What?

I can’t delay this. Perhaps there is no other time.

I have due respect for the competent people at Reuters, but I have to raise this one.

Reading the news below have disturbed me as a resident in Mindanao and as a citizen relating to many decent Muslims everyday.

There is clearly bias here and stereotype —working to anticipate a public notion.

If its the hideout that is suspected to be of the terrorists, where is the connection to “Islamic militants?” as presented in the first paragraph? Is terrorism = Islamic militants? Are we sure the government has learned to distinguish between an Islamic militant and a law-abiding citizen?

Inihanay sa:ARMM, BIMP - EAGA, Davao, Mindanao, Mindanao Media, Mindanawon around the World, Peace Process

Nur didn’t make it to Jeddah meeting: report

According to this report by MindaNews’ Carolyn O. Arguillas, detained Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Nur Misuari, was not able to leave for Jeddah to attend the Tripartite Meeting of the MNLF, the government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Organization of Islamic Conference.

“Misuari was supposed to have left with his delegation and the Philippine delegation headed by Undersecretary Nabil Tan at 12:20 a.m. November 9 on board Emirates Flight EK 335, but was not allowed to leave for failing to submit a “sovereign guarantee” from Saudi Arabia that he would return to the Philippines immediately after the November 10 to 12 meeting in Jeddah,” the report said. Read the rest of the report on MindaNews.com.

The meeting, according to the report, would push through despite Misuari’s absence. The meetings, postponed several times since last year, was scheduled to review (and correct?) the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the MNLF and the government.

Inihanay sa:ARMM, Governance, Justice, Mindanao, Mindanawon around the World, Peace Process, Philippines, Politics

Davao choral group wins Asian tilt

Davao City’s renowned Himig Singers won the grand prize of the 1st Asian Choir Games in Jakarta, Indonesia over the weekend, City Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz said. But Ortiz still could not give other details of the group’s victory. The all-Dabawenyo choral group won in one of the 21 categories of the pioneering tilt participated by more than 70 choral groups, mostly Indonesian-based, from around Asia-Pacific.  

The group was one of 12 from the Philippines that competed in various categories in the competition.  According to the competition’s website, the group was conducted by Aldwin Curambao and Alvin E. Aviola.  

The other Mindanao-based group in the competition is the Xavier University Glee Club from Cagayan de Oro City.  Read the rest of the report on MindaNews.com.

Inihanay sa:Art and Culture in Mindanao, Davao, Entertainment, Mindanao, Mindanawon around the World, Music and Mindanao, Philippines

One condescending story

I found in my blog’s search engine terms yesterday the name of controversial Manila Standard Today society columnist Malu Fernandez. By this time, I think I am the last to know in this recent public uproar against an article she wrote for People Asia magazine.

Better late than never. I’m tempted to add a few takes on this.

I had searched for her original texts, to no avail. Instead I found in the world wide web hundreds of threads on her.

Her columns that depicted her view of overseas Filipino workers enraged OFWs around the world. Try these comments here on a special blog.

Fernandez have reportedly resigned from MST, according to this story amid calls to fire her. My initial reaction was to ban the magazine, too, for running that story.

Manuel Quezon III even suggested a more direct way of getting even in this post.

Fernandez said she was only being true to herself even if she loudly sounded to condescend. Kung sa Binisaya pa, Naka minus gyud siya! She sounded as if Filipino workers were pests loitering her peripherals. What was her concept of “self”? Something that is devoid of identity and sensibility?

Did the writer feed a bashing-hungry audience who shared her views on OFWs? I think there is a greater need to search for relevance, using this case as a wake-up call.

I wish I could take her side. Unfortunatly, I will not come near her. I belong to the hoi polloi, the common people which makes her slash her wrist.

Inihanay sa:Jobs in Mindanao, Mindanawon around the World, Philippines, Updates

Saudi market welcomes Dabawenyo products

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/5 Jul) – Davao-made products introduced recently in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were received well by local traders, distributors and by overseas Filipino workers there, an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

The announcement came four months after a 14-member DTI-led trade mission from Mindanao went to Saudi Arabia to promote trading between businessmen and investors from both areas.

The DTI, in a press release Thursday, announced two products produced by Davao-based Sagrex Foods, Inc., which received positive response.

Read the rest of the report on MindaNews.com.

Inihanay sa:Davao, Economy, Food in Mindanao, Food/Health Related, Governance, Mindanao, Mindanawon around the World, Philippines

(New) Duty Free Philippines back in Davao with 2 shops

Sorry for an indiscretion. I realized an earlier post on the subject was inaccurate. I hope I could give better information from this.

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/27 June) — Duty Free Philippines opened today
its shops at the Davao International Airport, one of two stores it is
opening here after it pulled out in the late 1990s. It returned to
Davao due to the city’s rising tourist arrivals and a growing
remittance of returning overseas Filipino workers.

Michael Christian Kho, DFP general manager, said they have opened at the Davao
airport for the first time because of the bright prospects of the
local tourism industry.

He said Davao City’s tourism has notably increased and DFP considered
the comeback after careful feasibility studies. DFP opened two small
shops within the airport, at the departure and arrival areas selling
liquor, tobacco, confectioneries and chocolates, fashion and
accessories, and perfumes.

