Libot: Survey Sensation

PRE-Election surveys have been the topic of discussion lately; one of the bigger political groups had sought the Pollsters to divulge who funds them. Perhaps a question of whether these are neutral as they seem to be, the relationship of polls and our democracy is a relatively new one. And one that isn’t without any controversy.

Emata: Mindanao, a neglected paradise

I WAS a student in Manila when I realized the places in Luzon and the Visayas were enjoying a good supply of electric power, non-stop, that is more than enough for people to turn on their air conditioning units any time of day while the island of Mindanao gets the energy just few hours every day.

Worse, many of the provinces and towns had no power at all. Darkness ruled every night and people depended so much on the bright lights from the moon and stars.

Alamon: Sinuglaw

THE previous column elicited a few interesting reactions from a number of readers. Beneath the shared pining for the old Cagayan of one's youth, what is also apparent is a growing concern about the City's current direction seemingly toward chaos.

They raised interesting points - is this a case of having too much development too soon? Is this a showcase of the political economic trajectory of third world urbanization? Or the sociological logic of a migrant city?

Luczon: Harry Potter and its socio-political intricacies (part 2)

J.K. ROWLING’S creation of an instant classic novel, the “Harry Potter” series, did not only entice children and young adults, she also left breadcrumbs for adult readers the subconscious realities happening to a system of humanity, tyrannical enough to give a chill to the bones, like her portrayal of torture, murder, and death in the form of “unforgivable curses.”

Ravanera: Solidarity economy

WE LIVE in a time of crises brought about by a global economic system that is based on growth-at-all-cost development strategy that sacrifices the people and the environment to the altar of greed and profit. It has been said that the dominant development paradigm is like a giant off-balance. So as not to fall, it has to run and in running, it steps on communities, forests, seas, rivers, agricultural lands and even on people themselves, leaving havoc in its path.

Luczon: Harry Potter and its socio-political intricacies (Part 1)

IN the fifth book written by J.K. Rowling, young wizard Harry Potter is called to serve detention after a word clash against his new “Defense Against the Dark Arts” professor Dolores Umbridge, for insisting overly “academic approach” on the subject’s supposed to be practical or hands-on in nature.

In its film adaptation, Umbridge would say, “It is the view of the Ministry (of Magic, their world’s governing body) that a theoretical knowledge will be sufficient to get through your examinations which after all is what school is all about.”

Ravanera: Earth Day 2013

HER name is Gaia (Mother Earth) and today is Her Day (April 22) as declared by the United Nations. Gaia is in deep pain and hemorrhaging without let-up.

The romance between a thief and a police

IT was in Cebu City while I was having lunch in a restaurant when a man about 40 years old came to me. He was asking for some money saying among others that he was very hungry.

I invited him to sit down with me and take lunch too. The way I looked at him, he was really hungry and even if he was a complete stranger to me, I felt it was my obligation to give him food and water at least.

Vugt: The Church of the future

THE Catholic Church has lost much of its credibility in the past. Our new Pope Francis himself admitted this when he said Mass last Sunday in Rome.

He said: “Inconsistency on the part of pastors and the faithful between what they say and what they do, between word and manner of life, is undermining the Church’s credibility”.

The sorry state of health

THE J.R. Borja General Hospital (JRBGH) had reportedly received P18.6 million from the DOH early 2012, this comes to no surprise as this public hospital has sorely been needing improvements to its facilities.

Yet with all these positive developments, one still can’t help but think that progress has still been too slow, and the hospital has been marred with controversies from doctors resigning from their posts, and the recent hospital beds diverted by Korean donors to Vietnam for the city’s alleged neglect to receive them.

Anti-Nostalgia

One wonders if the Cagayan de Oro of one's youth can still be found beneath the general urban chaos that presently mire the city. The beautiful Ysalina Bridge still stands majestically over the mighty river. On its banks, are the century-old Acacia trees that serve as regal archways of the City Hall, Gaston Park, and further on to the heart of the City.

