The Pidjanga of Mainit, Surigao del Norte: May 2009

Goodbye Pista

Uy aya nato ka-monitor an mga pista sa kabaryohan (check here).

Mahumanay na an Mayo, aya kita makapan-duyod. Gawas siguro dila konsehal na permi first-table. Hala happy birthday rakan daan Konsehal Nonong (May 30 or 31 anhi). Haman an chi-cha?

May you have more years in your life and more life in your years!

Post: Zimmbodilion (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
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Night Bird

Manginum man badja nan tuba an mga kagi (bats). Amo na butangan nan daut na mga pukot an sanggutan. Entonces, sakpan sila. Nan, unhon man dajon... adobo.

Adobong Paniki (Minainit)

Post: Zimmbodilion (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
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Tribute to Auntie Pancing

The entire Mosend family, particularly the clan of Vedasto "Lolo Bitoy" Mosende, is sorry to announce the passing of my dear Aunti Pancing (Esperanza Mosende Reliquette) last night in Mainit, Surigao del Norte.

Aunti Pancing has been part of my formation years being our teacher in Grade 2 at Mainit Central Elementary School (MCES).

Our condolences to Uncle Robing and the entire Reliquette family.

More details will follow.

Post: Zimmbodilion (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
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An GUOB sa Panan-aw ni Hemantayon II

The yearly guob (A different perspective) Part II

I too read, your concerns (initially) and with some of the research that were made based on the Google maps that was the basis for the suggestions and again the same conclusion lead us to believe that the main tributaries (I see two) that augment, supplies and confound the situation are known given, but perhaps the little known subject of ‘water finding its own level’ has been overlooked or is/was (maybe) not taken into consideration. By the looks of it and how it was explained in that scenario, was that, from the “fork-delta” that flowed from the South-southeastern most tributary it went up northwards to the lake and the lake, naturally as its receptor… basing on this phenomena, it is safe to say that the elevation of the fork-junction is higher than the lake level by then, because it pours into it (meaning the flow of water goes northbound) to a point that when the elevation or water level rises on the lake and its natural surroundings (ubiquitously)… and now at this point, is higher than the river concerned, then naturally it forces (funnels) back the flow from that same channel southwards until it is siphoned out from the lake… again as hydraulics with prove us that not all liquids are fluids meaning silt as it quarries itself and carries such to where it pleases becomes a yearly phenomenon too -compounded by the main tributary to the north of it as it runs parallel to a certain point, which slowly but steadily releases its volume with no regard. Meanwhile the flooding is surely there and affects everyone concerned, especially Mainitnons. Notwithstanding the magnitude and the volume of water it possesses.

Then comes the issue of territory (Agusan del Norte as against Surigao del Norte), or for that matter Mainit who I believe gets the major brunt of the devastation… when it happens, the major players become the initiators of the project which naturally may or may not regard what impact it would create to its neighbor (proof is the fact that DWPH-Agusan constructed a dam to control the flow of water on its side weary of itself (own flooding problem) and perhaps not thinking of the effect (serious) on others, the result, a big failure and waste of money, in short a band-aid solution to what would otherwise be a major surgery…of course I don’t have to address whose pockets were lined substantially for that is another issue…

Now comes what?
1) Dredging- does it really alleviate when called for? Or it makes the flow towards the lake faster and easier hence, flooding…. How about the backflow, (aptly reverse flow) will it be attainable now that it’s deep and speedier towards the sea or out of the lake? Or holds the water indefinitely than it should be with the dredging? So now this becomes a yearly project (the big IF) if it works, good for the DWPH people it’s called job security…what about the alluvial deposits or silt that it forms in the river fork/delta? everytime the flooding starts up….

2) LMDA – nascent as it may appear, does it have the clout to supersede ALL issues that pertains or concerns or better yet affect Mainit Lake? Is it more of a watchdog? Not an implementer/or of policies and policing the various issues and wedges itself when necessary? For sure, I am not privy to it…

3) Reforestation – I am one with you, and when the right time comes and I have to shell out a few of my hard earned money, do count me in… If I remember it right, I believe, I made my share once as anonymous thru your second cousin, (I don’t have to mention who) and saw snippets of it (pictures), not that I would question it but the drive to make a difference is what matters most, it’s true I am from the city, not a proud Pidjanga like most if not all bloggers in your website and I find it interesting and fulfilling...Do keep up the good work and once again thank you for letting me… oh my a strong earthquake just hit us here in LA around 8:40 pm Sunday…

Pidjanga notes: Salamat karadjaw, Kabs (kababayab). Maradjaw kay imo tagganihan nan panahon inin problema sa ato Danao. Ikaw gani na taga-ciudad ra, nagpakabana, I am sure the rest of the Pidjangas will follow. Matud pa, kukabildo ini. Thank you... keep on writing. Be assusred that your thoughts will always be considered. BTW, I am great fan of your blog as well. Cheers, Zimm/Pidjanga.

Post: Zimmbodilion (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
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An GUOB sa Panan-aw ni Hemantayon

The yearly guob - (A different perspective)

For what I have observed , mainit lake’s natural rise and ebbing is not flooding as mainitnons sees or defines it, but an often misunderstood natural- water level- lake management all its own. Typical example for this is the amazon river’s outlying parched plains that stretches south America or Africa’s Kalahari desert’s watering hole during its dry months (or summer ‘s onset) which suddenly transforms and swell in disproportionate incorrigible bodies of water . to a layman, it’s pretty hard to comprehend why it is happening and religious as the folks are, often becomes a tool for finger pointing..

The only difference with Mainit’s , is the fact that the frequency is not as regular or irregular as it is (certain months of the year), but certainly to a point and right timing, intertwined (with variance in magnitude) with the global forces of nature acting- on and reacting to it, these often times, unusual or abnormal phenomenon becomes an endemic problem unique to the place. All too often blamed to entities that wreck havoc to the environment, though I’m not saying, that it never was a contributing factor.

And it goes with the saying that what were once prey during those times becomes preyed upon when scenario is reversed. (ex. The piranha preys upon the animals that criss-cross the river banks and ponds when the water is at its might and becomes fodder when the banks dry up (river beds) and fall hapless when no water abounds. (in mainit, we earn a living from the lakes pidjangas though not quite literally, and when the water level rises, the lake takes it’s toll (on Pidjangas)to the inhabitants surrounding it.

I have made some research on this subject for quite sometime and only now that I had the chance to contribute a few cents worth of my thoughts for Mainitnons to view it differently. Comments that I’ve made in your cbox /labjog/ syagit sometime last year (as h-mantayon) and post some questions to experts in the field of environmental studies who came up awash with curious and very surprising analysis….Part of what it has arrived at is the fact that (we) humans sees it as flooding (the place)…but in reality, we are encroaching, if not trespassing its natural boundaries of expansion when the swelling tide time comes.

When you post/ed that question of how can we solve it? My mind began to wander as to what is/are the most compelling issue/s that needs to be addressed.

1) Do Pidjanga’s really have to face the problem head-on?

2) With what resources? Money ? Technology? Politically? or by council mandate to move the town’s habitable boundaries farther from the shoreline to known higher elevations that have minimal flooding. And buy back those land parcels for a Lake management authority to decide for its best use.

3) Would installing underground aquifers in the outlying shorelines’ plains & adjacent sandy beaches of the lakeshore be feasible with a grant, and funnel /inject this excess water into this silo-like structures and avail of this source of water to feed a year round efficient irrigation system in the region or as source of potable drinking water (after filtration of course) as a first step? And generate funds?

4) Planting trees do have potential for holding water but very limited (as the study suggested) and with flash floods being inherent to a tropical place like the Philippines, all studies has alluded to, that it can only manifest itself to a certain degree and partially control erosion and siltation in some portions but not for quantifiably huge amount of water in so short a time and hang on to defeat the flooding issue.

5) Erecting levees, berms or dikes only controls certain areas deemed of prime importance and not the entire periphery of the lake… and as soon as it goes beyond those flood stage levels, the destruction is far greater than what your annual guob is giving you (headache)… (blog about the new Orleans breach on levees and berms ).

