“Palamantasan ng Sarap” — a witty play of words, don’t you think? The idea, according to Cheez Whiz senior brand manager, Paolo Serrano, is to make an educational campaign more fun so that kids will take to it and, thus, learn from it. If you take a look at the Palamantasan website, you’ll know what they mean by engaging kids in a way that’ll get their attention.

At the launching of Palamantasan in Davao, which was held at the Buhangin Central Elementary School, several local grade schools participated in competitions that were designed to create awareness of nutrition issues. There were the usual contests, such as the Sabayang Pagbigkas (group speech contest), cheering, and essay-writing. There was also a unique event called “Jarchitecture“, where participating pupils unleashed their creativity in crafting buildings or robots made of empty Cheez Whiz bottles and caps.

The contest that I liked, though, was the Mom & Child Sandwich-Making Contest. There were three teams that competed at Buhangin Central, and it was fun to watch the pairs (two mom-and-daughter and one mom-and-son teams) concoct fancy- and yummy-looking healthy snacks.

“These schoolchildren are at the stage of developing a sense of responsibility,” explains Serrano. “This is why we want them to realize the significance of proper nutrition themselves — through a series of fun, creative and learning activities.”

Studies by the Philippine government have shown that millions of Filipino children are malnourished. That’s why, among the poorer sectors of society, it’s not uncommon to see ten-year-old kids looking like they were barely six. This could stem from the lack of education about proper nutrition in many Filipino families. What Kraft Foods has started, therefore, is worthy of praise.

I hope that many more big corporations, especially those involved in the food industry, will take it upon themselves to help eradicate the country’s nutrition problems. Better yet, it would be great for other companies to get on board and make a pledge to theh Palamantasan initiative. It will ultimately benefit them, too, because they would be ensuring a healthy workforce for the future.

As for schools that aren’t yet part of the program, they would do well to urge their students to join Palamantasan. I remember when I was in Grade School, it was always fun to take part in those fun-filled activities that involved food. Little did we know that we were in fact learning from the experience already! As Palamantasan has reminded me, the best way to get kids interested is to get their attention through exciting and challenging activities — and with a full stomach in the mix, the Cheez Whiz Palamantasan program certainly concocted the best formula!

From a host in local TV variety show to a lead starrer in a top-rating television series, Dabawenya actress Bangs Garcia is definitely making a significant leap in Philippine showbiz. In the latest edition of M (Life and Living in Mindanao) Magazine, Bangs bares her hits and misses, her triumphs and ordeals as she continues to pursue her dreams.

Joining Bangs in the pages of M Magazine’s ninth issue are esteemed Mindanawon civic leaders, Atty. Leoncio “Nonoy” Villa Abrille and Irene “Inday” Morada Santiago; together with Sulu’s top visual artist, Rameer Amilasan Tawasil; and Indonesian Consul General Lalu Malik Partanawa, who shares his country’s longtime friendship with Mindanao.

Thrilled to travel around Mindanao? Get some tips on where and what’s new to explore on the island, such as wakeboarding in Mindanao’s first wakeboard park; nature-tripping in Lake Sebu; conquering the peak of Bukidnon’s Mt. Kitanglad; braving the wild waters of Cagayan de Oro; making a stopover at Tandag City; or joining the epic voyage of the Balangays.

Flip through the fashion section and be mesmerized by award-winning photographer Rhonson Ng’s underwater glam shots of Davao’s top mannequins; and Niko Villegas’ dazzling images, featuring the gem-inspired designs of Egay Ayag, Joao Tarepe, Patahian, and Argento de Salvador, as modeled by Mutya ng Dabaw 2010 Janelle Tee. What’s more, Davao’s premier houses of style, Rue Chephri and Martish, unveil their latest chic and elegant collections of designer brands in this issue.

Also in this issue are fascinating pieces on Zamboanga’s sardine canning industry, Davao del Sur’s healthy coconut products, Butuan’s AQEM theater in education, plus a spotlight on Mindanao’s entertainment and wellness enclaves, parties and festive events, contemporary lifestyle, and many more.

