Philippine Tourism turns 50 this month, and to celebrate such a momentous milestone, industry stakeholders gather in a night of glamor, fashion, and philanthropy.
A spectacular fashion show dazzled the Ballroom of The Manila Hotel as Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) – Philippines Chapter celebrated the golden anniversary of Philippine Tourism. PATA GALA – A Fashion Show with a Heart gathered the leading names in the industry for a night of fashion to raise funds for the organization’s noble projects.
Proceeds from the PATA Gala will benefit dozens of Tourism scholars currently enrolled in various universities in Metro Manila. Part of the proceeds will also help support Pagsanjan Falls boatmen community to upskill and recover from almost three years of zero earnings due to the pandemic. PATA – Philippines Chapter, in partnership with the Department of Tourism, is also working with the local government units of Cavinti, Lumban & Pagsanjan, Laguna to revitalize the famous Pagsanjan Falls as a prime tourist destination.
Highlighting the fashion show are brilliant creations of promising young designers from the Fashion Institute of the Philippines and celebrity designers Renee Salud and Philip Rodriguez. The ramp featured 20 leading personalities in the tourism scene garbed in beautiful Philippine textiles and weaves.
Gracing the runway were Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco; Tourism Promotions Board COO Marga Nograles; Hotel 101 Global Group GM Geraldine Gomez; Megaworld Hotels & Resorts MD Cleofe Albiso; Davao Tourism Association VP Nicole Ledesma; Conrad Manila Commercial Director Joanne Gomez; Bluewater Resorts VP Sales & Marketing Margie Munsayac; PATA Philippines Chapter Chair Pat Alberto; PAL VP Marketing Ria Domingo; Chroma Hospitality Group VP Sales & Marketing Carmela Bocanegra; and Okada Manila VP Sales & Marketing Cielo Reboredo.
Deputy House Speaker Congressman Duke Frasco; Civil Service Commission Chair Karlo Nograles; PAL COO & President Capt. Stanley Ng; PAL Manager Brian Solis; Air Asia Financial Officer Ray Berja; PAL VP Sales Bud Britanico; Hotel 101 Global Senior Sales Manager Philip Olimpiada; Air Asia Spokesperson Steve Dailisan; and DOT Usec. Shalimar Tamano also paraded down the ramp.
Cocktails featuring Philippine Craft Spirits by Destileria Limtuaco preceded the event. Guests enjoyed some Grassy Summer which is a blend of Destileria Limtuaco’s infamous Paradise Mango Rum, Napoleon VSOP, Orchid Crème de Banana, matcha syrup, and milk. Meanwhile, Magic Manille Tonic and Super Margarita, both interesting spins to Destileria’s Manille Liquor line, were also served.
Alongside the cocktail is a silent auction of expensive jewelry, deluxe tour packages, and international airline tickets. A customary raffle of valuable luxury hotel packages, airline tickets, and lifestyle gadgets also hyped the crowd. Later in the gala, Tourism Secretary Frasco shared that the tourism industry is bouncing back faster than expected and that the country is well on its way to experiencing the pre-pandemic volume of visitors.
The gala dinner and fashion show were a huge success and a fitting celebration of the 50th anniversary of Philippine Tourism. The PATA Gala was made possible with the full support of the Department of Tourism, Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority, Tourism Promotions Board, Destileria Limtuaco & Co. Inc., The Manila Hotel, Magical Gems,
PAGCOR, Henann Resorts, Philippine Airlines, Engkanto Brewery, Cebu Pacific, Wear Your Culture, Deluks Turizm, and Infinite Travel.
PATA is the largest travel organization in the world, with a membership of close to 10,000 coming from 55 chapters in different countries. The Philippines Chapter has existed since 1973 and is the only tourism organization in the country with tourism schools as members.
