I think the handling of whale sharks in Oslob town in southeastern Cebu should be examined. Many tourists go there to have a rare encounter with the biggest fish in the world but we should listen to marine experts especially on the matter of handling and feeding these creatures.
No doubt the presence of these animals has provided income to many fishermen so much so that many already concentrate on guiding tourists who ride their bancas to the areas where the sharks swim.
We must learn from counterparts in Donsol, Sorsogon province. If Oslob municipal officials want to make whale shark watching a sustainable tourist attraction, they should send a team to Sorsogon to observe and learn how to handle the animals.
I myself would like to visit the town. But let’s not abuse the opportunity by overdoing our whale shark watching.
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This early political pots in Cebu province and Cebu City are simmering. There’s a lot of guessing over who shall be the candidate for governor and vice governor of the One Cebu party after Gov. Gwen Garcia’s term ends. There are talks that Rep. Pablo Garcia will make a comeback with Governor Gwen as his running mate.
Others say the governor’s daughter Christina Codilla Frasco will run for governor with her mother as running mate. Under these political arrangements where would Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale go?
No doubt Magpale is ripe to run for governor or vice governor. She is well loved by the Durano family and will be a great addition to any political party especially the Liberal Party that is looking for a strong alliance with a local party like the Bakud Party of the Duranos. The Garcias can’t ignore the political force that Magpale brings with her. It was the 5th district of the Duranos that helped Gwen win the last election against Junjun Davide.
To ensure her victory, I think Gwen should not let go of Magpale but offer her the Cebu governorship. If Gwen doesn’t want to let go of the province, she should run for vice governor.
In Cebu City, former mayor Tomas Osmeña already declared that he would challenge incumbent Mayor Mike Rama.
For sure, Mayor Mike isn’t a bit surprised by the declaration and has long anticipated an eventual showdown. Osmeña has publicly belittled the political savvy of Mayor Mike though this is expected behaviour from Tommy.
Rama has been quietly mending his political fences in preparation for the 2013 showdown. Tommy cannot be complacent. Rama has learned lot from all the political exercises he’s participated in and studies hard before making moves. Rama knows his opponent and can read him well.
Is Rama worried that no one from the Cebu City Council is joining his ticket? It’s too early to tell because Rama knows there are councilors who are his good friends.
If they don’t join him, he wouldn’t mind because many councilors have no backbone. But the mayor is confident that he would can put up a formidable slate and given the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan a good fight.