Overseas Pinoys discover why it's more fun in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - They have stayed long enough in foreign lands to know what is fun and what isn’t. And more fun it seems to become every time they return even for just a short vacation.

“Now even their children born and raised abroad understand why we, Filipinos, are known to be fun-loving people. We always know how to make fun in the best and in the worst of situations — whether in prosperity or in challenging times — and we share that fun through what is known as the world-renowned Filipino hospitality,” said marketing executive Vincent Ong, head of international sales of Globe Telecom.

“This national trait makes us create a lot of fun activities, from the simplest to the most intricate, which augur well for our tourism because tourism is fun and fun is the Philippines. What other (unique selling points) can be better than one that truly reflects our national character?” Ong added.

This he came to prove when Globe Telecom and the Department of Tourism unveiled and opened the Pinoy Homecoming (PH) airport reception counter in his own home province of Cebu in time for the recently concluded Sinulog Festival.

The counter, right upon its opening, provided VIP welcome to more than a hundred balikbayans emerging in droves at the arrival area of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

Such a timely and joyous reception beefed up the vigorous efforts of the local government in implementing its own Balik-Cebu program to boost tourism in Central Philippines.

Highlighted in this program are the numerous fun activities that make Cebu a regional and international tourism hub — from beach holidays and water sports to scuba diving, golf, health and wellness, honeymoon and wedding, dining and value shopping, leisure and sightseeing, religious pilgrimages, medical, educational, ecological, and cultural tours, among many others, from the city streets to the outskirts.

Yet, many of these activities come at a discount through the Balikbayan Plus Card and the special promos of the tourism establishments supporting the campaign of the DOT and Globe Telecom.

Other privileges and freebies available at the airport counter include the special welcome packs from Globe Telecom and assistance for local tours.

The counter was unveiled by DOT Central Visayas Director Rowena Montecillo, Globe Telecom Vis-Min external affairs head Jerry Yntig, Tourism Promotions Board project manager Susan del Mundo, Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, and MCIA general manager Nigel Paul Villarete.

The MCIA counter is the sixth to be installed in various parts of the country. The others are at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Pampanga, Davao International Airport in Davao City, and Terminals 1, 2 and 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.