SunStar Network News feed for Davao, Philippines http://www.sunstar.com.ph en-us Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:39:00 +0800 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:39:00 +0800 DAVAO City divers Sheila Mae Perez and Rexel Ryan Fabriga will try to bag medals for the country in the Beijing Olympics scheduled from August 8 to 24. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/24/sports/sheila.perez.in.her.second.olympic.stint.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified THE GRE trio of G. Perez, Rene Dalayon, and E. Sagario emerged champion at the close of the SBC-MDBP Tatlohan Bowling Encounter 2008 at the Fairlanes Bowling Center Monday evening. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/24/sports/gre.bowlers.top.tatlohan.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified SOUTHEAST Asian (SEA) Games bronze medalist Jho-an Banayag was elated to receive her Female Athlete of the Year award during the 14th So Kim Cheng Sports Foundation Awards Night at the Grand Regal Hotel last Tuesday. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/24/sports/athletes.honored.in.skc.awards.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Marianne Saberon-Abalayan PHILIPPINE Boxing Federation (PBF) junior featherweight champion Balweg "Davao Hitman" Bangoyan will take a shot for a World Boxing Council (WBC) belt when he challenges reigning international super bantamweight champion Sande Otieno of Kenya in October. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/24/sports/.davao.hitman.to.face.kenyan.boxer.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Marianne Saberon-Abalayan RECENT events point toward the lynch mob tendencies of our leaders whenever something bad is said about Davao City. It's not that we're less proud of our city, we are. As proud as any Dabawenyo is, and that means very, very proud. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/24/oped/editorial.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified THE T'nalak Festival is a prestigious annual event highlighting the colorful traditions of the T'boli tribe, who weaves the famous t'nalak cloth that symbolizes the culture of South Cotabato. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/24/life/colorful.t.nalak.fest.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Jojie Alcantara WELCOME to Bohol -- located in the Central Visayas Region, capital is Tagbilaran City, and 10th largest island in the country in the heart of the Visayas. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/24/feat/republic.of.bohol.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Jinggoy Salvador THE 7th Mindanao Technical and Vocational Education Training Human Resource Skills Development (TVET-HRSD) Conference, slated on August 6 to 8, is expected to draw in 250 to 300 participants from different regions in Mindanao. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/24/bus/tvet.confab.to.gather.300.minda.schools.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified MAKILALA, North Cotabato – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expectant that foreign investment on rubber production will pour in North Cotabato, according to Congressman Bernardo Pinol Jr., from the province's second district. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/24/bus/nocot.upbeat.on.rubber.with.arroyo.s.encouragement.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Malu Cadelina Manar Correspondent TO ADDRESS gaps between fruit growers and buyers in Mindanao, the Mindanao Fruit Industry Development (Minfruit) Council is organizing a two-day event that will be highlighted by market matching on July 31 to August 1 at the Green Heights Convention and Business Center, on Diversion Road in Buhangin, Davao City. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/24/bus/minfruit.to.link.growers.buyers.in.market.encounter.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Joy Romares-Sevilla THE Apex Mining Corporation has put up the first ever tailings management facility in the municipality of Maco in Compostela Valley. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/24/news/mining.firm.sets.up.tailings.facility.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified TWO tribal councils whose ancestral domains are part of the mining site of BHP Billiton and Asiaticus Mining Corporation have expressed their support for one of the two mining firms, which are now locked up in a debacle. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/24/news/another.tribal.council.joins.cry.vs.mandaya.group.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified THE P10 additional fare for taxi cabs will take effect Friday, July 24, throughout the country. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/24/news/p10.taxi.fare.takes.effect.thursday.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Carlo P. Mallo THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) attacked two army detachments in North Cotabato Tuesday in time for the visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Mindanao. The President was visiting the two detachments. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/24/news/milf.ups.attacks.during.arroyo.visit.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ben O. Tesiorna THE City Mayor's Office (CMO) grabbed its four straight win by trouncing New Day Recovery Center (NDRC)-HGWI, 101-80, in class C of the 2008 Summer Basketball League held at the Davao City Recreation Center Sunday night. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/23/sports/cmo.dribblers.post.fourth.straight.win.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified TIM Ando pocketed the Class A title of the Sunday Bowlers Club (SBC) Bowler of the Week Tournament by hitting a total of 269 pinfalls in two games at the Fairlanes Bowling Center Thursday evening. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/23/sports/tim.ando.captures.sbc.class.a.bowling.title.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified THE main bulk of the 33-member Philippine delegation, including 15 athletes, will leave for China on August 5 for the Olympic Games in Beijing. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/23/sports/rp.athletes.leave.aug..5.for.beijing.games.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Charles Raymond A. Maxey THE City Council has differed action on the application for a business permit by Ayala conglomerate. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/23/oped/jun.ledesma.sunbursts.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Jun Ledesma Sunbursts HE'S a Manilan but has decided to settle in Davao City that he called his second home -- where he has been showcasing art pieces he created. