Since we opened Merkado PH, some of our amazing customers have asked about the story behind our store's name and logo. Today, we’re excited to share more about why we chose the name Merkado PH and the bayong as our logo. Beyond just a store, we see Merkado PH as a brand that brings the Filipino market experience to Sweden—both in person and online.
Why "Merkado PH"?
In the Philippines, it’s common to name a sari-sari store after the owner, like "Cita Store" (pictured), "Fatima's Sari-Sari Store" or "Mara's Store." But we wanted a name that would speak to all Filipinos. That’s why we chose Merkado PH. "Merkado" means "market" in Filipino, a term recognized across the Philippines, regardless of dialect. Adding "PH" ties it to the Philippines, a nod to our roots and the cultural pride we bring to everything in our store.
The word "merkado" is also derived from the Spanish mercado, reflecting a shared history that adds to its familiarity. For us, "Merkado" is a name of a place that brings everyone together—a space that’s open to all. When people see Merkado PH, we want them to feel a sense of home, of a Filipino market where everyone is welcome.
Our Logo: The Bayong Bag
The bayong, a woven Filipino bag traditionally used for shopping at local markets, is the heart of our logo. Growing up, many of us have memories of going to the palengke with our family members, filling up the bayong with everything we needed for the week. It’s an iconic item that represents Filipino culture, practicality, and sustainability.
By making the bayong our logo, we’re celebrating this rich Filipino heritage and the sustainability that comes with it. This bag, made from native plant fibers, symbolizes our commitment to eco-friendly practices and high-quality, authentic Filipino products. We hope that when Filipinos see the bayong, they’re reminded of home and their heritage, no matter where in the world they might be.
The logo design was inspired by the traditional Filipino bag, commonly known as the bayong, which is used for shopping in the palengke (marketplace). This design reflects Merkado PH's mission to sell and promote Filipino goods in Sweden.
The logo proportions are based on the golden ratio, contributing to the harmonious interaction between the logo elements. This guide explains how the logo was created and how the elements complement one another. The logo's construction provides insight into the underlying philosophy of the design.
Incorporating Baybayin into the Logo
If you look closely at our logo, you’ll notice a new element underneath the name: Baybayin characters that spell "Merkado." Baybayin is an ancient script that predates Spanish colonization and is a part of Filipino heritage. The word "Baybayin" itself means "to spell" in Tagalog, and it was commonly used to write early forms of Tagalog and other Philippine languages.
By incorporating Baybayin into our logo, we’re honoring the rich history and culture of the Philippines, connecting the past with the present. It’s a nod to the resilience, beauty, and diversity of Filipino heritage, and we hope it resonates with our customers as a reminder of where we come from. Baybayin is seeing a resurgence in recent years as Filipinos reconnect with their roots, and we’re proud to bring a piece of that tradition to Sweden through Merkado PH.
Variations of Merkado PH logo
Building Merkado PH as a Physical Store
Our vision for Merkado PH has always been to create a warm, welcoming physical space that captures the spirit of a traditional Filipino market. Here in Sweden, we’ve strived to make our store feel like a home away from home for Filipinos. From the familiar products to the welcoming ambiance, we aim to bring a little piece of the Philippines to every customer who walks through our doors.
We want it to be a gathering space where people can come together, share stories, and feel connected to Filipino culture. For those who might be discovering Filipino food and products for the first time, we hope to be a bridge that introduces them to the richness of our culture.
Expanding Merkado PH Online
While our physical store lets us build a local community, our online store allows us to reach Filipinos and those interested in Filipino culture across Sweden and beyond. Building the Merkado PH brand online has been essential in establishing a strong presence that extends beyond the walls of our store. With our online platform, we’re able to bring Filipino products right to the doorsteps of customers who may not have easy access to these items. Check our online store at https://merkadoph.se.
Here is the early version of the webshop before launch, featuring a "Coming Soon" front page.
Through our online store, we aim to recreate the experience of a Filipino market. We’ve designed the platform to be accessible and easy to navigate, and we work hard to ensure that our online customers receive the same high-quality products and personal touch that our in-store visitors do. Whether it’s a craving for traditional Filipino snacks or the need for authentic ingredients, we want our online store to be the go-to place for Filipinos in Sweden and beyond.
When we were designing our Merkado PH website, we wanted to make sure it felt like an extension of our physical store, but also captured something unique about Filipino culture. While it might seem like we should use the colors of the Philippine flag—red, blue, and yellow— we decided to take a different approach.
We chose yellow because it’s a color that represents something very special to the Philippines: the Philippine Mango. Known for being the sweetest mango in the world, the Philippine Mango is beloved by Filipinos everywhere and is a symbol of the country’s agricultural richness and pride. The vibrant yellow color of the mango inspired the color theme of our webshop, giving our online store a warm, welcoming glow that immediately makes you think of home.
The Sweetness of the Philippine Mango: A Symbol of Quality and Warmth
The Philippine Mango, or Manggang Hinog, is considered the world’s best mango due to its uniquely smooth texture, rich flavor, and natural sweetness. It’s the perfect fruit that captures the essence of the Philippines—simple, but full of warmth, joy, and life. Just like the mango, we want Merkado PH to be a sweet, memorable experience for our customers. Whether you're shopping online or visiting our store, we aim to bring the same warmth and authenticity that the Philippine Mango represents.
A stall of ripe (hinog) and unripe (hilaw) Philippine mangoes at SM grocery.
This golden, vibrant yellow color of the mango is also a symbol of optimism and positivity, and it’s the feeling we want to evoke in every customer who visits Merkado PH. It’s bright, cheerful, and stands out—just like the hospitality and warmth that Filipinos are known for. We hope that when you visit our website, the color immediately brings a smile to your face, just like the taste of a ripe Philippine Mango.
The Future of Merkado PH
Our journey with Merkado PH has just begun, and we’re grateful for the support from our community here in Sweden. As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to our mission of celebrating Filipino culture, bridging communities, and expanding our presence both locally and online.
Through both our physical and online stores, we’re excited to keep building Merkado PH into a brand that brings the Filipino market experience to everyone, wherever they may be.
Maraming salamat for being part of our journey, and we look forward to welcoming you in-store or online at Merkado PH! 🌏🇵🇭
1 comment
What a nice and well explained or I should say very good presentation of How You named it Merkado PH. I pray and declare blessing upon your store. Many more customers and joy you Will bring to us Filipinos❤️🙏