A kababayan in Tel Aviv, anywhere

Congrats Rose Fostanes, a caregiver based in Tel Aviv who is “originally” from the Philippines. She is now popular in Israel after winning the X-Factor Israel reality television singing contest. Such a raw talent Rose have. She admitted having “small” self-confidence. But really raw talent comes out.

I admire her humility and courage. She must be a very hard working person. Most Filipinos abroad do not have Rose’s singing powers. What they have is love for family, perseverance, and unwavering human spirit.

I think that’s the inspiring part – Rose somehow represents all hard working, simple, loving family member anywhere they are in the world.

I also remember a relative in her voice. She talks like an aunt who passed away in a bus accident back in 1995 in Cagayan de Oro. Iya-an was strict, ambitious, and vocal. But she was also kind, hard working, and family-centered.

Thanks Rose.

Accompanied by the bees and night insects

Hi,

After a blog hiatus, I am tempted to key in a few
sentences. For several weeks and nights I’ve toiled the night for this research. I’m happy to be able to do this.

It might have meant a number of sleepless nights.I am, however, looking at the end of this.

I am taking one step at a time. I know I am too delayed already.
But I surmised that if I run this more than I could handle, I might burn out.

So, while I’m stuck in the methodology and the review of related literature; I could not miss playing my role as the organizer of the children’s Easter Egg Hunt!

In between the transcripts of my 12 interviews and the search for my research limitations, and the problem of filing news reports in a dry Holy week, I try to squeeze in my schedule the complete screening of the “3 Idiots.”

Superb movie. Got me into laughter, tears, and action.

Perhaps, also a renewed positive and cheerful attitude towards life’s challenges.

“All is well!”

Happy Easter!

–

Beginner’s Random thoughts on running in Malaybalay City

1. Come to the race to compete only with yourself.
2. Expect to be laughed at; laugh with them, it’s another exercise.
3. Stretch your body before running and your limits, too; but do not be suicidal
4. Prepare for the race and your needs after it, including one more item at the drug store: muscle pain ointment.
5. Listen to encouragements from friends, ignore negative remarks from ‘friends’
6. Use water and food to keep you going, not to slow you down
7. If you can’t run faster, go slow, or walk; but don’t stop.
8. Dress light and feel light.
9. Smile, don’t talk, to an acquaintance while running to save breath
10. Thank God, family, friends before and after running, it counts to be grateful of the gift of the human life.
11. Run even if there is no race or competition; if you feel good about stepping on the finish line; be aware that the best is yet to come.
12. Help keep our community peaceful and free so we still have fields, trails, and streets where we can still run.

I made it!

I got these points printed in my mind from the starting line of the 4.2 km. Panahik night run on January 22 up to dinner tonight.

Finally, I was able to write it down.

I’m sure there will be more I can remember later on.

To those who have other thoughts to add, please key it in as a comment. (or make your own list.)

We don’t know, maybe in the future we can write a book about the gift of running in the free streets of our communities!

Cheers!

One Dabawenyo sports guru

DELAYED BLOGCAST: Last Monday I had a very long lunch with two friends, MC of the Business Mirror and blogosphere’s Mr. Clean Slate, Mo, who also writes for Manila Standard Today.

Time with Mo is time to update about sports. He breathes sporting fire in the city. Not that he is the only one I know. But Mo is a reporter, an advocate and a public servant. In his passion for sports you could see his desire to push for “sports governance”.

Back to Sports in a Davao neighborhood

Today I broke free from a personal myth that I could no longer play basketball. I still can despite gaining weight and this strange feeling of distrust that I couldn’t even last a minute in the court.

We played ball early afternoon, after a hearty lunch of seafoods and grill today in a friend’s place along Jacinto Extension.

I was with a group of photographers visiting a friend to help him up with some academic requisites. While I began to feel envious of their cameras, I entertained myself with mangosteen and luckily another friend invited me out of respetar if I want to play.

How could I refuse. My last streetball game was in 1999, when we all anticipated the coming of the Y2K bug. That was eons ago.

Taste of Germany, “memorabilia museum” in Davao

I joined colleagues in trying new hangouts on June 22 and 29 to unwind.

