Welcome home

I’d like to welcome Mayor Tommy Osmeña back home. 

Many probably don’t know this — I used to cover the City Hall beat as a reporter for GMA-7 Cebu from 1990 to early 1996 and am quite well acquainted with the mayor.

Each time the matter of the South Reclamation Project (now known as the South Road Properties) would be discussed in the press conference, we had to brace for a long one as Mayor Tom would love to talk about his vision.

When the SRP was finally opened to the public several years ago, it was like seeing a dream come true.

I don’t go to the City Hall to do interviews anymore, but I am well aware of what is happening at the SRP from the stories that are submitted by our reporters and from friends who are very much involved in the project.

The SRP will definitely be something that would bring Cebu City a lot of funds for development, but there is one thing I would want to see there also – a sports facility for the public.

I remember being in a discussion with some city officials about this vision a few years ago and recently this was again brought up.

It would really be great if the city can allocate land for this facility that can be the training venue for the serious athletes and the arena where we can host major national and international events.

I’m sure that is part of Mayor Tom’s vision.

The Cebu City Sports Center, which is the best-utilized facility of its kind in the country, already badly needs repair.

Mayor Tom was made aware of that even when he was in the US for treatment and has promised to provide funds for the repair of the track oval once the city makes a sale in the SRP.

This means that the repair of the oval would be coming soon, but as to how soon, I really have no idea.

But knowing the mayor, he will do what he says he will do and I am hopeful to see a repaired CCSC oval very soon.

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I received email yesterday from my good friend Jesse Bernad of the Fastball Batting Cages about the Baseball Summer Camp for kids.

This is open to kids from 6 to 16 and will start on April 13 and end on May 1. 

The camp will run for 15 days from Monday to Friday at 4 to 6 p.m. at the Aboitiz Sports Field at the Mandaue Reclamation Area beside Makro.

If you are interested to let your child learn the sport, you can contact Jesse at 0917 322-2284 or 0922 859-7498.

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MILESTONES: I’d like to wish my good friend and classmate Ivy ‘Ibyang’ Cortes a very happy birthday as she turns a year older today. 

Happy birthday also go to my long-time friend (back when we were very small kids running around the compound of Atlas Mines in Sangi, Toledo City) Vicente ‘Vic-Vic’ Pader, who turns a year older today.

Advanced happy birthday greetings go to my igso Abon Cimafranca and fellow UP alumnus Mardi Madarang, who are celebrating tomorrow.

More power to all of you!