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CAGAYANLifestyle TIMES Weekly DE ORO
Volume 9 | No. 10 | Cagayan de Oro City | October 11-17, 2021
Campus of the Future
An essential element of the new learning environment envisioned for XU Centennial Year 2033 and beyond
X
AVIER Ateneo’s Campus of the Future in uptown Cagayan de Oro will shift the university’s course towards its envisaged learning environment as it approaches its Centennial Year in 2033 and after. “The new campus and its smart facilities will impact the quality of education at Xavier University,” said Gerardo “Gerry” Doroja, XU Director for Strategy and Quality Management. “There is a positive causality, or at the very least, a correlation between learning environments and achievement of student outcomes.” The Vatican already gave its seal of approval for the “Campus of the Future” project, which will include the Masterson Campus and
Manresa Township — aiming to expand the school’s post-pandemic learning spaces and opportunities. “This new campus will be an essential element of the new learning environment we are envisioning for our centennial year in 2033 and beyond,” Doroja emphasized. “With this once-in-alifetime opportunity of building a new campus, we can avoid the difficult and costly renovation and retrofitting of existing facilities that need to be carried out to keep
up with the learning spaces’ requirements that the new standardbased accreditation would ultimately require to bring Philippine
education to the 21st century,” he added. Strategic move towards the Centennial The new campus and its attendant smart facilities that are appropriately designed with the learning spaces requirement of XU’s program offerings will impact the quality of education in Xavier Ateneo. “With the new campus, we are hoping to achieve an improvement in the levels of accreditation for the various higher education programs of the university,” Doroja noted. The upgrading of accreditation standards
in the Philippine higher education sector initiated by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and implemented by accreditation agencies, such as the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU), is now ongoing. The Strategy and Quality Management Office (SQMO) has developed a framework for setting up a strategic management system to ensure that XU’s goals as reflected in the masterplan are transformed into realities through deliberate actions. By the end of the
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SY2020-2021, the office would have introduced the monitoring and evaluation system to ensure priority strategic initiatives and targets are moving forward and most importantly, achieving their intended objectives. Doroja disclosed a risk management component would also be integrated towards the end of the current school year to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of the pandemic and other similar scenarios. “There is a greater need for more quality education in the new normal, and I hope that the Campus of the Future we are trying to build FUTURE/PAGE 7
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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO
October 11-17, 2021
Sports Tourism is Alive!
By CHARLES LIM
Run, Covid Run! Shoot, PFL Shoot!
WOULD Ironman, Spartan, Ultraman, Road Warriors, X-men (for Xtera) and hundreds, if not thousands of other treasured title races all over the world, force the COVID-19 off course and abandon its devastating run? This last quarter itself, there will be over 750 races to be held mainly in Europe and North America. Chris Robb, the founder of Mass Participation World, claims that around 4.5 million runners have raced since the pandemic rudely appeared in March of 2020 and only FIVE actual COVID cases were recorded amongst the
participants. Week after week after week tens of thousands of runners will hit the trials, loving every minute of the run, the challenges, the determination, the adrenaline, and finally, the finishing. Here, in the Philippines, the pandemic has given birth to a cycling tribe. Out of the blue, biking has become the norm; runners have given up their lanes to the two wheelers. City governments all over the country have constructed or demarcated bicycle lanes as though it was going out of fashion. How much planning has been put into this is another
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DANTE SUDARIA Publisher MIKE BAÑOS Editor-in-Chief SUSAN P. DENNIS GEAN T. CESAR RANDY FAMACION MAI MAI SISON KLAUS DORING ANNIE GORRA RAGO WENDY RAMOS-GARCIA Contributing Editors CLIFFORD SANTILLAN Layout Artist PINKY DOMINGO Marketing KHRISTHA RIVA FELICILDA Advertising ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI Legal Counsel The Metro CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES newspaper is published weekly at Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa Street, Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 with Certificate No. 01801884, and with Business Registration Plane No. 17211 with Business License Certificate 2014-00691. TIN No. 311-982-549-000 Tele/Fax #: (088) 856-3344 Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CagayandeOroTIMES email us at thecagayandeorotimes@gmail.com Member: Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber)
