Melamine scare

Something good happen when the melamine issue broke out because in a far away barangay of Davao del Sur the Lao Farm that has several heads of goat as part of its integrated farm is now the source of goats milk that many consumers and even food producers sourced their supply.

There is an increase in orders that the farm produces immediately after the milk scare laden with melamine came out.

But the ten gallons of goat milk that it produces everyday is not enough to the current demand.

Cash Action for Sustainable and Healthy (CASH) Lifestyle Network president Cesar Ledesma viewed this as a positive developement for consumers already becoming conscious of safe food.

People he said would rather go for locally produce products this time.

"The scare really made an impact in the sense that people are now conscious on food safety," he said.

I think it is high time that people choose the food they eat or is it late to notice that Chinese products that flood the market around the world must be subjected first to thorough screening. What about the kids that cry out loud asking from Mom when in the supermarket to buy a bag of candies. I remember that candies of different label and packaging are displayed prominently at the entrance to get the buyers attention. I've tasted some of them (and they are chocolate) but I don't know whether those have melamine.

I bought those candies only once and did not attempt to buy again after I got an email also about Chinese produced food.

The controversy is a wake up call for consumers to be conscious on food safety.

Meanwhile i found this article on the net about goat's milk at http// www.whfoods.org which I posted below for more information about the milk

Delicious with a slightly sweet and sometimes salty undertone, goat's milk is the milk of choice in most of the world. Although not popular in the United States, it can be found in markets and health foods stores throughout the year.

Unlike cow's milk there is no need to homogenize goat's milk. While the fat globules in cow's milk tend to separate to the surface, the globules in goat's milk are much smaller and will remain suspended in solution. When individuals have sensitivity to cow's milk, goat's milk can sometimes be used as an alternative.

Export ore compliance urged

A mining industry leader noted that permits for exporting ore is necessary.

Chamber of Mines of the Philippines president Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez urged the industry stakeholders to adhere to the government requirement.

Mining companies and mineral traders are required to get a mineral ore export permit (MOEP) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) before they are allowed to ship out all kinds of minerals and their byproducts outside the country.

According to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza shipments of mineral products, including gold bullions and mine tailings, will be confiscated if the shipper or transporter cold not show the MOEP issued by his office as well as the proof of payment of the required excise tax.

The guidelines for the MOEP is covered under Administrative Order No. 2008-20 entitled “Issuance of Mineral Ore Export Permit for Transport/Shipment Outside of the Philippines of Mineral Ores, Including Tailings” which takes effect 15 days after publication in a general circulation newspaper. The order is pursuant to the Mining Act (RA 7942) and Executive Order 469 as amended.

The MOEP will be able to address many of the issues that seem to defeat the purpose of the revitalization of the mining industry.

The MOEP also established a mechanism to monitor the shipment of mineral products, to ensure that they are extracted legitimately, pay the proper taxes, and declare the correct tonnage, grade and volume of shipment.

Mining firms and traders used to seek an export clearance from the government before shipping out mineral products, but this requirement was eliminated after the government pursued a policy of export liberalization.

In relation to this Romualdez encouraged also the mining industry stakeholders to adhere to the requirement of the government by giving their share back through legitimate extraction as well as adhere to responsible mining.

“Without it we will not be granted that social license and also if we can not prove that to the community that we are into responsible mining,” he added.

Lehman Brothers collapse no effect to RP ?

The Philippine banking system remains sound despite the collapse of US investment firm Lehman Brothers said Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco

The country's banking system has not been significantly affected. Furthermore, the Philippine domestic banks' exposure to structured products issued by Lehman are well-cushioned by the banks' capital base, the government authorities kept on assuring the public.

The government also vowed to continue to monitor developments in the global financial markets since these could effect impact not just in the banking sector but in economic growth as well.

We only hope it will not affect really the Philippine economy because if it does it will be the small ones that will be hit badly although the poor would not care maybe on the collapse of the Lehman Brothers, they would not even know who could they be.

But what they are more concern is when the value of peso would be getting smaller and smaller. We hope that the Lehman Brothers bad state will be the only and the last. Or are there others on the line too. I hope none so far - God Forbids if others are marching down the line !

Korean-Filipino mining partnership starts exploration in Sultan Kudarat

A Korean investor with local partners in Sultan Kudarat started mining exploration in barangay Kinayao, Bagumbayan town within the 4,500 hectares with approved mineral production sharing agreement (MSPA) issued to FADICASU.

The partnership was registered under FMC & GRCO Fadicasu Mining Corp & General Resources Co. Ltd.

