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ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH | EVENTS | TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE
CAGAYANLifestyle TIMES Weekly de Oro
Volume 2 | No. 69 | Cagayan de Oro City | December 8-14, 2014
Architect Cocoy Paano’s
“The Publisher” - an extraordinary work of art by Joe Palabao Art Enthusiast
Maj e s t i c an d my s t i c a l portraiture , 22 x 30 oilon-canvas “The Publisher” etched by known Filipino Synergy Artist Extraordinaire Architect Melbourne ‘Cocoy’ Paano was finally unveiled for viewing last December 5, 2014 at exactly 6:11 PM. Portrait of Prominent Publisher from Mindanao- Dante M. Sudaria, CEO & President of Business Week Mindanao Group of Publications was the artist subject. For two long months, Cocoy Paano painstakingly finished the art piece and worked
during wee hours of the night with endearing hands touching the fine lines of his canvass. The artwork is a fusion and synergy of art vis-a-vis architectural perspective in the industry. Art enthusiasts from the upper echelon of the Region consider the artwork of Cocoy as a ‘MASTERPIECE’ in portraiture painting. The portraiture depicts the life story of “The Publisher” from his humble beginnings, his hard work, his desires, his dreams and how he dared life’s challenges which made him to what he is now-a phenomenal
and fast rising publisher of Mindanao. The Publisher is now considered as a priceless piece of art and collectors’ piece of art. “ The Publisher” a portraiture by Cocoy Paano is a MASTERPIECE which has achieved apotheosis of the soul to art enthusiasts which catapults him as a great and unique artist in the country today in his approaches to the synergy of art and architecture. This piece of art will surely be considered as a priceless life time collection by the patrons and the patroness of art of Mindanao, and of Cagayan de Oro City as one of the upcoming
The Publisher intermediate global cities in 22 x 30 the world. Oil on-canvas “ The Publisher” has By Architect Cocoy Paano t h at a r t i s t i c i n t e g r i t y which demands from the has the rich knowledge artist to capture not only and experience from his its likeness to the human mentors who harnessed subject but a soul of the his skills in “handling the portraiture that is essential technique” for painting. He to the process in making a is one artist who never stops majestic portrait painting. It learning in enriching his depicts the synergy of art and craft to perfection and giving architecture masterpieces of justice and satisfaction to his Architect Melbourne ‘Cocoy’ clientele. Paano which apotheosized As a third generation art appreciation. Its majestic artist, Architect Cocoy Paano’s beauty is beyond the capacity portraiture “The Publisher” o f h u m a n d e s c r i b i n g . 22 x 30 oil-on canvas has The majestic beauty of great influences with the great the “Publisher” has that works of the first generation symmetry, proportion and artists like Martino Abellana composition of his work. with great and immortal Architect Melbourne portraitures of Dona Modesta “ C o c o y ” P a a n o a s a Singson Gaisano, 1984-Oil on Filipino synergy –artist had Canvas 41 x 34; Collection: experienced a “whole range Stephen Gaisano and Martino of art,” so he could stand with Abellana “To Catch a Fox is conviction to the artworks Not The Thing” Portrait of and designs that he creates. Stephen Gaisano, 1987,oil-on He has prepared himself canbvas, 55 x 31: Collection to be in the mainstream in Stephen Gaisano. this flourishing field. He S e c o n d g e n e r a t i o n
Cebuano artist, Romulo Galicano has also influenced Cocoy’s portraiture “The Publisher”. Galicano has learned to stretch and frame Abellana’s canvases and at the same time he watched him paint, thus coming naturally and effortlessly under the senior artist’s fatherly tutelage. Romulo Galicano’s Mother & Child, oil-on canvas, 35 x 45 is a museum head turner now becomes a Private Collection Architect Melbourne ‘Cocoy’ Paano’ majestic portraiture “The Publisher” an art of work ‘extraordinaire’ now has achieve apotheosis of the soul which makes him a great and unique painter in his approaches to his master piece. In totality, his art work has that artistic integrity which demands from him to capture not only the likeness of the subject but a soul that is essential in making majestic portrait painting beyond whose beauty is beyond compare.
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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly de Oro
December 8-14, 2014
SANTA’S PICKS AT TOY KINGDOM
Make a wish . . . as Toy Kingdom makes a list of Have fun playing Santa as you complete the list Cagayan de Oro. Visit www.toykingdom.ph. Also its top toys for the season. After all Christmas is of Top toys available at Toy Kingdom Express at type ToyKingdomPH for more amazing updates at Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. that magical time of year for kids and kids at heart. The SM Store and Toy Kingdom Store in SM City
Avengers Superhero Mashers is an exciting way of creating your own Avenger superhero. All parts of the figure are removable so you can swap parts from other Super Hero Mashers figures.