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matter. The ideal and logical path to take is to build new bike lanes and not shut off one of your lanes for motor vehicles and dedicate it to the cyclists. I know, I know. I am receiving my food from Food Panda, Grab Food and the rest in good time and I shouldn't complain. Hope many of these delivery riders will find time to participate in some of these bike races -on road or off road - and gradually target for the Ironman70.3. My recent conversation with the Iron Princess, Princess Galura of Sunrise Events Ironman Group, revealed that they are ready to hold the three Ironman races in Davao, Subic and Cebu next year. All she needs is the blessing of the local government and the other authorities such as the Inter Action Task Force and the Gaming and Amusement Board for elite sports events. “The need for support of the local government is crucial for an event such as Ironman. We have proven that the social and economic impact for the host city is so remarkably high and advantageous,” stated Galura. Indeed, due to the
success of the Ironman races, all three host cities - Cebu, Subic and Davao - have received due recognition as Destination of the Year by the Philippine Sports Tourism Awards in its six year span. Hosting such a sporting event brings in millions of pesos from thousands of participants from all over the country and abroad. Galura hopes that the Ironman series of events can be held in Davao in March 2022, Subic in April and Cebu in August after a two-year absence. "We know we have the capability to manage these events well, following strict protocols and yet keeping the excitement high," Galura said. She explained that the Philippines has always been one of the favorite destinations of the elite runners around the world. Meantime, the lowering of quarantine levels in most key cities in the country augurs well for the sporting community. Bubbled events have been successfully held for basketball and volleyball in a number of Luzon cities with sheer determination and passion from all the relevant sectors. Kudos to the
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and Philippine National Volleyball Federation. However, I am at a loss for words in describing the inaction of the organizers to confirm the holding of the Philippine Football League (PFL) even after two or three postponements. The six qualified teams have been preparing for this professional league for months and not seeing action in a simple round robin tournament does not speak much and good of the officials of the world's most popular sport in the Philippines. Surely, the bubble would not burst even before the first whistle. Dependence on a single venue for a league of this magnitude lacks foresight in planning. Not much was done to strike a happy balance between the national league and the national team commitments. The AZKALS are due for heavy duty in preparations for the Suzuki Cup in December. A few hundred footballers of the six professional teams, meanwhile, wait hopelessly for the league to happen in November.
My instincts tell me that sacrificing our AZKALs to play in a cramped 22-day local league is too big a risk. There will not be sufficient time for a centralized training which other teams such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia have long started. Injuries to players are also bound to happen in the PFL. Perhaps the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) can come out with a compromise. National duty comes first. No ifs and buts. All national players report to camp. All others in the 6 teams must play in the league. Warning: any team not agreeing to this will be suspended for future tournaments. Without naming teams, surely there are enough talents for the more elite clubs who are so heavily laden with national players, to field a formidable eleven in any game. PFF should still allow clubs to register new players to replace those from the clubs who would be involved in the Suzuki Cup. No more procrastinations, please. You will run out of time again.
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ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH | EVENTS | TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE
CAGAYANTIMES Feature DE ORO
October 11-17, 2021
Page 3
A German Expat in the Philippines
By Klaus Döring
The Music of My Life III
F
ILIPINO music in general was introduced to me by my wife Rossana. What does music really mean to Filipinos? It simply tells them where they've been and where they could go. It tells a story that everyone can appreciate and relate to, which is why it's a big part of every Filipino culture. During the 1980s, Rossana was the lead dancer of the Manisan Cultural Dance Troupe. I got to know about gong music which can be divided into two types: the flat gong commonly known as gangsà and played by the groups in the Cordillera region and the bossed gongs played among the Islam and animist groups in the southern Philippines. The kulintang ensemble is the most advanced form of ensemble music with origins in the pre-colonial epoch of Philippine history and is a living tradition in southern parts of the country. Very quickly, it pleased me another popular medium for light classical muse - the rondalla. Its repertoire consists mainly of native folk tunes, ballroom music as well as arrangements of classical pieces such as opera overtures. Bayani de Leon and Jerry Dadap have written more serious music for the rondalla.
