Unbeknownst to many, the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines (TPB), the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), has been conducting workshops on marketing enhancement with community-based tourism (CBT) stakeholders from several communities nationwide.

The most recent CBT training took place in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, on October 11–12, just prior to the 12th Annual Regional Travel Fair held at Robinsons Place in the same municipality. The Sola Hotel served as the venue for the two-day workshop that brought together weavers from all across Ilocos Norte.

The discussion included a variety of subjects designed to teach stakeholders from local weaving communities how to broaden the reach of their creations in order for active weavers to enhance their revenue while also conserving their tradition.

Aside from holding workshops, such as this one for inabel weavers, where valuable information about branding, marketing, product development, social media presence, pricing, and more was shared, the TPB always donated livelihood starter kits to each community so that they can quickly ramp up production and apply their new knowledge gained from the workshop.

Apple Allison, a brand builder and idea accelerator who was one of three speakers invited by TPB to lead the workshop, believes the two-day gathering succeeded in providing a good opportunity for the weavers to learn how to price their creations strategically, so that their handcrafted products can be valued more for their skill and creativity than for the traditional labor fee based on yard/per output or the minimum daily wage.

Allison also expressed amazement at the Inabel woven creations, that if provided with a sound marketing plan, it will surely attract a wider market not only in the Philippines but those from foreign markets. “They can weave intricate patterns even without seeing the front side of the textile”, she said. “This is the first time I've seen that kind of weaving process na nakabaliktad un latag, kung baga un likod na part ang nakikita ng weaver at hindi un front yet they can still weave the pattern on point, hindi nagkakamali. For me, grabe un brain energy”, Allison added.

Inabel is derived from the Ilocano word "Abel," which means "weave”. The Inabel fabric, which is uniquely Ilocano in origin, is made of cotton and can be plain or patterned. The softness, exquisite patterning, and strength of abel fabric are well known and much liked.

Ilocos weavers use a range of pattern types to weave on hardwood pedal looms. Designs are developed for a variety of purposes, one of the most prominent being Kusikok / Kusikos, which is made up of swirling and whirlwind shapes, is customarily believed to protect the wearer from evil spirits.

TPB’s Nationwide CBT Programs

This writer has personally witnessed the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines’ CBT endeavors in several places already. Some examples include the marketing and proper management of five ecotourism sites in Sagay, Negros Occidental, another series of marketing enhancements workshops for different communities in Buhi, Camarines Sur, Iloilo City and Capiz, just to name a few.

This latest CBT stop in Ilocos Norte will not only help promote the fine art of inabel weaving, but it will also help weaving communities take more control of their creations by properly marketing, pricing, and developing their products, such as bridging traditional designs to modern uses, such as incorporating inabel cloth into fashion clothes, accessories, shoes, and more, rather than just focusing on common items like table runner, tablecloth and curtains.

“I love witnessing the spark of joy and excitement in their eyes with renewed fire in their heart for the craft that they do while learning new things — especially after doing the interactive activities as part of the CBT workshop” Allison said.

After the two-day workshop, the 12th Regional Travel Fair started in nearby Robinsons Mall where the weavers were given a prime space for them to showcase their creations. According to some of the weavers we talked to, the showcase was a success as countless mall goers were able to buy many of their displayed creations while others ordered customized inabel cloth of several sizes and varying designs.

Meeting a National Living Treasure

It is quite rare to be graced by the presence of a National Living Treasure. The following day of the program, this writer accompanied other media writers on a tour of actual weaving centers in several communities in Ilocos Norte. One of them is located in the town of Pinili. We met Lola Magdalena Gamayo, who, at 99 years old, is still carrying on the legacy of inabel weaving while also passing it on to the next generation.

Lola Magdalena, a GAMABA (Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan) awardee since 2012, is one of only 16 Filipino artisans to receive this recognition. Lola Magdalena, who is looking to become the first centenarian National Living Treasure next August, is passing on the inabel heritage to younger weavers by participating in a series of workshops here at the Pinili Inabel Center in Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte.

