The future is creative

This is the reason why teaching is something I'm passionate about. It's always great to see how young creative minds work, and how they approach creative challenges.

Today was my Copywriting class' final presentation, and they did campaigns for the school's hotel.

Seeing how creative their work is - both in strategic thinking and creative execution - it's easy to see that the future of creativity is in capable hands.

I took a picture, I took a picture

Because we're turning Japanese!

The Creative Team was the host for this month's birthday cocktails. We had several themes in mind, but knowing that this month is the Sakura season in Japan, we thought of bringing a bit of Japan to Ortigas.

Thanks to the team, we were able to transform the CAI Cafe into our little piece of Ueno park.

Sugoi ne!

The Royal Treatment

After last year's very muted, black and white Christmas wrapping theme, my idea for this year's theme was the complete opposite.

At the get go, my mind was veering towards something more vibrant and elegant. A thought that was further solidified after seeing this wrapper:

It was the royal blue and gold combination that sold me to it. The combo felt so luxe, yet also quiet and muted.

Because of that colour scheme, the accents and accoutrements also followed suit. Found this really nice metallic gold ribbon, and a glittered gold snowflake.

That same blue and gold theme carried on to my gift cards, which echoed both the colours and patterns of those materials.

Together, these elements created this year's Christmas wrapping theme.

Now, let me put on Lorde's "Royal" in the background.

Ballet meets Balot

This post is so, SO overdue.

Actually, the fact is that I thought I posted about this already. 

Apparently not.

Saw this really nice pair of ballet flats at a Trade Fair in Megamall, and just had to order a pair.

Yup, order. They make these shoes to order, which is a great way to really promote craftsmanship and quality.

This beautiful denim ballet flats has a whimsical "Balot" print. Very Pinoy yet very chic.

Now, that's Pinoy creativity at its finest.

A Feast of Creativity

Food is one of the things that everyone in the creative team has in common.

So, it's just about correct to spend our last working day feasting on Japanese food.

Merry Christmas from our creative team!

Here's to more creativity and meals in the coming year!

What's the Bus?

I'm so fortunate to work with and be surrounded by very creative people.

On a daily basis, they showcase their creativity with the amount and kind of ideas they come up with and present. But in special occasions, they show off their creativity even more.

Just like during our anniversary parties.

The team conceptualised, designed, executed and set-up with Mardi Gras bus. And it was the centerpiece of the celebration.

People were amazed at the scale of this installation. They couldn't resist taking photos with and in it, which is understandable.

You can really find creativity everywhere!

Packaging is everything

As someone in the creative field, one admirable thing about Thailand is how nicely they package their products.

Check out this bottled water:

Yes, water is a commodity, but with the right packaging, it can turn into something chic and unique.

Wish we could do that here, too.

Tadaaah!

As a person who still writes and sends cards, receiving one is always a thrill.

Claire is a kindred spirit who does the same. She never fails to send her beautiful and unique handmade cards. And here's her creation this year.

True to her blog's title, this truly is a "Tadaaah!" moment.

Highlighting creativity

Seeing ads like this reaffirm my passion and love for this industry.

It's so simple, clever, and more importantly, the product is at the centre of the concept. Which is what real creativity is all about.

This is definitely one of those "I wish I made this ad myself" moments.

Creative Club

Since "disco" is an oft repeated subject during creative conversations, it's just fitting that this was our theme for this month's birthday celebration.

Welcome to Club CAI!

Thanks to this cool and crazy team, we were able to pull it off!

A Creative Christmas

Of Course, the Holiday Season at the office won’t be complete without the customary lunch with the creative team.

I’m blessed to have such a fun, dedicated and cohesive team at the office. They make work a lot more fun with their creativity, their witticisms, their crazy ideas, and their appetite!

Merry Christmas from the team.

Merry Christmas Team!

Long overdue, part trois

Here’s another overdue get together that finally happened during Christmas break.

Before the pandemic, we’d often go out for lunch - either at Aysee’s, JT’s Manukan, Hainanese Delights or any restaurant with unlimited Korean BBQ. Aside from creativity, we all shared a passion for food, travel, funny stories, and just plain old Kaniguan.

It’s been almost 3 years since we last saw Miggy. While the last time that Ed and Migs joined us for lunch was Christmas 2021.

Great to see these kids again. And what’s even greater is how our creative bond has flourished even if we’re in different agencies now.

Sweet 16

Sixteen summers ago, to be very specific, 16 summers to this day, our creative campaign for Colgate 360 Toothbrush made it to the cover of Campaign Brief Asia. It was the first time our work was featured in this Advertising industry "bible."

Now, after 16 years, I find myself back on that same publication. Albeit in the digital version.

It's now called "Campaign Asia," and they have a feature called "Creative Minds" where they pick the brains of creative practitioners around the region. Apparently, last week, I was that creative mind that they featured.

It feels like a full-circle moment, especially because the work that was featured 16 years ago was the same piece of work I talked about in this interview.

Sweet!

Comic Copywriting

One of the lessons I always teach in copywriting, whether it’s in school,or at work, is that you should get your point across in the fastest, clearest and most creative way possible.

People who write one-frame comic strips are people who can do that excellently. That’s why i’m A huge fan of Gary Larson.

I’m also a huge fan of whoever wrote this One:

Gosh! This is comic writing and copywriting atbits best.

I wish I wrote this.

Wacky Weekend

When you start the weekend with this fun and creative bunch, you know it’s going to be a fun weekend.

Looking forward to,getting together and having our usual breakfasts, Pan de funds, Mi Goreng, Eat Together, Hainanese Delights, and drinking sessions with these wacky creative guys.

Kaniguan!!!

Creatives for a Cause

It's very heartening to know that in the middle of the pandemic, our creative colleagues are doing their share to make our frontliners safer at work. In their own ways, they're harnessing their creativity in creating something that's useful and relevant, and much needed by our doctor's and nurses.

Protective face shields.

Even though they don't have the proper equipment, they've used their creativity in assembling these PPEs. And by the looks of it, many hospitals have already benefitted from their work. Reading about it, I can't help but brim with pride at our Art Directors.

I hope we can find more OHP transparencies and get it to them. That way, we can also do our share in helping in this creative endeavor.

Full in so many ways!

Our annual Christmas lunch with the creative team left more than just our tummies full.

We were also filled with laughter, good cheer, stories, jokes both millennial and Tito in nature. And it also left me filled with gratitude for having an awesome team to work with the past year, and the year to come.

Merry Christmas team!

Happy Cray-day!

Family and close friends know this, but I'm not really fond of my birthday. As much as possible, I'd rather not celebrate it.

But with crazy, happy people like the folks at the office, I'll make an exception.

With them, it's crazy good!

Pinoy Cartoon Heroes!

Presenting, the Pinoy Komiks crew during this year's party!

From left: Lizardo (aka Mamang Magtataho), Flash Bomba, Zuma, Dyesebel, Lastikman, Panday, Ikabod Bubwit and Captain Barbell.

Great show, team!

Morning Madness

A week ago, I told our producer that I miss the old days when we'd shoot commercials until the wee hours of the morning.

So what happens a week after? Our shoot wraps up at 4:30am the next day!

Yup, I missed this feeling. (Let's just not do it again anytime soon.)