Wednesday, March 15, 2006
City is top destination for Pinoys in Australia
By Nelson C. Bagaforo
FILIPINO communities in Australia have vowed to launch a campaign that would promote Davao City as a top tourist destination.
A delegation of 40 Filipino-Australians, representing the Filipino Communities Council of Australia (Filcca), is in the city to witness the Araw ng Dabaw celebrations and see for themselves what the city can offer to its visitors.
Filcca, which was founded 17 years ago, is an organization of Filipino communities all over Australia, including New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, Southern and Northern territories.
For the first time they will also hold the finals and coronation night of Filcca's Philippine-Australia Ambassador, a beauty and talent search where young and good looking hopefuls participated, each of them represents a Filipino community in Australia.
The five finalists -- Ramonalisa Cubian, Maylin Superio, Judy Fanjek, Loranne Amores Wheare and Jocelyn del Prado -- were presented to Davao media during a press conference at Waterfront Hotel Tuesday.
"For the first time, the coronation will be held in Davao City," said Carmen Garcia, Filcca vice president for youth affairs.
The pageant will be held at the Lantawan Hall of Royal Mandaya Hotel on March 16, with reigning Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Lian Andrea Ramos, the first Dabawenyo to win the title, as special guest.
The search, according to Filcca vice president for external affairs Ambet Agarano, is a fund-raising drive, the proceeds of which would be used to fund Filcca-assisted projects in the Philippines, such as the construction of at least 40 houses through the Gawad Kalinga.
Another project, which the council intends to embark on, is the publication of campaign materials that would promote Davao City's tourist destinations to Filipino communities in Australia.
"Each (territory) will be provided with these materials, to give them information on where to go in Davao City," Agarano said.
At present, he said they are eyeing tourist spots in the city, including beach and mountain resorts, which they will include in their campaign.
The Filcca delegation has so far visited Pearl Farm Resort, Eden Mountain Resort, Lolengs Mountain Resort, Mergrande Resort and some hotels in the city.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (March 15, 2006 issue)
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