Cebu Province News June 2014

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Province of Cebu - Archived News

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

Aerial View of Metro Cebu

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

DSWD 7 gives P66M cash aid to 7.35T Yolanda-hit households in north Cebu town

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=652058
• Tuesday, June 10, 2014

(PNA), LAP/EB/

CEBU CITY, June 10 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 on Monday distributed some P66.425 million in cash assistance to a total of 7,355 households in Madridejos town in Bantayan Island off the northernmost tip of Cebu mainland.

Madridejos Mayor Salvador dela Fuente said his town was the first among the 15 towns in northern Cebu which were hit by super typhoon Yolanda to receive the emergency shelter assistance from DSWD.

He said his town was the first to comply with the requirements and the town has no unliquidated expenses with the DSWD.

Dela Fuente said the 7,355 households were scattered in 14 barangays of his town.

Each of the typhoon victims whose houses were totally wrecked received P10,000 while those whose houses were only partially damaged received P5,000.

Dela Fuente said he has instructed the barangay officials to monitor the cash assistance to ensure that the amount is used for house repair.

Madridejos was among the towns in the north which suffered the most from Yolanda’s wrath.

The 7,355 households which received the emergency shelter assistance accounts to 95 percent of the total households of the town.

Dela Fuente said the amount may not be enough to totally restore the damaged houses, but he is positive that it will make a difference.

Ched reports rise in number of students taking up education courses in Cebu, Central Visayas

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=651834
• Monday, June 9, 2014

(PNA), LGI/EB

CEBU CITY, June 9 (PNA) -- The Commission on Higher Education (Ched) 7 has reported an increase in the number of enrollees in education courses in Cebu and in Central Visayas in the past three years.

Based on CHED 7’s report, the numbers of education enrollees and graduates in the region were significantly high from 2011 to 2013.

A total of 21,101 education students were enrolled in the region’s teacher education institutions (TEIs) during the school year 2011-2012.

That same year, there were 4,390 students who were newly enrolled in education courses, while 3,367 others graduated.

In the following school year, the number of education students enrolled slightly decreased to 16,900.

About 4,660 new students were enrolled and 1,837 graduated that year.

But in school year 2013-2014, the number of education majors in the region significantly increased to 40,113.

New enrollees also increased during the year, with 11,430 students.

About 5,082 education students also graduated in that academic year.

The Department of Education (DepEd) 7 said there are about 44,000 public school teachers in the region. Some 3,500 more will be hired this year.

But an education advocate said that while the number of enrollees in education courses continues to increase, not all graduates would end up as public school teachers.

Luchi Flores, executive director of the Coalition for Better Education (CBE), said that even with the government’s offer of bigger salaries and security of tenure, a lot of school teachers would still prefer the private sector because it offers more opportunities, aside from teaching.

The growing business process outsourcing (BPO) industry and the demand for teachers abroad are some contributing factors to why some education students won’t aspire to teach in public schools, Flores said.

She said some aspiring teachers are often disenchanted with the public school system because of the difficult working conditions, including overcrowded classrooms and an increased level of responsibility.

Cebu fetes Georgina Padilla; Cebu art group marks 77th year

• Source: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/162437/cebu-fetes-georgina-padilla-cebu-art-group-marks-77th-year
• Sunday, June 8, 2014 2:31 am

By Jaime Picornell (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

When Georgina Padilla Y Zobel de Mac-Crohon was in Cebu to launch the book “La Oveja de Nathan” (Nathan’s Sheep), her dear friend Carmen Campbell hosted an elegant dinner at La Maison Rose.

On this occasion Georgina came with good friend Marilou Prieto Lovina with whom she had also come seven years ago. That long? They asked, resolving to come more frequently. When’s the next book launch?

For the occasion, Carmen adorned the dinner table with her colorful shell craft place mats and tasseled napkin holders. They sell like the proverbial hot cakes at her Ayala Center Cebu booth, Carmen’s Linens.

Present at the dinner were Michel and Amparito Lhuillier, Rosebud Sala, Teresin Mendezona, and Margie Taylor whom Carmen had consulted for the wines served. Catching up with the group (their plane had been delayed) were Carlos Madrid and Jose Maria Fons of Instituto Cervantes.

Chef Adrien Guerrey was congratulated for the excellent French menu prepared. There was pâté de foie among the starters, followed by a well-condimented salad. For entrée, the guests had a choice of sea bass or duck confit.

