Nothing envigorates the soul quite like an Iligan sunset.
I saw a picture in my newsfeed of such a scene posted by a relative, bringing back memories of my childhood in that city.
Wherever you are in the city, not just by the bay, the late afternoon sees a play of colors enliven the sky with a soft soothing brilliance, signaling the day's slow crawl into a magnificent end.
The night takes over gently caressing the sun's light away, turning the sky from light blue to orange, then pink, then light purple, then blue, then, night. In my mind I can even imagine that these changes are set to music.
This often observed spectacle is especially wondrous during drier days of the year when the light afternoon rains of four or five o clock do not pour on the city.
The scene uplifts the soul, i tell you, driving away the workday’s cares and prepares you for the evening's rest. Iligan's scenic gem is shared by other northern Mindanao cities like Dipolog and Cagayan de Oro, and to a certain extent, Butuan.
I wonder: is it the angle by which the sun’s rays hit these places at day's end? Maybe. Should you visit these places or their immediate neighboring coastal towns, look out for these blazoned sunsets.
Such blessed citizens are they from these parts that partake of this free gift- a wonder of creation, and a ubiquitous, perhaps even forgotten muse that would probably inspire poetry, thought and music.
Yet why do I write of such things, you may ask?
Because a soothing sunset such as this helps build hope that the next day will be equally beautiful, uplifting and serene.
Yes, the Iligan sunset’s vistas are a soulful, if not momentary respite from the daily social media newsfeed where, leaping at you is news of strife, war, current global health disruptions and statistics, the climate emergency, and the never ending senate inquiries in aid of legislation. By the way, which of these hearings are meant to pursue meaningful new laws? You tell me.
Nonetheless, the sunset spurs a light thought that comforts your chest, calms your mind and eases your gut as you prepare for the daily family dinner at home. That light and sky is a free massage to the soul, and a sincere reminder that as sure as the sun sets, it will rise again in the morrow, nurturing the hope of better days ahead.
New research centers in Mindanao and the need to boost academe-business partnerships
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has recently virtually unveiled new Niche Centers in the Regions for R and D (NICER) in the University of Southern Mindanao, Native Chicken Research Center in the Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga, the Bamboo Research Center in the Central Mindanao University in Bukidnon. This is top of the recently announced Northern Mindanao Food Innovation Center food center in Cagayan de Oro.
These will definitely boost research and innovations on available crops and livestock that can add value to currently harvested and traded products, and spawn new business ideas that will benefit local businesses and allow them to compete.
I would encourage local business groups to engage these NICER centers and the universities that house to build new products. Take a look at doctoral dissertations from local graduate students for business ideas. Academic and business partnerships need to be broadened to push local innovation.
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