Metro CDOTIMES (June 7-13, 2021)

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CAGAYANLifestyle TIMES Weekly DE ORO

Volume 8 | No. 43 | Cagayan de Oro City | June 7-13, 2021

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By MIKE BAÑOS

AGAYAN de Oro City’s Himugso Festival is pushing through despite the city’s MECQ quarantine status.

“I have received an advisory from the city tourism office suggesting we cancel Himugso but I said no, what is important is we should just organize it properly so we are compliant with the regulations,” said City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno during the 375th Covid-19 Press Briefing held June 5.

“We can’t cancel or set it aside, these are very important events in our nation and city’s history,” Moreno, who spoke in Bisaya, stressed. “ We want to honor those who fought for our independence. We also want our people to realize the value of independence.”

Cagayan de Oro City’s Himugso Festival celebrates the Philippines’ Independence Day on June 12 and the Cagayan de Oro City Charter Day

Adlaw Kagay-an on June 15 as one contiguous commemoration. The city has been placed on Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) status from June 1-15, 2021 following a recent surge in covid-19 cases affecting the city and Northern Mindanao.

With the tagline Birthing a City. Birthing a Nation. Birthing Tomorrow, Himugso is a celebration of the Cagayan de Oro City and the Philippines’ history and heritage and has been traditionally celebrated with exhibits, plays, walking and windshield tours of the city’s historical sites as the new generation is invited to look back at the people and events which made the freedom and prosperity they enjoy today possible.

The Indomitable Spirit

Mayor Oscar Moreno calls on the Kagay-anons Indomitable Spirit best examplified by the Himugso Festival to defeat the covid-19 scourge.

“Why did the Philippines declare independence on June 12, 1898 against the Spaniards? Why did Emilio Aguinaldo and the Filipinos do that?

What was their agenda?”

Moreno asked.

“The freedom of our nation. The refusal of our people to surrender to a foreign domination.

That’s what I call the Indomitable Spirit. If there is a best time to call on that bravery, to call on that indomitable spirit, now is the best time,” he stressed.

"This is now we should celebrate our freedom. Now is the best time to call on our people to be brave and face this problem squarely,

and solve it,” the chief executive added. “No government can solve this. It is only the people who can stop the virus and its transmission.”

Last year, the city had a virtual celebration of the Himugso Festival in compliance with the national government’s guidelines for modified general community

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS

By Klaus Döring

Chapter XVIII:

The Year of a Serious Decision SEE STORY ON PAGE 3

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quarantine (MGCQ).

In its official Facebook page, the LGU invited Kagay-anons here and outside the city and the country to join the virtual events which aired live on social media, cable TV and radio stations in the city.

“Similarly, on June 15, we should value HIMUGSO/PAGE 7

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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

June 7-13, 2021

Sports Tourism is Alive!

By CHARLES LIM

It Only Takes Two to Bubble While the world holds its breath and focuses its attention on Tokyo in the coming weeks, even the most optimistic, have apprehensions if the 2020 Summer Olympics, delayed for a year, will ever begin on July 23. Exhale.

The International Olympic Council (IOC) and the games machinery is ready on the blocks. The Japanese Government and the Tokyo Games Host Committee (TGHC), though brimming with steadfastness and rudimentary commitment, are at best, cautiously optimistic. How do you deal with a situation when the majority of your citizens are against holding of the Games?

Both Tokyo and Osaka are under emergency lockdown until June 30 due to a spike of COVID cases of multiple variants.

With less than 50 days to go, the athletes have started to arrive.

Visibly featured, on arrival, was the women's softball team from Australia. The Jamaican football team failed some health protocols so were unable to enter as scheduled last week. Thousands of athletes will already be in Japan before June 30.

How safe can Tokyo be with 12,000 athletes and officials from all over the world, including the most affected COVID19 hot spots, descending upon them?

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CAGAYAN TIMES/Sudaria Group of Companies Publisher MIKE BAÑOS Editor-in-Chief SUSAN P. DENNIS GEAN T. CESAR RANDY FAMACION MAI MAI SISON KLAUS DORING ANNIE GORRA RAGO WENDY RAMOS-GARCIA Contributing Editors CLIFFORD SANTILLAN Layout Artist PINKY DOMINGO Marketing KHRISTHA RIVA FELICILDA Advertising ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI Legal Counsel The Metro 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 #: (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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The IOC and TGHC believe it will be safe.

