DOT unfurls the region’s treasure trove of culture, nature, and hospitality
Noting its proximity to Metro Manila, the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon collectively known as CALABARZON, offer a quick respite for travelers looking for the sun and sea offerings of the Philippines.
Spanning more than 16,000 square kilometers, CALABARZON is one of the most geographically diverse regions in the country. Bordered by Manila Bay in the west, Metro Manila, Bulacan, and Aurora in the north, Bicol in the east, and the Isla Verde Passage in the south, each province in the region is composed of different environments ranging from low coastal areas to rugged mountainous ones.
This explains why during the weekends thousands of travelers flock to Tagaytay, hike to the mountains of Rizal, dilly dally on the beaches of Batangas, and feast on the culinary delights of Quezon.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) aims to deepen this connection with CALABARZON through the “Philippine Experience: Culture, Heritage, and the Arts Caravan” (PEP).
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco sees the Philippine Experience as a window to the very heart and soul of the Philippines.
“There are countless reasons to fall in love with the Philippines, and CALABARZON encapsulates them all. Tourists visiting this region will be captivated by its breathtaking natural landscapes, vibrant cultural heritage, and distinct delectable cuisine,” said DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco. “Of course, all these experiences in CALABARZON are elevated by the genuine warmth and hospitality of its people.”
The PEP is one of the flagship projects of Secretary Frasco which aims to make tourism a reliable pillar for economic growth built on the strength of the country’s unique history, diverse cultures and heritage, and the world-renowned Filipino hospitality, a vision of the Marcos Administration.
The DOT patterned the project after Cebu’s Suroy Suroy Sugbo, showcasing the province’s cultural sites, festivals, as well as its delicacies and products. The CALABARZON leg is the second Philippine Experience for the year with the first one in Davao which aims to lift the travel advisories against Mindanao.
For this trip, the DOT through its CALABARZON Regional office invited members of the diplomatic corps, the media, travel and tourism stakeholders, and delegates from other government agencies on a three-day curated trip from September 30 to October 2.
There were invited participants from the embassies of Japan, China, Indonesia, and India as they were identified as the biggest tourist markets for CALABARZON. According to Regional Director Maritess Castro, the said region recorded 4,234,071 overnight tourists from January to June, higher by 12.97 percent from the same period last year. The region also recorded 57,543,260 same-day arrivals, higher by 129.18 percent in 2022.
DAY ONE: History and Celebration
The journey started with a historic tour of the Philippines’ first President, Emilio Aguinaldo. The house, still fronting the iconic veranda where President Aguinaldo read the Declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, has preserved relics of the Spanish occupation and early American colonization, the participants gathered as the Philippine flag was raised in front of the historical structure.
After the ceremonies, the guests were treated to a traditional Magdalo breakfast consisting of salsa, tapa, tinapang sardinas, tortang itlog with burong mustasa, and kesong puti.
For the next stop, the group went to the City of Bacoor to celebrate the city’s 352nd founding anniversary through the Bakood Festival. Declared as the Marching Band Capital of the Philippines, the festival celebrates its rich musical heritage and is the birthplace of the oldest living marching bands in the country. About 47 marching bands from all over the country braved the blazing heat to showcase their colors, musical acumen, and choreography which delighted the guests as well as thousands of residents at the Bacoor Oval Track and Field.
“Habang nakita ko po yong inyong mga marching bands, all 47 of whom have distinguished themselves in various musical notes that you played, to the movements, and everything. I thought to myself that with every march that was taken, with every beat of the drum, with every note that has been played, and with every flag that has been raised, you are the reasons why we have the courage and the daring to say, world, Love the Philippines!” Frasco exclaimed.
After the festivities, the guests were taken to the charming heritage town of Taal, where the largest Roman Catholic church in Asia, the Minor Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours, awestruck the guests with its majestic vista accented by sunset hues for a picturesque view of the town. Aside from the church, the town is known for its well-preserved heritage houses which are common backdrops to historical movie scenes.
“The town of Taal is very historical. Everything is here, including food and old houses. Among all these things, Taal is one of the few towns in the Philippines that has preserved its heritage,” proudly shared by Taal Mayor Fulgencio Mercardo.
The immersive tour of the PEP continued with an enlightening showcase of its famous products, the balisong, and the panutsa delicacies, Batangas’ most cherished products which were also given a demonstration on how to use and manufacture.
According to Secretary Frasco, The Philippine Experience aims to give guests an opportunity to see and feel the many reasons to love the Philippines.
“From the church to the heritage houses to the needlework and embroidery of the ladies that made the barongs, to the delicious food, the peanut brittle, the merienda, these details that you have gotten to know about Taal are precisely the reason why we have staged the Philippine Experience,” Frasco enthused.
