If I get lost in Macau, I will stay there for good

Prior to my joining of the 2016 Hongkong Standard Marathon on January 17, 2016; I had an opportunity to visit the island of Macau with pare Dockie and good friends Pin and JP. I considered it as a mammoth side trip, even an interesting destination more than the host venue Hongkong for some reasons I observed and experienced. Upon reaching the place and interacting with Chinese people there, I believed that the next Philippine president should visit this country, understand and internalize the systems and have some slice of the systems emulated into our country.

With a mix of portugese culture being envaded by Portugal Empire long ago, Macau made its colorful culture as its major asset. I also discovered that only very few there know how to speak the English language which to me not a basis for a certain country to be rich and successful economically. The way they managed their infrastructure to compliment with the increasing population is praiseworthy. Presently, while they are still enjoying the comfort of their freeways brought by a comprehensive bus transport systems, they already reached like 60-70 percent completion of their mass railway transport, a move they anticipate that would ease the burden of their people 25 years from now. Yes, they plan and act 25 years advance. Planning is their core prevention so that an economic illness will not happen in their country, visionary planning. Not like us in the Philippines.

Tourism has been a tool and strategy of Macau. They have invited people to come to their place. And the tourism packages they offer are not the usual packages we know. They have existing structures there such as the St. Paul ruins located in the heart of the city and some eye-catching old Chinese structures to compliment. Their native delicacies are equally enticing, the pork and beef jerky captured my taste buds at that, and the other foods are really good, which also attracts tourists.

However, the main economic driver in Macau is the legalized gambling. Gambling in Macau is legal since the 18^th century and it is one of the influences brought about by the portugese government. Since then, Macau has been considered the gambling capital in Asia and even compared to that of Las Vegas in the United States.

Gambling is the biggest source of revenue in Macau which accounts for almost 50% of their economy. It was even levelled up with the entry of large casinos owned by countries like Australia and USA. At present, almost all big hotels in Macau operates a casino. With gambling, tourism and manufacturing industries, Macau is now one of the richest cities in the world according to World Bank report. As of 2013, the Gross Domestic Product per capita by purchasing power parity is higher than that of any country in the world.

For me, the success of Macau’s economy sprouted when they allowed their cultural advantages to dictate them and by crafting a comprehensive policies for which all of its residents followed. In a deeper sense, Macau succeeded in its attempt for an economic transformation because they have people who are ready to reciprocate whatever rules and guidelines introduced by the government. Not like us Filipinos.

If there is one country I would like to revisit, Macau would always stand up as number one on the list.

Exploring Colagsing – The Northern Tip of Davao Occidental

I started my ambitious life scape tour on January 2, 2016 by day touring the isolated island of Colagsing in the municipality of Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental. It is the northern tip of the newly-created province and we accessed the island via the Malalag Port of Davao del Sur. I have been yearning to visit the island through the recommendation of my friend Czaldy Garrote.

   

I was accompanied by a friend from the Tourism Office of Sta. Maria Miss Rhoda Mae. It was also her first time in the island. The boat ride from Malalag Port to Colagsing was only about 20 minutes through the famous Malalag Bay who shared a jurisdiction over the island. We sailed through huge waves of the bay and when we reached or destination, I witnessed how the people dwelled in this place I considered “disremembered  by the times”.

Life in Colagsing is meek. The people depends on fishing as a main source of income and while they belong to the territorial soils of Sta. Maria, most of their economic activity is networked in Malalag. Agriculture has not been thriving very well in the island except for some residents who raised backyard livestock and some gardening.

There is a dirt road connecting Colagsing to the mainland of Sta. Maria through Barangay Colongan but according to the locals, it is very far. The residents are mixed where both Muslims and Christians inhabit the place, as well as a small subdivision of the B’laan tribe.

While in the island, I saw the highest point of the town of Padada on the other side which I visited last June, the Piape Hill. The high point of Malalag also was visible in the south western part – the famed highway thru-cut portion. Some beautiful panoramic landscape bounding the island is captivating. And, the vessels docking in Malalag Bay, as well as the fish cages of bangus, are other attractions of the place.

Just before reaching Colagsing, there is a small island where visitors enjoyed bathing around. They call it Polo and it is the most-visited site in Colagsing. In the future, ecotourism can be a vast potential in the locality because there are other islands surrounding it. Island-hopping can be an option activity that can be introduced in the long run if the local governments of Sta. Maria and Malalag are really bent on pushing tourism to alleviate the economic status of the locals in Colagsing.

There was no clear skies during my visit in Colagsing which might just be the reason for me to go back to the island to capture more good photos. At any rate, I would like to thank Rhoda Mae for assisting my travel to this beautiful place. With you around the whole trip reaffirms my belief that Sta. Maria is a place of beautiful wonders resided by equally – beautiful people.

My second time around in the Woodlands

After several failed attempts, I am finally back in Tribung Bagobo Woodlands Resort (ATBWR) last Sunday, December 20, 2015. This came right after I completed some yuletide schedules. It was only my second time in the resort, my first was in 2012 with then DOT Regional Director and now Assistant Secretary Art Boncato. I’ve been aching to really go back there to take some pictures of the resort as promised to its owner Ate Nene Abajero.

As usual, ATBWR remains one of the destinations in Mindanao that I love visiting because Ate Nene and company had maintained the nature theme of the place, a unique attribute one could never find in other resorts nearby. Nestled some 700-800 meters above sea level and with a tempting cold temperature, ATBWR can be an instant respite this December holiday seasons and even in summer or practically the rest of the year.

In my first visit last 2012 I witnessed the beautiful flowers in full bloom that added colourful attraction to the resort. This time, different flora species greeted my eyes with green shades in the forest that covered the whole perimeter of the place. The tropical rainforests remain unscathed from the very start of the entry point all the way to the other side which made me think that ATBWR is a garden more than a resort.

  

   

The fauna in ATBWR is also obviously thriving with the result of their habitat being taken cared of very well. While on my way back to the exit point, I saw these creatures. The green snake seemed not hostile at all upon seeing me. Its green colour had concealed with the verdant setting of the entire surrounding.  

After all these years, I also noticed that Ate Nene remained very accommodating, modest and generous. Ate Nene’s earnest dedication to nature and passion to preserve it is something that is really worth emulating. I admire this warrior soul inserted into a woman’s body. This is a woman everybody should talk to, and listen at the same time, in order to appreciate fully her thoughts and advocacy.

I had great moment visiting the woodlands the second time I visited it and I encourage all my friends, especially those who want to have a different experience in the outdoors, to also visit there.