The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (April 24-30, 2023)

Impasugong communal ranch: Haven for nature lovers

BUKIDNON - Hidden in valleys and grassy canyons, with streams and water springs flowing through it, the communal ranch in Impasugong town here is the ideal place to go when the hustle and bustle of everyday life starts to swarm.

Perched amidst Continue on page 6 Continue on page 6

No rice shortage: Marcos

PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. Marcos Jr. has assured the public that the country has ample supply of rice and his administration is doing its best to control the price of the staple grain.

“Mukha namang maganda ang sitwasyon natin. Hindi tayo magkukulang sa bigas. At tinitingnan natin lahat ng paraan upang ang presyo ay ma-control natin at hindi naman masyadong tataas,” he said.

Continue on page 5 Continue on page 5

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Malaysia discredits Sulu sultan heirs

Stakeholders want Bangsamoro Government Center transfer to Maguindanao del Norte

COTABATO CITY Relocating the administrative capital of the Bangsamoro regional government from Cotabato City to Parang town in Maguindanao del Norte will pave the way for economic growth and development in the region, Continue on page 4 Continue on page 4 Parang town in Maguindanao del Norte province. (Google Map / Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY

After tagging as a terrorist one of the eight descendants AMBOANGA CITY – After tagging as a terrorist one of the descendants of the sultan of Sulu who secured a disputed arbitration award against Malay- of the sultan of Sulu who secured a arbitration award sia last year, Kuala Lumpur now launched a website attacking the credibility sia last year, Kuala Lumpur now launched a website the of all the heirs who have filed legal action to seek compensation for land in Sabah of all the heirs who have filed action to seek for land in Sabah which was leased by their ancestors to a British trading company in 1878 which was leased their ancestors to a British company in 1878. The website - which can be can be accessed in five languages Malay, English, French, Spanish, and Tagalog - was set up Continue on page 2 Continue on page 2

Communist politburo member captured in Malaysia

DAVAO CITY – The Philippine military announced Tuesday the capture of a long wanted senior communist rebel leader in Malaysia just in the nick of time before he could escape to Continue on page 2 Continue on page 2

The military’s Eastern Mindanao Command released to The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper a photo of Eric Jun Casilao, who was captured in Malaysia while trying to escape to Thailand.

Mobilizing Cagayan de Oro’s human milk bank

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

- With fast-paced technology and increasing demands for breast milk during natural disasters or emergency situations, the

“Modern Nanays of Mindanao” (MNM) launched the city's first milk bank delivery application, dubbed Mom App, at the Limketkai Mall Event

Center here. The MOM App is a digital platform that aims to empower women in providing milk

Continue on page 5 Continue on page 5

Sultan Jamalul Kiram III reads the Mindanao Examiner regional newspaper in this

le photo by Mark Navales, the paper's bureau chief in southern Philippines.

Malaysia discredits Sulu sultan heirs

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 by multiple ministries including the Legal Affairs Division, the Prime Minister’s Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Multimedia to provide accurate legal case histories from different jurisdictions.

Just recently, Khairul Dzaimee Daud, director-general of the Prime Minister’s Department’s legal affairs division, said the home ministry has listed Sultan Muhammad Fuad A. Kiram I as a terrorist.

Khairul said Fuad has been linked to the Royal Sulu Force (RSF), which was also classified as a terrorist group, after the ailing Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, sent about 200 followers headed by his brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram to Sabah in February 2013 to assert their claim to and supposed historical rights over the oil-rich state.

Jamalul’s group reject-

ed Malaysian demand for them to surrender peacefully and fighting erupted in Lahad Datu town where more than 60 of the sultan’s men were killed and over 300 Filipinos arrested on suspicion that they were aiding the group of Agbimuddin or the RSF. Malaysia also put Jamalul and his brother on its wanted list and branded them as terrorists for intruding into Sabah and killing and decapitating 10 policemen and soldiers in separate clashes on the island.

Agbimuddin managed to escape the Malaysian assault in Sabah, while Sultan Jamalul died in October the same year from a lingering illness at age 75. Agbimuddin died from cardiac arrest in 2015 in Tawi-Tawi province.

Khairul said the unity government would be taking a new approach in dealing with the Sulu heirs’ claim. “Previously, the approach (to deal with the case) was in the form of ‘firefighting’ with

regards to the countries involved,” he said.

Malaysia now insisted that Fuad and the others heirs - Nurhima Kiram Fornan, Sheramar Kiram, Permaisuli Kiram-Guerzon, Taj-Mahal Kiram-Tarsum Nuqui, Ahmad Nazard Kiram Sampang, Jenny KA Sampang, and Widz-Raunda Kiram Sampang – failed to prove they were the Sulu sultan real heirs.

Kuala Lumpur admitted that it still faces legal proceedings in various European countries filed by the heirs of the Sulu sultan. “The Malaysian government will continue to preserve the interests, sovereign immunity and sovereignty of Malaysia at all times and take all necessary actions to stop this claim,” the Prime Minister’s Department said in a statement.

