FEATURE WRITE UP ON THE SARIAYA TOURISM COUNCIL By: Eric J. Dedace PRO STC The Sariaya Tourism Council (STC) is one of the most active, creative, resourceful and dynamic organizations of its kind in Quezon province. As mandated, it took, upon itself the role of unearthing, discovering, researching, enhancing and promoting Sariayahin artistic, cultural and historical heritage as the cornerstone of its tourism program. Geography likewise is big consideration in the institutionalization of the STC’s programs and activities, Sariaya being the only Mount Banahaw town in both Laguna and Quezon with a seacoast, along Tayabas Bay, and its promotional undertakings are highlighted via the so-called “KKK” or the “Kabundukan, Kapatagan, and Karagatan” elements. Of these three geographical considerations, it is the “Kapatagan” and the “Karagatan” elements which are already deemed ready for promotion by the STC, since there are still a lot of factors to be taken into consideration about the “Kabundukan” element which are dependent on the concerns and prohibitions regarding Mount Banahaw. Though, the presence of fertile farmlands that gave to Sariaya its apt moniker of the “Bread Basket of Quezon province”, tied up with the traditional and organic farming practices that is being institutionalized in the area by the Municipal Agriculturist Office (MAO), as well as the inherent customs and traditions, particularly the interesting and fascinating Mount Banahaw folklore that can be enhanced and utilized through comprehensive research, promise to provide a lot of lucrative possibilities as far as future tourism promotion in the said area is concerned. The “Kapatagan” area which includes Sariaya town proper and its immediate environs is the most developed of the three areas, being the venue for Sariaya’s host of activities particularly the “Agawan Festival” May time harvest celebrations in honor of the San Isidro Labrador, as well as the two institutionalized undertakings of the STC, the “Paskuhan sa Sariaya” Belen Festival in December and the “Dulaang Lansangan“ during the the Lenten Season. It is also where the age –old heritage structures of Sariaya are located particularly the 1748 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church, the 1924 Dr. Jose Rizal and Glorita monuments, the 1931 Art Deco Municipal Building designed by noted Filipino Architect Juan Arellano, and the beautiful and opulent ancestral houses designed by the likes of noted Filipino architects Juan Nakpil and Andres Luna de San Pedro can be found. These are all local tangible heritage which attract academicians and students on heritage – related research, as well as tour operators who bring in local and foreign tourists who come to marvel and relive local history through these awe – inspiring vestiges of Sariya’s glorious past. Grafted into these heritage structures are some of Sariaya’s intangible culture such as the curious religious traditions, the “Happy Pandemonium” of the “Agawan Festival, the “Paawitan (Pandanggo Awit)”rituals that center on the social graces and the inherent hospitality and welcoming nature of the Sariayahins, the culinary wonders of Sariyaahin cuisine, and the very interesting and endlessly fascinating heirloom stories or the “Kuwentong Bayan”, rendered in the inherent vocabulary and lilting intonation of the residents, that give flesh to the visual splendor of it all. In the “Karagatan” areas that accordingly encompass 27 kilometers of gently sloping fine black sand long Tayabas Bay are the beach resorts that attract visitors to Quezon’s Beach Playground, the rich fishing grounds that become sources of income for the locals, the mangrove areas that are being rehabilitated by the local Municipal Agriculturist Office (MAO) with interesting, eco-friendly activities like mangrove – planting and turtle hatchling releases, together with cooperative – linked small-scale enterprises to supplement the local’s income. For its part, the STC advocates the enhancement of the customs and traditions inherent to the area, particularly the culinary aspects such as the making of time – honored specialties such as “Minukmok” (Nilupak), “Minaluto” (rice with viand toppings and wrapped in fragrant, flame- wilted banana leaves) and “Kalamay”, down to the traditional earth - dug stove used in its cooking. The STC believes in the great wisdom of the “slow but sure” policy to tourism promotion, adopting a more realistic approach to highlighting and showcasing a destination, with an eye for the concerns the need for available accommodation and the readiness of the surrounding community. The STC’s dynamism and resourcefulness goes hand – in – hand with its effective and good working relationships with other local government agencies like the MAO (that includes the Sariaya Farmers’ Federation or “SAFAFED”), the Municipal Local Government Operations Office (for the involvement of the town’s 43 barangays), the Municipal Solid Waste Management Council (which effectively institutionalized the “no plastic” policy in town since August), and the the Municipal Gender and Development Council (that assures the active participation of its constituent organizations such as the Sariaya Women’s Federation, the Senior Citizens Federation, the PAG-ASA Youth Association, and the like to STC’s annual program of activities). Moreover, the STC coordinates with various provincial agencies such as the Office of the Provincial Governor, the Provincial Department of Agriculture Office, the Quezon Provincial Tourism Office (which is very supportive of its endeavors and never fails to include Sariaya in its promotional activities ), and the provincial Department of Trade and Industry Office (which is very instrumental in the revitalization and new – found dynamism of Sariaya’s traditional Buri industry through its effective harnessing of local manpower provided by the Sariaya Women’s Federation, the continuous promotion of which is part and parcel of the Agawan Festival activities). The STC likewise maintains close coordination with the Southern Tagalog Tourism Council and the Department of Tourism CALABARZON Office for even bigger tourism promotional endeavors on the regional and national levels. Admittedly though and despite of, there are still a lot of work to be done, and that includes the need to address the question of knowing Sariaya’s foundation day, as well as other very important concerns about local heritage. In response to the demands of Republic Act No. 10066 enacted into law during the 14th Congress, providing for the protection and conservation of National Cultural Heritage, strengthening the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and for other purposes, a core group generally affiliated with the STC is working for the revival of the old Sariaya Historical Committee, and its creation and legislation into a true and bona fide Sariaya Historical Council (SHC). The institutionalization of the SHC would be in the best interest of the STC since such will open the possibility for comprehensive and funded research into local history and heritage such as the need to know the exact foundation day of Sariaya. Knowing the exact foundation day of Sariaya would open the gates for the institutionalization of even more significant Sariaya heritage – related activities to fully enhance and promote the great importance of that day. As such, it will be a great and important closure to the quest for an elusive, true foundation day, when after 144 years of three town site transfers brought forth by natural disasters and the burning pillage of Muslim pirates culminating into the destruction of the “Lumang Bayan”third town site in the year 1743, our then surviving forebears finally decided to look for a more permanent and much safer settlement, this scenic sloping locale between Mount Banahaw and the sea, and lay the strong foundations of present day Sariaya. Of prime importance likewise is the declaration of a heritage zone in the oldest and most historical center of town which would result into a solid and an even more comprehensively heritage – inspired and community – based tourism plan and program for Sariaya. Presently, the necessary documents are being processed for the improvement and expansion of the Sariaya Tourism Council park office which will bring even more concrete physical representation for the organization, and indeed, the STC is on the verge of even more exciting and inspiring years of mandated service for Sariaya and for the people of this generously – blessed and gifted community.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 04:19:39 +0000
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