Hana, Markku, Blogie, Janette @ Outback Makati

I’m flying to Washington, D.C. in a couple of hours, to attend a conference where U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will deliver a talk on global freedom of speech vis-à-vis the Internet, and where I’m to participate in a panel discussion on the same topic. It’s a great honor, and I’m looking forward to the learning experiences ahead of me.

There is also a San Francisco leg of this Voluntary Visitor’s Program that I’ve been invited to by the State Department. I will hopefully be able to visit the offices of online media enablers such as Facebook and Twitter.

I shall document my official business in America via BlogPress.ph, with the direction of my friend and colleague, Janette Toral.

And since I’m going to be in the States already, I might as well stay and take a short vacation, yes? Yes! So, my personal itinerary will include New York City, Los Angeles, and possibly a few more destinations. I can’t wait!! This is my first time to go to America, by the way. And it won’t be my last (I got a 10-year valid, multiple-entry visa!!) this year, if plans to go back in July or August push through.

My flight’s boarding in an hour. Wish me luck!

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The reason for our endurance may be attributed to the successes that we have witnessed as well in 2009. We Filipinos have found heroes among our ranks, in spite of a government that has left more to be desired… if indeed this present regime intends to leave.

So now we’re on the threshold of a new year, and at the tail-end of a waning decade. I pray we will have much opportunities to conclude the first ten years of the new millennium on a positive note!

And on a lighter note, here are photos of the Christmas lights display that has become a tradition in the city, courtesy of Mana-Davao. Last Christmas was when I started documenting this spectacle, although I’d been making a point of enjoying Mana’s Christmas lights for some years already. This year, most probably due to a growing audience each year, they’ve put on a more spectacular exhibit.

Here’s a short video I took of Mana yesterday. It’s amazing how many people now visit the place, just to take in the sights.

Happy New Year, everyone!

It should be said right away, Canibad isn’t for resort-goers. It’s more for the adventure-seeking types, because the “beach resorts” there offer little more than basic accommodations with the barest of facilities. But that’s the charm of the place, in my view. (When I decided to go, it was actually to field-test my new Coleman tent.) There’s no electricity, and only some of the properties have working generators — which means, however, that you’ll have a fantastic view of the stars at night. And a bit of good news: there’s a strong source of spring water, and they’ve been able to draw the sweet water into a rudimentary waterworks system.

My timing was almost perfect when I got to the beach Friday night, because the moon had just been full the previous day. When the large, golden, near-perfect orb began to rise from behind a picturesque outcropping of reefs, the sight was breathtaking. (Too bad I wasn’t able to take pictures of it, as I didn’t have the proper equipment for a night shot.)

The following day, I rose very early and took my first pictures of sunrise. And how glorious it was! You see, the most beautiful few minutes of sunrise cannot be seen from Davao City, because Samal Island blocks the view. But on Canibad Beach, which faces the east, you can witness the morning sun’s first peek above the low horizon.

I needed a brief respite to recharge, and Canibad was, for me, the perfect place to do just that. It’s very far from the hustle and bustle of city life, and it’s not easy to get there. The remoteness allowed me to temporarily break connection from everything, even just for a little while. So, on this idyllic tropical getaway, you can chill out to your heart’s content, soak up the sun, do a little boating… And don’t forget to jump off of the reef cliff!

They say that, if you didn’t jump from that reef into the azure waters, you weren’t able to experience Canibad at all. So, after mustering enough courage — and successfully quelling all fears — I did finally take the plunge! But only once, because the second time I went back up the cliff, I found my knees knocking even harder.

What got me to jump? A school of fish. That’s right: a very large school of very small fish (which locals call bolinao) that intermittently jumped in and out of the water a few times. It was like they were cheering me on. Of course, there were the other people on the cliff, too.

I find it quite refreshing how you can, somehow, easily meet and get to know other weekend warriors in far-off getaways. In Canibad, I chanced upon a big group of youngsters who also came from Davao. They were on the cliff when I met them, and while they were teasing each other, they happily and encouragingly urged me on — to jump a cliff that’s 3 or 4 storeys high!

The rest of my stay on Samal was spent listening to soothing music and chatting with my new friends. They “adopted” me there, so I didn’t have to worry about food or entertainment. Thanks, guys!!

