The Metro Cagayan de Oro Times (December 21-27, 2020)

Metro

CAGAYANLifestyle TIMES Weekly DE ORO

Volume 7 | No. 73 | Cagayan de Oro City | December 21-27, 2020

Uptown Xmas Surprises:

Cabu Grilled Burger & Jokou Peri-peri Charcoal Chicken T

By TITO MIKE

HE Yuletide has traditionally been a Season of Giving, and Food Entrepreneur Jonathan Cabrera is gifting all gourmands with two new menu items from his kitchen.

First off is the Cabu Grilled Burger which you can now enjoy in-person since December 5th at the Lights Bar, Pueblo Business Park next to SM City Uptown.

Initially launched as an online food service and delivery on September 25th, Cabu Grilled Burger (which is named after Jont’s family name Cabrera), and is now available in three varieties: House, Ultimate and Oriental.

“For both burger

varieties, we use 100% New Zealand Grass Fed Beef paired with homemade special sauces, i.e., Garlic Aioli and Black Garlic - Pickle Relish Aioli, for House Grilled Burger and Ultimate Grilled Burger, respectively. We bake our own Brioche Bun for a truly compleat burger experience.”

The Cabu Grilled Burger Joint at the Lights Bar was set up following its success online and the rising requests from their

Jokou Sizzling Peri-Peri Chicken Gizzard

Jokou Peri Peri Charcoal Chicken

increasing number of regular customers.

Also launched on December 5th was Cabu’s latest variant, the Oriental Burger which is made of choicest ground pork and so named because it’s basically Asian flavoured with Asian spices and sauces.

“We also use homemade corianderroasted sesame seeds aioli for this particular burger, and to give it a more Asian twist and surprise, we added salted duck egg!” FE Jont disclosed.

Early next year, Cabu’s will introduce its Veggie Burger.

Right next to the Cabu Grilled Burger Joint at Lights Bar is FE Jont’s latest creation: the Portuguese-inspired

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Jokou Peri-peri Charcoal Chicken (Jokou is named after Jillian, Owan and Kobe, Jont’s niece and nephews).

“Peri-peri Chicken is basically a Portuguese way of grilling chicken and the first of its kind here in Cagayan de Oro,” FE Jont notes.

Traditional Portuguese Chicken, also known as Peri Chicken (or sometimes Piri Chicken) is made with Piri peppers which actually originated in South Africa, and were imported on spice ships to Portugal from the Portuguese colonies of Angola and Mozambique.

“Besides PeriPeri Chicken, we also have Sizzling PeriPeri Chicken Gizzard XMAS/PAGE 7

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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

December 21-27, 2020

Hedcor, AFI boost local livelihood of partner associations in Mindanao

T

HE pandemic brought about restrictions in mobility, limited transport of goods, and closing of markets, which has greatly affected the livelihood of communities. As such, Hedcor—the runof-river hydropower arm of AboitizPower, finds value in helping its partner communities

recover through livelihood assistance.

In partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation (AFI), Hedcor will aid in the implementation of the P450,000-worth livelihood recovery program through the provision of egg machines to four different associations in Bukidnon and Davao del Sur. This initiative is

part of a bigger program

by AFI titled “Restart: Aboitiz Foundation Recovery Program for Partner Cooperatives.”

The program involves the provision of in-kind donations for livelihood recovery and training to select cooperatives nationwide.

These egg machines are complete with readyto-lay hens, as well

SIGNED PARTNERSHIP. Hedcor and AFI signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Barangay Local Government Unit and representatives of the associations involved.

as rearing cages with built-in feeding through a waterer. As such, it is named egg machine because it is able to produce eggs regularly within a period of 16 months.

The livelihood assistance will also cover a month’s supply of Pilmico’s poultry feeds and necessary training conducted by Pilmico’s Animal Production Specialists to help

The

CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

CAGAYAN TIMES/Sudaria Group of Companies Publisher JOHN AARON M. DEL BANDO Editor in Chief PINKY DOMINGO Marketing Manager MIKE BAÑOS Editor-at-large AIMEE KLAUDINE KAYE RILLERA Lifestyle Editor MARK FRANCISCO KLAUS DORING Contributors PETER ROXAS Art Director/Layout Artist ABEL MATTHEW SILAWAN Official Photographer KHRISTHA RIVA FELICILDA Advertising ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI Legal Counsel

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES newspaper is published weekly at Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa Street, Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City.

