Amazed at what Cebu has done in Balamban!

Last month, a strange looking vessel dubbed the "Happy Buccaneer" dropped by the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) to pick up an even stranger cargo to load five of those huge deep bed thickeners, which were assembled by Metaphil (the construction arm of the Aboitiz Group of Companies) in the Port of Cebu. These strange structures were to be used in a Nickel Mine in Goro, New Caledonia and I just learned that the "Happy Buccaneer" has already reached its destination and unloaded its precious cargo.

This event is significant for us in Cebu City because it makes us a global player in the world's construction industry with is vast needs for high-quality construction designs and work. To give us an insight of how this was done by Metaphil, for tonight's talkshow on Straight from the Sky, we bring you the people behind Metaphil Worldwide, led by its Chairman and CEO, Mr. Roberto "Bobby" Aboitiz; its President/COO, Napoleon Pe; Ms. Felma Yap, AVP Marketing; Demosthenes Redoble, AVP Engineering; Augusto Dacanay, Quality Control and Safety Manager; and Enerio Liangco, AVP Operations. Watch this show on SkyCable's channel 15 at 8:00PM and see for yourself how Cebuanos have become great global competitors in the world construction industry.

* * *

Columnists never run out of things to write about especially at the height of the political season when too many people approach writers to drop a line or two about their political plans or ambitions. Yesterday, instead of trooping to the Cebu Coliseum to get interviews, I drove over to the Tsuneishi Shipyard in Balamban and met Senators Joker Arroyo and Ralph Recto who arrived on board a blue M/V Augusta Helicopter. At the welcome line were Aboitiz Construction Group Chairman and CEO Mr. Roberto Aboitiz and Tsuneishi President Shinji Watadani who recently took over the reins of the nation's largest shipbuilding company.

After a quick car tour, the two Senators dropped in at the Buanoy Barangay Hall for a "Miting de Avance" called by Balamban Mayor Alex Binghay, where the families of the shipbuilders were waiting. Both Sen. Arroyo and Recto were visibly amazed and still dazed with unbelief at what they saw in Tsuneishi. Sen. Joker Arroyo thanked the Aboitizes for inviting them to visit the shipbuilding facility saying, "I did not expect to see what I saw here today…that the Aboitizes had a ship industry of this magnitude!"

Sen. Ralph Recto had a similar observation, but talked directly about politics saying, "This elections is not about GMA vs. Erap; it is about bring jobs, fighting poverty, putting food on the table, security, shelter, something that Team Unity has something to show. Unity Para sa Pamilya Pilipino."

After all the applause, Mayor Binghay announced to his two guests that they will get a hundred percent in votes in Balamban but he added, "However, as of now, that's only for the two of you. We will assure the other Senatoriables when they come to visit us." Mayor Binghay's remarks were similar to the other Cebuano leaders... they will choose their Senators!

If there is anything going for Sen. Recto in Cebu aside from his being married to the famous Vilma Santos, it is because he authored the "Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004 (R.A. No. 9295) which would modernize Philippine Shipping, a fact seen in many placards greeting him in Balamban. During lunch, I couldn't resist but ask the two Senators what to expect from them after they return to the Senate.

Of course, I provide the two with easy answers. Looking at a Tri-Cat on its dry dock cradle telling them that these fast vessels could form the new Philippine Coastal Navy, a Naval vessel which is more practical than what we have today, but best of all, it can be built here by Filipino workers in a Filipino owned company.

When they asked how many employees were there in Balamban, I told them more than 5,000 employees, whose votes can't be bought simply because it is beyond people with good jobs to sell their votes; after all, they don't need the money. I'm sure that these two Senators flew back to Cebu City for the Team Unity launching with a lot of things on their minds on what Cebuanos can do if given the opportunity, which often has to pass through the Senate. My earnest wish is that someday, Cebu will make the first locally-made Navy ships that would patrol our waters. It is a dream that no one here in Cebu can ever say is far from reality.

* * *

The Blackbox:

Congratulations to return of that dynamic duo, Mr. Ricky Rama Poca and Divine Marcial on the launching today of "Hello Cebu, Maayong Buntag Pinoy on INTV CCTN's channel 47 (channel 56) from 7:30AM to 9AM. They used to be the mainstay in DyRF, but they have turned upscale going on live television to discuss issues relevant to the whole community. We wish you all the luck and all the power and above all, the guidance of the Holy Spirit when you are on board your new medium of broadcasting.