Mindanao Island - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 10

dinabaw

March 5th, 2008, 04:25 AM

Footprints By Tony Vn. Figueroa
The South also rises

Is there really such a thing as Mindanao bloc or Mindanao effect?

Then maligned as an overrated, fractious bloc, Mindanao has finally come of age, showing its influence in steering the Arroyo administration off the troubled track just as its adversaries were threatening to nail it down on the corner.

Timing was admittedly beautiful in that even the opposition forces in the imperial capital had to acknowledge, albeit belatedly, that the Mindanao bloc—an alliance of congressmen and governors—had finally flexed its muscle.

But the rise of a united Mindanao was not just a political show.

Even among the Catholic bishops in southern Philippines, the call to bring down the incumbent leadership through popular uprising was shot down. The clerics thought the best option to keep the ship of state on course amid the scandals that keep rocking it is to resolve them via legal means.

Central to both groups’ espousal for the beleaguered Arroyo leadership to finish its term is the search for truth without embracing options that feed the emotion and employing tactics that undermine the economic gains so far achieved.

The refusal of the Mindanao bishops to call for the resignation of PGMA was a turning point in the stance of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Had the southern bloc pursued the more aggressive position embraced by Luzon clerics, the CBCP would have adopted a forceful indictment against the government.

For so long, the clamor to have a truly identifiable Mindanao voice had always been viewed as utopian. With Christians and Muslims at odds over socio-religious issues, the hope of seeing a united South was deemed inconceivable as long as the contending parties had no intent of giving way to reasonable and acceptable options.

But the pundits did not foresee that Mindanao, despite its diversity, has long been aggrieved by the secondary treatment it has been getting from leaders, local and national, identified with imperial Manila. With Manila leaders intensely focused on transforming the country into a banana republic, the Mindanao voice came out strong collectively on two separate fronts.

The Mindanao effect, in fact, should be viewed as a reawakening of an island whose manpower potentials and natural resources are crucial to the country’s economic gains. In spite of the political melodramas being played out in Manila, the resolve of the South to be heard in ways that may not appeal to other sectors outside it, is something that is evolving into a dominant force.

Mindanao can live with the fact that 10 or 20 thousand people trooped to Makati to attend the interfaith rally held last Feb. 29. There was nothing wrong about it.

But must few thousands of hardy souls enough to subvert the will of 18 million Filipinos in Mindanao whose clamor for recognition has always been undermined by Manila leaders who claim to represent the majority of the population?

Like the Visayas, Mindanao has always believed that soundness in decision does not come with anger, nor is the search for truth should be equated with high-handed options. If there is corruption in government, there are laws we can turn to for justice—unless we have ceased to respect our courts and the magistrates that comprise them.

Any loud and agitating act that calls for violence does not have space in our world today. Even the so-called People Power has already lost much of what it stands for because those who have consistently invoked its worth have wasted moral ascendancy.

Mindanao’s vibrancy as the next business address has not escaped Metro Manila and the economic zones surround it. The continuing clamor for destabilization in Manila augurs well for the South, and the movement of technology-based businesses is an indication that somewhere along the way the need to transfer the seat of government to either Clark in Pampanga or Davao City should be a serious agenda.

http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/column.php?id=3425

icarusrising

March 5th, 2008, 04:45 AM

MidEast food supplier
seeks new farms in South

By Manuel T. Cayon
Reporter

The Business Mirror

DAVAO CITY—The world’s fourth- largest food distributor has began its search for new farms in Mindanao to ensure its steady supply of banana to the Middle East market, including new areas for pineapple and papaya.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was the preferred site, to allow the Abbar & Zainy group of companies, to perform also its avowed corporate mission to bring jobs and economic improvement to Muslim communities, said Ameerah Rosemarie Sira, general manager of the Abbar & Zainy Tropical Export (Aztropex), the Philippine operation of the Middle East-based group of companies.

“We are hopeful we can have our farms there,” she told the BusinessMirror on Monday.

The search also led the company to South Cotabato and North Cotabato, and she said that soil and product experts have been checking the areas and conducting soil tests.

“We have started looking today, yesterday, last month and hoping we can have them soon,” she said.

The company would need 3,000 hectares this year to allow them to start planting. “This area would already supply us with nine million to 12 million boxes of Cavendish banana annually,” she said.

Aztropex has an annual target to supply the Middle East market with 12 million boxes. This already included the two million boxes from Ecuador, whose many farms have closed or the buyers have avoided due to the high cost of banana.

Since December last year when it began operation here, Aztropex already shipped 1.6 million boxes of banana. Shipment is on a weekly basis. Each box of banana weighs 13.5 kilograms.

“All bananas are organic, both lowland, midland and highland,” she said.

She said the banana industry “is a forever industry, because the Middle East market alone is unlike the other areas like the Far East, which has a lean and peak season.”

“The Middle East market is a consistent market, all year-round. And for as long as there are people in the communities who continue to eat banana, the industry here will be there forever,” she said.

Aside from banana, Aztropex would also devote some of the 3,000 hectares to plant pineapple and papaya, also major tropical fruits for the Middle East. The Aztropex would plant the native reddish-colored papaya than the smaller and round-shaped solo variety.

The Aztropex is one of two partners which formed the banana-buying and marketing company, Unifrutti. Its other partner is an Italian group. She said Aztropex has sought legal approval to start operations as an independent company and go on full-blast operation.

Sira said Aztropex would enter both into joint ventures with small farm owners or buy its own.

She estimated to hire at least 3,000 workers, at a projected ratio of one worker for every hectare of productive farm land. “We want to help Mindanao and improve the lives of its residents, especially the Muslims.”

By sheer size of the group of companies operating here, Sira said she was confident that its operation “would definitely bring that desired impact in the local economy.”

Aside from banana and other fruits, Abbar & Zainy is into poultry and livestock, with two huge poultry and dairy farm complexes in Saudi Arabia. Its food manufacturing and processing plants supply retail outlets, hospitals, hotels and catering to establishments across Saudi Arabia.

In its Wadi Fatimah Farm complex in Makkah, east of Jeddah, its poultry farm alone produces 36,000 eggs per hour and during the yearly Muslim pilgrimage to the country, was regularly producing 500,000 hard-boiled eggs for pilgrims.

“Each of the plants is built and run to the highest standards of hygiene and safety and has a laboratory on site to ensure these standards are maintained,” a company profile said.

Abbar & Zainy’s food operations alone encompass three broad areas—agriculture, manufacturing and processing, and trading. It runs two companies in its agriculture operations, two companies in manufacturing and processing, and seven companies, including the Star Market chain of superstores in Saudi Arabia, in its trading operation.

The Abbar & Zainy is also into confectionary, yeast production and cold-chain operation, owning fleets of refrigerated reefer vans and ships, port management and terminal services, electrical and air-conditioning, travel, ecology and the environment preservation and protection.

A partner in the group of companies is also into petrochemical operation.

Source: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/03052008/economy02.html

Peng Hok

March 5th, 2008, 04:54 AM

;18822569']pwede man, kay if you trace back the war, nigrabe ra man to tung naa nay nag labot labot ug nag troll na outsider.

Mukha din ba syang troll?

Sinjin P.

March 8th, 2008, 01:27 PM

Previous thread: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=513087

General issues surrounding Mindanao can be discussed here. Post away folks. :)

KulasKusgan

March 8th, 2008, 01:43 PM

Mindanao Still Poorest Island in Nearly A Decade

Anti-poverty official says progress in the South impossible with the conflict and lack of infrastructure.

By JESUS F. LLANTO
abs-cbnNEWS.com/
Newsbreak

Mindanao has remained the poorest of the three island groups in the Philippines in nearly a decade, and the government's anti-poverty agency is blaming it on the war and the lack of basic infrastructure in parts of the South.

Officials statistics gathered in 2006 and released this week by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) showed that Mindanao had the highest poverty and subsistence incidence among the major island groups in the country.

Poverty incidence in Mindanao reached 38.8 percent, an increase of 1.1 percent from 2003 figures. Incidence of poverty in Luzon and the Visayas was at 20 percent and 33 percent, respectively.

The combined poverty incidence rates in all three islands translate to around 4.67 million families that earned less than what they needed for basic food and non-food needs. According to the NSCB, a family of five needed P6,274 monthly to stay out of poverty in 2006.

Hungriest, Too

Mindanao’s poverty incidence rate was 11.9 percentage points higher than the national average of 26.9 percent. The island group also registered the highest poverty incidence in 2000.

Subsistence incidence--the proportion of families and individuals not earning enough to meet basic food needs--was also highest in Mindanao at 19.2 percent. The figure for Luzon and Visayas were 6.4 percent and 14.9 percent, respectively.

Both poverty incidence and subsistence incidence increased from 2003 to 2006 across all major island groups, but Mindanao recorded the highest rates. Experts said the higher poverty incidence was brought on by the rise in food and oil prices, the imposition of additional taxes, and the typhoons that visited the country toward the end of 2006.

Mindanao is home to 18.1 million people, according to the 2000 census. It is composed of five regions, 27 provinces, and 33 cities.

ARMM and Caraga

Official government statistics also showed that regions from Mindanao were also among the country’s poorest. All the five regions from Mindanao—Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are among the country’s 10 poorest in 2003 and 2006. (Link to the Table of Poverty Incidence by Region for 2000, 2003, and 2006)

In 2006, the two poorest regions were from Mindanao—ARMM and Caraga. Poverty incidence in ARMM and Caraga were at 55.3 percent and 45.5 percent, respectively. The figure in ARMM means that more than half of its families are classified as poor.

National Anti-Poverty Commission assistant secretary Dolores De Quiros-Castillo said that the volatile peace and order situation in Muslim Mindanao and the lack of infrastructure in Caraga are the major causes of high poverty incidence in the regions.

Displaced Families

“The conflict [in ARMM] has displaced many families and poverty alleviation is difficult if you have a lot of displaced families,” Castillo said.

ARMM is composed of Cotabato City and five provinces--Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan (excluding Isabela City which is part of Zamboanga Peninsula), and the newly created Shariff Kabunsuan. Most of these provinces are the site of armed conflicts between government forces and separatist groups.

Castillo said that poverty in Caraga is high because of lack of good road network. “It is an agricultural region yet its farm-to-market roads are not in good condition.”

Caraga is composed of five provinces: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and the newly created province of Dinagat Island.

8 of 10 Families Hard-up

Mindanao provinces continue to dominate the list of the poorest 10 since 2000.

In 2006, six of the 10 provinces with highest poverty incidence were from Mindanao: Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Maguindanao, Surigao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Misamis Occidental.

Tawi-Tawi was the poorest province in 2006, with poverty incidence at 78.9 percent--almost eight in every 10 families were considered as poor.

In 2000, six Mindanao provinces were also among the 10 poorest. (Click here to see List of 10 Provinces with High Poverty Incidence)

Mindanao provinces included in the 10 poorest provinces in 2003 were Zamboanga del Norte (1st, 64.6 percent), Maguindanao (2nd, 60.4), Surigao del Norte (4th, 54.5), Agusan del Sur (5th, 52.8), Surigao del Sur (6th, 48.6), Misamis Occidental (7th, 48.1), and Lanao del Norte (10th, 46.5).

In 2000, the six Mindanao provinces included in the list were: Maguindanao (2nd, 59.3), Sulu (3rd, 58.9), Lanao del Sur ( 5th, 54.7), Camiguin (6th, 54.2), Tawi-Tawi (8th, 52.4) and Agusan del Sur (9th, 52.3)

Low Quality of Life

Mindanao provinces also dominated the 2003 list of 10 provinces with the lowest human development index (HDI). The HDI measures life expectancy, education, literacy, per capita income, and standard of living.

In the 2003 HDI Report of the United Nations Development Programme, seven Mindanao provinces got the lowest HDI. These were Sulu (1st), Maguindanao (2nd), Tawi-tawi (3rd), Basilan (4th), Zamboanga del Norte (6th), Saranggani (7th) and Lanao del Sur (10th).

*****
This article is part of Newsbreak's Mindanao Online Reporting project funded by the Australian Embassy.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=111459

reancorbz84

March 8th, 2008, 01:48 PM

zvxZHF6SI7g

neyoneyo80

March 8th, 2008, 01:55 PM

this is SAD!!!!! :ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno:

Mindanao Still Poorest Island in Nearly A Decade

Anti-poverty official says progress in the South impossible with the conflict and lack of infrastructure.

By JESUS F. LLANTO
abs-cbnNEWS.com/
Newsbreak

Mindanao has remained the poorest of the three island groups in the Philippines in nearly a decade, and the government's anti-poverty agency is blaming it on the war and the lack of basic infrastructure in parts of the South.

Officials statistics gathered in 2006 and released this week by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) showed that Mindanao had the highest poverty and subsistence incidence among the major island groups in the country.

Poverty incidence in Mindanao reached 38.8 percent, an increase of 1.1 percent from 2003 figures. Incidence of poverty in Luzon and the Visayas was at 20 percent and 33 percent, respectively.

The combined poverty incidence rates in all three islands translate to around 4.67 million families that earned less than what they needed for basic food and non-food needs. According to the NSCB, a family of five needed P6,274 monthly to stay out of poverty in 2006.

Hungriest, Too

Mindanao’s poverty incidence rate was 11.9 percentage points higher than the national average of 26.9 percent. The island group also registered the highest poverty incidence in 2000.

Subsistence incidence--the proportion of families and individuals not earning enough to meet basic food needs--was also highest in Mindanao at 19.2 percent. The figure for Luzon and Visayas were 6.4 percent and 14.9 percent, respectively.

Both poverty incidence and subsistence incidence increased from 2003 to 2006 across all major island groups, but Mindanao recorded the highest rates. Experts said the higher poverty incidence was brought on by the rise in food and oil prices, the imposition of additional taxes, and the typhoons that visited the country toward the end of 2006.

Mindanao is home to 18.1 million people, according to the 2000 census. It is composed of five regions, 27 provinces, and 33 cities.

ARMM and Caraga

Official government statistics also showed that regions from Mindanao were also among the country’s poorest. All the five regions from Mindanao—Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are among the country’s 10 poorest in 2003 and 2006. (Link to the Table of Poverty Incidence by Region for 2000, 2003, and 2006)

In 2006, the two poorest regions were from Mindanao—ARMM and Caraga. Poverty incidence in ARMM and Caraga were at 55.3 percent and 45.5 percent, respectively. The figure in ARMM means that more than half of its families are classified as poor.

National Anti-Poverty Commission assistant secretary Dolores De Quiros-Castillo said that the volatile peace and order situation in Muslim Mindanao and the lack of infrastructure in Caraga are the major causes of high poverty incidence in the regions.

Displaced Families

“The conflict [in ARMM] has displaced many families and poverty alleviation is difficult if you have a lot of displaced families,” Castillo said.

ARMM is composed of Cotabato City and five provinces--Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan (excluding Isabela City which is part of Zamboanga Peninsula), and the newly created Shariff Kabunsuan. Most of these provinces are the site of armed conflicts between government forces and separatist groups.

Castillo said that poverty in Caraga is high because of lack of good road network. “It is an agricultural region yet its farm-to-market roads are not in good condition.”

Caraga is composed of five provinces: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and the newly created province of Dinagat Island.

8 of 10 Families Hard-up

Mindanao provinces continue to dominate the list of the poorest 10 since 2000.

In 2006, six of the 10 provinces with highest poverty incidence were from Mindanao: Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Maguindanao, Surigao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Misamis Occidental.

Tawi-Tawi was the poorest province in 2006, with poverty incidence at 78.9 percent--almost eight in every 10 families were considered as poor.

In 2000, six Mindanao provinces were also among the 10 poorest. (Click here to see List of 10 Provinces with High Poverty Incidence)

Mindanao provinces included in the 10 poorest provinces in 2003 were Zamboanga del Norte (1st, 64.6 percent), Maguindanao (2nd, 60.4), Surigao del Norte (4th, 54.5), Agusan del Sur (5th, 52.8), Surigao del Sur (6th, 48.6), Misamis Occidental (7th, 48.1), and Lanao del Norte (10th, 46.5).

In 2000, the six Mindanao provinces included in the list were: Maguindanao (2nd, 59.3), Sulu (3rd, 58.9), Lanao del Sur ( 5th, 54.7), Camiguin (6th, 54.2), Tawi-Tawi (8th, 52.4) and Agusan del Sur (9th, 52.3)

Low Quality of Life

Mindanao provinces also dominated the 2003 list of 10 provinces with the lowest human development index (HDI). The HDI measures life expectancy, education, literacy, per capita income, and standard of living.

In the 2003 HDI Report of the United Nations Development Programme, seven Mindanao provinces got the lowest HDI. These were Sulu (1st), Maguindanao (2nd), Tawi-tawi (3rd), Basilan (4th), Zamboanga del Norte (6th), Saranggani (7th) and Lanao del Sur (10th).

*****
This article is part of Newsbreak's Mindanao Online Reporting project funded by the Australian Embassy.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=111459

Il Tenore

March 8th, 2008, 04:14 PM

WawaY[625]

March 8th, 2008, 07:51 PM

what the report neglected to show is the poverty incidence per region...masyado nilang pinapalabas na sobrang mahirap ang mindanao when in fact ang davao region is nasa #10 at 30.6 tapos ang central visayas at #9 is at 30.3

here is the list :)

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/9841/31125203hz3.jpg

in fact if you look at the list, patas patas lang naman ang poverty incidence sa western visayas, sokscargen, davao region and central visayas..masyado lang talagang hinihighlight na mataas ang poverty incidence sa mindanao :bash:

neyoneyo80

March 8th, 2008, 09:18 PM

^^ thanks po for the clarification sir waway.... :cheers: it seems like davao is pulling away from the rest of the min regions .... in terms of poverty incidence.... :) accdg. to my uncle rajah, we should admire people daw po who do not purely believe in sensationalized reporting and those people daw po who could interpret numbers .... another :cheers: po...

WawaY[625]

March 8th, 2008, 09:29 PM

kasi naman ang media masyadong hini-hype ang poverty sa mindanao..masyadong gine generalize when in fact we have sokscargen and davao region na at par with central visayas and western visayas :cheers:

WawaY[625]

March 8th, 2008, 09:34 PM

eto pala ang stats ng 2000 and 2003, sad to say dati nasa #13 tayo pero lumala thru the years (siguro ng dahil sa increase ng population due na rin siguro sa migration)

pero at least di ganun ka dramatic ang increase (2003-2006) siguro ma attribute na rin to sa ibang provinces natin na kailangan talaga ng attention (DavOr and ComVal) malamang mataas doon ang incidence since IMO parang davao and tagum lang ang masasabi nating "humahatak" sa davao region :ohno:

kudos to our neighbor soksargen for the reduced poverty incidence :cheers:

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3195/95463209fb4.jpg

neyoneyo80

March 8th, 2008, 10:26 PM

;18914390']kasi naman ang media masyadong hini-hype ang poverty sa mindanao..masyadong gine generalize when in fact we have sokscargen and davao region na at par with central visayas and western visayas :cheers:

mindanao's saving grace!!! :cheers:

neyoneyo80

March 8th, 2008, 10:29 PM

that's the no. 1 cause!!!!! regarding population explosion, alam na natin kung bakit :lol: ( i'll be distributing condoms in my next davao trip :lol: :cheers: )

;18914479']eto pala ang stats ng 2000 and 2003, sad to say dati nasa #13 tayo pero lumala thru the years (siguro ng dahil sa increase ng population due na rin siguro sa migration)

pero at least di ganun ka dramatic ang increase (2003-2006) siguro ma attribute na rin to sa ibang provinces natin na kailangan talaga ng attention (DavOr and ComVal) malamang mataas doon ang incidence since IMO parang davao and tagum lang ang masasabi nating "humahatak" sa davao region :ohno:

kudos to our neighbor soksargen for the reduced poverty incidence :cheers:

davaoeagle

March 8th, 2008, 11:07 PM

mindanao's saving grace!!! :cheers:

Agree to the maximum degree! :)

Il Tenore

March 9th, 2008, 01:43 AM

media is really the problem... they're showing that mindanao is starving while other group of islands are also experiencing the same situation...

WawaY[625]

March 9th, 2008, 04:21 AM

Financial report of provinces and cities 2006

http://www.coa.gov.ph/Reports/RFP/2006FP-ProvCities.pdf

based on annual income eto ang income and expenses (in thousands) ng 1st class cities sa mindanao + nationwide ranking

format as : city : income[nationwide ranking] ----expenses [nation wide ranking]

davao P2,930,420 [5] ----- P2,681,301 [4]
zamboanga P1,529,971 [10] ----- P1,006,686 [15]
general santos P881,233[24] -------- P708,781[24]
cagayan de oro P1,219,384 [16] ------P959,809 [16]
iligan P1,142,396 [19] ------P1,073,260 [12]
malaybalay P566,303 [33] --------P466,755[37]
Tagum P483,659 [43] -------P358,641[46]
Butuan P755,265 [29] --------P605,786[27]

nationwide top 3 income and expenses

income

1 Manila P8,298,759
2 Quezon City P7,861,810
3 Makati P7,691,140

expenses

1 Manila P6,633,250
2 Quezon City P4,927,922
3 Makati P4,352,515

**** cebu and tacloban did not submit their report as of cut-off

junax

March 9th, 2008, 08:26 AM

promote your city's music television channels here. the title suggests 24 hour programs but ok lang kung hindi 24 hour basta at least parang MTV or MYX ang format. kung wala talagang channel available, at least youtube (original composition) submissions na lang ng mga artists in your area. let's make this thread a directory of mindanao music artists, signed or unsigned.

posts by daug:

SOUTH SPOT channel
Davao artists to rock new cable channel launching
• Saturday launch kicks off 2nd MDS Music Awards

HOME-GROWN artists are set to perform during the launching of a new 24-hour cable TV channel Saturday night.
In the list of performers are 9volts lemonade, Go Larry Go, Mollucas, Maan Chua, Tifaklong, reyes, escapewheel, 1017, Foursidedcircle, Spasm, Keyk and Eleven.
The launching of South Spot at the Wheels n More Compound will also kick-off the 2nd Muzika del Sur Music Awards.
South Spot, on Channel 13 over Skycable Davao City, will feature programs spotlighting Mindanao and its different facets.
Among its current shows for airing include the latest season of Mindanao’s first and only music magazine Muzika del Sur, its spin-off Music Box which is a taped performance of Mindanao musical artists performing their own materials, Guerilla Cinema, a showcase of different short films of the Guerilla Film Festival, and Kabataan X-Press, a groundbreaking magazine show produced by Pinoy teens from different parts of the country.
The channel was created in response to a growing need for alternative TV programming that will cater to the tastes and interests of Mindanao viewers. With largely Mindanao-based content, South Spot seeks to draw attention to the beauties and bounties of the region, its local affairs, people, products and talents.

