Cebu Province News January 2018

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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.

CCCI to work with LGUs to upgrade tourism facilities

(KOC)

THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) pledged to work closely with local government units to upgrade the tourism facilities in the province.

CCCI president Melanie Ng said the chamber has reached out to tourism associations in Cebu to find out the industry’s pressing concerns and how the private sector can help them.

Quoting Cebu Alliance of Tour Operations Specialists (Catos) president Alice Queblatin, Ng said the industry raised the lack of better tourism facilities in the countryside like rest rooms, homestays and bed and breakfast.

“Catos emphasized that these concerns need to be fixed immediately, especially that tourism in both northern and southern corridors of the province are gaining popularity, not only among locals but also foreign guests,” said Ng.

She added that the industry needs intervention if it wants to accommodate more guests now that the Terminal 2 of Mactan Cebu International Airport is scheduled to open in five months’ time.

“The (tourism) momentum is already here. We just need to do our homework,” said Ng.

Bohol and Cebu were ranked most visited leisure destinations by domestic tourists, according to a survey released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Results of the 2016 Household Survey on Domestic Visitors (HSDV) revealed that Bohol and Cebu ranked sixth and seventh most visited places by domestic tourists, respectively, whose main purpose of travel is for pleasure or vacation during the period of April to September.

National Capital Region landed the top spot followed by Negros Occidental, Pangasinan, Cavite and Quezon.

The most visited attractions cited in the survey were malls, churches and beaches.

Moreover, Ng said the chamber plans to initiate programs that would push Cebu’s agri-tourism position this year.

She said that aside from helping farmers and communities uplift their living status, injecting tourism into the development would bring more economic opportunities for the locals.

She mentioned the town of Dalaguete, considered the vegetable basket of Cebu, as a potential agri-tourism destination, along with the coffee farm of Tuburan.

“We will align our directions with what the sector hopes to accomplish,” said Ng.

Cebu, Bohol among top local tourist destinations

By May B. Miasco (FPL. The Freeman) 25, 2018 12:00 am

CEBU, Philippines — The provinces of Cebu and Bohol are among the top 10 destinations preferred by local tourists, according to the recent study conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Department of Tourism-7 director Shalimar Hofer Tamano said the two provinces “remain competitive and attractive for domestic travelers.” Among the 81 provinces in the country, Bohol and Cebu placed 6th and 7th, respectively, as the most visited destinations by domestic tourists.

“Both are endowed with distinct natural attractions - marine resources for diving, beaches, canyons, rivers, mountains, fauna, as well as the rich cultural heritage of the country can be very well seen and experienced in both provinces,” Tamano said.

PSA and DOT jointly conducted the Household Survey on Domestic Visitors (HSDV) in November 2016 to gather household data on domestic tourism in the country.

The survey was conducted from April 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016.

National Capital Region ranked first followed by Negros Occidental, Pangasinan, Cavite, and Quezon.

The data shows that Cebu had a total of 2,288,571 domestic tourists in 2016 while Bohol had 2,731,915.

The same national survey indicated that most local tourists travel purposely for pleasure or vacation while some travel to visit friends or relatives. The others are for pilgrimage or religious-related trips.

Majority of the tourists who travelled for vacation stayed at home with friends or relatives during their trip while 9.9 percent of them opted to stay in resorts and 9.4 percent in hotels.

In the past twelve months prior to the data collection period, most of local tourists travelled during the long weekend holiday like Christmas (47.9 percent); some (39.8 percent) travelled during All Saints’ Day; and others (27 percent) during Holy Week.

Moreover, Tamano said the local tourism industry continues to provide the needed employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for locals as well.

He said the DOT-7 has been working hand in hand with the local domestic carriers to promote and support Cebu as the hub in central Philippines or Visayas region while they are also in need of a strengthened collaboration with partners in the opening of the Panglao Airport in Bohol.

“We continue to support the efforts of our tourism attaches and market representatives abroad, together with our Market Development Group and Tourism Promotions Board, and even with our airport authorities and partners, and our routes development group so that there will be more international flights into Cebu,” he said.

Tamano also encouraged local government units and the private sector as well to come up with more attractions that tourists both local and foreign can visit and experience.

DTI to open Cebu’s first Go Lokal store in Ayala

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) announced the opening of its first ‘Go Lokal’ store in Cebu located in Ayala Center Cebu.

DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte said her office is finalizing its pre-opening preparations for the first ‘Go Lokal’ store to be opened in Cebu.

Go Lokal! is a retail concept store showcasing quality and innovative Philippine products crafted, designed, and produced by the country's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

DTI secretary Ramon Lopez announced earlier that at least six shopping malls and department store operators in the country committed to allocate a portion of their respective stores for modern, fashionable but locally made products.

"This is not just another souvenir-type kind of displays," said Lopez explaining that DTI's Go Lokal initiative is meant to bring world-class, high-end products made by Pinoys to the mainstream consumer base.

In Cebu for instance, Cebuano-made products that made it into the high end international market are examples of products that will be made available in Go Lokal stores.

Caberte has yet to announce the identity of the local brand that will be displaying in the Go Lokal - Ayala Center Cebu store.

DTI serves as matchmaker between the mall or department store operators to get the right concessions in the Go Lokal.

