Bucas Grande escapade

LOCATED at the northeastern flank of Mindanao under the political jurisdiction of Surigao del Norte province lies Siargao, a group of islands known much as a surfing destination. But unknown to many, the Siargao isles also boast of magnificent coves and lagoons that harbor very scenic seascapes, enough to make your jaws drop in amazement.

One of these islands is Bucas Grande, lying adjacent to the more well-known Siargao Island but located much nearer to the Surigao del Norte mainland (a shorter 45-minute trip from barangay Hayanggabon in the nickel-mining town of Claver).

Medical Museum: Lessons from the past

HOSPITAL del Santo Nombre de Jesus, built by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in Cebu in 1565, was the first hospital ever constructed in the Philippines. On May 26, 1871, the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy was founded.

In 1905, the cholera epidemic that hit the country three years earlier, ended; total tally of death: 200,222. In 1911, beri-beri outbreak was confirmed to be caused by continuous eating of polished rice as a staple food.

Healthy products sold at Pasalubong Center

THE city-run Pasalubong Center has been a home to a number of indigenous products such as handicrafts, fashion accessories, souvenir items, processed foods, and home decors for more than a year now since it opened in December 2011.

Now, it only takes a little effort to find where the locally-produced products of the Davao City's small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and that of the other regions in Mindanao are sold, unlike in the past where they can be bought only in the trade fairs.

Spa Blvd opens

THERE's a new place in downtown Davao where everybody can relax and, at the same time, obey their vanity for a day of luxurious retreat.

The Spa Blvd, a newly-opened spa, is complete with services for clients who seek a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Masbad: Techie LDR

I FOUND this article while I was randomly browsing through the net. It’s all about how you can spice up your long-distance relationship using today’s available technology and gadgetry. I know this is a bit late and it’s not February anymore but then again, we don’t need to be in February for this. Everyday can be February, right?

Anyway, here’s the article for www.dotcomplicated.com written by Nate Hess in full.

When in Cateel

THOSE who live or have work in Cateel, Davao Oriental knows that the town is still heavily into rebuilding mode. Yes, the typhoon Pablo has made sure of that.

Along the street where the “dry goods” market is are temporary wooden structures that are now bedecked with goods – from rice to clothes to ukay.

Queens of Buttercream

BEST buddies Valeri Valeriano and Christina Ong, the dynamic duo behind Queen of Hearts Couture Cakes London, never imagined that they will be making world-class cakes when they left the Philippines in 2008 to work in the medical field.

Being away from the country and missing their families, they were fortunate to have found dear friends in London whom they considered as their “second moms”. During Mother’s Day in 2011, the two decided to surprise these special people with homemade cupcakes to show their appreciation.

Warmhearted cop

AFTER all the television guestings, media interviews, thousands of friend requests on Facebook, and, of course, the brand-new Glock pistol and free Public Safety Savings and Loan Association Inc. (PSSLAI) health card from Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Allan Purisima, Police Officer Jessie Romano "Jes" Mallari said his life is now back to normal.

The 25-year-old Mallari believes that the affectionate act he extended to an old beggar, Fernando Mendoza, 84, is not new as it has always been the motto that every policeman should live by -- to serve and protect.

Apo View Hotel turns 65

APO View Hotel, Davao City’s very first hotel and the country’s second longest running hotel, recently celebrated its 65th year anniversary last March 23, 2013 at the Apo View Hotel Grand Ballroom.

To mark this milestone, the hotel hosted a thanksgiving party for its industry partners, valued clients, and friends. The hotel’s Grand Ballroom was transformed into a chic lounge by renowned event stylist Ms. Annie Lim.

Carousels, time zones and jet fuel for the tired soul

THIS is a story of endurance. It's much like the Amazing Race where I was crossing continents and states, hopping through time zones, leaving and living on jet planes, and my only competitor is patience, a virtue I cannot master in this lifetime.

Grand fireworks display

THESE days, it's not only during Christmas and New Year celebrations that we see the night sky flickers with different colorful bursts of red, yellow, blue, and green as the firecrackers shoot up and explode to the dark sky. Boom!

Even on a hot summer season, fireworks display can be enjoyed, too. Yes, seriously! But not in Davao City, of course! Everyone knows whoever violates the local ordinance will end up in the jail. You don't want to spend a day behind bars, do you? Hehehe.

Of trees and musical chairs

I LOVE my family. In fact, Filipinos as a whole love their families. They are the center of our lives, the basis for all decisions, the reason we cry and laugh and sweat and bleed. So Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago's claim of the Philippines being the "world capital of political dynasties" came as no surprise. Of course, this all-abiding love for family would make its way into politics and our halls of government. And so family names such as Aquino, Marcos, Osmeña and Garcia have become like a trusty pair of jeans-washed, rinsed, repeated.

Coping with life’s trial

“BE OF good cheer! I know sometimes, life’s long song will run in perfect rhyme. Somewhere, I know, all things will be attuned to perfect harmony. Sometimes, somewhere, each sad refrain shall be its own surcease of pain. The compensation love will send will be bringing friend to friend and all the heartaches that we bore, in God’s good time will be no more.” Robert Lee Walden.

The Lenten season reminds us of our experiences in life. Along life’s road, we stumble and come across sufferings, mishaps and trials. Then we realize that these trials most often affect our lives either in the positive and negative way. These trials always come in our life at times we are not even prepared to face the consequences it might lead us.

Pagadian and Dapitan

THE JCI Senate (of which Rey and Peter Rey are members) had their national conference in Pagadian, Zamboanga Del Sur. The conference was hosted by Pagadian Governor Antonio Cerilles (JCI National President), and his wife, Rep. Aurora Cerilles. Five lechons and one roasted calf were served every dinnertime!

Excellence beyond challenges

“I AM greatly honored and privileged to stand before all of you this morning in behalf of the Paragon 2013 to say something before we leave,” said Rodel Gil D. Peradillo, the president of this year’s batch of graduates.

“But just so you know, bidding goodbyes are tough,” Peradillo said in a speech delivered during the 16th Graduation Exercises at the La Sage Auditorium of Southern Philippine Adventist College (SPAC) in Camanchiles, Matan-ao, Davao del Sur. “Moments like this are filled with multi-emotions. All of us today are very much happy, especially our parents, watching us on our lovely academic gowns.”

Built on a vision to help

WITH the countless bars and restaurants abound in the city, people are left with a slew of options where to go to party all night and drown themselves with bottles of beers and wines 'till dawn while some others pig-out at affordable and upscale buffet restaurants.

Partygoers chug more beers, puff more cigars, and eat more fat inducing foods every now and then, given the long-list of go-to places to hangout one night after another. It’s not being so nice to the body, is it? That’s how night life is for some.

6 years of CLTV 36: ‘It’s all about the people’

“IT’S all the people, really. The people we serve and the people who serve.”

These are the words of journalist cum TV host Tonette Orejas, recollecting on the six years of CLTV 36 -- the first and only regional television network founded by Laus Group of Companies chairman and chief executive officer Levy P. Laus.

Center to adopt new tech to breed ‘super carabao’

IF THERE is already a super tilapia strain, there will soon be a super carabao, a robust looking animal that produces more milk than the typical carabao.

To produce such kind of animal, the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) will embark on DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) marker technology for its breeding program.

Masbad: Find your Waze

COMMUNITY-based traffic and navigation. Back then, it seemed like a farfetched idea. Recently, however, I discovered that this is actually a reality now. There is an app for iOS and Android users that lets everyone pitch in for traffic reports, road issue reports, map issues, best alternative routes from one point to the next and everything else in between.

The Mind Museum champions sustainable architecture

LOCATED in the premier district of Bonifacio Global City The Mind Museum is not only a venue for learning but also an example of an ecologically responsible building. The country's first world-class science museum, in fact, is now LEED Gold certified by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

LEED (Leadership in Environment and Energy Design) is an internationally recognized building certification program for the design, construction, and operation of high performance "green buildings."

Her heart belongs to public service

TO WORK for the common good is the greatest achievement one could never attain without the passion, determination and concern for others.

This is how Atty. Ma. Theresa D. Biongan-Pescadera, acting registrar of the Registry of Deeds (ROD) in Davao City, described her profession.

PHASES joins beautification drive

THE Architect Daniel H. Burnham and the Justice George Malcolm Monuments in the city received the much need uplift last Monday when junior high school students from PHASES Learning Center armed with paint and brushes, stick brooms and dustpans and trash plastic bags swung into action last Monday. For at least half a day, the 27 student-volunteers led by no less than the school Directress Cita Bernal and classroom teachers joyfully did their “good turn” scrubbing and painting.

Paradise Summer Fireworks Festival

EVERYBODY can now feel the heat of the day rising almost to a scorching level and the sun’s glare so blinding during midday. That reminds us it is summer season at last!

While it’s vacation, a lot of people from mainland Davao City and its neighboring cities will troop to Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) to take this as an opportunity to enjoy the company of family and friends in different ways.

Ormoc’s Bb. Pilipinas bet loves volunteer work

SHE survived the Ormoc flashflood tragedy in the 1990’s and being bullied as a young girl. In her teens, she used to laugh at people joining beauty pageants because she found it shallow. But today she walked with confidence on the stage as one of the 50 candidates of BB. Pilipinas 2013.

Christine Paula Love Ramas Bernasor, 25, is candidate #19 in the country’s most prestigious pageant. She said she is happy to represent Ormoc City, her hometown. She graduated at New Ormoc City High School.

Leaving a legacy

BORN on December 8, 1921 in Agoo, La Union, Macario Gagaza Fronda started his teaching career at the Saint Louis School elementary department in 1947. Six years later in 1953, he became a high school teacher in Physical Education. He was married to Ildefonsa Estoque Fronda and were blessed with eight children.

Mr. Fronda was appointed in 1967 as the Dean of Student Affairs of Saint Louis University until he retired in 1987. Although officially retired, he continued to serve as a consultant to the band and music lecturer until 2006.

Lenten recipes

HOLY Week is upon us. For most Baguio residents, Holy Week is a time for visitors, guests and friends dropping in. Sometimes we might lose sight of the holiness of the week. Actually the Holy Week is the end of Lent, which culminates gloriously on Easter Sunday. The Ilocanos also call Easter Sunday, Pascua, like Christmas.

Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday, is a 40-day period of recollection and repentance and 2 of the Commandments of the Catholic Church relate to the period of Lent.

Giving back to the community

ASIDE from making sure to keep our body healthy, we also have to have regular medical check-ups to maintain good health.

PAMAWD hosts induction of new officers for 2013-2014

THE Pampanga Association of Water Districts (PAMAWD) marked the start of another year in its history as it ushered in a new set of officers for this year during the 13th Induction of Officers at the Widus Casino and Resort Hotel over the weekend.

Little Nyonya: Option for foodies

LITTLE Nyonya, a newly-opened restaurant in Davao City, provides new option for Dabawenyo diners, being the first Singaporean restaurant in the city.

Norman Gallego, operations manager of Global Nyonya F&B, said his team spent time in Singapore to make a study, including the culinary trainings, on how they could set up a restaurant right in Davao City with its authenticity still maintained just the way it is prepared in the Lion City.

Laughter is the best medicine

SOUNDS familiar huh? It’s an old saying which almost everybody can agree with. We often laugh at funny things; laugh at humorous real life situations; laugh at other people’s trying hard jokes and super cute effects. Sometimes we shout and laugh at our own problems and sometimes people around us think we are crazy. But you know laughter is truly beneficial to our health. Just the usual ha-ha-ha mixed with a smile will relax our muscles.