While the Cagayan de Oro Council is debating the merits and demerits of the proposed ordinance on the Payment for Ecosystem Services, at least four forward-looking local government units (LGUs) in the Visayas and Mindanao are now reaping the benefits of implementing similar measures.

The draft ordinance sponsored by Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya proposed the adoption of a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) as “an emerging financial tool for environmental conservation built on research and community collaborations. It proposes a “reward mechanism” through which “buyers” who benefit from the intangible products of the eco-system such as fresh air, water and forests which mitigate disastrous floods, pay “sellers” who protect and provide these ecosystem services.  

WAO PES Contributions & Expenditures

Besides Nacaya, other councilors who have expressed their support for the PES ordinance are  Finance, Budget, and Appropriations Committee chairwoman Edna Dahino; Police, Fire, and Public Safety Committee chairman Romeo Calizo; Health Committee vice-chairman Reuben Daba; Tourism Committee chairman Jay Roa-Pascual; and Environment and Natural Resources Committee chairman Zaldy Ocon.

“It’s important for us to see the whole picture. There should be a sample so we can specify [and] clarify where the fund goes. The people should understand their involvement in protecting the environment by paying the ecosystem services. Help us understand where the money will be spent on. Credibility and trust (referring to the PES implementers) are important here,” Dahino stressed. “If we pay for the water supply and distribution, we must also pay for the source. 

San Carlos City’s Green Fund

San Carlos City in the province of Negros Occidental, Negros island in West Visayas, was one of the pioneers of PES implementation with the passage of  Ordinance No. 37, Series of 2004 “An Ordinance Regulating the Operations of the City Waterworks of  the City of San Carlos, Negros Occidental and Creating the  Watershed Protection Fund, and for other related purposes” some 14 years ago.

Through the so-called Green Fund, the LGU  utilizes a non-traditional scheme of financing environmental protection by imposing a fee P0.75 per  cubic meter of water used by the residents of San Carlos City as  provided by the aforementioned ordinance.

Wao Initial Results & Impact

The revenues generated goes to a Trust Fund created specifically to protect and rehabilitate the watershed within the City. The Green Fund Levy was increased from P0.75 to P1.00 per cubic meter in 2008.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding with the local water system, the LGU aims to leverage the fund over a period of 15 years with other resource  agencies to create  a substantial  multiplier effect  into the coverage  area.

Since its establishment in 2005, the San Carlos Watershed Management Project has progressed from an initial area planted of 3.87 hectares (ha.) to 445 has. as of 2012 with another 70 has. projected by 2013.

Through Nursery Operations conducted by the Nabingkalan Indigenous Seedlings Producers Assocation (NISPA), another imitative is turning laborers into entrepreneurs, an undertaking which has made the group the Grand Prize Winner for the Leonard CoAward  for Best Native Forest Tree Nursery in 2011.

The Galing Pook Foundation recognized the San Carlos City LGU with a Galing Pook Award in 2007 for its Water Levy for Watershed Development initiatives through the PES. The LGU is now recognized as the benchmark for PES in the Philippines.

The Galing Pook Awards recognizes innovative practices by local government units. The awardees of the Galing Pook are chosen from a national search of local governance programs, evaluated through a multilevel rigorous screening process based on positive results and impact, promotion of people’s participation and empowerment, innovation, transferability and sustainability, and efficiency of program service delivery.

Beyond the awards, winning programs become models of good governance promoted for adoption in other communities. They provide useful insights and strategies to find innovative solutions to common problems. More importantly, they affirm the community and the local government’s commitment to good governance.

The Wao PES Experience

Another PES pioneer is the Wao, Lanao del Sur LGU which has been implementing it as an alternative financing scheme since 2010 in partnership with local stakeholders who agreed to a PES scheme to sustain the municipality’s forest development program.

Among its partner institutions are the Wao Water District (contributing P75,000 a year); Unifrutti Philippines (P100,000/year contribution in cash or in kind);  Wao Truck Owners’ Association (10/truckload of agricultural products) and Wao Development Corporation  (P100,000/ year contribution in cash/in kind since March 2011).

WAO Land Use Vegetative Cover 2003 vs 2011

The revenues generated through the PES have been used for the purchase and distribution of rubber and coffee seedlings; rubber and coffee clones; and rubber, fruit tree and coffee seedlings.

Among the immediate results and impact of the PES initiatives are the establishment of a Municipal Nursery which augers a potential increase in household income of farmers (with 300 hectares  agro-forestry area), the creation of alternative employment (forest guards, laborers for nursery operations), and soil and water conservation resulting in the  shift in farming methods from mono-cropping with  corn to multiple cropping with  perennial crops such as rubber, fruit trees  and endemic wood species.

Most significantly perhaps, the PES initiatives have resulted in the cessation of  illegal cutting of forests and have  reduced kaingin to nil on an annual basis.

Naawan’s Green Governance Program

A mere hour’s drive from Cagayan de Oro City, the Municipality of Naawan, Misamis Oriental has been implementing its own version of the PES since 2013.

With less than 2,000 households served by the municipal water system, the local government of Naawan is generating an average of P350, 000.00 per year from its P1.00 per cubic meter of potable water provided for watershed and reforestation fee.

WAO Before & After PES implementation

Dubbed the Green Governance Program of Naawan, it aims to rehabilitate and protect the Naawan watershed, improve ecosystem services; reduce poverty; and develop the municipality’s  adaptation and resilience to the challenges of climate change.

Among the town’s stakeholders who have committed support to the program are the MASS-SPECC Cooperative Development Center, Environment Department of Holcim Philippines, and other stakeholders, with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) as lead agency.

The Naawan Green Governance Program was conceptualized when the Misamis Oriental municipalities of  Manticao, Lugait, and Naawan (MANLUNA) a Cluster Eco-tourism plan to Conserve Nature and Revive Tradition as an Economic Driver, participated in the Partnership for Democratic Local Governance of Southeast Asia (DELGOSEA) Project which champions the ecosystem-based and ridge-to-reef approaches. 

Bago City Environmental Protection Fee

The latest but definitely not the least among the PES Pioneers, the  Bago City Environmental Protection Ordinance No. 15-16 An Ordinance imposing an Environmental Protection Fee, providing for the management and use thereof, and for other purposes was enacted by the Bago City SP Dec 29, 2015, and adopted unanimously by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental on 17 Feb 2016.

To date, the PES has collected P 2.5 million from commercial water users alone to finance forest conservation in Bago City, including forest protection and livelihood projects.

It has also in the process of negotiating an agreement with sugar and rice producers which is projected total collection of around P 2-4 million annually through the EPF.

Among the EPF’s immediate results is the reduction of charcoal-making within MKNP (?), increasing awareness of people on forest conservation, and encouraging more farmers to join the program.

The MKNP Conservation Area Protection and Management through LAWIN (a cybertracking and assessment tool), in collaboration with DENR and USAID is now being regularly patrolled, with data gathered processed and used to immediately response to identified threats. Continuing consultations with upland communities and suspected violators are being conducted as part of this response.

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The Philippines is under threat from effluents which pollute its rivers systems and the general lack of sewage treatment facilities which pose an increasing threat to the health of Filipinos.

Generally, sewage in the Philippines is treated insufficiently, if at all. In 2010, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that only about 15% of the 11.6 million people in Metro Manila were connected to sewage pipes, and the rest use poorly designed and maintained septic tanks.

PEOPLES Study Sites

In 2011, only 16% of the households in major cities around Manila Bay had access to sewage treatment. And in 2016, only 50% of the western service area of Metro Manila was connected to a sewage system; and that excludes millions in illegal settlements, and the eastern service area.

In 2006, the Philippine Environment Monitor estimated that 95% of the wastewater from households all over the country is released into the environment, after minimal treatment, if at all (World Bank, 2007).

With these health concerns in mind, a Kagay-anon scientist is spearheading a research project which aims to provide baseline information on emerging and persistent organic pollutants to help local government units (LGUs) devise combined natural and engineered wastewater treatment plans.

Engineered wastewater will be studied in Manila and natural environmental systems from a watershed to basin scale will be conducted in Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, and Davao City.

Mt. Jove Tapiador

The research project, dubbed Philippines – Project 7-128: “Baselining persistent and emerging organic pollutant levels in environmental and engineered systems (PEOPLES) for healthy Philippines” is a concerted effort of Philippine Science High School-Southern Mindanao Campus alumni (Dr Jaraula, Dr Lyre Espada-Murao, Mr. Jove Tapiador, and Mr. Nicolas Armando Solana), colleague from the University of the Philippines Diliman’s Chemical Engineering Department Dr. Analiza P. Rollon, as well as a collaborative venture with a Filipino-American mentor Dr Diana Aga of University at Buffalo, State University of New York.

Dr Diane Aga, Ph.D.

“This research supports USAID Philippines’ Development Objectives by providing baseline knowledge so that proper government policies and community action can be taken to quantify and manage related environmental and governance challenges,” said Dr. Caroline Marie B. Jaraula, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of the Organic and Stable Isotope (OASIS) Geochemistry Laboratory of the Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines-Diliman.

Dr Caroline B Jaraula, Ph.D.

The team is a recent grant recipient of the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) Cycle 7. Administered by the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), PEER is a competitive grants program that invites scientists in developing countries, partnered with US Government (USG)-supported collaborators, to apply for funds to support research and capacity-building activities on topics with strong potential development impacts.

This innovative program is designed to leverage the investments other USG-supported agencies have made in scientific research and training while supporting the initiatives of developing country scientists. 

“The overall goal of this project is to increase the number of wastewater treatment plants sampled for antibiotics analyses, then expand the sampling to point sources and into the receiving river and marine environments,” Ms Jaraula said in an exclusive interview during a recent visit to her family in Cagayan de Oro. She is the youngest daughter of former Mayor and Congressman Constantino and Mrs. Divina Jaraula.

“This will provide baseline data to identify critical areas that will be prioritized for further data acquisition and analyses for a combined engineered and natural wastewater plan that is useful for local governments and organizations to leverage further detailed planning and application for business-government partnerships,” she added.

Global Health & Environmental Resilience

Davao and Cagayan de Oro City,currently do not have municipal wastewater treatment plants, although at least one project in both cities is being constructed. Environmental baseline information prior to the operation of the wastewater treatment plants are key information that this proposed project can provide.

The project aims to consolidate watershed and basin information from various academic, local government sectors, and literature as a map focusing on land-use, locations of point sources (e.g. livestock farms, pharmaceutical industries, hospitals, urban or agricultural or industrial drainage, and landfill) in the study areas.

It aims to collect and collate data on current or planned size, type, and wastewater treatments in various business, municipal, and provincial establishments.

