City of Bogo First Run Against Illegal Drugs - Dagan Kontra Druga

Bogo Police Station in cooperation with the City Government of Bogo will held the first DAGAN KONTRA DROGA (Run Against Illegal Drug) on August 13, 2017.

By joining this run, we are saving lives and supporting our drug surrenderers in their journey to freedom from the use of illegal drugs. Our drug surrenderers have undergone (and many are still undergoing) the ReRe or the Reintegration and Rehabilitation Program. A community based rehabilitation program for drug surrenderers in the City of Bogo.

Let us help our police force and the City Government in their effort to renew the lives of drug users.

City of Bogo officially declared first drug-free city in Central Visayas

The City of Bogo was declared first drug-free city in Central Visayas. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7 Regional Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz personally distributed the certificates to each of the 29 barangays of the City of Bogo who all obtained drug-cleared status during the ceremony conducted at the Cebu Provincial Capitol on July 20, 2017.

During the ceremony, at least 11 barangays in the neighboring San Remigio town also received their Certificate of Drug Cleared Barangay which now make the total number of drug-free barangays in Cebu to 160 while all other 1,066 are still affected by illegal drugs.

The declaration of a drug free barangay is a long process, the Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing Operation of PDEA 7 has to follow a lot of validation protocols and processes. 

Ruiz expressed hope that more villages will be declared drug-free. "There are those who fail to meet the requirements, maybe because of the failure to exert more efforts in the intensified campaign illegal drugs. And maybe they never do anything about the drug problem in their communities. But there are some who had complied, and will comply,” he said.

City of Bogo Mayor Atty Carlo Jose Martinez said that there is no secret formula for making an entire city be declared drug cleared. It only takes team work and contribution from all sectors in the community. He said that even students in the community based drug rehabilitation program can be warriors against illegal drugs by simply spreading the word on the menace brought by it (illegal drugs).

Also present during the ceremonial declaration were the officials of the declared drug-free barangays, Bogo Police Station Chief PSupt. Byron F. Allatog, Mayor Mariano Martinez of San Remigio, Gov. Hilario Davide III, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Cebu Anti Drug Abuse Office head Carmen Remedios Durano Meca, DILG Central Visayas Head Rene Burdeos and PRO-7 director Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino.

Three Brand New Ambulances for the City of Bogo

The Local Government of the City of Bogo purchased 3 brand new 3.0L Diesel Toyota Hiace ambulances.

With this newly acquired vehicles, we have increased the availability of emergency ambulances for life saving and critical incidents, a big step towards the establishment of an emergency medical service that will provide out-of-hospital acute care and transport for patients with a medical emergency.

According to the City Mayor, Atty. Carlo Jose A. Martinez, these ambulances will serve the constituents of the City of Bogo FOR FREE. These ambulances are set to go after all documents and papers with the Land Transportation Office are in order.

Photo courtesy of the City Government of Bogo Official FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/lgubogo/
 

City of Bogo - Usapang Gulayan and Bamboo Cultivation Training

Bamboo Cultivation and Propagation Training.

The City of Bogo through the Bogo LiTeS Center (a TESDA accredited Training Center operated by

the Local Government Unit of the City of Bogo) will conduct training on Bamboo Cultivation and Propagation Training on October 18-19 (from 8:30am to 5:00pm).

There will be a demonstration in making bamboo as souvenir and gift items. Registration fee is FREE.

The City Government does not only aim at giving its constituents a livelihood but bamboo also plays a great role in climate change mitigation. According to the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) as published on its website www.inbar.int one of bamboo's many attributes which makes it a useful resources for humanity is its ability to grow fast. This is an indication that bamboo has a high ability of capturing and sequestering atmospheric and consequently mitigates climate change. (Please see separate article on bamboo at www.inbar.int). According to US former Vice President Al Gore, if all people in the world will plant a single bamboo tree, the effect of global warming will be mitigated.

#BubDTI #CapabilityBuilding #BambooEnthusiast #Farmers #Garbosa #PWD #ClimateChange #GlobalWarming


Usapang Gulayan

Yesterday, October 13, 2016, East-West Seed Philippines in partnership with the City Government of

Bogo through the Office of the City Agriculture conducted "USAPANG GULAYAN" to farmers associations from the different barangays.

East-West Seed represented by Maximo Aviles discussed new farming techniques and handed out samples of seedlings from their company. The event was open to all who are interested in farming and learning more about agriculture.

