Quaint Guimaras Island

Thanks to Isuzu Philippines, I have become a tourist in my own country. I would not have given much thought to going as far as Davao or Palawan for instance, given my current overload of work, although in my wish list, these provinces and more would be nice to visit, "when I have the time". Well, I just got back from the island-province of Guimaras, part of corporate citizen Isuzu’s "Know-the-Philippines" promo among media friends, this time around for a test drive of their latest SUV – the Alterra.

Isuzu has not been remiss in their corporate citizen responsibilities. Isuzu president Yoshifumi Komura and VP for business development Art Balmadrid were in Quezon Province recently for a tree-planting sortie thru the "Isulong Ang Kalikasan Project". I was there too and Vice Gov. JJ Suarez of Quezon was very thankful to Isuzu for being the first car manufacturer to take a bold initiative in the much-needed efforts to protect and rehabilitate the forests. The catastrophic landslides in Quezon spawned by floods and caused by denuded forests are still fresh in our minds.

For their latest launch, it’s Guimaras Island. I almost didn’t make the trip and almost got stranded in the flash floods that hit the city the night before. But, trooper that I am (no pun intended); I knew I had to make the trip even if I had to wade through the knee-deep waters in the toll ways.

Guimaras Island is charming and provincial. Believed to have been part of the Panay group of islands in the olden times and once upon a time a sub-province of Iloilo, it was proclaimed as a full-pledged province only in 1992.

I was fortunate enough to meet with the leaders of the province. Gov. JC Rahman of Nava of Guimaras informed me that Guimaras is one of an elite few agro-tourism spots in the country. You guessed it right – their golden mangoes are the pride of the people of Guimaras. Theirs is the only mango produce recognized by the Department of Agriculture of the United States and Australia. But Gov. JC, together with the province’s other leaders are working hand-in-hand to go beyond the agricultural potentials of the province and develop tourism as the province’s alternative economic base. They have started training the frontlines, i.e., the transport sector, hospitality sector, etc. towards this end.

They fully recognize their potential to host adventure activities as well. The Philippine Triathlon Championship was held here just recently. They also hosted a shooting tourney at Guimaras.

Speaking of this, the province’s target range and military camp, the Punta Blanco and Camp Jossman, were constructed by the United States Army in 1903. Guimaras has preserved these facilities in good condition, which is why they can host shoot fests with confidence in the province.

Mayor Diosdado Gonzaga of Nueva Valencia in Guimaras is also rightfully proud of the heritage of the island-province. He talks of the old lighthouse which was constructed in 1896 by the Spaniards, using steel bars and "tisa" transported all the way from Portugal and Spain. We visited the old lighthouse and it was like staring at a page torn from history books. The structure still holds grandly although it was condemned in 1980. I chatted with Mrs. Marlene Cordero, the Guisi Lighthouse caretaker who is now charged with keeping watch over this historical site. She informed us that, where before mercury was widely used for lighting here, they now harness solar energy for lighting as a healthier alternative.

The heritage, that Guimaras as preserved, will serve them well in their tourism efforts. Walking through the moss-covered ancient stones, the massive iron gates that have stood the acid test of the ocean’s salt-laden winds and modern industries’ grime, one is set back a full centennial, and is awed by it. It is also in Guimaras province that a young soldier, Douglas MacArthur helped establish the Buenavista Wharf, one of the first here, in 1903.

Chatting with Gov. JC Rahman, he says they are optimistic about the province’s investment opportunities. They have the first bulk sugar trans-loading facility here where sugar from Panay and Negros are loaded. Because it is an extremely pacific place, they would like the rest of the world to see it as a sub-urban retirement village. For his part, the governor’s brother, Mayor Felipe Nava of Jordan the province’s capital, tells us that the province has one of the lowest crime rates hereabout, having been declared Most Peaceful in Region 6 in 2004. It also boasts of being in the Top Ten Most Peaceful Provinces in the country. Guimaras, Mayor Nava adds, has zero insurgency. Still looking for a good retirement place?

While there we stayed at the Costa Aguada Resort in Inampulugan Island which also boasts of white sand beaches, a mini zoo and a jungle park. I could not venture farther than the beach to enjoy the splendid coral reefs as I was almost sleepless the night before. Next time, with the family perhaps.

Other scenic spots in the province are the Nagarao Island Resort and Isla Naburot, both in Jordan and Puerto del Mar in Nueva Valencia.

It would be a pleasant experience to explore their islets and coves, and frolic in their white sand beaches while enjoying their golden luscious mangoes. Sayang. It wasn’t the season for mangoes when we were there.

B&L Texas Hold’EM Poker Tour

We have been receiving e-mails inquiring about the Business & Leisure Texas Hold’Em Poker Tour. Yes, we’re bringing Texas Hold’Em to popular venues like malls, hotels and bars by next month. Remember, only the first 40 paid registrants will be picked to play in the tournament’s four legs with ten players playing in each leg. The "Leg Champion" and "Leg runner up", aside from winning valuable prizes shall advance to the Grand Championship where the top eight players of the series shall meet. Aside from beautiful trophies, leg winners and the Grand Champion stand to win prizes like all expenses paid stays in top beach resorts, automobile tires and accessories, overnight stays with breakfast in five-star hotels, dinners in top restaurants, etc., and other surprise "take homes". We will draw from these 40 paid registrants to determine on which leg they would be scheduled to play.

The highlights of each leg shall be aired on the TV show Business & Leisure (Sunday, 10:30 p.m., Channel 4 Manila and nationwide via satellite on NBN) to include some of the outstanding plays of the championship.

Participation fee is only P1,000 per player. Registration will be held in Valle Verde Country Club, the dates of which shall be announced later.

Watch out for more announcements on the B&L Texas Hold’Em Poker Tour or you can call 724-3939 and ask for Fe or write to this column’s e-mail address.

Interesting B&L Episode Up This Week

This Sunday, Business & Leisure, the TV show will feature sportsman Mike Potenciano on a one-on-one. Find out the man behind the helmet and beyond the racing suit and the boyish grin. Mike is one of the young front runners in the local racing scene, and definitely one of the lookers in the scene. Watch him tomorrow, 10:30 p.m. on NBN-4.

Mabuhay. Be proud to be a Filipino.

For comments: (e-mail) [email protected]