Rondalla is a traditional string orchestra comprising two-string, mandolintype instruments such as the banduria and laud; a guitar; a double bass; and often a drum for percussion. The rondalla has its origins in the Iberian rondalla tradition and is used to accompany several Hispanic-influenced song forms and dances. Tinikling and Cariñosa inspired me more and more. The Tinikling is a dance from Leyte which involves two individual performers hitting bamboo poles, using them to beat, tap, and slide on the ground, in coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between poles. It is one of the more iconic Philippine dances and is similar to other Southeast Asian bamboo dances. The Cariñosa (meaning "loving" or "affectionate one") is the national dance and is part of the María Clara
Juan Hernandez
Antonio Molina
Francisco Beltran Buencamino
suite of Philippine folk dances. It is notable for the use of a fan and handkerchief in amplifying romantic gestures expressed by the couple performing the traditional courtship dance. The dance is similar to the Mexican Jarabe Tapatío, and is related to the Kuracha, Amenudo, and Kuradang dances in the Visayas and Mindanao Area. In the first few years of my life as an expat in the Philippines, it looked like I had forgotten about my classical music from Europe. I focused more and more on Himig ng Pilipinas - the musical performance arts in the Philippines or by Filipinos composed in various genres and styles. The compositions are often a mixture of different Asian, Spanish, Latin American, American, and indigenous influences. Notable folk song composers include the National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro, who composed the famous "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan" that recalls the loving touch of a mother to her child. Another composer, the National Artist for Music Antonino Buenaventura, is notable for notating folk songs and dances. Buenaventura composed the music for "Pandanggo sa Ilaw". The leading figures of the first generation of Philippine composers were Nicanor Abelardo, Francisco Santiago, Aontonio Molina, and Juan Hernandez. But one composer
and his works fascinated me the most: Francisco Buencamino. He belonged to a family of musicians. He was born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan, on November 5, 1883. In 1930, he founded the Academy of Music of Buencamino. His musical styles were Kundimans and Tagalog operettas known as sarswelas. Francisco first learnt music from his father. At age 12, he could play
Francisco Santiago
the organ. At 14, he was sent to study at the Liceo de Manila. There, he took up courses in composition and harmony under Marcelo Adonay. He also took up piano-forte courses under a Spanish music teacher. He did not finish his education as he became interested in the sarswela. Some of the sarswelas he wrote are: "Marcela" (1904), "Si Tio Celo" (1904) and "Yayang " (1905). In 1908,
Nicanor Abelador
the popularity of the sarswela started to wane because of American repression and the entry of silent movies. Francisco then turned to composing kundimans. For a time, Francisco frequently acted on stage. He also collaborated on the plays written and produced by Aurelio Tolentino. One of his earliest compositions is "En el bello Oriente" (1909), which uses Jose Rizal's lyrics. "Ang Una Kong Pag-ibig", a popular kundiman, was inspired by his wife. In 1938, he composed an epic poem which won a prize from the Far Eastern University during one of the annual carnivals. His "Mayon Concerto" is considered his magnum opus. Begun in 1943 and finished in 1948, "Mayon Concerto" had its full rendition in February 1950 at the
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graduation recital of Rosario Buencamino at the Holy Ghost College. "Ang Larawan" (1943), also one of his most acclaimed works, is a composition based on a Balitaw tune. The orchestral piece, "Pizzicato Caprice" (1948) is a version of this composition. Many of his other compositions were lost during the Japanese Occupation, when he had to evacuate his family to Novaliches, Rizal. I would say that the "Pizzicato Caprice" is my favorite. I was so lucky to experience it during an awesome performance by the Manila Symphony Orchestra. In my opinion: outstanding groups include not only the Manila Symphony Orchestra, but also the Filipino Youth Symphony Orchestra, the U.P. Symphony Orchestra, the Manila Concert Orchestra, the Quezon City Philharmonic Orchestra, the Artists’ Guild of the Philippines, the Philippine Choral Society, the U.P. Madrigal Singers, and the U.P. Concert Chorus, among others. These are extraordinary treasures of Filipino culture which one hears and experiences far too little these days. (To be continued)
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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly
Aboitiz champions diversity and inclusion in the workplace DE ORO
October 11-17, 2021
