This city showcases the best of what Bacolod offers to some 230 United States-based delegates and 100 local tourism stakeholders during the three-day 2024 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour, which runs until Thursday.

Led by Consul General of New York Senen Mangalile, the guests were welcomed by city officials, among them Councilors Em Legaspi Ang and Jason Villarosa, during the Mayor’s Night held at the Bacolod City Government Center lobby on Tuesday.

“The event aims to further strengthen ties and showcase the best of Bacolod’s culture and community to the distinguished guests,” the city government said in a statement on Wednesday.

This year’s tour, which includes US delegates from New York, Hawaii, California, and Guam, aims to reconnect Filipino-Americans with their heritage and promote the Philippines as a premier travel destination.

After the tour’s kick-off in Manila earlier this week, the Bacolod leg was highlighted on Tuesday by the unveiling of the bazaar of Bacolod’s best local products, such as local delicacies and handcrafted items as well as Bacolod-style Filipino dishes like chicken inasal, KBL (kadios, baboy,langka) and bangus paksiw.

The guests were also treated to a performance of the world-renowned MassKara Festival dancers and introduced to the city’s other festivities, including the Bacolaodiat Festival, Chicken Inasal Festival, and Rum Festival.

“Here in the Philippines, we in the diaspora in the US have a lot to offer to the local communities (in the Philippines). The capacity to bring the two together is what we aim for with the VIP Tour,” Mangalile said in his message during the tour’s kick-off in Manila.

On Wednesday, the delegates traveled to Lakawon Island in Cadiz City after also visiting the heritage houses of Silay City, both in the northern part of Negros Occidental, before their scheduled departure on Thursday. (PNA)