Quirino. I honestly had no idea where it was and what to expect since it was my first time to go. As my mother would tell me- better not to expect anything at all, to lessen disappointment that you would encounter. To ease my wondering about my new provincial adventure, I started to research. Here are some of the basics: Quirino is located in the Northen Luzon area of the Philippines which is also 2 hours away from the famous Rice Terraces and its 7 hours away from Manila. Not bad I thought, the feeling of excitement was building up and the more I craved to explore and revel in what I’ll be seeing, tasting and experiencing in Quirino.
It was a pleasant 7-hour ride from Manila to Quirino. Well, I was asleep most of the time. For this trip, I wasn’t alone. I was with 2 friends, Karen and Dax. It was also a first for Karen so we were both excited, and being the probinsiyanas that we are- our craving for the provincial life was about to be satisfied. Dax is the Governor of Quirino, and he’s also one of the youngest Governors in the Philippines. Dax didn’t really say much about Quirino, he just mentioned little things like its major industry at the moment is agriculture (roughly 85%), they speak Ilocano and then I probably fell asleep already while he was still talking (sorry buddie!). He didn’t say much because he wanted for me to see and feel what Quirino is all about. This is where my Quirino story begins.
The original plan to stay just for one night was thrown out the window. It’s all good, I thought. I found that to be a blessing in disguise since it was one whole week of self-productivity and some-what soul searching (yet again and again), and young minds working on great ideas for Quirino. If you ask me what my first impression of Quirino was: Virginly exquisite. It was my first time to admire and relish God’s beauty in my very own country. Lush green mountains and farm lands that can go beyond what my eyes can see. This scene sent chills to my spine, because I really felt the presence of God everywhere. I was telling another friend Elmer who met up with us there, that I hope and pray the next generations after us would still have all of this natural beauty to admire and discover. It may be a far cry as of the moment, but I hope you take it as a challenge (since you’re reading this). Since I’m a self-confessed travel addict, part of the whole travel experience is consuming the area’s food. Personally, I love food. Quirino’s food is simple yet replenishes not only your tummy but your soul. The whole provincial way of life revolves around food I noticed. It’s a source that binds and bonds communities together. What I love most is how they tell the story behind preparing the food- it makes me feel special because they worked and toiled with their utmost best for those that will consume the meal. Their food has an Ilocano flavour, being in the same mountainous region. Although, this is actually the place where I have tasted the best cold Carbonara, thanks to one of the priests who’s a foodie at heart.
Quirino is a developing Province that has a lot of potential. What I love most about it is the entire population is at work to achieve and move towards one direction in unison. The “I Love Quirino” Program is a brain child of current Quirino Governor Dax Cua. The program was designed to specifically save cost, create a clear definition of efficiency for all the sectors that are under Dax’s leadership, including the barangay levels. The goal of this project is to properly roll out and eventually sustain itself with precise planning which is first made and started by each barangay, together with specific sector heads of each government agency. Another sound reason this program was thought of is to curb the usual and long- running perception of provincial folk, that the government’s sole responsibility is to give or donate money when they solicit for it. This may seem like a far cry, but the idea of “I Love Quirino” is the holistic approach of government services that is attainable by all demographics of the province, which would also teach Quirinians what the government is all about and how it should be. “I Love Quirino” is stretched out from medical missions for every townsfolk on the spot of every “I Love Quirino” caravan, to farmers having the right crop productivity, also small and medium Quirinian business enterprises that have the chance of growing to their fullest potential. This includes the Quirinian youth to be pro-active not only in schools but in their community to make them feel that even as young people their contribution to the province is valid which is considered to be a piece in a puzzle that when finished, the picture is completed with their help. The value of proper communication and working cohesively together as one team across all barangays with one vision, one goal in mind: bringing “I Love Quirino” to the grassroots and for them to feel and clearly see that the government hears them, and the government will act on their necessities.
Programs like this with a leader that sincerely has vision and passion for his countrymen make me believe that the Philippines is not a lost cause. I’m not saying this just because Dax is a friend of mine, I’ve seen it with my own two eyes and I’ve felt the energy from the Quirinians myself. The Quirinians are very happy with what their beloved governor does for them. Dax isn’t stuck to his desk all day, he moves around and is very hands on with the different aspects of the province. From tourism, to agriculture and reforestation, even community development, and most especially education and the list goes on- he’s well informed and he doesn’t dictate, he listens to his people create the plan that they want and he works with them to achieve it. This is why I love Quirino, and I don’t mind going back to see it and the Quirinians prosper.
