NAMI-MISS KA NA NAMIN! A N E W S L E T T E R May 15, 2017 Volume 7, Issue 1 FIRST-EVER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDEE The award was handed by the Secretary of Tourism Wanda Tulfo-Teo (center). Others in photo from left are Philip Lipnica, treasurer; Linda Tan, president and Virgilio delos Santos, vice president. One of Adam s Express Travel tagline is Serving Lifetime Memories, which truly coincide with the recent award that was given to its president, Mamerth Banatin. For the first time in Philippine travel tourism, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Banatin for his lifetime service to the travel industry, leadership and pioneering efforts. ADAM S TRAVEL, NUMBER ONE AGAIN! Thanks to all of your love and support, Adam s Express Travel remained topnotcher in sales at the recent Travel Tour Expo that was held at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. Mamerth Banatin, president (second to the left) received the award from Marlene Jante (second from right), immediate past president Michelle Victoria (left), Expo Chairman and Nitz Ragaza (right), past president (PTAA). TRAVEL EXPO S AMAZING CROWD (Left) Photo shows how blessed Adam s Travel is with a lot of new clients and of course repeat passengers that are visiting the booth. They all enjoyed fabulous tour packages with big discounts!
BEAUTY QUEENS OF ADAM S TRAVEL The hype for beauty pageantry is not yet over as Adam s Travel gave crown and sash to its top producing travel agents for 2016. Photo shows (from left) Amor Completo, general manager, Rosabella Pabalan of Century Express Travel in Davao, Mamerth Banatin, president and Macedonia Baby Sumulong. Other top producers were Gloria Bayog of Adam s Travel Zamboanga and Lina Datu (Sales Agent Division). The awards were given during Adam s Travel sales meeting at Guevarra s restaurant by Chef Laudico. Fr. Rick Balongag also graced the meeting as guest speaker. He shared his experiences in travel and escorting that delighted the travel agents. Aside from the sumptuous lunch, Adam s Travel also gave away a lot of prizes including land arrangements to Korea, U.S. and Holyland, Jordan and Egypt. STAR CRUISE VIRGO IS HERE! Bringing a new trend in travel, for the first time ever, Star Cruise Virgo made it Manila homeport! Its route is Manila, Laoag, Kaoshiung, Taiwan, Hongkong then back to Manila. It s a must catch today for its very affordable rates, plus you won t be spending for the airfare. How cool is that? Publisher: Mamerth Banatin Editor: Gelo Tuazon Contributors: Amor Completo Pinky Restrivera Weng Baltazar Anna Ayo Chat Mina Nema Ocon Lorie Mandilag Romel Paala Terry Reyes Susan Ty Since it was launched last April, thousands of Filipino tourist flocked to experience the cruise ship. Most of them are family and peers who wanted to take a quick deep into relaxation. It is not the biggest cruise ship but it has all the luxury facilities and entertainment that you can think of. They have amazing pools, karaoke rooms, golf driving range, spa, beauty salon, etc. plus various entertainment shows in its theatre. And, let us not forget about the food! Good thing they prepared gym facilities and jogging track to get ready for over 10 restaurants serving Chinese, Japanese and Italian cuisines! Adam s sent 140 happy and satisfied tourists on board Star Cruise Virgo and is expecting more on its coming departures! One of the highlight of the cruise is the Captain s Ball where every passenger dressed up in their formal wear. It is a special night welcomed by the Captain himself. Page 2 NAMI-MISS KA NA NAMIN!