It also aims to determine antibiotics types and concentrations in influent, effluent and in-between treatment in existing wastewater treatment plants, terrestrial and marine environments of Davao, Manila and Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, as stipulated and standardized in the US National Science Foundation’s Partnerships for International Research Exposure’s (PIRE) Halting Environmental Antibiotic Resistance Dissemination (HEARD).

HEARD

PIRE HEARD is a US National Science Foundation funded international collaboration focused on quantifying the role that wastewater treatment plays in global dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It addresses AMR– an emerging global threat; and quantifies how wastewater treatment processes affect antimicrobial resistance and how wastewater treatment plants and the receiving environment interact to affect this spread.

“Wastewater treatment plants serve as critical nodes for the collection and potential dissemination of antimicrobial wastes, bacteria, virus, resistance genes, and ecological stressors,” Ms. Jaraula noted.

This study also aims to determine persistent (i.e. pesticides) organic pollutants in the watershed and coastal areas of the proposed sites; characterize possible sources and/or end-member assemblages of pollutants in various matrices (agricultural, urban, industrial, land-fill, feces, etc) and detect antibiotic resistant genes.

“This study along with NSF’s PIRE HEARD are anticipated to lay the foundation for environmental monitoring of antibiotics in the Philippines, as AMR is not just a national, but a global issue,” Ms. Jaraula explained.

This research project will provide baseline information on effluents so that proper government policies and community action can be done to quantify and manage these challenges.

Wetlands, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows provide natural wastewater treatment that are naturally abundant and proliferating in the Philippines, but are poorly managed and under enormous pressure from overutilization, degradation, natural disasters, pollution, now exacerbated by warming seas and rising sea levels.

“The Philippines provide an end-member tropical high biodiversity dataset that is necessary for all types of datasets. The area also provides a unique opportunity to test the clean-up efficiency that naturally evolved in coastal ecosystems. As countries share the influence of seaways, an integrated global environmental sustainability framework is necessary to battle AMR,” Dr Jaraula highlighted for the context of the study

USAID PEER and research on antibiotics and wastewater treatment plants in the Philippines

Synergy between the U.S. government-supported partner and the Philippine contingent can help build analytical expertise, instrument-access and technical training that are necessary in propelling the Philippine academic institutions to the forefront of global environmental and health research.

Much of the challenge of the implementing NSF PIRE HEARD sample collection in the Philippines is not having staff dedicated to pursue the tedious process of getting access and permits to wastewater treatment plants and the expenses incurred in the day-to-day management or sample collection.

Both issues can be addressed with are search grant to fulfill PIRE HEARD requirements and expand into the urgent necessity of the Philippines to have sufficient number of wastewater treatment plants.

In November of 2016, water samples collected from the surface and bottom of Pampanga and Pasig River as well as their discharge to Manila Bay by Dr Jaraula, PI of this proposed project, and analyses by Dr Aga ofthe NSF PIRE HEARD produced results that show hydrological and oceanographic controls on the distribution of antibiotics in the water column.

They clearly defined the source of antibiotics from Pasig River and its spread to Manila Bay. A sampling collection and analyses was also conducted for mariculture, areas close to populated coasts, resorts in Bolinao, Pangasinan (Angeles et. al).

The Philippine environment provide natural wastewater treatment in aquifers, mangrove forests, wetlands born out of hundreds of millions of years of evolution that afforded potable water to our standards.

A consolidation of best practices in the Philippines and in the international arena on a combination of engineered and natural wastewater treatment will be reviewed and evaluated to garner the best possible combination of wastewater treatment for Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

Lessening the environmental pressure on untreated waste will contribute to ridge-to-reef resilience.

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Between a galvanized iron fence along Pabayo Street in Cagayan de Oro is a small opening that opens to what was once a bustling block of makeshift houses but is now only a bare square of raw earth.

The name first came to my attention when I was doing a feature on Carlo Dorin, a Kagay-anon futbol player who recently won the Golden Boot in the prestigious SingaCup 2018 youth futbol tournament in Singapore. When I asked him where he learned to play the game, and he replied “Monte Carlo.”

Neighbors at Monte Carlo crowd around to read the Mindanao Daily Sports Feature on Carlo Dorin (left).

Some residents say the place was named after a local dirty ice cream brand that used to frequent the street corner where Wadhu’s Quality Store now is. Still others say it was named after the Monte Carlo Quarter in Monaco, famed for the world-famous Place du Casino, the gambling center which has made Monte Carlo “an international byword for the extravagant display and reckless dispersal of wealth.”

This is typical Kagay-anon humor if you ask me, since it was more akin to the infamous Miserecordia Street in Manila where working men came for their wine, women and song than to Monte Carlo in Monaco.

Beginnings

Even before Futbol became the dominant sport in Monte Carlo, its residents were already known as sportsmen who excelled at various times in their not too distant past at softball, baseball, boxing and basketball.

But the place is revered by local hard-core futbol (or soccer, if you must) aficionados as the cradle which brought forth so many outstanding Kagay-anon futbol players for the past fifty years or so.

Carlo Dorin plays 3-a-side futsal at high noon with local boys who play barefoot or with flipflops on the vacant lot of what used to be Monte Carlo.

“It’s the inner community around that block, where the kids’ hobby in their spare time is futbol, not basketball,” said Allan Abellanosa, former president of the Cagayan Misamis Oriental Football Association (CMOFA) who has since moved to Canada.

“They play in the streets, in the City Central School field and the Pelaez Sports Center regularly. The community including parents loves football,” he added.

“I believe the interest was started by Dr. Jose B. Obenza, Jr. who lived near that community, by sharing soccer balls to the community. He was a Past President of the Misamis Oriental Football Association (now the CMOFA) who really loves football. That community through the years has produced many good players who played in national tournaments, including his son, Aldo Obenza, who now works at Provincial Health Office.”

Local Heroes

Aldo Obenza, son of the late Dr. Obenza, shared his memories of the salad days of futbol at Monte Carlo.

“My dad introduced futbol to us when I was a 2nd year high school student at the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) around 1974. During our time the back field on the City Central School was still vacant, and he encouraged my barkada from Monte Carlo, many of whom later became varsity players of MOGCHS. Many of the bugoys from MC were our fans and cheerleaders whenever we had a game.”

Among his contemporaries is the MOGCHS varsity were Jesus Tigulo, Reynaldo Galarrita Sr., Jaime Raran while their junior players included Locoy Sabella (Wilford’s father), Nestor Yañez, Yul Cguindingan, Koko Bacarro, Ringgo Cielo, Floro Torres, Eddie Caguindingan, Batchoy Doniña, to name a few, and many more whose names he couldn’t remember at that time.

 Among their coaches were Dr. Obenza, Maj. Virgilio Pacana, Pat Acedo, and Retz Pacalioga.

Aldo Obenza (standing, leftmost) played in his first 1st National Football League. Oct. 1980 at Bacolod City as a member of MSU-IIT Futbol Team. He became the first player from Monte Carlo to play in a Philippine Nat’l Team in 1982.

“They were actually our first mentors in Futbol. Monte Carlo is like Barotac Nuevo, the cradle of Futbol in Iloilo,” he noted.

In  1982 Aldo became the first player from Monte Carlo to don the national colors with the Philippine National Youth Team as a defender playing with the legendary Elmer Bedia; Team Captain of MSU-IIT Football Team, National UAAP Champions for 3 consecutive years 1984-1986 and was a member of FIFA-PFF Football Youth Training Center in Iligan.

Monte Carlo booters from later generations who followed in their footsteps in bigger pitches outside the city include Jonard G. Fuentes, who now manages Smart distributor Elvirs Blue sky and  went on to become a University of Southern Philippines Foundation Athletic Scholar;  Wilford Sabella Gayramara, another USPF scholar, now a Certified International Football Referee in Vietnam; Nicho S. Palarca,  former player of PASARGAD FC a National Football Club qualified for UFL who used to dominate MVP awards in various tournaments; Globert Patayon, a USTP graduate and now a Math Professor in Thailand; and Emiliano Mabalos Known for his skills as one of the best Strikers of MCFC, who now works for Elvirs Blu Sky under the management of his former teammate Jonard Fuentes.

 “They usually play along Pabayo Street but when it became busy they play in sports center almost every day. Some kids will play even without soccer shoes. That’s how the community loves football,” Abellanosa recalls.

“The name Monte Carlo FC was first used by a home team in 1984 with Gold Eagle Beer as their first sponsor,” recalls Julie Ann Gerona-Popovic, a pioneer lady booter from Barangay Bulua who has close ties with the place. The team decided to keep the name when they often emerged winners in tournaments they would join in using the moniker.

A Family Tradition

When I was interviewing Carlo last December, there were little kids playing 3-a-side futsal with big kids on a makeshift dirt pitch with two small goals and a regulation soccer ball.

It’s near noon and the bare ground is scorching hot but the boys in Monte Carlo are used to playing barefoot or in flip flops under these conditions.

The smallest among them Nash Sombero, 7, had already played at New Camp, Iligan with the Monte Carlo U-8 and U-10 teams  only last November. Also 7 was Randy V. Tablang, and there were two 10 year olds: James Nathan Castillo, who played with the team recently in Oroquieta City where they had a 2nd runner up team finish, and Alucard Lestria. Completing the sides were Dave Dorin, 11, and John Robert Dorin Galarrita, also 11.

The common thread running through all the kids’ narratives? Their fathers were all futbol players and in some cases, so were their relatives, male and female alike.

Carlo himself was already 9 years old when he started playing futbol at Monte Carlo, which was already late by the neighborhood standards, when kids like Nash were already playing when they were but 4 years old.

“ I started playing 5-a-side futsal here In Monte Carlo in 2009, sometimes in Pabayo Street, we put our goals on the street and just put them aside when vehicles were passing,” Carlo recalls. “But I learned the formal basics two years later under Coach Yul at the City Central School grounds where we also learned how to scrimmage during summer camps.”

Carlo with Ulysses Caguindangan who taught him the basics of futbol when he was 11.

From there, Carlo progressed to playing in local tournaments at the Sports Complex and in more competitive tourneys like the Rosevale Cup and Del Monte Cup, a road which now made him  a soccer Senior Varsity Scholar at 17 with the  Lyceum of Phils University (LPU) where he starts playing in the NCAA as a sophomore since he had to comply with the one year residency last year.

“While kids are still young and small,  we already encourage them to play futbol and give them balls for them to scrimmage,” Yul said. Previously, KASIBULAN provided spare balls for our summer camp training at city central but Carlo’s group was the last batch since the budget for the summer camp was slashed by City Central, and we cannot sustain the camp by dipping into our own pocket.”

Allan concurs. “Cagayan de Oro has produced good players from Monte Carlo but mostly can hardly move on due to limited resources to gain elite training and opportunities.

Now Joey “Tallo” Flores of Kalambagohan had taken over training the kids, but lacks sponsors for logistics like balls, kits, cones, et al.