A 70 square-meter space within the mall or department store is an ideal size for a typical Go Lokal store. Homegrown tenants recommended by DTI can display their products on the store free-of-charge.

Based on DTI's concept, the Go Local stores will not sell the usual home souvenir items, products one can find anywhere, cheap regional products and average quality souvenir.

DOT to help push Cebu as ‘sports tourism’ hub

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu's bid to capitalize on sports tourism has got the full support of the Department of Tourism (DOT), as the government has seen the potential of Cebu and other regions in Central Visayas to rake in more revenues from this particular segment.

DOT-7 regional director Shalimar H. Tamano said his office will focus on promoting sports tourism in the region, along with other tourism products that Cebu in particular has to cultivate some more.

Tamano said he will meet with stakeholders of the different tourism product categories to discuss how DOT would be able to be of support, specifically in maximizing the sports tourism advantage of Cebu and other provinces.

In an earlier interview with sports tourism organizing expert Princess Gallura, she said that aside from established tourism attractions, and the allure of an urban resort setting, Cebu is seen to make more money from capitalizing on the multi-million-peso sports tourism industry.

Gallura made this assessment following the success of big tickets sports events held in Cebu in recent years, such as the globally-acclaimed Iron Man Philippines, among others.

"With travel becoming more accessible and available, coupled with the rising awareness on health and wellness, now is the best time for sports, travel and sports tourism in Cebu," said Gallura, whose company organized of the country's premier triathlon — Ironman since 2009 initially in Camarines Sur.

In 2012, due to the growing number of participants, the firm moved the race to a bigger destination in Mactan Island, Cebu.

She said Cebu could well leverage in attracting visitors in the sports tourism segment, as this sub-sector in the tourism industry draws continuous influx of repeat foreign tourists.

But Cebu should make more efforts in promoting or hype its ability to host international sports events.

Hosting or even organizing sport activities could be a destination's ticket in terms of attracting both new and repeat guests not only from the country but from all over the world.

Cebu, which is now becoming a star in terms of big sport events, should not take this opportunity for granted.

Cebu autism community to mark Autism Week

(SunStar Cebu)

THE autism community in Cebu and its environs is set to observe Autism Consciousness Week on Jan. 28 to Feb. 2, with the theme, “From Awareness to Acceptance, Accommodation and Appreciation.”

Autism Society Philippines (ASP) Cebu has lined up activities for the entire week for all persons with autism (PWAs) and their families to enjoy, be inspired, be entertained, be enriched, and bond with other PWAs and families.

The theme and activities affirm the ASP position that disability inclusion should not be limited to “consciousness” but must translate to visible, deliberate, policy-driven action.

Providing institutional partnership and support is SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc.

Center of the activities is SM City Cebu where a holy mass, the Angels’ Walk, and the opening of the Children’s Art Work Exhibit will be held on Sunday, Jan. 28 beginning at 9 a.m. to usher in the week-long events.

Other events on tap are: an afternoon tea with parents on Jan. 29 at 2–4 p.m.; a seminar on autism issues with Dr. Steven Seno and Atty. Berns Amago on Jan. 30, 10 a.m.–noon at the SM City Cebu Conference Hall; adaptation day for persons with autism on Jan. 31, 10 a.m.-noon at SM City Cebu; and the culminating program on Feb. 2, 1–4 p.m. at the SM Activity Center.

Autism Society Philippines is a non-stock, non-profit organization of parents, professionals and institutions dedicated to the education and well-being of persons with autism with more than 10,000 members and 90 chapters nationwide.

100T devotees join Traslacion, fluvial

By Christell Fatima M. Tudtud, Ermida Q. Moradas, Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Jheska Mhae A. Buton and Kristine Bernadette S. Porpayas (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — More than 100,000 individuals yesterday joined the Traslacion and the fluvial processions of the images of Señor Sto. Niño and the Our Lady of Guadalupe in the three main cities in the metro.

Philippine Navy Spokesperson, Maria Amanda Precious Zamuco considered the 37th Fluvial procession of the image of miraculous child, Sr. Sto Niño, a success with about 5,000 devotees participating on board their sea vessels.

"Overall, the fluvial procession was a success. The participating vessels, both civilian and military, cooperated for the smooth flow of the procession. Partnerships between the military, local government units and non-government organizations were strengthened as everyone worked as a team," part of the Philippine Navy official statement reads.

This is the first time for the Philippine Navy to carry the image during fluvial procession through Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas Agta.

The Philippine Navy also deployed a total of seven ships to accommodate other Sto. Niño devotees.

The image left at Captain Veloso Pier in Naval Forces Central at around 7 a.m. and left the Mactan Channel and made a U-turn at the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge and went to Pasil before it was docked to Pier 1, where about 30,000 devotees awaited the arrival of the images for the procession going to Basilica.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Robert Quenery said the fluvial procession ended orderly and no untoward incidents were recorded.

"Generally peaceful. Walang naging problema. It ended very orderly," said Quenery.

The PNP has deployed at least 3,000 uniformed personnel including force multipliers to assure the safety and security of the devotees during the fluvial procession.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong and the Lapu-Lapu City Council welcomed the images of Sto. Niño and Our Lady of Guadalupe around 4 a.m. at the corner intersection of M.L. Quezon road in Barangay Pajo.

Roads leading to the National Shrine of Virgen dela Regla (NSVDR) including a portion of M.L. Quezon were closed around 1:30 a.m.

Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna and members of the Mandaue City Council passed the holy images to them after a sendoff mass in the National Shrine of St. Joseph (NSSJ).

Several devotees also made makeshift altars with the image of Sto. Niño along the routes while the song "Batobalani sa Gugma" was playing in the background.

After the sendoff mass, the foot procession immediately proceeded.

Some residents whose houses are situated just along the route prepared some hot porridge, hot champorado and coffee which they distributed for free to those who participated in the procession.

Unlike in the past, this year's foot procession no longer ended at the Ouano Wharf in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City.

Chief Inspector Mark Gifter Sucalit, chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office- City Intelligence Branch, said the activity drew a lot of people starting from the foot of the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge until the sidewalks of the Traslacion route.

"Gikan sa bridge going down sa kalsada, daghan og taw nga niapil pud og sugat," Sucalit said.

Reserve Officers Training Course of Lapu-Lapu City College, Junior Police, boy scouts and selected high school students from the different schools in the city also helped in maintaining order.

The City Plaza and the City Auditorium were also filled with devotees carrying their own images of the Snr. Sto. Niño.

"Ang gawas sa simbahan kung asa ang mga widescreens napuno sab og tawo," Sucalit said.

Earlier, Supt. Rex Lomente, chief of operations of LCPO, said over 600 security personnel were deployed to secure the safety of the spectators attending the Traslacion.

After the holy mass at the NSVDR, the images were sent to the Naval Forces Central in Barangay Looc past 6 a.m. for the fluvial parade.

Devotees standing by the dock of the naval base waved goodbye to the Sto. Niño and to the lady patroness, who were carried on board BRP- Agta.

Radaza, in an interview, said that she wants the crowd control to improve as she noticed that the crowds were walking around by the time the convoy going to NSVDR started.

If given a chance, Radaza wanted the Traslacion to be done again in Lapu-Lapu next time.

Students from the Lapu-Lapu City College took part in the crowd control.

According to Engr. Saldy Bardago, a professor from the College of Technology in Lapu-Lapu City College, around 800 students from the different departments took part in the crowd control.

"Actually, for this Traslacion 2018, ang Lapu-Lapu City College, we sent about 800 students who are enrolled in Lapu-Lapu. We have the Education department, IT department, and HRM department," he said.

He added that the students were asked to be at their posts at 3 a.m. as they were assigned to cordon the area to give way for the vehicles that were boarded by the pilgrim images of Senior Sto. Niño and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

"Actually, for today's Traslacion, our participation is we have our drum and bugle corps and, also, we have the students assigned to cordon the place so with the faculty members and admin," he added.

Aside from the participation of Lapu-Lapu City College, Pajo Elementary School students from grades 4 to 6 also took part in the Traslacion as they danced in honoring the Holy Child.

"Offer ni siya namo sa Sto. Niño," said Dr. March C. Mandal, faculty and choreographer.

Capitol earmarks P154M for education

By Ashlee Love A. Marzon (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government has set aside at least P154 million for its Special Education Fund (SEF) this year, which is P21 million higher compared to last year’s appropriation.

The Provincial School Board (PSB) intends to utilize the budget for the construction of additional classrooms and purchase of instructional materials, among others.

Among PSB’s plans and programs for 2018 are construction of school buildings (P39.8 million); financial assistance to elementary and second schools (P37.5 million) and local government units’ operations (P29 million); purchase of supplementary reading materials (P20 million), 15,000 monoblock armchairs (P10 million), 10 robotics kits for science high schools (P6 million), and tents for school districts (P4.4 million).

Others include allocations for sports-related activities, including the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (P10.1 million), and the provincial meet (P2.2 million).

Provincial Board Member Christopher “Dong” Baricuatro, who heads the PB’s committee on education, said the PSB targets to construct 45 school buildings throughout the province.

Each school building has two classrooms. Each classroom can accommodate up to 40 students.

Last year, the province was able to construct 60 school buildings, which are calamity-resilient structures.

Also, Baricuatro said two library hubs will be constructed in the islands of Bantayan and Camotes. It will be a joint venture between the province and the Department of Education.

“They’re [DepEd] planning to help us sa construction and renovation sa classrooms, and the school board will provide the materials,” he said.

The province is set to purchase P14 million worth of reading materials, which will be distributed to the existing four library hubs in the towns of Cordova, Tabogon, Balamban, and Alcoy.

Each library will receive at least 18, 000 books.

The province has also allocated P38 million for the purchase of school bags and supplies. The budget increased by P14.8 million compared to last year’s P23.3 million.

“Hopefully this year, mapaspasan ang innovation,” said Baricuatro.

Moreover, he said the province will hold an awarding for “Best Teacher and Principal” this year.

Devotees welcome ‘Holy Mother’ and ‘Child’ in Mandaue

By Luel Galarpe (With Michelle Bugtai/PNA)

CEBU CITY -- Over 13,000 Marian devotees braved the early morning rain Friday to join the Penitential “Walk with Mary” procession from the Our Lady of Guadalupe church to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño for the annual “Traslacion” here.

The procession started around 4 a.m. and when the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrived at the Basilica over an hour later, the crowd was estimated to have reached 90,000 as more and more devotees came pouring in despite the drizzle.

After the 9th novena mass at the Basilica around 7 a.m., both the images of the Holy Mother and Child were transferred to the National Shrine of St. Joseph the Patriarch in Mandaue City for the second leg of the Traslacion.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Deputy Director for Administration Superintendent Artemio Ricabo said not a single untoward incident was reported during the two Traslacions.

Ricabo said the procession and motorcade also went smoothly and peacefully as Cebu and Mandaue City devotees heeded their call not to light firecrackers or play loud Sinulog music to welcome the Sto. Niño and the Virgin Mary in their area along the route.

However, some devotees expressed their disappointment as the route for the Traslacion motorcade was diverted and their preparations for the passing of the two images went for naught.

At around 8:30 a.m., Mandaue City officials led by Mayor Luigi Quisumbing welcomed the Holy Mother and Child at the border of the two cities on A.S. Fortuna St.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who joined the Traslacion for the first time, got out of his vehicle and exchanged pleasantries with Quisumbing before the resumption of the motorcade.

An estimated crowd of 8,000 devotees welcomed the Sto. Niño and the Virgin of Guadalupe at the Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue, where the two images will stay for the night.

The Holy Mother and Child will be brought to Lapu-Lapu City early Saturday morning before the traditional fluvial procession, which will be joined by at least 50 vessels.

Cebu aims to become int’l cruise ships destination

By Luel Galarpe (PNA)

CEBU CITY -- More than 1,100 Japanese retirees made a brief stop here on board M/V Peace Boat which made its port call in Cebu on Monday.

Despite the early morning rains and continuous shower, the tourists stepped off the boat and swayed with the Sinulog dancers who welcomed them together with officials of the Department of Tourism (DOT) of the province.

Newly-installed DOT-7 Director Shalimar Hofer Tamano said the regional office was looking forward to more cruise ships making its port of call here.

With cruise tourism as one of the priority areas for development under the National Cruise Tourism Development Plan, the region is poised to be one of the main ports of call for international cruise liners.

“It has been a priority of the Department to develop and market the Philippines as a cruise tourism destination,” Tamano said.

“With more than 7,000 islands and being consistently part of the best islands in the world lists, we have more to offer - whether beach, food, culture or history.”

Tamano also said that with the location of the region being in Central Philippines, Central Visayas would be an ideal port of call for these international cruise liners.

“Of course, to lure more cruise liners to the Philippines especially the big cruise ships, we must be (at) par with international standards. That’s why the Department of Tourism developed the National Cruise Tourism Development Plan which highlights the strategies and programs to be adopted by the DOT and its partner agencies from ‎2016-2022 to develop the country’s cruise tourism industry,” Tamano added.

Aside from the passengers, the crew members were also very happy with the warm and enthusiastic welcome.

According to M/V Peace Boat’s international coordinator Adrian Gaviola, they are looking forward to coming back and bring more of their ships to the Philippines.

Upon disembarkation, the Japanese tourists broke off into groups and visited the tourist sites and attractions in the city and province, going as far as Carcar City in the south for a countryside tour.

After Cebu, the Peace Boat will travel to Bali, Indonesia, Australia and Oceania before going back to its home port in Kobe, Japan.

Cebu Landmasters eyes P7-B reservation sales this year

By Leslie Gatpolintan (PNA)

MANILA -- Listed property developer Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) targets to hit PHP7 billion in reservation sales this year, up 52 percent from PHP4.58 billion posted last year.

CLI attributed its exceptional performance last year mainly to newly-launched residential projects, which are now almost fully sold.

“In 2018, we will continue to expand our footprint in the Visayas and Mindanao, and develop projects that respond to the growing market in these areas,” CLI chief executive officer Jose Soberano III told the local bourse.

The company will launch this year 20 new developments, among them two residential subdivisions, three residential condominiums, three offices, one hotel and one industrial park in Cebu; two residential condominiums and a hotel in Bacolod; and a residential condo in Iloilo.

It also plans to fortify its foothold in Mindanao where it will launch two residential subdivisions and one residential condominium in Cagayan de Oro, while a central business district and two residential condominiums will be unveiled in Davao.

The upcoming projects boost CLI’s total number of projects to 66 from 46 last year, as it continues to strengthen its brand in its niche markets.

Soberano is confident of meeting performance targets set for the year and beyond.

The company targeted to book PHP1.7 billion in profit and PHP5.3 billion in revenue in 2018.

It expects that hikes in household income resulting from the newly approved package 1 of the Duterte government’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law will be channeled to housing.

CLI said government spending in infrastructure was also expected to unlock land values outside Metro Manila and stimulate business in the countryside.

Hotels full for festival weekend

By Katlene O. Cacho

A STRICTER Sinulog has not dampened prospects for establishments near the parade route.

The Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association of Cebu reported full occupancy on Sinulog weekend.

“These have not affected hotel bookings. In fact, we welcome the city government’s policies as these will ensure safety and security for the tourists and Cebuanos,” said HRRAC resident Carlo Suarez.

This year, the Cebu City Government announced a stricter celebration, banning street parties, shows, concerts, events, activities that use loud speakers and other similar entertainment activities within the 300-meter radius of the parade route from Jan. 19 to 21. There will also be a liquor ban within the 300 meter radius of the parade route on Jan. 21 and Capitol to Gorordo along Escario St. on Jan. 22.

“Sinulog bookings in the city are running 60 to 70 percent this week and fully booked for the Sinulog weekend,” said Suarez.

