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.

Any CUERDOs Out There?

Guess what? I just had lunch with a lady who might just turn out to be my cousin - 4 or 5 times removed maybe. Her middle name is Cuerdo and she is still single. Her mother hails from Gingoog, where there seems to be a very large family of Cuerdos residing. I went there once, to Gingoog, to make a business presentation, and was determined to learn if we were or were not relatives. I came away enlightened, though not sure if the information I received meant anything.

The man I met in Gingoog - Manuel Cuerdo - was the son(?) of the barangay captain and was very accommodating. He said their great-great-grandfather, Pedro(?), migrated to Mindanao from Sorsogon. So their roots were in Sorsogon... Well, isn't Sorsogon the neighbor of Albay, where my great-great-great-grandfather is from? I got so excited about the prospect of meeting other Cuerdos that I searched the name on Facebook... and guess how many entries came up?

38!

Eight of them were me, Joey, Ray, Kenx, Frankie - my immediate family - and Denmark, Sweden and Trinidad - our first-degree cousins (children of my dad's younger brother). The rest were from Gingoog, Cotabato, Manila, Canada, Quezon and ALBAY!!! But the last one didn't recognize any of the names I threw at her and I didn't recognize the name of her dad either. So that just means one thing-- there is yet another Cuerdo branch out there.

So anyway, it somehow seems we are destined to meet our long-lost relatives sooner or later, so why not organize a reunion / meeting activity?

Tentative schedule is July-August 2010, at Cagayan de Oro City.

What do you guys think?

A Van-ful of Tourists

DAY 4 of Our Trip to Koronadal


The PCCI Vice President for Mindanao had invited us to join the group in touring South Cotabato, particularly Lake Sebu (which was actually the main reason I came on this trip) but because of time constraints (if we wanted to get home by nightfall, we would have to start moving by 11am and the group was moving like they had all the time in the world) we declined. Instead, we decided to go there ourselves.

We checked out of the resort early and headed down the highway in the direction the map indicated. After a couple of false turns, we finally found the right road and were happily on our way. It was another beautiful Saturday morning for a drive through the countryside and there were not many cars. The drive took about an hour up the mountain.

Suffice it to say, Lake Sebu wasn't really all that spectacular, though it is indeed a very large body of water, but it has already been dotted with fishpens and bancas that it's difficult to appreciate the beauty it once must have had. What made Lake Sebu an attractive destination was actually the food.


Well, what do you expect to find when you read names in their menu like "Nilasing na Tilapia" or "Chicharon Tilapia" or "Chicken Buntis"? We ordered 4 dishes simply because they sounded intriguing, not knowing that the servings were huge! Can you imagine - we were 5 ladies and one driver - trying to consume one whole baked chicken (Chicken Buntis), 3 medium hito (Crispy Hito), 1 large tilapia (Tempura Tilapia), a tilapia-vegetable-in-egg (Tilapia Omelette) and 6 large cups of brown rice? Plus brewed coffee (coz this was our breakfast) and water. Whew!

We had the rest of it balot for our lunch. Then began our journey back to civilization. As before, on the drive over, once we'd entered the provinces of the ARMM, there were not many vehicles to be seen, mostly motorcycles and karitons... And no pigs! Hehe...

We entered Bukidnon at around 3pm and, by unanimous decision, drove the rest of the way to Maramag before stopping for lunch. (Believe me, it was a BIG breakfast at Lake Sebu.) The sky was getting dark with rainclouds as our driver killed the engine of the van at the parking lot of WAIG Spring Resort. This was the first time I ever set foot on this place and found it interesting.


Just then a girl flew over me (literally) - there was a zipline facility nearby. Also a cable car, a hanging bridge, 3-4 swimming pools, a man-made waterfalls, a restaurant, a fountain, several rooms, and so so much water. Even when the rain dropped from the sky, you could still hear the strong sound of water flowing through the resort.


Then, after "lunch" the rain stopped, enough to let us climb back into the van and proceed. We decided on one final stop before heading home. A new resort called RR Resort, with pools, fishponds and cottages, and a fantastic view of Lake Pulangui. I don't know, I liked Waig better but my companions preferred RR.


