Check your cellphones

Mobile phone buyers are advised to check whether it carries the authentic National Telecommunication (NTC) sticker inside the unit otherwise did not pass the required testing and might do them harm if used.

NTC XI director Josue Go issued the warning in a recent media briefing saying the unit has to pass three tests namely on radiation, electrical circuit and signal.

Buyers must also check if it carries a warranty even as he said that a one year warranty period would also indicate that it had undergone testing. It is not enough that the store displays the NTC sticker because the unit must also bear the sticker.

The NTC has intensified their campaign against illegal selling of cellphone and it is in Davao City where they made the first crackdown last January 4, 2008 with officials from the Intellectual Property Rights Office from Manila.

Out of their raid in several stores they were able to confiscate 834 units in Davao City, 120 in Tagum City, 109 in Panabo, 42 units in Mati, 50 in Digos, 3 in Nabunturan, 3 and 12 in Compostela and the crackdown is ongoing.

Buyers are advised not to patronize smuggled units and to always check on the unit's International Mobile Equipment Identification (IMEI). The IMEI will determine that the unit has passed the international processes.

Stores selling smuggled phones once caught will have their license automatically revoked and their stores padlocked.

So why go for units that did not pass legitimate processes. It is better to be careful than be sorry later.

Rice rice rice .....do we have enough?

In Davao there are several fastfoods that offer unlimited rice or "Eat-All-U-Kanon" and this has been a come on to many people especially the young ones.

Rice to Filipinos goes well especially with barbq that is why many of these eateries to name some like Penongs, Mang Inasal, Pards, Banoks give a customer several servings of hot steam rice provided you eat all of them.

A classmate of my daughter Kim could consume 10 cups of cooked rice in one setting. The classmate is a he and I suppose he has a good appetite especially that when you eat in these fastfood store you are given an additional soup for free.

I am just wondering what happens next when some rice traders start to worry about the supply of rice. But the government however allayed this fear saying there is no rice shortage even as Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap earlier urged restaurants and other food outlets to only serve half of the rice order they serve their customers. Yap thought per order is too big for one to consume as many of the customers had some of these rice left on their plate ... sayang.

But Yap in recent pronouncements assured the people that there would be no rice rationing as the National Food Authority is bringing enough supply that would be complemented by the summer harvest season.

There are some quarters however that does not believe on this and doubts the government's earlier pronouncements.

Meanwhile President Arroyo directed the Department of Agriculture to go all-out against rice hoarders to ensure that cheap government rice end up on the tables of the intended consumers - the country's poor. NFA rice is sold at P18 per kilo.

Just like the price of oil that continue to escalate, the price of rice is also increasing as a kilo for a good kind is sold at P27 to P30 compared in the previous month where price ranges between P22 to P24.

Our farm keeper complained to me one Sunday morning about the price of rice that continues to rise and when I ask him what is their consumption I was shocked knowing they consume 10 kilos of rice a week for him, his wife and his daughter. That makes them about a sack of rice in a month.

On the other side of it too much carbo could add to your weight unless you burn them.

But our farm keeper said they need to eat more because of their work in the farm and they need the right energy.

And if we ask the authorities what now with this crisis? As what Yap said that supply would be complemented with the summer harvest we hope the yield is high so the price of rice will get back to where it was.

Filipinos need rice the poor especially as this is their main staple food - kahit walang ulam basta masarap ang kanin solve na (even without viand for as long as the rice is good will be okay) is the comment I heard often especially from the common people as rice will save them on high cost of food like meat, chicken, milk and other food stuff. "Kaya kahit na rice na lang busog na kami," the poor said.

Travel kit

What I like with this kit is its being transparent. It could be the perfect airport carry on for clearing at security counters. Perhaps this is what we want because all of these items that we are used to, have to be with us whereever we are.

It is better to be transparent than these items be disallowed to fly with you to your travel destination or spoil a vacation the moment you step into the airport when you go through a tedious process of inspection of your belongings. Hop in to www.flygirltravelbags.com

The brag

I am amazed with this and women would surely love to have theirs too especially those who travel a lot as this is handy, protective and retains the form of the ladies' fave brassieres. And if men are wondering what are these, this could also be a practical gift to their beloved wives, girl friends or what have you.

Visit this site http://www.bra-g.com/ and it will tell you all about brag as it assures you of no more worries on how to pack these items while traveling.

So worry no more.

Picture Shop

All of us wants to gaze at our photos as these bring good and happy memories but most of the time we lost track of these photographs due to lack of time and enough spaces to preserve all of them. A mother perhaps witnessing her baby's first smile, haircut, walk, dance or entering the big school and after recording all of those where just put aside because she could be doing other tasks. These are treasures that mothers want to hand them down to their kids when they are grown up. With digital cameras and our mobile phones embedded with cameras I could just imagine the many photos that anyone of us can make.

I happen to chance on this site http://www.thepictureshop.com/ and I guess this will answer all. The grand vacation that may not happen again and if it will might take some time must be preserved as it is worth reminiscing time and again.

It helps.

Aquaculture production up in Davao Region

The Davao Region ranked first in the country's aquaculture production hitting a growth rate of 19 percent last year with a record on the volume of production of about 67,000 metric tons last year as against the 55,000 MT in 2006

The growth was attributed to more fish cages established in the different parts of the region where the Island Garden City of Samal has 16 units and Panabo City, 56.

The 19 percent growth rate is much higher than the average figure in other areas of the country which was between 10 percent to 14 percent said an official of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources saying that fish cages will be a continuing project this year where 8 units will be established in Pantukan, Compostela Valley.

Cost per cage is about P350,000 and after five months of operation the operator could get 19 percent ROI (return of investment).

The yield in aquaculture production contributed some 35 percent to the country's total production of the fishery sector.

However efforts must still focus on running after violators of the Fisheries Code of the country. The government had imposed strict implementation of the code and that BFAR is running after violators.

With the concerted efforts carried out by multi sectoral groups illegal activities were considerably reduced.

There are some however who still engage in illegal fishing and these violators must be given a dose of their acts against environmental protection but I think with the consistent reminders of sectoral groups and non government organizations that engaged in environmental protection folks in coastal barangays tend to become more vigilant and bond themselves to protect the waters near them which is also their source of livelihood.

But what the people must do by heart is how and where to throw their garbage. By now the public is expected of their share in protecting and preserving the environment including the sea and waters for the sake of the aquamarine resources. Garbage not disposed properly find its way to the seas and the other municipal waters posing danger to the habitat of our marine resources.

Nightlife, shopping pushed as Davao City come-on

Key players in the tourism industry of Davao are considering the city's healthy nightlife and shopping centers as the destinations that they will push for promoting the city. They thought of this package in order not to compete with the destinations being promoted by its neighbors in the BIMP EAGA region and these activities will purely be wholesome even as tourism players stick to their vision of promoting mainly family entertainment.

There are activities at night in the city that promotes the culture and music referring to the Taboan at Matina Town Square, Jack's Ridge and other organized events in places like The Venue and in several hotels of the city.

The People's Park at night is in itself a destination and it is already included in the package that the travel agencies had designed.

The tour packages that these operators want their visitors to experience would include the malls as a must see destinations as many visitors would love shopping. The packages are redesigned to complement that of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

I think it is high time that tourism leaders rethink of now strategies inorder to improve traffic of visitors here considering that a lot of beautiful sites both in the island and highland that are comparable if not more beautiful than in other parts of the world.

Microsoft looks at Davao as expansion area

The Microsoft Philippines is considering Davao City as an expansion area for its office in the country after IT key players sounded off during the BIMP EAGA IT Summit late last year that they want more multi national companies come to the city.

George Parrilla, marketing manager of Microsoft Southern Philippines said they are considering their coming in to Davao City although he did not give a fix time when to come. "We are considering this and Davao is a major area for Microsoft.

Davao is being catered by a team headed by Parrilla under Southern Philippines. But Microsoft having an office in Davao
client-training on new softwares and other related concerns will be conducted here on a weekly basis.

Although the Southern Philippines team also conducts training for their partners here, this is occasional and has to be organized with several number of participants.In Cebu and Manila, there training is done within their offices where there are designated areas and facilities for this, he said.

