Noe and Danny at the MBBW Congress, Penghu, Taiwan
I got a call from Mr. Hubert d’Aboville, President of the Puerto Galera Most Beautiful Bay Club, about the World Congress last June. He asked me if I could go to Taiwan and to cover the event as a journalist. I was hesitant at first as I have personal matters I needed to attend to. However, in the end, I replied I will consider it.
Then came the emails where I was in the list of delegates and a formal invitation from the organizers.
The Penghu County and Taiwan Government told me I don’t have to pay for anything; everything will be shouldered by them. Accommodation in a 5-star hotel, free airfare, seafood bonanza and the best tours… who can say NO to that.
Now where is that passport? Found it and found that it expired last July 25. So immediately tried to get an online appointment to renew my passport but the earliest available date was sometime October.
Called Hubert d’Aboville and he said he will help me through a contact in the DFA. That, however, did not materialize.
Wait I have a friend, a fraternity brother who is working in the DFA, actually he is an ambassador. We chatted in messenger and I got my passport renewed in record time.
Danny booked with Cebu Pacific and the organizers booked me with Philippine Airlines. Danny told me he will wait for me in Taipei Taoyuan Airport as he was 9 hours ahead of my flight schedule.
So off I go… 3 hours later, I was with Danny in Taoyuan Airport. From Taoyuan, we took a 50 minutes bus ride to Songshon Airport which was the place where all the delegates were to assemble for another flight going to Penghu Island.
The flight only took 40 minutes and we landed at the airport in Magong which was the main island of Penghu.
Danny and I were billeted at the 5-star hotel, Discovery Hotel, which is very near the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, the venue of the Congress.
BEAUTIFUL PENGHU
How does one describe Penghu – BEAUTIFUL, RELAXING AND DELICIOUS.
Situated off the Western coast of mainland Taiwan rests beautiful Penghu, also known as the Pescadores Islands. Penghu is an archipelago of 90 islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait. Penghu is rich in history and culture alongside breathtaking ocean views and numerous natural wonders!
Currently Taiwan’s best-kept secret, Penghu remains unfamiliar to most international tourists. It is at the moment popular with domestic tourists who flock to the island in the summer months, starting April until September, in hopes of experiencing the sunny coastal charms of the area.
Seafood lovers, rejoice! Penghu’s seafood (especially squid) is without a doubt, to die for. An island archipelago in the Taiwanese Strait, Penghu has the perfect access to the wonders of the ocean. They say you haven’t really been to Penghu if you didn’t reward yourself to a seafood feast and have a taste of the ocean as the area is known for its fresh, sweet and succulent seafood.
From boiled squid, fresh oysters and grilled clams to uni (sea urchin) fried rice and various shellfish; surely we are in for a good treat!
THE HOST OF THE CONGRESS
Arriving in Penghu, Danny and I and all the delegates were treated as VIPs. The people were extremely friendly and hospitable although only a few can speak “little” English.
I had a translator app in my cellphone and that came really handy if I wanted anything from the staff like a knife and fork in lieu of a chopstick.
As a host of the Congress, Penghu has outdone itself – landing in the history of the Club as the most gracious among all hosts of a world congress. They definitely put on a stupendous show and no less than the president of Taiwan, her Excellency, Tsai Ing wen, welcomed the delegates, together with our generous host, Magistrate (Mayor) Chen Kuang-Fu. The ceremony was followed by cultural shows and spectacular fireworks.
The difference is clear as it was not a province or a city which was involved in world congress; it was Taiwan at its best.
Upon registering, delegates were given coffee table books, colorful brochures, maps, discount cards, gifts and souvenirs. Everything was professionally organized according to international convention norms complete with program books; translation receivers in French, English and Mandarin, and the venues were sprightly and brightly arranged.
The organizers invited statesmen, professors and government officials from all over the world to discuss and share their expertise to an eager audience as one by one the topics about marine environment, regional development, and sustainable tourism converged into the congress theme: In Love with the Ocean.
The members of the MBBC were keen on imparting what is happening in their bays. Puerto Galera Bay delegate Daniel Enriquez made a presentation about the administration’s flagship project, the Muelle Cultural Heritage Park, which was well-applauded by all. Enriquez concluded his presentation with the children’s books about Puerto Galera’s tourism and environment authored by his sister Luchie Lombos which was again congratulated by the members.
After the panel discussions and the enlightening forum, the Penghu government gave us a tour of the island. The sites were fantastic, historical and refreshing. There were natural wonders like the basalt columns and the 400-year old banyan tree, old houses, temples and the food – the food was just amazing.
From day one up to our last breakfast, it was all a seafood buffet feast – name it and they got it, prepared by the best Taiwanese chefs.
Penghu knows how to entertain its guests with cultural shows, international artists and of course, an all-Filipino band.
The closing ceremony was highlighted by the speech of Taiwan’s Legislative Speaker, Su Jia-chyuan, and the much-awaited announcement of Japan’s Toyoma Bay as the venue for the 2019 world congress.
The Governor of Toyoma said that they are delighted to be the next host and congratulated the Penghu Government for the most successful, par excellence world congress to date.
What we experienced in Penghu is truly a hard act to follow, one that will define the standards of future congresses.
We say: We Love Penghu! And Taiwan, truly, the heart of Asia.
