Tining is New ABC President of Cebu Province

Cayang's Brangay Chariman Celestino "Tining" Martinez III is the new president of the Association of Barangay Councils of Cebu Province. Martinez ran uncontested during the elections and claimed the ABC presidency by default, making him an ex-officio member of the Cebu Provincial Board (PB).

Samboan ABC president Emerito Calderon stayed as vice president. He held the position since 2010. 

The Freeman reported:

“I hope I can live up to the expectation sa tanan and most especially, I hope and I look forward to a very fruitful and successful league sa umaabot nga mga tuig,” Martinez told his colleagues after the elections.

Martinez said that among his priorities is to work with the Capitol in extending assistance to typhoon victims in northern Cebu. Bogo City is one of the areas severely devastated by the typhoon.

He said that his being close to Governor Hilario Davide III, his ally in the Liberal Party, is a big factor to help the barangays. He then thanked Holganza and the rest of ABC presidents of the different component cities and municipalities for their cooperation.

Holganza, meanwhile, assured the members of the league that they are in good hands under the leadership of Martinez. He bid farewell to his colleagues in the PB during its session last Monday.

Read more: Martinez is new ABC-Cebu prexy - The Freeman

Photo source: Tining's FB Profile

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MAYOR'S MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE

by Celestino Martinez Jr.
Thursday, 05 December 2013 | cityofbogocebu.gov.ph

Yolanda left a great devastation in her wake. But if there is a lesson the super typhoon has taught us, it is that life is one unpredictable road and that we are living in an increasingly dangerous world. Our preparations can be a helpless, useless armor against the fury of Mother Nature. Yet, if there is another lesson Yolanda has taught us, it is that this world is still filled with people who are what all human beings ought to be: Kind, selfless, full of sympathies & generous impulses, people who never tire giving, people who even cross continents in order to bring healing and hope. Because of them, what could have been a monumental tragedy, has become a monumental triumph of humanity...

To all those who, in one way or the other,have given us a helping hand when we were down on our knees, we have no signature big enough to mark our gratitude for what you have done for us. As "Padayon Bogo" has always been our mantra, rest assured you have given us encouragement, added strength and the will to move on. We may not be able to return your kindness (although we sincerely hope we could), but we hope and pray that God repay you all a hundred fold.

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CDN: Bangon SugBogo to Uplift Spirits in North

By Peter L. Romanillos
27 Nov 2013 | Cebu Daily News

After staging three successful concerts to raise funds for the victims of the recent calamities in Central and Eastern Visayas, the fourth edition is set on Saturday, this time for the typhoon-stricken city of Bogo in northern Cebu by a group that now calls itself Bangon SugBogo.

It is actually the same group that launched the #BangonSugBohol benefit shows to raise funds for relief and rehabilitation of communities devastated by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Cebu and Bohol last Oct. 15.

Organizers said the objective of the concert is not just raise funds but also to "uplift the spirits of residents in north Cebu who were ravaged by Yolanda."

"They don't have a roof, they don't have food and they don't have entertainment so we saw the opportunity to go there and stage the concert. Everyone is free to attend," said Wilson Ng, one of the event organizers.

"We expect more than 5,000 people to come so we urge everyone to invite their friends. Even people from Cebu City. Let's go there and join everyone to support," he added.

The concert which coincides with Andres Bonifacio Day on Nov. 30 is dubbed "Everyone is a Hero" to honor everyone who volunteered in the relief operations.

Read full story here.

27 Nov 2013

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Israeli Field Hospital Turned Over to Austrian and German NGO's

© IDF Blog

After two weeks of extending medical relief to about two thousand residents in the City of  Bogo and  its neighboring municipalities, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday turned over its field hospital (mobile hospital) to two foreign non-government organizations - LandsAid, a German NGO and Workers' Samaritan Federation Austria (ASBÖ), an Austrian NGO.

The two NGO's will assume and take over the medical assistance that was extended by the Israeli medical crew.   

