The consulate general of the Philippines in Honolulu is urging Hawaii residents to sign up for its latest Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour to the Philippines so that Hawaii can keep its record as the state with the most participants in the annual event.
As many as 106 participants from Hawaii, including Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa, already have signed up for the noncommercial tour, which runs from July 9-12 and will include a photo opportunity with President Benigno S. Aquino III and a luncheon at the Malacanang Palace.
"Every year since 2005, it’s been our distinction to bring the biggest group," said Honolulu Consul General Julius D. Torres. "Los Angeles is trying to beat us this year."
Letty Tesoro Saban, who went on the past seven tours, said she’s already set to go on this one.
"You could call this the trip of a lifetime," said Saban, who immigrated to Hawaii in 1971 from her native Philippines.
The tour gives participants access to attractions and to Filipino leaders, she said.
"We visit new places and we are always given very special treatment," Saban said. "I’ve enjoyed having my picture made with the past three presidents of the Philippines."
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TAKING THE TRIP
Registration is open through Monday. The price of the tour, which runs from July 9-12, is $1,501 per person. Round-trip airfare to Manila, a four-night hotel stay, most meals, and day and evening tours and immersion programs are included. For an additional fee, three-day add-on tours also are available. For more details, call 535-6316, extension 105.
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Saban said access to excellent shopping is another tour perk.
While the tour is meant to stimulate the Philippine economy by increasing tourism and visitor spending, Torres said it also instills a stronger sense of nationalism and love of country among participants and motivates the "balikbayans" (Philippine nationals who are permanently residing abroad) to become champions of Philippine initiatives.
"We want to promote Philippine tourism and re-orient our Filipino Americans here and in other parts of the U.S. and Canada with what’s currently going on in the Philippines," Torres said. "Some have never been to the Philippines and have only read about it in the newspaper where all the reports are not rosy. We’ve seen this tour become a real eye-opening experience for people."
Torres said educating young leaders is a more important aspect of the tour.
Ten young leaders have been chosen from the U.S to go on the tour gratis in conjuction with the second annual Filipino Youth Leadership Program. Youth program participants are expected to further cultivate the relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines, strengthening political, social, cultural and economic ties, Torres said.
Randy Cortez, 25, who was only 5 years old when his family immigrated to Hawaii from the Philippines, will represent the islands alongside other emerging Filipino-American leaders.
"To be provided the opportunity to meet President Aquino is certainly an honor and privilege," Cortez said. "I always see him on television and read about him in the paper, but to stand face-to-face with him and shake his hand is surreal at the very least."