#PadayonBogo

BOGO INTER-BARANGAY BASKETBALL LEAGUE – MAYOR CARLO’S PET PROGRAM

BOGO INTER-BARANGAY BASKETBALL LEAGUE – MAYOR CARLO’S PET PROGRAM

Sometime in June 2016, I was privileged to have a casual conversation with the newly elected Mayor of Bogo City, Atty Carlo Jose A. Martinez while waiting for Mayor Junie Martinez at their residence in Taytayan, Bogo City, Cebu.

Mayor Carlo, being a basketball enthusiast told me that he dreamed of holding an Inter Barangay Basketball League in the City of Bogo that will culminate during fieasta season every month of May. He wanted to give to the young people of Bogo something to look forward to and make themselves busy on their free time.  He wanted to make sure that all 29 barangays of Bogo will create their team and join the league. He even want it to be a regular event every year.

Matud pa niya nga makahatag gyud kinig kalingawan dili lang sa mga batan-on kondili sa mga lumulupyo sa Bogo in general. Makatabang pa gayud kini nga malikay ang mga batan-on sa droga ug mga bisyo kay malingaw naman unya silag duwa  ug sa pangandam alang sa ilang mga duwa. Pinaagi sab kuno niini, daku pud chance ang Bogo nga modaug ug mo top sa mga sports events sa probinsya o sa rehiyon. Kadtong mga batan-on nga maningkamot nga mahimong maayong laking mga players, makatabang ni sa ilaha nga makalampus sila sa ilang pangtungha sa kolihiyo pinaagi sa scholarship grants nga mahatag sa mga universities tungod sa ilang pagka Basketball player.

Since last August he made the necessary preparations to ensure the holding of this event (and of other sports events also). He also commissioned Hon. Noel Seno, Sangguniang Panglunsod Chairman on Sports to prepare, draft and suggest the ground rules as well as people that will help in holding the league.

Mayor Carlo is looking forward to start the league before year 2016 ends. So as long as everything is in order, he will then set the date for the opening of the league.

Padayon Bogo, padayon!

Bogo City Joins CountryWide Basketball League (CWBL)

Cebu Landmaster joins CountryWide Basketball League (CWBL), with Bogo City as its chosen homecourt by Mr. Jose Soberano III, Chairman & President of Landmaster.

There will be two Cebu teams in the league. Michael Lluillier also confirmed the support of Lluillier Group and will field a team to represent Cebu City.

ABS-CBN Head of Integrated Sports, Dino Jacinto M. Laurena, announced that the network’s production group is gearing up for the introduction and promotion of Country-Wide Basketball League (CWBL), the newest commercial league in the country.

The announcement followed the recent signing of agreement between ABS-CBN and CWBL for the exclusive coverage of CWBL games for nationwide telecast with option for international broadcasting thru their channels abroad.

CWBL and ABS-CBN aim to bring the games closer to local basketball fans and at the same time provide nationwide television exposure to the teams, players and corporate sponsors. The league will conduct regular live games in various localities and ABS-CBN shall provide the games with exposure nationwide.

The basketball league is planned to be patterned after the NBA's model of having an East and West conferences or PBA's tournament. based on a creation adapted for regional semi-commercial professional basketball league formatted liked now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA), Liga Pilipinas (LP) and Philippine Basketball League (PBL). The league in any seasons will have three conferences and a "National finals" is planned to determine the overall the National champion. For its inaugural conference (2016), CWBL had limited the number of participants to six teams maximum, will play a double-round robin eliminations.

Good luck to the 2 Cebu-based team, the KWARTA PADALA NINOS and BOGO Landmasters.

#PadayonBogo #CityofBogo

City of Bogo, National Finalist to Rondalla Ensemble Competition - NMCYA 2015

CBSAA Rondalla Ensemble qualifies NMCYA 2015
by TJ Marie Labastida - for cityofbogo.com blog
photos grab-from FB of slavsky ybanez

Slavsky Ybañez, conductor at the same time Human Resource Management Officer of the City of Bogo will lead the contingent for the win this year. The National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NMCYA) Week will be on November 24-29, 2015 at Cultural Centre of the Philippines. They were declared finalist after the regional elimination rondalla category last 29th of September held in Cebu City.

