Souvenir program:winter escapade 2017

Rizal Monument Laoag City

Vigan

Coron

WINTER ESCAPADE 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS

MESSAGES 5 Secretary Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr

Department of Foreign Affairs

Secretary Wanda Corazon T. Teo 6

Department of Tourism

Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia 7

Philippines Embassy in Ottawa, Canada

8 Chief Operating Officer Cesar D. Montano Tourism Promotions Board

Supporting Agencies and Partners

9 - 10

List of Delegates

11 -16

Tour Itinerary

Group A:

Group B:

17 - 20 21 - 24

Tour Advisory

19 - 21

Pre-departure Checklist

General Information about the Philippines

22

Important Contact Details

24

23

Philippine Consuls General in Canada ERIC GERARDO TAMAYO Philippine Embassy Ottawa

ROSALITA PROSPERO Philippine Consulate General Toronto

JULIUS TORRES Philippine Consulate General Calgary

NEIL FRANK FERRER Philippine Consulate General Vancouver

Philippine Honorary Consular Officers in Canada

ESMERALDA AGBULOS Consul General, Ad Honorem Edmonton, AB

SEAN SEARS Consul General, Ad Honorem Halifax, NS

HAZEL OUANO ALPUERTO Consul General, Ad Honorem St. John’s, NL

RONALDO OPINA Consul General, Ad Honorem Winnipeg, MB

ELIZABETH EUSTAQUIO-DOMONDON Honorary Vice Consul Halifax, NS

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM NOrth america

AZUCENA PALLUGNA Acting Tourism Attaché/ Officer-in-Charge New York

PURIFICACION MOLINTAS Tourism Attaché San Francisco

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM MARTIN S. VALERA Regional Director Region I

DANILO B. INTONG Regional Director Region IV-B (MIMAROPA)

Tourism promotions board

SUSAN DEL MUNDO Officer-in-Charge, Domestic Promotions Department

RICHMOND JIMENEZ Tourism Attaché Los Angeles

Cesar Villanueva - Officer-in-Charge, Industry Relations Division Michelle S. Alcantara Mark Nicole M. Evangelista Rona Jean N. Olaivar Abigail B. Francisco Alberto B. Gadia Rae KatherineD. Bordeos Jonathan Bravo

RAJAH TOURS Philippines INC.

ATTY. DADING CLEMENTE Chairperson

Jojo Clemente Jenny Pabilona Carla Molina Regin Rodriguez Clemente Salvador Luis Rañoco Archie Gomez Violy Santos

List of Delegates

CALGARY 1. Alcantara Dolores 2. Bragas Alma 3. Bragas Dexter 4. Cabalce Resty 5. Cabalce Delia 6. Cachero Rodrigo 7. Cachero Severina 8. Felipe Meda 9. Felipe Rudy 10. Lopez Precy 11. Marcelo Inocencio 12. Marcelo Teresita 13. Marinas Nelson 14. Marinas Larry 15. Miranda Ernesto 16. Miranda Flordeliza 17. Molina Evelyn 18. Morales James 19. Morales Judith 20. Musial Wiktor 21. Perez Alberto 22. Perez Florencia 23. Stamm Anelli 24.. Stamm Frederick 25. Tighe Clarita 26. Torres Julius 27. Tumanon Richard 28 Tumanon Erlinda 29. Villareal Francisco 30. Villareal Norma

List of Delegates

EDMONTON 1.

Abril Ignacio Aurora 2. Agbulos Esmeralda 3. Agbulos Virgilio 4. Aguilar Jubal 5. Aguilar Nenita 6. Aguilar Wilfred 7. Baetiong Flora 8.

Bass Linda 9. Biglette Christian 10. Biglette Carmelita 11. Bischoff Dietmar 12. Bischoff Fe 13.. Candelaria Linaflor 14.. Candelaria Bener 15. Castuciano Adoracion 16.. Celemin Rosaben 17.

