Metro Cagayan de Oro

Artifacts Shed Light on a Forgotten Era in Mindanao

The Legacy of Brig. Gen. Guy O. Fort

ILIGAN CITY- A recent two-day exhibit held at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of History (MSU-IIT) threw open the curtain to hitherto unseen images of Mindanao and its people from over a century ago.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝘂𝘆 𝗢. 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 featured rare archival and ethnographic materials such as vintage weapons, brassware, documents, photographs, maps, diaries, and artifacts spanning 1904–1942 which are donated by Barbara Fox, stepdaughter of the late James Fort, one of the general’s sons.

However, the real treasure trove are the archival materials including personal correspondence, reports, personal items of notable World War II guerrillas, culture and geographic reports, and photo albums of period photographs from Zamboanga, Agusan, Jolo, and Davao, dating from the early 1900s, journals of the Philippine Constabulary from 1911-1915 & 1921, and Fort’s personal maps of route sketch trails in Central Mindanao dated August, 1912, and sketch of trails from Tucuran to Panguil Bay dated January, 1915.

Home of Major Guy O. Fort at Mayo Plantation, Mati

These historical documentary collection and ethnographic materials, which provide fantastic information are now with MSU-IIT, particularly with its History Department, which is establishing an exhibit section in one of its new buildings exclusively for the Brig. Gen. Guy O. Fort Collection.

“These invaluable and tangible archival materials dating to as far back as when General Fort was assigned in Mindanao and Sulu in the early days of the American colonial period up until World War II, open a new treasure trove of information to scholars and researchers who are into Mindanao Studies – and the public in general – from a primary source, General Guy Fort himself, an unsung hero of World War II who stayed in the Philippines, mostly in Mindanao, for forty-one years, and played a pivotal role in the formation of the Ranao Moro resistance movement against the Japanese Occupation,” said Lanao del Sur Commissioner Robert Maulana Marohombsar Alonto of the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (BCPCH-Lanao del Sur).

History

Brig. Gen. Guy O. Fort played a crucial role in the defense of Mindanao during the Second World War and remains a remarkable figure in the region’s historical memory.

Fort was a brigadier general in the Philippine Army under the control of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). Fort led the 81st Division (Philippines) during the initial Battle of the Philippines and the Japanese invasion of Malabang. After fighting a last-ditch stand, Fort was ordered by his higher command to surrender to the Japanese forces. His captors demanded Fort help persuade his former soldiers engaged in guerrilla warfare to stop resisting the occupation. Fort refused and was executed by firing squad.

Background

Fort enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1899. He settled in the Philippines with his first wife, Marguerite Eugine Fort, who died in 1927. He later married Mary Angeles Adams who died at the start of World War II. His great-granddaughter was the late child actress, singer and model Julie Vega.

Fort served for three years in the 4th U.S. Cavalry in the Philippines before being discharged in 1902. Two years later he was commissioned as a 3rd Lieutenant in the Philippine Constabulary and helped suppress the Moro Rebellion.

**A young Lt. Guy Fort (Second from right) with colleagues from the Philippine Constabulary. He rose from 3rd Lt in 1904 to 1st Lt. in 1907.**

Except for a stint as a plantation manager from 1917 to 1922, Fort remained with the constabulary until World War II, advancing to the rank of Colonel. Stationed mainly in Mindanao, Fort was noted for both studying and observing the rituals and customs of the people he served among and for convincing outlaw bands to lay down their arms. In particular, Fort was known among the Americans as an expert on the Moro people. While in the constabulary, he also served briefly as the interim governor of the province of Agusan.

**Major Guy Fort recovering from three broken ribs circa 1911 while serving with the Philippine Constabulary.**

“Though an American, he spoke Meranaw and Magindanaw quite fluently, immersed himself in the Moro, IP and settler communities of Mindanao, learned their local cultures and traditions, understood their aspirations, and organized the Moro Bolo Battalion in Ranao prior to the outbreak of World War II,” Alonto noted.

**The-Busran-Kalaw-Guerrilla-of-Mumongan-Lanao-during-World-War-II** (photo-MacArthur-Memorial-Archives colorized and restored by LadySodaPH)

Most significantly, he inspired and enabled the Moro patriots of the Lake to fight the Japanese occupation forces even if this went against the order of his US superiors to surrender to the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor in May 1942; and even if he knew that this would ultimately cost him his life at the hands of the Japanese, he added.

Lest We Forget

Despite the circumstances that led to his execution and he being the highest American ranking officer to be killed by the enemy, he was not recognized with the US Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration of the United States Armed Forces which is presented by the US President “in the name of Congress” to recognize American soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, guardians, and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor.

There is neither a monument or marker where Fort is recognized, save for the ‘Wall of the Missing’ at the American Cemetery in Manila, and no monument either for him and those who were with him in the infamous Death March from Dansalan to Iligan on July 4, 1942.

But, Alonto maintains this monument exists in the enduring memory of those who witnessed and knew of Guy Fort’s heroic deeds and supreme sacrifice.

**Lt.-Colonel C.W. Hedges (center, standing)-and-his-Maranao-force-of-Lanao-brandishing-new-weapons** (MacArthur Memorial)

“This monument exists in the stories left to posterity by those Moro freedom fighters in Ranao in World War II whom he never betrayed to the Japanese but inspired and emboldened to resist the Occupation by his very act of self-sacrifice on the altar of freedom,” Alonto stressed.

Group Memento with relatives of Gen Fort who came all the way from Zamboanga del Norte, Laguna and General Santos City to view the Brig Gen Guy O. Fort Exhibit on the 84th Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on April 9, 2026 at the MSU-IIT University Library, Iligan City. (RMB)

“This monument exists in the hearts of his descendants and the men and women whose profound sense of history is anchored on justice and thus want justice to prevail.”

“This monument exists in the irrepressible truth of factual history.”

“This exhibit in his name today is the edifice come to life, so to speak, of that intangible monument. A monument that was never physically erected, yes, but has always been a significant marker, a landmark of history resonating the poignant narrative of a patriot’s martyrdom that has found its permanent niche in Bangsamoro and Mindanao histories.”

“The contribution of key players and agencies had been highlighted during the April 9 ceremonies. But the role played by Ruh Javier Alonto is noteworthy,” noted Iligan Historian Ricardo Jorge S. Caluen. “This Bangsamoro historian was the hub that held together all other stakeholders in the project, connecting everyone like Ms. Barbara Fox, descendant of Gen. Fort, who magnanimously donated the entire collection of a hero of the Lanao resistance during WW II, Mr. Mike Henshaw of AMAG, and the MSU IIT Department of History.”

Relatives of Gen Fort came all the way from Leon B. Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte; Laguna, and General Santos City to view the exhibit. The three groups of relatives had never met before and it was a most pleasant experience for them to meet up and get acquainted for the first time ever, thanks to the exhibit.

The two-day exhibit was presented by the MSU-IIT Department of History through its Project Pasundayag, the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage – Lanao del Sur Office (BCPCH-Lanao del Sur), Asymmetric MIA Accounting Group, Inc., in collaboration with the Philippine National Historical Society (PNHS) and the Northern Mindanao Heritage Network, and made possible through the generous support of the Office of the University Chancellor Alizedney Ditucalan. (RMB)

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Sidlak Iligan Dazzles with Mindanao’s Finest

ILIGAN CITY- This City of Majestic Waterfalls sparkled with two of the finest exhibits we were a most fortunate witness to during the 84th Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) last week.

In the morning, the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) unveiled the Brig. Gen. Guy O. Fort Collection at its University Library featuring ethnographic materials and artifacts from over a century ago, and the Sidlak Iligan Art Exhibit followed suit at Espasyo Gallery, Ramiro St., Ylaya, Poblacion, later in the afternoon.