But what used to be a leisurely commute across the bridge where one used to look forward to a brief whif of mountain breeze and the sight of cool pristine flowing waters, is now a traffic gridlock.

Van Vugt: The street children of Cagayan de Oro

MY daughter Liesbeth is prioress of the Carmel Youth Philippines. This is an organization of young people who feel inspired by the spirituality and the charisma of the Carmelite Order. On Easter Saturday she had organized with her group, the CDO Chapter (Vincent, Bel, Loren, Karla, Lorvic, Cacai, Stanley and Arvic) a feeding program for the street children of Cagayan de Oro.

My wife, eldest daughter Cristina and I supported this project and joined the affair. It became for us a very emotional and moving experience.

Of monsters and men

PEACE and Order has recently been seen as the top priority concern by most Kagay-anons.

This is no surprise as a recent slew of crimes have erupted within the city. Reports of hold-ups, stealing and even killings have been the talk of headlines.

Another Sendong?

I WOULD like to bring to your attention for any possible action on what I perceive to be a possible another Sendong that is on the making.

I am a civil engineer from Butuan City and I often come and visit your very progressive city. In engineering, we have this principle ‘in every directional force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force.” So true to the city progress – such that we sometimes overlook the adverse effect of it at the expense of the citizenry, call it the prize of progress.

Luczon: Labels and perspectives

ANOTHER advantage in election campaigns is having the youths productive during summer vacations by becoming field staff of the candidates who temporarily employ them. Even in their “voluntary” status, the youth hopes to have ample budget for their allowance for staying up against the unfriendly sun this season.

Alamon: The Lesser Evil

THERE is something seriously wrong about a democracy when the only feelings we can conjure as a people about elections as a political exercise range between stone-cold indifference and extreme exasperation.

Thus, instead of being an occasion where we showcase the best in us as a people, elections expose the worst.

Behind the Podium

A LOT of studies world-wide have identified public speaking as the greatest fear for many individuals; why wouldn’t it be?

To open yourself up bare to the criticisms and judgment of your audience seems to be a daunting task. But would it be irresponsible to expect leaders of this city to overcome this common fear? After all, they are supposed to bear the burden of leading this good city; the least we expect, is the fear of speaking out, as a small obstacle against such huge expectations.

Alamon: Wrapped in Grey

DURING elections there is the standard rhetoric we hear in new and old media on why we should vote for a political candidate or party.

Luczon: PoliTricks

“ONE always claims/ Mistakes were planned/ When risk is slight/ One takes one's stand/ With much sleight of hand/ Politics – the art of the possible.// One has no rules/ Is not precise/ One rarely acts/ The same way twice/ One spurns no device/ Politics – the art of the possible.”

These are the lyrics of “The Art of the Possible” made by Tim Rice with music composed by Andrew Lloyd Weber as part for the musical “Evita,” that became a popular theatre production in the late 70s and eventually led to the 1996 film adaptation starring Madonna, Antonio Banderas, and Jonathan Pryce who coincidentally shares a close resemblance to the first Argentine Pope Francis.

Turn of the Tide

IGNORANCE is not bliss, not when it concerns your future and the future of the people around you.

The election season is well under way, evidence of the thousands of streamers, posters and other campaign paraphernalia that candidates have taken to distribute with the hopes of getting themselves elected in May.

Luczon: Voters’ responsibility: Study, scrutinize

STUDYING is never limited in the four corners of the classroom in schools; the more the situation is getting critical, the more the need to study and further deepen its analysis in order to trace the cause and address the effects. This can be relatively useful in deciding who to vote in the upcoming elections, now that technology and the internet always come in handy.

Van Vugt: Gender discrimination in the Church

GENDER discrimination has been a problem in the Catholic Church ever since in its beginning. Even St. Paul, in one of his letters, says that the woman in the Church must be silent. The woman is inferior to man; the wife should be subject to the will of her husband. This gender discrimination in the Church is felt also on the level of spiritual life, of prayer-life, and especially on the level of contemplation.

