Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez made it clear to members of the entertainment press invited sa presscon organized by him and his wife, Tacloban Councilor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez, at the Patio Victoria in Intramuros, that his office has no authority to declare at all, anything na may kinalaman sa nakatakdang pagbisita ni Pope Francis sa kanilang bayan sa January next year.
As far as he knows daw this early, it will be the Papal Nuncio’s office in Manila, who will take charge of all the activities na magaganap during the Pope’s visit.
‘‘But my office is ready to lend them help, kung kailangan nila. All they have to do is inform us. They will be well protected habang nasa aming bayan sila.
‘‘Halimbawa, we will promise maximum security for the beloved Pope and his entire entourage, when His Highness holds mass at the ramp of the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport.
‘‘Ganundin, when He later meet our poor fellow Taclobanons,’’ sabi ni Mayor.
At the presscon, the Mayor and Kring Kring (yes, members of media are allowed by the konsehala to address her such, the pet name associated with her when she was still a Seiko Films star), announced that city officials of his town are currently focused sa pag-relocate ng close to 1,000 families na, inaamin nila hanggang ngayon, ay nakatira pa rin sa mga tent. They want to build them permanent homes. Yes, in lands they are purchasing, if not expropriate.
Hopefully daw after the first anniversary of Yolanda on November 8.
All of us, of course, still remember Yolanda as the strongest typhoon na tumama sa bansa. In Tacloban alone, 55,000 homes were destroyed. Libu-libong tao ang recorded na namatay. Hanggang ngayon, may 700 pang taong nawawala.
The City government’s main goal now is to put up a new townships for these Taclobanons who suffered the most, dahil sa Yolanda. This townships will be complete with water supply, electricity, schools, markets, and livelihood.
‘‘We hope na mabigyan sila ng better lives,’’ ani Mayor Alfred.
Sa kanyang asawa iniatas ni Mayor Alfred ang pagbuo ng livelihood program for women and young folk, though what Kring Kring called Cristina’s Learn and Earn Program (CLEAP).
Kring Kring has currently been named Ambassador of Habitat for Humanity.
Meron silang two beautiful children, Sofia and Diana, na 14 and 10, respectively, open daw siya sa alok na magbalik-showbiz.
Already pala may offer na sana siya to do a teleserye from a particular channel. But she said, she respectfully begged off, dahil ang role na kanyang gagampanan is that of an all-out kontrabida.
She doesn’t think daw she is prepared to portray that kind of role.
In her time as an actress, nakilala si Cristina sa portrayal of sexy roles.
She is still equipped with the body and form na labis na hinangaan siya bilang artista.
Born of showbiz royalty na maituturing, Cristina’s Dad is former matinee idol, Jose Mari.