MUZIKA DEL SUR channel
Durian Jam goes Mindanao

Durian Jam, the cable television show produce by Wardy Puyod and Rudolph Alama is now a segment of Muzika del Sur, the first cable TV-based music magazine show aired all over Mindanao. The show, which was an idea from Lizard Chip's bandmates Paolo Claudio and Wardy Puyod was made into a reality with the production and airing of three episodes here in Davao City last April.

The incorporation of Durian Jam into Muzika del Sur will give it more exposure thoughout the island. the show is being aired over Skycable channels in Davao City (channel 28), General Santos (Channel 17), Zamboanga (15) and Tagum (15). the show is also aired in Digos City Cable (11) and Home Channel Network (35) in DC and Parasat Cagayan de Oro (25).

Durian Jam as a segment deals with the original music scene in Davao City. showcasing its music and its homegrown artists plus some events and happenings around the southern metropolis.

Durian Jam's Muzika segment features Dabawenyo filmmaker and video artist Gary Bautista the man behind the music video "Paalam," Lizard Chip's latest and most expensive video to date. Meet the man behind the camera and the music video of one of Davao's leading alternative indie rock band; The Lizard Chips.

Muzika del Sur is airs every Thursdays at 10 pm with replays on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 pm.

Muzika Del Sur

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/muzika.jpg

The only local based music channel in Southern Philippines. Muzika del Sur had successfully launched its Muzika Del Sur awards last Kadayawan Festival 2007. It featured Dabawenyo and Mindanawon artists.

Muzika del Sur, a Davao-based half-hour cable television show that features the best of Mindanao’s music artistry, which will mark its maiden telecast on various cable channels in different Mindanao cities on June 15 2007.

“It will showcase the vibrant Mindanao music scene like concerts, performances, features on Mindanao-born artists who made it big in the national scene, music videos of homegrown artists.” Said Dax Cañedo, executive producer of the show.

Cañedo said that it is high time that Mindanao particularly its music talent must be exposed to the public. Led by creative director Niño Flores of the Alchemy of Vision and Lights film and television productions, the show aims to be a groundbreaking aural and visual event in regional television with concepts aimed at highlighting the fiesta-like musical and artistic atmosphere in Mindanao.

“Sabi nila maingay ang Mindanao dahil sa mga cannon at mga baril na nagpuputukan, hindi totoo yan, maingay ang Mindanao dahil sa mga tugtog ng reggae, ska, rock, ethnic, hip-hop, acoustic, pop at iba pang musika na umaalingawngaw sa ating mga tenga, Nino Flores the show’s creative force said.

Proof of the pudding is the show’s first episode which features the Mix music fest held at the Wheels and More drive compound. The music fest organized by 105.9 Mix FM was graced by a total of 21 bands with performances that ranged from hardcore-rock to a Michael Buble-inspired pop-standard act.

Davaoena beauty Vanessa Yap and southern rocker Carlos Castaños hosts the show. Davao’s music show Durian jam will also be featured as a segment.

“This is a great show for Mindanao musicians, to be able to reach out to a wider audience. ”Said Wardy Puyod, bass guitarist of the Davaoeño rock band Lizard chips and co-producer of Durian Jam.

A Gensan band can be seen and heard in Cagayan de Oro and vice-versa, Davao bands who are so talented can now also be seen and heard across Mindanao added Puyod.

Mindanao’s particularly Davao has been feeling a musical renaissance of some sorts as local homegrown bands like Isla Era, Back by Midnite, Thavawenyoz and Sidecrash are attempting to invade the national music scene. A territory that have already been conquered by the likes of Joey Ayala, Free Style, South Border and Wardy Puyod’s high school classmate Juris Fernandez of the chart-topping MYMP.

“The musical dynamism here in Mindanao is the reason why we have produced this show.” said Cañedo.

The show is being shown every Thursady 10 pm, Saturdays and Tuesdays every 10:30 p.m. The show will be aired on Skycable Davao channel 28,Tagum channel 15, Zamboanga channel 15, General Santos channel 17, Home Channel Network 35, Digos Cable channel 11 and Parasat Cagayan de Oro channel 24.

junax

March 9th, 2008, 08:29 AM

Pietro's Davao Rock Volume I (Davao City)
yHIWHSdcZ0U

junax

March 9th, 2008, 08:31 AM

Lizard Chips - Paalam (Davao City)
IfHuqy84V5Y

junax

March 9th, 2008, 08:33 AM

Angel Locsin Interview - Durian Jam (Davao City)
jfVCYJWcEbA

junax

March 9th, 2008, 08:37 AM

Juris of MYMP Interview 1 - Durian Jam (Davao City)
04Fv_uTCMlk&feature=related

Juris of MYMP Interview 2 - Durian Jam
jtTGkybOS2I&feature=related

junax

March 9th, 2008, 08:43 AM

Back by Midnite (Live Performance at MTV Siesta) - Kaibigan (Davao City)
YP-Np8op0x8&feature=related

junax

March 9th, 2008, 08:46 AM

1017 - Charing (Davao City)
QMw_o_uhefA&feature=related

1017 - Charing (Live at ASAP)
-C8GHQIh0po&feature=related

dinabaw

March 9th, 2008, 08:52 AM

Davao, Philippines

Donors, gov’t execs focus on ODA in Mindanao »

By glenrose on Mar 9, 2008 in News

Davao City– Foreign donor agencies in Mindanao and high-level government officials has converged yesterday for the 6th Mindanao Working Group (MWG) meeting and focused its discussion particularly in promoting the harmonization of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in Mindanao and its continuing support to the peace process.

With its theme, “Addressing Conflict in Mindanao is Critical to Accelerating Inclusive Growth and Deepening Fiscal Stability,” this year’s MWG meeting would guide government and donor participants in discussing development imperatives for Mindanao that will make up the MWGs priority policy agenda to be pursued in the upcoming 2008 Philippines Development Forum (PDF) on March 26-27, 2008 in Pampanga.

“Through the MWG, we hope to push for the Mindanao agenda once more in the Philippines Development Forum, this time, by coming up with a policy paper that will be given to the different subgroups and plenary discussions in the Forum focusing on this year’s MWG theme of addressing conflict and accelerating economic development,” saidUndersecretary Virgilio L. Leyretana, Sr., Mindanao Economic Development Council Chairman.

The Mindanao Working Group emerged as an important subgroup under the PDF in 2006 after a growing clamor to put special emphasis on Mindanao concerns in PDF discussions.

Since 2006, the PDF has become an effective venue in articulating policy agenda for Mindanao. Development partners in the forum such as the United Nations, the European Union, and the governments of Japan, New Zealand and United States have emphasized in their policy statements the need to pursue and strengthen economic development and peace-building efforts in Mindanao.

The Mindanao Working Group (MWG) was hatched after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s visit to Washington in 2001 and her request for World Bank to continue supporting the peace and development efforts in Mindanao.

MWG, composed of representatives from the Government of the Philippines (GOP) and the Donors Group with the MEDCo Chairman and the World Bank Country Director as Co-Chairs, was created under the Philippines Development Forum (PDF) which provides a venue to facilitate and coordinate foreign-assisted programs in the island region. (MEDCo/PIA 12)

http://mindanao.p7107.com/davao/

junax

March 9th, 2008, 09:20 AM

Thavawenyoz - Hubag (Davao City)
kcJUQc1--Jc

junax

March 9th, 2008, 09:20 AM

Thavawenyoz - Mao Kaha Kini Ang Gugma (Davao City)
z92QMMtKI_s

junax

March 9th, 2008, 09:25 AM

Slimm, GUS, Sky, J-Boy, Welsen - Maa Voyz (Davao City)
rl9hdgZ6t00&feature=related

the maa boyz are hilarious...

junax

March 9th, 2008, 09:32 AM

Ba't Di Mo Sabihin - Slimm (Davao City)
8Ktj0-6JDhU&feature=related

junax

March 9th, 2008, 09:42 AM

Eyerizk - Sentimental (Davao City)
p5anzvDnzdE

junax

March 9th, 2008, 09:52 AM

The Happiest - Hilagyo (Davao City)
V7w-l5nCV2U

junax

March 9th, 2008, 09:53 AM

Go Larry Go - Faster (Davao City)
GE71p2z8RZk&feature=related

if not available... here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE71p2z8RZk

junax

March 9th, 2008, 09:54 AM

Lizard Chips - Man On the Road (Davao City)
X077ke0a94s&feature=related

junax

March 9th, 2008, 09:55 AM

Lizard Chips - Bound (Davao City)
avSa2EtR66o&feature=related

junax

March 9th, 2008, 09:56 AM

Thirteenth Floor Elevators - Martians Go Home Music (Davao City)
vY4j1yGOAW8

junax

March 9th, 2008, 09:56 AM

Thirteenth Floor Elevators - Impervious But Dulcet (Davao City)
3nLTnDnwBV4

junax

March 9th, 2008, 05:23 PM

Salima (Gary Granada, Popong Landero, Gauss Obenza, and Eric Gancio) - Pambansang Kautusan (Davao City)
hm7LAlRAR14

junax

March 9th, 2008, 05:28 PM

Sheena Mae Onlos - Tipanud Sa Tagum (Tagum City)
Bk2SLTcxXVw

LordCarnal

March 9th, 2008, 09:58 PM

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/dabaw/mount_apo.jpg

dinabaw

March 10th, 2008, 04:05 AM

^^ nice shot of Mt. Apo!

kronology

March 10th, 2008, 05:40 AM

;18914479']eto pala ang stats ng 2000 and 2003, sad to say dati nasa #13 tayo pero lumala thru the years (siguro ng dahil sa increase ng population due na rin siguro sa migration)

pero at least di ganun ka dramatic ang increase (2003-2006) siguro ma attribute na rin to sa ibang provinces natin na kailangan talaga ng attention (DavOr and ComVal) malamang mataas doon ang incidence since IMO parang davao and tagum lang ang masasabi nating "humahatak" sa davao region :ohno:

kudos to our neighbor soksargen for the reduced poverty incidence :cheers:

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3195/95463209fb4.jpg

i agree with you kuya @waway.. i noticed din n marami dumarami n talaga ung mga taong ngma-migrate n taga-visayas and luzon particularly sa davao city. ang consequence siguro eh (aside sa increase in product prices) mas nagiging intense ung competition ng population (davao region) in terms of job hiring and business. the media should'nt write anything without really understanding the whole figure because it could really affect the lives of individuals/people.:ohno: :ohno:

junax

March 10th, 2008, 05:48 AM

Strings On The Shed - Pagibig Pa (Davao City)
QPG3emKEch0

FrancisXavier

March 10th, 2008, 09:42 AM

kala ko ba suggestion ni master sinjin eh wag na gumawa ng another mindanao thread kase redundant?

Ibex

March 10th, 2008, 09:50 AM

kala ko ba suggestion ni master sinjin eh wag na gumawa ng another mindanao thread kase redundant?

Nakita siguro niya ang kahalagahan nito...:)

WawaY[625]

March 10th, 2008, 09:58 AM

kala ko ba suggestion ni master sinjin eh wag na gumawa ng another mindanao thread kase redundant?

well he was the one who opened the thread..

siguro para dito :)

General issues surrounding Mindanao can be discussed here. Post away folks. :)

junax

March 10th, 2008, 10:33 AM

Yaku - Minsan (Davao City)
vwfDOwlWvts

junax

March 10th, 2008, 10:35 AM

Foursided Circle - Alaala sa Ulan (Davao City)
JdArXhYfSLQ

junax

March 10th, 2008, 10:40 AM

Sidecrash - Crazy For Your Smile (Davao City)
9I5zwqksLME&feature=related

junax

March 10th, 2008, 10:49 AM

Maan Chua (Fr. Albert Alejo) - Meme Na Mindanaw (Davao City)
DQQRukAFcI8&feature=related

junax

March 10th, 2008, 10:50 AM

Noel Cabangon, Cooky Chua, Gary Granada, The Dawn and others (Fr. Albert Alejo) - Ehemplo (Davao City)
Q5OVQFaFKHg

junax

March 10th, 2008, 10:58 AM

Sidecrash - One Last Time (Davao City)
NDyuAEhMMUo&feature=related

junax

March 10th, 2008, 11:01 AM

Amanak (Cinti and Twinkle Fabella) - Sana Ay Mamulat Ka (Davao City)
6gPv__LEa8A

junax

March 10th, 2008, 11:02 AM

June Christine Gentiles - Bagong Kwento, Kwentong Pagbabago (Davao City)
kIW3_z-1Wy4

junax

March 10th, 2008, 12:09 PM

Isla Era - Barkada Ko (Davao City)
Not the official video, but i can not find one in youtube,
so eto na lang muna, some you tube find, from Davao Reggae scene.
H1BvUJ-rRkY

neyoneyo80

March 10th, 2008, 01:31 PM

^^ @sinjin, i appreciate your move!!! this is something positive po..... :okay:

xtian87

March 10th, 2008, 05:15 PM

davaoeagle

March 10th, 2008, 10:43 PM

BATANG MINDANAW: Something worth my time
Kristelle Alina R. Omar
Monday, 10 March 2008 10:25

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/09 March) -- I am not an American. I may talk like, speak like, write like and act like an American, but in all truth, I am a Filipina and proud of it. I may be more fluent in English than I am in Tagalog, but my heart and soul both belong to the Philippines, and so I take pride in that.

But there's something that gets my attention--the United States Presidential Race. It's all down to two, right? Ever since John Edwards dropped out of the race, there's just two.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Both are a minority; he is black, she is a woman. The United States of America will make history with this election. I have repeatedly said that I am not fond of America. I don't like their health care plans, their educational system (well, anything pre-grad anyway), and I don't like Bush (or any other Republican, for that matter). But what gets me the most is the influence of America in every single country in the world. Whatever happens there, whatever policies, laws, and etc. affects every other country, the Philippines in particular. But I do have to say, I may like America now after this election. I just said that I might, but that will be proven in due time, if they are wiling to change.

I agree on universal health care and that families should all have them. No amount of money can pay for a lost life that could have been prevented if health care would have helped them spend for medicine, for operations, for treatment. I should know, since we live in a country where so may people die of sickness that could have been treatable, like fever or asthma.

I care for equal rights of men and women, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, gays, lesbians, disabled, mentally or physically, etc. I don't believe that there is one superior race or one superior gender. Everybody is equal, and free to practice whatever religion or sexual orientation they feel like they are.

Gays should have the right to marry, even if only civilly. Love needs to be celebrated, no matter what shape, form, size, or gender you may be. If anyone had just one right, it is the right to be happy.

I care for the environment and I believe that humans contribute to most of the greenhouse gas emissions and that we should start looking for alternative sources of fuel and energy so that our grandkids don't have to resort to buying bottled oxygen in the next 50 years or that our planet ends up becoming one huge tanning salon.

I believe that women should NOT have an abortion unless it is absolutely necessary (like, the mother's life is being endangered) because human life is precious and I can't see why women would to that to themselves (well, I would love to become a mother someday) and if they really can't have the child, give it up for adoption. But it must be made legal, so that women won't die from shady, back-alley abortions or nasty infections because they weren't treated properly.

I support the idea of contraception, because then abortions wouldn't always be necessary for women to get, nor would they get any deadly STD's like gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, genital warts, or HIV/AIDS. Sex should not be taboo (though I draw the line at prostitution). Children should be educated in matters of sex and parents should be open their children about these things, because they didn't just wave a magic wand and have kids. Procreation is not a bad thing, society just makes it so. Well, then, damn society! People should be open about sex and sexuality so that there will be less unhappy, sexually repressed people in the world. No gays being forced to hide in the closet, just a life with no secrets and no discrimination.

All of these issues are being addressed, and so many more. I admire the Presidential candidates, and I agree with the change.

The Philippines has always had strong ties with America (we were even a Commonwealth of America back in the 1900's!) but I am so p****d at Bush for sending troops to fight the war in Iraq. First of all, it's not their country! Let them fight their damn war that was unnecessary in the first place.

Those Muslim extremists should be punished by Allah for the deaths of so many innocent men and women, and Bush had to add fuel to the fire by sending troops over too! He just wants to control the oil supply so that he gets even richer. It's all about money and it makes me sick. Worse is, The Philippines sends troops to, literally giving them a death sentence.

I am not harping on the Muslims or anything, I just disagree with their methods. I do not discriminate, even though I am Catholic. Why would I even discriminate on something that is so close to my heart? My last name is Omar. My father is a Muslim. I just totally disagree with the war, because they could have solved it by talking it out and not by violence. America should just focus on the wars in Africa instead so that so many girls don't need to be raped in Rwanda, that the population there won't be ignored. They're the ones who need help.

Don't even get me started when I talk about the dollar. He-llo! It is the international currency and when the dollar's value goes down, it's going to be worth nil. What will happen to the economy of the world!? I say it's just crap. That's my short version. My longer version of the dollar would take up half this blog entry, and it's already a mile and a half long.

If a new President of the United States were elected, I just pray that all these issues will be addressed, so that the rest of the world follows suit. America hold so much power and influence over the world, and they should help countries be independent, to rely on themselves and not on any other country. I want the Philippines to break free from depending on America so much, and America should not be so unwilling to change. If America changes, the rest of the world follows suit. The time is now. Make a change.

The same is true for the Philippines. People, take heed! While the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, do something! Don't keep blaming the President for this. If you keep begging for change but are unwilling to change yourself, nothing is going to happen. It's not just PGMA. Maybe it's you.

Make the future bright for the children. Vote wisely. Nurture them. Educate them. If you change now, for the sake of the billions of children in the world today, then the world will be so much happier.

To quote Barack Obama, "There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America."

I would like to add -- There's no such thing as the United States of the World. There is, simply, the world. One country should not depend on the other. It should be the country standing up on it's own. America should help others to help themselves. If they still wield so much power and influence even after this, then they should not misuse it. There are too many corrupt officials out there.

(If I sound like I contradict myself, well, I'm not. I'm just saying that America holds a lot of power to change the world and after they do that, countries will learn to stand up on their own and they wouldn't need America to lean on. Do you get my point?)

[Batang MindaNaw is MindaNews’ voice of the youth corner. Kristelle Alina Rizardo Omar, 13, is in first year high school at the Ateneo de Davao University. She hopes to be the first female Tausug justice in the Supreme Court.]

dinabaw

March 11th, 2008, 05:38 AM

DA clinches P12.3B worth of deals in UAE

By Amy R. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:54:00 03/11/2008

THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture clinched P12.3 billion worth of sales and supply contracts for local agriculture and processed products during a recently concluded trade mission to the United Arab Emirates.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap said among the firms that had placed orders for Philippine products were Fresh Fruits Co., Del Monte Foods Middle East, Samico and Abbar Zainy Trading.

Fresh Fruits placed an order for 26 million cases of fresh bananas worth some $117 million, and 500,000 cases of fresh pineapples worth $3 million.

Del Monte Foods Middle East meanwhile placed an order for 15 million cases of fresh Cavendish bananas worth $76.5 million, and 2 million cases of fresh pineapples worth $12 million.

Five million cases of fresh bananas valued at $54 million and 500,000 cases of fresh pineapples worth $3 million were ordered by the Abbar Zainy Corp.

Another importer, Samico, ordered 5 million cases of fresh bananas worth $22.5 million, while Unifrutti and Saad Tabra Trading placed orders for 1.15 million and 1.5 million cases of bananas respectively, with a combined value of $11.92 million.

During the mission, Yap said the DA, through the Philippine Agricultural Development and Commercial Corporation, also signed an agreement with Fresh Fruits, one of the top trading firms in the Middle East.

The agreement would pave the way for a P2-billion ($50-million) investment in the Philippines to develop at least 3,000 hectares of land in Mindanao for growing Cavendish bananas and sweet pineapples, Yap explained.

The agriculture chief said another highlight of the Philippine trade mission was the talk he had with his UAE counterpart, Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin-Fahad, minister of Environment and Water.

The talks, he said, centered on revitalizing the agriculture and fisheries cooperation agreement between UAE and the Philippines.

Fahad, who had expressed UAE's strong support for the development of the Philippines' agriculture and fisheries sector, has accepted Yap's invitation to visit the country tentatively in May, to sign a new memorandum of agreement on Agriculture and Fisheries Cooperation.

Also, Philippine officials were able to book orders worth P205 million in this year's Gulfood Exhibition at the Dubai International Convention Center. Contracts for another P287 million worth of agricultural goods are still being negotiated.

The Philippines' major exports to the UAE include garments, processed foods, semiconductors, cement, transport equipment, cosmetics and personal care products.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20080311-123958/DA-clinches-P123B-worth-of-deals-in-UAE

PINOYmeat

March 11th, 2008, 05:46 AM

Hungriest, Too

Mindanao’s poverty incidence rate was 11.9 percentage points higher than the national average of 26.9 percent. The island group also registered the highest poverty incidence in 2000.

Subsistence incidence--the proportion of families and individuals not earning enough to meet basic food needs--was also highest in Mindanao at 19.2 percent. The figure for Luzon and Visayas were 6.4 percent and 14.9 percent, respectively.

