Photographer clarifies post linking DOT to magazine
A professional photographer clarified his earlier statement alleging that the Department of Tourism (DOT) chose a photo of its secretary to be the main image of a magazine cover instead of shots promoting the country’s tourist destinations.
In a Facebook post on Jan. 3, Max Abasolo said he is not connected with Philippine Topics, the magazine he had cited.
“I am not affiliated with Philippine Topics, and I did not provide any photos or materials to them,” Abasolo wrote.
“My recent post reflected a personal observation made in my capacity as an independent contractor who has previously worked on creative materials on Philippine destinations,” he added.
The clarification came days after he posted a photo of a Philippine Topics issue featuring Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco on the cover.
Not official publication
His caption then read: “When you had us shoot from Region 1 to Region 13—almost 320 tourist spots, 236,000 phoand 6,500 video materials—this is all you will use, DOT.”
The post went viral and triggered more online comments about the DOT’s performance, including criticism that it was promoting Frasco’s image more aggressively than the tourist spots.
Abasolo’s post was later deleted. But in response, the DOT clarified that the magazine is a private publication and not an official publication of the agency, and that the choice of cover photo and text was decided by the magazine’s editorial team.
“The DOT did not provide any photographs, guidance, or funding for the feature. Philippine Topics independently covered activities related to World Expo Osaka 2025 and used its own coverage in their magazine,” the DOT said.
“With respect to claims made by a certain photographer, the DOT clarifies that it did not supply the photograph in question to Philippine Topics. At no time did the Department instruct, select, approve, or endorse any photograph for the magazine. Any implication that the DOT chose or favored the use of an image of the Secretary over destination-focused materials is entirely false and without actual basis,” it added.
