LIVING ASIA MEDIA COVERAGE OF CULTURAL AND HERITAGE SITES IN CALABARZON ACTIVITY REPORT In connection with the communiqué sent by the Quezon Provincial Tourism Office (QPTO) to the Sariaya Tourism Council (STC) about the forthcoming Living Asia media coverage of Sariaya’s cultural heritage as part of its CALBARZON production feature, notably the Don Catalino Rodriguez NHI Heritage House, coinciding with an interview with Sariaya’s Global Filipino Artist Ma. Pureza Reynoso Hernandez – Escaño, as well as the forthcoming visit of the new DOT CALABARZON Regional Director Rebecca Reynoso Villnueva – Labit, the STC had an emergency meeting at the Municipal Mayor’s residence on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 12, 2013. As such, and much earlier, STC PRO Eriberto Ricardo J. Dedace had already prepared the activity design of the undertaking which was to serve as the blue print of the preparations. Led by its President, Ms. Rowena Z. Masilang, the STC Board had a very thorough and comprehensive discussion about the details of the promotional undertaking, from the afternoon snack fare to be served down to the tokens to be given to the visitors. As such, the Municipal Tourism Officer – Designate Ms. Grace D. Aldea obtained updates on the undertaking from Mr. JC Constantino, the staff member of the QPTO who was to accompany the visitors. Accordingly, they would be arriving in Sariaya after having lunch at the “Kamayan sa Palaisdaan” in Tayabas City, and a visit to the Provincial Capitol of Quezon in Lucena City. STC Treasurer Ms. Ma. Teresa C. Baligod was assigned to craft the necessary leis to be given to the visitors upon their arrival, just as Sariaya Tourism office staff Mr. Ryanilo A. Racoma was assigned to photo document the proceedings as well as the preparation of the STC audio visual presentation about its year round activities. As agreed upon, the STC and Sariaya Tourism Office staff would be wearing the black shirt printed with the three NHI Heritage Houses of Sariaya. The following morning, Ms. Aldea and Mr. Dedace made the necessary arrangements to prepare the chosen venue for the STC audio visual and the snacks which was the upper level of the Plaza de Shalom Restaurant. Thereafter, they went to the de Gracia’s House of Pasalubong to buy an assortment of Pastillas milk candies included as token for the visitors together with “Pinag-ong” from the Sariaya Bread House. These Sariaya Deli tokens were to be placed in bayong and eco tourism bags purchased from the SARIAYANAS House of Buri at Barangay Gibanga. Arrangements were also done for the preparation of the “Empanada” from Treat Haus Restaurant, Leah’s “Tamales” and the Plaza de Shalom “Canton – Sotanghon” for the afternoon snacks. Furthermore, STC PRO Mr. Danilo P. de Luna and volunteers from the Sariaya Tourism Council Dramatic Guild were tasked to wear Old Sariaya period costumes as part of the simple welcome ceremonies for the arrival of the DOT CALABARZON Regional Director and her staff. At past one in the afternoon, the welcoming party led by Ms. Masilang went to the Don Catalino Rodriguez NHI Heritage House to wait for the guests, while Ms. Aldea coordinated with Mr. Constantino for the whereabouts of the Living Asia production crew. Also present were Ms Baligod, Mr. Dedace, Mr. de Luna, STC BOD members Ms. Susan M. Caballes, Barangay Lutucan I Captain Ms. Juanita Reyes, Ms. Ofelia R. Arpia, STC Secretary Mr. Ruben de Gracia Jr., Sariaya Tourism Staff members Ms. Arlene E. Ona and Mr. Ryanilo A. Racoma, and the members of the STC Dramatic Guild who were helped to don their respective costumes by “Tess” the caretaker of the ancestral house. Ms. Ma. Pureza Escaño soon arrived with her company and to oversee the physical arrangements of her paintings which are fixtures at the first floor of the ancestral house. Later, Ms. Aldea requested Mr. Dedace to proceed to the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church in the company of Mr. Racoma since it will be the first venue of the production shoot. Thereafter, Mr. Constantino and the DOT CALABARZON staff member Mr. Domenic Contreras arrived at the appointed venue with the production crew of Living Asia and Mr. Dedace proceeded to give them the necessary historical information including the legend and story surrounding the town’s beloved and much revered 18th century icon, the “Mahal Na Senyor” Santo Cristo de Burgos, a replica of the original medieval crucifix in Burgos, Spain. He continued annotating for the production crew just as they did their video footages of the 18th century edifice. Thereafter, they proceeded to the Don Catalino Rodriguez NHI Heritage House where Mr. Dedace continued with the necessary historical annotations as the production crew did their task. Before long, DOT Regional Director Ms. Rebecca Villanueva – Labit arrived with Ms. Maritess Castro who is the head of the DOT CALABARZON Accreditation Department for all tourism establishments in the whole Southern Tagalog Region. They were welcomed by the STC led by Ms. Masilang and honored with the ceremonial leis by Mr. de Luna and the STC Dramatic Guild members wearing Old Sariaya costumes. After a brief tour of the place, Regional Director Labit, Ms. Castro and the STC had an informal caucus at the living room of the ancestral house on the task of effectively promoting Sariaya for heritage tourism, just as Ms. Escaño excused herself to go downstairs for her interview feature with the Living Asia production crew. Moreover, the STC was enjoined by them to avail of the various assistance programs being offered by their good office, particularly with the accreditation and training seminars in order to help the STC to effectively promote Sariaya for tourism. Mr. Dedace was later tasked with preparing a formal letter addressed to DOT Regional Director Labit to avail of all the necessary standard operating procedures readily available for all communities within the region like Sariaya which are considerably and richly blessed with such an impressive array of tangible local heritage. With the Living Asia production crew leaving for the last leg of their Sariaya production feature which is the Balai Sadyaya Hotel and Resort at Barangay Balubal, the rest of the party headed for the Plaza de Shalom Restaurant for the afternoon snacks. While enjoying Sariaya’s famous and well – loved deli products like “Tamales”, “Empanada” and “Canton – Sotanghon” with Coke, Mr. Racoma proceeded to show the STC video production for the benefit of Regional Director Labit and her staff. After a delightful and very congenial round of Sariaya promotion – oriented conversations, the visitors said their leave – takings and the STC led by Ms. Masilang thanked them profusely for the great opportunity of having been honored with their most valued and esteemed presence. They were then given the artfully prepared tokens as a further gesture of appreciation, with a whole - hearted invitation to return to grace Sariaya’s major activities in the near future. Prepared by : ERIBERTO RICARDO J. DEDACE PRO Sariaya Tourism Council
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 02:09:21 +0000
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