As some of you may have heard by now, I will be bringing the Paul Yan Experience workshop to Boracay on November 27-29. Here is a blow-by-blow so everyone can understand the context of the project...
This activity was triggered by the Astoria Plaza graduates who were requesting for a “beach-based” workshop cum vacation soon. So Uly, my partner in the Astoria Plaza workshop series, quickly set off to look at potential dates and venues and found a holiday weekend at the end of November. I mention to him that I’ve heard of this swanky hotel with a nice infinity pool at it’s roofdeck looking out towards the sunset side of Boracay. “I think that’s a perfect spot to do a workshop on headshots, at sunset, using balanced flash outputs from the camera’s built-in flash”. I said to him, adding, “I actually have a headshots model in mind, very classy looking, who registers very well on the viewfinder!”. I proceed to call Rossini to ask if she was available on that long weekend. As she had never been to Boracay, she was elated at the prospect, but asked for a weekend to see if she could clear her sked first before confirming for the gig. I knew how busy she was since the middle of 2010, most especially after she did a short cameo in Endless Love, so I hoped she would be available. She confirmed. J
Then Uly got in touch with The Tides Boracay, to see if they were available, at the pricepoint we wanted (which was PhP 7,000/pax for airfare and accomodations). Their promo (which was very close to our pricepoint) was only until October 15, and would be adjusted upwards by nearly double (12,000/pax, for Seair, and twinshare 3d/2n at Tides) for our workshop date. I mentioned that without the infinity pool, the workshop wouldn’t be as memorable for the participants, and thus I felt that it was very important for it to be included. I met with the Manila office of The Tides, and they were very excited at the prospect of being the first Boracay venue of The Paul Yan Experience workshops. They show me some more photos of the hotel, and I am blown away at how beautiful everything looks. As it turns out, The Tides Boracay was recently chosen as one of the top 60 destinations in Asia… However, beauty will always come at a price. For this project to materialize, I have to book 6 rooms (12pax, based on twinshare, each pax coughing up 12k) para hindi naman nakakahiya because we won’t be charged extra for the infinity pool thingy. Oh, on the topic of the infinity pool, it is on their roofdeck (4th floor), and they have a slew of spa services and cocktails we can avail of while waiting for sunset to come. That alone is already the perfect justification for a boracay holiday, right?
So, here is the bottom line.
1) the workshop fee is only 6k/per pax.
2) to do the gig at The Tides Boracay, 12 participants will have to book packages worth 12k each, which is on top of the 6k workshop fee. My team can handle the bookings, in your names, but payments for the packages will have to be handled by the participants, within the timetables set down by The Tides.
3) I’ve asked The Tides to put us down for a penciled reservation of 6 rooms, until October 31. If we do not reach the magic number of 12pax, we will not push through with it.
4) If we do hit 12pax for The Tides, and then the (improbable) surge of participants start calling for more slots, the team will provide booking assistance to two other hotels close by (most probably Boracay Regency & La Carmela). Hahahahaha, at this point, it is certainly wishful thinking. But the team will be ready for it.
5) So far, here are the first names of those who have expressed interest.
a) Lhor, and company (otherwise, solo room. Hehehe)
b) Tess & Peter (all indicators point to “go”)
c) Mae & daughter (still checking international skeds)
d) TJ, and company (if he finds company, sure to “go”)
e) the batch of Emil, Val, & Janneth (subject of course to val & janneth’s approval; Dhole too!)
and, f) the Sta Maria siblings, who are flying in just to join the fun.
So, to wrap up, if you are looking forward to another one-of-a-kind photographic experience with me, this is really the best we will come up with, to end the year with a bang. Do help us out and call some of your friends to join you. If they can hack the costs of The Tides package, then it will certainly help us push through with this activity. Please let my team know on or before October 31.
For 2011, look out for a food and wine appreciation class paired with food and wine photography! We will be bringing in one of the most renowned Filipina food concept thinkers from New York to do a private gourmet and photography workshop with the alumni of The Paul Yan Experience classes. You know where to reach me.
Warm regards to everyone.
Paul Yan
October 23, 2010
