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| Photo by Chloe Baring |
Despite the cold breeze as the Christmas season swings in, it is hot as summer in Room 11D of the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O. P. Building (BGPOP) last December 16, 2025, as it became a melting pot for advertising prowess and creativity as the juniors from the Communication program of the Faculty of Arts and Letters take on this year’s AdQuest.
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| Photo by Chloe Baring |
Yearly, AdQuest is an advertising competition organized by the Communication Arts Students’ Association (CASA) to showcase the talents and skills of our 3rd-year students in marketing and advertising for companies and products, a requirement for their Advertising Principles and Practices (CA 3287) course. It is a yearly inter-class project where each block represents an advertising agency, campaigning for their own ideas with a single brand. For this year, their client is Jiang Nan, a hotpot and grill restaurant with several branches across Metro Manila.
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| Photo by Chloe Baring |
Raining down the heat on the created campaigns is GIGIL, an advertising agency responsible for the memorable commercials like RC Cola’s “Family” and Grab’s “Summer”, giving their critiques and grading the overall work of our juniors. The judges are aided by the following rubric: 25% Research, 25% Creatives, 25% Strategy, and 25% Creative Use of Media.
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| Photo by Chloe Baring |
There are five feisty fighters competing for the titles. 3COM1 steals the spotlight with their main character energy as they compete under the name Bida One Productions. An agency with an unforgettable story to tell the whole world, Kwentwo Productions of 3COM2. 3COM3 sets a landmark of ingenuity and creativity with Arko Media. Taking us with them to soar greater heights, 3COM4 with KITE Studios. Last but never least, an agency that pours their hard work and hearts out in everything they do, PIGA Creatives of SWIS.
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| Photo by Chloe Baring |
As the event started at 1 PM and concluded at 4 PM, the junior Communicators took turns presenting their most innovative ideas to swing their client, Jiang Nan, into the mainstream. Bida One Productions started strong with their sport and athlete-themed approach, asking us the question, “Have What It Takes To Be a Hotpot Hotshot?” Kwentwo Productions and Arko Media hooked the judges with their catchy taglines, “Pati si Summer, napakain” and “Summer niyo ako” respectively, as they rebranded the establishment for the hot weather season. KITE Studios, with their tagline “Choose the Heat that Hits”, showcased its brilliance with marketing and publicity, as one of their pitches is to turn the Venice Grand Canal Mall into a one giant hotpot set. PIGA Creatives implores our taste buds to taste differently with their big idea: “Cool ka lang, Jiang!”
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| Photo by Chloe Baring |
As the event concludes, the winners of the titles are announced, and every advertising agency clings to their seats in anticipation. KITE Studios garnered the Best in Creative Use of Media, while Kwentwo Productions became an advertising powerhouse as they bagged multiple awards, such as Best in Research, Best Strategy, and Best Creatives, as well as receiving, under them, the best presenters both in male and female categories, won by Nik Loyola and Trina Galera, respectively.
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| Photo by Chloe Baring |
Lastly, on the podium: coming in as 2nd runner-up is PIGA Creatives, as the SWIS never misses. Rising into 1st runner-up is KITE Studios, and ultimately winning the Agency of the Year award is Kwentwo Productions.
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| Photo by Chloe Baring |
AdQuest 2025 showed the burning passion of our communication juniors when it comes to advertising. May what they learned from this event keep their flame lit and may it shine in their future endeavors. This event truly is an exhibition of creative minds and a way for our juniors to be exposed to the advertising industry. Surely, this event equipped them with the knowledge and experience they will need if they ever choose to pursue this challenging path.
