Cebu City News January 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

CCNSHS, USJ-R word wizards shine in World Youth Scrabble qualifiers

By James Savellon

YOUNG talents from the Cebu City National Science High School (CCNSHS) and University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) took home titles in the World Youth and Professionals Scrabble Championship qualifying at the Robinsons Cybergate last Saturday.

CCNSHS’ Lear Jet dela Cruz was crowned high school division champion and also had the highest single game with 560 points.

Brothers Drei and Lawrence Candia, also from CCNSHS, took the next two spots, respectively.

Cristina Quinones of the University of Cebu (UC) got the highest single turn with the word “graziers” worth 136 points. USJ-R’s Chairylle Bucao topped the elementary division while teammates Jangari Mayol and Julianne Faith Reyes were her runners-up.

University of the Visayas’ (UV) Bea Serad scored 106 points for the highest single turn for “quested” while USJ-R’s Lord Garnett Talisic tallied 551 points for the highest single game.

Renante dela Cerna, meanwhile, came out on top in the professionals category.

Dart Eslao and Joel Toroy were second and third, respectively.

Eslao also earned the highest single turn with the word “jointly” worth 101 points while Dexter Dungog’s 506 points got him the highest single game.

Eslao, also the tournament organizer, said that they increased the selection to the top 10 for the World Youth Scrabble Championships in Malaysia this November since the tournament is divided into age groups.

Aside from the top three winners from the high school category, also qualifying are Jessa Manigos (CCNSHS), Cebu Institute of Technology-University’s (CIT-U) Jan Dale Catalonia and Beat Datiles, Gene Montes (USJ-R), Lovelyn Catarinin (UV), Mac Nicole Baclayon of the Ramon Duterte National High School (RDMNHS) and Quinones.

The top three elementary finishers will be joined by Talisic, Kristin Siangko (USJ-R), Carmelo Arranguez (Cebu City Central School), Serad, Hazel Alfante and Lovzelle Baringian (Quiot Elementary School), Leanne Candia (UV) and Uriel Drago (PAREF Springdale).

Sino culture on display at city's public library

By Kevin A. Lagunda and Rowinmar Espinosa (USJ-R Intern)

IN celebration of Chinese New Year, Shi Yong, consul general of China, visited the Cebu City Public Library yesterday and urged people to come and learn more about Chinese culture.

He emphasized the understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two countries, considering China and the Philippines are close neighbors.

Rosario Chua, city librarian, said the visit aimed to revive the Chinese New Year project that started in 2014.

She said she hopes that Chinese-related activities in the library will continue.

In an interview, the consul also shared his sentiments on the recent incident involving a woman who drowned in Sumilon the other day.

He said they posted a message on their website asking their citizens to pay attention to their safety while enjoying the spots here. The consul said he hopes the incident will not happen again.

The Chinese national was identified as 27-year-old Xinting Liu.

She drowned in the waters off the sandbar of Sumilon Island in Oslob last Thursday afternoon.

She and her friends arrived at the Aaron Beach Resort around 2 p.m.

They hired a motorboat to take them to the sandbar. They didn't wear any lifejackets.

Dante Cayon, the motorboat operator, saw Liu floating lifeless around 3 p.m.

Lifeguards tried to revive her by giving her CPR before rushing her to the Oslob District Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival.

Chinese consul emphasizes importance of int'l understanding

By Tovya Kaiko Galeon (USJ-R intern/SunStar Philippines)

A CHINESE consul highlighted the importance of international understanding during his visit to the Cebu City Public Library on Friday, January 27.

"I think it is important for one country to learn (about) the outside world, to have more understanding and more friendship, and push forward cooperation," Chinese Consul General Shi Yong said.

Yong was invited in the library as part of its Chinese New Year celebration, which will kick-off Saturday, January 28.

The Chinese official added that it is also important for China and the Philippines to have more cooperation.

"I think they (China and the Philippines) should have more cooperation, because now, we have very friendly neighboring relations," he added.

Librarian Rosario Chua said their Chinese New Year celebration was launched in 2014, but it stopped after the last Chinese consul died in an accident that resulted in the closure of their consulate.

Chua said she wants to continue the monthly activities relevant to the Chinese culture.

"Mao na ang purpose na para mo-increase pod ang patronage sa library for the Chinese community (The purpose is to increase the patronage to the library for the Chinese community)," she said.

Yong, who admitted it is his first time to visit the Philippines, said he finds China and the Philippines similar and even took photos of the local food.

“I took some photos of local foods and sent them back to my mother, who has never been to the Philippines, and she can tell exactly what's inside the ingredients,” he said.

Feng shui, calligraphy, and storytelling were among the activities held at the library Friday, January 27.

The Chinese consul said he plans to bring more programs and performances like acrobatics and kung fu in the library.

Solar-and-wind-powered street lamps anyone?

By Jose Santino S. Bunachita

Outside Cebu City Hall, there stands a futuristic looking tower which has a revolving metal piece on top.

The equipment is actually a lamppost powered by both solar and wind energy, said Department of Public Services (DPS) head Roberto Cabarrubias.

He said the lamppost was one of two donated to the city by a Japanese manufacturer during the term of mayor Michael Rama but it was never used or tested.

It was only put up last December on the order of now Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

“It’s a very good equipment because there are two sources of energy. When the sun is there, it can charge the battery. If it’s cloudy, chances are there’s wind, and it can also generate electricity and charge the battery,” he told Cebu Daily News.

The lamppost is powered by electricity stored in its batteries, which comes from the energy produced by the solar panels and turbine that’s attached to it. The actual LED (light emitting diode) lamp is 70 watts.

While smaller and less bright than the city’s current 210-watt LED street lights, the donated lampposts can still illuminate the street, he said.

