Media Launch of Travel Madness Expo 2026 (City of Dreams, Paranaque City)

 

TME 2026 Media Launch at City of Dreams Manila

From July 10 to 12, the exciting and dynamic Travel Madness Expo (TME), one of the most anticipated travel and trade fairs in the Philippines, returns to Halls 1 to 4 of the SMX Convention Center Manila.  Last June 25, the City of Dreams Manila hosted the exclusive media launch of TME 2026 with the presence of Ms. Maria Paz R. Alberto (President of Ark Travel Express, Inc. and TME Chairperson); Ms. Amabelle D. Nucom (Metrobank’s Head of Usage, Partnerships & Communications Management); and Mr. Bryan L. Ang (Philippine Airlines’ Regional Head – Philippines) who announced the event's return and major partnerships. 2GO Group, Inc. and Duty-Free Philippines also provided their generous support.

 

TME 2026 Media Launch

The Travel Madness Expo, a premier travel event launched in 2012, is one of the Philippines’ premier travel trade events, bringing together valued partners and industry leaders such as airlines, hotels, tourism boards, accredited travel agencies, and travel service providers, to offer competitive travel packages while supporting the growth of both domestic and international tourism. 

It will feature exclusive travel deals, expanded airline and tourism partnerships, and curated experiences that celebrate the culture of travel simply beyond booking the next trip. This year’s trade fair aims to encourage Filipinos to return to travel after a slowdown following the COVID 19 pandemic and the recent US-Iran War. Held during a traditionally slower period of travel, it also aims to encourage Filipinos to look beyond the usual holiday and summer travel seasons by discovering destinations that can be enjoyed year-round.

 

Ms. Maria Paz R. Alberto (TME 2026 Chairperson)

This year’s exhibitor lineup (179) mirrors the changing priorities of Filipino travelers. While millennials and families continue to account for a significant share of regional and international travel, younger travelers are increasingly drawn to experience-driven and cultural itineraries. Retirees also remain an important market for long-haul leisure travel and organized tours.​

​“When you walk onto the expo floor, you are engaging directly with airlines, tourism boards, and accredited travel partners offering one-of-a-kind and hard to resist exclusive packages and curated itineraries,” said Ms. Alberto.  She added, “many of the bundled travel deals, coordinated group packages, and promotional fares available during the expo are often unavailable through standard online booking platforms. She also emphasized the continued value of accredited travel agencies, particularly for travelers planning complex itineraries, multi-country vacations, or group tours, where professional guidance and post-booking assistance remain essential.”

​

Mr. Bryan L. Ang (PAL Regional Head - Philippines)

“The event brings together both outbound and inbound tourism stakeholders to strengthen industry collaboration while giving Filipino travelers more opportunities to discover destinations through trusted travel partners,” Alberto added. She further explained that “When Filipinos travel abroad, they become part of a broader cultural exchange. At the same time, we continue to welcome international partners who help strengthen tourism ties and economic activity between destinations.” 

​By bringing airlines, tourism boards, travel agencies, hospitality providers, and financial institutions under one roof, organizers hope this year’s Travel Madness Expo will make travel planning more accessible while strengthening connections between Filipino travelers and destinations across the Philippines and around the world.

 

Ms. Maria Paz R. Alberto, Ms. Amabelle D. Nucom and Mr. Bryan L. Ang with 2GO Group mascot

TME 2026 carries the theme “Where Every Journey Tells a Story — From Madness to Memories,” with the sub-theme “The Great Revenge Travel Revival and a New Era of Globetrotting Confidence.” Together, they reflect the evolving mindset of today’s travelers, who are moving beyond post-pandemic “revenge travel” toward more intentional, experience-driven journeys centered on cultural discovery, meaningful connections, and thoughtful travel planning. 

For one, Philippine Airlines (PAL) will offer their best rates. Mr. Lang recommends PAL flyers visiting places like Davao during the rainy season, where various adventures await, or fly to see the aurora australis (southern lights) in Tasmania (Australia) or Queenstown (New Zealand). PAL is also opening new destination routes.  Diving enthusiasts will be able to fly to Palau or Saipan in the United States. 