City officials said these regulations are meant to maintain peace and order, promote the comfort and convenience of Cebuanos and uphold the sanctity of the Sinulog Festival.

These policies, according to Suarez, will not dampen tourists from all over the country to come to Cebu and celebrate Sinulog.

With or without stricter policies, city hotels will be mounting activities to ensure their guests have an exciting and memorable Sinulog this year.

“Quest is fully booked for Sinulog weekend,” said Mia Sy, public relations and marketing and communications manager at Quest Hotel.

At the hotel lobby, Sy said guests will be entertained by Sinulog dance and drumbeaters in the morning and afternoon of Saturday and Sunday. They will also be provided with Sinulog survival kits.

To feel the Sinulog vibe, the hotel also set up a photo booth at the lobby where guests can take photos of themselves wearing Sinulog headdresses. Images of Cebu and Sinulog photos by the Photographer’s Club of Cebu are likewise exhibited at the hotel lobby.

Newly-renovated NS Royal Hotel, located along Juana Osmeña St., one of the party capitals during Sinulog, also reported high occupancy this Sinulog weekend.

Joshua Thad Carlos Dizon, the hotel’s chief operating officer, said that as early as the first week of January, they’ve already received many bookings for Sinulog. The 38-room boutique hotel is now fully booked for the weekend.

Room bookings at Watefront Cebu City Hotel and Casino is now running at 90 to 95 percent for this week. Besides the usual Sinulog dance presentation, the hotel, according to its hotel’s marketing communications manager Arnel Aparis, has set up a Fashion meets Sinulog booth, a collaboration between Cebu designer Cary Santiago and Islands Souvenirs.

Other major hotels promised to treat guests to a variety of Filipino dishes.

Marco Polo Plaza and Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, which are fully booked this weekend, will offer guests Cebu food favorites and a range of local flavors to celebrate Sinulog at their Cafe Marco and Feria restaurants, respectively.

Meanwhile, tourists, devotees, and balikbayans are also in for a treat the moment they arrive at Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) as GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) will host the “Sinulog ala Mactan” with week-long activities and promos.

The “Sinulog ala Mactan” will feature daily Sinulog performances, giveaways to passengers, and a dance competition.

Aside from the dances and competition, GMCAC will distribute Sinulog Fun Kits to arriving passengers. The fun kits contain whistles, Sinulog headdress and shirt, sunscreen, and other treats.

MCIA said it is ready to welcome the arrival of balikbayans coming home to Cebu for the Sinulog Festival. About 500 Cebuano balikbayans are expected to arrive from the US for the Balik Cebu scheduled activities.

The Balik Cebu’s airport welcome program is scheduled on Jan. 18.

Daanbantayan gears up for entry of bigger investments

By Gregg M. Rubio (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Municipality of Daanbantayan under the leadership of Mayor Vicente Loot is now geared towards preparing to cope with the challenges that may be brought on by the entry of big investors in the town.

As this year starts, Jollibee Foods Corporation, the country’s top fast food chain, has opened its branch in the town.

Loot said he felt proud since Jollibee finally chose Daanbantayan to be the home of one of its big branches in Cebu after a thorough evaluation of places where to put up another branch in the north next to Bogo City.

During the opening, Rico Evasco, Operations Director of Jollibee Foods Corp., said they chose Daanbantayan based on how the place is managed by the local government.

While Daanbantayan is ripe for investment, Loot said the next challenge is on how to cope with challenges, now that an outside investor has already entered the town.

“Limpyo na ba ang dalan sa trapik, naa bay mo-implement og tarung wherein maka-ingon ang investor this is a nice place to invest with,” Loot said.

Loot said Jollibee is already an institution and the barometer of other investors to establish their businesses without needing to spend for feasibility studies anymore.

Other prominent businesses now in place in Daanbantayan are Prince Hypermart, 7-Eleven, Three-Sixty Pharmacy, Goldilocks and other retails stores.

Loot said Prince Hypermart is now searching for a wider area to expand their store, while Robinsons and other commercials banks and pharmacies are also now looking for areas to put up their businesses.

“Naprobelama na ko, daghan investors already asked for land use plan, nimahal na ang yuta,” he said.

Loot is hoping they can cope up with the challenges as Daanbantayan is business-friendly.

He added that any investments that are coming in would certainly change the lives of Daanbantayanons.

Mandaue City night market open from Jan. 13 to 20

By Zora Charisse O. Alfanta (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City opens its Mandaue Food, Beverages and Lifestyle Night Market yesterday, as part of its celebration of the Panagtagbo Festival.

Mandaue City Tourism Officer Josephus Bihag said the night market is intended to showcase the products of Mandaue.

"Event siya nga naa tanan, nga showcase kung unsa’y ma-offer sa Mandaue," he added.

Bihag said that the night market not only offers food items but other goods as well.

"Dili ni sya naglimit sa food. It’s kana bitaw’ng mura’g one-stop nga event siya nga naa tanan," he said.

The event is organized by Mandaue City in partnership with TAGA Mandaue Inc., an NGO of lumad Mandauehanons for the event.

Bihag said that the night market will also feature different kinds of food produced by companies that are exporters from Mandaue.

"Naa gihapon ang mga food and drinks. Naa gihapon ang barbeque etcetera nga mga klase sa pagkaon, but wala ta naglimit lang sa food," he said.

