WORKING BACKWARDS 3 (GK ENCHANTED FARM)

Scale model of GK Main Hall

Marco Vincent Dive Resort in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro brings over dive groups from all over. And why shouldn't they? Puerto Galera is quite near the Verde Island Passage which is the center of the center of endemicity in the world. 

lobby installation art

But Marco Vincent Dive Resort not only shows our best dive sites to visitors, they give them a complete Philippine experience by  giving the guests a "surf and turf" experience. They provide the guests a glimpse of Philippine culture along with the beauty of our oceans aquatic wealth and beauty.

guests at the activity center/theater

On this visit by scuba photographers and divers from the United States of America, the dive resort also brought them to Intramuros and to Pandi, Bulacan to immerse themselves in Gawad Kalinga's Enchanted Farm. And this is where all the fun begins. They had this group of men and women ranging in age from late forties to mid sixties all of whom are accomplished (licensed) divers and underwater photogs.

Our Gawad Kalinga guide

 Gawad Kalinga, as we all know, is Tony Meloto's pet project to empower impoverished communities. It is also a platform to train university students to work in [artnership with communities to uplift the lives of the poor and to train them to become leaders. So aside from Filipino students who do volunteer work for Gawad Kalinga, it is not unlikely to see foreign teenagers learning the ins and outs of organic farming or making preserves from farm produce. Some are trained in mushroom culture, salted egg or plush toy production. and from there, these kids become small to medium entrepreneurs in partnership with these communities they work with. So the partnership is symbiotic in that both entrepreneur and community are able to earn and develop into a better working relationship. 

Orientation at the Main Hall sponsored by Hyundai

The time we visited, we were welcomed warmly by some of the volunteers and ushered into the main hall to view an audio visual presentation of the Enchanted Farm history and background. After which we went around exploring the areas of productivity like the salted egg factory, the plush toy making area, spa, rice paddies and the organic farm. The visitors were impressed with the zeal and eagerness of these kids who were around the same age as their children. 

Bamboo Palace

Lunch was served at the mess hall where organic food was served. Volunteers were present in food preparation and in the food service while at the far end were a group of kids in the middle of labeling bottles of jams and all sorts of preserves for distribution to organic markets and outlets of Gawad Kalinga. 

Plush toy factory visit

salted egg factory

The guests were visibly impressed at what they saw and before we departed for Manila, we dropped by the souvenir shop where they purchased locally made purses and some cheese produced on the farm. I myself got a bottle of massage oil and liniment from their signature brand... Human Nature.

GK farmlands

The guests were dropped off at the hotel where they had a good night's rest before they sailed off for Puerto Galera the next day... I so look forward to the next group of divers Marco Vincent is bringing in this March... 

DTI sponsored Bamboo Palace

EPIC APEC (WORKING BACKWARDS 2)

the APEC guides with Ms Beth of DFA

It was a distinct privilege to have served the country in the much ballyhooed Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) that culminated on the 19th of November 2015.

Group briefing at Plaza Armas

A group of accredited tour guides from various groups were tapped by the Department of Tourism in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs to guide for the delegates from different countries. 

Guiding for  staff ofthe different economie

In preparation for the main conference, dry-runs were conducted prior to APEC week. The organizing committee wanted to make sure that everything runs smoothly on the week of the main event. Eventually, the itinerary was tweaked to ease out the kinks after the dry-runs were completed. Sites were added, deleted or changed depending on the requirements met to impress the delegates and the First Ladies accompanying their husbands.

Yael and myself at the fort

Contrary to popular belief, those involved in the side events were not ccorded special privileges. Yes, we had to brave the same kind of traffic jams most Filipinos experienced prior to and on the week of. As a matter of fact, from a meeting at Marriott hotel at 4 p.m., I reached my home at 12 midnight. On another occasion, after having guided the Russian ambassador, Prime Minister and Trade Minister from Antonio's in Tagaytay, I had to walk from the City of Dreams all to way to Evangelista Street in Makati City before i was able to hail a cab to get home... and be ready for a 7 a.m. call the next day.

