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Press Release
CONSUL GENERAL LEADS THE PARTICIPANTS FROM THE US MIDWEST TO THE 2025 VERY IMPORTANT PINOY (VIP) TOUR – NEXT GEN
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano, together with Consul Ella Karina Mitra, successfully led the US Midwest contingent in the 2025 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour - Next Gen, showcasing the Philippines' premier destinations to participants from across the region. The delegation included participants from Chicago, Missouri, and from Indiana.
The comprehensive tour took the group to three distinct Philippine destinations: Manila, Siargao, and Puerto Princesa, offering participants a diverse experience of the country's cultural heritage, natural beauty, and modern hospitality.
The tour commenced in Manila with a meaningful flag raising ceremony and wreath laying at Luneta Park, honoring the nation's history and national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Participants then had the opportunity to choose from several optional cultural tours, including visits to historic Binondo, the renowned Ayala Museum, the American Memorial Cemetery, the centuries-old walls of Intramuros, and the National Museum, providing a rich introduction to Philippine culture and history.
In Siargao, the group explored the island's most celebrated natural attractions. Highlights included visits to the spectacular Magpupungko Tidal Pool, the scenic Coconut Plantation Viewpoint, and the pristine Secret Beach. The delegation also enjoyed island hopping adventures, visiting the popular Naked Beach, Daku Island, and Guyam Island, experiencing the renowned beauty of this surfing capital.
The final destination, Puerto Princesa, featured a tour of the world-famous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Throughout the journey, participants were treated to authentic Filipino cuisine, sampling the rich culinary traditions that make Philippine food culture unique and memorable.
All participants from the US Midwest provided overwhelmingly positive feedback, praising the exceptional service from Rajah Tours staff, local guides, and hotel personnel, as well as the thoughtfully selected destinations and seamless logistical coordination throughout the tour. The high level of satisfaction demonstrates the continued success of the VIP Tour program in promoting Philippine tourism and strengthening cultural connections.
The 2025 VIP Tour continues the Philippine government's commitment to showcasing the country's world-class destinations while fostering stronger ties between the Philippines and the Filipino-American community in the US.
Photo 2: Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano (2nd from right) joins DFA-Office of American Affairs
Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano and the other Consuls General from the different PH Foreign Service
Posts in the US, led by Consul General Arman Talbo of Honolulu PCG, the lead coordinator for this year’s
VIP Tour.
Photo 3: Consul General Diano (3rd from right, front), together with Consul Ella Karina Mitra (3rd from
left) poses with the delegation from the US Midwest after the wreath laying ceremony at Rizal Park.
Photo 4: A showcase of the different traditional PH dances at the Welcome Dinner hosted by the Tourism
Promotions Board for the delegates of the 2025 VIP Tour.
Photo 5: Consul General Diano (4th from right), Consul General Senen Mangalile and his wife (3rd and 4th
from left, respectively), and the rest of the participants of the VIP Tour – Next Gen receive a warm
welcome in Siargao
Photos 6 (top) and 7 (bottom): Participants enjoy a quick stop at the Magpupungko Tidal Pool and the scenic
Coconut Plantation Viewpoint
Photo 8: At the Welcome Dinner hosted by Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers for the
VIP Tour – Next Gen participants. Generel Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga and Vice Mayor Romina Sajulga
(3rd and 5th from left, seated) grace the dinner.
Photo 9: The VIP Tour Next Gen participants receive a warm welcome in Puerto Princesa
Photo 10: Consul General Diano, Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer of San Francisco PCG, and Consul
General Rosario Lemque of Agana PCG (rightmost), together with other participants of the VIP Tour, at
the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Photo 11: the partiicipants go on an island hopping tour in Palawan
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano, together with Consul Ella Karina Mitra, successfully led the US Midwest contingent in the 2025 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour - Next Gen, showcasing the Philippines' premier destinations to participants from across the region. The delegation included participants from Chicago, Missouri, and from Indiana.
The comprehensive tour took the group to three distinct Philippine destinations: Manila, Siargao, and Puerto Princesa, offering participants a diverse experience of the country's cultural heritage, natural beauty, and modern hospitality.
The tour commenced in Manila with a meaningful flag raising ceremony and wreath laying at Luneta Park, honoring the nation's history and national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Participants then had the opportunity to choose from several optional cultural tours, including visits to historic Binondo, the renowned Ayala Museum, the American Memorial Cemetery, the centuries-old walls of Intramuros, and the National Museum, providing a rich introduction to Philippine culture and history.
In Siargao, the group explored the island's most celebrated natural attractions. Highlights included visits to the spectacular Magpupungko Tidal Pool, the scenic Coconut Plantation Viewpoint, and the pristine Secret Beach. The delegation also enjoyed island hopping adventures, visiting the popular Naked Beach, Daku Island, and Guyam Island, experiencing the renowned beauty of this surfing capital.
The final destination, Puerto Princesa, featured a tour of the world-famous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Throughout the journey, participants were treated to authentic Filipino cuisine, sampling the rich culinary traditions that make Philippine food culture unique and memorable.
All participants from the US Midwest provided overwhelmingly positive feedback, praising the exceptional service from Rajah Tours staff, local guides, and hotel personnel, as well as the thoughtfully selected destinations and seamless logistical coordination throughout the tour. The high level of satisfaction demonstrates the continued success of the VIP Tour program in promoting Philippine tourism and strengthening cultural connections.
The 2025 VIP Tour continues the Philippine government's commitment to showcasing the country's world-class destinations while fostering stronger ties between the Philippines and the Filipino-American community in the US.
Photo 2: Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano (2nd from right) joins DFA-Office of American Affairs
Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano and the other Consuls General from the different PH Foreign Service
Posts in the US, led by Consul General Arman Talbo of Honolulu PCG, the lead coordinator for this year’s
VIP Tour.
Photo 3: Consul General Diano (3rd from right, front), together with Consul Ella Karina Mitra (3rd from
left) poses with the delegation from the US Midwest after the wreath laying ceremony at Rizal Park.
Photo 4: A showcase of the different traditional PH dances at the Welcome Dinner hosted by the Tourism
Promotions Board for the delegates of the 2025 VIP Tour.
Photo 5: Consul General Diano (4th from right), Consul General Senen Mangalile and his wife (3rd and 4th
from left, respectively), and the rest of the participants of the VIP Tour – Next Gen receive a warm
welcome in Siargao
Photos 6 (top) and 7 (bottom): Participants enjoy a quick stop at the Magpupungko Tidal Pool and the scenic
Coconut Plantation Viewpoint
Photo 8: At the Welcome Dinner hosted by Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers for the
VIP Tour – Next Gen participants. Generel Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga and Vice Mayor Romina Sajulga
(3rd and 5th from left, seated) grace the dinner.
Photo 9: The VIP Tour Next Gen participants receive a warm welcome in Puerto Princesa
Photo 10: Consul General Diano, Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer of San Francisco PCG, and Consul
General Rosario Lemque of Agana PCG (rightmost), together with other participants of the VIP Tour, at
the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Photo 11: the partiicipants go on an island hopping tour in Palawan