‘It’s retirees we’re referring to,’ DOT ASec Alegre defends the ‘Experience the Philippines’ ad

A few hours after netizens called the newest ad of the Department of Tourism a copycat of South Africa's 2016 efforts, DoT Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre on GMA News-To-Go defended the ‘Experience the Philippines,’ saying it was referring to retirees already living in the Philippines.

“The South Africa material was about a tourist,” he says, though he made it clear this wasn't yet the official statement of the DoT.

“We have been doing this since last year,” Alegre continued, saying "Experience the Philippines" is the second of a four-part TVC release for 2017. The first was “Anak,” launched in January.

He did acknowledge that there were similarities. “Nananatiling consistent kami sa mga materials, sa testimonies about the Philippines. And talaga naming ang mga retirees, gustong-gusto sa Pilipinas. Unfortunately, yung ending ng TVC, medyo may pagkapareho.”

He added, “We really have retirees in the Philippines, who enjoy staying in the Philippines…nananatili tayong retirmenet haven of Asia.”

When asked if he stood by the campaign as an original concept, Alegre said, “I think it’s safe to say that this is presented in a different manner.”

Alegre said that the DoT, together with McCann Worldgroup, the creative agency behind the controversial ad, will be issuing a statement within the day.

On Monday night, a few hours after "Experience the Philippines" was launched, Filipinos took to reddit to call DoT's latest effort as a copycat to South Africa's 2016 ad, "Meet South Africa." Both featured a protagonist, who turned out to be blind.

Watch the complete interview below:

—LA, GMA News