Weekly Informer Digital News

16/06/2024

Just a story of kindness to the kids

The photo shows a man clad in a motorcycle suit appearing to be giving something to a shy boy.

The man insists and tells the boy, "it's for you."

When the other kids, who were standing around, see the boy accepting it, they turn their eyes to the man, looking and ask, "How about us?"

So, the man shows his generosity.

The kids leave the area with smiles on their faces, considering themselves lucky for meeting a "Santa Claus."

All the kids say he is the mayor of Senator Ninoy Aquino, a mountain town in Sultan Kudarat province known for producing aromatic coffee beans that nestled in the town's jungles.

Most of the elders there say he is Randy Ecija, Jr. | June 15, 2024 | 4:43 PM

Photo: Mayor Randy Ecija, Jr./Facebook

16/06/2024

"It's a fiesta of Masa," says Mayor Allandatu Angas, Sr.
BY ABDUL CAMPUA
Special to Weekly Informer

SULTAN SA BARONGIS, Maguindanao del Sur — No celebrities would be invited in the fiesta celebration of Sultan Sa Barongis (SSB), one of the 24 municipal components of Maguindanao del Sur, a newly-created province in the Bangsamoro Automomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Why? Well, SSB Mayor Allandatu Angas, Sr. has the explanation.

In an interview on Friday (June 14) morning, Mayor Angas said the municipal government has decided not to invite any celebrities to come to their town fiesta because it wants the special event to be a "people-inspired" celebration where they can feel that it's really a fiesta.

"Yang pag-imbita sa mga celebrity, hindi namin yan ginagawa dito," Mayor Angas said after opening the "Fun Run," one of the short merry-making activities prepared by his town.

"Yung ibabayad namin sa celebrity, ipapakain na lang namin sa masa (mga tao)," the mayor stressed.

Mayor Angas said his priority is the residents of SSB because they are the "Very Important Persons" (VIPs) of their annual celebration.

"Kung wala ang mga tao, wala din kami dito kaya sila ang mga VIPs namin," he said.

Mayos Angas said he wants the people of SSB to really feel the spirit of fiesta, a celebratory event where people usually find a house to eat.

"Makakain nila yung luto na hindi nila nakakain sa araw-araw. It would be a people's celebration," Mayor Angas said.

Mayor Angas said his town prepared various short activities aimed to make the celebration memorable and joyful to each and everyone.

He said the fiesta would be highlighted by the weeklong holding of youth-inspired "cultural sports" and basketball tournament, participated by players coming from the provinces of BARMM and Region 12.

SSB will celebrate its 65th founding anniversary on June 21, 2024.

15/06/2024

Kapitan DDS joins Mayor Ogena in handing over "relief packs" to 274 farmers in GPS

On Friday, Kapitan Danilo Delos Santos joined Mayor Eliordo Ogena in distributing 'relief packs' to 274 farmers directly affected by El Nino in Barangay General P. Santos in Koronadal City.

Kapitan DDS reportedly expressed his gratitude to Mayor Ogena for initiating an effort that would somehow alleviate the farmers' misery due to severe heat in previous months. | June 15, 2024 | 7:11 PM

Photo: 106.5 Top Gun Radio/Facebook

15/06/2024

15/06/2024

14/06/2024

14/06/2024

14/06/2024

Just good words for Barangay San Emmanuel

LOOK: These two public buildings can be considered as the concrete monuments of the good leadership of Barangay Captain Roland T. Catbagan of San Emmanuel in Tacurong City.

They were constructed during his first two terms.

Currently, Catbagan is still serving as barangay captain of San Emmanuel, serving his final term.

San Emanuel is one of the 20 barangays of Tacurong, the component city of Sultan Kudarat province.

It is located near the heart of the city's commercial districts and has a population of more than 8,000 people.

Reporting & photo from Ramil H. Bajo | June 14, 2024 | 8:48 AM

13/06/2024

AID FOR ELDERS
The photo showing a senior citizen member with six pieces of P1,000 bills was posted by the provincial government of Cotabato on its Facebook account.

The elder is said to be one of the 2,765 social pensioners from Alamada, one of the 25 municipalities of Cotabato province, who received their first semestral pension during the first day of distribution there on Thursday (June 13).

Alamada has a total number of 4,753 verified indigent senior citizens with a total pension fund allocation of P28.51 million.

Each of them received P6,000, covering their six months' pension.

The allocated fund was coursed through the DSWD-12.

