The following is a press release from the Jose "Dodong" R. Gullas Halad Museum.
In celebration of this year's National Indigenous Peoples' Month, the Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum presents Huning Lumad, featuring the musical heritage of the Talaandig Indigenous Peoples. From 26 October to 24 November 2012, through a series of exhibitions, workshops, film showings, and performances, Cebuanos can participate in the celebration of the diverse indigenous cultures of our country and participate in the preservation and promotion of the Talaandig culture.
The Talaandig are Indigenous Peoples (IP) primarily living in small communities surrounding the Kitanglad Mountain Ranges in Bukidnon and in other nearby provinces of the Mindanao Region. With a population estimated at 100,000, the Talaandig are one of the few IP communities who have successfully preserved their traditional culture and beliefs amidst the influx of modernity and change.
Proud bearers of the Talaandig tradition are the young artists who transformed their stories into creative expressions, such as songs, paintings, performance, and literary narratives. Using materials found around their community, and using their culture and beliefs as a foundation, these artists reflect on what is relevant - beliefs and practices taught by their elders, incidents experienced and observed, and new learning culled from living the contemporary life.
Talaandig music in its contemporary form owes its current vibrancy toDatu Rodelio Waway Linsahay Saway. After leaving his studies in Xavier University to pursue a musical career and perform all over the country, he realized that a lot of the beats and rhythms from his community are similar to the beats and sounds of World Music, the musical rage those days. This observation made him realize the need to rediscover his own culture, and provide the opportunity for the younger members of the tribe to reconnect to their own traditions and past, something that is slowly becoming difficult as more and more people gravitate towards the city.
Through his efforts, more young Talaandigs are familiar with their old songs and rhythms, plays traditional and experimental Talaandig musical instruments, and are using their musical traditions to voice their thoughts on their modern living, interaction with other indigenous communities, and Philippine society as a whole.
Huning Lumad exhibition is open to the public starting October 27 and will run for a month. The exhibit will be accompanied by an exhibit launch and a 2-day workshop on October 27-28, 2012 including workshops on soil painting, instrument playing and performances.
For workshop fees and other inquiries, please contact us at 268-2579 or email address halad.museum@gmail.com. Please visit www.facebook.com/JRGHaladMuseum for more details. (PR/JRG Halad Museum)
At La Maison Rose (F. Gorordo Ave., Cebu City), lunch was, well, satisfying, at that. The dessert itself is so indulgent, seconds would be considered a sin.
While waiting for the main course they served this:
Truffle, guyere, and caviar
We went straight for the main course, because as Filipinos, well, let's just say that we have the knack to go right to the "meat" of things. La Maison Rose has two French chefs, so one would expect authenticity, although La Maison Rose's concept is basically French Indochina as evidenced by the paintings and posters of Asian ladies. I think it has something to do with the design of the house where the restaurant is located. By the way, aside from the restaurant, this 1930's house is also the home of Alliance Francaise de Cebu and the office of the Honorary Consul of France, Michel Lhuillier, father of the famous designer, Monique Lhuillier.
French Lechon with mashed potato sidings
Fish Papillote with pasta sidings
Beef pepper steak with pasta
Fried mahinlo with potato wedges
For dessert:
Ile Flottante
Coulant au chocolat (my personal fave)
Banana flambee (just the usual candied banana, so not really impressed with this)
At Hukad at the Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu, we had dinner. It was just at the back of Marriott Hotel Cebu where our friend, Rhoda, and my sister and her husband stayed for the night.
Sinugbang (charcoal grilled) pork belly
Beef pochero (stew)
Dinuguan (pork blood stew)
Adobong kangkong (Sauteed kangkong with soy sauce and vinegar)
Kinilaw na tangigue (Raw tangigue in vinegar and coconut milk)
Puso salad (Banana heart salad)
Honestly, I haven't tasted most of these so really don't ask me about the taste But one thing is for sure, the coulant au chocolat is heavenly.
September was truly filled with blessings, spending time with friends and family.
Last week of September, my former flatmate when I was still a university student in Manila, Iadknee, came home after like five years of staying in the US. She came home in time for the fiesta celebration in her hometown, Iligan City. I was so happy to have been able to spend some time with her.
At the hotel where I stayed for the night. It was just several blocks away from her place.
We also visited another former schoolmate in Silliman University, who happened to be a neighbor of Iadknee and also came home from the US with her husband and twins.
On the second day, we got to visit the house of former Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal.