It was night when we finally arrived in Manolo Fortich, and brought my companions home one by one. We were all tired from the travel yet happy that we took the initiative to do it. Some of my companions were already asking me when the next trip would be and I couldn't help but feel excited in anticipation of arranging a new trip.

I do believe I am doing what I was meant to do all along. We are all exposed to the same circumstances and opportunities. What makes us different is which ones we find happiness in.

Here's to the next trip! May God Bless Us All!

Now Back to Our Regular Program...

DAY 3 (of our Trip to Koronadal)

Early the next morning, we left our dorm to drive over to Polomolok, where Dole Philippines is located, for breakfast... o ha? It was a beautiful day... the sun was rising... there was a light haze which was slowly lifting... and we were accompanied by the majestic outline of Mt. Matutum all the way. Our friend from Dole, Mr. Leo Balito, met us at the entrance and gave us a quick run-through of the place as we drove towards their exclusive clubhouse in the middle of their Manager's Compound.

Of course, having been born and raised in Del Monte Philippines myself, I couldn't help but compare the two. DM soil is clayey, while Dole's is sandy; Cawayanon has fewer houses than Dole's compound but the former's golf course has 18 holes where the latter has only 9. On the other hand, there were tons of similarities: their education systems are both based on American schools, their houses were build to fit American lifestyles and, the signature feature of American suburban living-- wide open spaces!

After breakfast, we headed back to Koronadal. Since we weren't in a hurry-- we weren't really interested in the morning topics-- we decided to stop by the famous Durian Garden, of which Leo had spoken so highly of. According to him, we could have our fill (eat-all-you-can) of durian for only P99. By all means, let us prove that to be true. When we got there, we were pleasantly surprised to see that not only did they have durian, but also ornamental plants of all shapes and sizes! Our plant-lovers were in ecstasy!

That night, though several chambers had already left for home, the ones that remained were invited by none other then the owner of the mall (Fit Mart Mall) in which the convention was held. It was there that we felt we were Paupers in Queens' clothing because all the other delegates were owners of large capital businesses (malls, schools, supermarkets, etc.). Then again, knowing this just added to our enjoyment of the evening, which consisted, again, of a lot of food, impressive entertainment and good company.

Only one thing marred the evening: around 7:54, a shaking began. At first we thought a truck had passed by, but as the shaking extended to 7:55 by my watch, we knew that we were experiencing an earthquake. No one was hurt, in fact, since we were seated out in the courtyard of this huge house, we were appeased to know that nothing would accidentally fall on us. Other than this, the party was a success.

As soon as the program ended (9:30pm), we left, pleading fatigue, but actually it was to ensure we had a good night's sleep for our travel home the following day.

Pepeng Overshot Manila!

How anti-climactic!

On the bright side, everyone was prepared for the worst this time. Also, the volunteers (and donors) were finally able to take a breath, have that missed meal, take a nap and generally Thank God for all His blessings.

In the span of one week, a floundering third-world country on the brink of total chaos was transformed into a family doing everything in their power to help each other, from buying supplies for donation, to sending cash, to praying. Even with the reports that several politicians and government officials tried to turn the calamity into an electioneering campaign, the private citizens still won in the end.

We're Proud of You, Filipino! Keep it up!

Aid for Typhoon Ondoy Victims

Sometime yesterday, while watching videos of the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy and constantly monitoring the weather report for the "expected" two low pressure areas coming, I came to the same realization hundreds have also arrived at. If those two hit Manila with the same force as Ondoy, what will happen to the evacuation centers, the volunteers, the depleting supplies, the available drinking water and the other half of the population who were not directly affected the first time? Do you think this crisis will end after a few days, weeks or months? No! It will take years for those displaced, or whose businesses were grounded (literally with mud) to recover. The enormity of the whole chaotic mess just hit me that I was suddenly spurred into action as soon as I woke this morning. Even without discussing this first with my husband or my mom, I decided to volunteer as well.

