Speed boating in Qantab Beach | Mindanao Times

Speed boating in Qantab Beach | Mindanao Times

Living LIFE in Muscat

By: Nino A. Calamba, RN


Muscat, Oman – Welcoming some major turning points in one’s life is both a tough and an easy task to make. It will either make you so excited to embark on it hastily or will tend to carry you to enumerate numerous regrets why you made such a decision. Choosing whether to live and work abroad or just to stay in your home country is basically one of the most common dilemmas each and every Filipino is facing, and I was once one of them. Now, I am here miles away from family and friends, practically living alone, living the life I thought I never dreamt of.

Living in Muscat, the capital city of the Sultanate of Oman, is actually an entirely new experience for me. The place is quite some sort of a laid back metropolis, with throngs of five star hotels and resorts, which millionaires and billionaires in the world are secretly spending their holiday vacations. Almost half of the world’s races are found walking around the place and rubbing elbows in clubs and restobars. Black, white, and brown people are but common sightings in this silently rich city.

Oman as a strong member of rich Gulf countries in Middle East Asia, prides itself as one of the most livable place in the region. Muscat as an open city is home to many people who love to become carefree in their lives in the most positive way possible though. Expression of faith is also not a constraint in this part of the globe. Churches for Christians are well-built in strategic locations where faithful people can converge and say their prayers and worships. Shopping malls and supermarkets (which they exaggeratedly call as “hypermarket”) offer varied arrays of items ranging from electronics, home must-haves, personals, and food products.

Living in Muscat showed me how luxury cars are just being carelessly parked outside houses. I think Muscat is one of the cities in the world with thousands of cars ferrying the highway every day. With their wide and very long main roads, it is not impossible here for cars to run at a minimum speed of 110 kilometers per hour especially at nighttime. Almost all brands of cars can be seen in Muscat. Every corner in the city is a huge showroom for cars of different unique features and brands. If no one will object, I’d like to name this place as the car capital of the world.

One thing I observed unusual in their roads are the so-called “roundabouts”. These are literally round islands constructed in the middle of intersections, which is also evident in some other Gulf countries. For first timers, it may look like a useless barrier in between intersections, but if you will just analyze clearly, it functions the same way as a basic crossing, however with a touch of ‘art’. And mind you, these roundabouts have legal names too, just like streets.

Oman is a mountainous country, but not like in the Philippines where mountains are full of greens. In Muscat, rocky mountains are visible everywhere, some were even carved to make way for roads and some government constructions. Mountains in Muscat are all brown except for some few green bushes growing sparingly in some of its parts. However, trees and plants are growing healthily in the lower parts of the city. These trees and plants are systematically nourished by formulated water from a timed sprinkler scattered all over the city.

When in Muscat, it is not a complete stay when you were not able to visit its wonderful beaches with pristine sand and picturesque views. Beaches in Muscat and in Oman in general are must-see when you are in the Gulf region. Americans and European people are frequent visitors of such beaches, basking on the sand and frolicking under the heat of the scorching sun. Muscat beach is one of Arabian Sea’s treasure shores, where one can enjoy sand, sun, and sea at its best.

In terms of food, livestock and poultry products comes in large amounts in Muscat. Considering Oman’s geographical location in the Mediterranean Seas, fishes can also never be scarce in this place. Fishing is one of the best activities you can do when you are in Muscat. That is why most of the Omanis are fishermen. Fishes ranging from ‘tamban’ to ‘lapu-lapu’ are all freshly available in the city of Muscat.

Living in Muscat is fantastic. I got to see unusual way of life. Learn well-preserved customs and traditions. Meet and befriend people of different races and backgrounds. Enjoy awesome beaches and tourist spots. Hear amusing gossips and stories of local people as well as of some expats either making good or not so good things in Muscat, and ofcourse that surely includes stories from my very own nationality. Living my life in Muscat will tend to go on as of now, so Motley will strive to send you stories and experiences from this side of Earth! Live life full whenever, WHEREVER! See you then!

MARY, Mother of Life

BY: NINO A. CALAMBA, RN


The Archdiocesan Council of the Lay Apostolate and Integrated Movements (ACLAIM) with its President, Dr. Michael T. Manalaysay, inspired by the Holy Spirit and powered by the loving grace and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary staged for the third time an archdiocesan grand Marian procession. This year’s grand Marian procession of the Archdiocese of Davao was once again faithfully joined by various religious and prayer communities in Davao City. The Mary Immaculate Health & Educational Foundation sponsored the “Our Lady of Salvation” together with the generous hearts of Mr. & Mrs. Emilio and Marilou Yap and Family.

