The TV commercial produced by ABS-CBN’s Lifestyle Network cable channel for the Singapore Tourism Board has sparked debates and inspired spoofs in the Lion City.
Part of STB’s “Singapore: See Where The World Is Heading” campaign, it shows a Filipino couple visiting Singapore on their anniversary weekend — the scenes were shot mostly at Gardens by the Bay and on the cable car ride to Sentosa Island.
“This video was produced for the Philippines by Philippine network ABS-CBN, in an effort to customise content for this audience,” explains STB executive director Oliver Chong in a statement.
According to Chong, “when shared on STB’s Facebook page for the Philippines, the video attracted over 3,400 likes in the first week and garnered some 900 comments, largely positive.”
However, when they posted it to their Facebook page for Singapore, people there started criticizing and mocking the video, which prompted STB to delete the post.
Chong admits “that some aspects of it could have been done better.”
Coconuts Manila tried contacting ABS-CBN’s Corporate Communications Department for their comment, but no one there was available.
If you haven’t yet, you can watch the TVC here or below. The video runs under three minutes and has been criticized as unimaginative and clichéd.
It has also inspired spoofs like this one below from Singapore site SGAG.com
It has also been “re-enacted” by popular Singapore comedian and theater actor Chua En Lai.
All we can say is, don’t feel bad, Philippines.
It’s not like Singapore doesn’t have its share of embarrassing videos. Here’s one from their government’s Media Development Authority starring their senior management.
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