Driven by the desire to keep Cebuanos abreast of the latest happenings around town, three ladies, publisher Eileen Mangubat, tour specialist Jenny Franco and broadcast executive Malou Apalisok, got together to talk about the possibility of hosting a program that would tackle domestic issues as well as those of national interest.
Further consultations with tourism advocate and founder of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies, (NAITAS) and Honorary Consul General of Latvia Robert Lim Joseph resulted in the creation of a news forum aptly called 888 patterned after 777 News Forum in Manila, which was founded also by Joseph years ago. It was agreed that individuals who shared in their objectives would be invited to join the core group. They included then DOT regional director Dawnie Roa, columnist Ricky Poca, hotelier Rey Fuentes and this writer.
As part of the organization’s annual anniversary celebration, individuals and institutions are recognized for exemplary leadership, dedication and commendable service to the community. This year’s awardees are as follows:
Dance Sport Team Cebu City is a community outreach program that teaches underprivileged children as young as five years old to perform ballroom dancing. It currently has more than 120 members who have done free workshops for more than 10,000 kids over the past decade. Participants learn self-respect, confidence and discipline and help deter them from boredom-fueled diversions such as drugs and petty crime. To date the team has proudly garnered at least 308 gold, 222 silver and 187 bronze medals, in the last few years of competing in national and international competitions. The couple behind this project is Edward Hayco and his supportive wife Eleanor.
Wyben Briones, one of the top neurosurgeons in the country and director/ past president of both the Cebu Medical Society and the Rotary Club of Metro Cebu was recognized for his untiring efforts in leading the private and public health workers combat dengue fever in Cebu and its neighboring towns through the massive distribution of larvicide powder. In its anti-dengue campaign the areas covered were nine component cities, 48 municipalities, local government units and areas of the Rotary District 3860.
Movement for a Liveable Cebu a multi-sectoral citizenry composed of public and private sector leaders, community activists, faith-based advocates, students, businessmen and multi-disciplinary professionals was recognized for raising public awareness for sustainable development, renewable materials and green technologies in pursuit of making Cebu a liveable city. The organization likewise urges government and private units whose projects threaten the environment or community, undergo consultations and technical reviews by qualified professionals so that viable, cost effective and safer alternatives may be put in place.
Our thanks to columnist Ricky Poca for anchoring the forum and veteran journalist Elias Baquero, who was responsible for inviting individuals from the different sectors to guest at the 888 forum. My personal thanks goes to Consul Bobby Joseph who unselfishly flies to Cebu every week to join in the discussions, despite his personal battle with the big C. His indefatigable spirit provides the strength and moral fiber essential to the sustainability of the forum. Thanks, too, to Hans Hauri, general manager of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel for providing the venue for the weekly Tuesday meeteings.