#VisitOzamiz , The Intimate Adventure

The two-activity filled days in Ozamiz comes to an end with a celebratory dinner held at the museum at the Fort despite the sudden strong rain that day.  Graced by the presence of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and Frederick Alegre, Assisstant Secretary for Tourism, the dinner celebration was a success.

Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog of Ozamiz City and
Assistant Secretary for Tourism Frederick Alegre

After the two-long days of activities wherein the invited guest along with host LGU, went around the historic Ozamiz to see and experience what the city is all about.  Stories about the place and its people were shared freely for invited media people to truly have the feel and soul of what Ozamiz is.  People were treated to some local dishes such as the famous Php2 – pork barbecue, suman, puso and such. 

Weather was not a deterrent to fully close the event.  With dinner served inside the rearranged museum/museo inside the historic Cotta Fort, the closing celebration went smoothly and more intimately.  Laughter and stories were aplenty that night.  Music was one of the major treat then, when all attendees were serenaded with a good set of kundiman and OPM songs. 

Here is a recap of all the activities made in the past two-days:

Day 1 October 28, 2016

• -          Arriving guest were treated to a welcome dance by the La Salle Dance Troup and leis were given out by the welcoming team.
• -          After making sure that everybody is properly settled in their rooms, a welcome visit was set at the city hall wherein the gracious Mayor Parojinog and Vice Mayor Nova Parojinog-Echavez, along with the Ambassadress for the Youth- Sophia Naja Adriana Parojinog, welcomed them in their humble city.
• -        A press conference was held to answer some of the queries and gave a backgrounder of the city.
• -          Lunch was served by host caterer Johann’s Cuisine.
• -         A trip to the historic bells located at Bukagan Hills was made followed by a dipping at Regina’s Spring Pool.
• -         A visit to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral was made were they were treated to the sound of the pipe organ and the acoustic of the place.
• -      Food fest was held at the Cotta Boulevard, where guest are free to try out the various street foods common in Ozamiz.
• -         Welcome dinner held at the lobby of the city hall and the Ozamiz Dragon Fruit Ice Cream was introduced.

Day 2, October 29, 2016

• -     Started with a trip at the Highland Adventure Park located at Mt. Hoyohoy where invited media people can enjoy the longest zipline in Asia.
• -        A trek at Lala’s Eco-park followed suit.
• -     Lunch was served at a farm, giving that rustic feel and a scenic view of dragon fruit bearing cactus.
• -     Dragon fruit picking and sampling was made to make people taste the difference of the white variety from that of the magenta variety that is common in Ozamiz.
• -    Additional visual and cultural treat was served in the form of a local Subanon dance as performed by the Subanon people.
• -       A side trip to the Golf and Country Club was made along with some educational institutions within the city.
• -          A trip to the Lady of Cotta (Cotta Shrine) followed suit.
• -          Celebratory dinner.

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 During the celebratory dinner, Assistant Secretary Frederick Alegre contributed to the fun by singing some of the songs played by a member of the host LGU.  The attendees sang some of the songs as well.

To fully close the night, certificates of appreciation were handed out to all attendees by Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog – City of Ozamiz, Assistant Secretary for Tourism Frederick Alegre, Ms. Jennifer Catherine Burwel – head of The Big Difference Communications, Mr. Johann Dagandara – host caterer and owner of Johann’s Cuisine and Mr. Jaime Tomada – Head Tourism Officer of Ozamiz City.  Treats were also given out such as dragon fruits and suman for everyone to bring home.

It was not a night of goodbye’s but rather a simple farewell among people with shared experiences in the historic and peaceful Ozamiz.