Cagayan de Oro Times (January 6-12, 2013 Issue) by Mindanao Daily News

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Vol. 1 | No. 22 | Cagayan de Oro City | January 6 - 12, 2013

MisOr pioneers credit surety fund program in NorthMin

he national government, private sector and the people are joining hands to make credit more easily accessible to small businesses in Northern Mindanao through the creation of the Northern Mindanao Credit Surety Fund (NMCSF). BSP Monetary Board Member Felipe M. Medalla and Misamis Oriental Provincial Governor Oscar S. Moreno join 15 cooperatives in signing a Memorandum of Agreement to officially create the NMCSF on Monday, January 07, 2013 at a local hotel. The occasion also marks the 83rd anniversary of Misamis Oriental’s creation as a separate province. “The Credit Surety Fund represents our joint effort with the national government through the BSP, the private sector through the banks and the people through the cooperatives to help make more readily available loans that will accelerate growth in the entrepreneurial sector,” Gov. Moreno said. “The CSF, as guarantor, will help ease

loan availability for businesses which have difficulty accessing credit. This project will help empower our small businessmen.” Initiated in August 2008, the CSF is a credit enhancement scheme which pools cash contributions from participating cooperatives, local government units and partner institutions to serve as surety in lieu of hard collaterals for loans extended by banks to micro, small and medium enterprises under the CSF Program. This NMCSF seeks to improve the bankability of cooperatives and capitalshort businessmen who have difficulty obtaining regular bank loans due to lack of or inadequate collateral, credit knowledge and credit track record. Under the CSF Program, credit facilities may now be accessed even in the absence of hard collateral through the issuance of a surety cover by the CSF in favor of the lending bank. “NMCSF is empowering our coops,” noted Norris C. Babiera, vice governor.

“Misamis Oriental blazes the trail in this endeavor by leading the way in Region X. This joint agreement will benefit our cooperatives and access to capital made readily available to small entrepreneurs who have difficulty complying with regular bank collateral requirements. Thus, capital for our coop members is secured through this securitization.” Fifteen cooperatives and non-government organizations (NGOs) have signified their interest to join the program and contributed an aggregate amount of P9.4 million to the NMCSF, while the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental pledged P2.0 million. Now on its fifth year, the BSP said the CSF Program has been institutionalized in 19 provinces and seven cities nationwide. As of June 2012, BSP data disclosed 276 cooperatives and 90 non-government institutions contributing to various credit surety funds nationwide an estimated P350 million. (BWM News Bureau)

SHOWING OFF. A girl in Barangay Ban-ao, Baganga, Davao Oriental shows off her drawing during the presentation during the psycho-social intervention activity at a makeshift tent that serves as the assembly area of the Assembly of God. Photo by BONG D. FABE

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NBI help sought to stop Villar Foundation text scam

Cynthia Villar CDOTIMES File Photo [S.Uy]

S en. Manny Vi l lar said the help of the National Bureau of Investig ati on (NBI) was sought to finally put a stop to the text scam using the name of the Villar Foundation, which he chairs. Villar said he met with NBI Dir. Nonnatus Caesar Rojas and got the commitment that the bureau’s Anti-Fraud Unit will investigate the matter. “I asked Director Rojas to prioritize this. We will be turning over to the NBI the reports we have collected so they can properly act on this,” he added. Villar, also the Nacionalista Party president, said this scam discredits the foundation that h av e b e e n i n t h e f o r e f r o nt of pro g r a m s t o b e n e f it t h e marginalized sectors of society.

E a r l i e r, t h e f o u n d a t i o n Managing Director, Cynthia Villar, denied that the foundation is sponsoring an ongoing raffle promo. One text message, coming from a certain Rodel Enriquez states: “Congratulations, your SIM no. won P580,000 from the Villar Foundation for its 20th anniversary, per DTI-NCR permit no. 0328 Series 2012.” “The scammers even included in the message a DTI permit nu m b e r a n d t h e n a m e of a person, who is misrepresenting himself as my secretary, to make it appear legitimate. However, we would like to inform the public that the Villar foundation has no ongoing raffle promos or contests," said Cynthia Villar. Another version of the text says there is a Pamaskong Handog

by the Villar Foundation. S h e a l s o u rge d a l l t h o s e w h o w i l l re c e i ve t h e b o g u s text message to immediately report to their office, contact details of which can be found o n i t s w e b s i t e ht t p : / / w w w. villarfoundation.org/. “ T h e on l y t h i n g t r u e or f a c tu a l ab out t he te x t s c am i s t h a t Vi l l a r F o u n d a t i o n i s c e l e br at i ng it s 2 0 t h ye ar anniversary,” said the former Las Piñas Representative, who added that this is not the first time that text scams were circulated to malign the Villar name. In 2010, text messages claiming to be from Senator Manny Villar’s alleged housing foundation ‘Handog-Pabahay sa OFW’ and promising cash rewards for overseas Filipino Sen. Manny Villar workers (OFWs), also circulated. CDOTIMES File Photo [S.Uy]

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Dire Husi- The Footbridge for Young Filipino Artists Story and Photos by Roselyn Paglinawan “Let us use what God gave us and let it be a blessing to others.”Dire Husi cofounder Rhyan Casiño, st ate d i n a Fa c eb o ok interview before my visit to Artsville. Wit h h is s i nc e re st atement, t he more I understand how much he values his commitment to others. He devoted his life causing a necessary change to young Filipino artists in Cagayan de Oro, but do you also wonder who he is? C asiño was a t hird grader when his parents separated, and he was raised alone by his mother who used to be a midwife in a private company. He g re w up i n Bu k i d non province with positive outlooks in life not only for himself and his family but for other people who needs help. His desire in arts begins on 1996 and was inspired by some of the prominent artists like Ben Cabrera, Va n G o g h a n d a b ov e all he look up to God. Mixed media, indigenous materials such as acrylic, oil, and pastels are his medium in painting. Casiño was adopted by the tribal chieftain of the tigwahanon, Manobo tribe because he helped them promote the tigwahanon culture. In 2008, Casiño a c o l l e g e d rop out f rom Xavier University, now Northern Mindanao Representative of National Commission for Culture and Arts- Committee on Visual arts (NCCA-CVA) founded a non-government org an i z at i on t he D i re Husi Initiatives, Inc. with Rustie Quintana as the Vice President. R e - e n forc e d by h is faith in God, he worked closely with the developing community and provide hands on training on the street kids who are willing to accept the challenge to change. “I realize that besides creating paintings I have another calling and that is to organize marginalized communities to empower them through the arts, at the same time art can help

them develop their selfesteem and self-worth, where they will have to dream to excel from where they are now at, and later be a model to the society.” These compelling words given by Rhyan Casiño in a facebook conversation, has ignited my curiosity to dig deeper on what’s Dire Husi Initiatives’ offering to Filipinos, particularly in Cagayan de Oro. So safely lean back and relax as I unfold thought-provoking discoveries. A breathtaking trip to Ar ts v i l l e - Dire Husi project in Puerto

they will fall in love with its friendly, wonderful ambience and they will realize more how beautiful life is. As according to Johann Gottfried Von Herder, without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant. There is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks. The view alone can serve as inspiration that will keep them on their toes as they take on the challenge in living a rightful life. We arrived earlier than I expected. My eyes were on stalks when I saw what’s in Artsville museum. Inside, are the paintings hanged around the open wall, wood arts, wooden chairs, tables, indigenous material being made into crafts and musical instruments like guitar. “The future museum w i l l b e for t he lumad artifacts of bukidnon,” said Casiño. He also talked about expanding Artsville. They are planning to turn it to an art cafe where people or guest can enjoy the arts Erwin Reyes played tambol inside Artsville after at the same time they can the interview. have a place to dine and

relax where they will be entertained with the Dire Husi musical group. “ We w a n t t o b e sustainable in helping others so opening an art café in Artsville is the option,” he added. Heart to heart talks with the human statue “No more! It’s hard to be a loser man, making a mess every day. Of course I wanna show people I can play. I can do something with my life. I just want to make my son proud,” said Junior Palaita in the movie (Gridiron Gang), an American sports drama of 2006. Tu r n i n g p o i n t o f Palaita’s life played by Setu Taase. He was pleading the football coach, Sean Porter as D wayne Johnson to give him a second chance. Although I only watched it from YouTube but the emotion were vivid. The same emotion and courage reflects in the eyes of Erwin Reyes, 25, 2nd year in Bayabas National High School, when I asked him what his biggest dream in life. He almost broke down in tears before he was able to say a word. FOOTBRIDGE| PAGE 11

November, 2012 from Xavier University I took a ride in a Bugo Liner Jeepney going to Puerto. The 40 minutes ride was never b oring with the soft rocks music played and gentle wind blowing towards us. Amazing how everything’s turned to a sudden magic! Enthralled by the mount ain, forest vie w of Mapawa and the new bu i l d i n g s g i v e m e a n impression of a productive community. I didn’t even notice we’ve already reach the Jeepney stop in Puerto. I found myself standing outside the Puerto C om mu n it y Ho s pit a l . What I had in mind was a little humorous because some guys looked at me consciously. They must have idea I was not certain where I’m heading to. I should have pay attention but it was worth it. I just found out there’s a paradise right here in Cagayan de Oro. A place Filipinos can be proud of. Casiño came to pick me up, and then we ride a motor bike going to Artsville in Upper Puerto. The rays of the sun hurt a little but on the way I’ve seen something so special that I forgot I was riding a motor bike not a cruise ship. I could not fully express in words how happy I became when I saw the view. The overlooking view of Macajalar Bay! There’s a possibility when the street kids see this place, like I do Dire Husi Initiatives Inc., project in Puerto. An Indigenous museum.

