Ninth Winter Escapade Promotes True North Tourism in Northern Philippines
The delegates of Winter Escapade 9 pose after the Wreath-laying Ceremony at the Rizal Monument on 10 February 2025 (Photo credits: DFA-OPD Jeffrey Mendoza)
MANILA 03 March 2025 – The 9th edition of the Winter Escapade (WE9), a flagship tourism promotion campaign spearheaded by the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and the Consulates General in Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary, in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, and Rajah Tours Philippines, took place from 9 to 18 February 2025. This year’s WE9 took seventy-two (72) Filipino-Canadian, Canadian, and U.S. delegates to historic and prime tourism sites in Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Baguio and Pangasinan.
A wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal at the Luneta on 10 February 2025 officially launched the WE9. The ceremony was led by Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita Austria with Philippine Consul General to Vancouver Gina Jamoralin, Philippine Consul General to Calgary Emma Sarne, and Philippine Consul General to Toronto Angelica Escalona. Colonel Isidro Mamaril of the Philippine Navy served as Military Host, and City of Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin 'Yul Servo' Nieto served as the Civilian Host for the occasion. After the solemn ceremony, the participants were split into three groups to go on their choice of Manila day tours: a National Museums Tour, Binondo Food Crawl, and the Intramuros Walking Tour. The day was capped off with a welcome dinner hosted by TPB at the Seda Manila Bay Hotel.
Aptly named True North Goes North, the highly anticipated annual tourism program of the Philippine Posts in Canada promised an unforgettable adventure for the delegates who embarked on a journey through the rich history and stunning destinations of Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Baguio City, and Pangasinan.
The participants were able to indulge in delectable regional Filipino cuisine like bagnet, Ilocos empanadas, Vigan longaniza, tupig, dudol and balicucha, and experienced first-hand the production of finest Filipino-made products like honey, bignay wine, basi, and inabel weaves, all while immersing in the beauty and culture of the Philippines.
Though a smaller contingent compared to last year, this year’s delegation is a dynamic mix of both first-time joiners and regular participants, with some having attended every edition of the Winter Escapade since its inception. The group also reflected a wide range of ages, from energetic participants in their 20s to seasoned travelers in their 70s, creating a truly diverse and multi-generational group who experienced all that the tour had to offer.
Canada is home to almost one million Filipinos, the second largest diaspora after the United States. END
Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita Austria (2nd, foreground), together with Vice Mayor of the City of Manila John Marvin Nieto and Military Host Col. Isidro Mamaril of the Philippine Navy, lead the Wreath Laying Ceremony of the 9th Winter Escapade in the Rizal Monument in Luneta, Manila on 10 February 2025 (Photo credits: DFA-OPD Jeffrey Mendoza)
Ambassador Maria Andrelita Austria addresses the Winter Escapade participants during the Welcome Dinner at the Seda Manila Bay Hotel. (Photo credit: Tourism Promotions Board)
The Winter Escapade 9 participants pose for a photo after a fun-filled welcome party hosted by the Tourism Promotion Board. (Photo source: DFA)
The delegates were welcomed to Paoay Church, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, by dancers from Paoay National High School. (Photo source: DFA)
WE9 participants enjoy Pagudpud Beach in Ilocos Norte. (Photo source: Bernadette Ceneze)
Consul General Ma. Angelica Escalona of Toronto PCG (2nd from left) and Calgary PCG’s Consul General Emma Sarne (4th from right) visit the Sand Dunes of Suba, Ilocos Norte. (Photo source: Facebook/@Mann Mann)
A WE9 participant tries her hand at a traditional weaving loom during their tour around Ilocos Sur. (Photo credit: Facebook/@Mann Mann)
The participants were treated to a historical walkthrough of Baguio City and the lives of past Philippine Presidents at the newly-renovated Teus Mansion (The Mansion), now the Presidential Museum. (Photo credit: DFA)
En route to Manila, some participants visited the Minor Basilica of Manaoag, which is home to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, in Manaoag, Pangasinan. (Photo credit: DFA)