Pilipinas, Tara Na, for Local Philippine Tourism

The new Pilipinas, Tara Na! Music Video was shown to DOT Secretary Alberto Lim last month or a week before it was officially unveiled last August 05 before the DOT officials, media and invited artists. He was very happy with the result of the songs, and thankful for the effort that was put into making the video by the Perceptions team and all the artists who've given time and talent to remake the song and video.



After its launch in Manila, the video was brough to the MICE Conference in Cebu City, which was played in the DOT Booth and unveiled to both the Cebu and foreign crowd attending the conference.

We released the trailer or a preview of the actual thing days before it was actually released last Friday noon, through the Pilipinas, Tara Na! Facebook page and the Department of Tourism Facebook page. You can view the preview and the actual music videos here:





Local tourism is one of the big factors that contribute to our economy, in fact around 900 billion pesos was contributed to our economy by it. There are 28 million local travelers, as of date. With what's happening in the US and in the international scene, local spending will help us get through, and cushion us from financial crisis.

LIKE. SHARE. INSPIRE. PILIPINAS, TARA NA! :)

Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim visits Siargao

Siargao, a prime Philippine tourism destination, is part of the province of Surigao del Norte. It is one of the islands in the Philippines which faces the Pacific Ocean, making it one of the spots in the country where the sun rises and sets first. I went there recently for an assignment, and I easily fell for its insanely great scenery, awesome waters, and hospitable people. This post will feature my photos and coverage on the visit of Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim to Siargao. I will definitely write a different post on Siargao soon! Siargao, I shall return! ;)



Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim visited Siargao Island for the 1st Lip-Lipan Festival or the Billfish Festival and the 4th Siargao International Game-Fishing Tournament held last April 28 to May 1. He was welcomed by Congressman Lalo Matugas, Governor Sol Matugas, and the Mayors of Siargao. Secretary Lim arrived at Siargao Airport in Del Carmen with Department of Tourism (DOT) Region XIII Director Leticia Tan, Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Tinio Matugas, and his first lady, Tita Carla.



Upon arrival, we immediately went to the opening of the 1st Lip-lipan or Bill Fish Festival, where the people performed dances their dances and cheers, to give thanks for good catch all year 'round. They also opened the 2nd Siargao Island Agri-Aqua Trade Fair and Exhibit, where the Secretary and his wife were able to see Siargao's produce. Their products (vegetables, seafood, etc) are notably really big and fresh.

Secretary Lim was happy to see that there were tourist police around Siargao. He immediately asked me to snap a shot of him with the DOT-PNP's Tourism Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) "graduates." Apparently, they just had their seminar and "graduated" last month in Surigao City.



"Stress Relief." The photo below is taken around 4pm from one of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Home-stay Program houses, which the Secretary visited before going to the opening of the Game-Fishing tournament. Since there are no hotels in Siargao (maybe just a few resorts in General Luna), the Department of Tourism used the Home-stay program to host tourists when they stay in the island.

The program also gives the locals livelihood and exposes them to different kinds of people. For around 1,200 pesos, guests will be able to enjoy a room, with air conditioning, towel, toiletries, and 3 meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). I tell you, it's all worth it because usually, they serve you really fresh fish, crabs or lobsters.



He was able to meet, dialogue and consult with the Siargao local government officials, and tourism officials regarding tourism sites and development in the area and the region.

“We would like to promote different kinds of tourism based on natural endowments, our strengths. Sports tourism and adventure tourism is one of those new forms of tourism that we have a particular endowment for, especially in the island of Siargao,” says Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim.



The next day, the Secretary was able to visit General Luna, the Surfing Capital of the Philippines, and maybe of Asia, where the famous Cloud 9 and its perfect waves, are voted one of the best by surfers all over the world. Mayor Jaime Rusillon was gracious enough to tour us around Cloud 9. Definitely, the platform built many years ago needs upgrading and needs an upkeep so that more tourists and guests may be able to enjoy and watch surfers hit the waves.

Apparently, Siargao will be hosting the National Surfing Cup on September 17-20, the Billabong Pro-Junior Championship Tour on September 21-28, and the Siargao International Surfing Cup on September 29 to October 03. It will also be the venue of the first ever South East Asian Games surfing tilt. 26th SEAGAMES here we come!



Gerry Degan, and his wife Susan, of Sagana Resort in General Luna, Siargao welcomed Secretary Lim in his resort. Too bad the Secretary wasn't able to try and learn how to surf (because it was low tide). Instead, he was able to try to hold a surfboard, and pose with it. This photo, I like very much! :)


(L-R: Surigao Governor Sol Matugas, Gerry Degan, General Luna Mayor Jaime Rusillon, Carla Lim, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, and Surigao del Norte Congressman Lalo Matugas)

From the resort, he went straight to Del Carmen, met with Mayor JR Matugas Coro, and back to Manila through the Sayak Airport in Siargao.

Siargao still needs a lot of help not only from the government but also from the private sector. Investing in Siargao will definitely go a long way. If only I had that much money, I would put it there! Siargao has a lot to offer, not only does it have the best waves in the region, but also it has one of the best environment for relaxation, sports, and nature-tripping, if you ask me.

Pilipinas Tara Na sa Marinduque

Another official trip with the Secretary brings this government employee right smack in the middle of the country, to the heart of the Philippines, to the land of the Moriones, which also happens to be the geodetic center of the country - Marinduque.

Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim visited the province of Marinduque during the holy week, to witness the world famous Moriones Festival, see its tourism sites, and consult with the local government officials regarding tourism development in the province.



“Marinduque has very good potential with its caves, hot springs, heritage houses and with its Moriones festival, which can be extended year round. It is accessible by land and sea through the roll on roll off system and by airplane,” Lim said.



Through his meetings with Gov. Carmencita O. Reyes, Rep. Lord Allan Q. Velasco, and the mayors of Marinduque, he was able to see the potential of the province to develop their tourism industry outside the Lenten season.

He requested Velasco and the DOT Region IV to do an inventory of tourism destinations and activities in Marinduque, and available development areas, like the Maniwaya white sand beach, among others, so that these can be matched with prospective investors who are looking for areas to develop.



Domestic and foreign tourists flocked to the province to witness the Battle of the Moriones, a competition of Morions in choreographed movements participated in by contingents from the municipalities.

The Moriones festival is a century-old and week-long Lenten tradition in the province, which highlights penitents in masks and costumes depicting the Roman warriors in search for Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye.



One of the highlights of the festival is the Via Crucis, a re-enactment of the passion and suffering of Christ to Calvary. Male penitents are seen to inflict suffering on themselves by whipping their backs, carrying wooden crosses, or even having themselves crucified.

On the other hand, one of the newer attractions during Easter Sunday is Gasang-Gasang of Gasan town, which celebrates the risen Christ with street dancing and parade in colorful costumes.



Photos # 1, 2, and 5 are by Rommel Natanauan, while the others are by the blogger.

Pilipinas, Tara na sa Panagbenga sa Baguio City

Panagbenga is the annual flower festival of Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines. It has become well known not only within the region and its neighbors, but internationally as well. I had to miss this wonderful reception of my cousin, Stephanie Tan-Kingsu (Congratulations!!!), and the regular cousin photo-ops we do because I had to go to Baguio and cover the 2011 Panagbenga Festival and Secretary Alberto Lim. I am not complaining. Hmm, In the service of the Filipinos, I did what must be done. :)))

The official Panagbenga website would paint its origins to be like this, while my colleague at the Department of Tourism would tell me a different story. Miss Aleli said that it was during the time of Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor when the flower festival was commissioned as a replica of Pasadena's Rose Parade. She said that the winner of the flower festival float contest back then was shipped and included in the Rose Parade. The people who rode the float were the Philippines' pride and glory, the Miss Universe title holder(s) and beauty queens. How does she know? She was the one who did the paperwork back then, according to her. Now, I would have to research and delve more into this if there is truth to what she told me. :p

The highlights include the Grand Street Parade on Saturday, which I missed because I had to be in the wedding of my cousin, and the Grand Float Parade on Sunday. Here are some photos of the street parade. Officials in attendance were DOT CAR Regional Director Molintas, Baguio Vice-Mayor Daniel Farinas, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., and Baguio Congressman Bernardo Vergara.



Secretary Lim and other Tourism officials went to one of the newest tourist attractions added in Baguio City, the BenCab Museum, where they were toured by the National Artist Ben Cabrera himself. Sec. Lim cited museums like this and other cultural displays as possible new tourist draws. He also mentioned wellness and adventure as additional pegs for tourism in Northern Luzon.



After the tour, the Secretary was the main guest of honor at the opening of the new Department of Tourism Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) office in Baguio. In his speech, he took the opportunity to share the Department’s thrust in appealing to “high-value tourists”, especially in international tourism promotion. “It is not the number of tourists we get that matters," Sec. Lim says, "but the amount of money they spend and the length of time they stay," he points out. "What we want to do is spend our promotions money targeting the high-value visitors like the MICE market,” Sec. Lim said.

The Department’s soon-to-be-launched “Pilipinas, Tara Na!” domestic tourism campaign is likewise a joint undertaking, this time with the private sector. Sec. Lim said a remake of the 2004 “Tara Na, Byahe Tayo” music video will be rolled out in time for the Holy Week rush. ABANGAN! :)



I arrived 2am in Baguio, in time for the 8am Grand Float Parade, which showcased 22 huge colorful floats covered with all sorts of floral arrangements and designs. It was a little bit commercialized as the floats represent different companies, but overall, it was very well attended by tourists from all over.

The photos below show the "making" of the Department of Tourism Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)'s float, where Secretary Alberto Lim, National Parks Development Committee Juliet Villegas and DOT CAR Director Pura Molintas rode in during the Grand Float Parade along Baguio's Session Road.

Pilipinas, Tara na sa Panagbenga sa Baguio City! :) DOT CAR Float, with Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, and myself ;)

All photos courtesy of Jahzeel Cruz of the Department of Tourism :)