Roa: Remembering Gov. Juan Zanon – The Bridge Builder (Conclusion)

THE military governor, Major Juan Zanon, distinguished himself as having built many bridges over rivers and even creeks around Misamis Province during his administration.

His biggest and most ambitious project was constructing the first bridge in Cagayan de Misamis (now Cagayan de Oro) that was to connect the poblacion to the barrio of Carmen and beyond. It was touted as the longest suspension bridge in the country and was named the Puente del General Blanco in honor of then incumbent Governor General Ramon Blanco.

Pre-Mixes Anyone?

HOW many bakers started with the real thing, meaning starting everything from scratch and slowly worked their way into making and baking cakes, brownies, cookies, breads and the like?

And how many lucky ones has started using commercially prepared mixes in their new found love and skills in this culinary adventure?

Kumbira 2012 opens today

EXPERIENCE one of the highlights of the Kagay-an Festival as the Cagayan de Oro Hotels and Restaurants Association (Cohara) formally opens today the Kumbira 2012 at Limketkai Atrium, this city.

Now on its 16th year, the anticipated three-day event which will run until August 17 has taken a fresh concept by promoting fun and strengthening its educational aspect at the same time adopting the theme “Eats more Fun in Kumbira”.

Roa: Remembering Gov. Juan Zanon, the bridge builder

THE City of Cagayan de Oro has many creeks and is blessed with seven major rivers, foremost of which is the Cagayan River that serves as the natural division of the two political districts of the city, as well as being known as the site of the widely popular white water rafting.

Over a century ago, during the Spanish colonial era, this river was described as wide, deep and forbidding -- and infested with crocodiles.

Havaianas celebrates 50 colorful years of summer and style

THIS year, Havaianas will take you through a colorful and exciting tour back to where it all started.

As the brand celebrates its 50th anniversary, Make Your Own Havaianas (MYOH) 2012 is geared to be the most special one yet.

Traditions, beliefs during the Ghost Month

MOST Filipinos, even at this modern time, are very keen on superstitious beliefs to appease the spirits of the underworld or souls that have died from an “unfortunate death.”

Our grandparents, mostly in the barrios, taught us to say “tabi-apo” every time we pass by a big tree so we will not be harmed by creatures from the other world. Or they would not allow us children to go out during night time, saying that this is the time where most of the spirits come out and look for their prey.

PDEA celebrates 10th year anniversary

AGENTS and personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the Northern Mindanao Region recently took a day off to celebrate the agency’s 10th year anniversary and for being second in terms of accomplishments in anti-drug operations.

PDEA Assistant Secretary Rene M. Obre personally attended the occasion as he congratulated the staff for a job well done.

Barangay Gwapo 2012: Who’s your bet?

TEN equally handsome guys representing different barangays of Cagayan de Oro City are vying for this year’s search for Barangay Gwapo of local station ABS-CBN.

Out of 101 aspirants who auditioned last July 13 and after a series of screening, only 10 made it to the final list.

Grilled liempo

GRILLING is an art, just like any other culinary means of turning a piece of meat into something more tasteful and edible. And this is not only for meat since we also grill seafoods, vegetables, fruits and even root crops to give a more distinctive taste and appearance.

Reliable, efficient communication

COMMUNICATION is extremely important in every business. It is one of the biggest factors of a successful business in succeeding company’s goal and staying ahead of competition.

Oro local artists to hold exhibit

THE City Government of Cagayan de Oro through the City Tourism Office will host an art exhibition of the burgeoning artists in the city on August 13 to 31 at the City Tourism Showhouse in Divisoria.

The art exhibition will be held in celebration of Kagay-an Festival this August.

Roa: What Captain Forrest wrote

THE other week while browsing in the library of the Archaeological Studies Program in UP, I saw this book with a title that caught my attention "Travel Accounts of the Islands" (Filipiniana Book Guild, Manila 1971). Inside are excerpts of the firsthand account of Thomas Forrest, a British ship captain, who explored Mindanao in the 1770s.

This was taken from his book that was printed in 1780 in London with a long title, "A Voyage to New Guinea and the Moluccas, from Balambagan, including an account of Maguindanao, Sooloo and Other Islands."

XU honors 24 Bar passers

THE College of Law of Xavier University (XU) held a testimonial dinner for those who passed the 2011 Bar exam.

In a Greek-inspired atmosphere, law students from different year levels, clad in their Greek costumes, and well known personalities in the field of law joined in giving honor to 24 new passers.

A work from a reluctant minion

AS an educator, a great part of my work is to scout for potentials, then push them to their limits. The Jesuits would call this challenge as “magis” or the call to do more and be more, emphasizing that mediocrity is never an option.

Every year, I get to handle a bunch of naturally gifted kids. I tell you, it’s such a privilege but at the same time a challenge to work with these little geniuses. I call them my minions. Some of them take me seriously and work on becoming the best of who they can be, while others just put their gifts to waste. A sad reality.

