RAFI receives two Quill Awards for its environmental advocacy

Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines was such a success that it became a blueprint for the Cebu local government's greening projects as well as the national government. This success was made because of good communication management by RAFI people.

It was no surprise that RAFI won a Quill Award: the Quill Award for communication management: economic, social and environmental development -- a testament that "RAFI has achieved that competitive edge in terms of pushing its program and advocacies forward through communication...", quoting RAFI's Integrated Development Executive Director Rowena Bandola-Alensonurin.

The Run 2 Plant for GREENIN Philippines (Generation, REdemption and Expansion of Natural resources INitiatives in the Philippines) was held last June 25, 2011 and was participated in by a total of  55,372 runners and "feeling" runners who collectively plant close to 240,000 native tree seedlings after a fun run held in various parts of Cebu province. These figures actually exceeded RAFI's expectations.

RAFI's Tree of the Month, a bi-monthly section that comes out in Freeman with the aim of educating the public on the various native tree species and encourage their propagation, is a finalist under the writing category of the communication skills division of the Quill Awards.

RAFI Executive Committee Chair Ma. Cristina Aboitiz, RAFI Chief Operating Officer Dominica Cua, RAFI Deputy Director for Operations Amaya Aboitiz, RAFI's Integrated Development Executive Director Rowena Bandola-Alensonurin and RAFI Communications Officer Haidee Palapar received the two awards during the 10th Philippine Quill Awards held last November 18, 2011 at Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, Quezon City.

They were joined by Lucky Malicay, news editor of the Freeman.

Students, like RAFI let us educate others about forest conservation, reforestation or planting of native tree seedlings and caring for the environment. Let us support RAFI in this advocacy.

Diamond Suites and Residences in Cebu turns 1

Diamond Suites and Residences Cebu is one of the hotels which supported the Visayas Blogging Summit where some of the speakers stayed.

Last December 6, 2011, this hotel celebrated its first year anniversary with very nice music by a live band (I wish I knew the name of the band), good food and raffle prizes.

During the party, we even met a very friendly guest from Africa (the tall guy on the center).

Once again, thank you to Diamond Suites and Residences for supporting the organizers of the Visayas Blogging Summit.

Diamond Suites and Residences is located in Apitong corner Escario Street, within walking distance of Ayala Center Cebu. They have 102 modern guestrooms with high-speed internet access and many other amenities.

Visit their website for more details.

The Ciudad Project, Beneficial or Bad for Cebu?

Based on the video above, the planned Ciudad Project to be built in the BanTal Road looks promising.

A mall designed to look like Cebu many years ago. Security guards dressed like guardia sibil. Balut vendors, "dirty ice cream" vendors selling their products in the vicinity. Replicas of Cebu's historical sites. Museum featuring works of Cebuano artists. The usual things you see in a mall except for the appearance of old Cebu. More potential job openings.

But traffic appears to be a legitimate issue which the project planners plan to address by putting jeepney stops within the Ciudad and not in the BanTal road itself. The developers, Fifth Avenue Development Corp. claimed the local government do not need to spend for addressing this problem.

There are still many questions you probably want to ask. Like what happens to the Cebu Medical Society office and the ERUF in the area? How exactly will the traffic problem there be eased with the building of the Ciudad Project?

Today, December 2, there will a public hearing to decide whether an Environmental Compliance Certificate will be issued for the project developer to start the work. It will be at the Brgy. Apas, Lahug Gymn at 10 AM. You may want to raise issues or questions during the hearing.