Memoirs of Piscean

9 Davao del Norte villages under state of calamity

2011-12-29T14:30:00.000-08:00

Nine barangays in a town in Davao del Norte were placed under a state of calamity after flood waters inundated the area on Tuesday.

The local government of Kapalong town placed 9 barangays under a state of calamity after knee-deep waters forced at least 700 families to flee their homes.

An overflowing Pagsabanan River also triggered evacuation in Barangay Poblacion.

No casualties were reported, but incessant rains destroyed hectares of crops.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), meanwhile, said at least 26 houses were totally destroyed in Kapalong by the flooding.

Meanwhile, about 1,500 families from Barangay Guadalupe in Carmen town sought higher ground.

Nine people died due to floods caused by heavy rains.

Two persons were reported missing, while 4 were injured.

Weather bureau PAGASA on Thursday said Visayas and Mindanao will experience better weather condition since the tail-end of the cold front has diffused. – with a report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao

Higit 700 pamilya, inilikas dahil sa baha

2011-12-28T23:31:00.000-08:00

Gamit ang mga rubber boat, isa-isang ni-rescue ang mga pamilya na na-trap sa lampas-bahay na baha sa Purok 10, Barangay Pag-asa Kapalong, Davao del Norte kagabi.

Unang sinakay ang mga bata at mga babae.

Sa tindi ng baha, hirap ang mga rescuers na maniobrahin ang rubber boat.

Pagdating sa mababaw na bahagi, agad inabot sa mga sundalo ang mga naisalbang residente para dalhin sa evacuation center.

Aabot sa mahigit sa 700 pamilya mula sa 9 na barangay sa Kapalong ang apektado ng baha.

“Nag-start ang baha umaga pa dahil sa walang tigil na ulan. Tumaas ang tubig kaya lumikas na ang iba,” sabi ni Kapalong Mayor Eduardo Timbol.

Dahil sariwa pa ang imaheng iniwan ng bagyong “Sendong” sa Northern Mindanao, maraming pamilya ang nagpumilit mailikas dahil sa takot.

“Naniniguro lang kami baka kasi maparehas sa Cagayan,” ani Carol Tatoy, isa sa mga binaha.

Pero mayroon ding nagdesisyong manatili na lang sa kanilang mga bahay hanggang humupa ang baha.

Problema din ang hanapbuhay ng mga magsasaka dahil lubog sa baha ang mga palayan, maisan at sagingan.

Inaalam pa ang halaga ng pinsala ng baha. Francis Magbanua, Patrol ng Pilipino sa Davao

12/28/2011 10:10 PM

13 unknown Sendong victims laid to rest

2011-12-22T22:59:00.000-08:00

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines - Thirteen unidentified victims of tropical storm Sendong have been buried in Cagayan de Oro.

Their bodies can still be retrieved if relatives claim them.

Only soldiers, some journalists, and workers at a public cemetery were able to offer prayers for 13 decomposing bodies buried in Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro.

The bodies did not have names -- only tags.

National Bureau of Investigation officers placed the remains in a chamber, so they can easily be exhumed.

"Itong bangkay temporarily ilibing namin. Di nakilala kaya ginawa namin yong identification process. Pag nagkakaroon ng positibo result sa reconciliation stage, kukunin yung bangkay at isasauli sa relatives nila," said Dr. Wilfredo Tierra, chief of the NBI's Disaster Victims Identification Team.

Sendong brought Cagayan de Oro to its knees, but it also gave rise to heroes -- storm victims helping others who suffered more.

"Simpleng kaligayahan po. Eto na yung pang-Christmas ko sa kanila saka sa sarili ko. I know how it feels po, na mabahaan," said nurse Sarah Corpus.

"Mahirap na hindi ka tumulong sa kapwa mo. Kahit na nabahaan ka na, kahit ikaw mismo nawalan ka ng kaibigan, mahirap na hindi tumulong kasi taga-dito tayo eh," said Dr. Tedd Feliciano.

"Overwhelming na ano, masaya po," said Janice Umalay, a volunteer in ongoing relief operations in Cagayan de Oro.

Other survivors, meanwhile, are trying to move on from the tragedy.

Some were cleaning up, while others are rebuilding their homes and their lives.

"Ang sa akin lang, may masilungan man lang kami ngayong Pasko kahit mahirap," said flood victim Teresita Bragas.

Many are still in evacuation centers, where diseases are spreading.

Government is now looking for a permanent relocation site for them. - reports from Jorge Cariño and Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN News; ANC

13 killed in Sarangani road mishap

2011-12-01T20:00:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) – Thirteen people were killed in a road accident along a highway in Malongon, Sarangani province past 5 a.m. on Thursday.

Authorities said a Mitsubishi L300 van crashed into a parked truck in Sitio Bankerohan, Barangay Banate in Malongon, killing most of the van’s passengers.

The victims were members of the Victory Chapel Fellowship Center, authorities said.

They were identified as Pastor Renante Ilugsong, Annie Ilugsong, Pastor Arnold Gabrido, Liza Gabrido, Pastor Rodolfo Asejo, Fe Asejo, Pastor Ricky Magallanes, Gigi Magallanes, Genibeth Martinez, Harvey Martinez, Pastor Gilbert Constantino, Liza Constantino and Babab Constantino.

Five others who survived the crash were rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City to receive medical treatment.

“Supposed to be this is a big celebration na gusto namin ibigay sa kanila. Instead of joy, there is mourning. Hindi natin alam ang dahilan pero we have to move on,” said Pastor Francisco Buenaventura, head pastor of the Victory Chapel Fellowship Center.

The victim’s families blamed the parked truck for not having a proper early warning device.

The truck’s driver Leolalio Rivera is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries. -- Reports from Claire Cornelio and Rodirey Salas, ABS-CBN News Davao; Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao

Land mine blast kills 3 soldiers in Davao

2011-11-29T15:14:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) – Three government soldiers were killed in a land mine explosion in Davao City Tuesday morning.

Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesman of the Army's 10th Infantry Division, said 3 soldiers from the 69th Infantry Battalion died after a land mine exploded some 300 to 400 meters from a military detachment in Sitio Guinobatan, Paquibato district at around 8:30 a.m.

The victims were identified as Pfc. Jeamar Doroteo, Private Isalde Melon and Private Sherwin Madrid.

The military suspects the explosive was planted by members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

According to Major Jake Obligado, battalion commander of the community military operations of the 10th Infantry Division, using land mines is a violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and the International Law. -- Reports from Francis Magbanua and Bonna Pamplona, ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao

Smuggled luxury cars seized in Davao

2011-09-29T22:55:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs found smuggled luxury cars, sacks of rice, onions and used clothes stashed in 43 container vans at the Sasa Wharf in Davao on Thursday.

Authorities said the contents of the 40-foot container vans raised suspicion after they passed through an X-ray machine.

They said the items did not match what was declared in the documents.

The bureau discovered that Jexand Trading was named as the consignee of 20 vans containing sacks of rice from Taiwan, which were declared as barite powder.

Yanzen Enterprises, meanwhile, was said to be the owner of 20 vans containing onions declared as pastry ingredients, 2 vans containing luxury vehicles declared as spare parts and 1 van containing used clothes declared as appliances.

The Customs bureau is currently conducting an investigation. -- Report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao

Customs seize 8,900 sacks of smuggled rice

2011-09-22T23:46:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BoC) seized 8,900 sacks of smuggled rice worth P21 million in Davao City.

Deputy Customs Commissioner for Intelligence Danilo Lim said the sacks of rice, found in 17 container vans in Sasa Wharf, were declared by consignees Jexand Trading and RMG 99 Trading as fertilizers.

The Customs, however, found the consignees were fictitious.

Officials said 13 of the vans contained Taiwanese rice, while the rest contained glutinous rice (malagkit).

The Customs have yet to identify the owners of the seized items, which will be auctioned off by the government. – Report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao

Customs seize 8,900 sacks of smuggled rice

2011-09-22T22:58:00.000-07:00

A day at the highland!

2011-09-20T03:32:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful weekend at Kapatagan, Digos City. I wanted to describe it how i experienced it but i can't find the words. Here's how it is there:

Mt. Apo Highland Resort

The resort is a perfect place among corporate groups for a team building activities. Mount Apo Highland Resort is a wonderful place to relax, appreciate nature and experience adventure. The place is the right venue for family bonding and gathering. Also, a good site for backpackers and for those who love to climb Mt. Apo.

At Mount Apo Highland Resort, you may enjoy swimming, fishing, boating and horseback riding and trekking. Food may be catered or you may bring your own. You may also taste the sweet banana and have a try of the world class Mount Apo Civet Coffee.
Adventure trips like zipline at Camp Sabros may also be tried. Plus, be amazed with Kublai’s masterpiece, “The Art Garden”. Trekking Virgin Falls and a visit in a Bagobo Village would complete the tour.

For details, you may reach them at (082) 275 7955.

Fire razed 62 houses in Davao City

2011-09-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

DAVAO CITY - Residents in purok katorse, tibungco, davao city was awakened when fire broke up early dawn. Most of the houses were made of light materials. Monsoon winds also added to the problem that caused the fire to spread fast consuming sixty two houses.

Firemen had a hard time reaching the area because of narrow roads leading to purok katorse.
Most of the residents were not able to save their belongings due to fear of being caught up by fire. Carmela salingatag tried to save her three children by jumping to the shore but she accidentally broke her legs.
According to the residents, the fire emanated from the house of dodong canyete. But the firemen are yet to identify the cause of fire.
Last week, about two hundred nineteen houses were alse burned down in the nieghboring purok trese still in tibungco, davao city due to electrical short circuit.
Based on the record of city fire office, this is the 1ooth fire incident in davao city since january, leaving about eight hundred residents homelss.

Work

2011-09-12T01:22:00.000-07:00

Just want to share you this parable. I hope you will like it.

Work
BY YANKI TAUBER

Why must everything be so difficult? Couldn't G-d have designed our lives so that we wouldn't need to encounter disappointments, challenges and toil every step of the way?
This must be one of the oldest questions ever asked. The answer--that an "easy" life would also be a meaningless life--is probably just as old. And so is the parable told to illustrate the point:
A wealthy nobleman was once touring his estate and came upon a peasant pitching hay. The nobleman was fascinated by the sight: flowing motions of the peasant's arms and shoulders and the graceful sweep of the pitchfork through the air. He so greatly enjoyed the spectacle that he struck a deal with the peasant: he would give him a gold coin every day if the peasant agreed to come to the mansion and display his hay-pitching technique in the nobleman's drawing room.
The next day, the peasant arrived at the mansion, hardly concealing his glee at his new line of "work." After swinging his empty pitchfork for an hour, he collected his gold coin--many times his usual reward for a week of backbreaking labor. But by the following day, his enthusiasm had somewhat waned. Before the week was out, he announced that he was quitting his commission.
"I don't understand," puzzled the nobleman. "Why would you rather swing heavy loads outdoors in the winter cold and the summer heat, when you can perform an effortless task in the comfort of my home and earn many times your usual wages?"
"But master," said the man, "I'm not doing anything..."

Later than never To love you again

2011-08-31T06:04:00.000-07:00

I'm a little emotional today. Today, i decided to take the other way. I thought my relationship is in the right path. My friends were right. I am blinded, i am being stupid. this time, I wanted to try another strategy. If things will work out the way i foresee it, that's the time i would say i was wrong. For now, i want to spend time for myself. I miss myself. This song reminds me of where i am now.

LATER

Fra Lippo Lippi

How can you come with me
When you knew all along that you had to go
How could you watch me sleep close to you
Pretending not to know

How could you memorize my name
And forget who I am
How could you think you’re still the same
Believing I can

REFRAIN:
It’s too late to start pretending
It’s too late for a new beginning
Later than the sunset
Later than the rain
Later than never
To love you again

How could you ask for more
Than an innocent smile
Trust in me to stay
How could you close the door
And leave me here
Supposing I’m okay

How could you break down my disguise
And uncover my fears
How could you look into my eyes
Ignoring my tears

Repeat REFRAIN

Yeah, yeah
Oh
It’s too late

Evil spirits 'possess' 33 students

2011-08-25T23:00:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines – Several students of Compostella Valley National High School were brought to a church to be anointed after allegedly being possessed by evil spirits.

A total of 33 students, mostly in first year high school, became violent and had to be held down by their relatives and other students.

One student, “Leah” (not her real name), began speaking in Latin when she was prayed over.

Classes at the high school were suspended because of the incident. -- Report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao.

You Changed My Life

2011-08-25T03:53:00.000-07:00

I may be a crazy man, for I allow myself to be blinded by passion and obeys only the impulses of the moment. I may be insane, for i begin to love myself less than for someone else. Whatever you may call, i am just simply in love.

About a month ago, i live a normal life. Thirty-one days after, i should say, i live a wonderful life. I've never been to this situation before. I believe I've had a normal past. During college, i dated three women in four separate months. I also had a six-year old relationship which ended without closure. My son is in Germany. Her mother decided not to provide any line between me and my boy. After the break-up, i focused my attention to work and family only.

Until you came along. I really don't know what transpired in our previous meetings. But things have changed after that. One of the best feelings in the world is when you ’re hugging a person you love and they hug you back even tighter. that's what you made me feel so far. If you're asking if i need you, the answer right now is "FOREVER." If you're asking what I value, the answer is you. If you're asking if I Love You, i know you knew the answer.

ITIIL (I Think i'm in love)

2011-08-18T04:44:00.000-07:00

I found her picture on the web about four months ago. I told myself, she'll be my wife. I thought it was just one of my daydreaming. But days passed and i can't take her off my head. I often find myself browsing through the internet hoping to see that angelic face again, even in pictures. Sometime in May, i saw her again, in person, shopping in a grocery store. What a small world. She's with my cousin. I was shocked so i was not able to do the move when my cousin introduced me to her. I am ashamed of asking details from my cousin so i tried to do what i do best, research.

Alas i found her. I asked her number, she gave it to me. I m surprised she never hesitated to share her digits.

So i invited her in my house to get to know each other. She agreed. She came. We talked. Something wonderful happened.

The rest of my days with her became sweeter. I wrote this poem years back when i was in college. This portrays how i feel right now.

i love you more
by francis b magbanua

Life took me through its coarse waves

And shaped me best when i used to be naive

After those tumultuous hardships and pains

God is with me, I stayed calm and plain

Your love is my inspiration, my greatest possession

Being with you is a life savoring full satisfaction

Oceans i will cross, portals i will always suppress

Because i love you, the more but no less

At night i pray to the Lord for blessings

That we will succeed as days come rolling

My ear clearly pronounces my emotions with glee

I love you, now and forever it will be.

PNP probes Ampatuan link et al in Tacurong blast

2011-08-17T03:55:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines – (2nd UPDATE) The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking into several angles in the car bombing attack that targeted Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu.

PNP Region 12 Director Chief Supt. Benjardi Mantele said an investigation will be conducted to determine if the registered owner of the vehicle, identified as Maureen Ella Macasindil, has links to the Ampatuans.

“Titignan natin if she has a link. Lahat ng anggulo, titignan natin,” Mantele told ANC Tuesday.

“Sa ngayon, wala pa tayong basis. We will have to look into this,” he said.

The PNP said they are convinced, based on the evidence and testimonies, that the car bomb was intended for Mangudadatu, and that it was not of a terrorist attack.

Mantele said the bomb used was a locally-made improvised explosive device from a 105mm-howitzer cannon that can be triggered by a cellphone.

Mantele said this type of explosive is a trademark of Maguindanao warlords.

Meanwhile, Zaldy Ampatuan's lawyer Howard Calleja said the Ampatuans have nothing to do with the bombing, and police should present evidence first before pointing fingers.

Mantele also clarified that they are not pointing fingers at anybody and that anything is possible at this point of the investigation.

Car bomb

Mantele said Macasindil had sold the vehicle used in the attack, a Kia Avella with plate number MDJ 274, to a certain Jay Reyes from Cotabato City, whom authorities are looking into.

Macasindil said the vehicle was turned over to Reyes on August 5.

However, Macasindil said she cannot identify Reyes as it was 2 of her employees who negotiated the sale.

The 2 are being investigated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group XI.

Macasindil is currently residing in Maa, Davao City, but was previously a resident of Maguindanao.

Two killed in blast

Police said the Kia sedan exploded hitting a passing black Toyota Fortuner owned by Maguindanao board member Datu Russman Sinsuat Sr. on Monday afternoon.

Sinsuat Sr. died at 12:13 a.m. Tuesday from injuries he sustained in the blast. He was laid to rest at 12 noon on Tuesday.

The incident also killed tricycle driver Rocky Pareña, who was just in the area.

Meanwhile, the son of Sinsuat Sr., who was also aboard the Fortuner, has been transferred for further treatment in a hospital in Davao City.

Russman Sinsuat Jr., was airlifted by an air force helicopter from Tacurong City to the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Davao City at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Sinsuat Jr. was immediately transferred to a waiting ambulance and brought to a hospital in Davao City.

According to his attending physician Dr. Esmael Acob, although his right leg needs to be amputated, Sinsuat Jr. is in stable condition.

“Kaya namin siya tina-transfer dahil para sa safety niya at further treatment,” said Sinsuat Jr.’s attending physician, Dr. Esmael Acob.

