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MARINABENIPAYO: A FASHIONABLY BALANCED LIFE

Queen MEGAN

Megan celebrates as her

beauty conquers the world!

SENATOR Cynthia AGUILAR-VILLAR:

Crusading For The People’s Right To A Healthful Ecology

No.

HIGHLY STYLE

TOP

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FDAP’s

Haute Couture 1 FMAGAZINE |

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EATURES & HIGHLIGHTS

EDITOR’S NOTE

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fashion museum very short description, should fit this text box

hue couture

queen megan

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orient express

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airport runway

marina benipayo

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senator cynthia aguilar-villar very short description, should fit this text box

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street smart

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t was definitely a heart pounding experience but never heart-breaking, it was all worth it! As they say “Great things comes to those who wait”. The last 4 months has been a roller coaster ride from creating the logo, brainstorming the concept and the rigorous ride to implementation. Getting the best writers and getting the best articles to match F Magazine’s standard. Looking back, the ride was tremendous, challenging but inspiring. F is a Bi-annual magazine, every fashion and lifestyle enthusiast will definitely fall in love with F. Every issue signifies an intention to help and guide the readers not only on fashion but life itself that from sheer imagination comes creativity then from that one can shape possibilities. This is your new resource book on the latest trends and innovations created in collaboration with FDAP. You can be sure every issue will lead your heart to a “beautiful life” For this maiden issue, F calls for a celebration! Enjoy reading!

“It’s a time of over-indulgence in every thing from food to fashion, to other words beginning with f ” mumbled a fashionable friend last week, half-spitting prawncrackers over her beautiful handcrafted Cheongsam (a fancy Chinese frock), and spewing, “We’ll all be pigging out on bigger portions, including extra helpings of Far East fashion.”

Dynes Regner

glam slam

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ISSUE NO . 1

PRESIDENT’S NOTE

EDITORIAL BOARD

- T HE MAIDEN ISSUE -

Dynes Regner Editor in Chief

hen I served my third term as FDAP President in 2006, it was the Silver anniversary of the group and one of my biggest projects then was to publish our coffee table book entitled “Sagala, the Queen of Philippine Festivals”. It was well-received and got nothing but good reviews and sales soars when we launched it with a fashion show at the Century Park Hotel in Manila, and at the Philippine Consulate in New York City and another one at the Pasadena Hilton in California on that same year. The contents of the book includes the history of the “Sagalhan” tradition, FDAP, Bodyshots Models Search and a gallery of every FDAPs masterpieces from the former to the current at that time. Now at my Fourth term and setting aside history for now, I’m opening new doors as I welcome 22 new members to the group. “Perfect combination” defines the new breed of seasoned and promising designers with varied specialties that ranges from Haute Couture, RTW, Men’s wear, Swimwear and Avant Garde styles. It is very inspiring, challenging and at the same time “a learning experience” for me to be given an opportunity to work with these new breed of talents. I have great faith that everything fell into the right places on a perfect time when this magazine project was proposed to FDAP by one of our new member Dave Ocampo together with his hard working friends Dynes Regner, Merlyn Pinili and Joy Abaja of Vibrant Instyle Media Publishing. This will definitely give each of our 40 members the suitable exposure to showcase their latest collections and promote their own business. Publishing our own FDAP magazine has been an aspirational passion for me, Lito Perez and Danilo Franco; they have worked closely with me on this project. In fact it was Lito who ingeniously coined the name “F” for our magazine that does not only stands for FDAP but also for Fashion, Fine living, Food, Flight destination , Fine arts and Face and the many things you can think of with F. When it rain it pours, during the planning for the perfect cover, the team had a tough time then I suddenly thought of Megan Young who was freshly crowned Miss World Philippines at that time. Miss Cory Quirino with no hesitation agreed on my request, we were able to shoot Megan exactly two days before her flight to Indonesia for the Miss World Pageant. Good things the shoot happened prior to her winning the crown or else I don’t think it is any way possible to catch and shoot her for the cover given her very busy travelling schedules

Matet Afable Managing Editor FASHION EDITOR: Edgar San Diego LIFE STYLE EDITOR: Lito Perez FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR: Fanny Serrano ASSOCIATE FASHION EDITOR: Dave Ocampo EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Ruby Rica Efren ART ART DIRECTOR: Danilo Franco CONTRIBUTORS Joel Aldor, Zardo A. Austria, Rene Bisquera, Dra. Riza de Leon, Candy Ramos, Gitri San Diego, Fanny Serrano PHOTOGRAPHERS Edmund Chua, Tsard Chua, Alexis Fusilero, Dustin Drake Ibay, Benjie Jacinto, Yukie Sarto, Melvin Sia and Square Peg Films STYLIST Alexander Abad, Mua Jandra Babiera, Lia Contreras, Pauline Macapagal, Raoul Ramirez and Domz Ramos BUSINESS BUSINESS MANAGER: Josephine L. Abaja PR CONSULTANT: Rina Reyes ADVERTISING MANAGER: Merlyn L. Pinili SALES ASSOCIATE: Lilibeth Cheska Celestino, Almina Doronila, Marissa Fajardo, Grace Medina, Athena Remigio and Ricky Velarde CIRCULATION MANAGER: Lewie L. Abaja F is published bi-annual by Vibrant Instyle Media Co. 131 Alley 2 Project 6, Quezon City Editorial Tel. 280-4325 Marketing Hotline: 351-1827 Telefax: 501-2483 Email: vibrant.instyle@gmail.com Copyright 2013 VIBRANT INSTYLE MEDIA CO. All rights reserved. Printed in the Republic of the Philippines. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of VIBRANT INSTYLE Media Co.

Glory to God for all the perfect timings, wonderful blessings, supportive members, true friends and kind sponsors. True to the fact is as early as now we are highly considering “F” Magazine to come out quarterly and who knows it could be monthly. Yes our maiden issue for “F” talks about celebration and I guess we have all have beautiful reasons to celebrate.

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FASHION

MUSEUM Like any piece of art, every creation creates an impression, every inch a master piece. Looking through the details of each design is like walking your way to an art exhibit. Designer: DAVE OCAMPO stylist: PAULINE MACAPAGAL associate stylist: JAY MARVIN BATALLA Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO Make up Artist: PAMM MERRERA hairstylist: ira jucaban accessories: kannah manila shoes: orlie morgan lOCATION: PINTO GALLERY C/O DR. JOVEN CUANANG

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Designer: GEOFFREY ZORDILLA stylist: PAULINE MACAPAGAL associate stylist: JAY MARVIN BATALLA Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO Make up Artist: PAMM MERRERA hairstylist: ira jucaban accessories: kannah manila shoes: orlie morgan lOCATION: PINTO GALLERY C/O DR. JOVEN CUANANG

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Designer: DANILO FRANCO stylist: PAULINE MACAPAGAL associate stylist: JAY MARVIN BATALLA Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO Make up Artist: PAMM MERRERA hairstylist: ira jucaban accessories: kannah manila shoes: orlie morgan lOCATION: PINTO GALLERY C/O DR. JOVEN CUANANG

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Designer: RIKKO ESCARO stylist: PAULINE MACAPAGAL associate stylist: JAY MARVIN BATALLA Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO Make up Artist: PAMM MERRERA hairstylist: ira jucaban accessories: kannah manila shoes: orlie morgan lOCATION: PINTO GALLERY C/O DR. JOVEN CUANANG

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Designer: EDGAR MADAMBA stylist: PAULINE MACAPAGAL associate stylist: JAY MARVIN BATALLA Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO Make up Artist: PAMM MERRERA hairstylist: ira jucaban accessories: kannah manila shoes: orlie morgan lOCATION: PINTO GALLERY C/O DR. JOVEN CUANANG

Designer: PRISTINE DE GUZMAN stylist: PAULINE MACAPAGAL associate stylist: JAY MARVIN BATALLA Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO Make up Artist: PAMM MERRERA hairstylist: ira jucaban accessories: kannah manila shoes: orlie morgan lOCATION: PINTO GALLERY C/O DR. JOVEN CUANANG | FMAGAZINE

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Designer: PERRY DIAZ stylist: PAULINE MACAPAGAL associate stylist: JAY MARVIN BATALLA Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO Make up Artist: PAMM MERRERA hairstylist: ira jucaban accessories: kannah manila shoes: orlie morgan lOCATION: PINTO GALLERY C/O DR. JOVEN CUANANG

Designer: OLE MORABE stylist: PAULINE MACAPAGAL associate stylist: JAY MARVIN BATALLA Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO Make up Artist: PAMM MERRERA hairstylist: ira jucaban accessories: kannah manila shoes: orlie morgan lOCATION: PINTO GALLERY C/O DR. JOVEN CUANANG

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Joining the international pageant gives Megan a chill but she is fiery and fearless and ready to have fun. Fresh from winning the nationals, Megan says she hasn’t changed a bit. “When I wear the crown, it feels really heavy, I feel like I have another head on my head. Yet, It gives me a feel of elegance. It’s every girl’s dream to be a Princess; I’m not looking at it superficially. Dreams do come true. It’s a beautiful dream to achieve.”

Queen MEGAN Megan meets World, World Meets Megan BY G3 san diego

For 61 years we have aspired for and dreamed about the elusive Miss World crown. We came close at least thrice (Evangeline Pascual, 1st Princess 1973, Ruffa Guttierez, 2nd Princess 1993 and Gwen Rhuais, 1st Princess 2011), but it was 23-year old Megan Young who finally brought home the crown.

