CJ Alegre, GCash Sustainability Head; Estee Plunket, RAFI Chief Communications, Advocacy, and Partnerships Officer; Anton Dignadice, One To Tree Program Director

Launched in 2003, On Demand Community, IBM's flagship program for empowering volunteers, enables employees and retirees to find volunter activities and identify skills and expertise they can contribute to a specific cause. Last year, IBM volunteers worked on a Mangrove reforestation project in Olango Island at Lapu-Lapu but this time, the activity is focused in Poblacion, Aloguinsan, Cebu. As part of its 75th anniversary, IBM Philippines has collaborated with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) for a Mangrove plantation and maintenance project in the said province of Cebu on June 16, 2012.


Together with other CBSi and iLuvCebu Bloggers, FaceCebu.net author joined the environmentalism affair with IBM employees and volunteers. We met at IT Park Lahug and together we traveled for an estimated time of two to three hours before we arrived at the Municipality proper of the province of Aloguinsan. Aloguinsan, known as a fishing town in the Midwest of Cebu has over 5,000 households that depend on fishing for a living. It is said that 75% of all tropical commercial fisheries pass part of their lives through mangroves because it serve as nursery grounds, provide shelter and food.

Before the planting proper, we first visit Bojo river known to everybody as "Mini Palawan Of Cebu" and did a cruise. Hospitality was embraced while receiving a fresh Buko juice with a designed Gumamela flower in it paired witht heir native or home made bread. Smiling faces welcomed us and the volunteers. After a short break, one of the Natives gave us a lecture on the Mangrove detrital food chain and how Mangroves help in populating the fishes in that area.


Bojo River Nature Reserve, which includes the 1.4 kilometer long Bojo river and its riparian zone - home to about 61 bird specifies and remarkable native flora including the 22 species of Mangroves, was protected by local fishermen and natives. Local guides will paddle you down to the river in a traditional baroto, while they interpret the river's rich natural and cultural heritage including the famous Goddess Maria Tang-an. According to townsfolk, she was a nature spirit who took the form of a one-eyed, single-breasted female, a siren in the tradition of cyclops of Homeric epic and a protectress of the home that was a wilderness as natural as any primeval Eden (via Business Mirror)




The tour was organized by the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS). Here are the packages for the ECOTour.

Duration: 3 hours

Rates:
5 persons – Php800.00/head
6-10persons – Php550.00/head
11-15pax – Php530.00/head
16-20pax – Php500.00/head
20-30pax – Php480.00/head
30-50pax – Php450.00/head

Package includes orientation and lecture on mangroves,  ecology and bird wildlife lecture, handicraft (mat-weaving) demo, a buffet lunch and a snack (cool drink and freshly-baked salvaro, a native pastry) and a cruise down the river (via Lovely Philippines)

You can contact Rudney Carcuevas with the mobile numbers below.

TM/Globe: 0905-9133-055
Sun: 0922-4798-822








So much of the River Cruising, now back to the main goal of the visit - Mangrove Planting. The River cruise was initially done so that volunteers can understand and really appreciate what would be the fruit of their effort in planting Mangrove trees in the shores of Poblacion. "Planting and maintaining Mangrove forests greatly contribute not only in ensuring the balance in our ecosystem and the protection of our natural resources and people. It also helps in bringing back biodiversity, in developing eco-tourism, and sustaining socio-economic development in our country. Thus, community-based initiatives are crucial in the preservation and nurturance of the environent," RAFI President Roberto E. Aboitiz said.







IBM's deep commitment to drive progress through innovation resonates in the company's engagement with the industry, academe, government and communities that strategically employs IBM's technology and expertise to enhance the country's global competitiveness and help improve the lives of the citizens. "On July 20, 2012, IBM will mark a diamond milestone -- 75 years of operations and service in the Philippines, unmatched in the local technology industry," said Mariels Almeda Winhoffer, President and Country General Manager of IBM Philippines. "This year will not simply be a milestone, rather it will be an opportunity to heighten IBM's commitment to the country. We have been in Cebu for five decades now and we will continue to engage in partnership with cebu to seize the opportunities and the promise of Cebu today and the years beyond," she added.

