Seen in the attached photo (L-R): Chris Pattinson (Director, MTV Asia), MTV VJ Maggie Wilson, Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano (Department of Tourism), Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr. (Department of Tourism), and Eduardo Mapa Jr. (Managing Director / Media Contacts) during the launch of the Awesome Philippines campaign to some members of the blogging community. MTV VJs from overseas are featured in the video vignettes showcasing a number of the best destinations and attractions that the Philippines can offer to youth travelers. One of those VJs is VJ Taya, who shares her latest vacation in various video vignettes with her fans over the Internet. To film these vignettes, Taya traveled to various parts of the Philippines including Manila, Batangas, Bicol, Bohol, Boracay, Cebu and Palawan. "It was my first time in the Philippines and it was simply awesome! I’ve heard so much about the Philippines from my friends and was just raring to go on this trip. It definitely turned out well beyond my expectations! With hundreds of sights to see, things to do and cultures to experience, a trip to one of their many beautiful islands will guarantee unforgettable memories for you to take home. I am already planning my next trip there. I love the Philippines!" says Taya.
Showing Taya around the Philippines in the vignettes was Christine Gambito, better known by her screen name HappySlip, an advocate for Philippine Tourism. "Many people are unaware of the many amazing experiences that the Philippines has to offer. I am honored that I got the opportunity to represent my home. I hope through this, people will be excited to come and explore the ultimate Philippine experience," says HappySlip.
MTV Asia was chosen by the Philippine Department of Tourism as the partner for its Awesome Philippines campaign because of the resonance that the MTV brand has among the youth market worldwide. In the vignettes, the youth connection is distinctive as it employs a style that is synonymously MTV — fast-paced, vivid and visually engaging. Additionally, the vignettes strongly bring out a true Filipino flavor while it presents the Philippines as a must-visit travel destination for the overseas youth market.
The Awesome Philippines campaign cuts through with its use of highly-interactive web activities. One of its initial efforts was an online contest hosted on its official website, www.awesomephilippines.com. Dubbed Video Remixes, the contest had participants creating their own dream holiday in the Philippines in a creative video story. Different clips of specific destinations were made available on the site; and participants were given the task of choosing from those clips and editing them based on their own storyline. Further, they were allowed to choose the soundtrack for their video from the songs available on the site. The video with the highest ratings from other users emerged as the winner; and its owner given that dream holiday he remixed as a prize.
Another exciting web-based activity for the Awesome Philippines campaign will use the virtual world of Second Life. As users join this virtual world, they will have access to a multitude of features that allow them to create their own virtual identity, interact with other users, encounter objects, and participate in individual or group tasks while they explore a virtual Philippines.
All activities for the Awesome Philippines campaign strive to highlight what the country’s 7,107 breathtaking islands can offer in terms of adventurous escapes, beach destinations, dive spots, health and wellness, shopping, history and culture among others. Visit www.awesomephilippines.com to find out more about the awesome travel possibilities in the country. Get to know the best tourist attractions and tourist destinations the Philippines has to offer!