Sinsuat Sr.'s Toyota Fortuner was part of the Mangudadatu convoy travelling along Alunan Highway in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat when the bomb exploded.

Sinsuat's son, Russman Jr., Bebot Barang Barang, Mabang Antonio, Noble Abdullah, Richard Sonza, and Robert Formacion, were also injured in the incident.

Tightened security

Authorities said the military in Tacurong City has tightened its security measures following the car bomb attack.

"Checkpoints are being intensified. Our security forces are in place," said Maj. Gen. Rey Ardo, commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division said.

Ardo said Army and police personnel had already been deployed to protect Mangudadatu prior to the blast, but noted that the Maguindanao governor is a "very high-profile target."

Intelligence efforts have also been increased to identify who is behind the attack.

"Right now, we have increased our intelligence efforts regarding the bombing incident. Series of checkpoints were established in that area," said Armed Forces spokesman Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez. – With reports from Francis Magbanua, Ron Gagalac, Lora Mae Andong and Michelle Robin, ABS-CBN News

2011-08-07T06:10:00.001-07:00

I've never used a camera since last year due to hectic schedule. But most of the time, i long to do some photoshoots. I dreamt of becoming a known photographer too, you know. Anyway, my cousin Denver invited me to watch their fashion show at NCCC Mall yesterday. Jin Chong also asked me if i could help him prepare. Since i mom left early in the afternoon, the rest of my day was free. I packed up my stuff and headed straight to NCCC Mall.I was amazed how talented Dabawenyos are by their creations. Actually, the show was about live mannequins and the finale is the creation of designer Walter Quijada. i took a few shots. I think i found new subjects to play with my camera. lol Here it is. Hope you like it.

Jin Chong "God of Faces"

Karl Denver Magbanua

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Mannequins

The new Kadayawan Logo

2011-08-02T23:55:00.000-07:00

I've heard about Kadayawan Festival long before i was transfered in Davao City on December 2005. In Surigao City, our Bonok-Bonok Festival is dubbed as "the convergence of festivals." What i've heard, Kadayawan festival was known as "festival of festivals." This year, festival organizers promised a more colorful and exciting events. But i was surprised of the changes the organizers made in an effort to hype the event. First the logo, then the tag line. I posted the logo/teaser in my twitter account and it gained many reactions, mostly negative. Zhaun Ortega, a DJ and a partyphile said: "I don't really like it. It lacks character. i also think it lacks color which should be a representation unta sa clors sa festival, sa colorful parades,and sa diversity sa culture and tribes.pero green ra siya.ambot.diko ganahan.however, i think, the logo shouldnt be the focus.we should focus more ont he actiities."

A known blog angdabawenyo.com also received numerous negative reactions regarding the changes in the festival logo and title. The author, Blogie, said "the aforementioned branding efforts, unfortunately, might suffer a major blow if Kadayawan 2011′s festivities are tainted by an ill-received symbolic image. Many of those who answered “I don’t like it” in the facebook survey lament the logo’s lack of festiveness, its bland appearance, the complete departure from its purpose of making the Kadayawan sa Dabaw a recognizable event in the country. Others expressed disillusionment, and still others conveyed confusion over the unexpected mutilation of the 20-year-old festival’s banner."

You be the judge. Here's the link to the Kadayawan sa Dabaw 2011 teaser via YouTube.

Azkals Forever

2011-07-28T22:37:00.000-07:00

(team Azkals after the game at Rizal Memorial Stadium)

Tough mom, down with hemorrhoids.

2011-07-20T07:12:00.001-07:00

It's four o'clock in the afternoon, the busiest hour in the newsroom. I need to finish three scripts before airing. Usually, i don't answer calls or read text message during this time for it will just slow my pace. But today, a text message caught my attention. My sister told me to call mom as soon as possible.
I left the news room and called mom to check. She told me she was so scared. When she defecated early this afternoon, she saw blood on her stool. I freaked out and asked her to see the doctor immediately. Her doctor cannot diagnose what caused her bleeding and advised her to seek medical attention in the city.
My brother decided to bring mom here in Davao City, while i booked her at Davao Medical School Foundation. When she arrived, we immediately went to Dr. Bisnar's clinic for general check-up. Dr. Bisnar ruled out, my mom was having an internal hemorrhoids which caused the bleeding. My mother's condition needs surgical operation.

Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins in the lower portion of the rectum or anus. Hemorrhoids result from increased pressure in the veins of the anus. The pressure causes the veins to bulge and expand, making them painful, particularly when you are sitting. The most common cause is straining during bowel movements. Hemorrhoids may result from constipation, sitting for long periods of time, and anal infections. In some cases they may be caused by other diseases, such as liver cirrhosis. Internal hemorrhoids occur just inside the anus, at the beginning of the rectum.

As i was watching her lying inside the emergency room, i saw how strong my mother was. For more than twenty years, she was able to provide for me and my three siblings after our father died while i was in high school . My father died of complication. My mom, i never heard her complain of any ailments ever since until today. The doctor said it isn't serious but mom needs to undergo surgery to avoid complications and to get rid of annoying pains. My mom is scheduled for operation tomorrow.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Davao City

4 hurt in Bukidnon landslide

2011-07-17T23:57:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines - Four people were hurt and 2 houses were damaged in a landslide in Kitaotao town in Bukidnon on Saturday night.

The accident, which took place at around 7 p.m., left 64-year-old Enoria Pansacala, her husband Thomas, and 2 grandchildren hurt. They were brought to a hospital in Quezon town for treatment.

Pansacala's house, as well as her sister's, were buried by the landslide.

"Natabunan ako ng mga bato, sumalpok sa mukha ko, natangay na ako," Pansacala said in her native dialect.

Meanwhile, a bulldozer has been sent to clear roads from Davao to Maloos, which remain impassable to vehicles because of the landslide. -- Report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Davao

Duterte returns to work after 5-day leave

2011-07-12T23:28:00.000-07:00

DAVAO, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte returned to office on Tuesday, after taking a 5-day leave of absence since July 4.

Duterte said she is ready to face whatever recommendation Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo gives to President Benigno Aquino III involving her punching of court sheriff Abe Andres last July 1.

Robredo said the investigation of the fact-finding team from the Department of Interior and Local Government was concluded on Tuesday as well.

Duterte may also be facing disbarment after sources said lawyer Fernando Perito, a crusader for lawyers’ ethics, filed a petition with the Supreme Court.

Andres, meanwhile, earlier said he does not have any plans of filing a case against the mayor. However, this does not preclude others from filing cases against Duterte.

Duterte supporters held a solidarity rally last Friday to show their support for the mayor.

Duterte expressed her gratitude to her supporters who attended the rally. -- Report from Francis Magbanua ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao

From A Dabawenyo's Point of View

2011-07-11T17:49:00.000-07:00

Recenlty, Davao City was rocked with disaster and criticisms. For the first time, Davao experienced a devastating flood affecting five baranggays in Matina, killing thirty residents and displacing about 1400 families. This is first time for Davao City to experience flooding with a huge effect on lives and properties. We were used to flooding especially in downtown area due to drainage problem, but this was different. Pangi river overflowed and washed off houses near in the river bed. Amidst the problem, riot in demolition in Agdao District occured, in spite of the efforts of the Mayor Sara Duterte to at least prevent violence. Sheriff Abe Andres did not heed to the Mayor's request to delay the demolition for two hours for her to personally talk to the affected residents to leave the area peacefully. She went to the baranggays early to deliver relief goods and asked the sheriff to wait for her for at least two hours. But riot broke. Three were injured, including a policeman who was shot with a home made arrow in his leg. The mayor knew these residents and knew this would happen if she won't intervene.

Mayor Duterte arrived just before the riot gets worst. Immediately, she drove away demolition team. The rest who were left in the area were asked to kneel and stay put. She scolded the riot police who were not able to pacify the angry residents and demolition team. To her dismay, she called for the sheriff and punched him several times in the face. Sheriff Andres tried to leave but the mayor asked her bodyguards to bring him back. Again, the sheriff recieved the mayor's disappointment, this time, by scolding him while pointing her fingers in sheriff's chest. The mayor further explained, this would not have happened should the sheriff heeded her call. Duterte explained she was not stopping the demolition, she just wanted to ensure the implementation without trouble.

Sheriff Adnres already asked for an apology for not giving in to the two hour extension and wishes everything back to normal.

Mayor Duterte was criticized, especially those who are not from Davao. DILG immediately sent a fact finding team to investigate on the incident. Shereiff's Confederation of the Philippines filed grave misconduct against her after the Office of the Ombudsman in spite of shreriff Andres' refusal to file any complaint. A lawyer in Manila also filed a disbarment case against Mayor Duterte, who is also lawyer.

But Dabawenyos did not budge. Instead, they showed support to the Mayor by staging a Solidarity rally. About nine thousand residents marched the streets in green to condemn accusations and criticisms against Mayor Duterte. For them, the mayor's action was just an example of the Duterte's promise of protecting the rights of the opressed especially the poor. Peace and order in Davao City was strengthened during the reign of the Dutertes. Investment poured in. In fact, the city was dubbed as the most livable city in the country. During the rally, Davawenyos would like to convey a message to the Mayor's critics. That Mayor Sara is loved by Davawenyos.

The DILG is expected to present the result of the fact finding investigation today. Whatever the result is, Mayor Sara Duterte will remain the leader of Davao City.(fem)

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9,000 show support for Davao City mayor

2011-07-08T10:31:00.000-07:00

DAVAO, Philippines – Parts of Davao City were cloaked in green on Friday as around 9,000 residents showed their support for Mayor Sara Duterte, who faced criticism for punching sheriff Abe Andres last week.

Green is the favorite color of Mayor Duterte.

Residents, students and businessmen took part in a solidarity rally to express their support for their mayor.

At around 4 p.m., Davao’s version of Chinatown shut down its establishments to allow its employees join the rally.

The supporters marched towards Rizal Park, which was adorned with green flags.

"We have decided to come up with a rally to show solidarity and support to the city mayor," said organizer Mikee Aportadera.

Green ribbons also adorned People’s Park.

Students of Talomo National High School showed their support to the mayor by pinning green, heart-shaped notes on their uniforms.

"Sinusuportahan namin si mayor. Naiintindihan naming ang kaniyang ginawa," said student Carlou Lopez.

Teachers of the school also infused green accents into their clothes.

Protest walk

Meanwhile, the Sheriffs Confederation of the Philippines conducted a rally of their own as they marched towards the Quezon City Justice Hall on Friday afternoon.

The protestors were all dressed in black.

In a letter, the group said:

"The acts of Mayor Sarah Duterte are highly condemnable and should not be tolerated. It conjures up an image of a helpless court sheriff...while in the performance of his court duty and an angry mayor who seemed to be in a total disregard of the rule of law."

They also encouraged sheriff Andres to file a case over the incident. – With reports from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao; Gus Abelgas, ABS-CBN News

Dirty finger is freedom of expression: Duterte

2011-07-08T02:22:00.000-07:00

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Davao City Vice-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte lashed out at his critics anew Thursday, saying the dirty finger he flashed in public last Monday was "freedom of expression."

In an interview with local media, Duterte "flipped the bird" anew.

"Ito naman si Etta, sabi violation of human rights mag-ganun ako (showing the dirty finger)," he said, referring to Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Etta Rosales.

"It is a sign of anger, it is a sign of extreme disgust. It means galit ako sa iyo," Duterte said, blurting out expletives.

This after Commission on Human Rights chair Eta Rosales wants to have him sanctioned.

His son Paulo, who is a city councilor and president of the city's league of barangays, also flashed a dirty finger in front of journalists when asked about his reactions to his father's stand on the issue.

The older Duterte earlier flashed a dirty finger and cussed at critics of his daughter Sara following her widely publicized punching of a trial court sheriff last Friday.

“Ano? Mga columnist? Oh! (shows dirty finger) ta#@n*a (expletive), hindi lang sampal ang inabot noon. (Expletive), you wage a battle against your own people using policemen?” he said.

Rosales, meanwhile, shrugged off Duterte's latest outburst.

"Nako-kornihan ako sa kanya at di ko siya papatulan. Marami pa kaming gagawin, walang magagawa kung mabulaklak talaga ang bunganga niya... bahala na taumbayan kung gusto nila ganun public official," she said. - Report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao

DABAWENYO'S Support:
After the report aired, many reacted, mostly bad comments against Duterte. But to some Dabawenyos, this they have to say:

by: SamsonZ on Fri, 07/08/2011 - 11:11
Our brave Vice Mayor Rody Duterte is willing to defy even The President of the Philippines, Noynoy Aquino because he believes he's doing the right thing. Displaying a "dirty finger" in public is not bad and he taught that to his oldest son. Is there anyone in the counrty who's brave enough to face our Vice Mayor ? Magsalita kayo !! Lahat lang kayo dada mg dada. Eh alam namin gusto ninyo ng boto sa pagdating ng election.Di ba ninyo nahalata ? Tahimik ang mga Senator at Congressman natin ngayon sa ginawa ng mga Duterte? Kung hindi sila takot eh gusto lang di mawalan ng suporta ng mga Duterte sa Davao City. So anong masasabi ninyo BAYAN ? Long live the Dutertes and may your tribe increase...

Green Campaign

2011-07-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

Davao City - Early this morning, i was awakened by a text from unknown number. The text says "put on a green ribbon in support to mayor Sara." I did not give any attention to it. When i opened my facebook account, i was surprised, almost all of my friends in Davao has the same profile picture, a green ribbon. When i arrived at work, i asked one of our reporters of her stories gathered. We were following the development of punching incident of Mayor Duterte. The reporter told me, she has a green campaign story.

Then i realized, everyone is going green!

I can't blame Dabawenyos.

I've been reading comments and blogs about Mayor Sara Duterte. Bloggers not from Davao like Gel Santos Relos who wrote:

"Many Davaoenos say, “The people of Davao proudly support our mayor. Only Davaoenos can understand, given our long history of having been left to fend for ourselves. We feel lucky to have such a hands-on and emphatic mayor who doesn't hide behind a fake smile for the cameras like most do. Behind the cameras these scheming politicians are much worse than her -- they are thieving, conniving and bribing!”

Even in social networking sites, the incident is a trending topic. Those who are not from Davao are condemning mayor Duterte. Which prompted the Vice Mayor, the mayor's father, lashed critics by showing the "dirty finger."

I don't know if that made Dabawenyos love them less. Because as far as i know, a rally will be staged on Friday by private sectors to show the world they support the mayor.fem

Flood hits Davao City anew

2011-07-04T10:05:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines – Several areas previously affected by flashflood in Davao City were submerged in waters again Sunday.

Residents of Bangkal, Matina Pangi and Talomo, Davao City immediately evacuated their houses at around 10 p.m. when knee-high waters submerged their area in just 15 minutes.

Rescue teams deployed in the area assisted the residents in their evacuation. Davao City Rescue 911 provided ropes to support Matina Pangi residents wading through the flood waters.

The rising water in the river in Bangkal prompted residents to evacuate their houses for fear of another flashflood. The local church served as the evacuation center for the affected residents.

In Talomo, residents did not wait for flood waters to rise for them to evacuate their houses.

Carrying their respective belongings, they stayed along the highway while waiting for the situation to get better.

Meanwhile, a bridge in Alcantara Calinan was damaged by the ravaging flood waters.

The flood waters subsided around 1 am. No casualties were reported. – report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao

Duterte tells daughter not to say sorry to sheriff

2011-07-03T22:41:00.000-07:00

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Davao City Vice-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has urged her daughter, Mayor Sara Duterte, not to apologize to court sheriff Abe Andres for punching him in the face during the demolition of informal settlers' shanties in Agdao last Friday.

Instead, Duterte commended her daughter, saying she was doing her job.

He encouraged her to face whatever charges may be thrown her way.

Duterte said he is proud of his daughter, who should not be worried about losing her job and being disbarred. "You celebrate, be happy, at least with the thought na nagprotect ka sa mga tao," he added.

Mayor Duterte earlier apologized to judges and court employees, saying she was just carried away by her emotions.

Andres, meanwhile, also said that he too was just doing his job.

He added that he might be charged by the court if he decided not to implement the demolition order.

"Kakasuhan kasi nila ako, nade-delay na daw kasi, antayin ko nalang yung court advise kaya lang nung ginagawa na yung pagsusurvey, nagkagulo na. Hindi pa niya nalaman yung buong katotohanan. Gusto ko sanang magpaliwanag sana makarating sa kanya. As a lawyer, bilang abogado, dapat alam niya na hindi siya naghimasok. me rule kasi na sinusunod," Andres said.

He did not say if he will sue the mayor.

Mayor Duterte said she will take a 5-day leave beginning Thursday as the Department of the Interior and Local Government starts its investigation of the incident. - Report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao; ANC

Davao City Mayor Duterte sinapak ang court sheriff

2011-07-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

Alas-8 ng umaga kanina, nabalot ng tensyon ang Barangay Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. sa Agdao, Davao City dahil sa demolisyon.

Kasado na ang riot pulis at SWAT kasama ang demolition team.

Nakabarikada naman ang mga residente.

Ang mga babae, gumawa ng human chain.

Sa loob ng barikada, nakaabang ang mga lalaking handang lumaban.

Habang nagnenegosasyon sa pagitan ng mga residente at ni Sheriff Abe Andres, tumawag si Mayor Sara Duterte. Humihingi siya sa sheriff ng 2 oras na palugit.

Hindi pa man natatapos si Mayor sa kanyang relief operation ay nagbigay na ng go-signal si Sheriff Abe Andres ng RTC Branch 16 na simulan ang demolition.

Nagkasagupaan na.

Binuwag ng demolition team ang barikada. Nagliparan naman ang mga bato.

Nagkabakbakan pero wala ring nagawa ang mga residente at natuloy ang demolisyon.

Habang nagkakagulo, biglang dumating si Mayor Sara Duterte at pinaalis ang demolition team.

Ang mga naiwan sa demolition site ay pinaluhod at pinagalitan.

Binalingan din niya ang hepe ng Santa Ana police at ang commander ng City Public Safety Management Company dahil hindi napigilan ang karahasan.

Pinatawag ng mayor si Sheriff Abe Andres at sinalubong ng magkakasunod na suntok sa mukha.

Sinubukang lumayo ni Andres pero ipinahabol ito ni Duterte sa kanyang mga bodyguard at kinaladkad pabalik kay Mayor.

Dinakma ni Mayor ang sheriff at pinagalitan.

Sa galit ni Mayor Duterte, dinuro-duro pa nito si Andres sa dibdib habang patuloy na sinasabon.

Nang humupa ang galit ng mayor, ipinadala niya si Andres sa ospital.

Habang nakaupo, kapansin-pansing nilagyan ng towel ang kamay ni Duterte dahil namaga.

Iniutos ng korte ang demolisyon ng 200 shanties sa lupang pagmamay-ari ng isang negosyante. Francis Magbanua, Patrol ng Pilipino sa Davao

Search continues for Davao flash flood victims

2011-07-01T00:47:00.000-07:00

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Search and rescue teams combed through flooded areas in Davao City on Thursday to find those who went missing during the disaster.

In Pangi, they found the bodies of a woman and her 3 children whose house was carried away by the flood.

Only the father survived.

Twenty-nine have been confirmed killed in the flood, while 2 others remain missing, according to authorities.

Meanwhile, hundreds of families are now homeless, after the flood swept away their houses.

Evacuation centers in the city that received relief goods from ABS-CBN's Sagip Kapamilya remain crowded.

Unprepared

Magno Adalin Jr., chief of the city's public safety command center (PSCC), has admitted that despite their modern equipment and readiness, they did not anticipate the magnitude of the flooding.

He added that Davao City is almost never hit by storms and typhoons.

The rains, which started Tuesday at past 10 p.m., were caught on the center's CCTV camera.

In less than an hour, the flash flood hit Barangay Matina.

Motorists were left stranded and rescuers were unable to cross raging waters.

In just 15 minutes, the water had already risen to more than 10 meters.

"Iyung gabi na yun, (we were) not expecting na ganun kabilis ang flooding. Usually, 1 hour bago mag-move ang water per level. But during that time, as early as 10:30, umabot na siya sa 6.5 meters ang taas ng water level," said Pepito Capili, officer-in-charge of the city's disaster risk reduction and management council.

As the waters began to recede, the damage caused by the floods became clear.

Cars were overturned, and houses were totally destroyed.

The PSCC, which was only established last year, is now pushing for all barangays in Davao City to again undergo disaster preparedness training to prepare for similar calamities.

The local government, meanwhile, is now studying possible relocation sites for those living in flood-prone areas.

City Mayor Sara Duterte said 5 barangays have been placed under a state of calamity.

She added that the local government is now focused on the distribution of relief goods and clean-up operations. - Reports from Francis Magbanua and Michelle Robin, ABS-CBN ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao; ANC

Mga namatay sa baha sa Davao, umabot sa 29

2011-06-30T23:44:00.000-07:00

MGA NAMATAY SA BAHA SA DAVAO, UMABOT NA SA 29

Nagsimula nang magsibalikan sa kanilang bahay ang mga nagsilikas noong kasagsagan ng baha sa Davao City.

Ang problema nila ngayon ay kung paano muli babangon dahil halos lahat ng kanilang naipundar ay inanod na ng baha.

Muling sinuyod ng search and rescue team ang mga binahang lugar para hanapin ang 14 pang nawawala.

Sa Kilometer 5, Matina Pangi, natagpuan ang mga labi ng isang taong gulang na si Rogelio Valderoza III.

Inanod ng baha ang kanilang bahay kasama ang kanyang inang si Elsa at mga kapatid na sila Catherine at Rowena.

“Nabitawan siya ng aking asawa sa kasagsagan ng baha," sabi ng ama ng biktima.

Isa pang bangkay ng babae ang natagpuan kagabi sa isang resort.

Kinilala ng amang si Lucio Tanio ang biktima na si Keizle Tanio, 16, at isa sa nawawala dahil sa baha.

Siksikan pa rin ang nagsilikas sa mga evacuation centers.

Lalo na't bigla na namang bumuhos ang ulan kagabi.

Marami tuloy ang natakot na baka maulit ang mala-delubyong baha.

"Naulanan kasi ang anak ko kagabi paglikas namin kaya po nilagnat ang anak ko ngayon,” sabi ni Rose Orpina.

Ang iba naman, bumalik na sa kani-kanilang lugar pero halos wala silang nadatnan.

Nagkalat ang mga yero sa paligid, mga nagibang bahay, at maruruming gamit.

Ang mga sasakyang binaha, nakahambalang pa rin kung saan-saan.

Namahagi naman ang lokal na pamahalaan ng pagkain.

Ang ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya, namigay rin ng lugaw at relief goods.

Naghahanap na ng relocation site ang lungsod para sa mga nakatira sa tabing-ilog at magpapatayo na rin ng flood control.

Sa kabuuan, mahigit 12,000 pamilya ang apektado ng pagbaha dito sa Davao at 137 kabahayan ang nawasak.

Nilinaw naman ng OCD-Davao na 29 ang official count ng patay sa flashflood sa Davao City.

Mula sa 30 na unang iniulat na patay, nilinaw na 29 lang ang aktuwal na bilang dahil na-doble ang count sa isa sa mga namatay.

May isang bangkay na nakuha sa Isla Punta del Sol at dinala sa Sta. Ana Wharf kaya’t na-doble ang bilang.

06/30/2011 10:17 PM

27 dead, 15 missing in Davao flash flood

2011-06-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

DAVAO, Philippines (4rd UPDATE) - The death toll from a flash flood that caught Davao City residents by surprise Tuesday night has now climbed to 27.

Five barangays have also been placed under a state of calamity.

As the local government assesses the damage, the search for the 15 people who are still missing continues.

Weather bureau PAGASA, meanwhile, warns of even more rains in the coming days.

Local officials and residents said the rains began around 10 p.m. Tuesday, with the Balusong river overflowing its banks that led to flashfloods in 4 barangays.

While some residents were able to evacuate in time, many were caught unprepared.

The latest bodies to be found were those of 16-year-old Keizl Tanio, who was seen floating on the bay in front of a resort in Punta Dumalag, and 1-year and 8-month old Rogelio Valderosa from Matina Pangi.

One resident, Rene Ayag, blamed himself for the death of his 3-year-old son Kenneth. His daughter, Rachel, is also missing.

Rogelio Alvarez, meanwhile, is still in a daze after 2 of his children drowned.

Elsa Balderosa, on the other hand, lost her mother who was trapped in their home.

The floods have affected 12,410 families.

Many families until now have chosen to stay in evacuation centers for fears of another flashflood.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said the city needs flood-control projects but they lack money.

"Last night [Tuesday], we did not expect (floods) to be that high. We expect that it is normal for that river to overflow in some portions," she said.

"But last night [Tuesday], all areas were flooded. It (river) overflowed to a height of 10-15 meters," Duterte said.

Members of the 911 Urban Search and Rescue Unit used rubber boats to rescue residents trapped in their homes.

Elements of the Regional Public Safety Battalion, Philippine Air Force, and Coast Guard also helped in the rescue operations.

The local government designated the Central Park Gym in Bangkal and GSIS gym in Matina as temporary evacuation shelters.

Science and Technology Undersecretary Graciano Yumul said an isolated thunderstorm caused the heavy downpour.

"What happened is that 8 mm of rain fell for a 2-hour duration so that is classified as heavy. It was an isolated thunderstorm embedded in the intertropical convergence zone... Isolated thunderstorm, biglang bumubuhos at biglang nawawala," he said. - With reports from Francis Magbanua and Rodirey Salas, ABS-CBN Davao; and ABS-CBN News Channel

Involve China in Spratlys discussion, US envoy says

2011-06-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

DAVAO, Philippines – U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. has urged Philippine government officials to raise the Spratlys issue at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forum.

Thomas also said China officials should be invited to avoid conflict.

“We believe all sides should sit down at the negotiating table and follow the 2002 Declaration of Conduct between ASEAN and China. Bring the issue to the ASEAN Regional Forum next week. Try to bring China in," he said.

In a radio interview, Thomas reiterated the good relationship between the U.S. and Philippines.

"We remain an ally to the Philippines,” he said. -- Report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Davao

Escape to Seagrass

2011-05-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

Seagrass Resort Barangay San Miguel, IGACOS (near Central Warehouse Peñaplata)
09278350299 / (082) 224-0116

Island Garden City of Samal(IGACOS): I was left alone in the office the whole Friday. It only means one thing, i am in-charge of everything, from dispatching, desking, editing, and producing the whole program for a day. It was tiresome. I badly wanted to take nap for the rest of the day. But my boss in my morning program told me to get ready for Igacos for the summer special episode shoot. I tried to convince her for me to take the morning trip but she insisted.
Exhausted of the day's work, i packed up everything i could grab from the closet and drove back to the station. I slept all the way from Matina to Penaplata. As soon as we arrived at the resort, the owner, Mr. Boy Sarmiento offered us a sumptuous dinner buffet. After the rejuvenating meal, i started looking around to check the area
.
And i saw the white sand beach. You can actually see the seabed because of the lead lights. The water was so calm and relaxing. But i prefer not to take a dip just yet. I and Michelle, my executive producer, decided to take a rest by the beach. Aside from the beach beds, they have this rattan "duyan" designed as a comfy couch. It feels so relaxing as the wind blows from the sea, stargazing while listening to my enya.

We felt sleepy so we decided to retire at the duplex rooms. The rooms is nice, good for two persons but you can ask for extra bedding if you have other companions. For P2,400.00, you get a free breakfast and wonderful view of their infinity pool. They have hot and cold shower too if you want to freshen' up.

By the beach, they also have cottages, with prices ranging from 300 pesos to 950 pesos. If you plan to just drop by for lunch and dinner, they also have tents, should you prefer to dine by the beach.

What i like about this place is that, it maintains natural covers, trees, coconuts, mangroves. Not very commercialized that is why, you can have a nice and quite sleep if you want to spend a weekend by the sea. It also has a wide activity ground fit for corporate event.

The place is also accesible, just a fifteen minute ride from the port. So you can always come and go back home to Davao anytime you want.

Other interesting facts about the place:
1. fine white sand beach
2. NATURAL SPRING WATER - you will notice the spring water coming out from the beach during low tide.
3. great accommodation and amenities

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Mom greives for husbdand, kids burried in landslide

2011-04-26T00:50:00.000-07:00

Sa pagkakahukay ng tatlong bangkay sa Sitio Panganaso Lunes nang umaga, humagulgol si Anicita nang makita ang mga labi ng asawang minero na si Cristituto Torrejos.

Ang masaklap, tatlo sa kanyang mahal sa buhay ang natabunan sa landslide.

Noong Biyernes, unang nakita ang bangkay ng anak niyang si John Ric. Nawawala ang isa pa niyang anak na si Cristituto Jr.

"Sabi niya 'Maglinis daw ako ng bahay kasi uuwi daw sila,' ani Anicita.

Ilan naman sa 13 nakaligtas sa trahedya ang nanatili sa mga ospital. Tumutulong naman ang kanilang mga kaanak sa paghahanap sa 15 pang nabaon sa landslide. Francis Magbanua, Patrol ng Pilipino, Compostela Valley

3 more bodies recovered from Compostela landslide

2011-04-25T20:01:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) - Three more bodies have been recovered from the landslide-hit area in Compostela Valley.

Philippine Red Cross' Joseph Randy Loi said two bodies were recovered separately at 8:55 and 10:40 Monday morning.

Another was recovered at 11:00 a.m. The unidentified remains were said to be in an advanced state of decomposition.

This morning's find brings the number of dead to 8 while 14 others remain missing. Retrieval operations continue in the area.

The numbers have yet to be “cleared” by higher officials, a report from ABS-CBN News Jeff Canoy said.

The landslide-hit Kingking, a remote mountain district near Pantukan on the main southern island of Mindanao before dawn Friday after heavy rain, burying illegal gold mines as well as houses, stores, and crude gold processing mills.

Pantukan town Mayor Celso Sarenas said chances of survival for the other victims are slim.

Sarenas said search and rescue operations may be halted tomorrow because of the dangers also facing rescuers. He said the operations will be suspended “indefinitely.”

Geologists saw a crack in the same area, which is moving “3 inches every 24 hours.” This may result to another “potential landslide,” he added.

This is precisely the reason why officials have already directed a forced relocation of the families still living in the area.

The relocation will start at 2:00 p.m. today. Some 112 families should have been evacuated by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Sarenas said.

Major General Jorge Segovia, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, told ANC Top Story that the ongoing evacuation is voluntary until the Tuesday 4 p.m. deadline arrives.

He said a forced evacuation will be implemented if some residents refuse to heed advice to seek safer ground.

"We hope these people will understand the risk and will evacuate voluntarily," he added.

Segovia said local leaders are conducting dialogues with affected families to convince them to leave the area.

He added that temporary shelters have been set up for evacuees. – Reports from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN News Davao; Jeff Canoy, ABS-CBN News; ANC

Rescuers found survivors in Compostela landslide

2011-04-23T22:08:00.000-07:00

Nakilala na ang bangkay na nahugot mula sa natabunang bahay sa landslide sa Compostela Valley. Kinuwento naman ng mga nakaligtas kung paano nila nalusutan ang tiyak na kamatayan. Nagpa-Patrol, Francis Magbanua. TV Patrol, Abril 23, 2011, Sabado

(Click on the link to view full story)

Flies swarm villages in Panabo City

2011-04-14T20:20:00.000-07:00

Malaking problema para sa mga residente ng Barangay Kiotoy, Panabo City, Davao del Norte ang pamemeste ng napakaraming langaw.

Sa sobrang dami, mistulang disenyo na ng mantel ang mga langaw.

Hirap ang mga residente na itaboy ang mga langaw.

"Perwisyo talaga 'to sa buhay namin, eto nga, nagkakasakit na kami," ani Vicente Alipio, residente sa lugar.

Bahagi na ng buhay dito ang mga langaw. Sa hapag kainan, tila nakikisalo sa pagkain ang mga langaw.

Nakasanayan na raw ng mga residente dito ang pagtaboy ng langaw habang sumusubo ng pagkain.

Hindi tuloy maiwasan na mangamba ang ilan sa kanila sa sakit na posibleng dala ng mga pesteng langaw—lalo na sa mga bata.

Si Lola Josefina Caballes, na namatayan ng apo at sinisisi ngayon sa mga langaw: "Masaklap ang sitwasyon namin. Namatay ang apo ko dahil sa langaw na 'yan."

Isinisisi ng mga residente ang pagdami ng langaw sa katabing manukan, pati na sa binibilad na saging na ginagawang kaning baboy na siyang kabuhayan ng maraming residente.

Tumanggi namang magpa-interview ang mga may-ari ng manukan.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Nagbabala ang mga opisyal ng barangay. "May napagkasunduan na kami na kung 'di nila ma-control ang pagdami ng langaw, hangang ngayong taon na lang sila. Ipapasara namin sila," ani Lucena Macasling, kapitan ng Barangay Kiotoy.

Idadaing na rin ng mga residente sa Panabo City Health Office ang kanilang nakakadiring problema. Francis Magbanua, Patrol ng Pilipino sa Davao City

Davao City places 8 farming villages under state of calamity

2011-02-19T19:59:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Eight farming villages in Davao City ravaged by rats have been placed under a state of calamity.

The Davao City's agriculture office said that the rat-infested villages include Salapawan, Lumiad, Colosas, Tapak, Mapula, paradise Embac, Fatima and Pandaitan, all in Paquibato district.

Leo Avila, city agriculturist, said that at least 2,000 hectares banana, corn, cassava, camote and rice farms have been ravaged by the rats.

Avila said that the damage to agriculture of the rats' attack in Davao City has been pegged at P30 million.

The city government will use the calamity funds to aid the families of the farmers that have been affected by the rat infestation.

Meanwhile, the local agriculture office said a 5-hectare coconut plantation in Calinan district has been damaged by an attack of caterpillars.

It said that the caterpillars started spreading in Calinan district last month. The caterpillars also been munching on cacao and banana trees in the district. -- Report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Davao

6 men take P3-M jewelry, cash in daring mall robbery

2011-02-19T19:51:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Six gunmen took P3 million worth of cash and jewelry in a daring mall robbery in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, on Friday night.

