Independent Senator Richard Gordon probably has too much time on his hands. This was the very first thing that came to my mind when this Mindanaoan blogger learned that Senator Dick Gordon filed a proposal before the Senate to add a ninth ray to the sun in the Philippine Flag.
Yes, you read that right. A ninth ray to the sun in the Philippine Flag.
According to him, the additional ray will symbolize his “advocacy to champion reforms in Mindanao.”
Now don’t ask me exactly how a 9th ray can make a whole lotta difference but if you ask the senator (who, I think, also has plans to run for president come May 2010), he says this move is part of his many advocacies for “peace and continuous growth and development not only for the Muslim people but also for the whole of Mindanao.”
The measure aims to recognize the contribution of Muslim Filipinos in the country’s fight against colonial rule. But more than that, the ninth ray would signal the start of new efforts for peace and development in Mindanao by fostering respect, understanding and acceptance between Muslim and non-Muslim Filipinos.
* photo courtesy of MLQ3
A statement from Senator Dick’s office sent to Mindanaoan also states:
We are a country that has had a conflict with our Muslim brothers for the last so many decades. It is time that we take the necessary steps to recognize the contribution of our Muslim brothers in our history.
Honestly, I can understand the senator’s objective. I mean, we here in Mindanao would definitely welcome any move or legislation or proposal that can contribute to the progress of this island. No doubt about that. Mindanaoans have longed for lasting peace and development and slowly but surely, we’re getting there. Yes, yes, yes.
What I’m concerned about, though, is the timing of Senator Gordon’s proposal.
At a time when there are just so many pressing matters to attend to, is a proposal for a 9th ray to be added to the sun on the Philippine flag something we all want to hear and discuss these days?
Seriously now.
To quote Lea Salonga — the flag can wait! It really can!
On the other hand, this so-called proposal to “champion Mindanao reforms” may just be one of the senator’s way of attracting media attention. After all, the more odd a proposal sounds, the more attention it gets from the media…and publicity, whether good or bad, is still publicity. And publicity is always part of a politician’s priority list.
On another note – the senator from Olongapo also proposed an act creating the Mindanao Economic Development Authority or MEDA. This agency will reportedly be the implementing office for Mindanao-specific inter-regional and Mindanao-wide programs and projects, including Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects.
Question – how will MEDA be different from the existing councils and agencies that oversee ODA and other projects in Mindanao? Will there not be an overlap of duties and responsibilities? What will happen to the existing councils? More importantly — do we really need yet another government agency?
What are YOUR thoughts, fellow Mindanaoan?
Like
The Kapamilya Karavan 2009 in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao was a major success! The fun event, which was made possible by ABS CBN and SM City CDO, was held last August 28, 2009 (the very day CDO celebrated the Kagay-An Festival 2009!) at the Gran Via Lot, Pueblo de Oro. Virtually thousands and thousands of people came to watch the free show, which was the organizers’ way of thanking the public for their continuous support.
Mindanaoan was there because I was tapped to book two local bands (thank you, ABS CBN Manila!) Mindanaoan was also one of the official event photographers 
[the other one that I got was my brother Bon hehe...but of course, right? ] Check out some of the photos that I took during the Kapamilya Karavan event in Cagayan de Oro below.
Apart from the M.O.R. deejays and MAG TV Ato Ni hosts, Kapamilya celebrities also came — John Lloyd Cruz, Maricar Reyes and Nikki Valdes. Enchong Dee was also supposed to come but the poor guy caught dengue so only a live phone patch was arranged that night. Enchong greeted the thousands of people while confined at St. Luke’s Hospital. Hopefully, he’s doing better now.
Dennis Padilla served as a guest host that night and Manila band Rivermaya also came. Unfortunately, it rained so heavily just when the celebrities were about to appear on stage so the show was cut short. Moreover, Rivermaya fans also got disappointed because their favorite band ended up not performing at all. The drum set and other sound equipment were too wet and the tech guys didn’t want to take a risk, lest that the electrical stuff get grounded.
Still, the night was successful and I warmly congratulate the ABS CBN Cagayan de Oro, ABS CBN Manila and SM City CDO staff for a job well done.
Cheers and I look forward to working with you again very soon!
If you need an events organizer in Cagayan de Oro City, Bukidnon, Davao City, Butuan, Iligan City and other areas in Mindanao as well as in Cebu City, please don’t hesitate to CONTACT ME.
If you also need a professional photographer in Mindanao (Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, Bukidnon and other areas in the Philippines), please don’t hesitate to CONTACT ME as well.
