Elmer Lapeña Named Executive Managing Director of SAGA

Events and production company SAGA just recently announced the designation of Executive Managing Director to Elmer Lapeña. Aside from being a director and producer of different shows, he has been in the company for 20+ years taking on lead posts in different capacities, it is now his time.

This coincides with the announcement of the renaming of SAGA from its previous Saga Events Incorporated to now being a full fledged experiential company. For those who don't know, I've watched several Philippine Fashion Week Shows and International brand launches that have been handled and executed by their group. SAGA was founded by Robby Carmona in 1995 and this expansion means they'll be taking on not just production of shows and events but physical and virtual ones, experiential marketing, digital solutions and production of content following business plans and branding ideas accordingly.

Currently, they have clients including Shell, Xiaomi, Century Tuna, Under Armour, Spotify and a whole lot more availing their services. This includes online, hybrid or physical events, website and digital campaigns for them just to name a few. Albeit challenging these days, Lapeña says "Times have been challenging for us in the industry and the recent easement of restrictions bring us hope, to hopefully brighter days for SAGA and our clients. We are bigger, better, happy about taking on this leadership role. Cheers to all of us in the industry!"

Congratulations and hope to see you in your upcoming shows!

The ONLINE FASHION SHOW at Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2018

I was wondering what would comprise the third show on this day with Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2018 because there were no details on the designers joining this particular event. It just said ONLINE FASHION SHOW which had me interested with it. During the 7:30pm show, founder Joey Espino took the stage and halted what seemed to be a runway show in the beginning. He mentioned the strides that the Philippine Fashion has done in order to get the attention of the world. 

He knows that the people are looking towards ASIA and he understands how Filipino designers will be an intergral part of this growth. He's probably tired about just concentrating his grasp with just the Philippine market and wants designers to start building efforts towards going ONLINE, have their shop available after the show so they could sell as soon as their wares hit the runway. I totally agree with his point of view, we shouldn't be limited with what we can do here, it all should be available for the world stage because the FILIPINO is world class!

 

This is the direction they say would spell good this season,  something of androgyny. Cloth and fabric that can be worn by men and women, style that won't go out of season even if it is. The advantage of selling it out of the country is that, you won't be bound by a single market. Wherever you are in the world as long as the mail gets through, you can shop at the comforts of your own home. He also told us that with the traffic in EDSA, we ought to stay in our homes and shop online so you won't have to go the trouble of fainting in the heat, or stuck in malls because in reality, he's got a point.

Sidney Perez Sio for Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2018

This isn't the first time that I've covered a Sidney Perez Sio show. With the past collections inspired by New York street life, hip hop, crossed with the famous Barong Tagalog and Maria Clara twisted into his work, he was ruffling feathers already in the Philippines since 2005. Athleisure wasn't a term yet but he probably has done it so many times, he would yawn with what people are coming out with now. He was part of the ASEAN Young Fashion Designers Contest, shows in Manhattan, New York. He also worked with prime designer Inno Sotto and other shows in the PHFW trail.


He's here to impress and yes, we were. I took it upon myself to also shoot the back part of the models so you can take a look at the details of the whole dress/shirt, so please enjoy!

Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2018 MENSWEAR using OPPO F7

 I had so much fun during the Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2018 second day. Unfortunately I wasn't able to cover the shows on the first day because of life. The show which happened at 3:30PM Manila time was just something that I was looking forward to see and I was so happy I got the tickets online (very last minute) and I felt I had to shoot again no matter what it takes.

The MENSWEAR Collection was pretty much a combination of the best of the best fashion houses in Manila who make menswear available for those who want designer clothes, that would best represent the Filipino ingenuity. These are only phone shots that I did with the Oppo F7, the brand's flagship phone. Aside from the lowlight condition, the models actually walk fast so I did expect a little blur here and there, but so far the phone has performed quite well under these conditions. I'll be putting out some DSLR shots of the other shows in a bit. For now, enjoy these shots of the Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2018 MENSWEAR!

Celebrate Mother's Day the Grand Way at Sofitel Manila's Spiral!

Spiral, the Philippine's best food destination is taking you up a notch this Mothers Day as they celebrate it with you on May 13th, 2014. They will showcase products made by the finest female weavers from Ilocos Norte properly called Abel Iloco. It's something that has been drawn in that region since 1572. The designs will be done by Ryan Madamba, a noted fashion and wedding gown designer who hails from Ilocos. It'll be a luxurious showcase of resort and evening wear so you better get your eyes treated to some of the Philippines best designs.