Microsoft already does market study for certain areas in Mindanao and they are also looking at other areas for expansion in the future. Among those that they need to consider is the readiness of the market, awareness on Intellectual Property Rights, and availability of infrastructure.

Davao into construction boom !

2008 is projected by business leaders here as a boom in the construction industry as more infrastructure projects are in the pipeline for the next three years.

The construction industry attributed to more projects as it heavily depends on high government spending on infrastructure where projection of money to be poured in is estimated to be between P2 to P3 billion.

The sector however noted the growing individual constructions that are being carried out mostly by overseas Filipino workers in high end residential areas of the city.

They saw also the growth in real estate aside from high end residences to socialized and medium construction of housing units hence the boom of the construction industry is now felt in Davao especially that all big time contractors in Manila are now here.

Among those that already made there presence here with ongoing projects are Robinsons in Bajada, the Ayala Land where it is developing a ten-hectare area along J P Laurel Avenue, the Davao Motor Sales in Lanang, the Consunji Group where it is building two condominium structures along Ecoland, Filinvest Land, Inc. where some seven single medium rise buildings for condominium to be constructed in Ecoland and the Crown Asia Group of Companies that continue to build both medium and high-end residences.

Given the right environment the boom is here and will be there for the next five years depending on the political situation and peace and order. And with the peace agreement hopefully to be realized soon will become an added boost to the industry. If the situation warrant the boom of the industry could even last for the nest 20 years. Who would not want this to happen in our city where more money will be in circulation, a stable economy. and not only that there will be more jobs for the people.

Security conscious

Many building owners of residential and commercial structures considered security system as a component of construction projects.

Jonathan C. Go, vice president for sales and marketing of Faire Technologies, Inc. who joined the 2nd International Building Materials, Interior Products and Construction Equipment and Services Exhibition at SM City Davao said they attributed the increasing demand on security system from the middle market.

In the Philippines this market that comprises mostly of overseas Filipino workers dig for installing the security system in their high-end residences.

Based on their study many people are already aware of the need for this system installed in their area with a basic package to cost nowadays to more or less P22,000 which in the early 90s would run up to P300,000. Costing now is more cost effective. The increasing demand worldwide led many into manufacturing of the product. And with the coming in of several manufacturers the prices tend to bottom up without sacrificing the quality.

Some of these products include among others the DVR-Value Solution that is packed with two or four cameras ideal for home and office security solution, the Biometrics attendance checker. This can stand alone security system even in homes ensuring owners of safety.

Consider this and try to scout for packages that will suit your needs be it at home or in the office.

The 5th Street Cafe

They buy the organically grown coffee beans from small farmers of Davao and Mindanao. They roast the beans, grind and brew into a sweet smelling hot coffee.
This you could find at 5th Street Cafe along Ecoland, Matina, Davao City.
Actually it started as a non-government organization whose aim is into organizing farmers to go into chemical-free farming.
The organization, Siad Initiatives in Mindanao Convergence for Asset Reform and Regional Development, has not limited itself into organic farming as it has started operating its coffee shop, 5th Street Café, located along the 5th Street of Ecoland Subdivision, just a stone’s throw away from SM City Davao.
It is an alternative meeting place and a neighborhood store for organic products and a cafe at the same time.
It started with a P300,000 investments but the management believes that the organization will be able to recoup its seed fund in the next two years.
The café concept came about after finding out that people, mostly those involved in non-government organization work, could hardly find a place to meet and discuss issues. At the 5th street cafe “they are who they are” that even students have started trooping to the café especially on Saturdays to work on their assignments as it is also a wireless fidelity spot, or an area where someone can connect to the Internet without the use of a telephone line.
Browsing on the menu list, one can find what the organization has been advocating. The chicken is native, the rice is organic, and the coffee, of course, the coffee, is from farmers all over Mindanao.
Part of the coffee is from Basilan, the besiege province that has been hounded by the armed conflict between the military and the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group. The Basilan coffee is even comparable with the much-touted Barako coffee of Batangas.
Other sources of coffee are the farmers of upland Maragusan in Compostela Valley and those in Sultan Kudarat.
Also in its menu are food that one cannot usually find in a regular diner or café like the best seller native chicken adobo, and other food recipes mostly cooked only at homes. And if one goes daring, you can try their dalag or mudfish in spicy coconut milk as indicated in the menu.
But one good thing for those who dread food with a lot of cholesterol, the place is not for pork eater as operators want to help you stay healthy. So no port and beef nor use MSG (monosodium glutamate, an artificial spice), a warning also indicated in the menu.
The price is just right and those who are into tight budget, a hearty meal would only cost at about $1 and 20 cents or less than a dollar (US) for “bibingka with tsokolate” (rice cake and hot choco drink)
Coffee drinkers, on the other hand, will have two shots of hot espresso for USD $1 or USD $1.10 for a large mug of cappuccino which usually sells about USD $2.50 in the regular coffee shops in the city.
But for those who don’t want coffee, but want to quench their thirst, they can try “sambong tea, a uniquely healthy drink made from powdered, sambong leaves.”
Or for the young people, there are fruit shakes to choose from, all sold at 90 cents a glass.
But the café management warns for those who love to drink using straw. “We do not use plastic straw and coffee stirrer as our humble contribution to protecting Mother Earth. We hope you understand,” the menu adds.
The café also doubles as a store for organic products, from premium denorado rice to the muscovado sugar from Agusan del sur and Sultan Kudarat.
For someone who wants to sip a steaming coffee and tastes mouth-watering organic meal, then 5th Café is the place. (Thanks CQF).

