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Reflections: Home Sick

mindanaw — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:41:27 +0000

"You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now." (END)

Good bye Davao!
June 2004 - November 2007

(Song by Mercy Me)

Davao choral group wins Asian tilt

mindanaw — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:25:37 +0000

Davao City's renowned Himig Singers won the grand prize of the 1st Asian Choir Games in Jakarta, Indonesia over the weekend, City Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz said. But Ortiz still could not give other details of the group's victory. The all-Dabawenyo choral group won in one of the 21 categories of the pioneering tilt participated by more than 70 choral groups, mostly Indonesian-based, from around Asia-Pacific.

The group was one of 12 from the Philippines that competed in various categories in the competition. According to the competition's website, the group was conducted by Aldwin Curambao and Alvin E. Aviola.

The other Mindanao-based group in the competition is the Xavier University Glee Club from Cagayan de Oro City. Read the rest of the report on MindaNews.com.

KADAYAWAN 2007: Calendar of Activities

mindanaw — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:21:58 +0000

All roads lead to Davao City for this year's Kadayawan Festival. The whole month of August is festival fever in the city. Visitors from other places in Mindanao, the country and the world are expected to troop to Dabaw.

Organizers speak of this year's focus on returning to the city's indigenous ancestry. Will it bring in new energy for the booming city? Or it will hurt the tourism sector as some people feared?

Take Davao by yourself. Experience the festival to find out the excitement with this guide:Hudayakaan sa Kadayawan Food and Music Fiesta
August 3-19
4 PM-12 MN, NCCC Mall Parking AreaAgro Industrial Trade Fair
August 8-23
10 AM-10 PM, SM City Davao

Canon Kadayawan Photo Contest
13-19 August

Ikebana International Flower Exhibit
16-18 August
9 AM-9 PM, NCCC Mall Activity Center

5-Stag Derby
15-18 August
Aquino Coliseum, Cabaguio Avenue

- Daily Events -

08 August
Mass (4 PM, San Pedro Catheral)

Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival Formal Opening (5:30 PM, Centennial Park)

08-10 August
Mango Festival (9 AM-6 PM, NCCC Mall Activity Center)

09 August
Davao Association of Colleges and Schools Cultural Presentation (8 AM- 12 NN, Rizal Park)
DepEd Cultural Presentation (1-5 PM, Rizal Park)
Tingog Kadayawan World Music Festival (6-9 PM, Centennial Park)

10 August
Cultural Celebration: Tagabawa Tribe (8 AM-5 PM, Rizal Park)

10-12 August
2nd Mindanao Travel and Tour Exposition (10 AM-9 PM, SM City Davao)
Traveller's Cup Open Shooting Competition (8 AM-5 PM, Gold Cup Shooting Range)

11 August
Cultural Celebration: Ovu-Manuvu Tribe (8 AM-5 PM, Rizal Park)

12 August
Cultural Celebration: K'lagan Tribe (8 AM-5 PM, Rizal Park)
Jollibee Davao Fun Run (5 AM, NCCC Mall Parking Area)
Flight of the Eagles Caravan for Environment (7 AM, assembly area: Magsaysay Park)

13 August
Cultural Celebration: Tausug Tribe (8 AM-5 PM, Rizal Park)
Kadayawan Fiesta Bazaar '07 (10 AM-12 MN, Davao Convention and Trade Center)

14 August
Cultural Celebration: Sama Tribe (8 AM-5 PM, Rizal Park)

14-15 August
3rd Waling-waling Cup – Floral Arrangement Workshop & Competition (Waterfront Insular Hotel)

15 August
Cultural Celebration: Maguindanao Tribe (8 AM-5 PM, Rizal Park)
Indigenous Peoples' Food, Craft and Literature Festival (IIPE Grounds, Marfori Heights)

15-16 August
Sayaw Mindanaw – Isang Pagpupugay (8 AM-5 PM, CAP Auditorium)

16-17 August
Sayaw Mindanaw – Isang Pagpupugay (6 PM-9 PM, NCCC Mall Activity Center)

16 August
Cultural Celebration: Maranao Tribe (8 AM-5 PM, Rizal Park)
Davao River Festival (8 AM-5 PM, Davao Riverfront)
Forum on Indigenous Peoples' Education (Grand Men Seng Hotel)

17 August
Cultural Celebration: Ata Tribe (8 AM-5 PM, Rizal Park)
Durian Festival Opening (LandCo Compound)
Performing Dabaw: Homage to Home-grown Artists (CAP Auditorium)
Republic of Davao: The Reggae Combo (8 PM, RMC Gym)
SK Midnight Fun Run (9 PM-12 MN, assembly area: SM City Davao Car Park B3)

17-18 August
MEDSA Mayor's Cup – An Invitational Golf Tournament

17-19 August
1st National Dog Ultimate Challenge (Damosa Gateway, Market Basket)

18 August
Indak-indak sa Kadalanan (8 AM onwards, Major Thoroughfares)
Daghang Salamat Dabaw! An NCCC Kadayawan Celebration (NCCC Mall Activity Area)

19 August
Floral Float Parade (8 AM-12 NN, Major Thoroughfares)

Post-Kadayawan Activities:
21-25 August
LUMAD: Celebrating Indigenous Wisdom and Creativity (2nd Indigenous Peoples' Visual Art Show and Auction) – (NCCC Mall)

30 August-02 September
Trade Exhibit – Organized by the Peace and Equity Foundation Launching the Badjau products of Basilan

Violins, not violence

mindanaw — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 13:48:05 +0000

The phrase isn't original. But that's what I remembered when I was in front of a scene in GSIS Heights Subdivision here in Davao City by noon time today.

I saw two men in the new sidewalk of Virgo Street while I was waiting for my turn for a pedal cab from the office to MacArthur Highway. They were playing pop music on a violin and a guitar.

I love the violin and it is the instrument I'd like to master and play everyday. To experience a performance out in the street was, of course, a bonus.

The musicians stood under the shade of a tree with copies of pieces they played scattered on the elevated pavement in front of them. I could see the musical notes on those sheets as I pretended to rest from a walk near them.

The music was good. It had a soothing effect especially with the scorching heat. They played very well that I wondered if they were from another place brought in by passion to play, and decided to let the neighborhood sample their music.

They were not dressed like they were to play in an orchestra. In fact they wore slippers and were dressed casually like they were residents of the village.

I would later find out it was a father and son tandem. The younger man played the violin with, all ease, while it was obvious his father was coaching him as he played the guitar.

I've thought about the young people of Davao, plagued with problems of poverty and crime. Isn't it good to influence them to hook on sports and or music, like playing the violin, guitar, kudyapi, flute, or sax? Maybe the city government or civil society could buy the instruments, launch a musical contest or whatever, and win the hearts of the youth to stuff that uplifts the soul and instills discipline.

Maybe the schools are too crowded. Maybe there will be many youth volunteers who can teach many skills.

In that case, I suppose the city's problem with juvenile violators of the law will be curbed.

Maybe I'm just too influenced by movies featuring Carnegie Hall performances.

Anyway, after hearing five pieces from them, I started to feel I had become invasive and exploitative. I was benefiting yet I didn't pay for it.

I also couldn't disrupt them and ask if they can perform some other time because they looked so buried in their music.

Then the pedal cab arrived. Time to end the fun. I wish I have the instrument, the training, and the right group.

I would do street performances often. Really. Trust me.