The tour in Cebu last February 20 – 24 was definitely a memorable experience for me and I’m pretty sure everyone who was with me would say the same. It was fun and educational at the same time. It was fun-ducational! I’ve always believed (and I still do) that experience is the best teacher. Sure enough, the Cebu and Bohol tour has taught me a good number of things (some important, some nonsensical but let’s talk about the important ones only).
The main purpose of the tour was to learn why Cebu is so advanced economically and in many other aspects compared to other provinces or cities in the Philippines and how it accomplished such feat. In addition to that, the tour was supposed to tell us what the local government of Bohol did to boost tourism in the island-province and its steps in protecting the environment.
First of all, I’ve learned that Cebu is under good management. Though we never got to meet Governor Gwen Garcia, what the Provincial Administrator (whose name I regrettably forgot) said with regards to the former’s philosophy in governing Cebu is quite admirable. On paper, Gov. Garcia’s plans are right on the money. Of course, there is the possibility that the reason they’ve said all those good stuff is because we’re visitors from another place and they trying to sound like they’re nearing utopian status. But unlike in some provinces, these plans have, as a matter of fact, actually materialized. Cebu’s programs on education, poverty reduction and environment protection sound redundant because almost every local government around have the same ideas on how to address problems in those areas stated. But as I’ve pointed out, these plans were put into action (probably the most important aspect of “planning” is to put the plan into action).
I also learned to appreciate the beauty of nature. Or rather, re-learned. It wasn’t my first time going to Bohol, but the beauty of the Bohol countryside is so breath-taking, it fills you up with the excitement of someone who hasn’t been there before. Simply staring at the surrounding area from atop the viewing deck of the Chocolate Hills reminded me of the awesomeness of nature and if I wanted to see more of this, and if I wanted the next generation to experience this exhilarating feeling, I, or rather, we should do our part in taking care of the environment. I’m pretty sure that line is overused – in school, on the Discovery Channel, at home – but we need to be reminded constantly.
Probably a very good lesson the tour taught me is the fun of living in a place far away home. I was never a big fan of leaving home. What, do you think I’d be crazy enough to leave the comforts of home? I got food, TV, video games and other things at home that could and do make me happy and content. But the tour sort of changed how I think about stuff like that. I guess it’s a wake up call from reality that says, “You’ll be leaving home soon. Get used to it.” For others, it’s no biggie as they do it (leave home) on a regular basis. But I am not like anybody else which is why I consider this as a major lesson learned.
So, to sum it all up, I would like to say that I do appreciate the tour, big time. I got to know Cebu (and a little bit of Bohol) more. It’s quite important that I do so because I have my eyes set on living there on a semi-permanent basis. Maybe after that happens I could come back and write some additional things I would’ve learned by then.
No comments:
Post a Comment