The Philippines has the distinction of hosting the landmark 30th year of the Southeast Asian Games at the New Clark City in Pampanga in 2019. The proposed logo for the SEA Games has been the subject of ridicule since it came out over the weekend.
However, netizen not so pleased after the Games’ logo was unveiled by Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary and Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) chairman Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday, August 20.
The logo shows 11 circles that apparently stand for the 11 rings of the SEA Games, all bound together in what was supposed to be the shape of the Philippine archipelago. the logo was immediately met with widespread ridicule in social media after its release.
People had negative reactions to the logo, with some expressing their dissatisfaction with and suggestions. Government critic and parody page Malacañang Events and Catering Services was one of the first to point out the obvious.
Then they followed it up a few hours later with some… new game ideas for the 30th SEA Games.
However, some seriously thought they could lend a hand to make the logo look better. Bob Freking (@bobfreking) on Twitter let out his creativity and used baybayin to spell out “SEA.”
“There are so many ways you can do a logo without going out of concept and color,” he said, while posting an image of his suggested design. In the end, he also jested, but may as well be serious when he wrote, “Bayaran niyo na lang ako (Just pay me).”
There are so many ways you can do a logo. Without going out of concept & color, here you go Philippines.
— bob (@bobfreking) August 20, 2018
That's Baybayin for "SEA" btw.
Bayaran niyo na lang ako. pic.twitter.com/pLoN4MJfkF
The other Filipinos also took the opportunity to create and share their own version of Sea Games, offering alternatives.
My version of SEA GAMES LOGO
Blazing Philippine Eagle
The eagle symbolizes strength & power. It has10 feathers representing the 10 countries participating in the event & the head symbolizes the host country. Blaze, symbolizes fire a start of something. #SEAGames2019 pic.twitter.com/gd9YWsL8IA
— Kendrick Pingkian (@kvpingkian) August 21, 2018
Philippine 2019 Sea Games logo mockup.
Did this in less than 15 minutes. The official one looks like we didn’t even try to put effort. Shame. pic.twitter.com/P8z66Gc89j
— ً (@raphaelmiguel) August 20, 2018
Is there hope for a better logo to come out and be used for good? The country awaits confirmation from the PHISGOC, which issued this statement through its social media and marketing team: Let’s all wait for Nov. 30 of this year for the full confirmation.
Sources: technology.inquirer.net, philstar.com, rappler.com