Mayor Ondo inaugurates rehabilitated travelers’ lounge

Mayor Ondo Codilla and Fr. Isagani Petillos cut the ceremonial ribbon marking the soft opening of the newly rehabilitated bus terminal travelers' lounge. (Photo by Joseph Levi Sausa)

MAYOR Edward "Ondo" Codilla led the blessing of the reconstructed bus terminal travelers’ lounge on June 26. The facility was rebuilt at a cost of P4,273,334.66 after it was devastated by super typhoon Yolanda 1½ year ago. The terminal itself was rehabilitated ahead for P6,632,608.49. Funds for both projects are locally-sourced.

Target date of completion for the lounge was supposed to be on Sept. 13 but contractor R. Allosa Construction turned over the project more than two months ahead of schedule. Codilla arranged for an early soft-opening before Ormoc’s fiesta celebration in June 28. 

Even the date of the blessing is significant for the mayor as it represents the number eight (2+6=8) which symbolizes prosperity in numerology. Another facility, the food park, which was rehabilitated earlier, was blessed on Mar. 26 upon Codilla’s instruction.

The reconstruction of the lounge entailed replacing the ceiling system, steel beam cover, aluminum type doors, glass windows, aluminum cladding as well as plumbing and sanitary fixtures. It also required tile, masonry, plastering, painting, mechanical and electrical works.
The project restores the facility to its former state as the most modern, cleanest, fully airconditioned bus terminal travelers’ lounge in Region 8. The ground floor serves as lounging area where passengers can wait for their bus. It also has nine ticket booths and two comfort rooms (CR).
The second floor will have a food court, coffee bar, barber shop, Internet shop and office. The two CRs upstairs are also equipped with eight shower cubicles that customers can use for a fee. A P10 terminal fee will be charged per passenger for the facility’s upkeep.

But the terminal’s improvement doesn’t end there. Since its reopening early this month, Ormocanons have noticed changes in the terminal’s operation. As part of a security measure, the GI sheets that fenced the facility during the construction stage have remained with two openings that serve as entrance and exit. The improvised enclosure is temporary though, as it will be replaced by a tastefully-designed fence.

Traffic congestion is solved with the transfer of multicabs at the reclamation in Alegria, half a kilometer away. Stalls will be constructed at the sides inside the terminal each measuring 1x1.5 meter to arrange the vendors. The city government will also hire private security guards to protect travelers from theft.

First Tugob Festival Queen crowned Binibining Ormoc 2015

Denesse Ann Rebadomia after being crowned as Binibining Ormoc 2015 by Mayor Edward C. Codilla, his wife Engr. Violeta Codilla and Miss Universe Philippines Pia Wurztbach.

ORMOCANONS fell for her in 2010 when she became the first ever Tugob Festival Queen. On the night of June 28, 2015, Denessee Ann Rebadomia once again captured the hearts of the audience when she was crowned this year’s winner of Bb. Ormoc beauty pageant.

Denesse was just a promising 15-year-old high school student when she won the Ormocanons’ approval to be their Tugob Festival Queen. But her fans were surprised to see her bloom into a 20-year-old stunner oozing all the more with charm and confidence.

Denesse wears the new Ruby and Emerald-encrusted
crown of Binibining Ormoc. The crown will continue the
legacy in bringing honor and prestige to the pageant.

Small wonder why Denesse was the crowd favorite early on, giving even the unfamiliar spectators a feeling that she would best her competitors. And she did stand out from among the 11 other candidates as she hauled the most number of special and corporate awards. She was adjudged Best in Fun Wear, Playsuit and Evening Gown that carried a score of 25% each.  

The candidates wore their fun wear, a creation of Rey Humberto Villegas, during their opening number. The collection of Alejandro Godinez Jr. from the house of Salvador Malto figured prominently at playsuit category. The ladies wore accessories from Golden Heritage and shoes from Mark Anthony Tenchavez of Shandar on both the Fun Wear and Playsuit categories.

The Evening Gown category featured the candidates’ elegance and regal bearing. They showcased the characteristics of an ideal Ormocana – poised, feminine and sophisticated while wearing the creations of Dino Lloren and accessories from Mark Anthony Techavez of Shandar.

From right: Mayor Edward C. Codilla, 5th Dist. Rep. Jose Carlos Cari,
DILG Regional Director Pedro Noval and Executive Asst. V Gaudioso
Ypanto. (Photos by Joseph Levi Sausa)

Denesse was also named Miss Photogenic of which she was presented a blow-up photo of her face by the Ormoc Photographic Society. In the process, she won a total of P6,000 from the special awards alone aside from a sash, bouquet and plaque for each title.

Denesse went on to haul most of the corporate awards like Texters’ Choice for which she received a brand new tablet from Talk n’ Txt, Miss Alert which earned her P5,000 worth of Personal Collection products, Miss Goldilocks which got her a P1,000 gift certificate, and Miss Natasha Beauty.

Bejeweled crown

Aside from taking home P30,000 for being Bb. Ormoc 2015, Denesse holds the distinction of being the first to wear the new special crown for the title. The crown was custom-made by renowned designer Mark Anthony Tenchavez of Shandar. It is encrusted with Ruby and Emerald Swarovski crystals with the colors red representing love and courage, and green for hope and resiliency. It will become the official crown of Bb. Ormoc.

