PH: Home to the world

Fiesta Islands

By PAUL EDWARD P. SISON

July 31, 2011, 8:00am

MANILA, Philippines — A wise old man from Liwasang Kalayaan in Marikina Heights, who we shall call Mr. T for purposes of anonymity, always says, “Sa Pilipinas lang genuine ang ngiti natin sa mga bisita. Sa ibang bansa, fake lahat yan.”

What he really means is -- it is very natural for Filipinos to be hospitable to tourists compared to our Asian neighbors who have to put up a front. He attributes this to something which we have considered all our lives as a negative trait and weakness as a people – the fiesta mentality.

The fiesta mentality is all about putting our best foot forward. It’s about wanting to please our guests. It’s about giving up the best room in the house for our visitors to sleep in. How many of us have slept on the floor so our guest could have a comfortable sleep on our own bed?

Filipinos throw the best parties. Have you noticed that? Fiesta is about a whole community coming together as one to host a party where every home is open to everyone – even those you don’t know.

Mr. T believes that if we succeed in harnessing this newfound strength into a culture of tourism and make the whole world know about it – we can surpass all our neighbors in terms of visitor arrivals.

Why talk about destinations when we can talk about our people? Let’s face it, our impressions of places we visit linger in our consciousness for a while – but our impressions of people we meet in those places last us a lifetime.
Besides, our top destinations are superior to what the rest of the world has to offer. Even foreigners attest to this fact.

Have you ever wondered why is it that expatriates who initially resent being assigned to the Philippines and consider it initially as a hardship post eventually find it so hard to leave when their tour of duty is up? Why are nurses and caregivers from the Philippines very much in demand in different parts of the world?

It is because we are a nation of 90 million smiling, caring, and affectionate people. Taking good care of the needs of guests is second nature to us. Somehow, the racial mix brought about by centuries of being a colony of different foreign powers is now working in our favor.

The challenge now is how to harness this competitive edge and galvanize all tourism-related sectors behind this collective positioning.

Let us hope for the best and pray that Tourism Secretary Alberto Aldaba Lim will be able to triumph over adversity, caused by industry outsiders, to lead us into the 6.6 million foreign visitors mark he is targeting for 2016.

The poor secretary, the decent and hardworking person that he is, is at the receiving end of a harsh and brutal demolition job coming from outsiders posing as know-it-all tourism experts.

You know something is fishy when people assailing the DoT Secretary are not the ones from the primary tourism enterprises like travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, resorts, tourist transports, etc. – but, people from real estate and hospital services.

The real score is that one of the most aggressive turns out to be a losing bidder for the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP). But he does not mention this. He allegedly tried to pull a fast one with his association’s board of directors but was rebuffed. So, looking around for an entity from where to launch his “advocacy,” he finally found an NGO that would legitimize his vendetta. He even wrote P-Noy with concocted tales to discredit the tourism chief.
We were informed that past officers of the association are poised to censure this wily fox for using the name of the prestigious association to further his personal agenda.

The two others, on the other hand, belong to a body that was described as “not in accordance with the intent and wordings of the law” by solons who authored the Tourism Act of 2009 and are asking that the body be revamped to conform with the law.

The NTDP is Lim’s contribution to President Benigno S. Aquino’s poverty alleviation agenda. It is the roadmap which translates the DoT chief’s vision into actionable programs and projects. It rationalizes the different priorities into a strategic framework and outlines action plans to guide the DoT and other stakeholders in the development of the tourism sector between 2011 and 2016.

The strategic vision is to become the “must experience” destination in Asia. For the sake of our country, let us pray that Sec. Lim and the DoT succeed.

For comments, please email paulsison@ideasman.ph

Roughing it out Bohol style

From the dirt roads of Chocolate Hills to the Monkey Bridge of Catigbian, conquer your fears and explore the other side of Bohol

By JACKY LYNNE A. OIGA

July 24, 2011, 8:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Floating down serene rivers? Check. Driving along a stunning coastline? Check. Obligatory photo by the Chocolate Hills? Check. Poking your way around Tarsier sanctuaries to see the cutest known primates in the world? Check. Sauntering by the white sandy beaches of Panglao? Check. Think you’ve seen all you need to see in Bohol? Nope. Not even half of it.

Recently, Bonamine invited members of the media to explore the rougher, more thrilling side of Bohol Island. Unknown to most tourists, Bohol has been pushing for innovative local tourism initiatives by coming up with extraordinary tours to further excite the travel fancies of local and foreign tourists. And this is what the travel advocacy, Basta Pinas campaign, aims to promote.