The Grand Marian Celebration last May 28, 2011 with the theme: “Mary, Mother of Life” commenced with a conference at the Holy Cross of Davao College Gym. Reverend Father Luigi of the Franciscan Order discussed the essence of Mariology or the study of Mary on the life of a Christian faithful. Mary as the mother of Jesus Christ is our mother too. The love and respect given to her by Jesus must be manifested within us also. As Jesus said on His Crucifixion to his disciple, “Behold your Mother!”. We are disciples of Jesus Christ and we ought to render sincere veneration to His’ and our Mother too.

The grand Marian procession was a way of evangelizing the faithful people of the different roles of Mama Mary in the Church. These are images depicting Mother Mary’s stalwart leadership as the head of all disciples. The display of Mama Mary’s images is not a form of idol worship hence it is a way of remembering the Mother whom our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ loved so much. “It’s just like keeping a photo of our parents and loved ones in our wallets whom we hold so dearly in our hearts,” said Professor Espie Chinel Aparis, Founder & President of the Mary Immaculate Health & Educational Foundation and ACLAIM Vice-President. The veneration to the Blessed Virgin Mary is a show of love and respect to her son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The grand Marian procession culminated with a Holy Mass at the San Pedro Cathedral with an enlightening homily from Archbishop Fernando Capalla. Some priests in the archdiocese concelebrated in the Eucharistic Celebration with Msgr. Paul A. Cuison. Msgr. Paul Cuison expressed a message of thanksgiving to the faithful people before the final blessing and said, “your participation to the grand Marian procession was so awe-inspiring! Let us all become a replica to the beauty of Mama Mary inside and out”.

Davao's POD Krew & Nike on ASAP Supahdance Off

BY: NINO A. CALAMBA, RN


It is with great pride that true blue Davaoeños are now again making their very own way to stardom by means of dancing. Davao talents always proved to be a stand-out in the national showbiz arena ever since. The likes of Erich Gonzales, Juris, Bangs Garcia, Kriselle, and many others are now permanent personalities on national television as they display their God-given talents, giving more honor and prestige to Davao City, the ‘land of promise’ where they all came from.

Now, on ABS-CBN’s ‘ASAP Rocks’ comes yet another milestone for Davaoeño talents. The ASAP Supahdance Off aired every Sunday during noontime features our very own P.O.D Krew and Nike as part of the top ten finalist fighting off to become ASAP Rocks’ supah dancers.

The P.O.D. Krew (Pride of Davao) and Jannike “NIKE” Calunsag are products of Jaz Up Danz Crew which has made dancing an avenue for young people in Davao City to build self-confidence and be able to express their creative minds and skills freely through dancing. Jaz Up Danz Crew was organized by Jhoey Zulueta, an ABS-CBN dance contest alumnus in Star Dance many years back. He is also the main choreographer of the said group.

P.O.D. Krew is a dance trio composed of Jabar Umpar, Ayana Quiros Merquita and Stephen Rey Estilo. Jabar Umpar is a former senior choreographer and fitness trainer of the UM Fitness & Wellness Centre. He graduated Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at the University of Mindanao as a working scholar, utilizing his blessed talent and skills in dancing by performing and sharing it to his fellow students at the University of Mindanao Fitness and Wellness Centre.

Equally excellent dancers, Ayana Quiros Merquita and Stephen Rey Estilo have been actively dancing with the Jaz Up Danz Crew all over Mindanao before they luckily form part of the P.O.D. Krew and eventually bagging a spot in ASAP Supahdance Off’s top ten finalist, chosen from among numerous dancers all over the country.

On the other hand, Jannike “NIKE” Calunsag performs as a dance soloist in the ASAP Supahdance Off. Two of our pride in the ASAP Supahdance, P.O.D Krew and NIKE, have already gone a long way in the dance contest. They have braved two elimination rounds and still remain strong contenders in the contest, making them part of the remaining six finalists of the ASAP Supahdance Off. They will again face the challenges next Sunday on ASAP Rocks and aim at besting other contestants in order to make all Davao people proud of their own local talents.

P.O.D Krew performed an impressive acid jazz dance during their first week on the contest, which was powered by Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance. While Nike had a remarkable performance of flawless dance acrobats on high heels, prompting celebrity judges to express their amazement of his courage to be unique in his performance and the way he looks.

During their latest performance last Sunday, P.O.D Krew interpreted a funny story on love triangle with-a-twist in their pop dance rendition. Meanwhile, Nike almost scared off the celebrity judges with his lyrical contemporary jazz dance, but was able to pull it off after successfully delivering the message with his remarkable facial expression and deep internalization of the music and lyrics as he performed. Both Nike and the POD Krew got a ‘Supah Go!’ from the judges, a slang term used by celebrity judges if they like the performance and would want the dancers to stay in the contest.

