Boon or Bane? FACEBOOK!

Boon or bane? I am in Facebook since several years. Today's headline "Paolo cries IMPOSTOR" in Mindanao Daily Mirror (my home daily!) shocked me and many other Facebook joiners too.

A "mystery girl charges expenses from her fake Facebook account"... .

Councilor and friend Paolo Duterte has warned business owners and Facebook users from acknowledging "another" Paolo Duterte, who has apparently conducted extortion activities via food orders.

"I have never interacted in the social networking site, because I don't have any," the councilor said. Sad to say, there is one.  And I am still in "this friend list" in FACEBOOK.

This marks the first time a city officer has been victimized by cyber crime. Honestly, it's not easy for me to 'keep my Facebook account clean"... .

DOST Secretary Visits UP Mindanao Sago Palm Biotech

(DOST XI Regional Director Dr. Anthony Sales with this author)

(DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo)

Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo together with the Undersecretary for Regional Operations Carol M. Yorobe and the Regional Director Dr. Anthony C. Sales visited the University of the Philippines Mindanao Sago Palm Biotechnology Laboratory Facilities and Research Program in Tugbok District, Mintal, Davao City.

The DOST Central Office provided funds in the amount of about PHP 23 million for the UP Mindanao Biotechnolgy Program. 

Sago palm is the current focus of the UP Mindanao program and is indigenous to Mindanao and some of the Visayan islands and the harvestable logs are unutilized. 

The Secretary is affirmative of the programs and initiatives of UP Mindanao.

German Community Christmas Party in Davao City/Deutsche Gemeinde Weihnachtsfeier in Davao City

Alle Jahre wieder. Auch dieses Jahr... .

Es wird wieder eine Weihnachtsfeier der Deutschen Vereinigung in Davao City/Mindanao geben, und zwar am Samstag, den 10. Dezember 2011 im Apo View Hotel.

Weitere Einzelheiten erfahren Sie unter

082 - 227 1761 (Rossana Balcom-Doring)...

Christmas Party German Community in Davao City/Mindanao  on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Apo View Hotel. For further details and information please contact Rossana Balcom-Doring (Tel. 082 - 227 1761).

Positive of Toxic Chemicals Christmas Gifts???

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Popular Christmas gift items such as painted toys, glasses and mugs tested positive with nasty chemicals known for damaging a child's brain - and future!

"This is the outrageous truth that we have discovered after subjecting 50 product samples to chemical analysis." lamented Thony Dizon, coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition's Project Protect.

"64 percent or 32 of the 50 samples we tested contain mind boggling amounts of toxic  metals such as lead that are totally unacceptable for products meant to spread Christmas cheer," he said. 

Toxicologist Dr. Bessie Antonio, a resource person o the EcoWaste Coalition, said lead in consumer products can endanger human health, especially among kids."

"Lead exposure can damage the brain, lower a child's intelligence, decrease a child's attention span and cause delays in a child's speaking, reading and learning skills", added Antonio, who is also the President of the Philippine Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology. 

In its latest investigation on the toxicity of children's products in the market, the EcoWaste Coalition bought a variety of affordable toys and gift items from street vendors at Carriedo Street in Quiapo, Rizal Avenue, Santa Cruz and Juan Luna Street, Divisoria in the city of Manila.

The probe, conducted amid brisk sales of holiday goodies as Christmas nears, was also arranged to draw attention to the UN-recognized rights of children's to health and safety as the "Universal Children's Day" is observed on November 20.

The samples, mostly imported from China. were bought and tested for heavy material. None of the products indicated toxic ingredients on their labels, which were generally incomplete or totally lacking.

Merry Christmas!

Filipino Time versus Juan Time

I have been witnessing the "Juan Time" - launching last Thursday here in Davao City as consultant of DOST Department of Science and Technology Region XI Mindanao. This is a re-post of the Editorial of "Mindanao Daily Mirror" (November 19, 2011), with friendly permission of my publisher Ma-am "Tita" Marietta F. Siongco... .

" With the end in view making all Filipinos from all walks of life throughout the archipelago conscious of coming to appointments on time, the regional office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) launched last Thursday the Philippine Standard Time dubbed "Juan Time" during the opening of the First Regional Invention contest and Exhibits. The DOST hopes that the launching of "Juan Time" will change the "Filipino Time" mindset of our people. So, from here on it is also our fondest wish that people will no longer be late in attending meetings, conferences and all gatherings, including parties. Sad to say, for so long many people have developed the bad habit of coming to appointments late on the fallacious excuse of observing "Filipino Time",meaning arriving to appointments 30 minutes to one hour late.  - So, to avoid setting back the start of an affair, some people deliberately make the official schedule of an event, including social activities like weddings one hour ahead. On the other hand, many people refer to arriving on time as "American Time" because Americans and other Westerners are noted for coming to appointments at the scheduled time. ... . So, when it's six o'clock in the morning in one place, it's the same time throughout the 7,107 islands comprising the Philippine archipelago.

