Cebu Province News October 2012

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Province of Cebu - Archived News

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Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion. But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened . Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions. Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE? Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace? WHY?? There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance: The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Aerial View of Metro Cebu

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs. Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

NBI to construct online satellite center in Naga

• Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=865359
• Wednesday, October 31, 2012 12:00 am

By Garry B. Lao (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation will put up an online satellite clearance center in Naga City.

Mayor Valdemar Chiong is authorized by the city council to sign a memorandum of agreement with the NBI in relation to the construction of a satellite office.

Under the MOA, Chiong said the city will provide a space, facilities, and equipment at the city’s sports gymnasium.

The city will also have to pay the salary of the information technology (IT) provider.

Chiong explained that the online satellite center will not only serve the people of Naga but those from the southern part of Cebu from Talisay City to Santander town.

The center can process and issue NBI clearances in five to 10 minutes, for a fee of P115, if the applicant is not on the hotlist, he or she can get the NBI clearance right away.

This will be the third in Cebu. The first was put up in Tuburan upon the request of Mayor Democrito Diamante, who provided the space and personnel. People from as far as Escalante, Negros Occidental and Dumaguete City and the neighboring municipalities of Tabuelan, Balamban, Asturias, Pinamungajan and the cities of Toledo and Bogo secure NBI clearances in Tuburan, Cebu.

Another NBI satellite clearance office is located in Robinsons Cybergate, Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City.

Cebu inmates’ ‘gangnam’ dance wows Koreans, Japanese

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=2&rid=466936
• Tuesday, October 30, 2012

(PNA), LDV/EB/BH

CEBU CITY, Oct. 30 (PNA) -- Cebu’s popular dancing inmates once again wowed some 1,000 spectators, including Koreans, Japanese and Chinese guests, who went to the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) over the weekend to watch them dance the popular “Gangnam Style” number.

”Amazing and exciting as we haven’t seen this dance with prisoners this close,” said Sayuri Hatozaki, a 29-year-old Japanese who is studying English in Cebu.

After a series of dance performances, visitors were allowed to come down to the quadrangle and dance with the 900 dancing inmates.

”I really enjoyed the dance. I’ve never danced with prisoners. Very impressive,” said 28-year-old Saeku Hisano from Tokyo, who is also studying English in Cebu.

The inmates danced to 10 tunes, mostly by the late pop icon Michael Jackson, like “Billy Jean.”

Impersonating Michael Jackson was 24-year-old Carlito Alinabon, who hails from Badian town, Cebu. He is facing a murder case.

For the finale the inmates performed the “Gangnam Style,” eliciting loud cheers from the crowd.

Guests were allowed to join the inmates in the dance and have their pictures taken with them.

The star dancer for the Gangnam Style number is Wilmer Tapales, who is facing an illegal drug case.

”Fantastic,” was how 23-year-old Daiki Akiyama described the performance.

Department of Public Works and Highways 7 director Ador Canlas described the performance as world-class.

Canlas brought his family, wife and three kids to the show. His 14-year-old son Ron also danced with the inmates.

The jail houses 1,515 inmates, 62 of whom are female, said acting warden Romeo Manansala.

Some 900 of these inmates performed in the 150-meter by 80-meter quadrangle surround by 1,100 guess.

The guests were bused in to the facility from the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

The number of visitors was the biggest since the jail allowed people to watch the dancing inmates.

Cebu has new environment code

• Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=864604
• Monday, October 29, 2012 12:00 AM

By Gregg M. Rubio and Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon (FREEMAN)

CEBU, Philippines - After two years of deliberation, the Environment Code of Cebu Province was finally approved.

The code is an integration of the consolidated existing environmental ordinances of the province, localization of relevant national environmental laws and new provisions critical to protection, conservation, and sustainable development of the province’s environmental resources and amenities.

According to the author, Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano, who chairs the PB Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, the Code establishes the linkage and interconnection of air, water and noise pollution and public health.

“The province recognizes that the ultimate aim of environmental protection is the attainment of the Cebuanos’ improved quality of life, thus, the need to highlight the impacts of pollution to public health and the importance of mainstreaming programs, projects, building coalitions to create healthy communities,” he said.

The newly-approved 68-page legislation likewise provides and define ways and means to resolve conflicting views on the sustainable development aspects of major projects affecting the Cebuano society.

Ouano said that his relative, Ely Ouano, formerly of the Environment Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and now environment consultant of the Asian Development Bank helped him draft the Code together with the Technical Working Group which comprises of both government and private sector representatives.

Ouano said that the passage of the environment code is very essential for the province to have a comprehensive and sustainable development in line with the Agenda 21 signed and ratified by the Philippines.

Agenda 21 is an action plan of the United Nations (UN) related to sustainable development and was an outcome of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.

It is a comprehensive blueprint of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the UN, governments, and major groups in every area in which humans directly affect the environment.

Ouano said that the code also addresses concerns for disaster risks and climate change, energy efficiency and promotion of sustainable approaches to development planning and environmental protection.

Under the newly-approved measure, a Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan shall be made, which will ensure the linkage of local development objectives with regional and national priorities and the province shall ensure that land is utilized according to the most suitable use and promoting equitable access to the resources.

The Code also provides for the protection of Cebu’s endemic species such as the black shama or siloy and the non-endemic butanding species found in the province.

The Code further reads that the provincial government shall adopt ecological tourism as major strategy for the conservation of biological diversity and preservation of the unique natural and cultural heritage of the Cebuanos and creation of local employment opportunities.

A disaster risk reduction management measures shall be integrated to the development plans, specifically the Comprehensive Land Use Plans of cities and municipalities in the province, as one of way safeguarding the environment from the effects of climate change.

The proposed code further provides a penalty of fine from P3,000 to P5,000 or a 30-day to one year imprisonment or both at the court’s discretion, apart from confiscation of tools, equipment, devices for those who violated any provisions of the said Code.

A violator who cannot afford to pay the fine, the court may impose a 30-day community service.

Organic farming meet in Cebu to tackle new trends, practices

• Source:http://www.cdn.ph/news_details.php?id=14972
• Sunday, October 28, 2012

By Carmel Loise Matus (Correspondent)

Farmers, producers, suppliers of organic produce, and representatives from the agriculture sector across the country will gather to learn new trends in organic farming next month.

The 2012 National Organic Agriculture Convention in Mandaue City "is an opportunity to find out about global trends,”said Asst. Secretary Salvador Salacup of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“We have to show to the international community our standards and readiness to supply the growing but very discriminating international market," he said during a visit last week to Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Andre Leu, president of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM), will be the keynote speaker of the convention to be held from Nov. 6 to 8 at the J Center Mall in Mandaue City.

IFOAM is the worldwide umbrella organization of organic agriculture movement and has 750 member-organizations.

Salacup said that Cebu is considered one of the emerging organic farming centers in the country.

Governor Garcia suggested that participants visit organic farms in Aloguinsan town in western Cebu, which has been part of the itinerary of recent Suroy-Suroy midwest caravans.

She also suggested a sidetrip for delegates to to try the Bojo River Cruise in the town.

Salacup said he is expecting about 1,500 participants to attend the convention.

The convention will also discuss topics about standards, food safety, and proper accreditation practices.

There will also be a chef's parade, where chefs will prepare dishes made of organic ingredients.

Salacup commended the Cebu provincial government's thrust in fully implementing the “Organic Agriculture Act of 2010” in the province.

The marine sanctuary at Shangri-La Mactan

• Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=863929
• Saturday, October 27, 2012 12:00 am

(The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Among the many attractions at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu is its white sand beach and pristine waters. Guests can enjoy the added thrill of swimming with the schools of tropical fish that make their home in the Shangri-La Marine Sanctuary.

