THIS new thing that Facebook does for their users everyday brings memories from ages ago, letting us rekindle the moments which now either makes us feel the same happiness or shame over poor decisions we made before.
But this particular event which happened a year ago today, still makes me feel inspired. In fact, the motivation given by Amor Maclang continues to grow until today (January 27, 2016).
In a conference, where selected business and marketing students and leaders from the city attended, she asked the crowd who have been to Hong Kong or Cotabato.
Since it was a group composed of people from the middle to higher class, almost everyone raised their hand when the guest speaker asked if they have already visited Hong Kong. To the speaker’s dismay, when she asked who has been to Cotabato, there were only five.
Often, without us knowing, we have insulted our homeland when we opt to go abroad rather than unravel what is unknown here.
The same goes when some of us post photos of recent travels from nearby to their social networking site accounts and a friend will comment, "Ang ganda! Parang wala sa Pilipinas!"
Although it was meant to compliment, it would appear more like a betrayal to our idea of what the Philippines is.
Our country is more than just what we hear from the media- of guns and bombings because apparently, violence exists everywhere and let us not make it a reason to not discover our own land.
Perhaps, now is the time to make our own tourist spots on top of our bucket lists.
Mindanao alone has a lot to offer. We can start off with Davao Oriental where structures for travelers to stay are mushrooming. Educational museums like the Subangan Museum and the soon to open Mt. Hamiguitan Eco-park and Museum are a must see for adventurers as it showcases the arts, culture, and wildlife in the province.
Caraga, Davao Oriental, the easternmost point of the Philippines is the dream destination for people who want to escape the buzzing noise in the city.
The towering waves at Pusan Point where the light first shines on in the country is nothing but magical, especially when the planetarium and restaurant on the area is already finished.
Natural wonders are everywhere in this country where 1,707 islands are. It is way better for Filipinos to fall in love with these first than to dream of going abroad and miss the chance of appreciating the gifts nearer to us.