BOOD PROMONTORY 1st EASTER MASS ECO PARK

This hill site - Bood in Butuanon dialect - holds a dual historical significance. This hill overlooks ancient Butuan and Masao River and is the highest elevation nearest to the seaside village of present day Masao, surely it must have been a mute highness to the glory of ancient Butuan as an importnat trading port with extensive links to various Asian Kingdoms and center of the gold industry from the 10th to 13th century.

The bood promontory Eco-Park is the site of commemoration of the First Mass where Magellan and his men erected a cross on March 31, 1521.

It is the highest elevation and promontory overlooking the whole of Butuan bay then. Today, the indigenous “Hadlayati Tree” still abound lording over a Clonal nursery and tree park, and the serpentine Masao River (ElRio de Butuan) amidst fishponds and archaeological treasures.

Site of the First Mass, After 488 years Controversy Continues

A Tridentine mass was held early morning of march 31 to commemorate the 488th First Mass Celebration officiated by Father Joesello Amalia at Bood Promontory in Pinamanculan. The mass is in pure latin re-enacting the first Mass officiated by Fr. Pedro Valderrama, chaplain of the Spanish expedition team headed by Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, on March 31, 1521.

In his homily, Father Amalla explained that Bood Promontory is not the exact site where the First Mass was held but rather it is the site of commemoration of the thanksgiving mass happened in Mazzua.

488 years ago Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan "rediscovered" archipelago in March 1521 and made history. Little did he know that more than 400 years later, two places will contest the site of the recorded First Mass in the Philippines, whether it was held in Limasawa Island in southern Leyte or in Mazzua or Masao in Butuan. The controversy makes a mockery of the Philippine history when Limasawa and Masao both commemorated the anniversary of the recorded First Mass in respective places.
The issue sparks when Dr. Gregorio Zaide and his daughter, Sonia, in several editions during the 1980s of their widely-disseminated history textbook, insisted that the recorded First Mass was held in Masao, Butuan and in the process, dismissed the Limasawa claim as erroneous.

The First Mass controversy continues and historian experts have been called to intervene in its hope to settle the dispute. Over the years, it came to a point when the National Historical Institute, in a decision handed out a few years back, had ruled that the recorded First Mass in the Philippines was indeed held in Limasawa Island.

However, the Butuan Cultural and Historical Foundation Incorporated would not rest the case without putting up a good fight. Mr. Greg Hontiveros, a local historian who authored two books, “Butuan in Thousand Years” and “A Fire on the Island” stressed, that it is only here in the Philippines who legislates history that makes Republic Act 2733, AN ACT TO DECLARE THE SITE IN MAGALLANES, LIMASAWA ISLAND IN THE PROVINCE OF LEYTE, WHERE THE FIRST MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES WAS HELD AS A NATIONAL SHRINE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND LANDMARKS a mistake committed by the government.

Mr. Hontiveros added, they may have been failed in their effort to pave way in the amendment of the law, but they were victorious in convincing majority of the historians that indeed, the First Mass was held in Masao, Butuan, 488 years ago today.

Boy Daku still for Re-election: Health not a Hindrance

Butuan – Definitely the standard bearer of Lakas-NUCD here in Butuan is bent on running for a re-election comes 2010 National and Local election for his last term.

In a scheduled mayor’s Forum held yesterday, Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II announced he may have kidney ailment, aneurism and recently underwent angioplasty, but he is stronger and capable for serving yet another term and remained unfazed by reports that incumbent 2nd District Congressman Edilmiro Amante will be his contender.

The Commission on Local Elections recently announced the early schedule for the filing of candidacy in November of this year as they prepare for the full automation in 2010 May elections.

With the Mayors’ pronouncement, the two biggest political clans in Agusan shall clash anew. It is to be recalled that in 2007 elections, it was a battle between Mayor Plaza and then incumbent Agusan del Norte 2nd District Congresswoman Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante. She almost won. 2007 election in Butuan was the highest ever recorded history of vote buying by the Amante’s in thousand pesos. Mayor Plaza has been saved by the votes from the outlying barangays whom he had extended help in previous years.

