LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, under the leadership of Governor Ramon V. Guico III, is among the finalists in this year’s Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards.
ATOP Pearl Awards is an annual recognition program that gives honor to outstanding individuals, organizations, and local government units (LGUs) for their remarkable contributions to the development and promotion of the Philippine tourism industry.
This year, Pangasinan, through the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), headed by Maria Luisa A. Elduayan, joins other LGUs in the quest for the much-coveted tourism award in the country.
PTCAO chief said LGU-Pangasinan made it to the national finals in three different areas: 1) Best Sports Tourism Event (Philippine Beach Games); 2) Best International Event Hosting (International Conference on Pangasinan and Bulosan Studies); 3) Banaan Museum Souvenir Items for Best Souvenir (non-food).
It can be recalled that in April 2023, the Philippine Beach Games geared up and took place in Pangasinan with the Capitol Beachfront as its stunning backdrop.
The International Conference on Pangasinan and Bulosan Studies, on the other hand, was conducted from November 27 to 29 last year. Participated by scholars and researchers, the event brought forth multi and interdisciplinary studies on Pangasinan closer to Pangasinenses and even to the global community.
Under the third category, which is the non-food souvenirs, the province takes pride in offering different One-Town-One Products (OTOPs), which are displayed at the Banaan Pangasinan Provincial Museum, which is housed in the historic Casa Real here. In partnership with local producers and craftsmen, visitors can buy delicacies and other souvenirs at the museum shop.
Announcement and awarding of winners, notably the Champion, 1st runner-up, and 2nd runner-up, will be held on October 10, 2024, in Sultan Kudarat during the Silver Anniversary of ATOP. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO
