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

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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

Philippines is 6th in Internet Access

I love Internet. You love Internet. And many Filipinos too. And, it's amazing, the Philippines ranked sixth among 47 countries world-wide with the most internet freedom, a study by Freedom House (FH), a New York-based freedom watchdog, showed.

The study also showed that the Philippines is the only country in Asia that enjoys freedom in online media.

A total of 20 of the 47 countries examined experienced a negative trajectory in internet freedom since 2011, with bahrain, Pakistan, and Ethopia registering the greatest clines.

the 14 countries with most internet freedom worldwide were: Estonia, USA, Germany, Australia, Hungary, Italy, Philippines, United kingdom, Argentina, South Africa, Brazil, Ukraine, Kenya and Georgia.

Oktoberfest in Davao City in Apo View Hotel - Das Original - The Original

Brownouts return to Mindanao areas

Check this out, please...

Brownouts return to Mindanao areas

KZ Tandingan From Digos City Wins X-Factor

 

KZ Tandingan, a 21-year-old aspiring singer from Digos City/Davao del Sur, who almost lost her voice from a throat problem in high school, was named the first winner of "The X Factor Philippines" last Sunday night at the PAGCOR Theater. Tandingan, an early favorite of the latest ABS-CBN talent search, bested Gabriel Maturan and others during the show's star-studded season finale after garnering 54.77% of the total viewer's votes.

KZ,  former USEP-classmate from my niece Phoebe Ann, visited the University of Southeastern Philippines campus in Obrero, Davao City and was very welcomed by the USEP President, Dr. Perfecto Alibin and thousands of fans.

Davao Watersheds Home to Half the Philippines' Bird Species

I was really happy to learn about it because of an article in MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR several days ago.

Imagine, 70 percent of the Philippine inventory of endemic bird species have been confirmed to be living in the Mount Talomo-Pangigan area. Results rom a recent study conducted by the Philippine Eagle Foundation, Inc. (PEF) revealed that the watershed is home to at least 124 bird species as studied in a series of field surveys conducted from 1997-2012.

The Philippines has currently 169 endemic bird species on record., 45 of which are only found in Mindanao. According to the report, 66 of the 124 species which were covered by the research study are Philippine endemic, while 24 of them are Mindanao endemic. This led the study authors to conclude that the watersheds hold an "impressive" percentage of local avian fauna.

Interface Development Interventions, Inc. Executive Director Ann Fuentes said that this significant find underscored the importance of Davao's watersheds in protecting and sustaining a rich biodiversity of organism that can only be found in the Mindanao region.

Other than the Philippine Eagle, the report also identified that the Tarictic of Mindanao hornbill, Penelopides panini, is the second most threatened bird in the watersheds due to illegal pet trade and because it also being hunted for food. Dwindling forest cover has contributed much to the decline of the local populations.

The Talomo-Panigan watershed areas along with the adjacent Lipadas, are the sites of aquifers which provide the current and future supply for Dabawenyos.

In 2010, the department of Tourism has announced that bird watching tours are becoming an emerging option in Philippine tourism. As a biodiversity hotspot, the Philippines has over 600 bird species with a high concentration of bird species per kilometer.  

What Do YOU Know About GERMANY?

What do you know about Germany? You will find out if you are an expert and if you try the German Embassy's quiz at this year's MABUHAY GERMANY from October 12 - 14, 2012.

Lots of prizes are waiting...!

Coach Michael Weiss of the Philippines' Men's National Football Team

Davao Celebrity Bangs Garcia Back Home

 

 Yes, it was great to see Bangs back in Davao! It was during the "Beauty Fair 2012" last Sunday in Gaisano Mall here in Davao City.

Bang started already as teen star and became famous through ABS-CBN's afternoon "OFW-serye" "Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo" together with Jake Cuenca and Shaina Magdayao. Bangs was already a local ABS-CBN talent in Davao City and one of those hopefuls in local talent searches.

Many important chapters in her career followed: As Cindy Kurleto's best friend in the Vic Sotto "Da De Di Do Du" - as to mention one.

Good luck for your future, Bangs Garcia!

Race to Save the Philippine Eagle

Re-post of MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR Editorial from Wednesday, September 26, 2012 with friendly permission of publisher Marietta Singco).(

The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) continues to dwindle in number despite the valiant effort of some stakeholders, chief of which is the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF). According to the International Union for Consideration of Nature (IUCN), the Eagle qualifies as a Critically Endangered Species because it has "an extremely small population ... owing to extensive deforestation." Decades of unmitigated deforestation to fill the need of a growing human population have rendered the Eagles' habitat unviable, and now they number only between 180 and 500 adult individuals.

"Forest destruction and fragmentation, through commercial timber extraction and shifting cultivation, is the principal long-term threat, "the IUCN says. "Old-growth forest continues to be lost within the eagle's range. Moreover, most remaining lowland forest is leased to logging concessions. Mining applications pose an additional threat." Human activities, especially in Mindanao where the Eagles used to thrive, are driving the national bird to extinction.

Naturwunder in meinem Garten/A Natural Phenomenon

Ich traute meinen Augen nicht;
I thought, I am in a deep dream:

Wing span/Fluegelspannweite: 23 cm... .

Muenchen Kommt Nach Davao City/Munich Comes to Davao City

For the first time ever: Munich comes to Davao City! 

Mark these days in your calender: Saturday,October 27 and Sunday 28, 2012.

Das aller erste Mal ueberhaupt: Muenchen kommt nach Davao City!

Merken Sie sich diese Tage im Kalender vor: Samstag, dem 27. und Sonntag, dem 28. Oktober 2012.

