A taste of the Philippines in Singapore -1

Thousands of

homesick Pinoys flock

to the June 12

celebration in

Singapore to join the

tourism department

to trumpet the

Philippines as the

true destination for

the homeward bound

NEARLY 5,000 Singapore-based Filipinos trooped to

the Sentosa Leisure Island Resort in Singapore to

witness the launch of the Department of Tourism's

"Balikbayani" program during the Philippine

Independence Day weekend.

The heavy downpour in the morning did not

dampen people in trooping to Sentosa for the

afternoon program. In fact, the rains cooled off

the humid atmosphere, so the heat was no longer

scorching even at mid-day.

The "Balikbayani" launch was part of the Philippine

Community Day program, which kicked off with an

alay lakad, participated in by hundreds of Overseas

Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Since it was a Sunday, a mass officiated by a

Singapore-based Filipino chaplain, gathered the

Filipinos in Singapore, including the permanent

residents, professionals and contract workers.

Some Singaporeans and other tourists joined the

assembly in a makeshift tent near the fountain

area in Sentosa.

"Madalas 'pag Sunday, sa Lucky Plaza lang kami

nagpupunta," said a domestic helper. "Bihira kaming

maka-experience na maraming Pilipinong

dumadalaw dito at may masayang nangyayari."

Nationalist spirit

After the mass, it was a tearful moment for many

homesick Filipinos when Kuh Ledesma's "Ako ay

Pilipino" was played. Everyone held hands, hugged

and some kissed their seatmates in the spirit of

nationalism and brotherhood.

The University of San Carlos Dance Troupe and

Rondalla from Cebu City depicted the boundless

passion of Filipinos for dance and music. The group

was flown to the Lion City by Singapore Airlines.

Travel Girl Philippines Chiqui Lucindo, a junior BS

Biology student from the University of the

Philippines, represented the country as ambassador

of goodwill. In the evening, she led the

santacruzan, which was one of the main activities

of the Islands Philippines Country Fair.

A native of Bulacan, Chiqui is the daughter of

businessman Tony Lucindo and Deedee Lucindo.

She bested over 60 aspirants to the search,

organized by the Network of Independent Travel

(Nitas). Chiqui looks forward to attending more

travel and tourism activities abroad and do her

share in selling the potentials of the country and

its people.

"Balikbayani" was launched in support of the

"rediscovery" program of President Estrada. Marina

Villanueva, who is the "Balikbayani"

secretary-general, spearheads the program.

DOT created the rewards-based promotional

campaign where members of the program earn

points by convincing their friends, relatives,

officemates and other individuals, who are

non-Philippine passport holders, to visit the

country.

The points are tallied and can be exchanged for

airline tickets, tour packages, holidays, appliances

and other gift items.

The DOT offers individual prizes to any registrant

who can bring in the most number of guests to the

country. Grand prize is a house and lot package at

Tierra Nevada. They will also have a chance to

dine with President Estrada or enjoy a two-week,

all-expense paid vacation, Jewelmer southsea pearl

pendant and earrings, gift certificates and pension

plan.

Even the community that can gather the most

number of guests can get P500, 000 in community

improvements.

The program will be promoted through Philippine

government agencies abroad like the Department

of Tourism, Overseas Workers Welfare

Administration, Department of Foreign Affairs,

accredited airlines, travel agents and tour

operators.