Marian Rivera feature on Manila Bulletin tomorrow!! (Nov. 9, 2011)

Excited for this one!!

Marian Rivera feature on Manila Bulletin will be published tomorrow!!

This is a memorable shoot because we did this while the Typhoon Pedring was battering Manila a month ago.

In the pic below, Marian is with Formula Racer, Marlon Stockinger (Male Model), enjoying one of Marian's favorite indulgences... Ice Cream!!

This will not be used for an Ad, just to answer some future questions... :)

I'll post more pics and the article tomorrow!!

iStyled: Jasmine Curtis for Manila Bulletin 10/12/2011

New Girl

MANILA, Philippines — She is the newest favorite cover girl in town. Yet, everything is oh so new to Jasmine Curtis-Smith!

“I’m still adjusting. Like a few days ago, we launched my very first clothing endorsement. But I was surprised because the focus was on me. I didn’t know what to feel. Lalo akong kinabahan. It was good that Ate (Anne Curtis) was there. So before I went on stage, she told me to just try to hold myself together,” she relates.

At 17 years old, Jasmine still goes to her Ate Anne for almost everything, including advices on love, showbiz, and even on what to wear.

“I’m not so much of the kikay type. It’s more of her,” she reveals. “When it comes to dressing up, like today for our photo shoot, I tried to dress up for you guys and be more kikay. And when I kissed her goodbye earlier, she said, ‘oh my, Jasmine you look so cute!’.

"She approved of my outfit today! Because sometimes she’s like, why are you wearing that? She’s my stylist and guidance counselor rolled into one!”

Full article HERE

Comparison between Jasmine and sister Anne cannot be avoided. But as she is trying to build a name for herself, Jasmine hopes that people will see her for her and not for being someone’s little sis.

“People know who I am because of my sister. It’s both an advantage and a privilege. If not for her, mas mahihirapan ako to break into the industry. I’m so proud of her because she did it all on her own.

I hope to achieve at least half of what my Ate has achieved,” says Jasmine who as a little girl used to visit Anne on the set of her tapings.

Full article HERE

Her busy life now is a far cry from what she described as a routine life she leads in Melbourne, Australia. During extended school breaks, Jasmine makes it a point to fly to Manila to attend to her budding career.

“Before signing up for TV5, everyday was such a routine for me. But I’m the type who wants to challenge myself. I need to do something that excites me and different from what I’ve been doing. Hindi na lang ako nasa bahay, nakatambay. Now I’m doing something productive and something I enjoy,” she enthuses.

Jasmine shares that she lives a very normal and private life back in Melbourne. Down Under, she is a typical teenager who goes home after school and does her home work before she goes to sleep. On weekends, she goes out with friends and checks on her Facebook.

“My privacy is that one thing I had to sacrifice. But I’m lucky because I get to go back to Australia and live my private life there. No showbiz around me. It’s very quiet where I live. So very relaxed,” says Jasmine, who was born in Australia and is the second of three kids of Australian lawyer James Curtis-Smith and Filipina Carmen Ojales.

Jasmine finished elementary in the Philippines, at St. Paul’s College in Pasig before moving to Australia for high school at Loyala College.

“The main condition that I had with joining showbiz was I get to keep my education. It was my own decision. My Ate also told me, if I’m going to join showbiz I make sure na kaya kong isabay pati ang pag-aaral ko. And I’m lucky because my school life is in Australia and showbiz life is here.

"So far, hindi naman ako nahihirapan. I’m doing really well in school. I got four gold merit awards for French, Studio Arts, Youth Ministry and English, and then two silver merit awards for Hospitality and Math,” she proudly says.

Full article HERE

Back home, Jasmine is not known among her schoolmates as a young aspiring star in the Philippines. “It’s not that I’m embarrassed, but I just want things not to be different. I want my classmates and friends to see me as me.”

