Cebu City News September 2017

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Cebu City Map Locator
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View of Cebu City from the bay
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Aerial View of Cebu City
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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.

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Cebu City Cathedral
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Magellan's Cross in Cebu City
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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:
  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.
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Mormon Temple Lahug cebu city philippines

Parks: The lungs of Cebu City

By Victor Anthony V. Silva

AS URBAN planning advocates point out the importance of green spaces like parks in the city especially in Metro Cebu, there are a few of these kinds of places in Cebu City.

The Cebu City government lists three major parks under its care including Plaza Independencia, Fuente Osmeña, and Plaza Sugbo as well as minor parks such as the Heritage Park, Hamabar Park, Osmeña Shrine, and parks under the J. Luna and Ayala flyovers.

Cebu City Hall spent P37.2 million for the renovation of the plaza and P3.3 million for the rehabilitation of the stage and playground.

Between 2014 and 2015, under the administration of former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama, the local government opened to the public the Senior Citizens’ Park and Magellan’s Park, both of which are just a few meters away from City Hall.

Dr. Librado Macaraya, Jr., head of the Cebu City Parks and Playgrounds Commission (CCPPC), said that was the last time they built new public parks.

“As far as I know, there are no plans to build new open spaces this year. This time, I also do not know (whether building more open spaces is part of the plans of the current administration),” he said in a phone interview with Cebu Daily News.

The CCPPC was created on Dec. 2, 1968 through Ordinance No. 647 titled “An Ordinance Creating the Cebu City Parks and Playgrounds Commission.”

More than its name suggests, the body is also tasked to maintain the city’s center islands as well as take action on concerns regarding hazardous trees along sidewalks, among others.

At present, he said the commission is preoccupied with the removal of center islands along the Bus Rapid Transit Route in Cebu City as well as the rehabilitation of the seawall at the South Road Properties.

Nonetheless, Macaraya stressed the importance of having green and open spaces in the city.

“It’s a place where students can gather after their classes, a place where they can practice their dances or whatever, as well as for senior citizens to jog,” he said.

Aside from public open spaces, there are also public parks present in the city such as the Family Park in Barangay Talamban and the Rainforest Park in Barangay Mabolo.

Cebu Holdings, Inc. (CHI) also has patch of green grass at the Ayala Terraces where children and their parents alike can run around or even have picnics.

Macaraya added that even residential and commercial projects in the city have dedicated open spaces already, albeit only limited given the scarce availability of land here.

Cebu Junior Olympics continues

By John Carlo A. Villaruel

TEACH them while they’re young so they can grow as champions and possibly become the next Cebuano Olympian.

This is what the Cebu Junior Olympics is trying to underscore when it returns for its second monthly competition Friday afternoon at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Last month’s competition drew at least 500 pupils from the Abellana National and City Central School who competed in various sports such as gymnastics, swimming, athletics, arnis, chess, taekwondo, badminton, volleyball, dance sport, table tennis, sepak takraw, softball and dancesport.

“Expect more exciting and ecstatic 300 participants (from last month) because they want to do better,” Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) chairman Edward Hayco said.

Hayco added that the gold medal winners in the previous months can join and will be ranked so they can compare their performances but will no longer be given medals.

The winners in each month will be competing in the yearly championship, which is expected to be held this December.

Taxi app Micab launched in Cebu

By Charles R. Pepito

Homegrown taxi-hailing app Micab got a boost when it launched its partnership with the Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association (MCTOA) in a ceremony at the Casino Español in Cebu City.

Developed in 2012 by founder Eddie Ybañez to help address the worsening traffic situation, Micab is an app solution operational in Cebu and Iloilo that allows users to hail a cab at their convenience through their mobile phones and other gadgets.

“We are pleased to have one of the country’s largest taxi associations on our team. This is one more step toward attaining our dream of offering convenient, easy, safe and anxiety-free commuting to the public,” Ybañez said.

“It’s really cab passengers who stand to gain the most by not having to suffer fare surges during peak hours with Micab. We also have a zero booking fee,” he added.

Micab partner MCTOA has a combined fleet of 5,000 white cabs operating all over metropolitan Cebu.

The Association also operates a bus franchise with the KMK bus and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport yellow taxis.

