By Francis Allan L. Angelo
First of two parts
The cool March breeze welcomed a group of Iloilo media personalities and social media influencers, including representatives from Daily Guardian, as they embarked on an unforgettable familiarization tour of Hong Kong courtesy of #CebuPacific airline.
The four-day journey from March 3-6, 2025, showcased the convenience of the airline’s newly resumed direct flights between Iloilo and Hong Kong—a route that now operates four times weekly in both directions.
With Cebu Pacific’s direct international flights from Iloilo, travelers can now reach Hong Kong in less than three hours—saving up to nine hours compared to previous routes requiring Manila connections. Beyond the time savings, passengers can enjoy up to 20% lower round-trip airfares compared to booking connecting flights.
The direct route eliminates the hassle of layovers and additional stops, making Hong Kong much more accessible to travelers from Western Visayas.
Day One: Urban Adventures and Harbor Lights
The first day began with breathtaking panoramic views from Victoria Peak, Hong Kong’s most popular attraction standing at 552 meters above sea level. The Peak Galleria offered not only spectacular views of the city skyline but also world-class shopping and dining experiences.
The afternoon continued with an excursion to Lantau Island, where the group visited the serene Po Lin Monastery and explored Ngong Ping Village before taking the scenic Ngong Ping Cable Car ride over lush mountains and the South China Sea.
After a delightful Japanese lunch at Akita restaurant in the vibrant Tsim Sha Tsui district, the tour continued along the iconic Avenue of Stars, which celebrates the stars of Hong Kong’s film industry.
As night fell, the group boarded the traditional wooden junk boat, Aqua Luna, for the Symphony of Lights cruise—witnessing Hong Kong’s famous harbor light show from the water. The day concluded with an authentic Chinese dinner at Peking Garden restaurant, also in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Day Two: Magical Moments at Hong Kong Disneyland
The second day was dedicated entirely to Hong Kong Disneyland, where the group experienced the park’s exclusive attractions that can’t be found at other Disney destinations worldwide.
Reigniting the Magic at Hong Kong Disneyland
Upon entering the park, visitors were immediately drawn to the stunning Castle of Magical Dreams, the reimagined centerpiece that debuted in 2020 for the resort’s 15th anniversary. This architectural marvel draws inspiration from 13 stories of Disney princesses and queens, incorporating their unique characteristics through colors, icons, symbols, and cultural features.
“Never in Disney history has an existing castle undergone a transformation as grand as this,” explained our Disneyland guide. “The castle represents courage, hope, and possibility for all who dare to dream and believe.”
The castle hosts the refreshed “Follow Your Dreams” daytime musical stage show and serves as the backdrop for “Momentous,” the breathtaking nighttime spectacular that launched in June last year.
This 20-minute show combines projection mapping technology, choreographed fountains, illuminated water projection, lasers, theatrical lighting, and pyrotechnics to take guests on a wondrous journey through life’s most precious moments.
Exclusive Attractions
The familiarization tour highlighted Hong Kong Disneyland’s unique offerings, including:
- Iron Man Experience – Marvel fans experienced the world’s first Marvel-themed ride, joining Iron Man in an adventure through the streets of Hong Kong.
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Nano Battle – This interactive dark ride allowed visitors to team up with the tiny heroes to defeat Arnim Zola and his army of Swarmbots.
- Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars – The group enjoyed this thrilling roller coaster that races forward, backward, and through the wilderness of Grizzly Gulch.
- Mystic Manor – Unlike any haunted house attraction at other Disney parks, this trackless dark ride presented the tale of Lord Henry Mystic and his mischievous monkey Albert.
- World of Frozen – The world’s first and largest Frozen-themed land transported visitors to the kingdom of Arendelle, offering three highlighted attractions: Frozen Ever After boat ride, Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs family coaster, and the interactive Playhouse in the Woods show.
“The World of Frozen is a complete travel experience inspired by Nordic culture,” noted one of the tour participants. “From the architecture to the cuisine and unique souvenirs, it truly feels like stepping into the animated films.”
Throughout the day, the group had numerous opportunities to meet beloved Disney characters, from Mickey Mouse and friends to Marvel superheroes and the newest addition to the Duffy and Friends lineup, LinaBell the fox.
This Cebu Pacific familiarization tour, organized with support from #TravelSpecialistVentures, highlighted the growing importance of direct connectivity between regional Philippine cities and international destinations.
Cebu Pacific’s Iloilo-Hong Kong service operates every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, while Hong Kong-Iloilo flights run every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
