Pavilion’s finish in  15 months  was ‘a miracle’  

Rafaelito A. Barino and wife Fe of Duros Development Corp. recall their decision to shoulder the cost of building the Pavilion for “God’s greater glory”. Fe, who paused to wipe tears as an image of the Pavilion flashed on screen behind them, said their lives and the company have been blessed many times over. Joseito said this was “payback”. The project’s turnover to the Archdiocese of Cebu and thanksgiving Mass was held in the plenary hall (below) where DDC also marked its 25th anniversary. The Pavilion will open to the public today for Holy Mass for the Feast of Christ the King. CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA

When they agreed to build it,  no cost estimates or budget was ready.

Time was against them.

In 15 months, a three-level Pavilion to seat 15,000 delegates of Cebu’s biggest international conference to be  hosted in January, was completed on time with zero accidents.

“Our company is not that big. We are just a local contractor. What we offered was everything that we have.  We totally trusted in His divine will,” said Fe Barino with husband Rafaelito by her side.

Yesterday, the Pavilion of the 2016 International Eucharistic Congress was turned over to the Archdiocese of Cebu, a project that church officials and owners of Duros Development Corp. easily call “a miracle”.

It would normally take one to two years just to prepare and plan a building of this scale, said Rafaelito, CEO of the construction company in a testimonial after thanskgiving Mass.

But he said he and his wife believe that building the IEC Pavilion was a matter of “destiny” and their Christian faith.

When Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma approached them for help in November 2013, saying the church had no funds, only a deadline, the couple decided that DDC would shoulder the cost and begin right away.

NOT ABOUT BUSINESS

“My friends in the busines could not understand what we did. It is not a normal deal in business and no businessman would undertake such a great risk. I told them ‘You will never understand it because this is not about business. This is about faith,” said Rafaelito.

The couple and members of the board yesterday handed  a large symbolic key to Archbishop Palma, saying the company was turning over the Pavilion  constructed “for the love of God and his Church” and for “God’s greater honor and glory.”

The P550-million construction cost was fully shouldered by DDC.  In turn, the company was given usufruct rights by the Archdiocese over part of the seminary property for 25 years.

The massive building has bare concrete floors and walls with space  for a plenary hall, a theater and function rooms.

In the basement, the parking area can accommodate 200 vehicles.

The Pavilion, with a floor area of 25,754 square meters, occupies a church-owned lot behind the seminary in Mabolo.

SIMPLE DESIGN

TURN OVER OF IEC PAVILION/NOV. 21, 2015: The Plenary hall of the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) Pavillion used during the turn over to the Cebu Archdioceses yesterday afternoon by Duros Development Corp.(CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Architect Carlos Pio Zafra said he was instructed by Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo to do away with fancy designs to reflect the Church’s mission to be an institution for the poor.

“When we host an international gathering, we’re always tempted to use flamboyant designs. But Bishop Dennis wants a spiritual structure that is simple and humble. He doesn’t want a capricious building,” Zafra said in an interview.

It was an emotional moment yesterday for the stakeholders, including clergy, lay supporters and  employees of DDC, which marked its 25th anniversary as a company.

The thanksgiving Mass was held  in the largest interior space of the building set aside for the plenary hall.

“At certain points, some began to doubt. But all along, we know that the Lord journeyed with us. Our God is a God of surprises. And this (pavilion) is God’s gift to the Archdiocese of Cebu,” said Archbishop Palma in his homily.

After the IEC, the building will be used as a pastoral center and serve as the “biggest evacuation center” in Cebu.

When Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI announced that Cebu City would be the venue for the 51st IEC on Jan. 24 to 31, 2015, Archbishop Palma said he was overjoyed, and later anxious because the city lacked a conference site for  15,000 delegates.

The first plan was to house IEC delegates in different hotels and let them follow the conference through video hookups on wide screens.

But this was rejected in favor of building a single facility to accommodate all delegates.

“And so we agreed to construct a pavilion. The next problem was who will construct it? And how will we finish it on time?” the prelate said.

It began in a phone call from Palma in November  2013 to Fe Barino.

The Barino couple head the Love of God Charismatic Community.

“My heart leaped. It’s been a long time that the charismatic groups needed a venue. Of course, I said yes without a second thought,”  said Fe.

Fe, however, didn’t know yet that the project was for 12,000 to 15,000 people.  There were no cost estimates ready.

Faced with the daunting task, the couple took the challenge of building the venue for the IEC.

“I said to myself ‘nothing is impossible with God.’ I want to help the Church. I want to help the archbishop. I don’t want Cebu and the Philippines to be put to shame when it hosts the IEC,” said

Fe, who wiped tears from her eyes as the couple recalled the journey in a testimonial on stage yesterday.

Fe also heads the Archdiocesan Service Committee of the Charismatic Communities of Cebu.

“God is faithful. He was with us all the way,” she said.

DDC was able to secure road contracts that sustained the company’s cash flow, she said. Projects doubled in 2014 and tripled in 2015.

Things fell into place.

A condominium project was finished, which allowed close to 400 workers and other resources to be available to work on the Pavilion.  Banks were helpful with credit lines.

Rafaelito said he knew what these circumstances meant: “God has prepared everything. His plans are perfect.”

“It’s like God was telling me ‘Do it.’ Who are we to say no? God has been gracious to us and this is payback time,” he recalled last night.

Archbishop Palma, in his acceptance speech, said he was moved by the testimonial.

