Cheap Thrills: TakoYummy!

Before we even checked in, one thing caught my eye. Across the hotel was a small restaurant that sold "Authentic Takoyaki and Freshly Squeezed Lemonade."

Had a light dinner on purpose. Had to make space for the Takoyaki and Lemonade.

Went to the restaurant, ordered the Overloaded Takoyaki and Honey Lemonade.

This combo was SO GOOD!

What made it even better? The fact that it was just P95!

Oh, the joys of the provincial life.

Ads a fact!

For anyone in the advertising world, the name David Ogilvy is synonymous to “Legendary.”

But unbeknownst toma Lot of Ad folks, Ogilvy didn’t start advertising when he was young. And he didn’t achieve his success in one go. Check out his story and be inspired.

Proof that in advertising, greatness knows no age.

Happy Tree Frendz

What do you do when you get together with Frendz at the mall?

Take a snap at the Christmas Tree, of course.

Christmas is definitely in the air. 

So is friendship!

Flying, Hi!

Oh look, they're open!

Flying Tiger's first store in the MNL - particularly in Glorietta - is now open. Of course, a visit was imperative.

It has the same vibe as the Flying Tiger stores abroad, and the prices are pretty reasonable. And after inquiring with the sales staff regarding the company who brought this in, it's SSI!

Hi, Flying Tiger. Glad that you're finally here!

Sketchy Stories: Skirting the issue

Our neighbour - Grace - likes skirts a lot. She's also into denim and ethnic fabric. 

With her birthday coming up, it was an opportunity to take those things that she liked, and come up with a unique and bespoke birthday gift.

That led to this sketch:

It's a combination of denim and ethnic fabric. The silhouette is the classic A-line, but with a touch of flounce for some femininity. Also, the combination of the two fabrics make it visually interesting.

After bringing the fabrics and sketch to Ofel, she came up with this:

It's the skirt in my head, and now it's real. Bonus: it turned out exactly the way my mind envisioned it.

No issues there.

LFLTAT: Femme Fatale

This Look For Less Than A Thousand started with a shirt. It was a shirt from ForMe which was from their 11.11 sale. The graphic tee featured 2 fashionable women, and the word "Femme" emblazoned in the middle.

To keep the shirt chic and casual, there was a pair of striped shorts from The SM Store which was part of their 65% off sale. That made the price dive to around P350.

The short had an accompanying soft blazer, also at 65% off! Such a great deal!

So, together, this 3-piece power suit rang up to less than a thousand.

Now, that's one fabulous femme!

FMM: Floor Plan

During my short stint in San Miguel Corporation, my team attended a lot of events - both internal and external.

One of the internal events that made an impression on me was the launch of Bionade. This was a new product launch from San Miguel Brewery, and it was a carbonated mineral drink which was supposed to be healthier than soda.

When they showed the commercial, the soundtrack caught my attention. It was an upbeat, house music like ditty. My mind kept on trying to recall why it sounded familiar, then it hit me that it was a popular house tune from 1994.

"Divas to the Dance Floor Please" was a house anthem. It was a popular song during parties, and it also enjoyed a lot of air time on the radio. 

It suddenly popped in my head this week. And that's how it became today's Friday Magic Madness song.

Printed Matters: Ode to Jouy

To paraphrase Nigel:

"Give me a toile du jouy print, and I'm on board."

That's why the moment my eyes met this beautiful toile du jouy print, I knew it was something worth buying.

The bonus part, the print was turned into a beautifully classic yet uniquely designed dress from Plains & Prints!

Oh joy! Oh joy!

Feeling Gr8

Hard to believe that it has been 8 years since Mark and I went all the way to Todai to catch a glimpse of the statue of Hachiko and his master happily reuniting.

But according to FB, it has!

I've said this countless times, and I'm saying it again:

It's time to go back to Japan.

Host(ess) Country

Lookie at what they have at Rustan's Marketplace!

Hostess cakes!!!

It's so, so, so awesome that they finally have a bigger range of products in the country.

More Piso Power

You know you're a Tito when things like P1 grocery promos make you feel excited.

Landers had it again, and this is my haul:

Two Mlika Chocolates and Italian cookies. All for P3!

Cheap thrills indeed.

In Good Company

It's such a bummer that they don't have that brand in MNL anymore. It was such a short run, and it would've been longer if not for the pandemic.

But I digress. This isn't about that "In Good Company."

It's about the recent 4As Aral Seminar.

