WORLD PREMIERE OF AGNES LOCSIN'S "SANGA: IKA-APAT NA GALAW"

“I have this great love for trees. I was deeply hurt when I saw a number of beautiful trees being cut down just around our neighborhood. Now, I want to create my own forest --- a real forest. As an artist, I felt that before I could do that, I need to build it first on stage to get the message through… To make people see the beauty and importance of trees,” said choreographer Agnes Locsin as she welcomed the audience to her dance concert, SANGA: Ika-Apat Na Galaw.

 

Agnes Locsin is a multi-awarded choreographer and the pioneering force behind the Philippine neo-ethnic dance movement. Her choreography usually demands a lot from dancers, requiring the strength of a classical ballet background, yet a willingness to break its stringent rules, blended with a great imagination and a theatricality to bring life to its nationalistic, environmental and gender themes. Her works are poetry in motion, with movements derived from poetry, paintings, and other art forms.

 

Her fourth installment to her Alay Sa Puno Performance Series had its world premiere in Davao last weekend at the Locsin Dance Studio, and was attended by dance and theater enthusiasts.  

 

The dance series began in 2010 with UGAT: Unang Galaw which featured Biag Gaongen as the performer in a solo dance concert about the plight of trees in the Philippines.  The series was triggered by Agnes’s concern about the disappearance of trees in the country, causing flash floods that have taken so many innocent lives.  UGAT was followed by DAHON: Ikalawang Galaw (with Georgette Sanchez), and PUNO: Pangatlong Galaw (with Gaye Galiluyo and Georgette Sanchez).

 

 

SANGA starred seasoned dancers Sonny Locsin and Kris-belle Paclibar, who both started training under Agnes’s mother, the late Carmen D. Locsin. “For me, this concert is very personal and special because both dancers first set their foot in the field of dancing here, in this studio.” Biag Gaongen, the featured choreographer for this piece, calls his mentor Nanang as he also considers her as his second mother, after being maternally orphaned at the age of 15.

 

The show proved to be a visual and aural treat. Poet and academician Ricardo De Ungria stepped in as narrator, his own compositions as overture to each act. Kris-belle and Sonny showed dancing prowess with seemingly effortless leg extensions, flexibility, precise and challenging movements, and muscle control.

 

The 60-minute production ended with a well-deserved standing ovation. At curtain call, Agnes was surprised by the alumni and dancers of Ballet Philippines with their simple yet touching tribute. Each took turn to give her a hug and a flower, which moved the choreographer and audience to tears… Me, her former student, included.

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.
A1, Indulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 6 Issue 118, 28 August 2013.

MODA MINDANAW 2013

 

Last Sunday, 36 young and dynamic designers gathered at SM City Davao for a design competition and extravaganza on street wear, evening wear and men’s wear. For 6 years, Moda Mindanaw has become a platform for up and coming fashion designers from all Mindanao to exhibit their unique creations.

In celebration of Davao’s diverse culture, designers took fashion inspiration from the local tribes namely the Ata Manobo, Bagobo Tagabawa, Ubo Manobo, Matigsalog, K’lata, Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausog, Sama, and Kalagan.

 

 

Oca Casaysay, committee head for Moda Mindanaw, shared, “This year's event highlights the different colors and patterns from each tribe. With the designers’ interaction with the different tribes, they are expected to come up with creations that reflect the culture of the tribal group assigned to them.”

 

 

 

In Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s welcome speech, read by City Administrator, lawyer Jhopee Avancena-Agustin, he shared his pride and delight in how the annual cultural event has evolved through the years. “Moda Mindanaw has indeed gone far. It has evolved from promoting the region’s indigenous materials to showcasing Mindanao’s hand-woven textiles and various fibers. And more than all these, Moda Mindanaw has become a stage for young and vibrant designers to showcase their craft. The show features what’s hip while preserving the Mindanao identity in the process. It is always refreshing to see new concepts and ideas from young designers as it shows their individuality, and yet their creations still exude that Mindanao originality and uniqueness.”

 

 

 

Roan Aguilar’s Tausog-inspired creation won in the Evening Wear category, while Aries Buevenida’s Maranao-inspired won in the Streetwear category. The prize for Men’s Wear went to the Tausug-inspired tunic by Manny Deiparini. The Maranao-inspired accessories of Pie Tiambeng won in the Project Accessories category.

 

 

This year's event also paid tribute to one of Davao's fast-rising and multi-talented designers, Edgar Buyan. Also performing on stage were folk singer Bayang Barrios and the Kaliwat Performing Arts Ensemble.

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 6 Issue 113, 21 August 2013.

 

 

STYLE IN THE TROPICS: EDGY AND URBAN FASHION FROM BERSHKA

Store Specialists Inc. collaborates with Inditex Group, one of the world’s biggest fashion retailers, to bring in the well-known Spanish clothing brand, Bershka, to Manila. Under the Inditex umbrella are sister brands Zara and Massimo Dutti which offer a plethora of stylish pieces to cosmopolitan women.

Trendy girls who are well-traveled can vouch for the reasonably priced fashionable collections that Bershka showcases in 785 stores around the world. It’s about time this fashion concept is brought to our tropical shores!

