Sixth Sense

Celebrating my birthday right after the life-altering and eye-opening realization that happened to me, I face another year with a renewed sense of purpose and appreciation.

This year is the year when I can truly say: "I'm still here, so I must still have a mission and purpose in life."

And I'm definitely making sure that I'll fulfill it.

Oh, August!

Just like that, we're at the tail end of the 3rd quarter!

Time really flies when you're having fun. (And busy at work.)

And just like that, September is here.

Just because it's the first day of September.



Hey, at least it isn't a Christmas song.

Speedy semester!

While in the faculty room this morning, I made this realization:

Today is the last day of the semester!

Gosh! That went by fast.

Sensitivity test

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of those on-line personality tests. But just for kicks, I tried one which talks about what type of person you are. 

Here's what came out:

Really? I'm sensitive? That's a first. Harhar.

What's your sign?

While looking at a zodiac sign posted on the mall, I realized that most of my immediate family members are Sagittarians.

Out of the 7 of us, 4 fall under this sign: Dad, Mom, Ate Lissa and Ate Bullet. Kuya Marv is a Libra, Biboy is an Aquarian, and I'm a Scorpion.

Interesting.

Prayers for Bohol and Cebu

While we were all soundly oversleeping here in Manila (it's a holiday, after all,) a magnitude 7 earthquake hit Bohol and Cebu.

It was so powerful, it destroyed a lot of the old churches in Bohol, including the historic Loboc Church.

I've had the pleasure of visiting Bohol and some of its churches a few years ago, and it's quite saddening and upsetting to see the destruction of these beautiful houses of the Lord.

I pray for the people of Bohol and Cebu that they quickly rise up from this tragedy. And I pray that these heritage churches be restored to their former glory once the city has gone back to normal.

Confessions of a disenfranchised voter

While most Filipinos are out exercising their right to suffrage, I'm home sorting out clothes to send to Bicol.

Yes, I'm not voting. Not because I don't want to, but I simply can't. Such is the case for both 2010 and 2013.

Don't get me wrong. I've always voted. Heck, I've always wanted to vote. One of the reasons why I looked forward to my 18th birthday was the fact that I could vote right after. Since then, I've never missed an election.

In fact, it was because I never wanted to miss an election that I registered as an overseas voter when I was still living in HKG. Upon my return to the Philippines, I found out that my name has been removed from the voters list in my former precinct. Thus, I wasn't able to vote last 2010. (The only option would have been to go to HKG and vote there, which I could've done, but didn't.)

I should've learned my lesson back then and re-registered prior to the 2013 elections. It was really my plan, but as some plans usually go, it didn't materialize. So, for the 2nd time around, I was disenfranchised. Boo!

That said, I can't complain about the results of today's mid-term elections. After all, I'm not part of it. But 2016 is another story. That's the year that we'll choose a new president who'll lead us for another 6 years, so the need to register is greater.

With something that monumental, I'd like my voice to be heard.

Connect/Disconnect

Unlike most people who can't live without technology - can't live without facebook and can't live without changing their status every hour, can't help but tweet and instagram - I'm actually quite technologically detached. Whether it's the internet or the mobile phone, I'd rather not engage in them unless I really need to.

That's why my facebook is - as some of my students tell me - "walang kagana-gana." Unlike a lot of people I know who feel the need to give everyone a blow-by-blow account of their lives on facebook, I'd rather keep my life to myself.

I find that the more that I disconnect from technology, the more I can connect to people around me.

This is the reason why I enjoy my trips to Tokyo. It's one of those perfect moments to disconnect and connect. Disconnect because my phone doesn't work in Japan, so I don't receive any calls nor texts. When I was in Tokyo last June, I had no phone contact for 2 weeks! And that was bliss!

Connect because I get to spend more time with Mark. Eventhough we've been to Tokyo many times, there's always something new to discover - whether it's a place, restaurant, shop or experience. Getting to feel it first hand - rather than just reading about it on the internet or facebook - makes for a richer experience.

Tomorrow, I'm off to Tokyo again for a few days of connecting/disconnecting. And it's a great way to spend the Holy Week.

Changing of the Guardians

When I was in grade school, I'd often be an acolyte during our masses. When the intentions were being recited by the priest, he'd usually say:

"Together with John Paul, our Pope, Jaime, our bishop, and all the clergy..."

A decade or so later, with the passing of Jaime Cardinal Sin, the line recited by the priest was:

"Together with John Paul, our Pope, Gaudencio, our bishop, and all the clergy..."

When Pope John Paul II passed away, the line once again changed to:

"Together with Benedict, our Pope, Honesto, our bishop, and all the clergy..."

During last week's mass, the line was again changed to acknowledge our new Pope, saying:

"Together with Francis, our Pope, Honesto, our bishop, and all the clergy..."

On my way home, I couldn't help but think that I've seen the changing the guardians of the Catholic Church - the Pope and our Archbishop - twice. Which is quite an extraordinary and inspiring feeling.

Aside from the feeling that I must really be getting old.

The future looks bright

Yesterday, we had our integrated finals for our 3rd year Advertising Management and Copywriting classes.

Their finals was deceptively simple. They had to choose a small business around the Taft Avenue area, and propose an Integrated Marketing Campaign. The clincher was that they had to create one from both a strategic and creative stand point.

After hearing the 4 groups present, I was impressed.

Truth is, one of my co-professors (who was a former boss) said that this was the worst batch he's ever handled. Of course, I disagreed because I see a lot of potential in this batch of Juniors.

It's true that they sometimes lack focus. And come late. And are too rowdy. And fix their hair while in class. And come across as frivolous. But hey, that's what real people in the real industry do.

We sometimes lack focus. And come late. And are too rowdy. And fix our hair before client meetings. And come across as frivolous. So, that isn't too bad.

Besides, even if they aren't the usual straight-laced students, they have a lot of innate creativity within them. Their finals are a perfect testament to that.

Their strategies were sound and I could see the thought process they put into it. Some of their creative materials were out-of-the-box and could easily pass off as something a professional did. Even Chally was impressed at the quality of the work. So was the client who sat in.

Too bad that my co-professor couldn't attend the finals. He might change his mind after this.

Yes, they're not perfect. But if this class represents the future of advertising, I think there's a bright future ahead.

At 22

It's nice to listen to a Taylor Swift song that's not too heavy on angst or ex-boyfriend references. Her latest song - "22" - has that fun sound of Taylor's early years, but the lyrics are a bit more of Taylor now. (Yes, she can't help but make references to ex-boyfriends.)



After listening to the song several times, the question I asked myself was: "What was I doing at 22?"

At 22, I was:

- on my second job at San Miguel Corporation
- given my first management job
- handling a team composed of my Dad's old team members
- traveling to 3 countries in 1 month for work
- traveling around the Philippines for work
- editing my own videos
- making new friends who eventually became long-term friends who I still hang out a lot with up until now
- doing so many things at the same time, I would stay at the office until Sunday!

Gosh, it looks like a was a very busy 22-year old back then.

Scratch that!

Way back during my first job, we had to undergo the usual annual physical check-up. While the doctor was giving me my exam, out of the blue, he said:

"Very sensitive ang skin mo."

Years later, I did notice that I would get bruises easily. Sometimes, I'd just hit my leg on the table, and suddenly, I'd have a scratch or a bruise. And to think I was wearing jeans when that happened.

It still happens occasionally these days. Sometimes, I'd see a scratch and think: "Where did that come from."

On my way home, as I was boarding the MRT, a lady rushed in and squeezed herself into the space beside me. She was so forceful about it, and I felt her bag on my left arm.

When I got home and washed my arm, I noticed a sting the lower part of my left arm. When I looked at it, there was this 1-inch scratch on it, and it was quite noticeable. Actually, more than "quite." Mom saw it from across the room and asked me what happened to my arm.

Oh well, I just have to be more careful next time.

Seeing double

Two weekends ago, I felt pain on my left shoulder and neck area. So, when I went to Watson's, I hurriedly went over to the area that sold plasters so that I could buy my go-to-plaster whenever muscle pain strikes. That's Salonpas, of course.

Imagine my surprise when I got home. I brought out the contents of the bag and realized that I only thought I got Salonpas. It turns out that the product I picked up and bought is Mentopas.

The way the package was designed - from the logos to the colors to the layout of the pack - it was so similar that it felt like the same thing from afar. And if you're on autopilot, like me, then you'd think you're picking up Salonpas when you're actually buying the competition. Wise move indeed.

It's the same thing that's happening to 2 new shampoos in the market. They're both positioned as salon-caliber shampoos, and their packaging looks so much alike.

Notice how both products have black and white bottles, with touches of fuchsia on the label. It's enough to make you feel like you're seeing double. Again, if you're in a hurry and just grab items from the shelves, chances are, you'll be buying Syoss just when you thought  you were grabbing Tresemme.

All these product look-alikes are enough to leave consumers confused.

But I think that's what they're supposed to do.

The formula for audition

Being an admitted film buff, I tend to notice patterns and formulas in the different films that I've seen through the years. Whether it's a Hollywood production or an old Filipino one, it's quite easy to spot patterns as they are formed from one movie to another.

One of my favorite film formulas is the "audition scene."

This scene usually happens in teen or young adult movies. There's usually a choir, dance group, cheerleading team, or any other team that loses a member, and that member needs to be replaced. Thus, they open an audition where they'll usually find the "I-don't-want-to-get-into-this-but-I-don't-have-a-choice" character who will make their team win.

The "I-don't-want-to-get-into-this-but-I-don't-have-a-choice" character is usually a brooding misfit who would rather do something else with his or her life. But once s/he gets accepted into the choir/band/group/team, there is an epiphany and that person finally finds contentment.

Before that magical person is found, they have to sift through different wacky characters during the audition. And even if the movies are different, you'll see common characters trying out for those coveted spots.

Exhibit A: Bring it On cheerleader tryouts



Exhibit B: Pitch Perfect acapella choir auditions



These films might be 12 years apart, but you'll see a formula when it comes to the characters who audition. In these 2 films, these characters are:

1. The "Crier" - Or the girl who cries at the audition because something happened to her before the big tryouts.

2. The "Perky Girl" - She's the eager beaver who tries hard to impress everyone with her high pitched voice, and she looks like she's on a sugar and adrenaline rush at the same time.

3. The "Theater Guy" - Like any person trained in theater, they have big movements and are overacting.

4. The "Nasty" - This is usually a female character, looks like a trailer trash chic, and naturally acts like one.

Needless to say, the top plum usually goes to the main character who is usually portrayed as:

5. The "Deviant" - Also known as the "I-don't-want-to-get-into-this-but-I-don't-have-a-choice" character.

Folks who watched "Bring it On" and "Pitch Perfect" know that the main winners during the auditions were Missy (for Bring it On) and Beca (for Pitch Perfect), and their characters and characterizations were the same.

I guess that's why we're rooting for them, we want them to win, and they do win in the end. Slow claps all around, we get the feel good ending we all want, and everyone loves the movie so much, they watch it over and over again.

See, it's a formula that works.