By Anthony A. Araos
There is a lot to learn through education tourism. Visiting San Francisco High School in Lamut town in Ifugao has become an occasion to achieve this goal.
Local and foreign tourists are given a rare opportunity to see, understand and appreciate the meaning and essence of education tourism in this part of the world.
In many countries, education tourism is a major part of life. Income boost among stakeholders has reflected on the increased number of visitors in educational institutions. Tourists buy school t-shirts or caps as souvenirs. They also take their snacks or meals at canteens. In turn, hotels and lodging inns get their fair share of the tourism industry’s substantial earnings because of the accommodation needs of inbound tourists.
Presently, education tourism in the Philippines is still in its infancy stage. Department of Tourism (DOT) officials expect it to expand and make an impact here in 2018 and the coming years. I share their sentiments on this matter. This can change through the adoption of innovative strategies such as broadened promotion campaign marked by more media exposure and use of social media outlets.
Emphasizing on the importance of education and an enabling policy that recognizes and protects the rights and responsibilities of young learners to inspire and motivate them to study well is another approach. After all, interacting with a group of professionals from Canada, Australia, France, Makati City or Cebu City may well provide them the stimulus to strive for excellence instead of merely getting a passing grade.
To my mind, young learners should be acknowledged as a separate basic sector with its own set of distinct rights and responsibilities. They are considered as the incoming leaders of the nation.
In Ifugao, San Francisco High School truly is gifted with one of the best Catholic education system. There are four other privately-operated Catholic schools in the secondary level in the province.
Over the years, school administrators introduced various forward-looking learning systems as well as new facilities. As a result, San Francisco High School has been topping several prestigious academic competitions in Ifugao. Two years ago, I served as a judge in Department of Education (DEpEd)-sponsored debate competition (based on Parliamentary Procedures) at the Ammungan Hall of the Division Schools Office building in Lagawe. San Francisco High School students easily ruled the event. They were well-prepared and well-coached. I’m definitely impressed. Credit it to principal Donald Bondoc and chaplain Fr. Noel Bandigan.
These actions elevated the school’s educational standards with minimal investment.
Today, the school boost of several classrooms and gymnasium among other facilities.
The school is located at St. Francis Street of the main Barangay Poblacion area. It is not too far from the church, Lamut Central School and the municipal hall.
In the coming years, it shall definitely play a greater role in advancing the cause of quality education in Ifugao. For one, San Francisco High School shall be the host of the Ifugao Private Schools Athletic Association (IPSAA) Meet in 2018.
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Local and national elections are scheduled in 2019. Aspirants are set to file their Certificates of Candidacies (COCs) by October of next year. Why? Because the polls are to be conducted in an automated manner and it takes a longer time to print the ballot.
It is hoped and prayed that candidates for representative (congressman), governor, vice governor and board member are committed to pledge that it elected they would concentrate on education programs and projects to cope with the increasing demands of the province’s population.
The legislative program of the aforementioned candidates should be designed primarily to meet the basic needs of the people. Ideally, a pro-education agenda for learners and teachers alike in the primary, secondary and even tertiary levels should be pursued.
This could be achieved by providing additional funds for school-based projects. Sadly, most of projects in public elementary and high schools are grossly underfunded.
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It is high time for the capital town of Lagawe to have a covered tennis court.
Currently, its tennis court is situated just a stone away from the provincial capitol building compound. To be more precise, it is just in front of it.
On a bright and sunny late afternoon, the court is teeming with tennis buffs who are mostly from the upper bracket of society. It also serves a venue for municipal and provincial competitions for this popular sporting event. But, during rainy days it is entirely a different story.
It will be recalled that the Philippines has been a powerhouse in tennis in the Southeast Asian region in the past. Now, to bring back a glorious past Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) officials are on the lookout for talents in the grassroots level.
To my mind, the time is right to have a covered tennis court in Lagawe. May I add a clay or grass court at that, to accentuate the importance of such facility. For so long, the pressing need for one has been ignored or considered. Inaction on this concern would deprive the town, in particular, and Ifugao in general, of its right to chart its destiny as the next tennis hub in the region.
