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Thursday, January 14, 2016

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

Friday, January 1, 2016

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


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