 Aside from that...

Spiral's very own Chefs and Master Chefs have prepared their heirloom recipes, some of which have been passed on from generation to generation. It doesn't go authentic than this! Just look at what they shelled out from their family pantrys!

Eric Costille (French) – Executive Chef

Braised Oxtail Parmentier- Mother’s recipe

Fresh Herbs Ricotta Agnoletti, Chicken Jus – Grandmother’s recipe

Classic Ratatouille – Great Grandmother’s recipe

Mok Chee Wah (Chinese) – Executive Chinese Chef

Double Boiled Eight Treasure Ginseng Soup - Mother’s recipe

Stuffed Chicken leg with Chinese Sausage and preserved Vegetable - Grandmother’s recipe

Homemade Tofu with Chinese Spinach and dried and fresh Scallop – Great grandmother’s recipe

Bettina Arguelles (Spanish/Filipino) – French Chef

Cuchinillo - Mother’s recipe

Beef Morcon - Grandmother’s recipe

King Prawn Gambas Al Ajillo - Grandmother’s recipe

Hiromi Yonekawa (Japanese) - Japanese Chef

Hongkong Style Rainbow Sashimi, Ceviche Jelly Sauce - Mother’s recipe

Hot Pot Style “Udon Suki” Beef with Vegetables - Grandmother’s recipe

Shishamo Karaage with Lemon Wedge – Great grandmother’s recipe

Romeo Malate (Filipino) - Thai Chef

Fried Banana (Maruya) - Mother’s recipe

Fish in Coconut Cream wrapped in Banana Leaf (Ginataang Tilapia sa Dahon ng Saging) - Grandmother’s recipe

Grilled Eggplant with Green Mango Salad (Inihaw na Talong at Ensaladang Mangga) – Great grandmother’s recipe

Edgar Butawan (Filipino)- Pastry Chef

Mango Shortcake- Mother’s recipe

Pandan Roll Cake – Grandmother’s recipe

Chocolate Red Velvet Cake – Great grandmother’s recipe

Tweet Obsequio (Filipino-Chinese) - Chocolatier

Chocolate Lipstick – Mother’s recipe

Durian Stiletto Praline – Grandmother’s recipe

Peanut Clutch Bag Praline – Great grandmother’s recipe

Caleb Han, Poolside Restaurant Manager (Korean)

Bossam' with tofu: pork meat and tofu with kimchi – Mother’s recipe

Daetongbap, cooked rice in bamboo case – Grandmother’s recipe

Jeonbokjuk, rice porridge with abalone – Great grandmother’s recipe

Tanguy Gras, Spiral Manager (French)

Rougail Saucisse

  

Each of these dishes have their own little stories behind them. Truly, this is one remarkable way of celebrating Mothers Day. Spiral has continued to be the best in food choices - and this is a testament on how important Mothers play in the lives of now Masters in the kitchen. Heartwarming to know they are so proud to share the secrets passed on to them by Moms, Grandma's and even Great Grandma's! 

While you are there, you can also win for yourselves Jewelmer and L’Oreal Paris products. Sofitel is also releasing new rates just for this day. The awesome Mother’s Fashion Show and Spiral dinner rate costs only PHP 2,550++ for adults and PHP 1,300++ for the young ones. Whilst if you bring kids that are 4 years old and below, they'll be all free! 

If you want to reserve, please proceed to Spiral Manila's Facebook Page. I even heard that they're giving away huge discounts now! :)

If you wish to stay at the hotel, they have a special Mother’s Day room package in Sofitel Manila from May 9-11, 2014. You also will be receiving a special three strand freshwater pearl bracelet if you get that. Isn't that awesome? You deserve the best for your Moms and only Sofitel Manila can get you what you truly need! Hey, I just heard they're throwing away a 40% discount on their Facebook Page! Come rush over to their channels and see for yourself :)

For more information about their restaurants:

Spiral Manila

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.spiralmanila.com/

Sofitel Celebrates CNY with Albert Andrada's "Shanghai Nights"

Chinese New Year was a tad nicer when we celebrated it in Sofitel Manila. Aside from the scrumptious food served on their restaurant Spiral, Manila's best buffet, they went ahead and got it up a notch to put in a whole fashion show courtesy of world renowned royalty designer Albert Andrada. His collection called "Shanghai Nights" sashayed as onlookers were struck in awe of this 15 piece collection. Let's take a look at the scenes a few days ago!

