Difference between revisions of "Cebu Province News November 2012"

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==Group eyes Cebu for street kids World Cup==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=476021
*Friday, November 30, 2012
:(PNA), LAP/EB/MJT/BH
CEBU CITY, Nov. 30 (PNA) -- Cebu will be among the key areas to be visited by the organizers of the Philippine team for the Street Children’s World Cup 2014.
The idea to hold it here in Cebu was initiated by Craig Burrows, who met with Bro. Mari Aberasturi of Don Bosco Boys Home during the Cebu hosting of the Philippines vs. Singapore match on November 15.
In their initial meeting, both planned to launch the activity by holding a tournament in January to be participated in by kids from shelter homes and community-based centers.
For the Philippine team, Fair Play for All Foundation, run by Roy Moore and Naomi Tomlinson, is leading other non-government organizations (NGOs) in forming the team.
The foundation introduced football to children in Payatas, Quezon City where the largest dump site in Metro Manila is located.
The Street World Cup, founded by Amos Trust in 2010, is working with Momentum Arts and Action for Brazil’s Children to host the event this 2014, a few days leading to the anticipated Fifa World Cup.
Aberasturi was also the point-person for the Homeless World Cup team, which also made their selections here in Cebu. One member of the team was from the Don Bosco Boys Home.
Like the Homeless World Cup, the Street Children World Cup spouses the same idea of giving diversion to street children through sports.
He added that an idea of a tournament would be a nice way to introduce the sport to these kids.
As of now, only DBBH and SOS have their own football teams. They hope to spread this to other centers so that they can create teams of their own.
Aberasturi said that for this, they will have to tie up with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and even the Cebu City Task Force for street children to reach out to shelter homes and community centers listed under these agencies.
==Grand Land launches 3 projects costing P400M in Cebu==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=3&rid=475697
*Thursday, November 29, 2012
:(PNA), LAP/EB/BH
CEBU CITY, Nov. 29 (PNA) -- Grand Land has launched three residential projects called City Homes located in Mactan, Mandaue City and Minglanilla town in southern Cebu.
Grand Land president Ryan Bernard Go said they always consider the accessibility of their locations because they are targeting the middle market families.
He said their projects are easy for commuters because they are located near main roads.
The Mactan City Homes is not far from Mactan Doctor’s Hospital in Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, while the Mandaue City Homes is about 100 meters away from the north highway in Jagobiao.
The Minglanilla City Homes is 200 meters from the south national highway in Tunghaan, across from Tungkop, Go said.
Go said that aside from its proximity to main roads, their projects have schools, hospitals, markets and churches within the vicinity.
The company has set aside P400 million for the three projects.
The Mandaue projects are residential townhouses, while the Minglanilla project is composed of residential single-attached Asian-modern homes.
The three projects began in the fourth quarter of this year and are expected to be completed in two years.
The Mandaue project sits on a 6,155-square-meter property along J. Alinsug St.
The company will construct 72 units of two and three bedroom homes. Units start at P2.1 million with floor areas ranging from 52 to 63 square meters.
The project comes with a mini clubhouse, 24-hour security and gated entrance.
Sales and marketing head Tina Pestano-Benitez said they have sold 30 percent of the units in this area.
She said they are constructing 82 starter units and 16 family units in the 0.9-hectare-property for the Mactan project.
The development comes with two gated entrances, a clubhouse, pocket gardens, play area and a commercial area. Units range from 49 to 67 square meters and start at P1.8 million for the starter units.
The largest development is in Minglanilla, which sits in a two-hectare property, each unit having a lot area of at least 100 square meters. The company is offering two-bedroom and four-bedrooms units.
Grand Land also held recently the groundbreaking ceremony for construction of two condominium towers of the Grand Residences.
Go said they have many other projects lined up for 2013, including another condominium project in Lapu-Lapu City and horizontal and vertical projects in Davao.
== Capitol raises allowance of barangay volunteers ==
*Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/314483/capitol-raises-allowance-of-barangay-volunteers
*Wednesday, November 28, 2012 8:09 am
:By Fe Marie D. Dumaboc  (Cebu Daily News)
ALL 11,355 barangay volunteers in the Cebu province each received a P2,400 allowance from the provincial government during their general assembly at the Cebu International Convention Center yesterday.
The amount is P900 higher than last year’s allowance.
A total of 200 retired barangay volunteers were give P10,000 each as a token of appreciation for their service.
Gov. Gwen Garcia said that all barangay volunteers deserve it, and the amount was little compared to the work they do in their barangays.
Barangay Health Worker Esperanza Espelita, 66, said the passion to serve and not financial reward, was her motivation in doing volunteer work.
Espelita, a mother of six, has been a health worker barangay Tapon, Dumanjug town for 28 years.
She does laundry jobs in their neighborhood for a livelihood.
“Bisan way sweldo, ang akong kagustuhan nga moserbisyo sa mas nanginahanglan maoy nagtuklod nako nga magsigi nianing serbisyoha,” Espelita said.
(Even if I won’t receive any compensation, my determination to serve the needy pushes me to continue volunteer service.)
Espelita said she first received P300 a month as honorarium in 2000. The amount was later increased to P350.
For Anastacia Ruiz, 54, barangay Bonbon, Oslob, the goods and money the received in the annual general assembly of barangay volunteers was a consolation for their hard work.
Governor Garcia handed out the allowances and distributed food packs of canned goods and sotanghon (glass noodles).
==Cebu hosts the first regional forum on migration==
*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1981353922347
*Tuesday, November 27, 2012
:By Amorganda A. Saludar  (rmn/AYS/PIA,CEBU)
CEBU CITY Nov. 27 (PIA) -- The first Regional Forum on Migration held outside Metro Manila was conducted in Cebu on Nov. 23, 2012 at the Pag-Ibig Auditorium with the theme: “Reintegration and Development: Partnership and Challenges."
The forum marked the celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day with the nationwide theme “Strengthening the Partnership between Overseas Filipinos and LGUs Towards Sustainable Development of Communities.”
The same forum also brought together representatives from LGUs, OFWs, members of their families, civil society organizations, government agencies and other stakeholders in the migration process to mainstream the concept of migration and development by sharing experiences and best practices at the LGU level.
This also highlighted the partnership of OFWs and LGUs that help bring about development in communities and in the country, innovative strategies and good practices, identification of challenges, and crafting solutions and ways of moving forward.
In her opening remarks, Carmelita Nuqui of Philippine Migrants Rights Watch said that OFWs have greatly contributed to the country’s economy.
“Our OFWs really contributed a lot to the economic status of the country but their lives as OFWs are not often times easy as there are times in their stay abroad that they will be challenged and they opt to go back home because of some difficult situations they have experienced while working abroad,” Nuqui said.
Nuqui said it is important for the government and other concerned agencies to create initiatives to support OFWs who chose to come home after years of serving abroad.
She also said that reintegration is not that easy as some OFWs really started from nothing although there are several who really found their good fortune abroad and so it is not difficult to start life anew here in the country.
Former OFW and now a successful entrepreneur and businessmen Kenneth Carredo and Dr. Carlito Astillero also relayed their stories of tears and joy abroad as well as their successful reintegration in the country.
Both supported the statement that life abroad is not always milk and honey as they too have their own sad experience of being an OFW.
“First thing that will really make you sad is your family, you will always think of them and long to be by their side,” Carredo said.
Carredo and Astillero then lauded government agencies such as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and local government units for giving them aid for them to be successful in their reintegration.
Both Carredo and Astillero were given financial aid by the POEA and OWWA for them to start their own business.
Several talks during the forum include Best Practices of Mainstreaming Migration and Development by the Local Government; Experiences in Reintegration to the Philippines and Success Stories of Overseas Filipinos; and the Role of Civil Society in Migration and Development which were discussed by individuals fit to tackle such topics.
== Over 500 media to cover Calungsod event in Cebu ==
*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1061353834273
*Monday, November 26, 2012
:By Fayette C. Riñen  (PIA 7)
‘PNoy to grace religious occasion’
CEBU CITY, Nov 26 (PIA) -- All eyes will be on Cebu as a religious historic event takes place on Friday, November 30 with over 500 tri-media accredited for the sacred occasion and graced by President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Msgr. Trinidad G. Silva Jr., chairman of the Commission on Social Communications (CSC) for the National Thanksgiving Mass of San Pedro Calungsod on Friday in a recent media briefing said the number of media wanting to get accreditation is growing.
“We have already issued a deadline for media accreditation last Tuesday (November 20) but more and more names are being submitted,” said Silva.
A volunteer staff of the CSC showed a list of the total media being accredited that had reached over 500. Apart from Cebu-media, major television, print and radio, networks from Manila also sent their teams to cover the event. Also, members of the Malacañang Press Corps with the presence of President Aquino will be there.
An estimated 500,000 to one million devotees, bishops and priests from all over the country, local and national officials will be present to attend the mass that will start at 5 p.m.
Silva advised those who will attend the mass at the South Road Properties to bring their own umbrella with the erratic weather and also to expect muddy grounds as only 10 percent of the 27-hectare area is covered in concrete and the rest in limestone.
According to William Mensenares of Radio TV Malacañang (RTVM), “We will put up a press center where a monitor will be placed and telephone lines for local calls only. The center will be wi-fi ready which will be provided by the Cebu Archdiocese.”
RTVM will take charge of broadcast concerns and assist and provide the media with audio and video outputs.
Considering the vast area, screen monitors will also be strategically placed so people at the back could see the ongoing mass in the templete.
Meanwhile, at 6 a.m., a dry run for the fluvial procession for the actual event was conducted where 15 media personnel were invited.
== Cebu-based teams shine in Cetba Nat’l Open ==
*Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/312677/cebu-based-teams-shine-in-cetba-natl-open
*Sunday, November 25, 2012 8:23 am
:By DALE G. ROSAL  (CORRESPONDENT, Cebu Daily News)
CEBU-based teams grabbed the top places in the Team event after completing 10 games in the Fourth Cebu Tenpin Bowling Association (CETBA) National Tenpin Open held at the SM Cebu Bowling Complex, yesterday.
