The ‘Pilipinas Kay Ganda’ slogan

It has been a week now, and still the talks about the proposed controversial slogan of the DOT hasn’t slowed down and ironed. In fact, it keeps on receiving negative criticisms left and right.

The Tourism Department wants to change it’s current catching phrase ‘Wow Philippines’ into something weird and a bit odd phrase ‘Pilipinas kay Ganda’. I call it weird because among all the nations in South East Asia, if the proposed plan was granted, it would be the only catchphrase that is not derived in English language. Take the case of the following Tourism slogan of our neighboring countries:

Amazing Thailand
Malaysia truly Asia
Indonesia: ultimate in diversity
Uniquely Singapore
Vietnam: a destination for the new millennium

Where on earth will you put ‘Pilipinas kay ganda’ on the list. Unique, they say. But being unique doesn’t mean beautiful and does not guarantee that it will caught travelers attention.

For one, it’s really not a foreign friendly slogan. If I were a foreigner, it would be difficult for me to understand the phrase. Even the word ‘Pilipinas’ probably won’t understand by most of the foreigners. Our country is known as the ‘Philippines’ not ‘Pilipinas’.

For two, even if the phrase is translated in English language, hence ‘Philippines, its beautiful’, still, If I were a foreigner, I won’t bite it. Simply because it has no bearing, un-thought out, and please, all the people in the world will pronounce that their country is beautiful even the people in Iraq.

Is it really necessary to changed our current tourism slogan? Hmmm. I suddenly smell politics here. Remember, ‘Wow Philippines’ is a well branded and a well known tourism catchphrase of the Arroyo admistration. Admit it or not, during her time, our tourism ecomy really boosted. For the sake of vengeance, clearly, the current administration wanted to erase all the memories from the past regime even if it was a well planned program.

If the Aquino Government is really determined to change the tourism slogan then make sure to proposed a well thought, planned, and uncopied phrase and logo.

A very good suggestion is to conduct a national competition (internet would be a good venue) for the new tourism slogan and logo. We have a tons of creative Filipino artist out there. I’m sure one of them will rise and come up with the best idea.

For now, please remain the current catchphrase. And, our Government should focused more on strengthening the peace and order situation in the country so that foreign entities would feel safe and secured traveling around the archipelago. They would definitely keep on coming to our country if they knew that are country was such a place. As a traveler, safety and security will always be the top priority. That is the only way to further boost the tourism economy in the country.