The Mayor added during the said forum, “The 2007 result proves once more, that money is not the barometer in winning the political battle”.

The Lakas-NUCD has yet to convene to formalize its line up for the 2010 elections, to fill in the vacancy for city councillors, having three incumbents who were serving their last terms namely, Salvador Calo,and Rodrigo Dayaday, Atty. Lope Bunol hopes to retire and opted not to have a second term.

Meanwhile, the opposition that is most likely to run in 2010 elections are the following: for Mayor, Edilmiro Amante, former Vice Mayor Angelo Calo, for congressman my DPA told me Jijil Jimenez is being wooed to run again. Number one councillor Erwin Dano is for re-election, and so is incumbent Councillor Atty. Laurence Fortun. To add the list for City Councillor is former Congresswoman Charito Plaza and Ryan Anthony Culima.

Total Darkness on March 28

Butuan City – Taking the first step is as easy as turning off a light, this is what the City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Forester Alexander Alaan reminded stakeholders in a symposium on Earth Hour held yesterday afternoon at the People’s Hall, city hall.

On March 28 at 8:30 in the evening, Butuan will join the one billion people around the globe, in more than 1000 cities from business, government and the community in switching off their lights for one hour, and sending a message to world leaders in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009 the concern towards a commitment that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the short and long term benefit of planet Earth in order to avert widespread disastrous impacts especially in developing countries like the Philippines.

Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II with some guests and participants will lead on the night of March 28 for a short program at the Rizal Park. A few minutes after the scheduled switching off of lights, a police siren will be heard signaling the start of the countdown and at exactly 8:30, lights will be switched off. A ceremonial switch will be prepared at the Rizal Park.

The city government aims for a total darkness in the city's main thoroughfares, landmarks and large establishments, and hopes a 100 percent support from residents.

DBM-Caraga 34m Building Inaugurated by Sec. Rolando Andaya

The Department of Budget and Management Caraga Regional Office finally had its dream comes into reality, when it inaugurated its 34 million worth building located beside Iglesia ni Cristo, a few steps turning left along J Rosales Avenue.

The birth of Caraga Region paved the way to the operationalization of DBM Regional Office, by virtue of the Department Order No. 98-21 issued by then DBM Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno on November 3, 1998.

Way back then, the DBM office was located on the second floor of Llido Building, Ochoa Avenue, Butuan City, and to initially undertake the functions of the new Regional Office, a skeletal force consisting of one Senior Budget and Management Specialist, Accountant III, and a Driver pioneered the operations in CARAGA Region under the stewardship of then Director IV Norberto A. Almaden who also served for the time being as concurrent Regional Director of DBM Regional Office X.Initial operation started in April, 1999 catering only to DPWH Regional and District Offices. With the addition of two more technical staff transferred from RO X in August, 1999, the regional office’s coverage extended to other regionalized agencies of CARAGA, among which are SUCs, DECS (now DepEd), TESDA, CHED, DOH, Local Water Districts, and Local Government Units operating within the four major provinces of the region, namely, the Provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur and the cities of Surigao and Butuan which were before under the coverage of Regions X and XI. As the clientele agencies of the regional office were getting bigger, another three personnel were hired in September, 1999 to complement the staffing requirements of DBM - RO XIII.On the same month, the office was provided with an Assistant Regional Director in the person of Director III Joecel F. Obenza.

As clientele grew, DBM office transferred to a two-storey R. Tiu Building situated at JC Aquino Avenue in January 2001, making it more accessible to everyone, now having a total of 19 staff.

ARD Joecel F. Obenza took the post to head the Regional Office as the newly appointed OIC-Regional Director in view of the retirement of Regional Director Norberto A. Almaden on December 24, 2001.

