Vol. 1 | No.2 | Cagayan de Oro City | August 13-19, 2012 P8.00

D O N A T I O N S F O R VICTIMS OF “GENER” IN LUZON NOW ACCEPTED IN DSWD-X

Cagayan de Oro City – The Regional Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development here is now accepting donations for the displaced families and individuals of “Gener” in Luzon.

According to Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, Regional Director of DSWD-X, the donations, may they be in cash or in kind, shall be forwarded to DSWD Central Office which manages and distributes the relief goods to displaced families in the various provinces in Luzon.

The donations may be brought to the DSWD Field Office X located at Masterson Ave., Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.

To date, there are 7,339 houses damaged due to flood waters in Luzon, with Region III having the most number of affected families with 99,518 composed of 428,720 individuals. The displaced families in the provinces of Regions IV-A and the National Capital Region, have also been affected by “Gener” are presently receiving relief goods in evacuation centers.

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | Advertising: 09177121424

CAGAYANTIMESThe

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Oro Chamber Past President Ralph Paguio leads the discussion on power issues during the Manufacturing Sector Meeting.

Recent aerial photo of the Iponan River shows damaged mountain areas. Wake up public officials, let’s help stop mining and bring back nature’s beauty. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

PAGE 2 PAGE 4 PAGE 6

Th e D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n , i n partnership with the

Mathematics Trainers ’ Guild (MTG), will conduct a qualifying examination for mathematics wizards from public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide to further develop the mathematical potentials of promising students and be at par with international standards.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said the qualifying examinations

set on July 21, 2012 seek to evaluate the breadth of the students’ mathematical knowledge and skills and select superior students to undergo further training and advancement.

“Qualifiers will be given a chance to further enhance their mathematical skills through a series of intensive training so that we can optimize their full potential,” Luistro added.

Those who will pass the qualifying examinations s h a l l b e e l i g i b l e t o

enroll as trainees in the 12-Saturday Mathematical Challenge for Filipino Kids Training Program. In this program, they can earn the chance to participate in different international c o r r e s p o n d e n c e mathematics competitions w h i c h i n c l u d e t h e Mathematics Olympiad f o r E l e m e n t a r y a n d Middle Schools, American Mathematics Competitions, Canadian Open Mathematics C h a l l e n g e , C a n a d i a n Mathematics Competitions

– Pascal, Caley, Fermat Contests, Rio Tinto Big Sc ience In ternat iona l C o m p e t i t i o n s a n d International Competition and Assessment for School Mathematics, Science and English.

Relative to this, the MTG will give 16 free slots per region for public school students to participate in the Australian Mathematics Competition. Four slots are allotted for incoming Grades 3 and 4 in the middle primary division; four slots

for incoming Grades 5 and 6 under the upper primary division; four slots for incoming first and second year high school for the junior division and four slots for incoming third and fourth year students for the intermediate division.

For more information a b o u t t h e p r o g r a m , interested parties may visit the MTG website www.mtphil.org or email rid182001@yahoo.com or call Roberto Degolacion at 09173246302.

8 months after Tropical Storm Sendong, the Cagayan de Oro River shows its serene beauty and a greener view of the mountains that surround it. However, the question remains if this view will be permanent or will we face another devastation ahead - the answer is in all of us Kagay-anons. PHOTO BY: CARLO ROMERO, OPS

DepEd to sharpen skills of mathematically-giftedR D C - X h i g h l y s u p p o r t s t h e Re g iona l TESD Committee’s role in TESD budget reviewCagayan de Oro City- The Reg iona l Deve lopment Counc i l (RDC) i n t he region highly supports the RTESDC’s role in reviewing a n d e n d o r s i n g T V E T-related budget proposals of government and non-government agencies through RDC Resolution No. 27 s. 2012.

According to the RTESDC Chair Arsenio Sebastian, the resolution illustrates TESDA’s authority role in the field of technical education and skills development in the region and the appreciation of the RDC of TESDA in its role in managing the sector.

The TESDA-X OIC-Regional Director Edgar Sales shared his gratitude to the RTESDC members for their cognizance on their significant roles in TVET policy framing activities for the benefit of the Tech-Voc stakeholders.

D i r . S a l e s i s a l s o appreciative of the members of the RDC-X for highly supporting this mandate by exhorting all by exhorting all government and non-government agencies to submit their TVET related budget proposals to TESDA for review.

This initiative signifies the active involvement of the Regional TESD Committee in TVET policy legislation in the region which earned commendation from the TESDA Director General Sec. Joel J. Villanueva.

CDO BRIEFLY

XCCA director stars in award-winning play

Sec. Villanueva inducts new Tesda press corps officers in NorMin

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2 | AUGUST 13-19 2012 CAGAYANTIMESThe

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Secretary Joel Villanueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development A u t h o r i t y ( Te s d a ) administered Monday the oath-taking of the new set of officers of the Skills and Employment Press Corps (SEPC) in Northern Mindanao.

The ceremony took place on the f irst day of the Mindanao-wide human resource and skills deve lopment (HRSD) conference and exhibits being held at the SM City Cinema and Atrium.

