41 PWDs hurdle challenges, graduate courses via AVRC II

CEBU CITY – Forty-one persons with disabilities (PWDs) hurdled challenges and graduated from the different courses offered at the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC) II and were recognized during the 46th Commencement Exercises on September 28, held at the AVRC II covered court, Labangon, Cebu City with the theme "Embracing Changes and Sustaining the Legacy of Empowering Persons with Disabilities.”

The graduation coincided with AVRC’s 49th Founding Anniversary where the interim officers of the AVRC II Alumni Association had its oath-taking ceremony and pledged commitment to serve their fellow persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The graduates completed diverse courses that include Massage Therapy, Commercial Cooking, Computer Systems Servicing, Dressmaking, Basic Cosmetology, Domestic Work, and Electronics Products Assembly and Servicing.

These dedicated individuals who took their oath, including Venerando A. Ingking (President), Leo Abuda (Vice-President), Joseph Jumantoc (Secretary), Hilario Barriga Jr. (Treasurer), Leonara Dela Calzada (Auditor), Phobe Añora, and Ryan Joseph Orillaneda (PRO), pledged their unwavering commitment to assisting and serving their fellow persons with disabilities (PWD).

Over the years, AVRC II has consistently delivered high-quality services and played a pivotal role in educating and training capable graduates across a broad spectrum of service areas, reaffirming its enduring dedication to serving individuals with special needs.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero, in her message, encouraged the graduates not to solely focus on accumulating wealth but to find inner peace and strive for sustainable income.

Lucero emphasized the importance of giving back to the community particularly with AVRC II. She stressed that AVRC aims to maintain a center of excellence where its graduates are ready to become exemplary members of society. (Photos: DSWD7/AVRCII)

 

 

Reigning Ms. Face of Cebu is Stacia hotel’s Brand Ambassadress

CEBU CITY – The reigning Ms. Face of Cebu and Miss Dumanjug Jamie Angelique Armada is now the “Brand Ambassadress” of Stacia Hotel and gushes at the strengths of the hotel which she describes as having that unique and professional management as well as its excellent service.

Stacia Hotel is located at Gov. M. Cuenco Ave., Banilad, Cebu City and it is also near shopping malls, popular hangouts, and tourist sites.

“There are three points that make Stacia Hotel very unique and different from other hotels. First, it’s a staycation hotel like no other, and second, will be the quality management and professionalism of our staff here,” Jamie points out.

She notes how Stacia Hotel brings everyone together to experience the amazing ambiance and feeling of being in Santorini, Greece.  The hotel’s owners decided to build this Stacia because it was a dream and they want to share their experiences from their travels around the world with hotel guests.

Aside from these qualities, Jamie adds that Stacia’s Estiatorio Café and Resto Bar has diverse cuisines. Estiatorio, is the Greek word for restaurant and it offers mouth-watering Greek-inspired cuisine such as the Stifado, Moussaka, Saffron Seafood Risotto for the main course.

Guests can also enjoy Horiatiki and Waldorf salads as well as Tomato & Basil Bruschetta. Greek Dips and Spinach Fondue for entrees. Filipino favorites such as Crispy Pata are also served at the hotel’s restaurant, Jamie bares.

==================================================

Meet the Stacia Hotel’s Brand Ambassadress

Jamie, is taking up civil engineering at the University of San Carlos and she dreamt of joining beauty pageants as a child.   She started modeling but then decided to join the pageant world to give her the opportunity to promote and create awareness of her two advocacies – the promotion of Eco-bricks as a sustainable construction material and sex education for the prevention of teenage pregnancy.

In her very first beauty pageant, she won the Ms. Face of Cebu.  When she joined Ms. Philippines Earth this year, she was the Top 15.  She is also the reigning Ms. Philippines Institute of Civil Engineering (PICE).