As stated in a previous column, copies of Antonio Abad’s Zobel Prize-winning novel in bilingual edition (English and Spanish) was exhausted at the book’s launching. The good news from Georgina is that it is now available in Cebu at Fully Booked and National Book Store at Ayala Center Cebu.

For those residing in Manila, Georgina reminds them “La Oveja” is also available at the Ayala Museum in Makati City. Speaking of the Ayala Museum, it recently had an activity in collaboration with the Ayala Foundation.

This had to do with the observance in 2014 of the birth centenary of National Artist for Visual Arts Carlos Francisco, better known as Botong. Part of the celebration was a traveling exhibit, “Botong Francisco: A Nation Imagined.”

It stayed for a week at The Gallery of Ayala Center Cebu. At the opening, the ribbon was cut by Ayala Museum senior curator Kenneth Esquerra and Bong Dy, deputy general manager of the Ayala Center.

A 15-minute documentary film by Peque Gallaga about Botong was shown on opening day. Guests admired the 25 scaled reproductions, among them “Bayanihan,” “Harana,” “Maria Makiling” and the unfinished “Camote Diggers.”

At Qube Gallery

Speaking of art exhibits, Qube Gallery’s Jon Gotiong and Maris Holopainen welcomed guests to a group show to mark the 77th anniversary of the Cebu Art Association (CAA). It is titled “A New Beginning” and runs up to June 12 at the Henry Hotel.

The CAA was established on Aug. 22, 1937, with the late Julian Jumalon as its driving force. It was then called the Independent Artists’ Guild. Among the first members were Oscar Figuracion, Ricardo Avila, Fidel Araneta, Silvestre Orfelia, Emilio Olmos and Jose Alcoseba.

The group gathered to paint beneath a big mango tree on the road to the Provincial Capitol, now the site of the Cebu City Museum and Library under the care of the city’s Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission.

More artists had joined the group before the outbreak of World War II: Maria Avila, Alejandro Dacoycoy, Pedro Roble, Jose Ignacio and Martino Abellana. In 1951, Virgilio Daclan and Carmelo “Mel” Tamayo joined in.

Mel Tamayo attended the Qube Gallery opening with his wife Baby. Dennis “Sio” Montera, CAA president, asked Mel to say a few words which he gladly obliged. He admonished the artists to avoid trending. He also encouraged them to obtain excellence “by being yourselves.”

The CAA today is composed mostly of young artists. Icons Jose “Kimsoy” Yap and Mar Vidal are very much a part of it, and so are Jose Najarro, Bonifacio Goco, Ramon de Dios, Bobby Gonzalez, Boy Barrientos, Irvin Benlot, Karby Beloy, Sharon Handang, Nestor Zamora, Jose Brillo Villaver, Chicoy Romualdez and Kherla Sanchez.

In the future, Qube Gallery may have an exhibit by Sio Montera. He is one of the top abstract painters of his day, but he can also do vivid portraits. We mentioned one he did of the late Lydia Ibañez. He smiled as he said, “I have done two of her.”

Mel Tamayo admitted that failing eyesight prevents him from painting. Collectors drop by his place in search of his famous “Tartanillas,” inspired by the horse-drawn vehicles typical of the Visayas.

Maybe a retrospective on Mel’s tartanillas can be organized, somebody suggested. Someone else gave the idea that perhaps CAA members can do a series of tartanilla paintings in tribute to Mel, at the Qube Gallery.

Dance workshop

Twenty ballet and contemporary dancers took part in the ultimate and most comprehensive dance workshop ever held in Cebu under the aegis of the Metropolitan Ballet Theater company of Fe Sala Villarica.

It was held from May 29 to June 1 at the dance studio of Mango Square. Intermediate, advanced and “pas de deux” classes were conducted by Osias Barroso, co-artistic director (with Lisa Macuja Elizalde) and ballet master of Ballet Manila.

The sessions on contemporary dance were given by Faith Javellana, the artistic director of the School for Theater Arts and Dance in Cagayan de Oro City. The workshop also offered a session on Pilates by Maia Franco, a lecture on nutrition by Dr. Vivina Yrastorza; and mime/acting classes by Benjie Diola.

Chris Manlunas, premier danseur of the company, lectured on ballet history and vocabulary, many of those terms being in French.

