SIMPLE STRUCTURE ONE: Mosquitoes love to bite people.
SIMPLE STRUCTURE TWO: People use repellents to protect them from mosquitoes
COMPLEX STRUCTURE ONE: People love the outdoors.
People listen to the radio.
People love to listen to the radio when they're outdoors.
ERGO STRUCTURE: People listen to the radio and use it as a repellent to protect them from
mosquitoes that love to bite them whenever they are outdoors.
Makes sense?
Watch Talent Sao Paulo's "Repellent Radio" campaign for Go Outside below to make logic out of the sentence structures above.
Ad Title: REPELLENT RADIO
Ad Agency: Talent Sao Paulo
Client: Go Outside
So, it's Friday. And later tonight, you and your gang will hang-out in a nice bar, chilling away from your stressful student requirements or the monotony of your office corridors.
You'll probably dance around, drink some alcohol; then, party with more gyrating moves, and probably drink some more. You, in your almost drunk state, will reason out, "Itch Fraaaay-day [pause] after all, stupid!"
But before alcohol takes over your logic and reflexes, look into a mirror and ask...
"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the most wasted of us all?"
Ad Title: DRUNK MIRROR*
Ad Agency: OgilvyOne Brazil
Client: Allianz Insurance
Just received my passport yesterday. I'm now ready to explore the wonders outside our country! Of course, Thailand is first on my list - the Land of Smiles, creators of world-class commercials, experts in infusing culture and humor in every execution.
I'm saving up for Songkran Festival, which is held during April. Hopefully, my income coming from my teaching load will help with the finances.
Needless to say, I'm very much excited to travel abroad. I think it's about time to experience new cultures, to see fresh perspectives like those of a vanguard crossing a foreign land, being enchanted by seemingly ordinary things of that locality, but are considered extraordinary by his exploring feet.
Ad Title: 7 WONDERS OF AMAZING THAILAND
Ad Agency: McCann Erickson Thailand
Client: Tourism Authority of Thailand
Professor Mohawk the Explorer, tara lets. Let's do this!
Ad Title: New Flexible Wetsuit
Ad Agency: Publicis France
Client: Sooruz Wetsuit
AMATEUR'S COMMENT: One execution would have been enough to convey (or exaggerate) the wetsuit's flexibility. The series loses it charm with the second and third execution - it's like having the same print ad, except for the change in camera angle and contortionist's exhibition. Having a woman and a duo execute the acrobat would have provided variety for the print.
Well, that's just my 30secondTHOUGHTS for this print. How about yours?
Remember our childhood days when we ask our parents about how the things of the world work? Simple things like how underwater creatures breathe, who draws the cloud formations in the sky, and why stars disappear the moment we wake up in the morning. These questions made our innocence a wonderful playground for creativity and imagination.
That childhood curiosity was the inspiration behind DLV BBDO Italy's print illustrations for Cam, a leading brand for baby products in Italy. The prints are whimsical, even dreamy. The choice of colors depict themes seen in a nursery or playground - subtle, colorful, child-like. The beautiful illustrations are supported with a copy of question statements, direct insights into a child's curious minds - "Can I build a tree house everywhere?, for example." The prints indeed celebrate the endless possibilities of a child's imagination.
Ad Series: CURIOOSITY
Ad Agency: DLV BBDO Italy
Client: Cam
And like a child hearing the answer to his never-ending questions from his mother, we only stop in awe with these set of illustrations and remark with a resounding OOOOHHH...
Amidst the beautiful scenery of the Caramoan islands and
seascape, Survivor host Jeff Probst introduced the 25th instalment of his hit
reality television show with these words:
“We are in one of the most beautiful and remote locations in
the world – the Philippines. Here, thousands of islands scattered over the Southeast
Asian Sea are home to waters and rainforests filled with countless animals, both
beautiful and dangerous. Amidst the serenity of this majestic landscape,
furious storms can arrive without warning. It is here where 15 Americans ,already
divided into three tribes, have begun the adventure of a lifetime.”
For someone who has been a Survivor fan for almost twelve
years now, hearing Jeff Probst remark his opening spiel with the word “Philippines”
was indeed a momentous, hair-raising event. Having Mike Skupin (Survivor: The
Australian Outback), Jonathan Penner (Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites), and
Russell Swan (Survivor: Samoa) return for another shot at the grand prize was another welcome treat for this devoted fan.
