Tourism is our country’s best hope in bouncing back from our present economic woes. It is a big source of dollars to prop up our economy and to provide jobs for tens of thousands of Filipinos who are involved with the tourism industry. We have the attractions that can lure back the foreign tourists, and we have a very hospitable, friendly people that are magnets for visitors from foreign lands.
During the height of its economic crisis, Thailand was able to survive, and eventually rise from the ashes, because of tourism. With millions of tourists spending their money in Thailand, the once-beleaguered country was able to prop up what was a faltering economy. Today, Thailand, with its booming tourist industry, is now far ahead of us in coping with its economic problems.
Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, with his flair for ideas, has a big role to play in our country’s economic resurrection. If he can pump life back into the listless Philippine tourist industry, and if he is able to get the support of other agencies in the government, then we might just see tourism reborn and restored as the "sunshine industry" that it was several years ago.
But then, the perception abroad that the Philippines is a war zone must be erased. Which means that the kidnapping and hostage-taking and other forms of terrorism must be met with an iron hand and done away with. This ideal goal is possible, if all sectors of society can only join hands and unite in resolving the multifarious problems that we are now beset with.
There are other things to be done. The harassment of visitors by shady characters – from the airports to the hotels and to their other destinations – must stop. Here, the law-enforcers must do their job, by being one step ahead of those criminals and other characters who specialize in victimizing tourists dropping by our country.
And, of course, the infrastructure needed to make it convenient and comfortable for tourists must be put in place. Somehow, the traffic jams that make traveling from the hotels to the airports a big hassle must be resolved. Good roads, efficient traffic enforcers, clean rest rooms, high-quality hotels – all this and more must be assured if we are to succeed in luring the tourists to drop by the Philippines.
Can cancer be beaten? The answer is yes, based on the experience of James V. Auste, a 23-year-old brain cancer survivor. Through the miracle of science and the power of faith, he is now healthy and free from the disease that threatened his life four years ago. As a cancer survivor, Auste has vowed to use his second gift of life to bring hope and build the courage of those still fighting cancer.
To attain his end, Auste organized the Cancer Warriors Foundation, with the main thrust of spreading the message that cancer can be beaten. The first project of this Foundation was Bike for Life, which was a journey of hope and life that brought him and other bikers to many places in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The funds raised from this project are being used to help in the treatment and care of poor children stricken with cancer.
On September 9, the Cancer Warriors Foundation is going to stage "CANCERT:
Kantahan para sa Kabataang may Kanser." Popular choral groups are expected to participate in this non-competitive concert that aims to further spread the message that cancer can be beaten. Venue of the concert is the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, and showtime is 8 p.m.
Bonzer Business Management & Consultancy, headed by Bernardo Pacheco, is again sponsoring an interesting workshop seminar with the theme "Converting Ethical Products to OTC Consumer Marketing Practices." OTC stands for "over the counter" – and the seminar’s thrust is to cope with many people’s growing preference to buy pharmaceutical ethical products OTC.
The resource persons for the seminar, which will be held at Shangri-La EDSA Hotel from August 22 to 14, are Rodolfo Ibañez, EVP of United Laboratories; Tom Baguis Jr., president of AB Communications; Carlos Agatep, president of C. Agatep & Associates; Susan Yumul, VP, United Lab; James Sandoval, EVP of I-Mart International Corporation; Vicente Dinglasan, president of JDH-Zuellig (Phils.); and William Torres, director of the Bureau of Food and Drugs. Those interested in joining the seminar may contact Bonzer at Tel. No. 892-2561 or Telefax No. 759-2170.
Dr. Nick M. Sales, M.D., of Fresh Meadows, New York, USA, came across this article that appeared in the Sunday newsletter of the St. Anastasia Parish. I hope it will provide inspiring reading for STAR readers. The article reads:
Maybe when the door of happiness closes, another opens, but oftentimes, we look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the one which has been opened for us.
Maybe, the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away like it was the best conversation you’ve ever had.
Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
The happiness of people doesn’t necessarily have the best of everything, but just make the most of everything that comes along the way.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you are the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying. Thoughts for Today:
Everything about the future is uncertain,
but one thing is sure:
God had already arranged all our tomorrows.
We just have to trust Him as He leads us. In times of darkness, a friend sees…
In times of silence, a friend hears…
In times of sorrow, a friend heals…
And in all times, a friend remembers. My e-mail addresses:
<jaywalker@pacific.net.ph> and
<jaywalker@skyinet.net>