"How could you, Pablo?!#&!?"(with apologies to Pabling and Azon)

Monday, September 29, 2008

I packed my bag before going to bed last night, in anticipation of the Isabel Tourism Council's visit to the town's tourist spots. I didn't want to be late nor to miss this exciting event. Our main task is to do an assessment of the places, for us to be able to prepare our long range plans for local tourism. Got up very early, and loaded my things in the car, including a life jacket (just in case the boat capsizes). My helpers, who are used to riding on small bancas (pumpboat) thought it was funny and odd to be wearing one, for a very short banca ride(10 minutes). The itinerary says that the tourism council members should be at the taxpayers' lounge on or before 8:00 a.m. First destination is barangay Tolingon, then the marine sanctuary and to the Busay (waterfalls) in barangay Apale. Assessment of the sanctuary and the waterfalls would have to be done before we proceed to the Maharlika Spring in barangay Matlang. Assessment of this spring will be made before our lunch at the residence of Brgy. Capt. Jerby Frias. After lunch, we will travel to Banahaw Spring in barangay Consolacion. Last place to be visited is the Candonicot Cave in barangay Bantigue, which could be reached by boat or by land. Aside from the cave, we will see the livelihood centers there, where they make clay pots, bags and baskets. By 5:00 p.m. we would be in the poblacion, and home. For the first time, my husband did not allow me to leave! Quite unusual! "Bakiiiiiiiiiittt?" (Why?) "Because of PABLO!" " PABLO. who???" "It's signal no. 2 here in Leyte. The typhoon's codename is PABLO." "Please don't go. It's so unsafe." "Grabe! PABLO!#*@%?^!!!" Just got a call from the mayor's secretary. The activity is postponed to another date. "Ay, salamat! Matutuloy pa rin. Di nga lang ngayon." (smile)