The Tokwa and Soleil Team Up

I'm so excited for this Saturday. Two of my favorite young artists are having their exhibit at Heima, Cubao X. I need to prepare some creative questions to bug them with on their big night.  In the meantime, here's a moody video to get you into the, "Hello Sailor" mind space. 


   


In collaboration with Heima, Soleil Ignacio and Tokwa Penaflorida's two-man show entitled, “Hello Sailor”, is an exhibit of watercolor works on paper. The artworks revolve around representations of water-dwelling creatures—mermaids, sirens, water nymphs with flowing locks amongst lithe bodies, and gazes that are transformed and transfixing—all paradoxical depictions of agelessness and beauty. Revisiting old tales of desire and seduction, dreams of the conquests of men at sea, their inevitable longing for temptresses are delicately captured in these pallid and frail wraiths. 


See you at: Hello Sailor exhibit launch featuring Thursday Room's Soleil Ignacio and Tokwa Penaflorida is on Saturday, April 14, 2012, 8PM at Heima Cubao X

Snapshots of Postura at Platform

I am not a fashion blogger, but somehow, I'm always fashionably late. Here I am posting about an event that happened 3 weeks ago. But I just can't not recap my Platform experience. It was such a treat to culminate the Postura Project's 30-day challenge at Manila's first youth culture convention. 

We unveiled our Postura Project video. Here we are looking like pros (but being completely unprepared) for our onstage interview by Sarah, a Postura Project initiator herself. 

The Postura gang after our interview with GMA Online. Click here for the article. 

Here I am with the project's biggest supporter. Marlo Ongpin along with MLH created the video and the website for us. 

This is Soleil Ignacio's wall. Seeing it blown up to 9 feet tall was impressive. 

I got this from one of the albums at the Platform page. Such a pretty girl and her dress suits this Postura Photo wall so well. I hope she doesn't mind that I reposted it. 

The artist and his creation. Tokwa Penaflorida posing in front of his Manghahabi. 

I keep saying how the vibe at Platform was great. I've never been to a party bazaar before but there's so much to do. I found myself just wanting to sit down and take it all in. Of course, I didn't get to because I had to shop. Got myself new kicks and a set of lovely earrings. 

While I was there, people were already asking when the next Platform event was going to be and here are some reasons why I think it should be sooner rather than later. 

1. Platform is a great avenue for creative entrepreneurs to mingle and get to know others. 

2. Although, I discovered a lot of amazing new brands, I know there are tons more that need the limelight. 

3. It's so much fun. With that, I rest my case. 

I wasn't able to take a lot of photos during the event-  just so overwhelmed with talking to people and gearing up for the interviews. It made me a bit sad because I wanted to feature the photo walls that the artists worked so hard on. So, I was so thankful to have found others who so diligently snapped great shots.  

THANK YOU!

Platform Facebook Page

Team Manila Daily Grind

Status Online

David Guison

Tokwa Penaflorida's Facebook Page 

It's More Fun in the Philippines Official Jingle

I just had to share this because it put a giant smile across my face on this dark, rainy, and overall dreary day. We Filipinos are so lucky! To quote from the jingle, "our slippers have touched paradise!" On a fun note, we had an agency meeting yesterday and this campaign was awarded, "Idea of the Quarter". Yebah!

Get Your Photo Taken on the Postura Photo Wall

This Sunday is kind of a big deal for the Postura Project because it marks the end of our 30 day challenge. We'd really love for everyone to join us at the Platform event. Here, we will be presenting the very talents we're trying to promote through the project. Click here for the details.

So if you're wondering, what there is to do at Platform...

Here are my suggestions in an easy-to-follow instructional format.

1. Wear something Filipino and head over to Ronac Art Center in Greenhills. 

2. Be there at 2pm for the unveiling of the Postura Project video. Wheee!

3. Take a break. Go to the loo. Get a drink or two.

4. Have your photo taken on the art wall. Then post it on the Postura FB page. Best photos win goodies! 

5. If you see me around, approach me! Say, "HI!". I'd love to hear your thought/ ideas on the Postura Project. Although some people say I look snobbish, I assure you, it's because I'M BLIND. Well, I have astigmatism which I am curing by using, the Secret. It has yet to work so bear with a slightly squinty me. 

6. Have fun! Drink! Dance! Shop! Have fun! Drink! Dance! Shop! Have fun! 

This is Manila's First Youth Culture Convention!

If you're interested in this event, then you are young, 

and the future of the Philippines is ours to make ;)

Oh, here's a sneak peak at the wonderful Art and Photo Walls created to promote Postura. I'm still amazed and thankful at how many people just readily embraced the Postura Project, contributing their passions, their talent and most importantly their time! Here are just 5 of those individuals with their works. 

An accomplished fashion illustrator, Soleil Ignacio created this work based on the duality of fashion and art. 

