TEXT BY CHARMAINE BAYLON
You too can Shine
FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THESE PINOY ACHIEVERS AND YOU MAY END UP JUST AS WILDLY SUCCESSFUL!
DARE TO COMPETE!
Fashion designer Veejay Floresca, 24, had his first taste of international competition in 2005, when he was chosen to represent the country in the Concour Internationale des Jeunes Createurs de Mode in Paris. His most recent is the 47th Japan Fashion Design Competition, where he won the Senken Shimbun Award — the fourth highest out of 78 finalists from all over the world — for his barong Tagalog-based “Pinoy Robot” creation made of silk cocoon and piña fabric. “Don’t be afraid to join competitions or fear failure because you’ll learn from it. Opportunities come by rarely, so grab them,” he says. www.veejayveejay.blogspot.com
TELL A STORY WELL
Engkwentro, Pepe Diokno’s film about death squads backed by local government, was inspired by interviews with minors in Philippine jails. The 22-year-old and his team walked away with major awards from the 66th Venice International Film Festival in September, besting films from the US and Germany. “Don’t make a film to get noticed. Have a story to tell!” See Diokno’s work from December 11 to 13 at SM Cinemas.
PUT YOURSELF ON YOUTUBE
A friend posted videos of 17-year-old Charice Pempengco’s performances in Philippine competitions, and they recieved 13 million hits. “They were picked up by Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres and [producer and songwriter] David Foster, and they invited me to be on their shows in the US. Oprah has been a huge supporter, and David has been my mentor; he’s taken my voice to a new level,” she relates. And with David’s help, she’s recording an album that’s set for release in early 2010. Charice has since performed with Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion. Her other tips? “Work hard and stay focused on your dream. You can achieve it if you believe and have dedication.” www.charicepempengco.com
FIND NEW PLATFORMS
“Show your work on the web, through publications, slide and group shows. But start with the body of work you produce,” says photographer Jake Verzosa (below). “If you lack funding, there are a lot of grant-giving bodies that can help you. Access to equipment has never been easier.” Jake was the only Filipino photographer (there were 50 from 32 countries) invited to the Photoquai 2009 — a Paris exhibit introducing international talent to European audiences. “There was a diverse selection of really good work that I would have missed if not for the festival.” Photoquai happens to be Jake’s first European festival. “It’s just a matter of choosing which ones to go to.” www.matanglawin.ph, www.photoquai.fr
RAISE YOUR HAND
New pop and RnB singer Gahlya (whose real name is Rachel Razon) got her break when she asked producer Manny Mijares for tips on how to break into the industry. The 14-year-old junior grand finalist at the World Championship of Performing Arts in Hollywood was called onto the stage to sing, and Mijares was impressed. He later gave her a contract with Upscale Recording — the label that puts out Musiq Souldchild and Christina Milian. Gahlya has since released a single, Hypno, and is working on her upcoming debut album. www.gahlya.com, www.upscalerecording.com
CREATE A NICHE MARKET
In an interview, designer Bea Valdes wondered why there couldn’t be a bold, stylish range of accessories between fine and costume jewelry. Her solution: intricately handcrafted neckpieces and bags made of crystals, semi-precious stones, feathers, leather ribbons and glass drops. These have been featured in top magazines like In Style, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler and US Vogue (which in 2005 called her work “this season’s must-have evening bags”). Her latest career high point? Seeing her Zelda necklace on Kate Moss on the September 2009 cover of UK Vogue. www.beavaldes.com
NETWORK WITH THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY
The committee of the Florence Biennale 2009 in Italy were introduced to artist Max Balatbat’s work via a referral from the Philippine embassy and details in his Multiply site. “They emailed me to say that I qualified and got chosen to represent Manila,” he says. “To be invited is the biggest thing that’s happened to my career, aside from winning grand prizes in different competitions.” He describes his style as “architectural abstraction,” and adds that he tinkers with “floor plans and other architectural images like bridges and abandoned buildings.” His advice? “Play around and make a difference.” www.maxbal.multiply.com
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