Midterm Blog Journal # 3: Welcome Archbishop Jose Palma and Thank You Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal

        After 29 years of genuine service, outgoing Archbishop of Cebu His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is ready to leave the island with all his love and faith and wishing that Cebuanos will accept the new Archbishop Jose Palma wholeheartedly.

        This was the statement of Cardinal Vidal during a press conference last January 10 at the Cardinal's Palace. It was a two-in-one  press conference actually which on the first part there was a signing of the memorandum of agreement with proposed Osmeña Park. This was attended by Mayor Michael Rama, the appointed architects, press people, and Cardinal Vidal himself.

        On the second part, the Archdiocese of Cebu led by Msgr. Marnel Mejia and Msgr. Cris Garcia together with the executive secretary Margarita Matheu and Sis. Amelyne Paglinawan of the Daughters of St. Paul revealed to the media regarding the preparation of the installation of Jose Palma as the new Archbishop of Cebu. In the presscon, Palma will arrive Cebu from Manila via Mactan International Airport around 3:00 PM on January 12, Wednesday. He will be met by representatives from the church, military, and local officials.

     From the airport, a motorcade is set that will tour the streets from Mandaue City to the Archbishop's residence. The motorcade is limited with only three vehicles to those will be joining in order to avoid traffic jam.

     According to Matheu, over 800 visitors will be participating the canonical installation of Palma. Not only Cebuanos but also priests and lay coming from adjacent provinces where Palma has rendered his service.

   These includes 90 priests and 134 lay from Palo, Leyte, 52 priests and 50 lay from Jaro, Iloilo, and 32 priests and 35 lay from Calbayog, Leyte. The 55 bishops of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines will also be witnessing the event. The 83-year old mother of Palma will be heading the delegates of Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo.

  On the day of the installation, a mass will be held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral which Msgr. Mejia discussed the liturgical proceedings. The family of Archbishop Palma, guests, Archdiocese of  Cebu, both local and national media have designated seats inside the Cathedral. The readings of Archbishop Palma will be from St. Paul, Isaiah and St. John. After the installation right, a lunch is set at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City. This day also marked the anniversary of the ordination of Palma as bishop. Around 3:00 PM, he will be meeting the press people for the first time at the Cardinal's Palace.

      Archbishop Palma will be heading the mass on January 15 at Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and expected to join the foot procession in the afternoon. He will also lead the mass at Cebu City Sports Center on January 16 prior to the Sinulog Grand Mardi Gras celebration.

Midterm Blog Journal # 2: Looking Forward for 2011

            Happy New Year! Happy 2011! It had been a great 2010 to me and to the country. We were able to survived the challenges we have faced. To God Be The Glory! 

We were able to experience a first automated election last May 2010 which Benigno Simeon Aquino III emerged as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines. The yellow color dominated in the political arena which symbolizes hope. Who would forget the saddening story of 2010 which was the hostage crisis at the Quirino Grandstand and killed foreign lives. It was truly a threat to the tourism industry of the country after the incident happened when other countries released a banning advisory against the Philippines. 

      Amidst that horrible incident. a day after, Maria Venus Raj's major major victory as  Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up truly a breath of fresh air. She was able to give inspiration to all Filipino people in any parts of the globe. Of course, a barangay election pushed through last October 25, 2010 despite of a lot of deprivations.

            After one week and five days of vacation, I was able to rest and find inner peace which I am preparing myself for better opportunities which I'll be inclined to this hopeful 2011.

  Last January 5, 2011, it was my first duty of the year. I was on the field with my co-intern Rechiel Cordova. Our reporter was Mr. Jun Veliganio and Mr. Renante Quiñones as our video journalist. We went to the Cebu Provincial Capitol in order to interview Governor Gwendolyn Garcial regarding the 93-1 issue, which until now still unresolved. But Gov. Garcia had an urgent meeting so it was Atty. Rory Jon Sepulveda, Capitol Consultant, granted us the interview.

         

       After that, we went to the Cebu City Police Office in order to follow-up a suicidal case. A 26-year old Elgin Cadilig used the .9mm Norinco pistol of his girlfriend PO1 Jubilee Catan Inquig. Both are natives of Negros Oriental.

Midterm Blog Journal # 1: This is My Moment

December 17, 2010, Friday is a very memorable day of my internship life. I am reporter on this day. Believe it or not. I was with a video journalist Mr. Jun Solon. The moment when Mr. Albert Aballe informed me that I'll be going on the field I was really shocked and truly in a state of disbelief. This is my chance to apply the theories I've learned in school. I am nervous and hesitant. The people in the newsroom were very supportive. Around the 2:00 PM we left the station on our way to the Cebu Provincial Police Office in order to witness the muzzle taping of CPPO Officials' firearms.

           As part of their campaign against indiscriminate firing during the holidays and over 70 police officers had cooperated. No police officer was exempted from having the muzzle of his or her firearm taped. What's even more shocking, CPPO Director Erson Digal asked met to muzzle his .45 pistol and signed it. I was indeed hesitant to accept the favor. But with the confirmation from other media practitioners who were also present and the approval of Sir Solon, I represent the media. By the way, this was an exclusive story for Balitang Bisdak since no shadow of a reporter from TV Patrol Central Visayas. It's an ecstatic feeling mixed with excitement and fear ran through my veins. It was truly an honor for me having chosen by a high rank police official and able to hold and signed his pistol. Things just really come unexpectedly. To God be the Glory!

           Digal then taped and signed the firearms of Supt. Eduardo Saavedra, CPPO deputy director for administration and Supt. Teofilo Siclot, deputy director for operation. Digal urged the public to report any police officer who fires his service or private firearms. He also announced that his constituents will be receiving P850 as Christmas bonus from the funds of the Provincial Office and a half sack of rice from his pocket during their upcoming Christmas party.