The corporation's operation manager, Rudolf Joseph C. Lopez said Fadicasu Mining Corp is the Filipino partner while General Resources Co., Ltd. is the Korean investor.

Fadicasu represents the name of the Filipino shareholders that all reside in Bagumbayan namely Faducan, Dida, Caspe and Subere.

Although the MSPA was approved in 1998, the exploration only started May 2008 and work is already into its 600 meters depth drilling of 10 holes.

Mineral deposits within the Daguma Range are copper and gold but the resource is more of copper with the gold deposits of 22 K.

Drilling has to go down to 2,000 meters to determine the volume of the reserves which is expected to be complete by December this year with 100 holes.

With an initial investments of over P100 million, the company plan to put up processing plant in the area only after determining the volume because what they will ship to Korea are copper concentrate.

Within the Damuga Range are about 11 MPSA holders and for the whole of Sultan Kuradat some 50 of them including mineral tenements were issued same agreement.

Like in any other mining explorations there are issues raised and one of this is the siltation in the Allah River, the threat to landslide and other related issues.

But the company officer said prior to their entry in the area siltation is already present and the threat to landslide is outside of the approved MPSA.

However. he said they are closely cooperating with the local government unit because they have the responsibility to play in relation to their investment in the area.

Both sector agreed to forge an agreement on how to handle the issues even as the pr

government is supporting investors like this company because it is the only foreign investor in the province.

Hotel industry notes positive trend towards yearend

Tourists continue to come despite the economic slowdown as the hotel industry noted a positive trend towards the yearend.

One player, the Millennium Plaza Serviced Residences of Makati City, noted good business as it experienced enjoys occupancy rate of 88 percent, with 45 percent of their clients are tourists both international and local.

In the Davao City sales blitz sales manager Desiree Gernale-Posadas and Joaquin F. Mercado II, rooms division manager expressed the need to reach out to the prospective provincial clients considering that many of their clients are businessmen from either Davao and Cebu.

Based on their tracking of guests these guests accounted for only 3 percent coming from the out- of-town because they still do not know about the place and they wanted reach out to them as they aimed to increase the provincial guests to at least 15 percent.

The Millennium Plaza offers personalized service to their guests of five-star service at surprisingly affordable rates with special promotional packages. Foreign tourists booked on line, other travel agents also handle the account for their guests.

The Millennium Plaza also as part of their package, extend sweet deals to students who can avail of the "Stay and Learn Package" for as low as P2,900 for four persons sharing a room while conference and banquet packages are also available at discounted rates and the promo runs until April 2009.

Most of the guests have transactions in embassies as it is located nearby among others the Canadian Embassy.

Hotel staff goes out of their way to assist the guests as to their purpose of coming considering that the hotel is strategically located near the business offices as well guide them on how and where to get there as well as and other concerns.

Add-on privileges are given to frequent guest offering them free overnight accommodation on their 8th visit with set breakfasts. Privilege cards are also given to Overseas Filipino Workers which entitles them to special discount to partner establishments like Barrio Fiesta, St. Tropezz Bar and Restaurant and Music 21.

Their partnership with Baron Travel allows their guests to a city tour through their Discover Manila Package that pass through Intramuros, Rizal Park or Fort Santiago, the Mall of Asia and others and to large group which are given discounts for a minimum of 10 rooms booked.

The Millennium Plaza also caters to long staying guests and they are mostly expats and CEOs of corporations.

These guests stay for a month or up to six months with special packages and access to amenities like unlimited use of internet at the business center with free breakfast daily, availability of gym and beauty salon facilities of partner establishments, etc. and entrance passes to Karl Edward Bazaars for the year 2008

Malaysia willing to share tourism expertise

With the huge volume of tourists that Malaysia hosts each year, the latest figure in 2007 pegged at 20 million, the country is willing to share their expertise to other neighboring countries insofar as tourism related services is concerned.

Malaysia Consul General to Davao Hon. Nik Mustafa Kamal Nik Ahmad in an interview at the Club 888 Forum of the Marco Polo Davao said projects like exchange studies would allow students to have wider exposure to the international tourism industry.

He said the Filipino trainees while in their country must work hard because the Malaysian and other tourists there love to dine and all hotels and restaurants are open 24 hours and their long exposure would make them more skilled as they would interact with tourists of different nationalities.

Malaysia is among the top 3 destinations in Asia and tourism industry workers will be exposed among others to clients in the Middle East.

"With more exposure they will have the good chance of increasing their marketability," he said.