The panel was an interesting mix of personalities because it brought together the old and the new. Aside from industry stalwarts like David Guerrero & Melvin Mangada, they asked very young creatives to join the panel, as well as "in-betweens."

This diverse company gave us an equally diverse view of where the industry is now and where we can go.

Good learnings. Good panelists. Good job.

Depiciency

Here's another one!

While "perm" seems like an easy word to spell, apparently not:

What would Elle Woods say? This reminded me of her "perm" monologue.

Proofreader please.

FMM: Film-ing

Bet you didn't see this coming.

Today's Friday Magic Madness song is inspired by last Monday's post on film cameras.

The title of that post was inspired by this 1981 hit from Duran Duran.

"Girls on Film" is one of the favourite songs of my cousin Nene. We're both Durannies since childhood, and this is one of the songs we'd talk about a lot as kids.

They don't make films like this amymore.

Putting the “end” in Legend

Optima is a legend in Philippine Advertising.

Since I was a copywriter trainee, the word “Optima” was synonymous to modern, high-tech, innovative, and best-of-the-best. If you wanted world-class post-production work without having to go to BKK or HKG, you go to Optima.

Their office in Greenbelt Mansions is iconic! It’s spacious, well-fitted, snazzy, and was always abuzz with people. We’d often see friends from other agencies there, and it was a running joke that it’s like Ad Congress, every day.

Speaking of Ad Congress, they’d always throw awesome parties those  days. Everyone would make a bee line to their parties because of the great food, overflowing booze, awesome entertainment and the generous raffle prizes.

As technology progressed, so did Optima. They would always have the newest global editing technology brought to the country once it was available. Needlesss to say, they’ve been our go to and constant post-prod supplier, even during the pandemic.

But like many companies during the pandemic, the situation necessitated them to scaled down considerably. When we went to Brew last Saturday, that’s when I found out that they closed their office there. 

The guard was nice enough to let me look around, and it was bittersweet to see the once-bustling Optima office looking like this.

With things going back to normal, I’m looking forward to the day that Optima re-opens this office and goes back to being the legend that it always was.

Fun Shots

Ni, this isn’t about KFC.

It’s about how fun shoots can be if you’re working around effervescent clients, perky production folks and a good story to start with.

The shoot is fun as it is. 

I’m sure the final commercial will be even more so.

Tapis be with you

Balenciaga has always been known for its cheeky approach to fashion.

From shirts that look like they’ve been worn and worn out, to shoes that look like they’ve been dragged through mud, Balenciaga has found ways to turn these into fashion.

Then, they put a hefty price tag on it.

Look, they did it again.

This is something that 100% of the population do everyday. Take a bath and wrap a towel around their waist. Now, you can do it for P50K.

If this becomes another hit for the brand, i’m bringing out all my best towels.

Boys on Film

One of the nice touches at Kevin’s wedding was when they gave our film cameras to the guests so they can also take their own version of the festivities.

This has actually been done since the 2000s, and it’s nice to see it back during this digital age.

Thanks to the film camera - and Errol’s hooting skills - we have a photo like this:

Mark and I in an old school shot!

Film really has an element of magic.

Belated Blowout

Thanks to an impromptu get together with the 026 trio, was finally able to blow out a birthday candle. Almost a week after my birthday!

You know what they say, better belated than never.

P.S. It’s the shirt I just talked about...

Color Story: Our Blues

Three different shades of blue in one outfit?

Why not!

You’ll never get the blues with an outfit this blue.

Rugby Boy

It’s been decades since my last foray into rugby shirts. It was probably way back in college.

While Rugby Shirts are very much around, they just don’t appeal as much as they used to. Adding to my reasons to not wear it was the Uniqlo Rugby Shirt fiasco of 2022.

But recently, there was a rugby shirt that actually made me stop and fit it. This shirt:

It’s a Rugby Shirt from the Bench x Lesley Mobo collaboration. 

The fit, fabric, color and patch were so nice on the hanger. Once I tried it on, SOLD.

This even had a green version. SOLD1

Funny how the right design can change my mind.

FMM: Love Offering

If there was one moment during Kevin's wedding that left everyone grabbing tissues, it was the Son-Mother dance.

While this is a usual sight during weddings, this one was special and heartfelt. What made it even more so was the song choice of Kevin for their dance.

It's a hit song from Florante from 1978, and it's going to be today's Friday Magic Madness song.