Superintendent Joel Niel Salcedo, Tagum City police chief, said the 6 armed robbers barged into the Gaisano mall at around 7:45 p.m..

Salcedo said that the gunmen split into 3 groups and raided the Elle Jewelry Creation and the Diamond Place pawnshop on the mall's second floor. Two of the gunmen stood as lookouts outside the shops.

Holding sales ladies at gunpoint, the suspects hammered the glass display cabinets and emptied the cash registers of the 2 shops.

The gunmen ran to the mall’s front entrance and escaped on 2 motorcycles, police said.

Salcedo said they have yet to determine what group was behind the heist. -- Report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Davao

5 patay sa masaker sa Davao

2011-02-12T23:26:00.000-08:00

Lima ang patay matapos pagtatagain ng live-in partner ang kanyang kinakasama, anak at mga apo sa Davao del Norte. Nagpa-Patrol, Francis Magbanua. Pebrero 12, 2011

(click on the link to view full story)

The green scrub

2011-01-22T08:03:00.000-08:00

I was watching TV and browsed by a movie about a shopaholic woman in green scarf. It reminded me of my cousin who is also a shopaholic. Although this is not about being shopaholic, this is about his green scrub suit I baught as a gift for him last December. He is presently a therapist in a cozy spa in the city and at the same time a model for hire. Early December, their manager decided to change the color of their spa’s motif from purple to green. He had been using the scrub suit he baught at a bargain store. He was complaining because the fabric was not that soft. He said he is not comfortable wearing it.
So I browsed the internet to look for the best scrub suit. I’m not particular with this. What comes to my mind when I hear the word scrubs are nursing uniforms. Finally I found this site that offers an array of suits that I’ve been searching. I ordered that green scrub uniforms my cousin needed and decided to wrap it as my Christmas gift. First time he used it at work, he said it felt comfortable and cool.
I believe it is always best to use comfortable suits or uniforms at work. It makes you feel confident too considering that you love what you are wearing.
FEM

Journalists call for speedy solution of colleague’s murder

2011-01-18T19:01:00.000-08:00

By Niña Calleja
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 13:47:00 01/18/2011

Filed Under: Media, Media killings, Crime and Law and Justice

MANILA, Philippines – The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines on Tuesday appealed to President Aquino and Justice Secretary Leila De Lima for a speedy and impartial resolution of the killing of a media practitioner whose alleged killer has tagged two provincial officials as the masterminds.

Lawyer Adel Tamano, counsel of the NUJP and the son of slain journalist Nestor Bedolido, said the killing was “a rare case” because the evidence pointing to the alleged masterminds, Gov. Douglas Cagas of Davao del Sur and Matanao Mayor Butch Fernandez was clear.

“In most killings of journalists, there are no witnesses and, hence, it is very difficult for the cases to move forward. However, in this case the killer has turned himself over to the police, executed an affidavit admitting his guilt and has explicitly stated that Governor Gacas ordered the killing,” Tamano said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

Last October, the main suspect, Voltaire Mirafuentes, made a confession and named Cagas and Fernandez as the brains behind the killing.

Bedolido, a writer of a local weekly newspaper and once an editor of the Digos Times owned by the Cagas, was shot dead in Digos City in June last year.

Tamano said Bedolido was a "PR man" of Cagas but had a falling out with him before working for his rival, former Davao del Sur Rep. Claude Bautista.

“The Aquino administration, through Secretary De lima must quickly and impartially to resolve the case. This is one of the rare instances when there is strong evidence to bring criminal charges against the killers of a media man,” Tamano said.

In light of the fact that the killing involves an incumbent governor, the case will be a litmus test of the Aquino administration's commitment to address the spate of media killings, he added.

On Monday, Tamano filed a pleading with the Department of Justice disputing Cagas' counter-affidavit containing his defense alibi.

According to Cagas' counter-affidavit, the governor was attending a Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) seminar for lawyers in Manila on the date when he allegedly ordered the gunman to kill Bedolido.

“In Criminal law, alibi is viewed as a weak defense,” Tamano said, stressing that governors such as Cagas are exempted from attending these seminars.

“He has not proven that it was physically impossible for him to be in Davao to talk to the gunman and order him to kill Bedolido in the morning of June 19, 2010,” he said.

Tamano, a senatorial candidate in the last elections, took over the case before the Christmas break last December.

Flashflood kills girl in Davao; 2 more missing

2011-01-18T11:34:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines - A flashflood hit a village in Sta. Cruz town in Davao del Sur on Monday afternoon, leaving a girl dead and 50 people homeless.

Police said joint rescue teams recovered the body of Ellen Mae Iligan, a 1st year high school student, at around 10 p.m. Monday.

Authorities said the flashflood hit Barangay Darong in Sta Cruz town around 10 p.m. Reports said the Sibulan River overflowed due to continuous rains in the province.

Police said a total of 15 houses, occupied by at least 50 people, were swept by the flashflood.

Rescue teams were still searching for 2 more missing residents, including a pregnant woman.

The affected families have been evacuated to the Darong Elementary School and a covered court in the barangay. -- reports from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Davao and Noel Alamar, radio dzMM

Migratory birds invade town in Davao del Norte

2011-01-13T17:48:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Birds escaping the severe cold weather in Southeast Asia and the Americas are invading a town in Davao del Norte.

Jonathan Diretso, a resident of Santo Tomas town, said the birds started arriving last August.

"Mga Agosto bigla na lang silang dumating dito. Noong simula konti lang pero dumami nang dumami," Diretso said.

Residents said the birds fly over the town in thousands and stay on electric wires starting 5 p.m. daily.

Some residents plainly see the phenomenon as a once in a lifetime spectacle and some believe the birds' unusual migration to their town is a sign of luck.

The residents initially thought that the birds are the famous cave swiftlets, which is known locally as balinsasayaw . The birds' nests are built from threads of saliva, which are collected for the famous bird's nest soup.

Nilo Rivera of the environment department's Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau said the town's invaders are barn swallows.

Rivera said barn swallows originate from Southeast Asia and South America. These birds like to hang out on wires, roof bridges and in human populated areas.

He said that the severe cold weather in their countries of origin could have forced the birds to look for temporary breeding grounds.

"Migrant birds sila galing South America, Southeast Asia. Umiwas sila sa cold front na tinatawag natin," Rivera said.

He expects the birds to leave Santo Tomas once the weather stabilizes. – Report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao

Sugatan dahil sa paputok, 8 na sa Pangasinan

2010-12-30T23:40:00.000-08:00

Sa ospital na magba-Bagong Taon ang 16-anyos na si "Mark" nang masabugan ng paputok na ‘dynamite’ ang kanyang kaliwang hita kagabi.

Nasa walong pulgada ang haba ng paputok na ‘dynamite’.

Ayon sa biktima, nanonood lang siya ng mga lasing na nagpapaputok sa Barangay Bacayao Sur sa Dagupan City nang utusan siyang magsindi ng paputok.

Nabitawan niya ito nguni't nadampot ito ng isang lasing at hinagis sa lugar na kanyang pinagtataguan.

"Iyong ‘dynamite’ pinipilit nila na sinindihan ko, tapos ako naman sinidihan ko rin, sabay takbo. Pinulot ng isa, tinapon sa madilim, hindi niya alam na nandoon ako,” sabi ni Mark.

Si Mark ang ika-8 kaso ng mga naputukan sa Pangasinan mula noong Disyembre 21.

Bagamat bawal ang mga paputok sa Davao City, sa ospital sa lunsod dinadala ang mga biktima ng paputok.

Gaya ng tricycle driver na si Gary Alag ng Davao del Sur na naputulan ng kanang kamay.

Hindi niya nabitawan agad ang sinindihang paputok na ‘Pla-Pla’ kaya sumabog ito sa kanyang kamay.

Lapnos naman ang harapang bahagi ng katawan ng 10-taong gulang na si Winston mula Makilala, North Cotabato matapos sumabog ang bamboo cannon na kanilang pinaglalaruan.

"Nagsisisi talaga ako, hindi ko sila nabantayan," sabi ng inang si Imelda Gecole.

Ipinagmamalaki naman ng Davao City na” zero casualty” sila sa paputok ngayong Pasko ngunit naghahanda pa rin ang mga ospital para sa posibleng pagdagsa ng mga pasyente sa Bagong Taon. - Francis Magbanua, Patrol ng Pilipino, Davao City.

Bonggang floats, tampok sa Parade of Lights ng Davao

2010-12-24T21:49:00.000-08:00

Sa Davao naman, patok na patok ngayon ang mga naggagandahang Christmas attractions doon gaya ng mala-Disneyland na Parade of Lights. Live mula sa Davao City si Francis Magbanua. TV Patrol

Slain vice mayor’s family seeks Aquino’s help

2010-12-05T19:54:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines - The family of slain Barira, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Alexander Tomawis has asked President Benigno Aquino III’s help in bringing the killer to justice.

Lawyer Mimbalawag Mangutara, Jr. said: “We already sent a letter to the President asking for a speedy investigation of the case, for the sake of justice.”

The family is asking the government to create a taskforce that will focus on the investigation.

Tomawis was shot to death exactly a week ago by an unidentified gun man inside his apartment in Bajada, Davao City.

A political angle may be behind the death, Mangutara said.

Tomawis’ name was linked to allegations of ballot snatching in the last barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. He had previously denied the allegations.

Mangutara also debunked the accusations that the incident had something to do with the Maguindanao massacre case.

The lawyer denied Tomawis was an adopted son of former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr., one of the suspects in the November 23, 2009 incident. – from a report by Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN News Davao

Cops nab 8 extorting traffic enforcers in Davao, CDO

2010-07-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines - Eight mulcting traffic enforcers, including 3 highway patrol cops, were arrested in separate police operations in Davao del Sur and Cagayan de Oro City.

Inspector Alberto Lupas of the Davao regional police office identified the arrested Highway Patrol Group members as Police Office 2 John Llevado, Senior Police Officer 2 Alfredo Timosana and Senior Police Officer 3 Carlito Albite.

Arrested with the policemen was their alleged "collector" Rhuel Allera, a civilian.

Lupas said the entrapment operation was conducted after the regional police office received several complaints of the policemen's supposed mulcting activities through text messages.

The 4 suspects were arrested along the highway of Barangay Guihing in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur.

Seized from the Timosan's Toyota Revo, which was parked along the highway, were crumpled peso bills.

In Cagayan de Oro City, operatives of the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group arrested 5 Land Transportation Office (LTO) enforcers.

Recovered from the LTO men was a small cabinet filled with cash that they collected from motorists. -- Report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN News

10-year-old boy accidentally shoots teenager dead in Davao

2010-06-15T22:33:00.000-07:00

DAVAO City, Philippines - A 10-year-old boy accidentally shot dead a teenager while playing with his father's .357 revolver inside their home in Calinan district, Davao City, Monday night.

Killed was 15-year-old Jerson Tayco, an employee of the boy's family. He died of a single gunshot wound in the chest.

Investigators said that according to the boy, Tayco asked him if he could borrow a cell phone charger. Instead of finding a charger, the boy discovered a gun from his father's bag.

The boy pulled it out and then playfully pointed it at Tayco.

Thinking the gun was just a toy, the boy pulled the trigger, fatally hitting the victim in the chest.

Chief Inspector Ariel Acala, Calinan district police chief, said the incident happened inside the house of the boy's family along McArthur Highway around 8:30 p.m..

Acala said the incident was reported to the police station at past 10 p.m.

He said the boy has been referred to the police's Women and Children's Desk while his father is now being subjected to investigations.

Acala said the boy's father claims he just picked up the gun, but instead of surrendering it to the police, he decided to hide it in his room. -- Report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao

Five months on, still no justice

2010-04-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

"Thank you, Acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra, for assuring the Filipino nation that justice can never be achieved,"said the National Union of Journalist in the Philippines. On March march 17, 2010, Agra told the prosecutors to drop the murder charges against two prominent members of a powerful Muslim clan over the massacre of 57 people on November 23 last year in Maguindanao. Agra stressed "Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan, initially alleged to be two of the key planners of the election-linked killings in the restive south, will be dropped from the list of those accused." The decision provoked outrage among the relatives' victims.
Five months after, still no justice. In an interview, the widow of victims expressed dismay to what they call a clear manifestation of white wash. Alliance Against Impunity movement in Davao believe that Malacanang has a hand over the matter. This afternoon, members of BAYAN and Alliance Against Impunity movement staged a protest rally in front of the Ampatuan mansion to show the government the need to resolve the case as soon as possible.

USANA Experience

2010-04-21T21:59:00.000-07:00

My friend, EJ, was so persistent. He's been asking a few minutes of my time for a lecture about health. I was hesitant before, because as i perceive it, most of seminars regarding health leads to selling and networking. One afternoon, he brought his partners at the station and cornered me for a short lecture. Without a choice, i spared a few minutes. I was not so interested even during the lecture. But because EJ is a good friend, i was forced to buy the products. What he introduced me was Essentials and Proflavanol of USANA.
I started consuming it a day after. I thought it was just the same old multivitamins in the market. Buti noticed i was getting energetic everyday, good night sleep,good bowel movement, and my skin slowly clears and lightens.
i went to their site and this is what i found:
"The Essentials™ —vitamin & mineral supplement for adults are a combination of two products: Mega Antioxidant™ and Chelated Mineral™. Together, they provide a broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and other plant nutrients that form the foundation of USANA’s nutritional system. They have the advantage of USANA’s patented Olivol™ olive fruit extract that provides the nutritional benefits of the Mediterranean diet."

A diffirent kind of reunion for ampatuans

2010-04-16T23:31:00.000-07:00

Manila - It looks like a family reunion for the member of Ampatuan family. Early morning on April 16, lawyers of Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. tried to stop the CIDG Manila and Marines from bringing the governor to Manila. They even wrote a letter to Lt.Gen. Raymundo Ferer of the Eastern Mindanao Command requestingt the continued detention of Andal Sr. at Camp Panacan Hospital while waiting for the resulotion on the motion for reconsideration filed by the government regardingt he dismissal of the rebellion case.
But the efforts were unsuccessful. At six in the evening, CIDG and marines brought Andal Sr. to the Tactical Operations Group Headquarters in Davao City, where a c130 plane was waiting.
When Andal Sr. boarded the plane, he was reunited with five other members of the Ampatuan clan implicated in the November 23 Maguindanao massacre; Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, Maguindanao Governor Sajid Ampatuan, Vice Governor Akmad Ampatuan Sr., and Shariff Aguak Mayor Anwar Ampatuan.
Earlier, supporters were empotional as they bid goodbye to five other Ampatuans detained at General Santos CIDG detention. At 10:30 in the evenin, c130 touched down at the Villamor Air Base.
They were immediately brought to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig and detained along with the prime suspect in the massacre, Andal Ampatuan Jr. (fem)

2 improvised bombs found in Davao City

2010-02-26T06:02:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Two apparent improvised bombs were found in separate public places in Davao City Thursday late afternoon.

The first improvised explosive device (IED) was found inside a comfort room for women in Davao City Hall and was immediately reported to the police.

Members of the explosive and ordnance division of the Davao City police and Task Force Davao responded immediately.

Police immediately ordered the evacuation of all employees and people from the Davao City Hall.

Police said the carton box contained 2 plastic bottles containing what appeared to be ammonium nitrate with white and red electrical wires attached to it and to a suspected cellphone circuit board.

The IED was neutralized by police using a water-cannon disruptor.

After a few minutes, another call to the city’s Emergency 911 reported another possible IED discovered outside the gate of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) building in Tionko Street.

Police immediately cordoned off the area, and the IED was also “disrupted.”

The device found at the fence of the BSP was similar to the IED found at city hall.

Police said that the devices would be subjected to chemical analysis to determine if they contained ammonium nitrate. The chemical is a component in improvised bombs.

Police are still investigating the possible culprits and motives behind the two incidents.

Identical and meant to scare

A military spokesman, meanwhile, already confirmed that the devices found in Davao City were bombs and were identical.

“They were identical,” said Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command.

He said the devices were composed of a cellphone, batteries, blasting caps, circuit boards, toggle switch and ammonium nitrate placed in plastic bottle.

Cabangbang said the bombs, however, lacked booster and shrapnel.

“They were crudely made, meaning it is not their intent to harm but merely to scare. Its not meant to harm,” he said. With reports from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao and Noel Alamar, dzMM

as of 02/25/2010 7:00 PM

2 improvised bombs found in Davao City

2010-02-25T22:35:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Two apparent improvised bombs were found in separate public places in Davao City Thursday late afternoon.

The first improvised explosive device (IED) was found inside a comfort room for women in Davao City Hall and was immediately reported to the police.

Members of the explosive and ordnance division of the Davao City police and Task Force Davao responded immediately.

Police immediately ordered the evacuation of all employees and people from the Davao City Hall.

Police said the carton box contained 2 plastic bottles containing what appeared to be ammonium nitrate with white and red electrical wires attached to it and to a suspected cellphone circuit board.

The IED was neutralized by police using a water-cannon disruptor.

After a few minutes, another call to the city’s Emergency 911 reported another possible IED discovered outside the gate of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) building in Tionko Street.

Police immediately cordoned off the area, and the IED was also “disrupted.”

The device found at the fence of the BSP was similar to the IED found at city hall.

