Bulawan Festival

Philippine Politics

On May 13, 2013, Filipino voters will troop to the polls to elect their candidate of choice and fill a total of 18,022 government positions. In Philippine politics the upcoming mid-term elections is a democratic process designed to fill soon to be vacated local and national positions including 12 seats in the Philippine Senate and 229 seats in the House of Representatives.

On the provincial level, 80 governors and vice-governors will be elected and with them 766 members of the Provincial Board. A total of 1,634 mayors and vice-mayors are needed by local government units (LGUs) nationwide, and a total of 13,504 councilors. The ARMM requires a governor and a vice-governor and two dozen assemblymen.

Familiar names

It is perhaps not surprising that candidates, especially in the municipality and city levels bear familiar names. Many of the hopefuls are relatives or descendants of known or incumbent politicians. Grace Poe-Llamanzares is an independent candidate running for the Senate. She is the daughter of Fernando Poe, Jr. (better known as FPJ), a revered actor who ran against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA). There are still claims that FPJ won the election against GMA in 2004 and Grace Poe is counting on fans and supporters of her father for her own bid, no doubt.

The senatorial race is characterized by other familiar names in the political scene of the past two decades, most notable of which are Angara, Aquino, Binay, Cayetano, Cojuangco, Ejercito, Magsaysay, Pimentel, Villar and Enrile. Jack Enrile, the son of current Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is running for the Senate.

They call it clan politics or traditional politics. Some use the term political dynasties. No matter what the preferred terminology is, the fact is that powerful families continue to dominate not just the national political scene but the local scene as well.

A published study in the Philippine Political Science Journal states that the 15th Philippine Congress is 70% dynastic. About 80% of the members of the Congress aged 26-40 come from political families. Similarly, political parties are dominated by political clans with ancestors and a progeny of prominent families dominating the roll call. The same study positively correlates political dynasties in areas with severe poverty and poor development. The study does not claim to be absolutely valid, but the results still reflect the current situation. And there seems to be no respite from clan politics since the newly rich and newly elected are already planting the seeds of their own dynasties.

Those who doubt the validity of the dominance of clan politics should look at the incumbent officials occupying provincial and municipal seats in Ilocos Sur, Pampanga, and Cavite (in Luzon), Cebu and Siquijor (in the Visayas), Zamboanga, and Maguindanao (in Mindanao).

Familiar faces

There were a few surprises when celebrities rumored to launch their political careers did not actually file for candidacy. Some of the best examples are TV show host Vic Sotto, actor-director Cesar Montano and actor-turned 2010 Vice-Presidentialial Candidate Edu Manzano. But there are enough familiar faces running for office that even showbiz talk shows and variety shows have more than the usual tinge of political color since the campaign period started.

Most of the personalities from show business have been in politics for so long that people remember them more for their political activities than the movies or television shows that they used to star in. There’s former President and Philippine cinema legend Joseph Estrada (popularly known as Erap), Laguna Governor “George Estregan, Jr. (award-winning character actor),” Bulacan Vice-Governor Daniel Fernando (former sexy star), incumbent Vice-Mayor of Manila Isko Moreno (dramatic actor), incumbent Mayor of Quezon City Herbert Bautista (comedian), and Paranaque City Councilor Alma Moreno (TV show host and dance diva), and Quezon City Councilor Aiko Melendez (dramatic actress), to name a few. All these familiar faces are running for office this year.

Estrada is bidding for the Mayoralty of Manila against incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim who is in real trouble if Erap’s mass appeal has not waned. Estrada was elected the 13th President of the Republic of the Philippines. He also served as Mayor (City of San Juan), Senator, and Vice-President. He was found guilty of plunder charges and sentenced to reclusion perpetua in 2007. After the former President GMA (who is now under hospital arrest for election sabotage) granted Estrada executive clemency, he ran in the 2010 presidential race and lost. Now, he’s back on center stage, but he chose a smaller arena—the City of Manila (from President to Mayor at that).

Vilma Santos (another Philippine cinema legend and wife of Senator Ralph Recto) is hoping for another majority vote as Batangas Governor, and rumor has it that the opposition backed out of the game. Congressman and world boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is back in the political ring vying for the same post. And his wife, Jinkee is now running as Vice-Governor of Sarangani.

With clan politics dominating the local and national scene and actors and actresses delving deeper and deeper into politics, we can only surmise that this is going to be a colorful, intriguing, and controversial election year.

(Taken from PHILIPPINE DAY NEWS).

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DEUTSCHE BOTSCHAFT AUF DEN PHILIPPINEN

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Reality in Paradise...

Going for the Gold - Philippine Madrigal Singers in Davao City

TT

Organized by National Artist professor Andrea O. Veneracion on 1963, the University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers is composed of students, faculty and alumni from the different colleges of UP. Demonstration of their notable musical competence, they were the first choir in the world to win the European Grand Prix for choral singing twice in 1997 and 2007.

This year, the Philippine Madrigal Singers have been already invited to perform during the American Choral Direcors Association, National convention in Dallas and during the America Cantat in Bogota/Columbia. All these coincide with the group's celebration of its 50th year.

I was able to watch and listen the choirs performance already sometime in the 1980s during its world tour while staying in Berlin.

On March 5, the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers are to set to enthrall Davao with their impeccable musicality. With choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio, the group is expected to perform sacred songs. the audience will be also captivated with powerful classics, i.e. from Rossini and others.

The second half of the concert will be an aode to Philippine culture with folk songs and others.

Dare not miss this very rare chance to be in audience with music royalty. Catch the Madrigal singers on March 5 at 6 pm at the SM Lanang Premier Atrium in Davao City. For inquiries please call 082 - 285 0943.

Philippine Madrigal Singers Photo Documentary

Music Royalty - Philippine Madrigal Singers in Davao City soon

Catch them on March 5 at 6 pm at the SM Lanang Premier Atrium. Admission is free, but you are required to buy a eco-friendly shopping bag for 140 Pesos per ticket.

More details are following here soon...

Araw Ng Davao - Part II

 

Kristine A. Estoque, Mutya ng Davao 2013 (Best in Talent) and Talent Showcase (February 20, 2013).

Photos (with friendly permission) from the City Information Office Davao City.

Araw ng Dabaw 2013

Peace in Mindanao? CONTRAST

Re-published Editorial from Mindanao Daily Mirror from February 12, 2013 with friendly permission of the the publisher Marietta Siongco.

The contrast could not have been starker. President Benigno Aquino's visit to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) stronghold of Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat was marked by festivities, sports events, a fluvial parade, and plenty of optimism for a future that, while still tentative, no longer looks impossible bleak.

Some 13 years ago, then-President Joseph Estrada went to the same place - then called Camp Abubakar - in a scene of destruction and waste as the military overran it in pursuance of his "all-out-war" on the MILF. The only festivities that were done by soldiers who feasted on lechon and beer -both forbidden under Islam- brought in by Estrada himself. The desecration was never forgottten and set back the peace initiatives to almost unsalvaeable levels.

The contrast between the two leaders' handling of the MILF can be jarring, and both have their share of supporters and critics. Even now, as President Aquino makes inroads to peace by visiting Camp Darapanan, some sectors are saying he is making the wrong move, and that sooner or later conflict will once again erupt in Mindanao. But it is to his credit that the President has apparently taken things personally in the island: he is thus far the only president to have visited an MILF stronghold in peace. The message he is trying to convince has obviously reached his audience: peace is not just a matter of taking to the negotiating table but also in actually meeting each other, shaking hands, even feasting and playing together. 

Time will tell if all this work, but at least for now, there is a reason to be optimistic. For the first time, peace in Mindanao is not an abstract concept discussed in Metro Manila or Malaysia but an actual event, in one which Mindanaoans themselves are participants.

Brownouts to Persist in Mindanao till 2016?

BAD NEWS FOR ALL OF US IN MINDANAO? This is written by PNA-Philippine News Agency...

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Electricity consumers in Mindanao would have to endure continued power outages until 2016, when the construction of new coal-fired power plants goes full steam, it was learned over the weekend.

The energy committee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) reached this conclusion last week after reviewing the government’s responses to resolutions on tackling issues in the power and fuel sector that were submitted to President Aquino at the conclusion of the 2012 Philippine Business Conference.

Mindanao, except the cities of Davao and Cagayan de Oro, endures daily power shortages that result in brownouts.

Robert Calilim, chairman of the PCCI’s sub-committee on power, told representatives of the power sector in Mindanao, as well as some of the country’s biggest power companies, that a solution could be adopted if the government activates the hydroelectric generators in the area during peak hours.

