Hunat Sugbu is set for its 11th run on June 23, register online now!

CEBU CITY – Hunat Subu, one of Cebu’s most anticipated fun runs is set for its 11^th year on June 23, 2024 with the 5K, 12K and 21K categories with Robinsons Galleria as partner for the run’s starting and finish line venue.

“Hunat Sugbu-Dagan Para ni Maning" is close to our hearts because the core organizers of the event are all passionate runners. We hope to attract a maximum of 3,000 runners and this early, there are already nearly 2,000 registrants,” Parklane Hotels and Resorts COO, Cenelyn Manguilimotan-Dalnay bared in a press conference on March 22 at the Lumad Hall of the hotel.

Dalnay added that registration is online and there is still one more month to enlist because cut off for online registration is on May 23.  Hunat Sugbu is not only for health and fitness but it is also a run for a cause.  All run proceeds will go towards sponsoring medical missions and providing assistance to its partner barangay.

Last year’s run proceeds were all spent to its medical mission with more than 1,000 patients that needed minor surgeries and other needs plus their medicines.  The first Hunat Sugbo was on May 15, 2011 and the longest category then was 15K, Dalnay shared.

Hunat Sugbo’s reputation for promoting fitness and a sense of community spirit, the fun run has become a hallmark event on Cebu's calendar. This year, there will be three categories: 5K, 12K, and 21K.  What makes this event truly exceptional is not only the exciting races but also the fantastic post-run activities that await all participants, Dalnay added.

After crossing the finish line, all runners are treated to a scrumptious breakfast buffet, crafted to replenish their energy and celebrate their achievement and chances to win exciting raffle prizes from the run’s generous event sponsors.

Dalnay, a former ultramarathoner herself, emphasizes that the passion for running and community engagement drive them to create an event that not only promotes physical wellness but also strengthens community bonds, adding that Hunat Sugbu transcends being merely a race, it becomes a celebration of shared values and aspirations.

The run serves as a celebration of camaraderie and good sportsmanship, while also contributing to Parklane Hotels and Resorts’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

Registration is strictly online and it ends on May 23 and there are no dates extensions.  Dalnay enjoins running enthusiasts to register and encourages everyone to secure a spot soon, as over half of the allocated slots have already been filled as of this writing.   For registration and inquiries, head on to Hunat Sugbu’s official Facebook Page. (Photos: MBCnewman)

 

NNC, RNET assess performance of local nutrition committees, focal persons

 MANDAUE CITY – The Central Visayas Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) with the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in Region VII as its secretariat, started the annual Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI Pro) in Central Visayas from March 11 to May 31 this year covering the four provinces, 16 cities and 19 municipalities in the region.

In an interview with Piladelfa Gaviola of the Philippine Association of Nutritionists-Cebu Chapter, the MELLPI Pro is an annual assessment of the performance of the various local nutrition committees (LNCs) and local nutrition focal persons (LNFPs), including nutrition action officers, local nutrition program coordinators (LNPC) and barangay nutrition scholars (BNS) in the implementation of the various health and nutrition programs down to the communities.

Gaviola said that the MELLPI Pro evaluation sheet measures the efficiency of the nutrition programs in relation to its reach, allocation of budgets, expenditure and national and local policies issued as well as highlighting also the best nutrition practices among the units.

NNC-7 regional program coordinator, Dr. Parolita Mission explained that as the government is starting to implement the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023 – 2028, it is crucial to monitor and evaluate the programs of the preceding years to enable the local government units (LGUs) to explore plausible proposals of action for the nutrition implementation in line with the new PPAN.

MELLPI Pro also investigates the change of nutritional status in the LGUs that depicts an effective nutrition intervention. It has been updated to not only assesses the performance of LGUs but also evaluate the quality of the performance of LNFPs including nutrition action officers, local nutrition program coordinators and barangay nutrition scholars in promoting nutrition security vis-à-vis nutrition outcomes.

