Roadmapping 2009

By Mila C. Espina

Cebu is taking a judicious step in coping with the threats of 2009, specifically in trade and tourism.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the American Chamber are leading the Cebu Economic Advisory Council to discern schemes of coping with the economic downtrend, so instead of rushing into the retrenchment of workers or closure of companies, some alternatives could be done. A good number are suggesting creativity and fortitude to create jobs, to become self-sufficient entrepreneurs and not mere employees waiting for manna from heaven.

Tourism Department Secretary Ace Durano urged the industry players to strengthen domestic tourism, the savior which could harness local economy. Jay Aldeguer, president of the Cebu Visitors Convention Bureau and concurrently the czar of creative tourism and Cebu's Go Negosyo, sees a lucrative income from small business ventures, and he means, real small as the sari-sari stores or vendoring.

The animo of the hoteliers is always high. Well, January 2009 meant good occupancy because of the Sinulog and the Chinese New Year, and Marco Protacio, president of the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association, hopes to keep the influx of visitors until February, then, the next months will be rough sailing. So, the name of the game is attractive and affordable package of food, amenities and events.

We couldn't think of crises as we watched the fabulous Chinese New Year celebrations of Marco Polo ( now a 5-star hotel), Shangri-la, Microtel and the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel had, and saw a large number of foreign and local tourists.

Some 1,500 tourists from Guangzhou, China ( the biggest so far arranged by Dong Fang International Travel led by Wei Nian Bu) visited Cebu. During the presscon, Gov. Gwen Garcia announced the forthcoming sisterhood pact between Guangdong and the province of Cebu. Alan Dino, the Cebu coordinator, said that Cebu could expect 5,000 tourists in a year’s time. The Suroy Suroy sa Sugbo, the pet project of the province of Cebu, gathered some 300 participants, mostly balikbayans from Vegas, Canada and California. The Southern Heritage Tours brought them to Minglanilla, Naga, Argao, Carcar, Barili, Dumangug, Badian, Moalboal, Alcoy, Malabuyoc, Santander, Oslob and Samboan where the best of the natural and historic wealth of Cebu, yes, the pristine seas and coastal villages, heritage houses, old churches and museums, partaking of native delicacies with the hospitable townsfolks, singing and dancing to the beat of authentic music could be had even by the poorest comer, as one poet said.

Meanwhile, Jay Yuvallos, the 2009 Cebu Business Month chair, will meet the steering committee to discuss this year's thrusts. BM Agnes Magpale and Enrison Benedicto are at the thick of preparing for the One Visayas ( March) and One Cebu ( August), respectively.

And Jay Aldeguer, chair, of the Cebu Visitors Convention Bureau, hopes to finalize the prime projects slated for 2009 onward. The permeating goal of all these activities is to gear tourism toward the full exploration of the resources of Cebu as well as to harness the creativity of the Cebuanos.

And the social and community activities are not hampered by the global climate.The enduring foundations like the Philippines Foundation, We Care, Zonta, Ylac, Goodwill, Quota, to name a few, have not abandoned their mission to instill values and improve the quality of life. The malls are still packing customers, for how long, we can not tell. But some restaurants are losing to the increasing sales of street food, like those along Salinas Drive, and around some downtown and midtown supermarkets. The Terraces and the Asia IT Park have the upper class clientele frequenting places like Moon Café, Casa Verde, Tapa King, Figaro, and even, Jollibee and Macdo, but only on breakfast, or lunch, or dinner during weekends, and some special weekdays. The affordable items and food court at SM City sit well with moderate spenders. And, E-Mall, situated in the university area in downtown, gets a good catch of customers. The private clubs, like the Cebu Country Club, Casino Español, Cebu City Sports Club and Alta Vista have members who patronize them, although they have been cost cutting as well.

The entertainment scene is alive, with local talents taking the centerstage. And the academe? Education is still a priority as a tool for social mobility and there will be lesser decline in the enrolment, although some parents are likely to choose less expensive but employment-friendly courses for their children.

The diplomatic circle had its share of visitors from Bacau, Romania. To celebrate the friendship between Cebu and the Netherlands, the ambassador, His Excellency Robert Brinks, gathered a select group at the Casino Español.

Happy events

There is no substitute for family affairs. Despite the current economic problems, balikbayans choose to come home to Cebu. Come February, the whole family of Nani and Eden Tumaliwan will celebrate the couple’s 50th anniversary. Eden was a former Spanish teacher at USJR and presently based in New York. And Robbie Alugar is all smiles nowadays for two reasons: the successful baptismal rites of firstborn Roiuse Kristianne Alugar and the dramatic renewal of the marriage vows of parents Raul and Susan Alugar, using as motif the historic wedding of Princesa Isabel, niece of King Tupas of Cebu, and Spaniard Andres Calafata, the handsome soldier of General Miguel de Legaspi. Now, who says Cebu is saddened by financial fiasco?