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http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/20090424-201188/Now-for-things-terrestrial
BY V.P. VAMENTA
Cebu Daily News First
24 April 2009
Last Saturday, dear friend Jo Ocubillo and I drove in her car to attend the inauguration of the new buildings of the Benedicto College along A.S. Fortuna in Mandaue City. Msgr. Roberto Alesna officiated at the afternoon Mass after which he with Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, founder of Benedicto College, blessed all floors of the new buildings. A short program in the fourth floor Artists Hall was emceed by Zontian and program chairperson for the event, Mila Espina. The Benedicto College Performing Arts sang the Invocation and the Philippine National Anthem. Ambassador Benedicto gave his welcome speech. Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes’ inspirational speech was read by his wife, Sarah. Dinner was served in an adjoining hall, the school gymnasium.
Walking out along the hallways when we were ready to go home, I admired the modern high-tech schoolrooms for students in science, laboratory work, and Hotel and Restaurant Management, among others. Congratulations to Benedicto College whose motto is “Your Education, Our Mission!”
http://www.cebubusinesswebportal.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=328&Itemid=98
CHIOSON IS NEW CCCI PRESIDENT
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Portugal’s Honorary Consul to Cebu and Dean of the Cebu Consular Corps, Samuel L. Chioson assumed the CCCI presidency after he was elected unanimously by the Chamber’s Board of Trustees in a meeting on April 4, 2009 at the Cebu Country Club. Chioson, who is VP and General Manager of Cadiz Steel Corporation, has a long history of service to the Chamber. Prior to his election as president, he was Vice President for Finance and Administration and had served as trustee from 2003 to 2007. He successfully chaired the Cebu Business Month 2007 celebration and held the position of Board Secretary in 2006-2007.
An alumnus of the University of San Carlos, the new CCCI President is a licensed Civil Engineer and has taken units in Business Management at the Asian Institute of Management. He is also president of three other companies, namely : Chioson Development Corporation, FLB Industries, Inc. and Benedicto College.
The Chamber presidency was turned over to Chioson by Dr. Edward S. Gaisano of Vicsal Development Corporation, who ably steered the Chamber from February 2008 to March 2009.
Chioson’s executive team is composed of a combination of old and new faces in the Chamber. They are: Vice President for Finance & Administration – Prudencio J. Gesta of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation; Vice President for External Affairs & Relations – Teodoro B. Locson Jr. of Philmetal Products, Inc.; Vice President for Business Development & Management Services – Jay Y. Yuvallos of Interior Basics Export Corporation; Vice President for Membership Development – Ed F. Limtingco of CIBI Information, Inc., Treasurer – Nemesio “Tito” Solomon Jr. of Honda Cars, Cebu; Secretary – Archt. Benjamin Avila of Avila Architects; Asst. Treasurer – Joelix S. Ng of Hanover Industries; Asst. Secretary – Rachel Del Mar of R.V. Del Mar & Associates.
President Chioson and his team are expected to sustain the Chamber’s programs and projects in the pursuit of its vision as the engine of Cebu’s business growth towards global competitiveness. With the new president’s experience and links to the diplomatic community, the Chamber’s efforts at expanding the business sector’s global reach will be brought to a higher level through the conduct of more trade missions and collaborative projects with foreign development agencies.
http://dfa.gov.ph/?p=1185
AMBASSADOR BENEDICTO IS PHILIPPINES’ 14TH ENVOY TO INDIA
by DFA Webmaster
18 November 2008
Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto presented on 10 November 2008 his Letter of Credence to President Prabtibha Devisingh Patil at an impressive ceremony, becoming the 14th Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Philippines to the Republic of India since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1949.
The ceremony was held at the President’s Estate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, for five new foreign envoys to India. Aside from Ambassador Benedicto, the Ambassadors of Cote d’Ivoire, Canada, Italy and Ireland also presented their credentials.
Secretary (West) Nalin Surie of the Ministry of External Affairs escorted Ambassador Benedicto and introduced him to the President.
After accepting his Letter of Credence, President Patil asked Ambassador Benedicto to convey her greetings to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and the Ambassador, in turn, imparted President Arroyo’s warm regards to the Indian President.
After the presentation of credentials, the five new envoys held tête-à-tête with the President, touching on a range of important issues including climate change and women empowerment.
Ambassador Benedicto was accompanied by Mrs. Leontina Benedicto, Deputy Chief of Mission Maria Aileen H. Bugarin, Second Secretary Iric C. Arribas, Third Secretary Catherine Rose G. Torres, Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Alex C. Capiña, and Administrative Officer Angel D. Espiritu.
In the evening, Ambassador Benedicto hosted a celebratory dinner for Embassy officials and staff at Nanking Restaurant in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.
