It’s been very exciting for me seeing the developments in the campaign. I especially like how so many of Filipinos have taken the campaign to heart and into their own hands. We’re seeing hundreds of user-generated campaign photos coming out. And there’ll be more.

Fetching Water. More fun in the Philippines - Leisure Coast, Dagupan, Pangasinan

Let me pause a bit and make a little sense of where we could bring this campaign.

I enjoy seeing the various creations online. Most of us who created Fun Philippines photos are in a very steep learning curve. Maybe the photos and the lines aren’t perfect — oh, that’s all part of the fun.

But as we progress through the learning curve, we better do better and better. All in the right time. (Napag-sabihan kasi ako ng “Chill”).

Let me make two lists. First: How to improve our “It’s more fun in the Philippines” photos. Second: What to do with them next.

How to improve our “It’s more fun in the Philippines” photos. 

1. Stick to the text style.
   Pre-text is short, smart, witty. It’s laid-out to have same length as “Philippines”. Make “Philippines” as big as possible on the photos.  More tips here from Jayvee.
2. Use beautiful photos that evoke Pinoy-ness.
   I’ve seen a photo of lego bricks — this isn’t Pinoy. Lego bricks can be found anywhere else in the world. ;-) My opinion, not yours. ;-) I’ve seen photos that won’t appeal to foreigners. I choose not to share those.
3. Use pre-text (e.g. “Angry Birds”, “Stalking” etc.) that can connect with non-Filipinos.
   If you say, for example, “Sisig. More fun in the Philippines” — foreigners will not understand this, they can’t relate.

Here’s what we can do to level-up our “It’s more fun in the Philippines” campaign.

1. Curate — bring together the best photos and text that positively contribute to the campaign.
   Here are some sites that have started curating in different ways:
   via Pinterest (c/o Anton Diaz and friends … including me :D )
   via http://www.itsmorefuninthephilippinespics.com/ by Arnold Gamboa
   via Flickr group  pool
2. Categorize – There has to be categories that actually truly attract foreigner tourists. I’m sure this has been identified. What are they? Diving? Boracay (surely!). Backpacking? Beaches? Nature? Adventure? Food? History? When a photo can’t be used to attract a foreign tourist, then the photo is good only for domestic enjoyment , only among Pinoys. ;-)
3. Caption — a whole lot of the photos I’m seeing are contextual — foreigners won’t understand what it means. We need to start inserting short and sweet descriptions of the photos. Basic: Location and/or subject description. I tried doing this in the text captions of my photos. But I realized it gets lost in the passing on of the photo (re-posting etc.).
   Perhaps DOT can start the copy on how to include captions within the photo, and we user-generated-creators will follow-suit. I imagine just one-line captions, short and sweet at the bottom of the photo.
4. Collect customer-insight — We Filipinos are not the customers of this campaign. (Arguable, I know. But let’s focus on the side about marketing the Philippines to foreign tourists). Therefore, it is important to get real customer insight. Let’s test the campaign photos with our foreigner friends. Even test it with Filipinos living outside the Philippines. See if the photos resonate with them, see if the photos attract them to the Philippines.
5. Correspond. — Live up to the expecation. That means being what we claim to be. ;-) .

Here’s to thinking ahead. Envisioning where we can bring the campaign to. We’re in a space of growth here. Am excited ;-) .

How to make your own It’s more fun in the Philippines photos:

• A tutorial by Jayvee
• An online app http://www.morefunmaker.com/ (hope it’s working when you use it).
• Lastly, visit the official site www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com

ka edong

Need a light? More fun in the Philippines! Location - Batanes light house

Double dates. More fun in the Philippines! Location - Batanes

Cheer dancing! More fun in the Philippines! Location - Batanes

Anti-gravity. More fun in the Philippines! Location - Marlboro Country, Batanes

Reflections. More fun in the Philippines! Location: Coron, Palawan

Hitch hiking! More fun in the Philippines! Location: Coron, Palawan

Face-offs. More fun in the Philippines! - Panagbengga, Baguio City

Water Bending More fun in the Philippines - Batanes

Fetching Water. More fun in the Philippines - Leisure Coast, Dagupan, Pangasinan

In the meantime, will dream up some more …. more fun in the Philippines.

Links:

• How to make your own “Its more fun in the Philippines” photos:
  http://abuggedlife.com/2012/01/07/how-to-make-your-own-its-more-fun-in-the-philippines-meme/
• Collection of photos (curated by Anton Diaz):
  http://pinterest.com/antondiaz/itsmorefuninthephilippines/

Sharing an invitation to fellow-bloggers. Let me know if you’re interested, I can help you join the event as part of the bloggers contingent.

Warmest Greetings!

We are pleased to introduce “Paradizoo” the newest destination South of Manila and an affiliate of Residence Inn hotel and mini zoo in Tagaytay City.

Paradizoo  is a 10 hectare rolling terrain located at Mendez (15 mins. away from Residence Inn) with farm animals and breeding area, pet cemetery, rest & recreation area honey bee, vegetable and flower farm, picnic and campsite. It offers a unique farm experience that is relaxing and enjoyable in a Tagaytay-like climate with a variety of educational, outdoor and group outing programs for nature, flowers and animal lovers.

In line with this, you are cordially invited to Paradizoo “Power of Three” on March 12, 2011, 9am-5pm at Paradizoo Theme Farm located at Km. 63 Brgy. Panungyan, Mendez, Cavite . (See below invitation)

The following activity will be highlighted on that date:

• - AGRI-LIVESTOCK FAIR AND EXHIBIT
• - GOAT AND BAMBOO SEMINAR
• - GUIDED FARM TOUR @ PARADIZOO (FRESH VEGETABLE PICKING; HONEY BEE; BUTTERFLY; SHEEP SHEERING and MILKING THE GOAT DEMONSTRATION)

Be relaxed and enjoy farm life at Paradizoo Theme Farm as we look forward to your presence on this activity.

Transportation services will be provided for the bloggers and media.

Send an e-mail to ka_edong @ edwinsoriano.com with your name, blog URL, contact number by Friday, Mar 11, 12 noon. We’ll get back to you for arrangements ;-) . Limited slots!

Paradizoo - Power of Three

Salcedo weekend market happens on Saturdays from 7am to around 2pm (come early to catch the full experience).
Legaspi market is open on Sundays from around 7am to 2pm as well.

Here are some video tours of the weekend markets at Makati.

Salcedo Park Weekend Market:

Salcedo Community Market

Legaspi Weekend Market:
Part 1:

Legaspi Weekend Market

Part 2:

Legaspi Weekend Market (Part 2)

ka edong
ka edong’s video tours

Panagbenga Baguio Flower Festival photos 2009!

Panagbenga Flower Festival - Young Warrior

Flower Festival Photos - Baloon Man brings color to the air

Panagbenga Flower Festival Street Dancing Winners (Open category): Guests from Pangasinan

Spread the cheer! Smiling for the Flower Festival

Panagbenga Baguio Flower Festival photos 2009! >>

I’m going to Baguio for the Flower Festival. I’m excited to see my hometown abloom once again.

The main attractions, of course, are the Grand Street Parade (Feb 28, Saturday) and the Grand Float Parade (March 1, Sunday).

I’ll be posting more photos on this page, so watch out for those! :-)

To make the most out of your Flower Festival experience, make sure you read these tips and links. Enjoy the Panagbenga!

• Tips for enjoying the Flower Festival
• Flower Festival Photos
• Panagbenga 2009 Schedule
• Flower Festival 2007
• Hotels in Baguio

ka edong
one bulb at a time