CONSUL GENERAL FERRER EXPLORES WONDERS OF MANILA, BACOLOD, NORTHERN MINDANAO IN 2024 VIP TOUR
THE PHILIPPINES — Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer, along with Consul and Economic Officer Vanessa Bago-Llona, joined the annual Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour from 21 to 30 July 2024—which brought participants to Metro Manila, Bacolod and Northern Mindanao.
The 2024 VIP Tour kicked off with a wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Monument in Manila on 22 July 2024.
Participants then went to their tour of choice in Metro Manila with the following options: Charms of old Manila, consisting of Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and National Museum; Chinatown walking tour, consisting of Binondo Church and Ongpin Street; and Ayala Museum, featuring its pre-colonial gold collection.
The Tourism Promotion Board then hosted a dinner at Sheraton Hotel Manila after the Metro Manila day tour.
On 23-24 July 2024, VIP Tour participants flew by plane to Bacolod, the “City of Smiles,” for day tours of ancestral houses, the heritage town of Silay, and sugarcane plantations. Participants also rode the boat to Lakawon Island, and enjoyed its pure white sand and water sports activities.
The Bacolod City Government, led by Mayor Albee Benitez, hosted a dinner for participants, highlighting the vibrant Masskara performances.
VIP Tour participants then proceeded to Northern Mindanao, the first time the VIP Tour has included the region in the tour’s itinerary, where they were immersed in natural wonders, indigenous cultures, and unique cuisine.
On 25-26 July 2024, participants began their tour of Northern Mindanao in Cagayan de Oro, the “City of Golden Friendship,” where they enjoyed city tours and activities such as whitewater rafting at Cagayan de Oro River, sunset viewing at Amaya View Park, ziplining at Dahilayan Adventure Park and indigenous eco park at Alomah’s Farm.
Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando Uy co-hosted a welcome dinner for the tour participants.
On 27 July 2024, participants traveled to nearby Bukidnon, where they were treated to a mini version of Kaamulan Festival—celebrating the seven tribes of Bukidnon, and featuring the province’s indigenous music and dances.
Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Roque, Bukidnon 4th District Representative Laarni Roque, and Malaybalay Mayor Jay Warren Pabillaran hosted the Kaamulan Festival along with the various local officials and tribal leaders of the province. Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan awardee Marife Ganahon, known for Higaonon mat-weaving, also welcomed the travelers.
Participants also visited the Abbey of Transfiguration in Malaybalay, which houses a museum featuring a collection of liturgical vestments made of indigenous materials and designed by Dom Martin Hizon Gomez, OSB.
On 28 July 2024, participants proceeded to Iligan, the “City of Majestic Waterfalls,” and experienced facets of the Maranao Muslim culture.
The participants visited the ancestral house of former President Diosdado and former First Lady Eva Macapagal, where their daughter and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo spent some of her childhood years. The travelers also enjoyed Iligan’s Mimbalot and Tinago Falls.
Consul General Ferrer, Philippine Consul General in New York Senen Mangalile, and other officials of Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States who participated in the VIP Tour also called on Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo on 30 July 2024, the last day of the tour, at the Department of Foreign Affairs Main Office in Pasay City. END
2024 VIP Tour Participants with, from left to right): Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer (second from second row right), Philippine Consul General in New York Senen Mangalile, DFA Office of American Affairs Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, and Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin Nieto.
From left to right: Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer, Knights of Rizal Supreme Commander and Cavite Board Member Raymundo del Rosario, and Philippine Consul General in New York Senen Mangalile.
Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer looks at an exhibit at Ayala Museum.
Washington State Filipino American Community leaders Ellen and Eddie Abellera with Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer at Ayala Museum.
Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer looks at the gold exhibit at Ayala Museum.
Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer with the 2024 VIP Tour participants from the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer was greeted by Masskara dancers upon arrival in Bacolod City.
Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer with 2024 VIP Tour participants from the Bay Area.
The Masskara presentation in Bacolod City
Young musicians serenade VIP Tour participants in Silay City.
Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer with 2024 VIP Tour participants from the Bay Area.
Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer (6th from left) and Philippine Consul General in New York Senen Mangalile (3rd from right), with Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia (5th from right) and other local officials.
2024 VIP Tour participants from the San Francisco Bay Area
2024 VIP Tour participants from the San Francisco Bay Area
2024 VIP Tour participants from the San Francisco Bay Area
From left to right: Ms. Hydra Mendoza, Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer, Bukidnon 4th District Representative Laarni Roque, Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Roque, Malaybalay Mayor Jay Warren Pabillaran, and Department of Tourism Northern Mindanao Regional Director Marie Elaine Unchuan.
Mini-Kaamulan Festival in Bukidnon
Mini Kaamulan Festival in Bukidnon
Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer (2nd from left) with Dom Martin Hizon Gomez, OSB, a former fashion designer for 20 years before entering the monastery. Dom Gomez uses local culture and indigenous materials in designing liturgical vestments.
A 50-piece collection of liturgical vestments made of handwoven Filipino materials are displayed at the Museum of Transfiguration at the Abbey of Transfiguration in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
A liturgical vestment made of handwoven Filipino materials
From left to right: Philippine Airlines Area Manager in San Francisco Delia Merano, Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona, Department of Tourism Northern Mindanao Regional Director Marie Elaine Unchuan, Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer, and Iligan City Administrator Verne Padilla.
At the Diosdado and Eva Macapagal ancestral house, where former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo spent some of her childhood years.
From left to right: Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer; Mr. Leomino Lumbreras, who has joined the VIP Tours for the last 15 years; and Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona.
Mr. Ivan Desuasido and Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer