MINDANAOKINI

Panaghugpong Mindanao host PROUT introduction seminar

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:01:00 +0000

The PROUT introduction seminar was successfully conducted last June 21, 2008 at the conference hall of Baba Foundation, Inc in Davao City. This is the first PROUT seminar hosted by the Panaghugpong Mindanao to provide alternative socio-economic paradigm for the young professionals, students, artists and women groups.

The Panaghugpong Mindanao aspiration to establish a self-reliance regional socio-economic zones in Mindanao were strongly supported by the following samaj movements:

KAUBAN DABAW
KATRIBU
ANAK KALINAW
KINAIYAHAN UNAHON
BARUGANAN MINDANAO
BABA FOUNDATION
MAHARLIKA STUDENT ORGANIZATION
LAKAN MINDANAO

Sarangani Bay Festival 2008

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Sat, 17 May 2008 09:19:00 +0000

Woodbridge Beach Resort in Kiamba hosted the opening program of Sarangani Bay Festival 2008 with simultaneous competitions in land and sea, including environmental awareness programs.

Sarangani Bay lies between a mangrove forest in Glan (foreground) and the majestic Mt. Matutum. -- Photo by Cocoy Sexcion

Pawikan release: Local officials led by Governor Migs Dominguez (4th from right) and the community release 30 Olive Ridley hatchlings to signal environmental consciousness and protection of the bay on the first day of Sarangani Bay Festival Friday, May 16 at Kiamba municipality. -- Photo by Cocoy Sexcion

Earlier in the day of May 16, at 7am., a clean-up in the province’s six coastal towns - Alabel, Malapatan, Glan, Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum - ushered in community participation and advocacy for Sarangani Bay.

Also slated at Woodbridge are a rowing race (lumba bugsay), cooking contest (hain kusina), an environmental arts exhibit and a techno-aqua recreational activity.

Governor Migs Dominguez looks at the artwork of a participant in the Sining at Kinaiyahan (arts and nature) contest among 8 to 12 years old children Friday, May 16, depicting this year's 2008 Sarangani Bay Festival theme: "Sarangani… Celebrating and Protecting the Treasures of the Bay" -- Photo by Cocoy Sexcion

Fisherfolk teams composed of either husband and wife, father and daughter, sister and brother, or mother and son race boats at the Lumba Bugsay event to open the Sarangani Bay Festival 2008. It is a 1.5-kilometer race from Banglay Beach to Woodbridge Resort. -- Photo by Cocoy Sexcion

Couple Bong and Norhaima Saban reach the finish line first for the Lumba Bugsay at the opening of the Sarangani Bay Festival 2008 Friday, May 16. The couple pose after winning the 1.5-kilometer race carries the top prize of P5,000 cash and a 5.5 HP boat engine. -- Photo by Cocoy Sexcion

Fisherfolk families who participated in the Lumba Bugsay event pose after reaching the shore of Woodbridge Resort at Kiamba municipality. -- Photo by Cocoy Sexcion

For the first time, the municipality of Kiamba launched the “Mountain-River-Ocean Adventure,” a human race from the jungles to the sea.

Local government units, non-government organizations and the business sector are coming together to celebrate this year’s bay festival and to increase community awareness in environmental conservation.

“For our third Sarangani Bay Festival, everybody is knocking on our doors,” Governor Migs Dominguez told a press conference last week.

“This means we’re developing equity and credibility in what we are doing, because our cause is healthy,” the governor said.

Sarangani Bay Festival, with the theme this year of “Sarangani… Celebrating and Protecting the Treasures of the Bay”, is a province-wide festival which pays tribute to the bounty of the bay through beach events.

“We are celebrating the beauty and the goodness of the bay,” said Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon.

“Every year people will be reminded of how beautiful and how generous the bay has become for us that we should continue to preserve it,” Solon said.

According to Board Member Arturo Lawa, Sarangani province has “already generated interest with regards to environmental protection.”

“This is evident in the building of Septage Treatment Facilities from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation among the province’s six coastal towns,” said Lawa, chair of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan environment committee.

Lawa said in relation to the Clean Water Act, his committee was now 80% in the formulation of the Water Quality Management Board for Sarangani Bay.

On the other hand, the annual bay festival has triggered the development of beach resorts across the province to accommodate tourists.

Resort growth more than doubled in the white sand shores of Gumasa, the Boracay-like destination in Mindanao.

The tourism office has recorded an 87% increase of tourist arrivals in the province from 2005 to 2007.

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For more information, kindly visit this website: www.sarangani.gov.ph

Hatag Kalinaw project grant winners

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:45:00 +0000

British Council Philippines in partnership with UK Philippines Partners for Peace granted three winning organisations PHP 100,000 each for the 2008 Hatag Kalinaw Project Grant Competition. Hatag Kalinaw is a youth-led project grant competition for school and community-based youth organisations in Mindanao on how the ideals of peace can be achieved through mutual understanding and entrepreneurship.

Five project proponents made their way to the panel presentation at the Astoria Hotel, Pasig City last March 25 to vie for the grant. The panel headed by British Council Philippines Director Andrew Picken and Assistant Director Programmes Nannette Mercado were joined by Commissioner Princess Abante of the National Youth Commission, Rachel Gillego from the Office of Senator Francis Pangilinan, Errol Merquita of Tropical Disease Foundation, and Reese Fernandez of the Ateneo School of Government- Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship.

