I'd like to share these TEN CONCEPTS from the book, FOLLOW YOUR HEART by Andrew Matthews.
1. We are here to learn lessons, and the world is our teacher.
When we fail to learn a lesson, we get to take it again... and again! Once we have learned the lesson, we move on to the next one. (And we never run out of lessons!)
2.The universe has no favourites.
Your success and happiness depend on natural laws and principles - and how you use them.
3. Your life is a perfect reflection of your beliefs.
When you change your deepest beliefs about the world, your life changes accordingly.
4. The moment you get too attached to things, people, money... you screw it up.
The challenge of life is to appreciate everything, and attach yourself to nothing.
5. What you focus on in life expands.
...so think about what you want!
6. Follow your heart!
Your mission in life is not to be without problems - your mission is to get excited.
7. God is never going to come down from a cloud and say, "You now have the permission to be successful!"
You have to give yourself permission.
8. When you fight life, life always wins.
If you want more peace of mind, stop labelling everything that happens as "good" or "bad".
9. How do you love people? Just accept them.
Complete acceptance is unconditional love.
10. Our mission in life is not to change the world - our mission is to change ourselves.
There are no "outside" solutions, only "inside" solutions.
In relation to this rule, we should also patronize retailing - our very own "sari-sari stores". We should admit that there are moments where all we need is found at our friendly sari-sari store neighbour. In this act, we promote and support local businesses -- it’s our own way of contributing again economically. I do believe that we can find more Pinoy products in these sari-sari stores than any commercial supermarket out there.
RULE 2: No Filipino brand? Just don't buy the No. 1 brand.
Breaking the first rule, we cannot assume that all products have Filipino counterparts. So, if there's no Filipino brand on a specific product line, purchase the other brands. But if you're smart enough, you shall not buy the most famous of them all -- meaning not the leading or No. 1 brand. If Tide is the leading brand, buy Champion detergent. I'm sure you have an idea on to what brand is leading, I think it’s about time to be mindful of TV commercials. If you are still doubtful, research for it - Google it. This is still part of the "well-researched grocery list" after all.
Going back, if we support secondary brands, it’s good to say that we support that company, thus we promote healthy competition. We support employment as we want that business to boom through our kind of competition. And by the time that company reach their peak, it’s about time to switch our pick, as simple as that.
RULE 3: Make something to be purchased
It's about time to make your own brand, better to invent your own product. More than being a smart consumer, we must be a producer on our own resources and creative strength. Purchasing intelligently means you support your country but producing what to purchase is a better support.
It is a given fact that our country lacks major “owned” industries, we rely on foreign Philippine-based companies and businesses. From automobiles to electronics, etc. but it does not matter at the end of the day. It is never too late to do business; it is the most that we can do. And the government must support these local initiatives as much as we support and encourage our fellow Pinoys to patronize each other.
IT IS SIMPLE:
Make your own business/product, at least.
Support each others' business/product.
If it is not possible, promote healthy competition among brands.
PHL Department of Tourism's Campaign: WOW PHILIPPINES (2001 to 2010)
What makes the Philippines more than the usual holiday destination? It all started with this 5-minute docu-plug: Philippines - Experience the 7,107 Islands
Soon enough, this gave birth to series of mini plugs promoting Philippines
as a More Than The Usual haven for tourism.
In 2003, DOT launched an all-star song collaboration entitled, "Tara Na! Biyahe Tayo!" (Come! Let's Travel!) featuring 21 pledged and renowned artists and singers of the country.
The song encourages Filipinos to travel to their own country, "na maging dayuhan sa sariling bansa" (be a tourist to your own country), that domestic tourism will aid the country and the economy.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's administration continued the campaign after winning the 2004 election for her second term. DOT then tapped Asia's Songbird, Regine Velasquez to lead a new set of campaign in 2005 to 2006 with a major partnership with Smart Communications, Inc.
More commercials were produced during this time such as the rendition of David Benoit's "Land of the Loving" reinforcing tourism while carrying the theme, The Philippines: Your Home in Asia, which promise foreigners a feeling at home in the Philippines, and to all Filipinos abroad to come home on Christmas.
Came 2009, DOT promotes anew with TV personality Willie Revillame as its tourism ambassador. By this time also, more animated promo videos were produced such as the Live your Dreams campaign and a plug aired in MTV.
The campaign is a success translating creativity to numbers as tourism boost up in records. But as PGMA's term ended last year, the campaign also ended.
This year, 2011, President Noynoy Aquino boasts its new tourism campaign; the department will soon launch "Pilipinas Tara Na!" (Philippines, Let's Go!) this Holy Week replacing the infamous Wow Philippines.
Before DOT came up with the PTN campaign, it is remembered that DOT first consider the defunct "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" slogan arousing negative feedback.
Sadly, "Pilipinas, Tara Na!" logo failed to give justice and impact compared to previous logo/s. Honestly,it's like a poster design for elementary schools, or a promotional material of the Department of Education.
Meanwhile, just like the previous campaign, PTN's first salvo promotes domestic tourism as DOT launched a domestic travel advocacy initiative, Basta Pinas, Biyahe Tayo! last Marchwith Bonamine, the same partner which launched "Tara Na, Biyahe Tayo" campaign in 2003.
The new advocacy is a revival of the same objective on Domestic Tourism saying it is the backbone of tourism and balances it all during off travel season.
More to come for DOT as it officially launched "Pilipinas, Tara Na!" this Holy Week. While news already confirmed that DOT will produce again a song collaboration with some of the most successful Filipino artists and singers like Charice, and tapped Manny Pacquiao as its new endorser.
I would like express a bit disappointment to DOT on its decision to change Wow Philippines campaign. Wow Philippines is already a brand for nine years. It would have been better if they replaced it with a "more-of-everything" campaign. The slogan is not even creative and catchy, the logo is far from better, very lousy. How would one be interested on something that does not appeal to them.
But the decision has made, I wish the department good luck on this back-to-scratch tourism promo. Last administration's success will serve as a challenge and DOT's take off point of improvement.
I am still on to tourism, to the Philippines. Let's support and promote our country. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.
For comparison purposes, here's our neighboring Southeast Asian countries tourism slogan and logo:
One of the most successful tourism slogan in Southeast Asia boosting its tourism.
After 5 years of "Uniquely Singapore", launched last 2010.
Memorable slogan from Malaysia
Freshly changed this year from "Visit Indonesia" slogan
Launched also this year from "Vietnam: The Hidden Charm" slogan
Meaningful slogan and logo from Cambodia.
The beauty of simplicity from Laos.
I can't hardly find Myanmar's logo but its "Mystical Myanmar"