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Brgy. Food Terminal opens in Salay town Poblacion, Salay, Misamis Oriental – In its foremost intent to increase the income of agri-fishery producers, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), formally turnedover the P300,000-worth Barangay Food Terminal (BFT) project to Salay Rural Folks Livelihood and Association, Inc. on December 27, 2012, in this town. The said project will serve as a food depot and distribution system within the barangay for affordable, safe, nutritious and quality food products. Wherein, it also draws community involvement in ensuring that members are directly linked to their respective consumers. Prior to the launch of the BFT, the beneficiaries have undergone an Operationalization Training aimed in equipping themselves with management and operation techniques to efficiently and sustainably run the project. Included in the BFT package were P200,000 for the equipment such as chest freezer, chiller, cash register and digital weighing scale; and P100,000 for the initial operational capital. Handing in the certificate of turn-over to the association is Honey Gladys S. Valledor (top photo, 3rd from the left), OIC AMAD chief, who urged the beneficiaries to exercise transparency in every undertaking relative to the BFT project and to highly patronize their own products. Meanwhile, Julie W. Acao (extreme right), association president, imparted that she along with her fellow members shall exhaust all possible means to properly handle the project in harmony with the DA’s thrust of attaining food security and self-sufficiency. Also in the picture is the AMAD team – (from the left) Carol Bajarla, Investment Section Chief; Cora E. Balabat, BFT Focal Person; and Ariel M. Bagay, Project Development Assistant; Elbina Marie T. Tan, Municipal Accountant and Paul Ubalde, Municipal Agriculturist of Salay. (Joanne L. Olson, DA-10)

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Global Filipino School: Dr. Adonis Agcopra, MBA, RFC®

Be a Financial Success!

reetings of abundance to all for the new year 2013 in this opening salvo of The Financial Doctor! Defining success has been quite an elusive endeavor. But perhaps one of the most practical accounts of success describe it as the attainment of balance and excellence in seven of life’s most important aspects – spiritual health, physical health, family and relationships, career, selfeducation, social responsibility, and last but not the least, financial well-being. Every facet of your lifetime success attributes has a corresponding monetary equivalent attached to it as a necessary tradeoff. If you are financially unwell, you will find difficulty balancing the other six as well. Money is like gasoline – it fuels all your dreams and goals in this physical world. You may have a Ferrari, but what good can it do if it comes

with an empty tank? Zig Ziglar once said: “Money isn’t the most important thing in life, but it’s reasonably close to oxygen!” When you feel down, you will have a problem lifting up your spirits especially if your wallet is torn. With money problems giving you a recurrent headache, you will fall ill much earlier due to anxiety and stress. If you get pushed to the wall being out of funds, you might even learn how to sleep like a baby – and sleeping like a baby simply means having no other option but to cry yourself to sleep! Imagine yourself waking up one morning, and lo and behold, you wonder why you feel so carefree! Money worries seem like a thing of the past. You then realize you are indeed financially free! You have accumulated enough assets passively working for you such that even if you decide to quit your active job right there and then, you could still support

Building a Community of 21st Century-Ready Teachers and Students

yourself and your family for a lifetime. Now truly that’s what you might call “financial security.” Follow The Financial Doctor and learn more of the inner workings of your wallet. Know your money’s worth During the turnover held December 12, BNHS ICT instructor as we tackle one step at a time Armand Lagria presented an overview of the plans for the Global Filipino School. The Global Filipino School is a competencyeverything there is to know under building initiative of Globe Telecom that seeks to transform the financial sun – investments, public high schools into ICT centers of excellence and hopes to provide access to quality education. financial instruments, financial markets and whachamacallits. Ask what you might need to a r d w o r k a n d the use of ICT as a tool in persistence always teaching.” know more about your money pays off—this is The community-based ripple concerns by sending email to what 32-year old effect is what Globe hopes to aficfinancialconsultants@outlook. Armand Lagria has learned achieve with the establishment com and we shall talk about it in over the past years. Lagria of the first Global Filipino more detail in future issues. started out as a utility assistant School in Bilar National High

(Dr. Adonis Agcopra is a registered international financial strategic consultant and is the client portfolio director of AFIC Meridian Consultants. You may log in to www.aficfinancialconsultants. com.)

MINDANAO ASSOCIATION OF QUADMEDIA - Photo shows General Manager Ped Quiamjot of Pryce Plaza Hotel (2nd from left) during the December 26, 2012 luncheon meeting relative to the 1st General Assembly of the Mindanao Association of Quadmedia (MAQ), which is slated on January 25 this year at said hotel. To his right is Publisher/CEO Dante M. Sudaria of the Sudaria Group of Newspaper Publications, with (right to left) MAQ Convener and MSB Editor-in-Chief Joe del Puerto Felicilda, MSB News Editor Arjay S. Felicilda and CDO Times Editor-in-Chief Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy. (MDN Photo)