Now that she’s one year away from graduating from high school, the young actress is mulling over the idea to stay in the country for college. “Initially, I wanted to become a teacher, or a lawyer. But I realized na mahirap pala mag-aral ng law.

I found other interests instead like Psychology and Journalism. I find writing calming. I keep a diary and I write anything. I also post things online. Before I joined showbiz, I had a blog and people would actually follow me,” she relates.

Full article HERE

Jasmine is aware that with celebrity comes a great deal of responsibility. “There’s pressure to be a role model to the youth but it is not a stressful kind of pressure. I make sure that I’m honest and real in what I do,” she says.

Likewise, Jasmine took her passion for school further by advocating the importance of education as a youth ambassador for World Vision Australia and World Vision Philippines.

“Education is still important to me and I want to get that message across to everyone because it’s something that you’ll treasure for life. I hope I can help more charities and give back more. I think we have so much. Why not share it,” she adds.

With her older sister Anne paving the way for her, Jasmine hopes to set an image that is not far from her Ate Anne’s. “She’s such a great role model for everyone including the young teens. Swerte ko that my Ate has a good heart.

She has this type of personality that wants to help, that wants to give back. She exposed me to become that type of person. So in a way, with her being my role model, I want to be someone else’s role model as well. And I don’t want to disappoint someone who sees me as a role model,” she ends.

Article By JASER A. MARASIGAN

Photos by JERICO MONTEMAYOR of Illuminati

(Asst photographer CROMWELL TORIO)

Styling by JP DICHE and PIERRE PERALTA

Makeup by RHINA MONTEMAYOR for MUD

Hair by MARTIN ALONZO

Clothes and Accessories from BAYO

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Thanks to Manila Bulletin- Students and Campuses Section

visit and like their Facebook Page!! 

Original Article from mb.com.ph

...And special thanks to Jasmine Curtis for being gorgeous and nice!!! It was a fun and memorable shoot! Thank God for giving me the pleasure of styling you!!

Jasmine Curtis Feature On Manila Bulletin OUT TOMORROW!!! October 12, 2011

Guys!! My favorite styling project to date, will be published tomorrow on

Manila Bulletin (Students and Campuses Section)...

It will be all about the gorgeous and talented new girl/sister in town.....

 Jasmine Curtis

I will be posting the article tomorrow noon including the rest of the pictures!!!

Loves it!!

Love, Bayo!!!

Photos by Jerico Montemayor

Styled by Jp Diche and Pierre Peralta

Make Up by Rhina Montemayor

Hair by Martin Alonzo

Clothes and Accessories from Bayo

iStyled: Martin Escudero and Kerbie Zamora aka Jigington for Manila Bulletin

Reel Bromance

Article By RONALD S. LIM

Photos by Elvie Caparas-Zamora

Styled by Jp Diche

Grooming by Eman De Leon

Hair by Aaron Cunanan

Clothes from Folded and Hung

Read full article here

MANILA, Philippines — The word bromance gets used a lot these days to describe “any sort of affectionate interaction between two straight males.’’

If the easy rapport between “Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington” stars Martin Escudero and Kerbie Zamora were to be the gauge, a bromance is certainly brewing between them!

The two comfortably tease about sleeping over at each other’s houses, about the current state of Kerbie's seemingly perpetually-tousled hair, and the apparent ease with which Martin has slipped into the role of a straight man who turned into a very effeminate gay guy.

Of course, it's hard not to develop that kind of bond when the two of you have already gotten drunk on lambanog and made out for a scene that would eventually end up being watched by a nationwide audience and endlessly reblogged and reposted on sites like Tumblr and Twitter.

When fans already have a nickname for your onscreen pairing – “Jigington”, a mash-up of their characters' names, Remington and Jigs – the best thing to do is run with it.

“Ang ganda nung bonding namin kaya naging close kami lahat,” recalls the 21 year-old Martin Escudero. “'Yung eksena sa hagdanan ang pinakamahirap. Komplikado 'yung mga blocking niya.”