India is Ambassador Benedicto’s fifth ambassadorial post, after Singapore, South Korea, Brazil and Canada.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/ambassador-benedicto-rp%E2%80%99s-14th-envoy-india
AMBASSADOR BENEDICTO IS RP’S 14TH ENVOY TO INDIA
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
AMBASSADOR Francisco L. Benedicto met last Monday with Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil as the 14th Philippine envoy to India since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1949. India is Ambassador Benedicto’s fifth ambassadorial post, after Singapore, South Korea, Brazil and Canada. He joined four other new ambassadors to India at the ceremony held in the President’s Estate, Rashtrapati Bhavan. Aside from Ambassador Benedicto, the ambassadors of Cote d’Ivoire, Canada, Italy and Ireland also presented their credentials.
After the presentation of credentials, the five new envoys discussed a range of important issues with the president, including climate change and the empowerment of women. Ambassador Benedicto was accompanied by his wife Leontina, Deputy Chief of Mission Maria Aileen H. Bugarin, Second Secretary Iric C. Arribas, Third Secretary Catherine Rose G. Torres, Defense and Armed Forces Attache Col. Alex C. Capiña and Administrative Officer Angel D. Espiritu.
In the evening, Ambassador Benedicto hosted a celebratory dinner for the embassy’s officials and staff at Nanking Restaurant in Vasant, Kunji, New Delhi. (PR)
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife2_may3_2008
SEARCH ON FOR THE ENVOYS OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
By Mila C. Espina
3 May 2008
The Benedicto College is headed for expansion upon completion of its new structures to accommodate its grade school, new academic courses and technical programs.
It will also develop its arts and culture academy to enrich classroom experiences. Very much involved in this educational endeavor of the Benedicto family are Sammy and Emily Chioson in consultation with Ambassador Francisco Benedicto.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2007/05/14/bus/college.upgrades.curriculum.facility.for.nursing.it. courses.html
COLLEGE UPGRADES CURRICULUM, FACILITY FOR NURSING, IT COURSES
Monday, 14 May 2007
In answer to the increasing demand for nursing and information technology (IT) graduates abroad, a local college is investing in upgrading its facilities and curriculum to lure more enrollees.
Benedicto College president Samuel Chioson said the school is determined to beef up its IT and nursing courses, foreseeing the potential of its students to become globally competitive.
In a press interview, he said Benedicto College will construct a multi-million-peso four-story building near the existing facility located on A.S. Fortuna St., Mandaue City.
It will have 30 classrooms and amenities, like state-of-the-art audio visual room and several laboratories, among others.
Chioson said the ground floor area will be commercial spaces and the upper floors will be for classrooms and laboratories for nursing and IT students.
Outsourcing
With the burgeoning growth of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, he said a portion of the new building will be leased out to a BPO company, “We’re already in negotiations with them,” Chioson said, but declined to divulge further information.
Employment
He also said the college is also in talks with a hospital in New York, USA to “custom fit” the school’s curriculum with nursing schools abroad, aiming to provide its students better chances of employment in foreign medical institutions.
As part of its preparations, the college will undergo faculty development programs to improve the teaching quality of its faculty.
Apart from enhanced teaching skills, Chioson said the need for students to be exposed to the latest in medical technology is just as important.
That is why Benedicto College has chosen Chong Hua Hospital as a base hospital, where students can have their on-the-job trainings.
The Benedicto-led college was established in Cebu in 2000. (MMM)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2003/03/20/life/utzurrum.benedicto.college.launches.award..html
BENEDICTO COLLEGE LAUNCHES AWARD
By Chinggay Utzurrum
Thursday, 20 March 2003
This Biblical passage could very well describe the man for whom this award was conceptualized: Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto. “By thy fruits, thou shalt be judged”. For if this self-effacing diplomat is to be judged, his fruits have been plentifold!
And now, Ambassador Benedicto adds another ray to his dazzling sun of successes! As chairman and founder of Benedicto College, thus an educator, he believes in building peace through a wealth of knowledge in the art of diplomacy. As we connect with information, we should also connect with people, after all, what is the use of much knowledge, if people continue to live in a divided world?
Every young man or woman has worked to develop trust, mobilize people towards making their communities more stable and peaceful, is worth discovering. Such discovery of human capital is the reason for the conferment of the Francisco L. Benedicto Award for Excellence and Diplomacy.
Qualifications are: any student who fills the criteria, as follows- he or she must be a Filipino citizen, must belong to the top 10% of the entire graduating batch, must have no final grade of below 87% in any subject;
Must have Principal’s Certification of good moral conduct and as a bonafide student of the school; must have exhibited concrete efforts in any of the following: a.) trust, understanding and respect among people; b.) brings people to listen to and learn from each other; c.) mobilizing people towards making their communities more stable and peaceful;
With the Winner’s Medal goes a scholarship grant entitling the awardee 100% free tuition for the entire course, provided the scholar maintains the prescribed General Weighted Average (GWA) every semester.