Unlike other service providers, Micab is not under Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s transport network vehicle service regulation by following a business model of partnering with franchising rules-compliant taxi companies rather than servicing private vehicles.

“Our partnership with Micab taxis is a blessing to taxi drivers who are now given a chance to compete with more prominent app-based transport vehicles that have recently gained popularity among commuters,” said Chiquito Obeso, head of Spider, Airland and Scorpion Taxi.

In attendance during the launch of the Micab-MCTOA partnership were Chiquito Obseo, Glenn Batiancila of Saregen Taxi, Paul Corominas of CTC Taxi, Richielda Cabucos of Richielda Taxi, Danny Tariman of DT Taxi, Terence Blanco of World Wide Taxi, Peter Corominas of RP Corominas Taxi, Leny Gok-Ong of SD Taxi, Stella Erasco of E Taxi, Joy Mangubat of Angel JM and Marites White of Marmic Taxi.

Also committing their fleets for Micab are Mayo Perez of Holiday Taxi, Michael Lee of Sun Taxi/Maicaila, Dr. J & MJ and Allan Mercado of Emerson Taxi.

Micab is setting its eyes on expanding to traffic-infested Metro Manila with partnerships with Manila-based taxi operators set to be launched in the last quarter of the year.

Solar panels to be installed soon at SM Seaside City Cebu

(SunStar Cebu)

SM SUPERMALLS will soon install solar panels in SM Seaside City Cebu at the South Road Properties, Cebu City. This will be done after the activation of the solar panels in SM City Iloilo.

SM Supermalls marks August with the completion of new solar panel projects in three SM malls–SM City Cauayan, SM City Cabanatuan, and SM City Iloilo.

Aside from SM Seaside City Cebu, SM is also set to launch in the coming months four more solar powered malls in SM City Trece Martires, SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Olongapo, and the upcoming SM City Tuguegarao Downtown.

By the end of this phase, SM will have approximately 33,000 solar panels capable of producing 8.9 megawatts of electricity, which is enough to fully charge at least 1.3-million cellular phones, to light up 890,000 10-watt LED lamps, can run 297,000 30-watt electric fans, or provide power to almost 6,000 households.

“SM Prime has always been committed to reduce greenhouse emissions and maximize energy efficiency in our malls. This is just one of the many renewable projects we have been doing and we will continue with finding ways on how to make our operations more environmentally sound and sustainable,” said SM’s Hans T. Sy during the signing of the memorandum of agreement between SM Prime and Solar Philippines in 2014.

As SM’s partner in promoting eco-friendly shopping in the country, Solar Philippines is the largest developer of solar rooftop power plants in Southeast Asia. This rooftop format not only utilizes previously unused space, but also provides “green” roofs for the malls.

In 2014, SM launched its first solar rooftop project in the country at SM City North Edsa, the first mall in the Philippines to become solar powered.

SM Mall of Asia followed two years later with the inauguration of a solar power facility with twice the capacity of the former’s rooftop installation.

As SM Supermalls aspires to be exemplary for commercial and industrial establishments, this latest milestone on green energy projects reaffirms SM Prime’s commitment to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities that enrich the quality of life of millions.

Major infra projects in store for Cebu

By Razel V. Cuizon

THREE major infrastructure projects that are expected to address traffic congestion will be implemented by the national government in Cebu City next year, Mayor Tomas Osmeña announced.

A skyway, which will connect Fuente Osmeña to S. Osmeña Blvd., will be constructed.

The stalled P201-million flyover project on Gorordo Ave. and Doña Modesta Gaisano St. will be pushed again, while an underpass will also be built along the Mambaling Access Road of the Cebu South Coastal Road, he said.

At present, the detailed engineering designs of the projects are about to be completed to determine individual cost.

Osmeña said the total cost of the projects will be included in the 2018 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“They're finishing the detailed engineering design for the implementation in 2018. It will be over the road, not widening. There are about 25 flyovers, 15 in Cebu City,” he said.

The length of Fuente Osmeña to S. Osmeña Blvd. is equivalent to five flyovers, he said.

Asked about the locations of the other flyovers, Osmeña said he will not disclose these since there are groups who intend to block their implementation.

The implementation of the Gorordo Ave. and Doña Modesta Gaisano St. flyover, which was part of the DPWH's 2012 approved infrastructure list, was canceled after environment and heritage advocates opposed the project because it would affect heritage sites in the city.

When asked about the matter, Osmeña said solving the greater public’s concern is his priority.

“I want to save the people, they want to save the heritage. Choose. Because of their attitude the city is in this big mess,” he said.

One-stop-shop sports hub plan to be done soon

By Jean Marvette A. Demecillo (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — A Cebu City Councilor is now finalizing the master plan for the one-stop sports hub to be established at a 29-hectare area in the South Road Properties.

Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr., deputy mayor for sports development, said he has submitted the initial plan to Mayor Tomas Osmeña last week.

“The mayor wants it to be revised. He wants nga ang parking area is at the center of all the areas for the sports activities for easy access sa atong sports enthusiasts,” Gabuya told The FREEMAN.

Gabuya said he is eyeing to resubmit the master plan within the month so that the next step will be done. Osmeña has been vocal on his plan for the creation of a one-stop sports hub which he envisioned to establish within his term.

In the sports hub, Gabuya said the proposal includes football fields, baseball fields, volleyball court, tennis court, and areas for biking, skateboarding, walking and running in the park.

Gabuya said the mayor also wants to put a swimming pool, area for go cart, a bicycle lane, motocross, among others.

“Well, kon imong tan-awn, maoy kuwang diri. We lack the public facilities for sports. We are a highly urbanized city but lupig ta sa other local government units,” he said.

Gabuya said the existing Cebu City Sports Complex is not enough to meet the demand of the sports enthusiasts of the Cebuanos. He said the one-stop sports hub will also cater for training grounds for aspiring athletes who want to represent the city in national and international competitions.

He said the city government will soon host national, Asian, and international sports completion when the sports hub will be operational.

After finalizing the master plan this month, Gabuya said he will also be finalizing the terms on how to develop the area.

He said there are individuals who presented to help the city government in developing the sports hub at the SRP. Among them was South District Representative Rodrigo Abellanosa.

Gabuya said the city will also consider public-private partnership with private sectors in the establishment of the sports hub.

The 29-hectare area is near a mall at the SRP. The property was part of the 45.2-hectare lot sale sealed by the previous administration to three giant developers, whose names are being withheld pending comment.

“I don’t care how long would it take in court. In the meantime, we will use it for the kids,” the mayor earlier said.

Gabuya said he will not discuss the legality of the sale since he was just asked to do the master plan of the sports hub and for its operation. He said he will just do his part which includes possible sponsorship of an ordinance for the establishment of the sports hub at SRP.

All set for Press Freedom Run

By James Nicole Franz R. Savellon

MEDIA practitioners are expected to take part in the 2017 Press Freedom Run today at the Cebu Business Park.

Starting point is at the area fronting the City Sports Club-Cebu.

The official start of the run is at 6 a.m.

The fun run is sponsored by Cebu Holdings Inc. and the Cebu Business Park.

The run features 3-kilometer, 5k and a 3K BFF categories.

The fun run is held in line with the celebration of the Cebu Press Freedom Week.

All Cebu City power lines are going underground

By Victor Anthony V. Silva

Veco eyes citywide expansion of underground distribution system project

The Visayan Electric Company (Veco) is considering eventually expanding its underground distribution system (UDS) to the rest of Cebu City once it completes the project along the Sinulog Grand Parade route.

Spanning 4.75 kilometers and consisting of six phases, the distribution company has already completed phases 1A and 1B and recently began work on phase two last Sept. 15.

“Eventually, we would like to (do it citywide), especially in areas with a lot of trees since those are the ones that become hazardous during typhoons,” Veco Chief Operating Officer Anton Mari Perdices said during the “Power Lunch” with local media on Tuesday.

The underground cabling project is the power distributor’s answer to Cebu City Ordinance No. 1894, approved on April 25, 2001, which seeks to get rid of unsightly wires along city roads.

Phase 1A, a 650-meter underground cabling project from the Cebu Provincial Capitol to Fuente Osmeña Circle, cost P96 million and was completed in 2015.

Meanwhile, phase 1B, a P65.5-million underground cabling spanning 1,100 meters from Fuente Osmeña Circle to the corner of P. del Rosario Street, was completed in March this year.

