PREPARE your 2010 boxing calendar this early. Make sure it is adorned with a Big Red Heart pierced by a flash of lightning.
If Lady Luck smiles, 2010 could be the year of the Braveheart Boys of North Cotabato, a province in the Southern Philippines which has a long history of conflict and violence but which has stood out as one of the most outstanding local government units in the country.
With five regional champions in its fold, Braveheart Boxing Club could finally realize the dream of its patron, North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Pinol to produce world boxing champions.
Braveheart boxers now own five World Boxing Organization (WBO) regional titles. Tiny Rommel “Little Assassin” Asenjo, 20, (14 wins, 2 losses, 12 KOs) holds the WBO Oriental miniflyweight title; Edrin “The Sting” Dapudong, 23, (21 wins, 2 losses, 13 KOs) is the WBO Oriental junior flyweight titlist; Jundy “Pretty Boy” Maraon, 24, (14 wins, 11 KOs, 1 draw) is the WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion; Rolando “Smooth Operator” Magbanua, 24, (17 wins, 12 KOs) is the WBO Interim Oriental bantamweight champion; and Lorenzo “Thunberbolt” Villanueva, 23, (15 wins, 15 KOs, 1 No Decision), raw and awkward but tough as nail recently stopped Asian Games gold medallist Eric Canoy to win the WBO Oriental featherweight crown.
“It could happen in 2010. A few of the boys are already ripe for the world championships,” said Pinol, who as governor of the province from 1998 to 2007 embarked on a grassroots boxing program that staged matches among barefoot boys during village and town fiestas and selected from among them those who had the prospect of becoming champions.
In 2005, with the help of the Cuban ambassador to the Philippines and the Philippine Sports Commission under Butch Ramirez, then governor Pinol travelled to Cuba with bosom friend journalist Recah Trinidad and brought home to North Cotabato jaded Cuban trainer Honorato Espinosa who gave his country its first Olympic gold medal in Munich.
Espinosa stayed in North Cotabato for 18 months and trained local trainors including Pinol’s younger brother, Noli, who is now Braveheart’s chief trainer. The Cuban influence is very visible in the fighting style of the Braveheart boxers who are aggressive and excellent body punchers.
At least four of these boys are already ready for the big time, said Pinol.
“Magbanua, Maraon, Dapudong and Asenjo could already stand up to the best in the world in their divisions. I will certainly entertain the idea of pitting Magbanua in the junior featherweight division. Maraon could go up against the winner of the Fernando Montiel-Eric Morel bout, Dapudong could take on Ivan Calderon while Asenjo could go up against Donnie Nietes,” Pinol said.
“Of course, there is no guarantee that our boys will prevail over these popular and outstanding opponents, but they certainly will give boxing fans something to remember,” he said.
Pinol said the next group of fighters who are still being honed and fine-tuned include Lorenzo Villanueva, undefeated featherweight Reynaldo Belandres and undefeated flyweight Jermie Jabel.
“About 30 more boys as young as 14 are now training as amateurs and waiting for their turn to be given a chance to prove their worth,” he said.
“Those who do not have the skills and the heart are simply told to go back to school,” Pinol said, adding that the selection of good boxers is just as tough as separating the grain from the chaff.
With a sustained effort and well-planned boxing program, Filipino boxing fans could watch out for the Braveheart Boys in 2010 and the years after that.
Year of the Bravehearts
Blugre Landco reopens
BLUGRE Coffee Landco branch reopened last Saturday, July 11. After a month of renovations, the Landco branch boasts of the latest look of Blugre Coffee.
The latest design features new standards – new hues, new furniture, new graphics completing an entirely new ambience intended to create a very unique Blugre Coffee experience.
Customers immediately felt the big difference after Blugre Coffee shop unveiled a very exciting venue for enjoying their favorite Blugre beverage or dessert, or for meetings, or for simply conversing with family, friends and loved ones.
Aside from the change in look, Blugre also showcases the latest in its menu.
Expect new food items and desserts created by owner, Larcy Gatchalian.
