Traveling to the Philippines Together – Six Friends from Taichung Win NT$1 Million Cash Prize!

▲ The Philippine Department of Tourism’s “Bring 6 Friends to the Philippines, Win NT$1 Million” campaign saw Ms. Lin from Taichung and her travel companions take home the big cash prize. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)

Reported by Chen Zi-Yin / Taipei

The Philippine Department of Tourism held a “Bring 6 Friends to the Philippines, Win NT$1 Million” campaign, awarding the NT$1 million prize on the 15th. The ceremony took place at the Philippine Office in Taipei, where the prize was claimed by Ms. Lin from Taichung along with her family and friends — marking the largest prize awarded since the Philippine tourism presence was established in Taiwan!

The Philippine Department of Tourism stated that in 2013, despite facing numerous natural disasters, many Taiwanese travelers still chose to visit destinations such as Boracay, Manila, Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan. The “Six People Travel Together, Win NT$1 Million” campaign was launched as a token of gratitude to these Taiwanese visitors who continue to support the Philippines.

The winning Ms. Lin said, “I can’t believe I actually won NT$1 million. We departed on November 27th, my classmate’s birthday, to Boracay in the Philippines. The most memorable experiences were scuba diving and sailing. The beautiful beaches were soft and comfortable — no need for transportation, we could just walk out of the hotel and enjoy the water. I’d love to use the prize money to revisit Boracay!”

The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands and offers diverse travel experiences that have gained increasing popularity among Taiwanese travelers in recent years — from historical landmarks and cultural charm to gourmet food and shopping. Among these, island getaways remain the top choice for Taiwanese visitors. First-time travelers to the Philippines can choose from destinations such as Palawan, named one of National Geographic’s 20 Best Trips in 2011; the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, one of the New7Wonders of Nature; or Boracay and Bohol, both recognized by Travel+Leisure magazine as some of the most beautiful islands in the world in 2012.

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▲ The Philippines boasts a wide variety of tourism resources. (Photo / Top row left, bottom row left, and bottom row right provided by the Philippine Department of Tourism; top row right photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)