Eatof 18th forum (Part 1)

The East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism forum (Eatof ) was held in Tottori, Japan on Aug. 10 to 13. The theme focused on common grounds in ecology, environment, arts and culture, bilateral ties to promote tourism and Eatof policies.

Cebu, one of the pioneering founder members, was represented by Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, board member Christopher Baricuatro, Provincial tourism consultant Dawnie Roa, Tourism protocol officer Grace Paulino and MCE of the academic committee. The Team Cebu cultural director Junjet Primor and Cinbeth Orellano of the Knapsack dancers rendered a spectacular cultural show featuring some selected festivals of Cebu.

Tottori is a small province rich with natural resources. We took the connecting Osaka flight via Philippine Airlines PR 410 and spent a day and night in Osaka on our way back to Cebu Aug. 13-14.

Tottori is located at the western edge of Japan’s main island of Honshu and boasts of Mt. Daisen, called Misen, the highest peak which changes its natural colors: green for spring to summer; red in autumn and covered with white snow in winter. We witnessed the national day, “Celebrate Nature, People and History,” depicting Japan”s devotion to Mother Earth.

On our road trips, we saw verdant forests, lofty green mountains and beautiful blooms. No pollution. People were friendly but hardly spoke English. No dollars but only yen commanded the market and shopping was tight especially in Osaka. We couldn’t cope with the flow of tourists so we opted to shop only in two or three stores.

Unlike the other Eatof forums we had for the past decades, Tottori compressed all major activities in one day. We attended the bicameral and standing committee meetings, and the Governors’ meetings. The tours brought us to the Sand Dunes, Hanakairo Flower park, Daisen Lantern festival, and the awesome Konan Museum. The best for us were the tasty Japanese meals, especially the Italian food at scenic Ristorante facing the lofty mountains. Food service was fast and orderly.

Our hotel accommodations were adequate and clean, and quick breakfast buffet, Japanese style, suited our time frame. (To be continued)

WONDERFUL. The much applauded Cebu Festival presentation with audience participation choreographed by Junjet Primor with Cinbeth Orellano’s Knapsack dancers (More on this in my next article).

CEBU DELEGATION. Christine Tan, Junjet Primor, Helen Dy, Dawnie Roa, board member Christopher Baricuatro, Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, MCE, Cinbeth Orellano and Grace Paulino.

PRESENT. At the bilateral meetings: Grace Paulino, Dawnie Roa, MCE, Christopher Baricuatro, Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale and teams from Malaysia and Gangwon, Korea.

MESSAGE. Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale delivers the message of Cebu Gov. Jun Davide to the general assembly. The assembly proposed measures on ecology and environment, tourism clusters and information networking; marketing and exchange programs in education and English; and the performing arts.

GIFT. Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale receives a token from Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai after the bilateral meeting.