By HENRY EMPEÑO | March 29, 2026
THE Province of Zambales, as well as several local municipalities, romped home with high honors in this year’s Tourism Recognition for Enterprises and Stakeholders (TRES) Awards, highlighting top-tier attractions, rich culture and tradition, and innovative programs that drive the local tourism industry forward.
The TRES Awards is presented by the Department of Tourism-Region III (DOT-3) to honor top tourism stakeholders, local government units, and destinations in the seven provinces of Central Luzon.
In the awarding rites held March 27 at the Best Western Plus Metro Clark Hotel in Angeles City, Zambales was named First Runner-Up for Top Tourism Destination in the Province and Freeport category, becoming the only province in the region to be recognized for total tourist arrivals for the year 2025.
Zambales also received the Kaagapay Award for its steadfast assistance in the implementation of various programs and projects initiated by the DOT.
Meanwhile, the municipality of San Antonio, a long-time tourism magnet for its beaches and surfing areas, was named Grand Winner for Top Tourist Destination among the municipalities in Central Luzon. San Felipe, which also boasts of a seaside tourism community, earned the 1st Runner-up slot in the same category.
Masinloc town, on the other hand, became Grand Winner in category of Most Outstanding Environmental Tourism Program for its Ecotour Program, which leverages the San Salvador Island marine sanctuary as a diving spot, the Taklobo Farm snorkeling area, and the unique Mangrove Island all found on Masinloc Bay.
Another Grand Winner honors went to Botolan town in the Most Outstanding Destination Marketing Campaign (municipal category) for its Mt. Pinatubo Promotion that featured 2022 Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel. The stunning Filipino-American beauty took the grueling 4×4 ride and trek up the popular tourism destination in April 2025.
More Awards
Aside from the top-tier honors, runner-up awards also went to the local government units of Masinloc and Botolan.
Masinloc was 1st Runner-up in the Most Outstanding Tourism Month Celebration, and 2nd Runner-up in Most Outstanding Festival (municipal category) for its Binabayani Festival.
On the other hand, Botolan took home four other awards: 1st Runner-up in the Most Outstanding Festival (municipal) for its Pinatubo Festival; 1st Runner-up in the Most Outstanding Environmental Tourism Program (municipal) for its “Junkshop on Wheels” recycling program; 1st Runner-up in the Most Outstanding Heritage and Cultural Program (province/freeport zone) for its “Hay Panuro” educational program for Aeta children; and 2nd Runner-up for its Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration.
Other Winners
Aside from Zambales, those who received recognition for notable tourism destinations and programs include Bataan, which was Grand Winner for its “Behold Bataan” promotion in Most Outstanding Destination Marketing Campaign (provincial).
Clark Freeport, meanwhile, won as the Top Tourist Destination in Central Luzon (province/freeport zone), a distinction it has consistently held since 2023.
The province of Bulacan was Grand Winner in the Most Outstanding Festival for its Singkaban Festival; Grand Winner in the Most Outstanding Heritage and Cultural Program for “SINEliksik Bulacan: Pamana Pasa”; and 1st Runner-up in Most Outstanding Festival for the Tanglawan Festival of the City of San Jose del Monte.
The City of San Fernando received Four Grand Winner trophies: for “Ligligan Parul” in the Most Outstanding Festival (city); Most Outstanding Culinary Tourism Program (city); Most Outstanding Tourism Month Celebration (city); and Top Tourist Destination (city).
Tarlac was 1st Runner-up in the Most Outstanding Festival (province) for its Kanlahi Festival, and 2nd Runner-up in Most Outstanding Festival (city) for Tarlac City’s Kaisa Festival.
The province of Aurora was named Grand Winner in the Most Outstanding Culinary Tourism Program for its “Agahans a Aplaya, Timplang Aurora” program, and 1st Runner-up as Tourism Statistics Champion.
The TRES Awards also recognized tourism establishments in various categories for accommodation, tour guiding, marketing, star rating, academic institution, travel and tours, and media and content production. ▲
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