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Tuesday, January 21, 2003
Antenna ‘saved’ Air Force skydiver
By Mia E. Abellana
AN ANTENNA temporarily installed at the roof of the Cebu City Sports Center grandstand may have saved the life of Air Force skydiver Elizar Jose.
British journalist and broadcaster Printz Holman yesterday showed Sun.Star photos he captured as he was trying to see what happened when Jose was about to land.
Jose was the last of six skydivers in an air show held before the dancing took place.
He was supposed to land on the stage with the five others but landed with his parachute on the roof due to the strong winds. He suffered a minor wound on his right leg.
Holman said he saw the expression on the other skydivers’ faces and knew something was wrong.
He immediately ran to the back part of the grandstand and managed to take photos of Jose.
Being a broadcaster, Holman said he knew that the antenna was a temporary link used by television crews to send their footage to their studios.
“The press people were all in front, and they did not see this man crash,” he said.
Holman, who works for The Edge radio station and Seyers Publishing Group, said Jose was definitely a professional because he remained calm and knew exactly what to do.
Holman arrived in Cebu in November to do a report on Cebu tourism.
He experienced his first Sinulog last Sunday, describing it as “interesting and spectacular.”
Because he was so impressed, he even plans to do a story about it.
“I was particularly impressed with the quality of dancing, especially with the children. If you saw this in the theater, you would say this was clever. But with amateur dancers on stage, I’d say it was superb. It really is,” he said.
He hoped the heavy sponsorship will not spoil the way the Cebuanos celebrated the Sinulog festival.
He hoped the Sinulog organizers will not allow sponsors to ruin the charm of the grand parade and to keep the “natural” way Cebuanos celebrated the festival.
“The dancers were dancing for hours. But when they got to the stage, they were smiling and still dancing their hearts out. There was real enjoyment,” he noted.
But after seeing almost 60 contingents dancing similar steps, he said it might be a bit too much for a tourist.
While there was fun in the streets, he did not feel safe.
But he said tourism officials could make tourists’ stay in Cebu better if they are honest about the
situation.
He pointed out that tourists would be prepared if tourism officials only advised them to be wary of pickpockets and snatchers.
His wife, a Filipina, lost cash and her engagement ring four days after they arrived in Cebu.
(January 21, 2003 issue)
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