The city has no plan yet to acquire these lamps but they decided to put it up as there might be interested private sector buyers, Cabarrubias said.

Each costing P300,000, it will not be practical for the city to buy these lampposts for its streets since urban Cebu City has stable electricity supply, Cabarrubias added.

Osmeña, in a post on his Facebook page, said the city is experimenting with the lamppost as he might consider using it for the city’s mountain barangays.

“It shouldn’t be too difficult to outfit them with electric sockets either so they can function as charging stations as well. If these lampposts prove durable, they might be a worthwhile addition to some of our mountain barangays,” he said in his post.

‘Intensify garbage collection’

By Rona Joyce T. Fernandez

WITH the dumping of piles of garbage on streets becoming more prevalent, the Cebu City Government is asking all 80 barangays to intensify the enforcement of the trash collection schedule.

In Barangay Mambaling, piles of trash were seen yesterday morning being dumped on Jai Alai Bridge outside of the collection schedule.

“That’s not allowed, but there’s just some stubborn people who can’t seem to follow rules.

The public should understand that you’re not allowed to bring out your trash outside of the collection schedule,” Department of Public Services operations head John Paul Gelasque told SunStar Cebu in a text message.

The first shift for the garbage collection schedule starts at 5 p.m. to midnight while the second shift starts from midnight to 7 a.m. the following day.

SunStar Cebu tried to reach Barangay Mambaling Chief Wilfredo Go, but he was not available as of press time.

Gelasque lamented that the public’s dumping of trash on city streets has caused tension between the City Government and the barangays, instead of coordinating with each other.

“That’s basically the reason we and the barangays are being made to look bad, but I’ll discuss it with the officials and suggest for a reconsideration from Mayor (Tomas Osmeña),” he said.

He referred to Osmeña’s recent pronouncement warning barangay officials of Kamputhaw that the City will cancel the P5,000 allowance it has been giving its barangay collectors on top of their salaries from the barangay due to uncollected pile of trash.

Kamputhaw village chief Trifonio Lequigan Jr., for his part, assured the seven garbage collectors subsidized by the City that they will not be jobless, should Osmeña make good his warning.

“The barangay will shoulder their honorarium, even if we can only afford P4,500 a month per collector,” he said.

Of their 15 collectors, eight are paid by the barangay, while the other seven others are subsidized by the City.

In a related development, the City Government has issued a notice to vacate and ordered Barangay Apas to stop parking its garbage trucks on the former’s property.

Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman told SunStar Cebu that he has yet to receive a response to the letter of reconsideration he sent Osmeña two weeks ago.

“We will just heed because we were told that the City will be using the property. We’ll just transfer our equipment to our material recovery facility,” he said.

DPWH Cebu City says roads in upland village damaged by landslide now passable

(PNA), LAP/EB/EBP

CEBU CITY, Jan. 24 (PNA) -- An official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cebu City District on Tuesday said roads in Sitio Tawagan in the mountain barangay of Sirao that were damaged a landslide last week are now passable.

Engr. Nicomedes Leonor of the DPWH Cebu City District said cracks and gaps on the concrete road in the area were filled with soil and other filling materials.

Leonor said the repair of the roads was a joint effort of the DPWH and the Cebu City Government.

Leonor said both the DPWH and the city provided heavy equipment for the repair work, including payloaders, backhoes, dump trucks and a road roller which compacted the soil on the road to make it stable for passing vehicles.

Leonor said they also had to make some alternative roads in portions which cannot be repaired easily.

He said these are only temporary solutions since Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña requested for the repairs ahead of the fiesta in Sirao this week.

Since the roads are barangay roads, he said it will be up to the city if they will pave it with concrete again.

“This is just for the meantime especially with the advisory from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) that the soil in the area is still unstable,” Leonor said.

The MGB 7 earlier said the affected areas in Sitios Tawagan and Kan-irag should be declared as no-build zones, which means some of the residents that were evacuated near the affected area will be barred from returning there.

The MGB said though that the areas can still be used for farming but not for residential purposes.

Cebu City National Science High School sets entrance exam

(Sun.Star Cebu)

THE Cebu City National Science High School (CCNSHS) on Salvador St. in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City will administer its scholarship-entrance examination on Feb. 18.

The exam aims to screen applicants for the 175 slots of incoming Grade 7 and 10 slots for Grade 11 academic track—Science, technology, engineering and Mathematics (STEM) strand for school year 2017-2018.

The coverage of the test will be in Science, Mathematics aptitude and mental ability.

The exam for the incoming Grade 7 shall be given to all graduating pupils from public and private elementary schools with grades of at least 85 percent in English, Math and Science, and at least 83 percent in other subjects in the first, second and third (if available) grading periods; and all graduating pupils from the Special Science Elementary Schools in the Division of Cebu City with grades of at least 80 percent in all subjects.

For Grade 11 STEM strand, the exam shall be given to junior high school completers from Science-oriented high schools with grades of at least 85 percent in English, Math and Science, and at least 83 percent in other subjects in the first, second and third (if available) grading periods.

The character grade of the applicant or any equivalent thereof should be at least 83 percent or B.

Applicant must bring the following requirements before securing the application form from the Office of the Head Teachers fro evaluation: l certified true photocopy of the report card signed by the school principal, and l a certification from the school principal that the applicant belongs to the upper 10 percent, indicating his/her rank and the total population of the graduating elementary pupils or Grade 10 completers.

Processing of the application will be entertained from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Deadline will be on Feb. 16 both for Grade 7 and Grade 11.

Nominations open for outstanding person, group in Cebu City

By Jose Santino S. Bunachita

CEBU City Hall’s Cultural and Historical Affairs Office (CHAO) of the Cebu City Government is now accepting nominations for Outstanding Individuals and Institutions.

