Eden Chronicles 3rd Issue

Eden Chronicles July - December 2008 / Issue No. 3

IN THIS ISSUE... NEWS Phase 3 Construction 1st MHHAI Free Clinic

FEATURES Eden History Mixed Feelings Global Warming Issues

ANNOUNCEMENTS Village Center Repainting Book Donation Establishment of the Eden Barangay Defense System

The Terraces of Mountain Haven Takes Shape

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Mountain Haven

featured story

The Terraces of Mountain Haven Takes Shape March 31, 2008. The Terraces of Mountain Haven got its License to Sell. Less than four months a�er, road concre�ng is 91% complete. Eighty one percent of all drainage works are in place. On top of this, the very difficult work of terracing all lots is now more than 80% complete!

This display of commitment to deliver was likewise met by strong sales from apprecia�ve buyers. More importantly for the homeowners associa�on, the seed fund is now at the P6.8 million level. Our development approach emphasizing terracing was likewise met with enthusiasm. A foreign master planner even made the effort to visit us just to see how we are doing it! What is Terracing All About? In technical terms, terracing is all about preparing and execu�ng a grading plan whereby each lot is shaped in a benched manner (think Banaue Rice Terraces) to maximize the view poten�al and op�mize buildability. We don’t know of any other development in the WHOLE Philippines where terracing was done on all lots for sale. It’s expensive but we felt it worthwhile to do since it’s the kind of detail that guarantees value preserva�on. By October, our aim is to complete all road, drainage and waterworks. Terracing should likewise be complete by then.

A LITANY OF FIRSTS AND MOSTESTS •

We don’t know of any other development in the whole country that applied terracing on ALL lots. The Terraces of Mountain Haven is definitely the first such type of development in Mindanao and very likely the first in the Philippines.

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There’s a national law that says anything over 3,000 feet above sea level in this area is part of the Mount Apo National Park. Our highest point is exactly 3,000 FASL. That is why no development can ever be higher than us!

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We all know that we are the first mountain village in Davao. It may also interest you to know that we are also officially labeled by the Davao City Council as an eco-tourism village, another first.

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As an eco-tourism village, we are by default, a wildlife and bird sanctuary. To our knowledge, Ayala Alabang is the only other bird (but not wildlife) sanctuary.

CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE STATUS Maintenance Works Village Center Repainting – complete by end of October Transfer of Tree House Inside Forest Park – Done Construction Works (Phase 3) Road Cementing – 91% Complete Water Lines – 100% Complete Drainage Works – 81% Complete Terracing – 80% Complete Street Signs - 100% Complete Next Programmed Works Perimeter Wall – Ongoing Phase 3 Gate / Guardhouse – November 2008

Eden Chronicles First MHHAI Free Clinic, Hassle-Free

news

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Benjie Lizada, MHHAI President The Mt. Haven Homeowners Association, Inc. through the Community Relations Committee headed by Dr. Agnes Guevarra conducted its first Free Clinic last April 20, 2008 at the Barangay Eden Gymnasium without a hitch. Barangay Captain Apoluna and his staff were present to facilitate the identification and registration of the free clinic patients, mainly from the Barangay Eden, Sitio Uguis and Bombaran. On the hand too to provide security and assistance was the Bombaran Army detachment team led by Lt. Murillo. Free Clinic point person, Dr. Agnes Guevarra, together with the fellow MHHAI director, Dr. Carlos Pacheco and Jaime de Gorostiza organized the activity and invited the doctors from different fields namely: Dermatology – Dr. Carlos Pacheco and Dr. Joy D. Lagmay, Dentistry – Dr. Juson, Dr. Mila P. Garcia, Dr. de Guzman, Dr. Reyes ,Dr. Malaga, Dr. Horfilla, Dr. Hao and Dr. Venus / Urology - Dr. Manuel Belisario / Surgery: Dr. Lito Encarnacion and San Pedro Hospital residents, Dr. Rommel Bakino and Dr. Abdul Kesal. It was indeed a successful activity as the doctors attended to close to 200 patients: 74 for Dermatology, 12 for Urology, 18 for Surgery and 95 for Dentistry. Adding humor to the otherwise bloody tuli procedures was Dentistry’s Dr. Jusons lecture on proper oral hygiene. Apart from the dental giveaways which included toothbrushes among others, was special prize – coming from Dr. Juson’s own pocket – to whoever could guess his age. Dr. Juson and his team of residents and doctor-assistants form the Davao Dentistry Association was a hit as residents of Barangay Eden not only a dose of dental care but of comic relief as well. At around 12 noon, the doctors and MHHAI contingent packed up. Together with the Barangay officials and Lt. Murillo’s team they all proceeded to Mt. Haven for a sumptuous lunch hosted by MHHAI Director and MHDI President Martin Pineda. Playing gracious hosts too were his wife, children and MHDI staff. The MHHAI Board wishes to thank the participating doctors and the members of the MHHAI board who were present: Mike Lagmay – MHHAI Vice President, Dr. Carlos Pacheco, Rosana Navaro , Joy Desquitado, Jaime de Gorostiza, Margie Huan and Martin Pineda. Special thanks to Dr. Agnes Guevarra, Free Clinic and Community Relations Head. As to Dr. Juson’s age, well he looks 40ish. Editor’s Note: The second free clinis was held on August 10, 2008

