Daet, capital town of Camarines Norte, will dazzle visitors with the Visit Daet Year 2012 to bring to the fore its gains in the economy, tourism , character and good governance.
“Visit Daet Year will promote the town as a tourism and investment haven because of its natural charm and business-friendly environment,” says Mayor Tito Sarion.
He said that balikbayans from abroad and other parts of the country are enjoined to explore business ventures in the bustling town.
The year-round celebration will feature a wide array of cultural, sports, business, food fairs, barangay outreaches and socio-civic events.
Sarion noted that the economic activities generated by the events will be a good opportunity to revive their bid for cityhood which was shelved in the legislature in recent years.
Celebrations reach fever pitch in June for the weeklong 20th Pinyasan Festival on June 16-23 set in June to mark the 429th founding day of Daet on June 15, the Feast of St. John the Baptist and the end of St. John’s Quadricentennial year on June 24.
The festivity, a brainchild of Sarion, is inspired by the Formosa or queen variety of the pineapple, the smallest yet sweetest of its kind. Street floats and dances depict the versatility of the fruit and the industry of the people in the production of the much sought-after delicacy.
Major events for the year are Moturista (National Motorcycle Convention) in July, the Indie / Short Film Festival and the Pacific Kaos Surfing Competition in August, Cheering Squad and Dance Sport Competition in September, the Digital Arts / Animation Film Fest in October and the Daet International Kite Boarding Competition in November.
The homecoming year draws to a close with special Christmas events and Rizal Day observances.
Situated some 300 kilometers south of Manila, Daet is known for Bagasbas Beach, birthplace of the sport of surfing in the country, and now regarded as one of the best places for kiteboarding having hosted the prestigious Kiteboard Tour Asia tournament.
It is also home to the Rizal’s First Monument built on December 30, 1898 through contributions from the people in honor of the fallen hero. The groundbreaking of the said monument is part of the first-ever Rizal Day observances in the “Free Philippines” as decreed by then president, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.
Across the monument is the Daet Heritage Center, the old municipal hall, which serves as repository of the town’s history and culture.
The town is also the gateway and hub to the various tourist magnets of Camarines Norte such as the island beaches of Calaguas and Siete Pecados, waterfalls, spring resorts, Spanish colonial churches, and the Bicol National Park.
Daet is also acknowledged as a “Character Town” which means it integrates positive moral values as part of its governance thrusts.
Celebrities with roots to Daet and Camarines Norte, as well as guest artists will grace entertainment and musical shows. Constant supporters to Daet include TV stars Bing Pimentel, Bobby Yan prized scriptwriter Ricky Lee, former basketball hotshot Fortunato "Atoy" Co, award-winning actor-director Jun Urbano, operatic tenor Dondi Calnea Ong and rising diva Fame Flores.
In a related development, Gawad Kalinga founding president Tony Meloto revealed that Daet will be the site of its second “GK Enchanted Village” which integrates social enterprises and community-based micro-businesses.
Visit Daet Year is a joint undertaking of the Municipal Government of Daet, the Department of Tourism-Region V, and the Metro Daet Development Foundation Inc., the Metro Manila association of Camarines Norte residents.
Log on to www.daetonthego.com.
To get there:
By bus: From Manila, take the bus to Daet.
Philtranco and Superlines run buses to Daet.
8 hours, 560pesos ($13) (aircon bus)
By plane: From Manila, there are regular flights to Naga
From Naga, take the 90 minute bus or van ride to Daet, Camarines Norte By plane: From Manila, there are regular flights to Naga From Naga, take the 90 minute bus or van ride to Daet, Camarines Norte
To contact:
Provincial Tourism Office,Daet, call (054)721-3087 for further info about Hotel rates and availability.
or email thru:Come2camnorte@yahoo.com
Article and Photos contributed by: Municipality of Daet
