BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:
Last year, I started foydi's Treasure Hunt which launched my search for life's real treasures which included our country's natural wonders. It documented my journeys to Batanes, Tubbataha and recalled my trip to Bohol, where Panglao Island is. And it was a wonderful experience for me as it immortalized my life changing experiences in this places. If you've been reading my blog since I started, you'll know that I am passionate about championing our country's heritage - nature and culture.
That's why the Philippine Gems campaign of Isla Lipana is close to me. (To know more about the Philippine Gems campaign, please click this http://digitista.blogspot.com/2013/07/join-search-for-philippine-gems-next.html). It just matched what I am really passionate about. And I was very happy to witness its culmination where it finally announced the winning 10 Philippine Gems that the public voted, the country's next mainstream tourist attractions.
The 10 Philippine Gems are:
10. Batanes
http://digitista.blogspot.com/2012/03/da-best-sa-batanes-tadi-goes-to-batanes.html
http://digitista.blogspot.com/2012/04/treasure-find-21-breathtaking-batanes.html
http://digitista.blogspot.com/2012/04/treasure-find-23-journey-to-lost-island.html
8. Panglao
http://digitista.blogspot.com/2010/09/when-i-fall-for-cebu-and-bohol.html
7. Danjugan
6. Mt. Kanlaon
5. Biri
4. Caramoan
3. Tubbataha
http://digitista.blogspot.com/2012/06/treasure-find-28-expedition-to-world-of.html
2. Lake Sebu
1. Calaguas
It was really a heart stopping moment as these destinations were unveiled. Four of the ten destinations have been a part of my life: Batanes, Tubbataha, Panglao and Calaguas. And I'll definitely visit the rest of the 10 starting with Lake Sebu and perhaps Danjugan afterwards. :)
These destinations were chosen from an initial list of 25 by the public through online voting, which was open from June 26 to September 25.
“The search for the ten Phillippine Gems envisions the upholding of both domestic and foreign tourism that would hopefully encourage business investments,” said Isla Lipana & Co. Chairman and Senior Partner, Atty. Alexander Cabrera. “The Philippine Gems steers awareness and appreciation for the country’s pristine and natural sites, even the underdeveloped ones. In our modest way, we aim for these places to gain local and international attention, and in due course, greater economic activity.”
The project was made possible with the help of the Philippine Tourism and Promotion Board of the Department of Tourism and the University of the Philippines - Asia Institute of Tourism, which were part of the screening committee together with representatives from the Management Association of the Philippines and FleishmanHillard Manila, travel blogger James Betia and media personalities Love Añover and Jing Lejano and ace director, Jose Javier Reyes.
The firm started with a list 175 destinations gathered from their employees and online travel bloggers and trimmed this down to 50. The screening committee agreed on a shortlist of 25 destinations which were opened to public online voting to determine the ten Philippine Gems.
There you go, the top 10 Philippine Gems are now revealed! Next step is for the government and private sector to work together to improve access to these sites and for Filipino citizens to promote and patronize these Philippine gems! :)
For more information about the Philippine Gems, visit www.philippinegems.com.
Philippine Gems, TaDified!
And that's the foydi way! :)
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