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/23/life/unique.works.of.art.in.bumanlag.exhibit.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Nelson C. Bagaforo THAT is the term my children use for things that one should never do, or get caught doing. They range from the ridiculous to the downright inane. Some examples are wearing "baduy" clothes or uttering expressions that sound "jologs." http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/23/feat/social.suicide.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Rene Lizada Papa's table ONE of the country's top information technology firms has reported a double-digit increase in profit for the 2nd quarter of 2008 as compared to the same period last year. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/23/bus/ibm.posts.double.digit.profit.in.q2.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified LUXURY brands in Davao City are the first to bear the brunt of the economic slowdown, brought about by soaring prices of food and fuel in the country. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/23/bus/sm.city.failed.to.meet.q1.target.exec.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Carlo P. Mallo A CORE group was formed Monday for the revitalization of the bamboo industry in Davao Region, said Teolulo T. Pasawa, director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao City. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/23/bus/group.formed.to.revitalize.s..mindanao.s.bamboo.industry.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Joy Romares-Sevilla THE construction of a city-owned crematorium to cater to indigent cases was once again raised during Tuesday's City Council session. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/23/news/councilor.insists.on.city.crematorium.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified DEVELOPER Filinvest hits the City Council's fast and full support of the proposed Ayala Mall, saying that Filinvest has also brought "significant volume of tax revenues for the city" but has not been granted the same treatment. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/23/news/filinvest.hits.council.for.slow.action.on.applications.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified NORTH Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol has formally demanded that the National Government make public a draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF), which government negotiators said may be signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by the end of this month. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/23/news/vice.guv.wants.government.to.divulge.milf.territory.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ben O. Tesiorna THE International Finance Corporation (IFC) during an almost two-hour discussion with the City Council has stood firm on its survey results saying Davao City is a difficult place to do business. Councilor Victorio Advincula questioned Davao City Promotions and Investment Center (DCIPC) Chief Roberto Teo on which office is responsible for making the procedure in business application. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/23/news/ifc.stands.firm.on.survey.results.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Grace L. Plata DAVAO City Vice Mayor Inday Sara Duterte doubled the cash prizes for the fourth season of the Duterte Basketball League (DBL) during the opening rites at the Almendras Gym Saturday. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/sports/duterte.increases.cash.prize.for.cage.winners.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified THE hunt for the country's first-ever Olympic gold is still attainable, and this even could come in the Beijing Games next month. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/sports/sports.chief.rp.has.good.chance.of.bagging.olympic.gold.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Marianne Saberon-Abalayan THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will launch in Davao City the Children's Games, a meet for 12 years old and under featuring 10 focus sports. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/sports/children.s.games.in.davao.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified NEIL Te Eng Fo scored 21 points and Charles Pena had seven assists as Metrobank crushed Planters Bank, 82-64, in the Bankers Cup 2008 basketball tournament Saturday at the Evergold Recreation Center in Barrio Obrero. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/sports/metrobank.stops.planters.bank.in.bankers.cup.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified URBAN governance is both government responsibility and civic engagement. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/oped/radzini.oledan.slice.of.life.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Radzini Oledan Slice of life THE deadly Typhoon Frank sunk the MV Princess of the Stars last June 21, 2008 near Sibuyan island. Majority of the 800 crew and passengers died or are still missing. Whose fault was it that allowed the ill-fated ship to sail directly into the destructive path of the typhoon? The Senate is still investigating. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/oped/roger.p..antalan.dateline.igacos.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Roger P. Antalan Dateline Igacos DAVAO del Sur Governor Douglas Ra. Cagas hit the nail right on the head when he said the military cannot wipe out the insurgency movement by 2010 by simply using guns. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/oped/editorial.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified TELECOMS leader Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), together with wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) and PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), is embarking on a three-year tree planting program with Japan's leading mobile communications company NTT Docomo in an effort to contribute to the reduction of global carbon emission. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/life/pldt.ntt.docomo.embark.on.tree.planting.program.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified MOST people often equate bad breath with problems of the teeth and oral malodour is primarily a dental problem. With this belief there is a tendency to focus ones attention on the teeth forgetting the other important contributors of bad breath such as the lips, the cheeks, the palate (roof of mouth), the tongue, the throat, and its relationships to the general well being of the child. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/feat/bad.breath.in.kids.