Philippines and Thailand: The ties that bind
It’s the friends you meet along the way who make the journey worthwhile. I just embarked on a cultural, historical, and gastronomic exploration of the Visayas region, focusing on the storied islands of Cebu and Bohol. I had the honor of traveling with distinguished guests: Filipino Ambassador to Thailand Millicent Cruz Paredes and her spouse, Atty. Jason Robert Paredes; Irish Amb. Patrick Bourne and his spouse, Sonali Rajasingham Bourne; Peruvian Amb. Cecilia Zunilda Galarreta Bazan; Guatemalan Amb. Shirley Dennise Aguilar Barrera; UNESCAP deputy executive secretary Lin Yang and her daughter Shangshang Wu; and Joan Marie Acero, attaché at the Philippine Embassy in Thailand.
This special tour was arranged by my dear friends, Joone and Annabelle Daokaew of All Around Holidays, an outbound and inbound travel agency based in Thailand—true champions of friendship through travel. We all journeyed through our islands not as mere visitors, but as fellow travelers; curious and ready to embrace our culture. Every moment of this journey flowed seamlessly, thanks to the flawless coordination of Pan Pacific Travel Manila.
.png)
Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Millicent Cruz Paredes came back to her homeland with a gift: the gift of connection. From Cebu’s historic heart to Bohol’s natural wonders, they came to understand not just our stories, but our spirit. In Cebu, we stumbled upon a lively ukulele shop, and Amb. Bazan couldn’t help but dance with delight as infectious and pure laughter echoed through the room.
At Marina Seaside, a seafood banquet was enjoyed before we took a high-speed ferry to Bohol, where more surprises unfolded. At the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, we gazed in wonder at those soft, wide-eyed animals that appeared to possess the forest’s secrets. And then, the stunning Chocolate Hills—each rise and curve is like a lullaby of the Earth. We danced with the children of the community, watched local artisans prepare kalamay and Asin Tibuok in Albuquerque, and felt the rhythm of island life seep into our souls. Bluewater Panglao welcomed us like long-lost friends. A sanctuary of warmth and sincerity, it offered not just stunning views, but comfort, artistry, and heartfelt hospitality as well. The staff anticipated our every need with grace and the chefs transformed local flavors into culinary poetry.
At Aplaya restaurant in Bluewater Panglao, we savored ube pan de sal and monay served with butter, kesong puti, ube halaya, and chorizo-onion jam. Next was Panagsama, local veggies in cassava dough with laing sauce and sweet potato mash. Followed by Hinalang, a comforting chicken meatball coconut broth with veggie noodles and crisp mushrooms. We also savored kare-kare, tender beef short ribs in peanut stew with chorizo shrimp paste and rice. For a sweet ending, we had Harana, a medley of ube mousse, coconut, and cashew brittle, and bibingka treats. Kudos to chef Sau del Rosario who curated our set menu dinner with executive chef Stephen Del Amen overseeing the dinner and head chef Rex Firmalino with his team preparing the dishes. We also enjoyed an eclectic cultural show that added more revelry to the evening as the ambassadors joined the lively local dances.
.png)
That evening, we found ourselves in Animula, the newest jewel of Bohol owned by the charming doyenne, Emma Gomez, who is and has always been the pride of Bohol., She brings flavors to life with fervent fervor. She explains her food, “My focus is on mindful eating, which encompasses both the comfort of the dining experience and the design of the space. I prioritize partnering with local suppliers to bolster community support.”
Ambassador Millicent Cruz Paredes shared how she set up a Philippine Studies program at Thammasat University—an act of cultural diplomacy grounded in love. She actively pursued a labor agreement with Thailand to protect Filipino migrant workers. Since arriving in Thailand during the pandemic, she also actively promoted Philippine visibility by joining key Thai government meetings and royal events, including celebrations for His Majesty the King’s sixth cycle birth anniversary. She chaired and spoke at UNESCAP meetings and advocated blood donation to the Thai Red Cross.
“Besides showcasing the beauty of the Philippines to my fellow ambassadors, I was here on a tourism platform organized by the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok—something we had been working on for some time,” Ambassador Millicent Cruz Paredes shared.
“This initiative was meant to address the gap,” she explained, pointing to the stark difference in tourist flows: according to the Philippine Department of Tourism, the Philippines welcomed 5,949,350 foreign tourists in 2024, while Thailand, based on the Thai Ministry of Tourism data, received 35,545,714. In the same year, 598,124 Filipinos traveled to Thailand—but only 45,896 Thais visited the Philippines.
“After three tries, we finally made it happen—and we hope to make this an annual program of the Embassy,” she added. “Next time, we aim to include not just Thais, but also the large expat community in Thailand, many of whom still tend to explore only our neighbors like Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, or Myanmar. It’s time they experienced the wonders of the Philippines, too.”
We continued to the Blood Compact Site and Baclayon Church, each echoing centuries of history. At the charming Green Thumb organic mushroom farm, we met Rona Denque, an accountant-turned-entrepreneur who triumphed at the Go Negosyo Forum—beating over 15,000 competitors. Her mushroom-based burgers and nachos were delectable, creative, and a reflection of Filipino ingenuity. The National Museum of Bohol followed, where works by National Artists Fernando Amorsolo and Napoleon Abueva took pride of place. Their artwork is not art alone —this is a declaration, a legacy set by brush and rock.
At the Bohol Bee Farm, we met the amazing Vicky Wallace, a woman who envisioned the entire eco-tourism and farm-to-table concept in the region. Her ice cream is exceptional. The chocolate rivals the best in the world; the avocado, mango and more taste like the fruit in its most perfect form.
Back in Cebu, Casa Gorordo welcomed us into its walls—a home once lived in by Cebu’s first Filipino bishop, lovingly preserved by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation. There, our history is alive and kept in every beam and floorboard.
Our home away from home was the renowned Shangri-La Mactan, a five-star paradise that has celebrated over 30 years of elegance and island charm. General manager Dave Junker welcomed us here.
We enjoyed dinner in the evening at Radisson Blu Hotel, where one of the best buffets awaited us. Each dish was a work of art, creating a perfect experience for us as the staff showed such great care. We relished the award-winning buffet in the over 20 food stations of Cafe Bai. It was nothing short of lavish indulgence in flavor and service—from the dining to the live cooking.
With our hearts full, we made the pilgrimage to the renowned and home of the most sacred religious relics in the land: Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and the Magellan’s cross that was erected in 1521.
Another moment of awe was to meet the Chocolate Queen herself, Raquel Choa, and her co-founder Edu Pantino. Raquel is more than a chocolatier; she was married at 16, a mother of eight, and is a dynamo of innovation and legacy. Raquel’s story was an inspiration to each of us gathered; her work is art and a narrative of bravery and compassion.
Special thanks to the Department of Tourism Central Visayas, local governments of Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and the province of Bohol for hosting and showering us with kindness above and beyond the call of duty, assuring that our dear guests felt safe and comfortable.
En route to Manila on board our efficient national carrier Philippine Airlines, I remembered the numerous magical fireflies that illumined the still waters of Bohol. Under a canopy of stars. we whispered candle-lit prayers. In that moment, I knew the journey was a sacred one.
