Arcy Gayatin‘s silk gown with chiffon fluting and mullet skirt on Ash Hernandez (Wafer Models) at Maya. Hair and make-up by Ramil Solis and Hyatt Laurel.

Albert Arriba‘s Silk gazaar gown with Swarovski crystals on a leather strap with chain details on Naomi Nieuwndaal (Wafer Models) at Maya. Hair and make-up by Ramil Solis and Hyatt Laurel.

Jun Escario‘s silk jacquard gown with point d’espirit bodice on Joy Casimero (M.A.C.) at Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu. Hair and make-up by Romero Vergara and Jessie Egos.

Oj Hofer‘s stretch lace T-dress with visible corsetry accessories with jet crystal choker by Miranda Konstantinidou on Trish Garcia (AD Models) at Joker’s Arms. Gold ballet flats from Monica Figueroa, hair and make-up by Gari Son.

Philip Rodriguez‘ stretch tulle and jersey, quipure lace appliquéd gown on Shekina Lasola (M.A.C.) at Imperial Palace. Hair and make-up by Emi Ayag and Rhey Abella.

Anthony Romoff‘s Thai silk ruffle cloak and serpentine skirt on Jesubelle Retardo (M.A.C.) at Maya. Hair and make-up by Ramil Solis and Hyatt Laurel.

Cary Santiago‘s sequined tulle dress on Elvira Stehr (M.A.C.) at Imperial Palace. Hair and make-up by Emi Ayag and Rhey Abella.

Philipp Tampus‘ tulle and chiffon gown with crystal beadwork on Sheikna Lasola (M.A.C.) at Radisson Blue Hotel Cebu. Hair and make-up by Romero Vergara and Jessie Egos.

Yvonne Quisumbing‘s tiered chiffon dress with knot detailed satin shrug on Janelle Scaddan (Wafer Models) at Joker’s Arms. Hair and make-up by Gari Son.

production manager ANNA FLORES fashion stylist MARK MASA

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Such is my story with this beautiful family from Manila. Working with this particular client was a delight because they are a very warm and endearing family, but most of all, they appreciate local art and talent. In the first quarter of this year, I got commissioned to do the interior design of their second home here in Cebu. It wasn’t by chance that led them to the queen city of the south. The cosmopolitan vibe of the city with beaches and mountains in close proximity made it easy for the family to unanimously agree to make this their second home.

From the start, they specifically told me that they wanted their house to showcase national and local artists, Cebuano designers and local craftsmen. I have never met anyone with such an extensive art collection as this family! They have original paintings from Jun Impas, Romulo Galicano, Manuel Baldemor, Mauro Malang, Manuel Sinquenco, Oscar de Zalameda and national artists BenCab and Arturo Luz, among many others. Not to be outdone, their furniture selection also consists of different designer pieces from famed furniture designers like Kenneth Cobonpue, Vito Selma, Rene Ybanez, and Clayton Tugonon; as well as furniture exporters like Mehitabel and Coast Pacific.

In the foyer, a huge Jun Impas watercolor painting is placed directly above a massive console table made of natural coco round core laminate designed by Clayton Tugonon of Classical Geometry. Florentino “Jun” Impas paints in the genre of realism where these seemingly mundane everyday scenes are given life in detail. That particular painting captures ladies doing laundry in the river. It is from these colors that I lifted the green accent color applied to one side of the walls.

During the design conceptualization phase, the wife consulted her psychic friend Stargazer, a reputable psychic medium from Manila who appears in several television programs. She recommended that the beam above the foyer be covered. As a solution, I placed this bamboo carved panel from Halsangz Plating Cebu, a manufacturer of surface decorative panels that come in different materials and finishes. The interlaced bamboo panels gave that modern Filipino twist to the Asian contemporary style of the house. Three tall rattan lamps from Obra Cebuana were suspended from the high ceiling in varying lengths and finished in different stains to add more character to the space.

The house was built on a mountain so it was only natural to do a split-level plan to follow the terrain of the land. Split-level homes offer living space on multiple levels separated by short flights of stairs, up or down. So from the foyer, a few steps down lead to the living room. There one will find a cornucopia of art pieces and fabulous furniture. Kenneth Cobonpue’s award-winning Yin-Yang sofa sits across a pair of handsome lounge chairs with sulihiya weaving in the back designed by Rene Ybanez for Obra Cebuana. On the center is a round coffee table with a simple but elegant marquetry top. A red Chiquita stool sits right next to it.  The Chiquita stool, a Kenneth Cobonpue design, is made of natural rattan poles sitting on top of a polyurethane cushion inside a moulded steel base. All poles are natural untreated rattan. A simple yet brilliant feature of this design is the supreme comfort one experiences when the poles sink softly when sat upon and return to their initial height when you stand up. Behind the sofa is a spin off from Rene Ybanez’s lotus coffee table which I transformed into a wall lamp. This makes for dramatic lighting at night and a focal point in the mustard-colored accent wall.

The centerpiece on the coffee table is a Michael Cacnio sculpture. Filipino artist and 2006 Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Awardee Michael Cacnio is a world-class brass sculptor.

The hallway leading towards the kitchen and dining area is like an art gallery of paintings. On one side there is a Romulo Galicano water lily oil painting on canvas, Manuel Baldemor’s European series in oil and a small Malang. On the other side is a couple of Sinquencos showing his signature subject matter of old houses done in colors and shading to produce an old-world style.

As the saying goes, the kitchen is the heart of the home. So it applies to this family as well. The breakfast nook is the wife’s favorite part of the house because this is where her family of four gathers when they are in town. It also overlooks the swimming pool and the garden outside. The kitchen cabinets are of solid wood in dark wood stain, crafted by Anything Timber. The bar stools are a gift from one of the wife’s closest friends, Tina Lo of Coast Pacific. Shining brightly above the nook, a set of modern pendant lights made of Lucite glass was purchased from Imperial House of Furniture.

The dining room also contains big names not only in the furniture industry but also in the arts. The Vito Selma Plumeria table with this tree-like base, wrapped in stained tobacco leaves. The glass table-top shows all the branches that hold it. A perfect complement to the table are the dining chairs from Coast Pacific with a solid wood frame in a rich dark wood stain, rattan back and a removable upholstered seat cushion for added comfort. I chose a brown, leaf-printed fabric that resembled the lines of the rattan weaving on the back for the removable seat covers that were made by my good friend Ina Chona. At the far end of the dining room, a wooden credenza with slim, tapered legs carefully crafted by Mehitabel for Ralph Lauren rests against the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a pocket garden. On the red accent wall, a full-length silver-framed mirror is positioned on center, not only to give the illusion of space but also to reflect the Zalameda painting on the opposite wall. This allows diners to admire the painting no matter where they are seated. De Zalameda happens to be the favorite artist of the former First Lady Imelda Marcos, and that particular painting is also the wife’s favorite piece. Flanking each side of the mirror are works from national artist BenCab. To add some sparkle to the room, a modern set of pendants lights from Imperial House of Furniture hang directly above the table.

The kitchen, dining and living room all look out to the swimming pool outside with a minimalist landscape overlooking the breath-taking views of the city. The terrace is decked out with the Dedon Slimline collection and a red Kenneth Cobonpue Dragnet chair sits on a corner.

Up a flight of stairs from the foyer leads to the family room. Fun and quirky sets the tone in this living space where a sectional sofa in black and white is complemented by the red Yoda chair of Kenneth Cobonpue. A pair of black upholstered ottomans doubles as footstools, but can also serve as extra side tables. Pay careful attention to detail and you’ll notice that the center table is like a giant book with wooden cabriole legs. A floor lamp that extends to the center was purchased from Mandaue Foam. The scroll bench behind the sectional is an original design by Rene Ybanez for Obra Cebuana made of two-inch rattan poles with skin stained in a deep red. Directly above it is an Arturo Luz painting entitled “Cities Of the Past”, another priceless piece from a Philippine national artist.

