Brad Pitt to visit Manila

The Oscar nominated American actor Brad Pitt will be in town early next year to shoot a war film in the Philippines, sources said.

Tourism officials said they're banking on Pitt, who signed up with Sony-Columbia Pictures to do 'Fertig', to help the Philippines do away with its bad image abroad, and boost its tourism industry in the process.

Another Hollywood film, 'Great Raid', will be filmed in Corregidor and Bataan, both historic World War II battle grounds, west of Manila, also by early next year. The producers have been eyeing Tom Cruise to star in this film.

Richard Gordon, Tourism Secretary, has talked to some Hollywood producers during his recent trip there and said movie moguls "seemed very enthusiastic" about shooting their films in the Philippines.

"If Hollywood actors are able to shoot movies here, then this will help us promote the Philippines' good image abroad. I think tourism is going to improve."

Travel agencies abroad said the Philippines does not rank in the top 10 destinations for travel in Asia-Pacific.