𝕀𝕤𝕪’ 🥀

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has found some familiar faces to help sell the Philippines to the world. From P-pop groups BINI and SB19 to actor Alden Richards, the department is tapping Filipino celebrities and popular culture to draw attention to the country's destinations. There's nothing wrong with that. Popular personalities have audiences that tourism campaigns would otherwise spend considerable time and resources trying to reach. Their influence can introduce Philippine destinations to people who might never have considered visiting. But a celebrity endorsement or a viral campaign cannot fill a hotel room, sell a tour package, or bring customers to a restaurant on its own. Someone who sees a destination online still needs a reason, a way, and an opportunity to visit it. The country's tourism numbers offer some perspective. The DOT recorded 4,415,860 international visitor arrivals from January to August 2026, up just 0.78% from 4,381,585 during the same period last year. The figures combine electronic travel records and Bureau of Immigration data. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), meanwhile, reported that tourism contributed ₱2.27 trillion to the economy in 2025, equivalent to 8.1% of gross domestic product (GDP). This was 1.4% lower than the previous year's contribution. Domestic tourism, however, remains a substantial market. Filipinos spent ₱3.26 trillion on domestic tourism in 2025, up 3% from ₱3.16 trillion in 2024. Inbound tourism expenditure, meanwhile, declined 6.4% to ₱698.46 billion. Tourism industries also supported an estimated 7.7 million jobs, or 15.7% of total employment. These figures put the industry's economic reach into perspective. Tourism campaigns should give people more reasons to travel, while making it easier for them to spend on the businesses and communities that depend on visitors. Harry Atondo, PHILTOA's vice president for external affairs, made a similar point in a recent post, questioning how DOT's celebrity-driven initiatives can generate actual travel demand. He also called for airlines, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, restaurants, and local tourism enterprises to have a place in these campaigns. His observations deserve attention. Promoting a destination is one thing; building travel products around it is another. A campaign featuring a celebrity or a popular music group could be linked to itineraries, transport arrangements, accommodation offers, and local experiences that visitors can actually book. Singapore offered an interesting example when it hosted Taylor Swift's concerts in 2024. The influx of international fans created business opportunities beyond the concert venues, benefiting hotels, restaurants, retailers, and other tourism-related enterprises. The Philippines need not copy Singapore's approach. But it should make sure that the attention generated by its tourism campaigns reaches the people who run the hotels, restaurants, transport services, tour operations, and small businesses that make travel possible. BINI, SB19, and Alden Richards can help put the Philippines in front of millions of potential visitors. The country also needs to give those visitors somewhere to go, something to experience, and a reason to spend. That's the point. (✍️: Kenneth M. del Rosario) #radarPHBusiness #radarPH

メイベリンニューヨーク？

Ohio megachurch pastors Gary and Donna Keesee gaslight their congregation yesterday during church after their son Tom was found guilty of 27 felony sex counts against children and faces life in prison. Notably, the Keeses' other children, Tim and Polly, both say their parents knew of the abuse, but did nothing about it. Furthermore, one of Tom's sisters is one of the victims. Prior to his indictment, and after their daughter came forward with allegations against her brother, pastors Gary and Drenda defended their son and argued that there was “another side of the story.” They told church members during one of their services: “All hell is breaking loose out there … but truth will prevail. There’s another side. And the truth will come out.”

not the door malfunctioning during baekhyun’s bambi stage in mexico LMAOOO ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

sumasakit na balakang at mga kasu-kasuan mo HAHAHAHAHA 😭

First day 😀

EXO-KASE The 1st Mini Album 【Waking Up The City】 ➫ 2026.12.01 6PM (KST) #EXO_KASE #엑소_카이세훈 #EXO #엑소 #weareoneEXO #WakingUpTheCity #EXO_KASE_WakingUpTheCity

Dancing in the Dark MV #서하 cut #A2OSOUL #SEOHA

meu deus baekhyun tu ta fudido na mao desse mlk ele vai te cobrar pensão isso eh muito insano bizarro demais como que pode

261110 BAEKHYUN FROMM #큥이프롬

🐶😂 Dogs trying bubbly water for the first time! Their reactions are absolutely hilarious! ❤️ Which pup had the funniest reaction, and would your dog try bubbly water? 🐾

คุณเห็นแมวกี่ตัวถ้ามองภาพนี้ภายใน 60วินาที

Saw In-N-Out in a post by The Food Manufacturing Guy and my heart sank. Please, not you too. I’ve already lost enough good things to the internet, and I’m not emotionally prepared to conduct a moral audit of my Double-Double. Turns out they just make their own beef patties. Never been so relieved by vertical integration.

tvN Announces December Premiere Date For “Signal” Season 2 soompi.com/article/1884583wp…

😭😭😭😭