According to Hulma Iligan Executive Director Anita T. Sescon, Sidlak Iligan (literally Shine On Iligan) is a curated exhibition featuring selected works of Iliganon visual artists, highlighting their unique artistic expressions and contributions to the city’s cultural landscape.

Hulma Iligan is a collective for painters, graphic artists, sculptors, animators, filmmakers, videographers, theater artists, dramaturgs, playwrights, literary artists, musicians, song composers/writers, choreographers, dancers, singers, instrumentalists, fashion artists, culinary artists, tattoo artists, art enthusiasts, art patrons, event organizers, handicraft artists, production designers, heritage keepers, patrons and all those engaged in creative disciplines.

“We aim to build Iligan City’s creative industry to be recognized as a cultural hub of the south,” Sescon explained.

Prof. Ricardo Jorge S. Caluen, who emceed the program, shared how the earliest art group in the city was similarly named Sidlak Iligan Artists Group.

“Our home base was the Galeria de Iligan Café founded in 1985 by writer Bayani Santos, Jr. Steven P.C. Fernandez was our curator with myself as impresario,” Caluen recalls. “Romy Cocos and Audie Estrellada were among our pioneer artists and the gallery was inaugurated by National Artist Jose T. Joya.”

The opening program gathered artists, cultural advocates, and members of the community in a celebration of creativity and local identity. Sidlak Iligan was supposed to be the main event of the Iligan Arts Month celebration last February but had to be postponed due to Typhoon Basyang.

Prior to the exhibit’s opening, the audience was treated to a unique Performance Art Ang Bulan sa Walog (The Moon in the Valley), by Bjork Aphrodite Colao, a prayer, an offering, moving to Ana Roxanne’s “Nocturne,” that reads:

**Photo courtesy of Steven P.C. Fernandez**

And through the night

A light shines

And clouds fill the sky

And though the world sleeps

My eyes are wide

And for your name

My heart cries

May the light embrace those that dwell below.

Bjork Aphrodite Colao is a Filipina multidisciplinary artist, cultural worker, and performance maker whose practice spans traditional dance, film, writing, community documentation, and art activation. Her work draws on heritage, language, ecology, and peacebuilding, rooted in archipelagic wisdom.

She was a fellow of the Where to Next? Residency of the Performing Arts Festival: Autumn Meteorite 2025 in Tokyo, Japan; and also a fellow of this year’s Southeast Asian Choreolab at the Rimbun Dahan Arboretum and Arts Centre in Selangor, Malaysia.

Devoted to exploring nature–human relations, her practice engages the body’s psychospiritual and somatic experiences in relation to ecological and cultural contexts.

Her recent works, The Pangalay of Sulu and Sayaw sa Kinaiyahan, were developed through the Performance Ecologies program, supported by the Goethe-Institut Philippinen and various local and international institutions. Sayaw sa Kinaiyahan is her performance art project, personally developed to explore the body’s linkage to the broader tapestry of nature. For her, this work is a perpetual act of arrival, a way of knowing, a way of showing, and a way of being.

She currently serves as Cultural Director of TAYO House of Culture and Creativity, an archipelagic design and experience studio in the Philippines, while pursuing a Master’s degree in Culture and Arts Studies at MSU-IIT.

The symbolic opening of the exhibit followed with Iligan LGU Cultural Affairs Officer Prince Salazar (on behalf of Iligan Mayor Frederick Siao) sounding the Agong, with the assistance of Hulma Iligan Chair Zayda Macarambon, and the featured artists Anna Leah Sanson, Romy Cocos, Chris Gomez and Audie Estrellada.

Also on hand to represent Dindo Manulat from the City Mayor’s Office who chaired the Iligan Art Month celebration last February was Najimah P. Salimbo-Gandamra.

Artists Portraits

ROMEO COCOS

Romeo “Romy” Cocos is a seasoned visual artist whose practice is deeply rooted in the cultural and everyday landscapes of Iligan City.

Cocos began his career as an illustrator and advertising artist, honing a strong command of composition, line, and visual storytelling. His transition into painting allowed him to expand this discipline into more expressive and introspective works. Over the years, he has developed a style that is both grounded and evocative—often portraying human figures, intimate relationships, and scenes that echo the quiet dignity of daily life.

His works have reached audiences beyond Mindanao, finding their way into private collections across the Philippines and abroad. As a member of Iligan’s artist collectives, including SIDLAK, he remains actively engaged in community-based art initiatives, mentoring younger artists and participating in collaborative exhibitions.

Through decades of practice, Romeo Cocos continues to affirm the role of the artist as both observer and storyteller—capturing not only images, but the emotional textures of lived experience.

ANNA LEAH SANSON

In the works of Anna Leah Sanson, art becomes both an intimate gesture and a quiet assertion of presence. Her practice navigates the spaces between vulnerability and strength, drawing from personal experience while resonating with broader narratives of womanhood, identity, and resilience.

Sanson’s visual language is marked by a sensitivity to form and emotion. Whether through delicate gestures, symbolic imagery, or layered textures, her works evoke a sense of introspection—inviting viewers to engage not only with what is seen, but with what is felt. There is an honesty in her compositions, where the personal is neither concealed nor overstated, but offered with clarity and grace.

Her works often reflect the inner landscapes of her subjects—spaces shaped by memory, transformation, and quiet endurance. In this way, Sanson positions the feminine experience not as a singular story, but as a spectrum of voices and truths unfolding through time.

Sanson’s works were featured at the Philippine Art Center in New York City on Sept 25-Oct 6, 2017 in a curated exhibit dubbed Kuri-Kuri – NYC (Bisaya for active hands) which featured 30 of her art works that highlighted her proclivity to engage in kuri-kuri, as well as the diligence, industry, conscientiousness, dedication and assiduousness which are the hallmarks of legacy traditional craft – the subject of her paintings.

Within Sidlak Iligan, Sanson’s works contribute a deeply reflective dimension—one that foregrounds emotional depth and the power of self-expression. Her art reminds us that strength can be soft, that silence can speak, and that within stillness, there is profound movement.

CHRIS GOMEZ

The works of Chris Gomez articulate a visual energy that is both grounded and exploratory—an interplay of form, color, and movement that reflects an artist in constant dialogue with his medium. His practice reveals a willingness to experiment, to push beyond the familiar, and to engage with painting as a space of discovery.

Gomez’s compositions often carry a dynamic quality, where structure and spontaneity coexist. His use of color and gesture suggests an intuitive process, one that allows emotion and instinct to guide the unfolding of the image. Within this fluidity, forms emerge—sometimes suggestive, sometimes abstract—inviting viewers to interpret and find meaning within the layers.

Rather than offering fixed narratives, Gomez creates visual experiences that are open-ended. His works encourage a personal encounter, where perception becomes part of the artistic process. Each piece becomes a site of interaction, shaped as much by the viewer’s sensibility as by the artist’s hand.

In Sidlak Iligan, Chris Gomez’s works bring a sense of movement and immediacy—an expressive counterpoint that expands the exhibition’s visual and emotional range. His art underscores the vitality of contemporary practice, where uncertainty, experimentation, and intuition become essential tools in shaping meaning.

AUDIE ESTRELLADA

Audie Estrellada, a Filipino painter whose works capture the dignity of everyday life, has built his career on an early devotion to art that grew into a lifelong pursuit. From a young age, painting became more than a pastime for him; it was a way of interpreting his environment and affirming his sense of identity. Immersed in sketching, studying light, and observing the gestures of those around him, Estrellada laid a foundation of discipline and sensitivity that would shape his practice for decades. His creative vision has always been anchored in the rhythms of community, rural landscapes, and the rituals of family life, elements that deeply inform his imagery and storytelling.