Chanieka took the top spot followed by Virgo Financing and Prime Movers in the second and third spots, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Bowling Association of Las Pinas (BALP) toppled 5,496 pinfalls to lead squads which played just five rounds yesterday. Despite the five-game handicap, BALP positioned itself in the 14th spot while its B team downed 5,238 pinfalls.
Imus Tenpin Bowling Association (ITBA) grabbed the 20th spot after five games with 2,860 pinfalls followed by Bacolod’s Sugarbowl Tenpin Association (STAI)-I at 21st place with 2,846 pinfalls.
Ilo-lio Tenpin Bowling Association (ITBA) meanwhile, is in 22nd spot with 2,844 pinfalls while BALP and ITBA placed 24th with 2,817 pinfalls. Davao Tenpin Bowling Association is at 26th spot with 2,776 pinfalls.
Meanwhile, Manila teams are expected to flex their muscles today as they start their 5-game sked.
Twenty-two out-of-town teams from Luzon and Mindanao are competing in the tournament which offers P15,000 to the team champion with 22 coming from Cebu.
Aside from the team competition, participants will also battle for top honors in the Masters event which has a whopping P50,000 cash prize.
The Mastes event will commence this afternoon.
==Galleon San Diego ready to bring San Pedro Calungsod home ==
*Source:http://www.cdn.ph/news_details.php?id=15231
*Saturday, November 24, 2012
:By Ador Vincent Mayol (Reporter)
Galleon San Diego is shipshape and ready to set sail.
Officials of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) yesterday gave the go-signal for the Spanish galleon-inspired vessel to be used for the first fluvial procession of the image of St. Pedro Calungsod on Nov. 30.
The statue of the Philippines’ second saint will be accompanied down the Mactan channel by a festive flotilla to the venue of a national thanksgiving Mass at the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City.
The motorized vessel, owned by the family of the late Ernesto Ouano Sr. of Mandaue City, was retrofitted to look like the galleon used by Spanish explorers and Catholic missionaries in the 16th century.
“We can guarantee you that the galleon is sturdy,” said architect Dorie Narandan of Duros Development Corp.”
“We're giving our best efforts for this. This is part of history,” he told Cebu Daily News.
The original vessel, an all-white ship, has been used every January for the the fluvial procession of the Sto. Niño de Cebu.
It is now accented with stained wood to resemble the original Galleon San Diego which brought Visayan teenager Pedro Calungsod and Jesuit missionaries to the Ladrones Islands in 1668. The mast will fly a white flag with the coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Cebu.
At least 18 workers have been working on the ship for the past four weeks.
“The galleon is 98 per cent done. The complete cladding is in place,” said Narandan.
The vessel will undergo sea trial tomorrow and sail from the Mactan Channel to the waters off the SRP in Cebu City before Marina issues a special permit allowing the vessel to sail.
“We see no problem with the vessel. In general it is seaworthy,” Philip Geneston, senior shipping operations specialist of Marina, told CDN.
Geneston and Marina supervisor Rico Magsalay visited the ship docked at the Ouano Wharf in Mandaue City.
The same galleon replica can also be used in next January’s Sto. Niño fluvial procession, another event that celebrates Cebu’s patron and most famous religious icon, which was a gift from Spanish invaders to island natives of Cebu in the 16th century.
“We don't have to dismantle what he have made to transform it into a galleon,” said Narandan.
== Capitol to pick up tab for reception, dinner at CICC ==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/11/23/capitol-pick-tab-reception-dinner-cicc-254701
*Friday, November 23, 2012
:By Flornisa M. Gitgano
THE Cebu Provincial Government will host the reception and dinner for 1,500 delegates, including President Benigno Aquino III, after the thanksgiving mass for the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod on Nov. 30 at the South Road Properties in Cebu City.
It will be held at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.
Msgr. Roberto “Boy” Alesna, chairman of committee and finance, and Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung, a member of the committee for the thanksgiving, visited the office of Gov. Gwen Garcia last Wednesday to discuss the matter.
“We’ve been trying to see how we can help the Archdiocese (of Cebu). And, they requested if we can sponsor the reception and dinner for the 1,500 delegates,” Garcia said in an interview.
Source of pride
The governor said the event is a source of pride for Cebuanos since San Pedro Calungsod belongs to the Archdiocese of Cebu.
She also said different local festivals will be presented during the dinner to entertain guests.
Calungsod, who was canonized last Oct. 21 at the Vatican City in Rome, Italy, is the first Visayan saint. He reportedly came from the southwestern town of Ginatilan, Cebu.
The first Filipino saint is San Lorenzo Ruiz.
== Demand for eco products keeps Phl exports alive ==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/cebu-business/2012/11/22/870621/demand-eco-products-keeps-phl-exports-alive
*Thursday, November 22, 2012 12:00 am
:By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Philippine Star)
CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine exports such as  furniture, fashion accessories, as well as gifts, toys and housewares are seen to gain considerable market interest from the European market despite the ongoing financial woes.
That’s because Philippine export products are manufactured through green practices. And demand for green products is still on even in crisis-stricken Europe.
“Although there is a crisis in Europe, it doesn’t mean that people don’t have money. The market is there, not everybody is broke,” said European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP) executive vice president Henry J. Schumacher.
Schumacher, who was in Cebu Tuesday, said that establishment of  the three-year European Commission  funded program called Smart-Cebu (SMEs for Environment Accountability, Responsibility, and Transparency)  which started in 2010 has brought the Philippines, especially Cebu exporters, to higher level in terms of positioning and finding its niche in the competitive market.
According to Schumacher, Cebu exporters’ practice in green and sustainable operations provided them “immunity” from crisis stricken markets like Europe, as market continues to grow demanding for high-end and green products.
Recently, the Smart-Cebu program brought Cebuano exporters to different trade shows in Europe, such as in Paris and  Germany  to show off the world-class eco-designs of furniture, fashion accessories, and other products in gifts, toys, and houseware sector.
ECCP-Cebu executive director Roselu Paloma reported that Cebuano exporters brought home good orders from the European market, signifying that the market for eco-design is “alive” amid the financial crisis in Europe.
Schumacher reiterated that the huge European market is still there, however, he warned that exporters will have to see where the market is heading. And introducing a certified eco-design is one of the effective niches the Philippines should take.
Aside from Europe, Schumacher also mentioned a good consumer base for eco-design products in China, Thailand, Singapore and Japan.
The Smart-Cebu program has identified 450 companies that will be introduced into Resource, Efficiency, and Cleaner Production (RECP) platform for them to appreciate the benefits of operating an environment-friendly value-chain in their respective companies.
Of the 450 identified export companies, 150 have already undergone a thorough assessment from the experts, while 50 companies from each industry sector are being used as the example for good sustainability practice.
Because of this, Schumacher said, Cebu is now considered as the “heart” of sustainable designs, and that it is expected to lead and stay ahead of competition from other Asian countries like Thailand, among others. 
Buoyed by the success of the Smart-Cebu program, wherein companies are now able to see the profits, and benefits in adopting green and sustainable operation and production, Schumacher said that the program may go beyond Cebu, and will also be introduced in other provinces like Bohol and Negros.
The European Commission awarded 1.2 million Euro (approximately P65 million) grant to support the greening of Cebu industries and to help Cebu position itself as an important player in the “green” markets of Europe and Asia.
The program is implemented through the members of Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF), Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters (FAME-Cebu), and the Gifts, Toys and Housewares Foundation Inc. (Cebu-GTH).
Smart-Cebu is being managed by a Germany-based non-government organization and international consulting firm called SEQUA.
SEQUA is responsible for developing the capability of Cebu Business Membership organizations or BMOs to undertake the advocacy to promote sustainable consumption and production of Cebu among their member SMEs.
==DTI to intensify development of souvenir industry in CV==
*Source:http://philstar.com/cebu-business/2012/11/21/869912/dti-intensify-development-souvenir-industry-cv
*Wednesday, November 21, 2012 12:00 am
:By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Philippine Star)
CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-&) is  now looking for ways to further develop the souvenir industry in Central Visayas.
According to DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte the agency is going to intensify the development of the souvenir industry across the region while tourism sector is at its upswing.
Caberte said the agency’s product development programs are being tweaked for the souvenir makers. In fact, it is now becoming a niche for the GTH (Gifts, Toys and Houseware) makers and exporters.
Likewise, DTI Cebu province office director Nelia Navarro  said that development programs to develop the souvenir industry are also being incorporated in the existing programs under DTI such as the SPIN or Subcontracting Partners for Innovation, and the LinCs or the learning/sharing session on Leveraging Industries.
Both Caberte and Navarro vowed to intensify the development of the souvenir industry in Cebu and across the region.
Cebu as the tourism capital should have a good and strong souvenir industry, Navarro said.
Professionalizing and developing  the souvenir making sector has been the clamor of  successful souvenir companies the like of  Island Souvenirs Incorporated.
Islands Group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jay Aldeguer said in an interview that this sleeping giant should be given utmost attention by the government such as capacitating mechanism to empower the small or micro players in the industry.
“My observation is that the souvenir, not only in the Philippines but even internationally, is perceived as a cottage-type industry. It hasn’t evolved into anything,” Aldeguer said.
Aldeguer believes that there is a huge potential for souvenir business especially in tourism hotspots like Cebu.
About 80 percent of  tourism spending goes to souvenirs. The Philippines generates an average of P31 million in tourism-related revenues.
If proper support is given to the players, directing them to higher business perspective, the sourvenir industry in Cebu could become one of the largest industries in the country.
==French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault historic visit to Cebu==
==French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault historic visit to Cebu==
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/cebu-lifestyle/2012/11/20/869255/french-prime-minister-jean-marc-ayrault-historic-visit-cebu
*Source:http://www.philstar.com/cebu-lifestyle/2012/11/20/869255/french-prime-minister-jean-marc-ayrault-historic-visit-cebu