Yul himself learned to play futbol in Monte Carlo during the 1970s with the likes of Pat Acedo, Dr Obenza, and Retz Pacalioga.

“The MOGCHS futbol team consisted mainly of Monte Carlo players. Our practice pitch was the Pelaez  Sports Center. “ 

The School Tradition

Before Monte Carlo was able to organize its own team, players from the block were often recruited  by school teams due to their often outstanding talent and experience.

“Aldo Obenza’s dad started by supporting players from MC, as kids watched their fathers and neighbors play futbol at the Sports Centre,” said Ronald “Chairman” Tablang, one of the MCFC’s outstanding players who is now Barangay 12 Secretary. He gained the moniker “Chairman” when he was elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chair of Barangay 12 in 1996.

Monte Carlo FC started informally during the early 1990s but only  was formally organized into a club when Ronald became SK Chairman in 1996 with the formation of the Monte Carlo FC Junior (High School) and Senior (College) teams.

Ronald himself started playing futbol in 1st HS playing in the Sports Center pitch when admission was still free so they could scrimmage in it every afternoon.

“We had no formal training, no proper equipment, some played barefoot, some played with hand-me-down shoes, and we had no uniform,” Tablang recalls.

“We only managed to get kits when I was elected SK Chairman in 1996 because I knew we really needed support, so I provided a budget for the kits of our team.”

From thereon the number of players in many age groups increased as more kids from the neighborhood and surrounding areas caught the futbol bug.

“If he’s a male who was born or raised here in Monte Carlo, you can be sure he knows how to play futbol,” Tablang said.

Carlo Dorin playing 3-a-side Futsal with Monte Carlo boys in what was once a thriving residential block.

Lady Booters

And it’s not just the good male futbol players that honed their soccer chops in Monte Carlo.

“We are slowly integrating lady booters in our scrimmages,” Tablang said. “Some of them  have even already joined school teams.”

Even previously, Monte Carlo has already produced its fair share of lady booters, among them Julie Ann Gerona-Popovic, who is from Barangay Bulua, but has close ties with the place.

Originally a varsity swimmer of Montessori de Oro and later the University of Santo Tomas, Popovic had to switch to futbol to avail of a 100% scholarship from UST and luckily qualified for the university’s Team  A during her sophomore year.

“I became a part of Monte Carlo in 2003 when I was playing with the UST Lady Booters in the UAAP,” she recalls. “When I was home in Cagayan de Oro, I usually worked out by myself at the Pelaez Sports Center, then already known as MCFC territory since it was where they practiced regularly from 4PM onwards.”

When she asked permission to join their scrimmage, the male players told her they were okay as long as she would  be able to score against them.

“That afternoon I scored 2 goals and that started my history as the only girl playing with them,” she laughingly recalls.

Upon graduation, Popovic took a job on a cruise ship and was able to only come home again in 2007. When she excitedly went to the sports center to practice she noticed a lot of her fellow players from MCFC no longer around and was sad to hear they had to join other teams since they couldn’t put up enough cash to join tournaments.

“I offered to manage their team as coach and sponsor and in the first tournament we played as MCFC we landed 3rd in Iligan Futsal,” she recounted. “We won 3 championships and MCFC gained a reputation for their poor but talented players, becoming a rival of MAGIS FC.”

Some of Monte Carlo FC’s silverware won over the years (photo-JAGPopovic)

“In 2010, I organize a tournament in memory of the late Russell Galaritta who passed away in Qatar last 2009, and it became the first tournament of MCFC. We held another one in 2012, followed by a third in 2016, and the 4th Prince Russell Cup in 2017. I just took a break this year because of my schooling.”

1st Russel Cup Futsal Festival Champion (photo-JAGPopovic)

Although her pioneering ways had not produced the same number of female as male booters from Monte Carlo, the tradition of lady booters from the place continues with the likes of  Monique Tablang, niece of Chairman Tablang, who most recently played as a member of the Misamis Oriental Province Secondary Level Futsal Team in the regional competitions held in Tangub City last Dec. 21st.

Julie Popovic’s daughter Ana playing with her Kuya Carlo Dorin, James, Boboy and Jan-Jan at the Pelaez Sports CEnter (photo-JAGPopovic)

“When I was 8 years old in grade 3 at the MOGCHS, my father Randolf encouraged me to play futbol and I was trained by Coach Jonard Fuentes,” she said. Among the other lady booters joining her at scrimmage were her Ate Mariel Tablang and Nicole dela Cruz.

Of course, in the family tradition of Monte Carlo, it also helped in no small measure that her uncles Reyjune, Richard, Robinson, and Ronald “Chairman” Tablang, were all futbol players.

Inclusive Futbol

Another tradition that has continued is male players playing scrimmage with lady booters, even with those from other places and teams.

Andrea Collen Vallejos of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) futbol team often plays scrimmage at the Pelaez Sports Center with male Monte Carlo booters including Harvie Reyno, Kenneth, Ratunil, Jonathan Regusante, Carlo Dorin and Jevan.”

USTP Futbol group after a bible study Harvie Reyno,Jefferson Cabrillos, Kenneth Ratunil,Coach Aliver Aguaviva, Don Cañete, Jonathan Regusante, Carlo Dorin, Jevan, Ptr. Rey Cimene, Andrea Vallejos & Choco Abian.

“We met the Monte Carlo FC at the Sports Center where we scrimmage with them and other teams from Cagayan de Oro. We’re really looking forward to Carlo Dorin joining the Phil. Team. He really has the potential. A blessing to the Monte Carlo Football Club.”

Like before, as always, logistics and finance remain the biggest obstacles to players moving up to greater heights like Carlo Dorin.

“We have sponsors like John Wadhu Dharamdas of Wadhu’s Quality Store, he is also a barangay kagawad in Barangay 12,” said Tablang. “Other times we have to depend on providence and the charity of the parents of our team members, like one who lends us their vehicle to transport our team to our tournaments. So there are those like them, even if they are not from Monte Carlo, they assist us. It’s been like that for us, for every tournament we want to join, we have to look for sponsors for registration, kits, transportation and snacks.”

Despite all these, the indomitable spirit of Monte Carlo lives on in the likes of Carlo Dorin, Julie Ann Gerona-Popovic, Yul Caguindangan and Ronald Tablang.

Play ball!

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BOI 2018 Registered Investments at record high

Investor confidence in Northern Mindanao breached new highs in 2018 with Region 10 accounting for the biggest share of the record breaking investments registered with the Board of Investments (BOI).

Investments approved by the Board of Investments (BOI) hit a new all-time high this year, exceeding the agency’s P680-billion target.

BOI Investment Registration Performance 2017 vs 2018.

Final figures from the BOI showed the agency approved P907.2 billion worth of investments for this year, 47 percent higher than the previous record high of P617 billion in 2017.

By region, Region X or Northern Mindanao accounted for the lion’s share of investment with P228.8 billion, or 25.2% of the total BOI Registered Projects for 2018, well above the P7.2 billion a year ago, for an astounding 3,063% increase.

Region IV (CALABARZON or Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon) ranked second with P185 billion and Region III (Central Luzon) third with P169.3 billion. The best the National Capital Region could manage was fourth with P123.6 billion.

Other performers include Region VII (Central Visayas) with Php61 B, Region XIII (Caraga) with Php58.2 B and Region XI (Davao Region) with P18.8 B. 

The Philippine Statistics Authority earlier reported that even by the end of the third quarter of 2018, Region X (Northern Mindanao) was already ahead of the pack with P15.5 billion in registered projects, accounting for 33.7% of the BOI’s registered total for the period.

Central Luzon (Region III) was second at P 13.5 billion, (29.5%) and the National Capital Region third with P8.3 billion (18.2%). 

“Given the epic surge in investments for 2018, it is but inevitable to aim for another historic milestone—the trillion mark next year. We are confident of hitting yet another growth in investment registrations next year with the impending entry of big-ticket projects as concrete fruits of the Administration’s investment road shows,” said Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo.

Rodolfo said the approved projects have boosted the dispersal of investments to the regions as most projects are outside Metro Manila with total regional investments accounting for 86 percent of the total figure.

Overall, domestic investments reached P803.2 B, up 35 percent from last year’s Php595 B. Approved foreign investments likewise surged to P104 B, a 378 percent jump from just P21.7 B in 2017.

China topped the list of foreign investors for 2018 with P48.7 B registered investments, up 8,364 percent from Php575.8 M last year.  This amount still does not include the planned USD 4.4-B Philippine Iron and Steel Project at the Phividec Industrial Estate-Misamis Oriental, the biggest industrial investment from China to to date.  

The British Virgin Islands accounted for P15.6 B, sourced through the renewable projects of Pulangi Hydro Power Corp and the projects of Victorias Milling Company and two mass housing projects of Raemulan Lands, Inc. Singapore was third with a projected capital inflow of P13.6 B mainly through Vires Energy Corporation and Indonesia fourth with P7.5 B mostly through Citra Central Expressway Corp., Japan (P4.2 B) by way of Toyota and Mitsubishi projects and Malaysia (P2.9 B) through retailing.

The Board of Investments Region 10 office will provide a more detailed breakdown of the planned projects once this has been transmitted from the BOI head office where most big-ticket projects are usually registered.

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Public and private officials have all expressed elation over Northern Mindanao’s (Region 10) record-breaking investment performance for 2018 as recorded by the Board of Investments (BOI).

Northern Mindanao accounted for the lion’s share of the P907.2 billion investments registered with the BOI in 2018 with P228.8 billion, or 25.2% of the total, well above the P7.2 billion a year ago, for an astounding 3,063% increase.

“BOI’s figure on Northern Mindanao investments is very encouraging. Investors are really looking at countryside development rather than center on Metro Manila and the other bigger metro centers,” said Eileen San Juan, Local Economic and Investment Promotions Officer who heads the Cagayan de Oro Investments, Trade and Promotion Center (Oro-TIPC).

“For Region 10, there is a lot of opportunity to establish business especially for its strategic location as well as connections to the supply chain. For Cagayan de Oro City having consistently been in the Top 10 Most Competitive Highly-Urbanized Cities in the last 6 years, this brings prominence of the city’s growth and development directions. Local government has also intensified on various programs and projects that have shown good results in the competitive pillar indexes on economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, and resiliency,” she added.

Panoramic aerial view of the Cagayan de Oro Wharf Expansion with existing quay to the middle right of the picture (PPA PMO MOC)

Ma. Teresa Alegrio, Regional Governor, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Region 10, was equally ebullient.

“Better than usual. This is certainly an exceptional feat; an indication of the region’s resilient and positive outlook despite the bleak forecast and apprehensions of some countries to come to Mindanao,” she commented.

Engr. Gus Adis, President of the Phividec Industries Association, foresees a bright future ahead as indicated by the BOI figures.

“The stars have finally aligned to fulfill the promise of Mindanao and Northern Mindanao as the gateway to the island, is at the center of this economic development,” Adis said. “There are many factors contributing to this very important development, allow me to cite a few.”