“I shed a tear with them. I was choked with emotion. When people come to the Pavilion, they should know that the structure stands because of these two people with great faith,” he said.

Also present for the Mass and turnover ceremony were Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Bishop  Villarojo, retired Bishops Antonio Ranola and Emilio Bataclan, and several priests.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes, Rep. Gabriel Luis Quisumdbing of Cebu’s 6th district, and Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado, officers of different lay organizations, and employees of DDC also attended.

In his speech, Cardinal Vidal said he had attended IECs in many countries but this would be the first time an IEC would gather all delegates under one roof.

“I have experienced so many miracles in my life, and let me tell you that this is one of them. I could hardly believe this will happen. How did we put up a building as huge and beautiful as this? But

God gave this to us,” the 84-year-old prelate said.

The IEC is held four years to promote awareness of the central place of the Eucharist, as the body and blood of Jesus Christ,  in the life and mission of the Church.

Ireland hosted the last IEC.  The last time the congress was held in the Philippines was in Manila in 1937.

It will be Cebu’s first time to play host.

The post FAITH COMES FIRST appeared first on Cebu Daily News.

(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)

FORMER IBF World Super flyweight title contender “King” Arthur Villanueva couldn’t wait to slug it out with Mexican opponent Victor “Spock” Mendez on Saturday for the Pinoy Pride 34: Back with a Vengeance at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.

The two fighters will fight for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) super International flyweight belt in the co-main event.

Villanueva said he is hungry for another win after tasting his first loss via a controversial technical decision against Mcjoe Arroyo last July in the U.S.

“I am hungry for another win. I can’t explain it the desire but I badly want to win. There is a possibility that he won’t last 12 rounds. I will really try my best to knock him out,” said Villanueva in Cebuano.

Villanueva along with former IBF world light flyweight challenger Milan “El Metodico” Melindo (32-2,12KOs) and amateur stand-out turned pro boxer Kevin Jake Cataraja (1-0,1KO) held a public workout at the event center of SM City Cebu yesterdau.

Melindo for his part said he too is badly wants to win versus 5-foot-9 Mexican southpaw Carlos Fontes (23-3,17KOs).

“Pareho pud ni Arthur uhaw pud kaayo ko kay didto sa U.S gitikasan pud ko pareho niya, ako jud gitarong ug training para malingaw ang mga taw aning duwa nako sa Sabado, makita jud ang katag ani inig Sabado kung unsaon nako ug pildi ang maayo nga kontra,” said Melindo.

Melindo lost to the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) world light flyweight champion Javier “Cobra” Mendoza in Mexico last May.

The post Villanueva eager to bounce back appeared first on Cebu Daily News.

Officials of SunKai Land, Inc. during the ground breaking ceremony of SunVida Towers. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

New developer SunKai Land, Inc. plans to undertake three more residential projects by next year.

These projects will consist of mid-rise vertical developments and house-and-lot units. All three will be located within Cebu City, project development manager Michael Estomata said during the groundbreaking ceremony for the 30-story SunVida Tower, the company’s first major vertical project.

“We have many properties already and all are inside Cebu City,” he said.

Catherine Palmero, sales and marketing manager of SunKaiLand, said SunVida is the company’s first large scale development in the real estate industry. It will rise across SM City Cebu at the North Reclamation Area.

“There were very small real estate developments in the past, like apartment rentals, but SunVida is the first for vertical,” she said.

Units are selling fast, with an estimated 72 percent of the total 543 units sold within the first four months of pre-selling activities.

Only 188 units are left, Palmero added. The 22-square-meter units sell at an estimated P1.8 million apiece. Pre-selling began earlier this year at P1.6 million per unit.

Prices are expected to increase by around 30 percent upon completion of the project in December 2018. Turnover is scheduled for the first quarter of 2019.

The building also offers retail spaces on the ground floor, with each unit measuring 40 to 50 square meters. Unit owners, majority of whom are investors or businessmen, will be given first priority in setting up shop.

“Sixty percent of the profile of our buyers are investors purchasing more than one unit. It’s because of the location and affordability. It’s (SunVida) very accessible and within the city,” the official said.

SunVida Tower has a density of about 23 residential units per floor. Amenities, namely an adult infinity pool, a kiddie pool, party deck and gym, are located on the sixth floor. A grand lobby, retail spaces and meeting rooms, are located on the ground floor.

The building was designed by Ideal Builders and will be constructed by Vineyard Construction.

The post Developer plans 3 more housing projects in Cebu appeared first on Cebu Daily News.

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) conducted a climate change resiliency forum with the theme, “Empowering smallholder farmers towards climate resiliency.”

About 50 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from the different agrarian reform communities in Cebu attended the forum held at Dohera Hotel in Mandaue City last Nov. 16-17.

Antonio del Socorro, assistant regional director of DAR said the activity is part of the awareness campaign for the ARBs on climate change, and to integrate issues of climate and disaster risk.

Emma Melana, Regional Technical Director of Ecosystems Research Development Services (ERDS) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7) discussed her topics on Understanding Climate Change, its Causes, Impacts, Integration and Adaptation.

Roberto “Bobby” Bajenting, Cebu Coalition for Food Security (CCFS) chairman, gave an input on Resilient Sustainable Development, while Rey Ramos also of CCFS facilitated the workshop on determining the level of awareness and adaptation to climate change.

Varinia “Erna” Fabillar, head of the Beneficiaries Development and Coordinating Division DAR Cebu, facilitated the action planning for integration to the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization’s Operational Plan on building resilience and ensuring sustainable development.