As Lola Magdalena approaches her 100th birthday, the craft of inabel weaving looks forward to another century of being a major part of the Ilocos region's arts and cultural scene — and with the public's support, it will undoubtedly be.

Photos 2, 3 & 4 courtesy of Uno Adventures.

I’ve been fortunate to have stayed in two amazing properties during my previous trips to Samal Island. Chemas by the Sea captivated me nearly 15 years ago with its bungalow accommodations surrounded by a well-kept garden, a tiny pool, and a private beach. Last year, Pearl Farm, one of the island's well-known resorts, satisfied my long-standing desire to experience its brand of hospitality.

While these two aforementioned resorts come highly recommended, my third time in Samal Island, as part of Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines’ post-PHITEX familiarization trip, gifted me with yet another opportunity to stay in one of the biggest and newest property, having just opened in August of this year, the Discovery Samal Resort.

On the final leg of our three province tour of Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Davao del Norte, we arrived at the private jetty of Discovery Shores just as the dusk skies slowly glint their golden hues into the embrace of darkness. Nonetheless, the crystal clear blue waters and powdery white sands immediately arrested my attention and made me take a mental note of “I must swim these waters tomorrow.”

As we arrived at the spacious lobby and had our welcome drink, the sheer size of the resort dawned on me. It was affluent, huge, and high, with plenty of open space to smell the breeze from the ocean, surrounded by meticulously chosen furnishings, modern wall and ceiling finishes, and lovely lighting fixtures.

My Room, the Junior Suite

There are more than 150 spacious rooms and suites, as well as three huge pools that stretch out along the beach and are encircled by a maze of canopies, gardens, and pathways leading to the various facilities.

My room is located on one of the two 5-story buildings that ran parallel to the property’s third swimming pool after the Villas section. These suites feature cutting-edge architecture, modern fixtures, and high-tech conveniences. My room on the fifth floor open to a balcony that affords me a bird's-eye perspective of the entire complex. I find my room adequately spaced to provide the ideal comfort for even a family of four.

Being here for two nights gave me—and our group, a fitting bookend to our memorable 6-day trip together. Our time here in Discovery Samal consisted of the usual feasting on appetizing fare, a morning snorkeling exploring the giant clams of Samal, counting bats at Monfort Bat Sanctuary, watching a spectacular fire-dance show and a satisfying leisure rest.

A Sundry of Amenities

Opting to rest inside my room outside of our beach and island exploration activities, I wasn’t able to experience the resort’s other amenities that come aplenty, such as the fitness gym, the spa and other recreation facilities. What I had a lot of was the dining experiences at the property's in-house restaurants; Morning Catch, The Shoreline and at Haribar Lounge. Two new dining establishments, Garden City Cafe and The Bistro, will be opening in the near future.

Morning Catch is located at the front of the resort, adjacent to the beach club, offering stunning views of the Davao Gulf. It serves a variety of delicious dishes, including the freshest catch of the day. From succulent shrimp and juicy crabs to roast beef and fried vegetables, there is something for everyone. You can also enjoy options like chicken curry and a range of other dishes prepared through grilling, steaming, stewing, or frying.

Situated nearer to my room and positioned on the upper level of the resort facing Davao Gulf, The Shoreline serves as the all-day dining restaurant of the property delivering a wide variety of tastes from international cuisines to local flavors.

I enjoy having my breakfast in this location, where I can sit outdoors by the expansive swimming pool. Although their breakfast selections may not be as extensive as those offered at other 5-star resorts, they are still incredibly delicious and easily filled me up satisfyingly.

The Haribar Lounge got its name from the words "haring ibon" and "bar". The lounge offers a diverse range of meticulously prepared cocktails, using only the highest quality ingredients and spirits available. We had our drinks ordered here and served by the beach on our last night.

Overall, an Upper-Tier Resort

In terms of leisure, service, food, amenities, hospitality, and aesthetic, Discovery Shore unquestionably ranks among the top must-stay properties not just on Samal Island, but throughout the country. I've stayed in at some of the best accommodations in the country and abroad, and I see Discovery Shores, especially as it smooths up its operations in the coming months, as a shoo-in for any top ten listicles of the best staycations in the region.