The Lord is pleased even with the simplest things we do if we do them by heart and with all sincerity.

This was the lesson imparted by Bishop Romulo dela Cruz, DD in his sermon during the thanksgiving mass held at the capitol gymnasium last August 28, 2010 at the start of the week-long Hinugyaw Festival in celebration of the 96th Foundation Anniversary of the Province of Cotabato.

The good Bishop was relating the story of a child who was scolded by the father for coming home late. Confronted, the child explained that he was late because he went to visit the grieving mother of his classmate who just died.

Asked by the father what did you do to help her, the child replied, “I sat on her lap and we both cried.”

What the child did may mean nothing to some.  But despite the simplicity of the action, the child lightened the mother’s burden because for the loss of her child, Bishop dela Cruz said.  

“The child’s presence and pure intention of sharing the pain with the mother sealed a hole in the mother’s heart – a simple act of kindness that lightened a heavy load.”

As the province celebrates its 96th anniversary, Bishop dela Cruz challenged every Cotabateño to give “our share of sincere service to the province through acts of kindness and generosity.”

Indeed, we are reminded of that simple secret in The Little Prince: What is essential is invisible to the eye. //vdb-idcd-pgo//

In her desire to give “Serbisyong Totoo” (genuine service) to the people of the province North Cotabato, Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza yesterday, led a group of provincial government officials, chiefs of hospitals, Kidapawan City blood bank and personnel for a medical and dental outreach during the municipal visit in Arakan.

In a brief program at the Arakan Gymnasium, Governor Lala said that she wanted the medical and dental outreach program to be conducted every week in one far-flung barangay in every municipality of the province.

Governor Lala, stressed that this is just one way for the provincial government to deliver “serbisyong totoo” (genuine service) to Cotabateños particularly from those barangays considered as less privileged when it comes to healthcare services.

This will not only help our barangay people but also our local government units (LGUs) in augmenting their medical resources, the governor said.

The governor is expecting that next year and thereafter, the medical and dental outreach team will be able to complete 52 barangays province-wide annually.  

A total of 105 patients were served in free medical treatment and 53 for tooth extraction.  There were 41 donors for the blood letting and there was also free hair trimming for adults and children.

Arakan Mayor Gerardo T. Tuble, Sr., in response expressed his gratitude to the governor, provincial officials and to all staff of the medical and dental team for their effort and endless support to the municipality of Arakan.

Vice-Governor Gregorio “Dodong” Ipong, Board Members Cristobal D. Cadungon, Airene Claire A. Pagal and Jose I. Tejada were among those who joined the activity.  

Assisting the provincial team were the 602nd Infantry Brigade under the Deputy Commanding Officer Col. Ceasar Sedilio based in Carmen and the Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by Provincial Director Cornelio Salinas. //idcd-pgo-mdd//

Others call it meat market, making contestants flaunt their skins and show their sexiest pose to get the audience and judges’ attention.   

Such pageant’s image is one thing that the present leadership in North Cotabato would like to change.  As the province celebrates its 96th founding anniversary come August 28-Setember 1 this year, one of its crowd-drawing events – the Search for Mutya ng Cotabato promises to be different.

Beauty, brain, heart and ability

This year’s Mutya ng Cotabato is not just a showcase of the physical attributes of 14 ladies from different towns of the province who represent all of Cotabato women, but the unveiling of a more attractive personality behind those beautiful faces in sophisticated make ups pranced on stage in sequined gowns and fancy dresses.

Chaired by the governor herself, the highlighted beauty pageant in the province tries to bring out the inner beauty of its candidates before they finally romp on stage on August 28 at Kidawapan City Gym.

As part of this endeavor, the young ladies have undergone a one-day seminar and workshop on Personality Development, and Gender and Development and Social Graces last August 9.   

On August 19, the candidates together with Kadsambi (a muslim term for “pagbabago”) Patadon Team visited Barangay Patadon, a remote barangay in Kidapawan City just few meters away from the Provincial Capitol.  

A Muslim community that was not given enough attention by the government, Barangay Patadon was chosen by Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza as pilot area for development.

During their visit, the mutya hopefuls had the chance to communicate with the villagers and had a better understanding of the real situation of the community.  They each gave their commitments to help in uplifting the present condition of residents in the area should they be given a chance to serve the province as Ambassadress of Goodwill.

Governor Mendoza on the other hand had been stressing that pageant winners will be “empowered” and will not be limited to being “usherettes” but will be involved in the various programs of the provincial government like community outreach, tree planting activities, and other civic action programs.

This is to show the real value of a woman that people should marvel at and somehow take away the unpleasant perception on women especially those who are joining beauty contests as “objects of desire”, she said during the weekly radio program of the provincial government on Wednesday August 25, 2010.  

