July 21, 2009
Bukidnon, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to be in the Province of Bukidnon today, July 21, 2009. This trip, reportedly her 7th in Mindanao so far this year, could be, in my opinion, quite a controversial one. First of all, she’s supposed to hold a cabinet meeting in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon. Why Bukidnon of all places, you ask? Exactly.
Bukidnon is the “political home” of the Zubiris. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri served as congressman in the third district for 9 years. Incumbent Bukidnon governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. is on his last term. Bukidnon 3rd District Congressman Joey Zubiri is Migs’ brother and eldest son of the governor. Malaybalay City Vice Mayor Ignacio “Inaki” Zubiri, nephew of the governor and cousin of the senator, is said to be eyeing the mayoralty post in next year’s elections after incumbent Mayor Florencio Flores, Jr. steps down. Flores is on his last term as the city’s chief executive.
Bukidnon is also home to several controversies including the fact that the governor, who’s said to still be under the LAKAS CMD party, has endorsed different personalities as his next presidential bet. In 2008, he endorsed former Senate President Manny Villar. A few months later, he signified support for Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. Then during the Kaamulan Festival 2009 celebration, he called Senator Loren Legarda as “Madame President.” And then just a few weeks ago, during Teodoro’s “carnival-themed” birthday party, Zubiri declared support for Gibo. Yes, it’s THAT confusing so I cannot blame you if you’d blurt out, “ano ba talaga kuya?!” You could just imagine the confusion of Zubiri’s allies in the province as well. If your leader changes his mind as often as he changes his clothes, what will you think, right?
And so there have been talks that many of Zubiri’s political allies in the province are slowly “leaving” his fold. Observers say that not a few mayors, councilors and provincial board members are already keeping their distance.
Is this why the cabinet meeting has to be held in Bukidnon? For the Zubiris to show everyone that they’re still near and dear to the President’s heart?
I can’t help but wonder how PGMA will treat the governor. Will she smile at him? Hug him? Endorse him? A LOT of eyes will be on them today, after all.
To be fair, reports did say that PGMA is also supposed to lead the groundbreaking ceremonies of the Provincial Road Management Project in Barangay Kalabugao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. The said project is funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). Still, one can’t help but wonder why a cabinet meeting has to be called in Malaybalay City.
My only hope is that somehow during the course of the meeting, something can be done about the ongoing Mangima Road repair and rehabilitation project which has caused (and still is causing!) so much inconvenience for the riding public.
The cabinet meeting will reportedly be held at the Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (NOMIARC) in Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City.
This is one instance when I want to be a fly on the wall!
LikeJanuary 31, 2009
Announcements, Bukidnon, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel, kaamulan festival
The official schedule of the Province of Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival 2009 celebration is finally out! This Kaamulan 2009 celebration sked was furnished by the Bukidnon Tourism Office of the Provincial Government of Bukidnon.
The Kaamulan Festival is the largest festival in Bukidnon and is largely recognized as the only remaining authentic ethnic festival in the Philipines. Kaamulan is an indigenous Bukidnon term for “’gathering for any purpose.’” It can also mean a datuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these together.
Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival, which began in the year 1977, is an ethnic festival featuring the province of Bukidnon’s seven (7) hill tribes namely Tala-andig, Higaonon, Umayamnon, Manobo, Tigwahanon, Matigsalug and Bukidnon.
Important note: If you want to repost this Kaamulan Festival 2009 official schedule of activities in your own website or blog, please cite www.BukidnonOnline.com as your source of information. A direct link to Bukidnon Online is very much appreciated. Thanks!