Chui Erlyne 18.

Chui Allan 19. Corpuz Natividad 20. Corpuz Maria 21.

Cruz Horatio 22.

Cruz Bella 23.

Cruz Ruel 24.

Cruz Carmina 25. Deauna Wenny 26. Deauna Teresita 27. Del Rosario Rosario 28. Del Rosario Arturo 29. Dissanayake Lily 30. Dissanayake Rudolf 31.

Galan Tita 32. Geddes Terrie 33. Ignacio Archibald 34.

Loyer Imelda 35. Lumague Delfin 36. Lumague Salvacion 37. Macapinlac Nilo 38. Malbog Norma

39. Malbog Rosario 40. Marcos Rolando 41. Marcos Edna 42. Martines Remedios 43. Mateo Leonila 44. Mateo Maria Elizabeth 45.. McMurdo Leslie Carol 46. Mendoza Sheryl 47. Mendoza Antonio 48. Mendoza Virgilio 49. Mendoza Esmeralda 50. Mercado Orlando 51. Mercado Sheryl 52. Montano Nimrod 53. Montano Jencet 54. Newman Terrance 55. Newman Marjorie 56. Nicolas Miriam 57. Oblepias Isidita Ella 58. Ramos Elizabeth 59.

Relos Milagros 60. Sacluti Basilio 61. Sacluti Emerita 62. Samontanes Emilia 63. Santos Sexagismo 64.

Sison Ernesto 65.

Sison Jennifer Ann 66.

Smith Michael 67.

Smith Evelyn 68.

Torres Aila 69. Vasquez Eduardo 70. Vasquez Concepcion 71. Verkey Rosario 72. Verkey Cyril 73. Vonzurgathen Teresita 74.

Yerro Manuel 75.

Yerro Cynthia 76. Youngman Nenita

List of Delegates

OTTAWA 1. Batangan Edgar 2. Batangan Lonie 3. Berroya

Leonor 4. Berroya

Beatriz 5. Blondin

Lydia 6. Bocboc Emma 7. Brana Ernesto 8. Brana

Edna 9.

Calo Moises 10.

Calo Lolita 11. Castillo-Poole Purificacion 12.

Chan Pui-Ling 13. Corpuz

Erlinda 14. Croox Gloria 15.

Cruz Trinidad 16. Egloff Kurt 17. Egloff Jennifer 18. Esteban Florencio 19. Esteban Evangeline 20. Formoso Alfredo 21. Formoso Ruby 22. Gagne

Jean-Pierre 23. Garcia Petronilla 24. Garcia Petronilla 25. Hechanova Nida 26. Hernandez Jaime 27. Lee Mira Joan 28. Li

Yuen-Lan Anna 29. Lugod Carmelita 30. Marino Greg Marie 31. Maupay Estrella 32. Medina Maria Gina 33. Michaud Robert

34. Michaud Flordeliza 35. Montesa-Cruz Alice 36. Nuguid Esther 37. Obreque Riezel Joy 38.

Perez Myrna 39. Poole Robert 40. Richard Josefina 41. Richard Remy 42. Rosales Elisa 43. Santander Genoveva 44. Tamayo Eric 45. Vicente Ramon

List of Delegates

TORONTO 1.

Avila Emigdio 2.

Avila Jane 3. Balbuena Rosita 4 Beltijar Genciano 5. Beltijar Vivian 6. Buzon Estrellita 7. Buzon Antonio 8. Camaganacan Mauro 9. Camaganacan Josefina 10.

Cruz Rose 11. D’orazio Maria Aida 12. Estebal Maria Luisa 13.

Friel Rosalind 14.

Friel Jack 15. Gallardo Erlinda 16. Gallardo Rodolfo 17. Gamboa Herman 18. Gamboa Estrellita 19. Helwig Linda 20. Insigne Erlinda 21. Insigne Antonio 22. Laraya Evelyn 23. Lazaro Edna May 24.

