T’boli Boatman in Lake Sebu

The most peaceful scenery I ever came across with.  The T’bolis still call their hometown “S’bu”. 

Enjoying coffee with friends

Bob and Feyma having coffee with friends, Farrah and Irwin at Bo’s Coffee Club in SM City Davao.

Safer, Drier Trek To School

These students and other residents of Barangay Assumption in Koronodal, South Cotabato, no longer have to wade through a flood-prone creek, due to a newly-constructed 44-meter long footbridge provided by USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program in partnership with the Koronadal City government. The bridge is one of 830 barangay infrastructure projects—including grains and seaweed warehouses and solar dryers, drainage structures, boat landings, trading centers, farm-to-market roads and water systems—built by the GEM Program throughout conflict-affected areas in Mindanao in collaboration with local partners. The GEM Program will construct approximately 1,000 similar projects over the next five years. GEM is being implemented under the oversight of the Mindanao Economic Development Council. GEM

Surigao Diocese Official Claims Innocent Civilians not Rebels Affected in Military Offensives

BISLIG CITY – Diocese of Tandag Social Action office through Diocesan Social Action Director Sister Lydia Lascuna today claimed undetermined number of innocent civilians were the ones greatly affected not the rebels in the almost five days military offensivces in barangays Bugak, Rajah Kabungsuan and Union, , all in Lingig town, province of Surigao del Sur.

The military is reportedly going after the New People’s Army in the area.

Lingig is about 20 kilometers in rough road away from Bislig City while Lingig to affected hinterland villages is another 17 to 19 kilometers travel. Read more

Surigao Execs to Issue Resolution to Counter Travel Advisories by Foreign Embassies

SURIGAO CITY (PNA) – Angered over what they claimed generalization of travel advisories issued by foreign embassies for its citizens not to travel troubled areas in Mindanao, Surigao del Norte Provincial Board Member Melva Garcia said they will soon pass a resolution to counter travel advisories.

In a press conference of the recently concluded 4th Siargao International Surfing Cup held at General Luna town, the country’s surfing capital, Board Member Melva Garcia who is chairperson of the committee of tourism told newsmen foreign embassies should be specific what place in Mindanao their foreign nationals should not visit rather than generalizing the whole Mindanao which includes Surigao as perceived troubled area. Read more