Alamon: Graduations

THIS year's graduation season is about to end. Most of the elementary and high school commencement rites have been staged last March. Some of the college graduation ceremonies are to be celebrated the first weeks of this month. Graduations in these parts are one of those memorable family occasions that are immortalized through the framed photos of the graduate and the family that adorn every Filipino sala. For a nation that continues to regard education as a source of family pride and a means for social mobility, these are meaningful moments for both students and their families.

Luczon: Loyalty awardees

IN THE coming days, I will dedicate this column to write the best I know about politics, from the ordinary people I have talked to but not to the extent of endorsing anybody who is running for office. Biases aside, let us make a good discussion about some points.

In the coming days to come, hopefully I can contribute in making the people aware that their right to suffrage is nonetheless sacred, and it is never for sale and it should not be willingly be sold. But curious as it is, there are still those people who seem to differ from our norms in what is supposedly “politics” to us.

Vugt: The future of the Church

WITH the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, as Pope Francis to the Church, it has become evident that the future of the Church is the Church of the Poor.

To the Church of the Poor belong in the first place the real poor people but secondly also those people who are called “the poor in spirit,” the people who have a special passion and concern for the poor. To that Church belong the ordinary Christians, the lay people in the Church. It is among them that the Holy Spirit is at work, like He was at work also during the conclave when Bergoglio was elected to the papacy. The Holy Spirit is with the Church. Even in the midst of trials and storms, He is at work among the Poor.

Vesagas: Combating heatstroke

ACCORDING to weather-forecast.com, for 10 straight days beginning April 1, Cagayan de Oro city will experience hot sunny days as temperature soars highest at 30 degrees Celsius. Summer time has indeed set in. For most students, it is the best season of the year: no classes, all night gimmicks and parties, off-shore vacations, and the seemingly unlimited pool and beach picnics.

But before donning your provocative swim wear and flaunting some skin, summertime also poses some health risks that include heatstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion.

Emata: The Land of Promise

EVER since I was a boy, Mindanao has always been described by Filipinos and visitors as the land of promise. As a pure-blooded Mindanaoan, I feel proud of such description. I read such thing in the books when I was in the elementary. And then much later, while I was already a journalism practitioner in our city, I felt sad because what was then the land of promise became the promised land. I have not heard or read anything about the things the island could offer much less the secret of its beauty. It has become like an attractive lady whose beauty faded amidst the twilight of dawn. Indeed, it has become the promised land. The government neglected its development and growth.

Luczon: The art of coincidence and assumption

THE Catholic world must have been culture shocked on how Pope Francis awed the people with his simplistic and humble lifestyle and servitude, much to the shock of these so-called Catholic "traditionalists" when he performed to wash the feet of 12 youths during the Holy Week, where two of them are girls, and one, happens to be a Muslim.

News reports were quoted that "no pope in history has washed the feet of a woman, much less a Muslim." As a non-Catholic, I find Pope Francis a good friend to the world and an inspiration of peace to the diversity in humanity.

Valdehuesa: Time to expose pork barrel for what it is

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Numerous candidates today are spending or overspending to gain congressional seats. It's a gamble for many of them, just like *jueteng* or *masiao*, and only a few will win cash credits and other bonanza. This novel gambling game is being played not only in regular congressional districts but also among Party-List constituencies.

And it's not only the right-wing or trapo or capitalist sectors that are into it. The left-wingers are into it also...in a big way! Can anyone list them? Communist, Maoist, Socialist, whatever? Even the faith-based, born-again, and evangelicals are doing it. And they're doing so with a vengeance... what if the well runs dry soon?-goes the folk wisdom. It's really political entrepreneurship.

Editorial: ‘Blessed’ coincidence

OPPONENTS of the Reproductive Health Law were pained to hear a few weeks back that it would take effect on March 31, Easter Sunday, of all days. That was a coincidence, said government officials who worked on the implementing rules that would have set the law in motion.

But yesterday, coincidence favored those against the law, whose passage has been divisive.