It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 with Certificate No. 01801884, and with Business Registration Plane No. 17211 with Business License Certificate 2014-00691. TIN No. 311-982-549000 Tele/Fax #: (088) 856-3344 Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ CagayandeOroTIMES email us at thecagayandeorotimes@gmail.com Member: Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber)

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recipient associations take better care of their poultry and maximize their yield. All these efforts are for the purpose of improving income through poultry and boosting small-scale poultry farming in the area.

The partner associations who will be receiving such assistance include the Dalirig Women Organization, Guihean Women’s

Organization and Lingion Power Association Rural Improvement Club from Bukidnon, and the Tibolo Tribal Women’s Association from Davao del Sur. In the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement, partner cooperatives extended their gratitude for the collaboration.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt LIVELIHOOD/PAGE 7

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! As I wrote in one of my previous columns at this corner: the virus is there, but Christmas can't be deleted.

Surely, we will have to celebrate Christmas very differently this year. Not only we. The whole world has too in the background against a dramatic increase in new case numbers.

Please allow me to remind you my dear readers: Christmas, this great day, bears

the message that God is with us. Even in the darkest moments of our time, He has not abandoned the world.

Let us not despair, then however much our difficulties rise before us, either in our personal surroundings, or in the life of humanity.

In celebrating Christmas, we celebrate our faith in survival and in the salvation of humanity and of all

MINDANAWON ABROAD

God's creation.

And already a little foresighted: As we are close to wrapping up this terrible year 2020, let us look forward to a brand new year 2021 year full of new and exciting possibilities.

Stay safe and healthy always and a very Merry Christmas to everyone! +++ Email: doringklaus@ gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter or visit my www.

HAVE MY SAY

KLAUS DORING

germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.

By BRADY EVIOTA, Mindaviews

ALPSIDE DOWNED: An OFW Returns to Mindanao BERN, Switzerland – Minda Teves is no ordinary OFW. Aside from leading the Associazione Culturale Filippina del Piemonte or ACFIL for many years, Minda had already set her goals forward. She had already saved from her work in Turin, Italy for a beach resort that she had planned to build up in her hometown of Cantilan in Surigao del Sur. Shortly after she retired from Italy some

two years ago, Minda went home to Cantilan to follow her dream.

Minda left Cantilan in the 1970s, so she was shocked to find out upon returning that their ancestral land somewhere in the boundary of Cantilan and Madrid towns was left abandoned by the people. Coconut trees were falling down, the fruit trees were gone, and the land had become barren with no other crops growing. “I thought the remittances we sent would enable those

who were left behind to restore the land, giving us many opportunities and contentment,” lamented Minda in a Facebook post.

She decided that trees would have to be replanted to prevent more soil erosion, and mangroves planted to stabilize the riverbanks.

“Soon we will have more green”, she wrote in a Facebook post.

In honor of Italy, the place was called “La Vecchia Spiaggia” or “The Old Beach”.

Since “La Vecchia” was located between the sea and the Union river, Minda took advantage of this location and together with partners and friends built up a fish pond teeming with bangus and other fish.

Together they planted various plants and fruit trees, developed a flower garden, decorated the pathways and landscaped the place, and built up a bridge and structures for rooms and overnight accommodations.

RETURNS/PAGE 7

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Google Cloud Awards Globe Business with Premier Partner Status G LOBE Business, the enterprise arm of Globe Telecom, announced that it gained Premier Partner status from Google Cloud. This is the highest level than any Google Cloud partner can attain. Globe was also recognized as the Google Cloud Expert in Work Transformation

and Productivity.

As a Google Cloud Premier Partner, Globe now has access to Google Cloud’s complete suite of products and solutions, extensive technical expert support, enhanced cloud transformation offers, streamlined information, training & tools, and exclusive directory of strategic global partners.

“This feat wouldn’t

Globe set to fastrack cell tower installations in 24 more areas with one-stop permit shops Globe’s bid to bring and improve its services in underserved locations got more support as several local governments units (LGUs) in Palawan, Nueva Ecija, Negros Oriental, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Cebu, Quezon, Batangas, Bulacan and Ifugao have set up their respective one stop shops to facilitate the issuance of permitting requirements for telcos.