Here in the Bukid, we may feel we are separate and this does not concern us, so let's stop a moment and think about who these people are. Every one of us has a family member, a cousin, a friend, a colleague, a neighbor, a student, a child, a parent, a grandparent, an acquaintance... in Manila. Don't you think we should at least do SOMETHING simply because we know them? We may be far from where the action is, but there is something we can do. We can help in any way we can. We can send money. We can send medicines. We can pray.

My brother, JOEY CUERDO, is involved with the relief operations in Quezon City. His house in Marikina was one of those which collected water up to a certain height, but fortunately, his family did not have to evacuate. Just had to do some major cleaning.

To help in his efforts, I am volunteering my house as a receiving point for donations in kind: medicines, blankets, towels, personal items, grocery items, clothing, baby necessities, shoes, slippers, soap, shampoo, milk, chocolate powder, sugar... anything that can be used / eaten immediately. LBC, 2GO and Negros Navigation have already promised to send these packages for FREE.

My house is located at : CUERDO's COMPOUND, Purok Menzi, Damilag, Manolo Fortich (across from Menzi Orchard Residences). You can contact me at (0920) 9600 192.

We are also accepting donations in cash via bank deposit:

BDO (Lapasan Branch, CDO)

Account #: 3160-0412-76

Account Name: REGINA C. AMADOR (this is a company account, and funds will automatically be transferred to my brother)

Let us join together in this effort. These are our brothers and sisters crying for help! You may not know them, but you never know who they know.

p.s. Those reading this blog, I would like to request that you forward this message to everyone, who might want to donate, or who might know someone who would like to donate, or if they don't, to just forward it on until the message has been spread. Regaining a life is more difficult that building one. We must help them!

Thank you and God Bless Us All!

Bukidlife Safe from Flooding

This is one of the incidences where I'm thankful to be living in the Bukid.

I'm taking a break from my Koronadal trip blog to comment on the drama of what just happened in Manila last weekend.

It was a rainy Saturday morning here in Northern Mindanao and I was attending a Leadership Seminar in Midway Resort, at Initao, Misamis Oriental. I was taking hourly videos of the growing waves and kept remembering my brother, Joey, who is a surfing enthusiast. He would have loved these waves, I thought, and decided to send him a text. Maybe he would add this to his list of surfing destinations next time around.

His reply brought a shock: Ok, dangerous flood in marikina now. This was at 1:21 pm, Saturday, September 26.

Then later that night, my friend, Myra, who works in Manila City but goes home to Los Banos texted that she had been stranded at the bus terminal in shin-deep water since 2 pm and had only reached her home at 12 midnight. Her clothes still had not dried even after traveling for over 3 hours.

True enough, come Sunday, the internet was deluged with videos and pictures of the flood that, it seemed, had only suddenly appeared the day before. According to a batchmate who had been attending a Family Day in Marikina, water rose 4 feet in just one hour.

As shocking as the news was, what was more urgent in my mind was: WHY? Then again, I asked the very same question when the same thing happened (flash flood) here in Cagayan de Oro City last January 2009. It should actually not have occurred to me to ask it, but I did. Why?

Not so much "why it flooded" but "why so much water in such a short time"??? Normally, when it rains in Manila, there is a certain amount of water flowing in the streets but it usually drains out quickly into the rivers and drains. This time, it was like everything filled up at the same time, leaving no room for outflows. Even the underpasses in Makati were filled to the brim. How could that have happened? And no one could have done anything because it's like you just turned around and water was everywhere.

People on the news last night were blaming rescuers for being too slow in their reactions to save those trapped. My reaction was how could they have moved faster when their own families were in danger? Bayani Fernando could not save his own daughter (she is alive, by the way) who was working in another barangay of Marikina because he was busy with the efforts within his vicinity. Christine Reyes, an actress, and her family had to climb up on the roof of her house and wait for rescue in the cold and unending rain. They were rescued 12 hours later by no less than another celebrity in the person of Richard Gutierrez.

I ask again. Why? What could have been done to possibly prevent this tragedy? Is it because Marikina is situated beside a major riverway that water easily spilled over? Is it because most of the drains in Metro Manila are so plugged up with garbage that water cannot find its way out anymore? Is it because of illegal logging that all the water from the mountains just poured out into Manila?

