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FEATURE | DEVCOM

AAHRRO: The New Mother of Opportunities

Written by Mdpn. Anthony Ken J. Bucasas

The tourism industry has given birth and unraveled many opportunities in our country not only to the owners of restaurants and resorts but to the locals that rely their source of income to it. But when Covid-19 started taking lives, the tourism industry was not the same as it was before – it also gave a deadly virus the break to spread rapidly, leaving the industry barely breathing, and barely surviving the damages caused by it.

Flord, who dreams to make Antique famous through its pristine beaches and rich mountains did not expect this to happen. But this was not only his dream, it was the dream of every hotel, restaurant and resort owners of the province. He owns the Calawag Mountain Resort in Brgy. Tuno, Tibiao, Antique, a famous tourist destination of those who wanted to escape a stressful week, or just try to relax by being cooked in a Kawa hot bath. His dreams was on the brink of being faded away but he did not gave up. As the Inter-Agency Task Force safety health protocols narrowed his chance to meet other owners like him, he made use of social media and the internet to create a group in messenger. A group of tourism stakeholders in the whole province of Antique. With continuous effort made by Flord in conducting zoom meetings with his fellows, the Antique Association of Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Owners (AAHRRO), Inc. was born. From Antique Hotel and Restaurant, Inc. (AHRI, 2002) to Antique Eco-Tourism Association (AETA 2017), Inc. to Antique Farm Tourism Owners Association (AFTOA 2019), a long journey has come to its birth as the organization is now legally registered thru Security and Exchange Commission. It will strengthen the alliance of all resort, hotel and restaurant owners, tour and travel operators, communitybased tourism organizations, tourist transport groups and people’s organization related to tourism in Antique and encourage all tourism-related establishments to register for DOT-accreditation to provide quality service to all tourists. The organization also wanted to have international, national or regional tourism-related events in every municipality in close partnership with DOT, DENR, academe and corporate sponsors in order to promote Antique’s natural, cultural, historical, literary and culinary tourism and to provide local employment and

AAHRRO’s exhibit of the different tourist destinations and local products that Antikenyos are proud of. Photos courtesy to Antique Tourism Office

DID YOU KNOW?

opportunities to Antikenyos. They are also aiming to recommend or request thru the municipal or provincial tourism office all tourismfunded activities and infrastructure, to encourage local investors to invest in Antique, to closely monitor resorts, hotels and restaurants on their adherence to waste management and disposals, and to encourage all tourism stakeholders to apply for DENR foreshore lease and advocate for no-build zone in the easement zone. Mr. Flord Nicson Calawag of Calawag Mountain Resort in Tibiao became the President. His comrades of rebuilding the tourism industry were Mrs. Gigi Bautista of Pandan Beach Resort in Pandan as hid Vice President, Mr. Rey Hector Melgar of Adelaide Inn in San Jose was elected Secretary with Atty. Hernalie Alagos of Angelo’s Beach Resort in Culasi as his assistant. Phaidon Beach Resort owner, Mr. Bernie Offenberger of Pandan will be the treasurer followed by the Board of Trustees namely Mr. Joseph Eugene Alojipan of Enrique de Mararison, Mr. Jeff Tugon of Anyas Burobanglid and Island Choice in Sebaste, Mr. Arvin Solis of Solis Suites Hotel in Culasi, Mrs. Merlyn Pomperada of Golden Salakot Hotel in San Jose, Mr. Romuel Palacios The whole stretch of coastal areas in Antique is suited for scuba diving. Starting from the southern town of Antique tourists can drop by Sira-an Hot Spring, claimed to be a medical spring.

The next destination is the capital town San Jose de Buenavista passing by Malandog Marker, site of the first Malayan Settlement and the newly constructed Marina Bay.

Tourism amenities like restaurants, two shopping malls, pasalubong centers, accommodations and beach resorts are present. Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world, can be found in Sibalom Natural Park.

In the municipalities of Patnongon and Lauaan, tourists interested in traditional methods can visit muscovado mills and watch how muscovado sugar is processed. Products made with muscovado are also available; Laua-an is noted for its long butong-butong (a candy made with muscovado sugar). Tibiao has the kawa bath, Bugtong Bato Falls and the Fish SPA.

This is the most developed tourism area with a tour package. Libertad is known for its bariw mat and bag weaving. Valderrama is recently tagged as summer capital of the province with cool weather to enjoy and a strawberry farm.

Source: https://blog.padi.com/ of Romchie’s Noodle House in Culasi, Mr. Neil TurrechaHuele and Stephen Louie Ramos Checa of Szkornik and Neil in Hamtic, Mr. Romeo Rana of Green Basket Eco-farm in Belison, Mr. Mario Ross of Rosepoint Beach Resort in Pandan, Mrs. Thelma Palacios of Anna Sophie Hostel in Culasi, and Mr. Daniele Orsini of Mammamia Italian Restaurant in Tibiao Despite the pandemic, the collaborative efforts of Antikenyos to rebuild the dying industry of tourism will prove the resiliency of every Filipino people. They will serve as the new hope, a new opportunity that we could still prosper amidst every calamity or pandemic that may challenge our country. AAHRRO will become the new mother of opportunities in Antique not only to the owners of restaurants and resorts but to the locals that rely their source of income to it. Antique’s tourism industry will never be the same as it was before – it will Flord’s dreams to make Antique famous through its pristine beaches and rich mountains will be seen in the most perfect time. But this was not only his dream, it is the dream of every hotel, restaurant and resort owners of the province.