The executive committee of the 21st Philippine Advertising Congress, or AdCon, announced that the biennial festival is pushing through from November 18-21, as originally scheduled.
However, instead of Baguio City, Subic is the new host of the AdCon, and there are indications that the thrust of the program will undergo some changes, too.
Newspapers reported yesterday that Baguio government officials learned that AdBoard had cancelled its reservations in several hotels in the mountain city. The loss of revenue, from the hotel sector alone, was said to be in the millions of pesos.
The resort city itself suffered only minimal flooding and, after a few days, was declared fit for tourism. However, Typhoon Pepeng (international name: Parma) inflicted severe damage to to roads and bridgeways leading to it, especially through Pangasinan. As of yesterday, buses that took the detour (and two rest periods), traveled nearly nine hours to reach Baguio.
Despite its change of heart, the apologetic PAC committee continued to express its support for Baguio City:
"We have never doubted Baguio’s resilience or its readiness to accommodate the 21st PAC in spite of the adversity. But the further strain thousands of delegates and participants would subject the already weakened Northern Luzon infrastructure on the roads leading up to Baguio would put delegates’ and local people’s safety at risk.
"Northern Luzon is still in the process of rebuilding itself and we must give way to its reconstruction for everyone’s safety."
With less than five weeks to the AdCon, unofficial reports indicate that the executive committee is seriously looking at changes beyond the venue. Heeding the sentiments of many delegates, it plans to make the session and activities more responsive the Philippines’ needs, post-Ondoy and Pepeng. Festivities may be scaled down, and it is also donating part of the savings and proceeds to flood and typhoon victims.
"The 21st PAC must push through in the face of these fortuitous events. The suffering of the victims is not lost on the advertising industry, and if there is one thing we learned from our shared tragedy, it is solidarity."
"In the aftermath of Ondoy and Pepeng, the 21st PAC is the best time for the industry to come together and reflect on ways to be of service to the typhoon victims and to nation rebuilding. Our economy must not come to a standstill. We must take part in fighting back by helping drive the local economy back on its feet."
The executive committee was under tremendous pressure to find a satisfactory solution for most parties.
Shortly after Typhoon Pepeng battered Baguio City a second time, delegates and committee members questioned the wisdom of pushing through with the AdCon.
Before the change of venue, Baguio Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Jr. told Inquirer that some sponsors of the AdCon threatened to pull out if it remained in Baguio; on the other hand, one major sponsor allegedly threatened to withdraw if it moved elsewhere.
It’s ironic that the theme of the 21st AdCon is "Perspectives: Ano sa tingin mo?" By trying to see it from all points of view, its organizers find themselves dead center and in tightest of spots.
Below is the full statement of the 21st Philippine Advertising Congress Committee:
“The trail of destruction Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng have wreaked across Northern Luzon has forced the Advertising Board of the Philippines (AdBoard) to hold the 21st Philippine Advertising Congress (PAC) closer to Metro Manila.
It is with reluctance that we withdraw from Baguio, for the city has been most supportive and generous to the 21st PAC from the planning stages right until this moment when preparations are near completion.
We have never doubted Baguio’s resilience or its readiness to accommodate the 21st PAC in spite of the disaster. But the further strain thousands of delegates and participants would subject the already weakened Northern Luzon infrastructure to on their way up to Baguio would put their safety and that of the local people’s at risk.
Northern Luzon is still in the process of rebuilding itself, and we must give way to its reconstruction for the safety of everyone.
The 21st PAC will proceed as scheduled on November 18 to 21, but will now take place in Subic. The Subic authorities have kindly and readily agreed to host the 21st PAC despite various requirements and the short notice in which to fulfill them.
We will continue to prioritize the safety of the delegates and participants of the 21st PAC as we work with the people of Subic to prepare for the ad congress.
The 21st PAC must push through in the face of calamity. The sufferings of its victims are not lost on the advertising industry, and if there is one thing we learned from our shared tragedy, it is solidarity.
In the aftermath of Ondoy and Pepeng, the 21st PAC is the best time for the industry to come together and reflect on ways to be of service to the typhoons’ victims and to nation rebuilding. Our economy must not come to a standstill. We must take part in fighting back by helping drive the local economy back on its feet.
The 21st PAC is encouraging the whole industry to join our renewed purpose of service to those in most need.
We dedicate the 21st PAC to the victims of the Northern Luzon calamity. Part of our proceeds would be donated to the Red Cross for rehabilitation efforts in Northern Luzon. This ad congress is one with a heart and a cause. We enjoin all members of the industry to be an active part of this endeavor.”
