TRENDS (13 May 2010)

DTI cites NM Food Products as Outstanding MSME

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (13 May) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) named the NM Food Products, maker of traditional Bukidnon banana chips and taro crackers, as Outstanding Micro-Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) in Bukidnon.
In an interview, Nestor Manuel, owner of NM Food Products said the trade started with meager resources in 1988. The store offers only sweet banana chips and other delicacies ideal for “pasalubong” and gifts for “balikbayans.”
“But we now offer chips and crackers with flavors of cheese, hot and spicy, sweet and sour, cinnamon and sweet corn,” he said.
Manuel claims that DTI has helped much in his flourishing business. He said he always participates in trainings and seminars on food processing, packaging, product enhancement and marketing sponsored by the DTI, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology and other organizations that give techniques and innovative ideas to entrepreneurs dealing with food industry.
“I am honored to the recognition of my products and I don’t think of any award but I admit that I’m a hands-on manager and checks the store from time to time,” he added.
He said he also complies with all legal registrations and obligations to the city and national government. He also makes sure that customers are always satisfied with their purchases and accepts ‘returned’ goods with no questions asked.
NM Food Products are available in all “pasalubong” centers in Bukidnon. Its main processing facilities are in Maramag and Manolo Fortich. Manuel employs some young people from Manolo Fortich, Maramag and environs. (Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy, PIA Bukidnon)


City launches heritage tours with City Central school pupils

In celebration of the National Filipino Heritage Festival Month in May, the city Government sponsored a tour of Cagayan de Oro’s heritage sites on May 6 for the Science Class of city Central School.
The pupils, accompanied by a few parents and their science teachers, visited the city’s historical and heritage sites with personnel from the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office as their tour guides.
The tour started in City Central School itself, where the city’s first elementary public school building, the Gabaldon, still stands. It may be recalled that a marker on this century-old building was recently unveiled together with the marker on the 74-year old archway, also in City Central School.
The pupils also visited the Gen. MacArthur Marker in Macabalan, Golden Friendship Park in Divisoria, Gaston Park, San Agustin Cathedral, Macahambus Hill and Cave.
The history behind the names of the city streets were explained as the pupils traversed various parts of the city.
“Among all the historical sites I visited today, what I like the most is the Golden Friendship Park,” Chelo Lapineg, a grade 6 student said after the whole tour. The Golden Friendship Park located in the very heart of the city hosts four monuments of our local and national heroes.
“I like it the most because our national heroes’ monuments are there and because the remains of our local heroes are interred in the base of the Andres Bonifacio monument,” Chelo added.
As she welcomed the pupils to the tour, Imma Rae D. Gatuslao, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer explained that the heritage tour is aimed to let the children know the local history and develop in them deep pride of Cagayan de Oro’s heritage. (Khria Carmela R. Noble, XU Devcom Intern of Cagayan de Oro City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office)


DSWD observes international family day

The Department of Social Welfare joins in the celebration of the International Day of Families proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in its Resolution 47/237 last September 20, 1993.
The celebration is slated on May 15, 2010 with the theme, “The Impact of Migration on Families Around the World.” The local theme is “Migranteng Pamilyang Pilipino, Matatag Saan Man sa Mundo.”
The DSWD-X, under the leadership of Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, has already lined up activities to celebrate the event. Employees of the Department will be watching the famous movie “Anak” starred by Vilma Santos, while information measures were done to make known to the public the values and morale of Filipino families, especially those whose family members are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
“Families of the OFWs should be given attention because they are the ones vulnerable to emotional depression due to a member’s absence, and even family breakups,” Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, DSWD-X Regional Director, said.
Reports show that many families with members who are OFWs are having a hard time dealing with their absence. Some OFWs, who are parents, tend to neglect the correct upbringing of their children, putting the latter to tendencies of criminal acts and even suicide.
The DSWD-X is continuously advocating for the strengthening of Filipino family values through laws protecting the family’s welfare and rights. (Charmaine P. Tadlas, DSWD-X)


Gov. Khalid Dimaporo wins by landslide

Tubod, Lanao del Norte – It was a very lopsided victory for re-electionist Gov. Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo as he returns to the provincial capitol of this province for his second term of office.
Gov. Dimaporo of Lakas-Kampi-CMD received 179,402 votes while his nearest rival Alijandro Batalo of the Liberal party only got 17,755 votes.
“I’m very thankful to the people of Lanao del Norte for giving me this victory. They can be assured that they will see the same hard work and dedication that I have shown in the past,” declared Dimaporo.
Also declared by the Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) last May 12, was Vice-Governor Irma Umpa-Ali who received 140,861 votes.
“I would like to thank the people for their vote of confidence. Together with Gov. Dimaporo and the newly-elected SP members we will work hard towards the realization of Vision 2020”, Ali said.
Although votes cast in the municipalities of Munai, Nunungan and Salvador have yet to be received by the PBOC, “it would be statistically improbable that these votes can change the outcome of the election for these 2 positions,” said Atty. Carlito Ravilo, Provincial Election Officer. (VNL/PIO-LDN)


