PRC Chair wowed by the Kasanggayahan Trade Fair exhibits

Photo: Von Labalan

SORSOGON CITY, October 15 (PIA) – Philippine Red Cross Chair Richard “Dick” Gordon was the distinct guest at the outset of Sorsogon’s Kasanggayahan Festival this year.

The PRC chairman was completely impressed by the agricultural and industrial exhibits at the Trade Fair, and even more as he took the rounds at the Kasanggayahan Village where a landscape of the Sorsogon map was set, using each municipality’s natural resources. These were all given an exceptional opportunity when right there he was put live on air in his radio program via mobile phone.

Photo: 903rd Phil Army

The visiting official likewise huddled with home-grown farmers and fisher folks, and was more enthused to sponsor another carabao to be given away in addition to the four farmer-winners in a raffle draw conducted during the Kasanggayahan Festival’s kick-off activity.

In an intervening meeting with the local press, Gordon disclosed that he was very pleased that he came to Sorsogon. “Every minute I enjoyed the vibrant tourism and the agricultural products that I’m seeing here,” he said.

In his dialogue with the group, he stressed on the significance of one’s vision in life, diligence and good relationship with others.

He shared his thoughts on domestic tourism and said that all opportunities must be accompanied with better education because through this, there will be jobs in the future. 

Gordon was a former Senator (2004-2010) and Secretary of Tourism (2001-2004) is vying for the senatorial post comes 2012.

Photo: 903rd Phil Army

He placed the Philippines in the international tourism map by actively marketing the Philippines in several tourism expositions and road shows with the WOW Philippines campaign strategy winning awards at ITB and WTM.

From 2002, after four years of negative growth and in spite of threats of terror post 9-11, Abu Sayyaf kidnappings, SARS, Oakwood Mutiny, tourism arrival increased heavily.

He also encouraged domestic tourism by holding regional events and having provincial destinations showcased at Intramuros and the rationalization of Holiday Economics.

Since 1986, Gordon was elected as governor of the Philippine National Red Cross, taking active roles in rescue, relief and rehabilitation in various disasters from shipwrecks, typhoons, 1990 earthquake in Cabanatuan, 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, 2004 landslides in Aurora, Quezon and 2006 Ginsaugun, Southern Leyte mudslide and the PhilSports Arena stampede. He is currently the chairman of Philippine Red Cross.

Apart from his current position in the Red Cross, Gordon also works as a broadcaster for News5. He presently hosts the radio show “Aksyon Solusyon” with Amelyn Veloso on Radyo5 92.3 News FM and the television show “Duelo: Barilan ng Opinyon” on AksyonTV. (VAELabalan, PIO/BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)