Stache December 2011 // Maiden Issue
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Transcript of Stache December 2011 // Maiden Issue
Dear awesome you,
Wellfirstandforemost,belatedhappymerryChristmastoyouandwehopethatyouhadagreatone!
ThisisthewholeStacheteam’sprogeny,ourlittlebabywe’vebeenwork-ingonforthepastmonth.Fromalittleprojecttothishugexnumberofpagesspread,weallpresentyouourveryfirstissue.BasicallythewholeideaisStachewillbethestageofyoung,frustrated(yougetthepoint)artiststoshowcasetheirtalents.
Forourfirstissue,wewantedourcoverpersontodefinewhatStacheisallabout:art,dreams,loveandofcourse,theinternet(whereinitsexistenceisalsothereasonwhywedoexist.)OurcovergirlAfiannea.k.a.Fiamette,isoneofthemostamazingartistsI’vehadthewonderfulchancetomeetandIamincrediblygratefultocallhermyartsisterandmuse.Foryears,Ihaveseenhertransformasapersonandasanartist.Herarthasbeenoneofmybiggest(andI’msurealotofothers’)inspirations.Thecoverisasloudasitcangetwiththecombinationofmydoodlesandphotog-raphytometaphorically/visuallyscreamouteveryartist’sfrustration.We’reget-tingasmodernaswecangethereandIhopethat’salright,yes?
TheChristmasseasonisn’toveryet(whyofcourseweareinthePhilip-pines,itdoesn’tenduntilJanuary)sowehavelittleYuletide-relatedfeaturessuchastheStarbucksChristmasPlannerManiaandtheeversocontroversialP-popboyband,1:43.ThefashionportionisstillalsointheChristmasspiritcoveringthecollectionofZaraandTopshopfor‘tisseason(tobejolly).
Fortheartcontributors,weareluckyenoughtohaveBigBangTheory’sChristineandCamilleLuangplusPatriciaNabonghavetheirveryspecialsetofartworks(createdforus!)featuredonourmagazine.Ouronlineshops’edito-rialwasalsoshotbyaveryyoung(17,okay)andtalentedphotographer+aFlickrsuperstar,MerphiPanaguiton.Itwasalsoablastinterviewingoneofourfash-ionablefeatures,DavidGuison,sinceI’veknownhimsinceIwasinhighschool.Youheardthatright.Wehavesomuchinstoreforyouandally’allgottodoiscliclkitty-clickthatmouseofyours.
Toyouwhohavebeenfrustrated,toyouwhohavewantedbutcouldnothave,toyouwhohavetriedbutcouldn’t,toyouwhohavebelieved,thisisforyou.Withoutyou,wewouldhavenotdonethis.
EDITOR IN CHIEF:MaineManalansanART EDITOR:ElisaAquinoFASHION EDITOR: EcksAbitonaLIFESTYLE EDITOR:MareCollantesMUSIC EDITOR:MaanBermudezWEBMASTER:MarySilvestreCONTRIBUTING WRITERS: KarendelaFuente,GenFernandezCONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER:MerphiPanaguiton,PatNabong
Mail us at [email protected]
Contributors
Big Bangs Theory Pat NabongArt’sintheblood. ForsistersChristineandCamilleLuang,thisistrue.Christineisa19-yearoldMultimediaArtsstudentfromtheDeLaSalle-CollegeofSaintBe-nilde.andyoungersister,Camille,isa17-yearoldJournalismstudentfromUniversityofSantoTomas. “We’rejusttwoofthemilliongirlsinManilawholikeart,fashion,musicandalotofotherawesomethings...andwe’vebeenplanningtocreatethislittleblogsincelastyear.Weneverreallyhadthetimeandcreativitytoputitupsooner.Wemadethislittlespacetodocumentallthecrazystuffhappeningtous.:)” Theirwonderfuladventurestogetherarecap-turedontheirblogthroughtheirvisuallyenticingphotoswithglitters,fashionandeverythingelseprettythatwillmakeyoureyescryunicorns.
Thisamazing17-yearoldshut-terbugfromtheUniversityofthePhilippinescapturesthebeautyoftheworldthroughherphotographsthathaveblownawayourmindsforitssimplicityandsplendor. Shestartedherloveforpho-tographythroughlearningfromherfatherwhosehobbyisphotography.EquippedwithaCanon60D,herim-aginationandhermagicalpost-pro-cessingprowess,shewillsurelygoplaces. ForhersetthatshecreatedespeciallyforStache,sheentitledit“ParallelUniverse”havingthethemeoftwodifferentworlds,thatofrealityandofmake-believe.
Homepage
Nuffnang: Filling Up Your Wallet While Blogging
By Elisa Aquino
Dearestblogger,everwonderedhowblog-ging(andsimplyhavingawebsite)canben-efityouwhenitcomestofillingupyouremptywallet?Well,sayhellotoNuffnang!
Youmighthaveseentheseonlineadver-tisementswhenyoucheckoutrandompeople’sblogsandwonderedwheretheycomefrom.ThesearefromAsia’sfirstandleadingblogadvertisingcommunity,Nuffnang.InthePhil-ippinesalone,thereareanestimateof11,000blogsthatNuffnanghandles.Nuffnangnotonlyhelpsbloggersearnmoneybysimplyem-beddingtheiradvertisementsonblogs,theyalsoprovideacommunityforbloggerstoin-teract,attendevents,winprizesandgettoknoweachother. WecaughtupwiththefashionableandperkyTrixieEsguerraofNuffnangPhilippinestoknowmoreaboutthem.SheiscurrentlytheirBloggerRelations&CommunityManagerandalsoanAdvertisingManagementalumnioftheDeLaSalleUniversity-Manila.ShesharesherexperienceworkingwithNuffnangandgivesyoualittlepeekinsidethewonderfulworldofblogadvertising.
1. WHAT IS NUFFNANG EXACTLY? NuffnangisAsia-Pacific’sFirstBlogAdvertisingCommunity.Ouradver-tisementsareseenon100,000blogsby3millionpeopleeverysingleday.Nuffnanghas4officesacrosstheglobe:Singapore,Malaysia,Australia,HongKong,andPhilippines.Otherthanserv-ingadstoatruckloadofblogs,wealsotakeprideinbeingacommuni-tyforbloggersbybloggersbyhav-ingalotofeventslikeparties,moviescreenings,andsomuchmore.
2. WHAT KIND OF BLOGGERS DO YOU LOOK FOR? AND WHAT CONTENT IN BLOGS DO YOU LOOK FOR? EveryoneiswelcometobepartoftheNuffnangcommunity!Wedon’tcareaboutcontent.Aslongasyoublog(andyouloooooveit),youarefreetosignupyourblogunderourfriendlynet-work.Justsoyouhaveanidea,wecur-rentlyhave20basicblogcategories-andweareexpanding!
3. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS THAT BLOGGERS CAN GET BY SIMPLY HAVING YOUR ADVERTISEMENTS EMBEDDED ON THEIR BLOGS? Therearealotofbenefits!BybeingpartoftheNuffnangcommuni-ty,bloggerscanembedtheNuffnangadunitstotheirblogswhichtheycanearnfrom.AlotofbloggersearnSOMUCH(withanexaggeratedtone,Iamnotkidding!)fromadsalone.Nuffnangbloggers,aswecallthemNuffnangers,canalsobepartofourclientcam-paigns(suchasNeutrogena,Nike,
Pond’s,HongKongDisneylandtonameafew)bywritingsponsoredposts. 4. WHAT KIND OF EVENTS AND FREE-BIES CAN BLOGGERS LOOK FORWARD TO/EXPERIENCE? Nuffnangeventsareprettydi-verse.Wehaveproductlaunches,par-ties,moviescreenings,blogawards,andalotmorecomingupthis2011.Forthisyear,wehad2moviescreen-ingsandduringthatmoviescreen-ing,wegaveawaymodemunits.Wealsohadproductlaunchesandpartiesfordifferentbrands.Thiscomingyear,NuffnangwillbehavingaBlogAwardsinKualaLumpur,Malaysia.Wehavesomuchmoreeventsthiscoming2011butIcan’tsqueal!Surprise!