The brownout prone Mindanao Grid experienced a surplus power supply for the first time in a decade when the FDC Misamis Corp Coal Plant at the Phividec Industrial Estate-Misamis Oriental started operating in May 2016. (photo: luzvimindacdc.com)

First, with the operation of the single biggest baseload power plant at the Phividec in the FDC Misamis Coal Plant, a surplus power was experienced for the first time in the brown-out prone island.

Adis expects even more power stability after the completion of the Mindanao grid connection to Visayas and Luzon grids now under construction by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Visayas-Mindanao Interconnection Project (ngcp.com)

Next, Adis cited the availability of  competitively priced petroleum products which were previously  sourced from small oil refineries in Luzon and distributed to the storage facilities of the island through small and highly expensive inter-island vessels.

“In 2016 a major oil company started operation of its mega terminal in Cagayan de Oro City importing refined petroleum products from oil refineries abroad and delivered to its mega storage facility through huge oil carriers,” Adis noted.  “In 2017 another oil company located at Phividec with a similar facility followed suit, providing competitively priced petroleum products to the island’s consumers.”

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation’s North Mindanao Import Facility (NMIF) in Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao, a state-of-the-art import facility with 90-million-liter capacity is the first of its kind in the Philippines equipped to receive medium-range (MR) vessels. NMIF is the biggest facility in the Philippines for Shell outside its Tabangao Refinery in Batangas, and serves as a game changer for the Visayas and Mindanao region, since the company’s previous major energy investments have been concentrated in Luzon. (photo: shell.com.ph)

Not the least, Adis cited Northern Mindanao’s competitive investment environment spurred by the relatively low standard of living which translates to competitive employee wages and benefits; the availability of vast land areas at competitive rates; the abundant supply of a skilled and highly trainable work force; and not the least, the presence of the largest economic zone in the Phividec Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental.

Romolo Valentino Nati, the Italian Chairman and CEO of Italpinas Development Corporation is one of the significant foreign investors in the region, constructing the Primavera Residences condominium in Cagayan de Oro City in 2010.

“Italpinas has been a strong believer in Northern Mindanao’s future from the very beginning of our company.  Our first project, Primavera Residences in Cagayan de Oro, was once considered by many (in the capital especially) as a gamble,” Nati recalls. 

“It was said by many at the time that Northern Mindanao was not ready for our concept and product.  We disagreed, and pressed through with our confidence in Region 10, and in Mindanao as a whole.  The outcome since then has been a reaffirmation of our confidence.  The region is full of energy and potential, and we are only at the beginning of this growth story,” he added.

Nati takes the news that Region 10 has taken the greatest share of BOI investments in 2018 as a further affirmation of their long-standing belief in the Northern Mindanao growth story. 

“The Philippines as a whole is a growth story that has been recognized internationally.  From within the Philippines, though, we are seeing that there is an additional aspect to this national growth story, which is the emergence of a multi-polar economy with hubs throughout the archipelago, rather than a single center in Metro Manila,” he stressed. 

Nati said the region’s investment performance has buttressed their confidence in the future of regional hubs, and in Region 10 and Cagayan de Oro in particular. He said he is gratified how Italpinas’ strategic growth plans have long been aligned with growth that the current development now highlights. 

Primavera City is the biggest Filipino-Italian Investment in Cagayan de Oro City. (photo: italpinas.com)

“Following the success of Primavera Residences, we are now nearing the completion of the construction of the first phase in our next project in Cagayan de Oro, Primavera City,” Nati disclosed. “Primavera City, which is planned for development in 4 phases, is designed to be a world-class commercial and residential hub featuring Italpinas’ signature aesthetics and green design philosophy.” 

“As a design-driven developer with our track record rooted in Northern Mindanao, Italpinas is committed to Region 10’s growth story by continuing to deliver world-class architecture, aesthetic, and lifestyle to Cagayan de Oro and beyond.”

The Board of Investments Region 10 office will provide a more detailed breakdown of the planned projects once this has been transmitted from the BOI head office where most big-ticket projects are usually registered.

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An infrastructure-oriented think-tank is calling on the Duterte administration to prioritize the use of local energy sources instead of relying on the long-term importation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the country’s energy requirements.

“It bears stressing that indigenous sources of energy such as the Malampaya gas field should continue to be the main components of the country’s energy mix.”

This was the statement of Terry Ridon, Infrawatch PH conveyor and former member of the House committee on energy.

Malampaya to last until 2029

Malampaya Platform

Ridon noted that Shell Philippines itself has stated that Malampaya’s supply can last between 2026 and 2029, such that there is no need to rush giving imported LNG a significant role as among the country’s sources of energy.

“Correspondingly, government should go slow in supporting the proposed LNG terminal as indigenous sources remain available in the years to come.

LNG imports costlier than local sources

Ridon also noted that importation increases the country’s exposure to higher prices, including exchange rate risks and the volatility of fuel prices in the world market. 

“In November 2018, the price of gas from Malampaya is about $9.37/MMBTU. If gas will be imported, the price would be around $12.8/MMBTU or 37% higher due to exposure in fuel price volatility in the regional market and the additional costs for shipping and regasification.”

LNG imports discourage energy exploration

Ridon further said that reliance on LNG importation discourages continuing exploration of still undiscovered energy deposits, particularly in the West Philippine Sea and the Philippine Rise.

“We may lose the current imperative to look for new sources of energy within the country’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone if we allow LNG importation to be a major component of our energy mix.”

Ridon said that by exploring new indigenous sources, the country would limit its exposure to exchange rate risks and volatility of fuel prices in the world market. 

Geopolitical risks threaten long-term LNG supply

“As a result, we are exposing the nation to unexpected supply issues due to geopolitical risks, not only in sourcing energy products but also in terms of logistics.”

Ridon said a large chunk of the world’s LNG supply is sourced from geopolitically risky countries such as Qatar, Russia, Nigeria, among others.

Developing new local energy sources will create jobs, benefit communities

“Developing new local sources of energy would also allow Filipinos to benefit from job creation, skills training and more business for local communities.”

Ridon said the development of local industries, including local energy development has always been the priority of President Rodrigo Duterte, as it provides wider socio-economic benefits to Filipinos.

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A pioneering light metal manufacturing company is launching an innovative building system that aims to provide stronger, “faster to complete”, and more economical buildings for the construction industry in the Philippines.

On January 17-20, 2019, Priometal Mindanao Corporation will be conducting an open house for industry stakeholders at its demo unit located at Dove Street, Barangay Kauswagan (just across the Kauswagan Barangay Hall).

Together with its supplier-partners, the four-day event will feature an open house and exhibit from 10am-4pm where invited guests including building contractors, architects, civil engineers, housing developers, realtors, homeowners and government officials involved in the construction of buildings can have a first-hand look at how the “BahaiCO, Bahay Mo” technically named “iCO Building Frames and Functions are utilized in an actual building.

Rendering of BahaiCO Bahay Mo Demo Unit now under construciton at Dove Street, Kauswagan.

A “By Invitation Only” Product Presentation will be conducted for invited guests from 4-7pm daily for the duration of the event to better acquaint them with how the system can best serve their needs at a budget they can afford.

“We are introducing our iCO Building Frames and Functions that integrates various innovative building technologies into one versatile system guaranteed to deliver stronger, faster to construct, and more economical buildings.” said Engr. Jeffrey Co, president of Priometal Mindanao Corporation.

Engr. Jeffrey S. Co

Drawing mostly from Co’s 18 years of exposure to the construction industry, the system has put together for the first time ever innovative products which when deployed together as an integrated unit, answers most, if not all, of the end users needs for durable, faster, and affordable buildings.

“Cast-in-place, Pre-Cast and I beams are just some of the existing technologies combined with our  iCO In-filled Metal Columns and Beams that are brought together in our building system so that it becomes stronger and durable, faster to construct, safer, yet more affordable than existing designs and concepts now offered in the Philippine construction industry,” Co explained.

The system used is akin to the concept of open system architecture in computers which allows the creation of add-on products that increase a system’s flexibility, functionality, inter-operability, potential use, useful life and enables the end-users to customize and extend their chosen system’s capabilities to suit individual requirements.

“Unlike the usual industry practice, our iCO Building Frames and Functions can be custom-designed by PMC to best suit the main purpose of your building, and complete construction and delivery under the usual industry standards using a combination of our various systems that is most ideal for you, and a cost that is ultra competitive to conventional building methods and materials now favored by most contractors,” Co stressed.

Among the innovative products to be introduced during the four day event are iCO Triple Furring; iCO Meta-Jamb, iCO Meta-Purlin(that is pre-cut, pre-fab and pre – labeled) and iCOFicemFlus Doors.

“As you can see from our products, we are a company that thinks ‘out-of-the-box’, and what you see now is by no means the only products we can offer you in the next few months,” Co said. “We are conducting continuous research and development so our products are continuously evolving for the better.”

“Right now, to help solve our garbage dilemma we are currently innovating our iCO-friendly hollow blocks that recycles shredded non-biodegradable garbage and should be out in the market before the 4^th quarter of the year,” he added.    

Priometal Mindanao Corp Pres. Jeffrey Co (center) inspects a work site with PMC Staff.

Co is a B.S. Civil Engineering (Cum Laude) of San Jose Recoletos University and garnered 8^th place in the Civil Engineering Licensure Examination. In 1983, he founded Jaybuilders Industries, Inc. (formerly known as Cagayan Iron Works).

In 2005, he undertook a joint venture with Philmetal Products, Inc. to establish North Mindanao Steel Corporation, a roofing company (now Premier Shelter, Inc.).

In 2011, he founded Priometal Mindanao Corporation, a company of “Innovative Concepts” with the mission statement “To promote and provide innovative building frames and functions technology that is cost efficient for every Juan”

So what’s next for the innovation pioneer of Cagayan de Oro? The sky is apparently the limit.

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Misamis Oriental Province garnered three-fourths of Northern Mindanao’s (Region 10) record-shattering investments registered with the Board of Investments (BOI) in 2018.

With three of the five big ticket investments locating in two of its eastern towns, the province accounted for P172.3-B of Region 10s P228.8-Billion (B) total for the period.

Better still was the dispersal of two other big ticket projects to Bukidnon and Iligan City/Lanao del Norte with one each.

Another positive development for the region: manufacturing accounted for 82.5 percent of the P188.7-B sectoral investment and 97.2 percent of estimated total employment.

ROLL-IT-Road-Projects-for-PIE-MO-are-aimed-at-supporting-the-operations-and-growth-of-locator-industries (EEI-photo)

Basic metals manufacturing bannered this sector with the AFP Group Holdings Corp. P158.4-B facility at Park 5,  Villanueva,  Phividec Industrial Estate-Misamis Oriental as the largest. 

