By the Jal-o River

(Herewith is m y talk delivered during the opening ceremonies of " ENCHANTING: Idto sa amon sa Balete Photo Exhibit at the Museo it Akean " on October 13, 2012 in Kalibo, Aklan. The photo exhibit lasts until October 29, 2012 )  I go out of my comfort zone today to answer the question, “ Why EnchantingBalete ”? I am sorry to disappoint those who assume that it is a brand name. Enchanting Balete is not a brand name like Canon, Yashica or Nikon. We would like to give emphasis on this as we categorically parry off the observation of UNESCO Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and Pacific, Mr. Richard Englehardt, of the realities of turning heritage sites into mere object of entertainment and commercialism. Neither we venture into falsifying authenticity for the sake of tourism, however you may call it today. To us, Enchanting Balete is more like the photographer and his handy camera. It is a paradigm through which we see things. It is much like Mr. Roy Escalon

You sat in front of me. But no words were uttered that are directed to each other. There were secret glances thrown, some tacit prayer murmured silently by fettered hearts that refuse respite.  I noticed your sad eyes and the pretty face you wore today. It is strange that such a beauty has such eyes that prefer the distant scene of empty spaces. Do they see the reddening sky as the sun kissed the horizon when others were seeing the juxtaposing neon lights along the stretch of Taft Avenue? A Donovan cut was playing softly in some unseen stereo. The commuters looked bored and tired and understand not a word. You seem to flow with it rather than riding this slow-moving carriage. The traffic was heavy today, just as it has been in Tita Cory's time and yet you have soared into the wishes of Brother Sun and Sister Moon . Was this a lovely day?, your mind asked your heart. Was this day filled with meaning to justify your resolve of seeing tomorrow's rays? Your brows curved and t

               The Municipality of Balete has been in the national limelight for the past two years when it was chosen as one of the 15 municipalities from all over the country to have been conferred with the Seal of Good Housekeeping Awards by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The awards were won due to the fact that Balete espoused the values of good governance, transparency and accountability—values that the Seal of Good Housekeeping program are promoting for all government agencies to espouse. Prior to that however, is that the LGU has been a consistent regional contender in the EXCELL Award, short for the Search for Excellence in Local Governance. In one occasion, a team of evaluators for such program came over to validate the local data. They arrived, all in black t-shirts. The leader was honest enough to explain the reason why. He intimated that since they were visiting the town of Balete on a Friday the 13 th at that, they decided to all wea