TGIF in Spanish

Friday was my favorite day of the week before it became a Saturday. I used to be happy because after a week of hard work, I could snag a good movie and have a delightful dinner. I guess my Fridays will never be the same again.

Last night I had all the time in the world to introspect on a lot of things. Then I suddenly thought, when was the last time I watched a movie? I don’t even remember. All I can recall now is July 18 (and it’s a Friday by the way). That was the day I was dying to watch Heath Ledger’s movie “DARK KNIGHT”. I was deeply harrowed when he passed away because this Aussie-breed Hollywood actor is one of my favorites. I watched all of his movies on the big screen–from “10 Things I hate about you” to “Broke Back Mountain” (even his “I’m not there” movie–his portrayal as Bob Dylan). Sad to say I wasn’t able to watch his last movie on the big screen. Up to these days I can’t forgive myself because I failed to watch his last performance. Everyone was telling me to buy the DVD instead. I told them, it’s not enough. If I could only rent one cinema in Rockwell and play this movie for me so I can finally watch it, I would. It will cost me a lot, but I don't care.

Friday may never be the same again, but this time I don’t want to miss another movie. Now I feel excited to enter the movie house once more and take note--I want it on a Friday! The Spanish film festival is coming this October and I want to bring back my enthusiasm for ART FILMS. I remember when my office used to be in Ortigas, I always watched CINE EUROPA for FREE in Shangri-La. So thank God there’s the Spanish Film Festival in Greenbelt. I will try to catch as many as I can. Hehe. The last Spanish film I snagged was Volando Boy. Unforgettable one. I am looking forward to snag another one this Friday, I shouldn’t miss the film “Ya soy la Juani”. Maybe the answers to my theories in life will be contextualized in the movie.

Finding that Date!

Since Artist Chef is preoccupied with a lot of things lately--she's still trying to find the perfect date to visit Crepe Chine. It's a crepe restaurant somewhere in Binondo. Maybe this Saturday or next she will go there to grace Apple's invitation. Apple by the way is the owner of Crepe Chine who invited her to try their very famous crepe. She's very excited to taste every dessert she can find. So visiting Crepe Chine will be one sweet day in her life. She's excited now. She will post the experience soon. :-)

Joana Milanes

BEN THANH BEER

This is my last blog using this mac G5 in my office. I'm off to a new office soon. I'll announce my new nest one of these days. For now, I'd like to share again another shining moment I had before I left GASSO. I was asked by the CEO, Nonoy Gallardo, to help his brother Bogie Gallardo to do all the print materials for the Ben Thanh Beer pitch, including the STB rendition. I had my OT the night before they flew to Vietnam for their pitch presentation. After few hours of doing all the print ads, I showed it to the CEO, Mr. G. He squeezed my hand and praised me for my work. He said "nadali mo!" I'm so happy because even Sir Bogie enjoyed working with me. We bonded during the offline and online in Optima, including Mayet and Niña. I also met this good guy named Jam who helped us even until wee hours of the morning, just editing the TV materials. It's supposed to be ripomatics but Direct Robi insisted to shoot it. Well, fine. Then I did the print photo shoot at the same time. To cut everything short, We won the pitch. Gasso got Ben Thanh and a milk product from the same company. I am again happy to be part of that major company achievement. I will surely miss Sir Bogie because he makes me feel guilty all the time for leaving them. He also said to me "Ikaw lang ang babaeng ART DIRECTOR na nakatrabaho ko sa beer since McCann days ko. Now Gasso lost one of their assets". In my mind I have this vivid memory of McCann not hiring me because they don't think I fit into their beer account. Hmph! Cheers to Ben Thanh!

Dummy talent. Not a real Vietnamese and not his real name.

Chowking Congee

Chowking. Love ko 'to! (I love this!). This is the look I did for the Chowking Hong Kong Style Congee re-launch. The print material that gave kudos to this humble petite Art Director by the CEO of GASSO, Nonoy Gallardo. That was my shining moment. I will miss the man. I will do a blog especially made for this genius who gave me a lot of "pabaon" to wherever I'm going. His wisdom and teachings made me a better and stronger creative person. I'm going to a new battlefield and the things I've learned from Mr. G is something I didn't learn from where I came from before.

The TVC ad that is currently airing is part of my shining moment. I was possessed when I presented this board. I acted more than I could imagine. I delivered more than anyone expected. Everyone was left in awe. From the conceptualization of big ideas up to execution of concept boards, I played a major part. The day came when the final story was stitched and the storyboard I entitled "Techies" is now playing on air.

Just to share with all of you the immediate results after one week of airing this advertising materials: 211% increase in Peso sales (from P1,349/day/store to P4,197/day/store)

Armando Alarilla

Met Ms. Dina Bonnevie

The Artist Chef met Ms. D! She's real. I got an impression of who she is. And it doesn't matter. The likes of Dina Bonnevie are only human. She's a good actress anyway.