Travel Explore Philippines

July 5 (Sun) – MABUHAY!

Arrival of First Batch of Buyers in Manila

Check-in at Host Hotels (Manila Bay Area)

Overnight Stay at Host Hotels

Welcome Dinner hosted by respective Host Hotels

July 6 (Mon) – I Travel, I Explore MANILA!

6:00 am Breakfast at Host Hotels
Early am
to
1:30 pm Arrival of Rest of Buyers in Manila

10:00 am Assemble at the Hotel Lobby
Depart Hotel for PICC

10:30 am Tour of the Philippine International Convention Center
Attire: Casual

12:00 nn Themed Lunch hosted by the PICC: “Your Host to the World”

An architectural landmark on its own, housing works of various Filipino master artists in painting and sculpture. The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) made history as Asia's first purpose-built international convention center, setting a trend that led other countries to build their own.

2:00 pm Return to Host Hotels/Freshen up

3:00 pm Assemble at the Hotel Lobby
Depart Hotel for Intramuros

4:00 pm START OF OFFICIAL PROGRAM FOR ALL DELEGATES

Guided Tour of the Walled City of Intramuros

Attire: Casual with comfortable walking shoes

Intramuros, located along the southern bank of the Pasig River, was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century and is the oldest district of the city of Manila. Its name, in Latin, Intramuros, literally "within the walls", meaning within the wall enclosure of the city/fortress, also describes its structure as it is surrounded by thick, high walls and moats. During the Spanish colonial period, Intramuros was considered Manila itself. The walled city covers an area of about 160 acres. Intramuros was a fortress city with walls 6 metres high and a commanding 3 kilometres in length, it is no wonder it was impenetrable. Intramuros was designed with 51 blocks within the vast walls, the only access in or out of Intramuros was via seven fortified gates. It is one of the best preserved medieval cities in the world.

Fort Santiago (Spanish: Fuerza de Santiago) is a defense fortress built for Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi in 1571. Fort Santiago was once the site of the palace and kingdom of Rajah Suleiman, a Muslim chieftain of pre-hispanic Manila, but was destroyed by the Spanish conquistadors(Martin de Goiti) upon arriving in 1570. It became the main fort for travels and spice trade to the Americas and Europe for 333 years. The famous Manila Galleon trade to Acapulco, Mexico started sailing from the Fuerza de Santiago. Today the fort serves as a museum which houses well-preserved legacies of the Spanish government. José Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, was imprisoned in the fort before his execution in 1896. The site features his final footstep, embedded onto the ground in bronze, representing the walk from his cell to the location of the actual execution. Fuerte de Santiago (Fort Santiago) was named after Santiago de Vera, the sixth Spanish governor of the Philippines (1584-1590).

Casa Manila, circa 1850, one of the grand houses in Barrio San Luis (one of the four original villages) of Intramuros is located across historic San Agustin Church. Casa Manila typifies the house of the Filipino “ilustrado,” an affluent class bred by the opening of Manila to world trade in the late 19th century. Investing in the import-export boom, the “ilustrado” amassed wealth which in turn bought a lifestyle refined by European education and travel: good books, good music, good food and good company in a house that breathed

luxury and grace.Casa Manila, a museum of the era’s architecture and lifestyle, recreates this atmosphere. The three-story building is a replica of the house of Binondo merchant Don Severino Mendoza. Casa Manila is an odd mélange of varied cultural influences. Its facade, with its balconies and overhanging wooden gallery, is decidedly Spanish. But its coat of yellow and maroon paint derives from the unexpected color combinations of Victorian gingerbread houses in the era. Its interiors are even more eclectic.

The San Agustin Church was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. It is the oldest surviving church in the Philippines. The design is a legacy of Spanish architecture in the Baroque style. It was known as the Church of St Paul and was originally built in 1571 as the first church of the Augustinian Order. The interior of San Agustin Church Manila has magnificent trompe l'oeil murals covering the walls and the ceiling. Of great interest are the baroque pulpit, molave choir stalls, and an 18th century pipe organ. The monastery houses an impressive collection of paintings, statues, and ecclesiastical objects owned by the Church and the Intramuros Administration. The remains of Spanish Conquistadors: Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, Juan de Salcedo, Lavezares and Goiti, are buried here in San Agustin Church.