Veco has earmarked more than P50 million for phase 2, which covers 600 meters from the corner of P. del Rosario Street and Osmeña Boulevard to the corner of Sikatuna Street.

This phase of the project is expected to be completed by February 2018.

Veco targets to finish the remaining four phases in four years, with one phase launched every year.

The company is also looking for ways to further reduce the costs for the project as it progresses, said Perdices.

After the Sinulog parade route, Perdices said, they could possibly work on the Banilad-Talamban corridor.

“The problem there is that the sidewalks are so narrow and the drainage is right underneath. We need to look for the best solutions,” he said.

The Veco official said he would be willing to sit down with the Cebu City government to discuss what to do next after the current UDS project would be completed in four years.

Aside from the BanTal corridor, Veco officials are also considering bringing the UDS to the South Road Properties.

Unless they are mandated to do so, Perdices said they are not keen on bringing the UDS to the rest of Veco’s franchise area which spans 675 kilometers.

“If we do one kilometer every year, that’s more than 600 years,” he said.

Veco’s franchise area includes the city of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay and Naga, as well as the municipalities in the greater part of Metro Cebu such as Liloan, Consolacion, Minglanilla and San Fernando.

Engineer John Brylle Sanchez of Veco’s power systems design department said the UDS is necessary for aesthetics, safety, more stable power and avoiding pole-related problems.

“With the UDS, we will have more stable and reliable electricity,” he said.

Aside from getting rid of tangled wires along the road, placing power lines underground will also keep them safe from typhoons or lightning strikes, thereby reducing power interruptions within Veco’s franchise area.

Asked about flooding concerns, Engineer Armil Logarta, manager of the Veco power systems design department, said they use Piranha waterproof connectors to keep their lines flood-proof.

“Even if there’s a flood, our power will still be there,” he said.

As of July this year, the power distributor has 416,000 customers within its franchise area.

Cebu’s tourism industry holds HRRAC Unity Run

(PR)

ON September 24, the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu will be holding its annual fun run dubbed as the HRRAC Unity Run 2017 at the Cebu Grand Hotel grounds, Axis Vibo Place, Escario St., Cebu City.

The run aims to strengthen the unity and camaraderie among stakeholders in Cebu’s tourism industry. The event is also part of a bigger culmination activity to close the ongoing HRRAC Sports Fest where various employees from hotels and restaurants in Cebu are engaged in friendly sports competition since July 2017.

The run will have two categories, the open category and the HRRAC members who will race for the top spot of the 10k, 5k and 3k distances. The top 10 finishers in the 10k category will receive medals as well as cash prizes for the champion, 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up. The top three runners for both the 5k and the 3k categories will bring home hotel accommodation gift certificates courtesy of the various member hotels in Cebu.

Registration for the run is on-going at the Cebu Grand Hotel, Escario St., Cebu City, HRRAC Secretariat’s Office at Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu, Tinda Locale at the Cebu Business Park and Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort for Mactan residents.

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/HRRACINC.

Cebu City’s Hope program to kick off next week

By Kristine Q. Remolisan (USJ-R Journalism Intern)

Cebu City hotels will distribute toiletries and mattresses to patients of the Cebu City Medical Centers and students from public schools starting next week.

The distribution of toiletries is part of the Hotels Outreach Program for the Environment (Hope) which is a partnership of the city government and the private sector.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña launched the Hope project in August to create a venue where government and the private sector can work together to promote social responsibility in the community and for the environment.

Under the project, the 28 participating hotels are encouraged to donate their used or unused toiletries, mattresses, linens, blankets and towels to selected public schools, public hospitals and social service centers in the city. The beneficiaries include Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and the Parian Drop-in Center.

Ateneo de Manila sets seminars in Cebu City on Sept. 18-10

(SunStar Cebu)

THE Center for Continuing Education of the Graduate School of Business of the Ateneo de Manila University will hold four seminars with the theme, “From Setting Up To Stepping Up: A Family Business Management Series” on Sept. 18 and 19 at Harolds Hotel in Cebu City.

This is in partnership with the Ateneo Family Business Development Center.

The seminars, which are intended to guide family businesses in taking the family and the business towards growth and continuity, are recommended for owners, family members, entrepreneurs, students, and professionals involved in family businesses.