It was a pleasant 7-hour ride from Manila to Quirino. Well, I was asleep most of the time. For this trip, I wasn’t alone. I was with 2 friends, Karen and Dax. It was also a first for Karen so we were both excited, and being the probinsiyanas that we are- our craving for the provincial life was about to be satisfied. Dax is the Governor of Quirino, and he’s also one of the youngest Governors in the Philippines. Dax didn’t really say much about Quirino, he just mentioned little things like its major industry at the moment is agriculture (roughly 85%), they speak Ilocano and then I probably fell asleep already while he was still talking (sorry buddie!). He didn’t say much because he wanted for me to see and feel what Quirino is all about. This is where my Quirino story begins.
The original plan to stay just for one night was thrown out the window. It’s all good, I thought. I found that to be a blessing in disguise since it was one whole week of self-productivity and some-what soul searching (yet again and again), and young minds working on great ideas for Quirino. If you ask me what my first impression of Quirino was: Virginly exquisite. It was my first time to admire and relish God’s beauty in my very own country. Lush green mountains and farm lands that can go beyond what my eyes can see. This scene sent chills to my spine, because I really felt the presence of God everywhere. I was telling another friend Elmer who met up with us there, that I hope and pray the next generations after us would still have all of this natural beauty to admire and discover. It may be a far cry as of the moment, but I hope you take it as a challenge (since you’re reading this). Since I’m a self-confessed travel addict, part of the whole travel experience is consuming the area’s food. Personally, I love food. Quirino’s food is simple yet replenishes not only your tummy but your soul. The whole provincial way of life revolves around food I noticed. It’s a source that binds and bonds communities together. What I love most is how they tell the story behind preparing the food- it makes me feel special because they worked and toiled with their utmost best for those that will consume the meal. Their food has an Ilocano flavour, being in the same mountainous region. Although, this is actually the place where I have tasted the best cold Carbonara, thanks to one of the priests who’s a foodie at heart.
Quirino is a developing Province that has a lot of potential. What I love most about it is the entire population is at work to achieve and move towards one direction in unison. The “I Love Quirino” Program is a brain child of current Quirino Governor Dax Cua. The program was designed to specifically save cost, create a clear definition of efficiency for all the sectors that are under Dax’s leadership, including the barangay levels. The goal of this project is to properly roll out and eventually sustain itself with precise planning which is first made and started by each barangay, together with specific sector heads of each government agency. Another sound reason this program was thought of is to curb the usual and long- running perception of provincial folk, that the government’s sole responsibility is to give or donate money when they solicit for it. This may seem like a far cry, but the idea of “I Love Quirino” is the holistic approach of government services that is attainable by all demographics of the province, which would also teach Quirinians what the government is all about and how it should be. “I Love Quirino” is stretched out from medical missions for every townsfolk on the spot of every “I Love Quirino” caravan, to farmers having the right crop productivity, also small and medium Quirinian business enterprises that have the chance of growing to their fullest potential. This includes the Quirinian youth to be pro-active not only in schools but in their community to make them feel that even as young people their contribution to the province is valid which is considered to be a piece in a puzzle that when finished, the picture is completed with their help. The value of proper communication and working cohesively together as one team across all barangays with one vision, one goal in mind: bringing “I Love Quirino” to the grassroots and for them to feel and clearly see that the government hears them, and the government will act on their necessities.
Programs like this with a leader that sincerely has vision and passion for his countrymen make me believe that the Philippines is not a lost cause. I’m not saying this just because Dax is a friend of mine, I’ve seen it with my own two eyes and I’ve felt the energy from the Quirinians myself. The Quirinians are very happy with what their beloved governor does for them. Dax isn’t stuck to his desk all day, he moves around and is very hands on with the different aspects of the province. From tourism, to agriculture and reforestation, even community development, and most especially education and the list goes on- he’s well informed and he doesn’t dictate, he listens to his people create the plan that they want and he works with them to achieve it. This is why I love Quirino, and I don’t mind going back to see it and the Quirinians prosper.
The Provincial Seal
"I Love Quirino" Caravan Tarp
Farmer at work
Fertile Land
Team Effort
Governor Dax in action
Medical Mission on the spot
Quirinians listening to Gov. Dax
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