Blugre Coffee opened the very first specialty coffee shop in Davao City in 1998. Eleven years after, the brand is now synonymous to great coffee and dessert experience.
Aside from the Landco branch, coffee lovers can visit other Blugre Coffee branches at Matina Town Square, SM City Davao, JMP Building, Osmena, Gensan, and opening soon in Robinsons Gensan and Gaisano Mall of Tagum.
Visit www.blugre.com for more Blugre Coffee updates.
Under my Umbrella -The DOH healthy lifestyle program
by Maria Teresa L. Ungson
THE rapid rise of non-communicable diseases represents one of the major health challenges to global development in the coming century. This growing challenge threatens economic and social development as well as the lives and health of millions of people.
In 1998 alone, non-communicable diseases are estimated to have contributed to almost 60% of deaths in the world and 43% of the global burden of disease. Based on current trends, by the year 2020 these diseases are expected to account for 73% of deaths and 60% of the disease burden.
Low and middle income countries suffer the greatest impact of non-communicable diseases. The rapid increase in these diseases is sometimes seen disproportionately in poor and disadvantaged population and is contributing to widening health gaps between and within countries. For example, in 1998, of the total number of deaths attributable to non-communicable diseases, 77% occurred in developing countries, and the disease burden they represent, 85% was borne by low and middle income countries.
In the Philippines, increasing life expectancy, urbanization and lifestyle changes have brought about a considerable change on the health status of the country. Globalization and social change has influenced the spread of non-communicable or lifestyle/degenerative diseases by increasing exposure to risk. As the country’s per capita income increases, the social and economic conditions necessary for the widespread adoption of risky behaviors gradually emerge. This in turn has brought a considerable challenge to the country’s health policy and health system to address emerging lifestyle/degenerative diseases amidst the unfinished agenda of communicable health.
Recent statistics have sounded out the alarm. The life expectancy of Filipinos in 1999 has gone up to 69 years. The process of aging brings out myriad health problems which are degenerative by nature. Mortality statistics in 1997 shows that 7 out of 10 leading causes of deaths in the country are diseases which are lifestyle related (diseases of the heart and the vascular system, cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, accidents, diabetes, kidney problems). Morbidity statistics show that diseases of the heart ranks 6th as the leading cause of illness in the country.
In a study by Tiglao et al, (2000) 32.2% are ever smokers or having smoked at one point in their lives. Current smokers are 23.5% (73.1% of the ever smokers) 78.5% are males while 21.4% are females. Among the current smokers 13.6% began smoking at the age of 6-14 years old; 51.4% began at the age of 15-19 years old; 19.6% 20-24 years; 6.8% 25-29 and 8.5% 30-70 years old. A study done by NDHS in 1998 revealed that 60% of the households nationwide have at least one smoker.
In the same study by Tiglao et al, 38.9% of the sample population are alcohol drinkers, with recorded age of initiation at 6 – 71 years old. Half of the drinkers (50.3%) started drinking at ages 15-19, the teenage years; while 8.5% started at less than 14 years. More than half (58.1%) are light drinkers, meaning they usually take less than four drinks; about 37% are moderate drinkers (4-12 drinks) while a small proportion (5.9%) are heavy drinkers (>12 drinks). Number of drinks is equivalent to 1 glass of wine, 1 shot of liquor, or 1 cocktail.
Again, in the same study, 79.1% of the respondents claim that they have some form of exercise or engage in some physical activities. More than half (54.4%) engages in low to moderate physical activities – walking, jogging, bending, stretching, yoga, exercise for pregnant women, weaving, sewing, gardening. Thirty one percent (31.1%) engages in sustained physical activity – household chores, peddling, farming, carpentry, fishing, serving. Only 14.6% participates in vigorous forms of physical activities – brisk walking, push up, weightlifting, PE class, taebo, sports. Most popular form of physical activity is walking followed by household chores.
