Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla will serve as Guest of Honor at the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 Tour of Luzon: The Great Revival, set to take place Wednesday afternoon in the historic town of Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

Remulla will formally open the event by addressing the 119 cyclists and 17 teams participating in this year’s edition, with the majestic San Agustin Church in Paoay—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—serving as a symbolic backdrop to the ceremony.

“It will be a momentous event with the Lord’s blessing showering the whole entourage a day before The Great Revival hits the road,” said DuckWorld PH chairman Patrick “Pató” Gregorio, whose group is spearheading the race revival.

Joining Remulla are Philippine Olympic Committee and PhilCycling president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, and officials from the presenting sponsor Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), including Chief Regulating Officer Arrey Perez and MPTC president Jose Ma. Lim. The ceremony will be aired live on Cignal TV and Pilipinas Live.

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc and Paoay Mayor Shiella Galano will welcome the Tour’s return to the region.

Four foreign squads—CCN Factory HK (Hong Kong), Malaysia Pro Cycling, Bryton Racing Team (Taiwan), and Gapyeong Cycling Team (South Korea)—arrived via Clark and Laoag airports, joining top Philippine UCI continental teams such as Standard Insurance Philippines, Victoria Sports Pro Cycling, 7-Eleven Click Roadbike Philippines, and Go For Gold.

Also competing are development squads like the Philippines U23 Tom N Toms, Excellent Noodles, DReyna Orion Cement, Dandex T-Prime, Exodus Army, MPT Drive Hub, 1 Team Visayas, and One Cycling Mindanao. Only Team Pangasinan is due to arrive on the morning of the event.

The 1,074.90-kilometer eight-stage race starts April 24 with the 190.70-km Paoay-Paoay Stage 1, and continues through the scenic and challenging roads of Ilocos, La Union, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, and Benguet—culminating in a dramatic queen stage finish at Camp John Hay in Baguio City.