President Macapagal is the father of the infamous Gloria Arroyo, who also served the country as President and now as Congresswoman of Pampanga. She is currently in the middle of some court battles for the crime of graft and corruption, but knowing the Philippines and its politicians, well, I reckon that she'll go scot-free.
The Lanao Kris is the symbol of the City.
Then on October 3, our childhood friend, Rhoda, came home from the UK. She's spending her maternity leave here in the Philippines, wanting to give birth here rather than in the UK, because apparently she can get better hospital service here at a very low price.
Here's Rhoda and me at Hukad Filipino Restaurant where we had dinner.
We had lunch at La Maison Rose, Cebu's newest French restaurant. Also in the picture is my sister, Cherryl, and husband, Richard.
Will be posting the food that we ordered on the next post.
September was also a busy month with events here and there, one of which was the grand launching of Quest Hotel along Archbishop Reyes Ave. in Cebu City.
Me with the beautiful gals of Cebu's media: (L-R) Emma of Amazing Cebu, Leslee of Cebu Daily News, Maureen of Business Mirror, Nida of CDN, Ruth of Philippine Star, and VK, also from The FREEMAN
With Mia Sy, public relations officer of Quest Hotel
A statement of the 15th Graciano Lopez Jaena Community Journalism Fellows on the Cybercrime Law
With the Cybercrime Law in effect, democracy is fast becoming more illusory.
The Republic Act 10175 or the Anti-Cybercrime Law tramples upon our hard-earned freedoms – the right to free speech, the right to free expression, the right to a free press and the right to privacy. Putting restrictions on the internet contravenes our rights guaranteed by the highest law of the land, the Philippine Constitution and violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which the Philippine government is a signatory.
It is dangerous. The broad and vague definition of cybercrimes renders all citizens, including journalists who are heavy internet users, vulnerable to being charged of the crime. For one, the mere alteration, damaging, deletion or deterioration of computer data, electronic document or electronic data message may be considered criminal.
The law also strengthens libel that has been used to muzzle the press. As it is, libel as a criminal offense violates our constitutional rights. The powers-that-be file libel cases against our fellow journalists for the mere exercise of our duty to tell the truth. Cybercrime law has made it even worse with minimum punishment for online libel raised twelve-fold. A mere status update on Facebook may be deemed defamatory and all those who would like and share it may be liable for “aiding or abetting the commission of cybercrime.”
Another monstrous provision pertains to the real-time collection of traffic data. It allows authorities to act as Big Brother in the cyberspace, monitoring electronic activities.
Section 19 of the law provides the Department of Justice the unbridled power to block or restrict access to computer data if found prima facie to be in violation of the law. The Justice Secretary, acting as judge and executioner, may order the take down of any website, or even an account to a social networking site without due process.
The passage of the law, coupled with inaction on bills that promote transparency and openness (i.e. Freedom of Information, Decriminalization of Libel), reveals the paranoia of the Aquino administration. If those in government cannot tolerate the slightest criticism from ordinary citizens, democracy would just be sugar-coated authoritarianism.
For all these reasons, we join the widening clamor for the junking of the Anti-Cybercime Law.
This article was written and submitted to The FREEMAN on August 28, 2012, days before the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 was signed into law (September 12, 2012) by Philippine President Noynoy Aquino. This article never saw print. Today, as the law takes effect tomorrow, October 3, the issue continues to remain to be significant especially among Filipino netizens, whose freedom of expression is threatened by this otherwise contemptuous law, made by self-serving politicians to mum critics and disable free speech.
When crime goes digital By Ritche T. Salgado, PTRP
Near midnight mid-June, friends of human rights worker Jose Luis Blanco were alerted when someone posted on his Facebook wall using his account claiming that he died in an encounter between the Maoist Communist New People's Army and the Philippine military.
"Jose Luis Blanco's burial will be on saturday in his hometown. He was killed in an encounter between NPA terrorists and the 79th IB. We request prayers for his misguided soul. – The family," the status declared.
Around 120 kilometers North of Dumaguete City, Blanco boarded an empty bus bound for the city. Minutes later, four men in civilian clothes boarded the bus – a lady who sat beside him, two regular looking men who sat on the seat right behind him, while an older man positioned in the seat opposite his.
"I was puzzled why they had to seat around me when the bus was empty and there were more seats available near the front," Blanco said. He was seated at the back, near the bus's back door.
Eventually, the lady and the old man traded places and the latter initiated small talks with Blanco, calling him JLB.
"That's how the military calls me," Blanco said, "JLB."
The conversation then drifted to his family with the alleged military officer telling him that they were concerned with his welfare because eventually he might disappear considering the dangers of his work.
Although scared, knowing that he will be subject to harassments and threats such as this have prepared him for such a situation. What he was not prepared of was the news waiting for him the next day.
Blanco learned of the Facebook post when worried friends visited him early the next day, concerned that the post might be true.
He admitted that although he was already blanketed in fear during his brief encounter with the people he alleged to be military officers, he said that when he learned of the Facebook post, that's when the reality of the threat overpowered him and he became even more troubled, unable to think and do his tasks.
Harassment and threats, however, is not the only harmful activity that one might experience in the internet.
Jon (not his real name), 22, a student of Foundation University was swindled of his P15,000 when he tried to buy an iPad2 over the internet.
Jon came to know of the seller on the popular internet marketplace eBay.ph. Despite having paid the agreed price in full, the seller kept on asking for more money giving out one reason after the other. Finally, he could no longer give any more money and the seller refused to ship the item, that's when he decided to go to Negros Oriental Representative Jocelyn Sy-Limkaichong to ask for assistance. He was then referred to Silliman University's Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center for Law and Development.
News of human trafficking over the internet, especially of children, has also become a common staple for news stories. Last year, several cybersex dens in Cebu were raided by authorities, including one in Cordova which exploited minors.
These cases are but some of the many instances when cybercrime can be committed against a person. These are also examples of crimes that the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, which was signed into law last September 12 by President Simeon Benigno Aquino III, hopes to address.
In a presentation dubbed Protecting our Cyberspace by Senator Edgardo Angara, the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, he made mention of statistics that would raise the urgency of a law that would guard our cyberspace from predators.
He said that 2011 data puts the number of internet users at 40 million, 94 percent of which are Facebook users. And in 2009, e-commerce transactions have reached 300-million pesos.
It also made mention of studies done by internet security companies Symantec and Norton, which estimates that around 87 percent of Filipino internet users have been victims of one form of cybercrime or the other like malware invasion, phishing scams, sexual predation, and others; while in a span of 28 days, a 2011 study showed that on average, P12,200 is lost due to undetected cybercrime. Data from the Philippine National Police also revealed that since 2003, 81 government websites had been attacked by hackers.
Last June 5 the Bicameral Conference Committee of the Philippine Congress convened to reconcile the conflicting provisions of the Senate and the House of Representative's versions of the bill. And just this August 15, the consolidated version was transmitted to Malacañan Palace for the President's approval.
However, despite the increasing incidence of cybercrime in the country there are those who continue to express their reservations on the bill, reasoning that the country has enough laws that could be used to prosecute cyber criminals.
In an interview with this writer, Kabataan Partylist (Youth Party) Representative Mong Palatino reiterated his reason for opposing the ratification of the bill.
He particularly pointed out the provisions on cyberthreat and cyberdefamation.
"Halimbawa, anonymous, Blogspot or WordPress or Yahoo!, ang gagawin ba ng government will it compel Google, Yahoo!, (Example, anonymous, Blogspot or WordPress or Yahoo!, will government compel Google, Yahoo!) these software companies to reveal the profile of that anonymous user?" he said.
"Yung online libel, wala yun sa original na cybercrime (bill), dinagdag nila. So instead na ikaw ay gumagamit ng NBI, PNP versus this hacker, these cybercriminals na credit card identity thieves, and mangyayari it would be this individual versus this individual because he defamed me, he attacked my person online (Online libel was not part of the original cybercrime bill, it was just added. So instead of it being NBI or PNP versus this hacker, these credit card identity theives, what will happen is that it would be this individual versus this individual because he defamed me, he attacked my person online)," he said.
For Palatino the solution to cyber defamation is education on the responsible use of the internet.
"I am concerned that ang debate on cybercrime napupunta sa ibang (issue), in fact dabat ituring yung infringement ng state sa internet access as a cybercrime, yo'ong paglagay ng filter to content... So hindi lang dapat yan crimes against the state, kung hindi even crimes committed by the state (I am concerned that the debate on cybercrime will be diverted to a different issue, in fact, the state's infringement to internet access should be considered as a cybercrime... So, it should not be crimes against the state, but even crimes committed by the state)," he said.