Bryner Diaz, acting CHAO head, said nominees should possess extraordinary virtues and should have contributed to the general welfare of Cebu City. The deadline for nominations is on Jan. 31.

Successful awardees will be recognized and will be given plaques during the city’s 80th Charter Day Anniversary celebration on February 24.

“We will receive the nominations and submit them to the City Council for deliberation,” Diaz said.

It marks the first time that the council will identify the shortlist of awardees.

In previous years, it was done by the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC).

But until now, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has not convened the commission.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella earlier wrote the mayor asking for the convening of CHAC.

Labella said there are several concerns in the city that need the CHAC’s decision including renaming of streets and public places, among others.

So far, Diaz said the CHAO received three nominations for Outstanding Individuals and another two nominations for Outstanding Institutions.

He said the number of successful nominees to be awarded will be decided on a case to case basis.

To qualify for the Outstanding Individual award, there is a residency requirement of at least three months in Cebu.

“Further, a resident should have gained honor for Cebu and for himself through acts of virtue, exemplary behavior, extraordinary display of heroism, bravery and selflessness in defense of moral principles,” the CHAO said in a press release.

He or she may also be a native resident of Cebu City who has shown integrity of character in office or in personal calling or profession.

For the Outstanding Institution award, nominees must have contributed to the growth, development and programs of Cebu City and its constituents.

“The institution must have devoted time, exemplary efforts and financial measures to the general welfare of the Cebuanos without expecting for rewards. The institution must have also helped the Cebu City government directly in the basic and other related services to Cebu and/or its people,” the CHAO press statement said.

Application forms are available at the CHAO which is located at the second floor of the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum along Osmeña Boulevard.

Other activities to be held in line with the city’s Charter Day celebration include a Cebu City Arts Week scheduled on Feb. 13 to 17 at the Plaza Independencia.

153 finish tech-voc training

(Sun.Star Cebu)

AFTER several months of training, 159 residents from Cebu City and from the towns of Balamban and Liloan graduated from the electrical installation and maintenance, carpentry, plumbing and masonry skills training program initiated by the AboitizLand.

Of the 159 graduates, 153 passed the national certificate (NC) II assessment of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

A total of 50 electrical course graduates from Bacayan and Pit-os in Cebu City, 50 plumbing course graduates from various barangays in Liloan, 34 carpentry graduates from Cansomoroy in Balamban and 25 masonry graduates from Yati in Liloan received their certificates of completion during their graduation ceremonies.

The graduates also brought home start-up tool kits from AboitizLand.

As part of AboitizLand’s enterprise development program, the skills training aims to nurture communities by providing unemployed individuals and out-of-school youth with new skill set to support their living.

Graduates of the carpentry and other skills training conducted by AboitizLand are expected to form the workforce needed to develop the company’s developments in Cebu.

BPO firm to hire 1,000 more workers in Cebu this year

(PNA), LAM/EB/RSM

CEBU CITY, Jan. 20 (PNA) -- Business process outsourcing (BPO) firm Accenture is set to hire 1,000 more employees in Cebu this year, an official said.

Lito Tayag, country managing director of Accenture, said the company, which is now on its tenth year of operations in Cebu, is looking forward to growing further in this city.

Tayag said the company started with only 85 workers when it launched its first facility in Cebu in 2007.

He said the company now has 5,000 employees with operations at Pioneer House at the Cebu Business Park, Robinsons Cybergate in Fuente Osmena and in eBloc 2 and eBloc 3 at the Cebu IT Park.

Tayag said Accenture is now looking for employees who are US-registered nurses, fluent in Japanese, equipped with infrastructure services skills and network engineers, among others.

Tayag said they are also looking at putting up a new facility in Cebu to cater to their growing number of employees.

The company’s services in Cebu include non-voice services such as finance, accounting and health management, serving 120 clients in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Tayag said Accenture at present has 45,000 employees in the Philippines, spread out in 22 facilities in Manila, Cebu and Ilocos.

Accenture is only one of some 150 BPO firms operating in Cebu and employing an estimated 150,000 workers.

Cebu City allots PHP146M to build evacuation centers

(PNA), FPV/EB/EDS

CEBU CITY, Jan. 19 (PNA) -- The Cebu City Government has allocated PHP146 million for the construction of evacuation centers to house victims of any kind of calamity, an official said.

Cebu City Councilor Jose Daluz III said the budget for evacuation centers was included in the city’s approved annual investment plan (AIP) this year.

The city has an AIP of PHP8.4 billion this year, which contains the programs and projects for the city government formulated with the help of representatives from the villages, academe, private and public individuals.

But the city’s approved budget for this year is only PHP7.2 billion or PHP1.2 billion lesser than the AIP.

Daluz said the evacuation centers will be constructed in several areas to house residents that will be affected by fires, landslides and other calamities.

Most victims of fires in the city find temporary shelter in schools and covered basketball gyms until they can rebuild their houses.

Incessant rains since Monday night until Thursday morning prompted the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) to evacuate some 220 families in at least three upland villages who were at risk of landslides.

They were given temporary shelter in their covered barangay gyms.

Cebu City barangays receive medical equipment

By Jheysel Tangaro (USJ-R Intern)

In order to improve public healthcare services, Cebu City Health Department and the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH 7), with the Cebu City government represented by Mayor Tomas Osmeña turned over medical equipment to Apas Barangay Health Center on Wednesday.

Apas Barangay Health Center received two units of nebulizer, two units of thermostan, a stethoscope, a glucometer, a BP apparatus, a hospital bed, a wheelchair and a walker.

“Ako nang ipakita kaninyo sa pagkakaron. Kung kinahanglan ka og daily maintenance, palihug lang sult. We will deliver it to you everyday,” said Osmeña during his privilege speech.

Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman said he is happy with the turnover and assured that the medical equipment will be used in their barangay.

The City Health Department also turned over medical equipment to barangays Lahug, Guadalupe and Tinago in Cebu City.

Miss Universe 2016 candidates visit SM Seaside City Cebu

By Victor Anthony V. Silva

CEBU CITY–Twelve of 86 Miss Universe candidates visited SM Seaside City Cebu at the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City on Tuesday afternoon.

These were delegates from Argentina, the Bahamas, Czech Republic, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Namibia, Romania, Singapore, Slovak Republic, and Venezuela.

The pageant beauties were welcomed by global casual apparel brand, Uniqlo, at their store located on the mall’s upper ground floor.

They arrived at 5:15 p.m. and proceeded to change into Uniqlo’s new Spring-Summer collection, which they later on modeled for local press and bloggers.

The candidates appeared in the brand’s latest offering of denim pants, cotton crew neck shirts, and jackets.

Uniqlo chief operations officer Katsumi Kubota gave the welcome remarks.

They stayed for more than 10 minutes inside the store because they also had to visit Forever 21 and Flawless, also at the same mall.

At around 6:30 p.m., they were expected to be on their way back to Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark in Lapu-Lapu City where they were staying and the pageant’s swimwear presentation was held at noon.

They would join other candidates in a gala party.

Cebu to boost infrastructure vs traffic; Bacolod hires more traffic enforcers

By Eric Tipan

Expect flyover and underpass constructions in Cebu

Even far south of Metro Manila citizens are feeling the crunch of traffic and this early in the year, local government units are making changes in order to reduce vehicle congestion.

Cebu City is set to implement several major infrastructure projects this year including an underpass on the Mambaling Access Road exit of the South Road Properties, some 20 flyovers in major intersections in the city and the Php 10.6-billion Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

The Mambaling Access Road exit aims to give commuters from the south easier access to downtown Cebu.

At least Php 1.3 billion is needed to acquire road right-of-way lots.

Meanwhile, Bacolod City is set to hire an additional 110 traffic enforcers to to bring the total number to 400.

This to combat traffic caused by 500 new vehicles the city sees every month or 6,000 units per year.

The news hires are currently undergoing a five-day seminar before graduating on January 8, 2017.

Country’s best bowlers to vie in Sinulog Open

By Glendale G. Rosal

MORE than a hundred bowlers have already signed up for the 18th Sinulog Open National Tournament slated January 23-29 at the Gaisano Bowlingplex in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City.

Organized by Bowlingplex Tenpin Association (BTA), the tournament has attracted 136 bowlers coming from 30 teams.

Defending Masters’ event champion Edwin Perey of Cavite South Bowling Association (CASBA) is expected to have his hands full in his campaign as members of the Philippine national team players and Philippine National Youth team for bowling will be seeing action.

Also expected to put up a tough stand are participants from Team PRIMA Past and other players from Alabang, Bacolod, Baguio, Dagupan, Dapitan, Davao, Iloilo, Imus, Lipa, Magallanes, Makati, Mandaluyong, and Quezon, said BTA President Bel Suelto.

Also joining in the tournament are the country’s bowling legends Bong Coo and Paeng Nepomuceno.

Winning bowlers in the Masters, team, doubles, singles and all events will receive cash prizes.

For registration inquiries, one may contact mobile numbers 0922-3887288 or 0920-2422940.

Venue away from Sinulog route: Cebu Business Park music fest gets nod

By Odessa O. Leyson (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government has approved the special permit application for a music festival at the Cebu Business Park tomorrow, as the venue is beyond the 300-meter radius of the Sinulog grand parade route.

It is one of three events that City Hall is allowing this Sunday.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head Nagiel Bañacia said the Plus63 music festival was given the green light after the organizer submitted its disaster management plan for the event, which is required so they can link with the city's emergency resources.

Among others, the plan must stipulate all the organizer's security measures, including their emergency equipment.

"We will know unsay naa nila diha while they are holding the event. As (part of the) disaster team, mahibawo mi unsay primero ipadala if an incident will occur, and above all, we know naay friendly forces ngadto, i-link gyud nato sa gobiyerno," he told reporters yesterday.

Aside from the disaster management plan, the organizer was also asked to choose a venue that is appropriate for their event, one which does not cause traffic congestion.

"Atong gi-require nila, they identify the risk and threats sa ilahang activity, then pag-identify unsay imong control measures. Number one, eradicate, macontrol nimo kini nga risk…, strategies to control bombing, who is responsible, kinsa ang emergency responders," Bañacia said.

He said that aside from the music festival, "Sinulog Invasion" at the South Road Properties, and Paintensity in The Greenery were also given approval by the mayor.

The application for permit to hold a boxing event at Mango Square along Gen. Maxilom Avenue, however, was denied, while Hyper Wonderland, which would be held along Escario Street, did not seek any approval from the city.

Bañacia earlier said the city would cancel the business permit of those who would defy the order not to hold parties along the Sinulog route or within a 300-meter radius.

On the other hand, at least nine mobile detention cells are now ready for use against drunks and unruly Sinulog revelers during the grand parade.

The Bureau of Jail and Management and Penology and Cebu City Police Office are helping the city with the mobile detention cells to maintain peace and order.

The Sinulog parade will start from Imus Road, to General Maxilom Avenue, to Fuente Osmeña, to Osmeña Boulevard and to Cebu City Sports Center for the ritual presentation.

Hospital undergoes renovations

By Katlene O. Cacho

A NEWLY renovated Sacred Heart Hospital will be launched a year from now as Southwestern University-Phinma (SWU-Phinma) began yesterday the first phase of its renovation of the hospital building.

Phinma Group has earmarked a budget of P185 million for phase one of the renovation, which will take about a year.

It has also allotted some P90 million for of new medical equipment for this year and 2018. The Phase 2 budget is pegged at P120 million.

The masterplan was also unveiled yesterday, which includes connecting the hospital to the entire campus through bridge-ways.

According to SWU-Phinma president Chito Salazar, the company is spending more for the hospital in terms of facility upgrade than that of the university.

The renovation of the entire hospital is expected to be completed in three to five years’ time.

Change of heart Salazar admitted the company considered selling the hospital nine months ago, but decided to forgo the plan, knowing how critical the role of the hospital can be in helping the university produce high quality healthcare professionals.

“We are happy we have decided not to sell the hospital,” he said.

“Sacred Heart Hospital can become a teaching institution that would help us develop the best possible medical professionals that would make the lives of Filipinos better.”

Aside from linking the hospital to the university, part of the company’s direction is to integrate the hospital to the communities and position it as an affordable general hospital.

Working with the community It has also forged partnerships with private institutions and the barangays for some of its projects.

gerico Melgar, the hospital’s vice president for operations, said the hospital has partnered with Asian Eye Institute to assist the university’s optometry program. The eye clinic is set to open a branch in Cebu by the second quarter of 2018.

Sacred Heart Hospital has also partnered with Chong Hua Hospital for some clinical operations and special training for their resident doctors. The hospital also reached out to barangays Sambag 1 and 2 for health programs and technology and medical assistance to barangay health workers and nutritional scholars.

More patients More than giving out affordable health care services to the community, doctor Celeste Cabahug, the hospital’s medical director, said the upgrade of the hospital and its future expansion programs also mean opening more job opportunities for their graduates, especially for nurses.

At present, the hospital is operating at 126 beds. It has applied for a 192-bed capacity from 110 beds.

The hospital has about 20 resident doctors and 160 medical clerks.

Cabahug also announced that six resident doctors have graduated from the university yesterday.

PHL Red Cross starts Sinulog 2017 operations

(PNA), CVL/PR-PRC/EDS

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- In anticipation of the influx of pilgrims and tourists for the annual Sinulog festival in Cebu City, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Cebu Chapter has started its response and operation to ensure the safety of those who will join the celebration, which started Jan. 5 and will culminate on January 15.

As early as Jan. 5, PRC-Cebu has commenced with its response duty, which includes the set-up and manning of first aid stations and deployment of volunteers acting as foot patrollers to assist in patient handling and conduction. For the first few days of the celebration, the activity is focused around the Novena Mass that is being conducted at the Basilica del Sto. Nino, where six first aid stations were strategically set up by the team.

The PRC has covered the quadrant inside the premises of Basilica and another two stations at the exit and entry point and its nearby areas to ensure that the Philippine Red Cross team would be able to respond immediately to any emergency case. The stationary health/medic areas are complemented with on-foot patrollers.

As of Jan. 10, PRC has already assisted a total of 165 individuals, three of whom were transported by ambulance, 79 were given blood pressure reading, and 19 were given first aid management for cases like fainting, nausea, difficulty of breathing, minor abrasions and laceration, fever, cough and cold, abdominal pain and acid reflux.

An average of 35 to 40 volunteers every shift are being deployed and the number of volunteers reporting for duty will be increased as the day of the Sinulog parade approaches. Two ambulances are utilized both for the early morning, afternoon and evening Novena where thousands of people are attending.

For the fluvial procession and the grand parade on Jan. 14-15, PRC will deploy three rescue boats to be manned by the WASAR (water, search and rescue) team and lifeguards trained by the PRC. A PRC medic team will also be on board a medical boat, in partnership and as requested by the office of the Coast Guard in Central Visayas.

The rescue boats will be assigned in Aduana and Pier 1 area. On-foot first aiders will be widely spread on the streets of Cebu City apart from the first aid stations which will be located at P. del Pilar St., PLDT Jones, Mango Ave. and Escario for the Fluvial Procession and Sinulog Grand Parade on Jan. 14-15, respectively.

A total of 200 to 250 volunteers will be deployed in the last two days of the festival, coming from different school councils duly trained by the PRC, chapter volunteers and from private companies whose responders were also trained by the PRC. The Rescue Emergency Assistance Volunteer Organization (REAVO) Cebu Chapter has once again been tapped as the partner radio communicator, whose other members will be volunteer first aiders and responders.

Vacationers from US start to arrive in Cebu City for Sinulog

(PNA), LAP/EB/EDS

CEBU CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Vacationers or "balikbayans" from the United States started arriving in this city on Wednesday to attend the Sinulog Festival activities this week and the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday, January 15.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 officially welcomed them at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Lapu-Lapu City.

Nine returning overseas Filipinos first arrived past 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the MCIA through a connecting flight from Manila together with other domestic passengers.

Flight PR 2845 of Philippine Airlines left Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 7:15 a.m. on Wednesday.

The passengers were greeted at the arrival area by a four-man rondalla playing the Sinulog theme while usherettes clad in colorful Filipiniana dresses adorned them with souvenir necklaces.

Dancers in bright-colored costumes danced to the Sinulog beat outside the airport to entertain those who were waiting for the balikbayans and fetched them from the airport.

The DOT 7 and the Balik Cebu committee also welcomed balikbayans from the US via Eva Air and Cathay Pacific connecting flights at 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m, respectively.

The welcome ceremony is part of the Balik Cebu program, an initiative that was launched in 2002 to encourage more overseas Cebuanos to come home during Sinulog week.

The bulk of the balikbayans is set to arrive on Thursday.

A chartered flight direct from Los Angeles with 300 balikbayans will arrive at the MCIA around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Some 500 balikbayans will be treated to a barrio fiesta welcome dinner on Thursday evening at the Ayala Terraces in Cebu City where they will enjoy performances by Cebuano entertainers.

Phinma Group allots PHP395-M for improvement of its Cebu hospital

(PNA),FPV/EB/EDS

CEBU CITY, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The Phinma group has allocated PHP395 million for the improvement of the Sacred Heart Hospital (SHH) in Cebu City, an official said Tuesday.

The SHH is part of the Southwestern University (SWU) which Phinma bought in 2015 for PHP1.9 billion and is now called SWU-Phinma.

SWU-Phinma president Chito Salazar said Phinma Group has earmarked some PHP185 million for phase one of the renovation, which will take about a year.

It has also allotted some PHP90 million for new medical equipment for this year and 2018, and another PHP120 million for the second phase of the renovation.

Under a masterplan, the hospital will be connected to the entire campus through bridge-ways.

Salazar said the renovation of the entire hospital is expected to be completed in three to five years’ time, starting this year.

Salazar said Phinma considered selling the hospital nine months ago, but decided to forgo the plan, knowing how critical the role of the hospital can be in helping the university produce high quality healthcare professionals.

“We are happy we have decided not to sell the hospital,” he said.

“Sacred Heart Hospital can become a teaching institution that would help us develop the best possible medical professionals that would make the lives of Filipinos better,” he said.

Salazar said Phinma ended up spending more for the improvement of the hospital than the entire SWU-Phinma campus.

He said the hospital, which is operating at 126 beds, has applied for a 192-bed capacity.

The hospital has about 20 resident doctors and 160 medical clerks.

SKY Alive Tour goes to Cebu

By Cheche Lara

LAST Dec. 9-11, SKY Alive Tour gave the Cebuanos their first SKY television experience at SM City Cebu.

Aimed at sharing their content to the public, the leading cable and broadband provider SKY brought in interactive booths from RTL CBS Entertainment and HBO channels that featured six experiential booths for free.

Peers and families took photos and felt like guest celebrities at The Late Late Show with James Corden. Winning moments were also embraced as the mall-goers held the shining trophy of Golden Globe Awards. Diva wanna-bes took The X Factor UK stage and sang their hearts out. Wild west adventures were enjoyed at Westworld’s Mariposa Saloon, and photos were also snapped at Sweetwater’s old time studio. Another unique and trendy experience, SKY’s 360 photo station, were made to enjoy as visitors took pictures with characters and celebrities.

To top everything off, a mini concert was held last December 11 featuring The X Factor UK Season 13 Contestant Ivy Grace Paredes.

This SKY Alive Tour is the first in Cebu and fourth in the Philippines.

5,000 runners vie in Cebu City Marathon

By Annie Perez (ABS-CBN News) 3:09

CEBU CITY -- In line with the activities of the Sinulog festival, an estimated 5,000 runners participated in the 10th staging of the annual Cebu City Marathon early Sunday.

Tourists, balikbayans, and runners wearing colorful Sinulog costumes were among those who joined the event tagged as Cebu's biggest marathon.

The footrace spanned the streets of Cebu and Mandaue cities, as well as the iconic Marcelo Fernan Bridge in Lapu-Lapu City.

Cebu Runners Club executive director John Pages said they organized the marathon as a "warm-up" event of the walkathon during the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 15.

Sunday's marathon had four categories: 42k, 21k, 10k and 5k.

Pit Senyor!: Sinulog 2017 officially begins

By Jean Marvette A. Demecillo, May B. Miasco (The Freeman) 12:00 am

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City's Sinulog festivities kicked off formally yesterday, a day after the Church's activities started last Thursday with the Walk with Jesus.

As in previous years, the city's launch began with a Mass at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and followed by a parade from the church to the Cebu City Sports Center where students from Cebu schools performed a unity dance at the grand stage.

During the Mass, Monsignor Roberto Alesna challenged devotees to espouse the virtues of child Jesus – sincere and humble – virtues that are important if a community wants to be united.

He pointed out that people continue to be disunited even as they are called by the Church to be in communion with one another because they refuse to love each other.

With thousands flocking to the basilica this time of the year to profess their faith to the Sto. Niño, Alena reminded devotees that a person who professes his or her faith and love for the Lord is untrue to oneself if he or she feels hatred toward other individuals.

Opening

Around 12,000 people witnessed the street parade from the basilica to the Cebu City Sports Center, police said.

This does not include the people who attended the Mass at the basilica, said Cebu City Police Office director, Senior Superintendent Joel Doria.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros said the highlight of the launch yesterday was the presence of at least 10 candidates of this year's Sinulog Festival Queen, considering the scrapping of the Miss Cebu pageant.

The reigning Sinulog Festival Queen and Aliwan Festival Queen Cynthia Thomalla was also at the parade.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and Councilors Margarita Osmeña, Mary Ann de los Santos and Nendell Hanz Abella were also in attendance.

"So far, so good. In any event, the launching is very important because it sets the mood for any big event. I hope it will continue to be like this. We have a good weather. The people are very disciplined," Ballesteros said.

The parade also featured performers from 14 private schools from different colleges and universities in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu dressed in traditional costumes from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

This was in keeping with Cebu's hosting of the ASEAN Summit.

Lalawigan, Brgy

Today, nine cities and municipalities will compete in the Sinulog sa Lalawigan (province), which will begin with a parade from the Provincial Capitol to the Cebu City Sports Center.

Because of this, Osmeña Boulevard will be closed to vehicle traffic from 12 noon until the parade finishes.

The participating groups will represent Talisay City, Bogo City, Danao City, Carcar City, Naga City, and municipalities of Tuburan, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, and Asturias.

