MANILA, PHILIPPINES — After a brief postponement due to adverse weather conditions, adobo Magazine, together with The One Club for Creativity, was finally able to host Portfolio Night 2024 Manila, held last November 07 at the Dentsu Creative Philippines office in Makati City, Metro Manila.
Unique to the Philippines, Portfolio Night Manila partners with universities to provide creative students with the invaluable opportunity to connect with leaders from some of the country’s most prestigious creative agencies.
Chaz Requina, Creative Director of adobo Magazine, welcomed this year’s attendees and expressed his enthusiasm on the return of Portfolio Night 2024 Manila: “Working with students is something that we chose to do. We really challenged ourselves and we wanted to give you an opportunity to meet with our creative leaders,” he shared.
Adam Izen, Director of The One Show, sent a message from New York celebrating the event’s 21st anniversary and its expansion to 27 cities worldwide. “Don’t stress — every creative here has been where you are today. They want you to be the best creative you can be, so absorb as much information as possible. Build your network, enhance your portfolio, and enjoy the experience,” he advised.
The event attracted over 100 participants, including 60 student delegates, faculty from partner schools, creative reviewers, and program volunteers.
Throughout the day, students presented their portfolios to industry leaders, gaining invaluable feedback aimed at refining their work. They also received motivational advice and personal insights about what to expect as they transition into the creative workforce in the Philippines.
Students engaged in inspiring discussions with the following creative reviewers:
- Eman Carandang, Head of Arts / Creative Director, BBDO Guerrero
- Bia Fernandez, Executive Creative Director, DDB MNL
- Gary Amante, Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Creative Philippines
- Lexie Dy, Creative Director, Dentsu Creative Philippines
- Jeano Cruz, Creative Director & Partner, GIGIL
- Nikki Golez, Independent Creative Director
- Angie Tijam-Tohid, Executive Creative Director, Havas Media Ortega
- Sydney Samodio, Executive Creative Director, McCann Worldgroup Philippines
- Rey Tiempo, Founder & Chief Creative Officer, CO-OP PLAY & Chief Creative, MINOTAUR AD
- Bianong Labiano, Executive Creative Director, NuWorks Interactive Labs, Inc.
- Chino Jayme, Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy Philippines
- Raoul Panes, Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Groupe Philippines and Leo Burnett Manila
- Mike Dela Cuesta, Group Creative Director, Publicis JimenezBasic
- John Ed De Vera, Executive Creative Director, TBWA\ SMP
- Jowee Alviar, Creative Director, Team Manila Graphic Design Studio
- Maan Bautista, Executive Creative Director, VML Philippines
Emerging as Manila’s All-Star was MINT College’s Kayla Chariz “Cho” Oruga after getting high scores from the reviewers. “I feel like Max Verstappen right now!” Cho exclaimed. “Thank you to my college, they taught me most of the things I know. I’m glad to be representing my country, my college, and myself. I learned so much in this competition, and I met so many people who align with what I believe in, and what we believe in is art. I’m so grateful for that, and my heart is so full.”
Cho will represent the Philippines at the Global Portfolio Night All-Stars alongside winners from other participating cities for a week-long program with The One Club for Creativity. She will also receive an exclusive slot in The CityFlats Circuit Makati Artist Residency Program courtesy of Ayala Land, Inc.
Runner-ups for this year were MINT College’s Moira “Moi” Alexi Francisco and CIIT Philippines’ John Clister Santos, who both expressed their thoughts and key learnings from this event.
On being recognized as one of the runner-ups, Moi expressed her excitement on new opportunities that await her. “I’m just really happy that I get to experience this with the best of the best. I’m glad to have met the most talented people on this earth — thank you so much for this opportunity.”
Clister shared his feelings and learnings on participating in Portfolio Night Manila: “Sobrang saya po; I get to show my works not only to my peers but to the heads of these agencies that I look up to. It’s such a learning experience kasi this is the first time na ipakita ko yung portfolio ko sa mga professionals talaga. Kinabahan ako at first, pero they’ve given me really valuable advice on how to improve (and) how to continue doing my craft.”
VML Philippines’ Executive Creative Director, Maan Bautista, remarked on her role as a Creative Reviewer: “I can’t believe there’s so much talent and creativity in each of these kids. It gives me hope for the creative industry and I can’t wait what they’ll get to do in the future.”
Jacob Banog, the 2023 Portfolio Night Manila All-Star, and one of the 2023 Global All-Stars, shared words of encouragement to this year’s Portfolio Night Manila participants: “Trust in your vision, and in your own creativity. I encourage you guys to just show yourself; that’s the best thing you can do here. Show yourself, show your point of view, and show your creativity.”
Beyond networking and friendships formed during the event, each student left with invaluable feedback on how to refine their craft as they step into their future careers as creatives.
A heartfelt thank you to our school partners who participated in Portfolio Night 2024 Manila:
- Far Eastern University
- CIIT College of Arts and Technology
- Ateneo de Manila University
- Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila
- SoFA Design Institute
- Mapúa University
- Enderun Colleges
- Batangas State University
- Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna
- iACADEMY
- Meridian International College – MINT College
- De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
- Holy Angel University
- University of the Philippines
- Miriam College (formerly Maryknoll)
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines
- University of Santo Tomas
Lastly, Portfolio Night 2024 Manila would not be possible without our partners:
- Major Sponsors:
- Ayala Land, Inc.
- DDB Group Philippines
- NuWorks Interactive Labs, Inc.
- Ogilvy Philippines
- BPI
- IdeasXMachina (IXM)
- Food Partners:
- Burger King Philippines
- Chowking PH
- Max’s Restaurant
- Mang Inasal Philippines
- Beverage Partners:
- GSM Premium Gin
- 1834 Premium Distilled Gin
- PICKUP COFFEE
- Coca-Cola
- Candy Partner:
- Candy Corner
- Violet Crumble
- Swag Kit Partners:
- Monde Nissin
- Pulp & Pigment
- Prestige Paper Products
- Oishi
- Venue Partner:
- Dentsu Creative Philippines