Lutz Bien 25. Maranan Elsie 26. Migalbin Annabelle 27. Navarro Rogelio 28. Navarro Hedita 29.

Ores Ting 30. Palatino Teresita 31. Palatino Julian 32. Policarpio Arturo 33. Prospero Rosalita 34.

Tan Corazon 35.

Tan Chiong Heng 36. Valencia Marciano

List of Delegates

VANCOUVER 1. Almazar Mercedes Shirley 2. Asuncion Rosario 3. Asuncion Oscar 4. Camins Salvacion 5.

Dato Estrella 6. Edra Converzosa 7. Edra Dominador 8. Ferrer Neil Frank 9. Ferrer Miriam 10. Gabisan Zenaida 11. Gatan Leslie 12. Gatan Debbie 13. Gonzales Rosalinda 14. Guevara Ma. Charmaine 15. Heikkila Aurea 16. Heikkila Topi 17. Heisig Leonor 18. Joseph Genoveva 19. Levasseur Zenaida 20. Lopez Trinidad 21. Lucena Annadelie 22. Lucena Mocreylito 23. Menna Teresita 24. Miles Anicia 25. Morales Emerita 26. Omond Virginia 27. Panlilio-Yodogawa Ma. Lourdes 28. Patricio Teresita 29. Porillo Carolina 30. Porillo Jose Jesse 31. Reyes Marcela 32. Reyes Leonor 33. Samonte Honorina 34. Samson Alberto

35. Samson Wilhelmina 36. Santos Luzviminda 37. Siubal Stella 38. Sobeng Editha 39.. Tapia Edgardo 40. Tapia Carmelita 41. Tolentino Olivia 42. Tolentino Romeo 43. Uguil Agnes Rodella 44. Viray Arturo 45. Viray Susan 46. Yodogawa Douglas Kitoshi

List of Delegates

WINNIPEG 1. Mendoza Mila 2. Mendoza Cecilio 3. Opina Ronaldo

USA 1. Calma Rosalinda 2. Clemente Alejandra 3. Coliflores Bertha 4. Coliflores Francisco 5.

Diaz Rosario Alara 6. Knaus James Malcolm 7. Knaus Rose Marie 8. Lising Benjamin 9. Lising Frutuosa 10. Mahant Vishnuprasad 11. Mahant Myrna Sabio 12. Mendoza Zoila 13.

Paz Mendoza

TOUR ADVISORY vouchers confirming domestic flight details, hotel assignments and tour preferences will be emailed by Rajah Tours 1 Tour directly to each participant. Participants who did not indicate their email address in theirregistration form are advised to send an email immediately to jenny.pabilona1@rajahtours.com.ph, copy furnished greg.marino@philembassy.ca.

Escapade Packets – ID badges, luggage tags and the tour program will be distributed to all participants during the 2 Winter pre-departure briefing at 8:00 a.m. on 6 February 2017 at the Nobu Hotel Grand Ballroom. collection – Participants may leave their luggage at the Nobu Hotel reception area before going to the briefing 3 Luggage and orientation. Participants are requested to make sure their luggage are properly tagged for easy identification. Luggage will be delivered to their room upon check-in. Arrangements are also being made by Rajah Tours to store pieces of luggage that will not accompany participants to Ilocos and Palawan.

4 Tour Batches - Due to the limited seating capacity of flights, WE4 participants will be divided into two groups.

Airport Flights – On 7 February 2017, all participants will be bused to NAIA Terminal 2 and 3 according to the 5 Domestic following schedule: Group A

Flight to Laoag City

Luggage Call Time

Boarding Time from Nobu Hotel

Estimated Time of Departure (ETD)

Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)

1

PR2196

07:30 AM

08:30 AM

11:15 AM

12:15 NN

2

PR2198

03:30 PM

04:30 PM

07:00 PM

08:00 PM

Group B

Flight to Busuanga City

Luggage Call Time

Boarding Time from Nobu Hotel

Estimated Time of Departure (ETD)

Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)

1

DG 6041

03:00 AM

03:45 AM

06:25 AM

07:30 AM

2

DG 6043

06:00 AM

07:00 AM

09:40 AM

10:50 AM

3

M8711

06:45 AM

07:45 AM

10:30 AM

11:10 AM

Flight schedules to Manila on 10 February 2017 are as follows: Group A

Flight to Manila

Luggage Call Time

Boarding Time from Hotel

Estimated Time of Departure (ETD)

Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)

1

PR2197

10:40 AM

11:30 AM

01:40 PM

02:40 PM

2

PR2199

06:30 PM

07:35 PM

09:35 PM

10:35 PM

Group B

Flight to Manila

Luggage Call Time

Boarding Time from Hotel

Estimated Time of Departure (ETD)

Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)

1

DG 6044

08:20 AM

09:20 AM

11:10 AM

12:20 NN

2

DG 6052

10:45 AM

11:45 AM

01:45 PM

03:00 PM

3

M8714

12:20 NN

01:20 PM

03:20 PM

14:00 PM

Flight schedules from Manila to Busuanga and Manila to Laoag on 11 February 2017 are as follows: Group A

Flight to Busuanga City

Luggage Call Time

Boarding Time from Nobu Hotel

Estimated Time of Departure (ETD)

Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)

1

PR 2031

03:30 AM

04:20 AM

07:00 AM

07:55 AM

2

DG 6043

06:00 AM

07:00 AM

09:40 AM

10:50 AM

3

M8711

06:50 AM

07:50 PM

10:30 AM

11:10 AM

Group B

Flight to Laoag City

Luggage Call Time

Boarding Time from Nobu Hotel

1

PR2196

07:30 AM

08:30 AM

Estimated Time of Estimated Time of Departure (ETD) Arrival (ETA) 11:15 AM

12:15 NN

Return flight schedules from Busuanga to Manila and Laoag to Manila are as follows: Group A

Flight to Manila City

Luggage Call Time

Boarding Time from Nobu Hotel

Estimated Time of Departure (ETD)

Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)

1

PR 2032

07:00 AM

07:55 AM

09:55 AM

10:50 AM

2

DG 6052

09:45 AM

11:45 AM

01:45 PM

03:00 PM

3

M8712

12:20 NN

01:20 PM

03:20 PM

04:00 PM

Group B

Flight to Manila

Luggage Call Time

Boarding Time from Hotel

1

PR2197

11:40 AM

12:40 NN

Estimated Time of Estimated Time of Departure (ETD) Arrival (ETA) 01:40 PM

02:40 PM

Rajah Tours’ airport coordinators will be on hand to guide passengers. ID tags must be worn to facilitate airport assistance. In the unlikely event that participants could not locate the Airport Coordinator, they may proceed directly to the check in counter and report to coordinators assigned there or call Rajah Tours at 522.0541 to 48 local 111 for immediate assistance.

6 Domestic Flight Baggage Allowance - Participants are allowed only one checked-in baggage.

Baggage allowance for PAL and SKYJET – 10 kilos per way Baggage allowance for Cebu Pacific – 15 kilos per way Pre-paid baggage/ baggage allowance upgrade – Cebu Pacific and PAL allows upgrade of baggage allowance at the following rates: Baggage Allowance Upgrade

Additional 5 kilos

Additional 10 kilos

Additional 15 kilos

Cebu Pacific

Php 350.20

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

PAL

Php 400.00

Php 700.00

Php 950.00

Pre-paid baggage allowance for SKYJET is not applicable.

Those who wish to avail themselves of the baggage allowance upgrade are requested to coordinate in advance with Rajah Tours.

Participants are allowed one piece of hand carried luggage not exceeding seven (7) kilos.