"Handog" is such a beautiful song. The lyrics are so poignant and captures the story perfectly. And the melody, it's something that's going to make a tear roll down your cheek. It's a song about love and gratitude, and those are the 2 things that Kevin and Ate Bullet passed on to each other that night.

Trivia: I sang this song for a school program when I was in 1st year High School in LSQC. Not sure how I got talked into it, but yes, one time, I performed this song on stage.

Happy Tummy, Happy Team

And with this week’s festivities, team must be doubly happy!

First, a Japanese-themed birthday lunch at Yabu for our October babies, Kat and Jake.

Second, a grill fest to Seafood Paradise celebrate Abe’s and my birthday.

But wait, there’s one more next week!

Happiness indeed.

Ad Age

Saw this art card on Facebook. It completely struck me because aside from the fact that it’s true and factual, it talks about a reality that we constantly face.

Advertising is a job with no age-ism. You can be very young or very old, and still thrive and succeed.

Examples: 

- I was only 19 when I started as a Copywriter trainee.

- My current boss started our agency when he was 56 years old.

Of course, the guy in the art card is David Ogilvy. He’s a man who needs no introduction.

Proof that creativity and tenacity is ageless. And i’m fortunate to be part of an industry that celebrates that.

Almost Complete

If Javi's passport made it on time, the whole fam would have been complete for Kvin's wedding.

But 6 our of 7 ain't bad.

I'm so glad that we were able to share this moment together as a family.

Persuading

Whilst this isn't the first wedding of the 2nd generation of the Morales kids, this is the first wedding that was held in the country.

The official first wedding was Jul, but he got married in the U.S. While most of us were able to attend, Dad and Ate Bullet weren't there during the wedding.

Yesterday, it was Kevin's wedding! 

We feel so honoured and blessed that we were able to be part of this special day. And you don't need to persuade us to be there for this event. And you also don't need to persuade me to skip my birthday festivities for this wedding. 

We'll be there in a heartbeat. And we were!

(And yes, it's my birthday today.)

Get me to the Chapel

Chapel of Transfiguration, to be exact.

After more than 5 years, we were finally able to go back to Calaruega in Batangas. A number of my friends got married here, and we'd often go here when we just want a quiet retreat.

Today, it's more special because we're here for a wedding in the family. 

This makes coming back a lot more meaningful.

Flying near you

The thought of Flying Tiger in MNL is enough to make me go bonkers.

Now, imagine my reaction after finding out there’s going to be a Flying Tiger branch just 5 minutes away from the office.

Five,

Minutes.

Away.

From.

The.

Office1

Yes, it’s going to be at Robinsons Galleria. And here’s proof!

I’m going to fly going there once they open.

FMM: Never Forget

As we remember those who have gone before us, this Friday Magic Madness song came to mind.

"Unforgettable" is one of Nat King Cole's most iconic hits. Recorded in the 1950s, it's still relevant and heartfelt now as it was then.

The beautiful thing about this song is that there's a version with both Nat King Cole and his daughter, Natalie Cole doing a duet. It was done through the magic of videos since Natalie was just a teen when Nat passed away, and they never got to do the recording together.

But thanks to technology, this happened:

Just like this song, we'll never forget our Lolos, Lolas, Titos, Titas and all our loved ones that have gone to heaven. 

You're all unforgettable.

LFTAT: Ohhh-K!

This is a fact: People watch K-drama for the fashion.

The clothes that the actors and characters wear suddenly find themselves in the streets of MNL. I've seen people - both strangers and people I know - who wear outfits that are reminiscent of K-dramas.

Some of my previous LFLTATs were inspired by the K-Look. And thanks to a recent mall run, here's another ensemble to add to the list:

You'll usually see characters wearing something like this during wintertime. The GU knitted top has a mock turtleneck and puffy sleeves. The skirt is from The Landmark, and is a tulle skirt with a subtle window-pane design.

Together, this ensemble rang up to P900. 

And that's an affordable way to get your K-vibe without even going to Korea.

Let it grow!

It was almost 3 years ago when Ia sent a pine tree as a Christmas gift. 

That time, it was just the start of the pandemic and raising plants and trees were one of the ways that people preserved their mental health. Our home was among those that suddenly had a lot of plants, and that Christmas tree was a perfect addition.

When things started opening up, less attention were directed towards plants, and even the number of plants around our neighbourhood dwindled. 

But the tree that Ia gave us is still growing strong!

It's going to be our 3rd Christmas with this tree, and we're so glad to let it be part of our home and festivities.