11 April 2014 - The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto (PCG), in cooperation with the Department of Tourism (DOT), Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and the Philippine Department of Tourism in New York (PDOT) successfully organized a night of Philippine culture on April 4 at the Shangri-la Hotel that capped the day’s Philippine Sales Mission and Travel Roadshow undertaken by DOT, TPB and PDOT in Toronto.
The evening’s cultural array included performances by Toronto-based Filipino-Canadian artists led by operatic soprano Ms. Lilac Cana; vocal renditions by multi-talented singer and songwriter, Ms. Victoria Marie; speaker, story-teller and spoken-word artist, Mr. Patrick de Belen; a musical rendition by “Pantayao”, an all-women “kulintang” ensemble and famous native dances “Pandango sa Ilaw” and “Tinikling” by the youth members of Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe.
This was preceded by an afternoon of vigorous business networking sessions between Philippine travel agents and tour operators and their Toronto-based counterparts marking this year’s one week Sales Mission and Travel Roadshow in Canada spearheaded by Ms. Susan Del Mundo, TPB’s Head of Marketing and Promotions for North America, Europe and the Philippines.
Philippine participants included representatives from the country’s national flag carrier, Philippine Air Lines (PAL), Rajah Tours with its President Mrs. Alejandra Clemente, local officials of Nasugbu, Batangas led by Mayor Rosario Apacible, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority Administrator and CEO Jose Mari Ponce and DOT’s regional directors from the National Capital and Cagayan Regions, Ms. Catherine Agustin and Ms. Blesilda Diwa, among others. Philippine delegation members gave video and powerpoint presentations of emerging Philippine tourist attractions from these regions, captivating the business interests of Toronto’s tour and travel agents. The roadshow also aims to establish and renew linkages with the Canadian outbound travel industry partners in support of Philippine tourism developments.
In her opening remarks, Consul General Junever Mahilum-West warmly welcomed all participants and outlined the program designed to invite and entice potential Canadian travelers to the Philippines, including presentations on emerging destinations such as Palaui Island which attracted the filming of the television reality show “Survivor – Cagayan” with its raw beauty.
For her part, TPB’s Ms. Susan del Mundo highlighted its tourism campaign, “It’s more fun in the Philippines” that guarantees a Canadian tourist and traveler an “travel experience that is relaxing, satisfying and energizing – liven up with unusual events, surprises and special moments.
Both events gave away surprise gifts and prizes that included round-trip tickets (Toronto-Manila-Toronto) courtesy of PAL and domestic tour packages from Philippine participating travel agencies and local municipalities. END