THE MINDANAO POST JUNE 15-16 2023

Cagayan de Oro marks 73rd City Charter Day

By URIEL QUILINGUING Contributing Editor

Highly-urbanized Cagayan de Oro, the country’s 10th largest city which serves as Northern Mindanao regional capital, will turn 73 years old as a chartered city on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

On this historic day, Mayor Rolando A. Uy will report on his administration’s performance before the City Council in a special session at the Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center in Indahag village, about eight kilometers from City Hall.

In the past, City Charter Day commemorative programs were held either at the amphitheatre, bandstand (now known as Freedom Kiosk), or at the Barangay Tourism Hall.

To be presided by Vice Mayor Jocelyn B. Rodriguez, the special session of the 18-member legislative body is set to start at 1:30 p.m. City Administrator Roy Hilario P. Raagas, in a videotape shared online on Tuesday, June 13, said over a thousand attendees from government agencies, village leaders, professional organizations, business entities, and civil society organizations are expected.

Raagas said they are encouraging city residents to avail of the buses that would ferry them to

HISTORIC EVENT - President Elpidio R. Quirino signing Republic Act No. 521, the City Charter of Cagayan de Oro, June 15, 1950, in the presence of Misamis Oriental Congressman Emmanuel N. Pelaez (in business suit, standing at right), provincial and Cagayan de Misamis town officials, (File photo)

Former rebels told youth: ‘freedom from hardships achieved after leaving the NPA’

CHARTER DAY, from p1..

convention center from City Hall at Capistrano Street or from SM City Uptown, Masterson Road starting at 7 a.m. and back.

A thanksgiving mass is set at 10:30 a.m., while the City Charter Day Commemorative Program at 11:30 a.m. – the time the presidential signature was affixed on the City Charter document 73 years ago. Lunch would be served.

At Cogon Public Market, a huge lightemitting diode (LED) screen would be installed at where the commemorative activities at the convention center can be viewed, aside from livestreaming on city government-created Facebook accounts.

The City Mayor’s state-of-the-city report would be anchored on the current administration’s CdeO RISE development agenda: Regional leadership (metropolization, accessibility, and connectivity), Institutional development (and participatory governance), Safety (security and human development), and Economic recovery.

These were spelled out in the July 1, 2022 Mayor Uy’s inaugural speech.

Under CdeO RISE platform is the sixpoint agenda on addressing issues on garbage, traffic and water supply, as well as on tax incentives, people’s participation, and Covid-19 response.

In his first 100 days, October 8, last year, he said his focus has been on reaching out to the poor, providing with basic services and needs such as food, education, jobs, and economic activities.

Uy said the foundations for a roadmap to economic recovery from the pandemic was already in place and these include regulations for sidewalk vendors, people’s day at City Hall, and village-level delivery of basic services.

By Franck Dick Rosete Correspondent CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

– In celebration of the 125th Philippine Independence, two former rebels on the island of Mindanao shared how they achieved “freedom” from hardships and armed confrontation after they decided to surrender to the government and left the New People’s Army (NPA).

Discussing life after surrendering was the message that the two rebels wanted to impart to their former comrades who are still in the said organization, including the youth, as their way of urging them that there is no good in joining the armed struggle.

Alias Caloy, who was a former rebel for 11 years in Mindanao, urged young individuals not to be persuaded by the convincing words of the NPA recruiters, as the organization’s aim, he said, is to put the government in a bad light.

“Ang imong huna-huna, kung unsaon nimo makabiya sa kadena nga gigapos sa imo-

ha; dili ka makabiya kung dili ka magplano (In your mind, [you’re thinking] how can you get away from the chains that bind you; you’ll not be able to get away if you don’t create a plan),” alias Caloy said during a program conducted by the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office in relation to the said occasion at Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria in this city on Monday, June 12.

He recalled how he was forced to settle on a piece of root crop as his meal from breakfast to dinner, waking up in the middle of the night to transfer locations due to the possible appearance of the military, and the hardships of non-stop walking.