Explore the exciting spots of Malibu Avenue with Barbie! There are plenty of shops to visit like the pretty Grocery store or the wonderland Pet Boutique. Barbie doll included.
Join Princess Sofia on her delightful vacation in the sea with this Sofia the First Vacation Place playset. This enchanting floating palace includes a mermaid cove with a seashell throne, and a Sofia the First doll that transforms into a mermaid upon removing her purple skirt.
Relive your favorite Frozen moments with the Disney Frozen Snow Glow Elsa Doll. Touch her magical snowflake necklace to hear Queen Elsa speak magical phrases from the film. Lift her arm and hear her sing the classic song, “Let It Go,” while her dress sparkles. Elsa doll comes with her crown, true dazzling eyes and Olaf the snowman.
Enjoy the holidays while cuddling this Family bear set from Toy Kingdom.
CDO to commemorate Sendong third anniversary The local government has lined up several activities to highlight the third year Commemoration of Typhoon Sendong on December 16. This will be headed by Ramon L. Fernandez, chairman of Shelter and Housing Development Multi-Sectoral Task Force. A mass celebration at Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral and wreath laying” at the Gaston Park Memorial Wall will serve as kick off activities. Likewise, the Shelter and Housing Task Force will hand over 131 housing units to the relocatees in Pagatpat Habitat Resettlement Site and another 84 units in Indahag Habitat Resettlement Site. Highlighting the activities is a Ceremonial Candle Lighting at 5:00 p.m. to be held at the Cagayan de Oro River. On the same juncture, the relocatees also displayed various products of their livelihood projects at the “CDO X’mas Bazaar” now being held at the Gaston Park from December 1 to 30. By December 18, a video presentation will feature families expressing their gratitude to those individuals who have helped them rose from the tragedy and a singing contest to be participated by the relocatees from the different relocation sites. Wrapping up the commemorative event is a Free Zumba at the mini park of City Hall on December 20. The Sendong Memorial Marker at Gaston Park, Cagayan de Oro City. Photo by Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy
(Deborah Villagracia/CIO/PIA10)
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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly de Oro
December 8-14, 2014
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December 8-14, 2014
AirAsia starts twice daily flights from Cebu to Davao and CDO 30 street kids and NGOs among those on board AirAsia’s inaugural flights
AirAsia Philippines, the Filipino Low Cost Carrier that flies hand in hand with AirAsia, voted the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier in the annual World Airline Sur vey by Skytrax for six consecutive years from 2009 – 2014, today started its twice daily flights from Cebu to Davao and Cagayan de Oro City with 30 street kids from Batang Opon Foundation, Cebu City Task Force on Street Children Foundation, SOS Children’s Village and Tambayan Center for Children’s Rights Incorporated on board its maiden flights. AirAsia Zest Director for Flight Operations Captain Dexter Commendador said, “We’re extremely excited to celebrate the return of AirAsia flights from Cebu to Davao and Cebu to Cagayan de Oro – and what’s more memorable is that we celebrated our inaugural flights by fulfilling the dreams of 30 kids. Like these kids, AirAsia started with a dream – to make flying affordable for ever yone.” Accompanied by caretakers, 20 children from Batang Opon Foundation and Cebu City Task Force on Street Children Foundation flew via AirAsia Zest flight Z2 523 from Cebu to Davao at 9:10AM and another batch of kids from SOS Children’s Village took the first flight from Cebu to Cagayan de Oro City via AirAsia Zest flight Z2535 departing on time at 12:35PM. In Davao City, 10 kids from Tambayan Center for Children’s Right were on board AirAsia Zest flight Z2524 from Davao to Cebu. They were given a tour of Mactan Shrine, Bluewater Resort and guitar factor y – famous attractions in Cebu hosted by Galeon San Pedro Tours. Aside from free airfare the kids also toured famous tourist spots and parks in Davao, Cagayan de Oro
and Cebu in partnership with Department of Tourism. They also received surprised Christmas gifts and toys from AirAsia while passengers get welcome presents from Mactan Cebu International Airport management. A ceremonial ribbon cutting and brief program at the MactanCebu International Airport (MCIAA) was held attended by MCIAA General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete, MCIAA Assistant General Manager Ahmed Cuizon, GMR Megawide President Louie Ferrer, Department of Tourism Region 7 Senior Tourism Operations Officer Judilyn Quiachon, Cebu Provincial Tourism Officer Grace Paulino and Capt. Dexter Comendador, AirAsia Philippines Director of Flight Operations. During the program, guests and kids placed their messages of hope and wishes on a Christmas tree. AirAsia, MCIAA and partner NGOs will join forces to help fulfil the kids’ wishes. To commemorate the event, AirAsia Philippines is offering promo fares from as low as P1.00 base fare for flights to/from Cebu City to Manila, Davao and Cagayan de Oro including flights to/ from Manila, Kalibo (Boracay), Puerto Princesa(Palawan), Tagbilaran (Bohol) andTacloban. Airfares for international destination from Manila to Macau, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Shanghai, and Incheon/ Seoul are also available for P1.00, one-way and base fare only for travel period starting Januar y 7 to June 30, 2015. All promotional fares are available for booking via www. airasia.com starting today until 14 December 2014. Guests may also get as much as 20% discount on prebook meals and other online bargain deals.
For more updates on AirAsiaPhilippines and its latest promotions and activities, follow them on social media through Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsiaphilippines) and Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsiaPh).
30 street kids from partner NGOs in Cebu and Davao join AirAsia’s maiden flight from Cebu City to Davao and Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines.
Captain Dexter Commendador helps a young boy place his message in a Christmas tree during the launching of AirAsia’s newest flight from Cebu to Davao.
Globe Project Wonderful wins 9th ARAW Values Awards PROJECT Wonderful, Globe Telecom’s corporate response to the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan, wins the 9th ARAW Values Award for the promotion and inculcation of positive values for social change and nation building. The ARAW Values Awards recognize outstanding and excellent advertising and marketing messages and/or materials for Branded Communications and Advocacy/Institutional Advertising that promote the ARAW 7 Cornerstone Values, a cluster of select and well-defined values. The biennial program is organized by the Advertising Foundation of the Philippines, the social development institution and advocacy body of the multi-
sector Philippine advertising and marketing communications industry. “We are proud of this award since it proves that through digital media, we can inspire bayanihan using a clear, provocative message: That anyone, from an ordinary person to a known model, rockstar, sports icon – even a corporate CEO – could help rebuild the nation,” said Yoly Crisanto, SVP for Globe Corporate Communications. Project Wonderful won in the Branded Communications – Digital category which espouses “Love of Country and Respect for National Customs and Traditions.” It served as a consolidated platform of Globe products and services that empowered Filipinos to donate
time, finances, and talent towards rebuilding the nation. For Project Wonderful, Globe came out with compelling, documentary-style YouTube videos which recounted the stories of Globe ambassadors Bamboo, Georgina Wilson, Liz Uy, and Chieffy Caligdong as they helped deliver 2,000 Christmas toys to kids in Ormoc, build 100 homes for Ormoc families, and distribute almost 1,000 learning kits to Iloilo schoolchildren. Likewise, using the hashtag #ProjectWonderful on social media and blogs, Globe spurred Filipinos from various walks of life to voice hopes and wishes for the country and ultimately, drove them to the Project Wonderful website where
they got to know the many ways to donate or even volunteer. Project Wonderful was able to raise over P50 million in cash and kind which was used to build homes and school buildings and provide livelihood opportunities to families affected by Typhoon Haiyan. The campaign received 779,239 combined YouTube views, 306 million impressions from 112,588 Twitter mentions by 23,894 users on Twitter and Instagram, 136 unique blogger stories, and an average of 50,000 unique visits to www.ProjectWonderful. ph per month for the first quarter of 2014 which resulted in over 1,000 registered volunteers and supporters.