"We have also mga companies nga mga exporter nga from Mandaue gyud — mga anything about Mandaue nga pwede natong to be proud of like, for example, atong mga delicacies like bibingka," he added.

Ready-to-wear (RTW) clothes are also available at the market.

" Di ni mga RTWs nga mga ukay-ukay but makaingon ta nga naa sa’y class ba," said Bihag.

The night market opens from 5:00 p.m. until 2 a.m. daily until January 20.

It is located across the Mandaue City Hall, beside the parking area.

Bigger Sinulog events planned at Mactan Airport

By May B. Miasco (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has lined up more activities for the coming Sinulog.

Avigael Maningo of the Corporate Affairs Office of the GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), said several projects and activities have been slated for this month, particularly on the days leading to Sinulog on January 21.

“The management wants that by the time passengers set their foot at the airport, they can already feel the Sinulog revelry,” Maningo said in a press conference yesterday.

She said they used to pick from their own personnel to participate in the activities but are now involving communities near the airport to join in its Sinulog traditional dance competition set for January 18.

At least 10 barangays were invited to participate and may get the chance to showcase the distinct product of the village in their dances.

Moreover, Maningo said several Santo Niño images are also placed inside the airport. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

"We have to remember that the heart of the celebration is the Santo Niño," she said.

GMCAC is a private consortium led by Filipino businessmen that has managed terminal operations of the MCIA since November 2014.

By that time, Maningo said, Sinulog-related activities were introduced as entertainment for arriving passengers and had continued to evolve.

In addition, various programs and booths are set up at the airport, especially on Monday, January 15, with the expected influx of inbound and outbound passengers.

Typically, the month of January ushers the peak travel season in Cebu until the dry season or “summer” in May, said Maningo.

Based from the January 2017 data, the inbound and outbound passengers reached 400,000, she said, with an average of 13,000 passengers a day.

For “balikbayans” or overseas Filipinos, she said around 500 to 800 of them are expected to arrive here next week to join the revelry.

She added that the management also supports the promotion of "faith tourism" which is the new focus of the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas (DOT-7) for Cebu.

DOT-7 Director Shalimar Hofer Tamano said Cebu's tourism industry is also geared towards restoring the value of "faith and pilgrimage" of the people, other than its culture and traditions.

He said that the Tourism secretary is also very supportive of the Sinulog Festival.

In fact, she said, DOT-7 recently proposed to increase the financial support it gives to the Sinulog Foundation, Inc.

Last year, the DOT-7 gave financial support of P100,000 to the foundation running the festival.

Veco spreads Christmas cheer to school kids

(SunStar Cebu)

THE Visayan Electric Company (Veco)celebrated its annual Pasko sa Kabataan at the Zapatera Elementary School in Cebu City last Dec. 9.

Over 80 Veco Kaibigans volunteered to be Ates and Kuyas to around 100 school children during the power utility’s Christmas outreach program.

The beneficiaries, aged 8 and below, were treated to a fun-filled day that entertained both the kids and the kids at heart.

Game booths and food carts with cotton candy, french fries, popcorn, hotdog and ice cream kept the volunteers and beneficiaries busy.

For the participants to feel the Yuletide spirit, Veco Kaibigans, together with their assigned kids, competed in a caroling contest. A magician and the mascots also made the party more exciting. After a sumptuous lunch, the kids were given a Christmas gift and a new pair of slippers.

Since 2010, Veco has been celebrating its annual Pasko sa Kabataan as a way of giving back to the less fortunate children of its host communities.

Meanwhile, the Veco Occupational Safety, Security, Health and Environment Department (OSSHED) team shared their blessings to the children at the Pulangbato Daycare Center in Barangay Pulangbato, a mountain barangay in Cebu City last Dec. 15.

After winning a P50,000 CSR activity package from the Reputation Enhancement Department for a sustainability contest, the OSSHED team, headed by Engr. Benje Retuertas, decided to spend their winnings and their time with the 48 children of the Pulangbato Daycare Center, who are under the care of teacher-in-charge Angelita Damaulao.

The children were all smiles as they received school materials, educational toys and special gifts from the team. A simple meal capped the day’s activity.

Capitol income up by P200M last year

By Lorraine Mitzi A. Ambrad (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The 2017 income of the Cebu provincial government has exceeded its P3.3-billion target by P200 million.

Provincial Treasurer Emmanuel Guial reported that the provincial government earned more than P3.542 million last the year or over P500 million than the income in 2016.

With this development, Guial said that the provincial government has been successful in sustaining the positive trend each year.

Capitol had an annual income of P2.8 billion, P3.09 billion, and PP3.54 billion in 2015, 2016, and 2017 respectively.

The biggest chunk of the income last year was from the P1.3 billion Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) shared of the province from the national government.

In the beginning of 2017, the provincial government has projected to get an IRA of P2.9 billion and a consolidated income of P3.3 billion. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

The next biggest source of Capitol’s income is the provincial-run hospitals with a total earning of P296.7 million.

From tax collection, Capitol earned P176.5 million, P68.7 million from the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT), P57.8 million from the collection of regulatory fees and P5.8 million from the stall rental of Larsian food strip.

