SOCIAL SET

A capital redefined: ‘Manila, My Manila’ ignites a tourism renaissance

Luis Espiritu · Oct 4, 2026, 11:56 PM

MIDFEST founding director Archie Dimaalam, DTCAM director Cristal Bagatsing, Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso, Vice Mayor Chi Atienza and IA Administrator Atty. Joan Padilla. — Photographs courtesy of dtcam

The time-honored stones of our historic capital pulsed with a fierce new vitality as Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso officially launched the grand “Manila, My Manila” tourism campaign.

Welcoming over 5,000 registered attendees to the spectacular three-day My Manila Tourism Expo 2026 held from 25 to 27 September, mayor Isko issued a sweeping invitation to look beyond the usual headlines and rediscover the capital through a deeply personalized lens — proving that there is no singular Manila, only your Manila, my Manila and our Manila.

Spearheaded by Cristal Bagatsing, director of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila (DTCAM), the expo seamlessly united heritage institutions, culinary landmarks, and creative communities. Mapped across 11 distinct pillars — including #MyHeritage, #MyFlavor and #MyCreativity — director Bagatsing and DTCAM challenge us to boldly become tourists in our own capital, and re discover Manila beautifully with new perspective.

DYNEE Domagoso

FORMER Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman.

NATIONAL Museum director general Jeremy Barns and Barbie Atienza.

BRYAN Benitez McClelland, Regina Benitez and TESDA Sec Kiko Benitez.

ANDREA Mago, Chiqui Pelayo, Cara de Ocampo and Roshni Tulsiani.

MISS Manila Charity Mikki Angela Barcela, Miss Manila 2026 Beatrice Santos, Miss Manila Tourism Zoe Cameron and Miss Manila 2nd Runner-up Yna Ysabelle Garado.

OLIVIA Limpe Aw, Amado Bagatsing, Dina Tantoco, Sosec Bianca Zobel and executive director Cecile Lorenzana.

DR. Janet Tan, Dr. Naomi Licuanan, Dir. Mylene Villanueva, Dir. Laris Borromeo, Dir. Dandan Tan, Dir Raffy Alejandro, P.Col Rolando Santiago, Engr Eman Avengoza, Atty Nolen Endaya and Dr. Rolando Narvata.