Cayetano on SEA Games logo: If a grade schooler can draw it, it's a good logo

If the recently unveiled but much-criticized 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games logo is so simple it can be drawn even by an elementary student, then it must be a good logo.

This was according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano as he defended the logo that the SEA Games organizing committee presented to the Olympic Council Asia but which instantly drew flak from netizens.

The Philippines is hosting the games, which will be mainly held in Clark, Pampanga from November 29 to December 10 next year. Subic and Metro Manila will also be venues for some events.

In an interview with reporters, Cayetano, who chairs the SEA Games organizing committee, said the logo is part of the entire campaign for the athletic event.

To determine the best logo, Cayetano said there are many indicators to be met.

"One, if an elementary school student can draw the logo, that's a good logo. Because we want it recognizable," he said.

Aside from this, the Cabinet official, likewise, said they wanted the logo to be unique.

"We don't want to be the same as others. While ang daming napakagandang logo sa Southeast Asian Games showing either mythical or real animals, after the Games, two, four, five, ten years from now, they're just one and the same," Cayetano said.

The logo, which used plain circles to form the outline of the Philippine islands, received criticism on social media, with some netizens commenting that the design was too simplistic that even a small child can create a better one.

But Cayetano said he is receptive to public criticism. In fact, he considers the online buzz that the logo has created as a "small victory."

"I will not argue with people, I appreciate people redoing, commenting, suggesting. In fact, I look at it as a small victory kasi when's the last time na pinagkaguluhan ang logo ng SEA Games o ng other Game?" he said.

"The reason I keep saying it's a campaign, until makita niyo kung paano in-apply yung logo, you cannot really judge kung maganda o hindi," he added.

Cayetano clarified, however, that the government has not paid for the commissioning of the logo "so far."

The SEA Games organizing committee will formally launch the official logo in October.

Until then, Cayetano appealed to the public to be more patient. — MDM/BM, GMA News