Excellence in Philippine tourism

Philippine tourism industry’s finest gathered at the 24th SKAL Tourism Personality Awards at the New World Makati Hotel recently where my beautiful editor Joanne Rae Ramirez received the National Print Media Personality of the Year award.

The SKAL Tourism Personality Awards, in conjunction with SKAL International-Makati’s 33rd anniversary led by its president Robert “Bobby” Lim Joseph and SKAL Awards chairman Jaime Bautista, also honored STAR columnists Valeriano “Bobit” Avila as Provincial Print Media Personality of the Year and Christine Dayrit as Skalleague of the Year awardee.

Joanne, who also received the Lifestyle Tourism award at the 10th Tourism Awards presentation of the Rotary Club of Manila last June, said in her acceptance speech, “Travel and tourism enriches, empowers and inspires — whether you travel through the alleyways of Quiapo or through the cobblestone streets of Paris. As St. Augustine said, ‘To travel is to see God’.”

SKAL is a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world promoting global tourism and friendship. This annual event celebrates the achievements of exemplary individuals in the Philippine tourism industry.

Other awardees were Eduardo Manalo, Tourism Infrastructure of the year; Lance Gokongwei, Airline Personality of the year; Charo Santos-Concio, Woman Achiever for Tourism and International Understanding of the year; Kristina Bernadette Aquino, Travel Show Host of the Year; Regina Paz Lopez, Environment and Agri-Tourism; Kingson Sian, Hotel Personality of the year; Stanie Soriano, Government Personality of the year; Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol Matugas, Local Government Personality of the year; Ricky Paul Tio, Travel Agency Personality of the year 2014; Dexter Deyto, M.I.C.E. Personality of the year; Melanie Rulla Saro, Tourism Education Personality of the year; Andrew and Sandee Masigan, Food Tourism; ABS-CBN, TV Station of the year; Kris TV, Travel Show of the year.

Congratulations!

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