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified BLOOD transfusion saves lives. Is this true or false? Even though deaths caused in the 1980s by accidental HIV infection mean that donated blood is now screened meticulously to keep it free of infectious agents, there is still a nagging feeling that something is wrong. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/feat/is.blood.transfusion.necessary..html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Henrylito D. Tacio Health 101 THE common idea of people is that when at work one has to be serious; its not the place and time to have fun especially during working hours. Wrong! Believe me, workers who are having fun at work are more efficient and accomplish more. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/bus/tabije.are.you.having.fun.at.work..html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Maeng Tabije Notion Plus HIGH prices of selected vegetables start to hit consumers by as much as P20 per kilogram, based on a monitoring conducted in one of the biggest public markets in Davao City Monday. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/bus/veggie.prices.up.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified THE Davao Trade Expo (Date) 2008, the biggest trade exposition in Davao City, promises to surpass its previous year's performance. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/bus/date.2008.vows.to.up.sales.by.25..html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Joy Romares-Sevilla A TOP official of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines vowed that the actions of the two personnel of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will not be tolerated, if proven to be true. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/news/official.vows.to.sanction.air.force.men.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified RUSH hour traffic came to a slow and snarled pace Monday as several portions of Davao City's main thoroughfares were once again inundated by morning rains brought about by two weather disturbances affecting the region. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/news/floods.snarl.traffic.anew.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Carlo P. Mallo THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) advised Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno to refrain from interpreting too far and distorting the real context of the ancestral domain issue. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/news/milf.sneers.at.puno.s.ancestral.domain.opinion.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ben O. Tesiorna TWO Army soldiers were wounded in a gun battle with the New People's Army (NPA) in Malita, Davao del Sur Sunday. Major Lyndon Panisa, commander of the Army's 39th Infantry Battalion, said his platoon was scouring the area when they encountered the rebels. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/22/news/2.soldiers.hurt.in.malita.battle.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified DANNY Otacan trounced Angel Jao Kabigting, 11-4, in the finals to complete a sweep and rule the Search for the New Billiards Idol Davao edition held last weekend at the B3 Bowling Billiards and Bar in NCCC Mall in Davao City. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/21/sports/otacan.tops.davao.9.ball.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified QUEZON -- Host Quezon Red Oilers, slick when the situation demanded it, posted a come-from-behind thriller over the Ilocos Bravehearts, 78-72, Saturday to advance to the final of the northern leg of the Liga Pilipinas Tour elimination phase at the Quezon Convention Center here. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/21/sports/oilers.in.quezon.final.buddies.advance.in.cebu.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez swears that politics does not run in his blood nor is his family agreeable to the idea of him running for public office. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/21/sports/ramirez.to.enter.politics..html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Charles Raymond A. Maxey DIRECTOR'S Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of DepEd 11 Regional Director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy for all stakeholders and recipients of efforts to improve basic education.) http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/21/oped/lorenzo.e..mendoza.the.scribe.s.corner.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Lorenzo E. Mendoza The Scribe's Corner IT TAKES just two drunk Air Force men to fan back to flames distrust on the uniformed personnel of the government, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should always remember that. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/21/oped/editorial.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified AFTER a six-year hiatus, the search for Miss Davao Oriental was once again undertaken to climax the recent 41st Founding Anniversary celebration of the province. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/21/life/finding.the.oriental.beauty.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Id Acaylar FIRST time visitors to Davao City, whether local or foreigners, are almost always attracted to the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Calinan, some 30 kilometers northwest and about an hour's ride from downtown. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/21/feat/saving.rp.eagle.from.total.oblivion.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Henrylito D. Tacio THE Jaltan Food Centrum, whose roots began over four decades ago, has indeed kept the legacy started by the late matriarch Mrs. Jovita Fuertes Tan. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/21/bus/jaltan.food.legacy.lives.on.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan THE Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) identifies the highlights of the biggest trade and exposition event in Davao City, the 10th Davao Trade Expo (Date) 2008, slated on October 23 to 25 at the Davao Convention and Trade Center. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/21/bus/davao.traders.gear.up.for.trade.expo.in.october.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Joy Romares-Sevilla TWO weather disturbances are now affecting Southern Mindanao and the rest of the island, bringing in rains and overcast skies. Cooler weather is expected with temperatures reaching only a high of 30 degrees Celsius. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/21/news/more.rains.and.overcast.skies.weather.bureau.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified A NUMBER of rebel leaders in Mindanao want to return to the folds of the law or so, Davao Sur Governor Douglas Ra. Cagas said Sunday. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/21/news/old.rebels.want.to.retire.cagas.