The Aboitiz Group affirmed its commitment to continue championing diversity and inclusion and workplace gender equality within its business units as part of its adherence to addressing Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequality) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Annacel Natividad, Chief Finance Officer and Risk Management Head for Pilmico Foods Corporation, represented the Aboitiz Group during the virtual Dive In Festival last September 21 to 23. Dive In is a global event originally launched by a group of firms in the Lloyd’s Market, as an initiative to support the development of inclusive workplace cultures. For this year’s festival, Natividad joined a panel discussion with other senior management of Asian companies, where she discussed the challenges of diversity and inclusion in the Philippines and the steps the Aboitiz Group has been taking to actively embed practices that support diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Natividad highlighted the progress of the Philippines in terms of workplace gender equality, citing the Philippine Business Coalition for Women
Annacel Natividad, CFO & RIsk Management Head for Pilmico Foods Corporation (top right), joined a panel discussion on Diversity and Inclusion with Zainudin Ishak, CEO of Malaysian Reinsurance Berhad (bottom left); Florence Chan, Leading Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advocate (bottom center); and Sean Chou, Deputy CEO of Marsh Malaysia (bottom right); moderated by Pavlos Spyropoulos, CEO for Lloyd’s Asia, Singapore (top left)
Empowerment (PBCWE)’s notes on the country being consistently ranked as among the top 10 countries in the world for gender equality and inclusivity. However, Natividad cautions against complacency brought about by rankings without adequate practical application. “While there is a notion that since the Philippines is already regarded as a genderequal country, many companies and business
leaders think or express that gender equality, diversity, and inclusion is a good statement or disclosure to have. But the reality is, more companies need to be encouraged to really embed workplace gender equality and diversity and inclusion into their corporate sustainability and business strategies, as this will yield quantifiable and positive results in terms of attracting and sustaining the best talent in the market,” Natividad explained.
To support its employees as an ally in diversity and inclusion, the Aboitiz Group has rolled out changes and improvements in employee engagement programs, working schedules, compensation and benefits; shifting to virtual means for, and investing heavily in learning and development programs; and understanding multigenerational diversity and workplace gender equality through the Group’s REMIX program. REMIX is the Aboitiz Group’s approach to ensuring the company adapts and thrives in the new multi-generational workforce. Through employee-led initiatives, open discussions, and the enthusiastic leadership of the Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer Sabin Aboitiz, the REMIX program has produced changes like flexible working schedules, tailored-tothe-employee benefits (“flexible benefits”), the inclusion of LGBTQ+ or common-law partners for medical benefits, a reverse mentoring program (where junior team members share their skills and expertise with senior management), among others. “In this information age, employees are challenged—employers want a digital-savvy 22 to 26-year-old who has 30
years’ worth of working experience. REMIX offers proven strategies on how companies can adapt and win when they serve multi-generational needs. It is important that this early, we help prepare our Group for the organization of the future, and we start by understanding our greatest asset— our people—and help influence each other to drive workplace REMIXing,” Natividad noted. Since economic crises typically put a company’s diversity and inclusivity in jeopardy, Natividad emphasized the many benefits of continuing to promote it in the workplace despite external challenges: increased profitability and creativity, stronger governance, better problemsolving activities, and increased resiliency and effectivity—all of which are a result of bringing employees with diverse backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives into an organization’s folds. “Both Filipino workers and companies have experienced firsthand the exclusionary impacts of the pandemic. By developing best practices around diversity and inclusion during these unstable and uncertain economic times, businesses can be better placed to
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reap the rewards when the upswing arrives,” Natividad explained. She also urged business leaders to see diversity and inclusion as an investment in the company’s and its employees’ futures. “Leaders should be willing to engage with diversity and inclusion to better prepare for the opportunities that will come in time. Not only is diversity and inclusion important for supporting workers during this time of uncertainty, but it will be key to leveraging opportunities when the risk and business landscape finally brightens.” In a related development, Aboitiz Equity Ventures once again received top scores in Forbes Magazine and Statista’s annual survey of companies most recommended by workers from multinational companies and institutions across 58 countries. AEV debuted on the World’s Best Employers list in 2017. Much has changed since then and to be recognized again in 2021 affirms how integral our values-driven culture is in nurturing the growth and well-being of all A-People, empowering us to be future-ready as we drive change for a better world by advancing business and communities.
