If there’s one thing Filipinos are good at it’s showing off – talents, that is. We never fail to step up to the plate whenever we’re given the chance to show others the many things we are capable of doing.
Just recently, photographer Melson Bolongaita, designer Martin Bautista, hairstylist Lourd Ramos, and models June Macasaet and Jodilly Pendre teamed up to represent the country at the Fashion Asia Awards. On its fourth year, it gives recognition to outstanding performances of creatve practitioners from all over Asia.
Under the watchful eye of Saga’s Robby Carmona, who served as national director, the talented bunch trooped to China to compete alongside representatives of other countries in the fields of photography, designing, hairstyling, and modelling. Melson, Martin, Lourd, and Jodilly all ranked in at 5th in Asia for their respective categories while June championed as the Male Model of the Year award. Here the team shares with us their experience as they went head to head with Asia’s cream of the crop.
“Talking to Martin Bautista over this trip, I posted the question ‘what designer’s competition did you join?’ He said none. I was taken aback because most of his batch mates joined a competition or two to be discovered and be given their big break. I asked him back, ‘How were you discovered?’ He answered, ‘By Liz Uy, while she was surfing for new designers that will supply her styling needs, and the rest was history.'”- Robby
“June is definitely a Pinoy global pride as he won the 2012 Manhunt International.” – Robby
Photos from @robbycarmona, @martinbautista9, @lourdramos, @justinegab, @junemacasaet, and @jodillypendre on Instagram