5. FOR YOU, HOW IS IT LIKE WORKING FOR NUFFNANG? AND PARTICULAR AD-VANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES? WorkingforNuffnangisgreatx9999!Icanhonestlysaythatit’sthemostawesometiringworkI’vehad.
6. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? Igettomeetbloggers,andbepartofeventsatthesametime!Thisismytruelove.
7. A MESSAGE TO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TRY BECOMING PART OF NUFFNANG? GuysjointheNuffnangcommunity!Hurryhurry!WehavesomuchinstoreforthiscomingyearthatIamsureyouallwilllove!
the wonderfulNUFFIES!
1strow:CarlosPal-ma(CountryManager),DaniSalasalan(Me-diaSales),DeniseCua(MediaSales).2ndrow:MarcelleFabie(MediaSales),PattyDayrit(Admin),RendhlEscobin(AdOperations).3rdrow:TrixieEsguerra(BR&CommManager.
*PlusJuddSta.Maria(MediaSales,notinphotos)andAnneFranco(MediaSales,notinphotos)
Theroadsarelitwithlightsandparols, the malls filled with gift-shoppers, the flights jam-packed withpeople flying home and Starbucks isagain teeming with sticker-collec-tors. It must certainly be Christmas!
It’s been a yearly tradition forStarbuckstoreleaseanewplanner.Thistraditionisavidlysupportedbypeoplewhotaketheiryearlyplannersveryse-riously.Inordertogetone,youneedtoaccumulateeightstickersforregu-larStarbucksdrinksandninestickersfortheirChristmasdrinks.Thisyear’splanner is available in three differ-entcolorsandtextures:Shinysilver,woodybrownandredsuede.It’sinter-esting to note that if you are lucky(oraveryfaithfulStarbucksvisitor),it is possible to get a sticker cardthat comes with a free sticker – butit’sonlygivenawayduringthefirstfewdaysofrelease.Thisyear’splannerde-signincludesasmallbookmarkthathasaminiaturecopperStarbuckscuphang-ingattheend–averynicetouch.Apicture of a Starbucks branch is fea-tured at the beginning of each month,the most remarkable being in August:the Intramuros branch with its stone-walls and nostalgic Old Manila feel.
Thespaceforappropriatedforeachdateisquitegenerous,allowingfordraw-ings,artandthelike(see,it’sreallyrecommendableforpeoplewholovetocus-tomizetheirplanners!).Italsocomeswithabunchofdiscountandfreebiecou-ponsthatarevalidthroughouttheyear.
Asidefromtheplanner,Starbucksalsooffersavariationofitemsthatcanbegivenasgifts.TheirtumblerscomeincuteChristmasdesigns–rein-deers, snowflakes, Christmas trees andredglitters.ThemugsareinChristmasprinttoo.Thesedrinkingcupscanbeboughtwitharedfeltbag,allsettobegivenasagift!ThenewStarbucksViaReadyBrewCoffeeisalsosoldinpackages–3and12.Itcomesinaready-to-give-awayChristmasbox.Ohandinrelationtosticker-collecting,apackof3ViaReadyBrewCoffeewillmeritone sticker and a pack of 12, three.
Ifyou’reaStarbuckslover-slash-addictorifyouhavefriendswhoare,dodropbysoyoucangetgiftsideas–foryourselfandforyourfriends.Butevenifyouarenotinterestedinbuyinganything, you should still go visit.Besides,Starbucksisnevercozierthanitisduringthiscoldandmerryseason.
1 7 days of Christmas
by Mare Collantes
It’s here! The wonderful time of the year when high school and college students alike live on coffee for the whole month of November and December just to get ahold of Starbuck’s new addition to their annual Christmas planner col-
lection.
Drive-thru
Giftideasanyone? Packof12=3stepstoplanner!
Yournewcoffeebuddy. 13/17?Closeenough.
Theproductofyourallowance. Laststep:fillwithprocrastination.
UNIVERSITY-BOUND COFFEE This is the epitome of instant gratification at everyone’s disposal, whether you’re in Diliman, Katipunan or Taft. If caffeine is not strong enough to boost anyone from the dismay of the crammed homework the night before, these little cafes also offer decadent treats that will satisfy anyone’s endorphine-deprived heart.
Chocolate Kiss(UP Diliman)
by Mare Collantes YouknowhowMrs.Darlinghadahiddenkissontheright-handcornerfromPeterPanhadakissontherightcornerofherlip?NomatterhowmuchMr.Darling,Wendyandherbrothertried,theycouldnevergetaholdofit.Thatkisswassosweetandsospecial,meantforonepersononly–PeterPan. That’swhatChoco-lateKissremindsmeof.Ibelievethatweareallluckythough,becauseun-likeMrs.Darling’s,thissweetkissisavailabletothosewhoseekit.NestledintheBahayngAlumniinUPDiliman,thefirsteverbranchofChocolateKisssetsaparfromits
agedenvironmentwithitscozyandhomeyambiance.
Theyofferawidear-rayoffood–fromsal-ads,pastas,ricemealsand,ofcourse,desserts.IpersonallytriedtheirHainanesechicken,anditwasquitesatisfyingtothepaletteandtothetummy.However,themostnotablepartoftheirmenuaretheirdesserts(astheirrestaurantname
suggests!).MyfriendsandIorderedCarrotCake,KahluaButterCake,Choco-lateChipCheesecakeandDevil’sFoodcake.TheonethatwelikedbestwastheDevil’sFoodCake–moistchocolatechiffonwithalayerofmeltedchocolateinthemiddle,toppedwithsweetwhiteicing.IwashappywithwhatIgot,be-ingthesweets-loverthatIam.
Manilascope
ThecostofeatinginChoco-lateKisswillrangefromPhp300-600perhead,dependingifyoude-cidetogetanappetizerornot.Theyareopenfrom7AM-10PMeve-ryday,andtheyhavespecialmu-sicalguestsonTuesday,ThursdayandSaturdaynights.AsidefromUPDiliman,theyopenedanotherbranchinRocesAvenue,QuezonCity.ThatbranchisopenMondaytoSaturday,from11AM-10PM.OnSundays,theyareonlyopenforbrunch,from9AM-1PM.Well,itdoesn’treallymatterwhattimeyourdropby,whatmat-tersisyoudo.You’llbemissingoutofasweet-toothindulgingkissifyoudon’t.
Cafe Noriter(DLSU-Taft)
by Maine Manalansan
Apparently,thewordNoriteriskoreanfor‘playground’,butitsdefi-nitionisnotreallyinlinewhatthisuniquelit-tlecoffeeshopisoffer-ing.Knownfortheirun-limitespapercupsthatyoucandoodleon,italsoservesamazingcoffeeataveryreasonableprice.Yes,itisasexpensiveasthatfamedcoffeeshopfromeve-rywherebuttheNoriterex-perienceisverydifferentfromanywhereyouhavebeenoreverwillbe.
Equippedwithfreewifi,thiswell-decoratedshop(mini-photoshootatyourdisposalandprobablyashortkoreanovela-ishskitsansthedramatic‘woe-is-me-he-doesn’t-love-me’act)isalsorecognizedasthe‘cafewhereyoucantakeyourshoesoffandsitonthefloor’.Theyhaveel-evated,woodenfloorswhereyoucansitdown,butt-flat,butbewareoftherecurringbackaches.
EventhoughNoriterletsyouex-pressyourcreativeheartsfreely,theyhavetheirlimitsaswell.Gonearethedayswhenthey‘allowed’peopletowriteontheirwallsandherecomesthe500-oesofeeforanyonewhowritesonanythingwooden,concreteorplastic(basicallyanywherebutthecups).I’mnotsureiftheydoimposethatrulestrictly,butlet’salljustcomplytothesafetyandbenefitofourallowanc-es.
