Bonsai Fields of Mt. Hamiguitan

Truly one of Mother Nature's gifts to the Filipino people, the Bonsai fields of Mt. Hamiguitan, which is situated no less than 5,345 feet above sea level, consists of more than 1,000 hectares of forest life filled with wild and exciting flora and fauna. As the name suggests, Bonsai trees span most of the given area.

These century-old trees stand 2-3 feet tall, with the tallest reaching only 5 feet in height, and are so sturdy that one can literally carry the weight of a man on its branches. It is like finding oneself suddenly in a veritable enchanted garden right in the middle of the jungle. Also located at Barangay La Union, this wonder has already been featured in Magandang Gabi Bayan for its uniqueness and mystical quality.

The area is also a sanctuary of rare and exotic birds and animals, including the world famous Philippine Eagle. Because of its beauty and charm, the mountain has become a favorite camping site of many local and foreign tourists, mountaineers, enthusiasts, biologists, ornithologists, and adventure loving people.

Bags Ready for Distribution, Free School Supplies for Grade-I Pupils in Lupon

Mayor Domingo A. Lim today said that free school supplies and bags regularly provided by the Local Government to the Grade - I public schoolchildren are all set for distribution upon the start of this school year.

Lim said his Staff has already started to deliver the free education materials to the public elementary schools, located in the barangays, in time for distribution during the opening of classes on June 8.

The mayor said the deliveries also cover the 21 barangay schools including the 3 hinterland barangays of DONCAMAR (Don Mariano Marcos, Calapagan and Marayag).

The distribution of free school supplies and bags is an annual undertaking of the local government that began in his term, in line with the LGU's commitment to help parents cope with the rising costs of education materials.

Mang Inasal is Now in Lupon!

MANG INASAL, the famous barbeque fast-food chain and one of the fastest growing food companies in the Philippines, which has become a modern icon of the Ilonggo culinary culture is finally in LUPON with its authentic, chicken inasal specialty at Central Warehouse Club Lupon Branch.

The management and staff of Mang Inasal Lupon branch were overwhelmed by the warm reception accorded by the public. Mang Inasal’s marketing manager also credits the country’s leading barbecue foodchain’s phenomenal growth and expansion on its product consistency wherein its food offerings such as chicken and pork barbecue, Sisig, grilled boneless Bangus, Sinigang, short orders such as Spaghetti and Halo-halo are strictly subjected under quality control to make sure that these conform with the highest quality standards possible.

On June 6, 2009, Mang Inasal are having a grand opening, coupled with a motorcade around Lupon’s main thoroughfares, Ati-Atihan dancers and Inauguration.

Mang Inasal is proud to do its share in alleviating the unemployment burden of Lupon. It is effectively stimulating economic activities in our community. Local suppliers of calamansi, charcoal, banana leaves, vegetables, fish, bamboo sticks, and other ingredients, as well as LGU’s, trisikad (pedicab) drivers, and a host of other enterprises are benefited by the presence of Mang Inasal here.

Davao Oriental Farm Villages Protest Small-Scale Mining

Residents of Banaybanay and Lupon town have joined hands with environmentalists in raising alarm over the proliferation of small-scale mining operations in a mountain village near the Compostela Valley boundary.

The Save Sumlog River Alliance (Sasura) called on Gov. Corazon Malanyaon to stop mining operations in the sitios of Anogkot and Tabon in Barangay Marayag, a hinterland village in Lupon town.

Sasura chair Felix Mejos said here Thursday his group was also asking Malanyaon to declare over 44,000 hectares of land near the Sumlog watershed as a protected area.

“Mine wastes from tunnels are dumped into the river, making the water level shallow and lacing it with mine toxic wastes,” Mejos said.
Mejos, who is also head of a farmers’ association in the town, led a party of environment advocates, local officials and journalists on a fact-finding mission to the area.

“It was an appalling sight,” he said. Logs were strewn all over and mine wastes had turned the river brown.

Mejos said at least 50 small-scale operators formed a cooperative to mine the area, but unregistered miners also thrive there.

Mejos said concerns about the dangers of mining in the area had been raised since last year, prompting the towns of Lupon and Banaybanay to pass resolutions asking the provincial government of Davao Oriental to ban mining.

Local officials also feared that continued mining in the area would destroy the Sumlog watershed and cause an environment calamity.
“We need to act together now,” town councilor Liezel Teves said.

Edwin Tagara, a 47-year-old farmer from Barangay Rang-ay here, said his yield fell to 80 sacks per hectare in the last cropping season compared to his previous harvest of 120 bags because chemical wastes like cyanide and mercury, which are being dumped on the river from the mining site, found their way into his farm.

