Take this cup away

I HAVE always wondered about that phrase uttered by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Of course, we all know when He said that, it was the eve of His impending death. Was He scared? Perhaps to a certain degree, He was because He was also human after all. But for Him to sweat blood, for Him to ask His Father to let this cup pass was a little difficult for me to accept and understand. I can understand Jesus Christ being scared but afraid? No way. I really did not buy the idea that Jesus was afraid to die because for one, He knew that was the reason He came to earth. To die for us. He actually embraced the cross.

Memory problems 4

(Foreword: This is our continuation in our response to the problem posted to us by Obinna from Nigeria regarding her memory problems.)

DEAR Obinna from Nigeria,

Tawa-Tawa is no laughing matter

THREE weeks ago, I was catapulted from my deep sleep when I heard my phone ringing. It was already 10 o’clock at night and I was so tired since I had been busy for the past two days. But it was my sister Jean talking and she seemed to be crying. “What’s the problem?” I inquired.

“Ashley has dengue fever,” Jean explained. “The doctor said her blood platelet has gone down dramatically. I went panic so we decided to bring her to a hospital in Digos City, just in case something will go wrong with her.”

Grand Regal features foods from ‘All around the Philippines’

ONE reason why I always dream of travelling around our country is to explore and taste the varied native delicacies distinct to every town in the Philippines.

Food defines what Filipino culture is, they say. Filipinos, on the other hand, are best known as foodies. Imagine Pinoy can eat more than three meals daily, if we count in snacks during the day.

Adobo: The Philippines’ national dish

LIKE its neighboring Asian countries, the Philippines is a region of mouth-watering delights. Consider the following: lechon (roasted whole pig or chicken), sinigang (chicken, pork or beef soup usually prepared with tamarind and other ingredients), dinuguan (pork blood stew) and adobo. Among these delectable meals, adobo best fits the title, “The National Dish” along with mango, milkfish (bangus), and carabao as other iconic symbols of the country.

Art, Experience, and growth

EXOSURE, may it be in the creative, cultural, historical or what not, plays a significant facet in the artistic journey of an artist, most especially for the budding ones. Hence, an art practice accompanied with these facets matures the journey in its gradual phase with experience and growth, where it is poignantly observed by the public on the artists’ disposition and oeuvres.

March 2013 musings: Rebonding is not just for the locks

IT SEEMED like March was devoted to rebonding and I don’t mean my hair. Maybe it was the Universe’s way of leading me to reconnect with people, places and most importantly myself.

More than half of the month was spent away from the city, hopping in and out of airplanes, finding myself in spots I long to be and where I should be, revisiting a place I fell out of love with and surprisingly enjoying it, and witnessing disconnected relationships reconnected again and, sadly, some in the stage of detachment, for the moment at least.

Interesting discovery

THERE wasn’t time to dawdle nor think of cheat days, there was but time to eat and eat well.

That’s because it was already Wednesday and waiting another day will make it Maundy Thursday, while cheat day is Good Friday. You know how it is around here on Maundy Thursdays and Good Fridays, and Saturday is too late.

2013 Blue Feather Awards: Time to shine

THE journey of the third year Mass Communications students of Ateneo de Davao University in their journalism class ended with glamour and distinction as all their efforts in producing newspapers and magazines paid off.

Nine groups competed for the best newspaper with judges Temujin “Tek” Ocampo of GMA, Charles Maxey of Sunstar Davao, and Carmelito “CQ” Francisco of Mindanao Times. For the best magazine, veterans Stella Estremera of Sunstar Davao, Ed Fernandez of Mindanao Daily Mirror, and Ian Garcia of M Magazine evaluated the outputs.

Las antiguas iglesias de Filipinas

CHURCHES are always on the list of must-see whenever I find myself in a new place. Where this fascination for this structure comes from, I don’t know. But the main reason I took up architecture in college was that I wanted to build the first all-glass church in the world. I finished the course but never got to start on the dream.

