Interview # 8: Celine Lopez, Manila

Your name.

Celine

What takes up your day?

Work

What’s your occupation?

Improving the lives of shoppers. Naks!

What’s the nicest thing about your day?

Jumping into bed after a hot bath.

How’s your year so far?

Crazy. Exciting.

If you’re living your dream life, how will you spend your day?

Planning trips for the year surrounded with good friends, great adventures, the best restaurants and lots of purchases.

If you are given 10 million pesos right now and asked to spend it within the next 24 hours, where will you spend it?

I’d give it to Dom to invest for me.

Why?

10M isn’t big enough to splurge and still have something significant left. I’d ask Dom to do it because I’m not good with money.

How do you think the purchases above will make you feel?

Safe.

Back to reality, what was your most memorable recent purchase?

Pasalubong from the airport.

When was that?

2 days ago.

From what store?

DUTY FREE - Toy, make-up and chocolates section.

Why did you buy it?

Needed to get pasalubong for my demanding officemates & I wanted to get rid of my leftover Singapore Dollars.

What led you to the store?

I didn’t have time to shop in Singapore so I guess it was conveniently located.

Do you think anything influenced you to make that purchase?

Yes, I scouted the joint and filtered through my choices. There were also big packs which were convenient for pasalubong.

How did you feel after the purchase?

Successful/accomplishment. Ticked something off my list

Would you spend money on the same thing again?

If I had more time on my hands, probably not.

Why?

I’d look for more personalized gifts.

What do you think will you next spend money on?

Double Tanqueray on the rocks please! 

Interview # 7: Ivy Alexander, Honolulu

Your name.

Ivy.

What takes up your day?

School, chores, mommy duties...

What’s your occupation?

Student and homemaker.

What’s the nicest thing about your day?

Tons of simple things

How’s your year so far?

Pretty productive!

If you’re living your dream life, how will you spend your day?

Right here and now with house help.

If you are given 10 million pesos right now and asked to spend it within the next 24 hours, where will you spend it?  

Various clothing, electronic shops and food stores.

Why will you buy these things?

To stock up on food, clothes, health and beauty supply and electronic luxuries.

How do you think the purchases above will make you feel?

Probably satisfied and secure (food) for the next couple of months.

Back to reality, what was your most recent purchase?

Groceries.

When was that?

Tuesday, May 31^st 2011.

From what store?

The Commissary.

Why did you buy it?

Household necessities.

What led you to the store?

Military stores charge no taxes for beneficiaries Hawaii Tax is one of the highest in the US.

Do you think anything influenced you to make that purchase?

Yes, the no taxes.

How did you feel after the purchase?

It’s too expensive.

Would you spend money on the same thing again?

Yes.

Why?

There is no way around it, household necessity for me needs to be bought once a week and no other store is cheaper.

What do you think will you next spend money on?

Hair color.

Interview # 6: Mark Telan, Manila

Your name.

Marky

What takes up your day?

Work. Love. 

What’s your occupation?

Production Traffic and all the tasks that go with it...

What’s the nicest thing about your day?

A random sweet text message from someone 

How’s your year so far?

Happy social and love life. Struggling on the career side. I can’t get it all, can I?

If you’re living your dream life, how will you spend your day?

Waking up in my own pad, eating breakfast, heading to the gym before going to work. Driving my car to go to meetings. Then capping the night by having dinner with my loved ones.

If you are given 10 million pesos right now and asked to spend it within the next 24 hours, where will you spend it?

Will franchise a nice business, will buy a house and lot, spend some pampering myself to make me look so artistahin, then will try to get a resthouse near Boracay ...

Why will you spend on these things?

First items would make me financially secured. Others would make me feel good (and look good).

How do you think the purchases above will make you feel?

Happy and secured, basically.

Back to reality, what was your most recent purchase?

Seafood buffet in Bora

When was that?

Two days ago

From what store?

One of the beachfront restaurants… forgot the name.

Why did you buy it?

Really really really hungry, then the seafood scent just lured me.

What led you to the store?

Unlimited seafood galore sign.

Do you think anything influenced you to make that purchase?

Cost. Food choice. Free tour. The hospitable staff. Peer and tummy pressure ;)

How did you feel after the purchase?

Full and satisfied.

Would you spend money on the same thing again?

Yes!!!!!

Why?

I love food!!!

What do you think will you next spend money on? 

A tub of ice cream to de-stress!

