To satisfy our curiosity and excitement, we went there last Saturday, two days after its grand opening. I found lots of good stuff that i didn’t find on the other malls. They have more choices and more imported stuffs compared to other malls. But the price is indeed imported as well . There are some fruits thats worth a P1000 per kilo. Which is if you just buy local fruits like mango, you can buy like 16 to 17 kilos.

I expect the cup/tumbler of Starbucks coffee would run up to P300, but I was surprised because the price is just almost the same with the price of the nice local coffee shops here.

We went from store to store to compare and see new products. One of my highlights is the potato twister (I’m a potato lover) that comes with five different flavors. I hope the taste and quantity would not change since its famous here that once it becomes famous and profitable, they changes the taste.

Its only been a week from its opening and yet the number of people going there are rising. If it continue like this, there will be less traffic here in downtown Bajada. Right now there are kiosk/stores that are yet to open. In the next days or weeks there will be lots of choices in Abreeza so I’m looking forward for all the stores to open. Hopefully it will all be open next month.

Quiboloy ordered a road construction in the area, and just a day after 3 backhoe units were brought in the area, 84th IB soldiers also begun their patrol operations. Local residents scored Quiboloy for bulldozing ancestral lands in pursuit of his greedy desire to expand his prayer mountain and tourism project in Kahusayan, and even other villages in Brgy. Manuel Guianga.

“The land where Datu Domindor Diarog’s blood was spilled is the same land now being bulldozed by the same man who (allegedly) killed him,” said Diarog.

On April 29, 2008 armed-men encircled and opened fire at the house of the Diarog family killing Datu Dominador Diarog and wounding his wife and two children. Datu Diarog refused to sell his land to barangay officials who reportedly acted as dummies on behalf of Pastor Quiboloy

“We believe that the recent deployment of 84th IB elements prove how influential Quiboloy is in using for his vested interests the armed forces to secure his territorial expansion,” said Diolito Diarog, a Kahusayan leader and PASAKA Deputy Secretary General.

Pastor Quiboloy’s human rights violation track-record base on the cases filed at Commission on Human Rights (CHR) office included land grabbing and massive human rights violations that were allegedly committed by former Tamayong Barangay Captain Greg Canada.

Documented human rights reports since 1997 in Brgy. Manuel Guianga revealed that his group/men/private armies have been responsible for the killing, indiscriminate firing, arson and other criminal acts to sow terror in the area and dislocate the lumad residents there. These atrocities were also used to justify full-scale military operations.

PASAKA is now calling for the immediate intervention of the Davao City government and urged the City Council to conduct a probe on the reported incidents in Sitio Kahusayan.

The City Council conducted an investigation a few years ago on the reported land dispute case being the motive behind the killing of Datu Dominador Diarog in 2008 and the continued land grabbing by the “influential” group of Quiboloy. City Council resolutions ordered the status quo of “fences” around areas grabbed by Quiboloy from the lumads until lands had been surveyed but still the fences were moved and even built stronger by Quiboloy’s men.

“Gipahilom lang gamay ang isyu unya ania nagsige og balik balik, nagsige man gihapon ang pagpanghasi,pagpanghulga sa mga lumulupyo diri ug klaro nga dili gyud ni sila moundang hangtod di nila mailog kanamo ang among yutang kabilin mao nga hangtod karon namuyo kami sa kawalay kasigurohan,” Diarog pointed out.

He also noted that it is evident that the recent deployment of military soldiers under 84th IB is apparently being used to sow terror among the people especially that these elements have forcibly recruited the local residents to join the Barangay Defense System and wanted to use the Lumads in its counter-insurgency campaign.

“The AFP has bartadized our culture, exploiting lumads while they show their bias and loyalty to the influential, powerful and rich,” Diarog said.

“But despite this recent attacks on our human rights, we will never give up our struggle in regaining and defending our ancestral lands that our ancestors and Datu Doming Diarog fought and died for, it has been 3 years now since his death but we continue to call for justice for Datu Doming Diarog and respect the rights of the lumads,” Diarog said.

