The Department of Tourism (DOT) recently brought guests of the Philippine Experience Program (PEP) to Sorsogon to witness the grand opening of the Kasanggayahan Festival.
Delivering her keynote address before guests at the Sorsogon Capitol Gymnasium, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco shared her excitement in joining Sorsoganons in this momentous occasion.
“The celebration of the Kasanggayahan Festival exemplifies the Filipino identity, so this reflects an unshakable total happiness that is derived from a strong sense of community, a reverence for faith and family, and a profound gratitude for the blessings of the province’s natural bounty and beauty. We are here to celebrate Sorsogon with you,” Frasco enthused.
“Kailangan talaga na ipaabot natin, iparating natin sa lahat ng sulok ng Pilipinas ang biyaya ng turismo.”
“Sa simula pa lang po ng administrasyon ng ating Presidente, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., nasabi na po niya na prioridad ng kanyang administrasyon ang turismo. Dahil kita po niya kung gaano kahalaga ‘yung turismo sa ating ekonomiya. Kaya naman po ‘yung direktiba niya sa amin sa Department of Tourism is na kailangan talaga na ipaabot natin, iparating natin sa lahat ng sulok ng Pilipinas ang biyaya ng turismo,” the tourism chief added.
In fulfilling the President’s directive to spread tourism opportunities across the country’s regions, the DOT launched the Philippine Experience Program (PEP), a cultural, heritage, and arts caravan that seeks to introduce tourists, both international and domestic, to the heart and soul of the Filipino.
Through festivals such as the Kasanggayahan, food, products of local communities, and immersions with the local communities are part of the experience.
As she thanked the Provincial Government of Sorsogon led by its Governor Edwin “Boboy” Hamor for extending a warm welcome to the delegates of the PEP Bicol, the tourism head said “We view our local government units as our partners for tourism development. And it is our hope that in mounting the Philippine Experience here in Sorsogon, which will also take us to the province of Albay, that we can reawaken the world to the beauty of Sorsogon and the entire Bicol region, and that we can partner and collaborate in uplifting the standards of tourism for the Philippines.”
“It is our hope that by bringing the Philippine Experience to the consciousness of the world, that we can also introduce them to the many reasons to love Sorsogon, to love the Bicol Region.”
“Everywhere that I have gone in this beautiful archipelago of ours–nakarating na po tayo sa Ilocos Norte, Tawi-Tawi, pati na rin po syempre, sa Cebu, sa Bohol, Palawan, at Sultan Kudarat, and many other places in our country–I have observed that all of us Filipinos hold one thing in common: we all Love the Philippines. And there are so many reasons to Love the Philippines in our provinces, cities, and municipalities, and it is our hope that by bringing the Philippine Experience to the consciousness of the world, that we can also introduce them to the many reasons to love Sorsogon, to love the Bicol Region,” Frasco stressed.
She likewise extended the DOT’s gratitude to Senator Chiz Escudero for his support to the Department’s initiatives including Love the Philippines tourism campaign.
Considered as one of the biggest festivals in the Bicol region, the Kasanggayahan Festival brings great pride to Sorsoganons each year.
In October 2019, amid celebrating the Kasanggayahan Festival, the Province of Sorsogon made history and bagged the Guinness World Record for the Largest Filipino Folk Dance Performance, with 7,127 dancers from Sorsogon City and all 14 municipalities of the province performing the Pantomina Sa Tinampo, a traditional Bicolano dance of love and courtship, along the picturesque Rompeolas Baywalk and the streets of Magsaysay and Rizal.
Just recently, the Kasanggayahan Festival was also recognized as the Grand Winner of the Best Festival Award at the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP)-DOT 24th Pearl Awards held in Boracay Island.
Following the program to formally open the month-long festivities, the Provincial Government of Sorsogon delighted DOT officials and delegates of the PEP with a taste of authentic Bicolano food and delicacies.
Also present to welcome the delegates were Vice Governor Krunimar “Jun” Escudero, Jr., 1st District Representative Marie Bernadette Escudero, 2nd District Representative Wowo Fortes, Jr., and provincial and local stakeholders.