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eden trivia

Mountain Haven

The Untold (and) True History of Eden The name “Eden” supposedly came from either of two sources. The first alludes to the biblical name, as an apt descrip�on of its fer�le soil, scenic landscape and cool invigora�ng climate. It supposedly may also have go�en its name from “Edeng” the Bagobo wife of a certain Japanese named Mr. Yoshida. While wri�en sources support such progeny, curiosity got the be�er of us and we decided to interview the old �mers to really find out how Eden was named as such. And, this is how we found that recorded history is a bit off the mark. During the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, a lass named Edeng became the paramour of one of the early landowners of the area (Sorry, she is not a Bagobo and we’re not telling who the guy is). The man decided to put Edeng here and as cover, made it appear that the girl is the partner of one of his abaca planta�on employees – the Japanese named Mr. Yoshida. Hence, whenever people will go to this area, they simply say “adto mi ila Edeng”.

Declaration of Eden as a Barangay When the municipality of Davao and the municipality of Guianga were converted into the chartered city of Davao by virtue of Commonwealth Act #51 in 1937, all barangays had to have names. On this aspect, the original se�lers felt that instead of referring to the place as “ila Edeng”, it will be more appropriate to call it Eden – directly referring to the biblical Eden to describe the place that at the same �me comfortably fits with the original place reference. The first recorded barangay captain is Norberto Cagay (1958). The present Barangay Captain, Marcelino Apoluna has been serving almost con�nuously since 1988.

Land Use Eden has a total land area of 1,018 hectares divided into 7 puroks (Mountain Haven is part of Purok 3), 450 hectares Tomb of Japanese Soldier of which is forest land and is part of the Mount Apo Na�onal Park. By presiden�al proclama�on made during the 1970’s, all land with an eleva�on of more than 3,000 feet above sea level was declared as government land and part of the park. (When we say then that no subdivision can ever be higher than Mountain Haven, the claim has solid legal basis - our highest eleva�on is exactly 3,000 fasl!) Of the remaining 568 hectares, 130 hectares is reserved for eco-tourism while the rest is dedicated to agricultural use. It may interest you to know that Mountain Haven is officially referred to by the City Council of Davao City as an eco-tourism village (SP No. 0379-07 issued 22 Oct. 2007).

