Advisories & News
Press Release
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO, DOT LAUNCH THE BISITA, BE MY GUEST AND INVITE FILIPINOS IN CANADA TO BE TOURISM AMBASSADORS
2024-09-03
DOT Assistant Secretary Maria Rica C. Bueno provides an overview of the BBMG program
23 and 25 August 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) successfully launched the Love The Philippines campaign and Bisita, Be My Guest (BBMG) program in back-to-back events — a dinner reception on 23 August at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto and during the Mabuhay Festival organized by the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) at Nathan Phillips Square on 25 August.
The BBMG encourages Filipinos to invite their foreign friends and family members to visit the Philippines. In addition to the scenic destinations, exciting adventures, and warm hospitality that await travelers, DOT Assistant Secretary Maria Rica C. Bueno shared in her presentation that the program also offers the Filipino participants and their guests and invitees a chance to win special prizes in the next and final raffle draw in December. These include a condominium unit, holiday packages, roundtrip airline tickets, and shopping sprees.
The official program at the Four Seasons Hotel included a message from Consul General Angelica C. Escalona and video messages from Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The Philippine officials highlighted tourism as an important pillar for recovery post-pandemic and the invaluable role that overseas Filipinos can play in promoting the unique Filipino brand of service excellence.
Dinner reception attendees and festival goers were treated to lively performances by Philippines-based artists Poppert A. Bernadas, CJ Kaamiño and Princess Virtudazo, and Canada-based Ontario Streetdance Stars and the Culture Philippines of Ontario, trivia games about the Philippines, and raffle prizes and giveaways. Guests also experienced the flavors of Filipino homestyle cooking as part of the sumptuous buffet spread at Four Seasons Hotel and Pinoy street food from the Filipino and Filipino-Canadian vendors at the Mabuhay Festival.
The BBMG program runs until 30 November 2024. Details are available on the official website: https://bbmg.philippines.travel/.
L-R: Filipino artists CJ Kaamiño, Poppert A. Bernadas, and Princess Virtudazo showcase Filipino musicality; Program host Adriana Agcaoili asks guests trivia questions about the Philippines
L-R: Consul General Angelica Escalona (center), DOT ASec Bueno (4th from right) and Tourism Attaché Francisco Lardizabal (4th from left) with Consulate partners from the Filipino community; Consul General Escalona (2nd from left) with members of the Filipino community