KSL together with PASAKA will commemorate Datu Doming Diarog’s death Anniversary with a series of activities starting next week.#

For reference:

DIOLETO DIAROG
Deputy Secretary General
PASAKA
Contact Number: 09303035126cgpp

I have been publishing this site since 1996 and it has gone through a number of reincarnations over the years.  From 1995 until 2005 is was more of a standard “website” that only changed from time to time.  It was pretty static, and not too much reason to keep coming back.  In 2005 I went to a Blog format, with new information being published daily.  Sometimes in 2007 or 2008 I upgraded the site to what I called Mindanao Magazine with a larger Magazine style format.  Today, we are unveiling the latest incarnation of Mindanao Magazine after some relatively hard work by myself, and my niece Bebe.  We put in a lot of hours to make Mindanao Magazine what you see today, and I believe it was time well spent.

We decided a few weeks ago to make some changes when I got a report from some of the site’s regular guests that they were having problems when trying to leave a comment.  I looked into it and made a few changes which I thought would help, but there were still technical issues creating a problem on the site.  While the issues were intermittent, they were happening and I wanted to fix them.  As I looked into the back end of the site, I realized that we had around 10,000 articles on the site, and a number of articles had nearly 1,000 comments!  The site had simply outgrown what was intended, and I knew that a change was needed.  So, now, the site has been split up into 11 different sites, yet all tied together in a way that few people would realize that the site is really 11 different sites tied into one.  I think it came out pretty good.

For those who are unaware, I am an American, but I have lived in Mindanao for over 10 years now.  I operated the site for the first 5 years or so from my home in the USA, but have been able to expand the site greatly while based here in Mindanao.  I have really had a love affair with Mindanao for over 20 years now, and it continues.  While living in Mindanao, I have traveled the island extensively, and I think it is a simple fact that I have probably seen more of Mindanao than the vast majority of Filipinos!  I am proud of having seen so much of Mindanao, and I hope to see more.  To date, of the 27 Provinces on the island, I have been to 25 of them.  The only two Provinces that I have yet to visit are Camiguin and Sulu.  Of course, Camiguin is a place I can visit any time.  It is safe and peaceful.  I just have yet to make it there.  Sulu, on the other hand is a place where I need to make sure the timing is right before I visit.  I do plan to visit Sulu someday, though.  I have been in the Sulu area, though, in 2007 I visited Basilan and Tawi Tawi.  Both visits were super, and I both learned a lot and enjoyed myself greatly.  I feel certain that Sulu will be the same when I feel the time is right to visit.

Please view the photos below to see just a few of the places I have visited in Mindanao:

Every place that I have visited around Mindanao has been a wonderful time for me.  I have not only seen a lot of great places, but I have met so many wonderful people too, both through my travels and through this website.  I am often surprised when I visit a place and find that there are people who recognize me because they have seen this Mindanao Magazine.  Every time that somebody approaches me and knows who I am it is both thrilling and also humbling.  I still do travel Mindanao whenever I can.  If you happen to see me in your town, please come up and say hi!  It would be my pleasure to meet you.

In the meantime, please enjoy this new Mindanao Magazine format and look!  I hope that you enjoy it as much as I enjoy bringing it to you!

Pitong taon na halos ang lumipas magmula nang tahakin ko ang landas ng mga Bagong Bayani. Malayo na ang aking narating, malawak na rin ang paningin, ngunit sa bawat araw na lumilipas, wari ko’y napapalayo ang mundong aking pinagmulan.

Di kaya ako lang ang dahilan?

Kaya sa aking pagbabalik, sana’y samahan nyo ako at ating balikan ang Ating Mindanao.*

Books

But returning to one’s roots takes more than just retracing one’s steps or reliving childhood memories. If there is one thing I have learned in being far from home, the journey inward requires a vision forward.

Not so long ago, our forefathers dreamed of a Land of Promise —- a land of our own where there is bounty for all. They found the seeds of that promise in Mindanao.

