Personalities Archives - Page 12 of 12 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Mar122009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

After Villar and Teodoro, Bukidnon’s Zubiri is now endorsing Loren Legarda

Bukidnon, Controversial, Government, Headline, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personalities

I cannot help but wonder what's going on Bukidnon Governor Jose Zubiri, Jr.'s mind right now. Isn't he supposed to be a LAKAS-CMD member? What's he doing endorsing NPC member Senator Loren Legarda as "the next President" of the country? Zubiri publicly called Legarda "the next Philippine President" and "President Legarda" during the female senator's recent visit to the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao. Legarda served as the guest of honor during the 92nd Foundation Day (Aldaw Ta Bukidnon) of the Province of Bukidnon last March 10, 2009. Before thousands of people, the Bukidnon governor and father of current Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri called on his constituents to support Legarda. Zubiri's statement has raised a lot of questions. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? Photo courtesy of ...

Feb262009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Full statement of former Bukidnon congressman Neric Acosta on graft charges filed against him

Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personal, Personalities

Yesterday, February 25, 2009, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez ordered the filing of graft charges against former Bukidnon First District Congressman Neric Acosta, his mother former Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon mayor Socorro Acosta and his aunt Nemia Bornidor (member of the Board of Trustees of the Bukidnon Integrated Network of Home Industries, Inc. and JR Nereus Acosta's aunt). The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Fr. Venancio Balansag Jr., Fr. Wilredo Torayno, Vicente N. Abrogueña (now deceased), and Felix Vergara, Jr. representing the Bukidnon Crusade Against Graft and Corruption. The BCAGC alleged that on January 9, 2001, the former Bukidnon congressman and Yale World Fellow and then Mayor Amado Noble of Talakag, Bukidnon executed a Memorandum of Agreement providing for the appropr...

Feb102009 by Mindanaoan Irene17 Comments

Dabawenya Mindanaoan to compete in Binibining Pilipinas 2009

Beauty, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society

I was pleasantly surprised to see our "Baby South" during the press presentation of the official candidates of this year's Binibining Pilipinas 2009 pageant. "Baby South" refers to Priscilla Mae Navidad, a 17 year old Dabawenya. I met Mae a few years ago in Davao City, Mindanao. I was helping organize the Davao leg of the nationwide "Rainbow Tour" of premiere Filipino band South Border and after the concert, I was also selling copies of their award-winning platinum CD, "Episode III" (yes, I know, major plugging na 'to LOL :D) Anyways, there was this tall girl who kept on asking me if she could meet Jay Durias (South Border's musical director and keyboardist) because, according to her, they were cousins. I must admit, I had reservations at first because after all, there was virtually A M...

Feb82009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Senate commends Mindanaoan junior tennis champ Francis “Nino” Belderol Alcantara

Arts, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Sports

The Philippine Senate recently formally commended Mindanaoan Francis Casey "Niño" Alcantara, the first Filipino Australian Open champ, via a resolution. Just this week, the senators unanimously adopted Senate Resolution Number 860 authored by Senator Pia Cayetano commending the country's newest sports phenomenon. Alcantara recently nabbed the Junior Boys Doubles crown of the Australian Open Tennis Championships. Alcantara played alongside partner Cheng-Peng Hsiehtoi of Taiwan. Alcantara, 17 years old, is a student of Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan University) in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. The son of a Bukidnon native (his mother Sarah is from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Mindanao), this young Mindanaoan is the very first Filipino to win a "Grand Slam" tennis tournament. * Nin...

Feb72009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Will Mindanao produce three new senators this 2010?

Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities

The 2010 presidential elections are just around the corner and I'm interested to know - after former Bukidnon Third District Congressman Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri, will Mindanao again produce new senators? Will there be two (or more) Mindanaoan senators soon? This early, I've heard a lot of buzz about three Mindanaoans who will allegedly gun for a senatorial seat this 2010 Philippine elections. These are former Bukidnon First District Congressman JR Nereus "Neric" Acosta, United Opposition spokesperson Adel Abass Tamano and current Bukidnon Second District Congressman Teofisto "TG" Guingona III. On Neric Acosta - He served as a congressman for Bukidnon's first district for three consecutive terms. The principal author of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Solid Waste Managem...

Feb12009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Was Mindanaoan Gary Granada ripped off by GMA Kapuso?

Advocacy, Controversial, Crime, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Opinion, Personal, Personalities

Don't we just hate it when people, especially fellow Mindanaoans, are deprived of what's rightfully due them? And don't we just hate it when someone denies that a wrong has been done even when it's so blatant? Just take this case of Mindanaoan artist Gary Granada who alleges that GMA Kapuso Foundation took advantage of his work. GMA Kapuso Foundation allegedly used his work without proper recognition and more importantly, payment or royalties. According to Gary, who was born in Maco, Davao (Compostela Valley), GMA Kapuso Foundation took advantage of his work and the said foundation's lawyer even had the audacity to say that he merely changed a word or two. Worse, the camp of GMA 7 alleged that they don't owe Gary anything since the end product was a result of "collective work." A legal ...

Jan292009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

So I received a cool package recently…

Gifts, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities

Check out the contents of a package sent to me via courier recently. (Apologies for the poor quality of the photos as I only took them via my ever trusty Motorola Krzr phone.) Now...is this a sign of things to come? Is this something die hard supporters should be elated about? Or is this just a way for HIM to thank his friends, fans, foes (?) and supporters? You know...the year 2010 is a presidential election year and this early, we have heard of the many personalities who have made it clear that they have intentions of gunning for the top executive position in Philippine government. From Senator Manny Villar to Senator Mar Roxas to Senator Loren Legarda. Do you think HE will run? Do you think he will face Legarda in the quest to get the NPC Party's nod? And do you think he has...

