Tuesday, November 27, 2007 Espina: Ccci, Hall Of Famer By Mila C. Espina In my Diary
CONGRATULATIONS to the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the Hall of Famer awardee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce after bagging for three consecutive years the much coveted award of Outstanding Chamber among 127 or more chambers all over the country.
For 86 solid years, CCCI engineered business and growth, and the Cebu Business Month (CBM) held every June of each year for 12 years has been the prime mover in bringing together the multisectoral groups of Cebu, stretching to the national and regional scales, to roadmap the industrial progress of the nation, specifically, Cebu.
These efforts benchmarked the collaborative resources of tourism, sme and the ICT, among others.
The past presidents and CBM chairpersons have been meeting to further institutionalize the CBM into a foundation for a more effective management of the events.
Whoever is the years’s CBM chairperson sits as the president among 15 trustees. CCCI designated Tess Chan as the chairperson for CBM 2008.
Cebu’s Valuable Foundations
One factor which makes Cebu grow is the enduring involvement of Foundations which extend community existence. Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko celebrates its 15th anniversary with the children inflicted with cancer and the volunteers, Nov. 17-29. The We Care And Punla Foundations, which evolved from a small group have produced achievers in various fields. The Cebu Newpaper Workers Foundation sustains medical and cooperative assistance to the media practitioners.
The Amparito Llamas Lhuillier Educational Foundation maintain some 25 scholars and get job opportunities after their graduation. The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., stands out as the pioneering proponent of education and research, not to mention, its scholarship and community projects. Aside from these foundations, a good number of private companies link with the schools and some baranggays. The Timex, Phils., has a long-term Corporate Social Responsibity Program in an adopted barrio in Pajo, where environmental activities are conducted regularly. It has a library resource Knowledge Center for instructional materials. Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort, Marriot Cebu City Hotel, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, among others, link with some public schools for educational assistance. They cheer them up during the Yuletide season with bundles of gifts.
The American Chamber of Commerce Cebu had long adopted the Blessed Sacrament day care and renovated its classrooms and supplied some school supplies and facilities. Zonta 1 started in the 70s to sustain several day care centers; in 2006, it provided micro-financing to small scale entrepreneurs. Up to this time the Zontian never left their commitments to many other outreach projects.
Holiday Events
We are now getting numerous invitations because the holiday season is just around the corner.
The Le Club, French Chamber In The Philippines and the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu (MPPHC) will have a grand celebration of Soiree Beaujolais Cebu 2007 come Nov. 29, same time when our good friends from the Aboitiz Group of Companies, will have its Christmas party at the Casino Español. The Hilton Cebu Resort And Spa has announced its festive season activities from December to January.The Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino will light its Christmas Tree at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 28.The Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort will have a children’s party with Batang Opon at 3 p.m.; traditional tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m., then, the media appreciation dinner at 7 p.m., all on Dec. 3.
At the Capitol, Gov. Gwen Garcia tendered a welcome dinner for the former British Ambassador Paul Diamond, last Nov. 22.There was also a dinner hosted by the Governor last Wednesday,Nov. 21, for the 37th Meeting Of The Study Group On Asian Tax Administration And Research. The National Maritime Foundation Of The Philippines, Inc., and the University Of Cebu-Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue entered into a formal exclusive scholarship partnership and signed an MOA on Thursday, Nov. 22 at the MPPHC.