President Joel Jacobo of Magnum 99.9 radio spearheads the new set of officers with Arjay S. Felicilda (Mindanao Star Balita) as his Executive Vice

President, Lulu S. Lapada (Oro Newstar Newspaper) as the VP for print, and Behua Marfori (RPN TV-5) as the VP for broadcast.

The other officers are Mer Sudaria (Mindanao Daily News) as Secretary, Joseph Ar ies Señara (DXIF Bombo Radyo) as Assistant Secretary, Shaun Alejandrae Uy (Business Week Mindanao-Magazine, and The Cagayan de Oro TIMES Editor-in-Chief) as Treasurer, and Mark Francisco (Mindanao Gold Star Daily) as Treasurer.

The SEPC-X Board o f D i rec to r s , on t he other hand, are Justin Llano (Business Week Mindanao-Newspaper), Edwin Iyo (Mindanao Gold Star Daily), Jay Are

Abesamis (GMA Network), Vic Cabanag (DXIM Radyo ng Bayan), and Apipa Bagumbaran (PIA-10).

After the oath-taking ce remony, Sec re ta r y Villanueva interacted with the officers and members of the SEPC-X where he underscored the important role of media in relaying the programs and projects of TESDA.

The SEPC-X was organized by the regional TESDA in 2005 to help in providing media exposure of TESDA’s programs and activities and promotes the success stories of t e c h n i c a l - v o c a t i o n a l education and training (TVET) graduates and practitioners. (APB/PIA-10)

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Photo by JUSTIN LLANO

Officers of the newly inducted TESDA Press Corps, Mer Sudaria (Mindanao Daily News), Arjay Felicilda (Mindanao Star Balita) and Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy (BWM Mag and The Cagayan de Oro TIMES) strike a pose with TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva (second from left) after the press conference at SM City Cagayan de Oro on the first day of the 11th Mindanao-wide Human Resource and Skills Development (HRSD) conference and exhibits at the SM City Cinema and Atrium.

The Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May) blooms at her fullness leading all roads towards the 56th Annual National

Council Meeting (ANCM) in Mambajao, Camiguin Province. Every wave that hits the beaches of the island rehearses to laugh their hearts out to welcome one and all to the majestic and enchanted paradise. Mt. Hibok-hibok is as tranquil and lethargic as ever. The view of the sunken cemetery not too far away from the lung-busting climb to the walkway of the old volcano awaits all nature trekkers. The grandeur of the white island that exudes with eloquence prepares for another round of tourists visit across the crystal clear sea waters. The hot and cold springs continue to flow aware that they have to reach the sea to bring to fruition their use-fulness. Every opportunity to welcome all Scouts to the island remains the foremost order of the day. Coming to the annual national council meeting had become tedious for many who’ll be in attendance with the exception of six (6) unassuming delegates of Cagayan de Oro Council. For this year’s ANCM is a year to cherished with and be lost from one’s reality to be in this island paradise and accept a covetous Medal of Honor from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. Just a fortnight ago, while celebrating their annual Christmas party with the local council a call to serve gallantly is out of the question. Sendong send almost everyone on his path into its knees and trampled on everything that resist his madness and

recklessness. With so little time to waste, every second counts – off they go and rescued many and the rest is history.Endangering oneself to the point of being swept away by the madness is one true meaning of Service. The years of training as a Scout and putting everything on the line to serve is a fitting reminder for all good Scouts within the association. For these men and woman of Cagayan de Oro Council one has to be above personal considerations to be able to serve. It would have been easier to stay at the comfort of one’s home than to risk one’s life. This group of awardees is a mixture of youth and experience. Scout Mohammad Adel Roa - Gold Medal of Honor; Eagle Scout Cliff Ian B. Salcedo – Silver Medal of Honor; Eagle Scout Mark Ryan B. Obsioma - Bronze Medal of Honor;Scouter Corazon M. Vios – Certificate of Commendation; Scouter Arvin L. Vios – Certificate of Commendation; Scouter Giovanni B. Cagurin, RN – Certificate of Commendation. The meritorious services rendered to Scouting during the onslaught of Sendong are a fitting reminder that heroes are always here to stay. Scouting has been a part of our lives for the last 75 years and it has done so much to immortalize many men and women with pure hearts for selflessness. Many happy returns to the “Flores de Mayo” of Cagayan de Oro City Council. Scouts, Good Morning!

Sec. Villanueva inductsnew Tesda press corps

officers in NorMinBY APIPA P. BAGUMBARAN

The “Flores de Mayo” ofCagayan de Oro City Council

SCA / AMCA Glenn B. Añora

BSP Cagayan de Oro City Council’s Gallantry and Heroism Awardees posed with Hon. Jun-jun Binay of Makati and BSP NSS Director Arthur Sales during the National Court of Honor held recently in Camiguin Province. Also in photo are BSP CDO Council Scouters Ruth Pañares and Lisa Banluta.

Around Misor

AUGUST 13-19, 2012 | 3CAGAYANTIMESThe

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CA G A Y A N d e Oro City - Suc-cess stories of

the Provincial Roads Management Facility (PRMF) program in the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte were presented during the Road Management Re-forms to Better Gover-nance forum here in the city, August 1-2, this year.

