Showing posts with label Apolinario Villalobos. Show all posts

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ANG KAGITINGAN NG MGA SUNDALONG PILIPINO SA SULTAN KUDARAT AT MAGUINDANAO

Posted on Thursday, 11 June 2020


ANG KAGITINGAN  NG MGA SUNDALO NOONG DEKADA 70 ,  ANG 1ST MECHANIZED INFANTRY (MAAASAHAN) BRIGADE SA SULTAN KUDARAT AT MAGUINDANAO, AT SI PRESIDENTE RODRIGO DUTERTE
Ni Apolinario Villalaobos

Ang mga una kong naging kaibigang sundalo ay kabilang sa 12IB na naitalaga noong dekada 70, sa bayan ng Esperanza , Sultan Kudarat…. kainitan ng bakbakan sa pagitan ng “Black Shirts” at “Ilaga”.  Nasa kolehiyo ako pero nagtatrabaho na rin sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Naigawa ko pa ang mga kaibigan ko ng marching song na, “Ballad of the 12IB”. Noon ko unang naunawaan ang hirap na dinadanas nila para tumupad sa tungkulin na ang kapalit ay maliit na suweldo nang panahong yon.  At, yan ay sa kabila pa rin ng nararamdaman nilang pangamba araw-araw.

Kasama naming mga taga-DSWD ang ilan sa kanila bilang escort tuwing mamudmod kami ng relief goods sa mga evacuation center ng mga Kristiyano at Muslim. Nakita ko sila kung paanong makipagbiruan sa mga anak ng mga Muslim evacuees. Isang beses ay nakita ko ang isa sa kanilang nagbigay ng biscuit sa anak ng isang buntis na Muslim evacuee. Ang nabanggit na tanawing hindi ko makalimutan ang nag-udyok sa akin upang magsulat tungkol sa mga kagitingan ng mga sundalo noong nasa Manila na ako at nagtatrabaho  sa Philippine Airlines. Nalulungkot lang ako noon tuwing mabalitaan ko sa mga dating kasama sa DSWD ang pagkamatay sa bakbakan ng mga kaibigan naming mga batang-batang  sundalo.

Naulit ang pakikipagkaibigan ko sa mga sundalo noong 2018, nang makilala ko ang mga nakatalaga sa 1st Mechanized (Maaasahan) Brigade sa Camp Bienvenido M. Leono, Kalandagan, Tacurong City na noon ay nasa pamumuno ni BGen. Bob Dauz nang magdaos sila ng isang mahalagang okasyon. Nasundan  ito ng isang proyekto na isinagawa ng mga empleyado ng  Fitmart Mall – ang pagtanim ng mga puno sa paligid ng kampo.  Nakikiisa rin ang mga kasundaluhan ng nasabing kampo sa LGU ng Tacurong tuwing maglinis ng mga kanal sa paligid ng lunsod.  Maganda ang naging epekto ng mga ginawa ng mga sundalo ng 1st Mechanized Brigade dahil  mula noon, nawala ang kaba ng mga taga-Tacurong  kahit may makitang armored car o military truck na puno ng mga sundalo na dumadaan sa lunsod. Ang nasabing brigada ay nasa Camp Bienvenido B. Leono, Jr. mula pa noong March 1, 2017.  Malaking tulong ang nagawa ni Bogz Jamorabon, hepe ng CDRRM-Tacurong City upang magamit ng brigada ang lupaing pinagkaloob ng dating mayor ng lunsod na si Lina Montilla.

Mapalad ako dahill nakilala ko si Maj. Rolando M. Ocharan, Jr.  na itinalaga bilang CMO Officer ng 1st Infrantry (Maaasahan) Brigade na nakitaan ko ng sipag sa pagpapakalat ng mga impormasyon tungkol sa mga ginagawa ng brigada upang lalong maunawaan at masuportahan sila ng mga mamamayan ng mga probinsiya ng Sultan Kudarat at Maguindanao.  Magaling siyang sumulat at malinaw ang mga pagkakaulat ng mensahe kaya madaling maunawaan ng nagbabasa.

Mula sa mga ulat na nilathala ni Maj. Ocharan, Jr. batay sa kautusan ng nakatataas sa kanya, nalaman ko noong si BGen. Bob Dauz ay pinalitan ni BGen. Efren D. Baluyot bilang pinuno ng Camp Leono,  at nagpatuloy sa pagsilbi sa 6 na bayan at isang lunsod ng Sultan Kudarat at 7 bayan ng Maguindanao bilang bahagi ng “Development Support and Security Operations (DSSO) ng brigada.

Sa ngayon, ang 1st Infranty (Maaasahan) Brigade ay inilipat sa Barangay Kamasi, Ampatuan, Maguindanao at nasa pamumuno  ni Col. Jesus Rico D. Atencio. Si  BGen. Efren P. Baluyot naman ay itinalaga bilang Assistant Division Commander, Armor (Pambato) Division ng Philippine Army. Samantala, ang 601st Infantry Brigade sa pamumuno ni  BGen. Roy M. Galido ang nasa Camp Leono, Kalandagan, Tacurong City, sa kasalukuyan.



