On January 29, 2024, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (with the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulate General’s offices in the US), in cooperation with the Department of Tourism’s Tourism Promotions Board and Rajah Tours, launched the Very Important Pinoy Tour 2024 (aka VIP Tour 2024) at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall in San Francisco. Hosted by Tourism Attaché Soleil Tropicales, Philippine Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer and Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel G. Romualdez greeted the evening’s guests.
“Whether you are Filipino by blood, or a Filipino resident of the US, or a Filipino by heart, you will love the Philippines,” Ambassador Romualdez said. He also announced that there will be two types of VIP Tours planned for the near future. One is the VIP Senior Tour (for tourists 60 years old and above, for relaxation-type tours) and the VIP Junior Tour (for high-energy and younger participants).
The VIP Tour 2024 is scheduled for July 21, 2024 to July 30, 2024.
A video presentation of “Love the Philippines” and a testimonial of one of the VIP Tour 2023’s participants, Anthony Schlander preceded the details of this year’s VIP Tour.
The itinerary includes Manila, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro (via Cebu).
A wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Monument at Rizal Park and a choice of one afternoon tour (among three selections) awaits the tour’s entourage in Manila.
The Bacolod Tour includes agricultural, historical and commercial landmarks, including a tour of the Lizares Mansion, a piaya factory, and the Negros Museum. The second day comprises a Lakawon Island Tour and a brief walking tour of the Heritage Town of Silay.
The Mindanao portion includes three options for the Cagayan de Oro Tour, a Malaybalay City Tour (Bukidnon) with a variety of cultural experiences from festival dances, heirloom cuisine, and weaving on a traditional loom and creating beads for ornaments, and a Maranao Cultural Experience in Iligan City (Lanao del Norte).
The tour participants return to Manila on July 29, highlighted by a farewell dinner. July 30 marks the end of the tour with airport departures to the tourists’ next destination or back to the US.
Jose C. Clemente III, the Rajah Tours’ president, explained that there are several options for the tour’s land arrangements that do not include domestic airfare.
Dell Merano, Area Manager of the Philippine Airlines’ Sales Office represented the VIP Tour’s partner airline, Philippine Airlines, in San Francisco. She confirmed that the special airfare rates for this VIP Tour allow travelers to leave for Manila as early as July 1, 2024 and return to the US as late as August 11, 2024. A $100 deposit is required before booking. The first 50 passengers get an early bird pricing. For the 51st passenger and above, add $100 surcharge to the basic tour package fee. Deadline for ticket purchases is on or before May 31, 2024.
Prospective participants can contact their travel agents for their 2024 VIP Tour arrangements.
FEBRUARY 10, 2024
EVENT TITLE: Manilatown Arts presents Club Mandalay
TYPE OF EVENT: On-site
ORGANIZER(S): Manilatown Heritage Foundation
WHAT: An afternoon of live performances
DESCRIPTION: Welcome to Club Mandalay, where the music is live , the poetry is flowing, and the community is gathering! Music by the Manilatown Jazz Ensemble, Spoken Word Guest – “Sugilanon” Ensemble, Musical Guest – Jibril’s Cool Jazz Combo
WHEN: Saturday, February 10, 2024
WHERE: International Hotel Manilatown Center
WHAT TIME: 2:00 pm
HOW MUCH: by donation
RSVP TO: http://tinyurl.com/mhf02102024; inquiries at [email protected]
WEBSITE: https://manilatown.org/
July 21, 2024 to July 30, 2024
EVENT TITLE: Very Important Pinoy Tour 2024 (VIP Tour 2024)
TYPE OF EVENT: Travel
ORGANIZER(S): Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (with the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulate General’s (PCG) offices in the US), in cooperation with the Department of Tourism’s Tourism Promotions Board and Rajah Tours; Tour Lead is the PCG-New York
WHAT: Organized Travel Tour to the Philippines (Airfare & Tour, i.e., Land Arrangements)
DESCRIPTION: The itinerary for the tour combines the best of Metropolitan Manila, Bacolod, and Cagayan de Oro into one adventure-packed and enriching vacation experience.
WHEN: Sunday, July 21, 2024 to Tuesday, July 30, 2024
WHERE: Metro-Manila, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro (via Cebu), Bukidnon
WHAT TIME: Recommended travel date is on July 19, 2024 from San Francisco. Travel agencies can recommend pre- or post-event tours as well as earlier flight arrangements and later flight arrangements (up to a designated date in August 2024 for the VIP Tour’s Philippine Airlines’ special airfare pricing)
HOW MUCH: Airfare and Tour
For the first 50 passengers: VIP Tour 2024 package (inclusive of airfares, fuel, taxes, land arrangements, and applicable fees)
With hotel, single accommodation: $3799
With hotel, twin share accommodation: $3459 per person
With hotel, triple share accommodation: $3359 per person
For the 51st passenger and above: VIP Tour 2024 package (inclusive of airfares, fuel, taxes, land arrangements, and applicable fees)
With hotel, single accommodation: $3899
With hotel, twin share accommodation: $3559 per person
With hotel, triple share accommodation: $3459 per person
RSVP TO: [email protected] and +63 (02) 53100924 in Manila, [email protected] and 415 397-0303 (Rajah Tours office in San Francisco), @veryimportpinoytour2023 on Facebook
REGISTER BY: For land arrangements, by April 12, 2024; $500 reservation deposit, with full payment by May 15, 2024; full cancellation fees after June 1, 2024
DEADLINE FOR AIRLINE TICKET PURCHASES: On or before May 31, 2024 (for round-trip airfares and land arrangements)
REGISTRATION LINK: http://tinyurl.com/viptour2024registration
WEBSITE: www.viptourphilippines2023.com
DISCLAIMER: This is my content curation of events, aka my choices, which are organized by community-based organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area and community events that benefit our diverse communities. If you have questions about an event, click on the RSVP link or find the contact person or organizers mentioned in the announcement. There are some events included in this column that I help promote or organize.