Palawan has the most LGUs with one stop shops with five-namely El Nido, Coron, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza and Aborlan--which have made it easier and faster for Globe to process its applications to install new cell sites in their municipalities.

Nueva Ecija and Oriental Mindoro are not too far behind with four towns each easing their permitting requirements. These are Licab, Munoz, Cabiao and Talavera in Nueva Ecija; and Calapan, Puerto Galera, Bulalacao and Pola in Oriental Mindoro.

Negros Oriental has two progressive LGUs--Dumaguete City and Tanjay City while Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay; Toledo City in Cebu; Norzagaray in Bulacan; Lucena in Quezon; Balayan in Batangas; Mamburao in Occidental Mindoro; San Juan City in Metro Manila; and Alfonso Luna in Ifugao have also joined the list of LGUs that are very supportive of Globe’s cell tower installations.

“We are grateful for the initiative of these 24 local government units

who are complementing our efforts to bring more connectivity and wider coverage in their respective areas. We are hoping that these LGUs will inspire others to support and be with us in bringing better, more enjoyable and accessible talk, SMS and data services to more Filipinos in 2021,” said Joel Agustin, Globe Senior Vice President for Program Delivery, Network Technical Group.

Earlier this month, Makati, Manila, Marikina, Calamba, Tagaytay City and Legazpi in Albay were the first LGUs to set up their one stop shop for permitting requirements of telcos.

Globe is counting for more LGUs in the coming weeks to ease up on their permitting requirements as the company targets to install 2,000 cell towers in 2021.

Globe laid out a 3-pronged strategy to improve customer data and internet experience, which includes aggressive cell site builds; upgrading its cell sites to 4G/LTE; and fast tracking the fiberization of Filipino homes nationwide.

Globe supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically UN SDG No. 9 which emphasizes the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development.

Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

have been possible without our team’s hard work and the continuous trust of our partners from Google Cloud,” said Peter Maquera, Senior Vice President for Globe Business. “We’re grateful that they acknowledge our commitment to transforming enterprises through the cloud. And we’re excited about the many possibilities this achievement can bring for us and for our customers. Being part of the Google Cloud Partner Advantage Program and carrying the Premier Partner badge guarantees our clients that we have strong proficiency and experience with Google Cloud as a result of rigorous technical assessment, certifications,

and frequent customer success.”

The Google Premier Partner status remains a rare achievement, even for cloud-powered companies in the Philippines, and is exclusive to those that demonstrate the highest levels of capability and performance with Google Cloud products. Premier Partners benefit from a wide range of services designed to holistically focus on business requirements—from technical, marketing, sales, to specific functions that address a company’s customer needs.

“We’re delighted to see Globe Business grow their investment and expertise in Google

Cloud,” said Kevin O’Kane, Managing Director for Partnerships at Google Cloud. “Our partners are key to bringing Google Cloud solutions and capabilities to customers around the world, and we look forward to working with Globe Telecom to help more organizations transform with the cloud.”

With digital transformation as its end goal, Globe offers its enterprise clients with an impressive plethora of cloud solutions, including Google Workspace (formerly known as G Suite) and Google Cloud. The Globe team underwent stringent certification training to mirror Google

Cloud’s standards in product deployment, change management, and cloud computing architecture.

Globe Business also continues to run a successful cloud campaign, showcasing its ingenious collaborations with globally-recognized providers such as Google Cloud and Cascadeo—a Google Cloud Premier Partner and Globe’s ally in cloud consulting and managed services.

Through its products, partnerships, and dominance in the cloud, Globe Business aims to empower companies to steer its course digitally, recreate resilience amid changing times, and pave the way towards a braver tomorrow.

Eala bows out of the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria tournament in Spain FILIPINA tennis prodigy and Globe Ambassador Alex Eala failed to advance in the quarterfinals of the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria tournament in Spain after yielding to Lara Salden of Belgium in three sets.

Eala lost in the second

round of the tournament, 6-0, 2-6, 6-2 after booting out number 8 seed Francesca Jones of Great Britain in the opening round.

The 15-year-old Filipina, however, couldn’t sustain the momentum against the Belgian who

is 246th in the Women’s Tennis Association world rankings and coming off from a win in the Lousada Indoor Open in Portugal two weeks ago.

Salden broke Eala thrice in the opening set to take the lead but Eala came back roaring in the

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second set to take the match into a decider.