Ang sakrispisyo ng mga sundalo ngayon ay nabigyan ng angkop na pagkilala ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte na ang isa sa mga unang ginawa ay pagpapalaki ng kanilang sahod. Kung noon ay may mga pangangatiyaw na  lumalabas sa internet na mga larawan ng combat boots na nakanganga at halos punit-punit na uniporme dahil sa kakapusan ng budget kaya hindi agad nakakabili ng supply, ngayon ay  matitikas na ang mga sundalo dahil maagap nang natutugunan ang kanilang pangangailangan.  Ang tiwala at pagkilala sa mga sundalo na ibinigay ng president ng Pilipinas ay sinuklian naman nila ng kasipagan at sigla sa pagtupad ng kanilang tungkulin sa bayan….SAMANTALA, ANG HANGAD NAMAN NILA MULA SA MGA KABABAYAN AY RESPETO, SUPORTA AT  TIWALA.










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Barangay Tinaungan, President Quirino ...the legacy of Serafin Limbungan, Sr., the First Mayor of Tacurong

Posted on Tuesday, 19 May 2020


BARANGAY TINAUNGAN, PRESIDENT QUIRINO…the legacy of
SERAFIN LIMBUNGAN, SR., the First Mayor of Tacurong
By Apolinario Villalobos
When I visited my former classmate, Serafin Limbungan, Jr. on August 9, 2018, I learned that his elder sister, Dimpna and married to a Lucero, is the current Barangay Chairperson of Tinaungan. President Quirino. I immediately went to task of talking asking information from her about the barangay which has become synonymous to the Limbungan family, for having been founded by their late father, SERAFIN LIMBUNGAN, SR. and who happened also to be the first elected mayor of Tacurong City.
According to Mrs. Dimpna Limbungan-Lucero, they first settled in the area which is now called Purok 4 and where the first elementary school was built. She was then, 9 months old when their family arrived in the area. The big Limbungan family lived not far away, and where African palm trees stand after they transferred to another area which has now developed into the central area of the barangay. The transfer was due to an altercation with the other settlers due to the death of a member of the family.
Mrs. Lucero mentioned that their father arrived in Tinaungan in 1939 and aside from acquiring lands around the area, he also purchased residential lots in Tacurong in 1952, on one of which stood their ancestral house. It is located at the back of the Tacurong Pilot Elementary School and their neighbors were the Paraicos, Dasmariῆases and across the street the Carigabas. It is along the Quezon Ave.
During the time, the temporarily appointed OIC of Tacurong by virtue of the Presidential authority was a certain Soriano. To legitimize the administration of Tacurong, the first election was held which Serafin Limbungan, Sr. won. As there was no town hall then, the newly-elected mayor held office at the house of Rafael Dasmariῆas, a neighbor. According to Mrs. Lucero, while the upper floor was used as the office, a portion of the ground floor was used as a jail. She narrated that one of the early detainees was a mentally-ill resident who had a crush on a teacher, Lilia Litan of the nearby Tacurong Pilot Elementary School which was then known as Tacurong Central Elementary School. She added that as early as dawn each day, the detainee would shout out the name of the teacher imploring her to bring him food.
During her time, Mrs. Lucero related that the secondary schools she could recall were the Central Cotabato Colleges which later became Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, Notre Dame of Tacurong where the boys and girls were in the same campus but later separated, Aumentado Fashion School which later became Grimaldo Fashion School, the Parisiene and the Buluan Academy which was renamed Tacurong Academy, then later, Lyceum of Southern Philippines, and today, Quezon Colleges of Southern Philippines. . That was during the 1950s.
When she graduated, Mrs. Lucero had her first teaching stint at Esperanza in 1967 up to 1969, then transferred to Tinaungan in 1970, Katiku in 1996, then to Tacurong Pilot Elementary School as principal in 1997 until her retirement in 2002. The next year, she was elected as Barangay Chairperson of Tinaungan which she occupied for a maximum term after which she decided to take a respite. Today, however, due to popular request, she again serves her “ka-barangays” after winning during the latest election.
It cannot be avoided to mention barangay Tinaungan every time interesting episodes of migration of Visayans from Iloilo are discussed as many of the pioneers of Tacurong settled first in Tinaungan before settling for convenience in Tacurong where schools were located. In this regard, Mrs. Lucero also mentioned during our conversation that many of the families from Iloilo arrived in Cotabato and took crude ferries to Buluan from where they trekked to Tinaungan. As mentioned in my earlier blog, other settlers from Iloilo opted to settle in New Passi, Rajah Muda, Baras and Katungal after hiking from Lambayong.
It is interesting to note what she mentioned as the name Tinaungan being the corrupted “Tinongan”. “Tinong” in Ilonggo is “calm”, and the area being “matinong” or calm, hence, the original name. An Ilocano teacher, however, purportedly started to call the place “Tinaungan” for his own convenience.
The fertile soil and the abundance of spring ensured the equally bountiful harvest from what the farmers would fill their land – rice, sugar cane, coconut and mangoes. The farmers enjoy a year-round harvest of rice and lately, some are starting put up poultries.
The barangay is accessibile from Lambayong, Tacurong and President Quirino on an interconnecting road system, although, some portions are yet, due for concreting. The road towards President Quirino, passes through the unfinished airport. And, those towards Tacurong and Lambayong traverse vast plantations of African palm and rice fields.
The barangay has two elementary schools, the old one at Purok 4 and the new one at the central area fronting the Barangay Hall.