In his presentation, Calilim, also a senior executive of the power-generation subsidiary of San Miguel Corp., boldly proposed making coal-fired geothermal and diesel plants the baseload electricity generators.

He said hydropower plants along the Agus and Polangi rivers in Bukidnon province should only be used during peak hours.

Calilim explained that the peak-hour requirements of Mindanao totals only 1,279 megawatts, much lower than the generating capacity of power-generating plants in the area that was initially computed at over 1,600 megawatts.

“The region has excess capacity of 400 megawatts. There should be no shortage there,” he said.

This approach to the brownout problem has not been taken, however, because of an existing policy that requires using the hydropower plants as baseload generators. This means the electricity these produce will be used first.

According to Calilim, this policy continues to be observed because the electricity produced by the dams is much cheaper than other energy sources.

A trade-off will be necessary, and consumers will have to pay about P1 more per kilowatt-hour with the diesel plants, including power barges deployed there once the power crisis starts to worsen.

Calilim assured, though, the sacrifice would be temporary. Once coal-fired plants are connected to the grid, these will replace diesel plants as baseload sources of power.

13,404 Migratory Birds Counted

A total numberof 13,404 migratory birds were recently counted by the three teams of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-XI (DENR-XI).

The 7-day bird watching/bird counting activity was done in Malalag Bay, Davao del Sur; Carmen, Davao del Norte and Banaybanay, Davao Oriental in line with the Annual Asian Waterfowl Census (AWC) for migratory birds.

There were 3,738 birds found in Malalag, Davao del Sur, 3,914 birds in La Paz, Carmen, Davao del Norte and 5,752 birds in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental.

These municipalities are the only three identified temporary habitats of migratory birds in the month of January after crossing the continents.

DENR-XI Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus E. Fragada said that bird watching/bird counting activity aims to obtain information on the population of migratory birds at wetlands in the region as well as to monitor on an annual basis the status and condition of wetlands. This year, most of the migratory birds that were counted are Black-winged Stilt, Little Egret, Common Tern and Whiskered Tern among others.

Last year, a total number of 7,836 migratory birds were counted on the same areas and these were composed of species like Godwit, Sand Plover, Common Greenshank and Black-winged Stilt to name a few.

AWC is an annual event which takes place during the second and third weeks of January. The census was initiated in 1987 in the Indian subcontinent and has grown rapidly to cover over 32 countries.

According to the National Wetlands Program, many species of water birds fly in droves during winter to go to warmer and more hospitable tropics. After winter following weeks of hoping from one country to another, waterbirds go back the same way feeding on marine species of animals and plants found along the shores. (DENR-XI PR)

THANK YOU VERY MUCH DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES REGION XI FOR PROVIDING ME WITH YOUR PRESS RELEASE.

Toni Gonzaga to Host The Voice of the Philippines

Ultimate Multimedia Star Toni Gonzaga is officially the host of "The Voice of the Philippines", the country's edition of the worldwide hit singing competition. Toni shared to give viewers a glimpse on what to expect on her new show: "It's a singing competition with a different concept. We will showcase the best singers in the Philippines, you have never seen before."

The Voice is a unique singing competition where auditions are based solely on vocal ability. In the first stage called the "blind auditions", all four coaches must listen to the artist without facing him or her and must their buttons if they want the artist to be part of the team they will mentor.

Angel Locsin Refuses to Marry this Year

Actress Angel Locsin denied the rumors that she refused to get married with boyfriend Phil Younghausband this year BECAUSE OF BAD LUCK!

"It has nothing to do with luck. The reason why we don't have wedding plans yet is because we're both focused on our work right now. We both have a lot of things we want to accomplish this year, so we're not in a hurry," said Angel.

When asked if she believes in numerology just like Isabel, her character in "Toda Max", Angel said that love love can't be measured by the ength and compatibility of names. "All I know is that Phil and I clicked without the need of numerology, "she said.

I strongly agree with you Angel... .

Stamp Honors National Artist Centenary

Shared with Renz Emmanuel Raquion:

Today's young people grew up sleeping to the melodious tune of "Ugoy ng Duyan", sung as a lullaby by their mothers. Hearing it, even at a grown up age, reawakens the liking to be the loving arms of singing mothers once again.

The lilting lullaby was composed by Maestro Lucio D. San Pedro, in partnership with equally-talented composer Levi Celerio. Sand Pedro was named National Artist of the Philippines for Music 1991.

