TARA NA SA AKLAN CONVENTION

By: John Patrick Visca

ATTS TEAM

The STI College, Kalibo Travel Management Department and Association of Travel and Tourism Students, in partnership with the Aklan Provincial Tourism Office under the Aklan Provincial Office, in cooperation with the Aklan Tourism Officers Association (AKTOA), Aklan Kamera Organization (AKO) and Cebu Pacific held recently a mini-convention TARA NA SA AKLAN: “A showcase of Aklan’s Best for Sustainable Tourism”, on March 5, 2015 at the ABL Sports complex, Kalibo, Aklan. 

That was an annual project of the students taking up Bachelor of Science in Travel Management, major Tourism under Prof. Megs S. Lunn, STI College, Kalibo, Aklan. The project aims to intensify the students’ awareness on the Tourism Updates in Aklan and the best it can offer their future; to gain understanding of tourism best practices, the role of the students in sustainable development and in recognizing their importance and significance to their future. 

Ms. Roselle Q. Ruiz – Aklan Provincial Tourism Officer discussed “The Best of Aklan Updates; Hon. Soviet Russia Dela Cruz of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan presented the Cultural Tourism; One Visayas, Our Future by Mr. Mark Vernon C. Dioquino of the Department of Tourism- Region VI; and Mr. Edric C. Calma, WOW Knowledge Channel Host and Program Director for Transmedia of Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc., Manila presented the Role of Media for Sustainable Tourism.

“Tourism is still the major driving force in the province of Aklan. Boracay as the center and economic driver of Aklan Tourism industry, which generates a whooping income of Php 40,705,013,547 in 2014 according to the Department of Tourism. To date, Boracay is Asia’s Cruise Haven with 9 Cruise ships in 2014 and more coming up this 2015, Traveler’s Best Choice in Asia and the venue for the upcoming APEC Ministerial meetings, to name a few. Aklan is beyond sand, sound and fiber, according to Ms. Ruiz.

AKTOA

Hon. Dela Cruz showed the features of Kalibo’s sights, sounds and fibers. Most importantly, he inculcated to the delegates the importance of our Aklan’s history and culture. He also introduced the important historical landmarks of Kalibo and Aklan as a whole. Moreover, he cited Aklanon great men like martyrs and patriots, the great Filipino Jurist – Victorino Mapa, the 2nd Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines and one of the most brilliant Jurists of the Philippines. Victorino Mapa served the Philippine Revolutionary Government. The early Church Pillar Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes, the first Filipino Archbishop of the Philippines, built the major seminary in San Carlos, Cebu and built in 1948 the St. John The Baptist Cathedral at Php250,000 only from his own pocket. The Prince of the Catholic Church, the late Cardinal Jaime L. Sin who became a Cardinal at age 48; Pastor Martelino served as the Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy, selected by the late Pres. Manuel Quezon and Gen. Douglas Mc Arthur; the Ferocious Japanese Fighter Jesus M. Jizmundo, a gallant soldier who displayed great courage. He fought 22 battles against the Japanese forces in Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo provinces during World War II; the Bearding Lion Gil M. Mijares, who died a painful but glorious death in upholding the Code of Conduct, fought with vigor and honor against the cry of his mother; educator and writer Beato A. Dela Cruz, first Kalibonhon to become Division Superintendent of Schools of Aklan Ministry of Education, an author and local historian and the Father of Aklan- Godofredo P. Ramos, who authored Rep. Act 1414 which effected the separation of Aklan as an independent province from Capiz on April 25, 1956.

The Department of Tourism, Region VI has its vision of One Visayas: Our Future where they wish that all local tourists will learn to appreciate and love their own. That our people will no longer seek for more pleasure and sights outside of our own. Rather, look around them at their own locality, discover and find the best of our locality, embrace to develop it and eventually market it to others by loving the idea that would start from them. 

One Visayas is promoting all not just one popular sights and beyond what we can offer. Mr. Mark Vernon encouraged all the participants to learn how to observe the best practices of other places and eventually apply and even improve it better for the tourist to keep coming back. He also shared how to appreciate our own traditions and customs, our own local food/delicacies, handmade products and our hospitality which make us unique.

 Communication is the life blood in tourism. It requires a positive feature and words of mouth too. The attitude of how we say it, the content of the issues and the structure of presentation mean a lot. Mass media proves its potency to create awareness, affects feelings and attitudes, influences future behavior and causes or triggers the audience to react positively to your medium and products presented.  To attempt to promote sustainability, tourism must  challenge the senses of the target market, it must be honest, authentic, use proper channel and must have a life of its own. The Role of Media for Sustainable Tourism was discussed by Calma. “Endorsement can make a place,” he pointed out.

The event also highlighted the Festival of Costumes Parade of the 17 Municipalities of the province of Aklan rendered by selected first year BSTRM students. The exhibits/showcase of Aklan’s Best products of local tourism was featured by AkToa while AKO the tourism sights in photographs.

The STI College – Bachelor of Science in Travel Management Third Year of the Travel Management Department and its member team from 1st year to 2nd year BSTRM led by ATTS current president -  Esrah Jem Gutierrez organized the Mini Convention “Tara Na Sa Aklan”. /MP