Participants will be charged for any excess baggage and/or weight at the rate of PHP 200 per kilo /per way (approximately CAD 6.00).

7 Hotel Assignments – Due to limited hotel capacity, participants will be divided into the following groups: Dates

Hotel

Batch

6 February

Nobu Hotel

All Participants

7 - 9 February

Group A: Plaza Del Norte

Ottawa/Toronto/Calgary/Edmonton

Group B: Bayside

Ottawa/Toronto/Vancouver/Winnipeg/USA

10 February

Nobu Hotel

All Participants

11 - 14 February

Group A: Coron West Town and Bayside

Ottawa/Toronto/Calgary/Edmonton

Group B: Plaza Del Norte

Ottawa/Toronto/Vancouver/Winnipeg/USA

8 Latest Itinerary – The latest itinerary is attached, subject to refinements.

9 Attire - Participants are requested to bring the prescribed attire for the following events: Date

Event

Theme

Attire

February 6

Wreath Laying Ceremony at Rizal Monument

Filipiniana

Barong/Filipiniana

February 6

Welcome dinner hosted by Western Union

Smart Casual with a touch of yellow

February 7 (Group A) & February 11 (Group B)

Dinner hosted by Governor Imee Marcos

Smart Casual

February 10

Fellowship dinner hosted by the Tourism Promotions Board

Love of Country

Formal Filipiniana

Union Raffle Draw – Western Union will be conducting a raffle draw during the Welcome Dinner on 6 February 10 Western 2017. To join the raffle draw, participants may download the WU App and present it to Western Union staff at the Giant Ipad area during the Welcome Dinner.

– Please direct all tour-related queries to jenny.pabilona1@rajahtours.com.ph, copy furnished greg.marino@ 11 Queries philembassy.ca.

All hotels and resorts will not be collecting incidental deposit (security deposit) during check-in and will strictly implement a “NO POST or NO ROOM CHARGE Policy” meaning all charges incurred during stay, including mini-bar consumption should be settled immediately in Cash or Credit Card.

Further details will be circulated in due course.

WINTER ESCAPADE PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST

Check your email for Rajah tour vouchers indicating flight and hotel assignments. If vouchers are not received by 15 January 2017, please send a message to jenny.pabilona1@rajahtours.com.ph, copy furnished greg.marino@ philembassy.ca.

Note the domestic flight baggage allowance and pack accordingly (PAL/SKYJET 10 kilos, CEBU PACIFIC 15 kilos for check-in baggage and 7 kilos for hand-carried bags).

Pack suitable clothes and footwear according to the latest itinerary (e.g., smart casual, casual and beach wear for island tours and prescribed attire for special events).

Bring maintenance medication and medicine for simple ailments. Flag special medical conditions to jenny.pabilona1@rajahtours.com.ph.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES Time Zone GMT +8 hours.

Airports All participants will land at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila; those flying via Philippine Airlines will be enter¬ing or exiting at Terminal 2 while those taking foreign carriers will pass through Terminal l. Representatives of the organizers will be at the airport to provide reception and assistance at immigration and customs.

Entry Regulations Passports should be valid for at least six months. Canadian passport holders may enter the Philippines and stay for 30 days without visa. Former Filipinos or Balikbayans may stay up to a maximum of one year without visa. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General for information on entry formalities. All outgoing Filipino citizens are required to pay a travel tax.

Climate and What to Wear The temperature in the Philippines for the month of February ranges around 86+°F (30.2+°C) and the summer monsoon may bring some rains. It is advisable to bring light and casual clothes and keep rainwear handy.

Health / Water / Medicine A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required only for participants who have recently visited an infected area; otherwise, there are no vaccination requirements. Although water in Metro Manila and in key cities is potable and safe for drinking, participants are advised to take bottled water which is readily available in hotels, restaurants and convenience stores. Do not forget to bring prescribed medicines and other handy emergency kits including sun block lotion and mosquito repellant.

