Time certainly marches on, and so soon, classes will be coming to a close, and summer vacations will begin with the onset of the hot days in our part of the world, while even as I started writing this at the beginning of the week, I learned that the American east coast states are in the throes of winter chill, of snow and sleet and ice.
March is especially significant in our country as it is observed as Fire Prevention Month, coincidental with the onset of summer heat. How ironic that in this year of many ecological and environmental disturbances, we already had an unusual number of fires, most of them due to human carelessness, but a number of which were apparently intentionally caused due to powerful land and property interests. And ironically, some of the fires occurred even during the last extended rainy season!
March is also observed as Women’s Month, with tomorrow, March 8th, as International Women’s Day. How especially significant that tomorrow, we hold our monthly Women’s Kapihan produced by the Legal Alternative Women’s or Law Center, Inc and the Cebu Women’s Network (CWN), and hosted by this Bystander, who is also a CWN member. The Women’s Kapihan is aired at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. every second Saturday of the month over radio station dyLA. The program’s theme is, “Babaye, ang Kalig-on Mo, Kalamboan sa Tanan.” We shall report on this in next week’s Bystandering.
Last Sunday, March 1st, I attended the monthly meeting of the Cebu United Radio and TV Artists Association (Curta), Corp at the Punta-Labangon residence of its late Founder Emil Rizada. Curta is possibly Cebu’s earliest, longest lasting, and duly registered association that has brought together monthly, Cebu’s radio and TV artists, old and new, for professional growth; companionship; and health, sickness, financial, and death benefits, among others.
Sunday’s meeting was primarily for a report on our latest project, “Pasiklap: Operetang Hilaw,” presented last Feb. 27th at the Teatro, Casino Filipino at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. The project was a fundraiser to help our needy long-time members financially for their medical needs, for member victims of calamities, and the families of members who have died.
Participants included mostly Curta drama talents and singers performing Cebuano songs by respected composers Manuel Velez, Pio “Piux” Kabajar, Minggoy Lopez, Pedong Villaflor, Ben Zubiri, and Edoardo Capua-Garusso, as well as professional dancing talents.
The overall presentation was backed by a strong production support of the Curta Corp.
The program had a successful audience participation afterwards, headed by Mayor Michael Rama of Cebu City and Mayor of Cordova Adelino Sitoy.
Our special thanks to them and the strong Sponsor, Patron and Donor Support reported by Rizada daughter Elise from the USA, as also from Cebu, with special thanks to the Management of Teatro, Casino Filipino for the free use of the Teatro.
During our CURTA meeting last Sunday, Honorary Chair Rose Rizada reported receiving requests for encore presentations of “Opereta” in Mandaue and Tagbilaran. We also considered producing for sale CD’s and videos of “Opereta.”
And now, for other news happenings this week. There was this collapse of a mine in Dungga, Danao City, claiming the life of 22-year-old Jose Landero. Labor problems are also heating up with workers being laid off or their salaries reduced due to the current financial situation.
Last Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, with the priests in Church marking the sign of the Cross in ash (from burned past Palm Sunday palms) on the foreheads of devotees. The day indicated the start of the Lenten Season, as well as the start of our Philippine hot summer season, which we have already been feeling, even enduring from now. Consolation for this Bystander: the flaming Bougainvillea are now spilling over my front garden wall and my kalachuchi tree and gumamela plants are in full summer bloom.
Now, for some significant dates. Congratulations to the Cebu CFI Cooperative on their 44th anniversary last Sunday, March 2nd, and to founder retired judge Esperanza Garcia for their fruitful years of “Serving members and saving others.” This has always been its mission. Earlier, Feb. 24th, the cooperative donated a cash assistance of P1 million to the Cebu city government for the construction of the new City Hospital, in time for the demolition of the old building declared unsafe after the Oct. 15th earthquake.
Last March 3rd, the Church observed the 100th birth anniversary of the late Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, who is being considered for sainthood.
Before we close, again, do listen in tomorrow for our Women’s Kapihan at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on radio station dyLA.
Until next week, then, may God continue to bless us, one and all!