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.

Model class

On this edition of "random things that pop out of your feed."

Can't believe this photo is already 13 years old! This was taken during my stint as adviser of the batch yearbook in school. Maica, our EIC, is the one standing in this photo.

This was a proud moment because we were able to release the yearbook even before the graduation. It was very rare that this happened, but we pulled it off.

Maybe it's time for the editorial team to have a reunion and recreate this photo. That's going to be fun!

20/20 Vision

It feels just like yesterday when it happened.

Was working at Dentsu, Young & Rubicam - Alcantara, and our office was in Vito Cruz. A few blocks away was St. Scholastia's College. Prichy dropped by the office one time and asked if I'm interested in teaching a subject there.

Because Prichy is one of my closest friends - and at that time, the Chair of the Mass Comm Department - my answer was a resounding "yes!"

Fast forward to 20 years, and I'm still here!

The adage goes: "Love what you do and you'll never have to work a day in your life." With that, I haven't been working for SSC in the past 20 years.

Teaching is definitely one of the best decisions I've made.

From "in the classroom" to "In the industry"

There's a brimming feeling of pride whenever my former students succeed in the advertising industry.

It's the same feeling of pride that I felt last Thursday after running into Therease.

She's one of my former students in SSC. Even back then, it was easy to see that she'd succeed in the industry. She's very articulate, organised, strategic and decisive. These are qualities that you need as an ad agency person, and these are the qualities why she's continuing to succeed in the industry.

Moments like these make teaching much more rewarding.

Full SSCircle

On today's GA for the Mass Comm department, we had a pleasantly surprising realisation.

Five of the newer faculty members of the department are our former students.

The five young ladies in the middle - Iya, Josche, Vanie, Jaimee and Dani - are all graduates of the Mass Comm program of SSC. And they all chose to go back to pay it forward by teaching the next generation of SSC students.

It was a proud moment for Chally, Becky and me.

It was also a "gosh, I'm old!" moment.

SSDD

About a decade ago, I'd see Bea and Kekx regularly on Saturdays.

They were my students in SSC, both with a minor in Advertising. Even back then, their penchant for creativity and making commercials were evident. Thus, I was hoping that they'd pursue their advertising careers.

Luckily, they did.

Now, I'm working with Bea and Kekx! On a Saturday, to boot! It's like a reunion of our Saturday classes, albeit more fun and professional.

Looking at them work, it's easy to see that they've got a bright future ahead of them in this industry. It's something that I saw many, many, maaaaannnny Saturdays ago, and something that I'm seeing again this Saturday.

Same Saturday. Different Decade.

Abi there

For a teacher, one of the greatest joys is seeing your student thrive and succeed in the professional world.

That's exactly how I felt after having dinner with one of my former students, all the way in Seoul!

Abi was one of my Advertising students in SSC. After graduation, she pursued a career in Advertising Media, working for A-list media companies like Starcomm.

Eventually, she spread her wings further and took on an overseas posting in BKK. There, she continued to impress her bosses until they offered her another posting in Seoul.  Knowing she was there, meeting up with her was one of the items on my agenda for this trip. 

Listening to her story reminded me so much of myself during my younger days. (Albeit I was older than her when the expat life beckoned.) This made for great conversation while waiting for our Chicken Galbi to cook.

Knowing her as a student and hearing how she is now, I'm sure this is just the start of a very successful career in Advertising for her. Whether it's here or there or anywhere.

Those who do, Teach!

Happy Teacher's Day to all the hardworking educators in the Philippines and all over the world!

The earliest teacher I remember was Ms. Sy, the kind and effervescent owner of Learn & Play school where I studied Kinder and Prep. Then came my teachers in Grade School, High School, College and Graduate School - most of who I still remember until now. 

Then, there are teachers who became colleagues in the academe as well. That was twice the fun.

Teachers have always been an important part of my life. Not only did they open my mind to things around me and instilled the love for learning, they inspired me to become a teacher myself.

From a far away time in a far away land...

My friends and colleagues always remark that they’re amazed whenever I remember my students, their names, and my experience with them in class.

Maybe it’s a built-in mechanism among teachers. I mean, my high school teachers still remember me. And I graduated from high school almost 3 decades ago.

When I was in Incheon Airport, I was sitting across this young lady wearing a face mask. While I could only see her eyes, I immediately thought that her eyes looked familiar. And that she was a former student of mine. From almost 2 decades back.

While I had a hunch, i wasn’t completely confident about it. So, I decided to just let it pass.

Then, when we got to immigration, she had to remove her mask. That’s when I saw her, and that’s when I confirmed that she was indeed my former student.

Since you can’t talk while in the immigration line, I had to wait until outside the gate to talk to her. At first, I thought she’s be gone, but luckily she was there. So, I quickly approached her and said:

“You’re Sheiyl, right? I used to be your professor.”

And that’s how I met my student from a far away time, in a far away place.

This is one of the reasons why I enjoy being a teacher.

Sisters and Students

Since we're on the subject of students, there's always an amazing feeling when you get to meet and teach siblings from different years. And in my career as a teacher, I've had several instances when I had this honor and privilege.

Yesterday, I had the honor and privilege of running into 2 of my students - sisters - who I taught 13 years apart.

Nell was my student and thesis advisee in 2001. I remember traveling all the way to Vigan with them to supervise their thesis on "Tahanang Walang Hagdan." Since she graduated 17 years ago, I haven't seen her. Until today.

And I saw her with Marla, her sister, who was under the Advertising program which I coordinated.

Being with both of them in one photo is inexplicably cool!

From beside Orlando Suites to Orlando, Florida

Any teacher will attest, it's a genuinely gratifying feeling whenever we see students blazing a trail and making a difference in the world. It's a feeling that grows exponentially when you see a student doing it internationally.

Keith first became my student when she was in 2nd year. It was such a joy to handle their batch because they were filled with the best and brightest Mass Comm students.

I particularly remember Keith because she was a very insightful and creative student. And in advertising, these 2 qualities are important - knowing how to mine and understand insights, and translating it into creative work.

Aside from that, she was smart, kind-hearted, and from Bicol! Now that's a winning combination.

Before the 2018 ended, I had the wonderful opportunity to have lunch with Keith. In Orlando! Yup, after many years and thousands of miles, I had the opportunity to connect with her, and meet her husband.

Just like when she was a student, Keith remains that insightful, creative, smart and kind-hearted young lady from section 202A of SSC. And it's gratifying to know that she's using these qualities as she blazes a trail in digital marketing in Miami.

So, from the school beside Orlando Suites to Boi Brazil in Orlando, Florida, we've definitely come a long way.

And I'm sure this is just the beginning of an even longer, more fruitful career for Keith in the near future.

Relaxing...

Whenever I see my student's work, I'm amazed at the level of creativity they possess. As I always tell them, some of the stuff they do can be published tomorrow and it would look like it was done by professionals.

Just like this ad done by a group of students for my copywriting class.

The layout, look, visualization and copywriting are all spot-on. It could've been done by one of my art directors here at the office, but it was done by a group of 18 year olds.

With the future of advertising looking like this, I think I can relax.

About last Saturday

It's always a great feeling when you see former students.

So, the great feeling was multiplied exponentially when more than half of the 4MC-ADV Class of '17 showed up in school!

Props to Pat and Colleen for organizing this! And we should get together again soon!

The A- Team!

It was awesome that I was able to have a belated birthday celebration with one of my thesis groups from last semester.

The "Tsuper Lakas" team was all accounted for, and it was a lunch filled with reminiscing about the past and planning for the future.

Just like how they did an excellent job in their thesis (A- baby!)  I'm sure they'll also do an excellent job in their professional careers.

Here's to our next "tsuper" get together!

School spirit!

Last Friday, we had the Hildegarde Awards in SSC. This is the first time I'm attending the event as a professor of Events Management, and I saw how hard the students worked to get this event off the ground.

Despite some setbacks and unnecessary difficulties along the way, I'd say they pulled off the event with the grace. relevance and the spirit of its namesake, St. Hildegarde of Bingen. The event went smoothly, despite some minor hiccups here and there.

As a closing treat, the students sang an original composition by one of their batchmates. And it gave me goosebumps.

Great show, 4th year Mass Comm! It was a perfect representation of our school spirit!

Thesis it!

The morning was a string of Murphy's Law occurrences. From powerpoint presentations not working, to fonts not loading.

Needless to say, it threw my students into a bit of a loop.

But that didn't hinder them from showing off their creativity, their skills, and their know-how in creating a kick-ass campaign!

Now, they're done! With a nomination to boot!

Congratulations, Team EPAL!

Throwback Throwbook

Last Saturday, I found this book while I was cleaning out my space in the faculty room.

I remember this book vividly. This was the year when I went back to teaching, and the subject I handled was Principles of Mass Communication.

The assignment was to creatively report on the different eras of communication in Philippine History. This was the report of the group assigned to the Spanish era, and they did a Dora the Explorer skit which I found both entertaining and informative.

One of the members of this group - Andy - is now in the same industry where I'm in. That's why we sometimes bump into each other during industry events.

It's always gratifying to look back at where your former students started, and see how far they've gone.

And in this case, they all started with this book.

Star student

It's always gratifying for teachers to see their students make a mark in the world.

That's why I was very, very, very happy to see one of my students on TV today. Krista was my student since she was in her 2nd year, and it was easy to see that she was going to accomplish great things. I still remember her first group report, as well as her mid-term exams, and I remembered them because I was impressed by her thought process and quality of work.

Now, she's on TV, talking about thanking teachers on National Teacher's Day. How awesome is that?

Student sightings

For a teacher, there's a great feeling of joy whenever you run into a former student. And the joy grows exponentially when you see the student succeeding in her chosen field.

That's why I was overjoyed when I bumped into Meg in GMA last week. She's doing well for herself as a copywriter in GMA's Creative Services Department. And I'm sure she has a bright future ahead of her in this field.

Ora et Labora

Today is the big day!

Batch 2014-2015 of St. Scholastica's College will now go up the stage to receive their diplomas, culminating their 4-year journey in Mass Comm.

This is a special batch for me because it's the first batch I handled as Chairperson of the Department. And while I wasn't there physically, my heart is there, filled with pride, as they graduate.

Congratulations, 4MC-ADV, 4MC-BJ, 4MC-DC and 4MC-PJ! May you always carry the spirit of Ora et Labora in all your endeavors!