Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco Launches 2027 VIP Tour: Winter Escapade Edition
Attendees watch the video message of Philippine Ambassador to the United States H.E. Jose Manuel G. Romualdez during the launch of the 2027 VIP Tour: Winter Escapade Edition held on 28 August 2026 at the Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center. (Photo: San Francisco PCG)
SAN FRANCISCO, California — The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco officially launched the 2027 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour: Winter Escapade Edition on 28 August, at Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center, bringing together members of the Filipino-American community, tourism stakeholders, and private-sector partners for another exciting journey to the Philippines.
Participants in the 2027 Winter Escapade Edition will have the opportunity to explore pocket-tour destinations in Leyte, Legazpi–Naga, Bohol, Siargao, or Camiguin, with optional extensions to Iloilo–Bacolod or El Nido, Palawan.
The 2027 VIP Tour is scheduled for 7–17 February 2027 and is being organized in partnership with all Philippine Foreign Services Posts in the U.S. and Canada, the Philippine Department of Tourism, and Rajah Tours.
In his welcome remarks, Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon highlighted the enduring purpose of the VIP Tour as a platform for strengthening the Filipino-American community’s connection with the Philippines.
“The VIP Tour has always had a simple but meaningful purpose: to reconnect Filipinos overseas with the Philippines — its people, its culture, its heritage, and its many stories,” Consul General Talisayon said. “Every year, participants return to the United States with more than photographs and souvenirs. They bring home a deeper appreciation of the Philippines, and in many cases, a renewed sense of connection to their Filipino roots.”
The Consul General also expressed hope that the program would continue to grow and welcome not only more Filipinos from across the United States, but also Americans and other friends of the Philippines interested in discovering Philippine culture, heritage, and destinations.
The launch featured a video message from Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, and an update on Philippine tourism from the Philippine Department of Tourism – San Francisco (PDOT-SF), presented by Stalingrad Samson, which provided guests with information on Philippine tourism and developments, including future expansion of flights of several airlines from the U.S. to the Philippines.
The event also celebrated the success of the 2026 VIP Tour, held in July, which brought participants to Manila, Dumaguete, Siquijor, Cebu, and Apo Island in Negros Oriental. A video presentation featuring highlights from the tour brought back memories of the destinations visited and experiences shared by the participants.
For the upcoming 2027 edition, Rajah Tours’ President Jose C. Clemente II and Director of Sales and Marketing Michael Charles Kipping joined the launch virtually and presented the tour’s itinerary and arrangements.
The launch also featured Philippine Airlines International Sales Account Manager Joseph Callao, who provided an overview of PAL’s promotions and arrangements for the 2027 VIP Tour.
The VIP Tour forms part of the Consulate General’s continuing efforts to promote people-to-people ties, cultural engagement, and deeper connections between Filipino Americans and the Philippines. The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, together with PDOT-SF, Rajah Tours, Philippine Airlines, and community partners, will continue preparations and promotional activities leading up to the 2027 VIP Tour: Winter Escapade Edition. END
Philippine Department of Tourism – San Francisco Administrative Officer Stalingrad Samson presented during the launch of the 2027 VIP Tour: Winter Escapade Edition held on 28 August 2026 at the Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center. (Photo: San Francisco PCG)
Philippine Consul General to San Francisco Arnel Talisayon (left) and Philippine Airlines International Sales Account Manager Joseph Callao (right) deliver messages during the launch of the 2027 VIP Tour: Winter Escapade Edition held on 28 August 2026 at the Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center. (Photo: San Francisco PCG)