Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Aklan Welcomes A Sports Hero

The Aklanons especially the Malinaonons unrolled the red carpet as they welcomed one of the members of the famed "Philippine Dragon Boat Federation Team" when he arrived Aklan on Tuesday morning, August 23.

Mayor Wilbert Ariel I. Igoy of Malinao led the welcome party.

Jose "Oting" Ijalo was all smiles when he emerged from the plane that landed at the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) from Manila. From the KIA, Oting went to Malinao, his home town in a long motorcade.

It was a long convoy of vehicles which passed by Poblacion, Kalibo, Numancia, Lezo and finally Malinao.

A brief and simple but meaningful arrival honors was held on the Malinao Town Hall. A press conference followed where Oting shared to the Media and the people of Aklan his struggle, the lessons he learned, some problems and happiness experienced as a member of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation Team which won five (5) gold and two (2) silver medals in the recently held International Dragon Boat Competition in Tampa, Florida, USA.

Oting Ijalo is a native of Manhanip, Malinao, Aklan. He is an enlisted man in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Their success in Tampa, Florida however has invited envies and malicious remarks and defamatory statements from both the Philippines Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission both of which has been assisting and sending athletes to the Olympic games for the last 80 years but never won any gold medal.

And here is the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation Team which the two sports organizations never assisted in any manner is being defamed inspite of their success.
If the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission are barren of good comments for the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation Team, it will be for the best interest of the Philippines to keep their mouths zippered lead by Mr. Peping Cojuangco.

This column wishes to extend our heartfelt thanks to Malinao Mayor Wilbert Ariel I. Igoy for the invitation to join the motorcade and attend the press conference.

Resolution No. 2011 – 184

In Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 2011 – 184 Hon. Selwyn C. Ibaretta sponsored, the SP members, described the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation Team (PDBFT) as "phenomenal and excellent". The stated resolution was approved during the 26th Regular Session on August 10, 2011.

The PDBFT is the current depending champion in the International Dragon Boat Federation Championships where the Filipinos dominated in five rowing events and set two new world records in the IDBF’s 10th World championships.

New Tourist Destination

If plan will push through, New Washington, Aklan will become another tourists destination in Aklan in three to five years.

A multi national group will invest in New Washington which will benefit Batan, Altavas, and Balete as well.

A five star hotel and yacht club will be put up in Polo, New Washington. Golf course will be constructed in Bay-ang, Batan, water sports will be developed using waterways among the four said towns. Cable car will be put up to connect Polo, New Washington with Bay-ang, Batan where a revolving restaurant will be put up. /MP