Interview # 5: Mark de Joya, Manila

Your name. MDJ Superstar How do you want to be called? By telephone siguro… What takes up your day? Press release is that I do marketing strategies and brand management, but in reality I’m actually just on Twitter. What’s your occupation? Marketing/Advertising professional, but I would have pursued a career as a male swimsuit model except for one minor flaw – I’m both hairy and chubby. What’s the nicest thing about your day? Shaving my beard off. I now feel like a slightly plumper Mr. Clean, or a handsomer version of King Kong Bundy. How’s your year so far? Pretty good. It actually isn’t so bad being 30 years old, after all. If you’re living your dream life, how will you spend your day? Actually getting around to drawing my graphic novel about a brilliant but nerdy scientist who accidentally got pelted by gamma rays, and mutated into a strapping green hulk.. Oh wait, you mean that’s been done already? Dammit, I’ll just go download some porn. If you are given 10 million pesos right now and asked to spend it within the next 24   hours, where will you spend it? A 2-bedroom unit at The Grove by Rockwell. Why? So that people will think I’m rich, and not just incredibly handsome. How do you think the purchases above will make you feel? Like I’ve arrived. You aren’t really an adult until you’ve invested in your piece of real estate. Back to reality, what was your most recent purchase? Two shirts and a game for my PlayStation 3. When was that? Just last night, while my girlfriend was distracted by the passing male models. From what store? The shirts were from Zara. The game was from DataBlitz. Why did you buy it? I felt fat, and needed something to make me feel better. But in hindsight, it depressed me that I’m no longer a Medium. (Teka, when were you ever a medium, MDJ???) What led you to the store? It’s a reflex decision – Zara is always top-of-mind for me, but only because the real fancy-pants designer stores don’t make anything in my size – Extra Chunky. Do you think anything influenced you to make that purchase? I saw some male models wearing similar items, and thought that having the same things would make people think I was a male model too. How did you feel after the purchase? The same way I always feel every time I spend on something – regretful. Also, I felt hungry, so I went to McDonald’s and bought some French Fries. And a Coke Zero. Would you spend money on the same thing again? Yes. Why? Because if I keep getting larger at this pace, I would  look like a longganisa in my current wardrobe. What do you think will you next spend money on?  Skyway Toll. And I still have not emotionally accepted that it now costs PhP106 to get from Sucat to Makati. It’s highway robbery, and the pun is damn well intended!

Interview # 4: Dom Hernandez, Manila

Dom is one of my business partners.  He's about 10 years younger than I am but knows more about business and finances than I do.  I thought he wouldn't take my interview seriously but it seems like he did.  He is secretly hoping that I will never ever ever ever get a BBM.


Your name.

Dom

What takes up your day?

Work

What’s your occupation?

QSR operator

What’s the nicest thing about your day?

Coffee

How’s your year so far?

Great

If you’re living your dream life, how will you spend your day?

Jet setting around the world eating in the best Michelin star restos

If you are given 10 million pesos right now and asked to spend it within the next 24 hours, where will you spend it?

Buy property

Why will you buy these things?

For investment

How do you think the purchases above will make you feel?

Secure

What was your most recent purchase?

Blackberry bold 9780

When was that?

Yesterday

From what store?

Mr. dynamic in viramall greenhills

Why did you buy it?

To up my social and techy life….

What led you to the store?

My friend owns the store

Do you think anything influenced you to make that purchase?

My friends currently on bb

How did you feel after the purchase?

Great…

Would you spend money on the same thing again?

No

Why?

Unless it gets broken or lost or stolen

What do you think will you next spend money on? 

A massage!! 

Interview # 3: Lot Eligio, Manila

I was with Lot last night at Van Gogh is Bipolar (quirky artsy restaurant along Maginhawa).  It was her idea to go there and I was so glad we went.  It was a different experience --- and we all need that once in a while.

Lot's one of those friends I call when I just want to laugh and relax.  
I asked her about her most memorable recent purchase and her motivation...and I got a confirmation on why she's such a terrific friend: she loves being connected to friends.  
Nothing's that amazing unless you share the experience with friends.  Right, Lot?

Your name.

Lot

What takes up your day?

Work, work and a few minutes of daydreaming

What’s your occupation?

Organizer, orchestrator, troubleshooter and liaison

What’s the nicest thing about your day?

Unlimited TV and no traffic hassle

How’s your year so far?

Wonderful!

If you’re living your dream life, how will you spend your day?

