Although he recently became a “dual citizen” (endearing term for people turning 20 for the third time), Dennis Geronimo Maristany still looks forward going back to where the action is—doing his work as a Mabuhay Tour guide.
“I was actually looking forward to a dual citizen status. For some reason, I feel secure becoming a senior citizen. Funny thing is, I was questioned when I was getting my senior card at Manila City Hall. ‘Senior citizen ka?’ Most people queuing up have wrinkles or are hunchbacked. I somehow didn’t fit the mold,” Maristany told the BusinessMirror in an e-mail interview.
Nevertheless, he belongs to an industry terribly affected by the pandemic. Maristany said that the tourism sector was doing very well during the past administration.
“And then the pandemic hit. So, as early as November of 2019, our tours started to fizzle out. The good thing about our country is that it remains a ‘hidden gem’ in Southeast Asia,” he said.
Maristany loves to show to foreign visitors our less visited destinations that are just as spectacular—beaches, mountains, bustling cities and rustic towns.
Despite the current challenge caused by the pandemic, Maristany said there’s renewed interest in heritage sites. Although the tourism sector is currently using social media to promote local destinations, the pandemic’s effect is still there. “The adage ‘you weren’t there if you have no pics to prove it’ applies. They just have to have Instagram worthy pics to go with the experience,” he said.
“Sometimes, I have to stop my commentary midway to allow the tour group to get the photos and selfies and wefies out of the way,” he added.
Mabuhay guides
All Mabuhay guides are skilled and highly professional. They all received the same top-notch training from experts on Philippine culture and tour guiding. Every guide works according to the industry’s highest standards. Some of them, however, might choose to focus on certain aspects depending on the guests’ interests and the guide’s background.
“Our training was conducted by instructors from Blue Badge of London,” he said.
Maristany said a Mabuhay tour guide is not necessarily required to have a fast learning curve. But the tour guides have to do their own research and decide where to insert their findings in their commentary during tours.
He recalled two memorable incidents involving a group of American lawyers and a Dutch family. “I took a group of lawyers to the American war memorial and cemetery. And someone asked, ‘Has your president been here?’ This after Duterte swore at former president Barack Obama.”
Maristany responded, “I will not apologize for his actions, if it will please you.”
He also brought a Dutch family to the Banaue Rice Terraces. The tourists were immediately mesmerized and awed by its natural beauty. He recalled that the grandfather of the family approached an Igorot lass and told her that she was fortunate to wake up everyday and see all of the beauty around her. The tourist, however, was surprised when she told him it was boring seeing the site everyday.
“The guest was shocked. I had to tell him: You’re fortunate to have seen the world. This woman has never been anywhere for 43 years. That gave him a different perspective,” Maristany said.
Maristany always thinks of ways to incorporate history, particularly to the younger generation, by injecting tidbits of little known facts and trivia about a particular place. “But I am very careful when it comes to unconfirmed gossip popularized by another historian,” he said.
Despite the current challenges prevailing in the horizon, Maristany remains optimistic because he is passionate about providing wisdom and information to both local and foreign tourists. “I will continue to do what I do with as much zeal and passion for as long as I’m physically able to do it,” he said.
Maristany gets a high degree of satisfaction interacting with people. “It’s very rewarding when they get in touch with you even after the tours are over. That means you left nuggets of wisdom that they’ll never forget.”