BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA
CEBU CITY, August 26 (PIA)--- Not just the place but the people itself.
This was the thrust of Mayor Paz Radaza’s speech as Lapulapu takes a step higher than the rest of the local government units, in launching it’s new branding.
“Lapulapu City- The Historic Resort City” not only brands its beaches, economics and resorts but as home of people with values of the first ever hero that defended the country.
“We are a city, named after a hero, you must think that it is exceptional, out of the ordinary and a cut above the rest.. In fact, it is...but it is only as world-class as its people,” Radaza said.
Radaza said it is the heroism of every individual Oponganon that makes Lapu-Lapu: The historic resort city.
“The collective heroism of the Oponganons both in the public and private sectors create that world-class brand that makes visitors come to Lapu-Lapu City,” the Mayor said.
The City shows an icon “Lapulapu in the Sun” with vibrant colors representing the core values of Oponganons; of the city’s diversity and dynamism.
Its colors are: sky blue – means trustworthy, dependable, secure and responsible; golden yellow – for positivity, light, warmth, motivation and creativity; persimmon orange – represents vitality, fun, playful exuberance and forest green- for wealth, health, prestige and serenity.
Other than visual branding, they also launched a jingle entitled “Come to Lapulapu and Free Yourself!”.
“We created a brand for Lapu-Lapu City based on its distinctive appeal developed through a deeper insight on how values, attitudes, behavior and characteristics developed into core competencies of the city, and how they fit into the emerging trends.”
The Mayor also posed a challenge to every Lapulapu City resident to live up to the created brand inculcating the culture of tourism.
This culture, according to Radaza, empowers Oponganons to demand from their local government five-star service just like how our visitors look forward to five-star resort service.
“A culture where we, as a people, will constantly and consciously provide warm hospitality to our guests. A culture where we as Oponganons cherish our past, defend our independence and always be self-reliant,” Radaza said.
The Mayor assured that the city government will make sure that they can provide the citizens with high quality of life.
Immediately after the launching of the brand, Lapulapu City hosted the 3rd Cobra Ironman and featured the first ever fly board and helium balloon experiences in the country.
Indeed, as what the participating athletes said during the Cobra Ironman event, one can certainly come to Lapulapu and be free.
Lapulapu is a highly urbanized city of Cebu province that has the first ever export processing zone and is the location of the international airport. (mbcn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)