Back to 'Wow! Philippines'? DOT denies plagiarism

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) is likely to revise its new slogan “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” amid mounting criticism.

DOT Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon said the agency is now undertaking consultation concerning the new slogan since it will likely be revised.

“What is important is that the DOT is listening to all comments and we are open to suggestions,” Bengzon said, noting that the agency is still not pulling the slogan.

“There is nothing definite yet,” Bengzon answered when asked to comment on Secretary Alberto Lim’s insinuations that the DOT may totally withdraw the slogan due to mounting criticism.

In a radio interview, Lim said he will meet with President Aquino to discuss the issues about “Pilipinas Kay Ganda.”

In case the new slogan is dropped, Lim said the DOT is likely to continue using the “WOW Philippines” tag, which was coined by former senator Richard Gordon when he was tourism secretary.

Malacañang, on the other hand, does not see any problem with throwing out the slogan even as DOT Undersecretary Vicente Romano III denied plagiarizing Poland’s logo. The new logo drew flak for lack of ingenuity and striking similarities with the logo of Poland. 

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Lim made it very clear that the Philippines’ new tourism brand was not final and that it was good that “national branding” was up for discussion.

Valte said Romano had clarified that there was “no plagiarism” because “there are enough elements in the Pilipinas logo to differentiate it from that of Poland.” 

“The color scheme and visual elements are markedly different,” Romano insisted.

Valte disclosed that there was no instructions yet from the President to check whether there was plagiarism and if the advertising agency, Campaigns and Grey, would be replaced in coming out with a new logo for the Philippines.

Aquino himself announced the introduction of the new logo and lamented that travel warnings against the Philippines were timed with its launching.

The President said he was consulted by the DOT about it and that he suggested that the tarsier and the smiling face be included.

Valte said discussions on the new logo would continue and that all opinions would be considered because “we all have an interest in the national branding” because it would be all about carrying and promoting the country.

She said it was okay if the idea was rejected by some sectors. “This is not unilateral, we will not come out with this and say, this is it, live with it. It’s not like that, the opinion of our fellowmen on our national branding will be a big consideration,” Valte said, adding that whether the old logo would be retained would still have to be studied.  

DOT should feel the people’s pulse

 Meanwhile, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)-Public Affairs Committee (PAC) chairman Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez yesterday said the DOT should listen to the public’s comments on their new slogan. 

“They (DOT) should listen to the feedback and try to consider it. Maybe there are other ideas and suggestions so they should be open to the public,” said Iniguez.

He admitted that he has not yet seen the new slogan of the DOT. But he would favor any slogan for as long as it would result to giving positive attention to the country. Among those who openly criticized the “Pilipinas Kay Ganda!” slogan were Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda and Francis Escudero. – With Evelyn Macarian, Aurea Calica