As part of the ‘Ride Safe’ campaign spearheaded by the City of Manila, creative bike racks designed by Thomasian alumnus Mark Wesley Pahate were installed throughout the city. He obtained his degree in Advertising Arts in 2000 from the UST College of Fine Arts and Design.
The functional artworks aim to encourage more people to use bicycles as a means of transportation and advocate for its sustainability in reducing the urban mobility problem in the City. The bike racks serve the dual purpose of providing an appropriate place to store people’s bikes and beautifying the surroundings with respect to Filipino culture. The main inauguration of the bike racks was held at the Kartilya ng Katipunan, where the installation “Tabak” is located.
Led by Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, the ceremony was also graced by the presence of German Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Laura Oexle, Allianz PNB Life Chief Executive Officer and President Alexander Grenz, Allianz PNB Life Chief Marketing Officer Gino Riola, PNB Group Head for Luzon Bernie Punsalan, PNB North Metro Manila Region Head Carlos Leytte, Manila City Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan, M.D., Manila Police District Director PBGen. Leo Francisco, and the Director of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila Charlie Duñgo.
Simultaneous inaugurations were also conducted at the remaining three installations. At the Rajah Sulayman Park in Roxas Boulevard where “Alon” is located, the inauguration was initiated by Allianz PNB Life Digital Brand Manager Kenneth Yu, Parks and Development Office Director Giovanni Evangelista, and Department of Public Services Director Kenneth Amurao.
For the “Kalesa” bike rack located at Plaza Roma, Intramuros Administration Head Atty. Guiller Asido and Allianz PNB Life Bancassurance Distribution Partner Head Bernadette Jalandoni-Pantoja inaugurated the artwork.
The Allianz PNB Life PNB Bancassurance Head and Vice President Carol Bernas, and Department of Engineering and Public Works Director Engr. Armando Andres attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony held at Liwasang Bonifacio where the installation art “Maya” bike rack is found.
The design of the bike racks revolves around the overall theme of “reminisces of Manila”, which Pahate is well-versed in as a Manileño himself. “Maya” looks like a bird’s wings, “Tabak” is designed to look like swords to symbolize the courage of Andres Bonifacio and the Katipuneros, while “Alon” is inspired by the Manila Bay and the sunset, and “Kalesa” has the likeness of horse-drawn carriage wheels.
Pahate, whose previous works have won a Gold Anvil from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines and an Excellence Award from the Philippine Quill, now runs and owns Eggshell Worldwide Communications, a boutique agency that aims to provide communication and design solutions in digital, non-traditional, and classic advertising. Prior to starting his own agency, he was an art director at McCann-Erickson and Harrison Communications.
The ‘Ride Safe’ campaign is an advocacy partnership between the city of Manila and insurance firm Allianz PNB Life in collaboration with the German Embassy in the Philippines.