The CBSAA Rondalla Ensemble started after the wrath of Super Typhoon Yolanda which hit Bogo City last November 2013. The musical group was composed of Grade 8 students of City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy founded by Celestino E. Martinez, Jr., City Mayor who also rendered his untiring support especially on the purchase of the musical instruments.  They had their workshops in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to equip them in the making. The tutelage of their conductor with all the team’s effort made them the Halad sa Kabataan-Rondalla Category Champion last August 2014 organized by the Province of Cebu. Additionally, they will also compete earlier on October 29, 2015 for the same contest in the province this year.

Bogohanons are truly proud and honoured to bring out the potentials of the young generation. Levelling themselves to compete not just for honor but most importantly their true passion in Music. Today, these kids inspire the young aspiring musicians to follow their footsteps. To you, raise the banner of Bogo!

This blog is owned by: 
DANTE J. MAYOR 
Financial Advisor / Life Insurance Agent 
Google Analytics Certified Individual
City of Bogo Cebu

City of Bogo, National Finalist to the 4th eGov Awards for LGU

The City Government of Bogo was chosen as one of the Finalists for Excellence in ICT for Good Governance Awards or eGOV Awards for LGUs for 2015.

This eGov Awards is organized and made possible by the  National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Cyber City Teleservices Philippines Inc. (CCTP).

This was first lunch in 2012 and the late DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo was one of those who helped initiate it. In fact, the first awarding ceremony was named the Jesse Robredo Awards for Excellence in ICT for Good Governance in his honor and for his exemplary work as a local public servant in integrating ICT as part of good governance strategies.

According to the website www.ulap.net.ph, the eGov Awards is the first and most prestigious recognition to be given by the ICT sector to LGUs with exemplary performance in empowering its Public Customers and Business. It is an annual search for best practices in local government units in utilizing information and communications technology (ICT) to effectively and efficiently deliver its public services directly to its constituents and to its business stakeholders.

It was developed as a strategic approach to stimulate the country’s e-governance, particularly in LGU level to enable LGUs to become catalysts of change and index models of development anchored in the Philippine Digital Strategy (PDS), the Philippine ICT Roadmap 2011-2016.

The objectives of the eGov Awards are the following:

1. To encourage the effective and efficient utilization of information and communications technology (ICT) in the delivery of services and performance of the duties and responsibilities by local government units (LGUs).

2. To commend, collate and document best practices of LGUs in integrating ICT in their processes to serve as example and benchmarks to other LGU’s.

3. To improve the business ecosystem of the LGUs and motivate the private and business sector to actively participate and/or invest in the growth of the LGU’s .

4. To promote transparency in governance.

The awards aim to recognize two (2) major responsibilities of government:

1. The Best in eGov Customer Empowerment (G2C) Award - This category recognizes the measurable effect of an LGU’s outstanding practices in applying ICT solutions in the education and engagement of the public in the use of electronic facilities/channels towards providing improved, timely and relevant delivery of public services.

2. The Best in eGov Business Empowerment (G2B) Award - This category awards the significant effect of an LGUs laudable practices in integrating ICT solutions and the commitment of its administration in the bureau’s responsiveness to the needs of business enterprises, thereby creating business opportunities.

The complete list of LGU finalist are Quezon City, Marikina City, Muntinlupa City, Valenzuela City, San Mateo Rizal, Cavite, Pulilan Bulacan, Province of Iloilo, Bogo City Cebu, Cebu City, San Fernando La Union, Mlang Cotabato, Province of Leyte and Compostela Valley.

The announcement of winners will be on October 24, 2015, at The Oriental Legazpi, Legazpi City, Albay - the second day of the 2015 National ICT Summit organized by the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP).

City of Bogo First Charter Day Run

Runners and anyone interested in Sports, join us in the First Charter Day Run of the City of Bogo.

For LGU employees and Officials:
5K, 12k and 21k

For the Open Category
5K, 12k and 21k

There will be singlet, race bib, snacks and finisher's medal in all categories.

For more info, just open the links below

https://www.facebook.com/dantemayor.realestate?ref=hl

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.911629355546371.1073741831.103341106375204&type=3

Attention Runners and sports enthusiasts, join the Run.for more info click here:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/…...
Posted by Dantemayor Real Estate Selling and Renting + Internet Marketing on Thursday, May 28, 2015

Super Typhoon Yolanda and Super Heroes

by Sheila F. Orcullo

Published on:
BOGO QUARTERLY KANAAS GIKAN SA AMIHANAN
APRIL 2014 VOL. 4 NO. 1 16 PAGES

The name Yolanda will never be forgotten. It will forever be etched in my mind and soul. Yes, the super typhoon bearing the name wreaked havoc in my life and those of my fellow Bogohanons but I cannot also deny that heroes surfaced because of it.