It also urged Malaysians to visit the website and be informed of the progress of the case. “The government hopes that Malaysians will access

and follow this case carefully through the website developed because any decision in favour of the claimant will have a big and serious impact on the sovereignty and security of the country,” it said.

Last year, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) decided to fight the former Sulu sultanate heirs’ asset claims in the Dutch court as they want to seize the group’s assets in the European country. The claimants had previously filed legal action through the Spanish Court to seek compensation for land in Sabah which they claim was leased by their ancestors to a British trading company in 1878. Malaysia has been paying the lease since taking Sabah in 1963, but stopped payment in 2013 following armed incursion in Lahad Datu Sabah by forces from Jamalul Kiram.

In February 2022, the

descendants of Sultan Jamalul Kiram II received an award of $14.9bn against the Government of Malaysia. Over 16% of Malaysia’s yearly budget is now at stake. Malaysia flatly rejected the award and said it does not recognise its legitimacy, and is litigating across Europe to ensure that the award is overturned.

“The award then issued in France in February 2022 is in breach of decisions in the Malaysian High Court and the High Court of Justice of Madrid. The Paris Court of Appeal has also issued a stay order on the award. Despite these court orders, attempts to enforce the award by the Sulu claimants have seen Malaysian entities across Europe come under attack, including diplomatic buildings and state-owned companies, as Therium and eight mysterious individuals seek to line their

pockets at the expense of the Malaysian people,” it said.

Therium is a leading global provider of legal finance covering all of the major markets, including Europe, North and South America and Asia Pacific. It provides third-party funding for a comprehensive range of cases, including single cases, group litigation and arbitration to corporates, investors and individuals.

“The Sulu case is a sophisticated abuse of the arbitral process and international law. It is an attempt to hold a sovereign state to ransom, and the continued existence of the award tarnishes the reputation of the globally respected arbitration system. Malaysia is now engaged in a fight for justice around the world and will not stop until the award is overturned,” Malaysia said. (Mindanao Examiner)

Communist politburo member captured in Malaysia

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

Thailand to evade arrest. Army Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, confirmed the capture of Eric Jun Casilao, a member of the powerful politburo of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), and regional chieftain of the New People’s Army (NPA)

He said the Malaysian government handed over the rebel leader to the Philippine authorities and is now in the custody of the military. He said Casilao, who is in the military’s order of battle, was arrested on April 1 at the Jeti Point International Clearance Gate in Langkawi, an archipelago in northern Malaysia.

“He was boarding a ferry bound for Koh Lipe, Thailand, when joint law enforcers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the Bureau of Immigration, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Royal Malaysian Police, and Malaysian Immigration arrested him,” Almerol said.

“Casilao is considered the most wanted communist terrorist group leader

in Southeastern Mindanao, notorious for staging numerous atrocities in the Davao Region and other neighboring regions. He also has existing arrest warrants for murder, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and attempted murder,” he added.

Almerol thanked the Malaysian government for its cooperation which resulted in the capture of Casilao. “Before his arrest, Casilao was put on the Malaysian Red Notice List through the request of the PNP for falsification of his passport by assuming a fake identity. He was temporarily detained in Malaysia for immigration laws violation and subsequently deported to the Philippines on April 17 to face the charges against him,” he said.

Last year, the Eastern Mindanao Command released to the public a wanted poster of Casilao in an effort to hasten his arrest, but he managed to escape a massive manhunt and eventually fled to Malaysia, according to Almerol. “This prompted Casilao to abandon his comrades for fear of being identified by the community that shall eventually

lead to his arrest, and the series of defeats his group have experienced due to the relentless focus military operations launched by Eastern Mindanao Command,” Almerol said.

“The arrest of Casilao proves that the Philippine government is determined to run after those who violated our laws wherever they hide. To the remaining communist terrorist group leaders, let this be a stern warning that no stones will be left unturned even if they hide outside the country,” he added.

Almerol also released to The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper a photo of Casilao escorted by policemen following his deportation.

The NPA is the CPP’s armed wing, whose founder Jose Maria Sison, 83, died in exile in The Netherlands in December last year. Sison had lived in self-exile since then-President Corazon Aquino released him from detention in 1986, shortly after the “People Power” revolt overthrew dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the father and namesake of the current Filipino president.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Stakeholders want Bangsamoro Government Center transfer to Maguindanao del Norte

BOL.

600,000

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1 according to stakeholders. Parang Mayor Cahar Ibay explained that the municipality is “ideally best for establishing the development and implementation of the master plan for the new seat of capital of the Bangsamoro government.”

The municipality of Parang, according to Mayor Ibay, fully backs BTA Bill No. 43, as it has much to offer.

Mayor Ibay and other stakeholders also appealed to the Bangsamoro Parliament to immediately pass the proposed measure that would make Parang the new seat of the Bangsamoro Government.

The Bangsamoro Parliament’s Rules Committee, chaired by Floor Leader Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, recently held a public consultation for BTA Bill No. 43, and was attended by officials and representatives from the BARMM’s ministries, offices, and agencies, as well as from the national agencies and provincial, municipal, and local governments, financial and educational institutions, transportation groups, nongovernment organizations, and civil society groups.