Faith tourism eyed in Central Visayas

By Lorraine Mitzi A. Ambrad with Ashlee Love Marzon (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) eyes faith tourism as one of the possible areas they can explore to heighten the arrivals in the region according to DOT-7 Acting Director Shalimar Hofer Tamano.

“She (DOT SecretaryWanda Corazon Teo) wants the region to be active with the Sinulog, more active this year. She will visit Cebu and the region, more often than before. She is more interested in faith tourism,” he said.

Region VII is among the regions in the country with many old churches constructed during the Spanish colonial times.

The buildings served not only as a rendezvous point for the faithful but also for those who want to learn more about the Filipino history, colonial architecture, and take good photos.

“We’ll do something in the churches of Bohol and in Cebu Province,” Tamano added.

Tamano who is from the DOT head office is now serving as the acting regional director of DOT-7.

His predecessor, Joshua Judd Lanete, resigned from his post early this year citing health concerns as reason for leaving.

In the country, Batangas is one of the provinces which promoted faith tourism as tourists constantly visit its famous pilgrimage sites during Holy Week.

Another is the City of Antipolo that has been known to be the country’s pilgrimage capital because of its Marian image of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo Cathedral.

The place has also developed its faith tourism through its trekking from the Quiapo Church to the shrine of Virgin of Antipolo on the eves of Good Friday.

In the western Visayas, Bacolod is also promoting its spiritual healers which they believed as one of the attractions under the faith tourism concept.

Tamano has also mentioned that Secretary Teo wants DOT to contribute more to Cebu’s Sinulog celebration.

“She told me she wants to join the Sinulog. She also wants to meet the private sectors,” Tamano added referring to Teo.

DTI-Cebu: 4 Negosyo Centers targeted in 2018

By Katlene O. Cacho

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cebu targets to open four Negosyo Centers for 2018.

Last year, the agency opened 12 Negosyo Centers, spread across the province—Moalboal, Balamban, Medellin, Tabuelan, Tabogon, Sogod, Borbon, Poro, Tudela, Pilar, Bantayan, and Madridejos.

The towns of San Francisco and Oslob and the cities of Talisay and Naga will have their own Negosyo Centers this year. However, DTI Cebu said it still has to reach out to the local government units (LGU) of Talisay, Naga and Oslob if they are willing to host the centers.

According to DTI Cebu Director Ma. Elena Arbon, the thrust of the agency is still to empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to scale up and become more competitive.

“The thrust for this year is still more on business development programs, leveling up our MSMEs in terms of the 7Ms (mindsets, mastery, mentoring, money, machine, market, (business) models,” said Arbon.

She added that they will continue to push for digital transformation in the business sector, support tech startups and do more consumer education, especially with the influx of new tech-based business models and disruptions.

According to the 2017 Negosyo Center yearend performance monitoring report of the DTI, a total of 614,417 entrepreneurs have been assisted by these centers, up from the June 2017 performance report of 595,573 clients assisted since the inception of Negosyo Centers in 2014.

DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya stressed that the huge surge of entrepreneurs assisted was due to the government’s support for MSMEs and the advancing of MSMEs as economic movers of the country.

Bantayan airport now under MCIAA

(The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The authority to manage the airport in Bantayan Island has been transferred from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority(MCIAA) last Friday.

MCIAA Operations Manager Cristina Matondo told The FREEMAN that the ceremonial turnover was done last Friday with her as the representative of the airport management and Engineer Fermin Agpasa representing CAAP.

Matondo said the island airport continues to accommodate small aviation operations. She clarified that it will be MCIAA that will manage and GMR-Megawide will not be taking part of it.

With the “not-so-good” current state of the airport, Matondo said that the talks for its development are still underway. She said that there is still a need for the Cebu Provincial Government and the MCIAA to discuss and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

It is the provincial government, Matondo said, who owns the lot of the airport in Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island. CAAP, MCIAA, and the Capitol used to jointly operate the airport until their Memorandum of Agreement expired in 2013.

In January last year, Capitol planned to reactivation the airports in Camotes and Bantayan islands and included it in the six-year executive and legislative agenda (ELA). In November 2017, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and representatives of the MCIAA had a meeting to discuss updates on the two airports.

For the first quarter of the year, six employees of MCIAA will handle the operations in the Bantayan airport.

Matondo said that they are targeting to have a total of 10 employees stationed there. Meanwhile, the 10 CAAP employees who used to work in the airport were relieved and transferred elsewhere.

Paragliding launched in Oslob

By May B. Miasco (The Freeman)

MANILA, Philippines — Oslob town in southern Cebu will not only be known for its whale shark watching as one local organization introduces paragliding there in a bid to further boost the province's tourism industry.

But this will not only be notable in Cebu, organizers target to make the province as the center for paragliding in the Visayas.

“This event is significant for it is the first paragliding in Oslob and I believe in the entire province of Cebu. It’s our honor that Oslob is chosen as the perfect location for paragliding,” Elizabeth Benologa, Oslob municipal tourism officer, told The FREEMAN.

Paragliding is a recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits on a harness suspended below a fabric wing.

Paragliding events in the country, so far, are only active in some areas in Luzon and Mindanao regions.

Benologa said the municipal government will surely help in promoting paragliding by including it in the town’s tourism plans.

“It can help the tourism in Oslob because it opens and creates more opportunities for Oslobanons as well as in Cebu province as a whole. As a new tourism project, expect more economic progress and changing the lives of the locals,” she said.

