r/todayIlearnedPH

Came across this old news report on YouTube while I was searching for some archival stuff. It seemed pretty relevant with everything going on in the Senate lately. This happened back in 2006 during former President GMA’s term at an annual march for International Women’s Month.

What really caught my attention was then-Akbayan partylist congresswoman Hontiveros dropping the word punyeta on the floor of the House of Representatives. Pardoning her French, this was totally understandable given how things went down.

Apparently, even the late Senator Miriam Defensor condemned the arrest as illegal and pushed for her to be released right away.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPS-O9Yihsg

TIL may tinatawag palang “siyokoy” words sa Filipino: mga salitang mukhang Filipino pero considered incorrect dahil halo-halo ang spelling conventions from Spanish, English, at Filipino.

Examples:

❌ kwalipikasyon
✅ kalipikasyon (from Spanish calificacion)

❌ kontemporaryo
✅ kontemporaneo

❌ endorso
✅ endoso

❌ imahe
✅ imahen

❌ aspeto
✅ aspekto

Basically, “siyokoy” words are hybrid spellings na parang half-translated, half-phonetic, kaya hindi standard according to KWF.

Sources:

1. Online KWF Dictionary
2. paulmorrow.ca/siyokoy.htm

Source: https://www.rappler.com/business/cheng-family-owner-bounty-fresh-bistro-group-restaurants/

“Andy Soriano-led Anscor sells minority stake in The Bistro Group for P1.9 billion, and expresses confidence the premium casual restaurant enterprise 'will continue delighting Filipino consumers with quality dining experiences'”

Personally I prefer Bounty Fresh Chicken over Magnolia chicken whenever I do groceries. Clean, safe, trusted brand narin.

Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/214760/10-countries-with-the-largest-number-of-catholics/

In the diverse line of native chickens in the Philippines—such as the Darag of Panay, the ZamPen Native Chicken of Zamboanga, and the Boholano Chicken—another breed is gaining attention in Mindanao.

Distinct for its black shank, gray skin, and black plumage, the Patani, or Caraga Black Native Chicken (CBNC), is emerging as a promising addition to the country’s native poultry industry.

The push to develop the CBNC began in 2017, when the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) noticed growing demand for black-meat chickens.

“Online, there were many people looking for black-meat chickens, and some were even offering them at very high prices,” said Dr. Synan Baguio, Director of the Livestock Research Division at DOST-PCAARRD. “At that time, we saw very few—less than 20 birds—at the Department of Agriculture station in Caraga. So we decided to begin breeding work using those limited stocks.”

In collaboration with Caraga State University (CSU) and the Department of Agriculture’s Trento Research and Experiment Station, the initiative focused on identifying and breeding chickens with similar traits across Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.

Demand driven by perceived health benefits

Locally known as Patani, the CBNC initially drew interest due to its perceived health benefits. Studies in other countries on black chicken breeds suggest higher melanin content, which is linked to antioxidant properties.

In informal surveys, consumers often say they prefer black meat,” Baguio said. “In some cultures, it’s associated with better taste and added health benefits.”

However, researchers clarified that these claims are not yet scientifically established for the CBNC.

“We are making assumptions based on similar black chicken breeds,” said Dr. Tomas Austral Jr., project leader from Caraga State University. “But we plan to conduct proper analysis in future projects to determine its actual health benefits. There is strong potential, especially in nutraceutical applications, and even hospitals have expressed interest in partnering with us.”

Efforts are underway to collaborate with food and nutrition research groups to formally study the breed’s nutritional composition.

Improving productivity through science-based breeding

Beyond its unique appearance, the CBNC is also being developed for improved production performance.

Current data show that the breed produces around 110 eggs per year, with recent improvements pushing that number to 115. Fertility rates stand at around 85%, while target growth performance is set at 1.2 kilograms within 14 weeks.

“These figures are still being refined as we consolidate our data,” Austral explained.

As part of the breeding program, selection is focused on increasing egg production and improving growth rates.

“Since this is breeding work, our goal is to produce chickens that yield more products,” Baguio said. “So our selection is directed toward higher egg production and faster growth.”

Building a value chain: Farmers, markets, and tourism

To promote the CBNC, government institutions have partnered with small-scale breeders and producers, ensuring access to premium markets through a value chain approach.

“Our estimate is already more than 5,000 distributed among breeders,” Austral said. “We have partners in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Occidental, and even Siargao—and many are expressing interest in expanding.”

In Siargao, the local government of Del Carmen has incorporated CBNC dishes into hotel menus, helping position the breed as a tourism offering. DOST-PCAARRD is also exploring its inclusion in tourism packages as part of Philippine ethnic cuisine.

“Our strategy is to link stakeholders,” Baguio said. “But production and marketing should ultimately be led by private adopters.”

So if small-scale farmers want to level up their poultry game with the CBNC, government agencies will help in the technical side—like breeding and selection—while private sector partners take care of multiplying the stock.