Caloy was recruited and joined the NPA in 2011. He previously belonged to the Mount Kitanglad subregional command of North Central Mindanao Regional Command and started in the white area operation in Cagayan de Oro. He surrendered to the government in 2022.

The Mount Kitanglad sub-regional command was

responsible for the series of attacks against huge companies of Del Monte Philippines and Dole Stanfilco in Bukidnon in 2013, as confirmed by the North Central Mindanao Regional Command in a press release issued on Feb. 20, 2013.

The series of attacks, according to the NPA, served as sanctions against the said companies for allegedly providing a hard time to the workers, farmers, and indigenous people, as well as for destroying the environment.

Caloy also shared how his family was affected after joining the said organization, saying that he has no information on the whereabouts of his siblings up to this date.

“Dili na magkontakay sa ako mga igsuon sa dugay nga panahon, sa onse ka tuig nga pag sakripisyo (We weren’t able to communicate with my siblings for a long time, in 11 years of sacrifice),” he added.

Alias Tax, also a former rebel in Mindanao, echoed the statement of Caloy, encouraging the youth participants of the said event not to

instill in their minds a single chance of joining the NPA in order not to experience the struggles they suffered.

“Tuig ko kapin naglihok, apan wala gayud koy nakuha nga kaayohan. Bisan unsa amo gihangyo. Bisan tsinelas dili gani mi matagaan. Magtiniil na lang gani mi hangtod nga mangapanit among mga tiil (I joined the movement for over a year, but I did not get anything good. We had various requests. But even slippers they were unable to provide. We were just barefooted until our feet pilled),” Tax said.

Major Francisco Garello, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said a total of 228 members of the NPA surrendered in 2022, while they already tallied a total of 126 NPA members surrendered from January to present this year.

On the other hand, the local governments of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental also conducted their respective activities in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence. (MT)

Earlier, the City Council members approved and adopted the 2023 P8.289-billion Annual Investment Plan: P3.5B for economic programs, P3.2B for social services, and P1.589 for general services.

Meanwhile, the Himugso (Birth) organizing team for the 73rd Charter Day and 125th Philippine Independence Day is inviting the public to take a glimpse of the past by viewing the exhibits at Centrio Ayala, Gaisano City, Limketkai Mall, Ororama Center, SM City Downtown Premier, and SM City Uptown Mall, June 11 to 17.

Museum tours are also available, June 13-15, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., from City Hall to the City Museum (Old Water Tank), Museum of Three Cultures (Capitol University), and Museo de Oro (Xavier University Main).

To bring in more participation and create public entertainment, inter-agency sports involving badminton, basketball, chess, lawn tennis, table tennis, and volleyball was launched Thursday, June 8, last week. Winners will be recognized on Wednesday, June 14.

Seventy-three years ago, on June 15, at about 11:30 a.m., then President Elpidio R. Quirino signed Republic Act No. 521, the City Charter of Cagayan de Oro, out of Cagayan de Misamis town that was created sometime in 1872.

This, after then Misamis Oriental Congressman Emmanuel N. Pelaez refiled sometime in December 1949, a bill creating the City of Cagayan de Oro which his predecessor, Congressman Pedro S. Baculio, had been lobbying for three years. (MT)

Alias Caloy, a former NPA rebel, delivers his speech during the 2nd A.C.O.R.D.A (Anti-Criminality Operation through Recorida and Dialogue Approach) Variety Show in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence at Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City on Monday, June 12. (Screengrab from Bombo Radyo’s video posted on Facebook)

Alias Tax, a former NPA rebel, delivers his speech during the 2nd A.C.O.R.D.A (Anti-Criminality Operation through Recorida and Dialogue Approach) Variety Show in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence at Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City on Monday, June 12. (Screengrab from Bombo Radyo’s video posted on Facebook)

PH takes leadership role in ALGOA, spearheading organic district dev’t

by Lou Ellen L. Antonio

KAUSWAGAN, Lanao

del Norte (PIA)--The Philippines has taken a significant step in the global organic agriculture community by assuming leadership of the Asian Local Governments for Organic Agriculture (ALGOA).

ALGOA is a sub-organization of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)-Organics Asia and works with over 200 local governments in Asia to promote the expansion of organic agriculture.

Under the guidance of the League of Organic Agriculture Municipalities, Cities, and Provinces of the Philippines (LOAMCP) National President and Kauswagan Mayor Rommel Arnado, the Philippines aims to promote the comprehensive development of organic agriculture through the concept of organic districts.

Arnado, known for his unwavering support for organic agriculture, expressed deep gratitude to Goesan County for their instrumental role in ALGOA’s growth over the past seven years.

He acknowledged that without Goesan County’s generous support, ALGOA would not have flourished into the unique organization it is today—a pioneering platform that brings together local governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector to foster the development of organic agriculture across Asia.

During his acceptance speech, Arnado emphasized the launch of two crucial initiatives: the ALGOA-LOAMCP Organic Academy and the ALGOAYoung Elected Officers Network. These programs prioritize capacity-building as the key to further advancing organic agriculture.

“I am committed to nurturing the growth of these two groups during my presidency, as capacitybuilding is paramount for the development of organic agriculture,” he said.

According to IFOAMOrganics Asia President Mathew John, this development holds great significance as newly elected mayors, young mayors, governors, councilors, and other lawmakers united under ALGOA’s umbrella

to promote and implement organic agriculture.

Arnado envisions a bright future for organic agriculture, highlighting the unique aspect of elected officers stepping up to lead the charge for a better and more sustainable world.

Under ALGOA’s guidance, these officers will be better equipped to mainstream organic agriculture and contribute to the growth of this vital sector.

Meanwhile, Mayor Song In-Heon of Goesan County in South Korea, who handed over the ALGOA presidency, expressed unwavering confidence in Arnado’s ability to lead ALGOA towards becoming a prominent international organization that advocates and integrates organic agriculture practices into mainstream society.

“With Mayor Rommel Arnado’s organic pioneer background, I am confident that he will be the perfect leader to guide ALGOA in becoming an international organization mainstreaming organic agriculture,” he said.

Furthermore, as the new ALGOA President, Mayor Arnado also assumed the co-presidency

of the Global Alliance of Organic Districts (GAOD), a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by ALGOA and its European partners, including the International Network of Ecoregions based in Rome, Italy. This collaboration aims to explore the multifaceted nature of organic districts and implement holistic

approaches to organic agriculture development among ALGOA members in Asia.

Salvatore Basile, the co-president of GAOD, expressed his inspiration and admiration for the accomplishments of Kauswagan in resolving conflicts and successfully implementing the peace process that

resulted in enhanced security and prosperity for the people of the country.

Moreover, sessions were also held for the 9th Asian Local Government for Organic Agriculture and 4th Global Alliance of Organic Districts Summits, where leaders in Italy and Tunisia shared strategies for establishing organic

districts, how organic agriculture strengthens ecological preservation in China, the implementation of organic agriculture towards sustainable development in East Manggarai Regency in Indonesia, and organic agriculture development in Nagaland, India. (LELA/ PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)

Sports program changes lives

of poverty.

Asuccess story in local governance that I personally witnessed and would like to share here was the innovation introduced by the former municipal mayor of Pres. Manuel Roxas in Zamboanga del Norte, Atty Jan Hendrik Vallecer, all throughout his three terms of office as local chief executive.

As a backgrounder, the municipality of Pres. M.A. Roxas was beset with poverty and backwardness as a significant number of the population lacked the skills and the education to keep up with the globalization needed in bigger industries

outside of its jurisdiction.

The former mayor explored strategies to alleviate poverty specifically by putting a premium on his people and so he endeavored to improve the skills and education of inhabitants starting off with a very strong sports program to build self-confidence, gather enough experiences of success, and forge a strong collective spirit of identity as Roxasnons.

He embarked on an extensive sports program that equipped the indigent athletes with skills that became their ticket to university scholarships and eventually bring them out

At the early part he enjoined stakeholders to sponsor sports events starting with just basketball leagues among interbarangays which then grew popular and paved the way for the creation of an intensive program for the different sports in the municipality. Active scouting of potential athletes from the poorest of the poor was then launched and potential indigents were drafted and trained under the LGU program all throughout the year.