Meanwhile he observed that there is not enough Malaysian coming to Mindanao because of their impression that the island is dangerous.

They (Malaysian) do not even know that there is a consulate base in Davao City even as he said that their government has not issued travel advisories banning their nationals to come to Mindanao.

"Issuing travel advisory is unfair and we do not want to do that to our neighbor," he said.

The other concern aired there number of people coming to Manila instead to Davao because of the lack of air linkages.

It is a good thing that Cebu Pacific had started the route and hopefully there would be more Malaysians traveling here because they love to travel and when they travel they want to go to several destinations.

He said tourists destinations here are really beautiful and has rich resources but it needs a lot of promotion.

The sites are comparable to places in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand only that it was not extensively promoted and there are a lot of untouched destinations here worth exploring.

Mining stakeholders urge Philippine government to relax mining exploration application

Stakeholders of the mining industry in Mindanao, Philippines urged the government to relax the rigid process on the application of permits for mining exploration.

The business sector in the island will submit a resolution through Secretary Lito Atienza to look at the issuance of mining exploration permit during the Mining Summit that will be held in Davao City on September 18 to 19, 2008 even as they are saying there is no point in making different rules of miining exploration application.

It was learned that at the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau office based in Davao City there are 14 pending applications while 20 applications were endorsed to MGB central office and none so far have been approved.

The business sector of Mindanao supports the mining industry and they are there to see to it that mining investment must be protected. But the country has antiquated mining laws and this has to be addressed.

The country has been ranked in the top ten for mineral reserves yet it also falls among the top 50 countries with no investments.

These reserves must be explored inorder for the government to know how much of these resources are there said the business sector even as they expressed that application of mining permits should not be caught with bureaucratic red tapes even and they vowed they will not take it sitting down.

In fact he said they had conducted dialogues with different sectors including the religious because they want to know the sentiments of all sectors.

At the Mining Summit there will be workshops and sessions and among these are discussions on social responsibility within the community and for the business sector to see mining investors comply with responsible mining.

The business sector want responsible mining to take place in Mindanao otherwise they will also be the first to take action against those who will exploit the mineral resource even as they warned that proper mitigation be applied to ensure that the resource is protected.

It may be recalled that with the passage of the Philippine Mining Act in 1995 (RA 7942), the mining industry experienced slow investments pouring into the country. As this developed, a National Policy Action Plan was crafted which prompted President Arroyo to sign Executive Order No. 270, the National Policy Agenda on Revitalizing the Mining Industry in the Philippines to boost investments in the industry.

Over the years, emerging issues crop up brought about by the tedious process of applying for mining permit and the practice of some applications to sit on their mining claims for more than two years.

Travel advisories affect completion of review and assessment of Mindanao 2000

The completion of the review and assessment of the Mindanao 2000 both by the government and the private sector has been affected by the travel advisories issued by various embassies due to the ongoing conflict in Central Mindanao.

With the participation of the Australian government as one of the donor countries to fund projects in Mindanao, the embassy of Australia does not allow the team to visit all areas where the (Australian government) has programs and projects.

The team is only allowed to travel to the cities of Davao, Butuan and Cagayan but not in the cities of General Santos, Zamboanga and Iligan although request was already raised to repeal the ban inorder to come up with a comprehensive study. Participating the review are 21 government agencies and the Mindanao Business Council representing the private sector.

The review will run for 48 days on whether the plan has been implemented and properly funded.

Already on its 14th day of work initially finding surgaced that there are policies that are inconsistent citing for instance on food security where the Philippines wants to move up from agriculture dependent to industry. On food security aspect certain policies allow the country to import rice. Rather than this strategy it should adopt food sufficiency and focus on local production as well as subsidizing inputs like seeds and fertilizers to encourage more people to go back to farming.

The country's subsidy for buying rice is getting bigger and if this will continue there is nobody to farm and the next generation would not be encouraged to go farming. Through food sustainability government should focus on giving subsidy for production.

The completion of the review and assessment of the Mindanao 2000 would allow the team to come up with a development framework for Mindanao 2020

Under this framework emphasis should be on ownership of the plan by stakeholders to ensure that the programs and plans are implemented accordingly.

The Mindanao Development Plan was formulated in 1995 and will end in 2010 and with the new plan for the island dubbed as Mindanao 2020 those involved must be part of it.

Davao's Beauty Hotel

Determined to go into medical tourism, a Davao born cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist ventured into operating a beauty hotel now named as Oroderm Hotel where guests could indulge into various services from spa, facial or body massage within the hotel.