Police said that the devices would be subjected to chemical analysis to determine if they contained ammonium nitrate. The chemical is a component in improvised bombs.

Police are still investigating the possible culprits and motives behind the two incidents.

Identical and meant to scare

A military spokesman, meanwhile, already confirmed that the devices found in Davao City were bombs and were identical.

“They were identical,” said Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command.

He said the devices were composed of a cellphone, batteries, blasting caps, circuit boards, toggle switch and ammonium nitrate placed in plastic bottle.

Cabangbang said the bombs, however, lacked booster and shrapnel.

“They were crudely made, meaning it is not their intent to harm but merely to scare. Its not meant to harm,” he said. With reports from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao and Noel Alamar, dzMM

Emo Mode

2010-02-06T15:37:00.000-08:00

My cousin wrote this:

"If we can love someone so much,
how will we be able to handle it
if one day we are separated?

-
And, if being separated is a part
of life, and you know about
separation well, is it possible
that we can love someone and
never be afraid of losing them?

-
At the same time, I was also
wondering, is it possible that we
can live our entire life without
loving anyone at all?

-
That’s my loneliness.

Loneliness is such a big word for me. I don't even want to utter it. I think its just psychological. You will be lonely if you opt to. "Researchers found that the ventral striatum—a region of the brain associated with rewards—is much more activated in non-lonely people than in the lonely when they view pictures of people in pleasant settings. In contrast, the temporoparietal junction—a region associated with taking the perspective of another person—is much less activated among lonely than in the non-lonely when viewing pictures of people in unpleasant settings."
"Given their feelings of social isolation, lonely individuals may be left to find relative comfort in nonsocial rewards," said John Cacioppo, the Tiffany and Margaret Blake Professor in Psychology at the University.

AVATAR tops box office

2010-01-27T06:34:00.000-08:00

It’s official! Avatar quashed Titanic’s stint as world’s top selling movie. CNN reported “Avatar” is now the highest-grossing movie of all time. James Cameron’s 3-D epic adventure eclipsed worldwide box office sales of the previous top-selling flick, Cameron's “Titanic,” on Monday, making $1.859 billion at the box office compared to “Titanic’s” $1.843 billion.” A difference of $16 million after 6 weeks of showing and still counting.

I love how director James Cameron conveyed the message of respect for life and a hope for a peaceful planet. It isn’t just a story about a paraplegic marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission who became torn between following his orders and protecting the world he felt is his home. Its about how nature and the inhabitants co-exist that if it became out of balance, chaos comes in. it tells us our role in protecting our environment, and it tells us how we are connected with mother nature and that we need each other to survive.

Memoirs of a piscean

2010-01-26T21:47:00.002-08:00

Even before, i love to take pictures. I'd rather hold the camera instead of in front of it smiling. During college, my classmates in photography class ask me to take a few shots for them for our requirements. A good friend Josie Rachel once said "you got the eye."

"Photography is one of the hobbies that people can pick up and learn fairly easily. Some people have the impression that there is a trick to taking great pictures. There are some different elements you need to consider in order to both enjoy photography as a hobby, and take great pictures. The fact is, with a little knowledge and some practice, wonderful pictures are a click away. There is nothing more enjoyable than capturing pictures of wonderful moments and images and sharing them with others (disabled-world.com)"
Here's some samples i took during my free time:

House of DOE exec's in-law yields guns, ammo

2010-01-25T05:39:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATEas of 01/21/2010 3:09 PM) - Police on Thursday morning seized nearly 50 firearms and several ammunition from the house of Energy Undersecretary Zamsamin Ampatuan's brother-in-law in Davao City.

Operatives from the Davao City police and the Police Regional Office 11 raided the house of Mozulini Lidasan on Eagle Street, GSIS Heights in Matina district around 6 a.m.

Firearms seized from Lidasan's house include 24 pieces of .38 revolvers, 17 shotguns, 2 M-16 rifles, several ammunition and military camouflage uniforms.

An ABS-CBN Davao regional news bureau report said Lidasan, whose wife is a sister of Undersecretary Ampatuan, has a security agency.

Police, however, found out that the security agency's license to operate expired last August. Investigators were checking if the firearms have proper documentations.

Lidasan and an Army sergeant named Alberto Antisoda, who was "securing" the area, were arrested.

The report added that police were also preparing to enter another compound in Davao City where more firearms are believed stashed. -- Reports from Michelle Robin and Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Davao

as of 01/21/2010 3:09 PM

Ampatuans' patriarch files arbitrary detention charges vs military

2010-01-10T22:58:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. has filed charges of arbitrary detention against senior military officials in the Southern Mindanao region.

Andal Sr. has been detained at Camp Panacan military hospital at the Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) headquarters in Davao City.

Authorities have said that the head of the powerful Maguindanao clan was arrested in Shariff Aguak during the martial law period in the province but was initially placed in a private hospital in Davao City after complaining of ill health. He was later forcibly brought to the military hospital.

In his complaint filed at the Davao City Prosecutor's Office, Andal Sr. named as respondents: EastMinCom chief Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferer, Army’s 601st Brigade commander Col. Leo Crescente Ferrer and Lt. Col. Joel Paloma as well as other military personnel allegedly involved in his arrest.

The complaint filed by Andal Sr.’s lawyer Philip Pantojan alleged that no warrant of arrest was presented by the military when he was nabbed.

Andal Sr. added that no commitment order was also issued after rebellion charges were filed against him. He also sought for his release from detention.

Physical injury case?

The camp of Andal Sr. also disclosed that they are mulling the filing of a physical injury case against the soldiers who forcibly took him from the Davao Doctors’ College hospital where he was initially confined.

Military officials, meanwhile, said they were only following orders.

"Our lawyers have answered all the allegations. Dapat maintindihan nila, nadakip siya during martial law (He should realize that he was arrested during martial law),” said Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman.

The military command spokesman also said they would welcome the filing of the physical injury case.

“I urge them to file the physical injury case, kasi may video kami na ang sundalo namin ang nabugbog at di sila (because we have a video that shows our soldiers were the ones hurt not them)," said EastMinCom’s spokesman.

Aside from rebellion charges, Andal Sr. and other key members of the powerful Maguindanao clan have also been named as respondents in the multiple murder case in connection with the gruesome massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao last November 23. Killed in the massacre were members of a rival clan in Maguindanao, lawyers and at least 30 journalists.

The patriarch’s son, Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., was tagged as the primary suspect in the massacre.

Panels of the Department of Justice, conducting separate preliminary probes on the rebellion and multiple murder complaints, were set to issue resolutions by January.

Andal Jr. and Andal Sr. have waived their rights to file counter-affidavits to the multiple murder complaints filed against them. From a report of Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao (as of 12/30/2009 6:44 PM)

Bad Year-end!

2010-01-02T06:17:00.000-08:00

“I have a good vibe for you next year,” said Tita Edna, our guest this morning in Maayong Buntag Mindanao. I was born under year of the horse. Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons, and Dogs. As i arrive at my pad, a psychic friend who lives next door came to me and said, “you’re lucky today.” A little later, my phone rang. My tita was asking me to come to their school and fetch my gift. Unexpectedly, my tita gave me a “cash gift.” I thought tita edna and marge were right. I’m lucky today.
About twelve noon, I packed my things and hurriedly drove my way home. I’m excited to go home because of our family reunion. Aside from the fact that this is the only chance I got to go home this year after many attempts. Every time I decide to go home, duty calls.
As I arrive at a curved portion of national highway in Buda, Bukidnon, a girl crossed the street, unmindful of vehicles rushing by. I was about to hit her when I noticed her so I stepped on my breaks. I really didn’t know what happened after that. I just saw my car slammed at the railings. My breaks broke, my front tire exploded, bumper deformed.
As my car stopped, I just sat there for a few minutes until residents there knocked at my window and asked me to step outside to see if I’m ok. I felt pain in my back, arms and legs. Without the railings, I might have fallen to a cliff.
Fortunately, Toto, a habal-habal driver in the area passed by and decided to help me in fixing my car, or at least make it run safely until I reach davao.
After five hours, my car was up and running, not in good condition though. But at least it brought me back to davao safely even if I only have the back breaks and hand break.
Year 2009 did not end well for me. But at least i’m alive. Maybe i just got lucky today!

BIsdak Ni Rovic now available in record bars

2009-12-04T03:44:00.000-08:00

BIsdak Ni Rovic now available in record bars

List of Media Men Killed in Maguindanao

2009-11-27T05:12:00.000-08:00

Here's the updated list of media men who were killed during the Maguindanao massacre.

1. Ian Subang Socsargen Today
2. Leah Dalmacio Socsargen Today
3. Gina dela Cruz Saksi News (GenSan tabloid)
4. Maritess Cablitas Mindanao Focus
5. Bart Maravilla Bombo Radyo Koronadal
6. Joy Duhay Southern Chronicle
7. Henry Araneta DZRH correspondent
8. Randy "Andy" Teodoro Central Mindanao Inquirer
9. Marife "Neneng" Montaño Saksi News
10. Alejandro “Bong” Reblando Manila Bulletin reporter
11. Victor Nuñez UnTV
12. Macmac Arriola UnTV cameraman
13. Jimmy Cabillo Midland Review
14. Rey Merisco Periodico Ini
15. Ronnie Perante Gold Star Daily
16. Bienvenido "Jun" Legarta Midland Review
17. Val Cachuela Punto News
18. Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay Punto News
19. Joel Parcon Prontiera News
20. Noel Decena Periodico Ini
21. John Canibal SK Gazette
22. Art Belia (Art Mascardo?) Periodico Ini
23. Ranie Razon Periodico Ini
24. Robillo Bataluna Goldstar Daily
25. Julido Ebardo UNTV vehicle Driver
26. Napoleon Salaysay Mindanao Gazette
27. Rosell Morales Mindanao Focus
28. Jun Gatchalian News Focus
29. Lindo Lupogan
30. Daniel Tiamson

(source: NUJP)

How will you get my vote?

2009-11-21T19:15:00.000-08:00

Its election season once more in the Philippines. A politician friend told me this one's gonna be tougher. So many popular names running for higher positions and the contest may be based on popularity and money. I thought i should list my qualifications for ideal leaders as early as today. and here it is.

1. I would go for a candidate who is Filthy Rich. So rich that he would look at the nation's coffer as a piggy bank. too small amount to use for his personal interest. Instead, he would use his own money to fund his programs and project.

2. A family man. Being a good father is hard, how much more being a father to a nation. What does it mean to be "GOOD FATHER"? "It includes being - honorable, blameless, and bearing a good and admirable character virtuous, praiseworthy, free from scandal, and not under any blemish for any vice. a man of integrity, of a fair reputation, well spoken of, and well reported of."

3. Lastly, God Fearing. The characteristic of a Good Father is that he fears God. "(2 Samuel 23:3) He rules his household in the fear of God. He believes there is a God above him Whose eye is upon him and to Whom he is accountable. (Ecclesiastes 12:14) He realizes that He will "bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (Psalm 1:1) He doesn't walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful. (Psalm 119:1,3) He walks in the law of God and does not Sin."

If you meet my qualifications, you get my vote. Make sure you follow guidelines set by the Commission on Elections such as:

A candidate must be:

a natural born citizen
on the day of election, at least twenty-five years of age
able to read and write
a resident of the Philippines for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding the day of election

I am encouraging my fellow voters to please be responsible in choosing the leader who will lead us in the future. Our votes count, make it work the worth.(fem)

Pacquiao-Cotto fight deaths rise to 9

2009-11-19T05:40:00.000-08:00

MANILA - Nine people including a pregnant mother and her unborn child died on Sunday during the height of the "Firepower" bout between pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.

A report by ABS-CBN Regional Network Group said Amelita Pasado went into labor at her home in Naawan, Misamis Oriental past 12 p.m. Sunday at the start of the Pacquiao-Cotto fight. Unfortunately, her husband, Ricardo, was not at home since he was watching the fight at a restaurant in the town.

Ricardo brought his wife to a local hospital after being informed of her condition but the latter died due to blood loss. Their baby also died during delivery, he said.

"We thought that she would give birth in December. Her tummy was already painful but she didn't want to be brought to a doctor," he told ABS-CBN.

Four fight fans in the cities of Butuan, Batangas, Talisay, and Cebu also died at the height of the Pacquiao-Cotto match.

Atillano Caneda, 67, suffered a heart attack while watching a pay-per-view of the fight in his home in Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City. Relatives said Caneda was a long-time fan of the Pacman.

In nearby Cebu City, 53-year-old Rolando Sala also suffered a heart attack while watching the fight at a local restaurant.

Romeo Seno, Sala's companion, said an excited Sala clutched his chest and fell to the floor during the seventh round of the match. The victim was brought to Perpetual Succour Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

The scene was also repeated in Butuan City and Batangas City on Sunday.

Seventy-year-old Concordio Paredes and his son, Jonathan, were watching a pay-per-view of the fight at the Yetan eatery along J.C. Aquino Avenue, Butuan City when the septuagenarian suddenly fell from his chair and became unconscious during the second round of the bout.

Police said Paredes was immediately brought to the MJ Santos Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.

In Batangas City, a 62-year-old businessman also suffered cardiac arrest after getting excited during the second round of the "Firepower" bout.

Cecilio Cabrera, a resident of Beredo Subdivision in Barangay Alangilan in Batangas City, and owner of Pick and Save Supermarket, suffered cardiac arrest while watching the fight at the Pontefino Hotel in Barangay Gulod Labac.

Police said Cabrera was rushed to Jesus of Nazareth Hospital but died later after being revived at the emergency room.

"He got excited during the 2nd round of the fight, when Pacquiao nearly knocked out Cotto," Dess Aclan, a friend of Cabrera told ABS-CBN News.

Aclan said Cabrera collapsed while watching the last part of the 3rd round while Pacquiao was winning.

"Mr. Cabrera's eyes then rolled straight upwards and his body stiffened before the 3rd round ended, while he was clutching his chest," Aclan narrated.

Aclan said doctors in the emergency of Jesus of Nazareth Hospital tried to intubate Cabrera when he showed signs of life but later died due to cardiac arrest.

Meanwhile, in the Davao region, 3 more fans died, all due to heart attacks, during the historic fight.

Vicente Bernal of Carmen, Davao del Norte was dead on arrival at the town hospital after having a heart attack while watching round 3 of the fight.

"Sa second round masayang-masaya siya, sumisigaw-sigaw pa. Pagka-third round, di ko na siya napansin," Bernal's wife Maria said in Visayan.

"May history na talaga siya ng sakit sa puso," Maria added.

In Bansalan, Davao del Sur, Lord Espina, a barangay councilor for Barangay Poblacion Dos, also died of a heart attack, this time while watching the 9th round.

Espina's sibling noticed that he was not moving anymore while watching the fight, and he was then rushed to the hospital, where he was also declared dead.

Bansalan mayor Edwin Reyes said excitement for the fight would most probably caused the heart attack.

In Davao City, retired police officer Jose Paco also died while watching the fight.

In Paco's instance, however, his wife said he suddenly fell from his seat while watching the bout, and suffered an attack. With reports from Arnell Ozaeta, Lorenzo Luzon, May Diez, Trini Velasco, and Francis Magbanua ABS-CBN Regional Network Group

as of 11/17/2009 1:04 PM

Sea Turtles found dead in Davao Gulf

2009-11-14T06:28:00.000-08:00

Digos City, Davao del Sur – The Provincial Environment Office in Davao del Sur is worried over the recent incidents of sea turtles found dead in the Davao Gulf. Last November 2, 2009, Erning Pirante a fisherman residing in Patulangon, Sta. Cruz saw a more than two feet hawksbill turtle (scientific name Franz) floating in the shorelines lifeless. Its scales were falling apart but its body had no signs of wounds that might have caused its death. A week ago, residents along Piape Beach in Padada also found a dead hawksbill turtle that weighed about fifty kilos and about five feet in length from its head to its tail. Josol Sabado, a fisherman in the area narrated he screamed for help when he saw the floating turtle, thinking it was a sea monster. Provincial Environment Officer Marcia Isip revealed that about two months ago, two hawksbill turtles were also found dead along Sarangani coast. The PENRO has yet to establish the cause of the deaths of these turtles. But the initial investigation indicates that these turtles may have died due to change in weather conditions. “It could be attributed to climate change. The sudden change in temperature may have caused their deaths,” Isip said. The PENRO had difficulty examining the dead turtles as they were already buried by the fishermen who found them. The PENRO has called on the fishermen in the locality to immediately report to their office should they encounter a similar occurrence. Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Digos City

Fortune-tellers predict rough road ahead for Noynoy

2009-09-11T17:40:00.000-07:00

Fortune-tellers predict rough road ahead for Noynoy
abs-cbnNEWS.com 09/11/2009 5:37 PM

DAVAO - The stars may have nothing to do with Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III's presidential bid but according to two fortune-tellers, the road ahead for the presidential wannabe is fraught with danger.
According to Madam Rose Elvina, Aquino could face either an assassination attempt or an accident when he starts his presidential campaign later this year.
Another fortune-teller, Madam Sal Cruz, said Aquino's sudden popularity has made him a target for political foes who do not want him to succeed.
"He has to be careful. Don't be complacent. There will be some who will love him, some who will be his enemies," she told ABS-CBN News.
The two fortune-tellers, however, were undecided on whether Aquino made the right choice in announcing his presidential bid on Sept. 9, 2009, exactly 40 days after the death of his mother, former president Corazon Aquino.
In her tarot reading, Elvina drew a card from the suit of swords, which she said indicated that Aquino chose the wrong date to declare his presidential bid. "He will have a hard time based on the cards. It's the swords. That means that the people are still 50-50 about him. He doesn't have their sympathy," she said.
On the other hand, Cruz said Aquino's declaration on September 9 was well timed. "He chose a good date. It will prosper," she said. With a report from Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN News Davao

Lechon festival held in Davao

2009-09-09T17:40:00.000-07:00

Lechon festival held in Davao
abs-cbnNEWS.com 09/09/2009 5:34 PM

MANILA - Davao residents held a festival on Tuesday celebrating the country's favorite fiesta food "lechon" or roast pork.

