Status

LET me rant this time. And let me rant about certain people in Facebook. Like most of humanity, I also have a Facebook account. I actually have two. One is private and the other is a free-for-all thing. In my private account are my family and my close circle of friends. In my other account as the name suggests it is a free-for-all scenario. As long as I know you, I will accept your friend request. I seldom ASK for friend requests but if we know each other, then by all means join the fray!

Bucas Grande escapade

LOCATED at the northeastern flank of Mindanao under the political jurisdiction of Surigao del Norte province lies Siargao, a group of islands known much as a surfing destination. But unknown to many, the Siargao isles also boast of magnificent coves and lagoons that harbor very scenic seascapes, enough to make your jaws drop in amazement.

One of these islands is Bucas Grande, lying adjacent to the more well-known Siargao Island but located much nearer to the Surigao del Norte mainland (a shorter 45-minute trip from barangay Hayanggabon in the nickel-mining town of Claver).

Medical Museum: Lessons from the past

HOSPITAL del Santo Nombre de Jesus, built by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in Cebu in 1565, was the first hospital ever constructed in the Philippines. On May 26, 1871, the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy was founded.

In 1905, the cholera epidemic that hit the country three years earlier, ended; total tally of death: 200,222. In 1911, beri-beri outbreak was confirmed to be caused by continuous eating of polished rice as a staple food.

Healthy products sold at Pasalubong Center

THE city-run Pasalubong Center has been a home to a number of indigenous products such as handicrafts, fashion accessories, souvenir items, processed foods, and home decors for more than a year now since it opened in December 2011.

Now, it only takes a little effort to find where the locally-produced products of the Davao City's small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and that of the other regions in Mindanao are sold, unlike in the past where they can be bought only in the trade fairs.

Spa Blvd opens

THERE's a new place in downtown Davao where everybody can relax and, at the same time, obey their vanity for a day of luxurious retreat.

The Spa Blvd, a newly-opened spa, is complete with services for clients who seek a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

When in Cateel

THOSE who live or have work in Cateel, Davao Oriental knows that the town is still heavily into rebuilding mode. Yes, the typhoon Pablo has made sure of that.

Along the street where the “dry goods” market is are temporary wooden structures that are now bedecked with goods – from rice to clothes to ukay.

Queens of Buttercream

BEST buddies Valeri Valeriano and Christina Ong, the dynamic duo behind Queen of Hearts Couture Cakes London, never imagined that they will be making world-class cakes when they left the Philippines in 2008 to work in the medical field.

Being away from the country and missing their families, they were fortunate to have found dear friends in London whom they considered as their “second moms”. During Mother’s Day in 2011, the two decided to surprise these special people with homemade cupcakes to show their appreciation.

Warmhearted cop

AFTER all the television guestings, media interviews, thousands of friend requests on Facebook, and, of course, the brand-new Glock pistol and free Public Safety Savings and Loan Association Inc. (PSSLAI) health card from Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Allan Purisima, Police Officer Jessie Romano "Jes" Mallari said his life is now back to normal.

The 25-year-old Mallari believes that the affectionate act he extended to an old beggar, Fernando Mendoza, 84, is not new as it has always been the motto that every policeman should live by -- to serve and protect.

Apo View Hotel turns 65

APO View Hotel, Davao City’s very first hotel and the country’s second longest running hotel, recently celebrated its 65th year anniversary last March 23, 2013 at the Apo View Hotel Grand Ballroom.

To mark this milestone, the hotel hosted a thanksgiving party for its industry partners, valued clients, and friends. The hotel’s Grand Ballroom was transformed into a chic lounge by renowned event stylist Ms. Annie Lim.

Carousels, time zones and jet fuel for the tired soul

THIS is a story of endurance. It's much like the Amazing Race where I was crossing continents and states, hopping through time zones, leaving and living on jet planes, and my only competitor is patience, a virtue I cannot master in this lifetime.

Grand fireworks display

THESE days, it's not only during Christmas and New Year celebrations that we see the night sky flickers with different colorful bursts of red, yellow, blue, and green as the firecrackers shoot up and explode to the dark sky. Boom!

Even on a hot summer season, fireworks display can be enjoyed, too. Yes, seriously! But not in Davao City, of course! Everyone knows whoever violates the local ordinance will end up in the jail. You don't want to spend a day behind bars, do you? Hehehe.

Excellence beyond challenges

“I AM greatly honored and privileged to stand before all of you this morning in behalf of the Paragon 2013 to say something before we leave,” said Rodel Gil D. Peradillo, the president of this year’s batch of graduates.

“But just so you know, bidding goodbyes are tough,” Peradillo said in a speech delivered during the 16th Graduation Exercises at the La Sage Auditorium of Southern Philippine Adventist College (SPAC) in Camanchiles, Matan-ao, Davao del Sur. “Moments like this are filled with multi-emotions. All of us today are very much happy, especially our parents, watching us on our lovely academic gowns.”

Built on a vision to help

WITH the countless bars and restaurants abound in the city, people are left with a slew of options where to go to party all night and drown themselves with bottles of beers and wines 'till dawn while some others pig-out at affordable and upscale buffet restaurants.

Partygoers chug more beers, puff more cigars, and eat more fat inducing foods every now and then, given the long-list of go-to places to hangout one night after another. It’s not being so nice to the body, is it? That’s how night life is for some.

Center to adopt new tech to breed ‘super carabao’

IF THERE is already a super tilapia strain, there will soon be a super carabao, a robust looking animal that produces more milk than the typical carabao.

To produce such kind of animal, the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) will embark on DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) marker technology for its breeding program.

Her heart belongs to public service

TO WORK for the common good is the greatest achievement one could never attain without the passion, determination and concern for others.

This is how Atty. Ma. Theresa D. Biongan-Pescadera, acting registrar of the Registry of Deeds (ROD) in Davao City, described her profession.

Paradise Summer Fireworks Festival

EVERYBODY can now feel the heat of the day rising almost to a scorching level and the sun’s glare so blinding during midday. That reminds us it is summer season at last!

While it’s vacation, a lot of people from mainland Davao City and its neighboring cities will troop to Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) to take this as an opportunity to enjoy the company of family and friends in different ways.

Giving back to the community

ASIDE from making sure to keep our body healthy, we also have to have regular medical check-ups to maintain good health.

Little Nyonya: Option for foodies

LITTLE Nyonya, a newly-opened restaurant in Davao City, provides new option for Dabawenyo diners, being the first Singaporean restaurant in the city.

Norman Gallego, operations manager of Global Nyonya F&B, said his team spent time in Singapore to make a study, including the culinary trainings, on how they could set up a restaurant right in Davao City with its authenticity still maintained just the way it is prepared in the Lion City.

Splashing into summer with kaleidoscope of colors and prints

COLORS as bright and juicy as summer fruit, relaxed silhouettes, and fearless mixing and matching: this is only a fraction of Kikay's newest collection, Printed Summer. Greet the sizzling season and enjoy the relaxed elegance of the collection while still maintaining a standout style and flair.

"Think brights for the colors," said Kikay owner Kathy So. "We wanted this collection to be about having fun, yet still making a statement."

One-stop place for fun, adventure

FROM adults to children, from teenagers to young professionals, D'Leonor Inland Resort and Adventure Park has something for them.

"If they are looking for some fun activities or extreme adventures, or just to unwind themselves from the hassles of urban living, the resort is the place to visit," says Jules Melencion, the operations supervisor who is also the sales and marketing head.

Oral Healthcare: Foundation for healthy life

"Aside from brushing your teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash, we should also replace our toothbrushes every three to four months, follow a healthy diet, and limit our between-meal snacks," shared Dr. Jayme Concepcion, a Metro Dental resident dentist.

Lapu-lapu can be raised commercially

IT'S a common knowledge that Chinese restaurant is not complete without a bubbling tank full of grouper. Asia's most demanded reef fish, grouper fetches up to P6,000 per piece in Hong Kong and Singapore. In the blockbuster movie, Drunken Master, steamed grouper was one of the many dishes Jackie Chan's character requests during an attempted meal-theft.

Most of the fish comes from the Philippines, as the country is considered the center of the Coral Triangle, a region between the Pacific and Indian Oceans that harbors 75 percent of all known species of plants and animals that thrive among coral reefs.

A prelude to summer

ALL aboard!

The gathering usually occurs before the temperature soars toward boiling point and heats up the city—that time of the year when the beach is what every perspiring soul has in mind as the great escape.

Dream Big

A FEW years ago, the dream of having a high school orchestra seemed to be an ambitious project for Davao Christian High School (DCHS).

But, through the collaboration of Patricia Chambi Soriano of Zion Praise Ministry Inc. (ZPMI) and the DCHS administration, the school started its Practical Music Course (PMC) in 2009 which taught students how to play either the piano, guitar, violin, drums, keyboards, cello, saxophone, or flute.

Pasalubong from Davao

MENTION Davao and what comes into your mind - Philippine eagle (the country's bird icon), Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, No Smoking, the country's biggest city in terms of land area, and Kadayawan (Mindanao's festival of all festivals).

Le luxe de VIE Hotel

EVENING flight. Late night arrival. No airport pick-up. Taxi or bus. Airport rail link to the city was still open. Front door delivery.

This is what I love about Bangkok, it has made traveling convenient for everyone and the airport link to the city is just the best. It swiftly transports me to the city, connects my ride to the BTS or MRT and gets me to your final destination in a flash. Bangkok’s infamous traffic jam is non-existent along this path.

A seafood trip on a giant lobster

IT’S official— the cheat day is on an extended run and now a cheat month. The take-off of the-healthy-lifestyle-program aka diet + exercise was smooth and successful, well, for three days at least. Then the weekend treat came, the appointed time to cheat on the diet. After that day, I was never able to back on the plane ride to weight loss heaven. I still watch what I eat, though, and it’s the see-food diet. Since the love month was ushered in, I’ve seen plenty, and feasted on it.

Why I miss Phuket

PHUKET may not have been in my bucket list but I am glad I made it there. The supposedly jump off point to THE bucket list entry, Phi Phi Island, presented itself with more than what I expected it would. Boy, I had fun, lots of it.

I am not too hard to please, just take me to the beach and voila— instant gratification, fail-proof! The beach is one of my comfort zones and in Phuket, it’s very easy to get me into that. The shoreline stretches for kilometers and each beach area bears its own charm. Making it there on a low season was definitely a plus, the beaches were not crowded, thus, not a soul blocked my sun.

Wants to know of fertility foods

DEAR Dr. Fritz,

I have been following your column since the day I read it. Now, I guess, it’s my time to throw some questions which have been hounding me. Are there fertility foods? Can food help our fertility chances?

The mysterious Agusan Marsh

AGUSAN Marsh is again in the news as its former “resident,” the one-ton crocodile – named Lolong—was declared dead a few hours after flipping over with a bloated stomach in a pond at an eco-tourism park in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.

Last year, the Guinness Book of World Records proclaimed Lolong as the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity, measuring 6.17 meters (20.24 feet). The reptile dislodged Australian crocodile named Cassius that measured 5.48 meters (17.98 feet) from the top spot.