Estrellada’s works belong to the tradition of Philippine genre painting, yet they extend it by highlighting not only cultural scenes but also the emotional resonance of human interaction. His canvases frequently depict communal gatherings, agrarian labor, domestic spaces, and moments of intimacy, portraying subjects that feel both familiar and elevated. He paints with controlled realism, but his approach never falls into rigidity; his brushwork allows light and movement to breathe across the surface. The play of shadow and atmosphere gives his figures depth, while his careful modulation of color captures mood with subtlety, from the vibrancy of market life to the quiet interiors of provincial homes. In this way, Estrellada offers not just images but immersive narratives, inviting viewers into a shared space of memory and experience. He is the President of the Portrait Artists Society of the Philippines.

Iligan City has produced numerous artists across generations, but many of them have remained unseen or underappreciated due to limited exhibition spaces, promotion, and public engagement. The artworks of Estrellada, Cocos, Gomez, and Sanson reflect powerful narratives—ranging from personal expression and social commentary to cultural memory and environmental reflection. Their works offer both aesthetic value and insight into the Iliganon experience.

Sidlak Iligan is a collaboration of Iligan LGU, Hulma Creative Collective, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines-Kaisa sa Sining. The Exhibition runs until 23 April 2026 at Espasyo Gallery, Ramiro St., Ylaya Poblacion, Iligan City.

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ECCP working to have the Philippines included in Enterprise Europe Network

The European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP), together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is pushing hard to have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union in place by 2028 latest to ensure a smooth transition to the more comprehensive and permanent FTA to replace the current Sustainable Development and Good Governance Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).

“Both sides are committed to concluding negotiations within 2026. The ECCP believes these talks will create more opportunities,” said ECCP President Paulo Duarte earlier this year to ABS-CBN.

As an adjunct to the FTA, the ECCP is also negotiating on behalf of the country to enable its Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to access the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN).

The EEN helps businesses innovate and grow on an international scale. It is the world’s largest support network for SMEs which are eyeing the international market.

“The Philippines currently has no partner yet but ECCP is ongoing a process for us to become one,” said Florian Gottein, ECCP Executive Director during his keynote address during a recent ECCP Mixer held in Cagayan de Oro.

**ECCP Exec Dir Florian Gottein delivers his keynote speech during the ECCP Mixer held March 17 in Cagayan de Oro** (RMB).

“Next week we will present the Philippines at the EEN Steering Committee meeting along with ECCP as its partner. We will also discuss how it will function within the FTA. The Philippines is now negotiating with the EU to replace its GSP+.

The Enterprise Europe Network

The Network is active worldwide. It brings together experts from member organizations that are renowned for their excellence in business support.

Member organizations include chambers of commerce and industry, regional development organizations, universities and research institutes, and innovation agencies.

Business services

Although individual businesses can’t become Network members, they can enjoy the many services offered.

Among its business services offered are Teams of Network experts in each member organization offering personalized services to businesses who are familiar with the local business environment and have contacts for business opportunities worldwide.

The Enterprise Europe Network can also offer a targeted approach aimed specifically at specific business sectors. Its groups of experts cover all key economic sectors, from healthcare, agri-food and intelligent energy to fashion and textile. In addition, the Network will help companies increase their resilience and support SMEs in their transition to more sustainable and digital business models.

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MCT Expansion in full swing as port attains 300,000 TEUs milestone in 2025

TAGOLOAN, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – The expansion of the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) located in this town inside the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate couldn’t have come at a better time.

During the estate’s 50^th Anniversary in 2024, PHIVIDEC IA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Joseph Donato J. Bernedo disclosed the facility already exceeded its original design capacity of 270,000 TEUs with container traffic expected to top 500,000 TEUs by 2030.

Just last year, the MCT attained another milestone, exceeding 300,000 TEUs for the first time, adding even more urgency.

Bernedo stressed the crucial role the MCT plays in the regional economy and the urgency of undertaking the MCT Phase II Expansion as soon as possible.

“I’m very keen on pursuing the expansion of our port. I want to have it finished during my time, or at least get it going because this is long overdue. We already reached maximum capacity in 2018,” he noted.

PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority Administrator & CEO Atty Joseph Donato J. Bernedo visits the MICTSI booth during the Open House Year 3. To his left is PIEMO Industries Association President Jerome Soldevilla, while to his right are MICTSI President & CEO Aurelio Garcia and Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental Vice Mayor Rolando Seno. (RMB)

In previous discussions with the current port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), it was determined that the port’s expansion is urgently needed because the berthing windows when the ships dock have become very tight. This, on top of several expressions the authority has received from big international shipping lines who wish to ship through MCT, but whose preferred berthing windows cannot be accommodated, further stressing the urgency to immediately undertake the Phase II expansion.

“If we don’t expand there may come a time where we may also have to turn away the domestic shipping market, but we do not want that to happen, and we will do everything in our capacity to accommodate all the players,” Bernedo noted.

MCT History

With a 24-hectare terminal area for infrastructure, equipment and support facilities, a 300-meter berth originally designed to handle one international vessel measuring up to 200 meters, and an annual capacity of 270,000 TEUs, MCT is regulated by PHIVIDEC-IA and has been operated by ICTSI since 2008 when the Manila-based terminal operator signed a 25-year concession.

The US$ 85.34 Million (P 3.24 Billion) MCT was 85% funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and 15% by PHIVIDEC IA, and designed and managed by Pacific Consultants International (PCI), and Japanese Contractor Mitsubishi-Kawasaki-Toyo Joint Venture (MKT-JV).

JBIC (now the Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA) is a policy-based financial institution of Japan, and conducts lending, investment and guarantee operations while complementing private sector financial institutions.

**MCT Phase 1 was fetured in the JICA PH Office 2011 Annual Report**

Its Phase 1 construction, commissioning and operation was completed during the term of former Administrator Engr. Gabriel B. Evangelista, with Dante F. Clarito as the bidding committee chair, project manager during its construction, and interim port manager until ICTSI took over in 2008. PHVIDEC IA’s handling of the project was highly praised by the JICA Philippine Office in its 2011 annual report with a feature article “A Catalyst for Development”, and the Report of the Independent Public Accountants Asahi & Co.

JICA rated the Phase 1 construction of the MCT under the stewardship of PHIVIDEC IA as “A” (highly satisfactory) the highest level of evaluation given to its projects.

On the sidelines of the PHIVIDEC IA Open House Year 3 on March 25, Mindanao ICTSI President & CEO Aurelio C. Garcia disclosed CHEC (China Harbor Engineering Corp.), which won the bidding to undertake the port expansion has already set up camp in the area adjacent to the present port where the port expansion will be sited.

Catalytic Development

Bernedo said the growing traffic in the MCT has added even more urgency on immediate need for its expansion.

“Our volume has really increased, and we even experienced some congestion when the Bukidnon-Davao road was being repaired and all the traffic bound for Davao was diverted to us but we had solved that already. The opening of the PHIVIDEC-Alae Bypassed road significantly helped us in handling this,” Bernedo said.

From 271,795 TEUs in 2021, container traffic has grown to 304,422 last year, spurring port revenues from P367,436,813 in 2021 to P574,888,544, a growth of P207,451,731 or 56 percent over the last five years, PHIVIDEC Port Management & Development Director Gary C. Linsagan reported.

Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) was recognized by the PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority as the highest revenue contributor for the 3rd consecutive year during the latter’s 50th-anniversary celebration in 2024.(MCTSI)

PHIVDEC IA’s share of the income from MICTSI’s MCT operations and regulated ports accounts for approximately 60 percent of the authority’s annual revenues. In fact, MICSTI has repeatedly been cited as one of, if not the estate’s top revenue contributor.

Key Expansion Details

MICTSI is investing USD 125 million to extend the berth by 300 meters, increasing capacity beyond 350,000 TEUs. The project, set for completion by March 31, 2028, will accommodate larger vessels and boost regional trade efficiency, supported by a 25-year concession extension until 2058.

The current 300-meter berth will be doubled to 600 meters to accommodate larger, more efficient vessels. The investment includes new cargo handling equipment, upgraded infrastructure, and new technology to improve operational efficiency. The project aims to handle increasing container volumes in Mindanao, catering to both import and export needs, particularly in the agro-industrial sector.