in the principal’s office of Bilar National High School in 2003. After getting his degree in secondary education at Bohol Island State University (BISU) in 2003, Lagria was hired as a teacher at BHS the year after. Now, he has a full plate teaching Technology and Livelihood education (TLE) to third year and fourth year high school students as well as Filipino to third year high school students. “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” shares the 32-year old TLE teacher. Lagria was also chosen to be part of the Global Filipino Teachers (GFT) Program of Globe Telecom which trains teachers on the use of integrated communications technology (ICT) in classroom instruction and the use of project-based learning approaches. With an intensive 54-hour, sixday Global Filipino Teacher training program to his name, Lagria is also one of the peer coaches tasked to train other teachers on new methods of teaching using ICT integration in his school district. When Bilar National High School was chosen to be the country’s first Global Filipino School in 2011 by Globe Telecom along with i m p l e m e n t i n g p a r t n e r, Coalition for Better Education (CBE), Lagria had mixed emotions. “I’m happy and proud but am also mindful of the big responsibility,” he says. The Global Filipino School is a competency-building initiative of Globe Telecom that seeks to transform public high schools into ICT centers of excellence and hopes to provide access to quality education. The first Global Filipino School was turned over to Bilar National High School in December 2012. “Masaya talaga ako. I’m thankful for the opportunities—first as a Global Filipino teacher, and now our school as a Global Filipino School—to become more effective in my work as a teacher,” says Lagria. “Behind all these blessings are also big responsibilities. My duties will not only be limited to the classroom setting but now, I am tasked to help influence and mentor my colleagues not only in our school but other schools as well to promote

School. The ICT model school is equipped with wired and wireless Internet connection, multi-media peripherals, and is housed in an energy-efficient and environment-friendly building. “More than just the physical infrastructure, we are helping build a community of leaders—of principals, teachers, and community heads who will be trained on mentoring, collaborative learning, effective leadership and ICT tools for student a s s e s s m e nt a n d s c h o o l management,” says Rob I. Nazal, Head for Globe Corporate Social Responsibility. Lagria is both excited and anxious to get a headstart on the plans for the Global Filipino School. He excitedly shares, “Implementation and training will first be done at the school level before we move to the district level. We’ll also introduce the program to the school division to influence more schools.” With Lagria at the helm and with the support of Bilar National High School principal Maria Lileth Calacat, plans are underway for teacher training and ICT integration into the current high school curriculum. “We’re excited to teach more students with the new facilities and provide new avenues for learning. We want Bilar National High School to inspire and transform other communities and schools to be globally-competitive hubs for learning and teaching,” adds Lagria. “From best practices, we want the school and community to be able to incubate ‘next practices’. By investing in education, Globe is also helping ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the locality. We are committed to developing exemplary leaders in the area of education who can be catalysts in nationbuilding,” continues Nazal. Bilar National High School was chosen to be the first Global Filipino School after an evaluation with focus on school management, teacher and student development, and ability and potential to forge partnerships and collaboration with the community stakeholders for sustainable development projects.

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Points of View ALA MODE OWEN JAEN

It’s Got To Be MEME! The

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CAGAYAN TIMES Publisher ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA General Manager SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY Editor-in-Chief RONALD MASTAIL Associate Editor | Art Director ARJAY FELICILDA CHRISTINE CABIASA DYON KARLO AGUILLON ROSELYN PAGLINAWAN MARIEL IGOT Correspondents NELSON CONSTANTINO RUEL PELONE ALLAN MEDIANTE JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA Editorial Consultants PINKY DOMINGO CADAVEDO Marketing Manager ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI ATTY. ROBERTO A. CANTAGO, JR. Legal Counsels

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES newspaper is published weekly at FICCO Bldg., Lapasan Hi-way, with the editorial office at Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa St., Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 with Certificate No. 01801884, and with Business Permit No. 17211 with TIN No. 311-982-549-000 Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CagayandeOroTIMES Follow us on Twitter: @TheCDOTIMES

Do you know what’s a ‘meme’? Lately, this internet byword has become increasingly popular. A meme (pronounced as meem) is actually anything that goes viral or extremely popular such as an idea, concept or behavior that is spread from one person to another within a culture. Lately online memes are gaining so much web exposures courtesy of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Memes range from videos, photos, captions, emails and blogs. In the Philippines alone, internet memes are a staple on Facebook. Try checking your FB news feed and you will see at least one or two memes posted by your online friends. This can be in the form of the famous photo of Donya Angelica Santibanez of Marimar Fame asking Facundo (her aide) to do mostly unbelievable, hilarious and comically absurd things. Or perhaps you will see familiar stick drawings of movie stars, politicians and sports athletes in a satire comic sketch generated from one of the most popular meme site, 9gag and its contemporary- Reddit. These sites contain a “Expect the unexpected” this should have been my last thought before 2012 ended but I guess I learned another great lesson as a leader. As I try to look back D’blends endured an unexpected trial during Sendong last 2011, and experienced together the calamity our real characters came out and as it turns out we became stronger as a team. I never thought something harder will hit us this year. More than the physical pain and trauma we got last year this time our relationship with each other is on the rocks. I never realized this until late December 2012. It put me to tears and for the first time I really didn’t know what to do with the group. I was depressed. I literally asked God what to do, faithfully He answered through the scriptures 2 Timothy 4:2 … be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage— with great patience and careful instruction – 2 Timothy 4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship… Upon reading and reflecting on these verses whose spirit will not be lifted, depression left me. I continued to pray for

