My brochure collection: Origins
I started collecting brochures when I was in the junior high. The reason that instigated me to engage myself in this endeavor was the news that our history teacher gave the class: that come September 2003, the Department of Tourism Region 02 will conduct its annual Regional Tourism Quiz Bee. Excited of what I heard, I prepared right away. I surfed the net to gather information and I started looking for brochures, flyers, video presentations, etc. I even went to the DOT Regional Office to ask for materials. After having gathered quite a number, and felt amazed of it, I thought of collecting such stuffs. I had much fun when I began looking for tourism materials. I thought it was pretty bizarre yet there was a bunch of enjoyment in it. From the first brochure that I had, that of Vigan showing the Mestizo Village and a “burnay” jar, my collection began to bloom.
Refreshing your mind about the quiz bee, joining it was not as easy as volunteering myself for a recitation. The class had to undergo series of eliminations and whoever the last man standing will represent the school in the Division Level. Fortunately, my neurons went so well that time. Likewise, they didn’t fail me during the Division Level, not to mention, I managed to get 28 of the 30 questions! I had to represent the City of Tuguegarao. I would doubt at first. Jittered? Not so, it was more of an excitement! But that was not being oblivious of the fact that I needed to toil harder for the pressure was great during that time, our school, Cagayan National High School – not for anything else, had already reaped a lot of prestige and accolades in other competitions. Our school was the defending champion in the quiz bee. Nonetheless, I was not overwhelmed by the situation. I told myself that I have to win because I know I have a pretty good chance of winning. I had enough preparation,I got people behind my back and I never faltered to implore the grace from Him. Then, the judgment day came. The moment I made my first step into the contest venue, I already had the gut feel of winning the quiz bee. You may say that the confidence was oozing but mind you, the confidence sprung from a solid ground of preparation, support and prayers! Then the quiz bee was over, and I executed my mission with a bang! I emerged victorious! Thanks, God!
My brochure collection taught me how to persevere and persist in achieving my goals, not only my goal of becoming the Tourism Quiz Bee Regional Champion but most of all, the goal of having a comprehensive collection of tourism brochures, video presentations, posters and postcards! It taught me that somehow in some ways everything can be possible. What we need to do is to believe and motivate ourselves to work hard for us to achieve what we want in our lives- a very simple precept yet it brings you to all possible places you can be.
As of the moment I have collected tourism materials from almost 150 countries throughout the world, representing the six inhabited continents making me feel the “world on my palm.” I’m looking forward to having my first brochure from Antarctica; I hope one will be published soon! This collection of mine has set my wagon towards attaining one of my greatest dreams –to create a tourism museum that will serve as a venue for my leagues and the youth to come to learn interesting facts about the countries of the world and the various provinces and cities of the Philippines. And also, to create a place where people can appreciate how wonderful the Philippines is and how splendid the planet we are living. I believe that I have one of the most unusual yet one of the most interesting collections. This passion of mine will continue, for this, I believe, is a great source of knowledge; a knowledge which I intend to share with more individuals to intensify their minds and hearts toward appreciation of and stewardship on God’s endowments.
You know what’s another enjoyable part of having this collection? It’s when I notice that most of my friends and acquaintances call me “Mr. Tourism” or “Mr. Brochure.” Kind a weird and funny, but I guess I have earned something intangible which I can be proud of; and making me feel different in a good light!
