First timers get Cordilleran hospitality
COURTESY OF A TREE planting activity at the Busol water Shed capped off the four-day red carpet treatment of two families chosen as the Lucky Summer Visitors of 2016 of the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club.
On Sunday, March 27, Jennifer Leon,36, an Operations Manager from Olongapo, with her partner Adrian Evalobo, 34, seaman and Kenn Evalobo,12 together with Flores Family from Tondo, Manila planted six pine tree seedlings.
"I will never forget the Pine seedling that I planted. Sa panahon ngayon na nasisira na ang kalikasan there are only few people who are into nature and I’m honored na naging isa ako sa kanila," Leon told Sun*Star.
The seedlings will take five months to survive and 50 years to be fully grown.
"Ang pagtatanim ng pine tree ay katulad din pala ng pag aalaga mo sa iyong mga anak. Kailangan mong itanim sa tamang paraan, bantayan at diligan for it to grow and be of use to all," Leon added.
The Flores Family patriarch Robert, 69, a retired pier supervisor with his wife Lucina,60, a commerce professor and granddaughter Sophia also enjoyed planting pine seedlings.
"We were very happy to plant pine trees not just because it is a new experience for us but also because through this simple act we can give back to Baguio City for being hospitable host to us," Lucina told Sun*Star.
During the tree planting the LSVs' were oriented how to properly plant and care for the seedlings while this year’s LSV assured they will visit their trees soon.
Prior to the tree planting activity on Sunday, the lucky visitors were presented to La Trinidad Mayor Edna Tabanda and afterwards went to the famous Strawberry Farm for the picking expedition.
"We are very excited to go to the strawberry farm kasi madami na kaming naririnig na maganda daw doon and we haven't seen an actual strawberry plant. This time hindi lang kami nakakita kundi mamitas pa kami ng strawberries," Lucina excitedly stated.
During the farm tour they were given baskets to fill.
After the strawberry picking Lucina likened the activity to a couple's life.
"Ang hirap palang mamitas ng strawberries. Parang sa buhay mag-asawa din pala, na mula sa pagtatanim hanggang sa pag-aani mahabang proseso maraming dapat pagdaanan, kailangan pinaghihirapan bago mo makuha yung matamis na bunga," Lucina added.
"Kami ng asawa ko ang magpapatunay na mayroong Forever," Lucina stated.
Moreover Leon agreed strawberry picking takes an effort.
"Picking strawberries was a very good experience to us, we will surely comeback and do it again. It was also an eye opener for us kasi sa market kapag bumili ka ng strawberries hindi mo malalaman yung hirap ng mga farmers but when I experienced a ganito pala it takes an effort," Leon said.
After the farm tour, the LSV were presented to the Office of the Benguet Provincial Governor and went to Bahong Flower Farm.
An exciting adventure at Pugo, La Union also welcomed the LSV's on March 25.
The LSV experienced the ziplines, pet show and a tour around the resort and at the same time were awed when the monkey named Kobe in tandem with his talented bird pals performing basketball dunks, played with bowling pins, and rode the scooter and bicycle.
"Naenjoy ko po yung zipline, kahit mataas kasi brave girl po ako sabi ni kuya Kenn at ni Lolo ko po," Sophia narrated.
Kenn on the other hand wanted to try the zipline again.
"Masaya po yung sa zipline medyo natakot lang po ako noong una kasi mataas po, feeling ko po ako si superman na nakaupo. At kasama ko pa pala si Sophia kasi magaan kami kaya pinagsabay na lang po kaming dalawa," Kenn added.
"Game ako na nag zipline kasi new experience sa akin yun pati si Pia yung apo ko nagawa
niya din, yun lang si misis sinubukan niya din sa una pero yung mga sumunod na hindi na kasi baka atakehin mahirap na," Lolo Robert happily said.
They also visited the animal zoo inside Pugad which is home to different species of birds, fishes, reptiles and a tiger named Nicole.
After Pugad, the tourists were taken to Philippine Military Academy at Fort Del Pilar.
They were welcomed by Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Reynaldo Balido together with incoming 2nd class cadets.
The visitors, together with PMA officials and cadets enjoyed their sumptuous meal consisting of rice topped with pancit, sardines, salted dried fish, eggplant and kamatis laid in banana leaves ala ‘boodle fight’ to experiencelunch the PMA way.
After the boodle fight, the visitors were also toured at the Borromeo field, the sundial and the PMA museum.
In between the tours from March 24 to 27, the LSV visited Tam-awan Village, hiked the 120 steps of Lourdes Grotto, experienced horseback riding at Wright Park, took a picture at the Mansion, tasted strawberry taho, experienced boating and bicycle riding at Burnham Park, stayed free at Hotel Supreme, dined at Casa Vallejo and the Manor.
At Tam-Awan Village, the families danced gracefully with the cultural performers.
"Kung tutuusin wala talaga kaming in depth na kaalaman sa kultura dito sa Cordilleras. Kahit paano sa pagdalaw namin dito sa Tam-Awan nakita namin yung mga kubo na tinirhan ng mga elders na Igorot at nakisayaw din kami sa cultural dance," Evalobo told Sun*Star.
Meanwhile, the Flores family’s visit to Lourdes Grotto was short but meaningful.
"In every place that we went we always see to it na makapag pasalamat kami sa Diyos, kaya nung pumunta kami sa Lourdes Grotto, I thanked the Lord for giving us so much blessings," Lucina said.
"Hindi naman namin mararating ang mga lugar kung saan kami dinala ng BCBC kung hindi dahil sa Kanya, at isa din talaga sa gusto naming puntahan kung hindi kami napili na maging LSV ay ang Grotto," Robert added.
The Flores and Evalobo family were thankful because the City treated them well and they assured that they will visit the City again.