In keeping with the resort's corporate social responsibility (CSR) mission, the marine sanctuary was officially established on February 1, 2007. The Shangri-La Marine Sanctuary Stewardship group was granted 15 years of stewardship rights and obligations for the management of the sanctuary. The stewardship group is composed of the resort, Scotty's Action Sports Network and Dive Centre, and Amores Charities, Inc.

The same year the sanctuary was established, resort employees took part in transferring giant clams from Palawan to the safekeeping of the marine sanctuary. The Philippine government had removed the clams from poachers.

Today, over 160 species of marine life, including around 70 giant clams, are found in the six-hectare Shangri-La Marine Sanctuary. Among the fish species spotted are angelfish, banner fish, blue tang, butterfly fish, clownfish, clown sweetlips, goldfish, lion fish, pipefish, puffers, rainbowfish and wrasses. The sanctuary has also been the recent release site of hawksbill turtles and tropical fish that were handed to the local government by concerned citizens.

While the sanctuary houses a healthy house reef, two old sea vessels were sunk to form artificial reefs and aid in coral regeneration. Loose coral was transplanted to the snorkeling area fronting the resort's beach. The resort's management and staff also conduct reef checks and participate in regular clean-up dives to maintain the sanctuary's conditions.

The resort encourages guests to be aware of, and to appreciate, marine life. Supervised trips to the marine sanctuary are included in the scheduled children's activities at the Adventure Zone, while a complimentary snorkeling safari for adults is offered daily. One wall of the resort's Entertainment Zone is dedicated to photographs of the various species to be found underwater, and a similar sign is located on the beach.

Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu is the first resort in the Philippines to achieve ISO 14001 recognition. The internationally recognized standard for the environmental management of businesses is a culmination of the resort's initiatives towards being a real environment-friendly resort facility. In the past, the resort has been the recipient of two ASEAN Green Hotel Standard Awards, in recognition of the resort's compliance with environmentally friendly and energy conserving measures.

For inquiries and reservations, please contact Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu at (63 32) 231 0288 or e-mail reservations.mac@shangri-la.com.

Outsourcing firm eyes 15T manpower by 2013

• Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=863576
• Friday, October 26, 2012 12:00 am

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Outsourcing company Stream Global Services Inc. is eyeing to hit 15,000 manpower by 2013, with Cebu as its growth contributor in terms of operational expansion.

The company, which is partly owned by the Ayala Group, recently opened its third delivery and first mall-based site in Cebu at the third level of J Centre Mall on A.S. Fortuna St., Mandaue City.

The company has two sites at the i1 and i2 buildings at the Cebu IT Park and is currently employing 3,300 people.

According to Stream Cebu 3 recruitment office site director Angel Norme Alvarez, the outsourcing firm expects to reach 5,000 people in Cebu by next year. This is a big contribution to the entire company’s goal in reaching 15,000 employees on that year.

Stream’s facility in J Centre Mall has a total of 1,400 seats, Alvarez said.

At present, the company employs a total of 13,000 people in its nationwide operation that covers 12 sites, three of which are located in Cebu.

This year alone, Stream Global opened three new sites in the Philippines including the recent opening in Mall of Asia with 600 seats, and another new facility in Makati with 1,300 seats.

Cebu is one of the vital areas being looked at by the company for its expansion plans because it offers favorable factors that attract outsourcing firms, such as cost efficiency, availability of quality manpower supply, and Cebu’s conducive environment for business and good lifestyle, Alvarez said.

Stream Global at J Centre will take in outsourcing services which are into operating systems, and home entertainment consoles, customer service, sales and technical support.

In the last eight years, Stream Global has made its name as a customer service centric company. However, the company has grown into a multi-service outsourcing firm which involves higher processes in outsourcing, Alvarez said.

Alvarez added that outside of Metro Manila, Cebu is now seen by many outsourcing companies as their next growth area and that Stream Global has purposely positioned itself in Mandaue City because the city is starting to get attention from investors.

Moreover, Alvarez expressed confidence that the company will be able to hit the desired target in terms of manpower count, specifically that it has spread the location of its sites in Cebu.

Alvarez mentioned that the company noted a lower attrition rate in its Cebu operation in the last ten years, saying that Cebuanos have learned to appreciate the career path they can achieve in the BPO sector.

Stream Global Services, Inc. is a global company with a population of 33,000 in 50 different locations in the world serving Fortune 1,000 companies worldwide.

Army reservists, ROTC cadets hold outreach

• Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/295264/army-reservists-rotc-cadets-hold-outreach
• Thursday, October 25, 2012 7:13 am

(Cebu Daily News)

A joint team of military reservists and the University of San Jose-Recoletos ROTC cadets spearheaded a medical and civic action mission last Oct. 21 at the Cadulawan Elementary School in barangay Cadulawan, Minglanilla town, southern Cebu.

A total of 363 adults and children availed of free services ranging from medical checkup to medicines, storybook reading and games, legal advice, alternative livelihood seminar and haircut.

School supplies and books were also donated to Cadulawan Elementary School.

GV Hotels provided the medicines and school supplies.

The activity was conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reservists from the 5th Technical and Administrative Service Brigade and Alpha Battery, 1901st Ready Reserve Brigade, 701st CDC and 7th Regional Community Defense Group in commemoration of the AFP National Reservist celebration, in cooperation with 78th Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, Central Command, USJ-R Institute of Non-Formal Education and Community Outreach Program, Rotary Club of Cebu-Minglanilla, Archdiocesan Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary-Minglanilla, Young Lawyers Association of Cebu, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Provincial Training Center–Minglanilla and Cadulawan barangay council.

Terminal braces for holidays

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/10/24/terminal-braces-holidays-249495
• Wednesday, October 24, 2012

By Jujemay G. Awit

THE ongoing concreting of the side roads of the flyover in Mandaue City has prompted the technical group conducting a terminal improvement study of the Cebu North Bus Terminal to extend the conclusion of its report.

But Avelino Corona of Spaces Consultancy submitted the preliminary report on the terminal improvement study during a meeting of the Management Advisory Board.

The study recommended the increase of terminal fees for buses, vans-for-hire and minibuses for the improvement of the terminal, which is located just a few meters from the approach of the Subangdaku flyover.

The preliminary study also found that only 6,000 square meters were utilized by the terminal. Physical improvement could result to a horizontal or vertical expansion.

The board also discussed the upcoming long holiday for the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days celebration. Last year, it was observed that the loading of northbound buses was very chaotic.

This prompted talks of a takeover by the Cebu Provincial Government so that the North Bus Terminal will be operated like the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT).

Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura initiated the proposal, saying his constituents from the fourth district wanted a more peaceful management of the terminal during holidays.

But the proposal was considered not feasible because there is a contract between the Mandaue City Government, which owns the property, and the Cebu City Government, which leased the property. The contract will end in 2020 yet.

Taking this into consideration, Avelino said Spaces will visit CSBT next month and see if the operations there would work at the north bus terminal.

Loading activities

The board yesterday explored ways to improve loading activities during the holidays.

Senior Insp. Franco Oriol assured the board that Station 2 policemen will secure the terminal starting Oct. 28 until Nov. 3.

Oriol also suggested that no private vehicle should be allowed inside the terminal during peak holiday operations so the volume of people can be easily controlled.

The chaos is blamed on people who refuse to line up for seats and instead climb the vehicles’ windows.

