Ad industry bigwigs come together for CreativeFest 2019

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Advertisers, ad agency execs and students gather for the largest celebration of creativity

More than 600 advertisers, creatives from various agencies and students of allied studies came in full force to celebrate the power of innovation, ideas, and creativity at CreativeFest 2019 last April 25 and 26 at the Makati Shangri-La Manila.

The event, spearheaded by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines (4As) and the Creative Guild of the Philippines, brought together some of the biggest names in the field of advertising to discuss the most pressing topics in the industry today with the goal to inspire practitioners and prove to the world that CREATIVITY RULES.

4As Chairman and BBDO Guerrero Chairman and Chief Creative Officer David Guerrero delivers the welcome remarks during CreativeFest 2019 at the Makati Shangri-La Manila last April 28. 

“It is important that the leading creative agencies take the responsibility to demonstrate how best advertising can be done. We do that by bringing together people who understand behavior, people who can listen to and advise brand owners, and people who can create ideas and bring it all to life,” 4As Chairman and BBDO Guerrero Chairman and Chief Creative Officer David Guerrero said during his welcome address.

The first day of the CreativeFest was headlined by Fernando Machado, chief marketing officer of Burger King and one of the world’s most awarded marketers. Machado discussed how a brand and an agency can work hand-in-hand to create effective ideas that can help elevate the experience of consumers. This was followed by a panel discussion among the executives of some of the country’s leading ad agencies and some of their top clients on how the two parties can bridge the gap between them and build better partnerships that promote creativity.

Ted Lim of Dentsu Asia Pacific espoused the value of looking at data and trusting your gut to create some life-changing creative work. This was then followed by a discussion among some of the leading women in the industry today. The panel zeroed in on the inspiring journey of some of advertising’s lady bosses as they climbed the ladder of success

Jollibee’s Francis Flores and Raul Castro of McCann Worldgroup Philippines did a back-to-back talk on the invaluable partnership between the client and the creative. And to cap off the first day, Jury Heads of the Kidlat Awards sat together to discuss some of their favorite entries this year.

To wind down the day, participants were treated to a night of partying and merry-making through the Pob-Crawl, where they enjoyed drinks and food at four of the top pubs in Makati’s Poblacion district.

The second day started with a talk from Google Design Lead and creator of Facebook’s Safety Check Carla Echevarria, who delivered the keynote on Creative Technology. This was followed by a panel discussion among the country’s digital gurus about the important role of creativity in the digital world.

Another highlight was the talk of Lego Group Creative Director Budjette Tan, author of award-winning comics and soon-to-be Netflix series Trese, wherein he imparted lessons on Creative Storytelling. His was followed by Facebook China’s Kitty Lun, with her talk about putting “People First.”

In one of the most powerful moments of the CreativeFest, ad industry icon and former Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. delivered a stirring speech about Creative Purpose. “Where do you draw the line between fact and fiction? Creativity and exaggeration? There is a great temptation to go on cheat mode when there is a financial implication,” Jimenez said in his speech. “The truth does not sell itself; you must sell it to the people.”

Meanwhile, Dentsu Tokyo’s Ryosuke Sakaki and Takashi Koyama discussed Project Open Meals, an innovative concept which sees the digitization of food to make it possible to consume it whenever and wherever we want--even in space. The second day of talks was closed with a panel discussion about the future of storytelling, where some of the country’s most innovative production houses, directors, and content creators came together to chart the path of Filipino storytelling.

Creative Guild of the Philippines President and Dentsu Jayme Syfu Chairmom Merlee Jayme concluded the event by recapping some of the highlights of CreativeFest 2019 and praised the organizing committee for their hard work.

Creative Guild of the Philippines President and Dentsu Jayme Syfu Chairmom Merlee Jayme delivers the closing remarks of the CreativeFest 2019, which was held at the Makati Shangri-La Manila last April 25 and 26

“These two days have proven that, undoubtedly, creativity rules,” Jayme said. “But aside from that, we have seen the power of creativity and how it can help transform the lives of more people. The past two days forced us to consider some important things, including how we can shape the future through creative thought and how we impact the world through our creative power. I believe that we successfully accomplished what we sought to do with the CreativeFest; we inspired people and made them think, and after everything that’s all we can ask for.”