Initiated by the De-partment of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-10), in coordina-tion with the Regional Development Coun-cil (RDC) of Northern Mindanao, the two-day activity was attended by 350 national and local government of-ficials, civil societies, non-government and private sector organi-zations in the region.

Gracing the affair were Mr. Michael Sal-

don, AusAid Minister Counsel lor Octavia Borthwick, DILG Un-dersecretary Austere Panadero, Governors Herminia M. Ramiro (Misamis Occidental), Alex P. Cal ingasan (Bukidnon) and Oscar S. Moreno (Misamis Oriental).

DILG-10 Director Rene K. Burdeos said, PRMF is funded by the Australian Aid for International Develop-ment (AusAID).

Highl ights of the two-day event were the photo gallery that showcased the differ-ent PRMF infrastruc-ture projects and ca-pacity development trainings implemented in the four provinces; and the turn-over of Knowledge Manage-ment (KM) products to DILG-10.

USEC Panadero said “Region 10 is fortunate for having

four of its provinces as recipients of the PRMF program, which does not only involve road rehabilitation and maintenance, but also governance reforms.”

He encouraged the other participants to learn from the shar-ing of the provincial governments and rep-licate the innovations on governance reforms in their respective lo-calities.

He closed by re-lating the Japanese saying, translated to Filipino, “Hindi pwede ang pwede na, ang pwede na ay h indi pwede”, that is PRMF, we need to see con-tinuous improvement in local governance.

The PRMF program has an indicative bud-get of Aus $100million (P3.8 billion) and shall be implemented over a 5-year period until 2014. ACWF/asf)

The Misamis Oriental provincial government has welcomed the planned investment of

the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in Opol, Misamis Oriental as fully supportive of its 8-point Development Agenda for the province.

“Synergy arising from teamwork which we call “Kurambos” has been the driving force of this administra-tion to push our development agenda of Poverty Alleviation, Revenue Generation, Infrastructure, Misortel Resuscitation, Education/Environ-ment, Hospital/Health Services and Agricultural Productivity,” said Gov. Oscar S. Moreno. “We are happy to welcome NGCP to the ranks of our Misamis Oriental Development Team.”

NGCP is the private concessionaire of the country’s power transmis-sion network, or the facilities that bring electricity from power plants to private distribution utilities and electric cooperatives.

The Energy Regulatory Commis-sion (ERC) provisionally approved last week NGCP’s plan to construct a new substation on a four-hectare site along the national highway in Barangay Awang, Opol some 15.5 kilometers west of its Carmen sub-station.

Earlier, NGCP said in a statement the planned P600-million Opol sub-station would reinforce the 60-ki-lometer Lugait-Carmen 69-kilovolt (kV) line constructed in 1966 which has already been experiencing a 90% peak load of its rated capacity. The grid operator estimates peak load could reach 103% by 2014 hence the urgent need to replace it with the Opol 138-kv line.

“Rapid progress in Misamis Ori-ental necessitates the construction of a new, strategically-located sub-station to accommodate customers’ loads and eliminate possible line overloading and voltage problem,” the NGCP said. “With the projected economic progress and load growth, both the line and substation would no longer meet the increasing de-mand requirements in the next

few years.”The ERC said its initial evalua-

tion found the NGCP project would “redound to the benefit of the consumers in terms of continuous, reliable, efficient and affordable power supply.”

With the planned start of pre-construction activities this year, NGCP estimates the project would be completed by February 2015.

“Considering the necessity to construct a drawdown substation to accommodate load growth and ensure power quality to the electric-ity consumers in Misamis Orien-tal, the implementation of project must commence as scheduled. As such, pre-construction activities are needed to be undertaken in 2012 in order to meet the target completion in February 2015,” it said.

Gov. Moreno said the planned completion of the project would jib with the latest commissioning date of the Laguindingan airport, whose opening is expected to spur an economic boom in West Misamis Oriental.

Already, West Misamis Oriental which constitutes the bulk of the province’s second congressional district, hosts various industries including the Asia Brewery complex (Asia Brewery, Tanduay Rhum, Vir-gin Cola Bottling Plants), Zest-O Corporation, WL Foods Corpora-tion, Universal Robina Corporation, Timber Industries of the Philippines, Inc. (TIPI) and Union Plywood Corporation in El Salvador City and Holcim Philippines cement plant in Lugait are among the 37 major industries operating within the province.

Misamis Oriental also accounts for the bulk of exports from North-ern Mindanao. In 2011, it had a 50.86% share of the region’s total exports of US1, 064.51 billion for a total of US$541.40-million, a 9.86 percent increase over the 2010 total of US$492.8-million. Among its top exports are crude coco oil, fatty alcohol, sintered ore, desiccated coconut, copra expeller, cake meal pellets, and activated carbon.

