Keep Moving Forward

by Ancheden J. Pacamalan

“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we are curious…And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” This is a message I have read from Walt Disney after watching the movie Meet the Robinsons last Sunday or Monday (I think!).

It was an animated cartoon movie and it was all about leaving the past behind and moving forward for a better future. The movie was unbelievable but the message and the values it conveyed was so damn true!

After watching the movie, it made me think just how it fits to our way of thinking in terms of the situation here in Mindanao. One of the reasons of the armed conflict in Mindanao is we linger on the past. It seems that we cannot find acceptance and forgiveness within us.

If we are to trace back the history of the first settlers in Mindanao; the Moros came here first and established their own sovereign estate. But many things have happened in the past that resulted to the coming of new settlers in the island and displacing the former settlers of Mindanao.

There are also other groups living in this island – the indigenous people or the Lumads. They are neither Muslims nor Christians. They do not want to be involved in this conflict between Muslims and Christians. All they want is their own land so they can live peacefully.

If every one of us will find acceptance and forgiveness, there is no need for wars. We can all live peacefully in this beautiful island. I do believe that there is unity amidst the diverse beliefs, traditions, culture and people

Is CDO safe?

By: Pauline Quette Eduave

Robbery. Holdapping. Snacthing. Inciddents that any person would not want to get involved. Because who would want to be robbed or snatch? Walking in the streets of CDO are Kagay-anons really safe?

Just this morning, around 11:00 am, I was caught in an inciddent that did not even occur in my mind, but left me shocked and so helpless. Me, Juna and Lorilyn (my classmates) were chasing our Cropscience instructor Ms. Tumilap because of a project that was supposed to be submited that exact time. Upon chasing her, because her destination would be in Manresa. We were really running after her hoping to see her so that we wont have to go after her at Manresa. When we were approaching Hayes street, I was so shoked when someone pulled my necklace… I was so stunned that I didn’t even said a word, when I turned my back to face him, I was even scared because he said “sige, singgit kay sumbagon tamo..!!” (try to scream or else I’ll punch you). When I turned my head to look for help, I even noticed that the man who grabbed my neck were somewhat part of a gang, they were wearing ragged cloths and there eyes were all red. I didn’t have a chance to really look at his faced because of such fear that I felt that time. Without someone to help me, i just cried, and juna and lorilyn hug me tight.

When I think about that inciddent, I realized that its better not to wear valuable belongings. You really cant tell whether your safe just walking in the streets, because before when I was snatched, I dont mind wearing those stuff I'm to confident that nothing will happen to me, but then again I was wrong.

The fact that our city is now progressing, people who have bad intentions would also increase in number. Even if our City has high security mesurements, its better to take extra care. Especially in crowded area, for instance in our night cafe, where people are to busy having fun, or buying stuffs in the night market. To those Kagay-anons out there -be alert!

BIG things come from small things...

by: Juri Padios

Last Thursday, I lined up to pay for my tuition fee in my school. It was exactly 8:20 in the morning when I started to fall in line. There were a lot of students in the finance office and all the windows were occupied by students of Xavier University. I was a bit disappointed because their system is very slow. It will take 10 to 15 minutes to accommodate a single student and that is really disgusting but of course i understand full that they have to double check the money that they are receiving. What made me really pissed off was the thing that i have to line up for almost four hours to pay but there are “people” who doesn't have “respect”. The “singit” thing is the issue here. I just don't understand why people do this. They don't have the patience to wait? If you're going to ask me, i have waited three hours and thirty minutes standing to pay but why is it that they can not do the right thing. The right thing here is to have a little respect.

It is impossible that each one of us can not have a little respect. It comes from within. Every little thing matters. In my case which is the “singit2x” thing, if others would just line up and think of others who is lining up before them, there wouldn't have any problem at all. People are just making things complicated and they are making things run slowly. If this case happens all the time, the result is obvious already. The problem also is that there are people who doesn't have conscience and these people are selfish and self-centered. They are only thinking of themselves.

How can one country, nation, city progress if respect is not there? Big things come from small ones. This is a wonderful thing to ponder. Each one of us must learn to respect one another to be able to create change- a positive change. I do believe that all of us can do this. Law of attraction. Think positive. Everything comes from within. If one respects others, he or she will definitely gain the respect of others. Simple yet confusing. But that is the challenge for all of us.

Do the right thing.

Getting to know HIV

by: Ancheden J. Pacamalan

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a REALITY. Many have been informed about AIDS but do we really know Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)?

