From the Midwest redneck author of "The Rooster Crows at 4am!," "Lizard Poop!," and "The Philippines Expat Advisor"
New Tourism Slogan for Philippines Sucks!
“Pilipinas kay Ganda” (Philippines So Beautiful), the new slogan unveiled by the Tourism Department of the Philippines, absolutely sucks! “If you ask me, I think somebody is drinking on the job,” Philippine Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said (Amen, to that, Senator!) The senator described the slogan as “unimaginative and unlikely to attract tourists."
Like, DUH!, whose brainstorm was this? As I watched the report of the new slogan on "TV Patrol" last night, I scratched my head and said to my Filipina wife: "What moron thought of this? What kind of stupid people are working in the tourism department?" She agreed with her American husband that they are indeed, stupid. I personally thought the goal of the tourism department would be to ATTRACT new visitors to the Philippines, which I agree IS a beautiful place filled with beautiful people. Some that work in certain government offices are obviously not too bright, however.
But why in the world is it necessary to phrase the slogan in Tagalog which, contrary to what the boneheads in the Tourism Dept. think, is NOT understood by the majority of the foreigners they are trying to attract. I know the logo has "so beautiful" on it, but "kay ganda" along with "Pilipinas" instead of "Philippines" will still be confusing to many. I have to wonder if some of the members of the police that were involved in the Manila "Hostage Rescue" this past August were transferred to the Tourism Department.
“Pilipinas Kay Ganda is, I think, ignorant and ignorance is boring,” Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said. I wholeheartedly agree with you, Senator. Ignorance is boring. Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim says the new slogan is still just a concept (although the news report I listened to last night said 100 million pesos has already been spent on this "concept"), and he wants to see what the international market's reaction to it will be. Here's my reaction, Mr. Lim: "IT SUCKS!"
Spot on! dave! You described it succintly and accurately, haha!
Thanks, kaltehitze, good to get your viewpoint!
Yeah, sometimes I don't know what they are thinking. The rest of the world what the world "Tagalog" means! I remember the first time I saw the word I thought they were trying to spell Tag along.
"Pilipinas, kay ganda is not a winner" I love the Philippines but it seems they shoot themselves in the foot a lot times.
The policemen involved in the "hostage rescue" transferred to the Tourism Dept? You still make me laugh, Dave! And "Tagalog" sounds like those Girl Scout cookies. Hey, they should do a McDonald's and publish the phrase in many languages and splatter it everywhere. However….I kinda like it. It causes someone who might be truly interested to make an effort. Or, look at it this way: Here in Colorado, we wish they would keep quiet the fact that it's a beautiful state. We don't want too many people moving here. Same goes for Philippines.
Thanks, Monty Man! Glad the remark made you laugh. Well, you do make a valid point about someone that is truly interested would investigate the slogan; the tourism dept. actually also made that point. I love Colorado, too, very beautiful. I just love the mountains. You’re right about getting too many people wanting to move to the Philippines, but with over 7,000 islands, I think they still have plenty of room. Thanks for the comment!
I’m with you, Randall. You know I love the Philippines, too, and I want to see them gain more tourists and thus possibly more income for the locals that really need it. But in my opinion the new slogan doesn’t cut it.
How about this RP slogan : ” Philippines” Come for vacation…leave on probation”
Insofar as those 70 yr olds with 20 yr old hang ons…I tell my asawa” honey…there is still hope !”