Octobrrring it!

August was super busy. I looked forward to September. Turned out that September was busier. I looked forward to October. Well... turned out that October was the BUSIEST! Aside from our high school reunion (see previous blog post), I had to juggle 10,000 other things for work. Geez, work really does get in the way of partying doesn't it? (Joke. Boss, if you're reading... I just want to say I LOVE MY JOB, let's look for more projects, please? We can never be too busy. I'm not being sarcastic ha. I'm serious. Please give me more assignments. More duties. And I hope I'm not overdoing this.)

Anyhooo... One of the "major major" (uso ang catchphrase na ito ngayon) projects I was involved with happened last October. I want to tell you a little something about it, 'cos this is one of those projects that I really enjoyed! Of course, I enjoy working for every project I'm assigned to. I LOVE MY JOB. Boss, let's look for more projects, please? We can never be too busy. Wait, I think I said that already.

Shall we go back to the topic? What's it again? Oh, right.

Last October, was Kawasaki Motors Philippines' Dealers Convention entitled, "HEAVY METAL" The Rock and Rollin' Dealers Convention 2010! The theme was ROCK AND ROLL (duh).

Invite (front)

Like I said, I had so much fun conceptualizing this event. Like everyone else, I am a big music lover. I listen to all kinds of genres. I do have my preferences, but I know there is one genre that never ever gets old... and that's ROCK AND ROLL. It's such a classic culture of music, attitude, fashion, with a character that stands out from all other genres. Plus it meshes so naturally with Kawasaki's "dark and dangerous" brand image that the event became a no-brainer. There's something about motorbikes and rock and roll, they just fit so well together, don't they?

Invite (back, program schedule

Oct. 22nd was 1 whole day of Elvis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, ACDC, Metallica, and Deep Purple, to name just a few. Everyone had their rocker outfits on, donning leather jackets, bandannas, boots, black tights, tattoos (yes, some were fake, but still awesome). The spirit of rock and roll was very much alive! We received so much positive feedback from the guests (Kawasaki dealers). In fact, they enjoyed the event so much they're asking for a part 2! That's very nice to hear. =)


All in all, it was a success! I leave you with my souvenir photo for the night, with our art director, Ichan, and our client, Mitch. I admit I got a little carried away. 

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The TVC below was done in August but I was not able to post it then as it did not air yet until September. And, like I said, I had the busy, busier, and busiest months of 2010! 

Yes, I know I'm getting ahead of myself, it's only November and 2010 is yet to end. I was just hoping I could lie low a little until the end of the year. If that's possible anyway.

Anyway, here's Mosbeau "White" TVC30s featuring Angel Locsin.






That's all for now folks. I want to post a little more of what I've been doing for the past few months but I may have to find a better time to do that. In the meantime, I leave you with this thought I came across over the interwebs:

"Resist the temptation to get a job. Instead, play. Find something you enjoy doing. Do it. Over and over again. You will become good at it for two reasons: you like it, and you do it often. Soon, that will have value in itself."

Mid-year Crazies

Oh, what a crazy month it has been. Crazy, crazy, crazy. As proof, I present to you my blog post. Soooo many things to blog about. Soooo many historical events have transpired just this past month. Allow me to elaborate.  Brace yourself, it's about to get messy. And celebratory. And confusing. About as confusing as the first paragraph of this blog post. The one you just read. Yes, this one. 


Crazy no. 1 

"Every four years, for thirty-one days, the world comes together to stand apart."
- Morgan Freeman voiceover in a VISA TVC

If you are not familiar with Mr. Freeman's statement above, or if you do not have a clue what he is referring to, then let me to ask you this: How's life as a caveman?

I kid, I kid. I know not all of us follow the World Cup, only the most popular sporting event in the world (yes, even more popular than the Olympics and the Superbowl). About half of World Cup fans are not even World Cup fans, but hormonal fangirls obsessed with hunky male football players (it's true though, a lot of football players are really goodlooking... have you seen the Spanish National Football Team? Or, if not... just take a gander at their goalkeeper, Iker Casillas. Great keeper and a great looking fellow. Damn some people are just really blessed). 

The 2010 World Cup kicked off last June 11th at South Africa, the first African nation to host a World Cup. At first I was watching with no pressure, scouting for a team to root for. But on the early morning (2:30am) of June the 14th, my jaw dropped as I watched an amazing young German team, with unknown players (except for a few), beat the crap out of the Australian Socceroos, 4-nil. I was even rooting for the Socceroos at first (I always root for the underdogs) but man, by the end of the 1st half we had a clear winner. The excitement and surprise that this young team was able to bring to a "boring" game called football made me really miss the sport for the first time in years (I used to play as keeper in our high school's football team, but it was just for a short time). Honestly, I never really missed football, not until I watched the Germans massacre the Socceroos. That's when I became a Die National Mannschaft fan. I was hooked.

