The RadarThe MEGA Blog

A stern supporter of the Philippine fashion community, MEGA magazine ushered a new group of homegrown designers to the forefront of fashion at the eighth edition of the MEGA Young Designers Competition (YDC). Held at the grand La Isla ballroom of the upscale Edsa Shangri-La Hotel last March 24, the exclusive event gathered together the most recognizable names in the industry to bear witness to the unveiling of a new generation of fashion notables.

A posh cocktail welcomed guests, including the A-list from society, entertainment, politics, fashion, and business. Garbed in local couture, the ballroom was filled with the who’s who, led by SOFA (School of Fashion and Arts) executive Amina Aranaz-Alunan, make-up artist Chechel Joson, to name a few. Also spotted were top model/endorser Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales, tv personalities and celebrities Bianca Gonzales and Mariel Rodriguez, Bb Gandanghari, Carla Humphrey, Dion Ignacio, beauty queen Priscilla Meirelles, and Diether Ocampo with girlfriend Rima Ostwani. Singer Karylle, MEGA magazine’s cover girl for April, was also spotted in a Louis Vuitton head-to-toe ensemble.

Also seen enjoying the evening, among others, were real estate heiress Divine Lee, husband-and-wife David and Mai Kaufman, RJ Ledesma and wife Vanessa, columnists Tim Yap and JR Isaac, Steph Zubiri, Chris and Katrina Feist, prominent designers like Randy Ortiz, Joji Lloren, Puey Quinones, Joel Escober, Vic Barba, and Frederick Peralta. GMA/QTV11 top executives Ida Henares and Gigi Lara also graced the event.

While there was an abundance of society’s crème de la crème, the night undeniably belonged to this year’s group of budding designers vying for the eighth YDC crown. Host Issa Litton opened the event with a retrospective AVP honoring various YDC notables, who have become movers in the industry, such as Furne One, Rajo Laurel, Oj Hofer (1994), Mario Rotersos, Michi Calica-Sotto (1995), Raul Ramirez, Patrice Ramos-Diaz (1997), Noni Diza, Edwin Ao, Hadji Godinez (2000), Alex Pigao, LZ Punzalan, Ivarluski Aserion, Mich Dulce (2002), Gian Romano, Ferdie Abuel (2004), Aries Lagat, Veejay Floresca (2006).

Laurel, Ramos-Diaz, Pigao, Aseron and Dulce— all YDC protégés — made up this year’s judges, with MEGA’s editor-in-chief Carla Sibal heading the panel.

The grand runway showdown of 40 towering and stunning models from Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP) gave life to this year’s theme, “Cultural Transformation”, featuring the collections of the eight finalists.

The show, by seasoned director Jackie C. Aquino, opened with the creations of Kathleen Conde, whose designs were inspired by the barong, an indisputable symbol of Philippine history and culture. Aptly titled “Barong”, the pieces featured embellishments of images of well-known heroes who have helped shape the country’s social landscape.

Then, there was an interpretation of the union of high and low cultures– “Fashioning Out the Gap”— through deconstructed but wearable statement pieces by Brandy Parrenas.

The versatility of abaca was highlighted in JC Sasoy’s “Daku,” a collection accentuated with puffed sleeves and layers made of an elegant material, abaca silk.

Vanessa Ang, fresh from an internship in thriving fashion district New York City, debuted a collection that showcases “Transparency,” an attitude prevalent among many cultures, including the Philippines.

Taking inspiration from the works and cubist technique of renowned Filipino painter Vincent Manansala, Mique Yapching, a young talent from Cebu, executed his set “Spiral in Motion”, his masterpieces that blended art and fashion in fluid harmony.

Maria Clara finds contemporary fashion in Earl Gariando’s “The Assumption of Urban Maria,” a collection that drew inspiration from the trapezoidal structure of our forefathers’ panuelos.

Juan Karlo Vicente’s “Fasians,” a wardrobe was inspired by the circular/tubular shape of the malong and was derived from the concepts of migration and adaptation.

Last, but definitely not the least, was Maricar Dizon’s “Reviving the Art of Pabalat”, a modern take on the art of traditional paper-cutting technique commonly used in wrapping homemade Filipino sweets.