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(Updated) Duty-free shop back in Davao City

Three years after it pulled out of Davao City, the local duty-free shop will be reopened tomorrow together with other shops at the Davao International Airport.

In March, the news was disclosed by the Department of Tourism signaling the city is receiving more tourist arrivals.

There are other shops that will also open in the airport’s arrival area. I can post more details later as they have organized a press conference after tomorrow’s opening ceremonies.

If I am not mistaken, the duty free shop at the Grand Regal Hotel was closed after the March 2003 bombing and for other reasons.

Now that it will be reopened it should signal better environment for tourists to come, and hopefully for more better things to come to the city and the rest of Mindanao.

Inihanay sa:BIMP - EAGA, Business, Davao, Economy, Events, Feasts in Mindanao, Governance, Looking Back, Mindanao, Mindanawon around the World, Peace Process, Philippines, Safety, Security, Travel and Transportation

Mindanawon investors urged to invest in research, too

Mind research, too.

Local investors should also invest in research as a tool for moving the economy forward, an official of a health research group told MindaNews in an interview Saturday.

Ma. Delia Moran-Morados, former regional director of the Department of Science and Technology, said there has been a dearth of investment coming from Mindanao’s business community on research, one reason why local researchers and potential technologies leave the country. 

Inihanay sa:Bukidnon, Business, Davao, Economy, Education, Food/Health Related, Governance, Health, Malaybalay City, Mindanao, Mindanawon around the World, Philippines

“Xanthones”, head spins and an afternoon with Davao’s ’scientific’ community

After a harrowing experience with legalese yesterday on the implications and directions of the banana industry’s writ of preliminary injunction, I came face to face with another “-lese’— scientific jargon.

I braved all odds to a Saturday coverage and attended a presentation by Dr. Fe O. Dimayuga of the University of Kentucky on “The benefits of mangosteen’s Xanthones” at the Grand Men Seng Hotel this afternoon.

Dimayuga was brought in by Dr. Alfredo Villarico of Dr. Alfred’s Essences , Inc. which has marketed a line of food supplement and beauty products derived from mangosteen.

It was actually a diverse audience. I saw many members of the academe, government service, businessmen and from civil society.

The scientist, however, spewed ballistic language (at least for me) on the result of her research that focused on Xanthones, an organic compound referred as anti-oxidants with beneficial effects on the body.

My head was spinning and I have exclaimed “My God, where did I come from? Why can’t I make sense of this expert’s presentation?”

Inihanay sa:Business, Davao, Education, Events, Food/Health Related, Health, Mindanawon around the World, Updates

(Updated) Fr. Eliseo Mercado named new peace panel chair to negotiate with MILF

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/16 June) – President Arroyo has named Fr. Eliseo Merado, Jr., OMI, as the new peace panel chair vice Silvestre Afable whose courtesy resignation President Arroyo has accepted.

In a press statement Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza read to MindaNews, he said Mercado’s chairmanship “will ensure a seamless transition and a continuity in the efforts to move forward the peace negotiation with the MILF.”

Read more here. Read Fr. Mercado’s piece on his acceptance here and reactions to his appointment here.

Inihanay sa:ARMM, Business, Davao, Economy, Governance, Human Rights, Justice, Looking Back, Mindanao, Mindanawon around the World, Peace Process, People Power, Philippines, Safety, Security

Weaving through Mindanao’s sea of realities

I chanced upon Blogie Blog’s “Y Do u blog” survey days ago and I seriously thought of my answer before ticking an option. Blogie limited the choices to four –”to keep a journal”, “to be heard”, “to make money”, and “I don’t blog.”

Somehow, I wondered why he didn’t include “all of the above” to refer to the first three. But I thank that survey for causing me to reflect on why I blog.

Actually, I intended to go on a blog leave today. I caught the flu virus which, fortunately, I quickly nipped at the bud. But when I saw this unfinished post that I have sidelined since many months ago, I have to blink.

I know this was coming.

How to sustain and upscale Istambay sa Mindanao is a concern I would soon confront. For two weeks I have seriously considered how to improve this as I anticipate some changes ahead.

Inihanay sa:Davao, Every Day Mindanao, Mindanao, Mindanao Media, Mindanawon around the World, Updates

Davao vs. Bangkok pitted for WHO model city in Asia

May 31 is World No Tobacco Day!

In relation to that, Dr.Domilyn Villareiz of the Davao City Anti-Smoking Task Force shared to me over a chance encounter at the 911 operations center Tuesday, that the World Health Organization is choosing which between Davao City or Thailand’s capital, Bangkok is the rightful model city for its anti-smoking advocacy campaign.

Dr. Villareiz said Davao City was nominated by the Southeast Asian Tobacco Control Alliance, which is also based in Bangkok.

Ooops, when I saw that on their website, I thought Bangkok would win it as WHO announces the winner sometime tomorrow.

Inihanay sa:Business, Davao, Economy, Environment, Every Day Mindanao, Food/Health Related, Governance, Health, Mindanao, Mindanawon around the World, People Power, Philippines, Safety