Hotels and resorts in the country such as Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, Chancellor Hotel Boracay Newcoast, Kingsford Hotel Manila, and Hotel Lucky Chinatown among others, will also 50-70% off, including vouchers with no expiration. Various offers, for Metrobank credit card holders, include miles and cashback for gas. Considering the rising prices of accommodations, tickets, and other travel expenses, these offers are expected to encourage locals to get back on the road, not just to regional destinations but other countries as well. 

For this year’s event, Malaysia Airlines also joins as the Official Airline Partner, while Philippine Airlines serves as the National Airline Partner, underscoring the expo’s continued focus on strengthening both international connectivity and domestic travel opportunities. Throughout the event, the Department of Tourism’s “Discover More to Love” campaign will also be featured, reinforcing efforts to promote both established attractions and emerging destinations across the Philippines. 

TME 2026 also welcomes, on the international front, new participating destinations including the Republic of Georgia (Georgia Tourism), the Czech Republic (Czech Tourism), and Papua New Guinea (Niugini Tourism Office), alongside returning exhibitors from Japan (Japan National Tourism Office or JNTO), South Korea (Korea Tourism Organization or KTO), Taiwan (Taiwan Tourism Administration), Hong Kong (Hong Kong Tourism Board or HKTB), Malaysia (Tourism Malaysia) and Guam (Guam Visitors Bureau). 

The travel event opens on July 10, Friday, at 11 AM and continues through Sunday, July 12. Tickets prices are Php100 (general public) and Php70 (students, PWD and senor citizens). Upon presentation of a valid Metrobank card and ID, through a dedicated entry lane, Metrobank cardholders will receive free admission. On July 10, from 9 AM to 11 AM, they will also enjoy exclusive early access to the Travel Preview Sale, giving them first priority to selected domestic and international travel packages before the expo opens to the public. During the event, eligible Metrobank cardholders can also take advantage of the bank’s “Book Now, Pay Later” program, allowing them to secure their travel bookings while paying at a later date. 

​TME 2026 was made possible through the support of its industry partners, led by Metrobank, Malaysia Airlines, and Philippine Airlines, together with Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Sunlight Air, the Embassy of the Czech Republic, Tourism Malaysia, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, The Taiwan Tourism Information Center, Duty Free Philippines, City of Pasay, Arsenal Content Marketing, Amadeus, Sabre, Philippine Long Distance and Telephone Company (PLDT) and Nestle. Their participation reflects a shared commitment to expanding travel opportunities and inspiring Filipinos to explore destinations with greater confidence, purpose, and cultural appreciation. ​ TME 2026 media partners are Daily Tribune, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Times, Negosentro and Asian Journal/Balikbayan. 

For more information, event schedules, exhibitor updates and inquiries, contact mobile numbers (0917) 585-2213 and (0917) 307- 8613 or email secretariat@travelmadnessph.com.  You may also visit www.travelmadnessph.com or www.facebook.com/TravelMadnessPH.

Hotel and Inn Review: Savoy Mactan Newtown Hotel (Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu)

 

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown

Date of Stay: June 15 - 18, 2026

 

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: ********

Rooms: *******

Condition and Cleanliness: *********

Staff Performance: *********

Room Comfort: ********

Food and Beverage: ********

Other Amenities: ********

Value for Money: *******

A complimentary three-day-two night stay (extended to another night) brought me to the 18-storey Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, the first hotel development of property giant Megaworld inside the 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown (the first Megaworld township development outside of Metro Manila with its own beachfront) in Lapu-Lapu City.  

Mactan Newtown

This is the third hotel under the Savoy Hotel brand (the others are Savoy Hotel Manila in Newport City, Pasay City and Savoy Hotel Boracay in Boracay Newcoast), a homegrown hotel chain established by Megaworld. Together with 15 other Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) properties, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown is recognized, by the Department of Tourism, as a Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishment (MFAE).

