Enchanted Kingdom, Two Other Filipino Companies Win ASEAN Tourism Awards

Now in its 30th year, Enchanted Kingdom (EK) was hailed as the Best ASEAN New Tourism Attraction for its unique flying theater, AGILA The EKsperience: SARIBUHAY as awarded by the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA).

The award was received by EK Chairman and President Mr. Cesar Mario O. Mamon together with Chief Operating Officer Dr. Cynthia R. Mamon, during the 35th ASEANTA Excellence Awards held last January 27, at JPark Island Resorts and Waterpark in Mactan, Cebu.

As part of the 45th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), the ASEANTA Excellence Awards 2026 honored "creativity, innovation, and dedication that drive the tourism industry forward" in the Southeast Asia region.

“We are deeply honored and humbled to represent Filipino excellence in tourism and entertainment in this prestigious platform in the ASEAN community. This award fuels our commitment to continuously provide magical experiences like AGILA The EKsperience: SARIBUHAY that also contributes towards our shared mission of sustainable tourism,” shared Dr. Mamon.

As the first and only flying theater in the Philippines that’s also a part of EK’s Education Program, AGILA The EKsperience: SARIBUHAY has been going above and beyond its core mission to drive educational tourism and national pride by showcasing the natural beauty of the country ever since it was first introduced in 2016.

EK relaunched this attraction last October as part of the theme park’s 30th anniversary celebration, now serving as a powerful call to action — reminding everyone of the urgent need to conserve and protect the environment.

With its enhanced film and overall thematic experience, the flying theater now also takes guests on a magical journey underwater as it features various local marine ecosystems along with some of its diverse yet endangered wildlife.

Aside from EK, two other Filipino companies were also awarded, namely the Muntinlupa-based destination management agency Shroff Travel as the Best ASEAN Travel Article, and the premier event space SMX Convention Center as the Best ASEAN Convention Centre.

Shroff Travel was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Arjun Shroff, while Mr. Walid Wafik, Senior Vice President–Operations of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC), received the award for SMX Convention Center during the award ceremony.

Guests can experience EK’s award-winning attraction along with its other rides and offerings from Wednesdays to Sundays, 11AM to 8PM.*

*Park and ride schedules are subject to change without prior notice.

For more information and updates regarding AGILA The EKsperience: SARIBUHAY and EK’s other forever enchanting events and offers, visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph and EK’s official social media accounts @enchantedkingdom.ph for Facebook and TikTok, and @ek_philippines for Instagram.

Schneider Electric says 2 out of 3 travelers prefer green hotels, emphasizes need for digital transformation in the PH hospitality industry

This growing preference for sustainable establishments coincides with the expected return of international travel to pre-pandemic levels this 2024, which is estimated to grow by 2% above 2019 figures, according to the first UNWTO World Tourism Barometer of the Year. 

Schneider Electric’s Segment Head of East Asia and Japan Madhu Menon explained that digital transformation could enable the industry to continue offering comfort and convenience to travelers while reducing its energy consumption.

"Travelers are increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint," Menon said as he emphasized that "this shift in priorities underscores the need for hotels to embrace innovative solutions that seamlessly integrate sustainability and efficiency into their operations." He added that hotels consume 50% more energy than similar-sized residential buildings despite having only 55% occupancy rates on average.

This integration can be accomplished with end-to-end digital solutions that Schneider Electric offers through EcoStruxure™ IT, the company’s Internet of Things (IoT) platform that provides energy management and automation solutions. 

Specifically, this technology features the Asset Advisor and Building Advisor, offering cloud-based analytics to monitor and control their energy use in real time, identify savings opportunities, and reduce their overall carbon footprint. Meanwhile, its Building Operation and Power Monitoring Expert provides data-driven insights to inform hotels about possible problems and diagnostics and determine areas for maintenance– decreasing downtime and guest complaints. 

To future-proof hotels in the Philippines, Schneider Electric identified four focus areas where end-to-end solutions could be utilized: reducing carbon footprint by adopting greener sources of energy, improving the efficiency of operations and energy use, as well as the productivity of staff, ensuring continuity and agility in operations, and delivering exceptional guest and staff experiences. 

As the Philippine hospitality industry gears up for a travel boom, embracing sustainability and digitalization is no longer an option but a necessity. Schneider Electric stands ready to partner with hotels on their journey toward a greener, more efficient, and future-proof business.

Enchanted Kingdom: Fostering Tourism and World-Class Service Excellence

Last January, the Department of Tourism recognized Enchanted Kingdom, the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines, for its valuable contribution to the tourism industry during the CALABARZON Tourism Excellence Appreciation 2023, held in Twin Lakes Hotel in Laurel, Batangas.

EK’s Chairman and President Mr. Mario O. Mamon and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Dr. Cynthia R. Mamon accepted the recognition - alongside Local Government Units (LGUs), partner National Government Agencies (NGAs), private tourism enterprises, the academic community, media partners, institutional partners, and notable individuals in the region.

“This recognition is an affirmation that Enchanted Kingdom is in the right direction towards our vision to be a world-class integrated attractions destination in Asia, and as the Philippine leader in wholesome family leisure and entertainment,” said COO Dr. Mamon.

Dr. Mamon, an advocate of tourism in Laguna, is also the president of the Laguna Tourism Council Philippines. “EK is committed to contributing to the growth of the tourism industry. It is our mission to create and provide magical experiences and memories that last a lifetime, both for our domestic and foreign guests,” Dr. Mamon furthered.

EK’s Learning and Development Manager, Pauline C. Barreiro also received an award for her participation as a trainer for the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) Training program for 2023. Currently, 90% of Enchanted Kingdom’s Cast Members (employees) are FBSE trained. “The FBSE Training Program has deepened our appreciation of the culture of service excellence in the Philippines. In EK, all cast members take the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence to heart as we greet every guest with a passionate Mabuhay, magical day!,” shared Ms. Barreiro.