Latest revision as of 07:46, 10 December 2012

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Province of Cebu - Archived News

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:
  1. 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.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Cebu metro.jpg
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.

Group eyes Cebu for street kids World Cup

(PNA), LAP/EB/MJT/BH

CEBU CITY, Nov. 30 (PNA) -- Cebu will be among the key areas to be visited by the organizers of the Philippine team for the Street Children’s World Cup 2014.

The idea to hold it here in Cebu was initiated by Craig Burrows, who met with Bro. Mari Aberasturi of Don Bosco Boys Home during the Cebu hosting of the Philippines vs. Singapore match on November 15.

In their initial meeting, both planned to launch the activity by holding a tournament in January to be participated in by kids from shelter homes and community-based centers.

For the Philippine team, Fair Play for All Foundation, run by Roy Moore and Naomi Tomlinson, is leading other non-government organizations (NGOs) in forming the team.

The foundation introduced football to children in Payatas, Quezon City where the largest dump site in Metro Manila is located.

The Street World Cup, founded by Amos Trust in 2010, is working with Momentum Arts and Action for Brazil’s Children to host the event this 2014, a few days leading to the anticipated Fifa World Cup.

Aberasturi was also the point-person for the Homeless World Cup team, which also made their selections here in Cebu. One member of the team was from the Don Bosco Boys Home.

Like the Homeless World Cup, the Street Children World Cup spouses the same idea of giving diversion to street children through sports.

He added that an idea of a tournament would be a nice way to introduce the sport to these kids.

As of now, only DBBH and SOS have their own football teams. They hope to spread this to other centers so that they can create teams of their own.

Aberasturi said that for this, they will have to tie up with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and even the Cebu City Task Force for street children to reach out to shelter homes and community centers listed under these agencies.

Grand Land launches 3 projects costing P400M in Cebu

(PNA), LAP/EB/BH

CEBU CITY, Nov. 29 (PNA) -- Grand Land has launched three residential projects called City Homes located in Mactan, Mandaue City and Minglanilla town in southern Cebu.

Grand Land president Ryan Bernard Go said they always consider the accessibility of their locations because they are targeting the middle market families.

He said their projects are easy for commuters because they are located near main roads.

The Mactan City Homes is not far from Mactan Doctor’s Hospital in Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, while the Mandaue City Homes is about 100 meters away from the north highway in Jagobiao.

The Minglanilla City Homes is 200 meters from the south national highway in Tunghaan, across from Tungkop, Go said.

Go said that aside from its proximity to main roads, their projects have schools, hospitals, markets and churches within the vicinity.

The company has set aside P400 million for the three projects.

The Mandaue projects are residential townhouses, while the Minglanilla project is composed of residential single-attached Asian-modern homes.

The three projects began in the fourth quarter of this year and are expected to be completed in two years.

The Mandaue project sits on a 6,155-square-meter property along J. Alinsug St.

The company will construct 72 units of two and three bedroom homes. Units start at P2.1 million with floor areas ranging from 52 to 63 square meters.

The project comes with a mini clubhouse, 24-hour security and gated entrance.

Sales and marketing head Tina Pestano-Benitez said they have sold 30 percent of the units in this area.

She said they are constructing 82 starter units and 16 family units in the 0.9-hectare-property for the Mactan project.

The development comes with two gated entrances, a clubhouse, pocket gardens, play area and a commercial area. Units range from 49 to 67 square meters and start at P1.8 million for the starter units.

The largest development is in Minglanilla, which sits in a two-hectare property, each unit having a lot area of at least 100 square meters. The company is offering two-bedroom and four-bedrooms units.

Grand Land also held recently the groundbreaking ceremony for construction of two condominium towers of the Grand Residences.

Go said they have many other projects lined up for 2013, including another condominium project in Lapu-Lapu City and horizontal and vertical projects in Davao.

Capitol raises allowance of barangay volunteers

By Fe Marie D. Dumaboc (Cebu Daily News)

ALL 11,355 barangay volunteers in the Cebu province each received a P2,400 allowance from the provincial government during their general assembly at the Cebu International Convention Center yesterday.

The amount is P900 higher than last year’s allowance.

A total of 200 retired barangay volunteers were give P10,000 each as a token of appreciation for their service.

Gov. Gwen Garcia said that all barangay volunteers deserve it, and the amount was little compared to the work they do in their barangays.

Barangay Health Worker Esperanza Espelita, 66, said the passion to serve and not financial reward, was her motivation in doing volunteer work.

Espelita, a mother of six, has been a health worker barangay Tapon, Dumanjug town for 28 years.

She does laundry jobs in their neighborhood for a livelihood.

“Bisan way sweldo, ang akong kagustuhan nga moserbisyo sa mas nanginahanglan maoy nagtuklod nako nga magsigi nianing serbisyoha,” Espelita said.

(Even if I won’t receive any compensation, my determination to serve the needy pushes me to continue volunteer service.)

Espelita said she first received P300 a month as honorarium in 2000. The amount was later increased to P350.

For Anastacia Ruiz, 54, barangay Bonbon, Oslob, the goods and money the received in the annual general assembly of barangay volunteers was a consolation for their hard work.

Governor Garcia handed out the allowances and distributed food packs of canned goods and sotanghon (glass noodles).

Cebu hosts the first regional forum on migration

By Amorganda A. Saludar (rmn/AYS/PIA,CEBU)

CEBU CITY Nov. 27 (PIA) -- The first Regional Forum on Migration held outside Metro Manila was conducted in Cebu on Nov. 23, 2012 at the Pag-Ibig Auditorium with the theme: “Reintegration and Development: Partnership and Challenges."

The forum marked the celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day with the nationwide theme “Strengthening the Partnership between Overseas Filipinos and LGUs Towards Sustainable Development of Communities.”

The same forum also brought together representatives from LGUs, OFWs, members of their families, civil society organizations, government agencies and other stakeholders in the migration process to mainstream the concept of migration and development by sharing experiences and best practices at the LGU level.

This also highlighted the partnership of OFWs and LGUs that help bring about development in communities and in the country, innovative strategies and good practices, identification of challenges, and crafting solutions and ways of moving forward.

In her opening remarks, Carmelita Nuqui of Philippine Migrants Rights Watch said that OFWs have greatly contributed to the country’s economy.

“Our OFWs really contributed a lot to the economic status of the country but their lives as OFWs are not often times easy as there are times in their stay abroad that they will be challenged and they opt to go back home because of some difficult situations they have experienced while working abroad,” Nuqui said.

Nuqui said it is important for the government and other concerned agencies to create initiatives to support OFWs who chose to come home after years of serving abroad.

She also said that reintegration is not that easy as some OFWs really started from nothing although there are several who really found their good fortune abroad and so it is not difficult to start life anew here in the country.

Former OFW and now a successful entrepreneur and businessmen Kenneth Carredo and Dr. Carlito Astillero also relayed their stories of tears and joy abroad as well as their successful reintegration in the country.

Both supported the statement that life abroad is not always milk and honey as they too have their own sad experience of being an OFW.

“First thing that will really make you sad is your family, you will always think of them and long to be by their side,” Carredo said.

Carredo and Astillero then lauded government agencies such as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and local government units for giving them aid for them to be successful in their reintegration.

Both Carredo and Astillero were given financial aid by the POEA and OWWA for them to start their own business.

Several talks during the forum include Best Practices of Mainstreaming Migration and Development by the Local Government; Experiences in Reintegration to the Philippines and Success Stories of Overseas Filipinos; and the Role of Civil Society in Migration and Development which were discussed by individuals fit to tackle such topics.

Over 500 media to cover Calungsod event in Cebu

By Fayette C. Riñen (PIA 7)

‘PNoy to grace religious occasion’

CEBU CITY, Nov 26 (PIA) -- All eyes will be on Cebu as a religious historic event takes place on Friday, November 30 with over 500 tri-media accredited for the sacred occasion and graced by President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Msgr. Trinidad G. Silva Jr., chairman of the Commission on Social Communications (CSC) for the National Thanksgiving Mass of San Pedro Calungsod on Friday in a recent media briefing said the number of media wanting to get accreditation is growing.

“We have already issued a deadline for media accreditation last Tuesday (November 20) but more and more names are being submitted,” said Silva.

A volunteer staff of the CSC showed a list of the total media being accredited that had reached over 500. Apart from Cebu-media, major television, print and radio, networks from Manila also sent their teams to cover the event. Also, members of the Malacañang Press Corps with the presence of President Aquino will be there.

An estimated 500,000 to one million devotees, bishops and priests from all over the country, local and national officials will be present to attend the mass that will start at 5 p.m.

Silva advised those who will attend the mass at the South Road Properties to bring their own umbrella with the erratic weather and also to expect muddy grounds as only 10 percent of the 27-hectare area is covered in concrete and the rest in limestone.

According to William Mensenares of Radio TV Malacañang (RTVM), “We will put up a press center where a monitor will be placed and telephone lines for local calls only. The center will be wi-fi ready which will be provided by the Cebu Archdiocese.”

RTVM will take charge of broadcast concerns and assist and provide the media with audio and video outputs.

Considering the vast area, screen monitors will also be strategically placed so people at the back could see the ongoing mass in the templete.

Meanwhile, at 6 a.m., a dry run for the fluvial procession for the actual event was conducted where 15 media personnel were invited.

Cebu-based teams shine in Cetba Nat’l Open

By DALE G. ROSAL (CORRESPONDENT, Cebu Daily News)

CEBU-based teams grabbed the top places in the Team event after completing 10 games in the Fourth Cebu Tenpin Bowling Association (CETBA) National Tenpin Open held at the SM Cebu Bowling Complex, yesterday.

Chanieka took the top spot followed by Virgo Financing and Prime Movers in the second and third spots, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Bowling Association of Las Pinas (BALP) toppled 5,496 pinfalls to lead squads which played just five rounds yesterday. Despite the five-game handicap, BALP positioned itself in the 14th spot while its B team downed 5,238 pinfalls.

Imus Tenpin Bowling Association (ITBA) grabbed the 20th spot after five games with 2,860 pinfalls followed by Bacolod’s Sugarbowl Tenpin Association (STAI)-I at 21st place with 2,846 pinfalls.

Ilo-lio Tenpin Bowling Association (ITBA) meanwhile, is in 22nd spot with 2,844 pinfalls while BALP and ITBA placed 24th with 2,817 pinfalls. Davao Tenpin Bowling Association is at 26th spot with 2,776 pinfalls.

Meanwhile, Manila teams are expected to flex their muscles today as they start their 5-game sked.

Twenty-two out-of-town teams from Luzon and Mindanao are competing in the tournament which offers P15,000 to the team champion with 22 coming from Cebu.

