Prize-winning Declaimer is Now a Graphic Designer: Miss Ingrid Bolivar

Ms. Ingrid Bolivar…

…thinking graphic thoughts…

…or launching some new ones…

(All Photos Courtesy of Ms. Ingrid Bolivar)

THE TOURIST GUIDE

[A Declamation Piece]

Pablo, my old flame, paid me a surprise visit last month and politely corrected my British accent; I got it from Steve, my ex-boyfriend who spoke English like he has lived a hundred years in England.

“What’s the matter with you?”  Steve complained when I refused to be kissed last week.

“There’s nothing the matter with me,” I said, remembering Pablo who left for our hometown but promised to write to me. Oh, Pablo!

A woman loves a man who opens her eyes to the truth.

I started to go for things native, and discovered, among many others, the rich potential of Filipino export products.  And because I was then a news writer, I wrote all about self-reliance, to the anger of my editor who feared losing his foreign advertisers.

“You want to stay long in this writing business?!  Write only in order to please!”

But I’ve mastered the five wives and one husband of journalistic writing–you know, the why, what, when, where, who, and how!  Having perhaps read my thoughts, Editor Jones exploded:  “You still have milk in your mouth, Miss Dimasuhulan!”

“But, Sir, this morning I just drank two cups of coffee.”

“Get out, Dimasuhulan!  You’re fired!”

Fired–but I did not suffer from burns, as I’d been hearing a lot about Cebu’s economic boom.

You couldn’t imagine my happiness when I read in the papers of DOT, CTTA, and USJ-R’s twenty-six-day tour guiding seminar!

Oh, the seminar!  I learned of Cebu’s rising star in socio-economic face-lifting.

Face-lifting!  That word used to remind me of wrinkles removed, of noses increased by inches!  The speakers, of course, meant more dynamic business activities, restoration of historical landmarks, unbelievably increasing tourist flights from abroad direct to the City of Cebu!

I’ve also learned that a make-up kit is sometimes a lady’s best friend!  I could have the star twinkle with cordiality in my eyes!  –the moon shine with all romance on my lovely face!

And because Cebu enjoys an economic boom, I should capture its essence in my behavioral manifestations!  To local and foreign tourists, I should represent the first visible proof of Cebu’s civilized progress, handling myself with charm and educated grace.

I consider my job as a layer of brick in helping build a cathedral towards more genuine economic and socio-moral Cebuano prosperity!

After all, I am the younger sister of Dolphy Dimasuhulan, lead actor of “May Pulis Sa Ilalim Ng Tulay.”

And do you know what I received yesterday? Two things that will change the course of my life:  one, Pablo’s perfumed love letter!  And, two, a license!  I’ve just been issued my Professional Tour Guide license!

I am now master of the theoretical dimensions of my career!

Ce-boom!  Ce-boom!

Am I happy?  But, of course, Charlie!

Talk about Cebu’s economic prosperity!

I can feel it!

[This declamation piece is protected by copyright. Anyone, however, who wishes to use it may do so, for free. All that the author requests is that you let him know, by e-mail, (ed_alosbanos@yahoo.com ) about the occasion in which you use it.]