In December 2004, DBM acquired a 2,544 sq. m. lot at Jose P. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City for a regional office site and the Procurement Service Depot,
On March 19, DBM staff is as busy as a bee, with no less than Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. graced the event as the guest speaker, of the blessing & inauguration of the 34 million 3 storey building with a roof top of DBM Regional Office and DBM Hostel.

Arch. Emiliano Villocido Jr. of DPWH District Office did a great job having envisioned a modern concept, using the state of the art facilities. The main entrance is an automatic sliding door, all offices located on its 1st floor has a glass divisions etched each on its doors the assigned department. Also located on the first floor is a room allocated solely for the assigned Auditor of the Commission On Audit, Library and server room.

The 2nd floor is where the Regional Director and Assistant RD rooms located, equip with modern technology (flat screen touch screen TV/DVD) fronting it is the Cashier's cubicle and receiving area, and a conference room.

The 3rd floor is a huge badminton area, which can also be used as a function area, while the roof top has a basketball court with one goal ring ba tawag ana hahahaha.
At the back of the DBM Building is a 3 floors Hostel, each room has its own toilet/bathroom, and a flat screen TV with big airconditioning units. The DBM Hostel has its own dining and kitchen areas located on the ground floor.

I would also like to mention, that the chandeliers were awesome, it rotates.

Tek Bok

High School graduates this year who wish to pursue a career in Tourism or Hotel and Restaurant Management, Ladderized Education can turn dreams into the stuff of which realities are made.

The Tourism/HRM Ladder - in the field of hotel and restaurant management is
readily reachable under the Pinoy Ladderized Education Program (Pinoy LEP). You
can consider enrolling fi rst in any of the related College Tek-Bok courses and work
your way towards higher levels of success, whether or not you complete a Higher Education Degree Program.

After completing related College Tek-Bok courses and obtaining the corresponding
National Certifi cates (NCs), you have better chances of landing a job, and earning
money, to enroll and to complete a Higher Education College Degree Program,
should you want to do so.

There are a variety of paths you can take to fi nish your B.S. Hotel and Restaurant
Management (BS HRM) Degree, for instance:

1) You can receive a PGMA LEP
or TWSP scholarship to start up
in College Tek-Bok and take up
Food and Beverage Services NC
II.

2) After six months, you can pass
Competency Assessment and
acquire the National Certifi cate
for Food and Beverage Service
NC II to rise to a job platform as waitress or a service crew member. For
another six (6) months you can enroll again, pass assessment and acquire
National Certifi cate for Commercial Cook NC II and work as such.

3) Another set of College Tek-Bok courses, Housekeeping NC II and
Baking/Pastry Production NC II, will allow you to ascend to a higher
job platform in a hotel.

4) After working and saving more money, you can return to College Tek-
Bok to acquire new skills in Bartending NC II and Front Offi ce Service
NC II that will bring you yet again to the next higher job platforms.

5) Each time you ascend, you are empowered to earn and save more money
for Higher Education College, as well as to acquire more credit units to
complete your full B.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Management Degree.

Just as importantly, you acquire vital work experience in each area of hotel
operations--- experience which the industry normally looks for in candidates aspiring
for top positions in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

By the time you graduate, your accumulated work experience gives you valuable
competitive edge over those who completed the Degree straightaway within the
traditional, uninterrupted span of four (4) years, but who have no Tek-Bok experience
and no National Certifi cations to show.

Under the Embedded Model, students who enroll in a Ladderized Degree
Program in Tourism/HRM, and cannot or do not wish to fi nish Higher Education
for one reason or another, may fall back or rely on their earned College Tek-Bok
qualifi cations and National Competencies for the years of study they completed.
(tesda/jem)

tambis

Tambis has different variety, this is the type that sometimes people would refer to as "macopa" but it is not. Tambis - water apple or syzgium aqueum - is cruncy, watery and pinkish in color. It's not yet in season, maybe in the future i could provide a picture of the Native Tambis which is much smaller and not that sweet.