The athletes will all be at the Games Village at the Bayside and will be transported back and forth to their game venues. All athletes are encouraged to be vaccinated before leaving home and will be tested frequently while in Japan .No foreign spectators are allowed to the Games.

No decision yet if Japanese spectators will be allowed into the venues.

For a sports event, big or small, to happen, it requires a bubble and it needs only two to bubble. For the Tokyo Games, basically it will be the IOC and the Japanese Host Committee. The Japanese government has given their approval and laid down the conditions for the Games to happen.

Half a world away, Euro 2020 will be happening this month featuring the top European footballing nations.

Again, for it to happen, it was an agreement between UEFA and the host nations.

Several bubbles were created.

Our AZKALS are locked in battle in Dubai this week in a FIFA World Cup qualifying round. Creating

this bubble for them to be there with the national teams of China, Guam, Maldives and Syria were FIFA and the UAE. Here at home, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Clark created a similar bubble to bring the FIBA Asian Cup qualifiers to our shores to show that sports tourism is so much alive. Nine countries - Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Guam and host nation, the Philippines will play ball from June 16 to 20, 2021 in very tight fixtures only in one venue - the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center (AUF).

All the 265 players, FIBA and SBP officials will be accommodated at the Quest Hotel inside Clark. PLDT, Smart, TV5 crew and ancillary staff will be billeted in just one more hotel.

As early as now, local personnel and even hotel staff, drivers and AUF staff (the venue) are already being tested and under quarantine also inside Clark. All players, officials, organizers, room boys, waiters, janitors, etc. - everyone in the bubble will repeatedly be tested of COVID. I suppose it

is also safe to presume that they too have been vaccinated.

From my experience in holding the 4th Sports Tourism Awards (PSTA) in Clark a few months ago, I had the distinct honor of working with the President and CEO of Clark Development Corporation, PB Gen Manual Gaerlan who is Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for this FIBA Qualifiers; Mr. Arrey Perez, Vice President of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority; Ms. Noemi Julian , the Manager of the Clark Tourism Office; and Engr Mariza Mandocdoc, CDC Vice President for Finance and Admin Group Assurances of the safety of the of the bubble were reinforced with the presence of Mr. Sonny Barrios, the Executive Director of SBP and Secretary Vince Dizon of the powerful Integrated Agency Task Force (IATF) tackling the COVID pandemic,

as advisers. Both gentlemen too featured prominently in the last PSTA. Clark has not been named Sports Tourism Destination of the Year thrice for nothing.

They earned every award that came their way.

Those of you having plans of a major sports event, bubble training and scrimmages in your locality during this pandemic, don't despair. This template of the bubble is somewhat working well everywhere. It needs determination, desire, discipline and dedication.

Just In: It's heartening to hear that Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte is hosting the volleyball national team training way up north. Great move by Ramon "Tats" Suzara, President of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc. Who's next? It only takes two to bubble.

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CAGAYANTIMES Feature DE ORO

June 7-13, 2021 Page 3

A German Expat in the Philippines

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS

By Klaus Döring

Chapter XVIII:

The Year of a Serious Decision It was on a wonderful Sunday morning during breakfast. My mother opposed all the advice of her friends and decided to move to Berlin to live with Rossana and me in another cute apartment. “Then you don't always have to drive almost 1,000 kilometers back and forth to visit me on a free weekend,” she said. She moved into a wonderful one-person apartment in Berlin near us.

"You have probably booked your next vacation in the Philippines? What do you think if you just take me with you this time?" The question didn't shock Rossana and me. It was our dearest wish for some time. As always said, done. The flights were booked. Berlin - Frankfurt.

Frankfurt - Manila, a nonstop flight with Lufthansa. Manila - Davao by Philippine Airlines.

We arrived safe and sound in March 1993. The big Hallo and the incredible warm welcome from the family in the Philippines shocked my mother and she burst into tears. "Why have so many in Germany warn me against going to the Philippines?" my mother asked. Rossana

and I couldn't answer her.

All so-called good hard blows from her German friends were lost in the flight.

Even her family doctor had urgently advised her never ever to travel to the tropics, in this case to the Philippines, because of her unstable, cancerous health.

When my mother sent him a postcard and told that she was fine and enjoying her stay in the Philippines her doctor no longer replied even after she returned to his clinic in Berlin.

During our vacation, we got very distinguished visitors in our house: Davao Archbishop Fernando Robles Capalla together with parish priest Father Allan.

Capalla was born on Nov. 1, 1934 in Leon town, Iloilo province. He was ordained priest on March 18, 1961, and was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Davao

by Pope Paul VI on April 8, 1975 . His episcopal ordination and installation were on June 18, 1975.

The same pope appointed him as Prelate of Iligan on April 25, 1977 and he was installed on May 26, 1977. He became Bishop of Iligan when it was

elevated to a diocese by Pope John Paul II on Nov 15, 1982 . He served as Apostolic Administrator of Marawi from Oct. 17, 1987 until 1991. On June 28, 1994 he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Davao, and on November 6, 1996 , was appointed Archbishop of Davao. He was installed as third Davao archbishop on November 28, 1996.

Meeting the bishop gave me an incredible opportunity to become a columnist as well as a radio host in the Philippines. I met Father Dexter Veloso, the station manager of DXGX 89.9 The Good News Radio, a member of the Catholic Media Network as well as the chief editor of the Davao Catholic Herald.

(To be continued)

‘Klaus Doring was born in Spenge, a little village near Bielefeld in North RhineWestphalia, former West Germany. A publishing house manager and journalist by profession, i.e. managing editor for law magazines in Berlin, New York and Amsterdam, radio and TV host.’

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Mindanao Power Forum 2021

DLPC, Socoteco II Operations/ Governance Models lauded

By MIKE BAÑOS

also among the private DUs in Mindanao, ESPITE some in maximizing the and CEPALCO is negative dispatch of the leastreally glaring. Where takeaways cost generation from CEPALCO sacrifices cited by civil society the mostly renewableits consumers to pay organizations from the high rates in order to energy (RE) power recent Mindanao Power maximize the earnings plants of PSALM-NPC, Forum, the same CSOs of its affiliate coal he added. similarly lauded the “The other IODUs plants, Davao Light is exemplary models of are maximizing the working to minimize a private distribution dispatch of coal the generation costs utility and an electric even though that greatly generation because the cooperative. coal plants are affiliates reduces the earnings of In a paper circulated their affiliate generating of the DU, and the to CSOs right after the revenues of the coal company,” he pointed forum, Engr. David A. generating companies out.

Tauli, consultant of the “This anti-consumer will be significantly Lanao Power Consumers behavior on the part reduced if their Federation (LAPOCOF), of the DUs other than generation is displaced cited the presentation DLPC (and its sister DU, by generation from the of the Davao Light and government-owned the Cotabato Light and Power Company (DLPC) Power Corp.) is because power plants,” Tauli on “Strengthening stressed. the other DUs signed Mindanao’s Distribution power supply contracts The DLPC and Utilities and Electric with the coal generating CLPC also have power Cooperatives” delivered companies which did supply agreements

by DLPC President & with Aboitiz-owned not go through public CEO Rodger S. Velasco. bidding or least-cost generating plants, “I am citing the procurement,” he added. but they have been DLPC presentation maximizing the use The Aboitiz-owned as an opportunity for of their allocations DUs in Mindanao pointing out what from the PSALM-NPC (DLPC and CLPC) are DLPC President RE power plants in exceptions, not only Rodger Velasco did compliance with the among the ECs but not mention: that the DLPC has the lowest generation component of rates among all the distribution utilities (DUs) in Mindanao,” Tauli said. “The monthly generation charge of DLPC is less than P5.00 per kilowatthour (kWh), while the rates of most of the other DUs in Mindanao are P6.00 or greater per kWh. Tauli said the generation charge of DLPC is lowest among DUs in Mindanao because they are maximizing the dispatch of power supply from the PSALM-NPC, while the other DUs are minimizing power supply from PSALMNPC and maximizing power supply purchased from coal generating plants.

“The contrast between Davao Light

D

least-cost dispatching of power supply by DUs as mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA).

The EPIRA also sets limits on the amount of generation that can be sourced by the distribution utilities

from DU-owned or affiliate-owned power plants. So dispatching operations by DUs other than the DLPC and CLPC are being done in violation of prudent (and legal) dispatching operations, Tauli noted.