Aside from the team competition, participants will also battle for top honors in the Masters event which has a whopping P50,000 cash prize.

The Mastes event will commence this afternoon.

Galleon San Diego ready to bring San Pedro Calungsod home

By Ador Vincent Mayol (Reporter)

Galleon San Diego is shipshape and ready to set sail.

Officials of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) yesterday gave the go-signal for the Spanish galleon-inspired vessel to be used for the first fluvial procession of the image of St. Pedro Calungsod on Nov. 30.

The statue of the Philippines’ second saint will be accompanied down the Mactan channel by a festive flotilla to the venue of a national thanksgiving Mass at the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City.

The motorized vessel, owned by the family of the late Ernesto Ouano Sr. of Mandaue City, was retrofitted to look like the galleon used by Spanish explorers and Catholic missionaries in the 16th century.

“We can guarantee you that the galleon is sturdy,” said architect Dorie Narandan of Duros Development Corp.”

“We're giving our best efforts for this. This is part of history,” he told Cebu Daily News.

The original vessel, an all-white ship, has been used every January for the the fluvial procession of the Sto. Niño de Cebu.

It is now accented with stained wood to resemble the original Galleon San Diego which brought Visayan teenager Pedro Calungsod and Jesuit missionaries to the Ladrones Islands in 1668. The mast will fly a white flag with the coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

At least 18 workers have been working on the ship for the past four weeks.

“The galleon is 98 per cent done. The complete cladding is in place,” said Narandan.

The vessel will undergo sea trial tomorrow and sail from the Mactan Channel to the waters off the SRP in Cebu City before Marina issues a special permit allowing the vessel to sail.

“We see no problem with the vessel. In general it is seaworthy,” Philip Geneston, senior shipping operations specialist of Marina, told CDN.

Geneston and Marina supervisor Rico Magsalay visited the ship docked at the Ouano Wharf in Mandaue City.

The same galleon replica can also be used in next January’s Sto. Niño fluvial procession, another event that celebrates Cebu’s patron and most famous religious icon, which was a gift from Spanish invaders to island natives of Cebu in the 16th century.

“We don't have to dismantle what he have made to transform it into a galleon,” said Narandan.

Capitol to pick up tab for reception, dinner at CICC

By Flornisa M. Gitgano

THE Cebu Provincial Government will host the reception and dinner for 1,500 delegates, including President Benigno Aquino III, after the thanksgiving mass for the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod on Nov. 30 at the South Road Properties in Cebu City.

It will be held at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.

Msgr. Roberto “Boy” Alesna, chairman of committee and finance, and Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung, a member of the committee for the thanksgiving, visited the office of Gov. Gwen Garcia last Wednesday to discuss the matter.

“We’ve been trying to see how we can help the Archdiocese (of Cebu). And, they requested if we can sponsor the reception and dinner for the 1,500 delegates,” Garcia said in an interview.

Source of pride

The governor said the event is a source of pride for Cebuanos since San Pedro Calungsod belongs to the Archdiocese of Cebu.

She also said different local festivals will be presented during the dinner to entertain guests.

Calungsod, who was canonized last Oct. 21 at the Vatican City in Rome, Italy, is the first Visayan saint. He reportedly came from the southwestern town of Ginatilan, Cebu.

The first Filipino saint is San Lorenzo Ruiz.

Demand for eco products keeps Phl exports alive

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Philippine Star)

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine exports such as furniture, fashion accessories, as well as gifts, toys and housewares are seen to gain considerable market interest from the European market despite the ongoing financial woes.

That’s because Philippine export products are manufactured through green practices. And demand for green products is still on even in crisis-stricken Europe.

“Although there is a crisis in Europe, it doesn’t mean that people don’t have money. The market is there, not everybody is broke,” said European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP) executive vice president Henry J. Schumacher.

Schumacher, who was in Cebu Tuesday, said that establishment of the three-year European Commission funded program called Smart-Cebu (SMEs for Environment Accountability, Responsibility, and Transparency) which started in 2010 has brought the Philippines, especially Cebu exporters, to higher level in terms of positioning and finding its niche in the competitive market.

According to Schumacher, Cebu exporters’ practice in green and sustainable operations provided them “immunity” from crisis stricken markets like Europe, as market continues to grow demanding for high-end and green products.

Recently, the Smart-Cebu program brought Cebuano exporters to different trade shows in Europe, such as in Paris and Germany to show off the world-class eco-designs of furniture, fashion accessories, and other products in gifts, toys, and houseware sector.

ECCP-Cebu executive director Roselu Paloma reported that Cebuano exporters brought home good orders from the European market, signifying that the market for eco-design is “alive” amid the financial crisis in Europe.

Schumacher reiterated that the huge European market is still there, however, he warned that exporters will have to see where the market is heading. And introducing a certified eco-design is one of the effective niches the Philippines should take.

Aside from Europe, Schumacher also mentioned a good consumer base for eco-design products in China, Thailand, Singapore and Japan.

The Smart-Cebu program has identified 450 companies that will be introduced into Resource, Efficiency, and Cleaner Production (RECP) platform for them to appreciate the benefits of operating an environment-friendly value-chain in their respective companies.

Of the 450 identified export companies, 150 have already undergone a thorough assessment from the experts, while 50 companies from each industry sector are being used as the example for good sustainability practice.

Because of this, Schumacher said, Cebu is now considered as the “heart” of sustainable designs, and that it is expected to lead and stay ahead of competition from other Asian countries like Thailand, among others.

Buoyed by the success of the Smart-Cebu program, wherein companies are now able to see the profits, and benefits in adopting green and sustainable operation and production, Schumacher said that the program may go beyond Cebu, and will also be introduced in other provinces like Bohol and Negros.

The European Commission awarded 1.2 million Euro (approximately P65 million) grant to support the greening of Cebu industries and to help Cebu position itself as an important player in the “green” markets of Europe and Asia.

The program is implemented through the members of Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF), Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters (FAME-Cebu), and the Gifts, Toys and Housewares Foundation Inc. (Cebu-GTH).

Smart-Cebu is being managed by a Germany-based non-government organization and international consulting firm called SEQUA.

SEQUA is responsible for developing the capability of Cebu Business Membership organizations or BMOs to undertake the advocacy to promote sustainable consumption and production of Cebu among their member SMEs.

DTI to intensify development of souvenir industry in CV

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Philippine Star)

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-&) is now looking for ways to further develop the souvenir industry in Central Visayas.

According to DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte the agency is going to intensify the development of the souvenir industry across the region while tourism sector is at its upswing.

Caberte said the agency’s product development programs are being tweaked for the souvenir makers. In fact, it is now becoming a niche for the GTH (Gifts, Toys and Houseware) makers and exporters.

Likewise, DTI Cebu province office director Nelia Navarro said that development programs to develop the souvenir industry are also being incorporated in the existing programs under DTI such as the SPIN or Subcontracting Partners for Innovation, and the LinCs or the learning/sharing session on Leveraging Industries.

Both Caberte and Navarro vowed to intensify the development of the souvenir industry in Cebu and across the region.

Cebu as the tourism capital should have a good and strong souvenir industry, Navarro said.

Professionalizing and developing the souvenir making sector has been the clamor of successful souvenir companies the like of Island Souvenirs Incorporated.

Islands Group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jay Aldeguer said in an interview that this sleeping giant should be given utmost attention by the government such as capacitating mechanism to empower the small or micro players in the industry.

“My observation is that the souvenir, not only in the Philippines but even internationally, is perceived as a cottage-type industry. It hasn’t evolved into anything,” Aldeguer said.

Aldeguer believes that there is a huge potential for souvenir business especially in tourism hotspots like Cebu.

About 80 percent of tourism spending goes to souvenirs. The Philippines generates an average of P31 million in tourism-related revenues.

If proper support is given to the players, directing them to higher business perspective, the sourvenir industry in Cebu could become one of the largest industries in the country.

French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault historic visit to Cebu

By Nestor Alonso II (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Very rare are the occasions when a visiting head of state comes to Cebu; usually their official trip to this country begins and ends in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. So when I heard that the French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and a delegation of French officials and businessmen would be come to Cebu for the inauguration of the Alliance Française de Cebu, this was on occasion that I could not afford, excusez-moi, to miss.

The red-letter day was Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 12:15 p.m. and the invitation came with instruction to come an hour in advance for security checks. I followed the order faithfully and met Honorary Consul of Spain Jaime Picornell and wife Cecilia who also came on the dot.

I did some research on the life of the French Prime Minister and learned that he studied German in Nantes University, receiving a graduate teaching diploma and worked as a German language teacher. In 1976, he was elected to the General Council and "he subsequently became Mayor of Saint-Herblain, located in the western suburbs of Nantes, in 1977". He was the Mayor of Nantes from March 1989 to June 2012 and later was appointed as Prime Minister of France.

There are two reasons for his visit to Cebu: a briefing on the

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) because the project will be jointly financed by Agence Francaise de Development (US$52 million), World Bank ($110 million), Clean Technology Fund ($25 million) and the Philippine government ($25 million).

The second reason were reports that French culture is booming in Cebu through the efforts of a Filipino of French ancestry, Michel Lhuillier. Michel was born in French Indochina and he single-handedly moved to established "Petite France" in Cebu, first by organizing the Les Amis de la France and later, sponsoring Alliance Française de Cebu, a Filipino association of Francophile men and women. True, there were some efforts in the past to promote French culture here but to sponsor any activity or make an organization succeed, you need vast financial resources to achieve your objective.

In the past, I wrote that when you talk of culture, you talk about history, language, music, people, food and drinks. The latter two subjects are my field of interest, as a member of a French gourmet society, La Chaine des Rotissuers and as a food journalist.

It was a cocktail reception during the inauguration of the Alliance Française de Cebu and some of the dishes and wines served during the festivities are featured here. We had Tartelette Poire & Roquefort, Capuccinio de Carottes, Mojito de Crevette a la Mangue, Madeleine de Queue de Boeuf, Croquettes pied de cochon miel basilica and a Cebuano dish, the Kinilaw Duo.