I have another theory to add: Some of you might not be aware that there was a 6.1 earthquake that shook the country on the evening of September 18, its epicenter estimated to be at Mindoro Island. For some reason it was only felt in the western parts of the country, namely Palawan, Western Mindanao and South Central Mindanao, where I was at the time. Knowing that there is a major faultline in Marikina, could this have had something to do with the unprecedented rise in floodwater?

I pray for the safety of my relatives and friends who still are unaccounted for in Marikina, Antipolo and Cainta: Betsy and Andrew Aytin, with their son, Diklap, who live somewhere in Bayan, Marikina; the Banzon Family, whose house is located right inside the Marikina Public Market; Sharon (Cuerdo) Marcelo and family, who live in Antipolo; Luchi (Cuerdo) Cirujales and family, who live in Antipolo; the families of Dani and Del Tan, from the main town of Antipolo; the family of Tita Sol (who works for my husband's brother in Kuwait), from Town and Country Village in Cainta; the family of Aileen Mendoza, from SSS Village, Marikina; and those still trapped on the roofs of buildings and those who have been rescued but have nowhere to go home to. May God have mercy on you!

Strengthening Ties

We just got back from a road trip to the City of Koronadal, South Cotabato, where, along with my colleagues at the North Bukidnon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I stayed for 4 days. This series of blogs will cover all four days and all the places we were able to visit.

DAY 2

Our second day in the City of Koronadal dawned bright and sunny, after a night of heavy rain and thunder. For the opening ceremonies of the 18th Mindanao Business Conference, we had been advised to wear the traditional Filipiniana costume. (Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of us, sorry.) Among the expected guests were none other than Hon. Kristie Kenny, US Ambassador to the Philippines and Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, author of the PROPEL movement of PCCI.

After the day's convention, we were again invited to attend a dinner, this time sponsored by the Province of South Cotabato. Here, we were serve

d with unlimited sashimi and fresh, fresh fruits in season -- pineapple, rambutan, mango, guava, watermelon, durian, lanzones, papaya, banana and what have you! If you didn't want to have the fruit salad, that was okay, because they were all mixed in your stomach anyway.

While we were eating, we were pleasantly serenaded by a very talented singer, an amazing choir and a very entertaining troupe of folk dancers. It was after dinner that we were surprised to discover Koronadal City's secret: FASHION!

(I apologize for the quality of my pictures. I was using a 2 MP camera phone.)

Road Trip Over 5 Provinces

We just got back from a road trip to the City of Koronadal, South Cotabato, where, along with my colleagues at the North Bukidnon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I stayed for 4 days. This series of blogs will cover all four days and all the places we were able to visit.

DAY 1

We started moving at 4:00 am (from Camp Phillips in Bukidnon). It was important to keep to the schedule because we had a Chamber Management Seminar to attend at 1:00pm. Fortunately, we made good time (we had a well-versed driver) and arrived in Koronadal City, South Cotabato at shortly after noon. The roughly 8-hour drive brought us from Manolo Fortich, all the way through the provinces of Bukidnon, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and finally, South Cotabato. Whew!

It is interesting to note that the extent of the rice production in South Central Mindanao is so much wider than that of Central Luzon. We drove for about 4 hours straight and saw nothing but rice fields, in varying stages of maturity. All in all, it was a pleasant ride, without much activity. The only signs that reminded us we were in Muslim territory were the Islamic monuments located at the entrance of each city as we passed through.

After the seminar, all the participating chambers were invited to have dinner at a local restaurant, Tiana's Cafe & Bar. The meal turned out to be sponsored by an aggressive presidentiable for the upcoming 2010 Elections (whose name I'll omit because I want to remain as colorless as possible). Unfortunately he was unable to be around but sent his campaign staff, one of whom was the President of the Sorsogon Chamber. The food was delicious and the company pleasant. As for the sponsor, I have no comment except 'Thank You for the meal.'

