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Thursday, January 31, 2008
Random Thoughts on Branding the Philippines
Download BrandingthePhilippines.pdf (975.8K)
I just want to share with you an interesting article on Branding the Philippines by Junie del Mundo and Robert de Quelen. You can download the entire article here: Download BrandingthePhilippines.pdf (975.8K). I would like to share with you my insights based on that article...
1. A Core Ingredient of the Philippine Brand is the Filipino People.
We need to instill in the hearts of every Filipino the deep sense of pride in our country. We grew up programmed to think negative of our country because of the corruptions in the government and negative publicity about our country. We need to start to be proud of "Made in the Philippines" products and appreciate our country even more. This has been the 3 year crusade of Our Awesome Planet. Each year, the passion to showcase the Philippines grows inside of me and one day I will dedicate my life to it.Some practical tips for the new generation of Filipinos:
-- We literally stopped watching TV already because media is a bad influence to our kids.
-- Align your family to the "good side" of the Philippines and stay away from the "dark side" by choosing carefully the people you interact with.
-- Every Juan should travel and see the beauty of the Philippines. Start with Boracay, then El Nido, Palawan, and then Batanes.
-- Every March, go to Manila Bay and watch one of the Awesome Sunsets in the world.
-- Live a life of passion and fear of the Lord.
2. Filipinos key characteristics: Caring, Colorful, Creative, and Collaborative.
We need to showcase the caring, colorful, creative and collaborative traits of the Filipinos. It does not matter if you are based in the Philippines or in US. What matters is, we touched the lives of the people we encounter each day. Share with them the beautiful traits of the Filipinos.
Some practical tips for the new generation of Filipinos:
-- Let's continue to export nurses, doctors, musicians, IT people, to showcase to the world what Filipinos are made of. -- Develop Filipino websites that showcase the colorful and creative talents of the Filipinos.
-- Attend the Sinulog -- one of the best fiesta in the Philippines and showcases the 4C's of the Filipinos.
-- Appreciate the Halo Halo which is a metaphor for what it means to be a Filipino.
-- Be creative and free!
3. Change our "alila" paradigm instilled by the Spaniards and the Americans.
I hate it that we have this mentality that the Spaniards and Americans are more superior than the Filipinos. We are brainwashed during our childhood and this cycle should stop in this generation.
Some practical tips for the new generation of Filipinos:
-- Stop watching TV to stop the hollywood brainwashing.
-- Listen to OPM music each morning.
-- Buy proudly "Made in the Philippines" products.
-- Blog in Filipino (One of these days I'll launch a Filipino blog)
-- Celebrate the world class achievements of Filipinos.
Any thoughts or reactions on how we can have strengthen the Philippine brand?
January 31, 2008 in 01. My Favorite Blog Posts | Permalink
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I hate it that we have this mentality that the Tagalogs are more superior than the other Filipinos. We are brainwashed during our childhood and this cycle should stop in this generation.
Posted by: Amerikano ako | Feb 1, 2008 2:04:33 AM
Work hard, Practice frugality. Live within one's means. Once enough money has been saved, invest in the country.
Kudos to you for such a very informative and positive sight. Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Panaderos | Feb 1, 2008 2:43:54 AM
I've only recently discovered your blog and can't stop reading. Great work here. If I might add - please continue blogging in English in addition to Filipino.
Posted by: William | Feb 1, 2008 3:33:53 AM
Stop patronizing branded foreign items. Seek more and be proud of what Philippines has to offer. Anton, thank you for the insights.
Posted by: manok | Feb 1, 2008 4:06:40 AM
-- Listen to OPM music each morning.
I remember when I was growing up that there was a radio station that would play OPM each morning. No other music but OPM. I hope this is still done today.
I think promote anything and everything Filipino to anyone. Buy only original Filipino dvds and cds. I do this. If you must buy pirated ones buy the non-Filipino shows and movies.
Banish crab mentality. Savor and share a fellow Filipinos achievement rather than shooting them down.
Very nice insights! Thanks!
Posted by: raissa | Feb 1, 2008 4:32:46 AM
Keep doing what you are doing!!!