Growing up, Megan said she never really felt beautiful. She was so thin, tall, and lanky with braces on her teeth. In her childhood she was called different nicknames, they often called her “Olive Oil”, “Walis Tingting” and “Ate Bulate”. She was, (and still is) “a geek” would prefer computer games to dolls and she wasn’t very athletic. “I was lampa.” Megan said. Then suddenly she blossomed into a beautiful lady and then she went into showbiz. She was a runner-up for a talent reality search on television; Megan began to appreciate herself and started to improve her body and well-being. She swiftly had an intense passion for Fashion, through reading glamorous magazines. She claims she is not that Fashion conscious and will always be comfortable wearing jeans and tees. Megan also quickly embraced her innate beauty she says her best feature are her

lips. “I’m used to appreciate them. I was so insecure about how thick they are.” With her body, her favorite are her shoulders, for her - a woman’s shoulders define the difference between a model and a beauty queen. “For models your shoulder helps you showcase different styles but for a beauty queen it makes you walk tall and proud.” That is the main reason why Megan decided to tread the path of beauty pageants. She has every reason to be, she has that gorgeous smile, she is very smart and articulate plus the fact that she wanted to serve through the help of the pageant. Indeed Miss World spells the perfect arena for her. She was once a VJ, a host and a “teleserye” lead actress. But she knew that someday she’s destined for something even greater. “My image of a beauty queen is aspirational – an inspiration to others, to all Filipinas.” Then Megan’s quest for the crown begins - armed with good looks, personality and a purpose. She stood out and was the runaway winner for Miss World she bagged eight special awards, not one not two but eight. “I’m not expecting it. I worked from the bottom up. I told myself “I’m will work for it.” I didn’t know if I am ready to lose, it will be such a shame. Will I get a job after this?” Her worries quickly went away and images and glitter of one glorious crown came one after another. Just a month after winning Ms. World Philippines came yet another crowning moment. On September 28, 2013, Megan became The Philippines’ first-ever Miss World winner, ending 61 years of dry spell and making our country as the first ever nation that won all the prestigious beauty titles worldwide (Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Earth, Miss Supranational and Miss Tourism International). Her victory was not only important for her but to our nation as well. It only signifies that Filipinas can stand out and be crowned as the most beautiful in the world.

Designer: fanny serrano stylist: DOMZ RAMOS Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO ASST. PHOTOGRAPHER: CHICKEN GARILAO HAIR AND MAKE UP: fanny serrano ACCESSORIES: FANNY SERRANO ACCESSORIES shoes: NEREKU

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Designer: EDGAR SAN DIEGO stylist: DOMZ RAMOS Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO ASST. PHOTOGRAPHER: CHICKEN GARILAO HAIR AND MAKE UP: fanny serrano ACCESSORIES: FANNY SERRANO ACCESSORIES shoes: NEREKU FMAGAZINE |

“My image of a beauty queen is aspirational – an inspiration to others, to all Filipinas.”

“There’s no particular look for a Filipina beauty, having mix cultures and given the fact that we had been colonized by many countries like Spanish, American, Japanese and Chinese – the modern day Filipina transcend different beauty angles and beauty pageants explore that and I was given that time to shine.” Her personality and determination to win was Megan’s edge more than her regal bearing. “I’m super madaldal, that’s what’s funny, I’m the unconventional beauty queen, I like that I’m different. So I said, “Why don’t I use that to my advantage?” Maybe there’s something great about being the odd one.” Megan was very confident and her years in show business helped her a lot. Being the eldest of three siblings is another factor why she knew she had to lead and become a good example not just to her sister and brother but to her fans and many others who aspire and dream of being like her. “Before kasi I had so many plans. I didn’t have the means to do so. I asked “How can I help them?” Now that I have the title, I’ll have influence. I will not be alone in the process, I can help now.” She is set to fulfill her plan, she is carrying her beauty with a purpose and the world will be a witness to it. Looking forward, she is very hopeful for the Future. “The grass is greener on the other side, a lot of good things coming, not only for me but all around me, and for my country as well” she believes.

Designer: LITO PEREZ stylist: DOMZ RAMOS Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO ASST. PHOTOGRAPHER: CHICKEN GARILAO HAIR AND MAKE UP: fanny serrano ACCESSORIES: FANNY SERRANO ACCESSORIES shoes: NEREKU

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As Megan sits beautifully on the Miss World throne, her speech was in Filipino. “Maraming salamat mga kababayan ko, para sa inyo ito.” Because of her speech pride exudes from the Philippines to Indonesia, and the United Kingdom, this time with a more brilliant and heavier crown that now sits perfectly on her beautiful head where it belong. With all the glory Megan promises to be the same. “I know for sure, I will not change, the things I want to do in my life. My purpose will magnify even more. One thing for sure, I’ll be an inspiration to little girls with insecurities I will help them use what they have to their advantage and let it take them to wonderful places.” Brilliant words from a girl who came a long way who used to be “Ate Bulate” and now Miss World 2013. Megan Young has made history and everyone across the world became a witness. She gave a “shout out” and confirmed that the Filipina is the most beautiful in the world.

Designer: JOYCE PILARSKY stylist: DOMZ RAMOS Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO ASST. PHOTOGRAPHER: CHICKEN GARILAO HAIR AND MAKE UP: fanny serrano ACCESSORIES: FANNY SERRANO ACCESSORIES shoes: NEREKU

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and craft which in two short years has earned her the loyal and increasing following from a young, fashion-conscious clientele. More heartwarming is the recognition by peers, colleagues and the wide, multi-level world of Philippine-made fashion. In 2012, Ms. Tal was finalist in the accessories category of the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines’ “Weaving the Future” competition for young fashion designers. More recently, she collaborated with SoFA students for a fashion show that required fresh looks for fashion’s staple products. In both instances, she articulated her conscious preference for Filipiniana leitmotifs, extensively using local weaves and materials like raffia, abaca,suede and local-sourced leather and wood. This last material brings back the classic glory of the Filipino wooden shoes called ‘bakya.’

Animalia Filipina Collection: Buwaya

Ever with a mind and eyes for nice details, Ms.Tal combines and/or mixmatches her shoe materials according to visual and textural appeal; for her wedges, the wovens – which she commissioned the weavers of the Philippines Textile Research Institute to loom – go with the

the

“...when I started doing shoes, na in-love ako.” Animalia Filipina Collection: Tarsier

“I’ve always been drawn to the arts, but I know I would go into business as well,” enthuses Krystal de Guzman, who, at 23, seems to be one of the youngest fashion entrepreneurs in the country today.

Animalia Filipina Collection: Pawikan

Young as she is, Ms. Tal started making her baby steps into fashion after graduating with an Arts Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University. While subsequently enrolled in a Fashion Design course at the School of Fashion Arts (SoFA), she also began thinking of her eventual field of specialization.

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collection. A sure bet that it would attract more foreign – and online – customers.

“Lady of Devotion,” with its carving of sampaguita chain is a pretty pair of her wooden wedges from her “Paganismo/ Kristiyanismo” collection. It even has a story – or social commentary – to tell. “While they are sold by streetkids, they are also offered before Marian images and all other saints, di ba?” she explains.

At press time this November, Ms. Tal and her shoes is one of the 12 finalists again in the accessories category of the prestigious “Look of Style Awards” given out by Look Magazine. Perhaps she will unveil here a concept that’s been boiling in her aesthetic brain these days: a collection with metal embellishment that -- not so unlike the ‘pinukpok’ metal inlays commonly done on religious statues – will make them look like pieces of jewelry.

Just last September, she was chosen as one of the final five from the Philippines to compete in the Global Student Entrepreneur Award’s regional competition to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (The regional winner here goes to Washington DC, US of A. for the global finals.)

“Bags sana ang gusto kong unahing i-brand, but when I started doing shoes, na in-love ako; feeling ko mas kaya kong maging creative duon,” she says. So in May 2012 her first “Risquedesigns” collection was launched, previewing what would be her styling trademark: the use of local materials and local skill.

unique wooden heels she had handcarved by Paete,Laguna woodcarving artists.

Also in October just past, she took the risk of participating in the CITEM-organized Manila FAME trade exhibit, showcasing her latest collection, “Animalia Filipina.” Aside from the snake – her take on 2013 as the Chinese Year of the Snake – there are the buwaya, tamaraw, tarsier and pawikan in this indigenous animal

Presently working for her second degree – BS Entrepreneurship at The One in Makati – she is also buoyed up by her commitment to her art Animalia Filipina Collection: Tamaraw

Even as she admits that her shoes are a bit pricey, she emphasizes that a lot of time and creative effort – hers, the weavers’ and carvers’ – goes into every pair of each limited-edition design that comes, when delivered, wrapped in pigskin-leather box. And in the near future and as a way to toeing the ecological cause sweeping the world, she has already commissioned the weavers of PTRI and an enterprising youth group to partner in weaving and manufacturing the pest plant into organic bags and boxes for her Risquedesigns. FMAGAZINE |

MaluLaurena a head for hats

he señora is Maria Lourdes Rodriguez Laurena, who is in her 70s and the brain behind those wonderful fascinators that Inquirer’s high society columnist Tessa Prieto Valdez is never, in all her public appearances, without one on her pretty little head. While Ms. Tessa is her most prominent paying customer, Ms. Malu confirms that she is also obviously Hat Momma’s loyal brand ambassador. The brand was born a few years back out of a need to fill up an assigned booth for

an Inner Wheel Club’s bazaar which one of Ms. Malu’s sisters organized. This prompted Ms. Malu’s daughter to label her token effort as Hat Momma; a stepson who works in the advertising industry contributed the tagline “Topless can be so uncool.” From then on, Hat Momma’s hats and fascinators – those small headbands that are as fascinating as they’re embellished – have been selling in bazaar after bazaar like the proverbial, well, hotcakes. But before Hat Momma, Ms. Malu, a Fine Arts graduate from the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, hotly pursued careers in business, always unconsciously revolving around her fine artistic and fashionable sense. Growing up until high school in the care of a doting but childless aunt – Nina Estrada Puyat, who is a sister of the late senator Eva Estrada Kalaw – Ms. Malu remembers being taken along everywhere her adoptive mom would go. When they would go, “my favorite aunt would put kung anu-ano sa buhok at ulo ko.” Abroad, they would attend horse races and she would be exposed to seeing the ladies in attendance wearing hats of all sorts. Same aunt was her baptismal ‘ninang’ and much later to her two marriages. Business-wise and alongside her first husband’s wood furniture export business and tailoring shop called Cork Street, Ms. Malu had her 1884, where she was selling paintings, antiques and black boxes (this last was all the rage back in the early 70s from Binondo to Bloomingdale’s). For Cork Street, which was in the same building on Pasay Road, she was making its “junior edition” clothes from the “mga retaso” (leftover pieces of textile), neckties and Cork Street’s bags. Eventually she would be exporting truckloads and truckloads of rattan craft – lounge chairs, trays, baskets, etc. – to Germany and everywhere where there was a craze for such rattan wares.

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“...she commits to continue doing whatever passion she has taken up for her creative ego fulfillment” Finding herself and family temporarily relocated (during the Martial Law period) in Los Angeles, California in the US of A, she answered a wanted ad for a manager of an art gallery. To her surprise, she was hired outright. She was making good money for the gallery but after a year decided to give it up as she realized “I had no legal status to work there,” she said. Back in the Philippines soon after EDSA I, she, together with lady friends including former Quezon City Mayor Mel Mathay’s Vilma Valera, put up the very first, she claims, rice topping (called SurpRice) and everything in a barbecue stick (Walastik) kiosks in the Greenhills shopping mall. They closed it when their marketing guy, the husband of a Chinese partner, died. “Para kaming mga Doña Buding… okay lang tikim-tikim, tindatinda, sosyal-sosyal, pero ayaw naming mamalengke,” she grinned at her group’s adventure into the snack food business.

