A different kind of adventure

CAGAYAN de Oro City, the gateway of Northern Mindanao, is dubbed as the “adventure capital” in the Philippines. After all, it is home to the most scenic and exhilarating whitewater rafting in the country.

The widow ‘bakwit’ and the volunteers

ILIGAN CITY -- Jane (not real name) had her usual day at the Erag Junk Shop in Barangay Santiago here on December 16, 2011, despite the news of signal no.2 brought by Tropical Storm Sendong.

Jane was aware of the imminent danger that might be brought by the typhoon. After her job as a sorter of scrap materials and worried about her children, Josh, 6; Karen, 3; and Jean, she hurriedly went home late afternoon as winds were bringing heavy rains.

Batang Pinoy Artists join ‘art for a cause’

THE Batang Pinoy Artists (BPA) headed by its chairperson for Mindanao Allan F. Malalis joined the “Art for A Cause” exhibit by the Resurreccion Museum and Juan Luna’s Relatives/Descendants from January 25 to 28 at Malacañang Palace’s Kalayaan Hall in Manila.

Aside from Malalis, the other artists who joined the exhibit include Caryl S. Labastida, Pablito Abasolo, Alice Demecillo, Gio Choa, Emily Roa, Susy Calinga, Ian Neil Lalimos, Karen O. Rebutazo, Juliana R. Abelador and Paquito V. Cariño.

Rotary clubs continue relief, rehabilitation efforts for ‘Sendong’ victims

SEVERAL Rotary Clubs in Cagayan de Oro are still pursuing their goals to conduct relief operations and assist the people in rebuilding and uplifting their spirits and lives after last month’s deadly “Sendong.” Foremost of these are the Rotary Club West of Cagayan de Oro and the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro.

The Rotary Club West of CDO said it would still continue and boost its relief operations to the affected residents, particularly in the provision of non-food items like sanitation kits and other materials.

Hairstyles for 2012

EVERY year, fashion changes, clothing differs and hairstyle evolves. These changes are brought to us by the rapid development of the social world that also explains how our society today is fast developing.

True happiness

WHEN I became a Catholic Charismatic many years ago, I became an avid reader of the Holy Bible. As such, I had favorite Psalms, favorite parables and even passages in the Holy Scripture. After a few years thereafter, my interest waned but still I read the Holy Book but not as intense as before.

Dark sweet chocolatey champorado

WAKING up early in the morning during my annual childhood summer vacation in Mambajao, Camiguin and Cagayan de Oro City always starts (well, almost a daily treat if I may say so!) with a hot bowl of sweet yet dark champorado.

Motoomull: Doing a good job

EMPLOYEES are led into doing a good job; they can’t be forced into it. One possible cause of doing a good job is good supervision.

Vesagas: Understanding goiter

MEDICAL literatures share that goiter is a condition wherein there is an enlargement of the thyroid gland which is visible from the outside as a swelling of the front side of the neck.

Welcoming the Chinese New Year

THE Dragon has landed at SM City Cagayan de Oro as the mall welcomed the celebration of the Chinese New Year on Monday with good fortune and prosperity.

Photo exhibit on ‘Sendong’ heroes launched

CAGAYAN de Oro was greatly devastated by Tropical Storm Sendong on December 16 and 17, 2011, killing thousands of people and damaging millions worth of properties. Until this day, hundreds are still missing.

The devastation wrought by “Sendong” will forever remain in the memories of Kagay-anons, especially those who survived its wrath.

Celebrating the Chinese New Year

BASED on the Chinese astrology, 2012 is the year of the Water Dragon, which is believed to bring luck and good life. The dragon symbolizes good fortune and sign of intense power. It is regarded as a divine beast and said to be the deliverer of good fortune and a master of authority. Therefore, people who are born during the Dragon years are to be honored and respected.

40 days of ‘Sendong’ set January 25

MULTI-SECTORAL groups in Cagayan de Oro will hold “Kuarenta Dias,” a commemoration of the 40th day of the death of the victims of “Sendong”, on January 25, 6:00 p.m. at the Kagay-an Bridge.

The 40th day commemoration is centered on the theme “Paghandum (we remember), Pagtahod (we honor), Pagtoo (we believe).”

Road trip: From Cagayan de Oro to Mati

RECENTLY I made the unthinkable: to travel from Cagayan de Oro City up to Mati City by bus. Although it was exhausting and tiring, I did have the best of my time. Traveling with friends made it more worthwhile.