On Sept. 18, topics to be discussed include (8 a.m.-noon) “Managing And Professionalizing The Family For Families In Business” by Pilar Tolentino, Department of Leadership and Strategy chairperson and Ateneo Family Business Development Center assistant director and family business consultant; (2-6 p.m.) “Family Business Governance–Family Council/Family Constitution” by Ricky Mercado, Ateneo Family Business Development Center director.

On Sept. 19, topics are (8 a.m-noon) “Towards Long Term Sustainability: Strategic Management For Family Business” by Nani Lim, consultant on strategic planning, marketing and sales management- Ateneo Family Business Development Center; (2-6 p.m.) “Family Factor And Succession Planning In Family Businesses” by Ricky Mercado and Marijo Caronongan, Ateneo Family Business Development Center consultant and human resources cluster head.

Each seminar will be followed by a networking lunch or dinner.

Fees are P5,400 per session for a single session only; P4,860 per session for two sessions only; and P4,590 per session for three to four sessions.

Participants may register online at www.cce.ateneo.edu, or email at sales.cce@ateneo.edu, or by calling at (02) 830-2050 or 0932-7919190.

The Ateneo is a tax-exempt institution. Inquiries by telephone on group discounts are welcome.

The Ateneo Family Business Development Center is envisioned to be the premiere learning resource for business families and family businesses in the Asean Region.

CH to host two more call center job fairs

By Jean Marvette A. Demecillo (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — After the successful first grand call center job fair last Saturday, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said there will be another two job fairs this year.

Osmeña said the job fair is one of the efforts of the city government to assist the 400 BPO companies in the city in hiring qualified agents.

“I’m trying to maximize the growth of Cebu. I have to evaluate what is working for us right now. And what is working for us right now are the BPOs. They are the ones helping the poor,” he said.

He said he was encouraged to improve the city’s ranking since BPO industry is helping the needy to improve their lives.

In the Tholons report, Cebu City is on the 12th spot, five notches below its 7th rank in 2016. For three years before 2016, the city was consistently on the 8th rank.

“We will be number one. It will take time but we will be number one (top BPO destination) in the world,” the mayor told reporters.

The mayor said the Cebu City government will be second to none in terms of the BPO industry, adding that he is confident that several agents from different regions of the country will be transferring in the city.

“We are probably one in Asia to have the Call Center City,” he said.

Last Saturday, Osmeña said he met with the leaders of different BPO companies in the city. He said majority of the companies are saying that there’s a lack of qualified people to be employed in the outsourcing business.

The first grand call center job fair resulted in the hiring of at least 500 applicants, including senior citizens who are retired teacher, lawyers, among others.

Osmeña said the city government should assist the BPO industries in producing qualified agents to meet their demands.

The mayor said he has expressed the city’s plan to construct a call center city in the city’s South Road Properties.

The Call Center City is a one-stop-shop for outsourcing. All amenities will be offered to the agents such as facilities for education, restaurants, gym, boarding house, and the offices for call center agencies are in one building.

Osmeña said he has been getting positive feedbacks from the call center agents who want to have master’s degree without resigning.

“The acceptance rating is about 80-90 percent among existing agents,” he said.

As of now, the city government is working closely with the BPO companies to finalize the details of the Call Center City.

300 hired right away in BPO fair

(RVC)

MORE than 1,500 individuals participated in the first Cebu City job fair intended for those who wanted to work in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

The Office of the Mayor, through the Cebu City Call Center Program, organized the fair and held it last Sept. 9, a non-working holiday in the city in honor of former president Sergio Osmeña Sr.

Nanette Garong, the City Government’s consultant on the BPO sector, said that at least 300 jobseekers were hired on the spot.

EPerformax, for example, immediately hired 31 individuals who will start the job immediately and also arranged for 18 to undergo training, before they can start work.

A total of 21 BPO companies participated in the job fair.

“This is our first job fair that is exclusive to BPO companies, because the City now has a program for call centers. Mayor Tomas Osmeña has been clear on his thrust toward supporting call centers,” Garong said.

Coaches were also present in the Cebu City Sports Center to assist the applicants who need to improve their skills.

Garong said those applicants who were almost hired will undergo coaching so they can qualify during the next job fair, while those who lacked the required skills were given modules to help them study.