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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO
October 11-17, 2021
5
Billions Off-Budget Income of Gov’t Hospitals can provide free hospitalization for indigent patients
D
ESPITE earning billions in off-budget income in the past several years, governmentrun hospitals are still charging poor patients for their confinement. Presidential Candidate and Senator Panfilo M. Lacson raised the issue on October 13 during his interpellation of the Department of Health (DoH)'s proposed budget for 2022. Lacson reiterated his concern during a Pandesal Media Forum the following day, saying that state hospitals such as the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) and the Philippine Heart Center of the Philippines (PHCP) have "hidden or reserved funds which were not being used." "So, I hope they really do a serious review of the offbudget accounts of these hospitals so that these can be returned to the people because after all, these are all public funds," he stressed. " I don't know the reason. Are these
But why are government hospitals still charging poor patients?
being kept in banks because they earn interest, [that's why] they don't want to spend? These things should really be looked into," Lacson, who is seeking the presidency in next year's elections, said. Lacson said government hospitals can very well afford to adopt zero-billing for indigent patients. Off-budget accounts are DOH earnings from retained hospitals from the following sources: hospital fees, drugs and medicines, rent/ lease income, seminar/training fees, certification fees, income from hostels/dormitories and other like facilities, income from printing and publication, and
other business income. The DOH earnings from the off-budget accounts are as follows: P21.3 billion (2021), P8.035 billion (2020), P7.667 billion (2019), P6.156 billion (2018), P9.092 billion (2017) and P4.789 billion
(2016). Lacson noted that government hospitals' retained income for 2021 hospital fees amounted to P448.439 billion. The DOH however, explained that there was an error in reporting and the real income for that year is only P21.3
billion. Lacson stressed these huge amounts could have been used to help defray the expenses of poor patients, especially those who lost their livelihood due to the Covid pandemic. "Why would we still charge patients hospitalization fees at a time of pandemic? Should not that amount could have been better used to cushion the suffering of our people who are confined in government hospitals? Hindi ba parang may kaunting konsensya issue rito? " he asked. Lacson said this is a sign of a flawed management of government
hospitals. “We are among the few countries without zero billing in government hospitals. In countries like Cuba, citizens need not pay even a centavo for hospitalization if they are confined,” he noted. “It doesn’t make sense that the DOH does not spend its off-budget accounts, yet is still punishing our patients by billing them. They have to run to senators, congressmen, mayors, and governors for help. It’s rather cruel for government hospitals to be charging patients when so much is left in their off-budget accounts," he added.
Senator Ping Lacson interpellates DOH during the October 13 Budget Hearings in the Senate.