 

The hotel entrance and driveway

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown offers 547 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, making it the biggest hotel in Mactan Island, in terms of number of rooms, and the second biggest in the entire Cebu (after the 688-room Bai Hotel in Cebu City).  We were upgraded to a 54 sq. m. Junior Suite (Suite 1827) which had one queen bed plus a spacious living area.  

Our Junior Suite (1827)

The hotel also offers Classic Superior Twin (23 sq. m., two twin beds), Classic Superior Queen (24 sq. m., one queen bed), Deluxe Premier Room (37 sq. m., one queen bed), and the Presidential Suite (94 sq. m., with king bed, expansive living and dining areas, kitchenette, bathtub). 

 

Living area

Ensuite bathroom

All rooms are fully equipped with essential amenities such as magnetic door locks, air conditioning, in-room electronic safety box, 43” LED cable TV with 99 channels, blackout curtains, work desk, coffee and tea-making facilities, mini-bar, private bathroom (with toiletries, bathrobes and hair dryer) and wireless internet connection.  

This P1.7 billion hotel, officially opened last November 12, 2019, was designed by Casa+Architects, Inc. while the interiors, featuring prominent circular designs to symbolize continuous service and harmony, were designed by world-renowned Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), the same firm that designed Marina Bay Sands and Fullerton Hotel in Singapore, as well as Shangri-La Dubai and St. Regis Abu Dhabi in UAE.

 

Front Desk

The hotel has a number of food and beverage (F&B) outlets.  The Savoy Café, for breakfast and all-day dining, offers the super cool Secret Menu, the awesome Filipino-inspired Sampaguita Menu, and the classic A la carte menu.  Open daily, 6 AM to 10 PM.

Savoy Cafe

Savoy Cafe

Every day, at breakfast, the gracious staff would greet us with the mabuhi (welcome) gesture, an official standard of hospitality and respect in Cebu, gracefully placing their right hand flat against their left breast, accompanied by a slight respectful bow or nod of the head.

 

Zabana Bar

Zabana Bar, at the lobby area, offers refreshing juices, the super special Zabana rum and a bunch of one-of-a-kind signature cocktails. Open daily, 9 AM to 10 PM.  The Pool Bar, at the third level, features a selection of light bites. Open daily, 9 AM to 9 PM. The Lobby Café offers coffee and pastries.  The Patio, located at the second level, is an outdoor dining area. 

 

Swimming Pool

Among the hotel’s amenities are a 24-hour Front Desk, a swimming pool and a dedicated kiddie pool (open daily, 7 AM to 9 PM), paved sunbathing lounge, business center, and a flower garden. 

Pool Bar

For corporate conferences and private events, the hotel also has a wide range of collapsible function halls and executive meeting spaces equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual systems.  These venues can be configured and tailored to fit various event sizes and setups.

Main Function Hall

The massive Main Function Hall, which can host up to 100 guests (depending on the setup, can be divided into three individual rooms aptly named after Ferdinand Magellan's ships (Concepcion, San Antonio and Victoria).  The more exclusive Function Hall 2, which can accommodate up to 40 guests, can be divided into two separate meeting rooms named after Magellan's remaining ships (Concepcion and Santiago).  For intermediate or medium-sized corporate meetings, smaller setups are also available.

Function Hall 2

For security, all luggage from  arriving guests are scanned by a baggage X-ray machine plus the four 16-pax Schindler elevators are also keycard-operated, restricting access to specific floors.

 

Elevator Lobby

Every day, my son Jandy would exercise at the hotel’s modern, fully-equipped fitness center (open daily, 6 AM to 10 PM), at the third floor.  It offers all the necessary modern cardiovascular exercise machines, strength training equipment, and free weights one needs to maintain your workout routine. 

Fitness Gym

On our last full day at the hotel, we had a relaxing 1-hour massage at the Sampaguita Spa, the hotel’s in-house spa (open daily, 12 noon to 12 AM).  

Sampaguita Spa

It features three treatment rooms (including couples rooms), and specialize in unique treatments infused with local oils, aromatherapy, and various massage styles (Swedish, Thai, Deep-tissue, Hot stone, Sports, and Reflexology).

