The lighting of parola

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

FOR three years now, I have been covering the traditional event being observed at the Pearl Farm Beach Resort in Island Garden City of Samal. I am referring to the lighting of parol on top of the Parola. The lighting signifies the start of the Christmas season in the resort.

The first time was in 2009 when model and dramatic actress (in films and television) Angel Aquino graced the event. “I am very happy to be part of this event,” said the beautiful star who won a Best Actress trophy for her performance in Donsol.

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In 2010, we had the opportunity of meeting Arturo Boncato, the Davao regional director of the Department of Tourism. He lighted the Parola star together with Davao City Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, who represented Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte.

This year, the lighting was done by my friend, film and television actor Joel Torre. He burst into Philippine cinema in Peque Gallaga’s award-winning Oro Plata Mata (1982) getting kudos not only from the moviegoers but his peers as well. Since then, he delivered performances that were worthy of his caliber: Bayaning Third World, Karnal, Anak, Tanging Yaman, Hubad sa Ilalim ng Buwan, Jose Rizal, and Eskapo.

In his short speech, the film actor who has appeared in some international movies explained what enlightenment was all about. “(It is) an education that results in understanding the free spread of knowledge.”
Together with Benjamen Banzon, the general manager of the resort, and Vincent Floirendo, the vice-president of the Anflocor Group of Companies, hit the button which lighted the parol.

The event was witnessed by Dr. Paulo Pantojan of the Department of Health; Efren Balbuena, the director of the Philippine Information Agency; Arturo Boncato, head of the regional office of the Department of Tourism; Alfredo Roca, of the Fuego Hotels and Properties; and some Davao media scribes like Dennis Jay Santos and Rudolph Alama.

Providing special music for the occasion was the award-winning choir from the University of Immaculate Concepcion. They sang beautiful Christmas carols and some Filipino songs.

Actually, Alfredo Roca and Vincent Floirendo were present because it was also the day Fuego Hotels would turned over the resort to the owner.
During the press conference, Roca thanked the Floirendo family for the opportunity to work with them. In behalf of the Floirendo family, Vincent also appreciated what Fuego Hotels had done for the resort.

“Beginning next year, we will manage the resort,” Vincent told the press. “We will be introducing new amenities and activities. We will also renovate most of our buildings. In fact, we have already started in some of them.”

In 2012, visitors and guests of the resort can avail of its wakeboarding facilities. It is also planning to put up its own ziplines. “We will also have boats that will take our visitors and guests much faster than the current 45 minutes travel time,” Vincent said.

The 14-hectare five-star aquatic hideaway was opened to public in 1992. Today, it is now one of the country’s most up market beach resorts. “This exquisite place in Davao Philippines is what you call paradise on earth,” hailed Joseph “Ace” Durano, former head of the Department of Tourism.