Looking at the weekly consumption of fruits and vegetables, Tiglao et al’s study revealed that a big majority (81.3%) of the respondents claim to eat fruits and vegetables four or more times a week; 10.7% thrice a week; 3.9% twice a week; 3.4% once a week; while 0.7% admitted they don’t eat fruits and vegetables.
Four of the most prominent non-communicable diseases are linked by common preventable risk factors related to lifestyle. These are cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes. The risk factors involved are tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Action to prevent these diseases should therefore focus on controlling these in an integrated manner. Intervention at the level of family and community is essential for prevention because the causal risk factors are deeply entrenched in the social and cultural framework of the society. Addressing the major risk factors should be given the highest priority in the global strategy for the prevention and control of lifestyle related diseases.
The mandate of the Department of Health is to promote and protect health lifestyles. For common understanding, healthy lifestyle has been operationally defined as a way of life that promotes and protects health and well being. This would include practices that promotes health such as healthy diet and nutrition, regular and adequate physical activity and leisure, avoidance of substances that can be abused such as tobacco, alcohol and other addicting substances, adequate stress management and relaxation; and practices that offer protection from health risks such as safe sex and responsible parenthood.
DOH goal is to reduce the toll of morbidity, disability and premature deaths due to lifestyle related diseases. One of the components of the major strategies employed will be health promotion, across the life course and prevention of the emergence of the risk factors in the first place. This is where a serious campaign on healthy lifestyle would be most relevant. Thus the development and installation of the National Healthy Lifestyle Program in the Department of Health.
The National Healthy Lifestyle Program aims to reduce prevalence of major risk factors specifically smoking, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet and nutrition. Specifically, the program aims to: (1) develop the program components of the National Healthy Lifestyle Program, (2) launch a Comprehensive Healthy Lifestyle Advocacy and Health Promotion, (3) institutionalize the promotion of healthy lifestyle in local government units, and (4) quality assurance through Sentrong Sigla.
Program components of the Healthy Lifestyle Program include: a) Tobacco Control Program, b) Lifestyle Physical Activity Program, c) Healthy Diet and Weight Control Program, d) Stress Management Program and e) Control of Alcohol Use Program. These will all be further strengthened by the DOH. The key messages include: a) exercise regularly, b) eat a healthy diet everyday. c) watch your weight / weight control, d) don’t smoke, e) manage stress and f) have a regular health check-up.
The movement also highlighs periodically a year round thematic advocacy/IEC campaign on specific healthy lifestyle messages.
January – Regular health check up
February – Exercise regularly
May/June – Don’t smoke
July – Eat a healthy diet
October – manage stress
December – Watch your weight / Weight control
Davao Doctors Hospital celebrates Ruby anniversary
Four decades and still counting, Davao Doctors Hospital, Mindanao’s biggest private hospital, continues to grow with stronger commitment to give only the best service and most excellent but affordable health care to Dabawenyos and clients from other parts of the island region.
To mark the Ruby anniversary, a Holy Mass was offered last July 3, followed by thanksgiving luncheon wherein the founders joined the shareholders and the current managing partners headed by Andres Licaros, president and CEO. Dr. Dominador Cabrera, vice president for medical affairs, offered a toast for the continued success of the hospital.
Grand Opening
To all Davao City’s coffee aficionados, there’s another specialty coffee shop that just opened, offering distinct tastes of Espresso Aroma, Caffe Americano, Caffe Latte, Caffuccino and Mocha Latte.
Gold Cup Coffee Shop along Jacinto Extension held its grand opening last July 8. It is owned by Amabel Siazon (third from left) who poses with her friends (from left) Gloria Peñaflor, Kate Caseñas and Eunice Caño. [Photos by Junnex E. Chua, Jr.]
Confession of a Partyphile – http://party.i.ph
by Zhaun Ortega
EVER since Stressed Partyphile sent me a letter a couple of weeks back, and ever since i have moved from http://confessionsofapartyphile.blogspot.com to http://party.i.ph; I have been getting more and more questions about throwing parties and gimmick nights. And because I want to give my readers equal opportunity, I would like to take time to reply to some more of the messages I have received through my blog.