Tanods

Terminal manager Zosimo Jumao-as Jr. asked Oriol if his police officers can help implement order in the ingress and egress of passengers because people do not seem to respect tanods.

Oriol said this would defeat the purpose of policemen, which is to secure the area.

Eventually it was agreed that police interns can help out passengers boarding the buses.

Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) executive director Rafael Yap also moved that the four billiard tables should not be in operation during the peak days of Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 so it can used as an additional waiting area.

Councilor Alvin Arcilla, with the concurrence of Jumao-as, also suggested giving passengers priority numbers to provide order just for the holidays.

Jumao-as said that when the terminal reaches its 10,000 capacity, they can close the door of the terminal.

Cebu's creative industry all set to show world its capability

• Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=862539
• Tuesday, October 23, 2012 12:00 AM

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Pioneering players in the digital interactive industry in Cebu are aiming to show the world their capability in high value digital crafts utilizing digital technology innovation.

Joseph Mayol, lead designer of Surface, a homegrown arts, design and technology studio, said that with the recent installation of its flagship project called “Wall Grid” at the Ayala Center Cebu, the company expects to get considerable attention from the Philippine market, as well as the rest of Asia.

Surface specializes in works within the realm of gererative design, interactive art installations and performances, multitouch interfaces and immersive experiences.

According to Mayol, their 11 x 8 feet Ayala Grid Wall is an example of an interactive art installation --- a testament to what the newly founded advertising and design firm is capable of --- as it constantly explores the areas and possibilities where human and technology can effectively interact with each other.

Surface’s partner and managing director Bryan Osmeña Yap said although the interactive art installation is a bit new to the Philippine market, it has been introduced in more developed countries like in Europe and the United States. And it won’t be long for Filipinos to embrace this digital and interactive form of advertising.

“This concept bridges the gap between physical and virtual worlds. Giving the consumers the real experience, an augmented reality,” Yap said.

Mayol, who is also the creative and technical director for the company, had been working with famous international clients creating web and graphic designs for Hollywood-based customers such as Paramount Pictures’ Stardust movie, and Walt Disney, among others.

This time, he said, as the capability of skilled and creative Filipinos have continuously attracted the affluent market based on design and creativity, it’s high time that Pinoys, Cebuanos, in particular, will make their own names in the worldwide landscape.

Surface aims to hit the huge Asian market with its innovation, while seeking government’s help in promoting local skills to both domestic and international markets.

The company’s wall installation in Ayala Center is part of its mission in “bringing ideas to the public in creative and effective ways.”

Rather than ascribing to traditional slideshows and electronic announcements often found in digital advertising mediums, the Ayala Grid Wall incorporates the new dynamics of modern design in “telling” its audience what is new or what is up.

As an interactive installation, the Ayala Grid Wall is designed to detect the presence of viewers with “on screen tiles” shifting and reacting to every detected movement.

Visual graphics molded after the mall’s “Style in the Making” theme are readily shown on screen when no movement is detected by its sensors, making the installation self-driven when on its “idle mode”.

The Ayala Grid Wall stands as a testament of high capability paving the way for newer and bolder innovations to come from Cebu’s artistic and advertising industries.

Mayol hopes that the government will be able to extend its hands to acknowledging the country’s rich pool of technology talents, specifically those who are trying to make their names in the Philippines and turning down offers from foreign employers.

Thousands flock to Toledo for first Calungsod feast

• Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=862138
• Monday, October 22, 2012 12:00 AM

By Vanessa Balbuena, Niña G. Sumacot, Ria Mae Y. Booc/MBG (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - An influx of pilgrims and devotees lent a festive atmosphere yesterday to Barangay Cantabaco, Toledo City, which celebrated its fiesta the same day its patron saint was canonized in Rome.

The rural barangay holds the distinction of having the first parish church in the world named after Saint Pedro Calungsod.

Cantabaco's original annual fiesta date is every fifth day of March, which incidentally, is the same month and date that Calungsod was beatified back in 2000.

Servillano Mapeso, the 80-year old architect who donated the one-hectare hilltop lot where the still-unfinished San Pedro Calungsod Parish Church stands, said there was a strong clamor from parishioners to move their annual fiesta to the 21st of October.

This is the first year Cantabaco residents held their fiesta in October, and will continue to do so from here on.

Three morning masses were officiated by parish priest Fr. Russel Emmanuel Sungcad.

He also accommodated devotees who requested healing prayers for their illness, saying he can lift up their appeals to God through Calungsod's intercession.

With the continued increase of devotees, Fr. Sungcad said a healing Mass will be held every 21st of the month at the San Pedro Calungsod Parish Church.

By 4 p.m., parishioners gathered inside the church to view the live telecast of the canonization rites through three wide-screen LCD television sets.

Policemen deployed in the area gave a crowd estimate of 20,000 people who attended Cantabaco's fiesta celebration.

Enterprising individuals made use of the occasion to do business, as a number of stalls selling Calungsod merchandise were seen positioned in front of the church.

Merielee Joenie Mapeso, 18, was among the vendors hawking items bearing Calungsod's image.

Her wares included colorful fans priced at P20, candle holders (P30), ceramic mugs (P80), caps (P160), travel mugs (at P75 and P90), button pins (P25), key chains with bottle opener (P30), t-shirts (P150) and umbrellas (P120.)

Mapeso, who had been selling the items since Saturday, said the fans and key chains were her bestsellers.

The Parish Pastoral Council also put up a booth selling more Calungsod souvenir items such as calendars (P20), handkerchiefs (P50), comic books (P60), and history books (P100).

The booth's estampitas and prayer books were their sold-out items.

A vendor of the Parish Pastoral Council booth said all of their proceeds will be used to fund the completion of San Pedro Calungsod Parish Church's construction.

Myrna Baratbate from Minglanilla, who was selling Calungsod t-shirts priced at P200 pesos, said she volunteered to donate a portion of her profit to the San Pedro Calungsod Church.

A north-bound caravan in tribute to Calungsod will be held on October 25, announced Fr. Sungcad.

Fifty vehicles are scheduled to join the caravan.

The construction of the San Pedro Calungsod Church began in 2003 using funds sourced from donations and through the own resources of the Mapeso family.

It is 65 percent complete, with Mapeso giving it an estimate of two to three years before construction will finally be finished.

In Cebu City, an estimate of 7,000 devotees gathered at the Archbishop's Palace yesterday to witness the live streaming of the canonization of now Saint Pedro Calungsod.

The devotees, nearly half of them were youngsters, glued their eyes on the projector for almost three hours to witness Pope Benedict XVI announced Calungsod as a Saint, along with six other martyrs.

Devotees clapped their hands every time Calungsod's name was mentioned or his image shown.

Claps also filled the covered court beside the Pedro Calungsod Shrine when Ricardo Cardinal Vidal spoke and Vice President Jejomar Binay was shown on TV as well as when a Cebuano said the Prayers of the Faithful and some pilgrims who wore Calungsod logos were flashed on screen.

After the canonization rites, devotees sang the Pedro Calungsod hymn before leaving the place to join the procession. A mass was held at 1:30 p.m. yesterday, about two hours prior to the canonization rites, at the Pedro Calungsod Shrine.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, who heads the City Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office, estimated the number of people who attended the whole day activity to have reached to 7,000.

Sufficient number of policemen was deployed in the major churches to secure the devotees that flocked the places where activities in relation to the canonization were simultaneously held.

French prime minister arrives in Cebu today

• Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=861836
• Sunday, October 21, 2012 12:00 AM

By Flor Z. Perolina (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Security will be tight at the Mactan Cebu International Airport today as French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault arrives at 10:10 a.m. in Cebu.

