By
GEORGEVAILKABRISTANTE,
PMPC(Phil.MoviePressClub)
From
his blog "Manila Showbiz and Lifestyle" also farmed out in different
versions to www.pmpcstarnews.com.ph Remate Online,
Pilipino Mirror, Saksi, Pssst, and CMT (Columnists Monitoring Team) Update
Rizal Mayor Antonio A. Aurelio of an almost unknown, unmapped town in Laguna province despite being named after our national hero has all reasons to smile up to his ears these days.
Rizal Mayor Antonio A. Aurelio of an almost unknown, unmapped town in Laguna province despite being named after our national hero has all reasons to smile up to his ears these days.
From
being fifth-class municipality pinned at the bottom among 30 Laguna
municipalities and cities, Rizal for now the mayor says in full
confidence could easily be placed at the top twenty and yes, still climbing up
to the top ranking.
A feat to reckon with considering that Mayor Aurelio is barely two years in office yet and still counting his blessings from within andwithout. Congratulations and a heavy pat on the back for Mayor Antonio is in order.
A feat to reckon with considering that Mayor Aurelio is barely two years in office yet and still counting his blessings from within andwithout. Congratulations and a heavy pat on the back for Mayor Antonio is in order.
The
same effusive kudos insists Mayor Aurelio should go to
Governor George "ER" Ejercito Estregan whose paramount support
as one of his priority targets for the rehabilitation of the most
disregarded town in the province of Laguna help pushed
sleepy Rizal into where it is now.
From all measurable indicators, Rizal town happily has lifted herself up from the former abject social conditions of its constituency in which the town's water supply, health facilities, even peacekeeping, etc. were at the lowest rung of the former mayor's priority.
From all measurable indicators, Rizal town happily has lifted herself up from the former abject social conditions of its constituency in which the town's water supply, health facilities, even peacekeeping, etc. were at the lowest rung of the former mayor's priority.
Now
the landscape of the once dubbed poorest town of Laguna has virtually changed
for the better.
This he shares with a group of entertainment and lifestyle journalists from Manila who he invited in time with the formal launching of Tayak Hill, some 560 feet above sea level in the remote barangay of Tala which he envisions along with Vice-Mayor Vice Mayor/ OIC Municipal Tourism Officer Ferdinand O. Sumague as both a place of prayer and a tourist destination for outdoor enthusiasts, local and international.
This he shares with a group of entertainment and lifestyle journalists from Manila who he invited in time with the formal launching of Tayak Hill, some 560 feet above sea level in the remote barangay of Tala which he envisions along with Vice-Mayor Vice Mayor/ OIC Municipal Tourism Officer Ferdinand O. Sumague as both a place of prayer and a tourist destination for outdoor enthusiasts, local and international.
Included
in its tourism agenda is to encourage balikbayan (returning expatriates)
to visit Rizal and give back something to the community. Mayor
Aurelio discloses that contributions from balikbayans are pouring in the way of
infrastructures and promotional activities in the direction.
A
30-foot concrete cross, the tallest so far in the province, is the highlight of
the picturesque and breathaking view of Tayak Hill. Below the
concrete cross is the marker of Madonna del Ghisallo, the patroness of
travelers and bikers whose original shrine of Madonna del Ghisallo is in
Ghisallo, Italy.
One notes that this is the first marker in the Philippines devoted to the patroness.
One notes that this is the first marker in the Philippines devoted to the patroness.
Gamely
reaching the top of Tayak Hill on foot alongside nature-friendly trekkers led
by Mayor Aurelio himself with his constituencies (think school teachers and avowed
environmentalist groups from Manila and neighboring towns), we were simply
swept and blown away by the waft of early morning fresh air as we
figured the full and enchanting view of San Pablo’s Seven Lakes from beneath
our feet.
I
thought to myself this is Laguna province best kept secret for one who
craves temporary spiritual shelter and hideaway from the hustle and bustle of
the vagaries of modern living. Nature at its most unspoiled.
You
must visit Tayak Hill to believe what am I saying.
Further disclosures from Mayor Aurelio revealed that Governor George "ER" Ejercito Estregan was behind the trailblazing initiative of formally opening Tayak Hil to make it a world-class tourist destination for local and overseas tourists.
In fact, Gov. "ER" was supposed to head the said formal launch along with beauteous First Lady Mayor of Pagsanjan Maita Sanchez- Ejercito but intervening and pressing commitment has prevented him from doing so.
Further disclosures from Mayor Aurelio revealed that Governor George "ER" Ejercito Estregan was behind the trailblazing initiative of formally opening Tayak Hil to make it a world-class tourist destination for local and overseas tourists.
In fact, Gov. "ER" was supposed to head the said formal launch along with beauteous First Lady Mayor of Pagsanjan Maita Sanchez- Ejercito but intervening and pressing commitment has prevented him from doing so.
We
joked and consoled Mayor Aurelio by telling him that on behalf and in the
absence of Gov. "ER" we took it upon ourselves to represent the
Governor being his self-imposed PR/friends from the media which included
friends/ colleagues when Gov. "ER" back when was virtually a tyro in
showbiz.
The
self-imposed press friends in issue present at the said launch were
working entertainment press Dennis Adobas, Raymund Vargas, Favatini San and
Anthony Solis who swore to stand by the Governor through thick and thin.
Mayor Antonio Aurelio was more than glad to host us for an overnight and most pleasurable stay in his humble dwelling, thank you.
Mayor Antonio Aurelio was more than glad to host us for an overnight and most pleasurable stay in his humble dwelling, thank you.
Good
that Senator Miguel Zubiri who was in the official guest list to grace the same
occasion along with Governor "ER" and who did not make it either due
to a debilitating case of flu had sent a representative in the person of the
most celebrated health and sports buff Chris Tieu who is himself a well-known
environmentalist.
The
green warrior that he is like Sen. Zubiri, Chris Tieu formally announced
the opening of Tayak Hill not only as a tourist destination but
also as sanctuary for the preservation of Mother Nature's
endangered natural resources, saying that it is one of Laguna's pride worth
preserving and showing to the world.
Prior
to Chris Tieu's brief and encouraging speech on behalf of saving the Earth from
further harm and abuse, a line-up of inter-faith guests took turns in
giving their enobling messages in-betweeen highly-moving acoustic numbers from
two local lady artists singing songs of praise for Mother Nature to
several hundreds of guests gamboling atop the enchanting Tayak Hill.
From
Tayak Hill guests were led by Mayor Aurelio's constituents and
peacekeepers from the local National Police to a nearby historical
landmark called the Landing Point where tree planting led by the warrior group
of Chris Tieu took place in all earnest participated in by all sectors of
environmentalists present.
Someone behind our back twittered that Sen. Miguel Zubiri was well on the way to campaigning for his Senatorial bid in the coming election in the person of Chris Tieu.
Someone behind our back twittered that Sen. Miguel Zubiri was well on the way to campaigning for his Senatorial bid in the coming election in the person of Chris Tieu.
We
were not in the least bothered and looked away instead and set our sights at
the soothing spirit of the virgin forest about us.
The most important thing was Chris Tieu went out of his comfort zone to show to Mayor Antonio Aurelio and his constituents the value of preserving and making sustainable Tayak Hill as God's sanctuary for nature lovers and all, tourist or not.We toast to that!
The most important thing was Chris Tieu went out of his comfort zone to show to Mayor Antonio Aurelio and his constituents the value of preserving and making sustainable Tayak Hill as God's sanctuary for nature lovers and all, tourist or not.We toast to that!
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