6) Territorial boundaries and who has control of it,( mining, fishing, etc.) is not even part of this equation yet and who would compromise what, and where, and when, makes this situation complicated and far more greater than the perennial flooding you are facing.
Bottom line, it’s either Mainitnons should live with it or forget about it’s so called ancestral home sites and hunker themselves up to higher grounds …Perhaps it’s a dream Mainitnons or Pidjangas for that matter could only wish for, for now, and may not happen in it’s present lifetime…

This is just a comment and never a perfect one… other solutions or concepts may hold a possibility, and that I am not sure.. ..thanks in advance for letting me…

‘Hemantayon ‘ from Surigao City

Pidjanga notes: Read my response in the CBOX. I thanked Hemantayon for sharing his/her observations. This is something to think about... a call for further reflections both from the Pidjangas and its Elected Officials. As a mover, my stand remains, something can be done to stop or lessen the impact of Guob on the lives of Mainitnons, and we should find that something NOW. Solutions have been offered (here), we want action... NOW!

Post: Zimmbodilion (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
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Sitios of Mainit

Wikipedia says... "A sitio in the Philippines is a territorial enclave that forms part of a barangay, the location of which may be distant from the center of the barangay itself. During Spanish occupation, sitios were named to make a centralized government for municipalities through the barrio system now called barangay."

Help me fill up the known sitios in our town. I've already made my guesses in some.

Binga - Maniuyom
Bobona-on -
Cantugas - Gasipan, Bojo, Antipolo, Upper Mayag, Kakongkingan
Dayano -
Mabini - Bobaongon, Tigbawan
Magpayang -
Magsaysay (Pob.) - Gata, Utod-bukid, Tina, Mapaso, Dayangdang
Mansayao -
Marayag -
Matin-ao - Pacuyab, Mayag, Perada, Anas, Maslog, Lanapan, Payanasa, Rizal, Mat-i, Crossing
Paco -
Quezon (Pob.) - Culo, Panayakpan
Roxas -
San Francisco - Ambassador, Campo Langit
San Isidro - Gata Dos, Canang-caan, Tag-ayan, Danogon,
San Jose - Tanhawaan
Siana -
Silop -
Tagbuyawan -
Tapi-an -
Tolingon - Waterfalls,

Originally posted on 11 January 2008.

Thanks JJ for the corrections and additions (Pacuyab, Perada, and Canangcaan). I have also added Tanhawaan and Utod-bukid). Noel added the sitios for Matin-ao and Cantugas. Luyab added Danogon. Gomer added more for Cantugas. Tupper raised about whether Perada is in San Isidro or Matin-ao! Added

Updated: 16 January 2008.

Anonymous/Angat/Melvin added Dayangdang and Maniuyom.

Updated: 18 May 2009

Post: Zimmbodilion (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
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P35 Billion Mining Funds for Siana, Mainit Surigao del Norte

Miner to spend P35 billion in Mindanao project
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2009

Source: Surigao Today

A MINING venture led by Australia’s Red 5 Ltd. will invest P3.5 billion to start commercial operations in a gold mine in northern Mindanao, company officials said late Tuesday.

The mining permit holder Greenstone Resources Corp. will develop the 2,023.74-hectare Siana gold mine in the town of Mainit in Surigao del Norte, company managing director Greg Edwards said in a presentation to officials of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau last Tuesday

Construction will start before the end of the year after securing funds by June, the mining executive added.

Greenstone Resources is owned by Red 5, Merrill Crowe Corp., and Surigao Holdings and Investment Co.

The Siana gold project can produce 6.69 million metric tons of ore, with an average 5.2 grams of gold per metric ton, and equivalent to 1.122 million ounces of gold and 2.095 ounces of silver.

Presidential Elections 2010

363 days RAKAN... 2010 elections na!

Someone forwarded me this photo of "President Pacquiao" and I almost fell off my chair laughing! But actually, Lenox Lewis, on his write up about Manny in TIME's 100 World's Most Influential People said "I can surely see Manny Pacquiao becoming Philippine President one day". Personally, NO MANNY, you can well serve the Philippines, in a thousand of ways outside of politics. Please, this Pidjanga requests you to get away from politics. We want you to be remembered as our Boxing Champion!

I watched the other night ABS-CBN's debate of presidentiables hosted by Ricky Carandang and Tina Monsod-Palma at the Ateneo de Manila University campus. Of those present, the top three that I like in terms of their spontaneity and depth in responding to country's issues is 1) Sen. Dick Gordon, 2) Fr. Among Ed Panlilio, and 3) Sec. Gibert Teodoro. Other present which follows my list would be 4) Sen. Mar Roxas, and 5) Sen. Chiz Escudero.

