Samal Shores Residenza project director Anna Mae Escalante (front), sales director Lorelli S. Randa (center) and marketing manager Stephanie Palanca welcome buyers and sellers at the new office of PJ Tri-Gon Realty Corp. at Lanang Business Park in Lanang, Davao City on Thursday. PJ Tri-Gon Realty Corp. is the developer behind Samal Shores Residenza, a high-end residential project which is expected to be the first of its kind in Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte. LEAN DAVAL JR
PJ Tri-Gon Realty Corp., a real estate affiliate of leading construction company Ulticon Builders, Inc., has relocated its sales office closer to its market and sellers.
The company will build a high-end residential project, Samal Shores Residenza, which is expected to be the first of its kind in Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte.
PJ Tri-Gon holds a blessing on Tuesday for its new office and sales lounge at Lanang Business Park. Its sales office was previously situated along Diversion Road near Ma-a Intersection, Davao City.
“We moved here to be closer to our project, market, and sellers. It’s a minute away from our welcome center. It is also strategically located and is bigger than our previous office in Diversion Road,” said Anna Mae Escalante, project director in an interview.
Escalante said the new office will showcase Samal Shores Residenza’s scale model. There will be a space for training of the sellers also.
Lorelli S. Randa, sales director, said in terms of visibility, accessibility, and marketability, the new location is very advantageous for the company.
“In terms of visibility, the northern part of the city is considered the business hub in Davao City. Our target market is the businessmen. Most of the residents here are the affluence who are also our market. We want to move closer to our market and sellers,” Randa said.
Samal Shores Residenza is a 31-hectare residential estate located in Barangay Limao, which will offer 500 lots.
It is part of Phase 1 of the 150-hectare township development Samal Shores. Samal Shores is the flagship project of PJ Tri-Gon.
Escalante did not reveal figures in terms of sales and just said it was a surprisingly good 2023 for PJ Tri-Gon despite the selling of the project going full blast after it was launched in August this year.
“The market is surprisingly good also the investors are mostly the young generation belonging to the affluent group in Davao City. Not just the affluence in Davao but also in other cities,” Randa said.
In terms of developments, Escalante said the spine road for the project is currently at 98 percent completed.
She said in 2024 they are expecting more developments. There are also developments ongoing like the clubhouse, which is being eyed to ground break in the first quarter of next year.
The clubhouse will have facilities for social gatherings, as well as an infinity pool.
The Samal Shores township is targeted to be completed in 15 years.
The Department of Agriculture in the Davao Region (DA-11) has turned over PHP36.9 million worth of agricultural machinery to farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Davao del Sur, an official said Wednesday.
In a statement, DA-11 Director Abel James Monteagudo said 21 FCAs received 52 agricultural machinery and equipment under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to help boost the productivity and competitiveness of the local farmers.
The set of machinery consisted of 19 units of floating tillers, 10 hand tractors, seven rice combine harvesters, six four-wheel tractors, four mobile rice mills, two walk-behind transplanters, two units of riding-type transplanted, and two rice threshers.
During the turnover on Tuesday, Monteagudo, who delivered the message of Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., assured the FCAs that the department “will continue to carry on to with the government’s goals of achieving national food security and ensuring the prosperity of farmers.” He encouraged the farmers to enrich the benefits of the free machinery provided to them.
Laurel also underscored the pressing issue of the declining number of future farmers.
“DA will continue to focus on advancing programs that will involve the youth in farming,” he added. (PNA)
Accident or crime scene cordon tape, police line do not cross. It is nighttime, emergency lights of police cars flashing blue, red and white in the background
The body of a 16-year-old student was found at the top of a gravestone at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Purok 7, Kawayanan, Brgy 8-A, Davao City on Thursday morning.
The responding operatives of San Pedro Police Station identified the victim as Christopher John Gonzales Reuyan, a resident of Purok 8, M.I.H., Brgy 8-A, Davao City.
The police station reported that the body was found by Zaldy Birondo Madamba.
Madamba said he was roaming around the Roman Catholic Cemetery when he found the body, which was already in decomposing stage.
Based on the account of the victim’s father, Jomar Tupaz Reuyan, when he arrived home from work on Sunday, December 17, 2023, he noticed that his son was not around and never returned since then.
The victim’s friend, John Mar Isidro, claimed that both of them along with their friends ate at Bulaloan eatery in Bankerohan and went home at around 11 p.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2023.
