In light of an incident that happened in the mall right next to our office two weeks ago (an unidentified man brandished a gun at our officemate and her boyfriend at a restaurant; thankfully, no one was hurt but the man escaped), I’d like to talk about building security. Does the presence of security guards who make kutkot your bag with a stick actually make you feel safe? Or are they just there so that the building administration will not claim any responsibility for any weapons-related crime that happens inside, since they have after all, “inspected” everyone? Will that make the guests and the building’s tenants feel better?
Since we shoot an average of 5 to 8 locations and houses in a week, this entails the sticky situation of getting everyone in the crew past a building’s security, especially when the place that we’re going to shoot is in a condo. If we’re with a photographer and he has a lot of equipment, more often that not we have to get a gate pass or permit. I totally understand, since these are private residences and they need the best security they can get. But the most ridiculous of experiences I’ve encountered in my entire career was with the Pacific Plaza Towers at The Fort. Their security is notoriously strict, which I get, since they have a lot of high-profile tenants, but their way of handling it is also very discriminatory. I’ve shot quite a number of homes there for this magazine and my past jobs at Pacific Plaza, and I noticed that how they treated me (and also other guests) was based on their “arrival” method that day. Here’s how they let me in based on what I was wearing and what car I took:
Vehicle: Cab + Outfit: Decent office clothes = I don’t even get led to the reception lobby, and am instead directed to the service entrance/elevator at their basement parking
Vehicle: Old Urvan + Outfit: Jeans and T-shirt, with photog Bahaghari in tow, also in the same attire = also led to the service entrance and elevator
Vehicle: A new Opel + Outfit: Cocktail dress (because I had an event after) = I’m led to the reception lobby, but I’m told to wait
Vehicle: My former boss’s BMW Z3 roadster + Outfit: Decent office clothes = I’m led to the reception lobby, graciously asked who I was visiting, and immediately whisked to the elevator.
Take note—this was me, only on different occasions. Same person, different treatment. Nakakaloka, no? 
So now, what would you rather feel? Safe? Or humiliated? 
Our September ish is out! It contains, of course, our biggest and most amazing Ultimate Makeover ever! Here’s what makeover winner Patricia Jarabelo’s Angono home looked like before:
And here’s what designer Grace Moslares did with it after (that’s the same area, guys!):
Shocking no??? Readers, what do you think?
Read all about this dramatic before-and-after story in the September 2009 issue of Real Living magazine! Out in newsstands and bookstores this week!
Style editor Gwyn reminded me about this last night as we were talking about the events that have been wracking the political climate this past month. He mentioned the email our former art director Carlo sent us about Pantone naming the color of the year for 2009 back in December 08. The specific color is Pantone no. 14-0848 Mimosa. Here it is:
Uncanny isn’t it?
The website describes this color as symbolic of “Optimism, hope, and reassurance,” and that it was apt for this time of “economic uncertainty and political change.”
I totally agree. Hindi ka nag-iisa.
It took me some time to react because of the whole National Artist Awards controversy that’s been brewing for weeks now. For one, the first time I read the list, I honestly thought that one of the names listed was a typo and had to re-read it. But I’m not going to talk about that particular “artist.” I’m only going to talk about the collateral damage.
Noted architect Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa was one of the artists included in the “President’s Prerogative” list. I know that inclusion in the list makes it sound bad, but I honestly think that Mañosa’s body of work makes him qualified and that he definitely deserves it. Criteria for the award includes that you have to have made an impact on future artists, and Filipinos in general. Even though Mañosa was heavily associated with the Marcoses back then, he helped champion the concept of the Filipino materials and design to the public.
I can vouch for the fact that a lot of the younger architects (including his own son, Gelo) I’ve met who’ve worked in his office at one point or another have been heavily influenced by his philosophy on Filipino design, and have brought it with them throughout their design careers. One of his architects, the kindly Stanley Fernandez, even championed it when he taught Tropical Design at the University of the Philippines. Mañosa’s work on the Filipino home wasn’t confined to his own design firm; it actually had a trickle-down effect. Because of him, and because he influenced his junior architects, a lot of Filipino homes can breathe better, and are planned well.
And there is that iconic factor of Mañosa as well. I spotted him at a construction fair recently, quietly browsing through some books at one of the design bookstore booths there. I wanted to say hi to him, but I was too starstruck! A salesclerk approached Mañosa as he went to the stack of tropical design books, and obviously didn’t recognize him.
Salesclerk: “Yan po sir, puro tungkol sa mga tropical design na residential.”
Mañosa: “Ay oo, I did a bit of that too.”
Readers, what do you think? (To see more of Mañosa’s work, click here. To read more about the National Awards controversy, visit spot.ph)
I’ve been seeing a lot of patterns and prints in fashion lately, and the trend dictates that you should mix it up. don’t match. Apparently, the same trend applies to furniture. Take a look at new stuff from cool Italian brand Moroso. Here are Binta chairs by Philippe Bestenheider, in wild, clashing African prints:
My personal favorite is the sweet Sushi collection by Edward Van Vliet, take a look at those beautiful, color-blocked kimono fabrics:
Remember the crazy couch at Cubao X store Heima?
Well here’s the the more streamlined version by superstar designer Patricia Urquiola:
I’m not sure if Moroso is currently available locally. There have been rumors that it’ll be distributed here soon, but they never did. So just click on the link above to check out their other fab stuffs. (images from Designlink PR)
I mean fashion giant Vogue’s, not ours. (Though do watch out for Real Living’s upcoming September ish—it’s really, really good!!!) I just watched the trailer of The September Issue, a documentary/full-length movie on the production of Vogue magazine’s September issue, which for many fashion magazines is the biggest (and thickest) issue of the year. It also highlights how Vogue’s legendary (and frightening) editor in chief Anna Wintour runs it, and believe me, her inspired character in the movie and book Devil Wears Prada is definitely spot-on.
Here’s the trailer:
I’m happy to say that running home and shelter magazines a lot less drama than that. I think it’s because of the home-and-housekeeping aspect of it that the people, events, and stores have a more nurturing, warm and fuzzy aspect about it than in the fashion industry. Even in the US. Take a look at the blog of a former editor of Conde Nast’s (now dead) home title, Domino—click here to see how it was working for that beautiful mag.
Wait a minute—I do think there is a bit of drama (and diva-ism) in the home industry as well. Well, for now, my lips are sealed. (Thank you for the links, Jenny and Becky!)
Furniture store Our Home has always been the go-to place for homeowners looking for contemporary (read: not baduy), affordable furniture for years now. But looks like it’s been beefing up its merchandising to include pieces by young, local designers, and will be launching something special for interior designers and other industry professionals as well. What is it? Well, I’m not sure myself, so see you at The Atrium at SM Megamall, 5pm, on August 12 (this Wednesday).
I’ve been under the weather the past week—sick, sick, sick—hence, no posts. My bad. Also, a classmate, former President, and a friend’s cat died. But I hope this week will be better. So watch out for new stuff in this space.
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