Antonio's  dining hall

The high point of the guided tours was a Luncheon for the First Ladies hosted by the presidential sisters: Balsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris. A mini presentation of native dances in a wedding setting was held at the Plaza Armas in Fort Santiago. A photo op of the First Ladies was held for media as well.

Wedding tableau at Plaza Armas

After that, the entourage was led to waiting tranvias and brought to San Agustin church for a mini concerto of musica sacra and then to Casa Manila for vignettes of Philippine lifestyle. Then they were ushered to the Ayuntamiento for a special menu of Filipino food.

Ayuntamiento Marble Hall with advance parties of different economies

As a gesture of thanks, we were treated to a luncheon at Nine Spoons at the Bayleaf Hotel by the DOT committee for a job well done!

The Guides with DOT officials

PAWIKAN FESTIVAL (WORKING BACKWARDS)

Pawikan Festival participants

Now that it's Christmas, I get the much needed relaxation time I've been longing for in weeks. And so, it's apropos to catch up on my much delayed blog entries. I have tried to post as regularly as I can but the hectic pace of my work just won't afford me the few precious minutes to compose my blog stories. So permit me to work my way backwards and try to recall the assignments I have taken on.

opening ceremonies by the governor of  Bataan

PAWIKAN  FESTIVAL

In performance

I was honored to have been invited to a seminar/workshop on production design conducted by the Bataan Tourism office last year. The training module was organized by Nilo San Agustin of the Department of Tourism. Invited as SME's (subject matter experts) were: Renato del Rosario for Music, Armando Sta. Ana for Stage Direction, Nonoy Froilan for Choreography and myself for Production Design.

Filipiniana costume

The objective of the workshop was for us to impart our knowledge to representatives of thirteen Bataan municipalities who all participate in the yearly Pawikan Festival. Pawikan is a Filipino term for turtle. Olive Riddley turtles to be exact! There was a whole gamut of activities lined up for the festival. Included in the roster of events were beach volley, on the spot painting competition, installation art from recycled materials, the street dancing competition and the obligatory releasing of turtle hatchlings into the west Philippine sea.

Pawikans in the wings

The long stretch of beach in Morong, Bataan is a nesting ground for turtles. The Municipality of Morong has undertaken the gargantuan task of protecting these turtles from poachers and has built a festival around it. This is in line with their advocacy of educating  the majority in the aspect of environmental awareness and protectionism for endangered sea turtles.

billowing skirts

The Pawikan Conservation Facility in Morong gathers and protects turtle eggs laid on the shoreline and incubates these turtle eggs until they are mature enough for eventual release into the wild. At times, they are also able to rescue turtles caught in fish nets and stranded on the shore. These mature turtles, on the other hand are nursed back to health before they are released into the deep blue.

men's ensemble

Unfortunately, when we were invited for the seminar last year, the festival had just ended. We were not able to witness how the street dancing competition was conducted. This year, having been invited as judges for the street dancing competition, I was quite happy to see that our inputs on production design and choreography were incorporated into the dance presentations. the beach front came alive with contingents from the municipalities of Bataan.

little hatchlings

Each contingent had forty participants outfitted as dancers, plus a few more who were in the production team as set riggers and  production assistants. It was a day long event highlighting the importance of saving the ecological balance, protecting the endangered sea turtle and of course, promoting Bataan as a natural sanctuary of riddley turtles, whose numbers have been steadily dwindling over the years until Morong's authority took action.

impressive backdrop

The poachers were kept at bay, the riddley turtles returned and are starting to multiply again, the local residents have increased their means of livelihood and Bataan's reputation and tourism draw has been enhanced. Judging by the pictures, it would be safe to say that everyone had a grand time. I hope to be back again next year to see how the Pawikan Festival continues to evolve.

Turtles galore

PREENING AT PUNING'S

The boys of Aklan Catholic College

On a recent assignment with Aklan Catholic College, I brought the students to Puning's Hot Spring and Spa. The idea was a brainchild of both Ms Portia Robado and Ms Aiza Orbista Nahil.