MELLPI Pro in Barangay Tabok in Mandaue City

In 2020 the Central Visayas Regional Nutrition Committee passed Resolution No. 020-02 "Expanding the regional MELLPI Pro coverage and enjoining Local Nutrition Committees to adopt the MELLPI Pro.”  

Mission shared that the aim of the expanded MELLPI is for the RNET to expand its coverage from only provinces and cities to at least three municipalities and to cover three barangays per city/municipality to enable the evaluation team to not only have an overview of how programs are implemented at the municipal and barangay levels but to also provide technical assistance and gather important inputs from the grassroots.

The activity will also include the evaluation of local nutrition focal persons which includes Provincial, City and Municipal Nutrition Action Officers;  District, City and Municipal Nutrition Program Coordinators and Barangay Nutrition Scholars.

On March 20, the RNET with some members of the Cebu Online News Press Corps (CONPC) visited the Mandaue City Rural Health Unit (RHU) and had a courtesy call to the Mandaue City Health Officer, Dr. Debra Maria Catulong with the other members of the Mandaue City Nutrition Council led by Josephine Aniñon, the City Nutrition Program Coordinator.

Catulong was delighted to know that the RNET has identified three barangays in Mandaue City for the monitoring/assessment of how best these barangays implemented health and nutrition programs.

“We welcome the RNET to assess three of our barangays that have been consistently performing well in curbing malnutrition and stunting in Mandaue City.  I’m equally happy that these positive performances are being evaluated and reported as good practices,” Catulong said.

The RNET team proceeded to Barangay Tabok to meet with its Barangay Nutrition Council, barangay officials led by its Barangay Captain, Dario Tarriman and the members of Tabok Barangay Health Office for the MELLPI Pro desk review and interviews with these officials.

According to Barangay Captain Tarriman, Barangay Tabok received recognitions and awards as best barangay on solid waste management and seal of good governance in Mandaue City for several years now.

“Barangay Tabok has also been consistently recognized as the best barangay in Mandaue City to implement the various health and nutrition programs given by the City and in alignment with the national nutrition guidelines embedded in the new PPAN,” Tarriman shared.

The Barangay Captain happily shared to the team that malnutrition in Tabok continues to decrease over the years because they are consistently feeding its school-based children with nutrition feed daily with the help of the local government, business sector and other private groups.

Tarriman also bared that Barangay Tabok continues to provide healthcare and nutrition services to its constituents with the presence of a medical doctor daily and online consultations for the various health programs implemented for all stages of life at the Tabok Barangay Health Center.

A multi-sector approach to health/nutrition programs implementation

As the RNET scoured documents, monitoring forms and interviews with the City Nutrition Program Coordinator, Josephine Aninon revealed that there is a strong multi-sectoral collaboration among various groups at the barangay focusing on the health and nutrition of the first 1000 days of the child and the pregnant mothers/women.

“We really look into these groups—the children, the pregnant and lactating women, teenage pregnancies, milk feeding and nutrition, micro-nutrient supplementation, and all other sensitive programs to help the child grow, glow, the whole life stages of the person with priority on the children,” Aninon explained.

She added that her role is to make sure that all the nutritional wellbeing of Mandaue, that all nutritional policies are monitored that these are being adopted by all barangays.  Mandaue City actually follows or aligns itself with the policies of the national nutrition and the PPAN. 

MELLPI Pro is needed to check on the implementation of all nutrition programs in line with the PPAN; roles of the barangays and the various barangay nutrition councils to check on its functionality to curb malnutrition and stunting.

Barangay Tabok in Mandaue City is certainly one of those barangays in Central Visayas that takes serious look at the health and nutritional development of its children and its constituents. (Photos: MBCNewman)

Converge revenues hit P35.4B with strong demand for fiber internet service in 2023

 CEBU CITY -- Converge ICT Solutions Inc. (PSE: CNVRG ended 2023 with consolidated revenues hitting P35.4 billion, up by five percent year-on-year, while net income rose by 22 percent to reach P9 billion with the strong demand for its fiber internet services surging up to 32 percent, the highest in industry at 284,000 subscribers.