Helen Retuya, 70, was among the senior citizens who tried their luck in last Saturday’s fair. In an interview with SunStar Cebu, Retuya said she was curious about call centers. Although she is now retired, Retuya said she is willing to work if she gets hired.

“So I went here and, to my surprise, senior citizens were allowed to apply,” she said. As of Saturday, Retuya was still processing her application. She was a public elementary school teacher for 43 years.

ALL SET FOR RUN TO GIVE

By Glendale G. Rosal

THE Cebu City Marriott Hotel will take its charitable activity to the streets by organizing its first running event dubbed “Run To Give 2017” slated Sept. 23.

The race will start and finish at the Biliran Road of the Cebu Business Park fronting Ayala Center Cebu’s The Terraces.

The running event is for the benefit of the Rise Above Foundation that is based in Cebu City. The proceeds of the running event will go straight to the foundation’s educational and livelihood charitable programs in the depressed areas in Cebu City.

The non-competitive race is held one day before the simultaneous gun start in different countries across the Asia Pacific region organized by Marriott International. Cebu will hold its race earlier because there is another race scheduled on the 24th.

“This is part of Marriott International’s Take Care program. As what JW Marriott, the founder of the Marriott International said, we have to take care of our people and in return they will take care of our guests and this time we really focus on our people in how to live a healthy lifestyle, and stay fit and happy,” said Cebu City Marriott Hotel’s project chairman and director for operations Joe Xavier Fijardo.

“The event will be held on the 24th of September across the Asia Pacific region, but for Cebu we will hold the event on September 23 because we have another race on the 24th of September. We cannot have two race on the same day.”

Joining Fijardo in a press conference for the event at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel were general manager Patrick Carroll, director for sales and marketing Frances Alfafara and race director Kenneth Casquejo.

The race will have 10-kilometer, 5k and 3k distances. Although it is non-competitive, the top three finishers in each distance will be recognized.

Exciting raffle prizes such as travel items, gift certificates from Marriott Hotels and products from International Pharmaceutical Corporation (IPI) also await participants.

Registration is going on at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel and at the Ayala Center Cebu. Registration fees are P550 for the 10k, P450 for 5k and P350 for 3k.

A place of childhood nostalgia

By Monica R. Lopez

WITH majority of children these days mostly glued to their gadgets while cooped up indoors, the appreciation of playing outside isn’t as common as it was back then.

Re-introducing the joys of outdoor fun stands The Playground by Havaianas and Ayala Center Cebu, a play destination for kids and kids at heart. It is located at Level 1, The Terraces Garden, Ayala Center Cebu and was unveiled last Saturday, Sept. 2.

This is the first Havaianas playground ever created, as shared by Aimil Sarmiento and Leanne Florendo, managing directors of A.L. Amizade Marketing Inc., the exclusive sub-distributor of Havaianas in Central and Eastern Visayas.

Apart from it being a place to play, it is a celebration of the city which inspired it—Cebu. The design was created by multi-awarded furniture and industrial designer Vito Selma. More than a celebrated talent, he is also a doting uncle whose love for children is apparent as seen in his growing kids’ line.

“The reason why we chose Vito Selma is because he’s worked with us on a project before so this is the second project. Also, when we conceptualized the project, we thought, we wanted to work with people who obviously love the outdoors and love children. Vito has a line of children’s toys so that’s why we thought Vito would be the perfect fit,” said Leanne.

“When he thought of the concept, he thought ‘What is Cebu?’ to him, and ‘How does Havaianas get incorporated to that?’ Cebu to him—and to us—is the city, the mountains and the sea. So you’ll see that throughout the design.”

From the colorful monkey bars and seesaw that’s a reflection of the city’s gorgeous beaches; the climbing bars, climbing nets and tire swing inspired by the highlands; to the playground’s location found at the heart of the city that serves as embodiment of the Cebu’s skyline, it is an ideal spot where children can have fun, where adults can relive their childhood, while surrounded by elements inspired by Cebu City.

To them, this playground also serves as their love for Cebu and for the outdoors through their and Vito’s interpretation.

“This is the number one expression of fun for kids—to go back to their roots and be themselves outdoors. I think this really answered a lot of what Havaianas is all about,” Aimil said.