HOLYLAND, JORDAN & EGYPT Last Feb 15, these groups went to the Promised Land and one of this was the group of Fr. Cristopher Gonzales and Fr. Rommel Felizardo of the archdiocese of Antipolo with 24 Filipino pilgrims. They were very blessed to visit the holy sights and followed the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ. One of the highlights was their experience of Via Dolorsa, or the Way of the Cross. Everyone had the chance to carry a cross similar with the one Jesus carried during His passion. This group was escorted by Romel Paala of Adam s Travel. The group was touched with the inspiring reflections of the two chaplains. The group poses in front of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. This pilgrimage group is accompanied by Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD as their pilgrimage chaplain and Chat Mina of Adam s Travel, tour leader. The group departed last February 15 visiting the holy sites in the Holyland, Jordan and Egypt. NEPAL & BHUTAN Photo shows the group posing in front of Punakha Dzong, a buddhist temple in Bhutan. This group went on a tour to Nepal and Bhutan (The Happiest Country in the World) with Bangkok last April 12. This itinerary is one of Adam s pioneering exotic destinations. The tour highlights Kathmandu, Nagarkot, Patan, Durbar Square, Paro, Thimpu and Punakha. The group was happily escorted by Susan Ty (kneeling second from right). REUNION ALA SUMMER VACATION The Marian pilgrimage group that departed last year recently had their reunion hosted by the Del Mundo Family. They all enjoyed the beautiful beach with the view of Belloroca Island Resort, also known as Elephant Island. They also celebrated mass at St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish with procession for the Divine Mercy Sunday. They stayed three days in the Island visiting other Churches like St. Joseph, Simbahan ng Boac, Monastery of Saint Claire, Freedom Park and of course, enjoying the white Page 3
PERSIA, ARMENIA & GEORGIA WOW! Truly one of Adam s pioneering destination. Last April 20, a group of Filipino adventure seekers went on an amazing trip going to Persia (Iran), Armenia and Georgia. The group travelled through the Iranian desert from Shiraz, Kerman, Yazd, Isfahan, Tehran, Tabriz and continued to Armenia, the oldest Christian nation on earth. They were entertained with nightly Georgian music and dances in Tbilisi. Tour highlights were Shiraz with its Pink Mosque (Nasir Al mok), Esfahan's Imam Square with its many mosques and Ali qa pu Palace, the Golestan Palace, the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, gardens and bustling bazaars. As per Ana Ayo, tour leader, this tour is for those who appreciate culture, history and cuisine. This will also erase all the misconceptions about the country which they dubbed in the news as dangerous. GO WEST SUMMIT Last February 19, Adam s Travel was invited by the U.S. Commercial Service of the Embassy of the United States together with other 23 delegates from the Philippines for a Go West Summit to strengthen our outbound tourism. The event was held at the Reno Sparks Convention Center. Over 200 buyers from 24 countries participated. After the convention, the Philippine travel agents went on a post fam tour to Carson Valley, Tahoe and San Francisco. Ms. Weng Baltazar, sales manager, was Adam s Travel representative to the U.S. PERSONALITY OF THE QUARTER Macedonia Baby Sumulong DEAD SEA SWIMMING DEAD SEA,Israel Photo shows the group of Norma Cabrera (center) from Pampanga scrubbing and enjoying the nutrients from the Dead Sea to keep their skin young and smooth! This group was accompanied by their pilgrimage chaplain, Fr. Victor Nicdao and Lorie Mandilag of Adam s Travel. The 29 Filipino pilgrims departed last March 15 and visited the Holyland, Jordan and Egypt. This Grand Slam Top Agent is well known in the office as Baby. Very enterprising and dynamic, she is handling clients from different offices and has organized tours to the Holyland, Jordan and Egypt (with Fr. Rey Mission and Fr. Jerome Marquez) and to Europe Marian pilgrimage with Fr. Ronilo Huesca. She is currently forming four groups this year. Recently, the group had a reunion at Anvaya Cove hosted by Lina Velez (center). It was also a double birthday celebration of the host and Norma Cabrera, tour organizer of Adam s Travel. Mr. Mamerth Banatin (right) also graced the event.
HOLYLAND RETREAT (Left Photo) Six families and two couples celebrated their Christmas holidays in the Holyland last December 18. The highlight of this pilgrimage is the Christmas Eve mass in Bethlehem. This Pilgrimage group was led by Fr. Jade Licuanan who is a committee member of the Youth Ministry of the Archdiocese of Manila. The groups were escorted by Amor Completo, General Manager of Adams Travel (Right Photo) A group of 25 priests and lay people held a clergy retreat in the Holyland headed by Bishop Arturo Bastes of the Diocese of Sorsogon last November 14. It was composed of retired and young priests alike that made the pilgrimage so meaningful and inspiring to the group. Two of the priests, Fr. Entong Benavidez and Fr. Ernie Medina will lead a Marian pilgrimage on September 15 and Holyland on November 10. JAPAN CHERRY BLOSSOM CRAZE Photo shows the group wearing yukata, a local Japanese clothing in their dinner in Ito. Every spring, travellers from all over the world visit Japan just to experience the mesmerizing beauty of the cherry blossom trees. The cherry blossom became the country s official mark. Last March 31, a group of Filipinos were fortunate to witness them in full bloom in Asakusa. Their seven-day tour to Japan highlights Osaka with Universal Studios, Nara, Kyoto, Mt. Fuji with cable car and cruise in lake Ashi and of course Tokyo with Disneysea. NAITAS TRAVEL & TRADE SHOW (Right picture) Asst. Sec. Maria Lourdes Japson of DOT (wearing filipiniana dress) graced Adam s Travel booth. Page 5 Mr. Mamerth Banatin, president of Adam s Travel, (seated fourth from right) attended the Vienna Austria Roadshow held at New World Hotel, Makati. In a message well received, he praised Turkish Airlines, Landways and David Celdran. Newsletter Title