I know there are a whole lot of people who are hating the river now for what had recently happened, but it wasn’t the river’s fault – I guess it has been clear all along. For me, it all sums up to greed and abuse of power…Your thoughts?

To those who don’t know, might have forgotten, or those that needs to know what we can benefit from the river, here are some: it can generate electricity, provide food, for domestic purposes, and of-course a tourist attraction. So, we really should take care of it, along with the other key parts of the ecosystem.

The Cagayan de Oro River was originally called Kalambaguasasahan River, because of the presence of Lambago trees (Hibiscus tiliaceus) along the river banks. It moves down slope at a fast velocity that the water creates white-foam rapids which makes it suitable for white water rafting — this is a natural trait NOT ALL rivers exhibit. If you want to know the history of the river, you can read here.

It was in 2002 that Cagayan de Oro was labeled the White Water Rafting Capital. But a couple of nature lovers and adventurers started navigating the Cagayan de Oro River since 1995, followed by the former president of the country in 2002. Since then, a lot of rafting companies had emerged and together they had been promoting one of the city’s wonders and at the same time protecting it, up until now.

I got the chance to revisit the river last January 19, 2012 along with the other media groups (bloggers, photographers, videographers, news people, and individuals) including the people behind the movement “Barog, Kagay-anon” (Move, Kagay-anon) which is a series of activities that aims to revive the Cagayan de Oro Tourism and eventually the city.

For 3 successive days, the group experienced the beauty and excitement of CDO! We revisited the river with the new and exciting rapids and features. They were all a new challenge for us but they were still breathtakingly fun!

Watch out for the video releases of our experience coming real soon!

For now, here are some photos captured for us to remember!

Salamat Great White Water Tours and to the river guides for the awesome experience! It’s definitely a go for CDO!

This was our transpo heading to the start of the experience

Quick stop at the Makahambus Cave

Cagayan de Oro and Mindanao Bloggers all geared up for the experience

Mini Falls along the Cagayan de Oro River

That's us, on the newest and most challenging rapid called 'Surprise'.

Click here to view more photos.

Example(s):

If you are interested to join GelatoRama, please grab an exclusive GelatoRama Card.

GelatoRama Card (n.) – is a free pass card one is required to bring in GelatoRama.

Here is an example of the GelatoRama Card.

Example(s):

For a minimum purchase of P100.00, you will be entitled to have a GelatoRama Card.

For every P100.00 purchase, you can have your GelatoRama Card stamped.

You need to collect ALL 10 stamps, on your GelatoRama Card, to get a free pass in the GelatoRama party.

Collecting stamps for the GelatoRama Card started last March 15, 2011 and will end on April 16, 2011.

We saw everyone’s fireworks display afterwards..took some photos and headed back to the pad. Agcopra brothers brought a case of beer with them to celebrate. We also had some mentos. A few of them said it’d be their last. We’ll see. I had great time with the Karne Team..thanks for spending the New Year with me.  A very good friend Edu came over too, when he heard I was alone, it was around almost 4am (i love you mang, thank you.). I slept around 5. Beer was still overflowing. Another acquaintance came over but I had to hit the sack.

They texted me they left the leftovers outside my door and that they saw an accident a block away from my pad. The car was smashed and the driver was dead. Bless his soul and family. I then stayed home all day. Cleaned the place. Cleaned up my files and some other clean ups for a fresh new start. Thought of things and decided on things.

Jan. 2 – Was home again. I had a long chat with a special friend. Was glad we did. I missed our talks. Because of the talk I confirmed a couple of things which I just shrugged off days back. I then went to the mall to pickup something. Met another good old friend for some design work and picked up my gift. Was invited for a session that night. It was our first time to spend together, us 3. It was a fun night. It ended nicely. I was happy and I didn’t want it to end, but it had to. Thank you for the small gift. I’m very grateful.

