Comedy of Errors

We always read on newspapers and magazines these horror stories that make you just want to die or be swallowed by dear earth, well here's one:

Me talking in front Anabelle Regalado of Star Records and PBB Head of Production.

First Mistake.

While munching on the Otap served on the table, I was asked to comment on something. I readily answered, and so did the flakes on my mouth. Eeekk. Diyahe to the girls!

Second Mistake.

Me: Blah Blah Blah, and yes I remember this show we did for GMA 7 called Ride to Fame. Were you able to catch it then?

PBB Head of Prod: NO. WE never watch GMA shows.

(Of course. How stupid of me!)

Third Mistake.

(while talking about CD reproduction and pricing)

Me: My vision really for this song is to make it a monster hit. Alam mo, as much as possible, I don't want to pass cost to the consumers. I don't care how they get it, but I want each and every one to have this song. Pag bumili ng CD, download sa net, or kahit na i-pirate pa, okay lang (and my voice started to get softer) din, mas maganda pa nga yun (then i stopped)

Annabel: Wag naman! Ibebenta nga natin yung CD at hindi tama yan.

(Can't believe i said that to the chief of Star Records. Classic case of foot in mouth). At that moment, I just wanted to die.

I must be really high from bad mix of Biogesic, Bioflu, Amoxicillin, Alaxan and Coke light. Yes. Nakakahigh ang mga gamot taken all at the same time.

Supplies!

The Coke Team yesterday surprised me! They threw an intimate despidida at Red Box and boy was it fun!

It all started pala 2 weeks ago when the girls snuck behind my back and planned all these things. As early as two weeks ago they were already anticipating D Day.

Thursday Dinner at Greenbelt

It was surprising ER and Ria agreed to join and have dinner at Italliani's. I was just wondering why ER and Ria were late when they parked ahead of me and Lot. They said they went somewhere and looked at stuff inside the mall. It was not like them to do that, but I didn't doubt them.

Friday Mock Despedida

Last Friday as I announced that it was going to be my unofficial last day at work, everyone looked beat and tired. And it coincided with the Adobo party, and Stevie's B-day celebration. And I thought, my last day's screwed. Gen Wang promised me a despida I won't forget but instead, it felt like my despidida was the one people forgot. If not for Lot insisting to head on to Rockwell, I would have really went home sad (not naman expecting expecting, but hey, I'd want to spend my last day in the office with my close friends diba?). And so we went, and everybody else followed (except for Myrrh hehe).

It was good enough. I know I couldn't demand a lot from these girls so I know they're busy and all that. So it would sound like a crime to do so. But, seriously, that dinner at Gramms was enough and perfect. Though most of the people were late, they went and that's what mattered.

Then I made a horrid joke to Gen and remarked, "Gen, I am still waiting for that despidida that I won't forget". I knew that she was harassed and all and I just wanted her to smile. When she arrived, she was defensive and about to say something. I knew there was something already, i just didn't want to burst it. ER and Lot averted it.

What gave away that there was something was the fact that when I approached the smokers, they stopped talking. I thought, hmmm, there must be something happening here! And I remembered Trinka's "porn fiasco". She defensively covered her laptop when i glanced at it. SHe was typing something on her email. But she said instead, I am downloading porn! And I said, I want to watch porn! And she said no. And I'm like... "may secret si Trinka????!!!!!" I have to find out.

The last part of that dinner was the "wish" for each and participant of that dinner. Ria got a little irked with what I said. I am not going to recount it anymore but i think that was something I would not forget.

Tuesday Dinner at People's Palace

Because I have been pestering ER to make me libre, she agreed to treat me and Lot to dinner at People's Palace tuesday night. And so that was a red-letter day. I had to be there I said. But I got a little tired during the day. (I spent the morning trying to secure clearances from NBI and QC Police) I wanted to flake out already and ask if that can be re-scheduled. Apparently, Lot daw got us a table. Myrrh also mentioned that she was going to "see me later", casually, as if expecting me to be there. And so I went. As early as 5:30 I was already in Glorietta milling around.

