Dani-girl

We all know her, that girl in the red dress strutting with her luggage around every corner of the universe. She has reached the Golden Gate Bridge as well as the Mambaling underpass. The “Kadenang Ginto” woman is known well as Daniella, portrayed by actress Dimples Romana. Her fierce look and the expression on her face made it hilarious to see her in every location netizens photoshopped her in.

I personally do not watch “Kadenang Ginto” as I am at work during its time of airing. But I have heard how it has juicy lines and scenes that have more action than any afternoon TV series. I have to commend how it has captured an audience of different age groups and genders. Many have expressed online their angst after the protagonist of this show. It makes my heart full to know that TV has not died, despite the rise of on-demand content in the internet.

But Daniella, on the other hand, has reached more than the fame of the TV show. The secretary of the Department of Tourism has made her an ambassador because of how she has effortlessly marketed the different sights of the country. From hindsight, I'd like to think that the mode of tourism is going too low in a form of marketing through memes, but honestly I think it's brilliant. People today are more active in social media and in fact gather information through the internet. The funny marketing of Daniella will reach places prompting those yuppies, also active in social media, to come visit.

We need to strengthen our image more than ever, especially now with the terrorist threat in our country. Recently the authorities have determined that one of the two suicide bombers in Sulu was a Filipino. That means that there are people within our country who are willing to trade their own identity for their own agenda. Although Central Visayas has no direct threat yet, it is better to boost our image that we are okay, I swear we are.

Daniella may just be a fictional character but she has made a big impact. Does she deserve support? Regardless of whatever TV network preference you have, I guess we need to give it a try. The country's economy is not only banked on investments, but also on tourism. We have too many sites to see and conquer, I for one have a lot to explore. It’s becomes more exciting as many places are being developed and unveiled in the months to come. As Asians, we love stories, and nothing beats going to a place with a good story.

The DOT's campaign may be full-blown with memes, but I don't mind. If that's what would keep us in the maps, then it is worth a shot. I mean, it's not degrading or anything but it is a picture of fun. Anyway, it is more fun in the Philippines, right?