All about the invites
Dear Partyphile,
I plan to throw a big party in two weeks and I’m currently having a problem with inviting people to go to my party. What can I do or say to encourage them to go to my party? What must I do? Please help. Thanks a lot. 🙂
Cheers,
Wee
Hey Wee!
Thank you for writing in. I know how you feel. You are probably stressed out about people not showing up to your party.
First of all, I don’t understand what is up with people not wanting to go to parties. I mean, it’s a venue to have free food, and more importantly, free drinks. Right? Right.
Seriously, my first advice would be: invite close friends; friends who love you and support you. Forget the popular crowd, forget whoever else. Just invite the people whom you love, and love you back. I am sure they would all want to come.
You could also check if your dress code is too much of a hassle. If you are going for a theme on your party, maybe you could change it or make it a little less cotume-y. Go with colors instead of a whole theme; like an all-blue party, a black party, or a pink party; whatever it is you feel like having. I hope that helps, and please update me about the party. You could even send me some fabulous pictures to post on my blog.
Davao’s Ultimate Partyphile,
Zhaun Ortega
Party planning 101
Dear Zhaun,
I really enjoy your articles. Though I am based in Manila, I get to read
all your articles through your blog and all I can say is they are all informative.
I am planning to invite my friends to a small party in my pad. I am targetting more or less 20 friends to be invited. since this is the first time to host a party, I’d like to ask you few questions about organizing one.
1. what are the factors do I need to consider when hosting a party?
2. What food and drinks do I need to prepare/cook for them (particularly those which are easy to prepare)?
Ed
Dear Ed,
First of all, quit being a liar. My articles are NOT all informative, sometimes, they are just full of fluff; but than k you anyway for giving me such nice compliments.
Alright, a party has several elements. Start with the Theme of the party and try to make the venue look uniform with the theme. Go crazy on decors. They really help set the mood of the party. You would also want to check the music. A party is never complete without music, and you have to choose your music wisely. If you want a hot-bangin’ party, make sure to hire a really good DJ, or burn your own mixes and play them at a volume that would be conducive for your party. If you want less talk and more dancing, turn the volume up. If you think your guests want to talk more, play something more relaxing and soothing and turn the volume at a barely audible volume. You do not want guests trying to talk over the music.
I could go on and on about the food and drinks, so maybe I would have to write an article just for that purpose. Expect it really soon. However, last week’s article, entitled “9 Ingredients, 20 Cocktails” should serve as a great guide for a novice mixologist (read: bartender). And maybe you could serve some street food on your next party, call it a “Street Party” and serve those cheap siomais they sell on the street, or maybe some fried or barbequed isaw (chicken intestines), Kwek-kwek (hard-boiled eggs, battered and fried), and Balot (fertilized duck egg with a nearly-developed embryo inside). Or just serve chips and dips, fries, burgers, nachos, tacos or throw a Pizza Party. These are all easy to make (easier to order), and are all fun food to eat.
However, if you plan on throwing a party for a crowd of around 40 people or more, I suggest you hire a caterer. Most caterers adjust their price and their menu according to your budget. You can get a caterer for as low as 100 pesos per head. And trust me when I say it soooo worth it. Imagine not having to stress out before the party. Plus you have a lot less to clean up afterwards.
Just make sure to stay away from common party food like Spaghetti and sweet-style Filipino sauce, Hotdogs and Marshmallows on sticks, Pancit and Kaldereta. Trust me, people are tired of those food, no matter how many times you insist that your recipe is special and has been passed down from your Grandmother’s Grandmother.
Good luck with that party,
Davao’s Ultimate Partyphile,
Zhaun Ortega
Noise factor
Dear Partyphile,
I want to throw house parties but my neighbors keep on complaining about the noise. What do I do?
Anna
Dear Anna,
Im just going to quote the wise words of Franklin P. Jones for this one:
“Nothing makes you more tolerant of a neighbor’s noisy party than being there.”
