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Mindanao is my native land. This is where I belong, feel secure and am at peace. To be in Mindanao is to feel the embrace of a warm, soft blanket.

Mindanaoan - Blogging the REAL Mindanao!


Popular band Spongecola will perform in Davao City, Mindanao today, October 9, 2009, during the Bagong Sigla benefit concert at Damosa Market Basket, Lanang, Davao City. Entrance is technically not free since you’re requested to bring some canned goods, a pack of rice, dry and usable clothing, bottled water or medicines but this is for a good cause so it’s still all good, yes?

bagong sigla davao leg

Alternatively, you can also just donate a minimum of one peso at the concert gates to gain admission (although I highly suggest that you bring more than that please) Beneficiaries will be the typhoon Ondoy victims.

This Bagong Sigla concert will actually be held simultaneously in Manila, Iloilo, Davao and Dagupan. Originally planned to be a free musical concert in time for Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s 40th birthday, it’s now a huge, nationwide benefit concert for the Tropical Storm Ondoy victims (Ondoy’s international code name is Ketsana).

The Manila concert will  be held at Liwasang Ullalim at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex and it will feature BAMBOO, Miguel Escueta and Chicosci. Imago will lead the concert in Dagupan while Cueshe will provide the entertainment in Iloilo. Dabawenyos, meanwhile, will be in the company of Spongecola.

“Sugod! Kilos! Tayo ang Bagong Sigla” underscores Chiz Escudero’s call for a united front.

Chiz will celebrate his 40th birthday on October 10, 2009 and reports say that he will state his intentions to run for president in the May 2010 elections on October 12, 2009.

Mindanaoan.com just received this text message from Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Senator Noynoy Aquino’s declaration to run for president in the May 2010 elections:

“He is a good friend and I wish him all the best in his endeavor. He is definitely a good addition to the roster of those who have declared their intention to run for President in order to give our people the widest and best possible choices for President.”

Escudero, 39, is also rumored to be a presidential candidate.

Observers say that the young legislator is being eyed by the NPC Party to be its standard bearer in next year’s presidential elections.

Chiz Escudero will turn 40 on October 10, 2009.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THIS, FELLOW MINDANAOANS?

chiz-escudero-portrait

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?

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?

chiz-escudero-and-rody-duterte-at-kadayawan-festival

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.

MINDANAOOpposition senator and reported 2010 presidentiable Francis “Chiz” Escudero and I share the same sentiments.

Chiz Escudero, in his recent press statement, has asked the public that while it’s true that we all should be happy for International Red Cross volunteer Eugenio Vagni’s safe release from captivity in Basilan, we should still not forget the three teachers who remain hostages of the Abu Sayyaf.

If you remember, these are my very thoughts last May 2009.

The three teachers namely Jocelyn Enriquez, Jocelyn Inion and Noemi Mandi were abducted by last March 13 off the island barangay of Bangkaw-Bangkaw, Naga town, Zamboanga Sibugay while they were on the way home.

“The end of Mr. Vagni’s ordeal should convince those working behind the scenes to exert more effort in securing the release of other Abu Sayyaf hostages,” he said.

The three teachers all taught at Bangkaw-Bangkaw Elementary School. Shortly after they were nabbed, they were then reportedly turned over to the group of Furuji Indama, an Abu Sayyaf Group commander based in a coastal village in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.

“We must take all steps possible so that these teachers can be reunited with their loved ones as soon as possible,” Escudero said.

There have been reports that Mandi died in captivity, although this has yet to be confirmed. I hope this isn’t true.

I also hope that the government is doing everything so that they can retrieve the teachers soon. I’m not sure if declaring an all-out war against the bandit group Abu Sayyaf is the answer, though. Peace can still be attained through proper and transparent negotiations.

What are your thoughts?

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