Sunday, July 10, 2022

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Twenty-Five: A Love Letter to Film

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 09:58 AM PDT

GROWING up, Vincent Patrick Uy Lima regularly took a lot of photos and videos using his trusty Nokia and Sony Ericsson phones which were popular during that time. "I loved capturing memories and playing them back," says the amiable 25-year-old businessman whose hobbies and interests include custom mechanical keyboards, video games, fashion, and specialty coffee. His first-ever digital camera was a Sony Cyber-shot courtesy of his sisters who were not using it anymore. In high school, he took tons of photos of "basically anything". Receiving another hand-me-down camera from his sister though totally changed his viewpoint on photography. "Shooting with a Lomography Diana F+ was a humbling experience. It was hard to shoot with and created some good but a lot of bad shots as well," recalls the only son in the family. However, the outtakes did not deter his passion. "It was fascinating for me because I could capture memories and get that feeling of nostalgia, which was so wonderful," Vince reveals. Intentional exposure The Ateneo de Davao University graduate discloses that film lets him go back to the basics as compared to the digital format which takes away the fear of making mistakes. "It is maybe because we have an x amount of storage on our cellphones," he surmises. On the other hand, shooting with film enables him to appreciate the slow, methodical, and intentional approach with every film exposure. Of course, the shutterbug is not spared from film boo-boos such as not nailing the focus on his subjects to receiving photo scans that are not usable. But the inevitable mistakes make him yearn to learn and not feel discouraged at all. Vince shares that he buys his film rolls outside Davao because there seems to be a shortage of film rolls locally due to the increased demand. This also resulted in higher prices. "All the good developers/scanners are in Manila, so I ship my film rolls out occasionally. I pray that Davao's film developing scene will jump-start again," he says. A love letter to film Recently, Vince staged his first solo photo exhibit entitled "Twenty-Five: A Love Letter to Film" which will run until July 31, 2022, at the Door ONE Concept Studio in Juna Subdivision, Davao City. Staging the exhibit felt so surreal for Vince. "I really had to pinch myself days prior so that I could know that I was not in a dream!" he laughs. He confides that his inspiration for the exhibit is the local art and photography community. "I wanted to showcase my photos and connect with other artists and be seen and heard by the world, just like the others". Aside from his supportive family, friends, fellow local artists, and professors, Vince was over the moon that the exhibit also pulled in other film photographers who were from Davao. Their presence truly warmed his heart because he was able to connect with them. Presently, there is a niche Facebook group composed of Davao-based film photography enthusiasts. Film is alive "My exhibit focuses on film photos to convey feelings to the viewer: that it is okay to take things the slow route; that it is okay to take breaks. The photos I displayed are a mixture of works from street photography to landscapes. I hope that the exhibit inspires everyone to shoot a roll of film, even if it is just a disposable camera because it is beautiful," Vince explains. He gives huge credit to Door ONE Concept Studio owners Goldie Siglos and Kent Fortinez for helping him mount his photos on their beautiful wall. "Without them, this exhibit would not exist. All love!" he expresses gratefully. Vince encourages the younger generation to experience the process of getting their photos developed since people take everything for granted these days due to the convenience of going digital. "I swear, your parents will appreciate it since they went through it as well. Film is not dead. It is alive, and its heart is beating well. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, not only in photography but in life!" Vince advises. E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit http://momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com/.

NBI given 10-days to probe bar shooting incident

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 09:56 AM PDT

THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Davao, who will be conducting a parallel investigation on the bar shooting incident, is given 10 days to investigate the case. NBI-Davao Spokesperson Ely Liano said in a press conference on Friday that they will be handling the case following the order of the Office of the City Prosecutor for all investigating units to conduct a thorough and full evaluation of the case. On Saturday dawn, July 2, Amier Mangacop, a Grade 9 student, was shot during a scuffle at a bar in Davao City. The suspect was identified as Marvin Rey Pepino, a doctor non-uniformed personnel of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao. Liano said they vowed to "dig deeper" on the case. "To the aggrieved families, we are sure that we will get to the two sides of the story. We will dig deeper that in such a manner that we will arrive or come up to a well-supported and well-founded conclusion," Liano said in a press conference on Friday, July 8. He also assured the camp of the suspect that they will be fair in the investigation. In a letter sent to NBI-Davao director Jonathan Balite on Tuesday, July 5, which was also forwarded to SunStar Davao, Lawyer Gibb Andrew Cabahug, the camp's legal counsel, said the family requested the agency to handle the case as the family feels that the police cannot handle the case "objectively and fairly." Cabahug also said the family is "hesitant to forward to the" Davao City Police Office (DCPO) the names of witnesses and pieces of evidence "for fear of suppression or whitewash." Liano said they are mandated to conduct an investigation of all forms of cases at their own initiative or as the public interest requires. He said the DCPO would still conduct its own investigation. Liano said they are set to conduct a reenactment of the incident on Monday, July 11 at the bar in corner V. Mapa and J. Camus Extension Streets where the incident happened. Aside from murder, he said Pepino might also face another case in violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act for illegal possession of firearms. NBI-Davao investigative agent Juhary Guro, meanwhile, said they won't be able to conduct an autopsy on the cadaver of Mangacop since it is not allowed by the Islam culture, and that the body was already laid to rest. Despite this, Guro said they still have other pieces of evidence that they will be examining in the investigation. With this, he requested all people present during the incident to cooperate with them in resolving the case. Guro also requested those who were able to take video in the shooting incident to also come forward and submit it to them. In a short response, he said there is a strong case for murder against the suspect. Right after the press conference, the family of Mangacop formally filed their complaint to the NBI. SunStar Davao reached out to DCPO for comment, but they have not responded as of writing. RGL

