The man behind selling Argao to tourists
Alex Gonzales, the man behind the “Katilingbanong Turismo” of Argao (Community Tourism), desires to continually share the treasures of his hometown.
Now in his 50s, he tries to explain what fuels his desire to put Argao as a number one tourist destination in the island.
Here is his story.
In 2002, while he was undergoing a heart operation, the doctor said Alex died for three minutes. The experience left him with a renewed vigor to live life the way God wants Him to live – a life of service to his fellowmen.
Barely able to walk, Alex left a productive life in Cebu City as an NGO executive, community organizer, and consultant to come back home.
He stayed at their ancestral home, the ground floor of which he converted into a cafe.
Alex Kafe has, since then, catered to the discerning taste of local and international tourists. The café offers local cuisine as well as delicacies Argao is famous for.
Two years after his operation, now able to walk well and enjoying the other benefits of a healthier lifestyle, he was asked to sell Argao with the belief that if he can sell Alex Kafe, he can also sell the town.
He then developed the municipality’s tourism industry. With the help of some friends and by getting to know the hearts of the ordinary Argawanon, Alex was able to conceptualize the community tourism program. His first challenge was how to sell Argao to the Argawanons themselves.
He started by making the people aware of what they have. With the funds he got from the Office of the President, Alex along with the other volunteers of the tourism office put up billboards all over town.
They also printed brochures, leaflets, and posters.
Next they made tour packages: heritage tour, caving in Balay sa Agta, climbing the mystic mountain, visit to Bugasok Falls, and trek to Mt. Lantoy.
They also offer camping, cave mapping, among other things.
When asked what made the program successful, Alex mentioned the following factors:
1. Attitude (of the town’s leaders, people)
2. Access (through roads and trails, even through technology, the web)
3. Accommodations (at present Argao can accommodate 200-250 people at any given time in their inns, resorts, and the rural casas which develops the entrepreneurial skills of the housewives. The bed and breakfast offers guests a local experience).
4. Advertising
If people a few years back were bewildered why the billboards were in Argao and not somewhere else, Alex said he now sees acceptance and support for the move. People now talk openly of the treasures the tourism office works hard to promote.
From time to time, tourists are led by trisikad drivers (bicycle) to his office.
The number of volunteers has also increased to 26 and barangay captains (village chiefs) express desire to be part of the tourism efforts of the municipality.
“This is my second life. I am grateful. I am giving it back to the community,” Alex said. (Louela R. Pegarido)
wow! im really proud of my papa,,,
Kumusta Alex. Are you the almighty “Alex Kintanar Gonzalez”, a Louisian whose residence is in Cabancalan Mandaue City?
Asa naman tong atong Curly Hair? ngano na-opao naman ka bay?
It was 35yrs. ago, last ta nagkita bay, I hope to visit your place one day, basta magkita ra ta kung dili lang ta mangabuta.
Have have good one…
I’m so thankful to Mr. Alex Gonzalez for making Argao as one of the best town in the South with regards to Tourism.If you want guys to know some info about our place, pls don’t hesitate to approach him. He will serve you with pleasure.
Hi Alex (Kulot)at present im on board,Bai galing mo talaga,hope na makasuroy ko diha sa pag uli nako.
Bay Alex,
Palihug lili sa amoang website http://www.bambooliving.com
nindot kaayo ang amoang mga bamboo houses nga gipanghimo…angay sa atoang tourism sa lungsod.
Higala nga taga canbanua,
Jun
its a good deal sir, that you had seen the beauty of the landscape of your town, its a grast deal and will also help, the people living in the nearby areas, were though they can get little, then it’s enough for them to strive.. hope so that your dream will reach into the mind of others… that they will how wonderful this world is. but then they just make it a waste..
Hello Alex!
I will visit your Alex Kafe ug maka uli puhon.
Say HELLO to Eva.
Si Jingga ni ang amiga ni Dackie nga na padpad na sa Sydney!
You can get so many ideas from Australia for eco-tourism, you should come for a visit.
Happy to know Argao’s tourism is doing well.
Cheers!
hi lex,
when argao regained its reputation as a tourist destination, i knew it…ning-uli na ka dinha!
we always knew this can be done. happy to know that you have shown how para manakud ka sa ubang lungsod. there’s a lot to be rediscovered around us…
more importantly, i am very happy ok na ka. take care and regards sa mga taga crmo sa una who might be within your circle of local advocates there. God bless!
malyn
sir alex,
Paluhug mangayo mi og tel no. o cel no. sa manager sa ADEMCO kay magpa reserve mi. ikaw lang jud amo gi contact kay wala man ma kontak lain. kami tong nianha pag tuesday sept. 9, 2008. kun mahimo asap. kun saylo na gani sa sept. 11, 2008 ni nimo sa receive, ayaw nalang reply. thanks kaayo sir.
advance happy fiesta argao….thnx 2 mr.alex…congratulations…!ur the best…we will have tour in argao on sept.21……..the best…
Hello Sir Alex,
Marissa kumusta? Nabasa nako ang imong story about your life and about your hometown argao by looking torta sa argao. ha ha ha ha. Mingaw man dyud ko sa torta. Moanha unya ko ug usab kay magdala na pod ko og torta sa Michigan. I’ll see you soon and regards to Eva. How was your fiesta?
Hi Manoy Alex!
Lipay kayo mi nga naa pay mga argawanon parehas nimo oi! maka-inspired kaayo ng imong paningkamot para sa atong lugar ug sa atong mga tawo.Tagaan ka pa unta ug taas nga kinabuhi para makatabang ka pa ug dako sa kaugmaon sa atong lugar. Bisag hangtod 8 años lang ko dinha, argawanon kaayo ang akong pamati!
Pastilan gyud!swerte ang Argao kanimo!
pasukmag ka lex????
…ga kolot lang nang imung buhok…
….wa kay au…hahahaha…
….regardz nya ko sa imung anak….
Brothers and sisters, Sir Alex died yesterday. His death has been a really great loss especially to Argao. But for sure, God has a reason. Let’s just pray for his soul.
What an impressive article of a simple, quiet town then in the 70s and now thriving to be a winning tourism-oriented town. I remember how it was with the quiet church when we sang for the folks as UP Cebu Mixed Chorus in 1978. I haven’t been there since then and being a tourism advocate myself as I practice my HRM course here in NCR, I admire the way AG-alex gonzales made into reality his inputs for the town.
Leaders indeed come from this quiet town – Gonzales, Kintanar,
Davide,to name but a few. Kudos to them.
Most of all, I look forward to a winning delicacy which just like Otap cannot be duplicated with any machine in case of technology transfer (so we maintain that it shall be man-made or if manufactured for global sales, shall be labor intensive to generate employment – and I am referring to the Argao torta. so yummy..
Kudos, yet my condolence to the passing of Alex Gonzales thru his brother, my UP Cebu schoomate, Adjong.
Adjong, hope, your late brother passed you the belt on his Argao tourism adovocacy and promotion.
grace v. rodriguez 09102797514
Rest in peace Alex. Argao will surely miss you.
Sir Alex,
May i know if there’s any activities for nightlife in argao? like bars or any safe place to drink by the shore with good music and stuff like that – or do the resorts there already have those? Coz ill be there soon with some foreign friends (for 3 days), i know they’ll love the nature trip during the day but i also want them to enjoy the night (dont want them to get bored). Can you pls give me some tips.
Thanks a lot
Ive learned at lot from Alex when I visited Argao..
Alex may you rest in peace…