Camera club

MAITUM, Sarangani (May 1, 2009) - Rommel Rebollido, president of Sarangani Bay Camera Club, gives a lecture Friday, May 1, on basic photography to participants of Binuyugan “for Maitumians only” photo contest. The town celebrates Binuyugan Festival on May 4-7. Rebollido, a veteran Mindanao journalist, recently completed a diploma course in photojournalism at the Asian Center for Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Study tour

OKLAHOMA (May 1, 2009) – Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez (right) is briefed by Dr. Robert E. Whitson, Vice President, Dean and Director of the Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, with discussion on establishing a relationship between Mindanao State University and OSU for agricultural research scholarship programs. Governor Dominguez, who has been covering 400 kms a day visiting research farms in Oklahoma, is in a six-week study grant as a fellow of Eisenhower Center for American Studies. His itinerary includes stops in Hawaii, Philadelphia and at least eight other cities across the United States, ending up in Boston in Massachusetts. Dominguez graduated from Boston College in 1999 with a degree in economics. He worked with their family-owned company Sarangani Agricultural Company Inc. and became the national marketing manager of Alsons Aqua Corp. before resigning and running for governor of Sarangani in 2004. (Photo courtesy of Adele Tongco/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani Bog Brother 2

MAASIM, Sarangani (April 30, 2009) – Provincial Board Member Aniceto Lopez III, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President, is “kuya” and mentor to twins at the Maasim Elementary School on the second day of Sarangani Big Brother’s “Reading is Fun” summer mentoring program Season 2 Thursday, April 30. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Defense force

MAASIM, Sarangani (April 30, 2009) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon addresses participants at the closing ceremony of the three-day Barangay Defense Force Training Thursday, April 30 in Maasim Elementary School. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Statement of support

MAITUM, Sarangani (April 28, 2009) – Provincial Board Member Limuel Gacula gives his statement of support and encourages the people of Barangay New La Union to continue protecting the environment during the Pista ng Kabukiran Tuesday, April 28, highlighted by a bamboo planting activity at Pangi River banks. (MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE/Afren de Guzman)

Pista speaker

MAITUM, Sarangani (April 28, 2009) - Mayor Elsie Perrett speaks before residents of Barangay New La Union during their Pista ng Kabukiran Tuesday, April 28, with the theme "Kalikasa'y Pangalagaan Tungo sa Kinabukasan ng Mamamayan." New La Union is the site of the popular river tubing adventure in Sarangani. (MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE/Afren de Guzman)

Library fund

MAITUM, Sarangani (April 28, 2009) - The provincial government gives P180,000 for the construction of Kipalkuda Elementary School Library in the presence of (from left) provincial Board Member Limuel Gacula Sr. representing Gov. Migs Dominguez, Mayor Elsie Perrett, Vice Mayor Tito Balazon Sr., Barangay Captain Digs Movilla and a teacher from the school during the Pista ng Kabukiran Tuesday, April 28. (MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE/Afren de Guzman)

Bamboo planting

MAITUM, Sarangani (April 28, 2009) - Mayor Elsie Perrett (center) and New La Union Barangay Captain Digs Movilla (left) lead local government and community volunteers in bamboo planting Tuesday, April 28, along the banks of Pangi river during the Pista ng Kabukiran 2009 with the theme "Kalikasa'y Pangalagaan Tungo sa Kinabukasan ng Mamamayan." New La Union is the site of the popular river tubing adventure in Sarangani. (MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE/Afren de Guzman)

Sarangani Bay Festival Calendar of Activities

Sarangani Bay Festival 2009

Irrigators

KIAMBA, Sarangani (April 27, 2009) – Mayor Rom Falgui (3rd from right) poses with National Irrigation Administration representative Abdel D. Simbajon (2nd from right) and the officers of Tambilil Irrigators Service Association , Inc. during the turn-over ceremony of farming and fishing equipments worth P370,000 on Monday, April 27. The project grant was made possible through the effort of United Nations Development Programme, Act for Peace and the local government of Kiamba. (KIAMBA NEWS CENTER/Abner P. Arzaga)