Lot arrived fashionably late (and she did in her lovely gray dress!). BUt she said that ER wasn't ready yet. And so we went to Greenbelt 5, walked... and also mentioned that Trinka, Aya, etc were joining for dinner. I thought, wow, ER must be feeling extremely generous tonight. SHe invited the whole team; or is it going to be KKB na?

And we kept walking. THen around 8PM, we went to church na because Lot hasn't gone in a long time. And I went. Good thing, the gospel song playing at the time was familiar to me. So I went. At one point, parang I wanted to just go home, eat somewhere and sleep. I wanted to go leave na. Then Lot said, ER was there already and waiting for us at Starbs.

When we met up with ER, she said she needs to go to RedBox first and say hi to her balikbayan cousin before we head to People's Palace. SInce I just came upbeat from the church, and not really in the mood to make reklamo, I said ok. We went up (with ER convincingly making kwento about her cousin), and went inside the room. It was a huge room they occupied at oftly dimmed. I didn't want to go in anymore, but LOt gamely went in. I wanted to just stay outside and look at the food. But they went inside.

Suuuurppprise!!!

Then came the big surprise!! Apparently, that was my despedida. Some friends from creatives were there; and most of the Coke team members. It was the biggest surprise of my life (borrowing Coke Zero's biggest surprise statement).

Surprise came after surprise. I was really shocked to see them so organized and me not knowing anything about it. Grabe. Then they showed this AVP done by Shalimar (Shalimar, thank you soooo much for all the effort and hardwork. And expressing my sincerest sympathies and condolences on your loss). Not one, but two!!!! Thank you everyone! Myrrh, Trinka, Yettie and Cha tried their best to really stop me from going back to the main lounge while they were transferring the file. I knew already that there was something because not only did the song stop; but no one complained that the song stopped. And finally, when the girls tried hard to prevent me from going back there. I saw ER too typing sa laptop and that was odd.

And then the false VANITY FAIR cover which I loved too. I couldn't ask for more that night. I felt like a celeb being thrown a party at the buzz. hehehehe. This one I didn't see coming at all!

Apparently, they had two weeks worth of work for this one.

The mock despedida was supposed to happen at Mag:Net at the Fort. It was a stripper pole night. But the cover charge shot up last minute: from 100 to 500! Meaning, it was so clever of my friends to come up with something last minute. But more than that, they really put thought to it. They decided that if they hadn't done something, they know i'd know that there was something else being planned and that would ruin the surprise. And so the mock despedida was born. BRILLIANT!

The AVP was fantastic. Oo nga, despite the very busy scheds we've always found time to take photos of ourselves in the fiercest possible pose. And boy do we have a lot! I'll miss that. I'm kinda doubting if my future officemates would love to do that too.

And then the false cover. The girls wearing an all black ensemble (with credits to Yettie for styling and MON BAYANI for the patience, art direction, Final Art and Photography) imitating this three-fold cover of Vanity Fair early this year. It was fantastic. I've never seen these girls looking so dressed up and pret-a-photo. Kudos to the girls who put all the effort to get dressed to the nines.

Nag-shoot pala sila that night na I went sleeping under my table. And I didn't even notice. I thought they were just gone for a meeting or something. YUn pala they were already having their pictorial na. Ohmaygast.

I was soooo clueless. Really. I want to say thank you to everyone who came. I looove the women of COke. At walang sappy messages. Because I mentioned, I am not naman dying yet. I am just physically moving out lang. hehehe.

GEN - my immediate supervisor, my friend, my chinese sister. Thank you for planning this. When you said you're planning a party that I won't forget, you did. Thanks. PS: Alam mo ba na iba ang iniisip ko bordering on nasty actually? hehehe

ER - she's my warden, my seatmate, the one I massage and the one who always, always touches my face without washing her hands. I love ER. She's more than a sister to me. Thanks for pooling the money, and making this happen. I will miss a seatmate like you. No one will "touch" me like the way you would anymore. ANd wow, you never said anything all along. Ni wala man lang akong nakitang anything while you were doing this!!! Galing mo magtago hehe.

