PHILIPPINES CULTURAL TOUR
February
2015
PHILIPPINES
CULTURAL
TOUR
February 17–24
Tuesday, February 17
International flight from US to
Manila, Philippines
Wednesday, February 18
Arrive in Philippines, Ninoy Aquino
International Airport greeted by
professional tour coordinators who
will guide you to Seda Bonifacio
Global City hotel (http://www.
sedahotels.com/bgc/)
Thursday, February 19
Attend a Welcome Orientation
after breakfast with selected officers
of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation
Board of Trustees and staff before
departing for a program site visit.
Travel in comfort aboard a Volvo
bus, with lazy boy seats. Enjoy lunch
in Bulacan before arriving at the
Muzon Pabahay Elementary School
in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan
Province. Receive a very warm
welcome from the school’s principal,
teachers, and students prior to a
special program including a song and
dance performance, expressions of
appreciation, and time for interaction
with sponsored children. Return to
Manila for dinner.
Friday, February 20
In the morning, travel in
comfort aboard a Volvo bus for a
heartwarming program site visit to
Angeles City and Marcos Village in
Mabalacat, Pampanga. Participate in
the delivery of grocery items and visit
with selected Amerasian children in
in their homes in Angeles City. Enjoy
lunch on the way to Marcos Village
in Mabalacat, Pampanga where you
will join in activities, play the Pinoy
Henyo game, provide children with
meals from Jollibee and distribute
dictionaries to sponsored children in
this Aeta community. The Aeta are
indigenous people and are thought
to be the earliest inhabitants of the
Philippines. Return to Manila for
dinner as guests of Mrs. Rosalind
Wee (2009 Pearl S. Buck Woman
of the Year and current Chairperson
of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation
Philippines Board of Trustees) at
the W Skye Lounge and take in the
panoramic view of metro Manila.
Saturday, February 21
Depart the hotel, sit back and relax
aboard a Volvo bus while taking in
the views along the nearly four hour
ride to Olongapo City, Zambales for
a child sponsorship program site visit.
Olongapo is a highly urbanized city,
one of 12 metropolitan areas in the
Philippines and home of the former
US Naval Base Subic Bay. Enjoy
lunch in Olongapo then participate
in the distribution of certificates
and medals to outstanding children
and tutors during a recognition
ceremony of a Pearl S. Buck Tutorial
Program implemented in partnership
with Gordon College. Learn how
this program is improving student’s
academic scores while giving future
educators hands-on experience.
Return to Manila for a delicious
Filipino dinner.
Sunday, February 22
With an estimated 80% of the
population in the Philippines Roman
Catholic, experience their faith by
attending St. Joseph Church (home
of the famous Bamboo Organ)
Catholic Mass in the morning
before embarking on a sightseeing
tour of the City of Tagaytay, one
of the country’s most popular
tourist destinations because of its
outstanding scenery and cooler
climate, provided by its high
altitude. Enjoy the view of Taal
Volcano Island, in the middle of the
lake, the second most active volcano
in the Philippines. Optional zip line
and horseback rides are available
(fees not included in tour price). The
day will also include an opportunity
for shopping and purchasing native
products. Dinner will be hosted
by Mrs. Myrna Yao, Chairperson
Emeritus of the Pearl S. Buck
Foundation Philippines Board of
Trustees.
Monday, February 23
Take in the rich history and culture
of Manila City during a day-long
tour which will include a visit to
the Malacanan Palace (the official
residence and principal workplace
of the President of the Philippines),
Intramuros, Manila Cathedral, San
Agustin Church, Fort Santiago,
Rizal Park, and an opportunity for
shopping and purchasing native
products. A response to our request
for a courtesy call with President
Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III
while at the palace is pending.
• Metro Manilla
• Bulacan Province
• Pampanga Province
• Zambales Province
• Cavite Province
• Optional Trip to
Balesin Island, Quezon
Optional Add-On Excursion February 24–27
You may elect to depart the
Philippines on February 24th and
return to your home or continue
to explore the Philippines and one
of its beautiful islands for a three
day, two nights stay.
Tuesday, February 24 to
Thursday, February 26
Experience the Philippines at
its best! Store any luggage you
won’t need at the Seda Bonafacio
Global City hotel before you
depart Manila for a once in a
lifetime opportunity to unwind
at a private members only resort.
Enjoy the Balesin Resort for
two nights and three days as a
guest of Mrs. Yao, Chairperson
Emeritus of the Pearl S. Buck
Foundation Philippines Board of
Trustees. The resort is located off
the Eastern coast of Luzon and
offers full amenities, including
a luxurious spa, aquatic sports,
stables and more. Travel by
private plane (a 9-seater Cessna
or 19-seater Jet Stream Aircraft)
to Balesin, a tropical island
paradise with pristine white
sand beaches and accessed via a
quick 25-minute plane ride from
Manila. Balesin Island has seven
themed villages inspired by worldclass beach destinations namely:
Balesin, Bali, St. Tropez, Toscana,
Mykonos, Costa Del Sol, and
Phuket. Guests will enjoy the
landscaped pools and authentic
restaurants with an impressive
view of the ocean.