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Carlo P. Mallo DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte appealed to Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Ra. Cagas not to quit his post as Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) chair just because of financial constraints. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/21/news/duterte.to.cagas.don.t.quit.rpoc.post.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) advised North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol to refrain from filing a case before the Supreme Court (SC). The MILF promised to give Piñol a copy of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on ancestral domain once it is signed. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/21/news/milf.to.give.documents.to.piñol.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified THE Davao del Norte eleven shocked host Davao Football Association (DFA)-Seagull Football Club, 1-0, in the rain-soaked opener of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Men's Championship Southern Mindanao Finals at the Tionko field Friday. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/20/sports/davao.norte.booters.shock.dfa.1.0.html Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified THE Jarano team struck for a total of 1,428 pinfalls after four games to snatch the lead of the SBC-MDBP Tatlohan Bowling Encounter 2008 at the Fairlanes Bowling Center Friday evening. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/20/sports/jarano.leads.tatlohan.bowlfest.html Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan MINDANAO takes pride in six young guns who recently became new shodans or black belt holders in aikido, a Japanese martial art anchored on self-defense. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/20/sports/aikido.kids.making.waves.html Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Charles Raymond A. Maxey HER name is Princess but she goes by a boy's name, her short-cropped hair making her appear like a young boy. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/20/oped/stella.a..estremera.spider.s.web.html Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Stella A. Estremera Spider's Web QUITE contrary - how does your garden grow? So asks a childhood nursery rhyme and with all this rain we're getting my garden's gone into warp drive. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/20/oped/gary.covington.looking.in.html Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Gary Covington Looking In DAVAO City Vice Mayor Sara Z. Duterte said she prefers the forfeiture of the Queensland development in favor of the city than have it donated to the city by the Queensland management. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/20/news/vice.mayor.prefers.forfeiture.of.queensland.development.html Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Grace L. Plata AS PART of its advocacy to promote positive social change, the City Council of Davao sponsored a seminar on self-empowerment and value-based leadership. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/20/news/council.sponsors.seminar.on.self.empowerment.html Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified FORMER Davao Oriental governor Francisco "Paking" Garcia Rabat died Saturday morning at the Davao Doctor's Hospital where he had been admitted for the past three months. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/20/news/ex.guv.dies.at.74..html Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified TWO persons were injured when a grenade exploded inside a power plant in Maasim, Sarangani Friday evening. Military report showed that an unidentified suspect lobbed a grenade at the substation of the South Cotabato Electric Cooperative II (Socoteco) in Sitio Bairan, Barangay Poblacion. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/20/news/2.hurt.in.power.plant.explosion.html Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified I SUPPOSE that for anyone who's coming of age, lots of questions begin to indulge in the nasty habit of sneaking up behind one and springing the awful necessity of personal courage, honesty, and action. At the risk of being branded a rugged individualist (giggle), I can only speak for myself, and entertain the flicker of a notion that others might share in the experience. You might wonder, what's eating this gibbering schoolgirl? I wonder the very same thing. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/20/life/assorted.candies.html Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Aissa Ang Vagabond I AM writing to you to relate the rude behavior of Unilever Philippines employees here in Davao City. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/19/oped/editorial.html Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified IN THE recent survey of the Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development, the Philippines ranked 40th out of the 55 countries in the World Competitiveness Yearbook. The yearbook studied 55 countries using 331 criteria grouped into four categories: hard economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/19/oped/radzini.oledan.html Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Radzini Oledan FROM a wide range of lands covered by a suspension of conversion to ensure rice sufficiency that was contained in an administrative order issued by the President last May, the list has been significantly chopped down to just rice lands, preferably the irrigated ones. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/19/oped/editorial.html Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified AN OFFICIAL of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) said the number of Korean retirees who prefer to invest and reside in the Philippines has increased in the last three years. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/19/news/more.korean.retirees.settling.down.in.rp.html Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified CHILDREN'S rights group Kabiba Alliance for Children's Concerns in Mindanao (Kabiba) lauded the Davao City council for passing a resolution banning armed groups and encampments in school campuses. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/19/news/another.ngo.hails.ban.of.soldiers.in.campuses.html Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Grace L. Plata WHEN Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte took him in as Davao City administrator four years ago, lawyer Wendel Avisado had only one thing in mind -- to help the local chief executive in giving the people the kind of service they deserve from the government. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/19/news/avisado.hardworking.public.servant.html Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Charles Raymond A. Maxey THE Provincial Government of North Cotabato is opposing its inclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) that will be placed under the The Provincial Board led by Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol said it plans to file a case before the Supreme Court compelling the National Government to divulge the official list of provinces, towns, and barangays to be included in the BJE. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/19/news/cotabato.objects.to.inclusion.in.proposed.milf.area.html Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ben O. Tesiorna BIA Go, entrepreneur and mother of three, never fails to receive compliments whenever she prepares her well-loved barbeque for family and friends. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/19/life/there.s.something.about.siggi.s.html Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Janet Huang-Teves Mom About Town A RESOLUTION urging the business community to develop alternative products to lessen the country's dependence on rice as a staple food and for the City Government to undertake a healthy campaign on these alternatives has been passed by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) during last week's 8th Davao City Business Conference held at the Davao Convention and Trade Center. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/19/bus/chamber.seeks.goods.that.will.lessen.rice.dependence.html Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Joy Romares-Sevilla FARM to market roads and potable water remain to be the top demands of the agricultural sector here in Mindanao, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/19/bus/road.water.top.demand.of.agri.sector.official.html Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Carlo P. Mallo TEN tourist assistance centers will be activated during the Kadayawan Festival in different areas of the Rizal Park to give tourists and visitors first-hand information about the festival's activities. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/19/bus/10.booths.to.serve.tourists.during.kadayawan.html Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Joy Romares-Sevilla THE Davao Region or Southern Mindanao placed fourth in having the highest number of approved building permits in the country during fourth quarter of 2007, trailing behind the industrial region of Calbarzon, Metro Manila, and Cebu. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/19/bus/s..mindanao.gets.share.of.construction.boom.html Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified LAST week, my article was about applying for membership in a couple of golf courses in Davao. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/18/sports/garcia.can.members.please.pay.less.when.joining.tournaments..html Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Imee Garcia BALWEG Bangoyan, one of the promising boxers in Mindanao today, climbs the ring anew this Saturday to defend his Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) junior featherweight crown at the New Cebu Coliseum. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/18/sports/bangoyan.defends.title.saturday.html Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified THE Matina Town Square Park is once again abuzz with frenzy and excitement as dog lovers and owners took their dogs around for a walk and some socializing among various breeds. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/18/life/dog.behavior.training.at.mts.html Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Jojie Alcantara FORT Lauderdale, Florida -- During the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) in Bali, Indonesia, coral bleaching was one of the main topics discussed by experts. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/18/feat/coral.bleaching.takes.centerstage.html Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Henrylito D. Tacio KIDAPAWAN CITY -- The National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) in Mindanao have assured local government officials in North Cotabato that a direct power line from the geothermal plant in Mt. Apo would be installed soon. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/18/bus/cotabato.to.have.direct.line.from.pnoc.geothermal.plant.html Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Malu Cadelina Manar Correspondent THE regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Secretariat of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Smed) Council said Thursday that the Smed Week celebration was very successful. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/18/bus/smed.week.celebration.a.success.html Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified AS MARCO Polo Davao turns 10 this year, the hotel is investing a total of P100 million to improve further the quality of its service. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/18/bus/marco.polo.spends.p100.m.for.hotel.s.modern.facilities.html Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Joy Romares-Sevilla MAYOR Rodrigo Duterte once again met with leaders of the New People's Army (NPA) to strike a deal of some sort to ensure that Davao City remains free from attacks. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/18/news/mayor.meets.with.npa.leaders.anew.html Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified HOUSE Speaker Prospero Nograles is bent on making his administration work fast, as he created six clusters that would ensure faster processing of bills that would support the government's reform agenda. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/18/news/clusters.formed.to.speed.up.house.legislation.html Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo still has high confidence in the leadership of GSIS president Winston Garcia despite the graft charges filed against him by employees and members of the government corporation. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/18/news/gsis.head.still.has.arroyo.s.confidence.html Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified SUSPECTED communist rebels attacked the Sarangani provincial jail with mortar shells in the capital town of Alabel Wednesday night, in a bid to free a detained comrade, but security forces repulsed the raid, the military said Thursday. The incident happened a day after a pillbox exploded right in front of a police station in General Santos City and while nearby South Cotabato province was celebrating the Tinalak Festival, which ends Friday. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/18/news/communist.rebels.attack.sarangani.jail.html Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ben O. Tesiorna and Carlo P. Mallo