PRESS RELEASE MOTO TOURISM COUNCIL JOINS SILLAG 2018 CELEBRATION

Early this month, Moto Tourism Council (MTC) joined in the celebration in La Union – Poro Point’s Sillag Festival 2018 by forming a unity ride that started in Manila and ended with a luncheon treat at the baywalk of Poro Point Freeport Zone. A total of 17 members participated in the unity ride from Manila showing the joy and safety fun of motorcycling trip plus the beauty of the various provinces that they have passed by.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo Teo has approved the formation of the Moto Tourism Council (MTC) that will draft the Moto Tourism campaign plan aimed at boosting motorcycle travel in the country, and eventually generate additional revenues for the tourism sector. A thrust that Assistant Secretary Frederick Alegre himself supports, since he is a rider himself. According to him, the MTC is aimed to show not only the beauty of certain parts of the country but the entirely of it. From Luzon to Mindanao, using the Philippine Nautical Highway, motorcycle riders can now enjoy a trip to any point in the country.

The La Union unity trip aims to promote not only the beauty and safety of proper motorcycle riding but also the possibilities of the being developed Freeport Zone. Joining the unity ride were Manuel Jose, Christpher Pedrosa, Chris Franco, Alvin Aggregado, James Selenio, Raffy Escano, Bobbit Tongco, Miggy Tongco, JT Lansangan, Peter Lansangan and Peter Barrientos, to name a few. 

Arriving during the second day of the Sillag Festival celebration, La Union was awaken by the number of riders passing by the main road of the province before ending at the Freeport Zone. The weather was so endearing that it was both sunny and windy at that time. Met by the Highway Patrol team and that of the PNP, the site of riders being accompanied was a sight to behold, elevating the curiosity of the people on what is there to see that day at the celebration ground. With bikes and riders, a riding spectacle was created for the people of La Union and that of Poro Point. Participants of the ride were then treated to an all Filipino luncheon spread prepared by the PPMC Poro Point Management Corporation headed by Dir Warly Guerra, Chairman of Investment Committee. Dir Guerra gave the guests a briefing of the investment opportunities in Poro Point Freeport Zone. He also seeked the help of the businessmen to help in promoting PPFZ as investment destination.

Not only did the MTC did the unity ride but they also started the Parade of Lights celebration and took the time to display their various bikes for people to see and take pictures with; something that bike riders, bike enthusiasts and fans took delight that day in the festival.

With this simple exhibition of motorcycling experience, riders can now travel and enjoy in their own pace the trip of doing a point-to-point tour of the country, promoting road and motorcycling safety and the scenic view of the place. No small thanks to the thrust of the Department of Tourism in looking into the various ways that people can truly explore the country.

Industry stakeholders recognized in first-ever Philippine Sports Tourism Awards

The search for the best sports tourism efforts in the country has culminated with the first-ever Philippine Sports Tourism Awards. Held at Resorts World Manila, the Awards recognized events, destinations, local government units, national sports associations, private companies, and event organizers who have contributed to the growth of the local sports tourism industry.

Organized by the Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Tourism (DOT), Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, and Selrahco Management, the Awards attracted hundreds of nominations from across the country but only nine programs were distinguished for their efforts to develop and promote the Philippines as a sports tourism destination. Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga was named the Sports Tourism Destination of the Year for hosting various sports tourism events, including racing competitions, car shows, Frisbee games, and the widely attended Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta that welcomes around 112,000 local and foreign visitors yearly.

The Municipality of Lubao and Sunrise Events, Inc. also took home individual trophies as Organizer of the Year in the public and private sector categories, respectively. Both winners have held events that boosted local sports tourism as a viable industry in the Philippines.

Cebu’s Tabuelan 111 won in the Event of the Year-Domestic category, for its successful tri- event races held in celebration of the town’s fiesta. Ironman 70.3 Philippines, meanwhile, took home the award in the Event of the Year-international events category.

The Philippine Inter-Island Sailing Federation, which popularized boat races in the country, was named Sport Association of the Year. Ironman 70.3’s campaign to make Cebu a global sports tourism destination won the Destination Marketing of the Year award.

The Philippine Rugby Football Union and Hong Kong-based civic group Pot Bellied Pigs Rugby Club’s Fat Boys 10s Rugby was hailed Charity Event of the Year 2015 for delivering medical assistance to 1000 kids annually through funds generated from annual golf and rugby tournaments.

Resorts World Manila Golf Masters, which catered to the event broadcasted to over 200 countries, took home the Event Sponsorship Award of the Year 2015. This professional golf tour is touted as the richest tournament in the Philippines, with a US$1-million prize money.

A Taste of the Philippines from TBEX

Delegates of the Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) Asia-Pacific 2016, the largest gathering of travel bloggers, writers, content media creators, and tourism industry professionals, had a feast as they discovered Philippine cuisine.