We had the opportunity to meet Osias and Faith over lunch hosted by Fe Villarica at the Beehive restaurant. We also learned that the Metropolitan Ballet Theater will perform some time in August at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel’s ballroom. In the program are a sequence from “Sylvia” and the dreamy “Le Spectre de la Rose.”

Grassroots program for mixed martial arts in Cebu launched

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-sports/2014/06/07/1332114/grassroots-program-mixed-martial-arts-cebu-launched
• Saturday, June 7, 2014 12:00 am

By Lemuel P. Maglinte (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Yaw-Yan ArDigma Martial Arts Federation, Inc. takes another major step in Cebu's Mixed Martial Arts scene after launching the first ever amateur MMA tournament in the region dubbed as ‘Cebu Extreme Fight League” set for August 16 at the Cebu Coliseum.

Yaw-Yan ArDigma Cebu founder and CEO Master Benigno ‘Ekin’ R. Caniga, Jr. said in a press conference yesterday that he organized the Cebu Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Promotions to head-hunt for talents and develop aspiring MMA warriors who are potential enough to represent Cebu in amateur tournaments in Manila before trying their luck in the professional stage.

The Cebu Extreme Fight League will be held four times a year wherein the participants with the most number of wins will have a chance to represent the Queen City of the South in either the Amateur Fighting Champions Balikatan MMA Amateur series or Collision MMA.

Caniga hopes that his latest venture will provide fighters who lack foundation and experience an opportunity to showcase their skills in the sport and in the process boost their confidence level.

“This will serve as a grassroots program for MMA here in Cebu,” said Master Ekin. “I have always been promoting MMA here but the quality and number of fighters are getting low so I decided that an amateur tournament will help us to develop and mold homegrown MMA stars in the future.”

Aside from the host Yaw-Yan ArDigma Cebu Gym, other MMA clubs who already expressed interest to support Master Ekin's latest endeavor are the One Cebu MMA, Warrior MMA, Xanadu MMA, Redneos Gladiator Talisay and Durex Dragon Kickboxing.

Since it will be an amateur tilt, fighters will deal with a three-minute per round during bouts, shorter than the five-minute per round used in professional fights. The competitors will use a standard MMA gloves, but they wikll wear headgears.

The weight classes to be contested are the strawweight (115 lbs.), flyweight (125 lbs.), bantamweight (135 lbss.) featherweight (145 lbss.) and lightweight (155 lbs.). There will also be special categories for women' and kids.

DENR-7, groups unite in mangrove planting

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2014/06/06/1331697/denr-7-groups-unite-mangrove-planting
• Friday, June 6, 2014 12:00 am

By Jean Marvette A. Demecillo and Jessa J. Agua/ATO (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 conducted simultaneous mangrove planting in six coastal sites in Central Visayas yesterday.

For the whole region, DENR-7 planted over 13,000 mangrove propagates in observance of the World Environment Day themed “Raise your voice, not the sea level” yesterday.

There were about four appropriate species of mangroves planted, namely, Bungalon (Avicennia marina), Bakhawan Bato (Rhizophora stylosa), Bakhawn Laki (Rhizophora apiculata), and Bakhawan Bae (Rhizophora mucronata).

DENR-7 Regional Technical Director for Forestry Eduardo Inting said that mangrove planting is ideal for now since the wet season has not started.

For DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Isabelo Montejo, the activity was vital as high waves or storm tides can quickly erode coastlines and damage structures.

“Mangroves are important as they anchor on the soil and also absorb and dissipate the energy of the waves by 70 percent thus slowing their passage in land and preventing significant damage to the coastal communities,” Montejo said.

In Cebu, mangrove planting was done in Sitio Labangon; Tulic, Argao; Cabiangkon Pinamungajan; Dawis Norte, Carmen and Inoburan, Naga City. The activity was done in Calayugan Sur, Loon, Bohol; and Ulo in Siquijor.

Montejo said that everyone should take part in protecting mangroves since they provide nursery grounds for fish, prawns and crabs, and support fisheries production in coastal waters.

Meanwhile, with the aim to renew partnerships to further protect reefs in Central Visayas, it being at the center of the world’s “Coral Triangle,” stakeholders are set to gather on June 9 at the Philippine Naval Forces Central compound.