Currently, PHIVIDEC IA is in talks with the Environment Management Bureau Region 10 for a possible supplement or amendment to its present Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) since the current ECC only covers the first 120 meters of the planned 300 meter berth extension.

However, Garcia said even when the first 120 meters of the extension is completed, this would already allow them to receive additional container traffic which can be handled by their present cranes through their existing container yard.

**Mitsui hybrid RTGs at Mindanao Container Terminal contribute to reducing its carbon footprint**. (MICTSI)

Three more quay side gantry cranes have been ordered along with four more rubber tired (RTG) gantry cranes for the expansion area which are now being assembled with the RTG cranes expected to arrive within the year or early next year.

Strategic Impact

The expansion supports the growing demand from Mindanao’s agricultural sector (pineapples, bananas) and connects northern Mindanao with global markets, including China and other parts of Asia. The terminal has also begun incorporating sustainable practices, such as using solar power, as part of its operations.

‘Our focus on operational efficiency, targeted capital allocation, and prudent financial management supported continued margin expansion and strong cash generation,” said Enrique Razon Jr., ICTSI chairman and president. He added that the company remains committed to financial discipline while investing in new projects.

“As we execute on strategic opportunities across our network and invest in new projects, we remain committed to maintaining the financial discipline and selective approach that have underpinned our track record of value creation,” Razon said.

The new berth will enable the shipping industry to deploy larger ships on new service routes to support growth and demand from Mindanao’s importers and exporters. Additionally, the expansion project will further promote PHIVIDEC’s agenda to grow its locator base.

“ICTSI is proud to continue our work at Mindanao Container Terminal, a critical hub for trade in southern Philippines,” Garcia said. “This extension allows us to implement our vision for the terminal’s future, with significant investments in new technology and infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of our customers and the region.”

**PHIVIDEC IA and MICTSI signing the Amendment and Supplement contract as part of its Phase II Expansion.** (ICTSI)

The PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority and Mindanao International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (MICTSI) signed the Amendment and Supplement to the contract for MCT Phase II Expansion on December 19, 2024.

Bernedo said this reflects the organization’s commitment to growth and sustainability under the current administration. He further stressed that PHIVIDEC-IA will continue to expand through various projects and initiatives that are set to benefit not only Northern Mindanao but the entire country.

“We are not just shaping economies. We are shaping lives. This port will create jobs, jobs that put food on the table, educate children, and uplift families. It will attract industries, trade and investments, further transforming PHIVIDEC and Region 10 into a hub of opportunities,” he emphasized.

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Mother-Daughter Duo’s Two-Day Four Hands Degustation perks up Normin Food & Wine Fest

On March 20, we were most fortunate have a first hand experience of the Mother-Daughter Four Hands Degustation by Chef Candy Lu and Chef Chloe Lu at Candy’s Café and Restaurant at Ayala Centrio Garden.

Their Four Hands Degustation was one of the kick-off events of the maiden edition of the Normin Food and Wine Festival organized by Professional Organizers Unlimited Inc. from March 20 to 27 at various venues around Cagayan de Oro City.

Inspired by the Cebu Food and Wine Festival, the eight-day gathering aimed to highlight the region’s food culture through collaborations, tastings and dining experiences featuring local and visiting chefs.

The festival coincides with Ayala Malls Centrio’s annual Big Bite Festival, which showcases micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) food entrepreneurs. Organizers said the parallel events are designed to offer a broader look at Northern Mindanao’s culinary landscape, from grassroots producers to established chefs.

Among the highlights are a series of “four-hands” dining collaborations with the Mother-Daughter Four Hands Degustation by Chef Candy Lu and Chef Chloe Lu on March 20 and 21 at Candy’s Café and Restaurant at Ayala Centrio Garden. Both chefs hold Grand Diplôme credentials in pâtisserie and cuisine from Le Cordon Bleu Paris and Le Cordon Bleu London.

“They asked us if we’re interested to join the Grand Tasting on March 25 at Tres Marias’ in Chali Resort with twelve other chefs from Northern Mindanao. I said why don’t we do a Four Hands as well? And that’s how it came about,” Candy said.

A Four-Hands Degustation is an exclusive culinary collaboration where two chefs (often with different backgrounds, specialties, or from different restaurants) join up to create a one-off menu, showcasing their signature styles in a collaborative setting.

“We’ve been wanting to do this mother-daughter venture since last year. We came up with that idea a few months ago because it’s not easy. We subdivided the dishes so they don’t clash but rather complement each other. We do a lot of tasting, a lot of kitchen together to come up with the idea for the final dish. These ideas we get sometimes through our travels, we incorporate everything.”

For example the Pistache et trois Fromages ((Pistachio with Three Cheese Pasta) was a dish created by Chloe while the main course Canard et fruits (Duck with Fruits) was created by Candy.

“We prepared weeks ahead the ingredients since it’s not easy to source some ingredients locally. Like, even the herbs on the table are carefully choreographed so they are not mere herbs, but rather herbs that we use for the menu that we prepared.

Here’s a quick look at Candy and Chloe preparing for their Four Hands Degustation: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1323875913094756

“Cooking’s a huge part of who I am – it’s where I get creative and bring my own dishes to life. I am also thrilled to share this passion with my daughter, who shares my enthusiasm for the culinary arts, and together we are forging lasting memories and potentially making history in the kitchen,” Candy said of their joint experience.

“I’ve personally been wanting to do a degustation menu, and having this opportunity to collaborate with my mom is an extraordinary experience,” Chloe shared. “My passion for culinary made the preparation process rewarding, despite the challenges we faced. It was really a roller coaster but I truly enjoyed the thrill of doing it. I’m happy we got to show and serve our creativity through the degustation.”

For a quick tour of their five course French dinner, we sought the opinion of Dr Maxine Monasterio-Mejia, one of our foremost event hosts and digital influencers, who was seated next to us.

For beginners, we were served brown bread with honey butter and amuse bouche, a savory choux with chives and garlic infused cheese (Yay! I told Chloe she should make this a regular item on her shops, it tastes wonderful!)

“The honey brown bread had a comforting malty sweetness paired with light and airy butter which melted right into the bread, while the amuse bouche was a flavor bomb: sharp rich filling balanced by its buttery shell, a great way to kick off a meal!” opined Doc Maxine.

LÉGUMES VERT (mixed greens, mulberry vinaigrette, mulberries, pine nuts, caramelized sweet potato, feta cheese, cranberries)

But the serious starters began rolling out with LÉGUMES VERT (mixed greens, mulberry vinaigrette, mulberries, pine nuts, caramelized sweet potato, feta cheese, cranberries) followed by POMME DE TERRE (potato pavé , grilled bell pepper, boquerones, garlic & chives cream).

“The balance of salty, sweet, and zesty did it for me,” Doc Maxine enthused over the former. “Probably my favorite dish of the night, and we were just getting started!”

Thin layers of potato slices with crispy edges and a soft center paired with the acidity and ocean flavor of boquerones and smokey grilled pepper reminds me of Spanish tapas,” she noted on the latter.

Boquerones are white anchovy fillets marinated in vinegar, olive oil, and garlic. They’re a classic Spanish tapa known for their fresh, tangy flavor and soft texture.

After a bit, PISTACHE ET TROIS FROMAGES (hand-rolled pasta filled with three types of cheese and walnuts, pistachio cream sauce, pistachio nuts, pancetta crisps) started off the Mains and Doc Maxine commented, “Silky, nutty, and indulgent! Perfectly al dente with an added crunch from the toasted pancetta and pistachio nuts.”

And then the pièce de resistance of Candy’s glorious CANARD ET FRUITS (duck confit, reduced red wine infused with orange, pear and mulberries, cauliflower) took center stage. Such a beautiful work of art in the presentation and the taste was even better!