In order for them to stay in the ASAP Supahdance Off for more weeks, POD Krew and Nike need our support and assistance as fellow Davaoeños. We can vote for them by logging in at www.asap.abs-cbn.com. Click P.O.D Krew and Nike, the pride of Davao City in ASAP Supahdance Off. Watch out for them next Sunday on ASAP Rocks as they perform on another dance challenge with Hip-Hop and Ballroom Dancing!

P.S. Special thanks to Jabar Umpar for the photos!

Holiday's Summer Fun Dance Aero Marathon

BY: NINO A. CALAMBA, RN


Summer escapades still entail campaigning for healthy living with Holiday Gym & Spa. A wide array of sports and fun-filled activities were in store for all exclusive members of the premier fitness and health hub in the metro. Holiday Gym & Spa, true to its mission of propagating healthy lifestyle among Davao populace, has stood strong in its quest for fitness and health advocacies through all these years.

One of its memorable summer activities is the Fun Dance Aero Marathon, a 2-hour dance and aerobics marathon merrily participated by its enthusiastic members. The HGS Summer Fun Dance Aero Marathon 2011 served as proof of how dancing your way to fitness as the greatest step in achieving perfect health and shape.

Korn Cocjin, HGS’ senior group exercise leader and incharge of the said members-only aerobics championnat, was very energetic in welcoming both guests and participants. His wacky frolics was so infectious that fitness trainers, enthusiasts, and guests were often caught in loud laughter everytime he display his funny antics. He is one heck of a hyper driven fitness professional.

Presentors of the said dance aero marathon include: Rudy Dano for the Warm-up and beginner’s Zumba; Cielo Acosta for Latin; Rodolfo Enot for Retro Dance; Ronnie Bulanda for Hip-Hop or Funk Aerobics; Korn Cocjin for Advance Zumba; and, Dodjie Batu for Striptease, which was an apt cooldown.

Winners of the HGS Summer Fun Dance Aero Marathon 2011 were judged according to form and execution, stamina and endurance, ability to follow, physique, projection, enthusiasm, and audience impact.

Panel of judges were composed of this writer, Ms. Ana Theresa Flaviano Basilio of the Mindanao Daily Mirror, and Ms. Vicky Javier, Fitness Guru and owner of Beefit Gym and Aero.

Ms. Ivy Fernandez, Chief Operating Officer of Holiday Gym & Spa Davao and Cebu, was very supportive of such activity as the entire HGS family was eagerly participative and were all smiles in doing the things they love most – campaigning for health living!

SM Davao launches 'The Inaugural'

BY: NINO A. CALAMBA, RN


After the successful launch of “The Inaugural” coffee table book and exhibit at the SM North Edsa or SM The Block, the mother of all SM supermalls, SM City Davao now brings to Davaoenos the book that chronicles in photos and stories the campaign and victory of P-Noy as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines.
At the SM North Edsa last February 17, 2011, Ms. Maria V. Montelibano, the publisher of ‘The Inaugural’ welcomed to the launching distinguished guests from both political and social arena headed by no less than Vice President Jejomar Binay and First Sister Ms. Viel Aquino Dee.

The SM DAVAO launch of ‘The Inaugural’ marks the fifth stop of the exhibit’s roadshow. From SM North Edsa, ‘The Inaugural’ exhibit was fruitfully displayed and launched in SM Cebu, SM Bacolod, SM Cagayan de Oro, and now in SM Davao. The exhibit will run from May 16, 2011 up to May 21, 2011 at the mall atrium and event center. ‘The Inaugural’ coffee table book is also available for sale at the exhibit entrance.
Davao populace will have a glimpse of the stories and photographs behind the massive force of volunteerism which catapulted P-Noy to the highest position of the land. It brings with him the vigor of his father and the meekness of her mother that undoubtedly left an enigmatic inspiration for all Filipinos to always fight for freedom and democracy.

During the SM Davao launching of ‘The Inaugural’ on May 16, 2011, Davao’s ‘yellow armies’ converged at the SM Davao Atrium to welcome the famous coffee table book and exhibit. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, graced the occasion and said a meaningful message of hope and inspiration to curb corruption in the nation as a way to eradicate poverty, echoing P-Noy’s perennial slogan “Kung Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap”.