Traveling, Beach-ing and drinking bubble tea

If you are given 10 million pesos right now and asked to spend it within the next 24 hours, where will you spend it?

In the stock market

Why will you invest in the stock market?

To gain…

How do you think spending on that will make you feel?

Secure

Back to reality, what was your most memorable recent purchase ?

A unique dining experience

When was that?

Last night

Where?

It’s a restaurant ….(Van Gogh is Bipolar along Maginhawa St. - ed)

Why did you buy it?

Out of curiosity

What led you to the store?

Interest – and the help of Google

Do you think anything influenced you to make that purchase?

What I heard others say about the place – word of mouth

How did you feel after the purchase?

Satisfied and sleepy

Would you spend money on the same thing again?

Definitely - this time I will bring more friends

Why?

Shared experience

What do you think will you next spend money on? Anything!  Even a massage.

Internet connection at home

Interview # 2: Chin Pangan, Manila

Chin is one of my business partners and I've known her since college.  I talk to her everyday and it amazed me how this one short interview captured her aspirations, personality and present disposition!

Your name. 

Chin

What takes up your day? 

Work

What’s your occupation? 

Businesswoman.  Naks!

What’s the nicest thing about your day? 

That it’s never the same as the last one.

How’s your year so far? 

Exciting

If you’re living your dream life, how will you spend your day? 

I’d be living in a penthouse in Roponggi towers in Tokyo eating my intercontinental breakfast leisurely. And I’d spend the day going around looking for chic coffee shops   to sit in and enjoy a book or write on my journal. And in the afternoon, I’ll meet my husband and we’ll have a romantic dinner in one of the fanciest restaurants in Odaiba.

If you are given 10 million pesos right now and asked to spend it within the next 24   hours, where will you spend it? 

I’d spend it on spa treatments, book a world tour with my family, infuse some in my business and donate 10% to charity.

Why will you spend on these things? 

Because I aspire to be a beautiful, rich, cultured and good person.

How do you think the purchases above will make you feel? 

Accomplished

What was your most recent purchase?

Meals in mcdonald’s

When was that? 

2 hours ago

Why did you go to McDonald's? 

Because I craved for it.

What might have influenced you to choose McDonald's? 

The proximity partly influenced my decision, because it’s so convenient for a quick fix.

How did you feel after eating at McDonald's? 

Full, satisfied.

Would you spend money on the same thing again? 

When I get the craving, yes.

Why? 

It’s cheap anyway.

What do you think will you next spend money on? Anything!  Even a massage.

A great book and a nice dinner.

Interview # 1: Trifie Montebon, Manila

I think it's only natural that I start this interview blog with my husband.  The thing is, I didn't realize the big impact his most recent purchase had on him until we had this "interview". That's when I noticed that he was holding a real estate book instead of his usual poker super system books.  

I realized that even if you spend most of the day talking with your partner (in the car, on the phone), there are still things that you miss out, things that you shrug off as unimportant.  I also realized that you can find out what's going on in a person's head by simply asking him about his most recent purchase.  Because everyone's a shopper.  And shoppers grab whatever connects with them emotionally.

Your name.

Trifie Montebon

What’s your occupation?

Businessman.

What takes up your day?

Work.  Driving from meetings to meetings.  

What’s the nicest thing about your day?

My daughter Via.

How’s your year so far?

It’s okay.  It’s good.

If you’re living your dream life, how will you spend your day?

In the morning, I will call my business manager to get status…anything new, anything I can do to help.  After that, I’ll just do whatever I want like take my Ducati for a ride, go scuba diving, hang out with my wife and daughter…or I might spend hours playing poker with high rollers.

If you are given 10 million pesos right now and asked to spend it within the next 24 hours, where will you spend it?

Real estate.

Why will you buy real estate?

So I can earn more money.  And security.

Finish this sentence: "Buying real estate makes me feel..."

Successful.

What was your most memorable recent purchase?

Reservation fee for a condo unit

When was that? (GASP!)

Yesterday

From which developer?

SMDC

Why did you buy it?

Investment

What led you to that kind of investment?

A call from my cousin.

What motivated you to invest on real estate?

The drive to succeed???

How did you feel after paying for the unit reservation?

Like I did the right thing and excited for the new opportunity.

Any plans to invest in real estate again in the near future?

Yes! 

Why?

Because it’s a good investment.

What do you think will you next spend money on? 

Lunch tomorrow.


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*Photo by Adam Domingo