Lifestyle
Kalibo Shines at the 2026 Philippine Travel Mart: Back-to-Back Champion for Best Booth
By Maria Solita Zaldivar-Guzman
Pasay City- Kalibo has once again proven that when a community comes together with one heart and one purpose, something remarkable happens. For the second consecutive year, Kalibo has been named Champion for Best Booth in the Cities/Municipalities Category at the 2026 Philippine Travel Mart (PTM).
The award marks a back-to-back victory that celebrates not only a winning booth, but the vibrant culture, creativity, local products, stories, traditions, and people that make Kalibo truly exceptional. Its impressive PTM journey began with a Champion title in 2023, followed by a 1st Runner-Up finish in 2024.
Kalibo reclaimed the championship in 2025, and once again, in 2026, brought home the coveted Best Booth titleโmaking it a back-to-back champion and reaffirming its place among the countryโs standout tourism destinations.
At the heart of Kaliboโs showcase was an immersive experience of its rich cultural identity. Visitors were welcomed into the vibrant world of Ati-Atihan, with the powerful rhythm of the drums playing through the booth speakers and an Ati-Atihan dancer bringing the festivalโs energy to life.
Together with the deep devotion to Seรฑor Sto. Niรฑo, the presentation captured the spirit of Kaliboโs world-renowned celebration, which is a beautiful expression of faith, culture, joy, and unity. Another highlight was the story of Haboe Piรฑa, the traditional Aklan piรฑa handloom weaving.
As a cultural heritage practice recognized for its significance, piรฑa weaving represents generations of knowledge, artistry, patience, and craftsmanship. The delicate threads woven by skilled local artisans tell a story of heritage preserved through time, transforming tradition into beautiful creations while providing local craftsmanship a place on the international tourism stage.
The Kalibo booth also offered visitors an authentic experience of local products and handcrafted creations, alongside published books that bring to life the legends and stories of Kalibo. These showcased not only the ingenuity of local makers and entrepreneurs, but also the creativity of writers, storytellers, artisans, and cultural bearers.
Every creation carried a story of skills passed from one generation to another, of local resources thoughtfully transformed into meaningful products, and of people who continue to keep Kaliboโs heritage alive through their work. More than a display, the PTM showcase became a reflection of the vibrant Kalibo experience where culture is lived, traditions are celebrated, local products are valued, stories are shared, and hospitality comes naturally.
More importantly, Kalibo lived up to the four pillars of the PTM showcase: health and wellness, sustainability, digitalization, and inclusivity.
These reflect Kaliboโs commitment to tourism that is culturally enriching, responsible, innovative, people-centered, and accessible. From promoting well-being and sustainable practices to embracing digital innovation and inclusivity, Kalibo showed that its tourism story is one of progress rooted in community values. But perhaps the greatest story behind this back-to-back achievement is the oneness of the people. It is a testament to the collective effort of the local government, tourism advocates, cultural workers, artisans, entrepreneurs, storytellers, creatives, and the entire Kalibo community.
Each contributed a piece of the story, and together, they created a showcase that captured the heart and soul of Kalibo. Kudos to Mayor Juris Bautista Sucro and the dedicated personnel of the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Division, headed by DMO III Rhea Rose E. Meren, for their leadership, hard work, passion, and commitment to promoting Kalibo, its people, and its rich cultural heritage.
This victory belongs to the whole community of Kalibonhons. Once again, Kalibo has shown that its greatest strength lies not only in what it has to offer, but in the people who come together to tell its story.