Eden Chronicles

eden trivia

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Growth and Development Growth in Eden was spurred by abaca. Around 1910, Filipino landowners started bringing in a good number of Japanese workers to develop the general area - at that �me, it was the Japanese who were the migrant workers (and “GROs” – we even found a matchbox with a semi-nude Japanese girl being adver�sed on its cover!). The place flourished and two sets of communi�es sprouted. The first is in Uguis, populated by Bagobos. The other is a Japanese community very near what is now the junc�on of Eden and Tagurano. To this date, groups of Japanese go to Eden every September to memorialize their kin. There is a Japanese tomb marker that s�ll exists near this junc�on. At the start of World War II, the Japanese here were dra�ed into their army. Considering that they have been around since 1910, the story that all these Japanese were “planted” here in prepara�on for war is unlikely – unless they have been preparing for war since 1910. With the defeat of the Japanese, many parcels of government-owned land in Davao were awarded to members of the Philippine military and the guerillas. These became what are known today as the NAFCO proper�es. Abaca cul�va�on con�nued under their tutelage. However, it turned out that they were not as good as the Japanese workers in maintaining sanitary condi�ons such that all sorts of plant diseases came out. By the 1950’s the abaca industry was totally wiped out. Eden along with many other areas was wasted. Development resumed in the 50’s to the 70’s when planters like Jesus Ayala, the Belda and Latayan families went in and started cul�va�ng banana - mainly the Bongulan, Morado and Senorita varie�es . A�er some success disease like siga�oca spread out again, perhaps because of the viruses le� by the abaca debacle. Many of these planta�ons were than converted to vegetable and fruit tree farms. JV Ayala however had other ideas. Perhaps because he fell so much in love with the place, he put up Eden Nature Park in 1992 (toward the end of the NPA-military wars in the area). The first house in Eden road is right where the gate of Eden Nature Park is now located. In essence, Eden won’t be what it is today if not for JVA. With the influx of workers spurred by the development of Eden Nature Park, more than half of the se�lers today trace their roots in Bohol and Cebu. The Bagobo na�ves now comprise a mere 15% of the popula�on. Of course the history of Eden won’t be complete without Mountain Haven (Ahem!). With our entry, the posi�on of Eden as THE mountain des�na�on of Davao city is firmly cemented. And that is the true and unexpurgated story of Eden!

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Mountain Haven

reader’s corner

Mixed Feelings (Authors name witheld by request)

I hate Davao city. I love Davao city. Ok, ok. I think I have some explaining to do. I am not your typical Davaoeno - the type whose parents came from somewhere else, migrated here and made this their permanent home. I am sort of the baligtad person. Born in Davao from migrant parents, raised in Cebu, worked in Manila then again in Cebu. For a short while after, I tried doing business here in Davao before moving permanently to the US. Many mistake me for a Cebuano. My Bisaya is perfect and totally unlike Davao’s Bislog (Bisaya-Tagalog) version. One time, I scandalized a Cebuano when I nonchalantly said that back in Davao (at least during my time) we only use Bisaya to talk to the maids! It was in the US when I got to know this Mindanao group who banded against the “snotty Davaoenos”. To them, the Davaoeno always want to come out on top of the conversation (Daig ‘yan ng Lolo ko…; Mas maganda d’yan yung nasa Davao…). Want proof? Just look at Hijos de Davao. You won’t find any Hijos de Cotabato or Hijos de Cagayan de Oro! As a half-breed, I get more than my fair share of jokes on this. Back in Davao, it’s my oldies who think I am snotty. I tend to pronounce “Davao” with accent on the last syllable instead of “Daaavao”. My old folks get all sorts of complaints whenever I man our store (Waay Hangyo!). So, I am branded as the snotty Cebuano/ Manileno. As the designated “half breed”, I often feel like Mr. Hyde and Mr. Hyde. I guess there’s a peculiar way of doing business here especially among the old folks. For a brief period, we managed the canteen of a golf course here. Every week without fail, the older golfers come in, complain about the dirty table, our high prices, bad service, etc. These same guys come in with their own sandwiches and ask for hot water since they also brought tea bags with them! Some things seem a bit different today. Imagine my surprise when I saw a Naturalizer store in Davao (my first reaction was – Are they out of their mind?). But then again, I saw a young mother walking around with what appears to be 100% genuine, certified Prada sandals. And then there’s also that phenomena of more than P50.00 per cup coffee – in a place where you can still get lunch for twenty or thirty bucks. Then again, there are also other things that probably won’t change. One time I met a fellow Mountain Haven homeowner while in Tagaytay. Not knowing that I am from Davao and a fellow homeowner, he proceeded on narrating how he has such a place in Davao that’s twice cooler, twice higher and a lot more times better than Tagaytay! Now that I am back for good, I am in what I call my payback phase. I shucked my BMW 5-series for a fashionable beat-up pick up truck. I had a kick berating a waiter for being sloppy, then asking for cold tap water – grandiously stating that Davao’s water is among the best in the world. And don’t ever dare me talk about your Lolo. I guarantee my Lolo is better than your Lolo!

