A proud mother first

SHE’S among the familiar faces at the City Prosecution Office and she holds her work as staff in high regard.

But, Ma. Teresa P. Nabatar says she is most proud to be a mother to her brood of five: Anna Corazon, 26; Ivan Joseph, 22; Steven, 20; Camille, 17; and Alexis Jr., 12. Motherhood, she says, gives more satisfaction than any salary can give.

SuperBalita launches Super Suki 2012 promo

AS PART of the 13th anniversary of Sun.Star Davao Superbalita, the Super Suki 2012 promo is launched today, Tuesday.

The promo is set up for the avid readers of Superbalita Davao, the number one Cebuano publication in Davao Region.

Global chicken wonder opens store in Davao

THERE'S no need for Dasbawenyos to go to the nation's capital to taste the crispy chicken sensation that already made a mark in the global food industry, particularly in the United States.

BonChon, the crispy chicken sensation raved about globally, has chosen Davao City as an expansion area outside Metro Manila, where the international chain had already set up 21 outlets in less than two years.

Success is one step at a time

THERE’S more to success than luck, this is what officer-in-charge and corporate executive of Brother International Philippines Corporation Ed Vincent M. Penar believes in.

Success, she said, cannot be had by chance but by choice and hard work, he says.

Gokongwei wins global airline leadership award

LONDON -- Cebu Pacific chief executive officer and president Lance Gokongwei was recognized at the annual Airline Strategy Awards 2012, held in London on July 9 "for leading Cebu Pacific to become the largest and most profitable domestic carrier in the Philippines while positioning it for future international leadership."

The Airline Strategy awards, hosted by Flightglobal publication, Airline Business, started in 2002. The event recognizes the airline industry’s best in leadership, marketing, and innovation. Gokongwei was nominated among other low cost carrier leaders worldwide.

A budget hotel with a 'bigger heart'

JAZZY James Country Hotel's name reflects its unique character. And a stay in this new budget hotel guarantees a comfortable experience.

Amid the numerous budget hotels in Davao City, Jazzy James could stand among the rest.

Quiksilver makes waves in Davao

QUIKSILVER Inc., one of the leading outdoor sports lifestyle company that designs, produces and distributes a diversified mix of branded apparel, footwear, accessories and related products, opened its 4th Quiksilver store last November in Abreeza Mall of Davao.

The company's apparel and footwear brands represent a casual lifestyle for young-minded people that connect with its board riding culture and heritage. This popular brand is now focused on expanding its ground in the Philippines with its partners and exclusive distributor, the Primer Group of Companies.

Garden wedding for Julian and Gel

TATA Benito's Coffee Shop owner Gladys Lalaine "Gel" G. Marcial tied the knot with businessman Julian Severino R. Aquino in a solemn garden wedding at the Waterfront Insular Hotel on May 11. It was a civil wedding officiated by Judge Rufino S. Ferraris Jr.

Homegrown booters in the national team

ONLY a few are privileged to be part of the Philippine football team as it takes a long, rigorous process to get in. Thus, the fact that there are Dabawenyos in the national team is definitely something to be proud of.

Meet Darius Joseph Diamante and Javier Romero-Salas, members of the U14 Boys Philippine Football Team.

Dabawenyos' pride at Chimes Store

DAVAO City's exclusive specialty shop is now offering proudly-made Filipino products.

On June 13, the Filipiniana Section was launched on the third floor of Chimes Specialty Store along Sales street.

A dream

SEVERAL weeks ago, I had a dream. I remember it quite clearly because it had this effect on me. Actually it was quite short.

I was walking along some road, it was getting dark. I guess it was dusk. Suddenly, I found myself doing The Way of The Cross. So while I was praying a priest comes up and asks me: Rene I am the one who is going to do your mass right? Your wedding anniversary mass. I did not answer and I just found myself hugging the priest. When I turned to my right, I saw my late father. He was smiling, as if to say that he was happy to see me. (My father has this wonderful smile!)

Nature at its best

"A LAND of waterfalls, caves, lakes, rivers, towering mountain ranges and forests, gold and silver deposits, sulfuric hot and cold springs, and inland and beach resorts" -- that is how Provincial Tourism Officer Christine T. Dompor describes Compostela Valley (more popularly known as Comval).

Northpoint goes greener

A LANDMARK condo development in Davao, the British colonial themed Camella Northpoint, is going greener. Camella Davao general manager Marlon B. Escalicas talks about how green architecture plays a key role in their homeowners' healthy living.

What specific benefits do Camella Northpoint residents get from the green buildings?

Loves fastfoods, but wants to lose weight

DEAR Dr. Fritz,

I am one of your avid readers. I am just concerned because I am one of those who do really eat at fast foods – and yet, I wanted to lose weight. I know there are a lot of fats there. I can’t help eating at these fast foods because of my work. I just don’t have a lot of time to prepare my own foods. What can you suggest?

The green architecture

RENOWNED architect Art Secuya, Camella's head for planning, recently went to Singapore to get the latest trends and innovation on green architecture.

Here he shares insights into this cutting-edge concept as applied to Northpoint's newest building, shoring up the company's environmental commitment as June celebrates Environment Month.

