CCBI-Cebu Runs for a Cause

“On your mark, get set, go…” then, the sound of the gun start signaled the participants to run to the finish for 3k and 5k leisure marathon for charity.

CCBI-Cebu organized its first fun run activity last October 7, 2018 at the Bureau of Customs, Port of Cebu through the effort of Mr. Jerry A. Martinez Jr. as the Chairman Committee.  This leisure race was a cause for the young patients of the Cancer Warrior Foundations Incorporated. It was participated by a number of port stakeholders such as the customs brokers, personeros, importers, exporters, Customs personnel, shipping lines staff, forwarders, OPASCOR, CPA, PNP-MG with their families and friends to support the CCBI-Cebu’s cause in helping the children with of their medical and treatment needs, which was the proceeds of the fun run.

“This advocacy is a two-way purpose: one is to promote and boost the health of the CCBI-Cebu community and two is to help the sick children of the Cancer Warrior Foundations. It is through this healthful activity that we are able to give health aid,” said Dir. Martinez.

Race Details

The CCBI-Cebu Fun Run 2018, A Run for A Cause was announced two months before via CCBI-Cebu page.

The categories included 3k and 5k run respectively. Registration period started last August 20 to September 24, 2018 at CCBI-Cebu Office and Bureau of Customs, Port of Cebu. Registration at Php 400 was inclusive of a shirt, race bib, and snacks. Winners of the race received cash prize and a medal, and the first 100 finishers for both categories received certificates of participation.

Fun Run Program

The program was opened with a Zumba dance by Sports and Fitness Enthusiasts instructors.                    The CCBI-Cebu Chapter President Israel Alin gave an inspirational opening message.  Ms. Jennifer Ruby Baylon, Program Manager of Cebu Warriors Foundation Incorporated – Cebu explained the nature of CWFI and expressed her words of appreciation and inspiration to everyone.  Then, the orientation and briefing was conducted by Mr. Joel Baring the Race Director. The gun start for 5k run was 5:30 am and 5:45 am for the 3k run. The awarding was made thereafter.

Warm up Zumba dance to tune in the energy

Victors of 3k and 5k Run

The winners of the 3k race male category were as follows: Rojan Guinocor got the first place of LRA Customs Brokerage; the second place went to Ryan Mendez of Aparente Customs Brokerage; third place was Josam Avenido of Avenido Customs Brokerage. For the 3k female category, Mary Ann Cahayagan of Aparente Customs Brokerage snatched the first prize; Edlyn Tampus of Avenido Customs Brokerage got the second place; and the third place went to Ma. Jesselyn Dungon of Martinez Customs Brokerage.

In the 5k race male category, Jorice Mark Zabate of Canillas Customs Brokerage bagged the first place; Roy Anthony Guinocor of LRA Customs Brokerage got the second prize; and the third prize went to Meljun Duterte of Martinez Customs Brokerage. For the 5k female category, Jobylou Gocotano took the first place; Roxan dela Cruz of PNP-Maritime Group got the second place; and Yolette de Hitta won the third. Aside from the top finishers were the following awards: biggest delegation winner, youngest runner, oldest runner, male sexiest runner, and female sexiest runner.

Top finishers who brought home the prize with the CB Martinez and CB Alin

Kids of the Cancer Warrior Foundation Inc.

The proceeds of the fun run would benefit the kids of the CWFI. Cancer Warriors Foundation is a Philippine based patient support organization for families of children with childhood cancer. It leads the fight for children/adolescents with cancer, childhood cancer survivors and their families. For the past 15 years, Cancer Warriors Foundation has been helping increase awareness about childhood cancer, providing direct medical and treatment assistance to kids with cancer and advocating for changes in the medical and health sector (c-warriors.org). It is specially chosen to be recipient of the fun run proceeds as a part of the 2018 community extension program of CCBI-Cebu as the organization been promoting health consciousness in many of its activities this year. “The kids are the most vulnerable beings on earth and here, we want them to be well again so they can enjoy being children in time for Christmas,” said Martinez.

CWFI Kids made a short presentation during the CCBI-Cebu visit

“We, from CCBI-Cebu, hope to continue this charity work in the next years to come. As we have started this cause, it would not be the last. This is our way of promoting health at the same time giving help to the sick children of our community. Together with my colleagues, we will continue coming up with creative ways of helping the sick and less fortunate as the CCBI-Cebu’s work of love to the community,” CB Israel Alin, President.

CCBI Officers with the Kids at CWFI – say ‘Merry Christmas’

THE 2018 MOST OUTSTANDING CUSTOMS BROKER

Abdellatif receiving her award, shake-hands with the PRC Chairperson in the Award’s Night.

2018 Most Outstanding Customs Broker

From 4, down to 3, her name emerged from the nominees – the Most Outstanding Customs Broker of 2018 – Girlie Perez Abdellatif.

PRC’s Choice

The Professional Regulation Commission had recognized an excellent broker once again this year. After a series of nominations, interviews and screenings, Ms. Girlie Perez Abdellatif was named to receive the most prestigious award “The Outstanding Professional of the Year Award” granted by the Professional Regulations Commission to excellent professionals who had made major contributions in keeping highest degree of integrity, social responsibility, and advancement in practicing his/her profession.

The giving of awards took place in Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel, last June 21, 2018. The ceremonies were headed by its Chairperson Teofilo S. Pilando Jr., along with Commissioners Yolanda D. Reyes and Jose Y. Cueto Jr. Meanwhile, former Pres. Fidel V. Ramos graced the occasion as Guest of Honor; together with him is Undersecretary Jacinto Paras of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Abdellatif in her red-carpet walk

Abdellatif in the Award’s Night

Girlie Perez Abdellatif came in an elegant, sapphire blue intricately-laced, diamond studded Filipiniana gown fashioned by Francis Libiran, a Swarovski creation, as she promenaded the red carpet to receive her prestigious award. She received a trophy in recognition of her merit of excellence, along with the 33 other professionals in their respective fields in the Award’s Night.

Abdellatif was the CCBI-President National in 2011-2013. In the span of time of her leadership, she made major contributions in augmenting the integrity of the Customs Broker Profession.  She stood for CCBI to join anti-smuggling undertaking together with Bureau of Customs (BoC) and Professional Regulatory Board for Customs Brokers (PRBCB) in a memorandum of agreement. Through her leadership, the organization’s commitment to help the government’s drive against smuggling was accentuated.

Her Leadership

In her administration, she organized the Technical Working Group (TWG) to help the Customs Brokers in filing for the Professional Accreditation. One of her contributions include the reduction of requirements from 17 documents to  5 – a significant advocacy to help her fellow customs brokers. Most importantly, through her efforts, CCBI was recognized By PRC for its active participation and good leadership during its First Professional Summit in 2012. In the same year, Abdellatif received the prestigious PAPRB Leadership Award for CCBI President by The Philippine Association of Professional Regulatory Board for her exemplary performance and support to the activities of the association. Absolutely, she was the only APO president granted such award.

Her Citations

Aside from her strong advocacy on anti-smuggling in her administration, she made major contributions to help her fellow professionals of which follows: organizing free seminars and workshops for all Customs Brokers, establishing partnership between CCBI and Collectors’ Association, introducing Biometrics System for CCBI Members, creating new ID Cards System, offering Credit Incentives for beginning Customs Brokers in cooperation with Allied Bank, and most of all making CCBI a nominee for Accredited Professional Organization (APO). Among others, she founded the official publication of CCBI, “The Aduana World” and created the CCBI website.

She is a Master in Customs Administration and is currently the President and CEO of Diamond Freight Services Incorporated (DFSI). Indeed, she is chosen for her professional competence and integrity, for her innovative contributions to advance the profession, for her valuable advocacies in realizing the profession’s social responsibility through her meaningful involvement in many social-related activities such as the blood-letting projects, Gawad Kalinga Livelihood Project with Collector’s Association and Typhoon relief project to name a few.

A Thorough Selection

The selection has 3 phases. She was among the four nominees including Edward Brien, Alberto Regis Gantuangco, and Alta Dulce Lumanog. The Nomination Committee is composed of EVP Adones Carmona, Dir. Michael Tede, Dir. Michael Mertalla, and Dir. Dennis A. Del Pilar.  The second phase was a panel interview by Atty. Norberto V. Castillo, Chairman of the Nominations Committee and Atty. Ferdinand Nague, himself, President – Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc, last February 28, selecting three. The final phase involved the interview by The PRC Assistant Commissioner – Hon. Aristogerson Gesmundo as Chairman together with PRBCB Chairperson, Hon. Nenette T. Dagondon, and Hon. Rolando De Jesus, member of the panel last March 15.

The Invitation

Ms. Girlie Perez-Abdellatif received an invitation from PRC last May 8, 2018 to come to PRC’s 45^th Awards Night, as one of the recognized excellent professional of the year for which she truly deserved. She is an icon for her peers benchmarking a Customs Broker of highest integrity in service to the country – two cheers!

Abdellatif with fellow Customs Brokers (from left to right) Mr. Roberto T. Domondon,    Dr. Claudine Fel C. Lauros, Mr. Jules P. Samulde, Mr. Jorge T. Pascual, Atty. Ferdinand Nague, Hon. Rolando L. De Jesus, Mr. Sam Bautista and Ms. Thess Santos

Ilocandia Tour

The Undiscovered Gem of Eastern Samar

A big converse shoe in the playground :))

Look at the background, isn’t tempting for surfing?

Discovering the Surreptitious Island of Camotes in Cebu

Camotes is a group of islands composed of four towns of Cebu (Poro, Tudela, Pilar and San Francisco). Camotes is a trivial portion of utopia with stunning white sand beaches, prodigious underwater treasures, astounding caves and lake, amusing culture and history surrounded with lovely people.

Let us discover, explore experience and fall in love with the Magic of Camotes Islands.

GOING THERE
Camotes can be reached by sea. There are pump boat in Danao which travel time usually takes an hour. But since I was in Ormoc when I decided to visit Camotes, I looked for options on how to get there from Ormoc City.

