The immaculate creations of Jesus Lloren in this year's Red Charity Gala

 

From a childhood dream to finally living the life of a renowned fashion designer, Jesus Lloren tells us about his journey to success.

Lloren’s designs, known for the perfect marriage of minimalism and sophistication, started out as paper dolls and doodles.

 

 

 

“Sometime in Grade 5, I started reading fashion articles in the papers, clipping them and making my own drawings. I proudly showed them to my classmates and friends, but dreaded my parents seeing them,” he recalls.

Apparently, his parents expected him to continue the legacy of his father who was an accountant. Lloren tried to meet his parents’ expectations – they compromised and he ended up taking up B.S. Hotel and Restaurant Administration. Later, however, he realized that the fashion industry is indeed his true calling and thus, he mustered enough courage to shift to B.S. Clothing Technology in U.P. Diliman.

After earning a degree, Jesus first worked with Elite Garments, then for top designer Christian Espiritu. Later he found enough determination and skills to put up his own business, and here the designer admits that it was not easy to make a reputation in the fashion industry. As a beginner, his clients were very few and there were times when he felt strong envy towards the lavish lifestyle of friends.

Lloren had his big break in 1998 when he won the Philippine Young Designers Competition and Concours International des Jeunes Createurs in Paris. The abaca bodice that resembles a refined shiny armour became his winning piece, which also earned him a scholarship at the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de La Couture Parisienne touted as the alma mater of leading fashion designers such as Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent, Issey Miyake, and Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani.

 

His experiences and learning in Paris further honed his aesthetic vision and prepared him for making a trademark in the mainstream local fashion. Upon returning to his homeland, Lloren quickly established a reputation as a highly-skilled designer who is able to craft seemingly simple yet technically intricate designs. It was also around that time when he was nominated to head both the Young Designers Guild and the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines.

Heading two fashion associations gave him bigger responsibilities but such roles helped him build industry connections and friendships. He learned valuable lessons which he willing shares with students enrolled in fashion schools: Forget establishing a business right after graduation: “Work with a company or companies first in order to learn the trade. You will know where your strength, your interests, your market or your vision lie.”

After working with an established company or name, “then, you are well-prepared to run a business. Learn more, work more. Passion goes hand in hand with discipline and determination” he added. True enough, the sweet fruit of Lloren’s labor is now evident but he just continues to discover more things and move forward.

Clearly, crafting clothes with timeless beauty has always been the designer’s philosophy, so when asked about where all his unique design concepts are coming from, he shared that he finds inspiration almost everywhere; depression and loneliness even. And this will be evident in the pieces that will be showcased in the upcoming Red Charity Gala.

Organized by society icon Tessa Prieto-Valdes and philanthropist Kaye Tinga, the Red Charity Gala on October 18 will feature the immaculate workmanship of Jesus Lloren to raise funds for the Philippine Red Cross and Assumption High School Batch 1981 Foundation. It will be a 40-piece collection highlighting both architectural and soft and airy pieces inspired by Filipino paintings. “There'll be a lot of handwork. Some will have historical references,” Jesus explains.

Putting true Filipino artistry on the spotlight for a cause is perhaps one of the most rewarding experiences for a designer who has this keen eye for artistic quality, precision, and style. From paper dolls and doodles, Lloren now proudly brings Filipino design to a global level.

The Red Charity Gala show is directed by Ariel Lozada, fashion styling by Noel Manapat, and hair and make-up by Patrick Rosas.

The show is presented by Downy and Sunlife, supported by Bench, Megaworld, Makati Shangri-la, and Lifestyle Asia. Special thanks to Robert Blancaflor Group, Rustans, Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philippine Star.

For inquiries and reservations, contact Maggie Gineta at 0917-8325570 or visit www. redcharitygala.com

 

Jardiolin's "Stripped" exhibit: Embracing both male and female energies

Over the centuries, many artists, including the great masters, have indulged us with their depictions of the human body. In the modern times, can there be new ways to present the human form? Regina Margarita “Ina” Jardiolin, a promising young visual artist whose works give viewers a glimpse of possible new takes on gender issues in Philippine art, tells us that in fact, there is.

In Stripped: A Solo Exhibit, Ina explores the landscape of the human body, imbuing it with interesting touches of whimsy and fantasy. In each of the 13 pieces, the 25-year old graduate of Painting from the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts bravely combines the mundane and ethereal, for a collection that is at once familiar and novel.

