May Parsons (second from right), the British-Filipino nurse who made history by administering the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital in England, visits her alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas (UST). After graduating in 2000, she worked at UST Hospital until 2003 before moving to the United Kingdom. (File picture/RICHARD A. REYES)
MANILA, Philippines — Malacanang has released two videos that advertise Filipinos as the best workers overseas.
The materials were posted by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos on her Facebook page on Thursday and Friday.
These are part of a new branding image created by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications (OPACC).
The materials are meant to portray Philippines as a country that gives its best to the world.
Featured in the first video was May Parsons, a Filipina-born nurse who administered the first COVID-19 vaccine in the United Kingdom outside of clinical trials.
In the second video, a Filipino coffee barista working in Italy named DJ was shown.
READ: ‘Fantastic moment!’ Filipina nurse administers first Covid vaccine in UK
The First Lady uploaded both videos with the caption “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.” (Long live the Philippines.)
In the first video, Parsons explained while nursing is a very hard job, the resilience that she learned from the Philippines enabled her to survive the difficulties.
“Nursing is not the easiest job in the world. In fact, it’s emotionally draining. I truly believe in the things that I do, because of where we come from. Our resilience, our dedication,” she said.
“I gave my best and my heart. I am May. I am the Philippines,” she added.
In the second video, the employer of the Filipino barista spoke well about the worker, saying that every cup of coffee contained love as it was made with utmost dedication.
“Here, we honor the barista. Not the coffee machine, because coffee is like life. It’s all about how you make it,” the employer said in a one-minute video advertisement.
“When your barista is the best, you can taste love in every cup,” the employer added.
“Our barista is the best. Bravo Filipino,” he beamed.
OPACC clarified on May 13 that the new direction was “not meant to promote the country’s tourist destinations.”
The office said its head, director Paul Soriano, launched the “We Give the World Our Best – The Philippines” campaign in an attempt to “uplift the Filipino name and reputation worldwide.”
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