A showcase of Filipino talents

"I’ve always believed that Filipinos are very creative, and I show that by introducing new concepts in programming." – Christopher Tan of Ideal Minds Corp.

I’ve always loved the idea of media–of how media offers a fantastic way for people to express themselves, to be informed and be entertained. When people ask me what Ideal Minds is all about, I tell them we are about changing the way Filipinos look at television.

Our first goal is to showcase the creative talents of Filipinos nationwide and around the region, and eventually internationally. I’ve always believed that Filipinos are very creative, and I show that by introducing new concepts in programming.

When we were starting out, we were losing so much money during the first few months that all my partners left. I was doing four shows all by myself and dipping into my personal savings to pay for the expenses, but it never occurred to me to give up. I knew that it was just the beginning; that things were going to get 10 times better.

True enough, around three months after my partners left, we started making money, and after a year we had paid off all our debts. But it wasn’t me who made the company grow; it was me and my team. We’re like family here. Everyone helps out. My people respect my decisions, but I also respect them for their abilities and what they’re able to bring to the table. I think this mutual respect is what makes us grow and succeed.

I’d like to think of myself as an inspirational leader. Every Monday I do a Quote for the Day, and I try to help everyone reach their –personal goals. Last year, one of my directors got nominated for best director by this huge award-giving body, and she was the only one under 30–not to mention the only female–to be nominated. I thought that was an amazing feat, and it excited me that I was somehow able to contribute to her success.

It’s so fulfilling when I can come up with a product that people appreciate. The Misadventure of Maverick and Ariel, for example, was a fluke; it wasn’t something I sat down and thought about. I just woke up at 3 a.m. one day and had this idea for a show about someone trying to make things work but screwing up wherever he went.

I was really excited about it and felt it would be a big hit, and it was. The show just recently aired in Malaysia, and it became the number one show on its channel against all the other foreign and local shows there. Right now we’re trying to broker a deal with Indonesia – and eventually Singapore and Hong Kong – as part of our plans to go regional. We’ve expanded our services to include audio-visual presentations and commercials, and eventually we want to go into events management.

I find that a lot of young people these days spend too much time thinking about what they want to happen rather than making it happen. The trick is to get over your fears and just do it – when the worst that can happen is that you’ll lose money. But money can always be made; what’s more important is the experience, knowledge, and expertise that you gain–things that no one can take away from you and that will help you build character. And as long as you’re doing it, do it in such a way that it doesn’t feel like work.

That has always been my motto: If you’re going to do something, be passionate about it and have fun. –Interview by Jaclyn Lutanco-Chua

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Ideal Minds Corp.

Telephones: (02) 895-1970; 895-1725

Telefax: (02) 895-1622

E-mail: [email protected]