It was 9th of November, our first day of meeting, when I, and about ten more of my block mates, volunteered ourselves to our Advertising professor, Sir Gil Velez, that we wanted to be part of the Organizing Team for this annual event he holds in partnership with UST’s College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD). He said, though, that he only needed five from our class. Since there were several of us who wanted to get the slots, our professor collected our names and randomly selected five – these people were to be part of the event’s organizing team. Fortunately, my name was called. 

The event, Ideas That Matter (ITM), is an annual competition organized by students from CFAD and Communication Arts (CA). It is an avenue for Advertising students to showcase their advertising, marketing and creativity skills. 

To be real honest, at first, I had no idea what ITM was or that it was an annual event held in UST and that it was organized by both CFAD and CA students. All that was running through my mind, and probably the minds of my block mates who also volunteered, was that it was a good opportunity for us CA students to acquire, at least, an experience for organizing an event. 

The idea of having to work with CFAD students was also a big factor for our being enthusiastic about the event. And true enough, our meetings with Sir Velez were never dull. We, CFAD and CA, were able to get along with one another very well. Given, there were tension and, perhaps, nervousness during the first couple of meetings, but soon enough, we were all laughing, talking and sharing our ideas with another. 

The event proper is nearing, and I hope that we could all pull off this big event. But right now, when it comes to the ITM Organizing Team, all I could think of is being closer to each and every one of them, both personally and professionally.

Good luck to us 2012 ITM OrgTeam!

By: Jobed Nadonga

CHRISTMAS AND HAPPINESS

It’s the most wonderful time of the year once again!

For some, they celebrate it with their relatives while others like to celebrate it with their own family. It’s Christmas time. Little kids are excited to open their gifts while their parents and other relatives are enjoying their cup of coffee while preparing the food. This is the time to be happy and grateful for all the blessings that we had for the whole year. We should not let hatred and selfishness rule over happiness. As the Christmas song goes, “Tis the season to be jolly!”

It does not matter if we don’t receive any gifts. Material things can only bring us temporary happiness. We just need to thank God that we are alive and we should pray for everyone a happy Christmas. There are many people who cannot afford to buy delicious food for their Noche Buena but they don’t need those delicious foods to be happy. If their family is complete, they are happy despite of their condition in life. For them, family matters the most.

Christmas is also the time to relax. We should keep off work for a while for us to enjoy the holidays. Our Christmas vacation may be disrupted by putting work before our relaxation time. Time to lay off those works, people!

                It’s only two days before Christmas. Aren’t you excited? Don’t the Christmas songs playing on the radios and the countdown to Christmas by TV networks give you the feeling of joy? Even the little kids on your neighborhood are starting to get into the Christmas feeling by singing Christmas carols from house to house. And every family has decorated their house for the Christmas. It has always been that way.

                Finally, we should always remember that it’s always better to give than to receive. There are many people who are in need. We should share our old clothes and toys, and we could also donate food for them. Everyone must be happy this coming Christmas. It’s the time of the year when we have to give something which would make people happy. Don’t be selfish. If we could help poor families, then help them. It’s a time for equality.

                Enjoy the holidays!

 By Abigail Diaz

Creativity: “Imagine an endless and empty canvas”

How can one possibly start on talking about creativity? In my opinion there are just too many things that we can possibly think of. One can start with a vision and we can get inspiration from various artists or even everyday things we encounter. Objects and happenings in our home, in school and everywhere in our community, we see art and with this, we realize that everything can be utilized.

When we were children, we would doodle all day, sing songs we hear on the radio and mimic what we hear. Once we started growing up, we began altering the rhythm by making our own dance steps to our favorite songs and making up cheesy songs about our best friend until we make art for the sake of art and share our ideas for the sake of learning and experience. You see, creativity comes naturally. It’s just up to us if we will choose to hone and nurture such natural talent.

With one idea at a time, we can maximize our imagination and eventually invent or create something out of the ordinary that we can call our own. 

By Ma. Gianina V. Tomas

Teamwork!