Both poverty incidence and subsistence incidence increased from 2003 to 2006 across all major island groups, but Mindanao recorded the highest rates. Experts said the higher poverty incidence was brought on by the rise in food and oil prices, the imposition of additional taxes, and the typhoons that visited the country toward the end of 2006.

mindanao, regarded as the food basket, is also the hungriest? :ohno:

filino

March 11th, 2008, 06:55 AM

curious lang, what happened to miss (sorry forgot her name) basta yong contestant from ng mindanao for BInibining Pilipinas?

xtian87

March 11th, 2008, 07:12 AM

butuan terrestrial tv stations

73 studio23
13 abc
11 abscbn
7 gma

Peng Hok

March 11th, 2008, 08:12 AM

^^
Si Lady Lou? Hindi siguro sya nanalo. Hehehehe! Better luck next time for her. :)

Peng Hok

March 11th, 2008, 09:44 AM

mindanao, regarded as the food basket, is also the hungriest? :ohno:

I do not think making generalizations is a very good idea.

dinabaw

March 11th, 2008, 10:19 AM

Blame it to the government why some part of Mindanao is one of the hungriest & of course the migration of Luzon & Visayas to Mindanao ;)

dinabaw

March 11th, 2008, 10:22 AM

curious lang, what happened to miss (sorry forgot her name) basta yong contestant from ng mindanao for BInibining Pilipinas?

good thing or a bad thing(?) she didn't win or even selected bec the winners sucks!!!:bash::lol:

junax

March 11th, 2008, 12:19 PM

An Awe-Deinz Of One - Bangon Pilipinas (Davao City)
7YK9yDnCSpQ

junax

March 11th, 2008, 12:20 PM

South Border w/ Jinky Vidal of Freestyle - Sweet (Davao City)
DktGDodfVh8

junax

March 11th, 2008, 12:22 PM

McKina - Centerfold Media (Davao City)
gva6G33Ln38

junax

March 11th, 2008, 12:36 PM

G_R_R_R - Hide (Davao City)
_SmBCddOZRs&feature=related

junax

March 11th, 2008, 01:04 PM

Joey Ayala - Agila (Haring Ibon) (Davao City)
bWibxBllLj4&feature=related

ph_matrix

March 11th, 2008, 06:14 PM

really my studio 23 na pla ? ch 73 ? ang taas naman, when po eto ?

butuan terrestrial tv stations

73 studio23
13 abc
11 abscbn
7 gma

arianespace

March 11th, 2008, 08:53 PM

Dipolog Radio Stations
FM STATION ..... Call Sign ............... Company .................... Name
88.9 FM.................... DXFL-FM................ First Love Broadcasting Network Inc......... First Love Radio
89.7 FM.................... DXBD-FM................ Manila Broadcasting company.................. Hot-FM
92.5 FM.................... DXAA-FM................ ABC Broadcasting System Inc................. Intelligent Radio
93.3 FM.................... DXFB-FM................ Consolidated Broadcasting System........... Star-fm
94.1 FM.................... DXZZ-FM................ RMN Networks...................................... i-FM
94.9 FM.................... DXXY-FM................ Global Media Arts................................. Campus Radio
95.9 FM.................... DXAQ-FM............... Times Broadcasting Network................... Q 95 FOR LIFE
98.1 FM.................... DXBF-FM................ SJTI Broadcasting System ..................... Way Kurat
98.9 FM.................... DXBA-FM................ Manila Broadcasting company.................. Love Radio

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Philippine_radio_stations#Dipolog_City

filino

March 12th, 2008, 07:23 AM

good thing or a bad thing(?) she didn't win or even selected bec the winners sucks!!!:bash::lol:

ah ok, but not to be judgemental, ms. marquez also made us proud internationally so sana ganoon din ang mangyayari sa kanila :ohno:

GearX

March 12th, 2008, 09:50 AM

Tokyo gives more to Mindanao (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=regions1_mar12_2008)
By Gigi M. David

JAPAN yesterday committed another P23.8 million for nine grants under the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development which forms part of Tokyo’s commitment to promote the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

One of the beneficiaries is the Mindanao Children’s Library Foundation which was founded by a Japanese children’s book editor who pitied children who had to live in evacuation centers after their villages were hit by armed clashes between government troops and separatist rebels.

The foundation was established by Japanese book editor Tomo Mitsui and granted scholarships to 150 high school and college students with the support of around 1,200 Japanese individuals.

Matsui, 55, came to the Philippines in 2000 after separating from his American wife in Japan.

“I was hurting then,” Matsui said. “I sought the help of a Japanese priest who told me to leave Japan for while to forget.”

Matsui visited his friend Itsuo Karasuyama, who operates an orphanage in Davao Oriental and “it was in the refugee camps where I saw the children without smiles on their faces. I wanted to bring back their smiles and I knew very well that storytelling will make them smile again.”

In 2002, Matsui returned to Kidapawan City and launched the library foundation with only 11 member. Matsui later married a local woman with whom he had two daughters.

Through JBIRD, Matsui’s foundation received a $70,466 grant for the construction of classrooms for Macabual Elementary School in Pikit, North Cotabato.

The project is for the construction of five-classroom building to benefit the 344 elementary pupils at Macabual Elementary School who are now sharing classrooms and holding classes in two dilapidated makeshift classrooms.

“I feel much better with poor children, so I want to share what I know because I am rich in mind,” Matsui said.

Yesterday, Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura signed the grant contracts with government peace negotiator Secretary Rodolfo Garcia, Moro Islamic Liberation Front official Musib Buat and Malaysian peacekeeper Maj. Gen. Datuk Mat Yasin Bin Mat Daud, head of the International Monitoring Team.

Also at hand during the ceremony were Japanese development expert Nasafumi Nagaishi and Bangsamoro Development Agency chairman Abas Candao.

Katsura said the commitment is part of Japan’s support of the peace and development efforts in Mindanao and involves community-based social projects designed to improve the lives of families in conflict-affected communities.

On Dec. 7, 2006, the Japanese government launched JBIRD with a commitment to fund 12 grants amounting to P31.2 million.

The grants form part of the initial batch of JBIRD projects that include construction of school buildings, post-harvest facilities, a livelihood training center for Bangsamoro women, and potable water systems.

“The gesture of the Japanese government has set up an effective mechanism of support to the peace process. It is also one way in succeeding of getting to the heart of the grassroots in the South,” said Candao.

Garcia, for his part, said the grants brought about a climate conducive for reconstruction.

The commitment according to Buat, are some of the dividends of the peace process. “People will now continue supporting the peace process. The peace talks have been delayed for a long time with the question ‘When will peace come’,” he said.

Meanwhile, IMT Japanese representative Nagaishi said the agreement is going very fast. “Governance matters a lot. Peace process and politics should be parallel with rehabilitation and reconstruction.”

junax

March 12th, 2008, 08:36 PM

^^ wow ok ah, dami na fm stations sa dipolog. the last time i was there around 1997 there are only 2 stations if i'm not mistaken.

arianespace

March 13th, 2008, 02:39 AM

^^ wow ok ah, dami na fm stations sa dipolog. the last time i was there around 1997 there are only 2 stations if i'm not mistaken.

Currently, RGMA's Campus Radio 94.9 is INACTIVE, but previously operating for 2 years. Reason for suspension is more on economic and corporate policy of the company to retained only profitable stations in 2002. Its License to Operate (LTO) was not surrendered as they are inclined to re-open the station again soon. They continue paying NTC for the fees on frequency rights, which is minimal. It is temporarily delisted.

MBC has obtained already LTO for Love Radio 98.9 but suffered setback in the City Council due to opposition by local stations. Instead it went back-door, converting a low-power station franchise to a regular radio station creating Hot-FM in consortium with DMC Broadcasting, which was previously broadcasting on 99.5. With MBC on the control, it was transferred to 89.7 to compete better with 88.9 while substantially creating a gap for Love Radio on the FM band. It was supposed to start operation at the same year when Hot-FM went on air according to its application but deferred operation until 2008. No data for its business license is available.

SJTI Broadcasting of Surigao has a pending application to operate with NTC but suffered stiff opposition from other industry players. It is supposed to operate this year per its application. There is no data yet if its business license has already been approve or if its operating already in Dipolog.

Dipolog residents are in best position to answer these questions though.

All informations are based on NTC-Manila data as of December 2007. Note that data on the link provided is a bit old as it was contained in the 2006 NTC Annual Report. Reason? 2007 data are for sale.
http://portal.ntc.gov.ph/wps/portal/!ut/p/.cmd/cps/.c/6_0_5FC/.ce/7_0_H2T/.ps/X/_s.7_0_A/7_0_C7R#7_0_H2T

Also informations are available in the 2007 Philippine Statistical Yearbook as published by NSCB. Please visit its website for sales inquiries.
http://www.nscb.gov.ph/publication/psy/default.asp

Obelixx

March 13th, 2008, 02:44 AM

Why do you not post some pictures of the radio towers these stations broadcast from?

arianespace

March 13th, 2008, 02:51 AM

Somebody from Dipolog could do it.

arianespace

March 13th, 2008, 02:54 AM

I think the best towers they have is owned by DXFL just like killer-bee in Cagayan de Oro.

BXU-GCP

March 13th, 2008, 03:49 AM

new here on skyscrapercity.

updates on butuan fm and am stations (existing as of today)

fm
106.5 mellow touch
102.3 killerbee
100.7 i fm
98.5 wild fm
97.5 magik fm
95.1 love radio
88.7 real radio

am
981 bombo radyo
792 radyo ng bayan
756 dxjm
693 rmn
(sorry im not into am thats y i dont know some of the names)

when i was in bxu last december the antenna of 99.7 Campus Radio was removed but when i returned to bxu last March 2 the antenna was placed back again. am in manila since then and maybe you can update us when RGMA radio will be back on air. The station is located at 3rd floor Bank of Cabadbaran, San Francisco Street, Butuan City.

BXU-GCP

March 13th, 2008, 03:56 AM

butuan terrestrial tv stations

73 studio23
13 abc
11 abscbn
7 gma

thanks for the update xtian. I just wondered why Studio 23 moved to Channel 73 when its original assigned channel in Bxu is Channel 22. Please check again or maybe verify with ABS-CBN located at the 3rd floor, Bayantel Building, M Calo St., Butuan City. Again thanks for the updates.

junax

March 13th, 2008, 04:08 AM

Salima - Panaw (Davao City)
dUKjVrJ-FhI

junax

March 13th, 2008, 04:11 AM

Gary Granada - Bahay (Davao City)
8vZ1z1O01j8&feature=related

GearX

March 14th, 2008, 04:57 AM

2007 poll results OK with Mindanao Muslims–SWS (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/mar/14/yehey/top_stories/20080314top3.html)
By Rommel C. Lontayao, Reporter

Three in four Mindanao Muslims (76 percent) “would feel more confident of the fairness of the [electoral] process if the votes were immediately counted at the precinct, instead of taken to the municipal level for counting, as was often done in ARMM in the past.”

This was the dominant sentiment expressed by most Muslims in Mindanao who said they are satisfied with the results of the 2007 elections, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The survey, conducted from February 1 to 7, showed that 68 percent of Mindanao Muslims believe that those who were proclaimed winners in the last elections truly got the most votes.

The 68-percent satisfaction rate of Mindanao Muslims is slightly higher, compared to the 65 percent response among Filipinos in general, when surveyed by SWS in June 2007.

About three of four Mindanao Muslims said the voting in the last election was clean and orderly in their precinct. But this figure is much lower than the 97 percent response of all Filipinos in the June 2007 SWS survey.

SWS, meanwhile, noted that most Mindanao Muslims consider violence as part of the elections.

“Sixty-nine percent of Mindanao Muslims said violence during elections ‘is a way of life’ in their province,” the SWS said.

It added, “41 percent say they are more worried about their personal security during election time, while 62 percent say it is good to have an unopposed candidate, since it reduces campaign violence.”

SWS found out that 83 percent of Mindanao Muslims prefer to be represented by a male, rather than by a female congressman.

Some 83 percent of the respondents also expect the role of the ulama, or a Muslim religious elder, to become more influential in the coming Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elections in August.

The SWS special survey of Mindanao Muslims had a total of 1,300 Muslim respondents.

Of these, 700 came from the ARMM with 100 respondents each coming from the provinces of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Sulu, Lanao del Sur, Marawi City and Sharif Kabunsuan.

The non-ARMM areas had 600 respondents, 100 respondents each coming from Zamboanga City, Cotabato City, Isabela City, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Lanao del Norte.

The SWS said the latest special survey was sponsored by The Asia Foundation as part of its program on election reform. The program is funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

junax

March 14th, 2008, 06:51 AM

Sidecrash - Sama-sama (Davao City)
F1f8O4QKYdw

Farirah

March 14th, 2008, 11:36 AM

ah ok, but not to be judgemental, ms. marquez also made us proud internationally so sana ganoon din ang mangyayari sa kanila :ohno:

Yan ang tanong now. Hmmm may nanalo na ba taga-Mindanao sa mga national beauty contests? Yun naman ang taga-Manila, kahit bubo at walang dating, makuha pa rin compared to lovely and intelligent Zamboanginya or other Mindanaons. Nangyari eto noon during BB. Pilipinas 1994, 1996, 1999. Even till now. Haay sila talaga, regionalistic or imperialistic talaga ang utak nila. :ohno:
Kaya sayang lang talaga ang beauty at utak ng mga Mindanaons doon. Dapat na siguro magboycott. ^^

Farirah

March 14th, 2008, 11:43 AM

mindanao, regarded as the food basket, is also the hungriest? :ohno:

No comment! I don't like people out there, who are so dependent to Mindanao when it comes to FOOD, will have uncivilized reactions. :)

GearX

March 14th, 2008, 03:07 PM

Europeans still keen on investing in Mindanao (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW031508/content.php?id=052)

The Philippines is still within the investment map of European investors, particularly Mindanao.

In a statement, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) said it will meet with the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. to discuss business opportunities.

"We believe there are partnerships that can be made in Mindanao and the Davao City Chamber represents the biggest business grouping over there," said Henry Schumacher, ECCP executive vice-president.

Mr. Schumacher said the ECCP will also hold discussions with the Cagayan De Oro Chamber of Commerce and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Davao chamber has 310 corporate and individual members involved in agriculture, construction, design, finance, health, information technology, real estate, tourism, and the utilities industries.

The European business group has about 700 member companies, of which only 10 have business operations in Mindanao.

Total investments in the Davao Region last year reached P9.18 billion, up 44% from commitments made in 2006. Foreign direct investments were also up by 144% to P45.7 million.

Davao City has also seen an increased arrival of expatriates, ECCP said. Established in 1968, the Davao City Chamber has helped provide members with channels for investment opportunities and a marketing service facility.

GearX

March 14th, 2008, 03:09 PM

SC dismisses Pimentel’s election protest (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW031508/content.php?id=078)

The Supreme Court dismissed the petition of losing contender to the Senate post Aquilino L. Pimentel III that questioned the accuracy of the canvassing of the Maguindanao election documents. In a 40-page decision penned by Associate Justice Minita V. Chico-Nazario, the high court en banc dismissed his petition assailing the proceedings of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the canvassing of the Maguindanao certificates of canvass (COCs). Because of the controversies surrounding the Maguindanao election documents, the Comelec sitting then as the National Board of Canvassers assessed the paper trail and created a Special Provincial Board of Canvassers to re-canvass the COCs. Mr. Pimentel’s counsels however questioned the move, saying the documents were the same as that used in the original canvassing-marred with fraud and deceit. Mr. Pimentel and Juan Miguel Zubiri were contending for the last and 12th spot at the Senate of the Philippines. — Ira P. Pedrasa
:applause:

dinabaw

March 14th, 2008, 04:32 PM

Yan ang tanong now. Hmmm may nanalo na ba taga-Mindanao sa mga national beauty contests? Yun naman ang taga-Manila, kahit bubo at walang dating, makuha pa rin compared to lovely and intelligent Zamboanginya or other Mindanaons. Nangyari eto noon during BB. Pilipinas 1994, 1996, 1999. Even till now. Haay sila talaga, regionalistic or imperialistic talaga ang utak nila. :ohno:
Kaya sayang lang talaga ang beauty at utak ng mga Mindanaons doon. Dapat na siguro magboycott. ^^

Lia Ramos won the 2006 Binibining Pilipina-Universe she's from Davao , maraming taga Mindanao na nalo :cheers:

WawaY[625]

March 14th, 2008, 08:57 PM

neyoneyo80

March 14th, 2008, 09:17 PM

^^ i agree po :ohno:

davaoeagle

March 14th, 2008, 09:38 PM

;19035620']what an intelligent comment ....:ohno:

I guess she needs to read more..or do more research. :)

To wit:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n233/davaoeagle/1996_erlinda_mejia.jpg
Erlinda Mejia
Mutya ng Pilipinas Intercontinental 1996
An alumnae of Ateneo College Unit, Davao City

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n233/davaoeagle/Malou.jpg
Marilou Bendigo
Mutya ng Pilipinas 1981 - Movie Star
Native of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur

Link: http://www.mutyapilipinas.com/past_winners_90.htm

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n233/davaoeagle/ramos.jpg
2006 Lia Andrea Ramos
Bb. Pilipinas-Universe
An alumnae of Ateneo HS, Davao City

Link: http://www.bbpilipinas.com/sub.php?c=u&b=universe

neyoneyo80

March 14th, 2008, 11:46 PM

^^ beautiful and intelligent ladies from mindanao's cosmopolitan and multi-culti city..... thanks for posting them here, btw, Marilou Bendigo also hails from Davao, Bb. Pilipinas 80's :cheers:

davaoeagle

March 15th, 2008, 01:03 AM

^

How can I ever forget her, she comes from Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur- my ka - barangay! :)

neyoneyo80

March 15th, 2008, 01:17 AM

^^ same here, we're neighbors (before) in one of davao's sub-urban residential districts aka barangay :lol: :cheers:

davaoeagle

March 15th, 2008, 01:47 AM

^

She onced lived in GSIS Heights? Cool! :cheers:

dinabaw

March 15th, 2008, 04:06 AM

I guess she needs to read more..or do more research. :)

To wit:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n233/davaoeagle/1996_erlinda_mejia.jpg
Erlinda Mejia
Mutya ng Pilipinas Intercontinental 1996
An alumnae of Ateneo College Unit, Davao City

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n233/davaoeagle/Malou.jpg
Marilou Bendigo
Mutya ng Pilipinas 1981 - Movie Star
Native of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur

Link: http://www.mutyapilipinas.com/past_winners_90.htm

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n233/davaoeagle/ramos.jpg
2006 Lia Andrea Ramos
Bb. Pilipinas-Universe
An alumnae of Ateneo HS, Davao City

Link: http://www.bbpilipinas.com/sub.php?c=u&b=universe

marami ring mga Zamboanguenas na nanalo :cheers:

Farirah

March 15th, 2008, 12:56 PM

My bad! So sorry for my ignorance. :ohno:

No need to persecute me further. ^^

neyoneyo80

March 15th, 2008, 01:20 PM

^^ apology accepted (provided you join the bb. pilipinas to represent your mindanao hometown) :lol: :jk: :cheers:

neyoneyo80

March 15th, 2008, 01:22 PM

marami ring mga Zamboanguenas na nanalo :cheers:

i guess davao and zamboanga are two rich sources of beauty and brains in mindanao.... viva davao, viva zamboanga :cheers:

neyoneyo80

March 15th, 2008, 01:24 PM

^

She onced lived in GSIS Heights? Cool! :cheers:

it could be that we'll be neighbors again along the flashy ecowest avenue :lol:

bariQ

March 16th, 2008, 07:22 AM

COngratulations Manny Pacquiao!

red_jasper

March 16th, 2008, 07:26 AM

PACQUIAO WINS! (http://www.inquirer.net/specialreports/ThePacquiaoFiles/running/PacquiaoMarquez2/)
Mar. 16, 2008 12:18:00

MANNY Pacquiao is now the WBC super featherweight champion of the world.

The Filipino stole the world title from Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, leaning on a third round knockdown and a late charge in the match to win by split decision.

Dwayne Ford had it 115-112 while Tom Miller scored it 114-113 both for Pacquiao. Jerry Roth had it 115-112 for Juan Manuel Marquez.

The Inquirer had it actually 114-113 for Marquez, but the first and last rounds, which were scored for the Mexican, could have easily gone Pacquiao's way.

xtian87

March 16th, 2008, 10:19 AM

davaoeagle

March 16th, 2008, 10:43 AM

^^ beautiful and intelligent ladies from mindanao's cosmopolitan and multi-culti city..... thanks for posting them here, btw, Marilou Bendigo also hails from Davao, Bb. Pilipinas 80's :cheers:

I forgot to mention Eda Calonia- a former member of the Ateneo de Davao Glee Club who placed 2nd runner up in 1993 Bb. Pilipinas whose batch that year included Ruffa Gutierrez.

neyoneyo80

March 16th, 2008, 04:03 PM

I forgot to mention Eda Calonia- a former member of the Ateneo de Davao Glee Club who placed 2nd runner up in 1993 Bb. Pilipinas whose batch that year included Ruffa Gutierrez.

ohhh Eda.... char!!! :lol: hindi yata sila nagabot ng uncle rajah ko.... hay naku wala wala lang silang lahat sa ating mga mangyan princessEs :lol: :jk:

GearX

March 17th, 2008, 05:02 AM

http://www.photopile.com/photos/dantzu/auctions/307706.gif

bongskie09

March 17th, 2008, 05:31 AM

Nice ^^ ^^

But I'm still not convinced by the over-all performance of Pacquiao in this particular fight, I wanted to rejoice all the way pero parang may kulang. Yes he somehow deserved that win, but so is Marquez who equally trained and prepared doubly hard for this bout and in my observation and self-opinion was the more dominant pugilist yesterday with his numerous and more accurate punches.

davaoeagle

March 18th, 2008, 03:41 AM

Tuesday, March 18, 2008
6 cold chain facilities completed this year
By Joy Romares-Sevilla
Sunstar Davao

SIX cold chain facilities in Mindanao are targeted for completion in June 2008.

This was bared during the 3rd National Government Infrastructure Forum held at the Marco Polo Davao on Friday.

These cold chain projects are located in Sultan Kudarat, Davao Region, Bukidnon, Zamboanga, Balingoan in Misamis Oriental, and in Surigao del Norte.

The implementing agency of these projects is the Bureau of Post Harvest Research and Extension (BPRE) of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The Sultan Kudarat cold chain project is now in the process of procuring 416 units of crates, one unit cold storage facility, one unit refrigerated truck, and ice makers.

The Davao cold chain project, on the other hand, is in the process of procuring four units of cold storage facilities for various areas, one refrigerated truck for Davao City, and an ice making facility for Malita in Davao del Sur.

The procurement of one unit of cold storage facility for the Normin Veggies Bukidnon Cold Storage is already 50 percent complete, while the documents for the procurement of one unit of ice making facility for Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte is under process.

The procurement of an ice making facility and a refrigerated truck for Zamboanga City is also being done.

Meanwhile, for the Balingoan Ice Maker Facility Project in Misamis Oriental, documents for the procurement of one unit of ice making facility is still being processed, same for the Dapa Surigao del Norte Ice Maker Facility Project.

Cerge Remonde, head of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), said the six cold chain projects are among the 27 infrastructure projects that the government is investing in Mindanao until 2010.

The total cost of the 27 priority projects is P73 billion. He, however, failed to reveal as to how much was allocated for the cold chain projects.

Cold chain facilities are essential to Mindanao, which is the agribusiness super region of the country. Agricultural goods like fruits and vegetables have to be stored well in order to preserve their quality for shipment, especially for export activities.

