HAVING already written columns and news on the “Iloilo City Trade Mission, Investment Forum, Fashion and Jewelry Show” shown in three United States locations, I thought I would not have to write another. After all, two other Iloilo-based journalists who were with the 25-man group – Florence Hibionada and Tara Yap – have also done it. So, too, have New York-based Alex Vidal, Regine Algecera and Washington DC-based Josie Moralidad Ziman.
This time, however, let me correct certain wrong information on the affair. First, the trade mission was not a “subsidiary” of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI) that brought the Dinagyang Tribe to New York City for the Philippine Independence Day Parade on June 3.
Second, contrary to a published insinuation, the occasion was not a “junket” for Dinagyang freeloaders who wasted city funds. On the contrary, the trade mission was an independent “private initiative” – sponsored by the Philippine Council of Management (Philcoman) Research Institute, Asian-American Chamber of Commerce and the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce – aimed at promoting woven Ilonggo fashion, Iloilo-made jewelry, real estate and educational institutions in Iloilo City. The traders and famous fashion designers spent for their air fare; and the models were Filipino residents of the United States.
As stressed by Mayor Jose Espinosa III in his speeches in all three US venues, the “private initiative” was an opportunity to showcase Iloilo City as “the heart of the Philippines.”
The only other city official in the delegation – City Planning Officer Jose Roni Peñalosa – convinced the Philippine Embassy audience with a true tale that due to population and traffic congestion in Metro Manila, residents thereat tend to migrate to Iloilo City – the new hub of business and industry.
Who could have doubted them? There, too was Carla Margarita Perez – sales director of Megaworld – who revealed that the two-hectare property that used to be our airport is now home to two prestigious hotels, seven condominiums, a shopping center and an alley of restaurants.
Iloilo City’s First Lady, Gina Sarabia Espinosa, came with daughter Regine to represent the local jewelry industry.
The city spent not a cent for the delegates’ board and lodging in several homes in New York City, New Jersey and Fairfax. It was some Filipino homeowners who opened their houses for free accommodation. Two of them were the former Selah Grace Malundo (now married to Peter LaBarbera), a former classmate of Florence Hibionada, and Dr. Emily Noserale, the president of Philcoman.
Alex Vidal and I also spent two successive nights in the Manhattan office/residence of Lord Leomer Pomperada, the 25-year-old Filipino president of the World Youth Alliance.
And as I was saying in a previous column, my inclusion as trade-mission delegate was somehow serendipitous, impelled by the need to see my son Norbert who had been living in New York City, and whom I had not seen for 14 years. It was sometime last March when I told City Tourism Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia about my desire to see my New York-based son. Could she accommodate me as media representative to cover the Dinagyang tribe in the June 3 Philippine Independence Day parade on Madison Avenue, New York City.
On my next visit to the Iloilo City Tourism office, she expressed regret that the city could not grant my wish. But she suggested that I enlist with the Iloilo City Trade Mission on condition that I pay the cost of my US visa and plane fare. I agreed.
I applied for a US visa and passed my first interview at the United States Embassy in Manila. I got my US visa within one week.
To make the long story short, I covered the mission and “uncovered” the son I had not seen for 14 years. (hvego31@gmail.com/PN)
