Of festival and blessings

My column in Mindanao Daily, BusinessWeek Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro Times.

The different activities and event of the 34th Kadayawan Festival in Davao City kept me very busy and enjoyable too. That's the reason, why this column is being published a little bit late. But, not to late, because Kadayawan will be going on up to the end of this month of August. 

Of course, as a member of the Davao City's (Mindanao's) Consular Corps, I am receiving invitations as German Consul for Mindanao for most all different events of this amazing and awesome festival. While writing this piece, the festival is still ongoing. The celebration offers an incredible array of activities full of fun and joy: dance group competition (just experienced yesterday, grabe!), street party and a food trip at the strip. Sure, Kadayawan is also about the indulgence in the best cuisines that Davao has to offer. Kadayawan is indeed a fest of sorts.

Living and working in Davao City since almost 21 years now, I observed this festival is becoming more and more awesome. As our good mayor Inday Sara Duterte said during the launching,  "We celebrate it annually not just to give Dabawenyos a reason to celebrate; we do it o we do not forget where we come from and what blessings we have received through the years, blessings which we continue to receive".

Living in Davao City, I strongly agree: We have been blessed not just with natural resources but favorable climate conditions, a thriving economy and peace and order. I go further. While observing global disputes at any corner, we are blessed in Mindanao. Not only Dabawenyos are showing the whole word how to get together as a multicultural community. 

Yes, this year's Kadayawan is indeed different, as most events have spread during the weekends of the month of August to ensure the city will be able to accommodate more visitors. I was surprised meeting you so many people during so many events from different countries.

First time ever, I came to together with Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte. He said, "A bountiful harvest, rich natural resources, disciplined an resilient people, dedicated public servants, safe community and a lot of wonderful opportunities."

Yes, we have to be thankful for everything, while looking to so many place on earth, where the situations look different and scaring. 

 I still remember then Davao City Mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte saying in 2009, " With global warming and climate change a very real phenomenon in our lives now, we need to look to our indigenous people for wisdom and guidance as they have been respectful towards their relationship with the earth!"

The Presidentsaid this ten years ago ... ! Happy Kadayawan 2019!

God bless Mindanao. God bless the Philippines!

A joyous Moment with Joji Ilagan-Bian

Cultural Potpourri 

BY MICHAEL EBRO DAKUDAO ON AUGUST 18, 2019, Mindanao times

Joji Ilagan-Bian with her Lion King birthday cake

“Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As King, you need to understand that balance and respect all creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.” Mufasa in The Lion King.

“This is my favorite quotation. Everyone who works for me is important; no matter how small and humble their positions are. They continue to contribute to the success of the so called circle of life…That’s why I chose The Lion King as theme of my belated birthday party. That is aside from the fact that I love the movie and the Broadway show. I can identify with Mufasa in terms of leadership style in my daily life of managing my businesses,” so expressed the lioness spirit in Purita Arsenia “Joji” Ilagan-Bian when she invited “family and close friends that matter most to me” to her 64th belated birthday celebration last August 9, 2019, held at the grand lobby of her IMS I-CHEF institution. And the Lioness Queen instructed me to be the secret judge in choosing the 10 ladies with the nicest animal prints on their outfits.

The Ledesma and Bian families

“We give small gifts lang,” she told me. But one “small gift” was an Art Deco-inspired necklace with diamonds and semi-precious stones coming from no less than her dear tita Emilia Sorongon vda. de Sitjar. The grand dame of jewellery came in a two piece outfit with zebra stripes; and was accompanied by her devoted son, Emil.

Having achieved success in no small measure, Joji Ilagan-Bian is particularly known for her ability to strongly inspire people to share her passion and advocacy in education and involve them in making positive change happen. “No doubt about it but my palangga is a respected leader in both business and education as she continuously transforms lives especially that of the youth. She truly makes a difference as a true educator, an effective woman leader, and a successful and hardworking business entrepreneur,” commented Joji’s buena amiga, the restaurateur Lena Benedicto, with whom I shared a table with.