"Toda Max" Tops Philippine Television Rating

"Kapamilya Comedy" remains undisputed, as the polit episode of its newest member sitcom "TODA Max", starring he Philippines hailed Idol Robin Padilla, Price of Comedy Vhong Navarro and Pokwang, wins in the tv rating game. According to Kantar Media, "TODA Max" got a rating of 26.7 % last November 5, against 19.6% and 8.2% of the competing programs.

"TODA Max" was also hailed as the second most watched television program, following "Maalaala Mo Kaya" which got 29.3 %. The sitcom was also followed by other top rating Kapamilya network programs such as "Junior Master Chef Pinoy Edition" (23.7%) and "Wansapanataym" (20,7%). The cast of the show were overjoyed for this initial victory. Robin believes that "TODAA Max's" pilot episode captivated the hearts of the Filipinos not only because of its hilarity, but also for the rich Filipino values it offers.

Philippine television is not really my favourite. Even having many friends being connected with Philippine television stations, I try my very best to understand everything. A typical try of a foreign expat living in the Philippines... .

Being a Radio Host in The Edge Radio Davao 104.3 FM?

I have been a radio host in the Philippines from time to time since 1999, when I decided to stay in this wonderful country for good. Being on air has been just for fun. I wasn't thinking about earning a lot of money. I was happy being able sharing music from my private library with people tuning in the stations or following us via live stream.

Since some weeks I got the chance to be back on air. It wasn't just the music i am able sharing with my listeners. I got the chance again (since 2001, while leaving DXGN 89.9 FM The Good News Radio, a member of CMN - Catholic Media Networks) sharing wonderful classical music and some inspirational thoughts, direct from the bottom of my heart.

Now I am back on air. It's 104.3 FM "The Edge Radio Davao", also via live stream www.davao.theedge.ph. 

This radio station belongs to UCB Media Philippines. It is a non-stock, non-profit cooperation that raises up and operates a network of independcent FM radio stations play positive and contemporary Christian music.

The goal is to put up a network of media centers and contemporary Christian radio stations all over the Philippines. Right now, the media center is in Makati City and there are more FM stations in Lucena, Agusan del Sur, Kidapawan, South Cotabato and Pagsanjan. They are getting to rock Dumaguete and Laoag as well.

UCB Media is going around the nation and bring the latest and the best from  urban extreme games and local contemporary Christian music.

 (With my station manager Liza Faye...)

I am honoured  and blessed being part of it.

Again On The Top?

Mindanao Daily Mirror fellow columnist Bert Tesorero commented it very well:

"There are varied reactions among the local residents on the victory of the Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacguiao against his Mexican challenger Juan Marguez in a grudge fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, last Sunday. They feel dismayed or even frustrated that thePacman failed to topple the Mexican pug. Others even think Marguez won the fight just because he stunned the Filipino boxer idol with a couple of staggering power punches during the bout. But the ring judges gave the cards to Pacman and that's it."

Government driver Dodong Salvador of Sandawa Homes in Kidapawan City stated:

"Manny is old. His fist doesn't have strength anymore.  He is no longer the Manny of yesteryears!"

Kidapawan Bishop Romulo dela Cruz said Marguez could have gotten the nod of the judges if he had been more on the offensive. Manny was more like the challenger. We have to admire Marguez for the improvement he has shown. But I like the decision!"

Launching of "Juan Time" during "RICE"

What time is it? Is your time the right one? Is it the standard time?

The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office XI will launch the Philippine Standard Time (PST) dubbed as "Juan Time" during the opening of the 1st Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) today, November 17, 2011 at the Ground Floor Activity Area of NCCC Mall, Matina, Davao City.

DOST XI Regional Director, Dr. Anthony C. Sales said that the regional launching of "Juan Time" will change the "Filipino Time" mindset of the people. With "Juan Time", Filipino time will come to mean on time" and nobody will be late, "Dr. Sales added. The promotion of the use of the PST will set one common time among Filipinos across the archipelago's more than 7,100 islands.

On the other hand, 67 entries from the local inventors, researchers, and students will vie for the six invention contest categories:

1. Invention Category (Tuklas Award)

2. Utility Model Category

3. Industrial Design Category

4. Creative Research Category (Likha Award)

5. Student Creative Research Category (Sibol Award for High School) and

6. Student Creative Research Category (Sibol Award for College).

A cash prize ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 Pesos awaits the winners in each category. First prize winners of each category will represent the region to the National Invention Contest and Exhibits in July 2012.

