Henry Baviera: Tiangge King
Henry Barviera: Tiangge King
Baviera recently received the Urban Leadership Award from the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI)
* He also created the Lombija Wildlife Research Foundation, Inc. which is a haven of conservationist bio-diversity and ecology and model eco-tourism destination in Guimaras
Henry Baviera thought of organizing a modern Filipino tiangge in the early 1980s in order to raise the status of small and medium Filipino entrepreneurs while promoting the world-class quality of our products and craftsmanship.
He started this with a trade exposition "Likhang Filipinas (Philippine Creations)" at the Harrison Plaza.
Then, he established Prime Asia Trade Planners and Convention Organizer (PATEPCO) for the purpose of exhibiting the Filipino ingenuity. This gathered together the country's small and medium entrepreneurs coming from various regions. One of the venues was Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan, giving rise to tiangge stalls in these areas. Thus, he was called the "Tiangge King" and "Dean of Philippine Trade Fairs and Exhibitions."
Then, he launched the Fronte Verde Tiendesitas (Small Villages in a green Frontier) simply known as Tiendesitas in nearby Pasig City. This consists of different villages that showcase varied Philippine-made crafts, arts, delicacies, footwear, leather goods, garments, pets and gardens.
Then, he put up Mana Manila and Mana Davao. These are showrooms that house his art pieces.
He also created the Lombija Wildlife Research Foundation, Inc. which is a haven of conservationist bio-diversity and ecology and model eco-tourism destination in Guimaras. This was borne out of his dream for a modern Garden of Eden where man and Nature could commune in peace and unity, nurturing and providing for each other's needs.
The Lombija Project is located at Sitio Lombija, Barangay Sto. Domingo, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras set on a 42 hectares property of the Lombija Wildlife Research Foundation, Incorporated headed by Babiera as President and Chairman of the Board.
This started in 2002 under a program entitled Total and Intensified Governance of the Environment for Educational Research (TIGER), in coordination with the Department of Environment and natural Resources (DENR) and Natural Resources (DENR), the Project features the following:
Wildlife Research and Breeding Center – an institution that conducts inventory and research studies on the flora-fauna diversity and the environment through facilities as library, laboratory, hospital and kitchen-food preparation area.
Botanical Garden – a complex that features a variety of species of ornamental palms, orchids, forest and fruit trees set in their pristine natural state and serve as natural habitat for the animals that can be found in the area.
Zoological Park – a complex that displays different species of live animals portraying the richness of Philippine biodiversity co-existing and in harmony with nature. Selected fauna, both endemic and exotic, are exhibited in their natural habitat and also in simulated conditions.
Heritage Plaza – a complex that exhibits the cultural heritage artifacts and visual arts utilizing standard and internationally-accepted museographical principles and techniques. It depicts lifestyles in a given period in the Philippine history. An amphitheater for cultural performances and a chapel for worship, meditation and reflection within the heritage complex complete the presentation of Philippine cultural heritage. Highlights in the chapel are the large ivory crucifix and the image of Our Lady of Nueva Valencia.
Mountain Resort – Provides support facilities for eco-tourism with the lodging, accommodation, food, sports and recreational services. The safari to barn motifs design of the lodging houses give ambience of the bucolic and folksy environment suggesting peace, tranquility and relaxation away from the hassle and bustle of urban living.
Guimaras Governor Rahman Nava commended Baviera for his support to Guimaras.
He said that Baviera has the following contributions to his hometown: An average annual increase of 25% tourist arrival from 2000 to 2005 bringing an increased in tourism receipts from P50M in 2001 to P159M in 2004 and P204.3M in 2005; doubled investment from P68M in 2004 to P136M in 2005; the Lombija Project generated jobs to more than 100 Guimarasnon consisting 14 regular staff and the rest are contractuals, which had contributed much to improved quality of life; Guimaras was delisted from the CLUB 20- poorest provinces in the Philippines as identified in KALAHI Program; more income was generated by tourism industry players such as transportation sectors, restaurants and eateries, tour guides, resort owners and the like; and developed and enhanced tourism and trade personnel's knowledge and competence of the Province of Guimaras in implementing travel expositions/ marts, fairs and exhibits.
Nava added that because of his efforts, Guimaras was adjudged the Grand Slam Winner for the Best Destination Booth Provincial Category. Then, his underwater video documentary of Guimaras' marine resources on May 18 to 21, 2006 had given the Provincial Government enough information on the abundance of the Guimaras' waters before the Oil Spill Tragedy.
Baviera recently received the Urban Leadership Award from the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI). This is the second holding of the Urban Leadership Awards. This honors those who have made outstanding contributions to the enhancement of the public realm and the quality of life in the Metro Iloilo-Guimaras area.
There are 10 awardees from Iloilo City. They are Baviera, Sonia Cadornigara, Ma. Luisa "Marissa" Segovia, Edgar Sia for individual awardees and Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Incorporated, Iloilo Washington Commercial, Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center (JASAC), SM Waste Market Fair, Taytay sa Kauswagan and Callbox, for the organization awardees.