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SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Department of Tourism said now is the best time to visit and experience the country especially for those have never been there before.
“Right now, the Philippines is filled with adventure. We are now doing sky running. Can you imagine what that is about? It’s actually trail running in the mountains and that means an elevation of a minimum of 2,000 meters above sea level. We also do cloud catching and cliff diving, among the things you want to see,” said Tourism Director Purificacion Suanding-Molintas.
Filipinos can do just that at the 10th annual tour of the Philippines organized by the ambassadors, consul generals and tourism directors of the country.
While the DOT welcomes first generation Filipinos on the trip, they also want more second and third generation Filipino-Americans and friends of different ethnicities to visit the Philippines for the first time.
“Just imagine the multiplier effect of what these people can do in terms of spreading the good news, so to speak, of what the Philippines is all about,” said San Francisco Consul General Henry Bensurto.
Included in the tour from July 6-9 are visits to historical sites and landmarks such as Intramuros, Fort Santiago, and Luneta Park.
There will also be more tours to islands in central Philippine and other lesser known sites.
Some people at the San Francisco Consulate questioned the absence of the popular visit to Malacanang to meet the President.
Consul General Bensurto said the Palace might not be able to accommodate visitors on this year’s tour as the country enters into a presidential election year.
Last year, President Benigno Aquino III was unable to meet with attendees but other Malacanang officials were on hand to welcome them.
Read more from Balitang America. — Rommel Conclare, ABS CBN North America News Bureau
This story was republished with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com