Am I Going to be Rich?

Since child, I’ve always heard the place of Buringot in Pantukan (now part of Compostela Valley Province). It seems to be a nicest place for me then that someday I could visit the place because all our neighbors who’ve been there brings a lot of money when they come back in our village. The place is said to be the mountain of gold, many men work in the mining and panning they are very happy to have this gold mining area and many people migrate in that place

But this morning I saw in the television a mudslide tumbled down burying dozens of shanties in a gold mining village and kills 26 people, it reminds me to a place I wanted to visit and to live for that someday I could grab a piece of gold to become rich. I can’t imagine the dark side that occurs in these natural calamities.

In this situation I have found the answer to my ambition in life “Am I going to be rich?” That depends on you, if you work hard and save your money, invest it in the right things then you will find yourself there, and don't forget those who told you that you would.

Davao-Lupon fastcraft set for maiden voyage

IF SCHEDULES permit, the 2009 Caracoles Festival will feature the maiden voyage of the 150-seater fastcraft that will service the Santa Ana wharf to Lupon route.

According to Araceli Ayuste, Caracoles festival chair, she was able to talk last week to Dante Sipalo, the franchisee of the Fastcraft service, who is a Lupon-born and Manila-based businessman.

Sipalo has informed her that the fastcraft has just left its shipyard in Japan en route to Cebu for defouling and could possibly be in Davao during the Caracoles.

Ayuste hopes that the ship will be in Davao, in time for the Caracoles festival, which is a regional event that celebrates the beauty and the bounty of Davao Gulf. It is the culminating event of the Dive the Gulf festival and will highlight a sundown-to-sunrise party to be held at the Santa Ana wharf.

Ayuste expressed hopes they can promote the fastcraft in the festival. The sea-borne transportation hopes to entice commuters who wish to avail of a much faster one-hour trip to Lupon, which normally takes two hours by bus. Fastcraft fare is three hundred pesos for every trip.

She also said that there are actually two fastcrafts: the bigger fastcraft will be the one utilized for public utility transport while the smaller craft will be available for chartered tours. The fastcraft service, she said, can help in tapping the tourist potentials of Davao Gulf. (PIA)

Attending the Lupon Fiesta

If you are visitor in Davao Oriental this April, you would be missing a lot on your vacation if you fail to include in your travel schedule, attending the local fiesta in Lupon.

Even if you've been to a local fiesta before, but have been away from the Philippines for so long, then it's time to rekindle old memories again.

The Patron Saint of Lupon is San Vicente Ferrer. The town's fiesta is celebrated every April 27. Lupon residents also hold an annual Naluponan Festival in celebration of Araw ng Lupon on August 8, similar to what they have in nearby towns.

The opportunity to experience the traditional celebration complete with Filipino native food delicacies like the lechon is once-in-a-lifetime experience that is not to be missed!

What is fiesta?

If you are not Filipino and you want to know the meaning of fiesta, the first thing you'd probably do is check the dictionary. Don't. I'm telling you. It's a waste of time.

If I can tell you one thing about fiestas, Filipino fiestas in particular, it's that they are never boring. Never. Looking at some book or some electronic gadget to find its meaning is contradicting its very essence. First of all, fiesta is not looking down on something. It's looking up. You look up and marvel at the clear blue sky, then you tell yourself, “this is going to be a fantastic day”. Your eyes wander to the multi-colored flags hanging on lines tied to poles overhead. You tilt your head skyward to find where the lively beat of the drums, the clang of cymbals and the sound of trumpets are coming from. You lift your nose and follow the aroma of sumptuous food.

That is fiesta. You can never define it in a book. You will know its meaning by using your senses. You will appreciate its beauty by experiencing it.

Filipinos have been celebrating fiesta since time immemorial. It always starts in the church. There will be a mass followed by a procession. During the procession, it's not uncommon to find the participants dancing to the music of the band. Traditional rave, I'd like to call it. People dress up--women in Filipinianas or gowns, men in Barong Tagalog. Everyone high in the spirit of happiness and celebration, thankful for all the blessings they have received or will be receiving in the future. The procession roams through the town, with people watching in amazement on sidewalks, and it always ends back where it began--in the church.

