Frasco, husband joins PATA fashion show fundraiser
RECOGNIZING the importance of the private sector in the recovery of the Philippine tourism industry, officials of the Department of Tourism (DOT) came in full force for a fund-raising gala organized by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines Chapter at the Manila Hotel on Friday evening (May 12).
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and her husband Deputy House Speaker Duke Ftasco not only joined the fashion show but also pledged P200,000 from their personal funds to back PATA’s advocacy on tourism education.
Clad in elegant and intricately weaved Filipiniana and Barong Tagalog, Frasco and her husband walked the finale of the show wearing the creation of world-renowned veteran fashion designer Renee Salud for the fashion show.
The association celebrated their golden year by raising funds through a fashion show for a cause that would help restore and rebuild communities within the three neighboring towns of the province of Laguna–Cavinti,
Lumban, and Pagsanjan—where all roads lead to the famous three-drop Pagsanjan Falls.
PATA Philippines chair Maria Paz Alberto in a speech said that for the first time, all three local chief executives of Cavinti, Lumban, and Pagsanjan, Laguna agreed to work together to reboot Pagsanjan Falls as a tourism destination as well as to help its tourism community.
With its proximity to Metro Manila, PATA said Pagsanjan has also been identified as a tourist magnet particularly for the South Korean foreign market which is currently the top source of international arrivals for the Philippines.
“Why did we choose Pagsanjan?,” Paz posed a question before 400 attendees of the gala mainly from the hospitality and aviation industries.
“We wanted to help the boatman and their families who have suffered tremendously because if we don’t have tourism, there will be no one’s going to Pagsanjan Falls. This is an opportunity for us to work together with you to support the life not just of the boatmen and their families in her family, but make it a green and sustainable community,” she explained.
Frasco assured PATA that the DOT will support the group’s program.
“I am in full support of the advocacy of PATA to help in the recovery of the Pagsanjan Falls. The Department of Tourism will not only ensure that Pagsanjan will recover but also restore its former glory as one of our key destinations in the country,” Frasco said.
