HELLO WORLD!

This is my first time to attempt to keep a journal . . . again!

The very first was a child’s diary in my early teens. However, my mother, very protective of me as she is, was secretly reading it. She peeped into my innermost thoughts and desires. Although, the entries were childish at that time, I felt violated. Eventually, I found out about it and stopped. Until now.

Hopefully, when my children are grown, they can remember me and the events that happened as I see, perceive, understand and feel.

I am calling this journal (a.k.s blog site) “Visual Thoughts (and after thoughts too!)” just in case someone becomes interested in peaking into my head again.

This time, you are most welcome!

God help the peace process

Ever since I got wind of the “golf brawl” involving the Pangandaman’s acts of savagery and barbarism  at the Valley Golf in Antipolo City, I am in a constant state of exasperation.  

I am distraught at the audacity of Nasser Jr. for beating up an old man and a minor.

I am angry at the callousness of Nasser Sr. for allowing the brawl to progress, simply watching, tolerating the brutality of his son’s actions to human beings.

Mostly, I am disturbed at the fact that, while the progressive cities of Mindanao are trying their damnedest to create a positive image, there are those, who, with wanton abandon carry their weight around jeopardizing the efforts and nullifying the achievements of saner Mindanaons.

To quote, Daxi Weida, a fellow blogger’s brilliant comment:

“Ito ang halimbawa ng mga pangyayaring hindi kailanman makakapag-ambag sa magandang imahe ng Mindanao. Ang mga pyudal na warlords ng Mindanao – Pangandaman man ang apelyido o hindi, Muslim man o Kristiyano – ang ilan sa mga dahilan kung bakit ang bagal ng pag-unlad ng Mindanao; kung bakit atrasado ang kalagayan ng ARMM; kung bakit isa sa mga pinakamahirap na probinsya ng Pilipinas ang Lanao del Sur.. [Alam nyo ba na ang lungsod (siyudad?) ng Masiu ay kinakategoryang "first class municipality"?]

The question now that is plaguing my mind is:  WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE PEACE PROCESS? 

On December 23, 2008, the Office of the Press Secretary released the names of the newly appointed members to the GRP Peace Panel which included Nasser Pangandaman Sr.

The article said, “Secretary Pangandaman’s role is to provide continuity of the peace negotiations and to represent the Muslims.”

How could anyone be an effective peace negotiator for the Government of the Republic of the Philippines when he did not even lift a finger to stop the violence committed by his own son to a fellow Filipino?  

How could anybody raise a brute and talk about peace? 

I have no doubt that former Gensan City Mayor, Adelbert W. Antonino will do an excellent job. After all, he did great while he was the city’s chief executive.  Sir AdWA, as he his lovingly called, is an honorable statesman. But what can one man do?

We will be desperately requiring divine intercession.  We need a miracle!

Twisted Pangandamans

A fellow blogger sent me an email today, December 30, about a blog post that was really disturbing, disgusting and downright appalling.  It was about the personal witnessing of a young woman as her 56 year old father and 14 year old brother were beaten by a government official in a golf course in Antipolo City.  Read her story here.

Just as I was about to log out, I saw this news article from Yahoo News how Nasser Pangandaman Sr. apologizes for his son’s misbehavior.  What was so revolting was the elder official’s statement that “no one wanted the incident to happen.” 

  Can you believe this guy? Was his son, the Dishonorable Mayor of Masui, Lanao del Sur, shouting “I DON’T WANT TO DO THIS!” as he was punching the 14-year old boy’s face?  Were the bodyguards telling the 56-year old man “WE DON’T WANT TO DO THIS!” as they were beating him up to a pulp and drawing their handguns to the victims?

Investigations are said to have been conducted to resolve the issue.  But sad to say that the Pangandmans are PGMA cohorts. Needless to say, therefore, that this so-called investigation will be spiced-up, sugar-coated, and the results will be cooked up to appear as a mere “misunderstanding” with the victims as the trouble makers who deserved what they got. 

Remember the “Hello, Garci” scandal?  Was it not in Lanao del Sur (along with Basilan and Sulu) that the questionable votes were padded because the election returns and the certificates of canvass did not match?