treasure trove of popular memes worldwide ranging from the hilarious to something of the weird kind. What’s the purpose of a meme? A meme is a way of grabbing people’s attention through humor. When a meme gets viral (spreads fast over the internet on extremely rapid pace), it becomes embedded in local culture and stays there for quite a while. People who illicit the same response from the meme or have shared reactions or abominations create a connection albeit over the worldwide web. To some extent, memes are a useful way to get messages across although in a funny way. Just recently, memes are generated to create a “marketing buzz” or media hype of certain products and brands by certain strategists and ad agencies. This form of promotions is quite new in the country but it is catching on because we Filipinos are known to have a great sense of humor and laugh at almost anything. However, some memes have the tendency to backfire after it has gone overboard and considered no longer funny. And since memes are a way for a culture or a

His wisdom and to my amazement; God gave me a specific simple answer to the group problem. What I think was really hard was not actually hard, it just meant I have to slow down and take it one day at a time to see things clearly. The solution God gave is easy but it means hard work for all of us for this year. Another important lesson I learned, giving up my pride first made it lighter and easier in the long run. God also reminded me that when you are a leader you are a servant, wherever or whatever organization you are in. Now you may be wondering why I am sharing this all to you, It is because I have seen bands and choirs nowhere to be found now… because of PRIDE. More than the music we do, the relationships we build with our fellow artists are more important, the best bands and choirs have the best chemistry between them. How they do it? Relationship developed through the years. I have peace in my heart and His confidence that what I did was right. From now on I will try to expect the unexpected challenges along the way.

society to form a sort of bond through shared concepts and common ideas, sites such as Facebook allows people to interact, connect and converse by way of commenting, sharing and liking the humor brought about by a meme. Going back to the Donya Santibanez mentioned as an example, the meme has attracted so much buzz that it has earned a spot as one of the most trending topics on Twitter and has gained quite a huge following on Facebook. The reason for this meme’s rise to fame is the familiarity of the Filipinos to the character being parodied and our penchant for catchy oneliners. For 2013, which meme will rise to the occasion? It is still too early to tell but if you keep on regularly updating your FB newsfeeds, it will pop out and reveal itself eventually. P.S. Thank you dear readers for making The CDO Times your paper of choice and thank you for taking the time to read my articles! May you all have a great and wonderful year ahead! Here’s to the good life, Cheers!

WORDS & NOTES DEBBIE CABAGUE

When the going gets tough

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Ban-aowon children’s New Year’s wishes By Bong D. Fabe

BAN-AO, Baganga, Davao Oriental—“Mga salin mi sa bagyo (We are leftovers of the typhoon).” This was how 9-year-old Grade Three pupil Em-Em described herself and the other survivors of Typhoon Pablo (Bopha). “I hope we will have a new house in the New Year because our old house was destroyed by the typhoon,” she said as she showed her drawing to the gathering of children and their mothers inside a big makeshift tent, that served as a church of the Assembly of God, during the psycho-social intervention activity conducted by volunteers from Xavier University here recently. Em-Em also expressed to her dream of becoming a teacher. Like Em-Em, other children — Nico, Jimboy, Rita, and others — drew colourful houses and trees “vented” their wishes for on paper using crayons and clay. 12-year-old Jimboy also drew a banca and some fishing gear aside the house. “I helped my father in fishing after school before the typhoon. But like our house, our fishing boat and equipment were destroyed by Pablo. I wish we will be able to buy a new fishing boat so that we will have income from the fish we will catch,” Jimboy said. For 7-year-olds Nico, Rita and Jun-Jun, their singular wish, aside from having a new house, is for their school to be rebuilt so that they can continue their education. “Education is important as it will help me become an engineer,” Jun-Jun said. The Ban-ao Elementary School was destroyed. Two — a father and son — were killed when the ceiling beam of one of the rooms collapsed on a

SUPERVISING. Disaster Aid International’s (DAI) humanitarian and disaster response expert Ed Cox teaches and leads locals in setting up DAI’s tents in a cleared area of the Ban-ao Elementary School compound in Barangay Ban-ao, Baganga, Davao Oriental. (Photo by BONG D. FABE) family who took shelter there at the height of Pablo’s wrath. The adjacent DayCare Center-cum-barangay gym (covered court), in front of the Barangay Hall, collapsed with its steel trusses crumpled by the giant hands of Pablo killing 5 on the early morning of November 4, when Pablo returned to B an-ao and unleashed its deadly wrath on the hapless villagers. “This is where we hid with my sister, under the sink,” recalls Em-em, pointing to a corner of the destroyed covered court. “We t hen ran to t he Barangay Hall, but its roof collapsed on us. I was hit on the back with a big chunk of concrete. After that, we ran to the nearby hills and flatten ourselves on the ground on the other side of the hill so that we will not be swept by the strong winds,” she added. Fortunately for Em-Em, she was not injured by the concrete chunk that fell on her back. She also doggedly followed

