DOT most likely to change "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" logo

After much controversy and criticisms on the new tourism slogan “Pilipinas Kay Ganda,” the Department of Tourism (DOT) has openly expressed plans of revision and consultation for a better slogan and logo.

Though the agency has not yet withdrawn the slogan, DOT Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon said they are now open for suggestions for the “national branding.”

“There is nothing definite yet. What is important is that the DOT is listening to all comments and we are open to suggestions,” Bengzon said.

Shortly after the launching of the new slogan, the new logo and website of DOT were suddenly pulled out following violent comments and criticisms. The wesite www.beautifulpilipinas.com was also deactivated because of errors in its contents.

In earlier interviews, DOT Secretary Alberto Lim said he and President Benigno Aquino III will discuss issues about the new logo.

According to Lim, DOT will most likely go back to the old slogan “Wow Philippines” in case the “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” logo is scrapped.

As for Malacañang, changing the slogan is not a problem especially because of the plagiarism issue in the new logo. DOT Undersecretary Vicente Romano III has earlier denied copying Poland's tourism logo.

“The color scheme and visual elements are markedly different,” Romano said.

A few days after releasing the country's new tourism brand, Lim and other DOT officers announced that the new slogan was not final, saying that “national branding” was up for discussion.

Before such controversies arose, Aquino himself announced the new tourism logo saying that it was a perfect timing to give the country a new image, considering the travel warnings of other countries against going to the Philippines.

Aquino was even consulted by the tourism agency about the slogan and logo, and he suggested some add-ons like the tarsier and a smiling face.


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BiyahengPinas.com thanks the following sources for this article:
Israel, Dale G. Cebu Daily News. New DOT Tourism Logo, website withdrawn. (Posted November 18, 2010) from
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20101118-303893/New-DOT-tourism-logo-website--withdrawn

Jaymalin, Mayen. Philippine Star. Back to 'Wow Philippines'? DOT denies plagiarism. (Posted November 20, 2010) from
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=631748&publicationSubCategoryId=63