29 August 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw is gearing for a tourism campaign offensive in Lithuania by meeting with some key players in Lithuania’s tourism industry who have an affinity with the Philippines and by starting the translation and printing of the brochure “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” into Lithuanian.

Known Filipino international photo-journalist Andy Hernandez arranged a meeting in Lithuania last August 22 between Philippine Ambassador Patricia Ann V. Paez and with Mr. Dainius Kinderis, a noted travel book writer and tourism manager of Magelano Keliones, as well as with Mr. Richardas Jonaitis - a well-known radio DJ who had lived in the Philippines for many months.

Mr. Kinderis, who himself lived in Davao for six months, gave Ambassador Paez a copy of his book entitled Filipinai Ugnies Ziedo Kerai (“Philippines - Ring of Fire Spells”) which the Embassy is considering to be translated into Polish, not only for Poland, but for the significant Polish population in Lithuania.

The book has received rave reviews.

Lithuanian Honorary Consul General to the Philippines Romuald G. Vildzius states: “Kinderis unravels the Philippines with a great passion for accuracy and incredibly helpful details...He loves this country and makes travellers marvel at its breath-taking white beaches, blue lagoons, magnificent volcanoes, and strange rocks with hanging coffins. Lithuania, this is an amazing book for readers who wish to know this fascinating country and its warm, constantly smiling faces.”

Lithuanian journalist Vytautas Kraujalis chimes in: “...a breath-taking adventure...experiences in the Philippines are told in a way so real, as if you could see them in your eyes. No doubt, Dainius is gifted with the rare talent of awakening the traveler in each of us. So beware, you may be unprepared that after reading this book, you may be afflicted with a ‘travel disease’.”

Both Mr. Kinderis and Mr. Jonaitis gave their insights into the Lithuanian travel market and their suggestions on how the Embassy could systematically conduct its tourism campaign in Lithuania.

Mr. Hernandez and his Lithuanian wife Monika, who is herself a journalist and had covered the 1992 presidential election in the Philippines, hosted a lunch for Ambassador Paez.

Ambassador Paez went to Lithuania primarily to attend a court hearing to demonstrate the Philippine government’s keen interest in a fair and expeditious trial, on behalf of a Filipino who filed the case, and to ensure that justice is served.  END