Hope is Not Lost

Prime Suspect in Philippine Massacre Surrenders

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091126/ap_on_re_as/as_philippines_hostages_killed_34

We need to start calling it the Ampatuan Massacre, because it occurred in the town the Ampatuans named after themselves. Maguindanao is a big province with much to be proud of -- ancient culture with beautiful music, fertile land. It doesn't deserve to forever be associated with an atrocity that can only happen in a place called Ampatuan. - Howie Severino (copied from the Facebook post of one Muslim brother)

Some have commented that the suspect in question is just the fall guy, that the main mastermind has already fled.  Some have said that all suspects should be given the death penalty immediately, and that it should be aired live so that there is no question that they were the ones killed.  Some are challenging our administration to close this case quickly to prove that they are not favoring the suspects and that political "utang na loob" does not exist.

As bleak as events look today, we must not lose hope.  We have just come from an extreme high --- two consecutive successes:  Pacquiao and Peñaflorida --- both acts of human compassion and achievement against almost impossible adversity.  Let not these successes have been awarded for nothing.  It is true that the Ampatuan murderers must be punished, maybe as severely as their crime, and that they should not be allowed rights as Filipinos because they took it upon themselves to take away the rights of our innocent countrymen.  But let us not forget that there is a Supreme Being watching over us.  It has been written in His Book of Life that we must live through this tragedy.  For what purpose?  For a reward much greater than anyone has ever seen.  I believe, as low as we are now in human eyes, our country will bounce back up again, much higher than ever before, much stronger and much more intelligent.  

Even as we speak, people are banding together, forming groups on social networks and in churches of all religions all over the country, creating forces that, even if we are far apart, we are still united through mind, heart and spirit.  The murderers think they have won, that they are untouchable.  But they are wrong.  They will be punished.  If not by human hands, then by something Greater and by a means which they would never foresee in their lifetimes.

Election Violence and Mindanao

New York Times: 21 Filipinos Dead in Election Violence, some beheaded
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/world/asia/24phils.html?_r=1


Well, yesterday was the first day for filing of candidacy.  I guess these animals (instinctively) took it as a sign to begin their rampage.

Did I ever mention that in 2007, just about 6 months after the elections, I went to General Santos City with a group of businessmen.  We kind of lost our way and passed through that area (on the news) and had just missed (by a couple of hours) a gunfire ambush between two families on opposing political parties.  When we passed the site, which was still crowded with bystanders and onlookers, the blood on the road and pavement was still wet.

I can just imagine what kind of impact this will have on Mindanao tourism again.  I'm sure a lot of you will be asking if it is safe to come to Mindanao for the reunion next year which I have been so enthusiastically promoting.  Let me draw you a picture so you can see it clearly:

Mindanao is the 2nd largest island in the Philippines.  It is made up of 6 regions:  Region 9 - Zamboanga Peninsula, Region 10 - Northern Mindanao, Region 11 - Davao Region, Region 12 - SOCSARGEN, Region 13 - Caraga Region, and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.  The last - ARMM - is located on the western-most side of Mindanao, containing the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.  The ARMM region is only one-sixth of the whole island of Mindanao and most of its area is scattered onto hundreds of islands in the Mindanao Sea.  

Separating the ARMM from its neighbors are the following:  from Region 9 - a body of water (Moro Gulf), from Region 12 - vast tracks of rice fields.  But there are roads, yes, very good ones at that.  How can we feel really safe if all the roads leading to neutral areas are concrete and accessible?

Before I answer this question, let me bring forth a few facts:  Cagayan de Oro, the regional capital of Northern Mindanao (where Camiguin is located) has a Muslim population of about 150,000, which is roughly 1/4 the total population of the city.  However, many of these Muslims come and go, meaning they don't really live there.  They either just go for a few days to go shopping or they just do business there.

So the answer to the question:  A few years ago, I was talking to a Christian salesman whose area was the Zamboanga and ARMM regions.  He said that the Muslims who come to Cagayan de Oro (which is considered neutral ground for them) are peaceful.  If, my friend said, anything untoward (i.e. war-related/kidnapping/salvaged) happened to them or if something happened to Christians and it was traced back to them within Cagayan de Oro, that would be the day the world would end.  Because then, it would be the war between peaceful Muslims and the warlike Muslims.  One can even say that the reason why the other regions (9, 10, 11, 12 and 13) are so secure (I've lived here all my life and not once have I experienced anything life-threatening by human hands) is because we are being protected by the peace-loving Muslims.

There are travel advisories.  When we travel to SOCSARGEN (Region 12) and ARMM, we also have to follow specific instructions, like travel when the sun is still high in the sky or bring along a Muslim guide to Marawi City.  But if you don't call attention to yourself or you don't cause trouble for anyone, nothing will happen.  How many times does CDO hold Doctors' Conventions?  Almost twice a year.  Have any doctors been kidnapped?  Ask Maxie (aka Mano) because he came here last year.

Though there is no pattern to how the kidnappers choose their victims, it does seem like they pick people whose governments or companies cannot afford to lose them and who have the means to pay the ransom (i.e. Ces Drilon, Red Cross volunteers, missionaries).

Last year, we provided services for the whole cast and crew of Star Cinema (about 100+ people) for 39 days, and even they forgot that they were in Mindanao.

May God Bless Us Always!

p.s. Sorry for being so defensive.  I guess I feel this way because for decades Mindanao has been sorely, sorely misjudged and underestimated.  The point is, if you don't come and see it for yourself, you might end up believing everything negative they say on the news.  And if you stop and think for a moment, Manila is actually more dangerous than any city you visit here in Mindanao.  Whenever I go there, I become paranoid when I find myself still out of the house at sunset.  Coz, there, it's not just the Muslims you have to watch out for...

We Have Been Challenged!

It has been over a week since the North Bukidnon Chamber invited the Regional Director of the Department of Tourism - 10, CATALINO E. CHAN III, to present the state of tourism in Bukidnon.

He mentioned points I already knew about, like our brand of hilot is famous all over the Philippines; and the Kaamulan Park is the most serene place in Malaybalay, where one can commune with nature; and that Bukidnon has the most ideal climate and has been judged the CLEANEST PROVINCE in the whole country. He was proud to say that the municipality of Maramag spent almost P10 million in promoting the 132 natural springs found there. He praised the developers of the Longest Zipline in Asia, located in Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich.

However, he also mentioned some negative facts, which I also knew about. He said there are no accredited tour guides, only a few accredited travel agencies, almost nil promotions for local tours and only a few good hotels in the whole province. In Manolo Fortich, he was sad to say, there was absolutely none of these accredited tourist facilities. And... Bukidnon has the lowest tourist arrival in the Philippines.

Why?

Is it because our government doesn't know that tourism brings in revenues? Is it because our politicians are so intent with their politics that they would rather spend on campaign materials and public appearances than making the citizens proud of themselves and their province? Or is it because "tourism destroys the environment"? Eh, come again?

This was our predicament back in 2004, when Ed and I decided to change career, from agriculture (though we still have a farm) to tourism. There was a new mayor in town and the first thing she did was scrap the tourism accomplishments and projects of the previous one. The reason she gave for cancelling the annual 4x4 Off-Road Competition in Mangima was because the event was causing massive erosion on the hillside. Hello? The event lasts 3 days every year, and nothing is altered -- no trees are cut, no grass removed. The organizers DO place a tarpaulin matting on the deep places to catch water as part of the obstacle route. For 3 days, the grass underneath cannot breathe and subsequently dies. Is this what she meant?

If she hadn't done that, I believe Manolo Fortich would have developed much faster.

Director Chan challenged us by giving an example. In Camiguin, his home province, all accredited resorts are organized into one association. They have what they call a Bed Tax. For every bed booked for the night, the resort will pay the association P10. This encourages the association to promote its member resorts and help develop teamwork and camaraderie among the resort owners. "Do Not Compete... Instead, Compliment."