For more information about what took place during the CreativeFest 2019, please visit https://www.facebook.com/4AsPhilippines and www.creativeguildph.com.

Have a great day with Australian grapes!

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Enjoy a sharable sweet treat from Australia

Simple yet satisfying!

It's harvest season for grapes from the Southern Hemisphere which means the Taste Australia campaign is back to entice customers to try and buy beautiful, sweet and crunchy Aussie grapes.

Thanks to the diverse geology and unique micro-climates across Australia, grapes are able to enjoy a long production window from November to May. Rich soils, warm summer days, cool nights, and long daylight hours create grapes with intensified sweetness and an eye-catching red, black or green colour. A top tip when selecting green grapes is to choose a bunch with a golden tint as this means they are sweeter in flavour.

Did you know Australian table grapes can be eaten straight from the bunch? There’s no need to peel or de-seed, just simply rinse before eating and enjoy the taste of an Australian summer. This means grapes are the perfect addition to kids lunchboxes or a go-to snack at work to re-energise and hydrate active bodies, which is especially helpful when you live a busy lifestyle.

Grapes are a natural superfood and adding a serving to your daily diet will give you a much needed antioxidant boost. Grapes are packed full of phytonutrients including polyphenols, anthocyanin, and resveratrol, which contribute to the protection to eye health and heart disease. Aussie grapes are particularly good for parents and grandparents as they are low GI food which helps stabilise blood glucose levels after a meal. As grapes contain 80 percent water and plenty of fibre they also contribute to body hydration and help keep your gut healthy. 

To taste the difference, head down to participating supermarkets including Rustan’s, Shopwise, Wellcome, S&R, Robinson’s and other major supermarkets and enjoy seasonal red, black or green grape sensations. We guarantee these much-loved Australian fruits will be perfectly fresh and sweet. 

Australian grapes are incredibly versatile. They are the perfect anytime snack or addition to a sweet or savoury recipe for a refreshing twist. 

Aussie grape quick and fun ideas:

● Cut grapes in half, freeze, and use instead of ice as a natural way to chill and sweeten drinks

● Match fresh grapes with specialty cheese, especially soft cheeses such as brie or camembert to create an impressive and well balanced platter for family and friends

● Dip grapes in melted dark chocolate for a satisfying sweet treat

Must try recipes can be found at http://www.australiangrapes.com.au/category/recipes/

Did you know?

● Grapes were first introduced to Australia 230 years ago

● Australia produces an average of 120,000 tonnes which is the same weight as 2,400 cargo planes

● Australian grapes are available each year from November to May

● More than 60% of Australian grapes are exported to 35 countries with most destined for Asia

● Australian grapes are hand picked to ensure quality and avoid bruising

● Grapes do not become sweeter once picked, only perfectly vine-ripened grapes will be hand harvested for your enjoyment

● Thompson Seedless (green), Crimson Seedless (red), Red Globe (red) and Midnight Beauty (black) are the most common grape varieties from Australia

Health benefits

Grapes are great for our body! They are packed with polyphenols and anthocyanin, which belong to the family of powerful phytonutrients. Phytonutrients have been proven in recent scientific research to promote human health by enhancing antioxidants and protecting cells from free radical damage. These benefits are found in the skins and flesh of green, red and black grapes

Grapes are made from approximately 80% water and contain a high amount of fibre which means they hydrate, cleanse and detoxify active bodies. They also contain resveratrol which converts bad, white fat in the body into good ‘beige fat’, which helps to burn calories and prevent weight gain

Grapes are recognised as as low GI food and have numerous health and nutritional benefits per 100g serve: 

● 3.9g dietary fibre, which helps lower cholesterol and keeps you fuller for longer

● 37 mg calcium, which is needed for bone health 

● A good source of Vitamin C (10% of recommended daily intake) which helps maintain immune and brain function, keeps skin healthy, and increases iron absorption

● Fat-free, saturated fat-free, cholesterol-free, and naturally low in sodium

● 2.8% of the average person’s daily kilojoule needs

Selection and storage at home

1. When buying grapes, reach for firm, plump clusters that are securely attached to green stems 

2. Look for a silvery coating on grapes. This is the natural bloom (not dust) that protects the fruit and is an indicator of freshness 

3. Store grapes in an airtight container in the crisper draw of your refrigerator for up to two weeks

4. Rinse grapes before eating and serve slightly chilled to enhance grapes natural crispness

Top tip: Australian grapes have a thin and crisp skin so there is no need to peel the fruit.

