Piracy becomes CIAC

          CIAC president Arrey Perez presents Clark arena project. Photo: CIAC

“COMMENCEMENT OF PROJECT DEVELOPMENT TAYLOR-SWIFT CONCERT READY BY 2028.”

So, read one backdrop in the power point presentation of Clark International Airport Corp. president Arrey Perez on the sidelines of the “Build Better More” Infrastructure Forum at the New Clark City on July 12.

While Perez has been harping on that 40-hectare P32-billion entertainment and events center as part of the 7-Point Agenda of CIAC for at least a year now, this was the first time that Taylor Swift’s name was connected to the project, instantly sparking speculations the so-called Clark Arena would be inaugurated by a Swift concert in 2028.

Perez, however, clarified with Philstar.com, that Swift’s concert was “is only the standard they will use to design and build the Clark Arena to attract major popstars.”

“I hope by that time when we build our complex ay reading ready na tayo i-host siya (Taylor) because the Philippines has always been a music-loving industry. Whenever there are international concerts laging pumapatok especially with Clark, very easy. Nandiyan lang ‘yung airport,” so Perez was quoted as saying.

Swift dreams, vaporizing as swiftly. Thanks, and no thanks, Arrey.

As though taking Swift’s name in vain were not enough, CIAC/Perez sinned mortally – appropriating an image for its “Taylor Swift-ready” arena and imprinting thereat the CIAC logo. Sans any other accreditation visible.       

It took the the country’s “premier architecture and design discussion group on Facebook,” Arki-Talk Pilipinas to call out this seeming piracy by CIAC.

“It seems that the backdrop is stolen from Midway Rising- a mixed-use development in San Diego California USA by SafdieRabines Architects. Another bad light for the Philippines.” Posted thereat were the CIAC backdrop – with Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and LIPAD president Noel Manankil seated in front, and the original image watermarked “SafdieRabines Architects.”

                                         Photos grabbed from Arki-Talk Pilipinas FB page)

“Clark really needs also more attractions so that we can really attract more passengers, more airlines to the airport.” So, Perez rationalized his BBM Infra forum presentation.

Not by infringing on the intellectual property rights of others though. That is plain thievery. That is a felony, Sir.