The beginning was an uphill battle especially in funds as the municipality had to build first the appropriate facilities such as basketball courts, volleyball courts, and football fields as well as all other facilities and equipment for the other sports events.

With the help of the private sector over the years, the municipality was able to put up state of the art facilities that became the training grounds of athletes on the following events: Basketball, Sepak Takraw, Tae-

The LEGO MOC process, winning NBA championships and politics

kwondo, Volleyball, Boxing, Table tennis, Football/Futsal, Track and Field.

The extensive training in place all year round for all athletes has eventually produced top players in the different sports events. After winning championships in the regional and national level, some of Roxas athletes have achieved stardom in their sports events and Roxas has become the favorite LGU for university recruiters to cast potential players.

Pres. Manuel A Roxas continues to forge a brand as the “Home of the Champions” as it continues to bring home the bacon in various sports leagues in the region and the country as a whole. At the launching of the comprehensive sports program in 2018, the Municipal Team has garnered 16 awards in different sports events in provincial and regional level. It continues to harvest awards in different sports competitions as the players get better and better with its continuous training.

While the sports program

has brought indigents back to school and planted in them the seed to succeed, the comprehensive sports program has also made positive impact to the community in general.

The sports program provided its indigent youth the access to world-class tertiary education and a lucrative career in the big leagues. Unthinkable a decade ago in what used to be a laidback locality. To date, new cultures of striving for success, spirit of competitiveness and strong group identity have replaced the once laidback and sleepy town to a vibrant community.

(*Mr. Churchill Aguilar is an Organizational Development (OD) consultant. He has engaged with over 300 LGUs and private companies in building capacities to maximize Human Resource productivity. He can be reached at cgaleadershipcommunication@gmail.com.)

“Perhaps, play would be more respected if we called it “self-motivated practice of life skills” but that would remove the lightheartedness from it…”

– Dr. Peter Gray

Most everyone knows what LEGO means.

LEGO is a line of plastic construction toys which consists basically of variously colored interlocking plastic bricks that can be put together into almost anything you can imagine. Normally, Lego enthusiasts follow

a printed instruction on how to put disparate Lego pieces together and build various kinds of buildings, vehicles, machines and background sets. Most enthusiasts start out as kids or teens. There are adults like me, however, who continue to build LEGO sets and are known as Adult Fans of Lego or AFOL.

Some LEGO builders take it a step further and engage in LEGO My Own Creation or MOC. In LEGO MOC, the builders make their own original creations out of basic LEGO bricks. Some of these LEGO

original constructs are so massive and complicated that it takes months or years to build. Most practitioners of LEGO MOC follow a similar process. We start by practicing on sets with specific instructions. We then learn certain techniques that can be used in various permutations. Thereafter, we imagine what we want to create and determine what parts we need for the creation. We picture the step by step process in our mind to build that Lego structure. With the end result firmly etched in our mind, we scour the community looking for these parts. Once the parts are in place, we then go about following the plan. Sometimes, we find glitches in the plan. We can’t find a part or the part actually does not fit into the design. We, thus, adapt and change the parts or adjust the plan. Once the original creation is finished, we take a moment to enjoy it, then go on to the next creation.

Most builders who regularly engage in LEGO MOC, develop

an adherence to certain tenets that are often applicable in other situations where one seeks to successfully achieve a goal. In two things where Filipinos are most passionate -- basketball and politics, we can note the presence of these tenets in successful runs in both fields and cite them as examples.

First, in most things, there are no shortcuts to successfully achieving an end goal.

LEGO MOC requires hundreds of hours of conceptualizing, picking the parts, and building the creation brick by brick. There is no other way to produce the LEGO MOC and as such, the LEGO MOC practitioner understands the importance of patience and the long burn.

Recently, the NBA crowned its new champion, the Denver Nuggets, whose road to success was a long and arduous process that took almost a decade to achieve. In basketball, putting together star players even for a short while is often a default mode of trying to win a cham-

pionship. The Denver Nuggets took pains to methodically build their team and support structure from the ground up. They looked for players with potential and developed them. Their star player, Jokic, was drafted 41st overall. Once Jokic developed, they looked for the players that would complement him. It was a long and arduous process that required patience from the front office and the fans.

In politics, the successful candidates recently are the ones who start early building their brand and organization. In local elections, it takes at least 18 months to seed brand messages and train the campaign staff and workers to achieve political success.

Second, though we start from the basics, our creation or end goal must be unique and original. In LEGO MOC, the basic build techniques are combined and tweaked to create a sum or whole greater than its parts.

ADB stands ready to help PH in clean energy transition

MANILA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) remains committed to assist the Philippines in rolling out initiatives for clean energy transition.

At the sidelines of the Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) 2023 at the ADB

headquarters Wednesday, ADB Principal Energy Specialist David Elzinga said the institution is currently doing a feasibility study for the Philippines under the Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM).

ADB launched the ETM

partnership with the Philippines and Indonesia in 2021 in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

A pre-feasibility study was done at that time, but the national elections here delayed the completion of the study.

Elzinga said the ADB targets to finish the feasibility study by the first half of 2024.

Under the ETM, ADB partners with developing countries like the Philippines to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels

to clean energy.

Investments from governments, multilateral banks, private sector investors, philanthropies, and long-term investors also finance country-specific ETM funds to accelerate the retirement of coal power assets.

Elzinga said the feasibility study aims to look into potential and specific coal plants that could be accelerated on their retirement.

Within Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, the ETM aims to retire 50 percent of the coal fleet, which has a capacity of around 30 gigawatts over the next 10 to 15 years, or equivalent to a reduction of 200 million tons of carbon emissions annually.

“We’re developing what we call a SESA, which is a Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment. We have completed that work in Indonesia, and we’re

just starting that up in the Philippines,” Elzinga said.

He said the SESA evaluates the environmental and social impacts of the energy transition.

Moreover, ADB Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) Advisor Andrew Jeffries said his group is facilitating the Philippine government’s request to tap funding from international partners group including the United States, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Norway, Denmark, UK, and the European Union.

“The Department of Energy has asked us, has expressed interest,” Jeffries said. “The Philippines has to reach out to these IPG. All we can do is to try to facilitate that.”

He added the Philippines would qualify given its big population and the big share of coal plants in its energy mix. (PNA)

PSEi slips, peso almost flat after US inflation slowdown

MANILA – The further slowdown of the United States’ inflation in May made investors turn to the US anew, resulting in the negative close of most counters in the local bourse but the peso barely moved against the greenback.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) shed 1.12 percent, or 73.2 points, to 6,434.06 points.

All Shares followed with a decline of 0.87 percent, or 30.21 points, to 3,437.04 points.

Most of the sectoral gauges also ended the day down, led by Services after it slipped by 2.04 percent.

Trailing behind were Property, 1.59 percent; Holding Firms, 1.27 percent; Mining and Oil, 1.13 percent; and Financials, 0.55 percent.

Only the Industrial index managed to end with gains although minimal at 0.003 percent.

Volume reached 1.16 billion shares amounting to PHP11.45 billion.

Decliners led advancers at 118 to 72 while 41 shares were unchanged.

“Investors pulled back into the US, as the latest inflation data showed that price pressures continued to slow down in May, fueling optimism that the Fed (Federal Reserve) may skip a rate hike in upcoming policy-setting meeting,” said Luis Limlingan, Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales.

The US inflation rate posted its slowest since

March 2021 when it decelerated to 4 percent on an annual basis in the fifth month this year compared to 4.9 percent in April.

On a month-on-month basis, the rate of price increases jumped by 0.1 percent, slower than the 0.4 percent rise in the previous month.

“Following the report, traders increased their bets

that the Fed will keep rates unchanged on Wednesday after hiking at 10 consecutive meetings,” Limlingan said, referring to the June 13-14 meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee.

