MEDIA LOG ENTRY #7: Travel, Tourism and the Environment

IS IT REALLY MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES?

By Cham Tibor

To sell the Philippine’s tourists’ spots is a major task of the Department of Tourism. They are to sell, in way, to attract tourists and pay a visit to the Pearl of the Orient Seas. It has been 13 years already when the DOT had the “Wow, Philippines!” catchy tagline. DOT, commanded by Secretary Blah blah, changes its theme and slogan to “It’s more fun in the Philippines!” – As for a change and more eye-catching shibboleth. However, is it really delightful being in the Philippines?

As Filipinos experience tough and hardships in life, they are still able to smile and laugh at serious problems just to forget their problems. Showing how happy they are despite of their challenges in life is a great example of being ‘fun’ of the Philippines. It has been known that Filipinos are very hospitable and

politely accommodate visitors to make them feel at home. Isn't it fun being in the Philippines?

In the video produced by the Department of Tourism, it shows the best of the bests of Philippines. Festivals, natural tourists spots, beaches, recreational activities are given emphasis. As a Filipino, I am deeply inspirited to travel the Philippines because of their catchy, colorful and overwhelming advertisement. I could actually say that Filipinos are not just simply hospitable, strong people, fun or happy-faced people; they are talented and magnificent! And as far as I am concerned, the Philippines had gained tourists almost 4.5 million by the 2012 year end according to Department of Tourism.In addition, the Philippines sees a million of increase of tourists by the year 2013. It is a great vision before this year ends. 

The Philippines, despite of having such political and national problems, still find good ways to hide and overpower unfavorable events and shameful happenings and arguments between people. I am still proud and lucky to be a Filipino no matter what they say about the Philippines. It is my country and it is where I will be helping through my talent and skills. I know, there will be this one day, tourists and other cultures would leave our country happily and say, “It is really more fun in the Philippines!”.

Reference:

Rappler.com. (2012, August 30). Philippines eyes 5.5-M tourists in 2013. Rappler.com. 

   Retrieved from http://www.rappler.com/business/11454-philippines-eyes-5-5-m-tourists-in-2013

MEDIA LOG ENTRY #6: Health and Fitness

FAT TO FITNESS ADVERTISEMENTS

By Cham Tibor

                                  They say, being fat is being healthy. However, if one already exceeded 200 lbs, can we still consider it healthy? Fatness or obesity is one of the problems faced by people who cannot help themselves to stop from staying in the kitchen or those people who got it hereditarily. Fat people were sometimes discriminated especially on public vehicles. They are sometimes required to pay their fare for two people. Some people would laugh at them when they find it hard to move and make an action to what they do. Where’s the justice that humans have?!

Nate Kennedy after 90-day work out.

                              Gladly, there are now commercials about the fitness process – photos showing the sudden change of their bodies after weeks or months of working out. Just like this picture from the internet, it is from the personal blog of Mr. Nate Kennedy, which motivates people who are ‘overly’ healthy. His personal blog talks about how did he resulted to that body after a 90-day of patience. As obese people see this kind of ‘inspirational’ photos, there is a mere fact that they will be motivated to do some fitness actions.

                               

                                    Medical companies that offer fitting pills usually do the same style of advertising. They will compare how fat people would be much better if they try their vitamin supplements. A famous example is the Lesofat commercial in the Philippines with a familiar tag line, “Tinatago ang taba? Mag-Lesofat!”.  It is very appealing to people like them to try this kind of pill just to be thinner. As for gym owners, they usually produce a poster showing people who have finished the training process already and come up with the ‘before and after’ photo. It is a typical type of advertising for gym owners, all the people would have to know if they have really effective instructors.

                                

                                      These types of advertisements should be reinforced and should be more focused on what they really exist for, not just simply to earn money; but also to do their job right and just. If they give more time to brief or talk to people concisely, companies and gyms would make an excellent work and better yet, they will gain more costumers if they would be known as efficient companies. All they have to do is to motivate fat and obese people to join their advocacy in order for them to help themselves and also their fellows.

                                    One should always remember that everything that is definitely worked hard for end up with its best result. Love what you do and what you can do to be more provoked to change for the better. Just never ever forget to ask for the Lord’s guidance for more encouragements to actually complete and reach their goal to fitness.

Resources:

Kennedy, Nate. (2013). How'd you do that?. Nate Kennedy's Blog. Retrieved from http://natekennedy.com/blog.