Discover and experience why ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’
By MANNY V. ILAGAN
The Los Angeles contingent from last year’s 7th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour poses with President Benigno Aquino III at the Malacañang Palace. The 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour is set for July 9-15 this year. (Malacañang photo by Gil Nartea)
LOS ANGELES – Filipinos in the United States will experience and discover for themselves why “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” when they join the 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour of the Philippines on July 9 – 15, 2013.
Launching ceremonies for this year’s Tour is scheduled for Thursday, February 7 at the Philippine Consulate General Office, located at 3600 Wilshire Blvd., 5th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010.
Highlight of the Tour is the Special Visit to Malacanang and an audience with President Benigno S. Aquino III. Moreover, participants can expect more fun, more adventures and lot of exciting activities as they experience a grand welcome and reception, explore business and investment opportunities, and delight in onsite bazaars and mini-trade fairs.
For only $1,933 per person on double occupancy, with fuel tax and surcharges included, the BASIC TOUR features the following:
• Round-trip ticket from Los Angeles to Manila via Philippine Airlines (departing on July 7, 2013)
• 3 nights stay at the EDSA Shangri-la hotel in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
• Daily buffet breakfast and 2 lunches
• Dinners with cultural show and entertainment
• Historic wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Park
• Visit to Malacañang Palace with lunch at the Heroes’ Hall
• Meeting and photo opportunity with President Benigno Aquino III
• Intramuros Tour (Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church and Bahay Tsinoy)
• Pasarap (Spa treatments), Paganda (Beauty Salon) and Pasaya (Studio Tour and Audience to Variety Shows)
• Out of Town Day Tour to Tagaytay with lunch and fun activities
For those who want to experience more of the sights and other adventures in the Philippines, optional extension tours are also available after the basic tour from July 12 to 15 to any of the following destinations: Laoag-Vigan, CDO-Camiguin, Southern Luzon Golf Tour, Davao, Cebu-Bohol, Iloilo-Bacolod, Kalibo-Boracay, Puerto Princesa, and Camsur-Legazpi.
“This is a great chance for Filipinos to see for themselves the true meaning of the DOT’s slogan, ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’,” said Tourism Director Annie Cuevas of the PDoT-Los Angeles Office. “It is also a great opportunity for Filipinos in the United States to help promote Philippine tourism.”
Since it was first launched in 2005, the Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism