I’m not surprised why AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Esperon linked anew the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the alleged assassination plot against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Reason: They’ve got nothing to blame but the MILF whom the US and this corrupt government have been dying to declare them (MILF) as a terrorist organization. Continue Reading »

On Monday, I was able to witness and record one of the most important events in the Catholic church especially in the Diocese of Kidapawan: the meeting of Fr. Peter Geremia and his would be assassin Norberto Manero, aka Kumander Bukay.

Click here to view more photos.

The event drew mixed reaction — some are still skeptic about the motive of Manero in meeting with the people in the diocese of Kidapawan.  While some believed that it’s for the  good  of everybody.
It’s pretty hard to remove or ignore the label on  Manero as a “priest killer.” He was believed to member of the dreaded Ilaga, a fanatical group terrorizing the Muslims in Mindanao during the Martial Law era.

But then the meeting was more on Manero’s renewal of commitment before the church. I really admire how his principal target, Fr. Geremia, was able to process everything inside him and he was able to gave a tight embrace to his would-be assassin 23 years ago who visited the diocese for the first time.

As we were driving back to Davao City, I recalled my late friends George and Macel Vigo. I just hoped they were able to witness that very important event.

At any rate, Manero still deserves even a single page in our history.

Sometime last week, I read on Dateline Davao regarding the green-plate bearing Maligaya Taxi. Now, I was able to take a photo myself — of the taxi with a green plate. Taxi cabs are suppose to use the yellow ones. But look at the photo below.

Early this morning, I’ve heard again a radio commentator blurting on the dismantling of Task Force Davao. There is no finality yet on this report. Even TF Davao commander Col. Alan Luga has already said that the fate of TF Davao remains on the hands of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Continue Reading »

Of all the malls in Davao City, it’s Victoria Plaza that I hated most in terms of their policy on bringing of stuff particularly in the department store section. It’s totally different from other malls in the city.

From the main gates to the entrance of the department store section, their security procedures are very annoying. If I have a camera with me (of course inside the camera bag — backpack type), they would try to ask me to leave it but then I’d tell them: “Why you wouldn’t allow cellphones to be left in the bags at the baggage counter and then you wont allow camera bags inside, which is more expensive? We are not tourists.”

In most cases, when I have my camera bag with me and I wanted to buy something inside the department store, they will allow me to bring it inside but they need to check my bag before I’ll exit. In all shopping malls, the management does not allow any valuable things to be left in the baggage counters. Continue Reading »

What a start for 2008 among ‘presidentiables’ for 2010. Since last week, stories have came out regarding the looming comeback of former president Joseph Estrada into the political arena. But administration officials were quick to shot back at rumors, saying that Erap can no longer run for President as he may violate the Constitution.

This is really very early for these ambitious politicians to express their intentions for 2010 elections. Many possible things could happen anytime. The elections last year and most of all the “Hello Garci” scandal are still fresh in the minds of the Filipinos. And now here comes the 2010 election fantasy? Continue Reading »

It’s already 2008, welcome to the Year of the Rat.

The United Nations has also declared 2008 as the International Year of the Sanitation. The UN also that 2008 is the International Year of the Potato . “The celebration of the International Year of the Potato (IYP) will raise awareness of the importance of the potato - and of agriculture in general - in addressing issues of global concern, including hunger, poverty and threats to the environment.” So should we expect more French fries meal this year round? Or the rats will feast on the potato farms? Hope they wont do that. Continue Reading »