Fiesta Execom chairman Edwin Codilla and Atty. Cristina
Garcia-Frasco, chairperson of the board of judges, pose
for the camera after giving the plaque and sash to 3rd
runner-up Jacquelyn Daison. (Photos by Joseph Sausa)

Liera Marie Aligway took home P20,000 for being first runner-up. Aside from being another crowd favorite, she is the most eloquent among the candidates. She also won three corporate awards namely Miss 2GO for which she received a travel certificate, Miss Sophie Paris and Miss Ever Bilena.

Second runner-up is Trixie Ann Medalla who received P15,000 and was named Hyundai Brand Ambassador for 2015. Completing the royal court are 3^rd runner-up Jacquelyn Daison and 4^th runner-up Ma. Rebecca Guinoo. Rebecca was also named Miss Supercat which got her a travel certificate.

The candidates presented their individual talents last June 20. For besting the category, Jade Destacamento was made to perform her heart-stopping dance sport number to the music of Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” on the pageant night.

Other corporate and special award winners are Jessa Mae Tagolino who was named Miss Avon and Miss S’kin for which she won P5,000 worth of gift packs from Personal Collection; Melrose Cobacha who was given a Cignal digital box for being Cignal’s Choice; and Windy Siego who was named Miss Congeniality and Miss Gasul for which she won a double-burner stove and two liquified petroleum gas tanks (7kg and 11 kg).

Overall, the show was superbly done and fast-paced with no dull moments. For a production of this scale, fiesta executive committee chairman Edwin Codilla can always be counted on not only to get the job done but even do wonders with a tight budget. Last night’s pageant was particularly special being a comeback of sorts after having been canceled last year because of super typhoon Yolanda.

Everything was just perfect this time especially the performers. Girls swooned to the love songs belted out by Jason Dy and Jem Cubil, champion and finalist respectively of “The Voice Philippines.” They clapped to Jason’s rendition of Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” and screamed when he showed his dance moves.

Most applauded was Frenchie Dy who sang a couple love medleys, one of which with matching impersonations of every artist who sang the song reminiscent of the hit TV show “Your Face Sounds Familiar.” The hosts -- Jonathan Cimafranca and Phoebe Kaye Fernandez, mainstays of ABS-CBN Cebu’s MagTV-- made the show more fun.

Even the makeup of the board of judges was well thought of, chaired by Law professor Atty. Cristina Garcia-Frasco. The members are former Philippine Basketball Association superstar Rey Evangelista, real estate executive Allan Oliver Ong, fashion designer Dino Lloren and educator Anna Louisa Abanes-Bumagat.

Fluvial, land procession successful despite rains

THE wet weather did not dampen the spirits of the faithful in joining the fluvial and land procession one day before the fiesta of the city. The fluvial parade began at around 2:00 pm as the blue pump boat carrying the images of Sts. Peter and Paul, patron saints of Ormoc, sailed off from the port.

A white pump boat followed carrying a limited number of devotees for safety concerns. A flotilla of 37 outriggers (banca) the procession that went as far of the shores of Punta and Camp Downes on the other end. Upon docking back at the port, the statues of the patron saints were boarded on a vehicle to lead the land procession.

Barangay chapels, schools and private organizations also paraded their own images in the procession namely:

The procession winded at Sts.Peter and Paul Parish Church where a Pontifical Mass was held thereafter.

LGU workers complete training from IsraAid

Country director Yael Or hands
a token of appreciation to
Mayor Ondo Codilla for
speaking at the
commencement rites of
IsraAid's training for LGU
workers.

NON-Government Organization IsraAid conducted the commencement exercises for the completion of its Mental Health and Psycho-Social Services on June 19. The training dealt with different aspects related to the family with topics on children and their trauma; grief, mourning and loss in the family; substance abuse; family dynamics in crisis situations; and gender-based and domestic violence.

The trainings were held every first and second week of the month for the past 11 months that were joined by 99 participants from the following offices:

∙ Health Department consisting of midwives and health workers - 9 participants;

∙ Education Department consisting of teachers, guidance counselors and school nurses - 34;

∙ Disaster responders and community volunteers consisting of policemen, firemen and prison officers - 5

∙ City Social Welfare and Development Office - 30.

by Dante Raden

Mayor Ondo addresses participants who completed the mental health and psyco-social services training by IsraAid.

DTI implements Timbangan ng Bayan in Ormoc

Regional Director Cynthia Nierras and Market Administrator Engr. Arthur Arcuino show the Memorandum of Agreement signed by DTI and Mayor Edward C. Codilla. Also in photo is Provincial Director Desiderio Belas Jr. (Photo by Josephine Serseña)

ORMOC City is one of the 35 local government-recipients of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Timbangan ng Bayan. Market Administrator Engr. Arthur Arcuino attended the turnover of three weighing scales for Ormoc on June 16 held at Plaza Rizal in Tacloban City.

The units will be placed in strategic areas at the public market to protect consumers from defective weighing scales of unscrupulous vendors. The Timbangan ng Bayan is in line with Mayor Edward C. Codilla’s campaign to uphold consumers’ rights and protection. By Josephine Serseñsa

The sign states that the public weighing scale is a project of DTI and the City Government of Ormoc. (Photo by Josephine Serseña)