Residents and commuters of Makati were baffled after seeing the Gil Puyat Ave. signage adopt a new name under “Gil Tulog Ave.” on Thursday.
The sign quickly went viral, with several people left confused as to whether or not it was digitally altered or a marketing ploy. Videos uploaded online told of their confusing encounters with the signage upon seeing a different name under their pinned location. Suspicions subsided after learning that it was made for advertisement purposes by a certain brand.
Although some citizens were humored by the advertising stint, most were left unimpressed, stating that it was offensive towards former Senate President Gil Puyat and his family.
Moreover, Makati Mayor Abby Binay issued a statement on Friday regarding the brand’s controversial marketing move, ordering the sign to be taken down.
“It is unfortunate that the request for a permit for the so-called advertising campaign to change the street signs of Gil Puyat Avenue did not reach my office. Kung dumaan sa akin yan, rejected yan agad (If that went through with me, I would’ve rejected it immediately),” Mayor Abby Binay said in a statement.
She also said that officials who approved of the request failed to exercise prudence, and should have been more thorough.
“Dapat inisip ang kaguluhan na maaaring idulot sa mga motorista at komyuter. At dapat ay binigyang halaga ang respeto sa pamilya at sa alaala ni dating Senate President Gil Puyat. (They should have known about the confusion that the motorists and commuters were in. Former Senate President Gil Puyat and his family should have been respected) I have already reprimanded these officials for this glaring oversight,” she added.
Mayor Binay also apologized to the townspeople and Gil Puyat’s family.
The former Senate President’s great-granddaughter also took her frustration online, replying to a Facebook post on the matter.
“Besmirching my late great-grandfather’s name to sell freaking melatonin is so disrespectful!,” Erika Puyat Lontok said in a Facebook post.
All the changed signs have been taken down following Mayor Binay’s issued statement.
The brand has since taken down all posts on the issue and has yet to issue an official statement regarding the matter.