Living and raised in a Catholic country, this fascination is fed -- with gusto! Around the archipelago are amazing churches that I have yet to marvel at. Some I have been lucky enough to have visited and heard mass in, some are yet to be visited.

Tujan: The day Mikee turned 18

IT WAS a night to remember, as "Mikee", turned 18, with a grand party like no other last March 12, 2013 and hosting her coming-of-age event was a privilege. And let me tell you, this girl knows how to throw an awesome party!

Held at the Davao Convention Center on Torres St. in Davao City, the always shy and smiling girl, Mikee Yap, was joined by her family and friends in an evening specially prepared to introduce her to the public, as a full-fledged woman.

UPMin head to usher new era of growth

THE investiture of Prof. Sylvia B. Concepcion as the 4th Chancellor of UP Mindanao on April 19, 2013 culminates the search process for a new chancellor that began last November 2012. She succeeds Prof. Gilda C. Rivero, who served in the office for two terms.

Awareness program leads Globe loot at 48th Anvil

THE Public Relations Society of the Philippines' (PRSP) recognized the Globe Network Transformation Program Transparency Plan including four other public relations (PR) programs and tools during the 48th Anvil Awards.

King-king Copper helps rebuild Comval schools

THE King-king Copper-Gold Project (KCGP) donated P400,000 to assist the provincial government of Compostela Valley to rebuild schools damaged by Typhoon Pablo.

KCGP handed over the check during the celebration of the 6th Bulawan Festival at Capitol Grounds of Nabunturan to Comval Governor Arturo Uy. As one of the festival participants, KCGP showed its long-running and consistent support to the provincial government.

Celebrating ‘Rabies Awareness Month’

SEVERAL pet lovers in Mati City joined the celebration of this year's Rabies Awareness Month, highlighted by a Pet Fair at the Emmanuel Pelaez Covered Court on March 20, 2013.

The Rabies Awareness Month celebration, spearheaded by Dr. Marites B. Linsag-Erispe of the City Veterinarian Office, has been celebrated for eight years in a row since March 2005, two years before the implementation of the Republic Act (RA) 9480 or the Rabies Act of 2007, which promotes responsible pet ownership by encouraging dog owners to register and have their dogs vaccinated with anti-rabies.

Wine and dine New Orleans style

ROSS was in the mood for wine, and I’m always in the mood for free wine. Thus, Tueday night saw us at New Orleans Restaurant at SM Lanang Premier to drink and dine.

But first, what to dine on.

Wellsprings of bliss

THERE may be no short cut to nirvana but there is always the next best thing—the spa—the wellspring of bliss, one the best gifts afforded to the humans.

It’s no surprise how these wellness destinations have become popular. The proliferation of these man-made oases only proves how today’s hectic lifestyle can be so draining that rejuvenation is needed.

YMCA-USA visits Davao, Asuncion

SENIOR associate director Boon Chin Tan of the International Group of YMCA USA arrived in Davao City on March 11 to visit the local YMCA clubs in the city and Asuncion in Davao del Norte.

Tan was accompanied in her trip to Davao and other cities like Iloilo City by national general secretary Pablito Tabucol of the YMCA Philippines. They also visited the YMCA in Naga City.

Phoenix backs Earth Hour

LEADING independent oil company Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. will join the world in celebrating Earth Hour 2013 tomorrow, as part of its advocacy in creating a more sustainable planet.

Phoenix Petroleum, along with government, other private agencies, and households all over the world will turn-off their non-essential lights and appliances at 8:30 pm to 9:30 p.m.

Apo View marks 65th year

SOME may not know that Apo View Hotel is Davao City's very first hotel and is the second longest running hotel in the Philippines. It has been around since the late 40's, and on March 23, this iconic local landmark will celebrate its 65th anniversary.

To mark this milestone, Apo View Hotel will host a thanksgiving party for its industry partners, valued clients, and friends.

White sands and clear waters

WITH more than 7,100 islands, it’s not surprising that beaches are one of the big draws of the Philippines.