Ever with a head for business, they next put up Nouvelle Apparel which supplied SM with RTW fashion designed by a young JunJun Cambe, but closed it after just about a year as they could not put up with the store’s 90-day payment scheme. Now, Hat Momma is what’s keeping Ms. Malu ever busy these days, even if her second husband, the interior designer Roland Laurena, calls it “kalokohan.” But, she emphasizes that the more she is told “tigilan mo na iyang kalokohan,” the more she commits to continue doing whatever passion she has taken up for her creative ego fulfillment – and perhaps security. Incredibly, Hat Momma was born as an instinctive reaction to her “trauma,” she says, of her home – which was just three houses away from the guardhouse of a gated community in Makati’s business district – being burglarized twice in a span of six months. And so, while her friends would frequent moviehouses and casinos or play mahjong, Ms. Malu would rather stay at home – her family has, since the second burglary, transferred to another gated but more secure, she says, subdivision south of Makati – and get on with her millinery passion.

after a fashion – that she continues to create her fascinators. Here, with the raw materials sourced from everywhere – sinamay especially comes from Albay, Quezon and Dumaguete; the true ‘white’ sinamay that brides rally like comes from “a manufacturer in Tarlac who uses a distinct Taiwanese bleaching technology,” she says. And with the help of some three ‘kasambahay’ – “who must be computer literate or internet savvy before I employ them,” she emphasizes, because “I’m not a techie person … and the internet has a lot of designs which are “puwedeng gayahin o palitan ang material at pagandahin pa,” Malu thus makes real the innumerable requests from brides, ladies of the diplomatic corps, fashionconscious ladies (and lately, men) of society for appropriately headturning fascinators. Creating fascinators is a hobby and, well, a business indeed. At the prime of her senior life, Ms. Malu Laurena likes it that way – it keeps her at home, feeling safe and comfortable with her passion and amidst her well-tended garden and fine art collection which, not surprisingly, includes a number of fascinating fascinators.

It is in this second house – which she and Roland bought, renovated and interiored FMAGAZINE |

HUE

Dummy tesxt only: The señora is Maria Lourdes Rodriguez Laurena, who is in her 70s and the brain behind those wonderful fascinators that Inquirer’s high society columnist Tessa Prieto Valdez is never, in all her public appearances, without one on her pretty little head. While Ms. Tessa is her most prominent paying customer, Ms. Malu confirms that she is also obviously Hat Momma’s loyal brand

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timeless

As as it is and the luxury that is fundamental with Orient Express will definitely describe the very creation that was done for these pages. Each design will echo the touch of the finest Orient Express creation to suit the DRAMA that characterizes the theme.

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Designer: RHOLAND ROXAS stylist: ALEXANDER ABAD Photographer: TSARD CHUA make up: ten franco hair: james nualia LOCATION: ETHNIC ORIENTAL SHOP C/O JANET YAO

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Designer: ROLAND LIRIO stylist: ALEXANDER ABAD Photographer: TSARD CHUA make up: ten franco hair: james nualia LOCATION: ETHNIC ORIENTAL SHOP C/O JANET YAO FMAGAZINE |

Designer: PAUL RAINIER LIM stylist: ALEXANDER ABAD Photographer: TSARD CHUA make up: ten franco hair: james nualia LOCATION: ETHNIC ORIENTAL SHOP C/O JANET YAO

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Designer: AAN PINEDA stylist: ALEXANDER ABAD Photographer: TSARD CHUA make up: ARIES MANAL hair: ARIES MANAL LOCATION: ETHNIC ORIENTAL SHOP C/O JANET YAO FMAGAZINE |

Designer: KAREN CASTRO stylist: ALEXANDER ABAD Photographer: TSARD CHUA make up: ten franco hair: james nualia LOCATION: ETHNIC ORIENTAL SHOP C/O JANET YAO

Designer: GENER GOZUM stylist: ALEXANDER ABAD Photographer: TSARD CHUA make up: ARIES MANAL hair: ARIES MANAL LOCATION: ETHNIC ORIENTAL SHOP C/O JANET YAO

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Designer: vivo nazareth stylist: ALEXANDER ABAD Photographer: TSARD CHUA make up: ten franco hair: james nualia LOCATION: ETHNIC ORIENTAL SHOP C/O JANET YAO

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Designer: BOYET DYSANGCO stylist: ALEXANDER ABAD Photographer: TSARD CHUA make up: ten franco hair: james nualia LOCATION: ETHNIC ORIENTAL SHOP C/O JANET YAO

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e l b a l ! i s a e v n a i p w p o i N e Phil in th

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Alkaline Silver-Nano Particle Spray A compact cosmetic spray. Simply fill with water and use on the face or body. Produces soft, alkaline water to promote healthy skin. Pure silver in the water helps with skin problems such as eczema, spots and rash. Moisturises, refreshes and tones the skin. Proven to help eczema and psoriosis - Thousands of people now use our filters to control the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis. Visit our blog to read our happy customers comments. Contains Ceramet - Aquatiere filters contain our own ceramic filter media CERAMET which controls bacteria, reduces scale and enhances pH balance. Kills bacteria (including Staphloccocus aureus) - Eczema flare ups are created by a common bacteria which enters the top layer of the skin. Ceramet, the media within the ion spray kills this bacteria.

PLEASE ASK FOR PHOTO ONLY

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Ideal travel filter - Compact enough to fit in your luggage, protects against over chlorinated and partly treated water. Better for skin and wellbeing. Refillable up to 1,000 times!

For a list of retailers contact +63.2.654.5890 loc. 8005 ionspray@bluedynamicsph.com www.bluedynamicsph.com/ionspray

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Top: Foliage Appeal - one of Pido’s favourite photos showing a composition of varied hues of green highlighted by farm-grown mammoth Brazilian philodendrons Below: Paris Ambience at the World Trade Center – The Ambience of Paris can be brought to your party venue. This is the AmbiencebyPido booth in a wedding fair co-produced with Themes and Motifs as event organizer. AmbiencebyPido has a huge inventory of grass carpet to cover an entire tent venue.

A mix of lighting effects and natural elements like a trellis, wooden planks, park benches, and fresh floral installations transform a ballroom into a picturesque garden.

Sensory Experiences created by AmbiencebyPido by candy a. ramos

Do you remember how the last soiree you attended looked and felt like? Were you greeted by carousel horses as you walked under the colourful canopy of a carnival tent? Did you cross a wooden bridge while glimpsing a fairy tale forest? Or did the sight of swaying palms and colourful cabanas transport you to a tropical paradise?

Not yet a decade in the country’s events management industry, Pido has gained a high reputation for being a bold innovator and creative virtuoso. He is credited with pioneering the use of indoor landscaping in event styling. Walkways beautified with evergreen horsetails and buffet tables adorned with oversize monstera deliciosa leaves are examples of his signature looks.

These are only a few of unforgettable experiences that an expertly imagined and professionally assembled event can offer. “Ambience as an experience in itself” is the raison d’être of the style provocateur simply known as Pido and his events brand, AmbiencebyPido.

Even though he is classified as an event stylist, Pido is more of a creative director who crafts the total look that visually delivers a message. He brings the story of his clients to life, then enriches it with his own vision. The result is nothing short of stunning. A sumptuous tablescape of exquisite fruit bowls and flower

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arrangements, elegant brocade covers, and antique accent pieces that would please even Marie Antoinette. A moonlit Manhattan skyline with a view of Central Park. A tent venue transformed into the playground of Grecian gods and goddesses. If a client can imagine it, Ambience by Pido will make it real. From a hobby growing ornamentals that developed into landscape consultancy and garden facelifts, AmbiencebyPido is now one of the big names in event concepts and production design. The creative team specializes in creating atmospheres for bridal events, debutante balls, proms, fashion shows, corporate events, and exhibitions. Pido is most sought after for private events such as weddings and debuts where he is in his element—using his rich imagination and flair for aesthetic foliage arrangements to create theatrical settings from which the celebrants dramatically emerge. He counts as regular clients Republiq Club, Opus Restaurant and

Lounge, Saint Pedro Poveda College, style maven Ms. Tess Prieto-Valdes, and many of Manila’s top fashion houses. Pido leverages his expansive collection of ornamentals, table accessories, and architectural accents to deliver an engaging sensory experience for his clients and their guests. “Nararamdaman”, as he calls it. He has English urns, baroque lamps and birdcages to recreate a definitive time in history. Competition breed pigeons amp up the realism. Alabaster busts, arcs, pedestals and pillars lend a classic look. Ornate day beds, candelabras and sheer fabrics romanticize any setting; while a ballroom-size Eiffel Tower whisk guests to fashionable Paris. He is grateful that he continues to work with topflight directors, fashion designers, and event venues that make it possible for him to learn from the best. Few challenges faze him. For the launch of the Bench Celebrity Scent, FMAGAZINE |

Impalpable by Michael Cinco, he installed a big tree in the proscenium. Trust Pido to make it no ordinary tree as its leaves were made of white feathers and it was sturdy enough for a model to ride a swing from one of its branches. It was the highlight of the fantasy evening. Pido breaks away from his usually understated demeanor once he starts talking about his farm and his work. “I like selling my ideas”, he quips. But he does not have to say a word. His masterpieces speak for themselves. In this spread are samples of Ambience by Pido theme environments that have literally floored his clients through the years. He looks forward to style his dream project-the ultimate Enchanted Forest, where no expense will be spared for him to orchestrate into a thematic cohesion all the elements of a production encompassing venue, décor, landscaping, lighting, catering, music, fashion, entertainment, giveaways, backdrops and props. Until that day comes, the unassuming master of styling will continue to paint ballrooms and gardens with his strokes of genius.

Clockwise: 1. Staging details for a carnivalthemed debut; 2. Nature’s bounty in a buffet setting is represented by a handsome ‘dapo’ plant in an ornate vase and natural wood blocks layered with lots of fresh produce; 3. A ballroom is transformed with a delightful carnival ambiance.