Last year, EK was also cited by the government of Laguna for generating the highest number of same-day visitors in 2022. The City of Santa Rosa, where EK is situated, recorded 40,188 overnight foreign travelers and 92,728 overnight domestic travelers based on DOT’s most recent Regional Distribution of Overnight Travelers data^[1].

In 2022, EK together with DTI Laguna, opened the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Hub, showcasing famous delicacies from Laguna. Locally handcrafted bags and accessories, coffee and tea gift packs were also at the Pugad Shop at EK’s Cultural Village zone. EK also houses AGILA the EKsperience, the first and only flying theater in the Philippines celebrating the beauty of the Philippines’ destinations, products, and people. For 28 years, Enchanted Kingdom has been ardent in promoting tourism and products in the region.

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^[1] http://www.tourism.gov.ph/Tourism_demand/06072023/RegionalTravelers2022.pdf

 

Enchanted Kingdom Hosts CALABARZON Tourism Expo 2019

The DOT Region IV-A held the CALABARZON Tourism Expo last December 11-13, 2019 at the first and only world-class theme park, Enchanted Kingdom, in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna.  The expo showcased the best tourism spots of the region, along with local products, and special cultural presentations.

The first day of the expo was kicked off by a Tourism Appreciation Night attended by special guests, partners, and local officials. DOT Region IV-A Officer-in-Charge Marites T. Castro and DOT Assistant Secretary Maria Rica Bueno expressed their gratitude to the public and private sectors, travel and tourism partners, for their continuous support in promoting tourism which has contributed to the region’s progress.

The Pledge of Commitment of Support Toward Sustainable Tourism was also signed in order to strengthen the commitment to responsible tourism, especially where rich natural resources are involved.

Other highlights of the evening were the CALABARZON Regional Branding Launch and the Tourism Excellence Recognition Ceremony, where Enchanted Kingdom was one of the awardees.

The regional branding #DiscoverCALABARZON aims to promote the region as a unique destination.

Philippine Media Company invites Australian Beauty Queen Amber Dew to the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas, a fast-rising, multi-awarded and globally-influential media network based in the Philippines, in collaboration with Melbourne Style Watch magazine and Fil-Aussie Models Connection, both based in Australia, has invited an Australian beauty queen and International model (Miss International Australia 2017) Amber Dew to help the online publication in its effort to promote Philippine tourism, as well as to do charity work with underprivileged children, the primary advocacy of Amber.

Believing that a beauty queen from another country could further help boost knowledge about the Philippines as a preferred travel destination, not only among her fellow Australians but also among her other followers worldwide, Wazzup Pilipinas collaborated with the other groups to bring Amber to the Philippines. The entire length of the Philippine tour will be from February 20 to March 1 touring many places in Metro Manila, and some parts of Iloilo (the City of Love), and Pampanga (the Culinary Center of the Philippines).

Philippine Tourism

Amber will be visiting notable fashion designers in Manila. The fashion industry is where the Philippines is known as a world-class provider of beautiful dresses from Long Gown, Avant Garde and National costumes.

Wazzup Pilipinas also reached out to Mak Tumang, popularly known as the reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray's gowns designer, and other popular fashion designers based in Pampanga. The team will be visiting Pampanga on the latter part of their Philippine tour to also enjoy some of the cuisines that made Pampanga famous.

Amber's team will also be going to Iloilo with the sponsorship of Gigantes Island Tours and Services. The team will be there from February 25 to 28 to explore most of what Iloilo can offer.

Charity Work with the Under-Privileged Children

Amber's advocacy is always about the children especially the underprivileged ones. With this in mind, the team collaborated with Congressman Egay Erice of Caloocan City and his Feeding program for the poor. Amber will also be doing volunteering work in Sta. Cruz Church with the intention of interacting with underprivileged children as well.

Amber Dew Announces that She will be Competing in Miss World Australia this Year

After winning an international pageant in 2017, She is now ready to compete with a bigger and more prestigious pageant, Miss World. But now she needs to pass different stages of preliminaries in Australia. Miss World Australia is known to be a very tough competition. Lots of beautiful and highly qualified girls from different parts of the country are expected to compete. Imagine this, Catriona Gray (Miss Universe 2018), Karen Gallman (Miss Intercontinental) and Nina Robertson (Miss Earth Air 2107) are just some examples of the beauties you will find in the country. She hopes that she will get some help from pageant experts in the Philippines through advising and direct training.

In any case, Amber will compete not because of fame and honor but to get a good platform where she will be able to help more underprivileged children. The biggest problem is providing basic necessities to children. This should be provided as among the basic rights of every human living in modern society.

Presscon for Amber Dew

A presscon was held at Diana Stalder Cafe and Skin Care Services Gateway Mall branch on February 20, 2019, so that Amber can share to the members of the media her purpose in visiting the country.

Aside from Wazzup Pilipinas, her Philippine-based sponsors in this particular tour include Gigantes Island Tours and Services of Iloilo, Diana Stalder Skin Care Services, CTG Printz Enterprises, Philblossoms of Cebu, Banner Stands Philippines, Yami Bulgogi of Pampanga, and Congressman Egay Erice of Caloocan.

Media Partners are Light TV, Wow Showbiz of Inquirer Radio, Kilatis of DWBL, Pinoy Xtreme, Manila Bulletin, Malaya Business Insight, Philippine Star, Daily Tribune, Abante, Tempo, Missosology, OPMB Worldwide, Fab Manila, Astig.ph, Gandang Negosyo, Master Pogi PH and Red Cloud Interactive, and a lot more.