Finally, I noticed at the very last paragraph of the news article that ” Pangandaman Jr said he talked with the elder De la Paz in a nice way but the man hit him instead with an umbrella and hurled invectives and twice challenged him to a fight.”  It seemed to me that this tiny bit of information was added at the last minute to soften some of the blows against the younger Pangandaman.  Curiously, the article was posted by GMA News.  A few months back, the same news network posted over the internet an article ”The Philippine Media Association (Philmedia) recently gave Mayor Nasser Pangandaman, Jr of Masiu town in Lanao del Sur an “effective young leader” award…”   Now, I’m getting curious.  Very curious, indeed!

Cheers to 2009!

I pray for everybody’s continued good health and earthly wealth, inexhaustible sex appeal and perpetual good-looks! Cheers to 2009!

The Photography Guru

Leonard Pe is a genius behind the camera. His photographs are poignant as it captures the splendor of nature.  I have traveled along the vast pineapple fields at Polomolok on countless occasions, and have been to the Dole Clubhouse at Kalsangi several times.  But, I have never paused in awe at the sun as it slowly sets on the horizon or have appreciated the pine tress as it kissed the clouds above.  Only through Leonard’s art did I see them differently. His visuals are empowering as it move the viewer to protect the environment.  The way his “naturescape” photographs freeze time makes you want to do more than just cherish the present, but preserve it for the future as well. His art is inspiring as it induces the creation of other art forms. His wedding portfolios, at Fluidlight, do not only capture the happy images but also preserve the emotions in visual form.
Affirmation of his works includes an award from the Greenpeace Southeast Asia in an international photography competition.  His latest feat was as the featured Photographer of the Week of the October 14, 2008 issue of Manila Bulletin’s Picture Perfect and being described as Gensan’s Pride.
Yet, despite the high acclaims and adoration of his peers and colleagues, Leonard remained unpretentious and modest.  He never hesitates to share technical expertise and is always patient to teach people like me who are slightly technologically naïve yet are interest to learn the art.
His collections, available for the general public found at www.leonardpe.com, is best viewed in leisure.  Take you time to savor each photograph, and allow it to transport you to time and places that make you grateful for the visual art of photography.

HELP FIND DONNA

The girl on the pictures is DONNAVELLE HIPE REYES.  

She is missing since September 26, 2008.

 Donna is a resident of Doña Soledad Subdivision, General Santos City.

She was last seen on Sept. 26 (Friday) at 1:30PM by her class adviser at the Saavedra Saway Elementary School, Barangay Labangal, General Santos City.  She was wearing plain yellow T-shirt, maong pants and sandals. Donna is 12 years old and around 4′8″ to 4′10″.

If you have any information about her disappearance or may lead to her whereabouts please contact any of the following numbers:

    Erwin Reyes (father) – 09105076031
    Diana Reyes (mother) – 09187553562

If you don’t know anything about this case, you can still help by forwarding this email to all the people in your address book.

Let us pray that the internet will be God’s instrument of finding her and bring the wrongdoers to justice.

BLOGGING & EMPOWERMENT

Copy of the Message of the Honorable City Mayor, PEDRO B. ACHARON, JR. for the delegates of the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit held on October 25, 2008 at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center, General Santos City.

The message, in toto, was delivered by the Honorable City Councilor, Margareth Rose N. Santos.

 

 Magandang Gensan . . .

 In your language, I am a newbie.  Although, I am an active advocate of cyber technology as can be gleaned from the numerous ICT projects or ICT-support programs of the LGU, I am regrettably not tech-savvy.  

Much effort was made in order for me to deliver this message.  I have to educate myself, in order not to be off-course.  The more I learned, the more I admired this new medium called “weblog.”

Blogs, as personally published documents, can be liberating and at some point stress busting.  Imagine, stay at home mothers, gone are the days when they are cut-off from the world.  Not only are they up-to-date with their surroundings and even beyond; they can share their joys and woes of motherhood and exchange parenting tips with other parents.  Imagine flourishing poets and writers, gone are the days that they have to wait months or years for a publishing house to notice their works.  Now they can publish their literary pieces at their convenience and at the comfort of their own homes.  Imagine emerging businesses, market placement and business matching was at the mercy of resource entities.  Now they make themselves known over the internet and make personal correspondences with visitors and clients. At some instances and under the cloak of anonymity, you and me, can project frustrations and express true opinions about work, politics, or religion.  Indeed, on a deeply personal level, blogging is empowering.