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Top to bottom: 1. Bench Fashion Show – A collaboration with Robby Carmona - staging and ramp for the launch of Michael Cinco’s Impalpable perfume from the Bench Celebrity Scents line; 2. Opus Club anniversary – Long, long table settings for Opus Club anniversary dinner; 3. Feather Tree - Pido’s original feather tree design for Michael Cinco’s Impalpable perfume launch. This tree has been most requested for winter-themed events. (photo from internet ); 4. Phantom of the Opera – Phantom of the Opera - A dream made a reality with event management, staging, direction, lighting, giveaways, casting, and choreography by Team AmbiancebyPido

FMAGAZINE |

traditional paella valenciana recipe

A Pan of

Love & Celebration Christmas season brings about deep nostalgic feelings to many of us. For me, it comes from the anticipation of our family gatherings. As a kid, family gatherings then meant getting that shiny new “aguinaldo” from ninong and ninang. Growing up, it meant getting in touch again with our cousins, sharing stories of what each of us have been up to the past year. In typical Filipino fashion, Christmas reunions also meant festive feasts. And in our family, it would not be a feast without that big and intimidating pan of paella. I describe it as intimidating - The savory rice infused with the color and aroma of saffron; the jumble of prawns, crabs, chorizos, eggs, clams and mussels, just wanting to meld with the sweet sour juice of lemon; the crispy crust of “soccarat”, waiting to be scraped off from the pan – How do I stop myself from finishing the whole pan? Filipinos being the perennial improvisators, brought about by inspiration, or more likely by limited budgets, have created our own Pinoy paella. I know each family would have their own “perfect” paella. It is a source of deep pride for the family “head cook”. But usually the “picture” is that of viands tossed in a bowl of yellow colored rice. Being a huge paella fan, I can perfectly enjoy this typical Pinoy paella. But allow me to share how me, my tito and tatay enjoy our paella. Cooking - Paella is a Catalan or Valencian word which derives from the French word “paelle” for pan (Wikipedia). Paella is best cooked in a shallow and wide pan called a “paellera”. Now this is not just simple semantics. Rice is cooked thinly over the pan, around half an inch high. This is because the flavor settles to the bottom of the pan. Having a shallow but wide pan means that most of the rice gets infused while it is cooked. Cooking it in a deep pan just won’t do. The upper part will not get infused. And simply mixing the flavors over the cooked rice does not infuse the flavor well into the grains.

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Rice – It should be the short and rounded varieties. This will allow it to absorb liquids and flavors well. I enjoy it best when it is cooked aldente - firm and stays separate when done. A sticky and crushed paella rice just has a different feel.

Saffron - We’ve seen paella cooked using kasubha as colorant. I rather recommend saffron as it imparts a unique flavor and aroma to the rice. Saffron is a bit expensive. But the unique quality it imparts to the dish makes it worthy of those seasonal and valuable family gatherings. Socarrat – This is the crispy toasted crust of rice that forms on the pan when the paella is cooked right. It is almost like what we call “tutong”, except that socarrat also involves the flavors of the paella broth. The trick to this is to cook the rice on medium flame until it is al dente, then turn up the heat for a few minutes until the aroma of the socarrat just starts to waft through. Be warned the flavor and aroma of this socarrat can be addicting. In fact, me and my cousins actually find ourselves fighting over the last bit of this flavorful crust. Presentation – Paella is best served in its paellera, not all jumbled up in a small bowl. Paella served in its paellera deserves to be the star of the table, served typical “salosalo” style with our dear family members. The better for the members to fight over those prawns, crabs, chorizos, socarrat and etcetera. Some more trivia on Paella Paella originated in the Valencian or Catalan region of Spain where the farmers would share their rice, land snails, ducks, chickens or rabbits with some vegetables and cook it for their midday meal. There are some that would say that the paella came about from mixing left overs - a common man’s meal. During the Spanish period here in the Philippines, probably during one festivity, some of the Spaniard cooks made a paella dish in which our ancestors took note of the procedure and made our own Arroz ala Valenciana, or Valenciana for short.

Preparation time : 2 hrs Cooking time : 30 mins Utensils: A traditional paella pan is preferred, a.k.a “paellera” Ingredients 10 - 15 pcs prawns (cleaned and cooked) 10 pcs squid rings (blanched) 4 pcs. blue crab (steamed) 20 pcs. clams (steamed) 20 pcs. mussels (steamed) 200 gms. chorizodebilbao 200 gms. bacon slab (sliced into cubes) 250 gms. chicken 500 gms. small grain rice 50 gms. chopped onion 50 gms. chopped garlic 100 gms. chopped tomatoes 1 tbsp. paprika 1 tbsp. ground pepper 1 pc roasted bell pepper 100 gms green peas 100 gms. French beans 1 g saffron 2 liters chicken stock 150 ml. olive oil 2 eggs (boiled and sliced into wedges) Lemon (sliced into wedges) Procedure 1. Heat pan, pour olive oil and sautee the onion, garlic, tomatoes. Add chorizo de bilbao. 2. Put rice, paprika and pepper. Mix well and pour chicken stock. Add saffron and cook until rice is tender. Add beans. 3. Increase heat for a few minutes to form the socarrat. Remove from flame. 4. Top with the rest of the ingredients. Serve with lemon. Note: seafoods must be fresh and prepared on the day you will cook it. I’ve recieved modest praises for this recipe of paella valenciana. Even from our village pastor who is a Spaniard himself. I hope this can also help liven up your family’s Christmas feast. ¡Feliz Navidad!

Today, we have different variants of paella, like Paella Valenciana, Paella Negra, Paella Bacalao, even Paella de Sisig and many more. From a common man’s meal, it has evolved into haute cuisine, served in high end Spanish restaurants here in the Philippines. FMAGAZINE |

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FMAGAZINE |

A Fashionably Balanced Life

Maria Benipayo a constant siren you see and hear about that gives such a glow in the local Fashion industry from the late 80â€™ up to now. She is also known as a Fashion Design teacher in the School of Fashion and Art (SOFA), she has recently dabbled into a television role where she portrays a Mom in a teleserye series. When we asked how the gorgeous 45 year old keeps her beauty and body in tip top shape, as well as her thoughts on plastic surgery, she shared simple yet very truthful words: 52

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Designer: Dave Ocampo Styling: Pauline Macapagal Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO Hairstyle and Makeup: Eric Maningat accessories: kannah manila shoes: nereku FMAGAZINE |

• You must make sure that you maintain a simple life, do only what is vital and stay feeling young. • Get lots of exercise and try to focus on other aspects of your life. • Keep the right kind of lifestyle and master the right kind of habit, such as getting enough sleep, because staying up late dries up your skin. • Running and eating vegetables. Our body must be maintained after all. • But also make sure you aren’t too strict, after all we still need to let loose a little and enjoy the good life! • I wouldn’t consider plastic surgery but for those who want it and can afford it, go for it. Because of Marina’s love of work and continuous personal evolution where she seeks new ventures and takes risks, she took on a role as a mother in a popular teleserye early this year. But one title she holds gold is being a wellknown Supermodel. This role is a spiritual journey for her where she wears clothes not only for the sake of wearing it, but by also showcasing the designer’s work of art. Years of experience on the runway and high respect for the designers helped her hone her modeling skills. When she looks back at the early years of her career in the Fashion industry, she fondly recalls how she practically dances down the runway where she cues her walk to the ramp to the beat of the sound and that during her time, friendship and business were pleasantly mixed which made it an enjoyable setting. She has also emphasized that she treats her walk in the ramp as good as her last show. This is definitely something to keep in mind especially for those who would like to make it big just like her. These days, Marina can be found teaching Fashion Design in SOFA, which she has been doing for the past 3 years. Here she shares her knowledge in styling, work

Designer: Danilo franco Styling: Pauline Macapagal Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO Hairstyle and Makeup: Eric Maningat accessories: kannah manila shoes: nereku

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Designer: JOYCE PILARSKY Styling: Pauline Macapagal Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO Hairstyle and Makeup: Eric Maningat accessories: kannah manila shoes: nereku

Designer: edwin uy Styling: Pauline Macapagal Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO Hairstyle and Makeup: Eric Maningat accessories: kannah manila shoes: nereku FMAGAZINE |

ethics and theories in the Fashion industry. When asked why she decided to teach, here’s what she had to say: “I teach basic design which I’ve gained in the field. The new generation needs a guide on what the fashion industry is, especially when they choose to make it a career. I’d like to be able to leave a legacy and leave something very vital, and probably, that can stick with them for the rest of their life.”

“...also make sure you aren’t too strict, after all we still need to let loose a little and enjoy the good life!”

Finally, Marina states that up until now, she aims to always have the feeling of accomplishment. That is an element that will surely keep one’s life fashionably balanced.

Designer: YAKO REYES Styling: Pauline Macapagal Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO Hairstyle and Makeup: Eric Maningat accessories: kannah manila shoes: nereku

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Designer: fanny serrano Styling: Pauline Macapagal Photographer: AHLEKS FUSILERO Hairstyle and Makeup: Eric Maningat accessories: kannah manila shoes: nereku

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airport r u n w ay

blitz

Walking on the runway in a totally different degree, fashion flaunt as you leave on an airplane. Why not make every travel a fashion exploration, create the blitz as you literally walk on the runway with these clothes that will make you feel on air, lifted on high because it was designed to make a difference not a parody of a not so good creation!