The 70% Filipino, 30% China joint venture will manufacture slabs and hot rolled coils, and is expected to generate an estimated 10,000 new jobs.

Also in the same sub-sector is Steel Asia Villanueva Works P12.15-B expansion in Sitio Kirahon, Bgy. San Martin, Villanueva.

The 100% Filipino venture will produce concrete reinforcing steel bars and wire rods, and generate 1,200 new jobs.

SteelAsia imports semi-finished steel billets that are the input material for rebars.

Rounding out the Big 3 of big-ticket investments in Misamis Oriental is the P1.8-B 100% Filipino project of Bio Renewable Energy Ventures, Inc. which would produce coco methyl ester (CME) and glycerin, and generate 33 new jobs.

The two ventures listed in the Non-Metallic Mineral Products Manufacturing sub-sector is bannered by Republic Cement Iligan Inc.’s P18.09-B new cement production facility at Bgy. Kiwalan, Iligan City.

Republic Cement Iligan Inc. plant at Bgy. Kiwalan, Iligan CIty.

Formerly known as LaFarge Iligan Inc. and Iligan Cement Corp. prior, it is expected to generate 30 new jobs.

Also in this segment is Silver Lake Manufacturer’s P26.5-million (M) factory at Zone 5, Bgy. Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City, which will produce machine made hollow blocks and create 21 new jobs.

After Manufacturing, the Services Sector follows with P38.3-B investments, which is P16.7% of the region total.

Pulangi Hydro Power Corp’s P37.9-B South Pulangi Hydroelectric Power Plant in Bgy. Tankulan, Damulog, Bukidnon will produce 250 megawatts (MW) of Renewable Energy for the Mindanao Grid and generate 90 new jobs.

Aerial View of Pulangi River in Bukidnon

This 60% Filipino owned joint venture also includes investors from China and the British Virgin Islands.

Still in the Services Sector are two real estate developers in Cagayan de Oro City for economic and low-cost housing.

Liberty Land Corporation’s Southpoint 1 in Bgy. Lumbia will commence  its P182.06-M horizontal development,   as would Cagayan Communities P171.44-M Lumina Homes Gran Europa for the same purpose at the same barangay.

Cagayan Communities has started horizontal development for its Lumina Homes in Bgy. Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City.

Cargoman Corporation’s P9.22-M venture to produce live hogs in Bellevue Subdivision, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro was the lone listing for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Sector in the region for 2018.

Although the regional capital of Cagayan de Oro accounted for only P389.22-M or .002% of the region’s total, industry insiders say this is all in keeping with the city’s vision to provide the necessary support services such as food, shelter and education for workers households in other cities and provinces of Region 10 as they pursue a balanced industrial-agricultural-commercial regional economy.

                                                                      – 30 –

The European Union (EU) Delegation to the Philippines will work together with Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and its implementing partners, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives – Local Governments for Sustainability, Manila Observatory, and Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan to implement the project titled “Clean Energy Living Laboratories (CELLs): The development of centres of excellence on energy access, renewable energy, and energy efficiency” under the Access to Sustainable Energy in the Philippines. 

ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROGRAM. Ateneo de Manila University president Fr Jose Ramon T Villarin SJ and EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen sign the partnership agreement to implement an “access to sustainable energy’” project in the country. Photo courtesy of Ysa Calinawan

ADMU president Fr Jose Ramon T Villarin SJ attended the signing ceremony led by EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen on December 13 last year. 

ADMU, through its Ateneo School of Government, and its implementing partners aim to empower stakeholders to effectively respond to energy challenges and seize opportunities for sustainable production and consumption, particularly in managing the country’s transition to sustainable low-carbon energy. 

The €3.8 million Clean Energy Living Laboratories project is one of the seven grants awarded under the EU’s Access to Sustainable Energy Program, which will run until 2021.∎

BahaiCo Bahay Mo

Even as a student, Engr. Jeffrey S. Co already stood out, finishing his Civil Engineering degree at San Jose Recoletos University Cum Laude and garnering 8th place in the Civil Engineering Licensure Examination.

But he soon found out that success at school did not exactly translate to success in business.

In 1983, he founded Jaybuilders Industries, Inc. (formerly known as Cagayan Iron Works). In 2005, he undertook a joint venture with Philmetal Products, Inc. to establish North Mindanao Steel Corporation (now Premier Shelter, Inc.).

His first two ventures were pretty straight forward, being blessed with moderate success. But it was when he founded Priometal Mindanao Corporation in 2011 that the real struggle started.

Inspired by legendary Apple innovator Steve Jobs, PMC aimed “To promote and provide innovative building frames and functions technology that is cost efficient for every Juan.”

Priometal Mindanao Corp Pres. Jeffrey Co (center) inspects a work site with PMC Staff.

“I am making it SIMPLER, FASTER TO COMPLETE and MORE COST-EFFICIENT,” he explained during a recent series of presentations held for industry stakeholders at the firm’s demo unit in Kauswagan.

“If  you have P1-million budget for a certain building project, would you choose a building technology that would cost P600,000 for materials and P400,000 for labor? Or one that would cost P400,000 in materials and P600,000 for labor?”

Co explained he would opt for a building technology that has cheaper labor because it would mean it took faster to complete, and faster would also mean lesser overhead, and make the building earn earlier.

He said the BahaiCO, Bahay Mo system is anchored on existing technologies that can be combined so that it becomes stronger, more durable, faster to complete, safer, yet more affordable than existing designs and concepts now offered in the Philippine construction industry.

Rendering of BahaiCO Bahay Mo Demo Unit now under construciton at Dove Street, Kauswagan.

Using as a benchmark the 8-unit Bachelor’s Pad where the system’s launching was held January 16-20, Co said the BahaiCO Bahay Mo system resulted in 22% savings in total cost compared to a conventional concrete building (P19.5K vs P25k/sq.m.)

The savings were realized due to cheaper material and labor costs on top of taking a faster time to complete.

“BahaiCO Bahay Mo uses minimal form and shoring works, and no wooden scaffoldings. Our iCO Meta Purlin are pre-cut, pre-fabricated and pre-labeled in our plant resulting in zero waste.”

Its 22 columns only took 3 days to erect, and the complete assembly of the 8-unit frames and purlins only four weeks to complete.

Thus, the whole building would be finished in only six months, compared to at least eight months for conventional ones. That ‘s two months saved, and by itself already a two month advantage in rental earnings.

“I believe we have already achieved our goal to provide ‘a better home every Juan deserves’.  But just like all stories of a successful innovation, it is indeed a long story of so many, many failures,” Co shared.

From the time PMC started in 2011 to the last quarter of 2017, Co said they experienced an 80 percent failure rate in their projects.

“My construction projects were not earning, and our sales were on survival mode,” he recalls. “I had really many days of sleepless nights, and I lost weight because I lost my desire to eat.”

Worse, their financial resources were depleted and they had to dispose of many properties just to stay afloat.

“And the most painful part of that was I almost didn’t believe in myself anymore,” he said. “That’s why I was strongly considering giving it all up in 2017.”

But he kept his faith and prayed at the Cawayanon church to ask for God’s guidance. And his prayers were answered!

Engr Jeffrey Co (right, in black shirt) with PMC Officers and Staff

“He sent me a few good men and women who encouraged me to continue and not give up. He also gifted me with loyal key people who never thought of abandoning me, even though that the salaries for their family were at stake.”

“On top of that, PMC was blessed with reputable suppliers that complemented our BahaiCO, Bahay Mo and shared our mission of providing a better home every Juan deserves.”

PMC’s fortunes improved in 2018 with their iCO products now being recognized in Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Iligan, Butuan, Misamis Occidental and even as far as Dipolog and Ipil.

Nonetheless, many challenges remain.

“BahaiCO, Bahay Mo is not a claim to fame or a declaration of perfection, but with many open-ended questions to industry stakeholders: Will it be acceptable to the common Filipino mind set which still believes that all buildings should be made of concrete? Can houses be made even faster? For relocation projects for victims of natural or man-made disasters? How can we hire more skilled workers when their existing welding and carpentry skills don’t  jibe with our building system?

BahaiCO, BahayMo is not a one shot achievement but just a step towards the pursuit of our ultimate MISSION.

“Someday we might finally realize that perfect building technology and claim that we are victorious! Because we have finally achieved our mission to provide… “THE BEST HOME EVERY JUAN REALLY DESERVES!” May God bless us all and the future of our journey together.”

-end-

The Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Association of New York, Inc. is inviting Kagay-anons and Misamisnons from all over the world to join the 17th Kagayanon International TAPOK 2019 to be held on July 26, 27 & 28, 2019 to be held at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel 135-20 39th Ave, Flushing New York City, New York.

New York last hosted TAPOK in 1992, 27 long years ago.

TAPOK 2019 Ambassador Ruth Banuag Iveschich and Erlinda Rayo Salva in a meeting with Oro Fashion Designer Guild’s Gil Macaibay III and Mark Christopher Yaranon and Mindanao Daily VP-Digital Mike Baños at VIP Hotel. (MindanaoDailyPhoto)

Tapok 2019 Ambassador Ms. Ruth Banuag Iveschich is currently in Cagayan de Oro to help you drum up participation in the biennial gathering of Kagay-anons and Misamisnons from all over the globe. She is now billeted at the VIP Hotel where interested participants can make inquiries, secure and file their registration forms and pay the registration fees.

Promoting the 17th Kagayanon International TAPOK 2019 at VIP Hotel with Tapok 2019 Ambassador Ruth Banuag Iveschich (rightmost) with (L-R) Joan May Portus, Arlene Along Borres, Mike Baños, Gil Macaibay III, Mark Christopher Yaranon and Erlinda Rayo Salva.

“Originally organized by the late Roy Gaane, the first big gathering of Kagay-anons was held in Chicago in 1982.  This reunion of sorts evolved through the years and is now popularly referred to as TAPOK. This biggest gathering of town mates from the old hometown is now on its 17th event, covering a span of 36 years since its inception,” recalls Wendy Ramos-Garcia, of the Kagay-anons of Northern California which hosted the latest Tapok last August 4-6, 2017 in San Francisco, 20 years after it last hosted t he event in 1996.

Interested parties can visit the Tapok 2019 website for registration or contact the Tapok Steering Committee headed by TAPOK 2019 Chair and CDO- Misor Pres. Rely Manacay, Vice President Gina Cabesada Espinosa and Evangeline Bombed Leaps, Vice President Deedith Sabio Arellano, Treasurer Eddy Aranez, PRO Boogie Musni Rivera, and Ruth Banuag Iveschich, Dolly B. Ilogon, Mafe Lacang, Rose Marie Roa and Wennie Illana as members.

Registration forms can also be downloaded online from the Facebook page “Kagay-anon International Tapok 2019 – New York” and payments for registration fees can be made via Paypal using the Account Email: 17thtapok@gmail.com with cdomisor as the Recipient.