He said they went their separate ways upon reaching the said cemetery.
According to the authorities, the father has not yet decided whether the body of the victim should undergo an autopsy.
Malacañang on Thursday denied that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared Dec. 22 (Friday) as a “special half-working day.”
Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil dismissed as “fake news” the supposed issuance of a proclamation declaring Dec. 22 as a special half-working day to allow the public to avoid traffic congestion during Christmas holidays.
“It’s fake,” Garafil said, when asked to react if Marcos made such a declaration through Proclamation 427 issued on Dec. 15.
In a statement posted on the Official Gazette, the public was reminded to avoid spreading false information.
“This proclamation lacks official verification or recognition by the government. Please rely on official government sources for accurate information and refrain from disseminating unverified claims,” the statement read.
The original Proclamation 427 posted on the official website of the Official Gazette declares nine individuals as Manlilikha ng Bayan for 2023.
Under Proclamation 427, Marcos declared Ilocano Oral Traditions master Adelita Bagcal, Agusan Manobo embroiderer Abina Coguit, Sama traditional dance master Sakinur-ain Delasas, T’boli brass caster Bundos Fara, Higaonon mat weaver Marife Ganahon, Ga’dang embroiderer Amparo Mabanag, Mandaya ikat weaver Samporonia Madanlo, T’boli ikat weaver Barbara Ofong, and T’boli chanter Rosie Sula as Manlilikha ng Bayan.
Republic Act 7355 provides for the recognition of Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living Treasures, referring to a citizen or a group of citizens engaged in any traditional art that is uniquely Filipino and whose distinctive skills have reached a high level of technical and artistic excellence. (PNA)
“Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate the love of God and family and to create memories that will last forever. Jesus is God’s perfect, indescribable gift. The amazing thing is that not only are we able to receive this gift, but we are able to share it with others on Christmas and every other day of the year.” – Joel Osteen
***
So, what is Christmas? If you pose this question to people, you will receive different answers. To office workers, it means bonus and 13th month pay. To children, it is the time of receiving gifts from parents. To teachers, it’s a break from work. To businessmen, it is the season of sales and more sales.
To most people, however, Christmas is the time of eating, drinking, and merrymaking. “For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving, and receiving, a time of good cheer, home,” said W.J. Ronald Tucker.
“Christmas! The very word brings joy to our hearts,” Joan Winmill Brown commented. “No matter how we may dread the rush, the long Christmas lists for gifts and cards to be bought and given-when Christmas Day comes there is still the same warm feeling we had as children, the same warmth that enfolds our hearts and our homes.”
Christmas is the time of giving and receiving gifts. Carolyn Wells shares, “I love the Christmastide, and yet, I notice this, each year I live; I always like the gifts I get, but how I love the gifts I give!”
George Matthew Adams was right then when he said, “Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide-open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years.”
Most children, however, equate Christmas with Santa Claus. In fact, one child wrote the New York Times asking if Santa Claus is really for real. Francis P. Church answered, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus.”
Christmas is more than all the observations above. Perhaps the words of Robert Lynd should be a reminder: “There are some people who want to throw their arms round you simply because it is Christmas. There are other people who want to strangle you simply because it is Christmas.”
In recent years, Christmas has been hugely commercialized. Comedian Dave Barry has given us a glimpse of it when he admitted, “Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall.
“We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space.”
But Christmas should be a season of love and giving, of peace and understanding. “Fail not to call to mind, in the course of the twenty-fifth of this month, that the Divinest Heart that ever walked the earth was born on that day; and then smile and enjoy yourselves for the rest of it; for mirth is also of Heaven’s making.” That statement comes from the mouth of Leigh Hunt.
However, the observation of Charles Dickens, the author of A Christmas Carol, is more apt. He wrote: “I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.”
While Christmas is the time for celebration, there are times when you feel something is wrong and you don’t know why. As Kate L. Bosher commented, “Isn’t it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for – I don’t know what exactly, but it’s something that you don’t mind so much not having at other times.”
Phillips Brooks also stated, “The earth has grown old with its burden of care, but at Christmas it always is young, the heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair, and its soul full of music breaks the air, when the song of angels is sung.”
Amy Grant shared this observation: “Faith is salted and peppered through everything at Christmas. And I love at least one night by the Christmas tree to sing and feel the quiet holiness of that time that’s set apart to celebrate love, friendship, and God’s gift of the Christ child.”
Carol Nelson has another view, however: “Christmas is a time when you get homesick – even when you’re home.”
“Ang Disyembre ko ay malungkot, pagkat miss kita.” I recalled this line of a popular Filipino song, Miss Kita Kung Christmas, some years back while spending my Christmas in the United States. Although I was with my sister and her family at that time, I still felt lonely since I missed celebrating Christmas in the Philippines.
We should celebrate Christmas not only this season but throughout the years. As Norman Wesley Brooks puts it: Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself.”
May peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessings throughout the year. – ###
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte donates 300 sacks of rice to City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat as a Christmas gift. FB page of Inday Sara Duterte
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte donated 300 sacks of rice to City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat as a Christmas gift.
The donated rice, which arrived in Mati City on Monday, was distributed by Mayor Rabat to 286 barangay officials in all 26 barangays of the city and eight families affected by last week’s fire in Kaislaman, Magsaysay, Mati City.
Rabat thanked the Vice President for her generosity to the people of Mati.
“On behalf of the people of Mati, I thank VP Inday Sara for her generosity. Mati has always been close to the hearts of the Dutertes and we greatly appreciate that,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) conducted a tree planting activity, a series of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) distributions, gift-giving to 2,300 identified sectors, medical mission and Pagbabago bags distribution in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Wednesday.
These activities are anchored on the OVP’s commitment to create a lasting impact on the lives of Filipinos.
The tree planting was conducted in Mt. Kabugaw, Barangay Dagupan, Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur. The activity was participated by 300 volunteers from OVP BARMM and the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) – BARMM.
A total of 1,000 trees composed of 200 fruit-bearing and 800 mixed narra and mahogany trees were planted during the activity.
Meanwhile, at least 659 learners from Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte were the recipients of the distribution of “Pagbabago” bags.
Fermin Edillon, head of the Davao Light Reputation Enhancement Department, says during this week's AFP PNP Press Corps media briefing at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) that the company has contingency plans for the impending dry spell by balancing the use of renewable and non-renewable energy. LEAN DAVAL JR
An official of the Davao Light and Power Company bared on Wednesday that they have put in place contingency plans for the impending dry spell by balancing the use of renewable and non-renewable energy.
“Naa nami contingency plans na ginabuhat para ana and we are hoping na dili gyud ta muabot sa panahon nga parehas atong nag rotational brownouts ta,” said Fermin Edillon, head of the Davao Light Reputation Enhancement Department during the yearend AFP PNP Press Corps media briefing at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) on Wednesday.
Edillon explained that they cannot totally rely on renewable energy alone because if there is an El Niño, their suppliers who are using the hydropower will mostly be affected.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has released its most recent prognosis, which suggests that the potential dry spells and drought caused by El Niño might peak in April or May next year.
“Again kinahanglan balansehon tanan. Also kung balansehon nimo dinha pud nato makita ang atoang, kay naa man gud impact sa rates either renewable or non-renewable imong kuhaon. Kinahanglan balansehon nato ug tarong na tanan maka benefit sa measures nga gamiton,” he said.
Meanwhile, Davao Light has lowered its power rate from P9.12 to P8.74 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) this December.
From P9.12 in November, the overall residential power rate is down to P8.74 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) this month. For households with an average monthly electricity consumption of 200 kWh, a reduction of P76.34 will be experienced.
This rate applies to bills received from December 12, 2023, to January 10, 2024.
The decrease in electricity bills is also due to the decrease in the pricing of power supply from the Philippine Wholesale Energy Spot Market (WESM) in Mindanao and the global market.
“In November, we are at P9.12 centavos but this month of December we are at P8.78 centavos. Roughly there is a decrease of P.38 centavos. If you translate it to kilowatt-hour consumption you have a reduction of around P76,” said Edillon.
Yet, Davao Light advised customers to monitor their power usage especially at this time of year when individuals are spending more time at home and using electric appliances and electronics.
“We couldn’t stress enough, how important it is to manage energy consumption even with the low rate. Power rates are affected by unpredictable market prices, so changes in rates are expected every month. It could decrease this month then it could increase the next,” Mr. Edillon said.
On the other hand, Edillon assured that there is enough supply of power as Davao Light has a direct contract with some major power suppliers in Mindanao both in renewable and non-renewable energy.