Meanwhile, bringing the message of Mayor Sara Z. Duterte is the Supervising Administrative Officer and OIC of the City Planning and Development Office, Mr. Roberto P. Alabado III. Before reading Mayor Sara’s message, Mr. Alabado shared his very own story as top volunteer in the “Noynoy for President Movement” or the “Davao Noy” group while still sporting the famed P-Noy yellow baller band.

Present during ‘The Inaugural’ launching to express their continuing support for P-Noy are: Prof. Espie Chinel Aparis, Founder & President of the Mary Immaculate Health & Educational Foundation, Managing Director of University of Mindanao Fitness & Wellness Centre, and Core Group Member of Davao’s PPVR (People Power Volunteers for Reforms); Ms. Debby Go, SM Regional Operations Manager for Mindanao; Ms. Lynette Lopez, SM City Davao Mall Manager; Mr. Manuel Jesus Iñigo, Vice-Mayor Duterte’s Chief of Staff; Mr. Efren Elbabuena, Regional Director of Philippine Information Agency; Mr. Boie K. Jamisola, Master Trainer of the University of Mindanao Fitness & Wellness Centre; Davao Yellow Army; Davao Volunteers of Noynoy for President Movements; Mr. Rene Lumawag of Mindanao Times and some of Davao’s mediamen.

The launching of ‘The Inaugural’ in SM Davao is another manifestation that Davao, being a city of diverse culture and traditions, often positions itself as stalwart partner of the P-Noy administration in fighting corruption, easing poverty, and aiming for the best Filipino life for every countrymen. Latest news may tell us of contrasting views between the church and the state on certain national matters, but it doesn’t reduce into nothing the unity we Filipinos all had when we faced the ordeal of fighting for our precious freedom which led to the birth of the revered Filipino democracy, prayerfully won twenty-five years ago.

P.S. Special thanks to Ms. Apple Legario, PR Officer of SM City Davao and Mr. Joffer Aparis, Administrative Officer of the Mary Immaculate Learning Center!

Party On Jeans with Rotary Governor Nonoy Villa-Abrille

BY: NINO A. CALAMBA, RN


During the PETS-DISTAS 2011 of the Rotary International District 3860, distinguished Rotarians from all over Mindanao gathered full of zest and enthusiasm to welcome yet another Rotary year with a bang. “PETS” stands for Presidents-Elect Training Seminar, while DISTAS is a coined term for District Assembly. It is during this occasion that new leaders for the incoming Rotary year are trained to become service-oriented Rotarians striving to meet the Governor’s challenges through worthwhile service projects.

District Governor Leoncio “Nonoy” Villa-Abrille said in his message: “As we begin our journey for Rotary Year 2011-2012, let us call upon the Change Maker (Club) Presidents and other Club Officers, and the rest of us in the district (3860), to draw inspiration and guidance from Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee as all Rotarians espouse to his annual theme – REACH WITHIN TO EMBRACE HUMANITY.”

On the fellowship night, Mindanao Rotarians all came garbed in their fascinating jazzed-up jeans and white tops at the Grand Ballroom of the posh Marco Polo Hotel Davao. Fabulous dance production numbers were rendered by the energetic Rotarians from the Rotary Club of South Digos, and from the Rotary Club of South Davao. Sessionistas Band provided upbeat music bringing the party people grooving on the dance floor, with “group dancing” led by professional dance instructors.

PETS-DISTAS 2011 Organizing Committee was chaired by Antonio “Ony” Partoza and co-chaired by Remegio “Boy” Salanatin. Event Secretariat was composed of: Jonathan “Butch” Jocom-Chairman; Virgilio “Jing” Quijada – Registration; Casilda “Sising” Aparis – Souvenir Program; Phillips “Phillips” Dumaligan – Handouts & Kits; Maximo “Max” Lozano – Hotel Accommodation. Finance Committee was being chaired by Salvacion “Sally” Baneke, with Jacob “Jake” Chua taking care of the Ads Solication, and Arthur “Art” Uy and Remegio “Boy” Salanatin for Sponsorships.

Program Committee was chaired by Scott “Scott” Nimmo, with the following members: Ismael “Maeng” Tabije – Protocol, Jose “Joe” Valenzuela – Plenary/Workshop, and William “Willy” Yong – Hall, Venue, Exhibits. The joy-filled and memorable Fellowship Night party was handled by Rodolfo “Rudy” Abellana as Chairman, with Espedita “Espie” Chinel Aparis for Entertainment, Robert “Bobby” Carabuena for Wine & Spirits, and Maria Bea “Bea” Lao for Foods & Snacks. Spouses’ Program was taken cared of Mi Li Yong and Lynda Tabije, under which Marselle Lozano and Rhoda Nimmo taking charge of the Seminar and City Tour respectively.