CALBIGA, Samar— The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Eastern Visayas is encouraging participants of the “Pamatron: Samar Fiesta Experience” to provide detailed feedback as part of efforts to further improve and institutionalize the province’s cultural tourism program.
Speaking during the pilot implementation of the tour program in Calbiga town, DOT Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes emphasized that the initiative is designed to enhance tourism experiences across Samar’s municipalities through continuous learning and collaboration.
“For this is not about being competitive but it’s more on leveling up,” Tiopes said.
“Every time we hold the Pamatron in one place, it becomes a learning experience for everyone. In every itinerary, we look for ways to improve until all the patron celebrations in Samar are completed. By the next round, the experience will be much better,” she added.
Tiopes said refining the tour package would make it more attractive not only to local travelers but also to balikbayans and foreign tourists seeking authentic cultural experiences.
The tourism program was recently piloted in Matuguinao during the Makarato-Kahiaraan Festival, which featured spring resort visits, cave exploration, and communal dining experiences.
Another pilot run was conducted in Calbiga during the Pahoy-Pahoy Festival, famous for its giant dancing scarecrows.
Following each tour, participants were asked to complete assessment forms through Google Forms to help organizers evaluate the program.
Tiopes urged participants to go beyond posting their experiences on social media and instead provide constructive recommendations to the provincial government.
“I hope that our experiences in Matuguinao and Calbiga will not only remain on Facebook or in our memories. I hope we can give feedback to the province because sometimes we think everything is already okay, but there is always room for improvement,” she said.
The DOT regional director stressed the importance of submitting detailed observations rather than general comments.
“It should not be generic. The feedback should be specified. We need the details because this will be part of how to ultimately come up with guidelines on how to conduct the Pamatron and institutionalize it,” Tiopes added.
Tiopes also commended the provincial government of Samar for conceptualizing the tourism initiative, saying the program helps build the province’s identity and tourism narrative.
“I appreciate the provincial government of Samar for coming up with this kind of tour program because even if it is done per municipality, if you look at its impact on the whole province, it creates your story,” she said.
She added that storytelling plays a vital role in tourism promotion.
“Even if we travel around and enjoy food, if the story is lacking, the impact is still lacking,” Tiopes said.
Pamatron: The Samar Fiesta Experience is a cultural tourism initiative that transforms traditional town fiestas into immersive travel experiences for visitors. The program aims to promote Samar’s cultural heritage, strengthen community-based tourism, and showcase the province’s natural attractions.
Under the program, tourists, referred to as “Patronizers,” stay with local families or in hotels while participating in community traditions such as local cooking, religious and socio-cultural activities, and eco-adventures.
The experience is divided into three phases: ‘ante’ and ‘vesperas’, which focuses on fiesta preparations and communal activities; ‘kaadlawan’, featuring the main fiesta celebrations including masses, street dances, and parades; and ‘liwas’.
Participants who complete the experience receive a Certified Patronizers certificate along with a “Sharon bag,” a local term referring to a take-home food pack or souvenir bag commonly associated with Filipino gatherings and celebrations.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
