It's More Fun In The Philippines AVP

Video from: https://www.facebook.com/itsmorefuninthePhilippines

It's More Fun in the Philippines Domestic Jingle

        The Department of Tourism finally released their NEWEST Domestic Jingle to promote It's More Fun In The Philippines. So is Pilipinas, Tara Na! out of the loop now? Anyway here's the latest jingle and i'm hoping they will make a new music video soon...;-)

Lyrics by Tin Sanchez

Music by Mike Villegas

Arrangement by Angelo Villegas

Lead Vocals by Jay Padua

Back-up Vocals by Jingle Buena

Additional Vocals and Shouts by Daryl Reyes and Cyril Carbonay

Recorded and Mixed by KC Caballero and Mark Villar at Hit Productions

Produced by Jing Abellera and Ino Magno

It's More Fun in The Philippines!

        The new international tourism campaign of the Department of Tourism. The logo is a woven banig with the Philippine Map on it. Unveiled 10:30am, Friday January 06, 2012, Sec. Jimenez said that "we can't just sit back and wait for people to come. But it isn't our (Filipinos) job, therefore we have to challenge for attention... It's time to be proud and competitive...We want the world not just to watch but to join...It is the Filipino that will make a difference...It is the Filipino that completes the Philippine Experience... Anything that you can think for that is more fun in the Philippines is what we want... We need a line that is easily understood. Competitive. More fun in the Philippines is true. Keri natin to..."

        At first I wasn't that happy when they unveil it. Maybe because of the fact that the people waited for so long for this and the Social Media world is buzzing about it this week that makes the expectation so high. But when I saw the new website for this campaign, I now believe Sec. Jimenez. Keri natin to... The website It's More Fun in The Philippines has that "Pinoy Factor" in it.Though it's not that fully developed yet but I already bookmarked it to wait for the upcoming updates. The DOT also encourages everyone to use the hash tag #1ForFUN when posting on twitter. Support the DOT's new campaign. And for Foreigners some good news, DOT will start releasing 30-day Visa's upon arrival in the Philippines. And it just sinks on me now, It really is more fun in the Philippines. Heck, it's more fun in Nasugbu... haha... Pilipinas, Tara Na!

Pilipinas, Tara Na! v.3.2

               After the debut of the 3rd version of Pilipinas, Tara Na! music video last October, the Pilipinas, Tara Na! Facebook fan page received some negative commentaries. One reason, the editor of the video mistakenly put photos/videos of the places described in the lyrics differently not just once, but four times. The four are the following as mentioned by Mr. Ivan Henares in the comments:

• Mansion ng Silay but Siliman University in Dumaguete is shown
• Lumang simbahan ng Paoay but Laoag's sinking belfry is shown
• Vinta ng Zamboanga but you have the images of the paraws of Boracay
• Boating sa Loboc but you show shooting the rapids in Pagsanjan

               It was nice that the following mistakes was edited. Now the more accurate 3rd version of the MTV.

PILIPINAS, TARA NA! v.3

Words by: Rene Nieva

Composed by: Mike Villegas and Rico Blanco

Arranged by: Angelo Villegas

Ikaw ba'y nalulungkot

Naiinip, nababagot

Ikaw ba'y napapagod

Araw gabi’y puro kayod?

Buhay mo ba'y walang saysay

Walang sigla, walang kulay?

Bawa't araw ba'y pareho

Parang walang pagbabago?

Tara na, biyahe tayo

Kasama ang pamilya

Barkada at buong grupo

Para mag-enjoy ng todo.

Halika, biyahe tayo

Nang ating makita

Ang ganda ng Pilipinas

Ang galing ng Pilipino.

Nakita mo na ba

Ang mga windmills ng Bangui

Lumang simbahan ng Paoay

At mga mansyon sa Silay?

Namasdan mo na ba

Ang mga vinta ng Zamboanga

Bulkang Taal, Bulkang Mayon

Beach ng Boracay at La Union?

Tara na, biyahe tayo

Nang ating malaman

Ang kahalagahan

Ng pagbibigayan.

Halika, biyahe tayo

Nang ating makita

Ang ganda ng Pilipinas

Ang galing ng Pilipino.

RAP:

Mula puno’t dulo

Ng archipelago

Ang sasalubong sa ‘yo

Mga ngiti ng bawat tao

Pagtanggap sa bisita at pagpapasaya

Sa Pinoy ay wala nang tatalo pa!

Naranasan mo na ba

Ang mag-wakeboarding sa Camsur

Ang mag-boating sa Loboc at sa

Underground River ng Puerto Princesa?

Natikman mo na ba

Ang Sisig ng Pampanga

Duriang Davao, Bangus Dagupan

Bicol Express at Lechong Balayan?

Tara na, biyahe tayo

Ang Maykapal ay pasalamatan

Sa lahat ng biyayang 

Natanggap ng ating bayan.

Halika, biyahe tayo

Nang ating Makita

Ang ganda ng Pilipinas

Ang galing ng Pilipino.

Nalibot mo na ba

Ang puno’t dulo ng Luzon

Aparri thru Calabarzon

All the way to Sorsogon?

Naki-parada ka na ba

Sa Higantes sa Angono

Bulaklak sa Panagbengga

At Parol sa San Fernando?

Tara na, biyahe tayo

Lumingon sa pinanggalingan

Nang tayo’y makarating

Sa ating paroroonan.

Halika, biyahe tayo

Nang ating makita

Ang ganda ng Pilipinas

Ang galing ng Pilipino.