A reduction is a culinary technique of simmering or boiling a liquid (sauces, stocks, wine, or juices) to evaporate water content, resulting in a thicker, concentrated, and more intense-flavored sauce. It is used to enhance flavor, create luxurious textures, and develop glazes, typically by boiling until the volume is reduced by half or more. Candy reduced port infused with orange which required a six hour reduction but it was well worth it!

“A Heavy Hitter!” Doc Maxine exclaimed. “The duck literally falls off the bone and melts in your mouth. The wine and fruits give it a citrusy zing and the cauliflower adds a nutty crunch. Definitely made sure I got all the elements in every bite!”
And definitely not the least, for dessert, they served MANGUE (mango, caramel, mixed berries, dacquoise, almond crumble) which I was enjoying so much that I forgot I was watching my sugar levels!

“A tropical delight!” Doc Maxine declared. Light, sandy, and buttery. A great way to end a night filled with a lot of Mmmmmmms!”

I just had plain water to wash my mouth after every course so I could do proper justice to each individual dish of such a glorious meal, but my wife Gardy had the Mixed Berries Smash mocktail (with lychee and raspberry sans the gin) while Maxine’s hubby Daniel had the sinfully named P♥RNSTAR MARTINI with passion fruit and vodka.

Normin Wine & Food Festival

Aside from the Mother-Daughter Four Hands Degustation by Chefs Candy and Chloe Lu, two other Four Hands Degustations followed: March 24 with chef and restaurateur Myke “Tatung” Sarthou with VIP Hotel head chef Isidro “Titing” Sobriano for a dinner buffet at the hotel’s Casa Real Ballroom, and March 27 at H Proper Coffee Roasters with chef Miguel Cabel Moreno and executive chef Chino Mempin for a six-course menu focused on Mindanaoan cuisine.

The Grand Tasting on March 25 at Tres Marias’ in Chali Resort featured participating chefs from local restaurants and food businesses such as Chali Resort and Conference Center, Ribs & Bibs, Balay Kagayan, Ricardo’s by Cucina Higala, VIP Hotel, Candy’s Café and Restaurant, Khanasutra Indian Cuisine, Demetrio’s Pizzeria and Kumaykay River Farms. Chefs Sarthou and Moreno will also share insights on their careers and experiences in the restaurant industry during this event.

Organizers said the festival seeks to position Northern Mindanao as an emerging food destination while fostering collaboration within the local culinary community.

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PHIVIDEC IA: Moving Forward with a Purpose

Bigger, Bolder, Beyond Business

TAGOLOAN, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – The PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority opened its Open Hour Year 3 on March 25 with bold optimism despite the current disruption of the global economy arising from the conflict in the Middle East.

“This year, we embrace a bold and exciting theme—Bigger, Bolder, Beyond Business,” said PHIVIDEC IA Administrator and CEO Atty. Joseph Donato J. Bernedo in his keynote speech declaring the estate’s three-day showcase open.

“Beyond our business exhibits and industrial showcases, we have transformed this Open House into a celebration of community and culture. In many ways, this is our own PHIVIDEC fiesta—a celebration not just of industry, but of people, creativity, and the vibrant spirit that makes this estate truly alive.”

**PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority Administrator & CEO Atty Joseph Donato J. Bernedo hosts a press conference following the Open House Year 3 Launch.** (RMB)

“Three years ago, this initiative was started by Administrator Cid with a clear vision—to bring together industry leaders and the community in a shared space where innovation, opportunity, and collaboration thrive. Today, that vision continues to grow stronger. This year’s theme, “Bigger, Bolder, and Beyond Business,” is more than a statement—it is a direction,” said Jerome Soldevilla, PIEMO Industries Association President. “It reflects the Triple Bottom Line of People, Planet, and Prosperity, guiding every business and investment decision within PHIVIDEC.”

A Driver for Progress

Bernedo expressed his deepest gratitude to the estate’s locators and investors for their continued trust and commitment fueling its growth, assuring them PHIVIDEC remains steadfast in its mission to provide reliable support services, essential utilities, and an environment where their businesses can continue to thrive. He affirmed their duty to regulate with integrity, fairness, and objectivity—ensuring a level playing field for all, with sustainable growth anchored on good governance.

In a milestone achievement, PHIVIDEC IA obtained ISO Certification last year—the first in its 52-year history—signifying how its systems, processes, and standards now meet world-class benchmarks.

Soldevilla further buttressed the estate’s role as a key enabler of the region’s rising growth and development.

“We see this clearly in the rise of Northern Mindanao, whose economy has now surpassed the ₱1 trillion mark, and one of the fastest growing regions in the country, driven by the strength of industry and services. This growth is not just measured in numbers, but in the collective effort, talent, and resilience of the communities we serve and belong to.”

“Today, as we open our gates, we also raise our banner proudly before the world: That PHIVIDEC is not just an industrial estate— but a prime investment hub, a gateway of opportunity, and a driver of progress for Mindanao and for the nation,” Bernedo stressed.

“Today, Phividec is no longer just catching up—we are setting the pace, we are leading the way, and we are proving that together, nothing is beyond our reach.”

He cited PHIVIDEC IA’s series of transformative, big-ticket projects that would define the next chapter of the estate: the ongoing Bulk Water Supply Project, Solid Waste Processing Facility, Mindanao Container Terminal Port Expansion, 4PH Housing Project, and the agro-industrial thrust with Del Monte, which would activate idle lands for productive farming.

Affirmation of Global Investors

The executive also cited the confidence of global investors as the estate welcomed major foreign investors Haycarb, Thai Philco., and its first Australian locator, Newly Weds Corp (New Food Coatings [Phils.] Inc.) which is setting up a P339-million investment in manufacturing food ingredient blends (batters, breaders, seasoning & confectionary blends) with a 25 year lease at a one hectare lot in Bgy. Mohon, Tagoloan.

Fiscal Performance

In the past three years, PHIVIDEC-IA has achieved stability and accelerating growth with annual revenues rising from P1,110,584,650.90 to P1,254,753,379.09 (+13%) in 2024, and even further to a record P1,487,225,000.64 in 2025.

This achievement is made even more impressive since PHIVIDEC IA is a self-sustaining government corporation generating its own revenues, without any subsidy (yearly budget) from the National Government. On top of this, after paying 25% corporate income tax, it remits 50% of its income directly to the National Treasury, a contributor in nation-building.

Its total dividends contribution to the national coffers have been steadily increasing from P333,276,785.71 in 2023, to P385,411,347.32 in 2024, 2^nd place during the GOCC (Government Owned and Operated Corporations) Day Awards. In 2025, we remitted P443,517,877.74 to the national coffers, and we’re now looking out to finish First Place in its category.

Furthermore, it continues to uplift its host communities by remitting real property tax shares to its host LGUs: In 2025, the RPT share contributions given by Phividec to the Province of Misamis Oriental totaled P110,374,231.66; for the Municipality of Villanueva, P75,333,273.05; and for the Municipality of Tagoloan– P58,660,927.55.

“These are more than numbers—they translate to roads, schools, health services, and livelihoods for our people. All these developments send a clear and powerful message: PHIVIDEC is not standing still. We are building, expanding, innovating—and moving forward with purpose,” Bernedo declared.

Open House Relevance

Despite the prevailing global uncertainty arising from the Middle East conflict, the administrator said it is precisely because of such challenges that events like the Open House gains even further significance.

PHIVIDEC IA Administrator & CEO Atty Joseph Donato J. Bernedo leads the Ribbon Cutting for Open House Year 3. Assisting him are (from left to right) Board Director Engr. Chrysler B. Acebu, PIEMO Industries Assn President Jerome Soldevilla, Tagoloan Vice Mayor Rolando Seno, Board Director Dr Anabel Abuzo, and Deputy Administrator Hyessa Suegay. (PHIVIDEC IA photo)

“We do not pause. We do not retreat. Instead, we move forward—stronger, more determined, and more united,” Bernedo exhorted. “Because now, more than ever, we must continue our mandate: to promote PHIVIDEC, to attract investments, to create jobs, and to contribute to the resilience and growth of our local and national economies. In times of uncertainty, opportunity must not be delayed—it must be created. And that is what this Open House represents.”