CLICK ON THE WIDGET FOR A BIGGER VIEW OF THE PHOTOS. THANKS
Fans of rumored presidentiable Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte will love the picture in this Mindanaoan blog entry. Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero was one of the main guests of Mayor Rody during festivities marking the city’s Kadayawan Festival 2009 last August 22, 2009. Judging by the happy smiles on the faces of these two popular political personalities, do you think this is a sign of an alliance to come? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
In his visits to Mindanao, by the way, Escudero has repeatedly called for increased investments by government in agriculture and infrastructure to maximize the island’s economic potential.
FOLLOW MINDANAOAN - SUBSCRIBE!
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?
RECENT ENTRIES
- Davao City to hold Asia’s first regional bird conservation fair
- Sashimi All You Can during GenSan’s Tuna Festival 2010!
- Urbandub playing their song “First of Summer” on purely iPods!
- Mindanao job alert: Work from home as a customer service rep
- Usher, my beloved Macbook, finally meets his match!
- Surigao: Siargao International Surfing Cup on
- Waddy’s Place | Where to stay in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
- Cebu: IMAX Theater at SM City Cebu – plus a contest you can join!
- General Santos Tuna Festival 2010 on September 18 – 26, 2010
- Please visit our booth at Kasalan sa Kagay-an 2010 bridal fair!
- Photos: New Bacolod Silay Airport
- Cebu: Big breakfast at Ila Puti, Asiatown IT Park
- Off to Visayas!
- Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 MYOH 2010
- Paradise Island Resort Samal Island
Posts by Category
Archives
cheap travel insurance |
Top Posts for Today
Follow Mindanaoan in Twitter!
Blog Action Day 2009 Philippines: Climate Change
October 15, 2009
Advocacy, Beauty, Commentary, Consumer, Controversial, Events, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Society, blogging
1 comment
Today, October 15, 2009, is Blog Action Day 2009. Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that aims to unite all the bloggers of the world and encourage them to post about the same issue on the very same day. This, in the hope to ignite discussions about that particular issue and to inspire people to take action. This year, the topic for Blog Action Day 2009 is Climate Change.
I, Mindanaoan, am joining thousands of other Pinoy bloggers for the Blog Action Day 2009 – Philippines Edition. And we Filipinos of all people know very well just how devastating the effects of climate change are. After our harrowing experience with tropical storms Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) and Pepeng (international name: Parma), we should no longer put this issue of climate change aside.
It’s real. It’s there.
We’ve felt it. We’ve seen it.
However, I know that some Mindanawans out there might think, “well, we hardly have typhoons in Mindanao. We’re luckier here.”
WRONG.
This I say to all of you – climate change isn’t limited to selected parts of the world. It’s not limited to just Luzon or Visayas. It doesn’t just occur in the U.S. or in Botswana. Climate change affects the entire world and even if we’re in an area that’s rarely hit by typhoons, we should never take this for granted. The effects may not be felt now but they will be very soon. Mark my words.
For sure, there are so many Blog Action Day 2009 Pilipinas blog posts out there that try to enumerate the devastating effects of climate change and that try to urge you to ACT and not just react.
In my post today, however, I want to try and share with you all some of my “fears” — some of the worries that I have pertaining to climate change.
For one, I’m scared of famine. According to studies, developing countries, many with average temperatures that are already near or above crop tolerance levels, are predicted to suffer an average 10 to 25 percent decline in agricultural productivity by the 2080s. And yes, this is because of climate change.
I’m worried about large-scale migrations and massive starvation. Because of climate change, agricultural production may decrease further and this means that more and more people will go hungry. Who wants this?
I have thankfully not been attacked by dengue (knock on wood) but can you imagine this — spread of dengue fever because of climate change! Scientists predict warmer temperatures will allow mosquitoes carrying Dengue Fever to travel outside the tropics. Remember, there is NO vaccine yet for dengue.
Smoking may be banned in Davao City but experts say that because of climate change, people may die of smog! No matter how many city ordinances will be passed, smog will be there to stay and Canadian doctors say smog-related deaths may rise by 80 percent over the next 20 years. Scary!
There will also be more hurricanes, more floods, more fires (!) because of climate change. We may have to say goodbye to lakes (goodbye Lake Apo and Lake Sebu!), to precious mangrove trees (just like the ones found at Matina Aplaya) and to glaciers! (To see a real, huge glacier is part of my bucket list) We may need to say goodbye to tarsiers, koala bears, tamaraws, Philippine eagles and Philippine deers. Goodbye to White Island in Camiguin and to the rainforests in Mindanao. Goodbye to beautiful Samal beaches and amazing marine creatures.
Just the thought makes me cringe. Climate change is a scary thought.
So Pilipinas – what do we need to do? When will we do it?
I bet you know the answer.