Nov.16, 2012, a Friday was the first time I attended the Ideas That Matter group meeting. I felt really awkward at first, and very clueless of what's gonna happen, I barely know the members except for my classmates. As I walk around, I observed the people, some were just standing(maybe they feel uncomfortable, too, like me), some were laughing and talking with their friends. I told myself, nothing's gonna happen to me if I just stand here, and stare at them. So I gave it a shot, walked towards a bunch of people in civilian clothes(well, I was wearing my AB uniform, as well as my co-AB students). I tried to make a conversation with another member, I started by asking if the topic about blogging could be changed, 'cause mine was about Ad Quest, but our class haven't started preparing yet. I might end up composing something not related to it. So this member told me that he isn't sure about it and he seemed busy so I backed off. I gave it another try after having our photos taken, a group of mixed AB students and CFAD students were talking and laughing. While walking towards them, I was thinking on what kind of approach I will do, if I will just suddenly laugh like I know what they were talking about, or if I will ask someone what they were talking about and try to share something about it, too. So I opted to do the second one, I imagined doing the first one and felt stupid, and the second one looked safer. So I started asking, and the conversation went on, the presence of awkwardness was still there, but it was lessened. There were still some quiet moments but the meeting ended well. People might not have noticed me, and it's alright. What's important is, I took some initiative to know them and I learned something. Another thought came to me, if I didn't approach them, I might drown myself with shyness until the next meeting and I will not be able to make new friends. 

I believe that initiative is a part of teamwork, and if everybody took a little initiative, we are gonna get closer and closer to our goals faster.

By Noelle Regine Reyes

Live and..

Yesterday, I was blessed enough to chill for a while and catch a movie. I asked my mother to accompany me and watch Rise of the Guardians which by the way is a movie that you’ll regret not watching. Lately, I’m slacking off and I feel too uninspired to do any artwork and worse, my plates... And I realized that maybe the reason why I can’t create anything is because I stopped dreaming. We need our dreams for ourselves to marvel, to be inspired, to welcome creativity. When we welcome our creativity, we begin a colorful journey; a journey to places that only our minds can create. This is a chance to paint the world with colors that are alive, a chance to revive a sweet childhood memory and be able to share it with the world.

But this doesn't always happen; we have our doubts and fears. There are anxieties that we can’t get rid of. Clashing schemes and muddled thoughts: how do I start if my pencil isn't sharpened, if my pen is out of ink, and if my camera is out of film? Where will my first step lead me? Or do I even know why I want to take this journey in the first place?

Maybe a sack of creativity is what I need in this journey that I am willing to take a crack at. Creativity is my weapon. 

This semester, I am part of the organizing team of Ideas that Matter which is totally awesome. As an org team member, we are expected to produce magic in a wand’s flutter. Besides, it is part of being an advertising student, right?

So I was wandering in the streets of the World Wide Web last night and I found Kendra Cherry’s article entitled “How to Boost Your Creativity” and here are some of the tips she mentioned:

Commit Yourself to Developing Your Creativity

Realize that Creativity is Sometimes Its Own Reward

Be Willing to Take Risks

Make Time for Creativity

Overcome Negative Attitudes that Block Creativity

Fight Your Fear of Failure

For us to make it to the end of a colorful voyage, let us not limit ourselves to things, habits, and people that are just around us. Be curious to everything that life has to offer in order for ideas to flow in you and in no time, you’ll be as creative (or even more) as your favorite artist, art director, film maker, and writer!

“Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people”

– Leo Burnett

Make art, draw your friends, enhance your skills, draw people and things that inspire you, create, make more art, draw the New York City skyline, go to New York – the city of art, try something new, drink coffee, finish the artworks you've started, believe, create your own maps in your mind, show people your work, always dream, take time to sit in the park and sketch, write, enjoy, dance, be positive, be free, say yes, don’t say you can’t, and most importantly.. Don’t forget to live. 

By: Louise Samantha Claire Padua

 An unexpected spark will IGNITE

your creativity this 2013!

