The Isabel Tourism Council was formally organized on September 22, 2008. I represent the NGO (non government organization) in every municipal organization and activity, so I was present to give my ten cent's worth again.
The Department of Tourism Regional office has declared this town as one of the tourist destinations in region VIII.
Dr. Edwin Balearino, VSU-IC Dean, Ed Escoto of PASAR, Noel Faller of PHILPHOS, and this blogger, were tasked to prepare a brochure showcasing the places to visit in this town; tourist activities like diving, fishing, kayaking, trekking, as well as local products that can be brought home as 'pasalubong' - take home gifts ('sinugatan' in the local dialect). To date, a group of entrepreneurs has been baking the USWAG ISABEL mango tarts , to perfection. They were served as snacks during our meeting. Guess what! They were 'lami'(delicious), so I ended up ordering a bunch for giveaway to friends.
The local government of Isabel, headed by the honorable mayor, Gen. Saturnino M. Medina, Jr.(Ret.), the Sangguniang Bayan, chaired by the vice mayor, Hon. Marcos Gregorio M. Cerillo, the municipal administrator, Engr. Saylito Purisima the very dependable Mrs. Jenny Francisco,and the barangay captains, have identified the following natural and paradisiacal spots, which are on different stages of development at present:
***** BANAHAW SPRING ----- in Brgy. Consolacion ***** BENTURARAY CAVE ----- in Brgy. Tolingon ***** CANDONICOT CAVE ----- in Brgy. Bantigue ***** MAHARLIKA SPRING ----- in Brgy. Matlang ***** BUSAY(waterfalls) ----- in Brgy. Apale ***** ISABEL BAYWALK ----- along Dupon Bay ***** LIDE COMPLEX ----- in the Leyte Industrial Development Estate
The newly formed Isabel Tourism Council is scheduled to visit all those places on the 30th of September, for an on-the-spot evaluation/assessment. It will be a whole-day field trip on jeepney, on foot, on banca. I wonder if this senior citizen's energy will be enough to fnish the activity. But then again, what will happen will have to be in a follow-up blog. See you folks!
Postcript: See PLACES TO VISIT IN ISABEL, LEYTE on YOUTUBE.
I have been to Bohol four times in the last three years. It seems like I can't have enough of this Island Paradise, because there is the yearning to go back again and again.
The moment one steps down on the Port of Tagbilaran, the feeling of being cuddled by everyone, from the tinderas, to the employees of the Department of Tourism, gives one that feeling of peace and security.
Bohol has so much to offer. Old churches (like the Baclayon Church), a very relaxing Loboc River Cruise, Hinagdanan Cave, a Shell Museum, a giant phyton in captivity, handicrafts and delicacies, a man-made forest, whale/dolphin watching, a scuba diving haven, well-kept and reasonably priced hotels/apartelles, courteous and honest drivers, friendly and industrious natives, long stretches of clean, white beaches, a very modern Sagbayan Peak, and of course, the world-famous heaven's gift to the Boholanos, the CHOCOLATE HILLS.
There are regular TAG-MNL-TAG flights. Two very modern fastcrafts, SUPERCAT and WEESAM, ply the BOHOL-CEBU-BOHOL routes.
My friend, Angging, and I can assist you in planning your Bohol Escapade, email: macjo5474@yahoo.com