Theyalsoofferthesignaturecof-
feeshoppastry:BlueberryCheesecake.Mytastebudswouldn’ttastethedif-ferencebutitstillsatisfiedmymildysweettooth.TheHoneyBreadandthegiganticHalo-haloaremust-tries!
ThenexttimeyouvisityourLa-sallianfriends,don’tforgettoforcethemtotakeyoutoNoriterortakethemtothemagicalplacewheretheyhaveneverbeentoo.LocatedontopofTapaKingnearYellowCabandArmyNavy.
Xocolat(Ateneo)by Maan Bermudez
Xocolatisarestaurantthatserves,youguesseditright,chocolates.TheyhavevariousbranchesaroundMetroManilaandallgivethesamefeelingofcom-fortthatonesearchesforinthedelightfully-dependablesweets.Theambiancediffersfrombranchtobranchbutingeneral,therestaurantsendsaveryhome-yvibewherecreativityjustflowsandwhereyoucanactuallyma-terializethehappyhormonestheirdishesgiveoff.Thecolor-fulwoodenchairs,theartonthewallsandonthetablesandchairs(well,everything),
andtherusticfeeloftherestaurantcanjustmakeyoufeelrightathome.Thefooddoesnotwanderoffthemotiftheambiancethatthelocationgives.TheirhousespecialtyistheTazadeXocolatthatisarichhomemadechoco-latedrinkthatisservedinamugwithmilkontheside.TheirChurrosaredeliciousaswell,aperfectmatchwiththeTaza.Ifyouaren’ttiredofthechoclategoodness,theircakesarealsoamusttotry.TheThatRedCakeisoneforthebooks.Itismoistandsweetandisbigenoughtoshare.But,ifyouarenotinthemoodtosatisfyyoursugartooth,Xocolatalsoservesricemealsandotherdrinkstoen-joy.Forthehealthconsciousandforthedietarily-challengedindividuals,therestaurantservesdessertswithnosugarandevenhasoneswithnoflour.But,contrarytopopularbelief,thetastedoesnotwanderfarfromthesugarloadedgoodnessofdessertsthey
serve.
Thegastronomicdelightthatthefoodgives,thehome-yambiancethatwouldtemptyoutoputyourfeetupinpublic,andeventheinterest-ingmusictheyplayonthespeakersbringacertaincomforttoeveryper-sonwalkinginaXocolatshop.Itisthiscomfortthatmakesoneentertherestaurantandtomakeonestayforacupofcoffeeorasliceofcake.Anditisthiscomfortthatpeoplegobackformore.Truly,Xocolatisthecom-fortthatanyoneneedswhentheyarelowongivingsomeforthemselvesorforothers.Itnotmerelycharacteriz-escomfort;butrather,itIScomfort.Itisaplacetobe—aplaceforphysi-caleaseandfreedom.
Audiophilia
Reese & Vicaby Mare Collantes
ThepartnershipbeganwhentheAteneoMusician’sPool(AMP)hadanAcousticSolo-istnightin2009.PaoieMinerales,thepro-jectheadfortheevent,decidedthatitwouldbeinterestingtoputthelikesofsoloistsReeseLansanganandVicaHernandezforaset.Althoughthetwometintheirfirstyearaf-tertheywereacceptedinthesoloistrosterofAMP,theywerenotreallyclose.However,theywerebothgoodsingersandsongwriters–whatcouldgowrong?SoPaioewentonandgavethemasetintheacousticnight.ThatwasthefirsttimeReese&Vicacametogether.Theycoveredafewsongsandwrotetwooriginalonesforthatsoloistnight:“OpenYourEyes”and“Copycats”.Theirperformancewasquitemagical,andeve-rybodyknewatoncethattheywereperfectforeachother.
Thisyear,theywereofficiallyacceptedintoAMP’sbandroster.ItwasalsothisyearthattheirfriendsfromNeonSodaManagementofferedtomanageandhelpthemreleaseanEPfortheirthesis.Thissuggestionwaswelcomedbyahugeamountofgratefulnessandexcite-ment.TheofferwasverytimelysinceReese&VicawerealreadythinkingaboutrecordinganEPrightbeforetheoffercame–itwasliketheuniversewassendingthemasign.Afteramonthorsoofendlesswriting,recordingandpackaging,Reese&Vica’sEPentitledCrossingNeverlandwaslaunchedatClubDreddonSep-tember3,2010.TheEPcontainseighttracksandischaracterizedbytheflawlessblendingoftheirvoicesandmelodicacoustictunes.Theyproduced150copiesandallofthemarenowof-ficiallysoldout!
AsidefromtheirepicEPrelease,Reese&Vicaalsohaveotherprojects.TheyregularlydogigsindifferenteventsandevengottoguestonNU107.5afewmonthsback.ButnothingpreparedthemfortheshockingnewsthattheygotinNovember:TheywontheU-RockCollegeBandoftheYearaward!Theysaidthatitwassounex-pected–theydidnotevenknowaboutthenominationuntilafriendtaggedthemonFacebook.WhenU-RockAwardsNightcameandtheirnameswerecalledtoreceivetheaward,thetwogirlscriedhappytearsunderthespotlight.
“Wewerebandmatesbeforewewerereallyfriends.Iguessitworkedoutintheendanyway,”–VicaHernandezhadthisontheReese&Vicafacebookpagestatusafewweeksback.Yes,Ibelieveitdid–anditworkedoutwonderfully.
Tune-upTeaching old dogs, new tricks.by Maan Bermudez
Thereisanoldsayingthatgoes,youcanteachanolddognewtricks.Buthasanyoneeverreallywonderedifyoucanteachanewdogoldtricks?Thesay-ingdoesnotliterallyapplytocanines,butalsoincludesthetotalityofany-thingoldandnew—muchlikemusicandallthenewsongscomingouteverydaylikematingrabbitsonsteroids. IntheboomingofChristmassongsduringthefestiveDecember,therecomesadilemmahauntingthevarioushouseholdswhenitcomestoholidaymu-sicusedduringparties,dinner,orevenwhendecoratingthetree.Whichversiontouse?DidJimmyEatWorlddeliverthesongwell?OrDoIusetheclassicsin-stead?Allthesequestionsrunthroughthemindsofthepeopleleftwiththeimportanttaskofcreatingtheveryim-portantandverycrucialChristmasplaylist.However,fearnomorebecausethegreatmindsoftheworldhaveconspiredtobringaboutthreecasestowhichthebattlebetweentheoldandthenewcanberesolved. CASE 1: CHRISTMAS WRAPPINGThetwocontendersforthiscaseareTheWaitressesandTheDonnas.ThetwohavebattleditoutandthewinnerseemstobetheDonnaswithhowtheyhavecleaned
upthepop-nessofthesong.Theyhavebroughtanedgetoanotherwisebubblysongbutkeptitsupbeatfeel.
CASE 2: LAST CHRISTMASAsmuchasanyonetries,thissongwillhaveatingeofmushinessthatcannotberemoved.TheoriginalversionofTheWham!Haveallthereasonintheworldtocarryitsmushylyricssinceitwasthe80’s,butinthistimeofblunt-ness,thepopbeatofthesongandthelovey-doveylyricshavefoundadif-ficulttimefindingaproperversion.SavageGardenandJimmyEatWorldhastriedbutwasonlyabletominimizethe80s-nessofitwiththeiruseoftechnoandfeelgoodrhythms.Intotality,themushinesswasstillthere.Sointhiscase,atie.
CASE 3: JINGLE BELL ROCKBobbyHelmsperformedtheoriginalver-sionofthesongandhepaintsthepictureofsittingnearthefireplaceenjoyingsmoresasonehearshimsing-ingthesong.ArcadeFire,ontheoth-erhand,renovatedthefireplaceintoagrungeplaceandthrewthesmoresoutforsomesloppyjoe’s.Inthiscase,theoldiestakethewinsincetheclas-sicversioncarriedwithittheChrist-masfeel,butArcadeFireseemedtolackthe“athome”feeltotheirver-sion,adeviancetotheideaofChrist-mas.However,propstothebandforgivingthesongsomerockandmakingitamoredefinitiverocksong.