In the town's plaza, traditional Filipino games like palo-sebo (greased bamboo climbing) and karera sa sako (sack race) are played. You can also expect a variety of entertainment, from singing and dancing to the now common, gay beauty pageant. When everyone’s exhausted, then it's time for food and drinks. One of the popular fiesta dishes is Lechon Baboy (roasted pig). And as a country of people with a sweet tooth, cravings for dessert would surely be extinguished by an abundance of sugary treats like bibinka, sapin-sapin, haleya and suman. Although drinking in Philippine fiestas would pale in comparison to October Fest, coolers full of the famous San Miguel Beer would always be available to those who wish to enjoy them. Non-alcoholic beverages would include coconut juice and sago and gulaman (a drink with tapioca and jelly).

When the stomachs are filled, and sugar-levels are back up, it's time for more dancing. Celebration usually starts early in the morning and ends in the wee hours of the night. Of course through time, the music, clothes, games and food have evolved, but the essence remains intact. Fiesta is one of those few times when the poor and the rich in the Philippines come together. The town's politicians, the business men, the farmers and the workers all join in this day of celebration.

If you know any Filipino, you would have already noticed that in a mountainous hay of sorrow, it's easy for them to find a glittering needle of happiness. They always have a reason to be thankful to God. They always have a bit of celebration in their hearts and a spark of excitement in their eyes. All these little bits, and all these little sparks, come together in fiesta.

SFC Lupon Launches Christian Life Program

The CFC Singles for Christ (SFC) Lupon recently launched its Christian Life Program (CLP) orientation at the Lupon Parish Center on San Vicente Street, Barangay (village) Poblacion, Lupon, Davao Oriental on March 15, 2009.

The CLP orientation was attended by single men and women from the parishes of Lupon and Banaybanay.

The orientation also includes talks for 12 consecutive Sundays. The first talk was held on March 22 with the topic “God’s Love.” The second talk on “What it means to be a Christian” was held on March 29.

“The orientation was aimed to bring together single men and women, towards church renewal and forming them into SFC groups,”

Semana Santa, Holy Week in the Philippines

Semana Santa (Holy Week or Easter Week in English), is the most important date in the Christian Calendar. Semana Santa commemorates the life and death of Jesus Christ -- His passion and resurrection.

Semana Santa is observed in different ways throughout this predominantly Roman Catholic archipelago. With over seven thousand islands and countless barangays and parishes, various traditions and rites abound to celebrate this sacred week.

In some parts of the country, it is celebrated with solemn processions of tableaux depicting episodes from the Way of the Cross and silent parades with the Dolorosa or Soledad (processional images of the Most Sorrowful Mother).

Throughout the nation it is celebrated with much religious fervor. Hooded Penitentes go around town flogging themselves on the streets. Others take a step beyond that and go to extreme measures to imitate the suffering of Christ by having themselves crucified.

I hope that, you will find something new, and learn more about our religious culture and heritage.

Semana Santa is truly a showcase of the Filipino's testament of Faith.

Driving to Simala Shrine Cebu

No place is too far to visit for a miracle.

In south Cebu, thousands of Cebuanos and other visitors from far and wide, climb up a hill to the Mother Mary Shrine in Simala, Sibonga town, bringing their faith and petitions for cures and other divine aid.

The shrine became “famous” after word spread that the image of the Virgin Mary was seen “shedding tears of blood,” a phenomenon that lacks scientific or official church validation but nevertheless draws more people to the area.

Our Priest friend Fr. Gonzaga drove us to Simala Shrine after attending our International Conference for CFC - Singles for Christ in Cebu City and it was two to three hours on the road, barring heavy traffic in the outlying towns. Public buses ply the south Cebu route but one would have to get off a corner of the national road to reach upper Lindogon and hail a motorcab or a habal-habal (motorcycle-for-hire) for P20 to take you to the shrine about four kilometers up the mountains.

At the site, one has to cross a foot bridge and walk up a concrete pathway to reach the church, an imposing concrete structure at the top of the mountain. It takes about 10 minutes to reach the peak, which offers a breathtaking view of green slopes and fresh air.

The Marian monks who maintain the shrine have also landscaped the area, which has a mini falls that cascades down a small pool and well-tended gardens.

Circumcision Time in the Philippines

Here in the Philippines, summertime is “tuli” or circumcision time for adolescent boys. Usually, boys who are aged 9-12 get circumcised during this time of the year. The Department of Health (DOH) also launched a few years ago an annual program that is roving health team tasked to circumcise boys and aged alike in many barangays.

