Philippine Business Council – Abu Dhabi hosts Bizz Talk 2015

The Philippine Business Council – Abu Dhabi kicked off this year’s Bizz Talk on the 29^th October 2015 at the Le Royal Meridien – Abu Dhabi. Business executives, professionals, PBC members, sponsors, media partners, Filipino community leaders, distinguished Philippine Embassy guests including Consul Maria Roseny Fangco and Vice Consul Rowena Daquipil participated in the muc-awaited networking event.


Read Full Post: http://bit.ly/1N5l5hs

Ezra Santos: Ezra Enraptured

By Lalaine Chu-Benitez


If Michael Cinco is all about grandiose beauty, Furne One the master of dark drama, and Rocky Gathercole continues to play shock and awe, Ezra Santos’ domain is firmly placed on the altar of refined elegance.


Read Full Post: http://bit.ly/1KwOSyi

Filipino Designers on Fashion’s Original Sin: Borrow, copy, steal or share?

Filipino Designers on Fashion’s Original Sin: Borrow, copy, steal or share?
 
Is there still such thing as a fashion design original? What warrants an accusation of being a ‘copycat?’ And what makes something tiptoe the fine, gray lines of ‘inspiration?’
 
By Rav De Castro


Read full content: http://bit.ly/1NOueRc

Filipino Dubai: The First Terno Ball in the UAE from Illustrado

Filipino Dubai: The First Terno Ball in the UAE

From Illustrado

Photos by Eros Goze

Filipino Culture showcased at prestigious Terno Ball in Dubai

Illustrado, under the patronage of the Diplomatic Ladies of the Philippine Consulate General together with the Ladies of the Filipino Community in the UAE hosted a unique and prestigious showcase of Filipino culture in the United Arab Emirates for a select group of VIPs. 

 

The Terno Ball, attended by some 300 diplomatic dignitaries, as well as leading community figures, was held on the 7^th of November at The Atlantis Hotel – The Palm Jumeirah.  A highlight of the event is the “Rigodon de Honor” – a traditional Filipino-Spanish quadrille folk dance, performed by select Philippine Consulate General staff members.  Dancers from the United International Private School and the Filipino Dancesport Social Club performed folk dances “Sayaw sa Bangko” and “Tinikling.”  Filipino fashion designers, including Michael Cinco, Ezra Santos, Jimi Buenconsejo, Bandoix Flores, Carla Fuentes, Alberr Fontanilla, Bambi Alcantara and Nelson Buhain, also showcased one-of-a-kind Filipiniana-inspired couture gowns.


According to Mrs. Lucila Cimafranca, wife of Philippine Consul General Frank Cimafranca and main patron of the event, “It is our hope that through this event, we will able to share and champion the magnificent beauty of the Filipino culture on the world stage. Many Filipinos have experienced great triumph in the UAE. This momentous gathering is an opportunity to pay tribute to these trailblazing kabayans, and also a chance for us to show our gratitude to the country and community that has been a truly gracious and generous host to the Filipino people.”
 

The event is sponsored by BMW, Ghena Tourism, Ayala Land International, Al Saif Group of Companies, The Farm at San Benito, Ariel Weddings and Rotana Hotel.


Special thanks to: MODELS: Ann Llagas, Glacy Marano, Benedickte Namia-Gamelgaard and FLC Models and Events; HAIR & MAKE-UP TEAM: Jhoana Nelissen, Yhence Sioting, Maricel and Bobby Caparas.

Filipino Designer: Illustrado Retro – Michael Cinco

Before he became known as the ‘impalpable one’ who creates million peso dresses, Michael Cinco, one of the world’s foremost Filipino designers was already larger than life.  Take a look into his colorful past as we backtrack on our first cover shoot with him in 2007.
 

ILLUSTRADO RETRO:  MICHAEL CINCO

From Illustrado Magazine
 
Story by Lalaine Chu-Benitez
 
Photography: Allan Desiderio
 
Model: Former Bb Pilipinas International 2002 Kristine Alzar
 
Hair and Make-Up: Basil Yunting
 
Shot at The One and Only Royal Mirage, Dubai

I asked Michael whether a specific designer influenced him. He answers, “I try not to be influenced by any designer. But I am ‘inspired” by the likes of John Galliano, as well as the Incas of Peru, the Mayans in Apocalypto, the marquee for the launches of the Palazzo Versace, including the wilted rose petal on my table, and the Curly Tops wrapper in the bin. I try to see beauty in everything.”
 

As a consummate fashion instigator, Michael puts a lot of importance on creativity and drama but insists that this must be balanced with reality. “It’s great to tell a story in every design but you must never forget that despite all the fantasy, the woman has to be satisfied and the dress has to be sold. I have to seduce woman into buying and wearing my clothes…that’s my role.”
 

With undeniable success in the local haute couture market, there’s nothing that even remotely resembles Michael’s cheeky mien and amusing dramatics, when it comes to his highly regarded body of work that has earned serious respect from his peers.  And inspite of it all, the designer still keeps a firmly rooted attitude attributing his success to hard work and luck. “I always believe that I’ve been lucky all the way. There are a lot of designers who work hard but don’t make it, he comments in earnest.


Read full story: http://goo.gl/jCS65Q