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The PAL TOPIC Magazine, PALakbayan Tours

And PAL’s Total Effort in Promoting Philippine Tourism

By Apolinario Villalobos

TOPIC which stood for “Tours and Promotions Information Office” was the publication conceived by the Marketing and Sales- Philippines during the time of Mr. Ricardo Paloma as a tool for the promotion and “selling” of the tourist destinations; festivals; tourist facilities such as restaurants, hotels, pensions, transport services; festivals; outdoor sports such as mountaineering, spelunking (cave exploration), bird watching, trekking, scuba diving; festivals; dive spots and mountains. It was administered by Mr. Vic Bernardino, the Manager of the Tours and Promotions Division. The early issues were edited by Alex Enrile, which was later on taken over by this writer. The magazine is the epitome of the typical Filipino “bayanihan” or cooperation spirit, as the whole staff of the Division contributed their skills to make every issue interesting.

As if by coincidence, the staff of the Division had various expertise in the fields of scuba diving, mountain climbing, cave exploration and birdwatching, not to mention outdoor photography. Thelma Villaseἧor was for instance, a scuba diver and mountain climber, and so were Ed Buensuceso, John Fortes, Reggie Constantino, Bong Velasco, and Julio Luz, Jr.  Aside from diving and climbing, John Fortes and Ed Buensuceso were also spelunkers (cave explorers), who pioneered the exploration and mapping of the Palawan Underground River (formerly, St. Paul Subterranean Park), with the help of a caving team from Europe.

Ed Buensuceso, together with the Kennedy National Geographic Team recorded the first-ever in-flight mating and breeding of the Philippine Eagle (formerly, Monkey-eating Eagle), for which close coordination was made with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Baracatan Breeding Station in Sta. Cruz, Davao City. For such effort, the Department of Tourism-Davao was also involved. On the other hand, John Fortes was exerting his own effort in promoting mountaineering in the country, the penultimate of which was the organization of all mountaineering clubs into the National Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines (NMFP).

Mayie Santos an intrepid writer who was among the original staff of the Division contributed her share of effort by attending festivals and making reviews on resorts, pension homes, hotels and restaurants. Even Vic Bernardino, the Manager, would lend a hand in gathering information as needed, by attending important touristic activities. Furthermore, the staff was also trained to speak in seminars on Philippine tourism aided with slides presentation and handouts. Information given to participants were first-hand, hence, even the Department of Tourism, the UP Asian Institute of Tourism, embassies, consulates, tour and travel organizations, and educational institutions would request for the group’s assistance.

Later, in line with the tourism-centered effort of the airline, Mr. Paloma also conceived the PALakbayan Tour Program which consolidated all the efforts, this time, with the cooperation of the domestic stations. The program was divided into several “modules” such as Excursion, Education and Culture, Conventions and Seminars, and Sports. During this time, the exhaustive endeavor in exploring tourist spots was doubled, bringing to light non-traditional destinations such Sorsogon, Romblon, Mamburao, Palawan, Fuga Island, etc. Development of outdoor activities which were new among local tourists involving study of butterflies, migratory habits of birds, and culture of tribal communities were also developed to stir their interest. Schools were encouraged to consult the office for their planned educational tour program and other out-of-town activities, for which PAL stations were tapped for assistance.

The PALakbayan Tour Program virtually catered to all the needs of air-travelers within the country…the airline’s proud legacy to the industry, and considered as “Asia’s First Airline”, which initially operated using rehabilitated post-war DC-3’s.

Rediscover the Philippines

Through Scuba Diving

By Apolinario Villalobos

The Philippine archipelago that comprises  more than seven thousand islands and islets, is something to behold from air – islands fringed with white beaches, rolling hills, mountains capped with green, with some hills and valleys showing patches of green and brown ,  strewn between the Pacific Ocean and China Sea. During the 80’s, the joint effort of the national government and the private sector comprised of Philippine Airlines, scuba diving outfits and travel agencies, resulted to the creation of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving, with the Special Committee for the Development and Promotion of Underwater Diving Tourism as its action arm. From the end of Philippine Airlines, the representative was its Tours and Promotions Division, with its personnel, Edgar Buensuceso, Julio Luz and Thelma Villaseῆor. That was the outlook of dive tourism when the industry was yet, kicking high.

