Commentary Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Oct252010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Did you vote today?

Advocacy, Blogging, Commentary, Events, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personal, Politics

I did. Together with my family, this blogger from Mindanao exercised her right to suffrage today, October 25, 2010 - the day of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections. Armed with my Panasonic Lumix digital camera, my Flip Mino HD, my Nikon D40, ballpen, voter's ID and ever trusty Blackberry, I went to my polling precinct at around 9:30 a.m. I looked like I was ready for war. As usual, I spotted several odd things during my trip to my polling precinct: 1. There were only a handful of voters. Ergo, low voter turnout. 2. I spotted several candidates only a few meters away from the polling centers. According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), this should not be. Candidates must be at least 100 meters away from polling centers. 3. I didn't spot any policemen or ...

Oct162010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Mindanao indigenous people decry portrayal of IPs in ABS CBN show “Noah”

Arts, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Commentary, Controversial, Culture, Entertainment, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Society, Television

This caught my attention because it's about a complaint filed against the representation (or misrepresentation) of indigenous peoples or Lumads in the ABS CBN Channel 2 show "Noah" starring Piolo Pascual and Zaijan Jaranilla. Here in Mindanao, the IP community is a highly respected group and as a Mindanaoan, I feel it is my duty to help advocate for their rights and help suppress discrimination, in whatever form it may be. Peace advocacy group Mindanao Peoples Caucus said that the primetime telenovela’s portrayal of Lumads as “monkey-like creatures” is a “blatant violation of the mandate of RA No. 8371 to respect, recognize and protect the right of the ICC’s/IP’s to preserve and protect their culture, traditions and institutions.” The letter-complaint, which was dated October 8...

Sep262010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Inverted Philippine flag snafu at ASEAN-US meeting

BIMP-EAGA, Broadcasting, Business, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Politics, Weird

It was an honest mistake, according to Rebecca Thompson of the US Embassy. Still, the damage has been done. Now what I'm just hoping for is that the person/s responsible for this fiasco be dealt with accordingly. You see, during the recently concluded 2nd ASEAN-US Leaders' Meeting held at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan, New York, USA, the Philippine flag was surprisingly inverted (!). Instead of the blue band atop the red band, the red band can be seen as the one atop the blue one --- and we all know what this means --- it suggests that we're "AT WAR." "This was an honest mistake. The U.S. treasures its close relationship and close partnership with the Philippines which were demonstrated tis past week during President Aquino's trip to the U.S., with the signing of the ...

Jul302010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

4 very simple changes I want to see in government under PNoy’s leadership

Commentary, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion

1. That government employees and officials punch their own bundy cards and that appropriate punishment be given to those who ask someone else to punch their bundy cards in their behalf. Let this be most applicable to regular government employees who have the gall to bully job order/contractual employees to doing what their apparently lazy asses don't want or can't do. I have personally seen government employees who think that just because they have tenure, they have the option to come to work after 8 in the morning. However, they don't want their salaries deducted so they bully job order employees and demand that these poor contractual workers punch their cards in. 2. That government employees and officials do not leave their offices/desks for reasons other than work-related. Exactly...

Jul142010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

From Mindanao media to PNoy’s communications group – an appeal

Advocacy, Blogging, Broadcasting, Commentary, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Politics

So it's somehow final now. The Office of the Press Secretary is no longer. New Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III or PNoy will reorganize it and will rename it to the Presidential Communications Office. The latest buzz is that ANC broadcaster Ricky Carandang and "The Explainer" Manolo Quezon III will join the communications team and will play vital roles. I am, quite frankly, happy to know that Carandang and Quezon will be part of the team. For sure, these brilliant minds will bring with them their years of experience and they will definitely be fab assets to the Aquino administration. No doubt about that. My concern, therefore, is more about the treatment towards Mindanao journalists now that Aquino has made it clear that the public is his "BOSS" and now that he has tw...

Jun252010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Ampatuan massacre witness killed

Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Maguindanao, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion

Suwaid Upham a.k.a. "Jessie" was shot dead recently. Not only should family and friends of the victims of the Ampatuan massacre be concerned...we Mindanaoans...nay, FILIPINOS...must also be very concerned. We must awfully, most profoundly be worried. Suwaid Upham was a very vital witness to the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan, Maguindanao massacre which claimed 58 lives. The same massacre that rocked the entire nation especially since thirty two of the victims were Mindanaoan journalists - who all went in good faith, who all just did their jobs...who all did not have any clue that it would be their last day on earth. That massacre left all of us dumbfounded.Who knew that a beast so heartless, who killed women and innocent journalists, lived in Mindanao? On the other hand, the gruesome...