Some people think that HIV and AIDS are the same. That is a big NO! HIV is the cause of AIDS. It is a virus that destroys a person’s immune system. Thus, he or she is prone to various diseases and infections; once his or her immune system is destroyed, then that person has AIDS. In addition, if a person is HIV positive it does not really mean that he or she has AIDS.

However, HIV positive people can have AIDS when they are not immediately treated.

According to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation website, HIV is quite different from other viruses; the immune system which should be – in the first place – protecting us from viruses, cannot kill HIV because it directly “attacks the immune system itself” – how ironic!

How come our immune system cannot destroy HIV when its function is to fight off viruses? You see, experts are still studying this virus and they are still looking for cure. Fortunately, there are medical treatments that can slow down the HIV from destroying the immune system but it does not totally eradicate the virus.

Prevention of HIV

Always remember that “Prevention is better than cure.” This is from the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia website: if a person has HIV, he or she is not allowed to have sex, to breastfeed, and to donate organs, blood or semen. One should always use sterile needles and avoid sharing syringes. Furthermore, this website mentioned that using protection (such as condoms) during sexual intercourse does not guarantee that a person will not be infected. The best way is ABSTINENCE.

The last two sentences above are somehow new to me. I thought when one uses protection he or she is safe from infection. Obviously, if you are HIV-positive you should not have sex with or without protection.

Treatment

Did you really think that there is no treatment for HIV? Well, you are wrong.

Antiretroviral Therapy. It actually prevents HIV from making more copies of itself. There are four classes of antiretroviral drugs and each class fights in a different way: Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) and Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs), in many ways, prevent the production of Reverse Transcriptase, a protein that the HIV uses to replicate.

Another one is Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). This one uses three or more drugs from the four classes, such as two NRTIs and one Protease Inhibitors (PIs). However, the virus will be resistant to one of the four drugs after being exposed to the antiretroviral medications. As a result, the drug is less effective for that person. But there are still drugs from the other classes which will fight off the virus.

These are all complicated treatments but we should be thankful that experts came up with this. On the other hand, these treatments only prevent the virus.

As far as I can remember, one or two years ago there was this rumor that someone has been infected with AIDS. I am not sure if it was confirmed or denied but it was possible because there are night clubs in the City and the said victim was a sex-worker. Some people choose to work in night clubs because the pay is good. Well, it all boils down to poverty.

Recently, I have not heard cases in Cagayan de Oro City of HIV positive patient or people having AIDS. Khrisna Marie C. Egbalic, a nurse in the German Doctor’s Hospital confirmed this when I had a chance to ask her about HIV/AIDS cases within the city. But she said that the Hospital does not accept these cases so they do not have any record.

HIV and AIDS are different but deadly and complicated also. Knowing HIV means understanding AIDS. By being vigilant we prevent the increase of both HIV and AIDS victims. Therefore, preventing suffering and fear among men, women and children all over the world.

Maternal Mortality: High in CDO

By: Doi Flordeliz


High maternal mortality rate hits Cagayan de Oro, according to the statistical report from the City Health Office.

The city recorded only 11,500 live births out of the total birth rate of 29,118 in 2007. For a big city in Northern Mindanao, this number is quite unusual.

Further statistical report revealed that hospital delivery summed up to 7 303; health center delivery 1 784; home delivery 3 456; “hilot” delivery 2,982, doctor delivery, 8 227; nurse delivery, 39; midwife delivery, 2,667; and others 2 660.

High maternal mortality usually happens in developing countries and underdeveloped countries where poverty rate is also high. It is because of the lack of knowledge regarding pregnancy, especially among pregnant women below the poverty line.

Due to the lack of knowledge, pregnant women tend to think that pregnancy is easy. The fact is, pregnancy is never easy, it is complicated. Aside from the fact that the mother is carrying life inside her, hormonal and chemical changes are on the rise and it may have a harmful effect on the fetus and to the mother. Vitamins and minerals need to be monitored in pregnancy; too much or too less of them is not good for the developing fetus and the mother. Also, environmental factors need to be assessed, because a pregnant woman is fragile during and after pregnancy, as resistance level is low while the mother gives nourishment to her fetus. Also, the mother is required more than eight hours of sleep but not exceeding 10 hours daily. Maternal exercise is also recommended. Alcohol, smoking and stress, are strictly prohibited due to the harmful effects on both in the mother and her fetus. Most of all, in pregnancy it is important to have regular check-ups, pre-natal and post-natal. Facts are stated and the statistics are, quiet alarming. The real question here is, where are we going from this? A possible solution to this problem is to educate people so that they will have an insight about what is really happening to them.

That points out that 18,063 infants were either not registered or died during or after post delivery procedure. Cagayan de Oro also has a high rate of teenage pregnancy. It is now becoming a trend even in other cities in the Philippines and the world. . In an interview, Mrs. Josephine Barba head of the Maternal Health Division stressed her concern about teenage mothers “Teenage pregnancy is high and it is becoming trend, maternal and child birth mortality is high because they simply don’t care.”
In India and Africa, there is a decrease in mortality rate during the early years of the new millennium because of the campaign of the United Nations (UN). The UN included in its goals the promotion of Maternal Health. This advocacy informs and educates women around the world, but, especially those in the developing and underdeveloped because of the high concentration of maternal mortality in these countries.


Also, we need to question why the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) allows a nurse or a local “kumadrona” or “mananabang” to administer a birth. These persons may not be academically, scientifically and professionally trained to do so, which is also one cause of high maternal and birth mortality not only in Cagayan de Oro but in the Philippines. The PRC should do an immediate action on this, the system rots for years already there is no excuse for not changing it. We can also check whether the City Health Office acts on this matter. Until now we do not know their plan for this matter, if they have one. In this light the City Health Office and Barangay Health Center should collaborate and have a campaign about the risks in pregnancy and the need for regular check-ups. They can conduct activities for pregnant women such as seminars held in their respective barangays, and follow-ups which are important to monitor the condition of each pregnant women and her fetus.

As citizens of this city and of this nation we need to act to prevent this number of deaths from increasing. There is still time.

Future Plans: Golden Mile for CdeO

by: Pauline Quette Eduave

Of all the people passing and walking Cagayan de Oro’s Divisoria, during Fridays and Saturdays especially during night time where most of the people are merry making and even on ordinary days, where people find time to search for a shade under the heat of the sun, do they notice a tarpaulin? It is not that big so people might not notice it immediately. One is located near the tourism show house. What does the tarpaulin shows?

When I first saw it, it was a picture. It as a proposed project entitled: Golden Mile, a 600 –meter walkway and 1 –Kilometer Boulevard along the riverbank. In is a flagship project or our own City Mayor, Constantino Jaraula, with his picture at the lower right side of the tarpaulin.

The plan pictures much advancement in Cagayan de Oro. A proposed JR Borja Bridge, proposed Walk Bridge, a fountain at the center of Cagayan de Oro River, an extended road near Burgos Street and for natures sake, a series of trees will be planted along the extended road.

Looking at the said tarpaulin, I was happy knowing that somehow our local government is still doing their part in planning much advancement for our city’s betterment, because in the first place this is what they are paid for. And does the Kagay-anons also do their part? Or better yet the question to be asked is that do the Kagay-anons even care about this? Do they even know that there is a proposed project for our city? Or there just so busy not noticing the said tarpaulin. As a citizen, one should do his/her part, it would only take few seconds to look at the tarpaulin and read it, through this: one would somehow be informed that plans for our city are taking part.

If I were to ask, betterment would be greater attained if the two parties are doing their own part. This means our local government and also local citizens, the Kagay-anons should take part and do some action. So if you’re a Kagay-anon, better yet do your part or do nothing and be nothing. Reading that tarpaulin is not a hard task, it would only take few seconds of your time. If you happen to pass by Divisoria you already know where it is located –be a responsible Kagay-anon.

oooopppssss...

by: Juri Padios

www.planadoption.com

The image above simply relates to a young lady having a problem on how to raise the baby inside her womb. This facade is actually one of the many faces we've seen having this kind of problem-- unwanted pregnancy.

I have become so conscious about getting into a high voltage of understanding such problems as far as my friends do. It is very common nowadays seeing pregnant women in high schools and colleges. In that case, it is disturbing.
In my 19 years living in this world, I've been aware in terms of knowing and digging deep to that kind of situation-- the unwanted pregnancy. Why is it that a lot of people engaged to that thing? Is it for fun? Ignorance? For awareness? All of these are actually some of the thousands of questions that are commonly asked. I admit that my friends in high school are pregnant now. I was actually unhappy because they are still students. I just don't seem to understand the youth today. Problems are already problems. You don't have to attack it by making another one. In most cases, I usually get an answer of "the reason why they are doing it, it's becasue of rebellion" and for me that is an invalid answer because you are creating a life-- a serious and sacred life.

It is not right to just engage to that situation because sex is sacred. People should not abuse it because it is a gift from God that is very life changing. I do not disagree people having relationships but they should not go beyond the limit. If they wanted to do it, they must have the proper understanding of the outcome. The one who is pity is not the couple but the child. A child should have a mother and a father.

It is okay having a boyfriend and a girlfriend. It really happens. the thing there is both should be aware of what they are doing so that no matter what will happen, the result is not a regret but a gift.