For brighter tomorrow

IT ALL started when Pinky Aquino-Abellada told her brother, President Benigno Aquino III, she wanted to help him. What immediately came to her mind was education for children. She believed that becoming fully literate is a pre-requisite to school achievement and success.

Experts said the roots of literacy are established in the early years of children. After all, the windows of opportunity for language development and learning are wide open before age of ten.

The Navy is where his heart is

A TRUE leader does not only command excellence but more importantly builds excellence for the welfare of the nation.

This is how Commodore Philip Libed Cacayan, leader of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), was lauded and commended by his colleagues in public service.

Potential of cacao as export crop

CACAO has a potential of becoming an export crop only if the farmers “are equipped with postharvest technologies.” That's according to a news report which appeared in a national daily.

Manny, many changes

“THIS is my last story about Manny Pacquiao!”

I have been saying that each and every time I write something about our very pound—for-pound king whenever he is entering the ring and beat the living daylights out of an opponent. The stories are running out. Aside from the tales of the tape, which the whole world already knows, there is really nothing else to tell. Not unless we divert our attention outside of the ring.

Dive into summer!

THE exciting anticipation for summer concluded when Damosa-based employees of the Anflocor Group of Companies took their time off to rest and relax in the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) last May 12.

Taking a break from their frantic schedule, they shoved away their worries and fitted into their summer outfits in vibrant colors and radiantly kid-like auras.

Hagonoy on my mind

HAGONOY ISLAND is one of Mother Nature's ideal prototypes for a refreshing commune- with-nature getaway from the mainland, less than an hour away by boat.

Not as publicized as other island retreats, this tiny paradise is idyllic in its simplicity and tropical atmosphere. Sans any advertising, people discover it through the locals or by positive word of mouth. The word hagonoy is said to be a type of herb abundantly growing on the island.

Life after a kidney transplant

"There's life after a transplant: a better life to live," this is how Vanessa Javier described her second life after she underwent kidney transplant 12 years ago.

It was when she knew she had a kidney problem when she most felt how loved she is not only by her family but also by people who are dear to her.

Waterfront kicks off Summer Fiesta 2012

IT WAS a grand first for Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao as it opened the Summer Fiesta 2012 last May 26 and 27 with the people of Davao reliving the experience of a traditional Filipino fiesta at the sprawling gardens of the seaside hotel.

The Garden Ten was transformed into a fun fiesta village with great fashion and foodie finds. The highlight on the first day was the extravagant Santacruzan procession featuring lovely ladies from the illustrious families of Davao.

Four museums in a day

MORE than 60 participants who attended the recent International Museum Day Conference in Davao City had more fun when they visited four museums in one day in three cities.

The first stopover was the Museo Dabawenyo located on Pichon Street (formerly known as Magallanes St.) in Davao City. Orly Escarrilla, the museum's administrator, was present to welcome the visitors.

The path to healthy skin

DE-STRESS. Everyone has the need to escape the taxing daily grind. While some find relief in retail therapy, most would escape to the tranquility of a spa.

With the growing trend of specialized services brought closer to the market, preferred therapies like retail and body rejuvenation can be enjoyed in a single destination- at the mall.

Return to Angkor

"IF I go back again I would want to stay longer and soak up in sunsets and sunrises at different vantage points, perhaps earlier than the growing throng of tourists who flock in thousands to spoil the serene view. I will most likely visit the least popular temples hidden in the jungle, despite warnings of mines."

This was my closing dramatic lines to my first article about Siem Reap last year. Siem Reap means "Defeat of Siam" (now Thailand) and is the gateway to Angkor Wat, a Unesco World Heritage Site declared in 1992 and a symbol of Cambodia's flag since 1863.

Bridging Japan and Davao

A VETERAN in foreign ministry affairs, a devoted husband, a people-person, a pet lover, and a talented painter with a good sense of humor rolled into one.

Kahuziko Anzai, Consul of Japan and Director of the Consular Office of Japan in Davao, is all these and more.

Preciosa Spa's options

THE need to relax transcends borders. Regardless of where people live, the primary reasons spa-goers visit spas are to relax and relieve/reduce stress. The number of spa and wellness centers that have sprouted in the city during the recent years gives Dabawenyos different options as far as quality service and budget are concerned.

Near the Madrazo fruit stands on the corner of Ponciano where the Philippine Airlines held office, a new spa shop opened its doors on April 28.

'Mother's enterprise' helps support a village

"WE ARE opening this place in honor and in memory of my mother," said international lifestyle designer PJ Aranador during the inauguration of his Wawa Heritage Restaurant in Jaro, Iloilo City.

The name of the restaurant itself is homage to his mother who was called Wawa by her grandchildren, for they could not pronounce the word "lola."

A mother for all seasons

"YOU will never discern where you're going unless you know where you came from."

The statement came from the mouth of Saturnina - more popularly known as Tina - Dela Rita. She said those words while recalling her past. In between the conversation, she was in tears; in some instances, she cried unabashedly. Although she didn't want to remember it anymore, she insisted that she wanted to share her story.