Jamie, is also a talented dancer and has other achievements. She was DENR Environmental Resource Speaker in 2019, Youth Empowerment Success System (Livesmart) coach and camp chief, and a Singapore Youth Environmental Summit 3-time Gold Medalist.

She is also the ambassadress for Mister’s Seafood and Grill, MCS Group of Companies, Innocentrix Philippines, and MSordilla Builders.  Jamie has been urged to join the Ms. Cebu, and she’s open to join the prestigious pageant, but she says that she still wants to concentrate on her studies before joining Ms. Cebu.

As the reigning Ms. Dumanjug, she is set to turn over her crown during the Ms. Dumanjug pageant finals on October 4 this year. (Photos: Stacia Hotel)

 

Silliman’s 61st Cultural season opens with strings concert

DUMAGUETE CITY—The Silliman University Cultural Affairs Council (SUCAC) opened the university’s cultural season with “Strings Delight,” a concert featuring international cellist Mikko Pablo on September 16, at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium.

Pablo was assisted by guitarist Gonzalo Misa and pianist April Merced-Misa. Other assisting artists were home-grown talents Silliman University String Ensemble and Don Bosco String Ensemble.

Aside from the concert, Pablo gave a masterclass to the SU Strings Ensemble from September 14-16.

Pablo hails from Cebu and started playing cello when he was 16 years old. After two years, he studied with Bongshin Ko and Daniel Rothmuller of the Los Angeles Philharmonic on a full scholarship.

He finished his studies in 2020 under the mentorship of Justus Grimm at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp in Belgium. Since then, he has collaborated with international musicians and played in various ensembles.

CAC will feature three more major events at the Luce Auditorium for the first semester. On October 27 and 28, a musical play, “Ang Mikado” will be staged. 

On November 25, Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers will have a concert. Closing the first half of the cultural season is the Loboc Children’s Choir who will have a Christmas concert and outreach concerts for the Silliman University School of Basic Education.

For ticket inquiries, visit SUCAC’s website at www.sillimancac.com. 

13 grand finalists for MCCI Talent Fest

MANDAUE CITY— The Talent Fest Grand Finals of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) is on September 29 at 5:00 PM at Mandaue Sports Complex.

Get ready to witness this unforgettable night of talent, creativity, and sheer entertainment as the Top 13 Grand Finalists gear up to give their absolute best on the grandest stage of all.

Bring your friends, family, and fellow art enthusiasts for an evening that promises to be nothing short of spectacular. 

Mark your calendars and spread the word. Let's fill the Mandaue Sports Complex with cheers, applause, and the joy of art! 

VP Sara, AFP launch 1st mobile e-learning hub in Cebu with PLDT/Smart SIAB

CEBU CITY -- Vice Vice President of the Philippines and DepEd Secretary Sara Z. Duterte and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with PLDT Inc., and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) joined hands in launching the AFP’s first ever Mobile E-Learning Hub and PLDT/Smart's School-in-a-Bag (SIAB) project in Cebu to bring quality education in hard-to-reach communities in the Visayas.

“I thank everyone who has contributed in our noble efforts and has always believed in the power of education and technology. May we continue to embark on this journey empowered by the knowledge that through innovation and collaboration we can further uplift our beloved nation and pave the way for a brighter future,” Vice President of the Philippines and DepEd Secretary Sara Z. Duterte said during the ceremonial launching of AFP’s E-Learning Hub on August 29, this year.

The AFP’s Mobile E-Learning Hub aims to promote Information and Communications Technology-related skills training, online education, government services, as well as employment opportunities and upskilling programs to empower more people, especially in marginalized communities.

PLDT and Smart’s SIAB on the other hand works as a portable digital classroom designed to facilitate basic education, especially in off-grid areas. Each package contains a laptop, tablets preloaded with Smart’s #LearnSmart applications that make use of the learners’ mother tongue, and other learning contents including USAID’s All Children’s Reading E-resource.

The kit also includes a Smart LTE pocket WiFi kit which teachers can use to go online and download other relevant educational materials.

