MANILA, Philippines — The regional gastronomy offerings, Philippine Health and Wellness station, beverage station, and the Philippine MSME hub at the ASEAN International Media Center (IMC) have drawn the interest of local and foreign delegates.
Located at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City, the IMC serves as the official central media operations and international broadcast hub of news organizations covering the Philippines’ hosting of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) elevated the facility to bring the whole Philippine experience closer to the delegates.
Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay emphasized that this initiative maximizes the ASEAN Summit as an opportunity to promote the Philippines to key members of the international community.
“May dalawang malinaw na bilin sa amin ang Pangulo sa pagho-host natin ng ASEAN Summit […] First, we must help ASEAN achieve substantive agreements and practical responses to the challenges confronting our region. Second, the President wants us to use this opportunity to showcase the Philippines—our culture, heritage, destinations, products, and the hospitality of our people,” Secretary Angara-Mathay said.
Since the IMC’s soft opening, the Philippine MSME Hub which features local products from micro, small and medium enterprises nationwide generated sales amounting to Php 914,522.
Situated also at The Tent, the PHLPost station which offered free travel postcards delivered postal services totaling to Php 32,010.
The IMC also paved interest in the country’s rich culture and heritage, as 65 media delegates have already participated in the free tours in Museo del Galeon and Intramuros.
Meanwhile, the IMC also continues to offer a preview of Philippine offerings through its free regional food samples, beverages, and traditional therapeutic “hilot” massage.
These offerings are easily accessible alongside conducive working spaces provided by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), including broadcast studios, briefing rooms, media halls, and recording booths, among others.
“To our friends from around ASEAN and around the world, this place was built for you […] But what we also did here was to provide a window into our beautiful country,” PCO Secretary Lino Cayetano said.
The IMC will be open until Nov. 17 for accredited local and international media covering the high-level meetings of visiting world leaders and international delegates.