Counting malaria out

MAITUM, Sarangani (April 26, 2009) - The Tropical Disease Foundation, Inc. and the Global Fund distributes 944 mosquito nets free in barangay Kalaong during Domanon Kailian (community outreach) Friday, April 24, in coordination with the provincial and municipal health offices to celebrate World Malaria Day with the theme "Counting Malaria Out". Giving a net to a villager are provincial health officer Dr. Antonio Yasaña, municipal health officer Dr. Junie Basmillo and Desiree Secuya of Global Fund. (MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE/Afren de Guzman)

MaKiMa IT economic zone

MANILA (April 26, 2009) - Senator Mar Roxas presides along with Senator Benigno "Noy-Noy" Aquino III in a public hearing Friday, April 24, of economic zones lobbied by the provincial government of Sarangani, private sector and chamber of commerce for the establishing of the MaKiMa IT or Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum Industrial Triangle. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFIC/Ariel Decena)

Senate hearing

MANILA (April 26, 2009) - Senators Mar Roxas and Benigno "Noy-Noy" Aquino III conduct a public hearing Friday, April 24, attended by a team from the provincial government of Sarangani, private sector and chamber of commerce for the establishing of the MaKiMa IT or Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum Industrial Triangle where officials from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Department of Finance and Bureau of Customs interacted. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFIC/Ariel Decena)

Volunteers' lunch

MAITUM, Sarangani (April 24, 2009) - Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Lt. Col. Edgardo De Leon, battalion commander of 73rd IB together with Barangay Defense Force volunteers of barangay Kalaneg take their lunch in a boodle fight as the volunteers end a three-day training for Integrated Barangay Defense System of Task force MaKiMa (Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum) Thursday, April 23. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Afren de Guzman)

General assembly

MAITUM, Sarangani (April 24, 2009) – Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon speaks to Barangay Defense Force volunteers of Task Force MaKiMa (Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum) during the general assembly at the James L. Chiongbian Hall Thursday, April 23. He said peace can only be attained thru helping each other. Progress follows if there is peace in the community. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Afren de Guzman)

Barangay Defense Force

MAITUM, Sarangani (April 24, 2009) – Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon urges members of the Barangay Defense Force of Task Force MaKiMa (Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum)to adopt the spirit of volunteerism and encourages them to live up to what they learned and not fall to "ningas cogon", during the general assembly at the James L. Chiongbian Hall Thursday, April 23. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Afren de Guzman)

Senator Gordon

MANILA (April 24, 2009) – Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon (center) confers with visitors from Sarangani led by Kiamba Mayor Rom Falgui (2nd from right) and Maitum Mayor Elsie Perrett (extreme right) during a visit Thursday, April 23, to ask his support for the passage of the creation of MaKiMa-IT (Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum Industrial Triangle) Special Economic Zone. MaKiMa-IT is spearheaded by the three mayors of MaKiMa, the Sarangani Chamber of Commerce and with full support of Sarangani Province under Gov. Migs Dominguez to help boost economic activity in this part of the region. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ariel Decena)

MAKiMa in Senate

MANILA (April 24, 2009) – Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon (center) receives visitors from Sarangani led by Kiamba Mayor Rom Falgui (left) and Maitum Mayor Elsie Perrett (right) during a visit Thursday, April 23, to ask his support for the passage of the creation of MaKiMa-IT (Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum Industrial Triangle) Special Economic Zone. MaKiMa-IT is spearheaded by the three mayors of MaKiMa, the Sarangani Chamber of Commerce and with full support of Sarangani Province under Gov. Migs Dominguez to help boost economic activity in this part of the region. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ariel Decena)

Earth Day Music Festival

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 23, 2009) – ROM Project band performs during the Earth Day Music Festival at the Capitol gym Wednesday night, April 22, with 20 local bands in a free concert. The bands from Socsargen (South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City) played until 3am to a crowd celebrating Earth Day. The concert, organized by Capitol’s Information and Communications Technology unit, was hosted by Sarangani provincial government in partnership with the Publishers Association of General Santos City and South Cotabato, RD Foundation, Alcantara Foundation, Sarangani Bay Prime Bangus, Smart Communications, K101 FM Love Radio, Sapol and Mindanao Bulletin. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

20 bands, film viewing mark Earth Day in Sarangani

By Beverly Paoyon

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 23, 2009) – Twenty local bands performed in a free concert Wednesday night (April 22) at Sarangani Capitol gym, capping a day-long viewing of environmental films at the Environmental Conservation and Protection Center (ECPC).