By constructing a covered tennis court, the provincial government should be able to pride itself with its readiness to meet the needs for the delivery of adequate and essential services to the people. Needless to point out that tennis player enthusiasts and soon-to-be discovered superstars are among them
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To date, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has done a lot to improve the infrastructure of Ifugao. This is just a part of Japan’s commitment to spur local development efforts.
In the energy sector, a grant for a mini-hydropower development project in Ifugao worth 893 million yen (Php 393 million) was increased to 922million yen (Php 404 million) in 2015. The implementing agency is the Department of Energy, which will determine the technical feasibility and economic viability of hydropower projects along irrigation canals administered by the National Irrigation Administration.
The infrastructure project would facilitate faster and better delivery of fundamental services that could potentially boost local economies.
JICA should be commended for continuously expanding and strengthening its network and developing new partnerships in Ifugao. It has been so focused on the common challenges and most pressing concerns facing underdeveloped provinces as this one. I would be glad to discuss at length many other noteworthy endeavors of JICA.
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Congratulations to acting Provincial Agriculturist Catherine Buenaventura for being adjudged recently as the nation’s top winner in the category of “Most Outstanding Provincial Focal Person in Organic Farming” of the prestigious Gawad Saka Awards of the Department of Agriculture.
Truly, she pioneered in offering innovative programs for Ifugao farmers. Truth to tell, Mrs. Buenaventura accomplished her mission through a different and difficult route. She took calculated risks and adopted forward-looking ways of meeting the needs of farmers and fisher folk. She has continuously guided farmers in the province’s 11 towns from production (planting) to harvest, leading to a more better, progressive and sustainable agriculture sector. Mrs. Buenaventura has been recognized for her efforts in setting up action plans as well as implementing measures towards the transformation of marginalized communities.
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For the 2019 polls in Ifugao, I easily see two scenarios playing out. Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr. of the Liberal Party (LP) and a handful of his allies will be challenging candidates of the administration Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party. It is a tall order for them because the ruling party has the advantage in resources and the full backing of President Duterte.
Under the second scenario, with many fearful of being associated with the opposition LP, Rep. Baguilat- who is on his last term as congressman, runs for Governor. With most of the remaining LP incumbents running as independent bets, many PDP-Laban hopefuls are running unopposed. Perhaps, except in Rep. Baguilat’s Kiangan hometown.
In the 2016 elections, LP emerged with the most number of winning candidates in Ifugao. This also holds true in the other 1,489 towns in the country. In fact, this actually took place in the races for the vice president, senator, congressman, governor, vice governor, board member, mayor, vice mayor and councilor. However, most LP officials defected to the PDP-Laban shortly after President Duterte assumed office.
Rep. Baguilat should start rebuilding the LP in Ifugao. Forget traditional politicians who are known for shifting loyalties out of convenience. Try fielding new candidates who shall contest key local posts out of principles and convictions. Tap and harness the commitment of the young who are ready and willing to serve the people faithfully and dutifully well at all times. The youth has been an ally of the LP throughout its illustrious history.
The LP is down but not out. The party’s strength is derived from well-meaning men and women who are known for their competence, probity and integrity. Let it rise anew out of the nobility of service to the widest majority of the people.
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For our food delights corner: Savor the great taste of a European cuisine such as Norwegian salmon head (V-cut) cooked fillet-style or soup-based. The choice is yours; you hold the key to level up your dining experience. Easy-to-follow recipes of this menu is available in most cook books in Metro Manila, offering a variety of signature tastings, which could possibly keep you full for long. Satisfy your cravings for this not-so-often treat with java rice and breaded Australian lamb chops. Add to it lobster wonton, it is surely heavenly!
For appetizers: strawberry cake, bananas and chilled guyabano juice.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “We need women voters who are able to exact accountability from their leaders. And leaders who know that the women’s vote is a vote that matters.” Senator Rita Hontiveros
“I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me.” Jesus Christ (Gospel Jn 14:2-6)
“If we train potential athletes at an early age, they will shine and develop into world-class athletes.” Abono Party-list Rep. Conrado Estrella III .**
