Good thing Cebu Pacific is bringing Davao-Hongkong, Davao-Singapore back!

So I checked out Cebu Pacific Air’s website today just to check on my seat reservations (I’m heading to Manila for the Rihanna - Chris Brown concert and to do a lot of other stuff including Christmas shopping, of course!) and to see what’s up when I noticed that they’re offering Go International Fares for both Davao - Hongkong and Davao - Singapore routes. The “cheaper” Davao - Hongkong airfares will be offered starting December 5, 2008 while for the Davao - Singapore route, the budget airfares will be offered starting December 4, 2008. So does this mean that Cebu Pacific stopped offering the budget airfares for a while? (*Note - I did a mock booking and I found out that the Davao - Hongkong route right now isn’t a direct flight - it passes through Manila)

I actually availed of the Davao to Hongkong flight last May 2008 (just a few days after Cebu Pacific inaugurated their Davao Hub) and I must say, it was really convenient. Took off all the hassles of deplaning and re-boarding and *ugh* waiting (who actually likes to wait anyway when you’re all fired up to start on your vacation?) The time of our flight wasn’t exactly ideal, though. We left Davao City nearly 9 pm IN THE EVENING (hello!) and we arrived in Hongkong nearly midnight (but with all the immigration duties, baggage checks and picture taking, we basically arrived past 1 in the morning the next day) but it was still all right.

Anyways, I’m glad that the airline is bringing those routes back. How I wish Philippine Airlines will follow suit! Or perhaps Silk Air, the only other airline that offers Davao to Singapore flights, can also offer budget airfares soon (wishful thinking, I know!)

What about you?

Have you availed of Cebu Pacific Air’s budget international fares?

Halloween special: Knowing the different types of dreams

Have you ever wondered about your dreams? Have you ever thought of the types of dreams you have? If you have, then this entry is for you.

Personally, I’ve been having a lot of dreams lately and although that’s not necessarily a bad thing according to experts, it may still be helpful to know if there are underlying meanings to them. Read on:

Repetitive Dreams

Recurring or repetitive dreams are the common types of dreams. However, it can be important to say that these dreams are important to those who are dreaming them because they carry a message which is worth recovering. If your dream has been repeated since you were young, it must be something related to your personality.

Predictive Dreams

Predictive dreams are always treated with caution. There are some examples which have been extremely persuasive and although some of them can be explained rationally, most of them cannot be explained.

Nightmare

Most people perceive nightmares to be dangerous. In fact, however, they aren’t. They can only be dangerous and damaging if you allow them to be. When you are having nightmares, do not fear. Instead, be brave enough to face what it is trying to say to you.

Lucid Dreams

Lucid dreams are defined as the dreams dreamed when you know that you are dreaming. It usually begins in the middle of the dream when suddenly, the dreamer realizes that what is happening is not physical.

Have you experienced any or all of the above? Let Mindanaoan know!

Shie Corporation CDO launches logo and icon contest

A new Filipino fashion company called Shie Corporation, which is soon to open in the City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines has launched a company logo and brand icon contest. The competition, which is open to all creative artists from all over the Philippines, will close on Saturday, November 1, 2008.

There will be 2 categories for the contest namely the company logo design category and the brand icon design category. The winner in each category is set to receive P40,000.00

For the company logo category, the idea is to create a logo that is Filipino in expression and design, which can ably embody Shie Corporation’s identity as fashion provider. Artists must creatively use the letters S-H-I-E. A maximum of 3 entries will be accepted per artist.

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Jeanette Lomanta drops libel case vs. radio man

TV personality Jeanette Lomanta has reportedly submitted an affidavit of desistance in relation to the libel case she filed against former radio broadcaster Alexander Adonis. As a result, Regional Trial Court Branch 14 in Davao City is set to dismiss the case soon - BUT only if Adonis’ other pending cases get settled as well.

The libel case against the former journalist is in line with Adonis’ series of commentaries over the air in 2001 alleging that Lomanta had a so-called tryst in a Manila hotel with then Davao 1st District Congressman now House Speaker Prospero Nograles.

Lomanta reportedly withdrew her complaint after “adhering to the Christian values of forgiveness.” Adonis, in a letter dated October 21, 2008, extended his apologies to her. He still has to face a pending libel case filed against him by Nograles, also related to the same issue.