Barangay Tinaungan, is part of President Quirino, the mayor of which is Azel Valenzuela-Mangudadatu.






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The Lims of Cotabato by Jose "Boyet" Lim III

Posted on Sunday, 10 June 2018


THE LIMs OF COTABATO…
By Jose “Boyet” Lim III

Not much is known about them now as time has eroded the sturdier chapters of their history, as is bound to happen in all matters undocumented.
From word of mouth, the first settler from China of the family landed in the hostile shores of the western side of Mindanao probably between 1870-90s, as what, or as who, is not known with certainty. It can merely be surmised that he must had been a very adventurous fellow, or a simpleton who knew nothing better than staying afoot in the midst of Moros.
As fate would plot it, however, he must had been able to assimilate with the Moros and the natives, and more than that, married a distant descendant of Sultan Kudarat. That must had repositioned his place in those times’ social order from a drifter of the high seas to the ranks of emerging local chieftains.
One of his sons, christened Jose Lim Sr, better known as Binsuan among the Moros and locals, was such a popular toughie on that western Mindanao seaboard that he got himself elected as the first mayor of what then was simply known as Cotabato. It was during his administration that the Quirino Bridge connecting Nuling, now the town of Sultan Kudarat, to the city, and the erstwhile Cotabato City Hall which is currently being developed into a City Museum, were built. To his small legacy was renamed Felipe II Street to Jose Lim Sr Street in downtown Cotabato City.
His son of his namesake, Jose Lim Jr., is my father. As a young man, he was sent by my grandfather to the rescue of businessmen in Buluan who were having tax woes, as their bookkeeper. There he met my mother, the maiden Concepcion Antiporda, a native of Tayug, Pangasinan and a pharmacist from the University of the East in Manila serving her rural community time, yes, of all places, in Buluan.
Arsenio Lim, who is today celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary with my Aunt Myrna Barracoso of Coron, is my father’s half brother, and my uncle. The handsome fellow standing in the picture is Arsenio Lim, Jr., “Chin Chin” to us, his son, who is a known dentist in Davao City with a Master’s Degree in Dental Surgery from Australia. His wife Jen, is also a dentist. Both are practicing their profession at the Lim Dental Clinic along Tomas Claudio Street, now Quirino Avenue, Davao City. If you want to save on their professional fees, call me. We’ll split the discount.
The beautiful lady to the right is Judith, my darling first cousin. Her father is Rodolfo, closest brother to my father. Like my father, Uncle Rody was a toughie and lived on his own from age 12. He passed away some years ago, but not before he was able to join us in the birthday celebration of my father at my place, which in our recollection, has become one of the most memorable get-togethers our family ever had in Davao City.
The lady on the left must be one of my Muslim cousins. Pretty too, right?
If I were in Cotabato City now, I would be speaking on behalf of my father, at this 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration.
To Uncle Babes and Auntie Myrna, it is probably easier now to get to Pluto than to get to what you have accomplished as parents and a great couple of 50 years. Yours is an example for all of us to emulate, which is a tall order for a Lim, but which, nevertheless, should be a burning inspiration to the younger men and women of this generation. You have gone thru the whole nine yards to show that parenting is a lifetime profession goldenly worth it as may be gleaned from the fruits of your tree.
The spirit of that Chinaman of the 1890s must now be hovering in his chinky grin over your celebration.
Like him, we too are mighty proud of you!
Congratulations!



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Questions on Terminologies in the Philippines

Posted on Wednesday, 11 April 2018


Questions on “Terminologies” in the Philippines
By Apolinario Villalobos

The title of this blog refers to the names being used today by various sectors of the Philippine society, such as:

·        BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION…in that name of the agency, it implies that what is being protected is the fire. Why not use BUREAU OF FIRE PREVENTION, instead because the agency is also involved in the prevention of fire occurrences? Additionally, the “Fire Prevention Month” is being used to promote the awareness on fire occurrences during the summer season.

·        SOCSKSARGEN….the acronym which refers to a region of southern Mindanao is being further “acronized” into “SOX” which can confuse outright the foreigners especially Americans who are used to the “RED SOX” a baseball team in their country. If it is for promotion purposes, I dare say, the attempt did not help but just put the region in a funny situation.  Related to this is also the effort to promote “ONE MINDANAO”…why not then, just stick to the jargon “ONE MINDANAO” and maintain the acronym SOCSKSARGEN or Region 12, instead of SOX? Why be different with the rest of the regions of the Philippines that use the Roman numerical references such as Region I, Region II, etc.?

It should be noted that “Mindanao” is generic just like the “Bisaya”. Those who are from Mindanao regardless of the province are generally referred to as “taga-Mindanao” as the reference to their specific province or town comes only secondarily. For tourism purposes “Mindanao” is more exotic sounding than an abbreviated name of a region such as SOX for SOCSKSARGEN.

·        DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD)…the big question here is, what is being “developed”? The name of the agency has metamorphosed from its original name SOCIAL WELFARE ADMINISTRATION (SWA) into what it is now. Wise and discontented guys made fun of it by adding “PANG”, hence, “SWAPANG” which means greedy. Sometimes, instead of DSWD, people just refer to the agency as DSW but shortening the acronym did not help because of the unsatisfactory performance of the agency.

·        The NUESTRA SEṄORA DE LA REGLA….for the Filipino, “regla” means, menstruation, although, going deeper into the word with its Spanish meaning,  it could also refer to the rule or measure.  My question is founded on the current time in which the old folks who were used to such title are no longer around. Filipinos and that include me now ask, when did such female phenomenon such as menstruation, have a patron? But why did the local Roman Catholic authority not correct such reference as it just elicits funny comments tantamount to blasphemy?...why the blatant disregard?...why the indifference when what’s at stake is the reputation of the Roman Catholic Church?

·        The CANDELA FESTIVAL…I came across this in the tarpaulin for the feast of the Our Lady of the Candles or Nuestra Seῆora de la Candelaria which shows that the “candela” refers to the “candelaria”. The word with the scientific symbol “cd” which means “standard candle”, with unit reference “SI” refers to the “luminous intensity”.  The Filipinos are used to calling the candle as “kandila”, so that if the intention is to refer such “festival” to the “kandila”, then, the same word should logically be used. Also, though, the feast is about the candles, only very few who joined the procession were holding candles. My worse assumption is that the “candela” is the contracted form of the “Candelaria”….why the need to shorten it and make a “festival” out of it when the supply of candles in the locality come from Divisoria?  Proponents of local activities should be careful in using the word “festival” if their intention is to make an impression, because of the great negative impact that could result from disappointment.  

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Tacurong City from Dusk to Dawn

Posted on Wednesday, 28 March 2018


Tacurong from Dusk to Dawn
by Apolinario Villalobos

As dusk falls, resourceful Tacurongnons who want to earn start to bring out their commodities such as balut, hot snacks, ready to roast barbecues and many more. They strictly observe the imposed curfew so that they pack up before 10PM or earlier. Those who sell their deep-fried snacks outside the gate of the market, clean the area that they have occupied with water to remove the oil, aside from sweeping the ground clean.

The tents are folded up the following day not later than 6AM, as the vendors wait for their early morning patrons, the "bolanteros and bolanteras" who start to trek to their favorite tented stall as early as 3AM, same as with tricycle drivers. The whole length of the marketside of the National Highway down to the "Dragon Area" literally comes to life from duskfall to 10PM with gayly lighted stalls that sell barbecue, pata broth, balut, and dinner.

At lighted street corners meanwhile, balut stands are put up to serve patrons, although, some of them start selling the delicacy as early as 5PM to cater to the students and office employees who would drop by for two or three downed with a small bottle of cold soft drink.

Tacurong is about 3 to 4 hours from Davao City on an aircon van that can be taken at Matina and 1 hour and 30 minutes from General Santos City. The city is part of the Sultan Kudarat Province.


















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The Mechanization of Tourism Industry and the Relevance of Bloggers or e-Journalists

Posted on Sunday, 25 March 2018


The Mechanization of Tourism Industry
And the Relevance of Bloggers or e-Journalists
By Apolinario Villalobos

Practically, almost every endeavor in this world has got to do with “tourism”…as anything that can elicit visits can be called a “touristic result”. A city with plenty of trusted clinics and medical practitioners can become a destination for “medical tourism” program. A village that became popular because of a Marian (Virgin Mary) appearance becomes flooded with pilgrims, and that is “religious tourism”. The situation of a place as regards security and hygiene affects tourism. And, the likeability of a place in general, revolves around tourism.

Tourism is about sports, nature, wildlife, food, culture, education, as well as, various segments of travel industry such as air, water and land. The constantly varying cost of fuel that affects the various modes of travel at the end, affects tourism…. even the food and the hotel accommodation.

The travel craze has brought about the BLOGGING PHENOMENON. Suddenly, anybody who has a facebook and maintains blog sites in the internet has become a blogger. Even a mug of coffee with a floral design formed by squirted cream becomes a subject for the blog posted on the facebook. Visually recorded travels, foodie trips and drinking sprees have become curious subjects and unwittingly become honest references of future travelers who would like to retrace the steps on the trails taken by the bloggers.

The effect of the e- journalists on the tourism industry is impressively tremendous. It has made travel easy and direct, booting the government tourism offices out of the picture and transaction, as bookings are directly made with travel and tour agencies. And, many travelers today are using direction applications in smart phones. The phenomenon has practically relegated government tourism offices on the sideline for  ”coordination” purposes which actually, are generally viewed as no longer necessary….making them inutile. Even for international conventions, there are professional seminar and convention handling agencies. As regards the Travel Tax, it can be handled by a representative of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) at all points of entries and exits of the country.

