By Fiel Adulf Mitra
In celebration of the National Tourism Week, the much-awaited Annual Provincial Tourism Quiz this year was finally witnessed by tourism stakeholders and enthusiasts at the Island City Mall Entertainment Center last Friday, September 19, 2008. The annual tourism competition is initiated by the Bohol Island Tour Guides Association of the Philippines , Inc. (BITGAP).
It has been sustained as the only annual tourism activity for the past eight years held every tourism month of September. The annual feat has become institutionalized and anticipated every year by schools, tourism and cultural workers and Boholanos who want to know more about what the beautiful province of Bohol can offer in terms of tourism sites, standards, services, cultural assets and projects as well as Bohol arts and environmental conservation.
BITGAP initiated the activity in 1999 with the objective of promoting and creating tourism and cultural awareness among Boholanos most especially among students who can contribute greatly to the development and protection of existing as well as emerging eco-cultural destinations and services in the province.
Jisa Logaos and Ronna Mary Legaspo of San Agustin National High School (Sagbayan) emerged as the grand champion after competing with eight other District school-finalists. Tito Niones was their coach. They received the first-of-its kind Annual Tourism Quiz Trophy which will be displayed at their Sagbayan campus, Pamilacan Dolphin and Whale Watching tour certificate and get to stay overnight at Panglao Island Nature Resort.
The second placer came from the third district, Rachel Panuncialman and Helbert Policios of Policronio S. Dano, Sr. High School of Carmen. Benneth A. Cesar was their coach. Tambongan High School's Jovit R. Aleria and Ma. Princess Sofea P. Portillano of Candijay grabbed the third prize with their coach Flora T. Virtudazo.
The second and third prize winners received a trophy, certificates of achievement and a certificate for an overnight stay at Alona Kew and Tierra Azul beach resorts, respectively.
The District Level winners were treated to a luncheon at Bakstiq restaurant right after the competition.
It may be recalled that BITGAP conducted elimination rounds in Bohol's three congressional districts. A total of 55 schools all over the province (excluding the City schools) joined the District elimination round.
The eliminations were held at the New Calape Cultural Center and Sports Complex (1st District) last June 27, 2008; President Magsaysay Center in Ubay (2nd District) on July 25, 2008 and just recently at the Carmen Cultural Center (3rd District) last August 29, 2008. BITGAP is grateful to the various town mayors who expressed so much interest in providing support to the activity, which is the first-of-a-kind in the Province of Bohol. The previous years' tourism quiz competitions were only held in the City of Tagbilaran.
Mayors Sulpicio Yu, Jr. of Calape, Eutiquio M. Bernales of Ubay and Manuel R. Molina of Carmen threw their all out support to BITGAP and made the event successful. The local executives provided technical and logistical support and made sure that the local schools, government workers and out-of-school youth witnessed the said affair.
The other finalists from the three Congressional districts in the Province of Bohol who vied for the grand prize were Analyn Gallibot and Haneszel Mae Flores of Pagnitoan High School (Maribojoc); Andresa Taganas and Mary Grace Gujilde of Pangangan High School (Calape); Rosa Epifania Lara and Christie Amor Estrada of Sandingan High School (Loon) for the first District. The Second District were represented by Rogina Rosagaran and Jefferson Suello of Campao Oriental High School (Getafe); Julius Fornolles and Belinda Piloton of San Isidro High School (San Isidro). Aside from Tambongan and Policronio S. Dano Sr. high schools, the Third District was represented by Dallivel Agravante and Realyn Ganzon of Sierra-Bullones National High School (Sierra-Bullones).They were assisted by their coaches and advisers.
City Level competition
Thirteen City Schools participated in the City level contest. They included Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School, Cogon Night High School, Tagbilaran City Science High School, Grace Christian School, Bohol Wisdom School, Holy Name University, Central Visayas State College of Agriculture, Forestry and Technology (CVSCAFT) - Tagbilaran City Campus, Manga National High School, San Isidro High School, Mansasa High School, Holy Spirit School and Bohol Institute of Technology's Day and Night departments.