Complete Set of Photos at FaceCebu.Net Facebook Page

RAFI or Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., Gabii Sa Kabilin (GSK) main organizer, in celebration of National Heritage Month, invited media and bloggers in a day that was full of adventure, knowledge and most of all, heritage and culture flashback at southern part of Cebu on May 18, 2012. FaceCebu.net, which covers GSK from its full blast years back until now, was one of the participants for the Media heritage tour held in Sibonga and Argao, respectively.

Friends from Media and blogosphere met at Casa Gorordo Museum (Lopez Jaena Street, Cebu City) for the Assembly. I wore shorts up to knee, with my comfy light yellow polo fit shirt for TOP and Signor black/white light shoes which made me comfortable during the walking tour and I advise not to wear accessories every heritage tour especially during Gabii Sa Kabilin 2012 and don't forget to bring water, pick-a-pick snacks and face towel. Too bad, i wasn't able to wear my cap for I wasn't predicting that Mr. Sun was so bright that day but luckily, the weather embraced us very well.

We arrived at Nuestra Señora Del Pilar de Zaragosa, Sibonga Cebu past 10 AM and we were all excited for sightseeing and information overload! What amazed us was the very big wooden door of the Church and upon entering it, the eye-catching mural on the ceiling which was creatively done by Raymundo Francia, a famous Cebuano artist, captured everyone inside! Very interesting art was the one above the altar which shows the seven days of creation (Genesis).











Trivia: Sibonga's Church was built by male inhabitants who were required to bring two big stones to the Church every Monday. They help in construction without asking payment or returns.

Next stop was the colorful and beautiful municipality of Argao. This maybe a "hey, what happen to you?" type of action but when we arrived at Cabecera de Argao - giant Torta, I immediately went off the Van and headed straight to that giant Torta and took a picture, simply amazing! We then headed to "Balay Lungsod of Argao" for a Courtesy call by Municipal Mayor Edsel Galeos and discussed their replica of Cebu City's Gabii Sa Kabilin activity the night of that day.











We had a chance of hanging around the ever famous, Argao Plaza which is aside from being traditionally conserved, the Plaza gives a free WIFI service to all - first free internet outside Mandaue and Cebu City. I even had a chance in uploading my instagram photo during the meeting with the Mayor.




Trivia: Argao was named after a tree Sali-argaw which dominantly spotted near the Shorelines.

With my camera ready for every scene, we visited the much preserved St. Michael, The Archangel Church and took some lovely shots of its Facade and interiors which as expected designed by our very own Raymundo Francia. This Church bears one of the oldest Bell in cebu located in its Tower. The Altar was amazingly preserved with Gold and silver color combinations.



Next on the itinerary was to visit Argao Nature Park and what did i expect? It's a Parkwide free wi-fi! Dang! I did love and enjoyed it very much! Just in the right side of the Park, you'll see the big statue of Mary with in the Pond of big fishes. There is also a bridge used to cross going to the other side/part of the Park.


So much for those inherited gifts from our Ancestors, we then visited the very famous makers of Torta and Tabliya, Jessie's Homemade Torta and Argao's Guilang Tableya respectively. The sweetness of Torta made our tired faces smile! And with those real and i said real Sikwati from Gulang's tableya, hot refreshment it was!


Past 12 in the afternoon, we managed to take our late lunch at Bienmar SU-TU-KIL, sea culture and seafood restaurant located at the center area of the sea! Fresh seafoods are served. You can actually request what to cook and find them fresh from Fish Cages located beside the resto.






For reservations and information, please check below contact details:


Jessie's Homemade Torta
Brgy. Canbanua, Argao, cebu
Tel. Num: (032) 367-7455


Bienmar SU-TU-KIL
Bienvenido C. Mamalias
Taloot Warf, Argao, Cebu
Cell Num: 0922-8555271 / 0917-7100037
Tel. Num: (032) 406-7138

When our tummy went full, we then spent our last hours at Taloot, Argao Marine Sanctuary and Liki Spring which truly gave a relaxing way of chilling. Indeed, Argao gives the real meaning of Culture from past which is connected today.