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Finding faith in the Philippines

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MANILA, 19 March 2018: The Philippines will tap faith and farm tourism potential following a recent decision to establish a tourism department to head promotions.

A new Faith and Farm Tourism Undersecretary, Marco Bautista, has been appointed to head the new tourism initiative and lead promotions.

New promotional activities focusing on “faith tourism” were launched at the weekend when Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo urged the public to visit faith-based tourism destinations and participate in activities during the religious period of Lent.

The tourism chief made the appeal for domestic travellers to support faith tourism destinations during a press briefing in Manila at the weekend.

She emphasised the tourism department would present faith tourism to a worldwide travel audience capitalising on the fact that the Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia.

Teo noted that following the creation of the tourism segments, Faith and Farm tourism, “the DOT is now poised to go full swing to back effort to promote faith tourism destinations this year.”

It is highlighting festivals and various Filipino traditions that will encompass a holistic pilgrimage experience.

Saying she has given tourism officials their marching orders to focus on the promotion of faith-based tourism she noted faith tourism products would distinguish the different regions and focus in the Philippines being the only Catholic country.

Among the destinations and activities mentioned by the tourism chief are the shrines of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan, all of which are on the list of top recommended faith destinations in Ilocos a region encompassing the northwest coast of Luzon island.   Known officially as region I, it is where the Nuestra Señora De La Asuncion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located.

For pilgrims who are to partake in the Visita Iglesia in Cagayan Valley, Teo noted that the region has created packages highlighting religious excursions in the provinces.

“Mimaropa is known for its famous Moriones Tableau, a century old tradition in Marinduque staged during the week-long celebration of the Holy Week, where locals would perform a re-enactment of Christ’s passion and death, with Longinus as the other central character, showing a glimpse of the province’s religious history.

Teo explained that western Visayas highlights the  Holy Week celebrations in Bacolod City, Talisay City and Valladolid, while Bacolod City is known for “Kalbaryo sang Krus”, a street drama portraying the suffering and death of Jesus.

The tourism chief encouraged pilgrims to visit the historic churches of Silay and Cadiz City, and participate in the Worship Festival, Pamalandong sa Tamborong, and Taltal in Iloilo and Guimaras.

She invited tourists to visit the shrines and churches of Misamis, Lanao, Bukidnon, Camiguin in Northern Mindanao.

“The Sunken Cemetery of Camiguin is a must-see for tourists and pilgrims alike, as well as the St. John the Baptist Church, a known heritage site in Misamis Occidental. The region also celebrates a number of religious festivals for the Holy Week celebration, namely the Feast of the Divine Mercy, Hinuklog, Panaad and Patunob Festival,” Teo explained.

“It is interesting to note that Dipolog City in western Mindanao will be staging its annual Katkat Sakripisyo on Good Friday, a depiction of the passion, suffering and death of Christ in Linabo Peak, where pilgrims will complete the 3, 003-step katkat (climb) until the last of the 14 stations of the cross.”

Meanwhile, Metro Manila residents who want to avoid the exodus of travellers going to the provinces, may opt to visit Intramuros where the Visita Iglesia, Senakulo and Via Crucis will be held from 29 March (Maundy Thursday) and 30 (Good Friday.

The Intramuros Administration has laid down the activities for the Holy Week celebration in Intramuros on 29 to 31 Marh, following Teo’s call to restore the vibrancy of the historical site.

“Indeed the Philippines – diverse as it is in religion, and recorded as the biggest catholic country in Asia, has many facets of development that will further boost our visitor arrivals, which will pave the way for the creation of more jobs and needed revenue for our country,” she said.

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