What original slogan can you think of that would help promote the Philippines as a premier tourist destination? Please elaborate.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: “Come to the Philippines and forget all your woes in this planet. You won’t regret it!”  

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Read on: “Welcome to Pacman country! Savor the leisurely punches of the Philippines’ natural beauties.”  

Tropical paradise

Ed Artates, Parañaque City: “The Philippines, islands of tropical paradise!” Sandwiched between the great Pacific Ocean and China Sea, it is a frontier of fine beaches, white and golden sands, and fantastic diving sites. It is the land of the most beautiful volcano in the world, tropical rain forests and mountain rice terraces. Called the Pearl of the Orient, it is home to the loveliest, happy and hospitable people in the world. Don’t miss it!  y

Avelino Falcon, Saudi Arabia: “The Philippines, 1,107 Islands of Paradise.” Err, make that 1,105 minus Basilan and Sulu nga pala! Come to think of it, each island of our country is virtually a paradise. We just don’t realize it. Punta kayo rito saMiddle East. Sala sa init, sala sa lamig!Whew!  

Lorenzo Fernandez, Jr., Cabanatuan City: Tourists all over the world, come to the Philippines, the new paradise! Enjoy our cheap, but delicious food and wine. Our girls, too! Do I need to elaborate?  

Ching Gaspar, Laoag City: “If the Philippines fails in governance, in terms of tourism it is no. 1.” The Philippines is a sinner in many ways, but it has virgin beauty beyond compare. Come and see it and you will not regret it. Never have you seen a duplicate of a 6-km. stretch of underground river, hundreds of miles of powdery white beaches, cup-like chocolate hills, hundreds of scattered islands, scores of beautiful waterfalls, rare species of mammals and aquatic plants and fishes, and, last but not the least, women with exotic beauty. It’s the home of beautiful women who garnered crowns in global beauty contests.  

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: “7,101 reasons to have fun in the sun.” It reminds us just how large our country really is with varied areas to sample the Philippines’ pleasures.  

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: “Leisure at its best in Philippine beaches.” Many foreigners who fell in love with Philippine beaches went so far as marrying a Filipina so they could settle down for good in our country. Most of these foreigners invest their money on beach resorts because they claim that we have the best beaches in the whole world. As a Negrense, I can brag that in Punta Ballo, Sipalay City in the deep south of Negros Occidental are pristine beaches, which can give the much-acclaimed Boracay Island a run for its money. For the tourists who want to get away from it all, the Sipalay beaches are simply ideal. Less crowd, good roads, picturesque surroundings, excellent seafood. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper compared to beaches in other countries.

Fun, sun, sand

Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: Splurge in total exotic experience, dive to your hearts’ delight, and enjoy the sea, sun and luscious tropical scene. Come to the Philippine islands and make your day!

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: “If you’re looking for fun, sun and sand, come to the Philippines!” It’s guaranteed that we have one of the best beaches in the world. It’s our mediocre waste management practice that spoils it.  

Jun Ezpeleta, Metro Manila: Visit Philippines 2009: Fun, Fun, and Fun in the Sand, Surf Sights and Sounds!”  

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Wander and wonder in Philippines. Travel the islands; marvel at the place, the people, and cherish the experience.  

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: “Sights and Surprises in so many Enchanting Islands Await You; The Philippines: Fabulous Sights and Sweet Surprises; The sun and the wind are yours when you are here; Come as you are, Kaibigan.” I wonder if these self-explanatory slogans are originals!   

The wonders of Pinoy hospitality

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: For your vacation, come visit, see and experience the beautiful places of the Philippines and meet friendly, smiling people.  

C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: You wouldn’t want to leave after you visit our virgin beaches; try our sinfully tasty fresh seafood and tropical fruits or be pampered by Filipino hospitality. This is from the Bureau of Tourism at www.wowphilippines.com.ph.  

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: Come and feel Pinoy hospitality with 7,100 delights.” Pinoys are world-renown for their hospitality and RP is composed of over 7,100 islands.

Welcome to the Philippines: “The bedrock of hospitality and the melting pot of natural beauty and entertainment.” Among the unique Filipino traits is hospitality.