Another provision of the cybercrime bill that alarmed Palatino is the provision that would justify the harassment of those suspected of attempting to engage in cybercrime.
"Any person surfing the web, innocently sharing some virus-infected files, can be accused of aiding or attempting to commit cybercrime," he explained during his interpellation speech at the 15th Congress, May of this year before it was finally approved on third reading in the House of Representatives last May 21 with 211 congressmen voting for the bill and zero voting against or abstained from voting.
Palatino believes that the country has enough laws that would address the concerns on cybercrime. He said that what needs to be done is to expand these laws.
"Yung cybersex, halimbawa, marami ng batas tungkol doon e. Meron tayong law against cybersex, meron na tayong law against Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 because of Hayden Kho... meron na nga rin tayong E-Commerce Law e, bawal ang hacking, phishing (On cybersex, we have enough laws for them. We have laws against cybersex, we have a law on Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 because of Hayden Kho... we also have the E-Commerce Law that forbids hacking, phishing)," he said.
Atty. Myrish Antono, director of the Salonga Center, agrees with Palatino.
"We have several laws like the Consumer Act of the Philippines and the E-Commerce Law," Antonio said, referring to laws that could be used to address crimes on commerce committed through the internet.
"It is not that you are left with no remedy, it's just that the proof needed in court should also be based on the transaction, we have to go through the requirement of the E-Commerce Law, which is not too difficult," she added.
"A cybercrime law is needed to protect our internet users," said Palatino, adding that a cybercrime law however should address those crimes with "economic impact at may mga security threats."
"Doon tayo magfocus dapat (We should focus there)," he said.
For the meantime, as we wait the final journey of the law that hopes to address crimes committed through the internet, we can be assured that our existing laws coupled with the awareness on the safe use of the internet is enough to protect our rights and safety over the internet.
Photos taken from the internet. Video courtesy of Right2Net on YouTube.
CEBU, Philippines - Twenty-six out of 100 school-aged Filipino children are malnourished. This is according to data culled byAkap Bata Partylist, a national political party of children’s rights advocates.
The group also claims that 32 percent of Filipino children under five years of age are stunted and 21 percent are underweight.
This is not surprising considering that according to a May 2012 survey of the Social Weather Station, an estimated 3.8 million Filipino families are hungry.
Although this number is an improvement from an earlier survey, which showed that 23.8 percent of Filipinos suffer from involuntary hunger, the fact remains that many Filipinos, most especially children, are suffering from hunger.
Dramatic decrease
In Central Visayas, the Regional Nutrition Council claims that there has been a dramatic decrease in the incidence of malnutrition among children based on their recent Operation Timbang survey (OPT) or the weighing in of children ages 0 to 71 months old.
The OPT is a yearly data gathering tool used by government to measure the incidence of malnutrition among children. This is done in lieu of the National Nutrition Survey which happens every five years. The next NNS is scheduled for 2013. It covers every household in all 17 regions of the country, and includes six components, namely: anthropometric (height and weight), biochemical nutrition (vitamins and minerals), clinical nutrition and health, dietary assessment (per household and individual level), socio-economics and food insecurity, and government program participation.
Based on the 2011 OPT, malnutrition incidence in the region decreased to 5.78 percent from 6.2 percent the previous year.
Dr. Parolita A. Mission, NNC-7 nutrition program coordinator, credits this decrease to the “accelerated hunger reduction program” of government, coordinating both efforts of government and the private sector in achieving the goal.
Malnutrition incidence
She revealed that of the four provinces in the region, Negros Oriental has the highest incidence of malnutrition pegged at 8.8 percent. Cebu follows at 7.29 percent, then Siquijor at 6.73 percent, and lastly, Bohol at 6.29 percent.
Although in terms of towns, the first three with the most number of malnourished children are in Bohol – Buenavista (17.6 percent), Cortes (15.4 percent), and Clarin (15.2 percent). The three also posted a worsening prevalence of malnutrition.
In Cebu, Tabogon (14.45 percent) has the most number of malnourished children followed by Aloguinsan (14.06 percent), and Sogod (12.29 percent). In the region, Aloguinsan has the least improvement posting a -7.35 percent improvement.
Malnutrition and MDG
Addressing the problem of malnutrition addresses three of the eight Millennium Development Goals: eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, reduction of child mortality, and improving maternal health.
Together with all members of the United Nations, the Philippine government is a signatory of the MDG, promising to achieve the goals by 2015, less than three years from now.
