Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Espina: Search for ambassador, ambassadress of biz and industry By Mila C. Espina In my diary
THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Cebu Business Month (CBM) Tourism Team is reviving the Search for the Ambassador and Ambassadress of Business and Industry (formerly Ambassador/Ambassadress of Goodwill held in 2002-2005) to encourage the students and young professionals to take an active role in the development of creative entrepreneurship and tourism. The project is in tandem with the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) 7 and the academe. The selection will be part of the CBM Tourism Congress and will be staged at 3 p.m. on June 26 at the Plenary Hall 1 of the Cebu International Convention Center.
The event co-chairpersons are Bruce Bollozos, Alice Woolbright Fernandez, Cherrypie Callelero, Marilou Pintor and Trixie Tolentino. The Philippine Airlines is the major event sponsor and will give two round-trip tickets to any Asian destination to the winners. The Grand Holiday and Cebu Fortune Travel will sponsor the land arrangements.
The search is open to any bonafide third and fourth or fifth or college level, and young professionals, 18 years to 35 years old, with some experiences in school/community projects, pleasing personality with good communication and leadership skills. The schools are invited to send their best male and female nominees who will be screened and interviewed by the CCCI Tourism Team. Twelve finalists, six female and six male, will compete during the final selection before a distinguished panel of judges. Prior to the final selection, the 12 finalists will undergo series of seminars and experiential learning sessions in arts, culture, public speaking, social graces, entrepreneurship, tourism and current issues to be conducted by the CCCI, Speechcom and DOT 7. The nomination forms will be available in the various schools, CCCI, Speechcom and Eddie’s Hotel. Deadline for the submission of nominations will be on May 23 at the Speechcom, Rivergate, Gen.Maxilom Ave. For more data, one may call 2533656 or 5137088 and look for Chriatiana.
MAYTIME SANTACRUZAN
The month of May is the season for Santacruzan and Flores De Mayo. To keep the historical and religious tradition of the search for the Holy Cross, the Quota Club and the Hotel Restaurant and Resorts Association (HRRAC) have been sponsoring the grandiose holding of the annual Santacruzan and, through the years, succeeded in educating the community of the values of the event. In many cases, the humanitarian aspects have been integrated where hapless communities were beneficiaries. Always the pacesetter, the HRRAC held a presscon to announce the Santacruzan and Flores Mayo 2008 to be held at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel (the Cebu Plaza was then the home of many santacruzans in the 80s and 90s) on May 10. HRRAC was represented by president Marco Protacio, event chairman Hans Hauri and executive director Aissa de la Cruz. Co-sponsor Clothesline president Harley Ruedas, leading designers led by Edwin Alba and Marichu Tan, Cebu Travel and Tours Association prexy Cecille Saa, DOT 7 Regional Director Dawnie Roa, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies prexy Jenny Franco and the beneficiaries led by Fr. Pedro, Misiona of the Mission Society, and the media were all there to give HRRAC their full support.
THE PERSIMMON
The first urban village will soon rise in Mabolo, Cebu City. The Aboitizland, through its Chief Operating Officer, Andoni Aboitiz, told us at lunching in Pino Restaurant that the construction of the 15-storey West Tower starts in the second quarter of 2008, the part of the 1.4-hectare area that will see a scenic themed community of four mid-rise condominium towers and commercial buildings. The landmark will be called The Persimmon, (the English name for genus Diospyros, which includes the mabolo tree) a compleat commercial and residential structure with “greenscapes” and modern facilities and amenities.
This venture is Aboitizland’s dedication to the Cebuano heritage and will revolutionize the essence of city living. The grand launching was held last Friday, April 25, at the Artic, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.
THE ALPA CITY SUITES
The Gothong children are actively involved in the real estate business to carry over the legacy of the late Albino. Their new venture, owned and developed by the Alpa Land, Inc., looks at the prospect of innovating the real estate perspectives, merging corporate and residential village concepts. The Alpa City Suites is a 10-storey serviced, executive studios for rent, complete with facilities and housekeeping services. Located in the corner of Hernan Cortez and F. Cabahug streets, the Alpa is intended for extended-stay guests, like the executives and professionals. It is similar to a hotel minus food and beverage component. Target date for the completion of about 84 executive studios is September 2008. A sample unit will be available for viewing in June.
HAPPENINGS
We could hardly cope with summer events here and there. Indeed, Cebu is booming, not only in the phenomenal 3.8 million population but also in so many tourism events. Come April 29, the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) will honor the secretary during dinner at the Teatro Casino-pagcor, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, with Hans Hauri on top of the preparations. There was the celebration pf Town And Country with the Citibank And Shangri-la Mactan Resort And Spa at 6 p.m.,April 25.The Marco Polo Plaza Hotel took us to a delightful culinary journey to Thailand last April 18 at Café Marco featuring the chef Raki Urbina, corporate chief of Lemon Grass and the Laguna properties.
Again at Marco Polo, a fashion show of Bridal Collections of the Fashion Council of Cebu awed so many hotel guests and visitors. The event was co-hosted by the Metro Bank and the Wedding Essentials. The Bridal Fair was on April 26-27.
I missed the annual Merchants Rewards Program of the Ayala Malls Group Of Ayala Land held at Greenbelt 5. Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala and president Jaime Ayala were present cum the Ayala officials and workforce. I would like to thank my friend Francis Monera for the invitation.
Jonji Gonzales happily told us of the Commonwealth Estates Investors Party, which introduced its new condominium project. Well, as I said before, the real estate is picking up fast and slowly integrating architectural tourism showcasing classic and contemporary designs and fixtures. Even memorial parks perk up with themed structures and amenities. In other countries, ancestral tombstones are part of tour itineraries.
GRADUATION AT UP, SPEECHCOM
The three Punla Foundation scholars from University of the Philippines-Cebu Hight School graduated last April 17: Chic Madonna Tambagan (with honors); Mary Antoinette Esperida (with honors) and Maryrose Therese Panisan.
Meanwhile, two Wecare scholars will graduate next year. The Speechcom International will hold its summer culminating activity today. It will showcase the communication skills and talents of participants from pre-school to high school. The Speechcom offered free slots to honor students and scholars.
The Benedicto College is headed for expansion upon completion of its new structures to accommodate its grade school, new academic courses and technical programs. It will also develop its arts and culture academy to enrich classroom experiences. Very much involved in this educational endeavor of the Benedicto family are Sammy and Emily Chioson in consultation with Ambassador Francisco Benedicto. Anna Fegi, scholar of Amparito Lhuillier, sang the graduation song during the University of San Jose-Recoletos Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Acrreditation Program graduation rites where Anna finished her AB Masscom course. Candice Acuna of the Sun.star Cebu, also a scholar of Amparito, received her well-deserved diploma.
