American speaker inspires Ilocanos to be more creative

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

BATAC CITY—Challenging Ilocanos to think out of the box, the United States Embassy in partnership with the government-owned Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the Ilocos Norte government hosted a “Curiosity Tour” workshop on May 6 at the MMSU function hall.

Participated in by about 150 students and professionals from various government and non-government organizations, C. McNair Wilson, chief encouragement officer of Assume Brilliance Group based in Colorado and Walt Disney imaginer, inspired participants to a lively, fun and interactive practical workshops on creative thinking, problem solving, brainstorming, public speaking and team-building—all in one day.

The whole-day “Curiosity Tour” with the self-published author of several books aims to bring in an individual or group’s creative potential for the personal development of every participant.

As one of the outreach programs of the US Embassy, Elizabeth Meza, assistant cultural affairs officer said they are bringing in popular American speakers several times a year to the Philippines to inspire people to do their jobs better.

Citing the MMSU’s active “American Corner” located at the university’s library in Batac campus, Meza said Ilocos Norte was chosen this year, being one of the 14 American corners established in the country.

“We love the works that is happening in Ilocos Norte and we wanted to come and support Ilocanos and give you maybe a little bit of inspiration and help continue the good works that the students, government and non-government organizations are doing here,” she said.

Having travelled more than 32 countries and 49 US states, Mr. Wilson said Ilocos Norte reminds him of Central America, the terrain that is very rich and with green landscape makes it fun and exciting.

“It’s been great. We went to St. Augustine Church and the Nueva Era eco-cultural park and tribal village. It’s beautiful! We had great food and the people are so much fun,” he said.

The participants also expressed their gratitude to the US Embassy and Mr. Wilson for the free workshop, opening more avenues for creativity.

After Batac, “The Curiosity Tour” traveled to the Central Philippine University in Iloilo City; and at the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

Invited participants from the media, academe, private, non-government and government sectors enjoyed full-day events of team work and interactive problem-solving activities designed to reignite their professional and personal creativity to produce valuable and useful solutions for their organizations.  

Mr. Wilson believes that all people are born with an innate creative spirit and has spent his professional career helping others to unlock and tap into that spirit. Creativity is not only artistic expression, it is what drives people to make decisions every day, like taking a new route home from work or trying something new at a restaurant.

“It is your factory-installed creative spirit at work when you rearrange furniture in your office or family room to function more effectively, or when you just try something different to get a fresh perspective: Your desk facing the window not the door. All those are expressions of your creative spirit. You use it every day,” Mr. McNair writes in his book Hatch! Brainstorm Secrets of a Theme Park Designer.