Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Raffy Tulfo confronted Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco over the widespread use of her photos in tourism promotional materials.
“I’m very sorry, Secretary Frasco. Parang lumilitaw na ikaw ay nagiging vlogger na. It will not sell pag doon sa mga marketing materials natin puro mukha mo ang nakalagay doon,” Tulfo said during a hearing of the Senate committee on tourism on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
[Translation: I’m very sorry, Secretary Frasco. It appears that you’re becoming a vlogger. It won’t sell if, in our marketing materials, it’s all your face that’s being shown.]
Tulfo cited a number of instances that drew flak on social media in recent weeks, including Frasco appearing on a magazine cover, a large photo of her displayed at an airport, and another photo of her riding a boat at Lake Sebu in South Cotabato.
Frasco addressed each incident. She said her photo appeared on the cover of Philippine Tropics magazine without her consent and that no government funds were used for it. She explained that the airport photo was meant to welcome her during the launch of an electronic system project aimed at reducing lines at Aklan airports serving Boracay. She added that she has since ordered all regional offices to take down materials bearing her image.
She also said the Lake Sebu photo was part of the official photo coverage during a tourism event, but Tulfo countered that the agency should have tapped a model or a local resident instead.
“I just wish to place on the record that the photos that have been used and transformed into memes are actually work photos,” Frasco said.
She noted that she is accustomed to field work, having previously served as Cebu governor.
Tulfo clarified that he was not questioning the legitimacy of her presence at tourism events, but said his office had received a number of complaints about her alleged self-promotion.
“Ang dating daw sa kanila parang pino-promote mo ang sarili mo versus dapat yung Pilipinas ang pino-promote mo,” he said.
[Translation: The impression, according to them, is that you’re promoting yourself instead of promoting the Philippines.]
Frasco denied engaging in self-promotion, noting that she has no plans to run for a national post.
“Perhaps, if it is the pleasure of the senator, that I no longer visit our destinations or that there be no coverage of the same, we can take that into serious consideration,” she said at one point.
Tulfo replied this was not what he meant. “What we are saying here… wag mong i-promote sarili mo [don’t promote yourself],” he said.
The issue of Frasco’s alleged self-promotion was highlighted during the Senate hearing on tourism issues, which also tackled the high cost of domestic airfare that has prompted Filipinos to choose international destinations instead.
