ON THE DOT
By Atty. Helen Camarista

Back and recharged

Happy New Year to one and all!

It's so nice to be back after a 3-issue absence from TNT. Going on leave from all official and professional work afforded me an opportunity to attend to family affairs, Christmas parties, visit the Jaro Agro-Industrial Fair, take active role in the 2 nd Grand Reunion of the Camarista Clan last December 19 at Mina, Iloilo and, certainly, reflect on the massive destruction on lives and properties brought about by typhoons and floods in northern Luzon and tsunami in some Asian and African countries. Let's pray for the victims and survivors of these calamities.

I am back and recharged just as the rest of 15-strong personnel complement of the Department of Tourism Region VI led by Regional Director Edwin G. Trompeta is back after the long holiday recharged to face new year. Yes, another year filled with planned programs and projects, exciting activities and definitely, a lot of surprises that make working in this mini Department of Tourism in the Western Visayas region all the more satisfying. Mind you, the 15 employees I mentioned include the two employees assigned in Boracay.

The regional offices of the Department of Tourism are mini DOTs in their respective areas of coverage. Why do I say this? The DOT Region VI promotes international tourism. This is the task of Bureau of International Tourism Promotion. DOT Region VI promotes, organizes, assists and supports conventions and conferences. This is the mandate of the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation we do in the region. The Department of Tourism Region VI office houses and the Regional Director administratively supervises travel tax collection/exemption functions of the Philippine Tourism Authority. DOT Region VI is in the forefront of domestic tourism promotion. This is the job of the Bureau of Domestic Tourism Promotion. The regional offices are under the Tourism Services and Regional Offices sector of the DOT which is in charge of inspection, classification and accreditation of tourism-oriented and related establishments. But these regional offices perform the functions of the DOT, it's bureaus and attached agencies for the simple reason that they are in the regional offices' mandate and the bureaus and attached agencies mentioned do not have offices in the regions.

All of the foregoing functions make working in, with and for the Department of Tourism Region VI very exciting. No two working days are the same. One has an array of things to do everyday that can be aligned to one or two of the office's thrusts. It allows employees to be versatile, develop new skills and make friends for the DOT and the country. How much are we paid for all these? Well, not in dollars but decent enough especially if one lives a modest life. Call it impossible but sometimes we can't believe we are paid for doing this job!

San Joaquin 's 95 th Municipal Fiesta

The municipality of San Joaquin, some 50 kilometers south of Iloilo City, celebrates its 9 th Municipal Fiesta on January 10-15 this year with the theme "Enriched Cultural Heritage: Pillar of Peace, Unity and Progress". The weeklong festivities showcase festivals and rituals that the celebrated in the municipality at various times of the year.

Launching the fiesta is Bayluhay Festival with its grand parade highlighted by eleven (11) colorful floats and street dancing that depict the ancient rituals and traditions of the area.

According to San Joaquin's Mayor Ninfa S. Garin, the remarkable elements of the festivities include Pamaybayon , organized by the fisherfolks of the locality and features sea and sand events; Adlaw sang Bandi (Day of Bandi ), where 50 manogbandi (peanut candy makers) in the community will be making the biggest bandi (peanut candy) covering an area of 105 square meters; Juego de Anillo (Game of the Rings, an ancient courtship ritual in the hinterlands of San Joaquin. The highlight of the event is the Pasungay Festival, featuring bull derby, caraabao fight and Paupas Kabayo (horse fight) and the coronation of the fiesta queen.

San Joaquin is one of the eco-tourism and histo-cultural destinations of the country. It has always enchanted visitors with its traditions that have been kept alive by its people.