While I was trying to be a rock to my family in the face of the storm, there were a few who left their own households to tend to the pressing needs of the people. Yes, they did it because of call of duty but still it took an enormous courage to leave their family behind just so they could attend first to the swelling panic among those constituents – panic that they themselves felt and swallowed in fear.

Take the case of the CSWD (/DSWD) personnel. Yes, it was their primary duty to provide relief assistance in the aftermath of a disaster but it was never written in their job functions and responsibilities to be caught in it with hundreds of people in a sports complex. In the attempt to feed the hungry mob, they became victims themselves. As was recounted to me, the force of the howling wind vibrated along the walls of the sports complex leaving trembling weary bodies in its wake. No matter how one tried to cover her ears to mute the thundering sound, it still penetrates and frightens. The rising fear and cries among the children and old alike prodded Amabelle Mayor, the City Social Welfare and Development Officer, to bring herself up and gather her wits together for the sake of those quaking minors and evacuees. She and her staff then distributed the food which could not sustain the hunger pangs felt which was made worse by stress and fear. They make do with whatever was available at that time given the hazard of going out of the complex to purchase food.

The distressed call of wounded evacuees can barely be heard in the noise of the thrashing roofs which left a gaping hole on the complex’ top when blown away. What was thought of as a safe haven, became a dangerous dwelling. Flying debris and fragments of broken glass caused people to run from one side of the court to another in attempt to evade the shrapnel. To unfortunate ones, the medical personnel came to the rescue. Dr. Minerva Millor, the City Health Officer, and along with her First Aid Team though shivering in cold had to administer first aid to the wounded.

As this chaos ensued and vibrated throughout the complex, City Mayor Junie Martinez tried to prop up the courage of everyone and tried to lend his presence for comfort and security. After the running frenzy around the court, he ended up inside the Comfort Room of the sports complex. This he would proudly announce to the relief good donors in the following weeks when the super typhoon finally left the country. He saw the hilarity of such a momentary weakness – a human frailty in the face of a powerful wrath of nature. By his side, Christian Kay Yurango branded the megaphone to keep order among the evacuees. His constant presence in the sports complex, which then became the disaster operation command center, giving order to the dispatching of relief goods to affected barangays under the supervision of Amabelle Mayor came at a precise moment. No one else aside from the DSWD personnel can muster enough strength and commitment to keeping an eye on the command center in behalf of the City Mayor.

As days went on and an avalanche of donations from many generous and kindhearted people from all walks of life both locally and abroad, the employees of the Bogo City government hand in hand tried to make a difference in the affected lives of fellow Bogohanons. Many went out of their own homes despite needing shelter assistance themselves just so they could help out in the repacking of tons of rice and thousands of boxes of canned goods for even distribution to the barangays.

Each one sweated out and flexed their muscles from the repacking until they were tied up neat and ready for dispatch. The men were seen to be staggering in the heavy weights of sacks of goods upon their shoulders but no word of complaint came out of their mouths. Every burden day in and day out was treated as a means of an escape from their own misery and trying to overpower its bitter taste with the goodness that these efforts bring to the desolate lives of their own people. Each day of toil and sweat in the succeeding weeks at the command center showed their will for self-sacrifice for the greater good of Bogohanons.

“Hard times don’t create heroes. It is during the hard times when the ‘hero’ within us is revealed”, this according to Bob Riley. Particularly in trying times like this. Thank God for heroes, the big kind or the small kind, say the survivors. Somehow it feels like a bit like heroes live and walk amongst us each day, especially in trying times. My salute to them all!

SEE THE ACTUAL FOOTAGE OF THE TYPHOON HERE:

Post by City Government of Bogo.

New Bogo City Hall is now open!

NEW BOGO CITY HALL

New Bogo Business District, Buac, Cayang, Bogo City, Cebu.

The New Bogo City Hall is now open for business. Yes, the Local Government of the City of Bogo is now operating in the New Bogo City Hall, sitting at a 6-hectare lot donated by Sra. Nilda Espinosa Martinez and Mr. Robie Hererra.

The said area is in the middle of more than a hundred hectare of flat lands planted with sugar cane and now being converted into a new commercial district. Many companies, entities and business groups are now showing interest already to invest and put up business establishments in the area. The first ever to own lot and will soon start constructing a mall is the Robinsons Land, Inc.

 Around the New City Hall will also rise more buildings that will house most, if not all service-oriented Government Agencies that will serve not only the people of Bogo and the neighboring towns, but also the neighboring provinces of Masbate and Leyte. 

This project is aimed at boosting economic activities in the City of Bogo and its neighboring towns. Mayor Junie Martinez started this project in 2009. Construction was stopped sometime in 2010 due to the flip-flopping of the Supreme Court decision on Bogo's cityhood status and 15 other LGUs. 

Starting last Monday, April 15, 2013, the New City Hall is now serving the people of Bogo. For inquiries, you can call the New City Hall at (032) 260-5310, 260-5311 and 260-5312. Then ask the operator to connect you to the Office that you wish to call.

Last April 16, 2013, Tuesday, the New Bogo City Hall was blessed followed by the Holy Mass officiated by Msgr. Isidro "Dhodong" Ullamot, Fr. Dave Jurcales, Fr. Jermaine Lecciones, Fr. Maning Tan, and a newly assigned priest in Bogo. The Inauguration will be on April 19, 2013 by no less than HIS EXCELLENCY BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Please like also the New Bogo City Hall's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NewBogoCityHall.

Photo courtesy of Eden Tagalog Diaz.

Bogo City - New Cityhall Inauguration

City of Bogo, Cebu.

The new cityhall of Bogo is now being completed. The building itself is now 100% completed. Installation of airconditioning system, pabx system, LAN, queueing sytem and fire alarm (with water sprinkler) have just been completed.

Some works inside and within the vicinity is still nearing its completion like the installation of furnitures and fixtures and the upgrade of the lighting system to LED.

The inauguration is being scheduled to takes place within the 2nd week to the last week of March. No less than His Excellency Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III will lead the inauguration. The exact date of the inauguration is still being finalized by the presidential management staff and will be announced soon.

After the said inauguration, President Aquino will be in the Bogo City Sports Complex to meet all the City and Barangay Officials of Bogo City.  The City Government is hoping that the exact date for these activities will be finalize sooner so that the Bogo City Sports Complex can be used for  graduation ceremonies and other activities.

As of the moment, no other activities are being scheduled in the sports complex since all the remaining days of this month (March) are reserved for the coming of the President.

160k Ultra Marathon in Bogo City Participants

160k Ultra Marathon in Bogo City Participants

 The 160k Ultra Marathon is expecting 30 runners to join the race. This what the organizes said this afternoon during its briefing at the Bogo Lites Center right after the sumptuous dinner hosted by the City of Bogo LGU. This is because many of those who tried to register for the race were turned down. The organizers evaluated those who wanted to register and accepted only those who are capable for this hardcore marathon.

According to the marathon organizers, there is no cash prizes for this race, only medals, a buckle and t-shirts are at stake, and most of all, honor and fame.

160k Ultra Marathon in Bogo City Cebu

160k Ultra Marathon in Bogo City Cebu.

Yes, you read it right. Today, the local government of the City of Bogo will host once again an Ultra Marathon. The 160 Ultra Marathon or the so called Hardcore Hundred Miles Ultra Marathon will be in Bogo City.

An estimated 100 to 200 hardcore runners / athletes, support staff, marathon enthusiasts, physical fitness advocates and media men will be arriving today at the Bogo Lites Center in preparation for the said race that will commence at 1:00am, November 17, 2012 infront of the New Bogo City Hall, New Bogo Government Center and IT Park, Cayang, City of Bogo, Cebu.

At 12:00pm today, the runners and other visitors will have their welcome lunch at Bogo Lites Center hosted by City Mayor Celestino Junie Martinez, Jr. and other city officials.

The runners will arrive at the finishing line (still at the New City Hall of Bogo) on November 18, 2012, Sunday at 7:00 in the morning.

OTHER RACE INFO:
Cutoff  Time 1: 112 Kilometers (Borbon Municipal Hall)/ Twenty hours (Runners not able to make it in 20:00:00 hours / 9:00 PM November 17, 2012 will be declared DID NOT FINISH and will NO longer be allowed to continue). Registered pacers are allowed from this point on.

Cutoff  Time 2: 160 Kilometers /  Thirty hours (30:00:00 hours) after which the race shall be declared officially closed and all runners still on the course will declared DID NOT FINISH

Pre-race briefing: Bogo City Hall, 11:00 AM, November 16, 2012(Registered pacers are encouraged to join)

Race Route: Bogo-Medellin via Kawit-Daanbantayan via Maya-Bogo-Tabogon-Borbon-Sogod-Bogo via Central Nautical Highway (“EME”)


MORE RACE DETAILS:

Race bibs and pre-race items will be given at the briefing.