Gordon, although speaks lengthily, tops my choice (in that debate) because he has concrete ideas in addressing the challenges of the country. He can connect the issues and the solutions and can provide examples from his long term experience in public service. He has also the capacity to look positively on things esp when ask about PGMA's good attribute where he said "the President works hard and considers all options possible before deciding on issues, except that PGMA still sides with people who she would support in return." Gordon is firm that "a President

should have no friends to consider because the top priority is what good for the country".

Among Ed shows calmness in responding to questions. Despite of his sharing almost always being linked with "Godliness", he seems to be well rooted on earthly realities of poverty, corruption, environmental problems, and other issues. With that, his response, were also concrete. But I still see lack of concreteness in terms of how the solutions he has identified can be implemented.

Sec. Teodoro looks intelligent and like Gordon and Among Ed, he is aware of the current issues and has concrete solutions. However, since he is with the current government, it seems that his sole frame of mind the Arroyo platform of government. I might switch my choice if he opens his ming to other solutions out there.

Mar Roxas was actually fine for me i.e. he is actually at level of Sec. Teodoro, except that he stammers at times. For me, it indicates lack of thought organization.

Chiz is a good orator and debater. His responses are crisp, substantial, and "pang-masa". But he is too pessimistic. I also don't like President Arroyo, in general, but I think a Presidentiable should be willing to see other sides of the coin. Like Gordon, I was hoping Chiz could see something good in a person or on an issue.

Well, folks... I wish to hear, and watch more about these presidentiables. My choices might change esp when I hear about the rest e.g. Lacson, Binay, Loren, Bayani, and Noli.

And FOR THE LOCAL CANDIDATES in Mainit... I will do some research. If possible, I will interview them. And express here my thoughts for YOU TO CONSIDER.

But for now here's what I can say.

Mayor Mondano has done good things especially the ones highlighted in his July 2008, State of the Municipality Address. But just basing on that, I don't think I would be endorsing him for the 2010 elections. The numbers reported do not translate on whether he has really made a difference in the lives of the Mainitnons or not (e.g. what does medical consultations of 9,786 individuals, 1,700 received Philhealth cards, means? see page 2 of SOMA). Maybe, if I get to hear his development plan for 2010-2013, particularly addressing the Pidjanga advocacy on enviroment (solving problems of sand quarrying and annual flooding, and institutionalizing tree planting), and participatory governace, . I might support his re-election.

Mano Cenon Japay has expressed his intention to run as Mayor. I do not know him much hence I can not endorse him yet. I just knew that he was a former KASAMA President who has helped countless Mainitnons here in Manila, and he is a Rotarian. As a Rotarian myself, we have values that are worth of a community leader. But same as my stand with that of Mayor Mondao, unless and until I hear that Mano Cenon's platform of government is sound and includes issues I advocate to address in this blog, I would not endorse him yet.

For Vice Mayor, I will still support Mano Nonoy Mosende. Because he IS my second cousin and I see him as someone who could potentially represent the ideals and vision of the Mosende family for Mainit. But actually, I am disappointed with his current state of transparency, well, the level of communication between him and the rest of the Mainitnons. Although, this is true among the current officials in general. I have no concrete evidence or proof that the previous 24 months of Mano Banoy's service as Vice Mayor (or that of the entire LGU officials) is worth the people's money. I have yet to see the policies they have developed, and well, how do these impact the development of our town... especially the poor Mainitnons, the underserved Mainitnon youth.

And for Councilor... I WON'T ENDORSE ANYONE, not even my best friend and classmate Nonong Behagan, if he opts for re-election. I have yet to hear positive things about any of them. In fact, I am wondering if councilors are actually relevant in Mainit. Leave the legislation to the Barangays, where the actual action is, and just have a career officer in the municipality translate it into Municipal programs.

Hala amo ra anay before I will be stormed with criticism by my fellow kababayan, and my relatives.

Comments and reactions are most welcome. Jusy hit the CBOX or the comment section, or email me here.

Post: Zimmbodilion (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
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Saunz man... tag-Pacquiao man gadjud!

I knew Manny and his team arrived at around 7AM in the Philippines. I never expected that they will proceed to Rennaisance Hotel where we are on our second day of planning workshop for a UN project (here).

And voila... the entrance was blocked and the hotel was full of media people... and fortunately few well wishers.

So, what else should I do? Take out my camera and Pacquiao'd every possible angle I can... here are the shots! The rest are in my Facebook.

Manny! Manny! Manny!