“We are on track,” Mission said, referring to the nutrition component of these goals.
One of the most successful local government units that Mission pointed out in terms of successful implementation of nutrition programs is the quaint town of La Libertad in Negros Oriental.
In 2004, La Libertad recorded a 28 percent malnutrition rate with children aged 0-71 months old weighing below normal levels. Today, eight years later, La Libertad’s malnutrition rate have decreased to 5.8 percent, based on OPT data gathered for March 2011.
Negros Oriental Representative Jocelyn Sy-Limkaichong credits this decrease in malnutrition rate to three programs initiated when she was still town mayor in 2003 and continued today.
Livelihood for mothers
“How could mothers feed their children when they don’t have any money?” she asked.
It is for this reason that the formation of community women’s associations was encouraged in the municipality. One such association is the La Libertad Weavers Association (LALIWA). The members of LALIWA are mothers and housewives from low income families who were taught to weave pandan leaves into bags, mats, and other accessories.
Aside from government offices like the Department of Trade and Industry, private organizations and even individuals were tapped as partners. Amir Sali, a famous fashion designer who designed gowns for Hollywood stars like Shakira and Halle Berry is one such person. In 2010, Sali lent his services to the association for free to reconceptualize the bags made by LALIWA, making them truly world-class.
These livelihood programs have helped improve the lives of these women and their families, including the capability to provide better nutrition for their children.
Nutripan para sa eskwelahan*
Micronutrient deficiency remains to be a problem in the country. The NNS in 2008 revealed that iron deficiency anemia has a 55.7 percent prevalence rate among children aged 6 months to 1 year. Another micronutrient of similar concern is Vitamin A.
To address this, government introduced micronutrient supplementation, however, resources are scarce and the implementation of the project is difficult especially with school-aged children from hinterland barangays.
The NutriPan para sa Eskwelahan seeks to address this problem. NutriPan is a program developed by the Nutrition Center of the Philippines with the aim of making available in every school, affordable fortified bread. In La Libertad, aside from the NutriPan, soy milk is also given for free.
“Our indigent students really benefited from this program because it is they who would buy the breads since it’s the only snack that they could afford,” said Anelito Bongcawil, district in-charge of the Department of Education – La Libertad District.
Bongcawil explained that the P1 charge for every bread ensures the sustainability of the program as well as encourage the parents and the children to make a counterpart for every assistance given.
Limkaichong clarified that it is never her policy to give dole outs.
“People would give more value to help wherein they have a role to play. It gives them a sense of ownership with the project,” she said.
The bakeshop from which the NutriPan is baked and the soy milk is made is ran by locals and supervised by the LGU. It serves not just the children of the elementary schools in the municipality, but the town residents also.
Pabasa sa nutrisyon*
La Libertad is a Hall of Famer for the Pabasa sa Nutrisyon program. It entails the education of mothers on the benefits of vegetables, backyard vegetable gardening, and on ways of cooking the vegetables.
“The Pabasa is really a big help,” says Wena S. Gallosa, head nurse and administrator of the La Libertad Health Center.
“The mothers are starting to realize that proper nutrition need not be expensive, in fact, the vegetables in their garden is enough to provide for the nutritional needs of their children and their family,” she said.
In La Libertad, the Pabasa has become a regular activity, with all of their volunteer Barangay Health Workers and Barangay Nutrition Scholars proficient to train mothers on backyard vegetable gardening, cooking, and even on proper nutrition education.
Priority
“It’s all a matter of priority and commitment,” Limkaichong told The FREEMAN. “Government programs can be successful, not because of the amount of funding but because of the local executive’s commitment in making it successful.”
“We have to realize that government could not provide for everything. Government has so much concerns needing equal attention,” she said.
“Just because government is unable to continue funding a good program, it doesn’t mean that we should also give up on it. We have to look for other ways, and in our district, we look for partners like private companies and individuals who have the heart to help,” she said.
“Even the beneficiaries themselves can do something to help sustain the program,” she added pointing out that one of the reasons why the NutriPan program of La Libertad is successful is because they have found a way of making the operation of the Nutripan bakery sustainable.
Malnutrition, especially in children is a reality, and considering the limited budget placed on addressing the problem, it is not a wonder why many politicians instead choose to address other pressing problems that would not entail so much cost yet result into something that people could immediately see and feel.
However, with determination and by exploring for solutions outside and beyond government coffers, a dramatic improvement on the problem can be seen, like that in La Libertad.
