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:
Did you know that several Mindanaoans will gun for national political positions come May 2010? If you’re the type of person who wants to support fellow children of Mindanao in the next presidential elections, then you may want to check out the list below.
Among the vice presidentiables, two are Mindanaoans. Bangon Pilipinas’ vice presidential candidate Perfecto Yasay, Jr. is from Davao City. Jay Sonza, the vice presidential candidate of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan party, is also from Davao. All of Sonza’s children are fellow Ateneo de Davao University alumni.
As for the senatorial candidates, on the other hand, Mindanaoan has identified 10.
First is Nacionalista Party’s bet lawyer Adel A. Tamano of Lanao del Sur. He’s the first Filipino Muslim scholar graduate of Harvard Law School, the first Filipino Muslim commencement speaker of Harvard University and the President of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Atty. Adel Tamano is the son of the late Senator Mamintal Tamano. He was one of our valued speakers during the recently concluded Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3.
Second is Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana, the daughter of Senator Aquilino Pimentel and sister of former senatorial candidate Atty. Koko Pimentel. She’s running under the PDP-Laban party and serves as her father’s chief of staff. Miss Gana will apparently use her Pimentel maiden name during the campaign.
Third is incumbent Agusan del Sur congressman Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza. Rep. Plaza was also one of our valued speakers during the MBS 3. Recognized as the author of the landmark LPG Act, congressman Plaza comes from a large political clan in the Agusan area.
Fourth Mindanaoan senatoriable is Silvestre Bello III of Davao City. My fellow Dabawenyo will run under the LAKAS CMD KAMPI party. He was a former Justice secretary.
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
To be kept abreast with the latest job openings in Mindanao, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to Mindanaoan (CLICK!)
First off, let me make this clear. This list of Mindanaoans who want to run for Senator in the 2010 elections is just initial – there may still be more interested senatorial candidates in the days to come so Mindanaoan will try to update the list as often as possible. Hopefully, this list can help you, fellow Filipino voters and fellow Mindanao residents, in choosing the right candidate to send to the Senate. I’m also hoping that this post can help provide a platform for all of us Mindanawans to discuss who can really be the true voice of Mindanao in the Senate.
Please feel free to share your thoughts!
Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III – ran for the Senate during the last elections but lost to former Bukidnon congressman and now Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. Koko Pimentel has since launched a protest and he even has a website for it. Father is Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. of Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. A lawyer. Named as one of the senatorial candidates under the slate of former President Erap Estrada and Makati City mayor Jejomary Binay.
Teofisto “TG” Guingona III – was originally with Sen. Manny Villar and Nacionalista Party but recently defected to the Liberal Party. He’s now one of the senatorial candidates under Sen. Noynoy Aquino and Sen. Mar Roxas’ slate. Currently serving as the representative of the second district of Bukidnon. His father is former Vice President Teofisto “Tito” Guingona.
Atty. Adel Tamano – former spokesperson of the United Opposition and served as president of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. He’s now with Sen. Manny Villar. Adel, whose name reportedly means “lover of justice” in Arabic, is the son of the late Senator Mamintal “Mike” Tamano and civil leader Hadja Putri Zorayda Abbas of Lanao del Sur and Jolo, Mindanao. Official website here.
JR Nereus “Neric” Acosta – former representative of the first district of Bukidnon. Currently part of the Liberal Party and will run under the Aquino-Roxas slate. Best known as the principal author of the Clean Air Act. Very active in various non government organizations. Is facing an Ombudsman case. He released a statement pertaining to the graft charges a few months back. In 2004 he was named the very first Filipino World Fellow of Yale University. An associate professor at the Asian Institute of Management and the Ateneo de Manila University. Official website here.
Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza – businessman, part of the huge political Plaza clan in the Agusan area. His family owns a lot of businesses in Mindanao. Ompong is currently serving as representative of the lone district of Agusan del Sur, Mindanao. Best known as the principal author of the LPG Act (House Bill 5942). Ompong Plaza will reportedly run as “guest candidate” under the Erap-Binay slate. Official website here.

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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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