Salden, who is six years older than Eala and a regular campaigner in the women’s tour, leaned on her experience to seize a 3-0 lead in the final set. Eala was able to hold serve in the fourth frame to cut Salden’s lead to 3-1.

Salden eventually held on to eliminate Eala out of the tournament with a 6-2 score in the decider.

Eala is a scholar at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain. She is the second ranked player in the Juniors ITF world rankings and just played only in her third professional tournament.

She reached the semifinals of the girls’ tournament of the 2020 French Open in Roland Garros last month.

Early this year, she won the girl’s double title of the 2020 Australian Open.

Eala has been a Globe Ambassador since 2016.

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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

December 21-27, 2020

Bong Go says government continues to explore multiple sources of vaccines * Stresses importance of safety and efficacy regardless of source

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ENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go said that the government is exploring multiple sources of COVID-19 vaccines to ensure access of Filipinos to safe and effective vaccines to overcome the ongoing pandemic.

Go also mentioned that the private sector has also been raising funds so they may assist the country in acquiring sufficient number of vaccines for Filipinos.

“Ang private sector, magre-raise din po. May iba pa. Pinag-aaralan na po, it doesn’t matter kung saan manggagaling as long as safe and effective,” said Go. Go also mentioned that the country is aiming to finalize its negotiations with Sinovac Biotech to acquire 25 million doses of the company's COVID-19

vaccine for delivery by March next year.

During a radio interview on Friday, December 20, Go said that vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. is presently in advanced discussion with the vaccine company to strike a deal that would be beneficial to the country’s fight against COVID-19.

“Ngayon, marami na pong kinakausap ang ating vaccine czar. Meron na silang advanced discussion sa Sinovac, possible shipment March 2021, twenty five million doses,” Go said.

Go stressed that he does not believe that the procurement of vaccines from Chinese company Sinovac has anything to do with preference, stressing that market availability is the primary consideration of the government for conducting negotiations

with the company for the vaccines. “‘Di po ako naniniwala kung ano koneksyon nito, sa China man. May pandemya, magtulungan tayo. Sabi nga, no one is safe until everyone is safe, depende na po ito sa availability sa market,” explained Go The Senator said that Galvez is also in

talks with several other vaccine companies that can supply the country with the COVID-19 vaccines.

“Nakapag-usap na rin sila sa Gamaleya, ongoing talks, ‘di pa masabi kung kelan.

Pfizer po, advanced discussion. Johnson & Johnson, (confidentiality disclosure agreement)

being finalized, AstraZeneca, for another twenty million,” he explained.

“Siguraduhin nating priority ang mahihirap, vulnerable at frontliners, safe and effective dapat, saan man ito kukunin,” he added.

Meanwhile, Go repeated his challenge to Department of Health

Secretary Francisco Duque III and vaccine czar Galvez to inject themselves first with the vaccine to allay the fears of some people and build their confidence in its safety and efficacy.

“Kung ‘di natin ma-attain ‘yan, takot ang Pilipino, kaya nga po kina Sec. Duque at Galvez, mauna sila,” he said. “(This is) to encourage naman po at mawala ang takot ng mga tao, pero dapat unahin natin ang poor, vulnerable, and frontliners, of course.

Sila ang nangunguna sa labang ito — sundalo, guro, medical workers.

Huwag rin natin pabayaan ang mga senior citizens natin na vulnerable and, especially, ang mga mahihirap na kailangan lumabas at magtrabaho — dapat po libre ito sa mahihirap,” mentioned Go. In earlier interviews, Go said that a national EXPLORE/PAGE 7

Ayala Foundation empowers CDO youth through Sari-Saring Aralan ARE there opportunities for growth and development for out-ofschool youth and community youth in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Ayala Foundation, through its Sari-Saring Aralan initiative, believes so. A 12-month community project, Sari-Saring Aralan encourages the youth

Sari-Saring Aralan to new locations, giving the youth an opportunity to grow, even as communities across the country work to contain the pandemic.

