A glimpse of Heaven

I NEVER thought that it would be a great and awesome experience. It was summer of 2011 when I and my cousins went to a place blessed with nature's beauty. Like others, I thought the place was just so ordinary, that there was really nothing special it could offer. Before we could reach the place, we had to get a connecting flight from Davao to Manila and Manila to the area. It was honestly tiresome.

While inside the plane, I could hear people yelling just because they couldn't wait to see and experience the untouched loveliness of Philippines’ last frontier. Since I was seated near the window, I didn't hesitate to check out the peripheral view of the place.

My forever boyfriend

"OKAY. Bye! I love you!" then I disconnected the call.

Whenever this guy calls me, I’m always quick to answer and when we end it, we always say those three words. With other people I find it corny, but with him it’s natural.

Subtle propaganda

"Their self propaganda comes in many faces and camouflages, using different advocacies. There's Erin Tanada's advocacy in Right to Information Bill, Risa Hontiveros' pro-mom commercial, Edgardo Angara and son Sonny Angara's senior citizen advocacy commercial, and Manny Villar and wife Cynthia’s tarpaulins around Davao City, greeting Davao in their Kadayawan festival."

UNOFFICIAL candidates for next year still have more than 8 months till the May 13, 2013 election. But it seems they're too excited that they are already advertising themselves.

The mystery of the fog

"We only see, but we do not know: the fog has taught me that. They may only seem like clouds suspended near the surface of the earth that anytime they may gust out to little droplets of water..."

WE only see, but we do not know.

A public servant

EACH individual has his/her own and distinct level of contentment. But for Malu Dadula, administrative officer of the City Information Office (CIO), she finds contentment with what life has given her.

Being in the public service for 15 years is no joke. But like any other jonb, Malu said working with the city government can give someone a sense of contentment.

50 colorful years of summer and style

HAVAIANAS will celebrate its golden anniversary by taking everyone through a colorful and exciting tour back to where it all started.

An old time favorite never fades

FOR almost three decades, Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort has been the premier destination for beachgoers who troop to the Island Garden City of Samal.

Filipino Pride: Success story of an OFW in Australia

HOW far can a father's love for his children go? For 28-year-old Dennis dela Cruz, he has found the answer 2,800 miles away from his Philippine homeland -- in Australia, where he now works and lives with his family. His life's story reveals that being catapulted to a foreign land to work as an OFW is a mishmash of hard toil, profound motivation, and partly, luck in finding the right people who assisted him in his job.

Knowing the works of media

EVERY now and then, students, mostly graduating ones, teachers and even employees from the local government units (LGUs) take time to visit the office of leading community paper Sun.Star Davao and get to learn first-hand how the print media work.

These educational tours or exposure trips organized by the different academic institutions and LGUs from Davao City and even outside of the metropolis would give participants added knowledge on the works of journalists, and they always make sure to include Sun.Star Davao in one of their stops.

New equipment to boost Sun.Star Davao soon

SUN.STAR Davao newspaper has maintained its firm footing in the tough market competition in terms of advertising and credibility as a solid news organization in Davao City through the years.

Even as the newspaper has already dominated the total market share of 72 percent, Sun.Star Davao general manager Tessie Alcoriza-Paña said there are still more innovations about to come for this year and the next to continuously offer its wide audience with the most reliable news from top stories, business, entertainment and sports.

Proving a commitment to the community

SUN.STAR Davao reaches another milestone when it turns 17 today, continually evolving as a community paper in the fastest growing city in the Davao Region.

Sun.Star Davao remains the number one local paper in the metropolis in terms of readership because of its layout and content. The readers, loyal business associates and industrious workers themselves also contribute to the success of the company through the years.

Just lovin' it

EVERY year, Sun.Star Davao Publishing Inc. fetes its loyal employees by honoring those who have been with the company for the past 10 and 15 years.

On its 17th year today, we are proud to present general manager Tessie Alcoriza Paña, news editor Nelson Bagaforo and photographer Seth delos Reyes, who are among the pillars in making Sun.Star Davao the most awarded and the No. 1 in readership community newspaper in the region. They will each receive a plaque, cash incentive and a souvenir watch with engrave name.

The teacher is now a cop

MANY are called but few are chosen, that’s what Chief Inspector Angel Sumagaysay, the newly-installed commander of the Toril Police Station, believes even as he was still aspiring to be a policeman.

Sumagaysay was a high school teacher at Notre Dame of Dadiangas Boys Department for three years before joining the police force, but even before that, he had long wanted to be a man in uniform.

Pollo Porco: Roasting Cebu lechon in Davao

DABAWENYOS who want to fill their hungry tummies with that delicious and perfectly-cooked Cebu lechon (roast pig) need not go to the Queen City of the South to savor this most popular dish on the table.

Young businessman Glenn G. Yap is bringing the famous Cebu lechon to Davao and has in fact started serving the people when he opened Pollo Porco in Cabantian just recently.

MX3 livens up Kadayawan 2012

DAVAO’S Kadayawan 2012, the biggest Festival in Mindanao, was a sight to see. It is a showcase of different Filipino cultures witnessed by different races.

With MX3 as a major sponsor and with GMA Kapuso caravan of its hottest stars, people could not contain their delight.

