PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN SAN FRANCISCO SENDS OFF VIP TOUR 2025 PARTICIPANTS
San Francisco, California – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco officially kicked off its 2025 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour on 4 July 2025 with a warm send-off for Filipino-American participants at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The send-off was facilitated by Economic Assistant Cristine Clasara-Steylaerts, Protocol Officers Rommel Rouell Medina and Marc Asilom, and Tourism Assistant Stephanie Hermoso of the Philippines’ Department of Tourism- San Francisco, who assisted travelers with pre-departure coordination.
Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer and Consul Rowena R. Pangilinan-Daquipil, who are also joining this year’s VIP Tour, are already in Manila for a series of meetings aimed at strengthening economic and innovation-related collaborations with key government agencies and partners.
A total of 54 individuals from the Consulate’s jurisdiction are joining the 10-day tour, which promises a rich immersion into Filipino culture, history, and natural beauty. The main tour itinerary includes stops in Manila, the heritage provinces of Ilocos Norte, and the scenic coastal city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
This year also marks the launch of the VIP Next Gen Tour, a newly introduced component of the program that caters to more adventurous travelers. Participants in this leg will explore Manila, Siargao, and Puerto Princesa.
The VIP Tour, now in its 16th year, is the flagship tourism activity of Philippine foreign service posts in the United States, jointly organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Tourism. It offers Filipino-Americans a unique opportunity to reconnect with their roots, discover the country’s evolving landscape, and deepen their appreciation of the Philippines as both a travel destination and a place of heritage and pride. END.
Philippine Airlines offered exclusive check-in for VIP tour guests. (PCG San Francisco photo)
VIP Tour Participants Chester Canlas, Caroline Cabading, and Theodora Caminong with Ms. Esther Briones of Rajah Tours, Tourism Assistant Ms. Stephanie Hermoso and Consulate Economic Assistant Cristine Clasara-Steylaerts (far left) (PCG San Francisco photo)