Foreign exchange
"In a bid to snap out of the regional economic
crisis, many countries in Asia are banking on
tourism to raise much-needed foreign exchange,
generate employment and stimulate investments,"
Tourism Undersecretary Ram Antonio told the
Inquirer. "In the Philippines, with President
Estrada's declared objective of making the
dollar-generating tourism industry as the industry
of the coming century, tourism is also seen playing
an increasingly vital role in supporting the
government's efforts to achieve full economic
recovery.
"The situation therefore compels the DOT to be
more creative and develop innovative tourism
marketing programs and promotional campaigns to
increase visitor arrivals and expenditures in the
country."
On a lighter mood, Antonio faced the
Singapore-based Pinoys and amused them with his
humor.
"Kasama ho natin ngayon ang mga sikat na artista
mula sa atin," Antonio told the crowd. "Si Leo
Martinez at Nanette Inventor ho, magdadala ng
kasiyahan sa inyo ngayon."
When Antonio mentioned the names Richard Gomez
or Aga Muhlach, the crowd shrieked and screamed.
But the good-looking public official immediately
doused the excitement of the audience.
"Bakit naman kasi kung sino-sino pa ang hahanapin
niyo, eh nandito naman po ako?," he said.
The merits of the "Balikbayani" program was more
comprehensively explained by entertainers Leo
Martinez and Nanette Inventor, who were
appointed by the DOT to be the official
spokespersons of the project.
During the afternoon activity, Leo and Nanette
regaled the crowd with their songs, spiels and
antics. Both entertainers apparently worked on a
script, which focused on nationalism.
"I've always wanted to do something for the
government," Nanette told the Inquirer. "I am very
glad to be part of this project where we can reach
out to Filipinos overseas through entertainment
and help bring tourists to our country."
Nanette brought the house down with her take on
Filipino quirks and traditions.
"Filipino lang ang mahilig magpangalang na
inu-ulit-ulit, tulad ng Bing-Bing, Bong-Bong,
Jing-Jing, Kring-Kring," Nanette said.
"Kahit isda natin, inuulit - pla-pla, hasa-hasa,
maya-maya, sapsap, lapu-lapu. At pati parte ng
katawan natin, inuulit bigkasin - bilbil, ngala-ngala,
baba, kili-kili..."
Leo, for his part, was not to be upstaged. With his
distinct Batangueno accent, he reprised his famous
Congressman Manhik Manaog character by doing a
stand-up comedy act, which the crowd lapped up.
In between the comic acts, Leo and Nanette
displayed their singing prowess and sang
"Bonggahan," "Manila" and "Tayong mga Pinoy."
Rare
"Minsan lang kami makanood ng ganitong mga
show," said Emma, a domestic helper who's been
based in Singapore for 7 years now. "Miss na miss
namin ang mga artista sa atin dahil wala naman
kaming napapanood ditong mga TV show natin. So
'pag may mga ganitong shows at kaya rin lang
namin ang ticket, nanonood talaga kami."
There were also working professionals who
attended the celebration, like nurse Zara Arcilla
and her husband Joel Villanueva, architect Lady
Salterio, and Engr. Adrian Prestosa.
The Philippine community in Singapore, meanwhile,
organized the Philippines Country Fair, which
showcased the country's arts and crafts, including
a food festival where native food like bibingka,
ensaymada, halo-halo and biko were sold.
The Singapore event serves as the kick-off point
for the Balikbayani program, which will also be
brought to other places like the United States,
Middle East, Australia and Europe, according to
Antonio.
Last May, 200 Butuanons from all over the world
went home to Butuan in celebration of the golden
jubilee of the city charter. The group was
organized in support of the government's
Balikbayani program.
In April, "Balikbayani" secretary general Marina
Villanueva welcomed balikbayans to Morong, Rizal,
also as part of the DOT program.
Villanueva points out "Balikbayani" aims to
strengthen the self-image and self-confidence of
the OFWs, improve the perception of foreign
employees of the Filipino worker and of the country
as a whole, engender in the overseas Filipino a
deep-seated pride in his home country, unite
Filipinos abroad, generate involvement from various
Filipino groups abroad in marketing the Philippines
as a tourism destination and increase tourism
arrivals in the country.
"In the first year of the program, we intend to
increase tourist arrivals by 10 percent, then 15 in
the second year and 20 in the third year,"
Villanueva said. "By the end of the five-year
period, we expect to have brought in a big number
of visitors to the country for additional tourism
revenues."
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