Cavite hosts 23rd ATOP nat’l convention
TAGAYTAY CITY, Cavite – Delegates to the 23rd Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) National Convention felt the warmth and hospitality of Caviteños and the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region on October 26-29, 2022.
Around 900 ATOP members and officers from different cities and municipalities in the country participated in receiving recognition for best tourism practices in the Pearl Awards and experiencing the beauty of the historic and progressive province of Cavite.
On behalf of Governor Juanito Victor C. Remulla, SP Chairperson for Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts and Public Information, Board Member Davey Christian Chua of 1st District of Cavite along with Provincial Tourism Officer Rozelle Sangalang and Cavite City Councilor Nash Aguas welcomed the attendees during the Governor’s Night held at Taal Vista Hotel on October 26.
World-class entertainment from the province’s renowned cultural performers, such as the Imusicapella Chorale Group, Bughaw Folkloric Dance Group, and the GMA Kabutenyo Dancers, was staged as the delegates savored Caviteño cuisines.
Meanwhile, in a video message, DOT (Department of Tourism) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco underscored the importance of tourism towards the country’s economic recovery and emphasized plans to improve tourism infrastructures for more resilient tourist destinations.
In addition to the event’s highlights are the recipients of the Pearl Awards in their local and very fashionable Filipiniana. These include the City of Bacoor, bagging the awards as Grand Champion for Best Tourism Promotion (Brochure), Grand Champion for Best Tourism Promotion for City Publication (Kasaysayan ng Bacoor (1671-1900): Unang Aklat, 1st Runner Up Best Tourism Oriented LGU, 1st Runner Up for Bacoor Shell Crafts as Best Tourism Promotion (Tourism Gift or Souvenirs – No Food Category), and Special Citation for City Publication – Proclamation: Philippine Independence (A Histographical Inquiry) The Truth About August 1, 1898 Bacoor Assembly; the Municipality of Naic as the 1st Runner Up for the Best Practice in Community-Based Responsible Tourism for its Pawikan Conservation and Protection Project; and the Municipality of Tanza for a Special Citation on Best Practice during a pandemic.
Tourism officers awardees Edwin B. Guinto (City of Bacoor), Lady Ann Lopez (Naic), and Constancio Pareja Jr. (Tanza) were joined by DOT IV-A OIC (Officer-in-Charge) Regional Director Marites Castro, ATOP President Arwin Lingat, and Cavite PTO Rozelle Sangalang during the ceremony held at Taal Vista Hotel on October 27.
Together with the 23 LGUs (local government units) of Cavite, mayors, and tourism officers, a day tour around five provincial circuits was organized to cap off the national event, bringing delegates to a glimpse of the past, the warmth of the people, the goodness of farm-to-table foods, the advancement on engineering with the infrastructures, and the cool breeze of Tagaytay City.
Adding more fun and completing the memorable stay of ATOP NatCon delegates in Cavite was the “Mayor’s Night” prepared by the Tagaytay City local government after the tours. City Tourism Officer Jarryd Bello delivered a message on behalf of Mayor Abraham N. Tolentino, congratulating the association for the event’s success and thanking co-tourism officers for the support and networks built.
The tour guides during the tours were the pride and product of the Cavite State University-Main Campus, Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite, and the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta-Molino Campus. The Cavite provincial government also provided free airport transfers using its own shuttle buses.
