Maranaos in Munai, Lanao del Norte prepared carabao meat for the Eid’l Fitr on Thursday or Friday, depends if the “new moon” would show up Wednesday evening.

Although carabao meat is also sold at the public market, it’s my first time to see a butchered carabao for the Eid’l Fitr.

When Ruby Thursday  More was still working on her portfolio about Moro women, we happened to meet Bai Romina Pendatun-Ali in the marshy town of Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun sometime in March this year.

After making some arrangements on our trip to one of the villages in Liguasan Marsh, Bai Romina shared to us that she has been encouraging the women in GSKP to learn the craft of mat and bag weaving since there are so many indigenous materials available in the area.

“Para naman hindi na sila mahirapan na sumama sa mga asawa nila para mangisda sa Liguasan Marsh. Grabe ang init ngayon,” she stressed.

She bared that there is a Moro women’s group in GSKP that is that is into bags and mat weaving. The group is also sharing the technology to other interested women.

I was really interested to interview this women group but we had no time anymore and it is not our priority yet. Our main target for the days is to get in to the marsh. So I asked her if we could go back in GSKP and interview the women group. And she said, YES.

But last August 19,during the opening of the Mindanao Trade Expo 2010, the women group I was looking for is among the 100 exhibitors.

Finally, I have a story now! I was able to interview the head of the women group. I also introduced the women group to my fellow journalists. But the head of the group, still invited us to visit their place and meet their women weavers.

Women’s group making money from water hyacinths in the Liguasan Marsh

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/20 Aug) – While water hyacinths are being blamed for clogging and flooding some areas near the Liguasan Marsh, a women’s group based in Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun (GSKP) town of Maguindanao is making money out of this aquatic plant that can be found in the marshy villages. The water hyacinths, which are free-floating perennial aquatic plant, are commonly found in the towns surrounding the Liguasan Marsh that straddles the boundary of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/12 Aug) — I was browsing the official Kadayawan sa Davao website on Wednesday morning to check for upcoming events when I noticed a familiar photograph of then Vice Mayor (now Mayor) Sara Duterte hailed by her supporters outside the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office after filing her certificate of candidacy for mayor.

I thought it was Ruby Thursday More’s photograph because it was not posted on my Flickr account, where I usually upload my dispatched photos. But when I checked on the sent folder of my email, it turned out it was my photo after all. Continue reading »

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/02 August) — After popularizing the rare Waling-waling (Vanda sanderiana), Charita Puentespina is now pushing for another source of income among local farmers: cacao farming.

Puentespina, who first introduced hundreds of Waling-waling seedlings to the public in 1986, is also advocating natural farming method among farmers.

She particularly recognized the potentials of cacao as an alternative source of income among farmers in the highlands. [read more]

This afternoon, I happened to pass by Duterte St and I found these turtles sold by two guys for P40 to P50 each.

These are South Asian Box Turtles (Cuora amboinensis) from marshy villages of Midsayap, North Cotabato sold for P40 to P50 each along the street in Davao City. A biologist from University of Southern Mindanao (USM)- Kabacan that this turtle’s  status is "vulnerable." This is commonly found at the periphery  of Ligusan Marsh. The Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD) says trade of  this specie is strictly regulated. Continue reading »

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/07 July) – After being spotted by a TV news crew beating the red light in Manila, Vice President Jejomar Binay’s convoy this time obeyed traffic rules here.

Although escorted by two motor-riding cops and several other policemen, the party negotiated the major streets of this city without “wang-wang” or sirens as well as blinkers.

But the motor-riding cops waved their hands and swerved to give way to the convoy as they approached the congested portion of Diversion Road in Buhangin District before making a left turn at the Quiñones Road leading to JP Laurel Ave. [read on]

Koala bear stuff toys displayed at “ukay-ukay” stalls in Uyanguren area of Davao City. We were looking for stuff toys for our dogs at home when we stumbled upon on these popular Koala bears — this was how Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin described the alleged witness to the election fraud.  Unlike in the past, you would only find “ukay-ukay” shirts and pants. But these days, everything is almost there in “ukay-ukay” stalls.

My portfolio website is currently down. I’m currently exploring new design to improve my photojournalism (folio) website. I may use WordPress this time to showcase my photojournalism works. Meantime, you may view some of photos on my Flickr account.

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/11 April) — That’s always the question Presidential Management Staff (PMS) personnel ask journalists during Presidential sorties in Mindanao.

Even media handlers of some high ranking government officials who visi the provinces, also ask the same question.

Why? The answer is simple: you get special treatment if you’re “national.” Continue reading »

“Remember When…”, a photo exhibition by Rene B. Lumawag at the Event Centre of SM City Davao has been extended until November 21. Adto na!