BXU-GCP

March 18th, 2008, 04:26 AM

bxu-gcp, ur welcome. the antenna you saw on the bank of cabadbaran bldg was now the mellow touch 106.5...

after 99.7 campus radio went off the air (after 1 decade of service) and pulled out their transmitter and antenna, 106.5 moved to the said site.

ph_matrix, studio23 was in bxu since then. it was really on channel 73...

arianespace, please update us with the existing stations right now 'originating' in dipolog coz i believe not all that you have posted are on air right now. butuan originally got 12-14 fm stations but now only 7 because of reasons you all already know. (agree?)its a trend now. when i became an addict of this fm radio thingy (i 4got the year), butuan had 9 fm stations...

to everyone else, please do post in this thread the updates of the "existing radio stations"

tnx a lot... ^_~

DXYK-FM 99.7 Campus Radio was lording it over the airwaves of Caraga until it went off the air. It had lots of commercials, good DJ's and it even won Best FM Station in the country from the Golden Dove Awards. I think it was the NTC that ordered the closure due to the management's failure to renew its authority to broadcast(this news was posted in the net sometimes last year???). DXYK-AM started its test broadcast many years ago on 837Khz but on the NTC application it should be on 1179Khz. maybe this violation also aborted its full operation. But definitely GMA will revive its radio stations in Butuan to anchor its news & entertainment mandate for Caraga. GMA/Zoe Broadcasting will also have a terrestrial TV (channel 29???) to carry the programs of QTV-11 to Butuan.

ph_matrix

March 18th, 2008, 05:19 AM

kaya pla di ko namalayan kasi akala ko below 30 lang sya.. Ill check it out pag uwi ko. thanks

bxu-gcp, ur welcome. the antenna you saw on the bank of cabadbaran bldg was now the mellow touch 106.5...

after 99.7 campus radio went off the air (after 1 decade of service) and pulled out their transmitter and antenna, 106.5 moved to the said site.

ph_matrix, studio23 was in bxu since then. it was really on channel 73...

arianespace, please update us with the existing stations right now 'originating' in dipolog coz i believe not all that you have posted are on air right now. butuan originally got 12-14 fm stations but now only 7 because of reasons you all already know. (agree?)its a trend now. when i became an addict of this fm radio thingy (i 4got the year), butuan had 9 fm stations...

to everyone else, please do post in this thread the updates of the "existing radio stations"

tnx a lot... ^_~

filino

March 18th, 2008, 06:55 AM

campus radio in surigao city also off-air. lugi yata ang GMA, akala ko ba number 1 sila at kumikita sila :ohno: :ohno:

Il Tenore

March 18th, 2008, 01:38 PM

BXU-GCP

March 18th, 2008, 04:55 PM

campus radio in surigao city also off-air. lugi yata ang GMA, akala ko ba number 1 sila at kumikita sila :ohno: :ohno:

The income of radio/television stations is measured in terms of commercials being aired. Campus Radio 99.7 in Butuan was definitely earning and the number of commercials increased significantly when it won as the Best Provincial FM Station of the Philippines from the KBP Golden Dove Awards. In most cases, broadcast stations went off the air because of lack of income but this is not the case for DXYK-FM. Maybe hindi nga kumikita ang Campus Radio Surigao.

BXU-GCP

March 18th, 2008, 05:00 PM

kaya pla di ko namalayan kasi akala ko below 30 lang sya.. Ill check it out pag uwi ko. thanks

Terrestrial TV is only up to Channel 69 as far as i know. Of course for Cable Channel it goes beyond 100. I now doubt about Studio 23 now broadcasting on Channel 73 in Butuan after being on Channel 22 for so many years already.

KulasKusgan

March 18th, 2008, 05:37 PM

Margie Moran, Miss Universe 1973
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/a/ac/Margiemoran.jpg

DexterTexter

March 18th, 2008, 05:52 PM

^^ yep yep Ms. Margie Moran-Floirendo is from Zamboanga, right? Mindanao has had its share of pageant winners.

KulasKusgan

March 18th, 2008, 05:59 PM

^^ ang alam ko lang, after she won ms universe she married floirendo and settled in davao.

sir rean tama ba? di ba close kayo?

carrotz

March 18th, 2008, 06:31 PM

http://www.photopile.com/photos/dantzu/auctions/307706.gif

http://addmoko.com/thumbs/2/1374/user/400/0/A/0/p_825_1197944132.jpg

sya na ata ang papalit...:banana:

xtian87

March 18th, 2008, 07:32 PM

arianespace

March 18th, 2008, 08:46 PM

arianespace, please update us with the existing stations right now 'originating' in dipolog coz i believe not all that you have posted are on air right now. butuan originally got 12-14 fm stations but now only 7 because of reasons you all already know. (agree?)its a trend now. when i became an addict of this fm radio thingy (i 4got the year), butuan had 9 fm stations...

Except Campus Radio, all are operating.
I dont know whether love radio and way kurat operates already. The last time I knew, that was in 2006, that these stations were opposed by local operators in the city council on the grounds of saturated market.

Ibex

March 19th, 2008, 04:26 AM

http://addmoko.com/thumbs/2/1374/user/400/0/A/0/p_825_1197944132.jpg

sya na ata ang papalit...:banana:

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee201/klutz1030/pulubi2.jpg

BXU-GCP

March 19th, 2008, 04:40 AM

i checked the tv stations in butuan hours ago. studio23 was on channel 22 (terrestrial). im confused myself. sorry. hehe. sorry for the misleading entry coz the last time i saw it, it was on channel 73.

bxu-gcp, yes i agree that campus radio butuan was not closed due to financial constraints. they have still lots of commercial on october 15, 2007 (their last day of broadcast). but i dont really know the real reason. we should really research for that.

i just would like to comment individually on butuan's fm stations:

106.5 mellow touch... the city's only adult contemporary fm station. very good format. low power. mono output. i hope they will go stereo. this is the station of choice specially when your at work or just relaxing. on air 24hrs!

102.3 killerbee... still the city's only chr/top40 fm station day in to day out. low power. EXCELLENT sound output and in full stereo! very good choice of music, fresh music! best programs (from MAGIC 89.9: good times with mo twister, mojo jojo, and grace lee, 6-9am; joey and miles, 3-6pm; big fish radio, saturdays 9pm-1am.) no dj format should be a no no... bisaya commercials should be a big no no too!!!

100.7 ifm... i hate the djs, they sound like pinirata from their am station. and i think they really are. i hate the "basag" stereo output. low power. masa. very good programming. authentic.

98.5 wild fm... very good programming. very good stereo output. unique djs. high power. good remixes.

97.5 magik fm... high power. djs, not all are good. format: masa, 6am-10am. high end, 10am-12mn. it makes me think twice if the station should be categorized as a chr/top40. originality rarely evident. too much lengthy commercials. good events..

95.1 love radio... #1 in the city as they claim. bubbly djs. truely masa format. i believe the transmitter needs a minor adjustment. mono output. high power. on air 24 hrs!

88.7 real radio... high power. i believe there should be a minor adjustment too for the "timpla" of the sound output. djs, not all are good. very good variety of music. very good programming. no originality of breakers, stingers etc.

DXIL 106.5Mhz started its broadcast early in 2007. It's transmitter was located in Mt Manlangit so despite the low power it had a far reach and in stereo. Then they transferred the transmitter to Libertad and it is still in stereo but with a very limited reach. Then it went off the air for some adjustment. Now that it is back on the air, i wondered why it is not anymore broadcasting in stereo. Will check this out when i visit butuan on March 30.

DXNS 102.3Mhz has a transmitter output of 5KW and is already considered a high powered station. But there are considered "dead zones" as far as radio frequencies are concerned. This is caused by interference of other radio signals, high tensioned wires, cellsites, electric substations, etc. Maybe the area you are in is a dead zone as far as 102.3Mhz is concerened. Or maybe there is really something wrong with the transmitter of Killer Bee Butuan.

DXXX 100.7Mhz has a transmitter output of 10KW and broadcasts 24hrs a day. Sad to say the last time i was there, i noticed that it seem not to broadcast in 10KW and you are right, the sound quality is not anymore good. RMN should do something about this or else advertisers may pull out. RMN markets iFM100.7 Butuan as a 10KW station.

DXBB 98.5Mhz is approved by NTC to broadcast with a power of 5KW. Their transmitter must be a very efficient one for its reach goes as far as a 10KW transmitter can. This happened when UMBN partnered with Masawa Broadcasting Corporation. The engineers of UMBN must be very good. The programming of WildFM stations is really commendable.

DXMK 97.5Mhz of Century Broadcasting has the best mix when it comes to sound output. Maybe this is because of their new 10KW transmitter. magikFM is listed in the internet as part of the Catholic Media Network.

DXMB 95.1Mhz of the Manila Broadcasting Company broadcasts in stereo with a power of 5KW. MBC have good engineers so if the station broadcasts in mono right now, it will be back on stereo real soon. RRC, the radio rating group sanctioned by KBP, was the one which certifies Love Radio 95.1 as the #FM station in Butuan now that Campus Radio 99.7 is off the air. Before DXMB is the #1 among KBP members FM stations only. GMA withdrawn its membership from KBP shortly after their station DXYK-FM in Butuan won the Best Provincial FM Station in the Golden Dove Awards of KBP.

DXGL 88.7Mhz is a homegrown radio station of Butuan. It started broadcasting in 1985 from an assembled transmitter with a power of 20watts(same as the usual flourescent lamp). From there, the rest is history. I could not count how many times the station went off the air due to the experiments of Engr. Zerrudo on how to improve its transmitter. But you cannot put a good man down, Engr Zerrudo succeeds. Real Radio 88.7 now broadcasts with a power of 5KW and is the flagship station of PEC Broadcasting Corporation. PECBC now operates stations in many areas of the country.

BXU-GCP

March 19th, 2008, 04:59 AM

FM STATIONS WE MISSED IN BUTUAN

DXJJ 91.7 Star FM. It used to be the #1 FM station of Butuan. I really wondered why Bombo Radio FM stations in Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and many other areas went off the air.

DXSR 93.5 AIT Broadcasting. It failed to get a franchise thus it went off the air after its test broadcast.

DXEY 96.7 MRS and renamed Jake 96.7. Nation Broadcasting Corporation is not existing anymore??? The AM stations of NBC is now owned by Sonshine Radio Network.

DXYK 99.7 Campus Radio. Management failed to renew its license to operate which expired in 2005. NTC is imposing some penalties to RGMA Butuan.

DXMS 107.3 Beat FM. Manila Broadcasting Corporation met some franchise problems with many of their Radio Natin Sations.

BXU-GCP

March 19th, 2008, 05:18 AM

FM STATIONS WITH APPROVED APPLICATION TO OPERATE IN BUTUAN(but not yet on the air)
1. DXVN 90.9Mhz (VisMin Broadcasting Corporation)
2. Bay Radio 103.1Mhz (Baycomms Broadcasting Corporation)

dinabaw

March 19th, 2008, 11:36 AM

Strengthening Mindanao’s skilled human resources
By Ms. Joji Ilagan Bian

First of two parts

Just recently, I was invited by the Western Mindanao Technical Vocational Schools Association to talk about the status of the Mindanao technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Zamboanga City The event has allowed me to bring to the fore the real issues and the prevailing situation of the institutions that are responsible for the skills training of the human resource sector.

Let us consider the fact that the national government has been faced with the major challenge of fighting poverty which can only be fought in an intensified way if more jobs are created to sustain the economic activities and improve the lives of both the rural and urban poor.

Because of this, the TVET industry is faced with the difficult challenge of ensuring that skills meet industry demands that will make our manpower competitive both in the local and international labor markets.

To start with, let us look at the status of human resources in Mindanao based on data from government agencies.

Profile of Mindanao’s human resources

Mindanao has a total labor force of 8,435,878 as of April 2005, majority are from Region X. Surprisingly, Mindanao’s employment rate of 91.7 percent is even higher than the national average of 87.1 percent. Also, 26 percent of the country’s employed persons are in Mindanao.

ARMM region where you find most of Mindanao’s poor has the lowest employment rate at 7.2 percent, but 51 percent of the total Mindanaoans are employed in the agricultural sector.

Literacy level

Functional literacy is a higher level of literacy which includes not only reading and writing skills but also numerical and comprehension skills. Mindanao is lowest in simple and functional literacy compared to other island groups.

Full attention must therefore be given to our growing population to improve our literacy rates. The increasing number of illiterates reflects the inability of basic education to answer to the needs of the growing population. Education is still the main source of basic skills. The impact therefore of literacy on the lives of learners in terms of improved family life cannot be discounted.

TVET Profile

One aspect that we should also look into is the profile of our TVET considering that these are the sources of the human resources more so when so many of our workers have continuously leave for abroad and overseas seeking for greener pastures. It is unfortunate that majority of our High school graduates are all looking for course options that will facilitate their employment to foreign countries

Our TVET institutions in Mindanao have been increasing their output during the last few years . There are over 500 providers of technical skills now and 62 percent are private institutions, while the rest are government-run centers. Among the other providers are higher education institutions (HEIs), industry-based training centers, non-government organization-based training centers, local government unit-based training centers and TESDA supervised schools and training centers.

These institutions have registered and complied with government implemented standards through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the agency that regulates them. Complying with the set of standards are mandatory considering that the government wants to assure that the quality of our workers meet the standards set not only by local employers but also by the international markets.

With this in Mindanao, the Mindanao TVET Association, which is the strongest and the biggest technical vocationl schools organization is gearing its institutional focus to expanding and strengthening private technical and vocational institutions through technical capacity building, which is deemed necessary to provide the skills requirement demands of the industries and directed towards critical areas where impact is expected.

Based on the data for 2006, TVET institutions had a total enrolment of 718,576 seats just in Mindanao, from just about 477,667 in 2001, or a 54 percent increase, an indication that they have earned recognition that these institutions have continuously rendered the skills called for by both the global and domestic market.

(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the island. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Career Center Foundation (www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; Phil. Call Centers Alliance, Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)

http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/story.php?id=19518

neyoneyo80

March 19th, 2008, 04:22 PM

Margie Moran, Miss Universe 1973
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/a/ac/Margiemoran.jpg

i last saw here somewhere in insular hotel, medyo mataba na sya pero maganda pa rin :cheers:

junax

March 19th, 2008, 06:38 PM

Gary Granada - Hangganan (Davao City)
8-_saEGj52I

Farirah

March 20th, 2008, 05:19 AM

Strengthening Mindanao’s skilled human resources
By Ms. Joji Ilagan Bian

Profile of Mindanao’s human resources

Mindanao has a total labor force of 8,435,878 as of April 2005, majority are from Region X. Surprisingly, Mindanao’s employment rate of 91.7 percent is even higher than the national average of 87.1 percent. Also, 26 percent of the country’s employed persons are in Mindanao.

http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/story.php?id=19518

:applause::applause::applause:

xtian87

March 20th, 2008, 08:12 AM

xtian87

March 20th, 2008, 08:18 AM

any update on other cities? ^_~

tnx much

BXU-GCP

March 20th, 2008, 10:55 AM

bxu gcp...

im just wondering, tell me if im wrong, from the beat (107.3) to lite fm (106.5) to mellow touch (106.5)? coz i think thats what happened.. or 107.3 and 106.5 really has different owners? it sounds weird coz when 107.3 went of the air, 106.5 went on air. there was no time that this 2 stations broadcast at the same time. but im really glad that the city now has a mellow touch. same with manila, cebu, davao, and cdo.

102.3 killerbee on my own opinion has the best fm transmitter in the city. but yes i would like to quote what you have said, theres something wrong with the transmitter thats why it cant broadcast on its maximum power. its not on 5kw for how many years already. my area is not a dead zone i can assure you that. c:

100.7 ifm. they are not anymore on air 24 hours a day. they have their sign off 10/11pm. i think they have financial issues but still managed to go on air.

98.5 wild fm. got no problems with the station. c:

97.5 magik. i beg to disagree to what you have said that they are using a 10kw transmitter but the station really has a high power output. they are not part of the catholic media network. definitely not! most often, they speak of topic which leads to sex. i just dont know why. i beg to disagree too on the 'best mix'. not for me. imagine shifting from hard rock to a mellow music without a breaker? but yeah, they cover a wide range of genre. from the very novelty tracks until 10am to mudvayne, my chemical romance, chris brown and jordin sparks the rest of the day. not pleasing to me, sorry.

95.1 love radio. try switching from mono to stereo or vice versa and you wont hear any difference. its mono. c: they have been mono for years already.

88.7 real radio. i hope they will not be caught for splicing and editing foreign station ids. i just hope they are licensed to use those. they have this top of the hour which mentions the real radio network in the philippines. and im proud it all began here. c:

91.7 star fm. i used to go there. and they are the last station to use a computer. i saw them morph from "plaka" to cd to mp3. but the truth still remains, they are gone.

99.7 my first favorite fm station. they used to be a pop station in the 90s to early millennium. eventually they catered to the class c d and e. i miss the kapuso station.

107.3 the beat. i dont understand if theyre trying to be a crossover or nu107. they keep shifting genres. sometimes there was a whole day of rock or a whole day of smooth jazz. i hope the station will go on air again.

i did not have the chance to listen to 96.7 and 93.5.

103.1 and 90.9, when will they go on air?

my only radio (abscbn) "for life" planned only a 1kw station here and was not pushed through.

DXMS 107.3 Beat FM was operated by Marjeds System Inc in Libertad under the Manila Broadcasting Company Radio Natin Network. DXIL 106.5 Lite FM belongs to a different network.

If DXNS 102.3 Killer Bee is broadcasting on a defective transmitter, then the station do not have the best transmitter.

DXXX 100.7 iFM has lots of national commercials hence the station is still floating. Maybe the Philippine Association of National Advertisers(PANA) did not noticed the limited reach of the station. If you visit http://www.rmn.com.ph both DXBC-AM 693KHz and DXXX-FM 100.7MHz broadcast with a power of 10KW.

DXBB 98.5 Wild FM was formerly DXBB 107.9 MHz Sunhine radio.

DXMK 97.5 Magik has a 10KW transmitter as far as NTC records is concerned. It is not part of the Catholic Media Network Philippines but one website which is not based in the Philippines listed it as part of a Catholic Radio Network. Maybe not anymore. When i said "mix", i mean the right bass and treble and not on its programming. DXMK 97.5 can be heard clearly in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon even without an external antenna.

Most radio receivers can detect whether the signal is stereo or not. I will ask Israel Palero, the franchisee/manager of DXMB 95.1 Love radio about your observation posted here.

Copyright/Patent is territorial in nature that is why even CocaCola patented their logo at the Philippine Patent Office. if DXGL 88.7 Real Radio is using something which is copyrighted/patented by another entity in the Philippines, they can easily be caught. Hence i think they are careful on this especially now that the station is really earning. Maybe they may not be original but if what they copied is not patented then there is no violation.

There is a very big possiblity for DXJJ 91.7 Star FM and DXYK 99.7 Campus Radio to be back on the air. These stations did not went bankrupt.

I think ABS-CBN was overshadowed by events that is why they failed to expand its radio network. They only have 3 AM stations and several FM Stations. they have several affiliate radio stations though. GMA is eating a bulk of the income which was with ABS few years back.

"When will DXVN 90.9Mhz start broadcasting?" - This depends on the decision of Madam Valentina Plaza, the owner of VisMin Radio Corporation.

"Bay Radio?" - Maybe when Bay Radio 99.9 Cagayan de Oro and Bay Radio 95.1 Iligan will be back broadcasting again.

Once the results of the latest Census will be released, it is expected that new radio stations will sprout in Butuan. Increase in population plus the increase of investments and being a regional center will then be Butuan's come on for new players.

xtian87

March 20th, 2008, 04:14 PM

BXU-GCP

March 21st, 2008, 04:25 AM

bxu-gcp, i just love your comments. i learned so much from you. im looking forward to meet you. persons with same wavelength... c:

106.5 is now officially mellow touch. they acquired a license, a person there said.

102.3 has the best fm transmitter. the downside? theres a busted part in its circuit which the salas failed to buy or repair. your right, its not the best as of now. haha.

you have connections sa NTC?

dxmb. my component says its stereo but its really mono. my left and right channel has the same sound.

magik fm's mix. i still disagree. listen to the station when they play the noisy stuffs, im sure you cant stand listening too long. thats if your ears are sensitive to distortion.

i thought bay radio in cdo is still on air. when was its last broadcast?

i believe butuan's population now has exceeded 300,000. ive read (i just cant remember where) that bxu's day population was around 350,000

Maybe nobody told Madam Letty or Nicole to upgrade the transmitter of Killer Bee 102.3, i will do it once we rub elbows again.

I simply browse webpages related to radio/tv on the web and you can get lots of info. Look also on the Annual Reports of NTC.

if your component stereo indicator says DXMB is on stereo, then Love Radio 95.1 is on stereo. Maybe their transmitter is an old one (????) and broadcasts on a single channel (???) thus there is no difference on the output in your speakers. New transmitters are sophistacated enough that you can notice the separate sounds from the different speakers of the receiver.

yeah, mainstream rock music is not so good to some(many???). Try to listen when DXMK plays a love song and you can hear the right mix(bass, treble, etc). Compare this with the other stations.

if DXRK 99.9 bay radio cdo is now on the air, then maybe DXYI bay radio 95.1 iligan or bay radio 103.1 butuan will follow suit.

The population of Butuan already exceeds 300T five years ago. Maybe it will be close to 400T by now.

xtian87

March 23rd, 2008, 01:22 PM

bxu-gcp, any official figures for the latest population of butuan? tnx. also other cities in caraga and other cities too of mindanao. hehe. tnx2

junax

March 24th, 2008, 03:06 AM

Salima - Ultimong Sundalo (Davao City)
DVGq0FKicXg&feature=related

junax

March 24th, 2008, 03:15 AM

Davao Various Artists - Wow Mindanao (Davao City)
zvxZHF6SI7g&feature=related

junax

March 24th, 2008, 03:16 AM

Davao Various Artists - Wow Davao (Davao City)
2ITmcQuEEfo&mode=related&search=

BXU-GCP

March 24th, 2008, 05:55 AM

bxu-gcp, any official figures for the latest population of butuan? tnx. also other cities in caraga and other cities too of mindanao. hehe. tnx2

Official figures for population will be released by the NSO. I will ask NEDA (wala akong friend sa NSO he he he) about it.

GearX

March 24th, 2008, 07:30 AM

Pinoy Cinderella film returns to Mindanao origins (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=112782)
By BOY VILLASANTA
abs-cbnNEWS.com

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/newspics/03-23-2008/abadeja225.jpg

The familiar Cinderalla story gets a Filipino neo-ethnic rock treatment with "Abadeha", a film version of an ancient Mindanao epic. The film, which has won an award at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival Los Angeles Edition in 2007, is set to finally be shown in parts of Mindanao in June.

“Abadeha” in its epic form is part of the written and oral tradition of the Manobo tribe and was in existence long before the colonization of the Philippines by the Spaniards nearly 500 years ago.

In that epic, the heroine Abadeha suffers under her evil stepmother but is later freed from her miserable situation by supernatural means.

“Long before the American Cinderella invaded our literary soil, the Filipinos had already our own dear heroine. But the Spanish authorities had to burned most of the manuscripts because they would get in the way of Christianization,” said Myrna de la Paz, a Filipino educator who migrated to the US in the seventies and eventually centered her studies and research on the subject abroad.