Speaking about the recently passed Bangsamoro Electoral Code, Floor leader Atty. Dumama-Alba emphasized the importance of public consultations to provide the Bangsamoro legislators with a more nuanced understanding of the implications of the proposed measure. She also guaranteed that the committee will give careful consideration to all stakeholder feedback before submitting its report to the plenary.

Deputy Floor Leader Atty. Mary Ann Arnado noted that the public consultation is a great opportunity to engage with the public and hear their voices. “It's crucial that everyone understand what is the administrative capital, what requirements should be considered to become an administrative capital, and why Parang?” she said.

Under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the Parliament shall fix by law the permanent seat of the Bangsamoro government anywhere within the territorial jurisdiction of the region, taking into consideration accessibility and the efficiency with which its mandate may be carried out under the

The selection criteria for the new government center, according to the committee's presentation, include location and accessibility, land availability and suitability, infrastructure and utilities, economic, institutional, and social services, social and political acceptability, peace and order conditions, and the potential to enhance BARMM development.

Other locations considered were Cotabato City, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Sultan Kudarat, and Sultan Mastura. Of these municipalities, Parang scored the highest in the assessment.

The committee said that the results of the feasibility study showed not just the need to relocate the government center but also the most ideal location for it to establish a new capital, the fast-growing town of Parang.

According to the proposed measure, the Bangsamoro Government Center in Parang will be autonomous from the local government unit and will report directly to the regional government.

A committee will be formed called the Committee on the Establishment of Administrative Capital to lead and organize the preparation, development, and implementation of masterplans, strategies, processes, and timetables that will serve as the framework for the development of Parang as the new administrative center of the Bangsamoro government.

Why Parang? Parang?

Based on the data of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality of Parang has 102,000 population, 17,000 households, and 25 villages. It also includes the seven villages of Bongo Island.

Strategically placed in Maguindanao's northwest, Parang is bordered by Matanog Municipality to the north, Barira and Buldon to the west, and Sultan Mastura to the south, all within Maguindanao del Norte Province.

The presence of the Polloc Freeport and Economic Zone creates a potential gateway to national and international direct commercial links that will provide a favorable environment for investment and trade, as well as employment opportunities that will stimulate economic growth and inclusive development.

The regional office of

the Philippine National Police is also located in the municipality which is just 31 kilometers from Cotabato City and 36 kilometers from Awang Airport.

It is also a municipality in the province that produces agricultural products, including agro-industrial and high-value commercial crops.

“We firmly believe that our locality is appropriately and capably suited as an advantageous setting for the establishment of BGC, which will offer quality services that can be easily accessed by constituents across the Bangsamoro region,” said Mayor Ibay.

Meanwhile, Cotabato City Vice Mayor Johari Abu said that he hopes the Parliament will discuss the impact of this legislation on the economic growth and activities of the city. He also stated that the 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Cotabato expresses its full support for the Bangsamoro government's larger actions for the betterment of its constituents.

Cotabato City is home to the Bangsamoro Government Center, formerly known as the Regional Autonomous Government in 1979, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in 1989, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2019.

The Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 42 was passed on September 22, 1995, with the intention of making Parang the permanent location of the regional capital until the development of necessary structures and infrastructure.

However, the move to Parang never materialized until the passage of Republic Act No. 9054 in 2001, which directed the ARMM Regional Government to construct a new permanent seat of government within its territory; Cotabato City remained the de facto location of the ARMM government.

Currently, the Bangsamoro Government Center houses the Bangsamoro Parliament along with the Office of the Chief Minister, 15 ministries, five commissions, and other agencies. According to Atty. Dumama-Alba, the committee report will be submitted to the plenary by May. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

Ford Wildtrak 2014

Zamboanga City | 0917-7103642

Powerful 2.2 diesel engine, manual transmission, 2-inch lift, Robinson suspension, 20-inch Black Rhino rims, thick tires, only 85,000 mileage. As is condition. First owner.

No rice shortage: Marcos

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

“Magpa-plano kami kung kailangan mag-import, kung kailangan magpahaba, magparami ng buffer stock sa NFA (National Food Authority) dahil masyado ng mababa. ‘Yun lang ang nakita naming problema, mababa ‘yung buffer stock ng NFA. Kailangan bumili ‘yung NFA para umabot siya ng at least nine days na buffer stock,” he added.

Marcos, however, pointed out that the NFA needs to buy its buffer stock from the local producer which drives the price of rice up, to ensure a sufficient supply of the grain. “Ang problema, kapag sila ay pumasok sa merkado, pag sila’y namili na para i-replace ‘yung buffer stock na kulang nila ay tataas naman ang presyo ng bigas dahil marami silang bibilin,” the said.

“Kaya’t ‘yun ang hinahanapan namin ng paraan para i-adjust. Siguro ang magagawa natin ay ang pagbili ay hindi bigla. Hindi malaki. ‘Yun lamang, also, you have to remember. This is agriculture, cyclical ito, by season ito,” he explained.