I have personally observed that the quality control of services of touristic facilities that is supposed to be handled by the local tourism offices is not carried out properly. Facilities found in small cities and towns are left on their own to cater to their clients, as they show their best smile. While in Manila, Cebu and Davao, touristic establishments are stuck with supposedly sticker of guarantee indicated by the number of stars, the rest around the country have none. If the small touristic establishments do not “come up” to the standards indicated by stars, then, such system is useless as they are just good for the big hotels in equally big cities. THERE ARE PLENTY OF AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN TOURISTIC  ESTABLISHMENTS  IN FAR-FLUNG TOWNS  WHERE “TOURIST ATTRACTIONS” ARE FOUND, AS WELL AS  SMALL CITIES WITH PROVINCIAL SETTING THAT SERVE AS “JUMP OFF POINTS”, INSTEAD OF BIG HOTELS, MALLS AND SKYCRAPERS.

It has been found out that real tourists, the seasoned ones who comprise the biggest chunk of the statistics on this industry, do not give a damn on the number of stars stuck on the door of a hotel and restaurants….they are after the cheap hotel rates, clean rooms and safe foods. They rely more on the suggestions and recommendations of their agents and personal experience that make them “repeat customers”, and, “WORD OF MOUTH” OR STORIES OF FRIENDS. These “stars” may be good for the glossy pages of magazines not read by the aforementioned travelers who “KNOW” what they want as seasoned travelers.

Here are important points to ponder on:
  • If a tourist has lost a baggage at the airport, the airline acts on it.
  • If the bag of a tourist has been snatched while he is shopping, he goes to the police.
  • If a tourist becomes sick in a hotel, he is brought to the hospital.
  • If a prospective tourist wants to visit a place, he consults the internet for blogs.
  • If a tourist destination is made accessible by road, the budget either comes from the LGU or the congressman.
  • Photos and write ups on festivals, activities and foods in the internet and made as references of tourists are uploads of bloggers. (Most LGU tourism offices collect photos via contests among the visual bloggers.)

The “tourism office” is not in any of the situations mentioned above. On the other hand, the information needs of the tourist can be handled by the Information Office of the LGU- from the province and city or town, down to the barangay level to MAXIMIZE their function while maintaining their being an INFORMATION OFFICE staffed with KNOWLEDGEABLE researchers.  The tourism-related functions  have become purely coordinative and informative, hence, do not need any managerial skill. In other words, ANYBODY WHO HAS A KNOWLEDGE OF ANY TOURIST SPOT OR DESTINATION OR ACTIVITY OR WHATCHAMALLIT, CAN BE A “TOURIST GUIDE”….even the guys who sweep the streets can be such and they may prove even more effective than those sitting out their time in their aircon offices chatting with fb friends.

Information about local destinations may have the chance to land on the pages of international magazines and the internet. HOWEVER, THEY ARE INNATELY AND VERY MUCH AVAILABLE IN THE MINDS OF THE RESIDENTS OR LOCALS…MAKING THE HIRING OF “CONSULTANTS”  FOR THEIR PROMOTION ALSO, NOT NECESSARY.  For budget proposals, the Finance guys of any LGU can do it. For the description of tourist spots or activities, the most appropriate is the Information Office, again, to maximize their function.

My suggestion ONLY is, dissolve the Department of Tourism and the rest of the government tourism offices and replace them with INFORMATION KIOSKS TO BE SITUATED AT STRATEGIC AREAS SUCH AS AIRPORTS (INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC), PIERS, MALLS, PROVINCIAL CAPITOLS, CITY/MUNICIPA/BARANGAY HALLS. THESE KIOSKS SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH COMPUTERS THAT CONTAIN TRAVEL AND TOUR INFORMATION ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES, ESPCIALLY, THE PLACES WHERE THE KIOSKS ARE LOCATED, AND WHICH LOCAL AND FOREIGN TRAVELERS CAN EASILY ACCESS. THE UPLOADED INFORMATION SHOULD BE BACKED UP BY PRINTED OR HARD COPIES IN CASE OF POWER BREAKDOWN, AND KEPT IN THE FILING CABINET OF THE INFORMATION OFFICE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE POSTED AT EVERY KIOSK. AS FOR TOUR GUIDES, “JOB ORDER” EMPLOYESS WITH MULTI-FUNCTIONS CAN BE UTILIZED.

FINALLY, THIS IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO CALL AS THE “MECHANIZATION” OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.



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The Bright Prospect and Development of Shopping Malls and Supermarkets in Tacurong City (Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao, Philippines)

Posted on Thursday, 28 December 2017

The Bright Prospect and Development of Shopping Malls and Supermarkets
In Tacurong City
By Mark Abeto Dionesio

The City of Tacurong is is located at the center of SOCCSKSARGEN. It is 92 kilometres (57 mi) from General Santos City, 96 kilometres (60 mi) from Cotabato City and 178 kilometres (111 mi) from Davao City. It is situated at the crossroads of the Davao-General Santos-Cotabato highways, and is the financial, commercial, education, and recreation center of the area. It serves the needs of 15 neighboring municipalities. People from these areas go to Tacurong to sell their products, purchase their needs, pursue education, avail of medical and health services, and seek recreation. As an important hub of the Mindanao transport grid, Tacurong is visited by numerous passengers and transients on their way to the cities of Davao, Cotabato, General Santos and even Cagayan de Oro.