Our Brothers

by: Ancheden

Mindanao has a rich culture, various traditions and people. There are Muslims, Lumads and Christians living on the same island. Therefore, we are brothers; we take care and respect each other.

During the Media Dialogue Series last Friday on how to report Mindanao better, to resolve conflict in Mindanao we should stop labeling Muslims as terrorist or rebels or better yet we should stop treating them like Muslims and Christians are different. They are the same and brothers.

Inside the University, there are Muslim students but I do not find them harmful or what. A friend of mine has a Muslim friend and she told me that they are okay.

I admit that before I feared them thinking that they are capable of hurting other people. Most people often think of them as terrorists especially what happened last August when the MILF started killing innocent civilians because of the failed signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), the discrimination towards our Muslim brothers increased.

Not all Muslims are bad. Those who creates chaos are not Muslims. The word Muslim means someone who submits to the will of God or to Allah. Therefore, they are not into violence. Just like Christians, we believe in God yet some of us do bad things or against the will of God.

The Lumads or the Indigenous Tribe has lived in this Island even before the colonizers came. What happened right now is their population decreased compared before that they were many. It seems like they have been driven away from their own lands and homes.

It is just a matter of respecting their culture and tradition; for who they are. Furthermore, they are also human beings and they are Filipinos.

I hope the parents of every children would stop telling their sons and daughters that Muslims are bad people and they should be avoided because they are harmful. By doing this, the less we can resolve the conflict here in Mindanao.

You see, war is never a solution but peace talk is.

The peace process between the Government and the Muslim community should continue.

problem 'UNSOLVED'

by: PAuline Quette Eduave

The DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) is a Government Agency serves as a shelter for those people, who are abuse –both physically and emotionally. When I first went to their office, I felt pity especially to the babies who are not taken care of by their parents and would eventually be held in DSWD for proper attendance.

Looking at their innocent faces felt like my heart was being ripped. I was fortunate to really go inside their nursery to look at the infants. Then I questioned myself how could the parents of this children abandon them? Almost all of them are pretty healthy, and there’s this one child about 10 months who is very jolly, he always makes noise by laughing, then I concluded that all he want and really need is attention.

When I asked the person in charge of their nursery about the health of those infants, she said that when these children are turned over to them, mostly all of them are malnourished, lack vitamins and basically care and love. She also said that she is happy because looking at the children now that they are perfectly healthy but she is also sad knowing that maybe they can provide food, shelter, and clothing to these infants but these children are broken emotionally because of not being with their real parents. To think that the person in charge is only a volunteer and only paid a small amount for her serves.

In line with this our society indeed has a handful of problems. From poverty down to those little problems that are Government can’t even handle. And maybe the question to be asked is that –does our Government really care? Because to think that these problems are just the same dilemma that we are facing everyday. And these kinds of lapses serve as a hindrance for our country’s development. the Government should now take actions because if not now when is the chance for a more better future?

Evacuees of Insurgency: Part02

I promised in my previous blog, that i will post the part 02: the emotional

continuation is here for that bitter reality.

By: Doi Flordeliz

Capturing their faces is like an agony in my heart. As Habiba shared their piece of little story that we don’t know and witnessed. I was not in the mood with that talk because something is like in my throat that’s difficult for me to deal with. I just throw questions to her without thinking what the content of those questions is. Then I questioned myself, am I being devcom? At a glance then I realized the lessons discussed inside the four walls of the classroom, and in field the situation is very different. I have with me just few bags of candies for the kids and I feel sorry for them. They still dwell of the Holy month of Ramadan, fasting at the evacuation center. It’s totally hilarious and if im in that situation I would really cry, but it seems they are very happy. Happy in the sense that they are away from troubles and the fear that the weapons that the insurgency has brought about.

In our conversation, Habiba and I shared the same insight about the insurgency. At that moment I can’t help but cry Habiba stared at me and said don’t cry it’s okay. Then I found my moment I tilted my head and cry over her shoulders. What triggered my tears to fall is the innocent looks of the children and the pregnant lady that’s was outside the room and the 80 year old woman watching us. They gave me the chance to cry and cry, while I was taking shots I’m wiping off my tears and they just smile at me. At that moment my feeling for them was so hopeless and fearful of what is in store for them in their future.

I went to the tour in the whole vicinity and each room tells a story that the world doesn’t even know. I want the world to see the real situation in the evacuation center. When I was about to leave, before boarding the car I took shots from my position that angles the children waving goodbye, then in shock they were running towards me and I made me cry again and in seconds they were in front of me any waving goodbye and saying “salamat” in bisaya and “salam” in their language. Boarding the car and I slowly closed the door and inside I nodded my head and cry. I closed my eyes at that moment because I don’t want to see the reaction on the faces of those innocent children. I knew then that they were following our convoy and I instructed the driver to go fast because I don’t want to see them and I will cry and cry again.

Maybe, I was a little bit cruel because of that, but I really don’t want to bid goodbye because it hurts inside me. There's this favorite photograph (shown above) that I took during my visit there, and it will remain in my memory forever.

Jurillyn says...

The United Nations aims to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. There are actually eight of them and these are 1) eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, 2) achieve universal primary education, 3) promote gender equality and empowering women, 4) reduce child mortality rate, 5) improve maternal health 6) combat HIV/aids and other diseases, 7) ensure environmental sustainability and 8) develop global partnership among countries and trading system. All of these are actually based on the happenings all around the world because we want to have and give justice to every little thing that is going on around us. It is a dream to achieve the MDGs for all we know that it is not an easy list to do so.
The third MDG which is to promote gender equality and empowering women seeks to have no biases by creating wholeness of such person and of human. It points out to shut down the gender biases and start to uplift the individuality of a person as man and woman. Man can be woman and woman can be man in terms of work and treatment because people actually tend to have that superiority when it comes to men and that is not fair. Talking about fairness should apply in this situation because we are all created equally.
Specifically here in Cagayan de Oro city, there are organizations that promote gender


equality and empowering women. This is the Technology Outreach and Community Help (TOUCH) Foundation, Inc. It implements a Project on “Strengthening Support System for Victims of Gender Violence in Cagayan de Oro City.” To have a clear understanding of the TOUCH Foundation’s main role, it aims to respond the needs of women survivors of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) in Cagayan de Oro City because in this case people are aware that gender equality problem is actually arising and to prevent that, the TOUCH Foundation in partnership with the different sectors, line agencies, academe, organizations concerning the subject matter, NGOs, other service providers, and lastly the Eighteen barangay local government units (BLGUs).
The Philippine government supports and recognizes the need to increase efforts in instituting measures to protect women and their children.
One of the Republic Acts is the Republic Act 9262. This Act is about Anti-Violence against women and their children. The Anti-VAWC Act (R.A. 9262) was passed on February 2004 by the Congress and was signed into law on March 8, 2004 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The law seeks to address the widespread acts of violence directed against women and children, which acts clearly violate their fundamental human rights and several international human rights instruments of which our country is a participant.



R.A 9262 can be committed inside or outside the family residence. These are acts committed by the any person against a woman who may be the wife, former wife, live-in, girlfriend, or with whom the abuser has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or with whom the abuser has a common child—the woman’s child may be legitimate or illegitimate. VAWC is not limited only to physical violence, sexual violence which includes rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, etc. psychological violence, and economic abuse.
The prohibited acts have corresponding penalties as to help the victim have their justice. It is just fair to have this kind of law in order to feel that women and children belong to the world where most people called it the superiority world because of the biases among men and women.
Women have rights so as the men. All of us should be treated equally in order to have peace in each one of us. It is just so simple to achieve this but people are complicating it. The problem will always be a problem if each one of us is not capable of what needs to be done. Awareness is not enough if it is not put into action. It will just defeat its purpose. Women should be treated with respect and dignity.
Moreover, the reason why there are cases like this is due to the absence of education. People become less sensitive of their actions because they believe that nothing is wrong with it. The guidance when it comes to moral values has been scarce.
A helpful way to attack this problem is to organize a seminar for men for them to have a


better vision of what needs to be done and what is not need to be done. Little by little, it would lead to a successful outcome afterwards—may be consciously or unconsciously.
All of us need respect. What do we do? Give it without any doubt and judgment because I believe that the only way to accomplish this goal is through the certainty of acceptance that all of us living in this world are the same. So, we should treat one another equally. Boy, girl, lady, lad, man and woman.

Lastly, it would be definite if patience will be included because without patience all of us will be going over the same problem as to where it started. It is just one step at a time.

Night Café

by: Ancheden J. Pacamalan

Night Café is the place where people from different walks of life converged every Friday evening 7 o'clock to Saturday at dawn 2 o'clock.

Almost all Kagay-anons know this please because this place is all in one! Food, drinks, entertainment and even second hand clothes are in this place.

This place is not just for party-goers or the happy go lucky students, street children and beggars are visible in the vicinity of night café. It is ironic, right? Despite the happy ambiance of this place, signs of poverty are lurking even around the corner of Cagayan de Oro City.

Every time I go home, I would often see beggars. There has been a time when they came to me and beg coins for food, however I seldom gave. This is not because I do not pity them - my coins are not solutions to their situation.