The government, Marcos said, needs to make sure that the NFA will be able to build up its buffer stocks for now. “In terms of the general supply for the country, I think we are in good shape. And although we’ll still have to import, our importations have come down.

Our agricultural sector is beginning to come back beyond pre-pandemic levels. And so that’s progressing nicely,” Marcos, who also serves as Agriculture chief, said.

Marcos said under the Department of Agriculture supply outlook, the country’s total supply is at 16.98 million metric tons (MMT), which is sufficient to cover this year’s demand estimated at 15.29 MMT. “This would leave the country with an ending balance of 1.69 MMT, which is equivalent to 45 days of buffer stock, instead of the 90-day ideal buffer stock to stabilize the price of rice,” he said.

Despite Marcos’ assurance, the NFA is proposing the importation of 330,000 MT of rice to cover an expected deficit in the country’s buffer stock for the relief operations of various agencies in the event of calamities this year.

Other Agriculture officials said the proposed buffer stock of rice is equivalent to nine days of national consumption from July 2023 onwards and will ensure sufficient volume for calamity and relief requirements from July to December this year.

Given the NFA’s budgetary constraints, the agency expects its buffer stocks will decrease to less than 500,000 sacks by July 2023, which is equivalent to less than a day of public

consumption.

Under the NFA’s proposed rice importation strategy, the agency proposes that the rice importation arrangement be undertaken through government-to-government transactions, either through the Office of the President or its designated agency.

Republic Act No. 11203 has removed the regulatory and import licensing issuance functions of the NFA and reduced its mandate to emergency buffer stocking of rice sourced solely from local farmers and allowed the private sector to freely import rice subject to a tariff.

The NFA may use its credit lines with the Development Bank of the Philippines and/or the Land Bank to finance the importation and provide logistics and management support.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) can procure imported stocks from the NFA and exclusively manage the final disposition.

Just recently, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has issued 989 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) applications for 3.170 MMT volume of rice applied out of the 3,024 SPSICs. Of this volume, 790,449.12 MT of imported rice has arrived. (Mindanao Examiner)

Mobilizing Cagayan de Oro’s human milk bank

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1 assistance to premature newborns and donating breast milk faster and more efficiently from the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC).

“Karon nga naa na gyud ang app, malipay kita kay tungod kung naa ta sa atong panimalay, magpagawas ta sa atong gatas igo nalang ninyo ipapick up and ipadala nato sa NMMC milk bank,” Founder of Modern Nanays of Mindanao, Nadine Angelica Gadia-Casiño said.

With the theme, “Women Disrupting the Breastfeeding Status Quo: Driving Change through Innovation,” the app was

created by Bulacan State University partners and tech developers Dennis Robles Dela Cruz and Kenet Faundo through the Smart Innovation Generation (InnoGen 2.0).

“As you can see here, it's (breastmilk) still the number one intervention to prevent under-five mortality in our country.

So kung i-combine tanan ang Zinc ug ang mga vaccines, dili gihapon siya mu-sum up sa pila ka percentage nga contribution [to a child's health] sa pag-breastfeeding,” said Dr. Jessamine C. Sareno, head pediatrician-neonatologist at the NMMC Human Milk Bank and Lactation Unit.

Sareno further notes that the milk is pooled and pasteurized in order to retain the immunological properties of the mother's breast milk and avoid contamination with other diseases. She said MNM also partnered with the Department of Health, the City Nutrition Committee, and the Philippine National Police to aid in the delivery of breastmilk from the NMMC across the city.

The MOM App is currently only available in Cagayan de Oro City, but with growing support and recognition from the local government unit, it seeks to expand and branch out to other areas nationwide. (GKND)

Impasugong communal ranch: Haven for nature lovers

from pineapple, palm oil trees, and high-value crops—rodeo shows also prospered. The mayor said the town’s cowboys work actively on ranches, do trail riding, and handle cattle and horses. "They also compete in rodeos to demonstrate their unique skills in a specially prepared arena. We are inspired and honored as they top in almost all rodeo events," Uy said.

The rodeo challenge The rodeo

pulls away from the rider, the rope grows taut, and the string will break away from the saddle horn. The fastest run wins.

longer atop the bucking bull wins.

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1

rolling hills in Capitan Bayong village, about eight kilometers northeast of the town, the ranch has been a legendary place of quietness and peace. This vast, 643-hectare grazing land is a haven for both animals and people. As far as the eye can see, lush green pastures stretch out in the distance, dotted with well-bred cattle and horse grazers.

The ranch features a captivating heart-shaped lake, apart from the mountain backdrop and wildflowers. It is best for tourists looking for a picture-perfect setting and for couples searching for a place to take prenuptial photos.

A sanctuary A

For outdoor enthusiasts, the ranch is a paradise. A place where we can slow down, breathe deeply, and appreciate the simple things in life. The forests and nearby hills connected by a network of trails are ideal for trekking and hiking. You can challenge yourself and push your limits, or take a leisurely stroll and bask in the stunning views. There’s something for everyone.

