Marfori: Moms, Lil Hidden Things

MOTHERHOOD is a most painful privilege. “Thy Will Be Done,” were the words of Mary of Nazareth when she accepted the unique honour of being the mom to God’s only Son, Jesus Christ. Imagine the dilemma of whether to adore and kneel before your own newborn or cuddle and embrace your baby in the warmth of your bosom? Imagine the angst of witnessing your son’s birth, or letting go to His rebirth in baptism for His public life; and finally, His dying on the cross, for Christianity to burst forth?

Editorial: Talking peace, breaking bread

THAT was a mouthful spewing out from Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte's mouth in last Sunday's "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" against Police Regional Office 11 chief Pedro Tango for the arrest of a New People's Army member who was home for the Christmas season - when there was a nationwide truce going on and Duterte himself extended an invitation for the rebels to rest in the city.

Covington: 'Christmas and New year peaceful'

DOWN my neck of the woods in Buhangin Hollows there was the usual massive intake of inebrious liquids followed by the usual fisticuffs involving the usual culprits.

Oledan: Fundamentals

HUGE challenges remain in meeting the Education for All goals.

Editorial: Knowledge as a planning tool

THE Davao City Disaster Coordinating Council (DCDCC) listed 68 areas vulnerable to sea swell or monsoon waves. Of the number, 44 are in the first district, 14 in the second district and 10 in the third district.

Mendoza: Starting year 2011 right

Director's Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of DepEd 11 Regional Director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy, CESO IV to all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education) I do not consider my job as plain work --- rather it is my LIFE. "We have to continually examine what succeeds and fails, and why. We have to uphold and live true to our battlecry and slogan of governance: "Education For All (EFA) 2015: Karapatan ng Lahat, Pananagutan ng Lahat.

Estremera: The phasing out of boredom and awe

YOU know you are over-stimulated if you have to work at boredom as it used to be. As we all know, boredom is a state of being, a state when you don’t have anything to do and so you just hee and haw and twiddle and hum, and then go bumping off walls, for long periods of time.

Custodio: Thoughts as I sat in my clinic waiting for patients

HAPPY New Year! Year 2010 came and went by so fast I woke up a week ago and found 2011 settled and staring me straight in the eye.

Uh-oh.

Sunday Essays: Youths perform for a cause

THERE are many children in impoverished conditions and this is what drives the Strength in the Valley Foundation Inc. (SVF).

To give impoverished children a chance to be educated, to be healthy, and to be loved is their goal.

Sunday Essays: Bajada’s traffic problem

“THEY say they don’t need it now, but the truth is, they will do in the near future,” he added as he explained the reasons why each of the consecutive intersections in that area has stoplights. “In the next 5 years it is anticipated that the volume of cars that would occupy the streets will humongously increase.”

Thanks to Davao City’s current traffic signalization system that is said to be better than those found in the national capital, the traffic flow has become manageable. Moreso today with the additional traffic lights already installed.

Sunday Essays: A parish to adore

RESIDENTS of Toril, Davao City take pride in having helped build the Santo Rosario Parish after five years of construction. The new church now stands in the center of Toril District for everyone to pray in.

There are still parts that are still under construction but the major work is already done, and with it a showcase of how a community of believers can put their resources together and build their church.

Editorial: Inclusive growth

A HIGHLY caustic analysis of Philippine economy is how one can describe "An Agenda for High and Inclusive Growth in the Philippines" by former Economic and Development Secretary Cielito F. Habito published by the Asian Development Bank in December 2010.

Valle: Wanted -- An inspiration

IT'S closer to searching for heroes, I mean, real live, breathing icons in this cyber world where reality is on the verge of collapse. But over a year ago, I actually found one, someone who has always brought me back to my senses (each time she drifts through my thoughts) whenever I'd feel like the world is "getting smaller everyday", to borrow some lyrics of a song.

So-Yeung: Smells like teen spirit

"WHEN is it that I feel I have a big problem, but I don't really know what is the problem?"

A student asked this during our school's annual Spiritual Emphasis. It was not a riddle nor a smart-alecky inquiry designed to stump teachers or speakers. It was a stark and honest question that conveyed the struggle humans go through during their lives but one that seems most palpable during adolescence.