Davao Adventure at ITB Berlin

Davao and Mindanao will be featured in an international travel show in Germany. The Philippines through the government's tourism department will spearhead the participation of tourism players in the international travel show in Berlin, Germany.

No leas than Philippine tourism secretary Ace Joseph Durano announced the participation of the Philppines during the 2nd International Travel Show held in Davao City February 22 to 24, 2008 at SM City Event Center.

Durano said the travel show is the biggest International Travel in Berlin, Germany where the Philippine booth will highlight the destinations of Davao and other parts of Mindanao.

ITB Berlin is the world's leading travel and trade show that will be held in Berlin, Germany on March 5 to 9, 2008.

There will be 10,856 exhibitors from 180 countries and regions and covers the entire spectrum of international travel and tourism. Over 100,000 trade professionals attend ITB Berlin annually together with thousands of the international press, making it the largest travel and tourism event in the world. Its leading position as a truly international meeting place for buyers, sellers, and the media makes ITB as must-attend event for business, information gathering and networking.

The ITB Berlin 2008 Convention Market Trends and Innovation offers an international program of professional presentations and networking opportunities.

Adventure Davao will take center stage in the Philippine booth and will feature among others the Mt Apo mountain climbing, the various sites of scuba diving at the Davao Gulf, Philippine Eagle Center, water rafting, trekking, kayaking and other related events.

So when you happen to be in Berlin do check this out and when you are planning to travel in Asia come and visit Davao because the paradise is here.

Adventure Davao

Several must see places in Davao are ups for you to grab for an adventure. One is the Water Tubing in Sibulan River in Davao del Sur then a trip to the pygmy forest in San Isidro, Davao Oriental. There is also the Coral Garden Diving in the Island Garden City of Samal and the Caving in Kapalong, Davao del Norte. The Maragusan Falls in Compostela Valley Province is equally exciting as well as the Davao Wildwater Adventures and Davao’s Orchid Garden.

And the most challenging is the Mt. Apo highest peak at 10,311 feet. You can experience the best adventures as you backpack your way across the islands and highlands of Davao and get to the peak of nature.

From trekking, caving, mountain bike safari, rapelling down waterfalls, river tubing to diving, mountain climbing and island hopping, this is the ultimate eco-tourism expedition in one fun-filled package.

Daily accessible by land, sea, and air, Davao City, the country’s largest city is just an hour and a half flight away from Manila by plane.

Adventure Davao, a fun-filled package ready for the takers.

Retiremet havens in Davao get accreditation

Retirement havens in the Davao region are given accreditation by the Philippine Retirement Authority and are being promoted by private and government groups that foreign retirees may want to acquire.

The areas are the Villa de Mercedes in Catigan, Toril and the Pacific Heights of the Island Garden City of Samal. A new one came in as retirement getaway in the Island Garden City of Samal - the Kembali Coast see related article high-end residences at www.prixbanzon.wordpress.com.