Various groups will converge and celebrate starting with a mass, followed by a fellowship lunch and with mangrove planting and team-building activities to strengthen the partnership among the core organizers, said Astrid Lim of CT Initiative in Cebu.

The Philippines, being at the apex of the Coral Triangle, is a partner-nation of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF).

The triangle also covers the exclusive economic zones of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste.

CTI-CFF is a multilateral cooperation among six member countries to safeguard the Coral Triangle, which is home to more than one third of the world’s coral reefs, including over 600 different species of reef-building coral and 3,000 species of reef fish.

These coral ecosystems provide food and income for more than 100 million people working in marine-based industries throughout the region.

“At the apex of the Coral Triangle or the world’s center of marine biodiversity is the Philippines. We are one of the 18 megadiverse countries that contain 75 percent of the global biodiversity. And yet, we too are one of the hottest of the marine biodiversity hotspots in the world,” Montejo pointed out.

According to a study by the World Resources Institute called “Reefs at Risk,” about 85 percent of the reefs in the Coral Triangle are in peril.

It noted that threats to the region come from overfishing, watershed pollution and coastal development.

Factors such as climate change and ocean acidification increase the number of threatened reefs to 90 percent, the study added.

Montejo noted that when the multilateral cooperation was launched in 2009, the Philippine government immediately came out with an executive order adopting the country’s CTI-CFF National Plan of Action (NPOA), which includes five goals, 10 targets and 60 priority actions.

The National CTI Coordinating Committee was also created to provide guidance in implementing the NPOA and to serve as the country’s focal point for the implementation of the CTI-CFF Regional Plan of Action.

The NPOA serves as the framework of the country’s efforts in the protection and conservation of its coastal and marine resources.

Mandaue brgy execs open to drug tests

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/metro-cebu/2014/06/05/1331326/mandaue-brgy-execs-open-drug-tests
• Thursday, June 5, 2014 12:00 am

By Jose P. Sollano (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - In support to the police in their campaign against illegal drugs in Mandaue City, barangay officials announced that they are willing to undergo drug tests.

Ernie Manatad, barangay captain of Subangdaku and president of the Association of Barangay Council said that before they can show to the people that they are sincere in the campaign against illegal drugs, there is also a need to show them that no one them users of illegal drugs.

Manatad said being the front-liners of the campaign against illegal drugs at the barangay level they should show they are clean.

Although, he clarified that no reports reaching him that some barangay officials in Mandaue City involved in using illegal drugs.

But he said that barangay officials not only the barangay captains, councilors, but it includes barangay health workers, barangay tanods, eco-wardens and job order employees.

However, he said that it needs funds to comply the requirements of drug test.

In Cebu City, the Office for Substance Abuse conducted surprise drug tests to barangay officials in the different barangays.

More than mostly barangay tanods and barangay health workers were found positive of using illegal drugs in 34 out of 80 barangays in Cebu City.

Mandaue City sets aside P6.5M for river rehab

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=650142
• Wednesday, June 4, 2014

(PNA), LGI/EB

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu, June 4 (PNA) -- The Mandaue City Government has allocated P6.5 million for the initial phase in the rehabilitation of Butuanon River here.

Butuanon River is a highly-contaminated water body which is bordering along densely-populated areas in Mandaue City and Cebu City.

Engr. Ricardo Mendoza, Mandaue City Solid Waste Management Board director, said the initial amount approved by the city will be used for the Phase 1 of the Butuanon River rehabilitation.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes listed the river’s rehabilitation as a top priority project under his administration.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed two years ago by the city governments of Mandaue and Cebu, as well as non-government organizations, for the full rehabilitation of the Butuanon River.

The signatories comprise the Butuanon River Watershed Management Board.

The watershed occupies 1,500 hectares with 12 barangays in Cebu City and nine barangays in Mandaue City.

Informal settlers are also occupying both banks of the Butuanon River.

Environment officials said some of these residents are directly exposed to the river water, which pose health risks because of the pollution level in the river.

Cebu guv says massive rehab of Yolanda-hit north Cebu to start soon

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=649731
• Tuesday, June 3, 2014

(PNA), LGI/EB

CEBU CITY, June 3 (PNA) -- Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said a massive rehabilitation of super typhoon Yolanda-devastated areas in northern Cebu will start as soon as funds for the P12.2-billion rehabilitation plan are released.