I Love Manolo Fortich Pictures

(clockwise from left): Billboard at Alae Quarantine Area, Lighted stage at the Manolo Fortich Gym, Candle-Lighting Ceremony

I LOVE MANOLO FORTICH

I Love Manolo Fortich... Not just because I was born here, but because it is the home I have chosen. We could have lived in Manila, what with all the work opportunities over there. We could have migrated to Australia, where my sister and her family lives. But we chose to settle down here, where our roots are.

September 9, 2009 (9-9-9) marked the grand launching of the I LOVE MANOLO FORTICH Special Project of the Manolo Fortich Government Unit. The event began with a simultaneous unveiling of welcome billboards at Barangays Alae and Maluko (boundaries of Manolo Fortich), followed by motorcades leading up to the Manolo Fortich Gym where a program had been prepared.

The opening prayer (The Prayer by Celine Dion) was sung by a very talented NBCC student, then a singing of the Philippine National Anthem and Bukidnon My Home. The emcees were so enthusiastic about their task that it was difficult to keep an objective standpoint. There was an impressive video presentation of the mayor's 14 Special Projects, of which this launching is one, and my next door neighbor, Bojun Bagayas, the municipality's tourism officer, elaborated on the concept. (Problem was, he spoke in the deep, deep dialect of Cebuano, so I couldn't really understand it.) Then the unveiling of yet another billboard and speeches from a couple of "our very own" celebrities -- Ms. Portia Paula Raposala, the reigning Laga Ta Bukidnon 2009, and Ms. Hazel 'Sheree' Bautista, a member of the famed sexy group Viva Hot Babes. Other endorsers (not present) were Mr Caesar Catli, Jr., a PBA player and Dr. Juan Acosta, a well-known plant scientist.

Towards the end of the show was a moving presentation of "Inang Bayan", a candle-lighting ceremony and community hugging to inspire all those present to feel some sense of belonging and pride in ourselves and in the town's progress.

Of course, the show had to end with a bang. Ms. Sheree had brought along her friends, Ms. Katya Santos and Ms. Maui Taylor, to entertain the audience with their sexily witty stand-up acts. Some might have thought them inappropriate for the general assembly but, they were certainly a big hit with the majority.

"I Love Manolo Fortich... a community inhabited by happy, peace-loving and responsible citizens!"

Congratulations, MF!

p.s. I have to apologize for the scarcity of pictures in this blog. I still haven't figured out how to transfer them from my (high tech) phone to PC, as the former did not come with a USB cable. Once I have, rest assured, pictures and possibly videos will abound!

North Bukidnon Chamber Opens New Office

Today, September 8, they say, is a good day to start a new business. According to astrologers, Chinese and other fortune tellers, the number 8 brings good luck to anyone who wants to start something (business, wedding, diet, etc.) Well, in our case, we hope it will bring good fortune and much success to the New (we pray "Permanent") Office of the North Bukidnon Chamber of Commerce.

After months of discussions and negotiations and suggestions, the Chamber has finally decided to open office in Damilag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Unlike the previous offices given to the organization, this space is located on private property and comes with a lease amount. The previous two locations were "donated" by the Local Government Unit and were, therefore, unsatisfactory when it came to privacy and management.

Today's activity was just Soft Opening, but several members already brought their products for display and a business opportunity seminar was held after the main program was over. We pray that the chaos caused by excitement for new business is a sign that more opportunities will come our way and that our location will attract more business people to join.

New Office Details as follows:
PCCI-North Bukidnon BUSINESS ASSISTANCE CENTER
La Montaña Building
Purok Menzi, Damilag
Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon
Philippines

Contact #s:
+63 (920) 926-7913 (Malou)
+63 (919) 272-8112 (Alain)
+63 (920) 9600-192 (Gina)

Email Address: nbcci@yahoo.com

pictures will follow during the grand opening (still tba)

Farewell to a Good Man

He was just passing through I guess..