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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO
October 11-17, 2021
DIRECTORY
Some of the permanent shelter sites recently turned over to internally displaced families in Marawi City. (Divina M. Suson)
UN Habitat, NHA award permanent shelters to displaced families in Marawi City
By DIVINA M. SUSON
A PUBLIC SERVICE BY:
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CAGAYANLifestyle TIMES Weekly DE ORO
MARAWI CITY --- For over four years, Norhaima Ditucalan's family lived at her grandparents' house in Ditsaan Ramain town in Lanao del Sur, some ten kilometers away from Marawi City where they had settled for decades. Ditucalan used to live with her three siblings who had families of their own at her three-story house in Barangay Datu Naga inside the most affected area of the Marawi Siege. Their main source of income was a small store on the first floor of her house. When the conflict between government forces and the Maute group broke out on May 23, 2017, Ditucalan fled to Ditsaan Ramain and sought shelter with her grandparents. On October 15, Ditucalan and her other siblings were seen cleaning a housing unit in Barangay Gadongan, Marawi City, one of the 250 permanent shelters that the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) and the National Housing Authority had constructed for families displaced by the siege. 150 of the housing units were built by the UN Habitat with a USD $10 million fund from the Government of Japan, while the other 100 units were constructed by the NHA, which also procured and developed the land
where they were built. Ditucalan said their new house is small compared to their old one, but at least they were able to move in and release their grandparents from the burden of sheltering them. "I have six children and it is not good to give my grandparents a noisy environment. I wanted to continue my small store here in my new house using the P73,000.00 cash assistance from the government," she added. Although her siblings wanted to move in with her family, the 90 square meter housing unit was too small to accommodate everyone. Meantime, said she had asked her husband to build their store in the small space fronting her unit so they can resume their sarisari store business. "Me and my husband will work together," she said. Her siblings are also expected to receive housing assistance but since they were categorized as sharers, the government has no housing program for them at present, according to Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Chairman and Housing Sec. Eduardo del Rosario. "With regards to housing, walang para sa mga sharers but (they) were provided with financial assistance (worth) P35,000.00 per family including the vendors who rented stalls inside the
most affected area who lost their source of livelihood during the siege," Del Rosario said during the press briefing after the turn-over ceremony on October 15. More than 2,000 families will be provided with permanent shelters since they were not allowed to return to their former residences. The government has declared these affected areas as a "no dwell-zone" because they fall within the three to six-meter easement of Lake Lanao, at the river banks and in the reclamation area where the government is constructing infrastructure projects. In addition to the 150 units turned-over on October 15, UN Habitat have previously awarded 429 permanent shelters to displaced families: 109 units at Hadiya Village Phase 1 in Barangay Dulay West, 120 at Phase 2 of the same location, and 50 units at the Pamayandeg Ranao Residences in Barangay Mipantao-Gadongan. According to Warren Ubongen, project manager of UN Habitat, another 100 shelters are being constructed in Barangay Patani where 372 units are targeted to be finished. "A total of 910 permanent houses by UN Habitat are slated to be completed by December 2021 in five resettlement sites," Ubongen said.
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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO
October 11-17, 2021
COWD marks Global Handwashing Day The Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) observed Global Handwashing Day on Friday, October 15, 2021 by promoting the global advocacy dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap and water as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases, especially during this time of pandemic. This year’s 2021 theme: “Our Future is at Hand – Let’s Move Forward Together”, calls for a coordinated action as we actively work toward universal hand hygiene. Portable handwashing lavatories, water containers, liquid hand soap and assorted information materials on Proper Handwashing, Proper Hygiene Practices and Water Conservation Tips were distributed to five (5) local barangays of the city. Amongst this year’s partners are Barangays Kauswagan, Macabalan, Gusa, Nazareth and Barangay 15 Poblacion. The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of handwashing for reducing the spread of diseases and protecting health. As we move beyond the pandemic and into a new normal, it is crucial that we maintain momentum and move forward together toward institutionalizing hand hygiene as a fundamental component of health and safety especially during this time of pandemic crisis. (COWD Public Relations Information Division)
Future... from page 1
will serve as a vehicle for fulfilling this need,” Doroja says. The University Township The main masterplan elements of the Campus of the Future include an abundance of open and green spaces – the main plaza, interconnected courtyards, wireless connectivity, bike lanes, sports facilities, an amphitheater, and a University Forum which incorporates a museum, theatre, and a gallery. The project will be
constructed in phases and campus development is expected to start in the second quarter of 2022 under COVID-19 quarantine restrictions and protocols. The Masterson Campus (named after the visionary Jesuit Fr William Masterson SJ) will be constructed on a 21-hectare land in Manresa, adjacent to the 14.3-hectare township to be known as “Manresa Town.” The 25-hectare forest reserve and animal sanctuaries will be retained in the uptown property. The Manresa Town
will be integrated to complement the Masterson Campus to provide students with generous open spaces, convenient and safe residential options, easy access to commercial establishments, and future-ready offices. The university township will be constructed by XU’s partner real estate developer Cebu Landmasters Inc. The new campus is in line with the Jesuit university’s strategic plan to be the top university in Mindanao and among the best
in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, particularly as Xavier Ateneo moves forward to celebrating its centennial. “We firmly believe that this new campus project is what Xavier Ateneo needs to move forward to become a leading ASEAN university — more resilient and more responsive to the needs of the new normal and beyond,” said XU President Fr Mars Tan SJ. “This is God’s special gift to Xavier Ateneo, to us, and we are all called to make this a reality.”
