LOVE IN THE TIME OF RUIN

Lately, I noticed that I am leaning towards featuring travel-related blog entries - an unexpected course that I am now fully interested in threading through. Why not share those unique out-of-town experiences, di ba? But here is something that marries both travel and fashion (that I love most), and is a good follow-up to my Bacolod post. Entitled "Love in the time of Ruin", I found myself repeatedly looking at this pictorial we did for People Asia Magazine's Travel Issue (April-May 2014), as I fell in love (literally) with the grandeur and beauty of both old-rich Bacolod and the remarkable designer creations we used for this shoot. Hope you all feel the same way, too!

Nostalgia. Heaven and earth. A forbidden love affair between the alta and the poor. It's old-world romance ala Romeo and Juliet. Or more currently and more aptly, Kim Chiu and Coco Martin in the now-running Ikaw Lamang teleserye, which, I believe, also shot their scenes in Bacolod specifically The Ruins. Pure drama indeed!

Grab People Asia April-May 2014 (the Travel Issue) at magazine stands now.



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Photography: Mau Aguasin (MA Studio)
Art Direction: Chino Corrales
Styling: Mike de Guzman & George Palmiano (MGP)
Makeup: Sari Campos
Hair: Charisma Vicuna
Models: Naigel Haran & Vanessa Andres (Mercator)
Shot on location at The Ruins, Balai ni Tana Dicang, Bantug Lake Ranch, Bacolod City
Special thanks to Mayor Monico Puentevella, Rocky Puentevella & Jhordan Gepaya

TRIBAL BEAT

And the tribe has spoken: local retail brand, SOLO, dares you to beat the heat with ethnic-inspired summer fashion fete that consists of pieces that you can mix and match in vivid tribal, tropical, retro and floral prints.

The new collection boasts of swimwear pieces that cater to the young such as bandeaus, bikinis and cover-ups. There are also graphic His and Hers shirts and stylish sunglasses that tick off your summer wardrobe checklist, creating fun, youthful statement.

The summer ad campaign shoot also features this year’s Solo Online Model Contest Grand Winners, Renee Soraya Hassani and John Edward Custodio who stood out among almost a hundred hopeful ladies and gents. The pair got to do a photo shoot directed and photographed by hot fashion photographer Doc Marlon Pecjo, and styled by us, MGP.

On John Edward: Printed woven shirt (P995); Tapered shorts (P1196). On Renee: Tribal-printed bikini top (P595); High-waisted floral bottom (P545).

On Renee: Tribal-printed bikini top (P595); High-waisted floral bottom (P545).

On Renee: White ruffled swim top (P595); Polka-dotted swim bottom (P495). On John Edward: Striped tank top with hoodie (P445); Tapered shorts (P995).

On John Edward: Striped tank top with hoodie (P445); Tapered shorts (P995).

For more information, please log on to solo.com.ph or like their Facebook page (facebook.com/mysoloonline). You can also follow them on Twitter and Instagram @MySoloOnline.

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Photography: Doc Marlon Pecjo

Styling: Mike de Guzman & George Palmiano (MGP)

Assisted by: Sheila Marie Danipog

Models: Renee Soraya Hassani & John Edward Custodio

REFLECTIONS & TRADITIONS

Christian devotees from all walks of life recently observed the Holy Week, and although it ends with the Easter celebration, images of sacrifices and devotion still remain unscathed in my mind. Although we have different ways on how we contemplate all throughout the said week, nothing is more fashionable and significant in this world than offering prayers to those you love most, and reflecting on the Passion of the Christ. I went around Manila as part of my Lenten panata, and would continue doing so as part of my religious tradition and obligation. See snapshots (in nostalgic black & white) as I went through several churches at night (when temperatures are more bearable), and hope you all, too, had a reflective experience doing the same in prayer and solitude:

People line up for a brief religious moment with the lying Nazarene during Good Friday at Quiapo Church.

The Quiapo Church was filled with people doing their Stations of the Cross even during late at night.

A classic picture of a staunch Catholic devotee.

Stations of the Cross has gone outdoor at the (under renovation) Malate Church

A time of peace, a time of prayers.

A street procession just outside the Paco Catholic Church

An empty Paco Catholic Church is the best time to pray and contemplate.

The Greenbelt Chapel was a full house during Black Saturday.

Celebrating evening mass al fresco at Greenbelt.

The facade of one of my favorite local churches: the San Agustin Church in Intramuros at night.

The grand architecture of San Agustin Church still leaves me at awe.

The Passion of the Christ.

The Crucifixion.

The Mother and The Son: San Agustin's La Pieta.

The Lord Has Ressurected! Salubong festivities at San Agustin.

Easter procession with street dancing at San Agustin Church.

The stone walls and pathways of Intramuros still captivated me as the procession went on and left me behind.

To everyone, Happy Easter! May the Risen Christ bless us all! :-)

OF GREEK PILLARS AND MISADVENTURES

Immediately after our Bacolod assignment, my partner George and I hurried to Pico de Loro in Nasugbu, Batangas, for the summer ad campaign shoot of SM MEN'S FASHION. It was a 3-day pictorial where we toiled relentlessly under the scorching sun. Never mind the heat and the sweat, what's wonderful about working with these people is that we've become very good friends, allies and families, and even though there are "negative forces" to deal with, the results remain the same - simple yet excellent images without having to try too hard, and never looking too stereotyped.

On the third day, our team decided to shoot in a secluded island off the Balayan Bay since we've exhausted all the possible areas in Pico. We boarded two outrigger boats and crossed the sea with excitement flowing thru our veins, curious on how Fortune Island would look like when we get there.

