RAIN OF FIRE

Cesar G. Bonilla
The Muslim Ramadan

LAOAG CITY -- The Philippines has to strive to enhance its economic relations with its two leading trading partners, the United States of America and Japan. This should not preclude, however, the development of reciprocal economic relations with the colleagues of the United States in the Big Seven, namely, Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the Philippines has to update its foreign economic policy to keep it in perfect rhythm with its political foreign economic policy and to keep it attuned to current realities in the international community. The Third World, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and our neighbors in the Asia-Pacific region all offer opportunities for reciprocal economic relations, which we have not tapped.

The primary consideration in the drive of the Philippines for trade and other relations with countries around the world is that they have things we need and pay for and that we have, in turn, things they need and can pay for. This is the basic element of quid pro quo that underlies economic cooperation.

To achieve all these goals, however, we have to put our economic house in order. If the present disheveled state of our domestic economic affairs prove impervious to change and reform, foreign economic policy, however loftily conceived and beautifully designed, is doomed to remain an idle dream on paper.

As in diplomacy, Philippine trade and economic relations with foreign countries cannot rise above the level of affairs at home. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo being a brilliant economist can move this great nation to prosperity if there is political will to rise above all difficulties confronting the country.
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Oct. 1 will be the end of Ramadan, a month of atonement and submission to the will of God. According to Muslim believers, it was during this month that the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhamad whose name is translated as “Peace be upon Him.” To pray during the Lailat ul Qadr is better than any kind of worship for this night, the Book of the Muslims was revealed to Prophet Muhammed – the time wherein the religious faithful observed moderation, meditation and reflection to be made worthy of the promises of the Almighty.

This is the time when the gates of paradise are opened during the celebration of Ramadan and the gates of hell are closed and all devils are put in the darkest pit and put in chains so that the purified souls can be magnified.

To refrain from food and drink, from evil actions, thoughts and words are virtues of Ramadan. May the war in Mindanao be pacified and let love reign in the hearts of all the Muslim rebels who are non-stop in their struggle to separate the Land of Promise from the rest of Philippine Archipelago.
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would like to greet Hon. Marynette Romero-Gamboa, the dynamic and friendly mayor of Dingras, a happy, happy birthday. Despite the pressure demanded by her job as chief executive, she could still introduce innovations and worthwhile undertakings for the sake of noble advocacy which is effective governance.

The Department of Tourism Laoag regional sub-office under the leadership of senior Tourism operations officer and officer-in-charge Marie Respicio-Gonzales received the Turismo Mismo Group for an ocular visit in preparation for the conduct of the prerequisite training (Values of Tourism and Culture of Excellence).

This was in line with the directive of President Arroyo to promote and safeguard the country’s eco-tourism sites through the provision of essential services for tourists, the Grassroots Entrepreneurs for Eco-tourism (GREET) program that has been conceived to enhance livelihood opportunities for promising entrepreneurs who can explore tourist drawing potentials of ecotourism sites which can readily be sources of income within their respective protected areas.

This is open to individuals, community organizations, business associations and local tourism offices based and operating in towns or provinces where an eco-tourism site is located and is duly registered with the appropriate government agency

There must be project proposals like: encouraging the development of an enterprising culture within the local community, provide good value for money in the implementation process, be technically and financially viable, promote cultural preservation and respect for indigenous knowledge and practices, and the promotion of environmental education and protection. I would like to thank Cely, Maricel, and Michael for being nice to this humble writer whenever I visited the Tourism office at the Heroes’ hall.
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The province of Ilocos Norte had welcomed tourists and visitors from all over the country. As a tour guide, I see to it that all of them can feel the Ilocano virtues like being hospitable, humble, friendly and full of life. I had encountered a lady coordinator and a manager who was then the direct opposite of a well-respected Ilocano as that time when some tourists came from the South -- government officials and employees, who visited Ilocos Norte to learn the culture of the Ilocanos and the system of public administration of the local government.

This arrogant and ill-educated coordinator and manager questioned my ability as a tour guide. She said that the tourists were complaining because I failed to explain vital information about the places where we visited that day. I asked the tourists what they has to say about me and the way I explained the history and culture of the place. Majority of them replied, “excellent.” I confronted this coordinator and told her to refrain from insulting a tour guide because no matter how humble he or she may be, he is a professional, with dignity and worthy to be respected as a human being.

I do not claim that I am the best tour guide so I turned down her offer to be their tour guide once again in Vigan. She felt sorry for what she said and her lack of proper breeding. I just let it pass and pray that it will not be repeated again.

I would like to thank provincial Tourism officer Angel Alvarez—Lao for being a kind and brilliant exponent of tourism growth in Ilocandia. She is the daughter of Pepito Alvarez, a well-known historian just like his father and columnist of a local newspaper.

Ms Lao is charismatic and approachable. The Trinity University of Asia and the Rogations College of Cavite visited Ilocos province recently and I was one of their tour guides. Their students were well-disciplined and attentive. I would like to greet the students of both learning institutions for sharing their precious time discovering the northern trip of Luzon.

They are: Christi Baltazar, Queenie Mejia, Bridget Cunanan, Lorraine Earl, Dana Regine Bonayon, Ma. Geselle Carrion, Jayani Datu, Sarah Angela Leng, Jinrina Chung, Jerika Larize Talatala, Karissa Mae V. Andres, Angela Ruth Anicete, Jonalyn Corpuz, Kichi Kawabata, Anna Charizz Calma, Jonalyn Rojas Patricia Ashly Canas and Rosanne Danica Bayan.
Happy Birthday to Angela and Karissa. The male instructor of Rogationist College was very kind, a good model of Rogationist College. My thanks to Father President and the administration.