a writer's diary... journalist chronicle...

Eco-Histourism!
This a new program of the provincial government of Ilocos Sur which aim to attract tourists all over the globe by reviving Historical sites, refreshing and rehabilitating it.
I am writing a paper regarding Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. The home of the Capitol Building of Mountain Province and the place of the renowned Bessang Pass Battle where the last stand of General Tomoyoki Yamashita lies here.
I was in Cervantes last June 4 and 5 regarding the KABSAT Caravan of Gov. DV Savellano. It was a memorable trip to Pass because I want to see Bessang Pass... what changes in it during my last visit, way back 2000.
There was big change, especially the road to Cervantes. It is under construction by Thai-Italian Construction which airms to cement the road from Tagudin, Ilocos Sur way up to Baguio City.
June 14,1945 when General Yamashita surrender to USAFIP troops when he and his Japanese Imperial Army defeated at the said battle.
At 2:15 pm, June 5, we were going back home. We reached the peak of Bessang Pass, the fog was everywhere, you could'nt almost see the car or people in front of you. In Baguio City, you can experience fog by 4pm, but here in Malaya, Cervantes, you can experience it at this very point in time.
It was cold and the mountains is covered this fog that it is like in the movie April Snow that it was covered bysnow.
Mayor Benjamin Maggay invited the governor and us to up the hill, to see the fox holes used to be the shield of the Japanese Army. There were lots of them. Some where covered with earth and grass, some were not.
There are lots of holes digged by treasure hunters. These treasure hunters is hoping for some gold bars presumably left during the retreat of the Japanese.
We gather some metal scraps. I cant believe it, the until now, you can see some bullets, empty shell of garand rifles, mortars and other war weapons when you dig the land. I got one, a bullet of garand, it was bluish. I kept it as a souvenir.
Mayor Maggay invited us again in the higher hill in what he called "Crown of Pine Trees". Why? Because it is the highest Point in Bessang Pass, where you can see the whole Ilocandia.
He further explains why Yamashita was defeated during world war two.
Gov. Savellano has plan to revive this place,make it have of tourism. It includes a museum where you can see some artifacts, goods and things that is used during the World War II. There is also a plan to put up mountain resort so that you can stay here for a whole night of a month.
It was a nice idea... I hope it will work.
Kase, ang mga turista, dumadaan lang dito.
I hope, they will go here not just only to buy sayote or patatas... but to see

What is Lantern Parade? Of course, it is the parade of the lanterns, he- he.

So what's new in it. Actually, there is none, except that this parade of the lanterns made the thousands of people who watch the show happy.

This was held last December 1 in Candon City. Actually, what new in it (if it is called new), is that, the parol or lanterns were made of indigenous materials. Leaves of trees, coconut trees, husk, roots, seashells, bottles, plastic caps, and others.

Well, see it in my photo blog to judge if they were okay.