February 18, 2009 (Wednesday)
8 am Soft opening
(Garden Show, Food Fest, Kaamulan Bazaar Agri-Fair, Live Stock Show) Capitol Grounds
7 pm Performance by Peacemaker Band Capitol Grounds
February 19, 2009 (Thursday)
8 am Garden Show, Food Fest, Kaamulan Bazaar, Agri-Fair, Live Stock Show Capitol Grounds
7 pm Performance by Malaybalay Water District Band Capitol Grounds
February 20, 2009 (Friday)
8 am Garden Show, Food Fest, Kaamulan Bazaar, Agri-Fair, Live Stock Show Capitol Grounds
7 pm Performance by Azura Band Capitol Grounds
February 21, 2009 (Saturday)
8 am Garden Show, Food Fest, Kaamulan Bazaar, Agri-Fair, Live Stock Show Capitol Grounds
7 pm Performance by Malaybalay City Band Capitol Grounds
February 22, 2009 (Sunday)
8 am Garden Show, Food Fest, Kaamulan Bazaar, Agri-Fair, Live Stock Show Capitol Grounds
7 pm Kaamulan Jam 2009 Capitol Grounds
February 23, 2009 (Monday)
8 am Garden Show, Food Fest, Kaamulan Bazaar, Agri-Fair, Live Stock Show Capitol Grounds
7 pm Elimination Night (Kaamulan Jam 2009 Battle of the Bands / made possible by the Provincial Government of Bukidnon, San Miguel Beer, Engr. Bobby Azura and ASTERISK Events and Communications)
Venue: Capitol Grounds / Capitol Stage
February 24 (Tuesday)
8 am Garden Show, Food Fest, Kaamulan Bazaar, Agri-Fair, Live Stock Show Capitol Grounds
7 pm Elimination Night (Kaamulan Jam 2009 Battle of the Bands / made possible by the Provincial Government of Bukidnon, San Miguel Beer, Engr. Bobby Azura and ASTERISK Events and Communications)
Venue: Capitol Grounds / Capitol Stage
February 25, 2009 (Wednesday)
8 am Garden Show, Food Fest, Kaamulan Bazaar, Agri-Fair, Live Stock Show Capitol Grounds
7 pm Elimination Night (Kaamulan Jam 2009 Battle of the Bands / made possible by the Provincial Government of Bukidnon, San Miguel Beer, Engr. Bobby Azura and ASTERISK Events and Communications)
Venue: Capitol Grounds / Capitol Stage
REST OF THE SCHEDULE CAN BE VIEWED HERE
Mindanaoan will be at the Kaamulan Festival 2009! So if you want to be updated with the latest photos, news, features and other schedules during this year’s Kaamulan 2009 celebration, SUBSCRIBE with Mindanaoan. Just leave your email address in the box provided for down below.
Important note: If you want to repost this Kaamulan Festival 2009 official schedule of activities in your own website or blog, please cite www.BukidnonOnline.com as your source of information. A direct link to Bukidnon Online is very much appreciated. Thanks!
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Zubiri and Acosta, enemies yesterday, friends today and tomorrow?
November 10, 2009
Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Weird, northern mindanao
2 comments
Ang politics nga naman! Mindanaoan was a bit shocked – nay, very, very shocked – when I found out that last-termer Bukidnon Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. and political archrival JR Nereus “Neric” Acosta MAY soon sing sweet music together. This, after Zubiri is reportedly eyeing a “transfer” to the Liberal Party from LAKAS-CMD-KAMPI. Acosta will run for Senator under the LP.
What’s so interesting about this is that these former political allies have burned a lot of bridges over the years and have become bitter political enemies. Zubiri has accused Acosta of graft and corruption. Acosta, on the other hand, tried to run for Bukidnon governor in the last elections but lost to Zubiri by a very large margin. From mudslinging to accusations of one trying to kill the other to one trying to discredit the other, you can say that the Zubiris and the Acostas have been, are and most probably will still be bitter enemies. To even see them in one place can probably be the biggest news for the day in Bukidnon. However, with Zubiri reportedly transferring allegiance to Noynoy and Mar, should we now call these two FRENEMIES?
Interestingly, Zubiri reportedly led a 3-day caucus in the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao recently and during the mock polls, Liberal Party bets Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas gained the most votes among Bukidnon mayors, vice mayors, councilors and barangay captains. Because of the result, Zubiri now has reportedly urged the local leaders to pledge allegiance to Noynoy and Mar and ultimately to the LP.
As of press time, talks of an induction in Bukidnon are spreading like wildfire.
Interestingly, too, Zubiri has now accused President Gloria Arroyo’s party, LAKAS-CMD-KAMPI, of not being “supportive” of the provinces that have delivered votes for her in the last election. Zubiri said that PGMA’s party has neglected the provinces that have helped her win before. Of course, we can assume that Zubiri wanted to remind the president that he busted his ass campaigning for her in Bukidnon during the last elections and yet Bukidnon (or probably him) hasn’t been generously rewarded.
Another thing that we should also take note of — Zubiri’s son, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri is an official of LAKAS-CMD. Does this mean that Migs will also soon leave PGMA’s side and follow his dad’s transfer to the LP?