First saw print in the Philippine's longest running regional paper, The FREEMAN, on July 30, 2012 as Malnutrition in Central Visayas: Finding Creative Solutions to Hunger, and subsequently published in Philstar.com. Photos were taken in 2007 during a feeding mission to one of Cebu's garbage landfills with members of the Rotaract Club of Cebu South. Video credit: MDG-Ideal Creatives, Hunger-The Shinzs.
*Nutripan sa eskwelahan - Nutripan is a contraction of the words nutritious and pan (bread). This is a feeding program that includes the distribution of bread enriched with vitamins and minerals to school children. For sustainability, the bread is sold at a very low price. Pabasa sa nutrisyon is a nutrition educational program of the Philippine government targeting mothers.
Today, August 30, the world remembers the disappeared, people who are victims of enforced disappearances or the desaparecidos.
A movement in Facebook is brewing, asking users to remove their profile pictures as a sign of solidarity to all victims and family of desaparecidos. As a journalist and an activist, I myself has stories of people who are victims of enforced disappearance, and victimized of government-instigated abductions.
One time, while investigating the story of the murder of Fr. Cecilio Lucero of Northern Samar (Bulatlat: Marked for death, October 17, 2009), we came across a victim of military abduction and a survivor of summary execution by the Philippine military. His experience was so heart-wrenching, and to think that he was but a lowly farmer going about his own business. It was reasoned that it was because of him that Father Lucero was killed, because the priest would not want to surrender him to the military.
During the 15th Lopez Jaena Fellowship on Community Journalism, we also talked with victims of military abduction, as well as a witness and the family of activists Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan. The witness told his story, how he was abducted and kept as prisoner by the military and what he saw of the girls.
And then there's Felicidad "Shiela" Katalbas, a personal friend who disappeared in 2007. She was a full-time community organizer working with farmers in Negros island. She was a constant figure at the office where I and fellow student activists frequented during my university days in Silliman University. She would ask us for used school bags, clothes, and other stuffs that we could donate to children of poor farmers living in the mountain villages of the island. And she would tell us of stories that would further inflame our desire for change. In 2007, on broad daylight and right beside a government hospital, Shiela was abducted by men believed to be military officers, grabbing her and forcing her into a silver van accompanied by a pick-up truck.
From what I know, she had a relative who's in the military so it never dawned on me that she will be a victim of enforced disappearance.
On this day, let us remember the stories of these victims of enforced disappearance, whose only crime was to sympathize with the oppressed and work for justice and peace.
For more on the Philippine's disappeared, visit the Ulinig Exhibit site of Desaparecidos.
Here is a wonderful song for victims of enforced disappearance, their families, and friends who is keeping their hopes up in finally finding them and keeping their struggles alive, entitled Desap by Filipino artist Karl Ramirez.
Video courtesy of Karl Ramirez | Photo courtesy of Karapatan and Desaparecidos.
Its September once again and that means free European movies with Cine Europa 15.
This year, the screening will be held in Shang Cineplex in Shangri-La Edsa Mall for Metro Manila on September 5-16; Ayala Cinemas in Ayala Center Cebu for Cebu City on September 21-23; and Liceo de Cagayan for Cagayan de Oro City .
Participating countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic , Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Rumania, Slovakia. Guest: Switzerland.
The Cebu leg will open with Atmen (Austria) on September 22. Here's a trailer for the movie:
CEBU, Philippines - Cebu's culinary geniuses once again took center stage as Cebu Goes Culinary opened in conjunction with the province's One Cebu Expo last August 3 at the Cebu International Convention Center.
According to Marco Polo Plaza Cebu's General Manager Hans Hauri, the event highlighted the best of what Cebu's culinary scene can offer, including budding culinary virtuosos as the contest reserved special categories for culinary students.
Hans Hauri is the president of the Hotel, Resort, & Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC), the organizer of the event.
This year, the event brought to the spotlight Cebu's heritage.
"We want to show off to the world a good recipe from (Cebu)," he told The FREEMAN, adding that many of the recipes of the food enjoyed by Cebuanos are difficult to come by "because they are treasured by the people who cook them." For this Hauri said that Cebu Goes Culinary hoped to draw those recipes out and encourage the Cebuanos to show off their specialties.
"If we understand where we are coming from in our culinary journey, then probably we would better know what direction we want to go," he added.
Another first for this year's event was its holding in conjunction with the One Cebu Expo of the Province of Cebu.
