Orange Pixie Girl presents...

Move along to The Roadless Travellers.

2011-05-29T16:10:00.003+08:00

Moving on to my new home on the web.

Visit The Roadless Travellers for more musings on travel, design and food.

The oddest things just seem to happen with cab drivers

2008-06-02T23:40:00.003+08:00

Cabbies are a fascinating lot. When they're not ranting about the government, they dispense the oddest things to make your commute more entertaining than the latest reality programme on the telly.

My top 10 cab-ride experiences:

Getting prayed over en route to a client meeting. Driver found out I was from the Philippines, assumed I was Catholic (I am, but not really) and proceeded to pray over me for the rest of the ride. An awkward 20 minutes, which by Singaporean standards, is loooong.
Hearing the driver sing along to a song about "your batuta" (policeman's nightstick) and some other phallic fruits on my way back from a meeting in Quezon City.
Being given blessings by a nice old cabbie to find a nice Singaporean man to "make me happy" during my first trip to Singapore.
Receiving shopping tips whilst I was in Bangkok for focus groups. The slightly effeminate driver excitedly told me about how cheap everything was in this city. So I should buy myself a few things, especially their women.
Arguing with them over my nationality. Gaddemit, I am Pinoy!
Getting a free ride after I offered to pay seventy Pesos in coins for my trip from Ateneo to Makati in 1998.
Hearing stories from cab drivers from Singapore about their adventures in the Philippines. It's actually a bit embarrassing to admit that they have explored our country more than I have. Their stories about Palawan and Quiapo are always the most interesting, I find.
Being taught how to speak in Bahasa Indonesia. Saya mau makan!
Getting cooking tips (turnips can make your soup sweeter!)
Having your mobile phone returned after you lost it in their cab.

Broken Social Scene at the Mosaic Music Festival

2008-05-14T13:01:00.000+08:00

Why I didn't have my camera with me is a mistake I'd rather forget. But BSS@MMF is a blast!

Aia de Leon (Imago) helped open the show with 7/4 (Shoreline). Dancing in her bright-coloured leotards, it was hard to miss her energetic presence onstage. Predictably, they sang Lover's Pit and Fire Eye'd Boy. Not that I'm complaining. With no Feist in the line up that night, Swimmers wasn't sung. Boo.

A few friends came over to Singapore and it was nice having a slice of Manila for a few days. We feasted on bbq chicken wings, grilled sting ray, char kway teow, and all the Kickapoo Joy Juice one can drink. With the frequent influx of visitors to Casa Borromeo, we hardly feel out of touch with the goings-on back home. We still get copies of friends' latest albums, bottles of Cheez Whiz (yummy processed cheese that we can't seem to find in Singapore!), and other MSG-laden goodies a few times each year.

I love how events like these just compel people to travel just to experience it. Can't wait for the next big gig and I wonder who else will be coming to Singapore this year. Radiohead? DCFC?

Surreal in Manila

2008-05-01T19:16:00.008+08:00

After moving to Singapore, travelling has been reduced to a minimum (no more MNL-SIN-JKT lagare). Most of the meetings now happen here, which suits me fine (I'm terribly enjoying cocooning at home with the hubby, Xbox360, PS3 and Wii in tow).

When I was told that we had to be in Manila for a few days, I was both excited and slightly thrown off at the thought of taking a work-related trip in reverse. It meant seeing family, friends, ex-colleagues, and perhaps sneaking in a much-needed visit to the salon vs. exploring a new city with pasalubong in tow.

I felt lightheaded as we wove our way through rush hour traffic towards the Makati CBD. Whether it was the early flight we had to take or simply being home for a few days left me disoriented. The jams I cursed each day are suddenly an alien experience.

Moving between our client's office and the temporary HQ that is my old agency, I didn't even have to make myself remember where things were. But the rhythm that my body remembered felt distant and temporary - it's like being there but not really. You don't have the luxury of having a beer run at 6pm, an indulgent lunch at Apt 1B, or sharing a hearty dinner with the folks after work. Weekends are not spent lazily browsing at Fully Booked or enjoying a plateful of pasta at Cibo.

And for the first time, it hit me.

I don't come home to Manila anymore.

Once you go black (sheep), you can't go back.

2008-04-10T22:34:00.006+08:00

I am thrilled.

In a few days I am off to start a new job at an agency that I never thought I'd be working in. And it's not because I didn't want to.

The agency had a tough reputation for strategic planning. It leaves you intimidated and unnerved. And I was feeling unnerved and intimidated. Even the office gives off a similar vibe. The receiving area has a few white tables and chairs scattered about, and a lush, red "tunnel" leads you to the work area. No lobby or receptionist here. Unless you've got your contact's number, you will feel lost and a wee bit unwelcome (then again, maybe that's the intent).

It's another leap I'm taking that I'll gladly take the plunge for. My comfort zone needs mucking up, and this one guarantees just that.

Pico.

2008-03-27T23:00:00.005+08:00

We just adopted my cousin's mum-in-law's four month old puppy. J, who is visiting Singapore with his wife knew how much of a sucker I was for mutts. The puppy had no where to go - he'll be either put up for adoption at SPCA or sent off to Indonesia with the wife's brother, who travels quite a lot for work.

It was a long drive from our place to the East Coast. I remember bringing along a towel, still uncertain whether we were going to go home with him that night. But the moment we saw him, we knew that he belonged with us.

We went home feeling good that night. G and I hardly spoke, just smiling and peeking into the towel we ended us using after all. The warm bundle sat on my lap, curiously sniffing me. He seemed at ease.

The house will be a little more messy, tinged doggy smells and some chewed up shoes. And perhaps 10x happier.

The view from the balcony

2008-02-03T00:28:00.000+08:00

We love this bit about our place.

An extended room where peace settles in at night.

Pseudo candle-lit dinner dates.

Saturday brunch with adobo flakes and feta cheese.

Wet laundry hung out to dry.

And early morning secret meets.

big, red office.

2008-01-31T20:17:00.002+08:00

It's been about three weeks since I started work and I am slowly trying to get used to the non-noise in the office. I was telling a few of the guys back in Manila how I found it a bit odd to have the same agency, albeit in different locations could feel so unlike each other.

I'm guessing it's the bigness (300+ staff!) and maybe culture, but really, there's still no place like home. :-)

The stuff I miss at the 15th & 9th floors, and the whole Salcedo block:

9am breakkie with Pepper (adobo flakes, garlic rice and malasadong itlog)
brainstorm/yosi breaks with the Creatives
Apartment 1B
squeezing Gabi's udders
scavenging for snacks in the afternoon
our pantry lady
cheap beers
napping at Tina's office after spending stressful all-nighters
a triple, grande caramel macchiato from Ryan, my favourite Starbucks barista
chika at various parts of the day
watching the yayas walk the dogs around the park on my way home

Now if I could only replicate at least half of what's on this list, I can say that the Manila-fication of Singaflor has begun.

Balcony scribblings, 8-something in the evening.

Aches in places I've forgotten

2008-01-27T21:28:00.003+08:00

I've started training again.

It's been two years since I was last in a roda. Work got in the way of my going to class and often, I'm just too exhausted to even brave the traffic to get to it.

Moving to Singapore meant a chance at rekindling my interrupted love affair, sans the excuses (I'm keeping my fingers crossed). So train I did.

The morning after just left me stiff all over. But I felt good nonetheless. I needed that; the achy reminder of a relationship I begun and cut abruptly. A friend once asked how sore you can get from doing capoeira. Just enough that you can't even sit on the toilet to pee.

Check out the Association of Capoeira Argola, under the tutelage of Mestre Ousado. Classes at The Substation, Aremenian St. (weekends only)

the leap.

2008-01-25T22:05:00.001+08:00

You never realise how big an impact a move could do until you find yourself feeling lost and disoriented even when things are pretty settled already.

I came to Singapore with a job waiting for me, a lovely place my husband thoughtfully fixed up, and friends I am fortunate to have met as a result of my frequent travel to the country.

The months leading up to the move was all a blur. I was still heavily involved in accounts that didn't seem to want to let go (bitaw na kasi, eh!), and I had no idea how I was going to manage organising the event in December.

But these things never wait, I guess. And you're forced to confront it, whether you're ready or not. It takes courage to say good-bye to friends and loved ones, and even more courage to embrace new ones.

Kitchen accident #1

2008-01-22T23:16:00.001+08:00

My parents, especially my mother would freak out over an entry like this. As the perpetual klutz, I am hardly left to discover my inner Julia Childs in the kitchen, lest I end up grinding my fingers into sausage.

After getting married, I learnt that I am quite adept at whipping out hearty meals from recipes I remembered from memory. My husband has woefully complained about the quality of meals we have at home ("You're making me fat!" he would whine), and I would retaliate by offering to buy muesli for breakfast the next time we head out to the grocery.

Good meals notwithstanding, I am still quite the clumsy girl, who's slowly learning to use gloves to peel the yams (one scratching episode is more than enough, thank you), keeping an extra set of glasses (breaking two in a week is a tad too much), and wielding the knife well enough to avoid shaving off too many fingernails.

diyoskohpo, mashaket

what happens when you daydream while grating cheese

Shower-proofing my thumb, one Tuesday evening

on the third day...

2008-01-10T18:57:00.001+08:00

...the Planner walks into a wall.

Ouch. Black-eyed P.

A post-script to a long evening

2007-12-22T02:27:00.000+08:00

'What ifs' seem to be a recurring theme in my life. As much as I dislike indulging in thoughts that ultimately will result to nothing (kaya nga what if, eh), I can't seem to avoid triggers that send me off in that direction.

The sad thing about the 'what ifs' in my head is that they're all actually quite logical and plausible. It's usually just a matter of being at the wrong place/wrong time, with the wrong guy (haha).

But fate does smile on star-crossed misfits sometimes, and I found myself in a rather unusual situation where I was forced to look at a what if straight in the eye.

And then you suddenly just know that it's time to let go. It was, as you succinctly put it, how our story was going to end. It's nice to know that happy endings do exist even for what ifs. :-)

Buzzed thrice in one night (a series of Christmas parties)

2007-12-20T22:40:00.000+08:00

It's been a long December and free drinks are always welcome respite. But hopping from one place to another around the Makati-Taguig area can be an absolute nightmare, one that I surprisingly braved that night.

So from the yummy lechon (roast suckling pig) at the Liquid Post party at Mile Long, to the all night drinking at Porcelain, a quick drive to "Ladies Night" at saGuijo and back to more drinking and lechon at Liquid Post more than made up for the madness of end 2007.

We finally did.

2007-12-12T03:02:00.000+08:00

saGuijo café, dec. 12. photo by dan gil.

NU Rock Awards 2007

2007-12-05T12:51:00.000+08:00

Screw the curfew. Hail Boni Day!

After the half-assed takeover at The Pen and the government's media overkill, I was looking forward to just having beers, watching a few bands, and catching up with old friends. I successfully did all.

20 years, and still counting!

Rep. RA "Mark" Rivera

Ely and the DJs.

Backstage photo ops.

Hilera, Best New Artist.

Red Horse Extra Strong Beer, the night's sponsor.

Raimund works the crowd.

Pitch in the time of Trillanes.

2007-12-02T21:04:00.000+08:00

I've been meaning to write this entry but never really found the time to do so (what else is new?). I was caught up in week-long pitch preparations and it's been one of the most grueling pitches I've been on because (1) I just came back from Singapore and had to catch up on the work; and (2) it was a major must-win one. The pressure was both regional and local in nature but whichever way you look at it, I was fortunate enough to have experienced some form of mentoring from P, our regional planning director, who's been stewarding brands for this account for five years.

Pitch day didn't start out promising. The weather was terrible and we had a pretty good chance of getting rained (or flooded in). D, our group account director was already checking with the client if they would like to have the pitch over at the office (their office was located in an area that transforms itself into the Pasig River whenever it poured).

Ever the optimist, I felt good. Despite some last minute birthing pains and with only five hours of sleep had in two days, I was pretty wired (must have been the mugfuls of coffee I drank like water that entire week). The presentation went well, clients were laughing with us and seemed to enjoy the whole thing. They loved the strategy, and the work was fun and straightforward. Of course, whilst all this was happening, unbeknownst to us, Sen. Trillanes and his band of renegade soldiers walked out of his hearing and marched on Ayala towards The Peninsula (talk about a PR nightmare!). The regional clients were billeted at The Pen and I'm not sure if they actually sat through the other agency's presentation that afternoon.

Sen. Trillanes had my sympathy during the Oakwood mutiny (never mind that I wasn't able to celebrate my birthday in 2003 as a result of their takeover) because he came across as a young, idealistic solider who was earnest to expose corruption in the government. He was elected to the Senate without the same political machinery as most running officials have, a sign that people were looking for new faces in government that they could trust. Unfortunately, it is an opportunity and privilege that he misused. Pucha naman, you could have made all the changes in the world as a senator, and you pulled off the same, cheap old trick?

I went home that day dazed and satiated from the delicious, well-deserved lunch that our team leisurely enjoyed. I slept on the couch with the television on, unmindful of the updates about the revolt. When I woke up, the President has declared a curfew and the media covering the event were arrested.

Naghihintay sa susunod na kabanata. Alas-nuwebe ng gabi, Maynila.

Sigh.

2007-11-24T21:54:00.000+08:00

Miserable weekend. Sigh.

New Singaflor addy.

2007-11-15T16:02:00.000+08:00

Great success! (as Borat would say.)

After two days of house-hunting, we finally got the place we wanted! Andy Quek, our agent from Orange Tee is great to work with. If you're looking to relocate to Singapore, do check them out.

Lurvely. Can't wait to move. Name plate at the entrance, Moonstone Residences.

How tough it is.

2007-11-14T23:02:00.000+08:00

We have just found a place that we knew was going to be 'home' for the next two years. It felt right the moment we stepped in the room. G was elated, muttering I really like this, eto na yon (this is it!) over and over. I tried to hide my excitement, thinking that it might compromise our ability to haggle for a better deal.

It was really difficult not to get all animated about it. The place is really lovely. It had a nice light and airy feel to it, and it didn’t hurt that we were getting a three-bedroom flat for the price of a one-bedroom in the city. The kitchen is also cosy and intuitively laid out. We also had modern baths with a tub to boot.

But what really caught my eye was the balcony beside the living area. It overlooked the river and had an unobstructed view of the city. A, our agent said that our location was more “neighbourhood” – small mum and pop eateries, bike shops, and other businesses surrounded the area, which we immediately liked because it gave the place more personality and a peek into what normal Singapore life is like.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed that all the background checks and other requirements get processed smoothly. It’s hard to fall in love with something only to realise that you can’t have it. Oh, the stress of it all! I hope we get it!

2007-11-11T02:46:00.000+08:00

This is it! This week is going to be a trial run of how married life is going to be. I’m more excited than anxious. Things are finally falling into place.

sleepless in Manila, 2am.

Random top tens.

2007-10-28T18:31:00.000+08:00

It's something I just like having in my head, and it tends to change along with my mood, and sometimes with what I'm eating, reading, or listening to. But the theme remains the same.

A top 10 list for today.

Slow mornings with pressed coffee
Exploring Kinokuniya whilst plugged to my iPod
Discovering new sites or blogs on design
Hubby smells. Post-shower. Early morning. Prepping for a night out.
Anti-amats food at 4am.
Walking on the beach whilst the sun is rising
Eating roadside in Thailand and Vietnam
Polaroids and Lomo.
Great advertising.
Getting hold of a new video game to get addicted to.

Beautiful and sensous. Lust, Caution.

2007-10-27T17:19:00.000+08:00

Lust, Caution is a gorgeous film. With wartime Shanghai as a backdrop for this seductive espionage, Ang Lee masterfully brought Eileen Chang's short story, Se, Jei to life.

Wong Chia Chi (Tang Wei), student and aspiring thespian is recruited to help assassinate Mr. Yee (Tony Leung), a ranking official and Japanese collaborator. The relationship between Mak Tai Tai (the transformed Wong Chia Chi) and Mr. Yee is intense yet restrained. You can't help but be drawn into it, like a voyeur. The sex is erotic and sad, and that's the same pervading feeling you get throughout Lust, Caution.

We were lucky to have caught the movie in its entirety, knowing how ultra-conservative and moralistic the MTRCB can get. Try to catch it whilst you still can. It's one of those movies that deserve to be seen on the big screen, unless you have a 42-inch LCD flat screen TV and home-theatre system, then maybe you can just wait for the DVD to come out in case you miss it.

Lust, Caution (Se jie), 2007
Starring: Tony Leung, Tang Wei, Joan Chen, Wang Lee Hom
Directed by: Ang Lee

Mount ano raw? A lesson in naming mountains.

2007-10-26T15:44:00.000+08:00

I've seen unusual names for mountains, hills, and other elevated areas, but reading this made me nearly choke on my banana.

Mt. Clitoris. Formerly known as Mount Mogao, it is conical in shape and stands proudly over 3 villages. Considered sacred; appears serene and solemn at dusk or dawn. (Things to Do and see in Mountain Province, WOW Philippines website)

Funny what things you run into whilst researching to write a creative brief. :-)

Catching up.

2007-10-16T00:11:00.000+08:00

Just my luck. In the two months that I haven't been blogging, a lot of things have happened. And now I have to find the time to write about all of them.

I miss blogging. *sigh*

Solo living.

2007-08-12T09:11:00.000+08:00

When I made the decision to live on my own, I already knew what to expect from rejecting the cushy, well-appointed life that I had come to known in the last 29 or so years. More than facing practical concerns, I now had to confront a kind of listlessness that long, quiet evenings brought me.

I now had time and privacy that I have always longed for. It’s the kind that made you feel like you finally own your life. It’s just me, and 42 sq. metres of concrete space where anything I say, goes.

The feeling is both liberating and alienating, I realised. I welcomed exercising control over how my day is going to go, without regard for anything at all; but there were also evenings when I only have music, books, and a Macbook for company.

It was no longer about deciding whether to have cottage cheese for breakfast (vs. a hearty Filipino one) or keeping tabs of the week’s expenses.

Solo living became the fastest way I ushered myself into adulthood. More than heartaches and heartbreaks, the wisdom you gain from sudden displacement forces you to make more deliberate choices towards a future that I never thought about (planning six months ahead already feels too distant).

Whilst there’s suddenly a humble appreciation for the things you had and let go of, the level of introspection you achieve and the pride of having real independence make it all worthwhile.

X5 Drive.

2007-06-16T16:40:00.000+08:00

The last time I woke up at five in the morning was to catch an early flight to the beach. Other than that, dragging my lazy bum for a work-related activity at that time of day is close to impossible. But when the invite came for the agency to test drive the new BMW X5 one Saturday morning, I didn’t think twice about saying ‘yes’ (but I did enjoy whining about the ungodly call time with the boys).

After the product briefing, we were asked to evaluate the X5 and compare it with a Mercedes M-Class. Hands down, the X5 was a much better SAV - design, features, engineering. I was sorely disappointed that it didn’t come with an iPod dock. Yes, there was an audio jack provided, but who would want to have all those cables snaking about and ruining the sleek interiors? But since I can’t afford the X5 (at least not yet, haha), this little criticism is irrelevant.

Driving the X5 is a dream. Going through the Ramirez brothers’ exercises with it was exhilarating. It was just nice pushing a machine that’s as responsive as a BMW.

I’ve always been told that I drive like a guy – aggressive, arrogant, and careless. Whilst the years have mellowed me considerably, just getting behind the wheel of the X5 and be allowed to push it hard put the maniac back on the seat.

Jason, one of our art directors and my buddy for the day, and I decided to document the experience. Using his digital camera as a camcorder, we shot a crude footage of our ride. It’s probably the worst-edited video of a BMW drive (haha, loko lang Jason!) but the campy rock track and cheesy video effects make it a fun memento of how we spent a day with the new BMW X5.

Nothing says 'succulent' like Chili Crab!

2007-06-11T19:50:00.000+08:00

I love crab.

I enjoy it steamed, stir fried, sautéed, mixed into omelettes, moulded into crabcakes, and made into nice, steamy soup.

Visits to Singapore means taking the time out to pay homage at Jumbo Restaurant. We always head out to the East Coast for this eating smorgasbord because there's really nothing like enjoying it al fresco. Fingers coated with slippery spices make for better finger-licking than fried chicken any day.

Yesss! Chili crabs! Best with buns.

Cereal shrimp eater. The nth piece!

The aftermath. Dinner for six consumed by three.

Visit Jumbo Restaurant at East Coast Parkway #01-07/08, East Coast Seafood Centre. T. +65 6442-3435, dinner only from 5pm to 12mn.

A lesson on exorcising demons.

2007-05-30T01:42:00.000+08:00

There's always that lingering thing at the back of your head; the voices that never stay quiet even if you shush it to death.

It was something I should have rid myself of three years ago. But the 'what ifs' nagged me, and it did so a long time.

Tonight, I found myself confronting it, inadvertently at first. As the evening wore on, I knew that I had no reason to feel reluctant for moving on, for having chosen where I wanted to be, and where this experience belongs in my life.

Mulling over things mulled before. Home, one-something in the morning.

Anti-climactic.

