A celebration of imagination
MANILA, Philippines - The power of the imagination is something not to be underestimated. As seen during the Samsung I Imagine party, the act of imagining brings forth visions that can translate into life-changing actions.
It was a visual and aural experience the moment guests stepped inside the Rockwell Tent, courtesy of the “I Imagine” installation that featured visuals from renowned fashion photographer Ronnie Salvacion. Divided into the categories Talk, Play, and Love, the installation brought different “I imagine” statements to life with the help of some college students. For Talk, verbal affirmations by Erin Torrejon (De La Salle University), Jessica Mendoza (Ateneo de Manila University), Marc Catubay (Southeast Asian College), Melissa Gohing (DLSU), and Simon Atkins (DLSU) played on speakers installed in front of black and white images of the students. Migo Llamas (Colegio de San Juan de Letran), Tricia Gosingtian (AdMU), Jasmine Maierhofer (Adamson University), Riki Flores (University of the Philippines), and Elmer Espiritu (University of the East) posed for Salvacion’s lenses for Play, while Andi Manzano (Miriam College), Jai Reyes (AdMU), Monika Sta. Maria (DLSU), Nico Salva (AdMU), and Joshua Webb (DLSU) took part in a colorful video installation for Love.
The Samsung I Imagine party was also a celebration of the collaboration between digital technology and fashion, as Samsung and hip clothing brand Folded & Hung came together to provide the youth a platform to voice out their thoughts and be heard. Folded & Hung showcased its 2009 Holiday collection on the runway, a collage of vintage glam and pop aesthetic that features the Drummer boy look. There was also the F&H Filipino Heroes Shout-out Collection that was inspired by modern day Filipino heroes, from the numerous and nameless volunteers and donors who showcased the best of the bayanihan spirit during the Ondoy aftermath to internationally recognized Filipinos like CNN Hero of the Year Efren Peñaflorida and Manny Pacquiao. The nationalistic fashion collection featured Filipino-centric icons, slogans, and designs. Folded & Hung also gave a preview of its 2010 summer collection, a fusion of tribal elements and urban style that result in fashion statements unlike any that has been seen recently. A highlight of the fashion spectacle was actor Sam Milby walking the ramp, as he is the latest endorser of the hip and trendy fashion brand.
The evening was a culmination of the Samsung I Imagine Shout-out Making Contest, an online competition were more than 10,000 students registered and posted their shout-outs on topics of Talk, Play, and Love. The contest ran from October 16 to November 30, with the I Imagine microsite receiving more than 60,000 page views and more than 34,000 votes on its duration. The winning entries will be printed on Folded & Hung hoodies, which will be sold in Folded & Hung stores all over the metro starting on the first week of January 2010. The proceeds of the sales will go to Samsung Hope to help send underprivileged kids to school.
Summing up the power of dreams and hopes to motivate people into action is the winning shout-out for the Talk category from Isabella Martinez, 18, of University of Santo Tomas: “I imagine and I will make it happen.”Also from UST is 19-year-old Guillermo Francisco, whose shout-out “I imagine our generation united in one beat” won in the Play category, articulates the power of music to enrich lives, along with sports, fashion, and the arts. “I imagine peace in 3, 2, 1…” Phil Jacinth Dayupay, 18, from Rizal Technological University, won in the Love category, a category where students expressed their thoughts and wishes for building bonds with loved ones and friends through shared passions and interests.
All the three winners were on hand to receive exciting prizes, such as P30,000 cash, the Samsung Corby mobile phone, the Samsung ST500 Dual LCD camera, the Samsung CLP-315 printer, the Samsung LapFitLD190G TV, five Samsung “I Imagine” hoodies to keep or give away, and P10,000 worth of gift certificates from Folded & Hung. Their schools will also receive a Samsung LCD TV.
The guests imbibed the celebratory and optimistic vibe of the Samsung I Imagine party, as they posted “I Imagine” shout outs of their own on a wall. Among the revelers were stylish couple Macky and Camille Mathay, designers Randy Ortiz and JC Buendia, super models Marina Benipayo and Patty Betita , Desiree Verdadero, UAAP alumni Wesley Gonzales and Larry Fonacier, traveler and TV host Rovilson Fernandez, Ernie Lopez, DJ Boom Gonzales, Mojo Jojo, host and magazine editor RJ Ledesma, Dudu Dee and Bebong Munoz, stylists Liz Uy, Darylle and Andre Chang. Keeping the crowd’s spirit festive were the program hosts VJ Drei, VJ Andi, and DJ Jessica.
With the resounding success of the I Imagine Shout-out Making contest and the I Imagine party, Samsung has proven yet again the power of the mind to bring about great results. As Samsung has always believed, everything begins with imagination.
