57 Philippine artists add oomph to new DoT tourism pitch to the world

MANILA, Philippines – Fifty-seven artists have banded together to produce three new versions of the popular Department of Tourism song that had many Filipinos singing along back in 2004, and a music video to match the renewed effort.

The new versions of “Biyahe Tayo!”, which was revamped to have the same name as the campaign “Pilipinas, Tara Na!”, was described by DoT Secretary Alberto Lim as having a “snappier tune”. It also retains the same heartfelt invitation to the various tourist destinations in the Philippines by highlighting the delights visitors may experience.

Rene Nieva, who composed the new versions, said that he made three versions of the song after he decided to add more of the country’s offerings as a tourist destination. Having three versions also allowed more artists to collaborate, he stated, comparing the 21 artists who participated in making of “Biyahe Tayo” back in 2004, to the 57 they were able to invite for the new versions.

The artists agreed to record the songs for free, said Nieva.

The songs showcased uniquely Filipino experiences from tasting the intoxicatingly sweet mangoes from Guimaras, trying out the exciting surfing activities in Siargao, and walking around various festivals in places like Baguio, as well as partaking of gastronomic delights in Pampanga, Davao and Bicol.

Lim said that they prioritized domestic tourism as it brought 28 million travellers across the country, contributing P900 billion to the Philippine economy. “(It takes) eight domestic tourists to create one job,” said the tourism secretary, to emphasize domestic tourism’s impact to the economy.

He said that promotion, such as in the form of the songs and music video for “Pilipinas, Tara Na!”,  were integral to boosting domestic tourism movements in the country. “If they don’t know how beautiful the sights are, they may just go to Hong Kong… we still need to promote (domestic tourism),” he explained.

Lim added that “any impetus in local tourism can impact more quickly and extensively towards the growth of the economy and the improvement in (the) incomes and standard of living of all Filipinos who are already employed, or will be employed in the travel and hospitality business.”

But with the meagre budget for domestic tourism, Lim said that it was through efforts such as this that they were hopeful would bring about a significant boost in domestic tourism. “(With) a limited budget… it only highlights how important the private sector is in promoting domestic tourism,” he said

Asked where the songs and the music video will be played, Lim said at airports, buses, Youtube, among others. The DoT secretary expressed hope that “the new Pilipinas, Tara Na! songs will be given similar extensive coverage by the local TV and radio (stations), and in digital media through Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, blogs and the like.”

“We hope it gets everywhere,” said Lim.

Rene Nieva penned the words to the new versions and passed it on to Rico Blanco, and Mike and Angelo Villegas to create the music. The songs done, Noel Nieva then foresaw the making of a music video.

The artists who participated in the “Pilipinas, Tara Na!” campaign are 6Cyclemind, Aiza Seguerra, Barbie Almalbis, Bayang Barrios, Billy Crawford, Bituin Escalante, Boboy Garovillo, Christian Bautista, Cookie Chua, Dolphy, Ebe Dancel, Gabby Alipe, Gail Blanco, Gloc 9, Itchyworms, Janno Gibbs, Jaya, Jay-R, Jed Madela, Jett Pangan, Jim Paredes, John Lesaca, Jong Cuenco, Karylle, Kevin Roy, Kitchie Nadal, Kris Lawrence, Kyla, Martin Nievera, Nikki Gil, Noel Cabangon, Ogie Alcasid, Pepe Smith, Raimund Marasigan, Regine Velasquez, Rico J. Puno, Rivermaya, Sam Concepcion, Spongecola, Yeng Constantino, and ZsaZsa Padilla.

Smart Communications, Inc. also helped the tourism department by underwriting the production costs of the music video.

Orlando Vea, Smart Communications, Inc. president stated that this was a collaborative undertaking that showed what the private sector could do to help the country.

The songs and the music video will be posted online at the “Pilipinas, Tara Na!” Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PilipinasTaraNa.