This piece of news pretty much made my day today. Mindanaoan thought that what happened between an anchorman of a local radio station in Iligan City and an Iligan City councilor (who’s seeking re-election, no less!) was controversial, wacky, weird, funny, interesting and well…basically a sign of what’s to come in the next few months. Yup, the campaign season really DOES bring out the LOLs!
According to news reports, Iligan City Councilor Chonilo Ruiz, a Liberal Party (LP) candidate, attacked DXRJ anchorman Albert Loyola while the latter was inside the announcer’s booth and was live on air. Ruiz allegedly barged into the station Wednesday morning and punched Loyola.
Ruiz is seeking re-election come May 2010. Ruiz is seeking for a third term.
Amid the commotion, Loyola was allegedly heard shouting repeatedly over the microphone that he was being punched by Ruiz. Meanwhile, Ruiz was also allegedly heard on air saying “salbahe ka, salbahe ka.”
Reports didn’t say if Loyola was rushed to the hospital for medical tests.
Ruiz, however, engaged in an interview with another Iligan City radio station. He claimed that Loyola repeatedly called him “botboton” or liar in Visayan. Ruiz said that he tried to call the station in order to air his side but he was ignored.
Loyola, for his part, explained that he was just “asking” Ruiz how the city council is spending the budget on committee hearings. He claimed that he “wasn’t served snacks” during public hearings even though Ruiz said that part of the expenses included snacks for attendees.
Loyola reportedly said he will file appropriate charges against Ruiz. Ruiz said he will face the charges but also appealed to media practitioners to practice professionalism.
So here are my thoughts about this.
First off, both parties must acknowledge that neither of them come out “victorious” because of this controversy. IMHO, media man Loyola may have his 15 minutes of fame but at the end of the day, he will be remembered as the man who complained because he didn’t get SNACKS and who got punched in his very own lair. I’m not sure if Loyola was even able to retaliate but that does not matter. What people will think of and talk about is the fact that he got whacked inside his very own announcer’s booth.
Secondly, re-electionist Ruiz will now be forced to face a major PR disaster. For someone who’s seeking re-election, this type of publicity is the last thing that he needs. He may have been “hurt” by Loyola’s accusations and he may only be human…but for someone who’s been in politics for at least two terms, shouldn’t he be used to all these by now? Also, people’s minds will now be tickled — why was Ruiz so angry at such a seemingly small accusation? If the council did spend the money wisely during committee hearings and if there really is legal basis for the committees involved to spend a part of the expenses for “snacks,” then what’s there to worry about? Loyola is probably just another media practitioner who wants to magnify things plainly because…well…maybe because that’s what he does and that’s what he needs to do. Plain and simple.
As for Ruiz — sir, my unsolicited advise — extend your patience further. Keep your heart in check. And perhaps you can employ a staff member who will always remind you of PR and media strategies. Remember, media practitioners may be your enemies for now…but at the end of the day, there will come a time when they can be your allies as well.
When my professional wedding photographer-brother Bon told me that I was to serve as one of his 2nd photographers in a wedding to be held in Ozamiz City, I need not think twice. I haven’t been to Ozamis City yet and I’ve always wanted to visit the place. For one, I’ve always been curious of the place and of the many things I’ve heard about it. Secondly, any road trip around Mindanao is always a welcome thought for me. And thirdly, any chance for me to be a wedding photographer is always great news.
Together with fellow photographer Onat, the video coverage team members and Bon, we left Cagayan de Oro City for Ozamis City last January 7, 2010. From CDO, we traveled towards Iligan City (2 hours from CDO) and then onwards to Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte (about an hour after Iligan).
In Kolambugan, we boarded one of those Roll On, Roll Off (RORO) ferries at Mukas Sea Port. Mind you, the RORO ferry had a large airconditioned area with cushioned seats for passengers and even a few tables where passengers can eat or have coffee (like we did 
) From Mukas Port to Ozamiz City, we only paid P20.00 per person and the trip was pretty fast. It only took us about 20 minutes!
Here’s a photo I took at Mukas Port using my cellular phone:
Mindanaoan band EEVEE bagged the top prize in the recently concluded Nescafe 3in1 Soundskool 2009 finals held in Manila. EEVEE, which represented the Philippine Women’s College of Davao City, bested 13 other groups from all over the Philippines. EEVEE received P250,000.00 cash, an exclusive recording contract with Sony Music Philippines and their school, PWC, will receive P100,000.00 worth of music equipment.
A few days before the grand finals, EEVEE and the 12 other bands underwent workshops in Boracay. They were all briefed on the ins and outs of the Philippine music industry, coached on songwriting techniques and performance styles.
