NorthPhil Expo kicks off at SM City Clark today

MANILA, Philippines - The four regional offices of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the northern half of Luzon has prepared a lineup of colorful events, exhibits and festivities for the opening of the North Philippines (NorthPhil) Tourism and Travel Expo 2009 at the SM City Clark today.

These events will highlight the “exotic and diverse sights, sounds, scent, taste and touch” of the country’s tourism products and destinations in Luzon and other regions of the archipelago to spice up the industry and boost foreign visitor arrivals and domestic travel, according to DOT directors Martin Valera of Region 1 (Ilocandia), Bless Diwa of Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), Ronnie Tiotuico of Region 3 (Central Luzon), and Pura Molintas of the Cordillera Administrative Region.

The opening ceremony kicks off at 4 p.m. with a liturgical hymn and the singing of the national anthem by the Magbikin Choir of Bataan, welcome remarks by Tiotuico, special message by Presidential Assistant for Central Luzon Undersecretary Lorelei Fajardo, inspirational talks by Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio, a musical number by the PUP Pangkat Kawayan of Bataan, and special remarks by DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Services and Regional Offices Oscar Palabyab.

Ribbon-cutting and tour of the colorful exhibits signal the official opening of the expo, which actually starts at 10 a.m. with the various presentations of the DOT regional offices, Asiana Airlines, Thunderbird Resorts and Cebu Pacific, musical performances by the PUP Banda Kawayan, and a parade of Philippine festivals.

The opening event then culminates with a welcome dinner hosted by the province of Pampanga, fireworks display by SM City Clark, another PUP Banda Kawayan performance, a presentation by The Legend Palawan, and a musical number by the Philippine Retirement Authority.

Expected to draw thousands of foreign and local visitors from various regions, the festivities continue on the second day with the province of Pampanga featuring the Caragan Festival of Mabalacat and the Ibon-Ebun Festival of Candaba, followed by the stage performances of the Holy Angel University Chorale and Rondalla.

By 11 a.m., wholesale buyers and sellers of tourism products and travel packages will gather at the Cinema Lobby for a business meeting over lunch, while the Traders Area of the mall features the popular Filipino product longganisa with the theme “Taste, Buy and Eat.”

Taking turns at the stage for their respective presentations are the province of Bulacan, the Pampanga Agents and Travel Society, Clark Freeport Zone, Cebu Pacific, and Aurora province, which will conduct the Sabutan Fashion Show and a concert by the Blue Band.

On the third and final day of the exhibits, the stage area becomes even busier with Tarlac City featuring the Malatarlak Festival, followed by the Zoocobia Animal Show, the North Philippines Fashion Show, and the various presentations of The Legend Palawan, Subic Bay and the provinces of Bataan, Zambales and Nueva Ecija.

To cap the three-day event is an equally colorful awarding and closing ceremony.

Now known as the premier international tourism and travel marketing event in North Philippines for the entire archipelago and other countries in the Asia-Pacific, the NorthPhil Expo is supported by the Philippine Tourism Authority, Clark Development Corp., Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Manila North Tollways Corp., and the provinces of Aurora, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales as sponsors, and several media partners.

Among the expo’s exhibitors are agri-tourism and leisure properties, airlines and air alliances, cruise lines, global distribution systems, golf courses, hotels and resorts, medical tourism hospitals and clinics, national and local government agencies, retirement villages, spa resorts and destinations, theme parks and amusement centers, time-share properties, transport and tour operators, travel agencies and associations, tourism boards, and travel insurance and publications, and many others.

Managed by event organizer PETCO, the expo is expected to be graced by foreign and domestic travelers, business and trade organizations, conference and convention organizers, educational institutions, travel agents and tour operators, tour organizers and planners, tourism associations and offices, and the general public.