MANILA – Celebrating the power of Filipino creativity last November 7, 2015, the adobo Festival of Ideas was a whole-day affair filled with collaborative talks that inspired and engaged its audience at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila. Exploring the theme “Driving the Creative Economy”, advertising industry creatives and marketing mavens lit up minds and provided food for thought.
Organized by adobo magazine, the word on creativity, the day kicked off with design guru Kenneth Cobonpue and technopreneur Manny Ayala discussing the similarities between tech and design startups–and how giving back and/or paying it forward can benefit everyone. It was a good start to a jam-packed day.
Posted by adobo magazine on Friday, November 6, 2015
Digital Arts Network’s Ed Mapa and McDonald’s EVP Margot Torres talked about how speed, accuracy, and the human element count in digital campaigns; while Publicis Singapore’s Lou Dela Peña and Nestle’s Paolo Mercado emphasized on the centuries Filipino creativity has flourished, and now only needs the effort to take it to another level altogether to bring it to the world’s attention. Eric Cruz, with the help of his associate Buboy Paguio, showed how good design, passion and heart can cross language barriers, and win an audience.
Resuming the talks after a break, Plus 63 Design’s Dan Matutina spoke on how good design can attract good clients, while Brand New Media’s Mike Constantino and MCCann ECD (and author of famed comics Trese) Budjette Tan talked about how well-fleshed out stories can engage readers or website visitors. Tourism secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr’s virtual self joined BBDO Guerrero’s David Guerrero on stage to give a captivating presentation about creativity and innovation.
Finally, multi-awarded sculptor, artist, designer Leeroy New spectacularly concluded the adobo Festival of Ideas with three Aliens of Manila exploring the stage after sharing his experience as someone who actively collaborated with others to evolve artistically, despite being constrained financially. He showed that by certain situations or parameters, his creative mind and spirit remained unfettered — which he conveyed to the audience who applauded appreciatively.
The Festival culminated with a roaring after-party at nearby House Manila, where DJ Lady Trinity dished out choice beats as partygoers unwound after a whole day of learning. Snacks and drinks flowed from the open bar, as attendees and speakers like Leeroy New and David Guerrero took to the floor to dance.
It is the hope of its founder and participants that the resulting ideas ignited by the speakers at the Festival of Ideas bear fruit and inspire others. Indeed, a unifying message seen in many of the talks centered around the power of cross-collaboration, and how it can benefit other disciplines. But everybody has to start somewhere, and they just need to be brave enough to start somewhere and be true to themselves–wonderful qualities that distinguish Pinoy creatives.
adobo’s Festival of Ideas major sponsors are Future Now Ventures, PLDT Home, with Resorts World and House Manila serving as official venue partners. Event partners include SNIPE, Nuworks, Executive Decisions, Underground Logic, ThirtySix-O, WeLovePost, Greenwich, CMB Film Services and Fairmont Hotel. Media partners include ABS-CBN, TV5, Business Mirror, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, clickthecity.com, wheninmanila.com, wazzuppilipinas.com, Creative Voices, 1 DigiMedia, A Space Manila, and 97.9 Home Radio.
