Ian Somerhalder had no idea about the beauty of the Philippines until he set foot in the country last Saturday, May 19.

“This country, you know, it’s strange because I wasn’t aware that there are 7,000 beautiful islands in this country.

“When you look at a map, you can’t grasp what exactly you’re gonna see,” he told the media and fans in an exclusive press conference prepared for him by Penshoppe earlier today, May 23, at the Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati City.

Ian, who is popular for playing Damon in the American TV series The Vampire Diaries, is the new addition to the “All Stars” endorsers of the local clothing brand.

He visited the country to shoot its latest campaign, which happened in El Nido, Palawan earlier this week.

During the photo shoot, Ian discovered that, “El Nido is probably one of the most beautiful places in the planet.

“The people here, everyone was so profoundly wonderful, beautiful, intelligent, and soulful.

“It’s such a phenomenal experience and I’m really, really, happy to be here.

“Thank you for the warm welcome and all the wonderful thoughts.”

Because of his words about the Philippines, the media asked Ian what he would  tell his friends about our country.

He replied in jest, “Don’t go there. They will kill you with kindness.”

Again he gushed, “I’m telling you, I’ve been so surprised!

“I have been so blown away and humbled by the generosity [of the people] and the beauty of this place, and how progressive everything is.

“I’d say, ‘Oh, you have to go to this place. You have to check out what people are doing to better themselves.”

PARTNERS IN ADVOCACY. Apart from the endorsement deal, Penshoppe is giving its support to the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, which states as its mission, “to empower, educate, and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creature.”