Tapok 2019 updates can also be read through Mindanao Daily as Tapok 2019’s Official Newspaper or broadcast over Bombo Radyo as its Official Radio. (RMB)

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To All Kagay-anons & Misamisnons throughout the World:

 

The officers, Board of Directors, and members of The Cagayan de Oro- Misamis Oriental Association. of New York, Inc. are delighted to invite everyone to join our “TAPOK 2019” this coming July 26, 27 & 28, 2019 to be held in New York City.

 

Please come and join us and get a wonderful opportunity to bond with long-lost friends and kababayans, foster camaraderie and establish new friendship.

 

Likewise, you will have the chance to visit the BIG APPLE, the city that never sleeps, and be able to bask the fun and colorful atmosphere of the city. NYC is one of the fashion capitals of the world,. So feel free to shop till you drop at the many unique shops and outlets of this vibrant city.

 

Should you be interested, please feel free to visit our website for registration or contact our Tapok Steering Committee headed by our Cdo Misor Pres. Rely Manacay, Chairman of this event, VP Gina Cabesada Espinosa and Evangeline Bombed Leaps, with VP Edith Sabin Arellano, Treasurer Eddy Arana, PRO Boogie Musing Rivera, Ruth Banuag Iveschich, Dolly B. Ilogon, Mafe Lacang, Rose Marie Roa and yours truly, as members.

 

Also, please be informed that the Ambassador of our Tapok 2019, Ms, Ruth Banuag Iveschich is currently in Cagayan de Oro & could help you facilitate and respond whatever your queries and concerns about this event.

 

Thank you & God bless us all and always with Te Giging Obsines, Thomas Obsines, Mayor Loloy Mugot, Mavieh Adis Collins, Baba Canzoneri, Dorothy Salva McCoy, Emma Banuag Ibot, Luzminda Suico, Marilou Bongayan Binayao, Deyin Ortiz, Wyeth Manacay, Bing Mercado, Alicia Candado, Cynthia Hagstrom, Bebs Labadan, Jean Magdale, Sonia Chang, Sonia Casiño, Malu Bahian Salvan, Donna Lore Contreras, Wynter Summer, Usher Turek, Jory Seriña Rivera, Santanina Jalagat-Lacap, Judge Carmencita Yren, Rory Kisco, Belle Aquote, Aida Lewis, Remedios Franje Salinas, Remedios Generalao, Cecille Figuracion, and Bebot Ignacio.

 

From the desk of

Wennie Illana

Member, Tapok Steering Committee

Region 10 ‘s “Happy Problem”

If plans push through, Region 10 will soon fulfill its vision as the Industrial Corridor of Mindanao.

Based on the projections of nine registered projects in the Board of Investments for 2018 alone, Northern Mindanao (Region 10) will see the establishment of 6 mega projects totaling P232.7-billion that’s projected to generate some 14,184 jobs over the next three years.

AFP Group Holdings Corp. P158.4-B facility at Park 5, Villanueva, Phividec Industrial Estate-Misamis Oriental will manufacture slabs and hot rolled coils, and is expected to generate an estimated 10,000 new jobs. Nearby in Sitio Kirahon, Bgy. San Martin, Villanueva Steel Asia Villanueva Works P12.15-B expansion will produce concrete reinforcing steel bars and wire rods, and generate 1,200 new jobs.

That’s not even counting the five factories under the aegis of San Miguel Corporation rising in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental which are expected to be completed in the next two years. Or the planned P2.4-B relocation from China of Head International Holding GmBH’s tennis ball factory at the same industrial area to start construction this year and be completed 2020 employing between 100-200 workers for its first phase, and 700 at full capacity for its second phase which would involve additional production equipment.

Head International Holding GmbH Executive Vice President Gerald Skrobanek (center left), and Franklin M. Quijano, Chief Executive Officer and Administrator, Phividec Industrial Estate-Misamis Oriental (center right), signs the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) allowing the Austrian company to put up its plant and production facilities in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. (Photo-CD, Mindanao Daily)

Head is a leading global provider of high-quality sporting goods and sells products under the brand names HEAD (tennis, squash, paddle and racquetball racquets, tennis balls, tennis shoes, badminton products, alpine skis, boots and bindings), Penn (tennis and racquetball accessories), Tyrolia (ski bindings) and Mares (diving equipment).

However, once the Philippine Iron and Steel Project (PISP) gets going in the Phividec Industrial Estate in eastern Misamis Oriental and Ayala Land’s 526 –hectare Habini Bay development in Laguindingan, west Misamis Oriental goes full steam ahead, these two mega projects by themselves would need over 100,000 workers over the next seven years.

HBIS Group, China’s second-biggest steelmaker, recently signed a memorandum of understanding on the $4.4 billion PISP which would be the Philippines’ first integrated steel complex and biggest industrial investment from China in the Philippines to date.

Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the implementation of the US$4.4 billion Philippine Iron and Steel Project in Misamis Oriental by HBIS Group Co., Ltd., Huili Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd., and Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation, and PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority December 14, 2018 at the Board of Investments (BOI) Building. (Seated from left to right) HBIS Chair Yu Yong, Huili Investment Fund Chair Meng Xiaosu, Trade Undersecretary for Industry Development & BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo, Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, and Steel Asia Chair & CEO Benjamin Yao. Witnesses the signing are (standing left to right) Trade Sec. Ramon Lopez (center), China Embassy of the Philippines Counselor Jin Yuan (4th from right) & Hebei Prov’l Gov’t of China Vice Gov. Li Qian (4th from left). (BOI photo)

The Department of Trade and Industry said the two-phase project would produce 4.5 million tons of hot-rolled coils (HRC) and 600,000 tons of slabs annually for the $3 billion first phase, reaching 8 million tons in the second phase, and create over 20,000 job opportunities over three to five years.

Located at the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate of the Misamis Oriental-Special Economic Zone, the facilities in the complex would include sintering, coking, pelletizing and steel-rolling, producing basic iron and steel products for further processing.

On the western side of the province, Ayala Land Inc. will initially invest P3.8 billion to develop the master-planned 526-hectare integrated estate Habini Bay in Laguindingan. To be anchored by an industrial park managed by Laguna Technopark Inc., initial development is projected to generate 2,580 jobs.  Once fully operational, total employment from locators is expected to breach 40,000, once the light industrial park takes off.

While these companies would prioritize employment for their host communities, the number of workers needed for these big ticket projects is way beyond the capacity of even the entire region to provide over the seven year time period. A vigorous campaign to bring back skilled Filipino workers from the region might help somewhat, but unless something drastic happens to fill up the tremendous gap in demand and supply, locator industries would have no other option other than bring in skilled workers from other regions and even abroad.

This last option would inevitably result in a dramatic increase in demand for social services such as housing, health services and facilities, education for workers children, expanded infrastructure to cope with the tremendous rise in logistics and inputs demanded by heavy industries such as water, roads and electricity. You get the picture.

Fortunately, some help could be forthcoming from the Republic of Korea, specifically in manpower development and training.

ROK Ambassador Han Dong-man at Xavier University

During a recent visit to Cagayan de Oro by Korean Ambassador Han Dong-an, Dean Kim, Consular Assistant of the ROK Embassy who is based in Cagayan de Oro  and CEO of Developer Group Trubuil Inc. broached the idea of establishing a similar facility to the RTC-Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center Davao, TESDA Region 11.

“Please provide us with more information on what specifically you would require to address this need,” Ambassador Han told the audience at Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, where he discussed the ongoing peace process in the Korean peninsula and the bilateral relations between the two countries to faculty and students, including a score of Korean students enrolled in the institution.

A formal proposal on the establishment of a similar center in Cagayan de Oro City or Region 10 would have to undergo the evaluation protocol required of such projects financed by Official Development Assistance from the ROK, Ambassador Han stressed.

Korea and Philippines signed a $1 billion Framework Arrangement on Loans from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) on May 4, 2018. EDCF concessional loans will finance multiple infrastructure projects (2017 – 2022) including the $92 million (₱4.8 billion) 3.7-kilometer long Panguil Bay Bridge project targeted for completion and commissioning by October 2021,” Ambassador Han said.

“This bridge will help shorten travel time between Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental from 1 hour and 30 minutes now to only 7 minutes,” he said. The Philippines is currently the third largest EDCF partner of Korea, he added.

The Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center Davao is an accredited institution of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) that offers Technical and Vocational Education and Training Programs (TVET) under the TESDA and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

RTC-Korea Philippines Vocational Training Center Davao, TESDA Region 11.

Established with an initial USD5-million grant in 2004, the center aims to contribute to the skills development of the Filipino Workforce by training and educating skilled manpower necessary for the agricultural and industrial development of the Philippines, and to contribute to the regional development of Mindanao.

Besides providing for the construction of the center in Davao City, the initial amount also covered the provision of equipment, training of Filipino trainers in Korea and the dispatch of Korean experts to the Philippines.

The center has 7 buildings including a dormitory and administrative building, complete with training equipment for the 7 training fields at Buhisan, Tibungco, Davao City. 

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The idea of gathering Kagay-anons living abroad was a seed planted by the late Roy C. Gaane, founder and president of Kagayanon International (KI). 

Tapok 2017 San Francisco officers

Roy was instrumental in drawing up a list of Kagay-anons who had migrated to the United States by keeping track of new arrivals, ultimately connecting everyone via his KI Newsletter.It was through said newsletter that homesick Kagay-anons heard fresh news about recent happenings back home and learned about recent arrivals. 

Remember that all this took place before the age of computers, emails and Facebook. Everything had to be done manually through a typewriter and painstakingly sent out by snail mail.

One thing led to another setting off the first big gathering of Kagay-anons in Chicago in 1982.  This reunion of sorts evolved through the years and is now popularly referred to as TAPOK. This biggest gathering of town mates from the old hometown is now on its 17th event, covering a span of 36 years from its initial inception.

TAPOK through the Years

1982    Chicago                       1996   San Francisco       2007    Las Vegas         2017   San Francisco

1984    Los Angeles                1998   Las Vegas             2009     New Jersey    

1986    Toronto                       2001    Houston               2011    Los Angeles       

1988    Seattle                         2003    San Diego            2013    Toronto

1992    New York                   2005    Honolulu              2015     Vancouver

The last TAPOK held on August 4 to 6, 2017 was hosted by the Kagay-anons of Northern California, headed by President Peter Garcia, 20 long years since it played host way back in 1996.

What is it about TAPOK that generates so much interest and excitement?

It is during TAPOK where you will encounter childhood friends and neighbors, classmates and cousins and make new friends. It is akin to being “home” because for 3 full days, you will be in the company of people who are like family since you all share a common town, common friends and similar childhood experiences and memories. That is TAPOK’s magnetic and enduring allure.

