MANILA, Philippines - The advertisement promoting the tourist spot El Nido in Palawan won a top award in the recent Cannes Lions 58th International Festival of Creativity in France.
The winning ad featuring El Nido in the Limestone Billboard category won the coveted Bronze Lion at the French festival.
“This ad is a big boost to local and international tourism for both the province of Palawan and the country,” said Palawan Governor Abraham B. Mitra who recently tendered a thanksgiving cocktail party to express gratitude to Smart Communications and the Department of Tourism for featuring the El Nido advertisement at the French festival.
DM9 ad agency created the winning ad that compares the limestone cliffs of El Nido with those of Thailand. The ad, however, showed that it is cheaper for tourists to visit El Nido compared to similar destinations abroad.
The thanksgiving party was held at the Palawan Center along Arnaiz Road in Makati City, which was attended by Smart’s Wireless chief advisor Orlando “Doy” Vea, and Smart senior executive Perry Bayani, James Bernas and Jose Rosete; Undersecretary Danny Corpuz and director Cynthia Lazo of the Department of Tourism.
The top executives of the advertising agency — Merlee Jayme, Alex Syfu, Diday Alcudia, Herbert Hernandez and Allan Montayre — were also present.
Other friends of Palawan who arrived were Shell big boss Bobby Canapi,
Paul Bograd, Palawan Center owner Stevie Tahanlangit, Tourism SP chair board member Boy Bonoan, the Marketing head of El Nido resorts, Joy Anne Denoga, and the Palawan Tourism Council led by its president Nick Gitzis.
The Team Palawan Cultural group presented a rendition of songs and dances from the province.