De la Paz wrote a book on “Abadeha” and consequently derived a screenplay from it. She then produced and directed the film versoin that won the Best Directorial Debut of a Feature Film at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival Los Angeles Edition 2007.

Its premiere showing at the Robinsons Galleria was attended by academicians mostly from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines where de la Paz taught. Likewise, it was featured during the 18th International Women’s Film Festival at the Cine Adarna of the UP Film Institute in Diliman a week ago.

“It was a rare opportunity sitting side by side with a popular woman director from the Philippines, Bb. Joyce Bernal, during the open forum who was also at the women’s filmfest because her movie ‘Don’t Give Up On Us’ was screened. I learned a lot about the Filipinos’ interaction about contemporary filmmaking because I was away from home for a long time,” admitted de la Paz hours before she went back to the US on Palm Sunday.

She’ll be away for six months to continue her teaching job at the LA Integrated School.

“I am also writing my second film which is also indigenous in nature,” volunteered Myrna.

Her next film project is “Voices of the Gods,” translated in Filipino as “Tinig ni Bathala,” and will be about the Filipino belief in anitos, or nature spirits.

According to Myrna’s supervising producer, Vangie Buenacruz, “Voices of the Gods” is a straight drama.

Meanwhile, “Abadeha”, which stars Lauren Novero ang UP actress Suriya, is scheduled to for screening at schools in Mindanao with the support of the Department of Tourism and Department of Education.

boju2

March 24th, 2008, 11:38 AM

Strengthening Mindanao’s skilled human resources
By Ms. Joji Ilagan Bian

First of two parts

Profile of Mindanao’s human resources

Mindanao has a total labor force of 8,435,878 as of April 2005, majority are from Region X. Surprisingly, Mindanao’s employment rate of 91.7 percent is even higher than the national average of 87.1 percent. Also, 26 percent of the country’s employed persons are in Mindanao.

:applause::applause::applause:

:cheers:Mas madagdagan pa ang employment rate ng Mindanao kung fully operational na ang Hanjin at iba pang huge industrial plant sa Mis Or at LDN.:cheers::cheers::cheers:

davaoeagle

March 24th, 2008, 07:35 PM

Make Mindanao new food basket, says Nograles
Philipine Daily Inquirer
By EDMER F. PANESA

House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles yesterday exhorted his fellow Mindanao lawmakers to pull together their resources and energies to "make Mindanao the new food basket" of the Philippines following warnings of an "impending food crisis" in the country.

Senators earlier warned of a looming food crisis amid the rising prices of rice, a staple food of Filipinos, and basic commodities in commercial markets.

The Department of Agriculture, however, denied this, saying that rice supplies are just right.

Nograles said that whether reports of a looming food crisis are true or not, there is a need to mobilize lawmakers from Mindanao to pull all funding resources available "to allow the resurgence of the region in the forefront of national productivity."

"This reported impending rice shortage must be viewed as a challenge and an opportunity for us in Mindanao and other rice producing regions, for that matter, to preempt any food crisis," the Speaker said.

The lawmaker from Davao City said Mindanao should "not remain a land of promise" as the time has come for it to become a "center of development."

He also called for a political ceasefire and urged leaders from both sides of the political fence to work together to prevent a food crisis from happening.

"There is no room for complacency and indifference. We all must move now and stop political mudslinging that helps nothing," Nograles said.

Nograles directed the Congressional Planning and Development Department, the House of Representatives’ think tank, to prepare a comprehensive legislative agenda, both short and long terms, that maybe taken up in an all-party caucus that includes the opposition after Congress resumes session on April 21.

"We have to identify all available and doable options that can be done right away. We also have to identify long-term alternatives that jibe with the national food production programs. We cannot allow a food crisis to happen. This is our duty and responsibility to our people," he said.

The Speaker also supported the proposal of Palawan Rep. Abraham Khalil "Baham" Mitra to encourage "corporate farming" which would surely enhance production efficiency by enjoining the country’s top 100 corporations to establish their own corporate farms to ensure food supply for their employees and families.

Mitra said with his proposal, employees of these corporations and their families need not have to join others who grapple with the current low supply of rice.

"Mayroon naman sila (corporations) sapat na kakayahan at pondo para magtayo ng sarili nilang pataniman di tulad ng ordinaryong pinoy na nagtatrabaho. Dapat katulong sila ng gobyerno sa pagsupil sa problema kasi mga empleyado nila ay apektado rin at sila rin naman ang mahihirapan," he pointed out.

Nograles said corporate farming is not new in the Philippines and, in fact, this method was proven effective during the time of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

"During the time of President Ferdinand Marcos there was rice surplus. Corporate farming was one of the vital components of food production during that era. We should learn to adopt the good options available," Nograles said.

He noted that excess food supply produced by these "corporate farms" were then sold through the rolling stores that combed depressed areas and other publicly accessible locations at almost farm gate prices.

Nograles explained that increase in commercial rice from P25 to more than P30 per kilo, is a result of "intertwined domestic and international factors," triggered by, among others, the skyrocketing oil prices in the international market, that need to be addressed to and fast.

"Let us redirect our priorities and resources to food production. We have the land and we have the manpower. What we need to do muster our resolve to work harder and together as one people. There must be concert between people and government, between the public and private sector," Nograles said.

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo proposed what he called as "two immediate and doable rice action plan and three policy changes" to avert the supposedly looming rice crisis.

The proposed two immediate steps are: (1) the strengthening of the local procurement capacity of the National Food Authority (NFA) and increase farmgate prices of palay, and (2) the dismantling of rice cartels.

The three imperative policy changes include: (1) the abandonment of rice trade liberalization policy and pull-out from the Agreement on Agriculture of the World Trade Organization; (2) the immediate stop to land use and crop conversions; (3) the re-alignment of debt servicing and counter-insurgency budget to agriculture food.

junax

March 25th, 2008, 06:02 AM

G-String - Langit (Davao City)
DQ5LzD4rQ_s

junax

March 25th, 2008, 06:06 AM

Foursided Circle - Langit (Ikaw Lamang Ang Iibigin) (Davao City)
75tTyyT4-8E

junax

March 25th, 2008, 06:22 AM

Hi-Flow-Dabawenyoz - Lasto2x (Davao City)
xlC8TP7_JQ0

GearX

March 26th, 2008, 12:07 PM

Pacquiao to fight illegal loggers in Mindanao (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080326-126457/Pacquiao-to-fight-illegal-loggers-in-Mindanao)
By Beverly T. Natividad, DJ Yap, Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:05:00 03/26/2008

MANILA, Philippines—From fighting Mexicans in the boxing ring to combating illegal loggers in Mindanao.

This is the new role Manny Pacquiao has taken on, on top of being the country’s boxing hero.

The newly crowned World Boxing Council super featherweight king and Environment Secretary Lito Atienza Tuesday announced their collaboration in the fight against illegal logging, with Pacquiao heading Task Force Luwas Kinaiyahan (Ligtas Kalikasan), a volunteer group that will go against indiscriminate loggers in Mindanao.

Warning

The two made the announcement at a breakfast meeting at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources before Pacquiao jumped on a motorcade that bore him through the streets of Metro Manila, where thousands of Filipinos hailed him for his hard-fought victory over Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao immediately issued a warning to illegal loggers: “Stop your activities ... Don’t wait for us to catch you.”

Pacquiao said that as a “probinsyano” from General Santos City, he had always been against the wanton cutting of trees.

He said illegal logging had been rampant in the Surigao provinces, Davao Oriental and Cotabato.

Illegal logging has also brought misery to his native General Santos, which now experiences bigger floods, where there used to be none, he said.

Different style

Luwas Kinaiyahan was formed last November but Pacquiao’s direct involvement with it had to be deferred so he could train for his fight with Marquez, whom he narrowly beat on points on March 15 to win the WBC title.

“He will have a very active role in the [task force],” said Atienza. “(His) style of leadership with the people is different.”

Apart from the illegal logging problem, Pacquiao also recently shelled out P100,000 for the Tarsier Conservation Program in Bohol province to help protect the world-renowned species.

Last year, Pacquiao also donated P100,000 to the Philippine Eagle Foundation.

‘Idol, idol!’

DENR employees rolled out the red carpet for Pacquiao when he visited their offices. Throngs welcomed him with confetti and loud music.

Not even the sophisticated Makati crowd was immune to his charms.

As the victory motorcade bearing Pacquiao rolled through Makati’s central business district, female office workers in uniforms shrieked like schoolgirls, while smartly dressed executives whipped out their camera phones for snapshots of the smiling, waving boxing idol.

Office workers ran outdoors for a glimpse of the boxer. Others, more reserved, peeked from windows.

“Idol! Idol!” some of the men shouted.

“Get down from there, Manny, and give us a kiss,” a middle-aged woman screamed.

Proud Pinay

Jane Nunag, 38, said seeing Pacquiao in the flesh was a thrill. “I’m proud to be a Filipino because of him,” the high school teacher said.

A disappointed Glenn Mediano only saw Pacquiao’s back as the convoy turned right on Makati Avenue.

“I didn’t know he would pass by here,” the 37-year-old messenger said.

Despite doubts among some of his compatriots that he had really beat Marquez, Pacquiao also received a hero’s welcome in other parts of the metropolis as well.

In Manila, people lined the streets and shouted his name.

Merceditas Jovenir, a 35-year-old street vendor from Tondo, held up photos of Pacquiao.

“I’m very happy to see him because I know he won fair and square,” she said in Filipino.

‘The thorn of Mexico’

Everyone with a cell phone camera simply had to take pictures of the man. In the slums of Road 10 in Tondo, some residents climbed rooftops, toting expensive digital cameras and handy cams.

A placard read: “The Thorn of Mexico.”

Throughout the motorcade in Manila, people greeted Pacquiao with almost nonstop applause, chanting his name or simply shrieking.

The champ waved back with the same hands that knocked Marquez down in the third round of their fight.

Pacquiao rode at the back of a black pickup draped with Philippine flags, while an aide held up his championship belts.

Members of a musical band rode ahead on another truck.

Unlike in his previous victory motorcades, no politician joined Pacquiao on his pickup Tuesday—leaving him alone to bask in the glory of his victory.

GearX

March 26th, 2008, 01:14 PM

FBI agents train RP forces in Mindanao (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=113151)
Agence France-Presse

JOLO - US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Wednesday launched a six-month counter-intelligence training program in the southern Philippines for 35 Filipino police and military personnel, an official said.

The program's aim is to sharpen intelligence skills of the Filipino forces in their continued hunt for Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants, provincial police chief Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim told Agence France-Presse.

"The FBI experts and instructors are now in Jolo to extend support to the intelligence group of the military and national police," Kasim said.

He described the training program as "intensive," adding that it would last for six months.

Small numbers of US troops have been training and providing intelligence to the Filipino security forces in the southern Philippines.

The cooperation has led to the deaths or capture of top militants from the Abu Sayyaf, a small group of militants blamed for the country's worst terrorist attacks.

Dreamer's

March 26th, 2008, 01:25 PM

Australia warns vs terrorist bombings in RP
03/26/2008 | 03:28 PM

Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us MANILA, Philippines - Amid questions on Indonesian bomber Dulmatin's supposed death, the Australian government warned Wednesday of possible terrorist bombings in the Philippines.

In an advisory updated Wednesday on its website, the Australian embassy cautioned its nationals to exercise a high degree of caution and to avoid travel to Mindanao.

"Further attacks, including terrorist bombings, are possible any time, anywhere in the Philippines," it said in its advisory.

The embassy said possible targets include places of worship, restaurants, markets, shopping malls including Mega Malls, embassies, public transport, including bus terminals, ferries and trains, hotels, hostels, guesthouses, bars, clubs, pubs, cinemas, tourist areas and public places in major population centers.

It listed these population centers as Cagayan de Oro City, Carmen, Cotabato City, South Cotabato, Davao City, Digos City, General Santos City, Isulan, Jolo Town, Kidapawan, Koronadal City, Makilala, Maganoy, Pagadian, Tacurong and Zamboanga City.

"Infrastructure associated with the Philippines Government such as transport infrastructure, airports, sea ports, oil depots, power facilities and public buildings are also potential terrorist targets," it said.

The embassy said it continues to receive "credible reports" that terrorists are planning "attacks against a range of targets in a variety of locations, including places frequented by foreigners."

The embassy cited a "very high threat of terrorist attack," including kidnapping and counter-terrorism operations, in mainland Mindanao, the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago.

Also, it said credible information indicates terrorists may be in the advanced stages of planning attacks.

"The attacks may be imminent and could occur at any time, anywhere in Mindanao. Attacks could occur in the lead up to and following religious celebrations," it said.

On the other hand, the embassy also warned against insurgent groups in rural areas that engage in extortion activities involving violence.

The embassy also cautioned Australians against traveling on ferries unless no other means of travel is available.

"Ferries are often overloaded, lack necessary life-saving equipment and are not adequately maintained. Terrorists claimed responsibility for a fire on a ferry traveling between Manila and the central Philippines in February 2004," it said.

It also warned against piracy in the coastal areas of the Philippines. - GMANews.TV

this bugos prediction by the ausies realy freaken other peoples mined. how they will know that there will be a bomb that will gona explode to this places. kadudaduda itong mga claim na ito...:ohno::ohno::ohno:

davaoeagle

March 26th, 2008, 06:05 PM

^^

And because you posted it in this international forum, you have further heightened the already very unpleasant impact of that advisory and the more that you have undermined the efforts of every city in Mindanao to promote local tourism. That's worse than the article itself, IMO. :ohno:

GearX

March 27th, 2008, 02:07 PM

Mindanao traders push for "Mindanao Ini" branding (http://www.positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Business_19/Mindanao_traders_push_for_Mindanao_Ini_branding.shtml)

DAVAO CITY, March 27 (PNA)--Mindanao business chambers are pushing for the phrase "Mindanao Ini" as the official source-brand of Mindanao products to establish the country's southern island identity.

This was bared by Elena Haw, chairperson of the Davao-based Federation of Business Chambers of Mindanao Foundation, Inc. (FBC-Mindanao).

The expressions means "This is Mindanao" or "Mindanao's Own," from the dialect of the largely Visayan-speaking migrant population of the region who trace their roots from central Philippines.

Haw said firmly establishing an identity for Mindanao products boosts efforts in making them locally and globally competitive.

FBC-Mindanao will formally present its "Mindanao Ini" advocacy at the forthcoming 3rd Mindanao Trade Investment and Tourism Congress (MTITC), April 10 and 11 in Sultan Kudarat.

Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto Mangudadatu said about 30 exhibitors throughout Mindanao are expected at the event.

Haw said trade and tourism issues will highlight the 3rd MTITC with its theme "Go Mindanao: Gearing Towards Global Competitiveness in Trade and Tourism.

She said that for the province of Sultan Kudarat, for example, the "Mindanao Ini" catchphrase can be imprinted on its handicraft products, frozen seafood and coffee.

Ultimately, it's the consumers themselves who will have to set the standards in branding products, Haw said.

Carlito Nunez, provincial head of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Sultan Kudarat, agreed and said buyers are in the best position to set standards for the products they want to buy.

FBC said the lack of a distinct identity for Mindanao produce is one of the concerns confronting the trade sector in Mindanao.

In tourism, FBC identified the lack of all weather road access to identified tourism sites and lack of tourism facilities as among the many issues affecting the sector.

The group said local government units could allocate funds for all-weather road networks in identified tourism sites as a solution to investment concerns in the region.

At the congress, exhibitors will showcase not only the various products and investment opportunities of Mindanao but also tourism sites and tour packages from the different regions in Mindanao, he added.

About 20 to 25 local tour operators nationwide and members of travel media are also expected.

The MTITC coincides the 2nd Sultan Kudarat Business Week Celebration on April 7 to 11. (PNA)

junax

March 27th, 2008, 02:11 PM

The Buboy Kimpo Experiment - Kon Fus Z3d (Confused) (Davao City)
WDSoCFd6Bno

Ibex

March 27th, 2008, 02:17 PM

GearX

March 28th, 2008, 03:08 AM

hehehe... the phrase is more ilonggo than mindanaoan..:cheers:

I like "Mindanao...Ato Ni!" :cheers:

Ibex

March 28th, 2008, 03:46 AM

I like "Mindanao...Ato Ni!" :cheers:

Or simply

"Product of Mindanao, Philippines"

^^

Pwede pud...

"Product of the Federal Republic of Mindanao"

dinabaw

March 28th, 2008, 11:41 AM

Pinay makes history as 1st West Point graduate in ’08

By Cathy S. Babao Guballa, Roxanne T. Estrellado Limjoco
Inquirer

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9818/allfilipino2bwith2bcadecl6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/8840/squad2bleader2bof2b112byx5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

MANILA, Philippines -- She had only asked to be part of the Philippine Military Academy, “but God gave me West Point.”

This is how Christy Isis “Ice” Achanzar, a 24-year-old native of Davao City, explains why she feels “extremely blessed” as she looks back on her three years at the premier military academy in the United States.

Next year, Achanzar will make history at the academy in New York as the first Filipino woman born and raised in the Philippines to graduate from its hallowed halls.

The US Military Academy at West Point has been in existence for over two centuries but it was only in 1975 that it began admitting female cadets.

Achanzar entered West Point in June 2004—the first Filipino woman to do so.

“The top 50 from our class during our plebe year at the PMA were asked to take an initial test,” she relates in an e-mail interview. “That number was whittled down to 16, and all of us underwent interviews [with] the respective US service academies we had chosen.” (For her, it was the Army.)

Achanzar and the others took physical tests as well as the SAT and TOEFL exams. The results came out in April when she was in Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija, for summer training.

Huge surprise

Through a rigorous process of elimination, Achanzar and Filipino-Iranian Mario Feliciano, a native of Zamboanga City, were picked from the batch.

“It was a huge surprise for me since I am a female, and I know that it has always been a competition between males,” Achanzar says.

When she first heard that she had been accepted, she thought it was a joke. “I didn’t believe it until the command personally informed me about it,” she says.

Achanzar was initially plagued by doubts about pursuing her dream of going to West Point: “I didn’t want to be so far away from my family, losing the peers I had established at the PMA and doing the cadet basic training all over again, which would make me fall behind by 14 months. The different culture and environment to adjust to, the language barrier, and the thought that I was not the best in my class were all floating in my head at that point.”

But in the end she conquered her fears, and together with Feliciano, became part of West Point.

Lifelong dream

Joining the military had been a lifelong dream for the young woman who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communications engineering from the University of the Immaculate Conception in Davao.

“I had always been fascinated with the bearing and principles of men in uniform. And my question has always been how I can be an instrument of God. Our parents brought us up to be service-oriented and prayerful, and the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi has always guided my decision-making,” she says.

According to Achanzar, the most difficult aspect of being at West Point is the physical distance from her family.

“Here at the academy, we are granted more leaves than when I was at PMA. However, I’m not really that excited about it since it’s almost always impossible for me to go home and spend it with my family and friends,” she says.

On her days off, Achanzar spends time with the other Filipinos at West Point—Cadet Carl Liwanag, who will graduate in May, and Feliciano, her classmate.

She talks of the “boodle fight,” a social dining activity that sees the cadets scrambling for the boodles (or food) made up of rice, pancit canton and other Filipino dishes brought by their sponsor, Nympha Leano. “The American cadets are welcome to join us,” she says.

The Filipinos’ long weekends are sometimes spent with their host families—the Laysons in Maryland or the Floreses in New Jersey.

“These families have generously opened their homes to us cadets,” Achanzar says.

Achanzar, Liwanag and Feliciano regularly check up on one another through e-mail, phone calls and the occasional get-together.

Sharing notes, techniques

“We share notes and academic books, and techniques on physical development in the areas of swimming, gymnastics, indoor obstacle course tests, and the Army physical fitness test,” Achanzar says.

She jokes that her male Filipino classmates are “studs,” in the sense that they are extremely physically fit.

Among Achanzar’s most memorable times at the academy was when she saw her squad shine: “One summer, my squad successfully finished [its] basic training with zero-percent attrition rate and was awarded the best squad in our summer company for first detail. Three members were chosen Soldier of the Quarter for their class. I was very happy for them.”

Another memorable event was when she “shot” the enemy during a “raid operation” after what she describes as an “exciting” Black Hawk helicopter ride.

“My buddy left me when he needed to stop the enemy movement. I took a shot and both the ‘enemies’ went down. Their MILES gear (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System) beeped when they got hit by my laser,” she relates.

Up until then, Achanzar had doubts about her ability to actually point and shoot. “I realized that when you are in the situation, you’ve just got to do it,” she says.

Equal opportunities

Being female and Filipino in a male-dominated academy does not faze Achanzar.

“Equal opportunities are granted and we get the same training. Admittedly, at certain points you cannot disregard the physical limitations of being female. It really takes a good amount of perseverance and more effort to catch up with the rest of your peers here, and so I have to train harder. People here are respectful and the environment is culturally diverse,” she says.

Achanzar says that as Filipinos at West Point, she and the other two cadets continue to keep the values imparted to them by their families and their alma mater.

“The PMA taught us not to complain about our difficulties but to try harder to get through that particular trial. You don’t always succeed in everything. When you fail, stand up and redeem yourself,” she says.

The thought of being the first Filipino woman to graduate from West Point in the near future continues to give Achanzar goose bumps and challenges her to do better so that she can promote the status of Filipino women and females in general.

Faith

And she has not forgotten the faith that carried her through the PMA and now West Point. As a PMA cadet, she remembers that in her low days, she simply prayed: “Lord, take charge and remove all the difficulties.”

After almost three years at West Point, Achanzar says her sentiments remain the same.

“My parents are my main prayer warriors,” she says. “If it wasn’t through their support and prayers and the trust of the people who gave me this opportunity ... I would not be here now.”

GearX

March 28th, 2008, 01:34 PM

GI Jane of the Philippines
:applause::applause::applause:

red_jasper

March 29th, 2008, 11:48 AM

Supreme Court releases bar exam results (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Local%20News&p=54&type=2&sec=2&aid=2008032932)

Saturday, March 29, 2008 04:15 PM

1,289 students passed the 2007 bar exams with students from Ateneo De Manila and University of the Philippines leading the top 10 of the examinees. The Supreme Court released the results at 4 p.m

The top ten are the following:
1. Mercedita Ona (Ateneo de Manila University)
2. Juanita Ong (University of the Philippines)
3. Ivanah Maanak (Ateneo de Manila University)
4. Jenny Aclan (University of San Carlos)
5. John Anthony Calaruan (University of Nueva Caceres)
6. Karen Canullas (San Sebastian College)
7. Cecille Mejia (Ateneo de Manila University)
Sheryl Ann Dizon (University of the Philippines)
8. Marco Kua (San Beda College)
9. Ruby Luy (Ateneo de Davao)
10 Christian Ligo (University of Cebu)
Vivian Tan (University of the Philippines)

neyoneyo80

March 29th, 2008, 03:16 PM

^^ Davao lang po ba ang nakapasok sa top 10 :( :ohno:

Peng Hok

March 29th, 2008, 03:35 PM

^^
Ateneo de Davao consistently produces bar topnotchers. It is not the 4th best law school in the Philippines for nothing. :)

REMORA

March 31st, 2008, 03:36 AM

Good morning everyone!

Hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts from all over will converge in CDO next week for a 14th National Convention of Motorcycle Clubs. Most of the riders have shipped their bikes to General Santos City and will proceed to Davao and then Cagayan de Oro via the famed BUDA highway. I did the route last year and was captivated with the roads, the scenery and the overall beauty of that part of Mindanao. I intend to see and savor more of its beauty and hospitality when my plane lands in GenSan on April 2, 2008.

Have a great day, Mindanao!:banana:

http://www.kagayanonkrusers.com/main2fundercons.swf

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/7448/amdgcdoax1.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/DSC02020.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/DSC01840.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/DSC01864.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/DSC00275.jpg

Ibex

March 31st, 2008, 03:43 AM

Welcome @Remora ^^

I think this is in Seagull Mountain Resort (Seagull in the sky) Marilog, Davao City.:cheers:

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/DSC01840.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/DSC00275.jpg

boju2

March 31st, 2008, 03:47 AM

^^I think the location is this:

http://mindanao.com/photoblog/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/hbimg_0203.jpg

Ibex

March 31st, 2008, 03:50 AM

^^I think the location is this:

http://mindanao.com/photoblog/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/hbimg_0203.jpg

Iba yan @Boju2... Sa Seagull Talaga yung photo :)

boju2

March 31st, 2008, 03:59 AM

^^Siguro yung dalawang qouted mo sa Seagull.

Ibex

March 31st, 2008, 04:07 AM

^^Siguro yung dalawang qouted mo sa Seagull.

thats right bro boju2 :okay: :)

REMORA

March 31st, 2008, 04:09 AM

Yes sir! It is the Seagull Mountain Resort. The Cawayanon photo is nearer Cagayan.:)

Ibex

March 31st, 2008, 04:17 AM

^^ God Speed nalang @Remora sa Ride ninyo... Post some photos after ... :)

junax

March 31st, 2008, 08:44 AM

Sidecrash - Miss User Friendly (Davao City)
MFV0_28jxeU

bariQ

March 31st, 2008, 10:35 AM

ive been to both. parang d sa pinas :D

GearX

March 31st, 2008, 10:52 AM

Hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts from all over will converge in CDO next week for a 14th National Convention of Motorcycle Clubs.

@REMORA, you can post some pix of the convention in CDO Conventions Thread here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=550090)

kurdapya

March 31st, 2008, 04:49 PM

Davao to CDO I think is best but Gensan to Davao, I dont think so.:ohno: The paved roads there are damaged because of sub-standard construction that dont last longer. The unfinished(that was 7 yrs ago) cliff roads after Malungon are still a headache for motorists for more than a decade.

The photos below were taken during my vacation last Feb.

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4369/dsc0216zg8.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/7660/dsc0249tu2.jpg

Nevertheless, you cant ignore the beauty of Davao del Sur on the far side especially at dawn and sunset...:nuts:

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/2858/dsc0178yg5.jpg

I hope all Bikers pass there safe....Good Luck on your trip!

REMORA

March 31st, 2008, 05:33 PM

Thank you sirs. I did this route last year and thought the road was good enough. However, some tell us that the bukidnon route to cdo, while offering good scenery, has lots of rain-damaged areas. They recommend the route from davao to cdo via the new butuan highway.. longer by 100 kms:? but well-paved.

From Kurdapya's post, I'm having second thoughts.:ohno:

Some pics from last year:

Lunch stop-over at Del Monte Golf Club

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/delmontegolfclub.jpg

Duka Bay

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/dukabay.jpg

dinabaw

April 1st, 2008, 04:26 AM

Little Swiss shop helps Lumads in Mindanao

By GERMELINA A. LACORTE | Davao Today

DAVAO CITY — Pencils and notebooks made in Germany and Switzerland, durable umbrellas, raincoats as big as blankets because European sizes are almost twice as big as average Filipino sizes, used toys curiously making their way to the lumad communities in Mindanao.

This was how Percinita Sanchez, executive director of the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc (Misfi), described the goods that first arrived in the Philippines 16 years ago, when their friend Monica Baumann, first set up the little Swiss shop in the village of Jeggenstorf, 16 kilometers from Bern, Switzerland, auctioning unused items to send off to poor communities in the Philippines.

“We used to receive huge Balikbayan boxes twice a year,” Sanchez remembers with amusement.

Baumann, who founded women’s group Theresa Ladeli (ladeli is the Swiss term for “little shop”) in Switzerland after the shock of her first visit in the Philippines, believed that reaching out to people who are also helping other people will enable their limited assistance to last a long way.

Now, the little Swiss shop is already coursing its help through 35 nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and peoples’ groups, whose projects include health, medical, literacy, daycare, socio economic and institutional support services in Mindanao’s most depressed barangays.

In her latest visit to the country, Baumann beamed when she learned that funds that Theresa Ladeli has been sending to the Philippines has already benefited 40,000 people in Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and Davao, Sanchez said.

The numerous projects included cooperative sari-sari stores, school buildings, pre and post harvest facilities, like corn shellers, corn millers, a rice mill, and in some areas, hogs and cattle dispersal, projects that may appear small, at times, but are critical for small communities to survive.

“The bulk of the assistance in the last 16 years went to our schools for the lumads (indigenous peoples),” Sanchez said. The group has been running 10 lumad literacy schools for adults and preschoolers in different indigenous communities in Mindanao since 1993.

In the beginning, Baumann’s “little shop” only collected donations in kind from people in Jegenstorf, by telling them to “bring what they want” and to give what they do not need. People would flock to the shop in Jegenstorf, bringing things they no longer need and then, picking up anything that they want from the shop displays.

Afterwards, the Swiss women would put the goods they collected in huge Balikbayan boxes and send them off to the Philippines. The boxes, containing used clothes and toys to kitchen utensils, Swiss knives and school supplies, make their way to the NGO communities assisting the lumads in Mindanao.

It was only much later, when goods had accumulated that Theresa Ladeli decided to auction some of the items and send the proceeds to the Philippines.

Last year, Baumann also put up a solidarity house in Indangan, funded by inheritance money from her father, Karl Mader, and another one in barangay Alabel in General Santos.

http://davaotoday.com/2008/04/01/little-swiss-shop-helps-lumads-in-mindanao/

dinabaw

April 1st, 2008, 05:27 AM

^^ madadaan mo to on the way to Davao -Butuan-CDO route , ilan kms ba Davao-Buda-CDO?

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/3822/dsc05903vd7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

REMORA

April 1st, 2008, 04:57 PM

^^ ilan kms ba Davao-Buda-CDO?

My buddies say it's around 265 kms.

GenSan to CDO is around 450 kms. Are those good estimates?

GearX

April 2nd, 2008, 05:12 AM

My buddies say it's around 265 kms.

GenSan to CDO is around 450 kms. Are those good estimates?

GenSan to Davao = 162 kms
Davao to CDO = 298 kms

therefore, GenSan to CDO = 460 kms...:cheers:

GearX

April 2nd, 2008, 05:24 AM

@remora, hope this helps...

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/ILIGAN/CDO-Distance.gif

arianespace

April 4th, 2008, 11:06 AM

Don't you know that there are only 4 operating Star-FM stations of Bombo Radyo Philippines in Mindanao.
Davao
Cotabato
Zamboanga
Dipolog

My guess is that these are the only profitable stations they have on this part of the island. The rest are simply not up to the task.

How sad!

Alingatong

April 4th, 2008, 03:55 PM

How about 104.1 DXIV (Star FM) which is on-air in Iligan?

arianespace

April 4th, 2008, 07:36 PM

How about 104.1 DXIV (Star FM) which is on-air in Iligan?

I don't think its part of the Bombo Radyo network
anymore. I was listening to the 2007 top 20 and it never mentioned the star-fm of cagayan de oro (DXEQ), Butuan and Iligan.

see this link
http://www.bomboradyo.com/star/

Not unless they are operating after that period then its probably theirs, otherwise, I believe they may be operating as franchisees of the network, like killerbee butuan and zamboanga. I was of the impression before that these FM stations in cagayan, iligan, butuan and marbel were owned by bombo and they were not operating profitably thats why they were closed. Their AM stations were however retained. Probably economics.:ohno:

ph_matrix

April 4th, 2008, 07:50 PM

^^ probably competition caused that, like in CDeO where there are more better FM stations than star FM, I like Sandy 101 in CDeO.

arianespace

April 6th, 2008, 03:15 PM

When i was in Cagayan de Oro there used to be only DXVM, RK, MRS, and Kiss-fm. And there was this little ryan who used to be associated with RK then VM then Killer Bee. All stations were great then with stations branding different identity. all of them are gone now. Replaced by Badoy station. Or so I was told. just to survived. tsk..tsk.. what a pity.

ph_matrix

April 6th, 2008, 05:20 PM

^^ na tatawa nga ako, looks like major sponsor yong roots herbal capsule for most stations.

davaoeagle

April 6th, 2008, 07:45 PM

Monday, April 07, 2008
Mindanao's 1st lifestyle mag launched at Marco Polo
Sunstar Davao

M LIFE and Living in Mindanao, the first glossy travel and lifestyle magazine that will truly showcase the best of Mindanao, will finally arrive in magazine stands and leading bookstores nationwide starting April 2008.

A quarterly publication, M features interesting pieces on adventure destinations, culinary pursuits, investment hubs, nocturnal activities, unique fashion creations, entertainment and wellness enclaves, profitable business endeavors, contemporary lifestyle and the people who have made a difference in Mindanao, painting a fresh image on the island as peaceful, successful and modern.

"We want to give readers glimpses of Mindanao contemporary lifestyle that is far from the stereotypical imaging of Mindanao as conflict ridden and backward. M truly marks a milestone in the history of Mindanao publishing as the first lifestyle magazine with national and international distribution that tackles life and living in Mindanao," according to editor-in-chief Jean Claire Dy.

For its premiere issue, M Life and Living in Mindanao will feature a piece on Budget Travel to Bukidnon and the Beaches of Mindanao on Travel, the award-winning innovations of fashion purveyor Dodjie Batu on Fashion & Trends, the artistic ingenuity of the Integrated Performing Arts Guild of Iligan on Arts & Culture, a peek on the fascinating use of space and design of Handuman ancestral home on Living, a bite of the famous "amik" delicacy of Muslim Mindanao on Cuisine, strolling along the vibrant nocturnal haunts of Cagayan de Oro on Nightlife, a fresh perspective of one of Mindanao's true woman of substance Ms Margarita Moran Floirendo on the Cover Story, and many other exciting stories, events, interactive pages and travel tips about the ins-and-outs of this island paradise.

The magazine's Davao Launch is April 8, 6 p.m. at the Mindanao Room of The Marco Polo, Davao.

dinabaw

April 7th, 2008, 11:40 AM

^^ here's a teaser :)

http://mebuyan.multiply.com/video/item/4/M_Life_Living_in_Mindanao_Teaser

garzland

April 7th, 2008, 11:58 AM

REMORA

April 7th, 2008, 03:44 PM

Just arrived from a great 5-day trip to Mindanao. Thank you for all the inputs guys. :bow:

Despite the heat, we enjoyed the trip immensely. The GenSan Davao road wasn't so bad, except for a few rough spots after Cliffhanger. Davao and the first 100 kms or so were glorious especially the foggy mountain passes. From Quezon to Sumilao and on to CDO was another story. There were many treacherous hard-to-notice ripples on the road. A few riders went down here.

Cagayanons probably had the unpleasant shock of experiencing a thousand bikes roaring all over the place over the weekend. I'm sure traffic is a lot more orderly now.:)

Of course, part of the Southern tour now includes this mansion!:banana:

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/pacmanhouse.jpg

Taken from Cliffhanger

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/triggerfish56/cliffhanger.jpg

junax

April 8th, 2008, 07:19 AM

Michael Alba - Drum Solo (Davao City)
pG96_30Pqu8&feature=related

this great davaoeno international drummer is one of the best the philippines could offer. michael alba is a household name for drummers. our band used to do sessions in his practice studio here in davao. great person!

junax

April 9th, 2008, 09:54 AM

Thirteenth Floor Elevators - Downer (Davao City)
ZRarMIpJx98

junax

April 11th, 2008, 08:05 AM

Vladimir Santos - Kaibigan Nga Ba (Tagum City)
QjO575SMLfg

davaoeagle

April 13th, 2008, 07:50 PM

Monday, April 14, 2008
Simply called 'M'
By Jojie Alcantara
Witerary
Sunstar Davao

THE newly launched glossy magazine is simply called M.

Featuring the best that the island of Mindanao has to offer, the publication showcases people, travel destinations, culture and arts, culinary distinctions, fashion, business and all the interesting aspects that life in this paradise can boast of.

The group (Cr8tiveminds, Inc.) behind this promising move aims to put M as the primary source of information on Mindanao's contemporary and definitive lifestyle.

Cr8tiveminds Inc. is composed of my good friends Ian Garcia, Art Boncato, John Abella, Jammer Lozano, Carlos Perez, and RJ Casabuena.

In the premier issue, the cover is proudly graced by our former Miss Universe titlist Ms Margie Moran-Floirendo, who gamely signed the magazines given away on the launching night at Marco Polo Hotel.

The short and interesting program was opened by M's editor-in-chief Claire Dy, hosted by Maikee Aportadera, and directed by Allan Hioca and stage managed by Edmund Superada, featuring a short fashion show of Dodjie Batu's collection, songs (sung by Juliet Bahala) and ethnic, ballet and hiphop dance performances (Alexis Javier and Raleon Monsanto, Maila Habagat and Chuck Pates).

The multimedia presentation of a collage of Mindanao images was done by Rhonson Ng, whose images also grace the pages of the magazine, and me.

Their website (www.m-mag.com.ph) states: "It has long been our dream to show a different side of Mindanao. This has given birth to M, a quarterly publication depicting a Mindanao that is ready to face the challenges of the world head on. It paints a fresh image of Mindanao-peaceful, successful and modern."

Well said, my good buddies (who look dashing that night in their outfits by Rajo Laurel).

Here's to more interesting features ahead. Check out my teaser magazine pages and a video preview of the launch night in my website (jojiealcantara.multiply.com).

(Email writer at jojiealcantara@gmail.com or visit www.witerary.com.)

Il Tenore

April 14th, 2008, 02:32 AM

Ibex

April 14th, 2008, 06:57 AM

fellow mindanaoan...

a UICian...

i'm back goyz!!

Where have you been @Il Tenore...:cheers:

Il Tenore

April 14th, 2008, 07:34 AM

^^secret....

ph_matrix

April 14th, 2008, 08:34 AM

Mag bigay galang po kayo sa mga ancestors ninyo .. :lol: OT

The Solution to Global Warming :D
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/maxxclip45/Scooter2.jpg

And their organization funded by Al Gore:D :nocrook:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/maxxclip45/Scooter.jpg

GearX

April 14th, 2008, 09:30 AM

Mag bigay galang po kayo sa mga ancestors ninyo .. :lol: OT

ok lang pag downhill...paano pag uphill? :lol:

ph_matrix

April 15th, 2008, 07:04 AM

^^ use the foot... :lol:

davaob4now

April 15th, 2008, 08:39 AM

ok lang pag downhill...paano pag uphill? :lol:

hello ssc,
pag uphill?bitbitin nlng ang wooden scooter...hehehe:lol:

g0Rs

April 20th, 2008, 06:13 AM

Mindanao Cities (2007 Census)

Davao City 1,363,337
Zamboanga City 774,407
Cagayan de Oro City 553,966
General Santos City 529,542
Iligan City 308,046
Butuan City 298,378
Cotabato City 259,153
Tagum City 215,967
Marawi City 177,391
Valencia City 162,745
Pagadian City 161,312
Panabo City 154,329
Koronadal City 149,622
Digos City 145,514
Malaybalay City 144,065
Surigao City 132,151
Ozamis City 123,137
Mati City 122,046
Kidapawan City 117,610
Dipolog City 113,118
Gingoog City 112,247
Bislig City 102,009
Bayugan City 95,032
Island Garden City of Samal 90,291
Isabela City 87,985
Tacurong City 82,546
Lamitan City 82,074
Dapitan City 72,792
Oroquieta City 65,349
Cabadbaran City 61,564
Tangub City 56,644
Tandag City 50,459
El Salvador City 41,905

red_jasper

April 21st, 2008, 05:58 AM

Mindanao farmers can learn a lesson from Oton
By CHERYLL D. FIEL | Davao Today (http://davaotoday.com/2008/04/21/mindanao-farmers-can-learn-a-lesson-from-oton/2/)

http://davaotoday.com/main/uploads/2008/04/21/1.jpg
Nepthalie Betito explains the making of a catchment for rainwater
they use to water their vegetable garden in the dry summer.
(davaotoday.com photo by Cheryll D. Fiel)

Growing plants in the summer could be very difficult, especially for farmers in Mindanao more prone to the risks of temperature increase.

According to the Manila Observatory, a non-government organization which has been into scientific research on atmospheric science, it is Mindanao which poses high risk to temperature increase and El Niño.

Based on risk maps which the Manila Observatory issued recently and which can be viewed at www.observatory.ph/vm, 16 areas in Mindanao are in the top twenty areas considered high risk to temperature increase.

Davao del Sur, which ranked sixth in the risk map is considered to be more at risk from El Niño and Davao del Norte, 18th.

http://davaotoday.com/main/uploads/2008/04/21/2.jpg
A neighbour of the Betito’s hauls water from the cistern.
(davaotoday.com photo by Cheryll D. Fiel)

But who knows, the practice of farmers in Panay’s oldest municipality of Oton could help Mindanao farmers cope with the harsh weather?

In Sta. Monica, a village in the coastal town of Oton, where participants in the Iloilo city disaster risk reduction reporting training visited, irrigation canals are all drying up at this time of the year.

Only the family of Jose Gerry Mansili and some neighbours can make use of the land because of a pond, half-a-hectare wide, they built twenty years ago.

The pond serves as catchment for rainwater used to irrigate their rice field in summer. The family also grows hito and tilapia in the pond.

http://davaotoday.com/main/uploads/2008/04/21/3.jpg
Summer Harvest. The Betito’s still get to harvest vegetables
from their garden even at the height of summer, when almost every plant in
the area seems to have wilted and died. Thanks to the cisterns that collect
rainwater they use to irrigate their plants.
(davaotoday.com photo by Cheryll D. Fiel)

In barangay Abilay Sur, not far from Sta. Monica, Nepthalie Betito does not have land as big as the Mansili’s but Betito was able to find a way.

He dug out a pit four meters deep and three meters wide and with improvised bamboo to serve as pipelines, collected rain water from the rooftops to the pit. His wife helped him dig another two of this pit.

So, when the last of the rains came in February this year, Betito had already collected enough rainwater in these cisterns to irrigate his plants throughout the summer.

Betito once tried to find a better life out of Iloilo, working for various odd jobs, which included being a sales agent for books in Davao.

Finding no luck in these ventures, he returned to Iloilo five years ago. He found himself in possession of a land that totally dries up and cracks up in summer.

Water is also scarce. All the rest of Abilay Sur depends on artesian wells. The village is not even reached by the water pipe of the Iloilo Water District. The only source, aside from the artesian wells, is rain.

http://davaotoday.com/main/uploads/2008/04/21/5.jpg
He’s not on a drinking binge. Nepthalie Betito is just trying to show
how he makes his own organic fertilizer where beer is an ingredient.
(davaotoday.com photo by Cheryll D. Fiel)

So, Betito thought of a way for his family to survive.

With enough rainwater to irrigate his two-hectare land, Betito devoted it to vegetables and rice. With enough water to use, he is assured of a weekly income from the vegetable plants for the summer.

He has a plot planted with alogbate, another plot planted with eggplant, siling labuyo, ampalaya and okra. He and his wife only had to haul buckets of water from the cistern every other day to water these plants.

Now he earns at least a thousand per week from the vegetable garden. They also augment their food for consumption with the African Hito that they also grow in these cisterns

But on top of this, he also applied what he learned from the Department of Agriculture (DA) seminar on how to create organic fertilizers and pesticides.

http://davaotoday.com/main/uploads/2008/04/21/7.jpg
A dried up irrigation canal of Sta. Monica in Oton municipality, Iloilo.
(davaotoday.com photo by Cheryll D. Fiel)

From garlic, crude sugar, and beer, Betito can make his own organic pesticide. Several other concoctions he learned from the DA he is using now for his garden.

Among them is the “Oriental Herbal Nutrient,” a concoction of ginger and fermented juice of banana, stalks, bamboo shoots and crude sugar.

Benito even makes use of leftover rice! By mixing it with a kilogram of sugar, cooked rice, Betito comes up with a home-made fertilizer.

As a result of these practices, Betito’s place looks like an oasis in a desert-of-a-village in Oton.

Unfortunately, not too many farmers in Oton knew what the Betitos and the Mansili’s practice.

To popularize it, the local government will give awards to the practices of farmers like Betito and Mansili during the Katagman Festival in May. (Cheryll D. Fiel, davaotoday.com)

http://davaotoday.com/main/uploads/2008/04/21/8.jpg
Harsh land. This is how the ricefield looks like during summer in Sta. Monica, Oton, Iloilo.
(davaotoday.com photo by Cheryll D. Fiel)

http://davaotoday.com/main/uploads/2008/04/21/9.jpg
Only the family of Jose Gerry Mansili and some neighbours can make use of their land
because of this pond which the family built twenty years ago. The pond
serves as catchment for water used to irrigate their rice field in summer.
The family also grows hito and tilapia in the pond.
(davaotoday.com photo by Cheryll D. Fiel)

FrancisXavier

April 21st, 2008, 07:06 AM

BOB-bXu

April 21st, 2008, 07:24 AM

red_jasper

April 22nd, 2008, 06:48 AM

Davao Norte's plan to host 2010 Palaro imperiled (http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4224&Itemid=61)
Rico Biliran/MindaNews
Tuesday, 22 April 2008 11:41

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY (MindaNews/21 April) – “See you in Davao Del Norte Region XI for the 2010 Palarong Pambansa: From Gov. Rodolfo P. Del Rosario,” said the message written on colorful streamers hung in vital establishments and key streets in this city.

But the banners triggered confusion as Education secretary Jesli Lapus on Sunday announced that the Palarong Pambansa will go back to Luzon in 2010 and that the province of Tarlac is bidding to host the games.

