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Romblon Officials
Get a Warm Aloha from Kababayans in Oahu Aside from Governor Madrona, the rest of the party included: Honorable Andres Festin Fondevilla, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP); Honorable Asher Coching Visca, Mayor of Santa Fe; Honorable Nicasio Malayo Ramos, Mayor of Cajodiocan; Mr. Fred Rufon Dorado, General Services Office Department Head; Mr. Romero, staff member of the Governor; Mr. Mark Anthony Reyes, staff member of the Governor. We hope they enjoyed their visit to Hawaii. Except for Mark Anthony Reyes whose parents live in Hawaii, it was their first time in Hawaii for the rest of them. The itinerary prepared was to show them some of the tourist spots and meet certain key people. Rep. Mindo and his staff took care of showing them around our little island paradise of Oahu. The author could not join them during the day because of heavy schedule and critical deadlines at work. Their first day was basically a simple day. Rep. Mindo and I picked them at the airport, had light lunch at the State Capitol, met some State legislators, and checked them in at the hotel. In the evening, the author hosted an informal dinner reception at a friend's house in Ewa Beach, southwest of the island. People who attended were mostly community leaders. Manong Rizal, Manang Letty Reyes (parents of Mark Anthony), and their friend Jun Galinato who visited Romblon last year joined us also. Dr. Vina Lanzona and Remy Lachica Hamabata were not able to attend. Vina does not have ride because her car was in the shop for service. Doctoral linguist candidate Jason Lobel and wife were also invited but probably off the island because he did not respond to the email. The author personally prepared the food using the Bantoanon magic touch. Ginata'an blue crab, shrimps fresh from Kahuku farm (sautéd in butter, with lots ginger & garlic), dinuguan, deep fried chicken wings, pork igado, pinakbet, broiled spare ribs, steak, and fish. For desert were ube jam, apple pie, and the author's specialty leche flan. Ample supply of cold beer and spirits. The Romblon group however were not drinkers, they were like saints. Mayor Ramos, two male guests, and the author probably were only the ones who visited the cooler every fifteen minutes. |
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| Gov. Madrona and entourage pose with some of the guests. (Photo taken by Bibiano Bihag - 10-27-03) | Rep. Mindo
and SP Fondevilla listened intently as Gov. Madrona introduced his entourage.
(Photo by Nic Musico 10-27-03) |
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the second day, they visited Pearl Harbor and the famous Arizona Memorial.
In the evening, Rep. Mindo arranged for the group to see the popular Society of Seven (SOS) show at Outrigger Hotel. They were special guests, and the Governor was asked to go on stage. Bida talaga si Gov. that night. |
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| As
the group walked out of the SOS Showroom at Outrigger Hotel in Waikiki,
Rep. Mindo and Gov. Madrona exchanged jokes as Mrs. Rica Mindo, Mayor
Nicasio Ramos, Mr. Fred Dorado, Gov. Madrona, and SP Fondevilla looked.
(Picture taken by Nic Musico 10-28-03) Group Picture: From left to right: Mr. Fred Dorado, Mayor Nicasio Ramos, Rep. Romeo Mindo, Gov. Eleandro Madrona, Mrs. Rica Mindo, Mayor Asher Visca, and SP Andres Fondevilla. (Picture taken by Nic Musico - 10-28-03) |
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their third day, they were shown around the island and visited some of
the developed beach resorts. They also visited the popular Hanauma Bay
fish sanctuary in the east side of the island. This sanctuary is visited
by over a million people every year.
On their last evening, a friend of the author hosted the group at an Italian Restaurant. Limited to only certain people, Rep. Felipe Abinsay and Tony Sagayadoro, Coordinator of the Organ Center of Hawaii joined us. Unfortunately Rep. Mindo could not be with us because he could hardly walk. He accidentally fell at the State Capitol and sprained his left leg. Serious discussions were held during the dinner. This is where certain ideas were agreed in principles. The State-Province sister relationship proposed by Rep. Abinsay, establishment of investment project where Romblomanon expats can participate, possibly elderly retirement homes, and another Aloha Medical Mission possibly in November 2004 or 2005, both proposed by the author. In general, the Governor talked about the direction of the province. He talked about his bold decision to secure multi-million pesos loan to finance constructions of roads, bridges, and other infra structures. He also talked about the Physical Provincial Framework Plan (PPFP), that perhaps it is not comprehensive enough. He mentioned briefly about the reopening of the Tugdan Airport. What was very interesting and really surprising to me was that the provincial government rely quite heavily on municipal governments. When authority and responsibility were decentralized, municipal governments were expected to do so much. For example, municipalities are responsible for reef preservation and protection in waters within certain kilometers from shore. I know that the Philippine government was decentralized. Even the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), are allocated by certain formula to the national, provincial, municipal, and baranggay governments. The most interesting comment they made was when we asked how they compare the beaches in Hawaii with those in Romblon. Almost all of them agreed that beaches in Hawaii are no comparison to those in Romblon. The sands in Romblon are better, in quality, color and texture. The Governor said, you should visit Mayor Visca's place in Santa Fe. You should also go to San Jose or Carabao Island. I agree with them in their analysis. Romblon is truly a beautiful place. Well, we hope that there will be more of similar visits in the future. Rep. Abinsay was persuaded that we in Hawaii should form a delegation to visit Romblon in 2004 or 2005. |
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