Through art and dance, PHL tells US, Middle East: 'It's More Fun in PHL'

The "fun" continues... The Philippine government, through the Department of Tourism, continues to take its "More Fun in the Philippines" campaign all over the world. On May 10, the Philippine Bayanihan Dance Company performed during the annual Memphis of May Festival at the Orpheum Theater of Memphis, Tennessee as part of the DOT's "More Fun" campaign, a news release of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. Memphis in May is a series of daily festivals and events focusing on the music, food and education of a selected country each year. As the honored country this year, the Philippines sent some of its top speakers, performers and artists to the festival. When the Bayanihan Dance Troupe performed during the festival, the guests included Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr. with wife Vicky, Philippine Consuls General Marciano Paynor Jr. and Mario de Leon and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. Some 4,000 Memphis elementary and high school students watched the performance of the Bayanihan dancers, considered as one of the best in the world for having won competitions in the US, Japan, China, South Korea, Greece, and Spain. In a news release, the DFA said Jimenez noted how Filipinos and Memphis residents were warm and hospitable and also shared a love for food and music. As he encouraged Memphis residents to visit the country, Jimenez said: "It will be more fun in the Philippines." It’s Art, fashion exhibit Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates, the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai opened an exhibit showcasing the DOT's "It's More Fun in the Philippines" campaign on May 3.

Those who led the ribbon-cutting ceremonies included: Representatives Florencio  Miraflores, Chairman of the House Committee on Tourism, Alfredo Garbin, Tourism Committee Vice Chairperson, Francisco  Matugas, Committee Member, and DOT Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon Jr. and Consul General Benito Valeriano. Selected students from The Philippine School (TPS) performed Filipino dances such as the "Pandango sa Ilaw." The exhibit also included the works of Michael Cinco, a Filipino renowned haute couturier based in Dubai..

The exhibit runs from May 4 to 10.

More Fun in the Philippines   According to a news release of the DOT, the “It’s more fun in the Philippines” slogan was created to attract tourists. “Our strategy is simple: while other countries invite you to observe, Filipinos can promise a more heartfelt and interesting experience. Wherever you go, whatever you do in the country, it’s the Filipinos that will complete your vacation and will make your holiday unforgettable,” Jimenez said. The Lonely Planet guidebook describes Filipinos as one of "the most easygoing and ebullient people anywhere." - with Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News