Shooting straight Still no vote on the RH Bill? What's up?

This is a final call for our fellow media practitioners in Cebu that this morning, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma is inviting us to have a recollection for media practitioners from 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the Filipiniana Hall of the Archbishop’s Residence along D. Jakosalem St.. No less than Arch. Jose Palma will do a talk and Msgr. Joseph Tan will assist him. Call this a preparation for our up and coming Cebu Press Freedom Week. This schedule was done in the morning so that it would not interfere with their work schedules. See you!

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 On the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill front, last Wednesday was a critical day, where there was a closed door meeting with the pro-RH congressmen. But my source told me that Rep. Pablo Garcia and Rep. Rufus Rodriquez would question the quorum once again like what happened last Aug.6 and force another roll call, but then as things turned out, the pro-RH didn’t have the numbers to force a vote… so once again, the RH issue was not calendared for a vote. I honestly believe that if the pro-RH had the numbers in the halls of the Batasan, they would have forced the vote.

 What could have happened in Congress? One texted source revealed that many staunch anti-RH advocates apparently responded to the call to be at the Batasan… they wore Red and prayed the Rosary. Meanwhile in the Senate front, Sen. Tito Sotto made his “Turno en Contra” privilege speech against the RH bill, which was shown live on TV. I was too busy in Manila to continue watching Sen. Sotto’s speech, but just the same there was no vote coming from the Senate.

 At this point in the fight vs. the RH Bill, the only thing we spiritual fighters have left is our prayers for the Lord that he listen to his people. But we have to remain vigilant at all times because this battle isn’t over yet. Please don’t forget that tomorrow is the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and next week, Sept. 12 marks the 9th Annual National Pilgrimage in Lipa Carmel. Yesterday, we motored to Lipa upon the invitation of Bishop Ramon Arguelles for a short pilgrimage to the Mediatrix of All-Graces. Through our constant prayers, we can be victorious in this spiritual battle to prevent innocent souls from being murdered inside the wombs of their own irresponsible mothers.

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 I was in Manila to attend the 31st Anniversary of SKAL International, in conjunction with the 22nd Tourism Personality Awards at the New World Hotel last Sept. 5. SKAL stands for Sundeht (Health)m Karlek (Love), Alder (Long life) and Lycka (Happiness) and it is a traditional toast when everyone shouts, Skal! SKAL international has been around since. Aug. 29, 1980 and its objective is for the promotion of travel and tourism by undertaking the prestigious SKAL International Awards. Our good friend, Consul Robert “Bobby” Joseph is one of the founding fathers of SKAL International.

 This year’s SKAL 22nd Personality Tourism Awards Hall of Fame went to Dr. Emilio Yap of Manila Bulletin. The New Captains of Industry SKAL Awards were led by Dr. Manny V. Pangilinan, Dr. Andrew Tan, and Mr. Henry “Big Boy” Sy, Jr. This was followed by Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Ramon Jimenez who was awarded Government Personality of the Year. I guess this is due to his new tourism slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”. Hon. Imee Marcos was bestowed the Local Government Personality of the Year.

 Our very own Star Group of Companies President Miguel Go Belmonte was awarded as Media Personality of the Year. In his response speech, he mentioned the Star columnists present… from me to Cito Beltran, Babes Romualdez and Ms. Cristine Dayrit as those who write about tourism. Indeed, the Star always comes up with great tourism reports.

 Meanwhile Mr. Ramon Ang was awarded as Airline Personality of the Year for buying Philippine Airlines (PAL). Former Iloilo theater owner, turned resort owner Mr. Henry Chusuey bagged the Resort Personality of the Year. I have known Mr. Chusuey for a long time now because his family owns theaters in Iloilo. But he has since opened his resort in Boracay and has recently acquired the Alona Beach Resort in Panglao, Bohol. Meanwhile Mr. Farid Schoucaiar General Manager of the newly renovated New World Hotel was Hotel Personality of the Year.

 Ms. Jenny Franco was awarded Travel & Tour Personality of the year as chairman of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) and founding trustee of the 888 News Forum in Marco Polo Hotel in Cebu that comes every Tuesday morning and shown on MyTV channel 28. Let’s hope that the Officers of SKAL International continues with these tourism awards in order to encourage more people to support tourism here.

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