The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) is the largest telecommunications and digital services provider in the Philippines. It was founded in 1928 and has since played an important role in shaping the country’s telecommunications landscape. It evolved from being a traditional fixed-line operator to becoming a modern digital services company.
The logo of this telecommunications company has undergone several changes, wherein each redesign reflects the evolving identity, technological advancements, and market positioning of the company. This article delves into the various changes the PLDT logo has undergone over the years.
The Genesis of the PLDT Logo (1928 – 1963)
The original PLDT logo featured a circular design with the words “Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.” encircling an illustration of a vintage telephone. This logo symbolised the company’s core service—telephone communication—and its mission to connect Filipinos across distances.
(1963 – 1983)
In 1963, PLDT updated its logo to feature the image of a more modern telephone. The word “Co.” was replaced with “Company” to reflect a slight modernisation of the brand name. This redesign retained the circular layout but emphasised a sleeker, updated visual identity to align with technological progress.
(1983 – 1996)
In 1983, PLDT moved away from literal depictions of telephones and adopted an abstract design. The new logo featured a black geometric shape composed of a pattern of four lines to symbolise connectivity and innovation. In fact, the lines symbolised telephone receivers. Below the design, the text “PLDT” appeared in bold black letters. This marked a shift toward a more corporate and minimalist aesthetic.
(1996 – 2016)
The 1996 redesign introduced a red colour scheme to replace the black geometric shape of telephone receivers while maintaining its abstract form. The font for “PLDT” was also updated to a modern typeface in red and placed to the right of the emblem. This vibrant colour change symbolised energy, passion, warmth, speed, and leadership in the telecommunications industry. This logo remained iconic for two decades.
(2016 – Present)
In 2016, PLDT underwent a major rebranding effort alongside its subsidiary Smart Communications. The company introduced a triangle logo to symbolise the convergence of fixed and wireless technologies. The three sides of the triangle represent the business pillars of the company, namely, exceptional people, meaningful innovations, and valuable customers. Additionally, the triangle reflects the Greek letter delta (Δ), which signifies change and transformation.
This redesign coincided with the company’s name change from Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company to PLDT Inc. It marked a shift from traditional telephony to data-driven digital services. The new logo also visually aligns with Smart Communications’ branding to emphasise synergy between the two entities.
The Elements of the PLDT Logo
Font
The current PLDT logo features a modern, bold font. While specific details about the exact font type are not widely documented, it is designed to convey strength and innovation.
Colour
The logo primarily uses a combination of red and grey colours. The red symbolises energy and leadership, while grey adds a touch of sophistication and balance.
Finally
The logo evolution of PLDT shows the journey of the telecommunications company. It shows how the company started as a traditional telephone service provider and ended up becoming one of Southeast Asia’s leading digital telecommunications companies.