182. PHILIPPINE EXPERIENCE - CALABARZON
PHILIPPINE EXPERIENCE - CALABARZON
Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano
03 October 2023
The name of the region is an acronym of its five component provinces: Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. The region has 21 component cities and one highly urbanized city of Lucena with Calamba City as the regional government center.
It is interesting to peek on the evolution of the region. On September 24, 1972, President Ferdinand E. Marcos enacted Presidential Decree No. 1, which organized the provinces into 11 regions as part of Marcos' Integrated Reorganization Plan (IRP). The IRP created Region IV, known as the Southern Tagalog region. The largest region in the Philippines consisted of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Quezon, Rizal, Romblon, and Palawan. In 1979, Aurora formally became a province independent of Quezon and was also included in Region IV.
On May 17, 2002, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 103, which reorganized the Southern Tagalog region. Due to its size, Region IV was split into two separate regions, Region IV-A (CaLaBaRZon) and Region IV-B (MiMaRoPa). Aurora was transferred to Region III, Central Luzon, the provincial geographic location. The next year, Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 246, which declared Calamba as the regional center of the region.
On the other hand, the PEP is one of the flagship projects of the Department of Tourism (DOT) under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. which aims to make tourism a reliable pillar for economic growth built on the strength of the country’s unique history, diverse cultures and heritage, and the world-renowned Filipino hospitality.
My boss, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, stated; “There are countless reasons to fall in love with the Philippines, and CaLaBaRZon encapsulates them all. Tourists visiting this region will be captivated by its breathtaking natural landscapes, vibrant cultural heritage, and distinct delectable cuisine… Of course, all these experiences in CaLaBaRZon are elevated by the genuine warmth and hospitality of its people.”
The DOT patterned the project after Cebu’s Suroy Suroy Sugbo, showcasing the province’ cultural sites, festivals, as well as its delicacies and products. For this trip, the DOT through its CaLaBaRZon Regional office headed by the experienced tourism officer, Director Marites T. Castro, invited members of the diplomatic corps, the media, travel and tourism stakeholders, and delegates from other government agencies on a three-day curated trip. Participants from the embassies of Japan, China, Indonesia, and India were invited as they were identified as the biggest tourist markets for CaLaBaRZon.
The leg started with a historic tour of Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, the residence of the first president of the Philippines, General Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy and the site of the official hurling of the Philippine Flag and Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898. The Philippine flag was raised accompanied with the singing of the “Lupang Hnirang” in front of the historical structure and after the ceremonies, the guests were treated to a traditional Magdalo breakfast consisting of salsa, tapa, tinapang sardinas, tortang itlog with burong mustasa, and kesong puti. I also recorded my “Pinagmulan ng Pangalan” reel of Kawit in front of the historic majestic mansion and had selfies at the numerous historical markers.
The City of Bacoor, also in Cavite, was our next stop. Congresswoman Lani Mercado-Revilla, wife of Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr., and the city officials headed by Mayor Strike Bautista Revilla welcomed us as they celebrated the city’s 352nd founding anniversary and Bakood Festival. Declared as the “Marching Band Capital of the Philippines”, the festival, graced by 47 marching bands from all over the country, celebrated its rich musical heritage. Bacoor is the birthplace of the oldest living marching bands in the country. The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bacoor also hosted our lunch.
Leaving Cavite, we proceeded to the province of Batangas in the historic town of Taal. The charming heritage town is the home of the largest Roman Catholic Church in Asia, the Minor Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours. Aside from the Church, the town is known for its well-preserved heritage houses which are common backdrops to historical movie scenes. The town showcased its cherished products, the balisong, a folding pocketknife with a handle consisting of two parts which divide and pivot around to enclose the blade, typically used as a weapon, and the panutsa (brown sugar candy), both most famous products of Batangas province. Needlework and embroidery of barongs by the locals were also displayed. Taal Mayor Fulgencio I. Mercado and 1st District Congressman Eric Reyes Buhain, a former national athlete, hosted us and offered a sumptuous dinner. I also recorded my “Pinagmulan ng Pangalan” reel of Taal in front of the Basilica which was founded in 1572. I had a selfie at the historical marker of the Catholic Church. The PEP delegates retired for the night at the Twin Lakes Hotel in Lemery, Batangas near the boundary of Tagaytay City.
The Province of Laguna was the next venue for Day 2, October 1. The star of the day was the coconut, known as the “tree of life”. In Casa San Pablo, an interactive cooking tour was displayed and produced a variety of products, ranging from wine and vinegar to sweet delicacies and culinary dishes. Coconut maven, Ancila Alcantara, showcased the region’s coconut module and emphasized the cultural significance of Laguna’s coconut-based products. Congressman Loreto S. Amante of the 3rd District and Vice Governor Katherine C. Agapay welcomed the group in San Pablo City, known as the City of Seven Lakes.