Nearly everybody spoke French and inaugural address of the French Prime Minister was in French and I felt miserable that though I had opportunities in the past to study the French language, I failed to do so. But I did observe the facial expressions and the body language of the Jean-Marc Ayrault and Brigitte Ayrault that in the midst of a French Language Center in Cebu, eating French food, drinking French wine and conversing in the French language, the couple must have thought they were still in France.

North Cebu resort gets facelift, eyes more international guests

By Aileen Garcia-Yap (Cebu Daily News)

IT started as a resort property that compliments the city hotel property in Cebu City then known as Cebu Plaza Hotel in 1993.

Nineteen years later, Alegre Beach Resort and Spa is known as one of Cebu’s premier resort destinations, at par with other global brands now operating their properties in Cebu.

This year alone, Alegre Beach Resort and Spa was recognized by Travel Advisor as the Travellers’ Choice for 2012, the only resort in the country included in the list.

The property was recently bought by Pacific Tiger Group of companies owned by the younger brother of property founder Bryan Cockrel.

“Harry Cockrel bought the property from his brother last year and is now gearing to make Alegre’s brand known all over the world,” said Alegre Beach Resort and Spa sales and marketing manager Bruce Cortes Bollozos.

The property was opened in 1993 with only about 30 people to help in the operations.

With only seven hectares out of the 44 hectares of total land area, the resort offers an exclusive haven to those who want a more intimate time with loved ones in the northern part of Cebu.

“The property is in the northern town of Sogod, Cebu. Right now, we have 42 very well maintained rooms that we are also slowly renovating,” said Bollozos.

Before global hotel brands like Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa opened, Cebu already had Alegre Beach Resort and Spa.

However, when these other world class hotels opened, the Alegre management failed to keep up with the competition and didn’t aggressively push to market the brand.

“The main sales office was even located in Manila, which made marketing more difficult since the property is in Cebu,” said Bollozos.

Despite that, the resort maintained good occupancy rates from tourists mostly Japanese and Russians. Bollozos said they were confident they could attract more clients this year.

Thus, after the Pacific Tiger Group, they moved the sales office to their Cebu City office to give more focus to marketing.

“The move will allow us better control of how we market our property especially that Cebu is enjoying a lot of tourists from all over the world,” said Bollozos.

Bollozos also assured they will deliver high quality service for their guests.

“We have about 110 people on board and we hire a lot of locals from Sogod. We are proud to say that they have extended to our guests the ‘Cebuano’ hospitality that our guests really appreciated,” said Bollozos.

Aside from the aggressive marketing push, the hotel-resort is also undergoing a facelift which is set to be completed by 2013.

Bollozos said they are working on the restaurant, spa, rooms, pool and other amenities in the property.

“Soon we will also be adding 44 new rooms to our property to cater to increasing number of guests that come to us,” said Bollozos.

Bollozos also said they were planning to tap the Australian market through the new chartered flights from Darwin Australia.

Bollozos said their resort would be the best place to go for those wanting some private downtime with loved ones.

“Because we have three coves or beach areas, people here don’t even notice the presence of other guests making it feel more relaxing and exclusive for them which is what a vacation should be,” said Bollozos.

Public Works sets big event in Cebu

(Manila Standard Today)

Field unit heads of the Department of Public Works and Highways will convene for a two-day assembly of the District Engineers League of the Philippines on November 20-21, 2012 in Cebu City.

District and Assistant District Engineers from the 183 district engineering offices nationwide gather for the staging of the 8th Annual Convention 2012 with the theme DELP Supports DPWHs New Systems Approach.

As frontliners of the Department, the District and Assistant District Engineers put into practice the programs and policies crafted by the DPWH management level to address the demand for better infrastructure that will help push rapid, inclusive and sustained economic growth.

The DPWH in the district level is continuously working to ensure the safety of all infrastructure facilities and to guarantee the efficiency and quality in construction of all public works and highways.

As the principal infrastructure agency of the government, DPWH will address the rising necessity for better infrastructure with the District Offices spearheading the preservation and rehabilitation of national roads and bridges in the municipalities, cities and provinces.

To sustain the upswing of government spending particularly on infrastructure that will make the country more globally competitive, a discussion on financial matters, disbursement and obligation is among the topics to be discussed at the convention.

Equally important matter is the implementation of the Performance-Based Incentive Systems for government employees designed to reward performers for meeting their targets.

The competency of DPWH men in the field will be the hallmarks of good leadership which will be the key to the successful carrying out of development programs.

According to Secretary Rogelio L. Singson, the DPWH in partnership with the Civil Service Commission has carried out two (2) promotional examinations to validate the capability and competency of those holding managerial positions such as District and Assistant District Engineers to continue professionalizing the Department.

To increase productivity, efficiency and effectiveness, the DPWH has also embarked on the institutionalization of a Quality Management System that will standardize quality of public service delivery to become consistent with the requirement of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Cebu firm joins tech biz council for Silicon drive

Aileen Garcia-Yap (Reporter)

A CEBU-based software application company is working with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in seeking to capture a larger chunk of the $1-trillion Silicon Valley business.

Jerry Rapes, chief executive officer of Exist Global, said his company is among the eight Filipino companies that are part of the US-Philippines Business Support and Information Technology Delivery Council. The council will explore business opportunities and partnerships in California.

“The main objective of the council is to reach out to the companies in the Silicon Valley and show that Philippine information technology (IT) companies are ready for business,” said Rapes in an email interview.

The newly-formed council is spearheaded by the PTIC, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The council is supported by Philippine-grown companies like Terranex LLC, Rendition Digital, Exist Global, Ionics, Orange and Bronze, Ayannah, and Innerworks, as first pool of members.

Trade Commissioner Michael Ignacio of the PTIC in Silicon Valley, in an email, said the initiative is not a government-funded program, although the government is working closely with the founding members to achieve common goals.

PTIC intends to build a strong market presence for Philippine companies all over the US and Canada.

Joining forces with these companies in marketing in San Francisco, Rapes said, would mean more access to clients, marketing support, and networking circles. These companies already have businesses in the Silicon Valley.

“We are just working on getting a larger chunk of the pie,” he said. Rapes said Exist maintains a “relatively big” client base in the US.

While the San Francisco Bay area is considered the hotbed of cutting-edge products and technologies, Maricel Legaspi, who runs marketing for Exist in San Francisco, said companies there, especially the start-ups, face the challenge of delivering more with less.

“Companies in the council, such as Exist, have a lot to offer to these companies,” Legaspi said.

Legaspi said the council is a working group, in which each company is set to collaborate for the development of more business and the creation of a wider market, specifically the software and product development, business support, and electronics manufacturing services industries.

DTI records show forecasts that the market for global offshore software and product development, business process support, and electronic contract manufacturing services will hit $1 trillion in 2018.

Cebu exporters seek exemption from wage hike

Aileen Garcia-Yap (Reporter)

MORE Cebu exporters are seeking exemption from the P22 daily minimum wage increase recently approved by the Central Visayas wage board.

“The wage increase, continued strengthening of the peso, and high power rates combined are the signs of a perfect storm for us exporters,” said Mari Booth, Mehitabel Inc. vice president in an interview last Wednesday.

Booth and other exporters were at the City Sports Club last Wednesday for the presentation of the International Furniture Fair Singapore 2013.

Booth said the P20 minimum wage increase from last year added to the P22 increase that takes effect in December would increase their operation costs by 20 percent.

The wage increase pegged the minimum wage in Cebu City at P327 a day by midDecember.

Philexport president Venus Gensin said exporters felt orphaned because of lack of government support in the sector.

“The exporters have not fully recovered. Some have even lowered their operations just to hold on and these additional costs will really affect them,” said Gensin.

From an 1,000 employees in 2008, Mehitabel Inc. has reduced manpower to 350 to lower expenses.

“We have retrenched people to be able to cope. The situation is true to all exporters even in Manila. I know one which used to have 3,000 people and is now down to only 35 people,” said Booth.

Ruby Salutan of Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation said that another wage increase would hamper the recovery of the industry .

“We are awaiting the official memorandum this December and really hope that they will consider our situation,” said Booth adding that while other industries like tourism, real estate and retail are experiencing growth, this is not felt by exporters,” said Booth.

On the issue of currency, the exporters said the best exchange rate level would be P45 to a dollar.

“There was a projection that the exchange rate would still go down to P30 per dollar. That will kill all of us. We are barely managing now at P41. How much more at P30?” said Gensin.

While the government has acted on the power rate issue, exporters said that the government should do something to keep the exchange rate at a level that would benefit everyone including exporters and importers.

Cebu guv agrees to fund northern town P35-M RoRo project

(PNA), FFC/EB/RE

CEBU CITY, Nov. 15 (PNA) – Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has agreed that the provincial government will fund the P35-million Maya roll-on-roll-off (RoRo) port project in the northern Cebu town of Daanbantayan which got stalled for three years.

Daanbantayan Mayor Maria Luisa Loot said Gov. Garcia made a commitment to finish the Maya port project before the governor’s term ends next year.

Loot and her son, Provincial Board (PB) Member Sun Shimura, visited Garcia Wednesday to finalize the governor’s trip next week and the completion of her projects in their town and Malapascua island, one of Daanbantayan’s tourist attractions.

The RoRo port will open the town and northern districts in Cebu to the neighboring provinces like Masbate, Negros, Leyte, Samar and Iloilo.

Once it is completed, the town will have a share in the port’s earnings, said Loot.

A five-hectare area adjacent to the port will also be developed as a transport terminal, which the local government will manage.

”I appealed for the governor’s help with that port,” said Loot.

The details will depend on the memorandum of agreement (MOA) that the province will sign with Daanbantayan.

The governor will also check projects on Nov. 19 during her visit to Malapascua, where the province has led a campaign to remove and prevent illegal structures on the beach.

Rep. Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu, 4th district) earlier said the Maya RoRo port would have been completed last June 2012.

But it got stalled, along with the Malapascua development projects, for three years while the conflict between the mayor and the governor escalated.

They appear to have reconciled last Aug. 30, during the town’s fiesta.

The RoRo port construction and the access road leading to it were jointly funded by the provincial government, Rep. Salimbangon and the National Government, through the Department of Public Works and Highways.