Both areas are considered as high-end locations where Villa de Mercedes main feature is its high elevation while the Pacific Heights attraction is its beaches.

The Philippine Retirement Authority, Inc. which is private sector led will complement the government's PRA.

Several private sectors bond themselves together to form the PRAI composed of those coming from the housing industry, health care facilities, hotels, spa and other related facilities.

In Manila moneyed private individuals had contributed the seed fund to support the PRAI and had started talks on the target market and some marketing strategy.

The existing facilities that the country has like housing, hospitals, golf courses, etc. has to be promoted.

Although there are already existing foreign insurance here, in the works are geared on the portability of other foreign insurance like that of the US.

Hospitals that have met international standards namely St. Luke, Asian Hospital, and Medical City. The medical facilities in the Davao Region are also being looked into. (Photo by fotogail/flickr)

Davao roses for Valentines Day

Even this early flower shops are already preparing for next week's big heart day. Valentines Day is here again and it already became a practice among Dabawenyos to celebrate the occasion with their loved ones. For the past ten years here leading the celebrations are families going out together for dinner in restaurants, at the food street, cafes and almost all establishments with restos are beaming with people to celebrate the occasion. But this outing is not complete without the husbands, the fathers or the boyfriends sending roses to their beloved and chocolates as add ons.

This is a universal celebration and people around the globe do celebrate this occasion as a reminder perhaps that we people came to this world because of love.

Going back to the Davao roses, it is expected that prices will go up with the huge demand.

Roses now for 12 pieces of good variety can be bought at $3 in the market while inside the malls for a bouquet arrangement would cost about $4 and 50 cents. The price becomes triple on February 14 to close to $25 for a good arrangement.

Also on Valentines Day exchanging of cards is a long running practice too among families and when you drop by the bookstores this time you are left with very limited choices.

I've noticed that immediately after New Year what were displayed on the racks are Valentines Card and that early people already started buying their cards.

And if you are not quick enough to pick one you will be left using your hand to draw the best heart that you could ever capture. Better for you if you are good at art. But that is a well liked present because it is personalize and a labor of love. So whatever that would be come February 14 I wish everyone Happy Valentines Day !

Love that choco

- Leonidas luxury chocolate box L14.95


- Richart chocolate $120/lb


- Leonidas medium velvet heart - L18.50



Everybody loves that chocolate because it tastes good. It is sweet and melts down the tongue. But many are into grabbing now the dark ones because of an added benefit.

Studies showed there are health benefits from it but whether it is the taste or the benefit, I think we should also know what is it that we get from it.

Chocolates that are dark as preferred by people nowadays contains substances called phenylethylamine and seratonin, both of which are the mood elevators found naturally in the human brain. Moreover, according to Arthur Agatston, a Miami-based cardiologist and author of "The South Beach Diet," dark chocolate is also healthier, because it has a higher percentage of cocoa than milk chocolate does.

Agatston says cocoa contains flavanols, which may help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system by relaxing blood vessels and keeping cholesterol from building up in them — thus reducing the risk of blood clots — and by slowing down the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries. It is also an antioxidant. “Flavanols seem to have an aspirin-like effect, helping improve vascular endothelial function and moderate inflammation,” says Agatston.

Other than that chocolate lovers dig to have one and they are happy to have chocolate in just about any shape or form. The market is clearly growing and chocolate makers continue to offer new ones that lovers are wanting to have.

But caution is still the rule of thumb and in moderation. You can love that chocolate but never to a non-stop eating of those sweets.

Coffee and you

When the news came out that drinking coffee can prevent some illnesses, I think all coffee lovers including me were so delighted to hear that and rejoiced perhaps that they are way ahead just like friends lovely and q who confessed they are coffee addicts.

An article that I came across pointed out of one wanting a drug which could lower their risk of Parkinson's disease, diabetes, as well as colon cancer. A substance which could lift ones mood and relieve headaches. A drug that could lower the risk of getting cavities. It said coffee appears to be that substance.

Studies indicate coffee reduces the risk for diabetes and Parkinson's

Some studies have shown that coffee may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. After analyzing data on 120,000 people over an 18-year period (1), researchers at Harvard have concluded that drinking 1 to 3 cups of caffeinated coffee each day can reduce diabetes risk by several percentage points, compared with not drinking coffee at all.

