'TUMANDOK'. Native products of Iloilo are now on display at the Robinsons Mall in Iloilo as part of the ongoing "Tumandok" event in celebration of the Tourism Month this September. (Photo by Cindy Ferrer)
ILOILO CITY -- Various attractions, products and the culture of the province of Iloilo are on display at the four-day travel and product fair organized by the provincial government here through its tourism office.
Now on its 14th year, “Tumandok”, Hiligaynon for “native”, is an annual event and is part of the celebration of the tourism month held every September, Gilbert “Bombet” Marin, head of the Provincial Culture, Arts, History and Tourism Office, said in an interview Friday.
The event kicked off on Wednesday through a cultural performance of the West Visayas State University (WVSU) College of PESCAR (Physical Education, Sports, Culture, Arts and Recreation).
A total of 19 booths representing the participating towns of the province were set up. Each booth showcases the products and tourist destinations of the participating local government units.
The participating towns and city are Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Igbaras, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, Leon, Pavia, Leganes, Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan, Badiangan, Calinog, Duenas, Passi City, San Enrique, Concepcion, Estancia, and Carles.
As much as they want to invite all of the 42 towns and one component city of the province, Marin said the venue cannot accommodate them all.
On exhibit are delicacies, hand-made products, organic fruits and vegetables, dried fish and other seafood, and tourist spots found in their area.
There are also cultural presentations and performances of local festivals scheduled until the last day of the event on September 23.
Marin said their celebration is different from among other areas in the country because they are utilizing students to promote different attractions and destinations in Iloilo province.
This year, students of the Hotel and Restaurant Technology Department of the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U), La Paz Campus, Iloilo City joined the event.
“We really want the students to become front-liners in promoting our local destinations,” he said, adding that they are from universities in the city area and most of the time.
The students are grouped and given a municipality to adopt so they experience what normal tourism officers do when they go out on field, he said.
Since the start of the fair back in 2004, Marin said almost all public and private universities in this city have taken part.
Garin said the annual event really helped the locals in the province.
“We receive a lot of inquiries about local attractions on how to get there and through marketing and featuring their products. Locals who have backyard industries were given the opportunity to be recognized by some hotels because some of them are now ordering their products, like fruit juices and fresh vegetables,” he said.
Marin said he hopes they would be able to accommodate all towns and city of the province in their future fairs so they would have the opportunity to showcase their attractions, culture and products. (PNA)
