Not at all funny

“It’s more fun in the Philippines!” Kuno. That is the new slogan adopted by the Department of Tourism, under its new secretary. Ironically, the slogan came out just as the news also focused on the forlorn face of an Australian who had been kidnapped in Mindanao and whose abductors are demanding $2 million. Isn’t that fun? More tourists and foreigners should come to experience such fun!

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Almost instantly, gags came out making “fun” of the slogan. One said it should be “more funds”, another said we should change the name of the major kidnap group to “Abu Saya” to make their area more inviting. Obviously, however, many Filipinos, millions of them, in fact, do not think it is more fun to be in their country. Otherwise, they would not be flying off to other countries and accept demeaning jobs, dangers from bombings, revolutions and calamities.

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Only a few days ago, the secretary of Foreign Affairs went off to Syria to arrange for the repatriation of Filipino overseas workers who are exposed to the disruption of government there. And what do you know! On his return, Secretary Alberto del Rosario said not of those he addressed there wanted to come home! Perhaps we should send instead the Tourism Secretary to see if he can convince them that “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” And I hope they do not snap back: “More fun than where?”

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The last slogan that led to the quitting, or firing, of the former Department head was junked after it was discovered that it had been plagiarized from that of Poland. As for this “More fun” one, somebody has already disclosed that it is virtually a copy of the slogan used by Switzerland in 1951. What remarkable memories our people have. Why couldn’t we just go back to now senator Richard Gordon’s “Wow Philippines?” That was more difficult to make puns about. “It’s more fun…” is even ungrammatical, I’d say.

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Or maybe the Tourism secretary should address his slogan to journalists. These are the people who live more exciting lives in this country which has earned a reputation for being “most dangerous” for them, second only to Iraq. Almost every month, one of them gets mowed down, in fact, only yesterday, another one fell by the wayside in Mindanao. See? Journalists are known risk-takers, so such exposures should be fun for them. But if that slogan ends up like its predecessor, let’s just hope they have not spent millions on promoting it yet, as that could mean lots of “funds” lost again.

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Anyway, that was more entertaining news than the tiresome repetitions of the impeachment case against the country’s Supreme Court Justice where both prosecutors, respondent and judges (the senators, this time) seem to be going around in circles trying to outwit or maneuver each other. Speaking of entertainment, China has reportedly ordered the cutting off of more than 60 percent of the country’s television shows featuring entertainment subjects. This is intended to stop what they believe to be excessive western influence among their people. Instead, TV companies are directed to feature more news and educational programs, that teach traditional values. Will their young people take that? What will the state do about the internet?

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Meanwhile, a psychic has reportedly predicted that Chief Justice Renato Corona will not be impeached. But another one has predicted otherwise. Shortly after New Year’s day, an astrologer, a psychic and a feng shui expert were featured on TV. I watched their interview with Ben Ortega, who happened to be in the STAR office then, but it seemed we both ended up quite confused about what they were all talking about. The only thing of interest to us was that the feng shui man was a Bacoleño, at least, his mother is from this province, who belongs to the Vivero family. His name was Aldric Dalumpines, by the way.

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Don’t be surprised if you go to the Sendong-ravaged areas and you see some survivors wearing elegant signature outfits. The Bureau of Customs has just confiscated P20 million worth of ukay-ukay (used clothes) from abroad which it will send to the evacuees in the affected areas. Some of those clothes are quite expensive and fashionable, I even know some socialites here who shop at ukay-ukay stalls.*

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