The three winning project proponents granted with PhP100,000.00 are:

Kids for Peace Foundation
Ketay de Tribo Koh Katnak (Tulay sa Kultura ug Kalambuan)
Barangay Eday, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

Members of Youth Advocates for Peace – Kids for Peace Foundataion during the awarding ceremony of the winners. (L-R: Nannette Mercado - British Council; Princess Abante - National Youth Commission; Danny Pandaton, Reymundo Tabudlong, and Larry Lahing of Kids4Peace; Rachel Gillego of the Office of Senator Francis Pangilinan; Errol Merquita of Tropical Diseases Foundation)

The project hopes to see the youth of Eday learn the art of weaving the nito from their elders. In the process, understand their culture, learn about peace and express these concepts as designs in their work. Through this, they slowly build markets and get their identity known to a world that has ignored them, and learn to manage an enterprise with the full respect of their community and environment.

Teduray, Lambangian Youth and Student Association (TLYSA)
Integrated Development Project on the Teduray, Lambangian Youth Within the Ancestral Domain Claim
Nuro Upi, Shariff Kabunsuan

Members of Teduray, Lambangian Youth and Student Association (TLYSA) answer a question from the judges during the panel presentation. (L-R: Saturnino C. Cuyong Jr, Allan T. Olubalan, Jurgien O. Andres)

This is a community-based project that aims to address the issues on the lack of sustainable livelihood sources among the indigenous peoples. It enhances the awareness of young Kefedewan that somehow affect their socio-economic, political and cultural condition. This will be done by providing the youth farmer’s assistance on post harvest facilities to improve economic conditions at the same time conducting continuous campaigns and advocacy about youth participation in traditional conflict management within the territorial domain of the tribe.

Association of Linamon Young Producers
Good Values through VCO – Youth as Partners in Community Development
Barangay Samburon, Linamon, Lanao del Norte

Members of Association of Linamon Young Producers during the Project Management Training. (L-R: Melvin L. Pendang, Shaminoden M. Sambitory, Jason De Asis)

The project is about contributing to the peace and development efforts through the inculcation of values/virtues while engaging in a profitable modest enterprise via the production of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO). This is also about engaging specially the out-out-school youths of the municipality of Linamon in the overall goal of the local government to achieve social and economic development.

Aside from the PhP100,000 grant, a project management training course immediately followed the announcement of winners. The training course helps to further equip members of the winning youth organisations with the necessary tools they need to implement their projects. The winning groups are also assigned with mentors to guide them in the duration of their projects.

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For more information about the Hatag Kalinaw project grant competition, visit www.britishcouncil.org.ph, or call Patrick Erestain at (02) 9141011-14 local 117.

Biofuels competing with food crops

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:15:00 +0000

The Philippine government wants farmers to plant crops for biofuels on a vast scale. But could the quest for green energy create food shortages?

By Imelda V Abano

Growing world energy demand, the insecurity of long-term supply and the consequences of fossil fuel use for climate change are driving governments to look for alternatives. To meet rising energy needs, many countries are promoting the production and use of biofuels - energy extracted as a gas, liquid or oil from plants.

Derived from food crops such as corn, sugarcane, soybean, oil palm and sugarbeet, biofuel production has been on the rise in recent years. It is seen by many as a clean form of energy in an era of soaring oil prices and concerns over carbon emissions.

Jatropha, a plant originating in Central America that grows wild in many developing countries, including South Africa, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and the Philippines, has suddenly found itself at the centre of a new phase in the world's alternative energy boom.

In the Philippines, there is currently much hype surrounding its production as a source of renewable fuel. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed into law the Biofuels Act which mandates a minimum one per cent biodiesel blend and five per cent bioethanol blend in all diesel and gasoline fuels. To meet demand, the government is aggressively pushing for the cultivation of jatropha, believing it to be one of the best candidates for future biofuel production.

The government, through the Philippine National Oil Co.-Alternative Fuels Corp, is now looking at some 1.2 million hectares for jatropha production in the southern island of Mindanao. It is also busy identifying more than 400,000 hectares of land for private sector investments.

Jatropha curcas is a drought-tolerant non-edible shrub. It produces fruits the size of golf balls which contain oil that can be converted into biodiesel, a substitute for fossil fuel.

According to Rhandy Tubal, research specialist at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Cordillera, farmers who have received training to grow jatropha are enthusiastic about the crop. He says the cultivation of the plant could provide the first step out of poverty for Filipino farmers and claims that, depending on the density of the plants, each hectare can yield jatropha oil worth nearly US$2,000 a year.

"We are in the initial stage of planting jatropha and we are very optimistic that it is indeed one of the best candidates for biofuel. Farmers are very excited about its production," Tubal says, adding that only idle land would be used for jatropha planting to avoid competition with other crops.

However, research from Australia suggests the plant will need more intensive inputs to produce the oil used for biofuels and it can take several years to develop optimum yields. Furthermore, some experts warn the move may use up precious land that could be used to grow food and may eventually hurt subsistence farmers. Concerns over possible future food shortages have generated a ‘food versus fuel’ debate in the country.

Rachel Smolker, a biofuels specialist and research biologist for the US-based environmental group the Global Justice Ecology Project, fears the global rush to switch from oil to energy derived from plants will drive deforestation, push small farmers off the land and lead to serious food shortages and increased poverty unless carefully managed.

"If food sources become biofuels, that may lead to shortages and raise prices. The promotion of biofuels will have an impact on local food security as some fuel crops are also food crops," Smolker says.

Her view is echoed by Philippine Senator Miriam Santiago, author of the 2007 Biofuels Act, who has sought more governmental oversight of biofuels development, saying that backing biofuels could adversely affect the country's ability to produce its own food.

"Biofuel is land-based and will eventually compete with food. Because the Philippines has a small land area, biofuel production will tend to encroach on food production. Corporations are already searching for millions of hectares for jatropha alone. We have to step on the brakes and decelerate," she says.

Santiago thinks the Philippines "will not prosper by betting only on the biofuels option". She says the government should explore other alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal and biomass.

But the Philippines' Environment Secretary Lito Atienza has defended the government's massive jatropha cultivation for the biofuels programme, saying it will not imperil the country's food supply.

"Jatropha is a non-food crop. So the issue over food versus fuel is not a debate about this crop. Jatropha grows on idle lands, particularly denuded mountains and forests, unfit for food crop cultivation, so it will not compete with land used for the production of food," Atienza says.

Widespread jatropha cultivation is fairly new in the Philippines. It is only recently, with the news that jatropha can be a source of biodiesel, that people have started planting larger areas of the crop.

All the more reason, according to Dr Emil Javier, president of the National Academy of Science and Technology, to check out its credentials. "The Philippines should do its homework and conduct thorough research on jatropha and see its viability compared with other alternative crops," he says.

The challenge, believes Achim Dobermann, a scientist from the Philippine-based International Rice Research Institute, is to ensure a balance between food and biofuel production. "There is an urgent need to strengthen policy research in order to avoid decisions that may lead to competition between food and bioenergy."

******

Imelda V Abano is a freelance reporter based in Bagio, in the northern Philippines. She wrote this article as a result of a fellowship awarded by the Climate Change Media Partnership – a collaboration of Panos, Internews and IIED which supports journalists to investigate climate change issues.

This feature is published by Panos Features and can be reproduced free of charge. Please credit the author and Panos Features and send a copy to External Relations, Panos London, 9 White Lion St, London N1 9PD, UK. Email: media@panos.org.uk

Earth Hour Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:11:00 +0000

On 29 March 2008 the Philippines will join countries around the world as we literally "turn the lights out" for Earth Hour - an event that will fuel awareness on climate change and prove that when the people of the world work together, they can make a difference in the fight against global warming.

Earth Hour will take place throughout the Philippines from 8 to 9 in the evening on Saturday night, 29 March 2008. WWF invites you to participate by shutting off lights for 60 minutes, organizing your own "lights-out" event or by forwarding this mail to your friends, workmates and family.

Launched in Australia on the 31st of March 2007, Earth Hour moved 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour. This massive collective effort reduced the city's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour. With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.

YOUR participation will go a long way in spreading the message that we, as individual droplets working collectively - can create an impetus far more powerful than the mightiest of rivers. For more information, log on to the WWF Earth Hour page at: www.earthhour.org.

If you want to learn more about how else you can help make Earth Hour in the Philippines a success, reply to this email or drop us a line at (632) 920-7931, (632)920-7923, or (632)920-7926

Teena G. Santiago
Marketing Services Manager
WWF-Philippines/
Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas
JBD Plaza, 56 Mindanao Avenue
Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City
Philippines
Phone: + 63 2 920-7923 or 26
Fax: +63 2 454-3533
Mobile: +63 920 923-6998
email: tsantiago@wwf.org.ph
Website: http://wwf.org.ph

Women's Rights

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:25:00 +0000

We, men and women, are the progeny of the same Supreme Consciousness. Women and men are equally divine and inherit similar and equal rights to life, liberty and expression. The significance of life does not lie only in living. Animals also live. But life to us means something more -- rather something much more.

To us life means living for a great cause. Life implies the endeavour to have the freedom to express one's potentialities in the physical, economic, psychic and spiritual realms. It means real liberty and not license to commit anything good or bad.

In the annals of human history we do find women whose memory glorifies not only womanhood, but the entire human world. In philosophy and spirituality, social reform and educational pursuits, science and technology, they stand second to none. Women are found discussing the riddles of philosophy, solving problems of social and educational reform, and are inspiring men in times of struggle. They have their potentiality no less than men. The difference in natural and biological characteristics between men and women speaks only of coordinated cooperation, not of subordinated cooperation.

Yet the annals of history depict the sad and painful episodes of women's exploitation throughout the world. To fulfil this sinister design, dogmas were created which led to psycho-economic exploitation. Dogmas were cunningly popularized and women were degenerated to slavery. Psychic exploitation has been infused into the minds of women and many symbols which are religiously observed are nothing but symbols of slavery. In many religions of the world today women are not allowed to become priests in the religious hierarchy.

Women's exploitation is more or less the same everywhere. Is it not a fact that in many countries even franchise rights were not given equally to men and women?

Even today women are slaves to the male-dominated social order. This is not only bad but deplorable. We should decry such domination of women and their psycho-economic exploitation through the evil design of dogmas. To abolish dogma and liberate women from psychic exploitation, there should be:

Free education for all women in all countries of the world.
No discrimination in the social, educational and religious realms.
The provision of economic and social security to all women.

We stand to create a powerful, dynamic and upsurging social consciousness, especially among women, so that they are inspired to rise, abolish dogma and annihilate all symbols of slavery, and usher in a new era of coordinated cooperation and glorious achievement. Let women be the vanguard of a new revolution which humanity must achieve for a glorious tomorrow.

by: Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar
20 April 1981, Calcutta
A Few Problems Solved Part 9

Hatag Kalinaw 2008 project grant

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:29:00 +0000

Hatag Kalinaw 2008 is a youth-led project grant competition for school and community-based youth organisations in Mindanao on how the ideals of peace can be achieved through mutual understanding and entrepreneurship. Winning organisations will receive up to PHP 100,000 each to implement its project within a 6-month period.

