What’s so heartwarming about the Gala is the PATA Philippine Chapter officers’ gesture of having the genuine interest in what could have been, perhaps a not-so-relevant concern, since we are still at the post-pandemic stage, and that should make most everyone else more interested in income-generating trades.
As we discussed previously, the PATA Philippine Chapter officers conceptualized a fundraising event called “A Fashion Show with a Heart” to revive and restore Pagsanjan as a key influx drawer in Calabarzon.
Ditto not neglecting the disadvantaged boatmen and their families who are actually the steering wheels behind the majestic “Shooting the Rapids” trip.
What’s so heartwarming about the Gala is the PATA Philippine Chapter officers’ gesture of having the genuine interest in what could have been, perhaps a not-so-relevant concern, since we are still at the post-pandemic stage, and that should make most everyone else more interested in income-generating trades.
But PATA Philippine Chapter chose to give back and share some blessings to fuel the actual steering wheels behind Pagsanjan as a top destination. And that will surely boost Pagsanjan to regain its position as an economic driver as it was before.
The fashion show has none other than the A-list of the tourism industry headed be Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and better-half Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco, House Deputy Speaker Representative of the 5th District of Cebu.
Catwalk
At the catwalk were:
- Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles – Chief Operating Officer, Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPBP)
- Tourism Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano
- Dr. Ma. Paz Alberto – PATA Chairperson and Ark Travel Express President
- Cielo Reboredo – VP for Sales & Marketing – OKADA Manila
- Carmela Bocanegra - VP for Sales & Marketing – Chroma Hospitality
- Ria Carrion Domingo – VP for Marketing PAL
- Joanne Gomez – Commercial Director Conrad Manila
- FO Steve Dailisan – Spokesperson & Country Head Communications & Public Affairs Air Asia
- Nicole Nina Bian Ledesma – President Davao Tourism Association and COO Joji Ilagan International Schools
- Cleofe Albiso – Managing Director Megaworld Hotel & Resorts
- Gel Gomez – Group GM Hotel 101 Global
- Margie Munsayac – VP for Marketing Bluewater Resorts
- Ray Berja – CFO Philippine Air Asia and Air Asia Super App
- Bud Britanico – VP for Sales and Managing Director PAL
I think it was also such a sweet surprise when during Secretary Frasco’s closing remarks that she and hubby “Duke” Frasco pledged P200,000 from their own pocket for the gala’s cause. Teody said they already had a similar advocacy in Cebu as a couple so it was kind of predictable for them to do the same here.
Lending glam to the gala fundraiser are renowned A-list couturiers led by Rene Salud – who is dubbed the “Ambassador of Philippine Fashion,” Cebu’s supreme fashion designer Philip Rodriguez, young and promising designers Kristine Ordinario, Oz Go, and owner of Wear Your Culture brand Alvin De Gamo.
The PATA Philippine Chapter Board of Trustees for 2022-2025 include: Chairperson Maria Paz Alberto, President, Ark Travel Express; Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso, Vice-Chairman DOT/OIC-Undersecretary Tourism Development Planning; Sec-Gen Rowena Sorioso, DOT OIC-Chief Product Monitoring and Evaluation Division; Treasurer Marlene Insigne, Manager Tours Division Southeast Travel Corp.; PRO Onelle Pacheco Versoza, Director of Sales The Heritage Hotel Manila;
Trustee are: (Programs) Teodoro Espallardo, Jr., Director of Sales Sunlight Hotels and Resorts; (Education) Philip Olimpiada, Hotel 101 Senior Sales Manager; (Membership) Agnes Macapia, Group Director of Sales and Marketing Le Soleil de Boracay; (Academic Affairs) Roberto Zozobrado, AAP Travel President, and (Ways and Means) Isabel Garcia Lee, Asst VP for Sales Hennan Resorts and Spa (Boracay area).
The gala also coincided with the Philippine Tourism industry’s 50th year celebration.
PATA Philippine Chapter Trustee Teody Espallardo Jr. (left) with DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Deputy Speaker Representative of the 5th District of Cebu Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco