MAKATI CITY — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has jumped into the viral “United States of Makati” trend, showcasing Makati as a fun and exciting urban destination through a series of humorous tourism cards. In a Facebook post that has attracted more than 16,800 reactions and 3,800 shares, Tourism Philippines playfully declared, “No visa, no problem!” while inviting travelers to pack their bags, bring their imaginary Makati dollars, and learn “Makatinese” for their next city adventure. The campaign jokingly portrays Makati as a fictional country, turning the online trend into a creative way of promoting the city.
Discovering Makati Through a Playful Lens
The tourism cards feature a variety of experiences that visitors can enjoy across Makati, from exploring galleries and weekend markets to cafe hopping, dining, running, and enjoying a staycation. Travelers are also encouraged to take in the city skyline at night and experience its lively nightlife. Adding to the humor, one card features the phrase “be an OFW onsite Filipino workers,” referencing Makati’s reputation as one of the country’s major business and employment centers. The campaign builds on the growing online trend where social media users humorously refer to Makati as though it were an independent country.
Turning a Viral Trend Into Tourism Buzz
The DOT continued the fictional-country theme by humorously crediting “Maryosep” as its source, playing on the familiar Filipino expression. The post quickly became a space for users to add their own jokes, with some asking about the exchange rate between the fictional Makati Dollars (MKD) and Philippine pesos, while others celebrated the city’s supposed “visa-free” status. Make it Makati also joined the promotion, encouraging travelers on Instagram to “Pack light. Makati is ready to welcome you.” By embracing the viral trend instead of simply promoting traditional tourism messaging, the campaign has generated strong online engagement while highlighting Makati’s diverse attractions, energetic atmosphere, and appeal as an urban destination.
