The Department of Tourism (DOT) relaunched on Saturday night the “Bring Home a Friend” program that aims to make every Filipino an ambassador of the Philippines.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo said that the revival of the rewards program more than two decades after it was first introduced would be an invitation to foreigners to experience the “Filipinos’ world-renowned hospitality.”

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She added that this would also be an opportunity for Filipinos who had long been out of the country to see how different the Philippines had become.

Since the program would coincide with the holiday season, Teo said, tourist arrivals would be expected to increase, especially since this time it would be Filipinos here and abroad who would personally market the country.

“The success of this program lies in our ability to empower people and give them the opportunity to contribute to our nation’s growth, and to continue celebrating the Filipino way of life,” Teo said during the launch held at Resorts World Manila.

First launched in 1994, the program, which was spearheaded by then Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor, was aimed at encouraging Filipinos to invite their foreign friends to visit the country.

According to Teo, the six-month program, which will run from Oct. 15 to April 15, 2018, would just be the first phase, as they planned to “do it again” in the coming years.

To qualify for the program, Filipino sponsors should first register their details at www.bringhomeafriend.online. The sponsor would then fill out an invitation that would be sent to their friend.

After traveling to any part of the country, the invitee should then upload in the website proof of his or her trip, such as a boarding pass.

The number of entries would depend on the invitee’s point of origin. Those coming from Asia are entitled to one entry, while those from Australia and Oceania get two entries.

Visitors from Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas get three entries.

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During the raffle on April 2018, Filipino sponsors can win a Megaworld condominium unit, a brand-new Toyota Via, or a P200,000 gift certificate from Duty Free Philippines.

Their invitees, on the other hand, can win roundtrip international and domestic tickets, and tour packages to Palawan, Cebu or Davao. /atm

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