Merry Christmas!

TUE, DECEMBER 20, 2016 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

Yes, indeed: during the Christmas holidays, we tend to be caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, that we sometimes forget the essence of Christmas.

I am glad looking forward to a two weeks vacation “between the years” – meaning to say between December 22 and January 8. No teaching at University of Southeastern Philippines, although most students wish to be prepared for their January exam in Manila; no office hours in my agency….

(City Hall Davao City)

Christmas and vacation: Speaking about myself – I want to bring back Christ to the holiday season and indeed wish to share my blessings with the less fortunate. One of the best-known religious poems is “The Hound of Heaven” written by Francis Thompson, who tried to run away from God. He wanted to have a vacation from God. In reality it is Thompson’s own life. His poem shows clearly the fact in this world that we can have a vacation from physical and mental activities, but never from God.

As I stated before: according to the book of Genesis, after God created the universe in six days, he rested on the seventh day. In other words, he took a vacation. So if God rested after working for some period of time, there is no reason why man, who is finite and limited in his physical strength, should not take a vacation.

Vacation is freedom or release from tension or pressure of work. And, believe me, I learned already from my students, that they will enjoy Christmas and vacation. Many of us feel tired and weak. Some are stressed, overwhelmed, depressed worried about the future – the enumeration, in any order whatever, could be incessant.

Relaxation, meditation, and reinvigoration are badly needed for most of us nowadays. Life, affected by the “burnout syndrome” needs to be animated with energy and strengths.

Yes, Christmas has always been equated with all these worldly ways. Sure, there is indeed no-thing wrong with this. Let’s don’t only focus on non-stop merrymaking and count-less gifts. Let’s take a break, and let’s try to imagine and enjoy the real meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas again to everyone – also from this corner…

Make sure that during this season Christmas is in our hearts and do not allow this heart to be like a crib, full of dirt, broken glass and nails. Time out from our busy schedules and seemingly endless work and tasks – to take a pause should be really important for all of us.

Praying in the quiet chapel or somewhere in your surroundings, time to forgive and mend a broken friend- or relationship, time to think about people, who we need in life, time to do good deeds.

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Ten Days to Christmas ...

... 7 Christmas treats in Makati

Joko Magalong

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• Christmas is fast approaching and with it comes deals aplenty.

Urbanits don’t have to travel far, as the City of Makati, Ayala Land, Mastercard, and their partner hotels serve you up a bevy of holiday treats — from staycation choices, various sights, and activities to unwind, bond,and relax.

1. Buy 1 night, get 1 night free

A guest room at Holiday Inn. Handout photo

Holiday Inn & Suites Makati takes the "giving" part of the season seriously with its exclusive holiday promos for Mastercard cardholders. Every night stay availed on the Best Available Rate during the weekend (Friday, Saturday or Sunday) will get an equal complimentary night’s stay in Holiday Inn’s partner hotels in Bangkok (Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukumvit22) or Singapore (Holiday Inn Express SG Katong).

This promo runs until December 31, 2016, while the complimentary night redemption can be enjoyed until March 31, 2017.

2. 2+1 buffet at Flavors

Running out of places to eat in Glorietta? Check out Flavors at the Holiday Inn & Suites.

The buffet as Flavors Restaurant of Holiday Inn. Handout photo

While the buffet is smaller compared to nearby hotels, the spread covers all the requisites from salad, Japanese (with fresh sashimi and rolls), main dishes that run the whole gamut from Indian, Filipino, and even French, a grill station, lechon, delectable desserts (including a version of Crepe Samurai by one of the previous chefs of the Intercontinental Manila, and a DIY ice cream station), and even a Mexican taco station. You get to taste everything and go back to get more of the things that you enjoyed the most, ideal for that business meeting, or family dinner.

For some holiday cheer, Flavors Restaurant offers the 2 + 1 exclusively for Mastercard holders, where for every two paying guests, the third guest gets to eat free. Perfect for those holiday get-togethers.

3. Bed and breakfast weekends

With your Mastercard, avail of Fairmont Hotel’s exclusive 50% off on its Bed and Breakfast Weekends package. The stay includes breakfast and lunch for two at the Spectrum Restaurant (except for Sunday brunch), and 50% off on all treatments at the Willow Stream Spa.

A guest room at Fairmont Hotel. Handout photo

Raffles Makati, meanwhile, offers 30% off when you use your Mastercard to book their Best Available Rates during weekends. A posh classic afternoon tea, as well as evening cocktails are included in the staycation at the Writer’s Bar.

Sip cocktails with your choice of tapas during Happy Hour at the Long Bar at Raffles and dine on delectable treats at the Spectrum’s buffet for lunch (except Sunday brunch) or dinner, with the Spectrum’s 3+1 package, where for every three paying guests, the fourth guest eats free.

Craft cocktails during Happy Hour at the Long Bar at Raffles. Photo by author

Relax and unwind with an automatic 30% off on all ala carte treatments at the Willow Stream Spa.

All promos are only available when you use your Mastercard. Book through the reservation desks of the hotels, or head on over to www.makeitmakati.com to book your packages.

