During the hype of Lance’s Main Event Concert last February, Lance’s manager, Angie Magbanua, received an invitation from Tobin to fly Lance to the States to be photographed. The Eurasian look is once again in demand in the world of fashion photography and Lance’s mestizo features caught the attention of the studio executives. StudioM521 regularly holds photo exhibits which all the major names in the fashion/entertainment industry attend. Angie thought that this would be a great opportunity to expose Lance to the international market. Hence, Lance’s recent LA adventure.
Lance’s celebrity status in the Philippines has been established in the LA scene even before his arrival. Because of which, Lance enjoyed VIP treatment during his entire stay. He met with a lot of top models, film makers, photographers and directors. When Lance arrived at Tobin’s Studio, he was greeted by top male models Eugen Bauder, Paul Hanson, Brett Ford, The Himber Twins, Soap Star Timothy Heindrich, and MTV Reality show star Christopher Friel. It is also very interesting to note that Christopher Friel happens to be Lance’s long lost cousin. They are related thru Lance’s Spanish lineage from his mom’s side. So this trip was not only a chance for Lance to establish new connections with people from LA’s fashion and entertainment industry, it was also some sort of family reunion as Chris and Lance used to be playmates in their childhood in San Diego.
Tobin shot Lance in various settings in LA and created different looks for him with the help of stylist, Sean. He shot inside StudioM521 looking like celebrated musician, Chet Baker. He did layouts on a roof top and on the halls, dressed up as a gothic rock god. He rocked the streets of down town LA, sporting an afro. He went for the classic Valentino look with a twist, wearing a traditional barong under a designer suit. And finally, he got sexy at a poolside at the home of David Lee, owner and executive director of the online high fashion magazine, Tdink. He commissioned model, turned film maker, Flaviu Man, to film all the photo sessions. Tobin in cooperation with Flaviu, produced and directed a documentary DVD on Lance’s LA trip which will be passed around among industry people. Lance and Tobin had a huge entourage following them around as they shot the video, prompting many passers by and motorists to stop and watch. Many mistook Lance for a new star in young Hollywood.
Aside from being photographed, Lance also established his business connections with some LA musicians. He wants to collaborate with them for his future recording projects. Among the musicians he met are Jazz musicians Joe and Travis Berry as well as Mark Rodriguez, who has already done work with Billy Joel and Ben Fold’s Five. Speaking of Lance’s recording projects, Angie also requested Tobin to shoot the cover for Lance’s upcoming CD under VIVA Records.
On Lance’s last night in LA, StudioM521 held a special art exhibit and a party complete with live band, artists and celebrities. A lot of people would ask Lance where he was from and he would always make sure that everybody knows he is a Filipino. Lance’s trip gave him a chance to be seen and appreciated in the fashion and entertainment world of Los Angeles, thus, renewing interest and fascination on the Filipino entertainment scene. Lance also took this trip as an opportunity to serve as an ambassador of goodwill for the Filipino artists. Some of the outtakes of Lance’s exciting and rewarding LA shoot will be posted on his website http://www.sdolara.com