SM Food Group lives the Christmas spirit; donates to 12T families in CdeO, iligan

THE Christmas spirit lives on despite typhoon Sendong leaving a trail of devastation and deaths in Mindanao.

The calamity fuelled the spirit of community (bayanihan) among Filipinos with donations pouring in left and right for the victims of the most recent tropical storm that struck the country.

Tacio: The waiting game

WHEN I was still a little boy, I dreamed of going to the United States. Watching those Hollywood films had stirred me to go the land of milk and honey.

The fury of Sendong

THE Divine Mercy Foundation of Mindanao Phils. Inc., in its own quiet way, gave utensils and drinking water contained in plastic containers last January 4 and 5, 2012 to many flash flood victims of Bonbon, Kauswagan, Balulang and Consolacion barangays of our city.

Sensible eating after the holidays

ACCORDING to recent surveys, Pinoys are very optimistic of 2012 and surely, that is a very positive and good sign for all of us, despite all the trials and tragedies that we all experienced last 2011.

Vesagas: Public health experts advise healthful ways of house cleaning after flood

HEALTH risks remain a major concern after every natural disaster such as “Sendong”, said local and international public health authorities in a number of social networking sites.

Positive and negative vibes in the year of the Blue Water Dragon

JUST one more day and 2012 is here.

A bright, hopeful and new beginning in 2012

AFTER the worst typhoon that hit our City of Golden Friendship a few weeks ago, we are now facing and looking forward to the New Year in the next few days. What can I say?

Jose Rizal’s immortal poem

OUR national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, wrote in Spanish the immortal poem “Me Ultimo Adios” in his prison cell in Fort Santiago on the eve of his execution.

Through the years, this poem has been translated into many languages.

Roa: Paradise and hell in Isla de Oro

PUBLIC memory is defined as an act of recalling the past by a certain community in order to explain current tragic situations, social conditions, to comfort themselves, to build self-esteem or create cultural pride.

Globe opens Libreng Tawag, GCash donate facility for ‘Sendong’ victims

GLOBE Telecom immediately responded to the need for communication services of Tropical Storm Sendong victims by setting up free calls or libreng tawag operations in heavily hit areas in Mindanao as well as opening its GCASH donate facility, accepting cash donations for its relief operations via text message.

Vesagas: Post traumatic stress disorder may go viral post-Sendong: experts warned

A WEEK after the so-called deadliest storm of the year in the Philippines, survivors of typhoon Sendong, which had claimed the lives of at least a thousand, have been experiencing the psychological trauma of reliving the petrifying details of the experience that may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, said concerned psychologists and mental health professionals.

UCCP-CDO Chancel Choir in concert: A must see, A must hear

TWO stellar events took place on the night of December 10, 2011. First off, the Chancel Choir of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Cagayan de Oro City (UCCP-CDO) took center stage at the Rodelsa Hall of Liceo de Cagayan University, a noted venue for the culturati to enjoy art at its finest, in whatever form or genre may take.

God’s will

I’M a migrant to Cagayan de Oro like many others. I was five years old when my parents decided to transfer to Cagayan de Oro due to the eruption of Mt. Hibok-Hibok in Camiguin in 1950.

Whispering hope amidst crisis

“Soft as the voice of an Angel, Breathing a lesson unheard, Hope with a gentle persuasion Whispers her comforting word. Wait, till the darkness is over, Wait, till the tempest is done, Hope for the sunshine tomorrow After the shower is gone.

Celebrating Christmas in the midst of adversities

THE air is filled with Christmas messages, songs, poems, lyrics, of love and of affection not only each of us but above all to the Lord Jesus, whose birthday we are celebrating.

The truth is, there is really joy in our heart and we are happy every day during the celebration. It is a miracle, God is really there inside our hearts and must be smiling and happy.

Fres-C, DepEd partner to address malnutrition among school kids

Fres-C, the powdered juice brand of Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC), partners with the Department of Education (DepEd) in addressing the double burden of malnutrition among Filipino school children through the Batang Fres-C Hataw Campaign.

The campaign, which has engaged more than 58,000 pupils in 36 pilot schools across the country, aims to promote proper diet and physical activity among school children.

Little carolers

THE orphan children from the Psalm of David Harmonic Orchestra in Barangay Bulua joyfully and gratefully brought special greetings to several establishments and houses in the city through their unique Christmas carols.

What are we living for?

IN THE comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, Calvin is at school and his teacher is attempting to teach the class.

Biswal Mindanaw artists hold exhibit in Oro

THE National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA)-Northern Mindanao Chapter and Limket Kai Center are hosting an art exhibition of Biswal Mindanaw that opened on December 15 at Limket Kai Center.

Dubbed “Gasa,” the art exhibit serves as Biswal Mindanaw’s thanksgiving for the many triumphs that it garnered this year and a celebration for the yuletide seasons.

Glitterati fashion show

AS A way of saying goodbye to 2011, the Prince of haute couture, Gil Macaibay III, showed off his new collection in a Glitterati grand fashion show held over the weekend at Limketkai Atrium.

The reason for the season

CHRISTMAS is celebrated because of Jesus Christ and not because of food, gifts and drinking. That should be what Christians should think this season.

XU studes to hold liturgical concert

STUDENTS of Xavier University (XU) belonging to the XU-Campus Chapel Aides (XU-CCA), a religious organization, will hold a liturgical concert on Sunday with a theme “Magpasalamat sa Kanya: An Offering of Life, Love and Friendship.”

The concert will showcase religious and Christmas songs to inspire people and experience the true meaning and atmosphere of Christmas.

Anti-narcotics bureau holds gift-giving

TO CELEBRATE the Christmas season, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Northern Region office conducted a gift-giving activity to poor children at the Fatima Chapel in Isla De Oro, Burgos St. on Wednesday.

The activity was led by PDEA Regional Director Roberto S. Opeña who personally distributed the Christmas gifts and packed snacks to more than 100 children.

Oro’s Krizza Neri battles it out in Protégé this Sunday

AFTER months of searching, the long wait is finally over as GMA-7’s reality show Protégé is about to unfold and announce its first winner during the finals on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia in Manila.

Countdown to Christmas Day

IT’S beginning to look a lot like Christmas…everywhere you go…as the song goes…

Oro 60-feet Christmas tree switched on

THE first ever giant Christmas tree in the city located at the Gaston Park has formally lighted on Monday night by Mayor Vicente Y. Emano, marking the official start of the holiday season in the city.

The lighting of the 60-foot Christmas tree, which is atop a platform at the center of the park, was accessorized with thousands of Christmas lights and ornaments that gives a spectacular sight for everyone.

Christmas around the world

CHRISTMAS is the happiest season and the most wonderful time of the year. Let’s discover what Christmas is like beyond our country. Let's discover what Christmas is like for people of different races, different cultures and different walks of life.

CDO Medical Center consultant’s group bags award

DR. GILBERT B. Gille, the president of the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine (PCOM)-Northern Mindanao Chapter, proudly shared the Award of Distinction they bagged during their Mid-Year Convention held at Subic last October 21 to 22.

The first mass in Cagayan: Conclusion

AS A graduate student in Archaeology at the University of the Philippines, I have been taught about the importance of landscapes.

The downside of formula-feeding

EXPERTS around the globe agree that breast milk is the best food for the baby for the first 12 months of his life.

However, there are cases wherein the mother is left with no option but to give up the womanly art of breastfeeding such as in cases of mothers who have cardiac or cardiac-related problems and are placed under constant medications by their physician after giving birth.