God bless the lechon

NEST to prayer, it is food that keeps the family together. And when the whole family is present, it calls for a celebration -- an unending celebration. Well, until vacation time is over and everybody has to face reality once more. Like they say, all good things come to an end. As for the lechon, it is best to enjoy it moderately.

In any Pinoy celebration, the lechon on the table makes it complete. You know how we always find a reason (from the worthy to the ridiculous) to celebrate, as long as there are friends or family around us, bring out the lechon!

A book like no other

ARTIST Kublai Millan is at it again as he launched his photography book last August 3 at the Abreeza Mall.

This is not like any photography book yet, as the photographs are presented with the Cebuano poem by Brother Karl Gaspar.

Il Mercanti over the weekend

I WAS whipped out of Davao just for the weekend, a trip that was hard to resist since I did need to go to Manila and having a vehicle to bring us around fitted into my needed trip.

That also meant time out of Davao when I should be exploring and tracking down those new places.

Sunday Essays: The Iran you know, the Iran I know

THE Iran in the news may be scary. It may be full of mullahs and old men with weird outfits and beards long up to their chest. It may be full of women wearing black cloth all around themselves so all you can see is the circle of their eyes and hands down their wrists.

But the Iran in my heart is the land of love and art. It is full of intelligent, talented youth.

Look Ma, a Filipino!

"SO, DO you have a Ford in the Philippines or, you know, cars for that matter?"

I looked squarely at my Uncle's friend in the rearview mirror, who was driving us home from the theater.

Sustainability as a common concern

IT’S most heartening when a big group are gathered to discuss sustainability, not just in agriculture but in construction.

Some may regard construction as an anti-thesis to sustainability, since every structure built will most likely mean death to a piece of soil that will be cemented over. But the impact can always be minimized by working with nature instead of against it.

Sail away, sail away, sail away

IT’S time to embark on another journey.

So Krissy decided to tie the knot (or was it Daan who chose to? I guess we’ll never know.) and embark on another journey in life. The way they chose – nautical. It was perfect!

Encantada comes home

ON AUGUST 9 is an event that every Dabawenyo who loves the arts should set aside to watch Encantada.

First staged in February 1992 and since restaged in August 1992, February 1997, and August 2011, Encantada is “a full-length neo-ethnic dance narrative based on an allegorical depiction of Philippine ancient folklore, which draws inspiration from indigenous practices of healing, worship, war, and exorcism”.

One more for budget meals

IT’S becoming a regular occurrence… choosing a place that is

closed. This one was in the area of Ecoland, and so the instant

Puno: Pangatlong galaw

DAVAO’S dance treasure whipped out two major surprises over the weekend as she launched her book on Philippine Neo-Ethnic Choreography and the third movement of her “Alay sa Puno Performance Series” entitled Puno.

Puno brings in the different forest trees in these parts, rendered according to their general characteristics – the Mangkono or ironwood in TumbangTroso, Bayabas or guava in Bahay-bahayan, Lichiyas or lychee in Nakatagong Lakas, Caimito or star apple in Hubog ng Dagta, Mahogany in Ugat na Malawak, Molave in Kasariang Nakabalot, Kamagong in Armas ng Magiting, Mulawin in Bawal ang Tumubo, Narra in Bunong Brasohan, and Yakal, Apitong, Bagtikan, at iba pa in Saan Kita Hahanapin?

July 2012 musings: Of art & signs of things to come

THE Universe seems to have this artistic knack of showing how things may manifest in the future. A lot of times in involve drama. Or is it just me who perceive these events to be dramatic or am I the one making it so?

I can be such a drama queen at times. But believe me, there are more super emote/overacting creatures around us. Unfortunately, there are no Oscar or Famas trophies to be handed out or any award-giving bodies that recognize these acting efforts (actually, there is one—the Apples and Lemons Award). More than disgusting, they are funny and you just have to shake your head and feel sorry for these bunch.