Last summer, I wrote a blog about Kim Smith, an Englishman in Manolo Fortich (see http://lamontanatours.multiply.com/journal/item/12/An_Authentic_Englishman). Since its writing Mr. Kim Smith has donated the wonderful website (see www.manolofortich.com.ph) and was publicly acknowledged by the local government unit on June 13, 2009, at the First RQ Awards Ceremony, during the 93rd Araw ng Manolo Fortich Celebration.

Unknownst to many, myself included, he was hiding a great pain, a sickness, a death. Much to the dismay of his friends and family, Kim, being a nicotine addict and a diabetic, stubbornly refused to give up his smoking and drinking vices, thus resulting in a failure of his respective organs. He passed away Wednesday evening, August 26, at the young age of 53.

For all his faults, Kim was a good Samaritan, coming into and settling down in Manolo Fortich, determined to put it (not himself, mind you) on the map of Asia by building a website and promoting it abroad. He even put in tips and advice to foreigners who were looking for greener pastures. And then, days, no... months before he died, he began transferring his knowledge little by little to the people he trusted. His dreams, his skills, his goodness have been passed on. Successfully? Only time will tell.

Today we mourn this painful loss, yet Manolo Fortich will rise with the legacy Kim Smith, the authentic Englishman, left behind.

We will miss you, Kim!

The Star of the Show

CHARISSE PIMENTEL... 17 years old... horsewoman... multi-awarded champion...

We first met Charisse last year during the filming of the LOVE ME AGAIN movie project by Star Cinema. She had been chosen to be one of the stunt doubles of no other than Ms. Angel Locsin, who played Arah Bautista, a champion carambola team player.

Charisse is a sweet teenager, easily makes friends and has a passion for horse-riding. I didn't know how well she actually was until I watched her perform at the Impasugong Rodeo last year (September 2008). She had been living with us in Malaybalay (our home away from home during the movie filming) and had had no chance to practice for her competition. But she won it anyway - hands down!

Today, she made the day for her family and friends when she carried the Philippine flag at the opening parade of the National Horse Show held in Cagayan de Oro City.

Congratulations, Charisse!

p.s. She calls me 'Mama' because early in the movie, I was picked for the minor-MINOR role of playing Arah's mother, actually just a picture on the wall because she had already died at the setting of the story.

Montegelo Agri-Tourism Center

While we're on the subject of "firsts", let me tell you about the First Resort in Manolo Fortich -- Montegelo Agri-Tourism Center or, if you know the family, The Obrero Place. This was put up sometime early 2000s but was only officially opened a few years ago (around 2005-2006).

Owned and operated by Dr. Tino Obrero, his wife, Lydia and their youngest son, Angelo, the resort features swimming pools (natural flowing spring water), hotel rooms (individual and dormitories), and two big function rooms. In the surrounding areas, one can find pleasure with the grotto, the water falls, the man-made creek (for boating) and the wide variety of flora and ornamental plants.

As Angelo put it, the resort was the fruit of the combination of his idea (turned into a dream), Dr. Tino's love for growing flowers and fruits, Ma'am Lydia's talent for decoration and a ready financial resource which made their endeavors all possible.

The resort is located along Sayre Highway, San Miguel, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
For reservations and inquiries, you can call the Manager, Ruby at +639177213810.

New Spa in Damilag!

This must be a year of "firsts" in Bukidnon.

Last August 8, a new spa was opened in Damilag, Manolo Fortich -- the FIRST of its kind! Owned by 10 partners-- Gloria Chavez, Ruth Cubero, Sasha Marie Cubero, Alan Fernan, Edgar Fernan, Virgie Lim, Meriam Pizarras, Rosa Maria Raakin, Maria Theresa Santos and Esther Sumampong -- all known business people in their own right, it is called A TOUCH OF THAI and offers Thai Body Massage, Reflexology, Foot Massage and Spa, Facials and much more.

Ed and I tried it for the first time last Sunday and I must say I enjoyed it immensely. What's my measure of contentment? I fell asleep! Something I don't normally do during a massage.

Since A Touch of Thai has just opened, it is offering an introductory promo discount of 20% on the following services: Thai Body Oil Massage, Thai Standard Body Dry Massage, Thai Standard Body Massage with Reflexology and Shiatsu Body Massage Dry or Oil. So if you want to experience total relaxation and pay only P156.00, call this number: +63 88 223 (3163) for inquiries and reservations. For local Manolo Fortich residents, just call 3163.

