Feature: Summer season ends with a blast

 With the clear, sunny days giving way to a rainy, cooler weather, the sizzling summer season is finally over.  Not the summer spirit, though. 

In Siquijor, its two-month flurry of summer escapade ended with a blast during its grand finale night in Salagdoong Beach, Maria, Siquijor recently.                                                           
The exhilarating performances of three of ABS-CBN’s Philippine Dream Academy (PDA) celebrities couple Chivas and Bunny from Tanjay City and the dapper gentleman from Toledo, Cebu Jay-R Siaboc drew a huge crowd to the beach.  

The Cebuano stars who were all excited to infuse their personalities onto their legion of Siquijodnon fans let out their astounding singing talents all throughout the show. 

 ‘Wow! This is exactly my dream vacation!’ I was really thrilled when we were invited to perform here in Siquijor. The white, sandy beaches here and the friendly people are just so awesome”, said Chivas in an interview.

 
Bunny said that what she liked most about Siquijor is its peace which she said is “priceless”, its laidback lifestyle and the tasty foods served by the friendly cooks at Hotel Agripino. 

 “Really it’s a rare travel experience. I can’t get enough of Siquijor because we are leaving very soon. I and Chivas are planning to come back here, maybe next year, solely for a vacation”, Bunny added.                           

She said she will certainly invite some of her friends and family to go along because “Siquijor is a place to go sans the clatter and sounds of showbiz and city life”. 

When asked about the negative feedbacks on Siquijor being a creepy place, Chivas said he doesn’t care. 

 “My dad came from Cadiz where lore about witches and black magic also abounds. But myths of such kind cannot outweigh the beauty of the place.   Personally, I am confident that kind of publicity will only make help the tourist industry here grow. 

When asked what they can suggest to improve Siquijor, Chivas said connectivity should be a concern. “I hope there will be a direct flight to Siquijor”, he said. 

Meanwhile, Jay-R Siaboc who recently appeared in ABS-CBN’s Imortal claimed he’s no complete stranger to Siquijor since he’d been here before as his sister married a Siquijodnon. 

“What I remembered most were the beautiful beaches. That was a few years back. I wish I could spend more time here so when I was told that I was invited for a gig, I grabbed the opportunity”, he said. 

The actor-singer confessed that all he wanted everytime he performs is a participative and spirited audience. 

 “I am thankful that Siquijodnons applauded me. At first, I was a bit doubtful if they would like me, but during the course of the show, I saw their liveliness, their energy”, he said. 

Jay-R finally said that he is grateful to any blessings that come his way – be it a TV or movie project or an out-of-town show. “I don’t have the right to refuse any offer because I’m only a talent and I’m paid to do it. Entertaining people is my happiness and singing is what I love most.” (Rizalie A. Calibo/PIA-Siquijor/Eda Lou T. Manigo & Renan Ansing) 

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Feature: Olang Arts Park offers sanctuary for artists

FOR artists who seek an ideal sanctuary that is both peaceful and relaxing, a popular destination in Maria province of Siquijor promises an unforgettable experience for the body, mind and soul – the Olang Arts Park.    

Amidst society’s technological marvels and life’s hurried pace, Olang Arts Park remains grounded with its plethora of natural wonders that can quiet and rejuvenate the weary soul in many ways. 

Recently, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts(NCAA) together with the Department of Education, and the Siquijor State College in partnership with the World Bank, Oxfam and Museo Pambata recently held a capability building workshop for teachers in Siquijor  at Olang Arts Park with the theme: “Climate Change and the Arts: An Integrated Learning Experience for Teachers”.  

There were at least 25 participants for each workshop in Music, Visual Arts and Theater Arts. 

The workshop was basically ARTS ACROSS THE CURRICULUM, integrating science, values, local history and social studies into the arts to make teaching more animated and exciting and introduce science concepts in a creative way. 

Resource persons during the workshop were Dr. Belen Calingacion of the Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts in UP Dilliman, Prof. Dennis Gupa of UP Los Baños, Aileen dela Cruz from UP Dilliman and Alma Quinto, visual artist and facilitator for NCAA’s Artists for Crisis and DepEd’s Special Program for the Arts. 

Also the gracing the event were Film Director Maryo J. Delos Reyes and actor Yul Servo. 

At the end of the 4-day workshop the participants were able to; a) grasp the basic and relevant concepts related to climate change and the arts; b) create and appreciate works that reflect issues related to climate change using mostly found objects and natural materials; c) develop relevant modules using the arts to explain the concepts and issues of climate change which can be used in their respective schools; d) produce simple and creative performances and artworks that depict environmental issues or themes through the process of integration and collaboration and; e) plant trees as an initial action for a better environment. 

Formal opening of the park and premiere showing of the short documentary film “Traffic Life” directed by Olang Arts Park founder Minnie Solomon-Crouse culminated the event. 

Olang Arts Park is a three-hectare eco art space located in Barangay Olang, Maria, Siquijor which is founded by Crouse in December 2005. 

Crouse said it is envisioned to be a sanctuary for artists and environmentalists to create and collaborate and interact with the community as a way of cultural exchange. 

