Photo Caption: Clockwise (L-R): Canadian snowbirds at Lakawon Island Resort, Masskara dancers greet the tour participants upon their arrival in Bacolod, Dancers from Ateneo de Davao during the dinner hosted by Mayor Duterte-Carpio, Visit to The Ruins, and Wreath-laying Ceremony at Rizal Park.
11 February 2018 – Winter Escapade – It’s More Fun in the Philippines (WE – IMFITPH) successfully concluded its fifth season this year after bringing more than 240 snowbirds from Canada and the United States to Manila, Bacolod City, and Davao City from 3 to 11 February 2018.
Led by the Philippine Embassy and Consulates General in Canada, the tour kicked off at the Rizal Park in Manila where the group held the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal monument. The group then proceeded to Intramuros where they had lunch at the historic Ayuntamiento and visited prominent museums and historical sites in the walled city and its surrounding areas.
In Bacolod, the snowbirds were met with an early Masskara festival courtesy of the City Government of Bacolod and Provincial Government of Negros Occidental. Sites in the itinerary included stopovers at the island resort of Lakawon, the Victorias Milling Company, the heritage town of Silay, and the mountain resort of Mambukal. Participants swam in the blue waters of Lakawon and immersed themselves in the mineral-rich hot springs of Mambukal while being treated to fresh seafood, chicken inasal, and other culinary delicacies that the province is famous for.
Photo Caption: Top: Tour participants visit the home of President Rodrigo Duterte; Bottom (L-R): Dancers greet visitors at the Banana Plantation, tour participants soak in the hot springs of Mambukal Resort, Dancers during the dinner hosted by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in Davao City.
Moving on to Davao City, the participants were presented with vistas of the cultural melting pot and rich biodiversity of Mindanao through visits to the Kadayawan Village, Residence of President Rodrigo Duterte, Banana Plantation, Philippine Eagle Sanctuary, and Malagos Garden Resort. Hand-made Mindanao textiles, pearls, and other handicrafts not commonly found in other parts of the Philippines and abroad were abundant and provided the perfect opportunity for the snowbirds to stock up on mementoes for the journey home.
To welcome the tour participants, Mayor Bing Leonardia of Bacolod City, Mayo Sara Duterte – Carpio of Davao City, and Governor Alfred Marañon, Jr. of Negros Occidental hosted dinners for the group during their trip. SM Development Corporation also hosted a Welcome Dinner in Manila while the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) hosted the Farewell Dinner in Davao City.
Winter Escapade is an annual tour organized by the Philippine Embassy and Consulates General in Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, and Tourism Promotions Board, in cooperation with local governments. The first tour was held in 2014 and has since brought more than a thousand Canadian tourists to well-known destinations such as Boracay, Guimaras, Iloilo, Cebu, Dumaguete, Siquijor, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Laoag, Vigan, and Coron.
This year’s Winter Escapade saw participants from the Canadian cities of Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Windsor, and Vancouver. Visitors from the United States and Filipino locals have also joined the tour in the last few years. END.