K-pop idol, actress, host, and the Philippine’s unofficial tourism ambassador, Sandara Park never misses when it comes to promoting her second home.
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Some people love the Philippines. Then there’s Sandara Park. While she may not have been born in the country and isn’t ethnically Filipino, Dara has never been shy about expressing her love for the Philippines. Even as she’s living her best life as a K-pop superstar, Dara will always have a special place in her heart for her adoptive home. And that manifests in, among other ways, how she talks about and promotes the country to her friends in Korea and elsewhere. Remember when she featured the country on an episode of Battle Trip?
Dara even has a series on her YouTube channel called Dara Tour where she brings her celebrity Korean friends to days-long trips around the Philippines like the talented tour guide that she is. TBH, if Sandara opens her Dara Tour to the public, we’d sign up in a heartbeat. She may not have the official title, but Dara will always be our queen of Philippine tourism. Below, see some of the times Sandara prepared 5-star rated Philippine tours for her famous friends.
TAKING JUNG II WOO AROUND BOHOL
It’s no secret Sandara Park loves Bohol, and she made sure to show the best of the island to the Korean actor and her longtime best friend Jung ll Woo. Their multi-day excursion around Bohol was like the best of what the island had to offer. From island hopping, trying out local delicacies, riding the famous Loboc River cruise, watching fireflies at night, visiting The Tarsier Sanctuary, and taking pics at the renowned Chocolate Hills, the duo did it all.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a trip to the Philippines without a visit to Gerry’s Grill, a restaurant Dara loves so much that she has her order memorized. The fact that this was the actor’s first time in the country made it even better. If only we all had a bestie who could tour us around a new country the way Sandara does.
A WEDDING GIFT TRIP WITH THUNDER, MIMI, AND LEE JOON
We love a thoughtful ate. ICYDK, Sandara’s younger brother Thunder, a singer and former member of K-pop boy group MBLAQ, is married to singer, actress, and former Gugudan member Mimi. When the two were engaged, Dara decided to treat the couple the way she knows best, a trip to the Philippines, where they were joined by Thunder’s fellow MBLAQ member, singer and actor Lee Joon.
So, what does a pre-wedding Philippine trip look like for K-pop idols? It includes experiencing the thrills of Star City, enjoying the calming amenities of The Farm at San Benito in Batangas, going ziplining at Sky Ranch, and eating at some of Dara’s favorite restaurants (yes, that includes Gerry’s Grill). Bonus points for how the quartet ended their trip in Tagaytay, the same place Dara drove her family to before they moved back to Korea.
BESTIE TRIP WITH MINZY
It was only right for Sandara to have her fellow 2NE1 member Minzy be the first guest on her Dara Tour series. And it wasn’t just an overnight stay, but a 4-day, 3-night trip with a packed itinerary that includes shopping and dining at Power Plant Mall, going to the Pagsanjan Falls, chowing down on local seafood at the Dampa Seaside Market, visiting The Dessert Museum, eating Pinoy snacks, and, in true Filipino fashion, watchung a comedy bar show and singing OPM classics at karaoke.
Our favorite moment though was when Dara brought Minzy to her old school in Pasay, where she had an emotional reunion with her former advisor. If (and we do hope so) 2NE1 has a stop in the Philippines for their reunion tour, fingers crossed for a Dara Tour episode with all her members.
GOING ON VACATION TO PALAWAN WITH CL
When you’re A-list K-pop stars, you can go on vacation anywhere in the world. But this is Sandara Park we’re talking about, so of course she enjoyed some R&R at Palawan with her 2NE1 sister CL a few years back and took in the pristine waters of the world-famous island. Fun fact, this wasn’t the first time Dara toured CL around the Philippines as, after their last concert in the country in 2014, Dara brought CL, along with a handful of their staff, to different locations around the country like Subic. Sandara never misses being the Philippine’s top cheerleader, and we love to see it.
TREATING BAMBAM TO GERRY’S GRILL
At this point, Gerry’s Grill might have to rename themselves to Dara’s Grill with how often the K-pop idol eats at the restaurant chain. Even if she has less than a day in the country, she’ll still find time to eat at a branch with her order ready and memorized. Case in point: when BamBam was in the country for a show in 2022, Dara, his labelmate in Abyss, flew to the country to support him and treat him to Gerry’s Grill, San Miguel included.
Continue Reading: In And Out Of The Philippines, Sandara Park Proves Why She Is Pinoy At Heart