Designing bedrooms is a whole different ballgame, but a fun one I must say!  It’s always different for every person. In this family’s case, the daughter wanted a dreamy, purple-colored room; while the son preferred a more masculine approach using greys, blacks and whites with a central theme focusing on his music and records. Making room for his gadgets was a must. Given that this was their second home, the master bedroom was made to look like a hotel room with neutral colors and rich wood stains. The end result is one that makes me happy especially when I hear the children say that their favorite parts of the house are their bedrooms.

If this house in Cebu is just a second home, I can only imagine what other treasures lie in their home in
Manila. But no, their humble answer would always be that the true treasure lies in our country and our local artists and designers. Being a doctor by profession, they have had several opportunities to make a living abroad but they have always chosen to stay at home.

For some time now, Cebu has been producing world-class designers. Los Angeles-based Monique Lhuillier leads the pack and serves as inspiration. There are more Cebuano designers wowing the crowds at fashion shows like Philippine Fashion Week, Metro Wear, and Fashion Watch and getting standing ovations; more fashion editorials from magazines and national papers, and a vibrant clientele from all over the globe. As Oj Hofer, who also happens to be this magazine’s fashion editor for the last 15 years says, “Cebu is a hub. We can fly up to Manila or down to Davao for clients easily. We can also source out fabrics and seek out inspiration in Hong Kong or Shanghai through direct international flights”. Add to that is the background of the local furniture industry’s active involvement in international markets like Milan, Paris and New York, and one can easily get a glimpse of a truly global perspective in the design scene.

Of course, it is not all parties and champagne, or celebrity clients and jet-setting, there is a lot of hard work involved, and an extremely meticulous eye, an unyielding talent and an ability to be constantly inspired because being in a cut-throat industry such as fashion can only make or break you. That is why this group of Cebuano fashion designers got together, to be there for one another as a support system, to have each other’s back, and to prosper together. They call each other regularly to compare notes, share shows, and discuss projects.

The Fashion Council of Cebu, or FCC, first got together in 2007, initially calling themselves the Cebu Designers Guild–now, with ten members: Cary Santiago, Arcy Gayatin, Oj Hofer, Yvonne Quisumbing, Jun Escario, Philipp Tampus, Jojo Romoff, Vania Romoff, Albert Arriba, and council president Philip Rodriguez. Just because one can sketch and sew does not guarantee admission. It is by invitation only, through standards that may include talent and dedication to craft, coupled with a growing clientele.

The Fashion Council of Cebu has come up with a foundation that supports women who want to work in the fashion industry as cutters or embroiderers with general dressmaking skills. Unlike robotized factory workers, the designers want to produce a new breed of artisans, and the FCC are eager and willing to share their time, resources, and expertise to help support the industry this way.

It is also a pleasure to be in a room with these designers when they band together. Each one has their own character that is reflected in their creations from time to time, no matter what their current inspiration. Arcy Gayatin, for instance, injects her ironic wit into conversation and keeps it going; Cary Santiago’s flamboyant candor magnifies his forthright nature; and Oj Hofer and Jun Escario are catty with a cheeky sense of humor that never fails to get people into bawls of laughter.

But there are more facets to being a designer aside from character. For one, there’s the designer’s muse. Cary Santiago’s muses are women who are strong, confident, successful in their field, and well-respected in society for her contributions. “And she must have the body,” he quips, referring to Charo Santos, Christina Ponce-Enrile and perennial favorite Mariquita Yeung. Cary’s sparse atelier is a contrast to his passionate nature which he spreads to a group of acolytes that count a number of make-up artists and models seen lounging around at any given afternoon at his shop while well-heeled ladies in their chauffeur-driven cars come in for their fittings.

