ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION
DAVAO CITY
SEPTEMBER 17-20, 2015
In its 42nd year of existence, the Association of CPAs in Commerce and Industry decided to take its flight one notch higher and convened its 2015 Annual National Convention at a more exotic venue - Davao City. It is challenging in more sense than one, as the City is located near war-stricken areas where activities of terrorism and unrest seem to manifest. Yet for accountants, that fact may not overshadow the travails of having to get budget approval from their respective offices so they could join this yearly major activity of the association.
And yet, like the Philippine Eagle that freely flies in Davao, ACPACIans proved able to soar high and overcome these obstacles as ACPACI managed to get the best deals for its delegates, effectively decreasing the convention budget.
And the excursion to the Crown Jewel of the South began.
As per usual, the topics for this year’s convention were carefully thought of by the ACPACI Board, and the activities were delicately selected. The technical sessions were balance as to content from PFRS and Tax Updates to Emergency preparedness. These were presented by the best possible resource speakers that include partners and executives from different organizations and companies. Throw in the City’s Mayor, Hon. Rodrigo Duterte, into the mix and we have the Avengers or Justice League to save us from infernal battle against sleepiness, boredom and technical information overload.
The mayor proved to be a celebrity in his own right, and the delegates squealed in delight and laughter as he poked fun on every little anecdote he shared. To the dismay of great many, he debunked the idea of him ever running for President.
At the end of each day, the delegates joined fun activities and games that challenged their esprit de corps, resourcefulness and creativity as they were divided into groups and were asked to participate to a lot of tasks. Each point for every game accrues to the group that wins, and which will be totalled by the end of the convention. On top of these games, zumba sessions were held early in the morning to keep the ACPACIans physically fit.
On the Second day of convention, delegates were removed from their quarters at Park Inn Hotel Davao and ushered into the city with stopovers in souvenir shops and city museums. The accountants experienced first-hand how peace loving and disciplined the Dabawenyos are. Talking to the locals proved how highly they give regard and respect to their leader (Mayor Duterte) and how proud they are for the way he has been leading and protecting his constituents. Tales on how he treated foreigners and locals who did not respect the policies in Davao City amused and entertained the delegates endlessly. Somehow, one could not help but wish for the whole country to be led by someone with the political will, unnerved by how his image is perceived and would not give too much attention to appearances.
The third and last day of the convention was all about the jaunt to Samal Island. Yes, that island off mainland Davao, the Island Garden City of Samal that boasts of its pearl farms and white beaches. The members took off early in the morning and headed to the island by boat. It was an awe-inspiring experience seeing a full pod of jumping dolphins, seemingly racing with each other, until they are all out of sight. Arriving in Samal, ACPACIans were greeted with a smorgasbord of food -- from grilled squid and pork to mango ensalada. Whiling their time away, as they enjoy their food, some peddlers of pearls and shells approached to persuade the delegates to buy. With a lot of haggling and bargaining, they managed to come to an agreement. Pearls and shells were purchased and prices were paid. The delegates went back home to Manila with their bags full of goodies and mementoes.
Before finally going back to Davao City, accountants were given a time to enjoy the sparkling waters as they were anchored near a spot where corals and fish abound. Clad with life vest and sporting a snorkelling gear, the delegates jumped into the Technicolor underwater gardens waiting to be explored. Talk about sensory overload. The trip to Samal Island was a great adventure and a great way for the ACPACIans to relax, rejuvenate, refresh and be ready to face the world head on when they get back to Manila.