Anna Sui was walking well til she...

Written And Photographed

By Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

(NOTE: I was watching the Lifestyle Network a few days ago and I caught the airing of Randy Ortiz’ fashion show. It has some behind the scenes footage like model Apples Aberin preparing to go on the ramp sans make up and she was just glowing. Her voice was happy and laughing with Randy. Although it was more than two years ago, September 4, 2008 at EDSA Shangrila, people are still talking about how seminal, masterful and creative it was. I write about film, art, sports, music and a lot of other subjects, I STILL can’t authoritatively talk or write about fashion-even if I shoot it. But all fashion columnists and experts agreed it was unforgettable. Especially with what happened during the show. And incidentally I was able to shoot John Estrada and Priscilla Mereilles who were there and  just dating at the time. John and Pri are now getting married as announced today in Dolly Ann Carvajal’s column in PDI. I hope everyone will enjoy and appreciate this old blog entry of mine from my multiply site. Pics of John and Pri will follow)

For a gallery of full screen pics click on this link.

Anna Sui took a tumble and still gained the admiration of the very exclusive crowd. Photo by Jude Bautista

September 5, 2008 EDSA SHANGRILA—Ana Sui stole the show from a room full of celebs from the GMA network and practically all of Manila’s glitterati. Of course everyone was already enthralled by the work ofRandy Ortiz in the plush interiors of theShangri-la ball room. And she wasn’t the only one who took a tumble. There were several near misses and slips for othermodels, but hers was the worst. And yet Ana showed what true poise and grace really is all about. When she went down she was all smiles. She put her head on her hand, jokingly pouted, asked an audience member to help her and stood up. By the time she got up, the audience gave her the longest and loudest ovation. She showed that it’s not about the fall, but it’s how you get up.

Samsung was one of the major sponsors

The stage background flipped and twisted like a cell phone. The fiberglass surface in the middle of the ramp may be the culprit to the slips that the models took. The clothes were exceptional and I don’t want todwell on it. There are other people more qualified to talk about the clothes. As a photographer, I want to emphasize the faces and figures that breathed life to those designs. Most editors look for those full body shots to show the shape and the whole length of the dress from head to foot. I leave that to the newspapers and magazines. I want to show the waist to head shot or even close up of these perfect faces.

Apples Aberin, no matter how she faces or turns it’s a picture. Photo by Jude Bautista

One of my favorite has always been Apples Aberin. She’s one of those people who does everything well. No wonder she’s a judge at the highly rated show in ETC network, Project Runway Philippines. Not to mention her weekly fashion column at Phil. Daily Inquirer. She makes it look so easy whenever she’s up there. How can you forget her features that seem to be both Asian and Caucasian? No matter how she faces or turns it’s a picture.

Joan Bitagcol is undoubtedly Asian, with her eyes and smooth skin. Photo by Jude Bautista

Joan Bitagcol is undoubtedly Asian, with her eyes and smooth skin. I love the fact that she never exaggerates her movements. She has that rare subtlety and coolness. I’ve seen her architectural and interior photography in Lifestyle Asia. I have to admit her skills at interior photography are better than mine!

Tweetie De Leon Gonzalez is both wholesome and sexy. All the products she endorses do so well because of her wide appeal. Photo by Jude Bautista

Tweetie De Leon Gonzalez is both wholesome and sexy. All the products she endorses just do so well because of her wide appeal. Her lovely tan makes her look so healthy and active. She’s also a fashion editor and writer. Tweetie and Apples were co editors in chief at one time and also happen to be best pals.

Wilma Doesnt - her smile is so genuine and the way she looks straight into the lens it just gets you. Photo by Jude Bautista

Wilma Doesnt has got to be one of the better models out there especially when she wasn’t on Qtv yet. But because of her humor, charm and hosting talent she’s just a natural for TV. People don’t know how amazing she is on the ramp. I was so glad to see her modeling again. Her smile is so genuine and the way she looks straight into the lens it just gets you.  Marina Benipayo also got a strong ovation from the crowd. What makes her unique is the way she stands, her jet black hair and oriental eyes. She can be smiling one second and give you that steely look.

From left: Ogie Alcasid, gorgeous siblings Leica and Amanda Carpo and Raymart Santiago. Photo by Jude Bautista

Ogie ‘The Pogi’ Alcasid was also snapping shots during the show. Barrie Schwortz who was the scientific photographer who shot the Shroud of Turin, called me a ‘brother photographer’. That’s what I call Ogie, ‘brother photographer’, who has an upcoming concert on September 27^th at the Araneta Coliseum.

I haven't seen Leica's smile in person for so long. Photo by Jude Bautista

Leica Carpo was the prettiest face in the audience (and anywhere for that matter). Can the over achieving Leica stop at being the publisher of Sunday Inquirer Magazine? She’s a triathlete for God’s sake! Need I say more?

from left: Feamor Tiosen & Blanche Lineses are the producer and host to the show TRIBE at net25.

Feamor Tiosen & Blanche Lineses are the producer and host to the show TRIBE at net25. They feature the best of anything Philippine made be it music, film and yes…fashion.

Richard Gomez is probably the most successful male model period. Photo by Jude Bautista

Richard Gomez is probably the most successful male model period. Goma’s the original BENCH endorser who helped the image of the brand early on. He’s proven his acting talents in countless film and tv projects. And the rest as they say is history. For a gallery of full screen pics click on this link.