Davao’s Diplomatic Corps

This “babaeng walang pahinga” holds leadership positions in many organizations: President of the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Educators of the Philippines; Treasurer of the Asia Pacific Council of Hotel Educators; Past Deputy Chair of the East ASEAN Business Council; Chairman of the Mindanao Business Council (2000-2008); Past President of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Founding Chair of the Mindanao Technical Vocational Schools Association and Philippine Call Centers Alliance. It’s a hard life that Joji leads but this amazing and always well-dressed woman would rather “je vois la vie en rose.”

The impact of her services transformed the lives of fellow Filipinos that Pres. Joseph Estrada (1997) and Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo (2005) awarded her Medals of Recognition for her various contributions in business and education.

Joji Ilagan-Bian with her colleagues in business and tourism

“As a businesswoman-entrepreneur, Joji Ilagan is a prime example of what an empowered woman can do for her family and community,” admires the equally admirable Hon. Consul of Hungary Baby Maceda-Montemayor of her dear friend. Joji Ilagan-Bian, the Hon. Consul of Bangladesh herself, has established five hospitality colleges with international linkages: the Joji Ilagan College of Business and Tourism; International School Hotel Management (General Santos City); Institute International Culinary and Hospitality Entrepreneurship (ICHEF); Stockbridge American International School; and the International Management School. These international schools have come to form the network of the JIB International Schools, all of which are offering transnational, international and industry standards, skills-based education and training which allow its respective students to earn certifications that are recognized internationally.

Joji Ilagan-Bian with the 10 Best in Animal Print attires

Joji Ilagan Bian has a solid track record in community engagement in the fields of education, business, politics, civic and religious movement that spans more than 30 years. Various institutions have given her awards for her excellence in the field of education and business development. Among these are the Datu Bago Award in Business and Education (1997) which is the highest award conferred by the City of Davao; the Kabalikat Laang Bisig Presidential National Award for the promotion of Development of Technical Vocational Training in the Philippines and for the hundreds of scholarships that her schools have given to the out-of- school youth conferred by the President of the Republic of the Philippines in 1997; the Presidential Service Medal of Merit (2005) conferred by Pres. Gloria Arroyo; University of the Immaculate Conception Centennial Outstanding Alumni Award in Dec. 8, 2005; Patnubay Award in NGO Work for Education (2010); the prestigious Patnubay Award given by Council of Hotel and Restaurant Educators of the Philippines (COHREP); the Mindanao Jaycee LEAD Award (2002); the Outstanding ASEAN Woman Entrepreneur Award given by the ASEAN Women Network (2017); 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World Award from Global Filipina Network in Toronto Canada; and the Australian Excellence Award for Alumni of the Year 2020.

JIB with the JIB students

In spite of her countless achievements and commendations, Joji’s dedication to continuing her personal advocacy has not waned or slowed down a bit. This lioness’ tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit come from the drive to help others as evidenced in her continuous involvement in education, tourism, religious affiliations and business.

Comval holds Eastern Mindanao Regional Scout Jamboree 2019

Compostela Valley Province----“There is a need to develop the potentials of the youth and ensure that they give a fair chance of becoming the hope that they are ought to be. This is where the scouting movement plays a big role,” this was part of the message of the Eastern Mindanao Region – Boy Scout of the Philippines (EMR-BSP) Chairperson Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy as he officially opened the EMR Scouts Jamboree 2019 at the Compostela Sports Complex, Compostela, Compostela Valley Province on August 14, 2019 with the theme: “Commitment to Excellence”.

With more than six thousand (6,000) Boy Scouts, Senior Scouts and Rover Scouts of the different councils coming from the Eastern Mindanao joined the said jamboree that will end up on August 18, 2019.

For the duration of the jamboree the scouts will undergo the main scout’s activities such as the Adventure Trail, Aquatics, Challenge Valley, Emergency Preparedness, Go Green Project, Global Development, First-Aid Bandaging, and Pioneering.

