On its 3rd year: EGWEN partnership with RAFI

 No doubt this is a very busy week for the Cebu media as there are so many activities happening this week. The Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions Conference (MICECON) is happening from Aug. 10-13, which is expected to gather those in the tourism and travel industry. Then there is the 2nd TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Conference to be held on Aug. 12-13 at the University of Southern Philippines (USP) in Salinas Drive, Lahug.

 Yesterday started with a big bang when the expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures (eGwen) Our Cebu Program of the Province of Cebu convened at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC). Some 1,500 delegates, mostly local government officials and their development partners, most notable of all the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI), held its 3rd Partner’s Conference. This year’s theme is “Strengthening Public-Private Partnership in Governance.”

 I’ve been following up the developments that eGwen has brought to the Province of Cebu and let me point out that this Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between RAFI and the Province of Cebu began three years ago, long before the Aquino Administration came up with PPP as its flagship program. This 3rd Partner’s Conference highlights the active participation of the local government units in all the municipalities of Cebu Province, which tackles issues such as cultural heritage, environmental and urban governance. Never in Cebu’s political history had all the municipalities come together to compete with one another on who best can give good governance to their constituents… something that taxpayers pay them to do.

 The heart of the eGwen PPP is the “bugsay” principle, conceptualized by our dear friend Sir Roberto “Bobby” Aboitiz two years ago, where he asks all Cebuanos to paddle or “bugsay” our canoe or banca called Cebu forward in one direction. Looking at the eGwen logo which shows the Island of Cebu with oars on both sides reminded him of the recent 4th place victory of the Dragon Boat Races held in Florida very recently… that if we all move in one direction, nothing will stop our dreams of making Cebu a place that we Cebuanos would be so proud of.

 This week’s activities are also part of the 442nd Founding Anniversary of the Province of Cebu, which held the Governor’s Ball and Garbo sa Sugbo Awards last Friday. Aside from the MICECON and the 2nd TESOL Conference, there will also be a Business Summit today sponsored by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).

 But the most awaited event of all is the now famous Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals, which is fast earning a reputation similar to our Sinulog Festival. But the beauty here is that it happens in the month of August, which many old folks often say in Bisaya “Ting bitay sa iro!” (The time dogs are hanged). This is supposed to be a lean month for tourism. Because of the Pasigarbo Festival, whenever the different towns in Cebu Province hold their annual fiesta, you can be sure that they would come up with a more colorful and “dancerous” way to celebrate their town’s fiesta.

 The Pasigarbo Festival brings people from all walks of life to Cebu in order to see who will be this year’s winner. Last year and the previous years were won by the Palawod Festival of Bantayan Island. I’ve always considered Bantayan Island as my second home, after all, my wife Jessica was raised in that beautiful island paradise. But I never thought that Bantayanons would excel with their Palawod Dance Festival. But this doesn’t mean that the other towns are not planning to upstage Bantayan Island. So we will find out who this year’s winners will be this coming Saturday.

 Also yesterday morning, the 888 Forum celebrated its 5th year of service to the Cebuano community, holding a weekly meet-the-press breakfast forum of important issues of the week or personalities. I recall that the 888 Forum started life at the Parklane Hotel, then it moved to the Waterfront Hotel and a couple of years ago, it found a more permanent place at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, courtesy of General Manager Hans Hauri, who was given a special citation by the board of trustees of the 888 Forum.

 Recognized by the 888 Forum were: Palawan Mayor Edward Hagedorn, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) represented by Ma. Cristina Aboitiz, the University of San Carlos (USC) represented by Fr. Dionisio Miranda, the Cebu Doctor’s University (CDU) represented by Dr. Potenciano Larrazabal, Jr., Nestor Archival, Mayor Cynthia Moreno of Aloquinsan and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale for her efforts in fighting human trafficking. Kudos to Sir Bobby Joseph, Honorary Consul of Latvia, for bringing the 888 Forum to Cebu, which has become a media institution here.

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