Credo issue 1

ISSUE 1 Red Charity Gala 2014

THE ART OF DRESSING UP A passion for fashion and charity

Tessa Prieto-Valdes Jesus Lloren Kaye Tinga

THE REVOLUTIONARY DRESS

Photo courtesy of MEGA

A bold flash of red: Nothing says ‘passion’ than fashion that inspires, helps and makes a difference.

Lifestyle Asia

Continues Its Legacy of Class and Luxury Lifestyle Asia, the Philippines’ number one luxury magazine in the Philippines continues to celebrate great possibilities for society’s top tier, engendering an elegance of spirit that defines luxury beyond visible wealth by lauding meaningful lives.

The magazine is the undisputed leader amongst luxury magazines and remains a frontrunner in the industry with distinctions from the Quill Awards who recognizes the highest global standards for business communication practices.

The magazine continues to share the most significant events and parties of the Philippine high society and bring inspiring stories of men and women who continue to climb the ladder of success in their chosen field. It also highlights the latest cars, gadgets, services, and travel ideas that tickle the fancy of the society who has a keen eye for class and opulence.

This October, Lifestyle Asia celebrates the Power Issue with fashion mogul and philanthropistBen Chan who shares his success story, how he took Bench to a global scale and continued growing it in a globally competitive market.

Because Ben Chan had understood the Filipino market over the years, he also took foreign brands closer to the Filipino market such as Aldo, Charles & Keith and La Senza, just to name a few.

Aside from making waves in publishing, Lifestyle Asia is also known for the annual Gala which is one of the most-awaited events of the year. It’s a get-together of the who’s who of the Philippine society and an anniversary celebration of the Philippines’ pioneer luxury magazine.

Lifestyle Asia’s Home & Away 2 is also in the limelight as it has been a best seller since its launch last January of this year. It features hotels, establishments, and living spaces of prominent personalities such as national artist Pablo S. Antonio, architect Lor Calma and Manny & Cynthia Villar. It also features different architects and designers who changed the landscape of the industry with breath taking projects that surpassed imaginations. In 2013, the first edition of Lifestyle Asia’s Home & Away won a Quill Award for Publications, further strengthening Lifestyle Asia’s position as the leading luxury magazine.

Issue 1 Red Charity Gala 2014 25 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 44 46 48

Chairpersons’ Letter Editor’s Note Pre-Gala: L’Occitane and the RED Muses Profile: Kaye Tinga and Tessa Prieto-Valdes Profile: Ariel Lozada and Robert Blancaflor Profile: Carmela Cinco Profile: Jesus Lloren Fashion & Art: Musings with the Muses Special thanks Patrons, sponsors and stockists Last Word: Inno Sotto on Jesus Lloren

Welcome to our sixth Red Charity Gala, which presents

the deserving fashion genius of Jesus “Jojie” Lloren! As my co-chair Kaye Tinga shared in the wonderful pages of Lifestyle Asia’s September issue, the challenge of choosing the featured designer is overwhelming but Jojie’s time has come, as he is the prime example of Filipino creativity.

As partners in fashion and charity, Kaye and I are truly blessed to have family and friends who generously support this benefit gala for Red Cross and Assumption HS ‘81 Foundation. Our list of gracious friends has multiplied, and we feel the love!

chairperson’s letter

Every year, Kaye and I always look forward to a fashionable and action-packed affair that gets crazy at times. We may go overboard this time because of all the exciting auction items so please brace yourself for a long but fun-filled evening. We are sure that the delicious food of Makati Shangri-La Hotel will keep your tummy sufficiently satisfied.

After months of planning with Direk Ariel and Maggie, we hope you all enjoy the show as much as we had fun working on the project. Most importantly, know that your presence tonight is creating a big, positive impact on numerous lives all over the country, and for that, we are forever grateful!

To our generous sponsors, this first issue of CREDO is for you! We couldn’t have mounted this amazing gala without your support. Please don’t ever tire in being our wonderful partners as we share our blessings to those in need.