Citizens of Digos City in Davao simultaneously roasted over 300 pigs in open fire pits for the annual "Lechonan sa Kadalanan" held along the stretch of Magsaysay Street.

Each "lechonero" professes to have their own recipes for the perfect roast pork.

One lechonero, Rolando Quiao, said he used 11 ingredients to make his "lechon" more delicious.

"The ingredients are a secret, so people should just come here so they can taste our delicious lechon," he said in his native dialect.

Residents and guests meanwhile could not wait to sample the lechon's juicy meat and crunchy golden brown skin after it was chopped up and distributed en masse to the waiting crowds.

Groups crowded around tables of chopped-up lechon and feasted until only the pig's bones were left. Some even brought along portions of rice to complete the meal.

Cathy Pepito, a guest at the fiesta, came all the way from Bukidnon (about 91 miles away) to join the festivities. She said she was excited to taste the "lechon", and was not disappointed.

The fiesta is held every year as a means to promote the region's famed delicacy and to boost local tourism and small businesses.

Romuals Crispino, the event's chairperson, said the area boasts of having the "best lechon in Mindanao."

"This is one of the biggest industr[ies] in the region and we have the most number of supply here," he said.

Similar "lechon" festivals are held in Negros Occidental, Batangas, Pampanga, Cagayan de Oro, among othes. Report by Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao.

Kapamilya Karavan at Kadayawan

2009-08-31T05:17:00.000-07:00

By Ana Felicia Dulay

STARS indeed rained during the recent Kadayawan Festival as ABS-CBN flew in its popular crowd-drawer stars last Saturday.
Filling up the Gaisano Mall to the rafters, Anne Curtis, Gerald Anderson, Coco Martin, Matt Evans, Melissa Ricks along with stars that elicit screams and swoons from the teens like AJ Perez, Enchong Dee, Chris Gutierrez, Arron Villaflor and Robi Domingo, made the city's celebration more memorable.
The Kapamilya stars gamely met the local media in a press briefing before the show. It Gerald and Coco were their usual laid back self as they expressed their wishes to do more dramatic roles in the future.
However, Gerald says that he is getting the dream roles that he always wanted as of now. Coco, meanwhile says that his exposure to doing indie films has harnessed his acting prowess. Too bad Anne Curtis was not around during the tet‚-a-tet‚ with the stars.
The Gigger boys were sure lots of fun to interview. Without any affectations, they cracked jokes and teased each other with gusto.
Fans all trooped to the venue, enduring the tight-packed elbow-to-elbow crowd, heat and humidity, just to glimpse their favorite Kapamilya stars.
Surely, most of them went home tired but happy and wanting for more shows to come in the future. (Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on August 26, 2009)

Digos public market hit by blaze

2009-08-19T02:16:00.000-07:00

The public market of Digos City in Davao del Sur province was hit by a fire Sunday evening destroying many of its stalls.
The fire which reportedly started from one of the stalls of the meat and vegetable section quickly spread. Many stall owners reportedly failed to retrieve the items and produce they were supposed to sell.
84 stalls were reported to have been destroyed which was estimated to cost P1 million. This is aside from the cost of the items and produce lost in the fire which has remained to be estimated. The blaze destroyed the building where the meat and vegetable section was located.
The city’s fire protection office said “electrical overloading” was seen as the cause of the blaze.
By Monday morning, many of the stall owners hit by the fire were seen selling their items beside the torched structure to try to recover some of their lost income.
Last Friday, an estimated 115 houses were destroyed by a fire which hit Ipil beach in Barangay Duterte in Agdao district of Davao City. Faulty electrical wiring was reportedly blamed by authorities for the blaze. From a report of Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao (as of 08/17/2009 8:33 PM)

Kadayawan 2009 Schedule

2009-08-18T02:14:00.000-07:00

2009 KADAYAWAN SA DABAW
Nahiusang Katawhan, Nakigdait sa Kalibutan
As of Aug. 11, 2009
DATE TIME EVENT VENUE
16-Aug 5:00 PM MODA MINDANAW Gaisano Mall of Davao
17-Aug 10:00 AM KADAYAWAN TABO: Opening SP Lobby
Deca Wakeboard Park Inauguration Brgy. Tacunan, Mintal
Sonshine Adventure Race in partnership w/ Mr. Erwin " Pastour" Emata Damosa Activity Area
4:00 PM TERNO: Portraits, Prestige, Posterity Davao Musem, Insular Vill.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Panagtagbo: Tagabawa Tribe Rizal Park
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Panagtagbo: Sama Tribe Rizal Park
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Kalasikas featuring Kalumon People's Park
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Kalasikas featuring USEP Chorale People's Park
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Kalasikas featuring DCNHS Rondalla People's Park
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM An Hour of Darkness for a Brighter Future MTS
18-Aug 10:00 AM SAYAW MINDANAW : Preliminaries SM City Davao
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Panagtagbo: K'lata Tribe Rizal Park
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Panagtagbo: Tausug Tribe Rizal Park
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Panagtagbo: Matigsalog Tribe Rizal Park
3:00 PM - 8:00 PM TUNOG MINDANAW : World Music Festival NCCC Mall
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Kalasikas featuring DS Foundation People's Park
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Kalasikas featuring Matina Central ES Choir People's Park
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Kalasikas featuring Kabilin People's Park
19-Aug 10:00 AM SAYAW MINDANAW : Preliminaries SM City Davao
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Panagtagbo: Maguindanao Tribe Rizal Park
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Panagtagbo: Ubo-Manobo Rizal Park
7:00 PM HIYAS SA KADAYAWAN Cap Auditorium
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Kalasikas featuring Kalayaan People's Park
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Kalasikas featuring Mandirigmang Kariladman People's Park
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Kalasikas featuring Kathara People's Park
20-Aug SAYAW MINDANAW: Citation SM City Davao
10:00 AM Davao Historial Society Annual History Quiz Contest City Library, SP Bldg.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Panagtagbo: Ata Manobo Tribe Rizal Park
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Panagtagbo: Kalagan Rizal Park
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Panagtagbo: Maranao Tribe Rizal Park
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Kalasikas featuring Himig Singers People's Park
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Kalasikas featuring Madayaw Cultural Ensemble People's Park
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Kalasikas featuring Popong Landero People's Park
MODA MINDANAW: Dress up Sandal and Bag Competition Gaisano Mall of Davao
21-Aug 8:00 AM DUHWOW: DAYAW Misa Pasalamat Tionko Field (formerly Agro Field)
9:00 AM DUHWOW: DAYAW Subay sa Suba Tionko Field (formerly Agro Field)
10:00 AM DUHWOW: DAYAW ( Grand Opening Celebration) Tionko Field (formerly Agro Field)
11:00 AM HULAGWAY SA KALIWATAN Museo Dabawenyo

12 :00 PM - 1:00 PM KAAN MINDANAW Museo Dabawenyo
4:00 PM PANAGTAGBO featuring: Ubo Manobo People's Park
4:30 PM PANAGTAGBO featuring Sama Tribe People's Park
5:00 PM PANAGTAGBO featuring K'lata Tribe People's Park
5:00 PM Kadayawan Urban Race MTS Covered Court
5:30 PM PANAGTAGBO featuring Maguindanao Tribe People's Park
6:00 PM "SPIRIT OF DAVAO" Two Man Exhibit by Kublai and Vic Secuya Opening Museo Dabawenyo
6:00 PM PANAGTAGBO featuring Tagabawa Tribe People's Park
6:30 PM PANAGTAGBO featuring Tausug Tribe People's Park
6:00 PM SAYAW MINDANAW : Finals SM City Davao
7:00 PM PANAGTAGBO featuring Matigsalog Tribe People's Park
7:00 PM Cultural Music Festival at Taboan MTS
7:30 PM PANAGTAGBO featuring Maranao Tribe People's Park
8:00 PM PANAGTAGBO featuring Ata Manobo Tribe People's Park
8:30 PM PANAGTAGBO featuring Kalagan Tribe People's Park
22-Aug 8:00 AM INDAK - INDAK SA KADALANAN Roxas St., left CM Recto, right San Pedro exit towards City Hall Drive
9:00 AM PMA Arrival Honors for Mayor Rodrigo Duterte Rizal Park
KADAYAWAN SPORTSFEST: JUDO UM / HCDC
1:00 PM KADAYAWAN SPORTSFEST: BOXING City Hall Drive
2:00 PM PMA Silent Drill Exhibition Tionko Field formerly ( Agro Field)
4:00 - 9:00 PM TUGTOGAN SA KAHIUSAHAN People's Park
7:00 PM Handog ng Bombo Radyo at Star FM sa Kadayawan featuring Siakol and Mocha Damosa Gateway
7:00 PM Cultural Dance Festival at Taboan MTS Covered Court
8:00 PM Kadayawan TM Astigfest featuring Parokya ni Edgar Rizal Park
10:00 PM BAYLEHAN SA KATAWHAN San Pedro St.
23-Aug 4:00 AM Samsung Kadayawan Festival Run Gaisano Mall of Davao
5:00 AM 3rd 3M-J Kadayawan Mountain Bike Challenge NCCC Mall
7:00 AM 24th Kadayawan sa Dabaw/RMN-Mitsubishi Banca Race sa Davao Gulf Sta. Ana Wharf
8:00 AM PAMULAK KADAYAWAN R. Magsaysay Eve., thru CM Recto, righ Bonifacio, right to Legazpi, left to San Pedro all the way to Quimpo Blvd.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Indak-Indak Sa NCCC NCCC Mall
6:00 PM Kalasikas featuring: UIC Chorale People's Park
7:00 PM Kalasikas featuring: ROYECA Ballet People's Park
8:00 PM Kalasikas featuring Davao Boys Choir People's Park
6:00 PM MODA MINDANAW: Fashion and Floral Accessory Competition SM City Event Centre
6:00 PM PA KONSIYERTO NI MAYOR RODY UG VICE MAYOR INDAY SARA SA KADAYAWAN 2009 Rizal Park
8:00 PM Muzika del Sur Music Awards MTS
8:00 PM Colt 45 URCC Davao Digmaan Davao Convention Center
* Events in bold are official activities of 2009 Kadayawan Execom

CONTINUING EVENTS:

Aug 1 -30 8:00 am - 10:00pm Agro Industrial Trade Fair SM City Grounds
AUG 6- 17 24th Kadayawan sa Dabaw Open Bowling Tournament Fairlanes Bowling Center
Aug 10 - 23 Kadayawan Bazaar MTS
Aug 14 - 17 Kadayawan Sportsfest: Lawn Tennis Eco 4 Tennis Court
Aug 16 & 23 8:00 AM Kadayawan Sportsfest: Softball
Aug 17 - 23 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Taboan sa Katawhan ( Peoples Fair Trade) SP Lobby

Aug 17 - 19 Kadayawan Sportsfest: Billiard NCCC Mall B3
Aug 17 - 23 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM Hudyakaan Bolton St. ( Beside SP Bldg.)
Aug 17 - Sep 17 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Hulagway sa Kaliwatan Museo Dabawenyo
Aug 20 - 22 4th Mindanao Travel and Tourism Expo Davao Convention and Trade Center
Aug 20 - 22 Photographers' Night and Imagenation Photography Summit by Canon Davao Convention and Trade Center
Aug 21 - 23 8:00 AM - 2:00 AM Kadayawan sa Chinatown Uyanguren cor. Alvarez to cor. Bangoy
Aug 21 - 23 Kadayawan Sportsfest: Dama Osmeña Park
Aug 22- 23 Kadayawan Sportsfest: Chess Gaisano South
Aug 25- 30 Kadayawan Fiesta Bazaar 2009 Davao Convention Center
OTHER ACCREDITED EVENTS:
14-Aug Mall Hours Mindanao Culinary Festival SM City Event Centre
15-Aug 8:00 AM Katingalahang Kalingawan sa Kadayawan Bago Beach Resort, Bago Aplaya
16-Aug Katingalahang Kalingawan sa Kadayawan Bago Beach Resort, Bago Aplaya
5:00 AM 11th Jollibee Family Fun Run Gaisano Mall of Davao
7:00 AM Flight of the Eagles Fun Run Magsaysay Park

Digos public market hit by blaze

2009-08-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

Digos public market hit by blaze
abs-cbnNEWS.com 08/17/2009 8:33 PM

The public market of Digos City in Davao del Sur province was hit by a fire Sunday evening destroying many of its stalls.
The fire which reportedly started from one of the stalls of the meat and vegetable section quickly spread. Many stall owners reportedly failed to retrieve the items and produce they were supposed to sell.
84 stalls were reported to have been destroyed which was estimated to cost P1 million. This is aside from the cost of the items and produce lost in the fire which has remained to be estimated. The blaze destroyed the building where the meat and vegetable section was located.
The city’s fire protection office said “electrical overloading” was seen as the cause of the blaze.
By Monday morning, many of the stall owners hit by the fire were seen selling their items beside the torched structure to try to recover some of their lost income.
Last Friday, an estimated 115 houses were destroyed by a fire which hit Ipil beach in Barangay Duterte in Agdao district of Davao City. Faulty electrical wiring was reportedly blamed by authorities for the blaze. From a report of Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao

Thank you President Cory Aquino

2009-08-04T06:05:00.000-07:00

I've been covering stories about the passing of former president Cory Aquino, mostly solemn. But when i arrived at the thanksgiving mass at Cor Jesu College in Digos City this morning, i was surprised. The priest was about to say the closing prayers when i arrived. I waited for my chance to conduct interview until i heard them sang "tie a yellow ribbon" seque from the closing gospel song. Then i saw the students chanting, singing, dancing, raising their hands showing the "laban" sign. They were actually celebrating. Surprised, i approached the ministry coordinator to ask why they mourn the death of a former president of the country this way. He smiled and said, its not about the death, its about how meaningful the life of the Aquino was. Cor Jesu officials said, it is important that the students, especially the younger generation who were not able to experience the struggle in the early eighties, should understand why Aquino was named the mother of democracy in the country.

Students should understand that the life of former president Cory Aquino "is a shining image and reflection of the true essence of the Cor Jesu spirit and identity. COMMUNITY through her zeal and dedication for freedom and unity of our country; DISCIPLESHIP through the service of her life for the Filipino nation; and EXCELLENCE through her steadfast commitment to moral uprightness and integrity." President Cory Aquino once said, "I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life." This is what the Cor Jesu would like their students to understand.

On Monday, ABS-CBN Davao spearheaded the candle lighting ceremony and tying of ribbon as a tribute to President Aquino, our simple way of saying thank you to the president for protecting the freedom of the press when ABS-CBN re-opened after it was closed during the martial law regime.

More "roots"

2009-07-28T05:37:00.000-07:00

Kiblawan, Davao del Sur - Elements of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) - Region XI, raided another marijuana (cannavis sativa) plantation in Baranggay Kimlawis Monday afternoon. A firefight ensued when armed bandits, believed to be the guards of the plantation, tried to drive away the raiding team. After four encounters, bandits, together with the suspected cultivator, retreated to unknown direction allowing the police to enter the site.

More than one thousand seven hundred fully grown marijuana were uprooted by PDEA and were immediately brought to Kiblawan Police station as evidence. After taking samples for case filing, authorities immediately burnt the marijuana trees in front of the residente to serve as a warning to those who continue to cultivate the prohibited marijuana. Kiblawan is considered as the major source of marijuana in the region becuase of large plantations like this. PDEA vowed to continue with survielance and monitoring to erradicate cultivators.
This is the second largest operation from the months of May to July this year. Last month, PDEA successfully uprooted more than three thousand fully grown marijuana from the same baranggay, ready for selling.

They ate my dead cells

2009-07-26T05:57:00.000-07:00

Before leaving Manila last Saturday, my friend, Cluadette, invited me for a stroll at Ocean Park. My flight was scheduled at seven in the evening so i still had ample time. After fetching her in Makati, we went straight ahead to Ocean Park. Been to Manila several times but this was our first time to visit the park. Weve heard so much about it and it did impress us when we were there. No wonder they call it the first "state-of-the-art Oceanarium, open water marine habitat,." Aside from marine attraction, it also contains boutique mall, restaurant row and function facilities all located in one complex. As we went inside, Claudette and i was so amazed with so many species of marine creatures, big and small. It was so entertaining that we forgot about what we wanted to try here, the fish spa.