The bands from Socsargen (South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City) played until 3am to a crowd celebrating Earth Day.

“Thru music we want to be heard with our vision about the world and how we can express our ideas to care and protect it,” said Renan Garcia of “Rom Project”, a band from Kiamba.

“Earth Day is an event to unite. We use music and our compositions as a tool to care for the earth” said Garcia.

Dodoy Pelima of a local band said “we are shouting one voice through music. We are one for our Mother Earth to live and enjoy in a clean and green home called earth.”

The concert, organized by Capitol’s Information and Communications Technology unit, was hosted by Sarangani provincial government in partnership with the Publishers Association of General Santos City and South Cotabato, RD Foundation, Alcantara Foundation, Sarangani Bay Prime Bangus, Smart Communications, K101 FM Love Radio, Sapol and Mindanao Bulletin.

Organizers said the EarthDay Music Festival was “one big reason to celebrate peace and environmental prosperity.”

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and ECPC led the celebration of the 39th International Earth Day with the theme: “Tubig at Lupa, Buhayin; Hangin, Linisin; Batas, Tuparin.”

Among the films shown were “Inconvenient Truth” and “Blue Planet”, documentaries on global warming and marine life. The show was open to the public at the audio-visual room of ECPC.

ECPC’s film viewing was aimed at instilling “awareness to the participants (public) on the causes of global warming and climate change, its negative consequences to man and the environment, such as loss of biodiversity, and its connectivity to the various ecosystems with emphasis on the marine ecosystem.”

Sarangani’s ECPC is a frontline office that focuses on advocacy campaigns on environmental protection and has been involved in various global and local environment-related activities.

Noel Cariño, Sarangani’s environment officer, said the film showing is one of Sarangani’s initiatives in participation of the Earth Day celebration this year.

He said the focus is “advocacy for the protection of Mother Earth.”

Cariño said the provincial government has undertaken in advance a tree-growing and ground-weeding activity at Pangol-eel village, barangay Alegria in the capital town of Alabel on April 17. Cariño stressed on the individual’s responsibility in “helping Mother Earth grow in its natural way.”

“Let’s start to make Mother Earth regenerate in its own way. Help protect, conserve and sustainably manage our environment,” he said.

He added “Mother Earth is only the best place where people live. The life given to us by God should be managed well. If we manage Godly our life, Mother Earth, will not be vanished.”

Earth Day, marked every 22nd day of April, is a modern-day global environmental awareness movement which started 39 years ago in the United States and since then observed in more than 180 countries and participated in by almost half a billion people globally.

In the Philippines, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed on April 10, 2008 Presidential Proclamation No. 1481 declaring April as Earth month. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Beverly Paoyon)

Health sector briefing

KIAMBA, Sarangani (April 21, 2009) – Mayor Rom Falgui (left) briefs Dr. Alberto Gallachi of the World Bank in a visit Tuesday, April 21. Dr. Gallachi and his team conduct consultation meetings with local chief executives and key officials regarding the finalization of annual operational plan and visit health facilities in the province, in line with the implementation of Mindanao Health Sector program under the European Community Trust Fund. (KIAMBA NEWS CENTER/Ruel D. Ampatin)

Health execs

KIAMBA, Sarangani (April 21, 2009) – Sarangani Provincial Health Officer Dr. Antonio Yasaña (center) stresses a point to Kiamba health officer Dr. Lemuel Non (extreme right) with Dr. Alberto Gallachi from the World Bank (left) listening during the group’s visit to the town Tuesday, April 21. Dr. Gallachi’s visit is in line with the implementation of Mindanao Health Sector program under the European Community Trust Fund. (KIAMBA NEWS CENTER/Ruel D. Ampatin)

World Bank

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 20, 2009) – Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon listens to Dr. Alberto Galacchi, representative from World Bank,during a courtesy call at the Capitol Monday, April 20. The visit is in line with the implementation of Mindanao Health Sector Policy Support Program under the European Community Trust Fund. (SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Summer sports

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (April 19, 2009) – An aspiring boat-racer carrieshis banca to shore after some practice runs for the upcoming SaranganiBay Festival lumbay bugsay (boat paddling race) this May. Lumba bugsayis one of the highlights of the festival with summer sports fortourists and locals. Lumba bugsay is open to all fishermen inSarangani. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Teacher's workshop

