Force Majeure

Scene: A agency gathering where Raul is explaining some new policies

Raul: So the blah blah for the blah blah and this means blah blah...

That meeting will push through except for force majeure. Hindi ko alam ang ibig sabihin ng force majeure, basta maganda siyang pakinggan!

So ngayon (looks to audience) halibawang nagunaw bigla ang buong Makati except ang GT Tower...tuloy ba ang meeting?

A slight pause from the audience. Then they collectively answer like zombies...

Audience: Oo.

Raul (flabbergasted but quickly regaining his composure) Mga gaga! (loud laughter from audience) Alam ko na kung ano problema natin. Bwahahahaha!

The Devil Is In The Details

One morning, Raul is sharing his belief that for presentations, attention to detail is everything. From your bag to your pen to your clothes, it's about details details details. Channeling Karl Lagerfeld, he sums up by saying...

Raul: "Clothes don't always make the man. (pause for dramatic effect) But darling, they sure fucking help! (pause again) Except kung style siya. Tulad ng linen."

Balenciaga vs. Secosana

The Scene: It's a discussion on the challenges facing agencies in the 21st century. The discussion shifts to price competition. Raul's challenge: To constantly make clients love the agency so much that it can command a premium.

Raul: Being the biggest is a position! It counts for something. But it alone is not enough. Kailangan iparamdam na we are worth it. Parang Balenciaga bag yan. I saw this nice Balenciaga bag na may mga ribbon ribbon worth P78,000. And just last weekend, I saw a knock-off na Secosana sa Landmark for P1,800. Eksaktong eksakto. To the untrained eye, maganda. I bought for my maids tuloy.

But anyway!

My point is...kahit ribbon ribbon lang yan, kailangan clients see us as Balenciaga and not Secosana. For whatever reason. Basta worth it.

Age-Appropriate Gayness

Raul speaking to a copywriter who could easily be mistaken for a child because of his modest size

"Masyado ka pang bata para maging bakla!"

How To Deal With Difficult Clients

In a discussion with some of the creatives, Raul delivers this piece of advice with all the conviction in the world...

Raul: More than briliance, humor has gotten me this far. You need humor because you cannot allow yourself to reach the point of cynicism. It's not healthy. Before you know it, may gusto ka nang patayin...either kliyente mo, AE mo, boss mo o ang sarili mo.

(Pauses for dramatic impact)

And darling...you have to save your soul!

Presentation Skills

One afternoon, during a discussion about the future...

Brave Soul: So Raul, do you think creatives should be better presentors? I notice that a lot of good ideas die because they can't present their work.

Raul: (After thinking) No, not necessarily.

Brave Soul: Why?

Raul: Isipin mo..porket tatlong milyon yung tagyawat niya sa mukha kahit magaling siyang art director wala na siyang silbi? O ang baho baho ng hininga niya pero magaling sumulat ng copy, tsugi na? So no, they don't to be good presentors.

Oo nga naman!

Tips for Better Living

The scene: Raul is sharing his thoughts on how he's been motivating a talented but mercurial creative.

Raul: Sabi ko sa kanya, ngumiti ka lang at siguradong gaganda ang mga layout mo!

Even Oprah couldn't have thought of that.