It’s not very easy to get to Canibad Beach, though. From Davao City, you can take the ferry or a banca to Babak, or one of the regular inter-island routes to Peñaplata. From any of the points on Samal, hire a motorbike (with driver) to Canibad Beach, which is in Barangay Aundanao, Peñaplata District of the Island Garden City of Samal. The land trip will set you back around ₱150 and will take about 45 minutes to an hour. Most of the way is rough dirt roads, so be prepared for an unpleasant and bumpy ride. All in all, the trip from Davao City to Canibad will take more or less two hours.

Upon arrival, one more hurdle: a steep climb down a long stairway (which will be hell when you have to climb back up on your way home!). But once you step onto the beach, all your aches and pains will melt away. The off-white sand underfoot is very fine and cool (even at noon). There are lots of pebbles and smooth coral and shells strewn all over the strand. The sea… what can I say? It’s no wonder many call it the source of life. The sea in Canibad is what you’ve always imagined its perfection to be.

Don’t expect much, though, when it comes to dining. You have to bring your own food, otherwise you’ll have to settle for locally-caught fish. You can ask your hosts to cook the food for you, but it won’t be much of a gourmet experience. Like I said, it’s still mostly unspoilt and bare — a state in which I wish Canibad would remain for a few more years.

But–alas!–developers and prospective buyers have already found this tropical retreat. It won’t be long before we see more honest-to-goodness beach resorts out there, which will mean more visitors and a flourishing tourism industry in the near future. Whether that’s good or bad will depend on how you feel about nature, about the environment…

I’m glad I was able to see Canibad while it was still relatively untouched. Hopefully I’ll be able to visit again very soon!

Here are more pictures of my Canibad trip. And to get an idea of the location, here’s a terrain map, courtesy of Google Maps.

View Samal Island in a larger map

The massacre yesterday of the Mangudadatu family members and journalists in Ampatuan town on their way to Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao was, without a doubt, a calculated move to instill fear among voters. It was designed to scare away anyone who dares rock the boat in the province of Maguindanao. It was clearly perpetrated by those in power to keep the status quo.

Let us all be vigilant for Mindanao. To those who are working for peace and development in Mindanao, do not lose heart! If we cower and retreat for fear of our lives, then we become the losers. Let’s not allow cowards to blight the beauty that is inherent in Mindanao. We should not allow the deaths of the innocents to be in vain.

For there to be justice, those of us who have a voice must remain true to our calling. We must not let this heinous crime dissolve into another unresolved incident, otherwise we will be part of the problem.

Bloggers of Mindanao: In following the initiative of our colleague in General Santos, please display a black ribbon on your blogs to signify vigilance and awareness and justice.

To our friends in mainstream media, an appeal. Please do not label the whole of Mindanao or Southern Philippines as lawless. Statements like that won’t help anyone — in fact, it will continue to drag the whole of the island deeper into the mire from which we have been trying to get out all these years.

Let’s not forget our common goal: lasting peace and meaningful, sustainable development in the whole of Mindanao.

Representing the Philippine Women’s College of Davao, Eevee bested out 12 of the best college bands from across the country during the Finals night. This year’s finalist bands that performed at the Ninoy Aquino Sports Stadium this year are: Little School House (Ateneo de Cagayan – Xavier University), Eevee (Philippine Women’s College – Davao), Disco…Disco…Disco (St. Michael’s College – Iligan City), Lady Suzette (AMA – Tacloban), Sundae Special (Iloilo Doctors College), 3 Hours and 10 (University of the Visayas – Cebu), Iktuz (Colegio de San Juan De Letran Calamba – Calamba Laguna), Mixed Tape (Lyceum – St. Cabrini College of Allied Medicine – Batangas), In Descent (University of Perpetual Help Laguna – Binan Laguna), Nameless Heroes (Mapua Institute of Technology – Makati), Play (Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Quezon City), Soltera (AMA – International Institute of Technology – Cubao) and Project (Jose Rizal University).

“We are very overwhelmed with this victory. All the bands that were with us on our ‘journey to fame’ were really good and it was anybody’s game up until show time. We would like to thank NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool for this opportunity for us to realize our dreams as music superstars,” exclaimed Eevee’s frontman, Enzo Villegas.

The NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool finalists performed alongside some of the country’s best bands who served as the finalists’ mentors leading up to the Grand Finals Night. The young musicians got to interact, jam and perform alongside chart toppers like NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool Grand Prize Winners Hilera and Letter Day Story, 6CycleMind, Pedicab, Itchy Worms, Imago, Sugarfree, Taken By Cars, Urbandub, Spongecola, Paraluman, Callalily, Sandwich and Moonstar 88. Known dance group Philippine All Stars brought the audience to their feet with their performances. Another rare sight during the NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool Grand Finals Night was when all the vocalists from this year’s mentor bands banded together and shared the stage for one outstanding performance. “It didn’t feel like a competition at all during the Grand Finals Night. Yes, we were nervous but in the end the entire night became a celebration of how much the Filipino youth loves music. We’re really proud to be part of this experience — winning the Grand Prize was just the cherry on top of the delicious cake,” Villegas added.

“NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool’s fifth year has proven to be its most exciting so far. We not only found extraordinary talents this year — the competition has never been this close among the finalists. We’re very proud to see the progress all the finalists have made ever since we saw them during the Eliminations leg in October. Eevee, along with the other 12 finalists this year, have all shown that handa na silang sumikat with the lessons they gained from NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool. If anything, the talent we discovered with this year’s competition only proves that the Filipino youth are indeed ready to make a big splash in the music industry,” said Eileen Rose Bangcoro, NESTLÉ Philippines marketing promotions and events cluster head for NESCAFÉ.

Aside from Bangcoro, the judges during the Grand Finals Night were Sony Music Entertainment Philippines’ Vic Valenciano and Jerrick Mina, Soupstar Entertainment’s Darwin Hernandez, and Soundcreation Studio’s Shinji Tanaka.

This year’s NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool, with the theme “Huwag Na Magtago! Magparamdam Ka Na!” is supported by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, Paseo de Bahamas, Rudy Project, Boracay Scuba, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, Ix Chel, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel and Parkmall in Mandaue City, Cebu.

For more details, log on to the NESCAFÉ 3n1 Soundskool site. View Eevee’s Facebook fan page as well!

[Media release & photos courtesy of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, Manila]

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My participation in BlogFest.Asia was thanks to Mozilla’s Gen Kanai, who recommended me and Juned Sonido to the event organizers. We were also joined by two other compatriots: Tonyo Cruz, who talked about Filipino bloggers’ response to Typhoon Ondoy; and Atty. Jimmy Soriano of Creative Commons – Asia. (Please read my ‘official’ post about the event here.)

This was the second time that I was part of an Asian conference, although this was bigger than the first. The first time was in July 2005 when I joined fellow Japanese-language teachers & scholars from all over Asia at a week-long conference held in Taichung and Taipei, Taiwan. In both occasions, I was able to glean insights into different Asian cultures, and gain a deeper understanding of our differences and commonalities. Also, on both conferences, I felt that attending them was the next best thing to visiting the delegates’ own countries.

At BlogFest.Asia, I had some firsts. It was my first time to meet someone from Kyrgyzstan (although it wasn’t my first time to meet Central Asians, because at that 2005 conference I met people from Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan). I also found out that people from Mongolia use the same patronymic family names as people from Iceland. It was my first time in Hong Kong. It was also my first time to bring the Mindanao Bloggers Community (MBC) outside the borders of the Philippines.

Interacting with the Asian delegates gave me the chance to bring the MBC to a wider audience. And it was a fruitful exercise because I believe my contribution to the conference left a good impression on some of the delegates. Bloggers and new media practitioners from Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai and other places approached me after my talk and congratulated me for having delivered an “inspiring and insightful presentation.” You can’t imagine how elated and buoyant their generous words made me feel.

I have fellow Filipino bloggers like Janette, Avel, Juned, Manolo and Aileen to thank for my successful participation in BlogFest.Asia. They are my friends, but more importantly, they are people who possess an uncommon influence in their fields and exude a passion that stirs the soul. Moreso, I am grateful to my fellow Mindanao bloggers, because it is for them that I felt compelled to bring the MBC’s message to the world.