The town as a whole and the local government unit both jointly own the ranch, according to Mayor Anthony Uy. “For a fee of 500 pesos a year, Impasugong residents can benefit from various services, in-

cluding free vitamins, deworming, breeding, and feeding for their cattle, as well as the privilege to have their cattle cared for in the ranch,” he said.

As you stroll along the shore of the mirror-like lake, the towering ridges of Mount Kulago beckon you to unwind and let go of your worries. The rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds create a harmonious and serene ambiance, attracting tourists and nature buffs.

Go horseback riding Go horseback

The cowboys, or “Vaqueros,” have been honing their skills for generations, passing on their expertise from father to son. Tourists who want to try horseback riding need not worry, as the cowboys will guide them. For a fee of 250 pesos per hour, the tourists will be taught how to hold the reins and make the horse walk, trot, or run.

Not only do they teach the tourists how to ride, but they also make sure that the tourists are safe and comfortable while riding. They would check the gears, make sure that the horse is well-fed and hydrated, and give tips on how to handle the horse in case it becomes agitated.

The cowboys take pride in their work as they share stories about the ranch and the town.

Capture memories memories

For photography enthusiasts, the ranch’s

sprawling hills and serene lake provide a stunning canvas to capture memories that will last a lifetime. The ranch serves as the scenery for prenuptial photos for couples looking for a unique and intimate setting.

Pictures captured at the ranch will serve as a reminder of the beauty of nature and the warmth of Filipino hospitality. They will be a testament to the couples’ affection—captured in a place that has witnessed countless love stories.

Preserving heritage

Villagers used to herd cattle across long distances. However, since it requires more time and skill, becoming a cowboy was every herder’s dream. For several decades, the "dreamers" gradually learned to perfectly tend cattle and perform many of their duties on horseback.

The town still has preserved its cultural heritage and ethnic identity, which led Star Cinema to unveil the beauty of Impasugong. The blockbuster film “Love Me Again,” starring Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual, was shot in the town’s vast grazing land and valleys. Its colorful mountains, grasslands, rocky canyons, and gorges are all cinematically spectacular.

With the town’s wealth derived predominantly from cattle farms—aside

In the annual Kaamulan Festival, rodeo became the most watched sports race. Cowboys compete in five rodeo events: breakaway roping, steer wrestling, team roping, bull riding, and calf ribbon picking.

Breakaway Roping: A roper is on horseback with one end of the rope tied to the saddle horn. When the calf is released from the chute, the roper will be in hot pursuit, with the lasso swirling in the air overhead. When the loop is thrown, it must pass completely over the calf’s head. As the calf

Steer wrestling: This involves strength, speed, and precision. A cowboy on horseback, with an assistant known as a hazer, chases a steer (a neutered bull), drops from the horse to the steer, and then wrestles the steer to the ground, twisting its horns. The fastest cowboy to plunge the bull to the ground wins the race.

The Team Roping: This features a steer and two riders. The first roper is the header," who ropes the front of the steer, usually around the horns or neck. The second is the heeler," who ropes the steer by its hind feet. The fastest performer wins.

The Bull Riding: Involves a rider getting on a large bull and attempting to stay mounted while the bull bucks or jumps upward. The rider must tightly fasten one hand to the bull with a long braided rope. A rider who stays

The Calf Ribbon Picking: This is also a timed event where a horse-mounted ‘muse’ (cowgirl) ropes or lassos a calf, leaps from her horse, and picks the ribbons decorated in the calf’s body parts. The fastest performer is proclaimed ‘Rodeo Queen’.

In harmony with nature In with nature Impasugong is a Higaonon term that means “current that flows upstream.” With numerous waterfalls and springs wholly ideal for bathing and swimming, it has cool temperatures all year long. Its surrounding lush forests and cool blue waters allow you to chill out and relax.

There are countless reasons why Higaonons in Impasugong love nature. Find time to come and visit us here. Before you know it, you will be adding other reasons why this town should naturally be as it is—the home of the country’s finest cowboys. (RLRB)

NOTICE

Please report to us any individual or persons who are illegally soliciting money or donations for or in behalf of MINDANAO EXAMINER REGIONAL NEWS

PAPER.We have a strict company policy against solicitation in any forms and the Company shall not be responsible for illegal practice of unscrupulous persons, who pass themselves off as Reporter, Stringer, Correspondent or Sales Executive of The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper.

When in doubt, please call or SMS us at these numbers (062) 9555360 or SMS 0915-3976197 or email us – mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

Fully Charged

by Engr. Carlos Cornejo (Cebu City)

HERE ARE some tips so as to have that energy all day, work fully charged so as to get more things done, have a healthier body, a sharper mind and better relationships. Tips taken from best-selling author Tom Rath’s book “Are You Fully Charged?: The 3 Keys to Energizing Your Work and Life”.

The 3 Keys to energizing your work and life according to Mr. Rath is to have meaning in your work which is making the connection between what you do and how it benefits another person. Second, to have warm interactions with others and third, taking care of our physical health which is to make choices that improve our mental and physical well-being.