Through the campaign, Bonamine, in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DoT), encourages Filipinos to go farther, explore every corner of the country and see places they may have visited before from a different angle.

Ever heard of the mystic Lamanoc Island? Ever tried riding an all-terrain vehicle around the foot of Chocolate Hills? How about the (literally) breathtaking eco-adventure activities in the towns of Danao and Cabigtian? If you haven’t, then you should definitely go back to Bohol.

Trekking meets folklore in Lamanoc

In the Eastern part of Bohol, lies the quaint municipality of Anda where the locals live simple lives away from the hustle and bustle of the island’s capital, Tagbilaran City. Not known to many, Anda also has a few beach resorts and is home to the small uninhabited island of Lamanoc.

Located in the town of Badiang, Lamanoc is believed to be a mystic island where old wooden coffins and scattered human remains can be found. Locals, with the help of the local government of Anda have come up with the Lamanoc Island Mystic Experience tour that will take tourists on a two-hour island trek while learning about the island’s secrets including pre-historic red hematite rock paintings and untouched rock shelters and caves.

Locals believe that the deserted island used to be populated by ancient Boholanos who defended the island from Muslim pirates. Our local guide even said that the island has been occupied by primitive people in the Paleolithic Era, which explains the scattered human remains unearthed from the caves.

Riding the dirt road of Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills are usually viewed by tourists either inside a car or atop a viewing deck. But the Chocolate Hills isn’t always chocolate brown. And you can only have so many poses by a thousand grassy limestone hills.  So, to add more thrill to your typical sightseeing itinerary, G1 ATV Motors started the Chocolate Hills All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Guide Tour in Barangay Buenos Aires, Carmen, Bohol for tourists to see Bohol’s prized attraction from a totally different perspective.

After signing waivers and securing protective gear, the guide will let you choose among their Buffalo Type Buggies (P400.00) or Desert Buggies (P750.00) then lead you to a small track lawn for a test drive. After a few laps, the guide will direct you to the highway (which is perfectly safe because other guides are there to watch traffic), and then to chunky dirt roads that eventually lead to a pretty awesome ground-eye view of the Chocolate Hills.

The 30-minute ATV tour took us through the Three Sister Hills, a small barangay, and rutted forest terrain in the heart of the Chocolate Hills Complex. The experience was truly exhilarating. We were covered in mud and our wrists hurt but all of us let out a thwarted grunt when the guide signaled the end of the tour.  

The Chocolate Hills ATV Tour is highly recommended, whether you’re a practiced rider or not. It’s something no one should miss trying when visiting Bohol. You can take our word for it.

Sit, slide, then plunge

Situated amidst mountain ranges, wide gorges, and the gushing Wahig River, Danao Adventure Park offers an array of adventure facilities and activities that include: River Trekking (P200.00), River Tubing (P200.00), Wall Climbing (P100.00), Root Climbing (P400.00), Bouldering (P200.00), Rappelling (P600.00), Caving (P350.00), and cable ride facilities: the Sky Ride (P250.00), Suislide (P250.00), and the Plunge (P700.00).  

It was my second time at Danao Adventure Park in Danao, Bohol but I could still feel the adrenaline-rush that comes with every ‘bombs away’ that the operators shout each time a person glides to the half-kilometer Suislide or drops from the 200-meter Plunge.

Conceptualized in 2006, the park’s major objective is to preserve and enrich the historic and cultural assets of Danao with the belief that this can provide livelihood opportunities for the townspeople. Five years after, it is now a favorite adventure destination among Bohol locals, domestic tourists, and foreign visitors.

The last time I was there, I tried the Sky Ride (cable car), Suislide, and the mind-numbing Plunge or Canopy Ride. And after plummeting 200 meters into a river, no matter how amazing it felt, I swore never to ‘Plunge’ again. So it was overwhelming to see some Plunge riders going back in line and taking the ride twice. This, for me, shows how daring Filipino travelers have become and how the Danao Adventure Park has grown from a far-flung attraction to a world-class destination. Bombs away!

Catigbian triple threat

The last part of our three-day trip was the Abatan River Cruise – an eco-cultural tourism attraction in Bohol that sprang from the collective initiatives of the five communities situated along the river: Cortes, Maribojoc, Antequera, Balilihan, and Catigbian. After two days of trekking, riding ATVs and riding cable rides, we thought a river cruise was a tranquil way to cap off the trip. But Bohol surprised us again.

