Discovering the Heart of the Philippines: A Look at the People Behind the Destinations

The Philippines is a country with a rich culture and diverse landscape, making it a prime tourist destination in Asia. From stunning beaches to beautiful heritage sites, the Philippines has a lot to offer to visitors. However, what makes the country stand out is the people who live there and the hospitality they offer. That's why the Department of Tourism (DOT) has decided to put the spotlight on the local tourism workers in their latest campaign.

In this campaign, the DOT released a two-minute video on their official Facebook and YouTube pages that broke away from the typical tourism advertisements. The video doesn't feature actors, pop songs, drone shots, or even footage of the sun and the sand. Instead, the film showcases artistic dancers who recreate iconic landscapes and symbols in the country such as the Philippine eagle, the Banaue Rice Terraces in Benguet, and the Chocolate Hills in Bohol.

According to the DOT, "What makes it more fun in the Philippines? For years, we have shone the spotlight on the country's stunning beaches and landscapes, its marvelous heritage sites, and natural attractions. As tourism begins to pick up anew, we recognize the people who have always made our destinations more memorable and more fun - our tourism workers."

The video was directed by Joe Limchoc, who decided to zoom in on the people who make the destinations in the Philippines more enjoyable for tourists. He chose to highlight the bangkeros, the manongs, the tourist guides, and the waiters who contribute to the overall tourist experience in the country.

The video also features a binaural version, which allows viewers to fully immerse in the sound. The 3D audio effect simulates live sound, and all sounds used were recorded in various locations all over the Philippines, from crashing waves in Samar to mountain hikes in the Cordilleras. The video is a collaboration between various creatives and aims to showcase the diversity of local talent, including original music scoring with Pinoy ASMR touches and T'boli instruments and vocals by Pinikpikan's Carol Bello.

The complex choreography seen in the video was executed by fifty dancers and detailed airbrushed paintings were done by street art groups Gerilya and Pilipinas Street Art Plan. This is one of the most conceptual Philippine tourism commercials shot in a studio, and it showcases the people who make the destinations in the Philippines more memorable and fun.