Meaning. The author says, “Until you understand how your efforts contribute to the world, you are simply going through the motions each day.” We should make our regular work have meaning and purpose to our life by seeing our job as a service to others and contributing to society’s progress. Whether you are a janitor or a president of a company, your job makes life better for others, because it really does. Armed with that sense of purpose, we get energized and make us work better.

Interactions. When we go to work, we are not there just for the company or the firm, but because of the company (friends at work). In other words, because of our good relationships with our co-workers, we look forward to working each day because of the lively and warm interactions we have with them. Its energy derived from friendships. In order to have many friends at work, we have to be friendly. Being friendly means having the interest for others to want to hear their life story because we can learn from them and try to assist them in their needs. Warm workplace interactions would not only refer to workmates but to customers as well. The book says if you have three to five positive interactions in a day, it will outweigh even one negative interaction. At times, it’s unavoidable that some friction happens, but just make sure you are not the problem. But if you think you are at fault, there is a thing called apologizing. Oftentimes a relationship can become stronger if it has undergone some testing.

Physical Health. Tom Rath is an author of another best-selling book entitled “Eat, Move, Sleep”. Thus, he recommends the same ideas taken from that book but this time in relation to

not easily getting tired. With food, here’s what Tom Rath says in avoiding that energy zapping artificial sugar, “There is absolutely no dietary need for any added sugar - a toxin that fuels diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and cancer. Eliminate as much added sugar as possible…Drink more water, tea, and coffee instead of soda or other sweetened drinks.”

We ought to look at the label of everything you are about to purchase and eat. If it contains more than 10 grams of sugar, don’t buy it. Aim for zero added sugar (naturally sweetened foods only such as fruits) throughout the day to keep your blood sugar stable and remain fully charged. At a minimum, avoid these sugary foods: soda, candy, pastries, fruit juice, and most dressings. I applied this advice personally to eliminate artificial sugar intake and it really did wonders to my health such as less acne (sugar causes inflammation), more energy, better mood, sharper mind and improved weight management.

Furthermore, be active all day by walking or standing up instead of sitting for long hours, here’s what the author says, “Being active throughout the day is the key to staying energized. Even 30–60 minutes of exercise a day will not cut it if you spend the rest of your day sitting around. Moving around and getting more activity every hour is what will keep you fully charged.

When you sit down, the electrical activity in your leg muscles shuts off quickly. Your rate of burning calories drops to just one per minute. The enzymes that help break down fat fall by 90 percent. After sitting for two hours, your good cholesterol drops by 20 percent.” We should set hourly reminders to move around and make standing the default position while working (get a stand-up desk if you work in an office).

And lastly on getting enough sleep, the author says, “The best performers in these studies slept for 8 hours and 36 minutes per night on average. The average American, in contrast, gets just 6 hours and 51 minutes of sleep on weeknights…One study suggests that losing 90 minutes of sleep can reduce daytime alertness by nearly one-third.” His three tips to sleeping well are: (1) Reduce your exposure to light at night (turn off electronic devices 1 hour before a scheduled bed time). (2) Lower the room temperature (reduced temperature or a cooler room prevents your natural body clock from waking you up in the middle of the night). (3) Reduce exposure to noise while sleeping by wearing ear plugs or playing a white-noise soundtrack while sleeping (use an app on your smartphone).

When discouragement threatens us

by Fr. Roy Cimagala (Cebu City)

THE STORY of the 2 disciples on their Emmaus (cfr. Lk 24,13-35) tells us that we can always count on God to help us, intervening in our lives in a most crucial way, whenever for one reason or another we find ourselves depressed and demoralized. We should never forget this truth of our faith, especially because in our life we will always have many occasions that can cause us frustration and sadness.

We need to trust in God’s providence and mercy. We have to learn to live a spirit of abandonment in the hands of God. Yes, if we have faith in God, in his wisdom and mercy, in his unfailing love for us, we know that everything will always work out for the good. If we are with God, we can always dominate whatever suffering can come our way in the same manner that Christ absorbed all his passion and death on the cross.

Let’s always remember that God, in his ineffable ways, can also talk to us through these crosses. In fact, he can convey precious messages and lessons through them. It would be good that we have a theological attitude toward them, and be wary of our tendency to react to them in a purely human way, based only on our senses and feelings and on worldly trends.

In all our affairs and situations in life, we should always go to God to ask for his help and guidance, and to trust his ways and his providence, even if the outcome of our prayers and petitions appears unanswered, if not, contradicted.

This should be the attitude to have. It’s an attitude that can only indicate our unconditional faith and love for God who is always in control of things, and at the same time can also leave us in peace

and joy even in the worst of the possibilities.

Remember the Book of Ecclesiastes where it says that for everything there is a season, “a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal…” But everything is under God’s control.

We have to follow the example of the many characters in the gospel who, feeling helpless in the many predicaments they were in, earnestly rushed to Christ for some succor. They went to him unafraid and unashamed and they got what they wanted.

