Simple technologies can change lives

ANG mga lumad diri, nasanay man gud parehas sa repo niatong DENR kaniadto nga hatagan sila’g kwarta (The natives here see development programs like the reforestation program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources had before where they are paid for planting trees),” said Nilo Tandangan, a Matigsalug resident of sitio Guilon in barangay Marilog, Davao City.

They expect to be paid to plant, he said, in explaining why not all families have joined the sloping agricultural land technology program (Salt 1) introduced in their villages three years ago.

Life as a dual artist

WHO said that the youth have limited abilities because they are too young to grasp good logic and understand true wisdom?

This fifteen-year old student of Cor Jesu College in Digos City who landed first place in editorial writing in the 2013 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in Dumaguete City last month could probably change this perception.

Confessions of a first-time voter

IT WAS as I thought it would be. It was exciting.

The line was long, in every classroom. It was hot. There wasn’t enough ventilation. The classrooms did not even have electric fans.

The list

WITH one more day before elections, many still are not sure about their senatorial candidates as all they get are television advertisements that say very little.

To help the readers, here are some snippets of the candidates, but which no longer carry anything about their campaign promises, since campaign period is now over.

Locsin Dance's: All Filipino Showcase

ONCE again the Locsin Dance Workshop is gearing up for its culminating showcase this summer. As always the show will feature original works choreographed by the workshop teachers and choreographers for the talented young dancers of Davao’s foremost dance institution.

Forgotten in Sitio Limot

IT IS inconceivable for us people living comfortably safe in our homes in the urban centers, not to celebrate each of our natal day. For us, it is a special day to commemorate the time we became a member of humanity.

Not so with the residents of Sitio Limot, Barangay Binondo in Baganga, Davao Oriental. Many of them, young and old alike did not know exactly the dates of their birthdays, nor did they care at all.

A life-changing exposure

I HAVE been to countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Germany and Brazil. I have seen the beauty of some parts of the Philippines. But nothing can compare to the wonder of that one-day exposure trip I had last April 24.

It wasn’t the usual getaway. We did not go to a well-known tourist spot. Instead, we went to the mountainous part of Davao City where the Matigsalugs are – Sitio Guilon, Brgy. Marilog, Marilog District.

Silent existence

WHENEVER my mom and dad say the word “Davao” I always think of Durian, malls, busy streets, basically an impression of a place which is progressing for the better.

But this is my first time to experience Davao alone because I am having my junior year summer internship and I am longing to explore it as much as I can.

Pesticides: Deadly persistence

THE air and water of Davao City's Panigan-Tamugan and Talomo-Lipadas watersheds may not be as pristine as they seem.

A study conducted by Interface Development Interventions Incorporated (IDIS) revealed that 18 pesticides and breakdown products have been detected in the area's air and that 17 pesticides and breakdown products were detected in the area's water. Traces of 12 banned pesticides or breakdown products were found in both the air and water. Banned pesticides found to be polluting the area are Alrdin and Dieldrin, DDT, Gamma Chlordane and Lindane. Researchers were unable to pinpoint the exact sources of the pesticides but plantations upstream are most likely the culprits.

That thing you do

CLOSE on the heels of Earth Hour celebrated every end of March and just before World Environment Day, which is every June 5, is Earth Day traditionally marked globally every April 22 to advocate for the protection of the environment. Personally I believe that it is good to have more events that enable us to be mindful about and focus on the environment; one can never have too much of that commitment.

A lesson I learned early on was this: that the environment suffers from the evil twins of resource depletion and pollution; and that therefore we should strive to address both.

The petroglyphs

THE petroglyphs in Angono, Rizal had long mystified me, except that, I don’t know how to go there on my own. Thus, when the invitation to the Globe Telecom annual stockholders meeting indicated that among the itinerary is an art tour in Angono, I quickly confirmed.

That was providential, indeed, because the petroglyphs are on a side of a mountain far, far away from the town center.

Perseverance personified

DURING the graduation ceremony at the PICC in Manila of the Manila Central University-Filemon D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation (MCU-FDTMF) College of Medicine on April 18, 1994, Gemeniano F. Leal, a jeepney driver from a remote barangay of Magpet in Cotabato Province, was the graduation speaker.

The power of determination

IN THIS age when the majority wants to hold high position, power and wealth, it is good to remember that there are people who work neither for glory nor riches. It is the profession that many calls noble; the profession that creates all other professions.

This is the inspiring story of a teacher who was featured in the second volume of the 10 Outstanding Filipino Teachers book released recently.

A difficult peace

TWO developments happened in the last couple of weeks that underscore the difficult nature of peace building: the chairperson of the Government (GPH) Panel for the CPP-NDF-NPA said in a recent public consultation held in Davao City that “baka nga walang mangyari” (maybe, nothing will come out of it) with the peace talks; while the 37th Formal Exploratory talks ended with the GPH-MILF panels indicating that the pending annexes have not been finished and that talks will have to resume after May 13.

A day in the Bayani Challenge

THREE months hence, the landscape of areas badly hit by the December 3, 2012, typhoon Pablo still begs for attention. What’s awe-inspiring, however, is seeing that even while the trucks upon trucks of relief goods have trickled down to the groups whose main work is on rehabilitation and rebuilding, the community that helps is still throbbing with life.