Earlier in December, Ayala Foundation, together with Mitsubishi Corporation, partnered with the local government of Cagayan de Oro City to launch Sari-Sarin Aralan in its latest location. The launch was conducted online, and was attended

by Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno; City Councilor Suzette Daba; Ayala Foundation Presi-dent Ruel Maranan; Ayala Foundation Senior Director for Social Development Joanna Duarte; Dulce Potenciano, executive director of the Local School Board; Keiichi Matsunaga, General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation; Atsushi Okubo, Corporate Division Head of Mitsubishi Corporation; Rowena Sari-Saring Aralan originally conceived the sari-sari store as a venue where out-ofschool youths can interact with teachers, mentors, and fellow learners. This photo Zaballero, Department Manager, Strat-egy shows the pilot site of Sari-Saring Aralan in Tondo, Manila. to pursue one of three pathways—education, employment, or entrepreneurship. It originally sought to trans-form the sarisari store as a hub for learning activities.

Unlike the old image of the sari-sari store is the place where aimless “tambays” hang out, Sari-Saring Aralan transforms the sari-sari

store as a venue where out-of-school youths can interact with teachers, mentors, and fellow learners. The first batch of Sari-Saring Aralan participants, all of whom come from Tondo, Manila, “graduated” from the project in 2019.

This year, Ayala Foundation partnered with Mitsubishi Corporation to bring

and Coordination of Mitsubishi Corporation; and Zorigt Khongor, Department Manager, Strategy and General Affairs of Mitsubishi Corporation.

Focusing on community youth residing in Barangay Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City, Sa-ri-Saring Aralan CdeO will have 10 barangay youth leaders and 50 out-of-school youth.

An important supporter of the SariSaring Aralan CdeO implementation is Melanie Pa-catan, known lovingly as Tita Mimi, who owns the sari-sari store which will serve as a hub for the project. Although much of the activities for Sari-Saring Aralan CdeO will be conducted online, owing to current social distancing guidelines, Tita Mimi’s Store will still serve as an important hub for materials for the program.

As support for the participants during

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the Sari-Saring Aralan online sessions, each of them will receive a mobile phone, load allowance, and grocery vouchers.

Said Maranan: “To the SSA youth participants of Barangay Tablon, congratulations on being part of this project. This whole event is done to show you that as you pursue your pathways, there are people behind you—trusting, supporting, and cheering you on. We believe in your potential and trust that you will use this opportunity well. The time you will put in this project, will be a time you’ve invested, not just for yourself, but for your family and also for your community.”

Said Mayor Moreno: “On behalf of the City Government of Cagayan de Oro, the City Council led by Vice Mayor Kikang Uy, and on behalf of the people of Cagayan de Oro City, I would like to thank Ayala Foundation and AYALA/PAGE 7

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Celebrate the Season of Giving with Huggies, Anne Curtis, and Baby Dahlia; Help Them Raise 1,000 Gift Pack Donations This Christmas

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HRISTMAS is the perfect time for surprises and gifts. This time around, KimberlyClark’s Huggies® brand comes with both as it welcomed actress and first-time mom Anne Curtis and her daughter Dahlia as their newest endorsers. Alongside the announcement was the introduction of a special holiday gift pack aimed to help moms and babies in need.

Introduced via Facebook Live hosted

by Patty Laurel-Filart, Huggies revealed Anne and Dahlia as moms’ Secret sANNEta and Dahlia ReinDEAR this Christmas season; bringing with them a specially curated Secret sANNEta gift pack as part of its ongoing Buy 1, Get 1, Give 1 promo.

Starting December 20, every purchase of one (1) case of Huggies Dry Pants comes bundled with one (1) Secret sANNEta gift pack that contains baby care essentials such as one (1) pack of comfortable Huggies Dry Pants, one (1) pack of skin-loving Huggies wipes, two (2)

packs of Kleenex Facial Tissues, one (1) roll of Kleenex bathroom tissue, and one (1) Hugsy teddy bear.

With every purchase of this bundle, Huggies and Anne will match and donate the same amount of Secret sANNEta gift pack to Dream Machine, who will then distribute it to families in need from their partner hospitals.

A total of 1,000 gift packs will be up for sale.

This offer is available exclusively on Lazada until January 15, 2021 or until supplies last.

As we continue to face the challenges of the pandemic, all the more people will need basic childcare supplies, and what better way than Huggies to collaborate with Dream Machine, a platform founded by Anne that stands both as a voice against dream shaming and as an enabler to make dreams come true. One of Dream Machine’s advocacies is the youth, and with this, Huggies is extending its efforts to provide comfort and care to moms and their babies, especially to those who need it the

most.

