On the Dot
By Atty. Helen Camarista

1st Shrine Fiesta of Nuestra Sra. De La Candelaria

Let's congratulate and join the San Isidro Labrador Parish in Barangay Navalas, Buenavista, Guimaras as it celebrates on April 8, 9 & 10, 2005 the 1st Shrine Fiesta of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, crowned Patroness of Western Visayas. The event marks the culmination and highlight of the devotion to Our Lady of Candles launched last year among the 10 barangays (villages) of San Isidro Labrador Parish with a 9-month novena and procession at the shrine in the Marian Garden situated in Barangay San Miguel, Buenavista, Guimaras.

Initiated by Fr. Mario Enarsao, San Isidro Labrador Parish Priest, the 1st Shrine Fiesta has the following activities:

April 8 - Friday

7:00 AM – Procession
10:00 AM – Healing Mass
2:00 PM - Sports Games
6:00 M - Movie at the Plaza

April 9- Saturday

5:00 AM – Dawn Rosary at the Shrine
7:00 AM - Mass
10:00 AM – Spors Games
4:00 PM – Movies
6:00 PM - Choir Contest

April 10 - Sunday

9:00 AM – High Mass
10:30 AM – Fluvial Procession
11:00 AM – Games
3:00 AM - Awarding of Prizes

Movie

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Kulinarya

The Department of Tourism in coordination with Asia Society, Center for International Trade, Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP) is developing a Kulinarya Program in an effort to promote the Philippines as a culinary destination. The Department of Tourism Region VI, has involved the local government units in Western Visayas through their own tourism officers to come up with the various components of this program that include the standardization and styling of signature Filipino dishes.

Among the most important components of the Kulinarya Program the DOT Region VI expect the local government units in the region to be seriously involved in is the development of culinary tours (food trips) for promotion here and abroad.

There are a number of considerations that should be included when coming up with a culinary tour. Of course, it should always start with a visit to the local community for tour participants to learn more about the history, local culture and culinary traditions of the place. A visit to a local market is another must to give participants an opportunity to look at the most popular ingredients, take a peek at the way of life of the local people. The tour should provide opportunities for shopping at the local public markets, food stalls, processing plants and pasalubong centers. Interactive activities should be integrated in the tour to make it more experiential and exciting. Participants may be brought to a farm or location where the most popular ingredients are sourced. They may also engage in fishing, fruit/vegetable picking, crab harvesting, animal feeding and other activities.

Food sampling/tasting activities should be another exciting tour component. Traditional food settings may also be demonstrated to the participants spiced with interesting food stories to boot. If possible, a food basket give-away may be given to the participants as part of the tour package. A cooking demonstration where participants should be properly briefed on the ingredients, history of the dish and related stories should form the highlight of the tour. The participants should also be given the chance to assist in the preparation of the local dishes. Recipe hand-outs and aprons with a standard kulinarya design should be included among the give-away.