This activity highlighted four components: (a) the tourism showcase that displayed the best tourist destinations and attractions of the region -- destinations, festivals and delicacies. (b) The cultural market or Bahandi 2003 offered a wide range of the region's best products to include artworks, handicrafts, antiques, fashion accessories, gifts, toys, houseware, furniture and fixtures, native food and delicacies. (c) The agri-aqua showcase exhibited and sold ornamental plants including bonsai, bromeliads and orchids, and food always in the home (FAITH) mini garden. (d) The cultural show highlighted the fiesta festivals in the region to include songs, dances and drama. This regional activity unified the efforts of the provinces and cities in promoting new and exciting destinations and attractions. The government and the entrepreneurs teamed up in promoting tour packages that enabled the tourists to sample not just one, but several tourism destinations and attractions. This likewise encouraged the region to professionalize its tourism promotions from the development of tour programs to the production of cultural performances, up to the preparation of their collateral materials and sales paraphernalia. Aside from attracting tourists, this activity also intended to generate Bahandi sales and draw investments both in agri-processing and eco-tourism in the region. This activity promoted domestic and international tourism. In fact, a big crowd of domestic tourists, say 500 people, were seen during the Grand Opening of the Best of Eastern Visayas Showcase in Intramuros. Most of the crowds were the Eastern Visayans who have settled in Metro Manila. Participants of the RDC caravan, about 35 vehicles, from Tacloban City to Intramuros also crowded the place. Yupis or young executives in Metro Manila also form part of the crowd. The Federation of Differently Abled Persons in Leyte presented a Waray-Waray Concert that entertained the audience in the morning of 19 September 2003. Pangandaman started at 10 a.m. where people watched lechon turning in a pit fire and heared the Leyte BSP Bamboo Marching Bands playing. The grand opening of the Best of Eastern Visayas in Intramuros, which was hosted by the Regional Development Council and the Province of Leyte, was graced with the Misa Han Pasasalamat, with the Balinsasayaw Singers of Tanauan and Rah-Rah Rousers of Palo as the choir. This was followed by the Sto. Niño Procession inside the Clamshell I. DOT Secretary Richard Gordon led the ribbon cutting ceremony with RDC-EVRTC Officials, headed by Gov. Remedios Matin Loreto Petilla, and Madame Imelda Romualdez Marcos assisting. Parade of dignitaries, enyo and enya (short for Leyteño and Leyteña) and dance festivals was followed by Pasidungog where Tribute to Motherland by the Leyte Dance Theater, Pambansang Awit by the Leyte Dance Theater was done. Festival dancing by the Leyte Kalipayan Dance Company, Sarakiki Festival of Calbayog, Tribung Bagong Silang of Palo, Ibid Festival of Biliran, and Pasaka Festival of Tanauan came next. This program was conducted at San Ignacio Ruins but due to heavy rains Merienda Cena was served at the Clamshell II where Mr. Boy Abunda emceed the messages of Governor Matin Petilla, Secretary Victor Domingo, PA for Eastern Visayas, and Secretary Richard J. Gordon of DOT. Among other dignitaries honored were Congresswoman Imee Marcos, former House Speaker Nicanor Yñiguez, and former RDC Chair Salvacion Yñiguez. Governor Rosette Y. Lerias of Southern Leyte, Governor Milagros T. Tan of Samar, Governor Rogelio J. Espina, Tacloban City Mayor Alfredo Bejo T. Romualdez, Tanauan Mayor Roque Tiu and his wife Olive Tiu, who was active in planning this activity, were also honored during the program. The opening program ended past twelve mid-night with a pro-gender drama presentation of Harambi, a Leyte Normal University Drama Group. The Province of Biliran also did their best during their patron on September 20. In fact, the "Old School" Singers, whose roots were traced in Biliran, presented at the Clamshell I. The Palompon Institute of Technology also presented the Katulinan, a historical drama of Eastern Visayas. September 21 was the patron day of Tacloban City. Carla Estrada, a beautiful mestiza starlet from the City, was around the Clamshell to watch the affair. Santacruzan, Parade of Beauties and the Dancing Police Mascots entertained the audience so much. Festival dances featured the culture of patron provinces and cities. September 22 was Maasin Day, September 23 was Eastern Samar Day, September 24 was Northern Samar Day, and September 25 was Ormoc City Day. Watch out for the Samar Day (September 26), the Southern Leyte Day (September 27), and Calbayog City Day (September 28). They're something different during these days. Calbayog Day is a grand closing day. It's a big show of Siano, a Calbayog Talents, who modernized and popularized the waray song "Di Ba Palangga Mo Ako". |