Jan. 3 – Baby love and mom arrived from a wake. We spent the whole day together. We slept, played, ate, and cuddled. It was a cold day. It rained that day. It reminded me of the codes but I know now it’s of no use.. I answered some emails, and sent some then went to the first meeting for the year with the CDOBloggers. It was held at Village Den, it’s beside Jo’s Manokan in Corrales-Yacapin Sts. I ordered one of my favorite dish there, their White Tuna Spaghetti. The meeting turned out great. Plans for this year is exciting. We had a quick chill at JCA (thanks goma for the treat.) then I headed to domain. City was out of RH. I was with the Karne Team, to celebrate once more, before fellow karnero left for Manila, we ended at Front Street. It was the only place that had beer. Double doze shots leveled up our alcohol levels. It was a quick after-COD shot. Said our goodbye’s then we headed home.

Jan. 4 – Cold weather kept us in bed. Babylove and I woke up really late and we were still stuck to the bed, lazy, that he didn’t make it to school. We’ll do better tomorrow baby, no rain today. I did more clean-ups. It’s normal when you have a 4 year old male kid..mess is everywhere. He’ll be turning 5 in a couple of days. Thought all day what to do on his big day. Still planning. I still have time. I also had 2 pesos load credit left. I didn’t want to use it. Only for important texts. I decided I won’t load anymore unless if I have something for sale to market. There’s no use anymore. If somebody needs me they will find a way to contact me. Around noon time I used them all up. Couldn’t reply anymore. I was tired to go out and get myself some load. So I let things be. I took care of Zaza and the place. Ended up cleaning my mails tonight and now writing about the first few days…. this is all for now.. 361 days more to go.

Rockshow starts at 8:00PM, at the Energi Bar – Tiano-Akut Sts., Cagayan de Oro City. Entrance fee is at P20.00 only!

We would like to thank our sponsors for making this event possible… Tito Ubanan, Merlynda Pagalan, Grace & Enisia Ubanan, Lotie Caballero, Custrich Healthcare Products, Inc., 14th Restobar, Jason Agcopra, and Evelyn Chavez.

BAND LINEUP SEQUENCE

3 SONGS PER BAND

8:00 PM – S3x
8:15 PM – Polvorons With Ice Candy
8:30 PM – Ditto
8:45 PM – Sugarcoffin
9:00 PM – Teachers Stand Together
9:15 PM – The Superflirts
9:30 PM – Tourjack
9:45 PM – Bedroom Dropouts
10:00 PM – Calypso
10:15 PM – Nasty Girl Legend
10:30 PM – Paid
10:45 PM – Almost Satellite
11:00 PM – Gasulina
11:15 PM – Switch
11:30 PM – KBC

Actual Interruption Schedule: 11/13/2010
Time Start: 6:00AM-5:30PM (11 hours & 30min)

Interruption Details:

Important Notice to CEPALCO Customers

The Cagayan Electric Power & Light Co., Inc. (CEPALCO) would like to inform all customers that the NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP) has advised CEPALCO that power supply will be interrupted on NOVEMBER 13, 2010 as shown below:

Date: Saturday, November 13, 2010

A. Interruption Time:
6:00 AM – 6:30 AM (30 min.); switching works
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM (30 min.); switching works

Affected Areas:
CARMEN FEEDER #1 AREAS:
1. Greater portion of Carmen proper along Lirio St. from Trinity Tree St. towards Oak St., Max Suniel St., Vamenta Blvd. up to corner Jasmin St. including Waterlily St. and Carmen Market area.
2. Along Mabolo St. from Lirio St. towards corner Rosal St. including portion of Marigold St. from Mabolo St.
3. Portion of Carmen: vicinities along Vamenta Blvd. from Fernandez St. towards greater part of Ilaya including: portions of Ipil St. and Mahogany St. from Fernandez St.; Madonna & Child Hospital; and; Seriña St. from COA towards Gumamela Ext., Guani Coliseum (former O. Roa’s) and Maharlika Police Station.
4. All of Macanhan, Carmen towards all of Lower Balulang.