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ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH | EVENTS | TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE
CAGAYANTIMES Feature DE ORO
October 11-17, 2021
Page 8
Grand Summit Hotel opens in General Santos City
G
ENERAL Santos City opened its doors to Robinsons Hotel and Resorts first 4-star hotel with the launch of Grand Summit Hotel Saturday, October 15, 2021. Located just 30 minutes from General Santos International Airport with close proximity to business districts and commercial centers, the hotel is soon bound to be top of mind for visitors to the Tuna Capital of the Philippines. With its signature “Filipino” warmth and flair, coupled with intuitive and personalized ser vice, Grand Summit aims to build meaningful connections with its guests.
From L-R: GM Jesse Chua, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts SVP & Business Unit General Manager Arthur G. Gindap, GSC Tourism Council Chairperson Jane G. Rivera, General Santos City Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera, Congresswoman Shirlyn Banas-Nograles, Robinsons Land Corporation President and CEO Mr. Frederick D. Go, & Group General Manager Annalyn D. Yap
As a social and business convergence point in the Tuna Capital, Café Summit offers all-day dining featuring this local
favorite, as well as a variety of choices from regional delicacies to international cuisines. Also on its beverage list are its
signature drinks like the Whisper of the Hill, Summit Lady, and Mango de Papa. For intimate gatherings, business luncheons or exclusive dinners, private dining is available for the guests’ convenience. Equipped with world-class facilities and premium amenities, all of Grand Summit Gensan’s 102 rooms and suites are carefully-designed to meet the evolving needs of its various guests. Grand Summit Gensan will soon also offer leisure facilities
including a spa, gym and a swimming pool. The pool and suite will be ready by December 2021, while the ballroom, spa and other fitness center are scheduled to open by the 2nd half of 2022. With multiple function rooms and a ballroom, Grand Summit Hotel is an ideal venue for business meetings, exhibits, training and social gatherings. Function rooms are now available and can conveniently accommodate up to 50 guests, while the Grand Ballroom can comfortably fit up to 500 guests. Each room is equipped with top-of-the-line audiovisual and technical facilities. Meanwhile, the spacious, pillarless and elegantly-designed Grand Ballroom can easily accommodate up to 500 guests in a banquet setting when it opens in 2022. Airport transfers and car rental ser vices are also available upon request. Grand Summit Hotel General Santos strictly adheres to the Circle of Clean (COC) protocol, modeled after the World Health Organization’s hygiene
and cleanliness standards, as well as the Department of Health New Normal protocols. In addition, the COC implements extra safety measures including a seamless online check-in, luggage disinfection upon check-in and checkout, COC ambassadors stationed in common areas ready to assist, rigorous and effective food handling hygiene, COCO alerts—a unique inhouse SMS notification system that reminds guests to obser ve proper handwashing hygiene, among others. Grand Summit Hotel is another home-grown brand of Robinsons Hotel and Resorts, the hospitality arm of the Robinsons Land Corporation. It is the first 4-star hotel of the RHR group. Guests can avail of the introductor y offer of P3,988 nett per room per night when you book and stay from October 15, 2021-December 31, 2021. To book, visit www. grandsummithotels. ph or contact reser vations@ summithotels.ph | +63 998 888 7788 | +63 917 888 7788.
CAFE SUMMIT GENERAL SANTOS
GRAND SUMMIT LOBBY
FUNCTION ROOM
MEETING ROOM
DELUXE ROOM
SUITE ROOM 2
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