2007-05-29T00:10:00.000+08:00

I finally saw the season ender of Heroes and I am disappointed. I checked the forums (geek!) and people did feel a bit gypped by it. Episode 20 (Five Years Gone) is still the best episode in the series so far. I'm just glad I got lots of books to keep me company until Season 2 comes around.

Favourite travel buddy.

2007-05-26T19:51:00.000+08:00

Because even ordinary things like riding a bus feels like an adventure. Because we feast on Chili crabs like it were our last day on Earth. Because we see more of the city when we explore it on foot (despite my frequent directional dyslexia). Because we don't mind reading quietly in a coffee shop corner. Because we share the same level of excitement whether we go to Kinokuniya or Ikea. Because it always feels natural to be together no matter which part of the world we find ourselves in.

Our nth attempt to get the bus thing down pat.

Japanese buffet heaven.

2007-05-24T20:30:00.000+08:00

Bliss. I was on my fourth plate yet I was still at it like someone who hasn't been fed for a month. Located at the third floor of Suntec City Mall, Kuishin-Bo is a Japanese restaurant that offers a smorgasbord of items on their buffet table. More than the variety, I love the quality of food they put out. I seriously overdosed on salmon sashimi and the yakitori. Sarap, sarap. =)

My starter plate.

A how-to-gorge-yourself-shamelessly guide.

Damn, that sucked.

2007-05-23T01:30:00.000+08:00

Action-packed, yes. Surreal, Dali-like encounter with stone crabs, yes. Captain Jack Sparrow in a John Malkovich like monologue, yes. Best cameo appearance by a rockstar, yes. A good sequel? Unfortunately, no. I found the latest instalment of Pirates of the Caribbean too long with too many convoluted story lines. Sao Feng, Chow Yun-Fat's character was potentially the most interesting new character in the series. Unfortunately, he got killed off unglamorously early on. What a waste. Tsk.

Good thing the theatre at the Cineleisure Orchard was pretty good. I was able to catch the trailer of Transformers and Ratatouille, which for me, was better than having to sit through three hours of Pirates. Sayang. The experience of such a nice movie place got lost on a less than impressive attempt to milk the Pirates franchise for all it's worth.

Ugly food.

2007-05-23T00:05:00.000+08:00

After a tour of the office, we stopped by for quick morning coffee at Starbucks, conveniently located at the ground floor of Ogilvy Centre.

Being the Starbuko whore that I am, I enjoy checking out their food items in every country I go to, just to find out what they carry differently.

This is just too amusing not to share.

Pangit ka, pangit! Ugly chicken puff.

May mas papangit pa pala. Uglier curry puff (with chicken)

Libreng breakfast at Starbucks, Ogilvy Centre, Robinson Rd.

What's left of Cubao X.

2007-05-19T10:22:00.000+08:00

There's not much to see there now. Except maybe for the Vintage Pop Store (which was closed when we came). Bespoke has been replaced by an ihaw-ihaw restaurant called Alan's Grill. And Pablo feels lonely and abandoned. What the heck happened? A friend said that the reason why so many of the tenants left was because they raised the rent in the area. There are still a few stores that are trying to keep the spirit alive, but it's depressing knowing that it'll only be a matter of time before it all disappears.

Puwede, puwede, puwede! DIY newspaper.

The last of the few stands you'll find in the area that's just so Cubao.

transformers final theatrical trailer!

2007-05-18T17:35:00.000+08:00

Ang asteeeg niya! I've been catching bits and pieces of media and other information leading to the July 4 showing. I can't wait! :-)

Thanks for sharing, papa Nair.

Go geek out at the Transformers Live blog and official movie site.

Success!

2007-05-17T11:52:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was the first time I led a pitch presentation. And for a must-win account at that. I felt sick to my stomach en route to the client's office, and the butterflies reached their crescendo as the elevator doors opened to the 23F of 6750. I've been in more than my fair share of pitches, and it's never an easy thing. But I do get a euphoria working on new biz because it's a different challenge all the time.

We spent a good deal of Tuesday afternoon to streamline the thinking, so we could present the argument that the client will find difficult to refuse. It helps to know what kind of audience you're presenting to, and I am fortunate to be working with my boss who has had extensive industry experience.

That evening (until the wee hours of the morning) found me, our account director, and our creatives turning the Planning area into one giant tambayan with food, yosi (uh-oh), and all kinds of beverages strewn about. It reminded me of the times I procrastinated on philo papers way back in college.

It was a tough two weeks leading to the presentation because there were other things happening all at the same time. I was also in the middle of reworking a regional brand strategy for six markets, which admittedly, had me on my toes for the last three weeks. There were also other planning requirements for a new food account we just got. Talk about one stressful month!

Today, we were told that we just won the account. (Yahoo!!!!)

Sulit lahat ng pagod at puyat. :-)

Thanks Papa Rands, TinaCos, Sarsikoh, Anne "conflict" Ganda, Baby G, Jason "what's your MOOd" Drilon, AJ d' interactive guru, roxstar Isa, Pocoy (d' cow), and all the laughing boys and gels of RedWorks. :-)

I live for travel.

2007-05-13T16:03:00.000+08:00

There's always something melancholic about watching the sun set from your window seat.

I made a promise to myself to take at least one foreign trip and three local ones every year. Travel for me is cathartic; it is the only time I am able to write freely, reflect on what I've done in the past twenty-nine years or so, and get excited like silly over what the future holds.

Work has consumed most of my time lately, delaying a much-needed move to my flat and adding to my inability to hit the pavement consistently among other things (the heat has just been terrible, and yes, it is a good excuse, and no, I'd rather not be like a hamster on a treadmill at the gym).

I have a break (finally!) coming up in a couple of days and I am looking forward to another cultural immersion. I never quite enjoy the touristy things; I am more thrilled discovering the locals' "secrets" and exploring the path that's usually never on the prescribed map. I am lucky to have friends from all over; friends who are more than willing to show me around and point me to where I can have my fill of art, culture, food, and bargains.

If I play my cards right, my first "creative" travel project will debut in Q4. :-)

Butas! Ang aking paboritong air-cool pants.

2007-05-07T20:22:00.000+08:00

It had to take our pantry lady to tell me that my butt has been peeking out from a hole in my pants.

"Miss Ei, may butas yung pantalon niyo," she said while bending over to take a better look.

"Ha?" I said, immediately reaching behind to feel up the object in question she was talking about.

Yari. It was a thumb-sized hole that has turned me into a pseudo-exhibitionist the entire day. The hole was big enough to flash part of my undies and butt cheek to unsuspecting pedestrians.

It was impossible not to notice, yet no one bothered to tell me. Salamat ha. Nabosohan na siguro ako nung buong building. Grrrr.

But more than having an embarrassing situation to deal with, this little incident made me realise that I really need to replace some of my clothes that have been hanging around my closet for years. The last article of clothing I got was a dress from Topshop. And that was months ago. Time to join the frenzied world of female shopping.

Boo hoo hoo. No more Pandora in Manila.

2007-05-03T13:35:00.000+08:00

I've been receiving updates on the status of some international licensing agreements on Pandora, and unfortunately, they had to suspend access from outside the U.S. Pandora helps you "discover new music you'll love" by mapping out the musical DNA of songs, artists, etc. I've created a Jimi Hendrix "channel" that led me to other artist that I would have never thought I'd pick out.

When you visit the site now (if you're not from the U.S.), this is what you'll get. Boohoohoo.

Dear Pandora Visitor,

We are deeply, deeply sorry to say that due to licensing constraints, we can no longer allow access to Pandora for most listeners located outside of the U.S. We will continue to work diligently to realize the vision of a truly global Pandora, but for the time being we are required to restrict its use. We are very sad to have to do this, but there is no other alternative.

We believe that you are in Philippines (your IP address appears to be 000.000.000.000). If you believe we have made a mistake, we apologize and ask that you please contact us at pandora-support@pandora.com

If you are a paid subscriber, please contact us at pandora-support@pandora.com and we will issue a pro-rated refund to the credit card you used to sign up. If you have been using Pandora, we will keep a record of your existing stations and bookmarked artists and songs, so that when we are able to launch in your country, they will be waiting for you.

We will be notifying listeners as licensing agreements are established in individual countries. If you would like to be notified by email when Pandora is available in your country, please enter your email address below. The pace of global licensing is hard to predict, but we have the ultimate goal of being able to offer our service everywhere.

We share your disappointment and greatly appreciate your understanding.

Sincerely,

(signed)

Tim Westergren
Founder

Motel advertising, anyone?

2007-04-24T13:58:00.000+08:00

Whilst looking for references to share with a correspondent from Media Magazine, I chanced upon a couple of unexpected clips from YouTube. Nevermind that the Jonel's brief TVC was one of the ads I found whilst looking for advertising targeted to men, finding a commercial for one of the country's motels was just too funny not to share.

Apparently, Victoria Court, a motel famous for it's iconic shhh-ing lady, did a few ads. I started laughing my head off when I saw the crispy pata (roasted pork knuckles) because this is stereotypical of motel food along with pancit canton (lo mein).

It's not the most interesting commercial I've seen for a hospitality brand, but it is quite insightful. The proposition? The luxury of privacy.

Of course I watched it.

Love Moon - Anion Sanitary Napkin

2007-04-16T12:19:00.000+08:00

"Ingrish" at its best. Anion sanitary napkins.

Mystery Manny, one of our CRM analysts dropped by the Planning area eager to share his "discovery," a pack of napkins that his wife was able to acquire during her trips. I found the packaging interesting because it was matte, instead of the usual plastic wraps that most feminine care products use. One side of the pack had a short explanation of "benefits." I have copied it verbatim here.

According to the testing result by China chemical woven product quality center for textile industry, the average anion concentration in “Monthly Loving” Anion Sanitary Napkin and panty liner has reached to 5800 per cm3, 2 obvious function can be seen:
Inside the cunt, anion can promote the exchange of biological enzyme; enhance material with acid to uplift self-curing and immunity for human body.
In sanitary napkin, the anion chip can instantly absorb blood or leucorrhea, refresh and comfortable, odor can be controlled.

And that's not all. It comes with a free gift called the "Lady Vagina self-test paper (patented product)." It is a gift card that tests the "before and after effects and processing positioning analysis for the health of the genitals."

Winner diba? I can't get over how you can successfully swipe your keps to test it pre-product use and post. Medyo bloody mary lang naman ang drama nitetch.

The only thing I think that's interesting from a brand POV is actually their tagline which reads "a healthy lady is more beautiful." Oo nga naman. There's something there.

Fastfood freak.

2007-04-14T20:41:00.000+08:00

I'm a fan of fastfood in a disgustingly big way. I have no qualms checking into the nearest KFC, indulging in a 2-pc Chicken Joy meal from Jollibee, or going for a Quarter Pounder (with cheese, of course!) at McDonald's.