I will still bother you with my inanities, kababawan, useless comments and everything and anything. Babantayan kita sa gym. Hala work out na. You can't get rid of me ever. I will be your mega stalker :) and i will be here lang pag may chika at problema.

TRINKA - kahit na busy ka, you took the time. And you actually used porn to keep me sidetracked. I thought i will be able to squeeze the information out of you, pero hindi pala... ;) thanks for being very sweet and generous to me. We should go out more! more dinner and movies. sana i-calendar mo rin ako sa mga lunch outs, dinners and coffees mo. hehehe

AYA - kahit na preggy ka, fight na fight ka pa rin. I love you soo much. And yes, I can't wait to see you "out here" too. And can't wait for Cruz to be born! And one thing more, I will also miss your boobies. hehehe.

MYRRH - I will miss you very much. No one brightens up my mornings like you would (aside from Lot of course) because of your charming disposition and style. I'll remember our moments together and going up to the creatives holding hands pa. Naks. Sana lang wag na mawala ang cellphone mo ulit...

YETTIE - You too. A lot has been said and talked about, pero I really like you as an office mate and as a person. You relieve my stress - alam mo na kung bakit. I like that you're very real and honest. Pareho tayo. walang masama maging Jologs. Im proud to be one. And Im going to miss that. Ikaw ang aking Tyler shop buddy, tagalog movies and yes, i will defend you and help you kahit na wala ako dyan. I'm just a text away Yets. Keep up the good work.

RIA - you're the most dynamic person in the group. Ikaw lang ang hindi ko ma-predict sa office. And that's good. I like you just the way you are. I would have wanted for you to be there sana. Sayang. But I know naman why you weren't. Oh by the way, I know may participation ka rin dito (Itallianis... hehehe) and I know we will still continue to see each other... You and AYa, alam mo na totoong wish ko for you... hehe. text lang naman yan...

SHALI - wala na akong lolokohin... di ko mahahawakan yung braso mo. hehehe. Thanks Shalimar for the hardwork you put sa video. And nag-OT ka pa. Keep up your sunny disposition. And pwede ka na ring bumili ng close toed-high heels pag nag ka sale dito. You will be the first to know. hehehe...

CHA - hehehe. di ko talaga maalala ang pakwan. I enjoyed working with you, and more than that ang mga bastusan and pisilan. Thanks for being a good friend to me. We agreed on a promise, and I will keep my promise true. I will be on the look out. Alam ko namang, you're really the best kahit nung Nestle days pa. In fact, nakakaingit sila mutch ha then to have you as their AD then. Yettie, alagaan mo si Cha!

MEL, LIANNE - Bakit wala kayo??? Did you two...

And of course to my one and only FGF, LOT! I love you Lot more than anything. You and I are alike in ten thousand ways. And can I just say that you're a very good actress (and uhm singer?). I will miss you the most. Wala nang ngunguso sa akin, de deadma minsan, hold my hand, chika and be mean to others. Wala ng magbibigay ng food and chocolate drink. And who will I wait for na after office? But I know fight pa rin tayo. Tayo pa?! You are my ray of light in dark cold days (naks.).

And to Rio, Nikki, Flem, Che, Allan and Gem, Chino and Monix, thanks for coming.

Parang mamatay nako... sa speech nato. Oh well. Bye.

I will see you around. Bibisitahin ko pa kayo ng madalas. Guguluhin ko pa mundo niyo and of course, I will constantly haunt you na ilibre nyo ako (and Ria).

Went Diving: Now or Never

I had no idea I will go diving last Sunday.Together with Allie, Euge, Jok, Lace and Pao, I joined the trip to Anilao wanting to just swim on the shore. But when I got there, I changed my mind and decided to go diving instead. And why not? For one, there was no shore to swim on. It was a diving resort and so all I saw were just rocks and rocks, and more rocks. Besides, it seemed to me like that the timing was perfect. I didn't have time to worry and anticipate and mull it over. So go, go, go. It was a now or never kind of thing. Besides, what can go wrong?

The experience started and ended with the wet suit. There must be some magic to that. Initially, we were allowed to go on-shore sans wet suit, since I could tolerate cold water. But I thought, what's diving without it? I thought I needed to wear one to get in the mood and in the psyche of diving. And boy did that send me to the right mindset. The fit was perfect and i kooked fantastic in it (except for my guts showing, but that was fine).