B. Interruption Time:
6:00 AM – 7:30 AM (1 hour and 30 min.); switching works
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM (30 min.); switching works

Affected Areas:
CARMEN FEEDER #2 AREAS:
1. Portion of Carmen along Yacal St. towards Lirio St., Vamenta Blvd., Waling-waling St. up to GSIS area including Ferrabrel St., Mango St. and portion of Rosal St. and Marigold St.
2. Along Pelaez Blvd from Waling-waling Street up to National Highway including Liceo de Cagayan University.
3. Isla de Oro.
4. Along Montalban St. from near Tiano Bros. St. towards Burgos St., del Pilar St. and Magsaysay St. including portions of Macahambus St. and Abellanosa St. from Burgos St.
5. Portions of A. Luna St. from corner Corrales Ave.; towards vicinities along A.Velez St. up to corner Mabini St. including portion of: Makahambus St. from A.Velez St. and Tiano Bros. St. from Macahambus St.

C. Interruption Time:
6:00 AM – 5:30 PM (11 hours and 30 min)

Affected Areas:
CARMEN FEEDER #2 AREAS:
1. All of Kauswagan proper, Bonbon and Bayabas.

Power will however be restored immediately without further notice when line works are completed earlier than scheduled.

We hope the affected customers and the public in general will be guided by this announcement. Thank you.

Released by:

Ms. Marilyn A. Chavez
Senior Manager
Customer & Community Relations Dept.

The Abba’s Orchard Montessori School Philippine Branches

Abba’s Orchard is a Maria Montessori school located at the Alwana Business Park, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. From the start, the school has provided environments that have been prepared to bring out the best in a child. Education in Montessori thought goes beyond academic objectives; its focus has always been to inspire your child to become a lively, self-motivated, confident and accomplished individual. They teach children to cook, farm, do house chores, etc. – in short, make a child responsible.

DAILY Brownout Schedules for June 4 to 12, 2010

Please find below the load shedding schedule / guide [4 hours DAILY rotating brownouts] within the CEPALCO service area for the period June 4 to 12, 2010 due to the continuing power supply curtailments imposed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines [NGCP] all over Mindanao. Again, CEPALCO would like to caution customers that the actual switch off and switch on time may vary from the announced schedule depending on the actual load curtailment levels imposed by NGCP on CEPALCO on a day to day basis.

Time of Brownout

Dates: June 4, 7 & 10
9:00am to 1:00pm – Group B
1:00pm to 5:00pm – Group C
5:00pm to 9:00pm – Group A

Dates: June 5, 8 & 11
9:00am to 1:00pm – Group C
1:00pm to 5:00pm – Group A
5:00pm to 9:00pm – Group B

Dates: June 6, 9 & 12
9:00am to 1:00pm – Group A
1:00pm to 5:00pm – Group B
5:00pm to 9:00pm – Group C

DAILY Brownout Schedules for May 8 to 16, 2010

[NO Power Curtailments from May 12 and 13 Due to the National Elections]

As per advice from NGCP, there will be NO POWER CURTAILMENT TODAY (MAY 12) and TOMORROW (MAY 13) to give way to the finalization of the results of the elections. The power curtailment will resume on Friday, May 14, 2010

Dates: May 8 & 14
8:00am to 1:00pm – Group B
1:00pm to 6:00pm – Group C
6:00pm to 11:00pm – Group A

Dates: May 12 & 15
8:00am to 1:00pm – Group C
1:00pm to 6:00pm – Group A
6:00pm to 11:00pm – Group B

Dates: May 13 & 16
8:00am to 1:00pm – Group A
1:00pm to 6:00pm – Group B
6:00pm to 11:00pm – Group C

Actual Interruption Schedule:  04/25/2010

Time Start:  6:00AM-6:00PM (12 hours)

Interruption Details:

April 21, 2010

Important Notice to CEPALCO Customers

Scheduled Power Interruption on Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 6AM to 6PM

Areas Affected : Greater part of PATAG including Calamansi Drive, Apovel Subdv., Terry Hills Subdv. & Anhawon – Bulua

The Cagayan Electric Power & Light Co., Inc. (CEPALCO) would like to inform all customers and the public in general of a scheduled power interruption on Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 6:00AM to 6:00PM affecting the greater part of PATAG including Calamansi Drive, Apovel Subdivision, Terry Hills Subdivision & Anhawon, Bulua due to an urgent line work.