“If someone wants to go into business with Caraga Black Native Chicken, we usually refer them to our private sector partners,” Baguio said.

However, to guarantee production of high quality CBNC, DOST-PCAARRD is rolling out a Native Animals Farm Certification Program through partnerships with the Bureau of Animal Industry. This will ensure that only breeder farms meeting a strict criteria can operate as certified suppliers.

“Entrepreneurs will have better control over their production systems,” Baguio said. “That also gives them confidence that their operations can actually generate profit.

CBNC’s profitability

One of the biggest advantages of raising CBNC is you can sell it at a premium price buyers are willing to pay.

“Many buyers don’t really question the price, even if it’s higher than other native chickens,” Austral said. “That’s a big motivator for us, especially considering its potential in terms of pricing and perceived health benefits.”

Baguio added that pricing comes down to value. If the product is premium, it deserves a premium price. Current estimates show one-month-old chicks costs around ₱250, growers about ₱450, and dressed chicken around ₱500.

Because they’re native chickens, CBNCs are also naturally adapted to local conditions and can thrive on forage-based diets. For farmers, this means less dependence on commercial feeds and more savings in the long run.

Supply challenges amid rising demand

Despite growing interest, limited supply remains a major challenge. Austral noted that demand is expanding beyond Mindanao, with inquiries now coming from Luzon and the Visayas. To address this, a cooperative has been formed to coordinate production across Caraga.

It’s risky to promote a product widely when supply is still very limited,” Baguio cautioned.

“However, I personally am very optimistic that we can significantly increase the population of the chickens and availability of their meat because we already have private sector entrepreneurs who are adopting the Caraga Black Native Chicken,” he added.

Next steps: From research to market-ready products

With increasing attention on the CBNC, research institutions are moving toward the next phase: improving productivity, analyzing nutritional composition, and developing value-added products.

At Caraga State University, efforts are underway to strengthen the production system—from farm to processing. Plans include establishing a slaughterhouse facility to support product development and distribution.

“We want to showcase the Caraga Black native chicken here in Caraga from production to slaughter. So we have a slaughterhouse designed by our planning office. Hopefully, it will be integrated as one of the strategies for them to see value-adding and the finished product,” Austral said.

As research continues and partnerships expand, stakeholders believe the CBNC could soon carve out a niche in both the local and international markets—offering farmers a new opportunity while introducing consumers to a distinctly Filipino poultry product.

Photos courtesy of DOST-PCAARRD and Caraga State University

https://agriculture.com.ph/2026/05/18/meet-patani-the-caraga-black-native-chicken-rising-as-a-promising-force-in-ph-poultry-industry/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAR5CEZjbGNrBHkIHWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHpjc8zhFKvFBVa0CbtbvbmtSifEeQ7gUQ87M9pgVdiM8mvhZBjsJwx2W4qsm\_aem\_FuOluNHOeAbIHzkGCJEVAw

fav ko pa naman to at lagi kong kinakain papunta sa work huhu. lowkey felt betrayed

https://www.fda.gov.ph/fda-advisory-no-2025-1248-public-health-warning-against-the-purchase-and-consumption-of-the-unregistered-food-product-7fresh-two-cheese-pepperoni-toasted-sandwich/

Found out a cafe is up inside the National Museum by the “Venus” sculpture.

Image credit: Mr. J.D. Dondoyano

The oldest Marian statue in the Philippines is the Image of Nuestra Señora de Guia. The origin of this artwork has been the subject of several historical interpretations, ranging from Chinese traders to the Ferdinand Magellan voyage. Since the Spanish era, the wooden Black Madonna statue has been revered in the area as the patroness of travelers and navigators. It is kept at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guia, also called the Ermita Church, in Ermita, Manila.

According to the Anales de la Catedral de Manila, the expedition led by Miguel López de Legazpi encountered a community of animist natives venerating a statue of a female figure hidden within a pandan bush along the shores of present-day Ermita on May 19, 1571. The image was later identified as the Blessed Virgin Mary. Later traditions claimed that the statue had originally been brought to the Philippines by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 and presented as a gift to Rajah Humabon, whose influence extended to territories connected with the Kingdom of Maynila.

The true origin of the image, however, continues to be debated by both ecclesiastical and secular historians. Several theories have emerged over time. One suggests that the statue was introduced by Ferdinand Magellan due to its notable resemblance to the Santo Niño de Cebu. Another theory proposes that Chinese merchants brought the image to Manila, arguing that it may have originally depicted the Taoist deity Kuan Yin because of its distinctly oriental appearance and posture. Other historians believe the image may have been introduced by Blessed Odoric of Pordenone during his missionary activities in Bolinao, Pangasinan in 1324, identifying it instead as an image of the Immaculate Conception. Despite the differing interpretations surrounding its beginnings, historians generally agree that the image of Nuestra Señora de Guia remains the oldest known Marian image in the Philippines.