Even more significant, is the fact that in this study, having 6 cups or more per day slashed men's risk by 54% and women's risk by 30% over those who avoided coffee. This study is the latest of hundreds of studies which suggest that coffee may be something of a health food - especially in higher amounts.

Around the globe the first thing that people do in the morning after doing their own rituals is grab a cup of coffee. Old and young alike these days love the bean that allow the mature ones a choice of brewed coffee or the young ones cold cappuccino or mocha java.

And whether one is in New York or in Davao City it is a lot easier nowadays to while away the time and relax in coffee shops because running a shop is thriving anywhere as lots of people turned coffee lovers too. I don't know if it is a trend but I learned loving it a long time ago.

Davao City: Asia's city to watch in the future

After being named as Asia's most livable city, Davao City this time was named by Finance Direct Investment (FDI) magazine of the Financial Times Group as one of the Top Ten Asian Cities in the Future.
Only three cities in the Philippines made it to the top ten. Aside from Davao City that landed on the tenth rank, Quezon City ranked 7th while Cebu City on the 8th place.
The premier cities of Singapore and HongKong got the first and second ranks respectively,
Among others these cities were rated based on investment opportunities and governance.
The FDI's locations of the future competition covers each region once every two years and the judges for the 2007-2008 survey were David Kinnear, president of DDC HRO, a provider of business process outsourcing in New York; James Ku, manager at the consultancy firm Tactus-Asia Ltd in Shanghai; Anupam Prakas, Asia Pacific leader, global business sourcing and business transformation, HR consultancy firm Hewitt Associates in India; and Larence Yeo, CEO of international consultancy from AsiaBiz Strategy in Singapore.
In the youngest citities category, Davao City made it to the top where Cebu City ranked 3rd and Quezon City on the 4th. The city of Davao ranked 2nd among the cities with lowest middle management salary costs and ranked third with the lowest senior management cost. It fall on the 6th place in terms of lowest manual cost category.
Davao City Councilor Leo Avila III who made the announcement during the January 8, 2008 regular session said that the result of the survey made by FDI is an indicator of how the global business views the city.
It is an added feather to Davao City's cap having been pronounced as competent enough to be placed among the ranks of high placed cities in the world like Singapore and HongKong.
Anybody from here got something to be proud of and all Dabawenyos must live by how the world views this city from the South

Coffee corner feature: Cafe Rysus

There is one place at the second level of SM City Davao which is a favorite hangout of business reporters like me firstly because of the coffee and its ambiance and the location (very near the internet cafe, printing outlet and a spa). We could talk and hold interviews there as well as write our stories for the day. That place is the Cafe Rysus where we get our cup of coffee.

Cafe Rysus came to the city 11 years ago and opened its first outlet at Quirino Street then at Victoria Plaza and now at SM City.

My cup of coffee of a dollar and 20 cents is the brewed coffee that blends well with the cheese cupcake or the chocolte cream cupcake.

There are several selections in there and if you want it hot you can have the espresso, espresso con pana, cappuccino, cafe latte, machchiato, cafe mocha, irish nut latte and banana nut latte. For cold coffee lovers one could choose from an iced coffee to iced cappuccino, iced mocha, coffee frappe, cookies and cream, hazelnut iced mocha latte. It also has flavored syrup with choices of banana, caramel, vanilla, kahlua, irish cream and hazelnut.

Cakes and pastries are also available from the blueberry cheesecake to strawberry chesscake, the durian pie, black forest, choco moist cake, mango float.

It also has on sale different kinds of bread and among the favorites is the Rosemary's Cheese Bread and this can also be bought at all groceries of the mercury drugstores in the cities of Davao, Digos, Tagum, Panabo.

But what is good with this coffee shop aside from the ambiance is the friendly and accommodating coffee maker Jean. So when in Davao try dropping by our fave hangout. There cup of coffee is worth the price. Be there and get a sip of your choice of coffee.

Coffee corner

Coffee corner will be a special feature of this blog to perk you up and directs you where to buy a cup of coffee in Davao City and other related topics.