BalikBalay Project Raises More Donors During BalikCebu

Photo above: BalikBalay committee members hold the check from Ayala Center Cebu, donating 10 Balay nga Payag units for the typhoon survivors in Pilar, Camotes Island. (Photo by Mary Jane Catriz)

Hundreds of balikbayans showed up in the Welcome Dinner and Handumanan Cultural Show organized by the Balik Cebu Committee of the Cebu City Tourism Commission (CCTC) last January 16 at The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu.

Aside from a one-of-a-kind 'Boodle Fight' dinner served by Seafood Island Grill, which gave the balikbayans the thrill of once again experiencing this Filipino tradition, the program for the evening  was also successful in drawing donations for Balik Cebu's 'BalikBalay' project for the typhoon Yolanda victims.

On top of the initial 10 Balay nga Payag (Nipa Hut or Bahay Kubo) that the committee received from donors before the Handuman Cultural Show happened, another batch of 10 units of the houses were donated during the show itself, as generous balikbayans and friends donated one, two, three houses, on-the-spot, courtesy of the respective organizations and families they represent, or even just from their own personal pockets.  

A replica of the Balay nga Payag presented to the balikbayan attendees during the Balik Cebu welcome dinner and Handumanan cultural show. (Photo by Mary Jane Catriz)

Last January 2, the BalikBalay project was launched with the partnership of Ayala Center Cebu, Miss Cebu Charities, ilovepilipinas.com, Department of Tourism Region 7, Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), the Cebu City government and the Cebu Provincial government. Its aim is to donate 30-50 units of Balay nga Payag to the far-flung area of Sitio Esperanza, Pilar Town, Camotes Island, one of those badly hit by the typhoon last year. The committee decided to have Balay nga Payag as the kind of house to donate to the survivors, for its many positive features and usage that could withstand tropical heat and calamities like earthquakes, typhoons and floods.

One Balay nga Payag costs P35,000. The BalikBalay campaign shall run from January 2014 to January 2015. For inquiries, email CCTCommissioner Tetta Baad at tettabaad@gmail.com and CCTC Executive Director Cinbeth Orellano at info@cebucitytourism.com or see Facebook page of BalikBalay.

Miss Tourism International Angeli Dione Gomez Returns to Cebu

Photo above: Angeli Dione Gomez poses with her mom, Gwendolyn Barbas, during her homecoming last January 16 at City Sports Club. (Photo by Mary Jane Catriz)

Cebu pride Angeli Dione Gomez, crowned Miss Tourism International 2013/2014, welcomed her warm homecoming by her family, friends, supporters and members of the press as she returned to her hometown in Cebu City today, January 16, 2014. She graced during the Sinulog grand parade on Sunday, January 19, on the Mutya ng Pilipinas float. The 20-year-old Cebuana beauty brings to her hometown the title for being the fourth Filipina international winner in 2013. According to the president of Mutya ng Pilipinas Inc., Jacquelin Tan, the winning of Angeli Gomez was a rare back-to-back win as she inherits the crown held by her fellow Cebuana, Mutya ng Pilipinas 2012 titlist, Rizzini Alexis Gomez. “Her winning was really a blessing because it was back-to-back win. Philippines to Philippines, Cebuana to Cebuana and Gomez to Gomez”, said Tan to the press as she explained her feeling on Angeli’s winning. Angeli shared her experiences during the pageant, that, she was just enjoying the whole pageant and never expected to win. She narrated that every time they (contestants) were asked to walk before the audience, she gave out her best to smile at all times, and has to dress differently from the other candidates to standout. “Actually, I just enjoyed every moment during the pageant. I didn’t want to expect ‘coz it may turn to disappointment. I just bring the best smile to them and if all the candidates are wearing black then I’ll wear red. I always want to be different so I would be able to gain the attention of the audience…” enthused Gomez. Gomez’ victory adds a long list of Mutya ng Pilipinas achievers in Miss Tourism International pageant which includes Sherilyn Reyes, 3rd runner-up in 1995; Mellany Montemayor, 2nd runner-up in 1998; Racquel Uy, 1st runner-up and proclaimed Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International in 1999; Maria Esperanza Manzano, winner in 2000; Anna Marie Morelos, 4th runner-up in 2007; Barbara Salvador, 3rd runner-up in 2010, and Diana Sunshine Rademann, Miss Personality in 2011.

More Than P13M Cash Returned By Pinoy Taxi Driver in U.S.

A Pinoy taxi driver returned $300,000 or more than P13 million in cash left in his driven cab, ABS-CBN's TV Patrol reported yesterday.