Oktoberfest 2012 - DAS ORIGINAL im Apo View Hotel, Davao City  mit dem

BAVARIAN SOUND EXPRESS vom Tegernsee/Bayern

live an beiden Abenden von 18:00 bis 1:00 Uhr morgens

mit grossartiger Unterstuetzung des German Club's, Makati City.

Oktoberfest 2012 - THE ORIGINAL in Apo View Hotel, Davao City with the

BAVARIAN SOUND EXPRESS from Tegern Lake/Bavaria

live on both evenings from 6 pm till 1 am.

with generous support of German Club, Makati City.

Essen, Bier, Wein, Spass - soviel wie gewuenscht fuer 1,950 Pesos pro Kopf und Abend (Kinder von 12 bis 17 Jahren 50% Rabatt).

Food, beer, wine, fun - unlimited for 1,950 Pesos per head and evening (children at the age from 12 till 17 years 50% discount).

Fuer Reservierungen und weitere Informationen AB SOFORT DIREKT: MISS GUIA KATHRYN GABUNI, Apo View Hotel, Banquet Office: (6382) - 221-6430 - 40. Innerhalb der Philippinen: 082 - 221-6430 - 40. ODER 0917 706 8911.

For reservations and more information DIRECTLY IN: Apo View Hotel, MISS GUIA KATHRYN GABUNI, Banquet Office: (6382) - 221-6430 - 40. In the Philippines please call: 082 - 221-6430 - 40. 
OR 0917 7068911.

Or check: http://www.apoview.com

MEN DON'T CRY?

This is a re-post of my column IN MY OPINION from September 7, 2012 in MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR with friendly permission of my publisher Miss Marietta Siongco.

Since I was a little boy, my whole family and our neighbors liked to hammer into my mind and heart the slogan:"Boys (men) don't cry!" Many incidents happened in my life as a young boy. Later too. Up to now - after reaching the second half of my life. Incidents with oppressed and held back tears and emotions... .

I made a complete fool, when, when I tried to satisfy my inquotable thirst and insatiable hunger as a young boy by penetrating the closed kitchen of our neighbour. A terrible good hiding followed together with the comment: "Don't cry or you'll never become a real man!" Bursting into tears (BAHALA NA - SO WHAT!), I didn't understand, why a boy should bear the pain of trashing but knowing during the same time that he might never become a real man! What an untenbale mug's game!

I never became a whipping boy or fan of brawl and fight because I always tried  to search for ways, not to cry. "You'll never become a real man, because a real man knows how to fight without bursting into tears." Longing I did watch the girls in our neighborhood, who always had been allowed to cry because of any non-important thing or trifling matter.

My thirst of knowledge let me start travelling around the world (and, also to the Philippines!), when I became 18. I learned that this silly custom seemed to exist more or less world-wide. In different Asian countries I learned the nonsense (sorry!) parents explaining their sons, "If you'll not stop crying, you might become a gay!"

Step by step I experienced myself many examples, incidents or reasons when I didn't care any more fortunately about my tears and emotions. A special place with a good or bad remembrance can make me cry. Salt dissolves in water like emotions in tears:  an unjustified treatment, arrogance and ignorance from people around me, a heartfelt condolence, a rejected or non-returned love or friendship, a very special song, a very touching situation or speech, being choked with emotions - but ALSO crying because of happiness or never expected gratitude... .

Are all these privileges only allowed for females? Are males only robots with hearts of stone? Objection my dear fellow creatures!

When I stayed in Israel long time ago: An Israelian solder lost his his right arm during a (nonsensical!) battle at the Golan Heights - and, this wounded soldier started crying! Of course, why not? After my stay in Japan (YMCA family exchange), the other of one of my families in Kyoto couldn't hold his tears, when time came to say "Sayonara". Sure, why not? In South Africa I became a sudden witness of a burial, because an original inhabitant family lost a child because of starving to death. The mother cried much.

Allow me to cry what ever the reason might be. Even, if it is because I help cutting onions and garlic for lunch... .

Smarter Cities Conversations - Mayor of Davao Sara Duterte

She is Pregnant!

After years of trying, Mayor Sara Duterte is finally pregnant with her husband lawyer Mans Carpio.

Her husband has also posted a status update on his Facebook timeline that simply said, "proof of life."

Congratulations!!!

Wishing you all the best!!!

NAIA Janitor Returns 634.807 Philippine Pesos

It hasn't been the first honest person on the International Airport in Manila. A janitor has returned a bag containing assorted documents and 634.807 Pesos in cash he found at the terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport late Monday afternoon.

Marie Cherrie Lyn Cruz, of the NAIA T2 Lost and Found Section, reported that Janitor Ronald Gadayan first noticed the black bag unattended at the Gate 1 of the pre-departure area around 3:30 pm.

After 30 minute, the janitor still found the black bag prompting him to retriee it and inform authorities who consequently turned it over to the lost and found section.

At around 4 pm, a certain Manuel Manahan appeared before the office of the lost and found section to inquire if someone had found a black bag owned bis his employer, a passenger of PAL flight PR 849 leaving for Cebu.

Manahan, who claimed he was authorized by his employer identified only as Francis Chua, thanked Gadayan for returning the bag containing also the cash amount.

Hello from Davao.: Magnitude of 7.6 Earthquake hits East of Philippin...

Hello from Davao.: Magnitude of 7.6 Earthquake hits East of Philippin...: A earthquake of a magnitude 7.6 has occurred east of the Philippines and has the potential to generate a tsunami across the Pacific...