Every Tribe; A Culturaly Inclusive Editorial

I'd consider this version 1 of something that I've been dying to do for the longest time. I'm just thankful for how opportunities drop on my lap as they come, and I'm careful to discern if it is the right time and if I'm with the right people. I'm also thankful for the likes of designers Susanne Verallo and Happy Andrada for this opportunity to highlight their creations and create something that is inclusive in this world where exclusivity is slowly becoming the norm. This is our way of cutting off that cord and hoping for it to never take root.

Happy Andrada; Marry Me At Marriott 2017

Lou Muñoz wearing a feathered blazer on a flowy dress

Somehow, saying "Happy made my wedding dress" sounds so right. That's why I love styling for this lady; she's the right amount of romance and madness rolled into one, black-clad lady. And I'm happy to say that I am, in fact, Happy's friend. So every time she has a show, may it be here in the Philippines or internationally, I make sure I badger her into getting me to style for her. 

Into the Woods; A Metro Weddings Magazine Editorial (Part 2)

Set design by Jo Claraval

 "All things work together for good..." is a favorite Bible verse I inherited from my late Nanay, and believe me, this editorial had its own problems, but in the end, ended up exceeding my expectations. For one, I originally had a different set stylist for this one, but because of schedule conflicts, he didn't pushed through. I did, however, already had Jo Claravall in mind originally, but to be really honest, I was... intimidated. I've already worked alongside of Jo, but this is MY project, and Jo is a PRESENCE!!! So anyway, long story short, we had a meeting, and ended up working together for this Metro Weddings Magazine editorial offering. The set is really amazing, and it deserves a separate post from the main editorial. Good thing Shaira thought so too, and took these amazing shots of the set. Add cake artist Michelle Stephann and Junjun Ablaza's vintage fur collection, drop the mic, it's a win.

Into the Woods; A Metro Weddings Magazine Editorial (Part 1)

It's very rare for me to consider set design in my editorials. I usually choose the venue thoughtfully to match the theme of the project. This one, however, and as you can see, is totally different from any that I've created, and I'd dare say I want more of these in the future. It's maximalism at it's finest, with the best the industry have to offer. Getting to this point is hard, believe me (and if you have time, I'd tell you how this editorial started and ended; a day full of hassle) but in the end, it was all well worth it.

Metro Weddings Magazine; Stage Presence

My first exposure to musical theater was when I was somewhere between 7 or 8 years old. Actually, it's not really musical theater, but the movie Annie. I think that was the first time I cried watching a movie. Since then, I've been inlove with musicals, and I've been watching classical movies from then on (My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, etc etc etc). Years after that, I find myself falling in-love with theater and auditioning for stage-plays, but never really getting anywhere, hahaha (long story). Yet the warm, fuzzy feeling I get while watching musicals remained. Needless to say, this editorial is very near and dear to my heart. Here's my interpretation of theatrical plays and musicals translated as a bridal editorial.

White Light; A Metro Weddings Magazine Editorial, July 2015

White Light; A Metro Weddings Magazine editorial

I've been through a phase. I think seeing all the clutter in my studio led to this... creative explosion of blank, clean, uncluttered, editorial. Not to mention I've been going from one event to another featuring wide, open, industrial designed venues.

I guess there will come a time, in a stylists life, where "couture" or stuff that's "out there" becomes a bit redundant. That's why I concocted this editorial. Nothing fancy, "no styling" styling (if there is such a thing... like "no makeup" makeup)... just the model, the dresses, and an awesome team of creative people "pulled back" to tame things down a bit. Not to say that this one didn't go through a thorough thought process... it's actually more difficult to think clean and simple, because every bit of mistake will be seen. Just like a lengthy article, every bit of grammatically error and wrong speling will be seen, probed, poked, and slapped on your face. Not to be redundant... but again... here's another editorial I creatively directed again... and again... and I'll do it again.