The composer, band conductor and professor celebrated his Birth Centennial on February 11, 2013, and a fitting tribute to his genius was the issuance of Proclamation No. 496 s. 2012 declaring the the period February 11, 2013 to February 11, 2014 as the Centennial Year of National Artist for Music, Meastro Lucio D. San Pedro.

Stamps and Official First Day covers are available at the PHLPost Liawsang Bonifacio, and in all regional offices of the Philippines Postal Corporation.

Potential Cyclone Nears Mindanao

February 18, 2013 10:23am

Satellite image at 8 a.m., 18 Feb 2013. Satellite image at 8 a.m., 18 Feb 2013 Weather Central

Possible flash floods and landslides threaten parts of Mindanao as a potential cyclone—a low-pressure area—moved closer to Southern Mindanao early Monday, state weather forecasters said.

In a radio interview, PAGASA forecaster Connie Dadivas said the LPA was estimated at 1,120 km east of Southern Mindanao as of 4 a.m.

"May paulan na sa Mindanao. Sa ngayon medyo mahina, 5-7 mm per hour. Pero expect natin in the next 24 hours baka magdulot ito ng moderate to heavy rain," Dadivas said in an interview on dzBB radio.

She also said that while they cannot discount the possibility of the LPA becoming a cyclone, their models presently show it has little chance of intensifying into one.

If the LPA becomes a cyclone while inside the Philippine area of responsibility, it will be codenamed Crising.

"Sa ngayon mahina ang chance maging bagyo. Pagtawid ng Mindanao, LPA pa rin. Sa nakikita natin mahina siya at hindi siya magiging bagyo," she said.

HERE IS MORE:

Potential cyclone nears Mindanao, may bring floods, landslides

Through the Airwaves

irirRe-published from Mindanao Daily Mirror

The Edge Radio Davao 104.3 FM celebrated its 7th anniversary and fund raising part last Januar 18, 2013 with several invited guests and prayer partners. The seven years of service to the community as an agent of encourgament and blessing has been only been airing music and inspirational thoughts that enriches the spirit and soul.

What makes the station so unique from the rest is that it operates solely on volunteers who dedicated their time and talents to run operations from the station manager down to the the DJ's (Disciples of Jesus) and even the program coordinators. These volunteers call themselves "Media Missionaries", who are all serving the same purpose that is to bless and serve the City of Davao and its surroundings with the positive music and powerful messages through the radio ariwaves.

Christian music, that covers all genres from contemporary, rock and metal, reggae, house, dance, jazz and even classical music from the last centuries - just to name a few.

God has enabled the station to endure challenges and victories in the last seven years and the volunteers of this Christian station are hoping to continue with its operation until the following years come.

"We hope to continue to do just that. If there's one thing our city needs, it is a choice between good and bad music. With lyrics that do not gratify negativity, but rather it encourages and influences the minds of the youth," station manager and very good friend Jay Bringas said.

Bringas believes that the young generation of today deserves to have a choice of having that kind of music they wanted to listen to, and encourage the whole community of Davao City to embrace and adopt the station and be part of the call as "Guardians of the Airwaves".

The station manager said listeners can expect better music and programs in 2013. Also, the Edge Radio Davao is the only one in this genre.

Chrisr

To God be the Glory - Through the Airwaves

7th year Anniversary of The Edge Radio Davao 104.3 FM on January 18, 2013

 

 

 

Stationmanager Jay Bringas

 

Mark Tabin, Jay Bringas and General Manager Mike Medlin from Manila

A Dinner for a Cause

by Grace Almedilla

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----The Provincial Government has scheduled a  Dinner for a Cause on February 20 at the Function Room 3, SMX Convention Center of SM Lanang, Davao City  at 6:00 p.m.  This is in partnership with the Gawad Kalinga Development Foundation, Inc.

The dinner proceeds shall support the rebuilding efforts of the province in repairing school classrooms, Daycare Centers, and school facilities in the typhoon hardly hit municipalities:  Laak, Monkayo, Montevista, Compostela, and New Bataan.

Governor Arturo T. Uy created a Provincial Committee to facilitate the preparation of the coming activity dubbed as “Kalinga sa Kabataan Dinner for a Cause” for the typhoon victims, delegating Vice Governor Ramil L. Gentugaya to lead the Committee.

According to Executive Assistant IV Isabelo L. Melendres that the province is inviting those who have generous hearts to take part of the endeavor.  A gate pass pass shall be issued and stubs of raffle tickets shall be sold to those who will join.  Each stub costs P25,000.00 containing 25 raffle tickets.  These tickets will be drawn at the Capitol on March 8, 2013 during the celebration of the 6th Bulawan Festival and 15th Founding Anniversary of Compostela Valley. 

Amazing prizes await the lucky winners.  The 1^st Prize Winner shall own a brand new Mitsubishi 4X2 Pick-up.  There will be 2 winners for the 2^nd Prize with Yamaha YBR as the winning items.  Another 2 winners for the 3^rd Prize who will each receive a Honda Scooter while the Consolation Prizes are 4 Samsung Galaxy III Cellular Phones and another 2 Samsung Tab units. 

In his recent visit to the province, it is also reported that TV Host Boy Abunda has bought 100 raffle tickets to support the program.  (grace almedilla/ gilbert m. cabahug, ids-comval)

Child Actors in The Philippines...

...maybe child exploitation?

First I should say that I am not against child actors, as long as they do this job in the time they are free of school. A good education is the best a child can get. Big money from a young acting career is not as good as a decent education.
And this is where this post is about.

The Philippines has many child actors, performing in series, soaps and daily tv-shows. Knowing how much time it cost to shoot a film or a soap, or even performing in a daily tv noon show, I wonder if these children have a proper education.

To make things worse, child talents are poorly developed and injudiciously handled. They’re made to work too long, cry too much, perform in a fake and knee-jerk fashion, are thrust into the potentially harmful company of jaded adults, and are exploited even by their own families, some of whom persuade or even force them to be their clans’ breadwinners. 

Here is more:

www.expatinthephilippines.com

 

WORLD FAMOUS SINULOG FESTIVAL 2013 TRAVEL, CULTURE, ADVENTURE...

Maybank injects US$100m into Philippine operations

Maybank also started building in Davao City.
Check out more here:

Maybank injects US$100m into Philippine operations

The German Ambassador For the Philippines/Der deutsche Botschafter auf den Philippinen

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During my last Manila trip I got the chance to meet German Ambassador for the Philippines, Dr. Joachim Heidorn in the Embassy in Makati City/Manila. He took a lot of time allowing me to talk with him about "God and the whole world" - as a saying goes...

Dr. Heidorn is indeed a incredible statesman.

He was born in Hanover, Lower-Saxony in 1951, is married and has three children. He received his Ph.D. in Political Sociology in the University Marburg.

Dr. Heidorn stayed in several countries in the past, i.e. in the German Embassy London - as Deputy Head also in the German Embassies in Tripoli, Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Riad (Saudi Arabia). As he told me: Colombo was his most challenging time so far.

From 2008 till 2011 Dr. Heidorn became German Ambassador in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Since October 2011 he appointed in the Philippines.

Yes, it has been his wish to stay in the Philippines as German Ambassador. Long time ago he has been visited the Philippines as a tourist and fell in love to this tropical nation and its people. His family and he are feeling very well here and are well established already. 

Dr. Joachim Heidorn likes diving, the Beatles and reading. His favourite books is Thomas Mann's "Buddenbrooks".

The German Ambassador in Manila Dr. Joachim Heidorn: a very pleasant representative of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Philippines.

Thank you very much Ambassador for taking time and allowing me to ask many questions.

Philippine German Month February 2013

ComVal Suffers More...

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE (Jan. 23)----- The rain has stopped but the Provincial, Municipal, and Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils remain ready with their respective rescue teams and keep on watch for any sudden change of the weather condition.

There were family evacuees in the province as rains poured in since Friday evening (January 18).  Per flooding incident official report issued by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) as of 8:00 a.m. of January 21, 2013, there were 2,143 families who vacated for safety to the identified evacuation centers.  As of 8:00 a.m. of January 22, the number of families became 441.  As the water subsides, those residents of flooded areas which are accessible already have started to go home.

Governor Arturo T. Uy being the Chairman of the PDRRM Council earlier issued an order for the suspension of classes in schools for the safety of the students and teachers considering the flood risks. But today, classes have resumed already.

PDRRM Officer Raul Villocino said that with the experienced weather disturbance, the people are advised to stay alert and abide to any issued public warnings and safety measures implemented by the local authorities. 

Thank you Grace Almedilla, ids-comval for your update...

 

Philippine German Month 2013

Enjoy - and more details right here...