I WAS about to buy ice cream at a mini-mart in our public market yesterday afternoon when I noticed some streamers hanging on a store around the corner.

Written in red paint on empty rice sacks, they looked like one of those streamers that activists hang to express their grievances. The sight instantly caught my attention.

I looked closer to see what the streamers were all about. Alabel is not for Sale. Justice for the Market Vendors. I understood.

A Mega Market is being constructed in my hometown. It is seen to be the biggest public market in the province. The construction of which actualy spurred the stunted proposal for Alabel’s cityhood.

RIGHT NOW, as I am writing this, throngs of locals  flock to the municipal plaza of Alabel, Sarangani Province to welcome the boxing champ.

Aside from the chance of meeting the famous boxing icon, most of the people here expect to receive, if not cash, giveaways from Pacman.

Last year, the Pacman team distributed bags to gradeschool pupils. He’s also sponsoring free embalming and free casket for indigenous Sarangans. His political ads are also being shown on local TV since last month. All these are proofs that his camp is more than ready for the political battle.

MY HOME province is on the spotlight right now for a number of reasons.

First, the world’s pound-for-pound king Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao has confirmed his political bid for congress against the rock-solid Chiongbian dynasty.

Locals flock to the Municipal Plaza of Alabel, Sarangani Province right now to welcome Pacquiao, half of them expecting that they are not going home empty-handed.

Secondly, our governor, Miguel Rene “Migs” Dominguez, has been recently installed as president of Lakas-Kampi-CMD party.

In the National Convention of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD at the PICC, Migs has ben appointed as the new national president of the party, replacing Eduardo Ermita.

WHILE GENSAN is celebrating it’s Tuna Festival this week, my hometown, Alabel, Sarangani Province also celebrates its 8th Kasadyaan Festival, which opened today with various activities.

The activities scheduled today include the inauguration of  government projects in the different barangays, tree-planting at the septage treatment facility and in school sites, opening of the agri-fishery fair, thanksgiving mass, fireworks display, and acoustic concert.

I took part in the tree-planting activity early this morning with Junior Ecologist Movement (JEM) members at the Septage Treatment Facility (STF) in Barangay Bagacay.

The area is part of the Calminda Watershed, which is a protected area.

I HAD an affair with Ladol Beach last summer. With my cellphone camera, I attempted to capture its natural beauty.

I’ve only been able to upload the pictures today so I posted them right away on my photo blog.

Ladol teems with life

Get to know Ladol on Digital Detours.

IT’S BEEN sooooo looooong since I last posted here because I took my vacation seriously. And I tell you, my summer was one of my most memorable.

Just what did I do this summer of 2009?

After my students’ graduation day, I wanted to make my family feel that I am really LIVING WITH THEM, I spent a few days at home, did the cooking, played with my nephews and nieces (there’s abunch of them), and, you know, just lingered around. In the afternoon, I would bike, and at times, jog to the beach to get rid of the fats I have accumulated from graduation treats and birthday parties. On the beach, I would watch the sun as it sets down the horizon and the sea waves as they rush to the shore.

NOT ALL school children can read. That is a sad fact about the current education situation in many parts of the country. They are called frustrations readers. This problem hinders kids from getting the most out of their daily lessons, which is deemed to have a great impact to them as they progress on their journey of education.

Grade one pupils from Alabel Central Elementary School and SPED Center receive books from the Alcantara Foundation last year. *Image from QUEST