BEACHES? Check. Surfing in Siargao? Been there. Breathing in the cool mountain air? Done that. Watch Annie Batungbakal? Aba, bongga ka ‘day!
The Department of Tourism (DOT) will now be promoting live original Filipino performances and cultural productions to domestic travelers and foreign tourists, under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with Newport World Resorts (NWR) on September 1. The partnership arrangement will cover two years.
‘Entertainment has become one of the strongest reasons travelers choose to visit and return to a destination, and this partnership allows us to bring that experience to more Filipinos and international visitors alike,’ said Acting Tourism Secretary Maria Bernardita Angara-Mathay at the signing ceremony.
‘Through this collaboration, we hope to showcase Filipino talent and creativity as part of what makes the Philippines worth discovering,’ she said, adding that, ‘This is also an opportunity to support our creative economy, from performers to production teams, while integrating these experiences into our broader campaigns to grow tourism nationwide.’
A DOT source underscored that the promotion will not include the gaming portfolio of Newport World Resorts.
On September 18, for instance, the Newport Performing Arts Theater will feature ‘Bongga Ka, ‘Day! The Annie Batungbakal Musical,’ which is produced by the Full House Theater Co. (FHTC), Newport World Resort’s production arm.
Travellers International has been expanding its entertainment footprint as it pushes to position the Philippines as the ‘Broadway of Asia.’
For his part, NWR President and Chief Executive Officer Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez said, ‘Guided by our Executive Chairman Kevin L. Tan’s commitment to nation-building, we have always believed that tourism becomes stronger when destinations offer more than access and accommodation. They must offer experiences that give people a deeper reason to visit, stay longer, return, and ultimately, discover more to love about the Philippines.’
Aside from promoting live entertainment and original Filipino productions, the DOT will also promote Newport World’s other offerings; the latter will develop integrated stay, dine, and watch packages designed around experiential travel, build visitor itineraries centered on Metro Manila, and explore promotional rates and ticket offers that turn national tourism campaigns into bookable, ready-to-enjoy experiences for travelers.
‘On behalf of Newport World Resorts, we thank the Department of Tourism for this partnership and for recognizing entertainment as a meaningful pillar of Philippine tourism,’ said Rodriguez.
The DOT is currently running its ‘Discover More to Love’ campaign, intended to drive more Filipinos to travel to local destinations. The agency has also bidded out two projects worth some P400 million to kickstart anew a brand campaign to promote the Philippines abroad. (See, ‘DOT lists P398-M bid to refresh, roll out ‘Love the Philippines’ drive,’ in the BusinessMirror, Aug. 13, 2026.)
Under the MOU, a copy of which was obtained by the BusinessMirror, the government agency and NWR will ‘promote NWR as a premier lifestyle, entertainment, and cultural tourism destination in Metro Manila under the DOT’s ‘Discover More to Love’ campaign and other entertainment and tourism-related campaign of the DOT; jointly create and implement destination marketing campaigns highlighting authentic Filipino culture, performing arts, hospitality, gastronomy, and entertainment; to name a few.
Earlier, the DOT also inked an MOU with Klook Philippines for the latter to highlight the ‘hidden gems’ in the country, through its app. The two-year agreement will initially focus on promoting the Cordillera Administrative Region, Panay, Negros, and Bukidnon. (See, ‘DOT seeks wider China visa-free entry as arrivals surge 69%,’ in the BusinessMirror, Sept. 1, 2026.)