Kisses, Sea Princess

P.S. Giving special love to my awesome giveaway friends of Adworks, Coke, Downy, Gardenia, Goldilocks, Made in Candy, Olay, Rustan’s, The Pastry Company and ZenZest. We all love giveaways!

EDITOR Sheryl Songsong ART DIRECTOR Carolyn Lee PHOTOGRAPHER-AT-LARGE Paolo Buendia

WRITERS GUEST EDITORS Inno Sotto, MVT Herrera ONLINE Editor redcharitygala.com Ian Galliguez MAKEUP & HAIR Patrick Rosas

CHAIRPERSONS Tessa Prieto-Valdes & Kaye Tinga FEATURED DESIGNER Jesus Lloren OVER-ALL DIRECTOR Ariel Lozada LINE PRODUCER Maggie Gineta FASHION STYLIST Noel Manapat

FASHION STYLING TEAM SPECIAL THANKS Sherwynn Chan Green Sun Nio Manzano Jeff Penaranda HAIR & MAKEUP Toni & Guy Jonathan Rivera

Nelson Cruz MUSIC Junar Santos Jherson Gutierrez Carmela Sinco Angelo Manuel

PRODUCTION PRODUCER FOR TECHNICALS Joel Acebedo PRODUCER FOR SHOW Ana Lloren-Reyes TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Otto Hernandez

LIGHTING DESIGNER Paulo Paulino STAGE MANAGERS Marcel Isip Claire Labadlabad

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS Patricia Basilio Chelly Bulaon April Damo Lady Ogalesco

photographer, Jerome Apostol

editor’s note This marks my first Red Charity Gala event and I have

witnessed how hard the team behind it works—the long hours and late nights just to make sure everything is in its right place. Watching Kaye and Tessa work together for charity is such an inspiration. I’ve seen many different partnerships—business, creative, marriage—but nothing quite like being partners for such an enduring cause.

Another first is this magazine you’re holding. CREDO is defined as an idea or set of beliefs that guides the actions of a person or group, which I think is very apt for the cause and the people behind this event.To everyone who contributed and shared his or her time, efforts and resources for this worthy cause, this issue is for you.

Our third and final first, we recently launched the official website of the gala at redcharitygala.com. Please have a look, and browse through our gallery of past events and projects.

A big thank you to Tessa for reaching out and making me part of something as meaningful as this.The team has made me feel at home; and Kaye is right about saying that after six years, the team has become friends, and organizing the event has become an opportunity to come together for a great cause.

So, I welcome you to the maiden issue of CREDO. I look forward to nurturing and expanding this magazine in the years to come, so we can continue inspiring you to help others.

What’s your credo?

PREGALA TEA PARTY The 30 most fashionable women of the Red Charity Gala were invited to an exclusive, all-ladies pre-Red Gala tea party.

The party celebrated the ‘RED muses,’ Manila’s most fashionable women of charity as well as the launch of the latest fragrance of L’Occitane, Arlesienne.

Gifts and Graces, an organization that helps communities create livelihood through their crafts and handmade items was also at the party and guests were encouraged to shop as the profits go to the different communities that are rebuilding their lives after going through some difficult times.

Founded by society icon Tessa Prieto-Valdes and philanthropist Kaye Tinga, the Red Charity Gala is where fashion and philanthropy come together.

“In the previous years, the Red Charity Gala 2014 has efficiently raised funds for the Philippine Red Cross and Assumption High School Batch 1981 by featuring Dubai-based designers.

But now that the spotlight is on the impeccable artistry of a Filipino designer, Jesus Lloren, and we expect to have a more successful fund raising event for the benefit of our dearest Yolanda survivors in Samar.” – Tessa

“With your continuous support, we strongly believe in the positive outcome of the Red Charity Gala 2014, and we hope to touch more lives in the upcoming years.” - Kaye

Robert Blancaflor, a trusted name in the events industry, lends his styling expertise to the gala and magically transforms the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-La. From the table setting to the floral arrangements, guests are always in awe with his creations.

Fondly called “Direk,� Ariel Lozada is the over-all director of the Red Charity Gala.

