That was 15 years ago. The membership has increased dramatically. More and more worthwhile and productive programs and projects are being accomplished with each passing year. Today, with experiences and resources behind them, the club hosted the annual meeting of the National Council of Women in Travel Presidents at the Cebu Marriott Hotel recently. Being the ladies that they are, they dovetailed several of their yearly activities.
First, three distinguished and deserving ladies were honored with this year’s Women of Achievement awards. They included Nelia Garcia Neri, a trustee of the Philippine Foundation, a former vice chairman of the Cebu City Tourism Commission and the lifestyle executive editor of Cebu’s Sun Star Daily and Flor Ynclino, veteran lifestyle and travel writer of the Freeman for media practice. The third awardee was Martina Go Ching Hai, president of the Federated Organization of Women Active and Responsive to Development for her extensive contribution and tireless efforts in community service and ecotourism.
Among the Women in Travel hall of fame honorees were Lourdes Quisumbing and Fe Necesario (education), Ingrid Sala Santamaria (arts and culture), Jo Magsaysay and Lily Ferreros (journalism), Dawnie Roa and Agnes Magpale (tourism) and Loring Victorino (community service).
Second, the club voted the general manager of the Cebu Waterfront Hotel Patrick Gregorio as the Man of the Year. He was cited for his selfless contribution and support to tourism-related projects. Son Martin Raphael, aged seven, who was accompanied by his mom Marichel, received the award. He confessed, "My dad could not be here. So sorry. He is in the island of Fiji attending a tourism conference. Did you know he is the only delegate from the Philippines?" He ends with a smile.
Past awardees for the Man of the Year include the late Chief Justice Marcelo Fernan, representative Raul del Mar, pioneer in opening Cebu to direct international flights from and to Singapore, Charles Lim and US consular agent John Domingo.
Third, before the end of the evening which was capped with dinner, a new set of officers were inducted with Inday Alegrado of Alenter Travel as president, Liz Yu, vice president trade, Millette Dejaresco VP membership, Linda To secretary, Leny Mortera treasurer, and Baby Montinola as auditor. Maris Araneta will serve as international director while Northwest Airlines manager Cherry Callelero will stand as the alternate international director. And they did all these not before they warmly welcomed their new recruits such as Jenny Franco of Travel Vision, Angelita Dy of Morning Star Travel and Rose Gwen Po of Pan Pacific.
So there you are ladies, these Women in Travel who are definitely not Women in Trouble simply don’t miss a beat.