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I would say, at this time, that it’s all systems go for CRANE as far as the Balik-Caramoan 2007 and the culminating activity, the Caramoan Town Fiesta are concerned. There is no more turning back. Concerned officers of CRANE have committed themselves to undertake and assume responsibility for their assigned tasks from now and come May 2007. And we anticipate rousing success for our Balik Caramoan project. To be sure, there were misgivings in the minds of a few as we assembled in the Perez Farm in San Isidro, Naga City last September 2, a Saturday. They were invited by the project chairperson, Dr. Dolly Roa Perez, to undergo a planning workshop for that day and the next, if need be, under a workshop director. It was all serious business. The usual opening prayer over, the workshop director presented the overview and set the tone for the workshop. The group was to prepare an action plan for each working committee which was time- bound and goal-oriented. That is to say, the proposed activities must have specific dates of execution and expected output. People involved, materials needed and estimates of logistics and their possible sources were to be specified and qualified. After a light snack and short break, the participants started to put down on a prepared form the things they envisioned their committees would do in the remaining months before May 2007. The morning session ended after participants had presented their initial plans and the rest of the group had eagerly interacted. After lunch, to which the July and August groups of officers had contributed prepared foods, the planning session resumed. Other committee plans were presented and commented on. As that day ended, it turned out that there was no need for another day after all. The plans were collected by the staff for refinement and collation. The workshop schedule was shortened because everyone participated in earnest. It was a very systematic approach and start of the multi- faceted preparation for an event that will have a lingering effect on returning Caramoanons. Most, if not all, of the planned activities will be done in Caramoan. There is a need therefore for the persons involved to commute often between Naga City and Caramoan in the coming months until, probably, end of April 2007. An introductory letter will announce these visits. Initially, a dialogue with sectors of the barangays involved will inform them of the specific activities and invite their whole-hearted cooperation. Subsequent visits will be for coordination of the activities then on-going and monitoring progress thereof. Examples of these committees are the Social Preparation and Beautification, of which this writer is the chairperson, by the way. We will be seeing you. The success of this grand undertaking – the Balik Caramoan - rests on the collective efforts of all Caramoanons. We, in CRANE will act merely as catalysts and facilitators. The significant accomplishments will be close to home – there in our beloved town. We must remember we are the hosts. The guests will set foot on our shores and streets. They will stay with us in our hotels or homes. They will enjoy the different forms of entertainment we will offer. They will spend their money on us. They will drink and eat with us. They will rely on our care and protection. Let us all then join hands to prepare to welcome our guests come 2007 and give them a rousing and never-to-be-forgotten bienvenida.
