RANDOM SHOTS: The 12th Paradise exhibit at SM City Iloilo

The Deparment of Tourism Region 12 finally brought the 12th Paradise experience to Iloilo City. 

Here are random shots taken yesterday, March 21, 2014 at the "Luring Iloilo to the 12th Paradise" a selling mission and travel exhibit at the activity center of SM City Iloilo.

Representative of the City Mayor of Iloilo Ms. Junel Ann Divinagracia  with DOT-12 Regional Director Nelly Nita Dillera (center) and DOT Assistant Secretary for Mindanao Arturo Boncato

Visitors flocked to the activity center of SM City Iloilo to witness the opening of the 12th paradise exhibit. Present were tourism stakeholders in South Central Mindanao and their counterparts in the Western Visayas, representatives from different LGU's from Region 12 and Iloilo as well as from the business sector.

Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe from Koronadal City wowed the visitors present during the opening of the 3-day exhibit at SM City Iloilo with their performances of the different dances of the region.

DOT 12 Regional Director Nelly Nita Dillera invited the Ilonggo's to visit the 12th Paradise. According to her, DOT 12 chosen Iloilo City to launch the road show for the 12th Paradise campaign to also promote inter-regional travel and tap the growing middle class of the city whose ancestors migrated to Mindanao decades ago. She also cited some of the reasons why Ilonggo's in the Western Visayas should visit the region that includes the cultural, adventure and natural attractions which are largely unexplored. 

Miss Junel Ann Divinagracia represented Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog in the opening program and welcomed the whole Region 12 delegation to Iloilo City.

Mindanao advocate and brand architect Amor Maclang of GeiserMaclang was also present during the opening  of the 12th Paradise exhibit. She encouraged Ilonggo's to discover and experience Region 12 which is according to her she already made her second home.

Michelle Solon, a full-blooded Ilongga also vouched for Region 12 in her speech during the opening. She is the Region 12 Tourism Council chair and First lady of Sarangani Province.

DOT Assistant Secretary for Mindanao Arturo Boncato was the keynote speaker during the opening program.