“Nag-lambanog lang kami before the scene. Pero masaya kami nang nairaos namin iyon,” adds 22 year-old Kerbie Zamora.

“Zombadings 1” is a critical and financial success, applauded during its premiere at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and raking in more than P19 million since being shown over two weeks ago, accordingto Box Office Mojo. Both Martin and Kerbie say that the film's success was a pleasant surprise to them.

Both Martin and Kerbie are products of reality TV shows. Martin was a finalist in GMA-7's “Starstruck: The Next Level” while Kerbie placed fourth in “Be Bench/ The Model Search,” a reality show on ABS-CBN

Kerbie was content with modelling and finishing his degree in Tourism at the Centro Escolar University (CEU).

He had intended to become a flight attendant rather than an actor.

But “Zombadings” couldn't have arrived at a better time for the two.

While constantly cast in dramatic supporting roles on television, Martin was looking for something different.

Kerbie, in his own words, was doing nothing and wanted to be involved with something new.

“Modeling, tambay, inom. Walang plano talaga na umarte sa TV o pelikula. Kinuha ko lang 'yung role para sa experience. Blessing na rin siguro na dumating ito,” says Kerbie.

“Wala siguro sa itsura ko ang comedic role. Hindi siguro nila akalain na kayo kong mag-comedy,” explains Martin of the dearth of comedic roles on his resume. “Nagulat din ako dahil hindi ko inaasahan na magugustuhan nila 'yung gimik namin. Napakahirap gawin ang comedy, mahirap magpatawa.”

Read full article here

Kerbie says that the chemistry between the two of them was instant. The two have only gotten closer since filming ended. They joke easily about each other (“Ang una kong nagustuhan kay Kerbie eh 'yung hair niya.”), and about

their roles (“Ang hirap kasi maging bading. Siya (Martin) lang ang may kaya nun.”). But more than just gaining a new friend, they say they have also gained a new understanding of the gay community from being part of “Zombadings”.

“Mas naiintindihan namin kasi nabuksan na 'yung topic about sa gays. Mas nalaman namin na palakaibigan ang mga gays, masarap kasama at magaling magpayo. Sila ang mas maliwanag mag-isip at mas open,” says Martin.

“Nirerespeto ko sila at mas nakikita ko na talented sila at creative. Hindi sila dapat i-judge dahil hindi mo naman sila kilala,” adds Kerbie.

Read full article here

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Johnny Rockets 

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and Manila Bulletin

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iStyled: The Red Lions' Semerad Twins (Anthony and Dave) for Manila Bulletin

The Semerad Twins

Anthony and Dave Semerad of San Beda Red Lions

Photos by CROMWELL TORIO

Styled by JP DICHE

Grooming by SHEILA TIU

Hair by DAVE GRONA

Clothes from FOLDED AND HUNG

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Double trouble

Article By RONALD S. LIM

September 14, 2011

MANILA, Philippines — For 20 year-old fraternal twins Anthony and David Semerad, it’s all about being a family – even when it comes to basketball.

When the twins decided to pursue college basketball in the Philippines, it wasn’t just the academic standing and credentials that they were looking for in the universities that they visited. More than anything, they were looking for a place that felt like home.

“We came from Europe, we never knew of any schools and all the ones that we heard of were pretty prestigious,” explains Anthony. “But we found what we were looking for in San Beda because it’s like a family here. Since it’s just me and my brother here, we wanted a school that would feel like home to us.”

Indeed, family comes first for these Filipino-Czech cagers who were born in Australia.

Read full article HERE

(Dave Left/ Anthony Right) 

They're Home

Making the journey to the Philippines was not a new experience for the Semerads. They had previously visited the country as 10 year-olds, and they speak fondly of the country’s unique aroma.

“It’s this smell that just reminds you of the Philippines. It’s a good smell, you know you’re in the Philippines,” says David with a laugh.