When I saw Super Size Me a few years ago, it made me more self-aware of the things I stuff in my mouth. I had to say baboosh to salty fries and double beef patties if I wanted to live healthier. I gave up ciggies too but decided to keep beer in my repertoire of beverages (I don't want to live that long).

Lately, work has gotten in the way of eating healthy. I look forward to 5pm trips to get a burger (yes, I want fries with that) and a soda because I know I'll be putting in an extra hour or three again. It might be just me, but I really think a Quarterpounder tastes much better when eaten late in the afternoon.

It wasn't long before the guilt got to me. I spent Monday running around Salcedo and Legazpi to sweat off the week's grease binge. It felt good to hit the pavement again and I swore off eating at fast food joints for a while. Unfortunately, my oral fixation went back and a ciggie was hanging by my lip end Friday. So much for eating healthy.

Milk was never this excting - the new Got Milk? campaign by GS&P

2007-04-05T13:51:00.000+08:00

I heard about this from Simon Law's blog and was automatically drawn to it (being the gaming geek that I am). I have always been a huge fan of the got milk? campaign (sponsored by the California Milk Processor Board) for their offbeat approach to advertising. As far as I could remember, it was never boring, often intriguing, and talked about milk in a different way (our local dairy manufacturers are light years away from coming up with something as engaging as this).

Get The Glass paints a world without milk and the last glass has been kept under lock and key. You get to play the Adachi Family, a milk-deficient clan who have become fugitives from having attempted to break into the fort where the milk is kept.

The game visuals are stunning (the site takes a while to load, but when it does, prepare for HD-like quality - quite impressive for an online game). Some screenshots below.

Does (the lack of) milk cause insanity?

Explore and then play. The backdrop for this engaging online board game.

Introducing the Adachi Family.

Iron Vines, one of the interactive games from the site.

How's this for viral? Get a friend to bail you out of the Milkatraz.

Stuart Elliot's In Advertising, an column for the New York Times, has this to say about the campaign:

"From the beginning, the concept has been the same: to demonstrate the effects of being deprived of one of the most plentiful products around, to remind people how much milk means to them."

With such a straightforward objective, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners simply worked their magic to make the proposition a very refreshing and engaging one. Cheers!

It's their loss, and every book lover's gain.

2007-03-31T21:34:00.000+08:00

I've been hearing rumours about the possibility of Fully Booked moving out of Power Plant because they're being pressured to pay extra for maximising the use of their current rental at the third floor of the mall (is that the reason why there's a National Bookstore there now?). They currently occupy the third level where this food/entertainment area used to be, and they built a few levels inside to make the best use of space. I was told that the mall people were getting greedy and wanted to charge for the extra space as well.

Fully Booked is the only book store worth visiting in the Philippines (don't even compare it to Powerbooks, please), and I believe its presence in Rockwell ups the value of the place several times over (I'm sure "Manila's fashionable" reads too).

When I first found out about the possibility of them moving out of Makati (I work there, and will soon reside there as well), I was horrified. As in, OA to death horrified. The closest Fully Booked would be, where, Mall of Asia? Eh ang liit nun compared to Rockwell.

I'm just glad we found this one weekend hanging out at Boni High Street.

"Five stories, one destination."

Such bliss! Wish list: lounge areas.

Deep, skin clean. Neutrogena site is finally up.

2007-03-29T11:35:00.000+08:00

It's still odd seeing your face on a public domain - not like photos in galleries or friends' Multiply sites. I guess I can never get used to being seen as a commodity.

Will it be my claim to fame? I certainly hope not.

Insane, the boy is insane.

2007-03-28T19:05:00.000+08:00

Inspired by an actual conversation that actually happened. But edited in my head.

Me: Why are you so angry, AJ?

Aj: Huh? Me, angry? Who said I was angry?

Me: Those mad brush strokes, it's a sign of aggression. Such angry paintings.

Aj: I like it, it's cool. And it's not angry...

Me: Baka tigang ka lang...

Aj: 'Tado. Bibili ka ba o hindi...

2paperset

4paperset

untitled02

untitled, 6x3ft

Aj Dimarucot is a 31-year old graphic artist based in Manila, Philippines. He belongs to a growing group of contemporary artists that have blurred the boundaries between art and design. Aj has been part of group exhibits in Manila, Canada, and has held his first solo show in 2006. His works have been been published in books in the U.K. and Australia. They've been featured in several local magazines and international websites as well.

Aj's works can be found on furniture, shirts, pins, cellphones, and street walls. Naturally, he has now delved into the world of painting and shows a lot of promise. His initial works have focused on an intense and spontaneous approach reminiscent of action and gestural painting—where the resulting work emphasizes the physical act of painting itself. This is apparent in the lush texture of randomly chosen words, painted layer upon layer of each other. They are written in a calligraphic manner using industrial paints, spray paints, and pen markers, similar to how street artists leave their 'tags' or marks on walls and buildings.

More on Aj at www.collision-theory.com

Award! Winners from the Asia Pacific Advertising Festival 2007

2007-03-26T16:35:00.000+08:00

"Awaaard! Awaaaaard!!!"

We let out a raucous cheer at Apartment 1B, the neighbourhood café that's fast becoming a favourite hangout by ahensiya people. O&M Manila received four awards (and one finalist nod) out of the eight entries from the Philippines and we decided to celebrate with a few drinks (open bar until, what time was that again?) and pica-pica (winner din ang quesadillas and pizza on flaky-pastry crust).

Here's what the fuss was all about:

Philippine Daily Inquirer, "Volcanic Ash"
Bronze, Outdoor

Pond's Anti-Bacterial Facial Wash, "Pores"
Gold, Outdoor

Other entries from the Philippines:

Bronze - Outdoor, Ogilvy & Mather, "Spill," Huggies Dry Comfort Diapers
Bronze - Outdoor, Ogilvy & Mather, "Land Rover," DHL (Philippines)
Finalist - Outdoor, BBDO-Guerrero Ortega, "Thermometer," WWF
Finalist - Outdoor, Ogilvy & Mater, "Curtain," Pond's Anti-bacterial Facial Wash
Finalist - Film, DDB DM9 JaymeSyfu, "Bathing," Public Service announcement
Finalist - Radio, TBWA/Santiago Mangada Puno, "Beegees," Caramba Hot Sauce
Finalist - Print, Y&R Philippines, "Piglets," Concordia Children's Services
Best Use of Illustration, Print, JWT Manila, "Cat Fantasies," Philippine Animal Welfare Society

Visit the Adfest 2007 site here.

What I'm reading now - Hoopla (CP+B)

2007-03-23T18:19:00.000+08:00

I've always been fascinated by Crispin Porter + Bogusky even before I got into advertising. Working as an account planner for Ogilvy, I've used work from CP+B as a reference to many presentations and "think pieces" along with what we've done in the agency.

This book is all about CP+B. And there's a bit (quite a bit) on the Mini Cooper campaign. And Subservient Chicken. And Ikea.

Going through the book is like playing voyeur at someone else's agency (and that urge is stronger when you've just lost a pitch, hehe). Hoopla actually feels a bit self-serving, but what the heck, it's still trippy good fun for a weekend read.

Surprise! The cover is abrasive, to collect DNA samples should you want yourself cloned by your great grandkids in the future.

Doing the L to R bit. The BMW Art Car Collection.

2007-03-10T19:08:00.000+08:00

Who would have thought? Really?

When the BMW Art Cars were scheduled to do their international tour in 2007, I didn't expect them to include the Philippines in their itinerary. Whether it meant that we were selling a significant number of Beamers to merit a stopover from these "rolling sculptures" or not, I'm just glad to see them parked at the Ayala Museum for the entire month of March.

Our first L to R. Haha.

Guess who looks uncomfortable in this photo?

I adore Andy Warhol, but I must say I like Frank Stella's work on the car more. The miniature replicas feature the 11 other cars in the collection and are for sale through the museum. I heard that it would be selling for at least ten grand apiece.

320i, Roy Lichtenstein

M1, Andy Warhol

3.0 CSL, Frank Stella

M3, Ken Done

Catch the BMW Art Car Collection at The Ayala Museum. March 3 to April 1. The Museum is located at Greenbelt Park, Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Makati City, Philippines. Open from 9 am to 6 pm Tuesdays to Fridays, and 10 am to 7 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, please call (632) 757-7117 to 21.

My first chick lit.

2007-03-09T14:07:00.000+08:00

The nice thing about having an Account Planner for a boss is that gifts you receive are always thoughtful and insightful. I still remember receiving Agent Provacateur lip and nipple balms (aptly called Titillation) for Christmas. Hehe.

One of her despedida gifts she left me was a book from the founder of TangoDiva.com, Teresa Rodriguez Williamson. The 50 Best Places on Earth for a Girl to Travel Alone has got me thinking of well, doing solo travel to Prague (which I've always wanted to go to since I read Milan Kundera's Unbearable Lightness of Being), Machu Picchu, and Amsterdam. I never imagined any of these places fit to travel solo (unlike Singapore where the worst thing that could probably happen to you is numb your tongue from eating fishhead curry). All I need to do now is find a way to fund my trips.

A reprieve from pitch work.

2007-03-08T18:10:00.000+08:00

I just came from a rather gruelling pitch (the weeks leading up to it are never pretty) and I'm just glad to have a bit of nooneenoo time catching up on stuff. But I'm an advertising geek. And I don't mind when my breaks from work are consumed by it. Good ads are memorable and entertaining; I'd choose this over checking my mail any day.

Revisiting fantastic work by Wieden + Kennedy for ESPN's World Cup TV spots. It still gives me goosebumps to this day.

365 happiness touchpoints.

2007-03-08T15:15:00.000+08:00

Today, I receive an email from a colleague in KL who's moving on to another agency in the region. I've had the pleasure of meeting G in Singapore, when all the SEA planners went for training. I remember texting a friend saying, "puwejas na ito," when asked if there were any cute planners in the region. Hehe.

To mark his passage, he sends us a deck with his "proposed amendment to 360." My initial thought was, puta, aalis na nga lang, trabaho pa iniwan. Tsk. Instead, he leaves us his happiness touch points for each day of the year.

Here are some of my favourite touch points.

Everything starts off from be happy because today you celebrate ...

Working better in Starbucks than at the office
Real cocoa (No, not Milo)
Eating with your hands
Doing something beautiful and being the only one on earth who knows about it
Polaroid
That little fart no one will notice (and you could just not hold)
Not taking things for granted
Hugging
The smell of the sea before you actually see it
Second chances

Symphony of the snores.

2007-03-08T00:37:00.000+08:00

It is late. And I am sleepy as hell.

We're working on last-minute pitch materials for tomorrow's presentation and I've decided to bring stuff home because it's insane to stay in the office with the renovation going on.

One of our suits sent me a message saying that the manifesto video is ready for review. It's a 10MB file and I'm on crapshoot dialup. Because I can't open more than one browser window (well, maybe except for this one), there's nothing else to do but wait for it to finish.

And that's when I heard it. A soft snoring from underneath the sofa, and another one, slowly building up to a crescendo beside my feet. And as if on cue, the sofa snorer creates his own rumbling rhythm in an attempt to match the slightly higher snorts of the foot warmer.

There's something quite amusing about hearing two warm bodies deep in their sleep, oblvious to the lazy tap-tapping I'm making on my keyboard. It's entertainment I can afford to have at one in the morning. I'm just thankful they're not sleeping in my room tonight.

WWF World Heritage Expeditions

2007-03-05T09:51:00.000+08:00

An opportunity to travel, take photographs, and save the world.

I have a copy of the e-brochure. Drop me a line if you're interested. :-)

WWF World Heritage Expeditions
2007 Summer Season – The Sulu Sea

To keep Tubbataha Reef alive and well managed, we have to raise the funds needed to operate its management office and ranger station.

For several years now, scuba divers have paid the user fees that helped pay for Tubbataha’s expenses. But, this has never been enough.

The World Heritage Expeditions were designed by WWF, with expert advice from ecotourism outfitter, Anton Carag, to create an exciting package that will open up the Cagayancillo micro-archipelago and Tubbataha Reef to non-divers for the first time ever. The goal is to show commercial tour operators that a non-diver package can be a terrific product. The hope is that, with the support of such tour groups, Tubbataha Reef will raise sufficient funds each year to pay for itself. When nature pays, nature stays.

Excerpts from a gift.

2007-03-04T19:46:00.000+08:00

He’s a wonderfully thoughtful man, although I don’t think he even realises it. Just a few weeks ago, he surprised me with a small project he’s been working on. It was a ‘tribute’ to my many ‘faces’ – expressions he said, that range from goofy, the lost-in-thought-kind, or ones that have a bit too much to drink.

Just yesterday, whilst rummaging through old CDs to organise and label, I came across another gift he gave early last year. We’ve just come from a very trying time in our lives, and we were doing our best to get things back on track. This one was a pledge from him – the things he saw in us that hinted at a good life together, and how we should never take each other for granted.

I’ve made him terribly cheesy, you see. And he’s done the same to me.

I believe that the best gift people could give each other is having a good sense of who they are as individuals, and enriching each others’ lives with what they bring into the relationship.

So whether I am manyak misis, his muse, or him as my co-conspirator, or fellow geek today, all I know is that we’re growing and evolving as different wholes (not halves) and are happily sharing all the possibilities that go with spending life together.

A party and a towing incident. Not fun to have in one night.

2007-02-16T01:30:00.000+08:00

It was a rather full day to begin with and I was just looking forward to drinks in the evening. I had my hands full preparing pitch materials - "thought starters" and a few briefs to share with our regional planning director who was in town for his country visit (I hope he hasn't regretted dropping by, after being made to ingest ox balls that night…).

Our drinks would be coming from the Adobo anniversary party which was held at Fiamma (Adobo Magazine is a Philippines publication on the advertising industry and brand communications). Other than the promise of “overflowing” drinks, there’s going to be a “culinary remix of adobo” by Chef Rolando Laudico (Bistro Filipino), Chef Pol Poblador (Kusina Salud), Chef Ed Quimson (Delimondo), Chef Melissa Sison (Mr. Rockefeller), and Lydia Go (“food-styling queen”).

I left the office past seven thirty with some of our accounts guys. Crisela wanted to change into a party-appropriate outfit so we made a quick stop at her flat along Aguirre. Cindy didn’t want to be early for the party and that was reason enough for her to tag along. We were also planning to tour Bunny’s place, which was in the same building as Crisela’s.

Because my feet were hurting from being in three-inch heels the entire day, I changed into my todo worn-out driving slippers when I went down. How old and ratty were these tsinelas? They’re five years old, washed a few times, and terribly frayed from my dogs’ chewing.

An hour later, we went back to the car, only to discover it missing. The tell-tale chalk scribbling on the sidewalk was your only clue that those bastards from JJVS struck again.

Me: “Oh my gad, where’s my car?!”

Me, one second later: “Oh my gad, yung sapatos ko!!!”

I turned ditz in zero to one second.

Good thing Bunny hasn’t sped off and was able to bring us to Yakal St. where all the cars towed in Makati are brought in. I was fuming, pissed, and my ditzy side rearing its ugly head. (Eh paano ako maghi-hysteria na ganito suot ko? How can you take anyone seriously in a dress and ratty tsinelas?)

The funny thing was, when I got there, I saw Nandy (an industry colleague and one of McCann’s top guns) who was with his folks and Poptart. Apparently, his mom's car got towed as well.

Because it was past eight in the evening when I parked, I had no idea what my violation was. My car was in the proper slot, I wasn’t in front of a fire hydrant, nor was I blocking a pedestrian crossing.

According to my “Notice of Apprehension” under “others,” I was parked “against the traffic violation of counterflow.”

I was parked on a two-way street. And this was the first time I’m hearing this. I demanded to see the law that imposed this, and all this jerk from the impounding site told me was that “Eto o, andito lahat.” It was a dubious-looking sheet that supposedly lists down traffic violations.

(I have searched the Internet (including the LTO, MMDA, and Makati City websites), asked the Makati City Hall, and consulted a law expert regarding these traffic codes. Finding information to help you understand our laws is like extracting an insight from a client.

I am making it a personal quest to get hold of this “magic” paper and share it to drivers in the area. May this help decrease the number of hapless victims that JJVS has milked for money.)

An Afternoon at Charley's.

2007-02-04T14:48:00.000+08:00

A bunch of foodies, a road trip to Batangas, and the promise of a sumptuous meal. That was how the day was going to be like. And it turned out to be much better than that. The weather was perfect – nice and sunny, and there was still the lingering cold in the air. Not nippy, but balmy.

The ahensiya carpool was rearing its competitive head (feeling Amazing Race). We were the only ones who didn’t get lost en route to Malvar, which was the municipality where Charley’s was at. Hehe.

Driving up to the house...

... and greeted by a few horses on the lawn. (Di man lang aso.)

While waiting for everyone else to arrive, we had a short tour of the premises, which found us at the horses' stables. Who would have thought that horsey breaths smell ten times worse than my pug's laway?

Hee, hee. Kundi ka lang cute...

Retreating back to the house, we started the course with a light tomato-potato soup garnished with basil.The starter was a steamed seafood custard that was just so tasty, Gino and I shared another serving later during the meal. We were served two entrées - a pan-seared mahi mahi with tomato farcie; and the Batangas beef stewed in rosemary and wine which we had with rice pilaf.

For the piece de resistance, we had Crêpe Suzette, which Popit, our resident chef, prepared in front of us. Cold glasses of lemon grass iced tea made a refreshing accompaniment to the meal, and it reminded me of trips to Thailand.

A nice, hearty table to hold hungry guests.

Mmmm. Steamed seafood custard.

A delight to eat. Pan-seared mahi mahi and tomato farcie.

Savoury. 'Angas beef stewed in rosemary and wine.

Tarragon tea. Aids digestion.

The secret to the Crêpe Suzette? Gran Matador Brandy.

Shazam! Always fun to watch the flames.

The baby is not the next meal.

We had a tour of the estate after our long meal, which was also a good thing because we needed to walk off all the food we ate. A trip to the stables (again), guest houses, the viewing decks, as well as the herb garden (yes, they were all good herb) were just some of the places we were shown.

Charley, gracious hostess.

Driving to the south was definitely a welcome change. More than the call of food, there was something about leaving Manila for the greens of Batangas. Before we left, there were already talks of the next foodie trip to some places in Luzon. Can't wait.

Interested in booking your own trip to Charley's? Call 0917-8931938 or 813-6658 for reservations. To get there, take the South Luzon Expressway to Exit 50 (Batangas). Take the route until you reach the Star Tollway. Exit at Bulihan/Malvar. This is where it gets tricky. Make a left immediately after exiting the tollway to Malvar. At the end, take a right (Ayala) and continue on until you see Balete Drive (also known as Gov. F. Leviste Highway).

Shutterbug.

2007-01-28T18:31:00.000+08:00

Whenever I can, I bring my Canon EOS 350D everywhere. It's the most well-travelled companion I have, maybe next to a pair of worn-out Havaianas. I have been known to be oblivious (more than the usual, I guess) when I have a camera with me. Like that time I almost got run over because I was too busy studying and art directing a street sign. Uh-huh.

Such a funny bottle of wine.

This way to S.F.

Overstaying guests?

View from the (slightly cramped) passenger's seat.

View from the top.

Dawn.

2007-01-22T18:19:00.000+08:00

This one's for those who think sunrises rock as hard as sunsets.

One nippy, San Francisco morning.

The King still rocks.

2007-01-19T12:45:00.000+08:00

Even at 81, the man can still bring the house down. I was lucky to catch the one-night only show at the Kodak Theatre.

Paying homage to the great Mr. King

I was there! Still giddy even after.

Solo Anonymity

2007-01-18T18:50:00.000+08:00

Travelling alone has its perks, and one of it is being able to while your time away, like reading and having coffee without the pressures of having to go back at work right away.

I walked to the nearest Starbucks after letting the dogs go about their morning business. I was in a state of paranoia after Zach (an adorable Welsh Corgi) and Schatzi (a jittery, six-year old Dachshund) ate all the berries en route to their grassy toilet. (I found out later that night that the berries weren’t poisonous pala.

It’s funny how Starbucks has become a home away from home. Imagine wanting a bowl of tinola (an Ilocano soup-based dish made with chicken and wedges of green papaya and pepper leaves) in India because you’re looking for comfort food. Starbucks has become the only constant thing in any place you travel to.

With a grande Cinnamon Dolce Latte (when are we having this in Manila?) and Jon Steel’s new book (a must read!), I read four hours into the afternoon, forgetting about lunch and the laundry I wasn’t able to take out from the dryer.

The view from above.

2007-01-15T15:05:00.000+08:00

I'm not a big fan of window seats. I'd rather sit near the aisle where it's more convenient to go to the loo when you have to. But because my travel agent forgot to reserve my seats (again!), there's nothing else you can do but to enjoy the show.

Mula 'Pinas hanggang Amerika.

Airport Nomad

2007-01-14T10:31:00.000+08:00

Airports can be such cold, inhospitable places.

Before you even get to your destination, you’ve been frisked, scanned, undressed, and tagged. I wonder if airport personnel realise how much difference a smile could make to weary global trotters. Immigration officers are the most sungit of the bunch but if they’ll continue to ask me “Are you here to study?” every time I enter their country, all’s forgiven.

I haven’t travelled much to be considered a jetsetter but I have been to more than a few airports around the world. I love Changi (Singapore) the most. It’s my default gateway to almost everywhere (because I often fly SQ) and it offers pretty much all the creature comforts I crave when I’m away from home – like free Internet access, a transit hotel (book two weeks ahead!), Watsons (suki for toiletries I thought I still have but used up na pala from a previous trip), clean toilets, and Fuzion for refreshing pick-me-uppers. Believe me, you’ll think this is heaven-sent when you’re waiting for a connecting flight at four in the morning. Shopping is also quite good, especially for last-minute pasalubong that looks like it didn’t come from a Duty Free (read: afterthought).

Another solo passenger.

I started writing this entry while waiting for my flight to Los Angeles. I didn’t realise how a ten-hour wait could feel this painstakingly long. Despite all the amenities available to me, it didn’t take away the restlessness of having to deal with a limited iPod battery, a book I’ve finished on the plane, and not having a comfortable and warm-enough place to nap without someone waking me up.

To Terminals 1 and 2...

and back.

The airport security guards were already eyeing me warily as I made my way to Terminals 1 and 2 and back and again. It was a futile attempt at keeping warm and I gave up an hour later. I found a spot near a few kababayans where hearing them speak in Tagalog relaxed me instantly.

So much for creature comforts.

Watch this space.

2007-01-12T09:58:00.000+08:00

Twelve days in California meant a two-week hiatus from blogging. But vacations are a funny thing, in such a way that there's actually more time for thoughts to swirl in your head. This includes airport meanderings, global citizenship, uber-consumerism, advertising in America, a not-so-Joy Luck Club moment, and the joy of roller coasters.

Sifting through hundreds of photos and Post-it notes should take a while, so watch this space for updates. :-)

Freezing in transit.

2006-12-28T03:53:00.000+08:00

It's four in the morning at Changi Airport, Singapore and I am waiting for my connecting flight to Los Angeles. I got semi-booted out by an Indian couple from occupying the seats I was unsuccessfully napping on at the Skyplex area. A quick survey revealed that I wasn't the only one sprawled unglamourously on a seat or two. I just had to look like the "nice" one, I guess.

My green, velvet hoodie isn't keeping me warm at all. I am thinking of passing by the Nike shop to get myself another jacket when they finally open. Except for the Duty Free outlets and food stalls, that's all that's available at this time of day.

Still, I can't complain. It's better than getting stuck at the NAIA for at least four hours. Not fun at all.

Sleepless in Singapore, Changi Airport, 4:05 AM

Maybe in an alternate universe. Maybe.

2006-12-26T20:06:00.000+08:00

Those who know me would know why we found this past issue of FHM Singapore extremely amusing. Hehe.

A pondersome month and a few musings on independence.

2006-12-23T22:11:00.000+08:00

An odd month deserves a lot of thought.

It’s been a financially challenging year for me, one that has brought in luck to get some personal dreams going and at the same time, opportunities that, when taken haphazardly, can be one of the worst mistakes you’ll ever commit.

The latter part of the year saw me almost making the jump to another advertising agency, one that has made built a reputation for creative awards. Another ahensiya approached me, hoping that my multi-discipline background and “fresh” perspective can help develop their strategic planning group.

My attempt to look for more freelance writing and photography jobs led me to a possible career in publishing – as associate publisher for the top magazine in the country. I had to bring my ego back to earth. Pursuing it would mean making me the most powerful female in my male-dominated planet (You want behind-the-scenes, before Photoshop photos, you say?).

I decided to stay where I am.

It’s been a year of honouring commitments and learning what real responsibility meant. I realised that real independence wasn’t just about doing whatever you wanted. If you’ve rid yourself of having to run to your folks every time you don’t have money to pay for rent or to pull you out of some dumb jam because you weren’t sober enough from a night of partying, then let’s talk.

To more than 10 years of (bus) friendship.

2006-12-19T13:47:00.000+08:00

Our carpool began some 11 eleven years ago when I was just a college frosh. Having lived in the South (where water is limited and you have to pay for toll to get there), it was difficult to find people who went to the same school, much less, drove all the way to Katipunan to study.

Miko's settling in Chicago broke our trio with Nur. Now that he's back for a quick holiday visit (sans the ring, tsk, tsk), we decided to get everyone together for dinner. The last time he was here, Fort Bonifacio was still under development.

I was a bit embarrassed to have suggested for us to dine at Guava, a new restaurant at the 1st level of the Serendra Complex at the Fort Bonifacio. A friend mentioned that their concept was interesting - guava was the inspiration for most of the dishes served.

The service was horrible and the food was so-so. We ordered spiced itik (duck), binagoongan (pork stewed in shrimp paste), Pininoy foie gras (fake foie gras! shame! shame!), monggonisa (monggo soup with two pieces of longganisa, a kind of sausage), and the pritchon from the bar, 3 measly pieces for P185. Sigh. I'll go to Sentro any day. If this was their take on modern Pinoy cuisine, I am severely disappointed.

Not so hot about Guava. Buti na lang you're pretty.

Doing the touristy bit.

Waiting for the food. Waiting...

Yihee moment. Haha.

M&M.

Reminiscing.

She's scarier if you put a fork in her other hand.

Bad food and service aside, Serendra was a good location for a long-overdue reunion of sorts. We weren't quite able to get everyone to come (including an ex-boyfriend), but the people who mattered were there to toast guava juice.

Bong, brownies and booze.

2006-12-15T12:13:00.000+08:00

If your boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands and wives knew what goes on here, you'd be horrified too. Hehe. More photos to be uploaded on Flickr. Soon. And oh, what happens in Alabang, stays in Alabang. :-)

An early start with beer.

You've got to have style.

Promoted to DJ status.

L to R-ing with Angel, Elly, Gretchen & Frank

Bong! Bong! Bong! Bong!

Pouring Cuervo like wine.

Guess who's still sober?

Jump in if you want to wake up.

Does this count as lessie action?

Mamamo endorsing a different bottle.

The Tolits Fans Club

Japs was responsible for hunting down the "dry" folk. Ayan tuloy.

Other photo credits: Alnair | Ledh

Get some Glo in your soul. The Los Politico shirts from Collision Theory.

2006-12-13T17:02:00.000+08:00

Got the SoulGlo shirt for my buddy boy. I would have gotten one for myself except that they come in big boy sizes. When are the girlie tees coming, AJ?

Reach him at +63 917-8403938 | ajd [at] collision-theory.com

Soul sistah! Here, she's cool.

Erapenstein, grrrr.

Also available at Pablo Gallery. Store schedule: Wednesdays to Saturdays, 4-9PM, Marikina Shoe Expo, Cubao.

The Honest Corner.

2006-12-12T18:24:00.000+08:00

It's always been there, outside the Starbucks store we frequent. I've often wondered why there was no manong (street hawker) to receive payment or man the little kiosk.

I discovered why a few days ago. I made sure I had my camera with me, just in case it disappears.

*If you can't read what's written, the copy on the curled part of the paper says "honesty lang pls." (just pay for what you take)

Bravado, is it?

2006-12-07T14:45:00.000+08:00

I just sent out my resume to TBWA|London.

All because of this.

Bahala na si Batman.

Slogans, schmogans. The obsession with personalised advertising messages.

2006-12-06T20:33:00.000+08:00

It's 830 in the evening and I'm still at work, responding to a regional enquiry on whether "my" should be appended to the brand name and to its slogan. A quick review of previous and existing communications materials did indeed show how my and your are haphazardly used to make things seem, well, more personal. Ugh. Like that would really help.

I found a blog article on what seems to be a trend in personalising advertising messages. Read it here. I also stumbled across another interesting entry from a blog on "names, brands, writing, and the quirks of the English Language" by Nancy Friedman. Her list of "generator" sites (which she also got from another blog) is just too funny. Especially this one on brand names.

The cure to a long-weekend hangover is candy.

2006-12-04T17:02:00.000+08:00

It's only Monday, and we're all tired. Whilst the long weekend was meant to recharge us, I think it made people a bit lethargic instead.

Thank goodness for the toe-curling, sugary goodness of yema (egg yolk-based sweets).

Pretty, sugary treats!

No work desk should be without it.

That wasn't so bad. A visit to the SM Mall of Asia (finally!)

2006-12-01T16:04:00.000+08:00

After much orchestration, we finally trooped over to the SM Mall of Asia one early Friday just to see what the hype was all about. Said to be the third largest mall in the world (and the largest in Asia), MOA had its filled-to-the-rafters moment when it first opened. Every curious Juan from all corners of the metropolis, including the neighbouring provinces seem to want to see what this concrete giant had to offer.

"Lahat ng tao andiyan. You get your tsinelas crowd and your Greenbelt-going mall denizen all in one roof," said one client. (Expect to see a mix of people from all walks of life.)

"Ingat sa mga Pasay panks," said one friend, who apparently disliked the threat to his security.

Huge. Photo from www.yugatech.com

The steel globe fronting the mall. Photo from www.yugatech.com

Built on 148 acres of reclaimed land, the mall has around 4.3 million square feet of floor space. And that's a lot of space to accommodate people, which was the primary reason why we were a bit hesitant to check it out. With Christmas around the corner, our patience for mall crowds runs thin.

But surprise, surprise. It was a breeze to park inside the mall's indoor parking area (we were there by 10AM). I just wish they gave out plastic parking tickets instead of paper, because, one, it's easy to lose a small piece of paper (it looked like a receipt), and second, it's not very friendly to the environment.

A quick brunch at Jatujak, an authentic Thai restaurant found on the second level of the mall, immediately scored the mall brownie points with us.

Jatujak. Thai Food. Thai Ice Coffee.

Grilled squid, good for two.

You can't not have tom yam kung.

Going, going, gone!

I was expecting a claustrophobic SM Megamall experience, after all, they're owned by the same developer. The indoor perimeter consists of open spaces which eventually leads into the air-conditioned part of the mall. I like how you get a waft of the sea air when you're just walking outside. Having it by the bay is pretty cool, actually.

Haha! So Pinoy.

Guess which planner has a hang over?

A quick respite at Starbucks (there seems to be two of them in there) and we were off exploring again.

Other stores you can find here that's not anywhere else include the just-opened Marionnaud, Philosophy Men (yes, those are pekpek shorts for men, okay?), and a fantastic steak house called Highlands Steakhouse. The Motorola concept store is there as well. I'm just glad they finally have most of the phone models available for tinkering. Can we not have the plastic ones anymore? I don't think it helps. Really. My respondent said so.

MOA also has the country's first IMAX theatre, and an Olympic-sized skating rink that's ready for ice hockey action. We were thinking of getting some people together for a scrimmage soon. Maybe after we learn how to ice skate first.

Some tips to those who haven't been to MOA. Come early, especially if you're bringing a car. By the time we left at around two in the afternoon, there were only a few slots left in the indoor parking area. There's a lot of walking involved, so do wear comfortable shoes. It's not the size of Chatuchak, so get over those horror stories about it being soooo big. The toilets are still clean, but it's not Rockwell, so bring tissues. Right, Gino? Hehe.

We weren't able to exhaustively comb the mall, so we're all set to go for another round at Henry Sy's new commercial project. Especially while the hoopla of it being so crowded hasn't died down yet.

Procrastinating like a college student. Ah, the good old days!

2006-11-30T22:29:00.000+08:00

Today, I crammed two 2,000-word articles, both due by midnight. I wasn't too thrilled with my assignment for the month, except for the "notable sites to visit in 2007." I felt that the writing's been compromised for my "male audience." The magazine I'm writing for is another incarnate of the many male-targeted publications that's been hitting the newsstands as of late. According to my boss, the goal is to be "better than FHM." Alrighty, then. Maybe I should just use a nom de plume so I don't feel too bad.

It was a lovely wedding. Best wishes to Arvin and Erika.

2006-11-28T15:38:00.000+08:00

They finally tied the knot. It's nice to see a couple this happy with each other.

Thanks for keeping the booze flowing. I love the thoughtful pasta bundling. Yummy cupcakes from Sonja. Fantastic wedding planning by The 3rd Party.

Cheers!

*Grin* (Arvin looks like he just won a pitch.)

I don't think the confetti is environment-friendly.

You either come in pastel...

or grays. We can do a spread with these clothes.

L to R-ing outside the church.

And L to R-ing outside the pavilion.

Isn't it a little too early to be practicing with the bouquet?

Et tu, Crisela?

I don't know about this one...

The women of Ogilvy.

Pogi talaga ng boys namin.

And a bit of lesbo action going.

Isa pa.

Other photo credits go to Mae and Cindy. Thanks, guys.

Death on a street.

2006-11-27T14:22:00.000+08:00

A man just died right outside our building. Apparently, he had a heart attack while ferrying a passenger in his cab. It took more than thirty minutes for someone to offer medical assistance. From our office window, we could see a small crowd gathered around his unconscious body, a man desperately administering CPR on him. I sure hope they were doing it because they wanted to save his life and not done for show.

I watched with my forehead pressed against the glass. I had to walk away, because I felt an emotional outburst coming.

"Ang drama talaga ng streeet natin" an officemate quipped. The site of many rallys and demonstrations, it now has a sad fatality to add to its growing list of credentials.

Helpless from above.

Rock ng Republika.

2006-11-27T12:05:00.000+08:00

Except for the inclusion of Manila's 5 Loveliest Foundation, the event seems promising enough. Troop over to The Loft, Rockwell for a mid-long weekend fashion-music gig on December 2. Show starts at 7pm.

Things worth waiting for. A post script to the top 10 ten list.

2006-11-25T23:10:00.000+08:00

Yes, romps at 3AM count.

The other suggestion was a bit patronising.

So, no. :-)

Things worth waiting for. A top 10 list.

2006-11-24T09:22:00.000+08:00

I am a terribly, terribly impatient person. Instant gratification is fun, but never quite fulfilling. So what can a terribly, terribly impatient person who's not quite into instant gratifcation do?

Wait. And mull over a list she thought of in the shower.

Polaroid photos. I love how the images take a while to appear. It's like, magic, you know?
Peppermint Mocha, Starbucks. I'll be happy if you bring it at least twice a year. Please?
Love. The voice in my head said this list would need some cheese. I'd rather not be in a relationship than find myself in a bad one.
Radiohead's new album.
The right "browning" on a muffin. Baking is something I'm not good at. And I only like eating the top parts of muffins. This is a big deal.
Year-ender reports and compilations of "best of" things.
Pressed coffee. A morning ritual I will be looking forward to when I move to my new place.
A trip you've saved up for. Anticipation is part of the fun.
Staying up to watch the sun rise on the beach.
16 oz. steak grilled at Handlebar, Polaris St.

The new iPod Shuffle. I don't need you but you're really pretty.

2006-11-22T09:37:00.000+08:00

I just saw the iPod Shuffle ad ("Clip") on Creativity's AdCritic site. Great work from TBWA/Chiat/Day. Plus prolonged product exposure would make any client proud.

"Who's going to sing?" A trippy song from The Prototypes

Subscription is needed to view it on AdCritic. See it for free here.

Para sa 'yo, ang blog post na 'to.

2006-11-20T18:40:00.000+08:00

I'm not a big fan of boxing. To me, it's akin to cockfighting and letting dogs maul each other while people cruelly bet on the victor. But I'm willing to forgive today's match over national pride. A KO by the third round. Really awesome stuff.

News coverage of the fight gave varied response from people from different backgrounds, but all meant one thing: Filipinos were proud of Manny Pacquiao. Now if we could only hear the same thing said about our politicos.

Nike supports the Pacman. (Agency: Ogilvy & Mather)

Weekend domesticity.

2006-11-19T17:21:00.000+08:00

We found ourselves along Reposo (renamed N. Garcia) in search of tiles, lighting fixtures, and that one chair that will add character to my small living room. I've been to most of the home depots around the metro, and diligently kept my little black book of furnishings and suppliers.

LRI Business Plaza (across Alliance Française de Manille, a place where I took French classes many moons ago) is home to various furniture stores, designers, and art galleries. There are still a lot of empty spaces, but there are enough retailers to pick up things from. I particularly liked the items from Origins and The Room Upstairs, where we stopped for cold coffee and antipasto - a crostini plate with a paté dip (and something else).

Time stops here. The Room Upstairs.

Iced mocha and a generous serving of crostini.

A must-visit for some quiet time.

Further down the street is the Budji Living Showroom, where I saw a black tanguile chair that I really liked. I felt like a voyeur going through the shop, where immaculate displays of living space were shown.Unfortunately, I haven't been to his design showroom in Bangkok, which supposedly, is more expansive than the one here.

Active Global Sourcing, Inc . carries beautiful tiles in clean display shelves. Tiles stores tend to unglamourously stack their tiles on the floor or stick them on sloping walls. My general beef with home stores here is that they don't really have websites you can check out prior to shopping. I love browsing West Elm and Design*Sponge for inspiration. Now why can't we have something like that?

Cibo was our last stop after more home shopping. Gino finally got his Brabantia bread bin that he's been wanting since we saw one during wedding registry shopping for a friend. A light, split-everything-for-two dinner of soup, salad and sandwich was the best way to end the night.

Hot soup for two.

Weekend reads.

Someone enjoyed dinner more than the other.

post script: I spent Sunday splurging on goosedown pillows at Debenhams. I was lucky to find the last set on the rack. The sales lady told me that an old woman bought five sets the night before. That's around 15,000 bucks ($300) for 10 pillows. Wow.

I am a fan of the RA Rivera Fans Club.

2006-11-17T17:53:00.000+08:00

I met RA when I was still new to broadcasting and film. I didn't even know who he was, until he stepped inside the coffee shop where our meeting was. Oh. So that's him. You can't miss that mohawk. Definitely.

Norianians forever vs. RA Rivera Fans Club? Tough choice.

The Furball man has no fur.

All I Want for Christmas.

2006-11-15T18:53:00.000+08:00

When I lugged Gino's Xbox 360 from the Funan IT Mall a few months ago, I didn't realise how much I'm going to covet his system now. I've been putting off spending on new toys because I'm currently renovating my place. Instead of obsessing over a new MacBook Pro, I'm busy computing for the number of porcelain tile pieces I need for my floor. Talk about a real paradigm shift.

So when I saw how drool-worthy Gears of War really is (damn you and your Samsung LCD TV and home theater system!), I think I'll have to be twelve again and beg my parents to buy me the console for Christmas. So far, it's the best graphics I've seen on a tactical action game. Gameplay feels flawless too.

Been also checking Sega's Condemned: Criminal Origins game. I like the thriller-FBI-CSI premise to the game, and of course, all the bloody thwacking you do with a pipe, one of the weapons you can arm yourself with. The prequel site is worth visiting. Forget the crappy game site. You get more information from forums, plus the videos are so small, my iPod Video feels like a wide-screen by comparison.

How lovely you are!

And the other games on my list:

Call of Duty 3 (yes, Gelo, it's also out on Xbox)
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Dead Rising (zombie mall mayhem!)
Lego Star Wars II (so cute!)
Prey
Splinter Cell Double Agent

Wishing Christmas comes early this year, 730PM, alone in our area.

Sick of FGD-titis.

2006-11-14T09:47:00.000+08:00

I drove a total of 170km to moderate group discussions and conduct in-depth interviews for a mass market campaign that we're doing for one of our brands. I wasn't in the ideal state to facilitate, having that heady, "I just drove through shitloads of traffic" sensation, but ever since we had our training in Singapore, I've consciously made an effort to never take respondents for granted. And that includes making sure they're well fed and have refreshments on hand.

My sessions went well. I was profusely thanked by most people I spoke with, telling me that they enjoyed the little chat with me, and it was worth missing work for. (Awww).

The weekend was spent reviewing my tapes (all seven of them!), making me sicker than I already was. A bad throat and no yoga for a week didn't help at all.

Fast-forward to yesterday, more FGDs conducted by a research agency for a retail chain. Each group lasted around three hours long, 80 minutes more than the usual time spent for a group discussion. No food or drink was offered to the respondents during the session (heck, I can't even last through an hour's meeting without a cup of coffee). They weren't even asked if they wanted to take a break. The wrong questions were being asked, the moderator wasn't conscious of the time, and they did certain exercises wrong. It was awful.

The regional client was majorly pissed off. Much so that she's having the moderators who conducted the groups never to moderate again and to get the regional research agency's counterpart to fly in someone who can do the sessions instead.

Buti nga. I'm not a fan of this particular research group because they've made focus group discussions their cash cow, meaning any qualitative research that clients request for end up being an FGD as a default. I've sat through countless GDs that they've handled for different brands and clients to know that you can hardly squeeze anything insightful from their report. So much for real, creative thinking.

Suffering from a bad head cold. Fighting the temptation to skip work tomorrow (and the day after that and maybe until the weekend).

Shoes can tell you a lot about love.

2006-11-10T09:59:00.000+08:00

It was a lovely pair that felt disjointed. One pair said ‘VE’ and the other ‘LO.’ The letters were fashioned from different fabrics – textured plaid, leather, and corduroy. Dark chocolate became the backdrop for the four-letter word that ran across each curved toe.

At first glance, you might say that they’re slightly schizophrenic, but you can’t deny that underneath all the trimmings, is a pair of shoes that made perfect sense as one. Even after spending time apart, each foot ahead of the other, they will eventually sit side-by-side at rest.

It is a pair that has no meaning when they’re not together.

To Gino, the VE to my LO.

A listing of books on my work shelf

2006-11-06T18:27:00.000+08:00

I really should be bringing some of them home, but I'd rather leave them on my shelf a bit longer. It makes me look smart. Hehe.

Goodthinking (Wendy Gordon)
EF Lens Work III - The Eyes of EOS (Canon)
Crystal Report (Ogilvy)
The Mythology Class (Arnold Arre)
APG Creative Planning Awards 2003
Capoeira: A Brazilian Art Form (Bira Almeida)
Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time (Howard Schultz)
The 360 Degree Brand in Asia (Blair, Armstrong, and Murphy)
A new Brand World: 8 Principles for Achieving Brand Leadership in the 21st Century (Scott Bedbury)
Disruption: Overturning Conventions and Shaking up the Marketplace (Jean-Marie Dru)
Truth, Lies & Advertising: The Art of Account Planning (Jon Steel)
The Lonely Planet Guide to Experimental Travel (Lonely Planet)
Confessions of an Advertising Man (David Ogilvy)
The Geography of Thought - How Asians and Westerners Think Differently... and Why (Richard Nisbett)
Six Thinking Hats (Edward de Bono)
Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping (Paco Underhill)
Insights, Ideas, Influence (Ogilvy PR)
Secret Lives: Bju:ti and Secret Lives: Understanding the Influencers (Red Card)
Extra.Ordinary: An Amusing Guide for Unleashing Creativity (Ichiki + Umehara)
Lonely Planet: Beijing (Lonely Planet)

When business and pleasure mix well. (The Singapore Fling)

2006-11-05T18:06:00.000+08:00

Despite what most locals will say, there is quite a lot to do in Singapore. Especially when you're with the right company.

I dug up some photos from the SEA Planning training we had with Wendy Gordon, preeminent qualitative research goddess a few months ago. Three days of rigourous training coupled by madcap evenings spent wasting is truly a different way of spending time at the Lion City.

Hamming it up at The Scarlet Hotel

Flair! Funky toiletries

Tian Tian Haianese Chicken Rice, Maxwell Food Centre

Dimsum overload, Isetan food court

A night with Stella Artois

Jump! Fullerton Hotel

Art snoozes through the brainstorm

Got envy?

Blog-obsessed, no thanks to Google Analytics.

2006-11-02T18:57:00.000+08:00

It's been three days since I started checking how my blog is doing as far as visits and hits are concerned. I get thrilled seeing how I'm getting visitors from the Spain (ola!), Japan (konichiwa!), and Singapore (hello, lah!). Why they're visiting my blog, I don't really know. But it's nice that they do anyway.

Google Analytics is currently used by our Interactive team to monitor statistics on websites we run. I remember when you have to course everything through a website administrator just to get some statistics on a website. Now, everything is simplified and convenient through a free analytics tool like the one from Google.

Below is a screenshot of the Geo Map Overlay that tells me graphically where my visitors are from.

You're on my top 10: Philippines, U.S., Canada, Singapore, Romania, France, Netherlands, HongKong, Switzerland, and Malaysia

As much as I try not to get so involved with keeping my statistics up, afterall, I don't blog for that purpose, it's a good way of knowing that there are people who do take the time to read up what you've put up, and hope that they're actually getting something out of it.

Doing my helping-the-world bit as a mouse-potato.

2006-11-01T10:14:00.000+08:00

I've been on the World Community Grid (WCG) for about a week now and I'm using my computer's idle time to help out with the "FightAIDS@Home" project. I also joined a team to help contribute more computing time.

The premise to WCG is to use computer idle time (like when you go out for that extra long coffee break and still file it as "productive thinking time" in your timesheets haha) for grid computing. According to the WCG website, "grid computing joins together many individual computers, creating a large system with massive computational power that far surpasses the power of a handful of supercomputers. Because the work is split into small pieces that can be processed simultaneously, research time is reduced from years to months. The technology is also more cost-effective, enabling better use of critical funds."

More than the thought of helping out with such an ambitious project, I'm totally geeking out on the idea of how technology is used on a massive scale with so much participation from the average Juan. Pretty darn cool. All you need to do is download the software that makes this all possible.

It's Halloween again.

2006-10-30T14:01:00.000+08:00

Draft beer, pritchon (roast pork spring rolls), role-playing at the BPI, and a hired photographer. Can it get any better next year?

Mickey shows Snow White a good time.

Can Stitch get any cuter than Lilo?

My favourite DOM. Hee hee.

Show 'em Hooters cups!

Musketeer takes a break

Wrong brief, Pepper!

Mickey does Pocahontas next.

Cowgirl by Elly. Vest by Rajo.

Mad Disney world!

The Simpsons (minus Megan)

Ode to Gavin.

We all want to be like Gavin.

Tinkerbell is a rockstar.

The photogs hamming it up.

Photos taken by Ledh & Eileen, October 27, 2006

You can find inspiration in everything.

2006-10-29T23:15:00.000+08:00

I recently "un-lost" You can find inspiration in everything*: (*and if you can't, look again) by Paul Smith over the weekend. I had forgotten how quirky a read it is - like having different stories, genres and authors in one volume, yet all with the same Paul Smith voice to it. I received this book as a gift and it's been one of the most refreshing titles I have in my library. My work in advertising literally requires me to constantly look at things with fresh, inspired eyes, no matter how much you've had it with the brand (blah) or the client (bleh). This is a good reminder of how you can never really exhaust creativity, nor should you take it for granted.

"Literally anything can spark off an idea."

While the world waits for me.

2006-10-24T07:00:00.000+08:00

Lately, writing has become an exercise in escape. Any place becomes somewhere with my black Moleskine notebook and a random pen fished out from my bag.

Censorship is limited to syntax while your own thoughts are free to wander. There are no dead ends here, except for the occasional writer’s block – something that coffee and smokes wouldn’t cure. (Alternately, wine in the evenings can be quite stimulating, especially when you’re in the confines of your room.)

The world, I sense, feels a bit betrayed. In my youth I dreamt about an exploration in time and space, consuming and being consumed by what it has to offer. Now it just waits for me longingly, impatient yet hopeful. That’s all it could do.

Eight years in cryogenic limbo. That’s what it is. Your life on pause.

In three months I anticipate liberation; and with it comes a lot of difficulty. I’ll have to be many things at once: a capitalist soothsayer, underpaid scribe, caffeine pimp, and academic whore. Kayod kalabaw never had so much meaning, until now.

It will be all worth it. I know that for sure. I’ll never have to be answerable to anyone except myself. Independence is not relegated to “doing what you want, because you want to.” So selfish and media-created. I’ll finally get to live my life as it should be lived. Responsibly. No waste-away Saturday nights, just quiet solitude and massages at Sonya’s Garden. Or jazz nights with my adopted little sister and that new guy she’s seeing. Or breakfast brunches with the soul mate. Or tripping out with my camera in Batanes (and mounting that second exhibit).

Or…

For now, I write.

My tummy has abandoned me! A bout with hyperacidity.

2006-10-23T18:26:00.000+08:00

It's never pretty to see blood, especially if it's your own. What was supposed to be a night of gay(!) merry-making at O Bar (J. Nakpil, Malate) ended up as fluorescent stopover at the emergency room of Makati Medical Center.

Hyperacidity has long been a nuisance to me, aggravated by countless meal-skippings and caffeine indulgence. I've been on medication long enough to know that what I have is not your ordinary, OTC, Kremil-S hyperacidity.

I actually should've known better than to invite a bad attack. But I never expected it to be that bad. Okay, how bad? I threw up blood in the wastebasket of the female loo (sorry, Peter!). And while all that was happening, Gino and some other people were pounding on the door like crazy. Apparently, I was gone a long time, and they weren't sure what the heck happened to me. I felt so bad I couldn't hear anything anymore. I couldn't even stand because of the sharp pain in my stomach.

We made a mad, albeit clumsy dash to the car followed by more puking episodes (dude, I'll replace your wastebasket, promise). Enroute to the hospital, we ended up going to Binondo, just after Jones Bridge (so you were panicking after all, hehe).

I never liked hospitals. They smell sterile and you always expect to see a sad bunch of bystanders waiting for whomever they brought it.

They inserted a needle on my hand, and shot around three vials of liquids to help the acid and pain subside. I was just too banged up to notice.

The ER doctor said I'm no longer allowed to drink coffee and alcohol.

Tough luck. I'm giving myself two weeks.

Old school lust.

2006-10-13T16:39:00.000+08:00

I've been drooling over the Leica MP ever since it debuted in 2003. My grandfather had an old Leica viewfinder, one of the first point-and-shoot cameras around. I remember seeing it in an old, musty box in storage a couple of years ago. Must be worth quite a lot now.

"Not a quick photographic fling, but the camera of a lifetime."

"Mechanical perfection. Nothing else."

www.leica.com

I just got the M-system brochure and have been feeling antsy about whether to get this or not. (Furniture vs. camera?)

Now if I could only find someone who's willing to play sugar daddy for this little baby.

Book nerding. A respite.

2006-10-06T10:58:00.000+08:00

I've been seeking refuge at bookstores lately. Like twice a week. At least. Re-discovering my inner-nerd is quite fulfilling. I remember devouring 2-3 books a week when I was much younger. Weekends were indulgent couch reads of two books a day. Of course, there were hardly any distractions back then. Except maybe video games at seven in the morning.

Recent purchases include Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders (Neil Gaiman) and Tales from Nowhere, an anthology of travel writings from Lonely Planet.

While it's not his best, Gaiman's third collection was more than enough to satisfy cravings for his work (I haven't read Anansi Boys but I enjoyed American Gods very much). It actually feels a bit masochistic of me to suck in all thirty-two stories and anticipate all the strange dreams I have every time I read any of his work. Notable stories include How to Talk to Girls at Parties and A Study in Emerald.

I've only started reading this one, but the premise to this new anthology from Lonely Planet is an interesting one. It focuses on adventures that suddenly bring you to "nowhere." Apparently, nowhere is not the same as getting lost, but more like a state of being - accidental discoveries that make travel more special. Makes for pretty good beach or airplane reading.

We're scheduling an early exploration of Fully Booked at the SM Mall of Asia soon, which is where their biggest branch there is (the horde of mall rats can be overwhelming, I heard). Hope my wallet holds out.

Kaleidoscope evolution.

2006-10-05T13:05:00.000+08:00

Reminiscent of Eric Carle's illustrations, Nike's Rise of the Hybrids is quite an entertaining trip. Darwinian theory on acid? Maybe. And Noah's Ark was actually a rocket. Check the rest of the series at Nike Lab.