Friday, May 20, 2022

Department of Tourism and Mickey Go Philippines introduce Pinoy Mickey Funko Pops May 20, 2022 at 03:40PM

Out of Town Blog
Department of Tourism and Mickey Go Philippines introduce Pinoy Mickey Funko Pops

L-R: Ban Kee Trading, Inc CEO Eric Bautista, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, Funko Funatic Philippines founder Nikko Lim, and DOT Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Howard Lance Uyking

Pinoy Mickey Funko Pops

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has teamed up with Funko and Disney to bring one of the world’s most iconic and beloved characters, Mickey Mouse, to the Philippines via Funko Pops – with a locally inspired design for the first time!

This new line of Mickey-themed Funko Pops was specially created together with Disney and Funko, featuring Mickey Mouse in a barong Tagalog, the national attire of the Philippines, an embroidered long-sleeved shirt commonly used as a formal outfit. The package also contains a postcard from the country’s major tourist magnets Boracay, Baguio, Cebu, Manila, and Siargao Island.

The items are now in the market starting May 18, 2022.

Mickey Mouse Funko Pops clad in the Philippine national attire barong tagalog available in two versions/ Sepia and regular — Mickey Mouse Funko Pops clad in the Philippine national attire barong Tagalog available in two versions/ Sepia and regular

On Tuesday, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat met with Ban Kee Trading, Inc CEO, Eric Bautista, the authorized Philippine distributor for Funko, and Funko Funatic Philippines founder Nikko Lim formally forge the partnership with the DOT.

“We believe that having a global icon like Mickey Mouse will help promote the Philippines, and its tourist destinations, to the world. This collectible will not only be enjoyed by children but also adults who want to reminisce about all the good times they had with their favorite Disney character,” Puyat said, citing that this collection would also contribute to the recovery of the pandemic-hit tourism industry.

Last November 2021, the DOT collaborated with The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia for the Mickey Go Philippines campaign, which included the production of various digital content featuring local travel destinations, and Mickey-inspired versions of local delicacies such as Arroz Caldo, halo-halo, and Vigan empanada.

In November 2018, Mickey Mouse also traveled around the Philippines wearing a barong as part of worldwide celebrations honoring 90 years of Mickey Mouse.

Also read:

Original article: Department of Tourism and Mickey Go Philippines introduce Pinoy Mickey Funko Pops

Department of Tourism and Mickey Go Philippines introduce Pinoy Mickey Funko Pops
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

Finally, We Can Travel to South Korea Again Starting June 1! May 20, 2022 at 05:40AM

Out of Town Blog
Finally, We Can Travel to South Korea Again Starting June 1!

South Korea reopens to Filipino tourists in June photo via Pixabay

Ready Your Visa Requirements for Your Korea Travel Starting June 1!

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – Annyeong, chingu– we’ve got some excellent news for you: finally, South Korea allows tourist travel again starting June 1!

After years of just settling for k-dramas, k-pop playlists, samgyeopsal, and virtual concerts, you can now achieve your Hallyu dreams once again as South Korea resumes its processing service for all types of visas starting June 1, 2022.

According to the notice posted by the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, this includes a tourist visa, which means we can start our travel goals again and finally book that much-awaited flight to the land of oppas and unnies.

In the notice, multiple entry visas issued before April 5, 2022, which have not expired yet, may still be used without reapplying. There is also no need for Consent of Isolation as well.

However, quarantine health protocols should still be observed and COVID-19 testings are still required in the following scenarios:

Passengers must present a negative PCR test issued within 48 hours or a negative RAT certificate within 24 hours before the intended departure date.
Unvaccinated passengers should undergo quarantine, while vaccinated passengers shall be exempted.
Register via Q-CODE for the online vaccination before your departure.

Q-CODE is their Quarantine Information Advance Input System, where you’ll need to fill in your details to get a QR code before your departure. It’s just an 8-step application that includes your consent to the Terms and Conditions, passport info, quarantine info, and health details.

You may also learn more about the mandatory quarantine by visiting this link for more details.

Upon the resumption of visa processing in South Korea, the embassy hopes to “promote people-to-people exchanges between Korea and the Philippines through tourism.”

If it isn’t obvious yet, a lot of Filipinos are very fond of Korean culture. From the OG K-dramas that made us cry and laugh (Endless Love and Full House fans, where you at?!), the global sensation that is K-Pop (Super Junior to BTS stans, raise your hands!), up to the food (samgyup, G?), we can’t deny the fact that K-culture really influenced people of all ages in so many ways.

Over the years before the pandemic began, the number of Filipino tourists going to Korea kept increasing in numbers, as more than 50,000 weekly seats on international flights were being filled. Adding to that, one of South Koreans’ favorite tourist destinations is the Philippines, with the latter expecting 2 million tourist arrivals in late 2019 – thanks to the increased number of airlines and flights and tourism cooperation details between the two countries.

With South Korea welcoming tourists again this year, we wonder, what are your dream destinations in the country? Are you the type to travel laidback and want to experience Jeju? Want to explore emerging destinations such as Busan? Or do you want to shop till you drop in South Korea’s Myeongdong?

Are you excited to travel again? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section!

Source: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines

Also read: South Korea Announces 3 Ways On How To Go To Korea Visa-Free

Original article: Finally, We Can Travel to South Korea Again Starting June 1!

Finally, We Can Travel to South Korea Again Starting June 1!
Team Out of Town
Out of Town Blog