Vertigo
After 5 days filled with on and off vertigo episodes, I'm finally going back to work, to life, on Thursday.
Last Wednesday, I woke up with my world literally spinning. I was nauseated. I passed out and woke up the next day. That's when we went to the ER. The doctor diagnosed me with vertigo, gave me a prescription of Betahistine Hydrochloride for me to take twice a day.
When the dizziness won't go away til Sunday, I was brought to an ENT doctor. She won't commit it as "vertigo" that's related to Meniere's disease because <WAIT FOR IT>, she couldn't see my inner ear.
Both my ears were "impacted". Simpler terms: Hardened earwax. DON'T JUDGE ME, MY ENT DIDN'T! I was so defensive when I told her, "But I clean my ears every so often!!!" And she said my ear canals were narrower than normal. So the more I clean with cotton buds, the more I push the icky stuff in.
So today, my ENT performed an ear irrigation (I wanted to pun but no). My right ear brought me to tears, it is now inflamed. But doctor said it's normal and should heal in a few days. Everything is louder and clearer than usual. My dizziness is gone. But I was advised to take one more day to rest my sore right ear. And I need to come back to the doctor next week for more findings.
I am a bit embarrassed about the ear impaction, but I would choose that over Meniere's disease and the possibility of another vertigo attack.
Thank you for my workmates and bosses who were so understanding. My parents, Camille who went with me to the doctor and most of all, Wincy for taking care of me. Best husband ("Hubby" ba? Gusto mo "hubby"?) in the work award goes to you.
Reimagining Darna
I grew up with two Darnas to look up to -- Nanette Medved's and Anjanette Abayari's. We didn't have cable before. I would ask my Ninong to tell me more about Vilma Santos' Darna, just so I could complete the Darna collection in my head.
That's why when I saw the teaser of Direk Erik Matti's Darna 2016 while watching Honor Thy Father, I couldn't contain my excitement. My childhood memories and fantasies were awakened. How would this year's Darna be like?
I wasn't too convinced on her costume before. Aside from the fact that she was being hyper-sexualized, I always thought it would be quite uncomfortable to fight bad guys in a strapless bra-top and heeled boots. So in my head, I had always imagined Darna to have more cover. And maybe she can also be the type of woman who prefers sneakers.
I also think Narda shouldn't lose her powers of discernment--especially the moral choices of a flawed human being-- whenever she turns into Darna. It would be interesting to see simple a Filipina who remains who she is when empowered by supernatural forces. That would be a good study on the idea of power.
Of course, I also thought of how Cameron Stewart redesigned Batgirl and Barbara Gordon. He made her techie skills more relevant. Maybe Darna could also be more tech-savvy--maybe even collaborating with local hacktivists.
Can't wait to find out who will play Narda/Darna. And of course, I wanna see what's the new vision for her mythology.
The Case of Rey (Kenobi)
#CjDrawsDay 25: First Manga Studio Drawing of 2016 - Rey (Kenobi)
Months before the premiere of Star Wars Episode VII, Wincy felt so anxious that I seemed so uninterested about the saga. I watched episodes IV, V and VI before but it didn’t stick to my memory. Maybe I was too young or preoccupied withother films. “I’m so sad you wouldn’t watch it with me.” He would say. But I said I’ll still watch it because I am JJ Abrams fan.
Come December, I watched it with Wincy. Sorry, Lucas purists, but I honestly think JJ Abrams turned all the baggage into something brilliant.
We have Rey now. The “girl” that drives Kylo Ren to his emo man-child, Vader fan boy tantrums. She was independent – just like what Han Solo said as he gave her a blaster, “I know you can handle yourself…” And most of all, she isn’t the token girl nor the damsel in distress. My favorite would be “Stop taking my hand!”
JJ Abrams turned almost everyone into intergalactic detectives as the episode concluded, formulated theories about who and where Rey came from. Here’s my bet: She is a Kenobi. Proofs:
- The way she held her lightsaber. I watched Episode VI and III again and noticed the similarities with the way Obi Wan and Rey would turn on their lightsabers as well as their fighting style. The stroke is almost always forward.
- She always seeks higher ground. Both times that Rey was confronted by Kylo Ren (in the forest of Takodana and in the snowy woods of Starkiller Base), Rey would always jump to a higher ground. Now let's review this:
- The Jedi mind trick. This is a signature Kenobi move.
- Her English accent. John Boyega (Finn) is a British actor, yet he has to act with an American accent. But Daisy Ridley (Rey) retained hers.
Here's a good support article from Medium.com, written by Ben Ostrower.
I also think she used to be Luke’s student, together with Kylo Ren. Kylo Ren knows her and very insecure with her. She’s just trying to forget everything.
Love + (not vs.) Career, Achieve Naman!
Dear Leah,
Strange at cliché at the same time, pero sasabihin kong napagdaanan ko na ang pinagdaraanan mo ngayon — ang magplano ng kasal (na February rin) habang sinusubukan kong i-prove ang sarili ko sa career na pinili ko. Hindi lang kasi true love ang pangarap ko, pangarap ko ring magkaroon ng meaningful na career sa advertising.
Sinabihan ka ni Clark (nakita ko sa teaser ng episode this week) na kailangan mong i-set ang priorities mo. Pero mayroong kaunting siyang padaplis na dapat ang kasal ninyo ang priority ninyo. Kaya ang tanong ko — pangarap mo ba talaga ang magka-career sa advertising o tipong “job-to-pay-the-bills” mo lang ito? Dahil kung yung latter ang sagot mo, madali lang naman na huwag mag-effort. Pero nakikita ko yung stress mo to impress Simon, so I guess gusto mong mag-shine talaga bilang isang copywriter. (And eventually a Creative Director)
Kung gusto mo talagang pagsabayin si Clark at ang advertising career — achieve naman pero medyo may mga adjustments. Siguro noong pinagdaanan ko ‘yan, inisip ko muna kung anu-ano ang mga factors mayroon akong control. Kagaya nang: When it comes to adjustments, sino ang mas kaya mo bang pakiusapan si Clark or si Simon? ‘Di ba, si Clark?
So unang una, explain to Clark the nature of the work. Advertising is demanding, erratic, physically, emotionally and psychologically taxing, but incredibly rewarding. The work load and the hours are sometimes hard to take, especially sa mga taong ang konsepto lang ng “work” ay 9 to 5. But you have to explain to Clark that our work doesn’t necessarily start when we come in and end when we go home. Nakikita kong nagiging point of discussion ninyo ‘yang sunduan na ‘yan. Honestly, kami ni Wincy, pinagdaanan din namin ‘yan. Dati religiously niya pa akong sinusundo at hinihintay. Pero in the long run, marerealize ninyong unfair lang kayo sa oras ng isa’t isa. Mas efficient nang umuwi mag-isa, just keep each other posted. Or if late na talaga, tsaka ka na magpasundo. Ikaw na lang ang maghintay sa kanya, at least, alam mong tapos ka na sa trabaho.
Ikalawa, i-explain mo sa kanya ang long term effect ng OT sacrifices mo, especially sa fulfilment mo as an individual (independent woman) at sa finances ninyo. Yung hard work at brilliance mo naman will not go unrewarded, eventually, magkaka-award ka, you’ll win pitches, you’ll grow businesses and if nasa tama kang kumpanya, magiging fair naman sila sa sweldo mo. A double-income home (you and Clark) is ideal sa panahon natin ngayon. Clark has a business and you are employed. Mas malaki man on paper yung pera ni Clark, you’ll have the stability and consistency of having a regular paycheck. That way, mas financially ninyo ma-su-suportahan ang isa’t isa. (Further reading: Thanks Advertising by Tom Demetriou)
Ikatlo, wedding planning. Nakakaloka ang P30,000 budget para sa kasal! I-multiply mo pa siguro yan by 30, ‘yun ang realistic na budget para sa average na kasal. Pero keri na ‘yan, sasagutin na ‘yan ng Dreamscape at ABS-CBN. Yung sa schedules at tasks (like food and cake tasting), malaking tulong kung mag-divide kayo ni Clark ng tasks. Noong kami ni Wincy, ang hatian namin, lahat ng Church-related, sa kanya. Lahat ng reception (and design) related, sa akin. Para kung may ‘di naasikaso, may sense of accountability kayo. Ang di makagawa, e ‘di waley ka. You don’t have to do everything together, you know. Trust in each others’ decisions. And if you like to do things together, schedule it on a weekend. Wag na wag weekdays. Or at least sa ‘yo at sa trabaho mo, waley na ang weekday sched dahil priority nga ang career mo rin, ‘di ba?
