RP hilot, adobo catch attention in New York tourism fest

MANILA, Philippines – Hilot, the traditional Filipino massage, and adobo, a traditional culinary favorite, made waves at a recent travel show in New York, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

The DFA website (www.dfa.gov.ph) said Wednesday this was part of an aggressive tourism campaign to promote the Philippines as a major tourism destination.

"The Philippine booth ... featured the Philippine traditional massage, hilot, to make the public aware of the country’s health and wellness attractions. Two Filipino physical therapists gave free five-minute massage sessions to guests which proved to be one of the major attractions at the Travel Show," the DFA said.

On the other hand, Philippine cuisine was featured prominently at the Philippine booth.

"Award-winning Filipino chefs and cookbook authors, Amy Besa and Romy Dorotan of Cendrillon Restaurant in New York, gave a presentation on Philippine cuisine and held a 15-minute cooking demonstration on Filipino adobo," it said.

The Philippine Consulate General, working with the Office of the Philippine Tourism Representative in New York, participated in the 6th Annual New York Times Travel Show last Feb. 6 to 8.

"The Philippines set up a booth that projected the country as both eco-tourism and adventure site, and health and wellness destination. Brochures and information materials about Palawan, Boracay and Cebu were handed out to visitors," the DFA said.

Following the Filipinos' presentation, visitors were treated to complimentary Filipino food and drinks such as ensaymada, pan de sal with adobo filling, and cool fruit juices of various flavors (e.g. mango, calamansi, guyabano).

“Mangorind," a candied puree made of mango and tamarind made popular in Cebu, was also distributed to guests throughout the event.

Manning the Philippine booth during the entire event were DOT Tourism Director Emma Ruth Yulo-Kitiyakara and her staff.

The Consulate helped DOT-NY in sourcing fruit juices from Fil-Am stores. PCG NY officers also stayed in the Philippine booth on the second day of the event.

The 2009 New York Times Travel Show attracted about 500 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors, including travel writers and travel agents, from all over the United States.

Meanwhile, food connoisseur, travel writer, director and producer Anthony Bourdain featured the Philippines and its cuisine on his show “No Reservations" last Feb. 16 on the Travel Channel.

Reruns were played for the next two weeks.

During the program, Bourdain and his Filipino chef-cum-guides showed interesting cuisine places in the Philippines, such as Chinatown, Pampanga and Cebu.

Marketing, cooking and eating of local delicacies such as sinigang, pansit palabok, kinilaw, and kare-kare were meticulously presented.

Claude Tayag of Pampanga was among those who guided Bourdain to the tastes and flavors of Philippine food.

Another initiative of PCG NY to promote tourism in the Philippines was Philippine Center facing 5th Avenue in Manhattan.

Donated by Smart Communications, the television showed videos of Philippine destinations, including video clips of beaches, diving sites and other tourist attractions in the Philippines.

The Consulate also announced that it will conduct an Ambassadors/Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour to the Philippines on July 9 to 14.

The Post has been campaigning intensively for the Tour through press releases, announcements in speaking engagements, and flyers.

DOT-New York was able to get a special price of $1,579 from Korean Airlines for the four-nights-five-day tour package. - GMANews.TV