Consider, for instance, the painting entitled “Stripped Collection #1” In the foreground, a naked man/woman is shown standing, eyes downcast. In the backdrop, a row of snake plants with flowers, which she chose because a snake can change its sex when necessary. Between the human figure and the plants is a blanket of starry skies

In another (Stripped Collection #2), two human figures seem to be staring right at the viewer, while at the back, just beneath a stream of blue space, there are three butterflies gloriously spread out. That the wings are not identical is an important detail, Ina is quick to explain. The butterflies are gynandromorphs – or organisms literally born half-male and female. Indeed, most of the elements in Ina’s paintings represent the fluid nature and duality of gender and sexuality.

“The juxtaposition of the landscape of outer space is always there as a representation of the vastness of possibilities, and the never ending change that goes on within and beyond us as individuals,” she explains.

More importantly, Ina presents her take on femininity and masculinity. Through her works, rendered meticulously using a bold color palette, she questions the society’s ideals of beauty, sex, and gender roles, while at the same time inviting the viewer to embrace both male and female energies.

To this end, Ina shares that she tried to make the figures androgynous, “a balance of both sexes.” True enough, in every painting, it is hard to identify whether her subject is a man or a woman. Where there is long hair, there will be a very angular face; where there is hint of smooth curves, there will be a very muscular torso. It’s as if she wants us to stop guessing, and instead focus on the more relevant questions.

The artist (center) with her mother Margarita, and grandmother Victoria Jardiolin

Aside from the framed paintings, Ina also presented paintings rendered on old now rare wooden shoe lasts – an apparent homage to her origins, she being part of the Jardiolin family, thirty years in the shoe industry with shoe brands Confetti, Marikina Shoe Exchange and Natasha. This time, Ina is taking the family name to another realm of visual design using a theme that is close to her heart.

“The roles we play are defined by what is born between our legs: the Feminine and Masculine. To be successful at the feminine must act maternal, reserved, quiet and soft. To be successful at the masculine one must be strong, bold and adventurous, unafraid at pain. But who decided that one's genitals defined one's role in life? Why does it define our personality?”

To see how Ina Jardiolin used her paintbrush and canvas to tackle these questions catch the Stripped: A Solo Exhibit. It will be on display starting  October 5, 2014 at the Kaida Contemporary Gallery in Quezon City.

Starting 'em young: A pageant for Cuties and Teenies

We know we're a beauty-pageant crazy country, with so many beauty titles and competitions happening throughout the year. Lately though, we've been seeing a lot of pageants for little girls and teenagers. 

But, so far, the most prestigious pageants for little girls in the country is Little Miss Solane which is not just a beauty pageant, but one that aims to help them grow into "empowered" ladies. Interesting. This year's competition happened recently, had  24 charming tots and teens competing for the crown,    at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura Premier.

 

Mrs. Philippines-Globe National Pageant Director Morena Carla Cabrera-Quimpo; Isla LPG Corporation CEO Ramon del Rosario and Solane Mother of the Year Jessie Lou Lucero

 Isla Petroleum and Gas CEO Shoichi Watanabe and Isla LPG Corporation CEO Ramon del Rosario welcomed the guests. 

The stellar panel of judges was composed of Solane Promotions and Research Manager Valerimae Batenga, Solane Product and Brand Manager Ernest Loquinario, Solane Mother of the Year 2013 Jessie Lou Lucero, Mrs. Philippines-Globe 2013 2nd runner up Rachel Ann Felix, Mrs. Philippines-Globe 2013 Woman of Substance Rizza Singson, theatre actor and singer Al Gatmaitan and former beauty queen and model Patty Betita.

 

Former beauty queen Patty Betita, Mrs. Philippines-Globe 2013 2nd Runner-Up Rachel Ann Felix

 and Solane Promotions and Research Manager Valeri Batenga

Cebuana girls Marydee Manayaga and Duchess Blythe Uybengkee were crowned as this year's Little Miss Solane Cuties and Teenies.