The ceremonial toss for the opening of the 2nd Mayor Dongkoy Emano Cup is done by the mayor of Cagayan de Oro himself, Hon. Vicente Y. Emano, as tournament director Boboy Sabal looks on. The opening game was played between barangays Puerto and Agusan at the Bulua gym. The second edition of the tournament came right on the heels of the successful first tournament. PHOTO BY:GERRY L. GORIT

Misor LGU welcomes NGCP investmentin Opol Substation

BY MIKE BAÑOS

DILG 10 presents roadmanagement success stories

BY ANA CELESTE W. FELISILDA

Happy

Greetings from :

Art in focus

4 | AUGUST 13-19, 2012 CAGAYANTIMESThe

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Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts Director Hobart Savior is part of the cast

of the Integrated Performing Arts Guild’s (IPAG), “Ming Ming,” the Palanca Award-winning play by

Steven PC Fernandez.“Ming Ming” is a story of three

generations of a powerful Maranao family dealing with issues of politics, family honor and family feud. As Ming Ming uncovers the

secrets of her family, the audience, too, learns about peace, conflict and social reform.

Savior played the role of P, Ming Ming’s resentful uncle who tries to impose his fundamentalist views on her niece and her mother.

The play was staged earlier this May at Xavier University during the soft launching of IPAG’s 35th Season. In its staging this July at the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, 17 out of its 19 performances were standing-room only. Since it premiered in 2004, “Ming Ming” has gained critical acclaim. It won the Palanca award in 2006.

Acting in the play along with Savior were other IPAG veterans Diane Therese Clemente, Venus Tan, Jean Graciela Penola, Orwel Obach, Kenn Erwin Velasquez and Leilani Fernandez. Michael Lagura and Blesy Cece played alternating roles. The play was directed by Fernandez, himself, who also wrote and recorded the music score.

IPAG is a leading Mindanao-based theater company. It has performed in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, North America, and all over the country. Savior has been a member of IPAG since 1996.

XCCA Director Hobart Savior poses with IPAG Director and Award-winning playwright STEVEN PC Fernandez after the show. Photo by NOLLY CEBALLOS

Th e p r e m i e r e magic group of Cagayan de Oro City, Inner So-

ciety of Magic, recently awed spectators in their benefit show Deception: beyond imagination.

The show is line with the society’s anniversa-

ry activity, part of the proceeds from the show will go to a school in the PN Roa area where the packs will mostly consist of pencils, papers, and notebooks.

“ISOM - Inner soci-ety of magic is the 1st magic group in CDO…

only magicians who have specialties may join but everybody is welcome totry.” says magician Ke-dric Flores.

Kendric adds, “ISOM only selects the best magi-cians in the city, because we keep the code secrecy of magic. We are nearly es-

tablished; maybe a month from now our group will be approved by the SEC as a registered organization of magicians in CDO. Our current president is Reuben Rafael Lardizabal aka David Papeng.”

ISOM began in 2008 and continues to go

strong, I have personally witnessed Reuben during my niece’s 1st birthday, only one thing I can say – how did he do that?!

Get to know more of them by visiting their facebook page: www.face-book.com/magicians.isom

XCCA director stars inaward-winning play

Inner Society of Magic: BEYOND IMAGINATION by Shaun Alejandrae Uy

The Cagayan TIMES editor and graphic artist, Ronald Mastailstrikes a pose with the Inner Society of Magic.

Points of view

AUGUST 13-19, 2012 | 5CAGAYANTIMESThe

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ALA MODE by OWEN JAEN

WHEN STATISTICSSPEAK

TRAVERSING THE TOURISM HI-WAY

by SALVADOR A. AVES, Ph.D, DM. IS INSTAGRAM THE NEW TWITTER?

Less than a five years ago a virtual birdie came into our digital lives – Twitter. This

clever online babble outlet allows users to express their thoughts by simply key-ing in 140 words or less. And from a mere average of twenty thousand tweets (short messages via twitter) a day in 2006, the numbers rose dramatically to 340 million tweets in a day! Currently, the social micro-blogging application has a total of 500 Million active users. That’s a lot of tweets I may say. Genius? Probably so but personally, I’m too wordy to even try it out. Even if worldwide celebrities, politicians and ordinary folks are so into it, it’s not for me. Sorry. True, twitter has its advantages specially for sending instant short messages to a certain niche or group and can be very useful for a marketing campaign but Twitter is simply not for someone like me.

I admit it. Even years ago, it took me a while to love Facebook because I was still very much loyal to Friendster back then. I am a stick-to-one social media kind of guy. I want to focus on one rather than updating so many accounts. That was almost half a decade ago, lately however Facebook has become a part of my daily grind while Friendster faded into the background until we both had to part ways almost two years ago. While I am so hooked to Facebook right now and ignoring Twitter like a hot mess, another Internet craze is starting to catch my attention.