“I’m so delighted to be moms’ Secret sANNEta this Christmas season,” shares Anne. “My Dahlia reinDEAR has been a Huggies user even before we were welcomed in

the family, so we feel so grateful to be a part of this special Buy 1, Get 1, Give 1 promo.

I hope everyone is as supportive to reach our 1,000-donation goal for Dream Machine’s partner

If interested, contact:

hospitals.”

“Huggies continues to put forward its goal of being the parenting partner, adds Brian Duruin, Head of Marketing, KimberlyClark Philippines, Inc.

DANICA SUDARIA

“We should all uplift each other as we remain hopeful for the coming year.”

Since the start of the year, Huggies has also donated over 100,000 newborn diaper packs to children’s hospitals and maternity wards. They also launched the Huggies Club: Facebook Live, a five-week online forum series that aimed to guide and provide moms the reliable support system they need by connecting them to other moms and healthcare professionals to tackle relevant parenting topics and advice.

Now, with the Secret sANNEta gift pack, Huggies affirms its role and commitment to being your trusted parenthood partner for generations to come.

To purchase the Secret sANNEta gift pack, head to Huggies LazMall now. For the latest news and updates, follow the Huggies PH Facebook page or visit huggies.com. ph. Join the Huggies Club for free and get access to more parenting tips, as well as exclusive perks and deals!

dannycarosesudaria0512@gmail.com 0936-046-2356

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POWER TO RECOVER. AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South, Inc. (TSI) and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the Provincial Government of Davao del Sur recently turned over a semi-permanent triage and installed a communication system for Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital (DSPH). In photo (L-R): DSPH Chief of Hospital Dr. Boni Vosotros; Provincial Health Officer Dr. Jonna Masongsong; Vice Governor Marc Douglas Cagas; AboitizPower AVP for External Relations Jason Magnaye; Board Member Arvin Malaza; TSI Representative JK Huyatid.

AboitizPower continues to boost support for government hospitals A S THE year draws to a close, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are still felt despite almost a full year of grappling against the virus.

The pandemic has brought the world into a new normal where digital interactions become the norm, and where frontliners have been forced into high gear to cope with the ever rising number of confirmed cases.

While circumstances may have forced people to be physically distant, the pandemic has spurred people and organizations to come together and collaborate more closely than ever before.

An example of this is the publicprivate partnership between AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South, Inc. (TSI), Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. with the Provincial Government of Davao del Sur to improve the facilities of Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital (DSPH).

DSPH, wracked by both strong earthquakes in 2019 and then the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, is one of the largest government

hospitals in the area, catering to patients even from outside Davao del Sur. As a part of Year 1 of a 3-year program for the Hospital, TSI donated a semi-permanent triage, public address system, and voiceover internet phone (VoIP) communication system to help reduce foot traffic within and around the Hospital, thereby minimizing the risks of exposure to communicable diseases.

These projects were identified with the help of the Provincial Health Office headed by Dr. Jonna Masongsong. For the course of three years, TSI will be working together with the Province to identify priority projects to support the improvement of quality healthcare in Davao del Sur. “The Provincial Government of Davao del Sur extends our gratitude to Therma South and Aboitiz Foundation because in the course of this 3-year program, Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital will receive six million worth of projects from them. That is already a big help to the hospital and the Province of Davao del

Sur,� said Vice Governor Marc Douglas Cagas during the turnover ceremony last December 9, 2020.

In Davao City, AboitizPower also recently turned over 13 airconditioned tents to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), which can accommodate 52 persons as a holding facility for COVID-19 patients. The project aimed to help address the congestion of COVID-19 patients in SPMC. Wholly-owned AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South, Inc. (TSI) is the owner and operator of the 300-Megawatt Davao Baseload Power Plant located in Binugao, Toril, Davao City. TSI is certified in four ISO standards, namely Quality Management (ISO 9001:2015), Environmental Management (ISO 14001:2015), Occupational Health and Safety Management (ISO 45001:2018), and Asset Management System (ISO 55001:2014). Along with Therma Luzon, Inc. and Therma Visayas, Inc., the three primarily compose the Coal Business Unit of AboitizPower.

POWER TO RECOVER. (L-R) AboitizPower AVP for External Relations Jason Magnaye, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Jonna Masongsong, TSI Representative JK Huyatid, Board Member Arvin Malaza, and Vice Governor Marc Douglas Cagas unveil the newly-turned over triage for Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital.