Staying in comfort at Rhapsody Suites

CAGAYAN de Oro City, being a booming city, is out to provide guests and visitors with comfort as hotels and pension houses also abound where guests can stay while in the city.

For the budget-conscious tourists, the Rhapsody Suites is the perfect place where they can stay in comfort amidst all the amenities.

Doctors: Instruments of God

I WAS in Madonna Hospital in Carmen, Cagayan de Oro Wednesday afternoon to have the hole in my neck, where I breathe through, checked since my coughing is quite frequent and the phlegm that comes out from the hole is getting stickier. My doctor, an internal medicine specialist, Johnston Te, a Filipino-Chinese, examined me as usual.

Chinese influences in the Philippines

HISTORY would tell us that Chinese have been in the Philippines for so long that a big percentage of Pinoys have Chinese ancestry somewhere along the way. Most are engaged in business, be it food, textile, fashion, furniture, banking, etc.

SM City holds ‘light a prayer for hope’ for Sendong victims, survivors

SM CITY Cagayan de Oro recently hosted its first major event for the year dubbed “Light a prayer for hope” for the families and victims of typhoon Sendong.   During the gathering, a Mass was offered to those who perished in the flash flood.   

Lanao Norte contingent undeterred by latest Sinulog result

Cebu City -- Although this year's sterling performance by crowd-favorite Lanao del Norte, known as "The Land of Beauty and Bounty," was not enough to get the judges’ approval, officials from this fast-rising province remain committed to the Sinulog Festival here.

"Our main objective in joining the festival is to promote Lanao del Norte as a peaceful and beautiful province where Muslims and Christians live harmoniously with one another. With that goal, I can say, mission accomplished," said Governor Khalid Dimaporo.

Sinulog, not mardi gras

CEBU CITY -- I was a chance passenger when I rode the ferry boat. But still, I arrived here at 2 a.m. on Saturday.

Vesagas: Understanding diabetes

“PRE-DIABETES, also known as impaired glucose tolerance, is a reversible stage in the development of type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. Melissa Conrad Stoppler of MedicineNet.com.

Roa: Baby Zendong and other stories

LIKE it or not, we are presently living in an important period of our city's history. This is the period of the second great flood that hit Cagayan de Oro since 1916.

Turning a year older

I TURNED 70 yesterday. I was born on January 12, 1942 during the Second World War. My late father had me christened Guerrero Arthur in a mountain in Mambajao, Camiguin, where my late father and late mother Rufina Andoy lived.

Velez MedTech Alumni Association to hold grand reunion

THE officers of the newly reorganized Velez Medical Technologists Alumni Association (VMTAA) are inviting all alumni of Velez College – College of Medical Technology to the first-ever grand reunion slated on January 21, 2012.

Ignatius C. Borromeo Jr., VMTAA president, said the activity will also serve as a tribute to their former dean, Dr. Ibarra T. Panopio, for his unwavering dedication in leading the college for the past 42 years, ushering it to where it is today.

The savory dish Ginataang Langka

THE first time I ever tasted this delightful and wonderful dish was when I was in Mambajao, Camiguin many, many years ago during one of my annual summer vacations there.

Artist holds fund-raiser exhibit for flood victims

PATRICK Uyguangco Gabutina never encountered as much devastation and death as what he saw in the wake of Tropical Storm Sendong in Cagayan de Oro City last December.

Motoomull: Do I enjoy serving people?

PLEASE ask yourself another equally important question, “Do I want to make their day better than it was before they met me?” I do and I know you do, too.

For some of us, the most difficult and exasperating people we encounter are clients and customers. Companies usually forbid their employees to retaliate when faced with clients’ negative behavior. The result is often frustrated, stressed-out employees. How you handle the clients’ problem makes all the difference of how both of you feel. Let’s put ourselves in the customer’s place for a minute.

Roa: Let the season of healing begin

EACH time a community is hit by a typhoon or an epidemic, one of its tragic consequences is the rise in number of orphans, widows and widowers.

Vesagas: Things to consider when taking Doxycycline to fight leptospirosis

AS THE number of leptospirosis cases in Cagayan de Oro City swelled to more than 200 and claimed at least eight lives after Sendong’s wrath ravaged the city, the Department of Health (DOH) in Northern Mindanao region last week declared an outbreak of the said disease in the city.

Hope amidst crisis

LESS than a month ago, people were so busy preparing for the Christmas season. Many were seen busy buying gifts, partying and even planning for a vacation. Happiness was noticeable.

However, this perennial excitement vanished and turned into desolation as some people in some areas of Northern Mindanao perished due to Tropical Storm “Sendong”.