6:00 pm Back to Host Hotels to freshen up

7:30 pm Departure from Host Hotels to SMX

8:00 pm Welcome Dinner Reception “Pagdiriwang”
Hosted by the Department of Tourism and the SMX Convention Center

Attire: Formal : Male Guests are advised to bring a white Undershirt and formal black pants.
Ladies are advised to bring black, sleeveless or strapless formal evening wear.

The SMX Convention Center

The country’s newest and largest privately-run exhibition and convention center, SMX is a world-class venue for international exhibitions, large-scale local trade events, major medical and other industry conventions and corporate functions.It is an integral part of the Mall of Asia Complex, an innovative business and leisure park that addresses the needs of every event organizer. Its proximity to the Mall of Asia integrates business with recreation, shopping and entertainment.With future development plans for hotels and a 12,000-seat Arena, the Mall of Asia Complex is envisioned to be the "New Convention Destination in Asia."

Overnight Stay at Host Hotels

July 7 (Tue) – I Travel, I Explore My Destination

Breakfast at Host Hotels
Depart for Destination of Choice via Domestic Airport:

All time Favorite Destinations!

BoholPR 1758:00 am
Boracay5J 8958:25 am
CebuPR 8539:00 am
Palawan (El Nido)ITI11:30 am

New, Exciting Destinations!

Bicol (Albay and Camarines Sur)PR9616:40 am
Ilocos Norte and Ilocos SurPR22610:00 am
MarinduqueCharter9:00 am

PLEASE GO TO ‘PHILIPPINE DREAM DESTINATIONS’ TO VIEW DESCRIPTION AND FULL ITINERARY OF EACH DESTINATION.

Attire: For departure to your Destination of Choice, wear the ITravel IExplore T-Shirt provided by the Organizers.
Pack light, ultra-casual, comfortable clothes with rubber sandals or Crocs recommended.
Travel light with an overnighter which you can handcarry (maximum 7 kilos) instead of checking in.
Note: (Does not apply to El Nido which requires all luggage to be checked in, with no handcarry)

Bring swimming gear, sunglasses, hat or cap, sunblock.

Arrival at Destination of Choice
Check in at Host Resorts
Welcome Themed Lunch by Host Resorts
Overnight stay at Host Resorts

July 8 (Wed) – I Travel, I Explore My Destination

Continuation of Tour Programme in Destination of Choice

PLEASE GO TO ‘PHILIPPINE DREAM DESTINATIONS’ TO VIEW DESCRIPTION AND FULL ITINERARY OF EACH DESTINATION.

July 9 (Thu) – I Travel, I Explore, FIESTA!

AM Breakfast at Host Resorts/Check out
Back to / Arrival in Manila via Domestic Airport
Check in at Host Hotels (Makati/Ortigas Area)
Welcome Lunch at Host Hotels

5:00 pm Depart for Tiendesitas in Ortigas
Attire: Casual with comfortable walking shoes

Tiendesitas is Pasig City's newest shopping and family entertainment destination. Tiendesitas caters to foreign and domestic shoppers looking for the best Philippine products. It showcases the best that the Philippines can offer - native food, fashion wear and accessories, furniture, antiques, handicrafts, personal care and novelty items, pets, plants, and other locally made products. More than 450 traders, mostly entrepreneurs from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are offering specialty merchandise.

Tiendesitas sits on a 30,000 square meter area within Frontera Verde in Pasig, which houses 12 Maranao architecture-inspired pavilions called "villages."

Grand Santacruzan Parade at Tiendesitas
Hosted and Organized by Ortigas & Company

A Santacruzan is a religious-historical beauty pageant held in many cities, towns and even small villages throughout the Philippines during the month of May. It is one of the most colorful May-time festivals in the Philippines which depict the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. This festival was introduced by the Spaniards in the Philippines and has since become part of Filipino traditions identified with youth, love and romance.

Shopping at Tiendesitas/Free Time

Rest of evening on your own

July 10 (Fri) – The M.I.C.E. MART

Isla Ballroom 3 & Palawan Room

EDSA Shangri-La Hotel

The M.I.C.E Mart gathers under one roof the invited Foreign Buyers, Philippine local Buyers, and selected Philippine M.I.C.E. Suppliers for one-on-one business sessions. It is built around the idea that the Buyers and Sellers must be matched based on their business requirements and preferences; and then allowed to discuss mutual business interests on a pre-scheduled basis.