Presented by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), in coordination with NMX Events, their journey of discovery began with a 15-hour food tour where they travelled to Pampanga, “the culinary center of the Philippines”, to try iconic Filipino dishes such as lechon, sisig, chicken inasal, and sinigang. They then went to Binondo to experience the country’s Chinese culinary influence on food.

The contingent was served an array of grilled fish, prawns, squids, and clams and tasted some of the native delicacies such as barquillos, turones, kutsinta, halo-halo, rice cakes including bibingka, cassava cake, and puto.

The country’s tropical fruits were also a hit as the visitors sampled the sweetest mangoes, rambutan, lanzones and marang. Calamansi was a surprise to them for its versatility – from a refreshing fruit drink to an additional flavor to condiments.



To complete their Filipino food experience, they were served some of the country’s exotic foods including balut, pako or fern salad, and sea urchin.

“I find it very interesting that the Filipino cuisine is influenced by so many other cultures and it creates a fascinating mix,” said Maria Haase who travelled all the way from Germany. “This food trip was very interesting and inspiring for me.”

Further making Filipino meals fun, the delegates experienced boodle feasts, which urged them not only to share their food but to interact and converse with one another.

Trying Filipino dishes in this unique way was something the first-time visitors were able to enjoy. “This is such a simple pleasure to enjoy. It’s amazing that we get the time to eat together. I love this kind of culture,” said Chicago-native Rosemary Kimani.

TBEX Asia Pacific 2016 was made possible with the support of Philippine Airlines, Globe Telecom, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and Duty Free Philippines. Other sponsors included Amorita Resort, The Lind Boracay, Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel, Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Primer Group of Companies, The Funny Lion Palawan, Merrell Philippines, Lakan, Banana Peel, Le Spa at Sofitel, Park Inn by Radisson, Hotel Luna, Bluewater Maribago Resort and Spa, Sonya’s Garden, Museo Orlina, and Grab Philippines.

The event was also made possible through the participation of volunteers from the University of the Philippines, Centro Escolar University, University of Santo Tomas, and Philippine Women’s University.

The amazing variety of food – from savory dishes to sweet delicacies, and our wide array of fresh ingredients, diverse cultural influences, proves that the Philippines can stand out as an exciting culinary destination.

*This is Press Release

DOT and TPB welcomes the TBEX participants

 

The Department of Tourism and the Tourism and Promotions Board (TPB) warmly welcomes the arrival of the top travel experts and participants for the Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) Asia-Pacific happening at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on October 13-16, 2016. TBEX will serve as an avenue for travel bloggers from around the world to learn, expand their networks and linkages, and do business. It also creates a good opportunity for the participants to experience the best of the Philippines through exciting tours around the country before and after the conference. Photo shows (from left): Ivan About Town’s Professor Ivan Henares, DOT Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre, TBEX CEO Rick Calvert, best-selling author Patricia Schultz, Our Awesome Planet’s Anton Diaz and TPB Events Marketing and Services OIC Raquel Tria.

Madrid Fusion Manila 2016 Converges East and West

Chef Nurdin Topham and Chef Enrique Olvera

Culinary figures and food enthusiasts from the east and west hemisphere converged at the world’s most important international gastronomy congress – Madrid Fusion Manila (MFM) 2016 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia.

Organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Madrid Fusion Manila 2016’s theme is “The Manila Galleon: East meets West” and highlights how the Galleon Trade linked Asia to the Western World. The event also emphasized the Philippines as a culinary center of excellence in Asia by providing a unique opportunity to chefs, food aficionados, and food-and-beverage company professionals to come together to learn new culinary techniques from the most acclaimed Michelin-star chefs from across the globe.

Arum Estrategias Internacionalización Director Iñigo Cañedo and Turkish Airlines General Manager for Philippine Operations Erhan Balaban

Focusing on the influences made by the two diverse parts of the world, MFM 2016 featured esteemed chefs such as Joan Roca, Danἰ Garcia, Jordi Butrὀn, Ảngel Leὀn and Ricard Camarena of Spain, Nurdin Topham of China, Yoshihiro Narisawa of Japan, Virgilio Martinez of Peru, David Thompson of Thailand, Kevin Cherkas of Indonesia, Jungsik kim of Korea, Enrique Olvera and Jorge Vallejo of Mexico, Leah Cohen, Paul Qui, Jose Andres, Michael Voltaggio and Romy Dorotan and Amy Besa of USA, and Myke Sarthou and Michael Aspiras of the Philippines. 


Making MFM 2016 another success were the DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr., DOT Director Verna Buensuceso, the TPB COO Domingo Ramon C. Enerio III, Spanish Ambassador Luis Calvo, Secretary of State for Trade of Spain Secretary Jaime Garcia-Legaz, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, Arum Estrategias de Internacionalización Director Iñigo Cañedo, Foro De Debate’s Lourdes Plana and Chef Margarita Fores.

Philippine Airlines President Jaime Bautista and DOT Director Verna Buensuceso

Indeed, Madrid Fusion Manila 2016 is not just about sharing food, culinary talents, stories and techniques, but also a celebration of camaraderie and friendship between the east and west.

Philippines Hosts the 11th World Congress of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays

This year, the 11th World Congress of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World was held in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro – the only member bay in the country included in the club of the Most Beautiful Bays. The congress served as an avenue for international stakeholders to discuss measures to fight climate change in order to protect the club’s member bays. Organized by the Puerto Galera Most Beautiful Bay Inc. (PGMBBI) in coordination with the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro, the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board, the multi-faceted congress showcased Puerto Galera’s unique ecological and cultural assets through talks, island-hopping and excursions, and a visit to the Mangyans, among other activities. Photo shows: (L-R) Puerto Galera Mayor Hubbert Dolor, Governor of Oriental Mindoro Alfonso Umali, Jr., Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection Sec. J.R. Nereus O. Acosta, Congress organizer Hubert D’Aboville, former President of MBBW Galip Gur, Setubal, Portugal Mayor Maria Das Dores Meira, newly elected President of MBBW and Yeosu Bay, Korea Mayor Cheolhyeon Ju.

Please refer to the Tourism Promotions Board

*This is Press Release

Philippines Sets Stage for Annual International Museum Council Summit

The Philippines is set to welcome more than 200 culture and museum leaders and experts of the Asia Pacific region this first week of December for the International Council of Museum- Asia Pacific 2015 Conference and General Assembly dubbed as ICOM ASPAC 2015. The event is slated on December 3 to 7 at the newly opened Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo City.

ICOM is a global network of more than 35,000 culture and museum institutions and professionals that work together to achieve its mission of conserving, continuing, and communicating to society the world’s natural and cultural heritage. Its Philippine National Committee, the ICOM-Philippines headed by its Chair, Gina V. Barte is tasked to host this year’s annual event. The ICOM President, Hans-Martin HInz, will address the event together with the ICOM-ASPAC Chair, Dr. Song Xinchao, Chair of ICOM-China and Deputy Director of the Directorate of State Cultural Heritage of the Peoples’ Republic of China. This year’s theme, ‘Pathways for Museums for a Sustainable Society,’ promotes ICOM’s response to changes in today’s social environment and represents ICOM’s contribution to societal development, particularly in the domain of culture and museum building. This is part of ICOM’s response to the global call of uniting its partners in culture and development to create the greatest impact in becoming a cultural driving force towards sustainable development.

The link between sustainable development issues and the core function of museums to safeguard and promote and educate the public about their cultural heritage is becoming more pronounced in recent years. The world is increasingly torn by conflicts and violence, where museums and cultural heritage sites have become targets of destruction or end up as collateral damage, in situations of terrorism and war. Calamities and disasters resulting from extreme weather conditions continue to endanger museums and collections that represent irreplaceable culture and heritage. Poverty and growing population have led to neglect in some countries, making museums and cultural objects to pillage and theft.

In this event, the ICOM-ASPAC will be able to gather the key leaders of culture and museums in the region as well as other countries outside of it as one community in an effort to recognize its role in defining, promoting, and implementing sustainable practices. It will explore take off points that will bring forth significant and new knowledge about the framework and best practices of each of the 24 ICOM-ASPAC member countries. The goal is to create pathways that puts culture and museums at the core of sustainable development in the countries/regions where the ICOM-ASPAC is present, including Australia, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam (observer), China, Cambodia, Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan, Khyrghyztan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Shri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand. They will be joined by Palau representing the Pacific rim countries and middle east countries, the Republic of Iran.

“As the country host, the ICOM-Philippines is looking forward to having our colleagues and our sustainable development allies, learn from the plenary discussions and workshop sessions but most of all, discover our own cultural treasures through the study tours of significant cultural sites, museums, and exhibits and other activities lined up for the event,” enthuses Barte.

She also added that the Philippine hosting of this year’s ICOM event comes at an opportune time as the government, through the Department of Tourism, has identified the role of cultural tourism as one of the driving forces in the development of Philippine tourism. The event is also a testament that the country, and especially Iloilo, is now ready to be globally competitive in hosting international events like ICOM.

DOT follows the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), which also supports the direction of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNTWO), as its strategic framework in the development of the tourism section. Under the NTDP, opportunities for the country to develop and market competitive destinations and products has been identified. Part of this is cultural tourism as well as promoting the Philippines as a competitive venue for global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) activities.

ICOM ASPAC 2015 event will be attended by museums and culture professionals, culture and tourism planners, entrepreneurs, policy makers, advocates, academics, partners from the business sectors and civil societies, other stakeholders from the Philippines and members from the global ICOM network. If you want to know more about ICOM,visit http://icom.museum/. To know more about the event, visit http://network.icom.museum/icom-philippines/. For additional queries, contact the Secretariat at icomph.secretariat@gmail.com, +632550-2218 or +63927-812-2335