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Go Argao 19 Feb. 2008 |
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Go Negosyo was
highlighted at the 63rd Founding Anniversary of the Cebu State College
of Science and Technology Agro-Industrial and Forestry College at
Lamacan in Argao, Cebu. This is where I finished my high school, shortly after it became the Cebu State National High School, from being a provincial school. At about that time, our school in Argao also became part of a provincial system of schools of arts and trades, reflecting the then-emerging technical-vocational bias in the education system. Today, I am almost tempted to grab credit for CSCST’s current curricular leanings to entrepreneurship, being the Cabinet Oversight Officer for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, or MSME, but I guess my old school, rather than being influenced by me, simply mirrors the call of the times, which is enterprise over employment. This year’s homecoming theme, "Building an Enterprising Filipino Culture at SciTech Argao," speaks of the new aspirations that animate Argaoanons. The freshman Mayor of Argao, my boyhood friend Edcel Galeos, represents this aspiration as a successful constructor-builder who has built his business reputation on his civil and engineering works. Having made his mark in business, he now looks after our town as mayor and patriarch, initiating projects to uplift our townmates. After addressing my co-alumni at CSCST, we had the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Sports Complex and Cultural Center to be built in Argao. While Argao is the biggest in Cebu’s second district, it is only now that we will have a real cultural and sports complex, which should be completed by the last quarter of this year. For now, we have to make do with an open area intended more for farm trade than socials. Along the way, we also visited the Argao Campus of the Philippine Science High School, which is home to some 50 scholars in first and second year. When fully operational in another two years, the Argao sci-tech system should be in place. Later in the day, I was honored to share center stage with Governor Gwen Garcia at the launching of the Grameen for Women Empowerment Now project of the province. Products of the livelihood program were on display. Also part of the program was the early childhood care and development project of the province. At the food and trade exhibit at CSCST, we had samples of local produce and delicacies. Among the featured products was the Argao Torta, under the brand name of Lolo Entoy. To most Cebuanos and many more in the rest of the country, Argao is known for its torta, a cake unique to the place. Truly, things are moving and looking up at Argao, distractions in other parts of the country notwithstanding. |
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