According to Governor Uy, “We mold our young people here to be leaders of their respective households, circles and communities.  Sooner or later, these young people may be the future holders of different positions in government. As early as now, there is a need to instill them the values necessary to become the leaders of the future.”

“Dako ang obligasyon sa BSP nga himuong responsible ang atong kabatan-onan. I perfectly understand this because I am a governor that belongs to the generation of the young. What made me the leader I am today are the platforms that allowed me to fulfil my potentials – youth conferences, seminars, and the likes,” the Governor added.

The EMR is composed of the different councils coming from the Provinces and Cities of Eastern Mindanao namely; Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao City, Tagum City, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, General Santos City, Agusan del Sur, Agusan de Norte, Misamis Oriental, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Cagayan de Oro City, Saranggani Province, , and ComVal Province.

Gracing the opening program were the provincial scouting chairperson and council scout commissioners of the different councils headed by the BSP National President Hon. Roberto Pagdanganan, EMR Chairperson Gov. Uy, Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon- Vice President for BSP Mindanao, Regional Scout Director Jesus Meris, Mayor lema Bolo the host municipality, DepEd Comval Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Dr. Reynante A. Solitaro, Assistant SDS Phoebe Gay Refamonte, Council Scouts Executives (CSE) OIC Mark Tenio and Dionel Batistel the Deputy Camp Director together with the high ranking officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP)  and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the different local council executive board members.

Meanwhile, SDS Solitario said that this is in response to the theme, Commitment to Excellence, that we are challenged to be wise as commitment is the language of the wise. It is also a responsibility and includes accountability.

Solitario added that “Commitment to excellence is different to striving for perfection because perfection is impossible. Excellence is very achievable and it is really an evolving thing. What’s excellent today may not be excellent tomorrow. So you’ve maintain a culture of excellence and commit it.”

The BSP is guided with its vision in preparing the youth to become agents of change in communities guided by the scout oath and law as well as their mission to help the youth to develop and acquire competencies to become responsible citizens and capable leaders anchored on the scout oath and law.

“If our youth exhibit the very values that the BSP uphold, then I can say with all confidence that the future of Eastern Mindanao and the entire Philippines is indeed very bright. If we are to solve our country’s problem, we begin by investing in our youth,” the Governor ended. #YEStoDavaoDeOro (Rey Antibo, ID Comval)

SP ComVal strengthens Legislative Agenda

SP ComVal strengthens Legislative Agenda

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Compostela Valley is hands-on in the formulation of its Legislative Agenda for 2019-2022 during an intensive 2-day workshop last August 11-12 2019, at Dusit Thani Hotel in Davao City.

“Dako kaayo ang role nato sa legislative in helping the governor achieve the SGLG Award (We have a huge role in helping the governor achieve the SGLG Award)” Vice Governor Maricar S. Zamora explained.

Throughout the workshop the Board Members voiced out their vision for the next three years. They demonstrated their desire to create more legislation that will bring inclusive and sustainable development for the province. Aside from creating new legislations, the members of the 8^th Sangguniang Panlalawigan will also look into previous legislations to ensure that it remains fitting to the present needs and situation of the people of Compostela Valley.

“Atong i-check through sa atong Legislative Tracking Division, kung unsay na incorporate sa mga codes and ordinances para magkinumustahay ang executive ug legislative (Let’s check through our Legislative Tracking Division as to what parts of our codes and ordinances have been incorporated so that the Executive and Legislative could update each other).” District II Board Member Macario T. Humol said.

The workshop was also a welcome opportunity for the members of the legislative body to better know their individual strengths and how it will fit the dynamics of a more productive Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

“It is really nice to know who we are because the more that you are knowledgeable of who you are the more you can carry on appropriate behavior as you deal with other people.” Rosamyrna T. Gallego, National Corporate Training Manager of Alcantara Group of Companies and the facilitator of the legislative team building said.

