The glitz of destinations often overshadows the figures who make them come alive. But one woman stands tall. Literally and figuratively. She is Ms. Judith V. Cabillo, the Secretary of the Pangasinan Tour Guides Association (PTGA), and the first woman licensed tour guide in the province of Pangasinan.
Ms. Judith has been telling stories about the beauty and wonders of Pangasinan in her 17 years of providing tours that go beyond mere surface-level guidance. For her, tour guiding is not merely a job; it is a lifelong calling. “Tour guiding is a passion; it really is a passion. Kung hindi mo ito passion, hindi mo ito kakayanin.” What fuels her career is not the applause nor the applause-worthy views of Pangasinan’s natural beauty, but the joy of connecting people to place with dignity, authenticity, and heart.
She has trained hundreds of on-the-job tourism students, many of whom have gone on to become ambassadors of their own towns and cities. “Yong ma-impart mo ‘yong love ng province sa kanila… that they want to continue guiding kahit in a different way… ‘yon ang greatest fulfillment ko.”
Tourism is an inclusive space. But sometime, it overlooks the unique hurdles of women. Ms. Judith speaks especially about guiding persons with disabilities and senior citizens, and how some tourists would often prefer male guides for these tasks, assuming physical strength is everything. But strength, for her, comes in different forms. “Ang mga babae ay nagagawa iyon kahit na hindi sila malalakas.” Trained with skill, armed with empathy, and fortified by purpose, she proves that women are not only capable. They are essential.
“Ang turismo ay nanghihikayat ng bisita, at kapag mayroon kang bisita, ang ating local people ay may kita.” Her perspective is beyond tourism. It is development work, environmental stewardship, and community-building.
In Pangasinan tourism, the road may be long, but with women like Ms. Judith leading the way, it’s a journey worth every step.
/MJGE
