The Department of Tourism (DOT) is launching a new brand campaign to attract visitors to the country with the line -  ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’

Focusing on the country’s core strength, the campaign singles out what no other destination can offer - and that is the Filipino people.

For example, the Lonely Planet guidebook calls Filipinos ‘among the most easygoing and ebullient people anywhere.’

“Our strategy is simple: while other countries invite you to observe, Filipinos can promise a more heartfelt and interesting experience. Wherever you go, whatever you do in the country, it’s the Filipinos that will complete your vacation and will make your holiday unforgettable,” says the new Tourism Secretary, Ramon Jimenez, Jr.

The Filipinos are already known around the world to be one of the happiest and warmest people on earth. The campaign hopes to enjoin the whole country in creating positive buzz of the tagline.


As the international campaign is underway, the DOT is also developing a national initiative under the line ‘#1FORFUN’ to rally the nation.

 “The national line is a goal, a constant reminder to ourselves why we can tell travellers it’s more fun here than anywhere else,” says the Secretary, “It needs everyone’s support for it to stay true—we need to make sure people’s experiences in our country are positive, enjoyable, and most of all, fun.”

The long-awaited idea was developed by advertising agency BBDO Guerrero, appointed in December after an exhaustive pitch overseen personally by Secretary Jimenez himself and approved by the President and members of the Cabinet.

Wherever you go in the Philippines, it's the Filipino that will make your holiday unforgetable> Just ask anyone who's been here


Find out for yourself why it’s more fun in the Philippines.
And make the most out of your next vacation.

This is just a preview of things to come.
Watch out for more fun. Soon.

Philippine National Football team member Phil Younghusbandadmits he thinks Kapamilya actress Angel Locsin is "the one" even though they don’t want to put a label on their relationship. 

“I can see Angel in my future,” he told members of the press during the launch of the United Football League (UFL) on January 11, at the Society Lounge in Makati City. “I think she’s the one.”

According to Phil, there’s nothing in particular about theirrelationship that made him feel this way. 

“(It's) just the way our relationship (goes),” he explained. “We just know. For me, we just know. You don’t need any evidence. When we’re together, we feel strongly about each other.”

The 24-year-old football player added, “Being with Angel is special. It feels different. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. And I just know that I want my future as happy as it is now. And I know that will be with Angel.”

Love without labels

Still, Phil says they don’t see the need to put any labels on their relationship. Although the two admit they're in love with each other, neither of has confirmed their relationship's real status.

“We don’t feel the status of our relationship is important. What we feel is important is what we feel for each other and we’re in love and happy and we want to be together,” he shares.

He adds that being in love and constant communication keep them close and their relationshipsecure.

“We talk a lot and we communicate which means we don’t fight,” Phil revealed. “I don’t think we’ve had a problem. We haven’t had a problem.”

That doesn’t mean, of course, that their relationship is boring despite the lack of tension. 

“We’re in love, we’re happy, and it’s not boring. Why would two people want to fight?” he said. “Whenever we have a problem with anything, we discuss it. We’re two very honest and trusting people. We communicate, and that’s how we get through.

Excited for UFL

Phil will play forward for the Loyola-Meralco Sparks in the UFL competitions, which will start this weekend. 

“I’m good. I’m happy. I’m excited for Saturday. I’m excited to play,” he says.

For this first game this season, the Sparks will play against the Green Archers United this Saturday. Will Angel be able to watch the game?

“No. She’s busy shooting. She’s working every day at the moment so she won’t be there."

The UFL League will kick off this Saturday, January 14, 4pm, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and will be aired live by AKTV on IBC13. 


Source: Yahoo Philippines OMG!

The latest instalment of the Jason Bourne Hollywood spy franchise began filming in the chaotic Philippine capital Tuesday amid heavy security with the city on alert over a feared terrorist attack. 

Police officers with bomb sniffing dogs scoured a warren of Manila alleyways where British actress Rachel Weisz and her co-star, Jeremy Renner, shot scenes for the much anticipated "Bourne Legacy" movie.

A 200-man crowd and traffic control team deployed by Manila authorities also blocked off a market road where the filming took place, while private security guards were in strategic places to thwart overzealous fans or strangers.

"We want to ensure that this film ends here without a hitch," said Ed Untalan, head of the local Task Force Bourne set up to coordinate security.

Filming began just three days after President Benigno Aquino placed Manila security forces on alert over what he said was plot to bomb a Catholic procession on Monday not far from where the Bourne film is set.

The attack never occurred but the national police chief said on Tuesday his forces would remain on full alert because up to nine suspected Islamic militants who had been planning the attack were still on the loose.

But the mood among locals on Wednesday was one of excitement with fans jostling each other to catch a glimpse of Weisz and Renner as they shot scenes in dark, crowded alleyways near a sprawling slum.

"This is the first time I've seen a Hollywood actor at arms' length and in person. My heart is still thumping hard," said Elmer Rufino, 43, a sailor who had returned home for a vacation.

"I've followed the Bourne movies, and now I can tell my shipmates this was shot in my neighbourhood."

Weisz plays opposite Renner, who takes the lead role from Matt Damon in the movie about the workings of a shadowy Central Intelligence Agency unit that trains super spies.

The filming in Manila will also take the cast to an old colonial Spanish fortress, a bustling fish port and a major thoroughfare infamous for its bumper-to-bumper traffic.

The Philippine production unit's head, Jun Juban, said the tourism industry would get a boost from publicity, with some of the final scenes in the 40-day shoot set to take place on the picturesque frontier island of Palawan.

"They chose us because they said they felt more welcome here," Juban said, adding that producers had initially looked at Indonesia and Vietnam as alternative sites.

Source: Yahoo Philippines! 

Feisty Philippine Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has "overwhelmingly" won a seat in the highly powerful International Criminal Court, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Tuesday. 

DFA said Santiago is the first woman from an Asian developing state to join as a judge in the Netherlands-based international court.

ICC is an "independent, permanent court that tries persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes," according to the court's website.

Santiago reportedly topped the poll's first round, effectively gaining a seat with 79 votes out of 104 valid votes, which DFA said was "an indication of the strong support from States Parties."

DFA noted that to be elected, candidates must receive two-thirds majority of the total number of votes cast, mostly States Parties voting.

"She was the first to be elected out of 18 candidates vying for six seats on the Court.  For the first round of voting, she bested candidates from every region," DFA said in a statement.

"This is the message that we emphasized in the campaign.  We are pleased that the international community has listened to us.  Indeed, it is a new day for the Philippines, a day of pride for our country and a day of honor, knowing that this is a tremendous responsibility and mandate placed upon our compatriot," DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario said.

Santiago recently went on a four-month campaign to get States Parties' support.

In October, Santiago said she would be resigning from the Senate should she win a seat in the ICC.

“I’ll have to resign [as senator]. Isn’t that good news for my enemies? I would have to live in The Hague. I will look like a European and speak like a European and I will be as snooty as a European when I come back," she reportedly said. 


Source: Yahoo Philippines