The following areas will also experience HOUR-LONG power interruptions from 6AM to 7AM and again from 5PM to 6PM due to switching procedures:

1. Portions of Camaman-an near and including the San Jose and St. Vianney Seminaries, greater portion of Camaman-an proper towards Bontong, Bolonsori up to Upper Camaman-an and Hayes Subdivision including Tipolohon.
2. Part of Limketkai Center, Lapasan including Mc Donalds, PNB and Allied Bank.
3. Along Recto Ave. from corner Agora Road towards the new bridge including COCACOLA Plant & Osmeña Ext..
4. Portions of A.Luna St. towards all of Mabulay Subdivision including portion of the Provincial Capitol and Provincial Hospital Area.
5. Medical Center area along and bounded by Capistrano St., Echem St., A.Velez St., and Recto Ave., including all of Consolacion.
6. Corrales Ext. from Recto Avenue towards most of PPA area.
7. J.Pacana St. from Recto Avenue towards all of Macabalan area.
8. All of RER Subdivision Phases I & 2 including Dolores compound; towards Fortune Express Shop along Maharlika Highway; including all of NHA-KSS Subdivision and portion of Bayabas near Manila Broadcasting Radio Station.; and
9. Greater part of Bulua from Bulua Rotonda towards all of Iponan.

Power will however be restored immediately without further notice if line works are completed earlier than scheduled.

Furthermore, the above areas scheduled for interruption on Sunday, from 8AM to 1PM due to load curtailment might still experience their scheduled load shedding power interruption, depending on the curtailment levels to be imposed by NGCP on April 25, Sunday.

We hope the affected customers and the public in general will be guided by this announcement. Thank you.

Released by:

Ms. Marilyn A. Chavez
Senior Manager
Customer & Community Relations Dept.

The Cagayan de Oro Bloggers (CDO Bloggers) group is set to play host to the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, which will be held on October 24, 2009. With the theme, “Mindanao: Bag-Uhon Ang Panan-aw,” the MBS 3 aims to uphold the beauty and strength of the island and to expunge the negative notions the world has about it.

(Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines – October 21, 2009) – It’s all systems go for the Cagayan de Oro Bloggers (CDO Bloggers) as they play host to the much-awaited Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, an annual gathering of Mindanao-based bloggers, IT industry experts, community leaders and new media advocates, on October 24, 2009 at Pearlmont Inn, Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City. Roughly 300 bloggers are expected to attend this year’s summit.

With the theme, “Mindanao: Bag-Uhon Ang Panan-aw,” (Changing The Way People See Mindanao) the event aims to uphold the beauty and strength of Mindanao, to highlight the diverse cultures and fascinating tourist spots that are uniquely Mindanao and to provide a platform where bloggers and other new media practitioners can discuss concerns related to Mindanao – all with the help of new and emerging technologies.

“Mindanao is the home of everything fascinating or in bloggers’ lingo – bloggable. Through the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, it is the hope of the CDO Bloggers, along with our partners and generous sponsors, that we listen to knowledgeable resource persons, meet other Mindanaoan bloggers, share and maximize all of our skills and resources and adopt tried and tested practices that can help us to fully promote Mindanao and for us to become better bloggers as well,” emphasized Chiq Montes, president of CDO Bloggers.