She said it is open to the people of Siquijor to hone their talents in the arts and develop sensitivity towards care for the environment. (Rizalie A. Calibo/PIA-Siquijor/Eda Lou T. Manigo) 

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Siquijor gets DOT’s GREET projects
By Rizalie Anding Calibo

MARIA, Siquijor, June 3 (PIA)---At least four People’s Organizations (POs) from this province are beneficiaries of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Grassroots Entrepreneurship for Ecotourism (GREET) Projects to help boost Siquijor Island’s eco-tourism program.

Ceremonial  turn-over was held yesterday (June 2) at the Salagdoong Beach Resort, Olang, Maria, Siquijor where  the POs personally received from DOT-7 Regional Director Rowena Montecillo, diving and snorkel gears and cave spelunking equipments apart from Kayak and bancas which funds are release earlier for their fabrication. 

The completed boats are with each proponent, some were already used by tourists this summer.

Greet grantees are the Fishermen’s Association of Tulapos in Enrique Villanueva town with P55,000 for diving and snorkel gears and fabrication of bancas; Olang’s Fishermen Assocation of Maria town, P99,000 for the purchase of Kayaks with Salagdoong Beach Resort as its point of destination; Cangmunag Fishermen’s Association of San Juan town, P100 thousand for the fabrication of three boats, diving and snorkel gears for Paradise Bay coral watching tourists; and for Cantabon Cave Guiders Association of Siquijor, Siquijor, P106,000 for cave , spelunking equipment.

A total of P350,000 is so far granted this year by the DOT and hopefully more in the coming months or years, the DOT said. 

Grantees, Dir. Montecillo said have to undergo series of steps before availing of the funds – first step was the submission of application and proposals that was done by Siquijor proponents sometime in 2009, second was the awarding of the project to the grantees in the latter part of last year and the release of checks for the fabrication of boats in January this year. 

Today, June 2 is the ceremonial turn-over of the while projects, she said as she urged POs to take care of the projects.

She said the grantees are so blessed because there are so many applicants for the project but only few, that include the four Pos, are granted.

GREET program, Provincial Tourism Officer Jossette Armorila also said is conceived to enhance the livelihood opportunities for the promising entrepreneurs in Siquijor to give to generate income, thus, further boost the province’s priority eco-tourism program. (RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor)

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Volunteer blood donors, silent modern heroes – PRC

SIQUIJOR, June 3 (PIA)---As the province joins the Blood Donors Month celebration in June, Administrator Rowena Maputi of thePhilippine Red Cross (PRC) here lauds voluntary blood donors as “silent heroes of today”  as they voluntarily give their blood to save other people’s lives.

Voluntary blood donation is the foundation for sufficient supply of blood in times of emergencies, she said.

While urging every Siquijodnon to be one of the ‘silent heroes,’ Maputi also enumerated some of the advantages of becoming  a donor which include free physical examination, free blood typing and  testing and most especially screening of five blood-transmissible infections such as Hepatitis B, C, Syphyllis, Malaria and HIV-AIDS.

According to Maputi, the PRC Blood Services aims to serve the increasing need for blood in the island and the whole country .

To intensify the PRC’s campaign, donor recruitment sessions  and education in communities, companies, organizations and schools nationwide are always part of their blood donation campaign activities.

The Blood Program of the Philippines operates in accordance with the provisions of the National Blood Services Act of1994  or Republic Act 7719. 

The PRC, in tripartite cooperation with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Blood Coordination Council,  is one of the key organizations tasked to provide safe blood to the country through its active role in advocacy, promotion of voluntary blood donation, donor retention and care and the operation of a network of 74 Blood Service Facilities all over the country.(Rizalie A. Calibo/with reports from Inacher A. Abatayo) 

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DOT 7 head  pushes Siquijor POs to go into eco-tourism
By Rizalie Anding Calibo

MARIA, Siquijor, June 3 (PIA)---Department of Tourism Regional Director Rowena Montecillo is urging all other People’s Organizations (POs) in the province to go into eco-tourism industry even as she turned-over yesterday (June 2) GrassrootsEntrepreneurship for Ecotourism (GREET) Projects to at least four POs here.

Montecillo said Siquijor’s great potential is for ecotourism so that programs and projects should gear towards this direction. 

She said Siquijor is so blessed to have a governor who is so tourism-oriented. We are one with him that tourism is the economic driver and we hope that with our projects, Siquijor Island will make a great stride towards becoming a great tourist destination, Montecillo said.

The new DOT-7 Regional Director, Provincial Tourism Officer Jossette Armirola said, is giving more attention to develop Siquijor’s tourism industry.

She said, Montecillo has seen the island’s untapped great potentials and she wants Siquijor to be her top priority, as much have already been given to the rest of the provinces in Central Visayas, Armirola shared.

Starting this year, four POs of barangays Tulapos of Enrique Villanueva, Olang of Maria, Cangmunag of San Juan, and Cantabon of Siquijor are beneficiaries of the DOT’s GREET projects.

“We hope to see more POs going into ecotourism industry,” Montecillo said adding that the four POs are so blessed to be chosen as few of the GREET grantees. “You should take care of the project and make it proper, she said to the beneficiaries. (RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor)