"We are pleased and excited to introduce and present Fiesta Poro to our friends and neighbors throughout the Philippines," said Glynis Salvatera-Balagot, marketing director of Thunderbird’s Fiesta Poro and former Miss City of San Fernando.

"We are certain Fiesta Poro will be a smashing success and will grow to become an important building block for the expansion of tourism throughout the Ilocos Region," she said.

Balagot said the Poro Point development project called "Fiesta Poro" is Thunderbird’s second destination resort development in the Philippines following the successful construction and launching of its flagship property in Binangonan, Rizal which is called "Fiesta Rizal".

She said the Fiesta Poro development plan includes the construction of a championship and public golf courses; renovation of the historied Poro lighthouse, new recreational facilities that for the public, retail and restaurant establishments, passenger cruise vessel facilities, aquatic theme park and surf pool, gun and skeet shooting ranges, beach villas, resort hotel and condominiums, convention facilities, and tourist, vacation and retirement village housing.

Balagot said that once completed, Fiesta Poro is expected to create 5,000 to 10,000 direct full-time jobs for Filipinos, especially residents of La Union.

As with its Fiesta Rizal project, Thunderbird’s Fiesta Poro project is totally funded by foreign investment. In addition, Thunderbird reaffirmed its pledge and commitment to locally source and purchase its available project needs from personnel to services to supplies and equipment.

"We are planning to complete the first phase of Fiesta Poro and stage our Grand Opening during the first quarter of this year. We invite everyone to visit our internet website and to stay tuned to our local media for progress updates and as we confirm and announce our Grand Opening calendar of events," Balagot added.