Last week, I was able to attend an event at Diosdado Macapagal International Airport or commonly called in Clark as DMIA. The highlights of the activity are the unveiling ceremony of the DMIA Hospitality Counter and Pinoy Homecoming Program Presentation to Region III.

The event was attended by different agencies inside Clark, different media not only local but Medias from nearby countries as well, and of course bloggers were there too to witness the unveiling.

Before the unveiling, guests were entertained by the local folk dancers while waiting for the program to start. It is sure that Pinoys coming home will have a smile in their face seeing these folk dancers dancing with great joy.

The Pinoy Homecoming Hospitality Counter in DMIA is a Project of Department of Tourism partnered with Globe Telecom and other participating merchants.

The unveiling was headed by ASec Domingo Ramon C. Enerio III together with the other partners and managers. Learn more of the story…

Press Release...
Balikbayans arriving at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Pampanga, will experience their warmest welcome yet with the opening of the Pinoy Homecoming Hospitality Counter at the airport on November 29.

Spearheaded by the Department of Tourism (DOT), the homecoming counter is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to boost visitor arrivals from the balikbayan market by 25 percent in the next five years. Dubbed as the Pinoy Homecoming campaign, it primarily targets Filipinos based overseas, not only in the United States and Canada but worldwide.

A result of Presidential Proclamation No. 181 “Declaring the Years 2011 to 2016 as the Pinoy Homecoming Years” signed on June 3, 2011, the campaign supports Republic Act No. 6768, as amended, or the “Balikbayan Program.” Under the Balikbayan Program, overseas Filipinos (OFs) are given special privileges and benefits in recognition of their contribution to the growth of the Philippine economy in terms of foreign exchange inflow and remittances.

“This is a campaign that recognizes three things: the invaluable contributions of Filipinos overseas, our urgent need to develop and promote Philippine tourism further and how much can be achieved when government agencies work together,” shares DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez. “We also have to tap into the market of second and third generation Filipinos abroad and encourage them to discover their roots.”

To reach this set of younger Filipino abroad, the campaign also has a digital marketing component. Through the website www.pinoyhomecoming.ph, Pinoys abroad can easily access Philippine news portals, tourism products and services, practical balikbayan tips, Philippine holiday and festival calendars, as well as a directory of industry partners and the contact details of DOT’s international offices.

The campaign is supported by Globe Telecom, Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) and the over 700 partner-merchants nationwide. For more information on the campaign and balikbayan benefits, contact the Pinoy Homecoming Secretariat at (632) 525-1255, (632) 525-9318 local 268 or 244; fax to (632) 521-6165, or e-mail at tts@dotpcvc.gov.ph .

The country’s biggest reality TV show “The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition” comes to an exciting finish when the Fab Five and other eliminated contestants come together for a final weigh-in that will determine who among Angela, Art, Hazel, Larry, and Raffy will lose the highest weight percentage since the start of the show and be declared the very first Pinoy Biggest Loser at the Grand Finale this October 8 (Sat) at the Ynares Stadium in Pasig.




Armed with the knowledge gained during their four-month stay in the Biggest Loser camp, the Bigating Pinoys continue their journey in the real world and undergo rigorous weight loss regimen without the help of trainers Chinggay Andrada and Jim Saret.

Through the weeks, viewers have seen how the reality show has transformed the contestants physically, mentally, and emotionally. Some have visibly lost weight, while others have gained more confidence. As they work towards the finals, the remaining Fab Five have their own strategies to win.


While sweethearts Hazel and Raffy try hard to work out twice a day, Art and Angela make sure they get enough sleep and have a balanced diet.

“All these years, I have carried so much burden, pain, humiliation, anger, and sadness. So every lost pound was like an excess baggage thrown away and a symbolism of the new me,” bar owner Art said.

By zooming in on the lives of overweight people and the negative impact of obesity on health, the program and its contestants have taught viewers how to adopt a healthy lifestyle and that losing weight can be achieved by exercising and eating the right food.

Hazel even considers joining the competition her second life, saying that it “unraveled the Hazel that has long been suppressed.” Though she admits that the whole world does not only revolve around losing weight, the Bigating Pinoys have proven that any obstacle can be overcome as long as one has the will and determination to reach his or her goal.

“There are times you gain weight instead of losing weight. You should exert more effort. Though there are times you fail, you should carry on and not give up," she said.

The two other contestants affirmed how the show has transformed their lives. Sporting a new and healthier physique, Larry plans to return to the police force. On the other hand, Raffy has changed his outlook in life. He used to make excuses that stood between him and his weight goal but he now realizes that change must start with oneself.

“You don’t need to be a contestant in 'Biggest Loser' to lose weight. You only need yourself,” he said.

While the transformation of the Fab Five is evident, only one of them will be declared the first Pinoy Biggest Loser and take home P1 million, a newly furnished condominium unit from DCMI Homes, a Vespa scooter, a 40" Sony Bravia Internet TV, Whirlpool appliances and a lifetime Fitness First membership.

The second placer will get P500,000, a Vespa scooter, Whirlpool appliances and one year Fitness First membership. On the other hand, the third placer will take home P300,000, a Vespa scooter, Fujidenzo Home Appliances, and one year Fitness First membership.

Not to be outdone are eliminated contestants Alan, Andy, Eboy, Edden, Eric, JM, Joy, Leigh, Ryan, and Winwin who will also battle at the grand finale weigh-in. The one who will lose the highest percentage of their initial weight will be proclaimed the At-Home Winner and will get P200,000 and one year Fitness First membership. Who will emerge as the first ever Pinoy Biggest Loser? Catch the “Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition Wellness Fair and Grand Finale” on October 8 (Saturday) at the Ynares Stadium in Pasig, with host Sharon Cuneta, game master Derek Ramsay, and trainers Chinggay Andrada and Jim Saret.

Continue watching “The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition” after “Guns and Roses” on ABS-CBN. For program updates, log on to http://biggestloserpinoyedition.abs-cbn.com, like it on Facebook and follow @BLPinoyEdition on Twitter.