I am Mandaue

A candidate for a local post warned his campaign (he calls them that) to be careful in their job. "Mahimong malapas gamay sa lagda sa Comelec apan pinohon lang," he said.

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"Don't forget the 11th commandment," he said. "You know...Thou shall not be caught. And if caught, thou shall not admit."

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Actually, it was a warning cum advice that is being observed also by campaigners of other political candidates, Thou shall not be caught...

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A rebel group apologized for the ambush of a convoy in which a mayor was badly hurt and two companions were killed. "No intention to kill," apologized the rebels.

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"So what's the intention?" wondered Rev. Rey Catague, a Protestant pastor. "If you rain bullets on a car with people inside, what's the intention?" the pastor asked.

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"I am Mandaue," a movement stressing the true character of the Mandauehanon has been launched in time for the celebration of the Mandaue fiesta on May 8.

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"It should be a forever movement, not just to drum up the fiesta celebration," says Ramon "Monching" Monsanto, a native Mandauehanon who now calls Masbate his second home.

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I am not a Mandauehanon but I know the stuff -- or okay, the character -- the true Mandauehanon is made of. Most of my close friends are from Mandaue and some of them were like brothers to me.

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There was a period in Mandaue's history when nearly all Mandauehanons knew each other like sisters and brothers. "In fact, Monching Monsanto said: "Hapit tanang lumad nga Mandauehanon managparyente."

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Entertainer Willie Revillame came, saw and conquered the Cebuano voters from the Team Rama. He gave away money, cell phones and jackets to his fans at Plaza Independencia, according to newspaper reports. The police estimated the crowd at 80,000 to 90,000 but Mayor Mike says it may have reach 100,000.

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OVERHEARD. Some carenderia customers were heard talking about the Wowowillie show at the plaza. One of them said: "Daku-dako na tong puhunan para ni Mike ug Annabelle." Replied another eater: "Klareks, Bay, bisan 10,000 ra tong mobotar sa Team Rama dako na kaayong ganansiya." Another one butted in: "Sobra tingalig 10,000 oy. Mga bakya crowd gud to, sayon ulog-ulogan."