The post DAR holds climate change resiliency forum for farmers appeared first on Cebu Daily News.

Nabalaka nako sa epekto niining sunod-sunod nga mga patay nga pulis ang nalambigit sa krimen.

Tinuod dunay mga insidente nga pulis ang mapatay kay magdanghag sa trabaho, apan dili sab ikalimod nga dunay mga panahon nga ang uban kanila sobra na ka “overacting” bisan sa ilang mga personal nga mga lakaw ug pag-responde sa mga krimen nga moresulta sa “overkill”.

Usahay mahimo na’ng way bili ang nalatid sa konstitusyon ang kabahin sa civilian supremacy ug mawagtang na ang ilang maximum tolerance.

Niadto lang Miyerkules sa gabii, dihay pulis nga naka-uniporme nga nag-drive sa awto nga patrol car sa Cebu Provincial Police Office kay may tatak nga CPPO nga sakop ni S/Supt. Noel Gillamac ug may kuyog nga babaye nga nakasibilyan, nga medyo na-attract sa akong tinan-awan kaniya.

Nagsugat among tinan-awan diha sa main road kay bisag nagkapuliki kaming mga motorista pasaka, mi-insister gyud siya pa left-turn sa kalsada nga nataliwad-an sa Cambridge School ug Lahug Public Market.

Dihang natandog kaha’ng garbo kay milusot ko ug wa siya maka-agi, mi-U-Turn siya ug mi-aksiyon paggukod kanako. Mao nga akong gihunungan.

Unya ang kanahan nga pulis nangamay kanako ug paduolon ko niya. Dihang miduol ko kaniya sa driver side, wa siya mo-abli kay pabalhinon ko sa akong position sa passenger side.

Mao nga nibalhin ko ug dihang nangabli siya, nagpa-ila ko niya nga sakop ko sa media ngan nga medyo init og ulo.

Dihang nangutana siya kung unsay problema nako kay “tabis kuno ko og tinan-awan kaniya” mao nga gipalit sa akong misis ang estorya ug giprangkahan sa iyang pagka-abusado nga moliko ug mopadagan gyud bisag apiki nga hapit mi magsungag.

Mao nga ang babaye niyang sakay miingon nalang nga manglakaw nalang sila.

Ang ako ba, nganong hangtod karon naa pa may mga abusadong pulis ug mga hambugero bisag kapila na mag-agi’g seminar? Nag-gara-gara to siya sa iyang sakay?

Kinsa man to iyang kuyog? Asawa o uyab? Puwede diay na’ng pasakyan og sibilyan ang patrol car bisag personal nga mga lakaw ug dili emergency?

Kung wa pa ko magpa-ila nga media ug tan-aw niya nga masayon-sayon lang, dili kaha to mamusil ug mangatarungan siya nga kami maoy mi-abuso ug mirisgo sa ilang kinabuhi?

Ang ako lang niining atong mga otoridad, pagbaton intawon mo’g respeto bisan ngadto sa kinagamyang hut-ong sa katilingban kay wa pa mawagtang ang civilian supremacy sa atong batakang balaod.

Sayang lang ning mga programa sa PNP nga mopalig-on sa maayong relasyon ngadto sa katawhan nga anaa kini’ng mga hanggaw sa organisasyon.

* * *

Happy fiesta sa tanang Casaynon bisan kadtong wa maka-uli.

Sa karaang panahon ug maoy naandan namo’ng taga Casay, Dalaguete, ang matag ikatulong Domingo sa Nobyembre maoy among bisperas ug ang Lunes maoy kahulogan sa kapistahan ni Senyor San Vicente Ferrer.

Sa miaging tuig, nahimong kontrobersiya ang among kapistahan kay daghang nangreklamo kay giusab ang adlaw sa fiesta namo nga Sabado na maoy bisperas ug ang Domingo maoy kahulogan.

Nakasabot kaayo ko sa kausaban kay lagi ang Lunes mingaw na kay daghan na’ng manguli sa Siudad nianang Domingo sa hapon kay trabaho lagi ang Lunes ug gamay nalang kaayo ang makatambong sa santos nga misa sa Lunes sa buntag.

Sukad niadto nakahukom ang presidente sa kapilya nga si Ma’am Epifania “Panie” Commendador Caruz nga magbotasyon ang Casaynon alang sa tukmang adlaw sa kasaulogan.

Ang resulta sa botasyon, midaug gyud ang ikatulong Sabado sa Nobyembre nga mao nay bisperas ug ang Domingo maoy kahulogan.

Mao nga niadtong Sabado ug kagahapon maoy fiesta sa amo sa Casay proper. Sa akong tan-aw, nindot man sab aron makapahuway gyud og tarong ang tagbalay kay sa karaan nga Domingo ang bisperas.

Kagahapon, kaming tibuok pamilya among gitiwas ang kasaulogan pinaagi sa pagkaligo sa dagat didto sa Argao Beach Club. Ang among gihimo mao sab ang gihimo sa ubang pamilya.

Magpasalamat kaayo ko og dako nila Padre Zacky Zacarias, among parish priest, kay misanong sa among imbitasyon ug kang Dr. Jose Edgar Alonso.

Bilib sab ko ni Ma’am Panie kay bisag busy gyud kaayo kay gawas maoy nagdala sa kapilya ug maoy nag-welcome sa mga delegado sa lungsod sa Liloan nga anaa gibutang sa Casay Elementary ug High School alang sa nagpadayong provincial meet, nakalahos pa gyud tawon sa among bay.

Maglaom ko nga magpabilin si Ma’am Panie sa iyang katungdanan kay dunay insaktong direksiyon ang mga kalihukan sa amo sa Casay.

Magpasalamat lang sab ko ni agaw kapitan Joseph Belamia ug tibuok konseho sa Casay kay ang among naandan nga agi-anan sa prosesyon , napa-ablihan og balik dihang nabayran ang tag-iya sa yuta.

Maglaom ko nga sa sunod fiesta puhon, masemento na gyud ang among agi-anan sa prosesyon ug mapalapdan na ang kalsada.

The post ‘Abusado’ng pulis’ appeared first on Cebu Daily News.

After acquiring The Pavilion, the beautiful and functional official venue for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), the Archdiocese of Cebu can still lay claim to another position of ascendancy among all other countries that hosted the IEC over the last 130 years.

This was revealed by Monsignor Joseph Tan, spokesman of the Cebu Archdiocese and executive assistant of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) department of Social Communication, during last Saturday’s turnover rites of The Pavilion from Duros Development Corporation to the local archdiocese.

“Another first in the preparation is that the IEC in Cebu City will be the first to broadcast the event on its own via satellite,” Monsignor Tan told this corner.

This will happen through the facilities of Radio TV Malacanang RTVM which will “provide the back end and front end of the IEC coverage requirements” of the Catholic Congress, said Monsignor Tan.

RTVM has given its commitment to lend its satellite facilities, broadcast equipment like cameras, OB vans, including technicians, drivers and crew members for free during the entire week of the IEC.

The CBCP, the national host of the IEC through the local host that is the Cebu Archdiocese, need not negotiate with commercial television networks for coverage and airtime because RTVM, which is under the Office of the President, has committed to place its facilities at the disposal of this global Catholic event from Jan. 24 to 31, 2016.

All told, commercial broadcast networks will simply have to tap the clean feeds of RTVM if they need IEC updates, according to the spokesman of the Archdiocese. Or if commercial stations want a running coverage, they can tap the satellite parameters of RTVM.

Monsignor Tan said this development came about with the help of Monsignor Pedro “Pepe” Quitorio, CBCP Media Office director who acted as consultant for RTVM during the visit of Pope Francis in January this year. Together with EWTN Executive for Asia Edwin Lopez, they tapped friend-contacts in the Presidential Communications Operations Office which has authority over the state communications arm. The PCOO’s favorable response came only last month, Monsignor Tan said.

PCOO Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. will have a leaner TV backup during the entire IEC days, but then again, there’s the state radio facilities, the Philippine Broadcast System or PBS which provides audio documentation of the President’s official functions and activities.

Monsignor Tan acts as executive assistant of Bishop Mylo Vergara of the Diocese of Pasig who heads the Department of Social Communications of the CBCP. As the go-to guy for information and media requests, Monsignor Tan can likewise rightfully brag about a media center for the 51st IEC to be located in the 2nd floor of The Pavilion. The media center to be designed by Oak Ridge will have an independent air conditioning system.

I think the developments are all very positive because many people overseas and even in our country would like to visit Cebu and participate in the IEC. But many cannot afford the cost of travel and accommodation not to mention the registration fees.

Monsignor Tan said the broadcast feeds that the CBCP and the Cebu Archdiocese are working on will provide the connectivity to all corners of the world. Indeed, virtual participation for Catholic devotees worldwide is assured through live streaming in the webpage of several media partners.

Up until two months ago, Monsignor Tan was tending to the repair of the College Seminary, which his office thought would suffice for a media center. And then last month, the great news of the RTVM’s commitment as the IEC’s main broadcast carrier, plus many other services offered free by individuals and telecom institutions.

“Suddenly, we’re high tech,” a grinning Monsignor Tan told this corner.

Asked about the overall status of preparations for the global Catholic event, Monsignor Tan said the answer can be found in the state of The Pavilion.

“It has been accomplished, but some finishing touches have to be made to make it fully complete. That is how the preparations are going at this time.”

We are almost there, according to Monsignor Tan.

The post Another first for the 51st IEC appeared first on Cebu Daily News.

Some P200,000 worth of illegal drugs were confiscated from a suspected pusher on Saturday in barangay Jubay, Liloan, northern Cebu.

Liloan police arrested Laurence John Malazarte in a raid at about 3 p.m. based on a search warrant issued by Judge Teresita Galanida of RTC branch 56 in Mandaue City.

Confiscated inside the house were two large packs, 13 medium packs and one small pack of white crystalline powder believed to be shabu, several drug paraphernalia, a .357 revolver with ammunition, two bullets of caliber a .45 and P1,840 believed to be proceeds from the illegal drugs trade.

The post Pusher nabbed in Liloan appeared first on Cebu Daily News.

Police and members of Madridejos Bantay Dagat arrested 10 suspected illegal fishers Saturday night.
Two boats were caught fishing in the waters off Madridejos.

Arrested were the two boat captains, Balbeno Manzanares and Rogelio Carabio, both of barangay Hilantagaan, Sta. Fe and their crew members identified as Jason Anciano, 33, and brother Daniel, 22; Carlito Bontilao, 30; Renel Escaran, 30; Jose Tucson, 48 and brother Jerry, 27; Marcelo Ofqueria, 65 and Ben Ilustrisimo, 46.

