CEBU, Philippines - Of the more than 20 who underwent a six-week training on barangay tourist guiding, 20-year-old Charlon Cambalon is one of those who survived the rigors. He works with nine active members of the Argao Youth Heritage Volunteer Society.
He sits as president, attributing passion to be the driving force behind his pursuit to learn more about Argao history and culture, in the hope of being able to understand deeply his past and share this to tourists.
"Some residents have been living here in Argao for over 20 years without getting to know or understanding fully our heritage. Daghan wa kahibalo unsa diay namo kadato sa kapanulondan (heritage); unsay kaagi sa Argao, unsa kabulahan nga naa pay makita sa mga karaang structures like Casa Real, Hall of Justice, Capella de Mortuario, our awesome belfry, etc.," Cambalon said.
"We are thankful that the mayor [Edsel Galeos] is very supportive in the creation of our heritage volunteer society because we are empowered to retrace our roots and understand more our history," Cambalon shared during a briefing at the conference room of Casa Real, the seat of governance in Argao.
Prior to May 18's "Gabii sa Kabilin" in Argao and Sibonga, the young barangay tourist guides of Argao showed members of the print and social media around the Cabecera (the navel of the town) and other interesting spots and points in Argao - nature heritage - like the Sombria River and Mangrove Forest, Taloot Marine Sanctuary, the Talisay and Taloot-Liki Cold Springs; as well as the food processing depots that shape Argao's culinary identity, like Jessie Magallones' homemade torta and Guilang's Pure Tableya.
Argao is the first local government unit out of the Cities of Mandaue and Cebu to have initiated a night museum patterned after Germany's Lange Nacht der Museen (Long Night of Museums), in coordination with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. Culture and Heritage Unit.
Even with this noble pursuit, Charlon shared, that some parents would still prefer their children to get "better jobs."
"Since we survive on allowance [stipend], naay parents nga mo-discourage gyod sa ilang mga anak. They would tell their children to focus instead on finding a better-paying job. That's why we also invite parents sa among mga kalihokan para kasabot sad sila unsa kadako ang tampo sa ilang mga anak sa paglambo sa tinipigang kabilin nato dinhi sa Argao," Cambalon added.
Mayor Galeos, who met the media, pointed out that the services of barangay tour guides is already included in the costing of tour packages. "Dili man na nato pwede tablahon ang ilang serbisyo, kay og mao na, gamay ra gyod ang mo-survive. So we also have to sustain the enthusiasm by providing attractive compensation, that way they would cherish and enjoy their jobs," the mayor stressed.
Cambalon's colleague named Dielbert Pantinople started tour guiding when he was yet in first year high school. Now he is already 17 years old. He shared that Saturdays are the busiest with students from various universities on educational tours. "Last week, I earned P250 for guiding a group of students. However, we are tied up to the tourism office so I am not allowed to get their numbers in case they would want a repeat tour. Adto gyod tanan i-book sa tourism office. Di mi pwede mag-freelance or direkta ma-kontak for tour guiding services."
Learning the ropes is the easiest part for Pantinople because of his interest in anything about Argao. The challenge for him is how to handle students who do not only listen, but also poke fun at a guide as young as him. "Di man ta kalikay sa mga bugal-bugalon labi na nga makakita sila nga mas bata mi kay nila, morag dili bitaw mi nila seryosohon. Pero stretching your patience is part of the training, so maningkamot lang ko og attend to my task bisan og ang uban dili maminaw. Anyway ako ra man silang i-remind nga after sa tour, there might be a documentation or a report required by the teacher, so it would be easier for them to retain information if they would pay attention," he shared.
Two lady trainees were part of the familiarization tour - a prelude to the "Gabii sa Kabilin" - last May 18. They are Catherine Zeta Bayang and Reyziel Mondejar, both 16. They are called heritage appreciation trainees. It is obvious that they are still learning the ropes, but the two girls vow to do well in this calling.
According to Cambalon, "calling man gyod ning matawag kay if wala sa among kasingkasing, dili gyod mi mo-prosper ani nga klase sa trabaho."