Cebu Parklane International Hotel lights up a tree made out of old newspapers fashioned into autumn-colored leaves with the nativity scene as centerpiece to usher in the Christmas season.
Sugilanon sa Pasko-The Cebu Parklane Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is a retelling of how this most important of events came to be celebrated in the Philippines.
FESTIVE CHEER. (From left) Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Parklane General Manager Cenelyn Manguilimotan, Mrs. Eugenia Ting, and President Basil Ting.
Basil Ting, hotel president, said Parklane is putting emphasis on the Christmas story to highlight its real meaning and essence.
Tree-lighting guests, which included Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, were treated to amazing performances by the Fidelis Choir and MDF Productions.
Christmas feast
The hotel also served a sumptuous feast that included its signature local dishes as well as delicacies from the town’s of Liloan, Asturias, Aloguinsan, Bogo, and Catmon.
Parklane continues to live up to its tradition of using recycled materials for its tree.
According to the hotel, “To many, a Christmas Tree is just a tree full of lights, trinkets and decorations. But for Parklane, behind the tree’s shimmer and glitter is a purpose and a reminder for us to nurture, sustain and preserve our environment.”
It also continues to assist children with cancer through fund-raising activities during the Christmas season.
CEBU VISIT. Vice President Jejomar Binay and 3rd District Representative Gwendolyn Garcia eat in a boodle fight, a shared meal where food is placed on top of banana leaves at the center of a table, in Dumanjug town. (Photo by Mitchelle Palaubsanon of The Freeman)
Vice President Jejomar Binay and the impact of the bridge damaged by Seniang dominate today’s news. With Sinulog fast approaching, stories on the festival are also becoming prominent including one about a “massive operation” against erring drivers as one way to deal with the traffic that comes with the event. Sinulog Foundation Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros also pledged that there won’t be an increase in the prices of Sinulog tickets.
Binay gives out food, cash aid in Seniang-hit towns
Vice President Jejomar Binay on Sunday visited towns hit the worst by Seniang and distributed 7,500 food packs to affected families. He also gave out cash aid to the families of those who died during the storm, saying he will still see if he can extend a similar assistance to other victims.
Binay also went to the wake of the seven members of Bajenting-Faunillan family in Barangay Liboo, Ronda. The family members died when flashfloods swept their home at the height of Seniang. A two-year-old and a one-month-old child are still missing.
“Dagdagan pa ninyo ang inyong pananampalataya sa ating Mahal na Panginoon. Hindi Niya tayo pababayaan,” Vice President Jejomar Binay speaking in Ronda town.
CEBU VISIT. Vice President Jejomar Binay and 3rd District Representative Gwendolyn Garcia eat in a boodle fight, a shared meal where food is placed on top of banana leaves at the center of a table, in Dumanjug town. (Photo by Mitchelle Palaubsanon of The Freeman)
Slow, difficult commute in south Cebu
For thousands of commuters in south Cebu, returning back to Metro Cebu today for work or classes will be slow and difficult. Travel in the south has been complicated by the collapse of the Dumlog Bridge in Sibonga at the height of tropical Seniang five days ago.
A temporary road in Barangays Lindogon and Simala that can accommodate trucks and buses has been opened starting Sunday but only from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Since it is not open in the morning, bus passengers will have to get off at one end of the bridge, cross to the other side on foot or by motorcycle and take another bus there.
FOOT BRIDGE. The Cebu Provincial Government reported the completion of this additional footbridge in Dumlog, Sibonga. (Photo taken by Toper Kintanar and published in the Cebu Provincial Government Facebook page)
“We are trying our best to find another path,” said Cebu Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera.
During his visit, Vice President Binay promised to urge Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson to fast-track work on the Dumlog Bridge. (Sun.Star Cebu: Temp road for trucks opens)
Near the toppled Dumlog Bridge, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) constructed a two-meter wide, 15-meter long footbridge made of coconut lumber for pedestrians. (Cebu Daily News: 20-ton vehicles can pass in south’s alternate route)
Class break extended for 3 southern Cebu schools
Classes resume today for all but three schools in Southern Cebu that sustained damages during tropical storm Seniang.
A landslide has rendered the way to the Calagasan National High School in Argao impassable, while classrooms were damaged in two Pinamungajan elementary schools – Tupas and Lut-old – after trees fell on them. The Department of Education (DepEd) has granted the request of Argao to suspend classes for one week in Calagasan. (The Freeman: Longer break for 3 schools)
DSWD hit for failing to extend help
In Ronda, which was badly hit by Seniang, the mayor wants to know why the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has failed to extend help to storm survivors. Not a single food pack has arrived for Seniang survivors in Ronda, the mayor said, adding he expected the DSWD to help calamity victims.
“There is not even a single family food pack that arrived from DSWD to alleviate the suffering of my people. Where are the DSWD officials now?” — Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco III. (Sun.Star Cebu: Mayor asks: Where’s DSWD’s help?)
On the business front, Cebu’s premier business organization looks back at 2014 while a Cebu Bankers Club official dispenses sound advice for local banks.
2014 another banner year for CCCI
When it comes to meeting goals, 2014 was another banner year of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI). CCCI president Ma. Teresa Chan said the chamber has come to represent the voice of the business community. (Sun.Star Cebu: CCCI now ‘important voice’)
Local banks told: Merge with foreign, other banks
“Foreign banks are interested to operate and open branches here. The implication of that for local banks is either you merge with bigger (local) banks if you’re quite small or you can merge with foreign banks (…) If you’re small and you don’t have the technology, merge with them,” — Cebu Bankers Club president Gino Gonzales told smaller local banks. (Sun.Star Cebu: Merge with other banks to stay competitive: officer)