Thus, if I was to truly reclaim my birthright, I would need to look back into the dreams forged by our forbears and take the task of continuing to build on that dream and bring it into the future.

“Ang Ating Mindanao”, incidentally, is also a national initiative program of the government to fulfill Mindanao as the Land of Promise. It aims to ‘mobilize the local government, civil society and the business community for the economic development of Mindanao and its environs.

Such local initiatives, and the current progress in the areas of foreign service indicate substantial benefits forthcoming in this region. Under this situation, the private sector is duty-bound to initiate the tourism industry’s revitalization, by providing the expertise and additional funding or investments which the government may be restricted to provide, especially with this current gloom in the global economy

Among the members of the private sector, the 10 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have the resources, the widest contacts and the global reach to initiate the much needed world-wide marketing campaign, in order to elevate our country’s international status as an eco-tourism destination and a highly competitive investment hub in the Asia Pacific region.

With these thoughts in mind, ‘Postscripts from Mindanao’, the coffee table book was born.

by Ben Serrano – August 11, 2008

Last August 9, 2008, exactly culmination day for our three-day 4th Mindanao Media Summit, I attended held at Waterfront Insular Hotel in Sasa, Davao City sponsored by Asia Foundation and Canada International Development Agency or (CIDA), I immediately rushed to Bob’s place registered in my mobile phone as No. 4 Ruby St., Marfori Heights Subdivision.

Aboard a taxi so that I can arrived on time as I don’t want an impression from American Bob now Mindanao Bob that Filipinos don’t value time even if I knew my money fare is only exact enough for my bus fares backed home here in Butuan City.

Arriving at Ruby Street (somewhat hilly) from Waterfront, me and the taxi driver had to ask every Dabawenyos at Ruby Street where is house number 4 and finally I personally saw House Number 4. I disembarked and soon enough I knocked the red gate.

A woman, an American I presumed, appeared after making, “Ayo! Ayo!” a lot since there was no gate door bell I saw. And when the Caucasian Woman appears I greet her good afternoon and asked if it was Mindanao Bob’s house as it was marked number 4.

MindanaoBob

The woman told me it was not and two Filipinas appeared and pointed to me the house of Mr. Bob Martin saying the gate was also colored red. I thanked them and proceeded.

Finally after a hilly walk, I reached Mindanao Bob’s house and to make the long story short, I was able to reach the place in time and attended finally the Business Seminar originally scheduled to be held at K1 Coffee Shop but Bob explained it later to participants why the change of venue.

Bob introduced the participants and I was amazed on the memory recall of Mr. Bob as he was able to call their names one by one. Normally a seminar like that must have name plates paste on every participant visible for others to read.

There were two Caucasian participants in the seminar, I understand they are Bob’s friends. Well, welcome to the Philippines guys and I hope you can visit Caraga Region one of these days.

I find the two foreigners friendly to say the least as of the moment as we don’t have a chance to talk longer and very active in their participation during the seminar.

The seminar was simply amazing as it teaches us how to earn legitimately (while learning and yearning as Bob and two Caucasian friends added).

I have learned that there are many ways to earn in the internet. Oh! You guys better attend on Mindanao Bob’s Seminar if he schedule next time to yearn and learn while earning.

The seminar fee one will pay will 100% compensate as it is not only educational and informative but interesting too especially to business minded individuals.

Why go abroad that will lead you to dangerous social cost of leaving your family here in the Philippines with drug addicts around crawling like cockroaches ready to invade your homes and influence your kids?

And leaving abroad to earn a living especially to mothers is a great loss to one’s family because mothers as supposed to be the shinning light of the home!

So the next time, you want to earn while yearning to learn, who you wanna call? Mindanao Bob!

Thanks Bob and to lovely and very accommodating Filipina wife, Feyma and kids! Thank you!

With finality I salute! Mindanao Bob, American in looks but very Filipino by heart, I pray that impression stays!

