KOTA PARK
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007
This happened two years ago but I reckon it’s worth telling. The story in my recollection is exciting, tensed, and totally unexpected.
I was invited at the inauguration of Madridejos’ KOTA PARK, a rehabilitated Spanish Fort which dates back to the 18th century, the pinnacle of Spain’s colonization of the country. Madridejos is a quiet fishing village north of Cebu, Philippines. It is endowed with white sandy beaches and uniquely crisscrossed by subterranean rivers that water pools inside its many caves. I was in the area not only for the occasion but also to gather scientific data from a newly established marine sanctuary with a group of divers from Spain, Netherlands and the Philippines.
This Fort (now called KOTA PARK) in the old days was used to protect the islanders against marauding sea pirates. Now, it is being restored as a cultural heritage site and a tourist attraction. Fittingly, the Philippines’ tourism secretary Ace Durano was to be the Keynote Speaker in this inauguration. Ace is the man behind WOW PHILIPPINES, a moniker for his department; while I am spearheading YES PHILIPPINES, a local NGO that fosters culture exchange and international voluntary service. The similarity in the name WOW PHILIPPINES and YES PHILIPPINES, and the fact that I was with an “international entourage” were to shape the next startling turn of events.
When I and my group came, most of the invited dignitaries and local officials already arrived. Among them were four town mayors and a provincial board member. But for some reason, Ace could not come. His absence created an unexpected vacuum and the organizers were panic stricken! I was handed a copy of the program with the horrifying news that I was to fill in the spot of the tourism chief! I felt like being hit by a bolt of lightning; and I was faced by that Shakespearean question to be or not to be… I can create a lengthy resume not to be, but after a long soliloquy that lasted for about two seconds, I said Who, me? No problem!
I barely had 30-minutes to prepare for my 5-minute talk when the program started, and the rest they say is history… It was absolutely nerve-racking but I came out unscathed. I was still smiling long after the applause subsided, and I remember walking differently that day, taller, straighter, prouder.
Previous Comments
Hi Gale, public speaking is a common fear that you can conquer by exposing yourself to it. Join a Toastmasters Club near you and visit www.toastmasters.org for more info. I am a member myself and my fear of public speaking has become a thing of the past.
I also had this fear of heights before until I jumped 8000 feet from a perfectly fine plane! Now, altitude don’t scare me and I regularly climb mountains and enjoy rappelling!
And thanks Rashi for your short but sweet comment.
Posted by benhurjun at November 22, 2007, 4:14 pmGreat story. For some reason it reminds me of a time I arrived in a town in Xinjiang province, China and was immediately befriended by a local man who taught English in the evenings to schoolchildren. On my second night there he asked if I wanted to go along to watch him teach, but part way through he asked whether I could say a few words to the class.
I was a little nervous as I had been taken by surprise but I did my best to speak slowly and say a few things about why I was in the town. They all just stared at me, but I thought it might be because I was a foreigner. Anyway, after the session the teacher told me that they had only been studying for about two weeks and could barely say ‘my name is’. I’m not sure what he expected them to get out of my little chat.
More to the point of your blog post… I will be visiting the Philippines for the first time soon – would you recommend the Kota Park which you so ably introduced? I will be in the country for several months so I’m looking for interesting things to do.
Posted by John Oates at December 3, 2007, 8:07 pmHi John. Yes indeed. Come visit Kota Park. Madridejos is one of the 3 towns in Bantayan group of islands. The others being, Santa Fe and Bantayan town. Santa Fe has the best white sandy beaches in these parts, and Bantayan town is known for an ancient church and lenten processions with biblical life-size statues.
Cebu has many things to offer and the neighboring islands like Bohol has spectacular sights that may make you want to make Philippines your home! It’s ok, you’re not the singer (sigh), cheers John Oates!
Posted by benhurjun at December 4, 2007, 4:12 amhello. happy new year. I am Leonardo commonly called as TITA NARDZ. I was the tourism officer of the town from jan 2005 to 2006. What is your name? May I know what inauguration was that?
Posted by Leonardo at January 3, 2008, 4:48 pmHey Tita Nards! I’m glad you found my blog. I think it was you who handed me the program? And you forgot about me already? Aw c’mon. Kumusta ka….
Posted by benhurjun at January 3, 2008, 6:35 pm
good for you jun! public speaking is one fear, but to do it impromptu is even harder! you must have felt great after that
p.s. regarding the previous post, bravo to humanitarians like you
Posted by gale at November 21, 2007, 1:42 pm