Ayrault will be accompanied by his wife, Brigitte, Foreign Trade Minister Nicole Briqc, and Foreign Minister Herlen Conway.

To welcome the French government officials will be Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Mayor Paz Radaza, Honorary Consul of France in Cebu Michel Lhuiller, and Louis Thevenin, director of Alliance Francaise.

From the airport, Ayrault and his entourage will directly proceed to Cebu City to visit the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

Later on, the delegation will visit the Fuente Osmeña Circle and then take a ride in a jeepney for the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

At the Capitol, the French official is expected to be briefed about the planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Cebu City.

Ayrault is also expected to attend the inauguration of the Alliance France de Cebu, which is located along Gorordo Avenue in Cebu City.

Afterward, the delegation is expected to drop by the Liberty Shrine in barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City at around 1:30 before his trip back to Paris at 2 p.m.

Day in history: The Second Filipino Saint

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/lifestyle/2012/10/20/day-history-second-filipino-saint-248969
• Saturday, October 20, 2012

By Luis A. Quibranza III

BUT more than just a mere regional accomplishment, the entire nation must be really proud to recognize this young Filipino boy as an example of holiness during times of brutal adversity.

According to an online article posted by Msgr. Ildebrando Jesus Aliño Leyson on pedrocalungsod.org, Calungsod was generally described through the writings of missionary companions as a “youngster.”

“(He was) a mozo, a mocito, a mancebo, a mancebito, a iuvenis, a jeune home, a muchacho, a niño—when he was martyred on April 2, 1672,” wrote Leyson. The writer goes on more to define the probable age when Calungsod died for the Catholic faith.

“The descriptions given to Blessed Pedro—mozo, mancebo, iuvenis, jeune home and muchacho—can be applied to young males of different ages. Yet, the diminutives mocito, mancebito and niño reveal that he was very young, just in his teens.”

“That may not be surprising as even the Jesuit missionaries in the Visayas at that time used to employ young boys between 12 and 14 years old as their mission assistants.”

According to Wikipedia, Pedro Calungsod was a “young Roman Catholic Filipino sacristan and missionary catechist, who along with Spanish Jesuit missionary Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, suffered religious persecution and martyrdom on Guam for their missionary work in 1672.”

“Missionary life was difficult as provisions did not arrive regularly, the jungles and terrain were difficult to traverse and the islands were frequently devastated by typhoons. Despite all these, the mission persevered and (the missionaries) were able to convert a significant number of locals,” the site added. Historical records reveal that Calungsod died when the local chief named Mata’pang, thrust a spear into the boy’s chest.

Immobilized, Calungsod was struck by a machete to the head by another assassin named Hirao. This was due to the rage of the chief upon finding out that Calungsod, together with San Vitores, baptized his daughter without his consent. San Vitores was also killed.

It was believed that Mata’pang’s wife consented to the baptism. Mata’pang thought that the holy water used in baptism had caused the deaths of babies in the area. The killers then tied large stones to the feet of both corpses and threw the bodies in the middle of the sea.

Calungsod’s exact place of birth remains unknown until this day. Records only clue historians of his origin because of references to him as Pedro Calonsor, El Visayo. Online sources would state that the likely places where the boy could have been from are Ginatilan, Cebu; Hinunangan and Hinundayan, Southern Leyte; Molo district, Iloilo and Loboc, Bohol. To note, these places were part of the “Diocese of Cebu” during that time.

A fierce follower of Christ until the time of his death, Calungsod’s canonization is indeed a timely reminder for the youth of today, most especially young Filipinos, to remember God in the light of this modern age.

In general, this historical event sparks a revival of the Catholic faith in the entire country. Today, as the Church officially declares the second Filipino saint, the nation celebrates with jubilee for its homegrown intercessor.

“St. Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.”

Group donates hospital goods to 4 Cebu hospitals

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=7&rid=464177
• Friday, October 19, 2012

(PNA), HBC/EB/BH

CEBU CITY, Oct. 19 (PNA) -- Three hospitals and a district hospital in Cebu will receive medical supplies from the Destiny Medical Fund Inc.

These are the provincial hospitals of Danao, Carcar, Bogo, and the district hospital of Minglanilla.

Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, on behalf of the province of Cebu, and Emma Ramas, president of DMFI, signed a deed of donation.

Ramas said DMFI is a company-based charity group operating in Cebu City.

The medical equipment and supplies, which are a combination of used and new items, were received by the DMFI from charities through Together Against Cancer UK , in coordination with the 300 Club of Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

”We are so lucky to be recipients of donated, used and brand new medical supplies and equipment. We’ve been going around government hospitals to distribute these donations,” Ramas said.

Some of the medical supplies include syringes, hospital beds, wheel-chairs, and laboratory and surgery supplies.

The president of New York-based Cancer and Research Fund, Larry McKay, is one of those who gave donations.

He said he started giving since 1998 when his friend died from cancer.

He said he finds the Filipinos friendly and intelligent people, and he decided to focus on the Philippines since he sees a lot of needs.

Garcia said the hospitals mentioned coordinated with the Integrated Provincial Health Office and the supplies will be given for free to indigent patients.

Dr. Cristina Giango, IPHO head, thanked DMFI for the supplies and equipment.

Giango said the hospital chiefs were the ones who picked the items that their hospitals need.

She said there were four out of 16 district hospitals that were converted to provincial hospitals.

The 10-bed district hospitals, which were converted to 100-bed provincial hospitals, are in Danao, Carcar, Bogo and Balamban.

Volunteers initiate school clean-up in Asturias, Tuburan

• Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1051350464068
• Thursday, October 18, 2012

(PIA-Cebu & with reports from RAFI)

CEBU, Oct 18 (PIA) -- About 1,200 community volunteers composed of parents, teachers, barangay officials in Asturias town in Cebu, nanays (mothers) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Micro-finance Balamban Branch, members of the Barangay Luz Youth Coalition (BYLC), and Coalition for Better Education initiated a schools clean-up of eight elementary schools in Asturias and Tuburan towns in Cebu.

The beneficiary schools include Agtugop Elementary School, Agbanga Primary School, Tag-amakan Elementary School, and Asturias Central School.

The same clean-up activity was also held in Tuburan town in Sandayong Elementary School, Carmelo Elementary School, Daan-Lungsod Elementary School, and Tuburan Central School.

This clean-up project was initiated by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), a Cebu-based non-government organization that encourages various stakeholders, organizations and other interested individuals to help improve school facilities in Cebu province.

According to the guidance coordinator of Asturias district Ana Noemi Buhia, it is important that the community sees that the organizers are sincere in their efforts to help improve school facilities to provide the children with better learning environment.

Buhia added that when the community saw the “Bayanihan” spirit of other organizations, the community just responded with eagerness.

They worked hand-in-hand in cleaning and painting the classroom furniture and school buildings, doing minor repairs, and constructing native tree nurseries, Buhia noted.

The Coalition for Better education (CBE) official Ency Encinares lauded RAFI in its contribution to improve the quality of education in Cebu.

Encinares noted that RAFI has been an instrument in transforming the public schools in the province into a better learning environment that contributed student performance and participation.

It was learned that RAFI will turn over 27 classrooms to the school administrators of the eight elementary schools in Asturias and Tuburan in November this year.

Asturias and Tuburan, according to a news relealse from RAFI belong to the second batch of beneficiaries of its School Rehabilitation Program which is now on its third phase of implementation.