PB member Shimura said the funds for Maya RoRo port are sourced from the P100-million allocation intended for Cordova, Camotes and Daanbantayan ports, in the 2012 annual budget of the province.

The project’s first phase focused on the road connecting the causeway to the national highway. Construction of the causeway followed, after DPWH downloaded P20 million to Cebu provincial government.

Cebu’s 2012 socio-economic profile revealed there are a total of 110 ports in Cebu, of which 43 are public or government ports.

The fourth district has 14 private ports and nine government ports, including the Maya RoRo port that is still under construction.

An existing RoRo port in Barangay Pulangbato in Bogo City serves passengers and cargo to Masbate and neighboring provinces.

Films enabling the nation screened in Cebu

(PR)

THE Active Vista Human Rights Film Festival commemorated the National Deaf Awareness Week with the screening of four short films that deal with issues of the deaf at the Cebu Public Library last March 14.

In partnership with the Gualandi Volunteer Services Program and the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines in Cebu, Dakila presented the short films “Feeling the Faith” by Paul Halili and Alan Obenza, “Kubli” by Dr. Liza Martinez, “Abot Kamay” by Victor Villanueva and “River of Dreams” by Mike Dagnalan.

According to Danielle Aballe of the Dakila Artists Collective in Cebu, “We hope that by showing films that give respect, empowerment and understanding to the disabled, every Filipino, despite impairments, be able to fulfill their social responsibilities towards a fully-abled nation.”

The screening was also the premiere of two short films that won production grants from the festival’s Hasik Advocacy Filmmaking Program and are now in competition with 10 other advocacy films for the ALAB awards of the Festival.

Kubli, made by Dra. Liza Martinez, is a story of a deaf rape victim, Bel, who is raped by her father and struggles to prove him guilty in a court with no sign language interpreters.

Abot Kamay by Cebuano filmmaker, Victor Villanueva, is a story of a deaf girl who wants to become an actress despite her disability.

Dr. Liza Martinez is one of the most prominent advocates and staunch defenders of PWD rights in the Philippines, while Victor Villanueva is a filmmaker more known for his romantic-comedy films such as the independent film hit, “My Paranormal Romance.”

“Kubli” is Dr. Liza’s first attempt in filmmaking, while “Abot Kamay” is Victor’s first engagement in advocacy filmmaking.

Aballe said: “These two films produced by Active Vista best exemplifies the marriage of art and advocacy, that when blended well can be a powerful tool to shape consciousness of the Filipino audience and inspire them to if not effect change, then, at the very least, change the way they look at things with hope that someday our society will be more accepting and understanding of the plight of persons with disabilities.”

E-Gwen ordinance filed in Provincial Board

By Carmel Loise Matus (Correspondent)

A program that rewards the best performing towns and cities in Cebu, as well as memorializes the governor’s name will be made permanent with the passage of a provincial ordinance.

The ordinance institutionalizing the e-Gwen program, (Expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures) was filed in the Provincial Board last Monday.

PB Member Thadeo Ouano sponsored the measure, which was referred for review to his committee on environment.

He said the ordinance aims to adopt the e-Gwen program “which is geared towards rebuilding each town in the Province of Cebu” in seven areas of sustainable development to make “vibrant, progressive and self-reliant communities” with environment as its main point of entry.

This is part of the effort “to create a model Cebu for both the present and the generations to come."

An e-Gwen Program council will be formed headed by the governor with an executive director and a secretary appointed by the governor.

Members of the council will include various Capitol departments, PB members, and its main private partner, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

The presidents of the League of Municipalities and of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) and two representatives from the non-government organizations "that are champions of environment protection and preservation" are included.

Every year, the Capitol gives out e-Gwen awards for the “Green Champion”, “Model Town” and “Good Neighbor” in a province-wide contest of local governments down to the barangays.

The awards will be lodged under the annual Garbo sa Sugbo awards of the Province during Cebu’s founding anniversary celebration.

E-Gwen was established in 2008 with RAFI with the vision to make Cebu “an ideal place to live, work, play, invest and do business.”

At first, the program tapped barangay councils by recognizing champion barangays which were able to solve community problems.

A scorecard system included criteria for cleanliness, sanitation and health; greening, creativity, artistry and aesthetic impact; nurturing culture and heritage; and governance systems and structures.

6T athletes gather at Prov'l meet opening

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon (MBG/The Freeman)

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Rep. Pablo John Garcia of Cebu’s 3rd district light the cauldron to signal the opening of the Cebu Provincial Sports and Cultural Festival in Asturias town yesterday. JOY TORREJOS

CEBU, Philippines - Over 6,000 athletes from the different elementary and high schools of the Province of Cebu gathered for the opening of this year's Cebu Provincial Sports and Cultural Festival held in the town of Asturias yesterday.

The event was started with a parade and was followed by a dance number from selected Asturia's students, employees and Mayor Alan Adlawan to the tune of the famous "Gangnam Style".

Arden Monisit, Division Superintendent of the Department of Education Cebu Province, said the best athletes will be chosen from the event to represent Cebu in the upcoming Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

The five-day event will culminate on November 16. The athletes will compete in various sports.

However, the opening was marred by the heavy rains yesterday that forced the athletes to seek shelter while several guests deliver their messages.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia was among those who graced the event with candidates of the One Cebu Party and guest, Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar.

The Villar Foundation recognizes sports as means of instilling values of discipline, teamwork, honesty, sportsmanship and the passion for excellence. "More than just preaching these virtues, I believe, nurturing them through sports will leave a stronger and more lasting impact among our people, especially the youth. It is important to instill these values among the youth because these are the same values that are necessary towards building a good future," Villar said in her speech.

Villar said that sportsmanship is very important as it means that we follow the rules of the game and that we are able to accept losing gracefully and celebrate victory in humility.

The Villar Foundation, she added, also organizes sports events like "Sports sa Barangay" and "Villiards".

Talisay sets aside P27M for disaster preparedness

(The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - After several weeks of formulating and finalizing the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan, Talisay appropriates over P27 million for disaster preparedness and mitigation and for quick response.

Councilor Celiapo Cabuenas, who is the chairman of the committee on social welfare and services, said the City Development Council has already approved the 2013 City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan and endorsed the plan to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for confirmation and adoption of the same to the Annual Investment Plan.

In a proposed resolution No. 2012-37-1, an appropriation of P19,113,654 for disaster preparedness and mitigation, which includes the procurement, maintenance of heavy equipment and disaster operation vehicles; the maintenance of Drainage, Dredging, Declogging; Riprapping and Slope Protection and Storm Surge Protection; Capability Building, trainings and Drills; Construction and Rehabilitation of Evacuation Centers; Purchase of Rescue Operation and Other Related Equipments for Disaster Operation and Purchase and Repair of Area Wide Calamity Related Alarm or Warning System.

An allocation of P8,191,567.10 is intended for quick response, which includes the Procurement of Supplies, food stuff, and drugs and medicines.

Cabuenas said the amount was taken from the five percent general fund of the City Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Fund (CDRRMF).

As mandated by Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, every Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) is mandated to come up with a Comprehensive Disaster Framework to encompass disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness.

“It is essential for a Comprehensive Disaster Framework to have an Annual Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan,” Cabuenas said.


1st church-based eco park to open in Cebu

By Liv G. Campo/MIT (The Philippine Star)

CEBU, Philippines - The Sto. Niño de Cebu Agustinian Social Development Foundation, Inc. (SNAF) will open what is believed to be the first church-based ecopark in Cebu in barangay Mohon, Talisay City on Tuesday.

“This may be the first church-initiated eco park in Cebu. But definitely not the last as we’ll be using this as a prototype for other churches to follow,” said Fr. Tito Soquino, president of SNAF, a social development arm of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

The eco park, located inside the premises of Sto. Niño Parish in Mohon, will have its own material recovery facility, where all garbage collected from the church will be segregated and a meditation garden, among others.

Soquino, an environmentalist himself being president of the environmental group—Knight-Stewards of the Sea, Inc., said the objective of the project is “for the 35 chapels in Mohon to also do the same.”

He explained that if waste segregation and other ecology-friendly activities will be spearheaded by the Church, then it’s easier to ignite public participation.

Soquino said he hopes that other parishes will also replicate this, as he believes garbage is a major problem faced by almost all local government units in Cebu, and possibly in the entire country. Accessible MRFs may help solve this problem, he said. An MRF, however, is only one of the features of an eco park. There is also a meditation garden.

According to Soquino, this garden will connect nature and faith, so those who will use it will remember God’s creation and in the process, will learn to appreciate and protect it.

How much more will Cebu workers get?

(Cebu Daily News)

Workers in Metro Cebu, which belongs to Class A, will receive P327 a day instead of P305 once the new wage order takes effect.

Those working outside the metropolis fall under different categories at a lower rate.

Class A covers cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-lapu, Danao, Naga, Carcar and Talisay along with towns of Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla and San Fernando.

The current floor wage in other areas depending on their classification ranges from P240 (for non-sugar agriculture workers in Class D areas) to P285 (for non-agriculture workers for Class B areas).

The P22 increase will be added to each level.

Class B includes cities of Toledo and Bogo and the other towns of Cebu except Bantayan and Camotes Islands.

Class C covers Bohol and Negros province. Class D includes Siquijor and Bantayan and Camotes Islands of Cebu.

Workers are also classified as agricultural (sugar and non-sugar) and non-agricultural.

10,000 seats set for Calungsod pilgrims during mass

By Bernadette A. Parco, Jujemay G. Awit and Justin K. Vestil (Sun.Star Cebu/Hiezle M. Bual, USJ-R Masscom Intern)

CEBU CITY -- About 10,000 pilgrims from various dioceses outside Cebu Province are expected to attend the national thanksgiving mass at the South Road Properties (SRP) at the end of the month.

Fr. Jake Reyes, committee chairman on local pilgrims, said they are unable to provide accommodations for the pilgrims, but they were referred to travel agencies.

He said these five agencies can give the visitors discounted prices on hotel and pension house accommodations for at least two days. Related articles

The pilgrims, however, are assured of seats during the mass on November 30. But they must come early because the seats are given on a “first-come, first- served” basis.

Based on an initial agreement between a private company and the Church committee, the cost of rental for each chair is P7 pesos per day or P70,000 per day.