Foundations of Sustainable Growth

For his part, Soldevilla cited PHIVIDEC’s continued success as anchored by five powerful pillars: Park. Port. Power. People. & Partnership.

**PIEMO Industries Association President Jerome Soldevilla.** (RMB)

Park—a thriving industrial ecosystem where businesses grow, innovate, and compete on a global stage; Port—through the 15 different ports operating in the estate, the largest (not only in PHIVIDEC but the entire region) which is the Mindanao Container Terminal, now currently being expanded, connecting Mindanao to the world and enabling trade, logistics, and opportunity; Power—a reliable and forward-looking energy backbone that fuels industries and drives progress. People—the heart of transformation.

“Through partnerships with TESDA Regional Training Innovation Center (RTIC) and the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines – PHIVIDEC Campus, we’re glad that these two institutions are not just building a workforce—but shaping the next generation of industry leaders in Mindanao. And finally, Partnership—the force that brings everything together.”

Soldevilla added another P for Pagpakabana (Concern) for the sense of partnership and support needed to cope with the global economic disruption. “This a defining moment for all of us and an opportunity to demonstrate that amidst all these trials and challenges we choose to care for each other.”

“Guided by the principle, Your Partner in Business. Your Partner in Progress, we in the PIEMO Industries Association embody the spirit of coopetition. We may operate in different sectors—and at times even as competitors—but we choose to collaborate, cooperate, and support one another where it matters most.”

This is what makes PHIVIDEC unique—not just a place of business, but a community of partners working toward a common future. For this, we thank the leadership of PIA and team for fostering an environment where partnerships thrive—where diversity becomes strength, and where progress is achieved together.”

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ECCP Optimistic on Smooth Transition of Europe-PH GSP+ to Free Trade Agreement

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY- The European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines is looking forward to the country’s smooth transition from the current GSP+ to a more comprehensive Free Trade Agreement once the country attains Upper Middle Income Status this year or the next.

In an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the ECCP Mixer held in this city on March 17, ECCP Executive Director Florian Gottein said that since December 2014, the Philippines has enjoyed enhanced trade preferences with the EU under the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) since December 2014. The special incentive arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance GSP+ grants full removal of tariffs on two thirds of all product categories, aiming to support sustainable development and good governance.

“This scheme allows the Philippines to export over 6,274 eligible products duty-free to the EU, which has significantly boosted trade. Some companies in Mindanao have been availing of this privilege to export their products to Europe,” Gottein said.

PH Benefits from EU GSP+ (GFX: EUDelegationtothePhilippines)

In 2024, the EU was the Philippines’ fourth-largest trading partner, accounting for 7% of the country’s total trade in goods. The Philippines was the EU’s 40^th largest trading partner, accounting for 0.3% of the EU’s total trade in goods. Bilateral trade in goods between the EU and the Philippines amounted to €16.8 billion in 2024 (with a deficit for the EU of €1.3 bn). The EU’s imports are mainly machinery and appliances, while the EU’s main exports to the Philippines are machinery and appliances, live animals and animal products, chemicals, transport equipment, and foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco.

Total trade in services amounted to €8.5 billion in 2023 (with a deficit for the EU of €0.4 billion).

In 2023, the stock of EU foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Philippines amounted to €14.2 billion and the stock of Philippine FDI in the EU was €2.1 billion.

The Philippines is currently the only ASEAN nation enjoying GSP+ and the only one with Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Asia.

FTA Implications

Last February, Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty told the Philippine Daily Inquirer: “We see this FTA as a stable platform to strengthen the economic relations of the Philippines with the EU. Thus, we are working hard to fast-track the negotiations and hopefully conclude the same before 2027.”

**The Philippines’ chief negotiator Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty and the rest of the delegation are welcomed by Ambassador Jaime Victor Ledda at the Philippine chancery in Brussels, Belgium**. (PH Embassy in Belgium)

A free trade deal with the EU will give the Philippines permanent duty-free access to a huge market. “So in that context, there’s a pressure for us to conclude the negotiations as soon as possible because we don’t want to have a gap in our trade with the EU as far as enjoying preferential arrangement is concerned,” Gepty pointed out. The European bloc is an important market for Philippine products such as tuna, coconut, cacao, pineapples, semiconductors, and electronics.

An FTA with the EU will also level the playing field for the Philippines versus other economies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that are also trying to close similar deals.

The Philippines already has an FTA with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland), which was ratified by the Senate in 2018.

Why a FTA with EU is important

The primary reason why the government wants to have a more binding agreement with the EU is for Philippine products to continue entering that huge market without paying duties. However, the country loses this preferential status once it reaches upper middle-income country (MIC) status.

Under the World Bank’s classification of countries, a country becomes an upper MIC if it reaches a per capita gross national income (GNI) — or the total amount of money earned by a country’s people and businesses at home and abroad — of between $4,516 and $14,005. The Philippines, which has been classified as a lower MIC since 1987, is near the next income threshold after posting a record-high GNI per capita of $4,230 in 2023.

ECCP is pushing hard to have the FTA in place by 2028 latest to ensure a smooth transition to the more comprehensive and permanent FTA which is not bound by a certain economic level of the availing country.

“Both sides are committed to concluding negotiations within 2026. The ECCP believes these talks will create more opportunities,” said ECCP President Paulo Duarte earlier this year to ABS-CBN.

Seventy three percent of the Philippines’ exports to the EU which were eligible for tariff reductions under GSP+ entered the EU at preferential rates in 2023. To maintain GSP+, the Philippines is subject to regular monitoring of its obligation to the effective implementation of 27 core international conventions on human and labor rights, environmental protection and good governance.

A Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) has been carried out in support of the ongoing FTA negotiations between the two parties. The SIA seeks to assess how trade and trade-related provisions in a future FTA could potentially impact economic, social, human rights and environmental elements in each trading partner and in other relevant countries.

The 5th round of negotiations for a European Union – Philippines Free Trade Agreement (EU-PH FTA) took place from 2-6 March in Brussels. Significant progress was achieved across a broad range of areas covered by the envisioned agreement. (eeas.europa.eu)

DTI is working closely with the EU Commission to negotiate terms of the FTA , with the 5^th round concluded recently in Brussels, and next scheduled in May in the Philippines. Both parties are confident this can be concluded within 2026, after which it has to be ratified by the EU Council then by the EU Parliament. In the Philippines, the Executive branch (negotiated by DTI) signs the treaty, after which the Senate must vote to concur with its ratification.

The EU and the Philippines

European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro confirmed in a recent interview with ABS-CBN that negotiations held in Brussels two weeks ago were “very fruitful,” and that another round is scheduled in Manila in May. Without naming a deadline, he nonetheless allowed himself a clear expression of intent.

**EUROPE DAY. European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro delivers his remarks during the Europe Day 2025 reception at the Peninsula Manila on Thursday night (May 8, 2025)**

“I really wish to hope that this is the right year, the good year, to complete negotiations,” he said. “It’s really in the interest of both sides, in particular in the current geopolitical and geoeconomic context.”

Santoro framed the agreement as a natural fit precisely because the two economies are complementary rather than competitive.

“There are goods and services that the European Union can offer to the Philippines which the Philippines has not. And there are goods and services that the Philippines can offer to the European Union that Europe has not,” he said. “This generates an amazing, of course, attraction for this agreement.”

He singled out Filipino talent and English proficiency as particular assets for European firms.

“This agreement will be an amazing enabler for job creation. This is an aspect that I wish to underline because it’s an aspect that goes in both directions. Most importantly, the EU will benefit from the amazing expertise and skills of Filipinos who are particularly proficient also with the English language, which is an advantage that not every country has,” he noted.

Santoro further explained that the EU needs to expand into markets like the Philippines for diversification.

“Because of the need to diversify, because we believe in a world where trade is free,” he said, adding that a finalized FTA would not only benefit bilateral trade, but make Philippine enterprises more competitive globally.

“This will, for the Philippine enterprise, generate an enormous potential, not only towards the European Union, but more in general, to export anywhere else.”

Santoro, however, couldn’t say if the EU-PH FTA talks will be completed this year after many parties, including the Philippine government, seeing 2026 as the year the talks will end positively. This is also because the trade perks the Philippines is enjoying under the EU Generalized Scheme of Preference + will end in 2027 and the government hopes a new FTA will come right after the GSP+.

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COWD staggers service breaks for COBI rehab to cushion impact of water interruptions on concessionaires

No need to panic for the scheduled four day water service interruption starting next Tuesday. It’s the best compromise to cushion the impact of the sixteen day rehabilitation period needed to restore the production of the Cagayan de Oro City Water District’s (COWD) bulk water supplier after twenty years of continued operations.

What COWD and the Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. (COBI) essentially did was break up the sixteen days rehab period of the treatment plant into four 4-day repair/rehab periods with a 10-14 day “healing period” of normal operations in-between, to minimize the impact of the water interruptions on its concessionaires.

According to Engr. Nieva A. Ladera, COWD Assistant for Technical Services, the first phase is scheduled for four (4) days, from March 17 to 20, but may be shortened if the repairs are completed earlier, COWD said in an advisory posted on its social media page on March 14, a day after it held a press briefing at a local hotel to present the plan.

This period will allow COBI to rehabilitate the Rapid Sand Filters (RSF) of the 50,000MLD Module 2 Train 2 of its Baungon, Bukidnon plant. During this rehabilitation period, COBI will not completely cease operations, but instead deliver water to COWD at a reduced flow rate of 40 instead of 60 million liters daily (MLD) for the West Line, and 10 MLD instead of 20 MLF for the East Line.

Marianito H. Barahan, COBI Technical Representative, explained that after 20 years of operation, the Rapid Sand Filters (RSF) which filter the water coming from Bununawan River are already clogged up and have to be replace to enable the water treatment plant to regain its designed production capacity of 100 MLD.

COBI Technical Representative Marianito H. Barahan explains the rational for rehabing the Rapid Sand Filters of the Water Treatment Plant after 20 years of operations.

This will be followed by a two-week healing period from March 21-April 6 during which COBI will deliver its usual 60MLD to the West Line and 20MLD to the East Line.

The next four day rehab is scheduled for April 7-10 to allow COBI to rehab the RSF of its Modul2 Train 1 during which it is expected to slightly increase delivery to 42.5 MLD for the West Line and 12.5MLD to the East Line.

A 10-day healing period from April 11-20 follows with the resumption of normal operations, with the next 4-day rehab scheduled from April 21-24 for the RSF of Module 1 Train 2, again slightly increasing delivery during this period to 45 MLD and 12.5 MLD for COWD’s West and East Lines, respectively.

This will be followed by another 10-day healing period from April 25-May 4 with the resumption of normal operations, before the final 4-day rehab period for Module 1 Train 1 on May 5-8 but again, slightly increasing its delivery to 47.5 MLD and 12.5 MLD respectively for COWD’s West and East Lines, respectively. Normal operations is then scheduled to resume on May 9.

Despite the low water pressure to be experienced by users during each of the four 4-day rehab periods, COWD General Manager Edna S. Najeal said COWD production wells will be operating at full/ maximized capacity to help maintain water pressure to all areas. As a result, the public may experience temporary water interruptions and low water pressure, particularly in elevated areas.

Residents who need water delivery during the service interruption are advised to coordinate with their respective barangay offices. Barangay officials will coordinate directly with the team in charge of water delivery.

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PPA honors Kagay-anon Social Scientist with MCC Memorial Fund Launch during int’l conference

By Mike Baños (as related by Sharina Cabaraban Domingo)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY- A pioneering Kagay-anon social scientist has been honored during the closing program of the 2026 International Scientific Conference of the Philippine Population Association (PPA), where she served as President and a member of the Board of Trustees.

The PPA is the premier professional organization for demographers and social scientists in the Philippines. It serves as a vital platform for the dissemination of demographic data on critical issues such as reproductive health, internal and international migration, and changing age structures.

Held March 5, 2026, at Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan (Xavier Ateneo) where she dedicated over five decades intersecting rigorous statistical demography with social advocacy for the grassroots, the MCC MEMORIAL FUND is dedicated to the legacy of Dr. Magdalena Canag Cabaraban and aims to fund further research into critical issues facing the Philippines today.

“The MCC Memorial Fund is a tribute to a woman who believed that data is most powerful when it is used to serve the vulnerable,” said Don Antonio Velez, Executive Assistant and PhD Sociology Candidate. “By launching this fund during the PPA International Scientific Conference, we ensure that her commitment to evidence-based policy continues to inspire researchers.”

The launch of the fund served as the cornerstone of the PPA conference with the theme INTERSECTIONS: Population, Environment, and Climate Resilience in the Philippines which brought together demographers, academics, and policymakers to discuss the “demographic dividend” and push the sustainable development agenda.

Earlier, the conference also devoted one of its breakout sessions entitled “Inside the Magdalena Archives: Embodiments, Beliefs, and Care for the Voices in the Margins” to the discussion of research topics showcasing Dr Cabaraban’s favorite social issues involving spousal health care, gendered imperatives in Filipino families, intergenerational attitudes of Filipino women on reproductive self-care, among others.

A Half-Century of Disciplined Inquiry

Dr Cabaraban began her journey in the early 1970s a student of Sociology in Xavier University graduating as Magna Cum Laude. Following the completion of two master’s degrees, she moved into graduate-level instruction.

Her early aptitude for research was recognized in 1976 by the Southeast Asia Population Research Award Program (SEAPRAP), and in 1980, she was awarded a World Health Organization (WHO) grant for advanced studies in the United States. She earned her degree in Social and Economic Statistics from George Washington University and a diploma in Data Processing Systems from the U.S. Bureau of Census before obtaining her PhD from Xavier University.

A Pillar of Mindanao Demography

Working alongside the late Fr. Francis Madigan, Dr. Cabaraban developed a mastery of Mindanao’s socio-demographic landscape that remains unparalleled. Together, they mapped the development track of the region with a precision arising from decades of immersion. Throughout her tenure, she commanded the entire technical lifecycle of research—from sampling design and instrument construction to complex statistical analysis.

From the late 1980s through 2022, her portfolio addressed the most critical social issues of our time including Governance & Peace: Mindanao autonomy and regional stability; Public Health: Malnutrition, maternal and child health, and reproductive health; Social Protection: Adolescent mental health, gender equality, and the prevention of violence against women and children; and, Environment: The human impact of climate change.

Advocacy Grounded in Data and Mentorship the Ignatian Way

Dr. Cabaraban’s scholarly work was inseparable from her advocacy. As the founder of the Women’s Forum of Region 10, she translated data into initiatives for gender sensitivity and protection. Her ability to secure funding from international bodies—including USAID, UNICEF, UNFPA, and the World Bank—was a testament to the international community’s trust in her methodological integrity.

Her approach evolved from purely quantitative demography to a sophisticated blend of qualitative and quantitative methods. Despite her international reach, her primary devotion remained at Xavier Ateneo, where she dedicated her life to shaping the next generation of social scientists at, teaching migration analysis, inter-ethnic relations, and research methods.

**FAMILY & FRIENDS AT THE DEDICATION** (Left to right) **Engr. Shane Cabaraban, Dr. Joy Cruz of UPPI, Dr Abi Linog, Dr Sharon Cabaraban-Linog, Dr. Grace Cruz of UPPI**.