What should the proposal be about?

* Project proposals should address issues on the ideals of peace, mutual understanding, and development among young people in Mindanao

* It should espouse entrepreneurship in the form of savings, economic, or livelihood activities

* It should utilise the concept of “self-help” as opposed to “dole-out

* It should be a consultative and participatory process to ensure ownership and enhanced sustainability to promote community-based entrepreneurial activities

For further information and to download application form, please visit: web site

Blog seminar on cultural indulgent

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:52:00 +0000

Open to all with limited slots. This event is organized by Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT) Department Student Council of Notre Dame of Marbel University, headed by Mark Aethen G. Agana. Contact Aethen for more information at +639063722737

Date: Feb.2.2008
Time: 8:30am-3:30pm
Venue: SMC Hall, NDMU, City of Koronadal
Registration Fee: Php70.00 (inclusive of two snacks and certificate)

The seminar will be like a re-echo of the Mindanao Bloggers Summit. It is called Blog, dubbed with theme "Understanding, Culture and Identity" and has the following objectives:

1. To introduce blogging as new media

2. To explore blogging as a means for monetizing, Internet marketing, and advocacy.

3. To enable the participants to recognize the need to continually communicate with one another to know and understand Mindanao and its people through the available technology.

4. To utilize blogging to appreciate the beauty of Mindanao 's people, culture, places, creativity as their contribution to fostering understanding and peace on the island.

The invited Mindanao bloggers to introduce blogging to non-bloggers. There will talk on Blogging 101 (Basics), Blogging as new medium, for earning, Internet Marketing, and Advocacy.

Hector Miñoza, Bro. Vince Celeste, FMS, Rolly Jude Ortega, Ariel Lalisan, Ria Jose, and Avel Manansala are the invited Mindanao bloggers to introduce blogging to non-bloggers and they would also share their knowledge and experiences with blogging. There will talk on Blogging 101 (Basics), Blogging as new medium, for earning, Internet Marketing, and Advocacy.

Stop conversion of electric cooperative

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:21:00 +0000

BIG FISH EAT SMALL FISH is the economic philosophy of the aggressive capitalists who bloat themselves sucking the lifeblood of the majority poor consumers.

The electric power industry reform act of 2001 (R.A. 9136) which is known as EPIRA law provided the opportunity for private capitalists to acquire ownership base of the electric industry sectors, such as the power generation, transmission and distribution utility.

This salient feature of EPIRA law had paved the way for private business greater participation in the management and operation of the electric power distribution utility. This mandate is called upon by the national government pushing for privatization of the acquired assets of the rural electrification program thru conversion of the electric cooperative.

The call for conversion of electric cooperative, shifting from service-oriented to profit-oriented industry will only increase deprivation of member-consumers economic growth in the rural areas and encourage widespread poverty as well as monopoly of electric power resources. This profit motivation of the conversion movement is counter-productive to develop the economic potential of the rural areas. This is a ploy of the capitalist’s vested interest to destabilized missionary mandate of the rural electrification program.

Hence, the Proutist Mindanao Economic Forum believe that the potentiality of power industry resources should be progressively utilize and managed in a system of no-profit and no-loss policy in order to maintain balance and vitality of the local economy in the region. This principle of balanced economy will surely advance decentralization and democratization of benefits to everybody.

PROUT and World Poverty

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 16:02:00 +0000

Dr. Ravi Batra, known economics professor and author of several books has recorded a short video illustrating the need of a PROUT revolution to end corruption all over the world. He pointed out how corruption is the key factor in the world poverty. He documented his thesis with clear data and analysis. You can download the video here.

Ang KaSaMa 7th Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 07:30:00 +0000

Congratulations to AKSM 7th Anniversary

Victory to the benevolent “horn blower” of the new dawn in Maharlika. Today (12/15/2007), we are celebrating Ang KaSaMa’s 7th years of existence and its contribution for the social advancement in the name of development and progress with all its services, sacrifices and dedication to Maharlikan people.

A sincere salutations to AKSM BOD and Core Group who stood firmly with the movement in times of prosperity and adversity. This is another memorable year that flooded our hearts with the sense of triumph and joy, as we see clearly now the first ray of the rising sun in the eastern horizon shining in every home with much love and hope.

Ang Katipunan ng Samahang Maharlika (AKSM) is moving towards the effulgence with the marching tune of freedom of undefeated soldiers of righteousness. In the core of our hearts lay the most precious treasure of humanity. This unconditional love to God and to the motherland is our weapon, shield and source of eternal inspiration to create and build a new society where no one goes to bed hungry and will wipe out the rolling tears on the face of poverty.

AKSM throughout the years and the years to come firmly stand as a hard core advocates of PROUT (Progressive Utilization Theory) and Neo – Humanism. The movement is always vigilant that the welfare of all is not compromise, maintaining the harmony and progressive adjustment between the plant, animal and human world, and its entire endeavor reflects the true spirit of universalism.

It is in this context that AKSM as a socio-economic-cultural and political movement is based on anti-exploitation sentiment aiming at comprehensive, unburied expression of every individual and collective human society through the essence of universal spirit and regional in application. It is said that to establish universalism we are to foster Cosmic Sentiment and on this sentiment collective mind of the society will accept the feeling of cosmic fraternity. This cosmic fraternity is the cosmic vision of universalism.