It is the catch basin of economic development in the province of Sultan Kudarat, aside from being the center of commerce with a captured market from other municipalities of the province including the provinces of South Cotabato and Maguindanao. In the newly legislated Comprehensive Land Use Plan, there is a need for more viable business areas, and a more business-friendly and streamlined processing of permits and licenses to make the city more favorable to the investing party. The absence of big shopping malls and supermarkets in the City of Tacurong have many residents to go to the shopping malls of Koronadal and General Santos cities even with all the inconveniences attendant to it.

Investing in the establishment of shopping malls and supermarkets in this city will assure a profitable return of investment (ROI) and huge economic payback. The potential market demand for shopping malls is big, based on the growing population of the city which was pegged at 101, 081 residents as of 2015. The city being strategically located at the center or at the crossroads of neighboring municipalities in the western part of Sultan Kudarat and the nearby province of Maguindanao, the demand for the aforementioned facilities is invariably much higher.

A big fraction of the populations of the neighboring municipalities that would cater to the shopping malls and supermarkets, such as, Isulan (90,682), Bagumbayan (63,700), Esperanza (63,207), Sen. Ninoy Aquino (43,508), Norala (44,635), Tantangan (40,461), Lambayong(77,013), President Quirino(41,408), Buluan, Maguindanao(50,088), Datu Paglas,Maguindanao (28,387), Tulunan, North Cotabato (56,513) and Mlang, North Cotabato (95,070) could add up to the fast growing of Tacurong's own population.

For the current year of 2017, it would be safe to assume that the combined population would be nearing half a million – a significant consumer base that will make the establishment of shopping malls and supermarkets in Tacurong an attractive investment. The southern towns of Maguindanao composed of Datu Sangki Ampatuan, Maganoy, and northeastern, such as, Buluan and Datu Paglas can also be a captured market for the said venture.

To date, Tacurong City boasts of the internationally-renown Monte Vicenteaux Resort located at Barangay New Passi, as well as, the equally-popular resorts in Barangays Baras and Buenaflor, such as, the Jarrell Resort and Bonbon Resort, respectively. Add to that the Baras Bird Sanctuary of the Malana family, and of course, the colorful, Kalimudan Festival of Isulan and the city’s own, the Talakudong Festival …and, what an investor gets is one whole interesting package!






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Michelle Jordan Fobar...beauty and brains combined (Pride of Sultan Kudarat State University, Tacurong City)

Posted on Friday, 22 September 2017

MICHELLE  JORDAN FOBAR…beauty and brains combined
Pride of Sultan Kudarat State University (Tacurong City)
By Apolinario Villalobos

Here’s another young talented Tacurongnon…MICHELLE JORDAN FOBAR, who at 21 years of age is oozing with artistic skills, especially, sketching as shown by some of her works. She is a member of the KATAHUM Group of Artis and on her fourth year in her Bachelor in Industrial Technology, majoring in Architectural Drafting. She lives at barangay Ledesma in Tacurong City and daughter of proud parents, Alphonse Fobar and Consuelo Jordan. She is the second in the brood of three siblings. She has been consistently garnering honors in arts during her elementary and high school days.


Aside from sketching, she also writes poems in English and Filipino…and, meekly admitted as a “silent musician”. 







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Magsaysay Park of Tacurong City

Posted on Wednesday, 14 June 2017

Magsaysay Park of Tacurong City
By Apolinario Villalobos

The park of the city has metamorphosed into what it is today with panoramic landscape accentuated by manicured hedges and shaded by the old acacia trees and palmettos. During the 60’s, the park had a skating rink as its landmark and a few meters away, fronting the west was the stage with basketball court in front. Both the skating rink and the basketball court were used by the farming residents to dry their palay and corn. Free movies were also shown at the plaza, sponsored by the drug merchants, almost one every two months.

During the time of the late mayor Jose Escribano, weekends were for amateur singing contests. To add life to the young town which was newly-weaned from Buluan, the vocational schools such as  Aumentado Fashion School, later renamed Grimaldo Fashion School and Parisienne Academy were encouraged to hold fashion shows to showcase the creations of their students who took up dressmaking. Among the favorite models were Didith Ulangkaya, Daisy Villalobos and Charlie del Campo.

Jose Escribano later built a swimming pool, the first in the area that covered Isulan, Esperanza, Lambayong and Koronadal, to encourage the influx of weekend picnickers. To make Tacurong more lively, a musical band, Firebrand, was put up, composed of the local firemen to make use of their free time. The band which was permanently quartered at the back of the stage hired a singer from Manila, Lito, whose signature songs were those of the Bee Gees.

For easy accessibility to his constituents, Escribano held office at the town plaza, beside the swimming pool which occupied a quarter of the total space of the plaza. It was then called, “Tacurong Resort” which helped in making the town popular in the province.


The swimming pool was the first touristic landmark of Tacurong. Today the whole area of what used to be “Tacurong Resort” is the home base of the military Task Force assigned to protect the city.