When it comes to Simon naman — naku, huwag kang papasindak. ECD’s usually are just outspoken because they have to, for the work, not to belittle you. Don’t take him personally. A mark of a brilliant at inspiring boss is when he gives constructive criticisms and challenges in a professional level. Hindi naman niya hahamakin yung pagkatao mo, hahamakin niya from time to time yung work na dine-deliver mo. After all, you applied for that job. Toughen up a little. At huwag ka ngang parating parang naiiyak! Sabi mo nga, push. Siguro, if there’s one thing I’ll disagree with Simon, is that not “Everything has to be perfect.” Walang makakapagsabi kung ano ang perfect, kahit pa si Lee Clow, they can only say what they think is right. So always fight for your point of view.
Pero i-connect ko lang si Simon at yung kasal. I think it's okay to update your boss about your personal life, especially if milestone naman 'to. Yung mga boss ko, naintindihan naman nila na one month before ng wedding date ko, ipa-prioritize ko na yung kasal, siyempre. Kailangan mo lang i-explain.
Mahaba-haba na ‘to. Anyway, good luck sa wedding planning at sa career mo. Kung ako sa ‘yo, mag-focus ka sa career mo! Mas long-term reward. Yung kasal? It doesn’t need to be perfect. Isang araw lang ‘yon. Ang forever ay yung self-fulfilment mo, which will contribute to your happier marriage with Clark.
Sincerely,
Minsang nag-plan ng wedding, forever fight sa career
Disclaimer: Leah, Clark and Simon are fictional characters in the hit TV series na On The Wings Of Love. This blog post is another reaction to the December 21, 2015 episode. Lee Clow is a real advertising genius, though.
Image Credit: Screengrab from I Want TV
An Open Letter To Tanya Zamora, The Senior Copywriter
Dear Tanya Zamora,
Hindi na kita i-Inglesin ng formal, kasi gaya nga ng pagkapakilala sa ‘yo, Senior Copywriter ka. Associate Creative Director ang label ko, pero alam kong ‘di hamak na mas magaling ka sa akin pagdating sa mga salita, or sa advertising-speak, sa “copy”.
Sinusulatan kita kasi gusto kong ipaalala sa ‘yo ang meaning ng position mo. Walang halong yabang, just stating a fact, alam ko ang pakiramdam ng isang senior. Hindi pa ako extremely senior, Creative Directors at Executive Creative Directors ang mga iyon. Sa bigger picture, medyo-senior lang tayo. Isang ranggo lang inangat mula sa junior. Anyway, mabalik tayo sa punto ko — Ano nga ba ang ibig sabihin ng "senior”? Marami kasi.
Isipin mo, bakit ka nga ba andyan? Dahil ba sa hardwork and awards? Consistency? Simpleng tenure? Or dahil ma-chika ka? Para sa akin, para maging “Senior” ka, may experience ka. Na connected sa susunod kong punto.
Una - Senior ka kasi may experience ka. Ibig sabihin may pinagdaanan ka. Nagsulat ka na ng maraming tagline na hindi pinili. Mga lyrics ng jingle na nirevise nang paulit-ulit ng kliyente hanggang ‘di mo na marinig ang mga orihinal mong linya. Mga TVC scripts na on-the-spot mong iniba habang shoot dahil ayaw sabihin ng talent mong celebrity. Malamang nagsulat ka rin ng banner ads na ‘di mo naman sure kung mayroong pumapansin o aksidente lang nilang na-kli-click. Ibig sabihin, naghirap ka rin. Nag-OT ka rin. May mga oras kang ipinagpalit ang mahal mo sa buhay (siguro 'di lang sing-gwapo ni Clark) para sa trabaho.
