Graffiti challenge for a cause

MANILA, Philippines - GSM Blue recently launched its Graffiti Style Mural (GSM) campaign that will allow the chosen Out-of-School youth (OSY) foundations to actively participate in its advocacy project  to reward out-of-school youths and teach them to put their creativity to positive use.

The Graffiti Style Mural (GSM) campaign advocates a positive shift from OSY’s violence-related activities to expressing themselves through artistic ideas. And to add a bit of a challenge, the campaign’s chosen theme is something relevant to the world’s sustainability  “The Blue Campaign: Preserving Water.”

Five non-government organizations (NGOs), all of which cater to out-of-school youths, were considered and carefully selected to participate in the graffiti making contest in coordination with DSWD, LGUs, and various NGOs. These OSY foundations are the Vincentian Missionaries for Social Development Inc., ECPAT Philippines, Association Compassion Asian Youth (ACAY), Kaisahang Buhay Foundation, Inc., and Open Heart Foundation Worldwide, Inc. Eligible participants are OSY members from these foundations who are 18 years old and above and interested in drawing and painting.

The contest will have the NGOs select 10 eligible participants from their respective foundations, leading to a total of 50 OSY participants.

Upon selection, the participants will undergo a full day of educational and fun graphic design lesson that teaches them how to do graffiti. The class will be conducted by an expert graffiti instructor on arts and design.

Upon collection of the design entries, these will be transferred into CD format for screening and review by the GSM Blue. All designs submitted will remain the property of GSM Blue. The board of judges will come from the GSM Blue and its advertising agency. The winning design will be made into an actual graffiti ad by the winner designer together with the other participants from his/her foundation group. The GSM Blue will use the winning design for their different marketing collaterals.

Aside from having the winning design painted on the walls of Metro Manila (San Juan and Pasig areas), GSM Blue will award prizes to the winners of the graffiti design contest: for the winning designer, P10,000 in cash, trophy and certificate; and P1,000 worth of gift packs from GSM Blue for the runners-up. The organization where the winner comes from will also receive prizes: P10,000 in cash, trophy and certificate, and Kabuhayan (mini sari-sari store) package.