Promoting the Philippines

The Philippines is home to multiple cultures and traditions that have drawn international interest. It is
considered a perfect example of a mixed economy, engaged as it is in agriculture, manufacture of
garments and pharmaceutical products, electronics exports, etc. And then theres its top potentialits
tourist spots.
Without a doubt, we have established a good reputation when it comes to our interpersonal relations with
foreign visitors. Many tourists find Filipinos very hospitable, and this impression is obviously an edge.
Im currently working at an academic institutions Office of International Relations as a coordinator for
exchange students. My post demands good public relations skills, and if its any consolation, Im glad that
Im required to deal with different people. My responsibility as a coordinator involves handling and
managing foreign students academic demands and the like, and I believe I have an excellent opportunity
to promote my country well.
Apart from their studies, foreign students in my university like to travel around the country every weekend,
or during their free time. I personally encourage them to explore our beautiful islands. In this simple
manner of pointing visitors in the right direction, I can say that Im saving my country by strengthening its
economic power through local tourism.
Being the Pearl of the Orient, the Philippines has much to offer, from year-round festivals to rich culture to
natural wonders. But its distinct beauty will not equate to a guaranteed upward movement in the economy
if we cant promote it genuinely.
To illustrate my point, let me share my brief conversation with a French student who was at that time
complaining about the weather. He came into my office all sweaty and bemoaning the scorching
temperature. I told him that he was about to experience the fun of summer and that it would be more fun
if he could find a perfect beach to enjoy. While talking, I showed him a travel brochure showcasing the
beauty of some of our islands, with photographs of people frolicking on white-sand beaches. He began
asking a few questions about the islands.
The next day, before I could realize the effect of my pep talk, the French student sent an e-mail informing
me that he had just booked a flight to El Nido in Palawan and that he was excited about his trip.
The idea is to project a positive mindset and to develop a strategic way of countering negative opinions on
our country. Of course, more tourists and good tourism also mean, among other things, more effective
means of transport to carry them around, as well as more travel guides to educate them on our natural
wonders and resources.
The effective promotion of tourism will mean a significant movement in our economic chart. This is not a
rocket-science mission but more of a collective initiative in which everyone can actively participate.
Ill be welcoming more foreign students this school year, and Ill be more than glad to introduce my
country to them.
Marshal Q. Murillo, 23, is pursuing a masters degree in public management at the Ateneo School of
Government.

Reference: http://opinion.inquirer.net/30041/promoting-the-philippines#ixzz3sDNmKBBY
Other website: www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com

Promoting Cebu City

PERSPECTIVE By Cherry Ballescas (The Freeman)
It was reported recently that Mayor Mike Rama is
now in Japan with some others to attract
Japanese to retire in Cebu City. His short visit here
may convince him, instead, to try to do better to
make Cebu City a more livable city first, and
later, slowly aim to be a world-class, global city
like Tokyo?

Perhaps, the visitors from Cebu City will also

notice the waste segregation scheme anywhere
they go in this city? There are waste containers
for biodegradable, for non-biodegradable items,
bottles/bins, with clear pictures to guide the
users.

First, our Cebu City visitors may have noticed the

very visible sense of order here- out in the
streets, throughout the transport system, inside
hotels, inside offices, elsewhere.

Hopefully, they will also see the clear value of

proper zoning, with every nook and space of the
heavily-densely populated global city properly
defined by rules and regulations, resulting in
more efficient public service and in a more
orderly environment.

There is no running for your life when you cross

the streets here, as foreigners are wont to
complain about streets in the Philippines,
including those in Cebu City. There are specific
locations and signs for buses, taxis, trains, and
pedestrians.

Will the Cebu City visitors also notice the

availability of safe, drinking water faucets or
fountains in public areas- inside train stations, out
in public parks, inside schools and buildings?

The Japanese police (who do not carry guns) are

not out in the streets, directing traffic- but they
are always visible and available in their police
stations close to the train stations or easily
accessible to the public.Even without the police
on the roads, traffic is controlled and systematic.
One observes how pedestrians and drivers
seriously follow the rules here, with pedestrians
given by drivers top priority when they cross the
streets.
Knowing that the police are always accessible in
predictable locations, and due to proper lighting
facilities at night, generally, one feels very secure
and safe walking through the streets in Japan,
including the busy streets of Tokyo.
We hope the Cebu City officials also observe how
clean Japan is, with hardly any litter on the
streets (except perhaps some cigarette butts
thrown by smokers and occasionally used drink
containers left in certain areas).

We also hope they will have time to observe that

public day care centers, nursery, elementary and
high schools and public libraries are available for
free in almost every ward/district throughout
Tokyo and the rest of Japan?
Will they also be taken to already clearly
designated evacuation areas ready for public use
in the event of disasters and emergencies?
They will probably be staying in hotels with high
tech toilets- complete with heated seats,
automatic covers that close and open at the
touch of a button or just by remote sensor, with
bidet and other more conveniences.
Still, we hope they will observe the availability of
public toilets everywhere, with running, clean
water available flushing and for washing hands,
with free soap as well! Public toilets have both
western and Japanese styles available for userswith available toilet paper as well!

Food is safe to eat and of course, beautifully

packaged or presented in this Land of the Rising
Sun. Strict monitoring rules for consumer
protection can be observed in the labels of every
food item sold in shops, in grocery stores or in the
food section of department stores.
Clients are always promptly serviced wherever
one goes here in Japan- in government and
private offices, banks, post office, hospitals,
shops and more.
We hope Mayor Rama can be brought to public
offices, like the City Hall, where a very effective
system of public service is evidently at work.
Each personnel inside public and private offices is
clear about his/her tasks as well as their
coordination pattern with everyone else in the
office.

trace persons and sections responsible for

services and financial transactions allowing for
greater transparency and accountability and
efficient and prompt public service as well!
True, Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in
the world, taxes are also high in this country. Still,
one is assured about getting back the full worth
of their money in terms of safety, security, public
service and more.
We also hope our Cebu City visitors will have time
to meet Filipinos here who can share their
experiences about their stay in Japan as well as
those who can share their views and suggestions
about how to make Cebu City more livable first
for our people and then be attractive to all
others.
Source: www.philstar.com

Generally, there is a clear system of payments

with proper receipts. Their system allows them to