In Ilog, Negros Occidental, the sea isn’t just scenery—it’s survival, it’s spirit, it’s identity. And once a year, in a burst of color and rhythm, it’s also celebration.
This is the heart of the Kisi-Kisi Festival, a lively tribute to Ilog’s coastal life and community pride. But in the hands of Bert Silva Jr., it becomes something more: a powerful statement about how tradition, ecology, and design can come together to tell a story worth remembering—and worth sharing.
“I was drawn to the festival because of its unique blend of cultural richness, environmental consciousness, and community spirit,” Bert shares. “It celebrates both Ilog’s historical roots and its deep relationship with the sea.”
And what better symbol than the term “kisi-kisi” itself—referring to the rapid movements of fish, prawns, crabs, and shrimp, creatures that fill Ilog’s waters and its livelihood. For Bert, those swift movements don’t just represent abundance—they speak of resilience, a reflection of Ilog’s people.
His thesis, a comprehensive promotional campaign for the Kisi-Kisi Festival, captures that spirit in full color and motion. It’s design with depth, powered by research and guided by a desire to give back to his hometown in the most meaningful way he knows—through storytelling.
“I wanted to evoke a sense of wonder and belonging,” Bert says. “For locals to see their heritage reflected with pride, and for outsiders to see Ilog not just as a destination, but as a resilient, vibrant community.”
His output? Nothing short of a full creative ecosystem. He developed a new festival logo, event posters, merchandise (from shirts and tote bags to stickers, pins, and keychains), and a series of digital materials optimized for social media—including countdown graphics, performer highlights, and announcement templates, all in bold, mobile-friendly formats that feel fresh yet rooted.
The campaign’s crown jewel? A 60-second video ad that pulses with the life of Ilog: street dances, coastal drone shots, and music inspired by local instruments. The video doesn’t just advertise—it invites, wrapping you in the warmth of Ilog’s coastal breeze and the steady beat of community pride.
But beyond marketing goals, Bert’s campaign carries a deeper intention: to help Ilogians—especially the youth—see the beauty in their roots.
“If my campaign were adopted,” he says, “I hope it would ignite a renewed sense of pride. That it would remind people their stories, traditions, and way of life are worth celebrating—and preserving.”
And that’s exactly what Kisi-Kisi is about: movement, memory, and meaning.
In an age of fast branding and fleeting trends, Bert Silva Jr. gives us something else—a campaign that slows us down just enough to listen. To the tides. To tradition. To a small town with a story that deserves to be told, not just in words, but in rhythm, color, and heart.