Dr. Cabaraban was an embodiment of grace and elegance in a field often defined by cold numbers. She remained a firm believer that the confluence of research, teaching, and advocacy does not just widen people’s horizons; it makes them better grounded and effective social scientists.

Family Legacy

Beyond the accolades and international grants, Dr. Cabaraban’s life was anchored by her family. She was a devoted wife to the late Henry L. Cabaraban – who served most of his life in the trial courts in Cagayan de Oro; a north star to her children: Dr. Sharon Linog, Department Head for Research of the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC 10), Engr. Sheila Cabaraban, CEO and President of the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), Engr. Shane Cabaraban, Chairman of the Department of Engineering of Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan, Criselda Cabaraban Langstaff – a gerontology care specialist based in San Jose, California, USA; Sharina Cabaraban Domingo– CEO and President of The Pinnacle; and Atty. Shanidar Cabaraban Rossovich, a lawyer based in Portland, USA.

**Dr Magdalena C. Cabaraban with her husband and children.**

She raised them all with the principles of discipline, intellectual curiosity and integrity. In the Cabaraban household, education and service were not just ideals but lived values. Her children remain the living testament to her ability to balance the demanding rigors of a global scientific career with the warmth of motherly love and guidance. She moved through the world – and her home- proving that professional excellence and deep family devotion are not mutually exclusive.

“My mother believed that being a grounded social scientist required one to be a compassionate human being first. Today, we invite you to help us carry that belief forward—turning her lifetime of inquiry into a future of opportunity for those who will follow in her footsteps. Thank you for helping us keep her light, her elegance, and her mission very much alive.” – Sharina Cabaraban Domingo

Cover photo: (Left to right) PPA President Dr. Chona Echavez, Dr. Joy Cruz of UPPI, Engr. Shane Cabaraban, Dr. Sharon-Cabaraban Linog, Dr. Grace Cruz of UPPI. (unless otherwise indicated, all photos courtesy of Sharina Cabaraban-Domingo)

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NMADI unveils Isuzu D-MAX LT Concepts for Every Lifestyle

The most obvious things are the ones most often disregarded

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -February 25, 2026- The Philippines’ most awarded Isuzu dealership recently presented something special for its loyal clients.

“We put the spotlight on the D-MAX LT 4×4 — the most honest expression of what a pickup should be,” said Nyle B. Balasabas, General Manager of the North-Min Auto Dealership, Inc.(NMADI), which recently garnered its 9^th Dealer of the Year Award (DOYA) from Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC).

“For the purist at heart, this is it. A proper manual gearbox. A hardworking 4×4 system. A machine built for terrain, not trends. The D-MAX LT 4×4 doesn’t pretend to be anything else. It doesn’t need oversized chrome or unnecessary theatrics. What it offers is function. Durability. Versatility. The kind of engineering that makes you confident when the road disappears.”

“It is ever tough, dependable, and reliable—a pickup truck truly built to keep going. This event also reflects NMADI’s unwavering confidence as a champion and leader in both sales and after-sales performance across the Isuzu network., said Shunsuke Yasui, IPC VP for Sales. “Our dealerships here in Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Zamboanga Regions remain fully committed to providing world-class after-sales support and service, ensuring that both your fleets and individual vehicles stay in top condition.”

New Isuzu D-MAX: Into New Heights

Outstanding reliability is part of Isuzu’s truck DNA. The D-MAX continues a tradition of toughness that began with the Isuzu’s first ever pickup in 1963. An exceptionally high, wide, and strong workhorse, today’s D-MAX underwent the equivalent of over four million kilometers of testing during research and development, both on-road and off-road. It emerged as the toughest pickup in Isuzu’s history.

The D-MAX’s lightweight body belies improvements in occupant protection, noise and vibration, as well as in overall stability. It is engineered for easy maintenance with rock-solid rust protection and multiple maintenance-free components.

With its extended service life, the D-MAX is a rugged individual, built to keep going. Because life is too short for excuses.

Third Generation D-MAX

The third-generation D-Max was launched in the Philippines on 4 March 2021, initially offered in 1.9 Single Cab, 1.9 LT 4×2, 3.0 LT 4×4, 1.9 LS 4×2, 3.0 LS 4×2, 3.0 LS-A 4×2, 3.0 LS 4×4 and 3.0 LS-E 4×4 trim models. In July 2022, the LS trim was removed from the lineup and two new trim levels were introduced; 3.0 Single Cab 4×4 MT and 3.0 LS-A 4×4 MT.

In April 2023, the LS-E and LS-A trim levels received some feature upgrades levels such as the slightly redesigned grille and new alloy rims design. The facelifted D-Max was launched in the Philippines on 20 June 2024, and is available with five trim levels: Single Cab, LT, LS-A, LS-A Plus and LS-E.

Grant Endriga is one of only 2 Elite Truck Meisters in the entire Isuzu Philippines Dealer Network.

The Lifestyle Concepts for the Isuzu D-MAX LT was presented by NMADI Sales Executive Grant Endriga, one of only two Elite Truck Meisters in the country & Top 2 Truck Elite, recognized during the DOYA 2025 held recently in Manila.

D-MAX LT in 3 Dimensions

Endriga mentioned how for the longest time the Isuzu D-MAX LT was simply regarded as a basic utility truck pick-up. As a service to its loyal patrons and new customers who intend to buy a utility vehicle, NMADI showcase a 3-dimensional concept on how the Isuzu D-MAX LT could be flexed to suit various lifestyles:

D-MAX LT Workhorse – For daily utility usage. Simple but affordable and highly reliable. Suitable for company logistics needs. Its high ground clearance addresses the common flooding often encountered by motorists all over the country.

D-MAX LT Lifestyle Concept– Suitable for techy individuals and young professionals who view the D-MAX LT not merely as a utility pickup but lifestyle convenience as well.

D-MAX LT Off-Road Adventure Concept – Suitable for adventurous adrenalin high junkies who want to maximize the capabilities of the Isuzu DMAX in worst road conditions.

This concept was created by NMADI to address the significant price increase due to the implementation of excise tax for the pick-up segment which happened last July 2025, which not only affected Isuzu but all other brands as well.

But what separates the ISUZU D-MAX LT when it’s purchased from NMADI?

Track Record: The only 9-Time DOYA Awardee of IPC with consistent Sales and Aftersales Overall Performance Awards.

Nationwide Customer Reach: Serving national fleets both in vehicle and aftersales requirements.

Sales and Aftersales Personnel Performance: with one of only two Elite Truck Meisters, two Top 2 & 7 Truck Elite awardees, recognized during the DOYA 2025 held recently in Manila.

NMADI Technician Sani James B. Maghanoy, has twice been the No. 1 Isuzu Service Technician during Isuzu Service Skills Olympics (2024/2025), has also twice represented Isuzu Team Philippines (2024/2025) at the Isuzu I-1 Grand Prix World Technical Competition, an annual global event organized by Isuzu Motors in Yokohama City, Japan, most recently with another NMADI Technician Jay Ar Alcuizar Jumawan.

Isuzu Health Report : Vehicle diagnostics which gives you data on how your vehicle is being driven such as fuel consumption, idling, brake and accelerator pedal driver habits and other factors that affects your vehicle performance. Basically a black box data recorder available upon request every time your vehicles are being serviced

The Only Isuzu Dealer in the Network with an After-Sales Department Dedicated for Fleet and Corporate Accounts. This department is separated from the retail and individual accounts.

“Our role here is simple: to sell the idea. The idea that even with the base-variant Isuzu D-MAX LT, you can practically do anything. Build with it. Travel with it. Escape with it,” GM Balasabas noted. “Transform it into your lifestyle statement — or your workhorse. This is a blank canvas on four wheels. And we invite you to use your imagination. “

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