The world is bombarded by bad news about the Philippines -- corruption, instability, crime, natural disasters, etc. Mainly because our journalists are trained to spit out bad news in English which is quickly spread by foreign correspondents (including Filipinos!!). Sadly, they do not react in the same way when confronted with good news about the country.
But you on the other hand are shouting all about the good news about our country to the world. Thank you!! We need more Filipinos like you who will tell the world that the country is more than just the natural disasters that appear on CNN.com.
BRAVO!!!
Posted by: Roger | Feb 1, 2008 5:29:41 AM
....beautiful philippines....inspiring....personally.... history is history it's long gone can't bring it all back to correct mistakes....it is NOT totally whitemen's fault....as humans they have needs to fill....they needed more partly coz whitemens continent are limited due to frigid winter weather....their advanced hard working societies-civilizations & courageous thinking made them superior without doubts why would they be expected to think less or otherwise? inferior human standards should NOT ALWAYS expect understanding from those who work hard-raised their standards-law abiding to make a good living to provide their deserving families comfortable lives as expected when one performed these kinds of human qualities-requirements....taking the credits away from any legitimate civilized non violent-educated whitemen is LIKE repeating past histories EXCEPT just REVERSE....repeating the same mistakes means YOU invalidate their past mistakes.....reason why i married a 'poor' american born with european descent instead of a younger king whose kingdom is almost unmatch or those wealthy bankers or heirs of huge businesses or sons of foreign ambassadors{state departments}or the almost wealthiest-priviledge junior high school boy in my small childhood town that i-we all always dream about lol!....why would any small brown 'filipina' girl or woman would throw away ALL those chances-possibilities....think about that....if you found the answers means you will never have any day of loneliness.....if you found the RIGHT answers....means PEACE for the rest of your life lol!....i hope so....
Posted by: gmmahoney | Feb 1, 2008 5:41:11 AM
I would like to express my sentiments in Filipino but as this website is in English, I guess I have to do the same. =)
Some points:
Love our language. We are in the Philippines, it's just about right the we speak Filipino. The more we speak other people's language, the more we lose our Filipino identity.
I observe from other nationalities that the more they use their national language, the more they become successful. Why? Because everyone understands each other. Example, countries like Japan and EU states.
Try to discover other places in the Philippines.
Be nationalistic not just regionalistic. Don't say I'm kapampangan, say I'm Filipino. Don't say Bisdak unite, say Filipinos unite. Get the point? :)
Stay away from the colonial mentality.
Revive the Filipino First Policy.
Accept that we are Filipinos and love ourselves for that.
Posted by: thinkprocessfocus | Feb 1, 2008 5:57:49 AM
Is there anyone related here to Christine/happyslip for her meet and greet... messege for them
Hi is there any other meet and greet that will happen other than the meet and greet at feb7 with christine/happyslip. it's only for 100people and I didn't get in.. very frustrating since the one's who got in don't have a vlog or no good vlog at all, some of them have a blog but does that count?.. they might won't learn.. I wish I could go into that event since I'm a vlog at youtube and i've got honors there like most sub and most viewed.. if you want, check it out,, anyway is there any other event? thanks hope you could contact me cause I reallyx100 want to see christine and learn =) hopefully
I also wish they could get 5 more people who are really deserving based on vlogs since that's one of the purpose of the meet and greet at feb 7 right?
Posted by: kenjielyk | Feb 1, 2008 8:02:56 AM
yes please, what should I do?
Posted by: kenjielyk | Feb 1, 2008 8:52:50 AM
Hey just send it to u.. pls let me now if it's really ok :|
Posted by: kenjielyk | Feb 1, 2008 11:08:21 AM
I totally agree w you Anton!
- Just noticed in our ATMs how come they encourage "Taglish" when you do language selection! Should only be English/Filipino!
- Be it very disappointing that local travel is more expensive than Travelling abroad, like there are just a few in our country on backpacker rates that will encourage locals and on budget Filipinos to go around, yet thanks to Cebu Pacific at times for the promo fares. As it is really nice to be more familiar of your own country first before going out. Embarassing when you get caught and foreigners ask "so tell me about what we can see in the Philippines?"
