WHILE MINDANAOANS celebrate the ceremonial Week of Peace, the seat of national government is beset with issues affecting the state’s political stability.

The group led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes staged a stand-off at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati.

And the Arroyo government had been aggressive in resolving the predicament?with the use of force.

This time, some mediamen and civilians were involved. They, too, were subjected to tear gas and arrested by the authorities–another act of the government that sure earned the ire of most?civil rights and press freedom advocates.

All I could say, the Filipinos have so much burden to bear.

NO LESS than?Sec. Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process graced the Kapayapaan Atin ‘To Peace Forum as part of the 5th MunaTo Festival, November 26 at the Capitol Gymnasium.

Gov. Migz Dominguez explains to Sec. Dureza (left)
and to a Dole Executive the Peace Programs
that are implemented in Sarangani Province.

The Peace Forum also marks the start of the Mindanao Week of Peace.

Highlighted in the event were the Kalinaw Sarangani and From Arms to Farms programs.

AKIN TO the popular white water rafting, adventure-seekers would surely find the white water tubing in New La Union Maitum, Sarangani equally enjoyable.

Photo from Mindanao.com

You can’t imagine the adrenaline rush you could get from riding an inflated tire interior tube, popularly named salbabida, on a rapidly-flowing river that is occasionaly studded with rocks and boulders.

I AM inviting everyone to come and visit the interesting sights to behold in Sarangani. So, I’m starting this series of posts to introduce the beautiful places in my province.

Taken during my birthday (March 22)

First up is Gumasa. Likened to the white sand beaches of Boracay minus the nightly rave parties, Gumasa in Glan, Sarangani Province is a haven of pristine white sand beaches that are perfect for nature lovers.

There are plenty of resorts there now. I hope I can come up with prices here, but I’m sure, they are well within your budget.

THE CELEBRATION of Sarangani’s 15th Foundation Anniversary will begin tomorrow as the 5th MunaTo Festival kicks off tomorrow, November 23.

MunaTo, originally spelled as Munah ‘To, is the B’laan (a cultural tribe in Sarangani) term for first people, with reference to the artifacts dating as far back to 3000 years ago?unearthed by anthropologist Eusebio Dizon in 1992.

The Sarangani Chamber of Commerce heads this year’s celebration. The organizers have set various activities that will promote the natural and cultural wealth of Sarangani Province to boost tourism.

For those of you who do not know Sarangani yet, here are some facts about my province:

MUCH HAVE been said about the Filipino Diaspora. Here’s my two cents.

I was employed because one of the teachers in the school where I teach now left for work in Arizona. Three other teachers here are processing their papers. I’d like to mention that these teachers are few of the best teachers in the province. But for whatever reasons, they choose to leave the country and seek for better life.

IN THE US, that is. But the the Philippines, it’s being evaded.

Americans I believe are quite serious about their taxes. Probably because they know where their taxes go. They are serious about it that they have agencies that work for tax compliance–San Diego tax attorneys.

Although the BIR has a program called RATE (Run After Tax Evaders), but the evaders seem to run at a faster rate. Bulatlat.com reports that even the President has undeclared properties in the US.