They have yet to settle the penalty for the violation they committed before they will be released.

The post Illegal fishers collared appeared first on Cebu Daily News.

At least 7,000 people yesterday trooped to the Eucharistic Pavilion, Cebu’s newest landmark which was opened to the public for the first time.

Archbishop Jose Palma led the Eucharistic celebration inside the three-story structure built for the forthcoming 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), which is seen to draw about 15,000 delegates from across the globe on Jan. 24 to 31, 2016.

Archbishop Jose Palma carries the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance as part of the Mass to celebrate Christ the King and consecrate the IEC Pavilion, a newly built structure that can accomodate 15,000 people. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)

The Pavilion, located behind the archdiocesan seminary along Pope John Paul II Ave. in barangay Mabolo, was also consecrated as the Catholic Church celebrated yesterday the feast of Christ the King.

“We are ready for the International Eucharistic Congress. (And) we consecrate this Pavilion to Christ the King,” said Palma in his homily, drawing applause from the huge crowd.

A portion of Pope John Paul II Avenue, from the corner of F. Cabahug to the corner of Archbishop Reyes Ave., was closed to private vehicles yesterday afternoon as part of the traffic rerouting dry run for the 2016 IEC.

The same stretch will be closed to private cars today from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. for another traffic dry run. Passenger jeepneys and taxicabs, however, can take their usual routes.

Archbishop Palma said some activities, including a concert to be participated by 400 priests in the archdiocese, are scheduled inside the Pavilion to test the facility before the start of the IEC.

Msgr. Joseph Tan, media liaison officer of the Cebu Archdiocese, said a total of 7,344 individuals joined the Eucharistic celebration at the Pavilion yesterday.

The figure, he said, was based on the number of new chairs that were brought in and occupied by people during the event.

Present during the Mass were Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Cebu Auxiliary Bishops Dennis Villarojo and Oscar Florencio, and Bishops Antonio Rañola, Christian Noel, and Ireneo Amantillo, as well as about 60 priests.

Also in attendance were Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Rep. Raul del Mar of Cebu City’s north district, and former congressman Eduardo Gullas.

In his homily, Archbishop Palma emphasized the need for every person to let Christ reign in one’s life and in the entire country, “from Aparri to Jolo.”

“Many people think they don’t need God anymore because they are rich, powerful, and popular. But again, we say ‘Christ is the center of our life.’ He is the king of our hearts,” the prelate said.

The Feast of Christ the King was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 in response to the growing secularism and materialism. The feast marks the end of the liturgical year of the Church.

The next Sunday is the start of the Advent season leading to Christmas, and the beginning of the Year of the Eucharist in the Philippines.

Unlike other kings and rulers in the world, Jesus didn’t live a majestic and imperial life, Palma said.

“As portrayed in the scriptures, it’s as if Jesus is not king at all. He was even condemned to death and was killed. But we know that His kingdom is not of this world,” he said.

“His kingdom is a kingdom of truth and life, of holiness and grace; a kingdom of justice, love and peace,” the archbishop added.

After communion, Palma led the procession of the Blessed Sacrament inside the Pavilion as the congregation knelt while singing hymns of praise to the Lord.

The Eucharistic Pavilion was turned over by Duros Development Corp. (DDC) to the Archdiocese of Cebu last Saturday. Duros built the P550-million building at no cost to the Church.

In exchange, the Archdiocese of Cebu will give the construction company usufruct rights over part of the seminary property.

The Pavilion features a huge plenary hall, a chapel, theater, and six function rooms. It will be the main venue of the 51st IEC, which normally takes place every four years to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Church, deepen one’s understanding of the liturgy, and draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.

The last time the IEC was held in the country was in 1937 in Manila.

The post ‘We are ready for IEC’ appeared first on Cebu Daily News.

MANY private vehicle drivers were caught by surprise when the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) closed a portion of Pope John Paul II Ave. yesterday for the traffic dry run for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress.
Rafael Yap, CCTO head, said they will have to step up their information campaign.

The same road, from the corner of F. Cabahug St. to the corner of Archbishop Reyes Ave., will again be closed to private vehicles from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. today. It will also be closed for the event on January 24 to 31 next year.

“We need to work on information dissemination because the main cause of slow down is at the intersection when drivers will attempt to cross despite the private-cars-no-entry signage and our news releases,” Yap said.

Traffic was manageable despite the closure of the road, although it was heavy along Cardinal Rosales Ave., F. Cabahug St. and Pope John Paul II Ave. at between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. yesterday. The real test, however, will be today, the first day of the school and work week.

Yesterday’s traffic dry run was implemented from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Only taxis and public utility jeepneys (PUJs) were allowed to enter the area near the IEC Pavilion, although about 100 car passes were issue to affected residents in the area.

“We will review the feedback on that as well,” Yap said.

CCTO operations chief Joy Tumulak said even with the traffic buildup in some roads yesterday, traffic remained manageable.

“There are times when the junctions get full. But it doesn’t last long. It will be gone right away, especially after the traffic light says so,” Tumulak said.

Traffic buildup was observed in the junctions of Cardinal Rosales Ave. corner Pope John Paul II Ave., Cardinal Rosales Ave. corner Mindanao Ave., Mindanao Ave. corner Archbishop Reyes Ave., and Archbishop Ave. corner Pope John Paul II Ave.

CCTO earlier specified some diversion routes for private vehicles to take during the dry run. Among these are MJ Cuenco Ave., Mindanao Ave. at the Cebu Business Park, AS Fortuna Ave., and Salinas Drive going to IT Park.

