Swiss memories

Switzerland Tourism recently revealed more reasons to fall in love with the country at an interesting presentation before some members of media and the travel industry at Mirèio at the Raffles Makati, complete with traditional Swiss musical instruments and performers in traditional Swiss garb.

As if I needed more reasons to fall in love with Switzerland, the very first country I traveled to (not counting stopovers, of course), the very country that stamped its name on my very first passport.

Yes, Swiss memories are always sweet to me, as sweet as milk chocolate, which this landlocked nation on the Alps is known for.

The exclusive gathering showed that more than its Alpine climate and fairytale landscapes, Switzerland has much more to offer, such as the sprawling vineyards at the Lake Geneva region, the James Bond world at Schilthorn, the rotating cableway going up Mt. Titlis, the majestic views at Jungfraujoch, the multicultural hub that is Zurich, the excursion center in Interlaken, and the Glacier Express that will bring visitors into a pristine paradise.

There are oceans, mountains and 10,530 kilometers between the Philippines and Switzerland. But in the blink of an eye, Filipinos can easily rattle off what comes to mind when you say “Swiss:” Swiss knife, Swiss chocolates, Swiss watches, Swiss banks, Swiss cheese, Swiss Guards, Swiss Alps.

Embassy of Switzerland Deputy Head of Mission Mathias Domenig told me over dinner and Swiss wine that Switzerland continues to have a solid presence here, as solid as the Alps. Aside from Swiss chocolates, products from Swiss pharmaceutical companies like Novartis, Hoffmann-La Roche and Galderma are part of the lives of Filipinos, not to mention the Milo and Bear Brand milk, or the Nescafe with Coffee Mate from Nestle that  they have for breakfast. And not to forget the Swiss status symbols that most Filipinos have around their wrists — from Rolex to Swatch and the Swiss knife that makes survivors out of all men, no matter the race.

This familiarity with many things Swiss is perhaps because the Swiss have had official relations with the Philippines since March 28, 1862 — when the Philippines was still a Spanish colony and Jose Rizal just a baby genius. In fact, the Swiss Consulate in the Philippines is its very first consulate in Asia.

Many Swiss companies, like Nestle, have established their presence in the Philippines over a century ago. Switzerland remains one of the Philippines’ foremost investors, employing thousands of Filipinos. Aside from Nestle, other Swiss firms include Holcim and SGS.

The Swiss Banks UBS and Credit Suisse have branch offices in Manila.

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I traveled to Switzerland in 1988 to cover the official visit of then President Cory Aquino, who also addressed the International Labour Organization in Geneva before going to the capital, Bern. Bern’s Old Town is one of the best preserved old towns I have ever seen.

I returned to Switzerland, particularly to Zurich, in 2012, and found it not only picturesque, but also a shopping haven.

But Switzerland, according to Switzerland Tourism, has much more to show Filipinos, as it is reportedly a country that transforms with the seasons — the Switzerland of the summer is different from the Switzerland of the winter. Interlaken is a mountainous town where two lakes and a mountain meet. When I asked Matthias how many lakes Switzerland has, he was almost stumped for an answer. “Thousands!” he exclaimed. I guess it is like asking a Filipino how many beaches there are in the Philippines.

Construction magnate Alice Eduardo once told me the Swiss Alps is her idea of paradise. “Give me the right equipment and I can build a city, but only God could have created the Alps.”

Around the world in 60 minutes

Here’s one place where you can virtually go around the world in 60 minutes — the International Bazaar 2017 on Nov. 26, at the PICC Forum 1, 2 & 3, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City. But why stay for only 60 minutes when you can virtually roam the “globe” the whole day?

The International Bazaar Foundation Inc. (IBF) headed by Taguig City Mayor Maria Laarni “Lani” Cayetano, wife of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Spouses of the Heads of Mission, is making the PICC a globe on this day.

On its 51st year, the International Bazaar will showcase products from different countries and the best of Philippine products. In addition, the Metro Manila Mayors Spouses Foundation will be part of the bazaar, showcasing distinct products from the different cities in Metro Manila.

This year, the IBF will venture into a new project, the “IBF Living Traditions Livelihood Center.”  This livelihood center will help preserve the traditional craftsmanship of Filipino culture and will help its beneficiaries to be financially and economically independent as they learn to create handicraft the way generations of Filipinos have done.

And yes, Swiss chocolates and cheeses will be available.

(You may e-mail me at [email protected].)