Meanwhile, oil prices went up by 3 percent to USD74.06 per barrel for Brent crude and by 3.1 percent to USD69.19 per

barrel for the West Texas Intermediate (WTI), “recovering from steep losses the previous session after China’s central bank lowered a short-term lending rate for the first time in 10 months.”

Meanwhile, the local currency ended the day at 55.94 from 55.95 on Tuesday.

It opened the day at

55.88, better than its 56.09 start in the previous session and traded between 56.015 and 55.88, resulting in an average of 55.97.

Volume increased to USD881.9 million from the previous session’s USD834.75 million.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the peso was little changed

ahead of the announcement of the Federal Reserve decision.

He said the slowdown in US inflation rate gives the Fed “room to take a pause from interest rate hikes later today.”

For Thursday, Ricafort forecast the peso to trade between the 55.85 and 55.95 levels against the US dollar. (PNA)

Empowering voices, strategies: Women unite for organic agri summit

KAUSWAGAN, Lanao del Norte (PIA)--Over 30 dedicated women representing diverse organizations and agencies across the Philippines convened for the 1st Women in Organic Agriculture (WOA) in Asia Summit.

The summit aims to foster engaging discussions and exchange valuable insights regarding the various strategies employed by women in the field of organic agriculture.

Launched on November 26, 2021, WOA is a sector group of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)—Organics Asia that aims to amplify women's voices in the organic sector throughout Asia, ensuring their representation and participation are duly recognized and celebrated.

The participants in this

summit hailed from various provinces, including Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Zamboanga del Sur, Davao de Oro, and Bukidnon, among others. Among these remarkable women, Marivic Tagupa, the founding president of WOA Philippines, passionately expressed the vision of the organization: a healthy mother earth.

"The WOA’s vision is a healthy mother earth, with its mission to help our mother earth. My purpose of life is to love mother earth through organic because that’s my only way to help mother earth," she said.

A significant milestone during the summit was the oath-taking ceremony for the WOOA-Ph officers and lady focal points. Furthermore, WOA-Ph solidified

its commitment to the cause by signing a memorandum of commitment with IFOAM-Organics Asia.

This agreement officially launched and initiated various activities aimed at bolstering the participation and representation of women in the organic sector in the Philippines.

These activities encompass recruiting new members, facilitating engagement in related events, and fostering collaborative efforts as agreed upon by both parties.

The discussions held at the summit revolved around the themes of gender equality and the pivotal role of women in organic agriculture. Esteemed organizations such as IFOAM-Organics International and the Intercontinental Network of Organic Farmers Organiza-

tions led these enlightening discussions.

Karen Mapusua, the president of IFOAM-Organics International, emphasized the significance of inclusive conversations, transcending barriers of gender, age, culture, and geographical location. She stressed the urgent need for governments to align their policies with principles of inclusion and equity.

"The final step in strategic action includes the focus on conveying inclusive conversation across gender, age, culture, and place. And also to review our government instructions collided with the principles of inclusion and equity," she said.

Throughout the summit, several esteemed female leaders shared their inspiring experiences with-

in the realm of organic agriculture. Arlene Dayo, the municipal agriculture officer of Goa, Camarines Sur, shed light on their successful organic agriculture program.

Rebecca R. Atega, the Lady Focal Person of National Government Agencies, and the Department of Agriculture Caraga Regional Technical Director, presented their office's remarkable initiatives.

Additionally, Maria Liza L. Evangelista, the vice mayor and owner of La Granja de Jas Family Farm in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, recounted her personal journey in establishing an organic family farm amidst the pandemic.

"My big voice is anchored in three things: sustainable source of safe and healthy food for my family and community;

good stewardship of my body and environment; and leading my people by my own example and being a catalyst of change in my own municipality," Evangelista said.

The WOA summit is just one of the events in organic agriculture held in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

Other events were the Organic Youth Forum, the 9th Asian Local Government for Organic Agriculture Summit, the 4th Global Alliance of Organic Districts Summit, and the 6th Organic Asia Congress, which attracted participants and delegates from 32 different countries and areas worldwide, including China, South Korea, Portugal, the Maldives, Mongolia, and more. (LELA/ PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)

Over 30 women from diverse organizations and agencies across the Philippines convene for the 1st Women in Organic Agriculture (WOA) in Asia Summit. (ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)

LAUENGCO | from p4

The newly crowned NBA champions started with basics and developed their own unique twist to their players and tactics such as, the first point center who can bring the ball and pass it from the top of the key among other things. In politics, the candidates must always bring something unique to the table whether in their narrative or message.

Third, you need to find the right parts and be ready to change the parts or work around the challenges with the parts you have. The Denver Nuggets experimented with other players filling in the parts of their planned team before finding the core team for their run. When they found the core of Jokic, Murray, Porter and Gordon, injuries prevented them from playing together for a long time but, they stuck with them and added more pieces. In politics, finding the right parts in the core message and finding the right

MANGO | from p8

was a happy child.

But the pandemic brought him sadness as he could not go out to train. He was just stuck in their house doing online school and watching online shows.

Fortunately, the Japanese Manga Blue Lock and ArgentinaMessi victory in the world Cup last year inspired him to go back into training and resumed his love affair with the beautiful game.

Blue Lock is an intense and gripping Sports Manga that follows the story of Yoichi Isagi, a talented high school football player who dreams of playing in the World Cup. That was his best discovery online during the pandemic that rekindled his love for football.

“I was down during the pandemic as I could not play football and wanted to quit the game, however, I got hooked up with the Japanese Manga Blue Lock and was inspired by one of the episode,’’ he said.

Alado added that he also watched all the matches online of his ‘idol’ Leo Messi during the World Cup 2022 and that added to the ‘push’ to resume his training and play football for his school Abba’s Orchard Mary Montessori School.

Meanwhile, coach Ivan has named the 22-man team that will leave for Cebu City on Jun 18 to compete in the Div. 1 group stage competition set on June 21-29 at the Dynamic HerbBorromeo stadium at the South Reclamation, Cebu City.

Although the CMORFA lads lost the series against XU, coach Ivan remains confident that his team will do well against Division 1 teams.

CMORFA will play against Panay FA, Central Visayas FA, SOCCSKSARGEN, South Davao RFA and Zamboanga del Norte, Dipolog Regional Football Association (ZANDIFA).

Coach Ivan has named a very young team with only six players born 2004, 12 born in 2005 and

members for the staff is a pivotal key to success.

In the end, it is evident that some of the games we play as kids or adults teach us more skills than we realize. As such, purposeful play must always be promoted as an additional means of learning about life skills.

This is my oblique observation.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the foregoing article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any other office under the Presidential Communications Office.

(ATTY. GILBERTO LAUENGCO, J.D. is a lawyer, educator, political strategist, government consultant, Lego enthusiast, and the director of CAER Think Tank. He is a Former Vice Chairman of MECO, Special Assistant of NFA and City Administrator among others. His broad experience has molded his unique approach to issues analysis which he calls the oblique observation.)

six born 2006. The competition is for players born 2004.

‘I have confidence and trust with our players. From more than 60 players who showed for the tryouts, we have trimmed down them to 30 and now to the final 22. These boys are here for a reason. God will do the rest’, he quipped.

Coach Ivan will bring with him goalkeepers John Encornal of Bulua Strikers/Liceo de Cagayan University, Marjohn Lago, MOGCHS/Monte Carlo FC, Earl Galla, Galica FC/Gingoog Community College, defenders Jared Tan, Higala FC/ Xavier University High School, Pedro Tagara of Manticao FC, Carlo Bongocan Rosevale School FC, Jave Vallar, Jared Sabillo of MOGCHS/Higala FC, and Michael Berdelao of Christ the King College/GAFC.

Aside from Alado the midfielders include John Mercado of Christ the King College/GAFC, Kinsey Yañez of Higala FC, Justine Pabalate of Higala FC, and Jisher Aguiman, of Gingoog Community College/GAFC.

