Officials of Cavite—city and municipal executives, legislators and tourism stakeholders alike—came in full force during the organization and execution of the province’s program as part of the Calabarzon feature for the Philippine Tourism Showroom, held last Tuesday and Wednesday at the Department of Tourism Building in Makati City.
Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said that as a “historic and picturesque province at the doorstep of Manila,” Cavite is conducive for both business and leisure.
With Tagaytay as the main tourist center “for a long time,” Teo said Cavite’s towns and other cities have been competing for the travelers’ interest “with their varied attractions from rivers, springs, beaches, waterfalls, mountains, farms, parks and forests, to historical landmarks, museums, golf courses and Baroque churches.”
Cultural events and festivals are celebrated monthly in each of the 16 towns and seven cities of the province to promote their local products and their legacies, said DOT-Region IV-A Director Rebecca Labit.
Labit said the “centuries-old traditions and rich culture” of Cavite are the source of great pride to Caviteños. Part of it is the significance of Cavite as the cradle of the Philippine Revolution of 1898 and as the last bastion of defense during World War II, she added.
She encouraged DoT employees and walk-in visitors at the showroom to buy more Cavite-made products, as well as visit the province’s tourist destinations.
Some of the export products on sale included crunchy chips made from banaba, lagundi, ginger, malunggay, ampalaya, onion, garlic, and mussels, as Cavite is one of the Philippines’ biggest producers of seafood.
There were also pineapple candies, pickled papaya and vegetables, mangosteen and turmeric teas, as well as “Sosmaryosep” brand hot chili sauce and “Emperor’s Juice,” an 18-in-1 herbal mix powder.
Support was extended by the Cavite Provincial Tourism Board, Inc., Cavite Travel and Tours Association, Association of Tourism Officers and Coordinators of Cavite, and the Cavite Association of Hotel and Resorts, including Microtel Inn and Suites-South Forbes, which donated gift certificates as raffle prizes during the program.
Internationally-recognized Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay provided complimentary spa treatments and samples of their wellness menu, patterned after Filipino and other Asian traditions.
Food and drinks including the best Amadeo coffee were served throughout the program through the courtesy of the municipal governments of Maragondon, Indang and Mendez, as well as the city government of Imus.