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.

Travel Philippines: Sagada, Mountain Province

I survived

I've never found a shirt that says "I survived" more fitting than the ones sold in the souvenir shops of Sagada, Mountain Province. Although I am generally an outgoing person, the adventures that the place has in store for its tourists are not something to treat lightly. They demand so much of one's energy, endurance, determination, skills, and sheer willpower. I'm quite handy with the former requirements but willpower, well that's a different story. My willpower doesn't easily manifest itself. Subconsciously, I try to find alternative ways to meet a certain goal when affronted with tedious and challenging obstacles. But when the tide gets too tough, as in "you can cry all you want, but unless you do something about it, nothing will change" type, all I've got is to turn to myself and extract whatever willpower I have. Last thursday, I accompanied my Tito Rolly and Tita Aida to their supposed us-only trip to Sagada. But hello, when it's something that can concern me, no one can leave me behind. Hahahaha


Manila to Baguio is approximately 6 hours. We left our car there and took the bus going to Sagada. The trip was another 6 hours.



NOTE: If you're in Sagada, make sure you try the Lemon Pie here. They're very very very delicious! I had two slices of it every night as my dinner.

ACTIVITY 1: Spelunking in Sumaguing Cave. There are areas where big chunks of white stones were where you have to step on. They're very slippery and as expected of every caves, all the big stones were cut unevenly. Stalagmites and stalactites amused us along the way. The water inside was icy cold. You cannot go further into the cave without holding onto the stones which were covered with bat poops. You can cry all you want but unless you grab on to the bat poop, submerge yourself into the icy water, slide down the rough stones, you're not going anywhere.







ACTIVITY 2: Catching the Sunrise in Kiltepan. We woke up at 5AM to be on time for the predicted 6 30 sunrise. I don't get cold easily so if I put on a thick jacket, that's because it's really cold. As soon as we've reached the mountain top, we were greeted by the sudden breeze. The fog was too thick creating the illusion of clouds. You'd feel that the clouds are just an arm's reach away.





ACTIVITY 3: Trekking Bomod-ok Falls. It's very cold in Sagada since it's on top of the highest mountains in the North but at noon time, when the sun is directly shining above you, you'd still feel your skin burning. I wore an oversized sweater to defend me from the blazing heat. No matter how stupid I looked, I didn't really care as long as I'll be able to protect myself. It took an hour going down towards the majestic falls. To go up, it takes more hours. Thank goodness for the picturesque place where we're walking, at least the discomfort became bearable. Imagine walking along the rice terraces that I've always dreamed of seeing in person. You can cry all you want but unless you force your legs to climb another stairs up, you don't succumb to thirst, you brave the intense sun, you won't see the beauty that awaits you.








ACTIVITY 4: Getting to the Hanging Coffins. The best part of this entire trip has to be this. Hands down. The way going to the coffins starts with passing by the cemetery, trekking the rain forest, and finally coming front and up close with them. When we reached the coffins, the rain poured heavily. We were trapped so we decided to wait until the sky clears up. Night time was about to dawn on us and we didn't want to take the risk of staying behind. Amidst the heavy rain, we trekked out of mountain. It was extra slippery so when I tried to reach for the big stone ahead of me to help me get up from where I was currently standing, I got dragged down by the flowing mud. I fell down straight to the puddle of mud. I was drenched in rainwater and mud yet I felt so motivated to climb up. You can cry all you want but unless you stand up from the mud where you're subjected to, you rely on yourself since the others whom you're with were also dealing with their own struggles, you don't mind the dirt and the scary feeling of the place, you will not go anywhere. The entire experience was eerie but it's an experience that I will never forget.






As for the food, I've always been keen to try the local cuisines of any place I visit. The rice the entire Sagada is serving is either brown or red rice. It was a good thing for me since the rice served in our home has been red rice since last year. I loved the pure carrot juice and cake. And I very much liked the taste of the lemon pie and egg pie.



This is how their bar looks like. The night wasn't ripe yet so it was just me who was in there. Notice what I'm wearing: my PJs. I've sworn never to get out of the house (or my room if I'm in a hotel) wearing my PJs but the place gives off the laid-back appeal so I braved it.


I missed going to Baguio!!! I don't mean to offend but I personally think that the best thing to do in Baguio is to sleep. But you know those places that charm you in a certain way that you find indescribable, that's how the city affects me. I love it and I've always felt at home there for reasons that I can't put my fingers on. Here I am in front of the Viray-Peralta house with Manang Dolor who's been there eversince I can remember.



Just when you think you've been wow-ed enough, you'd see more of Sagada. Nature is truly the best architect.

Thanks to Kim Sta. Rita for lending me her trusted shoes.

Thanks to Tita Aida and Tito Rolly for being the sweetest!!