The post Traffic manageable during IEC dry run appeared first on Cebu Daily News.

Cebu City Councilor Margot Osmena talks with Edwin V. Ortiz (left) of EVO Ventures, Inc. Group of Companies and Ma. Emma A. Ramas of Bio Nutrient Waste Management, Inc, after the council session that tackled the city’s garbage problem. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

TWO private haulers have challenged each other’s capabilities in an effort to snag the P47-million contract for the disposal of Cebu City’s garbage.

Aljory Waste Management Solutions and JJ & J Construction and General Supplies submitted a motion for reconsideration at the city’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for goods and services after they were disqualified for having no waste transfer station and no final disposal facility.

In their October 17 motion, a copy of which was obtained by Cebu Daily News, the firms’ representative Manuel Eufracio Zosa III, said BAC’s disqualification has no factual and legal basis.

“I would like to assure the BAC that in the event that the project will be awarded to my clients, they will be able to perform the contract just as they had always done in the past,” Zosa said in his letter to BAC chairperson Dr. Ester Concha.

Prior to the pending P47-million contract, Aljory and JJ&J had contracts with City Hall for hauling of the city’s garbage.

They served the south district barangays which faced a garbage problem when the city decided to close the Inayawan Landfill last January.

At that time, Aljory’s had an operations manager named Ryan Go.

A source who requested anonymity said Go decided to leave Aljory and put up his own firm to challenge Aljory in the bidding for the garbage disposal.

“I can pierce that there is an attempt by the BAC to post-disqualify my client and award the contract to Mr. Ryan Go and his fly-by-night corporation Alry Waste Management Solutions, an entity which was created a few days before the bidding of this project,” Zosa said in their motion for reconsideration.

“If the BAC will conduct inspection of Mr. Go’s company, it will find that it has NO office, business registration, employees and no single equipment to support the business of hauling of garbage,” he added.

The source said Go, being Aljory’s previous operations manager, tried to discredit their firm by discreetly terminating Aljory’s contract with RMI Inc., owner of the Waste Transfer Station in Inayawan.

Garbage trucks from the south district barangays dump their garbage at the waste transfer station before they are transported to the private landfill facility in Consolacion town.

Go also terminated Aljory’s previous contract with Asian Energy Systems Corp., owner of the private landfill in Consolacion where the city dumps its wastes. After terminating their contracts, Go, now with Alry, entered into new contracts with both RMI Inc. and Asian Energy Systems Corp.

Before BAC issued the “undated” notice of post-disqualification for Aljory which they received last October 16, Go wrote a letter to the BAC informing them that Aljory’s contracts with the transfer station and the landfill were terminated.

Although Aljory and JJ & J submitted their motion for reconsideration last October 17, the BAC has yet to decide on it.

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For graduation, students produced and acted in their own 4-minute music video.

The output was a fulfilling end for ten members of The Film Club of Southville International School and Colleges Manila who finished the intensive 9-day filmmaking workshop of the Film & Media Arts International Academy (FMA) in Cebu City from October 26 to November 3.

“It was a very hectic schedule. From lectures to hands-on training, we dove straight into a 3-day shoot,” said club president Jian Romano who directed the music video.

“The kids amazed me with their quick-wittedness and talent,” said Vanessa Tee, FMA’s editing instructor. “I’m very proud of their work.”

The International Baccalaureate students from Manila focused on the daunting task of producing a full music video of Childish Gambino’s “Sober.”

“I expected FMA to be very professional and to learn a lot from teachers who are Hollywood filmmakers. They exceeded my expectations,” said Romano.

Film Club members learned the basics in storyboarding, screenwriting, cinematography, directing, producing, production design, and editing.

“The students are quite brilliant,” said Timm Doolen, Academic Director of FMA.

“They are far more mature than what you would expect of their age.”

They got their hands on top industry-grade filmmaking equipment that includes Black Magic cameras. They also got to use an Apple editing laboratory, design studio and shooting studios.

“The filmmaking equipment is just amazing. I don’t mind being punished inside this cage,” said Bella Fragman in jest.

“But seriously, this program made me decide that I want to be a world class filmmaker. I am so spending my gap year here.”

Angela Chua, who studies multi-media at College of St. Benilde in Manila, looks forward to more training.

“This is right down my alley. Even my Dad agrees. What really surprised me was the quality of the filmmaking equipment. I can’t wait to enroll in the 1-year Diploma in Filmmaking,” she said.

Bill Ivarsoy and Bella Fragman played the main characters in the music video, with Diana Chua from the College of St. Benilde and her brother Joshua, Kimberly Dias, and Gab Claudio in supporting roles. Working behind the camera were Mu Aldossary, Alexa Leonardo, and Maija Lahtinen.

Romano, Film Club president, was in full control and brought out the best in everyone.

The mission of FMA is to make filmmaking education affordable and accessible.

Anyone can sign up for a 1-year Diploma in Filmmaking or 15-month Diploma in 3D Animation and interact with like-minded artists in a multi-cultural environment under the mentorship of Hollywood filmmaking veterans.

FMA is based in Cebu City, Philippines. Find them at www.filmmediaarts.com

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Some of the trees at the center island of Pope John Paul II Avenue are marked “X” in the trunk. Will they have to go? (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Mayor revives call to remove trees in center island requirements yet

Traffic remained manageable during the second day of a traffic dry run for January’s 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) yesterday, Cebu City officials said.