The Aboitiz Power Corp. subsidiary started buying power through WESM in January.
Davao City trackster Lyka Catubig bagged her second gold medal in the Philippine National Games at the Philsports track oval.
Davao City’s Lyka Labrica Catubig moved closer in completing a golden treble after stamping her class anew in bagging her second straight gold at the Philippine National Games on Wednesday.
Catubig breezed past her rivals to win the gold in the women’s U20 5,000-meter run in 19:26.84 at the Philsports track oval.
A BS Criminology student at the University of Mindanao, Catubig, who won the women’s 3,000-kilometer walk last that earned her the distinction as the first PNG gold medalist, will gun for a golden treble today in the 5,000-meter walk.
“At least I won’t be waking up early for my third event. But I intend to sleep early as usual,” quipped the Davao City pride, who woke up at 3 a.m. yesterday to reach the competition in time from her Manila quarters, since her third and last event will be held in the afternoon today.
Stung by a close loss in a previous event earlier in the day, Quendy Fernandez charged back strong in handily topping the women’s 18-over 200-meter backstroke event, becoming the first quadruple gold medalist in the Games at the Philsports pool in Pasig City.
In an intense duel between UP varsity squad teammates, Atasha dela Torre foiled Fernandez’s bid for a fourth straight gold in the women’s 18-over 50-meter freestyle after wins in the 50-meter butterfly, 100-meter backstroke and relay events the previous day.
Representing Ormoc City, Leyte, Dela Torre beat Fernandez by touch in winning the women’s 18-over freestyle event in a time of 28.04 seconds to the latter’s 28.16 seconds in the sportsfest organized by the Philippine Sports Commission.
It was Dela Torre’s second gold medal in three days, counting her victory in the women’s 18-over 100-meter freestyle last Monday, in the meet backed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp, PBA, Milo, Pocari Sweat and Chooks to Go.
Representing Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Fernandez, the UAAP Season 86 Swimming MVP and Rookie of the Year, shrugged off the setback an hour or so later in romping off with the mint in the women’s 18-over 200-meter backstroke in time of 2:29.52.
”I am very happy for Atasha. It was a close race but it only inspired me to do better in the 200-meter backstroke,” Fernandez, who missed her medal ceremony because she had to rush back to UP Diliman to complete some school requirements, said.
“I am super happy for this second gold and for representing my city as well as my school,” said Dela Torre, who also won a bronze medal in 50-meter freestyle event, as she and her UP teammate joined the ranks of having won more than three medals in the sportsfest.
Halfway through the meet and on a day when female athletes flexed both their mental and physical muscles, Women International Master Kylen Mordido also stood out in chess at the GSIS building in Pasay City.
Riding on a six-match winning streak entering the seventh and final round, Mordido, representing Dasmarinas, wound up her campaign with a draw against Mandaluyong’s Francoise Marie Magpily to top the women’s individual standard event in chess with 6.5 points.
A veteran of the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India, she teamed up with Jeryl Mae San Diego in capturing the women’s team standard gold.
Workers walk by thousands of grocery packs for the city government of Davao's "Pahalipay" at a supermarket along Sales Street in Davao City. Almost 100,000 of Dabawenyos chose to donate their "Pahalipay" grocery packs to typhoon Odette victims. Edge Davao
Security measures are in place for the traditional Christmas gift-giving for the Dabawenyos on December 25 at the ancestral house of former President Rodrigo Duterte (FPRRD) along Taal Road in Central Park Subdivision, Davao City.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Capt. Hazel Tuazon announced on Wednesday that city director Colonel Alberto Lupaz also conducted a walkthrough of the venue for the gift-giving.
“Plantsado na ang tanan in fact this morning nag walkthrough na si city director Lupaz para sa pagseguro sa seguridad kay gina expect na nato every year daghan kaayo ug tao. Atong gipaninguha dinha nga ang mga tao nga naa dinha naa gyud police na makita hangtod sa balay ni FPRRD,” Tuazon said during the yearend AFP PNP Press Corps media briefing at DCPO on Wednesday.
Tuazon said DCPO will start deploying personnel as early as 1 a.m. There will be force multipliers that will be deployed also.
She added that the protection of the people who will flock to the area is the utmost priority.
“Dili lang ang kapulisan ug task force ang makita dinha apil na ang LGU na maghatag ug first aid in case naay makuyapan,” she said.