In a similar note, Tauli exhorted Mindanao electric cooperative to emulate the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SOCOTECO-2), more specifically, its relationship with its member-consumerowners.

“The memberconsumer owners (MCOs) of SOCOTECO2 have established a CDAregistered consumer cooperative, called the SOCSARGEN Electricity Users Consumers Cooperative (SEUCC),” Tauli noted.

“The SEUCC is the only electricity user’s cooperative in the Philippines that is independent of the electric cooperative where its members are also MCOs. Since it is independent of the EC, the SEUCC can serve as a watchdog over the Board of

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Directors (BOD) of SOCOTECO2. All other electric cooperatives in Mindanao control their MCOs, and get the MCOs to rubber-stamp the actions of the BODs during the Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA),” he added.

The most important activity in the AGMA that concerns the welfare of the memberconsumer-owners of the electric cooperative is the approval of the actions of the Board of Directors in the previous year. The AGMA provided the opportunity for MCOs to disapprove the power supply agreements that did not go through public bidding.

“But none of the over 100 power supply agreements of Mindanao ECs for the period 20122017 that did not go through public bidding was disapproved in any AGMA. This only indicates that the BODs have absolute control over their MCOs. But not in SOCO2, where the SEUCC is independent of the EC,” he stressed.

Feature

Dispatching of Japanese sericulture experts to teach the local farmers

Teaching sericulture farmers how and when to feed silkworms is crucial to silk production. (OISCA)

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Women workers making silk yarn from silk waste (spunsilk) (OISCA)

Silk raising projects in Oro, Misor growing A sericulture expert from Japan recently gave his thumbs up to the progress of sericulture/silkworm rearing houses in Misamis Oriental funded by the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) International, through the World Bank.

OISCA Resident Representative Yukihiro Ishibashi recently visited two sericulture project sites in Sitio Saguing, Barangay Patag in the Municipality of Opol, Misamis Oriental and Barangay Balubal in Cagayan de Oro City, where silkworm rearing houses were constructed under the aegis of its Promotion of sustainable communities across the Philippines through silk production program.

“They are very cooperative with our activities in OISCA so I’m very happy and satisfied with the performance of the staff of the government, at the same time [the] cooperation of the community beneficiaries in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental,” Ishibashi said.

OISCA International contributes to Humanity's environmentally sustainable development through a holistic approach emphasizing the interconnectedness of agriculture, ecological integrity, and human spirit.

To accomplish this, OISCA International implements and advocates hands-on experiential programs for world citizens of all ages, transmitting knowledge and skills, and cultivating spiritual qualities as

dedication, self-reliance, and universal brothersisterhood.

One of OISCA`s fourpillars to development, Capacity Building is one of the cornerstones of Furusato Movement.

OISCA`s 22 training centers located in 11 countries including Japan, aims to empower the youths through agriculture training, home economics, and technical skills training.

Graduates of the program are expected to be the leaders and catalyst for change and help in the development of their own respective communities.

The Japanese Embassy in Manila has allotted a total of USD426,168 or about PHP22.15 million to support sericulture business in the Philippines.

The provinces of Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Aklan, Iloilo, Antique, and Negros Occidental are the identified beneficiaries of the project, through the transfer of similar sericulture business support that has been carried out in Negros Island.

Through this grant, the beneficiaries will undergo leadership development seminars for spreading sericulture operations, short-term training for sericulture farmers, and mulberry field maintenance.

While production of textiles is popular in the Philippines, Filipinos commonly rely on imports from other countries for its raw silk materials, including those used for traditional costumes such as the Barong Tagalog.

The Philippines aims to achieve the domestic

Sericulture graduates of OISCA from Negros now serve as the project`s extension workers.

Yukihiro Ishibashi discusses future projects during a visit to the sericulture site in Sitio Saguing, Brgy. Patag, Opol, Misamis Oriental on 19 March 2021. (DOST-STII)

production of all silk threads used in the country, making Japan's support deployment project for sericulture an essential initiative.

According to the Embassy, OISCA's assistance in the silk farming industry in the Philippines has come a long way, carrying out sericulture support business on Negros Island for more than 20 years.

