Preview milestone

The first day of the year marks the beginning of great things to come.  Having worked in the publishing industry for more than a decade, local fashion celebrates the beauty of metamorphosis every so often when a star is transformed into an icon.   Starting the year with a bold statement is Preview magazine's Jan-Feb 2012 issue with global superstar Charice Pempengco on the cover.  The premiere fashion bible has done it again by successfully re-imaging and pushing the envelope by revisioning a "celebrity" into a muse of style.  In this issue, Charice is reinvented fashion forward by a great team composed of photographer Mark Nicdao, makeup artist Juan Sarte, stylist Liz Uy and hairstylist by Buen Rodriguez all under the direction of Vince Uy.  The international sensation who has placed the Philippines once again on the map in the entertainment world, looks impeccably stylish wearing Spring-Summer 2012 forecast.  One of the notable covers this author has seen in years, Preview deserves an applause for this monumental achievement that's truly the new benchmark and inspiration not just in the local publishing industry but Manila's fashion landscape as well.  Cheers and Happy New Year to all :-)

Tribute to the Senses

One measure of a successful designer is one's name becomes a brand.  One of the most prominent and respected in Philippine fashion is no other than Randy Ortiz.  The former president of the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has catapulted and spearheaded countless industry related movements to fashion forward the local design scene. A pillar who's regarded as one of the strong moving forces in the shape of things to come, he has astoundingly through the years established himself as a brand that has withstood the test of time.  Recently, he has launched his perfume line "Homage" under chic retail label for women --Kashieca ( sister company of Bench, Human etc.).  Alluring feminine notes exude extra stellar attraction for the Pinay femme fatale. Striking, seductive and sophisticated, a definite must-have for the modern woman. Wonder in amazement as "Homage" becomes the new scent-sation to capture the ever-evolving style in the local landscape.  A must-have scene for women of these times. Another mark of excellence from the iconic Randy Ortiz.

Photography by Mark Nicdao, fashion styling by Noel Manapat, makeup by Denise Go and Pia Reyes, hair styling by John Valle for Irish Ong and Sam Lewis; Nantey West for Coraline and Sam Gomez. HOMAGE by Randy Ortiz for KASHIECA is available in all Kashieca branches nationwide.

Spotting Vantage

A moon ago I dropped by the exhibit of one of the most celebrated photographer in the country--Mark Nicdao for the launch of his first book entitled Vantage.  Displayed in the heart of Greenbelt 5, was a sleek visual presentation of more than a handful of the artist's favorite works.  The arresting photos of the hottest celebrities from simple to the most stylized, presented each picture capturing a mood, feeling and even a story to tell.  Congratulated Mark but had to leave early for another engagement.  Heard the day after the place was packed with celebrities, colleagues, fashion and advertising personalties etc.  Truly an important event one shouldn't have missed.  Beyond all the pictures and the book, it was really all about the exceptional eye that made a forever "mark" in our hearts. 

Shooting stars.

Style in narratives.

Branding and multiplicity.

Fashion moments.

The joy of emotion.

Pretty boy gangster and In The Mood for Love.

Iconic and modern portraiture.

Close up and movement.

My favorite is this chiaroscuro(charcoal painting)-like black and white photo of Richard Gutierrez that semiotically translated a certain mood of calmness.

Advantage!

Early birds from left to right:  Fashion designer Patrice Ramos Diaz, the author, Mark Nicdao, photographer Joan Bitagcol, fashion stylist Corine Alegre, fashion designer's Louis Claparols and Joey Samson. (Photographer Sara Black, People Asia's Tatum Ancheta and Homme et Femme's Tadi de Leon not in photo)

Vantage Point

Men who matter.  From left to right-Dingdong Dantes, Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz and Sam Milby.

Almost a decade ago, I was going to have a shoot with master photographer Francis Abraham at the 4F Cattleya bldg in Legaspi village and was introduced to a new apprentice who was a  Fine Arts student in UP.  Young, energetic and full of talent-this photography hopeful was "fresh" out of college and was excited to get into the world of fashion and advertising.  Back then the aspiring genius used to do a lot of shoots for a magazine called Youngstar (defunct) which was then one of the common creative playgrounds for upstarts in the industry. I could still remember his lingering laughter echoing the hallways of the fourth floor when we would every so often take smoke breaks in between shoots.  Today, through determination, sheer talent and ambition, the multi-talented artist has grown into the young master that he is photographing television, cinema and fashion's up and coming to the brightest of stars.   One of the top photographers in the Philippines who continuously makes a "mark" in the multi-level local landscape--the one and only Mark Nicdao.

Femme Fetale.  From left to right- Bea Alonzo, Anne Curtis, KC Concepcion and Angel Locsin.

On March 6, 2011 marks a milestone in his career as he launches his first book entitled "Vantage" at the Fashion Walk, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati city 930pm.  A collection of celebrity photography from 2003-present, the exhibit will have 15 30x48 photos printed on canvas with black frame to be auctioned(the deal is they will NEVER be printed again).  While the book launch will have 8 limited edition covers numbered 1 to 150. Each cover will have 150 pieces printed on special paper.  Congratulations Marky!!!

The bold and beautiful.

Vantage is comes in limited edition for P280.00 exclusively at Fully Booked and at the newsstand for P180.

The return of Borgy Manotoc

After a long hiatus in the advertising world, Borgy Manotoc is back with a bang.  Not only is he back now as a full grown man with an impeccable godlike body, debonair looks and dusky appeal, but also a homecoming to a brand where it all began--Bench.  A decade ago, the 17 year old "IT" boy was known as the Bench Body Spray endorser. Fast forward to today, Borgy has remarkably transitioned from the typical boy-next-door to one of the hottest personalities in the Philippine entertainment and style landscape as the latest endorser of Bench Body. To date, this grandson of the late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and son of re-elected Ilocos Norte representative Imee Marcos has resurfaced with a stunning comeback that give competitors a run for their money.  Borgy is blessed with a perfect physique, towering height, a stellar personality with a lot of sense in between his ears. And with this new ad campaign, watch out Manila, Borgy is definitely stylesetting sexy back!

Photography by Mark Nicdao and fashion styling by Noel Manapat.  Shot on location at the Rizal Memorial Stadium along Vito Cruz street in Manila.