Rising from the ranks

WHO would have thought the newly-installed secretary of Sanguniang Panlungsod (SP) started as a simple janitor 43 years ago?

Arthritis: The great crippler

IF FRENCH sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), often considered the greatest of his day, lived today, he might have managed to sculpt more than what he produced during his time. The man behind such masterpieces as "The Thinker" and "The Kiss" spent his last three decades creating well-known sculptures – this despite the fact that he suffered from a severe and crippling case of rheumatoid arthritis. He had his first severe attack of rheumatoid arthritis when he was 57, and over the years, his condition deteriorated, which left his arms paralyzed and hands deformed like claws of a bird.

Brighter prospects for soybeans seen

FIGURING out what's the best meat alternative on earth? Look no further, it is soybean (scientific name: Glycine max). Experts consider soybean as one of the best sources of complete protein. A complete protein is one that contains significant amounts of all the essential amino acids that must be provided to the human body because of the body’s inability to synthesize them.

An adventurous soul takes on challenges

THE size of his success is measured by the strength of his desire and the size of his dream. Lawyer Joeffrey Suyao, Department of Labor and Employment regional director, gives a new meaning to the word courage.

Accepting what the future offers

FOR nearly 20 years that Leonardo "Leo" R. Avila III has served as a city legislator, he said he has learned almost everything that a grown man of his age should have learned.

Lozada: Inspiration

A WEEK ago I gave a seminar to three batches of Department of Education principals. Each batch was composed of 60 heads of schools and principals. I had a wonderful time with them.

Davao health workers use Smart app to screen amputees

ASCENT (Amputee Screening via Cellphone NeTworking) is gaining traction with more health workers now using the mobile phone application to screen amputees for prosthetic fitting.

New place for fun, excitement

THERE'S a new oasis for fun and excitement that the people of Davao City can explore, and it's just near the heart of the metropolis.

Dolores Resort: Davao's new haven

BARELY an hour's drive from Davao City is this new haven for reunions, honeymoon, weddings, retreats, seminars, meetings, team-building, company conferences and pure relaxation to soothe one's soul from the stressful hustle bustle of city life.

Having been a frequent guest at the resort for a handful of leadership and married ministry retreats in the past makes me wonder when will Dolores Beach Resort be ever open to the public.

Healing powers of water

EVERYONE, at one time or another, feels fatigued. And who wouldn't like to have more energy than they now have? One solution: drink up. Not booze but water. The day before you're going to be out in the hot sun and physically active - say a day at an open park - doctors advice that you drink plenty of water and continue to do so on the day of the activity. This will guard against dehydration, which in turn can cause fatigue.

Printing biz franchise at Go Negosyo expo

DIGIPRESS Asia Inc., a new company engaged in digital printing, was recently launched at the third Go Negosyo Entrepreneurship Summit held at the World Trade Center.

A dove among hawks

HE IS a peace advocate and a man of honor, a servant of God and country. At least, that's how he describes himself.

Cruising the world is her business

MT. APO Travel and Tours has been in the industry for the past 17 years and has earned itself a reputable name in the business.

Narra: Philippines' tree icon

ASK any elementary pupil if he knows what the country's national tree is and he will reply, "Narra." But ask him again how narra looks like and he will never say a word. The reason: most children these days don't see any narra tree.

In fact, narra is on the brink of extinction and only the most determined and relentless conservation campaign will preserve it.

DavOr's hidden treasures

MATI City, the capital of Davao Oriental province, was once a quiet seaside community now laden with beach resorts lining the coconut-filled shores, offering amenities and island tours to islets and secret coves.

How to handle stress like a pro

ON YOUR way to the shops or to work tomorrow morning, look at the people around you. How many of them look tense and drawn? How many over the age of 25 are smiling and really happy? Most of them will have developed symptoms of so-called USU -- an Unnecessary Sense of Urgency.

Making his own Choices

IN THE Oscar-nominated A Field of Dreams, the character played by Kevin Costner kept hearing these words: "If you will build, they will come."

Sweating the distant legal tender

THE hospitals are run by second best medical practitioners, the school teachers can’t speak proper English and the performing arts cast inferior studies, it’s all about “making do” with whatever work force is available to keep the business going. We are losing the best.

Public safety is his concern

HE IS someone short of a perfectionist when it comes to his duties, but all because his vision for Davao City is to maintain its peace and order. This is how city's first public safety officer -- retired Major Magno G. Adalin Jr. has been described by some employees of the Public Safety Command Center (PSCC).

Dabawenya crowned Mrs. Asia-USA

JANET Pichon Hixson of Charlotte, North Carolina, was crowned Mrs. Asia-USA on August 21, 2010 at the La Mirada Performing Arts Center in La Mirada, California.

Kent's magical world

HAVE you ever marveled at how an illusionist does tricks? Then you have to see Kent Oliver Estrada perform. An active member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 328 in the US, he is also the chairman of the membership committee for new aspiring magician in the most prestigious club here, the Inner Magic Club.

Misamis Oriental residents attest how power plant helps improve lives

A COAL-FIRED plant will help improve lives, not only for those who will have jobs as plant workers but especially for children in public schools and families whose lives were changed, a public school principal in Misamis Oriental reported Thursday.

Counseling is her passion

CHILDREN require guidance and sympathy far more than instruction and this is true for adults, too. Gina Ruelo Lamzon definitely knows everything there is to counseling children and young adults as she was the guidance counselor, from 1997 up to 2000, at the Holy Cross of Davao College - High School Department.

Dengue 104: The fight continues (First Part)

IN 2010, the Philippine Pediatric Society, Davao Southern Mindanao Chapter, run a series of articles about dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever as there was an upsurge of dengue cases in the city. As such the dengue scare has brought the populace to a near panic that hospital beds ran into shortage.

Lassa Asyano: Good food, quality service

ONE thing that struck Domingo "Jun" Imperial when he visited Davao City for the first time in August of last year was the habit of DabawEnyos to dine out, filling their tummies with good food in restaurants mostly on weekdays.

A 'father' to drug dependents

WHEN this writer went to Dr. Gene Libre Gulanes' office at the Davao City Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Drug Dependents in Bago Oshiro recently, she was surprised to see a male doctor. She thought Gene was a Jean, a personification of a "mother" to all patients of the center.

Lowering your bad cholesterol level

YOU may have noticed that pork and eggs have become four-letter words. It's all because of cholesterol, a substance that's gotten a reputation for breaking hearts than your loved one.

But cholesterol isn't entirely bad. The human body actually needs it, and produces it, to help protect nerves and build new cells and hormones. In fact, our bodies get all the cholesterol they need by making it on their own. The trouble starts when we add to the cholesterol our bodies produce.

Small businesses get big results

THE cost of living these days is getting higher. Even those who receive regular salaries every month are complaining. No one is spared from trouble in getting both ends meet.

UM Mgt 15 students on tour

FORTY-NINE students of the University of Mindanao enrolled in Management 15 (Production and Operations Management) went on an education tour to four different companies in Davao City last March 3, showing them the vast expanse of business operations.

Young blood in the sports office

POCHOLLO M. Elegino was surprised when he received his appointment papers as officer-in-charge of the Sports Development Division on January 3 this year.