Enter 2012. A social networking ap-plication suddenly went creeping in and wants a portion of our cyber pie. Hello Instagram - a simple digital imaging app that allows users to take a photo, edit it, add a caption and then share. Voila! A new digital platform for the creative minds is emerging. But what makes Instagram a tad different from twitter or even FB? Aside from its basic user interface that one can easily download into their Apple gadgets (Ipad or Iphone) or Android smartphones, Instagram is first a mobile photo application and an online sharing medium second. And what makes it tick then? Simple. Instagram feeds our narcissistic egos. It zooms in to our self-gloating and gives us the power to share the shallowest of things like an in your face shot of what we are eating

EDITOR’S NOTE :

The Cagayan de Oro TIMES welcomes all student writers, student photogra-phers and those with the passion for writing and photog-raphy. Your contri-butions will certainly enhance your skills and help you de-velop your passion even more. We accept your con-tributions. You may email your contribu-tions to the editor at thecagayantimes@gmail.com

The CAGAYAN TIMES newspaper is published weekly at FICCO Bldg., Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 with Certificate No. 01801884, and with Business Permit No. 17211

Email: thecagayantimes@gmail.com

CAGAYAN TIMES Publisher

SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY Editor-in-Chief

RONALD MASTAILAssociate Editor | Design

PINKY DOMINGO CADAVEDOManager

NELSON CONSTANTINORUEL PELONEALLAN MEDIANTEJOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDAEditorial Consultants

ATTY. MARIO T. JUNIATTY. ROBERTO A. CANTAGO, JR.Legal Counsels

CAGAYANTIMESThe

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A SAGA OF SUCCESS INCAGAYAN DE ORO

SIXTEEN long running years of culinary journey have bonded together the lead-

ing hospitality entrepreneurs accredited by the Department of Tourism in the city to bring the KUMBIRA live cooking events and competition. Various institutional food manufacturing have cash in their support and sponsorships. Schools and universities offering Hotel & Restaurant management and Food Technology find learning stages and techniques for their students developed into their culinary curriculums. The intense yearly competitions have toughen the skills of the professional praction-ers employed by the respective members of the Cagayan de Oro Hotel & Restaurants Association (COHARA) as world class industry workers. Many have progressed and now embarked on foreign work careers in the hotel and luxury cruises flying in the Carib-bean and European ports of call. Others have also become entrepreneurs of their own and are now running their food business. Cooking is the easiest way to find rec-ognition and rewards through the stomach and into the people’s heart. This must be

THE PORTRAIT OF NORMIN’SCHILD LABOR

The paradoxical statement from William Wordsworth’s Imitation of Immortality from

Recollection of Early Childhood which states that “ The Child is the Father of the Man” can never be underestimated; however, it can never be ignored that children are children. Their hands are not as strong as their parents’ hands. Their eyes have not yet seen the world as their parents have had. Their feelings are tender and they need every chance to grow, to develop and become individuals who can be

By: PED T. QUIAMJOT

for children 5 to 14 years old and more than 40 hours a week for children 15 to 17 years old) or “Other Child Labor.” The rest of the working children are classified under “Not Child Labor” category.

Out of the 5.492 million working chil-dren, 58.4 percent or an estimated 3.210 million were considered as in child labor, while 41.6 percent or an estimated 2.283 million were considered not in child la-bor. Comparing between boys and girls, statistics show that in every ten working children, six were boys while four were girls. Causing alarm to our nation plan-ners are the findings that as young as 5 years old, statistics show an 8.2 percent of working children who belonged to the 5 to 9 years of age category, while 46.7 percent of the working children were 15 to 17 years old and 45.1 percent were 10 to 14 years old. More alarming are those identified working in hazardous work en-vironment which registered 39.9 percent for those exposed to physical environment , 19.1 for those exposed to chemical and physical hazards and 13.7 percent for those exposed to combined chemicals, physical and biological hazards.

While it is every child’s right to obtain formal education, it is sad to note that for all age groups, there is still 29.9 percent reported not attending school, and out

of the three age groups (5-9,10-14,15-17), 47.3 percent among those belonging to 15-17 years old were not attending school. Between the two sexes, there were more boys than girls among the children in haz-ardous labor who were attending school.

The root cause that triggered children to work is poverty. Those who were reported helping in own household-operated farm or business posted 42.2 percent, while 30.0 percent were reported supplement-ing family income or working for family well-being.

What is the portrait of NorMIn’s child labor?

The 2011 Survey on Children (SOC ) reveals an alarming statistics which show that three in every ten children aged 5 to 17 years in Northern Mindanao (29.6%) were working. In the National Capital Region and in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the ratio was only one in every ten children.

The implications show that poverty is the biggest push that has made children worked and to start working as soon as they can manage to handle work which is hazardous to their health and to their well-being .This calls for interventions to give the children the opportunity for edu-cation and of appropriate social, cultural, physical and psychosocial development.

for breakfast or a still life composition of a tissue, a swizzle stick and a cup of outrageously priced cup of coffee. This Instagram mania came about when American “netizens” (that’s how internet-crazed folks are called nowadays) are so obsessed with the app that they usually take a photo of what they are eating before gobbling them all up. And we Filipinos are not far behind. Lately we see close-ups of chicken adobo, halo-halo and whatnots splashed in the net via Instagram. Cute with a little whiff of crazy. And what adds to the users’ elation? When their online friends like and shower their posts with comments and praises. And I am not spared of all these either. Posting my photos via Instagram is now my newest online ac-tivity. I am not as addicted as them yet but I think I am slowly getting the hang of Instagramming (is this even a word?) snippets of my daily life and sharing it to my online community. Another thing that makes Instagram likable is that you are expressing your thoughts through visual imagery and those with imagina-tive eyes truly make this online wonder their perfect tool for artistic expression. What’s the downside of this mobile app you might ask? Well, you really need to be constantly connected to fully enjoy it and make your photo sharing as real time as possible. Also, scrolling through updates from friends might be a little tricky when you are following a lot of them. With the Filipinos’ love for “papiktyur” whether as subject or photographer, for sure Instagram will linger in our online world for a long, long time.

