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Press Release
CHICAGO PCG LAUNCHES 2027 VERY IMPORTANT PINOY TOUR – WINTER ESCAPADE EDITION
CHICAGO, 14 August 2026 – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago launched the 2027 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour - Winter Escapade Edition on 13 August 2026 at the Community Room of Seafood City Chicago, bringing together about 70 members of the Filipino-American community and partners for a preview of next year’s tour of the Philippines.
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano welcomed members of the Filipino-American community and encouraged them to consider joining the 2027 VIP Tour to experience the Philippines’ rich culture, heritage, natural beauty, and renowned Filipino hospitality. She highlighted the role of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago as the lead coordinating Post for Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States for the 2027 VIP Tour, which will be jointly undertaken with Canada’s Winter Escapade program. She also expressed the Consulate’s hope of bringing at least 100 travelers from the Midwest on the tour.
In a video message, Deputy Chief of Mission Felipe F. Cariño III of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. read a message from Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, who conveyed his support for the 2027 VIP Tour and encouraged the Filipino-American community to take part in the program and experience the Philippines’ diverse destinations, culture, and heritage.
The VIP Tour is a flagship tourism program jointly undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs, through Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the US; the Department of Tourism; and Rajah Tours Philippines. Now in its 18th year, the program has brought thousands of Filipinos, Filipino-Americans, and friends of the Philippines to the country, providing opportunities to rediscover Philippine destinations, reconnect with heritage and communities, and experience Filipino culture and hospitality.
The 2027 VIP Tour, scheduled for 07 to 17 February 2027, marks the first time that the long-running US VIP Tour will be jointly undertaken with Canada’s Winter Escapade program, bringing together travelers from the United States and Canada. The tour will offer participants greater flexibility through a selection of destinations and experiences across the Philippines.
Joining the launch virtually were Ms. Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo, Director of the Philippine Department of Tourism-New York; Mr. Jose “Jojo” Clemente, President of Rajah Tours Philippines; Mr. Michael Kipping, Director of Sales of Rajah Tours; and Ms. Sol Solleza, Area Head-Hawaii of Philippine Airlines (PAL), who presented key information on the tour program, travel arrangements, and airfare options.
In her presentation, Director Apo highlighted the continued strength of the US travel market, noting that the United States has reclaimed the top spot as the Philippines’ number one source market for international visitors in 2026. She also highlighted El Nido, Palawan, one of the destinations included in the tour, noting that Entalula Beach in El Nido was named the No. 1 Best Beach in the World for 2026 by The World’s 50 Best Beaches.
Mr. Clemente then provided an overview of the 2027 VIP Tour and the experiences awaiting participants. He was followed by Mr. Kipping, who presented the detailed itinerary, tour packages, accommodations, and other travel arrangements.
The 2027 tour will begin in Manila, after which participants may choose among five pocket-tour destinations: Leyte, Legazpi–Naga, Siargao, Camiguin, and Bohol. Participants will then proceed to the final leg of the tour, with a choice between Iloilo–Bacolod and El Nido, Palawan.
Ms. Solleza presented PAL’s upcoming nonstop Manila–Chicago service, as well as special international and domestic airfare packages available to participants of the 2027 VIP Tour.
The launch also gave guests a taste of the culture and hospitality that await them in the Philippines. The Santacruzan Cultural Dance Group performed the Subli and Waray-Waray, while guests enjoyed Filipino food served by the Consulate.
During the second half of the program, the Consulate took the opportunity to engage members of the community and provide updates on its consular services and Overseas Voting.
Consul Melvin C. Almonguera presented the latest developments on the Philippine e-Visa, while Consul Ma. Theresa M. Alders discussed the ongoing Overseas Voting Registration for the 2028 Philippine National Elections. END
Photo 2: Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano formally launches the 2027 Very Important Pinoy Tour –
Winter Escapade Edition at the Community Room of Seafood City Chicago on 13 August 2027.
Photo 3: Director Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo of the PH Department of Tourism – New York (lower right),
Mr. Jose Clemente, President of Rajah Tours (upper right), Mr. Michael Kipping, Director of Sales of
Rajah Tours (lower left), and Ms. Sol Solleza, Area Head for Hawaii of PAL (upper left) present the details
of the 2027 VIP Tour and airfare options.
Photo 4: Participants listen as Mr. Michael Kipping presents the itinerary for the 2027 VIP Tour.
Photo 5: The Santacruzan Cultural Dance Group performs the Subli and Waray-Waray. Guests are also treated to Filipino food.
Photo 6: Consul Melvin C. Almonguera presents the latest developments on the Philippine e-Visa, while
Consul Ma. Theresa M. Alders discusses the ongoing Overseas Voting Registration for the 2028 Philippine National Elections.
Photo 6: Consul General Diano with Consuls Melvin C. Almonguera (rightmost), Ma. Theresa M. Alders
(leftmost), and Ella Karina R. Mitra-Yeager (2nd from right)
CHICAGO, 14 August 2026 – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago launched the 2027 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour - Winter Escapade Edition on 13 August 2026 at the Community Room of Seafood City Chicago, bringing together about 70 members of the Filipino-American community and partners for a preview of next year’s tour of the Philippines.
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano welcomed members of the Filipino-American community and encouraged them to consider joining the 2027 VIP Tour to experience the Philippines’ rich culture, heritage, natural beauty, and renowned Filipino hospitality. She highlighted the role of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago as the lead coordinating Post for Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States for the 2027 VIP Tour, which will be jointly undertaken with Canada’s Winter Escapade program. She also expressed the Consulate’s hope of bringing at least 100 travelers from the Midwest on the tour.
In a video message, Deputy Chief of Mission Felipe F. Cariño III of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. read a message from Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, who conveyed his support for the 2027 VIP Tour and encouraged the Filipino-American community to take part in the program and experience the Philippines’ diverse destinations, culture, and heritage.
The VIP Tour is a flagship tourism program jointly undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs, through Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the US; the Department of Tourism; and Rajah Tours Philippines. Now in its 18th year, the program has brought thousands of Filipinos, Filipino-Americans, and friends of the Philippines to the country, providing opportunities to rediscover Philippine destinations, reconnect with heritage and communities, and experience Filipino culture and hospitality.
The 2027 VIP Tour, scheduled for 07 to 17 February 2027, marks the first time that the long-running US VIP Tour will be jointly undertaken with Canada’s Winter Escapade program, bringing together travelers from the United States and Canada. The tour will offer participants greater flexibility through a selection of destinations and experiences across the Philippines.
Joining the launch virtually were Ms. Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo, Director of the Philippine Department of Tourism-New York; Mr. Jose “Jojo” Clemente, President of Rajah Tours Philippines; Mr. Michael Kipping, Director of Sales of Rajah Tours; and Ms. Sol Solleza, Area Head-Hawaii of Philippine Airlines (PAL), who presented key information on the tour program, travel arrangements, and airfare options.
In her presentation, Director Apo highlighted the continued strength of the US travel market, noting that the United States has reclaimed the top spot as the Philippines’ number one source market for international visitors in 2026. She also highlighted El Nido, Palawan, one of the destinations included in the tour, noting that Entalula Beach in El Nido was named the No. 1 Best Beach in the World for 2026 by The World’s 50 Best Beaches.
Mr. Clemente then provided an overview of the 2027 VIP Tour and the experiences awaiting participants. He was followed by Mr. Kipping, who presented the detailed itinerary, tour packages, accommodations, and other travel arrangements.
The 2027 tour will begin in Manila, after which participants may choose among five pocket-tour destinations: Leyte, Legazpi–Naga, Siargao, Camiguin, and Bohol. Participants will then proceed to the final leg of the tour, with a choice between Iloilo–Bacolod and El Nido, Palawan.
Ms. Solleza presented PAL’s upcoming nonstop Manila–Chicago service, as well as special international and domestic airfare packages available to participants of the 2027 VIP Tour.
The launch also gave guests a taste of the culture and hospitality that await them in the Philippines. The Santacruzan Cultural Dance Group performed the Subli and Waray-Waray, while guests enjoyed Filipino food served by the Consulate.
During the second half of the program, the Consulate took the opportunity to engage members of the community and provide updates on its consular services and Overseas Voting.
Consul Melvin C. Almonguera presented the latest developments on the Philippine e-Visa, while Consul Ma. Theresa M. Alders discussed the ongoing Overseas Voting Registration for the 2028 Philippine National Elections. END
Photo 2: Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano formally launches the 2027 Very Important Pinoy Tour –
Winter Escapade Edition at the Community Room of Seafood City Chicago on 13 August 2027.
Photo 3: Director Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo of the PH Department of Tourism – New York (lower right),
Mr. Jose Clemente, President of Rajah Tours (upper right), Mr. Michael Kipping, Director of Sales of
Rajah Tours (lower left), and Ms. Sol Solleza, Area Head for Hawaii of PAL (upper left) present the details
of the 2027 VIP Tour and airfare options.
Photo 4: Participants listen as Mr. Michael Kipping presents the itinerary for the 2027 VIP Tour.
Photo 5: The Santacruzan Cultural Dance Group performs the Subli and Waray-Waray. Guests are also treated to Filipino food.
Photo 6: Consul Melvin C. Almonguera presents the latest developments on the Philippine e-Visa, while
Consul Ma. Theresa M. Alders discusses the ongoing Overseas Voting Registration for the 2028 Philippine National Elections.
Photo 6: Consul General Diano with Consuls Melvin C. Almonguera (rightmost), Ma. Theresa M. Alders
(leftmost), and Ella Karina R. Mitra-Yeager (2nd from right)