Holla Dudes and Dudettes (Yes, Its a word now),
I have a tendency to ask a lot of questions (stupid as well as relevant), whether it’s in those long meetings at work or to that guy who is doing my visa (I’m pretty sure he’s already saved my number as spam/ irritating/ ??/ Abey Yaar/ Not Again or any of those cool names)!
BUT, this is one forum where I KNOW questions are welcomed :-), So here comes another one, I’m sure I’ll get some COOL IDEAS from you guys.
I am traveling to Philippines for a couple of months for work (One of those perks while working in IT). Now, last time when I went to Malaysia, I carried one of my ‘Paper Models’ with me (Click here if you just said “What?”) to casually show it to my colleagues), I must confess that that time I didn’t care much about promoting my art but now I am much more serious and trying my best to make myself visible where ever possible!
What do you suggest?
- Shall I carry one ‘Paper Model’ with me this time as well?
- Does anyone know if I can exhibit something somewhere in Manila on weekends?
See, I am not thinking with a business point view, ethically I SHOULDN’T (Please don’t kill me if I still claim myself as an entrepreneur), however, I am more interested to let’s say:
- Gain more FB likes on my Page from Philippines
- Maybe an article in one of their magazines
- May be an entry to one of their super cool pubs that says, “Entry allowed to only those who carry Paper Models with them” 🙂
- I don’t know, hence the question
Please suggest me with random ideas, any tip would be appreciated!
magkaroon ng isang magandang araw
Thanks,
PaperSmith
asha chaudhry
dude – sharing this link with kaizad patel – our rodinhooder based in manila!
https://www.therodinhoods.com/profile/KaizadPatel847
Karan Ahuja
try posting in local hobby groups .
what are you selling and who are best customer segments ?
Rishi
My 2c based on my experience in Manila. Went there on a business trip last year.
First, I think it’s a great idea to carry one. Now, what do you carry? I suggest you carry a paper model of their “tuk tuk”. Manila is big on their “tuk tuks” (their version of auto rickshaws); Manila is more or less like any crowded Indian city.
People seem to take a lot of pride in tuk tuks and we were actually gifted a wooden model of a tuk tuk when we we were leaving Manila. You can carry one/make one while you’re there and show it to your clients, may be just go around talk to folks who sell souvenirs, get some orders, and see if you can make a business out of it 🙂 English is widely spoken so you wont have any issues communicating with locals.
Not sure where you plan to stay, but if you’re staying in Shangri la or Peninsula hotel, both have huge lobbies and it’s busy with people all the time. If you can convince the hotel manager (which won’t be very difficult IMO), you can grab a table and do a display of your stuff.
Good luck!
P.S. Manila around this time is very HOT. The heat is unbearable.
vishal
Hi Atamjeet,
Free lunch offer to whole team wud be costly so wud suggest to invite all ur teammates for coffee with Atamjeet during week days or weekends whr u can create buzz amongst themselves by doing some small pre activity which shud actually gives them a surprise reason to join u on coffee table and der u shud pitch it by ofcourse showcasing ur papermodels.. take their suggestions and ideas too on how to pitch it further @ Philippines.
Secondly, if not the above one then tie up with HR personal over there and as we know, In IT companies on every Friday der must b some employee engagement related activities shud b planned where u can pitch ur art.
over here, U can share ur fb page n request dem to like it n also request dem to make it as cover page photo for few days.. m sure ur art will b appreciated and shared with pride.. ALB.. go for it.. stay blessed..
Kaizad Patel
Hi Atamjeet,
As Rishi mentioned the local auto rickshaw called “Jeepney” it is like a mini van is a sense of pride and are extensively decorated. It is an icon here. It would indeed make a very good paper model. The other big iconic brand is San Miguel Beer. You may want to make one for that.
I will see what I can do to get you featured on some blogs. Lets try to do a workshop for kids while you are here if that is something of interest to you.
Do you know which part of the city you will be in and for how long?
Cheers,
Kaiz
Kaizad Patel
by the way are you a vegetarian? get food from home then.
Alok Rodinhood Kejriwal
Oh… its that bad is it??
Alok Rodinhood Kejriwal
when are you going?
Alok Rodinhood Kejriwal
I would just walk into the contemporary art galleries the first weekend I land and show them my stuff
Look up https://www.lonelyplanet.com/philippines/manila and mail the owners in advance
I used to visit all the contemporary galleries in Shanghai and just hang out
Once they know you, you can request a small installation in one of them…
and then it rolls
Essentially such places will have the folks with the best mindset to appreciate what you do
Heck – why not do the same in Delhi?!
Kaizad Patel
Yes Alok, the definition of vegetarian is very loose as long as it has a few veggies in it…it can b
Kaizad Patel
Hi PaperSmith …this hotel features local and international artists …they display the work of the artists in the lobby and also have an art gallery… rhttps://www.picassomakati.com do check it out.
asha chaudhry
atamjeet – what did you end up doing? do update us! we’d love to know….
Atamjeet Singh Bawa
THANK YOU everyone for your suggestions. I have been traveling like crazy and my work schedule never gave me a good chance to revert earlier, I must apologize for the same.
I couldn’t carry any of my paper models to Philippines but fortunately I got a chance to network with TV5 and shared my work with them and the fact that I was working there with PLDT and it’s owner Mr. MVP is also the chairman of TV5, they were OK to feature an expatriate on their channel and a do a small story in Nov-Dec.
However, I had to leave Philippines on a very short notice and the interview could’t happen. But the good news is that I may have to travel there again in Jan so hoping to catch up with them again.
And yes, I loved the concept of “Jeepney” and my Pinoy friends asked me to make a paper model of the same, so hopefully someday I shall start working on that 🙂
@Alok: I totally loved your Shangri-La waala idea, thanks!
I must admit that TRH is one platform that never fails to amaze me for the kind of ideas that flow in here are something really to be treasured and utilized.