Relationship Status:It’s Complicated
by Maan Bermudez
Kimchi,Koreanovel-as,plaidscarvesthatwraplooselyaroundtheneck,andthosegreenorgray-coloredseaweedfacemasksareonlyafewofthemyriadofthinsthatmankindhaveacquiredfromtheirasiansourcewecalltheKoreans.Theyhavebeensaidtohaveinvadedthecountrywiththeirultralonglegs,JustinBieber-inspiredhairdo’s,andunusuallyhighheelsthattheyseemtouseinaneverydaybasisliketheywereus-ingtherunonthemillbeachwalks.Theyhaveinfluencedsomuchofpeo-ple’stastesinfashion,food,happycrushes,andnowmusic.
Kpophasbeenanemerginggenreofmusicinthecountryandevenhasitsownsegmentinmusicshowsthesedays.EversincethisKoreaninvasion,everyone,andImeaneveryonehasbeenallabouttheBieberhair,matchingsuits,and
DanceRevolution-lookingchoreography.Thisin-stantclaimtofamehasledtotheemergenceofvariousrenditionsofthegenre.Oneofwhichis1:43.
1:43isagroupthathasembracedtheKpopfeelsomuchthattheyhaveembracedthesameconceptasthatofatyp-icalKpopband.Theydubthemselves,however,asPpoporPinoypop.AndforthisjoyousChrist-masseason,theygiveus“MerryChristmasNa”,asongthatachievedfameonYoutube.MuchliketheshowingofHarryPot-ter7,threemajorreac-tionshavecomeabout:1)theyloveitwiththecapitalLandnakedbabycherubsshootingarrowsonhearts2)Hateittotheextentofwantingtoburnthousandsofcop-iesofthesong(andnotthesavinginaCDkind)3)Theyjustdon’tgiveadamn.Thefirsttwoseemtofeeltheneedtorec-
reatethebattlesceneinStarWarsthattheybashoneachotherbecauseofthesong.Soaperson,mostlikelyfromtheI-don’t-give-a-damnper-suasion,wouldstoptheimportantthingthey’redoing,turntothecameraasitpanstozoominonthem,andask“Whatthehellisupwiththesongthatmakesitsocontro-versial?!”Andintruth,itisanunsolvedmys-terythatsciencecannotsolve.AmyththatisnotbustedbyMythbusters.Somethingsodiscombobu-latingthatitmakesArea53seemlikeaKindergar-ten’splayroom.
Untilnow.
Hitting Rock Bottom
Intheheroicpursuitofunder-standingthepsychology,philosophy,sociology,andKoreanology(Yes,inmydedicationtothisstudy,IhaveevensuccessfullycoinedatermaboutKore-ans)ofitall,Ihaveexposedmyselfto24hoursof“MerryChristmasNa”withthefullknowledgeofitsdetri-mentaleffectslikeunconsciouslymem-orizationofthelyricsandLSS.ButImustsay,Ihavemadeitoutalive. Thefirstthatmustbenoticedaboutthesongisthequalityofitsmusicvideo.ItseemssoHDthatnotevenNBAHDcancompetetothequalityofthecinematography.Thedirectorknowshis,well,directing.Moreover,thesetsthattheyusedwerewell-cho-sentothepointthatonewouldwanttohuntdowntheinteriordesigneroftheroomstheyused.Video-wise,Icommendthemforajobwelldone. Butthen,aftermesmerizingattheshotsofvariousChristmasdecorsandFairylights,themusicstartsplayingandtheboysstartsinging.TheirvoicesaregoodandImustsay,theirblendingmakesaprettygoodvoicingsmoothie;but,atthebegin-ningofthevideo,theylookedlikeFilipinomaleversionsoftheeversoexpressiveKristenStewart.Butworry(oranykindoffacialexpressionthatshowsaslighthintofemotion)nomore,
theysoonstartshowingthesamewarmnessofthelyricstheytrytoconvey.Theystartsmiling,andlaughing,andsingingsomemore—butwait!Theystartdancing! Andjustwhenyoudon’tthinkthingswouldn’tgetanybetter,theystartrap-ping!Now,theyhavetrulygonefullcir-cleonthewholePpopasthelocalver-sionofKpopsincetheyhavecompletedthenecessitiesforaKpop-inspiredmusicvideo. However,totheircredit,thesongattainedfamewithitscatchiness(Obvi-ously,IcaughttheLastSongSyndromewiththisone).Afterlisteningtothesongforntimesraisedtothepoweroftenmultipliedbythesummationofxsub-scriptabasxequalsinfinity,thebeatofthesongcaughtmeandmademehumthesong,andthensingingthelyrics.NowIknowhowEmmaStonefeltaboutPocketfulofSunshine. Inanutshell,allIcansayisthatasonghasitsgoodandbadsides.It’sjustuptothepeopletodecidewhichtoaccept.“MerryChristmasNa”posessomuchtobedebatedupon,butthinkingaboutit,sowhat.Thesongisstillasong—aworkofart,whethersomeappreci-ateitornot.So,IguesstheonlythinglefttodoistoclickthatIt’sCompli-catedicononyourand1:43’sfacebook(Ifithadone)andgoyourmerrylittlewaybecausenomatterwhat,it’sstillamerryChristmas…dahillovemoko.
Mega Boob Tube
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
Filmedwithatouchofveracityandacertainbearingthatwoulddefi-nitelymakeyouthink,ohcrapwe’reherealready,thefirstfractionofthefinalinstallmentunquestionablystrikesthatproperfarewelltheseriessurelydeserves.It,beingaverymuchcher-ishedseries,warrantsanendingthathasgrownnotonlyintermsofitskeyplayersbutwithitsfocusandcentreaswellthatisamuchstirringlayertothesixotheryearsofplayfulnessandinnocence.HarryPotterandtheDeathlyHallows(Part1)isincontest-ablyoneofthemoviesonewouldlaugh&crywith(prettymuchlikewithpastsixones),onlythistimethereisthatawfullingeringfeelingthattheendis,indeed,near.
FRIENDSHIP CASINO
Since2001,weallhaveseenHar-ry,Ron,&Hermionebeing,well,Har-ry,Ron,&Hermionewiththedistinc-tiveassociationswehaveboxedtheminto.Fortenyearswehavebeenac-customedtoseeingthembethemselves;theboywholived,theonewhoprovid-edthelaughs,andtheonewhohadtheanswerstoeverything.Itisinthismoviethattheyallbrokeawayfromthesestereotypesandgrewintodevel-opedandestablishedcharactersbutitwasRonwho,asacharacter,ex-celledthemost.ThedynamicsoftheirfriendshipweretestedwithRon’sjealousyandfrustrationwhichledhimtoleavetheothertwobehind.Har-ry&HermionebeingleftaloneshowedRon’splaceinthegroupthey’vees-tablished.ItisalsobecauseofRon,notbeingthatfunnysubordinateofHarrybutaheroinasensethatHar-ry’slifewassparedandaHorcruxdestroyed.Itprettymuchhighlight-edthatnotoneofthemwouldsurvivewithouttheother;thegenuinenessoftheirfriendshipconstructedamoviethatreflectsreality,onethatreflectsboththeessenceoffriendship&theessenceofbeing.
Thismovieisn’talllaughsandbattles;itismoreabouttheselfes-peciallynowthatdeathispracticallytangible.Itshowshowoneconquersfears,experienceslove,sensesreal-ity,andhowonematuresinfaith–inoneself&inothers.
