President Arroyo's Visit to Cebu

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s five-hour visit to Cebu was highlighted with her inaugurating the newly-improved and beautifully face-lifted plaza of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. The beautification is in preparation for the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Archdiocese of Cebu, which will be on the 26th of this month.

His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who welcomed President Arroyo, said: “The plaza is a witness to the history of Cebu; it is the courtyard of the Queen, the Immaculate Conception, and it is just proper to develop it.” In fact, Cardinal Vidal thanked all the donors, public and private, who made possible the beautification of the Cathedral Plaza.

Before the President arrived at the Cathedral Plaza, she distributed food packages and goodies to 500 indigents at the Caritas, just behind the church. Under the scorching heat of the 12 o’clock noon sun, she walked to the Cathedral grounds escorted by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Rep. Raul del Mar, Rep. Nerissa Soon Ruiz, Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, and of course, our dear friend, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, PCSO Usec. Maria Fatima Valdez, Atty. Tessie Tinero, Msgr. Roberto Alesna, parish priest of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Lino Lebron and Nancy Cuenco.

Immediately after inaugurating the Cathedral Plaza, President Arroyo had lunch with Cardinal Vidal at the cozy and tastefully decorated Convento dining room with lunch specially prepared by her friend Mariquita Yeung’s chefs serving fresh lobsters, large shrimps, abalone, steamed Lapulapu, crispy lechon of course, green salad, and freshly made sariwang lumpia, budbud kabog and malagkit with the sweetest mangoes of Guadalupe. The President personally thanked Mariquita as she actually was impressed with the lunch prepared for her and her party.

By the way, Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be attending the Diamond Jubilee this coming April 28.