“It’s like a distinctive smell, you know you’re somewhere else. The sweat, the heat, the people were different. That’s the first initial thing I felt. Coming here wasn’t really a shock,” adds Anthony. “People would tell me that we would have culture shock and stuff like that, but I think my brother and I adapted pretty well.”

Read full article HERE

“My mom did well with going to church and having God in your life, because in Australia it’s not really pushed. Filipino parents are very strict and our mom was very strict with us. Growing up she oriented us towards God, family, and our studies,” Anthony recalls.

“I’ve learned a few words in Tagalog growing up. We also grew up with Filipino food, and we really loved sinigang na baboy and adobo with ginger,” says David.

Anthony Semerad

It also didn’t hurt that the two felt completely welcomed in San Beda College.

“The first day in San Beda, everyone was there for us, talking to us and asking us how we were. It was a very friendly environment. The training here is up to standard,” says Anthony. “I’ve never heard of basketball here and coming here, stagnating was my worry. But the training here is up to par; we travel to the States once a year.”

The particularly physical way that basketball is played here was also something that the Semerads had to adjust to.

“Basketball here is rough and it’s a lot quicker. Back in Australia, it’s a different style of game. We definitely had to adjust to the way the game is played here and we still are adjusting,” explains David. “Everyone’s a lot shorter here and quicker! When I dribble the ball, they can easily steal it and I had to adjust and be quick too.”

Dave Semerad

The twins also dispel any notions that they are “favored children” when it comes to their academics at San Beda. They are both taking up Business Marketing, and even made the dean’s list once when they were in their second year.

“I’m a hard worker. I do all my assignments, I take all my exams and I study hard. You can check the papers, it shows,” says David. “There’s usually a lot of late nights getting my assignments and my schoolwork done. There’s a bit of stress but we get through.”

Read Full article HERE

On Sibling rivalry....

“We’ve had quite a few fights over girls. He says he always wins but I think it’s 50-50. Anthony’s more shy. He’d want me to talk to the girl for him and get her number. But he’d never do it for me, I’d have to do it myself. As for wild behavior? That’s classified information,” says David with a laugh.

“Right now, we’re single and ready to mingle... We’ve definitely competed over a girl, and David may tell a different story but I always win. I always get what I want,” counters Anthony. “He says that he’s the wilder one and I’m shy, but I think he just doesn’t know who I am really.”

On Football's Rising Popularity in the country...

“Mum and dad would always teach us that we’re the same, that we’re brothers and twins, so we shouldn’t fight and just help each other,” says Anthony. “It’s good that the Philippines has more options. Both can go up and both can get international attention. It’s good for the country and Filipinos. It’s doesn’t have to be either-or.”

Read Full Article HERE

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Special thanks to mb.com.ph

iStyled: Alessandra de Rossi for Manila Bulletin (09/07/2011)

Miss Understood

Article By JASER A. MARASIGAN

Photos by JERICO MONTEMAYOR

(Assisted by CROMWELL TORIO)

Styled by JP DICHE

Make Up by RHINA MONTEMAYOR for TEMPTU Pro

Hair by DAVE GRONA

Clothes Shoes and Accessories from

SM DEPARTMENT STORE

Shot on Location at

MANILA HOTEL (McArthur Suite)

Read full article HERE

MANILA, Philippines — One might think that a young yet accomplished actress like Alessandra de Rossi wouldn’t have any regrets in life.

She has received accolades for her work here and abroad. She gets paid for what she loves to do. But she says there is still one thing missing when a few years back, she came to a realization – she regrets not finishing school.

Alessandra was half-way through high school when showbiz happened.

“I was already acting in high school and I was struggling with my Math. I felt at that time, I did not need Math if I would be an actress all of my life. ‘Yun naman ang gusto ko. But I was wrong. Kailangan ko pala siya because there were several times I thought of quitting showbiz and I needed a fallback. How I wish I graduated from college para meron akong alam na ibang gawin,” reveals Alessandra.