Since the advent of AKSM seven years ago, it becomes a never ending effort to apply PROUT in the hard soil of reality. Through its member and affiliate organizations at home and abroad it will launch a popular movement in all the regions, provinces, municipalities, barangays (smallest political unit) and down to the village level in the country. This approach will lead us to our goal – the creation of a greater Maharlika Nation. The process of merger of all the socio-economic movements will gradually bring the whole nation under one administrative structure and ultimately will led to the formation of Good Governance in Maharlika and this will usher us to the new era of Maharlika Universal Samaj under God.

Once again, in this auspicious moment, in behaft of the Confederation a heartfelt greetings to Ang KaSaMa Inc. in celebrating its 7th founding anniversary. Wishing you all the best of success and power in conquering the hindrances that the movement may encounter now and the years to come. May the Blessing of the Lord will always guide and protect you.

Affectionately your brother in arms,

Deo P. Palma
Spiritual Director
Ang KaSaMa (url: http://www.angkasama.net)

After Capitalism

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:31:00 +0000

After Capitalism: Prout’s Vision for a New World sheds light on the Progressive Utilization Theory, or Prout, a socio-economic model based on decentralized economic democracy, cooperative enterprise and the ethics of inclusion. Noam Chomsky, Frei Betto, Johan Galtung, Leonardo Boff, Sohail Inayatullah, Ravi Batra, Mark Friedman and Marcos Arruda – have contributed to this revolutionary new book that presents comprehensive and practical answers.

Dada Maheshvarananda
Instituto Venezolano de Investigación de Prout
Prout Research Institute of Venezuela
www.aftercapitalism.org
Tel. (58)-212-578-4587, cel. (58)-412-601-6572
Skype: dadamaheshvarananda

The book asserts that capitalism contains the seeds of its own destruction, based as it is on greed, intense competition and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. In contrast, Prout provides a model of economic development grounded in universal values. It seeks to balance regional self-reliant economic development with ecological protection, and encourages creativity and innovation.

In his preface to the book, Noam Chomsky stated, “Alternative visions are crucial at this moment in history. Prout’s cooperative model of economic democracy, based on cardinal human values and sharing the resources of the planet for the welfare of everyone, deserves our serious consideration.” Historian Howard Zinn, author of the best-selling A People’s History of the United States, wrote: “After Capitalism is refreshingly original. It is spiritual and utopian while remaining grounded in reality. Its analysis is intelligent and its vision inspiring.”

Theologian Leonardo Boff, in his contribution to the book, wrote that Prout “is very important to all who yearn for a liberation which starts from economics and opens to a totality of personal and social human existence.” Frei Betto, said, “The constitutional proposals of Prout are the ethical summary of everything that humanity needs to accomplish universal fraternity.”

After Capitalism offers refreshing new hope for a world without poverty, war and injustice. It is a practical, sustainable vision for future generations. It is a comprehensive approach to eradicate poverty, improve the quality of life and make every region of the world self-reliant.

The book shows:
· Why, unlike capitalism and communism, the concepts of Prout are in harmony with human psychology;
· How Prout’s vision can restore ecological balance and nurture the soul;
· Where model projects and political movements based on Prout are located;
· How to implement Prout’s economic democracy and self-determination in your region.

The Author: Dada Maheshvarananda is unusual: an American who chose to become an orange-clad monk of the Yoga tradition. He is a highly respected monk, social service worker, social activist and organizer, and a teacher of meditation and Yoga. Dada has worked with exceptional commitment in these capacities for over thirty years. He has served and benefited many people and communities throughout the world -- Southeast Asia, South Asia, South America and North America. Dada Maheshvarananda has studied and continues to study the theory and application of the Progressive Utilization Theory (PROUT).

Dada also studied under the personal guidance of the visionary and founder of PROUT, the late Mr. Prabhat R. Sarkar (1920-1990). He has dedicated his life to not only conveying what PROUT is, but more so to serving "all living beings" through PROUT's application. Mr. Maheshvarananda is affectionately referred to as Dada, which simply means "brother." His complete name is Acharya Maheshvarananda Avadhuta, a Sanskrit name. Acharya is a title meaning "spiritual teacher" and "one who teaches by example." The name Maheshvarananda signifies "one who experiences the bliss of the Lord." Avadhuta means "renunciate monk dedicated to service."

After Capitalism: Prout's Vision for a New World is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese editions.

Mindanao Ehem Forum and Fellowship

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:29:00 +0000

Attention all Ehemers in Mindanao and in Davao City: you are invited to our regular annual forum of the Mindanao Ehem TWG for 2007 (our second forum this year; the first one was on elections last April).

Our upcoming forum will be held on December 17, 2007 (Monday) @ 1-5 PM. The venue is at the Conference Hall of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) at the SSS Bldg, Bajada St., Davao City.

For this forum, we will have a public lecture with book launching/book signing on anti-fixing and anti-red tape reforms in the government and Philippine society. This forum is also sponsored by the MEDCo and the Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process (OPAPP).

Invitations in the TWG's database will be sent out. But if you are interested, you are very much welcome. You can also confirm your attendance to Cecile Desesto (082-2274217) or Fe Munez (082-2212179/80). Snacks and cocktails will be provided by MEDCo and OPAPP. This activity will also be a Christmas fellowship of Ehemers and Ehem agencies.

Special topics will focus on social capital and corruption (Bagong koneksyon laban sa korupsyon!), and the dark side of social capital (fixers' networks and networks of fixers).

There will be a book display of the FIXING SOCIETY: The Inside World of Fixers in the Philippines. Each book sells at P450 pesos.

We hope to see you all in our affair!

Below is the program for the forum!