“In 2023, we have consistently upheld momentum for our newly launched products Surf2Sawa (S2S) and BIDA Fiber, supported by the consistent growth in our flagship brand FiberX, especially in the fourth quarter,” Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy said.

Uy bared that the company registered net additional residential subscribers of 284,000 for its fiber plans last year, the biggest fiber net adds in the industry during the period, which is 32 percent higher compared to its year-ago level.  

In terms of consolidated net adds, Converge was the only major operator that registered positive growth at 13.4 per cent year-on-year. 

For the fourth quarter alone, both prepaid fiber internet S2S and the low-cost postpaid plan BIDA Fiber registered record net subscriber additions, resulting in a total subscriber base of nearly 175,000 as of end-2023. This well exceeds the company’s target of 120,000 subscribers for these two new products.

The flagship FiberX brand sustained its strong growth with total subscribers now reaching 1.8 million. As a token of appreciation to Converge customers, a promotional speed boost to 300Mbps for the base plan of P1,500 was given to FiberX subscribers recently.

With this strong performance, Converge acquired nearly 80,000 net additional subscribers in the 4^th quarter of 2023 representing 31.8 percent of its total full-year net adds.

“This year, we are looking to enhance the delivery of our full suite of fiber internet services by expanding our sales partner network and employing various strategies to reach our customers more effectively," Converge EVP and Chief Commercial Officer Benjamin Azada said.

Azada added that by end-December 2023, Converge had captured more than 2.1 million subscribers consisting of more than two million postpaid and over 114,000 prepaid subscribers.

Converge bags several recognitions

“At Converge, we hold ourselves to a high standard when it comes to providing exceptional service. We always strive to stay ahead of the game by continuously innovating and presenting new solutions for the changing needs of customers. We want to ensure our customers can always depend on us for an unparalleled and amazing internet experience,” Converge SEVP and Chief Operations Officer Jesus Romero said.

Romero bared that in 2023, Converge bagged several recognitions from the Ookla Speedtest Awards.  The company was crowned the Philippines' Fastest Internet Service Provider of the second half of 2023.   The company staked its dominance in three other categories; Top-Rated Internet in the Philippines, Best Internet Gaming Experience, and Best Internet Video Experience.

Furthermore, the fiber broadband provider’s enterprise business also boasted a robust year, growing from P4.3 billion to P5.1 billion, up by 20 percent year-on-year.  All its enterprise segments saw double-digit growth, led by the small and medium enterprise (SME) segment with 34.9 percent. Similarly, enterprises and corporate saw a 13 percent growth, while the Wholesale segment increased by 14 percent, Romero added.

Converge President and Co-Founder Maria Grace Uy highlighted the company’s ability to yield exceptional results that stems from the foundational commitment to financial discipline, positioning the company as an industry leader in terms of revenues, ROIC, and EBITDA margins in 2023.

“This achievement empowers us to drive our growth further and create more value for all our stakeholders moving forward,” Maria Grace Uy noted.

In terms of profit margins, Converge registered an EBITDA (earnings before interests, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) of P21.5 billion, up 11.2 percent YoY, while its consolidated EBITDA margin ended at 61 percent. With prudent cost management, the company was able to meet its EBITDA targets for 2023, Uy bared.

Uy concluded that at 16.3 percent, the company's return on invested capital (ROIC) remains the highest in the industry and is expected to continuously improve as it builds on its flanker brands. (Photos: Converge)

Campion ABA offers learning services to individuals, families impacted with autism

CEBU CITY -- Campion ABA, Inc., a pioneering organization that offers compassionate Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to families and individuals impacted by autism and is committed to excellence in training, therapy, and community outreach.