this reporter with her chatter and ever ready smile, unlike the other children who were shy in talking with strangers, especially one with a camera and a videocam. “Before you leave, give me one of that,” she said, pointing to my digital camera, a very big smile lighting her innocent face amidst the ruins of her former school. Her innocent ways and childish chatter showed her happy disposition. But more than that, it showed her resiliency, a key factor that will help her bounce back from the tragedy very quickly, said Monalisa Pangan of XU’s Chapel Ministries. Pangan, w ho le d t he psycho-social intervention activity, said that while EmEm is different because she is naturally talkative, the other non-talkative children also showed resilience in drawing houses, school, church, trees, sea, hills during the activity. “Their drawings indicated their sincere wish

of getting their normal lives back,” she said during the p o st - a c t iv it y pro c e ss i ng on board one of Balay Mindanaw’s vehicles from a visit to the incident c om mand p o st ( IC P ) i n Cateel, Davao Oriental. Ban-ao, one of Baganga’s 17 villages, is the hardesthit barangay in the whole municipality with 17 dead and more than 90 percent of its 520 families homeless with literally no source of income in sight as Pablo also “illegally cut” 99 percent of all coconuts. “The sea cannot also be depended on during this time of the year, starting f r o m O c t o b e r t o M a y, because of the waves and strong current due to the

Amihan,” said 55-year-old Florgardo Pontillas. Wit h not h i ng l e f t , Armando Escamillian, 53, expressed his and the other villagers’ wish of investors to come and transform Banao into a resort given that t h e b a r a n g ay h a s w h it e sandy beaches waiting to be developed. “There are also several caves here just a few minutes walk away. The biggest of these caves is so cavernous it is like entering a cathedral. Its attraction is a cr ystal clear cold p o ol of water fe d by n atu r a l spr i ng s ,” Escamillian says. A day before Pablo struck, Ban-ao Barangay Chairperson Mera Adlawan Ching, 41, signed a

Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Environment department to develop its m ang rove are a s i nt o an eco-tourism spot. “I hope our mangroves recover so we can continue w i t h i t s d e v e l o p m e n t ,” she said, adding: “I often wondered if we could ever see the fulfilment of all our hopes and dreams, especially our wishes for 2013.” But with the presence of the UK-based Disaster Aid Inter national (DAI) and the Cagayan de Oro City-based Balay Mindanaw Group of NGOs (BMG), which has adopted Ban-ao, the villagers’ hopes, dreams and w ishe s for t he Ne w Year 2013 are on track for fulfilment.

NEW YEAR'S WISHES. Children of Barangay Ban-ao, Baganga, Davao Oriental who survived Typhoon Pablo's deadly wrath vented their wishes by drawing them on bond papers using colorful crayons and clay during the psycho-social intervention activity conducted by Xavier University volunteers. (Photo by BONG D. FABE)

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Kimberlite Pawnshop will be having its monthly AUCTION SALE with corresponding expiry dates. All items will be sold to public auction at KIMBERLITE PAWNSHOP on the following dates and venues.

MALAYBALAY BRANCH

EXPIRY DATE

ADDRESS

TAGUM

BRANCH 1

BRANCH 2

MALAYBALAY

November 2011

AUCTION MONTH 2012 JANUARY

December 2011

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

April 2012

JUNE

May 2012

JULY

June 2012

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

September 2012

NOVEMBER

October 2012

DECEMBER

Kimberlite Pawnshop will be having an AUCTION SALE on all items that expired on October 2012

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MALAYBALAY BRANCH

Estrada Bldg., Fortich-Don Carlos Sts., Malaybalay, Bukidnon

January 2012

February 2012 March 2012

July 2012

August 2012

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| January 6 - 12, 2013

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LifeStyle

Snaps of the Week

With the Sin Tax Law taking effect January 1, 2013, this cigarette vendor is bound to have an impending headache. One thing for sure, once the taxes for these Sin Products go sky-high, the number of smokers would lessen, as expected by the bill. Photo by VINCENT TOM UDASCO

Children enjoying last slides for 2012. Photo taken at the public playground in Divisoria, Cgaayan de Oro City. Photo by VINCENT TOM UDASCO

TRAVERSING THE TOURISM HI-WAY PED T. QUIAMJOT

Surpassing expectations OUR country maintains lead in the Business Process Outsourcing or BPO industries in the Asian region. We have just overtaken India as the leading English speaking nation outside of the North American continent as the BPO capital of the world. With fluency of the English language coupled with our ability and best etiquette to handle calm and restraints in confrontational transactions, many outsourcing business in Asia have moved their headquarters to the new Global City in the national capital region and at the central business district of Cebu and to the 11 two tier

cities including Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines. With a total of USD 11 Billion revenues in 2010 and with the employment of 638,000 young graduates, the Call Center industries are fast surpassing its 20% annual growth rate. At this growth, the industry experts are forecasting a staggering USD 25 Billion revenue starting 2016 which may employ 1.3 million more IT professionals compared to the 900,000 IT-BPO professionals now currently employed. This is a phenomenal development that caught the watchful eyes of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to train and target online

transactions with taxes. Watch for the new tax revenue guidelines. India has opened up call centers and BPO’s in Metro Manila over the last three years. The companies identified with C o n c e n t r i x , Wi p r o Te c h n o l o g i e s a n d O p e x h o l d s o ff i c e s along Salcedo Village in Makati City with Filipino crews. American companies like Ernest and Young’s which provides accounting services is now based at the Ayala Business Park in Cebu City. Medical prescription centers compete with hospitals for diagnosis and drug

prescriptions. Many Chinese companies, in fact 41 of them, who are into on-line gaming and gambling operates as call centers in the Cagayan Economic Zone in Sta Ana, Cagayan Valley which employs 5,000 IT Graduates from Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley and Isabela. The recent growth of the BPO’s are not fueled by low value call centers but by high value knowledge process in the global legal system, general accounting and software animations. This confirms confidence among the foreign and international companies that our local manpower can handle well the technology

solutions of various business applications aside from seeing the cost effectiveness of labor to skills and competence among Filipinos. The success of this industry are inspirations for property developers to built high rise office buildings which enjoys tax incentives from the Board of Investments through the Economic Processing Zones or EPZA. A g r a n t o f P2 7 . 3 Million by the Asian Development Bank to the Department of Science and Technology for educational programs for skills enhancement in the BPO sector is already in place according to

Sen. Edgardo Angara the Vice Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. I have written a legislator from Cagayan de Oro City about this development and the need to adopt in his district the educational programs for scholarships among the deserving and physically qualified from his constituents last October 2012. Until now, I have not received a reply but maybe with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) budget of P450 Million subsidy for IT, perhaps, he could come up to support the training of more Cagayanon’s in the IT-BPO industry?

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| 11

FOOTBRIDGE from page 2... “All I want is to give my family a better life they deserve. I dreamed to help my mother and to support my siblings with their studies until they finish college. I also dream of buying a decent house for them,” said Reyes. His sincerity in every word he uttered almost moved me to tears. The twist was that his face lightened when he told me how he was enthused in the outcome of his paintings. “I paint whatever comes in my mind but mostly it’s about the life I had on the street. I’m always excited to look at my painting. I’m happy to know that what I’m doing looks good,” he added. Reyes has 3 sisters who are still elementary students and 1 brother. He started spending most of his time on the street since he was 5, and he was once a working student. In 2012, on the street, he met Rhyan Casiño, the executive director of Dire Husi Initiatives Inc. Not long ago he has a change of mind. He came to approach Casiño to join the Dire Husi art training. With his persistence, on July, 2012 he became part of the Dire Husi family wherein he received mentorship and training from Rhyan Casiño. “What made me change was that I realized my mom is the one who suffered the most when I make poor choices.” Reyes has also proven he’s talented, when he played tambol with the proper hands coordination. I could imagine how calming it would be like, to be in a place where you’ll be spoiled

