THE tourism month celebration is anchored on the theme, "Tourism: Building Peace! Fostering Knowledge!" Negros Occidental and the other provinces in Western Visayas stand firm on their commitment to promote and sell the region under the leadership of Atty. Helen Catalbas, the regional director of DOT-VI.
At the start of the pandemic, the Department of Tourism in Region VI embarked right away on a webinar, "How to Deal and Cope with Loss Brought by Covid-19 Crisis." Travel was stopped but DOT-VI launched in the social media "The Stories of Our Islands." This features how to virtually travel in Western Visayas locales during the pandemic using films.
Yours truly was even invited to share virtually "Storytelling for Tour Guides." I am thankful for getting a very good number of viewers. Most of them were tour guides, tourism officers and staff, tour operators, teachers and students. The actual tour guiding was held at 1898 Casa y Restaurante, Larga Café, Cinco de Noviembre Marker, and Hacienda Adela Folklore Village.
Other DOT-VI webinars were on "Street Food Kulinarya," "Farm Tourism Destination," "Film Educational Showcase," "Basic Film Making," and "Kaon Ta Sa Antique." There was also the giving of grants to those who will make films under the Cinekasimanwa project. Tourism in Western Visayas is alive and it is up for the tourism frontliners to take up the opportunity despite of the Covid-19 scare.
Virtual tour in the region is considered best as a preparation for the new normal considering that Covid-19 in the Philippines has been flattened according to President Duterte. Those who were able to avail of the grant may come out with their "obra maestro," a virtual travelogue on Western Visayas.
In Negros Occidental, our aces could still be the fine beaches of Sipalay, shopping and dining in Bacolod, romancing the heritage houses and gustatory delights of Silay, and a sojourn to the Ruins in Talisay and Lakawon in Cadiz. The "Land of Sweet Surprises" has more to offer other than just sugar.
The Island Province of Guimaras is attracting visitors because of San Lorenzo windmills, the enchanting mango farms, the historic Guisi Lighthouse, Taclong marine sanctuary, the lovey-dovey beaches and the tourists never fail to eat that flavorful mango pizza.
Iloilo is very consequential and takes pride in the noble deeds of its heroes, the acumen of its businessmen and the agility of the "Irong-ironganon" politicians. The century-old churches of Molo and Jaro accentuate the role of male and female saints in our Christian faith. The appetizing authentic batchoy at La Paz public market should not be missed.
Visitors can always take a walk at Iloilo Esplanade and rub elbows with the shoppers at the Business Park. Local and foreign tourists should find time to relax at the exotic Isla de Gigantes. Listen to tall tales while seeking adventure in island hopping. Take delight in eating fresh scallops cooked and served in the way of the islanders.
The film directors may focus their camera on the Seafood Capital of the Philippines, Capiz. Their film rolls to dazzle the prepossessing ancestral house of former President Manuel Roxas. A group jeepney ride will take the film makers to the shoreline of Roxas City where the seafood restaurants are. They can fancy their eyes on how seafood are cooked and served. To further enchant the tourists, the must-be- shown attractions should be the tallest Christ statue in Asia and the biggest Pan-ay bell at the belfry.
A trip to Kalibo will end up in the enhanced Isla de Boracay and in the Province of Antique the "molino de sangre" tells the fascinating origin of muscovado sugar. Other physiognomy includes "patadyong" weaving, "kawa" bath, picking up of rainbow pebbles at Sibalom River, tasting of aromatic native rice, grilling of newly caught "bantalaan," and the panning of the majestic Mt. Madyaas.
Under pandemic, the virtual platform could be the best avenue for the excellent outputs of our film makers on the wonders of Western Visayas. Tourism month is a virtual celebration of the ingenuity, creativity, and goodwill. We look forward to the end of this pandemic and the start of the wonderful life in tourism. Cheers!