 

Cuties from left (front row): 1st runner up Steph Netthel Redne Yamut, Little Miss Solane 2014 Marydee Manayaga and 2nd runner up Ashley Kate Arindain; Teenies from left (back row): 1st runner up Ma. Dominique Trillana, Little Miss Solane 2014 Duchess Blythe Uybengkee and 2nd runner up Kyla Angelica Marie De Catalina

Little Miss Solane Cuties 2013 Caryl Codina and Little Miss Solane Teenies 2013 Gabbi Lopez happily passed their crowns to the new winners. Caryl shared that travelling around the country was her memorable part of being a Little Miss Solane, while Gabbi was grateful that the pageant helped her to be confident, eventually taking a spot in the GMA Artist Center as one of its talents.

John Lloyd Cruz, Anne Curtis and being a Superbods

I've always been a fan of John Lloyd Cruz movies. Of course, I've not watched all of his movies but the few ones I've seen - One More Chance, All of My Life - were enough to convince me that if it's a film that stars the matinee idol, it would be worth watching. Like most of his fans, we can easily identify with the down-to-earth characters he's played. Plus, he's relatable, like your good-looking next-door neighbor and to my mind, he's never the hunk. He can be sensitive, temperamental and a bit dramatic but never the hunky fellow girls drool over.

That's why it was such a big and pleasant surprise when Century Tuna revealed a better version of the star in the recent Superbods Super Challenge 2014 in Boracay. It was still John Lloyd but in a whole new light! His arms were toned, his body looked firmer, fitter and healthier. The guy didn't take off his shirt, but it was evident he was a brand-new., better version of himself. 

The event truly sizzled. Before JLC was called onstage, Anne Curtis worked her charm and hyped up the crowd. As a glorious night of fitness and transformation, the event saw the big reveal of John Lloyd Cruz’s leaner body after losing 18 pounds in six weeks!

Of course, the reveal of JLC wasn't the only highlight of the show. The event, hosted by Joey Mead-King in her ethereal orange resort dress drew in VIPs, including the Po Family, Century Tuna Pacific Food, Inc. executives led by its general manager Greg Banzon, and group product manager of Century Tuna Gela Gamboa. Special guests were Superbods 2012 grand winners Monika Sta. Maria and John Spainhour.

There were  20 stunning male and female finalists competing for the Superbods title, and at the end of the show, Sara Polverini and Mauro Lumba were hailed as the Mr. &. Ms. Superbods 2014, followed by Alaiza Malinao and Marneil Lim as first runners-up, while Catherine Almirante and Laurens Tolenaars ranked as second runners-up.

Century Tuna Superbods 2014 grand winners Sara and Mauro (third and fourth from left) were crowned by (from left) Century Pacific Food Inc. general manager Greg Banzon, Century Tuna endorsers Anne and John Lloyd, and Century Tuna group product manager Gela Gamboa.

The finalists in this year's Century Tuna Superbods SuperChallenge

Century Superbods 2014 Mauro Lumba

Century Superbods 2014 Sarah Polverini

Judging them based on body and beauty, mind, and race challenge were Tessa Prieto- Valdes, Tim Yap, Doris Dumlao, Dennis Lustico, Ariel Comia, Patty Betita, and Greg Banzon.

Other special awards include the Superbods Photogenic award won by Alaiza Malinao and Miguel Lasala, Superbods Transformation award won by Darlene Anderson and Miguel Lasala, and People’s Choice award won by Diane Tan and Mauro Lumba.

To celebrate the success of the Superbods Super Challenge 2014, the night capped off with an after party at The District, joined by some of the celebrities like Gretchen Fulido, Antoinette Taus, Tom Taus, Chynna Cojuangco, and Maricel and Anthony Pangilinan.

The Boys Night Out - Slick Rick, Sam YG and Tony Toni

Century Tuna's Greg Banzon and Gela Gamboa

Century Tuna Superbods 2012 John Spainhour and Monika Sta Maria

Karen Pamintuan and Gelli Victor

Patty Betita

Tessa Valdes

Days after the event, a video of JLC, this time without a shirt, was released. Truly impressive!!

Truly, Century Tuna once again raised the standards with the sexiest and hottest summer event, The Superbods Super Challenge 2014. The event was made possible by Air Asia Zest, Carbtrim, Pearl of the Pacific, San Mig Zero, Solaire Resort & Casino, Belo Sun Protect, Gardenia, Medicard, Smart, The District, Zen Wellness Spa, Azur, Bite Me, Gardenia, Black Market, Nereku, Pink Salmon Colthing, SM Supermalls & SM Mall of Asia, Tony Galvez Salon, and Victor Ortega Salon.