The Calm Before the Storm: Our assistant Sheila Marie Danipog, makeup artist Ria Aquino and videographer Mau Aguasin were still all smiles when we started sailing... until we reached the open waters!

However, our anxious moment suddenly became a scary misadventure. Everybody was silenced (perhaps in prayers) as soon as we hit the open waters. We were all taken to a hellish roller coaster ride in the middle of the rough sea. Then I soon found myself being blamed, for it was my ambitious idea to use the island as another location for our shoot. And I felt even more frightened because there was no turning back, and every unrelenting splash of wave hitting us is a matter of life or death. 

Little did we know that passenger ferries like MV Princess of the Orient of Sulpicio Lines and MV Kimelody Cristy of Moreta Shipping lines, both sank off the Fortune Island in the 90's! After sailing roughly for more than 1 and a half dizzying hours, a majestic Greek-looking isle in the middle of nowhere finally revealed itself.

Greece in Batangas: Fortune Island looks like Mt. Olympus from afar.

Because of the strong current and traitorous waves, our boatmen decided to dock on the opposite side of the island instead of bringing us on the shore. However, there was another obstacle - we have to swim by ourselves to get to the ladder leading up to the rocky, steep hill. For a non-swimmer like me, I thought that this place could be renamed as Misfortune Island!

Do or die: Ayen Florendo (in purple life vest), AVP of SM Men's Fashion, leads the way as the first one who gutted splashing through the water. With Cheska Summer (left) and Daniel Matsunaga (right).

Since I didn't know how to swim, I was the last person to go off the boat - of course! This was such inconvenience for all of us because we have to cross the deep waters and it's quite difficult to prevent our things (clothes, food, equipments, etc.) from getting wet.

I also realized that this was a courageous, commendable moment for all - seeing everybody go on professionally and deal with the challenge (in high spirits) - knowing that our lives were at stake. As the leader of the pack, Ayen Florendo (AVP for Marketing  of SM Men's Fashion) exhibited no fear as she wore her life vest and took the plunge. Our foreign models, Fabio Ide, Swell Damas and Daniel Matsunaga dived seemingly without qualms, too. My styling partner George Palmiano and our assistant Sheila Danipog were both well-equipped, and instantly sealed all the necessary clothes with plastic bags. Makeup artist Ria Aquino took her brushes and followed, too. Videographer Mau Aguasin was pulled downward by the current and hit her head on a sharp rock, but managed to carry on. I also admire ace photographer Marc Nicdao, who was celebrating his birthday that day, but he, together with his assistants, braved the currents while bringing their priced equipments across. Buwis-buhay indeed - all of this for a nice shoot!

Scenic Splendor: A desolate place with a marvelous view.

All the troubles reaching this location were paid off as soon as we reached the top of the hill. What a breathtaking view of blue skies, white sand beach and azure waters! The island's main attraction is a mini version of the ancient Greek citadel Acropolis, with dilapidated pillars and statues majestically overlooking the sea.

The Acropolis: This looks like a lost, ancient city of a once-great civilization of eons past.

Pillars of Eternity. It seems like Zeus stroke his lightning here in the past, and resulted in these beautiful ruins.

Picture Perfect. Statues and ruins stand tenaciously against the elements.

Inviting. Check out the sparkling blue to emerald waters beaneath the rocky cliff.

Ivory Coast. The beautiful seascape is calling us to take a dip.

Beyond beautiful. A stretch of pristine white sand with pebbles, debris and sediments.

Ghost Town. A deserted resort, but still enchanting.

Based from my research, Fortune Island was once a luxury resort with fine amenities, owned and operated in the 1990's by Tony Leviste, a former governor of Batangas. All that was left was a deserted white sand beach, along with abandoned cabanas, a dilapidated helipad, broken glass window panels, an emptied pavillion, an outworn mini museum in a shape of a galleon, an outworn basketball court, unmaintained toilets - that in summation, leave a creepy, ghostly feel and impression. But in utmost honesty, all the rubbish did not diminish the raw splendor and beauty of the island. And we all had it for ourselves even for a single day!

Cam Whores. Mau Aguasin, George Palmiano and Ayen Florendo smile for a Kodak moment.

Clash of the Titans. Mau Aguasin and George Palmiano again - this time without Ayen Florendo.

The Hunger Games. Luckily, we brought packed food or else we died in the island!

Stand by Me. My corner of the island.

Say cheese! Our assistant Sheila does a photo op.

Windswept. Bikini babe Mau Aguasin with Madam Ayen Florendo.

On a Cliff's Edge. Highly in-demand photographer Marc Nicdao (leftmost, while being held by his assistant) does a series of clicks on Fabio Ide. Ria Aquino also checks out her makeup kit.

Here are some sizzling snapshots from our summer shoot which I took from my camera (meaning, these are not the actual campaign photos). Hope you all like these pics as much as we do.

Greek God. Model Swell Damas is a modern Adonis in skinny white jeans.

Red Hot. Fabio Ide is super handsome in a red pair of denim pants.

A sight to behold. Daniel Matsunaga is hotness overload in a pair of blue-colored denim.

Watch out for the complete series of summer ad campaign pictorials of SM MEN'S FASHION this April. We'd like to thank the whole team - models, photographers, stylists, makeup artist, videographer and ad agency for another awesome, kaloka experience. Thanks to the marketing duo of Rudolph Leonor and Ayen Florendo - just continue doing what you do best - and that is being the best from the rest. :-)