Wingers are Charles Bernales of MOGCHS/Higala FC, Julius Galleon of Higala FC, Jefred Estoquia of Higala FC and Dave Dacillo of Christ the King College/GAFC Completing the team are forwards John Magalzo of Gingoog Community College/ Galica FC. Efren Castro of Gingoog Community Collge/GAFC, Cherwin Briones, of Monte Carlo FC and Sam Salingay of San Beda College.

Aside from Ivan Caiña of Golden City FC, the team also includes assistant coach Choco Abian of Abba’s Orchard School, team coordinator Mea Ravalo of Golden City FC and team manager Jerome de la Peña of Galica FC of Gingoog City.

Top two teams in the Cebu leg will advance to the national semifinals in July to play against the other two teams in the other group, at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) training center in Carmona, Cavite. (jackbiantantambok@gmail.com)

PSA Camiguin gears up for 2022 agri, fisheries census

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin (PIA)--Camiguin Provincial Statistical Office (PSO) convened each municipality in the province in preparation for the upcoming 2022 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (2022 CAF).

The convening is critical in ensuring the cooperation of all government and private entities in each municipality for a smooth and unhindered flow of census operations locally.

Following the resolution issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority, all local government

units (LGUs) in the province spearheaded the convening within their jurisdiction.

Members of the board were briefed on the methodology and objectives of the census. Further, PSO Camiguin emphasized the importance of the logistical, security, and other assistance needed during the pre-enumeration, enumeration, and post-enumeration activities of this undertaking.

All local chief executives, national agencies, and other members of the board committed and assured PSO Camiguin that

the LGUs and the concerned offices would fully support the census operation.

PSO Camiguin expressed its gratitude during the convening for the support the office had been receiving over the years and committed to striving further to deliver its mandate.

PSA looks forward to a strengthened partnership with the LGU in meeting the increasing demand for reliable data for evidence-based policymaking at the lowest geographic level. (PSA-Camiguin/PIA-10/ Camiguin)

Camiguin Provincial Statistical Office meets the local government units of the province's five towns in preparation for the upcoming 2022 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries. (PSA Camiguin)

By Jack Biantan

CAGAYAN DE ORO City—Seventeen-

year-old James ‘Happi’ Alado of Abba’s Orchard Montessori School has finally found his place in the Camiguin Misamis Oriental Regional Football Association (CMORFA) U19 team that will compete in the Div. 1 group stage tournament of the National U19 National Championship 2023 in Cebu City.

Coach Ivan Caiña played him out on the wings or as right midfielder in their past tune-up matches but last Sunday he was put in the middle of the pitch, his most comfortable position.

He responded magnificently and coach Ivan even pointed out that Alado was ‘solid’ in the middle. “I am most comfortable as center midfielder,” Alado said.

He then highlighted his performance with a booming goal in the second half that equalized the match at 1-1 against Xavier University. CMORFA lads lost

inspired midfielder to lead CMORFA U19 lads

the series to XU with a 3-5 aggregate.

“On the first leg it made us realize that we had to try and focus one game at a time. We played better on the second leg dictating the tempo of the game

both offensively and defensively,” he coach Ivan said. When Alado played for the Northern Mindanao team in the elementary division in the Palaro in

2019 in Vigan, he was the best player for the team the entire tournament for the NMRAA boys. He was tireless in the middle dishing assists and dictating plays.

“I feel that I have gone better under coach Ivan,’’ said the captain of Abba’s Orchard varsity team.

But don’t you know that this ‘Happy’ player almost

INSPIRATION. Bluelock Manga inspired James ‘Happi’ Alado to return to football.

quit football during the pandemic? His parents Carlo and Jean plus his friends and relatives call him ‘Happi’ because he

CMORFA TEAM. The lads are ready for the Cebu leg of national U19 Championship 2023.

TIRELESS. Central midfielder James ‘Happi’ Alado (right) in action against a Xavier University defender. He will lead the Camiguin Misamis Oriental Regional Football Association (CMORFA) in the Group stage competition of the National U19 tournament in Cebu City on July 21-29. Photo by Mark Ravalo