VOTE EARTH HOUR

Global warming is being felt and we should take action to save mother earth. Let's stop complaining of the extreme weather we've been experiencing. On March 28, 2009, for an hour, beginning 8:30 in the evening, let's all switch off our lights as a gesture to aupport VOTE EARTH.

No SMS Day this Lent

Catholics traditionally give up a vice or a special treat for the five weeks between Ash Wednesday and Easter, but for some adherents, figuring out what to give up has always been a challenge.

Giving up meat on Friday is a classic idea, and many of the faithful are prone to giving up sweets, coffee, or alcohol.

But the Church is muscling its way into the modern era, like it or not, and Rome has suggested a new way for Catholics to show their devotion to their religion and preparation for atonement during Easter: Give up text messaging, and other guilty pleasures of modern society.

"No SMS day" does more than just inconvenience the user and remind him of both the blessings of technology and the importance of personal, human interactions: One diocese notes that abstaining from texting was a helpful way for Catholics to draw attention to war in the Congo, where many mines producing minerals essential to the creation of cell phones are located and where violent and bloody conflict has raged for years.

And texting isn't the only modern vice the Church would like you to avoid for the next 40 days. In Turin it's suggested you shun television. In Trento, Italy, a calendar of tech-free living has been generated, suggesting different gadgets be given up for a week at a time -- no cars one week, no iPod the next.

That said, even the Church is pragmatic on the realities of living in the 2000s without modern trappings. Says one Roman priest: "If the use is capricious, then abstinence is welcome, but if technology is needed for work it makes no sense."

What do you think? Could you go 40 days without texting? (yahooblog/jem)

Babae, Yaman ka ng Bayan

Caraga Region, Atty. Pintor stressed that with the increasing number of cases pertaining to violence against women and their children, GADCC and CHR is closely monitoring such cases in coordination with concerned authorities.

“Out of this increasing number of cases, rape posted the highest. And as the chairman of the council, I can assure the public that we are closely monitoring cases pertaining to violence against women and children,” Pintor said.

Anchored on the theme “Babae, Yaman ka ng Bayan” (Woman, you are the nation’s wealth), this year’s theme highlights the critical role of women in nation-building and recognizes that women are an important resource who can contribute to the reduction of poverty.

The theme also supports the fulfillment of the country’s international treaty obligations, particularly the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against women (CEDAW), the Millennium Declaration, and the International Labour Organizations (ILO) conventions.

This year’s celebration is in cognizant of the Arroyo administration’s Ten-Point Agenda and the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) from 2004-2010 which identifies the creation of three million enterprises and ten million jobs, with women as the main target of micro-finance initiatives.

The objective of this year’s celebration is to serve as a venue for sharing of inspiring stories of women entrepreneurs, lessons learned and good practices in entrepreneurial activities.

It also serves as a channel for the nationwide campaign to promote women’s economic empowerment and rights through entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, GADCC-Caraga, the lead committee of the annual celebration in the region was organized in 1998 thru Resolution No. 38, Series of 1998 of the Regional Development Council (RDC), placing the committee under the council. (PIA-Caraga/jem)

Nice View

Taken during sunset on my way home from Cagayan de oro City, 4 hour travel from Butuan City...nice site, so at peace, the calmness of the sea water is very relaxing

RP to host World Health Tourism Congress on March 26-28

The Philippines will firm up its position as a global and wellness destination in Asia by being the first Asian country to host the prestigious 2009 World Health Tourism Congress (WHTC) at Sofitel Hotel on March 26 to 28.

The initial WHTC was hosted by Germany in 2006, followed by Cyprus in 2007 and Spain in 2008.

The Philippines made a successful hosting bid in November last year, according to Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Joseph Ace Durano.

Durano said that the occasion will mark the country's position as a global and wellness destination as thousands of leading health and wellness tourism players from all over the world meet in Manila.

The three-day meeting will gather the world's best health and wellness service providers and corporate buyers for workshop and one-on-one business sessions to enable all parties to supply contracts, establish market linkages, form partnerships and do various mutually beneficial transactions.