Chalk Magazine; The Music Issue, May 2015

Nadine Lustre on the cover of Chalk Magazine May 2015

I always feel giddy when magazine editors or my mentor (Noel Manapat) calls or sends me a message. It usually means I'd be styling for either a runway show or an editorial. Last March 10, I got an FB message from Chalk Magazines' beauty editor Michelle Katigbak-Alejandro to style for her music-themed editorial. I am yet to say NO to a magazine gig and you can only imagine my ear to ear grin when I realized it's a "bagets" styling gig. Actually, now that I think about it, I did do a few younger-themed styling stuff but they're mostly (or perhaps all) for brands (Bench, BUM, Karimadon, etc etc). For this issue, I did two editorials; Beauty and the Beat(Music Muse) and Pretty Girls Rock. I'd be posting how the beauty ed came out at the magazine followed by a much clearer photo (the ones sent to me to verify credits)

Antica Murrina Venezia; Philippine Launch Featuring Ryan Madamba

Maggie Wilson, the face of Antica Murrina Philippines

I got to know Ryan Madamba during the preparations for my couple-friends wedding last November of 2013. Actually, when they mentioned that he's the one who's going to create the gown for the bride, it was a different "Madamba" that's on my mind, so imagine my surprise when we went to his shop (I should've known already since we obviously did not go to Quezon City where the Madamba I know lives) and was face to face with a much younger person. Ryan was tall and very confident. We clicked instantly and I'd dare say we consider each other as friends now.

Eric delos Santos for Karimadon

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to style for one of the country's top brands when it comes to women's formal clothing. They initially got me to style for 2 editorials that were supposed to be forwarded to magazines. The project didn't pushed through, but they were able to use the shoot in their website, Facebook and Instagram page, and also on other local websites and for bloggers. We were also able to use the behind the scenes footage on my t.v. show Style List.

Metro Weddings; Love on Sandy Shores, October 2014

Blush pink gown by Eric delos Santos for KARIMADON, earrings, Em Mariano, ring, N+Studio

Happy 2015, everyone!!! I promised to update this blog before the year ends and put all my 2014 projects here... but... family first!!! And I'm sure I've skipped a project or a campaign before this... actually maybe a few.

Anywho... so here is another Metro Weddings editorial I directed and styled. I conceptualized with Rae Venturanza-Salazar (W@w top, make-up artist), a friend I got to know more over the past two years. She showed me the pegs for something desert-ty and I absolutely loved it. Made me think of getting hitched in Vegas then hitting the desert to snap photos of the bride. For this editorial, Noel though of putting the original photo next to how it was layed-out in the magazine. I used some of them for this entry.

Metro Weddings; Sunkissed Splendor, July 2014

Gown by Eric delos Santos

I have not updated this blog in months!!! But so many stuff have been happening lately (most of them are good) and I guess that's a nice excuse why I've been neglecting it. I am super grateful first of all to God for allowing me to do the things I like doing AND make a living out of it too! And of course, to Anna Lloren for the push AND Michelle Katigbak-Alejandro for always believing in me.

BUM; Print, Billboard, and Online Media Styling

This one once can be seen along EDSA Guadalupe.

If it weren't for this project, I'd never really realize how blessed I am with getting ad campaigns, whether they be huge or small, print, television, billboard or online. I'm thankful to Stanley Briz and Rai Lacoste (yeap, that's really his family name) for BUM. I once again relived that time when all of my styled stuff can be seen all over the streets around the Philippines. Well, for this one, it's basically just in Manila, specifically along EDSA. Actually, not just the streets, but online and in magazines as well plus in LED screens all over SM Malls. And since we all know that stylists never really get credit on print for ad campaigns, I'm claiming these, he he.

Roland Lirio Holiday 2014; Philippine Fashion Week

Styled by Nio Manzano
Shoes from Figlia
Fashion Jewelry by Christopher Munar

Photos from Philippine Fashion Week Live

Finding My Corner Of The Sky; Reblogged from Facebook, June 2013

This was a blog I did last June on my Facebook page. It's part of my 2013 highlights, and I can't help but feel a little bit petty because of the small stuff that's been bothering me this past few weeks. Not surprisingly, though, is that this entry is still very significant now that I just decided to copy paste the whole thing to THIS blog.