Police

Meanwhile, the Talisay City police is asking the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) to deploy about 100 policemen at the SRP in preparation for the thanksgiving mass.

Superintendent Eddie Recamara, chief of the Talisay City Police Station, told reporters that the number of police personnel is needed to prepare for a turnout of 200,000 to 300,000 devotees.

He added that Talisay City will be on heightened alert at that time, with their personnel on the streets by November 29.

Aside from the crowds, they are also preparing for the traffic situation, since the Cebu South Coastal Road and SRP will be closed to motorists on November 30.

Recamara has advised motorists to take N. Bacalso National Highway during the thanksgiving mass.

Final preparations

Last Monday, Recamara, along with city and church officials in Talisay City, met at the San Isidro Church in Barangay San Isidro to discuss their final preparations for the thanksgiving mass.

Santo Rosario Parish would be accommodating 18 people from the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Paco, Manila.

Reyes said they are coordinating with Cebu City Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias, who heads the preparations for a Devotee City for the thanksgiving mass.

During a press conference Wednesday morning, Reyes said there were only 10 cargo containers allotted for the event by cargo shipping company, 2Go, because the last two months of the year are peak months for shipments.

He said that as buffer alternative, the committee is also meeting with officials of the Department of Education in Cebu City for the use of the classrooms of four public schools near the SRP.

But the backup plan to use the schools will no longer be pursued because Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama does not agree with, it fearing the schools might be vandalized.

Cabarrubias, though, got the commitment of two shipping companies for at least 30 containers for a pilgrims’ center for the November 30 activities.

There are between 10 and 30 containers committed by 2Go and 10 from PhilSpan of Sulpicio Lines. (2Go is no longer owned by the Aboitiz Group as previously reported.)

Cabarrubias thinks a Devotee City for the Calungsod thanksgiving will cost about half a million pesos.

But Rama said he would rather tap the private sector than depend on the Council for funds.

Movie

To spread the good news about the Philippines’ second saint, the Cebu Archdiocese will show a movie featuring San Pedro Calungsod’s life and miracles.

Msgr. Trinidad Silva Jr. said it is very important for the people to be prepared as well as to know more about Calungsod.

Three weeks prior to the thanksgiving mass, the Archdiocese of Cebu is urging the 144 parishes, as well as schools and other institutions, to show the movie.

In the first part of the movie, Archbishop Jose S. Palma gives the introductory message, followed by an hour showing Calungsod’s life and miracles. Excerpts from the canonization of Blessed Pedro in Rome are included.

Archbishop Palma’s introductory message mainly extends an invitation to the faithful to attending the thanksgiving mass on November 30.

Each parish will receive one copy for the community. Out of 144 parishes in Cebu, as of the moment, only 55 parishes received a movie copy.

ASEAN telecom and IT ministers meet in Cebu

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Information and Communications Technology (ICT) ministers and senior officials from 10 ASEAN member states and dialog partners from other countries will be in Cebu on November 12 to 16 for the 13th ASEAN Telecommunications and IT Senior Officials Meeting (Telsom), and the 12th ASEAN Telecommunications and IT Ministers Meeting (Telmin).

The five-day conference, which will be held in Mactan will be hosted by Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

DOST secretary Mario G. Montejo is the chairman of the Telmin event, while leading the Philippine delegation of senior officials is undersecretary Louis Napoleon C. Casambre of the DOST-Information and Communications Technology Office.

Delegates from the ASEAN member states will also be joined by dialog partners from China, India, Korea, the European Union and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The group will discuss the region’s progress in ICT relative to the ASEAN ICT Masterplan (AIM) and map out policy directions for ASEAN’s ICT Initiatives for the coming year.

“We are looking forward to hosting this very important gathering and exchanging ideas with our ASEAN counterparts, as well as exploring new avenues of cooperation with our dialogue partners. The Philippines is looking at playing a more active role in ICT development in the ASEAN region, particularly in the areas of ICT infrastructure and people empowerment,” Casambre said.

One of the key events at the conference is the signing of the Mactan Cebu Declaration which aims to improve cooperation between ASEAN member states in ICT related endeavors such as cybersecurity, e-commerce as well as implement strategic thrusts put forth in the ASEAN ICT Masterplan.

Other events happening during the weeklong conference are An ASEAN – UNCTAD workshop on e-Commerce law harmonization, the awarding ceremonies for the first ever ASEAN ICT Awards, as well as an informal meeting of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia Malaysia, and the Philippines East ASEAN Growth area (BIMP-EAGA) Telecom and IT Ministers.

Calungsod fundraising, cars to be raffled off to donors

By Marigold P. Lebumfacil/MBG (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Cars will be raffled off as part of the efforts to raise funds for the National Thanksgiving Mass and for the templete that is being constructed at the South Road Properties.

Last November 1, a booth was opened at the SM City Cebu for those interested to help in the fundraising for San Pedro Calungsod.

Those who will donate P25, 000 or $600 will receive an official certificate of donation as well as a limited edition of the commemorative San Pedro Calungsod pieces designed by world-renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue.

A certificate of donation is equivalent to a raffle ticket which gets the donor a chance to win either two BMWs or a Kia Sorento, which are displayed in the SM booth.

Another booth will be set up in Ayala Center Cebu.

The booths will be open until December 8, the scheduled date for the raffle and announcement of winners to take place at SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium.

But Msgr. Roberto Alesna earlier reminded the would-be donors to support the fundraising not because of the prizes at stake but because of San Pedro Calungsod.

He said that donations should be made for San Pedro Calungsod and for one’s devotion to the second Filipino saint.

Calungsod’s image is scheduled to return to Cebu on November 27, in time for the Triduum masses prior to the National Thanksgiving Day on November 30.

It is now in Luzon for the Duaw Nasud where the official image is scheduled to visit various parishes all over the country.

Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal encouraged everyone to attend the event and spread out the devotion to the newly-canonized Filipino saint.

“We should imitate him (Calungsod) and understand that if he was able to do it, why not us? There’s nothing impossible to God. Let’s all thank Him for giving us that kind of opportunity to be able to translate holiness into a reality among ourselves, especially among our young people,” Vidal said.

Earlier, Cardinal Vidal said they will be pushing through with the process to establish San Pedro Calungsod as the patron saint of the youth and the Overseas Filipino Workers.

Calungsod was said to be just 14 years old, one of the youngest catechists, who left for Guam with Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores and other missionaries.

Cardinal Vidal also said a commission has been organized and is now studying the life of Msgr. Teofilo Camomot, who is among the three names pushed to be the next Filipino to be beatified and possibly canonized.

Camomot was a resident of Carcar, south of Cebu, and was known for his generous service and love for the poor.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Vidal is asking the public not to treat “Pedrito”, a doll image of San Pedro Calungsod, like a toy.

“It should not be like that. It is intended to spread out the devotion to San Pedro Calungsod,” Vidal said.

Cebu resorts post high occupancy on holiday

By Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu resorts enjoy remarkably high occupancy rates during the long weekend as foreign and domestic travelers flocked here to make the most out of the long break.

Angela Emphasis, public relations manager of Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa, said that the resort has a 96% occupancy rate during the long weekend which was mostly composed of Koreans.

Noteworthy during the break was the upsurge on locals who occupied 10% of the rooms, she added.

Because of the Palace’s aggressive marketing strategies aimed at attracting the local market, Emphasis further noted that the number of locals who stayed in the resort is even 7% higher than the Japanese who only accounted 3% of the total occupancy rate during the holiday.

“The market during the long weekend was composed of Koreans, Japanese and delightfully, a surge on locals. It is still the same market but with more options. What really matters is that the local market is already paying a greater attention to the Palace,” she said.

Imperial Palace is the country’s first five-star waterpark resort with a total of 556 rooms.

Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort reported close to 100% occupancy rate during the long weekend.

According to its Marketing Communications Manager Aileen Quijano, the high occupancy was driven by the foreign market mostly composed of Japanese, Korean and European nationals.

The domestic market, on the other hand, accounted 30% of the market share of the resort, she said.

Even with the high demand, Quijano clarified that the resort did not increase its rates.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, on the other hand, recorded an average occupancy rate of 86% from October 31 to November 4.

According to Hannah Patalinghug, the resort’s public relations associate, November 2 posted the highest occupancy rate during the long weekend with 98.04% which was followed by 90.12% rate of the first day of November.

She said that 90% of the total 256 rooms were booked for accommodations over the long break.

The market mix, she added, were mostly comprised of Koreans, Filipinos from all over the country and balikbayans.

Fun to play, learn at the museum

By Joy S. Quito (Correspondent)

It was a time of laughter, fun, and learning for John Patrick del Castillo, 10, and his brother Juphet, 11, when they visited museums and heritage galleries in Cebu for the first time.

They were among 309 children from different barangays in Cebu City who joined the fourth Kids at the Museum program as part of the celebration of Children's Month in October.

In four Saturday of last month, urban children learned how to play traditional Filipino games and had workshops on weaving palm leaves (lukay ), cooking, comic drawing, and painting.

“Nakahibaw ko giunsa ug kudkud sa lubi (I learned how to grate a coconut),” Juphet told Cebu Daily News.

They had wanted to join the painting workshop but ended up with cooking lessons.

“Pero lingaw man gihapon kaayo,” said John Patrick. (It was still a lot of fun though.)

The boys who study in Tejero Elementary School said they had fun playing “tubig-tubig” with neighborhood kids from barangay Tinago who participated in the event.

Juphet said he was struck by the sight of memorabilia of Jose Rizal like his clothes and books at one museum.

John recognized Rizal as a national hero.

“Bayani siya kay nagpakamatay man siya para sa mga tawo,” John said. (He's a hero because he died for the people.)

The exposure to culture and history was an eyeopener for the kids.

“Nakat-on mi kung giunsa ang mga karaan nga binuhatan,” Juphet said. (We learned how things in the past are done.)

Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, executive director of the Culture and Heritage Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc, said the Kids at the Museum activity aimed to guide children to appreciate museums as a venue of learning Cebuano culture and heritage.

