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It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, [...]
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Canadian Snowbirds take flight to Bicol and Palawan in Annual Winter Escapade

1 March 2016 – For the third year running, visitors from across Canada and the U.S. flocked to the Philippines for the annual Winter Escapade – It’s More Fun in the Philippines group tour, spearheaded by the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Tourism Promotions Board and regional offices of the Department of Tourism.

Over 300 snowbirds from the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia escaped wintry conditions to bask in warm climes of eastern and western Philippines from February 03 to 12.

Selected destinations in the Bicol region, Puerto Princesa and Metro Manila for this year’s tour met high expectations of a travel experience unique to the Winter Escapade brand. Day One gathered all participants in a pre-tour briefing over breakfast hosted by Western Union followed by a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal Park. Philippine Ambassador to Canada, Her Excellency Petronila P. Garcia, and Liz Villasenor, Head of the Manila City Tourism Office, led the moving rites.

In Legazpi, Governor Joey Salceda and Mayor Noel Rosal welcomed the tour group upon arrival. Both officials hosted savory dinners showcasing the tourism potential and finest attractions of the province of Albay. There, the spectacular Mount Mayon lured ATV adventurers to her lava wall while the seven-tiered Busay Falls beckoned visitors spoiling for a swim in tropical springs. A two-day retreat at the de luxe Misibis Bay resort recharged the participants for more exploits along their 10-day journey.

This year’s itinerary also offered a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City and a side trip to the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex, where Governor Migz Villafuerte extended official hospitality. Many takers of the optional excursion to Bulusan Lake and lunch at the Balay Buhay sa Uma Farm in Sorsogon enjoyed the tranquility of one of region’s upcoming eco-destinations while building local capacity to receive more visitors.

Crossing over to the country’s western coast, the “escapaders” reveled in the natural attractions that made Palawan the world’s Best Island for two years in a row, based on Conde Nast Traveler’s survey. Hopping to the Cowrie, Pandan and Luli islands and visiting the famed Puerto Princesa Underground River, not to mention the cultural extravaganza staged by Mayor Lucilo Bayron, amounted to a most memorable stay for the guests.

Capping the tour, the farewell dinner hosted by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) verily lived up to the marketing campaign It’s More Fun in the Philippines.

Winter Escapade 3 breaks records for being the biggest and longest tour tailored for visitors from Canada thus far. “From the solemn to the spiritual, from refreshing rains to glorious sunny weather, from pilgrimages to fun voyages – this year’s tour had it all. We were taken to church literally and figuratively to sanctuaries nurturing the human spirit and all sorts of life. If asked to pick my favorite highlight of our tour, it would be our extended stay in Legazpi due to inclement weather. The logistical challenges of the unexpected extension brought out the best in our Winter Escapade family. It was a pity, however, to have missed the fabulous fellowship night organized by Western Union,” Ambassador Garcia observed in her closing speech.

“We deeply appreciate the hard work put in by the Tourism Promotions Board, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Tourism, our tour handler Rajah Tours, project partner Western Union, Local Government Units (LGUs), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Red Cross and provincial health officials, to make our sojourn one for the books,” she added.

Already, plans are underway to launch Winter Escapade 4 in Canada this coming summer. Interested parties are advised to await pertinent announcements from the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and Consulates General in the Atlantic Provinces, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

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Canadian Snowbirds take flight to Bicol and Palawan in Annual Winter Escapade

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