THE DARK TIMES
Thefilmrunshourslongofgloomandlethargy.Iguessitcouldbesaidthatit’sthestartoftherealthing.AllthoseyearsatHogwarts,learningaboutmagic,playingquidditch-allthoseyearsportrayinginnocenceandyouthturnsintodimandthreateningdays.Thefilmit-selfhadonlyafewcomicscenesthatweren’tthatmuchpolished;itwasdrama-heavy,anditsome-howthrustsitsmorecrucialandmomentousfunctionasaseries.Part1wasdefinitelypleasing,aestheticallyasitsplotcomplexandcharactersdefined–nottomentiontheverymuchacclaimedactors&actressesinthismovie–Rickman,Nighy,BonhamCarter,Griffith,Fiennes,andsoon.Itsspecialeffectsweredecentandtheentiremovieitselfisabat-tlecrytothenextone.
I MUST BE THE ONE TO KILL HARRY POTTER
Initself,themovieshowshowhopeisvital–whichisoneofthemovie’sprevailingthemesalongsidesacrificeand,obvious-ly,friendship.AllarelongingtowitnessthePotter-Voldermortfight,abattlebetweengoodandevil.Averyuncertainfightitis,prettymuchlikeinreallifewherecertaintyisn’talwaysaprivilege.Whatmakesthismovieoftheessenceisitsparallel-ismtoreality;howeventhoughweliveinamuggle-fulworld,magicisn’tatallnon-existent.AlthoughHogwartsisagalaxyfarbeyondourimagination,weallfightourownbattleslikethewizardsdo,theymayhaveex-traordinarypowersbutitisthesamecourageandhopeinsideallofusthatwouldimpelustopre-vail.AsmuchasweallwouldliketositinthetheatresuntilJuly2011comes,Iguess,thereisn’tathingtodobutwait–oryouknow,readthebook.
StapledThe OtherCampbell
by Ecks Abitona
For10years,theL.AbaseddesignerwhomanufacturesinSpainfirstlaunchedhisfirstfootwearcollectionlast2000hasnowbecomeaninternationallyrecog-nizedbrandname.JeffreyCampbellismuchknownforhighcreativityinsmallquantitiesbecauseheproducesinquanti-tiesoflessthan100pairs.WithJeffreyCamp-bell,yousureareget-tingararepairofshoesalthoughhisdesignsareoneofthemostcopiedintheindustry.Believeitornot,JeffreyCampbellstartedinhisgarageandnowheisoneofthemostsoughtshoedesignersintheworld. Crazyandsexy,JCsurehasearnedalot
ofloyalcustomerslikeLindsayLohan,EmmaWat-son,NaomiCampbellandChloeSevingywhoareveryfashionforwardce-lebrities.WomenwhowearJeffreyCampbellarefunandfree-spiritedbecauseittakesalotofcon-fidenceforsomeonewhowearsshoeswithfunkypatterns,vibrantcolorsandunconventionaluseofmetalandchains.JeffreyCampbellisverypopu-larwithhisout-of-this-worldshoestyles(e.g.:theunicornheel).Hisdesignscanalsobemorerestrainedbuttherewillalwaysbesomethingabouthisshoesthatmakesitnoticeableandveryin-terestinganyetveryaf-fordable.($100-$200)
Havingbeenincreas-ingtheirpopularityallaroundtheglobe,JeffreyCampbellnowhasmorevarietyofattention-grabbingshoes.Fashionbloggersworshiphimforhisfabulousdesignsonwedgeheels,clogs,boo-ties,kneehighboots,studs,masculinein-spiredbrogues,loafers,andsandals.Hisverypopular“LITA”shoesareallovertheWorldWideWebandownedbypopu-larbloggers–Chictopi-ans,Lookbook-ers,et.al.AsforhisSpring/Summer2011Collection(SmallTownHero),hemanagedtocontrastclassicdesignswithmoderndetailsmak-inghisdesignsadelighttowatch.
FOREVER 21 TAKES OVER MANILA
By Elisa Aquino and Ecks Abitona Forever21isanAmericanchainofcloth-ingretailersthatwasoriginallyknownasFash-ion21foundedinLosAn-geles,California.Estab-lishedintheyear1984,itiscurrentlyoneofthefiftylargestprivate-lyheldcompaniesinLosAngeles.
Fromcomfortabletrendstochicstreetstyles,Forever21isnowabranddefinitelyfamil-iartoall.Thisbrandstartedwithonlywom-en’sclothingbutnowhasstretchedouttheirprod-uctstolingerie,acces-sories,shoes,bagsandevenmen’sclothing.Withitsveryaffordablepric-es,thisstorehasbeenafavoritetoallandnowevenFilipinos.IthasnowconqueredthestreetsofManilaanddefinitelytheheartsofyoungteen-agersoutthere!
Fortheholi-days,Forever21Phil-ippinesnotonlyintro-ducedtheirgiftchecksbutalsotheirfashion-
ableandbeautifulfivebrandambassadorsTri-ciaGosingtianforFor-ever21,PatriciaPrietoforLove21,LissaKahay-onforTwelvebyTwelve,DominiqueTiuforHerit-age1981andDavidGuisonfor21Men.Wewereluckyenoughtohaveaninter-viewwithForever21’sonlymaleambassador,Da-vidGuison.
Atonly19,Davidnotonlycanbeconsid-eredafashionicontomanybutheisalsoablogger,photographerandwriter,tonameafew.WithanestimateofathousandoffansonLook-book,thousandsmoreonhispersonalblogandtoaddtohisresume,workinPreviewMagazineandThePhilippineDailyIn-quirer,weallknowthisguy’salreadyestablishedhisnameinthefash-ionandbloggingscene.Let’shearwhathehastosayaboutthebrandandhisexperienceasForever21’sambassador.
1) PLEASE DO COM-PLETE THE SEN-TENCE: FASHION IS _____________________. Simplystating,fashionisartthatweweareveryday.
2) WHO ARE YOUR FASH-ION ICONS? (INTERNA-TIONAL, FROM LOOKBOOK, BLOGGERS, ETC. IlookuptoJamesDean,KanyeWest,AndreasWijk,AdamGallagher,Sa-chaDumain,PelayoDiaz,CarlosConcepcionandmore!
3) WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THE BRAND/STORE FOREVER 21 (CLOTHES, SHOES, ACCESSORIES, ETC.)? Forever21fitsany-one’spersonalstyle.Theyhaveawideselectionofbasicshirts,sweaters,graphictees,jackets,jeans,buttondowns,ac-cessories,etc.IalwaysgetlostwhenI’minthestore!It’sawesomeandIlovetheirclothes!
4) WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST REACTION WHEN YOU FOUND OUT THAT YOU ARE AN AMBASSADOR FOR FOR-EVER 21 TOGETHER WITH THESE VERY INFLUEN-
TIAL AND ICONIC FASH-ION BLOGGERS TRICIA GOSINGTIAN, LISSA KA-HAYON, PATRICIA PRIETO AND DOMINIQUE TIU? Iwasattheair-portwhenIgotamessagefromForever21’sbrandmanagerandIseriouslythoughtitwasajoke!IfollowDomz,TriciaandPatriciaonTwitterandIsawtheirtweetsaboutbeingabrandambassadorforForever21andthoughthowcoolthatwouldbe.IwouldhaveneverthoughtthatIwouldbeoneofthefivehand-pickedam-bassadorsforForever21.Beingtheonlyonerep-resentingtheirclothinglineformenissuchanhonor!Iamoverwhelmed!
5.) WHAT DO YOU DO AS AN AMBASSADOR FOR A STREET CHIC SHOP LIKE FOREVER 21? BasicallyIamanonlineendorser.Iletmyreadersknowwhat’snewinthestoreandwhatthecurrenttrendsareandotherthings.OfcourseIincorporatemyoutfitstomypersonalstyle. 6.) HOW IS THE EXPERI-ENCE SO FAR? ANY REL-EVANT STORIES YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?