Now Alessandra is seriously considering taking a basic baking course as soon as she finds the time. “So when the time comes that I feel I needed to do something else, I can always go back to Lecce (Italy), every week pupuwesto ako sa isang kanto and sell my baked goodies. Besides, mas masarap ang buhay doon because my family is there. Gusto ko rin kasi ng tahimik na buhay kaya ok lang din ako doon,” relates the part-Filipino and part-Italian actress.

Although she may be successful at showbiz, Alessandra advises young kids to make school their top priority, because not everyone is cutout for this type of job. “Lalo na kapag bata, I don’t advice them to get into showbiz. Mag-aral na lang muna sila. Kasi ako, hindi ako nakapagtapos, at nagkamali ako,” she says, speaking from experience.

Read full article HERE

Passion for Acting

“My mom wanted me to become a lawyer. But then I also wanted to become a pilot and a pre-school teacher. I even wanted to be a mermaid. But never to be an actress,” she recalls.

“Eversince I started it was never really about the money for me...It’s just now that money has become a consideration because I have responsibilities to take care of. Even if I need more money to pay for my bills, if I don’t want to do a certain project because it would compromise my values, I still won’t do it,”  

Read full article HERE

The contravida perception about her is something that Alessandra is well-aware of. “Even the friends that I have now, they thought at first I’m this liberal type of girl na mataray, but I’m not. You can see naman.

Mukha lang talaga akong mataray,” Alessandra says, who claims she is actually the sweetest and most thoughtful among her sisters.

“I’m sensitive to my parents’ needs, emot ional ly and even financially. For some reason, I can feel if they are going through something. Mas open tuloy sila sa akin. If my daddy is sick, sa akin niya sinasabi kasi alam niya na gagawan ko ng paraan. Si mama, whatever she needs, I give it to her,” she relates.

“I wanted to do something like a Julia Roberts type of romantic comedy.

But I know it’s not going to happen, kasi hindi naman siya kikita, sayang ang pera. Ako na lang ang gagawa in the future, ako ang producer and director,” she says.

Read full article HERE

While she relies on her TV work to feed her body, she turns to making independent films to feed her soul.

“For so many years, I’m only given contravida roles, na gusto ‘yung leading man na ayaw sa kanya. I don’t have any problems with that because it feeds me. But for a thinking actress, it bores me sometimes...  There’s no growth. That’s why I’m so thankful there’s indie,” says Alessandra

Ales sandra’ s recent work “Busong” (Palawan Fate), directed by Auraeus Solito took her to the Cannes Film Festival where she got the chance to walk the red carpet.

“My first few days there, parang wala lang siya. Noong medyo pauwi na, that’s when it finally sunk in, ang laking event pala nung pinuntahan ko. What’s nice about Cannes is that you really feel their respect for you as an actress and for your film.

Malaking bagay ‘yung nabibigay mo ‘yung gusto mong ibigay, hindi ‘yung kailangan mong ibigay para may manood sa’yo,” she says.

Read full article HERE

Not known to many, Alessandra has a secret hobby – she sings, composes, and arranges songs.

“I want people to know that I have that other talent. Kasi it is also one of my dreams to do musical scoring for a movie,” she says.

Likewise, Alessandra hopes to direct a movie in the near future. When she has mustered enough guts, she wants to participate in the Cinemalaya Film Festival as a director.

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Read full article HERE

Many Thanks to Manila Bulletin Students and Campuses Section

Clothes, Shoes, and Accessories from SM Department Store

and

Manila Hotel

iStyled: Maria Aragon Feature On Manila Bulletin

Born Superstar

MARIA ARAGON

Article by JASER MARASIGAN

Photos by JERICO MONTEMAYOR

(Assisted by CROMWELL TORIO)

Styled by JP DICHE

MakeUp by RHINA MONTEMAYOR

Hair By DAVE GRONA

Clothes and Accessories from

SM DEPARTMENT STORE

read full article here

MANILA, Philippines — When 11-year-old Mar ia Aragon uploaded a video of herself on You- Tube singing Lady Gaga’s hit song

“Born This Way,” she had not a bit of an idea of the possibilities that her posting could lead to.

