Utzurrum: Great tributes, awards and artists

ANNUALLY, the Mandaue City Government and the Mandaue Chest Foundation Inc. (MCF), pay tribute to their favorite son, the late senator Manuel Cabahug Briones (MCB) during MCB Day at the Mandaue City Heritage Plaza. This special tribute is made to coincide with MCB’s birthday on Jan. 1.

AWARD. Mayor Michael Rama (fourth from left) giving the club award. Standing are (from left) Rotary past district governor (PDG) Toto Cupin, past president (PP) Lenton Beltran, PDG Ray Patuasi, incumbent president Alvin Tan, PP Expedito Bollozos, PP Omar Maxwell Espina, PP John Pages (partly hidden), assistant governor Philip Tan, Rotarians Mike Tessatori, Mario Manio, Atty. Edgar Labella. Others in photo are guests at the dinner.
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Very visible to represent her late father was Esperanza Briones-Blanco, her daughter Monina Blanco, and grand-daughter Monica Blanco Ceballos, all three generations!

The afternoon event started with Holy Mass at the Shrine of St. Joseph, followed by a floral offering of the Knights of Columbus, the Briones family, Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Mandaue Government department heads, MCF, and other organizations.

If we have to refresh your memory, the late MCB was born on Jan. 1, 1893 and died on Sept. 29, 1957. His vision, nationalism and integrity define him as a politician and statesman.

Briefly, here are his achievements: Finished law and became a member of the Philippine Bar in 1916. Served in the House of Representatives for four terms (1918-1931); senator of the 10th District of Cebu from 1931 to 1935; co-authored the country’s first labor law, known today as the Workmen’s Compensation Act. He also served in the House as Majority Floor Leader, and was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1934.

In 1945, he became the first Cebuano to be appointed as Supreme Court Justice and served till 1949. In 1951, he was again elected to the Senate and was subsequently chosen Senate President pro tempore up to 1957.

Last but not least, he was the principal sponsor and author of RA 1161, Social Security Act of 1954, now known as the Social Security System.

Thus to honor his great contributions and in recognition of his exemplary performance in government service, the 11th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Mandaue declared the first day of January of every year as "Senator Manuel Cabahug Briones Day."

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No one was prouder during the 76th Cebu City Charter Day testimonial dinner and awarding ceremony than the members of the Rotary Club of Cebu West (RCCW) headed by president Alvin Tan.

It was hard to work for the active civic club, so they certainly deserved the award of “Outstanding Institution” for the year.

What made the distinct honor sweeter and more memorable was that the RCCW is also marking the golden anniversary (50th) of their charter as a club. This year, it was a dazzlingly brilliant achievement.

Aside from this special honor, president Alvin counts the following as successful club projects of his term; fire truck donation to the Filipino-Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade; wheelchair project from the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons); Gift of Life, surgery on blue babies with congenital heart defects; donation of over 30,000 books to the Library Hub of Zapatera Elementary School, etc.

Truly a golden year for a golden club president, count your blessings Alvin!

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The art exhibit, “Bohol-Buhol 2” featuring 20 Boholano artists served as the opening salvo for Qube Gallery and Aboitizland Inc., located at the Persimmon Plus in Mabolo.

After Fr. Jason Dy SJ, director of the Alternative Contemporary Art Space at the Sacred Heart Church celebrated the blessing, the ribbon-cutting was graced by Rafael Fernandez de Mesa-Aboitizland Inc. Commercial Business Unit; Amaya Aboitiz-Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. operations head; Jon Kenneth Gotiong-Qube Gallery chief executive officer (CEO); Kaye Aboitiz (representing her father, Andoni Aboitiz-Aboitizland CEO and chief operating officer), and Caesar Atienza.

These Boholanos are a vibrant mix of established and emerging artists, some of whom are still residing there, while others have moved to Manila. Their styles showcase the wealth of Boholano artistry spanning a healthy breadth of genres.

Meet them: Keith Ancog, Rhants Anunciado, Bethlehem Joy Bullen, Eric Catot, Henri Cainglet, Edgar Cornito, Guy Custodio, Jacquelou Curambao, Roi Ferre, Irish Glory Gallon, Joey Labrador, Glenn Lumantao, Carlito Masalta, Sam Penaso, Rico Tompong, Jeff Sisican,a nd guest artist Melbourne Aquino.

Indeed, the Qube gallery is passionate in its mission to promote and support fine and promising artists in Southern Philippines and in professionalizing the arts industry south of Manila. May your tribe increase, Jon Kenneth Gotiong!