The famous Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort was our next stop. A self-contained working coconut plantation, it was founded in the 1880s by Don Placido Escudero and his wife Doña Claudia Marasigan. Originally planted sugarcane, the crop was converted to coconut by their son Don Arsenio Escudero in the early 1900s. A pioneering agro-industrialist, he built the country's first working hydroelectric plant to supply his desiccated coconut factory and Villa Escudero and I had a souvenir selfie of the structure and historical marker. We engaged in carabao riding, lunch by a man-made waterfall, and witnessed a cultural show prepared by the employees of the Villa Escudero Foundation. The 800-hectare plantation and resort had a reputation for showcasing for the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage, offering a captivating glimpse of the country’s history, cuisine, dress, customs, and natural beauty. I also recorded my “Pinagmulan ng Pangalan” reel of Tiaong on this site.
The last activity for the day was the dinner at the Quezon Provincial Capitol in the capital-city of Lucena to officially welcome the delegates of the PEP. The evening was highlighted with a fashion and cultural show and the tagayan, a traditional indigenous custom where visitors are offered shot glasses of the famed coconut wine, lambanog, as a heartfelt welcome aimed at nurturing friendship, diplomacy, and camaraderie among those who venture to Quezon. I was delighted to see a long-time acquaintance during my college days who was the representative of the Governor, former Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Romano Talaga. I introduced him to my boss, the Secretary, as a former colleague in the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL) and an old-time friend in the University of Santo Tomas together with his older brother who was my classmate. As I left the Capitol building, I had a selfie at the historical marker of the edifice. The PEP delegates retired for the night at the Queen Margarette Hotel in Lucena City.
The third and last day of the PhilEx was nature tourism. A "shoot the rapids" adventure at the Pagsanjan Gorge National Park was truly a good experience as the delegates boarded small canoe-like boats and witnessed a visual feast of nature's wonders surrounding them. After a one-hour ride, the guests were then invited to ride a raft leading up to the famous Pagsanjan Falls where many enjoyed seconds of “hard massage” under the waterfalls. The falls is actually part of Cavinti town, thus it is also known as “Cavinti Falls” and the route is also part of Lumban town. Pagsanjan/Cavinti Falls is locally known as Magdapio Falls. Mayor Cesar Valbuena Areza welcomed us. I also recorded my “Pinagmulan ng Pangalan” reel of Pagsanjan.
The PEP participants had lunch at the famous Pagsanjan traditional Filipino resto, Calle Arco. I have been a guest in this dining place since my UMak (University of Makati) days. The owner, Ms. Anna Cabrera, the present Secretary to the Sanggunian of Pagsanjan, was my classmate at Umak. Together with another classmate, then Mayor Girlie Maita J. Ejercito, wife of then Laguna Govenor Emilio Ramon “ER” P. Ejercito III, we took up Bachelor of Arts in Political Science major in Local Government Administration in the city-run university.
Our next journey was the old town of Paete, Laguna, founded on July 25, 1580 and comprising with only nine barangays. Known as the “Art Capital of Laguna” and the “Carving Capital of the Philippines,” we witnessed the meticulous craftsmanship of skilled Paete craftsmen as they demonstrated their wood-crafting prowess. The delegates were given a history lesson in Paete Church, known for its huge and exquisite collection of images depicting the Passion of Christ, its century-old paintings, and wooden images of saints. I bought wood and resin carving religious souvenirs for my Jasmine Garden in Cabatuan. I also recorded my “Pinagmulan ng Pangalan” reel of Paete near the Santiago Apostol Church which was founded in 1580 and a selfie at the historical marker of the religious structure.
The PhilEx delegates were taken to the small embroidery town of Lumban, Laguna. A cultural performance by the town’s youth welcomed the delegates which narrates the story and livelihood of Lumban. The town, founded on September 22, 1578, is known for its rich embroidery industry famous for intricate designs of the Filipiniana and Barong Tagalog. These traditional Filipino garments are crafted and handmade by talented local artisans located in the town’s “barong avenue.” The complete municipal officials, dresses in full barong, led by Mayor Rolando G. Ubatay received us. I also recorded my “Pinagmulan ng Pangalan” reel of Lumban in front of the San Sebastian Church which was founded in 1578. I also made a selfie at the historical marker.
To wrap up the three-day tour, a dinner program was held at Ted's Kitchen in Santa Cruz, Laguna, the birthplace of "kesong puti" (white cheese). The dinner featured a delectable array of native dishes from Laguna, providing the perfect conclusion to the PEP CaLaBaRZon journey. I previously had breakfast in this restaurant and had met the owners who are my friends in Facebook particularly Ms. Gel Salonga-Datu and husband, sir Dino.
I captured this on a media feature: With the three-day tour experience in CALABARZON, Minister, and Consul-General of the Embassy of Japan, Hanada Takahiro, shared his thoughts, saying, "I am thoroughly enjoying the Philippine experience. The people here are very warm and friendly. CALABARZON boasts many beautiful and interesting places, and it is rich in culture. But what I appreciate most is the hospitality of the Filipino people." Likewise, Political Attaché to India, Shikha Kumari, added, "I think all the places are very good, especially the churches. The food is also good, but what I love the most is the love of the Filipinos and the hospitality they provide."
It was an amazing experience travelling again around CaLaBaRZon and I brought home a unique souvenir, a bracelet with charm beads symbolizing the five provinces of this wonderful region. The arm accessory will form part of my Philippine souvenir collections at the Jasmine Garden.
Love CaLaBaRZon!
Love the Philippines!
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