Markers of City Central School’s historic archway, Gabaldon Building unveiled

The markers of the century-old Gabaldon building and that of the historic archway of City Central School were unveiled on May 4, 2010, in time with the Filipino Heritage Festival Month.
The two structures in City Central School are part not only of the school’s landscape but the city’s too. They are testaments to the heritage of public school education in the city.
City Central School’s Gabaldon building was erected in 1909 during the American regime and was inaugurated on August 28, 1911. It offered free elementary education to Kagay-anons from grades 1-7 and later on grades 1-6. The Gabaldon building in City Central School is one of the first 51 Gabaldon buildings built in 1911 and one of the 1,852 built all over the country during the American occupation.
Gabaldon buildings are named after Rep. Isauro Gabaldon, a representative from Nueva Ecija who was a member of the Philippine Assembly when it was formed in 1907. He sponsored the passage of Act Number 1801which appropriated the amount of P1 million for the “construction of schoolhouses of strong materials in barrios with guaranteed daily attendance of not less than sixty pupils…”
Meanwhile, the historic archway was built in 1936, 27 years after City Central School was established. The structure was built through the efforts of members of the Cagayan community led by the Rotary Anns of Cagayan de Misamis. Thousands of proud Kagay-anons have walked through the archway, many of whom are community leaders who are making their contribution to the nation.
Dorothy Jean B. Pabayo, Chairperson of the Cagayan de Oro Heritage Council revealed, “There are four Gabaldon buildings in the city, but the Gabaldon building in City Central School is the only one that was restored through the efforts of Congressman Rufus Rodriguez. City Central’s Gabaldon building is one of the few that were preserved and restored, having still the classic structure typical of Gabaldon building and the special features of the building and structure.”
According to Pabayo, the main feature of the building is its windowpanes made up of Capiz shells. What makes this building different from the other public schools is its structure and components. Distinctive features of this Gabaldon building are that its windows are made of Capiz shells; it is made of cement and wood and its elevation from the ground to floor of the building is 1 meter.
“The Gabaldon buildings present not only history but says a lot about Kagayanons’ education,” Pabayo said in an interview.
The archway and Gabaldon building suggest that Kagay-an was advance in education. As early as the 1900s, Kagay-anons have already practiced public education. The unveiling of these markers in time with the Filipino Heritage Festival Month signifies that our heritage today is as important as our children’s education, Pabayo added.
“Through the archway and Gabaldon building we continue the legacy our forefathers have built and started,” Pabayo added.
“We are all thankful to everyone that helped in the putting up of these markers. These markers are another manifestation that we truly honor and value our heritage as much as we preserve the memory of those who dedicated their lives for Cagayan de Oro,” Pabayo said in her speech during the unveiling of the archway and Gabaldon building marker.
The people who took part in the unveiling of the markers were Dorothy Pabayo, Chairperson of CDO Heritage Council; Regional Director Luz. S Almada CEO IV, School Division Superintendent Dr. Myrna S. Motoomull CEO V, City Central School Principal Dr. Shirley A. Merida and her assistant principals, and members of CDO Heritage Festival Chairperson Eileen Escobar-San Juan. During the ceremony, they all had a chance to give a message that pointed out the significance and restoration of our Archway and Gabaldon building and marker. (Khria Carmela R. Noble, XU Devcom Intern of City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office)


COMELEC proclaims winners with incumbent re-electionists anew

Iligan City (5/12/10) – On or at around 11:00 in the morning today, May 12, the Commission on Elections proclaimed the people’s top choice to lead again the Lone District of Iligan.
Atty. Rosylyn J. Smith, city election officer and Board of Canvassers (BOC) chair, along with Atty. Benedicto Ratunil, vice chairman and school’s division superintendent Cherry Mae Limbaco as secretary-member, this city, have alternately announced and proclaimed the winners from the congressional to the local slates.
Among others, incumbent re-electionists Vicente F. Belmonte,Jr., Lawrence Ll. Cruz, Henry C. Dy won over their contenders to the congressional, mayoral and vice-mayoral seats, respectively.
Having the first ever for the city to have elected female councilor, it was not just one but two (2) ladies who captured the heart of the electorates to comprise the 12 Sangguniang Panlungsod members.
Apparently, the success of this historic automated elections was on the people itself, who went out and exercised their rights to vote despite rain showers and long queues, expressed Atty. Smith.
Also, we commend the Board of Inspectors (BEIs) who rendered a laudable stint for the success of this election, said Smith.
There was no failure of elections, at all, sounded Smith.
The Monday’s automated elections was made possible with the reliable services provided by the telecommunication companies, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and the Smart Communication, Smith disclosed. (Lorry V. Gabule / PIA-LDN)