Dole outs are short term solutions. Well, I hardly think it is a solution. It will only encourage them to linger more on the streets which is obviously dangerous to them especially the street children.

Night Café, which is a street party, is a good venue for them to ask for alms. They are also creating human traffic because sometimes when I would pass this place, they are blocking my way. Thus, slowing my pace.

But I would always have patience and understanding for them. I do not shout at them or even push them.

How I hope that the time will come when I would not see them on the streets but in their safe and clean homes.

For now, I think will see them for quite sometime. Perhaps the government has long term solutions for them. (They better have one!)

Evacuees of Insurgency: Part 01

By: Doi Flordeliz

Cagayan de Oro City, is quiet grateful that its terrains is not that near Lanao del Norte. The insurgency brought by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or the MILF militia claimed innocent lives in Lanao del Norte and Southern Mindanao. Last week in our photography class we were tasked to do the photo essay and my topic is about the evacuees from Lanao del Norte that fled to my home town, Iligan City. I went there last Sunday, and I arranged with some friends from the DSWD in Iligan my visit to the evacuation center but I was lucky that they went with me and some Military men as my escort but in shock we used the armored military tank going to that remote area in Iligan. I just can’t remember how much time it took us to reach the area, but I was pretty excited and I have with me two packs of candies that I will give to children. We arrived there at exactly 2:00 P.M I’m so excited to jump out from the Military Tank, but the soldiers did not allow me because they will clear the area first. After 15 minutes of waiting finally they gave us the signal to go down and 4 soldiers were my close in guards.

The DSWD workers introduced me to the people there and I just smiled and I really don’t know what to do and I quiet clueless. But then I need to go out from my shell and converse with them, my plan is just to take pictures from them and have it in my photo essay but since I was there I thought about knowing there real feeling about the insurgency. They were hesitant and shy but one woman stood up and is willing to converse with me. She is Habiba Maoday, an Islamic Studies student, a resident of Kauswagan, Lano del Norte. She relayed their story to me, that in the dawn of that insurgency they heard gun shots and saw that the towns proper of Kauswagan burning like hell. They knew then that it was the MILF troops, fortunately they are 4 kilometers away from the town proper and they are located in the hill so they have a view on the town. At 6:00 A.M they evacuated their homes instead of going down to the town proper then to the town of Linamon and then Iligan City, the en route to the mountains of Kauswagan, crossed rivers and mountain trial for 4 hours carrying heavy loads of clothes and some household things they arrived in Linamon, where trucks are waiting and took them to Upper Hinaplanon a barangay in Iligan City.

Where the International Red Cross, government and some NGO’s are helping them. Providing them with food, water and some clothing. When I was there I wondered if they can still sleep there, because they were just at the cold floor with no electricity and just a banig, blanket and pillow. But Habiba told me that its better there compared to their fears in Kauswagan. They were 28 Muslim families in that evacuation center and lucky they are because it is an Islamic school.

Watch out for the continuation of this blog story and actual photographs next week.

Thanks...

The Special Child at Manila Domestic Airport: Screaming For the Airplane

By: Doi Flordeliz

(The Blog that I never posted)

June 5, 2008 (Thursday), while I was catching my flight back to Cagayan de Oro from Manila, I had my last summer steam off in Manila and that vacation was quite memorable for me. After all the security checks and carrying my baggage that I was shocked because when I had the check-in we found out that it excesses for 5 kilogram, that’s why it was quiet heavy, and I also hand carried the boxes of Krispy kremes for pasalubong to my friends. The security check was terrible, when I passed the last security check it was a relief.

When I entered the departure area I heard a boy crying in scream, it is like he is robbed with a toy or feeling extreme pain, but I just continued to walk and find a seat, I was busy texting my Tita, my Mom, and friends that im just waiting for the plane. After I texted everyone, I was looking for the guy that checked in at Asian Spirit his flight was bound to Boracay, he was damn cute so I was looking for him, but I did not found him. But, what I realize is that my seat was near to the little boy crying in scream, he was about 5 to 6 years old, his skin is fair, he was wearing a blue sando with pictures of Disney characters printed in front, a white towel at his back to absorb his sweat, a brown strapped sandals and white socks, chubby and he was so cute. It seemed that he is taken cared by his parents. At a first look he is a cute normal little boy, but later on I discovered that he has mental problem. Autistic, that’s what the experts call a patient to that condition of the little boy. The departure area is a huge air-conditioned room that maybe can cater a seating capacity of a thousand people. I was taking the 12:20 fight of Cebu Pacific bound to Cagayan de Oro, and I was there at exactly 11am, so I have enough time not to be late with my fight back home. I was separated an aisle away from the little boy. A nun offered her help to the father of the boy, the boy hugged the nun crying in vain as she told the nun airplane… airplane… and the nun told him, baby we are waiting for your airplane don’t cry because it is coming.