Tuazon reminded that bringing backpacks is prohibited.
“Gihangyo nato sa mga naay sakit o edaran nga dili na mupugos ug muapil sa linya; i-priority pud nato ang mga senior citizens. Atoang iawhag ang ilang mga pamilya na dili dalhon pati ang mga bata nga gagmay,” she said.
The Dutertes’ Christmas party for the masses has been a yearly event and started even before FPRRD rose to the presidency in 2016.
It had to be called off in 2020 and 2021 due to public health restrictions imposed by the government in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the activity, grocery packs were given to Dabawenyos, who were also provided with breakfast and lunch packs and gift certificates.
Workers install power cables for the underground cabling project along C.M. Recto Avenue in Davao City. The Department of Public Works and Highways - National Capital Region recently conducted bench-marking activities in Davao City to observe the city’s successful implementation of underground utility cabling system. Edge Davao
The City Government of Davao reconstituted the Wires and Cables Technical Team to push for the continuity of the underground cabling initiatives.
Executive Order No. 36, “An Order Reconstituting the Membership of the Wires and Cables Technical Team (WAC Technical Team) Defining Its Powers and Functions and for Other Purposes,” was released on December 14, 2023, and provides for the reconstitution of the composition of the WAC Technical Team, chair, vice chair, and members.
According to the EO, the City Mayor or the City Administrator as his duly authorized representative shall sit as Chairperson with the City Engineer as the vice chairperson.
The members include the Office of the City Building Official (OCBO), two representatives from the owners of the establishments within the affected area/s; Chairperson, Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Transportation and Communications; Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator (OCPDC); City Legal Office (CLO); Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO); City Transport and Traffic and Management Office (CTTMO); Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region XI; National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) XI; Bureau of Fire Protection XI; Davao City Water District; Davao Light and Power Company; PLDT/SMART; Globe Telecom; DCTECH; Skycable; Converge ICT Telecommunications; and DITO Community.
Based on Section 2 of the EO, the WAC Technical team is vested with powers to formulate and implement integrated design/plans within 30 days upon creation; establish coordination among members of the team; supervise and monitor the full implementation of Ordinance No. 0177-14; and recommend additional provisions or actions that will promote and strengthen the objectives of Ordinance No. 0177-14.
Ordinance No. 0177-14, Series of 2014 is otherwise known as “An Ordinance Placing Underground All Electrical and Telecommunication Wires and Cables Within the Vicinity of City Hall and Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Davao.”
The main purpose of the said ordinance is to bolster the image of the City of Davao as internationally competitive, making it a tourist and investment destination while sustaining and enhancing its environment. CIOabling reconstituted
The City Government of Davao reconstituted the Wires and Cables Technical Team to push for the continuity of the underground cabling initiatives.
Executive Order No. 36, “An Order Reconstituting the Membership of the Wires and Cables Technical Team (WAC Technical Team) Defining Its Powers and Functions and for Other Purposes,” was released on December 14, 2023, and provides for the reconstitution of the composition of the WAC Technical Team, chair, vice chair, and members.
According to the EO, the City Mayor or the City Administrator as his duly authorized representative shall sit as Chairperson with the City Engineer as the vice chairperson.
The members include the Office of the City Building Official (OCBO), two representatives from the owners of the establishments within the affected area/s; Chairperson, Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Transportation and Communications; Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator (OCPDC); City Legal Office (CLO); Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO); City Transport and Traffic and Management Office (CTTMO); Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region XI; National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) XI; Bureau of Fire Protection XI; Davao City Water District; Davao Light and Power Company; PLDT/SMART; Globe Telecom; DCTECH; Skycable; Converge ICT Telecommunications; and DITO Community.
Based on Section 2 of the EO, the WAC Technical team is vested with powers to formulate and implement integrated design/plans within 30 days upon creation; establish coordination among members of the team; supervise and monitor the full implementation of Ordinance No. 0177-14; and recommend additional provisions or actions that will promote and strengthen the objectives of Ordinance No. 0177-14.
Ordinance No. 0177-14, Series of 2014 is otherwise known as “An Ordinance Placing Underground All Electrical and Telecommunication Wires and Cables Within the Vicinity of City Hall and Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Davao.”
The main purpose of the said ordinance is to bolster the image of the City of Davao as internationally competitive, making it a tourist and investment destination while sustaining and enhancing its environment. CIO
