To the Limit

As the province continues to grow, more and more road networks are being built to accommodate the increasing volume of  motor vehicle traffic.  These road expansions and the construction of expressways have led to wider streets and areas with longer stretches of roads.  In some areas, these expansions have decongested traffic and allowed for smooth, hassle-free driving.  So smooth and hassle-free that many drivers have developed a badly misplaced notion that they are the world’s best racing drivers and weave in and out of traffic at breakneck speeds.

This reckless behavior has led to traffic collisions that have claimed lives.  Just recently, there was back to back news reports about passenger buses involved in traffic collisions.  Before that, there was a delivery truck losing control and crashing into a home, a store and an internet café.  Aside from one of  the drivers being drunk out of his senses, the rest had claimed having lost control of their vehicle due to mechanical failure.  Sorry, I don’t buy the whole “mechanical failure” story.  The manner by which the collision had occurred could only be blamed on the driver’s lack of knowledge of the proper speed they must travel in certain areas.

If they had taken time to read Chapter IV, Article I, Section 35b of Republic Act 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code), they would be aware that their maximum allowed speed limit is fifty kilometers per hour (50kph).  If they cared to read Section 35a of the same, they would be aware that , “any person driving a motor vehicle on a highway shall drive the same at a careful and prudent speed… and no person shall drive any motor vehicle upon a highway at such a speed as to endanger the life, limb and property of any person.” 

Had they heeded the abovementioned rules, these incidents would’ve been avoided.  Sadly, they didn’t and it has led to the loss of lives.  Part of the blame also goes to the offices mandated to strictly enforce these laws.  Had these offices been more vigilant in enforcing these laws, we wouldn’t have speed demons driving motorized battering rams.  Unfortunately, this is considered wishful thinking.  Placing your bet on their ineptitude versus their efficiency is a sure thing. 

Fortunately, not everyone is as inept as the people in power in this province.  Just recently, the biggest city in the country had clamped down hard on speedsters.  First, they placed large speed limit signage all over the city to remind motorists how fast they’re allowed to go.  Second, they equipped all their enforcers with non-overpriced speed guns to clock the speed of every single motorist on the road.  And lastly, they apprehend and penalize erring drivers with a fine and a traffic law seminar, as mandated in the same Republic Act.

If one were to ask how they were able to achieve all this, the answer is simple.  The city boss has the cojones to implement the law.  He may not want to run the entire country, but he can run his city in a way that people actually wished he ran the country.

A few years ago, the main city had floated the idea of doing the same thing.  Unfortunately, none of the people in-charge have the same kind of cojones.  They’re busy finding ways to enrich themselves (overpriced speed guns anyone?) while pointing fingers at who’s to blame for the failure in implementing speed limits and keeping the roads safe.

 It’s interesting how “failure” is still being used to pass the blame and absolve themselves of the fault.   They must’ve taken their cue from the national boss who freely uses this strategy.

Waterfront Mactan turns over new classroom in Lapu

Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino prepared several community activities for 2013. One of which is the launching of Help-Paint-A-School project in Brgy. Poblacion Elementary School in Lapu-Lapu City last November 13.

Waterfront Mactan headed by Hotel Manager BenhurCaballes, wish to promote education by providing assistance in developing the newly built classroom. The team also visited PurokYakal last November 6 and conducted a Feeding Program to over 100 kids in the barangay.

An advance Christmas Party was also brought to Home Care Center for Children of Lapu-Lapu City last November 7 where the Hotel's Department Heads and kids had one-on-one interaction through games and other activities.

Ace hardware donates power tools,  cleaning materials for storm victims

Ace Hardware Philippines, the country's leading home hardware chain, together with SM Foundation,Inc. donate assorted power tools and cleaning materials to two municipalities in Cebu also affected by super typhoon Yolanda.

Through the Provincial Social Welfare Office in Cebu, Ace Hardware went to Borbon and Tabogon, Cebu to donate power tools and cleaning materials which are necessary for the municipalities and barangays.

Items include metal waste basket, heavy duty scrubs, Lysol sprays, paste wax, rubber mats, laundry stools, mops, antibacterial sprays, glass wipers, safety mats, insecticides, pliers, tents, among others.

ACE Hardware's core product ranges can be summarized under the home improvement merchandise.  Its five main categories are paints and sundries, electrical and plumbing, hardware and power tools, building materials and outdoor merchandising.

Visit your nearest Ace Hardware branches in Cebu.

Phl's Joji Alonso receives  MPA Asia Pacific Award

HONG KONG/SINGAPORE: Attorney and filmmaker Joji Alonso was presented with the Motion Picture Association (MPA) Asia-Pacific Copyright Educator (A.C.E.) Award recently at CineAsia in recognition of her long-term commitment to championing the value of screen content and the need to protect the work and livelihoods of her fellow filmmakers in the screen community in the Philippines.

Presenting Ms. Alsono with the award, Frank Rittman, Senior Vice President, Deputy Managing Director and Regional Policy Officer Asia Pacific, MPA, said, "Joji has been an incredible force for good for the screen community in the Philippines. Not only is she an acclaimed filmmaker and the Managing Partner at Alonso and Associates Law Offices, but she finds time to speak out in support of the rights of filmmakers and her local screen industry. She advocates passionately for appropriate legal measures to be put in place to allow creativity to flourish and ensure that audiences are able to view films and television shows exclusively through legitimate channels.

"In particular, Joji took a leadership role in advocating for legislation to prevent illegal camcording in cinemas across the Philippines. I'm pleased to say that Joji's endeavors, along with the hard work of many others working alongside her in the screen community, resulted in the Anti-Camcording Act being passed into law in May 2010, this landmark legislation helps prevent movie theft at the source, protecting not only the work of local filmmakers, but all filmmakers who hope that their films are played safely and securely to cinema audiences across the globe.

"We applaud Joji for her conviction and her enthusiastic contribution to a healthy and growing screen industry in the Philippines. She is motivated by her love of cinema, and the capacity for quality films to entertain and educate audiences and communicate the unique culture of the Philippines around the world."

As a producer, Joji Alonso has made critically acclaimed and award-winning feature films such as Kubrador (The Bet Collector), Here Comes the Bride, Bisperas (Eve) and Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank (The Woman in a Septic Tank).

Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank (The Woman in a Septic Tank) was the Philippines' official entry for the 2013 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Film. Kubrador (The Bet Collector), directed by Jeffrey Jeturian, was screened in over 100 festivals and has earned 38 awards both local and foreign. Here Comes the Bride grossed more than 130 million pesos (US$2.3 million) at the local box office. The wise and witty dramedy, Ekstra (The Bit Player), which enjoyed its premiere in September at the Toronto International Film Festival, proved to be a popular success at local cinemas in recent months.