It may happen that we may not get what we want. And in this, we should not be too surprised or too worried. What is sure is that God always listens and gives us what is best for us.

In those situations, I believe we just have to allow ourselves to play in God’s game plan, in his abiding providence whose designs are beyond reckoning, or are way beyond our comprehension and appreciation.

In this life, we need to develop a sportsman’s attitude, since life is like a game. Yes, life is like a game, because we set out to pursue a goal, we have to follow certain rules, we are given some means, tools and instruments, we train and are primed to win and do our best, but defeats can always come, and yet, we just have to move on.

We need a sporting spirit because life’s true failure can come only when we choose not to have hope. That happens when our vision and understanding of things is narrow and limited, confined only to the here and now and ignorant of the transcendent reality of the spiritual and supernatural world.

Pictures in the News

Photos from the Office of the Sulu Provincial Governor, Jaques Tutong, Maimbung Municipal Government, Rep. Shernee Tambut, Radyo Pilipinas Jolo, Noenyrie Asiri, and Aziz Salapuddin

Across

Down

ADVERTISE WITH US

Cotabato Newspaper Dealer Cebu Newspaper Dealer

The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is available in Cotabato City’s lone newspaper dealer Bernadette Guotana at “Goutana Copy Center” at Stall 5. For subscription, please call 0997-5412615. And for all your publications, please call BARMM Bureau Chief Mark Navales at 0916-6885389

Zamboanga Newspaper Dealer

Villamero’s Enterprises

For all your newspaper publications or subscription to The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, please call or text Villamero’s Enterprises at these numbers (062) 955-8677 and 0917-1223496. Located at Campaner Street, Zamboanga City and serving Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

For all your newspaper publications or subscription to The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, please call or text Rodil Ybañez at these numbers (0923) 1670009. Located at G/F Dreamfield bldg, Sanciangko Street, Kamagayan Cebu City

Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief Reynold Toribio Graphics/Video Editor

MANILA

No. 18 Purok 4B Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, 1632 chardee.mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com (0916) 9558559, (0915) 0070927, (0947) 2652969 Richard C. Ebona

CEBU CITY

G/F Dreamfield bldg, Sanciangko Street, Kamagayan (0923) 1670009 Rodil P. Ybañez

DAVAO CITY Kamya Alley, Dagaang Compound, San Pedro Extension (082) 2447681 / (0997) 3172021 Marilou Cablinda

NORTH COTABATO KIDAPAWAN CITY Paolo De Jesus (0927) 4757936

BARMM CENTRAL MINDANAO COTABATO CITY

5-A Pansacala Street (RH10) Cotabato City, 9600

Mark Navales (0916) 6885389

PAGADIAN CITY

Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera st., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur (0910) 7348600 Richard Suarez

ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA BASILAN, SULU, TAWI TAWI BARMM

3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Zamboanga City (062) 9555360 (0915) 3976197 / (0935) 6123587

Maritess Fernandez

South Koreans are back!

LAPU-LAPU CITY - South Korea is again the Philippines' top source of foreign APU-LAPU CITY - South Korea is the Philippines' top source of visitors so far this year, according to Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco visitors so far this year, to Tourism Christina Frasco.

Frasco - who led officials in welcoming some 300 holidaymakers at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport - said the South Koreans were members of the UNICITY, a direct selling company on health functional foods, cosmetics and household items and with over 60 markets globally.

She said data from the Department of Tourism showed a significant increase in Korean arrivals since last year with 428,014 or a 16.13% of the country’s arrivals between Feb. 10 - when the country eased its borders for leisure travelers - up until Dec. 31, 2022.

Make BHWs regular government employees: Rep. Geraldine Roman

CEBU CITY - Bataan

1st District Representative Geraldine Roman presented her goal of making barangay health workers regular government employees to the Cebuano people amid the wide and heavy responsibilities that these workers have in their respective areas.

The lawmaker explained the important provisions of House Bill 6481 titled Barangay Frontline Health Services which she authored, during a gathering with the barangay health workers in the province of Cebu held in this city.

The bill aims to elevate BHWs as regular government employees, with most of them being considered as volunteers only receiving honorarium much lower than the minimum wage.

“Agrabyado po sa ganito ang barangay health workers dahil ang responsibilidad nila ay maihahalintulad na rin sa mga propesyunal na manggagamot. Sa mga barangay, sila ang unang tinatawag o kaya ay nagtutungo sa mga may medical needs,” Roman said.

Under the bill, the Department of Health would establish a registry of qualified barangay health care frontline services (BHFS) personnel, included in the list will

receive regular basic salary, as well as insurance and benefits similar to other workers in the public sector.

Registered barangay health workers are entitled to a monthly compensation of Salary Grade 1, which is P12,517 based on the Salary Standardization Law of 2019.

"We want a national registry para pirmi kayo sa inyong mga puwesto, and because you are to be considered as regular government employees dahil talaga namang nagbibigay kayo ng public service," said Roman.

In addition to a monthly salary, the lawmaker is also backing for additional benefits for barangay health workers, such as insurance coverage from GSIS and PhilHealth.