Main entrance to the spa

The Aklan Catholic College has immersion classes in which the students are brought to Manila to experience and learn from hands-on experiences as they travel from one site to another. Puning's Spa was a welcome treat for the students.

beauty amidst rugged countryside

We traveled all the way to Pampanga, leaving our buses at the edge of the gate towards  Mt. Pinatubo in Clark Air Base. The  air base is a vestige of the American Occupation in Manila. During the bombing of Manila by the Japanese, Clark Air Base was one of the first casualties as the Japanese knew the American planes were in Clark. There is a small patch of cemetery where the victims of the war were buried and honored. But that's another story...

4x4 ride in the gorge

From the pick up point the students boarded into 4x4's and off we roared into the wilderness of Pinatubo. Nobody had known there was a volcano in the area until Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1996. Lahar and pyroclastic material engulfed most of the province of Pampanga, completely burying towns in its path.

Tiers of hot spring pools

But out of the ashes, pockets of beauty emerged and an entriprising Korean married to a Filipina wanted to take advantage of the hot springs emanating from the volcano's vents. Puning's was born! The name itself is taken from the Aeta word "punang" meaning tree. True enough, if you leave nature alone, it will come back!

From Lahar flows, lush greenery emerged and as the 4x4's roared through the gorges, we experienced such a rush, the boys at the back of the jeep screamed in delight. The spa has three stations and we spent a few hours in the station three which had hot water pools fed by the vents. The pools were nestled among the rocks and water cascaded to other parts of the station. Careful not to get enticed into staying under the waterfall... it's 70 degrees hot!

70 degree waterfall

After spending the time interacting with some Korean guests, the group backtracked to Station 2 aboard the 4x4's again careening between the mountains. Station 2 is where they were buried up to their neck in warm sand for 30 minutes. The  treatment ends with the kids being slathered in a mudpack of cool volcanic mud to close and tighten the pores.

mudpack treatment

After a cold shower, we went back to Station 1 where tables were laid out for a sumptuous fusion of Filipino and Korean food. All the staff were friendly residents of the Pinatubo forest area, now employed by the establishment. It's was interesting to hear their stories of the volcanic eruption that nearly wiped out their ancestral territory. Currently, the Pinatubo area falls under the jurisdiction of Tarlac. By three p.m, we headed back to Manila and the kids were spent and slept along the way...

station 1 pavillon

THE OTHER RM AWARDEES 2015

Ramon Magsaysay awardees and their families enjoying the carabao cart ride

Alright, It's another one of those long delayed blog entries! My last entry was about Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa, who immortalized the importance of our very own Dance form - Pangalay. There wer other Asians who completed the roster of the Ramon Magsaysay awardees. The Ramon Magsaysay Foundation feted the awardeesand their families to a fun-filled day at Villa Escudero.

Groupie with Grace Amilbangsa and Kyaw Thu and his family

Two of this year's awardees are from India. SANJIV CHATURVEDI is recognized for his exemplary counrage and integrity in exposing corruption in India and for instituting policies for change for the benefit of his community in India.

Sanjiv Chaturvedi in white shirt

The other awardee from India is ANSHU GUPTA. He was honored for his creative and enterprising spirit and in changing the culture of giving in India, realizing that the true spirit of giving always "respects and preserves human dignity". He is also recognized for his leadership in treating cloth as a sustainable resource for the poor in India.

Anshu Gupta and family

The other awardee is from Myanmar... KYAW THU. Despite his fame in his native country, he used his status as a celebrity in addressing the needs of both living and dead countrymen. He channeled his status as a star in Myanmar in serviing the greater good.

Kyaw Thu

And finally, from Laos, KOMMALY CHANTHAVONG. She is honored for her tireless efforts in reviving, and developing the ancient Laotian art of silk weaving. and creating livelihood for countless war-displaced women of Laos and thus preserving the dying art of  silk weaving.