 However, the question before me is, how can this medium, this new source of power, be used for Mindanao?

 Let us consider the benefits of B.L.O.G. and discover how Mindanao can and will be transformed.

“B” in blog means better communications.  As blogs are personal publications over the internet, it provides a chance to share experience and expertise to a wider audience.  Mindanao Island, our home, has been plagued by and subjected to negative publicity for too long. Today, we say, “no more!”  There is now an alternative to the traditional media agencies.  We are the alternative.  The power to correct or verify news about peace and order situations, business climate, or political issues.  Blogging provides us with the avenue to educate the rest of the country and the world the beauty of our people, the richness of our history and culture, the serenity of our land- and seascapes, the modernity of our infrastructure, and the vibrancy of our economy.  Decades ago, Mindanao was the land of promise.  Today, bloggers will make it the land of fulfillment.

 “L” in blog means lower cost.  Blogging is a cost effective alternative to traditional broadcasting or media printing. It is an inexpensive method to amplify personal voice and views or get business going over the internet.  This “L” is an accessory to our earlier “B”.

 “O” is for opportunities. Blogging presents a multitude of opportunities for the user.  Information for personal and relationship development, family and home improvement, career enhancements, financial advancement, and many others are available at a few clicks.  These informations can lead to or create opportunities for the blogger.  Opportunities which may also be relevant for the continuing growth of Mindanao.

  “G” obviously refers to global.  Global in terms of reach and scope.  Global in terms of magnitude and importance. 

 Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Mindanaon… the topic assigned to me today was “Empowering the Bloggers in Mindanao.”     Yet, after having delved into the subject of blog and blogging – - I concluded that bloggers do not need to be empowered.  For there, within each blogger’s grasp is the awesome power of multimedia, the power to inform and be informed, and the power to educate and be educated.  The only thing required is for the blogger to be aware of it.  What is most significant today is the challenge for the empowered blogger to empower Mindanao. 

 

Magandang Gensan sa muli and happy blogging!

I am joining the MBS2

I keep a journal.  Does this make me a journalist?

Journalists often adhere to certain ethical standards.  I wonder if bloggers have too.

I am going to the Mindanao Bloggers Summit to find out.

 

 

Thank you to the following for making 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit possible:

CO-PRESENTERS:
City Mayor Pedro B. Acharon, Jr.
Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio
NOKIA
Department of Tourism XII
ABS-CBN Regional Network Group
Bariles Republic
Gen. Santos City Tourism Association
SOCCSKSARGEN Blogers

GOLD SPONSORS:
Friendster
Globe
AMA Computer Learning Center
Grab A Crab Restaurant and Coffee Club 101
Gregoria Printing Press

SILVER SPONSORS:
Nokiahost.Com
Asia United Bank
Family Country Hotel & Convention Center
East Asia Royale Hotel
Fine Pixel Advertising
IDEAS

BRONZE SPONSORS
GenSan Sale.Com
Blogging from Home Book
Pacific Seas Seafood Market
Generals Logimark Exponent
Prints and You
Writing Edge.Com
Forest Lake San Carlos Park
Rolee Bakery & Cafe
Jehzlau Concepts
Techykid.Com
Jaypee Online.Net
Blue Media Communications
International Container Terminal Services, Inc
Shalom Wizard Academy
Dreamworld Travel and Tours
Sta. Cruz Seafoods, Inc.
Dellosa Design Build Services
Kristan Bookstore
DOLE Philippines
Husky Bus Lines
Shakey’s Pizza
Family Brand Sardines
Gaisano Mall of GenSan
Chowking – KCC
Jollibee National Highway
Procter & Gamble Philis., Inc
Mega Sardinesc

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Achieving Excellence in 2008

Among other reasons why I am offended by the “Labanan ang Kahirapan” campaign is that it highlights a negative reality – Poverty.  It could have been more effective if the spin-doctors  capitalized on the strenghts of the Filipinos to draw cooperation and move them to action.  A case in point is this article I wrote for the GSC Digest, a quarterly publication of the LGU.