“We experienced heavy traffic on the roads around the Pavilion but it will just be gone when the traffic light turns go,” said Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) operations chief Joy Tumulak.

From 6:30 a.m. to to 9:30 a.m., Pope John Paul II Avenue in front of seminaries in Mabolo was closed to private vehicles.

Only public transport— jeepneys and taxis — were allowed to enter.

The scheme aims to test traffic flow when 15,000 delegates of the IEC will be brought by bus or public transportation to the new Pavilion for the religious conference from January 21 to 26.

It was a reverse of the traffic rerouting for September’s Asia-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) meetings where only private vehicles were allowed to use the avenue .

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is following up his controversial request for a permit to remove some trees in the center island and have them earthballed prior to replanting them elsewhere to improve traffic flow.

“I don’t know what’s happening with them. The request has already been submitted. They should take the initiative,” he said.

Several trees have been marked “x” on the trunks, which worries pro-environment groups which said the loss of trees that occupy less than one lane would not improve traffic, but would be a permanent loss of shade and greenery in one of the few remaining tree-lined roads of Cebu City.

DENR regional spokesman Eddie Llamedo said the office is still waiting for compliance of three requirements — a barangay certification interposing no objection to the plan, a public hearing and an endorsement from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Rama is eyeing the strip from the intersection of the Ayala access road to the TESDA flyover.

In yesterday’s traffic dry run, traffic congestion was observed on both ends of the road along the intersection of Pope John Paul II and the Ayala access road (corner Cardinal Rosales Ave.), Cardinal Rosales corner Mindanao Ave., Mindanao corner Archbishop Reyes Ave., and Archbishop Reyes corner Pope John Paul II.

Tumulak said CCTO needs to designate taxi and jeepney drop off points.

The Cebu Archdiocese and CCTO earlier issued vehicle passes to 200 private vehicles to enter the closed portion.

Those issued passes were mostly residents along the road.

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Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he wants sitio Kakahuyan in barangay Mambaling included in the reblocking of sitios of Puntod and Abya which were hit by a big fire last week.

Sitio Kakahuyan was spared from the fire but belongs to the same block, he explained.

The city will have barangay Lorega as its model because the number of fire victims is almost the same.

Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) Chief Collin Rosell said the city will restore the 30-meter road span so that there is easy access in the interior of the community.

This is needed for fire fighters and other emergencies where responders struggle with the present narrow roads.

There were 53 houses destroyed in the fire.

Rosell said he was confident that all the victims can still be accommodated in the same area after the reblocking.

“We are still trying to figure out how many square meters will be allocated for each house, but we are very confident that we can fit them in the 4,000-square-meter lot,” Rosell said.

He said DWUP will hold a meeting with displaced families to seek their suggestions for the reblocking.

The area is a no-construction zone for now.

Most of the fire victims are housed in 10 rooms in the Mambaling Elementary School.

Portable showers are stationed in the evacuation center while the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) has provided free potable water supply.

“We assure them of a better setup after we are done with all the planning. We will fast track our operation so that we will no longer compromise classes in Mambaling” said Rosell.

Fire investigators have established that electrical misuse and not a butane canister explosion caused the fire.

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A Lapu-Lapu City task force closed another Internet shop yesterday for operating without a permit and allowing students inside during class hours, a violation of a city ordinance.

The task force found two pupils of Bankal Elementary School inside the Internet shop of Vincent Tanaleon in barangay Bankal during class hours.

Photos of the Grade 3 and 5 pupils were taken as evidence.

Last week, the task force also closed an Internet café in barangay Talima in Olango Island owned by Irenea Paquibot.

A group of students was surfing the Internet during class hours.

Both shops were operating without business permits.

City Ordinance No. 363-2006 which regulates the operation and construction of Internet cafes, videoke houses, billiard halls and similar establishments within Lapu-Lapu City prohibits students from entering them from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The task force coordinates with the police station in the barangay.

Antonio Otrera, a task force member, said they received information that other Internet cafes are operating without permits and allow students to use their computers during class hours.

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Fire investigators ruled out that the recent fire in barangay Mambaling was caused by a butane canister explosion.

SFO4 Roylin Maratas, fire investigator, said that Nelson Padica executed an affidavit that the fire started with a ceiling fan in their room.

The fire started in the house of Lynda Campaner.

Padica is the live-in partner of Campaner’s daughter, Rosalie.

Padica told investigator that while he was with his child at the terrace, a neighbor called his attention because smoke was coming out of their room.

When he checked, he saw their ceiling fan already on fire.

Padica said the family doesn’t use a butane stove in the kitchen.

Nobody was also cooking when the fire broke out in midmorning.

At least 150 families in sitios Puntod and Abya were left homeless by the blaze.

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One died while 12 others, including three kids, were injured when a Toyota Revo hit a motorcycle and fell into the sea. The vehicle was crossing the Tapon-Tangil bridge in Dumanjug town, south Cebu at around 6 p.m. Sunday.

The motorcycle driver, Amancio Tampus Jr., 23 was pronounced dead at the Dumanjug Provincial Hospital.

The Revo was coming from Ronda town and headed to Cebu City.

The motorbike was traveling in the opposite lane when the collision happened.

All passengers of the Revo including the driver, Rodulfo Cabante, 60, were rescued from the sea by residents in the area who brought them to the hospital.

Among those injured was PO2 Gretel Cabante, a member of the Cebu City Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) team.

