September 7, 2009
Announcements, Arts, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Culture, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, General Santos City, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Society, iligan city
Hear ye, hear ye fellow Mindanaoans! Muzika Del Sur, the country’s first and only magazine show that delves into Mindanao’s music scene, is launching a VJ hunt! If you think you have what it takes to be the next video jock (VJ) of Muzika del Sur, then check out the poster found in this Mindanao blog.
Thank you very much to my friend Rudolph for the heads up 
For the uninitiated, Muzika del Sur started airing in 2006. They feature Mindanao artists and their music. From Davao to General Santos to Cotabato to Iligan to Cagayan de Oro, Muzika Del Sur makes it a point to highlight Mindanao talents. The show has various segments such as interviews, travelogues and music videos.
Muzika del Sur is also responsible for the annual Muzika Del Sur Music Awards. This unique awards ceremony aims to recognize Mindanaoan artistry.
For more opportunities meant only for Mindanaoans, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE TO MINDANAOAN (CLICK HERE!) – always be in the know!
LikeSeptember 4, 2009
Announcements, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Lanao del Sur, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel, iligan city, northern mindanao
Here’s another reason why you should all go and visit Iligan City, Mindanao during their fiesta month this year (September 2009 up to first week of October 2009). “Higantes” will be among the attractions in this year’s celebration of the Iligan City fiesta. These “higantes” (giants), made of paper mache, cloth and other indigenous materials, will be part of the “Kasadya Street Dancing and Merrymaking” event.
Similar to Angono, Rizal’s “Higantes,” (see inset picture) the entries will vie for a cash prize of P20,000.00.
Each “higante” entry must not exceed 12 feet in height. Organizers also say that the entries must depict two characters linked to the Iligan City fiesta namely St. Michael and Luzbel (Lucifer).
I guess this will be one fun event to take photos of! Wow, Mindanaoan would love to go and cover this Who wants to come along? 
Happy fiesta Iligan!
Happy fiesta to all my fellow Mindanaoans over there
August 27, 2009
Commentary, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Politics
Senator (and rumored presidentiable) Francis “Chiz” Escudero has said it and I agree — the peace and development here in Mindanao is hostaged to politics. The kind of politics that run in “Imperial Manila.”
One of the things that the next president should do is bring together all stakeholders in Mindanao to craft a development agenda — one that’s doable, cost efficient and worth all of our time and efforts — that will not be hostaged to any change in administration.
“Only an all-stakeholders approach will lead to the long-sought peace and meaningful development in this region, not Imperial Manila’s “urong-sulong, atras abante” approach since we gained independence,” Escudero said.
The 39-year old lawmaker said the country’s development will greatly be accelerated if authority is devolved to the lowest level of government.
He said that regions and provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays should be able to act on their problems without waiting for Malacañang’s imprimatur.
To achieve this, Escudero stressed the need for the next administration to increase the share of local governments in the internal revenue collections from 40 to 60 percent in the next six years.
The latest National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) figures show that the contribution of Mindanao to the country’s overall output is roughly 17.7% compared to the budgetary allocation of only 11 to 14% being given by the government to the region.
Can you imagine that? Mindanao is one big contributor and yet we’re often disregarded or forgotten when it comes to budgetary allocations!
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
August 9, 2009
Advocacy, Controversial, Culture, Davao City, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News
I can already smell the protests courtesy of animal welfare advocates. Horse fights (also known as “Paaway Kuda”), which are part of the culture of indigenous peoples, will be revived in this year’s Kadayawan Festival 2009 celebration. Horse fight competitions will be staged from August 17 to 23, 2009 during the 2009 Kadayawan in Davao City, Mindanao. I bet the people behind the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and other animal welfare organizations can’t wait to travel to Davao and condemn the “cruel” competitions.
Recently, the Davao City Council Committee on Lumads (Indigenous Peoples), led by Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, revealed that the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has approved the staging of horse fights during the Kadayawan Festival.
In a horse fight, three horses, two males and one female, will be put in the middle of an arena. The female horse will be the “prize” that the two male horses will fight over. The male horses will outdo each other by kicking and biting.
Because of the display of “cruelty” to animals, animal protection advocates succeeded in having horse fight competitions banned from Araw ng Dabaw celebrations in the 70’s.
The tricky thing in all of these, however, is that horse fighting is part of the ethnic customs of Mindanao tribes such as Matigsalugs, Bagobos and Manobos.
How can one ban something when it’s part of culture?
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Mining company in Mindanao hires APO Hiking Society’s Danny Javier
November 11, 2009
Advocacy, Business, Commentary, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Koronadal, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Soccksargen, Socsksargen, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Weird
1 comment
Yes, you read that right. A mining company operating in the Municipality of Tampakan has hired Danny Javier of the popular group APO Hiking Society. Javier is now a “strategist” for Sagittarius Mines, Inc., a gold and copper mine.
As a “strategist,” Javier is reportedly supposed to help SMI develop a “better image.” It can be recalled that the said mining company, which has business interests in three large areas in Mindanao namely South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur, has and still is facing strong opposition especially from the Church. A lot of non government organizations which advocate environmental sustainability have also expressed their opposition against the operation of Sagittarius Mines.
What makes this development noteworthy is that Danny Javier of APO Hiking Society is part of a trio that also pushes for many pro-people issues. Javier and his mates Buboy Garovillo and Jim Paredes are known advocates of ecological conservation. They lead a lot of tree planting sessions and they also spread reminders about the environment and how society can help protect nature.
So of course, quite naturally, a lot of people now see Javier’s entry to SMI as being “inconsistent.”
So my question is…can we take this against Danny Javier?
While I’m dismayed that Javier accepted this job even though he’s supposed to be an environmentalist, I can also understand why he accepted the job offer. A job is a job. It provides food on the table. Whether Javier accepted the job for the sake of practicality or because he wanted to face another challenge in his life, I can understand and can cut him some slack. IMHO, we cannot take this against the guy. Again, a job is a job and he may also have “good” intentions. Hopefully.
Javier said that his father used to work in the mining industry so his new job as a “strategist” for Sagittarius Mines isn’t really something new for him. Instead, he’s taking his new role as a challenge.
The APO Hiking Society singer said that he will immerse himself in the communities very soon in order to have a deeper grasp of the Mindanao culture. He was also quoted as saying that he will ensure that the company complies with environmental standards.
How I wish that could be followed and done.
For now, I’ll give Danny Javier benefit of the doubt. Let him work and let him prove that he will really carry the voice of Mindanaoans – especially those from the B’laan tribes and other groups that will be affected by the operations of Sagittarius Mines – and that he will really raise the issues with the company execs.
In the meantime, let’s also take this as a challenge, fellow Mindanaoan. Companies are wiser these days. They can hire just about anyone who can be “the face” of their programs and business dealings. They can now all the more hire popular singers, actors, actresses and even boxers to speak in their behalf. Let’s not be swayed. Instead, let’s observe and listen. Apathy should no longer be a part of our lives.