To further support the initiative, the Department of Science and TechnologyMisamis Oriental (DOSTMOR) sourced P145,000 from OISCA for the silkworm rearing house.

The agency then linked the farmers to the Philippine Textile Research Institute - Technology Center in Misamis Oriental (PTRITCMO) for training and

technical assistance in silk cocoon production.

Four members of the Sitio Saguing Community Farmers Association (SSCFA) in CNQ Farms completed a 3-day handson training on sericulture at the PTRI-TCMO, Villanueva, Misamis Oriental last 5-7 May 2021.

Evaluators of the rearing house in Barangay Patag considered the facility to be suitable for silkworm rearing and functional for silk cocoon production.

Meanwhile, the sericulture project in Barangay Balubal was made possible by the DOST Local Grants-In-Aid (LGIA) program in cooperation with the Local Government Unit of Cagayan de Oro City through the City Housing and Urban Development Department

Locals undergo intensive sericulture training by local and Japanese experts prior to actual engagement in cocoon production (OISCA)

(CHUDD). As a result, the project's beneficiaries were successful in their first and second silk cocoon harvest last 14 February and 28 April of this year, respectively.

Ishibashi expressed his great appreciation for the building of the rearing houses. He added that the setup was very ideal considering the distance between the rearing house and the mulberry field of the sericulture site in Barangay Balubal.

After 50 years of working experience at grassroots level, OISCA adopts a new approach of integrating all its development and environmental conservation programs. OISCA coined the term Furusato Movement. The term furusato is Japanese word

which means home.

The Furusato Movement is aimed at creating sustainable communities where its residents work together in a spirit of cooperation and selfreliance to achieve their common goals. It is also aimed at economic selfreliance, social security, environmental conservation and participation in policy formulation realized on the foundation created by various forms of capacity building.

To know more about the project, please contact Julie Anne H. Baculio, Science Research Specialist I at stpromotions@region10.dost. gov.ph or mobile number 0917-709-3706. (Danielle Jeane Quilit, DOST-Misamis Oriental) (with reports from Japan Embassy, OISCA & DOST-STII)

Provision of jobs among the locals through our silkworm industry boosts and strengthens local and national economy.

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A M113A2 APCs fitted with Remote Controlled Weapons Stations (RCWS) of the 43rd Mechanized Infantry Company Fourth Mechanized Infantry Battalion Philippine Army ferries four pretty brides to their wedding venue Tuesday May 18 in the hinterland village camp of Cadulawan, in the once wartorn town of Munai, Lanao del Norte.

(Photo by: Richel V. Umel, Mindanao Daily News)

DIRECTORY

APC ferries brides to their wedding in Lanao del Norte village

By RICHEL V. UMEL

MUNAI, Lanao del Norte- Four young brides were ferried by an M113A2 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) fitted with Remote Controlled Weapons Stations (RCWS) to their wedding venue Tuesday May 18 inside a military camp of

the 43rd Mechanized Armor Company, 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion in the hinterland village of Cadulawan in Munai town, Lanao del Norte.

The wedding ceremony was officiated

by Reverend Father Ramon Torres, Vicar General of the Diocese of Marawi, and witnessed

by military officers, government officials and stakeholders.

The new type of APC was first utilized as a bridal car on December 12, 2020, at 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion Headquarters at Nangka, Baloi town, during the stint of Colonel Domingo Dulay Jr., former Commanding

A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:

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Officer.

Major General Efren Baluyot, Division Commander of Armor "Pambato" Division said Wednesday, “These APCS with RCWS were acquired from Israel as part of the military modernization program.”

Baluyot said “the M113A2 APCs fitted with Remote Controlled Weapons Stations (RCWS) were a vital support to the military infantry operations that liberated Marawi City from the Maute - ISIS terrorist group during the five-month long Marawi Siege on May 23 to October 2017, and the recent joint military operations against the Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters - Dawlah Islamiya in Maguindanao province."

1st Lieutenant Julieto Jakosalem, Company Commander said the four couples include Corporal Benitez and Edna Ermac, Private First Class Sonnie Bantas and Chiara Hermosilla, Pfc. Frank Limjuco and Claire Velle Bariga , and PFC Kim Son Tabada and Jennifer Ventura.