Cotabato province is currently under the leadership of Governor Emmylou "Lala" J. Taliño-Mendoza.

Reporting from Ramil H. Bajo | Photo from Provincial Government of Cotabato/Facebook | June 13, 2024 | 10:42 PM

13/06/2024

You are seeing the barangay Administrative Hall of Kenram, one of the 17 barangays of Isulan, the capital town of Sultan Kudarat province.

Its current population (based on the 2020 Census/PhilAtlas) is 6,166.

According to PhilAtlas, a website-based data provider of localities, such as barangays, municipalities and provinces, the "population of Kenram grew from 2,626 in 1990 to 6,166 in 2020, an increase of 3,540 people over the course of 30 years."

PhilAtlas stated that the "latest census figures in 2020 denote a positive growth rate of 3.42%, or an increase of 910 people, from the previous population of 5,256 in 2015."

Kenram hosts the African palm oil processing center, processing all the palm oil delivered by farmers from various places in Isulan and from other neighboring towns.

The barangay is currently under the leadership of Aracelli Grospe, the newly-elected barangay captain of Kenram. |

Reporting from Ramil H. Bajo | June 13, 2024 | 5:56 PM

13/06/2024

LOOK: He is holding the latest issue of Weekly Informer and is pleased to have obtained a copy.

Barangay Captain Roland T. Catbagan of San Emmanuel in Tacurong City proudly shared with the Weekly Informer his accomplishments, including the construction of two public facilities that directly benefited the almost 8,000 residents of his barangay. He is in his final term.

12/06/2024

12/06/2024

12/06/2024

Gaweng Sala urges Koronadalenyos to solidify the spirits of unity, peace, and progress for the city's development

KORONADAL CITY — Celebrating the nation's 126th Independence Day (June 12) today, City Councilor Gaweng Sala posted celebratory remarks, expressing not only her good wishes for the people of this city but also her hope that the bravery and sacrifices offered by fallen Filipino heroes would continue to inspire them to actively engage in the efforts of protecting and developing their respective communities.

"Mga kapwa ko Koronadaleños, sa paggunita ng Araw ng Kalayaan, nawa'y magsilbing inspirasyon ang mga bayani sa ating patuloy na pagsisikap na mapaunlad ang ating komunidad," Councilor Sala said in a Facebook post.

Councilor Sala also urged the Koronadalenyos to sustainably bind their arms in promoting and pushing the spirits of unity, peace, and progress for the city's development.

"Sama-sama nating itaguyod ang pagkakaisa, kapayapaan, at kaunlaran sa ating lungsod," the lady councilor said.

Councilor Sala told the Koronadalenyos that the freedom they enjoyed today is a reminder for them to continue building strong structures of unity and cooperation for a brighter future.

"Ang kalayaan na ating tinatamasa ay isang pagkakataon upang patuloy tayong magkaisa at magtulungan para sa mas maliwanag na kinabukasan," Councilor Sala stressed.

Photo: Gaweng Sala/Facebook

12/06/2024

VP Inday Sara Duterte gives a reminder for men-in-uniforms...

VP Sara, may paalala sa mga unipormadong awtoridad sa pag-implementa ng batas

12/06/2024

Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu honored as Asia's reputable icon in public service

KORONADAL CITY — Congrats to Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu of Maguindanao del Sur, one of the provincial components of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao [BARMM].

Governor Mangudadatu, widely known as 'Bai Mariam,' was recently chosen as one of the recipients of Asia's Golden Icon Awards 2024.

Reports reaching Weekly Informer said Bai Mariam was awarded as 'Asia's Reputable Public Servant' on Friday, May 31, 2024, at the Royal Suite of Okada Hotel in Manila.

The 'Asia’s Golden Icon Awards' reportedly recognizes individual achievers and business entities that have made significant impacts in their communities and demonstrated excellence in their respective fields.

Bai Mariam's award clearly reflects her commitment to providing excellence in public service bringing hope, changing lives through impactful initiatives, and expanding opportunities for the people of Maguindanao del Sur.

Those hopes she brought, those changes she made, and those opportunities she provided were directly felt by her fellow Maguindanaons.

Through Bai Mariam, they realized that the provincial government is really working for them and always ready to serve them with open arms.

Bai Mariam is the wife of TESDA Secretary Datu Suharto 'Teng' Mangudadatu, the son of the most-loved Muslim leader Sultan Pax Mangudadatu, who once served as governor and congressman [1st District] of Sultan Kudarat province for several terms.

