Revive ‘Wow Philippines’ slogan, Gordon urges DOT

Following the controversial “Sights” campaign, Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday urged the Department of Tourism (DOT) to revive the “Wow Philippines” slogan that was introduced during his term as Tourism secretary.

Gordon said it is unnecessary to keep changing tourism slogans.

“Bakit ba tayo palit nang palit? Amazing Thailand has been there for a long time, Malaysia Truly Asia [also]. Sinabi ko na sa kanila 'yan, hindi naman nakikinig. Ano naman gagawin ko?” Gordon, who was DOT secretary during the Arroyo administration, told reporters.

“Pwede [ibalik na lang Wow Philippines]. Wala namang masama doon eh. Dito kumi-click yun, dahil per region, may sariling ‘wow',” he said.

Wow, for instance, in Manila, could stand for “Walk Our Walls”; “Watch Our Whales” for Sorsogon, and “Warm Over Winter” for Boracay, Gordon said.

Gordon said he did not spend a single centavo for the “Wow Philippines” slogan.

“Huwag naman tayo mangopya. Magaling naman tayong mga Pilipino eh. Actually, pwede na pero hindi maganda pakinggan na ginagastusan ng pera, ang laki ng pera. Ako ang ginastos ko sa adverising nung panhon ko, wala, wala akong ginastos,” Gordon said.

The DOT last week announced its decision to cancel its P650-million contract with McCann Worldgroup Philippines following the controversy over the Experience the Philippines tourism campaign.

The DOT admitted that they saw very glaring similarities between "Sights," which was produced by McCann, and the advertisement released for South Africa in 2014.

After the ad's release on Monday, netizens immediately took to reddit and noted that the Philippine campaign was a “copycat” of the South Africa ad. —ALG, GMA News