The ultimate question is- Will Instagram erase Facebook and Twitter in the sur-face of the digital world? I don’t think so. Instagram however have already given these two social media goliaths a run for their money and has shook their tail feathers. Facebook has reportedly bought Instagram for a whopping $1 bil-lion in cash and stocks! Is it out of fear? Maybe.

As for me, I have to head back and take a shot of my midnight treat before it turns cold. Have a great day everyone and don’t forget to smile! :)

A la mode means something new, stylish and what’s in right now so, see you every week as we take a zoom-in of what’s up, what’s in and what’s taking CdeO, MisOr and the world by storm. For comments and suggestions, drop me a note at owen.jaen@gmail.com. Cheers!

accountable for their actions. Thus, the much quoted lines from Chile’s Nobel Prize winning poet, Gabriela Minstral,” The child cannot wait… to him we can-not answer Tomorrow; his name is Today” credit more serious attention.

What then is the children situationer in the Philippines?

Child labor is one of the many disturb-ing problems in the Philippines whose incidence has increased by almost 30 percent from 4.2 million in 2001 to 5.5 million last year as revealed in the 2011 Survey on Children of the National Sta-tistics Office (NSO). “Child labor” in this survey refers to the working children who reported to have worked in hazardous environment regardless of the number of hours they spent at work (Hazardous Child Labor), or those who have worked for long hours (more than 20 hours a week

the maxim of the industry leaders in our city. Profit is secondary as the painstaking task to assemble people and develop recipes incurs costs. No one minds the investment for the materials and time resources for as long as the continuous quests for excellence are met. KUMBIRA, a vernacular word in Mind-anao is the language of celebration and thanksgiving. It also relates to newlyweds hosting grandiose party to introduce the family members and relatives of the bride and groom. Huge gatherings where food and drinks are served to foster friendships and tribal relations are also called Kumbira in the tribal hinterlands of the Manobo and Tagisalog of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon. On August 15 – 17, 2012, KUMBIRA reels off at the Atrium of Lim Ket Kai Center in Cagayan de Oro City. Welcome to the biggest and most participated culinary live event in the Philippines. It is a tradi-tion among the organizing committee to bring the best resource persons with authority and expertise in food prepa-ration to grace this occasion. Students and the general public are encouraged to watch the different show piece and exhibits. The saga of success in holding this event continues. It makes Cagayanon’s proud of every participant’s achievement of culinary excellence in Mindanao. Congratulations!

6 | AUGUST 13-19, 2012

LifestyLeCAGAYANTIMES

TheDE ORO

Knowledge is very important to our society and it is

critical for building better decisions for our everyday lives. Through this thought, the CDO Street Tutorial c o m m i s s i o n e d i t s e l f to provide signif icant knowledge to the street kids, out school youth and park

attendants of Magsaysay Park, Cagayan de Oro City. The group started with a small number of concerned young people with the heart and the commitment to provide significant learning experience to people, especially to children who have no and/or limited access to education, basic

hygiene and sometimes, even love from their families.

The group aims to provide knowledge and practice of the basic learning competencies, as well as prepare the kids for possible mainstreaming into formal education. It also aims to redirect the attention of the kids from hard labor, violent

gangs, fraternities and other matters that may hamper their learning. The groups’ major platform is to cater learning through tutorials, health through feeding program, and awareness on proper hygiene, self-development and spiritual awareness.

The CD O STREET TUTORIAL ADVOCACY is an advocacy of young students, professionals, and group of volunteers who will render their time and knowledge to the street children through teaching basic spelling and arithmetic. By providing supplemental feeding, and counseling, this encourages street children to continue their education as well as to return to their

respective family. Started on September 17,

2009, through the initiative of Mr. Jerome L. Torres and with other student volunteers, started street tutorials with ten (10) street children. Inspired by the active involvement of young students, professionals and other volunteers this advocacy helps bridge the little voices of the street children to acquire the basic literacy. The main goal of this advocacy is to encourage students and professionals to share their knowledge and helps motivate street children to continue their education by a friendly dialogue of their own life stories. To facilitate easily the activity, a core group

was created which composed of finance officer, sponsor and volunteer in-charge, and facilitator. The tutorial activity is every Monday and Wednesday, 7:00 – 8:00 in the evening at the foot of Magsaysay Park, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City. This advocacy hopes to bridge street children to facilitate their education through sp ons orship program and ignite the spirit of volunteerism.

This initiative hopes to provide Learning Center to the identified potential street kids in order to increase their confidence in tracing their own dreams in life. It will also give an opportunity to lessen the number of street children in the city.

One of the street children of Divisoria learns how to use basic colors. This kid manifests eagerness to learn despite of the crowd and uncomfortable place for learning.