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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly de Oro
December 8-14, 2014
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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly de Oro
December 8-14, 2014
Opinion
think a minute A jhan tiafau hurst
correcting mistakes T hink a minute…What do you usually do when you make a mistake? If you’re doing a math problem in school and your answer is wrong, what do you do? Don’t you just go back, find your mistake and fix it? Or when you realize you’re on the wrong road to the market, don’t you just turn around and take the right road? In fact, the person who turns around the soonest is the smartest, because he doesn’t waste anymore of his time and energy going the wrong way. There is nothing smart about being too proud and stubborn to admit we’ve made a mistake. Since God created life, He is the only One Who knows the right way through it. That’s why God the Son came to show us the right road. Jesus came to show us how to live the correct way that works, so we could be happy and successful. He showed us how to have healthy, happy relationships; how to teach and love our children; how to enjoy a satisfying marriage for a lifetime; and how to use our special abilities to reach our full potential in our job and career. Jesus shows us the honest, loving
heart and character He created us all to have. He showed that if our heart is ruled by His strong and loving character, then we will genuinely love others and not use them or hurt them. It makes no sense to ask 2 plus 2 to equal 5. Just like it makes no sense to ask God to change the facts of right and wrong, only so you and I can live our own wrong way. Think: what if just this one time God let me do the wrong thing I want to do? Then how would I feel if God let someone else do that same wrong thing to me or my family? Jesus shows us His right ways for our own happiness, not to be strict and take all the fun out of life. Jesus came to forgive us and show us the successful, satisfying life He created us for. So if you’ve not been living for Jesus Christ, you can do the smart thing today: just admit that your way of living is wrong, and ask Jesus to take full charge of your life. It’s only when we start living our Maker’s way that we can start enjoying His good life—the way it’s made to work. Just Think a Minute …
re you often late in going to school? How about reporting for work? Are you also late in submitting your assignments or deadlines in the office? Do you have the habit of being delayed or being late in most of the things you do? If you are, you’re not alone. I had an opportunity to transact a major deal with a foreign brand. This will make a major breakthrough for my business if I close the business deal. The deal can literary change my financial life for the better. I can say this was the opportunity of a lifetime. We set the time and date but due to the unpredictable traffic in Metro Manila I arrived 15 minutes late. The foreign partner was patient to wait but after shaking his hand, he stood up and told me that he was going to leave. Here was the conversation. Chinkee: “Sir, may I ask why are you leaving? We have not yet discussed our terms.”
Editor SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY Art Director & RONALD MASTAIL Layout Artist CLIFFORD SANTILLAN
Editorial MIKE BAÑOS Consultants CHENG ORDOÑEZ Account GRACE BEBER Executive Legal Counsels ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI ATTY. ROBERTO A. CANTAGO, JR.
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. 311-982-549-000 Tele/Fax #: (08822) 74-53-80 Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ CagayandeOroTIMES email us at thecagayantimes@gmail.com Member: Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber)
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especially the professionals treat time as a test of a person’s character. How trustworthy is this person? Will he fulfill whatever he promised or commit? Or will he break it? It is so hard to rebuild trust once it is broken. I can still remember my high school principal, she always closed her speech with this line, “If money is lost, nothing is lost. If health is lost, something is lost but when time is lost, everything is lost.” From then on, I learned to be always early in all my meetings and speaking engagements. I have been practicing this habit for years and now I truly gained and earned dividends from it. The reason why HR heads, companies, and organizations love to invite me as their resource speaker is because of my professionalism and punctuality. We should know how to value our time. Time is one resource that we cannot renew
TAN by CH IN KE E http://www.chinkeetan.com/
or bring back. Let us not allow time to pass by us. We got to maximize time and make the most out of it. THINK. REFLECT. APPLY. What is your habit when it comes to time? Are you often early or late? How did it benefit or cost you? Do you think you should also improve your punctuality?
KLAUS DORING
Philippines’ response to “ruby” ‘admirable’
de Oro
Publisher PINKY DOMINGO CADAVEDO
Foreign Partner: “You’re late!” Chinkee: “Sir, I am sorry, I got caught at the traffic.” Foreign Partner: “Is traffic a normal or a rare occurrence in your country?” Chinkee: “Normal.” Foreign Partner: “Mr. Tan, please explain to me, how can I trust you with my business if I cannot trust you with my time.” Wooohhhhh!!!! I had no words to speak. My jaw dropped on the table. As I watched my golden ticket of opportunity walked out the meeting room. I don’t have even the guts to ask for a second chance. I was really embarrassed and at the same time, feeling full of regret because I just blew one of the biggest opportunity in my life. It was a costly lesson for me pay. Come to think of it, it is not only the issue of being late but it is breaking the trust. You may take time lightly but some people,
have my say
The
CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly
the cost of being late
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lthough Typhoon “Ruby” flattened houses and claimed dozens of lives, the extent of the damage could have been much worse had it not been for the local governments’ response. It’s not only in my opinion but tons of others too. T h e m o s t p ow e r f u l typhoon to hit the Southeast Asian nation this year slammed into the Philippines’ east coast in the evening of December 6, packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers (87 miles) per hour and gusts of 170 kph (106 mph). The massive storm claimed the lives of at least 27 people, flattened houses, toppled trees, and caused shallow floods in an area still traumatized by the devastation left by last year’s super Typhoon Haiyan which claimed the lives of more than 7,000 people. But although the slowmoving typhoon claimed dozens of lives, devastated remote coastal communities and dumped heavy rain, there was relief that Hagupit known locally as Ruby weakened as it travelled west across the central Philippines, passing close to the capital Manila with only a fraction of the forecast torrential rain.
The Philippine government also launched a massive evacuation operation ahead of “Ruby” that saw millions of people seek shelter. Steven Rood, Philippines Countr y Representative at The Asia Foundation, says in an international television inter view the local government’s response and massive evacuations undoubtedly helped save many lives. However, it remains to be seen whether such pro-active stance on the part of the government will now become the new “normal” in the Philippines, as the country faces repeated natural disasters, the expert adds. It’s still early to tell, but it seems that ‘RUBY’ didn’t cause much devastation. It is true that Hagupit, while the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2014, was very much less destructive than was Typhoon Haiyan (known locally as Yolanda) in November 2013. Over 7,000 people died then, and hundreds of thousands were displaced. Infrastructure damage was widespread in 2013, and some of it had not yet been repaired when Hagupit arrived. Thus there was
considerable anxiety as the typhoon approached, and relief when the outcome was much less severe than feared. A combination of meteorological factors and better preparation were credited with this happier outcome. ‘Hagupit was very much less destructive than was Typhoon Haiyan,’ says Rood. Storms ordinarily weaken somewhat when they move over land (and away from the warm seas from which their energy is drawn), but this time the effect was magnified by interaction with the Northeast monsoon bringing down cold air from the north. Secondly, all sorts of preparation went forward. One reason agricultural damage was reduced was that farmers hastened to harvest their rice crop before the storm arrived. More effective mobilization of volunteers and pre-positioning of supplies and communication equipment were accomplished - all trying to learn the lessons of last year’s disaster. Perhaps t he most important reason for reduced casualties was the mass evacuation of persons from areas in danger of flooding
or landslides. Characterized as the largest evacuation in the Philippines during peacetime, more than one million people sought shelter in prepared locations - several times as many as had done so before Haiyan in 2013. This was partly due to more vigorous efforts by the authorities, and partly due to a greater willingness of persons to evacuate (given the dire experience of just a year ago). For me as an expatriate: amazing, how this nation could hold together - far from corruption and egoism. An awesome example for better future time. A particular long-term need that is only beginning to be addressed in the Philippines is psycho-social support after a disaster or traumatic incident. This is the one kind of assistance that victims of Haiyan last year cited as not being available to them. The Department of Health and the Department of Education have begun programs to address this gap, but these are at early stages. International experience and resources on this matter would have a great impact over the years; as such disasters happen every year.
*** Ideas, comments or suggestions? Email me: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.
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December 8-14, 2014
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Filipina bags Miss Earth 2014 crown, now brand ambassador of Sun Cellular
or emb o dying p ositive values, and good choices, Sun Cellular recently hailed Miss Earth Philippines, 19-year-old student, Jamie Herrell, as the newest ambassador of Sun Cellular. Herrell was chosen during a prepageant fashion show where she and fellow Miss Earth candidates worked the runway donning their respective national costumes. Growing up in the province of Cebu, Harrell went wit h a Fi lipiniana-inspired gown and a crown that resembled that of the Santo Niño de Cebú, or the Holy Child of Cebu, a Filipino religious image which the province is known for. A few days later, Herrell was crowned the 2014 Miss Earth. Her rel l to ok t he covete d Miss Earth 2014 crown during the pageant’s coronation night last November 29 at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, besting candidates from more than 80 countries around the world. During the pageant’s question and answer portion, renowned French conductor and flautist Olivier Fabrice Ochanine threw Herrell the question: “If you win tonight’s crown, what will you do to help them slow down or reverse the effects of global warming?” To which Herrell answered: “Global warming has been known for being a very long overdue issue. That is why if I am crowned tonight, I will use my title to inspire others, to help our environment. And we start with the kids, because the kids are the people of tomorrow, and if we teach them, they will also help the community. And that’s what I will do if I am crowned Miss Earth tonight.” Herrell said she feels that bearing the Miss Sun Cellular title is ver y
appropriate for her, expressing her e xc it e m e nt to prom ote t h e go o d choice among Filipinos and be an ambassador of Sun Cellular’s best value offers. “It is a privilege to be named Ms. Sun Cellular,” the acting major said. “I never thought I would get the title, but then I’m really grateful.” Aside from the title of Miss Sun C e l lu l a r, He r re l l w a s a l s o g i v e n S u n C e l l u l a r ’s w e a r a b l e g a d g e t smartphone combo composed of an Alcatel Pop D5 Android smartphone and an Alcatel Boomband so she can promote a f it and active lifestyle among Filipinos. A loyal subscriber of Sun Cellular, she said she knows a lot of people in her hometown who are also subscribed to Sun Cellular, especially her family and friends. “It’s nice because through Sun, connecting with my family and friends is so easy and convenient,” Herrell said. “The signal is strong and consistent, which makes calling and texting more enjoyable and reliable.” Having exp erienced using Sun C e l l u l a r ’s b e s t - v a l u e o f f e r s a n d services herself, Herrell is confident that she will be able to fulfill her role as a representative of Sun, and even expressed enthusiasm at the thought of doing it. “B eing one of the new faces of Sun Cellular is very exciting for me, because I do believe that I have the qualities to represent the network,” she said. “ This means a lot to me--to be considered a new face of Sun Cellular. I also would like to thank Sun Cellular for their relentless ser vice to the C e bu an o s an d t o t h e re s t of t h e Filipinos, it just makes life easier for us. So thank you!”
