(01/26/02 - 01/26/06) 

As MySiquijor.com celebrates its fourth anniversary I take great pride in announcing that over one million visits have now been tallied.  In addition to the visits registered by the counter on the entrance page, there are another 43% that by-pass the counter by entering via one of the other 200+ pages on the site.

Initially, MySiquijor.com was primarily a tourist site.  However, in this past two years I have expanded the focus of MySiquijor.com to not only appeal to international and domestic tourists, but also to include Siquijodnons that are living in foreign countries.  Indicative of the global advancements in internet connectivity, the website’s visitors have come from 138 different   countries.  Thus, the global exposure is in place, I just need to continue to fine tune and properly focus the message.

In support of this broader approach some features have been added and others emphasized.  The primary feature added during the past year is the Forums; “The Beach”.  Besides offering improved communications about Siquijor on a Global level, I anticipate the forum as being a vehicle to increase environmental awareness, encourage ecotourism, and enhance Siquijor Pride.  

In an effort to further develop a target audience that includes displaced Siquijodnons, during 2005 thirty issues of the MySiquijor.com Newsletter were sent out to a subscription base that has tripled in this past year and now numbers well over 600.  The content of the newsletters is almost exclusively dedicated to provincial-related topics.  Additionally, current and continually up-dated Philippine-related national news is available on the website’s home page. 

The MySiquijor.com photo gallery continues to grow. On the first anniversary there were 371 pictures. At the end of the second year there were 718 pictures.  By the end of the third year there was a total of 1,160. And as we celebrate our 4th anniversary the MySiquijor.com photo gallery now consists of 1,448 photos.

Over 168 awards have been presented to MySiquijor.com during the past four years. Our gratitude goes out to those that have chosen to honor this site. We will strive to live up to the same high standards in the years to come.

2005 was the second year that I solicited donations from visitors for the MySiquijor.com Medical Campaign.  Though the initial response has been more than satisfactory, I have come to believe that a broader approach is necessary.  I am exploring new methods of solicitation as well as honing the dispersal of the funds.  The look and mechanics of future campaigns may change, but I do not see any time in the future that my level of commitment will decline.  One thing that is particularly pleasing to me is that I have been informed that MySiquijor’s successful donation drives have had a positive effect on other individuals and groups who now plan to also donate through other channels in the future. 

MySiquijor.com also has played a supportive role in the raising of funds for the St. Francis of Assisi Church Restoration Project.  The website has generated a minimum of 26,000 pesos towards the project.  Furthermore, MySiquijor.com has provided internet exposure to one of the Siquijor’s many treasures.  Consequently, the world is aware that the people of Siquijor take great pride in their roots and the preservation of their culture.
 
I contribute the website’s success to the visitors. Your input will always be important to me. I would like to express my gratitude for those that have contributed to the site. Whether your contributions have been in the form of submissions, survey participation, monetary donations, suggestions, or constructive criticism, I sincerely thank you. I continue to encourage MySiquijor.com visitors to offer their input in the future. My vision will remain “making MySiquijor” “Your Siquijor” as we share our love for the island.

So what lies ahead for MySiquijor.com? While I am well satisfied with the statistics of the first four years I am not going to allow myself to become complacent. Work is already in progress involving some modifications, additions, and improvements to MySiquijor.  This is a major project and the target date for launching the new and improved website is 2006.  The updated website will provide faster loading times, easier navigation, improved organization, and enhance the visitors’ overall enjoyment.  You can expect to see lots of new pictures posted. I will be adding some new sections as well as expanding and fine-tuning our current pages. And, as before, you can expect to see a few surprises along the way as I continue in my endeavor of presenting Siquijor to the world.

MySiquijor.com remains committed to portraying a true representation of the natural beauty of Siquijor. I don’t need to sell it; it will sell itself. All that I need to do is show it.

MySiquijor.com's intent is to promote the province of Siquijor and to provide news and information about the province to Siquijodnons around the globe. It is my vision that through appropriate promotion I can increase responsible tourism (ecotourism), increase environmental awareness, increase investment, and decrease poverty. Furthermore, MySiquijor.com hopes to have a positive impact on Siquijor's medical care, educational system, and in the preservation of its culture.

Sincerely,

Gary W. Harrison