Delegates of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) were awed and inspired by the rich Fernandino culture and heritage during their visit in the city on Thursday.
City officials led by Mayor Edwin ‘EdSa’ Santiago welcomed the 41 members of the Association of ATOP at the Heroes Hall. They were joined by Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin and Tourism Officer Ching Pangilinan.
In his welcome remarks, Mayor EdSa thanked all the delegates for choosing San Fernando, among other towns and municipalities in the province, as their venue for a whole-day tour.
“Today you are going to experience how it feels to be Fernandinos as we share you our rich culture, festivals and traditions,” Santiago added.
“We look at tourism industry as a vehicle to help our people develop a variety of skills. As a service sector with
cross-cutting impact on agriculture, construction or handicrafts, tourism creates millions of jobs and business opportunities,” he said.
Welcome to CSF. Mayor Edwin ‘EdSa’ Santiago on Thursday joins visitors from the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines in a photo opportunity as a way of welcoming them to a whole day tour in the City of San Fernando.
Pangilinan, on her part, discussed the city’s banner program: preserving heritage for progress, which was part of Mayor EdSa’s development agenda under Agenda 9: “Kulturang Kapampangan, salamin ng kasayasayan. Tuklasin, buhayin, pagyamanin!”
At present, 5 heritage houses, 4 monuments and the historic Train Station are already registered by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
Also part of the itinerary is a tour at the Train Station and Heritage District while on board local Kalesas. They visited the Metropolitan Cathedral and the newly opened Pasalubong Center where local Fernandino products are sold.
The Kapampangans’ delectable cuisine was also promoted through a cooking demonstration, featuring native dish *Kilayin* and exotic foods like Betute and Camaru.
Dubbed as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines, the city also hosted a free lantern-making exhibition led by multi-awarded lantern maker Rolan Quiambao.
The tour is part of 17th ATOP National Convention which was held in Pampanga.