In addition, our rich Filipino culture is
infused into the aesthetics of the game. The new tribes, for example, are named
after animals ever-present in our local folklore – Matsing (monkey), Tandang
(rooster), and Kalabaw (water buffalo), or in Jeff Speak, Met-sing, Ten-dang,
and Ke-la-baw. Likewise, the new immunity idol (a bust of a Sarimanok), the
tribal council area, and even the torches are reminiscent of the designs
present in the community of our early ancestors.
This season is indeed a landmark, a history in a making, an
avid fan’s dream come true.
I completely remember the first time I got hooked with the
show. It was in sophomore high school, with Survivor: Africa, the third season,
when I officially declared myself a Survivor fan. I did watch Survivor: Palau Tiga and
Survivor: Outback, the show's first two seasons, but only as “a regular
viewer”, feeling guiltless about missing an episode. (I had a
season marathon after my self-baptism as an avid fan afterwards.)
Back then, Survivor: Africa was shown in Studio 23 and AXN.
One episode was aired cumulatively at most ten times in one week for both
channels – and I would watch at least seven airings in repeat for just one
episode!
Looking back, I can say that Survivor has indeed provided a
great foundation in who I am today - for
my strategic thinking skills (how cautious I am in trusting people and watching my
back against real people plotting to blind side me), manner of speaking and thought
process (how I would talk and reason out in front of the TV set whenever the
castaways had individual interviews behind the bushes – a skill which
eventually helped me during extemporaneous speaking contests), and my plain
eccentric self (how I have my own Survivor ritual which I chant at the beginning of
every episode and how I pretend to strategize with make-believe alliances whenever
I am alone in the beach during family outings.)
From graduating high school valedictorian to eventually
finishing cum laude for my baccalaureate degree in Accountancy, from passing
the Certificate in Public Accountancy examination up to my eventual career
shift from Associate Auditor to College Professor, from my traditional Jose
Rizal hair to my current rebel Mohawk, from my school days in Dipolog to my
professional career here in Metro Manila, from every point A to point B, I can
say that Survivor has been part of my life. Every highlight in my calendar is punctuated with a Richard Hatch (Palau Tiga), Ethan Zohn (Africa), Rob Mariano (Marquesas), Russell Hantz (Samoa), and every living legend that has ever played in Survivor history.
The show has seen me outwit the challenges of my high school
academic adversaries, outplay the broken heartedness of a college romance, and
outlast the hardships from my previous place of toil. In that, I am forever
grateful.
To Jeff Probst, Mark Burnett, and the entire production team
who make every forty-minute episode a thrilling game of rewards, immunity
challenges, mergers, and tribal council, MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT. MABUHAY
KAYONG LAHAT!
P.S.
What better way to watch Survivor: Philippines' pilot episode than viewing the show with every Filipino's favorite fast food!
Nagkita tayo ulit, sa harap ng Seattle’s Best, may kasama ka
pa ring kaibigan, habang bitbit ko ang Jollibee Value Meal, pabalik sa aking dormitoryo.
Napansin ko ang iyong mapupungay na mata, tila nangungusap, nagpapahiwatag na
nagkita tayo kagabi, sa Seattle’s Best, ngunit hindi tayo magkakilala. Sumakay
ka ng dyip, nagpatuloy ako sa aking paglalakad. Napaisip ako, natawa, natuwa. Hanggang
sa muling pagkikita.