Tomorrow, Sunday, Osmeña Boulevard will be closed to vehicle traffic anew starting 12 noon until the end of the parade, which will be participated in by contingents in the Sinulog sa Barangay.

Nine barangays in Cebu City will compete, including Cambinocot, Basak San Nicolas, Guadalupe, Sapangdaku, Inayawan, Pahina San Nicolas, Sambag I, San Nicolas Proper, and Labangon.

The Cebu City Transportation Office has advised motorists to follow traffic signs to minimize traffic congestion.

Cebu hotels report high occupancy rate as Sinulog Grand Parade nears

(PNA), LAP/EB/RSM

CEBU CITY, Jan. 6 (PNA) -- Hotels in Cebu City have reported a high occupancy rate of up to 90 percent during the weekend leading up to the grand Sinulog celebration on Jan. 15, the third Sunday of January, as millions of people participate in the annual parade and feast day of Sto. Niño.

Metro Cebu has an estimated total of 9,500 rooms with star classification as of November 2016.

Radisson Blu Cebu, which has 400 guest rooms, reported an occupancy rate within the 90 percent range between Jan. 13, Friday, to Jan. 15, Sunday.

“We’re now on our high 90s for Saturday and Sunday. Sinulog is a peak season for the hotel. Last year was also the same,” said Ann Olalo, Radisson Blu Cebu’s director for marketing and communications.

Olalo said that in line with the celebration this year, tourists can witness the famous Sinulog dance at the hotel’s restaurant.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, which has 329 guest rooms and suites, also projects to be fully booked from Jan. 13 to 15, with an occupancy rate also within the 90 percent range as of this week.

Manna Alcaraz, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu’s communications manager, said they are pleased with their Sinulog bookings this year which is high as usual.

“It has been consistent for the past years. Sinulog continues to be one of the major peak seasons in the hotel,” she said in a text message.

Alcaraz said they are expecting to be fully booked during the Sinulog weekend as they are already in their high 90s as of now.

She said 40 percent of their guests are locals and balikbayans while 60 percent are a mixture of guests from other Asian countries, mostly Koreans.

Police estimated around three million people witnessed the Sinulog Grand Parade in 2016.

The influx of tourists to Cebu started in December to celebrate Christmas and New Year, with many of them extending their stay for the Sinulog to cap their vacation.

Hotels in Lapu-Lapu City also expect a high occupancy rate next weekend as the city hosts this year’s Miss Universe swimsuit competition on Jan. 17, two days after the culmination of Sinulog activities.

Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark in Lapu-Lapu City, the venue of this year’s Miss Universe swimsuit tilt, is already fully booked for the event as early as now.

Jpark corporate liaison officer Arthur Lo said the hotel’s 556 guestrooms have already been taken as early as November last year, with 200 of these already reserved for the pageant event alone.

“With or without the Miss Universe, we are always fully booked at this time of the year,” he said, crediting the establishment’s occupancy to Korean nationals who are on vacation.

Around 60 percent of their guests are Korean while the rest are composed of other foreigners such as Chinese, Japanese and a few Caucasians.

'Walk with Jesus' ushers in Cebu City’s 452nd Fiesta Señor celebration

(PNA), JMC/EB/MEC

CEBU CITY, Jan. 5 (PNA) -- The celebration of the 452nd Fiesta Señor in honor of the Senor Sto. Nino de Cebu started early dawn Thursday with the “Walk with Jesus” procession.

The procession, participated in by tens of thousands of devotees, started at 4:30 a.m. Thursday from Fuente Osmeña on Osmena Boulevard in uptown Cebu City to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño in the city’s downtown area.

The 452nd Fiesta Señor has the theme of “Santo Niño: Source of Communion, Protector of Creation.”

Except for Jan. 5 and 14, the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino will be open 24 hours daily, with novena masses at 4 a.m., 5:30 a.m., 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 7 p.m., the last novena mass.

The Fiesta senor is celebrated with both religious and cultural activities in the city.

The religious activity, which was ushered in by the Walk with Jesus procession Thursday dawn, will be capped with a solemn procession of the Holy Image of the Sto. Nino de Cebu on Saturday, Jan. 14.

The cultural celebration, on the other hand, will launched on Friday and will be capped with the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday, Jan. 15.

The Sinulog is one of the top tourist drawers in the country, attracting millions of both local and foreign tourists.

Organizers are preparing tighter security measures for the Sinulog after the bombing in Hilongos, Leyte during its fiesta which left at least 34 people injured.

Some 5,000 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and auxiliary force will be deployed to secure the event and the spectators.

Cebu City Muslim community to help secure Sinulog festivities

(PNA), LAP/EB/SSC

CEBU CITY, Jan. 4 (PNA) -- The Muslim community in Cebu has promised to support the efforts of the police and the military in securing the Sinulog festival on January 15.

Twenty Muslim community leaders were called to a meeting by the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, the Cebu City Police Office and the Central Command to discuss measures they will implement during the celebration to prevent terror attacks.

“Peace is our aim. We assure you that we will do our best to prevent a ‘spillover’ from happening in the city,” said Ustadz Najib Razul from the Islamic Propagation Society of Cebu.

He said 200 Muslim youths will monitor the Sinulog for any suspicious-looking persons.

Malo Manonggiring, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos 7 director, said that like the past Sinulog festivals, they will give their 100-percent support to authorities following the recent bombing in Hilongos, Leyte.

“To my brothers, I am asking for your help for this upcoming Sinulog and the international beauty pageant and other events that will be held here. Let’s become instruments to maintain the peace,” Manonggiring said in Filipino.

PRO 7 Director Chief Supt. Noli Taliño said the assistance from the Muslim community is important for their stricter implementation of security during the festivities.

He encouraged them to report immediately any questionable presence in their community.