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 18, 2009) – Arcie Mallari, team leader of the Silid Aralan, Inc., gives a lecture to teachers and youth leaders for the two-day workshop sponsored by Smart Communications, Inc. Friday, April 17, at the Provincial Capitol. They are volunteers for summer reading class mentoring to incoming Grade 3 pupils in Sarangani. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Oxfam

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 18, 2009) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Umair Hasan, Humanitarian Program Coordinator of the international organization Oxfam, sign a memorandum of agreement Friday, April 17, for the donation of early warning system devices to Sarangani “to reduce disaster risk”. The project is supported by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department through its Disaster Preparedness Program. Included in the early warning system devices and operations equipment are 1 unit Laserjet printer, 1 unit laptop, 2 units Garmin E Trex H GPS, 2 units Audioworks AMR-16HS 20W round horn with siren megaphone, 3 units Sharp Karaoke System and 4 units Digital Rain Gauges. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Fire tree in Sarangani highway

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 18, 2009) – A fire tree, (scientific name Morella faya, previously myrica faya) blooms with bunches of fiery orange flowers along the national highway to the province’s east coast going to Gumasa, Glan, where tourists can enjoy powder-white sand beaches. Sarangani’s coastal highway, connecting the east and west coast of the province and its only landlocked town of Malungon, was built by the United States in the early 90s. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Hygiene kits

GLAN, Sarangani (April 16, 2009) – Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon looks on as almost 90 children receive their hygiene kits during a medical outreach at barangay Taluya Wednesday, April 15, sponsored by Sta. Maria School of Paramedics, iFM station, 1002nd Brigade,municipal government of Glan and the provincial government. (SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE/ Bon-Bon Quiño)

Acting Governor

GLAN, Sarangani (April 16, 2009) – Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon talks to a resident of barangay Taluya during a medical mission Wednesday, April 15, sponsored by Sta. Maria School of Paramedics, iFM station, 1002nd Brigade, municipal government of Glan and the provincial government. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/ Bon-Bon Quiño)

Summer vacation

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (April 16, 2009) – While school is off, Hayde Anton spends his summer vacation by hook-and-line fishing at Sarangani Bay. The coast of Lower Lasang is one of the bay’s coastal communitiesthat abound with mangroves, known by the community as tuna spawning grounds. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Children's summer fun

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (April 16, 2009) – Children play at Sarangani Bay near Malapatan poblacion Thursday, April 16, where mangroves abound.It’s a peaceful sight for motorists passing the national highway at the province’s eastern coast towards Gumasa, Glan. (CocoySexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Dr. Delfin Besquillo

GUMASA, Glan (april 11, 2009) - Dr. Delfin Besquillo, 77, is a retired dental surgeon from Manila who along with wife Solficia and five children, turned their property in Gumasa to one of the newest and unique tourism destinations in Sarangani, the Coco Beach Resort. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Cocoy Sexcion)

Coco Beach in Gumasa

GUMASA, Sarangani (April 11, 2009) – Tourists comb the sands of Coco Beach, one of the venues of the May 27-29 Sarangani Bay Festival that would again stage the “biggest beach party in Mindanao.” (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Cocoy Sexcion)

City doc retires in Gumasa

GUMASA, Glan, Sarangani (April 11, 2009) – Dr. Delfin Besquillo find solace at Gumasa white sands by sharing his Coco Beach Resort for the community to cherish and for tourists to experience. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Cocoy Sexcion)

City doc runs Ilongo-style hospitality resort

By Russtum G. Pelima
GUMASA, Sarangani (April 11, 2009) – Dr. Delfin Besquillo traded his family businesses in Metro Manila for a beachfront in Gumasa, Glan. He finds solace here that he longs the community to cherish and for tourists to experience.

Dr. Besquillo, 77, is a retired dental surgeon. Along with wife Solficia and five children, he wants to see and share their Ilongo-style hospitality, finally turning their property in Gumasa to one of the newest and unique tourism destinations in Sarangani. Welcome to Coco Beach Resort.
“Tourism is about friends, about public relations,” Dr. Besquillo mused.

