birdies for Breast Cancer. Kerr do-nates $50 per birdie. As of August 2009 she has raised over $750,000 through donations and an annual charity event. Kerr created the foundation in honor of her mother, Linda,

who has been her inspira-tion. The foundation was created in 2003, the year that her mother Linda was diagnosed with breast can-cer. Kerr also founded Cur-vature Wines, which helps to raise money for breast cancer charities. All Trump resorts currently carry the 2006 cabernet sauvignon under the Curvature Wines label.

Davao del Norte gover-nor Rodolfo del Rosa-rio has set his eyes on

December 12, 2012 or 12-12-12.

That date becomes im-portant to him because that is the time when the Davao del Norte Sports Complex is scheduled to be completed.

And if that happens, by summer of 2013, Davao del Norte might host the Palar-ong Pambansa. If the hosting is currently being worked out, the national champion-ships may come to the prov-ince and the spanking sports facility will be fully tested.

Not only that, Tagum City’s ability to host hun-dreds of sports officials, coaches and athletes will also be put to the test.

Lakan’s Place and Mo-lave Hotel for sure will get early bookings, YuYu Cafe and Dessert Shop become busy so as the RK Garden Chinese Restaurant.

This is what we like when a national sports com-petition is being hosted by a city or province.

The business sector gets so busy for a week or two as athletes and coaches after their games become instant tourists.

Hotel, motel, inn, shop-ping mall operators, tourist spot, karaoke bar, souvenir store owners, tricycle driv-ers, even ice water and ice candy vendors will all be happy as a result of the build-ing of the sports complex

and hopefully the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa and other national sports events like the Private Schools Ath-letic Association (PRISAA) Meet and University Games which are organized every year.

The Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines EAGA Friendship Games is also one event worth pursuing and the good governor has a nephew, Binggoy G. Mon-temayor, a former sports commissioner who knows the ins and outs of the Games.

His son, congressman Anthony G. del Rosario is a former president of the Davao Eagles in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball As-sociation with partner and cousin Popit Garcia, who can also bring big-time bas-ketball in the province.

The PBA out-of-town games have been coming to Panabo City, Davao del Norte courtesy of another Davao del Norte native, Den-nis Uy, president and CEO of Phoenix Petroleum who has made a commitment to sup-port sports activities in the region.

So much things to be done in Davao del Norte and a lot of things could happen after 12-12-12.

Busy, busy, busy.* * *Happy birthday to for-

mer Times reporter Micmic Villaflor, Mirror›s Marlon Pa-naguiton and Ben Manalo.

RDR’s 12-12-12

Brothers Edwin and Pol Allan Leuterio of the family run-Holy Child

School of Davao carded a gross 91 and 96, respec-tively to finish 1-2 in class D of the 2nd Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club Monthly Medal Tour-nament, Nov.11-13, in Brgy.Mandug.

Bong Guerzon shot a net 71 to take the net crown against Ronald Lu who came up with a 75 even as Jorge Segovia shared the limelight by winning class C’s gross title with a 79, six strokes better than PJ San Pedro who had an 85 and Lito Bario and Rainer Cruz had a tight battle for the net crown, 64 to 65.

Lee Byeong Chul fin-ished the round with a gross 75 to take class B over Louie Rabat (79) while Ed Gon-gona won via countback against Susumu Yamaguchi for the net crown after both finished with identical net 64s.

Brothers Mico and Ku-

reish Samanodi sizzled in class A with gross 72 and 78, respectively to the the top 2 spots while Jung In Kyu (66) won by three strokes over Kim Jae Myung (69) for the net title.

Joel Yamyamin had a gross 70 for the over-all crown while Shin Boka-washi submitted an over-all net 61 to emerge champion.

In the guest division, Boyet Sotelo (gross 80) and Nick Olarte (net 71) emerge champions in Di-vision 1 while Bob Empre-dad (gross 85) and Richard Bad-ang (net 66) ruled Di-vision 2.

Sharing also the top honors were Sheryl Kim (gross 84) and Maricel Kim (net 72) in the women’s class while Diemy Monede-ro (gross 73) and Joe Daig-digan (net 63) captured the senior division titles and Vic Gonzales (gross 85) and Jesnar Falcon (net 84) lifted the super senior’s division trophies.[MOSES P. BILLACURA]

Leuterio brothers top 2nd RPVGCC tourney South Cotabato’s Edu-

ardo Buenavista settled for a bronze medal in

the men’s marathon event of the recent 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia.

Yahuza of Indonesia captured the gold medal.

Compostela Valley’s Jho-An Banayag could only finish fourth in the women’s division won by Triyaningsih of Indonesia.

* * *The 4th Mindanao

Open 9-Ball Challenge Open is on Nov.26 to 27 at B3 NCCC Mall.

Top prize is 75,000, P30,000 to the second plac-er while P10,000 will be awarded to the semifinal-ists and P2,500, each for the quarterfinalists.

Tournament co-chair-man Charles Raymond A. Maxey said players to watch are Christopher Alanunay, Val Pajuay, Asian Games gold medalist Gandy “Yang Yang” Valle, Gabriel Aton, Elvis Calasang and Demos-thenes Pulpul.

* * *The 22nd Durian Tee

Invitational Golf Tourna-ment tees off on Nov.24 and ends on the 27th at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

The four-day tourna-ment co-presented by Phoe-nix Petroleum has attracted

close to 300 golfers, accord-ing to tournament co-chair-man Billy Parilla.

Hole-in-one prizes are a P1-million cash, a car, golf cart and a motorcycle.

* * *A Real Madrid FC coach

will be in Davao City on Nov.24 to 26 to train four Davao coaches who will han-dle the football event of the Social and Sports Academy in Sta.Cruz, Davao del Sur.

* * *RunClub Davao an-

nounced that the NBI Run: Run for your Life is on Nov.26 while five other runs are scheduled on Nov.27 namely, Run for IT, Ethnic Run, PDEA Run, SMILE Run and UM Run 2011.

For more details, call (082)2228786.

GOLFER OF THE WEEK

SPORTS SHORTS

EDGEDAVAOTHE BUSINESS PAPER

20 NOVEMBER 21-27, 2011VOL. 4 NO. 38