After the tour, we went staright to the second floor for the fish spa. They say its good for those who have skin desease. the spa utilizes what they call Doctor fish. "The fish are like combfishes in that they only consume the affected and dead areas of the skin, leaving the healthy skin to grow, with the outdoor location of the treatment bringing beneficial effects. These little dermatologists are used there to give relief to people with various skin disorders, including eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis."

As i soaked my feet in the pool, school of Doctor Fish immediately swarmed my feet and start working. It tickles and we were so noisy at pool spa, laughing as the fish slowly scraped the dead skin out of our feet. Its refreshing and it really cleaned our feet. I can't wait to visit again soon.

Pupils experienced the darkening of the sun

2009-07-22T06:44:00.000-07:00

I can still remember how i and my classmates banged the tin drums to make noise as we watch the darkening of the sun. Our folks told us the noise was necessary to drive away the dragon that ate the sun. I was grade one then. Aside from making noises, we also watched through a pale of calm water how ths sun grew darker and darker untill it was covered by the moon.

I can't remember the year, but the excitement lingers, the same excitement that i saw among the pupils of Bansalan Central Elementatary School this morning. About 10:30 in the morning, teachers decided to allow their pupils to watch how solar eclipse work. Using a plastic film from car tint, children looked through it to see the sun clearly as a portion of the covers it. In countries like China, it was a total eclipse, but here, Filipinos enjoyed a partial eclipse.

"On Wednesday, 2009 July 22, a total eclipse of the Sun is visible from within a narrow corridor that traverses half of Earth. The path of the Moon's umbral shadow begins in India and crosses through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. After leaving mainland Asia, the path crosses Japan's Ryukyu Islands and curves southeast through the Pacific Ocean where the maximum duration of totality reaches 6 min 39 s. A partial eclipse is seen within the much broader path of the Moon's penumbral shadow, which includes most of eastern Asia, Indonesia, and the Pacific Ocean."

After "sun watching," pupils went back to their classroom to discuss the natural phenomenon. I had a chance to sat during their class and it was fun to watch the children discuss what they saw over that plastic film.
For teachers, it was a rare opportunity for pupils to see this phenomenon. They were a bit luckier than other areas in Davao region because of fair weather. In some areas, students were not able to see the eclipse due to scattered clouds. According to NASA, the next solar eclipse will happen on July 11, 2010 which will be visible in Argentina.
===end===

Masked Students

2009-07-21T04:21:00.000-07:00

It's been ten days after classes in Don Mariano Elementary School in Digos City was suspended. A grade three pupil was diagnosed positive of A(H1N1) virus. Today, the school opened the whole SPED Center building as classes resumes for Grade A1 up to Grade A6. While gathering data for my feature story this afternoon, i noticed that most of the pupils are now wearing face masks in spite of the advisory that the school is already virus free.
I can't help but ask them why. the children told me their parents strictly told them to put on masks wherever they go, even during classes. Parents are cautious of their children's health especially that at present, there are 57 positive cases in Davao region, 42 if which are from Davao City and three from Digos City. Although health officials are happy that parents are now aware, health officials are also alarmed that it might cause panic among residents. Dr. Roland Jumilla, Digos City health officer said, the virus is already contained if not totally eradicated since the three positive patients in Digos City live in one compound only and is now being quarantined.
Dr. Jumilla added, residents should not be afraid of the virus for it is curable and can be avoided with proper intake of vitamins, healthy lifestyle, and proper hygene. After all, its just a flu with a different name.

Half bloody to me

2009-07-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

I've waited for two years, and this is all i got? Said the lady beside me inside the cinema after watching Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince last night. I myself felt a craving for more action and thrills like the previous episodes, more exciting fight scenes maybe. I was able to read the book, and i think it lacks the excitement as i was reading it. Which made me think i did not get what i wanted to see. It is like "half bloody" to me. But David Yates was successful in sustaining my interest of the story, that i really wanted him to make the sequel tomorrow.

Here are some comments i read from other blogs. You might want to leave yours too after watching the movie.

"After the clumsy storytelling and hollow action of some of this summer’s Hollywood blockbusters, Yates’ latest Potter is a shining beacon of quality."
Charles Gant
Heat Magazine

"This is the least involving of the series so far, with an unclear storyline and action set-pieces that fail to convey the excitement of the book."
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]

"It's a more mature magic. ... Now subject to the same raging hormones as any other 16-year-olds, our spell-casting heroes are learning to brew love potions this year, with results mostly played for laughs."
Bob Mondello
NPR

"So yes, Half-Blood Prince is a bloody good time, and the best summer blockbuster film since Star Trek, but make sure you make the time to sit down and read the books if you haven't."
Matthew Razak
DC Examiner

Still feels "half bloody" to me...

I got a new phone

2009-07-15T02:33:00.000-07:00

Remember the phone that i threw away from third floor of our apartment? I was saddaned for a while. It's been useful to me especially its wifi service. I used to write my script there everytime i ran out time. It was not that expensive, in fact, others call it poor man's blackberry (N63).

I could not live a day without a phone so i just closed my eyes when i purchsed a new one. I was looking for a more useful kind that has wifi, mms, and music, videos, and email with a large amount of storage capacity. A friend told me to pick Nokia 5800.

Did i make the right choice? check this out:

Touch. Play. Share.
One touch takes you to music and up to 35 hours of crystal clear hi-fi on an advanced multi-format player. One touch takes you to the Video Centre, a great way to watch in high-resolution widescreen. Play with a 3.2 megapixel camera for great photos and smooth landscape video, then seamlessly share them online.

Touch
This amazing 3.2” high-resolution touchscreen looks unlike any other and puts everything at your fingertips. Fit for one hand, featuring responsive touch and stylus input with tactile feedback.

Play
One touch to music, video, and more. The dedicated Media Bar means mobile entertainment is always on hand, with superior surround sound and high-resolution widescreen viewing.

Share
Featuring you, your friends, 3.5G connections, and a 3.2 megapixel camera. Put your favourite people on your home screen and share moments and media as they happen.

Healing mass for Cory

2009-07-14T04:34:00.000-07:00

It's been months since my last day off. My boss asked me to work even on weekends due to lack of manpower. Last Thursday, i received a text message from a friend inviting me to an island getaway on Sunday. I thought i should insist to have that weekend day-off this time. When i approached my boss last Friday, he again asked me to do another "gratis amores" on Sunday. I hated my boss that time. But when he told my how important it is for us to work on Sunday, i changed my mind. I said to myself, "for the mother of Philippine democracy, i won't hesitate to work."
ABS-CBN spearheaded a nationwide healing mass for former president Cory Aquino on Sunday, which was aired simultaneously nationwide. I was tasked to report for the healing mass at Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague. More than three hundred supporters and former members of Yellow Friday Movement prayed together for the recovery of Mrs. Aquino. The shrine is special to Mrs. Aquino for it is one of the places she visits to meditate everytime she is in Davao.
Aquino was confined in the hospital recently to seek medical attention for her loss of appetite attributed to the illness (colon cancer) that she has courageously battled for over a year and a half.
To those who joined the healing mass, former President Aquino was a key figure in achieving democracy in 1986. She was also instrumental in inspiring many Filipinos to take action to end dictatorship in the country. I too prayed for her. In my heart, i owe her so much. She helped me before in ensuring peace and democracy in our place in Lanao, i believe its my time to help her too, even in prayers.

I threw my phone from the third floor

2009-07-13T05:57:00.000-07:00

I was running while climbing up the stairs just to get to the third floor on time before sunset. It was the first time in three months since i saw sunset from our apartment balcony. i was holding my camera, my cellular phone on the other hand. I thought i saw the couch in my left side. Due to excitement, i threw my phone on the couch and took as many shots as i could just to get the perfect shot. As i review my pictures, i walked in the direction of the couch where i thought it was only to realize the couch was in my right side. I actually threw my cellphone from third floor to the living room at the ground floor. From the top, i saw my phone turned into pieces. I just bought that three months ago.

Citizen Journalism Seminar at HCDC, Davao

2009-07-12T05:07:00.000-07:00

Davao City - More than a thousand Boto Mo Ipatrol Mo volunteers attended the Citizens Journalism Seminar at Holy Cross of Davao College Gym on Friday. The seminar aims to educate volunteers on journalism ethics, visual story telling, and their responsibilities as partners in keeping an eye on the 2010 elections.
Veteran and multi-awarded broadcast journalist Maria Ressa (SVP for News and Current Affairs, ABS-CBN) and Charrie Villa (Head, News Gathering, ABS-CBN) were among the speakers while anchor/reporter Atom Araullo helped the participants as the moderator.
The Citizens Journalism seminar also aims to inform the volunteers of their responsibilities as patrolers and teach them the basic journalism concepts.

Citizen Journalism is the concept of members of the public "playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information."

According to the seminal 2003 report We Media: How Audiences are Shaping the Future of News and Information,” Authors Bowman and Willis say: "the intent of this participation is to provide independent, reliable, accurate, wide-ranging and relevant information that a democracy requires."

People without professional journalism training can use the tools of modern technology like internet and cellular phones “to create, augment or fact-check media on their own or in collaboration with others. For example, you might write about a city council meeting on your blog or in an online forum. Or you could fact-check a newspaper article from the mainstream media and point out factual errors or bias on your blog. Or you might snap a digital photo of a newsworthy event happening in your town and post it online. Or you might videotape a similar event and post it on a site such as Youtube (Wikipedia).”
While i was doing my interview, a student came to me and asked me, "are Filipinos ready for this?" Yes, i believe we are all ready for this. The concept of citizens taking part in public awareness has been proven so many times especially when the ABS-CBN launched the Citizen Patro, Boto mo i patrol mo, bayan mo i-patrol mo, and in 2009, BMPM Ako ang simula.

Don't mess with martial arts expert

2009-07-09T02:52:00.000-07:00

WE ALL BURST INTO LAUGHTER WHILE ELRIC AYOP READS THE NEWS, “HOLDAPERS, GIKULATA SA ILANG BIKTIMAHON.” WE WERE SO INTERESTED TO FIND OUT WHAT TRANSPIRED.

“RESIDENTS IN ROAD 2 DONA VICENTA SUBDIVISION, BAJADA WERE AWAKENED WHEN ONE OLIVIA GONZALEZ CRIED FOR HELP. ACCORDING TO OLIVIA, A MAN TRIED TO ROB HER USING A KITCHEN KNIFE. THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY ASKED OLIVIA WHICH DIRECTION THE SUSPECT WENT. AT THE CRIME SCENE, THE SUSPEK SUCCESSFULLY ESCAPED LEAVING ONE OF HIS SHOES BEHIND. PUZZLED, THE POLICE ASKED OLIVIA WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY SHE HAD NO EVIDENCE OF VIOLENCE. OLIVIA SAID SHE FAUGHT BACK. ONLY THEN THAT THE POLICE DISCOVERED THAT OLIVIA IS A MARTIAL ARTS EXPERT. THE SUSPEK FLED AWAY WHEN OLIVIA GOT HOLD OF THE SUSPECTS KNIFE.”

Another Dolphin Died in Davsao Gulf

2009-07-08T05:12:00.000-07:00

Sta.Cruz, Davao del Sur - Fishermen in Baybay, Coronon discovered a lifeless dolphin that was washed ashore Monday evening. The dolphin weighs about seventy kilos and about six feet long. Romeo Montesori fisrt discovered the dolphin. He thought it was a tuna so they tried to poach it but some of the residents warned them about the penalties in dolphing poaching. They immediately reported it to local police.

Members of Provincial Fisheries office immediately conducted post mortem investigation and discovered the wounds and scars on its side. Authorities cannot identify yet the cause of death.

Fisheries office also reminded the residents to avoid hurting or poaching dolphins as it is already an endangered specie.

Making Use of Old Perfume Bottles (repost)

2009-07-07T05:58:00.000-07:00

Does you room smells like a garage? Or does it stink like a pile of laundry. If you badly need an air freshener but far away from the stores, here’s one practical tip for you. Your empty perfume bottles will help you improve the ambiance of your room or any part of your house. Open your old perfume bottles. Pour a small amount of water into your empty perfume bottles and place it in areas where air flows into your room. Make sure not to cover it so that the scent will spread inside the room. The perfumes that we buy have alcohol content causing the perfume to evaporate when left open. While the scent in the bottle lingers, water will slow down the evaporation of the scent and provides a good source of air freshener. You may also position it near air conditioning systems where scents are carried around your room evenly. Aside from providing instant air freshener, it also cuts extra spending at home. It also gives you the feel of smelling good all the time even inside your room. It will also improve your mood. People used to buy perfumes not just by smelling good but buy expressing your mood. In the same manner, the scent of the “perfume air freshener” will supplement that mood inside your own room. Some people love to go to the spa because of the stress relieving aroma. Your “perfume air freshener” should be a good substitute at home. It will also serve as odor repellant especially in your comfort room. Some people stay longer in the bathroom. Providing better ambiance will also provide lighter feeling. If you have space at the headboard of your bed, you may also put one there to help you sleep better because of better scents while resting. Other than rooms and bathrooms, you may also place it inside your wardrobe closet. As soon as you open your lockers, the air rushes out from inside including the scent from your empty perfume bottles. It also ensures your clothes doesn’t smell old even for a long time inside the closet. Imitations are not recommendable because even the content of the perfume you buy does not last long. Avoid using different kinds of perfume bottle at a time for the mixture of scents might just smell bad. Use one scent at a time according to your mood. To avoid looking messy, make sure you position it in areas not so visible but with enough aeration. Or if not, you can accessorize the bottle to make complement the room’s look. You may also use it as flower vase. The scent will still be there but not for a longer time.

Remember, this is just an alternative freshener while you are away from the grocery stores. It is still advisable to buy antibacterial air fresheners that ensure safety especially on respiratory concerns. So don’t you throw that old and empty perfume bottles away.

Ghost at the accident scene

2009-07-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

Since my childhood, i have heard so many stories about ghosts. One time during college, i was left alone in our boarding house at the College Park when i decided to watch the movie Shutter. I did not finish the movie until lately. I thought capturing ghosts in a picture was fake, photoshop works. Maybe.
Last Saturday, during our coverage of the bus accident in Malita, Davao del Sur, where one passenger died instantly, I took pictures of the crime scene for documentation. Its was about twelve midnight when we arrive at the place where the bus landed after falling from deep ravine. While i was reviewing my pictures, on frame caught my attention. At a glance, i noticed this smoke formation in front of the bus. It seems like a man standing in front of the bus. That gave me a chill. I kept my observation to myself, but my camerman was asking why i was so eager to leave the area as soon as possible.
Inside our crew cab, i showed this picture to my team, they were so scared that we left the accident scene immediately. I can't help but ask, who is that man standing in front of the bus?

One dead, 15 injured as bus falls into ravine in Davao del Sur

2009-07-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

One dead, 15 injured as bus falls into ravine in Davao del Sur
abs-cbnNEWS.com 07/05/2009 7:56 PM

A passenger bus fell into a ravine Saturday night in Davao del Sur killing a passenger and injuring 15 others.
The ACF bus was almost totally destroyed after it fell 100 hundred feet into a ravine in Sitio Magasayap in Barangay Kidalapong in Malita town in Davao Del Sur
Reported killed immediately was Arnel Masunong who was reported to have been seated on the front side of the bus. Most of the injured meanwhile were initially taken to Malita District Hospital. Some would later be transferred to Davao Medical Center in Davao City
Initial information said that the bus lost its brakes as it travelled fast along a curve in Magasayap Highway. The driver reportedly lost control of the bus and it went straight to a deep ravine.
“Nag-malfunction ang brake kaya’t nahulog, disgrasya talaga ang nangyari,” said Superintendent Victorina Mendez, Malita police chief.
“Mabilis ang takbo namin, dumiretso na sa bangin, nanalangin na lang ako na ‘Diyos ko iligtas n’yo kami’,” said Philip Geya, one of the passengers who were injured.
Benny Carcillar, the driver of the ill-fated bus, was described in critical condition. The crash pinned Carcillar on his seat. He was brought to San Pedro Hospital of Davao City.
Masunong’s wife, Dina, meanwhile was distraught. She said her husband took a day off from his work and was about to surprise her on her birthday Saturday. She said he was bringing her a cake from the bakery in Digos City where he worked.
“Dadalhan sana daw niya ako ng cake. Di ko matanggap pero anong magagawa natin, disgrasya e,” said Dina.
Malita police meanwhile have coordinated with the management of ACF bus to provide assistance to the accident victims.
The others injured were identified as Rosalyn Bacudo, 24; Maricel Sarana, 21; Rosela Sarana, 41; Antonio Cator, 56 (bus conductor); Danilo Sangcaan, 37; Pebigine Geya, 8; Boy Garcia, 40; Joy Lareno, 30; Lydia Bacarro, 62; Joy Silvano, 34; Janeen Fe Nicole Silvano, 5; Cenon Desucatan, 49 and Edith Doria, 56. (From a report of Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao)

Passenger bus falls off a cliff in Davao Sur

2009-07-04T22:56:00.000-07:00

Malita, Davao del Sur, Philippines — A passenger died when ACF Bus 5400 passenger bus with plate number LVX – 883 travelling from Davao City fell off a cliff at Sitio Magasayap, Baranggay Kidalapong, Malita town past 7:30 in the evening on Saturday. Fifteen other passengers were immediately brought to Malita District Hospital for first aid but later referred to different hospitals in Davao City because of critical condition.

