What do you think of MINDANAO?
By vesuvius
@vesuvius (1677)
Philippines
May 6, 2011 7:49pm CST
I am currently here in Cebu but I grew up in General Santos City which essentially makes me a Mindanaoan.
When I was 21 I had to fly to Cebu for board review and to work eventually. Here in the Visayas, I've realized that the people's impression of Mindanao has already been greatly coated with fear, if not disgust. Here in Cebu many people think that merely stepping in a Mindanao city puts one's foot in his coffin, and that bombings and terrorism are a norm in this southern portion of the archipelago.
For me, that is just very sad. I can't blame them for thinking that Mindanao is an unsafe place because it's true that a lot of bad things have happened in Mindanao - and there is reason to believe that these situations are reoccurring.
I still think though that the way the mass media has presented Mindanao is way too exaggerated. Many parts of Mindanao are relatively safe.
I wish Pinoys could discover the real beauty of Mindanao.
You?
What do you think of Mindanao?
9 responses
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
7 May 11
You said it right! i am from Zamboanga and people have fears of coming here! They thought it is all bombings and terrorism plus Abu Sayyaf! Often times it is crazy that such thoughts exists when in fact people here are nice and laid back..it is not like Manila where at times you fear of walking alone in the streets for fear of getting nabbed and robbed ( though not generalizing all places :) ) but here you can still walk at night and you can come home safe and sound. 
And there are still so many beautiful beaches here left untouched and undiscovered
And there are still so many beautiful beaches here left untouched and undiscovered 1 person likes this
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
7 May 11
Hello Vesuvius,
It would have been better if the 
government exert more effort to have more business in mindanao and investments that are friendly to the environment. I don't care about the foreigners perception because it's the filipinos themselves or ourselves that can save it. Mass Media only cares about the freaking view ratings...the truthful of journalism is nothing more than less truth and all sensationalized.
,
It would have been better if the government exert more effort to have more business in mindanao and investments that are friendly to the environment. I don't care about the foreigners perception because it's the filipinos themselves or ourselves that can save it. Mass Media only cares about the freaking view ratings...the truthful of journalism is nothing more than less truth and all sensationalized.1 person likes this
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
8 May 11
It's sad that when people here the place Mindanao, we get scared. Unfortunately, I feel quite the same. I have so much wanted to go visit Mindanao specifically Davao and Lanao to see the Ma. Christina falls. But truthfully, I don't see myself living in Mindanao. Sorry for being a little bit biased but at these times, I still get scared especially with every thing that we see on the news. But maybe someday, when everything else is better in terms of peace and governance in Mindanao, I might consider living there if I could have an opportunity.
@tammy27 (1241)
• Philippines
9 May 11
yes, this is very very sad. im from Mindanao (Davao specifically) and i cant imagine how dirty the image of Mindanao appears to the whole country. bombings here, terrorism there, killing here, failure to fix major society problems there. this place has more to offer that all those negativity, but all the goodness of Mindanao is covered this the negativity surrounding it.
@katrinapaz (2436)
• Philippines
8 May 11
hi there vesuvius! i am from Mindanao to and working here in Cebu. Everytime that my friends will askme from where I am and If i would answer Mindanao, they would always ask if I am a muslim. Their impression is that most of the people their are muslims and that a lot of bombings happen, which is really not the case and I always strive to correct them.
@jadeegca88 (2)
• Philippines
7 May 11
In my almost 23 years of existence(commonly used openings by different competitions),Mindanao is a place where you can find true people,hardworking individuals and most especially culture sensitive persona.Yes,some people would give their negative feedback regarding this place but I think we Mindanaoans are living evidence that indeed it is a place of safety and security. Mindanao is a rich place in terms of agriculture so better invest here.
@lyamsitiy (104)
• Philippines
7 May 11
I definitely agree with you because i live in Mindanao. We talk about it with my friends and people that are from Luzon and Visayas really thinks that you can't live in Mindanao with out seeing a bomb thrown at places and being kidnapped. I think cities at Mindanao are more safe than in Manila.
@ckciasigurl (2081)
• Italy
7 May 11
hi vesuvius
hello! i am here at baguio for now i am almost 19 years here actually when i heard and think the word MINDANAO the first thing i remember is TERRORISM because we all know that Mindanao is a place the it is much risky because of the terrorism they use bombs, and to think some innocent people are dying because of this, but we all know that NOT ALL PART OF MINDANAO is not nice or bad there are only some .
@mantis36 (4219)
• Philippines
7 May 11
Mindanao for me is:
1. a Promise Land
2. a place on which Japanese Soldiers during world war II never invaded
3. a rich in natural resources
4. many talented athletes which until now remains undiscovered because they prioritize athletes came from Manila
5. a place which typhoon never landed, the common nature disaster found in Mindanao is tornado
