New PUM country head

The Dutch Senior Expert Program – PUM – has a new country representative for the Philippines, Jan de Lijster.

Jan, 67, is currently touring PUM projects areas like Davao, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Bacolod. A graduate of the Rotterdam University, Jan has an extensive business experience working in the Netherlands, Indonesia, and Russia, among others.

In Davao yesterday, he met with officials of the Dabaw Kaisa Foundation, the Filipino-Chinese Association with president Sergio Haw, chair Sebastian Angliongto, legal counsel Irene Lavares, city councilor Peter Lavina and Internal Vice President Arch. Daniel Lim (who took the picture below). With Jan was Cherry Tan Padua, PUM coordinator for southern Philippines.

PUM and Dabaw Kaisa plans to tie up to help promote the use of Dutch volunteer experts in local business enterprises.

The meeting took place at the DTI Conference Room.

Archbishop Capalla

Front page photo at the Mindanano Daily Mirror yesterday.

City Council 2008 Foto

The City Council held its first official photo session on January 8 as it welcomes its new member, Paolo Duterte, middle. Thanks to Bing Gonzales.

(7:18 a.m.)

Dutch government fascist?

Oh, come on Ka Bel.

I know the Netherlands to be one of the most democratic, one of the most liberal in the world that is why communist leaders prefer to hide there than in the mountains of Samar or Quezon.

Just because one of them got arrested, the Dutch government is now labeled “fascist!”

Hmm … I disagree.

(The Netherlands ranked 3rd in the world democratic index; the US 17th, and the Philippines 63rd. North Korea where Filipino communists sought links in the past is at the bottom at 167th.)

AP Photo featured at the Manila Standard Today (August 30)

(7:45 a.m.)

Unveiling Photo

Vice Mayor Sara Duterte and Dabaw Kaisa Foundation Chair Sebastian “Angie” Angliongto led the unveiling of the Davao Chinatown Unity Gateway Arch that will rise at the eastern end of Magsaysay Ave.

Others in photo are former Vice Mayor Luis Bonguyan, Councilor Susabel Reta, Kaisa President Romeo Du and Kaisa Charter President William Go. (7:02 p.m.)