Filipinos are known for being hospitable and their “malasakit”, a brand of care that goes beyond duty or what is normally required. Tourists are sure to experience such a brand of service with Central Luzon’s Medical and Wellness tour packages that amplify these well-loved Filipino traits.
With the Philippines as an emerging health tourism destination, the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Central Luzon has been developing its medical and wellness tour packages that offer not only health services but also its culinary treasures and adventure destinations.
Central Luzon not only offers the relaxing view of Mt. Pinatubo but also medical and wellness tours. Photo by Rommel Bundalian courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
The region has a number of DOT-accredited medical and dental institutions with sophisticated state-of-the-art medical equipment and world-class experts that are guided by the health and safety protocols of the Department of Health.
Medical, Dental, and Eye Care Tour Packages
Whether you need a health screening or dental or eye procedures, these packages will give you the care, comfort and relaxation that you need. The packages can be as short as a 3 Days-2 Nights trip, or as long as 10 Days-9 Nights, depending on the number of days the treatments will require, and includes accommodation at a 4-star Hotel with breakfast (twin sharing), tours to pre-selected destinations, airport-hotel and hospital/clinic transfers, services of an English-speaking coordinator, and of course, the warm service of Filipino health and tourism workers, among others.
Medical packages available are Health Screening, Hip Replacement Surgery, and Prostate Surgery. For dental tour packages, they have the Dental and Beauty Package, Dental Veneers Treatment, and Dental Crown and Tooth Bridges; while eye care tour packages available are the Comprehensive Eye Exam Package and the Lasik Surgery Package.
Holistic Health Packages
The region also offers wellness packages aimed at improving the overall well-being. The packages include accommodation at Orissa Garden of Wellness , choice between Angeles Heritage Tour or Clark City Tour, visit to souvenir shops in Pampanga, airport transfers, services of an English-speaking coordinator, and the Filipino brand of service. Holistic food are also available upon request.
- The Red Therapy (blood circulation therapy) is a treatment with cold laser for pains and aches. It improves circulation and energy, immune system, and opens all meridian points.
- Aura Purification is for aura cleansing through Himalayan crystals purification and full moon sound therapy. The sound therapy is a vibrational medicine for alignment using the principle of healing sounds to wake up the cells and reharmonize them, deeply touching every part of our body, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
- Mind, Body and Spirit Restoration Package or Chakra alignment, which refers to energy points in the body that should stay “open” and aligned. It focuses on healing the nerves, major organs, and areas of our energetic body that affect our emotional and physical well-being.
- The Resonance Therapy is supportive medicine for cancer prevention, diabetics, as well as for hypertension, fatigue, liver and kidneys, lungs, insomnia, power booster, among others.
Tourists may book their medical and wellness tour packages through these accredited travel agencies:
(+63)45499-0358; 922-8552965 to 66
(+63)45321-0045; 9176264907
Explore Central Luzon
While the medical and wellness packages are mostly offered in Pampanga and Bulacan, travelers can also explore the other destinations in the region.
Travel to the Province of Aurora, a surfer’s haven with surfing sites that have gigantic waves of up to 2.7 meters high. An interesting spot is the Diguisit Rock Formation that was formed by the pounding waves. It is located along the semi-white beach of Diguisit and just lying beside the famous Cobra Reef—an ultimate surfing location in Baler.
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
Relax and unwind in the beautiful sand beaches of Zambales and Bataan. Take a trip back to the Old Manila at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar . Situated in Bagac, Bataan, the resort showcases the best of Filipino heritage and culture thru Jose Acuzar’s collection of restored Spanish-Filipino houses. Each casa serves as a bridge between the rich history of the Spanish colonial era and the contemporary luxury and comfort of a modern hotel.
For adventure lovers, the Mt. Pinatubo journey is a must-experience. It includes one and a half hours of 4×4 jeepney ride and an hour trek, passing along the stretches of sand and almost Alpine, white-gray-brown mountain formations. The highlight of the tour is the crater lake whose color changes from blue green to deep blue depending on the season.
Taste the flavors of Pampanga, the Culinary Capital of the Philippines. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
Of course, a trip to the region known as the “Rice Granary of the Philippines” would not be complete without discovering its culinary treasures. Savor the heritage dishes that speak about the region’s culture as well as fusion cuisine from some of the best-known chefs in the world. But don’t forget to try Pampanga’s most iconic dish, pork sisig, which was even dubbed as “the greatest pork dish on Earth” in an article on The New York Times.
The region is continuously exploring and developing its food tourism offerings. The DOT Central Luzon has discovered more than a hundred heirloom dishes each in the provinces of Pampanga and Bulacan through its food mapping that will serve as their guide in further developing the region’s culinary tourism.
New Terminal of Clark Int’l Airport
Central Luzon is accessible by land, air, and sea.
Whether you are coming from the north or south of Luzon, the region is accessible by land through major expressways such as the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). Foreign tourists coming in from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are just an hour and a half away from the region through these expressways.
Meanwhile, Subic Bay Port is one of the major port of entries of the biggest cruise ships in the world.
The Clark International Airport in Pampanga. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
Travelers can also come in through the Clark International Airport , which is connected to a lot of the major cities in the world with direct flights to key airports in Asia and the Middle East. It’s soon-to-open new terminal building will offer fast, safe, and efficient air travel services such as contactless self-check-in and bag drop, advanced docking guidance system, and even contactless ordering for pre-flight dining. The terminal also promotes inclusivity with all-gender restrooms, nursing stations, and prayer rooms.
Aside from these services, the new terminal is a sight to behold and may even be a tourist attraction in itself featuring modern Filipino architecture inspired by the slopes of Mt. Arayat and the Filipino Christmas lantern.
In fact, the new terminal is one of the top six finalists in the 2021 World Selection of the prestigious Prix Versailles Architecture and Design Awards under the Airport Category. Finalists of the Prix are chosen for their innovative qualities, creativity, and design connection to culture and heritage.
For more updates about open destinations in the Philippines and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit www.philippines.travel or download the Travel Philippines app at the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
