Pinoy Ka, Ikaw Ang Turismo

By Gil delos Santos

Face on the posters is not the main issue where hate is hyped and directed. Results should be the gauge of key performance and the appropriate subject for criticism.

Optics is just one aspect of Marketing. Marketing is just one aspect of the whole tourism operation. I could have applauded the face campaign if it did deliver great results—mainly in foreign arrivals for instance. Unang una, she's got a pleasing face. Pangalawa, she's got personality; lawyer, intellectual, at eloquent with great communication skills.

In otherhand, with the secretary's data presentation highlighting success in different areas of tourism: accolade, tourism receipts, gdp contributions; and the claimed advantage over other asian neighbors, there's big irony unmatching the realities of 34 travel alerts disfavored the Philippines.

One thing I'm convinced though is that the secretary is a hardworking cabinet member. She just happen to come from a political background with the same PR people around her doing the traditional politics style.

Though lacking emotional intelligence (based on the actions how they respond to criticisms), we can't discredit her intention to deliver and for public service. Her action to mandate all the tourism regional offices to remove and ban all optics bearing her face is a bold move of strenght—silent expression of remorse and apology. That's strength.

TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE

Let's not stop being unkind to wrongdoings but let us stop spreading hate. We must condemn the wrongdoings and wrong actions but not curse or humiliate humans.

Most importantly, the world is a better place if we have individual judgment based on intellect—not based on emotions, not based on gaya gaya sa iba without being critical.

Lahat tayong Pilipino ay ambassador ng Philippine Tourism. Kaya galingan mo na din, kabayan, nasaan ka man; ano man ginagawa mo...dahil bawat isa sa atin ay parti ng Pilipinas. Parti na pwede maging rason para bisitahin tayo, o pwede maging rason para iwasan o kamuhian tayo.

Comments

OVER-DEVELOPMENT STRIPS BORACAY'S CULTURAL IDENTITY

By Gil delos Santos OVER-DEVELOPMENT STRIPS BORACAY'S CULTURAL IDENTITY For us local Boracaynons, taking over or giving away our cultural spaces to mega corporations and government projects disable us to conduct traditional activites on public spaces that belonged to the community. That's how Boracay's cultural identity is lost due to over-development. Sa Baryo or Punda (that's how we traditionally call Manocmanoc proper), in my childhood, Manocmanoc Beach was our playground. We used to catch and play with "guyokoy", hermit crabs or "bungog" and "mawik" all day. Swim in the water everyday like it's our own paradise—unbothered, undisturbed. In the afternoon, our oldies gather at the shore to wait for Nong Musing and Nong Rudy, our local fisherfolks, to bring fish to the community which at that time "Lambiyong" or "Balangawan" costs 5 pesos per caltex (1 liter tub). During the monsoon season, a sandbar ...

BORACAY AS A LUXURY DESTINATION

By Gil delos Santos Recognized as the World's Leading Luxury Island Destination again in 2025, Boracay can take advantage to gain in solidifying its share in the "luxury" market. Marketing efforts must target the niche luxury slow travellers. Boracay does need Tiktok vloggers in contrast to most people's exaggerated regard for influencers. Here's why: 1) Vloggers are not spenders (in general). They always demand xdeals and sponsorships if not paid. 2) The viewing Tiktok community are mostly validation seeking which the influencers take advantage of in giving affirmations and "pa-inggit" through their contents focused to trigger emotions. 3) The wealthy and the professionals don't have time and interest on Tiktok. They have life standards most people can't afford. They don't seek approval nor validation. These are the people we want to attract to come to Boracay. They are spenders that don't care about the price tags—people with value and...

Boracay Tumandoks' Strive for IP Recognition

What are the chances? By: Gil delos Santos The Bukidnon Indigenous Cultural Communities of Boracay (Bukidnon ICCs) - is a group of Tumandoks seeking recognition as Indigenous Peoples in the island - in which, celebrated its 5th founding anniversary today, February 10, 2024 held at "what they call" Pinaungon Tribal Hall in Barangay Balabag. In attendance is the highest authority from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Secretary Jennifer Pia Sibug-las herself. Tagged along are the various NCIP commissioners and Engineer Edgar Labordo, who represented the Western Visayas Regional Director, Ana P. Burgos. It was my first formal appearance to join a gathering of this sort in Boracay. It has always been my desire to hear, observe, and understand the whole story of the movement. Coming to the event, I brought no expectations. I was there only to comply an insistent invitation from relatives whom some happen to hold a position in the organization. The program of ...

The Boracaynon

Search This Blog