The couple's eldest son, Datu Pax Ali Sangki Mangudadatu, is now the governor of said province.

Sultan Kudarat in Region 12 and Maguindanao del Sur in BARMM are neighboring provinces. | via Ramil H. Bajo | June 12, 2024 | 4:49 PM

Note: This story was originally published by Weekly Informer, a local weekly newspaper based in Koronadal City. [June 3-9, 2024 issue]

12/06/2024

Sultan Kudarat's premiere college produces 34 licensed professional teachers

KORONADAL CITY [via Ramil H. Bajo] — The Sultan Kudarat Educational Institution [SKEI] proudly announced that this year, it produced thirty-four [34] licensed professional teachers who successfully passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers [LET], a state supervised board examination given for those professionals who wish to join the government's circle of teachers.

They took the board exam last month of March this year.

SKEI, located at the heart of Tacurong City's business district, was established in 1978.

SKEI is a non-sectarian college that offers academic programs on Business Administration, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Nursing, and Midwifery.

It also offers various short courses that collaborate with the vocational development programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Photo: SKEI/Facebook

11/06/2024

VP Inday Sara Duterte has issued a statement...

PAHAYAG
June 11, 2024

Kaisa ako sa mga nananawagan ng maayos, katanggap-tanggap, at makataong pagpapairal ng batas at pagtataguyod ng hustisya sa ating bansa.

Kasunod ito ng magulong pagpapatupad ng arrest warrant kay Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy kahapon na sanhi ng kwestyonableng pagpapakita ng labis na pwersa at otoridad sa harap ng mga sibilyan.

Sa ating pagpapairal ng batas, huwag nating kalimutan ang kaligtasan ng lahat, lalo na ng mga sibilyan, at mahalagang matiyak na malayo sa panganib ang mga kabataan.

Huwag din sana nating kalimutan na ang pandarahas sa ating mga mamamayan ay paglapastangan sa ating demokrasya.

Sana ay mapanatili natin ang respeto, kaayusan, at kapayapaan sa ating bansa.

Maging laging mahinahon din sana ang mga Dabawenyo at ang buong sambayanang Pilipino, at magkaisa ang lahat sa pananalangin para sa katotohanan at hustisya.

Shukran.

SARA Z. DUTERTE
Vice President of the Philippines
Secretary of the Department of Education

11/06/2024

Konsehal Gaweng Sala provides snacks to 400 beneficiaries of DSWD's sustainable livelihood program

LOOK: Hundreds of residents from the Koronadal City's 27 barangays are expected to receive assistance from DSWD-12 under the agency's Sustainable Livelihood Program.

The DSWD-12 is currently validating whether the targeted 400 beneficiaries are qualified to avail of the said program.

Konsehal Gaweng Sala, who chairs the Sangguniang Panglungsod's Committee on Social Services, supported the validation process by personally gracing it and provided "snacks" to the 400 targeted beneficiaries.

Mayor Eliordo Ogena is also there. | June 11, 2024 | 3:52 PM

Photo: Gaweng Sala/Facebook

11/06/2024

COLUMN [4]
June 11, 2024 | 3:17 PM
The Souther View
By Ramil H. Bajo, BSPA

Taylor Swift: "Be discerning"

A teenager named Arya sent me a message expressing her fears about what life would bring to her as she is going her way to growing up.

The girl asked me for a motivational opinion.

She fears that life can be heavy for her, growing up would be hard for her, and trying to carry all that life would offer would do no good to her.

The way she presented her fears made me feel her feelings of uncertainty, emotionally conveying that the stages of her growing up would likely bring tears, heartaches, pain, disappointment, and failures.

I asked her why. The teenager said she is trying to carry all the baggage of her growing up years, and found it 'not okay.'

I told Arya to watch one of the videos of Ms. Taylor Swift, where she was shown telling the young graduates what life is about while embarking on their growing up years.

In that short video, Ms. Swift said life "can be heavy, especially if you try to carry it all at once." For her, growing-up years are about "catch and release."

What did she mean by that?

Simply, Ms. Swift is telling us that teenagers, like Arya, should decide what are those they want to hold onto and what they want to let go. It's like an act of knowing what things to keep and what things to release.

Now, for Arya, I told her that she cannot carry all things in life. She should enjoy her growing up years.

She cannot carry all the grudges, the toxic relationships she had, the updates on her ex-boyfriend, the heartaches caused by break up, the failures, the disappointments, and the pains.

It's time for Arya to decide, what to catch and what to release.