As for us, we are almost there. There is just one tiny technicality which we have to overcome for La Montaña Tours & Vans to be accredited. One tiny factor which will make us the FIRST travel agency of Manolo Fortich.

Pray that it gets done this week. It will make a wonderful Christmas gift!

Meteor Shower Unseen in the Bukids

Dang! It was overcast both nights. And I think it's going to rain tonight. Too bad.

I remember when I was a kid of - I don't know, six or seven - my mom got us up (my brother and me) at 4 o'clock one morning, dressed us up in sweaters and socks, and took us out onto the golf course outside our house. Then she instructed us to look up into the vast open sky and spot the tiny red dot, which she said was Mars. That was my first experience with looking up into the heavens. Thus started my love/hate affair with science fiction.

I watched the first Star Wars Trilogy, but not the second. I watch Star Trek, the TV Series, but not so much the movies, and I'm not a Trekkie. I like alien movies, but I haven't watched Alien. I'm interested in UFOs and life in outer space, but I don't believe I'll see either in my life time. There was 'ET' and 'Independence Day' and 'Terminator', but there was also 'Species' and 'War of the Worlds' and countless other invasion movies that failed to catch my attention.

Why are we so curious about life in outer space? Why does the US have a department - still up and running today - just for listening for alien activity even though there hasn't been any signal in the last 30 years? What's the catch?

Maybe it has something to do with my comment in my previous blog -- if we take things into perspective, we'll realize that we're simply a tiny speck among specks, living our daily lives aboard a green and blue ball among balls, floating around a sun among suns, lighting a galaxy among galaxies, dotting a nova among novas. All that is in our sky above. Who wouldn't be curious about what goes on up there?

I would. But then again, I'd have to take Physics.

Meteor Shower Tonight

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/star/20091116/tph-pagasa-leonids-light-skies-days-541dfb4.html

There are many things that human hands cannot reproduce. It is times like this that brings out the perspective in life. We are humans, the most advanced beings on Earth, yet the Earth itself is so small that we get to see shooting "stars" the same size out there in the vast blackness of the sky. It's mind-boggling!

The article says it might be difficult for people in the Visayas and Mindanao to view this phenomenon because of the ITCZ. What the writer failed to mention was that it would also be difficult for people in Manila because of the thick smog constantly hovering over the nation's capital. Out here in the Bukids, the only time you won't be able to view the night sky is when it's raining. Even when it is overcast, one can still make out a couple or so stars through the clouds. Right now, it is overcast, but no rain.

If only I had a telescope.

Erratum: Pacquiao Wins Again!

Cotto's name is Miguel, not Manuel.

Sorry!

Pacquiao Wins Again!

I know, my title has no originality. It sounds so lame after watching the drama of all 12 rounds on live Pay Per View yesterday (we even paid P10 per head, not knowing the fight was secretly being aired on cable). Anyway, it is not my intention to put blame on that oversight today. All I want to say is that Manny Pacquaio is being sorely under-estimated by everyone.

By Manuel Cotto. When Cotto was almost knocked out in the 3rd round, he was surprised, to say the least. So surprised that he was actually knocked down (but was up again in a flash) in the next round. Unfortunately, as the fight progressed and Pacquiao was already chasing him around the ring, Cotto was still reeling from the realization that what he was up against was much stronger, much faster, much better in form than he was and he didn't know what to do, except run. He obviously didn't know what hit him.

By me. Yesterday was the first time I watched a whole fight - from National Anthems to Awarding - live. It was the first time I saw for myself how extraordinary Pacman is as an athlete and as a sportsman. I'm sure everyone in the packed social hall, myself included, were chanting "Finish it na!" either silently or out loud after Cotto went down the second time in the 4th round. But as the fight continued, it was obvious to all that Pacman was biding his time. He probably knew that he had already won and was just trying to make the competition more exciting. Normally, we see athletes going for the win, in any way possible. But here, we see a boxer who is playing fair by giving his opponent the chance to redeem himself with opportunities to strike, AND a sportsman who wants his viewers to have an exciting time at the show. Where can you get that in the Olympics?