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Xmas...

over the province and many parts of Mindanao, from page 1 bringing heavy rains and and Sizzling Peri-Peri too much water.

Chicken Liver,” FE Jont By evening, the disclosed. Hmmm, smells power was cut. The wind really yummy! howled and the rain Indeed, having poured on. Minda said been given first dibs at she was reminded of the this intriguing dish, I last strong typhoon she perfectly agree that the experienced back in 1964. unique blend of local and Their dogs were imported ingredients barking unceasingly make it a delicious spicy and when they went to and exotic eating Chicken inspect why, they were Charcoal experience! alarmed to see water Since it is charcoal from the rising river. grilled, it has that To their horror, the sea aromatic and smoky tide was also rising. The piquancy that make it current became strong more savory, especially and overwhelming. So when dipped with the the rest of the night they peri-peri salsa! waited in the darkness, FE Jont’s Cabu Grilled unable to sleep and Burger and Jokou Perifeeling helpless because Peri Charcoal Chicken they were only able to Joints are open at the save themselves and a few Lights Bar, Pueblo other belongings.

Business Park next to SM When morning finally City Uptown Tuesdays to came, they saw with Sundays from 11.30 am dismay that their whole to 8.30 pm. property had become a You can also have sea of water. them delivered to your The machine and home or work area, just equipment for the virgin call or text 09758417906 coconut oil product or 0975 7640915. Vamos was waterlogged and comer! damaged, the ingredients and the bottles carried away by the current. from page 2 According to the They also worked Cantilan agricultural together with the local office, the floods government unit to plant destroyed up to 633 mangroves for a future hectares of ricelands. marine sanctuary. There, Vicky only brought wind Minda imagined, her gusts of up to 55 kph, guests would be able to but its rains had wrought relax, eat fresh seafood, havoc. harvest the bounty of the Minda is devastated, sea by hand themselves, and said in a post that and in general be treated she does not even know to the simple luxuries where to start rebuilding. that the people of Surigao “One thing for sure, I lack del Sur enjoyed. courage to continue my In the short span journey,” she posted a day of time since she left after the tragedy.

Italy, Minda was able But ACFIL and friends to develop the place are coming to Minda’s with hard work and aid, starting a fund drive determination; she this week to help rebuild provided the vision that “La Vecchia Spiaggia” and enabled the locals to help the affected families imagine a place better of Daan Union, Cantilan than they had now. and Union Madrid.

Because the coconut Said ACFIL’s Rosalie trees were rehabilitated, Bajade Cuballes in her Minda planned to start Facebook announcement: a business in virgin “We decided to make this coconut oil; she also initiative to support the applied in the local families and the tourism government for the and labor-generating place to be approved establishment of a as a Learning Site in returning OFW who has Agriculture. put her soul, heart, skills, In Minda’s mind, expertise and treasures La Vecchia would not in helping develop the only be just an ordinary place and providing tourist destination opportunities to the competing with the big locals.” resorts, but also a social Minda’s friends are enterprise that involved also sure that Minda – and organized the locals, always a strong-willed used local resources, and creative leader – will and also complemented find a way from this the environmental and temporary setback. In tourism programs of the one of her Facebook local government unit. It posts, Minda had then was a wonderful concept, declared her motto: “I a glorious dream. consider every problem And then everything as a challenge, therefore was changed overnight.

I have to find a solution Tropical depression that in the end becomes “Vicky” rolled in an opportunity.”

Saturday (December 19) (Mindanawon

Returns...

Abroad is MindaNews’ effort to link up with Mindanawons overseas who would like to share their thoughts about their home country and their experiences in their adopted countries. Brady Eviota wrote and edited for the now defunct Media Mindanao News Service in Davao and also for SunStar Cagayan de Oro. He is from Surigao City and now lives in Bern, the Swiss capital located near the Bernese Alps.)

Livelihood...

Ayala... from page 4

Mitsubishi Corporation for making this project possible. I hope that this project will serve as a good model for other cities to rep-licate in the near future.”

Sari-Saring Aralan CdeO will run from December 2020 to December 2021.

Ayala Foundation, with the support of Mitsubishi Corporation,

December 21-27, 2020

will next bring SariSaring Aralan to El Nido, Palawan.

About Ayala Foundation As the social development arm of the Ayala group of companies, Ayala Foundation envisions communities where people are creative, productive, self-reliant, and proud to be Filipino.

Ayala Foundation is committed to community development, working closely with communities

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in identifying compelling developmental needs and providing suitable solutions with measurable outcomes. Its main program areas are Education, Com-munity Leadership, Suitable and Sustainable Livelihood, and Arts and Culture.

For more information, visit www. ayalafoundation.org This project will be implemented in Cagayan de Oro City starting this December.

from page 2

gratitude to Hedcor and Aboitiz Foundation for granting us with this livelihood project.” shared Jocelyn Litohon, President of the Guihean Women’s Organization.

“This project will greatly help our organization to grow and develop. Moreso, this can also be a source of livelihood income for our organization which can be used for future purposes. Thank you so much!”

Hedcor has been in constant collaboration with associations in their partner communities since it began its hydro operations in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon and Santa Cruz, Dava del Sur. These collaborations include capacity-building training on Leadership and Values Enhancement training and Business Continuity Planning.

Explore... from page 4

vaccine roadmap has already been prepared for a systematic distribution of the vaccine once it is deemed safe and effective. He encouraged concerned agencies to properly communicate and implement the vaccine program to assure the public that the government is doing its best to restore normalcy amid the ongoing pandemic.

“Napaka-importante po sa vaccine na ito ang issue ng affordability at accessibility. Unang una, pagdating sa availability — dapat po unahin ang mahihirap nating kababayan,” he reiterated.

Once the vaccines are available, Go emphasized that members of poor and vulnerable sector should be prioritized in the immunization against COVID-19.

As for government officials and those who can afford, Go said that many of them are willing to pay for their own vaccinations as long as it is proven safe and effective. This is the reason why the poor and the vulnerable must be prioritized.

PhP7.09Billion Mindanao backbone project seen to stabilize power transmission in the island NGCP recently energized the TorilBunawan 230kV transmission line, the final component of its Mindanao 230 kiloVolt (kV) backbone project.

This will secure the reliability of power transmission services in the entire Mindanao.

As one of NGCP's critical projects, the Mindanao backbone will connect bulk generation from the northern and southern parts of Mindanao and ensure stable and continuous power from Lanao del Norte, passing through Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon, all the way to Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental.

Among the generating facilities which will connect to the line are the GNPower Kauswagan Clean Coal-Fired Power Plant, Therma South Incorporated Power Plant, and San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation, with a total combined capacity of 1,440MW. With an ERC-approved cost of PhP7.09 Billion, the project involves the construction of the Matanao-Toril 230kV and Toril-Bunawan 230kV transmission lines, the upgrade of the Balo-i-Villanueva-Maramag-Bunawan line from 138kV to 230kV, as well as the upgrade of its substations in Malita, Matanao, Toril, Bunawan, Balo-i, Villanueva, and Maramag.

Energization of the project components started with the power transformer in Villanueva Substation and Maramag-Villanueva 230kV Line 2 in September 2019, while the Balo-i-Villanueva Lines 1 and 2 were energized in September and October of the same year. Transformers in Bunawan Substation and the MaramagBunawan 230kV lines were energized also in October 2019. This was followed

by the energization of another new transformer in Villanueva Substation and the Maramag-Villanueva Line 1 in November 2019, while a power transformer in Toril Substation was energized shortly after in the same month.

The Matanao-Toril 230kV Lines 1 and 2 were energized in December 2019 and January 2020, respectively, while the Matanao-Culaman 230kV Lines 1 and 2 were energized in the same period. The final component, the TorilBunawan 230kV Lines 1 and 2, were energized in November 2020, despite the difficulties posed by the varying lockdown protocols implemented across the country.

“With this completion, the line will supplement the existing Davao-TorilMatanao 138kV transmission line in transmitting any and all available and incoming generation, ensuring transmission service reliability for the entire region,” said NGCP. Apart from this, the Mindanao 230kV Backbone project is an integral part of NGCP’s Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), which will link the Visayas and Mindanao islands and realize sharing of power within the entire country. “The Mindanao Backbone is critical to the MVIP because through this project, the new transmission line will accommodate the capacities needed to fully support and utilize the capabilities of the interconnection,” stated the company.

NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority shareholders and Vice Chairman of the Board Henry Sy, Jr. and Co-Vice Chairman Robert Coyiuto, Jr.

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial and Advertising: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09177121424

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The

CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

December 21-27, 2020

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial and Advertising: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09177121424