At least 30 professional paragliding pilots from across the world tried the test flights yesterday as part of the two-day soft opening. The “friendly fly-in” event dubbed as “Paint the Sky” will run until today.

Only the professional paragliding pilots are allowed to do the test flights.

Local and foreign tourists witnessed the event participated by paragliding enthusiasts from different countries like France, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Professional paragliding instructor Malcolm Vargas discovered the town of Oslob as capable of holding such sport.

Vargas stayed in Oslob for about two years studying the town’s weather conditions and topography.

He said the renowned town has several stable thermal areas that are vital for having a paragliding site; this unique feature makes for a suitable staging area for this sport.

Vargas also intends to create a sustainable paragliding community in the town and make Cebu the center for paragliding in the Visayas. He hopes Cebu will soon host an international paragliding competition.

Vargas is set to form the first paragliding group in the region.

CSBT earns almost a million in 7 days

(The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) has earned almost a million pesos during the season of Christmas and New Year.

According to CSBT manager Joey Herrera, the terminal has earned a total of P774,750 in seven days alone.

The figure is close to 15 percent of the total earnings of CSBT in December, the bulk of which is credited to the seven days included in the holiday season.

In the whole month of December, CSBT collected P6,301,554.84 from all of its operations.

With each bus departing, the terminal management earns P150. This yields P543, 450. But the parking fees are not the only source of income for CSBT.

From December 22 to 25, there were 1,826 bus trips that carried over a hundred thousand passengers. From December 28 to 30, there were 1,797 trips that transported at least 98,835 passengers.

In total, the terminal catered close to 2000,000 passengers through 3,623 bus departures.

Herrera said there are some passengers who welcomed the New Year at the terminal because there were not enough returning buses to fetch them.

Yesterday, the management noticed that there is a slight increase in the number of arrivals.

Herrera said tropical depression Agaton might be one of the causes why there was a fewer number of arrivals on Tuesday, a day before work resumes.

He added another contributing factor is the cancelled ferry trips in the south.

Meanwhile, the CSBT management targets a two-percent increase in income for 2018.

Organizations pledge to boost Cebu tourism

By Katlene O. Cacho

WITH the opening of the Terminal 2 of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in June, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) pledged to work closely with the government and tourism organizations to power up Cebu’s tourism potential.

The chamber, according to its president Melanie Ng, will specifically work with the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 and industry associations like the Cebu Alliance of Tour Operations Specialists (Catos) and Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) to make sure Cebu can deliver the “best tourism experience” to both domestic and foreign visitors.

Ng said they expect tourism to push the province’s economic growth this year, as more infrastructure and tourism services will translate to more jobs for locals and increase in spending among guests.

“In a few month’s time, we will open the Terminal 2 of MCIA, which will give us the opportunity to showcase Cebu more to the world. We just want to make sure we are ready as a destination,” said Ng.

The chamber official stressed they are not only anticipating an influx of leisure tourists but also more meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (Mice) activities to take place in Cebu starting this year.

“We are gearing up for more arrivals and the business opportunities that come with it. We need to build up our services to meet the expectations,” said Ng. “And collaborations with the local government units, the DOT, Catos and HRRAC will help realize this goal.” According to Ng, making sure that goals and initiatives of the private and public sectors are on the same page will strengthen Cebu’s economic muscle in the long term.

“We need to build our attractiveness as a destination and make sure there are more (direct flights) to come in,” said Ng.

HRRAC president Carlo Suarez, in a separate interview, likewise pledged to work closely with the DOT 7 to help the province achieve or even exceed its target arrivals for the year.

“There will be more work to do this year considering that Terminal 2 will open soon. We need to make sure we will be able to entice more markets to come to Cebu,” said Suarez.

He noted that their group will have a regular dialogue with the DOT 7 to be in sync with the government’s thrusts.

At present, MCIA is home to 23 airlines.

The National Economic Development Authority (Neda) 7 said the completion of MCIA Terminal 2 and the Panglao International Airport in Bohol are expected to boost the travel industry and have a positive impact on the tourism and allied industries.

“The region’s tourism industry will accelerate its growth momentum in 2018,” said Neda 7.

Talisay to spend P6.7M for Sinulog

By Aubrey J. Secuya (USJ-R Intern)

THE Talisay City Government will spend P6.7 million for its dancing contingent in the Sinulog sa Kabataan-Lalawigan 2018.

City Budget Officer Edgar Mabunay said that the City’s contingent will have 900 performers for the competition.

These include 100 dancers, 200 dancing props men and almost 700 props men who will carry the panels and other installations.

The amount was allocated for the food and transportation expenses of the performers, as well as for making the props.

Mabunay said that the subsidy from the Sinulog Foundation will be a great help in their expenses.

This year, Talisay’s performers will focus on promoting cacao products.

Mabunay said they want to promote the product more since during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit that was held in the Philippines last year, delegates were offered locally made chocolates as gifts and as desserts.

Since Talisay has a cacao plantation in Camp 4, the contingent will portray in their presentation the planting and harvesting of cacao, he added.

Last year, Talisay City Central School won majority of the awards during the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, particularly the street dancing competition, the ritual showdown, best in costume, and best in musicality prizes.

During the Sinulog sa Kabataan, Talisay was also among the crowd’s favorites.

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