Tacloban City (CNN Philippines, November 1) — While most of the local government units in the region are preoccupied with All Saints Day activities, the island town of Biri in Northern Samar province is busy welcoming foreign guests who are onboard the cruise ship Coral Adventurer.
This is the first time that a cruise ship visited Biri town since the region was included in the cruise ship itinerary in 2013.
According to the Department of Tourism in Eastern Visayas, 73 foreign guests from Australia arrived on Wednesday morning in the town known for its majestic rock formations. The University of the Philippines’ National Institute of Geological Sciences Research said the rocks date back to some 84 to 24 million years ago.
The guests were welcomed with songs and dances before they visited communities.Last week, the media was shown various activities awaiting guests in Biri, including learning how locals make dried danggit and the chance to see the famous rock formations on the island.After Biri, the vessel will sail to Capul Island where visitors will spend the whole afternoon doing immersion with the community and learn about the rich history and culture of the island towns. Residents there do not speak Winaray and Bisaya languages, but rather Inabaknon, a language similar to what is used by Tausug people.Prior to the guests’ arrival, preparations were made by the local government with assistance from the regional office of the Department of Tourism in Eastern Visayas and the provincial government of Northern Samar.Evaluation and assessment were made in sites and locals were trained to ensure that everyone involved was well-prepared to provide an outstanding experience to the guests.Northern Samar Provincial Tourism Officer Maria Josette Doctor shared that having Biri as an additional site for the cruise call is an exciting development for the province’s tourism industry.She said it is a significant milestone that presents an opportunity to showcase the town’s natural beauty to foreign tourists.
