The Eco Guiding Seminar on Mountain Guides was held in Los Baños, Laguna at Narra Room, Romulo A. Del Castillo Building, College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) from April 24 to 30, 2018. The seminar was conducted by the Department of Tourism (DOT) – Region IV-A (CALABARZON) and Training Center for Tropical Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability (TREES) of CFNR, UPLB in partnership with the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) of CFNR, UPLB and Turismo Los Baños. It is also under the Tourism Industry Skills Program (TISP) of DOT Region IV-A that aimed to enhance and further develop human resource capital in tourism industry.
A total of 23 volunteers from Laguna and Batangas side of Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park (MMFR AHP) and staff from the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME), CFNR, UPLB attended the seminar but only 18 were successful and were able to complete the seminar.
The seven (7) days seminar include: lectures (Ecotourism, Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism by For. Roberto P. Cereno; Flora and Fauna by Mr. Antonio Felipe Arbias; Stargazing by Engr. Camilo Dacanay; Bird Watching by Mr. Adrian Constantino; Work Values Formation and Service Excellence in Tourism by Dr. Freddie A. Quinito; Basic Mountaineering Course by Mr. Olimpio Muñoz; and Practical Guiding Techniques by Mr. Jaime Barrientos); outdoor activities (Bird Watching; Stargazing; Knot Tying by Mr. Arvin Quinto; Tent Assembling; Rappelling by Mr. Ranger Marquez; and Mountain Guiding); practical examination on knot tying, tent assembling, rappelling, and skills and interpretation on mountain guiding; and written examination.
Concluding the seminar was the announcement of the top 3 performing participants namely: For. Angela A. Limpiada, Ms. Gillian Katherine L. Inciong, and For. Myranel S. Canceran. This is based on the practical and written examinations given at the end of the seminar. Part of the incentives given to them as top 3 participants of the seminar is a one (1) year free accreditation fee as mountain guide from DOT-R4A.
MSCanceran
Photos credit to: AALimpiada