--------------------------

The Mindanao Ehem Technical Working Group (Ehem TWG)

in coordination with

The Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process (OPAPP)

Mindanao Economic and Development Council (MEDCo)
Office of the Ombudsman and the Association of Resident Ombudsmen
(AROGA)

and

Ehem Anticorruption Project

4th TWG Annual Forum and Christmas Fellowship Public Lecture and Book Launching on
Anti-Fixing and Anti-Red Tape Reforms in the Philippines
December 17, 2007 | Monday | 1:00-5:00 PM
MEDCo Conference Hall, SSS Bldg, Bajada St., Davao City

Theme: "Bagong Koneksyon Laban sa Korupsyon!"

1:00 – 1:30
Registration and Book Sale

1:30 – 1:45
Call to Assembly and Opening Ceremonies

1:45 – 2:00
Recognition of Officials and Guests
Recognition of Ehem Champions in the Government and Private Sectors
Recognition of TWG Members and Forum Host and Sponsor

2:00 – 2:10
Welcome Remarks
Hon. Sec. Virgilio Leyretana, Sr.
MEDCo Chairman and Ehem Mindanao TWG Convenor

2:10 – 2:30
Keynote Remarks
Hon. Sec. Jesus G. Dureza
Presidential Adviser

2:30 – 3:00
Lecture 1:
"Ang Bagong Koneksyon, Laban sa Korupsyon"
(Social Capital and Corruption)
Fr. Albert E. Alejo, SJ, PhD
Ehem Team Leader

3:00 – 4:00
Lecture 2:
Fixing Society: The Inside World of Fixers in the Philippines
(Dark Side of Social Capital)
Dr. Ronnie V. Amorado
Ehem National Coordinator and Book Author

4:00 – 4:30
Panel Open Forum

4:30 – 5:00
Ehem Fellowship and Book Signing

Host and Sponsor:
OPAPP and MEDCo

Emcee:
Ms. Arlene Lozano
Ehem Mindanao TWG Co-Convenor

Support the Sumilao farmers!

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 10:31:00 +0000

"To make democracy successful, economic power must be vested in the hands of the local people and the minimum requirements of life must be guaranteed to all. This is the only way to ensure the economic liberation of the people."

-- Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar

Photo Credit by Jimmy Domingo

54 farmers from Sumilao, walking for 60 days, from Bukidnon to Manila, covering 1,700 kilometers, to ask President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to distribute their ancestral lands to them under the agrarian reform program...

The Sumilao farmers have endured being away from home, being in uncertain places, with uncertain outcomes. They have nothing but the solidarity and goodness of people, and the hope that, in the end, truth and social justice will prevail.

Sign the online petition here:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/sumilaofarmers/

Read more updates here:
A Position Paper on the Sumilao Farmers’ Struggle for Access to their Land

Latest book of Dr Ravi Batra

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:35:00 +0000

Dr. Ravi Batra - is author of six international bestsellers, two of which appeared on the New York Times list. He has appeared on CBS, NBC, CNN, ABC, and CNBC and has been profiled in The New York Times, Time, Newsweek, and many more. He is a professor of economics at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.

THIS BOOK is a must read for anyone interested in bringing sanity to the global economy, which is currently afflicted with numerous debts, deficits and special interests. It is also a must read for those seeking an objective evaluation of the Bush administration’s policies making headlines today. The simplicity with which Batra presents his arguments and counters the orthodoxy will astound you.

The book also includes Batra’s forecast made in 1980 that Islam would convulse the western world around the year 2000. The 9/11 massacre was clearly foreseen by the author.

Contents:
- The Two Faces of Alan Greenspan
- The Social Security Fraud
- Greenonomics: Free Profits Define Free Markets
- Greenspan’s Intellectual Fraud
- Greenspan and the Globe
- What Causes a Stock Market Bubble and Its Crash?
- The Income Tax Rate and Our Living Standard
- Does the Minimum Wage Create Unemployment?
- Greenspan and the Galloping Trade Deficit
- The Legacy of Greenomics
- Economic Reform

Hunghong sa Yuta

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 14:47:00 +0000

Hunghong sa Yuta ( "Earth's Whisper" )
A film by Arnel Mardoquio

MTV Credits:
Music: "Pambihirang Nilikha" by Popong Landero
Cinematographer: Egay Navarro
Editor: Arthur Ian L. Garcia

Lamlifew Village Museum

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 03:01:00 +0000

The National Museum of the Philippines
The Provincial Government of Sarangani
TAOINC and The Lamlifew Tribal Women's Association

cordially invite you to an evening gathering on the occasion of the launch of the
Lamlifew Village Museum. The first village museum initiated by a Philippine indigenous community

The B'laan of Sarangani

The Lamlifew Village Museum takes for its topic the numerous varieties of upland rice, which the many villages in the upper reaches of Sarangani continue to propagate. Ten varieties of upland rice, of various colors, will be sold by B'laan women from Lamlifew, Malungon, Sarangani, during this occasion. Examples of upland rice-based foods will be served. The B'laan women will also present traditional songs and instrumental music.

6 in the evening
Monday, 3 December 2007

Ground level, Museum of the Filipino People
National Museum of the Philippines
(Former) Finance Building, Agrifina Circle, Manila

RSVP (0917) 970-0052 Marlene Po
or 816-3736 Kristy Lacambra

The 4th Sunrise Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Hector Miñoza) — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 08:38:00 +0000

The sunrise festival is a celebration of arts held annually in the different regions of Maharlika (Philippines).

This socio-cultural festivity is a collaborative effort among professional and upcoming artists in the country, it is now the 4th national event organized by the Maharlika Artists and Writers Federation (MAWF).