Today, with or without joint effort between the government and private sector, the country deserves to be re-discovered because of the vast paradise that covers its ocean floor. With some 34,000 square kilometers of coral reef, the Philippines could well be dubbed as the scuba diver’s haven. From the northern islands down to the atolls of the south, what the country brags virtually make it the ultimate destination for this aquatic sport. The geography of the country may make one’s movement seemed hampered. But who cares if at the end of a grueling cruise or a combined air and land travel a submarine paradise beckons?

If one may start with the northern islands, there’s Fuga to try. It is a part of the northernmost province – Batanes. Then going down to Pangasinan, there’s Santiago Island off Bolinao. On the eastern cost of northern Luzon are Polilio Islands of Quezon Province. All these are accessible via land transport, except for Fuga, going to which would need a chartered plane.

South of Manila are dive sites which are accessible via Batangas City. The veritable subaquatic gardens of Nasugbu, Balayan Bay, Verde Island, Anilao coast, and Sigayan Bay, practically fringe the coast of Batangas province.

Mindoro, an island of two provinces south of Batangas, also has colorfully-alive marine parks to offer. These areas are those around Lubang Islands, Apo Reef and Semirara, all on the western side of Mindoro. On the eastern side are the equally colorful coral beds of Puerto Galera and Buyallo.

Marinduque, the “Moriones Island”, has Tres Reyes and Mompog to offer. The island province is accessible by air and combined land and water transport, either through Lucena City or Gasan.

The surrounding waters of Visayas region are replete with motley colonies of corals inhabited by pelagic fishes. Romblon, for instance, has Dos Hermanas and Cresta de Gallo; Antique and Aklan with their Batbatan and Boracay.  Cresta de Gallo and Sicogon Islands of Iloilo, also have memorable dive experience to offer, and there’s yet, Nagas Island to complete this old province’s list of dive spots.

A marine sanctuary, Sumilon Island, is easily reached from Dumaguete City, although, it is geographically part of Cebu. The sanctuary is being maintained by the Silliman University. Another island which is frequented by divers in this part of the country is Apo which is also just a short distance from Dumaguete.

Cebu, the country’s seat of Christianity prides in its dive sites that attract hordes of divers throughout the year, except for Capitancillo, an islet which is at its best from April to October. From Mactan Island in the north to Pescador Island  in the southwest and the Danajon Banks, there seemed to be not just enough time for exploration. A popular snorkeling and diving destination among shoestring-budget tourists in this island is Moalboal which is noted for its laid back atmosphere.

From Cebu, Bohol is just a few hours on a ferry. This Chocolate Hills-famed island-province has added two of its islets, Cabilao and Panglao to the already long list of destinations which divers have been frequenting. Both are resplendent with colorful marine life throughout the year. Aside from the ferries from Cebu, the island-province is also accessible from Manila on regular daily flights.

The diagonally-lying island of Palawan is gifted by Nature with atolls and islets, some of which are not yet thoroughly explored. These are the Calamianes Island, Cuyo Islands, Cagayan Islands, Green Island Bay, Bacuit Bay, Ulugan Bay, Honda Bay, Balabac Island, Taytay Bay, and Tubbataha Reef. Down south in Mindanao, divers will delight in Davao’s Talikud Island, Zamboanga’s Sta. Cruz Island and the island sanctuary of Camiguin.

Most of the dive sites in the Philippines are yet in their unspoiled stage, thanks to their almost impossible accessibility. The rest, however, are frequently visited, so that concerned local governments have already started to impose strict regulations.

Interested parties are advised to make advance arrangement with dive shops if they intend to visit islands and reefs so that necessary coordination and clearances can be made with concerned government agencies. Dive packages are also offered by some tour agencies. Some resorts, however, such as those in Anilao (Batangas), Boracay,  and Puerto Galera,  offer on- the- spot arrangements. Seaside hotels Cebu can  assist visitors with their dive requirements.

With tourism as among the last resort revenue earning industries of the Philippines, much effort is exerted by both the national government through the Department of Tourism and the different concerned private sectors in regulating it along the line of ecology.