Now I wonder if Rep. Nograles will drop the case as well. I can’t help but wonder if he can also find it in his heart to adhere to the Christian values of forgiveness.

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Facebook Tagalog…well what about Pisbuk?

All right, call me crazy but wouldn’t it be fun if we had a Visayan version of the popular social networking website Facebook? After all, there’s now a Facebook Tagalog version (I’m not kidding! I was completely stunned, too, when I found the question “Ano ginagawa mo ngayon?” in there!). Even Friendster (arguably still the most popular social networking website among Pinoys) has its own Tagalog version. So why not Facebook Bisaya or Facebook Visayan? (Or as my friend Budoy of Junior Kilat and Celebrity Pinoy Big Brother fame would term it — “Pisbuk”)

Wouldn’t it be awesome and totally fun if we found something like “Unsay imong gabuhaton karon, dong/dai?” or if the Pokes were called “dutdut?” Knowing how fond of the LOLs we Bisdaks are, we’ll have a field day! The mere thought makes me chuckle.

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Getting primped up at Jesi Mendez Salon Cagayan de Oro City

Ever since my House of Representatives days, I’ve always wanted to visit a Jesi Mendez Salon branch and see what the fuss was all about. You see, a lot of my Manila-based friends rave about how they like the salon, the hairdressers and the services. Many wives of congressmen-friends also visit the salon for their regular hair treatments. However, being the “kuripot” (cheapskate) Mindanaoan that I am, my plan just remained a plan for years until finally, I had the chance (and the money!) to go last weekend.

I was in Cagayan de Oro City and I found out that there was a Jesi Mendez Salon in the area. So I went. The Jesi Mendez Salon branch there, which opened early this year (with GMA 7 actor Dingdong Dantes as guest celebrity), is located at the famed Lim Ket Kai Mall along Lapasan Highway. Interestingly, the salon wasn’t along the “main” concourse strips of the said mall. In fact, it was located in the “inner” area of the mall. Still, based on the business card that I got from the receptionist, they use “First Level West Concourse” as its address.

The Jesi Mendez Cagayan de Oro receiving area was small but of use. I think I found just three stools and a couch. My guess is that they kept it that way so that the customers can immediately be escorted to a “station” (in this case, a fast turnover of clients) while waiting husbands can just roam around the mall for a bit or sit on the couch at least a few minutes before the wives wrap up their primping sessions. I actually found two men sitting on the couch when I arrived. They both had looks of amusement and confusion as they pored over fashion and women’s magazines.

I was referred to Senior Hairstylist Ramon dela Cruz, who I later found out to be one of my mom’s favorite hairstylists. Ramon used to work in Nova Rosa, a salon nestled in Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City. When my mom tried their services out the first time, she fell in love with the place and made it a point to have Ramon cut her hair whenever she’s in town. So when I told her that Ramon was now connected with Jesi Mendez Salon Cagayan de Oro, you could just imagine how eager she was to visit him there.

So anyways I was escorted to the make-up station near the washing area. It was a brightly lit area and I liked the fact that there was considerable space between my chair to the one beside mine and for the hairdressers to move around behind me (don’t you just hate it when the salon feels too cramped and you don’t feel comfortable at all?)

A few initial observations about the Jesi Mendez Cagayan de Oro branch: there were several thick magazines for one to read (although some were already outdated), the floor was kept clean, the salon chairs didn’t have good foot rests (although I was offered a cushiony stool for me to put my feet on…that felt weird) and the materials and products were of high quality (they used a good ceramic iron for my hair; they also promote L’Oreal products although they do have other lines like Wella). They also had a chemical mixing station in the middle of the salon which I thought was smart since the customer can immediately see if they indeed used the correct product and if they used the right amount (you hear of these urban stories wherein salon people would mix their “own” products and just place them in opaque jars so there’s really no way of telling whether or not those mixtures are safe or some would just use half a tube of a coloring solution when technically you paid for the entire tube!) I also like the fact that the receptionists had clean cut uniforms on and the fact that they multi-tasked (one of them mixed the solution for my hair under the supervision of Romana Lamberte, the Junior Hairstylist who washed and dyed my hair). The hairdressers themselves didn’t have uniforms on, though, which I didn’t mind, because really, it’s the skill that counts, yes? I’m not sure if that will sit well with the rich ladies who usually spend a lot of moolah in beauty shops, though.

