Frasco says DOT will retain ‘Love the Philippines’ slogan

Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco —photo from DOT FACEBOOK PAGE

MANILA, Philippines — Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco on Wednesday said that the country will continue to use the controversial tourism slogan “Love the Philippines,” despite backlash from the public.

But the secretary did not go into details regarding the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) further plans in its tourism drive, she did, however, repeatedly mention ”Love the Philippines” in her speech during the 2022 Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts and Tourism Statistics Dissemination Forum.

“I think that is evident,” Frasco told reporters in an ambush interview when asked if the DOT will maintain the said slogan.

It can be recalled that the DOT was embroiled in controversy during its release of the brand new “Love the Philippines” slogan after it received flak from the public who pointed out that it contained clips from Thailand, Indonesia, and United Arab Emirates.

The DOT has since terminated its contract with its partner advertising firm DDB Philippines, who, in turn, claimed that the said video DOT uploaded online was merely a “mood video” meant “to excite internal stakeholders.”

The controversy does not stop there as the agency also faced public outrage after it featured alleged sex trafficker Apollo Quiboloy on their Facebook page when the DOT thanked various tourism pages who expressed support for its new slogan.

The DOT previously assured the public that it would remain “fully committed to developing and promoting the Philippines as a powerhouse of natural wonders, culture and heritage, and a fount of warmth and hospitality.”

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JPV