DOT ad, a copycat?

Is Department of Tourism's  TV Commercial "Sights" copied from South Africa ad?

The highlights of DOT's celebration of the 119th Philippine Independence last June 12, 2017 was the launching of its one-minuter commercial "Experience the Philippines: Sights." 

(UPDATE: THE "SIGHTS" VIDEO HAS BEEN TAKEN DOWN BY DOT.)

Initially it was well received. Many appreciated how heart-warming it was. But hours later, netizens were quick to point out the supposed similarities in the new Philippine campaign to that of South Africa's "Meet South Africa" launched in September 2016. 

The similarities are there. The narrative of one's perception and experience in the country. Some shots are even almost the same, shot for shot they say. And the "reveal" in the end was a complete swipe. 

However, this is not the first time, DOT has "copied" tourism ad of other countries. 

In 2010, DOT launched "Pilipinas kay Ganda" campaign which was accused of plagiarizing Poland's tourism campaign, "Polska". 

This led a DOT official to resign from his post. 

Similarly, the 2012 campaign "It's more fun in the Philippines" was a mirror-copy of 1951 campaign "It's more fun in Switzerland."

But former Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. said the similarity was just "coincidence."

Copycat, now or in the past, tourism industry has been a significant contributor to Ph economy. I just hope, everything DOT does will increase tourists to the country and create more jobs for the Filipinos. 

#ExperiencePhilippines