BY: FERLIZA C. CONTRATISTA
ARGAO, Cebu, March 4 (PIA) --- Students
from Cebu Technological University-Argao (CTU) Cebu recently underwent a
tourism seminar in line with the celebrationo of arts and culture month
this March.
Two hundred first and second year
students taking up Hospitality Management had a glimpse of tourism and basic
tour guiding from Balbino “Ka Bino” Guerrero, a heritage interpreter.
Guerrero told the students they are
lucky that they are in a municipality that has a lot to offer when it comes to
arts and culture.
“But I tell you, the first thing you
need to do is to distance yourself, look at Argao in the eyes of a stranger or
an outsider so that you will be able to appreciate the cultural bounty that
Argao has to offer,” Guerrero said.
During the seminar, the students had a
walking tour of the Cabecera de Argao, a preserved Spanish pueblo or town
center where the Casa Real (Municipal Hall), St. Michael Archangel Church, and
the Casa Real (Palace of Justice) are located.
The students learned about the types of
architectural design used in the Church and the components used in maintaining
strength of its structure.
“You don't memorize, just understand
and know it by heart. And there is no secret to tour guiding,” Guerrero said.
Christian Lloyd Rendon, initiating
adviser, said it is the intention of the workshop also to influence the
students who may aspire to be tour guides in Argao considering that many would
most likely go out of town for work.
“There is beauty in staying in Argao,”
Rendon said.
The Argao local government is also
spearheading an annual integrated training for young people in the municipality
which will orient them into becoming local tour guides.
For two years now, they have at least
five fresh new young tour guides who will man the different walking tours.
Argao is the first local government
unit in Cebu that has organized its local tourism industry.
They were also the first to put wifi in all tourism convergence
areas. (rmn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)