Official “Magandang GenSan Icon” launched at City Hall
In a simple yet meaningful program, General Santos City Mayor Jun Acharon unveiled to the employees of the City Hall during their flag-raising ceremony just recently, the icon of the new city brand, “Magandang GenSan“.
BACKGROUND
The phrase “Magandang GenSan” first came out of the lips of the mayor sometime in the later part of 2005 when he started using it as a pleasantry and salutation in his speeches, printed messages and public appearances.
In February 2006, during his State of the City Address, the phrase was substantiated when he pronounced that, “Magandang GenSan” is not only a greeting, it is a conviction… it is not only words, it is a statement of hope… it is not only a mission, it is a reflection of character. In short, “Magandang GenSan” is a shortened paraphrase of the city’s vision.”
Now, almost three years to that day, Magandang GenSan has become a standard greeting among the “generals”, whether in telephone pleasantries, large gatherings, conventions and the like. During the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit hosted by the city, I also introduced that phrase to the more than a hundred participants and have urged GenSan-based bloggers to continually using it.
Finally, this year, the good mayor of GenSan has chosen to give the phrase a visual and tangible dimension, aimed at intensifying the awareness of such initiative, which in turn encourages stronger participation of the “generals” in selling their city to the world.
RATIONALE
Branding is essential in advertising. Significant to it is a visual component that carries the character and image of the product being sold or advertised. The graphical rendition of Magandang GenSan – as the shortened phrase of the city’s vision – is a visual reflection of the city’s image and character: vibrant, resilient, progressive, global. This project is therefore designed to bring to the fore these characteristics depicted through a powerful graphical design or icon. This icon will be the carrier of that brand.
Bt the end goal of packaging the city does not end in the icon alone. Total packaging of that brand cascades into different programs and projects which must substantiate what the icon depicts. Tourism development programs being formulated gear towards that end. This project is an icing on the cake, so to speak.
THE ICON DESIGN
The visual rendering of Magandang GenSan in its simplicity, conveys:
COURAGE AND RESILIENCE: The military color is suggestive of a “General” lending itself as a color of strength and resilience which the city and every General, imbues.
HARMONY IN DIVERSITY: The muoticolor wave patterns represent the diversity of cultures in harmonious fusion, portraying a gracious community connected in its history and heritage.
WEALTH OF WATERS: The fusion of patterns is an abstraction of the waves, depicting a city by the bay brimming with wealth of waters.
GLOBAL READINESS: The modernist and minimalist graphics portray an uncluttered direction of governance that paves a clear and welcoming way for investments, ready for the world.
The icon is a stamp of excellence, a mark of distinction.
After launching this campaign within the local government and all its departments who will adopt the icon in all their letterheads, print and broadcast materials, plus some other promotional schemes, in a few weeks, there will be a print and media broadcast campaign to launch it to the city’s different communities.
I am very positive that with all the mechanics of implementation in place, in just a couple of months, the whole country and the whole world who has grown accustomed to such iconic catchphrases as “Amazing Thailand“, “Malaysia, Truly Asia“, “Incredible India“, among others will be pleasantly surprised that a glorious city by the bay, in an island in the Pacific has her very own “Magandang GenSan”.
SOURCE: City Economic Management & Cooperative Development Office
Related posts:
- About Bariles
- The Old GenSan City Hall Building is 59 this year!
- Gen. Santos City: TUNA CAPITAL
- 16 GenSan High schoolers assume city hall posts
- (PG-13) FHM icon Maui Taylor and her one-night affair in GenSan
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Bariles is a Filipino word for “Tuna”, the primary source of income of the people of General Santos City which hosts 6 of the Philippines’ 8 tuna canneries and more than 80% of its tuna processing plants.
sheng Says:
When I first saw the icon at the Business Permit of the company where I work, I asked myself why oh why doesn’t my Business Permit have that stamp? Yun pala, it was just launched recently, and I had my business permit released way before the launch.
shengs last blog post..Another year to make it 5 long years!
Posted on February 5th, 2009 at 1:54 PM
jo2saints Says:
Avel,
May ibang meaning pa yan…
Si kumander ko…. Gena Santos
kaya naging magandang gensan. heheh
Posted on February 5th, 2009 at 2:28 PM
gensanite Says:
sino may gawa nito, KUY?
ganda ng concept ng branding na ‘to…
cheers!!!
