THE recent drift in tourism is the conglomerate approach that would involve several participants to come up with an output. This is going to happen in Silay. The pilot project is at Hacienda Adela Folklore Village, recipient of a “Pearl Award” on community-based responsible tourism by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (Atop) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Mayor Mark Golez received a letter from the leading organization for Tourism Management students of University of St. La Salle, Alliance of Tourism Leaders and Associates Society (Atlas). The said organization in coordination with Silay City Government will conduct its outreach program in Hacienda Adela Folklore Village for the whole academic year 2017-2018. It is based in the premise that the members of the Asosasyon sang mga Mangunguma sa Adela (Ama) and Atlas will work together and share resources. I have been chosen as coordinator for Silay City government and my son, John Ver, for Atlas.
The two organizations will have absolute understanding and full support to develop a core relationship for the benefit of two parties. The students will learn how the rural folks conduct their community-based tourism that have been luring students, professionals, researchers, and tourists for several years. The farmers will participate in programmed activities on education, livelihood, culture, and environment.
Atlas is spearheaded by Moira Maci Abesamis, president, and Lynchen Nepomuceno, faculty moderator. The farmer’s group is headed by Leon Pacete as president with Cristina Lacson as adviser. The “Community Love Tourism” project will be presented also to Cristine Mansinares, provincial tourism officer, for other schools and organizations to follow. Community-based tourism may incorporate farm tourism, hacienda tourism, fishpond tourism, mangrove tourism, and orchard tourism.
The first phase of Atlas “Community Love Tourism” Outreach project includes “Munting Paaralan” for kids from 6 to 13 years old. The activities include reading and writing skills with stories based on tourism attractions. Basic environmental lesson will be shared also particularly on how to re-use, reduce, recycle garbage (also proper waste management). In between sessions, there will be fun and games. Teenagers will be involved also on upgraded activities.
Mothers will have their program also on wellness and sanitation. This is also a trend in tourism that attracts visitors to observe how the residents maintain good health as they maintain a clean surroundings. Resource persons from the University of St. La Salle will be invited by the students to conduct the seminar on proper hygiene and good sanitation at home and in the workplace. This includes tourism Zumba as part of the warm-up exercises.
Atlas-USLS will join the University Week on Sept. 11-15. This is part of the Tourism Month Celebration. Hacienda Adela will send their marketable products to the Atlas booth. They are good in cooking ibos, but-ong, suman, and bukayo. These are the heritage delicacies of the farm served to tourists visiting Silay with German Unson Heritage House Bed and Breakfast. Atlas members will be teaching Adela folks proper food handling and packaging.
Hacienda Adela Folklore Village will be divided into three zones. Atlas and Ama will launch the “Tourism Green Project” beautification program that includes planting and growing plants. The project will be coordinated also with the Silay City Tourism Division, Barangay Lantad Council, Silay City Police Station, Department of Agriculture, City Environment Office, and the City Health Department.
Both organizations will also embark on sustainable cultural and sports activities. They will enhance the existing activities for Holy Week, Christmas, Mayflower Festival, San Roque devotion, San Isidro Labrador farmers’ parade, All Souls’ Day Celebration, and rituals on wedding, baptism, and folk healing. Other clubs at USLS will also be invited on important occasions.
Atlas will be exposed also on “Sugar Tourism Story” tour guiding package that includes cultural program, field works demonstration, agricultural facilities, houses of the “dumaans” and “sacadas,” caro-carabao ride, and the “punsyon sa uma” (soiree) or “pandot” (festival). Atlas will also do fund-raising activities at USLS for the “December Gift-Giving” activity for the children of the sugarcane workers. Student visitors from Cebu will visit Hacienda Adela Folklore Village on September 24.
One activity for the first phase includes the invitation of Atlas for Adela folks to visit USLS. Silay City Government will be requested to provide the bus to some 30 farmer leaders who will be involved in the visit. Congratulations Atlas-USLS. Kudos to moderator Lynchen, president Moira, Atlas officers and members! Keep going strong!