“We are on a mission to bridge the educational gap and empower underserved communities through the SIAB and the AFP’s Mobile E-Learning Hub. Inspired by our shared mission of making sure that no learner is left behind, we help shape futures and build a stronger nation—one bag, one community at a time,” PLDT and Smart AVP and head of Stakeholder Management, Stephanie Orlino said.

PLDT/Smart launched the School-in-a-Bag (SIAB) project in 2016 and since then, Smart deployed over 500 SIAB packages across the country and to date, the program has more than 100,000 learners and more than 4,000 teachers trained.

The School-in-a-Bag highlights PLDT and Smart’s steadfast contribution to inclusive quality education through Information and Communication Technology, content, pedagogy, and capacity building to ensure that there is #NoLearnerLeftBehind. (Photos: PLDT/Smart-FB)

 

 

Silliman hosts students from Japan, USA for service-learning program

DUMAGUETE CITY -- Silliman University (SU) through its Office of Community Engagement and Service-Learning, hosted students from International Christian University (ICU), Tokyo, Japan and from George Mason University (GMU), Virginia, USA for the SU Service-Learning Program in June and August, respectively.

Each university sent 16 students to SU’s program.  Students from ICU rendered their service to long-time partner agencies and communities of the University, such as the City Social Welfare and Development Office’s La Casa Esperanza and Dumaguete City Youth Home; Little Children of the Philippines Foundation Inc.; Gawad Kalinga Jamalipayon Village in Jawa, Valencia; and Barangay Boloc-Boloc, Dauin.

SU students Blaire Bethel Borromeo, Heini Borromeo, Mel Franz Contreras, John Louie Delmo, Abigail Faith Maraat, Umirica Partosa, Urseevi Tubio Jr., and Mercidita Yanquin accompanied the ICU students as their “student buddies.”

Meanwhile, GMU students participated in service-learning activities with the Little Children of the Philippines Foundation, Inc.; Dumaguete City Youth Home; Gawad Kalinga Jamalipayon Village, Jawa, Valencia; and Barangay Boloc-Boloc, Dauin.

The GMU students were accompanied by Dr. Al B. Fuertes, GMU’s Global Education Program Director and 2019 Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee; Helen Gaspar; and SU student buddies John Louie Delmo, Karla Encarguez, Rowena Lasuta, Abigail Maraat, Atty. Ceres Mangibin, Rawan Minalang, Ivy Pantinople, and Nikko Jay Venturillo.

Service-learning is a teaching pedagogy that facilitates community immersion, cultural understanding, and a broadening of one’s perspective on local issues. Participants are able to stay with host families, participate in a community’s day-to-day activities, and assist in livelihood projects.

Silliman’s  partnership with ICU and GMU for its service-learning program began in 2008. (Photos: SU-OIP)

CONPC turns 1

CEBU CITY -- The Cebu Online News Press Corps (CONPC) is an organization composed of content creators, journalists, bloggers and media influencers that aims to promote responsible use of both social media and traditional media through the sharing of  accurate information. CONPC turns one today, September 17.

Happy 1st Founding Anniversary to all the members of Cebu Online News Press Corps (CONPC). It's a time to celebrate the humble beginnings and the advancement of the organization. Today's event is a celebration of success, collaboration, and purpose.

CONPC's vision is to achieve professionalism and enhancement of skills among social media/online content creators and influencers.

Its mission is to initiate activities that would help enhance skills of members; facilitate with individuals and/or other organizations who provide training on various aspects of writing, gathering information and taking of photos and videos and encourage members to provide through social media, websites and the like only factual and verified information.

CONPC is committed to promote the beauty of Cebu and sharing inspiring stories that create happy memories and supportive friendships. Let's use the access to valuable information and events to share the best practices and opportunities to network, learn, and strive to be the source of positive news and progress.

Congratulations to everyone who believe in the power of the pen and storytelling.