M Magazine, Mindanao’s first and only travel and lifestyle quarterly publication, is available in all National Bookstore, Fully Booked, Power Books, Forewords, and Christian Ventures outlets; and in more than 200 bookstores and magazine stands nationwide. In Davao City, get your copies of M Magazine at Babasahin (Victoria Plaza, SM City, NCCC Mall, Gaisano Mall), MetroLifestyle Complex (Bo’s Coffee, Krua Thai, Metro Gym), National Bookstore (Gaisano Mall, SM City), Farfalla Pasta Bar, Gaisano Mall Supermarket, Lachi’s, Basti’s Coffee, Agencia Nina Jewelry (Victoria Plaza, JP Laurel, Bankerohan, Gaisano South, Gaisano Mall), ProMark and Davao Periodicals outlets.

This is from Komikasi Enterprise, the publisher of Espresso:

What is Espresso?

Espresso is a weekly comics magazine that features one-shot comic stories, as well as an ongoing comic series, by Filipino Comic Creators. Espresso will be distributed for FREE at the stations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2.

Our Vision

We love comics. And because of that, our vision is to see the Filipino Comics Creator up there among the popular, best-selling, beloved and respected.

Our Mission

We have, therefore, taken it upon ourselves to provide a venue for new and old Filipino artists to showcase their works. Our mission is to help promote the works of Filipino Comic Creators throughout the country by printing quality comic features from different creators from all over the country, and distributing these comics for FREE!

Espresso will be launched this Saturday, 12 June 2010. It will be held at Mag:net Katipunan; cocktails will be served from 6:00pm.

How I wish such a creative publication would be available in Davao City as well…. Well, maybe once Espresso is already successful in Metro Manila, Komikasi might consider bringing it to the south.

Kudos to my cousin Ria! I hope the magazine takes off with a blast!

It is our privilege to be given an opportunity to share with you the programs of AIM, considered to be one of our country’s invaluable contributions to management development in the region.

AIM was co-founded by the Harvard Business School, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University in 1968. It has had more than forty years of experience in training managers, entrepreneurs and development leaders in both the public and private sectors. Our degree programs — Master in Business Administration, Master in Management, and the Master in Development Management — and our executive, non-degree programs are practitioner-oriented. Using the case method, our programs have a distinctly Asian focus, providing intensive exposure to management principles and best practices in Asia.

The Asian Institute of Management has a strategic role in unlocking these opportunities and to carve the destiny of our region by being an active player in regional integration. Our goal is seek to develop managers, entrepreneurs and leaders who:

• Are knowledgeable and uniquely capable of operating effectively in Asia;
• Have a good understanding of the business opportunities presented by Asian regional economic integration (i.e. from West and South Asia to Southeast and Northeast Asia); and
• Are sensitive to the diverse cultures/belief systems, business structures, as well as governance and regulatory environment

AIM is fortunate to have had a head start as the pioneer business school in Asia, with its accompanying advantages:

• AIM has one of the largest and strategically positioned alumni networks in over 75 countries, with more than 33,000 alumni;
• We have among the most extensive lists of institutional private and public sector clients in the region; and
• Our faculty has had extensive teaching experience in Asia.

On behalf of AIM we would like to invite you to our events on June 9 & 10, 2010.

The AIM Preview on June 9, 5:30pm at the Marco Polo Hotel will highlight our Master in Business Administration and Masters in Management. Learn more about how these programs can bring your career to a higher level. Know more about AIM through your fellow Davaoeños who are students and graduates of AIM.

There will be a one-day admission process on 10 June, 9:00am. To avail of this opportunity, please email enrollment.management.aim [at] gmail.com for the application form. You may take the AIM Admission Test (AIMAT) at the Marco Polo Hotel. After passing the exam, you will be interviewed by the AIM faculty roster. Please confirm attendance by emailing the above address before 8 June, 5:00pm.

Alternatively, you may download the AIM application form from here.

There are several events lined up, including a Green Mobilization and a wildlife photography workshop. Please see the schedule below for more information.