Currency / Credit Card / Foreign Exchange The Philippine unit of currency is the Peso. The exchange rate, as of January 18, is at around PhP37.63 to CAD$1.00. Major credit cards are generally accepted in most establishments. Participants are advised to exchange their dollars to local currency at foreign exchange counters located in hotels, banks and inside most shopping centers.

Shopping / Dining / Entertainment Department stores, shopping malls, entertainment centers and specialty outlets are within easy walking distance of the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel (e.g. Megamall, Galleria, Greenhills, etc.) An exciting selection of world-class items could be purchased at reasonable prices such as South Sea pearls, hand-woven cloths, embroidered fineries, fashionable ready-to-wear, artifacts, basketry, furniture, fresh and processed fruits, exquisitely crafted jewelry and gift items made of shell, wood and stone. Filipino, Asian and western cuisine are offered in many nearby restaurants and dining places.

Tipping Tipping is expected for many services at a standard rate of 10% of the total amount charged; it is optional when a 10% service change is already added to the bill.

Tours and Special Interest Activities Metro Manila and provincial destinations offer a variety of unique attractions and exciting activities. Participants may get specific travel information from Rajah Tours. Be wary of people who are overzealous in offering tours, entertainment or similar activities.

Electricity Electricity in the country runs on 220 volts AC at 60 cycles. Most hotels also have 110 volt AC 50-cycle outlets.

Communication Facilities The Philippines has a robust communication system. International and national direct dial phone and facsimile service, mobile phone sites, internet and e-mail services and worldwide express delivery service are readily available in most areas.

IMPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 2330 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City T: (632) 834 3000 Office of American Affairs T: (632) 834.4000 Embassy of Canada T: (632) 857.900 TOURISM PROMOTIONS BOARD Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1004 Philippines T: +63 2 5259318 to 27 or 525 1255 F: +63 2 521 6165 E: domesticpromotions@tpb.gov.ph RAJAH TOURS 470 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila T: (632) 522-0541 F: (632) 521.2831 Rajah Tours International 391 Sutter Street #801 San Francisco, CA 94108 T: (800) 392.3345, (415) 397.0303 F: (415) 362.0164 E: contactus@rajahtours.net NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT T: (632) 877.1109 Bureau of Customs T: (632) 527.4517 BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION T: (632) 527.3259

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM The New DOT Building 351 Senator Gil Puyat Ave Makati City, Philippine 1200 T: (632) 459 5200 to 459 5230 New York: 556 5th Ave New York, NY 10036 T:1 212 575 7915 F:212 302 6759 E: pdotnewyork@gmail.com San Francisco: 447 Sutter St 5/F Suite 507 San Francisco, CA 94108 T:1 415 956 4060 F:1 415 956 2093 E: philtoursf@gmail.com Los Angeles: 3660 Wilshire Blvd 900 Suite 216 Los Angeles, CA 90010 T:1 213 487 4525 F:1 213 386 4063 E. pdotlosangeles@gmail.com Regional Office I G/F Oasis Country Resort Hotel, Sevilla, San Fernando City, La Union T: 63 72 888 2098 / 888 2411 / 242 1656 F: 63 72 8882098 E: dotregion1@pldtdsl.net Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) #351 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., JB Bldg., Makati City T: 63 2 459-5200 loc. 210 / 890-1014 Fax 63 2 890-0945 E: dot.mimaropa@gmail.com

PARTNERS Official Ground Handler:

Official Media Partners:

IN COOPERATION WITH:

ACKNOWLEDGMENT Governor Imee Romualdez Marcos, Ilocos Norte Municipality of Coron Tourism Office Philippines National Police Ninoy Aquino International Authority Philippines Red Cross Bureau of Immigration Bureau of Customs Batanes Wakay Travel & Tours Incorporated Sitio Remedios Heritage Village