The city’s latest tourism campaign video, “Amos Ta Ren sa Puerto Princesa,” presented at the world’s best island travel expo in Manila, is going viral—but not for its intended purpose. Instead, it is sparking discussion over how it portrays the city.
“Cheating Capital of the Philippines”—this is purportedly the first thing that will come to mind for many who will watch the four-minute video released by the City Tourism Office (CTO) and posted on February 5.
In the promotional material, MJ meets Jennifer, who has just arrived in the city with her friends. Although she is originally from Palawan, the video suggests that Jennifer has been away for a long time and has only just returned.
Noticing that MJ is alone, Jennifer invites him to join them on their tour.
When MJ agrees, Jennifer’s group enthusiastically says, “Amos ta ren! Let’s Go!” emphasizing the Cuyunon phrase used in the campaign to encourage tourists to visit.
What will follow is a montage of short videos, photos, and sequences showcasing Puerto Princesa’s tourist attractions, including the Acacia Tunnel with its verdant trees, the subterranean river, and views of the sunset. Jaycen Cruz and Mara Rizada’s “Sama-sama” serves as the instrumental score for the promotional materials.
The video also showcases moments between MJ and Jennifer. There are glances that seem to suggest they like each other.
About 2:04 minutes into the video, MJ receives a text message from someone named Candy: “Kumusta dyan sa Puerto Princesa?”
MJ read it but did not respond. He put his cell phone in his pocket. Jennifer is then seen approaching him and asking, “Are you okay?” To which he replies, “Amos ta ren.”
At the end of the video, while watching what appears to be a sunset by the sea, Jennifer asks MJ what he thinks about Puerto Princesa. MJ responds with “such a beauty” while looking at her.
Because of Candy’s text, the promotional video has sparked mixed opinions, with some saying it is inappropriate to portray Puerto Princesa as a “cheating capital.” Others believe it was designed as reaction bait, seemingly intended to tease the imagination of viewers.
As of now, the video on the Puerto Princesa Tourism Facebook Page has been shared 902 times, gathered 1.3K reactions, and received 298 comments expressing various opinions.
“Puerto Princesa, where we promote cheating,” a social media user stated.
“When a tourism ad shifts focus from showcasing the city’s beauty to glorifying dishonesty, it becomes a disgrace rather than a promotion. An ad meant to promote city tourism but ends up highlighting cheating instead,” another commented.
“Dati City of the Living God, or City in the Forest, ngayon City of Infidelity?” Miguel Ungson said, explaining that the material might discourage people from going to Puerto Princesa.
“Sigh… puwede namang heartbroken siya, tapos ang theme is where hearts heal or where your heart finds its new home. Such a failure of a thought when the whole video is actually beautiful,” he added.
The audio video presentation (AVP), he asserted, also failed to show the food culture in the city, which it has.
‘Candy galawin mo ang baso’
Is Candy to blame for everything? Is MJ cheating on Candy?
These are the important questions, as they seem to be the reason behind the negative reactions, explained CTO chief Demetrio Alvior Jr.
Alvior said he is aware of the bashing that their AVP, directed by Jeffrey Hidalgo of Red Wine Creatives, is receiving on social media. Hidalgo is part of the Smokey Mountain, a popular singing group in the 80s.
“Ok lang. Unang-una, sino ba si Candy? Malay mo kapatid niya yan, nanay niya, di ba? Kasi may sequel yan. Maganda yon kasi nakuha ang atensyon ng mga tao,” he said, declining to give away details of what will come next in the series.
“Abangan na lang nila yong kasunod. Sino yong ka-text?” he added.
Since they do not have all the facts, Alvior said that people should not jump to conclusions.
Hidalgo also addressed the issue on his social media.
He stated that if a sequel to the video comes to fruition, audiences would ultimately grasp the true narrative surrounding the characters and Candy’s significance in MJ’s life.
“Although it’s been generally getting positive feedback, siyempre may mga netizens who feel it’s promoting ‘micro’-cheating. I would like to take full responsibility for the concept. I just wanted to insert a vague romantic angle in the video so that viewers will be engrossed to watch it till the end,” he said.
“Hirap na talaga in this day and age when people are always so quick to judge without looking at the finer details. Masyado lang yata triggered and obsessed sa cheating issues. I hope those making an issue out of this would find this post,” he said.