By his own mother. Mommy Dionesia Pacquiao is the newest starlet of ABS-CBN. Just after her son's 6th championship, she began showing up in talk shows and interviews, fueling rumors that she was soon to become a showbiz celebrity. True enough, my travel agency was contacted by Star Cinema to provide transportation for a movie project to be shot in General Santos City, a movie in which Mommy Dionesia had a supporting role. The movie was released last November 11. I haven't seen it, but scenes from the trailer have given me an idea. She (a not-so pretty woman) plays the mother of a handsome young man courting one of the pretty daughters of Ai-Ai delas Alas. It is alright for people like Pokwang or Ai-Ai, seasoned comedians, who really came into the business to be laughed at. But for a woman whose son is the greatest boxer of all time... somehow it doesn't feel right... for me anyway. I feel she is fulfilling a lifelong dream the wrong way. I think if she really wanted to be known, she should have learned how to become a producer. She would have gained prestige pa along the way.

And finally, by PGMA. Manny Pacquiao first went into politics in 2007, when he ran for Congressman of General Santos City, against 2-termer Darlene Custodio, and lost. Now he is being groomed once again to run for Congress, this time for the District of Saranggani. My question is: Is politics the answer? From what I've read about Pacman, he is clueless about time management, financial management and efficient work practices. On the hand, he has great people skills and refuses to fire anyone, even if his employees all have the same duty description (overlapping). So everyone loves him and wants to win his favor. Unfortunately, there are people out there, unscrupulous enough to take advantage of this admirable trait. And I feel that PGMA is one of them. If she really wanted him to help the Philippines, it would not have been through politics. I feel she is only using him to make herself look better. If only she knew how to tap his intelligence (for Pacman is an intelligent man, as seen in this last fight) and his hard-earned wealth (it's not easy to be punched in the head several times and live to tell it) for the betterment of all Philippine citizens. Sayang kung pampulitika lang.

God Bless Manny Pacquiao!

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/star/20091115/tph-pacman-s-magnificent-seventh-541dfb4.html

Why I Went Into Touring

I've had people come up to me - mostly old-time agriculturists - and ask, somewhat skeptically, why I'm not practicing my profession. In fact, they are amazed that I'm doing something totally unrelated to agriculture, and that's coordinating tours.

Somehow the only answer I can come up with is: I want to serve.

In agriculture school, they teach you what's the best crop to plant in a certain area, how to grow it, how to protect it from pests and diseases, how to cultivate it to get the biggest, juiciest, heaviest, most organically grown product, and then when you graduate, you are set free to go out into the world and practice your degree. What they failed to mention was that about 90 percent of your time is spent out there in the field, and only about 10 percent is spent interacting with people.

Now, don't get me wrong. I was so super introverted back in college, that it must not have come as a surprise to my family and friends that I would choose agriculture as my course. Heck, I had transfered from Molecular Biology (which would have turned me into an intellectual labrat, if I'd pursued it) so the result would pretty much have been the same. But it wasn't what I was looking for.

I guess, if I knew then what I know now, I'd probably have taken something like Business Administration or Journalism, or even Tourism. Because then I'd learn how to develop my verbal skills and graduate with the knowledge that I'd actually have a foot (standing) out in the real world. I might also have discovered earlier that I'm very much an extrovert and enjoy meeting new people.

I want to serve. You can't really serve others when you're doing field work, out there, under the scorching sun, praying for the clouds you glimpsed over in the horizon to scoot and drop their loads onto your withering seedlings, now can you?

More specifically, I want to be able to give of myself to others. And since I have always, always, always loved to travel, it just clicked that I should give of myself while traveling. So here we are.