The Germans went on to dominate the 2010 World Cup, and were quickly gaining fans as they beat favorites England (4-1) and Argentina (4-0). Although they lost one game to Serbia (and I honestly think that was a fluke), they sent many star players home. Australia's Cahill, England's Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard, with their coach Capello, plus Argentina's Messi, Tevez, Higuain, with their coach Maradona all have a lot of reflecting to do until Brazil 2014.

After beating World Cup favorites England and Argentina, Germany faced Spain in the semi-finals. It was a highly anticipated match, because as the days went by, these two teams were being considered the best teams in the tournament. Spain won that match 1-nil. Seemed that the German counter attack was not mature enough to dominate Spain's ball possession play. I have to say, the Spaniards had a great strategy, and this match was more of a mind game than anything else. It was obvious that the Germans were holding something back, maybe it was fear or maybe the "counter attack" strategy was just not good enough to win against the Spaniards, who knows? One thing was obvious though, they got played. It was a different German team, not the one who dominated their previous matches.

Oh, the pain. I had become attached to Die National Mannschaft. After celebrating their brilliant play in their previous matches, I was heartbroken. When Carles Puyol of Spain, scored that bullet header goal, it literally felt like a bullet. Right through the heart! 


The Spaniards were sent to the finals against Netherlands, and the Germans went on to play for the 3rd place match against Uruguay, their final game. It was clear what the German and Uruguayan teams had to do - play to their heart's extent; third is still third. Both teams picked up the pieces of their broken hearts, and played what I think was the best game in the tournament. The score itself tells you, Ger 3 - 2 Uru. It was a rollercoaster of emotions as the Germans took the lead in the 1st half, the Uruguayans fought back and took the lead at the beginning of the 2nd half, and the Germans finished the game with two more goals towards the final whistle (one goal at the 83rd minute!). Even the last minute of the game almost gave me a heart attack, as a free kick was awarded to Diego Forlan (The man who single-handedly brought Uruguay to the semi-finals, and this year's Golden Ball awardee), giving Uruguay the chance to extend the game into extra time with a possible equalizer. But alas, and luck for the Germans drove the Jabulani ball to hit the top goal post, and the game was over. Germany took 3rd place, which was not bad. Not bad a at all.


I've been analyzing why I was so attracted to the German team. No, it wasn't because I had a crush on one of the players (my crush is the COACH! Joachim Lowe... sigh!). Honestly, the Germans could not hold a candle against the Spaniards in the crush-worthy department (Casillas, Ramos, Villa, Xavi, Torres, damn those sexy Spaniards). The simplest reason why I like them so much is because they exceeded expectations, with their young, unknown players, who turned out to be very talented and always gave us an exciting game to watch (my favorites are Oezil, Mueller, Schweinsteiger and Klose: although he's not that young anymore). I kind of drew a connection between this team and myself, being young literally, and in the industry, always trying to impress my superiors (who are considerably older than I am), sometimes being put down by older and more seasoned industry players, blah blah blah. It's corny, but it's true.

They say this was the Spaniards' world cup, and I have to say, well played. Along with the sudden shot to fame of the German psychic octopus, Paul, this would have to be the most dramatic world cup I have ever followed. So, congratulations and Viva Espana! As for Gernany, they will be back stronger and better than ever... and I will still be cheering for them for sure.


Crazy no. 2


July 1st was my 28th birthday. I had a joint birthday party with my friends Martha (June 29th) and Jam (July 2nd). It was our birthday weekend, and it was the Germany vs. Argentina game. So we had a World Cup themed Birthday Party.

Crazy, crazy, crazy.

Exhibit A

 

Exhibit B

  

Exhibit C

 

Oh, how I love birthdays. I especially loved this one because I got to spend it with friends I have not seen in a long time. Can't wait for next year!

Crazy no. 3

This month I have four projects. Two photoshoots (one done last weekend, one to be held this weekend), and two TVC shoots (both done). Work has been work, but fulfilling, and I have got some fine additions (if I do say so myself) to my portfolio. That's crazy enough for me.

Crazy no. 4

  

Parting note: I know I said I'm going to blog about season enders for this and the next few blog posts, but I will get to that later on. I just felt this was a more interesting entry to post. 'Til next time, my lovelies! Peace!

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

Roadgasmic... and the night I felt like a drunken college chick

 

Last night, we held an event for one of our clients. The image you see above is our invite for the event. It was my first time to be the writer for an activity like this. I'm really more used to traditional advertising (TVCs, Radio Commercials, Print). 

So I wrote the script and some other things. That was fine. One thing I never expected though was the HUGE PRESSURE that I'd get come crunch time. In the planning stages, no one really told me what I actually had to do when event day comes, probably because they knew I'd get nervous and almost black out. 

The thing is... when you are the writer, the script is yours. Everyone will be following whatever you say, because you made it and by the time you're done with it you've already mastered how everything will go. Having said that, when event day comes... Who's to brief everyone with their lines and the entire program flow? Who's to talk to the host and explain everything to him? Yup, that was ME.

One well-known fact about me: I shake uncontrollably when I get stage fright. Okay, technically I didn't really go on stage, but a huge weight was dropped on my shoulder so that counts. Needless to say, before everything started, I was a nervous shaking wreck! It's very noticeable and funny to look at, that all my friends laugh at me whenever it happens. No worries, I just laugh along... it's hard not to.

So, before the program kicked off, what I did was... went straight to the bar, took about 5 shots of different alcoholic drinks! What's funny is that the host, Mr. Rovilson Fernandez of the Amazing Race Asia fame, (who I LOVE... but more on that later) seemed a little nervous too, so we took the shots together. The shots helped a lot. It calmed me and gave me a devil-may-care attitude. "F*** this, let's just get this over with!". I kept thinking that, as they say, sometimes the best things happen when something goes off the rail.

To cut to the chase, all went superb... It definitely helped that I had a host as quick-witted and charming as Rovilson, because when he felt he needed to (especially when something did not go as it was originally planned), he did a great great adlib (he's a writer too, and that helped A LOT)! I stayed backstage the whole time, feeding him the lines, writing on the cue cards... (btw, even my handwriting was shaky) so I didn't really see what was happening on stage and how the crowd reacted to the program. But everything went so well (based on my co-workers' observations), and the guests seemed to be really enjoying themselves.

When the program ended, and by the time our entertainer was doing their closing number, PARA AKONG NABUNUTAN NG TINIK. I was relieved! So I got out and went to the bar again and DRANK LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW. Iba-iba... Halo-halo! I got home drunk as a skunk and embarrassed myself in front of a lot of people. I won't go into details anymore. Partly because it was so unlikely of me, and also because I don't even remember what happened.

About Rovilson, yeah I said it... I love him! He's an amazing host, and actually helped me a lot too by giving me tips on how things can go smoother. Although I didn't tell him, I could tell that he sensed I was new to this sort of thing. I didn't tell him that that was my first time, because I didn't want to make him more nervous than how he already was. Also, I didn't want to look like an idiot. So now, I'm campaigning for him to be an endorser for any client we have that would take him. I'm serious. I love the guy!

 

Kawasaki "BAH" TVC30s

Presenting... 

One of the fruits of our labor for the 1st quarter of 2010.

Kawasaki "Buhay Ang Hanapbuhay" TVC30s
Director: Raymond Red
Producer: Cookie Littaua
Agency: Well Advertising



And... another thing I wanted to share.

We did not make the next one below, but I wish we did. This is what I call "goose-bump worthy". It's exactly the kind of thing that inspires me to do good at my job.



Say it with me... GENIUS.

Pain is Beauty, and Beauty's a Pain

Disclaimer: Specifics may have been changed, not affecting the outcome of this story. This is to protect the author from losing her job.

 
Know what I hate? 

(a little side note: I've always "disliked" using the word HATE, but this is an exception)


I absolutely HATE generic, template commercials. I just HATE them with every ounce of passion I could muster. One example? Beauty products! All the same old same old shampoo and skincare ads with the same... MESTIZA LOOKING GIRL WHO IN THE NEAR FUTURE WILL GET A CONTRACT WITH ABS-CBN OR GMA... LONG SHINY HAIR WITH NOT A STRAND OF HAIR OUT OF PLACE... SILKY, CREAMY, FLAWLESS, AND YOUNGER-LOOKING SKIN IN 24 HOURS... CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENTS... Ayayay! Everyone's just doing and saying the same thing! I know I sound like a self-righteous, angsty, goth teenager with no friends, but this is really how I feel! Must we conform to the same old ad template every single time??? Look, I'm not saying I'm not guilty of creating such template ads... as they say, there's a reason why the "formulas" are so popular. What I'm only saying is, I don't like creating such ads! It's sickening!


But, wait... there's more!

Guess who's pitching for a beauty product account and is now writing a beauty product commercial? (Clue: we have the same hair color and length! She also has a pesky mole right smack on the bridge of her nose, which many tell her is her lucky charm.)


Well, I know this writer very well. She will make it different! She will not conform! Down with the templates! (unless the client wants a template ad, and in that case... it's not the writer's fault, my dear friends.)


Here's a lesson I've learned these past few days: don't blame the writer!

Principles? Shminciples!

Happy New Year, Happy New Career!

Ok yeah it's a little bit too early for new year festivities. It's not even December yet.


Oh come on, just let me let it out. I just can't hold it in anymore. Lately, my friends often catch me being a little too quiet one minute, then suddenly bursting with "I can't wait for this year to end!" the next minute. When asked why, I usually answer with "nothing!". 

Well, obviously, this is not "nothing". This is definitely "something". For me, at least.


Here's the reason for my recent mood swings: A big change concerning my career will come to pass this January 2010. So, will you, please, repeat after me: Happy New Year! Happy New Career!



Thank you.

The nature of both my current and future jobs does not allow me to reveal too many specifics, so forgive me if sometimes I sound a bit too cryptic in my blog posts. We're all very secretive in this industry. We even talk to each other in our own secret code language, e.g. "The eagle flies at midnight!", "The circus elephant is in the rabbit hole.", "Mr. L is in the building.". (To be honest, I kinda like it. Not that anyone cares that I have a secret or anything)

So, these are the only things I can say for now:
1. I will still work in the same industry.
2. I will still work for the same company.
3. I will finally walk the long, winding, and utterly fulfilling road to my dream career.


I was not the type who always knew what I wanted to be when I grow up. At 7, i wanted to be a doctor. At 10, I wanted to be a scientist (really, until after a few years when I realized that to be a scientist you have to actually be good in science). So at 12, I wanted to be a lawyer, because everyone else wanted to be a lawyer. At 16, I wanted to be a fashion designer (from lawyer to fashion designer, where did that come from?). 

Then, I graduated high school. Then, I was in college, that time in our lives when we're supposed to begin the long walk to our future careers. That was the time when we're supposed to be able to already envision ourselves doing whatever it is we were destined to do. So what about me? Doctor Iza? Scientist Iza? Atty. Iza? Fashion designer Iza?



I was starting to get anxious. What am I supposed to do with my life???



In the midst of all that soul-searching, I began to write. I wrote my thoughts, I wrote letters, I wrote stories, I wrote poetry. When I was happy, I wrote. When I was sad, I wrote. When I was pissed, damn it, I wrote! I wrote at night until I fell asleep. Next morning, I wake up still holding the pen I was writing with the night before (I kid you not, this happened A LOT). Every ounce of passion I had in me was dedicated to writing, and it was all I ever really enjoyed doing (aside from reading, for one cannot live without the other).



That was how I finally discovered who I want to be. I don't know why it never occured to me before. It woke me up like ice-cold water thrown at my face (but in a good way). Eureka! I want to be a writer! I was probably about 20-21 y.o. when I discovered this... and unlike my childhood dream jobs, I haven't changed my mind since.


Then I got into advertising. It's been a little over 2 years since I started working in this industry. I've done some creative writing tasks, here and there, but I have yet to call myself a copywriter. That was until just a few months ago, when I saw an opportunity... and damn it, I took it!

Starting January 2010, I will fully enter the creative world. I am now being mentored by one of the most idolized and brilliant creative minds in Philippine Advertising. I am very lucky and grateful for this opportunity. It's overwhelming and terrifying at the same time. Kind of like the feeling of being in luuuuuurve.

It's a risk, alright... but it's a good risk. What are we supposed to do with good risks? I say just close our eyes, let our instincts guide us, and take that proverbial leap!

So here's to next year... and the next... and the next... and the next! Wish me luck, my friends!

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On other news... 

Congratulations to Mr. Efren Penaflorida, for being named 2009 CNN Hero Of The Year. Efren started a "pushcart classroom" to bring education to less-fortunate children in our country. 

It's people like you, sir, that make me proud to be a Filipino. Mabuhay ka!

"Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry," Peñaflorida said upon accepting the honor. "Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need."

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/11/16/cnnheroes.tribute.show/index.html

Watch the video to see Efren accept this great honor.

Ascof "Usapang Natural" TVC30s

Below is our new TVC for Ascof Lagundi Cough Syrup entitled, "Usapang Natural". I am super proud of this. =)
Kudos to direk Robbie Dinglasan for a job well done!