I’m sure that says it all.
Davao’s Ultimate Partyphile,
Zhaun Ortega
For comments, suggestions, queries, and more confessions from this partyphile log on to HYPERLINK “http://party.i.ph” http://party.i.ph
Please send in your pictures through that site as well.
Thank you for listening to Confessions of a Partyphile (the Radio Show) every Wednesday nights, 6 to 9 PM on 105.9 Mix FM.
Igacos resort boom marks tourism sector’s resiliency
by RG Alama
AN increase in the number of resorts in the Island Garden City of Samal is a mark of resilience that characterizes the tourism sector in Davao.
According to Araceli Ayuste, president of the Davao Region Tourism Council and proprietor of the Punta del Sol resort in Samal, said that from 20 resorts in Samal Island in 2007, there are at least 40 resorts in 2009, with more being developed.
Ayuste said that tourism in Davao is not affected by the global financial crisis judging by the tourism activities in the region. She said that even if you go to the hotels in Davao City, they are almost always fully-booked as conventions and lakbay-arals are being held here.
She added that the growth in tourism activities has encouraged many resort owners in Samal to become active asmemebsr of the Samal Island Davao Resort Owners Association or SIDROA. In the past, resort owners were hesitant to join, but with the upsurge in tourism, many are now joining because it benefits their businesses.
The group has about 40 member-resorts from the Triple A to the uncategorized. Of the number, about 25 resort-members are active in Sidroa. Together they are pushing for the region to position and promote itself, particularly as an island destination.
One tourism activity Ayuste is pushing together with technical diver Carlos Munda is diving. Currently, Samal has three resorts with diving facilities — Pearl Farm, Paradise and Ayuste’s Punta del Sol.
Munda, the only certified technical diver in Mindanao, said what is hindering the growth of the diving business here is the lack of diving tourists. About 95% of the divers are locals from Davao City while 5% are tourists.
Unlike in Anilao and Puerto Galera, where 90% of the divers are tourists spending about P6,000 to P10,000 each per weekend. He said that aside from boat rentals, tanks, food and accommodations, these tourists employ guides that generate local employment unlike local divers who are familiar with the place and spend lesser than tourists.
According to Ayuste, diving tourists would spend about P3, 000 per weekend in Davao, while local divers spend about P2, 000. Punta del Sol averages about 50 divers during weekends. She says Samal has around 17 dive sites.
Munda also points out that Igacos has no dive resort yet. These are resorts that cater only to divers and wouldn’t delve into other amenities. These resorts he says are not capital intensive and hence fit for Igacos’ community-based tourism enterprises.
Diving, he said is not about corals as divers also want to find big fishes and sea “critters” in different underwater environments. The current diving mania today Munda says is muck diving, which is diving done in muddy or mucky waters.
Muck dive sites harbor exotic and unusual organisms that live in the sediment and which make for great underwater photography subjects. [PIA]
Guidelines for restructuring, condonation program bared
THE National Housing Authority is strictly following guidelines for the ongoing implementation of the restructuring and condonation program Republic Act number 9507 for delinquent housing accounts with the NHA.
NHA regional head Engr Carol Angel said RA 9507, signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last October, and its implementing rules and regulations, were formulated by the government shelter agencies under the supervision of the Housing & Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).
Covered by the loan restructuring and condonation program are outstanding residential accounts or loans with principal amounts not exceeding P2.5-million which have cumulative arrearages equivalent to at least three (3) months amortizations as of March 16, 2009, notwithstanding availment of previous condonation programs.
Architect Marietta Arañas and Rose Camarillo, both of the regional office, explained that the NHA will condone all penalties and delinquency charges and fifty percent (50%) of accrued and unpaid interest based on the approved application.
The restructured loan account will consist of an interest bearing portion which is the total outstanding principal balance, and a non-interest bearing portion which will be the uncondoned portion of accrued interest to be repaid in equal monthly amortizations during the term of the loan.
The maximum repayment period of the restructured loan is thirty (30) years for individual and community association accounts and ten (10) years for project implementors.
