Gratias Tibi

About Sheridan College

It's too easy to say a simple "Thank You." Maybe a little touch of the Dead Language (Latin) might make it more heartwarming and worthwhile.

With a month left in the semester, it's about time we, the student, look back and remember the people that helped us along the way. A simple gesture can go a long way, and everyone who helped us in a span of a year deserve a call.

Colin Robey:

To the man who taught us that numbers are just as important as the message. When I signed up for program, I came in with the thought of creativity being the most important in relaying that whole campaign. You proved me wrong by showing and instilling the idea that "The Medium Is The Message" or "MEDIA IS THE MESSAGE." While the mini-tests were hell to deal with in the second semester, it goes to show your definition of TOUGH LOVE. In addition to your new baby boy, you have 7 other kids who look up to you as a dad in the classroom. Thanks for the lessons...and tips (#17 and still going!)

Annie Tarzi:

The defining figure in combining the BUSINESS and CREATIVE aspect of the campaign. Your professional input and experience in the industry is a huge factor in our future journey in the advertising industry. The classes were much more entertaining and enlightening with your stories and methods of teaching. Thank you very much for the lessons.

Yvonne Dineen:


That feeling when we know what is a good ad.

While very similar to media ethics, still very informative especially since I just moved from a different country. Different country, different standards. Thanks to your class, we got to know the different regulating bodies and the standards to what is classified as a good ad. Moving to the present, the IMC class perfectly integrates with the campaign that we are currently working on. Looking at the whole spectrum rather than being specific is a breath of fresh air and will prove very useful in our journey down the line. Thank you for the lessons.

Anamaria Dragoi & Iryna Molodecky:

The programs and techniques we learned in class is UBER HELPFUL especially now that we have we are in the last steps of the Pitch Campaign. Photoshop? Check. InDesign? Check. Audacity? Check. It's a shame we only tackled the tip of the iceberg in a span of a year. If I went for the 2 year program, then maybe we could've learned more than what is intended. Thank you for the lessons.

Doug Greenwood:

The picture summarizes the semester

We got the taste of the IMC in this class and it really helped out in the long run. While the logic behind "Pick and Stick or Stick and Pick" is still a fathom to me, the 4 Ps painted the picture that we so desperately need to form in this pitch campaign. We will never forget the ENERGY that you have at the start of class, something we kept missing out at 8am. Thank you for the lessons.

Tina Preussner:

My attitude to online was pretty much like this at the start

And now...

My absence in the online world proved to be one my downfall and weakest link. This class opened the whole idea to me and, hopefully, it will make my presence a lot more profound. Just keep practicing through blogging. Thank you, Tina!

Maureen Garbutt:

Sales has always been a scary path for me to take. While I'm accustomed to rejection, the pressure of your income solely relying on your commission is hell to even think of. Pressure is hell...but it can be a helpful asset to take into account.

To quote a character from a video game:

"This is a lot of pressure for someone to take. But remember...pressure can turn shit into diamonds. Or diamonds into dust. I have a lot of faith in you people..."

This class made the vision of sales a whole lot more interesting and easier to stomach.

I'm still scared. But at least now, I can look back at what we learned and say that I can prepare for the next prospect.

This is for the professors...next up would be for the classmates.

One-on-One with Myself

I would like to take this moment to reflect on the past. No, this is not a somber tale of a growing boy (Good lord... hell no) but more of an understanding of what has passed and what may be in store for me.

In a few days, I will be turning a year older. It's a sad notion to see notices on my Facebook page and text messages but that's something I will have to live with.

That's enough of the personal reflection... let's go to my professional looking glass.

I've only been a working professional for less than a decade but I can already feel the burden it brings with age and experience. To be honest, I deviated from the path that my teachers told me to go. They wanted me to be a journalist. I led myself to believe that I can be more than just a silent scream waiting to be heard. To an extent, I achieved that status but not so much as I had hoped for.

I grew up with a vision that I would rather live as a legend than as a fleeting memory. I don't know anymore if I can live up to that promise. My path is now intertwined with the arts and the business perspective of the whole spectrum that is life.

When I got out of university, I prepared myself with the understanding that creativity is everything. I carelessly let go of my understanding of math and the sciences to refine my understanding of the metaphysical and sublime. And it's only now I realize that it was a mistake to let it go. I should have embraced it along with the study of creativity.

Only a few more weeks 'till the end of my post-graduate study in Sheridan and I am still clinging to creativity as a saving grace. As much as I would want to believe that I am, I am not professional enough to make this career change in the field of advertising. That is not to say that I am not ready for this career change. This entry is meant to act as a wake-up call to me and to whomever feels the way I feel, sees the way I do.

The education I received in Sheridan is true...

