NOVEMBER 2012 COVERS OF THE MONTH

After quite sometime, I am bringing back my choice covers of the month, although this time instead of just choosing the best 3 covers, I am including several other magazines that I can list here, and make some (beautiful or nasty) comments para fun!

As a stylist myself, I don't want our magazine work to be judged, especially if it's a cover. Nevertheless, I'll try to be as kind as possible - so goodluck to the bitchy me. Here's a round down on different magazine covers for November 2012:


1) ROGUE MAGAZINE
The best cover of the month! Pauline Prieto looking va-va-boom and so Avedon - I'm soooo blown away!


2) ESQUIRE PHILIPPINES
Just like Esquire, I love Andi Eigenmann here, too - young, flirty, girly, and sexy.


3) LOOK MAGAZINE
Actresses Angelica Panganiban + Cristine Reyes = very Pantene-beautiful!

 
 
4) PREVIEW MAGAZINE
Certainly not Preview's jaw-dropping best, but a check for a beautiful Marian Rivera with her peeking treasure chest.

 
 
5) MEG MAGAZINE
Kathryn Bernardo is teen queen with Meg finally doing it right for its target market this time.

 
 
6) SENSE & STYLE
Kathryn Bernardo again - quota na!

 
 
7) COSMOPOLITAN PHILIPPINES
To Liz Uy, wow for braving that cleavage exposure!

 
 
8) PLAYBOY PHILIPPINES
Playboy Playmate of the Year Sky Aisuru is one hot sight to behold. 

 
 
9) MEN'S HEALTH PHILIPPINES 
Paolo Avelino = macho gwapito! 

 
 
10) GARAGE 
The hunky Semerad twins with fiercing looks that say, ahmmm, porn?

 
 
11) FHM PHILIPPINES 
I am so feeling blue with this cover.

12) MEGA MAGAZINE
Injustice for Zsa zsa Padilla for sure!

13) METRO MAGAZINE
The beautiful Solenn Heusaff turned into an aging red-clad matrona in winter wonderland that looks pang-holiday catalogue!

14) WOMEN'S HEALTH
Next please...

15) MOD
Whoever did this to Marian Rivera's face must be slapped endlessly left and right.

 
 
 
 
 

A BITCHY HOLIDAY

I remember my partner, George Palmiano, telling me that he loves Christmas Day because everyone makes an effort to dress up - from the stylish down to the ultimate jologs - with their newly-purchased Yuletide outfits. So true!

Not to be outdone, my 1-year old toy poodle, VIVIENNE, wanted to create her own fashionable statement, steal the spotlight and spread some glad tidings by dressing up as a Santa dog. She even had her own pictorial, and asked me to do a graphic layout starring her newly-groomed self with her very direct, super bold Christmas message dedicated to the bitches of the entire world! Well, lo and behold...

Don't you just love her? Happy holidays to all!

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

'Twas the night before Christmas, and my spirits are soaring high.
People talk about amazement, just look at these delights!
The most wonderful time of the year is almost here,
There's no reason to fret or shed a tear.
While everybody's gushing, rushing and turning,
I drove around the metro for some sight-seeing.
When, what to my wandering eyes would appear,
In these hard times, we hope to spread some Christmas cheer!
While I look forward to our Noche Buena feast tonight,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a fabulous night!


A. TAGUIG

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT. The stars are out with these fabulous display of acrylic lights at Boni High Street.

GLEAMS OF HOPE. Bonifacio Global City sparkles with ornamental balls of light.

B. MAKATI

TURNING GREEN. Ayala Center Makati is all-green with this giant Christmas tree.

FLOWER POWER. Greenbelt Park livens up with red-and-green poinsettia lanterns.

FAB AS USUAL. Rustan's Makati beams up with its walkway with well-themed, conceptual window display.

CARE FOR THE RARE. Rustan's Makati goes eco-chic with note-worthy window theme that promotes animal protection and awareness.

ANIMAL LOVE. Nothing can be grander than promoting protection of endangered species like this.

STARCAPADE. At night, Ayala Avenue lights up Makati as the city of stars.

LIGHT PAINTING. While driving at Buendia Avenue, I took a photograph of the road at cruising speed, and I am quite amazed with the motion trail effect I got. 

C. MANILA

CENTER OF ATTRACTION. This elegant Christmas tree stands proud and tall in the middle of a toy village inside Robinsons Place Manila.

D. ORTIGAS

ALL STARS. Ortigas gathered the stars and placed them in this all-white, giant Christmas tree.

CURTAIN OF LIGHTS. SM Megamall is dreaming of a White Christmas.