Kaya napapaisip ako, bakit ganoon na lang kung tratuhin mo si Leah Olivar, na isang junior copywriter? Pinagdaanan mo ang kaba kung wala kang naibabatong idea sa brainstorming, ang kawalan ng inspirasyon o ng tamang salita. Pinagdaanan mo ang rejection. Kaya siguro naman alam mo na dapat sa ngayon kung paano mag-reject.
Ikalawa - Senior ka kasi inaasahan kang magbibigay ng direksyon. Bilang “mature” ka na, dapat alam mo kung paano magbigay ng feedbacks at comments. Na imbes na criticism, gagawin mo itong points of improvement, gagawin mo itong “builds”. Papagandahin mo ang trabaho dapat ni Leah. Pero hindi mo ‘yon ginawa. Instead, binigyan mo siya ng subjective at baseless na comment. At kung iisipin mo, on-strat ang tagline ni Leah. Kung ako ang nasa pusisyon mo, sasabihin ko kung ano ang maganda sa ginawa ni Leah pero sasabihin ko rin yung mga hindi nag-wo-work. Sasabihin ko ring magiging maigi kung may mga options pa siya. Magbaon siya ng maraming taglines na insightful. Humugot siya mula sa life experiences, sa life truths at hindi lamang mag-puns.
Ika-tatlo, senior ka at responsibility mong mag-motivate at mag-inspire ng mga mas bata kaysa sa 'yo. Responsibility mong i-guide sila, i-empower sila. Hindi reason yung sinabi mong, “WHAT, I’M BUSY!” para hindi mo ayusin ang pakikipag-usap mo kay Leah. Nasa professional kayong lugar, hindi ba dapat alam mo na paano makipag-usap professionally?
At since nasa usapang responsibility na tayo, hindi ba’t responsibility mo ring ibigay kay Leah ang credit na tagline niya ang napili. Ika nga ni Leigh Reyes (ECD siya ng Lowe, just so you know), “When you make others shine, that light shines on all of us.” Ka-team mo naman si Leah, ‘di ba? So her victory is your victory. Huwag kang madamot.
Anyway, mahaba-haba na ‘tong open letter ko sa ‘yo, considering fictional character ka. Alam ko namang ang main purpose mo ay i-push forward yung plot. Hindi kita sinulatan kasi pa-sensitive ako sa trabaho ko sa Advertising. Gusto ko lang i-point out na nagkamali ka sa pagtrato kay Leah, bilang junior copywriter at bilang tao. Bakit ka ba ganyan? Yung boss mo ba dati naging mean rin sa ‘yo? Kung sakali mang inapi ka rin nung junior ka, parang mas okay yata kung iniba mo na yung culture. Sana imbes na nag-power trip ka kay Leah, naging inspiration ka na lang. Sana ipina-appreciate mo sa kanya yung process. Sana ipinaunawa mo sa kanya na minsan, kailangan mong i-push yung craft at creativity niya para sa ikakaganda ng trabaho ninyo at nang career niya. Sana binigyan mo siya ng kaunting hope at patience na kahit mahirap ang ginagawa natin, may mga naso-solve naman kayong business, social or design problems. At more than anything, sana ipinaalam mo sa kanya that brilliant ideas win over politics.
Kung sakaling na-offend ka sa sulat ko, pasensya ka na. Pwede naman tayong mag-coffee or cocktails, baka kasi stressed ka lang sa work. Teka, ‘te, may award ka na ba?
Sincerely,
P.S. Si Tanya Zamora ay isang fictional character sa hit TV series na On The Wings Of Love. Fan lang ako ng TV series. Pero gusto ko lang sanang mag-share ng strong feelings ko, reaction ba, sa episode last November 2, 2015.
Image Credit: Screengrab from I Want TV