After the finalists’ turn, the MEGA YDC ramp paved way to a homecoming. Aries Lagat, 2006 YDC titleholder, lit up the stage to the excitement of the awe-struck crowd as he presented his 2009 collection exclusively made for the YDC audience. As in most competitions, Lagat, through his models Raya Mananquil, Faith Beliran, Ann Casas, Grace Tagle-Arigo, and Jasmine Maierhofer, sashayed on his last “walk”, as he passed on the title and the prestige to the next in line.

The energy inside the ballroom intensified when Vanessa Ang was proclaimed the grand winner of this year’s YDC. The crowd cheered as a stunned but jubilant Ang, the first lady winner of YDC, returned to the runway to receive prizes worth over half a million pesos. MEGA Publishing Group CEO and president Sari V. Yap and Carla Sibal presented Ang with a beautiful and elegant trophy, crafted by sculptor Mulawin Abueva, son of Philippine National Artist Napoleon Abueva. Ang also received a fashion feature in MEGA, a full SOFA scholarship, and a whopping P100,000!

“All of them, actually, are winners. The YDC, once again, opened for these budding artists the highway to success in the Philippine fashion scene. The opportunities out there are endless, but I say, these need to be coupled with determination, hard work, passion, and the right attitude. We, from MEGA Publishing Group, are elated and glad that we become part of the journey of Vanessa and of the rest,” enthused Yap.

Also winners, in their own right, were model Sarah Meier and beauty queen Miriam Quiambao, who were acclaimed as “L’Oreal Paris Lady of the Night” and “L’Oreal Professionel Lady of the Night” respectively. The two received special gifts, handed by L’Oreal brand managers Nina Solano and Leonard Tiongson.

The entire YDC was covered by TV partner GMA/QTV11, which will produce a documentary, in partnership with MEGA Publishing Group, about the country’s young designers and fashion notables, whose roots can be traced from MEGA’s Young Designers Competition.

Sponsors that helped mount the eighth edition of the YDC included Edsa Shangri-La, SOFA, L’Oreal Paris, L’Oreal Professionnel, Carolina’s, NEO Day Spa, Skin Food, Magnolia Fruit Drink, Magnolia Health Tea, Magnolia Pure Water.

Photos courtesy of MEGA Publishing Group’s Zac Moran, Ed Simon, Mark Jacob, Paolo Buendia, Paola Aseron and Jasper Enriquez

Watermelon & Green Mango Smoothie and the Chocnut Banana Bliss

This summer, refresh at Chelsea Market & Café and enjoy an array of smoothies, floats, frappes, and other thirst-quenching coolers such as the unique combination of Watermelon & Green Mango Smoothie, the invigorating Lemon Lime Mint Soda, and the cooling Peach Iced Tea.

Other interesting drinks to chill with include the Choc-nut Banana Bliss, Cookies & Cream Frappe, Strawberry Lemonade, and the Vanilla Orange Float among others.

So together with family and friends, get on your way and chill out with delicious, fresh summer drinks only at Chelsea!

Conveniently located in Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Chelsea Market & Café has an indoor seating capacity of 60 and an outdoor café of 40 seats. It is open daily from 11am to 12 midnight. For reservations and inquiries, call 909-7011 or 901-5817 or e-mail marketing@chelseamarketcafe.com.

Soon, another aspiring Filipino designer will be thrust into the super highway of Philippine Fashion.

On March 24, 2009, Tuesday, 7pm, the Awards Night of the will take place at the grand Isla Ballroom of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. This year, eight budding talents will enjoy the limelight via a spectacular runway show directed by Jackie C. Aquino. Amplifying posh and elegance, the strictly-by-invitation event has adopted a black-and-white theme and urges guests to don local couture.

This year’s eight finalists- Mique Yapching, Vanessa Ang, Earl Gariando, JC Sasoy, Kathleen Conde, Brandy Parrenas, Karlo Vicente and Maricar Dizon – have been working day in and day out in order to turn their individual designs into runway-worthy attire that emulate this year’s theme, “Cultural Transformation”— an interpretation of cultural harmony approached with an urban point of view and an intellectual execution of clothing construction to produce a coordinated collection of modern multiplicity.