By Marge de Jesus, CFAD - 3AD5

The Paradox of Expectations

As a student I have expectations I set for my self and now, as a member organizing team my expectations are meant to benefit everyone who’s a part of this semesters ITM. We all want this event to be successful. It’s about making something happen, learning in the process and pushing our selves into becoming better creative individuals. We need to step up and getting rid of, if possible- mediocrity. Expectations give us a clear picture of what we want to achieve, what we want to happen and whose lives we want to impact.

One of my personal expectations is to develop a harmonious relationship with the members of the organizing team team, we all need to work together and face hardships and successes as a team. It’d be nice to work with people whom you get along with. It motivates people to work better somehow. That’s just one of my many personal expectations. Generally, I just hope for a more successful ITM event, hope we’d all be able to accomplish everything on time without procrastinating or doing everything up to the last minute, preparing in advance is good, delay is never a good thing. I honestly hope that we all just learn and enjoy from this opportunity presented to us and not take it for granted.

In the end, the paradox of expectations shouldn't be determined by simply saying that they are good or bad. Expectations are neither good nor bad they are both. The responsibility solely lies within us. They are what we make them and what we make of them. Our expectations are authentic and are normally self-generated and the only thing is that we usually struggle in their attainment, which is perfectly normal. The results are worth it in the end. We all strive to meet expectations with reality because the truth of the matter is happiness and success are measured in terms of whether or not expectations were met (or exceeded).

In order to meet or exceed one’s expectations instead of trying to lower down our expectations (like what most people do) we must be prepared and learn to sacrifice many things mostly our time and energy. We need to focus and really just step outside our comfort zones and our beds. We need to set aside our personal ambitions and focus on what will benefit everyone who’s involved.

Let me end with one of the things I learned from last semester’s ITM talk given by Raoul Panes from Leo Burnett

"Creativity is bound by deadlines. It is measured by results."

     By Maria Julia Margarita De Jesus

Second semester’s (2012-2013) “Ideas That Matter “Organizing Team

 Meet your 2^nd Semester Organizing Team!

CFAD TEAM with Sir Velez

From left to right:

Cyril Aquino, Samantha Padua, Jeri Gabon, Sir Gil Velez, Jillian Daed, Alyssa Acedillo, Lady Leduc, Ronstadt Lee, Marge De Jesus, Angelica Manalo, Hans Lagman

Photo taken by: Igel Manalo

How was our first meeting?

During our first meeting I noticed how everyone was able to get along well easily. We introduced ourselves, laugh at each other’s jokes and cited our expectations for the org team and for this event.

We talked about our plans for this event. How we should do better than the last ITM.

I guess we are all very fortunate to be part of this big event and to be chosen by our amazing professor Sir Gil Velez.

Being a part of the Org team is a big opportunity. It’s like training for the real world, but to be part of the group means a big responsibility. Being a part of the org team is not easy, our responsibilities are –I guess- 3x heavier than our class subject with Sir Velez. Why? Aside from our problems/responsibilities for our subject we have other jobs/responsibilities to attend.

CA and CFAD Org Team (1^st Meeting)

In order to make this event successful we need to meet all the deadlines and handle all the responsibilities. We need to plan everything.  Avoid misdemeanour. And the most important thing is communication.

CA TEAM, CFAD TEAM & COMPETING TEAM (incomplete)

I’m happy and proud to be part of this team in spite of the heavy responsibility, But to be successful not just for the event but as a person we need to face our problems and handle responsibilities. We have to believe in ourselves, focus on our goals and ask God for his guidance.

                                                                                                                 By: Angelica Marie Manalo

Cool Ideas with Summit

   
                                                                                                   by Alyssa Acedillo

Pentel Pen Memories

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                       by Alyssa Acedillo

Printing Quality at its Best

As a fine arts – advertising student, you always want to have your works printed in a good quality. You want your works to stand out from the works of others. And you don’t want you works to be ruined by its printing quality.

In my 3 years in CFAD, I could say that I’ve tried all the printing shops around Espana – P.Noval area. And for me, there’s only one printing shop that gives me a good quality at a low price. It’s the Giraffix Print Studios.  Located at Delos Reyes St., it’s only a block away from Beato Angelico. It gives a good quality printing at a very low price. Attendants are also entertaining not like in the other shops.