Palawan

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Kilala ang Palawan na probinsiyang “iniiwasan” daw ng bagyo, kaya marami ang nahikayat noon na bumili ng lupang tirahan at sakahan dito. Kapantay ng bansag na ito ang pagkilala bilang kinaroroonan ng Iwahig Penal Colony na tinaguriang “biggest borderless reformatory institution” ng bansa. Subali’t ang ayaw pa ring patalong mga bansag ay “isla ng mga exotic na hayop”, at balwarte ng mga lamok na may malaria.

Isa sa mga kailangang gawin bago pumunta sa Palawan ay ang magpabakuna ng anti-malaria. Napasyalan ko ang probinsiya noong panahon na late ‘70s. Ang airport ng Philippine Airlines ay nasa Puerto Princesa, ang kabisera ng probinsiya. Lunsod na ito noong panahong pumasyal ako, subali’t kapansin-pasin ang kawalan ng mga development na angkop sa nasabing kategorya. Walang malalaking gusali at ang ginagamit na pampublikong sasakyan sa loob ng lunsod ay traysikel…walang taksi. Sa kabila ng lahat, kapansin-pansin ang kalinisan. Tahimik at mapayapa ang pamumuhay…at lalong walang problema sa droga.

Sa kabuuhan, bilang islang probinsiya, ang Palawan ay hitik sa mga pang-akit na likas na yaman na makikita sa labas ng lunsod ng Puerto Princesa. Batay sa kasaysayan, pinangalanan ng mga Tsinong mangangalakal ang isla bilang Pa-lao-yu (land of beautiful safe harbor). Nang dumating ang mga Kastila, pinangalanan itong Paragua (umbrella) dahil ang hugis ng isla ay kahalintulad sa isang nakatiklop na payong. Palawan ang ika-limang pinakamalaking isla ng Pilipinas. Ang pinakamataas na bahagi ng isla ay ang Mt. Matalingahan (6,839 ft. a.s.l) sa dulong katimugan.

Mas maraming hayop na kapareho ng mga nasa Borneo ang matatagpuan, kesa ibang bahagi ng Pilipinas dahil pinaniwalaang noong Pleistocene Period, pinagdugtong ang dalawang isla ng tinatawag na “land bridge”. Maraming dapo (orchids)  at pako (ferns) ang matatagpuan sa isla na hindi makikita sa iba pang bahagi ng Pilipinas. Sa bisa ng Presidential  Proclamation No. 219 na may petsang ika-2 ng Hulyo, 1967, ang kabuuan ng Palawan ay idineklarang “game refuge and bird sanctuary” o kanlungan ng mga maiilap na hayop at ibon. Kasama sa mga pinoprotektahan ang mouse deer, scaly anteater, Palawan Bear,Palawan peackok pheasant, siete colores, mga kalapating ligaw tulad ng balud o camaso, makukulay na loro, mynah, mga agila, at marami pang iba.

Ang Palawan ay may 81 iba’t ibang grupo ng kultura at lahi. Ayon sa kasaysayan, ang mga  unang tumira sa isla ay galing sa Borneo, na sinundan ng mga Muslim na galing sa Malaysia na nagpasakop ng ilang bahagi nito sa Sultan ng Borneo. Sumunod ang mga Tsinong mangangalakal, na sinundan ng mga Kastila.

Ang 8 cultural communities ng Palawan ay Tagbanua, Palawan, Batac, Konoy o Ken-uy, Calamian, Molbog, Jama-Mapun, at Tausug. Ang mga Cuyunos o mga taal na ipinanganak sa Palawan ang dominanteng grupo sa isla. Ang mayamang kultura ng Palawenos sa kabuuhan ay makikita sa mga ritual at pagdiriwang tulad ng ati-ati, comedia, tambura, sayaw, sinulog, erkay at inocentes. Ang madalas na pasyalang komunidad ng mga natives ay ang matatagpuan sa Aborlan na 69 kilometers ang layo mula sa lunsod ng Puerto Princesa.

Ang St. Paul Subterranean Park, na kalauna’y tinawag na Puerto Princesa Underground River, ay mararating sa loob ng isa at kalahating oras na biyahe mula sa lunsod hanggang sa Bahile, kung saan ay sasakay ng “pumpboat” na bibiyahe naman ng dalawang oras. Ang Tabon Caves na tinaguriang “Cradle of Philippine Civilization” ay matatagpuan sa Lipuon Point na sakop ng Quezon, 149 kilometro mula sa lunsod. Dito natagpuan ang pinakamatandang bungo ng unang Pilipino, mga banga at tapayan na ang kalumaan ay abot pa noong nakaraang 890 B.C at 710 B.C.

