Bigger things, bigger plans in 2011

Like many people who will make a list of things that happened in the last 12 months as well as those they’d want to achieve in the next year, Iriga Mayor Madelaine Alfelor Gazmen can spend New Year’s eve looking back at 2010 with pride even as she plans greater things for her city and its constituents in 2011.

In 2010, the good mayor had key infrastructures built for the Irigueños. These include a new market, a fire station and a center for Special Education for gifted children, all of which were inaugurated in December. The new public market actually has an entertainment venue which will feature local and national performers every month starting January.

The inauguration was made even more special by a series of concerts that featured popular artists Aiza Seguerra, Juris, Noel Cabangon, True Faith, Cueshé, Brownman Revival, Gerald Santos and Ian Batherson. The concerts were held in the streets as it was the only way to accommodate the 40,000 spectators.

The new fire station is a far cry from its predecessor. There are now quarters for the firemen, a stock room and a parking lot big enough even for seven fire trucks. Iriga, to date, has five fire trucks — an amenity that not all cities have.

Mayor Madelaine was first in line in providing the gifted children of Iriga with a SPED center. She couldn’t bear seeing the children in their former quarters that leaked when it rained and so she provided them with a new home.

For 2011, the city government will construct a building adjacent to the new supermarket. Being the center of trade in Rinconada area, Mayor Madelaine realizes that an efficient transportation system is essential and so, the construction of a train station at the new building. She is especially excited over this project as the trains could be run using solar power.

And then there’s the facelift of the city library. The first floor will soon house memorabilia of famous Iriguenos including no less than superstar Nora Aunor. The office of Mayor Madelaine is already in coordination with the family of these famous Irigueños who pledged to donate very interesting items.

Iriga is also beefing up its tourism attractions by opening a gym and spa. Though some might scoff at the idea of putting up establishments that usually cater to an urban clientele, Mayor Madelaine believes having these in Iriga will help reshape the psyche of her people positively.

“If people want something, they must work hard and sacrifice to achieve it. Providing the Irigueños with these opportunities will make them realize that every one has a choice to stay in poverty or rise above it. Let it never be said that they did not have anything to aspire for,” she said.

And once again, and as always, they have Mayor Madelaine to thank for it.

Rhian, Aljur for Zest Air

Another good news from Sunny Ku of Masterminds International…Rhian Ramos and Aljur Abrenica grace Zest Air billboards as endorsers of Asia’s Freshest Airlines. “We believe Rhian and Aljur embody the young market of today who are fun loving, who enjoy travel and who frequent the popular island destinations in the country.” enthused Deo Jovellano, Zest Air’s marketing manager.

According to Zest Air president Alfredo Yao, the company will be adding more planes to its fleet as part of its long term plans.

Zest Air has six Airbus aircrafts and four MA60s. By the end of 2011, the company will have acquired additional aircrafts in operations on top of its existing fleet. Zest Air is also mulling the acquisition of two B-777s for long-haul flights which may commence on the third or fourth quarter of 2011. 

VP-Marketing Leveric T. Ng added that flights from Kalibo to Incheon have been increased from four times weekly to daily effective Dec. 21. Kalibo to Pusan and Cebu to Incheon retains its twice weekly flights. Zest Air will be flying twice weekly to Shanghai starting Jan. 17, 2011.

Zest Air also has one of the country’s youngest fleet of Airbus A320s and MA60 aircraft regularly flying to Bacolod, Boracay via Kalibo, Busuanga, Bohol (Tagbilaran), Calbayog, Catarman, Cebu, Clark, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Manila, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro (San Jose), Puerto Princesa, Tablas, Tacloban and Virac

More international destinations (Taipei, Palau, Singapore, Bahrain and Dammam) are being considered and negotiated. On the domestic front, the company will be increasing domestic frequencies on their top destinations (Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod among others) to offer better passenger choice and convenience.