Where would you take a first-time tourist to the Philippines?

CITIZEN OF THE WORLD by Edu Jarque (The Philippine Star)

Some of my friends I have known for over a quarter of a century are all active members of the exciting there’s-nothing-like-it world of travel and tourism.

They create comprehensive tourism master plans. They prepare detailed tourism marketing and promotions schemes. They oversee complicated operations of tourism infrastructure projects. They implement result-oriented tourism programs. They embark on successful sales missions abroad. They direct effective publicity and public relations activities. They warmly welcome visitors to our shores.

So when a concerned soon-to-be host recently popped the question. "If there was only one place you can take a first-time tourist to the Philippines where would that be?" I contacted my colleagues for I honestly feel they should know best. After all, they breathe tourism. They dream tourism. Some people even suspect they take a daily dosage of tourism pills.

And this is what they had to say. Let’s listen in. 

Louella Coligado-Jurilla, Regional Director-Region IV, Department of Tourism: I would certainly take a first-time tourist to a local fiesta. Our fiestas represent our collective exuberance, love of good food, hospitality, spirit of cooperation and religious fervor.

The visual and ephemeral treat of a Philippine fiesta when we outdo ourselves in putting out the best of what we have and who we are, a community’s red carpet is rolled out to celebrate family ties and friendships, success in business and bountiful harvests and most essentially, a fervent veneration of a well-loved patron saint.

As a visitor or tourist becomes a co-celebrator, the unique experience is etched in his memory, as an apt introduction to the Philippines. The desire to revisit is elicited for him to rediscover and experience the Philippines and its people once more. 

Ariel Anthony Chavarria, director of sales, The Westin Philippine Plaza: Without a moment’s hesitation my choice of a destination would be Boracay. Often described as the best beach in the world, this seven-kilometer-long island is internationally famous for its powder white sand, crystal clear waters, exotic local cuisine, several on-going sunset-to-sunrise parties where friends meet friends and where a stranger is a friend you have not met. Boracay is a magical island of fun. Boracay is an unforgettable island of memorable memories. 

Charisse G. Chuidian, director of communications, Mandarin Oriental, Manila: It would depend on his or her interest, of course. But Villa Escudero comes to mind. It has all the ingredients: local flavor, scenery, music, art and culture. There, a first-time visitor will experience some of our endearing traditional customs, interact with the locals, and sample traditional Filipino cuisine served creatively in interesting surroundings. The show put on by the locals is quite charming, too. And for a glimpse of our rich history and cultural heritage, there is the Escudero Museum. Besides, it is near enough for a day’s trip, so he can make it back to Mandarin Oriental by evening to enjoy another dimension in the life of contemporary Philippines – the hotel’s superb cuisine and nightlife in the city! 

Marina Villanueva-Velmin, Tourism Attache-Chicago, Department of Tourism: Famous Pulitzer Prize winner, Stanley Karnow describes the Philippines as "a brilliant tapestry of land, sea and sky, fields, forests, mountains, wildlife and people – so dazzling and diverse as to seem unreal." That description fits Palawan to a T. This is my idea of paradise in the Philippines. Just for sheer natural beauty, Palawan is hard to beat. Even from a plane as you approach these emerald islands (numbering more than 3,000), the sight is magnificent.

One American travel agent I accompanied on an educational trip remarked: "Please pinch me Marina, am I dreaming?" as we approached the Sandoval airstrip to land. The sight of lush, verdant foliage set amid azure blue, pristine waters, so clear you could see schools of fish swimming, was too overwhelming a sight for her. The bio-diversity of plants and marine life abounding there, (as extensively researched by two Chicago-based scientists, Dr. Larry Haney and Jack Regalado) has resulted in their proclaiming the region as Galapagos x 10.

Lagen is perhaps one of the best resorts we can offer. The cottages built right on the water and those in a garden setting will suit even the most discriminating visitor. One can snorkel, dive, windsurf, kayak or island-hop. Or you can just be still and soak in all that natural beauty. The experience can bring solace and a much-needed respite to any jaded traveler. 

