Takeaways from the 448th

Malou Guanzon-Apalisok

A musical revue featuring songs, dances, dramatic musical dialogues and visuals titled, “Gabii sa Sugbuanon: Paglantaw sa Ugma ug Kagahapon” capped the monthlong celebration of Cebu’s 448th founding anniversary last August 30.

Beginning with a red carpet reception at the governor’s entrance, followed by cocktails dubbed as “Sugbuanong Ani,” the pre-program was significant for its simplicity and relevant for its theme. Moreover, there were no big-name politicians who would have distracted from the program flow; so Capitol officials, department heads, employees and guests enjoyed cocktails prepared by chefs of big-name hotels.

I enjoyed the spread prepared by Chef Jun of Parklane Hotel featuring tempura with a twist — the breading is crushed chicharon (pork rind) from Carcar.

I also loved Radisson Blu’s take on the sticky rice with native chicken, along with other cocktails prepared by savvy young chefs, who, I think, may have been surprised that cooking ideas can be hatched in the government’s bureaucratic maze. Culture in cocktails was my takeaway from the celebration.

The concept of getting chefs to tap into organic produce through local entrepreneurs engaged in agriculture and food production is a brainchild of provincial tourism officer Boboi Costas, and with him at the helm of the production, community-based tourism had to creep in the agenda.

A fierce advocate of community-based tourism as a vehicle for sustainable economic development, Boboi told me in the sidelines of the celebration that the overarching element of the celebration is “community.”

And so it can well be said that the highlights of Cebu Governor Hilario “Junjun” Davide’s first year in office was about committing all the resources at the disposal of the provincial government for the betterment of Cebu’s communities through good governance.

A key indicator is the seal of good governance by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the performance of Cebu province in financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, business friendliness and competitiveness, peace and order and environmental management.

Key performers among departments are the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) and Human Resource Management Office, both cited by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and the Civil Service Commission respectively for exemplary performance.

At a time when many chief executives are in the dock for stealing or wasting government funds, Davide cited a 2016 Commission on Audit (COA) report earlier submitted to the President and Congress that showed Cebu as having the highest net worth at P28.53 billion.

Infra projects including airport development plans on Bantayan and Camotes and continuing intensified campaigns against illegal drugs, among others, are key projects that Governor Davide intends to accomplish in the short term.

By the way, I heard the musical revue will have an encore possibly in an international event to be staged in Cebu in a couple of months.

This will certainly push the drive to rekindle in Cebuanos the love of theater, Cebuano language as well as local history which Costas hopes will generate after “Gabii sa Sugbuanon” made its debut during the 448th.

How interesting to note that the province and the Cebu Archdiocese are aligned with respect to keeping the flame of Cebuano theater and the arts burning. Cultivating the love for theater and using the same tools for human development are in harmony with spreading the Good News.

Last week, I had the privilege of watching five one-act plays written and directed by local thespians in the Marcelo B. Fernan Press Center.

“Mga Dula sa Pagtoo” is a collection of one-act plays under the inspired leadership of priest and playwright Monsignor Agustin “Tingting” Ancajas, parish priest of the Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church in Pardo. He is also Director of the Archdiocesan Social Communications Ministry.

Monsignor Ting is the founder of the Il Signore Theatre Company and the brains behind the faith-based plays.

The one-act plays in Cebuano had been going around since 2015, but it was during the 2016 International Eucharistic Congress when it was presented to an international audience.

Last month, Monsignor Ting tweaked the interest of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and young theater artists attending the 3rd National Media Convention (subtitled “Storya Ta!”) held at the Betania Retreat House.

After hearing Monsignor Ting talk on the topic “Reviving Community Theatre for Evangelization,” during which he called on youth participants from different dioceses all over the country to “tap into their inner selves” for stories of evangelization, the audience went crazy and the bishops swamped Monsignor Ting with invitations for him to hold theater courses in their respective parishes.

The talented Monsignor Ting is certainly overwhelmed, but in the meantime, he has to tend to his parish in Pardo and find time to rehearse for an encore on October 14, 7 p.m. at the San Pedro Calungsod Church in the South Road Properties.

How amazing that by channeling his artistic talents to his vocation, he is able to prove that, in his very own words, “The theater is a powerful pulpit.”