Arnel Masunong, who sat at the first row seat died on the spot. His wife Dina revealed that Arnel took a day off from work to surprise her during her birthday on Sunday.

Survivor Danilo Sangcaan told the news team that prior to the incident, the driver told them they were having problems with the break. Benny CArcillar, the driver of the bus, was advised by few passengers to check the problem but he did not budge.

The wounded were:

1. BENNY CARCILLAR – DRIVER
2. ROSALYN BACUDO, 24 YEARS OLD
3. MARICEL SARANA, 21
4. ROSELA SARANA,41
5. ANTONIO CATOR, 56 (KONDUKTOR NG BUS)
6. DANILO SANGCAAN, 37
7. PHILIP GEYA, 52
8. PEBIGINE GEYA, 8
9. BOY GARCIA, 40
10. JOY LARENO, 30
11. LYDIA BACARRO, 62
12. JOY SILVANO, 34
13. JANEEN FE NICOLE SILVANO, 5
14. CENON DESUCATAN, 49
15. EDITH DORIA, 56

Flaming Plantation

2009-07-03T04:11:00.001-07:00

On our way back to Digos City, we saw the firetruck approaching us. Its sirens were sounded. There must be fire i said. I told my driver to track down where they were heading. We lost them at the intersection of Rizal avenue. Good thing my cameraman was quick to notice the tire marks. It led us to Baranggay Dulangan. About three kilometers away, we saw a huge smoke. As we get closer, i thought the fire razed the elementary school because children were rushing out of the school. As we entered the school compound, some curious pupils were rushing towards the fence at the back. As we approached the fence, we saw about a hectare of mango plantation engulfed in fire. Firemen tried to soak the remaining trees wet to save it from fire. The fire lasted more than an hour. Luckily, firemen were able to stop the spread of fire to other plantations.
Digos City fire investigators cannot identify yet the cause of fire. But pupils revealed that they saw a group of out of school youth playing in the area an hour before the fire started. Virgillia Banes, owner of the plantation suspects, vandals intentionally lit the plantation. Because of the fire, about two hundred thousand investment of the Banes family for about twenty years vanished in an instant.

Coastal Clean-Up Drive

2009-07-01T05:29:00.000-07:00

Member of PSL Fatima Parish launched on Saturday their coastal clean-up program aimed at ensuring the cleanliness of coastal baranggays in Davao City.
First stop, Baranggay 31-D Boulevard. More than one hundred families live along the coastal line, mostly fishermen. As per observation of PSL Fatima Parish, most of the residents here do not practice proper waste disposal. During the coastal clean-up, PSL Fatima Parish had collected more than eleven sacks full of tetra packs, tin cans, used clothing and other wastes coming from beneath the houses of the residents.
PSL stressed, proper education should be conducted in the area especially on proper waste disposal to protect the remaining marine life in the area where most of the residents get their living.
According to Jeff Hilchey in his book The Importance of Protecting Marine Biodiversity (January 12th,) Earth is a closed system and therefore, all of its life is interdependent, relying upon each other as resources. The more biologically diverse Earth is the better the chance all species will have for survival. Humans abuse much of the Earth’s resources in order to achieve economic success. However, this success comes at the expense of humanity’s future. The resources on Earth have the potential to sustain life indefinitely, if used with caution. However, when exploited, the resources can be lost forever.

The more destruction human inflict on natural resources like the aquatic resources, the more risk the new generation faces. PSL Fatima Parish also asked the residents to help in information dissemination to strengthen the efforts in preserving the marine life in Davao Gulf.

Guihing Bridge ready before July 30

2009-06-30T05:39:00.000-07:00

It's been three years. For Connie Mier, a farm worker at a banana plantation in Guihing, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, the delayed construction of the bridge gave them hard time going to work and home. He lives in Digos City, while he works just on the other side of the river at Guihing, Hagonoy. After DPWH started the reconstruction of the bridge, the five minute bike ride from home to work became thirty minutes or more for Connie to travelalong diversion road passing through Hogonoy town proper. To get to work on time, he needs to ride a pull-over bangka and carry his bike on the way.
Connie is just one of the many commuters along Guihing-Digos highway who were already angered to the delay of the construction. On February, DPWH promised to complete the construction by the end of the month. Before February ended, DPWH reasoned out they are having a hard time drilling for two main posts due to hard strata. Again they promised to complete the bridge before the scholl year 2009-2010 starts. June came and DPWH again explained, bad weather slowed down thei pace.
Davao del Sur Governor was enraged and asked for a conference with DPWH officials. Again, they promised to open the bridge before July 30, 2009. Commuters hope this will be the last of the promises DPWH will commit.

Help Mary

2009-06-28T06:42:00.000-07:00

Last year's poverty incidence in Davao City rated at 14.94% according to statistics. If you are in Davao, you will not see this data on the streets. You could only see busy people, rushing to their offices, schools, or businesses. But if you visit areas like Baranggay 31-D, you'll see a clearer picture of this data.

I saw this girl taking care of her brother while waiting for their father to come home. Their house made of light material, walls are made of nipa and bamboo, other parts were covered with trash bed foams.

Inside, few kitchen utensils, clothes and a mosquito net. I asked Mary (not her real name) how many are they living here. She said las week there were ten of them, but today, his two brothers left for Cotabato to find a living. Their youngest is almost one year old. Her father is a scavenger, her mother wash clothes for some cash. Sometimes they eat three times a day, sometimes twice, depending on the day's gain of her parents.

She was a friendly girl, although she tried to be happy, i can see in her eyes her pains. She should be at school to study but her parents cannot afford.

I was reading some articles at the net when i came across this article:

The big five factors of poverty (as a social problem) include: ignorance, disease, apathy, dishonesty and dependency.

These, in turn, contribute to secondary factors such as lack of markets, poor infrastructure, poor leadership, bad governance, under-employment, lack of skills, lack of capital, and others.

The solution to the social problem of poverty is the social solution of removing the factors of poverty.

Our present government tried to address this factors but the evidence stresses the efforts is still not enough. Maybe we should look at other factors like corruption in the government. Funds to address these factors go to pockets of politicians for their own needs. The problem will remain unless we do something about it.

Next year, we will again cast our votes, will you choose those who make Mary's life more miserable?

His life from white to black.

2009-06-26T04:16:00.000-07:00

I was accompanying my friend Claudette doing her shopping this afternoon. I saw this shoes placed on a stand at the corner. While Claudette was busy with dress i was busy with my camera. Then came two women, talking about the death of the king of pop, Micheal Jackson. I knew abut it early this morning. When i saw this shoes, i thought of him.
He was a man who bridged culture through music. One example was the song "black or white."

"The star the world could not ignore," so goes the headlines of CNN. "Michael Jackson has died after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Los Angeles home. In a career spanning more than four decades, the 50-year-old pop icon enjoyed a level of hero worship on a par with Elvis Presley and the Beatles, before scandal and poor health caused his star to wane."

Speculation is already turning to what killed Michael Jackson just weeks before the 50-year-old superstar's long-awaited series of comeback concerts. "Authorities have scheduled an autopsy for Friday. But they cautioned that it could take weeks to determine a cause of death, which will likely have to wait for the return of toxicology tests" the Reuters reports.

Amid scandals and controversies, it cannot be denied that Jackson became a part of our lives. It is sad to note though that in spite of his efforts to "heal the world," most of it were in vain. His family said he'd been trying to "pick up" his pieces after the controversies, but admitted his life slowly faded from white to black.

Davao Sur Beauties

2009-06-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

Sixteen beautiful ladies are vying for Mutya ng Davao del Sur 2009 title as the province celebrates its 42nd anniversary on July 1. On Tuesday, the candidates were formally introduced to the public during the pictorial session at the amazing islet of Passig in Baranggay Bato, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Each candidate show their stuff as they parade in swimsuit attire. The ladies also entertained questions from the press for the first time. Provincial Tourism Office Board Member Mercedez Cagas said, each candidates already preented their advocacy program as part of the requirement of the Mutya Council. Malita contingent told the press she would be focussing on the preservation of the Dugong (sea cow) as their premier toruist attraction in Malita bay. Malalag candidate meanwhile would like to provide efficient program to combat child labor while Digos candidate would like to focus on health and education. Who among these sixteen lovely ladies will win the crown? The coronation night will be held on June 30 at the capitol gymnasium.

The PASSIG

2009-06-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

The PASSIG

(more than a Boracay in its purpose and setting)

By: Douglas Ra. Cagas, LLB, MBE, MNSA

Have you ever been to a place, far away from your home? Where the air you breath is clean and fresh, and fishes swim with endless freedom? Where the silhouette of jumping fishes, serve as an interlude of the coming night? Where the ‘danggits’ allure ones eyes as they lay flat underwater boasting their shining scales? Where the great Mt. Apo’s peak is clear scenery, having the crimson colored clouds of sunset as its backdrop? Where the thick green leaves of mangrove trees, sway and span as far as the eyes can see - a protector, a provider of food for the fish sanctuary of more than 75 hectares? Where the eastern part of an islet that serves as the sentry of this fish sanctuary, lies underwater the breath-taking view of coral reef, a paradise for scuba diving? You may wonder why? You may also ask. Where is this place being found? Without a second thought, this is the PASSIG. An islet, a sentry of the fish sanctuary, a watchman for the mangrove trees and the sentinel of the coral reef, situated at Bato, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. This PASSIG, as describe above, is more than a Boracay in its purpose and setting.

As I assumed Office as Governor of the Province of Davao del Sur, the first thing that came into my mind is to have a place in my Province, that one can be proud of. A showcase of natural beauty, packed with intense thrust of man-made effort to develop, but the outcome is natural. Then, an islet, an abandoned islet came into my mind. After series of consultations, a plan of development for this islet emerged, and the name PASSIG was conceived. The original land area of this islet is only 1,100 square meters. Moved by enthusiasm, a reclamation activity is then on going for the target land area of one (1) hectare for this PASSIG in the future. This 8,900 square meters material fillings for reclamation to make this islet into a one (1) hectare land area, is really tedious and mind wrecking activity. However, the definite chief aim of those who are with me is greater than the reluctance and doubts, nurtured in the mind and heart of a lazy man. And this attitude has attracted the support of Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), the Provincial Government of Davao del Sur, Hydro Electric Development Corp. (HEDCOR), and other concerned agencies and institutions.

Along with this reclamation activity, some amenities have been put into place; like, comfort room, temporary cottages, covered area for cooking, dining and conferences, to be used by the visitors that keep coming and growing in number. Few months ago, a water system that costs P10,000.00 was installed. Then, this was followed by solar generated lighting facilities worth P1.2 million. A 760 meters rock causeway that connects PASSIG and sitio Lawis worth P12 million, will be constructed in the next few months. This rock causeway is passable at low tide, and at high tide, a greater chance of business for those who operate banca for hire within the locality. It is predicted that business will boom in this community when PASSIG will arrive into its full development.

The total area of the fish sanctuary is 75 hectares. Barangay Tuban and Tagabuli combined area is 50 hectares, while Barangay Bato has 25 hectares. The abundance of fish can be observed through the ripples created as the school of fish gracefully passes by. While underwater, the sea-grass sway along the dictate of the waves, a haven of varied marine lives thriving confidently and safe, within the safeguard of the mangrove trees. Coral reef that started in Barangay Tuban and traversing Barangay Tagabuli, then finally in Barangay Bato, is a spectacle to be kept in ones memory. All these, are that something that makes PASSIG, more than a Boracay in its purpose and setting.

Bus House

2009-06-23T06:32:00.000-07:00

If you are in Digos City and you happen to pass by Sinawilan Highway, don't be surprised if you see a bus like structure that would seem to cross your way. That's the house Quintana family. On our way home this afternoon after news gathering, this house caught my attention. I freaked out when i saw it becuase i thought we its gonna hit us. I asked my driver to make a u-turn to check what was it. I was surprised to see its a house that looks like a real bus.
Designed like a bus, Quinatana house has windshield,bumper, and windows. The bus structure is built on the second floor by Nardo Quintana, a foreman for hire. As a foreman, Nardo wanted to create a house that would catch attention not just by local tourists but potential clients as well.
Although Nardo's family does not have enough money to complete the house as soon as possible, they are planning to complete it before December this year.

PTA VS DepEd

2009-06-22T05:37:00.000-07:00

I've been following the complaint of Davao City National High School-PTA since the Department of Education Order number 54 took effect on June this year. The order mandates the reorganization of all PTCAs in the country to delineate the association from outer influences like the community who, even without children representing them in school, can join the PTCA. Deped would like to make the organization exclusive only for parents and or guardians and the teachers of every school. Although Dr. Estigoy of DepEd Xi won't say it on cam, she mentioned few reasons during our casual conversations. One that caught my attention is the corruption among PTCA organization in some schools in the country.
In Davao City, one of the most controversial PTCA last year was that of Daniel Aguinaldo National High School. Teachers versus the president of PTCA are hurling mud at each other due to corruption issues. They even reached the court. September last year when the majority of the board of the PTCA in DRANHS decided to abolish their PTCA.
Personally, i prefer to have PTAs in school. Its better for parents to look after their children at school. I also agree with DepEd that this organizations may be vulnerable to corruption. Those with bad intentions can join the organization and may wreck "havoc." I don't want my children later on to learn the ways of corruption.

Looking through a father's eyes

2009-06-21T00:30:00.000-07:00

I was looking for some feature story this morning for my Father's Day feature when i met this fruit vendor by the Times Beach road in Davao City. The sun's heat was scorching but he was determined to make the day's sale. He was riding his bike when we passed by him so i asked him to park for a while.
I started asking him what day today. He can't answer, he just replied "its Sunday right?" Yes i replied, but i continued to ask him if he could remember a special day on June. He was surprised to hear today is father's day. His eyes started to get wet but he was trying to hold the tears. He started telling me his story.
Joel, the fruit vendor, has five kids, the youngest is in elementary. Since he got married, selling mangoes on the street was the only living he has. He work almost all day to sell all those mangoes to get 200 pesos daily income. This is where he get his children's allowances and fare, and food. He said his back is aching lately and he wanted to relax for a day but he can't waste a day's income. It's hard he said, but i have to work for my family. "I chose to be a father, so i have to prove them i am worthy," said joel while his eyes turned red. I know there's pain in his heart. I know he don't want to stop working but i also know he deserves a day for himself.
To my father and other dads out there who, like joel, deserves to feel our love, i'd like to offer you this poem.

What Makes A Dad
(Author is unknown)

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad
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Mark the Change!

2009-06-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

During our brainstorming this morning for my new program in ABS-CBN Davao, the group were able to touch the topic about 2010 elections. Atty. Antonet Prensipe, our public affairs prospect host commented, "i think this time, it's not about choosing who's better, but choosing who's lesser evil." I can't help but ponder. What happened to the hardworks of our forefathers? During Rizal's time, change is about making our country a better place to live where peace, harmony and progress prevail. Today, change may have so many meanings. In USA change have been fruitful during the latest elections. But that change may still be questioned since Obama promised to bring about change in the states and he have just started doing it.

In the Philippines, congressmen thought it's time to do some changes in the constitution. Militant leaders say, it's time to change leaders. The question lies on whether changes in constitution ways far heavier than change in poverty status of Filipinos, or many other important social concerns.
Who to blame but us? Who put leaders in their posts? Us, is it not?
I'd like to share the idea of Boto Mo Ipatrol mo from our boss Maria A. Ressa, Head, the BAS-CBN News & Current Affairs Managing Director:

"...it starts with a vision for the future – how things can be better. Then you spread that idea person to person before we reach the critical mass of the tipping point – and change the entire system. I tested this theory in practice – and I can tell you – at least in the newsroom of ABS-CBN, it works. ...that change begins with you. That you need to stop standing by the sidelines complaining and start doing something – anything – to change what you don’t like. It starts with each of us – moving together in the real hard work of nation-building."

Each of us aspire for change, yet did nothing. I believe this time, we work together for the change. May the change starts with you.

BMPM Patrolers at NCCC Mall Davao

2009-06-19T06:54:00.001-07:00

More than one thousand one hundred-fifty volunteers were able to register as Boto Mo Ipatrol Mo: Ako ang Simula at NCCC Mall of Davao during the first ever mall-based launching of BMPM. Aside from BMPM, 250 new voters have regisered at the sattelite registration for District 1 residents. It's been a long day for everyone, but worth the wait. Patrolers were entertianed by Kapamilya stars during the live remote of Maayong Buntag Mindanao, followed by the "blow-by-blow" coverage of DXAB 1296. More kapamilya stars arrived in the afternoon as Baranggayan envades NCCC Mall. To top it all, the Taligsik Band of MOR 101.9 rendered their latest hits ,aside from fun and games.

BMPM Patrolers on the other hand strengthened their commitment as vangusrds for a clean and honest 2010 elections thrun their thumbmarks at the commitment wall. Others also gave their personal reasons in joining BMPM through the JuanBooth.
For those who wanted to become patrolers but did not make it to the registration area today, NCCC Mall have assigned one unit of computer to be placed at the main entrance for easy access of every concerned citizens. The idea of mall based BMPM registration booth came ubecause more volunteers, who did not make it on May 11 nationwide launching, are asking for another round of BMPM registration in Davao.

-o)-