G-STRING (Baguio Midland 11/16/2014) GABY B. KEITH Achieving tourism bliss for BLISTT If there is one “take-away” that this near-sighted Ibaloy writer took during the 1st BLISTT (Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay) Tourism Summit at Baguio Country Club, it is that local government units involved are not in competition with one another and should support each other in creating a more vibrant and innovative tourism “atmosphere” that benefits everybody. Even in the tourism field, there is strength in being united to achieve a common goal. With the theme, “Innovation in Tourism Towards BLISTT Competitiveness”, the two-day activity was conducted by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio, Baguio Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City Government thru its tourism and special events division. Its objective was to enable participants to recommend projects and strategies that would bring positive impact to our tourism industry and increase tourist arrivals while maintaining Metro Baguio and BLISTT as a premier destination in the country. We do hope that an even greater number of participants from BLISTT will join succeeding seminars of this kind. In one way or another, we are all tourism stakeholders. Correct me if I’m wrong but in tourism, the more ideas shared from more people from more sectors, the better we can achieve our “bliss”. Good News: One event that continuous to put Baguio in the national and international limelight for more than six decades now is the annual Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament with its 65th Edition slated on November 19 to December 6 at the world class fairways of Baguio Country Club (BCC) and Camp John Hay. If I’m not mistaken, the event is listed by the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running amateur golf tournament on earth. BCC General Manager Anthony De Leon said a total of 1,225 local and foreign golfers will be participating this year making it the largest so far. BCC President Federico Agcaoili said the tournament’s success can be attributed to the friendship and cooperation among all those involved. He added that a tree-planting activity will be included in support of environmental protection. The city government has an on-going clean and green campaign, by the way. Although some may opine that this event caters only to the elite, it does contribute a great deal to the local economy and tourism industry. The tournament also provides much needed national media exposure for the city during the activity’s duration. It’s more fun and cooler in Baguio! The Israel Embassy’s Deputy of Mission, Adam Levene, was in town last week to open the Israel Film Festival at the Cinematheque in Casa Vallejo, Upper Session Road. He also met with local media during a press conference at Mt. Cloud Bookshop where arts, culture and other issues were discussed. Levene shared that Israelis and Filipinos are resilient people and usually see the brighter side of life despite hardships and love to laugh. “That is why the movies shown during the festival are all comedies,” he explained. Congratulations to Val Red Olsim, a true-blue son of La Trinidad, for having been recently appointed as the first-ever Tourism Officer of Benguet’s capital town. His appointment coupled with the cooperation and support of residents and officials led by Mayor Edna Tabanda, we are sure that La Trinidad’s tourism industry will continue to prosper by leaps and bounds. Cheers! A Magandang Baguio! welcome to visitors of this former Ibaloy pastureland. Let us continue to keep Bag-iw clean and green, strictly observe its anti-littering, smoking, smoke belching and anti-graffiti campaigns and other rules and regulations. Baguio is our home. Baguio is in the heart. We’re on TV, Fridays, 10 a.m., over Skycable Channel 12 for Usapang turismo and give reports on local radio stations when needed. Visit the tourism and special events division, Baguio Convention Center or call 442-1007 for assistance or information. Here’s “Of Mangoes and Mortals” by Haidee Palapar: “I am one for meat./ Jerking skin off,/ my mouth sinking/ right away/ into the essential,/ devouring/ without hesitation./ The feel/ of substance/ making contact/ with the gut,/ overwhelming/ my senses/ to sudden/ gratification./ I am crazy/ for mangoes./ We both are./ Your favorite, the seed,/ the part I pass./ You like taking/ the peel at the sides,/ from end to end,/ in one motion/ without breaking it./ Your mouth/ circling/ the heart,/ nibbling/ the meaty portions./ And when done,/ sucking/ the tiny fibers left/ for the juice./ We fascinate each other,/ one taking,/ the other giving./ Both getting our fill.” (from “Crowns and Oranges” Works by Young Philippine Poets edited by Cirilo F. Bautista and Ken Ishikawa) Until next week and may our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless and keep us all safe.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 08:56:56 +0000
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