The interest bearing portion of the restructured loans will feature the following:
Six percent (6%) per annum for accounts with original loan amount of P400,000 and below; seven percent (7%) per annum for above P400,000 to P700,000.00; and 10.5% per annum for above P700,000. [PIA]
Globe launches net accelerator for a faster and optimized WAN
GLOBE Business introduces a new Managed Network solution that enables enterprises to optimize the use of their bandwidth and run applications faster across their Wide Area Networks (WAN).
The Net Accelerator is a fully-managed WAN Optimization and Application Acceleration solution that addresses problems encountered on application performance, expensive connectivity, congested network, slow and long remote data backup and replication, and other network-related performance problems.
The Net Accelerator also enables business customers to derive savings as they can delay network infrastructure upgrades or potentially consolidate their IT infrastructure to meet their present network demands. Furthermore, it can enable businesses to deploy mission critical applications in areas where high quality/low latency bandwidth is not available.
As a managed service, it relieves the customer from the hassle of evaluating, procuring installing and managing a solution to ease network congestion and latency or network delay. Globe Business, with its experienced 24/7 technical support team, will efficiently manage the availability of the WAN Optimization Solution making sure it is reliable and operating at optimal levels.
“We understand our customers and provide solutions that fit, that’s why with our new Net Accelerator Managed Service we boost enterprises’ efficiency and productivity through Globe’s OPEX-based, managed services model. It is an IT solution that offers better network performance and cost efficiency,” said Jesus C. Romero, Enterprise Segments Head at Globe Business.
He added, “As business customers enjoy the accelerated and optimized network operations, we help mitigate setbacks on money, time, productivity and opportunity losses due to network connectivity issues. As a solution that brings reliable connectivity, it helps enterprises improve their business processes.”
As the Information and Communications Technology enabler and partner of enterprises, Globe Business delivers another customized and superior solution that brings reliable connectivity to businesses with the new Net Accelerator
For solutions that fit, contact your Account Manager or call +63[2] 730-1288 in Manila and +63[32] 415-2117 in Cebu or email customersupport@globebusiness.com.ph or visit www.globe.com.ph/business. Be a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Globe_Business.
Week in Review
Sisterhood
FIVE sisterhood agreements are being finalized between Davao City and foreign cities, an initiative that is expected to strengthen Davao’s economy even in the face of an economic slowdown.
Rachelle Zozobrado, chair of the City Council committee on international relations, expects the sisterhood agreements to become final before the year ends with the cities of Manado and Bitung in Indonesia; Mersin City in Turkey; Darwin City in Northern Territory, Australia; Uijeongbu City in Korea, and Tacoma City in Washington, DC.
Extended
THE actuarial life of the Government Service Insurance System’s (GSIS) pension fund has been extended by an additional 28 years.
With investments in government security bonds and treasury bills coupled with the very selective investment outlets, the actuarial life of GSIS’s pension funds was extended to 2055 from its previous life span of only until 2027.
Peace councils
Task Force Davao yesterday reached out to the United Muslim Council for Peace and Development (UMCPD), public utility drivers and sidewalk vendors to serve as eyes and ears of the government in the fight to shield the city from terror attacks.
TF Davao urged them to help look out for suspicious-looking individuals as well as unattended baggage on busy streets and transport terminals in their respective areas.
Myth
THE Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) lambasted the proposed Hedcor hydropower plant in Tamugan-Panigan River in its new study, which was released Wednesday.
Titled “The Myth of Power Crisis: A Prelude to Water Privatization,” the study cites factors that threaten Davao City’s sole water supply, the Tamugan River. It also presents data debunking Hedcor’s proposal to solve a looming power crisis in Mindanao.
Foreign aid
THE European Commission has approved additional funding to help address the plight of thousands of civilians affected by the ongoing conflict in Mindanao.
The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (Echo) approved the release of an additional amount of at least P200 million in humanitarian assistance to help civilians who are suffering from the effects of the ongoing conflict.