 

Massage Room

As we loved walking along the beach, we visited the 75 m. long, white sand Mactan Newtown Beach (formerly Portofino Beach Resort) which is located 500 m. from the hotel.  Entrance is free (with beach towels provided) for guests at Savoy Mactan Newtown Hotel as well as in Mercure Hotel. 

Mactan Newtown Beach

Jandy and the author

Here, we checked out the Ceremonial Garden, a popular venue for intimate outdoor weddings, as well as the Glass House and the Grand Beach Tent.  The hotel offered complimentary shuttle services to and from the beach but we just walked as it was just a short distance away.

 

Ceremonial Garden

The hotel is located 500 m. from the Magellan Shrine, 3.2 kms. from the Mactan Island Aquarium, 3.3 kms. from the Jungle Cultural Entertainment Center, 4.7 kms. from the Mactan Marina Mall, 4.8 kms. from the Cebu Yacht Club, 5.6 kms. from the Gaisano Grand Mall Mactan, 5.8 kms. from the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, 5.9 kms. from the Mactan Island Convention Center, 8.2 kms. (a 20-min. drive) from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and 17 kms. from Fort San Pedro, Fuente Osmena Circle and Magellan’s Cross. 

 

Glass Pavilion

Transport services are also offered to guests traveling to and from the airport. They also offer concierge service, express check-in or check-out, 24-hour room service, luggage storage, dry cleaning service, daily housekeeping, laundry service and safety deposit boxes.

 

Grand Beach Tent

On our fourth and final day at the hotel, Ms. Princess Rikah Alfaro, PR and Marketing Assistant of the hotel, invited me to pick up a marker and write my shared experience at the lobby’s interactive, evolving Doodle Wall, a community masterpiece.  Meant to promote connection and shared experiences, it brings to life the hotel’s “Color Your Experience” philosophy.  In doing so, I became part of the growing community artwork.  Truly, a fitting end to a wonderful stay.

 

Hotel Lobby

The current artwork was illustrated by Danielle Nicolas Babor, an architecture student of Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) and son of Ms. Thea Babor, Marketing Coordinator of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown.  The space also hosts revolving exhibits of local Cebuano art (available for sale to guests) from artists from the “Artists Beyond Borders” collective and “Grupo ng mga Aktibong.”

 

The Doodle Wall

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown: The Mactan Newtown, Newtown Blvd., 6015 Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Tel: +032 494 4000.  Mobile number: (0917) 868-6746 and (0917) 871-8007.  E-mail: reserve@savoymactan.com and info@savoymactan.com. Social Media Pages (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube): Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown | Facebook / @savoymactannewtown / Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown.

A Tribute to National Artist for Dance Agnes D. Locsin (Ayala Museum, Makati City)

 

National Artist for Dance Ms. Agnes Locsin

For two days (June 10 to 11), the works and life of highly acclaimed Filipino dance choreographer and dance director Agnes Dakudao Locsin, recognized as a National Artist of the Philippines for Dance in June 2022 (the second in the Locsin clan to be named as a National Artist after Architect Leandro V. Locsin, in 1990, for Architecture), are the focus of an exhibition and lecture at the Ayala Museum where she was honored, by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA), Ayala Foundation and the Carmen D. Locsin Foundation, at the Ayala Museum for pioneering and elevating “Neo-Ethnic” Filipino dance choreography, a distinct style that blends indigenous Philippine themes, folklore and rituals with Western classical ballet and modern dance techniques. She is the the sixth Mindanawon to receive this distinction.

 

Dance is My Life Exhibit

The June 10 traveling exhibit “Dance is my Life,” at the second floor of the Ayala Museum (until June 28), focuses on her life and works as a National Artist for Dance. The exhibit also features a selection of her own artworks, offering a direct look into her creative practice, alongside visual pieces that explore dance and cultural memory as artistic subjects.

