Dumper partylist rep finally speaks up

First, I would like to acknowledge all of the sentiments asserted by everyone. I hear you, and I have internalized all of the grievances that were brought up in light of what was supposed to be a private and personal milestone. Although given the situation, I would also like to express my sadness over how my wedding day, something that I have separated from my work as a public official, has been made into a political spectacle. My husband has been planning this special day with me for years even before the pandemic, and it pains us to see how things after our wedding turned out. This was supposed to be the culminating event of a decades-long love story. My husband is a kind and loving person and all he wanted was to give me the wedding of my dreams. We both found many of the comments heartbreaking. This celebration of our love was a product of my husband’s hard work.

I have dedicated most of my life to public service, but I was hoping to have this experience in private with my husband, the same way that most people who marry the love of their lives do. We had no intention of making our wedding a public affair, so we kept it as intimate as possible. However, access was unintentionally given through the post of my wedding gown designer, Michael Cinco and he mistakenly posted about the private event.

He has since, also apologized for bringing unwanted attention to an event that was supposed to be separate from my life as a public servant.

Working for a public office, I have always valued the integrity of my work. I have always preferred to act silently and let my actions speak for themselves. I know that I have been doing everything in my capacity to get our sector through this pandemic and I understand that there are still some issues and concerns that have yet to be fixed. I assure everyone that we have never taken our eyes off of these concerns. People have been questioning my public service record when in reality, during the pandemic, we were able to help vaccinate 18,000 PUV drivers, we provided assistance through DSWD, DOLE-TUPAD, and DOH all around the country, we advocated for the immediate release of financial assistance for PUV drivers by filing a House Resolution and worked to ensure that the deadline for consolidation of PUVs is extended.

To address the effects of the pandemic, in my personal capacity, I also made sure that more than 1.1 million grocery packs, PPEs, free insurance policies, and relief assistance are distributed to affected PUV drivers and commuters. From my personal funds, I have donated P3 million to doctors and nurses to ensure that their tireless sacrifice is recognized.

Moving forward, I want to move past this issue and focus on pressing matters – the pandemic and serving better my constituents.

I will no longer indulge in the statements by people of influence against me as I will leave it up to my legal team to address this.

As a public servant, I have always been transparent with my office’s accomplishments and ongoing efforts, and we will continue to do so despite detractors aiming to change the narrative and devalue our achievements.

Kaysa magsiraan tayo, ilaan natin ang enerhiyang meron tayo bilang isang komunidad sa pag-ahon mula sa pandemyang ito.

Maraming salamat po at mag-ingat po tayong lahat. May God bless us all.

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FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ISRAEL: MISS UNIVERSE COMPETITION® WILL TAKE PLACE IN ISRAEL THIS DECEMBER

Israel Minister of Tourism Yoel Razvozov

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“I fully hope that in December we will be celebrating not only the new Miss Universe here in Israel, but most importantly, the end of the world pandemic.”

The global MISS UNIVERSE® beauty pageant will be held for the first time in its history in Israel. The city of Eilat was chosen to be the host city of the competition, which will mark its 70th anniversary this year. 

Israeli producer Tali Eshkoli and Los Angeles-based producer Assaf Blecher are responsible for bringing the Miss Universe pageant to Israel, which will be run by the Miss Universe organization in cooperation with the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and the Eilat Municipality. From the end of November, competition contestants will arrive in Israel for three weeks of TV events, broadcast live around the world. These include the semi-final and final events, the national costume show, and other gala events such as the red-carpet event, events in the community, charity events and more. The 70^th Miss Universe Competition will once again be hosted by legendary entertainer Steve Harvey. 

Delegations from about 100 countries are expected to attend the pageant in Israel, including more than 1,200 members of official delegations, hundreds of journalists and TV crews, thousands of pageant enthusiasts and tourists, more than 100 American celebrities, including top-tier artists and world-famous judges. Every year, the event is widely covered in the media and it will add Israel to the map of countries that have previously hosted the prestigious pageant. 

The choice of Israel as the host country once again underscores Israel’s attractiveness, its rich history and the wide variety of spectacular tourist and resort sites that Israel has to offer pageant viewers around the world. An international event of this scale will positively impact awareness and image of Eilat and Israel as a leading tourism destination and a world-renowned international brand.  

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) is a global community that empowers women to realize their goals through experiences that build self-confidence and create opportunities for success. The organization’s programs provide the women who participate an international platform to affect positive change through influential humanitarian and professional efforts. The contestants and titleholders are leaders and role models in their communities, develop personal and professional goals, and inspire others to do the same.

Israel Minister of Tourism Yoel Razvozov:

“We in Israel are delighted to host the 70th anniversary celebrations of the iconic Miss Universe pageant. Israel is a beautiful land of creativity and innovation and we have successfully faced the COVID-19 crisis head on. Therefore, today we are among the first countries to host an international event – the unifying Miss Universe.

 

Tourism Ministry Director-General Amir Halevi:

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“We are proud to host the 70^th anniversary celebrations of the Miss Universe pageant in Eilat – a year-round sea and sun resort. We see this event as an opportunity to leverage Eilat and the Negev as an attractive tourism destination.

 

Tourism Director for India and the Philippines Sammy Yahia:

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“What a great opportunity to host Ms. Universe this December in Israel. I know that some Filipinos were crowned with this prestigious competition. I wish all participants good health and good luck and I look forward in seeing you all soon”.

Tali Eshkoli, Miss Universe producer in Israel: “The State of Israel once again proves that it stands alongside leading countries in the world that are capable of hosting international events of such significant size. Without a doubt, we have a great and extraordinary opportunity to expose Israel to hundreds of millions of viewers around the world, and I thank the Ministry of Tourism and the Eilat Municipality for their fruitful cooperation.”