Tara na, biyahe tayo

Upang ating matamo

Ligaya at pagkakaibigan

Kaunlaran, kapayapaan.

Halika, biyahe tayo

Nang ating makita

Ang ganda ng Pilipinas

Ang galing ng Pilipino.

“Nag-driving ka na ba sa mga bayan sa baybay..?” part 3

This is the last part of the series Nag-driving... If you missed the first two parts here are the links: Part 1 and Part 2

Composed by: Mike Villegas and Rico Blanco; Words by: Rene Nieva; Arranged by: Angelo Villegas

The artists and bands who performed the 3 "Pilipinas, Tara Na!" songs are: 6 Cycle Mind, Aiza Seguerra, Barbie Almalbis, Bayang Barrios, Billy Crawford, Bituin Escalante, Boboy Garovillo, Christian Bautista, Cookie Chua, Dolphy, Ebe Dancel, Gabby Alipe, Gail Blanco, Gloc 9, Itchyworms, Janno Gibbs, Jaya, Jay-R, Jed Madela, Jett Pangan, Jim Paredes, John Lesaca, Jong Cuenco, Karylle, Kevin Roy, Kitchie Nadal, Kris Lawrence, Kyla, Manny Pacquiao, Martin Nievera, Nikki Gil, Noel Cabangon, Ogie Alcasid, Pepe Smith, Raimund Marasigan, Regine Velasquez, Rico J. Puno, Rivermaya, Sam Concepcion, Spongecola, Yeng Constantino, Zsa Zsa Padilla.

 Just like the Pilipinas, Tara Na! FB Fan page says "everyone is encourage to do their own share in promoting the Philippines. Travel the country, talk about it and tell everyone you know. Write about your adventures, post photos, videos and updates on Facebook, Twitter, tumblr, Google+, Multiply, Blogs, etc., and let everyone see how beautiful the Philippines truly is."

Pilipinas, Tara Na!!! 

“Nag-driving ka na ba sa mga bayan sa baybay..?” part 2

Note: For those who missed it, here's part 1 of the series Nag Driving ...

            Long weekend is coming! Thanks to National Heroes Day on Monday (August 29) and the end of Ramadan (Eid’l Fitr) on Tuesday (August 30). I know some of you have plans already on where to go and how to celebrate this much anticipated 4-day weekend. But before driving to the beach or “mga bayan sa baybay”, you should visit first this super awesome Philippine Map and famous tourist spots and landmarks all made from LEGO bricks. This is in support of the Department of Tourism’s Pilipinas, Tara Na! Domestic Advocacy Campaign. Here are some of my shots:

The Philippine LEGO Map

Vinta of Zamboanga

The Philippine eagle, Pearl Farm and the Kadayawan Festival (Davao)

El Nido at the top, St. Paul's Subterranean River at the middle and
the Crocodile Farm (Palawan)

APO Reef and the Philippine Carabao at the back (the black one) (Mindoro) 

Rizal Park (Metro Manila)

SM Mall of Asia (Pasay City)

Paoay Church and Bangui Windmills (Ilocos Norte)

Banaue Rice Terraces (Ifugao)

Chocolate Hills (Bohol); btw there's a tarsier under the tree

Mayon Volcano at the left side, San Juanico Bridge(Tacloban) at the
upper right, and the Magellan's Cross (Cebu) at the lower right corner.

Victorias Sugar Mill and the Masskara Festival (Negros)

The Philippine Sun

The Philippine Flag

There's more! So check out the different regional wonders of the country as you’ve never seen them before! The LEGO Pilipinas, Tara Na! exhibit is open until the 27th of August (Saturday) at SM Mall of Asia. 

Don’t miss it. Pilipinas, Tara Na!

“Nag-driving ka na ba sa mga bayan sa baybay..?” part 1

Have you heard or watch the new domestic tourism advocacy music video from the Department of Tourism? It was a remake of the famous “Biyahe Tayo” that was released in 2004 from DOT, Bonamine and some 21 OPM artists to encourage locals to visit parts of the country more often. It was a success indeed.  I myself have been inspired by that song. Ever since I heard that song, I memorized the lyrics with all my heart (including the rap part of Francis M..;) ). It inspired me to know more about the town where I came from. It encouraged me to share what I know to people through social networking sites and word of mouth. It helped me believe that there’s more to the country than corruption and bad politics.

Here’s the first video that I was talking about. The Original “Biyahe Tayo”...

Now here’s the remake and improved version of the original:

The “Pilipinas, tara na!” which was launched last week in cooperation with Perceptions, Inc., Smart Communications, and the 57 OPM artists is I think the best thing the DOT can do to continue the WOW Philippines of former DOT Sec. Gordon. What I love about this new song is how Rico Blanco and Mike Villegas (the composer) incorporated the new lyrics to the old one especially the “Nag driving ka na ba sa mga bayan sa baybay...” because where I came from is a “bayan sa baybay”. Though the lyrics continued to “...ng buong Laguna De Bay tuloy-tuloy sa Tagaytay”, it’s just so perfect because Laguna (as I studied there) and Tagaytay (the nearest popular tourist spot near Nasugbu) always have that special place in my heart. I’m just wondering, since they said that this is just version 1 of 3, if the “Bulkang Taal” and “Lechong Balayan” be included in the next 2 versions as it was in the original. This makes me more exited for the next 2 versions. Kudos to DOT and to former DOT Secretary Alberto Lim for continuing the tradition. Pilipinas, Tara na!

Note: Video credits goes to the uploader on youtube.