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.

Changing Colors

Sometimes, it's easier to speak in metaphorical tongue rather than state the obvious. Say something out of your ordinary babbles and everyone around you would assume that there's a problem in your corner. Explaining why I did what I just did isn't exactly one of my strong suits. You see, there's a difference between explaining the facts as you saw them and being defensive about the circumstances. And often in that difference, do I find myself misinterpreted by most. To prevent myself from getting entangled into deeper complications, let's leave the obvious and start with the metaphorical context. 

Dress: Daniel Hechter | Bag: Ralph Lauren | Shoes: BGBG | Watch: Anne Klein

2 days before the graduation, all the would-be graduates were called to school for our third to final (there was the Recognition Rites the following day which I opted not to attend anymore) school activity. And let me tell you there's no better way for you to feel you're truly graduating than wearing your toga for the first time. It's in that instance where we all had to put it on did I feel the completion of all the things I worked for in the past 3 and a half years. That was it, I was truly graduating. More than the excitement though, I was bothered. I'm a very sprightly person. I hate doing nothing. Whether I'm doing something I would benefit from in the future or doing something that would incriminate me eventually, I always prefer being busy. That's why I couldn't get off my frustration, even when I was already in my academic attire. I knew I was headed to a few months (which I hope will end soon) of nothingness. Who knows how the rest of the year would unfold for me and though I do not despise the unknown, I fear the future. 

Enough of my sentiments! 

If I were to study college once more, I would've chosen De La Salle University over and over and over again. I highly doubt there's a more suitable university for me in the country. I liked all the competent professors (Sir Gojocco who taught me Philosophy, Sir Villacorta from my Great Works class, Sir Lim of Market1, Ms. Reyes who taught me Statistics2, and of course my thesis mentor Ms. Lysa were my favorites) I had the privileged to be under to, the top of the line technology used inside the campus, the well-constructed and decorated buildings especially the recently risen Henry Sy library, and of course the type of students who were admitted in DLSU. I'm not a snob but I take pride in knowing that majority of the people I came across with, either in a class we shared or just along the halls as we transferred from one building to another, are the future shapers of various industries in the country. 

FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES YOU'VE LET ME EXPERIENCE, THANK YOU DLSU! I now understand why the graduates of this university are still in one with the activities of the present batches spiritually, physically, and financially. La Sallian education is indeed incomparable.

Thank you for all the photos, Hannah!

These Arms Can Kill

That's one self-disapproving title, is it not? 

If I've any physical insecurity aside from my obvious lack of height, it would be my humongous arms! I mean, they've never been toned and fit. Well, except during my cheerleader days where our coach used to kill us every training day. No one's 'killing' me now and I've a low self-imposed push to 'kill' myself so as a result, all my food intakes are going straight, not to my stomach, but to my arms. I'm not even kidding.

My favorite cousin of all time Alissa Peralta (I just have to be honest on this fact) challenged me to go to school wearing sleeveless. Wear it loud and proud, she said. Ever the pushover, I gave it a try. I wore my biggest pair of pants thinking that if I look bottom-heavy, my arms won't be too noticeable. I didn't go for my tight tank tops as fitted clothes might further emphasize what I'm actually hiding so I rummaged through my closet for a better top. I found this sweet reporter-inspired vest that I haven't seen for a long time. I bought it from one of my favorite stores back in High School, Lulu Castagnette. Inspecting its wearability brought back memories of the first and only time I've worn it - my trip to Boracay with my good friend Jana Medel and her family. Coincidentally, we're planning a similar getaway this coming summer. I'm excited for it!!!

How did my day in school end, you might ask? After attending my first class, I hurriedly went home! Hahaha I didn't continue with the rest of my classes that day. Cut me some slack. I'm too shy to continue with my day. I'm paying more attention to my cute arms rather than listening to my professors. Silly silly me! And for the record, can I just say that these pictures are fake. I look way taller here than in person. Yup, since I'm dishing my physical flaws already, why not go all out right? So there you have it, I'm short and I've big arms. Can someone kill me now? Huhuhu

Like what Fat Amy of Pitch Perfect said, it's alright to admit our flaws. In that way, others won't have to do it behind our backs. Besides, no amount of putting me down can actually put me down. I simply operate that way, no excuses. I'm not a fan of false humility. When I say something is pretty, it's because I think that it is indeed pretty. When I say it's not, I mean it. Oops! I'm talking too much again. I'm out now!

Top: Lulu Castagnette| Pants: Levi's| Shoes: Zara| Belt: Giordano

Cheers! :)

2013 University Week

I had such a blast!!! Have you been to our University Week? Weren't the rides and the booths so fun? No? That's okay. I understand. I mean, I celebrated the University Week outside of the school as well. Mwahahahaha




Cardigan: Forever21| Shorts: Bench| Planner: Starbucks 2013| Bag: Flying Dutchman



my beautiful friend Tatiana. Watch out for our videos! I'll upload them once they're edited :)

my college sister Lina. Her neon face paint is so Sinulog-perfect right? That's what you get when you step in the halls of our school Hihi

DLSU's Henry Sy building