Manny Pacquiao

According to SunStar General Santos City, as part of his welcoming ceremony, Pacman will be given a ceremony at Oval Plaza in the City, along with a P30,000 cash prize from the City Government.  Wait….  P30,000 to the Pacman for winning his recent fight and gaining the WBC Championship?  How many Millions of Dollars did he just win in Las Vegas for the fight?

Don’t take me wrong, I like Manny Pacquaio, and I think that he does a lot of good for the Philippine psyche.  He is a hero for the nation, after all.  But, frankly, he doesn’t need the P30,000, does he?  Wouldn’t it be better for the City to do some pro-poor work with the money in Pacman’s name?  Who came up with the idea to give Pacman P30,000?  Did they really think it out?  I feel quite sure that the amount is quite paltry for Pacman, yet it would go a long way to feeding a bunch of poor people for a day or two.

What do you think?

Maitum's Atrium

MAITUM, Sarangani (February 4, 2008) – Municipal officials join students and teachers at Maitum’s town hall atrium Monday, February 4, during the opening of Culture & Arts Month celebration.

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(Photo by MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tomorrow October 12, 2007 is a holiday. Its end of fasting. Tomorrow is a big fiesta! Tonight has been busy preparing for foods. I’m back here in Iligan just this morning.

Eidul Fitr

One of the guest we invited in our house is the International Monitoring Team – Team Site 2 (Iligan City) headed by a Libyan Colonel. I forgot his name so i’ll ask him again tomorrow. I’ll take some pictures and will be posted at my flickr account, here and my personal blog.

Eidul Fitr Almubarak! Wassalam.

The whole issue of these guys carrying firearms is getting a lot of press here in the Philippines.  Although reports have not been clear, these guys must not have been accompanied by Philippine Soldiers, otherwise the guns would have been a  non-issue.  Now, here is the thing, though…  when they walked into Orange Bistro, Colonel Gaudencio Pangilinan was in the Restaurant at the time meeting with reporters there.  So, technically, these US Servicemen were indeed in the company of somebody from the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), the Colonel himself.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer even had this to say:

One of them (US Soldiers) even approached Pangilinan and asked him how the food was, even if there was still no food on the table, it said.

American Servicemen in Mindanao

Personally, I don’t see what the problem is with this statement.  The way I look at it, the US Soldiers could have been saying “We haven’t eaten here before, but perhaps you have.  How is the food here?”  That is feasible to believe that the US Soldiers meant that with their statement.  It just seems like somebody was looking for the Americans to do something wrong by criticizing such a statement, which really meant nothing.

Now, Sarangani Province Governor Migs Dominguez is calling on the Philippine Government to expel these soldiers from the country, because they “do not respect the law” of the Philippines.  Personally, I don’t see where such a statement comes from.  The actions of Governor Dominguez surprise me, because Sarangani Province has  received a lot of Aid from the United States, and with no strings attached to that aid.  We are talking about aid that has flowed to Sarangani Province for decades now.  Currently, we have featured stories here on this site recently about footbridges and other US Aid funded projects in Sarangani.  Yet, for a seemingly minor incident in a restaurant (in which I don’t believe any disrespect was intended), the Governor is calling for expulsion of the Americans.

Perhaps there is more to the incident than I know.  I only know what I read in the papers and see on TV.  If I am not fully informed, I apologize for that.  But, on the face of it, I don’t see why this should be a major incident.

My wife Marilou and I are retiring in Bukidnon next year and since we made that decision two years ago, we have been looking up the internet for current information about Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City and other places in Mindanao and getting in touch with like-minded people to share stories and experiences.  This was how we came upon Bob Martin’s Mindanao Blog and as a result we became regular readers and (and contributors).

The Martins and the Cunninghams

One of the things that we have thought about before we move permanently to Mindanao was to get in touch again with old friends.  However, a lot has happened in the last 25 years, friends have married and moved away etc and we have lost contact.  We keep on wondering where they are now and what they have been getting up to.  It would be nice to meet up again to catch up on old times and arrange a possible reunion, but to be honest we did not know where or when to start.  So we resigned ourselves to thinking “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it!”

