Society
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Inmates Learn SSS Enrollment Behind Bars in Oriental Mindoro
Twenty-two detainees at a district jail in Oriental Mindoro received training Tuesday on enrolling in the government’s Social Security System (SSS), a laudable effort to help incarcerated individuals plan for their eventual return to society.…
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Missing pregnant woman found dead in Mindoro
A 43-year-old woman who went missing in Occidental Mindoro earlier this week has been found dead, her family confirmed on Wednesday. Maria Rowena Javier, known as “Wheng,” was nine months pregnant when she was last…
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SP Honors Mindoro DJ for KBP Golden Dove Award
The Occidental Mindoro provincial board has formally recognized Mindoreño radio personality Brenda Dais Valera, known on-air as “Kendi Ririt,” for bringing national honor to the province after winning the Best Radio Disc Jockey award at…
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Police warn residents of fake NPA extortion calls in Mindoro
Police in Magsaysay town, Occidental Mindoro are warning residents about a new extortion scheme where criminals impersonate NPA communist rebels to demand money from unsuspecting victims. According to a public advisory issued by the Magsaysay…
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NPA rebel killed in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro clash
Government forces have killed one suspected communist rebel and recovered weapons following a firefight in Occidental Mindoro, military officials said. The clash occurred in Sitio Salidang, Barangay Naibuan, San Jose town at approximately 08:35 Friday…
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Former inmates wed in waterfall ceremony at Sablayan prison
Four former prisoners at a jail facility have married their partners in an unusual ceremony held at a waterfall within the prison grounds. The weddings took place on Tuesday at Aruyan Falls, located inside the…
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Former Rebels Complete Deradicalization Program in Mindoro
Thirty former rebels have completed a three-day deradicalization program in Occidental Mindoro province, part of ongoing government programs to end decades of communist insurgency in the country. The program, held from July 21-23, 2025, at…
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Naujan LGU distributes relief goods to nearly 3,000 flood-hit families
The local government of Naujan has distributed relief goods to 2,982 household beneficiaries on Sunday — the second wave of assistance for families affected by recent flooding. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office…
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Former Rebels Launch First Federation in MIMAROPA
Ex-insurgents from MIMAROPA region have established the country’s first federation for former combatants, a unified voice for former NPA rebels as they navigate their return to civilian life, with a focus on securing government support…
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Philippine population hits 112.7 million; MIMAROPA ranks among least populated
The Philippines’ population reached 112.7 million people as of July 1, 2024, according to official census results released Thursday, July 17, 2025. The 2024 census is the 16th population count conducted in the Philippines since…
Founder’S Profile
Romel “Direk” Ferriol Bernardo
Bernardo Creative Ventures, Inc., the company behind Direk Fuels, Oriental Mindoro’s homegrown gas station chain, and Direk Builders, which rents out heavy equipment, is expanding its portfolio by venturing into online media and content production.
The company’s entry into news media is not surprising, as its founder and CEO, Romel “Direk” Bernardo, was a television writer, producer, and director for over 15 years. From 2002 to 2007, he served as a researcher, writer, and producer for GMA-7’s top-rating show Imbestigador before becoming the executive producer for ABS-CBN’s award-winning documentary program, The Correspondents.
