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8/13/2019 Zamboanga Del Sur Article Published Manila Bulletin Sept. 29 2013
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Yellow Magenta Cyan Black
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
[email protected] 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