Below is the poster for GreenMob 2010, a movement that’s in line with the Foundation’s objective of saving the eagle’s natural habitat. Everyone is encouraged to join and spread the word about the importance of saving our environment — not only for the eagle but for ourselves.

This poster is for Race for Pag-Asa, Race Against Climate Change:

The Foundation and the Eagle Center are located in Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City. (Dabawenyos commonly refer to this place as being in Calinan.) Tel. no.: 271-2337. Fax: 301-1033. E-mail: info[at]philippineeagle.org. For snail-mail correspondence, please use the following address:

The Philippine Eagle Foundation
PO Box 81015
8000 Davao City
Philippines

Happy Eagle Week to all!

My brother took these photos at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport II. These are tarpaulin streamers hung at the airport to entice visitors to visit the Philippines’ tourist attractions. Imagine the chagrin Dapiteños might feel seeing this. Yes, we do have nice beaches in Davao (specifically, on Samal Island), but Dakak Beach Resort is in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

The ordinance regulating smoking in Davao City is on its 8th year already, and Dabawenyo smokers have long since become used to the rigors of the anti-smoking edict. On the whole, I am not unhappy with the situation, even though I am a smoker. I was brought up to observe courtesy, so ordinance or no, I respect the rights of non-smokers.

I also agree with that aspect of the city ordinance that shields minors from becoming exposed to this nasty habit. Basically, stores are prohibited from selling cigarettes if they are within a certain radius of any school.

Now, electronic cigarettes have come to the attention of the Davao City local government unit. The head of the Davao City Anti-Smoking Task Force, Dr. Domilyn Villareiz, has come out and declared that e-cigarettes are included in the ban on smoking. She has issued a warning “not to try us by smoking [e-cigarettes] in non-smoking areas because they are still included in the prohibition.”

Wow. Prohibition indeed. This smacks of absolutism, if you ask me. Can any government official categorically define a crime without due process? Can the executive branch act upon a law without the imprimatur of the legislative body?

Villareiz has characterized the use of e-cigarettes as the same as smoking regular cigarettes because of “the same arm and hand movement and the use of nicotine.” She’s kidding, right?? I can think of several common activities that make use of the same hand and arm movements that mimic smoking but don’t involve cigarettes!

And what about nicotine patches? By virtue of Villareiz’s statement, shouldn’t nicotine patches — which doctors legally prescribe to smokers who wish to quit — be banned as well?

e-cigarettes

When e-cigarettes are used, nicotine is ingested by the user, but there is no smoke. Only vapor, which is also the case when one breathes, by the way.

The problem here is the lack of a proper definition of smoking, as well as the lack of rationale-setting. What really is the purpose of the city ordinance in question? If it’s to protect non-smokers and minors, then I totally agree with it. But the way city officials are behaving, it seems to me that they’re trying to be some sort of a Big Brother.

What will they ban next, alcohol?

How far is government mandated to meddle with our lives? The Davao City LGU has been conducting itself as if it had absolute right to determine what is and what’s not good for us. (Whatever happened to self-determinism?)

Yes, it might be proven that e-cigarettes could be just as harmful as regular cigarettes. But if it were harmful, then that would be the smoker’s choice, wouldn’t it? In society, smokers — as well as drinkers, gamblers, what have you — are not considered pariah because they are also citizens; as long as they do not inflict harm on others, nothing’s at issue. To say that e-cigarettes should be banned because they are harmful to smokers is tantamount to a dictator’s statement. They might as well prohibit the use of nicotine patches and nicotine gum while they’re at it.

And while I’m at it, I’d like to rant some more about how the city is implementing the ordinance. I am all for having segregated smoking areas, no question about it. But to disallow eating and drinking (or even sitting down!) in them is totally absurd. What purpose does that serve but to inconvenience smokers — as if that would make smokers quit at all.

E-cigarettes, as far as I’m concerned, are a way to satisfy the urge of smoking without being a pain to others who don’t smoke. It might even be a way to help smokers wean themselves from the habit, much like nicotine patches. It’s not a way for people to circumvent the anti-smoking ordinance of Davao City.