Victim’s family questions self-defense angle of police report

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 09:54 AM PDT

The family of Amier Mangacop, a Grade 9 student who was shot dead at a bar in Davao City on Saturday dawn, July 2, questioned the police report that states that the suspect fired his gun as an act of self-defense. Lawyer Gibb Andrew Cabahug, the family's legal counsel, said in a press conference on Friday, July 8 that the report from the Philippine National Police (PNP) contradicts what transpired during the incident. Cabahug said their report made Mangacop the suspect, and the shooter, Marvin Rey Pepino, a doctor non-uniformed personnel of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao, the victim. "Because the PNP, in adopting the defense of the accused na it was self-defense of the part of the accused, is making the accused the victim when the accused is the unlawful aggressor in this case --- in the true narrative," he said. The lawyer said the family is not capable of making any form of relation, contrary to the statement of the police, and some of those on social media. "It's apparent how Amierkhan is the victim. It's really unfair how, not only the PNP, [but also] how other people made judgment against their family, and how their family was demonized; and how the accused was made a victim, who was really forced to defend himself, is not true. Hindi si Amierkhan ang unlawful aggresor dito. 'Yung unlawful aggressor dito is ang suspect. (It's not Amierkhan who is the unlawful aggressor, but the suspect.)," Cabahug said. "They are not in danger to the life and security of the accused, because they are not in the position to make those kinds of actions," Cabahug also said. He said this had led the family to seek help from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Davao to take over in investigating the case due to their dissatisfaction "with the narrative being released to the media." The family is encouraging the people and those who were with the victim at the time of the shooting to come out and give their statements and coordinate with them. Family speaks up Anwar Mangacop, the victim's uncle and guardian, was emotional about the loss of his nephew, whom he took care of when the latter moved to Davao City. Anwar said he took care of his nephew, who had to be separated from his parents because they are unable to send their son to school. He said Mangacop helped him in his livelihood as a landscaper. He also shared how the victim wanted to be a seafarer to help his family. "Very promising pa ang kinabuhi sa akoang pag-umangkon, na [ang] nipusil ra kay doctor pa gyud. Maong siya unta og save og kinabuhi, dili kay mupatay. Mao na kinahanglan gyud siya og hustisya para kay Amierkhan (My nephew had a very promising. He died in the hands of a doctor, who was supposed to save lives not kill. We seek justice for Amierkhan)," Anwar said. He also belied early reports "demonizing" his nephew, alleging that they are drunkards or drug addicts. Anwar also questioned the police's statement saying that the suspect's actions were in self-defense. "Binaril ni Dr. Marvin Ray Pepino og seven times. Asa man ang self-defense ato? (He was shot seven times. How is that self-defense?)," he said. As the case is currently being investigated, he said the family is appealing for a fair trial. The parents, whose names were not provided to the media for their protection, were also emotional. Right after the press conference, the family went to the NBI to formally file their complaint. SunStar Davao reached out to Davao City Police Office (DCPO) for their statement, but they have not responded as of writing. RGL

