Rediscover Metro Manila

Manila Standard Today
November 20, 2008

Metro Manila has always been the jump-off point to the 1,107 islands in the Philippines, being the country’s capital in governance and trade and industry. It houses the best and most modern in terms of facilities, products and services, not to mention the biggest international airport. But despite being the capital city, Metro Manila is barely seen as a tourist attraction or a tourist destination.

The Department of Tourism National Capital Region wants to change this impression with Rediscovering the Best of Metropolitan Manila, People, Places, Products and Practices, a product and photo exhibit first presented in the Music Hall of the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on a three-day exhibit held recently. It aimed to promote awareness, especially among the youth, the NCR region’s heritage and enhance pride on what Metro Manila has to offer to local and foreign visitors.

The exhibit was participated by the 17 cities and municipalities that make up Metropolitan Manila including Manila, Quezon City, Makati, Caloocan, Pasay, Taguig, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Malabon, Novaliches, Pateros, Marikina, San Juan, Mandaluyong and Pasig. Photos of different spots in Metro Manila were displayed as well as some products especially shoes from Marikina City. Graced by environmental beauties, Miss Earth 2007 Jessica Trisko and Miss Earth Philippines 2008 Karla Henry, the opening night was made lively by the amazingly lovely performers of the Amazing Philippines of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City.

‘‘Pasay has been the quiet, sober and stagnant area before but not now. It has evolved into a modern city fully equipped with modern services and we have pleasant and wholesome attractions here now. We hope in the coming years, we will surpass if not all our colleagues in Metro Manila,’’ says Edith Vergel de Dios, chairman of the Pasay City Committee on Tourism who represented her city along with other tourism officers of the 17 cities and municipalities. Like de Dios, his colleagues also aimed for greater recognition of Metro Manila as a place worth seeing and exploring.

The traveling photo and product exhibit will be touring Metro Manila’s 17 local government units in a period of six months. It will also be showcased in other parts of the country through the support of the Super Ferry, one of its major sponsors. Moreover, a one month display will also be held in Rizal Park from Dec. 1, 2008 to Jan. 6, 2009 to give more of Manila’s residents a longer time to visit, especially during the Holidays.

Meanwhile, the Miss Earth beauties pledged on keeping their sacred duty of protecting and caring Mother Earth especially in Metro Manila where pollution is a bigger problem than anywhere else. Apart from the clean-up drives that they regularly hold, they also visit elementary schools to educate the children on recycling, waste segregation and other environmentally sustainable practices.