Page 41 - 2017 JUL -DEC KAAKBAY

41July to December
2017

US Ambassadors’ Tour Successfully Relaunches; President Duterte Welcomes Delegates to Davao

Congen & Mrs. Adelio Cruz 1st Row L-R Consul General Theresa De Vega, Sec. Alan Cayetano, Delegates join performers in

have a close encounter with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Usec Katherine De Castro, TPB COO Davao at the Hijo Plantation

an eagle in Davao Cesar Montano with the first batch of New York delegates (Rajah Tours) Resort

The US Ambassadors’ Tour, formerly the Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour was
successfully re-launched after a one-year hiatus in Manila and Davao, Philippines.

Taking place from 11-16 July 2017, the 11th edition of the tour brought nearly 200 delegates from the US East and
West Coasts, Hawaii, and Guam to varied and exciting tourism destinations in Manila, the Philippines’ capital and Davao,
the premiere city in Southern Philippines and home province of Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

The delegates were unanimous in expressing their satisfaction and enjoyment with the conduct of this year’s tour,
the first to take place in Mindanao. With destinations like the Philippine Eagle Center, Malagos Garden Resort, Hijo
Plantation Resort, Museo Dabawenyo, Durian Candy Factory Apo ni Lola the delegates were introduced to the richculture,
history, and heritage of Davao.

This year’s tour kicked off with the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Park followed by a lunch and
cultural show at the newly-restored Ayuntamiento Building in Intramuros. Trips to museums in Metro Manila likewise awaited
the delegates. The Manila leg ended with a special reception hosted by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) and
AyalaLand.

The tour’s highlight was the “Philippine Reception” hosted by the Department of Tourism with President Rodrigo
Roa Duterte as Guest of Honor and other special guests Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Tourism
Undersecretary Katherine De Castro representing Secretary Wanda T. Teo, and Tourism Promotions Board COO Cesar
Montano. The reception featured a combined musical and fashion presentation entitled “Philippine Tapestry” featuring the
creations of famed Filipino designer Renee Salud.

At the start of the Davao leg, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte hosted a Welcome Reception for all delegates at the
Insular Waterfront Hotel. The Davao Investment and Tourism Offices likewise conducted presentations on tourism and
business opportunities in the province.

Among the special guests during the tour were Mayor Ron Harrison of National City, San Diego, California and
Mayor Rita Sanders of Bellevue, Nebraska. Consuls General Theresa Dizon-De Vega of New York, this year’s coordinating
Consulate, Consul General Generoso Calonge of Chicago, Consul General Gina Jamoralin of Honolulu, Consul General
Henry Bensurto of San Francisco, Consul General Marciano de Borja of Agana, Consul General Adelio Cruz of Los Angeles,
and Charge d’ Affaires Patrick Chuasoto of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC were on hand to join their respective
delegations.

All the Consuls General and Mr. Chuasoto also led delegates in a marker unveiling at the Philippine Eagle Center
commemorating the contributions and commitment of the 11th Ambassadors’ Tour to the cause of preserving the Philippine
Eagle.

As in previous editions of the tour, the largest contingent of 60 delegates hailed from Hawaii with New York having
the second largest group. Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to the tour, plans are already being discussed for
future editions of the Ambassadors’ Tour.

The US Ambassadors’ Tour is a project of the Department of Tourism and the Department of Foreign Affairs to help
in reconnecting the overseas Filipino Community to the Philippines and to introduce the country to more foreign visitors.
Tour arrangements were handled by Rajah Tours Philippines.