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FMAGAZINE |

Designer: ROCKY GATHERCOLE Stylist: LIA CONTRERAS photographer: yukie sarto Make up Artist: Fanny Serrano location: philippine airforce museum villamor airbase, pasay city c/o erica fallorina

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Designer: KIRBY CRUZ Stylist: LIA CONTRERAS photographer: yukie sarto Make up Artist: Fanny Serrano location: philippine airforce museum villamor airbase, pasay city c/o erica fallorina FMAGAZINE |

Designer: ULYSSES KING Stylist: LIA CONTRERAS photographer: yukie sarto Make up Artist: Fanny Serrano location: philippine airforce museum villamor airbase, pasay city c/o erica fallorina

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Designer: NOELLE LLAVE Stylist: LIA CONTRERAS photographer: yukie sarto Make up Artist: Fanny Serrano location: philippine airforce museum villamor airbase, pasay city c/o erica fallorina FMAGAZINE |

Designer: ADin lara Stylist: LIA CONTRERAS photographer: yukie sarto Make up Artist: Fanny Serrano location: philippine airforce museum villamor airbase, pasay city c/o erica fallorina

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Designer: SIMON ARIEL VASQUEZ Stylist: LIA CONTRERAS photographer: yukie sarto Make up Artist: Fanny Serrano location: philippine airforce museum villamor airbase, pasay city c/o erica fallorina FMAGAZINE |

Designer: RICKY ABAD Stylist: LIA CONTRERAS photographer: yukie sarto Make up Artist: Fanny Serrano location: philippine airforce museum villamor airbase, pasay city c/o erica fallorina

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Designer: YAKO REYES Stylist: LIA CONTRERAS photographer: yukie sarto Make up Artist: Fanny Serrano location: philippine airforce museum villamor airbase, pasay city c/o erica fallorina FMAGAZINE |

SENATOR

CYNTHIA

AGUILAR-VILLAR: Crusading For The People’s Right To A Healthful Ecology By Zardo A. Austria SQUARE PEG FILMS PHOTOGRAPHERS: ARBY LARANO, DANNELLA SUGUITAN LIGHTING DIRECTOR: ERICK COMILLE PRODUCTION DESIGNER: INGRID VELASQUEZ

She may appear helpless and fragile in her five-foot-two-inch, petite-size frame, but Senator Cynthia Aguilar-Villar is not one to buckle down from a formidable fight. Her recent environmental crusade has put the feisty senator up against the country’s Big Business which is pushing for the PHP14 billion project that would reclaim 635 hectares of land from the Manila Bay Coastline.

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FMAGAZINE |

became the favourite garbage dumpsite of the informal settlers who suddenly mushroomed along the riverbanks of nearby Paranaque. “To seriously rehabilitate the river,” he points out, “it needed a long-term solution which included moving the squatters out of the riverbanks and relocating them somewhere else.” Sadly, the former officials of Paranaque were cold to the idea since the relocation would involve a big cash outlay and, yes, a big loss of election votes, too! This drawback, however, did not discourage the senator who was determined to fulfil a mission, so she went on to shoulder the entire expenses of the relocation. Then, equipped with the right technology and mechanism, she brilliantly turned the invasive water lilies that were suffocating the entire river into useful and charming pieces of woven arts and crafts, like sleeping mats & placemats, clutch bags & shopping bags, window blinds, curtains & floor rugs, and assorted baskets & home decors.

“a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.” According to the senator, the plan which involves reclaiming more than 400 hectares from Las Pinas and around 200 hectares from Paranaque will dramatically change the terrain of the two progressive cities, turning them virtually into an instant valley and a catchbasin for flood water. “There’s a natural flow of water coming from Cavite, particularly in Silang and Dasmarinas, that passes through Bacoor, Las Pinas, and Paranaque via the Zapote River before it reaches and settles finally in Manila Bay,” she notes. “The planned reclamation will definitely impede that natural river flow. And worse, experts foresee that it will destroy the remaining 175 hectares of mangrove forest and marine habitat in the cities of Las Pinas & Paranaque,” she claims further. Thus, fearing that it would cause catastrophic flooding and irreparable damage to the areas, Senator Villar along with concerned residents and cause-oriented groups filed a petition for a Writ of Kalikasan to stop the reclamation project. The Writ of Kalikasan is actually a legal remedy provided by the Philippine Constitution for the protection of one’s right to Similar to the Writ of Amparo which protects one’s right for constitutional rights, the Writ of Kalikasan protects one’s right for a healthy and safe environment. Its provision was made in 2010 by the Supreme Court under Chief Justice Reynato Puno who took the initiative to issue

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the Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases. The Court of Appeals, however, decided to dismiss their petition which pushed the unstoppable senator to raise their case to the Supreme Court. Asking the High Tribunal to reverse the decision, she expressed doubts whether the Court of Appeals considered extensively and in the proper context the fundamental right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology. There is no denying that at this point in time, every informed Filipino is eagerly awaiting a landmark decision that will surely affect government policies and public opinion, and address a major issue of concern: In the name of progress and development, are we ready to give up our fundamental rights and the safety of our environment? For Senator Villar, her deep concern for environmental protection has become one of the core advocacies she espouses since she joined the government service as the elected Representative of Las Pinas in 2001. Completing three terms of service until 2010, she is widely credited, among others, for bringing back life to the once heavily-polluted Zapote River through sheer determination, resourcefulness, and creativity. According to Lolot Medina, a long-time friend and confidante of the senator, the river

Today, the Las Pinas-Zapote River is totally free from water lilies, a clear indication that it is in good condition once again, and is now ready for fishing activities. Abundant citronella plants have grown instead along the riverbanks to drive away the pesky mosquitoes that used to bring the dreaded dengue epidemic into the area. The citronella, which also serves as a herbal base for a therapeutic massage oil, is just one of the many wonderful ideas brought about from the recycling projects of the Villar Foundation which the senator founded way back in 1992. The foundation focuses primarily on programs that provide support to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), environment protection, and livelihood projects. It now has pilot centres in nearly 250 locations all over the country, and has been successful in recycling waste products into fertilizers, disposable plastic items into school chairs, coconut husks into bio-degradable coconet, along with weaving native handlooms into blankets similar to the popular abel of Ilocos. At the moment, the foundation also lends its assistance and expertise in solving the problem of water lilies in Laguna Lake. Comments Medina, once an active member of the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP) in the nineties, “She is never afraid to explore and try new ideas. I admire her strong will and dedication to pursue the right solution and answer to a problem despite prevailing obstacles and setbacks. Her mind is always active; her time is always productive.” Indeed, the hardworking senator keeps a tight and busy schedule daily as she’s up from six FMAGAZINE |

“It is not the amount of time you spend with your kids that matter, but the quality of time.”

in the morning till ten in the evening. She is the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises where her group constantly reviews the existing laws and implementing procedures to streamline government bureaucracy, and, at the same time, provides necessary amendments to make the systems in the government work efficiently. Likewise, she chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food whose top priorities include the country’s food & rice sufficiency, creation of more farm-to-market roads & other essential infrastructures, ways of increasing farmer’s income & farm inputs, and smuggling & importation concerns. “I really like my work here,” she candidly confides to us. “When you get the chance to go around the country, you will realize that two-thirds of our population depends largely on agriculture. So if you make a difference in this sector, you will actually touch the lives of the majority of the Filipinos.” She foresees a bright future in the country so long as we fully support our agricultural industry. “When you compare the level of poverty among the different regions in the country, you will be surprised to find out that provinces dependent on the tourism industry like Cebu and Bohol, for instance, register higher levels of poverty at 22 and 32, respectively, as compared to the agricultural provinces of Benguet and Nueva Vizcaya that register at only 4.3 level!” This only validates, quips the senator, the important role of agriculture in the economic growth and stability of the Philippines.

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FMAGAZINE |

Ironically, in this country that shows so little appreciation of the agricultural segment, it is always the poor and innocent farmers that end up being victimized by unscrupulous individuals in public and private offices. The ultimate example, of course, is the current controversy on the pork barrel scam involving public funds worth billions of pesos earmarked for agricultural assistance but were diverted instead to personal accounts. Allegedly perpetrated by corrupt lawmakers in connivance with certain NGOs and government agencies, the scandal has put the integrity of the entire legislative body of the government in jeopardy. Heeding the public outcry on the matter, Senator Villar declares her unwavering stand to abolish the pork barrel. “I am in favour of the abolition of the pork barrel if it is the only way to ensure that the people’s money will not be wasted or stolen. It has to be acknowledged that the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) has been abused in view of current policies and regulations,” she remarks. That pronouncement not only proves her deep commitment to the people she serves, but also in a way brings to light the strong principles and morals she keeps and shares with her family. Even before they ventured into politics, the senator and her husband, former Senate President Manny Villar, have earned their share of good fortune, and they have learned particularly from experience that there are no shortcuts to success and getting rich. “To succeed in any business, one should not depend solely on good luck,” reveals the lady senator. “It may work for you initially, but for the business to continue to flourish, you have

to work hard and study hard to acquire more knowledge to keep you abreast with the times. You need to be patient, you need to persevere to succeed in life.” The unassuming couple, who’s always cited by the press as the richest lawmakers in the country based on their Statement of Assets & Liabilities & Net Worth (SALN), believes in instilling the right values in their children even at an early age. “We never spoil our children. I remember when the boys were studying abroad, they had to live within a budget. They were working students. It is important that they learn how to take good care of themselves because we will not be around for them all the time,” she reasons out. And just like any typical Filipino parents, the Villars also believe in providing the best education for their three children. “It is the best thing you can give to your child. Why give him a Porsche even if you can afford it? Its value just depreciates through the years. But the opportunity for your child to study in the best schools is worth a lifetime investment,” she says. Her sons, Paolo and Mark, are graduates of the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, while Camille, the youngest and only daughter, is a Business Management graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University. She is currently taking up her master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) in Barcelona, Spain. Having grown up to embrace the values of hard work and perseverance in life – a far-cry from the proverbial ‘rich kids gone awry’ -- they are obviously the senator’s source of utmost joy. Paolo is now the Chief Executive Officer of

their publicly-listed housing company, Vista Land, the country’s largest homebuilder. The holding company of Brittany, Crown Asia, Camella Homes, Lessandra, Vista Residences and Communities Philippines, Vista Land caters to all income segments nationwide, and expects to hit record levels of PHP 46 billion sales for 2013. Mark, on the other hand, has followed the footsteps of his parents by also venturing into politics. He is now an honourable member of the Philippine Congress representing the lone district of Las Pinas City.