I availed of the hair dye service (I opted for the L’Oreal copper blonde color), haircut and a complete set of the L’Oreal color treatment line. Ramon gave me a nice new haircut while Romana blow dried and ironed my hair very well. I liked the fact that both of them really allotted time on working on my hair and didn’t rush things, you know what I mean? Romana really took the time out to section my hair and iron each and every section. That alone was already worth the money.

I was also served coffee (it was from a 3-in-1 pack, though, which was a bit disappointing but at least it was free) and the other hairstylists were amiable. I found out that they underwent a month-long intensive training in Manila and that Jesi Mendez himself came for the blessing and inauguration of the Cagayan de Oro franchised branch.

My Jesi Mendez Salon Cagayan de Oro branch experience lasted for about 4 hours and it was worth the time, effort and money. I paid nearly P10,000 for the treatment and products (my most expensive salon visit so far) but I can say that I can highly recommend the place and won’t hesitate to go back (paging Jesi Mendez Salon Cagayan de Oro owners…I won’t say no to gift certificates! )

If you want to set an appointment with Ramon, feel free to leave a comment here or contact me through this form. I’d be glad to give you his number. Don’t forget to tell him I referred you, though, and that you read all about him through Mindanaoan.

Meeting other Mindanaoan bloggers

My brother and I attended the Digital Filipino Club and Bloggers Davao City Networking event last October 21, 2008 at the Pantawan Hall of the Casino Filipino branch at Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang. Although it wasn’t really my first time to attend a bloggers event, it was the first time for me to attend one in Mindanao.

My brother and I initially planned to attend the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit in General Santos City (I actually exchanged a few emails with lead organizer Avel) but things just got too darn busy that we overlooked the deadline for registration. Sucks, I know. That’s why we were glad to learn about the Davao networking event. At least we were able to see several Mindanaoan bloggers who will be in GenSan for the MBS 2 and we were able to personally meet

Janette Toral, the very same person who actively lobbied for the passage of the E-Commerce Law (Republic Act 8792) and the person behind Digital Filipino. The fact that the event was going to be held in my hometown Davao City was a major plus, too, as I have not been home since Kadayawan Festival 2008.

We arrived at Grand Regal Hotel past 6 pm, which was all right since the event attendees took their dinner first. I opted for a no-rice meal — just cream of mushroom soup, seafood thermidor (which was creamy and buttery - just the way I like it) and a small slice of ube cake.

Actually, food was highly abundant that night (the works — from creamy soup to sweet cakes…yummy buffet! And yes, let’s not forget the lechon!) and drinks were overflowing (what else can you expect from uber generous event sponsor Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)?) but I just needed to cut back on my rice intake.

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Justice for Mantigue Island, Camiguin residents

My family and I went to the Island of Camiguin a few months ago. What supposedly was a time to relax and unwind turned out to be work somehow. You see, when we visited the beautiful islet of Mantigue in Camiguin (the “less popular” islet — tourists usually go to the famous White Island), we learned from the residents there that the local government has started to send them feelers. The residents said that the local government wanted them off the island as soon as possible because they were considered “illegal occupants.” The residents opined, however, that most of them have been born in the island. They asserted that they were “natives” there and that they grew up knowing only one home and that is Mantigue. Over the years, they learned how to fish, culture seaweeds and eventually welcome and cater to tourists who wanted to spend the day on the island. They said that they have somehow built a community and they even have a small elementary school and Catholic chapel within the island. I found their story a bit interesting.

Fast forward a few months later, the Supreme Court released a statement saying that the Island of Boracay is public property. That reminded me of the 4.4 kilometer-wide Mantigue Island issue. Apparently, if the circumstances concerning both islands are a bit similar, then I wouldn’t be surprised if the Camiguin government would also state that Mantigue is also public property. I’m sure that the Camiguin local government unit can’t wait to get its hands on the island and develop it as a major tourist spot because really, as you can see in the photos I took, the island is spectacular. From what I’ve gathered so far, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued Administrative Order 98-13, reverting Mantigue Island’s category to forest land. As such, anybody who’s staying there would indeed be considered as illegal occupants.