So if you want to have your works to stand out from the rest, don’t hesitate to go to Giraffix. Printing quality as its best.

- Ryan Garcia

My Energizer

As a student, there are a lot of times that you need an energizer in order to perform well. And at times you cannot outdo yourself alone. Well for me, I have my energizer that helps me to outdo myself. 100 plus pushes me to the limit. It helps me to outdo myself. Whenever I need energy for a sleepless night, 100 plus never failed to give me one. So if you want to have an energizer, don’t hesitate to grab 100 plus. Outdoing yourself always brings out the best in you.

-Ryan Garcia

My Everyday Buddy

Being a commuter is never easy. It’s even harder if you are a fine arts student. With all the things you carry, it’s hard. There’s also  a lot of things you will encouter on your way to your destination. But with my everyday buddy, things are easy.

I’ve been using Jansport bag pack since I was 7 years old and since then, it was my everyday buddy. Whether I go to school, to trips or even just hanging out, my buddy is always with me.

-Ryan Garcia

Everyday adventure with Jansport

   As a Fine Arts student, my every day pack consists of a wide variety of things, from paintbrushes to wood saws. The two-hour drive from home to UST is difficult enough. Imagine carrying your precious plates and all the materials needed for it, then add the things you need for lecture classes. Imagine riding public vehicles with all these things occupying so much space that the other passengers look at you with pity or annoyance. And during these trips, you never know what’s going to happen, an overheating vehicle, traffic jams or rallies blocking your way.

I’ve never rode a public vehicle aside from tricycles before I entered college. I don’t like going out much and my High School was just a 5-minute drive from our house. At first, I found the long trip agonizingly tiring but then, after I start doing my plates, I realize what I studied here for – my passion. So now, I try to look at it as my everyday adventure. It’s a good thing I have my Jansport backpack with me.

Jansport backpack helps me carry the things I consider a burden to bring- the same things that actually create my passion. The things that help me create art works. These are the things that define me. Jansport is the only backpack I trust my most precious things with.    

                                                                                                                        - MM Adea

Absolute Hero

It was my friend’s birthday and she was planning on treating us pizza :D

But before we started eating some pizza, I’ve decided to buy myself a bottle of water. I was really thirsty that time and I wanted to keep myself hydrated for that day because our class is until 9PM.

So that day, I bought two bottles of Absolute Distilled Drinking Water because I was someone who easily gets dehydrated so, I bought the water I trust the most.

My friend was going to order the pizza so she asked us to wait at the Lover’s Lane. We were patiently waiting for the pizza, but some of my friends just can’t handle their hunger so they started eating their “baon.”

 While they’re eating, one of my friends suddenly started choking. No one had something to drink with them, except for me since I bought two Absolute bottles. 

She asked me if she could have the other bottle and she’ll just pay me later. Of course I didn’t want her to choke, so I gave her one of the bottles I bought.

After drinking, she was finally able to breathe properly and she said “Absolute saved my life.” It was actually funny when she said it, but it’s true J Good thing I had Absolute with me.

-Keshia Diano 

My Plate Buddy

Staying in front of the computer for 2 hours or more is just tiring. I’ve been using the computer for doing most of my plates. But after having problems with my computer, I was forced to go out and find an internet café.

I’ve been doing my part for our magazine layout for the past few days, and I end up not eating dinner at all. Coffee doesn’t seem to keep me awake anymore, and taking those energy drinks scares me because it’s not really good for the body.

Once I finish what I’m doing in the internet café, I go to the convenience store just near the café and grab myself something to drink and eat. I can get any food I like but the drink is special, and I don’t get anything else – only that.

That drink would be Mogu Mogu.

My favorite flavor is Lychee, but in the picture I tried a different flavor, which is strawberry.

I also noticed that Mogu Mogu keeps me awake at night. Whenever I try to pull an all-nighter, I always buy Mogu Mogu so I can stay awake and work on my plates, especially during the finals week, where we really have to stay up late because we have a lot of deadlines.

It is now my new favorite juice drink. 

I don’t need energy drink – I’ve got Mogu Mogu as my yummy drink to keep me company at night.  J

-Keshia Diano

Break the mold, Be Creative!

(Ad by Jeri Ann Gabon and Marge De Jesus, College of Fine Arts and Design, UST)

Fun in experience

Look! Even my classmates/ IMC-mates/ Thesis-mates and friends can’t help but share their experiences to everyone; they wanted to be cracked and be a part of this exciting event which by the way will happen VERY VERY SOON! So watch out for that!

"MY whole Family are certified Jansport users.
(Because owning Jansport Bags is my "Family's Thing"). :DWe prefer Jansport Bags because of its high quality and long lasting durability alongside with its unique styles which suits our taste."
- OMAR VERGARA, 4CA2!

Speaking of family thing, yep, we also have that in my family! 

"I use my Jansport bag everyday. All my school things can fit in it and it is stylish, almost all my classmates uses Jansport as their bag too!"
- My Cousin Kaira, a grade 6 pupil

"I went to Manila International Book Fair last Sept. 15, 2012 and... I was using my favorite shirt, my most comfortable shirt ever, WORLD WITHOUT STRANGERS, Giordano shirt and my Jansport bag!"

I love books! I have my Jansport with me where I can put all the books I bought. Less worries! :)

I SPOTTED EMMIE AND HER FRIEND AT UST Q PARK. 

"Having fun under the sun with Chuckie our chocolatey buddy, Jansport Backpack with my friend Abe and his favorite shirt, Giordano!"
-EMMIE SAPITAN, 4CA2

"Since i was a little girl, Chuckie has been my best chocolatey buddy before bedtime! It has been my drink every recess and lunch breaks! It is fun growing up with Chuckie!"
-KATHERINE VALENCIA, 4CA2

 "I like Chuckie's chocolaty taste! Its sweetness level is just right for me, not too sweet and not too dull. I check on its Nutri Facts, I found it amazing for it contains a huge amount of Calcium that is needed by our body to strengthen our bones. I started to have a habit of drinking Nestle Chuckie whenever I am working with my school papers, chatting and playing with my niece and almost every time I crave for something that is chocolaty sweet."
-Terica Buenaobra 4CA2

"JUST ME AND MY BACK PACK, travelling the world and seeing new places"
- GIAN CARLO PATELO, 4CA2

HEY, HOW ABOUT YOU? WHAT'S YOUR SAY ABOUT ALL THESE PRODUCTS? AWESOME RIGHT? :))

- Dana Singson

Get The Party Started!

(Ad courtesy of Franc Mangahas of 3AD5 from College of Fine Arts and Design, UST)

Planning to have a party?

Stop the hassle! Contact MACL Balloons and Party Mates, to help you pump up the hype for your party! It's definitely Your one stop party shop! :)

Going Nuts!

(Ad courtesy of Nicole Lim and Nicola Santos of 3AD5, College of Fine Arts and Design, UST)

Less than a week from now, we'll finally unravel who will crack the Big Idea! Will it be DEM? Maven? or HeadGear? Come and join us, with our sponsor Tobi Nuts, this September 27-29 at the Beato Angelico AVR, UST.

See you there! :)

A World Without Strangers

(Ad Courtesy of Ryan Garcia and  Ian Sagun from 3AD-5, College of Fine Arts and Design, UST)

6 Days to go!

Unravel Insights with the Help of Jansport

(Ad by  Clarisse Macuja and Czarina Agbulos from 3AD-5 College of Fine Arts and Design, UST)

(Ad courtesy of  Sam Padua and Kat Paralisan from 3AD-5, College of Fine arts and Design, UST)

Wanna be the best and stand out from the rest? Come and Learn from our guest Raoul Panes, Chief Creative Officer of Leo Burnett, this September 28 at 12:00 p.m. at Beato Angelico 3rd Floor AVR.

See you there!

Who Will Crack the Big Idea?

Will it be...

MAVEN

DEM

Or HEADGEAR?

        10 days to go 'til we find out who will win in this year's Ideas That Matter 'CRACKED' competition! 