The governor, who authored the Gender and Development Code of North Cotabato, also emphasized modesty upon the candidates as they would represent every Cotabateña.  Indecent display of flesh during candidates’ exposures especially on the competition itself has been prohibited. The traditional swimsuit competition was also removed and was replaced by play suit category where candidates’ attire were provided by the provincial government and automatic disqualification will be imposed upon candidates who will modify the suit to make it appear sexier.

The winning Mutya will have the privilege to go with Hinugyaw sa Karsada winner during Sinulog Festival in Cebu wherein North Cotabato will now regularly participate, she added.


Talent and Casual Top 5

The Mutya ng Cotabato Talent Show and Casual Competition held at University of Southern Mindanao Gym in Kabacan, Cotabato on Saturday August 21 is indeed a showdown of talent, skill, creativity and wit of the 14 lovely candidates.

All ladies presented both inspiring and remarkable talents proving their worth to represent their respective municipalities. Some serenaded the audience with their beautiful voices while others exhibited their speaking ability through declamation, comical skit and extemporaneous speaking showcasing mostly the province of Cotabato.

After the impressive presentations from the candidates, the panel of judges chose the Top Five Best in Talent.  The 20-year old Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) graduate Miss Daisy Jane Binoya of Pikit, who moved the audience with her own rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine (All the People)” was first called for the Top 5, although it was cleared that the ranking was in any order.

Kabacan’s pride Abegail Arciaga, who is aspiring to become a teacher, also got the judges’ approval with her unique interpretation of an ethnic dance (with balancing stance).

Born in Cotabato City and was raised in Pigcawayan, 23-year old Amorlena Perater, an employee of the town’s local government unit (LGU), was also called to join Miss Pikit and Miss Kabacan.  Perater sketched on stage the Late President Cory Aquino who she said is the woman she looked up to all her life.  

Jovy Rose Bautista, an Ilongga born in 1990 in the town she now represents – Matalam was also included in the Top 5.  The nursing student from Davao Doctor’s College amused and impressed the audience with a comical skit she personally composed with topics on gender sensitivity, this year’s Mutya ng Cotabato and some issues concerning Filipino and Cotabato women.

Last but not the least to join the Top 5 was Aleosan’s Jovanee Sansalona, a 20-year old Agriculture student at the University of Mindanao.  Jovanee, a Muslim born in Barangay Aringay,  Kabacan has touched the audience’ emotion with her dramatic demonstration of Cotabato’s history including the war-conflict in some areas in the province.

On the casual attire competition, two candidates who entered the Top 5 Best in Talent were also included among the Top 5 Best in Casual, namely: Abegail Arciaga of Kabacan and Jovanee Sansalona of Aleosan.  Other lucky 3 ladies in the casual competition were Mary Joy Belandres of Kidapawan City, Ma. Clarissa Berso of Midsayap, and Azenith Aiza Buenaflor of Alamada.

The Best In Talent and Best in Casual will be announced on Saturday during the Mutya ng Cotabato 2010 pageant night at Kidapawan City Gym. //lqg.idcd-pgo//

The North Cotabato Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board members were alarmed with the continued operation of illegal logging activities in the province.

This reaction came after City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Sophie Manuel admitted before the august body last Tuesday, during the 7th Sangguniang Panlalawigan Regular Session, that illegal logging activities are still present even in the remotest mountain areas of Greenhills, Pres. Roxas, Cotabato.

These illegal logging activities are believed to be the cause of the recent landslides and depletion of vital watershed reserves in the said municipality.

Board Member Cristobal D. Cadungon, member of the Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources expressed alarm over the said incident and declared them serious threat to the safety of the low-lying communities and the commuting public.  

“This is something that the DENR, LGU at other concerned agencies to look into seriously, to avert catastrophe.” Cadungon said.

Other Members of the Board also shared Cadungon’s fears that if the illegal logging activities will continue to operate in the province, it is possible to cause other landslides not only in Pres. Roxas but also in some other upland areas in the province. For this, the Board plans to pass an ordinance that will declare the affected area as strict protection zone.

CENRO Manuel for her part said that they are doing their duties well in order to protect and manage the natural resources of the province. However, due to lack of financial and manpower resources they are not able to monitor everything.

She also said that it is the reason why they tap Local Government Units (LGUs), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Barangay Officials to help them.

CENRO forest rangers do no only monitor the upland areas but also inspect saw mills, lumberyards and they also conduct inspection and validation as needed.

According to Manuel, as of last year 2 of their forest rangers died while 8 others unfortunately resigned. But despite the difficulty that their office is facing right now, she said that they were still able to file more than 20 cases at the Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Understanding the predicament of CENRO Manuel, Board Member Eliseo D. Garcesa, Jr. also assured her that the provincial government under the leadership of Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza in partnership with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice-Governor Gregorio “Dodong” Ipong will always help in whatever way to protect the environment. //idcd-mdd-pgo//.