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The Bird Festival of Tacurong City (May 12-13, 2017)

Posted on Sunday, 14 May 2017

The Bird Festival of Tacurong City (May12-13, 2017)
By Apolinario Villalobos

The just concluded Bird Festival of Tacurong City, held on May 12 and 13 has been a resounding success with several travel bloggers and prominent personalities who are nature lovers in attendance. A contingent from ABS-CBN from Davao City also covered the duration of the affair which included activities such as forum on birdwatching and nature conservation at the Notre Dame of Tacurong College, photo exhibit at the bridge area of Fitmart, bazaar, and art exhibit highlighted by actual application of tattoo on willing visitors, by local tattoo artists at the parking ground of the sanctuary.

The Baras Bird Sanctuaty is located in the barangay of Baras which is a few-minute drive from the downtown area. Owned by Rey Malana and subsidized by the city government, it is situated along the eastern bank of Kapingkong River. Bamboo groves and madre de cacao trees or “kakawate”, many of which are more than 50 years old provide home to the indigenous and migratory birds from mainland China and neighboring Southeast Asian countries. But, dominant among the avian population is the locally known “tagak” or heron.

The sanctuary started as an ordinary “farm” of the Malana family with bamboo groves providing shade to the long stretch of the river bank. When Rey who took care of the property observed the steady arrival of birds which eventually enhanced the increasing population of the indigenous ones, he decided to protect them.  Foremost of his restrictive policies is the non-entry of vehicles beyond the entrance shaded with the branches of trees and bamboos creating an impression of a tunnel. This is necessary to prevent the disturbance of the bird, especially, the nesting ones.

Due to the popularity gained by the sanctuary, thanks to the discreet visit of bloggers who shared their experience among their followers, the local government under the stewardship of Mayor Lina Montilla, initially, provided support. Later, the local tourism office headed by Ms. Emilie Jamorabon, tried hard how to harness the popularity to boost their tourism effort. With the early festivals having shown encouraging results, Ms. Jamorabon sought support from friends for the rest of the festivities that followed. 

The avian festival has decidedly boosted the tourism program of the city which to date is already gaining ground due to the mushrooming of inland resorts located along the peripheries of the downtown area, most especially, in Baras and New Passi, home of the internationally-known Monte Vicenteaux Resort. According to Ms. Jamorabon, more plans are being conceived to encourage birdwatchers from other parts of the country to visit Baras. Among the plan is the putting up of viewing posts and accommodation facilities that would follow the concept of “nature tourism”.

The Baras Bird Sanctuary, is the first-ever community- protected avian haven in southern Mindanao. It provides a serene oasis in the midst of vast palm oil plantations that stretch from Montilla, Katungal, up to New Passi. From the air, the canopy of the palm trees looks like a stretch of dark jade panorama….no wonder the winged creatures found solace among the branches where they built their nests to mark their well-chosen home!





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On Squatting...Again

Posted on Tuesday, 2 May 2017

ON SQUATTING…AGAIN
By Apolinario Villalobos

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, PARTICULARLY, THE BARANGAYS SHOULD BE BLAMED FOR THE PROLIFERATION OF SQUATTERS AS ONLY THEY, ARE THE ONES IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE LATTER. INDIRECTLY, THE NEXT LEVEL OF LGU – TOWNS AND CITIES CAN BE BLAMED, TOO. PART OF THE REGULAR  REPORT OF BARANGAYS SHOULD BE THE PRESENCE OF SQUATTERS IN THEIR AREAS AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING ABOUT THEM. AND, THE MUNICIPAL AND CITY GOVERNMENTS SHOULD POUND THE BARANGAYS FOR THEIR INACTION.

THE BARANGAY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY PUT A STOP TO ANY ATTEMPT OF SQUATTING. UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS NOT BEING DONE SO THAT IN TIME, THE SMALL CLUSTER OF MAKESHIFT HOMES BECOMES ANOTHER BARANGAY BASED ON POPULATION.

WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG) DOING ABOUT THE IRRESPONSIBLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS?....NOTHING!!!

THE DILG AND OTHER CONCERNED AGENCIES, ONE OF WHICH IS THE DSW, WAIT UNTIL THE SQUATTING PROBLEM HAS COME TO AN UNCONTROLLED LEVEL BEFORE THEY ACT BY DEMOLISHING HOMES AND RESETTLING INFORMAL SETTLERS TO RELOCATION SITES THAT ARE NOT FIT FOR HABITATION DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF BASIC FACILITIES AND SAFE ROADS THAT THE UPROOTED CITIZENS  AND THEIR CHILDREN COULD TAKE TO THEIR JOBS AND SCHOOLS  IN THE URBAN AREAS WHERE THEY CAME FROM.

THIS PROBLEM IS “HISTORIC” IN NATURE, AS IT HAS BEEN GIVING THE GOVERNMENT A HEADACHE SINCE THE COMMONWEALTH DAYS OF THE COUNTRY….BUT, OF COURSE, THE BLAME NATURALLY GOES TO THE IRRESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS, AS EARLY ON, CUDDLING OF SQUATTERS FOR THEIR RELEVANCE DURING ELECTION HAS BEEN A CORRUPT TRADITION.


TOTAL ELIMINATION OF SQUATTING SHOULD NOT FORM PART OF DUTERTE’S PROMISES TO THE FILIPINOS AS THIS CONCERN IS A WORLD-WIDE PHENOMENON THAT HINGES ON POVERTY, ESPECIALLY, IN THIRD-WORLD COUNTRIES LIKE THE PHILIPPINES. DUTERTE SHOULD PROMISE ONLY DOABLE PROJECTS TO MAKE HIM A “REALISTIC PRESIDENT”….NOT A QUIXOTIC OR A DREAMING ONE.

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Use the God-given Talent Properly and for the Benefit of Others

Posted on Thursday, 6 April 2017

USE THE GOD-GIVEN TALENT PROPERLY
AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS
By Apolinario Villalobos

If God gave you the talent to invent gadgets, come up with what are useful to make life comfortable. If He gave you the talent to sing…make others happy, instead of singing to yourself inside the bathroom. If He gave you the talent to write and which you have discovered, perhaps, inadvertently, help others to discover theirs, and write what are relevant and helpful….do not foment misunderstanding among readers by coming up with lopsided information or exposes.

Today, the counterpart of the print media journalists are the so-called “bloggers”, those who write on the cyberspace sites, most particularly, on facebook which is the most popular. Unfortunately, many of the so-called “bloggers” use their talent for purely bashing intent. They post photos and short write-ups which most often contain or imply negative messages about a person, entity, or the government. Blogging, especially, visuals of untoward crime-related incidents could help in solving cases, but not the photos with short captions that present only one side. There is nothing wrong with posting negative comments, but such should be “balanced” with the blogger’s suggestions on how what he observed to be bad can be transformed into something good… an opinion for which he is entitled.

Many so-called bloggers have obviously are abusing the free opportunity offered by the IT sites purportedly for the benefit of humanity. Many of them feel great just because they have posted just anything to solicit attention to their site. Blogging should be viewed as an advocacy to share the good that others have done to inspire others, as well as, the bad to caution others but with accompanying precautions on how to avoid them or at the very least, suggestions based on the writer’s opinion.


If the blogger is from a small community, in all probability, there is a chance that he could get in touch personally with people who are the subject of his blogs. There is nothing wrong with introducing himself as a blogger followed by expressing his intention to help to correct what he views as wrong. If the blogger believes that he has a “mission” that is why God gave him such kind of talent, by all means, he should be serious about it. But if his intention is just to become known by bashing others, then he should be reminded by the “Golden Rule” – do not do to others what you do not want others would do to you.

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On Eccentricity

Posted on Saturday, 4 March 2017

ON ECCENTRICITY
By Apolinario Villalobos

The dictionary defines eccentric as unusual or abnormal behavior or character which for me is wrong. Just because a person keeps to himself and rather read than attend parties is being eccentric, or sprinkling pasta with fish sauce is eccentric, etc. The problem with the scientists kuno, who study the mind and personality is that they rely on questionable “standards”. On the other hand, the dictionary publishers pick these information up, just like the way they pick up street words and expressions from all over the world to expand their publication for more money. That is why even the simple symbol of the heart has become a synonym of the word “love”. Although, supposedly intelligent guys are using groups as basis to qualify and justify their findings, I would like to think still, that they have gone beyond what should be a fair judgment, especially on aspects that involve human behavior. An example on this is the case of “special people “ who were viewed during the Medieval Period as lunatics, and epilepsy as a “devil’s disease”. Scientists kuno still go on with this malpractice of unfairly identifying people based on their discerned characters.

I am bringing this out because several times I have been dubbed as eccentric, because:
·        I dip green mango and singkamas (jicama) in vinegar
·        I dip table banana in soy sauce
·        I melt at least two pieces of “Snow Bear” menthol candy in my mug of coffee
·        I enhance my pasta sauce with bagoong (fish sauce)
·        I prefer to eat the burnt portion of steamed rice
·        I hate parties and formal dinners
·        I prefer sidewalk food stalls than restaurants
·        Etc.

In this regard, I would like to call those who do not understand my ways as “ignorants”….they who do not even know or refuse to understand that unpolished rice is nutritious than the polished white rice; that the chemically-washed “refined” sugar in all its whiteness glory is one of the causes of cancer; having meat in diet 7 days a week without even a single sprig of green vegetable can result to colon cancer; uncontrolled partying could be a sign of insecurity masked with ear to ear grin; burnt rice can alleviate stomach acidity; vinegar reduces acidity in green mango, add flavor to the bland taste of jicama, and the soy sauce can enhance the potassium in banana; etc.

It is unfair for a person who deviates from the ways of others, to earn an eccentric reference. The word’s connotation as being “abnormal” is already unfair. The accusers on the other hand, are the abnormals, because they are not supposed to be judgmental. By being judgmental, they unknowingly try to reflect on others their (accusers) own kind of bad personality and that is not being kind…a normal person is supposed to be kind to his fellow man.

For me, the following are just some of the eccentrics:
·        Corrupt government officials
·        Aging Roman Catholic bishops who do not give a damn to the future of the youth of the land
·        Graduates of universities who use their learned expertise in exploiting others
·        Drug lords who do not know that what they do is “slow murder”
·        Drug addicts who rape innocent children, and even their own mother and sister
·        Etc.
My question now is, have the few mentioned above ever been called eccentric by the supposedly bright journalists as such, for their obviously abnormal behavior?....my answer is a big NO!