Panglao Island Trip

While not all agree, many experts believe that good behevior must be rewarded. It fosters positive reinforcement, they say, that the behavior be repeated  since persons respond well to rewards. That having been said, Oriental’s incentive trips over the last few years have helped not only to reinforce the positive behavior that helps them as a company, it equally provides those of us who are privileged enough to be rewarded the opportunity to relax and visit other places outside Manila and the country, in the company of friends and colleagues.

The most recently concluded trip to Bohol sponsored by Oriental is just the latest of these incentive trips.  The group, composed of intermediaries and some Oriental bosses, left for Bohol on June 6, 2009 and checked in the Panglao Island Nature and Resort Spa Hotel.  The place was as beautiful as I had expected and the cottages that were to be our accommodations were so cozy and extremely relaxing.  Surrounded by nature, it was so easy to forget the hustle and bustle of Manila.

Within the next few days, our itinerary was full. We visited the Chocolate Hills and it was everything all the tourism posters portray it to be, and then some.  An interesting fact about the Chocolate Hills, however, was that the steps to the viewing deck used to be two hundred and thirteen (213), but since so many lovers would go there, they added another step to make it easier to remember – 214, alluding to February 14.  We also toured the famous church known as “Baclayon,” a structure many say was built with egg whites mixed with seashells and corals. We also had a chance to see the “Daouis”   Church which boasts of a well near its altar and a man-made forest whose Mahogany trees were planted by the people themselves, and which now line the highway road. Finally, an educational trip was likewise included when we went to the local bee farm. I found to be very informative and a little exciting, although I couldn’t bring myself to pose with the bees.

Apart from the beautiful tourist sites, it was also the treatment we received that made the trip well worth all the effort. The food served in all the buffet meals offered a wide selection of good eats that could rival four-star hotels in Manila. The best surprise, however, came one night when we were treated to a thirty-minute body and foot spa, a special service offered by this most exquisite resort, courtesy of Oriental of course!

All in all, it was definitely a most rewarding experience for me, and I’m sure for everyone who was on that trip.  Thank you so much to Oriental, especially to the lady with a big heart and a humble spirit, Luz Cotoco, as well as to her mother, “Amah” or Lola. I’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Jun Cotoco who made the trip possible through his untiring efforts. Thank you as well to LNC for finding the time to bond with us despite her schedule, as well as to Leah whose accommodating attitude made us all feel at ease.  Likewise, I would like to extend my appreciation to their account executive, Lea Pado,  who have willingly assisted us throughout the trip.

While rewards or incentives do foster some form of positive reinforcement for the repetition of the behavior, the more important thing about this particular incentive is that it fostered camaraderie amongst the intermediaries and created a stronger bond between Oriental and ourselves.  It also allowed us to see the beauty of our country and realize how blessed we are as a nation. This is the true reward from this experience and it is my hope that this Bohol trip be merely one of many more to come.  Congratulations Oriental!