4. Shopping rebate

Enjoy stress-free shopping at Rustan’s when you use your Mastercard, as cardholders get P500 off when you spend a minimum of P5,000 at Rustan’s Makati.

Platinum, World Elite, and World Mastercard holders also get additional perks like personal shopping, free delivery, and complimentary use of the VIP lounge.

5. Ayala Triangle Garden's Festival of Lights

Festival of Lights at the Ayala Triangle Gardens. Photo by author

For a few years now, the Ayala Triangle Garden’s Festival of Lights has drawn crowds for its spectacle of light and sound.

Hailed by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the Seven Most Spectacular Light Shows in the World, this year’s presentation features not only features the now-classic tree-laden lights dancing to Christmas music, but laser light shows as well.

Already a Makati tradition, this light show never fails to astound and bring out the kid in all of us.

6. Circuit's Christmas tree

The Circuit Christmas tree. Photo by author

Another sight only found in Makati, the Circuit’s Christmas tree rises up to 56 feet, fully laden with lights. It’s immersive, as you can step inside the tree and marvel at the lights from another angle.

7. Take up archery

Kodanda Archery at the Makati Cinema Square. Photo by author

Adventure can be found right at the heart of Makati at the Kodanda Archery Range located in Makati Cinema Square. For at least an hour, instructors will teach you to how to shoot with your bow and arrow. A fun and different bonding activity for family and friends, as you learn a potential zombie apocalypse skill.

Bohol-Cebu bridge nearing reality

SHOOTING STRAIGHT By Bobit Avila (The Freeman)

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When I read about this report a few days ago, I wanted to be sure that it was correct. And apparently, we learned that the National Economic and Development Authority board has approved the bridge project that will soon connect the island provinces of Bohol and Cebu. It is dubbed the Bohol-Cebu Friendship Bridge (BCFB). But in truth, this idea came from my committee in the Regional Development Council (RDC-7) which I turned over to my good friend, Infrastructure Utilities Committee chairman Emmanuel "Manny"Rabacal, who also pushed for the approval of this bridge.

Because of the enormity of this project, I then got a call from the late Bohol governor Erico Aumentado, saying he wanted to adopt the proposal. And I agreed that we needed a big shot like him to push for this project. Hence, the name of Bohol comes ahead of Cebu. But that doesn't matter to me for as long as the NEDA has now approved its feasibility study.

Mind you, the China-HongKong-Zuhai Bridge is already nearing completion, and if China takes on this Bohol-Cebu bridge project, China most certainly can use the infrastructure and engineering equipment that it used in that bridge linking the Pearl River estuary. We learned fromBohol Representative Erico Aristotle Aumentado that this project had been endorsed to the Chinese government for funding when PresidentDuterte visited China last October. Work could start as early as next year once the proposal is approved. The study would determine whether the government would implement the project through build-operate-transfer, through public-private partnership, or through concession loans. Well, who would believe that our dreams would come true after all?

***

People just do not change for the better. When then Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte threw his hat on the presidential derby, he was the unsure presidential candidate of all. But he was already campaigning long before the campaign period had begun. In late January 2015, Cebuano businessmen met the Davao City mayor for the first time in order to assess his candidacy. At that time, while he was already gung-ho on his running, he told us, at the end of his speech, that he was a good friend of DILG secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas, and that if the latter runs for president, he would support him.

That was then. By now, we have already known that President Duterte made Philippine political history, winning by the biggest of margin over his well-oiled political rivals, who were heavyweights on their own. That stunning victory by President Duterte meant that in forming his government, he would have to rely on many of his volunteers. And that's exactly what has happened.

Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

There are two kinds of people who supported President Duterte. There are people like me who suffered the whole nineyears of sheer incompetency and hypocrisy of the Aquino regime. And there are those people who supported President Duterte because they can get a job inside the government and then they can say, "It's our time to make money."

Two of those people who supported President Duterte are now in hot water when the Department of Justice exposed their shenanigans using a camera footage at the Casino Mall in Parañaque City, whereby two assistant commissioners of the Bureau of Immigration were caught receiving on November 26 five paper bags containing P10 million each from a certain Wally Sombrero. Mr. Sombrero was a former police colonel who was linked to gambling lord Jack Lam. He was accompanied by his colleagues, Mr. Michal Robles and Al Argosino, whom Inquirer columnist Mon Tulfo identified as fraternity brothers of President Duterte.

These BI commissioners, including the BI intelligence chief Charles Calima Jr., have been given 24 hours to disprove allegations that they extorted P50 million from Macau-based gambling tycoon Jack Lam in exchange for the release of overstaying Chinese nationals. It turned out that these BI officials were hired under the new Duterte administration. Now with those video footages, they are going to spend a long time in jail. They have truly underestimated President Duterte who hates corruption!

I listened to President Duterte over PTV-4 the other night when he met a group espousing for a federal Philippines, and he came up with this report and you could see he was fuming mad this had happened to people he hired into the Bureau of Immigration. I have no doubt that President Duterte is dead serious in really solving the corruption within the government bureaucracy, which for many years have been taken for granted by previous administrations.

vsbobita@mozcom.com.