In attendance in the workshop is Vice-Governor Maricar Zamora, Senior Board Member Arturo T. Uy, Hon. Nena G. Atamosa, Hon. Kristine Mae T. Caballero-Rañon, Hon. Adolfo C. Ang, Hon. Raul B. Caballero, Hon. Marie Jude M. Fuentes-Lopoz, Hon. Vivencia L.  Secuya, Hon. Renato B. Basañes, Hon. Macario T. Humol, Hon. Joseph T. Jauod, Hon. Raul C. Timogtimog, Hon. Christopher L. Jovita, Hon. Felipe B. Masambo, Hon. Charlemagne B. Bautista, Hon. Albert P. Camana and the staff of the legislative body.

At the end of the 2-Day Workshop, the Board Members have decided to prioritize 23 legislations. The Legislative Agenda will be tailored fit with the agenda of the executive branch this August 20-24 2019 during their Priming for Legislative –Executive Alignment for Development (LEAD) in DAPCC Tagaytay.

PHOTO CAPTION:
The members of the 8th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Compostela Valley proudly shows their accomplished Legislative Agenda. 

Philippine Nurses for Germany!

German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.

[AHK News: Roundtable on Recruitment of Philippine Nurses to Germany]

“The German government is committed to facilitate the access of Philippine nurses to the German healthcare sector. The procedures will be streamlined and simplified, and the working conditions will even become more attractive”, stated Parliamentary State Secretary Weiss from the German Federal Ministry of Health.

“The Philippines is regarded as one of the top healthcare staff providers in the world because of the availability of skilled nurses, who are highly qualified, adaptable, hospitable and with good command in English language. As Germany has a high need for nurses and the Philippines shows an oversupply, there is a unique opportunity for both countries to create a win-win situation”, emphasized Tristan Arwen Loveres, President of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI).

On 13th August 2019, a roundtable on Recruitment of Philippine Nurses to Germany was organized by the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) in close cooperation with the German Embassy Manila in honor of the German Federal Ministry of Health’s Parliamentary State Secretary visit to the Philippines.

With over 30 participants, Philippine and German experts from the recruitment and healthcare industry shared experiences and discussed possible steps for an enhanced procedure on the recruitment and allocation process of Philippine nurses immigrating to Germany.

Germany is facing a severe lack of nursing and care staff in its medical centers due to the German demography. In order to cover the growing shortage of healthcare professionals, the German government in cooperation with the private sector has been recruiting qualified nurses from countries outside the EU like the Philippines. The immigration of Philippine nurses to Germany has showed positive impacts in both societies and has created more opportunities in the market, however, the recruiting process still encounters several challenges. One is the necessary level of language skills; another is the recognition of foreign nursing studies in Germany.

With the goal to ease and fast-track the recruiting of Philippine health care personnel to Germany, the German government started an initiative to streamline the administrative process with planned effectivity in October 2019.

Singer, host, organizer, stylist

Leigh Rioux – singer, host, organizer, stylist

LIFESTYLE

By MARK FRANCISCO

 Cagayan de Oro Times

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Leigh Rioux

NOT everyone here in Cagayan de Oro can be as talented as this woman yet retaining and maintaining that same beauty and poise after all these years.

Meet Leigh Rioux! Leigh’s first love and will ever be is singing. That’s why during her elementary years in the early 1990s, the never-shy-and-always-bubbly Leigh joined amateur contests here in the city everywhere she could. (In the pre-cellphone and Internet era back then, amateur contests were the mainstream. They were usually held at the then City Bandstand, now Kiosko Kagawasan in Plaza Divisoria.)

Just like everyone of us, Leigh grew up and graduated with a degree in Mass Communication in Pilgrim Christian College.

Because of her immense vocal talent, Leigh also had ambitions to use that talent. Her destiny was Japan. For nine years from 2003 to 2011, Leigh became a solo singing performer in the city of Nagoya.

By 2012, Leigh came back to her hometown and settled her for good. For two years, she chose to rest and honed her other emerging talents privately.