E-Power Mo! Cebu leg set on Thursday

By Charles R. Pepito

A follow through on the Manila leg of E-Power Mo! conference, the Department of Energy (DOE) will hold the Energy Investment Forum and Stakeholders Conference: E-Power Mo! Cebu on Thursday, September 7, at the Marco Polo Hotel, Cebu City.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and other DOE officials will be present in the Cebu leg of the E-Power Mo! conference, which will be attended by various energy stakeholders, including energy companies from the power, renewable energy, coal, petroleum, natural gas, alternative vehicles and energy-efficiency industries; partners from the national government agencies; energy associations and students, among others.

Recognizing the public’s vital role in the energy chain, the DOE, in partnership with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA), has launched the “E-Power Mo!” on July 12 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

Cusi said there is a “need to send across the message of the energy sector to the entire energy chain, from the industry players down to the general public”.

A conference for energy consumers and stakeholders, “E-Power Mo!” aims to provide essential information on the fast-evolving developments in the energy sector, proper energy utilization and energy resiliency.

E-Power Mo! also launched President Duterte’s energy road map and policies designed to empower the consumers.

This is to develop and utilize the energy resources available to Filipinos for wealth creation and global competition (E-Power Mo!), and to undertake safety and savings measures through energ- efficiency (E-Safety Mo!).

Also to secure the delivery of quality, reliable and affordable energy services (E-Secure Mo!); and empower consumers through a wide range of options in utilizing conventional, renewable and alternative energy sources (E-Diskarte Mo!).

The DOE is aggressively implementing this strategic energy information, education and communication campaign so that ordinary Filipinos would be encouraged to use energy responsibly and would be partners in advancing the country’s economic growth.

Observance of Eid’l Adha: Cebu Muslims ‘sacrifice’ for Marawi

By May B. Miasco (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Hundreds of Muslims in Cebu stayed under the searing morning heat at the open grounds of Plaza Independencia in downtown Cebu City to mark the observance of Eid'l Adha Friday (September 1).

A local Muslim leader (or imam) described it as a sacrifice that was incomparable to the burdens of their brothers and sisters who have suffered much in the ongoing Marawi City crisis.

In his sermon, Aleem Muktar Salindab pleaded for the Muslim faithful to remember in their prayers those caught in the Marawi crisis that no one knows when would end.

"Pinakamalaking tulong na maibigay natin sa kanila ay ang ating mga panalangin na iligtas sila ni Allah sa kapahamakan," he said.

He centered his sermon on the story from where Eid'l Adha or the “Feast of Sacrifice” was derived from.

The story generally speaks of the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of total obedience to God's command. But God intervened so that Abraham sacrificed a ram instead of his son.

Salindab told the attendees that hours under the sun's heat is nothing compared to the unending troubles people face during conflicts in war-torn places.

He and around 600 members of the Muslim communities in Cebu gathered at Plaza Independencia early to perform the Eid Salah (or Eid prayer).

With men separated from women, they removed their footwear and gathered in rows for their morning prayer.

They were joined by local officials, including Congressman Raul del Mar of the north district.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña, the honorary sultan of the Muslim community in Cebu, made sure not to miss the event, which was initiated by City Hall's Office of the Muslim Affairs and Indigenous Cultural Communities.

He said he was proud of the office, whose creation he declared to be a first in the history of Cebu City, as it provided an avenue for the Muslims, who are a minority in the city, to air out their concerns and sentiments so the city government can intervene on their behalf.

He reiterated his vow to the local Muslim communities that he would give them protection and ensure their safety amid threats of violence.

Cebu grad tops Medical Technologist Licensure Exam

By Lora Manigos (SunStar Philippines)

A GRADUATE of Cebu City made it into the top ten of the August 2017 Medical Technologist Licensure Examination, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced on Thursday, August 31.

Louis Joseph Gaviola Lafuente of Velez College made it to the ninth rank with a score of 90.10 percent.

Marianne Ross Bacia Soldevilla of Notre Dame of Marbel University got the first place with 90.90 percent, while Glenn Charls Lagumbay Buelis of the University of the Immaculate Conception-Davao got the second place with a score of 90.80 percent.

Cebu Doctors' University is among the country's top performing school with 100 percent passing rate, Velez College got an overall performance of 99.04 percent.

PRC announced that 4,821 out of 5,661 passed licensure examination given by the Board of Medical Technology in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena and Tuguegarao.

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