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Nineteen-year old Cebuana Jamie Herrell, recently crowned Miss Earth 2014, is the newest Sun Cellular brand ambassador. [Photo Supplied]
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Mayor Oscar “Oca” Moreno and Mrs Inday Canoy unveils the 2014 VIP Hotel Christmas Village. Photo by Mike Baños, NPN
Canoy Family Portait. Photo by Mike Baños, NPN
Dr Hector San Juan and apo checking out The Christmas Village. Photo by Mike Baños, NPN
The Night Stalker
VIP Hotel’s Christmas Village:
A Kagay-anon Tradition Lives on “In the Heart of the City” F
or the past six years, the Canoy family has nurtured a Christmas tradition in the familyowned premier business hotel which Kagayanons have come to look for ward to come December. The “VIP Christmas Village” is a miniature winter wonderland complete with houses, churches, carousels and trees designed and laid out by Ma. Theresa "Teza" Canoy-Sambile, youngest daughter of the late RMN Founder Henr y and Inday Canoy. Eileen E. San Juan, director of VIP Hotel, said the VIP Hotel “Christmas Village” was started in December 2008 and has become a tradition ever y First Sunday of Advent by the Canoy Family which owns the establishment. “It is our way of giving back to the community of Kagay-anons and other patrons who have made VIP Hotel the city’s premier business
hotel since its inception,” she said. However, the unveiling and blessing of the village for this year was done on the first day of December instead. "We had hoped to add something new ever y year to this collection so eventually, the village would grow as time goes by," Ms. Canoy said. “But for this year, our new items got stuck at Customs in the Port of Manila and couldn’t make it in time for the opening.” The village collection includes selected items from the famous Lemax Village C ollection and Department 56. "The other items such as lights and trees we got individually but we made the bridges and roads ourselves," she added. Newer miniatures from China have also made their way into the growing winter wonderland. For this year, Ms. Sambile has added two gorgeous hand-made
centerpieces, a grotto with a waterfall and a blue lagoon festooned with Christmas lights. In addition to the traditional belen which replaced a fireplace complete with mantelpiece and faux embers which glowed like the real thing, the new additions for this year include a center tableaux which looks like an outdoor park on a winter’s day, where guests and visitors can have their pictures taken (for the obligator y selfies and groupies for posting in social media) and Christmas symbols painted on the hotel’s glass windows by their ver y own staff. “C easar Gullabon from the front office and Julius Almerol from the restaurant painted the Christmas symbols on our windows using latex paint,” said Ms. Sambile. “ The snowf lake mobiles hanging from the ceiling were cut from 1/8 inch plywood by workers
from my husband’s furniture shop.” The hotel staff ’s participation in the seventh edition of the Christmas Village doesn’t end there. The quartet which rendered Christmas songs during the unveiling rites was all hotel employees. And for the traditional giveaway to those who attended the traditional unveiling and blessing, the marketing staff headed by Jenifer E. S ebillano, sales and banquet super visor chose the “Masa Podrida” after Ms. San Juan’s advised them to focus on traditional local pastries. Masa Podrida (literally “rotten dough” in Spanish) is a Filipinized shortbread cookie (traditionally made from one part sugar, two parts butter and three parts f lour) some describe as “a polvoron made into a crisp cookie” and immortalized in Kagay-
an culinar y heritage by the late Tita Luz Macaranas. But this was no ordinar y Masa Podrida as one can immediately discern from its Christmassy Star Shape cut, to its pedigree: the “Heirloom Recipe” earned a Silver Medal (Professional Categor y) for VIP Hotel’s B est Bake Baker y in the Kasoy Tinagbuan categor y during the recent Kumbira 2014, the biggest culinar y show and competition held outside Metro Manila. “We hope our fellow Kagay-anons bring their children here during the holidays to share a part of their childhood memories similar to what they experienced with the former moving Christmas displays of the old C oca-C ola plant along Osmeña street and the famous COD Dept. Store animated mannequins in Cubao and Araneta C enter,” Ms. San Juan said.