“Of course, we also want all of the participants to have a good time and experience the sights and sounds of Cagayan de Oro,” Montes added. Montes said that apart from Mindanaoan bloggers, the summit will also see the participation of some bloggers from Luzon and Visayas.

Expected to grace the summit are United States Embassy’s new Deputy Chief of Mission Leslie Bassett, Atty. Adel Tamano, Agusan Lone District Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Tinnex Jaraula.

Considered unprecedented in the Philippine blogosphere, a top ranking United States Embassy dignitary is set to deliver the keynote address. Bassett’s trip to CDO will be her first trip to Mindanao since assuming office in June. She previously served as DCM in Mexico.

“We are deeply honored. We’re certain that the summit participants will be delighted to meet her and we can’t wait for her to see our beautiful city,” Montes said.

Other speakers during the whole-day affair include Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Tinnex Jaraula, Agusan Lone District Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza and Atty. Adel Tamano.

Google’s Philippine representative Aileen Apolo, whose talk will focus on beginners, Digital Filipino’s Janette Toral, who will discuss blog advertising and Lyle Santos, who will talk about making money online will also be present. Representatives of other blogger groups including those in Davao City, General Santos City and Zamboanga will also give updates.

After the summit proper, participants have the choice of joining either the city tour (Xavier University Museum, Cathedral, Divine Mercy Shrine, Opol Aviary, Limketkai Mall) or the whitewater rafting adventure.

Also happening on October 24, right after the MBS 3, is the Philippine Blog Awards – Mindanao awarding ceremonies.

CDO Bloggers, Inc., a group duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is the lead organizer of this year’s Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3. Previous summits took place in Davao City and General Santos City.

The Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 is generously supported by SMART Telecommunications, Nokia, Syntactics, Inc., STI, Rafting Adventure Philippines, MakatiAve.com, Majesty Sales Center, Havaianas Philippines, OLX Philippines Free Classifieds, Clara Shoppe, ASTERISK Events and Communications, RG & K Construction, Paguia’s Cottages, ThePacificaCompanies.com, The Site, Spruce, The City Government of Cagayan de Oro, Office of CDO First District Rep. Rolando “Klarex” Uy, SM City Cagayan de Oro, Ultra Craft Advertising Corporation, Magnet Advertising, Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental and the Mindanao Bloggers community. Media partners include Papa Ardie’s Concepz, STI, ABS CBN, MOR 91.9 and HOT FM 106.3.

For more information about the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, log on to http://www.mbscdo.com

About CDO Bloggers

CDOBloggers or Cagayan de Oro Bloggers, Inc. is a duly SEC-registered organization that promotes Cagayan de Oro through blogging. Among the group’s goals are to create impact in society through blogging, to help promote Mindanao to the world as a bustling and peaceful land, to promote Cagayan De Oro City and Kagay-anons around the world with a sense of pride and to use blogging as a media platform.

The CDO Bloggers group is the main organizer of the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 (MBS 3). For more information about MBS 3, log on to http://www.mbscdo.com

For more information about CDO Bloggers, visit http://www.cdobloggers.com or send email to cdobloggersinc@gmail.com

About Mindanao Bloggers

Mindanao Bloggers aims to unify the island through this exciting new medium — the way of the blog — thereby promoting deeper understanding of our different cultures and beliefs. Thus, it is hoped that this community blog will help in presenting to the world at large the true beauty of the Philippine South, as well as the marvelous diversity of the peoples of Mindanao. For more information about Mindanao Bloggers, visit http://www.mindanaobloggers.com

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FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

ASTERISK Events and Communications
http://www.asteriskeventsandcommunications.com
Mobile number: (+63) 919 238 6575 / (+63) 922 478 5218
Email address: asteriskEC@gmail.com

All I did was to key in my name, country, and zip code and an e-certificate as proof with my name showed up, and is available for printing. So now my name will be in the microchip of the rover that will be off to Mars 2 years from now! Ain’t that cool?

Here’s a screenshot of the e-certificate:

Wanna join us to MARS? Click this link.