Originality is only a matter of how one makes something his own.
I was taught years ago that if I want to write, I should first read good works/writings of authors that I like and then try to copy their styles, as long as in the process, I could develop my own style.
And weird enough, it worked for me. I realized what I wanted and what I didn't. I found out how I would send my message across (research/facts as legs, positivism as body, criticism/idealism as arms, and humor as the pretty face that catches attention, haha!).
So to all those writing styles that influenced me and I copied, I could say that by now, I had made it my own.
Basically, that explains my definition of "original" that best describes my stand on the issue about the 2012 Department of Tourism (DOT) campaign slogan "It's more fun in the Philippines."
This was what happened:
The 2012 DOT campaign "It's more fun in the Philippines" was launched early last Friday (Jan.6) under the leadership of new Secretary Ramon Jimenez.
This was made known to me when I opened Twitter and saw that #itsmorefuninthephilippines was already trending BIG.
Filipinos, and even foreigners, had something to share why it's more fun in the Philippines—most pointing out "food, hospitality, travel destinations" and many more (uplifting and even absurd).
From this alone, I already felt the optimism revolving around the campaign. It gave Filipinos the chance to promote the country in their own little ways, with the help of the Internet and technology. It’s a simple but very catchy idea that gives everyone the freedom and creativity to think what makes it more fun in the Philippines in their own ways.
An article written by Maria Ressa for Rappler.com that I read has all the sensible details you need to know. Especially Secretary Jimenez's "conviction" and how "crowdsourcing" and "social networks" will be the campaign's tools.
However, just hours after the official launch, a picture from 1951 saying "It's more fun in Switzerland" also went viral in the Internet. Considering how the 2011 DOT campaign "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" was criticized for being a copycat of a Poland logo, many became cynical. Even our paper The Manila Times went with a banner story "Department of Tourism bungles branding anew".
Well, if you judge a book by its cover, most definitely you'll see that the "coincidence" (as Sec. Jimenez defended it) as lack of originality.
Sec. Jimenez immediately tweeted "No one can own the expression "it's more fun" but it's very true for the#Philippines so it becomes ours. #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines" and "The line isn't a manufactured slogan. It's simply the truth about our country. Don't be swayed by people who are trying to punch holes in it".
I agree. What makes Switzerland fun is totally different as to what makes the Philippines fun.
Isn’t drinking Red Horse (RH) beer from dusk till dawn with barkada the most fun here? Isn’t partying at whitesand Boracay the most fun here? Isn’t Ilocano food with names Puki-Puki and Kabatiti the most fun here? Isn’t a Filipino’s smile the most fun (and beautiful)?
So many fun and original things only here at the Philippines! So many fun and original things only we Pinoys could offer!
So quoting Sec. Jimenez again, "The national line is a goal, a constant reminder to ourselves why we can tell travelers it’s more fun here than anywhere else. It needs everyone’s support for it to stay true—we need to make sure people’s experiences in our country are positive, enjoyable, and most of all, fun.”
Our country is unique and special in many ways that we seem to forget. The 6-word phrase is a challenge to prove and defend this. Or even better, it wants us to be proud of ourselves again.