Kaizen Studios Presents "WAY OF THE CROSS"

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WAY OF THE CROSS produced by KAIZEN STUDIOS, Co. Ltd.,, is an upcoming psychological thriller film that is based on the 14 station of the cross and touches on Philippine culture, the predominant religion and controversies.

Filipino-American ANTHONY DIAZ V,  President of Kaizen Studios, is the writer of the film Way Of The Cross, co-written by Antonio Diaz based on an original story concept by Gorio Vicuna.

Set against a small religious town in the Philippines, "WAY OF THE CROSS" follows Rogelio "Rogue" Marquez (Anthony Diaz V), a Las Vegas based Filipino American FBI agent, whose estranged father living in the Philippines, is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Rogue travels to the Philippines to visit his dying father and half sister in Manila. A string of murders occur during holy week celebrations in the nearby town of San Antonio that send waves of terror among the local town people, and stuns the NBI and its top agent. Rogue's curiosity and FBI instincts lure him into a dark cat and mouse world of religious abstracts as he attempts to uncover the motivation behind these murders in hopes to solve the mystery.

Anthony might be a new player in the local movie industry, but he started his career in film industry many years ago, and he even became the youngest Film graduate at University of Las Vegas Film. His father and former actor Antonio Diaz was also influential in his passion for making movies.

Anthony discovered his love for film since childhood and enthusiastically began his journey into filmmaking through creating dozens of short films since the age of 15. This has given him a broad range of hands on experience through screen writing, directing, producing, acting and editing his own short films early on.

His passion for filmmaking led him to enroll at the University of Las Vegas Film School, USA (UNLV) where many famous movie directors and producers have taught. He graduated with high honors with a Bachelor Degree in Film in the year 2010 at the age of 20, making him the youngest graduate in the history of the program.

Anthony wrote, directed and acted in a short film called “Delusion” which was specially showcased at the UNLV Film Festival. The next film he wrote, directed and acted in, “Forgotten Heroes,” is about the war in Afghanistan and how it auects a U.S. military family. It received rave reviews and has played at various movie festivals. It was also under consideration to be showcased at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., and was highly endorsed by the Gold Star Wives of America - a well respected organization for spouses of those killed in the US military on active duty.

Way of the Cross is going to be a controversial film when it comes out, not controversial in an anti religion way, but controversial, on how the religion played in the screenplay and how it progressed through the end. Script was rewritten from an American perspective. The first, second and third act had to follow a Hollywood formula standard. They rewrite the script to make more the film become international. They also made the film character driven so that every single person acted in this film had a significant voice in the movie.

The essence of the film is about faith which caters not only the religious market like European country but also the other countries embracing their own religion. The trailer itself will make you interested on how the story will unfold.

During the recent exclusive interview with Anthony, he said that he he loved his filmmaking experience here logistically and also working with the cast and crew.

He loves working with the cast because everyone is very passionate with what they do. 

"The cast are amazing actors and very serious with their craft, that once the camera started rolling, it will be a whole new world, new people," he adds. 

“We had all the actors audition. I don’t care if it was Roxanne Barcelo, or Alvin Anson, or Rafael Rosell. I wanted to see if you’re right for your role regardless of the status.

Way of the Cross movie is in English language throughout the film. Anthony said that is was easy for him to do the English movie here in the Philippines compared to Japan since most of the Filipinos speak fluent English. 

“And they did an awesome job. It’s one of the greatest experiences I’ve had in the Philippines. I like bantering with the cast and crew. Compared to Japan, they don’t want to joke around too much and the language barrier. Here, if they don’t speak Tagalog, they speak English, I don’t have to use a translator,” he said.