Cebu to get 3 special working holidays

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/10/17/cebu-get-3-special-working-holidays-248448
• Wednesday, October 17, 2012

(Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

MANILA -- Three bills seeking to declare special working holidays in Cebu have been recently approved in the Senate on third and final reading.

Backed by 14 senators with no opposition or abstention are House Bills 537, 540 and 3496, which will soon be submitted to Malacañang for signature by President Benigno Aquino III if these receive the blessing of the bicameral conference committee and Congress.

House Bill 537 declares September 5 of every year as a working holiday in Naga City to be known as the Charter City Day of the City of Naga commemorating its foundation day.

On the other hand, House Bill 540 declares July 7 of each year as a working holiday in Carcar City to be known as the Charter City Day of the City of Carcar while House Bill 3496 declares March 26 of every year as a working holiday commemorating the liberation of Cebu from the Japanese occupation during World War II.

"These local festivities will serve as great avenues for the LGUs (local government units) to promote their products, places and business opportunities that would welcome local and foreign visitors in the country, thereby boosting the economic growth of the LGUs," said Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., chairman of the committee on local government.

DENR-7, LGU ink MOA to implement environmental laws

• Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1091350292672
• Tuesday, October 16, 2012

By Hazel F. Gloria (HFG/PIA-7/DENR-7)

CEBU CITY, Oct 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with 27 barangays in the municipalities of San Remegio and Tuburan, Cebu to implement the necessary environmental laws.

DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said the MOA signing is for the effective and efficient management, protection and sustainable development of the country’s natural resources.

“This partnership definitely boosts our collective intention to implement the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act or particularly Republic Act 9147 and the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) or the Republic Act 7586,” Montejo added.

Present during the signing of MOA were 27 barangay captains and Montejo along with mayors Jay Olivar of San Remegio and Democrito Diamante of Tuburan.

Also present was Regional Technical Director Dr. Al Orolfo of Protected Areas of the Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services (PAWZCMS).

Under the MOA, DENR agreed to conduct orientations/seminars on environmental and natural resources (ENR) laws, rules and regulations; provide technical and legal assistance to the LGUs; and assist them in the conduct of any coastal conservation and protection efforts.

Also, the MOA states that 14 barangays in San Remegio and 13 in Tuburan are expected to actively participate in the conduct of any DENR programs, seminars and trainings.

They will also take the lead or spearhead in the conservation, patrol and protection activities within their areas of jurisdiction.

“Some of these barangays are inside a proclaimed protected area and also these have been identified within key biodiversity areas (KBA),” Montejo said.

Montejo, likewise, explained the importance of protecting these natural resources.

As part of the agreement, Montejo added that DENR may deputize wildlife enforcement officers (WEO) and protected area rangers (PAR) to qualified individuals after a deputation seminar.

“We need to strengthen our enforcement of ENR laws as we try to engage with the LGUs and other stakeholders so that we would be able to police against abusive forces,” he added.

The MOA signing activity was held at Tuburan and San Remegio Session Halls last October 11 and 12, respectively.

Cebuano shoe brand attracts global market

• Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=859713
• Monday, October 15, 2012 12:00 AM

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano shoe brand Fushu Shoes is already getting international attention even if the company has still to establish its name in the Philippines.

According to its creator, 27-year old Janrick “Jumbo” B. Climaco, Fushu was born out of his passion for arts and penchant for shoes. He started creating shoes back in 2009 with a capital outlay of less than P20,000 which he got from his personal savings.

The son of the late prominent fashion designer Joy Bernaldez, Climaco is now making waves in the shoe-making business working with subcontractors in Cebu, and operating with only eight people to help market and man his small business.

Because of his unique design for unisex shoes that attracted the young consumers especially teenagers, Climaco was sent to Malaysia by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to join the APEC Summit for start-up business.

According to Climaco, because of this help from the government, the brand now is getting inquiries from other countries such as Korea and North America.

However, as of this moment, Climaco is still focusing to grow his business in the country.

Fushu Shoes, which carries the “walk-easy” tagline, is available at its permanent kiosk in Elizabeth Mall, and will soon be available in major malls in Cebu and Manila.

Climaco, who was one of young Cebuano entrepreneurs recognized by Go Negosyo, said that part of his plan is to strengthen the Fushu brand in the Philippine market by creating a chain of boutique stores to complement its strong presence online.

Also being planned is the offering of customized shoe designs.

Aside from its physical presence at Elizabeth Mall and online portal, Climaco also participates in bazaars and exhibits, including a big exhibition show at the World Trade Center in Metro Manila.

Before Fushu Shoes got a permanent space at EMall, Climaco had been joining bazaars in Cebu where he made considerable revenue that he used to fund the expansion of the brand in the shopping mall.

Climaco’s entrepreneurial skills were already evident when he was still young. At 17, he ventured into food business in partnership with his brother.

After finishing a one-year graphic arts course at the First Academy in Manila, Climaco started to design shoes initially considering himself as the “market.”

Although entering the international market is good for his business, and for the Philippines in general, he said he still has to perfect his business model, and make sure that the brand and quality of the product will be able to gain further integrity among its target market.

Mandaue choir prepares for ‘performance of a lifetime’

• Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/288732/mandaue-choir-prepares-for-performance-of-a-lifetime
• Sunday, October 14, 2012 8:59 am

By Sean Timothy Salvador (Cebu Daily News)

Angelic voices of young Cebuanos will be heard singing during the canonization rites in Rome for Visayan teenage martyr Pedro Calungsod.

A total of 30 singers of the multi-awarded Mandaue Children and Youth Chorus will leave for Rome on Wednesday for the “performance of a lifetime.”

“We feel that heaven is with us,” said Dennis Sugarol, conductor and musical director, as he rehearsed yesterday with the children a mixture of songs in Cebuano, English and Latin that will be heard during liturgical celebrations on the eve of the canonization, the day itself, and a thanksgiving Mass the next day.

Since its birth in 2004, the group, formerly called the Mandaue School for the Arts Children’s Choir, has continually volunteered to sing in the Pedro Calungsod Shrine in D. Jakosalem Street in Cebu City.

“We’ve been singing in his shrine for eight years. We’ve been praying for eight years for him to be recognized as a saint,” Sugarol said.

He said blessings from their devotion to the teenage martyr have materialized in awards and public acclaim for the choir in local and international competitions.

For Oct. 21′s canonization, Sugarol said their performance will not center on asking for more blessings, but will emphasize thanksgiving and praise for the Visayan martyr.

Daily rehearsals started in late August.

“Compared to the competitions we joined before, this is more meaningful because it speaks of our faith, our being Christians,” said Sugarol.

The delegation of 30 singers and 18 accompanying adults will be staying in apartments of benefactors and a convent as they travel.

They will be singing on the eve of the canonization, during vespers or evening prayers on Oct. 21, and at the thanksgiving Mass the next day.

After that, they will hold concerts in Rome and Austria. They return to Cebu on November 2.

The group has traveled before to different parts of Asia and the United States for competitions but it’s their first time to sing in Europe.

From a repertoire of 30 songs, the children yesterday rehearsed emoting – not just singing – “O Bulahang Pedro Calungsod”, “Saint Pedro Calungsod”, “Mga Pangamuyo” and “Suluguon ni Hesus” in Sugarol’s Music House in barangay Basak, Mandaue City.

The director said he discussed the song list with Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson, the choir’s spiritual adviser, who wrote some of the songs, like “O Bulahang Pedro Calungsod.”

But most of the songs, including the most popular hymn or gozos of Calungsod “Way Sukod” are by Msgr. Rudy Villanueva, a Cebu diocesan priest known for his award-winning literature and liturgical compositions.