 

 

Metropolitan Chic

The Bershka girl traces her roots to folk origins by matching retro-style urban wear with bleached denims. Ethnic influences in the form of ikat embroideries and Indian patterns are paired with metallic appliques. Vinyl and acrylic jewelry and bags are great accessories to enhance the geometric cuts. Transparent box type carry-on’s have foil type finishes that give a mirror-like quality to the total look.

The Bershka girl relaxes with her Boho dresses that show off gradient pleating and lace relief, but come party time she stands out with sequins and iridescent animal prints full of metallic and trinket appliques. The shoe collection amplifies last year’s biggest trends. Wedges, flat shoes, and high heels are laid on with spikes, studs, and metal fixes. The use of Napa leather, suede, and vinyl ensure long-lasting comfort.

 

 

BSK, the youngest line, pays tribute to the urban romantic by using guipere embroidered cotton with colors such as salmon, tangerine, nude, and vanilla. Pops of fluorescent orange and black come forth occasionally.

Jewel-like beads, celestial blues, and 3D flowers are some of the futuristic elements that

provide a bold and edgy look. Indigo, lime and fluorescent pink are playfully combined. Gradient tie-die is incorporated with cultural printing. Dresses and boleros with geometric

prints are matched with metallic treated denims and knits. Accessories include perforated

leather backpacks and animal print necklaces and bracelets. Wedges have been spruced up with gold zippers and studs. Slippers and flats are made of a variety of materials such as crochet and lace.

 

 

Diversely Fresh

Denim influences all kinds of garments in Bershka Men’s Gentlementality line. Main items

include baggy trousers that taper at the bottom, loose fitting trousers with a slim touch, and comfortable garments mixed with modernized versions of classic pieces. Printed stripes and T-shirts are also popular.

Earth Lab focuses on comfort with fresh items created in linen and fabrics such as fine knits with a net effect. Tans and sandy tones are combined with camouflage prints and stonewashed denim.

For a more cosmopolitan look, the Night Buster line features new baggy shirts, jackets, and jumpers as key items. The Korean parka has also been reinvented with lighter fabrics ideal for evening affairs.

 

 

Casual yet formal, the Dip and Rise line features preppy styles where blue is the main color, and cotton chino pants and shorts are main items. Sorbet-dyed pieces are mixed with blue shades and overprints on polo shirts and T-shirts set the tone for this trend.

 

 

 

In the Philippines, Bershka is exclusively distributed by International Specialty Retailers Inc. (ISRI), a subsidiary of Store Specialists, Inc. (SSI). The Bershka store is located at Glorietta 2, Makati City.

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.
A1 and A4, Indulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 6 Issue 108, 14 August 2013.

SUNLAB'S SAMPLE SALE: STYLISH FASHION HUB OPENS FIRST POP UP STORE

 

Sunlab, one of the quirkiest and most colorful stores in Davao, recently had its first ever Sample Sale last weekend.

 

Owned by three good friends — Havaianas South East Mindanao’s Marga Nograles, FTLP’s Sarah Claudio and ARC Public Relations Director Celine Gabriel-Lim—Sunlab is a fashion hub that houses a wide variety of both international and local brands. The store boasts a strong street following as it carries an impressive collection of trendy clothing and accessories.

The pop-up store, set up in Villa Margarita, featured select designer labels such as Prada, Valentino, D&G, Tory Burch, and MiuMiu. There was also an impressive display of stylish and functional items from local brands like Glamorosa, Shiq Bags, Shoes by Faith, Spruce Pinked, googoogaga, Jean and Rosz Accessories, Jelly Nelly Sandals, and the Havaianas Embellished Collection.

The first day of the sale was reserved for regular clients and friends. The activity opened with a trunk show featuring pieces from the sample sale. I was part of the group of women who were invited to model for the said show. Alongside yours truly were eligible bachelorettes and hot mommas namely Jarisse Go, Vannah Ang, Alicia Jaldon, Tisay Celi, Trisha and Chiara Baluyot, Michele Seng, Carine Bacani, and Carine Cabebe. It was nerve-wrecking for me to be side by side svelte and tall ladies as I had just abandoned my diet during my recent trip out of town. I shrugged off the anxiety and chose pieces which would hide a bit of the excess baggage. The other ladies walked like pros and strutted around the room with elegance and ease. 

 

 

In one side of the room were racks of designer labels in an assortment of soft fabric, lace and crochets, solid hues, mosaics and oriental prints, and classic cuts.  I sensed a lot of panic buying right from the moment the doors opened. Huaraches, accessories, and bags sold like hot cakes. Sunlab’s collaboration with home grown clothing brand Glamorosa was also a hit among buyers, with pieces ranging from chiffon dresses and one piece wonders which are perfect for our tropical weather.  My own loot included chunky accessories and a stack printed dresses.

 

“We wanted to showcase the latest and most-talked about fashion finds that are usually only found abroad or in Manila,” shared Marga. “For a limited time only, shoppers were able to choose from a host of premium brands at discounted prices. With this new shopping concept, chic Davaoeñas need not travel to Manila or overseas anymore for the hottest fashion finds."
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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.
A1, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 6 Issue no.103, 07 August 2013.