SOURCE: Malabanan, J. (2016, September 13). Nuestra Señora de Guia – The Oldest Existing Marian image in the Philippines. Pintakasi. https://pintakasiph.wordpress.com/2016/09/13/nuestra-senora-de-guia-the-oldest-existing-marian-image-in-the-philippines/

TIL that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was a former chief of the Tadtad group (also known as Sagrado Corazon Señor) back in the 1980s sa Northern Mindanao.

For people na hindi familiar, Tadtad was a militant religious cult/vigilante group na naging known during the height of anti communist conflicts sa Mindanao. Naging infamous sila because of their violent methods and beliefs involving anting anting, rituals, and supposed “bulletproof” practices. The group was also often linked to anti NPA activities during that era.

Philippine politics/history really has some wild lore talaga.

Edit: Bato was a chief handler but not officially a member of the group. My bad.

Source

Its founder and former CEO, Francisco “Paco” Magsaysay. Starting out in Ayala Alabang, the brand has grown and branched out all over the country and even in Singapore.

Coming from a very prominent political family, most people thought Paco would one day enter politics, just like his grandfather, the late President Ramon Magsaysay, and his father, former Senator Jun Magsaysay.  “It did cross my mind. I think in 2010, 2012 [I considered] entering politics,” he said. His father actually told him that if he was thinking of starting a career in politics, he should spend some time in the Senate and Congress first. But he said his father never encouraged him to do so.

When he did, Paco immediately realized that politics wasn’t for him, saying he might get very frustrated being stuck in that kind of system, that he might not get things done the way he wants. This was the deciding moment he chose to become an entrepreneur instead.

“At the end of the day, we choose the life we live. We live a short life. I choose to do what I want to do, not what other people expect me to do,” Paco explained.

When his father and his father’s friends put up a dairy farm in Bay, Laguna in 2007, they initially intended to only sell fresh milk. However, they soon realized that they would have to deal with an oversupply of milk and short shelf life. Wanting not to waste their excess product, Paco tried concocting different dairy products made from milk until he ended up making homemade ice cream. Upon realizing how good it was, he had a eureka moment and convinced his partners to focus on making the best ice cream. “I knew we had something really good. I said moving forward, we’re just going to make ice cream,” he said.

Thus, Carmen’s Best was born. Which was named after his only daughter.

The company was ultimately acquired by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), the infrastructure and utilities giant led by businessman Manuel Pangilinan in a P198-million deal in 2022 which will take a 51-percent stake in the venture known as The Laguna Creamery Inc. The Magsaysay-led Carmen’s Best Group will keep the remaining 49 percent.

REPOSTED BECAUSE ORIGINAL POST WAS TAKEN DOWN BY MODS

Source:
https://primer.com.ph/business/carmens-best-founder-paco-magsaysay/

https://business.inquirer.net/351552/metro-pacific-scoops-up-premium-ice-cream-maker-carmens-best

The apple does not fall far from the tree I guess... or whatever the saying is.

Source:

https://youtu.be/cja65Kc30Ls?si=5x4dsR67bnkwypSV

Timestamp:

36:07

Our cat loves smelling things sa bahay esp pag may bisita and packages. Recently nagkavisitors kami and our cat smelled them for a few min then made the open-mouth face HAHAHA

After looking it up, it's called the Flehmen response/reaction. It's an instinctual behavior that helps them process interesting smells especially pheromones.

Would love some additional feline facts/trivias from everyone as well :D Thank you!

Source: PetMD

Was wondering about the current power outages in manila and stumbled upon what i was curious about when i was young.

This is our fifth largest source of energy overall. Among sources of renewable energy, it is second only to hydroelectric power, although both sources are surpassed by the amount of energy drawn from coal, oil, and natural gas in that order.

Here's hoping we get solar powerplants to not rely on importing for our energy needs.

Source:

U, Peter Lee; Center for Research and Communication, University of Asia and the Pacific; De Leon, R.E. (October 29, 2021), "Philippine Power Situationer: Investment Implications", Energy Services and Renewable Energy in the New Normal, Series of Economic Fora Session 6, Center for Local and Constitutional Reform, event occurs at 1:37:11, archived from the original on December 4, 2021

Tagal ko nang hindi bumibili ng Fissan Foot Powder simula nung nag-WFH ako nung June last year. And TIL, rebranded na pala siya to Dr. Kaufmann. I remember hirap ako lagi makabili nito sa mga drugstore dahil laging out of stock.

Can't find any reliable source or any official announcement about it tho. Pero pagsearch ko sa shopee today, Dr. Kaufmann na ang lumabas and nasa Watsons official store siya. I also saw an FB post (3rd pic) containing a public notice about the rebranding, and apparently it was posted July 7, last year.