THE SENATOR

is a fashion

INDEPENDENT By Zardo A. Austria

Camille, the most popular among the siblings for having co-hosted the top-rating TV variety show, “WilTime BigTime” with Willie Revillame on TV5, is on a study leave from Brittany Corporation, Vista Land’s upscale housing subsidiary where she is the Chief Operating Officer. The proud mother shares this piece of advice to busy moms like her, “It is not the amount of time you spend with your kids that matter, but the quality of time. If you show your concern towards their welfare and the welfare of other people, you will most likely raise good children. Always remember that kids only follow what they see from their parents. They are their role models.” Thus, for the crusading senator who has faced enormous struggles to champion the causes of environment and empowerment of women in the country, nothing compares to a woman’s success in her own sweet home, the one achievement Senator Cynthia Villar cherishes most in her lifetime.

here is nothing flamboyant about

the senator when it comes to her personal fashion picks. “No big sleeves, no ruffles, no shawls, nothing frivolous nor flashy-looking,” says Nolie Hans who designs most of her made-to-measure formal wear. Known for his dramatic, dropdead creations, the soft-spoken couturier admits his famous client and kababayan is one fashion independent who knows exactly what she wants and what she doesn’t. He adds that she is not the type who gets easily dazzled by glitter and beadwork, or by the latest styles or trends in fashion. Hey, she’s not even fond of jewelry, Hans reveals. For her, an elegant timepiece is enough. And while she goes for classic and no-nonsense styles that keep her always on the go, she does adore the exquisite beauty of embroidery and the luxury of the pina fabric. “She prefers the embroidery and the fabric in similar, subdued tones. And she’s very particular about the fitting and proportion. She is partial to tapered, closeto-the-body silhouette which fits perfectly her small frame.” The purple, lavender and orange are her perennial favourites, and she actually looks good in them, acknowledges Hans, along with red and mocha which are his colour additions to her wardrobe. In fact, at the last State of the Nation Address of the President, an annual state occasion that has become a red-carpet fashion event among Filipinos, Hans brilliantly

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whipped up for her a delicious mocha terno in French tulle with re-embroidered lace accentuated with an asymmetrical orange chiffon masterfully draped from the left to the right bodice. It looked so good on the senator that she was pleasantly surprised to receive a lot of complements from her colleagues in the Senate and the Congress who were obviously not used to seeing her don a terno. Actually, in the many years that the Villar couple has hugged the political limelight, she has worn the terno only twice, the other time when husband Manny was proclaimed the Senate President. “She is more identified with the short kimona,” says Hans. “She prefers wearing the kimona over the terno simply because it is easy to wear and she can move freely with it.” At one time, Hans recalls, the senator casually revealed to him that she is never fond of the terno because she gets easily lost on its big butterfly sleeves which can also be quite bothersome to carry on one’s shoulders. So Hans solved her predicament by coming up with very manageable butterfly sleeves that are proportional to her shoulders. “I really encourage her to wear the terno often because nothing beats the Philippine terno when it comes to elegance and style. It is so becoming of every Filipina,” he exclaims.

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Standing out

in a rather immense crowd is not a good for nothing designer can achieved,

it is hard work and design that was made to create abuzz even in a bustling city! | FMAGAZINE

FMAGAZINE |

Designer: EDWIN UY Stylist: DOMZ RAMOS photographer: DRAKE DUSTIN IBAY Make up Artist: JANDRA BABIERA HAIR: JAMES NUALLA HAIR EXTENSIONS: LYNELLES

Designer: VINCE TOLENTINO Stylist: DOMZ RAMOS photographer: DRAKE DUSTIN IBAY Make up Artist: JANDRA BABIERA HAIR: JAMES NUALLA HAIR EXTENSIONS: LYNELLES

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FMAGAZINE |

Designer: RONALD PILAPIL Stylist: DOMZ RAMOS photographer: DRAKE DUSTIN IBAY Make up Artist: JANDRA BABIERA HAIR: JAMES NUALLA HAIR EXTENSIONS: LYNELLES

Designer: JULIUS ORNUM Stylist: DOMZ RAMOS photographer: DRAKE DUSTIN IBAY Make up Artist: JANDRA BABIERA HAIR: JAMES NUALLA HAIR EXTENSIONS: LYNELLES

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FMAGAZINE |

Designer: NICKY MARTINEZ Stylist: DOMZ RAMOS photographer: DRAKE DUSTIN IBAY Make up Artist: JANDRA BABIERA HAIR: JAMES NUALLA HAIR EXTENSIONS: LYNELLES

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Designer: NINO ANGELES Stylist: DOMZ RAMOS photographer: DRAKE DUSTIN IBAY Make up Artist: JANDRA BABIERA HAIR: JAMES NUALLA HAIR EXTENSIONS: LYNELLES FMAGAZINE |

the Our Lady of Caysasay Church, and the grand mansions of Gliceria Marella Villavicencio, Felipe Agoncillo, Marcela Agoncillo and Leon Apacible, to name a few? Would it be a lot nice to actually experience the way of living of the people from the colonial past: clothing, food, photography and all? How does feeling the air of excitement as when families gather in their grandparents’ home for Sunday lunch or to celebrate a joyous occasion with laughter and food, sound to you?

Turtles, tours & taal: The Colonial Experience at Villa Tortuga By JOEL ALDOR SQUARE PEG FILMS PHOTOGRAPHERS: ARBY LARANO, DANNELLA SUGUITAN LIGHTING DIRECTOR: ERICK COMILLE PRODUCTION DESIGNER: INGRID VELASQUEZ

Nostalgia of time could be an enthrallment of the soul and spirit. But the demands of today’s world, however, make nostalgia a luxury, only afforded through whatever little time people has. We try to catch our own lives these days, amidst the fast changes and the need to cope with the change. In spite of this, people still have a close affinity for nostalgia and the old. What beauty it would be if we could try to make time “stop” for a while, and be enthralled again with nostalgia. The weary and the beat-up could take refuge in the historic town of Taal, Batangas. Travel time from Manila to this town is just 1 hour and 15 minutes via Star Tollway. If you’re thinking

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of getting your history fix like Vigan but don’t have the luxury of time to travel 8 to 10 hours going up north, Taal is your best bet. Even for a weekend, let this charming town relive your memory as you traipse thru the massive Andalusian stone houses that were built by families of the heroes of the past, and fill your tummy with native Batangueño cuisine as well as enjoy its fine arts and crafts. But back to nostalgia. What would a weekend tourist in Taal possibly want to bring back, aside from what could already be seen by the naked eye, like the massive Basilica of San Martin de Tours (which is by the way, the largest Catholic Church in Asia),

Lito Perez of Camp Suki, the premier costume resource company in the country, now provides these “colonial experiences” through his home in Taal called “Villa Tortuga”. Located in a genteel corner of Agoncillo and V. Illustre streets, beside the Pansipit River (where the turtles of Taal Lake nest at the riverbanks, and still does to this day), Lito welcomes his guests at the caida (antesala), with welcome drinks and rondalla music. From there, guests are taken to a studio down at the zaguan area where you can pick your choice of costume from his extensive wardrobe of baro’t saya, panuelos, laced tapis and burda de barong Tagalog, complete with accessories of fedoras, canes and zapatillas to bring out the colonial avatar in you: a Spanish mestizo illustrado, a fraile, a Maria Clara, aninsulares, or even a lowly indio if you feel like one. Once you are donned with your colonial attire, pose in front of a camera for your own keepsake of a souvenir sepia photograph. A lavish colonial lunch (or dinner) follows after at the dining area, complete with hors d’oeuvres, canapés and traditional Batangueño dishes like adobo sa dilaw, longganisa andtapang Taal, tawilis and maliputo, and sinaing na tulingan, set on a backdrop of Lito’s best sterling silverware and collection of antique china. A favorite part of the meal is the dessert, and Lito surely does it pretty well with Batangas empanada, suman, bonete or panutsa, which are usually accompanied with thick

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tsokolate sa tablea. By then, guests will already be winding down as lively conversations about history, heritage, and life in general, become the main fanfare of the dining experience. Visitors could also spend the night inside Villa Tortuga and stay at one of its two bedrooms. A day tour package could also be provided by Lito, which includes an immersive tour inside the stately homes of Taal, the churches and the public market, where you could buy barong tagalog, gowns and contemporary wear with elaborate embroidery, a well-known craft of Taal. This traditional craft also extends to other fabrics such as bed sheets, pillow cases, table runners, napkins, curtains and others. Included in the tour as well is a visit to Manny Innumerable’s huge collection of cameras displayed inside the Ilagan-Barrion Ancestral House, now called Galleria de Taal.

The collection of cameras dates back to as early as 1870, up to the most recent Nikon DSLR series, and also includes some of the most rare and expensive Leica pocket cameras from 1910s. If you have some more time to spare, here’s something you can do (and admittedly a personal favorite of mine): if you’re not afraid of heights and you want to experience that liberating feeling, ask Lito to bring you atop the 96-meter high Taal Basilica. Once you’re at the very top of the belfry area, savor the most spectacular 360-degree view of the town: the town’s plaza lined up with silhouettes of Batangueño bahay na bato, the vastness of Balayan Bay at the west where Spanish galleon ships used to harbor, and the nearby sugar plantations at the foot of Mt. Maculot at the east. The fresh breeze of the province will definitely make your visit to Taal a lot more rewarding. Best to go up there during dusk, when the setting sun casts its golden rays the basilica’s neoclassical facade.

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This overall experience of nostalgia in a town filled with rich history and stories of bravery, is what Lito does best for Villa Tortuga. “I want people to relive a life when these ancestral homes reflected the nationalistic and gracious southern Tagalog lifestyle,” Lito stresses out on his passion for his craft of reliving the nostalgia. “It educates and reminds guests of the rich and interesting heritage we have. They leave with pride in their hearts and an experience that not only filled the eyes but I believe, fills heart and soul as well with enthrallment.” To book for a tour or make a reservation at Villa Tortuga, log on to www.campsuki.com or contact Lito Perez at +639279751683, +639178246900 or +6327250819 for more details.

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FASHION TIPS

Fanny Serrano A very Fanny Touch

Fashion and Beauty Forecast

“The new make-up colour”.

to do?

I have flaky lips can I have a lustrous lips for my wedding? Please tell me what - Chezca 29 QC

Hi Chezca congratulations on your upcoming wedding, for your flaky lips, I suggest you use lip balm to moistened dry lips and always put on lip gloss before the lipstick. It could be the cold breeze of December that is one factor why your lips are flaky. Chin up and be beautiful on your wedding day!

As a make-up artist, a make-up forecast for the coming year has been a constant question. Honestly, I still browse the net and search for that upcoming trends on make-up but there are some which are not suitable for Asian skin. Some trend reports are even made to advertise a product of a certain brand or to promote a new product that is about to launch. Nonetheless, I still try to google some idea on what is expected in the beauty industry for 2014. But for me, I still opt for colours that will suit or match my client’s skin tone and personality. Natural colours will be all year-round. Early morning deserves Natural eye make-up and smoky eyes at night. For those who want that full-colored lips, either use red, maroon or fuchsia matched this with natural eye make-up in the shades of brown and other earth tones. Pink lips are in, rosy cheeks and shimmery eyes too. :) Thank you so much and God Bless!