Park attendants of Magsaysay Park seriously solving their sim-ple arithmetic problem given by their tutors. They show will-ingness to learn the basic skill in problem solving.

A student volun-teer teaches a street vendor how to write correct spelling of names of the National heroes.

A student volun-teer explains the correct spelling of different parts of the body. A dis-tinct manifesta-tion of spirit of volunteerism and help those who are deprived from their own rights to education.

ST1: A Muslim student teaches basic pronunciation to a street kid in Divisoria. She writes and reads the correct pronunciation of four letter words.

Connecting Volunteers,Bridging Little Dreams

By Jett Torres and Ismael SalardaXavier University

AUGUST 13-19, 2012 | 7CAGAYANTIMESThe

DE ORO

Nowadays, owning a mobile phone is al-ready a necess i ty rather than a luxury.

While they are mainly used as a communication tool, mobile phones have also become a source of entertainment and a preferred way of connecting to the Internet.

However, even in the Phil-ippines, a nation generally regarded as tech-savvy, not everyone gets to enjoy such privileges. This is mostly because smartphones that contain all these features are oftentimes beyond the means of most Filipinos.

Not anymore. Nokia has found an affordable way to help keep Filipinos connected as it introduces the Asha Touch family. Featuring three exciting smartphones that are perfect for young and urban Filipino consumers, the Nokia Asha Touch range, which consists of Nokia Asha 305, Nokia Asha 306, and Nokia Asha 311, offer unique features that promise several ways of entertainment.

“The new Nokia Asha range will bring the most popular smartphone features within the reach of many. We believe that it is not only important to make the phones affordable, but you also have to be able to really

make the most of the features they have. It’s part of our global commitment to connect the next billion to the Internet. These are some of the compelling reasons why we came up with the Nokia Asha Touch family, and we hope that just like other Nokia devices, these smartphones will also become fundamental in our consumers’ daily lives,” said Saulo Passos, Nokia’s communication director for mobile phones.

True enough, the Nokia Asha Touch range of smart-phones are packed with quali-ties that will surely give users their money’s worth. Through their design as well as their exciting feature s, you will dis-cover that these phones let you explore endless possibilities.

With one look, one will immediately notice the stylish designs of the Nokia Asha Touch smartphones. Following Nokia’s legacy of having a superb design, Nokia Asha 305, Asha 306 and Asha 311 are beautifully crafted using high-quality materials. They feature a bright, colorful and intuitive touch screen that al-lows users to experience fun and adventure right at their fingertips. These phones are also available in colors that match your personality or your

lifestyle.But more important than a

smartphone’s exterior are its features that tell us what it’s really capable of. Nokia Asha 305, Asha 306 and Asha 311 all have a visually entertaining user interface that’s fun to use. They also come with Nokia’s exclusive offer where you can download 40 EA games for free. This includes all-time favor-ite titles like Tetris, Bejeweled, Need for Speed and The Run. And if you are done with these games, there are also around 35,000 other apps waiting to be explored.

Nokia Asha Touch smart-phones also allow you to keep in touch with your loved ones through email and chat on the most popular instant mes-saging providers. You can also stay social by accessing your Facebook and Twitter from the preloaded application. Each smartphone is also equipped with Nokia Maps, which helps you discover and get to your new adventures.

All Nokia Asha Touch smart-phones also come with the new Nokia Browser, which makes mobile browsing a bet-ter experience for all users. With this improved feature, you can now surf the Internet up to three times faster. Nokia

Browser also helps you have a cheaper mobile experience as it reduces your data costs by up to 90 percent.

But although they come from the same family, each of the three smartphones has its unique feature. Nokia Asha 305 is the only one among the three which has the Easy Swap Dual SIM technology, which makes it easier for users to manage several SIM cards without the hassle of turning off the device. It is reasonably priced at P3,890 and is avail-able in Red, Mid Blue, Dark Grey and Silver White.

Meanwhile, its sister device, the Nokia Asha 306 provides WLAN, enabling users to say connected even while they’re on the move. Valued at P4,250, it is also Nokia’s most affordable WIFI handset. It also comes in Red, Mid Blue, Dark Grey and Silver White.

The third smartphone, Nokia Asha 311, boasts of a scratch resistant, capacitive glass screen that’s suitable for a fun and easy mobile experi-ence. Aside from being a 3G device, it is also powered by a 1GHz processor which is handy for a greater and even faster Internet experience. It will be available in two colors: Rose Red and Dark Grey.

Street food vending is not just an only in the Philippines experience.

If one were to travel to our neighboring countries, it is said that, your stay in that particular place is never complete unless you try and taste their street foods. It is a one of a kind experience , really. It gives you that feeling of belongingness, satisfaction for the taste buds, a fast way to satisfy one’s hunger , but more importantly, it is very light on the pocket.

This practice of selling food in the streets and even in closed areas, whether public or private, has an important socio-economic impact. It gives rise to opportunities for people to be able to put into practice their enterprising skills. It provides income and employment. It is very easy to set up, with the least cost. Not to discount the feeling of enjoyment, seeing so many people flocking into your stall, kariton or booth. But, what about its effect on one’s health?