Dec112008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Pacman’s win should not mask true state of RP sports

Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Sports

I absolutely agree with Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero's statement that Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao's win over Oscar "Golden Boy" De La Hoya recently should not mask the real, true state of Philippine sports. While we're all happy and proud of Pacquiao's win in the recently concluded "Dream Match," (congratulations, Manny!) we should not forget that there's still so much to be done in order to really make the Filipino truly excel in different sporting fronts (and not just in boxing). It's true that Pacquiao, a certified Mindanaoan by the way (he was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon and grew up in General Santos City, Mindanao), is a genuine sports hero not only among Filipinos but among boxing aficionados all over the world. What he displayed last weekend was exemplary sportsmanship, skill and ded...

Dec42008 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Sarangani school buildings repair underway

Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Reviews

The repair of school buildings in the Province of Sarangani in Mindanao is reportedly underway. This, following the visit of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro in Sarangani earlier this week. Teodoro graced the ceremonial start of the repair efforts under the "Laban sa Kahirapan" project of the national government. Here's a photo of Teodoro along with my friend, Mindanaoan and Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez. Photo credit: Cocoy Sexcion of the Sarangani Information Office By the way, all of you Generals should check out GenSan Exchange. It's an informative, interactive website that features the latest news about General Santos City. There's a forum and you can also post free ads over there.

Dec32008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero speaks up on his plans for 2010

Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personalities

If you're curious if Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero is running for President this 2010, then read on. Here's the full text of Sen. Chiz's blog. THOUGHTS? December 2, 2008, 12:29 am Dahil sa mga naglalabasang surveys na kasali ako sa top 5 ng mga presidentiables, marami ang nagtatanong kung nangangarap daw ba akong maging presidente ng Pilipinas sa 2010. Ang masasabi ko lang ay oo. May pangarap ako tulad ng sinumang pulitiko siguro ngayon na humawak ng mas mataas na puwesto. Ang maganda sa pangarap, ito ay libre at hindi kailangang bayaran. Subalit ang mahalaga sa akin ay hindi kung ano ang gusto ko. Gusto ni ganito na tumakbo, gusto ni ganyan na tumakbo. Hindi mahalaga kung ano ang gusto kong takbuhan. Ang mahalaga, ano ba ang gusto ng ating mga kababayan na tatakbuhan ko o gusto ba...

Nov252008 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Pictures taken during the Senate Nov. 17, 2008 revamp

Broadcasting, Controversial, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Photos

What supposed to be was a simple, routinary visit to the Senate of the Philippines last November 17, 2008 turned out to be one very controversial occasion. It was the day when the Senate coup happened. It was the day when the Senate revamp occured. It was the day when Senate President Manny Villar got ousted by his fellow senators and was replaced by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. And yes, it was also the day when Mindanaoan Senator Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri got appointed as Acting Majority Floor Leader. Although I've been receiving some tips via text messages that something "big" and "major" would occur in the next few days, I never thought that IT would happen that day, a seemingly innocent Monday. Anyways, here are the photos I took that day: (CLICK ON THE THUMBNAILS) ...

Nov72008 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Review: Songs I Grew Up With (Jay Durias solo album)

Arts, Davao City, Entertainment, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Reviews

Album review written last August 31, 2007 and published by many media outlets. Thank you! The author of this piece (who is also the one behind Mindanaoan.com) is a long-time supporter of award winning Filipino band South Border. She was also cited in the album acknowledgments. Jay Durias, a certified Dabawenyo, is South Border's musical director and keyboardist. Jay's solo album, "Songs I Grew Up With," is a project album. Admit it - you’ve always wondered how South Border keyboardist and musical director Jay Oliver Durias would fare as a solo artist. After all, he’s largely considered as “the main man” behind the highly successful band, having composed and arranged most of South Border’s hits including “Rainbow,” “Love Of My Life” and the favorite of many, “Kahit Kailan,” and h...

Oct282008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Jeanette Lomanta drops libel case vs. radio man

Broadcasting, Controversial, Crime, Davao City, Headline, Journalism, Media, News, Opinion, Personalities, Radio

TV personality Jeanette Lomanta has reportedly submitted an affidavit of desistance in relation to the libel case she filed against former radio broadcaster Alexander Adonis. As a result, Regional Trial Court Branch 14 in Davao City is set to dismiss the case soon - BUT only if Adonis' other pending cases get settled as well. The libel case against the former journalist is in line with Adonis' series of commentaries over the air in 2001 alleging that Lomanta had a so-called tryst in a Manila hotel with then Davao 1st District Congressman now House Speaker Prospero Nograles. Lomanta reportedly withdrew her complaint after "adhering to the Christian values of forgiveness." Adonis, in a letter dated October 21, 2008, extended his apologies to her. He still has to face a pending libel ca...

Oct102008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Happy birthday, Sen. Chiz!

Personalities, Society

It's Senator Francis Joseph Guevara "Chiz" Escudero's birthday today! (Betcha didn't know that was his full name, eh?) I just greeted him via text message a few minutes ago. I bet he'll have a great, grand birthday today. I remember the very first time I interviewed him was via text message as well. He was Sorsogon's representative then and was closely associated with former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada. Later on, he served as the late Fernando Poe, Jr.'s spokesperson during the latter's presidential campaign trail. It was a time when I felt that the local newspapers barely had access to the opposition. Most, if not all, of the stories that I read back then were anchored on the side of the administration. There were hardly any comments from the opposition. It was a time when the phra...