“There were threats in the past but I don’t see any here in Cebu but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t on full alert. Be vigilant because who would’ve have thought a bomb would explode in Hilongos during its fiesta celebration?” Taliño said.

Radisson Blu Cebu wins Outstanding Marketing Campaign of the Year

(PR)

Radisson Blu Cebu was honored for its distinguished marketing campaign by the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) International in the Philippines last Nov. 15.

The Virtus Awards is the biggest and most prestigious awards program honoring sales and marketing professionals in the travel and tourism industry in the Philippines. The Outstanding Marketing Campaign of the Year recognizes a campaign built around a single unified theme using at least two different types of media.

The hotel was recognized for pioneering the brand’s wedding concept, Something Blu: A Wedding of a Kind, a signature wedding concept that brings weddings to life with customized packages, stylish, sophisticated, stress-free and flawless from start to finish. The campaign which was launched last May 27 spanned various multimedia initiatives from print to digital to reach its market segment. A two-day bridal fair was held at the Northwing Atrium of SM City Cebu with over 50 wedding suppliers gathered in an exquisite display of the finest wedding options. The premier business hotel’s goal was to be the top of mind wedding venue for planners, brides and grooms-to-be in Cebu City. Radisson Blu Cebu successfully closed 33 weddings with over PhP 8.6 million in revenue.

“We are proud to showcase the talents of our top-performing Sales and Marketing Team who are instrumental in driving the hotel forward,” said General Manager Laurent Boisdron.

The Sales and Marketing team was led by Area Director of Sales and Marketing Ann Olalo composed of team members Director of Events Ruby Nepomuceno, Director of Marketing Communications Princes Anderle, Promotions Manager Rochelle Tabino and Marketing Communications Assistant Christine Estrella.

Cebu City to launch Sinulog festivities on Jan. 6

(PNA), JBP/EB/NOD

CEBU CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- The Cebu City government is set to launch the Sinulog festivities with a mass on Friday, January 6, an official said.

Ricky Ballesteros, Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) executive director, said the mass will be held at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino, home of the Sto. Nino de Cebu.

Ballesteros said this will be followed with a parade to the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) on Osmena Blvd., Cebu City.

The Sinulog Grand Parade will be held on January 15, Sunday, with a total of 22 dancing contingents, including four out-of-town contingents.

He said the stage at the CCSC where the contingents will perform for final judging is now undergoing construction and is set to be completed before the Sinulog sa Kabataan on Saturday and Sunday.

Earlier, the city government reduced the distance of the Sinulog carousel route from six kilometers to only four kilometers so that the parade will be finished before 5 p.m.

As this developed, Nagiel Banacia, head of the city’s disaster reduction management body, said street parties during the Sinulog will only be allowed 200 meters away from the parade route.

Banacia said this is intended to avoid a repeat of previous Sinulog celebrations where partygoers and revelers crowded the parade route.

Millions of people, both foreign and local, are expected to attend the Sinulog festivities.

Renewal of business permits starts January 4 in Cebu City

By Ferliza Calizar-Contratista (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu/with reports from Greggy Senados, Cebu City PIO staff)

CEBU CITY (PIA) – The renewal of business permits in Cebu City will start on January 4.

In a press release by Cebu City Public Information Office, the processing for renewal and application of Mayor’s Business Permit for year 2017 will start on January 4 and will run for two weeks until January 27, 2017.

This time, the processing done by the City Mayors Office (CMO) and City Treasurers Office (CTO) will be at Robinsons Galleria Ground Floor.

Business processing time starts 9:00 am until 6:00 in the evening from Monday to Friday.

They are also open for two Saturdays, January 7 and 27.

City Treasurer Tessie Camarillo encouraged the businessmen to renew their business permits within the scheduled date on January 4 to 27 to avoid the two percent interest and 25 percent surcharge and penalties.

“I also encourage everyone to be early, visit the Robinson’s Galleria Cebu to familiarize the site because it is new, and bring complete requirements,” Camarillo stressed, adding that the clients will be catered on a first come, first served basis following a computerized queuing management system.

She stressed that CTO will conduct tax mapping and will send notices to business establishments who will not renew their Mayor’s Business Permits.

CTO targets to collect P2.8 billion in business taxes and permit fees in 2017.

According to her, there are only three requirements this year for the issuance of Mayor’s Business Permit, the duly filled-up application form; preceding year’s income tax return; and the financial statements duly received by the Bureau of Internal Revenue or BIR (if available) or the preceding year’s Sales Journal or VAT/Percentage returns (for the first, second and third quarters, and for the months of October and November) only.

Businessmen will undergo at least four steps in the one-stop shop services.

Claire Cabalda, head of the Cebu City Business Permit and Licensing Office, also shared that the services at Robinsons Galleria Cebu will also include the application for New Mayor’s Business Permit, Retirement of Business Operations, Application for Special and Delivery Permits, and also Cedula issuance for business permit purposes only.

However, Cedula issuance for other purposes will be available at the Cebu City Hall.

City Hall employees will be deployed to accommodate the operators, owners or representatives of the more than 30,000 business establishments from the city’s 80 barangays.

They will be on a shifting duty and will observe a no lunch break policy.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Floramie Vega, regional operations manager of Robinsons Land Corporation, the developer of Robinsons Galleria Cebu, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) last week for the new venue of the processing of the Mayor’s Business Permit.

Under the MOA, a space in the ground floor of the Robinson's Galleria Cebu will be provided by the Robinsons Land Corporation to the City Government of Cebu for free every January until 2019 where the one-stop shop for business permit processing will be held.

Robinsons Galleria Cebu is located along the General Maxilom Avenue Extension in the Cebu City North Reclamation Area just a few meters away from SM City Cebu.