“The entire event is a platform for education. And when you want to educate the kids, it must also be fun and interactive,”” she said. The children came from barangays Cogon Central Ramos, Day-as, Pari-an, Kamagayn, Lorega San Miguel, mabolo, San Roque, Señor Sto. Niño, T. Padilla, Tejero, Tinago and Zapatera.

Cebu places 7th in top 10 Asian islands

(FMG/Sun.Star Cebu)

CEBU CITY -- Cebu was named as one of the Asia’s top 10 islands in the annual Readers’ Choice Awards of the international travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler.

Cebu made it to No. 7, with a rating of 75.9. Of the seven criteria, it scored highest in friendliness, with 85.4.

Two resorts of the Shangri-La group in the Visayas also made it in the list of the top 15 resorts in Asia, including Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa, which landed at No. 12.

Also in the list of top 10 islands in Asia are Luzon at No. 3 and Mindanao at No. 10. Luzon received a reader’s choice rating of 78.9, while Mindanao scored 62.8.

Here’s how the magazine’s readers rated Cebu in all seven criteria: friendliness (85.4), lodging (80), ambience (77.7), scenery (75.7), activities (75), beaches (74.3) and restaurants (68.3).

Bali, Indonesia was picked as the best island in Asia, with a reader’s choice rating of 81.8.

Other islands included in the top 10 are Phuket, Thailand; Langkawi, Malaysia; Koh Samui in Thailand; Hokkaido, Japan; Malaysian Borneo; and Lombok in Indonesia.

“This is truly a proud, shining moment for Cebu and all Cebuanos,” Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said in a text message. She said she believes the efforts of the Provincial Government in transforming Cebu and promoting tourism contributed to the results.

“We are happy that our efforts at transforming Cebu through the eGwen Our program Cebu has resulted into this great honor and recognition from the prestigious Conde Nast,” the governor added.

As far as the top 15 resorts are concerned, two properties in the Visayas, both under the Shangri-La brand, also made it.

Shangri-La’s Mactan resort scored 84.8, while its Boracay Resort and Spa landed in eighth place with a reader’s choice rating of 88.5.

The Taj Exotica Resort and Spa in the Maldives is the top resort for the magazine readers.

All Saints' day observance: No major hitches

By Jessica R. Pareja, Niña G. Sumacot, Garry B. Lao, Ria Y. Booc, Jose P. Sollano/JPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Except for a scuffle between vendors at the Carreta Cemetery and a few bladed weapons recovered, no major incidents were reported in Cebu’s major cities and 44 towns even as roads and cemeteries were full of people celebrating the All Saints’ Day.

Chiefs of police and local government leaders in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay as well as the provincial police commander all agreed that the first of the two-day November celebration proceeded without major hitches.

With the security measures well in place ahead of schedule, police reported an orderly and peaceful celebration in Cebu City and all other areas in Cebu.

Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe made rounds at the five major cemeteries in the city to check on the observance of the All Saints Day.

“We have improved our security measures this year to ensure the safety of everyone,” Buenafe said. He deployed a sufficient number of policemen in every cemetery to patrol the areas 24 hours.

They also installed 18 close-circuit televisions (CCTVs) in the five major cemeteries in Cebu City - at Carreta, Calamba, Cempark, Queen City Gardens, and Pardo. The cameras helped them monitor the activities better as the video footages were seen at the Police Regional Office 7 and at the CCPO Operations Branch.

Chief Insp. Wildemar Tiu, who heads CCPO operations Branch, said they have a better view this year compared to last year’s four cameras.

Approximately 20,000 people entered Cempark alone yesterday, 10,000 in Queen City Gardens, 5,000 each in Calamba and Cabantan cemeteries, and at most 800 people in Pardo.

As of yesterday afternoon, Tiu said police recovered fewer deadly weapons such as scissors and chisels which are supposedly used in cleaning tombs, compared to last year.

This is because the public has been well informed already, police said. Tiu said they also recovered lesser bottles of intoxicating liquor this year, including those disguised in thermos and tumblers.

“Simhuton g’yud kay maro na ang uban ‘ron. Since kahibaw na sila nga ipagbawal, ipangsud na man hinuon sa mga termos ang mga ilimnon,” Tiu said. (Some put liquor in thermos bottles knowing that these are banned, but our policemen smell the contents so these are still confiscated.)

Covert policemen were also deployed inside the cemeteries. They expect a larger volume of people to flock the cemeteries today in observance of the All Souls Day.

Meanwhile, Medardo Batiller, operations head of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF), said dehydration were the usual cases they encountered yesterday owing to the very hot weather. He advised the public, especially those who will stay at the cemeteries today, to eat and drink more water.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama praised the police and the barangay officials for doing a good job. He visited the cemeteries in Cebu City yesterday to monitor situation.

“I told them the entrance must always be in the right side. So akong gipang-usab,” Rama said. But this caused a brief commotion at the Carreta Cemetery where vendors of flowers and candles rushed to the other side and fought over space near the new entrance.

Police rushed to stop two women in a catfight after one of them refused to give way.

Cecilia Gintalian said Elel Opsiquias was forcing herself to put a table along the new entrance but she could not move since she will already be blocking the entrance to a mausoleum behind.

“Wala man sya’y labot unta sa gipabalhin ni Kap kay wala man naapiki iyang tindahan pagbalhin sa entrance,” Gintalian, said showing her bruises. (She was not supposed to be among those the barangay captain asked to transfer.)

Some vendors criticized Rama for imposing the changes late.

“Nganong karon pa man sad sya niari diri. Katong petsa 29 pa unta sya niari para napahimutang daan ang mga tindera. Magpatyanay gyud baya ni diri sa pwesto,” one vendor said. (Why did the mayor came here only now and changed things? He could have come here on the 29th.)

Meanwhile, Rama said he ordered the administrators of the cemetery and the Department of Public Services to make sure the cemeteries will be cleaned up by tomorrow.

In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Paz Radaza wants more policemen to be deployed in the streets today. She issued the verbal order to Lapu-Lapu City Police Chief, Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas. 

“I want the police to ensure that this four-day vacation will continue to be peaceful and safe to visitors who come to the city for leisure and vacation and for the Oponganons who go to the cemetery to visit their beloved ones,” said Radaza.

In Mandaue City, police also did not meet any report of crimes. Aside from the barangay tanods, volunteer groups like Guardians also assisted the police.

Chief Inspector Jimmy Aquizanda, ground commander of the Mandaue Police Office assigned to supervise personnel at the cemetery, thanked the people for cooperating.

At the cemeteries in Talisay City, police station chief Supt. Eddie Recamara saw only the vendors blocking the entrances to the cemeteries as their problem.

“Gikan sa buntag ug hangtud pagka-udto wala kita’y problemang nasugatan diha sulod sa mga sementeryo sa Talisay pero diha sa karsada paingon ngadto sa publikong sementeryo sa Poblacion ang mga vendor maoy atong problema kay halos nag-ali na kini diha sa agianan,” Recamara said. (We had no problem inside the cemeteries, only at the gates and the roads leading to them which were blocked mostly by vendors.)

As early as 6 a.m. yesterday, the police conducted a dry-run where ambulance from the Talisay Rescue Emergency Action Team (TREAT) and a police patrol car passed the area in cases of emergency.

Around Cebu province, Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador said everything was peaceful as he monitored southern and northern towns. All chiefs of police are required to submit their situation report every two hours.

Comendador said there were only minor vehicular accidents involving motorcycles. Early morning yesterday, some areas in Naga City and in the town of Liloan were congested but the traffic eased by midday.

Comendador deployed one more team of policemen from the CPPO headquarters yesterday at the Cebu South Bus Terminal upon seeing the influx of passengers.

Supt. Julian Entoma, deputy provincial director for operation, told The FREEMAN that eight area supervisors are in place and helping in monitoring the personnel deployed.

All Saints’ Souls’ Day for living and dead

By Ador Vincent Mayol (Reporter)

THE annual observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days serve to remind the living of the need to pray for their departed loved ones so they can enter heaven, the local clergy said yesterday.

“These two days were set by the Catholic Church to remember both the living and dead together,” said Fr. Glenn Therese Guanzon, chairman of the Cebu Archdiocese's Commission on Worship.

The faithful in the Catholic Church belong to three groups - the Church Triumphant, Church Suffering and Church Militant. This unity is referred to when Catholics profess during the Apostles’ Creed: “(I believe in) the communion of saints.”

Souls who reach heaven belong to the “Church Triumphant.” These souls include those who were proclaimed by the Church as saints and those whose sins were completely washed away.

“All Saints’ Day is the feast of the Church triumphant especially the unknown saints not canonized on earth. We celebrate their triumph into heaven and ask their intercession to help us and the Church Suffering,” Guanzon said.

The “Church Suffering” is composed of souls in purgatory who are undergoing cleansing of their sins.

“All Souls Day (Nov. 2) is the day we especially remember the church suffering. We can help them with our prayers and sacrifices,” Guanzon said.

The third group or the “Church Militant” refers to all living human beings.

The living ask the intercession of saints, while the saints, together with the souls in purgatory, pray for the living.

The Church grants plenary indulgences or total absolution of sins to those who visit the cemeteries and pray for the dead on the first eight days of November.

To benefit from this one shoud be in a state of grace by going to confession, attending Mass, and praying the “Our Father,” one “Hail Mary,” and one “Glory Be” for the intention of the Church and the Pope.

Guanzon said the benefits of plenary indulgence are for the living and for souls in purgatory. Souls already in heaven and in hell, however, no longer receive this grace.

Msgr. Esteban Binghay, episcopal vicar of the archdiocese, said everyone is called to become saints. “It is possible if only we strive hard to become saints,” he said.

To become a saint, Binghay said one should either get martyred because of faith or exemplary exercise of the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

Binghay said the elevation to sainthood of Visayan martyr Pedro Calungsod last Oct. 21 convey a message to everyone. ”We should stand firm in our faith even if we will be shakened. God is permanent while the world is changing,” he said.

Msgr. Arthur Navales, chairperson of the archdiocese's Commission on Youth, said saints are not extraordinary creatures.

“To be a saint, you must be a real human being; a person who struggles; and someone who experienced fullness of life,” Navales said. He said each one should recognize the goodness within them.

“Each human being is created in the image and likeness of God. You should maximize whatever the Lord has given you,” Navales said.

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