What's Up, Doc?

Today I'm going to summarize what my thesis and internship were all about. From September 16 to December 7 of last year, my thesismates - Hannah, Bianca, and Kim - and I's worlds revolved around the brand Dr. Martens. We wrote a marketing plan that will be useful for the company effective January 2014. To do this, we had to spend 200 hours each in the store located in Fort Bonifacio doing all sorts of things that are expected of interns. Although to be fair, I only did around a hundred and a half hours so for all practical purposes, my groupmates did most of the job done when it came to working. However, I did a rather splendid job in our thesis paper as well as during the defense, or so they told me. (I don't believe in false humility. Credit should be given to where it is due).

Cardigan: from Macau | Shorts: Old Navy | Inner Top: People Are People | Bag: Kenneth Cole Reaction | Shoes: Pedro | Belt: H&M

Dr. Martens has always believed in creativity and self-expression. It supports and encourages artists to express themselves through artworks in any form. One of the events we helped out in was the photo exhibit it hosted sometime in September. It showcased works of different photographers where the iconic Dr Martens shoes were the highlights. To celebrate our first event together as a group as well as our first sleep-over, we went somewhere else after. 

Sweater and flats: Mango | Pants: Zara | Watch: Tommy Hilfiger

Almost every two weeks, the store's lay-out changes. Hats off to the brand's managers especially to Julius who's behind the ever-changing displays. Also, did you get the How I Met Your Mother vibe from the sofa set like I did?

Top: Zara | Pants: Meg

Bianca and I with the other DMs intern Ara who, by the way, also happens to be a La Sallian.

with Cara and Hannah

my thesismate Kim taking a photo in front of Flying Dutchman in The Collective. On its door is DLSU's banner. The owner happens to be a La Sallian.

Black 1460s: Dr Martens | Dress: Zara | Plaid polo tied around waist: Giordano | Flats: Pedro

One of the Octoberfest leg of events

Shirt: Bench | Pants: Zara

Cape: from Korea | Top and Pants: H&M | Belt: Mango | Mask: from Phantom of the Opera production

During the halloween, we were asked to come in our costumes. Obviously I was paying homage to the Phantom.

Dress: Zara | Shoes: Converse | Cap: Adidas

Denim polo: from Bangkok, Thailan | Leggings: SM Dept. Store 

Typical days in the store

with one of our Marketing professors in DLSU, Ms. Tanada

7 December 2014

It's just right to end this post with a photo taken after we successfully defended our thesis paper. With us are the members of the panel: (from L-R) Andrew Garcia and Borgy Manotoc (owners of Dr Martens Philippines. Andrew is also a La Sallian), Sir Quito and Sir Jay (Marketing professors). This has also been the last academic day of my college years.

We may not have a photo with our thesis mentor, Ms. Lysa Sanchez, but I wouldn't dare recall this entire trip without thanking her for all the help she has extended to us. From our weekly meetings in fancy restaurants which she always ended up paying for, to our online discussion where she'd always found errors in, we couldn't have gotten a good grade without her help. Cheers, Ms. Lysa!

To close this, I'm going to lift a paragraph from our paper. I'm plagiarizing, I know, but at least I'm plagiarizing myself. Haha!

"Over the years, DMs' association with different groups, ranging from working class to Punks to the more contemporary youth, was able to carry on. The stories attached to the brand will never be erased and will live on in each of the new generation of users. Though the once held perceptions of the brand are not as strong as in the present time, the stigma of its predecessors particularly its rebelliousness against an existing paradigm endures."

Some of the photos were gotten from others.