Being Astig In Their Own Ways

Suzuki Astig Ambassadors Ramon Bautista and 6cyclemind pose with Suzuki Philippines officials Eiji Kobayashi, General Manager for Sales and Marketing - Marketing Division (leftmost); Satoshi Uchida, Suzuki Philippines President (fifth from left); and Lyn Calderon, Suzuki Philippines Managing Director and Treasurer (sixth from left).

Astig.

Filipinos—especially the youth—use it to describe something cool or something awesome.
 
Astig personified

Ramon Bautista, an internet action star, Suzuki Philippines ambassador, and author of the best-selling book, Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo, takes on the word and expounds on what it means today.

“Astig, ibig sabihin cool, yung alam mo kung ano gusto mong gawin sa buhay,” Bautista says. “Syempre kasama yung pagiging pogi dun, di lang sa itsura, pero sa attitude din,” he adds. The pogi attitude according to him is feeling good about yourself, being proud of who you are.

A self-proclaimed pogi, Bautista also says that being astig is not something you brag about, rather, it’s what people see in you. He explains that what others see—what you do, what they hear from you—is what makes you astig.

Bautista also adds that “Hindi rin pwedeng yabang ka lang nang yabang, dapat meron kang maipagmamalaki. Dapat alam mo kung paano dalhin sarili mo.”

During work, he says that being astig is being able to share the kaastigan. He does this by motivating his co-workers. That way, "you give them confidence," then more things can be done efficiently.

“All-around, versatile, and reliable”

Bautista shares that being astig also applies to brands. “Astig ang mga motorsiklo ng Suzuki, malakas ang dating at maaasahan, parang ako,” he adds.

He also shares a line from Suzuki’s jingle (‘Astig Ka Sa Suzuki’), ang dating extra, ngayon ay bida, with which he can relate to. Bautista shares that before, he just played as an extra in some music videos. After which he played minor roles, and now, he has become an "internet action star".

Asked on how other people can become astig like him, Bautista shares that confidence is key. One must believe in him or herself and have the courage to stand for something. He believes that “lahat naman tayo may kakayahan maging astig.”

Astig through the years

Tutti Caringal, vocalist of OPM band 6cyclemind, also put some thought in the word and he explains that being astig is being able to weather the storm. “Astig ka kung hindi ka natitinag, kung nalalagpasan mo lahat ng pagbabago,” he adds.

Bassist Bob Cañamo adds that astig is also being in the music industry for more than a decade. “Eleven years in the industry, astig talaga.”

Herbert Hernandez, the band’s lead guitarist, adds that the band is astig because despite all the changes that happened during those 11 years, they still make music, they still rock.



Never counting the audience out

Tutti Caringal shares that 6cyclemind’s kaastigan can be seen through their performances and heard through their music. "It's definitely an overall performance, not only through the eyes and ears, but through the heart. That's the astig message we send," he adds.

As a band, both Tutti Caringal and Herbert Hernandez agree that they must set a good example to their audience. “They look up to you, so hindi pwedeng magset ng bad example,” Tutti Caringal explains.

The band also participates in different activities. “6cyclemind participates in school tours, with different organizations, sometimes with charities, for different causes,” says Tutti Caringal. “It’s somewhat similar to corporate social responsibility,” adds Herbert Hernandez.



As Suzuki Ambassadors, 6cyclemind believes in the brand’s ‘Astig Ka Sa Suzuki’ Campaign. According to them, more than the sales, it's the knowledge about safety riding. “Ibang klase kasi eh. Yung effort hindi lang para makabenta sila, pero para din matulungan yung mga nagmomotor maging responsable, kaya astig,”says Tutti Caringal.

The band also agrees that the past year with Suzuki Philippines was exciting. “Ang daming bagong experiences, new friends,” says Bob Cañamo. “Yung mga safety riding seminars nila, very helpful, astig talaga,” adds Herbert Hernandez.

According to Tutti Caringal, the band identifies with the brand because like them, Suzuki interacts with their consumers. “Like how we interact with our audience, they also interact with their customers,” explains bob Cañamo. Bob Cañamo even cites how the brand communicates with the customers not only through dealerships, but also through social networking site Facebook.

The band also gave tips to the young generation about being astig. Sincerity, among others, is really important according to Tutti Caringal. Also, having the perseverance to pursue your dreams is a key.“Maging totoo ka lang sa sarili mo, magiging astig ka,”he adds.  Bob Cañamo also added that people also should “respect others; we, as a band, as Filipino citizens, as individuals.”###

Special thanks to: 
Joshua Samarista of RubyComm-K.Austria PR