I was about to leave the office yesterday when I got a message Froilan Gallardo asking me join them to shoot the lunar eclipse. I told him I had to go home first because I had to leave Sophie at my pad. But then I decided to bring Sophie so that she could also “witness” the total lunar eclipse (as if she understands it).

So they picked me up at the office at 6pm then we dropped Carol Arguillas first at the Mindanews’ office and we went straight to the Davao Baywalk — it’s where the infamous the Statue of David is erected. I was a bit excited because t’was my first time to shoot the eclipse. I had no idea how to shoot it. I told Froilan that he should have told me earlier because I could have read some tips on the internet :-) Worse, he only brought one tripod! Continue Reading »

When I saw the news on TV last Sunday that defeated senatorial bet Mike Defensor is the top spender in the last elections. Before the elections, former Surigao representative Prospero Pitchay was reportedly the biggest spender — at least P130 million for print and TV ads. That was according to some PR consultancy firm, I guess.

Now, how did Defensor became the top spender according to Comelec? Maybe he’s the only one who honestly declared his expenses. According to Comelec, Defensor spent P121.58 million. Next to him is Chavit Singson who spent P97.8 million only. Would you believe that? Let them tell that to the Marines!  :-)

Mike Defensor, Chavit Singson Top Election Spenders

Two defeated senatorial candidates from the administration—Michael Defensor and Luis “Chavit” Singson—were the biggest spenders in the last elections, according to records from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

What about the heroes of this undeclared martial today? Will there be another book for them?

BOOK ON 161 MARTIAL LAW HEROES TO BE LAUNCHED

 

The lives of 160 Filipinos and one Italian who are considered heroes in the struggle to defeat the Marcos dictatorship are to be honored this Friday, August 24, with the launch of a book in their name.

 

Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, a private group that has been involved since 1986 in researching the lives of individuals who were involved in the struggle against the 14-year dictatorship, is launching the 200-page commemorative book in honor of the 161 individuals so far been included in its roster of heroes and martyrs.

 

Senator Jovito R. Salonga, Bantayog Foundation founder, believes that a nation is known by the quality of men and women it honors.

 

The 161 individuals were mostly student and community activists, but they also include priests, nuns, journalists, lawyers and Supreme Court justices. Italian priest Tullio Favali, killed in cold blood in 1985 by members of a military-supported fanatic group, is the only foreigner in the list.

 

The launch will be held at 4 pm in the Bantayog Memorial Center in Quezon Avenue corner EDSA, with Senator Benigno Aquino III as guest of honor and speaker. Expected to attend are relatives of the martyrs and heroes, members of human rights advocate groups, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.

 

The public is invited to the book launching.

 

 

FOR QUESTIONS, CALL

Daday Gonzalez, 534-5858

Cathy Abrazado, 4348343

The headlines lately were nothing but all about the raging war in Basilan and Sulu. For some, it’s no longer new. It’s a cycle of violence. Soldiers die, residents flee and generals would say “we are winning the war.” Crap. Both sides are losers.

I’ve covered the war in the past. I understand… some may survive and some may not gonna make it out alive from the combat zone. Last Saturday, I got a text from my sister that one of her friends was among of the five junior officers killed in the clash with the bandits in Basilan. I didn’t mind it at first. Until I learned that 15 Marines were killed in the early morning battle. One of them is our relative — Pfc. Renaldo Pedroso. Five of them were young lieutenants–graduates of the Philippine Military Academy ages from 22-24 years old. Too young. There were 10 others who were also wounded in the clash. Continue Reading »

Finally, after months of weaving , Kidapawan City’s official website is now up and running. The domain, however, is still temporary because the city government have yet to secure the free .gov.ph. The site will be launched on August 21 as part of the Fruit Festival celebration in the city. Although some sections of the site have yet to be improved, the basic information about Kidapawan City is already available.

The site features a slideshow of different faces of Kidapawan City. It has an online forum and a blog, which is open to all Kidapaweños to contribute blog entries. Interested bloggers may register on the site.

Ay, wala takon specialty ah. Ambot sa inyo da. Si Benjo sikat sikat na gid karon sa internet kag sa maski diin nga online forum. Grabe gid ka sikat si Benjo. Ti, ano bala? Damo gid tao sa kalibutan nga bored kag gina lingaw man nila ang mga bored. Daw ikaw man bords, bored ka man siguro da amo na nga basa mo man ni blog ko maski di ka kaintindi ilonggo. Gusto ko man tani butang dire ang ang video ni Benjo Kag ang Batalyon Pitbull. Pero di ko man gid abi specialty ning wordpress, ti indi ko kabalo magbutang sang youtube video dire. basi may ara makabasa sini nga specialty mo “tinkering wordpress’ codes, ” email man ko or replay comment dire kag tudlui ko bords ha.

Some of my friends — Bisaya friends — also tried to swallow dialog of the Ilonggo videos. Although they cannot really understand the dialog, they’d still laugh. Ti, sin-o buang sa ila, ang nagbuhat sang video or sila nga gakadlaw wala sila kaintindi ano gina wakal sa video?. Ti, sige a. Mabakal pa ko chorizo ni Tonton.

After shooting for Katakus’ products exhibit at SM Entertainment plaza, I dropped by at the carpark (lot C) at the back of the mall to check the live band as well as the place itself. Globe telecommunications company is the main sponsor of the enclosed gimmick area.

I was there to shoot but I didn’t expect that the sound was good. I’d rarely hear good sounds of the locally organized gigs in Davao. Most of the time, I’m frustrated with the poor sound engineering in most of the concerts here in Davao. But last night was so far the best sound I’ve ever heard in local gig. Continue Reading »