Then Cebu Pacific officials approached the father and told him that his kid is disturbing the whole of the departure area and he replied I can’t do anything my child suffers from autism and he wants to be in the plane. The officials just shook off their heads, because they can’t do anything to stop the boy from crying out so loud. A mother approached and gave the boy a pack of gummy bears (oh! Its my favorite) he stopped crying and ate two or three pieces and then he started to cry again. He screamed and screamed for the airplane Finally, it was 11:20 the PA system addressed the father and son’s flight number and flight instructions that they are now boarding then the child rushes to the people in line for boarding and the father immediately followed him and they got on board. That was the first time encountering such thing and it opened my eye that it is so hard raising up an autistic child and I have seen right before my eye the love of the father to his son.

Spend wisely

by: Juri Padios

As I was doing my service in Cogon market at exactly 8:00 am , I heard my boss talking with the other vendor about the difficulty of earning money nowadays. It is actually a common situation because of the fact that we are experiencing crisis. As they were talking, I was just listening and observing their reactions about the topic. My boss said that it is the year of the rat and it actually has a meaning— the characteristics and attitudes of the rat reflects their lives so far this year. “Ang rat man gyud kay kapos tungod sa sige og waldas ug dili gakabalaka kay daghan pa man supply nga pagkaon pero kung gamay nalang gani, ayha pa magkarag-karag. Mao ra na sa kwarta,” my boss said. I do agree with her because there are really people that are not thinking about the future. Many of us are confident enough to earn as long as are working but the truth is, we have to be very careful because not all the time we always have that job.

I do believe that here in Cagayan de Oro, there are lots of people have problems regarding that same situation. I know how hard it is to be a vendor because I have experienced that in my service. It is really difficult to earn money today. The problem is that when people get to earn their salary, they can not control in spending their own money. Many of us doesn’t know how to budget.

I can not blame that many of us are poor because it really shows the way they spend even for just a little amount of money. “Mao pay pobre, mao pay kusog mugasto”, the other vendor said. Well, I think that shapes the whole story. From a centavo to peso to million, makes a big difference.

No smoking Please

By: Pauline Quette Eduave


There are lots of signs here in Cagayan de Oro City (CDOC) that says “No Smoking” and it is really written in bold letters, maybe Bolding it would mean that it should be strictly followed, but do the Kagay-anons really notice this?

Mostly this signs are found in Public places, movie houses, shopping malls, big establishments and especially in forms of transportation for the Kagay-anons which are the Public Utility Jeeps (PUJs) and “motorella”. We all know that smoking is a serious matter, because it does not only weakens and destroys the body of the smoker but also the non-smoker or the secondhand smoke and the damage would hit the secondhand smoker twice much then the smoker itself. Kagay-anons in our vernacular language call it “cigarilyo” (cigarette).

If I were to ask I have nothing against those smokers but why not keep all those smoke for there selves and not to include those people who still value there lives. They say smoking can reduce tension and a form of past time.

When I was riding the PUJ I keep on noticing this sign that prohibits anyone to smoke inside the PUJ under the city ordinance # 26-05 the sign was made by the NSTP (National Training Service Program) of Xavier University batch 2005-2006, there was this time when I was riding the PUJ and there’s this guy who is confidently smoking and he is puffing a lot of smoke that made everyone cover their noses. I then think that some people are really inconsiderate, but are they really the ones to be blame? Thus the manufacturer of these cigarettes not included? It’s also quite ironic that you can see warnings in the cigarette packs that say “Cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health” and yet they still keep on producing this cigarettes.
This topic had been discussed over and over again but still nothing is happening, because how can you close an establishment who sells and earns millions? But the smokers should put into their minds that Smoking reduces life expectancy by 7 - 8 years. That means each cigarette shortens the life of the smoker by around 8 minutes. So to those smokers out there, would you still want to light a cigarette?

CDOC Mayor filed complaint by Lawyer

By: Eduave, Pauline Quette D.

After two weeks of festive and merry making Cagayan de Oro City (CDOC) Mayor Constantino Jaraula is now facing a complaint, filed by Mart Maandig, a lawyer and an assistant legal officer of the city hall.
Mayor Jaraula is now battling a case; this situation is kinda odd knowing that the case was filed against the city’s mayor. Cagayan de Oro Evangelical Ministries (COEMA) is in alliance with Mayor Jaraula as they conduct a regular meeting, seeking wisdom and divine guidance for the city mayor.
Maandig was asked to comment on a vehicular scheme before the issuance of the executive order but the assistant legal officer released an opinion about an entirely different subject after the issuance of the executive order, said Mayor Jaraula.
Mayor Jaraula added that Maandig could have filed a motion for reconsideration upon receiving the suspension order. But Maandig even serve his suspension. Mayor Jaraula asked Maandig to explain his absences.
For me, this kind of situation could really test the City Local Government of Cagayan de Oro on its fairness when it comes to dealing with problems that concern its people. Because we all know that Mayor Jaraula is a high ranking official and Mr. Maandig could be of no much for him even if his a lawyer.
Lesson, Truth should really prevail. The one who commits the lapses should pay for the consequences of his/her wrong actions not taking into consideration his/her position in life. We should all be equal in the so called game of life. Everyone should be given equal rights because even in the sight of our Creator we are all indeed equal.
issue

Source: Gold Star Daily, Sept 6-7, 2008 issue

D-load in CDO

by: Juri

Today’s generation has brought so many high- tech things in one’s life to satisfy their wants, needs as well as their desires. I’d like to focus on the music phase in Cagayan de Oro City. Actually, I heard that the Philippine Music industry is going down. What do I mean by that? To make it more specific, it is the downloading of the music through the internet and it is really getting in the mood that the people are exactly doing that; most especially here in Cagayan de Oro City.

I noticed that every time there is a latest song release, people usually get it in the internet and start downloading it. For me, it made me realized that there is really something wrong with that system because the albums produced by the music industry are actually getting low.

As a student, I am observing the things that are going around the city whether it has created something that generates to the beautification of the place or positive changes within the city. And one thing that strokes me was when I went to the malls and got to see the different record bars. I was disappointed because there were only few costumers but when I went to the internet cafes and other stations relating to the subject matter, I saw a lot of people busy having the fresh and latest songs being downloaded as well as the burning system.

As a result, this is somehow disturbing for me. It deteriorates the whole purpose of the music industry trying to sell their products to the markets. The demand goes down and it is a bad sign. But I can say that it is also a big help because of spending less and as a student, a lot of people will really engage to this system.

I can not blame the people here in Cagayan if they want to have the songs burned or download it in the internet because I know that everything in life today is expensive and money is not easy to get. And in that case, people will indulge to the cheaper ones than the expensive ones.

Practicality is a definite term to use for it fits to the present situation.

What is my final say to this problem?

It is not supposed to be a problem if and only if a person is sensitive enough of what they are doing otherwise it is of no use. People can not control everything. They don’t have a hold on it. So, I can only say that it always starts from within. Awareness is an important element to this problem and it is only achieved if a person is capable enough and responsive to the concerned situation.

Argument because of a peso or 2 pesos

by: Ancheden J. Pacamalan


Have you ever experienced having an argument with a konduktor sa jeep because of a peso or 2 pesos? I did! (I was with friends) It was really irritating and embarrassing. I will never forget that day. August 30 2008. Around 5:00 pm.

Many Kagay-anons have this kind of experience; parents, office workers and especially students (Just like me!). This kind of incident started a long, long time ago and obviously this will continue for also a long, long time.

Perhaps majority of the Kagay-anons are not aware of the increase of jeepney fare so i guess it is understandable. This kind of argument may be a usual sight for some time because of the increase of the basic commodities, jeepney fare is affected.

Anyway, back to my own experience. I do believe it was the konduktor's fault though. We came from our PERSONS Program that day. It is a requirement of Philosophy 30 Generic Ethics wherein we render services such as scrubbing, sweeping and mopping.

The fare from West Bound Terminal to Cogon Market for students is P 8.50. But we were bound to Xavier University and Xavier University is not in Cogon Market. So, it is just P 8.00 but the konduktor asked for P 10.00 from us. We told him it is just P 8.50 and we were to give him P9.00 because we did not have 50 centavos.

He (the konduktor) insisted that we should look at the taripa (list of jeepney fare) and we did! And it was really P 8.50!

I did not have any idea what he was into. Perhaps he was trying to deceive us and for him to be able to extract more money from us. But at the end of the argument we yielded because we did not have any coins. Only P 50.00 and a P10.00 coin.

Maybe he thought we did not have classes so the student fare did not take effect. The student fare is only effective during classes.

But hey! It was Saturday and we did have a class on that day.

What happened to us was because of poverty. People would get into fight because of a peso or 2 pesos. Lesson? Let us start to value a peso or 2. It does matter. It is a big deal for especially those who are below poverty line.

Doing well in our respective fields can make a difference to the lives of other people.