S t r e e t f o o d s a n d beverages becomes of public concern, once it affects one’s health. We often hear people say that they got sick, after a fun night out enjoying their favourite turo-turo... Risks that one may encounter include food poisoning, microbial contamination that may lead to acute gastrointestinal problems. Hepatitis A and Typhoid fever are likewise common.

These problems arise due to lack of understanding and knowledge on the preparation as well as handling of the food, water and utensils, by those engaged in the trade. Add to these are issues on sanitation and hygiene, waste accumulation and improper waste disposal, inadequate supply of potable water and not forgetting, packaging and transport of the finished or unfinished product, ready for consumption. These things compound the problem, which may make that one time event of enjoying street foods a nightmare.

Thus, it is for everyone’s benefit that, the vendors be trained on the basics of how to make sure that the food and beverages that are being served , will adhere to quality standards that will ensure safety of the eating public. The importance of the proper and correct way of hand washing is a sure winner in terms of minimizing the risks of transmitting diseases.

Water, hands, and the so called food handlers ,are the most important links in terms of transmitting contaminated food and beverage. Teaching them the basics and making them aware of their role in providing fun, nutritious and easy on the pocket se r v ices w i l l benef i t them as this will sustain their livelihood and the consumers alike.....

The new Nokia Asha Touch:Affordability and entertainment at its finest

“Blessing others with our music encour-age and inspire us to become better grounded musicians.” A realization that makes us hurdle difficult situations as performers.

Looking back last December 17, 2011, our team was scheduled for a wedding gig at Talakag Bukidnon. Knowing that the wedding will be early, majority decided to stay at a common place in Macanhan to make sure that all of us will not be late on the Six am call time the following day. The unexpected came, on the eve of that day we were all crossing the muddy water chest level with strong current underneath us, to bring ourselves to a safer place. By God’s grace we were able to make it. Even with no sleep we still decided to go because we couldn’t imagine a wedding without music.

We were all shocked with the sight of Emily Homes with cars topping one another and the dead bodies piled

side by side on the road. Our hearts sank but still we continued. Upon reaching few kilometers away from Talakag proper, another unexpected came a pile of mud was blocking the road which means if we continue we have to go on foot to pass through.

“Is this amazing race?” One of us said, from water to landslide then what’s next? Fire, the experience was really terrible looking at it now but on the other side it made the team stronger because each one’s character was shown. As a team we learned to help each other in the midst of crisis.

The “Sendong performance “will always be remembered, what we have become now as a team is greatly influenced by the lessons we learned on that experience.

Looking back further D’blends started Two years ago with three members .Catering mainly for wedding music, the group’s quality performance

WORDS & NOTES by DEBBIE CABAGUE

LOOKING BACK AND MOVING FORWARDWITH D’BLENDS ENTERTAINMENT

spread through word of mouth, by December 2010 the team became D’blends Acoustic with two instrumentalists and two main singers. June 2011 the team started choral/ ensemble gigs for wedding ceremony thus six members were added. July 2011 the acoustic team joined Kasalan 2011 and in the same year, D’blends became a part of Northern Mindanao Wedding Suppliers.

Today with a total of fifteen members, D’blends further enhances its skills through various exposures and trainings. Taking every event as an opportunity to share and be fulfilled as musicians, D’blends envisions quality performances for all events.

THE JOYS AND HAZARDS OF STREET FOODS

The “pile of mud “ on the road D’blends crossed. The journey to Talakag began…

D’blends serenades fellow Northmin Suppliers last Dececember 2011, Grand Eye ball.

D’blends Ensemble at Xavier Estates,wedding ceremony.

by DR. MARY JEAN LORECHE-DIAO

The new Nokia Asha Touch family features three exciting smartphones – (clockwise) Nokia Asha 305, Asha 306, and Asha 311 – that are very affordable and will surely meet the needs and expectations of young, urban and social consumers.

“Happy” … D’blends with Dandy Mar Roa

8 | AUGUST 13-19, 2012 CAGAYANTIMESThe

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DPWH-10 RD Barroso witnessesdredging of Cagayan de Oro river AFTER Cagayan de Oro City was

devastated by typhoon Sendong on December 16 last year, rivers

became shallow, which now needs dredg-ing to prevent another disaster and to save lives and properties. Recently last month, the dredging of Cagayan de Oro River has started with DPWH-10 Regional Director Evelyn Barroso witnessing it. The dredging works started at the mouth

of the Cagayan de Oro River, along barangay Bonbon and move towards the upstream portion of the river. The dredging operation is undertaken by Administration with initial available funding of P610,000.00. The DPWH regional office will directly supervise the project in coordination with the Cagayan de Oro City First District En-gineering Office. Spoil/containment area of materials is at barangay Bonbon thru a

Barangay Resolution approved by Barangay Captain Allan Mabalacad. Permit from Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is already at hand while the Environmental Clearance from the Department of Envi-ronment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 10 is already on process. Even as the office is waiting for the approval of the DENR Environmental Clearance, the dredg-ing equipment was already positioned since the accessories were already in place.