‘Let’s get it on’

MANILA, Philippines - Strut your stuff.

More creators and designers heeded the challenge put up by Pony Footwear when the brand launched the “Pony Show Off 2: Poster Art and Digital Film Competition.”

Tasked to interpret the tagline “Let’s Get It On” using images, digital design, creative video and a short narrative, hundreds of entries were submitted but only a few were hailed as the best of the best. Most of the entries submitted truly captured the spirit of the brand, as well as the character of those who wear it — two important criteria in the judging.

Pony is an American brand of footwear and apparel founded in Brooklyn, New York in 1972. Pony has since become a top global athletic brand and, by the ‘80s, its sales figures hit over $800 million. At this point, champion athletes in the World Cup, Super Bowl, NBA and the like were seen wearing Pony.

A 2001 relaunch of the brand saw more and more entertainment celebrities forming an association with Pony Footwear. In the next two years, Pony clothing and footwear became associated with rebel rockers like Staind, Limp Bizkit and Korn — whose lead singer Jonathan Davis even had his own signature Pony shoes that he would wear during live performances.

With its rebel streak and fiercely unique character, Pony became the brand known for espousing individuality, freedom of expression and living up to one’s potential. These are also the very ideals at the core of the Pony “Show Off” competition, which is already in its second year in the country.

Toasting the creators during the awards night recently, held at 7th High in Bonifacio High Street, Pony threw a rousing party and concert with performances by Absolute Play, Isabella De Leon, Kitchie Nadal and Barbie Almalbis. On hand to present special awards were one of FHM’s Sexiest, Paloma, and even actor Baron Geisler, a recent addition to the roster of Pony brand ambassadors.

The finals night — hosted by DWLS FM’s DJ Leeza and Internet action star and “ultimate heartthrob” Ramon Bautista — gave props to the creators and their ideas by handing out special awards: Best Illustration to Rolan Gutierrez and his poster art entry Break The Silence; Best Cinematography for the digital film entry Mating Season by Ralph Aldrin Quijano; and acting award called Most Astig Performer in Digital Film to Miguel Reyes who played Nuynuy in Sandra Santiago’s entry Dollhouse; and the Ideal Visionary award to Sean Patrick Si for his 40 Ways To Use Pony entry.

Just as the contest was open to everyone, voting was likewise open to the public. The online votes translated to the other two special awards given to the entries with the most number of “Likes” on Facebook. For the Poster Art category, this recognition was given to Footsicle by Paul Andrew Vito and 40 Ways To Use Pony by Sean Patrick Si for the Digital Film category.

The main winners of the Pony Footwear “Show Off 2” Poster Art category are: Knock Out by Frances Kim De Guzman (grand prize); Punk You! by Henry Cruz (second prize); and Art of Cheating by Jessica Mariz Ignacio (third prize). For the Digital Film category, the major awards went to: Super Pony by Minami Iwayama (grand prize); Dollhouse by Sandra Santiago (second prize); and Against The Flow by Anthony Luis Tanigue (third place).

Each winner for both Poster Art and Digital Film categories received cash prizes: First place winners received P40,000 plus P10,000 worth of Pony shoes; second place winners received P20,000 cash and P5,000 worth of Pony shoes; and third place winners received P10,000 cash and P5,000 worth of Pony shoes.