The opening ceremony and the official poster of HWONFEX 2026 The Health, Wellness, and Organic Festival and Expo (HWONFEX) stands at the forefront of positioning the Philippines as the premier "Heart of ASEAN Wellness." Designed as the country’s pioneering B2B2C holistic healing trade fair, HWONFEX brings together government agencies, industry stakeholders, and wellness advocates to champion a healthier, more purposeful way of life. HWONFEX 2026: The Official ASEAN Side Event for the Health Tourism & Wellness Economy seeks to unify the region’s wellness economy under the banner “ASEAN Wellness as One,” fulfilling its core theme: “Go Explore, Grow Communities, Glow Together.” Mr. Ebb Hinchcliffe, executive director, American Chambers of Commerce, shared his personal experience on how he benefitted and got healed from the Philippines' health and wellness program. Photo by Ana Esternon This initiative arrives at a time of unprecedented global growth. According to the Gl...
Region 1 did a colorful centerpiece of Filipino food and delicacies for everyone to share on day 1 of PTM. The famous lechon was also served that day. (Below, DOT Sec. Dita Angara-Mathay led tourism officials in rounding the exhibition hall. The Philippines has long captured the global imagination with its powder-white beaches, emerald rice terraces, and crystal-clear waters. But to truly discover the archipelago is to understand why travelers inevitably fall deeper in love with its soul. Exploring the Philippines is an immersive journey into genuine bayanihan (communal unity), world-renowned hospitality, and a rich tapestry of indigenous traditions, Spanish-colonial history, and vibrant festivals. Traveling here is not merely about sight-seeing; it is about human connection. And with the Next-Gen Travelers—primarily Millennials and Gen Zs—who view travel not as a luxury, but as an essential component of holistic living, traveling should really be different and m...