Free sleeping quarters will be provided for starting November 16, 2012 ONLY for registered
participants and pacers.

Lunch will be served at the briefing ONLY for registered participants and pacers.

Breakfast will be provided for at the close of the race (7:00 AM November 18, 2012) ONLY for registered participants and pacers.

THIS IS A SEMI SELF-SUPPORTING RACE. All runners have the option for crew support or carry their own provisions for the duration of the race.

There will be only THREE time checkpoints/food  and hydration stations at ~ Kilometers 50, 80 and 112 respectively.  Drop bags will be allowed at the said points where runners can have access to their personal things. Additionally, there will be roving vehicles bearing water/food in different areas.

Pacers will be allowed (Only one per runner and only the registered pacer is allowed to do the pacing) from Kilometer 112 (Borbon Municipal Hall) onwards or starting at 5:00 PM, November 17 whichever comes first. At no point before this distance or designated time are pacers allowed.

All runners must have the mandatory gear such as headlamps/reflectorized vest that must be worn at the appropriate times.

Runners are encouraged to stay on the left side of the road, that is, facing the traffic whenever safe and applicable.

It is the the responsibility of the runners to be familiar with the race route and to look after the safety and welfare of their support crew, if any.

The event title speaks for itself.

The Race Director may, at any time, modify the race rules and/or course with the welfare of the runners as the utmost consideration.

The City of Bogo will host the meals for the athletes and race officials on:
Nov. 16, 2012 - Lunch
Nov. 17, 2012 - Lunch
Nov. 18, 2012 - Early Breakfast


(Race Information courtesy of http://frontrunnermagph.wordpress.com)

New Barbecue Garden of the City of Bogo

The City Government of Bogo pushed the transfer of all barbecue stores from its original place near Gaisano at P.Rodriguez St. 

As we can recall when the Local Government moved the public market from that area to Cantecson in barangay Gairan, a new sports complex was built in that same area. 

And so barbecue business were established beside that sports complex filling the R.Fernan St. side of it.

When the barbecue stores grew more, in fact some of the new stores were established at M.H del Pilar St., near the famous gown rental of Tedy Oporto, the local government with the initiative of Mayor Junie Martinez transferred the barbecue stores to a new location beside Japers (Pards Hangout Disco & Restaurant before), it triggers a lot of contradiction among barbecue store owners and costumers. But it didn't last long since the transfer didn't cost much to the store owners since it was the local government who developed the place and Coca Cola built the barbecue stalls. Then the City Mayor who happens to be "parokyano" of the said "barbecuehan" noticed that people really comes to the barbecue stores, so he decided to improve the place by making it a barbecue garden and a plaza.

To make the long story short, the New Barbecue Garden/Plaza of the City of Bogo was inaugurated last September 29, 2012. The cutting of ribbon were led by Mayor Junie Martinez and Hon. councilor Belinda Rodriguez.

The evening was filled with music, laughter and partying. Mayor Junie Martinez invited the Femme Aura band of Rajah Park Hotel to perform in that small stage built at the center of the barbecue plaza. The employees of the city government of Bogo also formed a group of singers among themselves who also performed on that festive Saturday night with the Martinez Performing Scholars and other local dance group of the city.

Some of the prominent people who joined the occasion were Coca Cola officials, former congressman Tining Martinez, former Assoc. Justice Vicente L. Yap, city councilors Romeo Tinggoy Alarde, Geronimo Yoyong Almirante, Domy Armenton, Jose Brainard Digoy Mayol and TJ Labastida (SK). Also present were former San Vicente Brgy Capt. Virgie Rodrigo, former Vice Mayor and Legal Officer Atty. Vicente Rodriguez, department heads and employees of the city government, former Mun.Councilor Pociano Demiar, Dr. Valeriano Hortelano with his entire family, some barangay officials from different barangays of the city and some Korean and Italian guests.

In the middle of the occasion the crowd were surprised by the arrival of Businesswoman Rosemarie Gaisano and GMA7 stars Bella Padilla and Markki Stroem who just dropped by right after the Gaisano Bogo's Sakyanang Pangnegosyo Grand Raffle Draw.

Mayor Junie announced to the crowed that he will try his best to put up entertainment every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month in the new barbecue plaza so that Bogohanons will have a place where they can enjoy a good meal, with simple entertainment, good ambiance and a good conversation with family and friends.