The town of Catigbian, the upstream part of Abatan River, was the last stop of the river cruise. We were greeted by a Carabao Cart at the entrance and we thought we were having a carabao tour until we arrived at the complex and saw harnesses, ropes, and safety helmets.

Green Recreational Eco-Adventure Tour (G.R.E.A.T) Catigbian is a new adventure park nestled in a 204,500 square meter parcel of mountainous land. A smiling Catigbian Mayor Roberto Salinas welcomed us. He himself assured us that the activities are safe, and their equipment fool-proof. At this point, we still had no idea what we were about to do.

Apparently, G.R.E.A.T Catigbian offers an adventure trail, something Bohol has never had before: The Canopy Walk (P200.00), a 60-meter wooden foot bridge suspended 30-feeet above the Sampilagon River; the Monkey Bridge (P300.00), a first of its kind in Bohol, is a 45 meter cable bridge that passes through Dagook Falls; and the Mountain Slide (P250.00), a 200 meter Zipline that will bring visitors back to the complex area.

The Monkey Bridge is probably one of the most terrifying things I’ve done in my life, next to the Plunge of Danao. According to Mayor Salinas, they commissioned the site designers of Danao Adventure Park to create all three rides – which proves that Bohol adventure parks are not for the weak of heart and Bohol is now the Adventure Mecca of the Visayas Region.

So whether you’re an adventure junkie, culturati, or a history buff, Basta Pinas invites every Filipino to search and discover not only Bohol’s undiscovered gems, but each of the Philippines’ 7,107 beautiful islands.

To learn more about the Basta Pinas campaign, visit facebook.com/BastaPinas

DoT unveils new tourist spots

July 19, 2011, 8:00am

Ulot River Torpedo Boat

MANILA, Philippines -- True blue adventurers and nature lovers will find more reasons to visit Eastern Visayas as the Department of Tourism – Region 8 recently unveiled its new “Exciting Ventures” in its drive to position the region as an eco-tourism capital.

According to DOT regional director Karina Rosa Tiopes, Eastern Visayas is a treasure trove of diverse attractions which will surely capture the fancy of the various segments of the domestic market which want new and exciting tourist products.

The introduction of the new tourist spots was held recently to coincide with the celebration of Pintados and Kasadyaan Festivals of Leyte, and Sangyaw Fest of Tacloban City which celebrate the feast of the Holy Child Jesus.

She said topping the list of new must-try adventures is the Ulot Torpedo Boat Extreme Ride at in Paranas, Samar which offers visitors an adrenaline-pumping 60-minute ride in the white-water rapids of Ulot River, the longest inland body of water in Samar Island.

Made out of dug-out wooden motorized canoe, the Torpedo (acronym for Tour guides and boat Operators for River Protection and Environmental Development Organization) takes riders on a roller coaster ride deep into the heart of the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP).

Guests can also go kayaking or water tubing near the staging area of the boat ride, the core of the Ulot Watershed Ecotourism Loop which covers a series of waterfalls, springs, small caves and an ecotrail.

Established in 2003, SINP is one of the most biodiverse forests in the archipelago encompassing the three Samar provinces. With an aggregate area of 455,700 hectares, it is habitat to some 38 mammal species, 215 bird species, 51 reptile species, 26 amphibian species and over 1,000 plant species. The famed Philippine Eagle, the national bird, was first spotted in this area 100 years ago.

Other spots in the Park which offer authentic adventures are Borongan-Llorente Closed Canopy Forest, Mt. Huraw, Amandaraga Falls, Taft Philippine Eagle Sanctuary, Bangon Falls, and Pinipisakan Falls.

Tiopes said that the novel activity was a result of the DOT’s collaboration with various stakeholders in the area, most notably the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Municipal Government of Paranas, and the community organizations.

Zip line addicts can zoom their way into a new thrill in the 860-meter cable in Agas Agas Bridge, the country’s tallest located in Sogod, Southern Leyte. This new spot is quite unique because of its 45 degree inclination which will send adventurers flying over a P 1.02 billion, 75-meter tall bridge with a panoramic mountain view.

Agri-tourism proponents will find a haven at the Visayas State University, regarded as the bastion of agricultural education in Central Philippines and the “garden” of the newly-proclaimed city of Baybay in Leyte. The 1,479-hectare campus stretches from the shores of the Camotes Sea to the Pangasugan mountain range, offering a beach, farm and hilltop experience.

VSU also operates a beach resort with swimming pool with a soothing view of the charming Camotes island chain.