One of the grooms, Corporal Helrod Benitez, 32 years old , a high school graduate from M'lang North Cotabato currently assigned at 43rd Mechanized Company in Cadulawan , Munai town this province was one of the troops who fought against ISIS -Maute terrorist group in Marawi City with his buddy Private First Class Limjuco and were both promoted one rank higher.

Benitez said he first met his wife Edna Ermac 24, a resident of sitio APC/PAGE 7

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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

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Himugso... from page 1

and thank those who made the conversion of Cagayan de Oro into a city. Again the Indomitable Spirit,” Moreno emphasized.

To do this, the city chief executive said the city government should closely coordinate with the DILG, the police and all other involved government agencies in commemorating the Himugso Festival 2021 events.

“I hope we can do that. I understand many are afraid to join in such commemorations for fear of being infected but that’s why we are pushing our vaccination so our employees should not be unduly put at risk,” he added.

APC... from page 6

Pindugangan, Tipanoy in Iligan City on November 2019 when he went to Wet Market in Poblacion Iligan City where she manages a stall.

“I asked her number and we had a constant communication until we established our relationship. I asked permission from her parents to bring her a shopping to Gaisano Mall where I bought her a life size pink teddy bear and that’s how our relationship began."

“Helrod told me we would be brought by a bridal tank from the camp to the venue where our wedding would be solemnized,” his wife Edna Ermac -Benitez said. “When I wore my bridal gown I felt t\ so happy that at last our dream would be fulfilled.”

"When I boarded the bridal tank protected by a full metal shield, I felt very safe and secure being married to a military man. At least our family with our three-month old baby boy would have a secure future . I shed tears when I walked through the red carpet towards the altar,” she added.

"How I wish we would have five children in the future. Helrod passed my test before we became committed to each other until we decided to get married and I trusted him."

Edna Ermac -Benitez is the youngest of six siblings and is a graduate of Business Administration Major in Business Operations Management. from St. Petters College.

“Unom pa ka tuig akong edad nag tabang na ko sa akong ginikanan diin 32 years na mi

From L-R: Jose Laurente, Jr., Cebu Pacific Director, Cargo Sales; Usec. Ma. Carolina VidalTaiño, DOH-Procurement and Supply Chain Management; Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the NTF against COVID-19; Dr. Francisco Duque III, Health Secretary, Department of Health (DoH); Alex Reyes, Cebu Pacific Chief Strategy Officer; Marvin Cui, Cebu Pacific Director, Special Projects

Cebu Pacific flies fourth batch of COVID-19 vaccines from China Another 1 million doses airlifted to Manila; close to 52,000 flown to five provinces

The Philippines' leading carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) carried another batch of 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from Beijing to Manila on June 6, 2021.

This the fourth shipment picked up by CEB, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH). The vaccines were safely flown in temperaturecontrolled containers, aboard CEB's chartered A330 flight 5J 671, and arrived at the NAIA at 7:35 AM. “We remain optimistic that the continuous airlifting of these life-saving vaccines will pave the way in inoculating a sizeable amount of the population.

We appreciate the support of Cebu Pacific and other Philippine carriers

in this mission of distributing COVID 19 vaccine supplies even to the far regions of the archipelago,” said vaccine czar, Sec. Carlito Galvez, Jr., chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19.

Upon arrival in Manila, all vaccines were inspected by authorities prior to transfer to cold storage vans and facilities.

“We remain grateful for the opportunity to support the government’s vaccination program,” Alex Reyes, Chief Strategy Officer at Cebu Pacific. “We are keen to transport the vaccines, whether internationally or domestically, so that our national vaccination campaign meets its targets.”

Over the week, CEB also transported a total of 51,800 Covid-19 vaccine doses to five provinces, namely, Puerto Princesa, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Zamboanga, and Tuguegarao.

To date, CEB has already transported 3.5 million vaccine doses from China to Manila, and more than 1.1 million doses to various parts of the Philippines since March this year.

CEB operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines covering 32 destinations, on top of its six (6) international destinations. Its 75-strong fleet, one of the youngest in the world, includes two (2) dedicated ATR freighters and one (1) A330 freighter.

namaligya isip vendor hangtud ko nag graduate sa college.”

Lieutenant Colonel Rommel Pereña, commanding officer of 4th Mech said married life is about compromises. "Yung ma- asawa should talk and learn how to compromise. Ang magasawa may time na may

conflict."

