8/13/2019 Zamboanga Del Sur Article Published Manila Bulletin Sept. 29 2013

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Lifestyle F-3Sunday, September 29, 2013By JACKY LYNNE A. OIGA

Photos by JOJIE ALCANTARA

Think of a packaged vaca-

tion and Basilan likely

doesnt come to mind. Nor

will Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Magu-

indanao, and now, Zamboanga City.

For the longest time, issues on

peace and order have hovered over

the region, especially the Autono-mous Regions of Muslim Mindanao

(ARMM), like a dark cloud. Obscur-

ing Mindanaos mega-biodiversity,

exotic wilderness, and mysticism

that seasoned travelers call the

best there is in the Philippine ar-

chipelago. Yet still, not many are

brave enough to come and look.

Virtually unknown to Filipinos,

more so to foreign tourists Basilan

boasts of palm-fringed, powdery

white beaches like the ones in Puer-

to Galera and Boracay. Did you know

that the second largest river in the

Philippines, Rio Grande de Mind-

anao, can be found in Maguindanao

and offers water sports activity and

boat races? Likewise, Tawi-Tawis

Bongao Peak, a veritable monkey

sanctuary in the principal town of

Bongao, provides a view of the ex-

panse of sea and string of islands formiles around.

But just as travel advisories to

ARMM and Zamboanga have since

placed an indelible mark of bad

publicity on the region. Tourism

growth in renowned destinations

like Davao, Siargao, and Cagayan

de Oro continue to flourish.

According to recent figures from

the Department of Tourism (DoT),

the fastest growing regions in Min-

danao are Caraga Region because

of Siargao, Davao City, and Cagayan

De Oro (CDO) City with the re-

cently opened the Laguindingan In-

ternational Airport.

Cloud Nine in Siargao, Surigao

del Norte, the Philippines Surfing

Mecca, has consistently landed

the worlds best surf spots list and

was recently ranked by CNN travel

as the 9thbest in the world. Davaos

majestic Mt. Apo, the highest peak

in the country, continues to attract

local and foreign mountaineers and

nature lovers. In the past five years,

CDO has received a huge influx of

extreme adventure enthusiasts who

travel the city to experience white-

water rafting.

However, tourism stakeholders

in the region fear that the ongoing

Zamboanga crisis can be a potential

threat to the regions fast grow-

ing tourism sector. Two days into

the crisis, travel advisories from

the United States, United Kingdom,

Australia, and Canada have been

issued, advising its respective citi-

zens against any form of travel to

south-west Mindanao and the Sulu

archipelago.

And while the situation in Zam-

boanga persists, Tourism Secretary

Ramon Jimenez Jr. continues to be

vigilant in inspiring local govern-

ment units (LGUs) in Mindanao to

be steadfast in promoting their des-

tinations amid the negative publici-

ties.

My only advice to Mindanao

LGUs is promote, promote, pro-

mote, Jimenez says. Dont let the

media promote your provinces for

you because you cant control what

theyll report. Gather together and

tell our domestic and foreign travel-

ers why they should shun all those

negative news and visit your place.

Convince them yourself.

Echoing the tourism chiefs san-

guinity is DoT IX regional director

Mary June Bugante who refuses to

back down in promoting tourism in

the Zamboanga Peninsula and is

still confident that tourism events

lined up for Zamboanga City this

coming October will push through.

If this crisis is resolved within

the week, were pushing through

with the La Hermosa Festival to

be held on October, Bugante says.

We know theres a possibility that

no one will go, but we need to show

the world that the people of Zam-

boanga will rise again.

Every October, the city cele-

brates the La Hermosa Festival in

honor of the miraculous image of

Our Lady of the Pilar. The festival is

one of the oldest running fiestas in

the country and is the most awaited

local event in Zamboanga Penin-

sula.

Zamboanga City is also the ven-

ue of the 9thPhilippine Bird Festival,

an annual international event orga-

nized by the Wild Bird Club of the

Philippines, happening on October

4-5 at the Paseo del M ar. More than

200 Wild Bird Club members from

all over the country are expected to

join the event as well as members of

other wild bird clubs in the ASEAN

region.

If the Wild Bird Club of the Phil-

ippines will continue to support us,

we would also want to push through

with this event, Bugante shares.

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary

for International Tourism Promo-

t i o n s

B e n i t o

Bengzon

Jr. says

t h a t

w h i l e

the DoT

respects

the trav-

el warn-

ings is-

sued by

va ri ou s

e mba s -

sies to

the Phil-

ippines,

he is

c o n f i -

dent that

foreign

travelers are now more open-mind-

ed when booking their trips.

These tourists go to the inter-

net to do their own research. Most

of them now book their own pack-

ages. And they see for themselves

that not all of Mindanao is unsafe,

Bengzon adds.

As Catholics celebrate the

Holy Rosary Month of Oc-

tober, Green Faith Travels

brings Marian devotees

to Pangasinan for its second Pil-

grimage of Faith and Heritage to

three major churches on Saturday,

October 19.

Pilgrims will visit the Shrine of

Our Lady of the Rosary in Manaoag

and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint

John the Evangelist in Dagupan City,

where they may obtain papal blessings

and plenary indulgence.

The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary

of Manaoag and the Cathedral Parish of

Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist

were granted the Special Bond of Spiri-

tual Affinity in April 2011 and February

2012, respectively, by two of only four pa-

pal basilicas in the world: Papal Basilicaof Saint Mary Major and Papal Basilica

of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

The Catholic faithful who visit and

pray in these churches gain the spiritual

benefits of the Church as if they actually

visited these papal basilicas located in

Rome.

Pilgrims will also visit the Parish of

Saints Peter and Paul. Popularly known

as Calasiao Church, the parish is one of

only 33 colonial churches in the country

declared a National Cultural Treasure

by the National Commission for Culture

and the Arts (NCCA).

Calasiao Church, one of the largest

in the province, is the second oldest yet

well-preserved Baroque-style church in

Pangasinan with its centuries-old arti-

facts, painted ceilings, a prized retablo

behind the altar, bell tower, bricked front

wall, and a convent.

Pilgrims will also visit the Shrine of

Seor Divino Tesoro (Divine Treasure)

across the church of Calasiao. The most

divine image of our Lord Jesus Cruci-

fied is venerated by the faithful who

have received or are seeking His divine

help and blessings.

Pilgrimage tour cost of P2,500 per

person includes round-trip transport via

air-conditioned tourist bus, breakfast,

lunch, snacks, water, juice packs and a

pilgrims kit.

For schedules and details, inquire

with Judit Mangahis and Edwin Galvez

at 0917-667-2942 or 0928-431-2087, email

gre enf ait htr ave ls@g mai l.c om and

greenfaithtravels@yahoo.com or visit

www.facebook.com/greenfaithtravels.

Marian PilgrimageFacade ofSaint Johnthe EvangelistCathedral

Saints Peter and Paul ParishChurch, Calasiao, Pangasinan

Altar of Parish of Saints Peterand Paul in CalasiaoAltar of Cathedral of St. John the

Evangelist in Dagupan City

White Beach in Tabina Zambo Sur

On The Brink Of Strife

On The Brink Of Strife

Tourism in Mindanao continues to grow amidst conflicts

Tourism in Mindanao continues to grow amidst conflicts