My friends Sugar Perez and Monica Angeles made this flora and fauna inspired collage. These girls are the uber-talented design duo behind the banig logo for DOT's campaign, "It's more fun in the Philippines!" 

This one is from Tokwa Penaflorida. A former adman turned full time artist, he also designed our web logo. This piece is a manghahabi, or a weaver. It's inspired by the Igorots and their tattoo tradition. 

Last but not least is this maximalist illustration by Katrina Pallon. Two Maria Claras enveloped in full floral blooms. Love. Love. Love.

I cannot wait to see these works blown up  and mounted for everyone to see! 

Tomorrow, come quick :D 

Everyone's Invited to Platform this Sunday!

If you're wondering what Platform is all about. I think the vision is just a space a time and a venue for young artists/ designers/ entrepreneurs to come together and jam. There's going to be shopping, music, and drinking. And, no crummy entrance free! 

Join Manila's First Youth Culture Convention.

ART.FASHION.LIFESTYLE.MUSIC.PASSION.CREATIVITY.DESIGN.

40 booths for young designers, a central blogger and guest lounge, a DJ booth and stage. Live music, art, and energy.

The Platform event becomes kilometer zero for the day as the country's youngest and most dynamic designers, creators, and entrepreneurs exercise their style, networking, sales, and marketing skills. The event aims to be the youth's first "grown up" culture convention, as well as an opportunity for the market to understand the scope of what kids today are capable of.

Dedicated to the expressive youth, 

The Platform Show will be held on 

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2012 at 

The Playground, Ronac Art Center, Ortigas Avenue 

from 12nn-8pm.

Follow us on Twitter: @PlatformShowMNL

For the people who have been following the, http://www.posturaproject.com/, this is the culmination of our 30 days of Wearing Something Filipino. We'll be having an art wall for people to come and take photos. We'll also be premiering a short video to support the website.

Postura Project Day 15

About the Postura Project and Highlights of My 15 Days as a Fashion Blogger.

It has been crazy challenging trying to take photos for the Postura Project.  The hardest part is actually the pre-production: putting together the outfit, finding a photographer/friend, choosing the right spot, and prepping your face for the shot! Wootwoooh. The responses we've been getting are very encouraging but most of all, it's fun to get glam. Hard work but fun. I'll let my favorite photos scream it out for me, "It's more fun in the Philippines!" 

What is Filipino fashion for you?

It’s a question I’ve been grappling with. Because our history is so muddled and we have a wealth of subcultures, it’s hard to define with certainty what the Filipino fashion aesthetic is. It is the Barong Tagalog, but it’s also the malongs from Mindanao. It’s the bahag and it’s Imelda’s butterfly sleeves. I find myself pouring through Filipino encyclopedias to take inspiration from the past and I try to bring that out in modern fashion.

Who is the ultimate Filipino fashion icon/ who is your fave Filipino designer?

There are too many amazing designers in the Philippines but the ones that have caught my eye are: Cary Santiago, Joel Escober, Joey Samson, Mich Dulce, and Len Cabili of Filip+Inna. Someday I hope to spend my hard-earned Pesoses on their creations. Right now, I love finding wearable pieces from our national costumes. I look at a Baro’t Saya and I see how I can modernize it. I drool over Philippine textiles and fawn over how our indigenous people have so much flair for combining color.

Why are you doing this 30-day challenge?

I’ve actually been doing this on my own for a while and it really was a challenge at first but soon it became a habit. A friend of mine wrote about it for Inquirer and that got the attention of Arriane. We realized this was a movement that needed a little nudge so with Sarah and David we created the Postura Project. I jumped at the opportunity immediately because of the reaction I would get when I would wear something ethnic, like an Ifugao vest. It gets people so excited. Their eyes light up at how this garment works as everyday wear. I want people to realize that they need only to look around for unique fashion finds.

What do you hope will come out of it?

I dream that someday, we will all become advocates for Pinoy brands. Perhaps then, we’ll even have a distinct look. People will travel the world because they want to see Cubao X filled with funky fashionable Filipinos. We can create our own Harajuku. It all starts with wearing something Filipino everyday and a little purpose-driven shopping.

Do check out the Postura Project  for more Filipino fashion and see my co-conspirators Arriane Serafico, Sarah Meier, and David Guison! 

A Note for My New Partner

I had my first pitch with my new team today. After wrapping up the pitch materials at 4:00 am,  I had to fly off for a trip to Bacolod I had planned months ahead. I heard it went swimmingly so I'm elated - I feel like I'm floating on a Gondola! (Obvious inside joke) Still, I feel bad I wasn't there to see it for myself. So, this video is dedicated to my new partner and the big head of innovation, Corey Cruz. You know why this is for you ;)  This was supposed to be a post about my new team but alas, I haven't had time to write that up. Or take funny photos of them. Soon. Soon.