Kommaly Chnthavhong and her daughter

The whole day affair at Villa Escudero was loads of fun. It was also significant in that the awardees and their families were able to experience the local cuisine and see how the farm works  as well. The way back to Manila was spent  recalling fun memories with Grace Amilbangsa, whom I've spent time with while in the performing arts. Other than that, the built in blasting Karaoke on the bus was  put to good use by the family members and staff of Ramon Magsaysay awardees. I hope I get to do it again next year...

SAVING SARIAYA

Official Logo of PAMANLAHI

To see one person fight for his heritage is admirable... to see a community do the same thing is so freakin' AWESOME!!! 

Ms Marquez receiving PAMANLAHI's position letter as board-members look on

Last Tuesday, 15, September, five members of AHP who concurrently serve as members of the board of DAKILA'NG PAMANA NG LAHI took the time to drive to Sariaya, Quezon to express support for the preservation of Sariaya's heritage zone and to take part in the mediation conference between the Department of Public Works and Highways, The Local Govenrment unit and the stakeholders of Sariaya.

Ka Lino and Mye Atienza, Ms Boots Mejia, Ms Febe Sevilla and myself with Ms Rina Marquez

This is actually, also the first official act undertaken by PAMANLAHI as a duly registered, fully functioning NGO. A letter of support for the work stoppage on the construction of loading bays along the heritage zone of Sariaya would have to be submitted to the municipal hall, the mayor's office, the NCCA, and Sariaya's stakeholders.

groupie at the Sala of the Enriquez house

Our effort was duly recognized and appreciated by one of the home-owners in Sariaya, Rina Marquez and her mother who live in the Natalio Enriquez heritage home right beside the Church. The owners graciously welcomed us into their well-appointed mansion. The imposing structure was designed by Andres Luna de San Pedro and is prominently located across the town plaza, off tangent to the municipal hall (also by the same architect.) The Town Plaza was actually land owned by the church which was donated to the LGU for public use. The monument of Jose Rizal along with a bandstand flanked by caryatids has all but been obliterated from view by a sports center and by a playground. 

Plaza de Shalom is behind this beautiful heritage home 

By two p.m. an expected audience of 20+ had bloomed to 50 plus homeowners and stakeholders of the heritage zone of Sariaya, Quezon. Physical arrangements had to be augmented to accommodate everyone who wanted their two-cents worth to be heard. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts' Atty. Trixie Angeles was present as mediating officer between local government, DPWH and homeowners. The sole purpose of the meeting was to find a common ground at which everyone represented will be happy with the options presented. The cease and desist order for road widening had been issued. However, DPWH and local government were pushing for the construction of loading bays essentially to "alleviate traffic flow along the heritage zone.

The venue setting

As fate would have it, the stakeholders opposed the construction of loading bays in the area in convincing fashion. DPWH, represented by a certain Engr. Racelis has reiterated that all road widening projects along the heritage zone has been discontinued but DPWH is appealing for the construction of the loading bays at certain points along the highway. Rina Marquez presented the detrimental effects of loading bays along the heritage cluster in a study done by no less than Toti Villalon along with UP engineering and architectural stalwarts. And since it was a mediation conference, the stakeholders were enjoined to find ideal alternative areas where the loading bays could be constructed without endangering the homes, causing anxiety and distrust among home-owners, and avoiding misgivings towards the local government. 

Home-owners and Mye Atienza intently participating in the mediation

Another mediation conference to present these alternative sites is scheduled for the 26th of October, 2015. By then, it is hoped all parties would amicably settle the issue for good. Failure to find common ground among all parties concerned would result in the case reverting back to a trial in court. The home-owners were adamant in voicing their concern as they were often not informed by the LGU or are commonly left out in the dark as to public projects were concerned. This far into the issue, stakeholders claim no plans were publicly posted either in the municipal hall nor bulletin boards. An irate municipal administrator even went so far as lambasting a certain Mr De Luna who was a member of Sariaya's Heritage Preservation group. It would be worth noting that a mediation is not a trial, ergo nothing expressed in mediation can be used as evidence. So, trying to convince an already emotional group of homeowners by slinging mud at "one of their own" does not make for good governance. What was he thinking?