CHICAGO, USA -- For the past four years, around 30 Filipino-Canadians have joined the annual Ambassadors, Consuls-General and Tourism Directors (CGTD) tour to the Philippines.

The same number of participants, or more, is expected to join the annual pilgrimage to the homeland, coordinated this year by the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago.

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Consul General Alejandro B. Mosquera of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, returning Monday (March 30, 2009) from an outreach program in Winnipeg through Consulate Information Officer Ms. Lai Medina, said: "For the past four years, roughly, there are 20-30 participants for this ACGTD and the Consul General himself accompanies the delegates."

Consul General Blesila Cabrera of Chicago officially launched the annual journey to the homeland, scheduled July 10 to 17 this year, before Filipino community leaders, previous and potential participants last March 23.

Philippine ambassadors to the US and Canada escort the delegation visiting the Philippines, including consuls general and tourism directors from various consular posts in the twin countries. Aside from an up-close and personal visit of popular and favorite tourist destinations, the group is scheduled to pay a courtesy call to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacañang.

In a reunion last December at the American Home Care headquarters in Lincolnwood, Illinois, ACGTD received glowing endorsement, testimonials, and enthusiastic review from repeat and prospective participants.

Joe Guzon, Broker/Manager of Midwest America Realty Inc. in Waukegan and columnist in Realty Korner of Philippine Weekly, thinks "it will be more fun if you go with your friends because it (ACGTD) is really a memorable event. It is a guided tour; we have escorts...so there's no traffic. Of course, there are many untold stories. So, you might as well go for yourself, invite your friends, and you talk the next time we see each other again."

Lucy Macabenta, participant in last year's tour, reminisced about the visit to Villa Escudero. "What a wonderful time we had," Macabenta exclaimed. "We were riding on a Karitela drawn by a carabao while serenaded by Filipino men and women dressed in native attires. After our lunch at the waterfalls, a group of wonderful dancers treated us. We had a wonderful time...we will never forget. We will join again!"

As an after thought, Macabenta mouth-wateringly recalled one hotel breakfast: "Oh my God! Never seen so much food. So many tables filled with assorted cuisine from Filipino to Jewish. Everything was there!"

Dr. Mata, wife, and children, now on their third time to join the five-year-old tour, were surprised and encouraged by the reaction of their children born and raised here in the US. The tour, Dr. Mata said, was also a business and investment opportunity: "A few of us bought properties there. Very opportunistic because these business executives come to see you. We had a good deal. That's one. The other thing is we brought our kids with us. One of them, never been to the Philippines before, wanted to study there, stay there. That's very memorable for her."

One of the changes in this year's registration forms for participants addresses the information needed for business or investment opportunities.

Prospective participants are requested to submit registration forms with down payments for the packaged tour by April 15. They are also asked to e-mail the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago (chicagopcg@sbcglobal.net) or call (312) 332-6458 or the Philippine Department of Tourism office in Chicago (pdotchi@aol.com) or call Ms. Miles Escares at (312) 782-2475 for further details.