When we arrived at the dive site, I panicked a little. The divers went diving and we were asked to just go snorkeling. I could see the oil spots on the water, and it did look quite murky. And I was without a lifevest. And so I asked, "may lifevest ba? pano kami lulutang?" Mang Ebs was not helpful at all. He just said wala. And looked away.

Well, apparently, the wet suit is enough to make one float. Galing. The dive instructor mentioned that I will float with the suit on. I was hesitant, but since I was feeling adventurous I went ahead and did it. Thing is, I have a psychological barrier on sea. When it gets too deep, I panic and get scared easily. I just rely on floating devices. Oh well. Now or never. I went ahead and swam. The first few minutes was a struggle that I questioned the whole thing. But I reminded myself to just relax and swim. Have fun. And after a few minutes, i found myself swimming away from the boat and heading to the peripherals. Nice. Though the water was quite dirty, I was able to see some nice and colorful fish and corals too.

Then came the dive lessons. John Dizon, our DI thoughts us a couple of things that were useful to diving. Pao impressed everyone by identifying what SCUBA meant. And a couple more acronyms like BCD and whatever, then the hand signals, then "equalizing". I was getting really pensive. It was time to hit the waters. Jokkie and Pao went ahead. I stayed on first.

then came my turn. I forgot all the things that John taught me the minute i hit the water. great. I was equalizing the wrong way at the start. But I got the hang of it, sooner. Padoy led me to this cave of corals, and corals, and corals, and this school of fish and more corals. Ganda. It was really nice down there. And more important, this whole new world was undiscovered. I just got a little tired paddling because I was doing it too fast.

But I enjoyed immensely. And to be honest, I really want to take this up as a hobby. I think it's going to be worth it. I'd love it. I am excited on my next dive trip.

I take back what I initially said about diving (that I could see all those corals and more on National Geographic and Discovery). Nothing beats seeing God's handiwork and being up close and tactile about it.

Good thing i decided to dive.

What I am Doing Now

I'll call this crappiest thing I've done in the last few years: reconciling unsigned CEs.

For some reason, I still have a lot of unsigned CEs dating back 2006. In fact, all of them are from 2006. Can't believe it. The books have been closed, projects done and clients resigned, and still I have loads of unsigned CEs. Crap.

This is probably one of the worst parts of resigning. Having to do clearance reports and stuff remind me of HS and College, when one has to go through all departments to secure signatures.

I remember that back in those days, my constant enemy would be the librarians. And really this is strange. I find it ridiculous because I never borrowed any book from the library. Am not into reading so why would I want to borrow from it? That was my problem in Grade School, High School and even in College. What's with Librarians and me anyway. Good thing there are no librarians here.

My version of librarians here would be the traffic people. Gosh. I could already imagine them not signing my clearance. And for whatever it is worth, I am trying my best to look for emails before that would otherwise contain the POs and PRs for all my projects. Thank God for sloppy filing.

Hay, just wish me luck I find all of them.

What To Do?

I spent the whole day just watching Project Runway 4. It was fun initially since the show is really a personal favorite. Not to mention that the new season also packs a lot of fun and character, but after 6 episodes, my interest was beginning to wane.

In Economics, there's this thing called threshold level. At a certain point, no matter how you enjoy something, it will begin to plateau or wane, even. This is what happened to me. After the fifth episode, I was just getting sick of it. I just wanted to stop already.

But I didn't. I thought, this one of those days I have where I can really just sit down, relax and watch tv. Having said that, I forced myself to finish it. Like a sloth, I didn't budge, except for those water breaks and leaks, otherwise, I was on the couch with my feet up. It was fun and boring at the same time.

I realized that what happened to me yesterday is this Economics theory coming true, I was not getting any marginal enjoyment no more and that pleasure has begun to plateau. And at one point, I just wanted to walk out.

As of this typing, I am waiting for Allie to finish her meeting. Hopefully she finishes soon :)

Now, what to do...

Bye Buhay Coke. Bye McCann. For Now.