Like what Ms. Swift said, Arya should "be discerning."

11/06/2024

The Reform PH party is reportedly "pushing for a new brand of politics" and they "will amplify the voice of the people."

As expected, the Reform PH Party leaned heavily on the ideals of its two root factions. 

09/06/2024

Front page of our latest issue [June 3-9, 2024]. Coming out on Monday[June 10].

09/06/2024

DID YOU KNOW that in Region 12, also known as SOCCSKSARGEN, a total of 26,172 hectares of land is tilled for coffee production?

And 20,327 hectares of the total are found in Sultan Kudarat province.

Note: Please see the Philippine Statistics Authority for reference to the data mentioned here.

09/06/2024

Backpage of our latest issue [June 3-9, 2024]. Coming out on Monday[June 10].

08/06/2024

05/06/2024

June 5, 2024 | 5:47 PM
COLUMN [3]
The Southern View
By Ramil H. Bajo, BSPA

GRIEVING HEARTS
[Note: In a Facebook post, the parents of Christian Castillo are seen holding their son's life-size standee during the graduation ceremony in Koronadal City. Christian reportedly died two months before the scheduled rite. | Please see the official page of 106.5 FM Top Gun Radio for further reference.]

It is the dream of Christian Castillo's parents to see him personally receive his college diploma.

Sad to say, that dream is gone, taken away by his untimely death. It was the saddest part of their lives, losing their beloved son, Christian, unexpectedly.

Their hearts continue to grieve day and night. They could not hold back their tears while remembering those happy moments they spent with him.

Losing him, untimely, pains them so much. Their hearts were wounded. A wound that only time can heal. A wound that will leave a painful mark on their grieving hearts.

They tried to believe that Christian is just here and there, doing the usual way of building his dreams for him and for them. But their hearts say otherwise.

With Christian's death, not only were the dreams of his parents taken away, but also the young man's dreams.

Christian's dream of becoming a registered social worker someday is gone. His dream of getting a job that pays well is gone.

Christian's dream of a better life for his parents is gone. His dream of building a good family is gone. His dream to see the better prospects of life is gone.

Everything is gone. Life ends for him after death betrayed him in a manner that caused his parents' hearts to grieve. [RHB]

To read more about The Southern View, pls LIKE/FOLLOW our news page Weekly Informer Digital News.

04/06/2024

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Mckie J. Sangco, Bernadette Buac, Joel Bleña

04/06/2024

COLUMN [2]
June 4, 2024 | 11:56 AM
The Southern View
By Ramil H. Bajo, BSPA

"Nosi balasi"

'Nosi balasi' is the opposite word of a Filipino question 'Sino ba sila?' which means, in English, 'Who are they?'

The song 'Nosi balasi' is a popular classic Pinoy folk rock music piece, originally sung by Sampaguita, whose real name is Tessy Alfonso.

Three years ago, a politician asked me, "if you are my communication strategist, what would be the best semantic defense to psychologically convey my resilience and strength in the midst of negativity?'

I did not directly answer him. Instead, I told the politician to Google the lyrics of the song 'Nosi balasi'.

I told him that, after reading the whole lyrics, he will close his eyes and imagine himself, focusing on building his strength through the power of silence, an abstract ideal of betraying the noise.

Sometimes, the act of betraying the noise is the most painful way of insulting its intent and purpose.

It is like invoking a sense of defiance against the irrational and the senseless prowess of negativity.

Keeping quiet is better than making a noise when you know what the truth is.

Putting yourself in silence is better than making a noise when you know that what you are doing is right.

Making yourself calm is better than delivering yourself to panic when you know that you are being comforted by trust and confidence.

In other words, there's no good in glorifying the noise. There's no good in fighting back.

After all, nosi balasi?

To read more about topics presented by The Southern View, pls LIKE/FOLLOW our news page Weekly Informer Digital News. Shukran.

03/06/2024

Let us hear something from VP Inday Sara Duterte...

03/06/2024

Pretty Campua takes her first shot

LOOK: Angelica "Pretty" Campua takes her first shot and firmly fixes her gaze on her target.

It is a fun-filled shooting moment for Pretty, a third year student at the University of Southern Mindanao [USM], one of the state-funded universities located in Kidapawan City.

Pretty is the daughter of Madame Elsie Polmo Campua, publisher of the Weekly Informer News Publishing. | via Ramil H. Bajo, BSPA | June 3, 2024 | 10:48 AM

Photo screenshot from the video posted by Madame Elsie Campua on her Facebook.