He is pertinent to detail, and never takes anything for granted. His dynamic approach and streamlined style lights up the RCG stage, this year, for Jesus Lloren.

composer/ pianist Carmela Sinco enjoys a career as a composer, pianist/ keyboardist and music director in the New York City area and around the globe. For this year’s Red Charity Gala, Carmela composes original music for Jesus Lloren’s runway show. A composer of music for the concert stage, film, television, video and the visual arts, she has received commissions and performances of her works in the USA, the Philippines, Europe and Africa having also recorded and engineered her own works for film and television. Her credits include: original music for A Fool’s Idea (video web documentary film series by Brian A. Bernhard of Blight Productions, Los Angeles, 2013-present); Kampala Scenes (four pieces for piano solo; world premiere Visionary Africa Art Exhibit opening concert; Kampala, Uganda; 2012); original music for Régie Braun web advertisement (Swiss real estate company; Lausanne, Switzerland, 2010); The Love Story (film by Brian Bernhard, Blight Productions, NYC, 2010); original story and music for Raya and Sag-In (one-act opera with dance based on Philippine legend characters, commissioned by Golden Fleece Ltd., world premiere production 2009, New York City); original music for the 2006-2010 seasons of Great Decisions (TV series on global issues, Foreign Policy Association, New York City, PBS tv stations nationwide airings); original music for the documentary film Riding in Stride (PremHart Pictures; national PBS stations airings, 2005-2008; The Sport TV & Film Festival screening, Mumbai, India, 2007); original music for Art or Something Like It (TV series by Brian A. Bernhard, CUNY TV NYC, 2006); music for Characters and Crossroads (for bass trombone and piano, commissioned by Michael Becker of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, world premieres 2006 and 2003, CD release for Characters – 2010); Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra, commissioned by Anthony Kniffen of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra; and numerous works for voice and piano, various music ensembles and original music for short, independent and comedic films, visual art and public service announcements in the USA. As a pianist and music director, her credits include: Music Director, Pianist and Orchestrator for Much Ado About Nonie (Triple Threat, Cultural Center of the Philippines; Manila, Philippines; 2013); Keyboardist, Vocalist

and Band Leader for Camel Club Sessions (Kampala, Uganda; 2013); Pianist and Collaborator for Kura – Up Close and Personal (Kampala, Uganda; 2013); Music Supervisor for Stageshow (prod. Tanghalang Pilipino, Cultural Center of the Philippines; Manila, Philippines; 2012); Solo Pianist and Orchestrator for Visionary Africa Art Exhibit opening concert (Kampala, Uganda; 2012); The Bayimba International Festival of Arts (Kampala, Uganda – solo classical piano recital, pianist with Live Classics chamber group, and orchestrator/arranger/keyboardist with Kampala Symphony Orchestra; September 2011); Music Arranger/Keyboardist/Band Leader for the off-Broadway musical production Honestly Abe (La Muse Venale Productions; The Mint Theater, New York City, April 2011); Pianist for the New Jersey City University Chorale (Jersey City, New Jersey; 2010-2013); Pianist for the off-Broadway musical Piaf: Love Conquers All (Tone Poet Productions, LLC; SoHo Playhouse, New York City, 2007-2008; Piccolo Spoleto Festival Theater Series, Charleston, South Carolina, 2008; Teaneck Festival of Arts, Teaneck, New Jersey, 2008; Francisco Santiago Hall, Manila, Philippines, 2008); Pianist/Assistant Music Director/Opera Coach for The Annual Commissioned Opera/Music Theater Production (Golden Fleece Ltd; New York City; 2007-2011); Pianist/Music Director for Song New York contemporary vocal music concert (Golden Fleece Ltd; New York City; 2004, 2008, 2009); and other musical and opera productions in the New York City area. Additional credits include various solo and collaborative classical music concerts with operatic and cabaret singers and participation as vocal collaborative pianist in music festivals in Nice (France), Barcelona (Spain), St. Petersburg (Florida, USA) and East Montpelier (Vermont, USA).