Masterfully planned by EcoPlan
of Miami, Florida, USA, Balesin
Island Club was designed with the
environment uppermost in mind
and to be in perfect harmony
with its natural surroundings.
Water harvesting, 80% water
recycling, a reverse osmosis plant,
on-site ecofriendly transportation,
organic farming, and alternative
sources of energy reduce the
amount of waste and ensure
sustainable development on this
beauty of an island—without
scrimping on luxurious, top-notch
facilities.
Thursday, February 26
Depart Balesin Island in the
afternoon for your 25-minute
return flight back to Pasay City.
A Coaster bus will take you back
to the Seda Bonifacio Global City
hotel where you will check-in
for one last evening. The group
tour coordinator will assist with
airport transfers for tour member’s
International flight departures
from Ninoy Aquino International
Airport.
JAPAN
Per Person Tour Package is $2,159.00
CHINA
TAIWAN
Deposit of $500 is due immediately. A second installment
of $579.50 is due on or before October 15, 2014. The final
balance of $1079.50 is due on or before December 15, 2014.
South China Sea
VIETNAM
N o r t h
P a c i f i c
O c e a n
Philippine Sea
PHILIPPINES
Optional Add-On Trip to
Balesin Island is $840 plus expenses
✱ Add-On trip is paid directly in-country by participants
For more information, call 215-249-0100 x 113.
Initiate your registration at www.pearlsbuck.org/culturetrip
MALAYSIA
I N D O N E S I A
Per Person Trip Package Includes: (1) Double occupancy (one king or two single beds)
at the hotel accommodations as indicated in itinerary; (2) Western buffet breakfast at hotel, lunches
and dinner at local fine restaurants/hotels on Feb 19th–24th; (3) Comfortable and clean bus for land
transportation (group transfers between hotel and all locations in and around Manila for program visits
and sightseeing); (4) Experienced Tour Guide; (5) Tour admission fees for guided tours as indicated in
itinerary; (6) Travel insurance for land only; (7) Official tour escorts.
Trip Package Excludes: (1) Passport fees, if any; (2) US ground transportation to/from US
airports; (3) All required immunizations, and related expenses, if any; (4) Round-trip international
airfare [Estimate is approximately $1600 per person economy seating]; (5) Round-trip domestic airfare
for flight to/from Manila and Balesin Island [approximately $160 per person, varying departure times/
same day arrival]; (6) All meals on Balesin Island [approximately $50 per person/day, additional for wine,
etc.], however coffee, tea and 2 bottles of water per day are complimentary in your room; (7) personal
expenses [e.g., internet access, phone, laundry, bar, and overweight baggage charges, etc.]; (8) Refunds for
missed or unused services; (9) Accommodations in excess of the nights listed in the itinerary.
Airfare: Group tour participants will be responsible for securing their own round-trip international
flights to/from US and Manila, Philippines. Round-trip domestic flight reservations to/from Balesin
Island will be coordinated through the assistance of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation staff while the costs
associated with the flights will be paid directly by the participants upon check-out from the Balesin
Island Resort.
Changes in Itinerary: In coordination with the in-country group tour travel agent, Pearl S. Buck
International reserves the right to change the itinerary or services for reason which may be out of our
control, (e.g. natural disasters, and Philippines interior airline schedule changes, etc.).
Passport and Health Requirements: All US citizens are required to have a valid passport
to visit the Philippines. The cost of obtaining a passport is not included in the tour price. Visas are not
required.
The Center for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov) indicates that there are no required
vaccinations to travel to the Philippines at this time. They recommend that US citizens consult with your
physician or travel doctor to determine the precautions appropriate for you.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made by letter, e-mail, or fax and NOT by telephone.
Partial or total cancellation of tour services, regardless of reason, is subject to: (1) Funds that may be
withheld or imposed by the hotels, sightseeing companies, etc.; and (2) A per person cancellation service
fee, prorated before departure will apply, as follows: $250 up to November 14, 2014, and $400 up to
December 16, 2014. No refunds of any amount of the land itinerary will be possible after January 2,
2015. Domestic flight airfare to Balesin Island is non-refundable once tickets are booked.
Philippines Trip Disclaimer. All tour group members electing to join the February 17–27, 2015
Philippines Cultural Tour assume full responsibility for their decision and acknowledge that he/she
waives any right to recovery from Pearl S. Buck International and Pearl S. Buck Foundation Philippines
for any injuries, medical expenses, or other unanticipated travel related costs the he/she may sustain while
participating in this trip.
Pearl S. Buck International | 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA 18944 | 215-249-0100 | pearlsbuck.org