Circumcision has become a culture for Filipino children. There is this belief that boys are cleaner and more hygienic when circumcised. Unlike in many parts of Europe where circumcision is an optional act, here in the Philippines, it is a mandatory act and an uncircumcised male is ostracized by the society. Also, circumcision marks the start of manhood for most boys as 11 to 12-year-olds are usually the ones who do this. You can rarely see a Filipino male reaching age 13 and above who is still uncircumcised. Parents are the first ones to initiate this and order their children to be circumcised during summer time.

Summer time is the best time for circumcision because Filipinos are at rest from school. This is the longest break from school in the country (April to early weeks of June). Therefore, children who got circumcised in April will have been healed before the classes start in mid-June.

I browsed the net and found a compilation of why circumcision is performed.

* a religious sacrifice
* a rite of passage marking a little boy into a young adult
* a sympathetic magic to ensure virility
* as a means of suppressing sexual pleasure; remove excessive pleasure
* an aid to hygiene where regular bathing is impractical
* means of marking social status (lower or higher)
* discourage masturbation or any sexual action
* demonstration of one's ability to endure pain
* increase men's attractiveness to women
* symbolic castration (any action, surgical, chemical or otherwise, by which a male loses the functions of the testes or to a female loses the functions of the ovaries)
* male counterpart to menstruation or breaking the hymen

Fiestas in Bohol

They say that the island of Bohol sinks about an inch in May due to the thousands of Bol-anons who come home to attend the many town and barrio fiestas celebrated during the month. You can almost feel this once you disembark from those overloaded ships docking at the Tagbilaran and Jagna Ports in May.

Fiestas in Bohol are occasions of great joy and merry-making, as well as lots of free food. Almost every household in town or in the barrio is on a welcome mode and, yes, you can literally go to any house, even if you do not know the owner, and eat your heart out.

Experience this to believe. The following is a list of Bohol town fiestas in chronological order and with their corresponding patron saints.

January 16 - Cortes - Santo Niño
January 16 - Pres. Garcia - Holy Child
January 16 - Valencia Sr. - Santo Niño
January 17 - Carmen Saint - Anthony de Abbot
January 29 - Ubay - Holy Child
Last Saturday of January - Getafe - Holy Infant
February 11 - Dagohoy - Our Lady of Lourdes
April 27 - Corella - Nuestra Señora del Villar
May 1 - Tagbilaran City - Saint Joseph the Worker
May 4 - Alburquerque - Santa Monica
May 4 - Mabini - Santa Monica
May 4 - Sagbayan - San Agustin
May 8 - San Miguel - Saint Michael
May 10 - Calape - Saint Vincent Ferrer
May 15 - Bilar - Saint Isidore the Farmer
May 15 - Trinidad - Saint Isidore
May 15 - Tubigon - San Isidro Labrador
May 19 - Candijay - Saint Joseph
May 29 - Talibon - Blessed Trinity
June 13 - Sikatuna - Saint Anthony de Padua
June 24 - Garcia Hernandez - Saint John the Baptist
June 29 - Loboc - Saint Peter the Apostle
June 30 - Inabangga - Saint Paul
July 16 - Balilihan - Virgin of Carmel
July 25 - Batuan - Saint James
July 26 - Alicia - Saint Joachim
August 15 - Dauis - Our Lady of Assumption
August 28 - Sagbayan - San Agustin
August 28 - Panglao - San Agustin
First Saturday of September - Guindulman - Our Lady of Consolation
September 8 - Loon - Our Lady of Light
September 10 - Dimiao - Saint Nicolas de Tolentino
September 29 - Clarin - Saint Michael
September 29 - Jagna - Saint Michael
October 7 - Buenavista - Santo Rosario
October 7 - Lila - Holy Rosary
October 11 - Pilar - Virgen del Pilar
Last Saturday of October - Antequera - Virgin of the Most Holy Rosary
November 24 - Maribojoc - Saint Vincent
December 8 - Baclayon - Immaculate Conception
December 8 - Catigbi-an - Immaculate Conception
December 8 - Duero - Immaculate Conception
December 8 - Sierra Bullones - Immaculate Conception
December 12 - Sevilla Virgen - of Guadalupe
December 30 - Danao - Holy Family
Movable - Anda - Holy Infant
Movable - Bien Unido - Holy Child
Movable - Loay - Santisima Trinidad

Bundas: Gateway to Squid Fishing Industry

SMART 1st Doon Po Sa Amin Learning Challenge
March 12-14, 2009
SM Megatrade Hall 2, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City

LUPON VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Official Entry - Bundas: Gateway to Squid Fishing Industry
Best in Technology & Livelihood Category

The Coaches are Namely, Ms Alma Cafe and Ms Elfleda "edang" Cañas Dionio, Both are teaching in LVHS.