Last Thursday, I took the maiden Cebu Pacific Air Bacolod City-Cagayan de Oro flight, hosted by Department of Tourism-Region X (DOT-10) Director May Unchuan.
It was my first time in northern Mindanao and I was provided a tour of Iligan City, a RoRo crossing to Ozamiz City, and spent the night in Oroquieta City.
Misamis Occidental Provincial Tourism Officer Albert Medina stretched our muscles as we toured all the way to the tip of the province, at Sapang Dalaga, which offered a 199-step easy climb to the giant Christ the Redeemer statue, built by the same artists who created the iconic Rio de Janeiro landmark.
DOT-10 Officer Cha Ladera provided land transport and accommodations on our visit to the Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral Home in Iligan and enjoyed the local suman, which came in flavors including peanut, nangka, durian and more.
Our thanks to Charles Lim of Cebu Pacific PR, who made the trip possible. He is currently working on a travel exhibit to promote Bacolod City, Bohol, and Cagayan de Oro City and northern Mindanao. In the same way, I promoted Bacolod City and Negros Occidental to fellow travelers.
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It’s a busy week in Bacolod City as it hosts Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings. Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia and local officials will play a lead role – kudos to all, along with Atty. John Orola, Jr. in his vital role of supporting the mayor.
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In Iloilo City, the LTO Regional Directors national conference will take place at the Richmonde Hotel-Iloilo, starting today. The Western Visayas has been a preferred business destination, thanks to the efforts by DOT-Region VI Director, Atty. Helen Catalbas.
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This column greets Emestel and Joel Ramos, Jaypee and Emily Manuel, Rambart and Hiyasmin Manuel, Emilio Manuel, Jobart and Linda Allic, Maricar Dabao, Susan Allic, Francis Jimenez, Neel Abordaje, Roland Ramos, and Renato Novero./WDJ