The city has gained international recognition for its anti-smoking initiatives. I hope the LGU will consider this as a position of responsibility and not as justification for overstepping its boundaries.

[For those who're interested, here's a link to The Davao City Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance: MSWord document]

Sales of electronic products worldwide are set to rise sharply in the next 10 years. And, unless action is stepped up to properly collect and recycle materials, many developing countries, like the Philippines, face the spectre of hazardous e-waste mountains – which include old and dilapidated desk & laptop computers, printers, mobile phones, pagers, digital photo & music devices, refrigerators, toys and televisions. Needless to say, these pose serious consequences to the environment and public health. This scenario gives a new urgency of creating awareness and future establishment of ambitious, formal, and regulated processes for collecting and managing e-waste through the setting up of efficient recycling facilities.

In its bid to be proactive and forward-planning, ICT Davao, Inc. (IDI), an umbrella organization of all information and communication technology groups in Davao City, has taken on the challenge of the e-waste problem and turning it into an e-opportunity.

Creating Awareness

ICT Davao has created a video ad campaign for public viewing to create awareness about the growing e-waste disposal issues for developing cities such as Davao. The tagline, “Davao Can Do!” maintains that advocacy endeavors such as this is doable, hence, uniting all Dabawenyos to participate in this city-wide proactive campaign.

Lastly, as part of its commitment to the Earth Day Network Philippines 2010‘s 10-million movement, IDI supports the importance of addressing climate change and protecting the environment, and that it requires both individual and collective action. Hence, IDI’s e-Tapok event is leading the call for companies and communities in the city to compliment the prevailing theme, Hamon ng Panahon, CLIMATE CHANGE, 10 Milyung Solusyon (Kilos Na! Ngayon Na!) of the Philippines’ Earth Day Celebration. This is a call for all Dabawenyos to sign their pledges by visiting the IDI website (www.ictdavao.org) and help us achieve our target of 10,000 pledges which will be Davao’s contribution to the 10-million movement.

Concrete Action & Sustainability

The awareness campaign will be put into action by creating an avenue at the Damosa Market Basket Canopy area in Lanang through the “e-Tapok e-Waste Weekend Collection Event” from April 24 to 25, 2010, the weekend after the worldwide celebration of Earth Day on April 22, 2010. Apart from e-waste collection, the event aims to gather the private sector, academe, and public government officials, to create an effective web of advocacy influence. Other activities include:

1. targeting 10,000 pledges for the signature campaign;
2. unveiling of “e-waste art monster”;
3. photo wall;
4. viewing of documentary films.

In its plan for an effective and sustainable project, ICT Davao aims to continue its information awareness, complementing advocacy efforts of SM City’s Monthly Waste Collection Fair and NCCC’s Buy Back Fair, and spearheading a move to urge the City Government to establish an efficient and professionally-managed recycling facility to complement regulations on collecting and managing e-waste. At the end of the day, the project aims to be a catalyst among organizations to start adapting “green IT practices” and in recognition of these efforts, possibly an incentive-driven reward.

Sponsors & Advocacy Partners

This advocacy effort will not be possible without the support from the following: Anflocor and Damosa Land Inc., InkTech, NCCC Mall and NCCC Cares, Home Channel Network, Bayan Telecommunications Inc., Amon Marketing Corporation, Brokenshire College, Southeast Software Solutions Corporation, Youth for Environment & Peace (YEP), Creative Factory, Digital Interface, Mindanao Bloggers, Davao City Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. and Basureros de Davao, Philippines-Australia Human Resource Development Foundation (funded by AusAID), Office of Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta, and the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Please sign the “Davao Can Do!” petition today!

The planned directory will be organized by type of business, and will display the following information per listing: name of establishment, address, telephone & fax numbers, website URL (if available), a brief description, and even a company logo. There will be no charge for getting your business listed on AngDabawenyo.com, but I will reserve the right to refuse submissions as I see fit.