My (Self-Proclaimed) Princess Story

Ladies and gents, stand up and praise the Princess.For tonight, I'd sleep on a bed of nails.

 Look at this stuff, I still have a lot to do but ITM blogpost will be on top of everything! 

 THIS! This is how much I am loving my ITM experience!

So, how do I start this post as a Communication Arts student?
It must be some sort of an introduction where I tell you who I am, my age and my skills.

But that's not how a CA student does it.

I'm Yna Paulene and people should never misspell my first name! If you're not sure how to spell it, play safely and call me Princess.

Here's a list of a couple of things for you to understand my personality:

• I don't eat pasta, pizza and burgers. JUST DON'T ASK ME WHY.
• I easily get irritated and annoyed when I'm hungry.
• I like the color orange.
• People think I'm a lesbian. I am NOT. Seriously? Baah. I'm secretly crushing on this guy you know. hihi. :">

So why did I end my list with something cheesy? In PR class I've learned that people would most likely remember the sensual content of an advertisement or a public release than the real essence of your campaign. So, at least you remembered something about me.

Then here comes my not-so-favorite subject, Integrated Marketing Communications, but it's my major subject. I love the research, pitching and production part, but the time constraint would always do the talking. I'm trying my best not to procrastinate but it's really getting harder and harder and darker each day.

Then you get the point? As a senior CA student, the horror of thesis and other practical requirements piling up at the near-end of the semester. Then the ITM competition, the thesis defense, the PR plan defense and the short film festival... and then I just stare at the list of requirements to finish...

But I don't think you'll ever get my point by merely writing in words, so I compiled a couple of personally made GIFS to make a story short.

When there's food, I'm like,

Then I look at my bedroom wall only to find the the long list of school requirements (juxtaposed my super junior poster)

Then I remember the deadline is tomorrow and I haven't finished anything,

But I sleep, like a stoic believer. And wake up in the morning,

Run to school

and just laugh it all off because I haven't done anything.

Who cares?

I am this awesome

And I can just wear my crown and carry on.

And yeah, I am a senseless blogger wasting your time to finish this.
And yeah, I won't tell you anything about my agency's plan for the competition because it is SERIOUSLY a CONFIDENTIAL IDEA THAT MATTER.
But we just finished the branded content today and we're off to a rainbow's end.

One more thing!
The DEM concept photo will still be the winner!
Mark my word, I'm competitive this way!

And yeah, I am just so narcissistic I put all my faces in different colors, clothes and facial expressions because I love DEM.

-PAULENE ARELLANO♥

DEM 

Want instant Pogi points?

Agree? Well, I do ;) Anyway, Make sure to come and visit The 33rd Manila International Book Fair! You have 3 more days to be lost inside a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge place full of books *insert shiny amazed eyes here*.... 

So what are you waiting for?! LET'S GO!

Just Can't Get Enough

People just can't seem to get enough of Nestle Chuckie! Well, I couldn't blame them, I, myself is addicted to that yummy chocolatey drink too :) Want proof how peeps loooove Chuckie? See for youself!:

courtesy of Kym Manuel

This girl can't get enough of this yummy drink!

courtesy of Angel Gonzales

"I've known chuckie since I was a kid, my mom usually buy this for me for my "baon" at school. Since then, I grew fond of chuckie and I became a fan of chocolate drinks. Just last week, me and my roommate decided to do some groceries and  we bought a pack of 6 chuckies so that we'll have it as our drinks whenever we want to watch a movie or have our food trip. Chukie has this taste that will make you crave for more. It's like one is not enough especially for a chocolate lover like me. "-Angel Gonzales, 4th year communication Arts student

Courtesy of Angel Gonzales

courtesy of Morrys Sarmiento

"I love Chuckie because it gives me energy to continue doing projects and homeworks whenever I stay up late at night. It is really my one and only chocolatey buddy." - Aiza Acoba, 4th year Communication Arts student.

courtesy of Aiza Acoba

courtesy of Zam Dorado

Don't you think it's about time you grab yourself some Chuckie? C'mon indulge yourself with the one and only chocolatey buddy :)