Putrajaya: Modern man-made paradise

WHAT we can see in this majestic place is all man-made, from the river up to the towering buildings in different architectural designs. Malaysians call it planned city, tourists call it modern man-made paradise.

With less than three hours flight from Manila to Kuala Lumpur, one can visit the government seat of Malaysia known as Putrajaya. It is 25 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur or 40 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur and only 20 minutes from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Fine dine (with paper)

DEADLINE was snapping at my heels, but there were other concerns to attend to, among them my sister’s birthday.

Still deadline waits for no one, no matter how stuffed you already are, and thus I found my way to this restaurant, which we earlier discovered is only open for dinner (as of the moment).

Understanding Davao waters

SOMEWHERE out there in the depth of our sea in Toril, Bunwan and Talomo equipment were bobbing, mapping currents, measuring dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, chlorophyll fluorescence, and turbidity. The mission: to find the best area for mariculture.

Last April, the City Government of Davao issued a closure order on all fish cages in Punta Dumalag in barangay Matina Aplaya after a water sampling test showed Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the waters. Affected were 34 fish cage operators or around 120 fish cages.

Valuing Qur'An reading

WITH Muslims across the globe witnessed the Ramadan crescent Thursday to determine the first day of fasting, they are now religiously observing the month which the Qur’an was revealed providing guidance for the people and clear teachings.

Before the start of the holy month of fasting on July 21, a Qur’an Reading Competition (QRC) was held to foster the universal message of peace and love.

The color of heaven

LAZULI is the color of heaven.

It was one of the longest extent of time I was awake this past years. More than thirty-six hours and at this age, I don’t think my body can handle the absence of sleep lest I will hallucinate. The poor service of the airline I chose was not helping either. I don’t need the added stress.

One hot lunch

THE week zipped past and before I knew it, it was Friday with not one place visited yet. A lunch date was set in a hurry and I was looking forward to some sushi and maki.

“Let’s make it 11:30 a.m., I’m already hungry,” I texted.

Sunday Essays: Davao says goodbye

I DROPPED by the new franchised store fronting a school in Sta. Ana. I ordered my usual meal and left. It was while I was already on the way to the mall when I observed something, I was not bringing any plastic bag but instead a brown paper bag. I also saw a lady passed by me with a brown bag as well.

I ordered my favorite pineapple shake at the cafeteria. I was surprised when I found out that the price has increased. I asked why and was told, “Dong, bag-o naman gud ang straw namo (We’re using a new straw).”

Sunday Essays: Philippine justice: How can we trust it?

JUSTICE prevailed. Chief Justice Renato Corona was impeached from being the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Many people shouted for joy, some were bewildered with the decision made, others blamed the current administration for the decision of the impeachment court. But for me, one thing is a source of joy for many of us - justice is till alive in the Philippines.

Sunday Essays: Presidents and people

FILIPINOS are fond of comparing. Talks and discussions over the dining table vary from a lot of things, especially politics. Metaphors and similes, similarities and differences are used against the people who have a key role in this country. Priests, politicians, presidents, these leaders. The Filipinos compare and contract them and their achievements and personalities, especially the presidents.

Both of them come from rich families, children of late presidents, both studied in expensive schools, both smart, both became president, Presidents Benigno Aquino III and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Seagrasses in deep trouble

CAIRNS, Australia -- Like the two other marine habitats -- the coral reefs and mangroves -- the seagrasses are in deep trouble.

Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim, director of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), sounded the alarm during the International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) here. "In spite of the ecological and economic value of seagrass, between 30 percent to 50 percent of the seagrass beds have been lost due to industrial development, ports, and recreation in the last 50 years," said Dr. Lim.

The best dressed

Fashions fade, style is eternal. – Yves San Laurant.

ELEGANT and tasteful are the best words to describe these impeccably dressed individuals in the recently celebrated 48th Hijos ng Dabaw, Davao’s foremost social event gathering generations of descendants of the city’s pioneering families and its growing members.

Lachi's 80th

IT’S not every day that somebody celebrates his or her 80th birthday, and it’s not everyone who’s given that reason to celebrate.