WONDER, YONDER. Robinsons Galleria impresses with hanging stars.

E. PASAY

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND. A giant Christmas tree that stands in the center of a Christmas village attracts shoppers at SM Mall of Asia

BIG TIME. This Christmas tree standing just outside SM Mall of Asia (at San Mig by the Bay) looms large at night.

BEYOND THE STARS. Star City decorates this tree with a giant pinhead spaceball.

THE FIRST NOEL. A trade hall just beside the PICC Complex looks classy with a direct and significant Yuletide message - NOEL - the reason why we celebrate Christmas.

THE INHUMANOIDS

Since today is All Saint's Day, please allow me to share these pictures from a recent fashion show collection that fits perfectly well the day's theme - well, give that until tomorrow - a scary (as in nakakakilabot) fashion tribute to the undead. The people behind HUMAN have gone over the top - they must be thinking of Halloween costumes when they had a show during the first day of the Philippine Fashion Week (their theme was Mexico's Festival of the Dead - that's why). Mind you, Jason of Friday the 13th and even Freddie Krueger of A Nightmare on Elm Street - if gone gay and loud - would both definitely love these clothes - is that a good, or a bad thing? 

Definitely, in my mind, I am in a state of shock (again, is that a good or a bad thing?)!

A NOT SO FAIRY TALE. A male Tinkerbell gone gothic... or mad?

WRESTLING FEDERASYON. Will Nacho Libre still wrestle in a pair of net stockings and floral short shorts?

HORROR KING. When Freddie Krueger opts for the plaid instead of the stripes, and realizes that he, too, is having a nightmare.

FLOWER GIRL. Please don't invite her to your wedding - you wouldn't want her to carry the flowers for you!

RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD. In fairness! A youthful, colorful version of Thierry Mugler's Fall 2011 look.

THE COCONUT NUT. Has gone nuts, definitely.

As they say, to each his own. But to quote a line from the recently shown horror-comedy film, Zombadings (Patayin sa Shokot si Remington), "Awarddddd!"



NOTE: All photos from stylebible.ph

ENTER THE DRAGONS

After basketball and boxing, the spotlight have turned on other local athletic teams that comprise strong, colossal and muscular men. The use of athletes are becoming the in-thing for fashion & advertising, and have gone to sell like hot commodities. We cheered for and barked along The Azkals in various football games while they score a string of endorsements. We threw our support on The Volcanoes rugby team, even in the event of the removal of their controversial billboards along EDSA. Now comes THE DRAGONS breathing fire while rowing their boats - are they the next batch of hot endorsers for other brands?

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS. The Cobra Philippine Dragon Boat Team (photo from their Facebook account)

Unlike the other pre-mentioned athletic teams, the members of The Cobra Philippine Dragon Boat Team (imagine, Cobra na, Dragon pa!) are true champions as they were valiant in scoring a gold medal in the recent World Championships at Tampa Bay, Florida, USA. The small contingent, who went to the competition with lack of support from the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Commitee, paddled their way to win the men’s small-boat 1,000 meters in world record fashion, blowing away Australia and Hungary for the title.

And since the champs are home with a recognition that makes any Filipino proud, I can already feel some sectors planning to join the athletic bandwagon for endorsement deals. Since Collezione has two Azkals, Bench has the whole Volcanoes and one Azkal, and F&H with one Azkal, why not other retail brands (like Penshoppe, Regatta, SM Mens Fashion) get the also muscle-clad Dragons, or The Cobras, to heat up the already hot competition?

ROW YOUR BOAT. The Dragons (Or Cobras) in action - aren't they sexy, too? (photo from their Facebook account)

I won't be surprised if the well-endowed Dragons (who are sexy in their own way) also go bold someday in sexy underwear ad campaign, which is the on-going trend right now. However, the Adboard wouldn't allow billboards with skin exposure, so better scratch the idea now or just use the pictures for PR or as in-store collaterals. Better yet, why not shoot them all together like boatmen headed to the sea with ripped jeans and just enough clothes ala-Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2011 with this peg in mind: don't you agree?

THROW YOUR SUPPORT: Bench vs. Folded&Hung

There is nothing wrong with sexy advertising. And there is definitely nothing wrong with something that looks exciting and enticing, even more inviting, especially in a time when selling goods is like cracking hard nuts.

Weeks back, we lament the removal of BENCH BODY's billboard roster of brief-clad, Olympus-like athletes from The Philippine Volcanoes rugby team in Guadalupe, EDSA. Perhaps the most controversial billboard of the current times, we are seeing how globally-competitive our local ad campaigns have become - only to be scrutinized by malicious, ultra-conservative minds.

BEFORE:

Photo from Bench website

AFTER:

My partner Geo would always applaud everytime we pass by the revised version of the Volcanoes ad campaign - without the Volcanoes athletes in them. This ironic visual display shows how brilliantly clever the minds of those behind Bench. A parody of sorts, the angered Bench makes it message very clear this time: THROW YOUR SUPPORT, period. I am sure there's an underlying meaning to this (maybe, let's throw our support against this move by self-proclaimed but ignorant moralists?), and perhaps an attack versus billboard censors who are obvious samples of urban, cultural decay. 

Also gone is BENCH BODY's Aly Borromeo billboard, team captain of The Philippine Azkals.

Photo from Bench website

Joining the bandwagon of using hot, well-endowed sportsmen as brand endorsers is FOLDED&HUNG. With the release of the new pictorial that features Neil Etheridge (obviously out to give sexy competition to teammate Aly), goalkeeper and also from the much-sought Philippine Azkals, wearing only briefs and showing armpits in the air while both legs spread on a couch, too, the trendsetting F&H seems to run out of steam as they look second fiddle to the already controversial Bench.

Photo from Folded&Hung Facebook account

The recent Facebook status of F&H also encourages its patrons to throw their support if they would want to see Neil's billboard up in EDSA. Not to stir controversy since I support and respect both brands, I can already feel the Bench group using Cherie Gil's immortal line "You're nothing but a second-rate.......... !"  You sucha kitty!

Anyways, I salute both brands for being bold. Let's just throw our support - more than those underwear supporters that these athletes wear when out on a competitive game.

THE ROAD TO RESURRECTION

As a country predominantly Christian both in values and faith, nothing can be more fasyon than remembering the passion of Christ this Lenten season.

We, Pinoys, have gone accustomed to Holy Week traditions such as the senakulo, the pabasa, a multitude of processions, the Visita Iglesia, to name a few. Personally, I feel incomplete without having to visit at least 7 churches that had special meaning to me, or I found I needed to go and see to enrich myself spiritually or culturally.

GORGEOUS SUNSET. I took this photo while at Subic with my family. Holy Week is more than a vacation - it is also a time to reflect, find inner peace, and thank God for natural wonders such as this breathtaking sunset along Subic Bay. Isn't life beautiful?

MAUNDY THURSDAY. After having dinner, we went to a nearby chapel along Dewey Ave. that looked more like Simbang Gabi than Semana Santa. I could remember my uncle, who served in the US Navy before, bringing us here during our holiday stay, as well as those days when the Americans played gods - it was so much better then!

VIA CRUCIS. It was nice to see young ones join their adult counterparts in doing the Stations of the Cross.

TRUE RELIGION. Please say a little prayer for us, mom!

DIVINE INTERVENTION. A carosa carrying Jesus Christ awaited the devotees outside the church.

LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Candles blazed in the dark of the night - giving us hope and renewed spirituality.

CARRY YOUR CROSS. No loads are too heavy as long as you have faith in Him.

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS. We give flowers to those we love - and to those we honor.

GUARDIAN ANGEL. Back in Manila, an angel welcomed me at St. Anthony's Parish. This carved figure has been there since I was in Prep school - a magnificent piece of religious art!

HOLIER THAN THOU. Even if it's kinda dirty, as a Catholic, I must dip my hand on that bowl of Holy Water before entering the church.

PASCHAL MYSTERY. Priests line up in the dark at Manila Cathedral during Black Saturday.

LA PIETA. This is one of the monumental artworks inside Manila Cathedral that continues to amaze me everytime I visit.

BASILICA. The Manila Cathedral's magnificent facade (during night) is always inspiring.

LOST ART. I don't hate street art - but in Intramuros? Saw this wall while walking my way from the Cathedral to San Agustin Church.

SAVE THE YOUTH. I saw this young boy upon entry to San Agustin Church, and I thought he was real.

INRI. Of all the blessings we have received, we must also remember the pain and suffering that Jesus went thru while dying on the cross.

ON HOLY GROUND. The tombstones on the wall almost gave me the creep!

ALTAR BOUND. This grandiose altar of San Agustin is one the reasons why this church has been a long time favorite. Notice the elaborate details - don't you want to walk down this aisle someday?

LIGHT MY FIRE. I am not sure what these things are - I saw other churches having the same. Maybe they'll light this during the Salubong.

ALLELUJAH! The Lord is risen! Peace be to all! Happy Easter everyone!