A music educator, she has been a guest artist and master class clinician in piano-vocal interpretation, vocal production and interpretation for musical theater, and piano performance around the USA, the Philippines and Uganda.

Ms. Sinco has a Master of Arts in MusicTheory and Composition (NewYork University), a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance (University of Hawaii) and years of private studies with composers and pianists in New York City, Hawaii and Europe. She is endorsed by Louis Chevrolet Swiss Watches USA LLC.

From a childhood dream to finally living the life of

Jesus Lloren shares his style and sensibilities

a renowned fashion designer, Jesus Lloren tells us about his journey to success.

Lloren’s designs, known for the perfect marriage of minimalism and sophistication, started out as paper dolls and doodles. “Sometime in Grade 5, I started reading fashion articles in the papers, clipping them and making my own drawings. I proudly showed them to my classmates and friends, but dreaded my parents seeing them,” he recalls.

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

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

However, these things did not discourage him. Instead, he considered them as a motivation to excel. “The greatest challenge facing a fashion designer is how to evolve. Continuous learning, experimentation, determination, passion, and an open mind are necessary for progress.”

Lloren had his big break in 1998 when he won the Philippine Young Designers Competition and Concours International des Jeunes Createurs in Paris. The abaca bodice that resembles a refined shiny armour became his winning piece, which also earned him a scholarship at the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de La Couture Parisienne touted as the alma mater of leading fashion designers such as Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent, Issey Miyake, and Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani His experiences and learning in Paris further honed his aesthetic vision and prepared him for making a trademark in the mainstream local fashion. Upon returning to his homeland, Lloren quickly established a reputation as a highlyskilled designer who is able to craft seemingly simple yet technically intricate designs. It was also around that time when he was nominated to head both the Young Designers Guild and the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines.

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

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

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

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

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

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

jesus lloren’s

Musings with the MUSES

Adam Geczy & Vicki Karaminas, eds, Fashion and Design. Berg, 2013. Anne Hollander, Seeing Through Clothes. University of California Press, 1993. Shown images are details of paintings from featured artists

clockwise, top right Juan Luna, Charlie Co, Carlos Botong Francisco, Jose Joya, Lee Aguinaldo, Arturo Luz, Pacita Abad, Federico Alcuaz, Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Roberto Chabet, Ang Kiukok

The realms of art and fashion are undeniably

distinct. They occupy different modes of production, presentation, and reception; they are subject to different responses from a common audience. Yet its points of meeting and divergence have resulted to vibrant and intriguing results.

For his Red Charity Gala Collection, Jojie Lloren chose to explore a path that brings together fashion and art. His distinct minimalism and impeccable tailoring become catalysts for forty new designs to emulate a concept, motif, or style identified with a Filipino artist. The resulting collection may be eclectic as it reflects the phenomenon of “complex multifariousness” characteristic of contemporary art. Still, they are bound by Lloren’s signature style.

This collection is not limited to Philippine contemporary art since it includes artists from the late 19th century, specifically Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. Whether intentional or not Lloren links his project to the modernist agenda that began in the same period when great artists since the time of Baudelaire “were in conspiracy with fashion”. Haute couture, the art-fashion nexus, the world in which this event is part of, began in 1850 with Charles Frederich Worth, and later, Paul Poiret, when garments started to assume the status of “substantial, sculptural objects, which just happen to have human support to activate them.”

The period between the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a deeper engagement between fashion and art. Design-based art movements such as Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Russian Constructivism, Bauhaus, and De Stijl included fashion as among its platforms to promulgate their respective aesthetics. Of course the artists themselves became more concerned with fashion as they were attracted to sartorial codes of being fashionable while “designers styled themselves as artistic savants in their quest for elevation to the prestige afforded to the fine arts.” Fashion played an important role in popularizing art as was evident in how Yves St. Laurent deemed his appropriation of Piet Mondrian and Andy Warhol as a form of “direct translation from imagery to the fashion floor.”

