The controversial 30th Southeast Asian Games logo is just 5 percent of the campaign to promote the Philippine-hosted games, and the endeavor should be judged in its entirety, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said.
The logo consisted of 11 circles that form the shape of the Philippines. The circles are supposed to represent the 11 countries in Southeast Asia.
Several netizens had criticized the logo after Cayetano unveiled it during a visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, saying it lacked creativity and was underwhelming.
Cayetano told reporters that it was a “working logo” and represented 5 percent of the campaign to promote the 2019 SEA Games.
People should wait to see the remaining 95 percent, he added.
“But of course, it’s a work in progress. In the same way, it is being fixed, but what I’m saying is, it is like the hood of the car. Will you buy a car just by looking at the hood?” he noted.
He said the government was working with professionals in crafting the campaign and was willing to consider feedback from the public.
“Of course, we will listen to public opinion. Of course, we will not always agree, but wait until we launch the entire thing because you will see how it all comes together,” he said.
According to him, authorities considered proposals from several advertising agencies in coming up with the campaign.
It was explained to Philippine officials that the best logos are those that are remembered in time and those which a grade 4 or grade 5 student could draw, he said.
“The best logos separate from the pack. But more importantly for us, the best logos are seen when you apply it. So what I’m saying is, you have not seen the application of what we presented in Jakarta,” he said.
Cayetano said he was confident that people would see the purpose of the campaign after it is launched, he added.
The campaign would come with a mascot, a jacket, a watch, and a countdown clock, Cayetano also said. /kga