On June 27, the Department of Tourism launched its new campaign slogan, “Love the Philippines," replacing its 2012 iteration “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” after more than a decade. However, this turning of a new leaf was marred just days later by accusations that some parts in their promotional video were unoriginal clips sourced from the internet.
Netizens online pointed out that at least five scenes in DOT’s campaign video for "Love the Philippines" were taken from the stock footage website Storyblocks. What’s more, they also claimed that four of these were shot in other countries: the rice terraces from Indonesia, a fisherman throwing a net from Thailand, a plane on a runway from Switzerland, and a person driving on sand from the UAE.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco has since responded to these allegations, stating that her department is currently conducting an “exhaustive investigation” to determine whether the reports are true or not.
The video was put together by advertising agency DDB Philippines. As per Frasco, prior to the campaign’s launch, various meetings and consultations were held with DDB to confirm the originality and ownership of the materials used in the AVP, in which the agency repeatedly assured the DOT that everything was in order. DDB Philippines has yet to release their own statement on the matter.
In an interview with CNN’s The Source, Frasco revealed that P49 million was spent on developing the new tourism slogan and campaign. That said, in her latest statement, she ensured netizens that no public funds were used to pay for the procurement of the AVP “as this particular component of the launch was released on the account of DDB.”
She continued, “the DOT holds the responsibility of promoting the country to the highest standard. Therefore, it will not hesitate to exact accountability and take the necessary action to protect the interest of the country even as it continues to exhaust all efforts to develop and promote the Philippine tourism industry.”
Almost a day after the fiasco spread online, DOT pulled out the said video from their Facebook page. The version uploaded on their YouTube has also been taken down.
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