Ang Ursula Island na tinaguriang paraiso ng mga ibon ay kilala na sa buong mundo lalo na sa mga taga- Europe na birdwatchers. Isa itong bahura na may manipis na gubat na kanlungan ng mga ibon galing sa ibang bansa na nagpapalipas ng taglamig. Mararating ito sa pamamagitan ng “pumpboat” mula sa Bataraza, sa loob ng dalawang oras. Ang Bataraza naman ay mararating sa loob ng pitong oras mula sa lunsod kung gagamit ng uupahang sasakyan. Ang isa pang isla ng mga ibon kung saan ay maaari ring mag-scuba dive ay ang Tubbataha Reef. Nababanggit ito ngayon dahil sa sumadsad na barko ng US Navy na sumira ng isang bahagi nito. Kailangan ang permiso bago pumunta sa Tubbataha Reef.

Ang iba pang nakakaakit na maaaring pasyalan sa Palawan ay ang Bugsuk Island, na dalawang oras na sakay sa “pumpboat” ang layo mula sa Balabac; Busuanga Island kung saan ay matatagpuan ang isang pearl farm at rantso ng baka; Calawit Island na tinitirhan ng mga hayop mula sa Kenya, Africa; Coron Island na tanyag sa mga handicraft na produkto, at kung saan ay matatagpuan din ang Maquinit Hot Spring, Lake Cabugao, Siete Pecados, at Cayangan lake.

Ang isa pang sikat sa buong mundo na ngayon at may resort na ay El Nido. Ito ay may layong 147.6 nautical miles mula sa lunsod ng Puerto Princesa, at dito matatagpuan ang mga kweba na pinamamahayan ng mga balinsasayaw na gumagawa ng mga pugad nila sa pamamagitan ng laway. Ang mga pugad na ito ay may mataas na halaga at binibili ng mga kainang tsino para ilutong “bird’s nest”. Ang pangunguha ng pugad ay pinagbabawal ng batas, subali’t may mga nakakalusot pa rin na nagsasabing wala silang maaaring pagkitaang iba kundi ang pangunguha nito na lubha ring delikado dahil kailangang mangunyapit sa mga nakausling maliliit na bato sa gilid ng kuwebang madilim. Improvised “headlight” ang gamit ng mga nangunguha upang mailawan maski bahagya ang gilid ng kuweba.

Ang isa sa mga makasaysayang kastilaing palatandaan naman ay ang Taytay Spanish Fort na matatagpuan sa bayan ng Taytay, 117.2 nautical miles mula sa lunsod. Ang iba pang pang-akit ng Taytay ay Malampaya Sound, Lake Danao, Elephant Island at Manguoa Lake. Ang isa pang palatandaan ng nakaraang kastilaing kultura ay ang Cuyo Spanish Church na meron ding daungan. Matatagpuan ito sa isla ng Cuyo na 152 nautical miles mula sa lunsod.

Ang Palawan ay itinuturing na huling hangganan o last frontier ng Pilipinas. Mabilis ang pag-unlad nito ngayon, subali’t sinasabayan ng ilang bisyo na karaniwang nakikita sa mas malalaking lunsod tulad ng Maynila. Nadagdagan ang popularity ng Palawan nang mahirang ang Puerto Princesa Underground River na isa sa walong nakakamanghang tanawin sa buong mundo, at ilang beses na ring nanalo bilang pinakamalinis na lunsod sa buong Pilipinas. Ang mga pinakatanyag na mga pasalubong na maaaring mabili sa Palawan ay mga daing na isda at kasoy.

Pinaalalahanan ang may balak pumunta sa Palawan na magpabakuna muna ng anti-malaria. May mga maliliit na domestic airlines ang maaaring sakyan papunta sa mga isla tulad ng Coron at El Nido. Ang iba namang airlines ay sa airport ng Puerto Princesa lumalapag.

Hospitality

…essence of Philippine Tourism

By Apolinario Villalobos

Big cities in the Philippines have sufficient rooms for tourists, provided by lodging inns and multiple star hotels. But this is not so for towns and villages that are visited by tourists during the summer months which are the season for fiestas, and even year-round for some, as in the case of destinations that boast of natural attractions such as mountains, caves, swift white rivers, as well as,  indigenous flora and fauna.