We were samplers who weren’t very willing to spend. But we still needed to open light conversations, if not forge new beginnings or sign our future on that big rock.

We sampled Haus Edelweiss Restaurant somewhere in Bangkal. They serve lots of wurst (sausages) and other German delights. They also offer imbesse or short orders for those who wanted lighter or faster food.

Meet Lyrids, meteor shower midnight – tonight

A friend sent this text message that someone, a geoscientist from Manila, informed her that Lyrids, a meteor shower can be seen tonight (past midnight, actually early morning April 22) from the northeast sky. I verified from the net and this is what I found out.

 “METEOR SHOWER? An increase in the number of meteors at a particular time of year is called a meteor shower.

Make History: Attend the Davao Bloggers Party #1

Five days more to go for blogosphere’s most anticipated gathering in Davao City.

I’m actually trying to convince myself to ditch some changes in schedule just to make it to the celebration. (The title is meant to remind me this is the first time and I’d better make up my mind.)

When I got Blogie’s invitation a few days ago, I thought of adjusting sked –set a month ago by the way — and most likely that’s what will happen (fingers crossed).

Budoy and Hale in Bukidnon

Cebuano singer Budoy and Hale band vocalist Champ Lui-Pio in Bukidnon’s Central Mindanao University for a pre-Valentine concert on Feb. 13. Photo courtesy of Asterisk Events and Communications.

I heard the concert was succesful and it boosted Bukidnon’s concert scene in love month February. If people can afford to party like in concerts, it also shows the conditions around are more or less orderly, peaceful, and relax.

Despite the difficult economic realities, people try to be resilient —going to concerts is just one of the means.

Tausug performers, GeneBoyd’s works featured in Mindanao Week of Peace

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 November) — Musical plays on the Battle of Bud
Dahu by young Tausug performers from Jolo, Sulu and a peace concert will be
among the highlights of this year’s celebration of the Mindanao Week of
Peace.

The Initiatives for International Dialogue, the organizer, said the concert
will feature Popong Landero and other Davao artists who will render songs
and poetry as MindaNews opens “Beyond Sunset,” a weeklong photo exhibit in
memory of slain MindaNews photo editor GeneBoyd Lumawag.

Both events open today at the Matina Town Square park.

Dubbed “A Peace Tribute for Gene Boyd Lumawag”, the tribute will have two
parts, the “Sundown Rituals” (4:30 p.m.) and the world premier of the Tausug
performers’ “Antigong Agong” musical theater presentation (6:30 p.m.). Read full story here.

Davao malls, other business establishments cash in on Pacquiao-Morales

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/18 November) — Sino ang tatapos? (Who will finish) asks a plug for a television network’s special on the Grand Finale Sunday between Filipino boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Mexican legend Erik “El Terible” Morales.

As in previous boxing trilogies that thrilled boxing fans all over the world, sports aficionados here are going to find out no matter the cost.

Malls, hotels, bars and restaurants have put up their own marketing stunts to perk up sales and capture the market based on the turnout in past fights. Even the poor around Bangkerohan public market can see the fight live, thanks to local officials’ initiative.

Shopping malls will replace the screenings of Hollywood and local films with a live telecast of the much awaited bout in Las Vegas’ Thomas and Mach Center where the two boxers will hold the concluding fight of their own trilogy.

At Gaisano “G-mall”, tickets are available at P400 per head at Cinema 1 where the James Bond movie Casino Royale has been shown since Wednesday. The mall has reserved at least 1,000 seats for the show. During the Pacquiao–Larios match in July, they opened the mall’s Bingo hall.Read full story here.

Is your workplace safe?

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/14 November) — Is your workplace safe?

For companies to be more productive and safe, they should have a safety
officer for every 200 employees. For the “highly hazardous” work set-up, it
should be one for every 50, said lawyer Ma. Brenda Villafuerte, director of
the Department of Labor and Employment’s Bureau of Working Conditions.

The ideal set-up, however, is not being followed.

A constraint is the lack of government safety personnel to monitor violating
firms. Villafuerte told the Kapihan sa SM City press conference Monday.

She said government cannot afford to hire enough safety officers due to budget
constraints.

A substantial number of safety workers have also left for abroad where the pay
is higher, she added. Read full story here.