Envoys who joined the Cordillera leg of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Philippine Experience Program (PEP) last week said they discovered deep cultural similarities between their own countries and the Cordillera Region.
Held from Oct. 23 to 25, the PEP Cordillera took foreign delegates to scenic spots in Buguias, Benguet, and Bauko, Mountain Province.
Thailand Ambassador Makawadee Sumitmor noted how familiar the region’s culture felt.
“The indigenous peoples, the dance, the way they dress is the same. You have the gong, the musical instrument. It makes me feel that we are not only friends but close relatives,” she said.
Vietnamese Ambassador Lai Thai Binh shared the same sentiment.
“I told my wife that there are so many similarities between the Cordillera and Vietnam. You will see similar scenes, houses, people. We hope to travel more to the Philippines,” he said.
He added that with the Philippines hosting the ASEAN Summit in 2026, he hopes to bring more Vietnamese business owners, artists, and tourists to explore the country’s countryside.
Akiko Endo, representing her husband, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, also compared Cordillera’s tapuey (rice wine) to Japan’s sake.
“I will definitely tell my Japanese friends to come over here,” she said.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the 122-person delegation, joined by ambassadors from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Cambodia, and France.
Frasco said the PEP highlights the nation’s vibrant culture and heritage while promoting inclusive tourism under the Philippine Tourism Development Plan 2023–2028.
DOT Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso added that the program reconnects Filipinos with their roots and ensures that “no destination and no Filipino are left behind” in tourism growth.