Dr. Neil Oropesa who first practiced his profession seven years ago in Davao City and made good in treating the skin of Dabawenyos opened up 25 other branches all over the country but made a hit in 2006 when he opened 12 branches within that year.

Noting the increasing number of clients that come from other parts of the island and even the balikbayans, he decided to open a hotel where he could offer to clients a place where they could stay and at the same take their regimen for their skin care.

Beside the hotel is the Gazing Restaurant where it offers its specialty menu - "paksiw na buntot ng tuna". Hotel guests like foreigners love to hang out in the restaurant not only because of its varied menus but they could also catch the dawn scene of farmers dropping their agricultural produce at the "bagsakan center" just across the street.

Amelda Saramosing Oropesa, mother of Dr. Oropesa, helped in the operation of the businesses and in an interview said they are fulfilled when they find their clients satisfied of the services they offered.

The old Oropesa as far as the hotel operation is concerned even go into the details of selecting the beds and the pillows for the 27 rooms that they operate.

The guest has choices of rooms from suite, family, standard, double, or single. All aircondition rooms are equipped with hot and cold shower, telephone, cable tv and the six floors hotel has a service lift, a function room and fire exit.

She said they never thought this business would click even as she said that they are guided by the principle of good, quality and transparent business.

Right now the hotel other than servicing their regular clients also capture new clients for the dermatological procedures done by Dr. Oropesa or to the Oropesa Spa and Medical Clinic.

The Oropesa's, she said is into business since the 70s where her husband Roger manages Radiowealth branch offices which grew to 18 branches during his watch.

The Oropesa Marketing was into selling appliances but in the 80s there store was among those that were affected by the San Pedro Street fire. Though heavy with her second child she went into the store and tried to save some of their records. She failed to gather those records and instead got a third degree burn on her face because of the heat of the fire.

"My face got burned and it was destroyed," she said.

She recalled hopping from one dermatologists to another in Cebu and in Manila because none was available in Davao that time and they incurred big amount just for her skin treatment. She then ventured into the dermhaus business where she opened an outlet.

The business also was doing well that time until finally the Oroderm Clinic was established.

She said medicine was not the love of Dr. Oropesa because he wanted to become a lawyer. "I did not pushed him to take up medicine but just throw the idea to him. And maybe because of my condition perhaps he was challenged.

Dr. Oropesa in his clinic has over a dozen top of the line laser machines that cost millions of pesos. These high end equipment are the same equipment found in Belo Medical Clinic in Manila.

Now you could not see any trace of burned skin (please see top photo of mother Oropesa in green tops). The Oropesa's toured us to their hotel and am sharing you some of these photographs.

Paradise ...

In time for summer we stayed overnight at the nearest beach resort across Davao City of 10 minutes ride by boat across ... The Paradise Island Beach Resort at the Island Garden City of Samal.

We were greeted with resort staff bringing with them welcome drinks as they ushered us to the front desk for us to check in. We took the premier aircon accommodation, take note - with hot and cold shower, cable tv and intercom, a veranda and a garden plus room service for food and drinks. The room for three cost us only less than US $100.

It was our promise for the kids to cross the sea and enjoy the Samal sea waters during semestral break but our unica hija decided not to join us because her sked for enrolment for summer classes was the next day so there were only the three of us, me and my husband and our son who stayed for two weeks vacation then back to Manila for his summer classes too. All that stayed overnight were families spending time for bonding. Some were newly weds vacationing before going back to their home while others were foreigners who like us bathe till they dropped.

After depositing our things in our room we toured the resort and saw the mini zoo, the kids playground, the spa, the convention area, the kitchen, souvenir shops, the pearl shop, aquasport gear, the play area for billard and table tennis and the restaurant.

We had cold drinks and halo halo then we move on to swimming till evening. We started swimming at 5 in the afternoon where the sun was moving to where it will rest for the night and when it was dark the bright moon appeared and the lamp post plus the the spot light lighted the blue and calm waters. Twas cold but we did not mind it.

Our dinner of grilled tuna belly, prawn, sizzling squid and calamares was served by the sea with lighted candle and capped with fresh fruits and ice cream for dessert. The cost of food was also reasonable.

Not contented, all of us again went swimming at 6 in the morning again as we saw the workers picking the leaves and raking the sand. They do this everyday preparing the resort for the coming in of visitors. Guests started coming and all the line up tables by the shore had occupants.