Next week will be my last in McCann. Consequently, it will mark my last week with the Coke account as well. For more than 3 years now, I only had Coke in my mind and in my system. Buhay Coke was the campaign me, mitch and Elyse launched. I lived and breathed Coke light. And for the last year, I learned the ins and outs of retail shopper marketing.

I learned a lot not just from McCann but also from Coke. Not just work style and disposition, but also maintaining composure, confidence amid problems and sabits. I met new friends not only here in McCann, but also from Coke. If I have to say it myself, some other people find it hard to believe why I have friends there. And why I even hang out with them. I'd say they are some of the most beautiful, brilliant and colorful people I've ever met.

As I leave McCann next week, I bring with me all the beautiful memories and wonderful friendships. I also bring with me the plentiful experience I learned and had to go through while doing this account.

I say thank you to the people who made my stay worth while here in McCann. I begin with Mrs. So for always believing in me and imparting with me golden nuggets of wisdom and workstyle. Dapat hindi pumapangit sa trabaho, dahil trabaho lang ang pumapangit.

Thank you Berns for believing in me too. Berns is one of the most humurous and down-to-earth people I've ever met. Berns is such a wonderful person inside out. To Nandy and Raul for continually inspiring me. Thank you for reminding me that there's home in McCann, and that while you don't agree with me on this, you still understand. I appreciate it. Really. Thank you too to Toti, Alma and Rudy, my previous bosses back in Momentum.

To the current Coke team: ER, Gen, Cha, Trinka, Aya, Ria, Yettie, Shali, Myrrh, Lianne and my fgf Lotlot, thank you for your patience. You know I love you. Melissa Orozco, you have a special mention - magbago ka na. hahaha. I love you all.

Nako, baka parang speech na to. I hope I am not dying yet. Hahahahaha. Anyway, I will miss you all. Pero, I will be around. Sana i-invite niyo naman ako sa mga dinner niyo and parties.

Yun lang... Tsaka na good bye, for now (borrowing Gen's), see you later.

The dinner that almost didn't happen

Lot, Maddy, Ria, Myrrh and myself went to Apartment 1B last night to have a single's dinner. Food was fine. Ambiance was great. Price was exorbitant.

Apartment 1B was fully-booked apparently. As you know, every other couple on this planet to tried to score a romantic date with their loved one and voila, that led to the almost full Makati restos last night. But Myrrh was incessant. She was able to get us a space at that fine dining resto. Though we initially we were only given the bar, when we arrived, we had a big table reserved for us. Fantastic!

All singles think alike

The five of us nearly ordered the same thing. Good thing that Maddy re-considered and so she ordered porck chops instead. For the rest of us, we settled for the juicy and really yummy roast chicken.

The first question for the night that only Myrrh answered: why are we single? This led to more questions and revelations from everyone.

After the dinner, we had a stroll at Greenbelt Park and went back to our childhood stuff. Nag-swing kami and a little obstacle course at 11:30PM!

It was a fun night. Single-blessedness as they say.

Yeah right.

The Evolving Philippine Cinema

I chanced upon two independent movies two weekends ago and was quite happy more Filipino movie makers are becoming more bold, for art's sake.

I caught Roxxxanne and Ang Lihim ni Antonio.

To say that Pinoys like chismis (rumor-mongering) is an understatement. Chismis has become a pasttime of most pinoys. This seems like a natural consequence of Pinoy's close family ties. They feel that they owe to their relatives and friends to update them of their own and other people's lives. Chismis could be fun and harmless, but it could also become deadly. In the movie Roxxxanne, chismis takes a deadly turn. It relates how gossip intertwines with real life and cause catastrophic effects amongst people.

Roxxxanne is a good movie, though I think the editing can be tighter. I think there were some scenes that could have been shortened and that there were meaty scenarios that could've been developed. But the movie should take pride on the fact that it tackled the role of a teenager falling in love with someone from the same sex. His drive to achieve whatever he wants is intense and mirrors the real life situation of teens today (take for example sex trade for celphone load). This is particularly exposed on the following scenarios: when he tries his very best to get the Diana Zubiri video; when he comes up with a web of lies just protect his love for his crush; and when he loves him unconditionally despite all the wrong he has done him. This is particularly true amongst teens where they love with all their heart and soul.

And this unfolds slowly as Marlon slowly discovers his true sexuality. His revelation shows the utter denial of oneself and how one tries his best conceal homosexuality.

I am especially thrilled with the natural and very raw acting of the talents. It was really as if I was a voyeur into the lives of these people. I learned that love really pushes us to do unnecessary things and even take us out of our right senses. Stupid love.

Ang Lihim ni Antonio on the otherhand presents the other side of discovering oneself. He is more flamoboyant compared to Marlon, Antonio slowly reveals himself to opportunities around him. His story unravels as he pushes his sex drive to the limit. He crosses the normal boundaries of friendship and kinship. Carnal pleasure can truly bring out the best and worst in a person.

Antonio presents itself in a light hearted fashion. It presents the scenarios in bold story-telling style and vivid visuals. Craftmanship could be improved as it tries too hard to fit the mold of an independent film (grainy, gritty with real camera movements). The camera was extra shaky and could leave you feeling dizzy.

Both movies show the two sides of discovering one's real self and sexuality. And both presented them differently. Both showed more than it should and that's fine.

Catch them.

Last Night

Last night was strange. Movie with this grrrr person was ultimately grrrr... hated every second of it. And to think that I kinda anticipated it pa and dropped some important things just for that. The only thing in my mind now? "Ang tanga mo!"

Oh well. At least I learned.

I think for a good hour there, I almost believed my own fantasies.

Who Dares Wins

Remember this Aussie reality show Who Dares Wins? I feel like I am playing that game now.

My Zodiac has been telling me that this month is a very good time to "finish" something and not to start something. My question is, is it really possible to finish something without starting something again? I don't know.

The thing is, this month will be my last. No I am not dying yet but I'd like to think that like the Phoenix there's going to be a re-birth of sorts. This month, I will be marking the end of my advertising career. I'll jump into new one next month and I don't know what has to offer me.

I am braving the odds and I think this is right. I have postulated 3 points as to why I need to do this.

One. Whilst there's nothing wrong being in your comfort zone, it's very important that we keep learning. Being complacent and relaxed don't seem to exist in my mind. I am quite a "galawgaw" and risked being called "wishy-washy". It's not my fault that I have a constant yearning to explore new territories and expanding my horizon.

If Marco Polo, Magellan and all the scientists-inventors didn't dare, I could just imagine that we'd still be living in dark ages now. I am not comparing myself to them, but I think being daring and bold is a good quality. I sincerely think that moving forward is good.

Two. Leaving a stable and well-thought career is not easy. At this point in my life, this seems very impressive actually. And I know that if I stay put and work hard, the foundation's just going to get sturdier. So why quit now?

Going to where I am going now is not really leaving Advertising behind. I will be leaving McCann for now, but the AE in me is going to continue in my new company. For now, I will be concentrating and honing my entreprenurial whatnot there. I will be meeting numerical dilemmas and provide creative solutions. That's a challenge. That's something I look forward to learning and honing.

When I get there, I will not be leaving what I've learned in wasteland. I will use it to build my competitive advantage and really succeed. That's the only way to go.

At the age of 26, whethere this step is right or wrong, I think it's still right. There's enough time to learn new ground, and use it to my advantage. There's still enough youth left in me so learning new tricks should not be difficult.

Colonel Sanders was 60something when he decided to open Kentucky Fried Chicken. For him, he opened new horizons and new career at that late an age. I think there's something there.

Three. TS Elliot said that only those who will risk going too far can possibly see how far one can actually go. If I don't dare, how would I know I suck, or I am actually good? Like doing yoga, how will you know that you can't do certain poses if you don't do it?

As I made mention before, I am very determined to make 2008 my banner year. I think I am enroute to this but I have to take this on a stride.

As I venture to new unfamiliar territory, I pray hard that God will be with me all the way. Afterall, this wouldn't fall in my lap if God didn't want this for me.

Where am I going? I'll let you know soon. Who dares wins.