Diana Coruña, consultant, Tourism Planning and Development: It really depends on the interest of the tourist and the time frame of his stay in the country. But considering that the great majority of our travelers make Manila their entry point, a "must-see" tourist attraction for a first time visitor to the country should be Intramuros. Their brochures aptly say it all." . . .it is a place filled with history and culture, art spanning many influences and eras architectural detail, religion, lifestyle – old and new . . ." However, the visitor should only go to Intramuros, if and when I am certain, that the place is impeccably clear – no plastic bags, no litter and no garbage. The tour guide must be well-versed on the historical facts and figures of the area. A must-do activity on the other hand, is to watch a performance of the Bayanihan Dance Company because our dances, like the history of Intramuros show the many influences that make up the Filipino psyche and the Filipino nation as a whole. 

Lourdes Afzeliuz, special services manager, Philippine Airlines: I simply can not think of a better place than Cebu. It has everything good the Philippines has to offer. It has history, arts and culture, tropical sun, white sand beaches and warm clear waters, excellent choices of restaurants, bistros, bars and coffee shops, great entertainment and fun nightlife, hard-to-beat facilities for water sports and outdoor activities. The list goes on and on. Whatever one’s interests are, Cebu has it. Being a small-city-big-town it has the amenities of a metropolis and yet tolerable minor traffic problems and none of the smog. Cebu is also the ideal jump-off point to the other just-as-enchanting islands nearby. Oh, yes, before I forget, the Cebuanos are very gracious hosts who go out of their way and always with a ready genuine smile. Can one ask for more? 

Tarcisio Bufete, marketing specialist-New York, Department of Tourism: I must admit it has seen better days. But my choice would still be Nayong Pilipino – the Philippines in miniature. Though it only features the authentic recreations of six regions of the country, namely, Cordillera, Ilocos, Tagalog, Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao, the cultural, educational, living park nonetheless presents to the tourist a meaningful glimpse of our history, landmark, culture, arts, architecture, cuisine and the lifestyle of our indigenous people – all in one area. The 46-hectare complex includes an aviary of different local species of birds, an aquarium stocked with a variety of fish, shells and corals found in our waters, a lagoon where visitors can fish and a children’s playground where found-only-in-the-Philippines games are taught through actual play. In addition to the Philippine Museum of Ethnology, there are several others showcasing impressive collections of antique furniture and furnishings, religious icons, tribal musical instruments and Filipino costumes of by-gone eras. On certain days of the week, there are cultural performances of songs and dance.

The Nayong Pilipino, situated in a corner of Metro Manila, is truly a world of its own – our very own Pilipinas in a capsule. 

Lydia T. Cosuco, deputy general manager for operations, Philippine Tourism Authority: The choice of a tourist destination would depend on what my first-time tourist would find interesting. Is he a history and culture buff? A nature enthusiast, or perhaps the daring, adventurous type? What kind of experience would make a lasting impression on him?

In the absence of specific profile and time frame, I would venture to take him to a place that has it all – Bohol. There he can learn about our glorious past via historical monuments and well-preserved churches, some recorded to be the oldest in the country. If he’s lucky, he might catch one of the performances by Bohol’s Cultural Troupe and be enthralled by the angelic-voiced Children’s Choir.

A must-do is a visit to the Tarsier Conservation Center in the town of Corella where he will be thrilled to see the world’s smallest primate and observe its movements in a natural habitat.

Bohol is also for sea and scenery. Divers have found myriads of species around the waters of the Balicasag Marine Sanctuary. And who can resist listening to legends or weaving one’s own as one contemplates the mystery of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills?

Indeed, my first-time tourist would be overwhelmed with all these choices as he partakes of a sumptuous meal onboard a leisurely trip down Loboc River. Why, he might be convinced to come back in order to savor the Philippine experience to the fullest.