Today's program: Opening Ceremony with "Acknowledgement of Participants" by Dr. Randell Espina, President of Davao Inventors Association followed by Welcome/Opening Remarks by Dr. Anthony Sales, DOST XI Regional Director followed by a message by Hon. Sara Z. Duterte, City Mayor Davao City as well the introduction of the guest speaker by Engr. Edgar I. Garcia, Director of TAPI. The Keynote Speech will be hold by Hon. Mario G. Montejo, DOST Secretary.

After the launching of JUAN TIME by. Hon. Mario G. Montejo Part, III will see the Ribbon Cutting" to be assisted by Hon. Sara Z. Duterte, Dr. Anthony Sales, Engr. Edgar I. Garcia, Dr. Randell Espina, Mr. Virgilio M. Sangutan, and Mr. Samuel M. Abrenilla.

Viewing of Exhibits and a Press Conference will be following.

War Games

Pre-published in "Mindanao Daily Mirror" on November 11, 2011 (with friendly permission of my publisher Marietta F. Siongco)

I am talking about very special war games: wage war in the office of any other working place. I have written about it several times. Why again?

Again I observed a dramatic increase of these "war games" also in several Philippine companies and institutions. Let's keep in mind: We spend more time with colleagues than with our families, except we are working together with them in a family business, as I do. Anyway, we have a lot of occasions to commit and experience conflicts, disagreements, disputes, fights, rivalries, intrigues up to psychological terror. The war-like arguments at our working places claim more and more victims. People consider no sacrifice too great to act as tyrants, schemers and careerists while stopping at nothing.

The scape goats as well as the plotters can be found everywhere up to the executive floors, no matter if it's an ordinary company or church-based or government institutions.

Clever-dicks and hypocritical such as nice acting mask wearers, in all modesty, are the decline of every enterprise. Management consultants and doctors worldwide observe such phenomena in rapid rising. Where ever human beings have to cooperate and coordinate one can find different opinions. Sure, that's normal. But, the daily psycho stress makes body, mind and soul sick. It's many times NOT the hectic schedule in the office, no, it's the poisonous atmosphere caused by colleagues or the boss himself or herself. The principle of making the polluter pay is so simple: Well-considered good conduct by being kindly disposed towards someone but later a terrible back fighter, who enjoys any kind of gossip and harassment.

The worse working place conditions the more sick workers: a very simple explanation. But, progressive enterprises and institutions reorganize or remodel themselves. "Management by love" instead of oppression and modern slavery are the magic formulas. Quarrelsomeness - allowed or even supported by a management  forces only one thing: the economically bankruptcy and the bankruptcy of moral values. Intact human relations? How are they at your working place? 

Strawberries in Davao City? Sure! Why not!

Growing strawberries in Davao City? Is it possible? I love strawberries since my childhood. I missed them many times during my expatriate life here in Davao City. 

Growing strawberries in Davao City, is it really possible? We all know that strawberries in the Philippines come from its summer capital Baguio City. But , since connected with the DOST I learned, that with the Department of Science and Technology's assistance, it is now possible to grow strawberries in Davao City.

The DOST XI brought two experts on strawberry production technologies from La Trinidad, Benguet to New Calinan, Baganihan, Marilog  District, Davao City. The experts, namely, Mr. Sergio Gayao and Mr. Peter Bulangen, conducted a short lecture on strawberry production technologies, which includes different varieties and different characterics of the crop. The experts and the farmer members of Baganihan Agri-Eco Ventures Cooperative had a three-day encounter discussing the major requirements for a successful production of strawberries. 

The farmer-members of the Baganihan Agri-Eco Ventures Cooperative were grateful of the knowledge and skill they have gained during the said training. The members vowed to start and ensure the success of the project.

Of course, very important, there were also inputs on pest and disease control, which is the number one problem of the farmers. With the said training, they already understood the seasonality of strawberry production, the peak and low season.

So, the next time, we'll be visiting our supermarket, we should be proud to see that strawberries on the shelves are actually home-grown from Marilog, Davao City.

The DOST Regional Office XI and Its Director Anthony Sales

Since August 2011 I am also working as DOST consultant here in Bajada, Davao City. I learned that DOST Region XI Director Dr. Anthony Sales is really an active director with an outstanding staff. Dr. Sales, before working on the private sector (food business, tuna cans, frozen coconut milk) became DOST XI director in 2009.

The Mandate/Mission is very clear: Provide direction, leadership, and coordination of scientific and technological efforts and ensure that results are geared and utilized in area of maximum economic and social benefits for the people and being in service for the people in this region.

By 2020, the Philippines shall have developed a wide range of globally competitive products and services of high  technology content.

I learned from Director Sales, that the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) is the department's umbrella program  which has been strongly implemented in the region since 2002. SETUP has been assisting MSME's (Medium and Small Enterprises) through technical assistance/consultancy, infusion of new technologies, provision  of funds for technology acquisition, manpower training, packaging and labeling designs as well as product testing.

