Lighting strikes the surface of Earth about 100 times every second. An average bolt carries an electric current of 40 kiloamperes. On a cool, balmy night last February 29, “Kidlat” generated thousand watts of excitement among Manila-based creatives in Bora.

The new award name of the more than 20-year old Creative Guild of the Philippines, award-giving body of the 4A’s, is born. Sans fanfare but voltage-heavy (they brought in the One Show), the event held in the “world’s best beach,” was simply electrifying.

David Guerrero was elected 2008 president. His namesake David Ferrer, proud owner of a Cannes Gold Lion, One Show Silver Pencil and Clio Silver, achieved in his young lifetime a tough act to follow—a Hall of Fame. And Black Pencil-Leo Burnett grand slammed to its umpteenth win courtesy of its Cinemalaya “Snapshot” spot.

Except perhaps Ai-ai de las Alas, everyone was there as “Kidlat,” or shall we say, the critics’ choice, struck out the old thermos-like trophies made of plastic it hands out yearly.

TV Ad of the Year

Gold — Black Pencil-Leo Burnett “Snapshot” (CCP)
Silver — BBDO “Zhang” (FedEx)
Bronze — TBWA-SMP “Delivery Room” (ABC 5)

Press Ad of the Year

Gold — No winner
Silver — BBDO “Paramedics” (Pizza Hut); BBDO “Sale” BBDO (KBP)
Bronze — TBWA-SMP “Palawan” (Philippine Star)

Radio Ad of the Year

Gold — JWT “Traffic Therapy” (Lotus Spa)
Silver — JWT “Corporitual” (Lotus Spa)
Beonze — TBWA-SMP “Meron” (Firefly)

Outdoor Ad of the Year

Gold — No winner
Silver — OGILVYONE “Giant Box” (DHL)
Bronze — BBDO “10-ISH” (Pizza Hut)

Interactive Ad of the Year

Gold — JWT “Beyond Boundaries” (Ford)
Silver — No winner
Bronze — TBWA=SMP “Hair Game” (Pineda)

TV Campaign of the Year

Gold — BBDO “China” (FedEx)
Silver — Black Pencil -Leo Burnett “The New Breed” (CCP)
Bronze — No winner

Press Campaign of the Year

Gold — Lowe “Mr. Quickie” (Mr. Quickie)
Silver — BBDO “Biker Series” (Pizza Hut)
Bronze — TBWA-SMP “Corruption” (Phil Star)

Radio Campaign Ad of the Year

Gold — JWT “Serenity” (Lotus Spa)
Silver — JWT “Brutal Truths” (Pfizer)
Bronze — McCann “Nursery Rhymes” (A-1 Driving School)

Outdoor Campaign of the Year

Gold — No winner
Silver — No winner
Bronze — Lowe “Mr. Quickie” (Mr. Quickie)

Public Service TV Ad of the Year

Gold — BBDO “Good Kids” (Childhope)
Silver — No winner
Bronze — DDB “Ink” (Pinoyvote.org)

Public Service Press Ad of the Year

Gold — Y&R “Bullets” (Soroptomists)
Silver — No winner
Bronze — BBDO “Narra” (WWF)

Public Radio Ad of the Year

Gold — No winner
Silver — No winner
Bronze — No winner

Public Service Guerilla Ad of the Year

Gold — BBDO “Glowing Sticker” (WWF)

Best Art Direction

Gold — JWT “Cat Dreams” (PAWS)
Silver — No winner
Bronze — BBDO “Drummer”; “Guitarist” “Vocalist” (NU 107)

Best Copy

Gold — JWT “Traffic Therapy” (Lotus Spa)
Silver — TBWA-SMP “Edit” (Cinemanila)
Bronze — No winner

Best in Design

Gold — No winner
Silver — JWT “Measuring Shirt” (Unilever)
Bronze — Y&R “Fast” (Ford)