MANOLO FORTICH LIST OF CANDIDATES 2010

This post is long overdue, so I'll do it without further ado.

FOR MAYOR

1.  Miñoza, Raul Sacapayo "Roroy" - Nacionalista Party

2.  Quiño, Rogelio Narvasa "RQ" - Lakas Kampi CMD Party

FOR VICE MAYOR

1.  Albarece, Johnny Calonia "Boboy" - Independent

2.  Ditona, Diosdado Narvasa "Ryder" - Nacionalista

3.  Pausanos, Hilario Balbutin "Larry" - Lakas Kampi CMD

FOR COUNCILOR

1.  Alba, Ephraim Zagado "Roy" - Independent

2.  Albarece, Mario Jr. Belisario "Jong" - Nacionalista

3.  Albarece, Salvador III Alombro "Buddy Boy" - Independent

4.  Bacol, Montano Ramon Paglinawan "Mon" - Liberal

5.  Bagayas, Reynaldo Jr. Labis "Bojun" - Liberal

6.  Cubero, Arnold Tenio "Boboy" - Independent

7.  Dagunlay, Elzevir Ayuman "Eddie" - Nacionalista

8.  Demata, Miguel Dades "Mike" - Lakas Kampi CMD

9.  Dignos, Jierer Mandawe "Jer-Jer" - Nacionalista

10.  Dumotan, Visminda Quirog "Minda" - Lakas Kampi CMD

11.  Ganas, Ronulfo Duites "Karogans" - Lakas Kampi CMD

12.  Gonzales, Marbon Ramirez "Bobong" - Independent

13.  Labnotin, Rolando Palanas "Lando" - Nacionalista

14.  Lavisores, Juliano Corilla "Nono" - Nacionalista

15.  Leyson, Jerson Soon "Intong" - Lakas Kampi CMD

16.  Onahon, Eliezer Sabana "Larry" - Lakas Kampi CMD

17.  Pacrudo, Ben Pios "Dok Ben" - Lakas Kampi CMD

18.  Payangga, Alex Dialong "Alex" - Nacionalista

19.  Tidalgo, Armida Anlagan "Edao" - Nacionalista

20.  Tinoy, Alberto Baculio "Berting" - Lakas Kampi CMD

21.  Tugot, Jirrold Medina "Jino" - Nacionalista

22.  Yongco-Balintucas, Genevieve Logroño "Bubut" - Lakas Kampi CMD 

Happy New Year, Everyone!

We Have Been Challenged!

It has been over a week since the North Bukidnon Chamber invited the Regional Director of the Department of Tourism - 10, CATALINO E. CHAN III, to present the state of tourism in Bukidnon.

He mentioned points I already knew about, like our brand of hilot is famous all over the Philippines; and the Kaamulan Park is the most serene place in Malaybalay, where one can commune with nature; and that Bukidnon has the most ideal climate and has been judged the CLEANEST PROVINCE in the whole country. He was proud to say that the municipality of Maramag spent almost P10 million in promoting the 132 natural springs found there. He praised the developers of the Longest Zipline in Asia, located in Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich.

However, he also mentioned some negative facts, which I also knew about. He said there are no accredited tour guides, only a few accredited travel agencies, almost nil promotions for local tours and only a few good hotels in the whole province. In Manolo Fortich, he was sad to say, there was absolutely none of these accredited tourist facilities. And... Bukidnon has the lowest tourist arrival in the Philippines.

Why?

Is it because our government doesn't know that tourism brings in revenues? Is it because our politicians are so intent with their politics that they would rather spend on campaign materials and public appearances than making the citizens proud of themselves and their province? Or is it because "tourism destroys the environment"? Eh, come again?

This was our predicament back in 2004, when Ed and I decided to change career, from agriculture (though we still have a farm) to tourism. There was a new mayor in town and the first thing she did was scrap the tourism accomplishments and projects of the previous one. The reason she gave for cancelling the annual 4x4 Off-Road Competition in Mangima was because the event was causing massive erosion on the hillside. Hello? The event lasts 3 days every year, and nothing is altered -- no trees are cut, no grass removed. The organizers DO place a tarpaulin matting on the deep places to catch water as part of the obstacle route. For 3 days, the grass underneath cannot breathe and subsequently dies. Is this what she meant?

If she hadn't done that, I believe Manolo Fortich would have developed much faster.

Director Chan challenged us by giving an example. In Camiguin, his home province, all accredited resorts are organized into one association. They have what they call a Bed Tax. For every bed booked for the night, the resort will pay the association P10. This encourages the association to promote its member resorts and help develop teamwork and camaraderie among the resort owners. "Do Not Compete... Instead, Compliment."

As for us, we are almost there. There is just one tiny technicality which we have to overcome for La Montaña Tours & Vans to be accredited. One tiny factor which will make us the FIRST travel agency of Manolo Fortich.

Pray that it gets done this week. It will make a wonderful Christmas gift!