I have trouble with my limp hair and now it is slowly receding, what can you advice that I used to pre-empt hair loss, I’m only 33. - Nonet 33 Manila

Thanks for the email, to pre-empt hair loss there is one treatment that I can advise and that is to use Novuhair Scalp lotion, which is very effective. You might want to try their shampoo and conditioner, no need to worry about chemical compounds since Novuhair are all natural ingredients. This will also help your hair strands become stronger and healthier. (You can search the net for testimonies on the use of Novuhair and how it has help a lot of people with hair loss problem). Don’t think too much, stay positive!

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happier

“Life would be infinitely if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.” - Mark Twain

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ging inspires fear in the heart of any man, and women especially. The ancient Greek poet Homer decried old age as “loathsome,” and Shakespeare termed it “hideous winter.” Countless men have dreamt of finding the legendary Fountain of Youth, a magical spring restoring the health and youth of anyone lucky enough to bathe in it. Alchemists desired to create common metal into gold, once believed to be the most potent anti-aging substance. But the search to defy aging remains futile, endless and simply an impossible dream, or so we thought until Medical science has come to the rescue.

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As we age, there is a build up of random damage to the building blocks of our body (DNA, proteins, carbohydrates and fats). This begins early in life and eventually exceeds the body’s self-repair capabilities. The damage slowly impairs the work of cells, tissues and organs, making one prone to disease and giving rise to the ravages of age - loss of muscle and bone mass, slow reaction, poor hearing and vision, and wrinkling of the skin. Aging is inescapable, or is it? The Central Intelligence Agency World Fact book newest estimates point that the average Filipino will live until 70 years of age (68 for male, 74 for women), an upward trend compared to 61 years in 1980 and 64 years in 1990. We live longer now simply because we have altered the way we live. Anti-aging Medicine, one of the fastestgrowing medical specialty throughout the world, is based on applying advanced scientific and medical technologies for early detection, prevention, treatment, and reversal of agerelated dysfunction, disorders, and diseases. “Anti-aging medicine simply aims to prolong the healthy life span in humans and ensure that those years are enjoyed in a productive and vital fashion.” Anti-aging medicine is scientific and well documented. The US National Library of Medicine hosts more than 3,000 peerreviewed articles on the subject.

ACEing the test of time What are the weapons to combat aging? The use of antioxidant supplements, such as betacarotene, selenium, lycopene, and vitamins A, C, and E, is widespread. Occurring naturally in the body and in fruits and vegetables, antioxidants are touted as the key to longlasting youth. They are said to neutralize the bad guys called free radicals, molecules produced when our body starts food digestion, or by exposure to tobacco smoke and radiation. Since the 1950s, one theory of aging states that oxidation caused by free radicals is a central process of aging, and at the heart of age related deterioration. It is believed that aging is, in fact a process of oxidizing or “rusting.” Free radicals can damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases.

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According to the National Cancer Institute at the US National Institutes of Health, studies show that antioxidants may slow or possibly prevent the development of cancer. However, data from recent clinical trials are inadequate and point to inconsistent conclusions. Nonetheless, the US National Eye Institute study on age-related eye disease, found that combining antioxidants and zinc cut risk of having advanced stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by a quarter. Antioxidant supplements used alone slashed the risk by about 17 percent. In 2007, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who ate foods rich in vitamin C had fewer wrinkles and less age-related dry skin than those whose diets had only small doses of the vitamin. “Vitamin C helps form collagen, and may guard against ultraviolet rays from the sun, the cause of freckles and a mottled complexion.”

From the beginning Stem cells have the unusual ability to renew themselves over the lifetime of the organ while making daughter cells that differentiate into one or multiple lines. Nearly 30 years ago,

and elasticity. “Since it is impossible to incorporate live materials into a skincare product, embryonic stem cells cannot be used. Topical products with plant stem cells are now widely available,” she says. An example of plant stem cells comes from the Swiss Uttwiler Spatlauber apple, known for its ability to heal its own bruises and damage to its skin and can last for months after picking. Some researchers believe that the use of stem cell technology for a topical, antiaging cosmetic trivializes other more important medical research in this field. But, all’s fair in the war on aging.

Magic shots In 1989, Botox (Botulinum toxin type A), by Allergan, Inc., was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating misaligned eyes (strabismus), uncontrollable blinking (blepharospasm), and spasm of the face (hemifacial spasm) in adult patients. Three years later, Botox was approved to temporarily improve appearance of moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines). A

“...neutralize the bad guys called free radicals, molecules produced when our body starts food digestion, or by exposure to tobacco smoke and radiation.” scientists discovered ways to derive embryonic stem cells from early mouse embryos. In 1998, stem cells from human embryos were created and grown in laboratories for reproductive purposes through in vitro fertilization procedures.

youthful face, sans wrinkles can now be yours by a single shot, or eight, or twelve. The cosmetic use of botulinum toxin type A has now become widespread with many celebrities viewing it as less intrusive than plastic surgery.

Given their unique regenerative abilities, stem cells offer new hope for treating diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. However, much work remains to be done for cell-based therapies to treat disease, which is also referred to as regenerative or reparative medicine. Skincare specialists are also riding the bandwagon of stem cells. The skin stem cells are found near hair follicles and sweat glands and lie dormant until they receive signals from the body to begin the repair mode.

“The results of Botox procedures can last up to six to eight months. It’s fast and not that painful. Instant youth in a shot! Three out of my 10 patients come in regularly for this procedure. In my practice, its uses range from removal of facial wrinkles, such as crow’s feet in the side of the eyes, to control of severe underarm sweating. Of the three patients who come in for Botox, two are men,”

The use of topical products stimulates the stem cell to split into two types of cells: a new, similar stem cell and a daughter cell, which can create almost every kind of new cell in a specialized system. This means that the stem cell can help repair fine lines and wrinkles, and restore and maintain firmness

Botox, a drug made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is the same cause of food poisoning called botulism. It works by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles or by blocking certain nerves. Doctors use it in very small doses.

How about laugh lines around the mouth and deeper forehead grooves? A popular treatment involves injecting cosmetic wrinkle fillers into the face. “Cosmetic wrinkle fillers are soft tissue fillers injected into the skin to give the face a smoother contour. Results are temporary, about six months, depending on the filler used, because the body eventually absorbs them. Cost starts from P25, 000; we also use it to plump lips, just like

Angelina Jolie.” Wrinkle fillers are made of various types of materials such as collagen and hyaluronic acid gel, and some include a combination of products. Some products also contain lidocaine, which numbs the skin at the injection site. “As with any medical procedure, Botox and fillers pose risks with possible side effects of allergic reaction, infection, bruising and raised bumps on the skin. It is very important that a skilled and trained skin care physician does the procedure.”

Honing on Hormones Anti-aging hormone supplements are said to work wonders, giving you youthful looks and generally making you feel healthier. These treatments are a cocktail of prescription-only hormones including human growth hormone (HGH), estrogen, testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and pregnenolone. Hormones, chemical messengers needed to keep the body working properly, affect metabolism, reproduction, growth and immune function, among others. Their levels dwindle in middle age and this natural slowdown has prompted an interest in the use of synthetic hormones to stave off the realities of old age. “The use of anti-aging hormones is still shrouded in controversy. Their long-term effects are still unknown. There are studies suggesting a link between HGH and cancer, diabetes and joint pain. DHEA and pregnenolone may cause irregular heartbeats and irreversible hair loss. Taking hormone replacement drugs or supplements should be done strictly under medical supervision.” Small short-term studies by the US National Institute of Aging show that daily HGH injections can add muscle mass but don’t translate into greater strength or function. Patients receiving HGH report lesser pain, better flexibility and a sense of well being they did not have before. Thicker skin, enhance immune system,

more energy, cholesterol balance shifted in a positive way, and more calcium deposited on bones are other said benefits. “Over-the-counter dietary pill supplements, known as HGH releasers and HGH in spray form are currently marketed as low-cost backups. But claims of their anti-aging effects, like all those regarding HGH, are arguable.” Testosterone in men regulates sex drive (libido), bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and production of red blood cells and sperm. FDA-approved testosterone drugs come in the form of patches, injections, and topical gels. “Testosterone supplementation is the standard treatment for men who produce little or no testosterone on their own only. Although other men report bigger muscles, sturdier bones, and a higher sex drive, more rigorous studies are needed to see if possible benefits outweigh its potential risks.”

The secrets of old age are now revealed: A 10-year study conducted in Canada shows that the most important predictors of excellent health were absence of chronic illness, income over US $30,000, having never smoked, drinking alcohol in moderation, maintaining a positive outlook, and managing stress levels. Yes, common sense is still the best framework for lifelong habits for a happy and healthy living, no matter what the age. Risa Caldoza-De Leon, MD is a skin care physician and consultant at Vanity Skin Aesthetics Dermatology Clinics, with four branches, namely One Ecom, MOA Complex, Omni Arcade, Alabang Hills, Crown Tower, Makati City, and Simreys Building, Binan Laguna. She is a Diplomate of Philippine Association of Primary Skin Health Physicians, and Diplomate of Philippine Academy of AntiAging Medicine.

Estrogen in women helps maintain bone strength and may cut risk of heart disease and memory problems before menopause. For more than half a century, drugs with estrogen have relieved menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness, and prevented or treated brittle bones or osteoporosis. However, some studies show that estrogen may cause thickening of the lining of the uterus and raise the risk of endometrial cancer, and hike the risk for developing dementia (Alzheimer’s disease). DHEA supplement advocates tout that the hormone improves energy and strength, boost immunity, bulks muscles and lessens fats. Sadly, there is no conclusive scientific evidence proving these benefits.

The Real Deal Hundreds of studies clearly prove that eating right and exercise significantly impact healthy function in old age. In 2006, the Harvard School of Public Health found that an antiaging lifestyle, which includes advanced preventive care such as screenings, early disease detection, aggressive intervention, and optimal nutrition, all of which are cornerstones of the anti-aging medical model, can boost lifespan by 24.6 more years. In skincare, there are several factors that can cause the skin to change as we age. “The negative effects of sun exposure, such as melasma, wrinkles, freckles and a tough leathery appearance of the skin, are often quite visible in people who have failed to protect their skin. My best advice is to avoid the sun, and protect your skin with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) sunscreen every day of the year, rain or shine.”

