As shameful for someone known as the Urban Roamer would admit, I have not been going out much or perhaps I was noticing those mysterious billboards that have popped up in the last month.
I’m referring to those billboards bearing the message “Maghihintay Ako…Manuel” (I’ll be waiting… Manuel) and the details “May 22, 2015” and “EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.”
And I only became aware of this one just this week. Shame on me, I know.
So much has been going on this month that even I couldn’t keep up. Nevertheless,we try to keep tabs of what went on in this edition of the Roamer’s Roundup, including an update on that controversial Bench ad and the work on the planned Gil Puyat Underpass in Makati.
Valentines Day is upon us here in the urban jungle. Coupled with the fact that Valentines falls on a weekend could only mean worse traffic situation, (that is if the traffic being regularly experienced is not worse enough) worse queues and throngs of people at restaurants, hotels, motels, whatever traditional Valentines spot you may have in mind. Worse enough for one to seriously consider putting those Valentines plans on a different day instead just to avoid the crowd.
It is also a time for businesses and other advertisers to put out their best creative efforts in sending forth the message of love this season brings alongside their need to promote whatever product or service they offer. Who can forget Empire East’s ingenious effort last Valentines when they put out those “Olivia” ads which generated a lot of interest due in part to the mystery involved?
This year, another Valentines Day ad generated a lot of buzz in the metropolis, this time put out by Philippine retail clothing company Bench. But it’s a buzz not generated by mystery but by controversy, not to mention some 3rd party creativity that came with it.
After a week of speculation we were finally treated with the “good news” that “Olivia” finally said yes.
And we were treated also with the news that they bought what would be their first “investment” together…at Pioneer Woodlands.
Thus we finally realize it was also a stroke of viral and somewhat clever marketing courtesy of Empire East, the developer of this residential condominium project for the aforementioned unit located at the corner of EDSA and Pioneer Street in Mandaluyong in the bustling business district there.