Slight increase in power rates under Davao Light franchise

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 09:45 AM PDT

THERE has been a slight increase in the power rates of the Davao Light and Power Company, an AboitizPower subsidiary, following an increase in the generation charge, which has been affected by global factors. Rodger Velasco, Davao Light President and Chief Operating Officer, in an interview with SunStar Davao on July 8, 2022, said the Ukraine-Russian Conflict has increased the price of fuel, which also increased the price of oil and coal being imported by the Philippines to power its oil-fired power plants and coal-fired power plants. "We use oil, we use coal so nagataas gyud siya, nagtaas siya'g gamay (We source our power from oil-fired and coal-fired, therefore we had a slight increase in power rates)," Velaso said. As of June 2022, Davao Light sources 53 percent of its power supply from coal-fired power plants like the 300 MW baseload power plant Therma South Inc. in Toril, Davao City and the 300 MW San Miguel Coal-Fired Power Plant in Malita, Davao Occidental. Meanwhile, Davao Light only sources 0.7 percent of its power supply from oil-fired power plants – 100 MW power barge of Therma Marine, Inc. and 100 MW diesel power plant of West Mindanao Power Corp. Fermin Edillon, Reputation Enhance Department Head of Davao Light, said in 2021, the power rate was around P9 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). In May 2022, it increased to P10/kWh and by June it was at P11/kWh. However, Velasco said Davao Light remains to have one of the cheapest power rates in Mindanao. "If you try to research the prices of the neighboring utilities in Mindanao, we're still one of the cheapest, why? Because we contract hydro which is not subjected to world prices of fuel, we also contract with PSALM (Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp) which is a fixed rate also, so kung mosaka man gani ang mga fuel prices ang impact nato dili kaayo dako (so if there's an increase in fuel prices, its impact in prices is not very high)," Velasco said. Davao Light sources around 46 percent of its power from hydroelectric plants – the Agus-Pulangi Hydroelectric Complex and the Hedcor power plants. Meanwhile, for the past 11 years, Velasco said the distribution rate has been the same. "Tulo man gud ka component ang rate nato, we have generation, transmission and distribution. Ang distribution talaga hindi nag-increase (There are three components of our rates namely generation, transmission, and distribution which we have an increase)," Edillon said Edillon said they have been transparent with their clients when it comes to changes. "We are transparent pud sa among bill, makita ni nimo sya sa among website, per month makita nato diha ang kilowatt per hour rate (We are transparent when it comes to our bill charges, you can see it on our website, you can see the kilowatt per hour rate per month)," Edillon said. As of today, Davao Light serves clients in Davao City and some parts of Davao del Norte particularly in Panabo City, Municipality of Dujali, Municipality of Carmen and Municipality of Sto. Tomas. Davao Light reminded their clients to conserve energy through prudent use of energy-intensive equipment or appliances such as aircon and refrigerators. "As much as possible kung ma-adjust nila to 25 to 26 degrees ang ilahang [temperature] (if they adjust the temperature of at least 25-26 degrees) then they can conserve more energy and save on the cost," Velasco said. KSD

Mati City denies Pujada Bay becoming ‘virtual cesspool’

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 09:42 AM PDT

THE City Government of Mati denied reports that Pujada Bay has become a 'virtual cesspool'. On June 28, 2022, news site Rappler published a story entitled 'Davao Oriental's world-class bay turns into a virtual cesspool' that is allegedly based on a study by the Philippine Environmental Management Bureau (PEMB). The study says the fecal coliform contamination of Pujada Bay has now reached more than 2,000 parts per million which are beyond the tolerable level of 200 ppm (parts per million). However, Doris Valdesco of the Davao Oriental Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (Penro) said they are not aware of the existence of the PEMB. "What we have at the DENR is only the Environmental Management Bureau or the EMB," Valdesco said. Meanwhile, she said through the City Information Office of Mati on July 6, 2022 that fecal coliform contamination is normal, especially in coastal areas "where humans are also known to co-habit." Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Davao Regional Executive Director Bagani Fidel Evasco through CIO Mati explained that water sampling is "specific only to the area where the water sample was taken and does not necessarily reflect the situation in the entire Pujada Bay,". In a press release from the City of Mati, they said they already requested an official copy of the result of the latest water sampling conducted by the DENR-EMB for them to verify the report made by Rappler. "Regardless of the water sampling result, Valdesco and Lugo said that what is important is that the local government units along with the DENR are implementing mitigating measures to minimize if not prevent contamination in the bay," City of Mati on their Facebook Page post. "Environment officials rued how the story was spun to put the government in a bad light considering that Pujada Bay, along with Mayo and Balete Bays, was declared as one of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World by a European-based organization," the city added. According to the city, they have ongoing projects to protect Pujada Bay and have been recognized for its practices. "For its continuing projects aimed at protecting Pujada Bay, the City of Mati LGU was recently recognized by the DENR for its outstanding practices on solid waste management and its IEC strategies," the city said. The city said they have "measures like continuous mangrove rehabilitation in areas surrounding Pujada Bay; rehabilitation and retrofitting of the sanitary landfill; improvement of garbage collection service; continuing information, education, campaign (IEC) on proper waste disposal; recent creation of IEC Team of the City Integrated Ecological Solid Waste Management Board; bamboo riverbank stabilization program; water and sanitation hygiene (WASH) projects like clustered sewerage system with centralized water treatment facilities in Magsaysay, Poblacion, Madang Public Market, and Dahican: relocation of coastal residents in Magapo and Calagundian affected by government projects as well as the Magsaysay relocation and overall urban renewal project; as well as updating of Integrated Coastal Resource Management Plan". On the other hand, City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat, according to Mati CIO, has encouraged Matinians to "continue protecting the environment, especially so that the city is considered as one of the prime tourist destinations in the region." KSD