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lothes that are fabulously glamorous in designs created by 8 well-known FDAP designers - a fusion of basic hues crafted in intricate details and embellishment enough to make every heads turn

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Designer: DELBY BRAGAIS Stylist: RAOUL RAMIREZ photographer: MELVIN SIA, EDMUND CHUA Make up Artist: LOUIE TRINIDAD MODEL: SHERLYN GONZALEZ VENUE: CENTURY PARK HOTEL

Designer: RAOUL RAMIREZ Stylist: RAOUL RAMIREZ photographer: MELVIN SIA, EDMUND CHUA Make up Artist: LOUIE TRINIDAD MODEL: JENNIFER HAMMOND VENUE: CENTURY PARK HOTEL

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Designer: RENE SALUD Stylist: RAOUL RAMIREZ photographer: MELVIN SIA, EDMUND CHUA Make up Artist: LOUIE TRINIDAD MODEL: SHERLYN GONZALEZ VENUE: CENTURY PARK HOTEL

Designer: EDGAR SAN DIEGO Stylist: RAOUL RAMIREZ photographer: MELVIN SIA, EDMUND CHUA Make up Artist: LOUIE TRINIDAD MODEL: JENNIFER HAMMOND VENUE: CENTURY PARK HOTEL

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Designer: DEXTER ALAZAS Stylist: RAOUL RAMIREZ photographer: MELVIN SIA, EDMUND CHUA Make up Artist: LOUIE TRINIDAD MODEL: SHERLYN GONZALEZ VENUE: CENTURY PARK HOTEL

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Designer: LITO PEREZ Stylist: RAOUL RAMIREZ photographer: MELVIN SIA, EDMUND CHUA Make up Artist: LOUIE TRINIDAD MODEL: JENNIFER HAMMOND VENUE: CENTURY PARK HOTEL

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Designer: JONTI MARTINEZ Stylist: RAOUL RAMIREZ photographer: MELVIN SIA, EDMUND CHUA Make up Artist: LOUIE TRINIDAD MODEL: SHERLYN GONZALEZ VENUE: CENTURY PARK HOTEL

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Designer: RICHARD PAPA Stylist: RAOUL RAMIREZ photographer: MELVIN SIA, EDMUND CHUA Make up Artist: LOUIE TRINIDAD MODEL: JENNIFER HAMMOND VENUE: CENTURY PARK HOTEL

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OFFICERS name position work address contact no. email address social media

name position

work address contact no. email address

EDGAR SAN DIEGO President

name position

89 Gen. Segundo St., Heroes Hills, QC 3745093 / 0918 9079609 edgarsandiego81@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/edgarsandiegocouture

RICHARD PAPA Vice President - External 2nd Flr., 1640 Evangelista, Bangkal, Makati City 8891387 / 0919 3784593 richardpapa33@hotmail.com

work address

work address contact no. email address

name

position

Assistant Secretary

position

work address

contact no.

4124287 / 0920 9829672

contact no.

email address

nickkymartinez@yahoo.com

email address

name position

work address

EDGAR MADAMBA Auditor 8 South Lawin Avenue, Philam Homes, QC

name position

work address

contact no.

7386415 / 0917 2460254

contact no.

email address

dgrmadamba@yahoo.com

email address

name position work address contact no. email address

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GENER GOZUM Sgt. at Arms 47 Rizal Avenue, Taytay, Rizal 6587774 / 6586101 / 0917 4084725 / 0921 7304399 gener_gozum@yahoo.com

SOFA Design Institure, 399 Enzo Bldg., Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City

franco_danilo@yahoo.com

NICKY MARTINEZ

Galatea, 113A Dona Segunda Bldg., Kamuning Rd. QC

Vice President - Internal

email address

name

work address

DANILO FRANCO

4784611 / 0916 4184283

position

name position

work address contact no. email address

MEMBERS

contact no.

name

JONTIE MARTINEZ Secretary Galatea, 113A Dona Segunda Bldg., Kamuning Rd., QC 4124167 / 0920 9544123 / 0923 4605605

name work address contact no. email address

name

work address contact no. email address name

jontiemartinez@yahoo.com

35 Galleria Townhouse, 14th St., New Manila, QC 7276083 / 0905 2465869 rikkoescaro@yahoo.com

OSKAR PERALTA PRO 8005-B Tanguille St., San Antonio Village, Makati City 8961292 / 0915 6228195

Chairman of the Board Camp Suki, 88 4th Street, New Manila, Quezon City 7250819 / 0927 9751683 lito_pperez@yahoo.com

7125686 / 0916 4448301 johnnyabad16@yahoo.com.ph

DEXTER ALAZAS 7 Villalon Drive, East Capitol Site, Cebu City Unit 6D Kingswood Condominium, Vito Cruz Extension (032) 2608006 / (032) 5836105 dexalazas@gmail.com

DELBY BRAGAIS

work address contact no. email address

name work address contact no. email address

name

G/F Unit 21 Sourth of Market Residences, 26th St., cor. 11th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

work address

contact no.

3590771 / 0917 8544711 / 0922 8544711 / 0920 9564711

contact no.

email address

name

www.delbysbrides.com

KIRBY CRUZ

work address contact no. email address

name work address contact no.

LITO PEREZ

2757 Oroquietta St. cor. Pampanga St., Manila

name

work address

RIKKO ESCARDO Treasurer

JOHNNY ABAD

email address

name work address contact no. email address

email address

name work address

7350440 / 0922 8277347 cruz.kirby@gmail.com

PRISTINE DE GUZMAN 2313-2314 Eugenia Bldg., Tivoli Gardens Residences, Hulo, Mandaluyong 0922 8165416 pristinedeguzman@ymail.com

BOYET DYSANGCO 405 El Grande Ave., BF Homes, Paranaque 0918 9446805 boyet11@yahoo.com

contact no. email address

name work address

RICKY ABAD 113K 9th St., Kamias, Quezon City 0916 6476185 rickie_888@yahoo.com

NINO ANGELES 9160 Catmon St., San Antonio Village, Makati 8955146 / 0908 8618245 thisisnino@yahoo.com / www.ninoangeles. com

KAREN CASTRO Unit 1143 Cityland Pioneer Condominium, 128 Pioneer St., Mandaluyong 3590771 / 0917 8544711 / 0922 8544711 / 0920 9564711 karen_castro75@yahoo.com

IVAN DE LA CRUZ 855 Bataan St., cor. Visayan Ave., Sampaloc, Manila 7140306 / 4016127 / 0918 9113990 ivandelc13@yahoo.com

PERI DIAZ 13 Naples St., BF Homes, Paranaque

contact no.

8296461 / 0917 8534097

email address

peridiazcouture@yahoo.com

name

ROCKY GATHERCOLE

work address contact no. email address

2 Kamuning Rd. cor. T. Morato, Quezon City 0949 6584108 rgmanila@gmail.com

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MEMBERS name work address contact no. email address

name work address contact no. email address name work address contact no. email address

name work address contact no. email address

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ULYSSES KING Vatican Fashion Museum, 4F The Podium, 18 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center 6373321 / 0917 8374000 ulyssesking2@gmail.com / On Twitter and Instagram: Ulysses King

PAUL RANIER LIM 105C Sct. Castro near T. Morato, QC 0927 3571433 / 0920 2169493 / 0922 8011921 rainiergl@yahoo.com

NOELLE LLAVE Molave Park, Merville Subd., Paranaque

0917 5023617 noellellave@yahoo.com

OLE MORABE 131 C. Abueg St., Brgy. Poblacion, Rosario, Cavite (046) 4381190 / 0917 4569905 olemorabe@yahoo.com

DAVE OCAMPO 500 Boni Ave. Ext. cor. San Rafael ST., Brgy. Plainview, Mandaluyong 6540131 / 0915 8134346 davidocampo@ymail.com

NHOLIE PILAPIL Rizal Ave. cor. Fule Sahagon St., San Pablo City, Laguna (049) 8001540 / 0906 3170832 0949 6668152 nholiepilapil@yahoo.com

name work address contact no. email address

MEMBERS ADIN LARA 37D Esguerra St., Brgy. Flores, Malabon 3733963 / 0927 2989923 aeenleongson@yahoo.com / On Twitter: adin_megaydc / On Instagram: ADINLARA

ROLAND LIRIO 2329 Tejeron St., Sta. Ana, Manila 5635375 / 09178435373 rolandolirio@yahoo.com

GLENN LOPEZ 1292 Lardizabal St., Sampaloc, Manila 0927 5235160 / 0921 7591900 glenn_g.lopez@yahoo.com

VIVO NAZARETH 1386 E. Rodriguez Avenue, Quezon City 3843338 / 4162841 / 0917 9577198 vivonazareth@yahoo.com

JULIUS ORNUM 103 Edinburgh St., Pasig Green Park Village, Manggahan, Pasig City 6461075 / 0908 9878950 / 0927 4330334 jornum@gmail.com

AAN PINEDA

name work address contact no. email address

name work address contact no.

RAOUL RAMIREZ 1002 Imelda Apartment, Apacible St. cor. San Marcelino, Ermita, Manila 4002294 / 0917 9996714 raoulramirez777@yahoo.com / raoulramirez77@gmail.com

ADRIAN RIOS 816 J. P. Rizal St., Rosario, Cavite 0917 4412895 adrianfdap@yahoo.com

RENE SALUD 65 Balete Drive, Brgy, New Manila, QC

7120475 rene.salud@ymail.com

VINCE TOLENTINO 24H Tower 2 Paseo Parkview Suite, 142 Valero St., Salcedo Vill., Makati 5765156 / 0915 3765354

email address

turx_designer101@yahoo.com

name

SIMON ARIEL VASQUEZ

work address contact no. email address

9797 Kamagong St., San Antonio Village, Makati City 7294188 / 8951988 / 0917 8264542 simonarielvasquez@yahoo.com www.savcouture.com

name work address contact no. email address

name work address

YAKO REYES Unit 206 The North Grove Condominium, Northern Fairview, QC 4802291 / 09285128641 elyako@yahoo.com

RHOLAND ROXAS 32 M. H. del Pilar, Lucena City, Quezon (042) 7106767 / 0917 5602192 rholandroxas07@yahoo.com

FANNY SERRANO 344 Sct. Madrinian St., Brgy. South Triangle, T. Morato Ext. , QC 3511698/ 3513245 / 0917 5376188 fannyserranosalon@yahoo.com

EDWIN UY 537E Boni Ave. Ext., Brgy. New Zaniga, Mandaluyong

contact no.

5329369 / 5149990 / 0920 2123122 / 0915 3572892

email address

euy888@yahoo.com / www.edwinuy.com

name

GEOFFREY ZORDILLA

work address contact no. email address

0918 9855575 / 0922 8406639 geoffreyzordilla@gmail.com

2020 Dimasalang St., Pasay City 8443278 / 0916 2118791 chesa16@yahoo.com

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