Doodle 4 Google launched in the Philippines

Google has launched the first ever Doodle 4 Google in the Philippines, an art competition for kids with big stakes – a chance to show their own version of the search giant’s logo on the Google Philippines home page for a day.The contest is inviting kids ages 5 to 17 to submit a Google Doodle answering the theme “What can I do for the Philippines?” Usually done by its own team artists and designers, Google Doodles are creative renditions of the Google logo celebrating special events and people throughout the year.Doodle 4 Google was first launched in the U.S. in 2008 but has been brought in other countries since. The competition is open mainly to students but for the first time globally, Google is welcoming learners, or children enrolled in alternative learning programs, in the Philippines.Entries may be submitted from 10 July to 19 September and can be either online or through mail to encourage budding young artists with limited online access to submit physical work. Google Philippines will also be conducting a roadshow with a doodling workshop by WeeWillDoodle as part of the publicity blitz.[gallery link="file" ids="57969,57968,57967,57966,57965"]The zany designs has aligned Google with some of the most influential and identifiable icons in history, featuring the likes of Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Pacman, among others seen in over 2000 doodles ever made.What was initially a door signage at the Google HQ in 1998 has undeniably become a vital tool in communicating Google’s brand personality – one that can keep pace and stay relevant in the world and fun.Apart from enormous brand recall, Ryan Morales, country marketing manager at Google Philippines, said that Google Doodles and Doodle 4 Google serves a greater purpose by letting kids participate in the doodling process to be inspired and, more importantly, inspire others.“The real reward is seeing how the public sectors come together and truly do something that is purely for the good of the nation and Filipinos.”“We look forward to inspiring the nation with a doodle that will not only reflect the beautiful synergy between art and technology, but also speak of the beautiful spirit of selfishness and service of the Filipino people through the eyes of children, he adds.The competition will pick the best 100 doodles in four age groups and will be narrowed down to 10 from each group. The entries of the 40 finalists will then be posted online for public voting to determine one winner per group.The judges include CJ De Silva, senior art director at TBWA-Santiago Mangada Puno; Efren Penaflorida, CNN Hero of the Year; Ma. Esther Santos, PLDT-Smart Foundation president and Fidelina Corcuera, SVP and executive director of BPI Foundation.Google Doodler Katy Wu will be picking the overall winning Google Doodle which will be featured on Google Philippines’ homepage for 24 hours in November. And if having millions of web users around the world see his/her work isn’t enough, the doodler will also bag a P400, 000 educational grant from the BPI Foundation, an art kit from the National Bookstore and an Acer Chromebook. The winner’s school also will get a P350, 000 technology grant from the PLDT-Smart Foundation.