Fifty six hospitality establishments, schools and individuals have signed up to participate in the 30 competitive events lined up for the 30th Anniversary of Kumbira, the longest running and largest culinary show and live competitions outside Metro Manila. “In 2025 we had 24 competitions and categories, but to match the anniversary number, we have a …
Category Archives: Education
Origins of the Kumbira! Name and Logo
Kumbira began as the 1st Cagayan de Oro Cultural and Culinary Festival on August 23, 1996, a very modest one-day event by today’s standards even though the Cagayan de Oro City Council passed a resolution declaring it a one week celebration on August 23-30. However, COHARA wanted something local, so while discussing what name was …
COHARA + KUMBIRA : 30 YEARS OF LEGACY
By Eileen C. San Juan Vice President-Hotel Division & Past President, COHARA Thirty years is a significant milestone—especially for an organization that has endured changing times, economic challenges, industry disruptions, and a pandemic, yet continues to move forward. But before we celebrate, let me take you back to 1996—where it all began. Where It All …
𝑷𝑨𝑵𝑨𝑮𝑹𝑰𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑨 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑺𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝑹𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈
Mindanao Local History takes center stage in Closing Conference of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood A fresh look at the local history of Mindanao during the Philippine Revolution which will present both new and existing historiographies from 1898 to 1901 will be highlighted in an academic conference hosted by the National Historical …
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 …
The Heart of Tradition: The Keeper of the Okir
By Mike Baños (as related by Salika Samad-Maguindanao CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In the wake of the infamous Marawi Siege of 2017 which displaced thousands from this Islamic City of Mindanao, real-life couple Salika and Jardin Maguindanao gathered together their fellow Meranaws under the banner of Maranao Collectibles. At an evacuation center in Iligan …
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Education Stakeholders Voice Support For Depd’s Transparency & Accountability thrust
In today’s day and age where information is power, transparency in governance needs to be strongly upheld to foster accountability, build public trust, and ensure that institutions are fulfilling their mandates to the public. The Department of Education (DepEd), recently rolled out its open data initiative Project Bukas that discloses datasets on assessment results and …
Imperfect Leadership (A Jesuit Reflects on His Journey) by Antonio F. Moreno SJ
Commentary by Mike Baños When Fr Antonio Moreno SJ firs requested me to do a review of his book “Imperfect Leadership (A Jesuit Reflects on His Journey), I reluctantly said yes, though I warned him I greatly feared the fires of hell should I come up short of his expectations. After all, who was I …
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MSU-IIT History Dept steps up Global Engagement thru China Exchange & Scholarly Collab
The Department of History of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) has recently concluded a landmark academic initiative that brought its students and faculty into meaningful dialogue with scholars in China. Through the 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 and the 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦, the department reaffirmed its commitment to internationalization, historical inquiry, and …
PLDT partners with MPower to increase access to Renewable Energy Sources
MANILA, Philippines 12th August 2025 – PLDT Inc. (“PLDT”) (PSE: TEL) (NYSE: PHI) reported a 3% rise (₱2.9 billion) in Gross Service Revenues to ₱106.3 billion, while Consolidated Service Revenues (net of interconnect costs) held steady at ₱97.1 billion in the first six months of 2025. Data and broadband, which grew by ₱1.3 billion to …
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