Besides, Maria says, she is just a girl who likes to sing -- until the Mother Monster herself tweeted her praise for the kid’s cover of her track: “Can't stop crying watching this. This is why I make music. She is the future…”

Within a week of Lady Gaga’s anointment, the YouTube video views shot to 25 million hits. It now has over 40 million views.

“It was all crazy and everything happened really fast. Sometimes when I look back, I question myself, did I really meet her. It was so surreal,” says Maria, who performed the song “Born this Way” on stage with Lady Gaga at her concert in Toronto, Canada.

“I was nervous backstage because I can’t believe that it was happening.

Before the show, I just prayed with my whole family, and when I went onstage, I wasn’t nervous anymore. I just felt I wanted to perform and give my best,” she continues to relive the moment.

Lady Gaga was so nice, Maria gushes. “You’d think that she’s kinda weird sometimes because of the way she dresses and performs but she’s really, really nice. I guess that’s her way of being unique,” she says.

read full article here

“Music has been a part of my whole life. When I was still a baby, my dad had a karaoke machine, almost every night he would turn it on and sing to me. I guess that’s how I was influenced to sing. He first taught me ‘Maybe’ by King. That was the first song that I ever really learned. I was five years old,” shares the youngest of four children of Veni and Menchie Aragon. They were living in Ormoc City before migrating to Winnipeg, Canada in 1997. 

Maria seems to be a piano virtuoso but amazingly, she learned to play the instrument on her own. “I was inspired by my brother JV because he was self-taught. The first video that I uploaded that I played piano by ear on was ‘Price Tag’ by Jessie J,” says Maria, who names Gary Valenciano, Sarah Geronimo, Beyonce and Michael Jackson among her favorite artists. 

read full article here

“I always think that something bigger is going to happen. It is really my dream to be a singer. I want to know how it felt to be a singer but I didn’t expect I’d ever get here. But I know I still have a lot to improve on, and I know that there are a lot of things that I could do better.”

“It’s been crazy but it’s been really fun,” she enthuses. “Most of my fans are Filipinos and they have been amazing! The Filipino fans are very loud and supportive. I can’t really go to a store now without people recognizing me,” adds the YouTube sensation currently in the country with her family for a vacation as well as for some showbiz commitments.

read full article here

Although born in Canada, Maria knows that being Filipino is a huge part of who she is. “At home in Canada, we are a Filipino family, we eat Filipino food, sinigang na baboy, and manok of any kind of dish are my favorites. We always ‘mano’ to our elders. We always watch Filipino teleserye. My favorite is ‘Mara Clara’,” reveals Maria, who also aspires of becoming an actress given the opportunity.

read full article here

In spite of her accomplishments at such a young age, Maria keeps a good head on her shoulders. She insists that school is still her priority over everything.

“It’s fun being the youngest, to have older siblings, because when you have a hard time on something, they can give you advice. I also ask help from them for my assignments,” says the incoming Grade 6 student at the Isaac Brock School in Winnipeg.

...

Recently, she was named the young ambassador for ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor), where she helps organize fund raising events to provide scholarships to Filipino street kids.

“I want to make a change and hopefully, I influence other people to make a change too,” she says.

read full article here

Aware that she is considered a role model, she advises kids like her to always have fun. “That’s the first thing that you have to focus on, because you’re still a kid. I’m scared that when I grow up, I won’t have fun anymore. People think this is a job, but singing has been a big dream.

I hope to do this for a long time because everything has been a really big blessing. So never forget to have fun, and always be yourself. Make sure that you love whatever you’re doing because when you don’t love it, you’re not in the right place,” she ends.

                         

                * * *

And as a treat!

Here's a video of Maria Aragon playing Born This Way during the photo shoot!

Enjoy!