The WHTC will also strongly focus on sports medicine, medical and cosmetic treatments.

Participating solution providers such as hotels, spas, health resorts, airlines, ambulance companies, medical services agents, inbound tour operators specializing in health tourism and general hospitals and clinics, especially those engaged in cosmetic dentistry, plastic surgery, orthopedic and sports medicine would be given all the opportunity to transact business.

"The DOT will match the services with the needs of corporate buyers who have pre-qualified as ultimate decision-makers in their respective organizations for matters of well-being and medical travel," said Tourism Undersecretary Cynthia L. Carrion.

The corporate buyers, according to travel industry leader Angel Ramos-Bognot, are health officials of various countries, particularly from the Arab world who are the biggest spenders in medical travel.

So are insurance companies whose network managers decide where to send their clients; third-party medical agents coming mostly from North America and Western Europe who combine travel arrangements with medical treatment, and outbound operators in search of health and wellness destinations for their clients back home.

The Philippines' participation and hosting of the event will make it possible for clients and health industry players to meet in an environment that is exclusively for business, and where they will have undivided attention of their potential customers away from trade shows and exhibition noise. (PNA/jem)

“Walk-for-a-cause” and “Hataw” exercise kick-off Women’s Month Celebration in Caraga

Women in Caraga Region converge on March 3 at Butuan City Hall grounds to mark the celebration of Women's Month.

As mandated in Proclamation No. 227 “Providing for the observance of the Month of March as ‘Women’s Role in History Month’, the Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) of Caraga Region spearheaded the conduct of Women’s Month Celebration with the theme “Babae, Yaman ka ng Bayan”, which was highlighted with a fun walk dubbed “Walk-for-a-cause” in the opening ceremony followed with a “Hataw Exercise”.

GADCC Chairperson and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga Regional Director Atty. Marilyn Pintor welcomed and acknowledged the presence of the participants from the government and private sectors who also participated in the “Walk-for-a-cause” which started at 5:30 in the morning from the Agusan del Norte Capitol grounds and proceeded to Butuan City Hall, and also joined in the Hataw Exercise.
In her speech, Atty. Pintor said that this year’s theme highlights the critical role of women in nation-building and recognizes that women are an important resource who can contribute to the reduction of poverty, and it also supports the fulfillment of the country’s international treaty obligations particularly Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Millennium Declaration, and International Labour Organizations (ILO) conventions.

“To serve as a venue for sharing of inspiring stories of women entrepreneurs, lessons learned and good practices in entrepreneurial activities; and to serve as a channel for the nationwide campaign to promote women’s economic empowerment and rights through entrepreneurship are the two main objectives of this year’s celebration” Atty. Pintor added.

Another activity will be conducted on March 10, 2009 dubbed as “Kalandrakas sa Kababaihan 5” which is said to be a venue for Technology transfer for Livelihood opportunities and skills development, trade fair, ukay-ukay, GAD film showing, beauty and massage parlors, parlor games, and creates a venue for information dissemination on GAD issues and concerns.

Also, on March 31, 2009, a sportsfest and culmination activity will also be conducted at the Philippine Ports Authority grounds. (pia caraga/jem)

Mabua Pebble Beach

Located 30 minutes from Surigao City - which is a 3 hour ride from Butuan City - a unusual, unique beach tourists will love it. You don't see sands, everywhere are pebbles and rocks and crystal clear sea water. This would be everybody's favorite place to unwind, spend the night with the family. The rock formation serves not only for kids to climb on but also perfect as diving boards. Or you can climb and sit on the rocks under the coconut trees on the mountain top, enjoying the scenic view or just settle yourself above the huuuuge rocks along the hsoreline and gazed at the sun setting beautifully.
A place for bonding.....chillin.....or if you want a piece of solitude...this is a perfect place for you.
Along its shores are native cottages, but it also have a nice, clean pavilions. Mt. Bagarabon Mountain Resort has Caba-Caba (butterfly)Suites, Hayahay (relaxing) suites and filipino foods were a delight for foreign tourists.