Heartbeat Heroes: Strengthening Community Care Through Life-Saving Skills

COURTESY:  (DYM/CIO/Photo JRBGH)

In moments where every second counts, the skill and readiness of medical professionals can mean the difference between life and death. That’s why the **TWO-DAY trainings on basic life support (BLS) and cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)** conducted by the **city-owned JR Borja General Hospital (JRBGH)** last Monday and Tuesday, November 11 and 12, stand as a powerful beacon of commitment to public health.  

Held specifically for the medical staff of **Cagayan de Oro City Hospital–Lumbia**, these sessions were far more than routine workshops—they were deeply immersive experiences filled with practical skill building, confidence boosting, and urgent real-world applications. Every heartbeat saved in the future may trace back to these crucial days of preparation.  

Empowering Hands, Saving Lives 

The **JRBGH’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H) Unit** led the twin trainings with energy and expertise. Each exercise placed emphasis on mastering essential emergency procedures, enabling Lumbia hospital personnel to act swiftly and effectively in high-pressure situations. With step-by-step guidance, they learned not just the mechanics of BLS and CPR, but also the thinking and decision-making that go hand-in-hand with rapid response.  

Moreover, the sessions fostered teamwork—staff members practiced in pairs and groups, simulating intense emergency scenarios that demanded coordination, clarity, and mutual trust. Through realistic role-play and hands-on drills, participants experienced the urgency of real medical crises, building confidence that will serve them well when lives hang in the balance.  

A Shared Mission for a Healthier Community  

As the training concluded, JRBGH and **CDOCH–Lumbia** renewed their shared mission: to provide effective medical response throughout the communities they serve. This partnership is more than an institutional collaboration—it is an ongoing promise of safety, compassion, and resilience for every patient who walks through their doors.  

In a world where emergencies can strike without warning, such dedication ensures that those at the frontlines are not only ready but also highly capable of delivering quality healthcare. The ripple effect of these trainings will no doubt extend beyond hospital walls, touching families, neighborhoods, and the wider city with peace of mind and confidence in their caregivers.  

Life-saving skills are not just techniques—they are gifts of hope. Through such initiatives, the Cagayan de Oro community stands stronger, one well-trained heartbeat hero at a time.

When Innovation Meets the Highlands: The Spark of DIGI MC 2025 in Malaybalay City

COURTESY:  (LGDB, GIP/PIA–10/Bukidnon)

Highland air met the hum of innovation as **MALAYBALAY CITY** welcomed visionaries, dreamers, and doers for *Digital Malaybalay City (DIGI MC) 2025*. More than just a conference, it was a movement—an ambitious step toward weaving technology into the fabric of everyday life. From October 29 to 31, Bukidnon State University became a crossroads of ideas, with innovators, freelancers, educators, and international delegates exchanging wisdom on how tech can inspire opportunity, inclusion, and sustainable growth.  

A City Wired for the Future

The event was part of Malaybalay’s **Smart and Connected Malaybalay** agenda—a strategic vision to build a digitally empowered, future-ready community through responsible innovation and collaboration. Transitioning from tradition to tomorrow isn't easy, yet the city government showed it is ready to bridge gaps and invite all sectors to the conversation.  

Freelancer **Ruffel Mae H. Maghano** gave a heartfelt reminder that resilience remains the secret ingredient in navigating the competitive digital job market. She urged participants to craft routines that foster both productivity and well-being. "Manage your time well—balance multiple clients while leaving time for yourself and your family," she advised, planting seeds of discipline in the minds of aspiring digital nomads.  

From creative branding to authentic representation, **Vee Trimidal**, founder of *The Vee Crafts*, painted a vivid portrait of how values and storytelling can carve a permanent space in people’s memories. A brand, he explained, is more than just a logo—it is a living, breathing personality that can inspire trust.  

The Human Side of Technology

An equally compelling narrative was woven by **Ma. Estella Bravo**, senior product designer at Shape Construction, who showcased artificial intelligence not as a replacement, but as a partner in creative endeavors. With tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Nixie, she invited participants to use AI as a way to expand ideas and streamline complex projects.  

On the educational front, **Professor Franch Maverick Lorilla** envisioned schools as innovation hubs—entities that actively fuse learning with industrial and community needs. His words carried weight: “The highest form of transformation is a university that educates, drives research-based solutions, and contributes to regional growth.”  

Meanwhile, **Jaymark Dumio** of DICT-10 introduced **LAKIP**, a platform designed to promote digital literacy and close the technology gap across communities. Through training and awareness campaigns, LAKIP empowers individuals to truly harness digital tools, creating ripples of progress far beyond city borders.  

From Global Perspectives to Local Guardians

Brazilian software engineer **Joao Marcelino Fantin Lerina** spoke of adaptability as the lifeblood of technology professionals. To him, being a supervisor is not just a title—it is the resolve to keep learning, especially in a digital landscape that reinvents itself daily.  

Finally, **Keren Happuch Lacadin** of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry brought the focus back to safety in the digital realm. In an age of hyperconnection, she reminded attendees that caution is as vital as creativity. Thinking before sharing, connecting only with trusted individuals, and using secure websites form the armor of a responsible digital citizen.  

**DIGI MC 2025** was more than an agenda—it was a living proof that Malaybalay City is ready to embrace the opportunities of the digital future without losing sight of humanity’s shared values. As the curtains closed on the three-day gathering, one thing became clear: innovation is not just about machines or code—it is about people, collaboration, and the courage to build a smarter, more inclusive community.

Curtains Rise by the River: A New Stage for Cagayan de Oro

COURTESY: Cong. Rufus Rodriguez

A Grand Vision Unfolds

Under the bright skies of Cagayan de Oro City, a landmark moment took place — the **𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝟱𝟬 𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗭𝗔 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔**. Spearheaded by Cong. Rufus Rodriguez, the ribbon-cutting was more than ceremonial — it marked the birth of a cultural and environmental jewel at the heart of Barangay 6.  

The P50-million project features a magnificent Open Theatre, a scenic River View Deck, a spacious car park, and rentable commercial spaces designed for local entrepreneurs to showcase their products. Transitioning from vision to reality, this venue promises to be a melting pot where artistry meets sustainability, drawing both Kagay-anons and tourists into memorable experiences.  

A Breath of Fresh Air for the City

This development is not just about aesthetics; it’s a vibrant chapter in **Project Lunhaw**, the City Government’s initiative to enhance Cagayan de Oro’s climate resilience. By transforming Plaza Divisoria into a walkable, bikable, and verdant urban haven, the city is taking proactive steps towards eco-friendly modernization. The open spaces invite the community to gather, celebrate, and reconnect — with culture, with nature, and with each other. 

Present during the turnover were Barangay 6 Kap. Ian Glenn L. Chui, Project Lunhaw Head Patrick Gabutina, and DPWH 2nd District Engineering Office (DEO) leaders, including District Engineer Jan Paulo Lisondra. Their collaboration showcases how visionaries and engineers can unite to shape a city that’s ready for the future yet rooted in its heritage.  

**In essence**, the Open Theater and River Viewing Deck stand as more than infrastructure — they are symbols of hope, creativity, and environmental stewardship. With each performance held and every visitor welcomed, Cagayan de Oro steps closer to becoming a city where progress and paradise meet.