At the heart of Campion ABA, Inc. lies Campion ABA University, a training center dedicated to equipping students to become skilled ABA technicians. Through a blend of online and in-clinic training, individuals receive expert guidance and instruction, enabling them to make a real difference in the lives of those affected by autism.

Campion ABA, Inc. offers affordable small-group learning for struggling learners, complemented by expert ABA, occupational, and speech therapy services. With a focus on individualized care, the organization provides in-clinic and home-based ABA services, ensuring tailored support for each individual's unique needs.

Campion ABA, Inc. is on the cusp of introducing teletherapy, further expanding access to high-quality services for needy individuals. Volunteers and interns are welcome to train under ABA experts, fostering a nurturing environment for aspiring professionals.

Through Campion International Foundation (CIF), the organization extends its reach by offering free therapy services to children in Cebu and providing scholarships to upcoming ABA student technicians.  Additionally, donations of toys, educational materials, and technology devices are welcomed to support parents in creating therapy rooms for their children with autism.

Campion ABA, Inc. offers a range of training programs tailored to various levels of expertise and commitment. From the rigorous 40-hour online ABA course to the immersive Hybrid ABA Course, the organization provides participants with real-world case studies, hands-on applications, and the opportunity to attain Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis QABA credentialing board certification.

Parents and teachers can benefit from specialized training programs designed to enhance behavior management skills, both at home and in the classroom. Furthermore, Campion ABA, Inc.'s School Readiness Program ensures a smooth transition to mainstream schooling for children aged 2-8, with an intensive small group ABA-driven curriculum.

To know more about Campion ABA Inc. and learn more about how you can get involved and support this important mission. Visit our website www.ABA.CampionUSA.io and like and follow our Facebook page - Campion International or call us at (6332) 262-8854 / (63997) 748-2604 and email info@campionusa.io. 

(PR/Photos:Campion ABA /CCCI for #Enterprise of the Day)

 

CTTA holds 8th Cebu Travel Catalogue Int’l 2024 on April 12-14

CEBU CITY— The Cebu Tours & Travel Alliance (CTTA) in partnerships with airlines, hotels, resorts, and other travel tourism stakeholders will hold its 8th Cebu Travel Catalogue International 2024 exhibition on April 12-14, 2024 at the Ayala Center Cebu focusing on the theme “It’s Time to Travel More.”

According to Alice Queblatin President Cebu Alliance of Travel Operation Specialists, Inc. (CATOS), this year’s CTCI is designed to inspire travel enthusiasts to explore new horizons.

“This is the time to travel and we are inviting foreign visitors to come to the Philippines.  The average length of stay of tourists in PH is about 14 nights, imagine the economic benefits of this.  CTCI and CATOS are trying to look for notable focus of tourism products that are more interesting for foreign tourists to come to the PH,” Quiblatin said.

The CTCI 2024 exhibition explores pristine beaches, cultural landmarks, and a diverse array of travel choices with hidden gems and new destinations to discover. Dive into a world of adventure and book thrilling activities, adrenaline-pumping excursions, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences within the country and abroad, Quiblatin added.

Quiblatin bared that the trending travelers now are mostly solo, genZ, millennials, smaller groups, adventurous travelers, “glamping” and others. She added that there are new markets to explore for the Filipino travelers that include Russia, Israel, Australia and Japan.  

         This year’s travel catalogue is presented by six airlines; 21 Travel agencies; 20 hotels, resorts/leisure parks; Hongkong Tourism Board; two cruises, Royal Caribbean Intl & Princess Cruises; two banks, RCBC and ECR Marketing. 

Whether one is a solo adventurer, a family seeking quality time, or a group of friends on a quest for fun, CTCI 2024 offers flexible travel options and customizable itineraries to suit every traveler's needs. Join CTCI 2024 on April 12-14 at Ayala Center Cebu because “It’s Time To Travel More!” (Photos: MBCNewman)