Believing in igniting change in the communities

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 09:38 AM PDT

THERE is a famous quote by Filipino nationalist Dr. Jose Rizal that goes "Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan" or in English, "The youth is the hope of our country" - it is a powerful and inspiring message that ignites change among the Filipino youth today. However, in the age of the internet and social media, it is easy for the youth to become too immersed with their gadgets and being online - resulting in unproductivity due to hours and hours worth of scrolling on Tiktok and Facebook. But youth leader RJ Pandili believes in Dr. Jose Rizal's immortalized quote. He knows that Generation Z is still capable of igniting positive change if given the right opportunities - thus he made it his mission. Through establishing Davao Oriental's homegrown non-government organization called Lumon Community, RJ was able to marry two things - help the marginalized communities through community development and inspire volunteerism among the youth. "If (the youth) do volunteerism, mas na-de-develop ang kanilang personal skills at the same time, mas na-appreciate nila ang pag tulong or mas nakakatulong sila sa communities natin (their personal skills will be developed and at the same time, they will appreciate helping our communities)... I think the youth should be very engaged in nation-building," Rj said. With enough perseverance, RJ raised the Lumon Community to at least 600 members, majority are youth volunteers from Davao Oriental that traversed mountains and rivers to reach the farthest communities and engage with the marginalized. The Lumon Community focuses on community development projects in line with their HALIK advocacy - Health, Agriculture, Livelihood, Indigenous Culture, and Knowledge. Through their outreach programs, the communities were provided with livelihood workshops, school supplies, medical missions, and education campaigns, among others. In turn, Rj's youth volunteers learned a valuable lesson - gratefulness and patriotism. The youth learns to always be grateful even for the little things and to help their country and fellow Filipinos whenever they can. Rj learned this through the testimonies of the volunteers wherein they were moved by the gratefulness of the people they helped, that even their mere presence in their community was enough to spark hope. "Didto makaingon sila (volunteers) na dili lang material things ang pwede nimo matabang, you could also help by bringing hope (It was then when the volunteers realized that material help is not the only thing y ou can give, you can also help by bringing hope)... Fulfilling gyod siya sa part sa volunteer og naga balik-balik gyod sila maski wala'y sweldo kay kabalo sila naa'y purpose ilang pag-adto (It's really fulfilling on the part of the volunteers. They come back to help even though there is no salary because they know their work has purpose)," he said. At the same time, the youth leader believes that volunteersim can be generously rewarded if you put your heart into it - just like how Rj is harvesting his opportunities today after years of hard work as a volunteer and youth leader. Recently, he was a delegate in the Philippine Youth Leadership Program in the United States where he was able to immerse in a four-week, all-expense paid leadership training with other fellow youth leaders. "As early as you are in high school or college, tumutulong ka na, (you're already helping) just continue what you are doing, continue your passion in life. Because eventually, there are some opportunities kapag maganda ang track record mo (if you have a good track record)," he said. Above all, Rj believes that the backbone of volunteerism and helping others should be for the greater glory of God - to spread His blessings and to do good in His name. If this is the center of their motivation to volunteer, there is no better reason to keep going. ICM

Cacao industry leader calls for better farming inputs

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 09:33 AM PDT

A CACAO industry leader said there is a need to improve the quality of farming inputs in order for growers to produce high-quality cacao and meet the market demand. During the Wednesday Media Forum on July 6, Cacao Council Chair for Davao Region Toto Muyco said there had been previous attempts in the mass planting of cacao in the region to increase production but it was unsuccessful due to the low quality of planting materials used. "Ang nangyayari doon, hindi tumutubo ng maayos (The cacao planted during that time did not grow properly). Learning from that lesson, we really have to make sure that the planting materials are of good quality," Muyco said. In order to do this, Muyco said seedling producers should guarantee the quality of the cacao seedlings that will be used in farming, as well as strengthen the monitoring and quality control from seedlings until production. Muyco said this is one of the reasons why the production of cacao in the Davao Region has been plateauing over the past years at approximately 12,000 metric tons - which is 80 percent of the Philippines' total output of 15,000 metric tons. "Up to now we are still looking at that level because for one, the exports have not gone up. The local consumption more or less is (just stable). That is why our 12,000 figure before is still the one we have now," he said. From a global perspective, five million metric tons are produced around the world but the Philippines contributes only around one percent of the cacao production. Muyco said once a proper system is established, the Davao Region could double its cacao production. "I'm very optimistic that in the next five years, we can really double what we have right now," he said. ICM
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