In 2015, Leigh was ready to come back to the spotlight. She was invited and has consistently ever since among the beautiful Kagay-anons modeling in the annual Mags on the Catwalk from 2015 to the present which is held every last quarter of the year.

In 2017, Leigh decided to resurrect from her singing hibernation. By then, she started accepting solo gigs in various lounges all over – EBar, Limketkai Luxe, Skybar, etc. Today, Leigh is a regular at Jacko’s Grill in uptown Cagayan de Oro.

She likewise started hosting parties and similar events, even corporate ones like the Cignal series of activities here and in Butuan City that year.

The year after in 2018, Leigh discovered that she had another hidden talent on the side – event organizing. Thus, she started accepting organizing weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, debuts and other corporate events.

At the start of this year in 2019, Leigh also branched out in event styling focusing on such soirees as pre-nuptial, pre-debut and pre-birthday shoots. On the side, she endorses Christine’s Boutique.

That’s Leigh Rioux – a woman not just of diligence but of beauty as well. Whether it be in singing, hosting, event styling or organizing, clients will surely be satisfied.

Deutschland sucht auf den Philippinen nach Pflegekräften

Gesundheitsministerium sucht auch auf den Philippinen nach Pflegekräften.

Deutschland will im Kampf gegen den Pflegenotstand auch verstärkt Personal von den Philippinen anwerben. Die Parlamentarische Staatssekretärin Sabine Weiss (CDU) reiste nach Angaben des Gesundheitsministeriums in das südostasiatische Land, um über die Arbeitsmöglichkeiten dortiger Arbeitskräfte in Deutschland zu beraten. Konkret gehe es um die Frage, wie die Pflegekräfte bereits im Herkunftsland auf die Tätigkeit in Deutschland vorbereitet und die Verfahren erleichtert werden können. Bereits im Juli war mit dem Kosovo eine Zusammenarbeit in der Ausbildung von Pflegefachkräften vereinbart worden.

Coral Reefs rapidly die from marine heat waves

I love swimming and diving. In the Philippines, we have innumerable possibilities to swim and dive. Having fun while doing this wonderful sports. But during the last months, one observed the sad situation: yes, coral reefs rapidly die because of more and more marine heat waves all over the globe.

Scientists have published new findings on the impact of global warming on the world's coral reefs. They found that severe marine heat waves can completely destroy coral and threaten other marine species. Isn't that so very sad?
   
Scientists concluded that increasing sea temperatures can completely destroy coral reefs through a process called bleaching. Marine heat waves are killing coral reefs far quicker than scientists previously believed, this new study has found. From the news agencies AFP and dpa (German) on my desk this morning... .

Researchers from Australia, the UK and the US studied the impact of global warming in Australia's Great Barrier Reef and published their findings on Friday (yesterday, August 9, 2019) in the Current Biology Journal.

The scientists concluded that severe and frequent marine heat waves can destroy corals through a process called "bleaching."

Repeated "bleaching events" kill the colorful algae covering and nourishing the coral, thereby destroying the coral in a matter of months or years. If sea temperatures decrease, bleached corals can be revived.  If sea temperatures decrease. And if not??

The researchers also have evidence that the skeleton of corals, also an animal species, begins to decay within weeks of a marine heat wave. The degradation also puts at risk many other sea creatures that live in the sea coral.

"The severity of these heat wave events is beyond the bleaching process; it's actually a point where the coral animal itself is dying," said Tracy Ainsworth, a co-author of the study from the University of New South Wales.

Funny and discouraging at the same time: Great Barrier Reef: 'Last-chance' tourists flock to wonder as coral disappears. Try to explain it to your children. The size of the Great Barrier Reef covers an area larger than Italy and is one of earth's most bio-diverse ecosystems. Imagine, we are talking about the loss of a World Heritage Site.

The Great Barrier Reef, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the world's biggest coral system. The reef covers an area larger than Italy and is one of earth's most biodiverse ecosystems.