Congratulations, A Touch of Thai!

My Home... Once

Let me take you on a journey... a history... a memory...

Where a sea of green was a plus...

And air so fresh you could literally hear a pin drop...

When learning was never the same...

And playing was getting a PhD in people skills...

Ah, the images of yesteryear,

So alive, so clear...

How deserving was I?

So blessed... so humbling...

Has Bukidnon Become a Popular Location?

First came QTV, the sister company of GMA-7, with a documentary on Sen. Zubiri's farm in Quezon (2007). Then ABS-CBN Star Cinema with a movie project called LOVE ME AGAIN, which was released last January 2009. Immediately after, even before production ended, two more film groups showed interest to shoot in Bukidnon. (However, neither has begun yet.) Now representatives of GMA-7 are arriving tomorrow to feature unique, strange and "weird" topics in the Province.

To top it off, many of our eligibles (for President and Senator) in the forthcoming Elections 2010 are coming down especially to endear themselves with Bukidnon. In Manolo Fortich alone, I believe there are already 3 or 4 parties vying for local office. Now I'm not saying that's a bad thing. In fact, it's a good sign that our municipality is commanding such interest. It means that we can expect much progress in the near future. At least, that's looking at it on the bright side.

My point only is to ask what is it about Bukidnon that suddenly, we are in the limelight? Of course,we knew it (why do you think we've turned down numerous suggestions to migrate abroad when I have 3 siblings out there already?) and the 1 million or so residents/farmers/landowners living here know it and all the Filipinos from Luzon and Visayas who have chosen to settle down here have known it for decades. Our one main concern before was how to get outsiders to see what we've seen. Tourism was a problem because pineapple (Bukidnon's main product) somehow got incorporated in Cagayan de Oro's promotion (a pineapple plantation in the middle of the city?) and so visitors would go to the city looking for it. How did it happen that from being a farfetched possibility, it is now available at our fingertips?

I think I missed something here.

It shouldn't really matter. God has blessed us with almost-perfect timing all the way. Of course, we've missed out on many (and I mean many) tourism opportunities due to superficial circumstances, but I think we landed the major ones (the ones I mentioned above). Plus, He has paved the roads for us to meet and befriend important contacts (Ms. Paula, Ms. Irene, Ms. Maya, etc.) who could bring in lucrative business for us all.

So though we may have missed a few specific details (like the when and how) the important fact remains that WE ARE STILL in the GAME. God rewards those who are patient and persistent. This is our calling and we will use it to glorify Him!

God Bless Us All!

Bukid Life

Bukid life, oh my bukid life
Ev'ry memory, kay ganda
Bukid days, oh my bukid days
Are exciting, kay saya
(Sing to the tune of High School Life by Sharon Cuneta)

I'm not really a fan of Ms. Sharon Cuneta, nor of Ms. KC Concepcion for that matter. But this first verse sounded just right even with the words altered.

Because life in the mountains, nowadays, isn't all foraging and hunting anymore. I was born here in Bukidnon, in a small community hospital-- which, by the way, was advanced for its time then-- and have lived here all my life. With intermittent boards in Manila and Los Baños. For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted to come home. From school or after a prolonged leave of absence to be with family in Luzon.

When I was a student, I believed my homesickness stemmed from wanting to live the life my father had-- as a farmer. After he died (just before my university graduation) and I began to work as a full-time agriculturist, I realized I was wrong, though I did not know what I wanted. It was only later, when I met my future husband, that the true reason showed itself.

We were invited to join a public transport group and, shortly after, were given the opportunity to provide transportation for a large doctor's convention in Cagayan de Oro. That was when we realized we could do more for the world by becoming a travel agency.

Today, though we regularly travel around Mindanao and schedule trips to the other provinces in the Philippines, we always come home to Bukidnon. There is something about living on a mountain-- the quiet, the privace, the community-- that can't be found anywhere else, no matter where we go.