DOST Services are there to contribute to the socio-economic development of Mindanao. DOST XI offers a wide range of innovative services that include technology upgrading, laboratory analysis, testing and calibration, shelf-life testing of food samples, advisory services, technology trainings, and scholarships programs. Furthermore, the DOST-RSTL (Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory) - Davao is also an accredited water testing laboratory by the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services of the Department of Health as well as one of the recognized laboratories for fish and fishery products by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region XI.

One of several future ideas is the national project "Own technology and solar".

Dr. Anthony Sales, who likes reading novels and detective stories and enjoys relaxing at the beach or on his own farm with goats, pigs, chickens and ducks somewhere in Marilog voiced out this: We will continue to value honesty in public service, because our mission IS honesty and NOT corruption.

Standing By Myself?

(Pre-published in Mindanao Daily Mirror, Friday, November 4, 2011)

While being a columnist of "Tinig ng Bayan" (published in Abra) during the 1980s I remember our Taiwanese coordinator Cristina Lising-Geronga, who expressed herself in innumerable write-ups about the topic loneliness. Sure, "Tinig ng Bayan" has been a publication for Filipinos abroad. Loneliness, borne by Filipinos living abroad while missing their families in the philippines became a very "normal" expression.

During that time my late mentor Monsignor Professor Dr. Hermogenes E. Bacareza, Chaplain of the Philippine Community in Berlin, started together with me publishing "Ang Mabuhay". Believe me, "loneliness" became a main topic in many write-ups.

How comes that loneliness is still a general topic in so many families?

Loneliness has been called one of the main diseases of this century. It really doesn't strike not only the Filipinos abroad and their love ones back home. Too often loneliness is being followed by alcoholism, drug abuse and even suicide. Yes, loneliness becomes a modern day plague. I observed several people (also expatriates) trying to surround themselves with so-called "friends" only to find that such relationships are often shallow and unsatisfying.

Loneliness can be painful but being lonely or alone at that is not always a bad thing. Ask yourself, how do you use your time, if you are really alone? Do you simply let the time passes without doing anything at all? Why not use such time productively? There are many worthwhile activities to engage in, even if you are alone, such as reading, writing, listen to good (light?) music, play an (forgotten?) instrument, gardening... .

Reading the bible can be also very particularly beneficial. The  Word of God is "alive and exerts in power" and can take  our minds off ourselves.

To break the cycle of loneliness, one must be a giver. Let's keep an eye, not only and always on our personal interests but also on the interests of others. Look around and watch out who needs help, or who needs a real friend or good listener. Once you have spotted such a person, act! Thus, in order to have you must act like a friend. Luke 6:38 says, "Give to others, and God will give it to you!"

A blessed and relaxing Sunday to all of you!

Old Glory of Ambuklao Dam

SN Aboitiz Power successfully launched the 105-MW Ambuklao hydro-electric power plant in Benguet, bringing back to life the oldest  and what was once the biggest hydro power facility in East Asia from its 12-year slumber.

After an earlier formal ceremony involving dignitaries and national government officials, amore traditional launching ceremony was held last October 27 following rituals of the Igorot natives of Itogon, Benguet - the host community of the project in a wonderful environment...

Davao Food Safety Team Inc. Formed

The Davao Food Safety Team Incorporated (DFST, Inc.), previously Davao Food Safety Team (DFST) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of Region XI (Mindanao), where I am presently working as consultant, was created to support the food processing projects in Southern Mindanao under the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). an umbrella program which rationalizes and links all DOST services to address the technological needs of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises with the concerted efforts of DOST regional offices, Research and Development Institutes, Council and other institutes of the Department.

The DFST Inc. is composed of equally competitive and knowledgeable professionals and service providers both from the government and private sector. The team is expected to play an important role in imparting and disseminating information on food safety regulations and requirements to food handlers for the continuing improvement production of safe, healthy and unadulterated foods for both local and export markets.

The DFST Inc. has been actively participating in food safety advocacy since its inception. It has been busy catering to requests for speaking engagements on awareness, full course training for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for LTO application ore renewal as well as plant layout and other pertinent food safety programs. 

Parallel to servicing the needs of the local food industry, are the numerous capability building up seminars and workshops participated by various food safety members. 

Existing for 5 years now, the group is composed of food safety practitioners who are experts on their respective fields, represented by specialists from the various public and private agencies. These include the Food and Drugs Administration, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bureau of Plant Industry - Davao National Crop Research and Development Center, Davao City Water District, Department of Health, just to mention some among many others.

At current, the team has 25 food safety experts. It offers 25 Different Food Safety Modules. For more information, visit the group at the DOST 11 Regional Office, Corner Friendship-Dumanlas Roads, Bajada, Davao City, or you may call their staff, Ms. Loi Tolentino at numbers 082 - 227-1313 or 0932-4422221.