Present during the occasion was Sofitel Manila's GM Adam Laker with Philippine Social Butterfly Tessa Prieto Valdez and ANTM World renowned designer (personal friend of Albert Andrada) Michael Cinco.

Ice sculptures, arrangements, calligraphic artists made their own Year of the Wooden Horse impressions. Everything was exquisite at Spiral.

Spiral's own Chefs created a special menu for the occasion and the Chinese host also serenaded the crowd with music in Mandarin if I'm not mistaken.

Albert Andrada opens up the show with black numbers, skirts in different lengths with gold accents here and there. He pulls this off without looking tacky, I am not surprised. This is why he's making raves in the middle east scene. The drapery, the placement of the gold would not take away the elegance he wanted to exude in these black dresses.

Philippine Fashion Week SS 2014 - SM Men's Fashion

Thanks to people from SM Men's Fashion we got to cover the runway show held the evening after David Gandy's interview. It was packed and I think we were able to see what's coming next for this particular brand. I must say, they've got a bright future ahead of them!

Punk Rock Street Wear was first. I guess they've been inspired by this look which has been more liberating in fashion houses in Europe and the US. SM Men's Fashion is conquering the global stage and this definitely is a good start.

I love the denim pants, denim jackets and the coats for a more dressed up look. I also like the shoes they are wearing. Mark Mc Mahon, Brent Javier and the SM Men's Fashion models are mighty tight. I love their set.

Simple, easy to wear and pair up with your existing clothing. SM Men's Fashion really took it up a notch and made these outfits available to the Philippine market.

The Melason Prenup Shoot

I have been waiting for this... And it's time! :)

I might not have been able to shoot them personally but am really super happy for these two. You and I know how much the journey has been hard for these guys and if you ask me, this should have happened a long time ago. They're finally getting married! =)

I woke up this morning being tagged to two photos showing behind the scenes shots of their prenup shoot and I must say this is pretty impressive. The set design, the concept and execution is so phenomenal... I'd like to thank @melasonbaby on Twitter for providing us these shots! 

Wala ako masabe when I saw these shots! I am so happy for Jason and Isay. I can't wait to see the full set! I also love to see that little bump on Isay's tummy, I'm sure you guys have been waiting for that too! :) 

I also can't wait to see the wedding, which I'm sure is going to be equally grand! :) happy for you two! It's Philippine Fashion Week too, so I remember the first time I shot them on the runway! Hay!

P.S. Credts of these photos go to @melasonbaby on Twitter and their rightful owners. Superthanks!

JAG ORIGINS: Inside the creative mind of Nina Garcia!

It's that time of the year where thousands of models, designers, make up artists and brands converge for the much awaited Philippine Fashion Week celebration at the SMX Convention Center and we're pretty glad to have been invited to cover; this time for popular jeans brand JAG and their show JAG ORIGINS. It's a total breather from the normal walk-shoot-bow and next show thing we've been doing in the past because they are bringing something new to the catwalk. Actually, this is more of a learning experience for all fashionistas, enthusiasts and practitioners as they have invited one of the most influential ladies in the world of fashion. A mere utter of her name made me say OMG a couple of times and mind you I am not alone. Jag Origins presents the one and only Fashion Director at Elle and Marie Claire, and judge of popular reality TV show Project Runway... Ladies and gentlemen.. Nina Garcia!

We were so lucky enough to have been able to secure seats around 6 people away from Nina Garcia herself but of course she was hounded by everyone else. She had that aura of kindness, generosity and pretty much said yes to everyone who wanted to experience being with her. It's her first time in the country and nobody had a clue what she'll be doing in this show. This is consequently Jag Origin's first outing and to start it off in a good note, we had a fashion show ensue at the start of the event.

Greeting everyone was the beautiful Sarah Meier. She also introduced dignitaries and special people in the audience. This is the start of JAG ORIGINS.

They surprised everyone with the gorgeous Binibining Pilipinas beauty queens. See if you can identify some of them. =)

These ladies were clad in faux leather, jeans that are skinny in all the right places. It hugs on the female form and presents a more tight way of showing the assets. I loved it on these women!