Every single TAPOK has been unique, successful and special in its own way. The forthcoming one to be hosted by the Cagayan de Oro – Misamis Oriental Association of New York on July 26 – 28, 2019 promises to be no different in that it will be just as much fun, memorable and exciting as all the previous ones.

Mayor Oscar Moreno and Mrs Moreno arrive at the Hilton San Francisco Aor[prt Bayfront Hotel for the 16th Tapok.

But, it will be slightly different because this time, there will be not just Cagayanons but also Misamisnons, that is people coming from the different towns comprising Misamis Oriental.

However, the hosts are reminded about the raison d’être for which TAPOK was set up. Roy’s original intent should be honored and maintained – this social gathering is meant for people from our City and Province, not for inhabitants coming from other islands. The goal is not numbers but to establish the same camaraderie present in all previous TAPOKs.

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Multi-awarded boutique publishing house Media Wise Communications/ Muse Books marked yet another milestone in its publishing journey after it was awarded the Platinum Anvil award for its coffee-table-book, On the March: The Jesuits in the Philippines Since the Restoration.

On the March was the only Gold Anvil awardee in the publications category which was also cited with a Gold Platinum Award.

The Platinum Anvil is given only to outstanding entries that stand out among Anvil “Gold” winners. On the March chronicles the journey of the Jesuits’ as they bring the Catholic faith to the remotest corners of the Philippines.

The Platinum citation reads: “For recognizing the vital role of Jesuits in the country, the book highlights their mission and achievements, including their evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.”

The project was conceived so that practical, sustainable aid could be channeled to the Jesuit community. To do that, a beneficiary institution was chosen, the Philippine Jesuit Aid Association Inc. PJAAI is dedicated to providing for the healthcare needs of infirm priests.

Presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) the ANVIL is the symbol of Excellence in Public Relations. It is awarded to outstanding PR programs, tools and practitioners.  On the March bagged the Platinum Anvil for PR Tools, under the Publications category, the only one so cited in this category.

Unless a reader of this book reads the publication credits in its opening pages, he would not know how a group of dedicated alumni from Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan (Xavier Ateneo) contributed their hearts and souls to its publication. 

 Foremost among them are executive publishers, Manuel Paras Engwa and Ramoncito Ocampo Cruz.

Many Engwa, John Nery and Monching Cruz

Manny graduated from Xavier Ateneo (Class Salutatorian, High School 1966, AB Economics, 1969). He attended the Industrial Economics program of the University of Asia and the Pacific. On the March is his personal tribute to the Jesuits who have dedicated their lives to the Philippines.

 Manny Engwa’s professional experience encompasses investment, agribusiness, property and pharmaceuticals. He has worked for a prestigious multinational since 1981, and has served as country manager in Indonesia, head of Southeast Asian Operations.

 Ramoncito Ocampo Cruz began his first eight years of education at Xavier Ateneo in 1959 (Grade School, 1967). He moved to St.Andrew’s School in Parañaque City (High School, 1971) and was graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, major in painting in 1976.

Monching was part of an influential group of six artists, Hidden Lines, including Jose Tence Ruiz. In 2017, he received an Anderson Centennial Award from St. Andrew’s and an Outstanding Alumnus for Professional Service from Xavier Ateneo.

After a stint with Sining Makulay CATV (a cable television company) and The Manila Chronicle, he established his own graphic design and publishing company, Media Wise Communications, Inc. in 1993.

A visual artist, advertising and publishing professional, Monching, is a multi-awarded publisher and artist. He won his first Catholic Mass Media citation as well as a Philippine Quill award for publishing MUSE, a magazine dedicated to art, culture and travel. He has had three one man art exhibits. 

Joining them in the editorial team are two Jesuits who previously served at Xavier Ateneo and two graduates who are now journalists.

Monching Cruz and Fr. Joe Quilongquilong receive the Platinum Award for Media Wise’s On the March coffee table book 30 Jan 2019 at the Marriot Hotel, Pasay City.

 Fr. Jose S. Arcilla SJ was the book’s Principal Writer, Journalist John Nery, Editor and Mike Baños, (also a journalist) as a member of the writers’ pool. 

Fr. Rene Javellana SJ, currently the archivist of the Archives of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus, bolstered the team with photos and documents related to the topics presented in the book.

Fr. Arcilla did his Jesuit regency at Xavier Ateneo in 1954. After his MA in History at the Loyola University in Chicago he was assigned in Xavier Ateneo from 1965-68, serving as a college professor, XU Grade School student counselor and Glee Club moderator. 

He was a professor of history at the Ateneo de Manila University and served as Archivist of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus. Among his many published works is An Introduction to Philippine History, Rizal: A Tribute, and Formation of Philippine Society.

Similarly, Fr Rene Javellana SJ served as regent at Xavier Ateneo from 1971-1973 teaching mostly Juniors and Seniors at the High School when Timoteo Butalid was principal. He was also moderator of the High School Yearbook, taught in the English Dept in College with Fr Al Nudas as his chair.

He was also active with XU college theatre, and worked with Fr. Al in the production of Antigone and with Mario Francisco in Foursome and other absurd plays by Eugene Ionesco. For two Holy Weeks, he was involved in XU and Barangay 40’s Holy Week Passion Plays.

Not the least, he participated in an archeological dig at Huluga led by Museo de Oro then headed by Fr. Francisco Demetrio SJ.

Journalist John Nery was formerly the online editor and currently writes a column for the Philippine Daily Inquirer. His Revolutionary Spirit: Jose Rizal in Southeast Asia was published by Singapore’s Institute of Southeast Asian Studies and by the Ateneo de Manila University Press in 2011.

John studied Philosophy in Ateneo de Manila. He also went to Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan and Ateneo de Davao. After finishing his AB Philosophy at AdMU, he taught at the Xavier Ateneo High School.

He has received awards for his journalism; his book editing has been recognized with two National Book Awards. He was Nieman Fellow in Journalism at Harvard University in 2011-2012 and the Jaime V. Ongpin Memorial Lecturer in 2013.

 Freelance writer and journalist Mike Baños started his pre-school at Ateneo de Zamboanga in 1964 but later moved to Western Mindanao State University (formerly Zamboanga Normal College, and later Zamboanga State College) where he finished his Grade School and High School. He got his AB Economics from Ateneo de Zamboanga (now a university) in 1978 (class salutatorian) and his Master in Business Administration in 2000 from Xavier Ateneo.

A dedicated community journalist, Mike has had a wide-ranging career which included stints with the local government and chamber of commerce, academe, banking, retail, and broadcast and print media (ABS-CBN, FUBC, Business World, The Manila Chronicle, The Philippine Star, Today) but his heart remains with community journalism and he writes online and in local newspapers as a freelance writer and journalist. He was a pioneer fellow of the Dart Centre Asia Pacific (for Trauma Journalism) in 2009, and was recognized by the Rotary Club of Manila Journalism Awards as 2017 Provincial Reporter of the Year (Print).

Not the least, and perhaps most important for giving meaning and purpose to On the March, is Fr. Jose V.C. Quiliongquilong, SJ, STD  who succeeded Fr. Herbert Schneider SJ as President and Executive Director of the Philippine Jesuit Aid Association, Inc.  (PJAA).

Fr. Joe studied A.B. Sociology at Xavier Ateneo before joining the Society of Jesus. He completed formation in philosophy (Ateneo de Manila University), Bachelor in Sacred Theology and Master of Arts in Theology (Loyola School of Theology) before his ordination to the priesthood in 1993. He is also concurrently the President of the Loyola School of Theology , Ateneo de Manila University.

Fr. Joe was already actively part of the team last year and was primarily responsible for facilitating the book launch last September 29, 2018 at the Arete. All proceeds from the sale of On the March will be donated to the PJAA for the benefit of elderly, retired and infirm Jesuits, and the promotion of Jesuit vocations in the Philippine province.

Perhaps it was only fitting appropriate that Monching and Fr. Joe received the Platinum Anvil for On the March during at the 54th Anvil Awards Gabi ng Parangal at the Marriot Grand Ballroom held  30 January 2019 in Pasay City. (Media Wise Communications).

–  INDNJC  –

The Cagayan de Oro Misamis Oriental Association of New York, Inc. and the CDO Bloggers Inc. have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to promote the 17th Kagayanon International TAPOK 2019 to be held in New York City, USA on July 26-28, 2019.

A New Partnership to promote TAPOK 2019

Tapok is the brainchild the late Roy C. Gaane, founder and president of Kagayanon International (KI). Through his KI Newsletter, he kept track of Kagay-anons who had migrated to the United States and provided them fresh news about recent happenings back home and learned about recent arrivals. 

“One thing led to another setting off the first big gathering of Kagay-anons in Chicago in 1982,” recalls Gwendolyn Ramos-Garcia of the Norcal Cagayanons which hosted the 16th KI TAPOk 2017 at the Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront in Burlingame in San Francisco, California. 

“This reunion of sorts evolved through the years and is now popularly referred to as TAPOK. This biggest gathering of town mates from the old hometown is now on its 17th event, covering a span of 36 years from its initial inception.”

Signing of the MOA between the CDO-Misor Ass’n of New York, Inc. and CDO Bloggers Inc. to promote TAPOK 2019 held 4 Feb 2019 at Cee’s Restaurant, VIP Hotel

The signing was held in a brief ceremony at VIP Hotel’s Cee’s Restaurant Monday, 4 February 2019 in time for the Chinese New Year’s Eve. The CDO-Misor Assn’n of NY, Inc.  was represented by Tapok 2019 Ambassador Ruth Banuag Iveschich, member of the Tapok 2019 Steering Committee while the CDO Bloggers was represented by current president Ruby Caberte.

Witnessing the signing were association members and supporters Erlinda Rayo Salva, Fashion Designer Ann Loraine Semblante, Nerlito Lim, Arlene Along Borres, Zenaida Tabalon Kwong, and Psyche Padla Paler. Witnessing for the CDO Bloggers were past president and currently VP-External Judy Teves, PRO Mike Baños and Auditor Mae Ann Bernido.

Fellowship after the signing between the CDO-Misor Assn of NY, Inc. & CDO Bloggers after the MOA signing (photo by DRealMay)

Under the terms of the agreement, the CDO Bloggers would tap the blogs of its over 40 members to promote greater participation in Tapok 2019  to be hosted by the CDO-Misor Assn’n of New York, Inc. at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel 135-20 39th Ave, Flushing, New York, New York on July 26-28, 2019.

CDO Bloggers, Inc. or Cagayan de Oro Bloggers Incorporated, is a non-profit organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) composed of Bloggers and Social Media Practitioners in Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao.

“CDO Bloggers aims to promote the city of Cagayan de Oro and the whole island of Mindanao as a peaceful and thriving place in this part of the world through social media,” Caberte said. “We contribute to Mindanao’s global images in a positive way to balance the adverse perceptions many who’ve never been or experienced Mindanao still believe in.”

