41 Filipino travelers honored as Philippine Travel Masters
MANILA, Philippines — Forty-one trailblazing Filipino travelers were honored as Philippine Travel Masters by the Philippine Global Explorers (PGE) during its Fourth General Annual Meeting at The Bellevue Manila.
The awards recognized individuals who have successfully journeyed across all 82 provinces of the Philippines, celebrating their contributions to promoting domestic tourism and national pride.
The Philippine Travel Masters Awards is the first of its kind in the country, showcasing PGE’s mission to inspire Filipinos to explore their homeland and deepen their appreciation of its rich cultural and natural heritage.
The verification process for the awardees was designed with guidance from Thomas Buechler, a seasoned traveler and head of Nomadmania’s verification committee, who has visited all 193 United Nations member countries.
Attorney Dominador Buhain, Chairman and President of Rex Education, was among the honorees. As the first Filipino officially verified by PGE to have visited all 82 provinces, he achieved this milestone in June 2006, with Sulu and Tawi-Tawi as his final destinations.
“Though obstacles would be around the challenge of visiting all the provinces, it is the best experience one could undertake to show his love for his country—the Philippines,” said Buhain.
Another awardee, researcher and writer Marco Puzon, was recognized for his ambitious feat of visiting all 1,634 cities and municipalities in the Philippines.
His decade-long quest, which began in March 2013, concluded in March 2023 in Kalayaan, Palawan. Puzon’s achievement, dubbed the “1634 PH Quest,” serves as an inspiration to other travelers.
This year’s awards also highlighted PGE’s efforts to support local communities and preserve cultural heritage.
In July, the group launched The Vinzons Project, an Adopt-an-LGU initiative in Camarines Norte.
The project brought a two-day workshop to 47 residents from 19 municipalities in Vinzons, focusing on heritage and cultural preservation while promoting local tourism and economic growth.
The program concluded with a donation of books to the Vinzons Heritage Education Museum, courtesy of Attorney Buhain and Rex Education.
In recognition of PGE’s efforts, the museum dedicated a plaque to the organization.
The Vinzons Project was funded by contributions from PGE members, further demonstrating their commitment to uplifting local communities.
Through initiatives like the Philippine Travel Masters Awards and The Vinzons Project, PGE continues to champion domestic tourism, encouraging Filipinos to explore and celebrate the unparalleled beauty of their homeland.
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