 

Dance is My Life Exhibit

Dance is My Life Exhibit

The June 11 lecture, titled “Pamana ng Pilipino: A Lecture by National Artist for Dance Agnes D. Locsin,” featured the National Artist as she traced “The Path to Neo-Ethnic Choreography,” from her early exposure to Filipino dance traditions and formal training to the artistic process behind her distinct movement language. 

Pamana ng Pilipino: A Lecture by National Artist for Dance Agnes D. Locsin

Here, Agnes shared stories behind key works: Igorot, Bagobo, and Moslem, as well as discuss her latest exploration into Neo-Ethnic Tap Dance. The program will also feature the Locsin Dance Workshop. This 2-day event was held in partnership with the Ayala Museum and the Filipinas Heritage Library and was made possible with the support of Purefoods Deli and the NCCA through the Order of National Artist Program.

 

Locsin Dance Workshop performers

Igorot, a composition heavily praised during its European tours, helping put Philippine contemporary dance on the global map, premiered in 1987 in Amsterdam for Le Petit Theatre and was restaged, in 1988, in the Philippines  for Ballet Philippines Celebrating the cultural rituals and dances of the Cordillera indigenous peoples in Northern Luzon, the work fuses ethnic movements with ballet technique to highlight communal harmony and mountain life.

Born in Davao City on September 28, 1957, Agnes Locsin attended the Philippine Women's University for her elementary and high school studies; Ateneo de Davao University for her bachelor's degree in English; and Ohio State University (OSU) in the United States for her master's degree in dance, with a focus on modern and contemporary techniques. Pioneering ballet teacher Carmen Dakudao Locsin, her mother and founder of the Locsin Dance Workshop (established in 1947, it is the oldest dance school in the country) in Davao City, introduced Agnes to dance. After graduating from OSU, Agnes took over as its artistic director. 

In the late 1970s, while an Ateneo de Davao student, Locsin collaborated with artists Joey Ayala and Al Santos for the rock opera, Sa Bundok ng Apo, as a choreographer for Ayala's music and Santos' lyrics. In 1992, they would collaborate again in Encantada, an award-winning neo-ethnic masterwork and full-length ballet, that premiered in February 1992, with Ballet Philippines.  The piece draws on Filipino folklore and history to evoke themes of enchantment and the mystical bond between humans and nature, featuring ethereal movements that blend ritualistic elements with contemporary dance forms while highlighting the consequences of environmental destruction. 

She was also part of the faculty of the University of the Philippines Dance Program where taught choreography and modern dance techniques, contributing to the academic development of aspiring dancers.  From 1989 to 1999, she was the artistic director of the Ballet Philippines in the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex.  Around the 2010s, she began doing choreography for environmentally-themed works such as Agila and the Alay sa Puno series. 

Agila, created in the 1990s, premiered with Ballet Manila.  Emphasizing soaring, expansive gestures that capture themes of aspiration and national identity, it symbolizes the Filipino spirit of freedom through the metaphor of an eagle's flight, set to original music by composer Joey Ayala.  The Alay sa Puno series, developed from the late 1990s through the 2000s, comprises four interconnected pieces (Ugat, Dahon, Puno, and Sanga).  Performed initially with Ballet Philippines and later restaged with international collaborators, it honors trees as symbols of life, strength, and indigenous rituals while advocating for environmental preservation.  The series incorporates natural textures like bamboo and flowing fabrics to evoke the vitality and vulnerability of forests. 

Her other stunning and socially conscious major pieces include:

• Dabaw - a prominent contemporary/neo-ethnic ballet first choreographed in the early 1980s as a tap dance, and later premiered as a full ballet commissioned by Ballet Manila in July and August 2003.
• Bagobo (1990)
• Ismagol (1990)
• Kulam (1991)
• Moslem (1991)
• Moriones (1991)
• Hinilawod (1992) – a narrative dance piece based on the ancient Panay epic featuring the character Labaw Donggon.
• Babaylan (1993) – a piece that portrays indigenous shamanistic rituals and spiritual leaders, winning second place at the 1993 Tokyo International Choreography Competition.
• Salome (1994) - where dancer Camille Ordinario secured second place at the Concours International de la Danse in Paris.
• Taong Talangka (1994) – choreographed, in 1994, to music by Joey Ayala, it explores human resilience amid greed and societal pressures through the allegory of a crab-like struggle. Originally performed by soloist Camille Ordinario with Ballet Philippines, it features angular, clawing motions that convey entrapment and defiance.
• Sayaw and Sabel - presented together in 2010 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, it formed a series of solo dances depicting life's darker facets, such as isolation and mental fragility. Sabel specifically draws inspiration from Benedicto Cabrera's iconic series of the same name, portraying the scavenger figure as a symbol of urban poverty and endurance through fragmented, expressive gestures.
• Elias (1995)
• La Revolucion Filipina (1997) - a creative, striking dance homage to the paraplegic revolutionary hero Apolinario Mabini, it was part of Ballet Philippines' 45th anniversary season, with performances at the Cultural Center of the Philippines from July 25 to 27. This choreography, which originally premiered in 1997, narrates key episodes of Philippine revolutionary history, from the Spanish colonial era to the fight for independence, using dynamic group formations and dramatic solos to portray figures like Andres Bonifacio and Jose Rizal.
• Ang Pagpatay kay Antonio Luna (2002)

Agnes Locsin’s "Neo-Ethnic" approach roots itself firmly in the history, beliefs, and indigenous environments of the Philippines. Her work and contribution to choreography, in general, famously brought awareness to indigenous communities and environmental issues, earning her international acclaim and multiple prestigious awards in global choreography competitions in Tokyo, Paris, and beyond. They include: 

• Araw ng Maynila's Patnubay sa Kalinangan at Sining Award (1994) awarded by the City of Manila for her the for her significant cultural impact through dance.
• Hiyas ng Lahi Award (1992) from the Dance Alliance and National Choreography Endeavors, celebrating her excellence in choreography, particularly works like Encantada that blended indigenous and modern elements
• Datu Bago Award (2000) from Davao City, recognizing her efforts in promoting Mindanao's cultural heritage via performances and education.
• Pilak Award para sa Serbisyong Pangkultura, Sining at Kumunidad (2004) from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
• Gawad Buhay Award from Philstage in 2008 and 2011 for outstanding production and original choreography, including for Encantada
• Gawad CCP para sa Sining (2013) from the Cultural Center of the Philippines,  its highest accolade for lifetime achievement in dance, underscoring her decades of innovative artistic direction.
• Gawad Tanglaw ng Lahi (2014) from Ateneo de Manila University , honoring her as an exemplar in advancing neo-ethnic Filipino dance and cultural preservation.
• Daigler Award for Mindanao Culture and the Arts (2017_ from Ateneo de Davao University
• Gawad Buhay Lifetime Achievement Award (2018) from Philstage
• The inaugural Gador Award (2020) from the CCP's Kaisa sa Sining at Kultura Mindanao Network, honoring outstanding Mindanawon artists in dance for her enduring promotion of regional cultural expressions.
• 6th Mindanawon National Artist for Dance (2022) underscoring her role in representing Mindanao's artistic heritage within the national pantheon, highlighting her efforts to amplify regional voices in the broader Philippine arts scene. 
• Pinoy Pride Award for Dance (2025) at the MEGA Ball.

 Beyond choreography, her book, Neo-Ethnic Choreography: A Creative Process (2012), documenting her her methodological approach to blending cultural elements in dance, won the Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book on Arts at the 32nd National Book Awards.  She also won the Gador Award, from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the Datu Bago Award (2000), for her contribution to dance and culture, from the Davao City government.

 She maintains strong ties with her siblings within the Davao arts community, including her older sister Bing, a former member of the Bayanihan Dance Company, who inspired Agnes by teaching her, upon returning home, various dance forms. Agnes also shares a collaborative bond with Sonny Locsin, her nephew and son of her late brother Cesar Jose “Boy” Locsin, performing together in an aunt-nephew dance act that highlighted their extended family's involvement in the local performing arts scene.