Lanao Norte gears up for Sinulog 2010

TUBOD,Lanao del Norte--In a bid to finally capture the elusive championship in the biggest cultural stage of the Philippines—Cebu’s Sinulog Festival, the provincial government of Lanao del Norte is again sending its own contingent in the much anticipated cultural competition.

“This is the fulfillment to our promise to last year’s winning group in the Municipal Festival contest during our Golden Araw Anniversary. And with their spectacular win, we are sending this year the Kapatagan National High School to the Sinulog to be our contingent,” explained Governor Khalid Dimaporo.

This is the second time that the provincial government is sending an official contingent in the Free Interpretation category where Lanao del Norte placed 4th over-all in a category that saw 25 groups compete.

Last year, Lanao del Norte was also able to grab the coveted title of Best in Costume despite being a first-timer in the festival.

“We are very thankful for the all-out support of Governor Dimaporo. We are inspired to reach for the top prize this time and bring home the trophy here in Lanao del Norte,” said Tourism Officer Minda Regis.

This year, the province’s Sinulog contingent is composed of 95 dancers, 50 propsmen, 30 instrumentalists and 24 support group personnel. Lanao del Norte will also be sending 2 candidates in the prestigious Sinulog Queen Pageant, namely Emilyn Opada of Maranding, Lala and Lota Correos of Tubod.

“This is another chance for us to showcase to the whole world that Lanao del Norte is indeed a beautiful and peaceful province where people live in unity and harmony with one another,” said Information Officer Lyndon Calica. The Lanao Norte group will depart for Cebu on January 12 for early rehearsals, while the actual Sinulog competitions will be on January 17. (VNL/PIO-Lanao del Norte)

Leading peace maker of LDN laid to rest

TUBOD,LDN--The remains of Board Member Robert Matalines were finally laid to rest in his home town of Linamon, this province as hundreds of people came to pay their last respects to a well-loved peace advocate in this part of the country.

Many religious leaders from both the Christian and Muslim faith came to give tribute to a legislator who championed the peace-building initiatives in Lanao del Norte.
“He (Matalines) is a big loss to the province. He’ll be missed and he will never be forgotten”, expressed Governor Khalid Dimaporo during the necrological mass last December 30 at Linamon municipal hall.

Board Member Matalines and his son Matthew both drowned during a water baptism ceremony he conducted as pastor of a local church in Linamon. A third man, Generoso Sumalipong, Jr. , a church member who attended the baptism also drowned as he tried to rescue the pair.

“It’s really painful to lose both your husband and son at the same time. But throughout this ordeal, I never questioned God”, said Grecille Matalines (widow of BM Matalines).

“He love to serve the people and seeing the many people who mourned with us has somehow ease the unspeakable pain we are experiencing,” Grecille added.

BM Matalines was very instrumental in helping bridge the gap between the Muslims and Christians created by the August 18, 2008 atrocities in the towns of Kauswagan and Kolambugan. He also spearheaded numerous multi-sectoral dialogues and prayer rallies to help strengthen the peace and order in the province.

Representative Abdullah Dimaporo of the 2nd congressional district of Lanao del Norte and former Governor Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo were also on hand to give tribute to a provincial lawmaker who contributed much to their battlecry of lasting peace and order in northern Mindanao.

“It’s very hard to picture a Lanao del Norte without Robert (Matalines), I guess that’s how important he was to us and everyone whose lives he touched”, lamented Governor Dimaporo.

Board member Matalines was chairman of following important committees in the Sanggunian Panlalawigan: Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Commerce, Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, and the Committee on Water Service.

His widow, Grecille, will serve the remainder of Matalines’ term in the provincial legislature. VNL/PIO-LDN