May122010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Willie Nepomuceno and the “Presidentiables Gut Talent” show

Advocacy, Arts, Blogging, Commentary, Entertainment, Events, Features, Humor, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Society, Weird

If there is one thing that I, Mindanaoan, absolutely love to do whenever I'm in Manila then that would be to catch as many comedy shows as I can. I'm not referring to comedy shows on TV or stand-up gigs at comedy bars, mind you. I'm referring to live ones that you get to watch at venues like the Music Museum in Greenhills or at the newer one, Teatrino, at the Promenade (located also at Greenhills). There's just something about live comedy shows that I find so invigorating. Well, obviously, apart from the fact that they do provide a venue for you to escape the daily grind somehow and let you laugh (at least for about two hours), I think comedy shows celebrate the amazing talent Filipino comedians have. Just check out my review on "Da Spooftacular Showdown" featuring Jon Santos, Pokwang, ...

May102010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Two Mindanaoan senatorial candidates get my vote

Advocacy, Bisaya, Blogging, Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Features, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Politics

With just a few hours before May 10, 2010 - the very day the Philippines is set to hold its first ever automated elections - I, Mindanaoan, would like to share to you two choices I've already made. I'm set to vote for these two senatorial candidates and I'm proud to let you know that both of them are from Mindanao. Both Mindanaoans and both I've had the utmost honor to work with. I'm voting for Adel Tamano (#54 on the ballot) and Neric Acosta (#1 on the ballot). Before I delve into the finer details as to why I'm voting for these senatoriables from Mindanao, let me quote something from respected columnist Manolo Quezon III (my idol!): "The job of a senator is not just about legislation, it’s about oversight, with the latter being more relevant and required than the former. The House...

May52010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Bukidnon governor embroiled in a scandal with ex PBB teen

Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Entertainment, Government, Headline, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Society

First off, a lot of people in Bukidnon, Mindanao claim that this isn't exactly fresh news. However, I guess this issue involving Bukidnon Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. and ex-Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Teen housemate Claire Cabeguin (who's from Bukidnon herself) will continue to be controversial and will forever be circulated unless, most probably, if one of them either speaks up against or confirms the issue. Before I continue, a brief backgrounder first. Zubiri is on his third term as the governor of Bukidnon and is currently gunning for the vice gubernatorial seat. He used to be an active member of LAKAS CMD KAMPI until he recently surprised not a few when he endorsed Nacionalista Party standard bearer Sen. Manny Villar. Zubiri is the father of Mindanaoan Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. Cabegu...

Apr222010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Does this political TV ad for Mindanao by Villar, Pimentel and Tamano work?

Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Commentary, Government, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Technology, Videos

Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manny Villar has released (yet another) political TV ad. This time, he's speaking in Bisaya and it's an ad specifically for Mindanao. In this political ad, he appears with NP senatorial candidates Gwen Pimentel and Atty. Adel Tamano. As we all know, Pimentel and Tamano are Mindanaoans. Pimentel is the daughter of Senator Aquilino Pimentel and the sister of Atty. Koko Pimentel, who lost in the previous elections to Mindanaoan and Bukidnon senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. Adel Tamano, on the other hand, is from Marawi City and is the first Filipino-Muslim scholar-graduate of Harvard Law School. In this political TV ad, Villar, Tamano and Pimentel raised the 8-hour brownout currently plaguing Mindanao (actually, a lot of areas around the island even...

Mar132010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Nacionalista Party’s Grand Cebu City “Wowowillie” rally

Commentary, Controversial, Entertainment, Events, Features, Government, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos, Society

Mindanaoan had the chance to cover the uber grand "Wowowillie meets Manny Villar" rally in Cebu City recently. Yes, it was "Wowowee" and popular host Willie Revillame meet Nacionalista Party standard bearer Manny Villar, vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda and senatorial bets Atty. Adel Tamano, Gilbert Remulla, Bongbong Marcos, among others. I was personally curious as to how the show would go. Of course, it was obviously a political affair in the guise of a variety show. However, and I say this with all fairness, you could sense during the show that because Willie Revillame is an avid supporter of Manny Villar, the show had "heart" (Willie spoke spontaneously as he rallied support for Villar, Legarda and the senatorial candidates, he shared personal experiences, personal thoughts...

