Here’s the best of the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - The first travel coffeetable book of its kind entitled The Best of the Best of the Philippines will be launched Thursday, April 10 at the Tapas Bar of the Makati Shangri-La Manila hotel. The book is the first Philippine travel publication that presents a compilation of the country’s 22 award-winning and unique destinations from Batanes to Cagayan de Oro with useful day-to-day itineraries. The book is rich in visuals with 350 stunning images taken by the country’s top photographers together with 18 fully illustrated destination maps and 26 route maps.

The award-winning Eastgate Publishing Corporation, which has been publishing Philippine Airline’s Mabuhay magazine since 1988 and has won 19 awards, published this milestone book with the support of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).

Book editor Jun Ventura said, “We are deeply grateful to Tourism Secretary Jimenez who helped us make this book possible and for giving us creative and marketing ideas that made the book even more appealing. Likewise, our collaboration with TPB’s COO, Domingo Ramon Enerio III, was smooth and productive (and) we were able to publish the book ahead of schedule.”

The book’s combination of practical and artistic elements has been generating favorable reviews. Philippine STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte states, “It’s a great book. I want to make it my giveaway, too” while STAR columnist Cito Beltran is all praises: “You don’t see a travel book as interesting, colorful, helpful and educational. It’s not just another travel book.” After reading the book, Hans Hauri, the general manager of Marco Polo Cebu, shared that “I am still reflecting on the beauty of the book,” while Marco Vazzoler, general manager of Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa, says “the book reinforced my belief that the Philippines is truly enchanting. Each feature in the book is an adventure on its own and will certainly take readers on many wonderful journeys.”

The book launch is being held in cooperation with Makati Shangri-La Manila hotel with Billy King’s Le Chef as the wine sponsor. Raffle sponsors for the event are: Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa, Marco Polo Cebu, Abaca Resort, Plantation Bay Resort, Discovery Shores in Boracay, Amorita Resort in Bohol, Camp John Hay Manor in Baguio, Marco Polo Davao, Kingfisher Resort in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Republiq, Prive, Sonya’s Garden, Marco Polo Ortigas, Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, Hilltop Restaurant in Baguio, and La Preciosa Restaurant in Laoag City. The Manila String Machine will provide live music for the event.

The Best of the Best of the Philippines coffeetable book is available in all major bookstore outlets.