Eden Chronicles

feature

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GLOBAL WARMING SHOULD CONCERN ALL OF US

For the first time in recorded history, scientists believe there is a 50% chance we will see ice-free land in the North Pole next year. While other scientists on the same story published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer last month gave a more conservative 25% probability estimate, the point is still the same – global warming is one issue we should actively be concerned about. According to another Inquirer article attributed to Greenpeace and published on April 2007, an increase in sea level, for instance, would accelerate flooding in the northwest delta plain of the Manila Bay, which is experiencing subsidence (or sinking of land) at an alarming rate of three centimeters a year due to groundwater extraction. A one-meter sea level rise will inundate a good part of Davao City and Samal Island. In fact, Greenpeace ranks Davao del Norte (including Samal) as the 9th most vulnerable province to sea level rise. Of the 1,610 municipalities in the Philippines, the same article states that 703 or 44% will be adversely affected by a one-meter sea level rise. It’s high time then that we give something back to the environment. It is said that Filipinos are tribal in nature. Our concern supposedly revolves only within what will benefit our kin. But calamity and chaos do not recognize tribes and does not differentiate between rich and poor. Whether it’s within your civic organization or our homeowner’s association, let’s do our share and work on projects that can help reduce the swarming tides that global warming will bring!

Low-lying Areas of Davao City and Samal Island Main Roads

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announcements HOA Dues Per Article IV, Section 1 of the ByLaws of Mountain Haven Homeowners Association, Inc. (MHHAI); “Upon admission of any person as member of MHHAI, he/ she shall pay a membership fee of Pesos: Fifty per square meter (PHP 50.00/sqm) to be paid in full.”

Mountain Haven A. Village Center Repainting We are currently repainting our Village Center. The ground floor is now ready for use while repainting of the lower level may take up to the end of September. Homeowners who will be holding functions during this period may opt to use our marketing tents at the Terraces (Phase 3). B. Book Donation

This membership initiation fee will become part of the seed fund of MHHAI which is now worth more than Php 6 million pesos and is presently deposited at SBTC Davao-Rizal Branch. The interest from this fund will partly subsidize maintenance costs.

Let’s help the Eden Community School stock up their library. Encyclopedia, pocket books and reference materials for elementary and high school level students are most welcome. Do call us at 2242757 / 222-8855 for pick-up arrangements.

MHDI nor MHHAI does not in any way claim that this fund will be able to fully subsidize the maintenance of the subdivision. Dues and/or other fund-raising activities may be introduced in the future.

The whole Toril district recently decided to establish security units in each of the barangays. Basically, this works just like the “Batangay Tanod” system – male residents of each barangay are tasked to man designated road checkpoints. The plate number of all vehicles passing through these checkpoints will be logged. Since everybody knows everybody in Eden, visitors on foot may also be required to log in their entry.

Homeowner’s Get-Together / Mini-Concert The MHHAI Board is gearing up for a get-together / concert to be held right after our December General Assembly. Tentatively set on 13 December, this culminating activity for the 2008 board is also a fund-raiser with the revenue intended to augment our funds as well as stock up the clinic of Barangay Eden. Our association officers will be contacting each one of you for sponsorship and tickets. This is our project and your active participation will ensure that this will be a success.

C. Establishment of a Barangay Defense System

Two checkpoints will be established in Eden. The first is in front of the basketball court at Uguis Village, the other is in a still to be finalized location along Eden Road. So please don’t be alarmed or upset if you will be requested to make a brief stop on these checkpoints. It’s for everyone’s benefit.

For questions, comments and, suggestions contact us through:

MOUNTAIN HAVEN DEVELOPMENT, INC. 2nd Floor Lam Building., F. Torres St. Davao City Tel.: (082) 222 8855 / Fax: (082) 224 2757 www.mountainhaven.info