Similarly for Jojie Lloren, Filipino visual artists provide rich sources of artistic inspiration. The selection of artists and specific works are his alone. They reveal a multifaceted preference, exploring varied areas and realms of creative dialogues. Each dress is a new project, a new problem to resolve – from the pictorial plane to the dress or clothing.

Lloren’s proposition for each dress in relation to an artwork varies. One approach involves translating formal elements of line, light, color, and texture into the language of fashion. For example, layers of translucent fabric achieve the effect of Fernando Amorsolo’s shimmering light, Romulo Olazo’s diaphanous patterns, Vicente Manansala’s transparent cubism, and Sanso’s mysterious landscapes. Silhouettes of the dress simulate the sinuous lines of Botong Francisco or the ragged scavenger that is BenCab’s Sabel. Another approach employs recreating pictorial motifs, patterns, or compositions inspired by specific works. Alfonso Ossorio’s surreal assemblages are recalled in a tailored dress with heavily beaded embellishments. The linear compositions of Lee Aguinaldo and Arturo Luz compliment Lloren’s structured forms. Feminine draped forms are accented with the abstract expressionist lines of Fernando Zobel and Jose Joya, Nena Saguil’s Landscapes of the Mind, and H.R. Ocampo’s biomorphic patterns.

Jojie Lloren’s Red Charity Gala Collection is a tribute to Philippine visual art, yet it remains to be his authentic statement. Each dress bears his mastery of structure, balance, and restraint – the designer’s style, that differentiating and impalpable quality that is distinctly his own. MVT Herrera

clockwise, from left Mauro Santos, Gus Albor, Victorio Edades, Rodolfo Ragodon, Christina Valdezco, Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, HR Ocampo, Galo Ocampo, Mona Santos. opposite page Florencio Concepcion

Shown images are details of paintings from featured artists

Ma. Victoria T. Herrera is the Director of the Visual Arts and Museum Division, Production and Exhibition Department of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (since January 2012). She is seconded from the University of the Philippines – Diliman where she is an assistant professor at the Department of Art Studies. She also lecturers for the BFA in Arts Management program in Ateneo de Manila University where she teaches Western art history, curatorship, collections management, and other museum-related courses.

Until her posting at the CCP, she has engaged in freelance curatorial and museum-related projects. Among her research and exhibition projects are on Italian sculptor Francesco Riccardo Monti, painter/educator Florencio Concepcion, abstractionist Lee Aguinaldo, and conceptual artist Roberto Chabet. She co-authored the book The Life and Art of Lee Aguinaldo (2011) that won the Alfonso T. Ongpin Best Book on Art Prize in the National Book Development Award (2012). She is a member of the International Council of Museum (ICOM).

Shown images are details of paintings from featured artists

clockwise, from below Nena Saguil, Onib Olmedo, Alfonso Ossorio, Ben cabrera, Brenda Fajardo, Lexygius Calip, Felix Hidalgo opposite page, from top Geraldine Javier, Vicente Manansala

Shown images are details of paintings from featured artists

above Fernando Amorsolo opposite page, clockwise from top left Jose Pardo, Justin Nyuda, Cesar Legaspi , Anita Magsaysay-Ho, Romulo Olazo, Bernardo Pacquing, , Lao Lianben, Juvenal Sanso

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LAST WORD

T

here are two schools of thought when it comes to artistic expression.

One stems from the belief that art can exist purely for the pleasure of the artist. The other thinks that it should serve a purpose for its audience.

But every so often, there comes a creative force that straddles both lines – someone who can come up with works that are beautiful just for the sake of being beautiful, but at the same time intrigue people into wanting to know more.

Jesus “Jojie” Lloren is one of those rare individuals.

Jojie stands out first, by being a craftsman. He is unparalleled in the precision of his technical skills, manipulating fabric to suit his artistic vision. But his talent is much more than his ability to create clean silhouettes and anticipate how garments flow and move. He has the unique talent of bringing to life fashion that engages his audience.

Jojie is a thinking man’s designer. When you see his work, you cannot help but take another look. Then another, and another, until you get caught up in the vision that he is there to convey.