“Whatever your mood, there’s something to suit: from kilometers of fine white sand with a not a soul in sight, to party strands, to spectacular water-sports beaches, to tiny, sandy isthmuses in the lee of tropical islets,” wrote Lindsay Bennet in her globetrotter island guide book to the “Philippines.”

Lunch at the iconic seafood restaurant

IN BARANGAY Bagong Sikat, a community about 15-minute tricycle ride from the Poblacion of Puerto Princesa in Palawan, lies a sprawling greenery of mangroves where birds, lizards, and fingerlings take refuge.

But, there's actually more amusing about this place other than its blissful beauty. In the middle of its thick forest cover, there stood a peaceful and solitary Badjao Seafront, a seafood restaurant that is built on stilts.

Time for sprint

HOLIDAY Gym & Spa introduced the concept of indoor jogging track in fitness centers in Davao City since it opened in 2003.

Its covered jogging track has an approximate length of 200 meters with incline and decline adding challenge to one's workout or training.

Art for Earth

"There is enough for all. The earth is a generous mother; she will provide in plentiful abundance, food for all children, if they will but cultivate her soul in justice and peace." -- Bourke Cockran

EARTH is the only primary and fragile home for everybody. She provides all the things needed by her inhabitants. In return, every inhabitants co-existing with each other has roles to play as they continue with their ways of life -- a beautiful shared relation.

SMB's summer event kicks off

CEBU CITY -- It's "summer babad" once again and you can only do it more exciting in the company of one of the world's best-tasting beer product -- the San Miguel Pale Pilsen.

On March 8, San Miguel Brewery, Inc. had the media launch of its annual summer event, dubbed as "Sarap Magbabad: The Taste of Summer," held at Chikaan sa Cebu in Lahug, this city.

Tunafest, the Saturday buffet treat of Grand Regal Hotel

WHEN I received an invitation to sample Grand Regal Hotel Davao's much talked-about Tunafest, I readily obliged thinking that tuna is a very healthy treat for anyone, especially for someone nine months on the way like me.

So I tagged along Marizz S. Robilla, Sun.Star SuperBalita reporter, one Saturday night and we were welcomed by F&B manager Rowena S. Garay and marketing manager Brenda Ocampo.

Bangkok's iconic lotus

THERE’S an impressive lotus inspired structure jutting out of the city skyline and it’s Bangkok’s newest towering icon- the Grand Centara and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld. This stunning landmark integrates a Five Star Hotel, a state-of-the-art convention center and world-class shopping and entertainment facilities in a single stop at the heart of the city’s business district.

Micecon '13 delegates tour Abreeza Mall

DELEGATES from MICECON 2013 were given a leisurely excursion in the premises of Abreeza Mall as part of their Davao city tour last March 8.

Treated to a welcome program with snacks and drinks courtesy of Blugre in Abreeza, the guests from different regions and nations were serenaded with performing musicians and handed Davao-grown tokens from bracelets, notebooks from Tinalak and pomelos courtesy of Nenita Farms. These international delegates enjoyed the cozy ambience that the mall infuses.

Dog days

LAST Christmas, someone gave us a mini Pinscher. Cute dog. Mabait, tahimik and just fun to be with. We named him Scrappy. He is also a very intelligent dog. When we put him in his cage for the night, he does not complain and he just sits there and plays with his toys and after a while he goes to sleep or if he is still awake he does not bark and complain. He just sits there and watches.

Oyo Uy named as Davao's outstanding councilor

TAGUM City Councilor De Carlo "Oyo" L. Uy was awarded regional winner and one of the finalists in the prestigious search for The Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines (TOCP) 2012 by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines, the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) and the Office of Sen. Edgardo J. Angara.

The regional awarding ceremonies happened on March 7, the Mall of Asia Convention Center during the Philippine Councilors League convention. Present to receive the award in behalf of Uy was PCL national chair and fellow city councilor Atty. Alan D. Zulueta.