EEVEE is composed of Enzo Villegas, Paolo Raymundo Segura, Craig Neniel and Jerick Adrian Sy.
Mindanaoan had the chance to meet these talented boys during the regional finals of Nescafe Soundskool 2009 in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. EEVEE grabbed the crowd’s attention (and mine!) when they belted out their fun original composition, “Gusto Ko Lang Ng Girlfriend.”
After the competition, Enzo told me that they were hoping for the best. “Whether we win or not, all we want is that our music will be heard,” he said.
Well, their wish has been granted!
I wish EEVEE the best and I hope to work with these guys very soon! 
Meanwhile, the two other Mindanaoan bands that participated in the national finals were Xavier University’s Little School House and St. Michael’s College’s Disco, Disco, Disco.
Little School House band of Xavier University was reportedly declared the People’s Choice awardee.
The 2009 Nescafe 3in1 Soundskool holds the theme “Huwag Na Magtago! Magparamdam Ka Na!” Supporters of this annual event include the Commission on Higher Education, Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, Paseo de Bahamas, Rudy Project, Boracay Scuba, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, Ix Chel, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel and Parkmall Mandaue Cebu.
The Nescafe 3in1 Soundskool is an inter-collegiate competition open to young, unsigned bands in the Philippines. Nescafe 3in1 Soundskool, which has committed itself to discovering the best college bands and helping them become famous, has produced some of the country’s hottest young bands including last year’s winner Letter Day Story and Hilera. NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool aims to support the artistic passions of young Pinoy musicians all over the country.
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JOB OPENING IN MINDANAO – Mindanaoan is back to posting job openings in Mindanao. I know a lot of you out there have been sending me reminders through my contact form (thank you!) to post more job opportunities and I pledge to post more in the next few days.
For now, I would like to share this Mindanao job alert. If you think you or someone you know is qualified for this job, then go ahead and submit your application right away.
Nestle Philippines is in need of an area nutrition manager. The manager will do the rounds in North Luzon and Mindanao.
Qualifications: graduate of a 4-year science/medical related course, above average interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, proficiency with Windows programs, driving skills and excellent analytical, entrepreneurial and negotiation skills.
The ideal candidate must also have at least 3 years experience as an area head in a nutritional, pharmaceutical industry or related field.
Among the responsibilities of Nestle’s area nutrition manager are to manage performance of medical delegates in the assigned area, to identify and open new business opportunities and to synthesize key facts and figures of the area and execute an integrated plan to achieve business objectives.
If you’re interested to apply, submit your pertinent documents via email. You can send those to careers (at) ph.nestle.com
Alternatively, you can also apply online via Nestle Philippines’ official website.
Good luck Mindanaoan and don’t forget to let me know if you managed to get the job
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Region 10 becoming Mindanao’s dominant regional economy
January 28, 2010
Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Commentary, Consumer, Features, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, News, Technology, Travel, iligan city, misamis oriental, northern mindanao
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Hi guys, the following is a pretty interesting read. This guest blog entry is from Mindanaoan’s friend, Mike Banos, a respected journalist based in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Read, read, read
Since Iligan City and Lanao del Norte were integrated back into Northern Mindanao (Region 10) in 2002, the resulting region has remained Mindanao’s biggest economy. Recent years indicate it is now pulling away to attain a position of dominance among the island’s regional economies.
A quick look at the economic accounts of the island’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) shows that before the realignment of regions in 2002, Region 10 trailed the Davao Region (Region 11) in GRDP. However, since Iligan and Lanao del Norte rejoined Region 10 and some parts of the Davao region were re-aligned to the SOCCSKARGEN region, Davao has trailed Region 10 in current and adjusted GRDP.
The gap between the two region’s GRDPs in current prices wavered from P9.8-billion (B) in 2003, dropping to P7.8-B in 2005 before accelerating to P25.1-billion by 2008. However, when the differences are adjusted for 1985 constant prices (to negate the effects of inflation on prices), the figures graphically illustrate that the gap between Regions 10 and 11 has been exponentially increasing from P2.3-B in 2003 to P4.9-B in 2006 and further to 7.2-B in 2008.
Latest available data generated by the Economic and Social Statistics Office of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) from primary and secondary data sources gathered from various data producers in the country shows Region 10 with a 2008 GRDP of P362.4-billion vs. P337.3-B for Region 11 (based on current prices) or P71.7 billion vs. P62.99 billion based on 1985 constant prices, said Linnito Pascual, officer-in-charge/regional division head of the NSCB-10 office.
An analysis of the economic accounts of both regions reveal similarities as well as contrasts.
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