ARE you yearning to explore the world but finding yourself constrained by a tight budget and limited time? Let ‘Biyaheng South‘ be the beacon of hope that turns your travel dreams into reality.
Metro Pacific Tollways South (MPT South), in partnership the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region IV-A (-CALABARZON), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILGIV-A), and Cavite Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office successfully concluded its Biyaheng South Summer Tour 2023. This activity is a platform for a one-of-a-kind budget-friendly and unforgettable summer experience, where historical and leisure gems are made accessible through MPT South’s expressway network.
For this tour, go-to content creators, Travel with Karla, DarSheyGoesTo, TheJosephVerallo, All About Cavite, and Hello Eats Nani took part as Ka-Biyaheros who embarked on a thrilling two-day road trip through CAVITEX, leading them to the historical, gastronomic, and leisure treasures of the Province of Cavite.
The team kicked off the day with a tour of the sustainable headquarters of CAVITEX and CALAX – the MPT South HUB, in Imus, Cavite. This 4-storey building proudly holds a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification. Highlighted on the tour are the building’s innovative and eco-friendly features, including a solar panel field harnessing renewable energy, the building’s biophilic design that seamlessly blends with nature, a dedicated charging station for electric vehicles (EV), and an advanced traffic control room.
Afterwards, in celebration of National Heritage Month, the team visited Museo ni Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite. This historic site, where Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, served as an enlightening experience for the team, deepening their appreciation for our country’s heritage.
A sumptuous lunch featuring delicious Caviteno cuisine was served at Malen’s Restaurant, just a few minutes’ drive from CAVITEX Kawit Exit.
Continuing the adventure, our Ka-Biyaheros discovered the enchanting ‘happiest place in Cavite’ – Torres Farm & Resort in the picturesque town of Naic. This family-friendly resort delighted the visitors with its adult and kiddie pools and showcased replicas of iconic landmarks from around the world. From the Taj Mahal in India to the Empire State Building in New York and the Merlion Park in Singapore, where our Biyaheros had fun taking snapshots and basking in the wonders of these remarkable destinations, all in a single day.
The team also had the opportunity to participate in a unique pizza-making activity at Amare La Cucina, located within the resort premises. They immersed themselves in the art of preparing brick oven cooked pizzas, savoring the joy of culinary creation in a serene setting.
“As our region continuously commits to sustainable tourism, we regenerate opportunities that are rooted in our provinces’ destinations and attractions. We share these hidden gems, culture, and traditions with our domestic and international travelers through paving a way and bridging lands via CALAX and CAVITEX that made it easier to access various places in the south,” Department of Tourism Region IV-A Director, Ms. Marites Castro said.
“Our aim is to promote economic growth and development in the south while showcasing the beauty and cultural significance of our destinations. Through our partnerships with the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Province of Cavite, we have successfully gathered a diverse group of online content creators, known as our ‘Ka-Biyaheros,’ who play a vital role in sharing these remarkable sites with their digital audience and inspiring them to experience the wonders of Cavite firsthand,” stated Arlette Capistrano, MPT South’s Vice President for Communication and Stakeholder Management.
“Biyaheng South”, MPT South’s tourism advocacy program, has garnered recognition for its exceptional efforts in promoting its toll road networks CAVITEX and its C5 Link segment, and CALAX, as the gateway to the enchanting destinations and attractions in the South. Leveraging the power of social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, Biyaheng South has successfully reached and engaged with over 25,000 dedicated followers. With captivating content, Biyaheng South’s TikTok videos alone have amassed over 1 million views, while their Facebook presence has reached a remarkable lifetime audience of 430,000. This digital success has not only contributed to increased vehicle traffic along MPT South’s expressways but has also played a crucial role in revitalizing the economic growth of the provinces.
“In addition to ensuring accessible roads and convenient travel for individuals, MPT South is dedicated to enhancing the tourism sector in Region 4-A. Through our ‘Biyaheng South’ program, our goal is to continuously highlight as many destinations as possible in the region that are conveniently found near Metro Manila and easily accessible via our toll road network. By featuring these fascinating attractions, we aim to promote regional tourism, encourage exploration, and foster economic growth in the area.” added Capistrano.
MPT South is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road development arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC). It is the biggest toll road builder and operator in the country. Aside from the CAVITEX and CALAX, MPTC’s domestic portfolio includes the concessions for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the NLEX Connector Road, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cebu.
