Sailing along the islands

Author: MILA C. ESPINA
Column: Life & Entertainment

The Island Banca Cruises are now Cebu's newest tourism attraction. Jay Aldeguer invites local and foreign visitors to sail around the most beautiful seas in and around Cebu, then to the captivating shores of Central Philippines. Fabulous! Never had this exotic sea journey in an island banca (an archetypal, rustic Philippine boat, with sturdy fixtures designed for inter-island transport) ever crept into our imagination, when tourists continuously craved for more interesting experiences. This one is elegantly styled and comes with added leisurely packages, like scuba diving, island hopping, dive safaris, snorkeling, fish feeding, bird and dolphin watching, kayaking, with sunset dinners, lechon or barbecue picnics, chill-out cruises and chartered trips. So, Jay, you really never stop creating tourism miracles! And now, what's up with the Cebu Visitors Convention Bureau? And the Creative Tourism?

A time for the children

My friend, board member Agnes Magpale, co-chair of the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children, saw to it that I wouldn't miss the Halad sa Kabataan 2008 program held at the Cebu International Convention Center. It was a special event for the women and children all over the municipalities and cities of Cebu. I watched the Bangga sa Rondalla and was amazed at how the youth from Talisay City, Minglanilla, Dalaguete, Oslob, Aloguinsan, Barili and Borbon displayed their musical skills. Grand winner was the Sisters of Mary-Girlstown, Talisay, coached by Naida Beltran. Local superior Sr. Emelan, SM, must be very happy. The other grand winners were Kristel Clares of San Fernando, for Children's Pop Music, and Kimberly Campungan of Cordova for Balak. But the most fulfilled was Gov. Gwen Garcia, the PCWC chair. To Agnes, kudos for a job well done.

Glorious happenings

I was in Malaysia recently and missed some important milestones in Cebu. My paper work was all piled up on my table, so I couldn't squeeze in some important invitations.

My best wishes for Marisa Fernan who just had a successful launching of SM Northwing. The gala dinner called Barrio Fiesta co-sponsored by the Philippine Airlines and Tourism Department for the 50th Worldwide Airline Customer Relations Association (WACRA) Conference 2008 was a huge success. We will be writing more about the opening ceremony and gala reception of the 6th International Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities held last Oct. 22.

My old-time colleague in the theater arts Benjie Diola scored another hit with Aladdin, the annual play of the Sacred Heart School-Jesuits. The concert tours of the alumni and students of the USJR Dramatics and Cultural Ensemble (Lhuillier scholars) continue to give free shows to schools and institutions as a way of enlarging classroom experiences and harnessing their skills in the performing arts. The group is singing selected ABBA songs inspired by Mamma Mia.

They gave a special performance during the birthday celebration of Governor Gwen and the campus beat of ABS-CBN and GMA-7. Soon, they will be at the Ayala, SM City and the Christmas-thanksgiving party of American Chamber.

A Gwen-ful of blessings

The joyous birthday celebration of Governor Garcia held at Marco Polo Plaza was the best time for the celebrator to thank her friends and families for their love and support. Most of all, she thanked the Lord for all the blessings and providence which strengthened her all these years.

Joseph Gaisano spent time with the Wecare for his birthday bash which, as ever, was vivified with endless singing and fellowship.

The foundation has been giving scholarships to high school students of the University of the Philippines and USJR. In the past, it supported indigent students of the Cebu Normal University and University of Southern Philippines Foundation.

Source: Manila Standard Today