"The cooperation between LandsAid and ASBÖ has been agreed in consultation with the local authorities and the hospital to make sure the resulting gap in health care in the next few weeks,"  - LandsAid CEO Hans Musswessels 

The turnover of the mobile hospital was witnessed by Ambassador of Israel to the Philippines Menashe Bar On, Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr., and IDF Col. Yoram Laredo.

© IDF Blog

According to the IDF blog, in over a time span of nearly two weeks, 2686 patients (848 were children) have been treated in the field hospital in Bogo City by IDF doctors.

Watch this video:

Read more:

IDF Humanitarian Aid Delegation to the Philippines Returns to Israel

Israeli field hospital in Bogo turned over to Austrian, German NGOs

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Power Restored in City of Bogo and Other Northern Cebu Towns

Major power lines have now been restored two weeks after super typhoon Yolanda (International name: Haiyan) ravaged the northern part of Cebu. 

The Freeman reported that all municipalities in northern Cebu including the cities of Bogo and Danao have been energized except for some mountain barangays and places where restoration of the lateral lines are still ongoing. 

Restoration of power lines in Bogo City © City Government of Bogo

The backbone lines of Cebu Electric Cooperative II (CEBECO II) serving Compostela, Borbon, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Carmen, City of Danao and City of Bogo were already restored. The backbone lines are also partially serving Catmon, Sogod and San Remigio.

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Pacman's Win: A Morale - Booster for Bogohanons

Bogo City residents enjoying the Pacquiao - Rios match. - © DANTE MAYOR

Bogohanons rejoiced after boxing hero Manny Pacquiao thrashed Brandon Rios to clinch the WBO international welterweight title in Macau yesterday.

Bogohanons react to Pacquiao's Win over Rios

Bogohanons flocked to the Don Celestino Matinez Sr. Sports Complex yesterday to watch the Pacquiao - Rios fight. The Pinoy boxing hero dedicated the fight to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

"This isn't about my comeback," Pacquiao said. "My victory is a symbol of my people's comeback from a disaster, a national tragedy." -Yahoo Sports

For the first time in almost a year, Pacquiao returned to the ring and wore Rios down with his blinding  handspeed and won 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110 on the scorecards at The Venetian casino in Macau.

Per CompuBox, Pacquiao landed 281 of 790 punches(36%) while Rios only landed 138 of 502 punches(27%). 

After the fight, Pacquiao said he is willing to fight anybody including Floyd Mayweather Jr. Boxing promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao's next fight is on April 12 next year.

Reads on Pacquiao vs Rios:
Pacquiao beats Rios in unanimous decision
Manny Pacquiao Dedicates Victory Over Brandon Rios To Philippines
Pacquiao vs. Rios: Does Manny Matter Again After Dominant Win?

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Rappler: Bogo City after Haiyan: Cleaning, rebuilding, healing

POSTED ON 11/20/2013 11:25 AM on Rappler.com

BOGO CITY, Philippines – “Walay pabor-pabor. Hatag sa tanan. Lihok.” (No favoritism. Give to all. Move.)

With this marching order, Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr dismissed his meeting with barangay (village) captains at a sports complex, the base for relief operations in this northern Cebu city reeling from Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Named after the mayor’s father, the Don Celestino Martinez Coliseum is not just the drop-off point for aid. It is where officials now work after Haiyan brought down the newly built city hall’s ceiling, roof and windows.

Restoring power lines in Bogo City ©City Government of Bogo

Known as the center for trade and commerce in northern Cebu, Bogo City is now grappling with the lack of electricity, damaged schools and hospitals, and homelessness for 90% of its people. The city is home to over 80,000 residents. Thirteen died in Bogo, among the over 4,000 fatalities in central Philippines.

Yet city employees and authorities are making do and getting organized. On blackboards, they keep track of the casualties, damages, and aid trickling in to the 29 barangays. They are determined not to make their community helpless.

An Israeli doctor performs a physical check up to his patient at the Israel Mobile Hospital in Bogo City.
©City Government of Bogo

“We are relying on donations but it’s not a total doleout. Starting Monday, the city government is employing 100 people per barangay. We call it cash for work. We pay them and then they have to clean up the city,” Martinez told Rappler on Monday, November 18.

Read full story here: Bogo City after Haiyan

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