We had a light breakfast of bread and egg omelet and fruits again and at 11 we had our full meal of boneless bangus, corned beef, buttered chicken and fruit salad for our dessert. While dining we were serenaded by a local band.

We left the resort at 12 contended and satisfied with our day and night swimming and our overnight stay worth a come back. I am sharing you some of the pictures I took.

I love this ....

We love the beach and we love to play in the rain as well but mothers don't like the kids carry with them the sand and mud. That is why this portable deck where you can check at http://www.hugajug.com/ answers what mothers hate most after the kids enjoyed bathing and playing.

With the portable deck, sand, gravel, dirt, mud, asphalt and slimy surfaces are no longer a problem using the elevated portable deck. It keeps you elevated and off undesirable surfaces. This is very practical.

Lazuli Spa ... the newest in town

At the Marco Polo Hotel Davao is the latest addition of its facilities where the public is provided with the taste of royalty. Lazuli Spa was named after one of the most fascinating stones in existence, the Lapis Lazuli. The deep blue color was often associated with royalty and deity. Believed to have healing powers and to preserve youth. The Lazuli Spa is part of hotel's multi-million project in renovating its fourth level now officially called as The Deck.

The fourth level is where you could also find the Polo Bistro Pool Lounge, Sarangani Function Room, the Fitness Center, and one of the most upscale spas in the Philippines.

At the spa, the guest has over 28 spa treatments to choose from. It has five exclusive treatment rooms, four single rooms and one double room for couples or friends - all equipped with mood settings. Aside from adjustable lighting, rooms also have individual portable media players where the guest can select his or her favorite type of music. Personal Ipods can also be installed with the state-of-the-art sound system. Other than those mentioned are private steam facility, ray showers and additional fixitures for hair spa treatments. There is also a foot massage room where it has five cutom-made reclining king-size counches very apt for relaxing plus an added spectacular view of the Zen garden and the pool.

We have this in Davao at The Marco Polo Hotel ... check this out when you're here !

Tote bag

This is the kind of case i want for my laptop because you can carry them all. Visit http://www.caselogic.com/ and get more designs.

My umbrella

The nature of my work requires a lot of field work and with me all the time is my two fold and sleek black umbrella that I could just slip into my bag. With the excruciating heat of the sun I could not stand walking without a shield to protect me from sun exposure. Experts advise that people avoid sun exposure from 10 am to 3 pm as the heat is so intense where one could get sunburn. The experts also said that aging comes fast through direct sun exposure. Who would like to grow old the soonest where many especially women prefer to look younger than their actual age. I also carry it to protect me from the rain. My umbrella has been my long partner.

But this kind of umbrella that i checked on the net is kinda different because it can detect when you should bring it. The Ambient Umbrella (check this at http://www.ambientdevices.com/) lets you know when rain or snow is in the forecast by illuminating its handle. The light patterns intutively indicate rain, drizzle, snow, or thunderstorms. Smart kid.

You need a sunblock

Skin protection is a must especially during summer with so many outdoor activities.

Dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon Neil Oropesa said people must protect their skin by using sun block and most of all avoid too much exposure without any skin protection.

Aging comes fast when the skin is exposed to the sun directly and when you
compare Filipinos to foreigners that love sun bathing they (Filipinos) appear younger because they see to it that they have something to cover their body especially their faces when under the sun.

"This is good for us Filipinos because we become conscious of protecting our skin and the consciousness today is now for both male and female," he said.

Oropesa who operates 25 centers all the over the country said they saw the trend that Filipinos are now conscious of maintaining and protecting their skin.

But he said next to food and other basic needs more people set aside money at the least for facial and spa.

"We notice this trend especially the younger once and I think with a good skin it could enhance their personality and self confidence," he said.

Oropesa meanwhile said that people had a notion that derma is expensive and he admitted that during his exposure to dermatology clinics in Manila and even in the US he noticed that most of the clients are the A and B as he was wondering where the C and D market go.

Based on interviews he said they found out that these sectors in the Philippines that have skin problems goes to the beauty salon and most of them do not have proper training on how to handle these cases.

Knowing this he vowed that he will put up a dermatology clinic that will offer services at affordable pay so those in the lower sector could avail of this type of services.

He however advised people to visit immediately a dermatologist once they notice a problem of their skin.

"Just a small pimple is enough sign that you visit a dermatologist," he said.

He said when the case is simple it will not incur much money on its treatment, what will make the cost high is when the skin after not being treated by an expert that would result to secondary diseases and that would be difficult to treat. It will also be costly because it would need a much-higher treatment, Oropesa said.