ReplyForward

Redundant revalidation of CLOAs to delay distribution of land to farmers

CEBU CITY -- Senator Imee Marcos took a firm position against a "redundant revalidation" of the identities and certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) of farmers before they could receive land titles as promised under Republic Act 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.

Marcos, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development, voiced her position ahead of the President's signing of the new law's implementing rules and regulations (IRR) on Tuesday.

"We would like to emphasize the spirit of the law to facilitate the awarding of lands to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). There should be no unnecessary revalidation for farmers to avail of the emancipation program," she said.

The senator called the IRR's completion a fitting tribute to "my father and the father of land reform," former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., in time for his 106th birth anniversary on September 11.

She added that the IRR would be meaningless to farmers if this posed a new hurdle to their dream of owning land.  "Let's not extend what is already the longest-running land reform program in history," she said, citing its inception in October 1972 through Presidential Decree 27.

Besides freeing farmers from unpaid debt, Marcos said the prompt handover of land titles due them under R.A. 11953 will improve their access to financing that can increase their crop production and spur the country's agricultural growth.

The government has yet to fulfill the new law's promise of land ownership for most farmers, with only 68,427 having received their land titles, or 11.2% of the 610,054 identified ARBs.

The Department of Agrarian Reform also reported that land titles already awarded to farmers cover some 85,853 hectares, or only 7.3% of the 1,173,102 hectares the government has allotted for distribution.

Marcos pointed out that the uncertainty in land ownership among ARBs and the the lack of investment backed by collateral assets such as land have dragged on the country's agricultural growth.

"Forced to borrow from informal lending channels that charged usurious interest rates, our farmers became poorer and less capable of uplifting the state of our agriculture," she said.

Marcos expressed optimism that the land titles anticipated by farmers would keep them from giving up on their livelihood and encourage the next generation to take it up. (Photos: DAR/Google Images/RTVM)

 

 

 

Over 400 basic sector leaders gather in Cebu for NAPC’s Visayas regional assembly

CEBU CITY— More than 400 community leaders from various basic sectors in regions 6, 7 & 8 are here at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel for the Regional Sectoral Assembly (RSA)on September 12-13 hosted by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).

“The goal of the Marcos administration is bring down poverty incidence from 18.1 in 2021 to 8.8-9 percent by 2028,” said Sec. Lope Santos, Lead Convenor-NAPC Priority Thrusts & Updates

In his presentation, Santos said that Farmers and fisher-folks are considered the most poor in the country based on the 2021 PH Poverty Incidence report.

According to him, this translates to almost 20 million Filipinos or 3.5 million families living below the poverty threshold of about PhP12,030 per month for a family of five, whose income cannot sufficiently meet the basic food and non-food needs,  based on the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES).

Ruperto Aleroza, chair for Basic Sectors presented NAPC’s overview and its role in the poverty alleviation program of the government.  Aleroza said that NAPC institutionalizes the role of the 14 basic sectors in the four multi-dimensional approaches to poverty or Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation or RA-8425.

Aleroza added that NAPC is present in all the regions nationwide through the government offices and the basic sector council members who are organization leaders elected in a process of the National Sectoral Assembly.

According to the law, the basic sectors and LGUs are tasked to formulate, implement, monitor and review the National Poverty Regional Plan (NPRP). They are also regularly consulted in the implementation and monitoring of poverty alleviation programs and projects under the NPRP through the NAPC Local Sectoral Mechanism or Local Basic Sectors Coordinating Council (LBSCC).

The RSA aims to serve as the regional platform of the basic sectors to democratize decision-making processes in governance; discuss priority sectoral agenda, accomplishments, issues and concerns.

The regional assembly is expected to map out the next set of representatives or potential delegates of the NAPC Basic Sectors to different mechanisms such as the National Basic Sectoral Councils (BSC) and the LBSCC. (Photos: MBCNewman)

ReplyForward