SEAIR WILL FLY TO MARINDUQUE BY AUGUST; INTL. TOUR GROUP VISITS BELLAROCCA AND MARINDUQUE MAINLAND

The saints may have intervened somewhat in a matter where many souls are together in prayer, alright, who is to say? Senior Vice-President for Commercial Affairs of Seair, Patrick Tan, announced during a recently held tourism event in Marinduque that their 19-seater Seair-LET aircrafts would start flying regularly to the Marinduque Airport starting next month (August).

An all-important event held at Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa dubbed “I Travel / I Explore” from July 7-9, 2009, involved tour operators and media persons from Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, KSA, USA, France and other countries who are into organizing international conventions, meetings and exhibits. Said visit was organized by the Department of Tourism and Philippine Tourism Authority in cooperation with Annset Holidays, Bellarocca Island and the Provincial Government of Marinduque. The agents were flown in to Marinduque via a chartered Seair-LET aircraft courtesy of the provincial capitol.

Arriving guests had a taste of a festive Marinduque welcome at the airport with native flower and nito leis and a children’s choir singing folk songs, as they shook hands with local officials. They were treated to a “putong” ritual and “kalutang” music upon arrival at Bellarocca via speed boats. There, to depict rural farm life, resort male staff wore white shirts with red neckerchiefs while the women were clad in sayas.

After freshening up, the guests were treated to spa and massages by the Bellarocca pools or in the privacy of their villas.

Governor Jose Antonio N. Carrion hosted a themed dinner (Colloseo/Roma), at the resort poolside where a number of morions making their presence completed the ambience.

On the second day, guests had a taste of water sports activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and seascooter and golf. Straight from lunch they proceeded to a guided tour of some of Marinduque’s scenic spots. Visited were a butterfly farm in Gasan, the Boac Cathedral and Paadyao Falls in Bocboc, Mogpog. From the looks of it the VIP guests thoroughly enjoyed their Marinduque sojourn with endless praises and a spattering of “oohs” and “ahhs”. The unpredictable weather was quite cooperative throughout their three-day stay. Even Sta. Clara might have given her blessing.

As regards the needed repair and widening of the runway so that the other airlines waiting in the wings could come in, Gov. Carrion has taken it up anew with those concerned and the prospects are brighter now.