“My muses are the ladies who inspire me to create clothes, paintings, or floral arrangements,” says Oj Hofer, rattling off a bevy of society ladies such as Dorla Villalon, Jojo Ongsiako, Gretchen Baretto, Joy Onglatco, Bernie Aboitiz, Rosebud Sala, Amparito Lhuillier, Carla Yeung-McKowen, Jackee Gullas-Weckman and Ball Dominguez, to name a few. But it wasn’t always so, for Oj. “When I was eight, I went to painting lessons regularly on Saturdays. I always wanted to become a painter who would be internationally recognized,” he said. But on his way back home to Davao after finishing a degree in Fine Arts from UP Diliman, Oj was invited by his Cebu-based cousin Ann Hofer, to be the designer for her small atelier, Chiaroscuro. “I decided to stay for a couple of years to get into fashion design,” but he has never left Cebu since.

If seniority was a crown, then this can only be worn by council president Philip Rodriguez, who counts Rey Santos and Felix Jacinto as associates and whose shop at Ramos Street has seen a large number of people since the late 70’s. Every fashionable lady in this city, and a number from out of town, has visited that shop filled with exotic fabric, at one time or another. Appropriately, Philip envisions Audrey Hepburn as his muse. He is a master when it comes to making clothes that are timeless, clothes that can be handed down through generations. Just ask his multitude of clients.

In contrast, there’s the playful nature of Jun Escario whose creations can go from flimsy chiffon to solid tweeds. Always au courant, Jun spots trends like no one else and before it hits the runways of Milan, it is already at his shop in Greenbelt 5. Asked for inspiration, his quick reply is the blushing bride, and this about sums up the excitement he conjures—that of a lady about to enter a new chapter of her life: the idea of fresh and endless possibilities.

Anthony Romoff, or more fondly known as Jojo, as a young boy, was always around his grandmother Viring Romoff’s shop. The legendary dressmaker Viring was the go-to designer for weddings and big parties in the 70’s, and her busy shop was a hub of activity that was Jojo’s classroom. On his most prolific days, Jojo’s sketches evoke Valentino’s lines, clothes that make women feel sexy, and just like the late Gianni Versace, his muse is his sister, Vania, now a budding fashion designer as well. She is the youngest member of FCC and has made a name for herself in Manila very early on in her career. Proof positive that in this family’s case, lightning can strike twice.

Arcy Gayatin admits she is a big fan of Lanvin’s creative director, Alber Elbaz, for his artistic genius and humility. She says, “he understands that fashion is not only about the clothes, but it’s about giving the wearer the power to feel like they own the clothes, rather than the clothes owning them.” Perhaps it is also this philosophy that has gained Arcy a loyal following of women who appreciate her ability to create easy pieces that flatter one’s assets while concealing the undesirable, effortlessly. Arcy credits her predisposition to fashion to her mother, Remy Ancajas, who taught her an appreciation for tailored and custom-made clothes at a very young age, often taking her to the atelier of Jutie Borromeo, a local designer back in the day. With this exposure, it was only a matter of time before she started designing clothes herself. What started out as a small business in her own home has since grown into an atelier with a highly skilled workforce. Without her knowing it, twenty-five years in the industry had already passed, a seeming acceleration of time, which is actually “very typical of fashion,” she laughs. Arcy’s atelier today along A.S. Fortuna Street is a true reflection of her: elegant, put together, no fuss, but with a stylish bang.

Taking inspiration from the movement of water against the wind, “soft, feminine, effortless and light,” is how Yvonne Quisumbing’s silhouettes can be described. Yvonne took Interior Design in La Salle Benilde and took fashion design classes as electives. But with Inno Sotto as mentor, she enjoyed it and decided to shift to Fashion Design and Merchandising. After consistently winning shows with her intricate art pieces-cum-dresses and fashion accessories, Yvonne’s name was soon on the Manila it-crowd’s lips. She is also currently working on a new space in her Prince Plaza 1 atelier, in Legazpi Village in Makati City. As the newest member of the group, Yvonne feels fortunate to be nurtured by her more senior peers.
Albert Arriba pursued a make-up artistry and hairdressing career after a business course in college, but eventually fell in love with fashion. His desire to create beauty went beyond making faces and it has been so for 30 years, and counting. Albert adores Paco Rabanne, who he says has influenced the way he designs. It led him to then put up shop, first along Archbishop Bishop Reyes Avenue, then along Acacia Street, but today Albert has moved his house of beauty: a salon and atelier to the busy Mango Avenue. He says the “endless possibilities of the future” inspire his creations, which is why his dresses are more avant garde, but with a touch of nostalgia.

Philipp Tampus taught himself how to sketch while in college studying computer science. His father originally disapproved of his interest in fashion, especially after finding out he was secretly working in a local boutique along Fuente Osmeña on the side. This led Philipp to be exiled to Ilocos, to focus on his studies. There, he decided to set up shop with his sister and when it became successful, his family finally saw it was more than a passing phase, and that it was his calling. Philipp moved to the Middle East to design for big fashion houses, where he also sharpened his craft and after almost 12 years, came back home to Cebu and in 2007 joined Project Runway Philippines, which served as his introduction to the national fashion industry.

A STYLISH PARTNERSHIP Through its fifteen years of existence, this magazine has always worked closely with the local fashion industry. A lifestyle magazine cannot exist without this component, and so for this milestone year, Zee publisher Eva Gullas called up Philip Rodriguez to partner for a grand event on December 15 with a fashion gala to benefit the advocacy program of FCC.
That’s what’s great about being in a club. Aside from having each other’s backs, when a member believes in something, the whole group can seek out the resources they need to help materialize their cause. Zee Lifestyle is proud to have grown and flourished with many of them, also while providing an additional outlet for this overwhelming creativity. Let’s drink to that.

The Philippines’ best and biggest fashion school is coming to Cebu.

Meet the CBTL—the iconic, single-serve beverage platform du jour that is taking the world by storm. This is where Italian design and espresso-making expertise meets The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s distinct specialty coffee experience in one sleek and reassuringly simple package.

The question is, which CBTL is the right one for you?

The Contata
The draw of all things simple and sleek is hard to ignore. This makes the classic CBTL Contata’s contours a premium choice. Its inherent sleekness mirrors the kind of ease that the confident and well-travelled set carries. The Contata comes in classic colors (black and gray) typifying the machine’s elegant appeal, where the accomplished jet-setter’s eye for aesthetics, global ideals and effortless class is reflected. In the simplest terms—it’s globally sleek—two words that completely sum up the Contata owner.

The Kaldi
A more vibrant incarnation of the classic style, the Kaldi stands out with its dynamic colors and design that bears its own distinct personality.

Kaldi Blue
Still rooted in the ease and simplicity that is essential to the CBTL, Kaldi in blue celebrates the sporty and masculine appeal of its vibrant hue. It’s a seamless fusion of sport and luxury—the compact look of the machine mirroring the active effortlessness that everyone from young dads to sports enthusiasts exhibit.

Kaldi Red

The deceptively simple yet distinctly individual look of the Kaldi in red is laced with an inherent sexiness that defines a feminine and bohemian vibe. While most machines will succumb to abstract references of art to convey its artistic sensibilities, this one makes an impression through sheer looks—much like a siren—whose energy is heightened by a certain je ne sais quoi.

Kaldi Gold
It’s a machine that is as eye-catching as it is unassuming—displaying an innate sense of earthiness that allows it to tread the fine line between prominence and subtlety for anyone making room for the Kaldi in gold in their homes. The auspicious hue makes it an ideal choice for anyone who values the unpretentious vibe of a must-have item that celebrates its practicality as much as it does its exceptional design.

Kaldi Silver

It’s a fusion of European design with edgy aesthetics that break convention that appeals to urban denizens who are constantly
on-the-go. Kaldi in silver promises quick and effortless interaction with those who value efficiency in a modern and compact design. The machine reflects an inbuilt functionality highly valued by those whose schedules permit mere minutes of downtime, best spent with a gourmet cup of coffee or tea, served fast, fresh and piping-hot.

“Quite simply, CBTL is redefining the idea of instant coffee and tea, as we know it. No longer do we have to settle for watered down cups of morning brews; because now, a single push of a button can create a cup of café-quality coffee or tea—one that will not disappoint even the most discerning connoisseurs”, explains Walden Chu, President of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Philippines.