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. :-)