And with that said, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!! Copy pasted article after the jump.

Putting this out in the universe, so that everyone who reads this becomes witness.

THIS YEAR has been PHENOMENAL to me. Even though it started rocky, to the point of me considering giving up styling all together and really thinking of taking a desk-job (THANK YOU LORD FOR NOT ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN!!!). I have been tried, pushed, pulled, stepped on, insulted, maligned, and been made a fool of, but Glory to God, look at where I am now!!! If you asked me 6-7 years ago what it was that I wanted to do with my life, you'd get... nothing. I haven't figured out even at THAT age what I wanted to be "when I grow up". And this is not to say that I am already a made-man... no way. I've a lot of things to still learn and do and PROVE. And like what I've always said to our interns... gratitude will get you places, flattery will get you nowhere.

For Metro Weddings. Photography by Edward Byron Yap

Ezra Santos; Red Cross Charity Ball

Ezra Santos and Nio Manzano (that's me)

Last October, we were busy backstage for Red Cross' annual gala. Again, we were part of Noel Manapat's amazing style team (#TEAMManapat) and this time, it's Dubai based Filipino designer Ezra Santos that we styled for for the event. I have always been shifting gears from stylist to photographer during these events, and each time, I am excited to go home and see what I was able to capture (although it takes quiet some time for me to be able to edit and post the photos online, ha ha!!!) In this entry, you'd be able to see some of the painstaking details of the garments Ezra showcased during that night. As a collection, it's totally different and fresh from his counterparts in Dubai. Take a look for yourself.

Erwin Lee Tan; Grand Allure, Philippine Fashion Week S/S 2014

A Walk in the Clouds is what proud, Davao-based designer Erwin Lee Tan calls his 2014 S/S collection, and it capped my styling gig for PhFW this season. Lots of crystals, ostrich feathers, sheer-pailletted fabrics sashayed down the runway in all white glory. I've decided to lift the garments' whiteness more by adding stark colors on the jewelry I asked Antoinette Escario to create for this collection. Lots of crystals in white, emerald green and blue sapphires all done art deco style complemented the whole look.

Ulysses King; Menswear, Philippine Fashion Week S/S 2014

Ulysses King this season wanted to tell a story of men who work in a power plant. Stylish men, at that. Without bias, Ulysses' garments were probably the most masculine looking among all that showed last Philippine Fashion Weeks' menswear show, even with one look that sported a skort (a skirt and a short in one). You'd think styling this would be easy, but finding pieces that are generally for men is a bit nerve-wracking (other than watches and glasses, men generally don't use accessories). Thank God for Christopher Munar, who were able to create pieces for us from garison belts, nuts and bolts, metal bits and pieces, and repurposed toys.

Roland Lirio; Luxe Wear, Philippine Fashion Week S/S 2014

Roland Lirio's theme this season is Biker Chic. Metallic blues that are actually denim, mesh, printed chiffon, and dark gray fabrics accentuated with gold-colored zippers are used in the garments. It's a play on hard and soft literally and figuratively. "Glamazonian" accessories pumped up with chains and spikes are incorporated, together with metal, shoe-dresses to add that low-rider feel. Can you imagine these girls riding Harleys? I definitely do. :)

Jian Lasala; RTW, Philippine Fashion Week S/S 2014

Although I cannot take full credit for styling this set, I helped Jian and his stylist friend figure out how to tie the turbans on the heads of the models for his 2014 S/S collection. Photos were grabbed from Preview's Style Bible. 

Melanie Angeles; Cal Carries

A few days ago, I mentioned I've been photographing a lot of models for them to update their "book". Here is another session I did with Cal Carries model, Melanie Angeles.