Traveling from Ormoc City to Camotes Island is easy:
Go to the Port near the Public Market where you can find MB Junmar bound for Camotes. I took a ride at around 1pm bound for Esperanza since I already booked for a hotel around the area. Travel time from Ormoc to Camotes 3hrs and 30 minutes.

Locals meeting the boat

WHERE TO STAY
My Little Island Hotel, a tri-star hotel located in Esperanza, Poro Town. I stayed in a room for as low as Php 1,200 per room overnight. MLI has a restaurant and a swimming pool. The hotel’s facilities and services is more than enough to satisfy your vacation.

I was alone during my Camotes Island but there’s no problem with the transportation from the port to the hotel since the hotel offers free pick-up of its guests and visitors from the port.

 

 

 

ISLAND TOUR

THE OLD STONE CHURCH OF PORO

My tour around Camotes Islands started with a visit to the oldest church in the island group. The church is located in the island of Poro, at the poblacion of the town of Poro. The Church was founded in 1847 and built in 1849 under the supervision of Fathers Nicolas Gonzales and Ambrocio Yturiaga. The church was originally made of tabique and stone. The roof is made of tiles. The church’s belfry was built 1963.

BAYWALK

The Baywalk is located meters away from the Port of San Francisco, the main town of Camotes. A dozen of benches and light posts are offered for people to be more interested to feel the cool breeze of fresh air and the delightful ambiance during nighttime.

ST. JOSEPH CHURCH

The church is dedicated to the Fatherhood of St. Joseph. It is located at Pacijan Island in the town of San Fancisco. Just like the Old Stone Church of Poro, it is made of wood and “tabique”. There were many developments and repairs done which made the church looks like a modern church. Nevertheless, what is important is the birth of Christianization in the town.

TIMUBO CAVE

The Timubo Cave is located at the rugged side of San Francisco, roughly 15 minute ride from the town proper. Expect to get wet since it is slippery and wet ground passing through a trifling but clear pond where caves stones are observable to our bare eyes. You can jump off to the water and squeeze the hidden paradise. Oops! Pay grace to Mama Mary, there is a small altar in the corner for individuals who seek harmony and amity.

LAKE DANAO

Lake Danao is considered as the largest lake not only in the province of Cebu but also in the whole region of Visayas. It is rich on fishery where the locals surrounding the lake hang on the resources for their survival, boating and other water sports are the few things you can do aside from picnicking on their spacious area. In there, I tried horseback riding and kayak.

MANGODLONG PARADISE BEACH RESORT

Since I wasn’t able to book a reservation in Mangodlong and Santiago Beach Resort still I managed to drop by the place because of its unique rock formations that blatantly float above the sea water close to the beach itself. On the upper area of the rocks are the unruffled tropical open sheds from where you can spot the cosmic blue ocean in a 360 degree. The islets and rock formations are connected by a sand bar to the beach.

SANTIAGO BAY GARDEN AND RESORT

Santiago is one of the well-known beaches in Camotes. It is a public beach and has the broadest beach on the island. It is a white sand beach with a long shoreline. You can bring with you tents to get to see the very nice view of the beach.

BUHO ROCK

The Buho Rock is a landmark of Poro in Camotes. It is a natural rock formation that looks like a ship docked in one of the bluffs. This place is an amazing natural spot, a lovely place to spend the day and just enjoy the panoramic view of the sea, the fresh breeze, and the superb waters.

Indeed, it was FUN! Although it’s a long ride, and there are rough roads on some part of the town. Just be ready to feel some pain after the ride which is actually part of the exciting adventure. I will definitely be back in this lovely place!

 

 

Lake Danao National Park, Ormoc

Lake Danao is a guitar-shaped lake on the island of Leyte, Philippines.

Everything was green.. Love the air!

Went to the information center to pay the entrance fee of P10.00/head costing me to pay P200 for a whole day use of the banca. 

Thumbs Up! 🙂

CB CLAUDINE FEL CARDONA LAUROS, MBA

A Licensed Customs Broker

This profession involves preparation of customs document for imports and exports, declaration of customs duties and taxes, preparation signing, filing, lodging and processing of import and export entries in behalf of the importers and exporters.

To become a Customs Broker, You need to pass the Customs Brokers Licensure Examination.

Be ONE of US!

A Masters in Business Administration 

After passing the Licensure Exams for Customs Broker, I immediately enrolled at the University of  the Visayas under the Graduate School Program.

And captured the top spot during our Comprehensive Examinations. 

Thank you Daddy God!

University of Cebu College Instructor

I have this great passion for teaching and learning as well. Moreover, I say teaching is more than fulfilling. It is quite challenging yet so much fun! 🙂

CCBI-CEBU CHAPTER – SECRETARY

I thank God for giving me this post

A TRUE PRINCESS OF GOD 🙂

I may not be an active member of the Singles for Christ, but I know deep in my heart I am forever Guided by his love!

LOVES PHOTOGRAPHY

I always have with me “Suzie” to capture everything!

LOVE TRAVELLING ALONE

I am more contented to travel alone. No hassle!

This blog site features everything about my travel 🙂 Come!