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December 8-14, 2014
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Filinvest Land P 7 B Bond Oversubscribed Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) adds P7 Billion for its capital expenditure program with the successful listing of its 5 year and 10 year peso fixed- rate bonds in the Philippine Dealing Exchange on Dec. 4,2014. The bonds attained the highest possible rating of PRS Aaa from Philippine Ratings Corporation (PhilRatings). The Gotianun owned property
arm FLI’s fixed-rate bonds due 2021 and 2024 had an oversubscription of almost twice the base amount of P5 Billion, enabling the company to exercise the P2 Billion oversubscription option approved by the SEC. FLI President and CEO Josephine Gotianun Yap said the funding tapped from the bond market will allow the company to
set aside for its capital spending for the next 15 months as it aims to maintain rapid and sustainable growth. “For 2015, FLI is investing heavily in recurring income projects. Just from the existing projects already in the construction and planning stage, we can expect to triple our office portfolio and attain a 250% increase in our retail portfolio
to hit close to 1.5 million square meters of gross leasable area in the next 5 years. We tap the long term bond market to insure our funding sources match our project horizon, “ says Yap. The balance will be spent on residential developments and land acquisition. explains Yap. Filinvest Land continues to focus on its core competencies – meeting the needs
Filinvest Homes Butuan Entrance Gate
of majority of the population by providing affordable and middleincome housing. By focusing on Oasis and Spatial medium rise buildings (MRBs) brands and the Futura affordable housing projects, majority of our projects serve our traditional markets and have construction cycles of less than a year for faster revenue recognition and less exposure to construction
cost risk ” she adds. The company expanded its geographic reach by launching more projects in more regional centers outside of greater Metro Manila including Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro, and Palawan. In 2015, new projects are seen rising in Northern Luzon and Central Visayas such as Dumaguete, further expanding its nationwide presence.
OneOasis Cagayan de Oro Perspective
FILINVEST LAND’s 3 quarters revenues up 28 percent O
ne of the country’s leading residential developers and BPO offices providers has registered a 28 percent increase in revenues for the first three quarters of 2014 compared to the same period last year. Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI) reported its revenues were up to PhP 10.81 billion from January to September, 2014 while consolidated net income jumped to PhP 2.89-Billion, from PhP 2.44-Billion over the same period in 2013, a 19 percent increase. The company attributes the strong results to the sustained robust growth in its residential business and office leasing operations. FLI recorded real estate revenues of PhP 9.15 Billion, 31 percent more than the PhP 6.97 Billion posted over the same period last year. This was driven by strong sales in its horizontal housing projects, medium-rise building
projects that carry the “Oasis” brand and high-rise building projects like “Studio Zen”. The firm is on track to launch PhP17.5 Billion in residential projects in 2014. Among the projects launched during the first three quarters was “100 West”, a mixed-use development high-rise tower with residential, retail and office components, conveniently located at Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati. Revenues from rental assets rose to PhP 1.65 Billion, a 10 percent increase from the PhP 1.50 Billion generated over the same period in 2013, as the firm recognized additional revenues from its new office buildings “Filinvest One” and “Plaz@ E”at Northgate Cyberzone in Filinvest City, Alabang. FLI CEO and President Josephine Gotianun Yap said that the firm will be making significant investments in its
Filinvest Homes Butuan Complete Amenities
recurring income portfolio. “We believe that the rental business will provide the stability of revenue streams. This is why a significant amount of our capex will be earmarked for investment properties. We are looking at increasing our gross leasable area to three times our current office and retail space inventory within five years. “ Filinvest Land is a pioneer in providing office space to BPOs. “We are confident of sustained growth for the companyas we continue to launch new residential projects and execute our plans to increase offices as well as retail spaces in key locations nationwide,” she added. In Cagayan de Oro, FLI is set to deliver the first of five buildings of One Oasis CDO, the very first mid-rise condo development of Filinvest in Cagayan de Oro City, as early as 3rd Quarter of 2015.
“Completion and delivery dates are top considerations of Filinvest Land, which sets our project apart from the rest which have a 5-year lag time,” notes Ms Ara Solidum, FLI Area General Manager for North Mindanao. One Oasis CDO is the 12th FLI development nationwide to carry brand which features a resort style community with resort-inspired lifestyle, refreshing landscapes and a convenient, laid-back lifestyle in a prime urban zone. Meantime, FLI launched a series of new model units in Filinvest Homes Butuan, located along the National Highway (Davao-Butuan-Cagayan Road) at Km. 3 Bgy. Baan, less than a kilometer from the city proper. Its three house models,: Amber, Opal, and Molave have down payments starting at PhP 8,200 per month, with homeowners offered a choice of the following packages: Lot only
(134-365 sqm, PhP 1MN-3.4), Amber House & Lot package (40.31 sqm, LA 75 sqm, PhP 1.38MN) Opal House & Lot Package (53.6 sqm/LA 104 sqm/ PhP 1.9-2.8M) or Molave House & Lot Package (39.4 sqm/143 sqm/PhP 2.4-2.5M) “FHB offers the best valuefor-money selling price per square meter for an exclusive and themed residential subdivision with resort inspired amenities,” Ms. Solidum notes. On top of that, it offers better financing packages to choose from including In-house, Bank and Pag-IBIG financing schemes. Not the least, FLI’s Villa San Ignacio in Bgy. Tumaga, Zamboanga City is expected to be sold out soon and further expansions are planned in the near future to address the clamor of potential homeowners in the key cities of northwestern Mindanao. -30-
Villa San Ignacio Clubhouse & Pool
The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial and Advertising: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09177121424
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The
CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly de Oro
December 8-14, 2014
Cutting the ribbon is Rep. Mercedes Chan Cagas - Vice Chair of the Lower House Committee on Tourism assisted by Laguindingan Mayor Oliver Obaub with CAAP official and Dir. Catalino E. Chan III.
DOT X VIP LOUNGE FORMALLY OPENED AT LAGUINDINGAN AIRPORT By Joe Palabao/Editorial Consultant
The beautiful and exquisite VIP lounge of the Department of Tourism X at Laguindingan Airport, Misamis Oriental, Philippines was formally opened last December 10, 2014. Representative Mercedes Chan Cagas- 1st District of Davao del Sur and Vice Chair of the Lower House Committee on Tourism was the special guest cutting the ceremonial ribbon of the launching together with Laguindingan Mayor Oliver Obaub, CAAP Official and the ever active and dynamic Director Catalino ‘Butch’ E. Chan 111. Tourism VIP Lounge is always present in every airport of the Philippines when it is located in a regional capital. VIP guests, government officials, tourists and visitors coming from any part of the country to visit the region will be accommodated in the lounge arrival area, be accorded with welcome leis followed by a grand welcome and be entertained with mesmerizing performances from the Kagayhaan Performing Arts (KPA)- the region’s pride performing group and recently an ALIW Awardee on the performing arts category. Laguindingan VIP Lounge is the only lounge doing such grandiose welcome to visitors in this part of the country. Present during the grandiose launching were officers from
the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA) headed by its President Ms. Nelia Lee-and restaurant owner of Ah Fong Asian Cuisine, Ms. Eileen San Juan-LEIPO, Cagayan de Oro City, CAAP Officials, airport personnel, airlines personnel and representatives, invited guests, media men and Dept. of Tourism X personnel and auditors. Invocating God’s blessings for graces and protection of the VIP Lounge was officiated by Msgr. Elmer Abacahin of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro City. Guests enjoyed the sumptuous dinner with gourmet and mouth- watering cuisines served by Ah Fong Asian Cuisine. Host municipality Mayor Oliver Ubaub appealed to Representative Mercedes Chan Cagas to talk to her colleagues in Congress not to push through the bill which will rename Laguindingan Airport to Pelaez Airport. Mayor Ubaub further said that it is unfair to the populace of Laguindingan who gave up their lands to pave the way for the construction of the airport. Efforts should be focused on finishing and improving the facilities of the airport to meet the desired international standard so that tourists from all over the world will visit Northern Mindanao.
Tourism Czar Dir. Catalino E. Chan III with his sister Rep. Mercedes Chan Cagas - Vice Chair of the Lower House Committee on Tourism.
The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial and Advertising: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09177121424