Feb262010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

From the campaign trail – Mindanaoan will post exclusive photos, kuwentos etc

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Events, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Politics

Hello everyone! How is everyone doing? It's been quite a while and I really hope all of you are in good health. Mindanaoan has been very busy as of late and this is due to the start of the nationwide campaign sorties. As you all know, the campaign period for the national positions began last February 9, 2010 and political parties have been so busy visiting various areas around the country. Mindanaoan is a part of these nationwide tours. This has actually got me thinking --- perhaps it's best if I also share my own experience straight from the campaign trail. What do you guys think? I was thinking of sharing exclusive photos, videos, kuwentos and other things that may prove to be interesting somehow for all of my readers. I was thinking of sharing behind-the-scenes stuff. What do ...

Feb112010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

COMELEC asks celebrity endorsers to go on leave or resign; Mindanaoan says that’s bull

Advocacy, Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Entertainment, Government, Headline, Humor, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Politics, Society

Mindanaoan can't help but comment on the recent resolution of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to urge celebrities endorsing political candidates to either resign or go on leave from their shows. I find it absolutely funny that the COMELEC, amid all their problems, still has the time and energy to think about this. I reiterate Mindanaoan senatorial candidate Atty. Adel Tamano's statement: "this latest COMELEC resolution is a mere ploy to distract the public. The COMELEC has bigger problems to solve – from all these delays in ballot printing and deliveries of PCOS machines to assuring the public that signals won’t be jammed during transmission of election results. Why don’t they concentrate on those first?" Hear, hear! Besides, isn't this unconstitutional? Celebrities have rig...

Jan282010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Region 10 becoming Mindanao’s dominant regional economy

Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Commentary, Consumer, Features, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Technology, Travel

Hi guys, the following is a pretty interesting read. This guest blog entry is from Mindanaoan's friend, Mike Banos, a respected journalist based in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Read, read, read :) Since Iligan City and Lanao del Norte were integrated back into Northern Mindanao (Region 10) in 2002, the resulting region has remained Mindanao’s biggest economy. Recent years indicate it is now pulling away to attain a position of dominance among the island’s regional economies. A quick look at the economic accounts of the island’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) shows that before the realignment of regions in 2002, Region 10 trailed the Davao Region (Region 11) in GRDP. However, since Iligan and Lanao del Norte rejoined Region 10 and some parts of the Davao region were re-align...

Jan152010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Iligan City councilor, a Liberal Party candidate, attacks broadcaster on air

Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Government, Humor, Iligan City, Media, Musings, News, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personal, Politics, Radio, Weird

This piece of news pretty much made my day today. Mindanaoan thought that what happened between an anchorman of a local radio station in Iligan City and an Iligan City councilor (who's seeking re-election, no less!) was controversial, wacky, weird, funny, interesting and well...basically a sign of what's to come in the next few months. Yup, the campaign season really DOES bring out the LOLs! According to news reports, Iligan City Councilor Chonilo Ruiz, a Liberal Party (LP) candidate, attacked DXRJ anchorman Albert Loyola while the latter was inside the announcer's booth and was live on air. Ruiz allegedly barged into the station Wednesday morning and punched Loyola. Ruiz is seeking re-election come May 2010. Ruiz is seeking for a third term. Amid the commotion, Loyola was alleged...

Dec202009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoans who will run for national positions come May 2010

Advocacy, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Controversial, Davao City, Features, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Society

Did you know that several Mindanaoans will gun for national political positions come May 2010? If you're the type of person who wants to support fellow children of Mindanao in the next presidential elections, then you may want to check out the list below. Among the vice presidentiables, two are Mindanaoans. Bangon Pilipinas' vice presidential candidate Perfecto Yasay, Jr. is from Davao City. Jay Sonza, the vice presidential candidate of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan party, is also from Davao. All of Sonza's children are fellow Ateneo de Davao University alumni. As for the senatorial candidates, on the other hand, Mindanaoan has identified 10. First is Nacionalista Party's bet lawyer Adel A. Tamano of Lanao del Sur. He's the first Filipino Muslim scholar graduate of Harvard Law Schoo...

Dec52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Atty. Adel Tamano’s statement on the martial law declaration in Maguindanao

Announcements, Commentary, Maguindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Politics

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has declared martial law in Maguindanao, Mindanao. The declaration, contained in Proclamation 1959, also suspended the writ of habeas corpus in the province. In line with this, Mindanaoan senatorial candidate Atty. Adel Tamano released a statement on the Maguindanao martial law declaration: The Maguindanao massacre was an outrage but you do not solve it by committing an outrage on the rights of Mindanaoans, specifically those of Muslim Mindanao, by declaring unconstitutional martial law. The lack of actual - not merely possible or imminent - rebellion shows the illegality of the declaration. While all Filipinos, Mindanaoans especially, want swift justice against the monsters who committed the massacre, it must be done within the bounds ...

