After Taiwanese tourists’ cancellations in Boracay Island, Aklan recently, the Department of Tourism 6 (DOT-6) is turning to other foreign markets to protect the region’s tourism interests.

“While hoping that tourist arrivals’ cancellations will not escalate, DOT Region VI will embark on more aggressive campaign with other tourist-originating markets of the world,” said Atty. Helen Catalbas, director of DOT-6.

“South Korea and Chinese tour groups are filling up the vacancies created by the cancellations,” she added.

DOT is also eyeing the Japanese market.

Catalbas said on May 26 to June 1, she will be a member of the Philippine Business Mission to four cities in Japan.

These cities are Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo.

“There will be around 50 travel agents in each city to meet with the PBM delegation,” she said.

“Japan is the 8th largest tourist market in Western Visayas for the...

BACOLOD CITY – Even the Filipinos’ church-going tradition has been affected by some Taiwan nationals’ discrimination against Pinoys.

Danica Amanda Quimba of Pototan, Iloilo who is now based in Taiwan, said that many Filipinos have stopped going to Church. Even the priests wondered why the attendance was cut to half.

In an interview over Bombo Radyo, she said this is because many are scared to go out and travel especially after 6 p.m. because many Taiwanese are on the streets.

Many Pinoys who live far were not allowed to board the train while some were screamed at.

Quimba said that she and six other Filipinos work in an electronics company and so far, have not experienced any maltreatment from their employer.

However, they have become paranoid, scared that someone will just get in and hurt them like what happened in some dormitories.

She said some of her companions wanted to go home...