2023 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour Kicks Off with Wreath-laying Activity and Presidential Call
SAN FRANCISCO, 19 July 2023 – The highly anticipated 2023 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour has officially begun, running from 16 to 24 July 2023. Now on its 15th iteration, the VIP Tour signaled the resurgence of Philippine tourism through the participation of nearly 300 participants from all over the United States.
The tour commenced with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony held on 17 July 2023 at the monument of the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. This year’s lead coordinator, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, represented by Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, along with Manila City Vice Mayor John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto and Capt. Teodoro Bolonio of the Philippine Navy led the wreath-laying activity. Consul General Emil Fernandez of the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu and Consul General Senen Mangalile of of the Philippine Consulate in New York, Deputy Consul General Maria Alnee Arugay-Gamble of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles, Senior Special Assistant Alex Lamadrid from the Office of the Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations, Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona, Tourism Attache in San Francisco Soleil Tropicales and Principal Assistant Reanne Apostol, also joined the above officials in leading the ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute by the Philippine military.
The highlight of the tour’s first day was a call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. at Malacañang Palace. The President warmly welcomed the participants, expressing gratitude for visiting the Philippines. In his remarks, he acknowledged the significant contributions of overseas Filipinos to the Philippine economy and society. The President also emphasized the revival of tourism and its significance to the country’s economic development.
“We thank our Filipino brothers and sisters who live abroad and continue to make the name of the Philippines shine… and a good reputation that you have gained over so many years that you have worked abroad, and now we’d like you for you to come and see that there is also good work being done here back home,” the President said.
Consul General Ferrer thanked the President for his support to the 2023 VIP Tour. “We express our deep gratitude to President Marcos for generously making time to meet with us today, despite his busy schedule. This gesture clearly highlights the importance he places on promoting the Philippines as a premier tourist destination and his recognition of the valuable contributions made by Filipinos living overseas,” Consul General Ferrer said.
With the aim of cultivating a connection to the Philippines among overseas Filipino communities throughout the United States, and promoting Philippine tourism to Filipinos and foreigners alike, a curated tour in Manila, Iloilo, and Boracay has been organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, the Tourism Promotions Board, and Rajah Tours Philippines.
The day concluded with a dinner graciously hosted by the Department of Tourism-Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), led by TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, and TPB Deputy Chief Operating Officer Charles Aames Bautista at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in the business district of Makati City. END