My facebook status a year ago goes this way: "When I was younger, I wanted to become a teacher. I used to have a record book for my imaginary class, keeping grades in make-believe quizzes. Now, one of my childhood dreams is coming true - I shall have my first class as a part-time professor come Tuesday next week. To God be the glory." Today, September 19, is my first birthday as a professor. In that, I have many things to be thankful for. First off, to Ma'am Dang de Mesa, my Statistics professor in my masters program, for reading that life-changing article I wrote for The LaSallian. Without her, I would not have this opportunity to become a professor and would still be part of the statistics of the unemployed. Next stop, to the Accountancy Department for allowing me to teach with my mohawk in tact, for allowing me to apply the theory of "[teaching] substance over [teacher's] form." Thank you for understanding that my mohawk is the extension of my personality or my pagkatao which I highly value. And of course, to all my students for letting me present to them the fun and exciting part of accounting - be it managerial accounting or accounting for partnership and corporation. Cheers! Allow me to share one of my favorite local commercials. It was aired back during my high school days and had a major contribution why I am passionate about advertising. It's a feel good advertisement with a stickiness factor, the kind you can repeat continuously and be mesmerized with the beauty of its melody and message. And yes, kasama ka sa mga taong pinasasalamatan ko. Salamat sa pagbasa!
Ad Title: KASAMA KA Ad Agency: McCann Erickson Client: Coca-Cola
It is another day to create a new scene in your own movie. Having that great idea in mind - courting that girl, moving your way to promotion, working hard for a perfect test score - should never be just that, an idea.
We should dare and execute them, those brilliant visuals in our minds being projected by that invincible eye towards the white walls of our dormitory rooms. Because once we execute those imaginary and supposed movie scenes, it is when we start making our own blockbuster and award-winning film.
Ad Title: E.T., KING KONG, TITANIC
Ad Agency: Yeah! Brazil
Client: Mindset
After a brief one-week hiatus in Dipolog, I am back to my normal system here in Manila. Today, I will fulfill my responsibilities as an accounting professor. Later tonight, I will continue with my duties as a student for my masters degree. I ask that my normal system creep in slowly, as I am still adjusting from that one week of pure relaxation, fun, and bonding with friends and family.
Nonetheless, this second term breathes of things new and hopeful. New students. New classmates. New term. New hope.
Let's do this. Let's do the first day high!
#RebelHigh
Ad Title: FIST DAY HIGH
Ad Agency: Dyll Communications
Client: Rexona
Your birthday was September 14, yesterday. The seven-hour time difference between London and Manila might have spelled some confusing magic. A belated greet, therefore, sweetheart. My apologies.
Brothers of the Mohawk Society, we hail Japanese designer Kazuhiro Watanabe for his achievement.
Guinness World Records has declared Watanabe as the man with the tallest mohawk, standing at 3 foot and 8.6 inches - a feat, according to the designer, took him 15 years to grow.
Our Brother Watanabe, you are indeed a living proof that the Brothers of the Mohawk Society is not only a fraternity of unique and well-structured heads but also a community of determined hair-raising achievers.
Stand tall brother. Of course, your mohawk included.
Don't grow too fast little ones, Kuya still wants to play with you.
Don't grow too fast little Charl, enjoy your collection of rubber bands and play with the cars I gave you. Soon enough, your toys will befriend cobwebs and dust and you will not attend to them.
Don't grow too fast Charl, Kuya still wants to embrace you with a warm meaningful good night.
Don't grow too fast little Dit, enjoy your kindergarten and recite all the poems you want. Soon enough, your stutter will be replaced with conviction found in the dictionary and you will defend your might with all your learned wisdom and courage.
Don't grow too fast Dit, Kuya still wants to hear your stories of superheroes and imaginary lands.
Don't grow too fast little ones, Kuya still wants to carry you around, until your weight and height are almost equal as mine.
Don't grow too fast little ones, Kuya still wants to play with you.
Ad Title: DEAR SOPHIE
Ad Agency: Google Creative Lab
Client: Google
Kay tagal ko ding nawala, bumalik din ako, bumalik, din ako.
The personalized version might sound off key, devoid of rhythm and rhyme. But the important part is that, as I write this blogpost, I am finally in Dipolog - I am finally home.
Earlier, the warm smiles of my doting mother and brother greeted me at the airport - my father, as usual, had to attend to business matters. I purposely did not eat breakfast back in Manila; I wanted that my first meal of the day will be my mother's ever-famous adobo and some slice of roasted chicken from a local stall. And the meal did not only fill my empty stomach but likewise my longing and homesick hear (cheesy, I know).
I am writing this blogpost inside my favorite hometown restaurant, Big Joe's Cafe. I ordered my usual - a quarter pounder burger meal and choco javanilla. I will meet my high school friends after this - a mini-reunion, I know, will turn into laughter, social drinking (except for me), and endless conversations.
Back here, things are familiar, familial, and unconditional. I will have to savor this. After all, I am only giving myself a one-week break. I will have to make the most of the period.
Perception is reality. What our minds think is real is really real. But when that kind of perception is compromised and bent to create an alternative reality, a truth disguised to induce the buying population to splurge on a purchase, the adage of perception and reality loses its conviction.
Take for example the recent brouhaha over Nokia Lumia 920.
EXHIBIT A: PERCEPTION
Nokia released the commercial below to promote the unique selling feature of its Lumia 920 - the Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) "which eliminates blurry images and improves pictures shot in low light conditions."
EXHIBIT B: REALITY*
The commercial is convincing to say the least. Imagine a feature present in high-end Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras now available in a Nokia smartphone. The Lumia 920 video shots looked like they were taken from a DSLR! Or were they really taken using a DSLR? The Verge, in T.C. Sottek's article Nokia's new Purview ad is amazing, too bad it's faked, was curious enough to answer the question and found the interesting gaffe:
The video shot in the particular scene was not taken using a Lumina 920! EXHIBIT C: BACK TO REALITY
Nokia confessed for blaring reality in a blogpost entitled An Apology is Due and shared that "[the company] should have posted a disclaimer stating this was a representation of OIS only. This was not shot with a Lumia 920. At least, not yet." The company also released a video, showing a split screen of a footage taken without and with OIS, this time the latter taken with a real Lumina 920.
In the given scenario, the perception Nokia would have wanted the public to believe was not exactly reality. The case proved that consumers must never be underestimated. Their curious minds are their primary defense against gullibility and deception. Everything nowadays can be discovered in a click of a button (or a slow-motion capture, in this instance) and the market can easily browse the web or use advance technology if they feel something is not right. Nokia must have known that. They are, after all, a technology-based company. Case closed. *Video for Exhibit B downloaded from The Verge website
One of the hardest, if not the hardest, part of teaching is failing students. As a human being, I could not bear the thoughts of failing, let alone become the bearer of the bad news. But a professor has to be objective with his grading system. After all, I don't fail students; I only compute their grades.
Today was grade consultation day, a period allotted for students to, as the name implies, consult with me regarding their grades and view the breakdown of their final scores. For this particular term, 35 out of 170 students did not make the cut, or close to one in every five.
I advised my students to never define themselves with this failure. Truth be told, this particular phase is but a postponed victory, a triumph delayed by The Higher Professor Above. And I mean that without euphemism nor sugar coating.
I know they will eventually pass the subject and when that time comes, their victory will be felt with a greater sense of accomplishment and purpose, a sweeter taste of success.
In due time, I suppose, they will understand why I have to fail them now - for them to work harder tomorrow and for them to know the reality that every point has to be earned. And when that time comes, I hope they can treat me for dinner.
Ad Title: MRS. CHONG
Ad Agency: UPBrandBuzz
Client: Ministry of Education
It was a wonderful term, a fulfilling experiment for my first stint as a professor for Accounting for Partnership and Corporation (ACTPACO).
First, all of my four classes were full, a population of above forty - attributed mostly to the recommendation of their peers. With that handful of students, I had to exercise proper class discipline (making sure the students were attentive) while exchanging jokes, anecdotes, and conyo talks in between accounting problems (making sure the students were not bored).
Second, my lecture breaks of showing advertisements - radio, print, but mostly television commercials - finally had a name. 30secondTHOUGHTS is the creative ice breaker, given just in time when students' heads were about to explode with accounting theories and computations. The advertisements are compiled in this blogspot.
Third, the Monday-Wednesday schedule was made memorable (and tiresome) thanks to my LS Building - Andrew Building regular sprint. It was a hurried ten-minute dash from one building to the far and opposite establishment, just barely enough time to start the next class on time. I am thankful for that faculty elevator; had it not for that privilege, I would have lined up with other students in the regular elevator and would have started the classes almost twenty minutes late. Gladly, my next term schedule is to be held at the LS Building only.
Next, I celebrated my quartermark this particular term. I gave a bonus quiz to students who attended the class lecture during my birthday as my surprise gift to them.
Finally, one of the most fulfilling part of teaching is letting students know the fun side of accounting and the fruitful reward of learning. That although numbers are a regular source of phobia, one must learn to enjoy the process of learning and computing. That an accounting lesson extends far beyond computations - it can allocate time for creativity and real life lessons. That accounting and boredom are not necessarily relatives. That it was indeed MORE FUN IN ACTPACO.
You want to unwind, relax, or take a break. The final exam is just a few hours away. Your pre-final grade is haunting you. You know that your final exam will spell the difference between victory and defeat. You shall burn the midnight oil tonight.
But relax, this break shall serve you well. Go grab a KitKat. After all, the sound of "KitKat" in Japan is almost synonymous to "Good luck" or "Best Wishes." With the given association, parents send these chocolate wafers to their children who are about to take the college entrance exams as a sign of well wishes or "you can do it my child" shout-out, a parental support for that upcoming test.
So, go ahead. Grab that KitKat. Who knows, it will be your lucky charm for tomorrow's exams.
Ad Title: KITKAT KITTU KITSU
Ad Agency: JWT Tokyo
Client: KitKat
I have been away from my family for almost four months now. It may seem that four is just a small number, an immaterial digit. But for me, it has been a long quarter and one month.
I should have been in Dipolog by now - enjoying free delicious food, the bucolic boulevard view, and endless conversations with family and friends - had it not for the term extension mandated by the school. The supposed two-week vacation plan has now been reduced to a one-week leave. The schedule is now fixed to make sure that I will spend time with people that matter most to me - my family, my best friends, my high school chums, my two little boy cousins.
Kung bakit pa kasi ang layo-layo ng mga taong malalapit sa puso ko.
Times like this, Daughtry's and Michael Buble's own versions of "Home" become a mandatory playlist, with a loop set for a continuous and endless rewind. The songs just speak of this moment - the exhausted self, both as a professor and student, wanting to unwind, needing of that unconditional love, that worthy companionship. For even just for a single week, I will not be that probinsyano living in Metro Manila but simply the Dipolognon, that hometown lad, that I truly am - a son, a friend, a high school classmate, a doting Kuya Nens.
I need to re-energize, to inspire myself before I face the new term.
Ad Title: WISH
Ad Agency: McCannWorldgroup
Client: Coca-Cola
And yes, Saturday, I can't wait to see. See you soon, Dipolog.
Ber na naman. Buwan ng mga regalo, reunion, at ng malamig na simoy na hangin. Sa loob ng apat na buwan, ipagbubunyi naman natin ang kapanganakan ng batang Hesus - ang dahilan ng ating pag-asa, ang nagbibigay buhay sa ating mga pangarap.
Ber na naman. Buwan ng pamilya, kaibigan, at ng walang hanggang pagsasamahan. Sa loob ng apat na buwan, ang paligid ay mapupuno ng mga himig at huni ng mga masasayang pampaskong liriko - ang kwento ni Rudolph, ang pagkalembang ng mga Jingle Bells, ang pagsasadula sa buhay ni Frosty.
Ad Title: GIFTS YOU CAN'T WAIT TO GIVE
Ad Agency: Adam and Eve DDB United Kingdom
Client: John Lewis
Ber na naman. Buwan ng mga pusong nagmamahalan, ng mga pusong malalamig, at ng mga pusong kontento. Sa loob ng apat na buwan, sisikapin ng mga nilalang na mahanap ang tunay na kahulugan ng pag-ibig at hahanapin ito sa bawat sulok ng kanyang paligid - sa bawat pagsalubong sa mga tao, sa bawat araw-araw na karanasan, at sa bawat dahilan ng kanyang pagsisikap sa trabaho.
Ber na naman. Buwan ng pag-ibig, pagbibigayan, at paghingi ng katawaran. Sa loob ng apat na buwan, maraming regalo ang mabubuksan, maraming himig ang makakanta, at maraming buhay ang mahahanap ang kahulugan.
At sa bawat alaalang maguguhit sa mga regalo, himig at kahulugan, sana nawa'y mapagbunyi natin ang dahilan ng lahat, ang pinakamagandang surpresa - ang pagsilang ng pagmamahal, ang pagsilang ni Hesu Kristo.
