The Department of Tourism (DOT) has launched a project featuring videos that explore the natural sounds of certain destinations in the country amid travel hesitancy due to restrictions and virus infections.
The DOT, through its "ASMR Experience the Philippines" project, aims to bring the public to certain destinations through Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response videos that explore the natural sounds of a place that will allow them to "tune into nature and be fully present in the moment."
"This project of the DOT is anchored on the concept that, when people travel, they go 'sightseeing', but it is with their ears that they hear and sense things all around them," Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.
"Through these videos, people get to share with the travel experience," she added.
The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (QJEP) defines ASMR as a "special perceptual phenomenon in which some people can experience a tingling, static-like sensation in response to some certain auditory or visual stimulations."
According to the QEJP, ASMR brings a pleasant feeling that one experiences in response to certain sounds, visuals, feelings, or descriptions that lead to contentment and relaxation.
The initial four ASMR videos to be launched will feature the Mountain Province in the Cordilleras, particularly the remote town of Barlig at the foothills of Mt. Amuyao and the journey to the summit of the mountain.
"With Mountain Province currently under Alert Level 4, and the rest of the country under the observation of different alert level restrictions, these videos will allow viewers to experience the grandeur of Mountain Province no matter where they are, through their video devices," the DOT said.
The first video for the Mountain Province series, featuring a walk in the serene town of Barlig and its amazing terraces, has already been launched on DOT's YouTube channel and can be accessed through this link.
The DOT said this is the first of several ASMR video series which will explore next Ilocos Norte, then destinations in Visayas and Mindanao.
Recorded using Ambisonics, the audio is captured in a 360-degree sphere from the position of the microphone, giving the viewers an immersive experience that teleports them to the environment.
"One can leave this on in the background as unobtrusive, calming noises throughout the day. For best experience, use open back headphones, but any headphones, earphones, or earbuds will also work," it added.
All ASMR videos can be accessed through the DOT official YouTube channel where videos for the new series will also be uploaded.