A room full of idols

"I became very anxious this evening upon seeing this guy in the newspaper. This Filipino designer from Aklan making waves in London. I don’t know how he ended up in Central Saint Martins but he’s there. I got inis because when I saw a sketch of this amazing jacket, I couldn’t believe a Filipino could be that good, as in 1985 John Galliano good."–Entry from my journal, June 17, 2003

I don’t get around much anymore, but when Mega magazine invites, I go. Because Mega people are so nice. They never forget old designers, even if they haven’t worked in a while. Last Thursday, I hauled my ass off to attend their Young Designers Competition at the Premiere Cinema on Milelong.

My former intern Mich Dulce was a finalist in their last competition; she told me the prize was getting interesting: A four-month course at Central Saint Martins in London, sponsored by The British Council.

I received an invitation with photos and sketches from the six finalists, including Gian Romano, one of the kids that used to hang out at my shop.

The rest were unknown to me. Mich told me Jolina Magdangal’s best friend and personal stylist, Jeffrey Rogador, was also in. This could be interesting.

Mich herself was showing two sets of clothes, along with former winners or finalists of past Mega YDCs, like Patrice Ramos Diaz. Just before the show began, I saw Patrice leave her bag with her son Quito, who sat next to her assistant, designer Puey Quiñones. Just then, I felt a pang of envy. Patrice is my super idol. How I wish my son could see me at work like that. How I wish I could raise cute little boys and have a thriving career.

Excuse me for gushing, but I adore Puey Quiñones. He’s the little guy who dresses like Hare Krishna-meets-Comme des Garçons. I asked him why he didn’t join the contest, after all the prize is enough to make any young designer’s mouth water. "Nagsubmit ako ng designs but di nila napili!" Puey said. "Di nila naintindihan sketch ko," he laughed.

The show began with former YDC graduates showing stylized Guess clothing. Most of it were amazing, like the work of Mich, Patrice, Alex Pigao, LZ Punzalan, and James Reyes. While I loved all their stuff, I thought Ivarluski Aseron’s were a winner.

When the judges were introduced, I became aware that Lesley Mobo was in the house. London-based Lesley is being hailed as the future of Philippine fashion. When I read about him in the Philippine STAR, I lost sleep trying to Google him. I texted stylist Michael Salientes that I was upset he was so good and I didn’t know him.

"Do you want to meet him?" Puey asked.

"Wag na lang. Nakakahiya."

"He’s very nice," Puey insisted.

"He used to work at the library in Saint Martins," added Mich, who took some courses there. "I used to drop objects in front of him and curse in Tagalog to see if he was Filipino, but he never reacted."

The contest began, and I’m so jaded.

What stuck in my head was Catherine Cavilte, whose theme was "Streets of London and Japan," because it made me think that she should probably go see the streets of London and Japan.

I had to laugh when I read that Donn Camilo Delantar listed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as his fantasy client. Because I tried to imagine the President wearing his poufy dress and it just wouldn’t work.

Jolina’s best friend Jeffrey Rogador had pala (read: thunderous applause).

He had a fun collection with cool styling, but I thought the details with the teddy bears were too cartoony to be taken seriously.

Gian Romano also had pala. The fashionistas seated next to me thought either he or Aztec Barba would win. In the end, Gian made it.

I later asked Mega editor and judge Liza Ilarde what made him win.

"It was really a close fight between Gian and Aztec. They both had a good concept, a very cohesive collection, excellent workmanship. They’re both intelligent and articulate. From a general point of view, I guess Gian’s edge was that his was the more commercial collection and had instant runway appeal," she said.

After the show, the official fashion miron Jay Abalos dragged me to meet Lesley Mobo. I was afraid because I had heard he was suplado. He turned out to be the sweetest thing. When we were introduced, I couldn’t believe it: He freaking knew me. I was so excited, He wanted to have drinks, but I have kids and had to go home.

Just before leaving, Mich and I stalked Filipina model Jeddaï who is based in Paris and opened and closed for Marc LeBihan’s show in 2002.

Marc LeBihan is only the best freaking designer in the whole world.

But that deserves another story.