Another motorcycle driver, 25-year-old John Michael Tejas, who was tailing Tampus, was also hit and injured.

The post One dead, 12 hurt in mishap appeared first on Cebu Daily News.

A 16-year-old boy linked to theft cases was found dead at 1 a.m. yesterday in barangay Tunghaan, Minglanilla town.

SPO3 Oliver Dacua of Minglanilla police station said they received a call from a resident of sitio Estaca who heard a series of gun bursts.

Police found the body of the boy identified as Leonides Briones.

He had a gunshot wound in the back of his head.

Chief Insp. Franco Rudolf Oriol said police found out that Briones belonged to a theft group and had wanted to leave, but his group mates killed him instead.

In Carcar City, a 19-year-old dance troupe member was gunned down by a lone assailant at around 10 p.m. Sunday evening in barangay Poblacion, a few meters from the police station.

PO1 Reggie Emad said Pantalion Indig was shot in the face while walking in front of the church.

Carcar was celebrating its annual fiesta last Sunday. The assailant, who covered his face with a piece of cloth, walked way after the crime.

The post 2 dead in shooting incidents appeared first on Cebu Daily News.

Furniture and accessories made in Mandaue City are among the products displayed during the Expo Mandaue held during the APEC leaders meeting in Manila.

The Mandaue city government would like to require industrial and manufacturing companies in Mandaue City to attach the label “Made in Mandaue, Philippines” in their finished products.

The proposal is part of a draft ordinance that was passed on first reading by the City Council last week.

The success of the Expo Mandaue 2015, which showcased products made in Mandaue in Manila upon invitation of APEC organizers prompted City Councilor Diosdado Suico to sponsor the ordinance.

“Expo Mandaue has magnificently brought to the knowledge of other countries what handmade treasures Mandaue is humbly recognized and appreciated for,” Suico said.

He said attaching the mark to finished products for sale in domestic and foreign market outlets is a way to safeguard the products from being imitated and also to protect the rights and interest of the buyers.

The mark, he said, will assure them that they are buying high-quality products.

The proposed ordinance carries a fine of P500 for every product released without the required mark.

As proposed, the Mandaue City Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be given the authority to monitor compliance of member companies or establishments.

Sought for comment, businessman Clayton Tugonon, MCCCI director, welcomed the suggestion.

“(We will) have no problem (with that ordinance) as long as  there is a body that checks on the quality of every product line,” he said in a text message to Cebu Daily News.

He said that the proposed ordinance should also include strict controls in giving the mark to prevent imitations.

“There must also be a strict control on who is giving the mark to avoid abuse. People from other places might use it,” he said.

The post Why not label products ‘Made in Mandaue’? appeared first on Cebu Daily News.

The Cebu provincial government owes its status as the country’s wealthiest provincial government mostly to its real property assets worth P22 billion.

Provincial Accountant Marieto Ypil said this comprised majority of the Capitol’s P28.18 billion equity last year.

“The bulk of the province’s assets which increased to more than P20 billion was caused by the re-appraisal of our land holdings and other real properties,” he told reporters yesterday. Equity is assets minus liabilities, he said.

Most of the province’s more than 1,000 parcels of land are located in Metro Cebu. Their value rose due to prevailing market prices. He said real property doesn’t depreciate.

Ypil said commercial land value goes up but it will depend on the re-appraisal which is done periodically by the Provincial General Services Office.

The 2014 Commission on Audit’s (COA) Annual Financial Report showed Cebu topping the list of 80 provinces in assets and equity.

Former governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who said the Davide administration merely “inherited” assets from her term, earlier claimed that she increased the province’s assets from P5 billion at the start of her term to more than P20 billion by the time she left in 2012.

“Principally, that is because of the re-appraisal of land. That’s what contributed to the increase in assets,” Ypil said.

He said the assets accumulated through the years.

He said one governor cannot take credit for this accumulated “wealth.”

Ypil said the value of Cebu province’s real property will increase regardless of whose administration it is.

“It’s accumulated from the past years. Our equity increases just as our assets do,” he said.

He said prices of province-owned properties shot up after the Capitol auctioned off the 50-hectare Club Filipino golf course during the term of Gov. Emilio Osmena in 1989. The land purchased by Ayala was developed in the Cebu Business Park.

The old Lahug airport, once owned by the province, was also transfomred into the I.T. Park.

“The prices further shot up when more investors took interest in the province,” Ypil said.

But to Garcia’s credit, Ypil said the former governor did build the P800-million Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) and finalized the recovery of 80 hectares of prime land in Camp Lapu-Lapu from the Armed Forces Central Command in barangay Apas.

Real property are assets that are not immediately converted to cash.

In earlier reports that said the Capitol was “bankrupt” in December 2012, when former governor Garcia was suspended for misconduct, the provincial government still had its mtuli-million-peso assets but only had P90.4 million in its general fund available for day to day operations.

Ypil confirmed that the province was suddenly faced with payables and money claims of over P600 million from contractors, suppliers, and outsourced employees which left the Capitol on emergency mode with its tight “cash flow”.

“Although our liabilities were big at that time, our assets were not affected. Principally, the real property assessment and market value was also huge,” said Ypil.

He said the provincial government was having a difficulty with its “cash position” at that time.

Ypil said increased liabilities resulted from dues to contractors, suppliers, and government agencies, among others.

Ypil said it’s possible that increased liabilities will result to a decline in the Capitol’s equity, but that it will be negligible.

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