The Barangay Frontline Health Services bill also includes various allowances, such as hazard and transportation allowances, as well as training

and career enrichment programs for BHWs with the help of various government agencies.

"Nagpapagaling kayo, tumutulong kayo sa pagpapagaling ng mga may sakit. You take care of the health of all Filipinos and yet ang sahod ninyo, ang salary ninyo parang tip lamang, hindi ito makatarungan, hindi ito tama!" the lawmaker said.

Roman assured BHWs that she will continue to fight for the proposed bill alongside BHW party-list Representative Nikka Co, who also attended the event in Cebu.

The Barangay Frontline Health Services bill is currently pending in the House Committee on Health.

"Sa mga minamahal kong mga barangay health workers subaybayan po ninyo as Congresswoman Nikka and I fight para ma-establish itong Barangay Health Care Frontline Service," Roman said. (Cebu Examiner)

visitor arrivals to the Philippines, with 1,989,322 or 24.08 percent of the country’s total number of arrivals for 2019. Arrivals from Korea declined dramatically during the pandemic, dropping to 338,877 and 6,456, for 2020 and 2021, respectively.

are brought together. Recently there has been an industry trend toward using the term "meetings industry" to avoid confusion from the acronym.

“The good news is that as of today, we have over 1.5 million tourist arrivals to the Philippines and our number one top source market is the Koreans. So we're very grateful to our friends from Korea for continuing to show their love for the Philippines as they have come back in droves, and the UNICITY group in particular, has come with a delegation of no less than 1,400 people,” Frasco said.

Upon their arrival, the Korean travelers were welcomed with leis and performances by rondalla serenaders as well as by Sinulog dancers.

Prior to the pandemic, Korea ranked number one in terms of

“They’re coming on a daily basis and the numbers are increasing by the day. Last year, they were at number two, because it is the United States that [provided] our number one top source market. But this year, the Koreans have reclaimed the number one spot and we send out the message to all our friends in Korea, that you are more than welcome to keep coming back again and again to Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, and the rest of our beautiful islands in the Philippines,” Frasco said.

MICE destination MICE

Frasco noted that the arrival of a delegation as big as the UNICITY group is a welcome development especially with the DOT “seeing MICE tourism become a very strong product for the Philippines and also for Cebu.”

MICE refers to ‘meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions’ tourism. Ir is a type of tourism in which large groups, usually planned well in advance,

“They are staying for a few days and we expect that this will contribute greatly to the economy of Cebu in particular, and to the rest of the country in general, considering the multiplier effect of tourism is really so that they will support our local tourism stakeholders, our small and medium enterprises, and the like,” Frasco said.

To further boost the Korean tourism source market and visitor arrivals, the DOT, through its office in Korea, carries out marketing initiatives including an online presentation to educate the MICE players in the Philippines about the Korean MICE market, as well as participation to upcoming key events such as business-to-business fairs, and a MICE roadshow.

“We're certainly also pitching for Bohol as an attractive island tourism destination in Central Visayas, especially considering the variety of offerings that Bohol has especially in terms of nature-based tourism as well as pilgrimage and heritage tourism,” she said. (Cebu Examiner)

Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey

Coffee lovers in the Philippines may now enjoy the best and the most expensive coffee in the worldKopi Luwak - but not as pricey as every connoisseur thinks.

Kopi Luwak is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. The cherries are fermented as they pass through a civet’s intestines, and after being defecated with other fecal matter, they are collected.

In Manila, a kilogram of Civet coffee sells for

as high as P15,000 and over $500 dollars abroad.

But Kopi Luwak can now be enjoyed by every coffee lover for as low as P150 for a 16 oz. cup that comes with a drip bag, ground organic Civet coffee beans, two packets of brown sugar and a stirrer in a beautiful Kraft paper bag – thanks to the Mindanao Civet Coffee seller in Zamboanga City.

The new market player in the coffee business, although small, is now offering affordable organic Kopi Luwak – sourced and picked by farmers from the highlands of Mindanao, cleaned and dried and roasted to perfection to give coffee lovers that distinct aroma of Civet coffee berries – chocolaty and nutty and smooth bodied brewed drink.

Mindanao Civet Coffee, which started as a backyard reseller of coffee beans, now offers organic Kopi Luwak in 250 grams ground Civet coffee and 250 grams Civet coffee beans – all medium roasted to perfection.

Kopi Luwak is also available now in 3rd Cup Café at LM Metro Hotel in Zamboanga City, and resellers in Luzon, Cebu and other parts of Mindanao. The Mindanao Civet Coffee is a favorite among travellers and tourists and coffee connoisseurs. And for those who want the perfect gift for all occasions, Kopi Luwak is the best choice.

And those who are interested to resell or perhaps enjoy a daily hot cup or cold brew of Kopi Luwak may call the Mindanao Civet Coffee at this mobile number 0915-3976197. (AJC)

South Korean visitors arrive at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in this photo released by the Department of Tourism.

Rep. Geraldine Roman is flanked by supporters.