24 Oras video: DOT Undersecretary Enteng Romano resigns
Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Vicente "Enteng" Romano III resigned today, taking full responsibility for the widely criticized "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" campaign. In a statement reported by GMANews.tv, Romano said, "I take the rejection of the brand by the people as a vote of ’no confidence’ not just for the brand, but also for the person behind it."
Addressing the plagiarism allegations, Romano said he specifically instructed advertising agency Campaigns & Grey to "take inspiration from European logos--particularly that of Polska, Espana, Portugal, Italia and Maldives." He said, "Getting inspiration from existing designs is not an uncommon practice. In fact, in one of the definitions of plagiarism, it is stated that ’while plagiarism is condemned in academia and journalism, in the arts, it is often a major part of the creative process.’"
Romano defended the campaign’s use of the Filipino language for the slogan, which--some have said--cannot be understood by foreigners. "I honestly think a Manny Pacquiao saying ’Pilipinas Kay Ganda’ will make the world curious and try to find out what it means."
Romano also said that his "attempt to fast-track the consultation process is one of the reasons (the campaign) failed." He said he was "in a hurry to have an advertising campaign going on by the first quarter of 2011 because (he) is fully convinced that every day we do not run a campaign is a lost opportunity."
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said President Noynoy Aquino has accepted Romano’s resignation "with reluctance," reports GMANews.tv. "The President respects him for his act."
For more on this story, log on to GMANews.tv. Read Romano’s statement on Scribd.com.
