The FREEMAN’s Bobit Avila is 2014 SKAL Int’l awardee

CEBU, Philippines - The 24th SKAL International Makati Awards has named The FREEMAN columnist Valeriano “Bobit” Avila as the Provincial Print Media Personality awardee of the year.

Avila will join 15 other awardees who would be feted during the 33rd anniversary of SKAL International Makati, the second oldest SKAL club in the Philippines, at the New World Makati Hotel today.

Founded in 1980, SKAL International Makati is currently being headed by Robert Lim Joseph.

 The annual SKAL Tourism Personality Awards Night recognizes the achievements of exemplary individuals in the Philippine tourism industry.

The event would also benefit SKAL’s philanthropic work, particularly its educational and outreach programs for street children, and its scholarship program in the hospitality and tourism industry.

“When I go out and travel, I write. That contributes to the tourism in the country,” Bobit said when asked about the award.

The other awardees are Eduardo Manalo (Tourism Infrastructure), Lance Gokongwei (Airline Personality), Charo Santos-Concio as (Woman Achiever for Tourism & International Understanding), Kristina Bernadette Aquino (Travel Show Host), Regina Paz Lopez (Environment and Agri-Tourism), and Andrew and Sandee Masigan (Food Tourism).

Kingson Sian (Hotel Personality), Stanie Soriano (Government Personality), Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas (Local Government Personality), Joanne Rae Ramirez (National Print Media Personality), Ricky Paul Tio (Travel Agency Personality), Dexter Deyto (M.I.C.E. Personality), and Melanie Rulla Saro (Tourism Education Personality).

ABS-CBN is also awarded as TV Station of the year and Kris TV as Travel Show of the year.

Avila encouraged fellow journalists to travel to enjoy what the country has to offer and then write about their experience.

“Write what you see and make a suggestion on what is good and bad in a particular place. Show them what is interesting. It’s really more fun in the Philippines,” he said.

SKAL International is a worldwide association of travel and tourism professionals promoting global tourism and friendship.

It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. First established in 1932 in Paris, France, it now has over 16,522 members in 399 tourism clubs throughout 87 nations.

SKAL International’s members, who are mostly managers and executives in the industry, convene yearly to discuss and pursue topics of common interest.

The 24th SKAL Tourism Personality Awards is endorsed by the Department of Tourism.  It is sponsored by the Philippine Wine Merchants, Ralph’s Wines and Spirits, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Pan Pacific Manila, The Manor at Camp John Hay, Dusit Thani Manila, and GRID magazine, among others, and co-sponsored by New World Makati Hotel. (FREEMAN)