Dec32009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Why Mindanaoans especially Dabawenyos still love TAPS

Commentary, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Musings

New fastfood outlets and restaurants may pop up like mushrooms in Davao City Mindanao but methinks Dabawenyos still love TAPS. Taps, short for "tapsilog" (tapa - sinangag - itlog), has long been in the food industry in Davao City and it's known for its wide array of "pares" or "tapsi" meals. Name it - they most probably have it. From tapsilog to bangsilog (bangus-sinangag-itlog) to tocilog to lekasilog (lechon kawali-sinangag-itlog) to adosilog (adobo-sinangag-itlog), TAPS Davao has it! If I'm not mistaken, they've been in existence for more than 15 years. Taps was one of the places my friends and I frequently hung out in during our high school days (only goes to show my age, eh?) These days, Taps now has branches in Bolton Street (the one I still frequently go to), Sta. Ana Street, Leg...

Dec32009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

If Pampanga has a Fr. Panlilio, Bukidnon has a Fr. Tabios

Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Society

It seems there's no stopping priests from joining politics these days. If Pampanga has a Fr. Eddie Panlilio, Bukidnon Mindanao has a Fr. Diosdado Tabios. Tabios, the former parish priest of Valencia City, Bukidnon, is set to run for governor in Bukidnon come May 2010. He's set to face incumbent Bukidnon Vice Governor Alex Calingasan (LAKAS CMD KAMPI), who will run for the gubernatorial position, his relative Ernesto Tabios (Liberal Party) and Delfina Bicatulo (Alpha Omega 9K Party). While re-electionist Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio has reportedly filed a petition asking that he leave his priestly duties as he pursue his political plans, Tabios has yet to formally file a written petition. He has, however, spoken to Bishop Honesto Pacana of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and the latter sai...

Nov262009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

List of journalists killed in the brutal Ampatuan massacre

Commentary, Crime, Headline, Maguindanao, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal

First of all, we should not call it "Maguindanao Massacre" anymore. We should now call it "Ampatuan Massacre." Ampatuan is the specific place where the mass graves were found. Maguindanao is the province here in Mindanao. Secondly, to fellow journalists out there (especially those from Luzon) who make the constant mistake of treating Mindanao as one "lawless island," (come on, you know who you are!) please...please be extra careful. Maguindanao IS NOT Mindanao. Mindanaoans like myself have been doing our best to help keep our place peaceful and safe. Unfortunately, like any other area, there are people who refuse to obey the law and think that they are above it. These people do not represent the entire island of Mindanao. One tiny yet misleading description of our island can re...

Nov112009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mining company in Mindanao hires APO Hiking Society’s Danny Javier

Advocacy, Business, Commentary, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Koronadal, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Weird

Yes, you read that right. A mining company operating in the Municipality of Tampakan has hired Danny Javier of the popular group APO Hiking Society. Javier is now a "strategist" for Sagittarius Mines, Inc., a gold and copper mine. As a "strategist," Javier is reportedly supposed to help SMI develop a "better image." It can be recalled that the said mining company, which has business interests in three large areas in Mindanao namely South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur, has and still is facing strong opposition especially from the Church. A lot of non government organizations which advocate environmental sustainability have also expressed their opposition against the operation of Sagittarius Mines. What makes this development noteworthy is that Danny Javier of APO Hiki...

Nov102009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Zubiri and Acosta, enemies yesterday, friends today and tomorrow?

Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Weird

Ang politics nga naman! Mindanaoan was a bit shocked - nay, very, very shocked - when I found out that last-termer Bukidnon Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. and political archrival JR Nereus "Neric" Acosta MAY soon sing sweet music together. This, after Zubiri is reportedly eyeing a "transfer" to the Liberal Party from LAKAS-CMD-KAMPI. Acosta will run for Senator under the LP. What's so interesting about this is that these former political allies have burned a lot of bridges over the years and have become bitter political enemies. Zubiri has accused Acosta of graft and corruption. Acosta, on the other hand, tried to run for Bukidnon governor in the last elections but lost to Zubiri by a very large margin. From mudslinging to accusations of one trying to kill the other to one trying to discredi...