Deo Durante, Naga City: Invitations are down-to-earth given to would-be visitors. This is one of the reasons why strangers who step on our soils love us so much.  

The Philippines is hard to sell

Felix Ramento, Manila: Sorry, but the Philippines is very hard to sell, with our poor facilities and peace and order situation. Only the bargain hunters and the adventurous have the guts to visit.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: I’d rather not have a slogan so as not to be frustrated. As long as we don’t improve our infrastructure, it’s goodbye tourism for us. Sayang lang.  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: “Immmerse yourself in RP’s world heritage!” But it should be followed by “or what’s left of it” or “before it’s chopped down and covered in concrete.”  

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Sorry, I can’t think of any. Just read the newspapers and judge for yourself if you can still promote this country with the way things are done here.  

Pearl of the Orient

Dave Velasco, Marinduque City: Let’s go back to the original “Perlas ng Silanganan” because it’s already ingrained in our hearts and minds and we sing it every time.  

Jose Parco, Kalibo, Aklan: Since our grade school days, the Philippines was already known as “The Pearl of the Orient Seas.” Long before Thailand and Malaysia even thought of tourism, we were already a tourist destination. Ergo, with a little help from our government, we should make sure that we really are a choice and precious tourist destination. Isn’t it that we are supposed to be known as the world’s most hospitable people, or are we? There’s such a thing as “truth in advertising,” so we better live up to it.

Loi Castillo, Davao City: “Visit the Philippines this year: The gateway to Southeast Asia!” If you look at the map, we are really at the doorstep of the Pacific. Kaso, nadadamay talaga ang ibang regions sa gulo sa Maynila so we might as well promote the country through the different regions, like what the DOT here in Davao is doing.

Rey Onate, Palayan City: The Pearl of the Orient, the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands spread like beads of pearls and rich with natural beauties. A stairway to heaven, a mountain with a perfect cone, hills like chocolate drops, rushing waterfalls, white sand beaches. A pearl that forever is caressed by the summer sun, the Philippines, the Pearl of the Orient, invites you to enjoy its natural beauty.  

Nature at its finest

Ed Alawi, Davao City: “Experience nature’s wonders! Come and see all in the Philippines.” If our entries win in the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, this would be more effective.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: “Nature at its best.” This is my slogan and I hope it’s original. Tourists, locals or foreigners are awed by the beauty God has painted in many parts of our country. Some improvements added by humans with rustic materials and talents like the Banaue Rice Terraces are wonders that lure people from everywhere to see and experience. The African jungles, despite posing natural and man made dangers, draw tourists from over the world. It is inherent in man to enjoy places where God is most felt and that’s nature. Modern and ancient buildings, museums and theaters are tourist attractions but they are not at par with God’s creation.  

Marlone Ramirez, Dubai: “Pure nature.” The Philippines is gifted with nature. Tourists want to enjoy natural things no matter what it takes. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Nature is too thin a screen; the glory of the omnipresent God bursts through everywhere.”  

Edwin Monares, Rizal: “Go to the Philippines, where nature is at its best.” Amidst the gloomy social realities, we can only promote the best that God has bestowed on the Philippines: Nature.  

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Have a taste of paradise, visit the Philippine islands, where nature surrounds you.” Simply because the beauty of our country is all-natural, like our bodies of water in Palawan, Pagudpud, the Tubbataha Reef, the white sand beaches like Boracay, our mountains like Mt. Mayon, Banahaw, Makiling and Pinatubo, and the hills of Bohol. How beautiful is the Rice Terraces. Have you seen Callao Cave in Cagayan? It’s awesome! How about the underground river in Palawan? It’s magnificent. Truly, these islands are blessed with God-given beauty. Only, we just need to be kind to Mother Nature so that she will be good to us. Let us not abuse nature; we owe to her the beauty of our country.  

Slogans won’t help

E. Linsangan, Isabela: Slogans won’t help. Our country is one of the best destinations in the world, no doubt about it. But no tourists in their right mind would come here with all the news here and abroad about hold-ups, killings and, worse, kidnap-for-ransom gangs that victimized even Red Cross people. We must solve these problems first before asking anybody to come over and see.  

Ramil Torres, Zamboanga City: Our country is such a beautiful country rich in natural and human resources. Kahit ilan pang slogan gawin natin para i-promote ang tourism industry natin walang mangyayari, lahat naman napupunta sa mga bulsa ng mga pulitiko natin. Tuloy, pati sa World Bank blacklisted na tayo. Kawawang Juan Dela Cruz.  

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: A slogan won’t lure tourists from countries that are too quick to issue travel advisories at the slightest sign of kidnapping or bombing in the country.  

Land of smiles

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: “Philippines: The land of smiles.” It encompasses all that we are, our being hospitable, our friendly ways, our capacity to carry our problems so well, our beautiful natural resources and tourist spots, our always smiling disposition and everything beautiful about us.  

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: The Philippines awaits you. It is the original land of smiles; the original Pearl of the Orient; the original land of sun-caressed; the true land of the morning sun; and where, really, East meets West. Indulge in our exotic foods; stroll on our magnificent white beaches; and enjoy our finest Filipino hospitality!   

Romel Torres, Zamboanga City: “Philippines, my Philippines, home of diverse cultures, traditions and arts. Savor each day with a bright and warm smile printed on 90 million Filipinos.” Come and experience this.  

Discover the Philippines

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: “Discover what’s in the Philippines.” The said slogan can encourage tourists to discover for themselves the whole country. The tourism department can order a fast luxury liner complete with all the accommodations from our reliable ship builder in Balamban, Cebu. When we have this first class luxury liner, tourists can easily travel from Batanes to Jolo and can discover the beautiful sceneries around the islands.  

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: Come and experience the exotic beauty of the PHILIPPINES: P - Pearl of the Orient, a paradise for tourists; H - Haven of hospitable people with a cultural diversity; I - Immaculate and pristine beaches at Boracay, Panglao and Palawan; L - Lying in Southeast Asia and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean; I - Islets with shallow reefs, and diverse ecosystems, with natural sceneries and sanctuaries of various forms of wildlife; P - Professional sports, entertainment districts, resorts with modern facilities; P - Provinces replete with ancestral homes, centuries-old churches, museums and ancient forts, as well as the rugged terrains of Cordillera highlands or Banaue rice terraces; I - Illimitable thrill for spelunkers in excavating the breathtaking primeval caves; N - Nature’s splendor on the chocolate hills in Bohol, Crystal Springs, etc., and nature tripping the mountain villages; E - Ethnic festive celebrations of fiestas showing indigenous and colorful costumes; S - Smile and capture the exhilarating wonders of our country.  

No place like the Philippines

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: “See the Philippines first!” or “There’s no place like the Philippines.” This country is abundant in natural resources and rich in history.

Any slogan will do

Imee Aglibot, Rizal: Any slogan will do. In fact, the simplest one can do the trick. Less is more can best be applied as RP, already known worldwide for its truly rich, fantastic destinations, will continue to be a favorite spot. Climate, culture, we, the people and of course financial considerations are plus factors. Tourists are here for the beauty of our country. Let them explore and roam freely and never mind the negative tags, wala sa kanila yan. And oh, by the way, subterranean park (underground river) just landed on the first spot in the new world wonders. Wonderful! 

‘Land of the free‘

Chris Navarro, Las Piñas City: In the Philippines, you can do anything illegal, just don’t get caught. And if you get caught, be sure you have the money. Welcome to our country, the only Christian nation in Asia.  

Only in the Philippines!

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Change “Wow Philippines!” to “Only in the Philippines!” to attract more curiosity. For example: “Only in the Philippines, where crocodiles roam Congress.” Just kidding!  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: “See the Philippines, see the world’s wonders!” Nandito na kasi lahat: 10,000 pairs of shoes ni Meldita, four-titleholder Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, the World Bank’s blacklisted contractors, the ruins of Cagsawa, Boracay Mansion, Palace in the Sky, Clark Expo, etc. Good and bad, you can find it here in RP!  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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