- Most of the Pinoy say..."di gaya sa ibang bansa ganito ganito masmabuti pa..." well instead of complaining of what is bad in our country why not do something about it instead of whining d ba?
- Had number of foreign visitor friends and some like Manila some dont because of over population and pollution but still it is the same in all develooping countries and most Asian big cities! but the common positive feedback i get is the Night life is nice (i agree to this! after having seen the night life of some countries! nothing beats our night life); Nice people, no problems in communication
- be an ambassador of the Philippines instead of badmouthing it to the foreigners, highlight the positives and forget about the negatives!
- my own observations and rants: http://witchkitty.blogs.friendster.com/the_kitty_cats_blog/2006/07/index.html
Cheers Anton for the write-up!
Posted by: chaia | Feb 1, 2008 1:55:34 PM
....branding the philippines in an increasing flat world....the shortest way to answer-reason that is to read an old issue here titled:....i am proud to be filipinos....philippines brands are dictatorship of former pres. marcos....shoes issues & clothing museums of the former first lady imelda marcos....nurses{cheating in examinations}....boracay....dogmeat....prostitutions{old subic angeles}....mt pinatubo....domestic helpers....manila bay sunset....rice terraces....jeepneys....corruptions....ati atihan....carabaos....cebu city jailhouse prisoners thriller dance....world class entertainers....now sweet mangoes....happy slip....anton's our awesome planet....MALL of ASIA....branding is difficult almost impossible coz filipinos are loyal to foreign brands....etc.
Posted by: gmmahoney | Feb 1, 2008 1:59:37 PM
One way I do this is to show the diversity of the Filipino Women through writing experiences of Filipinas around the world.
Posted by: noemi | Feb 1, 2008 4:03:22 PM
There are two old fallacies among the comments that I´d like to correct.
1. "The more they use their national language, the more successful they are." This is an old fallacy that language purists have been using to promote the use of Filipino in schools at the expense of English. Everyone points to the economic success of Japan, Korea and Taiwan as prime examples. They of course conveniently forget Singapore and Hong Kong´s government mandated use of English as a means for attaining economic development. Many rich EU citizens are also bi- or multi-lingual, especially if they are from small countries. Most people in Iceland, Holland, Denmark, Sweden speak English so they can do business with other countries.
Bilingualism has nothing to do with economic growth. Besides, the use of Filipino is already so widespread nationwide and yes, we should use it as often as we can. But using English also does not diminish our nationalism, our ethnic pride nor our self-worth!
2. "Traveling abroad is cheaper than traveling locally." This is ridiculous. Cebu Pacific´s airfare is generally lower for domestic destinations. And of course, going locally means you don´t even need to fly -- buses, ROROs, ferries are also great ways to travel. Hotel rooms may be a bit expensive but the rest of the costs are much cheaper here. If you think about it, there are very few countries in the world where meals cost less than a Jollibee 2pc chickenjoy meal.
Posted by: Rog | Feb 1, 2008 4:56:32 PM
"Bilingualism has nothing to do with economic growth. Besides, the use of Filipino is already so widespread nationwide and yes, we should use it as often as we can. But using English also does not diminish our nationalism, our ethnic pride nor our self-worth!"
I agree with you on this one. I also think that English should still be our language of education.
But I only meant that if we look at our younger generations of Filipino, they like more to speak in English or in Taglish. IMHO, we are in the Philippines, maybe we better use our own language in our own country.
Yes, other countries our bilingual, multilingual even. But if one observes, they give importance on their own language. And that does not mean they can't speak other languages too. They do actually but in normal day-to-day basis, they use their own language. That's not the case in the Philippines.
Anyway, those countries mentioned, their language of education is their national language.
I read somewhere that if one is fluent on his/her mother tongue, the easier it it for him to other language/s.
One point, I think we are having "language confusion". We are so freaking confuse on which language to use.
Posted by: thinkprocessfocus | Feb 1, 2008 8:51:00 PM
"But using English also does not diminish our nationalism, our ethnic pride nor our self-worth!"...
I think it does if it is coupled with colonial mentality, racism and regionalism.