Editorial: When calamities strike

EVERY once in a while, Mother Nature reminds everyone of its vulnerability. This comes in several manifestations, through natural calamities and disasters, as everyone is rendered helpless and co-equal.

Ledesma: Peoples Park

THE best things in the world are paid. I know I will be courting enraged reactions from this one but nary thing one dubs best comes gratis et amore in this materialistic world.

Oledan: Local energies

THE town of Lanawan, Salug in Zamboanga del Norte used to be known as a safe haven of lawless elements and rebels where nobody dares to set foot for fear of maltreatment and physical harm. Locals said this condition stems from nil opportunities and the absence of the most basic social services in the area.

Editorial: Wanted - Integrity

THE National Disaster Coordinating Council in its Situation Report on the rainfall that has been battering eight regions in Visayas and Mindanao reported that as of 12 p.m. of January 5, 321 families with 1,587 members in Davao Region, 1,236 families with 6,205 members in Caraga Region, 1,047 families with 5,107 members in Northern Mindanao, and 2,428 families with 12,140 members have fled their homes due to flood and landslides.

Millan: A Happy New Year

WITH the claim of integrity comes the demand for accountability.

Ledesma: 2011 prospects and challenges

IF THE last quarter of 2010 is made the basis of what to expect in 2011, we will be in to some kind of dramatic growth in the local industries, services, commerce and trade. Davao City will be the growth center from where development will radiate to the cities and provinces in the region.

Editorial: Community involvement, out of the box assistance

THE rains are here and they seem not inclined to stop anytime soon. So far, parts of Visayas and Northeast and Central Mindanao are now flooded, while landslides threaten several mountain villages. Families are fleeing their homes.

Alabado: Planning for real

IT HAS been more than half a year since I submitted my last article, I would like to apologize for that. I just thought that since I now work for the City Planning and Development Office of Davao City, my articles may be misconstrued as official policies of the city. Perhaps, I should put a disclaimer now or slant my articles in a way that it will not interfere with official policies as a city planner.

Editorial: Putting in the foundation for hope

FILIPINOS have high hopes for this year, the Social Weather Station survey said. But then, Filipinos have always had high hopes for every new year.

Oledan: High risk

THERE could be no glaring situation than that of establishments manipulating worker's wages and violating basic labor standards by providing their own rates, at their own whims and evaluation.

Oledan: Reshaping agenda

TRANSPARENCY is an indicator of an open and democratic society. Without it, human rights will continue to be under threat and public interests could be deliberately manipulated by few personal and political interests.

Mendoza: New Year resolution that works

DIRECTOR'S Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of DepEd 11 Regional Director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy, Ceso IV to all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education) I do not consider my job as plain work --- rather it is my LIFE. "We have to continually examine what succeeds and fails, and why. We have to uphold and live true to our battlecry and slogan of governance: "Education For All (EFA) 2015: Karapatan ng Lahat, Pananagutan ng Lahat"

Editorial: Learning, understanding

IN ONE of those blogs that are tagged and passed on through social networks and thus becomes difficult to fully identify and attribute the words to, one "Ilda", described as an agent provocateur who writes blogs here and there in at least two or three sites, wrote:

Valle: Mary's courage had made Christmas a possibility

THINKING of the nativity and what it means to two ordinary people who had to go against all odds just to survive as they tried to find some shelter from out in the cold is something that most "Christians" really missed the point, when they celebrate this season of joy. After all, there would obscurity. One could just imagine the confusion that she was forced to put up with, and on top of it all, having to marry a total stranger in Joseph.

Oledan: Public safety

FILIPINOS are more likely to greet the New Year with more than a bang. The Department of Health (DOH) said firecracker use will increase to welcome the New Year, and so do accidents.

The projected figure for accidents is five times higher than what the health agency has monitored so far since December 21 with 173 firecracker-related cases. Seventy-seven percent of the mishaps were caused by illegal fireworks.

Editorial: Taxi fare hike brouhaha

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved an increase in taxi fare, based on the petition filed last January 22, 2010 by the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association.

The petitioners said since the last taxi fare increase was approved on September 30, 2004, the costs of living, fuel, spare parts, vehicle maintenance, and labor have increased.