What Really Happened to PAGCOR’s 3-Million Logo

Have you heard that the new PAGCOR logo costs P3 Million? Do you think a logo can cost that much? 

On July 11, at the Marriott Hotel Manila. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) launched a new logo. A team of Filipino designers created the logo, which they claim cost P3 million.

According to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco, “The new PAGCOR logo incorporates the element of fire associated with energy, inspiration, passion, and transformation. It symbolizes the flame that ignites change and drives progress. The logo also reflects a beacon, which stands for guidance, leadership, and direction. It represents a guiding light that helps people find their way. “

The agency accepted the P3,035,714.28 quotation for the quotation of the new design.

Following its unveiling, the new logo for PAGCOR generated a lot of discussion online, with some users on social media asking if it was indeed worth the approved budget. The design has drawn criticism for being unimaginative, uninspired, and strikingly similar to the logos of other organizations including the National Basketball Association, Walt Disney Company, Petron, and Lucky Me.

The new logo has been defended by Pagcor, which claims that it was created to symbolize the company’s “long-standing commitment of being a guiding force that illuminates the way forward, drives transformation and development, and brings inspiration and motivation to the lives it touches.”

The artist behind PAGCOR’s new logo 

According to the Notice of Award posted on PAGCOR’s official website, the contract was awarded to Francisco D. Doplon of PrintPlus Graphic Services in Las Pias City on June 27. 

Mr. Doplon is a former president of the Design Agencies Association of the Philippines. He is a commended graphic designer who has created logos for the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ 40th Anniversary, the University of Santo Tomas’ 400th Tongues of Fire, Metrobank Foundation, and All Day Supermarket, among others.

The internet presence of PrintPlus Graphic Services, on the other hand, appears to be minimal, judging by the few social media users. A netizen did a quick research and posted on social media that a Facebook page called “PrintPlus” was founded in 2014 and is situated in Las Pias City and only has 62 likes. The design firm associated with PAGCOR’s contract hasn’t been confirmed, yet. 

Doplon has previously designed logos for corporations and government agencies. The Cultural Center of the Philippines’ 40th Anniversary Logo, the University of Santo Tomas’ 400 Years Tongues of Fire Logo, the Metrobank Foundation, and All Day Supermarket logos are just a few of his renowned designs. 

Doplon also stated on his website that he had updated the logos of the Philippines Philharmonic Orchestra, Tanghalang Pilipino, and the Filipinas Heritage Library. Additionally, he worked on numerous projects for the Ayala Group. He also listed 25 awards and citations on his website.

PAGCOR is owned and managed by the government under the office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines.  During the Martial Law era, the state-owned gaming firm was established by Presidential Decree (PD) 1067-A issued by then-President Ferdinand Marcos in response to calls for the Philippine government to put a stop to the growing proliferation of illegal casino operations across the country.