Posted by: thinkprocessfocus | Feb 1, 2008 8:58:17 PM
....fastest quickiest way or solution to create an almost impossible unimaginable but very POSSIBLE GREATEST ' 24 hours ' national philippine brand is to....for all kinds-types filipinos activities-businesses around the country to create topics-issues-arguments-stories-criterias-dialogues-confrontational corrections-questions-all types of public debates-rationalized in writings-public remarks comments{WARNING:....STRICTLY no public mentioned of names-adresses{personnal comments-issues origins}here in this site MEANS privacy reasons please & for a very good reasons why PRIVACY is a must} ALL about-around anton's OUR AWESOME PLANET topic's & issues written in this OAP sites including all radio stations all other media outlets....all government branches including the department of education....all filipino scientists psychiatrist psychologists etc.....theres thousands of educational topics written here that are extremely useful especially to all philippines " law students " where do you think MOST international schools and their professionals around the world get their educations UNDER THE RADAR?....the very reason why the philippines was for past decades a third world country....part of it is exactly what an article here titled ' i am proud to be a filipino ' exactly described that filipinos denied turned their heads-ears away from their own TALENTS their own wealths which are the talented creative imaginative colorful pools of talents & never ending ideas....just like what they did to charice pempengco as if her talents from the very beginning never showed nor was displayed so she never surfaces earlier....the solution is SIMPLE....i am calling all filipinos to start using OUR AWESOME PLANET by anton as resources-pools of ideas issues topics arguments to to begin-start with....in 24 hours only you will have a national brand that can topple-forget all other brands in the past by starting using OUR AWESOME PLANET OF ANTON as basis....GOOD LUCK smiling friendly imaginative BUT NOT very creative ENOUGH which means....put more extra efforts in the ARTS OF DESIGNING....designs without ARTS are not designs at all just writings outlayings no offense lol!....
Posted by: gmmahoney | Feb 2, 2008 2:06:53 AM
"Love our language. We are in the Philippines, it's just about right the we speak Filipino. The more we speak other people's language, the more we lose our Filipino identity."
I'm sorry to sound like a troll, but what about the native languages of the Philippines other than Tagalog? What about Ilokano, Cebuano, Waray-waray, Bikol, and all of the various other languages spoken on a day-to-day basis by an estimated 3/4 of the population? The Philippines is very rich because of its linguistic diversity, and part of being a true Filipino is acknowledging and appreciating that.
Posted by: Amerikano ako | Feb 2, 2008 2:53:45 AM
Hey, thank you for posting our article, this seems to have sparked a passionate debate -exactly what we were wishing for when we started this advocacy.
I love this blog, and the fact that you give due photo credits to the artists.
Robert, the Pinoy-Frenchman
Posted by: Robert de Quelen | Feb 2, 2008 3:34:32 AM
"I'm sorry to sound like a troll, but what about the native languages of the Philippines other than Tagalog? What about Ilokano, Cebuano, Waray-waray, Bikol, and all of the various other languages spoken on a day-to-day basis by an estimated 3/4 of the population? The Philippines is very rich because of its linguistic diversity, and part of being a true Filipino is acknowledging and appreciating that."
Then we use that. :) Im just saying that yes, we do in fact have different languages so why use English all the time. Or at least try to be "americanized/westernized" (I really hate the colonial mentality/inferiority complex spaniards and americans instilled upon us).
I say use our native tounge whatver that might be. (although I wonder if other languages in the Philippines are just considered dialects. Hmm. Cebuano should also be a language.)
I use "Tagalog" because I was born in Manila. But given the chance, I would like to learn Cebuano or Bicolano. =)
Anyway, I chanced upon Travel Time and a certain tourist guide/historian said that Spaniards actually neither encourage Filipinos to have one language nor learn spanish is that because they wanted us to be "watak-watak". Having many dialects favored them so that Filipinos will not understand each other thus creating regionalism and division. Out-of-topic but very interesting.
Posted by: thinkprocessfocus | Feb 2, 2008 6:02:52 AM
"I say use our native tounge whatver that might be. (although I wonder if other languages in the Philippines are just considered dialects. Hmm. Cebuano should also be a language.)"
I think you are right because I have heard the "dialect" refrain quite a lot, but only in the Philippines. Linguistically they really are separate languages and many contain their own dialectal differences.
I believe I have taken this discussion a little too far off-topic.
Posted by: Amerikano ako | Feb 2, 2008 11:35:58 AM
....again i noticed lol!....so many people in this OAP sites are too focus to feeling guilty too worrisome too uncomfortable too sensitive too righteous too perfectionists too concerned about how they FELT they took this topics or that dicussions a little too far off-topic....one big out of so many reasons why a good solid philippine branding is difficult almost impossible in the past exactly coz of this unnecessary kind of worries thinking mentality....why? eh syempre normal lang yun kung saan saan mapupunta ang mga kwento kasi kung walang mag off the topics{also maybe not just wait for later issues coming lol}eh di limited ang resources-pools of ideas mo kasi sometimes those things that are off the topics are the ones we need to hear so the equations of the topics-issues can be seen in many angles....those imperfections sometimes are most useful openers sa new unheard of issues-topics continuations that prolongs extend new ideas from another equations angles views maybe not seen yet but as arguments ideas disagreements solutions unveils you will be surprise how that one small seemingly unimportant varieties of conversations became the whole universal life stories in anton's future lines of books lol!....or the govt. education agendas lol!....if it is your way of thinking o your own personnal opinions and this OAP sites are not part of any world international o local examinations or some kind of judgements to pass o to earned degrees o merits o to score then there is NO such thing as OFF the topics or taking us away from the discussions lol!....any viewers should love & care enough to NOT to worry whatever comments they make coz WHO ARE WE{other viewers}to judge you lol!....philippine dialects of any provinces religions local customs-traditions are all beautiful & important but since filipinos & foreigners alike speak so many different dialects....it is imperative that all humans find one universal main language in case of EMERGENCIES in particular....a part of life saving measures NOT vanities....the world will appreciate you more if filipinos BUY their own locally produce made products at the same time buying also foreign trademarks-branded items that are not found or made in the philippines like ROLEX watches or FRENH CHAMPAGNE{originals}is what i meant....crab mentality is funny....best arguments-reasons to this is to read an old article-topic in this OAP site under:
sala's makati reincarnation....something like that i am not sure{experiencing senior moments lol}....philippines bombarded by excessive TOO MUCH media negatives....of course...that strategy works coz it helps DEMEAN dehumanize or even aided the lowering of filipinos national SELF ESTEEM....just imagine your whole country is listening-reading 24 hours a day how small incompetent pathetic ignorants unuseful impoverish dishonests violent corrupt your entire nation your entire government entire filipinos as a whole....no wonder filipinos are not productive nor inspired to create do huge changes....like new 'focus' new direction towards prosperity higher self esteem firm self confidence or to be just YOURSELF{no cohoersions}....remember philippines....if filipinos keep saying 'mabuti pa sa ganoon o dyan sa'.....that means filipinos needs to raise standards....needs to be more creative o artistic kasi your own citizens saw others doing better but they believe philippines is better but JUST not doing it's job enough o right which is a good thinking good remarks actually....it means they care to even notice the differences...
lol!....good luck beautiful smiling caring phils.
Posted by: gmmahoney | Feb 2, 2008 1:05:40 PM
I think our country branding should focus on two core strengths: places and people. We can capitalize on our location to highlight the country's unique features and cultures. We can capitalize on the reality that compared to other countries, the Philippines is not being marketed as aggressively and that there is much to discover about the country. We can also focus our country branding to the fact that we have a young population -- the Filipino youth is energetic and dynamic, and even those who aren't exactly young remain to be young at heart.
I guess the key is to find sources of pride that can unite us as a people, and sure, that is one big challenge.
Posted by: Mika | Feb 2, 2008 4:21:50 PM
Branding the Philippines? The essential natural product in the Philippines is its people therefore we have to brand this product: And to brand the Filipinos would be to define him : the pinoy is a product of joy from the natural smile and innocent laughter that transcend from the warm embrace of the Filipino hospitality ..
Posted by: bogiecaoili | Feb 2, 2008 7:02:06 PM