LIGHT, SILK FABRICS give form to Vanessa Ang’s collection “Transparency”

FLEXIBLE IN FORM and function, the malong fabric best illustrates Karlo Vicente’s vision of Cultural Transformation

LUSTROUS ABACA SILK helps bring to life JC Sasoy’s vision of eastern cultures united in fashion

HIGH AND LOW cultures come together in elegant but deconstructed pieces in Brandy Parrenas’ “Fashioning Out the Gap”

HISTORY PLAYS ITS part in Earl Gariando’s collection, which draws inspiration from a traditional garment known as the Panuelo

COLORFUL, LACE-LIKE CREATIONS is Maricar Dizon’s way of reviving the art of Pabalat and showcasing Filipino fine craftsmanship

BARONG BEARING ICONS of Philippine heroism dominates Kathleen Conde’s collection

ART BECOMES FASHION as Mique Yapching patterns his collection after the works of celebrated Filipino painter Vincent Manansala

While the competition has proven tough and heavy, there is a sense of real comradeship between the eight budding designers. During a recent pictorial at the MEGA Studio, they were able to sit back, relax, and loosen up for the camera. It was a time for learning as well, as past YDC winners Aries Lagat and Alex Pigao, and 2002 contender Ivarluski Aseron, dropped by to share some words of wisdom and amusing anecdotes. All three designers, now respected names in the industry, also offered encouragement and moral support. The pictorial was covered by GMA-QTV 11 as part of a special documentary that recognizes the YDC’s contributions to the world of Philippine fashion, most especially for supporting local designers and helping jumpstart their careers.

As with previous editions, the finalists will be judged by a panel comprised of the most distinguished fashion figures. For the very first YDC, held in 1994, fashion editors from Vogue Paris, Harper’s Bazaar, Details and Visionaire magazines were flown in to co-judge alongside prominent local designers. This year, the finalists will have to impress YDC alumni Rajo Laurel, Patrice Ramos-Diaz and Mich Dulce, along with Pigao and Aseron.

Pre-judging of the collections will be held on March 20. The panel will grade the creations based on Creativity and Design, Wearability, Resourcefulness and Craftsmanship, as well as an Interview during which each finalist will be asked to explain his collection. Pre-judging will comprise 90% of their overall score, with the remaining 10% allotted for the runway show.

YDC has lined up an impressive array of prizes for the grand winner, including a fashion spread in MEGA magazine and a jaw-dropping P100,000! The winner will also receive a trophy by sculptor Mulawin Abueva, son of renowned National Artist Napoleon Abueva.

Already, the biggest fashion event of 2009 is sporting a guest list filled with fashion and society elites. MEGA Publishing Group will be in full force, with MEGA Publishing Group President Sari Yap and the magazine’s editor-in-chief Carla Sibal among the noteworthy guests.

Sponsors this year include EDSA Shangri-La Manila, L’Oreal Paris, L’Oreal Professionnel, Skin Food, Carolina’s, Neo Day Spa and MEGA’s TV partner, GMA-QTV11. Log on to www.mega-magazine.com for more details.

Summer is just around the corner. Staying outdoors for a long time poses damage to your hair. But with Zen Zest Virgin Coconut Oil Shampoo and Conditioner, revitalized and nourished hair is just a wash away.

Pure virgin coconut oil is rich with Vitamin E. The revitalizing Coconut Shampoo and Intensive Coconut conditioner of Zen Zest is a perfect blend of soothing aloe vera, nourishing and smoothening milk extracts. Add all these ingredients together and you will get the best solution for dry and damaged hair.

The first step to healthy, nourished hair is by using the Zen Zest Revitalizing Coconut Shampoo. This mild shampoo gently deep-cleanses and nourishes the hair from root to ends. It also repairs damaged hair and makes the hair grow faster, thicker and stronger.

After shampooing your hair, hydrate, soothe and condition your scalp by using Zen Zest Intensive Coconut Conditioner. This excellent conditioner adds body and bounce to your hair. Apart from making hair smooth and shiny, both the shampoo and conditioner provide powerful antioxidant protection–shielding your hair from the harmful, drying effects of the sun and other harsh environmental elements.

The Revitalizing Coconut Shampoo and the Intensive Coconut Conditioner come in 30ml sized bottles.

For an added touch, add shine to your hair using the Hair Serum. The Hair Serum compliments the shampoo and conditioner as it has a great concentration of Vitamin E that instantly controls the frizz on the hair leaving it shiny and smooth.

Another great product is the Hair and Body Oil which provides great protection from exposure to the sun. It may also be used for soothing massages.

The most luxurious selection in coconut hair products is available at the Zen Zest store in Glorietta 3, Makati and at the Zen Zest kiosks and outlets in all leading shopping centers nationwide.