asianTraveler reveals 'Best of the Philippines'
MANILA, Philippines - asianTraveler Magazine, the Philippines’ premier travel publication, unveiled its choices of the country’s finest destinations through the launch of its latest issue, “Best of the Philippines,” held recently at the Privé Luxury Club at The Fort Strip, Bonifacio Global City.
Cover girl Tessa Prieto-Valdez, host-model Kelly Misa, and the issue’s fashion spread designer, Dita Sandico-Ong, led the guests who trooped to Privé to witness the unveiling of “Best of the Philippines,” which marks the first of a series of high-profile launches to be carried out by asianTraveler this 2012 to mark its 10th anniversary.
“Best of the Philippines” banners El Nido, Caramoan, Mt. Apo, Cebu City and Lake Sebu as the country’s most luxurious, challenging and pristine destinations.
The issue also explores current tourism trends such as medical tourism, along with regular feature updates on fine dining and hotels to guide its savvy traveler-readers.
A quick look back into the rich decade of asianTraveler, through an audio-visual montage by director Dong Fajardo, and composed of images of past issues and photographs from “Best of the Philippines,” preceded the unveiling. This was followed by a celebratory toast led by Prieto-Valdez, editor-in-chief Rome Jorge, and publisher Gabriel de la Cruz.
“It has taken a mapmaker — pathfinder and publisher Gabriel de la Cruz — to get us where we are now,” said Jorge, in reference to the roots of asianTraveler Magazine as Pilmap – maps distributed by the enterprising De la Cruz at airport lobbies 10 years ago, which later evolved as Pilmap Travel & Leisure Magazine, up to its present incarnation as asianTraveler.
Meanwhile, Prieto-Valdez was her usual life-of-the-party self, rousing laughter and cheers from the audience as she expressed her intention not to say “only a few words” but “a lot of words” when asked to speak. She also said that although she is yet to be asked to contribute her travel pieces to asianTraveler, she is already volunteering.
From left: Managing editor Aida de la Cruz, singer Garie Concepcion, and the Manila Marriott Hotel team of Michelle Garcia, general manager Scott Sibley and wife Milly. Singer Garie Concepcion serenaded the guests with ballads and pop tunes later on in the evening. The night was rendered more fabulous by the models of Cosmopolitan Promotions and Casting Agency blending in with the crowd, donning the latest ecofashion Filipiniana creations by Sandico-Ong.
But the crowd would have not exuded its powerhouse vibe without the presence of international and local diplomats, top tourism officials both from the national and regional levels, and the industry partners of asianTraveler.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand, the tourism offices of Sarangani and Negros Occidental, and the Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines were some of the tourism and business agencies represented during the launch.
The world’s most popular airline companies fittingly joined in the celebration, too, namely Delta Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
Officials from the country’s premier hotel and resort destinations such as El Nido Resorts, Manila Marriott Hotel, Makati Shangri-La, Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa, Dusit Thani Manila, Bloomberry Hotels and Resorts, The Farm at San Benito, Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa, and Plantation Bay Resort and Spa also attended the event.
“We deeply appreciate the support of our readers and partners. We hope they continue giving us this support in our endeavors at promoting tourism and encouraging people to travel,” said De la Cruz.
