Humanity has been held in awe by the possibilities of space since we started looking up to the skies. The space race, led by the United States and the former Soviet Union, gave way to a plethora of adventures with highlights like the Russians sending the first man, Yuri Gagarin, to space; and the steps made by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon. Fast-track to the present age and we are still pushing the boundaries of what we can do when it comes to space travel and exploration. We have the Curiosity rover exploring the terrain of Mars sending us images that we have never seen before. Or what about the Voyager spacecrafts (been out there since the 1970s) and both are now leaving the edge of the solar system. As Filipinos, can we say that we are participants of this movement? Or are we just spectators to the show?
But there are opportunities from multinational companies that come in handy for dreams of firsts. Endeavors not usually supported by the government can be shouldered by these “giants” that will also benefit the nations they are doing business with. Now, there is a possibility to send a Filipino in space, and he/she can do it smelling great. By providing the necessary funding, Unilever, through its men’s personal care brand, Axe, will be sending the first Filipino in space. So, this is really happening—a Filipino astronaut will be blasted into outer space, 103 kilometers above the Earth, facing tremendous amounts of g-force, experiencing the spell of weightlessness—this is really big event, if it pushes through, for the Filipino race.
And yes, Filipinos and space are two words that do not belong in the same lexicon. Space out maybe a more popular term for hipsters, but seriously, the Philippines is lagging behind its South East Asian neighbors when it comes to space. Countries like Singapore (Singapore Space and Technology Association), Indonesia (Lapan), and Malaysia (Malaysian National Space Agency) have their very own agencies dedicated to their space-oriented activities.
This campaign by Axe will be the stuff of marketing lore. Its mission of sending the first Filipino in space may set the bar for future attempts by Filipinos. This will be a great opportunity, one that shouldn’t be completely made insignificant by brand placements and other strategies. But we will still take it, for this a chance that may lead to possibilities comparable to the universe itself.
***
Mango Tours is a provider of quality, affordable and convenient travel services that include low-priced airline tickets, customized Philippine and International Tour Packages, Cruises, Land Transfers, Passport and Visa Concerns. It is the #1 producer of reliable travel services particularly when it comes to Philippine travel arrangements to the Filipino-American community in the US Mango Tours is able to provide its customers with a number of travel options at affordable rates because of its consolidator contracts with over 11 airlines. Book your travel bookings with Mango Tours by calling its 24/7 U.S. toll-free number at 1-866-2-MANILA (1-866-2-626452). Visit www.mangotours.com to know more about its latest promos and travel offers.