Right now, I have a Choice Spots section here. Once I get enough submissions, I will recreate that section into the new directory. I’m thinking of putting in place a feature that will allow my blog readers to rate the establishments. If you have other ideas, or if you’d like to suggest a new category of business establishments, please use the Contact Form. I’d really appreciate your feedback.

Let’s get on with it! Submit your business now!

The IVLP fellowship was conducted in Washington, D.C. for all ten of us (and then in San Francisco just for me, courtesy of the Institute of International Education). After the official business and the conference where Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a policy speech on Internet freedom of expression, we were given a tour of the imposing city, the capital of the most powerful nation. And you could feel it, too! The history-rich buildings, the wondrous monuments, the provocative landmarks, the White House (although we only saw a fraction of the interior)… they all served to impress upon the visitor a sense of awe and admiration.

Experiencing Washington was a wonderful surprise. On the flight to D.C., I thought it was going to be a drab city, populated by boring government types and such. Far from it! Even though we were in deep winter, I could see how vibrant life was in Washington. Most people dressed in dull colors, yes, and yet I couldn’t help but see a colorful city, alive with activity and vigor. And being the capital, my ears pricked at the abundance of foreign languages spoken everywhere I went.

Contrary to expectation, there were so many young people around. Dupont Circle and Georgetown were a special treat for me — in and around the beautiful shops along the picturesque streets, college students and yuppies were everywhere to be seen. And it was easy to get to know them and talk about stuff. It was quite exhilarating!

Also part of the IVLP was a chance for us to spend time with American families. I had dinner with a wonderful family in Potomac, Maryland. The purpose of “home hospitality” was to give IVLP participants a feel of the typical American home. But I didn’t feel it was “typical” at all, because the family I was fortunate enough to meet is, in fact, quite an internationalized bunch. The man of the house was a former JAG officer who was stationed in the Philippines for a time, and his wife is a Japanese national — I was very delighted to have had the chance to practice my Nihongo with her! Their daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter had recently come back from Hong Kong and Singapore, and happily joined us for dinner. Talking with them was eye-opening for me, and gave me a glimpse of American family life that’s wholly different from what you might see in movies.

On my first weekend, a couple of Manileño friends brought me to the National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. This facility houses an enormous collection of aviation and space artifacts owned by the Smithsonian Institution. (It’s where they filmed the sequel to The Transformers — remember the SR-71 that turned into an old but friendly Decepticon?) As a Star Trek fan, it was incredible seeing the Enterprise space shuttle up close; I think I spent more time in that section of the Center than anywhere else.

My friends also brought me shopping (Outlet, where else?), and to an honest-to-goodness diner in McLean, VA called Silver Diner where they serve hearty American fare. All in all, it was a great way to kick off the vacation part of my stay in the U.S.

While I was in the East Coast, owing to good friends who went out of their way to host me, I was able to see New York City, Boston (as well as other places in New England), Nashua, and other cities. From Washington I took the bus to NYC, via a relatively new service called the “Bolt Bus“. Get this: comfy seats, quiet ride, free wifi, and power outlets everywhere! What’s more, the rates are incredibly affordable — I was lucky when I booked my trips online, because I got the D.C. to NYC trip (4 hours) for only $10, and the NYC to Boston ticket for only $15.

Even before I got there, I knew I’d love New York — and I did! A cousin who lives in Manhattan brought me around the night life there, and a dear friend from Davao showed me the quieter side of the Big Apple’s attractions. I also had a chance to see a high school classmate, and we had dinner at an Italian restaurant in Times Square. And in between, I gave myself time to really walk around this bustling city. I didn’t pass up strolling along the frozen lanes of Central Park either. But of all the places I’ve been to in New York, I think it’s Brooklyn that I like. It’s more relaxed, so to speak, compared to the hectic nature of Manhattan.

When I thought of visiting New York, I was apprehensive about taking the subway. But once my friend explained it to me, it was a snap. I got myself a 7-day metro pass and tried to lose myself in the city… but it just wasn’t possible. With all the signs and maps, it’s simply impossible to get lost. Of course, thanks to Google Maps, it was easy to locate the subway stations. One thing that I truly appreciated is that New Yorkers walk and commute to where they need to go, and that public transportation is reliable and efficient (which is the opposite in Los Angeles).