But as a person, I need to learn...

There's still time for this old dog to learn..

I can do this...

I'm not only doing this for myself. There's my family. There's the family I will start with Karla. There're people I mustn't disappoint. Promises I made when I left my home.

Crunch week...

The Pressure Is Coming

About Sheridan

Winter is over.

But the pressure is still coming.

In the words of my classmates, "PITCHES BE B!@#$ES!"

I totally agree with them but I also have to embrace the fact that the day is coming when we will all be judged before a panel. The group's already compiling all the previous work while working on the new ones being introduced in class.

I swear the blood is literally pumping in my veins due to both excitement and fear.

Maybe there will come a time when I will feel as dedicated as Jon Snow.

In the upcoming days, I can either be a Jon Snow (dedicated and looking forward to the future) or I can be a Oberyn Martell (Full of confidence but it will get me in trouble in the future - my ego might get crushed in the process just like his face)

OHEMGEE - ALMOST THERE!!!!!

Seeing Purple Elephants

About Sheridan

With the end of the semester on the horizon, I can't help but hope to actually see Purple Elephants to disguise my current outlook in life as a stale bloke that's juggling multiple lives as a student, volunteer and a family man.

The winter is almost over and Jon Snow (Migs Reyes) still knows nothing.

Time to perk up, and hopefully, not die!

Only a few more weeks to go!

-fin- -fin- -fin-

A Walk Down Memory Lane

To be fair,

This post has little to do with the current advertising program that I'm in but it did help in pushing me to this direction.

I had the pleasure of being a part of this very enlightening event, even if it was just a small part like helping make the trailer.

The trailer aired in Party Pilipinas, a show I was working in at that time as Segment Producer. With the help of my supervisor and friend, Arnold Sebastian Mendoza, I got to try out the promotional side of media.

No amount of words can truly express my thanks for the opportunity but I will just say it again because it is good. 

Thank you Arnold and Direk Rico Gutierrez for allowing me to be part of this event.

Below is the said trailer:

Tough Love

We can start with the basics...and perhaps the hard truth while we're at it. Come April, we're pretty much shit-faced even if we pass with flying colours (Mind you, I'm not saying that's how I am at this moment)

That's a fact that we all have to accept come April, but there is hope. That silver lining called opportunity (or maybe internship) may come reeling like a bat out of hell and save any of us.

Forgot to mention.. this entry is not for me, it's for all of us.

Now for the good news. THIS NETWORKING NIGHT.. was different, in my opinion. We already had enough knowledge from previous lectures in class or from the previous networking nights. We already knew quite a bit so this night was different. 15-minute speed dating to build a relationship rather than familiarising us with the business.

I can't say it's a success, that answer will come once we get hired or if the relationship bears fruit. I stand with what I told them. It's not about the money. There will always be money. It's about loyalty and the relationships that we build along the way that matter in surviving this competitive field.

We're taking pot shots up in the sky. And someday, that bullet will come raining down... and that's when things get exciting.

To everyone that was in the event...

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To my colleagues...

I once convinced a woman I was Kevin Costner

About Sheridan

                 No, I never said that out in public. I wish I had the looks, but... I got more of the creativity instead!

                    I am currently in a Better Call Saul hype so expect a lot of pictures or memes starring the CRIMINAL lawyer. Don't worry though, this post won't be all about my fascination and excitement for that show. It's gonna be more on advertising for movies or shows.

Everyone enjoys the movies. Who doesn't? But then again... do you get that same reaction from watching a movie that you only found out on the day itself? 

It may be good, may be bad... or probably no one cares at all.

Trailers.. Yes, trailers.

Build the hype. Crack that line and cookie dough that target audience!

Take the trailer of Birdman (2014) for example:

Not really categorized as an indie film, but it had that feel to it. Most indie films have the plot that tend to fuck up your rational way of thinking and make your tinker tick. Think of it as INCEPTION without the money and flashy graphics (well...only a little).

55 trailers, including tv spots. That's a pretty steep budget for a movie that only appeared in select cinemas. It only appeared in one cinema in Toronto in a span of 3 days. That's really marginalizing your potential audience and income... but that didn't stop it from soaring and winning awards in the last Golden Globes and Academy Awards night. 9 nominations for the Academy Awards and one win for Michael Keaton in the Golden Globes, not bad, Batman.

It's the hype. It's the hype that drives people in. Sadly, we have yet to do an in-depth analysis or lesson in the program. Just a taste.. oooh why only a taste...

I'm still waiting for a chance to start working on this angle. Hopefully, we'll touch base on this area. Build the tension with really short clips, interesting lines, etc.

And when you watch the real thing...

I'm not reviewing. That's not the purpose of this post.

BWAHAHA!