In a report by Gigi Grande, Gerardo Gamboa was traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada when he discovered a bag at the back of his cab. When he opened it, he was surprised at what he saw--an enormous cash worth $300, 000 was inside the bag.

Gamboa immediately called his taxi company to return the money to his passenger who left it, and was able to do so.

According to him, even Christmas was approaching at that time, it never crossed in Gamboa's mind to get the money. "Because it's not belong to me. First of all I'm not interested about those money and ... I'm not interested. And, I just wanna do the right thing, " he said in the interview with Reuters.

Gamboa became known in America and was interviewed by various media organizations.

He believes that big change happens when doing the right thing. "It's about doing something good to the other people, so they can pick up a good Reputation. So even if you’re driving a cab, I want these people to give you respect. Be a decent person, "  said Gamboa.

US-based Pinoy taxi driver Gerardo Gamboa was hailed "Driver of the Year" by his company as he did a heroic act of returning $300,000 or more than P13M cash to a passenger who left it inside his cab. (Image credit: philstar.com)

As a reward of his heroic act, Gamboa received $1, 000 from his company and he was also named as

"Driver of the Year" by his company.  His company owner said that Gamboa did terrific a job and that he never had problems with the driver in his 13 years of work.

“10,000 Hours” Reaps Awards in 39th MMFF

“10,000 Hours” garnered most of the awards during the awards night of the 39th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), Friday at the Meralco Theather in Pasig City.

The stars in the film namely Robin Padilla, who plays the main character in the movie, bagged the Best Actor award, while Pen Medina was hailed Best Supporting Actor.

“10,000 Hours” was awarded as Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Original Story. The film is also Best Cinematography, Best Production Design and Best Visual Effects; FPJ Memorial Award for Excellence and Gat Puno Villegas Cultural Award; as well as Best Musical Score and Best Sound Engineering.

Though the name of former Senator Panfilo Lacson and its biography were indirectly used in the film, the life of the current rehabilitation czar (for the super typhoon Yolanda damages) three years ago, was retold in the film as an inspiration. The film talks about the issuance of the warrant of arrest against the former senator which led many to believe that he hid in fear of the arrest.

Here is the total list of this year's MMFF:

New Wave Best Student Short Film Special Jury Prize - #NoFilter by Mapua Institute of Technology
New Wave Short Film Best Picture - Ang Paglisan
Animation Jury Prize - Ang Lalong ni Kulakong
Best Animated Picture - Kaleh and Mbaki
Best Festival Float - Boy Golden
Youth Choice Film Award - Pagpag
Best New Wave Film Director - Armando Lao (Dukit)
Special Jury Prize        - Mga Anino ng Kahapon
Best Picture for New Wave Full Length - Dukit
Best Actress for New Wave - Agot Isidro (Mga Anino ng Kahapon)
Best Actor for New Wave - Bambalito Lacap, Willy Layug, Bor Ocampo (Dukit)
Best Child Performer  - Ryzza Mae Dizon (My Little Bossings)
Best Sound Engineer - Emmanuel Clemente (10,000 Hours)
Best Musical Score - Teresa Barrozo (10,000 Hours)
Best Theme Song        - My Little Bossings
Best Make-up - Pagpag
Best Visual Effects - 10,000 Hours
Best Production Design - 10,000 Hours
Best Editor- Maria Ignacio - 10,000 Hours
Best Cinematographer - 10,000 Hours
Most Gender-sensitive Film - Island Dreams (New Wave)
Most Gender-sensitive Film - Hintayin mo sa Seq.24 (Students Category)
Most Gender-sensitive Film - Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy (Main)
Special Recognition Award    - Ronnie Ricketts (OMB)
FPJ Memorial Award for Exellence   - 10,00 Hours
Best Story - 10,000 Hours
Best Screenplay - 10,000 Hours
Best Director - Joyce Bernal for 10,000 Hours
Gat Puno Villegas Cultural Award - 10,000 Hours
3rd Best Picture Award- My Little Bossings
2nd Best Picture Award - Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy
Best Picture - 10,000 Hours
Best Supporting Actor - Pen Medina (10,000 Hours)
Best Supporting Actress - Aiza Seguerra (My Little Bossings)
Best Actor - Robin Padilla (10,000 Hours)
Best Actress - Maricel Soriano (Boy, Girl, Bakla, Tomboy)

The results of the movie festival were released two days after the eight movie entries  opened in theaters.

The MMFF is an annual festival with eight full-length films in the main competition. Also including are five indie films, five animated short films, and three student short films under the New Wave category; and four festival-feature films for the Cinephone category.

The festival kicked off on Christmas Day and held the annual “Parade of Stars” last December 22.