of good performances with a touch of Filipino culture. Time flies, after the interview we took a bus ride going to Ayala Centrio. The whole trip had me on the edge of my seat right from the start. Upon arriving, we went upstairs to the 2nd floor where Erwin Reyes poses as a human statue in the Crocs store. There, I saw him moved with confidence. I was stunned; he almost looks like a super hero in Hollywood films! He gave his best performance. Many have come to take a close-up look at him. He was a moving statue who reacts on people’s action. You can’t help but admire his gift in entertaining everyone’s around him. Plus he was surrounded by kids who were fascinated with his Rustie Quintana, the Vice President of Dire Husi Initiatives Inc., played trombone at Divisoria looks. I took the chance to take a picture of him when the boy in red t-shirt appears. The boy got my full attention. He was so sweet in the way he tries to communicate with Erwin Reyes who was in a statue costume. He even waved his hands before he left. I’m touched that this young boy cares even a machinelike creature. It feels like Christmas having to see a child with compassion. I don’t know his parents but I commend them for raising him well. Footbridge for Young Filipino Artist Like pedestrians, young Filipino artists also need CDO Beatbox president Johnrey Yap footbridge to get where Rodolfo Eroy making a star out of and Emmanuel Panganiban while they they can get the help they bamboo for Christmas décor just practice or perform at Divisoria for need to succeed. beside the Artsville museum upcoming events One of the reasons, Dire Husi Initiatives Inc. serves as a footbridge for young Filipino artists because they when he asked the young until he met his wife. instrument called trombone. Wa t c h i n g t h e m Coming to Artsville, reach out to young Filipinos inmates with heart, if they who spend years living on are ready to accept the has changed him to a get together to better the street and those kids Mustang challenge. Words more p o s it ive p e rs on themselves was priceless. who are deprived of the that is powerful enough where he developed his Dire Husi brought back opportunity to develop to touch the inner part of skills in making stars out the smile on the faces of of bamboos and did some these kids. No doubt, they their gift in arts because people hearts. Porter, who works at farming to support his deserved winning awards. of poverty. Talking about awards, “The street kids have Kilpatrick Detention Center family. Dire Husi helped potentials like any people in Los Angeles, started a him realized to have a place Dire Husi won another but lack the opportunity to football team to motivate to call a home where he can award as one of the Ten learn due to many factors. young inmates to change build a meaningful life with A c c o m p l i s h e d Yo u t h Organization of 2012 where They need love, that’s what into up-right individuals. his family. “I’m happy with the life I both of the founders were Like the creation of they have been missing, that’s why they are on the Mustangs Football Team, have here with my wife and invited in the Malacañan streets. What we do is just the Dire Husi Initiatives daughter, and I like what I’m Palace for the awarding. “We have been a finalist to demonstrate that love as Inc., was created to motivate doing particularly farming, God loves us. We cannot street kids to make a room I used to travel around our of TAYO in 2009 and were country, hopefully I’ll be praying to win the top 10 change a person but I know for change in their lives. In the movie, Sean Porter given the chance to visit this year. It was amazing God can,” said Casiño. “If they are willing to also told Jamal Evans as USA someday,” said Eroy. and when you lift someone change their life, then Jamal Mixon, that he didn’t R e u n i t e w i t h C D O up God smiles on you,” said we are here to be of help. have to be an athlete to be BeatBox- Last Destination Casiño. It was a rewarding whole Rusty Quintana came Emotionally, my attachment a Mustang. He just got to is to be fulfilled when we have a heart. As according and after Ayala Centrio he day trip. I also discovered, see them get out from their to Joel Osteen, we all need a joined us going to Divisoria, Divisoria isn’t a scary place situation and to guide and second chance sometimes. the heart of the town where at all, but a getaway where mentor them to get there. And it takes a heart willing Cagay-anons gathered every Cagay-anons get together Also art is a gift from God, to change like Rodolfo Eroy. afternoon to dine at the after a long day at work. O ne more t h i ng , I Eroy, 30, High school, nearby restaurants, shop that’s why I love to share realized whoever you are it freely especially to the father of a 7 years old girl and relax. Quintana with CDO and wherever you’re at if marginalized sector,” he lived on the street for many years. Unexpectedly, he B e at b ox Jo h n re y Yap you bring a heart you’ll added. His words remind me went to numerous places (Tingbirds), Emmanuel always be a winner. Like a lot of Sean Porter played and cities in Philippines. Panganiban and others, these kids who found lifeA boy in red t-shirt tries to communicate with by Dwayne Johnson in the He learned self-defense to merrily, played the large worth amidst hopeless the Human Statue, Erwin Reyes, outside the movie (Gridiron Gang) survive while on the streets t r u m p e t , a m u s i c a l situations. Crocs store.

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Last year, we honored Mindanao’s homegrown businesses... This year, let the Investors from outside the island who helped propel Mindanao’s economy for decades be recognized...thus,

present

RATIONALE OF THE PROJECT - This is the 2nd Mindanao Business Leaders Awards, in a different category from the first one. The 1st Mindanao Business Leaders Awards was undertaken last year to give due recognition to the achievements of various Mindanao business leaders and entrepreneurs in various categories of homegrown corporate and individual business leadership achievements. - This year’s search is aimed at giving honor and recognition of excellent business leaders in the investors’s category. - BusinessWeek Mindanao as a forerunner of information on economic leadership and entrepreneurial achievements of non-Mindanaoan corporations and businessmen, deems it a part of its social responsibility to trumpet the achievements of these pillars of Mindanao’s economy, for others to emulate and thus propel an awareness for the business potential that Mindanao offers in every economic and business investment plan, whether small or great. -We are helping Mindanao achieve sustainable development of its economy through these humble efforts.

MISSION & VISION OF THE AWARDS - The holding of BWM Awards annually serves as catalyst to the ongoing efforts of business leaders and entrepreneurs who seek greater heights and strive for success in the noble mission of propelling Mindanao and its people towards full economic growth and sustainable development.

MECHANICS OF THE SEARCH: Duration of the Search Awards Night

: :

January 15, 2013 to May 15, 2013 June 1, 2013

Entry Requirements: 1. Individual and Company/Establishment nominations shall be accompanied with Nomination Forms available on-line at the Sponsors Website, offices of sponsors, or in the printed page of Businessweek Mindanao and Mindanao Daily issues or may be mailed, if requested, by the Awards Secretariat 2. Nominees or candidates in various categories shall be nominated by BusinessWeek Mindanao and Mindanao Daily Bureaus; individuals, organization or groups not employed by or connected to any of the nominated person or firm . 3. Nominations shall be accompanied by the ff documents which can be mailed, or emailed to the awards secretariat - MINDANAO BUSINESS LEADERS AWARDS 2013 Secretariat, Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa St., Cagayan de Oro City,not later than May 15, 2013. 4. Brief Resume and History of the Nominee (Individual or Firm) - Photos (at least 3) ; Nomination Form ; Documentary evidence such as certificates, awards or citations

For INQUIRIES CONTACT:

(088)856-3344, (08822)74-53-80 or 09274795196 (Allan Mediante) businessweekmindanao@gmail.com MEDIA PARTNERS: