The Perception of Jo Ann Bitagcol

Posted on November 10, 2014

Jo Ann Bitagcol shows her factory IDs from Indo Phil Cotton Mills Inc. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Written by

Jude Bautista

Perception can be the strangest thing. What is completely apparent and obvious to me may not be the same thing another person sees or feels. There are occasions when I find that extremely strange and unbelievable. How different people perceive the same phenomena, in this case a person. But it IS true.

Photographer and model Jo Ann Bitagcol is featured in the CNN Philippines produced GOOD COMPANY. The show is aired on 9TV every SUNDAY 7pm.

I’ve never had the pleasure and privilege of actually meeting Jo Ann Bitagcol although, I have photographed her several times as a model in fashion shows. I’m also a fan of hers as photographer, from her countless magazine covers and she’s done an infinite number of fashion spreads for the biggest brands AS photographer.

Jo Ann’s fashion photography; model and TV personality Joey Mead is on the right. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Jo Ann Bitagcol models the piece de resistance for Dennis Lustico in the SALON show last September 12, 2013. Photo by Jude Bautista

My favorite photos of Jo Ann are when she wears pants and suits ala Marlene Dietrich. There was this one fashion show where she was the only woman in what was basically a men’s line. The reason I found her so hot was the fact that her femininity shone through while wearing what was essentially men’s clothes. She has Asian traits, fair skinned, slits for eyes, thin soft lips that are all unmistakably… feminine. This is what makes her stand out among a dozen male models all wearing similar clothes. That’s why she was cast there too.

Filmmaker Jeffrey Jeturian is one of the ‘3 Fairy Godmothers’ that discovered Jo Ann Bitagcol. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

That’s why it was with disbelief that I was listening to Jeffrey Jeturian relating an experience of Jo Ann’s. She was teased by street kids calling her: bakla bakla bakla. (fag fag fag) The interview was from a feature by GOOD COMPANY a new show by CNN Philippines aired on 9TV, 7pm Sundays. The show interviews and shows a day in the life of different artists, creative minds and interesting people. The show opened my eyes to how I and other people perceived Jo Ann.

Jo Ann Bitagcol (Model and photographer) in Rhett Eala creation on the ramp for Jewelmer 35th, Miracle of the Golden Pearl September 23, 2014. CATCH a feature on Jo Ann this Sunday Nov 9, 2014 — 7PM on CNN Phils (formerly 9TV/ SOLAR News Channel). Photo by Jude Bautista

NOT that there’s anything wrong with our gay sisters, it just never occurred to me that’s all. The more I see Jo Ann in jeans and t-shirt the more attractive and feminine she is to me. I don’t know why. I just don’t know how she could possibly look masculine.

Jo Ann Bitagcol models the piece de resistance for Dennis Lustico in the SALON show last September 12, 2013. Photo by Jude Bautista

For me what distinguishes men and women’s bodies are the curves. I love how her slender neck curves to her shoulders, how her waist curves to her hips, how her long thighs curve to her sleek legs. Her jawline is extremely, perfectly shaped extenuating her elegant neck. I can’t imagine seeing her anything than female.

from left: from left: Sen. Ralph Recto, Ryan Christian Recto, Gov Vilma Santos, director Jeffrey Jeturian, Jenelyn Mercado and Luis Manzano. Catch the Cinemalaya film fest from July 26-August 4, 2013 at the CCP, Trinoma, GB3 and Alabang Town Center. Photo By Jude Bautista

I respect Jefferey Jeturian as a filmmaker. I photographed the premiere of EXTRA with Vilma Santos in Cinemalaya. But I have to completely disagree with him when he ascribed some of Jo Ann’s success to the androgynous look that was prevalent in the 90s.

Direk Jeffrey Jeturian described Apples Aberin as elegant and the prevailing beauty during Jo Ann’s debut in the fashion world. I shot this photo of the Unilever PR Head for Personal Care at Fashion Watch Quartet supporting her friend Jojie Lloren’s show. It was held at Makati Shang Rila Hotel, September 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

He said, “At the time the prevailing beauty sila Tweetie, sila Apples. Si Apples is a very elegant model. Si Jo Ann kasi even if she doesn’t fit the prevailing norm of beauty then may character siya e. It is precisely because of her unconventional looks na yan ang naging passport niya to be accepted sa modeling world. At the time uso rin naman yung androgynous look.” For me other than Psy, the majority of male K-POP stars who endorse whitening, skin moisturizers for women, now, those guys are androgynous.

Peter Lim is one of the ‘3 Fairy Godmothers’ that discovered Jo Ann Bitagcol. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Still, Jeturian was one of ‘three fairy godmothers’ (JoAnn’s words) that found her meeting with a friend in a pansiteria in Malolos. Seeing her height and facial features Peter Lim and Jay Lozada offered her work as a model.

Jay Lozada is one of the ‘3 Fairy Godmothers’ that discovered Jo Ann Bitagcol. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Jo Ann Bitagcol is the cutie on the far left. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

PAMPANGA roots, Factory worker

Whenever one sees or thinks about fashion models, humility and honesty aren’t traits that particularly come to mind. But Jo Ann exhibited this talking about her roots during the interview also from GOOD COMPANY. “I was born in Angeles City. Tubong Kapangpangan po ako. I got started in Bulacan when we moved after the Mount Pinatubo eruption. I took up my high school there. Highschool nag umpisa po yung chapter ng pagiging factory worker ko. 1994 June it says here, December 1994 official na kong worker sa Indo Phil Cotton Mills inc.”

Jo Ann Bitagcol’s Indo Phil Cotton Mills IDs. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

I felt if only for the candid revelations of her humble beginnings this show has justified itself. AGAIN, perception here plays with my mind. Just by looking at her anyone would think she’d have a privileged upbringing with her Fil-Chinese looks. I can imagine her high school in ICA and college in Ateneo. But no, she didn’t make a big deal about it, very matter of fact. She actually had to work in a factory as a high schooler.

Jo Ann Bitagcol shows her factory IDs from Indo Phil Cotton Mills Inc. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Jo Ann Bitagcol who has reached the heights of fashion not just in the Philippines but internationally. And yet casually, comfortably admits she worked as a teenager. That gives her more strength of character, makes her more ‘beautiful’ in my eyes. While some people would rather forget their humble roots she actually kept and showed her factory ID to the TV crew. (Thank you to CNN Phil Producer Michi Ancheta who acknowledged my blog for their use of my photos of Jo Ann for GOOD COMPANY)

Jo Ann is proud of working as teen-ager in a factory. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Jo Ann Bitagcol in INQUIRER RED MAGAZINE photo by Shaira Luna. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

CHANEL, Hong Kong, Paris, India

One of the highlights of her career was being cast in a CHANEL show in Hong Kong along with Lala Flores. She didn’t realize the significance until seeing the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and sharing the ramp with other supermodels: Nadja Auermann, Karen Elson and Helena Christensen. Designer Jojie Lloren, himself, worked on her first piece in Body SHOTS Competition in the mid 90s. Later on they shared an apartment in Paris where Jo Ann worked as model.

Jojie Lloren designed Jo Ann’s piece for BODY SHOTS Competition the mid 90s. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Jo Ann and designer Jojie Lloren were roomies in Paris. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

THE top Make Up artist Patrick Rosas. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Possibly the most sought after make up artist today, Patrick Rosas recalls working with Jo Ann abroad, “Image wise she gave the Philippine fashion industry a global perspective. As a model her face is everywhere. We’ve been together abroad several times: India, Paris, several times in Hong Kong. She represents the new face of Filipina, hindi lang yung typical brown skin na maganda, global dahil Asian. Several times napagkakamalan siyang Chinese or Japanese, which is good.”

Jo Ann had a unique look and gait on the ramp. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Jo Ann Bitagcol uses the Canon EOS 5D Mk III in her studio. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

8-Year Cycle

Jo Ann believes that major changes in her life seem to come in 8-year cycles. After working as a model she has transitioned into photography. It was borne out of a need to challenge herself in making better photos and going behind the camera. She credits the moral and technical support of many photographers: Lhiliane Uy , Jun De Leon, Juan Caguia, Mark Nicdao, Jake Verzosa and Nelson Villarica. This encouraged her to take it professionally. Who knows maybe filmmaking or cinematography may be in the next cycle?

Photographer Jun De Leon. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Photographer Mark Nicdao. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

While giving a tour of her studio to the TV crew distinguished designer Lulu Tan Gan was getting prepped for a shoot. Lulu said, “She has evolved. It’s her design sensibilities. She has interpreted her visions across the different disciplines in design first as a model then now, as a photographer. Since she is into fashion she has become more specialized into fashion photography. Her strength is bringing out the expression of the model and the concept of the designers clothes.” I suspect my own perception of Jo Ann will still change. One thing is certain; my fascination of her will forever continue to grow.

Prestigious designer Lulu Tan Gan talks about Jo Ann’s work. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Jo Ann Bitagcol in INQUIRER RED MAGAZINE photo by Shaira Luna. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

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Jo Ann grew up in historic Malolos, Bulacan. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Jo Ann Bitagcol uses the Canon EOS 5D Mk III in her studio. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

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far left Jo Ann Bitagcol, Wilma Doesn’t. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Jo Ann Bitagcol in INQUIRER RED MAGAZINE photo by Shaira Luna. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

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Designer Joey Samson. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Thank you to CNN Phil Producer Michi Ancheta for acknowledging my blogs. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

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Jo Ann Bitagcol’s features are both Asian and Filipina. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Photographer Jake Versoza. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

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Jo Ann’s photography for ROGUE Magazine. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Jo Ann’s fashion photography. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

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Tim Yap shot by Jo Ann Bitagcol for ROGUE Magazine. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Jo Ann Bitagcol modeled the piece de resistance for Dennis Lustico in the SALON show last September 12, 2013. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Jo Ann and designer Jojie Lloren were roomies in Paris. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Jo Ann poses with the Louvre Pyramid in the background. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

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Designer Jojie Lloren is one of Jo Ann’s long time mentors and friends. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Photographer and model Jo Ann Bitagcol is featured in the CNN Philippines produced GOOD COMPANY. The show is aired on 9TV every SUNDAY 7pm.

Jo Ann Bitagcol on PREVIEW. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

fb fan page:

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Jo Ann grew up in historic Malolos, Bulacan. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Thank you to CNN Phil Producer Michi Ancheta for acknowledging my blogs. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

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Jo Ann grew up in historic Malolos, Bulacan. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

Thank you to CNN Phil Producer Michi Ancheta for acknowledging my blogs. Catch the CNN Philippines produced show GOOD COMPANY on 9TV every Sunday 7pm.

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