However, the reef's Marine Park Authority predicts that if current greenhouse gas emissions are not curbed, the coral is projected to bleach twice a decade from 2035 and annually after 2044. In the past 20 years, the reef has suffered from four mass bleaching events due to global warming. Mass bleaching in 2016-2017 affected up to half of the coral in the 2,300-kilometer reef.

Stop abusing land now!

My column in MINDANAO DAILY and
BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO

Scientists are poised to deliver a stark condemnation of the damage we are wreaking on the land surface of the planet. We have degraded soils, expanded deserts, felled forests, driven out wildlife, and drained peat lands. In the process, we have turned the land from an asset that combats climate change into a major source of carbon. The scientists will say we must stop abusing the land if we hope to avoid catastrophic climate heating. That's how BBC environment analyst Roger Harrabin expressed his worries. And not only his. Many people think the same way.

I learned it from experts: uncultivated land covered with vegetation protects us from overheating because the plants absorb the warming gas CO2 from the air and fix it in the soil.

But the scientists meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, will say the way we farm and grow timber often actually increases emissions of carbon dioxide.

Between a quarter and a third of all greenhouse gas emissions are now estimated to come from land use.

The scientists will warn of a battle for land between multiple competing demands: bio fuels, plant material for plastics and fibres, timber, wildlife, paper and pulp - and food for a growing population.

Their report will say we need to make hard choices about how we use the world’s soil.

And it will offer another warning that our hunger for red meat is putting huge stress on the land to produce animal feed, as well as contributing to half of the world’s emissions of methane - another greenhouse gas.

Following BBC expert Roger Harrabin the document’s being finalized this week among scientists and government officials on the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It will become the most authoritative report yet on the way we use and abuse the land. Scientists hope it will give the issue of land use greater prominence in negotiations on climate change.

The question is how we use it. But each and every one of us can still (!) help our Mother Earth and its climate.

We need to protect as much natural forest as we can, particularly in the tropics! Change diets to eat less red meat and more vegetables. Safeguard peat lands and restore them where possible. Grow plants and trees to produce energy… but only on a small local scale. Do more agro-forestry, where food crops are mixed in with trees. Improve crop varieties.

Farmers in some parts of the world will be hit harder by climate change - also in the Philippines. There’s still some debate. One option is to concentrate intensive farming into the smallest possible area of land, in order to leave as much natural land as possible to soak up CO2.

Another option is to farm in a less intensive, more climate-friendly way – but that means taking up more natural land to compensate.

Either way, the report will warn that the poorest farmers will be hardest hit by global warming, and they’ll be least able to afford new technologies to change the way they farm.

Kelly Levin, from the US green think tank WRI, told BBC News the report should heap pressure on politicians to cut fossil fuel emissions. She said: “If we consider the climate problem hard now, just think about how much harder it will be without the land serving as a large sink for carbon dioxide emissions.”

Prof Jane Rickson from Cranfield University, UK, voiced out: “Increased temperatures and heavier rainfall will aggravate soil erosion, compaction, loss of organic matter, loss of biodiversity, and landslides… many of which are irreversible. “I hope the final IPCC report will be robust enough to motivate politicians and land managers to implement policies and practices that will reverse, mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis”.

In my opinion: I hope too and pray for it.

Philippinen rufen wegen Dengue den Gesundheitsnotstand aus

Auf den Philippinen hat die Regierung nach mehr als 600 Toten durch das Dengue-Fieber seit Jahresbeginn den Notstand erklärt. Besonders betroffen ist die Hauptstadtregion rund um Manila. Den Behörden zufolge könnte der Anstieg daran liegen, dass aktuell ein besonders aggressiver Virustyp unterwegs sei. Insgesamt wurden auf den Philippinen 2019 bereits mehr als 146.000 Dengue-Fälle registriert. Mit der Erklärung von Dengue zu einer landesweiten Epidemie soll es den Behörden leichter gemacht werden, Maßnahmen gegen die Ausbreitung der Krankheit einzuleiten. Das Virus wird von Mücken übertragen.

(C) Deutsche Welle 2019