Marco Vazzoler, general manager of Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, receives the Hall of Fame award for being the top taxpayer of Lapu-Lapu City from Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza (left) and Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Lapu-Lapu City recognized its top 25 taxpayers on Friday as it launched its rebranding campaign with an invitation to the world to “Come to Lapu-Lapu City and Free Yourself.”
Mayor Paz Radaza led officials in hosting the event at the Hoops Dome in barangay Gun-ob where the island city is being positioned as a “Historic Resort City”.
Lear Automotive (Phils.) Inc. led the top taxpayers. Shangri-la Resort and Spa was recognized with a Hall of Fame award for being a top taxpayer for five years in a row.
Radaza said her administration “will do what it takes to grow the economy and emulate the culture of world-class service from the tourism industry to the entire city.”
She said that for a long time, tourist and investors and even the media would talk about world-class resorts, beaches and a wonderful island experience by simply referring to Cebu.
But Lapu-Lapu wants to stand out from “the clutter and competition” and create a brand based on the city’s unique appeal and strengths.
She described the city as “contemporary yet confident” and “steeped in history and heritage.”
Lapu-Lapu City’s new slogan is “Free Yourself” and has a new jingle and icon showing Datu-Lapu-Lapu glowing in four colors which she refers to as “Lapu-Lapu in the Sun.”
“It symbolizes the energy of the city’s diversity, its dynamism, and its people,” she said.
In her speech, Radaza briefly referred to graft charges filed against her in the Sandiganbayan, including a recent case linking her to the misuse of P15 million in pork barrel funds of then Rep. Clavel Asas Martinez in 2002 intended for the Girl Scouts of the Philippines Cebu.
She said this was “something personal” and “not related to governance.”
“These are issues that happened long before I became mayor of this city. I am confident I will be able to overcome these painful episodes in my private life.”
She promised to “never allow the recent personal issues to affect my work as chief executive of this city.”
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