MANILA, PHILIPPINES—From expert insights to interactive segments, this full-house seminar proved ad recall is a game you can master.
“MarkADo! Winning Ads on the Board” successfully made its mark on January 27, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at PUP Bulwagang Balagtas. The event gathered students and industry professionals for an interactive discussion on what makes advertising campaigns truly remarkable.
The seminar welcomed over 500 attendees composed of the Advertising and Public Relations (ADPR) community, aspiring marketing professionals, partner universities, and PUP alumni.
Kicking off the speaker lineup was Margie Husmalaga, Senior Media Director and Partner at GIGIL, who discussed how brands can stand out in a cluttered media landscape. She cited notable GIGIL campaigns such as RC Cola’s Gen Z-targeted ads and Skyro’s literally flexible billboard. She wrapped up her talk with a reminder that resonated with the audience: “Be brave, be bold—but most of all, be true”.
Taking the stage next was Jeriko Buenafe, a jingle composer best known for his work on Ritemed and the Da Pers Family theme song. His talk focused on audio recall and how strong planning and execution shape effective jingles. He emphasized that simplicity is key, noting that melodies have staying power to remain remarkable even years after their release.
Following this was Roman Carlo Olivarez of TREYNA Group who tackled visual recall. He highlighted how the brain processes visual information within milliseconds, and introduced the importance of distinctive brand assets in building strong brand identity. According to Olivarez, visuals do more than catch attention—they evoke emotion, tell stories, build brand identity, and provide solutions.
After the speaker sessions, the program shifted to the informative game show segment “Markado o Singko!” which tested the audience’s memory on popular advertisements. Cheers erupted in the venue when social media personality Inah Evans, known for her appearance in “Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast” and popularly dubbed “Mother Beep Card”, joined the segment as one of the panelists alongside Buenafe and Olivarez.
Following the game show, the PUPian drag queen Edsa Xxtra took the stage and re-energized the crowd with her usual intense performances. She further engaged the attendees by leading the audience in a Nestlé wellness dance that brought movement, laughter, and nostalgia to the venue.
The seminar concluded with Gio Puyat, Advertising Director and podcast host of Kwentong Creatives, who discussed how brands can sustain recall over time. He highlighted the diversity of roles within the advertising industry, encouraging students to explore where they truly fit. Puyat urged everyone to make something they want to see in the world, and to follow their passion as doing so will lead them in the right place.
As the program wrapped, MarkADo! left with a clear message: the most remarkable campaigns are built through strategic choices from planning to execution, much like the seminar’s chess theme. With expert-led discussions and interactive segments, MarkADo! equipped its attendees with practical strategies that they can apply to their next ideas and campaigns.
The seminar’s winning run was strengthened by its Lead Media Partners: Manila Standard, Manila Bulletin, and Wazzup Pilipinas. Together with Official Media Partners: WhenInManila.com, IKOT.PH, Edge TV Philippines, Now You Know PH, and TV Maria.
MarkADo was also made possible through its sponsors: Fitbar (Official Health Boost Partner), PUPian Lifestyle (Official Merch Partner), 901 Studios (Official Production House Partner), and Official Snack Partners Fudgee Barr, Doowee Donut Delectables, and Brownie Break. The event was held in collaboration with FlexOffice Philippines and Ohana Philippines, with event sponsors Careline, Floofs, Goya, Tri-Vision Ventures, Inc., and Dunkin’.
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