THANKS to HappySlip, the US-based Filipino-American video blogger, the Philippine Department of the Tourism (DOT) has recently been awarded the Grand Bronze Anvil Award and the Anvil Award of Excellence.

The DOT launched its online public relations marketing program to reach out to Americans to visit the Philippines, according to Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano in a statement.

The Grand Bronze Anvil Award is given to the most outstanding public relations tool designed and implemented during a year, in this case, in 2008.

“I am very pleased that our venture into Internet marketing and PR to reach and invite thousands of North Americans to visit the Philippines is once again recognized by the country’s PR industry,” Durano said.

The DOT brought Filipino-American Cristine Gambito to popular sights in the country, to promote the Philippines and to meet fans who lined up to see her. She eventually created several video blog episodes about her trip here.

According to the DOT, the campaign generated about 50,000 visits to the agency’s website called “Experience Philippines” in just four months.

The campaign targeted second and third generation Americans and Canadians.

Gambito is known for her character named “Happyslip” on YouTube and other online video sharing sites. Happyslip is a pun on the “Half slip” her mom used to force her to wear when she was a girl.

The DOT partnered with digital agency Euro RSCG/Agatep in the “HappySlip Blogs” campaign.

“Our experience in this project dramatizes the potential of video blogs in engaging Internet users and shaping their opinions. YouTube videos are no longer for sheer entertainment. They can help sell a country,” Euro RSCG/Agatep managing director and chief creative officer Norman Agatep said.

Here’s episode one of her videos she posted on YouTube: