13 November 2003 Historic Intramuros tour wows Kazakhstan leader
Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon together with hundreds of students and tourism officials welcomed Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and party to Intramuros yesterday as part of his three-day itinerary in Manila.
Gordon accompanied His Excellency Nazarbayev and his entourage during the tour inside the 1,800 sq. meter Rizal Light and Sound Museum located at Sta. Lucia Street near Baluartilo de San Jose. The museum showcase the vision and values of the country's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal and the Filipino people's quest for liberty and nationhood in the context of Intramuros history.
The Kazakhstan leader was among the head of states to visit Intramuros this year. Among the other foreign dignitaries who toured the Walled City were Queen Sofia of Spain, the Lord Mayor of London Alderman Gavyn, United Kingdom Ambassador Paul Dimond, Guatemala's Vice President H.E. Juan Francisco Reyes, and U.S. State representative Jeff Coleman.
The visit of these foreign guests to Intramuros is a strong indication of the country's safety as a tourist destination.
The DOT chief led the visitors to WOW Philippines Best of the Regions in Clamshell I where they witnessed the different cultural presentations featured by ethnic tribes of Southern Mindanao.
After the brief visit, the two leaders exchanged tokens to symbolize friendship and cooperation between the two countries. President Nazarbayev gave the DOT chief a commemorative coin embossed with a Kazakhstan warrior, on the other hand, Gordon gave his guest a brass B'laan warrior clock set in T'nalak frame from Southern Mindanao.
Earlier in Malacanang, President Nazarbayev signed an agreement on tourism promotion with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He promised to help in the local tourism industry. He strongly support peace, stability and security in the Asian continent.
Gordon accompanied His Excellency Nazarbayev and his entourage during the tour inside the 1,800 sq. meter Rizal Light and Sound Museum located at Sta. Lucia Street near Baluartilo de San Jose. The museum showcase the vision and values of the country's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal and the Filipino people's quest for liberty and nationhood in the context of Intramuros history.
