Albay gears up for Hollywood star DiCaprio

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Residents of Albay have started preparations for the week-long visit next month of Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who will launch environmental promotion and protection activities in the province.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said that he had already instructed the province’s tourism officials to line up activities that would tap the skills of DiCaprio, particularly in adventure tourism.

Joyce Ramirez, the director for international publicity at PR Asia Worldwide, confirmed that DiCaprio would arrive in Albay on board a private jet on the first week of August.

“We are excited that what he wants to do in Albay is to promote environmental protection. So we are preparing environmental options for his one-week stay here,” Salceda told The STAR.

DiCaprio will visit Albay’s scenic destinations, particularly Mayon Volcano and the white sand beaches of Misibis in Bacacay town that would give the province the opportunity to be placed in the world tourism map, Salceda said.

Jose Briones, Albay tourism officer, said that they would prepare tourism adventure activities for DiCaprio in the Pacific Ocean near Albay, which offer potentials for jet skiing, sea-boarding, or scuba diving.

Briones said that the islands of Cagraray, Rapu-rapu, Buhatan and San Miguel (CRABS) in Tabaco City have already set preparations for adventure tourism activities for local and foreign tourists.

“These islands are at par with other places elsewhere in the world as far as potentials for adventure tourism due to its white sand, caves, corals and scenic sea-beds,” Briones said.