Unfortunately, I learned from the residents themselves (based on the numerous text messages that they sent me) that roughly 42 families have already been charged with illegal occupancy and that some of their companions have been imprisoned while some have pending warrants of arrest.

The Camiguin LGU reportedly offered a relocation site in Barangay San Roque but like most relocation sites, there’s hardly any available source of livelihood there. The government also reportedly pledged to give each family a sack of rice plus P5,000.00 and a so-called 10-day carpenter assistance. Moreover, the local government pledged to give P10,000.00 to each family that will opt to transfer outside the relocation site plus livelihood assistance.

And well, like most government-led pledges, those weren’t followed, according to the residents. They told me that the families that decided to leave the island only got a half sack of rice each and got carpenter assistance for only 5 days. Some residents also said that the families that opted to stay in the island are now shivering in fear since the government still continues to demolish their shanties. Some of them even receive threats.

It’s really alarming whenever we hear situations like these. First you drive people away from their homes then you have the gall to offer some sort of severance but then you don’t keep your end of the bargain. And you expect people NOT to go back to their homes and just continue on with their lives or complain and fight for their rights? Exactly where’s the justice in that?

While I understand that there’s need for us to boost tourism and all that - there are still a lot of other options, truth be told. Offer these families livelihood programs. Solid, working, feasible ones, please. And make sure that all these efforts will really be good for everyone in the long run. I’d hate to learn that only a few will benefit out of this so-called “eco-tourism” project. I’d hate to know that a large hotel chain will be given preference over tens of families. I’d hate to learn that some big-time businessman who happens to be a friend of “someone in power” will basically be laughing all the way to the bank while families are left homeless, hungry and helpless.

How to know if you have fake Philippine money

The news item in today’s Philippine Daily Inquirer about fake money circulating in Davao del Sur has prompted me to write a few pointers on how to know if you have fake Philippine money. I’ve actually written about this a few years back in my newspaper column, back when there seemed to have been a massive spread of fake 500 Philippine peso bills. Hopefully these quick pointers can help all of you.

According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, real currency notes are a bit rough in terms of texture. However, fake bills are smooth to the touch. Real Philippine money bills also have embossed watermarks. You can see the watermark when you expose the bill to a strong source of light (notice that you can find an image on the left side of the bill)

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Camiguin’s Lanzones Festival 2008 Schedule

The Island of Camiguin is set to celebrate the 29th Lanzones Festival starting this Saturday, October 18, 2008. The event’s special guest speaker is President Gloria Arroyo. The 29th Camiguin Lanzones Festival will last until October 26, 2008.

Here’s the official schedule of activities:

OCTOBER 18, 2008 (SATURDAY)

7 A.M. HOLY THANKSGIVING MASS
Venue: San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church

1 P.M. PARADE
Assembly Area: Provincial Plaza to Camiguin Tourism Center

UGMAD 2008 Venue: Camiguin Tourism Center
Part I: RIBBON CUTTING
Part II: OPENING CEREMONIES: 29thCamiguin Lanzones Festival
Declaration of UGMAD 2008
Opening / Viewing of the Exhibits (Depending on the time of PGMA’s arrival)
MOTORCADE OF CAMIGUIN TOURISM ASSOCIATION
THE AMAZING RACE: PINOY X-GAMES SERIES

5 P.M. MUSIC SHOWDOWN & SAYAW CAMIGUIN
Venue: Camiguin Tourism Center

6 P.M. onwards THE LANZONES OPENING SALVO
(sponsored by Camiguin Tourism Association)
Venue: Old Parola Strip

OCTOBER 19, 2008 (SUNDAY)

8:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. UGMAD 2008
Venue: Camiguin Tourism Center

MGA LARONG PINOY/ LANZONES EATING CONTEST (PAO)

9:00 A.M. TAEKWONDO TOURNAMENT (REGIONAL COMPETITION)
Venue: Camiguin Convention Center

1:30 P.M. DIWATA SHOWDOWN AND LANZONES FESTIVAL QUEEN (schedule will depend on the arrival of President Arroyo)
Venue: Camiguin Tourism Center

3:00 P.M. START OF MOTORCADE
(sponsored by Camiguin Tourism Association)
Venue: Camiguin Tourism Center

6:00 P.M. onwards SADSAD SA CAMIGUIN
(sponsored by Camiguin Tourism Association)
Venue: Old Parola Strip

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