Name the park contest
The old PTA Park, as everyone in Davao should’ve noticed by now, has undergone a major renovation, and is due to be completed in December this year. It’s so named because of its having been the grounds used by the Parents and Teachers Association of Kapitan Tomas Monteverde High School way back when. If I’m not mistaken, the Association office had such a huge “PTA” sign, and so people started calling the place that way.
Right smack in the heart of downtown Davao, the new park, as before, will offer residents and visitors a place to unwind, relax and take in the city’s sights and sounds. The nearly 4-hectare park is nestled in the center of 3 hotels (The Apo View, Casa Leticia and Royal Mandaya Hotel) and numerous restaurants. Once finished, I imagine it’s going to be the perfect place for a quick break during weekdays, and for longer, leisurely strolls during weekends.
According to the city government, the new park will feature a biodiversity conservation facility with a miniature rainforest, children’s playground, jogging trail, a picnic area, an interactive fountain, a durian dome (visitor’s center), and more. But there’s one thing that it doesn’t yet have: a name.
In December 2007, the Office of the City Mayor will announce the official name of the new park. And there’s a contest! If you submit the winning entry, the name you suggest will live on in posterity, plus you get to take home Php50,000!
Here’s the set of criteria published by the PTA Park Management Office:
The name must…
- reflect the spirit and uniqueness of the new park
- position the park and its amenities in the hearts & minds of Dabawenyos, guests and visitors [whatever that means]
- have marketing and branding potential
- truly represent the people of Davao, its culture and history
- be easy to remember
It wasn’t in the press release, but I think the contest is open only to residents of Davao City. I’ll have to check this further.
To submit your entry, secure an application form from the PTA Park Management Office (located inside the new park) or from the City Administrator’s Office. Aside from the park’s name, you must also defend your choice with a very brief essay (not more than 300 words). Deadline for submission of entries is 30 September 2007.
September 23rd, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Davao based peeps! I need your help. Who got the contact information of the park’s admin or city administrator.
I’ve heard that Kublai will no longer finish his works at the park as the PTA supervisor decided to fill the park with Disney characters and cement flowers instead of real ones to save themselves from watering it.
If such plan would be pursued, we are looking at a future disaster. We are envisioning this city park to depict what Davao is. Not to be just another ordinary park. Our taxes are being utilized for this project so this means that we…Dabawenyos, should have a say to this park.
Would u rather have another ordinary park with disney characters and cement flowers? Or let them continue what they have started, have a park which is world class and original. Davao’s future landmark is at stake guys! So pls…speak up. Since u are based in Davao now, let the city administrator and park supervisor hear your voices.
I believe that there is always two sides of every stories. I hope that they (the park supervisor and planners) can explain what they have in mind.
September 23rd, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Whoa… is this true? I agree, if the park is filled with cartoon characters and stone plants, it would be a disaster! I hope this isn’t so.
October 29th, 2007 at 3:02 am
Kuya, mukhang late ata yung pagadvertise mo about dito nung MBS1. Tapos na po pala ang deadline, September 30. ;D [peace]
October 29th, 2007 at 3:17 am
@Mikko — Hey kiddo! No, this wasn’t what I was talking about at MBS1. It was the contest over at the Mom About Town blog. The contest post says the deadline is today, but I think Janette will extend it…
March 13th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
[...] and given a major makeover, is now known as “People’s Park.” The winner of the name-the-park contest is Romeo Sardon, 75, of Matina. He won the P50,000 prize money for having his entry chosen to be [...]