The festival is a continuing national cultural movement to develop a high value and a total integration of all aspects of arts: music, theatre, literary, dance, senses, emotions and intuition and spirit.

Kindly visit the web site: http://maharlikasunrisefest.com

Meme Na Mindanaw

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:39:00 +0000

A lullaby for peace
concept & lyrics by Albert E. Alejo, S.J.

[+]

Congrats to MBS1 success!

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:59:00 +0000

Participants of the 1st Mindanao Bloggers Summit. (Photo by Charles Ortiz)

Burma Crisis: Need Your Support!

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:25:00 +0000

Dear friends, have you heard about the crisis in Burma?

Burma is ruled by one of the worst military dictatorships in the world. Last month Buddhist monks and nuns began marching and chanting prayers to call for democracy. The protests spread and hundreds of thousands of Burmese people joined in -- but they've been brutally attacked by the military regime.

I just signed a petition calling on Burma's powerful ally China and the UN security council to step in and pressure Burma's rulers to stop the killing

The emergency petition to stop the crackdown on peaceful protesters in Burma is exploding, with nearly 500,000 signers from every nation of the world. But the situation in Burma remains desperate, with reports of hundreds of monks being massacred and tortured. Burma's rulers have also killed and expelled international journalists, cutting off global media coverage of their cruelty.

China is still the key - the country with the most power to halt the Burmese generals' reign of terror. We're delivering our message this week with a massive ad campaign in major newspapers, beginning with a full page ad in the Financial Times worldwide tomorrow, and in the South China Morning Post on Thursday. The strength of the ad comes from the number of petition signers listed – can we reach our goal of 1 million signatures this week? The link to sign the petition and view the ad is below, forward this email to all your friends and family!

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/u.php

China continues to provide key economic and military support to Burma's dictatorship, but it has been openly critical of the crackdown. Now we need the government to match words with actions. Our ad paints a powerful moment of choice for China in its relationship with the world – will it be a responsible and respected member of the global community, or will it be associated with tyranny and oppression?

People power, on the streets of Burma, and around the world, can triumph over tyranny. Our strength is in our numbers, spread the word!

With hope and determination,

Ricken, Paul, Ben, Graziela, Pascal, Galit and the whole Avaaz team.

For the best local reporting on the situation in Burma, try these links:

http://www.irrawaddy.org

http://www.mizzima.com

Songwriting Competition for Women

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:17:00 +0000

We invite female songwriters all over Mindanao to participate in the first Mothers for Peace Singout and Songwriting Competition. The project is part of an ongoing campaign by the Mothers for Peace movement to:1) mainstream peace consciousness; 2) celebrate peace; and 3) expand Mothers for Peace membership in Peace Circles throughout Mindanao and the entire country.

Mothers for Peace is being organized by the Mindanao Commission on Women under its program on peace and multiculturalism.

The project is supported by the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

COMPETITION GUIDELINES:

1. The lyricist, music composer, and singer/s must be female, ages 18 and above, and born or currently residing in Mindanao.

2. Songs must be in Filipino, English, or Bisaya (based on Cebuano) or a mix of the three.

3. Songs can be in whatever music genre.

4. Songs should contain any or all of the elements of the Mothers for Peace credo below:

I am a peaceful soul. Peace is my innate quality as it is of all human beings.

I affirm the uniqueness and goodness of every individual and group and regard diversity as a resource for enriching humanity.

The world is a place of abundance. There is enough for everybody. So life must be a celebration of giving.

Believing that as we sow, so shall we reap, I sow only the best seeds to add quality to human life as God's faithful servant.

I am steadfast in working with others in creating a better world for all.

I reject all forms of violence.

I am a mother for peace.

5. Songs must not exceed 5 minutes.

6. Songs must not have won any competition, and must be unpublished.

7. Songs must be recorded and mixed in clear, clean, recording quality. Songs with poor recording quality will be automatically eliminated.

8. The original CDs of the recorded songs and typewritten lyrics must be received by the competition organizers on or before October 31, 2007 :

a.) CD 1 contains the complete song
b.) CD 2 contains the Minus One

No names of the lyricist or music composer or interpreters should be written on the CD, CD cover, and lyric sheets. Only the title of the song should be written.

9. The CDs will not be returned to their owners.

10. Members of the secretariat, members of the board, and commissioners of the Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW) are not allowed to join the contest.

JUDGING

Each song will be judged by two panels of judges in two rounds. The elimination round will reduce the number of entries to the top 12. The final round will take place during the concert night where the grand prize and other winners will be determined from the top 12 entries.

Criteria for judging include:

1. Melody, 25% – Uniqueness, freshness, not "borrowed" or copied, rhythm, memorability or recall, creativity

2. Lyrics, 25% – Flow, story/theme development, rhyming skill, emotional connection, creativity

3. Arrangement, 25% – How voice and instruments weave together harmoniously; creativity

4. Interpretation, 25% – Strength, power, and confidence in vocal delivery; clarity of words

PRIZES

Grand Prize winner will receive P75,000.00, Second Prize winner will receive P50,000.00, Third Prize winner will receive P25,000.00. Winner of the Best Interpretation award will receive P10,000.00. Most Popular Song award, to be voted by the viewing public on the day of the Final Round of the competition, will receive a Certificate. Top 12 entries will each receive P5,000.00 consolation prize. A 20% withholding tax will be deducted from prizes exceeding P10,000.00, and 5% withholding tax will be deducted from prizes P10,000 and below. All prizes will be given during the concert night.

THE MUSIC CD

The top 12 songs will be pooled together to produce a CD. One thousand copies of the album will be produced. These will be distributed in the regions for airing in the radio, and selling. Copies will also be sent to a few music outlets in Manila.

Net from the sales of the music CD will go to the Mothers for Peace Fund, which supports projects aimed at food security of families living in poverty.

GUIDELINES FOR TOP 12 ENTRIES

1. The Top 12 winners will perform at a venue in Davao City . The top 12 contestants are expected to attend sound check and rehearsals at least five hours before the start of the concert.

2. The interpreters may use minus one, or bring their own back-up musicians / bands. Back-up musicians / bands may be both male and female, and shall not exceed seven members. Transportation, food, and accommodations shall entirely be the responsibility of the contestants, except food during rehearsals and concert night.

3. Top 12 entries will be included in the Mothers for Peace: Global Cooling music album CD to be produced by the Mindanao Commission on Women. The CD is copyrighted to MCW, and the latter reserves the right to reproduce up to 1,000 copies of the CD, royalty-free. Beyond this number, royalties will be paid to the composers.

4. The songs are copyrighted to their composers. Composers may publish their songs individually, but not as part of a Various Artists album that contains at least three (3) of the top 12 entries within a period of one year starting from the launch of the Mothers for Peace: Global Cooling music album CD

5. Any of the Top 12 entries may be used as the official Mothers for Peace anthem, without royalty.

Send entry forms, memorandum of agreement, CDs and Lyric Sheets to:

Maria Cecilia B. Arriola
Mindanao Commission on Women
121 University Avenue , Juna Subdivision
Matina, Davao City

For more info, contact:
E-mail: mcw@mindanaowomen.org
URL: http://www.mindanaowomen.org

39th Charter Day of General Santos City

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:06:00 +0000

Gensan City Officials headed by Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr. and Congresswoman Darlene Custodio lead city officials and guests in releasing balloons to signal to opening of the celebration of the 39th Cityhood Anniversary of the city on September 5, 2007 at the Gen. Paulino Santos Shrine. The activity was preceded by a Mass and Flag-Raising Ceremony. Also in the photo are Vice Mayor Florentina Congson, Councilors Odjok Acharon, Richard Atendido, Boyet Leyson, Bing Dinopol, Doming Lagare, First Lady Dr. Rose Acharon, Festival Director Bebot Haw, Dep Ed Superintendent Estrella Lariosa, among others. The day is also the culmination of the week-long 2007 Tuna Festival.

WINNING TUNAFEST FLOAT. The P100,000 Grand Prize Winner in the Float Competition entered by the East Asia Royale Hotel during the culmination of the 2007 Tuna Festival at the Oval Plaza Grounds on September 5, 2007. The other winners are SAFII Group of Companies (2nd place), RD Group of Companies (3rd place) and TSP Marine Industries (4th place). This year's contest brought in 21 participating entries, the biggest number in its history.

MS.GENSAN 2007. 20-year old NDDU Nursing Student Belle Esteban of Barangay Apopong was crowned Ms. Gensan 2007 on the night of September 2, 2007 in a jampacked ceremony at the KCC Convention & Trade Center. With her in the foto is her court (L-R) 1st Runner-Up Jen Cachuela and 2nd Runner-Up Lynn Menong. The Ms. Gensan Pageant is an official event of the 2007 Tuna Festival and is sponsored by the City Government of Gensan, the GSCCCII, Tuna Festival Council & the KCC Malls.

(cmo-gensan/aomanansala)

Congratulations Ding Fuellos & Ayel Lalisan

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 13:14:00 +0000

Mindanao Bloggers like Ding Fuellos and Ayel Lalisan made it this year WIKA 2007 Blog Writing Contest… congratulations! the MINDANAOKINI is happy of your victory :-)

Tungo Sa Pagbabanyuhay by Ding Fuellos who got the Grand Prize winner of the Wika 2007 Blog Writing Contest.

A Language We All Need to Learn by Ayel Lalisan who got the Misteryosa Award winner of the Wika 2007 Blog Writing

You may view the final results of the winners of the Wika 2007 Blog Writing Contest at PinoyBlogoSphere.com.

‘Gawing Gulay ang Buhay: Go Vegetarian!’

noreply@blogger.com (mindanaokini) — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 16:28:00 +0000

Bringing new meaning to the words ‘natural beauty,’ vegetarian actress Alyssa Milano dons a spectacular full-length gown made of lettuce leaves – with accents of kale and an asparagus bodice—in PETA Asia-Pacific’s sexy new campaign, “Gawing Gulay ang Buhay: Go Vegetarian!” Alyssa wears a gown made entirely of greenery including green leaf lettuce, red leaf lettuce, kale, and more than 2 dozen spears of asparagus.

“The world has so much suffering in it already,” says Alyssa. “Choosing to be vegetarian is one thing you can do to reduce the suffering on a daily basis.”

Alyssa has appeared on the covers of hundreds of magazines – including International editions of FHM, Maxim, and Cosmopolitan. With her love for animals, she shows that her strikingly good looks are more than just skin deep.

Alyssa joins a growing list of celebrities who have kicked the meat habit, including Joaquin Phoenix, Alicia Mayer, Yasmien Kurdi, Pamela Anderson, Natalie Portman, Alec Baldwin, Sir Paul McCartney, Tobey Maguire, Isabel Roces, and Maggie Q.

For more information, please visit PETA Asia-Pacific’s Web site PETAAsiaPacific.org. To learn more about Alyssa, please visit Alyssa.com.