Fifty-nine (59) participants from Hawaii are all ready to embark on a week-long tour to the Philippines on 10-16 July 2017, called the 11th Ambassadors Tour.

On 30 June 2017, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu  held a pre-departure briefing and send-off for participants to the 11th Ambassadors Tour at the Philippine Consulate General.

Almost half of the attendees are first-time participants of the annual tour, a departure from previous tours, wherein most of the delegates were repeat participants.

The briefing and send-off started with three video presentations:  (1) DOT’s “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” promotional video; (2) Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo’s message for the tour participants; and (3) and a video message made especially for Hawaii participants from Major General Noel Clement, Philippine Army assigned in Mindanao. In his video message, MGen. Clement assured the participants that security measures are being arranged by his team to ensure a safe and enjoyable tour to Davao.

In her remarks, Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin thanked the participants for signing up for the tour, and congratulated everyone, especially Post’s partner travel consolidators Aloha Travel, Everlasting Travel, Noble Travel and Panda Travel, as well as the Philippine Airlines for their efforts in promoting the tour, among their friends and families, making the Ambassadors Tour the most sought-after tour to the Philippines in the United States. She also announced that Hawaii participants make up a third of the entire tour delegation from the US, eliciting cheers from the audience.

Consul Joyleen Santos and Mr. Jeffrey de Mesa, Protocol and Community Officer, provided a thorough presentation of the 5-day program and some friendly reminders and tips, including prescribed attire, travel arrangements, Philippine climate and currency exchange.

Consul General Jamoralin and the consolidators also fielded questions from the participants during the Question and Answer segment. (END).