Baybay is also gaining reputation as a heritage city in the province because of its postcard-pretty Immaculate Conception Church and rows of well-preserved colonial-era ancestral homes in its “heritage lane”.

Also on the drawing board is an agro-industrial tour package to Specialty Paper Mill which produces export-quality fiber from Samar-Leyte’s abaca plantations for use as legal tender and security paper.

Meanwhile, health watchers will find a refuge in Paru-Parong Bukid Nature Conservation Center which is known for its healthy locally-raised and grown organic food, butterfly farm, mangrove forest and quaint tree houses.

Situated in Babatngon, some 20 kilometers north of Tacloban City, the resort farm also offers a kayak trail amidst its lush mangrove forest which empties into a tranquil river and islet for bird watching.

A short drive away is the Balinese-inspired Rafael’s Farm, a landscaped resort which is a hands-down choice for pictorials, private functions and receptions with its stunning mountain view and tranquil environs.

Finally, beach bums won’t be disappointed with the Kalanggaman Island, Palompon’s best-kept secret whose main magnet is its powdery white sand, azure waters and lush underwater marine life. Strategically located between the rich seas of Leyte and Cebu, the coconut-tree lined island takes excursionists to a back-to-basics experience which seemed to have been lost in the flurry of concrete infrastructures in popular beach hideaways.

 A few kilometers off the mainland is Tabuk Fish Park and Marine Sanctuary, a sprawling mangrove forest which is a birthing area for various fish species and a habitat for fruit bats.

Palompon relives its genteel past in Plaza Libertad and its Spanish cannon, its 18th-century church, and Casa Esperanza which has been a mute

In addition to these natural wonders, the region has two well-known eco-tourism spots—Calbiga Caves and Sohoton Cove Natural Park in Basey.

The former is touted as the most extensive cave system in the country, while the latter boasts of an amazing river ecosystem, limestone cliffs, a natural stone bridge and breath-taking formations of stalactites and stalagmites placed to be millions of years old. Basey is also home to a mat-weaving cottage industry which produces exquisite mat products.

Tiopes concluded that there are more “Exciting Ventures” under research and product development which will be launched to make the region an eco-tourism hotspot.

 For more information on Eastern Visayas, log on towww.visitmyphilippines.com.

LGUs urged to work with National Government on tourism

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  THE Department of Tourism (DOT)-Eastern Visayas called on local government units (LGUs) to work with the National Government to develop tourism.

DOT regional director Karina Rosa Tiopes said the National Government is currently finalizing its national strategy for the tourism sector, which sets priority areas of the department until 2016.

“In the plan, DOT is also updating the standards of delivery of the LGUs,” Tiopes said during the weekly Express It At the Park media conference on Saturday.

Tiopes said that LGUs have roles in the development of market competitive tourist destinations and products, which is one of the key priorities in the national tourism development plan.

Other strategies focus on improving market access and connectivity and improving tourism institutional, governance and human resource capacities.

“In the development of market competitive tourist destinations and products, DOT will work with LGUs to implement a sustainable tourism transportation and destination infrastructure development program in the strategic destinations,” Tiopes said.

Tiopes added the agency will also facilitate the development of mixed-use tourism complexes and community-based tourism programs in strategic destinations and implement a mandatory tourism enterprise accreditation and certification system.

“We will also facilitate tourism investment and simplify business set-up and licensing procedures, enhance efforts to safeguard natural and cultural heritage sites and vulnerable groups, and roll out a major public-private sector funded marketing campaign targeting key growth markets,” Tiopes said.

To improve tourism institutional, governance and human resource capacities, DOT will sit down with the LGUs to clarify institutional roles and responsibilities between the DOT and LGUs and undertake awareness and capacity building programs at the local level.

The department will also work with the private sector, Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), Commission on Higher Education (Ched) and Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (Tesda) to develop a highly competent, well-motivated and productive tourism workforce; and improve governance in the area of safety, security and in dealing with tourists, tourism investors and tourism enterprises at the national and local levels.

The agency also identified 25 strategic thematic tourism destination clusters covering 77 tourism development areas (TDA). It also plans to finalize the list of transportation and infrastructure projects to be done and their respective cost estimates; package these projects for implementation and financing, arranging and scheduling these packages of works, assess the broad economic returns of the investment; and deliver remaining non-infrastructure outputs.

Meanwhile, the DOT regional director said the tourism development plan is now being reviewed by the economic cluster of the Cabinet.

The National Tourism Development Plan outlines the key result areas for the DOT administration. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)