OK, on to lighter stuff.

I was extremely pleased to have sampled authentic dim sum with Juned on our last day. Going to Hong Kong, you see, I told myself I should be able to eat Chinese dumplings where it was invented. Juned and I were able to find this off-the-beaten-track restaurant that served excellent dim sum. It’s called Ho Choi, on the 3rd floor of a building near HSBC in Yau Ma Tei. No tourists there, just locals, plenty of them. One of my favorite dumplings is hakaw (shrimp in translucent bags), and they serve it at Ho Choi. It was so yummy!! Now I don’t know if I can still enjoy local dumplings…

There were many things I wasn’t able to do in Hong Kong, though. I was supposed to go to Disneyland (a friend was going to give me a day pass), but didn’t have time for it. I stayed in Kowloon the whole time, so I’ll have to save going to Hong Kong central for my next trip. I must say, I actually can’t wait to go back. I found the place simply fantastic! And I envy their transportation system — going around Hong Kong via the MTR subway was amazingly simple and convenient.

While I look forward to another trip to Hong Kong (and Taiwan, of course), I’m more of a mind to experiencing other exotic destinations. Hopefully, I will be able to pay my new blogger-friends in Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur and other Asian cities a visit in the near future!

Last 24 October 2009, during the Philippine Blog Awards – Mindanao Edition in Cagayan de Oro City, the Dabawenyo was recognized as a Globe Digital Tribe Awardee for contributions to the Mindanao blogosphere. This award is an acknowledgment of the recipient’s commitment to, and leadership in, the development of the region’s blogosphere.

I would like to thank Globe for this Award. It’s always gratifying when one’s efforts towards worthwhile goals are given public recognition, because it affords valuable exposure to the endeavor concerned. In this case, the Mindanao Bloggers Community.

I want to express my gratitude to the bloggers of Mindanao, who continue to inspire me to forge on in spite of obstacles along the way. My heartfelt gratitude also goes to my family, friends and colleagues for supporting me all the way.

Bob Martin

Two of my co-recipients to whom I’d like to give special mention are Bob Martin of Mindanao.com and Avel Manansala of GenSan News Online Mag.

Avel Manansala

I first met Bob and Avel (and his brother Orman) online, around 1997, when I joined the old Mindanao-L mailing list, which Bob hosted. This was way before the time of automated mailing lists. Back then, both of them opened my eyes to the possibility of using the Internet for spreading the word about Mindanao. In effect, it was Bob and Avel who planted in my mind the seed which grew into the Mindanao Bloggers Community.

Going back to Davao, I left Zamboanga with a heavy heart, because my trip was way too short and there were still places I wasn’t able to see (like the Tree House in Pasonanca Park and the beaches of Sta. Cruz). And because I had a restful — and yet invigorating! — stay in Asia’s Latin City. Don’t you just love their city’s tagline?

Flying to Zamboanga last 17 October, it turned out I was on the same flight as Yolynne Medina and her husband. Upon landing in her city, she immediately set the wheels in motion to have my stay as pleasant as she could manage. I owe it to her — as well as to Ryann Elumba, Jerome Locson and the other bloggers — that I enjoyed my first trip to their beautiful metropolis.

What you’ll notice immediately is the city’s clean streets. The early morning of last Sunday, I strolled a few kilometers around the downtown and port areas, and I saw no garbage piled up anywhere. Oh, another thing I noticed: they have many Mister Donuts outlets!

Of course, I didn’t pass up the opportunity to try the famed Alavar Restaurant. There used to be a branch in Davao, but unfortunately they’ve long closed shop. When you go to Alavar, don’t make the mistake of missing their curacha in alavar sauce. It’s a deep-sea crustacean and the dish is to die for! Looks like a crab but the meat is much tastier.

OK, something more dramatic this time: el pueblo boasts of having the oldest bank in the Philippines outside of Metro Manila, and it’s the 2nd branch of Banco de las Islas Filipinas, otherwise known as BPI. (I have a photo somewhere in the album embedded here.) What historians will surely appreciate in Zamboanga is their drive to preserve their heritage. This is evident in their local tongue, which is a mix of Tagalog/Cebuano and Spanish, and in the surroundings.