In the beginning of this year, the Honorable City Mayor of General Santos City, Pedro B. Acharon, Jr.  issued Executive Order No. 01 mandating that the year 2008 shall be the Year of Excellence. Each official and employee in all city level departments shall, in the performance of duties and functions, use the Total Quality Services program as the good governance tool in the delivery of basic public services.

This advocacy was reiterated and was given much emphasis when he delivered the Sate of the City Address.  In that report, the City Development Strategies of good governance, competitiveness, livability and bankability were discussed according to their interdependence, such that “Good governance ensures that an environment of transparency and accountability is practiced in the local government, which will strengthen the competitiveness capability of the city; Thus, making it bankable in order for social and other services programs to be implemented making the city livable.”

This interdependence among the CDS principles is further manifested into a working framework. It is highly important that each public servant in the LGU understands that the CDS is a symbiont program of the four principles.  There is a cooperative relationship between and among the cabinet clusters.  While each department have its own mandate and each cluster functions independently; their existence and efficiency does not depend on the other departments or clusters.   But the existence, efficiency and the responsiveness of the entire local government of General Santos is dependent on the cooperation, support and mutual respect each department or cluster provides the others.

The mechanism is actually very simple.

To make the city well-governed, we have to enrich pro-active consciousness. And it starts with our sensitive awareness of what is going on around us. Most notably is the acknowledgement that as government workers, we are not super heroes.  Therefore, we must engage the participation of all stakeholders in the development processes, public and private alike.

To make the city competitive, we have to produce competitive individuals.  And it starts with finding our individual strengths by way of honest evaluation of what we can and cannot do, and of what we have and do not have.  Through acceptance of our strengths and weaknesses as an organization, we acknowledge the things we are capable of doing (and doing it well!), and the things that we need to invest on, improve and enhance.  As a result, we create, for the LGU and the city, an environment that sustains productivity and encourages value creation to our products and services.

To make the city bankable, we need to inculcate collective sensible values; and it starts in our own individual endeavors.  These undertakings do not require high-end or complicated technological gadgetries, but demand the basic and inherent human virtues of trustworthiness, integrity and accountability.  If we are to encourage investors, whether local, domestic or foreign, to pour their capital with confidence, we must prove that we have the ability to provide the necessary and appropriate climate for business and economic growth.

To make the city livable, we have to create healthy communities and it starts from our own homes. The first line of defense is the family.  The basic unit of society must be empowered to be able to send their children to school, clothe them and provide for nutrition, medical and health care. While there are LGU programs instituted for these concerns, these must be mere augmentations.  Furthermore, environmental protection and preservation is a universal responsibility.  As public servants, we must serve as the exemplars of family resource management, and of cleanliness in our immediate surroundings (among other functions expected of a family!).

Raising the Benchmark

Last July 4, the city received its third Most Competitive City Award from the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center.  The city greatly values this award because it is an affirmation among the business community, within and outside the city, of the efforts done by the local government to protect and promote their economic interests.

There are 6 criteria or drivers used by the policy center in determining the competitiveness of the city:

Cost of doing business – business tax burden, business regulation and procedures, presence of informal fees (a very politically correct term for bribe and other forms of corruption),  and cost of utilities (such as electricity, water, telephone and internet connections);

Dynamism of local economy – business growth and performance, access to financing assistance, and the existence of a functional public-private partnership;

Human resources and training – over-all quality of present workers, availability of competent manpower, skills enhancement programs present/available;

Infrastructure – over-all management of transportation services, reliability of utilities and environmental facilities;

Responsiveness of LGU to business needs – government regulations, investment promotion capabilities, ease and transparency  of LGU in dealings, crafting of appropriate and business-friendly legislations and quality of leadership and performance of the city administration; and

Quality of life – clean and sustainable environment, peace and order, and access to quality health care and social welfare services.

Of the 90 mid-sized cities in the country only 22 cities were ranked; 5 cities from Luzon and 2 from Mindanao were awarded most competitive mid-sized cities.

General Santos city ranked no. 1 in infrastructure.  Yet, among the most notable findings were: the reasonable cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour, very low incidence of or non-existent informal fees in LGU transactions involving permits and licenses, and the high total crime solution efficiency.

The effects of our labors will manifest next year, in 2009.  However, at mid-year of 2008 we are harvesting accolades and achievements.  The greatest challenge before us now, is to surpass these successes.  Gensan must continue its upward spiral and be the embodiment of excellence.