Check out the official trailer of WAY OF THE CROSS

The cast and people behind the WAY OF THE CROSS

ALVIN ANSON

Alvin is the younger brother of award winning Filipino actress Boots Anson-Roa, and son of legendary film star Oscar Moreno. He is a Sinag Maynila Award-Winning Filipino Actor, Producer, Director, TV host & musician.

At the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2016, Anson received the “Best Actor Award” for his lead portrayal in Ato Bautista's “Expressway.” He has starred in numerous TV shows and over 50 feature films throughout his career, both local and foreign, including the Hollywood film, "The Great Raid," starring James Franco and Benjamin Bratt.

MIGUEL VASQUEZ

Miguel brings over 18 years as a professional actor, host, commercial model, performer voice talent, assistant director, fight director, and producer.

Miguel is also a two-time nominee for Best Actor, Aliw Award. He is a well seasoned and prolific actor, having worked on countless award winning productions in theater TV and films, both local and international.

RAFAEL ROSELL

Rafael Rosell IV is a Filipino actor and model born in Stavanger Norway. Rosell is best known for playing Brandon Brazil on the ABS-CBN romance drama Midnight Phantom, Marco De Silva in Kristine, and as Mayor Edson Zaguirre in Dahil Sa Pag-ibig.

DAIANA “DIANE” MENEZES

Daiana Menezes (born June 20, 1987) is a Brazilian actress, model, pianist, painter and TV host, currently based in the Philippines, working for GMA.

As a film actress, she is known for My Amiga Girl (2012), Prince Vaali (2011), and Yaya & Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie (2009). 

ROXANNE BARCELLO

Anne Roxanne Jordan Barcelo, known as Roxee B, is a Filipino-American actress, model and singer born in Fairfax, Virginia, USA. She was only 8 years old when she joined and won “Best of the Best,” a singing contest in the USA. She also became a member of ESPN Kids, and a professional child model doing TV commercials for companies such as GAP and JCPenny. 

GIOVANNI RESPALL

Giovanni has been in the entertainment business for over 26 years as a Director and Actor in several Films, TV Shows, Commercials and Theatre. He is also a Screenplay and Script Writer for Films and Theatre. 

VIC ROMANO

Vic Romano had 18 years of extensive theater experience in various countries like Japan, and was involved in a series of stage play projects in the Cultural Center of the Philippines before entering the world of Independent filmmaking. This included Banyuhay by UP Laboratoryo, Pahimakas by Aldabas Theatre Friends Inc., Hamon ng Krus (Estephanus), 4 Classics Play (Hiraya Theatre Production), and Tattoo Buo by Hiraya Theatre Production. 

APOLLO ABRAHAM

Apollo Abraham is an actor, voice artist, events host, commercial model and voice-over, and has been in this industry for over 25 years. 

OZ RIVERA

Oz Rivera made his debut in the Australian film: JACK IRISH 2 along side Filipino veteran actor Alvin Anson. He appeared in Travel Chan- nel Asia's EXPEDITION UNKNOWN: The Curse of Yamashitas Gold as one of Ferdinand Marco's secret service agents. He has played a variety of versatile roles - from being a hitman in the TV series Dolce Amore with well known Filipino Actors: Enrique Gil, Cherie Gil and Alvin Anson - to playing a gay hotel worker: Rodrigo in the STAR CINEMA movie BARCELONA: A LOVE UNTOLD, starring Katherine Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. He played in many other TV series, such as ABS CBN'S: Till I met You, The Promise of Forever and A Love to Last... to name a few. 

DANIELLE CHOPIN

Danielle Chopin is delighted to be making her feature film debut with Kaizen Studios.

ELAINE CARRIEDO LOZANO

Line Producer

Elaine has extensive professional experience as a Line Producer, and is currently line producing, “WAY OF THE CROSS,” for Kaizen Studios. 

ANTONIO DIAZ

Executive Producer / Co-Director

Antonio Diaz is a Executive Producer and Director of “WAY OF THE CROSS.”