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Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization: “Israel has been on our shortlist of host countries for a number of years due to its rich history, beautiful landscapes, myriad of cultures and appeal as a global tourist destination,” said “As we sought an impressive location for our 70^th anniversary celebration, it became clear through our conversations with acting mayor Lankri and the Israeli Ministry that Israel has the best resources to host MISS UNIVERSE in December.” 

 

The Philippines was already crowned four Filipina Miss Universe, Gloria Diaz in 1969, Margie Moran in !973, Pia Wurtzbach in 2015 and Catriona Gray in 2018. 

Davao City offers public virtual tour of Museo Dabawenyoo

The Davao City government is taking Dabawenyos and tourists into Davao City’s rich culture and historical heritage in the newly-launched Museo 3D virtual tour in line with the celebration of the Kadayawan Festival 2020.  

The public can take a glimpse of the rich cultural and heritage of the city either through bit.ly/2Q0vC92  or on the Museo Dabawenyo Facebook page  – https://www.facebook.com/museodabawenyo.

 

Winnie Rose Galay-Bulig, the head of Museo Dabawenyo, said that the 3D virtual tour is the first in the city and Mindanao. It is created for Davao City by the Davao Pacific Impact to help promote Museo Dabawenyo and allows people to explore the culture and heritage of the city since the museum is temporarily closed due to Covid-19.

“Through this 3D virtual tour, maskin naa sila sa ilahang matag balay or maskin asa man sila, pwede na nila ma-explore ang atong museum (People can tour the museum in this 3D virtual tour at any time at their homes or elsewhere),” Bulig said.

 

It is interactive wherein the panorama contains hotspots that enable the viewers to explore and navigate the Museo Dabawenyo.

 

“It is very informational. They can see plots there and when they click it, descriptions or facts about artifacts found inside the museum will pop-up,” she added.

 

Bulig has invited everyone to share the Museo 3D virtual tour to reach a wider audience, especially tourists who wish to visit the city and learn more about Davao. Also, students who wish to learn and research about the artifacts of the city.  

 

“Gina-awhag nako ang tanan nga mag-explore ani ug hopefully padayon lang sa pagtangkilik, especially this Kadayawan week as we treasure and give importance sa atong culture and history sa Davao (I am encouraging everyone to explore and support this during the Kadayawan week as we treasure and give importance to our culture and history),” she said. CIO

Davao swimmers win SarBay competition

By JED RESTON 

 TANGO, Glan, Sarangani – Tankers from Davao City once again clinched the top spot in this year’s Sarangani Bay Festival’s Swim-Across-the-Bay held at Sarangani Province, Thursday, May 30th. 

The team from Davao Merchant Marine Academy College of Southern Philippines (DMMACSP) bagged the gold for the second time in a row after a very exciting run of 3 hours, 12 minutes and 19 seconds which was made more exciting by bad weather, strong tides, and low visibility. 

“Ang daming unpredictable situations. Ang lakas ng current, ang laki ng waves, ang kati ng dagat, biglang umulan, nawala yung target namin,” DMMACSP coach Vasit Venturillo said when asked about this year’s Swim-Across-the-Bay experience. 

 

Despite being carried two kilometers off target by strong winds and high tides, Venturillo’s team sprinted the last two kilometers towards the finish line. 

Contest rules state that swimmers who do not land on the proper venue, must sprint/run towards the finish line. 

Team DMMACSP is just one of the ten teams to have successfully made the 15-kilometer long swim successfully conquering the mighty and deep Sarangani Bay. They are a group of college swimmers who participate in triathlons and swimming events. 

 

“Those competitions na sinalihan namin, ito yung pinakanag-enjoy kami,” coach Venturillo added. 

This is the 4th time that team DMMACSP joined the SarBay Festival Swim-Across-the-Bay. They made great showings in the past placing first runner up twice and now as back-to-back champs. 

 

A team from Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) also took home the second place with a time of 3 hours, 15 minutes, and 33 seconds after placing at the tail end of the rankings last year. Their team was mostly made up of members of the Alsons Security (AlSec) and an officer from the Philippine National Police (PNP). 

This year, also saw the debut of Kleone M. Mole, 10, from Cagayan de Oro City and swimming for the Dadiangas Torpedoes B. She is the youngest swimmer this year. 

Last year’s youngest swimmer was Dionela Cubita, 9 years old.

The Swim-Across-the-Bay champion took home P50,000, medals and a team plaque. The second place took home P35,000, medals, and a plaque, while the third place got P25,000, medals, and a plaque.

All other finishers took home P10,000. Just like last year the swimmers took off from Sarangani Energy Corporations’ jetty at Barangay Kamanga in Maasim town, before traversing Sarangani Bay and reaching their landing spot at Tango in Glan.

(Jed Reston for Sarbay Docu Team/SARANGANI COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE)    

Trillanes to Dutertes: Bilog ang mundo

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV pleaded not guilty on the four charges filed against him by presidential son Paolo Duterte and brother-in-law Mans Carpio.

The senator personally appeared before the Regional Trial Court Branch 54 Tuesday morning, January 15, for his arraignment.

In an interview after his court appearance, Trillanes branded the libel cases as nothing but harassment cases aimed to inconvenience him. He said that his personal appearance is to show to the court that they respect and have full trust on the justice system.

Asked of his message to the Dutertes, Senator Trillanes warned the First Family to be prepared also when their time comes.

“Umiikot ang mundo, darating din ang panahon na sila rin ang tatanggap ng iba’t-ibang hamon so they should be ready also,” said Trillanes.

Trillanes was declared persona non grata by the Davao City Council last year. The senator however said Tuesday that he surprisingly got a warm reception from the people of Davao City.