This early, ten (10) months before the BIG DAY dubbed “Balik Caramoan” in May 2007, everyone who has anything at all to do with this happening must have started to mobilize. For the outcome of any worthwhile project owes much to careful and ample groundwork. And time, all too often is the limiting factor.
In an undertaking as grand and ambitious as the week-long celebration of the visit of those sons and daughters of Caramoan who have made foreign shores their playgrounds, culminating on the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel, the town’s patron saint, on May 8, surely a lot of people, groups of people, are necessarily involved. Coordination becomes that much more complicated.
On the part of CRANE, a committee headed by Executive Vice President Dr. Dolly Roa- Perezhas been created. By the way Dr. Roa-Perez conceptualized this planned event for those Caramoanons who have not visited for 20 or more years, some of whom she had met last year in her brief sojourn in that favorite vacation spot of Filipinos - the old U.S of A. Through letters e-mailed or otherwise posted, all stakebolders in that celebration must be contacted at the earliest.
Caramoanons abroad whether in U.S, Canada, Italy, London, Hongkong, Singapore, Dubai, Oman or elsewhere -must indicate as soon as possible if they are coming, about how many they are and when they will be expected to arrive in Caramoan.
To succeed in this venture we must be able to get radio, tv and print media to disseminate nationwide information of the event so that all interested Caramoanons may decide to join in making the return o f prodigal sons and daughters very memorable.
The Caramoan LGU must ensure that every aspect of Caramoan life is made inviting, pleasant and safe for our returning kahimanwa, as, for instance an improved, behaved and courteous group of porters in Guijalo, the door to Caramoan, improved roads leading into and out of the Poblacion; clean Poblacion streets, and the absence of foul- smelling and fly- infested piggeries near hotels and other public places, to name, just a few.
Barangay councils may embark on some environmental enhancement activities such as cleaning roadsides of the weeds, developing garbage disposal systems, aside from forming teams for street dancing and sports events such as beach volleyball, swimming and hiking.
RIC or rural improvement clubs must also mobilize their members to be able to come up with exhibit like handicrafts using native materials and food preparations during the events.
Dep Ed officials may select some students to join the street dancing events, as well as assist in the beautification of school premises and the barangays.
The church will be invaluable help, first in prayers that nothing untoward would occur during the event and in drumming up support from people from all works of life.
As Balik Caramoan 2007 is of great impact on the entire town, it is needless to stress that all sectors are involved and must therefore participate actively and earnestly. Steady and painstaking execution of the preparatory activities will ensure that both honorees and hosts will together have a great and memorable time, that will certainly deserve a repeat in 2008 and the years after.
So it is urged that those who have lodging spaces to let must now anticipate the influx of guests one month or more before May 2007. Furniture and beddings that need cleaning, roofs or walls that need painting or patching, or additional rooms to be made- must be attended to now. Unpleasant surroundings- smelly or fly infested-must be swept, deodorized or sanitized. Nothing should be left to chance to make sure that the guests enjoy a pleasant stay, and thus pave the way, hopefully, for continuance of the activities in the succeeding year and thereafter.
Let all Caramoanons join in the preparation. Let us all join the fun and anticipate revelries for May 2007. It’s not as early as we think. Time flies.