DAY TWO: Cuisine and Culture
For day two, the thriving coconut industry in Laguna took the spotlight where participants enjoyed an interactive cooking tour at Casa San Pablo. Known as the “Tree of Life,” the coconut’s potential has been harnessed extensively in Laguna to produce a variety of products, ranging from wine and vinegar to sweet delicacies and culinary dishes.
After that, the delegates were taken to Tiaong, Quezon, where they would experience traditional provincial life in a hacienda in Villa Escudero. Villa Escudero Plantations was founded in 1872 by Don Plácido Escudero and his wife, Doña Claudia Marasigan. Originally a sugar cane plantation, the crop was converted to coconut by their son, Don Arsenio Escudero, in the early 1900s. Currently, the plantation is run by the Villas Escudero Foundation as a tourist attraction where visitors can go on engaging activities like carabao riding, lunch by a man-made waterfall, and cultural shows prepared by the employees of the Villa Escudero Foundation. The 800-hectare plantation and resort has a worldwide reputation as a showcase for the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage, offering a captivating glimpse of its history, cuisine, dress, customs, and natural beauty.
The cultural show is an absolute must-see attraction when visiting the plantation, as it offers an enthralling and unforgettable experience. This captivating spectacle features a mesmerizing display of traditional folk dances, performed with grace and passion by the talented resort employees and their children. This extraordinary performance is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region and has been painstakingly recreated under the artistic guidance of the late National Artist for Dance, Ramon Obusan. Renowned for his contributions to the cultural landscape of the Philippines, Ramon Obusan’s involvement in crafting this show ensures that it embodies authenticity and excellence.
In the day’s final activity, the delegates were taken to the Quezon Provincial Capitol to officially welcome them to Quezon, followed by the much-awaited fashion and cultural show. Tagayan is a traditional indigenous custom where visitors are offered shot glasses of the famed coconut wine, Lambanog, as a heartfelt welcome aimed at nurturing friendship, diplomacy, and camaraderie among those who venture to Quezon.
With everyone clad in their best Filipiniana attire, the evening was marked by glitz and glamor as the night concluded as Quezonian models flaunted intricate and elaborate Filipiniana gowns and modern Barong Tagalog by fashion designers from the region. It was an unforgettable night of celebration of everything “Quezon”
DAY THREE: Carving and Crafting
The third and final day brought participants closer to nature with an exhilarating “shoot the rapids” adventure at the Pagsanjan Gorge National Park. Here, PEP attendees boarded the small canoe-like boats and treated themselves to a visual feast of nature’s wonders surrounding them. After a one-hour canoe ride, the guests were then invited to ride a raft leading up to the Cavinti Falls where many enjoyed seconds after a hard massage under the waterfalls.
The journey continued to Paete, Laguna, known as the “Art Capital of Laguna” and the “Carving Capital of the Philippines.” Participants witnessed the meticulous craftsmanship of skilled Paete craftsmen as they demonstrated their wood-crafting prowess. The delegates were given a history lesson in Paete Church, known for its huge and exquisite collection of images depicting the Passion of Christ, its century-old paintings, and wooden images of saints.
In its last stop, the delegates were taken to the small embroidery town of Lumban, Laguna. A cultural performance by the town’s youth welcomed the delegates which narrates the story and livelihood of Lumban. The town is known for its rich embroidery industry famous for intricate designs of the Filipiniana and Barong Tagalog. These traditional Filipino garments are crafted and handmade by talented local artisans.
To wrap up the three-day tour, a dinner program was held at Ted’s Kitchen in Santa Cruz, Laguna, the birthplace of “kesong puti” (white cheese). This dinner featured a delectable array of native dishes from Laguna, providing the perfect conclusion to the PEP CALABARZON journey.
With the three-day tour experience in CALABARZON, Minister, and Consul-General of the Embassy of Japan, Hanada Takahiro, shared his thoughts, saying, “I am thoroughly enjoying the Philippine experience. The people here are very warm and friendly. CALABARZON boasts many beautiful and interesting places, and it is rich in culture. But what I appreciate most is the hospitality of the Filipino people.”
Likewise, Political Attaché to India, Shikha Kumari, added, “I think all the places are very good, especially the churches. The food is also good, but what I love the most is the love of the Filipinos and the hospitality they provide.”
This leg of the Philippine Experience caravan gave a preview of how tourists — local and foreign — can fall in love and be captivated by the charm of CALABARZON (and the Philippines, too!). There is no other experience elsewhere in the world that has all these mixes, making it not only memorable but truly one for the books.
“The Philippine Experience is one of DOT’s proudest endeavors, highlighting not only the region’s best offerings, but also the province’s rich cultures and our greatest asset, the Filipino people. We extend this invitation for everyone- Filipinos and foreigners alike, to experience our country region by region; marvel at our sounds, sights, gastronomy, heritage and culture, and the plethora of reasons to love the Philippines!” concludes the tourism chief.