TRENDING: MIAA's new logo draws backlash on social media
The Manila International Airport Authority unveiled their new logo on March 7, and it didn't sit well with social media users.
On its website, the MIAA said the new logo marked its 43rd anniversary, "celebrating the first such occasion since the shift of its mandate from operator to regulator of the country’s main gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport."
The MIAA also gave a breakdown of its new logo, which features the Philippine eagle, some elements of the national flag (colors, star, sun, rays), and a green laurel wreath.
But the supposed face-lift was met with criticism on social media.
The agency's Facebook post received over 5,600 reactions, most of which were "Haha" reactions.
Some users didn't mince words in the comment section.
A Facebook user described it as "very elementary," while another one said, "This is so bad."
"Ang basic tapos laki ng binayad. Congrats sa gumawa nito. Maswerte kang tunay," another one wrote.
Some social media users also pointed out that the eagle graphic used is similar to a design available on stock websites like VectorStock and Shutterstock for $15 (P860).
"Ilang milyon po ba budget ng new MIAA logo, Manila International Airport Authority? Kasi mukhang tinatamad 'yung designer, stock design lang ang ginamit," an Internet user wrote on Facebook.
The MIAA has since limited those who can comment on the post.
According to the MIAA's annual procurement plan for fiscal year 2025, it has allotted P3 million for its rebranding campaign, while it earmarked P2 million for creative design services and social media content creation for its rebranding campaign.
Logo-making contest
Multimedia artist Christian San Jose, in a now-viral Facebook post, noted that he won first place during the MIAA's logo-making contest in 2023 as he shared his thoughts on its new logo.
"Sobrang disappointing," San Jose said. "Not that much yung prize but then I'm happy with it since maraming nag-join."
"[A]fter that wala akong naging update sa logo na nagawa ko and now lalabas ito. Anong sense nung awarding?" he added.
He shared a photo of himself during the contest's awarding ceremony, as well as the design rationale of his winning entry.
His design, using shades of blue, yellow, and red, featured two triangles and two quadrilaterals forming a plane-like shape.
He said it represents the four NAIA terminals, while its shape is "soaring up high with a common goal of providing airport accommodations and terminal services that are at par with world class requirements and standards."
New management
In 2024, the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation, a conglomerate led by San Miguel Corporation, took over the airport’s operations on Sept. 14 after winning the bidding in February of that year.
The NNIC's first order of business was to rehabilitate the airport, including the expansion of Terminals 2 and 3 and the repurposing of Terminal 4 into a warehouse and office. It's also looking to build a three-story Airport Express Hotel adjacent to the north wing of Terminal 2 for those who have early morning departures and those who would miss their connecting flights.
There’s a planned access road toward Terminal 2’s north wing once its expansion is complete.
It signed the concession agreement with the government the following month. Their contract is 15 years and can be extended to 10 more years.
The NNIC is expected to spend over P200 billion for the concession, including the P122.3 billion capital outlay, the P30 billion upfront payment, and the P2 billion fixed annual payment. It’s also set to share 82.16% of its gross revenue with the government.
At the start of October, the NNIC increased parking rates, saying such "adjustments are necessary to ensure continued maintenance and improvements to our facilities."
PhilSTAR L!fe has reached out to the MIAA for comment on the issue but has yet to receive a reply.
