Actress Melai Cantiveros-Francisco appointed KTO honorary ambassador for Korea family tourism in PH

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) appointed actress and comedian Melai Cantiveros-Francisco as honorary ambassador for Korea Family Tourism in the Philippines. 

Cantiveros-Francisco and her family flew to South Korea to attend the special appointment ceremony on May 21 in Seoul. Her tenure as honorary ambassador for Korea Family Tourism in the Philippines will be from May 21 this year to May 20 next year. 

Filipino actress and comedian Melai Melai Cantiveros-Francisco (third from left) with her husband Jason, mother and kids, and a KTO official at the appointment ceremony for the honorary ambassador for Korea Family Tourism in Seoul on May 21 (KTO Manila)

Melai Cantiveros-Francisco with her family visiting the Panda World at Everland in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea on May 20 (KTO Manila) 

She is the first Filipino celebrity to be appointed by KTO as an honorary ambassador to promote Korean Family Tourism in the Philippines. 

She rose to prominence in the entertainment industry after winning in the reality TV show, “Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up” in 2010. She then had various projects as an actress, comedian, and host. 

Currently, she is one of the hosts of the popular morning talk show, “Magandang Buhay.”

As the honorary ambassador for family tourism, she will be the celebrity representative for the KTO’s family tourism promotional campaigns, programs, and events in the Philippines. Part of her duties and activities is visiting Korea with her family and sharing her experiences through her social media accounts. 

She will promote Korea’s attractive family tourist attractions at various events arranged by KTO and other Korean government agencies. She is also set to appear in select big campaigns and events of KTO such as familiarization tour and travel fair within one year from the date of her appointment.

In an Instagram post, Cantiveros-Francisco said she is elated to be appointed as the KTO honorary ambassador. 

“Kamsahamnidaaa mga Kamsamiii kung di dahil sa inyu di kmi mapipili na maging ambassador and ambasadress ng KTO @ktomanila as Korean Tourism Ambassador Family,” she wrote. 

She added, “This oppurtunity ay para sa inyu mga Kamsamiiii , ipapakita nmin sa inyu ang mga happiness nmin dtu sa Korea , medyu di lang ako naka update dahil nagkaroon ng emergency , and Thank you sa inyung prayers na ok na ang health ng baby steya nmin ❤️ This appointment ay para sa inyu , at inaappoint nmin kayu mga Kamsamiii na Best Viewers AWards 💯 salamat/kamsamiii s ainyung supports SarangheyoOoOoOoO.” 

Before her appointment to the position. She engaged in various projects that promoted Korea’s charm to the Filipinos. 

She starred in the 2023 movie “Ma’am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul” mainly filmed in Seoul. She also won the best actor award at the 2023 Asia Artist Awards held in December at the Philippine Arena. 

In addition, Melai and her family are fondly called the “Kamsamii Family” among their fans. 

Hyung Joon Kim, director of KTO Manila explained that KTO chose Melai to be the honorary ambassador specifically for family tourism as evidenced by her various projects relative to Korea. 

KTO hopes that through Melai and her family’s promotional content, there will be more awareness and interest in Korea’s family-friendly tourist attractions and destinations among Filipino families.

Melai and her family visited Korea this week for a familiarization tour in Seoul and Gyeonggi provinces of the family tourist attractions, such as theme parks, K-pop dance classes, and wellness experiences. 

Aside from her husband and two daughters, Melai’s mother also joined them on the trip. Three generations of Melai’s family experienced Korea’s attractive family-friendly tourist destinations.

Melai Cantiveros-Francisco at her appointment ceremony in Seoul as honorary ambassador for Korea Family Tourism in the Philippines (Instagram) 

Melai Cantiveros-Francisco with her family at her appointment ceremony in Seoul (Instagram)