There was some uncertainty a few months back that the choir would have the opportunity to sing in Rome due to financial constraints.

In fact, they still need financial assistance.

“We still lack around half a million pesos. Our budget is P3.7 million. We did fund-raising activities, concerts and sent solicitation letters to friends. Some of the children will also be paying for their own trip,” said Sugarol.

An album of songs he arranged is also being sold to raise funds. They have received donations from priests, businessmen and public oficials. In gratitude, the choir will bring their prayer petitions to Rome.

Choir member 8-year-old Cher Lozada said she was excited about her first time to see the Eternal City and sing for Calungsod. “Thank you for the talent and the blessings,” she said, addressing her young patron.

The oldest singer, John Manatad, a 20-year-old college senior in Business Administration, said he was inspired by the martyrdom of Calungsod, a teenage mission helper who didn’t leave the side of Jesuit priest Fr. Diego de San Vitores when two natives of the Ladrones Island attacked them with spears and a cutlass in 1672.

“I was struck by his faith, especially his sacrificing his life for God. Faith jud ang dapat naa sa amo nga mga youth(We youths should maintain our faith),” he said to achieve their goals stay on the right track.

The Mandaue Children and Youth Choir received the Ani ng Dangal award last February from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA). It won the same award in 2008 and 2011.

The choir first came to prominence after winning the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and the Province of Cebu’s Garbo Sa Sugbo Award in 2004.

The group later won three gold medals in the First Asian Choir Games in Indonesia in 2007 and moved up to the Grand Prix of World Choir Championships in South Korea in 2009 where they won first prize.

The children have also performed in Hongkong, Taiwan, and the USA.

Cebu students produce “Saving Mother Earth” video on solid waste management, tree planting

• Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1981349947236
• Saturday, October 13, 2012

By Amorganda A. Saludar (mbcn/AYS/PIA- Cebu)

CEBU, Oct 13 (PIA) -- Ten high school students from San Remegio National High school in Cebu produced a movie titled “Saving Mother Earth” that highlighted solid waste management and tree planting as their exchange project under the Global Connection and Exchange (GCE) Program tie up with the United States.

Community eCenter Manager Romarico Cabellon said these students were the first batch of trainees under the GCE program.

The GCE Program is a joint project of the Philippine Community Center eCenter Network, National Computer Center and the International Research Board.

Cabellon added that the GCE is funded by the US Department of State and was launched in the Philippines in December 2011 with 14 pilots Community eCenters chosen nationwide.

The training program includes topics about Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) that involves youth in addressing Global Warming; information and communication technology and leadership training.

After the students successfully completed their training, they continue to exchange ideas and on-line discussions about their projects with the students and teachers in the U. S. via the internet.

“Saving Mother Earth” is a video of a tree planting activity in San Remegio, which the students presented to their counterparts in the U.S.

Highlight of the video is the solid waste and environmental management of the town and this was already uploaded at the GCE website and can be accessed worldwide.

Trained GCE teacher from San Remegio National High School Norman Fernandez assisted the students in making the “Saving Mother Earth” video.

Cebu takes homes three awards at Philippine Business Conference

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=2&rid=462115
• Friday, October 12, 2012

(PNA), LAM/EB/RE

CEBU CITY, Oct. 12 (PNA) -- Cebu Province, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu City were recognized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) during the 38th Philippine Business Conference and Expo Thursday.

The PCCI cited the province for being the most business-friendly local government unit in the country; the CCCI for being the most outstanding chamber nationwide; and the USC for the research it conducted on the treatment of mango waste.

”This is a validation that the programs we have initiated have all paid of and now recognized by the very distinguished Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” said Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Garcia said among the province’s programs are the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, One Cebu Export, among others.

Cebu Province shared the award with Tarlac Province, the home province of President Benigno S. Aquino III, who was at the conference with PCCI president Miguel Varela.

The CCCI has been in the PCCI’s Hall of Fame twice. It was previously awarded the most outstanding chamber in the country for eight consecutive years.

The CCCI became a diamond awardee on Thursday, according to CCCI president Prudencio Gesta.

USC was the recipient of the Alfredo M. Yao Intellectual Property Award for its research on the “integrated process for the treatment of mango waste.”

Gesta also turned over P250,000 cash and P909,000 in kind to the PCCI as the CCCI’s assistance to flood victims in Luzon.

Gesta said CCCI has 700 members with 20 sectors.

The PCCI, the mother organization, has national networks in North Luzon, South Luzon, National Capital Region, Visayas and Mindanao.

It also has international networks in North America, South America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Capitol scholars get cash incentives

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/10/11/capitol-scholars-get-cash-incentives-247429
• Thursday, October 11, 2012

By Oscar C. Pineda

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia gave P520,000 in cash incentives to its scholars who graduated this year, with some of them have topped in the board exam.

For this school year, the Provincial Government has a total of 462 scholars under Cebu Tertiary Education Assistance Program (Cteap). Last year, Capitol has 394 scholars.

Of the 462 scholars, 51 of them got the cash incentives. These included the 10 board passers and two of them landed in the top 10. They are Engr. Marjon Gimpayan, fourth place in the 2011 electrical engineering board exam, and Edmon Emperio, ninth place in the certified public accountant board exam.

Last May, the Provincial Government gave Emperio P25,000 for graduating magna cum laude.

Except for Gimpayan and Emperio, who both received P20,000 each, the other board passers got P10,000 each.

Calungsod image to be flown to Rome Oct. 16

• Source:http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/277643/pinoyabroad/news/calungsod-image-to-be-flown-to-rome-oct-16
• Wednesday, October 10, 2012 10:00am

(VVP, GMA News)

A three-foot-tall statue of Blessed Pedro Calungsod will be flown from Cebu to Rome for his canonization as the Philippines' second saint on October 21.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the statue will be flown on October 16 as a “passenger” along with a Catholic priest from the Archdiocese of Cebu.

In a news release, Fr. Charles Jayme, who CBCP president and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma designated as the image's official custodian, said, “I really take it as a blessing and gift from God being chosen for this. This is a humbling experience for me.”

Jayme said the experience "challenges me more to live up to the virtues of Blessed Pedro Calungsod.”

He explained that Cathay Pacific had offered to carry the statue as a passenger instead of just an ordinary hand baggage or cargo.

The image will be placed inside an encasement made of Styrofoam.

Farewell activities

The CBCP also said several activities will be held before the image is flown to Rome on October 16 at 12:30 p.m.

On October 15, the day before the flight, the image will be brought from the archbishop’s residence in Cebu City to the shrine named after Calungsod for a Mass at 6:30 p.m.

On October 16, the image will be carried from the shrine to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral for another liturgical celebration at 4:30 a.m.

A motorcade will follow at around 8 a.m. sending off the image from the cathedral to Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City.

After canonization

After the canonization, the image will be flown back to the Philippines for the “Duaw Nasud” to major cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao from October 25 to November 27.

The image is expected to be returned to Cebu City before the November 30 thanksgiving Mass for Pedro Calungsod’s sainthood.

Schools told to strengthen IT programs

• Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=857556
• Tuesday, October 9, 2012 12:00 AM

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - In order for Cebu to produce more world-class software developers, the academe must strengthen its I.T. programs especially in mobile and web applications.

Winston Damarillo, a successful global technology entrepreneur who is helping Filipinos succeed in the international technology field, said that Cebu is seen to leverage in both mobile and web applications and that talents should be given support, encourage them to introduce their brilliant ideas to the commercial market.

Damarillo said most of the good talents are being taken advantage of by multi-national companies. This is not bad but if Cebu were to position itself as the next “Silicon Valley,” it has to develop its own identity by producing innovations that will credit the Cebuano talents.

For this reason, Damarillo, together with other successful Filipino global technology entrepreneurs, non-profit group Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev) and the Developers Connect Philippines (DevCon), conceptualized the “Hack-to-Hatch” program to jump start the discovery of technology inventors in the Philippines.

He said the program has intensified its presence in Cebu to identify the good talents here whose concepts and brilliant innovations have huge potential for the world’s commercial landscape.

Damarillo believes that the Philippines is ready to compete in the software development dimension in technology. It just need to strengthen its support to start-up software developers and engineers.

In a separate interview, Cebu Educational Development for Information Technology (Cedfit) president Greg Gabison said that most schools in Cebu are now developing sophisticated programs to trailblaze with the fast moving technology industry.

In fact, Gabison said that Cebu is now positioning to lead the development of more Android applications, as the academe wants to make the province the center of mobile apps development in the country.

Gabison, who is also the dean for University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) College of Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT), said that one of the most active universities that is now pushing to develop more Android-applications is USJ-R.

At present, the university is doing research project in Sugar CRM (Customer Relationship Management 2) using the Android application, while other colleges and universities are also developing their own niche in mobile applications.

Ginatilan town prepares fiesta for Calungsod

• Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/285084/ginatilan-town-prepares-fiesta-for-calungsod
• Monday, October 8, 2012 9:14 am

By Carine M. Asutilla (Cebu Daily News)

The town of Ginatilan is getting ready for the 4-day celebration for the canonization of Beato Pedro Calungsod.

The southwestern Cebu town claims to be the hometown of Calungsod.

The Calungsod clan are mostly living in barangay Cagsing.

Tracing Calungsod

The municipal government of Ginatilan has created a committee to trace the Calungsod family tree.

The town is also inviting all Calungsods to attend the celebration of his sainthood which would start on Oct. 18. Calungsod will be canonized on Oct. 21 in the Vatican.

He will be country’s second saint. The first Filipino saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz was canonized on Oct. 18, 1987.

According to Glynna Jomuad, Sangguniang Bayan secretary who leads the team tracing the Calungsod family tree, the earliest baptismal record of a Calungsod was in 1850, when Victoria Francisca Calungsod was born in the town.

The earliest record of a Calungsod death was in 1882. Luciano Calungsod died that year at the age of 37 which means he was born on 1819.

Their research however goes back as early as 1778, based on the death records of Catalina Calungsod who died at 80 years old in 1858.

Jomuad believes that there can still be a lot of Calungsods born before 1700s only that their records are limited.

Last month, Jomuad’s team was able to trace who could be the oldest Calungsod alive. They have found Urbana Calungsod Gonser-Mayorita in the town of Boljoon. She is 93 years old and was born on July 20, 1919. Urbana’s parents are from Ginatilan.

“She is still strong and she still works in the farms. We are going back to their place soon to personally invite her and her family to attend our celebration,” says Jumoad.

Ready for Fiesta

The town is ready for the grand event. Posters of Calungsod have been placed on both sides of the road. Banderitas are already hanging outside St. Gregory the Great Parish.

They have also improved the landscape of the church since most of the activities will be done in the area. At the side of the church is the monument of Beato Pedro Calungsod where novenas will be done.

The images of Beato Pedro Calungsod are a hit. Though the images are not exactly the one approved by the Archdiocese of Cebu, devotees still buy them. The images are those with Calungsod only holding a palm and do not have a bible in his hand.

These images are sold at P80 to P150 depending on the size. Prayer booklets of Calungsod at P15 are also in demand. There are also t-shirts with the picture of Calungsod on it at P250.

Several resorts around town are already fully booked for the occasion.

Resorts rooms in Ginatilan range from P700 to P1,500 a night.

Cebu town observes elderly Fiipino Week

• Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1981349434849
• Sunday, October 7, 2012

By Amorganda A. Saludar (FCR/AYS/PIA-7, Cebu)

CEBU CITY, Oct7 (PIA) -- The municipality of Asturias in the northwest part of Cebu is celebrating October 1-7 as Senior Citizens Week spearheaded by the Municipal Federation of Senior Citizen Associations of the Philippines - Asturias Chapter.

Poblacion Asturias Federation Chapter President Eddie Monteban said that only this year have they decided to conduct daily activities to mark a week-long celebration.

Asturias Municipal Information Officer Mark Supatan said “this is a yearly activity for all the senior citizens, and this year there are about 500 senior citizens coming from all barangays in the town joining the said celebration.“

All the activities drawn this year are geared towards uplifting the spirits of senior citizens such as visiting sick members; jail visitation; gardening and tree planting; chapter fellowship; and observance of Sunday obligation.

Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan in his speech lauded the senior citizens as he promised that the council will fully throw its support to all the activities of senior citizens.

Supatan disclosed the municipal government has a program agenda for senior citizens that promote their overall welfare and development.

“They can use any equipment owned by government in the municipality for free like the gym where they can conduct meetings, lectures and seminars,” Supatan declared.

Cebu school places 2nd in Robotics Olympiad

• Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/283876/cebu-school-places-2nd-in-robotics-olympiad
• Saturday, October 6, 2012 6:39 am

(Cebu Daily News)

THE Marie Ernestine School (MES) Robotics Team placed second in the 11th Philippine Robotics Olympiad in Manila.

The MES team of students Jhana Luardo, Karl Matthew Maguate and Charmyl Andrea Rosal and coaches Donald Dungog and engineer Jonathan Cartilla gained second place.

Another MES elementary pupils Andre Lawence Almacen, Nico Campado and John Paul Trinidad and high school students Woo Hyun “Joshua” Park, Woo Jin “Samuel” Park and Raphael Joseph Ymbong emerged finalists.

“We are so proud of them considering this is our first try,” said school founder Dr. Marie Ernestine Fajatin.

The team from MES, which operates in Talamban, Cebu City and in Lapu-lapu City, will be sent to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to witness the World Robotics Olympiad on Nov. 9 to 12.

The World Robotics Olympiad brings together the young people all over the world to develop their creativity and problem solving skills through challenging and educational robotics competitions.

The Philippine Robotics Olympiad is an annual science educational event that aims to challenge the intellectual skills and critical thinking of elementary and high school students.

Participants have to create, design and build a robot model that looks or behaves like a human athlete.

This year’s robotics competition was held at SM Cyberzone in SM North Edsa last Sept. 5 to 7.

PCCI names Cebu as most business friendly LGU this year

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=2&rid=460133
• Friday, October 5, 2012

(PNA), FFC/EB/RE

CEBU CITY, Oct. 5 (PNA) -- The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has named Cebu as this year’s “Most Business-friendly Local Government Unit.”

The awarding will be on Oct. 11 in Manila.

“We are happy we achieved this status,” Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said.

She said the recognition was made possible by the collective effort of local governments, residents, Capitol officials, business chambers and non-government organizations like the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

The PCCI evaluated provinces all over the country based on trade, investment and tourism promotions; public-private sector partnership; micro, small and medium enterprises development; quality management and innovations; and inter-local relations.

Garcia said Capitol’s programs--like Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, Obra Negosyo and e-Gwen, the Cebu Provincial Government’s environmental protection and nature conservation project---were among those evaluated by PCCI.

There were seven finalists in the search. The other finalist were Pangasinan, Isabela, La Union, Tarlac, Ilocos Norte and South Cotabato.

Ilocos Norte and South Cotabato are Cebu’s sister provinces.