Perhaps the dentist is more than a businessman from Manila who sold his properties there which they earned for 40 years and leaving prominent friends all for Coco Beach.
“I am going to spend my retirement here.” Of course Dr. Besquillo means more than money which he articulated later. He could have chosen happiness this way if he realized earlier. Well, that’s what the voice and the smile of the wise Ilongo old man was saying, that he almost forgot.
“At first I wanted to call it ‘A beach with Ilongo hospitality’,” he proudly said. Then, he asked, in big laughter, if I know how hospitable the Ilongos are. This Ilongo writer said yes.
Last December, 3,000 teachers in the province held their Christmas party at Coco Beach. The Besquillos earned only P10,000 for the whole day affair. The resort just billed the accommodation and that is all - P10,000.

“We want to be an alternative tourism sand and beach destination to cater to tourists alike. For all you know, not all tourists are rich,” said Dr. Besquillo.

“That goes with our hospitality. Usually I would ask two or three guests who would spend their gay time here ‘Nag- enjoy kayo?’ (Did you enjoy?)” And then shortly, a ‘thank you’ for their stay. Dr. Besquillo said this three times that summer afternoon, always wearing a smile.
Owners of the neighboring resorts, Rosal and White Haven, are Solficia’s brothers, Dodong and Dr. Ernie Adarna.

Rosal and White haven are both “high-end” beaches as Dr. Besquillo describes them which the Besquillos’ Coco Beach would want to complement.

Rosal opened in 2005 and White Haven in 2004, according to Ronnie Saulda, a caretaker of the Adarnas.

Coco Beach is an added attraction when Sarangani Province celebrates Sarangani Bay Festival in May as a tribute to the bay, its bounty, from which coastal communities of the province’s six municipalities depend for a living.

Entrance fee per person to Coco Beach is P30/day and P40/night. Kids five years old and below are free.

It has a store and very clean restrooms and bath. There are tents for rent but guests can bring their own tents and rent space for P100 overnight. Open cottages cost P500-P200 depending on the size you want.

Of course Coco beach offers closed/aircon cottages for P2,500 only, good for four persons.
The Sarangani Bay Festival on May 27-29 would again stage what organizers say is the “biggest beach party in Mindanao” at Gumasa white sands.

With sports such as beach volleyball and football, kayaking, skim boarding, jet skiing, bancarera, the 11-kilometer swim-across-the-bay race, and a historical reenactment of the history of the bay in the opening day, Sarangani Bay Festival, now on its fourth year, doubles the number of guests every time, according to the provincial tourism office.

Sarangani Bay has a rich natural sea bounty and history. Many legends as to how it got its name mystified both voyagers and tourists. It is a constant passage of the trading relationship between the Northern Islands of Indonesia (Sangihe Islands) and the southernmost tip of the Philippine archipelago for over 500 years.

Dr. Besquillo, a practicing dentist for 47 years in Manila where he and Solficia earned their properties, has not learned this much yet. He just said: “We only heard and see on the internet that tourists are overflowing and the political leadership is supportive of tourism in Sarangani.”
Yet, the couple has decided to give up everything about the urban at their life’s dusk, including their profession. Their sons, computer engineer Delfin Jr. and Dennis, a commerce graduate, attend tourism seminars everywhere. Dr. Besquillo said their children are much more willing to manage the beach any time soon.

For once, Dr. Besquillo could share one more knowledge of life’s profession to his children: the virtue of hospitality, with Coco Beach as the school. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

MAKIMA-IT

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (April 8, 2009) - Governor Migs Dominguez makes a presentation Monday, March 30 at the Grab A Crab Restaurant, to the local government units and business sector of Sarangani in the establishment of Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum Industrial Triangle (MAKIMA-IT), now introduced in the Senate as senate bill 2983 by Senator Mar Roxas and in the House of Representatives as house bill 5877 by Sarangani Congressman Erwin Chiongbian. Republic Act 7916 also known as the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 cites Sarangani as a priority area. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Cocoy Sexcion)

Summer fun

Glan, Sarangani (April 3, 2009)- Surfers wait for the perfect wave before launching their skimboards in a practice round Thursday, April 2, at the Summer Fun at the Bay at Gumasa white sand beaches. Hundreds of skimboardists come to Gumasa each May for the Sarangani Bay Festival. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Cocoy Sexcion)