The Catholic Church in The Philippines and the Concept of Christmas

Here is an interesting post of a Dutch expat living in the Philippines for good:

http://www.expatinthephilippines.com

DO YOU LOVE FILIPINO POP MUSIC? Filipino Pop Chart - February 2012 (Top 20 Philippine Songs)

Compact For Peace Formed

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have forged an agreement to mutually cooperate in addressing local peace and security issues in Southern Philippines.

Lawyer Anwar Malang, ARMM chief of staff and currently Interior and Local Governments Secretary, met with Lawyer Randolp Parcasio, legal adviser of Nur Misuari, chair of a faction of the MNLF, in a Makati hotel last Friday.

The MNLF move came as a total turn around from Misuari's earlier provocative statements undermining the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro signed by the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

ARMM is composed of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi areas covered by the September 2, 1996 GOH-MNLF peace agreement.

Parcasio and Malang signed the ARMM-MNLF Peace and Development Compact.

Under the Compact, the group of Misuari is encouraged to cooperate with the ARMM leadership in addressing peace and order problems that have been causing poverty and underdevelopment in Muslim region. 

Misuari had been publicly rejecting the Framework Agreement calling it a product of conspiracy between the Malaysian government, Aquino government and the MILF.

Under the Compact, both the MNLF and ARMM leadership will cooperate "to protect life, liberty and poverty of all the people of ARMM. Both the ARMM and the MNLF also vowed to jointly resolve family feud and clan wars in the autonomous region. (PNA)

First Time Eating Durian - I LOVE DURIAN!!!!

FDA gets more aggressive vs 'tainted' noodles, tests other brands

Love to eat noodles? Check out this:

FDA gets more aggressive vs 'tainted' noodles, tests other brands

Peace Be With Us!

Repost of my column in MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR (IN MY OPINION) from Friday, October 19, 2012 with friendly permission of publisher Marietta F. Siongco.

Peace means "calm". Peace means "freedom from war, disturbance or hostilities". Peace means "being free from tumults".

All of us, individuals, groups or nations, as well as societies, have to survive in a life full of uncertain, dangerous and unsure elements. Nobody and on politics on earth, where ever we are living can guarantee a total safety on this existential level. Nevertheless, it's a fundamental task and duty to state politics to flag danger and unsureness in humans living together. The modern state is therefore responsible for inner safety thru a functional legislation and police, for social safety thru organization and formulations of law. External safety by means of military and bilateral diplomacy is imperative. External safety means the threat of national territory and peace-and-order coming from other states.

International relations developed within the last centuries. Safety politics become more and more part of national politics.

...

Globalization has enormously changed national and international safety politics. During the Cold War, the number of conscientious objectors increased dramatically. After the Cold War, state symbols and ceremonies lost their military character. The Europeans are still living now in a so-called "post-heroism" in which the doctrine "to kill other people because of defense through military actions" fades more and more.

...

Talking about peace: One historical example is this: Chief peace negotiators of the Philippine government and the MILF on Monday (October 15, 2012) signed the framework agreement which lays down the groundwork or the final and enduring peace in Mindanao. "In full view of the Filipino people ... we commit to peace. A peace that will be sustained to democratic ideals," President Aquino said.

When I stepped on Mindanao soil for the first time in 1976, I experienced a lot of fearing adventures. I came back in 1982. Then 1983.

I hope and pray, that Mindanao is now free from disturbances and tumults. I stay here for good. I love to live in Mindanao, especially in Davao City. Peace be with us all!

Illegal Schools in Davao City

The committee on education, science and technology, culture and arts of the city council has set a hearing on November 14 on allegations that some private schools in the city are operating without a permit.

Committee chair Councilor Leah Librado-Yap scheduled the hearing after receiving several complaints against such schools.

Yap said she is encouraging other parents whose children are enrolled in illegal schools to immediately report to her office or write to the Department of education Region XI. By the way, the region has a total of 215 registered private schools for the  school year 2011/2012.

There are also operating several (private) language schools without permit but claiming "to be accredited by CHED and/or DepEd".

MUNICH CAME TO DAVAO CITY - Oktoberfest 2012 in Apo View Hotel

Yes, it has been good food, wine, beer, and fun! And, the BAVARIAN SOUND EXPRESS showed us an incredible repertoire. Amazing and unique - for the first time in Davao City. We really had fun, fun, fun...

(with singer Karoline of BAVARIAN SOUND EXPRESS)

Davao: Philippines Amazing City

BAVARIAN SOUND EXPRESS: Traditional German Dance, Oktoberfest