For example, there’s Fort Pilar, home to one of Mother Mary’s many representations. It is maintained as a monument and as an open church. It’s interesting to note that both Christians and Muslims revere this place, because they all believe that the blessed Mother once protected the city from devastation from the angry sea. Too bad I wasn’t able to see the inside of the museum behind the fort. Next time!

Zamboanga City does have all the modern amenities, such as wifi access in many restaurants and coffee shops, HSDPA Internet connectivity via mobile, all the major banks and other financial institutions, air & sea linkages to and from a good number of domestic & international destinations, etc. Amid the modern, vestiges of the bygone eras are yet deeply rooted in the present.

Here are photos of my first-ever trip to Southwestern Mindanao.

The day trip to Basilan was a very welcome change in pace for me. Idyllic, fresh, quiet, peaceful — those were the words that came to mind the whole time I was there. People who’ve never been to Basilan hold the notion that it’s a perennially dangerous place. Well, we can’t deny that there were incidents in the past that have tainted the island’s reputation. So, I went there to experience the place and try to dispel this notion.

Thanks to my new friends, RJ Ian and his former student Faye, I was able to do a 5-hour tour of Isabela City and the outskirts of the town of Lamitan. The roads were cemented and well-maintained so the motorbike ride was not unpleasant. The views during the ride were breathtaking. There were the orderly rubber-tree plantations, the cool waterfalls, the mesmerizing undulating hills and valleys.

It was my first time to be in a place whose population has more Muslims than Christians. Contrary to popular perception (outside of Mindanao anyway), life in Isabela is harmonious. Christians and Muslims live together in the same space without any visible sign of conflict. There’s a church and a mosque less than a stone’s throw away from each other. There are murals showcasing amity among peoples of different religions.

To visit Basilan, it’s a good idea to have someone local to show you around. For inquiries, please call the City Tourism Office on these numbers: +63(918)945-7316 & +63(906)767-5735. E-mail address: isabela07_tourism@yahoo.com.

I’m so pleased I made these trips. I hope that, through my eyes, more people will come to appreciate that Zamboanga and Basilan are amazing and peaceful places. I’ll definitely be back there very soon!

The weather right now is beautiful, a bit on the warm side, but the blowing wind from the sea is quite invigorating. Awhile ago I had a very engaging conversation with Yolynne and Mr. Eric Laviña II (the hotel owner) about developments in their city. A piece of good news is the establishment of their first contact center, e.AXS Communications, which is an entirely Zamboangueño investment.

This trip was a spur-of-the-moment thing. I’d long wanted to visit Zamboanga City, but had never gotten around to planning the trip. But last month, upon learning of an airline’s airfare promo, I decided to book my flights. And now I’m here!

As an amateur linguist, what’s immediately interesting for me here is their local tongue. Although they also speak Tagalog and Cebuano, among themselves they use Chavacano (pidgin Spanish). I can somehow make out what they’re saying, but the fun part for me is hearing them talk and listening to local love songs on the radio — the words and the accent are so different from what I’m used to in other areas of Mindanao.

I’m looking forward to meeting up with Ryann Elumba, Jerome Locson and other Zambo bloggers. That’s actually part of why I’m here — to help grow the Mindanao Bloggers Community.

More here and here.

It’s been said time and again, hindsight is always 20/20 vision. But now we have to try and look at the future. These appeals must be heeded by all concerned, because tens of thousands of people have already lost their lives to nature’s wrath. Due, in significant part, to massive oversight on the part of our decision-makers. Our past leaders blatantly disregarded environment-related problems, and now we are paying for their mistakes.

Our government must indeed get down to brass tacks and tackle the obvious issues: improper land use, clogging of waterways, garbage disposal, pollution….

But, amid all of these calls for government action, we must not forget that each of us has a responsibility as well. No one is free from blame: each of us has contributed to the tons of trash that find their way to rivers, oceans, valleys, natural parks. All of us have been unmindful of what progress has made us become: wasteful.

Enough said. Let us do our part then. Let’s recycle what we can. Let’s minimize waste, and do our part in saving the environment. And somehow, possibly, save the future from even worse natural calamities.