Ithasbeenapret-tyawesomeexperience!I’vebeengettingalotofmessagesfromread-erstellingmethattheypurchasedsomethingfromthestorebecauseofmeandotherneatstufflikethat.Plus,Ialsobe-camegoodfriendswithmyfellowbrandambassadors(whoareallsoprettytalentedandnicetoo)
7.) WHAT ARE THE PERKS OF BEING AN AMBASSA-DOR? Well,otherthanhavingthetitleof‘brandambassador’(whichIhopeIcanputonmyresumehaha),Igettoweartheirclothesandgettokeepsomeofthem! 8.) ANY FASHION TIPS YOU CAN GIVE OUR READ-ERS? Wearwhatyoulikeandwhatyouthinklooksgoodonyou.Alwayspre-sentyourselfwell!
9.) BEING A FASHION BLOGGER AND AN ICON TO SOME, WHAT MESSAGE CAN YOU GIVE THEM? Keeponinspir-ingothers.Everyday,wecreateourhistory!Sogo,go,goandmakeithappen!
Style Guide
Holiday collectionsZara Popularbecauseofitsedge,sharpness,
andsophistication,Zaracontinuestoendowus
withtheircollections.Thisholidayseason,you
canputtogetherachicandfestiveoutfitwith
ahintofelegance.Zaraprovidesuswithreal
jewelryandfemininepiecesforeverystyleand
tastethatisveryperfectforholidayparties.
Dresseswithperfectshapesandaroman-
ticfeelandskirtswithBohemiansatinbowsare
key-piecesinthenewZaraEveningCollection
for2010.Thebeautifulreddressgetsalit-
tlesophisticationandahighernecklineandthe
shorttulledresswiththeleatherjacketpaired
withitwilldefinitelycatchotherpeople’sat-
tention.
Zara’slatestcollectionalsoputsforward
anewtrendwithitstuxedo-inspiredoutfitwith
hotleatherpants,velvetblazersandbowties
matchedwithshimmeryclutchesandsatinpumps
thatclearlystatesthatdressesaren’tmanda-
toryforupcomingholidayparties.
Theleopardprintthatwe’realloh-so-fond
offisonechicandsophisticatedelementthat
ifnotwornproperlywillresulttoatotaldis-
aster.Theleopardprinteddresshasaveryso-
phisticatedcutbutithasaverysexyfeelto
itthatyoucanweartoanightoutwithfriends
andyouwilldefinitelystandout!
by Ecks Abitona
TOPSHOP UK’smostbelovedTopshopisfloodingthe
streetswithwearableandchicadaptationof
catwalkstylesthatyoucanjusteasilyputin
yourcloset.Fromtrendsinthe60’sand70’s,
tosharpandfemininepieces,youwilldefinite-
lyenjoyTopshop’sversatility.
Thinkofcocktaildressesandfauxfurs,
Topshopbringsbackthe60’sand70’sbackto
life,providinguswithjumpsuits,fringes,
belly-bottomjeans,patentMaryJanes,and
dressesthatarepoppingwithcandycolors.
Andoh,don’tforgettheperfectblow-dryand
you’regoodtogo!
Bringoutyourfemininecharmwithsheer
andshirtdresses,tullegownsscatteredwith
crystalsandpierceitwithfeatheryitemsto
giveyouamorestatementlook.Togiveyoua
morelaidbackandcountrylook,plaidwill
neverfailyou.Additwithknitscardigans,
knee-highsocksandsweaterdresses–you’llbe
themostfashionablegirlintown.
Youwillalwaysturntoblackandwhite
ifyouwanttoplayitsafe.Revampyourwhole
outfitbyaddingatouchofredtoit.Topshop’s
red,whiteandblackpalettegivesyouamore
strikingandrazorsharplookwithitsbutton-
upshirts,leantrousersandtuxedojackets.
Thismixofminimalismanddecadencewillin-
fusehighglamourinyourwholewardrobe!
Season’s SpecialLanvin for
H&Mby Ecks Abitona
Itstartedasrumorsspreadingwidelyovertheinternetlikeadeadlyvirus.Acoupleofmonthsago,thoserumorsturnedouttobetrueasH&Mfinallyan-nouncedthattheywillbeteamingupwithoneofthemostprestigiousandsizzlinghotParislabel,Lanvinfortheirnewestcollaboration:LanvinforH&M.Astateofhighexcitementper-vadedthepublicasH&Mwhetsourap-petiteswithvideosandphotosofwhattheircollaborationwilllooklikeandassoonasitwasreleasedlastNovem-ber23,2010,peoplewent“bananas”.Thelongawaitedcollectionbythefa-mousAlberElbaz,Lanvin’sartisticdi-rector,isdefinitelyacollectionworthgettingupearlyfor!
“H&M approached us to collaborate, and see if we could translate the dream we created at Lanvin to a wider audi-ence, not just a dress for less. I have said in the past that I would never do a mass-market collection, but what in-trigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going pub-lic,” Elbaz says. “This has been an ex-ceptional exercise, where two companies at opposite poles can work together because we share the same philosophy of bringing joy and beauty to men and wom-en around the world.”
Thefloralprintedandone-shoul-derdresses,voluminousshortskirtsandpointy-toedfeminineheelsareonlysomeofwhatyoucanfindinthiscollection.Gethigh-fashionclothesatamoreaffordablepricethisholi-dayseasonandyou’lldefinitelybethetalkofthetown!
clothing pieces
Web Retail
“Whyendurefeelingcoldandlookingglumwhenyoucanbeall-happyandvi-brant?Dainty,chic,pre-lovedandcarefullyhand-pickedforthetrendygirlinyou,ourcollectionskeepapromiseofbril-lianceandbeauty.So,lightenup,getready,andindulgeintofeelingofwarmththatisTheAfter-glow.”
TheAfterglowwascreatedrecentlythisOc-tober2010bybestfriendsCarmelaManiegoandAsherDimaculangan,bothjuniorsfromtheUniversityofthePhilippines-Diliman.Theyprovidefashionistaswithpre-lovedclothesre-de-signedfortheircomfortandlove.Theyprovideeverythingfromdresses,blouses,jackets,blaz-erstoskirts.With5col-lectionsasofthemomentandgrowing,nodoubtthattheironlineshop’sgoingtobeahugesuccesssowhatareyouwaitingfor?GoshopnowandfeelthewarmthofTheAfterglow!
by Elisa AquinoPhotos by Merphi Panaguiton
Afterglowownersandbestfriends4-like-everAsherandCarmela
VanillaZooisthear-tisticprogenyofValerieVillaflor,a19-yearoldjun-iorVisualCommunicationsstudentfromtheUniveristyofthePhilippines-Diliman.Sheexplainsthatthenameofheronlineshopwasbroughtaboutbyherloveforani-malsandzooswhiletheword“vanilla”foritscatchiness.Shestartedherbusinessasaschoolprojectandsincethenhascreatedafashion+art-sy-fartsyexplosionforherhand-madeaccessoriesandinadditiontothat,shirts!
Heruniqueaccessoriesthatrangefromnecklaces,ringstobroocheshavetheveryprominentandalwaysfunmu‘stache’sinthem(Hey,Iknowwhatyoudidthere)Shehandmakeseverythingsobesurethateverypiecesoldiscreatedandhandledwith101%loveandcare!
V-Zoo’screativeowner,Valerie
A-Muse
The b
uddi
ng ph
otog
raph
er
that
is A
bby B
ayan
i.
1. WHO IS ABBY BAYANI? Goodquestion.Justkidding.AbbyBayaniisa13yearoldaspiringpho-tographerandgraphicde-signerwholikestodrinkcoffee,doodleandmakepa-percranes.Sheisnotgoodatmakingintroductionsandthisisproof.
2. HOW DID YOU START IN PHOTOGRAPHY? ThefirsttimeI’veeverusedacamerawasbackin2003anditwasduringaschoolfieldtrip.Ilikedthefeelingofbeingabletocapturemoments,orevenjustthingsandkeepingthemforever.However,thebat-teryofthecameradiedsoIwasonlyabletotakearoundfivephotos.Somuchformyfirsteverphotographyexpe-rience.
Anyway,Ididn’treallyhaveaproper‘history’inphotography.Ijuststart-edtakingphotosonedayandthat’sjusthowitallstarted.
3. CAN YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST CAMERA AND FIRST PHOTOGRAPH? ThecamerathatIhavenow,aSonyAlpha200,ismyfirstcamerabutifyoumeantthefirstcamerathatIhaveeverused,itwasanoldOlympuscamera.Myfirsteverphotograph,Ithink,wasaphotoofsomewormsduringaschoolfieldtrip.Haha!
4. WHAT’S YOUR RESTRIC-TION IN POST-PROCESSING YOUR PICTURES?
Iusedtolikeus-ingactionssinceIwaslazyandIthoughttheymademyphotoslook‘pretty’and‘cute’.ButIeventuallygrewupandstartedthink-inghowoversaturatedandprocessedmyphotoslookedsoIstartedmak-ingmyownactionsfromscratch.Ionlyhavetwoorthreelayers:twolayersofcurves,oneisautocorrection(Idon’tevenknowifthat’stheproperterm)andtheotherisacurveslayerthatIjustplaywith‘tilIgetthetonesandcoloursthatIlike.Forthelastlayer,it’seitheragraycolourfilltosoftentheimageandgiveitafilm-ishlookoraHue/Saturationlayertodesaturatethephoto.
Okay,Istilluseactions(thatIhavedownloaded)fromtimetotimebutonlyifI’mlazyandaslongastheydon’tmakemypho-toslookoverprocessed/pretty/cute.
5. WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES YOUR PHOTO-GRAPHS STAND OUT FROM OTHERS? Somepeoplehavemessagedmesayingwhenevertheyseemyphotos,theygetthiswarm,fuzzyandsome-timesevennostalgicfeeling.Iguessthat’swhatmakesmyphotosdifferent.
6. WHAT DO YOU TAKE PICTURES OF MOST OF THE TIME? Justsimpleevery-daythingsandwhatevercatchesmyeye.
7. WHAT DRIVES YOU IN DOING WHAT YOU DO? Fearandpeoplethatarealotbet-terthanme.They’resortofaremindersay-ing,‘Ifyouwanttogetsomewhereinlife,shoot/createamazingthingslikethem’.It’sprettymuchexplainsitself.IafraidofthefutureandIdon’twanttomessmineup.
8. WHO ARE YOUR INSPIRATIONS? Innoparticularorder:EzgiPolat,NirrimiHakanson,GrantHeinlein,Jean-nineTan,ShalamahTautaiolefue,JuloCope,AfianneCope,JudithSombilon,JackToohey,AnnettePehrsson,TriciaGosing-tian,SimonFilipandsomuchmore.It’sweirdhowmostofthemareportrait/peo-pleandcandidphotographersandIlookuptothemsomuch,yethereIam,tak-ingphotosofinanimateobjects.
9. IF GIVEN A CHANCE, WHO DO YOU WANT TO SHOOT WITH? Iwanttoshootwithsomanypeo-ple!ButmytopthreewouldhavetobeAgynessDeyn,TiffanyPisaniandNirrimiHakanson.Why?AgynessandTiffanyaremyfavouritemodelsandtheysimplylookamazing.Nirrimi,however,isafashionphotographerwho’salreadydoingcam-paignsatsuchayoungageandI’dliketoseehowsheworkswithmodels,takesphotos,askhersomequestions,etc.
10. WHAT IS YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE (AS IN THE WAY YOU DRESS)? I’mprobablyoneoftheleastfash-ionablepeopleonthefaceoftheearth.I’mjustashirt,jeans,cardiganandDocs/Conversekindofperson.Idon’twear/puton(?)makeupeither.
11. DESCRIBE A NORMAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE. Whathappensinmyeverydaylifeisjustthesameaseveryoneelse’s.Seri-ously.
12. YOUR MESSAGE TO ASPIRING PHO-TOGRAPHERS. Takeaphoto,pointoutallthemistakesthatyouseeandlearnfromthem.Inmyopinion,photographyisaprocessoftrialanderror.Justkeepontakingphotosandtrytolessenthosemistakesonebyone.Andyouknowthepeoplewhotrytobringyoudownbysay-ingthatyourphotosaren’tgoodenough?Provethemwrong.
13. LIST OF YOUR TOP FIVE FA-VOURITE PHOTOGRAPHS
by Gen FernandezPhotos by Elisa Aquino
Thisbrunette’stimelessbeautyisscreamingpolishedperfection,herfeaturesexudinganelevatedsenseofyouth-fulvibranceandglow.SheischanellingarenaissancelookwithasumptuousScarlettJohanssonpoutandsultrywavesechoingtheunadulteratedoldHollywoodglamour.Herremark-ablepersonalityreflectsthemultiplicityofherworks;itmirrorstheterrainsofhermind-acharacteristicwhichhasdrawnherquiteanumberoffollowingthatwithstoodthetestoftime.FromtheCinnamonedaysonMultiplyuptoherdazzlingFiamettepersonaonTumblr,andnowcontinuouslyenchantingherpatronswithVivaLaManika’smesmericcharm.
Herartputsamodernspinonromance,seduction,el-eganceandgrandeur;itbringsusalltotheheartofRuedeglam.
Afiannepepperedherworkswithasaccharine-sweetspellandanindispensablespiceoffeminity,infusingitwithcosmeticrefinementandfemmefataleallure.Sheinstigatethemostinnovativeandawe-inspiringideaswhilepush-ingthefrontiersofdesignwithherdistinctfreshstyle.Butwhatmakesthisladyafarcryfromtheordinaryisherthoroughlyexecutedcraftsmanshipwithherhighlyregardedtechnique.
Shetakesdetailintoadifferentlevelanddefiescon-ventions.Itisinterestinghowshebreakstheflatnessofanimageandhowshegoesfarbeyondthelimitsorthenorm,andchosetodeviatesfromthemorecommonstandpoints.Byleeringatherartwork,you’llseehowsheplayswithprismofshadesanddeliciouslyboisterouspaletteofcolors,withsubtleopulentdetailingandsuperioraestheticsadornedbyoccasionedbouquetsofvintage-stylelushpatterns.Shebrilliantlymakescomplexcompositionsthatinvitetheview-ertothinkandponder.Hercreationsstandoutamidstavalleyofstandardizedartworks,noteworthyisthewaysheembedlavishovertonesofbeguilingromanceandgrownupso-phisticationtoeachandeverypieceshecreates.
Onecouldonlyimaginehowsheplayedwithdetailsandyetmanagedtoputeverythinginperfectharmony,thereisanexuberantblendingofentriesbutconsistencyremains.Herartworksarebutavehicleforexplorationsintotherealabstract.Abroaderlookintohervisualswouldgiveoneabettercomprehensionofallhercomposingelementsandsymbols.Opulent,sensualanddramaticcolorsandtexturesareallyoursforthetaking.Thisladywillsurelytakeyoubystormwhileunleashingherfull-blowngrace.Grandslamglamisthenameofhergame.
HOW IS FIAMETTE AS AN ARTIST? She’sdoinggood.Feelingjustfineanddandy.Busierwithprojectsthaneverbutabsolutelyhappier.
WHEN AND HOW DID YOU DISCOVER THE ARTIST IN YOU? Iwasnotreallythekidwhoknewwhatshewantedbackinthedaysun-tilIdiscoveredDeviantArtinhighschool.Itopenedmymindtothepossi-bilityofahumanbeingasyoungas16,17,18todomagicwiththeirimages.Irememberreligiouslyvisitingthesiteandjustbrowsingaroundthewholeday.Forthefirsttimeinmyearlyyears,Iwassoblownaway.IknewrightthenIwantedSOBADtodowhatthese‘deviantartists’doandpromisedmyselfIwillcreateartthatwillleaveimpressionssomeday.
WHEN WE LOOK AT YOUR ARTWORK, WHAT DO WE SEE?
