{"id":20290,"date":"2024-07-22T17:46:58","date_gmt":"2024-07-22T21:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/?p=20290"},"modified":"2024-07-25T09:31:50","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T13:31:50","slug":"2024-very-important-pinoy-vip-tour-kicks-off-in-manila","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/2024\/07\/22\/2024-very-important-pinoy-vip-tour-kicks-off-in-manila\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour Kicks Off in Manila"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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2024 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour Kicks Off in Manila<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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The 2024 VIP Tour delegates pose for a photo at the Rizal Monument following the wreath-laying ceremony on 22 July 2024. (Photo by Erik Aguilar)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pasay City, Philippines, 22 July 2024 \u2013<\/strong> The highly anticipated 2024 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour has officially begun with a series of activities in Manila on 21 and 22 July. Close to 230 participants from various regions across the United States are part of this year\u2019s tour, which aims to reconnect Filipino-Americans with their heritage and promote the Philippines as a premier travel destination.<\/span><\/p>

The tour began on 21 July with a dinner that featured entertainment courtesy of GMA7 at Seda Manila Bay. Consul General Senen T. Mangalile of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the lead coordinator for this year\u2019s tour, addressed the participants during the dinner, highlighting the importance of the VIP Tour in reconnecting Filipino-Americans with their roots and encouraging participants to fully engage in the upcoming activities.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, along with Manila City Vice Mayor John Marvin \u201cYul Servo\u201d Nieto and Capt. Bong Manzano (GSC) of the Philippine Navy, leads the wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Park on 22 July 2024. (Photo by Erik Aguilar)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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On 22 July, the highlight was the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of the Philippines\u2019 national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Consul General Mangalile, along with Manila City Vice Mayor John Marvin \u201cYul Servo\u201d Nieto and Capt. Bong Manzano (GSC) of the Philippine Navy, led the wreath-laying activity. Other dignitaries from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, the Philippine Consulate General in Agana, and the Knights of Rizal International Headquarters Supreme Council also joined the above officials in leading the ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute by the Philippine military. Following the ceremony, members of the Knights and Ladies of Rizal from among the VIP Tour participants visited the Knights of Rizal International Headquarters in Manila.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The 2024 VIP Tour delegates shop for hopia and other \"pasalubong\" at Chinatown in Binondo on 22 July 2024. (Photo by Erik Aguilar)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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After a sumptuous lunch at Gloria Maris in Pasay City, the participants embarked on their selected afternoon tour among Old Manila (San Agustin Church and National Museum of the Philippines), Chinatown (Binondo Church and Ongpin Street), and the Ayala Museum, which all provided deep insights into the cultural and historical fabric of the Philippines.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Participants of the 2024 VIP Tour, along with officers from the Department of Tourism, Department of Foreign Affairs, Tourism Promotions Board, and Philippine Retirement Authority, smile with the \u201cLove the Philippines\u201d pose during the formal dinner hosted by the TPB at Sheraton Manila Hotel on 22 July 2024. (Photo by Erik Aguilar)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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The day concluded with a dinner graciously hosted by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) at Sheraton Manila Hotel. Department of Tourism Undersecretary Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan graced the occasion on behalf of Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who delivered a pre-recorded message for the event. Secretary Frasco emphasized the significance of the VIP Tour in promoting Philippine tourism, stating, \u201cYour participation in this tour is more than just a journey through our beautiful country; it is a celebration of our shared heritage and a testament to the enduring bonds that connect us all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita M. Nograles also delivered a heartfelt message, highlighting the collaborative efforts that make the VIP Tour possible. \u201cWelcome to our beloved Philippines, a tapestry of stunning landscapes, rich cultures, and extraordinary people and tales. Through this VIP Tour, I encourage you to discover more of the Philippines and become the country’s very own tourism ambassadors,\u201d said COO Nograles.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his message during the hosted dinner, Consul General Mangalile stated, \u201cWe, the diaspora in the United States, have a lot to offer to the local communities (in the Philippines). The capacity to bring the two together is what we aim for with the VIP Tour.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A first-time VIP Tour participant from New York shared her enthusiasm for the activities in Manila. \u201cDespite the inclement weather, the experience has been great so far. The hospitality has been outstanding. I particularly enjoyed the tour of the Ayala Museum, since I was able to learn about Philippine history and culture beyond what I already knew,\u201d she shared with the Philippine Consulate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Following the Manila leg, the VIP Tour will proceed to Bacolod, where participants will experience the vibrant MassKara Festival during a dinner hosted by Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo \u201cAlbee\u201d Benitez. In addition to the MassKara Festival, participants will visit the picturesque Lakawon Island. The tour will also explore the Heritage Town of Silay, where participants can admire well-preserved ancestral houses and learn about the rich cultural and historical significance of the area. END<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2024 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour Kicks Off in Manila The 2024 VIP Tour delegates pose for a photo at the Rizal Monument following the wreath-laying ceremony on 22 July […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[84,27],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n2024 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour Kicks Off in Manila - Philippine Consulate General<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/2024\/07\/22\/2024-very-important-pinoy-vip-tour-kicks-off-in-manila\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"2024 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour Kicks Off in Manila - Philippine Consulate General\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"2024 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour Kicks Off in Manila The 2024 VIP Tour delegates pose for a photo at the Rizal Monument following the wreath-laying ceremony on 22 July […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/2024\/07\/22\/2024-very-important-pinoy-vip-tour-kicks-off-in-manila\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Philippine Consulate General\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-07-22T21:46:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-07-25T13:31:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/ph2-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@phinnewyork\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@phinnewyork\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/\",\"name\":\"Philippine Consulate General\",\"description\":\"New York, USA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":\"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/?s={search_term_string}\",\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/2024\/07\/22\/2024-very-important-pinoy-vip-tour-kicks-off-in-manila\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/ph2-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1707},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/2024\/07\/22\/2024-very-important-pinoy-vip-tour-kicks-off-in-manila\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/2024\/07\/22\/2024-very-important-pinoy-vip-tour-kicks-off-in-manila\/\",\"name\":\"2024 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour Kicks Off in Manila - 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