During the ‘70s which was the peak of tourist promotion effort of Philippine Airlines through its Tours and Promotions Division of Marketing and Sales-Philippines (MSP), the “hospitality home” was conceived by the think tank group of Vic Bernardino who heads the said division. The concept which was integrated in the PALakbayan Tour Program was supported by the late, Mr. Ricardo Paloma, the then, Regional Vice-President of MSP. The concept was laid down for appreciation and implementation of local governments which extended their full support. Along with this concept was also the promotion of the “backyard tourism”. To differentiate it from commercialized tourism, the “backyard tourism” was the small-scale tourism-related business that far-flung towns and villages operated in line with the Department of Tourism’s effort to drum up the attractions of the country.

Among the popular destinations that overflowed with tourists during festival season then, were Marinduque with its Moriones Festival, Kalibo with its original Ati-Atihan Festival, and Bukidnon with its Kaamulan Festival. Due to the limited commercial lodging facilities, pre-chosen local families were asked to host visitors for certain fees that varied according to their facilities and offered meals. Nowadays, sufficient lodging facilities have been built by local governments to accommodate visitors.

The tourism industry of the Philippines, did not start with big hotels. The industry started from scratch, so to speak. The hospitality home type of accommodation in the provinces supported the influx of foreign tourists in Manila, Cebu and Davao, as the hordes were desirous to see and experience more of the country. The PALakbayan Tour Program of the national flag carrier, PAL, through its Tours and Promotions Office successfully distributed tourists throughout the country. This is how the St. Paul Subterranean Park of Palawan, now known as Underground River of Puerto Princesa, the “dragons” of Caramoan peninsula in Bicol, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, the enticing waves of the Quezon Province and Camarines Sur, Mt. Apo of Davao, Mt. Mayon of Albay, Mt. Hibok-Hibok of Camiguin, Mt. Pulog of Benguet, Mt. Kanlaon of Negros, to name a few of the mountains, Sicogon Island, the beaches of Cebu, Tubbataha Reef of Palawan and other dive sites in Mindoro, Cebu, Dumaguete, Davao, the Philippine Eagle, and later, the now world-renown Boracay….became essential features of international travel brochures and magazines..

It was a hectic period of promotional effort for the Bernardino group which reaped good results. Those who sacrificed much of their time were Edgar Buensuceso who handled the cave explorations and researches on the Philippine flora and fauna for promotion to nature lovers of Europe, Australia and Japan, as well as, the promotion of awareness on the Philippine Eagle; John Fortes who handled the mountain climbing activities; and Julio Luz, Jr. and Thelma Villaseῆor, who organized dive expeditions. Edgar Buensuceso can also be credited for the development of birdwatching as a popular naturist activity in the country. John Fortes on the other hand, did much in organizing the different mountaineering organizations in the Philippines into the National Federation of the Philippines. During mountain climbs, the diminutive Joe Cobilla, a famous outdoor photographer of the Department of Tourism was always part of the groups to document every detail of the treks. The photos of Mr. Cobilla graced the pages of many travel brochures and magazines here and abroad which further boasted the concerted effort of the national government and PAL in promoting tourism.

Tourism industry is the only hope of the government in earning the much-needed revenue to bolster the economy of the country. Agriculture is out of the question, as the agencies involved are inutile in making the country rice sufficient, despite the presence of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Laguna, Asia’s cradle of knowledge for rice technology. Even the onions and garlic are imported from China, Taiwan and Thailand. The high technology is likewise out, as the country has become the receiving end for sub-standard gadgets from China. Cheap and competitive, but unfortunately seasonal labor cannot be relied on, as the meager take home pay of workers has no buying strength. The exported labor is likewise threatened due to unrests at host countries which drastically affects dollar remittance.

In pursuing the advocacy of tourism, cooperation is necessary – among the residents, as well as, the local and the national governments. And, finally, the accommodation and transport components of the industry play an important role as they must be consistent in satisfactorily serving the needs of the tourists who now include local travelers.  The Filipinos showed that with their innate hospitality, both foreign and local tourists can have fun around the country. Thanks to the Filipino hospitality as it has bolstered the tourism industry that has overshadowed the badly smeared image of the government due to prevalent corruption in practically, all its branches.