"What you should do ay hindi dapat ma putol ang komunikasyon at mag usap, huwag ninyong patagalin and treat each other with respect,” he noted.

"Troops have rest and recreation privileges and they have to spend such opportunities with their family. This

is a long-distance relationship (LDR),” he added. "When they are at home for a vacation, they have to spend the quality of time with their family.”

Not the least, Pereña advised the four couples, “You should agree on how to manage your financial matters, and manage your funds."

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CAGAYANTIMES Feature DE ORO

June 7-13, 2021

Page 8

Cagayan de Oro-Norfolk Cities Sisterhood 13th Anniversary

Norfolk proclaims June 12 as PH Independence Day

N

ORFOLK commemorates the 13th Anniversary of its Sisterhood Twinning Agreement with Cagayan de Oro City with a proclamation declaring June 12, 2021 as Philippine Independence Day in the City of Norfolk, Virginia.

In an proclamation dated May 27, 2021, Kenneth Cooper Alexander, Ph.D., Mayor of the City of Norfolk, declared Saturday, June 12, 2021, as Philippine Independence Day in the City of Norfolk and urged all citizens to join with the Norfolk Sister Cities Association and the Filipino Community “to recognize the numerous invaluable contributions the Filipino Community has made to our city and the region and celebrate with them on this historic occasion.”

Raylene Ann Baumgart, president of the Cagayan de Oro Committee of the Norfolk Sister Cities Association,

Mayor of Norfolk City Paul Fraim (left) and Cagayan de Oro Mayor Constantino Jaraula sign the sisterhood agreement at MacArthur Square on June 18, 2008. (photo courtesy of pilotonline.com)

confirmed in an email message dated June 7, 2021 that “ June 12 is now recognized as a special celebration for Norfolk.

After meeting with Jennifer over a month ago, she helped in getting this approved and we got it!”

However, Baumgart aid there will be no program to mark the occasion this year “due to COVID19 restrictions and other reasons but we will definitely plan for a

Norfolk City proclaims June 12, 2021 as PH Independence Day

great event next year!”.

Cagayan de Oro became the 7th sister city of Norfolk on June 18, 2008 when then Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim and then Cagayan de Oro Mayor Constantino Jaraula signed the sisterhood agreement at the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Square. It was fitting venue, being the “Liberator of the Philippines” final resting place.

The two cities share a historical link through Gen. Douglas MacArthur when he landed in Cagayan (then known as Cagayan de Misamis) on March 13, 1942 in his famous Breakout from Corregidor. After a fourday layover at Del Monte, the General, his family

and general staff where airlifted to Australia on March 17, 1942. Upon his arrival at Australia, he uttered his famous vow “I shall return,” which he fulfilled when he landed with on Leyte on October 20, 1944 with a landing force which eventually liberated the entire Philippines.

Dr. Juan M. Montero II, who brokered the sister cityhood relationship between Norfolk and Cagayan de Oro, also expressed his pleasure at the proclamation in an email message to Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander.

“I am very pleased of your patriotic proclamation to recognize June 12th as

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno with Cheryl McGarrigle, former president of the CDO Committee, Norfolk Sister Cities Association, and Dr Juan M Montero II who brokered the sisterhood agreement upon advice of Pres.

Fidel V. Ramos. (photo courtesy of Cheryl McGarrigle)

Philippine Independence Day in the City of Norfolk. On behalf of Filipino-Americans and as a sitting member of the Board of General Douglas MacArthur

The MacArthur Memorial Marker at Bgy. Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City recalls Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s famous Phil Field Marshal’s Cap. (photo courtesy of PPA PMO MOC)

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Memorial Foundation, I wholeheartedly thank you,” Montero said in his message.

Cagayan de Oro’s 800,000 population plus four universities and several colleges complement 40,000 Filipinos living in Hampton Roads and its educational facilities.

Like Norfolk, Cagayan de Oro is also a harbor city where the MacArthur Memorial with a unique design motif patterned after the General’s famous “Philippine Field Marshall’s Cap” was erected in a small, beautiful park at the Macabalan Port Area and where Norfolk’s Mermaid “Golden Lady”, a gift from the City of Norfolk to the City of Golden Friendship, is also located.