One of the places in the U.S. that I made a point to visit was Boston, to see an old friend from my college days; actually, he and his family live in Waltham, Massachusetts, but they gave me the grand tour of the East Coast’s oldest city. It had been more than a decade since I last saw my friend, so the time I spent in New England was a chance for us to catch up. We reminisced the good old days on frozen lakes, at an English pub called John Harvard’s (guess where that is), around Boston’s historic suburbs, and at Union Oyster Hall, reputedly America’s oldest restaurant.

It was too bad I could only spend three days with my old buddy, but I had to go back to Washington for my flight to the West Coast. I took the Amtrak for an 8-hour trip back to the capital, and then a 7-hour flight to the city I fell in love with the moment I got there: San Francisco. (It was a connecting flight via Atlanta, GA, so I might say I’ve been to 10 states… but then I didn’t really get to see anything except the airport.)

The San Francisco leg was actually part of my official business in the States. Still, I had lots of time on my own, and I put it to good use. Walking around downtown SFO was an exhilarating experience, what with the variety of places to see, interesting people to chat with, and the sights, sounds and scents to take in!

I had a hilarious experience when I was at Pier 39. I was ambling around Fisherman’s Wharf, holding a humongous hotdog I had just bought from a sidewalk vendor. Suddenly, a huge pelican swoops down and snaps resoundingly at my hotdog-holding hand!! I can still remember the awful sound that big bill made — he could very well have severed my fingers! I was still in shock when I heard a group of people laughing behind me. I turned around and proudly showed them my mustard-covered snack, cut in half by that sea bird, but still all mine. I walked away with the group clapping in glee.

If I were given the choice of city to live in the U.S. it would be San Francisco (in spite of the pesky pelicans). There’s something about its character that appeals to me, and it would be great if I could discover it more meaningfully someday.

And finally, I traveled to Los Angeles on 5 February for the remainder of my journey. I flew Virgin America, which is a cool airline, if you ask me — the ground personnel as well as the in-flight people were casual and friendly, and yet very professional in their service.

Even though I went to only one state in the West Coast, I did go to quite a number of cities in California: San Francisco, Berkeley, L.A., Burbank, Glendale, Castaic, Venice Beach, etc., not to mention Silicon Valley.

The city of Castaic is not very well known (even among Americans, I found out). It’s in Santa Clarita Valley, the northernmost part of L.A. County, and it’s where my aunt and her husband live. My mom’s sister and I hadn’t seen in each other in many years, so she moved heaven and earth to get me to Los Angeles for the last couple of weeks of my stay in the States. I got to like it in Castaic… although it was rather too bucolic for my city-boy tastes. So off I went traipsing around L.A. with more friends, although I did do my best to spend time with my aunt and her lovable dogs.

My Filipino friends brought me all over the place: Universal Studios, West Hollywood, downtown L.A., Griffith Observatory, etc. Three new friends, one of whom is a regular reader of my blogs, gave me an awesome tour of the studios of The Family Guy and The Simpsons. And I got a Simpsons action figure to boot, signed by the two Filipinos, who’re über-talented artists!

This was my first time in the States, and for this opportunity I’m very grateful to the State Department (especially to Sarah L., Christopher S., Ryan M.), the U.S. Embassy in Manila (particularly to Rebecca T., Richard N., Yoly dG.), and the Institute of International Education (especially to Perrine L. and her colleagues). I certainly hope a similar opportunity will come my way again in the not-too-distant future.

My love and gratitude to my friends, Kuya Dong & Mary Ann, Ram & Martin, Bob & Lani, Lem & Rai, Ian, Grace (who put me up in NYC), Jhoanna, Ricky & Riza, Manny, Corky (who gave me an impromptu tour of SFO); to my cousins, Ate Elaine and Jenny (who welcomed me in Michigan), Paolo, Karl; and to my dear Tita Baby & Tito Alex. Thanks to all of you, I had an extraordinary and memorable month-long stay in America!