WAY OF THE CROSS is being produced by KAIZEN STUDIOS, Co. Ltd., which belongs to a International Holdings Company called, ZENZA GLOBAL. This Conglomerate comprises of various International Companies focusing on Health, Wellness, Beauty, Finance, Personal Development, Film Production, and Entertainment. They have oflces in Las Vegas, Japan, Hong Kong, China and other Southeast Asian Countries. Kaizen Studios is part of this group of companies. 

GORIO VICUNA

Chief Executive GWARD, Inc.

Co-Director, Way of the Cross 

Gorio was naturally artistic since he was a child. His talent for drawing, designing his own characters and painting was honed further when he studied BFA Advertising in PWU Manila. It paved the way for his explora- tion in Photography, Animation, Screenwriting and Filmmaking.

OPPO Announces Exclusive F11 Pro Avengers Limited Edition In Cooperation with Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame

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Marvel fans will surely be thrilled as OPPO officially announces a special partnership with Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame.

To commemorate such a momentous event in the Marvel cinematic universe, OPPO will launch a brand new F11 Pro Avengers Limited Editionsmartphone, which is an exclusive model released in cooperation with Marvel Studios. It will be available for pre-order in selected OPPO concept stores starting April 26, priced at P19,990.00.

The OPPO F11 Pro Avengers Limited Editioncomes in a unique design called Space Blue. The back cover features a design inspired by Captain America’s armor – The bold red Avengers “A” collides with the blue background in OPPO’s signature gradient effects to form the attractive red-blue color-blocking. A wallpaper featuring the magnificent Avengers logo shines completes the look.

Furthermore, this limited-edition OPPO F11 Pro also comes with a Captain America-themed Case. It has a central-located finger ring, inspired by Captain America’s iconic shield, freeing your hands when you’re watching a video and preventing a slip or drop when you’re holding it.

The OPPO F11 Pro Marvel’s Avengers Limited Edition comes in an exquisitely crafted premium black color box. Moreover, each F11 Pro Avengers Limited Edition box comes with a stamped collector’s badge, a great addition to any Marvel fan’s collection.

The powerful features of the OPPO F11 Pro Avengers Limited Edition seal the deal. It sports a 48MP low-light rear camera that can take photos with clarity no matter the situation. It also has the VOOC flash charge 3.0 which brings lightning-like charging speed, allowing users to go from 0 to 100% in 80 minutes. Smooth performance is made possible by its upgraded storage of 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM, coupled with OPPO’s full scene, system-level resource scheduling optimization solution, Hyper Boost.

All in all, with the OPPO F11 Pro Avengers Limited Edition, both the appearance and the function can be considered to be the perfect companion for Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame fans. Filipino Marvel Fans can pre-order their very own OPPO F11 Pro Avengers Limited Edition smartphone at selected OPPO concept stores starting April 26. It will officially be available in the Philippines in May.

“Assemble the Power”, this OPPO F11 Pro Avengers Limited Edition aims to not only salute Super Heroes, but also acknowledge OPPO global users.

Senatoriables Showed at the Angkas Safety Fiesta and Unite to Support Angkas

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Full blast Saturday at the Angkas Safety Fiesta with thousands of  motorcycle riders and applicants held at the Abs-Cbn Tent, Vertis North, Quezon City.

In a rare event, several senatorial candidates from different political parties came together for the Angkas Safety Fiesta and collectively called for the resumption of the app-based ride-hailing service and pushed for the rights of motorcycle riders.

Senatoriables Grace Poe, Bam Aquino, Chel Diokno, Bato dela Rosa, and JV Ejercito all graced the Safety Fiesta to support Angkas’ efforts to propagate the proper safety training of motorcycle riders in the Philippines.

The senatoriables were joined by Rep. Winston Castelo, the chair of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, and wife Councilor Precious Hipolito-Castelo.

In the event, the senatoriables and the other candidates agreed that it was high time for the government to implement the legalization and regulation of motorcycle taxis.

They also called for the resumption of Angkas’ operations, stressing that the non-action on the part of the concerned government agencies constitutes a continuing violation of motorcycle riders’ rights especially since Angkas has been providing a decent source of livelihood for thousands of motorcycle owners in the country, aside from helping Filipinos in their daily commuting woes.

Senator Grace Poe, in her speech during the program, commended Angkas’ safety training while declaring that the ride-hailing service will help in addressing the country’s mass transport problems. “Ang totoo, ako ay saludo sa Angkas dahil binibigyan kayo ng proper training and guidance. Kailangan natin talaga ang iba’t-ibang pagkakataon at modes of transportation. May bus, may jeep, at may MRT, pero kulang pa,” the senator said.

“Pero ang aking tututukan ay dapat ligtas ang ating mga pasahero. Kaya ako ay nagpapasalamat sa Angkas dahil nagbibigay sila ng tamang training sa inyong lahat,” Sen. Poe added.

For his part, senatoriable Diokno said that he is pushing for the rights of motorcycle riders.

Senatoriable Chel Diokno ( Photo by Stanley Briz)

“Naiintidihan ko talaga yung pangangailangan na magkaroon tayo ng isang batas na kinikilala ang karapatan ng mga motorcycle riders na magkaroon ng hanapbuhay na legal, hanapbuhay na kinikilala ng batas,” Diokno said.

Senatorial candidate Bato dela Rosa, in his own talk, also told the participants of the Safety Fiesta that he will support motorcycle taxi regulation if he gets elected to the Senate. “Ako’y anak ng tricycle driver. Motorsiklo ang gamit ng tatay ko. Nagmomotor din ako, kaya kung ako ay manalo, susuportahan ko ang Angkas bill na pending sa Senado,” dela Rosa declared.

The Angkas Safety Fiesta is a series of events that aim to promote motorcycle road safety among Filipinos. The most recent event was held at Vertis North, Quezon City and featured a safety seminar, an earthquake response briefing, and preventive maintenance discussions—all presided by Angkas trainers. A free medical assistance booth was also set up for the attendees of the event.

Performing during the event were Andrew E, Dante Gulapa, Mateo Guidicelli, Mayonnaise, Allmost, D&G, and Trix the Angkas Rapper. The program was hosted by DJ Laila.

In his speech, Senator Bam Aquino acknowledged the motorcycle riders’ need to seek a decent livelihood with the motorcycles that they own. “Lahat tayo na gustong maghanapbuhay, gustong magnegosyo ay hindi dapat pinipigilan,” Sen. Aquino stressed.

Senator  Bam Aquino ( Photo by Stanley Briz)

“Mahalaga na mabigyang suporta po natin yung ating mga sektor na naghahanap ng tulong upang makapaghanapbuhay para sa ating pamilya,” he added.

Sen. Aquino also commended Angkas for helping motorcycle riders in many ways. “Yung Angkas po, maganda yung kanilang framework, maganda yung kanilang app, marami pong natutulungan. Gaya po ninyo na puwede pong maghanapbuhay gamit ang inyong mga motor, at the same time nagbibigay ng mga leksiyon at lecture tungkol sa safety at security ninyo,” Sen. Aquino noted.

Administration senatorial candidate JV Ejercito, who is a motorcycle enthusiast himself, also expressed his support for the regulation of Angkas, reiterating that he has a pending bill in Congress that addresses the regulation issues of motorcycle taxis.

Rep. Winston Castelo echoed the other guests’ sentiments as he vowed to push for the legalization and regulation of motorcycle taxis. “Bigyan natin ng hanapbuhay ang taumbayan. Kaya ako po ay nagfile ng bill sa Kongreso and I am happy to announce, and I am proud to tell you that it has been approved,” Rep. Castelo revealed. “Hindi tayo papayag na mahirapang muli ang taumbayan. Hindi tayo papayag na hindi kayo mabigyan ng oportunidad na magkaroon ng hanapbuhay,” he added.

Angkas Head of Regulation and Public Affairs George Royeca, in turn, spoke on behalf of the ride-sharing service. “It has been our advocacy in Angkas to promote road safety consciousness among the motorcycle riders of the country,” Royeca stressed. “This is why we have been holding the Safety Fiesta in order to make as many motorcycle riders aware of the need to ride safely every single time and propagate the knowledge of how to ride motorcycles as safely as they can,” he added.