(ASEAN diplomats led by Vietnam Ambassador Ly Quoc Tuan and Brunei Ambassador Hajah Johariah binte Haji Wahab are welcomed by BBI president Dr. Irineo Alvaro at the relaunched Aqua Planet. Photo by Bong Lacson)
(Rafters go through the wringer of the “funnel”. Photo courtesy of Ric Gonzales)
CLARK FREEPORT – Diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations arriving in official embassy staff cars as well as two busloads of cadet foreign service officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) started visiting key areas in this freeport, particularly Aqua Planet, over the weekend as a prelude to the upcoming Southeast Asian Games ((SEA Games) on November 30.
Dr. Irineo “Bong” Alvaro, Jr., president/CEO of BBI, personally welcomed the delegates as the visit coincided with the official relaunching of Aqua Planet, which was closed for months for maintenance and safety checks.
“Excellent!” exclaimed Brunei Ambassador Hajah Johariah binti Haji Wahab. “We will definitely come back here. The kids are so excited,” she added.
“It’s good that they brought us here so that we know what we can expect in Clark,” the envoy remarked.
Vietnam Ambassador Ly Quoc Tuan was seen observing the facilities of the water park while Alvaro led a rolling tour of the park.
The charge d’affaires of Myanmar with his son in tow also expressed elation as they marveled at the facilities of the water themed park.
Other envoys include the charges d’affaires of Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Indonesia.
Among other visitors include Korean Andy Jongsun Jeon was also amazed at the sprawling water park. “We have half the size of this in Korea located about 200 kilometers from Seoul which has both outdoor and indoor areas,” he said.
DFA assistant secretary Elmer G. Cato said the visit is part of the cultural diplomacy efforts of the Office of Strategic Communications and Research. “This is our first cultural tour for 2019,” Cato said.
“In the next few months or weeks, we will be able to bring in more diplomats to see the development inside Clark because we have to take into account that Clark will be hosting the SEA Games,” he explained. “So, there is interest especially from our Southeast Asian neighbors to come and see what’s here,” he added.
“The Clark Development Corp. (CDC) was kind enough to host breakfast and a cultural program at the Nayong Pilipino for our guests,” he said as he took the opportunity to thank top executives of the government corporation led by its president/CEO Noel F. Manankil.
“This was hatched in New York when we met there,” Alvaro said. “It was his (Cato’s) idea to introduce Central Luzon, particularly Clark, to people in the ASEAN,” he said. “Normally they know Manila, but they are not aware that there is this Clark that is a vacation haven,” he added.
Cato said the visit is also “part two” of the DFA-Aqua Planet partnership which initially had members of the Scout Rangers regiment that liberated Marawi visit the water park with their families last year.
Two Genesis Transport busses, courtesy of Patricia Moises-Afuang, brought the delegates to this freeport.
