Ascof "Healing Hand" TVC30s

I'm always proud of our work, but this one holds a special place in my heart (for a personal reason). =)

Agency: Well Advertising
Director: Robbie Dinglasan
Producer: Cookie Littaua

More Fascinating Than Fiction...

Yes, I know how that idiom really goes... "Truth is STRANGER than fiction". I just didn't want to use the word "strange" because the word "fascinating" is much  more appropriate for this blog post and you'll see why.

I've literally just finished watching a documentary entitled "Anvil! The Story of Anvil". I've been so moved by this story, that I immediately went to my blog so that I could tell you about it while everything is still fresh in my mind.

 

"I started out with Robb when I was 14, 15 years old, and we said, 'We're going to do it until we're old men.' We really meant that! We had that 15 minutes of fame, and then it's gone so that's the way I kind of look at it. I was lucky enough to have that moment, and basically that was enough of a moment that prolonged and gave me a career that's 30 years long. It was a great achievement. Fantastic achievement. Nothing to ever look down at or not to be proud of, and that's the way I really look at it."

- Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Vocalist / Lead Guitarist for Anvil

Let me admit first that I am not actually a big fan of rock music, especially heavy metal. It's just not my preference. Nevertheless, this film goes beyond the music as it explores the admirable character of two men who never gave up their dream despite the harsh realities of life.

"Anvil! The Story Of Anvil" is a documentary about the journey of two Canadian boys who met when they were 14 years old, started a rock band, made it relatively good in the 1980s, then because of bad marketing and talent management did not make it big in the music business. However, what's truly fascinating about these two people, Steve "Lips" Kudlow (vocalist/lead guitarist) and Robb Reiner (drummer), is that they stuck with each other and never gave up their dream, that 30 years later they still consider themselves as the band "Anvil" and still make music together. They have their day jobs, of course... Lips works as a truck driver for a catering service, and Robb works in construction. Both get paid minimum wage.

This is the story of their continuous struggle as they take big risks in the music business, being in their 50s and still rocking like a couple of 20 year olds, booking a European tour and getting nothing out of it, funding their 13th album and getting them directly to their small fan base in hopes of reaching an actual record company bigwig.

Artists are one of the most idealistic groups of people ever. I don't think there is anything wrong with idealism, in fact, if I may say so, it is probably one of my most obvious character traits. Well I think that the idealism of an artist is based on that burning desire to do what you love and nothing else. No one can ever tell for sure if an artist will make it big and build a long-term career doing what he loves, but he does it anyway. Art, unlike other fields, is very subjective and financial success in that realm sadly depends very much on your appeal to the public. I applaud the people who can look beyond that reality and still push forward and stick to their ideals, whether they make it big or not. It would be hard to live in a world where you do not love what you are doing, but the reality is that in some cases, you may have to risk starving yourself doing this.

Personally, there is nothing that I admire more than determination. Determination is a step forward from hope. It is that attitude of taking action, instead of just wishing for a dream to come true. These guys from Anvil have it.

Anyway, it seems that the topic has shifted from the film to my own sentiments in life. So, I'm going to quit while I'm ahead.

About this film, I'm not going to tell you the whole story because I don't want to spoil it. I just want to say that I recommend this film as another cheap long weekend thrill. Instead of spoilers, you can watch the trailer below.

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Sorry if this is a little off-topic but I just wanted to put this out there. I am not a registered voter, which sucks I know. (Long story)

But if given the chance to vote, there is only one candidate that I truly believe in.

I believe in his platform.
I believe in his credentials to be the leader of our country.
I believe in his positive character.
I believe that when he becomes President, he will try very hard to unite the rich and the poor. Unlike other candidates whose only strategy it seems is to pit the rich and the poor against each other.


I believe in Gibo Teodoro.

"If there is one word that is to be generated by government, it is confidence."

- Gibo Teodoro

Cheap Long Weekend Thrills

Well, hello everybody! Hi Mom! Yes, Mom, I know you're reading this. Are you here now, are you here now? Blink twice if you are.

Okay, I don't know what that^ was about. I obviously do not have that much to blog about, but I just thought that it's been a long time and I miss my blog so here I am rambling about random stuff again. Huh? I know, right? Huh?

(But mom, if you really are reading this... WHAAAAT'S UP???)

Tonight is the simple end to a well-spent long weekend. But somehow, like all long weekends, it just feels as if I didn't get enough rest. It's weird 'cos I actually had more days off than everyone else, as I got a little sick last Thursday and Friday (I was down with a weird fluctuating fever, a burning throat, and an epic headache). I was bedridden for two whole days and only recovered on Saturday. 


I'm fine though. The only plan I had for this weekend was to stay home and watch a bunch of videos I downloaded while I was sick and asleep (yes, it's possible!)... and everything went according to plan. Mwahahaha! I'm actually not done watching them all, I got a little trigger happy downloading everything that seemed interesting and ended up with too many. What you say? Next weekend is another long weekend? Mwahahaha!

So, I decided I'll give you a few thoughts about one movie I managed to finish watching. Here it is...

I am definitely a fan of Walt Disney films. Magical, simple storylines, but still with a bit of comic wit (side note: I once heard that in his day, Walt Disney was known as a famous prankster, using his films as outlets for his "pranks". Remember the "Hidden Mickey" in every Disney cartoon, as revealed by the disney channel?). I applaud the Disney Corporation for being able to keep the same formula for many years, even with the beloved Mr. Walt Disney passing away. Of course it works now because, not only do they keep the tradition, but they add a little "spice" with  new ideas and "upgrades" that follow modern times.


I especially liked "The Princess and The Frog" as it is a slightly altered realist version of that old fairy tale, "The Frog Prince". I think Disney films has moved towards that direction, since "Enchanted" and "Bedtime Stories" (or even earlier, If I'm mistaken), having that kid fantasy formula but with a realistic flavor. It's the right balance of realism and idealism mixed with kid-friendly characters and pretty colors. I think this avoids the next generation feeling duped by their parents when they grow up and realize that "life is not really a fairytale", but still being able to get the message across in a positive way. I mean, look at the teenagers now, there are so many EMOS! I think it's because they've been pampered with so many sugar-coated fairy tales, and now that they are faced with real world problems, everyone's gotten so depressed and negative! As adults (naks!), I think it is now our responsibility to encourage hope and positive attitude, but still reminding the kids to keep their feet on the ground.


Anyway, what I love about the film is that the lead character, "Tiana", is a charming African American girl living in New Orleans. Now that's 21st century!

Actually, come to think of it... Disney has had a variety of lead characters of different races. There were the Caucasians (Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, etc.), Asian (Mulan), Middle Eastern (Jasmine), American Indian (Pocahontas), Gypsy? (Esmeralda), Hawaiian? (Lilo). Hmmm... I don't think there ever has been a Latina lead character. someone like "Juana" or "Corazon". Definitely no Filipina yet. What say you for a Filipina disney character? That sounds nice, right? "Chona the kusinera", or because everyone's been talking about them lately, "Rh0sE the jejemon princess". Pinay na pinay!



So that's this long weekend. Get ready for next week when I probably will blog about struggling rock bands and gay men. 

Talk to you soon, Mom.