The Nonconformist

By Celine Gabriel

What I admire the most about Manny del Rosario is that he marches to the beat of his own drum and this particular trait is most palpable in the career he has built for himself in the cutthroat, heady, psychedelic world of advertising. 

??Some people wonder why they see me walking around during office hours. But that?s just how I work. I look for inspiration in the things around me, by what I see and experience,? says Del Rosario. Obviously, those moments of inspiration have churned out some pretty amazing ideas, garnering him much deserved recognition: Cannes Lions, Media Asian Awards, Asia Pacific Adfest, Communication Arts, One Show, Creative Guild Ad of the Year, Ad Congress Araw Awards?quite a mouthful really. And now after stints at high-profile agencies such as BBDO Guerrero and Ogilvy Manila he has moved on to the next phase of his career as a creative partner for the agency New Thinkers, he wants to shake things up and make the small agency matter in an industry dominated by multinationals... by winning more awards and business of course. 

What is endearing about Manny though is that he is so much more than all the accolades bestowed on him. I?ve had the pleasure of getting to know him through a couple of drinks with our mutual friends here and there and found out that he is loyal (almost to a fault), makes sure that family comes first (no matter what), is quite romantic (believe it) and thinks that whatever else anyone thinks of him, quite frankly, doesn?t really matter. 

Talented, creative, and oh so witty. 

Get to know Manny del Rosario in 20 questions.   

1. Do you think fashion is frivolous?

 Fashion is far from frivolous if people use it as an extraordinary resource to do some good and help people. 

But on the other hand, the fact that animals are still being slaughtered to cater to empty-headed fur hags even though there are cruelty free alternatives available, says it all. That and how fashion influences too many women to not be comfortable in their own bodies and themselves. When you see these things happen, fashion is not just frivolous but utterly vacuous and ultimately meaningless. 

2. How do you like women to dress?

I?m not very particular about how women dress nor do I like telling them what to wear. As long as she looks decent and appropriate, you won?t hear a word from me. 

3. What is your favorite scent?

Not a very big fan of scents or cologne for that matter. I think that?s because my dad used a lot of Aramis back in the day and the mere scent of that cologne could drop a Chihuahua at 20 paces. 

4. Any outfit regrets?

I once had the pleasure of wearing a barong with a cock-fight (sabong) embroidery on it. It was for my grade school graduation picture. Serves me right for not bringing my own barong that day. 

5. What do you like to spend your money on?

On things that are worth spending your hard-earned money on. 

6. Are you particular about labels?

Only with shoes and suits. Anything else I?m not too particular. 

7. What is your idea of a romantic date and what would you wear?

Anywhere you go with your girlfriend/wife should always be romantic regardless of the place. 

8. Biggest pet peeve?

Men carrying their girlfriends/wives handbag in public. Is it a form of affection? Is it a way of expressing to the public how a man is secure with himself? Or perhaps it?s a way of telling everyone who really wears the pants in the relationship. 

9. What is the cheapest thing in your closet?

Probably my socks. 

10. Guilty pleasures?

I?ll admit to having a soft spot for Barry Manilow?s song, ??Copacabana??. Only Barry can muster enough genius to write such a snappy tune with such a depressing storyline. Lola loses her love and her mind while we the listeners lose our inhibitions and dance like half-wits to the song.  

11. Who cuts your hair?

Angelo Justin from Basement. 

12. What do you collect?

Watches, comic books and toys. 

13. If you had five days, and you could go anywhere in the world with unlimited funds, where would you go and what would you do?

Sometime in the summer 2000, I went to Cannes with my officemates with very limited funds for five days. While I enjoyed the trip, I always wished I could spend a few days in Monaco, Nice etc... So if I had unlimited funds I?d go back there and do all those things. Preferably with someone special. 

14. What are you doing to help lessen your carbon footprints in the world?

I make it a point to walk more and drive less. I make sure the lights are turned off if no one needs them. It?s not much but every little thing always counts. 

15. What do you like to do on a really bad day?

Probably lock myself in my room and fire up my PS3. 

16. How do you celebrate a good one?

Eat, drink and be merry. 

17. One item that means the most to you and why?

Can?t really say if there?s really one item that means a lot to me. But if there were one thing that means the world to me, it would be family. 

18. What would you never wear even at gunpoint?

Crocs. While I do understand the promise that they may just be the most comfortable pair of shoes ever invented?for as long as you don?t look down.  

19. How much importance do you put in appearances?

I think it?s important because most of the people you encounter at any given day don?t get to know anything more about you than how you look. You?re making a very thoughtful and personal statement through that and that makes appearances important in that sense. 

20. What?s the best thing anyone?s ever done for you?

It would be a shame if I had an answer to that question at my age.