AsIhavestatedinmyproject,VivaLaManika,Ihavealwaysbeensofascinatedwithyounggirls–fromthemannertheyconductthemselvestotheirrebelliousnesstotheirfashionandphantasmsandsoon.Theyhavealwaysbeenmygreatestinspirationintermsofart.Othersmayfinditdifficulttoappreciateanything‘girly’,sotheysay,orteenybopperbutIamonetoem-bracethat‘culture’throughmyseriesofbrightlycoloredmixedmediacompo-sitions.Itmusthavebeentheresultofgrowingupwithanultra-femininemotherwho’vealwaysgroomedmetobeladylikeandall(thoughshedidnotentirelysucceedforIcanbeaslightriotattimes)and2sisterswhowereverydeartome.
DO YOU DO ANY ART-RELATED ROUTINE IN PARTICULAR?
Ilovethisquestionalot.Art-istsareanti-routine.Mostofthemareinlovewithspontaneity.Iusedtotreatitinsuchaway.IonlydowhatIfeellikedoing.VLMwascre-atedtostopmefrombeingaloosecannonandstarttrainingmyselftoplanbeforepublishing.There’salotofdisciplineinit,actually.Justbecauseyou’reanartistdoesn’tmeanyoushouldn’tsetregulationsforyourselfanymore.Thereisnothingpracticecan’timprove.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CUR-RENT PLACE IN THE ART SCENE?
Itiscurrentlyastruggle,tobebrutallyhonest,butI’mhappilystruggling.ThepeoplewhoappreciatewhatIdo(byfriendshiporbychance)arepreciousasdiamondstome.Theykeepmemovingforward.
WHEN IS YOUR MOST CREATIVE TIME?
WhenIampart-relaxed,part-ex-posedtosomeone’sstunningsuccess.EverytimeIseealotofpeoplemyagewho’vealreadymadeoverwhelmingbreakthroughs,Ifeelthepressure.Pressuredrivescreativitythoughitcanbeatraitorifover-felt(ifthereissuchaword).Thisisthereasonwhykeepingthecoolisequallyimportant.
WHO ARE YOUR ART ICONS?
EdwardRecife,RaphaelVicenzi,TerryRichardson,TimWalker,SofiaCoppola,EllenVonUnwerth.
WHAT’S THE MOST REWARDING PART OF BEING AN ARTIST?
Theloyaltyofthepeoplewhogenuinelyappreciateyourstyleisforeverablessing.I’vebeentrainedbyaCEOfriendtoalwaysvaluetheloyaltyofonemorethanfame,money,numberofone-timefollowers/clients/friendsorwhateveryouwishtocallthembecauseloyaltypowerfullydoeswhattheotherfactorscan’t.
WHAT ARE THE STRUGGLES YOU’VE EX-PERIENCED ALONG THE WAY?
Toproveyourselfisforeverthegreateststruggle.I’vebeendoubted,cursedat,leftbehind,misunderstood,thelistofbitchslappingmomentsisendlessandIhumblyacceptthattherewillbemoreinthefuture.ItisonlyvitaltobefirmandtokeepinmindthatIamnevergoingtopleaseevery-one.
WHAT KEEPS YOUR CREATIVE FIRE GO-ING?
a)passionandb)survival
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT PHASES YOU WENT THROUGH BEFORE BEING THE ART-IST YOU ARE NOW?
Thephaseswerenotreallydif-ferentfromeveryotherbuttheyhavelingeredforquiteatime.Be-forebeingtheartistIamtoday,Iwasbaduy.Ididn’thavetastethen,myworksweremessyandeverything.Ihadlittle-to-nohigh-endtools.IfIcouldonlyshowthemtothosewhodreamtobeanartistovernight,Iwould.Thatway,itwillbeveryeasyforyoutounderstandthatitdoesn’t’workthatway.Creatinggoodartisnotanimmediateprocess.EvenImy-self,atthispoint,stilldon’tthinkI’vedoneenough.Istillfeeltheneedtoevolve.Tomakeit,youshouldwholeheartedlydevote10,000hoursofyourtimetowhatyoulove,noeasierway.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE STRESS?
IusedtobeverybadathandlingitmainlybecauseIdidn’tknowhowtosay“no”beforeuntilIexperienceditsultimateeffectsfirsthandwhenIstartedworking.Itwasn’tgoodsoIforcedmyselftolearnhowtoweighmattersdownandassertandacceptonlythetasksIcanfinishontime.ThatandDairyQueendoesthetrick.
HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO BRIDGE THE GAP FROM ART BEING A MERE HOBBY TO AN ACTUAL CAREER? WiththiseraofNewMediawehavenoexcuseanymoretonotbeintheknow.Everythingisfoundinwwwalready.Iwouldreadalotandedu-catemyselfwithproperinforma-tion,avoidfallinginlovewithmyfirstideas,planthingsout(itneverhurts),pushmylimits,makemyfinalideasconcrete,findtherightaudi-ence,buildapersonalrelationshipwiththem(treatthemnotliketheyareallthesame,consumersdon’tlikethat),monitortheirbehavior.Regard-lessofhowharditis,justkeepgo-ing.
ANY PARTICULAR MAGAZINES/BOOK/BLOGS/ YOU FIND YOURSELF GOING TO FOR INSPIRATION OVER OTHERS?
IndependentFashionBloggers(in-dependentfashionbloggers.org),Au-thorsMalcolmGladwellandSethGodinhaveabunchofawesomestudiesthatarehelpfulforthosewhowishtopur-sueacareerinart,andSmashingMag(smashingmagazine.com)
DO YOU THINK YOUR DESIGNS REFLECT THE TYPE OF PERSON YOU ARE?
Yes.ItwillhavetotakeLOTSofmoodsinordertocreatethosedigitalcollages.Ihavesuchmoods.Lol.
WHAT TYPE OF MESSAGE/MOTIF DO YOU TRY/WANT TO GET ACROSS THROUGH YOUR PHOTOS?
Howbittersweetitistobeyoung,beautiful,inlove,insane,andflawed.
WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER PLANS?
Sofar,torecruitwritersandotherartistsforVLMinthefutureandcollaboratewithyoungdesignersonafashioncollection.
THERE IS NO CHANCE, NO DESTINY, NO FATE,
CAN CIRCUMVENT OR HINDER OR CONTROLTHE FIRM RESOLVE OF
A DETERMINED SOUL.GIFTS COUNT FOR NOTHING;
WILL ALONE IS GREAT- ELLA WHEELER WILCOX
YOUARTMANTRA?
Appliesnotsolelytoartbuttolifeinthesameway:
Big Bangs
Theory
Parallel
Reality
Parallel Reality
Make-up:NixonDizonofBCGSalonModels:AngelaMuhlach,InnaNaval,
LuigiMartinezStyling:EsmePalaganas
byPatNabong
RSVPPhilippine FashionWeek
by Pat Nabong
Fromtop:Axe,Jellybean,Fold-edandhung,Jellybean,Oxygen,Foldedandhung,andAxe.
Creditshttp://www.zara.com/http://www.topshop.com/http://jeffreycampbellshoes.comhttp://solestruck.com/http://hm.com
STACHE MagazineOnlinedoesnotclaimownershiponanyofthephotosincludedinthemagazine.Theybelongtotheirrespectiveownerswhichisquiteobviousbynow.Ifeveryouseeanythingleftuncredited,don’[email protected]
WHERE TO FIND THE PEOPLE INSIDEMaine-darkpantomime.info
Elisa-thundepopcola.tumblr.com
Mare-aninstantoutoftime.tumblr.com
Maan-missmcsmitty.tumblr.com
Mary-dearmary.info
Karen-selfishmustard.tumblr.com
Gen-thiskidlovesvintage.tumblr.com
Merphi-merphilline.tumblr.com
ReeseandVica-facebook.com/ReeseVica
Dave-davidguison.tumblr.com
Abby-thecoffeejunkie.tumblr.com
Pat-dorkoinvasion.tumblr.com
BigBangsTheory-bigbangstheory.blogspot.com
AfianneCope-vivalamanika.com