The rehabilitation plan for Yolanda-affected towns in northern Cebu has been approved by the Cabinet, Davide said.

He said Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson has assured him that he (Lacson) will immediately present the rehab plan to President Benigno S. Aquino III for approval.

Davide said the funds would be coursed through national agencies identified in the rehabilitation plan as implementors.

Super typhoon "Yolanda" ravaged 15 local government units in northern Cebu last November 8.

Last Friday, Lacson, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad, Trade and Industry Undersecretary Zeny Maglaya, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, and National Housing Authority General Manager Chito Cruz signed the P12.2 billion rehabilitation plan for northern Cebu.

Aboitiz Power taps 2 firms for P41-B power plant in Cebu

• Source: http://www.rappler.com/business/industries/173-power-and-energy/59449-aboitiz-power-baseload-plant-toledo-cebu
• Monday, June 2, 2014 3:06 pm

(Rappler.com)

The project is expected to be finished by 2017, a critical year for the Visayas grid

MANILA, Philippines – The Visayas will get a boost in power supply as Aboitiz Power Corporation's unit Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) starts to build a P41-billion power plant in Toledo City, Cebu.

The Department of Energy projects 2016 to 2018 to be a critical period for the Visayas power grid. TVI said its project will help address the power deficit.

"We look forward to working closely on this project with our EPC contractor and the local community to ensure we deliver a quality power plant on time. This project will assure Cebuanos that we will have adequate and competitively priced baseload power supply in the island by 2017. This is a very important project for the Visayas grid," Aboitiz Power CEO Erramon Aboitiz said.

TVI signed an Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract with Hyundai Engineering Company Ltd. and Galing Power Energy Company Inc. It will now issue a Notice to Proceed for the contractors to conduct design engineering and detailed physical data collection for the 300-megawatt (MW) baseload power plant in Sitio Looc, Barangay Bato, Toledo City.

The project's generating equipment will consist of 2 x 170 MW steam turbines and 2 circulating fluidized bed boilers. Construction is targeted for completion by 2017.

Aboitiz Power is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, retail, and power services.

It recently announced an investment of up to P80 billion to beef up its power portfolio. It plans to add 2,000 MW in the next 5 years. At present, the company’s power generation capacity stands at 2,300 MW.

Aboitiz Power booked a net income of P4.2 billion in the first 3 months of the year, 9% lower compared to the same period a year ago. Core net income likewise declined by 3% to P4.4 billion at end-March due to the revaluation of consolidated dollar loans and placements.

Pajo barrio fiesta revives Pinoy games

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/metro-cebu/2014/06/01/1329797/pajo-barrio-fiesta-revives-pinoy-games
• Sunday, June 1, 2014 12:00 am

By Jose P. Sollano (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The first barrio fiesta in Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City in honor of its patron saint San Jose the Worker was a big success and the parish priest of Nuestra Señora Virgin of Rule lauded the barangay officials for initiating the religious affair.

Reverend Father Jaime Duero, who officiated the enthronement of San Jose the Worker as patron saint of Barangay Pajo, said the activity was first to happen in Lapu-Lapu City for more than 20 years of his stay here.

Duero said the patron saint of Barangay Pajo, San Jose the Worker, is fit for the barangay because aside from the number of business and industrial establishments present in the area, it also means “trabaho” or work for barangay officials.

Duero directed all presidents of 17 chapels in Barangay Pajo to support the success of the fiesta celebration next year.

He also acknowledged the leadership of Barangay Captain Junard “Ahong” Chan, who is the one behind of the success of the first barrio fiesta.

Father Duero cited the importance of support and cooperation among the people of Barangay Pajo.

“Nalipay kaayo kita nga ang Barangay Pajo nakahunahuna niining maong kalihukan nga ‘barrio fiesta” hadiin usa ka santos ang ilang gipasidunggan, ang San Jose the Worker,” he said.

In a separate interview, Chan said the barrio fiesta aimed to revive the different native games. These include dama, tubig-tubig, palo sebo, hapak sa colon, tag of war, sack race, chess, volleyball, basketball, poster making contest, kite contest and puso contest.

More than 2,000 children also received free balloons, ice cream and cotton candy.

Also highlighted the celebration was the Pajo Got Talent.

Chan expressed his thanks to barangay officials, workers and residents who helped them for the success of the first barrio fiesta.