The City level competition did not end without a fight. Bohol Wisdom School contested the answer to the question on the exact date when the Bohol Hymn was first sung publicly by a female choir of the College of the Holy Spirit of Tagbilaran. According to their reference, it was on March 2, 1970. The quizmaster acknowledged the answer March 1, 1970 of Holy Name University, Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School and Holy Spirit School as the correct answer. The judges decided to nullify the question and replaced it with another after conflicting sources surfaced. After the replacement question was asked, three schools tied in the third place.
In a verification made by BITGAP, it was later found out that the correct date is March 1, 1970 based on the copy of the Bohol Provincial Hymn Official Publication.
"Said to be the worst debacle of the Boholanos in the fight against the Americans was on a hill in Jagna when a local fighter treacherously led the Americans to massacre the Boholano fighters resting in foxholes for a Holy Week retreat. Specifically, where did this event happen?" This was the last question which confronted Holy Spirit School (HSS), Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School (DCPNHS) and Bohol Wisdom School in a breath-halting tie breaker play-off for 3rd place. DCPNHS seniors Maribeth Cemine and Ronard Paña eked out the victory and were declared winners by the quizmaster and Bohol Island Tour Guides Association of the Philippines, Inc. (BITGAP) President Danny C. Nazareno after the said school gave the correct answer Lonoy, Jagna. The students were under the tutelage of Ms. Raflyn Salutan.
Holy Name University grabbed the grand prize. Nikki Charmaine Reambonanza and Jehra Marie Tan together with their coach Asuncion Pabalan will experience a Pamilacan Island Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour and get to stay overnight at the Bohol Beach Club as part of their grand prize. HNU also received the first-of-its kind Annual Tourism Quiz Trophy which will also be displayed at the HNU Dampas campus.
Senior students Ronn Patrick L. Guingguing and Mark John A. Aparre of Tagbilaran City Science High School bagged this year's second place. Their adviser was Ms. Angelita Macarayan.
All the winners at the City level received a trophy, certificates of achievement, gift packs from Department of Tourism, Assumpta Pilgrim Center and Island Tours. In addition, the second and third prize winners will get to stay overnight at Amarela beach resort and Balicasag Island Dive Resort, respectively.
All participating senior high school students received certificates of participation from BITGAP.
Other tourism stakeholders who threw support to this year's competition included Bea Zobel de Ayala, Jr. who provided the Annual Tourism Quiz "eternal" Trophy to the grand champions which will be handed over to next year's winning schools, Congressmen Edgar M. Chatto and Roberto Cajes , Vice-Governor Julius Ceasar Herrera, Island City Mall, Amarela Beach Resort, Panglao Island Nature resort and Spa, Vest Pension House, Bohol Beach Club, Alona Kew White Beach Resort, Balicasag Island Dive Resort, Tierra Azul- Alina Beach House, Aproniana Souvenir Shop, Dunkin Donuts, Bohol Bee Farm, Assumpta Pilgrim Center, JJ's Seafood Village, Bakstiq, Julie's Bakeshop, Weesam Express, Long River Floating Restaurant, Supercarp,50 Karat Jewelry Pawnshop, Bohol Federation of Travel and Tour Operators and Byahi Na!! Car-Van Rental and Tour Services.
This year's Tourism Quiz is also with support from the Department of Tourism - Region 7, Provincial Government of Bohol through the Bohol Tourism Office , Department of Education, City Schools Division and the Bohol Association of Catholic Schools.
This year's 9th Annual Provincial Tourism Quiz committee was headed by Mr. Marc Brian Mascarinas. The program was hosted by Eric Cruz. The members of the panel judges were Ms. Josephine R. Cabarrus from the Bohol Tourism Office as the Chairperson, Ms. Lourdes T. Sultan of Travel Village and Tours and Ms. Grace M. Tachado, Vice-President of Bohol Island Tour Guides Association of the Philippines, Inc. as members. Other quiz officials included Mr. Ronald Pantanosas, timer and bellringer, Ms. Caridad Galia and Mr. Racel Loquellano as scorers. The quiz was ably assisted by BITGAP members Alicia Dango, Marlyn Estillore, Sarah Malayo, Aimee Alegarbes, Socorro Marie de la Serna, Agnes Ytac, Gerry Cuadrasal, Joseph Ruel Familar, Ma. Elba Labad, Fritzie Mae Zamora , Jessica Ugboc and Vicky Visarra who served as proctors.
Documentation was made possible by John Dominic Migriño and Duplex Mitra. - The Bohol Chronicle