Gov. Migs Dominguez explains at a presscon as Michelle Solo, Tourism and Industry president watches.

THE CELEBRATION of Sarangani’s MunaTo Festival is shorter this year de to security reasons, but it definitely doesn’t mean less fun. In fact, I have a few signs that it would be well attended.

For one thing, it is conducted back-to-back with the provincial athletic meet. Both activities are expected tro draw more people to the Capitol Park, Alabel.

The opening program tomorrow will be graced by the Vice-President of the Republic of the Philippines, Noli de Castro, and on Friday, Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno will be here for the Launching of Justice on Wheels (Tamdanan sa Balaod).

I COULDN’T forget the fear that suddenly engulfed the whole province of Sarangani when news broke that the town of Maasim was attacked by MILF forces last August, following the abortion of the MOA on the MILF of Ancestral Domain.

Classes were suspended and schedules were changed to ensure the safety of the students. But it was worse in areas that were greatly affected, like the towns of Maasim, Kiamba, and Maitum, people were displaced, many got ill, and even some have died.

But we are very thankful that the tension had ceased. Peace has been restored. In fact, the province is gearing up for the celebration of its 16th Foundation Anniversary and 6th MunaTo Festival last week of November. Also, the whole island of Mindanao is celebrating the Mindanao Week of Peace.

The best way to celebrate peace, however, is not through attending parties and merriment.

IT’S NICE to be back here.

We are here for the Regional Super Quiz Bee. I hope we can make it to the national level this time.

Right now I’m blogging from Lambat Sa Ciudad, a resto here. We are having dinner. It feels good to be here again, the place which used to absorb all my stress in my not so distant past.

Good day, everyone!

Congrats to all my fellow bloggers in Mindanao for a very successful summit here in GenSan! I missed the first day of the 2nd Mindanano Bloggers Summit (MBS2) but I still had the chance to meet some of the bloggers who stayed for the tour. I only caught a glimpse of the summit and it was fun. How much more if I was able to enjoy the rest of it? Kudos to my fellow SoCCSKSarGen bloggers who worked hard for its success, especially Sir Avel and Sir Hecky!

I’VE BEEN away for quite too long that I find it difficult to shift my gears back to my normal blogging life. It was just a week-long absence, but it felt like eternity. I’m like, Am I still welcome in the blogosphere?

Well, anyway, it’s a free world. So I’m welcoming back myself again.

I’ve just arrived from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato where the Regional Youth Science Camp was held. I coached my student in Physics Quiz Bowl, in which he emerged 1st Runner Up, only two questions shy from Championship. It could have meant a trip to Mindoro sometime in February. But fate has its own will; we can only submit to its whim.

I’M MORE than excited for the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit, which will be held will be held at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center,General Santos City on October 25-26, 2008.

Sir Avel has been very enthusiastic about hosting the MBS2 and working incredibly for the success of this event. Things got clearer when we had the workshop led by Sir Hecky. But I had not been very active in the fast few weeks. There were plans but it had just been impossible for me to take part in turning them into reality. Good thing, there’s someone like Sir Avel, who blogs right at the City Mayor’s Office of General Santos City, and the MBS2 will surely be a great success.

YOUNG AND dynamic bloggers in South Cotabato, General Santos City and Sarangani Province met yesterday for the 1st planning workshop in preparation for the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit, which will be held in GenSan on October 25.

Sir Hecky (left) facilitated the workshop, Sir Avel (right) provided the venue and snacks, and I (center) provided the bulk of the participants-slash-volunteers-slash-my students.