Sun.Star Davao got to witness how it is out there after accepting the Compostela Valley’s Provincial Government’s invitation to join its National Bayani Challenge in Compostela town of Compostela Valley last March 23-27.

Pilates @ Locsin Dance

THE Locsin Dance Workshop offers new courses this summer of 2013, namely Pilates Mat Work and Neo-Ethnic Choreography, while retaining its usual and dependable courses in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Modern Dance, Tap Dance, and the ever popular Hip Hop.

Judell De Guzman-Sicam is Locsin Dance’s guest artist for its 31st Summer Dance Workshop. A former soloist and associate artistic director of Ballet Philippines, Judell, a New York-trained instructor, is currently a Pilates Instructor at the Integrated Body Arts in Makati City, the foremost Pilates studio in the country, owned and directed by Cecile Sicangco, herself a former principal dancer and artistic director of Ballet Philippines.

One blood, two faces of victory

WE SEE it as one blood, one sport, two victories for the Salvado siblings who made it not just in the school category but in the 2013 Davao Regional Athletic Association (Davraa).

Arthur Samuel “Pingkoy” G. Salvado Jr. and sister Macy Ann Patricia “Ipay”, both students of Ateneo de Davao University, were hailed badminton champions in the recently concluded 2013 Davraa.

Strides into the future

HOW did she lose her leg?” I asked Norjana while we watched her younger sister Norjaida striding up and down the walking ramp with her new artificial leg, a look of grim determination in her face.

“In an ambush while she was three months old,” Norjana replied in the vernacular.

Panabo student in 2013 Intel-Isef

JUDEL A. Tabsing a student from the Panabo National High School is the sole entry outside Luzon to qualify for the 2013 Intel-Isef at Phoenix, Arizona, USA in May 2013.

This was learned from Education Program Specialist II and the National Science and Technology Fair coordinator Joseph Roni Jacob from Department of Education (Deped) Central Office who informed Tabsing and his coach Mervin G. Salmon that the project entitled: Impatiens balsamina (Kamantigue) Leaf Extract as Potential Organic-Based Fungicide Against Fusariumoxysporumf.sp. cubense Tropical race 4 Causing Fussarium Wilt of Banana has qualified in the 2013 Intel-ISEF.

Sunday Essays: What seems to be friendly is not really

by Estella Jane O. Sasil

ONE of the names Davao is proud of is that it is known as one of the child-friendly cities in the Philippines. In fact, it was adjudged as the “Most Child-friendly City” in 2000 and 2001.

On-the-Job: The real deal

by Evan Michael S. Clerigo

THOUGH I was not able to attend the first day of our On-The-Job-Training, it didn't muffle my enthusiasm to learn and discover new things. Though I felt left behind when they talked over how exciting it was to be with the Editor-in-Chief of Sun.Star, I'm still eager to be there - not to enjoy their company but to learn cool stuff.

On-the-Job: Reflection

by Anna Mae P. Saguilo

I DON'T see why lots of people hate journalists, when the fact is they are just doing their job: Getting information, drawing a story, and publishing it. A job they live to do. So if you'll tell me they must stop publishing bad things that actually happened, it is also like stopping yourself from breathing because the air is already polluted.

On-the-Job: Strong woman with great mind

by Rizza Amor L. Caguco

I couldn't believe that I was sitting next to the editor-in-chief of Sun.Star Davao whom I used to see as a judge in big competitions. I really admire her for her strength and resilience.

Empowerment: Beyond just representation

ONE legacy many local government executives remember the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo for was his DILG Memorandum Circular 2010-119 for all local government units (LGUs) to implement one provision in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 that has conveniently been ignored – the Indigenous Peoples Mandated Representative (IPMR) in all legislative bodies.

Chapter IV (Right to Self-governance and empowerment) Section 16 of the Ipra Law states:

Teaching art and design: From creative practice to the classroom and back again

‘STUDIO research’ is not yet a common term used for arts and design practitioners in contemporary Mindanao art and design. For the word ‘research’ has been most synonymous with outcomes from scientific and social science experiments and fieldwork.

In creating a painting or sculpture; sewing a dress or accessory creation; or producing a short film or full-length movie has mainly been attributed just a means of just expressing oneself, or satisfying to a client's design needs.

Sunday Essays: RA 9344 boosts teenage warfares

Mariel Mae Anne R. Macrohon

GANG-related violence is not new in Davao City. Almost every day you can read reports about a minor committing from simple to complex crimes.

On the Job: Everything counts here at Sun.Star

Cristine Joy Noveno

WORKING under the hot sun, searching for information to share with the masses and making writing as my passion are works I don't wish to do in the future.

On the Job: Reflection

May Christine M. Vertudes

AFTER having a discussion with the Editor-In-Chief of the Sun.Star Davao, I learned a lot about writing and journalism.

On the Job: A day at the printing press

Noemi Lynne B. Visto

LAST February 23, 2013, we visited the Sun.Star Office at Granland Building, R. Castillo St., Davao City, as part of our on-the-job-training in special program in journalism. At first, I was half-excited for the reason that we will be learning new things that will add up to our knowledge, and half-anxious because we will be entering a new environment.

Preparedness truly matters

WIND that whirled and swirled in clear view, defying what they have been taught in school that the wind cannot be seen. Waves that reached the rooftops, except that… they live on the lake and lakes at most, only have ripples.

These are but some of the stories of the Manobos of Agusan Marsh at the height of typhoon Pablo.