"This is where it belongs, it should not be separate," Hauri explained. "Tourism and the food industry are growing so our event is growing too."
Close to 300 participants joined the event this year, including Cebu's top properties likeMarco Polo Plaza Cebu, Shangri La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu City Marriott Hotel, Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan, and Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu.
Participating schools included, among others, Bacolod City's La Consolacion College, University of Cebu - Main, Banilad, and Lapu Lapu - Mandaue Campuses, Northeastern Cebu Colleges, Southwestern University, Philippine School of Culinary Arts, and St. Therese-MTC Colleges-La Fiesta Site.
The over-all champion for the professional category was Shangri La's Mactan Resort and Spa, while for the student category, St. Therese-MTC Colleges grabbed the toque, so to speak.
Cebu Goes Culinary is a bi-annual culinary event that pits together the best in Cebu's culinary arena. This effort by HRRACI helped in putting Cebu in the world's culinary map. The next event will be in 2014.
Last July I celebrated by 34th year, and here I am, well, nothing has changed much since I graduated, still, despite all the "what if's" of life, everyday I am blessed with a lot of things, and sometimes I need to pay attention for me to even notice these blessings.
I was blessed with hundreds of greetings that day, mostly from my Facebook friends, some of whom, I am sure, do not know me personally, still, the act of spending time to type a birthday greeting is something worth giving thanks for.
Last Thursday evening, I was so happy to be treated to this wonderful new place in Cebu,Lantaw Floating Native Restaurant in Cordova town, Mactan Island, Cebu. Our dear friends, Ms. Ganzo of Aboitiz and Ms. Ethel of VECO, were our dinner hosts. The best hosts, I should say.
But the surprise really was the belated birthday gift that they gave me:
And the best thing is, these bunch of goodies have certified Fair Trade products!!!!
Truly, I am grateful. So, thank you to Aboitiz and VECO, and to Ms. Ganzo and Ms. Ethel. Most especially to Ms. Ganzo, who I am sure was the one who chose these items. I am truly grateful for the friendship.
***
And speaking of gratitude, allow me to extend my gratefulness to Ms. Jaja Chiongbian Rama of Bigseed Media and Marketing Solutions for this wonderful gift:
A limited edition Havaianas slippers, commemorating the flipflop company's 50th year in the industry.
Of course, my gratitude to Havaianas for the opportunity to join this year's Make Your Own Havaianas event. It was truly terrific.
In celebration of this year's National Indigenous Peoples' Month, the Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum presents Huning Lumad, featuring the musical heritage of the Talaandig Indigenous Peoples. From 26 October to 24 November 2012, through a series of exhibitions, workshops, film showings, and performances, Cebuanos can participate in the celebration of the diverse indigenous cultures of our country and participate in the preservation and promotion of the Talaandig culture.
But one thing is for sure, the coulant au chocolat is heavenly. 
Near midnight mid-June, friends of human rights worker Jose Luis Blanco were alerted when someone posted on his Facebook wall using his account claiming that he died in an encounter between the Maoist Communist New People's Army and the Philippine military.
Harassment and threats, however, is not the only harmful activity that one might experience in the internet.
"Yung online libel, wala yun sa original na cybercrime (bill), dinagdag nila. So instead na ikaw ay gumagamit ng NBI, PNP versus this hacker, these cybercriminals na credit card identity thieves, and mangyayari it would be this individual versus this individual because he defamed me, he attacked my person online (Online libel was not part of the original cybercrime bill, it was just added. So instead of it being NBI or PNP versus this hacker, these credit card identity theives, what will happen is that it would be this individual versus this individual because he defamed me, he attacked my person online)," he said.
Today, August 30, the world remembers the disappeared, people who are victims of enforced disappearances or the desaparecidos.
CEBU, Philippines
"We want to show off to the world a good recipe from (Cebu)," he told The FREEMAN, adding that many of the recipes of the food enjoyed by Cebuanos are difficult to come by "because they are treasured by the people who cook them." For this Hauri said that Cebu Goes Culinary hoped to draw those recipes out and encourage the Cebuanos to show off their specialties.
Participating schools included, among others, Bacolod City's La Consolacion College, University of Cebu - Main, Banilad, and Lapu Lapu - Mandaue Campuses, Northeastern Cebu Colleges, Southwestern University, Philippine School of Culinary Arts, and St. Therese-MTC Colleges-La Fiesta Site.
