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Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Serna: Big Mandaue event
By Roger Serna
Sounds & images
After more than a week of mourning for the demise of Pope John Paul II, let’s now start looking at the bright side of life. For sure, with the way he has lived his life and essayed his roles as the highest-ranking official of the Catholic church, he has earned favors from the Almighty.
Let’s cherish the thought that another one has been added to the list of intercessor on our behalf. Amen?
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In a bid to grab a bigger slice of the tourism pie in the country and lure more tourists, both foreign and domestic, to Mandaue city, the Mantawi Festival, the city’s answer to the Sinulog, was launched two weekends ago, signaling a month-long line-up of activities that will culminate with the city’s annual fiesta in honor of St. Joseph on May 7.
The event also marked the opening of the annual Balik Mandaue come-on for the city’s residents who have relocated in many parts of the world for various reasons, the city’s foundation day last April 7 and the Gallery of First Ladies, a tribute to the city’s first ladies from 1925 to the present.
Perhaps this is the first time for a local government unit (LGU) to honor the ladies, whose participation in the governance of an LGU cannot be discounted and ignored. Haven’t we heard of the cliché that “behind every man’s success is a woman”?
As Mayor Teddy Ouano said, he can still vividly recall the times when his mother would wake up in the unholy hours of the day to attend to the constituents who come to their abode to transact business with his father who was a mayor for a long time.
The people who conceptualized the Gallery of First Ladies, at the very least, deserve a pat on the back. More imaginative endeavors, guys! You certainly did a good job.
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During the opening rites, Gov. Gwen Garcia highlighted the significance of the mantawi vine and the virtue it symbolizes: unity. She further expounded on the need for Cebu to stay united and one in defense against the move of three legislators to split Cebu.
Interestingly, Berlin Mayor and Minister of Justice Karin Schubert also spoke of the unification of Berlin, vis-à-vis the plan to divide Cebu.
Being a month-long celebration, the Mantawi Festival boasts of many activities. A direct flight from Los Angeles to Cebu with special rates is offered to interested parties.
The special Balik Mantawi 2005 package includes affordable hotel accommodations and free admission to the different events during the celebration. Waterfront-Cebu Mactan, Cebu City Marriot Hotel and Cebu Midtown Hotel have special rates for this purpose.
Also included in the Balik Mandaue activities are the Merchant’s Paradise and Food Street, Miss Mandaue, Matron of Mandaue, the Prince and Princess of Mandaue, Miss Jumbo, and Miss Gay pageant.
In the list are the visits of Senator Mar Roxas on the Barrio Fiesta by the Channel with
entertainer-politician Rico J. Puno; and the Balik Mandaue grand ball with Senator Manny Villar and wife, Cynthia, as guests and with Cebuana diva Dulce as the night’s entertainer and a disco, among others.
The committees, indeed, are working double time just to ensure a very successful celebration.
Good luck!
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Fresh from the success of the novelty trilogy Bcuz of U, hot, young stars and Star Circle Quest pioneers, Hero Angeles and Sandara Park, team up again in Star Cinema’s latest offering, which happens to be the duo’s first big and solo outing, Can This Be Love.
It’s a biting story that revolves around two individuals dealing with cultural differences and language barriers; then later, proving to all and sundry that love, indeed, can cross geographical and cultural boundaries. Can This Be Love is a beautiful and mature romantic and realistic story about a nursing student (Hero) who augments his allowance by working as term paper typist on the side, and a Korean exchange student.
Giving colorful support to the duo as fellow Star Circle Quest pioneers Joross Gamboa and Roxanne Guinoo, new stars Paw Diaz and Arron Villaflor of Star Circle Quest Batch 2, Roderick Paulate, Eugene Domingo and Tirso Cruz III.
A mall tour at SM City Cebu on April 23 (a Saturday) by the cast, led by Hero, precedes the movie’s simultaneous, nationwide showing on April 27. Mark the dates.
(April 12, 2005 issue)
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