Thus, it was a ballroom full of friends, young and old, and of course, the family as the lady behind every Dabawenyo’s favorite sans rival – Lachi Aviles.

Bon Chon

I DON’T usually go with the crush of people making a beeline for the newest food place in the city. I prefer to come in when everything has settled down and be able to eat without being jostled. But buddy Carlos said it’s his second favorite chicken in a fastfood chain and we’re going to watch Ice Age 4 afterwards, and if you really want to taste a lot of food, the best companion is Carlos. He can pack ‘em all in and more. The combination was just too difficult to resist.

So, there we were at just a quarter past six at SM City Davao Annex at the newly opened Bon Chon Chicken where balloons and bouquets were still outside, attesting to the fact that they have just very recently opened. The place was already brimming although it was but a quarter past 6 o’clock Thursday. There was me, Carlos, 15-year-old Jawi, and Imee, and as expected, Carlos was ordering just about everything.

Sunday Essays: Burden or benefit?

"ANOTHER benefit of this curriculum would make students master basic competency skills and acquire more knowledge in specialized areas."

"K TO 12? Grabe, char char ra man na oi. Pakapoy-kapoy ra. Dugang sa kahago sa pageskwela ug paghuthot sa kwarta sa atong ginikanan. Nagdali man gani ta’g graduate unya dungagan pa jud ug duha ka tuig ang pagskwela? Hay!" This is something I overheard from a conversation between two high school students on the jeepney when I was on my way to school. Such statement is so common nowadays especially on the internet that even 9gag has memes about it. Is this statement the proper response towards the implementation of K to 12? I can’t help but ponder.

Sunday Essays: Civilized or uncivilized?

"Being civilized means being responsible and not reckless. This means we are not selfish and we care for others. This means we follow ordinances and we do something for our city because we love our city."

OFTENTIMES, we are controlled by our parents. They tell us what to do and not what to do. They tell us what is right and what is wrong. They are the masters in our house. Whatever their rules are, we cannot argue with them. Or else we will be accused of a grave sin: talking back.

Sunday Essays: The vigilant city

"In Davao City, although firecrackers are banned, people still find creative ways of celebrating New Year. This will guarantee an injury-free celebration, and emergency rooms of hospitals won’t feel the need to watch out for victims with missing fingers or toes."

I COULD spend my Christmas Eve anywhere, but I would always make sure to spend my New Year's Eve in Bulacan. It hasa lways been the ideal place for me to celebrate New Year’s Eve, because the place could get bright, noisy, and full of smoke. The source of the noise and brightness were the fireworks and the firecrackers, which can be bought in Bocaue, also known as the Fireworks Capital of the Philippines. Bocaue is just a few minutes away from our house, that’s why the use of fireworks has become a tradition of every family in Bulacan.

Re-reefing

THE world’s coral reef is being attacked from all fronts – from the destruction caused by the changing climate and from the most destructive of all, humans.

“More than 70 percent of the Philippines’ 25,000 square kilometers of coral reefs are in a bad condition,” said Bonar Lafuente, executive director of the Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE), to a small gathering of fishermen, divers, and friends during the first year anniversary of The Coral Reef Project at Barangay Tagbaobo in the Island Garden City of Samal last June 24.

Sineng Pambansa: The red carpet opening

THE controversy that rocked the first ever Philippine Film Festival to be held in Davao City, notwithstanding, the opening cocktails gathered quite a crowd of dressed up Dabawenyos despite the fact that it was scheduled on the same night as the grand ball of old Davao families, the Hijos de Davao, last June 29.

With Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio standing out in her violet dress with Balintawak sleeves, the affair that required formal Filipiniana wear became a merry mix of formal and informal, Filipiniana and otherwise, much like a lot of Davao events end up as.

Ombu goes mainstream

IT’S been a while since we checked out what’s at The Peak of Gaisano Mall. Most of the time we’re there, we make a beeline toward Don Beppe’s and don’t go around to check out what else are there aside from Gusteau’s, where we already filled our tummies.