North Bukidnon Chamber Opens New Office

Today, September 8, they say, is a good day to start a new business. According to astrologers, Chinese and other fortune tellers, the number 8 brings good luck to anyone who wants to start something (business, wedding, diet, etc.) Well, in our case, we hope it will bring good fortune and much success to the New (we pray "Permanent") Office of the North Bukidnon Chamber of Commerce.

After months of discussions and negotiations and suggestions, the Chamber has finally decided to open office in Damilag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Unlike the previous offices given to the organization, this space is located on private property and comes with a lease amount. The previous two locations were "donated" by the Local Government Unit and were, therefore, unsatisfactory when it came to privacy and management.

Today's activity was just Soft Opening, but several members already brought their products for display and a business opportunity seminar was held after the main program was over. We pray that the chaos caused by excitement for new business is a sign that more opportunities will come our way and that our location will attract more business people to join.

New Office Details as follows:
PCCI-North Bukidnon BUSINESS ASSISTANCE CENTER
La Montaña Building
Purok Menzi, Damilag
Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon
Philippines

Contact #s:
+63 (920) 926-7913 (Malou)
+63 (919) 272-8112 (Alain)
+63 (920) 9600-192 (Gina)

Email Address: nbcci@yahoo.com

pictures will follow during the grand opening (still tba)

Farewell to a Good Man

He was just passing through I guess..

Last summer, I wrote a blog about Kim Smith, an Englishman in Manolo Fortich (see http://lamontanatours.multiply.com/journal/item/12/An_Authentic_Englishman). Since its writing Mr. Kim Smith has donated the wonderful website (see www.manolofortich.com.ph) and was publicly acknowledged by the local government unit on June 13, 2009, at the First RQ Awards Ceremony, during the 93rd Araw ng Manolo Fortich Celebration.

Unknownst to many, myself included, he was hiding a great pain, a sickness, a death. Much to the dismay of his friends and family, Kim, being a nicotine addict and a diabetic, stubbornly refused to give up his smoking and drinking vices, thus resulting in a failure of his respective organs. He passed away Wednesday evening, August 26, at the young age of 53.

For all his faults, Kim was a good Samaritan, coming into and settling down in Manolo Fortich, determined to put it (not himself, mind you) on the map of Asia by building a website and promoting it abroad. He even put in tips and advice to foreigners who were looking for greener pastures. And then, days, no... months before he died, he began transferring his knowledge little by little to the people he trusted. His dreams, his skills, his goodness have been passed on. Successfully? Only time will tell.

Today we mourn this painful loss, yet Manolo Fortich will rise with the legacy Kim Smith, the authentic Englishman, left behind.

We will miss you, Kim!

Montegelo Agri-Tourism Center

While we're on the subject of "firsts", let me tell you about the First Resort in Manolo Fortich -- Montegelo Agri-Tourism Center or, if you know the family, The Obrero Place. This was put up sometime early 2000s but was only officially opened a few years ago (around 2005-2006).

Owned and operated by Dr. Tino Obrero, his wife, Lydia and their youngest son, Angelo, the resort features swimming pools (natural flowing spring water), hotel rooms (individual and dormitories), and two big function rooms. In the surrounding areas, one can find pleasure with the grotto, the water falls, the man-made creek (for boating) and the wide variety of flora and ornamental plants.

As Angelo put it, the resort was the fruit of the combination of his idea (turned into a dream), Dr. Tino's love for growing flowers and fruits, Ma'am Lydia's talent for decoration and a ready financial resource which made their endeavors all possible.

The resort is located along Sayre Highway, San Miguel, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
For reservations and inquiries, you can call the Manager, Ruby at +639177213810.

New Spa in Damilag!

This must be a year of "firsts" in Bukidnon.

Last August 8, a new spa was opened in Damilag, Manolo Fortich -- the FIRST of its kind! Owned by 10 partners-- Gloria Chavez, Ruth Cubero, Sasha Marie Cubero, Alan Fernan, Edgar Fernan, Virgie Lim, Meriam Pizarras, Rosa Maria Raakin, Maria Theresa Santos and Esther Sumampong -- all known business people in their own right, it is called A TOUCH OF THAI and offers Thai Body Massage, Reflexology, Foot Massage and Spa, Facials and much more.

Ed and I tried it for the first time last Sunday and I must say I enjoyed it immensely. What's my measure of contentment? I fell asleep! Something I don't normally do during a massage.

Since A Touch of Thai has just opened, it is offering an introductory promo discount of 20% on the following services: Thai Body Oil Massage, Thai Standard Body Dry Massage, Thai Standard Body Massage with Reflexology and Shiatsu Body Massage Dry or Oil. So if you want to experience total relaxation and pay only P156.00, call this number: +63 88 223 (3163) for inquiries and reservations. For local Manolo Fortich residents, just call 3163.

Congratulations, A Touch of Thai!