Beth the bag lady

IT’S still a surprise how this good friend of mine manages to dive deep into a mountain of choices and manage to surface with fabulous must-haves. Whether it be clothes, shoes, accessories or bags, this shopaholic’s finds still manages to amaze me to this day, and mind you, I have gone shopping, locally and abroad, with this woman for the past six years. I guess it boils down to taste, and Beth, I assure you, is gifted with it.

Be enamored anew by The King And I

TRUE to its reputation as the primary venue for superb world-class entertainment, the country's one-stop, non-stop haven for superlative thrills, Resorts World Manila (RWM) is offering its third theatre production, starting on September 15 with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King And I.

The mega-musical will be staged at the majestic halls of the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT) within RWM's Newport Mall.

Star-studded, captivating Pamulak 2012

THE cast of GMA Network's Makapiling Kang Muli added color and excitement to this year's Pamulak or the Floral Float Parade that culminated the Kadayawan sa Dabaw 2012.

Proud of her roots

SHE proudly represented her tribe during this year's search for Hiyas sa 27th Kadayawan sa Dabaw festival, showcasing its rich culture, tradition and glamour.

Jean "Babyjean" Ali, from Maguindanaon tribe, has brought pride and honor to her tribe as she was declared as the most beautiful, talented and culturally-inclined during the Hiyas search.

Island Hopping from Mactan to Pandanon

THERE's more fun in the Philippines, so says the Department of Tourism. More likely, if you do island hopping. The Philippines is home to 7,107 islands strewn across 2,200,000 square kilometers of ocean.

Recently, I had the opportunity of island hopping from Mactan Island in Cebu up to Pandanon Island of Bohol. That’s almost about two hours by boat – but more than that if the weather is not cooperating.

Better than ever

KADAYAWAN sa Dabaw hits its peak today with the most anticipated Pamulak Floral Float Parade. Not that it wasn't already hitting utmost exciting the past few days.

The first high came with the coronation of the Hiyas ng Kadayawan Friday evening that saw 18-year-old Maguindanaoan lass Jean "Babyjean" K. Ali grab the crown. A BS Tourism student of Joji Ilangan Career Center, Babyjean dreams of traveling the world.

More than just festival spokesperson

HE IS the most sought after news source by reporters covering this year's Kadayawan celebration. Kadayawan 2012 spokesperson Orly Escarilla is the man behind all the stories published in city's major newspapers.

Behind his appearances in all press briefing and media updates bringing the freshest feeds about Kadayawan is a family man who strives to change the negative stereotypes that most people have toward public official.

Festival of festivals

THE festival of festivals, the grandest celebration in Mindanao -- it is that time of the year again when Dabawenyos and tourists alike flock the streets of Davao City to embrace the lively season of the 27th Kadayawan Festival.

With the theme "Ten Tribes One Vibe", the lineup of events will predominantly showcase the cultural heritage of the tribes that inhabit the city namely the Tausug, Matigsalog, Obu Manuvu, Maguindanaon, Bagobo Tagabawa, Sama, Bagobo Klata, Maranao, Ata and Kagan.

10 cultures, one future

TEN TRIBES, ONE VIBE! This theme most describes the harmonious relationship of various people here in Davao City in line with the celebration of the 27th Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival.

The festival aims to showcase the rich culture of the tribal folks who now live in Davao City, namely, Ata, Matigsalug, Ovu-Manuvo, Bagobo Klata, Bagobo Tagabawa, Tausog, Maguindanao, Maranao, Kagan or Kalagan, and Sama.

The lasses of our tribes

VYING for the coveted crown of Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2012, ten ladies will be competing against each other t bring pride to themselves and their tribe.

Emierita A. Bogcal, 23-years-old Ata, is a 3rd year Bachelor of Elementary Education at the Holy Child College of Davao. “Mimi”, who dreams of becoming a teacher, is presently residing in Crossing Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City. Ata is another sub-tribe of the Manobo, who are mostly residents of Paquibato District and in Marilog District just across Davao River.

Move up to better life at Fairlane

COMING home to a tranquil community that revitalizes your mind and body after a day’s work is much needed in the prevalently fast-paced lifestyle these days. Yet, as morning begins, everyone also yearns to have all of life's necessities and daily priorities right in the proximity of their dwelling place.

Cairns: Australia's tropical paradise

FRAMED by a backdrop of rainforest clad and mountains and fringed by the Coral Sea, Cairns -- named after William Wellington Cairns, a governor of Queensland -- is Australia's tropical paradise.

The city is the ideal base to explore the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforests. Both of these most fascinating ecosystems are listed in the World Heritage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

Riley Simon grilling great food

RILEY Simon Grilled Burger & Ribs may be among the newest business establishments in Davao City, but it is attracting people who crave for great food at an affordable price.

Joan Fernandez, who is helping supervise the family business, swears that only four days into their operation food enthusiasts have been coming in droves to try their grilled burgers and ribs.

Sacrificing priesthood

SACRIFICING his vocation was never easy. But he believes his decision to leave the convent resulted to something much better, reaping good things not only for him but also for others.

Fr. Victorino Arendain, 56, was born to a family of missionaries and had no good source of living.

Armscor celebrates successful years

THE digits "60" play a pivotal role in this world-class arms manufacturer in the country.

Arms Corporation of the Philippines or Armscor is turning 60 this year since it started manufacturing firearms and ammunition under Squires Bingham back in 1952.