Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Espina: Partners in tourism By Mila C. Espina In my diary
Indeed, tourism is everybody’s business and this is a healthy indication that the stakeholders believe in team playing.
One good news is the current partnership of the Cebu Business Month (CBM) Tourism Committee with the Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association (HRRAC), Philippine Airlines, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies, and the Philippine International Tourism Fair (PITF), Cebu Visitors Convention Bureau (CVCB), Commission on Higher Education Region 7 (Ched 7)and the academe, Cebu Association of Tour Operators, Cebu Travel and Tours Association, Skal, the media and other sponsors which continue to pour for the forthcoming Tourism Congress. It is slated on June 25 to26 at the Plenary Hall, Cebu International Convention Center.
There was a signing of partnership during the 888 Forum, arranged by Bobby Joseph, Honey Loop and Ricky Poca, and of course, the CBM Tourism team.
Aside from these forerunners, the Tourism Congress and one of its features, the Ambassador and Ambassadress of Business and Industry, have the following event sponsors: Globe Telecom, Macmayer, Island Souvenirs, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa; Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu; Cebu City Marriott Hotel, Parklane Hotel, Ng Khai, Speechcom International, Café Laguna, Eddie’s Hotel, Alcordo Ads.
Also sponsors are Chateau d’Busay, University of San Jose-Recoletos, SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, Robinson’s Malls, Montebello Villa Hotel, Tambuli Beach Resort, Microsoft, Amparito Lhuillier Educational Foundation, We Care Foundation, Julie’s Bakeshop, Anita’s Bakeshop, E-Mall, JY Square, Ramon Sebastian, Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, Joseph and Gloria Gaisano, Axa Philippines, Minnie Yuvienco, Benedicto College, and the list continues.
BENEDICTO COLLEGE: MISSION TO EDUCATE
Your Education, Our Mission. This is the impressive and meaningful motto of Benedicto College. Its goal, to offer affordable but quality education, has been imbibed in its curricular and co-curricular programs. Its towering structure is now a landmark on AS Fortuna St., Mandaue City. If you get to see the place or, better still, to enroll in the course of your choice, you will see the vast improvements in the facilities and laboratories. There are state-of-the-art gym, computer/language labs, audio-visual/little theater, canteens, and well-appointed classrooms and offices. The lay administration, led by my friend Lani Verdan, blends well with the dynamic vision of Sammy and Emily Chioson and, of course, Ambassador Frank, who will spend enormous time and logistics to make their graduates globally competitive.
By June 2008, nursery, kindergarten, elementary and vocational courses will be in full swing. Two-year courses, like associate in computer technology, licensed practical nursing and midwifery, will balance baccalaureate programs in Bachelor of Science in nursing, computer science, information technology, communication, devcom, accountancy, elementary and secondary education, and hospitality management. The enrolment is now going on. If plans do not miscarry, the school will devise a study-now-pay later scheme and waive entrance fees. The school can be reached at 345-5790, 422-3988, and fax 345-6873.
GLORIOUS HRRAC SANTACRUZAN
The HRRAC Santacruzan at the Marco Polo Plaza was a living vision of Christendom as the event recalled the historic search by Constantine and Helena for the Holy Cross, and how this religious epiphany touched the hearts and souls of many from generation to generation. In the Philippines, the Flores de Mayo and the Santacruzan have always been the core of Maytime festivities. Cebu has done its role—through the HRRAC, the Quota club and other municipalities—in perpetuating the essence of the celebration. At the same time, the activity reinvents our flair for prayerful music and fashion instilled in novenas, flower offerings and processions.
The recent HRRAC Santacruzan was well attended. It was ably directed and colorfully packaged. Kudos to Hans Hauri, Marco Protacio and Aissa de la Cruz, the pacesetters of the event. Junjet Primor was quick to transform the hotel lobby and atrium into a procession route. The rain didn’t dampen our spirit at all. In fact, we all thought it was a blessing. And Harley Ruedas and the Clothes for Life were simply adorable.