Amazingly, the world is indeed becoming increasingly interconnected nowadays.  Through reading the news posted in the Mindanao Blog, we’ve come across by chance some current information on some very good old friends whom we had lost touch with.

Early this week (MSU Launches Peace Modules), we read about Nanette Mercado who is currently Assistant Programme Director of the British Council.  She was in the news as she attended The Mindanao State University’s (MSU) launch of a new module called Culture of Peace as part of the instructional material for the Civil Welfare Training Service (CWTS) which is a component of the National Service Training Program.  Nannette Mercado underlined the importance of peace education in schools as a way of resolving the current conflict in Mindanao and she went on to say that ending violence on the island was not only a primordial concern of locals but also of foreign governments interested in peace-building efforts.

Nanette and her husband Larry were part of the close group of friends that we had whilst we lived and worked in Nigeria.  We last saw Larry at our Farewell Party in Nigeria in 1987.   Nannette, however, visited us here in Durham in 2004.  She stayed the weekend with us after attending a British Council seminar in Newcastle.  We’ve been in touched by email again and we’ve arranged to meet up in Manila in April next year.

Last week (Oro Enforcers Pledge More Dynamic Role In Traffic Management), we read about Retired Army Officer Filipino Amoguis who is currently Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) Traffic Director in Cagayan de Oro City.  He was in the news as he vowed to take a more active role in ensuring an efficient and effective traffic management system in Cagayan de Oro City.

We knew Filipino Amoguis back in the early 1980s when he was a Captain of the Philippine Constabulary assigned in Camp Suarez, Talakag, Bukidnon.  He and his family were close family friends.  My late father-in-law who was a town councilor at that time along with his family were active supporters of Filip’s community and social projects.  The last time we heard of him, he got transferred to Davao.  It’s good to know that he is now back in Cagayan de Oro.

Last week also (City Hall Seeks Remedy For BIR Zonal Tax System), we read about Dr Dante Pajo who is now a Councilor of Cagayan de Oro City.  He was in the news as he joined the City Council of Cagayan de Oro in looking for a “win-win solution” to the controversial new Zonal Valuation Tax System of the regional office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

We came to know Dr Dante Pajo on his regular visits to his relatives in Talakag who were also our neighbours.   He later became our family Dentist.  Dante’s dental practice is located in the Pelaez Sports Centre in Cagayan de Oro City. We try to visit him and have full dental check-up and/or treatment whenever we can.  Unfortunately, on our last visit he was not available as he was busy campaigning for the local elections.  We’re happy to learn that he won a seat on the City Council.

Last month (Opposition Pooling Team For Commission On Audit Report Probe…), we read about Atty. Addie Barba who is now also a Councilor of Cagayan de Oro City.  He was in the news as part of a pool of lawyers, doctors, and certified public accountants among others who are now being pulled together to “dissect one-by-one” the findings of the Commission on Audit (COA) Annual Audit Report 2006 on the transactions and financial standing of the City Government of Cagayan de Oro as of December 31, 2006.

Atty Addie Barba is a very close friend and a member of the Lagamon clan.  Marilou is a member of the Santiago clan.  Both clans were pioneer settlers of Talakag before World War II and have remained close friends ever since.  We used to go around partying and clubbing together with Addie and friends in the mid-1980s.  We last saw him in the mid-1980s when we attended his cousin’s wedding. He has also from time to time advised and represented us in his capacity as a lawyer.  A few years back, we learned that he became the Dean of the School of Law at Liceo de Cagayan.  We wanted to meet up with him on our last visit but he was also busy campaigning for the local elections.  We’re pleased to learn that he also won a seat on the City Council.

We are grateful to the Mindanao Blog for being a medium in bringing us back in touch with our old friends who we lost contact with due to traveling abroad and only coming back to the Philippines on vacation as work and family commitments permitted.  We are pleased to learn of our friends’ current achievements and we are proud of their contributions to Mindanao by initiating changes and making a difference.