Before the year ended, Department of Tourism-Region VI (DOT-6) director, Atty. Helen J. Catalbas, called on her MICE (meeting, incentives, conventions, events/exhibitions) team, which included myself. She provided a report of the ongoings throughout the region over the past year and what is in store for next year. Team members also shared their own ideas and presented plans for the region’s tourism promotion plans.

Catalbas has shown she puts together tourism programs by welcoming input from the tourism sector, along with year-round trainings for community tour guides.

Today, the DOT-6 director will launch “TAHUM,” a “video mileage campaign” showcasing different cities throughout the region, in Iloilo City. Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo will also serve as a special guest of honor. Both have been successful with pushing slogans; Catalbas with “Experience Western Visayas First” and Tulfo-Teo’s “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”

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The last month of the year was about celebrating and commemorating the birth of the Child Jesus. We said “Merry Christmas” to each other and exchanged gifts as a symbol of love, care, and friendship.

We saw Christmas decorations all over the county and Bacolod City residents shared their blessings by spending a fortune to show the public the Christmas season. Businessman and philanthropist Jerry Sy built a Christmas village at his residence, where thousands witnessed the display at both day and night; the Bacolod City Government Center decorations were attractive and classy; and Ed Gasambelo created a Christmas village out of bamboo tonogbanua – all a part of how the Christmas holiday can be utilized as a tourism attraction./WDJ

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This column greets my friends DOT ASec Daniel Mercado, DOT ASec Ricky Alegre, DOT XI ASec Eden Josephine David, DOT XI RD Robby Alabado, DOT VII team Glenice Do and Riza Macaibay, DOTr RD Roland Ramos, and DTI ASec Art Boncato./WDJ