Lapid suggests using 'Wow, It's more Fun. Love, the Philippines' as tourism campaign

Senator Lito Lapid on Thursday suggested using a mix of the former and the latest tourism slogans for the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) new campaign.

Lapid suggested this as he expressed support to Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, who is facing backlash over the use of non-original stock footage for the DOT's “Love the Philippines” audiovisual presentation.

The DOT has terminated its contract with DDB Philippines, the firm behind the audiovisual presentation, as a result of the controversy. DDB Philippines has taken responsibility for the video fiasco.

In a statement, Lapid mentioned previous tourism slogans such as “Wow Philippines” during the time of former Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” during the time of Secretary Ramon Jimenez, and the newly launched slogan “Love the Philippines.”

“Maganda ang  intensyon ni Tourism Secretary Maria Christina Garcia-Frasco at mga dating kalihim ng Department of Tourism na palakasin at i-promote  ang mga tourist destination sa  bansa… Pagsama-samahin natin yan para mas lumakas ang turismo dito sa Pilipinas ‘Wow, It's more fun! Love, the Philippines!’” Lapid said.

(We appreciate Secretary Frasco and the previous tourism secretaries’ intention to promote the tourism destinations in the country… For me, we must join our hands and pursue a better tourism campaign to attract more foreign and local tourists which I dubbed as "Wow, It's more Fun! Love, the Philippines!")

For Lapid, the recent gaffe on the “mood video” for the new tourism campaign “should not take away the months of hard work” by the DOT.

He said there is “no malice, no intent to mislead” if the video is meant only for the DOT and the “internal stakeholders” and not yet for the public's consumption.

“Everyone ought to have understood that the actual advertisement videos are yet to be made,” Lapid said.

Lapid then acknowledged Frasco for addressing the situation immediately, adding that DDB Philippines did the right thing by taking responsibility for the release of the video.

'No ill intent'

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri likewise expressed support for Frasco, saying the DOT has already taken responsibility for the controversy and terminated the contract with the agency.

“Let us also allow the Department to correct this misstep, reflect on what happened, and improve its campaign going forward,” Zubiri said.

“I believe that Secretary Frasco and the Department had no ill intent in this mishap, but I nevertheless expect them to take this incident very seriously, and hold accountable those who have wronged the Filipino people and the tourist spots that were replaced with alien places,” he added.

The Senate chief said the harm to the country’s reputation as a rising global tourism power should be repaired immediately and this should go beyond producing a correct version of the promotional video.

“The DOT leadership's call to stick with their new campaign slogan is duly noted, but this should not be the end-all of the corrective process,” Zubiri said.

Boosting tourism in the country must also include efforts from the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Health by improving infrastructures and policies which can bring in billions into the Philippines, Zubiri also said.

Senator Robin Padilla echoed his colleagues’ statement of support to Frasco, saying Frasco and the DOT’s efforts in boosting Philippine tourism should not be disregarded because of the controversy.

“Ang lahat ng makabuluhang ambag ni Secretary Frasco at ng lahat ng bumubuo ng DOT ay hindi dapat maisantabi at matabunan ng kontrobersiya. Kaya naman hindi po matitigil ang ating suporta at tiwala kay Secretary Frasco at sa Kagawaran,” he said.

(Secretary Frasco and the DOT's contributions should not be overshadowed by the controversy. That why I will continue to support and trust Secretary Frasco.)

Padilla said he is one with the public in seeking clarification and resolution to the controversy that hounded the DOT’s tourism campaign video, as well as making sure that those who are accountable are punished.

"Kinikilala rin natin ang agarang aksyon ng DOT para tiyaking may pananagutan ang sinumang may pagkakasala,” he said.

(We also recognize the immediate action of the DOT to ensure that those who erred will be held accountable.)

On Wednesday, Senator Nancy Binay, who chairs the Senate tourism committee, recommended to the DOT to drop the “Love the Philippines” slogan and revert to the previous one.

However, Frasco said the DOT will stick with "Love the Philippines." —KBK, GMA Integrated News