November 29, 2023 – The Philippine Experience Program begins with a Slow Food and Sugar Heritage Trail Tour in Bacolod and Negros Occidental today.
Sec. Christina Frasco, DOT OSEC; Dir. Ronald Conopio,DOT OSEC; ASec. Christopher Morales,DOT; USec. Ferdinand Jumapao, DOT;USec. Verna Buensuceso,DOT;USec. Myra Paz Abubakar,DOT; Dir. Ina Loyola,DOT OPAA, Exe.Dir. Gertie,Nayong Pilipino; RD Karen Tiopes, Region 8; Mr. Shigeyoshi Rintaro, Japanese Embassy; Mr. Roberto Zozobrado, TCP; Mr. Peter Tay, TCP – VP for Visayas; Racquel Sabucido, NAITAS President; Ms. Maria Paz Alberto, PATA PTH; Kristine Shroff, Shroff Travel; Eric E. Boroy ,Baron Travel; Jon Zuluaga, Intas Destination;Junjet Primor,Cebu Consultant; Margo Frasco, Cebu Consultant are just a few of the guests that are arriving today for the PEP in Bacolod and Negros Occidental to experience activities that include a tour of the Silay City Heritage Zone, a Slow Food experience at Casa A. Gamboa, a visit to the Hawaiian Philippine Company, a Bacolod Fiesta experience at Bantug Lake Ranch, and a Governor’s Ball at the Negros Occidental Capitol Social Hall.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) launched the Philippine Experience: Culture, Heritage, and Arts Caravans—a new project aimed at showcasing the rich heritage, arts, and culture of the Philippines through a series of caravans. Additionally, DOT OSEC Frasco expressed optimism about the country’s tourism recovery and economic resurgence, highlighting the Philippines’ unique cultural identity as a key attraction. She drew inspiration from Cebu’s successful tourism promotion strategy, ‘Suroy Suroy Sugbo’, initiated by her mother, Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia, in 2008. The PEP will cover all regions of the country, including Bacolod City and Iloilo City, seeking to diversify cultural tourism offerings, support heritage preservation, and instill pride among Filipinos.
The Bacolod City leg today will host a Bacolod Fiesta Lunch at the Bantug Lake Ranch, where Mayor Albee Benitez will give a welcome message. Our guests will also do a short walking tour of the property and experience Bacolod through our delectable dishes and diverse array of products that are Bacolod’s pride. The lunch menu will include our local favorites like, Apan-apan, Kinilaw nga Tanguige, Ensalada nga Langka, Chicken Inasal, cake samplers, Napoleones, Hot piaya and sorbetes.
The first leg of the Philippine Experience Program in Western Visayas will be in Negros Occidental and the group will be traveling to Iloilo tomorrow to continue with their WV tourism experience.
(Source: Bacolod City Public Information Office)