Posted on February 5th, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Nate Marx Says:
Bago to ah… sa wakas my new brand tayo wala na yung isda..ahehee
Posted on February 5th, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Nate Marx Says:
Bago to ah… sa wakas my new brand tayo wala na yung isda..ahehee
Nate Marxs last blog post..Newest General in town
Posted on February 5th, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Rhey Bacani Says:
Sana sinabay nalang lahat
Magandang Gensan, Home of the champions…..
MAGANDANG GENSAN SA LAHAT
Posted on February 5th, 2009 at 3:59 PM
orman Says:
nice nice nice
ormans last blog post..Hallelujah
Posted on February 5th, 2009 at 4:19 PM
dimple Says:
Posted on February 5th, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Amie Says:
Ganda ng icon, as you said the visual rendering is simple but it embodies the perfect description of General Santos City & its vision…Go! go! Magandang Gensan!!
Posted on February 5th, 2009 at 7:44 PM
rammyboi Says:
ayus kuya avel! did n’t expect kay mayor pala nag start lahat.. go gensan!
rammybois last blog post..Calling All Otakus in Gensan
Posted on February 5th, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Sleepless In KL Says:
Very nice logo. Interesting choice of ‘angle’ for GenSan…
Sleepless In KLs last blog post..Instilling The Love Of Books In Your Child
Posted on February 6th, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Rue Ramas Says:
Nice word catch! Congrats to the author of the idea…
except: It is too italic. Hindi madaling basahin, puwes, hindi madaling maintindihan ang message… Pleasse improve the visual. Thanks
Posted on February 6th, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Jordan Ray Quinco Says:
ok lang naman.. simple lang…
Posted on February 6th, 2009 at 12:16 PM
tanchi Says:
magandang gensan!!! proud na proud!
tanchis last blog post..Perfect Valentine Season
Posted on February 6th, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Toinks Says:
im sorry to say this but i guess i have to…in my opinion, the logo is a little too much of simplicity…it lacks warmth (color wise) considering it is a greeting and the first thing tourists will see…tsk tsk…its really hard to read…not catchy.
Posted on February 6th, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Kritiko Says:
Sir moderator?
Who is the creator of the icon? Can I animate Magandang GenSan Icon?
Posted on February 6th, 2009 at 9:05 PM
MariTes Says:
Branding is a good idea! I like the colors and design of the icon. Simple:)
MariTess last blog post..Litratong Pinoy#37 Tsokolate(Chocolate)
Posted on February 6th, 2009 at 10:49 PM
bariles Says:
Too bad, this came late and they have to use up all their old printed materials sheng.
Posted on February 7th, 2009 at 9:12 AM
bariles Says:
Hi Jojo! Hahaha! Give me your wife’s picture nga..Let me see.
Posted on February 7th, 2009 at 9:13 AM
bariles Says:
It’s the team of Egay Cadiente, the assistant department head of the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office. He is one artistic genius and one of GenSan’s young prides.
Posted on February 7th, 2009 at 9:15 AM
bariles Says:
@Nate, hahaha! Ayaw mo na sa isda?
@Rhey, dami naman… hahaha!
@Orman, really nice huh! Kudos to Egay!
@Dimple, si Mr. Egay Cadiente, with the mayor’s inputs too.
Posted on February 7th, 2009 at 9:41 AM
bariles Says:
@Amie, it looks good on shirts. I had one printed.
@Rammyboi, yeah, he really did. Thanks to him, may new branding na ang city.
@Sleepless in KL, I agree with you. Something like Malaysia, Truly Asia, right? Kelan ka uwi?
@Rue, hi! Basahin mo kasi ang background. Gosh! hahaha!
@Jordan, simple and functional, di ba?
@Tanchi, we should really be proud.
Posted on February 7th, 2009 at 9:47 AM
bariles Says:
@MariTes, thanks. With this new brand, we need everyone to do his share.
Posted on February 7th, 2009 at 9:48 AM
bariles Says:
@Kritiko, go ahead. Then show it to us.
Posted on February 7th, 2009 at 9:49 AM
orman Says:
i just have to say my piece. the “relaunch” of this greeting was discussed in boracay after the tourism convention in iloilo. present were rey billena, egay cadiente and myself. we were excited about the relaunch and we knew egay would be the best person to handle it.
when i saw the rough product in our council of culture and the arts meeting, i was profuse in commending egay for the good work.
so when it was finally launched i was one of those who wanted to get the jpeg or png image of the logo.
being the kalilangan festival director, i insisted that this should be included in all promo paraphernalia. well, until i got word that there’s a plan to get a copyright for their logo.
i go for artistic protection. but hey isn’t this suppose to be a battle cry for the city? hay naku, mabuti pang hindi na ginawan ng logo. senyo na lang yan.
enough said.
ormans last blog post..Hallelujah
Posted on February 7th, 2009 at 10:06 PM
bariles Says:
Originally Posted By orman
i just have to say my piece. the “relaunch” of this greeting was discussed in boracay after the tourism convention in iloilo. present were rey billena, egay cadiente and myself. we were excited about the relaunch and we knew egay would be the best person to handle it.
when i saw the rough product in our council of culture and the arts meeting, i was profuse in commending egay for the good work.
so when it was finally launched i was one of those who wanted to get the jpeg or png image of the logo.
being the kalilangan festival director, i insisted that this should be included in all promo paraphernalia. well, until i got word that there’s a plan to get a copyright for their logo.
i go for artistic protection. but hey isn’t this suppose to be a battle cry for the city? hay naku, mabuti pang hindi na ginawan ng logo. senyo na lang yan.
enough said.
ormans last blog post..Hallelujah
You mean, ayaw ipagamit sa inyo sa Kalilangan? Hmmmm… that’s weird. Sayang naman if we can’t use it for the Foundation Anniversary when it is one of the city’s major festivals. Then, 70th anniversary pa talaga! Tsk-tsk-tsk!
Posted on February 8th, 2009 at 8:03 AM
orman Says:
@bariles – hay naku whatever.
ormans last blog post..Hallelujah
Posted on February 8th, 2009 at 1:47 PM
gensanite Says:
@bariles –
kudos to the people who made this happen… let’s look forward to having this as a national and international campaign…
Posted on February 9th, 2009 at 1:03 PM
gensanite Says:
@orman –
hmmm…
Posted on February 9th, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Cathy Says:
I think the Icon was good, its totally the resemblance of the City, but the problem is the tricycle drivers here in Gensan, mga unfriendly at mga mukhang pera. I remember the incidence na galing ako ng city hall, ay pinababa ako sa tricycle para piliin ng driver yung tatlong pasahero, cguro P21.00 is far enough compared to 7 pesos for a single commuter. I think its quite disturbing for the city image to have this one.
Posted on February 9th, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Silvia Says:
I think the Icon is a nice symbol of the magnificient city which is so popular among tourists.I am dreaming about visiting Gensan.
Silvias last blog post..????? ?????? ?????????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????
Posted on February 22nd, 2009 at 4:21 PM
j Says:
i kind of agree with you. well, coz i’m a fan of postmodernist art kasi and i think gensan is not aiming for something like that. the feel of the icon is very laid back, warm yet refreshing, friendly, feminine, gentle… it’s not so “global” and tough. hehe.
anyway, i still congratulate those who are behind this campaign! i’d like to work with these minds soon.
good luck!
Posted on February 25th, 2009 at 1:09 PM
j Says:
don’t get me wrong. i like the campaign, generally. just some comments on the icon. hehe. it’s simple, and simplicity is beauty.
Posted on February 25th, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Magandang GenSan Campaign Launched Today! | GenSan News Online Mag Says:
[...] City Economic Management and Cooperative Development will conduct the Grand Launching of the “Magandang GenSan” [...]
Posted on July 13th, 2009 at 2:29 PM
nurse@work Says:
nice icon…..a way of telling the world that we are truly world class….it would be great if all General Santos institutions carry the icon in all of its communications…..print ads…..and in any other way that everyone would truly be proud of being a General!!!
Posted on November 2nd, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Nonoy Says:
nice one… hahahahhaha
Posted on March 29th, 2010 at 3:45 PM