Youth entrepreneurs summit set in Cebu

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=12&rid=459868
• Thursday, October 4, 2012

(PNA), FFC/EB/BH

CEBU CITY, Oct. 4 (PNA) -- The Go Negosyo Team of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) will hold its first Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (YES) Visayas leg in Cebu on Friday.

Organizers expect 2,000 participants from the various universities in Cebu to attend the whole-day event on Oct. 5 at the J Centre Mall Convention Hall.

The event is free for the public.

PCE executive director Ramon Lopez said the summit aims to empower the youth and promote entrepreneurship among them.

He said one way for he country’s economy to move forward is to produce a “positive, determined and resilient” breed of young entrepreneurs that would help spur growth in the economy.

”Go Negosyo’s vision is to change the mindset of Filipinos, to direct them and let them focus on the positive and towards becoming successful…We are moving into the direction of tapping the youth because entrepreneurship has now (generated) much interest and awareness among young individuals,” Lopez said.

Cebu tourism players say unified ASEAN visa to boost PHL tourism

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=6&rid=459513
• Wednesday, October 3, 2012

(PNA), LAP/EB/BH

CEBU CITY, Oct. 3 (PNA) -- Cebu’s tourism players are supporting the move for the 10 member-countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to create a unified Asean visa.

Cebu Business Club president Gordon Allan Joseph said the initiative of implementing a unified ASEAN visa is a “very good move” to develop the tourist arrivals in the country.

Joseph pointed out that this is similar to Europe’s Schengen visa, which made traveling for residents of 25 member-countries easier and less bureaucratic.

”This is very good move. But the challenge now will be to ensure that they also put the Philippines in their itineraries,” Joseph said.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) earlier announced its strong support for the creation of a unified ASEAN visa, saying that this would make travel within the region easier and boost inter-region tourism.

”The Philippines is one of the countries working heard for a unified ASEAN visa,” said Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr.

He reported five countries - Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - are ready to implement the single visa.

Jimenez said the scheme could initially be implemented with the participation of a majority of the 10-nation bloc.

Other members of ASEAN are Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR and Myanmar.

Joseph said the country should “liberalize even further” its tourist visa practices since part of the initiative is the modernization and streamlining of visa application processing.

”Let’s do everything we can to bring in the tourists from convenient visa and renewals, to deeper culture of tourism,” he said.

Jonathan Jay Aldeguer, president of the Islands Group of Companies, also said the creation of a single visa among ASEAN-member countries is one effective measure to boost trade and tourism revenues.

”Anything that would make travel to the Philippines seamless and hassle-free would be greatly advantageous to us (tourism industry),” said Aldeguer.

He said the impact will trickle down to the country’s secondary gateways like Cebu and other neighboring islands.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Prudencio Gesta and CCCI tourism committee chairperson Milagros Espina also support the initiative, stressing that this would make travel more comfortable and convenient.

”This will benefit Cebu considering that we have a good number of direct flights. This (initiative) is traveler-friendly and could me more economical,” Espina said.

The Hotel, Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) also believes the issuance of a unified ASEAN visa would be a definite advantage as it markets all ASEAN-member countries as a single-bloc destination.

HRRAC president Hans Hauri said the key to successful implementation of a single visa is the coordination of security checks that each country undertakes before issuing a visa.

He cited as the best model so far Europe’s Schengen visa, where one central computer gives access to relevant information.

Aboitiz Group gives P3 million for Calungsod

• Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=855074
• Tuesday, October 2, 2012 12:00 AM

By Aj De La Torre (LPM, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Just 20 days before the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod in the Vatican City, donations continue to pour in from private entities with generous hearts.

Yesterday, the Aboitiz Group headed by its president, Jon Ramon Aboitiz, donated P3 million for the preparations and for the big day on October 21.

Msgr. Roberto Alesna, chairman of the finance committee, said they are very grateful for the donation.

Alesna said close to P1 million of the P3 million has been set aside for the decorations for the National Thanksgiving Mass on November 30 at the South Road Properties.

The rest of the amount will be allocated for other expenses of the canonization.

The first 20 commemorative pieces were also turned over yesterday by world-renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue to the Cebu Archdiocese.

The commemorative pieces was received and blessed by Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal together with Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

They are the first batch of the 1,200 limited edition commemorative pieces that will be given to those who will buy a ticket at P25,000 as part of the fund-raising of the archdiocese.

This would help the archdiocese raise P20 million from the P60 million of the overall budget needed.

Ticketholders will have a chance to win two BMW cars and a KIA Sorento SUV.

But Alesna said that he hopes ticket buyers would not have the cars in their minds but the spirits of being able to help celebrate the canonization of the second Filipino saint.

Alesna said that they are targeting to sell 800 of the 1,200 tickets that they have planned.

As of their last meeting last night, Alesna said they have sold 190 tickets and are hoping to have more buyers before they leave for Italy.

The first batch, led by Cebu Archbishop Palma, will leave on October 6 while the second batch will leave on Oct. 8. Alesna and 31 others will be last to leave on Oct.19.

Alesna said that aside from the 1,200 commemorative pieces, Cobonpue would be finishing a bigger work of art to be given as a gift to Pope Benedict XVI.

He added that Palma would issue a circular to inform all parishes that during the canonization, which will be around 10 a.m. in Rome, a Mass will also be held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Sales, marketing execs need to boost skills to stay on top

• Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=854748
• Monday, October 1, 2012 12:00 AM

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - In order to empower sales and marketing professionals to stay on top in the highly competitive business landscape, international motivational speaker and author Al Argo will conduct a half-day seminar in Cebu dubbed “S4: Super Sales Seminar for Sales Professionals.”

Organized by Maximum Impact Philippines, a corporate training and development company, the Argo seminar is expected to provide cutting-edge strategies that are based on research, which will equip sales and marketing people to gain more persuasive skills in closing deals.

In an interview with Argo, he said that while there are a lot of tools like technology that can be tapped in order to market a product, or close deal with prospective clients, human-connection through sales and marketing people will stay.

With the dynamic economy and rosy prospects in the Philippines in the next few years, Argo said it is good for sales and marketing people to gain more skills to empower themselves and prepare for a much more competitive playground.

The seminar, which is slated on October 13 at the J Center Mall Convention along at A.S. Fortuna street in Mandaue City, is expected to attract not only sale sand marketing professionals, but also business owners and chief executive officers (CEO), who may want to increase their sales effeciency.

According to Argo, with the new strategies in marketing and sales to fit in to the changing preference of the market across industries, the seminar could be a good tool for businesses in expecting increase of sales by 300 percent in a month.

Argo, author of several books in sales and marketing such as the Amazon.com bestselling “Walking, Living, Learning,” has also spoken for companies such as Pfizer, Singapore Press Holdings, Standard Chartered Bank and AIG Insurance, among others.

The seminar will focus among others, on the eight focal points of all highly effective sales professionals, and other secrets in sales and marketing.

One of the strategies, he said, is to find out the color that outsells all other colors, and is considered as highly effective in closing a deal, which is backed by a scientific research.

Although sales and marketing professionals already consider themselves effective because of experiences learned during the long years in the field, Argo said there is a need for constant update in their profession.

In today’s knowledge-based economy, sales professionals, including business owners and CEOs should be on constant search for learning, in order to stay ahead over competitors.

Sharpening persuasive skills, and how to be effective in marketing is an important tool in order to expect growth in business. In fact, Argo said another research showed that there is “one word” in sales people should use because it is proven to increase marketability and persuasive skill by at least 66 percent.

Experience in the field of sales and marketing is a good teacher and skills expertise, however, he said players in this field should embrace the fast changing environment in business.