The meeting was about the finalization of the festival’s theme and other traditional activities. Salakayan 2010’s theme is “Miagao, Ipadayaw”. They also have chosen their Royal court or the Queen of Miagao who is Jodorie Nuñal with 4 other princesses, namely, Shai Li Jay Abbey, Dianne Marie Mooc, Salve Moleño and Richel Monteclaro.

Mr. Edison Molanida, the Tourism Officer of Miagao said, “Lain ang fiesta naton sa sunod nga tuig kay anom na ang competing tribes.” These tribes are, Tribu Salagyawan, Tribu Kabagwason, Tribu Bantalaan, Tribu Kiarayanon, Tribu Tabun-ak and introducing Tribu Buklod with Bacolod National High School as their lead school.

The 2010 street dance competition will award the Champion with a trophy and a cash prize of P25, 000, 1^st placer will also have a trophy plus P20, 000 and P15, 000 and a trophy for the 2^nd placer.

So far, the Tourism Office hasn’t yet finalized all the activities that they will include in the week-long festival but they are sure to still have the traditional activities such as the food festival, street dancing competition and coronation night for the Queen of Miagao.

New updates for the much awaited annual event will be released on the second week of January. Salakayan 2010 Festival will be on February 7-14, 2010.

It is a first for the Miagaowanons to have this kind of yuletide gathering which will feature the talents of members of Non-Government and Local Government Officials. This showcase of talents will be prepared by over 18 organizations from various government, educational and religious sectors of Miagao.

Ms. Adora B. Mande, Public Information Officer of Miagao said that there will also be traditional Christmas food stalls for the people to feel the essence of Christmas which is sharing and loving. And to make the program grander, Hon. Julieta N. Flores donated a P70, 000 worth of fireworks for the Grand Fireworks Display after the program.

The office of the Mayor also planned that if this LGU-initiated program becomes a success, they will make it an annual event for everyone to enjoy.

This is a free for all Christmas party which will start at 6:30 pm. So if you want to make your Christmas merrier, come and join Miagao’s “Paskwa sa Banwa”.

At about 7 am of November 29, Neil Nieves, owner of Joshua Repair shop at Orbe St., Brgy. Baybay, Miag-ao, reported to the police that his shop was forcibly entered by unidentified suspects which caused an unestimated amount of damage.

SPO2 Momblan and PO2 Nobleza of the Miag-ao Police Station went to the shop for an investigation, immediately after the report. It was found out that at about 4:30 am of the same day; two thuds from the shop were heard by nearby residents.

Police said that it was easy to get inside the shop because the door is only made of plain galvanized iron sheet and wood.

Fortunately for Mr. Nieves, after having his inventory, showed that there were no missing items from the shop.

Meanwhile, the police said that they will still continue their night-watch so that theft and other crimes will be prevented.

Going back to the times when I was still looking for an inspiration on what I wanted to be when I grow up, I remembered watching noontime variety shows and spending my time alone making up stories with dolls and speaking in front of the mirror. As I kid, I used o feel clueless and was trying really hard to understand why we have to know the latest happenings. Then I realized, I wanted to be a broadcaster.

Now, being in the academe and having learned the essential matters that go along with the broadcast industry, I asked myself if there were any changes on news reporting especially after watching a video about new broadcasting in the 90s. If I would talk about sensationalism in news, there is no doubt that it has always been present. As to the format of news programs and the correspondents, I would say that it has changed.

TV Patrol was indeed a popular news program even before and up until now. ABS-CBN has maintained it through the years and had the rival channel think of what would contest with TV Patrol.

Having observed the set of the program, I suppose that the “classy” aura of what it has now is the effect of the new technologies that the network acquired and also on which the network has adopted. However, they did maintain the gay and white hues used for the background.

Changes were not only obvious in the set but also on how they divided the news and has respective anchors for each. For instance, a shift from police patrol news to a Star Patrol is evident in contrast to what they have before which is having the youngest news anchor report on showbiz news.

TV Patrol maintained four news anchors but as years passed, the hosts were also changed. Seeing familiar and well-known personalities in the video was nostalgic. I find it weird to see Noli de Castro deliver news who is now the Vice President of the country. Kristine Bersola has become the wife of the current news anchor of TV Patrol who is Julius Babao. Gus Abelgas who was just a correspondent before has his own program now. You see, a lot has changed, particularly on their career. They have all become prominent broadcast personalities.

The manner on how they delivered news also differed. Before, they used to sit and talk in a panel-like organization while now; they deliver it standing-up and free to have minimal hand gestures.

TV broadcasting may have changed through time. Its method of maintaining and attracting more viewers for higher ratings differed a bit. But the pressures of the profit-oriented industry make it difficult for them to operate. This may be the cause why journalism in our country still hasn’t matured yet. The hunger for higher ratings limits media outfits to broadcast what is controversial rather than what the people should know. The perils that broadcast journalism has went through and its rise from oppression should have been the motivators for journalists to broadcast quality news programs not only of aesthetic value but also of developmental and critical thinking. If what they deliver now is still of the same content of what they used to broadcast, I guess broadcast journalism will always live in the 90’s.

Their lives were ruthlessly ended by people who may be out of their minds or were just too demonic to not even have the slightest conscience over pleading faces of helpless people, asking them to be spared.

The government is still trying to resolve this gruesome crime with lame efforts of just giving alluding accusations to the suspects thinking that they too, are stupid to just easily give in. It was a remarkable move for them to have the CAFGU hand down their weapons, and for that, I wanted to give them a standing ovation.

However, the weapons that were retrieved were already rusty and old as opposed to the findings and investigations done by the police that the killers were heavily armed with new and good-caliber firearms. So where could those weapons be? Those might have been more important than people’s lives that’s why they buried the weapons deeper.

It is really frustrating to think how other people value political power and personal welfare over justice and life itself. Sometimes, I come to think that it is such a shame to live together in a country with people who were so cruel and hungry for supremacy that would rather risk the country’s name to infamy.

Another ridiculous thought would be: they might have buried the weapons deeper thinking that our country will not be branded as the most dangerous place for journalists or media-men if the weapons used for killing more than 27 reporters are hidden near the domains of Satan. Brilliant.

I really couldn’t find any other words to describe this very unfortunate event that is already part of our history. I also couldn’t associate any other words to the masterminds and killers but: PURE EVIL.

They thought that they are so important to Maguindanao that they could not afford to lose in the elections. If they value themselves so much like the weapons they used to annihilate lives, they should have gone with their weapons that they have buried deeper.

“Pabarock” is an annual event organized by the Hamili Brotherhood and Hamilia Sisterhood that started in 2004.

Pabarock 5, as a tradition, serves as a prelude to Sigabong 22, which is also an annual event a rock band competition.

Khamulang, Mechanixxx, Juxtapose, Glassburn and Folk Law Hand played in the concert.

Hamili Fraternity was founded in 1965 at UP Diliman. Ten years later, Hamilia Sisterhood was founded and had UP Visayas as its home campus.

Hamili’s current Mayor, Mr. Abraham Gastar, a 4^th year BS Chemistry student of UPV assured that attendees have enjoyed the night especially the UPV students because was a time to unwind and bond with the community.

This concert is primarily for UPV students that is why it is always held in Miag-ao.

Tickets for Pabarock were sold for Php 30.00 by members of Hamili Brotherhood and Hamilia Sisterhood and also through Facebook where interested people added their invitation.