Magandang Gensan!

HELP WANTED (part 4)

Inday#4:   Sa kadugayan, nakakuha ra gyud intawn mi ug katabang.  Usa ka dalagita nga gikan sa uma.  Tungod sa nilabayng "rice crisis"  nihangyo ang mga ginikanan nga magkatabang ilang anak. Pa-eskwelahon lang  bahala’g wala’y sweldo basta hatagan lang ug baon kada adlaw.  Naa na pud ta aning "scholar" nga katabang! Hala sige, maayo na lang kaysa wala!  Utong! 

Ug sa dihang… wala’y nahibaw-an!  Dili kabalo magluto, kami gihapon luto. Nanimaho gihapon ug sabon ang mga baso, magputi-puti pa ang mga kutsara inig human ug hugas, usabon namo ug hugas. Ang mga nilabhan murag bulingon man gihapon, usabon intawn nako ug laba. Inig ka uga sa mga hinayhay, magtapun-og ka gihapon sa butanganan.  Kung dili suguon (with demonstration pa gani) dili pud pamiluon. Ang mga duwa-an sa bata, madugmok intawn kay matumban kay kung dili suguon nga hipuson, pasagdan lang pud. Gitubuan na intawn ug sibuyas, kamatis ug kalabasa ang ibabao sa TV ug istante sa mga figurines, kay wala intawn trapuhi kay wala suguo-a. 

"Tart, nindot kaayo atong kwarto. Murag beach."   Balason na intawn ang salog kay wala silhigi.  Tag-ana nganong wala nasilhigan?

Akong itugon ang salog sa kwarto dayon namong lakaw para mag-opisina.  Inigbalik namo sa hapon, nanilhig tuod! Pero abog  ang ibabao sa TV ug speakers sa component.  Mangutana pa ko ngano? Sorry, sayop nako nganong ang salog ra akong gitugon!

Himan-himan pa ni-ana, pwerteng puti-a sa nawng, murag ungo!  Diay, samtang wala mi ug nanglimpyo (nanilhig ra diay) kuno sa kwarto, nanghilabot sa akong make-up ang karaho! (nosebleed…)

 

Help Wanted:  Tabangi intawn ko ninyo unsaon nako pagsakop ug tarong nga katabang!!!

HELP WANTED (part 3)

Inday#2:   Tungod kay mas dako ang mawala namong mag-asawa kung magpuli-puli lang mi ug absent para naay mahabilin sa bata. Magkuha mi ug laing katabang.  Naay gi-rekomenda ang kauban nako sa opisina.  Magkita daw mi atong mu-apply inig ka-Sabado sa city hall kay aron matultulan ang among balay.  Tinuod, niabot sa takdang panahon.  Pero wala’y gamit o dakong bag nga bitbit.  Busa, akong gipangutana kung nganong wala siya’y dala.  Ang tubag, "Wala pa ko kadesider kung maka-uyon ko sa inyo."  Agay, kasakit sa akong dunggan.  Abi nako siya ang mu-apply pagka-katabang ngari namo, kami diay ang nang-apply pagka-amo ngadto niya!  (nosebleed…)

 

Inday#3: Wala gihapon ni makakita ug katabang unya dili na ma-apas ang kadaghan sa labhunon, busa magkuha mi ug labandera nga sinemana.  Naay nagpresentar nga labandera kuno.  Ang kahitabo sa interview…

          Kami:  Pila man ang imong singil?

          Labandera:  200 mam.  Naa moy washing machine?

          Kami:  Naa.

          Labandera:  Twin tub?

          Kami:  Oo.

          Labandera:  Pila ka kilo ang kapasidad sa inyong washing (machine)?

          Kami: 6 kilos. 

          Labandera: Unsa inyong tubig? Water district? Deep well? O bumba?

          Kami: Kadiyot lang ha…. Apil na plantsa?

          Labandera:  Aw, wala’y labot plantsa mam oy.  Labandera man ko, dili man ko plantsadora.

          Kami:  Ang buot nimo pasabot, sa 200 ang imong buhaton, mag lunod ug bulingon sa washing   machine ug magpa-agas ug tubig?!  Dili baya mi mga baldado, day!   (nosebleed…)