Peace in the eyes of a child

I HAVE always told myself that one of the best forms of expressing yourself is through writing. I cannot imagine how my life would be like without it.

And so, even in my busiest schedule (like what I’m feeling now), I always reserve an hour or two just to keep me sane from my work. Of course, with a cup (or sometimes cups) of coffee and my Gardenia raisin bread.

SM opens search for Redhead Model

DO you have what it takes to be the next Redhead model? If you are a female between 15 to 25 years old, single, at least 5’1 in height, then you’re qualified to join the Search for Redhead Model 2012.

Just submit the completely filled out application form, full body and close up photos together with a minimum P399.75 purchase of Redhead regular priced items at the Girls Teen's Wear of SM Department Store in SM City Cagayan de Oro.

Pork and Beans

ONE of the simplest dishes I grew up with was this very basic and simple “eaten straight from the can” food. Although it can be eaten as it is, I prefer it to be cooked with some other ingredients to make it more complete as a meal.

COWD: Rising above the challenges

COWD: Rising above the challenges

THE country’s very first water district, Cagayan de Oro Water District (Cowd), marks its 39th year of public service today.

The joy of giving ‘Lorenzo's time’

GIVE Lorenzo’s time.

This was the call of three inspiring men who were given standing ovations during the 2012 Philippine Red Cross Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Blood Services Awarding Ceremony, which ended Tuesday at Pearlmont Hotel.

A confiscated love letter

I HAD a teaching stint at Xavier University high a couple of years back and one of my fondest memories was when I taught the history of Japan.

One morning while I was in the middle of my lecture on the implications of samurai culture to economic leadership (one of the most interesting topics in Asian studies), I noticed Joshua was busy writing something else in his chair. I rushed towards his seat and confiscated the piece of paper he hastily tried to put into his pocket.

Sunshine comes after the rain

ALL of us may have experienced some storm in our lives. But despite the trials and difficulties, we often weather the storm and move on with our life, this according to Faith J. Javellana.

The survivors of Tropical Storm Sendong, for one, have certainly weathered that very tragic part of their lives when they managed to stand still despite having lost some of their loved ones and their properties.

GMA and MX3 celebrate Sublian Festival in Batangas

GMA Network has sealed its second year of agreement with the Batangas City government in this year’s celebration of the Sublian Festival, a traditional celebration that aims to showcase its rich heritage.

The Sublian Festival, part of the week-long celebration of the city’s founding anniversary from July 17 to 23, is a significant festival that started in 1988 in observation of Batangas’ cityhood as this celebrates the cultural and religious unity of the Batangueños.

Poker Game versus the Game of Life

LIFE’S circumstances pushed me back to come home to this awesome city. The decision was not hard to make, I was looking forward to being reunited with my family and friends. I was not even sure why I left in the first place. Yet since I got back here, I was weighed down with truckloads of work.

Needless to say, I needed a break. As I try to manage my time, all my schedule can afford are leisure times after dinner. This led me to this quite awesome community game called “poker.”

Dychauco: Ice candy

WE had our share of ice cream the past weeks, now come another all-time favorite, the very basic and easy to make ice candy!

Why does this simple frozen pleasure give us so much enjoyment and gladness during our childhood and even until now? This might be an “imported invention” but who cares? What is important is that this evokes a lot of memories and with it, reminds also our very colorful lives!

Finding the way to success

A FORMER overseas Filipino worker (OFW) found the way to his heart when he exchanged his passion for basketball for a better tomorrow.

Glenn Neri, 33, born and raised in the municipality of Talakag in Bukidnon, could have been the next superstar of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) if he did not left the country for 10 years to find the true meaning of life.

Iponan holds Humba Festival

THE booming village of Iponan recently gathered its best “local chefs” for its yearly Humba Festival, which is now on its third year.

The Humba Festival, which has already gained prestige from other villages in the city, drew 35 organizations and zones whose members presented their best and delicious humba as they vied for top prizes.

Ozamiz holds Subayan Keg Subanon Festival 2012

OZAMIZNONS were treated to fun and entertainment last July 1 to 16 as Ozamiz City celebrated the annual Subayan Keg Subanon Festival.

The locals of the city, both private and government, were united in this grand festivity highlighting the indigenous group Subanon.

Remembering Ate Bem

IN HER illness, I saw strength: a paradox I witnessed in the life of my eldest sister ate Bem.

At age six, Ate Bem was diagnosed to have a rheumatic heart disease. Since then, the hospital had been her second home, yet it never took the smile in her face.

The Xavier Stage promotes Modern Theater in new shows

EXPERIENCE Modern Theater with The Xavier Stage.

One of Xavier University’s theater companies, The Xavier Stage (TXS) embarks on the promotion of Modern Theater in its second Theater Season starting this September.

Borja: Oro’s 1st city mayor

YOU can see him at the park in Divisoria with his hands in his back pocket and with a face so dignified-looking.

It’s the statue of former Cagayan de Oro Mayor Justiniano R. Borja, who was widely known as “Tinying.”