“We promote Cagayan de Oro City and Northern Mindanao with a sense of pride by blogging in social media as our platform to make known our side of the story, we who are actually living in Mindanao,” she added.

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After scaling the pinnacle of public relations publications in the Philippines and around the world, what mountains are there left to scale for Media Wise Communications/Muse Books?

Monching Cruz and Fr. Joe Quilongquilong receive the Platinum Award for Media Wise’s On the March coffee table book 30 Jan 2019 at the Marriot Hotel, Pasay City.

The boutique sized publishing house with an award winning resume that is totally out of proportion to its size, Media Wise is publishing an unprecedented five books this year that should put local and international award giving bodies on notice.

“We are printing five books so far this year,” said Ramoncito Ocampo Cruz, publisher and CEO, at the sidelines of the 54th Anvil Awards held recently in Pasay City.

On the March was the only Gold Anvil awardee in the publications category which was also cited with a Gold Platinum Award.

“We have just launched a book for the Financial Executives of the Philippines (FinEx) and coming soon are the 150th Anniversary of the Manila Jockey Club, a biography of one of the giants of the country’s justice system, a book on parenting, and another of the pace setters in the Philippine construction industry, which must remain under wraps as of the moment.”

“Media Wise going global,” Ocampo Cruz stressed. Cruz expressed great pride not only in its newest laurels but also in Media Wise’s latest awards, explaining that for a boutique-sized yet agile publication company, it has consistently won more awards in a shorter period than far bigger organizations have through the years.

Media Wise Communications’ coffee table book On the March wins the Platinum Anvil in the Publication Category at the 54th Anvil Awards held 30 Jan 2019 at the Marriot Hotel, Pasay City.

Indeed, bagging a coveted Platinum Anvil at the recent 54th Anvil Awards for its coffee-table-book entry, On the March: The Jesuits in the Philippines Since the Restoration and a Merit Award from The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) in the 2017 Gold Quill Awards for the coffee-table book  Jesuits In Mindanao: The Mission  under the Communications Skills Division (Category 26: Publications), are both by themselves tough acts to follow.

On the March chronicles the journey of the Jesuits’ as they bring the Catholic faith to the remotest corners of the Philippines. The book focuses on their ministry in education throughout the years, and the many aspects of their apostolate in the country.

Media Wise Communications won four awards for three of its recent coffee table books at the 16th Philippine Quill Awards held July 9, 2018 at the Manila Marriott in Pasay City.

54th Anvil Awards Chair Andy Saracho said 121 Anvils were awarded in the Campaigns Category and 60 in the PR Tools category.

Under the PR tools category, Saracho said 43 Silver at 17 Gold Anvils were awarded. The Platinum Anvil is given only to outstanding entries that stand out among all the “Gold” Anvil winners. 

Only two Platinum Anvils were awarded among the 17 Gold Anvil winners this year.  Media Wise’s “On the March: the Jesuits in the Philippines Since the Restoration” and “OMGeo Vlog Series: the Geothermal Effect” ng Energy Development Corporation and PageOne, Inc.

Presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) the ANVIL is the symbol of Excellence in Public Relations. It is awarded to outstanding PR programs, tools and practitioners.   

 Ocampo Cruz and Fr. Jose Quilongquilong, S.J., President and Executive Director of the Philippine Jesuit Aid Association, Inc. (PJAA) received the distinction during at the 54th Anvil Awards Gabi ng Parangal at the Marriot Grand Ballroom 30 January 2019.

Previously, Media Wise romped off with four awards at the 16th Philippine Quill Awards held July 9, 2018 at the Manila Marriott in Pasay City.

2013 Quill Awards Night at Crowne Plaza

Winners of a Philippine Quill are considered to have achieved the pinnacle in business communication excellence. 

Media Wise won four awards for three of its previous coffee-table books:  PNB: One Hundred Years of Service Excellence and St. Andrew’s School – One Hundred Years – Pro Deo et Patria (both in the Publications category) and The Maestro of Philippine Basketball (for Writing and Special Projects).

The Platinum Anvil and Philippine Quills are not the first prestigious award for Media Wise. The publishing company has received numerous distinctions in PR and publications from various local and international award-giving bodies.

Media Wise Communications’ Jesuits in Mindanao: The Mission was the sole Philippine book to win the prestigious IABC Gold Quill Award of Merit, at the IABC Gold Excellence Awards, at the Washington DC Hilton on June 13, 2017. Italso won the Philippine Quill Award of Excellence for Publications under the Communications Skills Division in 2013, and another at the IABC Asian Pacific Silver Quill Awards held in Singapore on September 2017.

Globally, Media Wise has been recognized with a Merit Award by The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) in the 2017 Gold Quill Awards program for the publication of  Jesuits In Mindanao: The Mission  under the Communications Skills Division (Category 26: Publications).

The IABC Gold Quill Awards are the global initiative of the IABC to recognize and award excellence in strategic communication worldwide, and is acknowledged as one of the most prestigious awards programs in the industry. 

Jesuits in Mindanao: the Mission also won the Philippine Quill Award of Excellence for Publications under the Communications Skills Division in 2013, and another at the IABC Asian Pacific Silver Quill Awards held in Singapore on September 2017. PNB: One Hundred Years of Service Excellence also won a Gold Anvil Award at the 52nd Anvil Awards in 2017.

– INDNJC –

The first batch of the Cadet Pilots of the Philippines’ leading carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) recently attained another significant milestone with the awarding of their commercial pilots licenses and third officers gold bars following their intensive aviation training program at Flight Training Adelaide (FTA), Australia.

Cadt Private Pilot Darryl Dave G. Ditucalan with Flying Instructor Capt. Ryan Archer

The first batch Cadet Pilots were culled from over 12,500 applicants after a rigorous screening, series of tests, medical and physical examinations, and an aviation foundation course at the Philippine Academy for Aviation Training in Clark Field, Pampanga last year.

Among the successful cadets were two Mindanawnons: Darryl Dave G. Ditucalan of Iligan City and Dexie Jay Aljas of Banga, South Cotabato.

Cadt Private Pilot Darryl Dave G. Ditucalan with Flying Instructor Ryan Archer

Ditucalan is a certified Electronics and Communications Engineer (ECE) who graduated Valedictorian and Summa Cum Laude from the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology. He was a board top notcher placing third for both the Electronics Engineering and Electronics Technician Board Examinations. He has also presented his thesis to various national and international conferences.

Like Ditucalan, Aljas is also a registered electronics engineer and technician. He was a Dean’s Lister from the Cebu Institute of Technology-University and was an Essay Writing Contest Champion of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Association Inc. (CESAFI) and 2015 ECE Regional Quiz Show Champion.

Cadt. Private Pilot Darryl Dave G. Ditucalan with Capt. Neil Baker, commercial pilot examiner and the Diamond DA40 light aircraft in which he made his first solo flight.

The rest of the first batch of cadets represented a cross section of the country’s main geographical regions including Metro Manila, Greater Luzon area outside the metropolis: and one each from Cebu City, MIMAROPA and Occidental Mindoro.

Ditucalan passed his Commercial Pilot Licensure Examinations last January 28, 2019 at the Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) in Adelaide, Australia.

First solo flight

He previously attained his first solo flight on July 10, 2018 with flying instructor Ryan Archer aboard a Diamond DA40 Star light aircraft. He also became the first student released by Archer.

The DA40 is an Austrian four-seat, single-engine, light aircraft constructed from composite materials. Built in both Austria and Canada, it was developed as a four-seat version of the earlier DA20 by Diamond Aircraft Industries and has the lowest fatal accident rate in US general aviation according to a 2011 Aviation Consumer magazine.

Cebu Pacific Cadet Pilots Batch JUAN (Photo by Ardreen Reguyal)

A true-blue Iliganon, Dave was born and raised in Iligan, the second of three children of David Ditucalan, former board member of the 2nd Congressional District of Lanao del Norte and now a Congressional Consultant for the 2nd District, and Letecia G. Ditucalan, Provincial Head of Dept of Agriculture in Lanao del Norte.

His eldest sister Lovelle was a Doctor to the Barrios, has started her residency at East Avenue Hospital in Quezon City while his younger brother Deaniel Dave is in his freshman year as a B.S. Bio student at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT).

CEBU PACIFIC Cadet Pilot Batch JUAN shows off their gold bars

Dave finished his grade school at La Salle Academy and high school at the Integrated Developmental School-MSU-IIT.

He took up a B.S. in Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) at MSU-IIT) where he was graduated Valedictorian and Summa Cum Laude.

Ditucalan with FTA Flying Instructor Billy Reid

Following his graduation, Dave placed third in both the Electronics Engineering and Electronics Technician Board Examinations. He has also presented his thesis to various national and international conferences.

After working for almost a year for a semi-conductor company in Cavite as an IC designer, Ditucalan didn’t think twice when Cebu Pacific issued the call for the first batch of cadet pilots last year.

Ditucalan shows off his first solo flight certificate with FTA Head Grant Mules

“To those wanting to be pilots but are financially or otherwise constrained, take advantage of this opportunity offered by Cebu Pacific,” he advised. “The ten year payback period is very affordable compared to what this career can bring to you and your family.”

Asked what qualities he had which had served him best in making it to the first batch of Cebu Pacific’s Cade Pilots, Dave replied “It’s discipline, discipline, discipline!”

CEBU PAC Cadt Private Pilot Darryl Dave G. Ditucalan with the Diamond DA40 light aircraft with whcih he made is first solo flight at Flight Training Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.

“We have to watch our body and mind. We have to be prepared physically, mentally, and psychologically for this kind of career. Any minor problem to our physical or mental capability might be a career-ender,” he stressed.

Cebu Pacific will shoulder the cost of the training, type-rating and licensing, with successful cadet-pilots guaranteed employment with CEB. They will then reimburse the cost of the program through salary deduction over a maximum of ten years at zero-interest.

Dave and his cohorts are spending 52 weeks at the FTA campus in Adelaide and would return to the Philippines upon completing their training there to complete type-rating and licensing requirements to become full-fledged commercial pilots.

After successfully completing the program, the cadet-pilots become First Officers at CEB, and join the corps of aviators at Cebu Pacific, flying domestic and international routes. The airline just recently sent off the fourth batch of cadet pilots to the FTA to undergo the same program.

CEB undertook the ground breaking program after noting the dearth of pilots for its growing fleet of aircraft. 

Between 2018 and 2022, CEB expects delivery of six more brand-new Airbus A321ceo, 32 Airbus A321neo and seven ATR 72-600 aircraft, hence the pressing need for more pilots to man its growing fleet. These, in addition to its present 62-strong fleet of one Airbus A321CEO, 36 Airbus A320, eight Airbus A330, eight ATR 72-500 and nine ATR 72-600 brand-new aircraft.

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