Officials from PCGLA, PDOT, local travel agencies, community leaders, Miss and Mister Philippines USA 2025 winners and organizers, and special guests pose with the “Love the Philippines” Bus at Hollywood Blvd | photos by Joe Cobilla

by Donnabelle Gatdula-Arevalo

HOLLYWOOD, California – The Philippines is intensifying efforts to attract visitors from the United States as tourism officials in Los Angeles unveiled new programs and promotions highlighting the country’s diverse destinations and cultural appeal.

Central to this push was a networking event that launched the “Love the Philippines” Bus Wrap Advertisement, a joint initiative of the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) and the Philippine Consulate General of Los Angeles (PCGLA). The campaign, which ran through Hollywood, The Grove, and Santa Monica Beach sought to raise visibility and inspire both US-based tourists and Filipino Americans to rediscover the Philippines.

Tourism as an economic lifeline

PDOT Attaché Gerard Panga emphasized that the United States remains one of the Philippines’ strongest markets for both tourism and overseas remittances. In 2024, the U.S. accounted for 40.6 percent of global OFW remittances, followed by Singapore (7 percent) and Saudi Arabia (6 percent).

“The Philippines is the leading destination for Americans going to Southeast Asia because of the strong presence of our overseas Filipino community, 4.4 million Filipinos,” Panga said. “Every visitor you bring to the Philippines is not just a tourist but a valued economic partner, helping generate jobs and livelihood opportunities back home.”

Tourism currently supports more than 6 million jobs and contributes about $13 billion in visitor spending annually. Panga urged Filipino Americans to use their strong online presence, with 400 million text messages sent daily and a global lead in mobile internet use and online video consumption, to promote Philippine tourism positively rather than spread “fake news, toxic politics, and distorted biases.”

Special packages and promotions

Several agencies also presented packages tailored for U.S. travelers:

• GTT International/E-World Tours – golf-centered travel itineraries
• Skybird Travel/Sky Vacations – “Discover the Unexpected” product
• Mango Tours – customized Philippine travel bundles

Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s Fr. Albert Avenido added that the Philippines is also positioning itself as a pilgrimage destination.

Consulate networking event and golf-for-a-cause

The tourism networking event, held at Dave & Buster’s in Hollywood, gathered consular officials, community leaders, travel agency representatives, and winners of the Miss and Mister Philippines USA 2025 pageant.

During the event, Consul General Adelio Cruz announced the 2025 Congen Cup, an invitational golf-for-a-cause tournament set for October 6, 2025, at the Los Coyotes Club in Buena Park. Co-sponsored by PCGLA and Love to Serve, Inc. (LTSI), the event will feature 144 golfers, awarding ceremonies, dinner, raffles, and a Hole-in-One cash prize to be shared between the winner and LTSI.

Proceeds will benefit:

• ASEAN Women’s Circle of Los Angeles (Myanmar earthquake relief)
• GRACES in the Philippines (assistance to abandoned and needy seniors)
• LTSI’s program donating computers to underprivileged students
• Basilica San Pedro Bautista in Quezon City

Cruz also promoted the 2026 VIP (Very Important Pinoy) Tour, which will spotlight Cebu, Dumaguete, Bohol, and Siquijor. The consulate targets at least 250 participants from Los Angeles alone, with Philippine Airlines offering discounted fares.

“Los Angeles has the largest number of Filipino Americans under our jurisdiction, about 1.4 million. We need your support, especially the young ones and the young once,” Cruz said. “Encourage your friends to visit, reconnect with our culture, and explore the beauty of the Philippines.”