Flip-flop brand Havaianas turns Metro Manila map into Earth Day post

In a city that seldom pauses, Havaianas asked Metro Manila to slow down—if only for a moment. With the summer heat rising, the slipper brand unveiled a clever reminder of the value of urban calm. Through a new creative push from independent agency GIGIL, Havaianas released a satellite image of Metro Manila's green pockets that, with a bit of squinting and a dash of imagination, resemble the silhouette of a slipper.

Fittingly, the image became the centrepiece of a digital campaign for Earth Day under the brand's long-running #BreakTheRush platform. "Break The Rush" appeared over the image, along with the unmistakable Havaianas logo, transforming the satellite capture into a soft-spoken billboard for slowing down. The post went live on 22 April 2025.

"This Earth Day, let it be a reminder to create more spaces in our city where people can relax and #BreakTheRush,” the brand said.

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Conversations around sustainability and wellness are gaining traction among younger Filipino audiences, and brands are increasingly expected to do more than pay lip service to the cause. By tying visual discovery to a broader narrative of rest and nature, Havaianas appears to be stepping lightly into more purpose-driven territory—without abandoning its easygoing roots.

The campaign's creative was led by GIGIL's Badong Abesamis and Herbert Hernandez, with managing partner Jake Yrastorza and art direction from Jasper Cajilig and Joaquin Diaz. Execution was handled under the Gigil-Katok unit.

But Havaianas didn't stop at satellite images. The campaign extended to the ground, quite literally, with the launch of the "havaianas PAA-rk" in Bonifacio Global City. Part hangout spot, part brand playground, the space is designed as a physical expression of the brand's ethos.

From greenery and "chill zones" to games and try-on areas, the PAA-rk invites passers-by to do something rarely associated with central business districts—pause. "With everything moving so fast, it's important to slow down, reconnect, and breathe," the brand stated.

Recently, the brand appointed American fashion model Gigi Hadid as its new global ambassador. While Havaianas enjoys broad distribution across international markets, a significant portion of its revenue still comes from its home country, Brazil.

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