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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA and IAN PAUL CORDERO
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Tuesday, June 13, 2017
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ILOILO – To mark yesterday’s Independence Day, the municipality of San Enrique gathered nearly 6,000 people to form a “human Philippine flag” and made it the biggest so far in this province.
The attempt was successful, according to Provincial Tourism Office chief Bombette Marin who graced the event.
“San Enrique is small and not as well-known as the other Iloilo municipalities. The activity somehow put the spotlight on this town,” Marin told Panay News.
Wearing shirts of red, white, blue, and yellow – the dominant colors of the Philippine flag – participants gathered at the public plaza and formed the flag.
Most of the participants were residents of San Enrique, mostly elementary, high school and college students. But there were delegations, too, from other municipalities that wanted to be part of the record-setting attempt.
Marin said the activity brought San Enriquenhons together – local officials, academe, private institutions, and residents.
“Hopefully with this unity, matagaan man atensyon ang iban nila nga programa, ilabi na ang tourism,” said Marin.
To promote local tourism, there must be collaboration between the private sector, the academe and local government, he stressed.
San Enrique, a third-class municipality in the 4th District of Iloilo, is surrounded by mountains.
“This is San Enrique’s charm. It is very scenic,” said Marin.
One spot getting popular with tourists is the Cabas-an Cold Spring. There’s a proposal to put up a facility where tourists who may want to stay longer can settle.
Another tourist attraction in San Enrique is the Bulabog-Putian National Park, the only national park in Panay Island and also shared by Dingle town.
San Enrique tourism officer Dr. Jose Patubo previously said the event also wanted to “instill nationalism and patriotism, especially among the young ones.”
San Enrique is some 54 kilometers north of Iloilo City. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 33,911 people.
“We also hope to boost economic activities in the town through this event. Bisan simple lang nga candy or bottled water ang mabaligya, it means income for San Enriquenhons,” said Patubo.
San Enrique, with its 28 barangays, is largely agricultural.
Yesterday was not the first time for San Enrique to set a record of some sort. In Aug. 29, 2015 it hosted the Light of Peace event where, despite the threat of bad weather, over 10,000 people lit candles at the vast San Enrique Central School grounds in a united call for world peace.
The event was held in coordination with the Middleway Meditation Institute from Thailand./PN
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