In a press conference at The Legend Palawan Hotel, Lapus explained the Luzon – Visayas – Luzon – Mindanao hosting rotation of the biggest national athletic competition for elementary and secondary students.

Based on the hosting rotation process, it would be Luzon’s schedule to host the games in 2010 and the games will go to Mindanao the following year.

“If the rules will be changed, it always puts us in danger. We should go by the rules,” said Lapus, a former three-term congressman of the 3rd district of Tarlac. He was born in Tarlac, Tarlac.

Western Visayas, in particular the province of Capiz, is bidding to host the Palaro next year, the secretary said.

Numerous banners that served as an invitation to the possible holding of the games in Capiz have been displayed here.

Naga City hosted the games in 2006, Ilo-ilo City in 2005 and Lanao Del Norte in 2004.

Last year, Koronadal City , South Cotabato hosted the games where the National Capital Region stamped its class to capture the overall crown.

Davao Del Norte wanted to host the games two years from now as the programmed reconstruction of its burned old sports complex into a spanking new state-of-the-art facility will be completed next year or early in 2010.

A few months following his election last year, Gov. Del Rosario made three major steps geared towards the goal of hosting the 2010 Palaro.

DepEd Undersecretary Ramon Bacani said the primary requirement in hosting the Palarong Pambansa is an existing sports complex.

“Over the years, that has been the basis, “said Bacani who is in-charge of the department’s regional operations.

He added Del Rosario's son and provincial sports coordinator Anthony Del Rosario told him that the province, which has three component cities, is constructing a sports complex.

Puerto Princesa City’s local government unit and residents are cashing in on the Palaro hoopla while showcasing to the world its brand positioning as a thriving sports and ecotourism destination.

“The support system required for the Palaro is massive and we congratulate Mayor (Edward) Hagedorn for a wonderful support he gave to the games,” said Lapus.

In the last two to three weeks, the city tourism office recorded some 10,000 to 18,000 athletes, coaches, officials, parents and tourists that have come to witness the games.

“This translates to increased business for local entrepreneurs, as we have an opportunity for local urban centers to put their best foot forward for investors as well as visiting tourist,” Lapus said. (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)

red_jasper

April 24th, 2008, 05:02 AM

Davao bags 1st gold in Palaro
Rico Biliran/MindaNews
Thursday, 24 April 2008 10:30

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (MindaNews/23 April) -- Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) snatched its first gold Wednesday morning when ace jumper Jesalyn Molde topped the secondary girl’s long jump.

Davao City’s Molde, 17, hurled her way to the elusive gold that lifted the hopes of the 485-Davao Region contingent and took vengeance to Central Visayas bet who upset her to win the triple jump gold.

Earning the fitting distinction of the first DAVRAA gold medalist, Molde jumped to a distance of 5.16 meters besting tough contender Irene Baluran of Central Visayas who registered 5.16 meters.

Baluran, who foiled Molde’s bid to clinch the triple jump gold by handing the Davao City native a silver medal, took the silver while Chit Calayog of Western Visayas copped the bronze with 4.96 meters.

“We are very thankful that we have finally won a gold medal from her (Molde). We hope that we could win more gold’s, “said Dr. Fidel Japos, DAVRAA athletic manager.

Read full story here (http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4235&Itemid=61)

davaoeagle

April 24th, 2008, 09:56 AM

Davao City most populated among 27 Mindanao provinces and 33 cities
Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews
Wednesday, 23 April 2008 15:07

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/23 April) – Davao City is the lone Mindanawon city to have reached a population of more than one million, according to the 2007 Philippine Census of Population (Popcen 2007).

Within Mindanao’s 27 provinces and 33 cities, however, Davao City’s 1,363,337 population is the highest, data from the Census showed.

Among the provinces, Bukidnon has the highest population at 1,190,284, although that is still lower than Davao City’s. Only three Mindanao provinces have a population of over a million each: Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur and North Cotabato.

Conducted by the National Statistics Office, Popcen 2007 has placed the Philippine population at 88,574,614 persons as of August 1, 2007. The results were made official with the signing by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of Proclamation No. 1489 last April 16.

Of 88.57 million Filipinos, 23.59 million are in Mindanao.

MindaNews collated the regional reports of the Mindanao portion of the 2007 Census and came up with the following Top 10 cities and Top 10 provinces in Mindanao:

The Top 10 Cities are Davao (1.36M), Zamboanga (774,407), Cagayan de Oro (553,966), General Santos (529,542), Iligan (308,046), Butuan (297,378), Cotabato (257,997), Tagum (215,967), Marawi (177,391) and Valencia (162,745).

The least populated Mindanao City is El Salvador (41,905) in Misamis Oriental, one of six newly-created cities and one of the subjects of protest by the League of Cities of the Philippines.

Davao City’s barangays Buhangin Poblacion, Talomo Poblacion and Sasa have higher population than El Salvador City, with at least 50,000 each.

The Top 10 Provinces are Bukidnon (1.19 M), Lanao del Sur (1,138,544), North Cotabato (1,121,974), Zamboanga del Sur (914,278), Zamboanga del Norte (907,238), Sulu (849,670), Davao del Norte (847,440), Davao del Sur (822,406), South Cotabato (767,254) and Misamis Oriental (748,885).

Among the five island provinces (Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Camiguin, Dinagat), Sulu has the highest population.

Overall, Camiguin Island has the least population among the 27 provinces, at 81,293.

The cities ranked from 11th to 33rd and their population:
11. Pagadian 161,312
12. Panabo 154,329
13. Koronadal 149,622
14. Digos 145,514
15. Malaybalay 144,065
16. Surigao 132,151
17. Ozamiz 123,137
18. Mati 122,046
19. Kidapawan 117,610
20. Dipolog 113,118
21. Gingoog 112,247
22. Bislig 102,009
23. Bayugan 95,032
24. Island Garden City
of Samal 90,291
25. Isabela 87,985
26. Tacurong 82,546
27. Lamitan 82,074
28. Dapitan 72,792
29. Oroquieta 65,349
30. Cabadbaran 61,564
31. Tangub 56,644
32. Tandag 50,459
33. El Salvador 41,905

The provinces ranked 11th to 27th and their population:
11. Maguindanao 710,829
12. Sultan Kudarat 675,644
13. Compostela Valley 637,366
14.Agusan del Sur 609,447
15. Shariff Kabunsuan 562,886
16. Zamboanga Sibugay 546,186
17. Surigao del Sur 541,347
18. Lanao del Norte 538,283
19. Misamis Occidental 531,680
20. Davao Oriental 486,104
21. Sarangani 474,514
22. Tawi-tawi 450,346
23. Surigao del Norte 409,468
24. Basilan 408,520
25. Agusan del Norte 314,027
26. Dinagat Islands 120,813
27. Camiguin 81,293

Overall, Camiguin is the third least populated area in the country. Batanes has a population of only 16,000 and Siquijor has 81,000, the NSO reported. (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)

davaoeagle

April 24th, 2008, 09:56 PM

Friday, April 25, 2008
Mindanao leaders divided on Pimentel's bill
By Ben O. Tesiorna

THE bill filed by Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. for a constitutional change to adopt a federal form of government was met with varied reactions by Mindanaoans.

In a text message Wednesday evening, Pimentel said he just filed a resolution to amend the Philippine Constitution and adopt a federal system.

The Mindanaoan senator said 11 of his colleagues supported his resolution and acted as co-sponsors. They are Senators Manny Villar, Egardo Angara, Pia Cayetano, Juan Ponce Enrile, Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Gregorio Honasan, Ping Lacson, Kiko Pangilinan, and Ramon "Bong" Revilla.

In his reaction, House Speaker Prospero Nograles said he is personally in favor of a federal system but added that he first wanted to read the Senate version before making any official statement.

He said that with the latest development in the Senate, he will be meeting with the leaders of the House of Representatives to see how they would go about it.

Former congressman and DOTC secretary Pantaleon "Bebot" Alvarez meanwhile hailed the Senate resolution as he suggested that the bill call for a constitutional convention in 2010 simultaneous with the presidential election.

"Let the constitutional convention decide what to amend. It's high time the whole Constitution is overhauled," Alvarez said.

Tagum City Mayor Rey "Chiong" Uy also supported Pimentel's resolution, saying that it is high time for those outside Metro Manila to "chart our own destiny."

M'lang Mayor Lito Pinol meanwhile said that a federal system is "generally good," but added he still has to read Pimentel's resolution to determine if he would be supporting such a move or not.

Mindanao business leader Joji Ilagan-Bian is also supportive of the Senate resolution, saying autonomy is the only way Mindanao would truly progress.

"I strongly support that because that has been a long time Mindanao advocacy. This level of autonomy is the way to faster development of Mindanao and will result in sustainable peace," Bian said.

Compostela Valley Governor Arturo "Chiongkee" Uy said "a federal state of Mindanao will hasten development in the island."

Former Davao del Norte vice governor Anthony del Rosario said he had long been supporting such a move and it's about time for a "federal parliamentary" form of government.

For North Cotabato Rep. Bernardo Pinol Jr., a federal system of government is however not suitable in view of the present crop of leaders.

"The present state of the Philippines is not due to the type of governance or political system. It's the leaders' lack of true leadership and political acumen. Mga walang abilidad," Pinol said.

Former Davao City mayor Benjamin de Guzman is also against such a move, saying the people are only concerned about food crisis the country is facing.

"The bill is not of urgent importance to us. Changing our government system will not solve the rice, fuel, wage or financial crisis. It will even add confusion to the miserable state of affairs of the country. We can't even delineate the territorial limits of the Philippines as in the Spratly Bill, now we are proposing a change in our political structure," de Guzman said.

City Councilor Edgar Ibuyan on the other hand said "changing the constitution is not the answer to the country's economic and political woes. Besides, it is not timely since 2010 is fast approaching and the President's term is going to end already."

Vice Mayor Sara Duterte meanwhile said that before changing any form of government, the Filipinos must first change themselves.

"I truly believe, if most of the government employees will not be sincere and faithfully serve the public interest, then any form of government is of no consequence. In short, people should change before we change anything else," the young Duterte said.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which has been calling for secession, said it will first have to see the Senate resolution and study it further before making any comment.

dinabaw

April 25th, 2008, 11:20 AM

from M magazine

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/7348/m20layout20p12lp5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

GearX

April 25th, 2008, 12:21 PM

Camiguin white island?

boju2

April 26th, 2008, 04:05 AM

from M magazine

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/7348/m20layout20p12lp5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Camiguin white island?

^^Camiguin ata yan, ganda talaga noh:cheers:

Alingatong

April 26th, 2008, 04:11 AM

^^Very appropriate for such a glossy page. Good taste. :cheers:

KulasKusgan

April 26th, 2008, 05:43 AM

The Premiere Issue
f9ErvEJmlqo

Launch Party
lYcLfI-zuLM

Behind the Scene
uH5unWfWvO0

tj_brewed

April 26th, 2008, 05:48 AM

davaob4now

April 27th, 2008, 06:36 AM

^^ yung M sa wallpaper..akala ko Mc Donalds :D This mag is a obviously a spin off from Margie's popular local tv show in ABSCBN Davao called MOM - Margie on Mindanao. Anyway, i hope its presence will be strongly felt here in Metro Manila, Luzon, and the entire Visayas as well...So people from outside of Mindanao could see what Mindanao is today. Congrats to all of us Mindanawons!

yes very nice...mas mganda pa more than what i thought before sa mag na to..so this M mag will be circulated nationally??? kuyaw!i hope this mag will be an instrument in changing people's perception about mindanao...dami kasing potentials ng mindanao, na haharangan lang because of that existing perception(s)...

mayron bang parang newsletter eto?yung pwede mag subscribe through email?parang hindi ata pwede...

tj_brewed

April 27th, 2008, 07:38 AM

Mindanao’s Top 100 Blogs for 2007

Here’s the list of the top 100 Mindanao Blogs for 2007. The list was taken from the registered blogs found in the Mindanao Blog Directory. The blogs’ ranking were based on the data taken from technorati and feedburner.

To the authors of the following blogs, congratulations!

http://www.alleba.com/blog
http://www.mindanao.com/blog
http://www.jehzlau-concepts.com
http://www.batangyagit.com
http://www.vinceleste.com
http://spaceofinfluence.blogspot.com
http://blog.jammedph.com
http://aclworld.blogdrive.com
http://www.dotastrategy.com
http://ptlavina.wordpress.com
http://www.jemme.net
http://chingscdo.blogspot.com
http://kirbitz.blogspot.com
http://www.robilloblog.com
http://www.blogsilog.com
http://www.chikadora.com
http://migs.wordpress.com
http://teebob.blogspot.com
http://davaosfoodhuntress.blogspot.com
http://www.chartherct.com/
http://www.angdabawenyo.com
http://teremyblog.blogspot.com
http://www.dahandahanlang.com
http://politics.alleba.com
http://stentorized.blogspot.com
http://myconsolingasylum.blogspot.com
http://prcboardexamresults.com
http://conradmiguel.com
http://riajose.wordpress.com
http://rhodilee.com/
http://ice9web.blogspot.com/
http://siyete.wordpress.com
http://www.hoopaddict.com
http://cantilangnon.i.ph
http://www.philippinesparadise.info/
http://blog.wyzemoro.com
http://richelle-rn.blogspot.com
http://reyian.blogspot.com
http://www.mydavaocity.com
http://www.healthandwealthtopic.com
http://mandayamoore-orlis.blogspot.com
http://www.dingexx.com/
http://ittalks.robilloblog.com
http://www.cherylestorgio.com/
http://www.jeanclairedy.wordpress.com
http://taorinpoako.blogspot.com
http://www.davaohotspots.com
http://www.alternat1ve.com
http://wggtah.blogspot.com
http://www.southisms.com
http://bananachoked.blogspot.com
http://www.wordgodspells.com
http://robstroy.blogspot.com/
http://filipinonurse.blogspot.com
http://istambay.wordpress.com
http://www.robstroy.com
http://rhyan.net
http://marcospot.blogspot.com
http://www.shopchicks.com
http://doodleztech.blogspot.com
http://pmvb.info
http://shane.jaducana.net/
http://www.davaoblogs.net
http://dabawpinoy.blogspot.com/
http://davaodeli.com
http://sixpack.robilloblog.com
http://crazydrunkguyv2.blogspot.com
http://theusualsuspects.mobi
http://aethen.blogspot.com
http://care-for-your-health.blogspot.com
http://showbizchika.dingexx.com/
http://pidjanga.blogspot.com
http://maying.writersnook.net
http://fielsvd.blogspot.com/
http://eetsie.eklaboo.com
http://m2factorial.blogspot.com
http://myflipflopsandnotes.blogspot.com
http://student.batangyagit.com
http://bacongco.com
http://movie-music-review.blogspot.com
http://neodavao.wordpress.com
http://shyyen.blogspot.com
http://celebpro.blogspot.com
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jcjimc/BethanyChristianHomeforChildrenT
http://mindanaokini.blogspot.com
http://daracks.blogspot.com
http://benhurjun.i.ph/
http://www.odyscorner.com
http://fencesitter.i.ph
http://girlfromdipolog.blogspot.com
http://writingedge.blogspot.com
http://pc.batangyagit.com
http://honeycaragos.blogspot.com
http://cutieissa.blogspot.com
http://iamsorceress.wordpress.com
http://davaodiaries.blogspot.com
http://theignatianperspective.blogspot.com
http://periodicosurigao.blogspot.com
http://www.bloggwing.com
http://cutie.lecio.us

hakhaimo

April 27th, 2008, 06:15 PM

Is Zamboanga City Featured in M Magazine? Thanks!

garzland

April 28th, 2008, 04:53 AM

Mindanao exports grow 23% in 2007; coconut oil, bananas top products sold (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW042808/content.php?id=053)

DAVAO CITY — Value of Mindanao’s exports grew by about 23.33% to $2.59 billion last year from $2.10 billion in 2006, with coconut topping the list of traded commodities.

A report released late last week by the Mindanao Economic Development Council, or MEDCo, showed that coconut crude and refined oil exports last year amounted to $561.60 million, 53.66% more than the $365.48 million in 2006.

The island’s total coconut exports in 2007, the report added, accounted for about 21.68% of the island’s total.

Surge expected

Lornito U. Orillaneda, regional director of the Philippine Coconut Authority, said he expects a surge in coconut production within the next two years with his agency’s coconut farm rehabilitation program now covering about 12,000 hectares.

In a previous interview, Mr. Orillaneda said he believed that coconut farmers will be persuaded to develop their farms due to incentives granted by the government like seedlings of high-yielding coconut varieties and increasing prices of copra. Copra prices here run as high as P35 a kilogram.

Many coconut farms in the Davao Region were devastated by dry spell in the last 10 years, resulting in a significant hectarage being converted to cultivate other crops like banana.

Second biggest export

Fresh bananas, ranked second among Mindanao’s top exports with $392.8 million, or 2.28% lower than the $401.95 million in receipts recorded in 2006, the report added.

But the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, particularly in Davao City, has warned that aside from the threat of a strong peso, local banana producers are also bracing for the possible enforcement of the city ordinance banning aerial spraying in banana farms. The Court of Appeals office in Cagayan de Oro has yet to decide whether the ordinance is constitutional.

The third major export of Mindanao last year was nickel ore, for which it recorded $351.84 million in total receipts, almost a threefold increase over the $123 million recorded in 2006.

The main source of nickel ore in Mindanao, mostly bound for China, is the Caraga Region.

Top buyers

Other top exports of Mindanao last year were tuna at $192.1 million, iron ore agglomerates with $171.82 million, preserved pineapple with $117.23 million, iron and non-alloy steel at $66.2 million, fresh pineapple at $57.15 million, and desiccated coconut at $41.2 million.

Japan was still the top importer of Mindanao products last year with a 24.22% share at $627.47 million. Value of Mindanao exports to Japan last year rose by 33.53% from 2006, the report added.

The US bought $558.64 million from Mindanao last year, or a 35.83% increase from the value recorded in 2006.

China’s imports from Mindanao grew 87.6% to $305 million over the value recorded in 2006. Among the key exports that China bought last year were nickel ores, fresh bananas and organic chemicals, the report added. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

GearX

April 28th, 2008, 07:17 AM

Batangas port case hampers release of P500M under PPA bond float (http://www.portcalls.com/html/news/news.html)

THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is requesting the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to release the remaining P500 million under its bond floatation program despite legal wranglings at Batangas Port.

DBP is withholding the release of the funds, citing concerns that the PPA will be unable to pay the amount should the Supreme Court (SC) uphold its earlier decision ordering the port agency to pay P11 billion to P14 billion (including interest and penalties) more for contested lots affected by the Batangas port development project.

“We already received P1.5 billion out of the P2-billion bond float. (Underwriter) FMIC (First Metro Investment Corp) has backtracked and so we will ask DBP to release the P500 million,” PPA general manager Atty. Oscar Sevilla said.

“The issue on Batangas should not be taken into consideration considering that it is still pending before the Supreme Court,” Sevilla explained.

The PPA will use the amount for the modernization of six priority ports namely the wharf at Cagayan de Oro, Sasa Wharf port expansion, Iloilo Container Port Complex, wharf in Ozamiz Oriental and phase II of the wharf expansion at the Zamboanga, and the General Santos City port expansion.

:applause: to all Mindanao Ports

tj_brewed

April 28th, 2008, 01:02 PM

Mindanao's total trade hits $3.7B in 2007 (http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4264&Itemid=54)
MindaNews
Monday, 28 April 2008 11:37

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/27 April) – Crude and coconut oil topped the list of Mindanao’s exports last year followed by banana and nickel ore.

Mindanao’s total trade last year reached $3.746 billion last year, up by 24.62% from $3.005 billion in 2006, data from the Mindanao Economic Development Council released over the weekend showed.

The island’s export earnings grew by 23.23% at $2.593 billion from $2.104 billion the previous year.

Mindanao’s imports, however, increased by 27.87% from $901.549 million in 2006 to $1.153 billion last year.

Crude and refined coconut oil topped Mindanao’s exports in 2007 with a 21.67% share of Mindanao’s aggregate export revenue. It registered a value of $561.6 million in 2007, or 53.66% higher than the $365.48 million registered in 2006.

Fresh banana ranked second with 15.15% share and an aggregate receipt of $392.80 million or 2.28% lower than the $401.95 million in 2006.

Although the volume of fresh banana (in kilograms) increased by 441%, compared with 2006, this does not commensurate to the appreciation of peso which has lowered the value of the island’s exports earnings, the report explained.

Nickel ore ranked third with total export revenue of $351.84 million, reflecting 184.21% from US$123.80 million in 2006.

Other top earners for 2007 were tuna, $192.10 million; iron ore agglomerates, $171.82 million; preserved pineapple, US$117.23 million; lauryl, stearyl & cetyl alcohol, $97.67 million; flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, $66.20 million; fresh pineapple, $57.15 million and desiccated coconut, $41.20 million.

Japan, for two years in a row, remained the top export market for products coming from Mindanao. In 2007, receipts from the Japanese market amounted to $627.47 million, accounting for 24.20$ of the island’s aggregate income for the year. It posted an increase of 33.53% from $469.903 million in 2006.

The United States and China, respectively, trailed Japan. Exports to the US in 2007 reached $558.64 million and $305 million in China.

The other top markets for 2007 are Netherlands ($235 million), Korea ($139 million), Iran ($79 million), Singapore ($60 million), Malaysia ($58 million), Vietnam ($47 million) and Italy ($41 million).

In terms of regional export performance, Region XI (Davao region) contributed the highest percentage share at 31.81% or $824.737 million; Region X (Northern Mindanao), 31.23% or $809.612 million; Region XII (Southwestern Mindanao), 17.57% or $455.592 million; Caraga, 13.50%; Region IX (Zamboanga peninsula), 5.88%; and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 0.0003%.

Among all the six regions in Mindanao, Caraga region registered highest in terms of growth rate in exports which is 171.22% compared to the 2006 performance. Caraga’s exports in 2007 were valued at $350 million as compared to the $129 million registered in 2006. Nickel ore exports has 98% share of the total export earnings of the region. (MindaNews)

neyoneyo80

April 28th, 2008, 11:52 PM

SM diversifies, to build 14 hotels in 5 years

SM Investments Corp. will this year start building two of the 14 low-rise hotels that it wants to build within five years through its hotel arm.

“The company will soon conduct ground breaking for the two hotels,” Merril Yu, senior vice president of SMIC Investment Group, said after the company’s stockholders’ meeting Friday.

He refused to say where the company would build the hotels, apart from saying the 14 would rise up within the SM group’s 30 shopping malls.

One of the two hotels to be built starting this year will have 50 rooms, and the other 150. Their construction cost is estimated at P280 million at P1.4 million per room.

The size of the rooms in the planned 14 low-rise hotels will be 24 square meters, and the developer plans to charge just P2,000 a night to make them affordable to locals.

Earlier, Yu said the company’s low-rise hotels would compete with Days Hotels and other boutique hotels here. Days Hotels operates properties in Tagaytay, Subic Bay, Batangas, Bais, Mactan and Iloilo. It plans to build more hotels in Makati, Baguio City, Boracay, Bohol, Davao, General Santos City, Camiguin and Palawan. (para pong may kulang !!!! :lol: )

The low-rise hotels apart, SMIC Hotel Investment Group is also building a P2.8-billion five-star hotel in Mactan. It recently signed a contract with European firm Accor to operate a 400-room Sofitel hotel here.

The company is also building the 400-room Radisson Hotel within the Mall of Asia Complex and plans to put up a P450-million hotel in Batangas.

The company is now expanding its Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City to 260 rooms from 128 at a cost of P650 million. That expansion will also add a 1,000-seat ballroom and six meeting rooms to the property. Jenniffer B. Austria

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news2_april28_2008

GearX

April 30th, 2008, 03:24 AM

Mindanao 2007 trading reached $ 3.75 billion (http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080430123232.html)
By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The total trade last year has reached up to U.S. $ 3.746 billion, the highest ever recorded in trading activities in Southern Philippines, data from the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDco) and MindaNews said yesterday.

MEDco data also showed the new trading record of $ 3.005 billion or an increase of 24.62 percent in 2007.

Crude and coconut oil topped the list of Mindanao’s exports last year followed by banana and nickel ore.

Mindanao’s export earnings grew by 23.23 percent at $ 2.593 billion from $ 2.104 billion the previous year.

However, the imports increased by 27.87 percent from $ 901.549 million in 2006 to $ 1.153 billion last year.

MEDco record also said crude and refined coconut oil topped the islands exports in 2007 with a 21.67 percent share of Mindanaos aggregate export revenue. It registered a value of $ 561.6 million in 2007, or 53.66 percent higher than the $ 365.48 million registered in 2006.

The Banana industry ranked second with 15.15 percent share and an aggregate receipt of $ 392.80 million or 2.28 percent lower than the $ 401.95 million in 2006.

The volume of fresh banana increased by 441 percent in kilograms, compared with 2006, this does not commensurate to the appreciation of peso which has lowered the value of the islands exports earnings, the report said.

Nickel ore ranked third with total export revenue of U.S. $ 351.84 million, reflecting 184.21 percent from $ 123.80 million in 2006.

Also top producers in year 2007 were tuna, $ 192.10 million; iron ore agglomerates, $ 171.82 million; preserved pineapple, $ 117.23 million; lauryl, stearyl and cetyl alcohol, $ 97.67 million; flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, $ 66.20 million; fresh pineapple, $ 57.15 million and desiccated coconut, $ 41.20 million.

Japan remained the top export market for products coming from Mindanao the past two years. In 2007, receipts from the Japanese market amounted to $ 627.47 million, accounting for $ 24.20 of the islands aggregate income for the year. It posted an increase of 33.53 percent from $ 469.903 million in 2006.

United States and China, respectively, trailed Japan. Exports to the US in 2007 reached $ 558.64 million and $ 305 million in China.

boju2

May 3rd, 2008, 05:32 AM

FEDERALISM: A RECIPE FOR NATIONAL DISINTEGRATION (http://balatucan.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/federalism-a-recipe-for-national-disintegration/)

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee69/diwata87/bxu23.jpg
An old Mindanao map

“Federal fol-de-rol”

By Antonio C. Abaya

My American Heritage Dictionary defines “fol-de-rol” as “foolish talk or procedure, or nonsense.” And that is what this recurring advocacy for federalism is: foolish talk, nonsense.

Senate Minority Leader Nene Pimentel is principal author of a Senate resolution calling for a debate on charter change (again), for a revision of the Constitution to shift from a unitary to a federal system of government.

The resolution was signed by 11 other senators: Senate President Manny Villar and Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Francis Pangilinan, Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Pia Cayetano, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Escudero, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson Jr., and Ramon Revilla Jr.

The resolution seeks to convene both Houses of Congress into a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution before the end of President Arroyo’s term in 2010. It seeks to convert the country into a federal union of 11 states: Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Minparom (Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon), Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao and BangsaMoro.

The motivation supposedly is “to spur economic growth.” The implication is that economic growth is not possible, or is not fast enough, under a unitary system of government.

This is a lot of nonsense. The empirical evidence is that of the most successful countries in our part of the world, only one—Malaysia—is a federal union. The others—Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand—are all unitary states. So, contrary to what Nene Pimentel and his 11 apostles apparently believe, economic progress—even spectacular economic progress in the cases of Japan, China and South Korea—is achievable and has been achieved under unitary states.

In fact, it can be argued that if Japan had chosen to become a federal union in the 19th century, ruled as it was by dozens of land-owning daimyos or feudal lords with their armies of samurai warriors, it would have been mired in endless civil wars, as it in fact was, between the competing daimyos, and would not have morphed into a world power.

Fortunately for the Japanese, the Tokugawa shoguns, who had been in power since 1598, were finally replaced with the restoration of the Meiji Emperor in 1867. Under the unifying leadership of Emperor Mutsushito and a strong centralized unitary state, Japan became an industrialized world power.

Japan defeated a weak China in 1895, annexing Formosa and Korea as a result of that victory, defeated Russia in 1905, entered World War I on the side of the Allies, and then challenged those Allies in World War II. Japan remains a unitary state to this day, the second biggest economy in the world for decades, until it was overtaken in the last few years by China, another unitary state.

China itself remained a weak state even after it became a republic under Sun Yat-sen in 1912. As in medieval Japan, China—under the Mongol-based Manchu dynasty which had ruled the majority Han Chinese since 1644—was racked by endless internal wars between competing feudal warlords. Even Chiang Kai-shek and his Kuomintang, who came to power in 1928, were not able to unify China.

It was the strong leadership of Mao Ze-dong and the unitary state under the Chinese Communist Party that finally united the Han Chinese and gave them a sense of nationhood that was absent for centuries. And it was the re-embrace of capitalism and the profit motive, starting in 1979, by Deng Xiao-ping, that propelled China to its present pre-eminent status as an economic super-power.

Pimentel and his 11 apostles should also know that the empirical evidence is that archipelagic countries, of which there are only three—Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines—are unitary states, rather than federal unions, for pragmatic reasons. They would be vulnerable to centrifugal forces if they were to spin off into federal states.

The example of Japan is cited above. Indonesia would likewise be threatened with disunity. The Indonesians have already lost predominantly Roman Catholic East Timor. It has managed to keep rebellious Aceh. There are separatist movements brewing in Irian Jaya, Manado and Kalimantan, and predominantly Hindu Bali would also likely spin off, if Indonesians were stupid enough to change to a federal union.

Pimentel and his 11 apostles ignore or are not even aware of the fact that nations keep the political system that they started out with. They just try to make it better as the decades roll along.

Can Pimentel and his 11 apostles cite even one example in the last 60 years of a country switching from a unitary state to a federal union, or from a federal union to a unitary state? Or from the presidential to the parliamentary system, or from parliamentary to presidential? They can’t because there isn’t.

Even the federal union that was Yugoslavia broke up into pieces—Serbia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, after the death of its founder Tito. Hundreds of thousands of lives were lost in that break-up, as the majority Serbs tried to keep the federal union intact, the bloodiest genocide in Europe since WWII.

I am not aware of any that can serve as an inspirational model for the Philippines, except in cases where the change was forced by revolution or invasion, such as the nations of Eastern Europe switching from parliamentary to a communist system after they were overrun by the Soviet Army in 1945-48, then switching back to parliamentary when their communist regimes collapsed in 1989.

The empirical evidence is that nations keep the political system that they started out with. In the 1980s, there was a move in the Indian parliament to shift to a presidential system, but the move did not prosper. The Israelis also amended the Westminster parliamentary model by having one of their prime ministers (Binyamin Netanyahu) elected by popular vote, instead of by the majority party in parliament, but they did not shift to the presidential system.

Pimentel and his 11 apostles are no doubt motivated by patriotic reasons when they advocate a shift to a federal union “in order to spur economic growth.” But economic growth is a function of economic strategies, not of political systems. Our GDP grew by 7.3 percent in 2007 under our unitary state, better than the growth of Malaysia under its federal union.

Of course, Malaysia has been out-pointing the Philippines in previous decades. But Malaysia has also been out-pointed during those decades by South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore, all unitary states.

The relative economic failure of the Philippines, compared to its neighbors, is examined in detail in my article “Why Are We Poor?” (Dec. 14, 2004): http://www.geocities.com/dapat_tapatt/whyarewepoor.html.

In a nutshell, we are poor because a) in the late 1950s, our Congress passed a Minimum Wage Law, which discouraged American firms from setting up factories here in the 1960s, preferring instead Hong Kong and Taiwan where wages, believe it or not, were lower than in Manila and where there was—and still is —no minimum wage law;

b) in the 1970s, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, geared their economies toward the export of manufactured goods, which was the basis for their industrialization. The Philippines did not. In 2006, the exports of South Korea amounted to $326.0 billion; Singapore $283.6b; Taiwan, $215.0b; the Philippines, $47.2b.

c) in the 1980s, Malaysia, Thailand and Suharto’s Indonesia followed the example of the original Four Asian Tigers and also geared their economies toward the export of manufactured goods. The Philippines did not. In 2006, the exports of Malaysia totaled $158.7b; Thailand, $123.6b; Indonesia, $102.3b; the Philippines, $47.2b. There is always a price for being late;

d) in the 1990s, most of Southeast Asia rode a tourism boom. The Philippines did not. In 1991, Indonesia and the Philippines drew one million tourists each. In 2007, Indonesia attracted six million tourists, the Philippines barely managed three million. Vietnam, long a tourism laggard because of its war-damaged infrastructure, drew 4.2 million tourists, overtaking the Philippines. Watch out for tiny Cambodia: it took in two million tourists;

e) with its weak manufacturing sector caused by its failure to industrialize like its neighbors, the Philippines—under President Ramos and Senator Gloria Arroyo—foolishly embraced free trade and globalization, even ahead of fully developed South Korea and Taiwan, causing many domestic producers to retrench or close shop, and throwing hundreds of thousands of Filipino workers out of work, forcing them to look for jobs overseas;

f) with a weak average GDP growth of less than 3.5 percent per annum from 1986 to 2003, the Philippine government, except under President Ramos, failed to take measures to control its population, which grew by an average of 2.5 percent during the same period, leaving very little economic gains, especially for the poorest of the poor.

That in a nutshell is the economic picture of the Philippines in the last 50 years. Any claim that this can be remedied simply by switching to a federal union is a lot of bull. Fol-de-rol.

GearX

May 6th, 2008, 12:59 PM

henji

May 6th, 2008, 04:42 PM

layua sa variance between zam ug dvo uy almost 45% man. pero for cities in the list are still the potential lists of being a mega city and compete with luzon and visayan cities.

hakhaimo

May 6th, 2008, 05:06 PM

Guys, Can we have a list of the Five Tiger Cities in Mindanao. Here is my list :lol:

1.) Davao City
2.) Cagayan de Oro City
3.) General Santos City
4.) Zamboanga City
5.) I don't Know..??

qwert_guy

May 6th, 2008, 05:17 PM

Guys, Can we have a list of the Five Tiger Cities in Mindanao. Here is my list :lol:

1.) Davao City
2.) Cagayan de Oro City
3.) General Santos City
4.) Zamboanga City
5.) I don't Know..??

#5. iligan city, i guess...

qwert_guy

May 6th, 2008, 05:19 PM

Population of Mindanao Cities per Latest Census

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/subdivisions/Mindacities.gif

Cotabato maybe high in fertility rate..:lol:

hakhaimo

May 6th, 2008, 05:22 PM

#5. iligan city, i guess...

Yahh....

1.) Davao City
2.) Cagayan de Oro City
3.) General Santos City
4.) Zamboanga City
5.) Iligan City

GearX

May 7th, 2008, 07:51 AM

Misuari backs Nograles on shift to new form of gov’t (http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN20080507123857.html)
Ben R. Rosario

House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles bagged yesterday the support of former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Nur Misuari in pushing for a shift to a federal form of government as Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella filed the House version of Senate Joint Resolution No. 10 that seeks to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly that would pave the way for the revision of the 1987 Constitution.

House Concurrent Resolution No. 15 that Puentevella filed yesterday proposed the amendment of the Constitution and establish a federal form of government. The author proposed either a Constitutional Convention or Constituent Assembly as a mode of amendment.

Nograles and Misuari met in a Quezon City restaurant yesterday to discuss the Charter change proposal of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Nene" Q. Pimentel Jr. who is the principal author of Senate Joint Resolution No. 10.

Both agreed that there is indeed an immediate need for Congress to pursue Mindanao’s clamor for a federal form of government and that this move could bring about peace in the South because its problems could be resolved by Mindanaoans themselves.

Nograles became one of the country’s officials who met Misuari after his release from detention for rebellion charges. Misuari is temporarily out on bail.

Although Misuari was all out for a shift to federalism, the leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) aired the belief that instead of creating 11 federal states, the country should be divided into four, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and National Capital Region.

Misuari stressed that he would welcome any proposal as long as this would bring about real autonomy for Muslim-dominated provinces, saying that this will not only accelerate progress in Mindanao but likewise speed up the resolution of the secessionist rebellion in Mindanao.

"We are very happy to hear that some initiatives are going on in high places in government. Our friend Nene Pimentel has sponsored a resolution to transform our system into a federal form of government," Misuari said.

"I think this (federalism) will expedite the resolution of not only the political but even the military and economic problems of Mindanao," he added.

Inspired by Misuari’s commitment to the federal system proposal, Nograles called for the conduct of a series of meetings among leaders of political parties in the House to discuss the Charter change issue.

BOB-bXu

May 7th, 2008, 08:07 AM

Population of Mindanao Cities per Latest Census

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/subdivisions/Mindacities.gif

Setting aside growth rates, my predictions for the next Census:

Davao and Zamboanga will still be 1 and 2
GenSan will overtake CDO
Butuan will inch closer or might even overtake Iligan
Cotabato will inch closer with Butuan and Iligan
Pagadian will overtake Valencia
Mati will overtake Ozamis
Ozamis might even fall behind Kidapawan
Samal will inch closer or might even overtake Bayugan
Polomolok will join the list and will rank just alongside Malaybalay and Digos

nice homework GearX:):hug:

looking backforth with old census, maybe we could make a trending...

I can speculate that by next census, Butuan will have the same or perhaps bigger in population than Iligan (the gaps have significantly narrowed consistently for the past 3 censuses)

Tagum will have more population than Cotabato...

Davao will retain as the one milllion++ city ...

Zamboanga will still be 2nd but not much population growth to see...

General Santos might overtake CDO..

CDO with its area taken into acount will be the most densely populated area...

BOB-bXu

May 7th, 2008, 02:19 PM

if I may scrutinize the trend further, population growth is NOT synonymous per se to economic growth...

take for instance, the rapid increase of population of the city of Cotabato.. though flowery it may seem to appear, aside from city economics, another factor to consider would be population shifts...for the past years, there has been a constant shift of rural migrants coming into Cotabato coming from conflict areas around or near the city's outer fringes..

neyoneyo80

May 7th, 2008, 02:56 PM

^^ correct!!! :cheers:

BOB-bXu

May 7th, 2008, 05:16 PM

however, population size can give any businessman an idea of the local market size in question..again, this may not be an absolute criterion...

take for instance Butuan, with its present 298,378 population size may not be that far to that of Iligan's 308,406 or with Gensan's 529,542...But, Butuan's regional role gives her an easy command over a 2 Million size population within its catchment area of economic influence within Northeastern Mindanao region..

GearX

May 8th, 2008, 04:27 AM

^^ :cheers: good analysis @Bob-bXu :okay:

Il Tenore

May 12th, 2008, 04:05 AM

nakita ko sa news kanina...

"2 patay sa pananalasa ng Bagyong Butchoy sa Mindanao.."

parang ginegeneralize na naman ang Mindanao... in fact Caraga Region lang ang tinatamaan ng bagyo.. tapos, hindi rin tumama ang bagyo sa Pilipinas di ba?

so, paano nila na conclude na nanalasa talaga ang bagyo sa Mindanao? di ko nga feel yun eh!

GearX

May 12th, 2008, 04:52 AM

dapat i-sticky na rin ang thread na ito...:cheers:

Il Tenore

May 12th, 2008, 06:01 AM

request po tayo! mods.. make this thread sticky pls...

windlady

May 13th, 2008, 06:02 AM

Natural beauty

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:25:00 05/13/2008

This summer should be as good a time as any for Filipinos to discover the paradise that is their country—more than 7,000 glittering emerald islands in deep blue, crystal-clear waters teeming with a wide variety of marine life. For those who may have forgotten, here’s a quick list:

Northern Luzon: Pangasinan’s Hundred Islands, where one can rent an island for a day and swim, fish or simply relax; Baguio that, despite the pollution, remains a cool place to stay in during summer; Sagada with its fog-shrouded mountain range, limestone cliffs, forests, subterranean caves; and the 2,000-year-old Banaue rice terraces, a Unesco World Heritage Site, the eighth wonder of the world.

Southern Luzon: Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro, a marine reserve and beach resort, endowed with coves, fine sandy beaches and shallow coral reefs for snorkeling; Pagsanjan Rapids and Falls, a series of 14 rapids punctuated by mini waterfalls; Mt. Banahaw, a mystical mountain and a popular destination for people who like to enjoy its cool weather, bathe in its hot springs or simply admire nature’s beauty; Puerto Azul, a beach resort that offers the tourist a breathtaking sight with its elegance and natural beauty; and Donsol, Sorsogon with its human-friendly “butanding” [whale sharks].

Palawan, the country’s natural last frontier, is sanctuary to a big variety of exotic flora and fauna that are found nowhere else. It is home to Tubbataha Reef, the only national marine park on the World Heritage List, whose grandeur is comparable to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Other attractions of Palawan are St. Paul’s National Park that has an underground river, El Nido with its awe-inspiring seascape and limestone cliffs, and Calauit Island, home of Philippine and African wildlife.

The jewel of Palawan is stunningly beautiful Amanpulo [“peaceful island”], the resort of the rich and famous. A private island, Amanpulo is blessed with powder white beaches, clear turquoise-azure-indigo seas, cerulean skies and a many-colored coral reef only 300 meters from the shore.

The Visayas: Mactan Island in Cebu City has the largest concentration of beach resorts in the province. Panglao, Bohol, with its gentle coves and white-sand beaches, can be a worthy competitor to Boracay. Around Balicasag Island in Panglao there is a wealth of underwater splendor that makes it a favorite of divers. Among the major attractions of Bohol are the 1,268 Chocolate Hills, which turn chocolate-brown toward the end of summer. The crown jewel of the Visayas is Boracay with its powder white sand that is as fine as confectioners’ sugar, its crystal-clear waters and spectacular sunsets.

Mindanao: The best known tourist destinations in Mindanao are Davao City, with its dazzling ethnic, cultural, linguistic and environmental diversity, and exotic Zamboanga City, the melting pot of the South. Less well known but no less exciting is Camiguin which has more volcanoes per square kilometer than any other island on earth. It has white-sand beaches and spring resorts. Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte province has now become an international surfing mecca

:cheers::cheers:

Il Tenore

May 13th, 2008, 11:19 AM

^^ great job @windlady! maganda po ang mga description...

GearX

May 15th, 2008, 07:06 AM

I Am a Victim of Localized Racism (http://tucpblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/i-am-a-victim-of-localized-racism/)
May 14, 2008 at 8:44 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

Greetings. I’m a job seeker from Zamboanga City. I am a graduate of Western Mindanao State University where I finished my Bachelor of Laws.

I applied in this company so-called ESS Manufacturing Company, Inc. which holds its offices at the 41st, 42nd and 23rd floor of PBCOM Tower, Ayala Avenue, Makati, for the position of Legal researcher/legal indexer.

They called me to take their written exam. The next day they called me and they told me that I passed the written exam. Furthermore I have to pass their assessment (I don’t have any idea on what’s their procedure on this). Later they call me and told me that I passed and I was invited for an interview.

On the day of the interview, I was asked by this interviewer: Where did I took my Bachelor of Laws? I told her: from Western Mindanao State University. She replied: Pardon again? I repeated my answer. Then she blurted: Oh Mindanaooo… As if there’s an expression of awe and surprise. I felt a bit insulted because I sense a negative connotation from the tone of her voice.

And they say that they would call within a week if ever they will decide to hire me.

I know that it is management prerogative to select and hire whom they want to be employed in the company. But as an applicant, we also have a right to be respected. Of our being human, because we have feelings, too. Emotions. We get hurt. We’re not automatons or machines.

Also, as an emphasis, we have the right to be respected of our roots.

I wrote this letter as a full-blown protest because it is clear that I was not hired because of the word MINDANAO in my resume.

And as always, I will not be ashamed to be called a MINDANAOAN! I am a MINDANAOAN! and I will always be a MINDANAOAN!

People might say that I am overreacting and experiencing some sort of paranoia. No, I’m just offended by the way that certain intelligent interviewer uttered the word MINDANAO. As if there’s an air of derision and disgust. As if such word MINDANAO will put my application into damnation. Into one of their shredding machines or trash cans.

If they are smart enough, they should have noticed the word MINDANAO in my resume before I was called to take their written exam. Also, why did I passed their assessment? I don’t have any clue to how they do it. And later they would dumped my application because of the word MINDANAO. They should have had saved me from the expense of going back and forth from my residence in Ermita, Manila and to their place. I should not be experiencing asthmatic attacks right now brought by the stress of traveling and city pollution.

This goes to show that these Corporate Indios don’t really know how to read. I used the word Indios on these Pathetics because I have Spanish/Mexican blood running in my veins. And I speak a Creole Spanish language called Chavacano. Now, that’s throwing their trying hard Racist attitude back at them.

Also, I wrote this letter to warn other Mindanaoans that these trying hard Racist exists. And we as MINDANAOANS should stand up and fight for what we believe is right.

After passing all the requirements, tests, exams, assesments, etc. whatever, then Dumping your application in the end because you’re a MINDANAOAN is tantamount to Economic Abuse, as defined by law and construed in a liberal and broader context.

This local racism phenomenon must be stopped!

I am also writing this on behalf of everyone who has experienced the same.

Thank you very much

God bless us all!

P.S. This letter is a rough draft and I didn’t do some editing or proofreading. I have done this on the spot to capture the essence, emotion and energy of my sentiment as a MINDANAOAN and as a HUMAN BEING. KINDLY PUBLISH THIS FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW.