Filed under: Uncategorized
Carry on 2014!
2013, you were all about making things happen. I never thought that you will be kind to me. All I asked from you the previous year was to be as steadfast but I was surprised with your overflowing kindness – it was during your time that one of my biggest dreams became a reality. You gave me the opportunity to venture into new places, meet new people, rediscover my passion for creativity and learn from people never in my life I thought I would meet. You also gave me the confidence to once again go solo on a trip. It was fulfilling, at the same time it allowed me to revive my obsession for adventure. You also gave me the chance to reconnect with my long time friends I never met in years. Unfortunately, I also had to bid farewell to good friends who had to leave. But this taught me that true friends will remain the same despite the distance. For all your goodness, I am MORE than grateful.
But 2013, before I drown in your entire splendor I realized that you’re not perfect at all. I guess there will never be a perfect year. But you taught me that it’s all about PERSPECTIVE. Good things happen to be appreciated, but you’ll appreciate it more when you know what it feels like to have nothing. So instead of wallowing on the negatives, accept and embrace those not-so-good memories because these might be a preparation for a better year ahead.
As I welcome a new fellow, 2014 – I ask you the same thing: Be as steadfast. May all the positive goodness of 2013 carry on. Again, no resolutions or promises to make instead I will continue to do things 2013 helped me carry through. 2013 was a launchpad to new goals, let’s make sure to make it happen. I will set my expectations low because I know you will never be perfect but I am confident that we will get through this ride together. Don’t worry I am getting the hang of it, little by little.
Cheers to a meaningful and great year ahead!
Filed under: SIDETRIP, THOUGHTS OF KULOT | Tags: cannes lions, cannes lions 2013, cannes lions festival of creativity, lowe, open, unilever, young creative academy, young lions at cannes
Red flags at the Cannes Lions 2013 festival
I have always reminded myself that someday I would make it in Cannes. A bucket list entry waiting to be ticked anytime soon and if not early in this lifetime I would patiently wait till I make it. Any adman would definitely dream of this privilege since Cannes Lions is the mecca of all advertising festivals.
If you don’t get it the first time, try again…and again.
Luckily, starting my advertising career at Lowe Open literally opened a lot of doors for me. I am very thankful to be given the opportunity to represent the agency (together with other young creatives at LOWE) to join the local design competition where the winners will be sent to Cannes. Unfortunately, we did not make it but then again I reminded myself that more than the prize it was the experience that mattered. Not until another opportunity came – an invitation from Unilever for its Developing and Emerging Market Young Creative Scholarship. At first I was apprehensive to give it a try since I will be competing with other talents from almost 20 countries but I realized I don’t want to regret this if I don’t give it a shot. Unfortunately, I did not make it through the first cut but Unilever was kind enough to open three more slots and fortunately I was chosen to be one of the scholars. God really knows how to make surprises and when you dream it, you can actually do it!
The Palais – this is where most of the seminars and talks are held.
60 Years of Inspiring Creativity
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The Young Creative Academy by Unilever
On its second year, Unilever has been sponsoring the Young Creative Academy during the Cannes Lions festival. The Academy is headed by Bob Isherwood – Ace Saatchi and Saatchi’s former Worldwide Creative Director famous for his creative leadership which brought the agency into its top rank. He has carefully chosen speakers from the creative industry to share their experiences and inspire young creatives to do better in their chosen fields and how to make their bright ideas happen. The line-up of speakers was topnotch which included advertising legends, an award-winning director and a world-renowned photographer.
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Advertising legend Sir George Lois giving his talk at the academy.
David Droga on hiring young Creatives: “I want them to be connected with the real world.”
Fruits for your picking. Served fresh daily at the academy.
25 Students. 17 Countries. One passion for Creativity.
More than anything else, meeting 25 creative (and crazy) individuals from 16 different countries was definitely one of the best experience I had so far. It was great sharing ideas and stories with like-minded individuals who share the same passion for creativity. Being together in the academy for almost a week made me realize how similar we are in so many ways – the problems we encounter, the clients we have to face but most importantly the drive and passion that brought us in the same place. The amount of inspiration I got from these people was really mind-blowing and something I would definitely be remembering always. As I look back, I did not only learn a lot but I am glad that I have made good friends along the way. And as soon as I get back to work, I will always be reminded that 24 different individuals from across the globe are fighting for a good brief, making their voices heard, and keeping their creative passion alive.
The Young Creative Academy with Bob Isherwood.
A massive Thank You to Unilever!
The whole class during our “graduation” day.
Asia represent! =)
With Erika Miklos and Fernando Machado (Dove) of Unilever.
One final group photo.
Now that the academy is over the challenge is to transform all the learnings and wisdom into great work. I am looking forward to sharing all the things I’ve learned and passing on the inspiration I’ve gained from the experience. Hopefully, this wouldn’t be my last trip to Cannes and I am hoping the next time a golden shiny lion will be sitting on my palm.
Here are more photos from the festival:
“The communicators will have a profound influence on how the next 20 years turn out…think about how to do it and do it as well as you can.” -President Bill Clinton, Cannes 2012
The “game area” at the Young Lions zone.
Shortlisted entries and winners are on display at the Palais.
More of the best works on display.
The public beach just outside the Palais.
A very busy afternoon with a lot of activities happening around the Palais.
The green ticket invite for one of the award shows.
So this is how an advertising show looks like? Definitely grand!
The Palais usually in a celebratory atmosphere after the awards show.
The Cannes Lions 60th Anniversary Coca-Cola bottle.
Festival poster all over Cannes.
I guess everyone’s wish in the advertising industry is to take home one. 🙂
The Google beach bar open for delegates.
The Young Lions party at the Baoli Beach.
Priceless Cannes.
Filed under: WOK in VISAYAS | Tags: culture, masskara, masskara 2012, masskara festival, masskara photos
As part of my bucket list of the places to visit and things to do in the Philippines is the chance to attend a festival. I have been to Bacolod twice but I never had the chance to attend the Masskara festival, so last year I made it a point to go back and join the festivity.
The Masskara Festival
The Masskara festival is a monthlong celebration but the most-awaited street dance parade is usually held during the weekend of the third week of October. The festival which originated almost three decades ago is a commemoration of Bacolod’s triumph after experiencing economic devastation during its early years. From then on, the Masskara festival is celebrated annually as it has evolved into a grand festivity of sort – bursting in colors and smiles – a reminder of the city’s resilience and optimism. True to the theme of the Masskara festival last year, Life is definitely good in Bacolod.
It rained so hard during the first day of the street dance competition (Schools category) but that didn’t dampen the spirit of the students and participants. True to the spirit of the Masskara festival, the show must go on as students danced their way with much enthusiasm wearing their big smiles.
Street parties + Streetdance parade
During the festival, Bacolod becomes a bustling city as parties are literally held on every street. The city’s main thoroughfare, Lacson Street, transforms into a long party avenue as giant speakers are set-up in every block beside makeshift stages offering all night entertainment to party goers. Restaurants along Lacson are almost booked with guests enjoying the company of family and friends over dinner or bottles of beer. You can really feel the vibrant and party atmosphere everywhere. As an added attraction, every night an Electric Masskara parade passes by Lacson street which is a spectacle not to be missed.
But the highlight of the festival is the Masskara streetdance parade, which is divided into two categories: the Schools and Barangay category. Street dancers prep up at the end of Libertad Araneta street as they make their way through the main avenue going to the Bacolod Public Plaza for their main performance. The Masskara festival is characterized by colorful and flamboyant costumes as street dancers gyrate to the beat of the main theme song of the festival. But what makes the festival unique are the big smiling masks worn by the dancers.
Here are some shots during the parade.
A Masskara souvenir being sold in the streets during the festival.
Masskara souvenirs.
A smile within a smile.
One of the colorful ensembles who performed during the festival.
This group is from the barangay category.
Tired but still smiling.
The blue and white group.
Life’s definitely good in Bacolod.
Mother and child.
Spot the smiling face.
All geared up with their props and giant smiles.
Jesters on the loose.
Can’t help but smile too.
Filed under: WOK in LUZON | Tags: beaches in quezon, beaches near lucena, borawan, dampalitan, jac liner, lucena, padre burgos, puting buhangin, unisan
I haven’t blogged anything for quite sometime. To make-up for my backlog posts, here’s a quick beach fix suggestion perfect for this Summer season. So read on and plan that long due weekend getaway with your friends.
Quezon’s quick beach fix destinations
Most of the time you have to travel far and wide and spend a lot to enjoy pristine white sand beaches with clear blue waters. But if you’re a weekend warrior on a budget looking for the best weekend beach trip relatively close to Manila then head to Padre Burgos in Quezon for an island hopping adventure! Moreover, the beaches of Padre Burgos is slowly getting attention as a beach camping destination for weekend adventurers who want to stay on the beach without the frills of luxury accommodations. Just pitch a tent and you’re all set!
Three of the well-known beaches in Padre Burgos are Borawan, whose name is a portmanteau of Boracay and Palawan because of its white sand shoreline and tall rock formations; Puting Buhangin/Kuwebang Lagpas, known for its powder white sand, clear turqouise waters perfect for swimming and cave situated at one end of the island which has an opening to the other side of the bay; and Dampalitan, which has a longer shoreline than the previous two making it a perfect venue for beach camping and not to mention it also the perfect spot for a picturesque sunset.
The islands are yours for the picking. Just bring your tent, food and drinks, your friends and an adventurous attitude and it will surely be one of the weekends you won’t forget.
Here are some of the photos of the islands:
The sight of white beach and tall coconut trees (sans the tower in the background) is a delight to any sun worshiper.
Obviously, Puting Buhangin got it’s name from it’s near perfect white sand.
Just bring a frisbee and you’re all set with your friends.
During low-tide, you can enter the cave at the other end of the island.
You can stay overnight in the island, just make sure to bring your own tent.
DAMPALITAN Island.
Dampalitan has a bigger area for pitching tents. The beach is less crowded compared to Puting Buhangin.
A sandbar? Not quite. But yeah, this area in Dampalitan is perfect if you just want to laze around the beach.
The steady waters of Padre Burgos.
Then again, nothing beats a perfect afternoon sunset by the beach. So if you’re planning for a no-frills, low-budget, and short trip this Summer the beaches in Padre Burgos is a must-visit.
How to get there: Take a bus at Jac Liner Cubao/Buendia station going to Lucena (3-4 hrs). Drop off at Lucena Grand Terminal. Take a Van going to Padre Burgos/Unisan (approx 1 hr depending on road conditions). Drop off at Crossing going to Basiao Beach. Make boat arrangements for island hopping (boat rental may vary depending on the number of islands to be visited, if all three (Borawan, Dampalitan, Puting Buhangin) it would cost approx. P2,200
Filed under: KULOT'S PICKS | Tags: Axe, Axe Apollo Space Academy, Axe Philippines, Buzz Aldrin, First Filipino Astronaut, First Filipino in Space, First Pinoy Astronaut, Lowe Philippines, Open Philippines, Space travel
It all started with this. Prepare for Liftoff.
Childhood dream no more
I remember as a kid, I wished that one day I would become an astronaut. It’s a farfetch dream I thought – something that will just remain to be a fragment of my childhood fantasies. As I grew older, I almost forgot about this dream and just settled myself into a career which is equally out-of-this-world. Advertising it is. But I guess dreams do happen. It might not be how you envisioned it to be but in some way or another it can be possible. And I am lucky to be part of a project that will launch the first Filipino in space.
The Walks of Kulot 