Phnom Penh - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in cooperation with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Philippine local government units, invites Filipinos and foreign-born Filipinos, 18-40 years old, to join Diskubre in Bicol, an immersion tour of Manila and the Bicol region on 3-13 January 2020. (Younger participants are allowed only if accompanied by a parent throughout the tour.)

The tour aims to open the participants’ mindset; to have a first-hand experience of a Filipino growing up/living in the Philippines. In giving the young participants an opportunity to fully appreciate and understand their Filipino heritage, the program ultimately aspires to make cultural and goodwill ambassadors of the members of the Filipino diaspora.  

Showcasing the natural wonders, historical and heritage sites, and city highlights will (re)introduce the beauty of the country to the participants. Exposure to host communities and helping out in their livelihood, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will hopefully create an awareness of the issues their kababayans are facing, that will lead to initiatives and programs with a positive impact on the host communities in the Philippines   

The 11-day historical and contrast exposure city trips include activities such as hiking; swimming; kayaking; biking; walking; demonstrations on Filipino food, handicrafts and traditional instruments; raft and carabao riding; kite flying; rice planting; harvesting crops; tour of interesting sites; and more.  The participants are encouraged to document the trip through social media, blog and/or videos featuring the sights and experiences to help in tourism promotion among their peers and spheres of influence, and help uplift the image of the Philippines in the countries of their respective residence.  Please see attached itinerary.

Participants will shoulder their own expenses such as: tour package, international and domestic airfares, travel insurance, and other incidental expenses.  There are only twenty (20) slots available.

Deadline for registration is on 31 October 2019. 

Deadline for payment of tour package is on 15 November 2019.

Please visit www.travelwiseonline.com/diskubre for more information and registration.

Tuklasin ang Kagandahan ng Ating Inang Bayan!  Tara Na!

BICOL DISKUBRE ITINERARY

Friday, 3 January 2020
Arrival in Manila

• Arrival in Manila
• Van transfer to The Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel for check-in
• Dinner with Cultural Show at Barbara's Heritage Restaurant
• Overnight at The Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel

Saturday, 4 January 2020
Manila Tour

• Breakfast at The Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel
• Depart Hotel for Bambiking Tour of Intramuros
• Bambiking Tour of Intramuros
• Lunch at local restaurant
• National Museum tour in the afternoon
• Dinner at Sze Chuan House Restaurant
• Overnight at The Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel

Sunday, 5 January 2020
Arrival in Legazpi

• Transfer to airport for morning flight to Legazpi. (Domestic airfare not included)
• Upon arrival, breakfast and activities at Sumlang Lake
  • Pinangat Demo
  • Abaca Demo
  • Balsa Ride
• Kitwinan Hills - Japanese Tunnel
• Cagsawa Ruins
• Daraga Church
• Proceed to Gabawan Farm plate for lunch and activities
  • Carabao Ride
  • Kite Flying
• Dinner at 1st Colonial Grill w/ Sili Ice cream
• Overnight at The Oriental Hotel Albay

Monday, 6 January 2020
Legazpi

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Mayon Volcano ATV Adventure
• Proceed to Mayon Skyline with rolling tour of Tabaco
• Proceed to Casa Simeon for dinner and activities
  • Banig Making Demo
  • Learning about the Banduria and Rondalla
• Overnight at The Oriental Hotel Albay

Tuesday, 7 January 2020
Sorsogon and Ticao

• Early breakfast at the hotel
• Proceed to Donsol
• Whale Shark Interaction 
• Lunch arrangement in Donsol
• If in case there are still no whale sharks in January (i.e. late migration), Ticao Island Hopping would be a good alternate activity.
• Transfers to Ticao Island Resort
• Dinner at Ticao Island Resort with meeting/discussion with LAMAVE and WWF about the research of whale sharks and manta rays in the area
• Overnight at Ticao Island Resor

Wednesday, 8 January 2020
Ticao and Sorsogon

• Early morning fishing with the locals
• Breakfast with the fishing community
• Proceed to Bulusan
• Lunch at Balay Buhay Bee Farm
• Visit Bulusan Lake/Bulusan Volcano Natural Park
• Kayaking
• Canopy Walk
• Overnight at Local host community for Homestay

Thursday, 9 January 2020
Sorsogon

• Breakfast at homestay
• Proceed to The Cacao Project Farm in San Fernando (4 hours road trip)
• Lunch at the Culinary Lounge and activities at the Cacao Project Farm in San Fernando
• Harvest crops in community farms
• Plant rice
• Tilling land with Carabao
• Dinner at a local restaurant in Naga
• Overnight in CWC

Friday, 10 January 2020
Buhi and CWC

• Breakfast at CWC
• Proceed to Buhi for a day with the Indigenous community
• Lunch and fellowship with the community
• Dinner at CWC
• Overnight at CW

Saturday, 11 January 2020
Camsur and Manila

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Our Lady of Penafrancia religious tour
• Peñafrancia Basilica Minore
• Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
• Museo del Seminario Conciliar de Nueva Caceres
• Porta Mariae
• Flight to Manila (Domestic airfare not included)
• Check-in at Golden Phoenix Hotel
• Dinner at Gold Spices Restaurant
• Overnight at Golden Phoenix Hotel Manila

Sunday, 12 January 2020
Fellowship and Free Day Manila

• Breakfast at Golden Phoenix Hotel Manila
• Fellowship program
• Overnight at Golden Phoenix Hotel Manila

Monday, 13 January 2020
Departure from Manila

• Breakfast.
• Check-out of the hotel
• Transfer to NAIA International Airport.

Price per person:
Triple Sharing USD 1,090.00
Twin Sharing USD 1,125.00
Single USD 1,365.00
Inclusions:
1.        Accommodation

• Two (2) nights at The Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros
• Two (2) nights at The Oriental Hotel Legaspi
• One (1) night at Ticao Island Resort
• One (1) night on Homestay Program in Bulusan
• Two (2) nights at CamSur Watersports Complex (hosted by the LGU per arrangement with DOT Reg. V)
• Two (2) nights at Golden Phoenix Hotel Manila

2.        Meals

• All meals as specified in the itinerary

3.       Tours and Transfers

• All tours and transfers as specified in the itinerary. 

4.       Others

• Services of an English-speaking guide during tours
• Porterage fee for 2 pieces of luggage
• Passenger accident insurance
• Taxes and service charges

Important Notes:

• Rates are in US Dollars, net and non-commissionable.
• Rates are based on minimum of 20 full paying passengers.
• Registration must be completed by October 31, 2019
  A deposit of 50% of tour package ($600 USD) for each participant is due at the time of booking. 
• Full payment is due by November 15, 2019
• Exclusions:
• Package price does not include the following:

* International airfare                  
* Domestic Airfare
* Meals not included in the itinerary
* Tips and gratuities            
* Pre/post tours       
* Philippine travel tax (if applicable)
* Personal expenses and incidental charges