6:00 am Breakfast at Host Hotels

7:00 1st Departure from Makati for EDSA Shangri-La Hotel
Attire: Business

8:00 Seminars on selected M.I.C.E. Markets

India : Batanes Room 1
Middle East : Batanes Room 2
North America : Mactan Room

8:45 2nd Departure from Makati for EDSA Shangri-La Hotel

10:00 Start of Buyer / Seller Business Exchange
Isla Ballroom 3 & Palawan Room
The Travel Café Conversations
(Buyer / Seller Consultancy Meetings / Discussions)
All day Coffee Service
Note: Buffet Lunch will be available at Isla Ballroom 2 from 12 noon till 2 pm to enable Buyers and Sellers to maximize their time at the Business Exchange.

6:30 pm End of the M.I.C.E. Mart
Depart EDSA Shangri-La Hotel for Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City

7:30 “I Rock” Farewell Party at Eastwood City

Hosted by the Department of Tourism, Megaworld Corp., and Sofitel Philippine Plaza

Located at the center of a progressive metropolis (Libis, Quezon City), Eastwood City is a 16-hectare state-of-the art residential, business, commercial, and entertainment city. It is one of the coolest spots in the metro to hang out with family and friends. It is a city within a city, a place to live, work, and enjoy. Its entertainment and leisure area is highly Westernized and very upbeat, featuring the City Walk, a Shopping Mall, the Walk of Fame, and upscale restaurants, cafes, and bars. Eastwood City also features a Cyber Park where top multinationals like Citicorp and IBM are located.

9:30 Return to Host Hotels

July 11 (Sat) – Maligayang Paglalakbay!

Departure of Buyers
For late departures: Rest of day on Buyers’ own time.

Here is a checklist of things you should consider bringing on your trip to the Philippines.

  • Attire – You simply need one Formal Wear and one Business Attire for this trip. For the rest of the Programme, you will need light, comfortable, and ultra-casual clothes. Refer to the Programme of Activities for the suggested attire per activity.

  • Comfortable Footwear – Aside from one pair of formal/business footwear, bring comfortable walking shoes: rubber shoes, beach Flip Flops or your Crocs (or any water repellent sandals).

  • Swimwear– There will be lots of opportunities for you to get wet. Get your swimsuit and goggles ready!

  • Sunblock and Lip Protection – July in the Philippines is usually rainy but it can still get hot and humid. Protect yourself from the sun…the higher the SPF, the better.

  • Sunglasses – Bring a pair of polarized sunglasses to block out the glare of the sun.

  • Hat or Cap – Another obvious item to bring to protect yourself from the sun or a bad-hair day.

  • Umbrella –You may want to bring your own foldable umbrella wherever you go as protection against both rain and sun.

  • Overnight Bag / Backpack – Travel light when you leave Manila for your Destination of Choice. A Backpack becomes handy when you go exploring in your Destination of Choice.

NOTE: There is no need to bring an Overnight Bag as one of our Partners will provide you with one. We strongly advise you to use this Overnight Bag upon departure for your Destination of Choice on July 7, Tuesday.

  • Camera –Why come to a place like your Dream Destination and not document your trip? A camera is considered a necessity on this trip. You may regret it if you do not bring one.

  • Toiletries – Bring basic necessities like toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, razor, lotion, etc. Most of these items are made available by your host resort, or can be purchased in the resort boutiques; but your personal brand preference may not be available.

  • Pain Medicine – We have designed the Programme to include as many activities as possible. You may need to take some painkillers (or a massage!) to ease your muscles after a ‘hard day’s work’.

  • Power Converter – The electrical current in the Philippines is 220v. You will need a power converter if your electric appliance is running on 110v. If it can run on 220v, you may need to bring a power adapter so the prongs fit properly. Most laptops and modern electronics can automatically select 110v or 220v power input. Check the input voltage on your device to be certain.

For more details, please contact IT/IE 2009 Organizing Committee
Tel: 525-6110 / 525-6635 / 525-9318 • Fax: 521-6165
Email: cit@dotpcvc.gov.ph / cit.unit@gmail.com
website: www.dotpcvc.gov.ph