Mega, Metro and Preview
It’s not easy being a glossy. Beneath the glamour and the glitter of a magazine editor or staffer’s life are deadlines, parties to attend, difficult people to deal with and everything you’ve watched in The Devil Wears Prada.
Beneath the surface gloss of this medium are hardworking people who are just doing the best they can to deliver the message they were set out to deliver. These media (wo) men are out to conquer your minds, one title at a time.
I’ve been lucky to have witnessed the glossy magazine evolution in this country and I can say that the growth has been by leaps and bounds. The big three publishers Mega, Metro and Summit are all in a neck and neck battle for supremacy. The winner? You.
Each month, the three fashion/ lifestyle flagships: Mega, Metro and Preview try their best to outwit, outshine and outfit each other to gain your readership. They each have a different point of view, each with a different way of doing things. At least they don’t all look alike. Somewhere between all the above mentioned titles is a mag that talks to you. And how to make you better.
This past month, not only did they have a gand battle of the titans in the newsstands, they also had a battle royale in the events arena. Mega started the ball season with their Mega Pinoy Pride 2011: The Terno Ball, Metro had their Metro 100 event and Preview had a double whammy with their one-day-after-another Preview Ball.
Mega Pinoy Pride Ball Does Terno
Mega’s Pinoy Pride ball focused on reinventing the classic terno. Mega magazine, being a proudly home-grown Filipino title had the Luz-Vi-Minda trio of our Filipino supermodels who have made it in the global runways as their cover. The event, which I co-chair with the Mega group had Manila’s 300 in full attendance, all clad in new and modern interpretations of the butterfly-sleeved Filipina dress.
Standout was Divine Lee in a Kermit Tesoro, also their July cover girl. I was ecstatic about my Emilio Aguinaldo- inspired suit by designer John Herrera. Other highlights include a guest appearance by Manny Pooh-quiao, the Musikito children’s orchestra and Dingdong Dantes, who led the guests at the Makati Shangri-La ballroom in reciting the Panatang Makabago, a now version of our Panatang Makabayan.
A display of ternos adorned one side of the ballroom, exquisite Filpino designer creations from the scene’s most accomplished Mega women. A five-course degustacion specially prepared by the chefs at the Shang, endless champagne by Moet and lovely company completed the night.
“We aim to do this every year,” said Sari Yap (in an Avel Bacudio structural terno), the visionary behind the multi Mega portfolio of magazines. They also launched their new ETC TV show Mega Fashion Crew.. “We are a proudly Filipino publication, and this is the way we intend to show the world the beauty of what we have.”
How’s that for glossy nation building?
Metro 100 Does Filipiniana
To gather the top 100 designers of the industry in one big fashion showdown, that was what the latest Metrowear, the most ambitious to date, had in mind. Add the clout of the Metro editors, the ABS-CBN muscle plus the supporters of the 100-strong show delegation and you have a guaranteed winner.
I salute the decision to go Filipiniana. We are in the midst of a pride-filled era where we realize we are at par, if not better in a lot of things, but identity is key. Defining and re-defining what is Filipino is as important as us personally searching for what will make us happy as human beings.
The hardworking team behind Metro was able to pull it off and more. Designers and their muses sashayed on and off the runway, proud of their sartorial lineage. It takes artists to make us see the world in a different light, and gathering them is an expertise of Metro editor in chief Michaelle Torres, now back in Manila after being based in Singapore as a editor of Prestige, a premium luxury title. Metro is lucky to have Michaelle — she is the epitome of a hardworking, get-it-all-done team player that is an expert at bringing prime movers from diverse fields all together. Just look at the past issues of Metro and you’ll know what I’m talking about.
An after-party was held at Opus, where design stars and stars all met and match, Metro style.
A Larger-Than-Life ‘Preview’
Twitter was abuzz for days. People were worrying about what they were gonna wear. The Preview Ball is one of those earmarked every year by every die-hard fashionista. It’s all out or nothing. “All the way” is always the way where Preview balls are concerned.
I’ve thrown the first few Preview balls and I’ve made sure to bend over backwards to make it every year, because it really is worth all the fuss. You see everyone from the industry rock out in full style throttle, dressing to impress taken to another level. And why not? Preview calls itself The Fashion bible, so disciples have to bow down and obey!
Pauline Suaco-Juan, editor-in-chief and the embodiment of effortless, creative director Vince Uy and their team pulled all stops to get everyone and their idols present in the two-day affair. First day was at Opus, where Preview and sister company Topshop had an all-night party in homage to London high street. I wore my Jil Sander jacket and YSL shoes and took part in the revelry. Sam Milby even showed up and DJ-ed the night away.
The following night at 7th High, Preview went Cocobanana, in all glitter and gold dust as they celebrated the glam era gone by — the ’70s! Suffice it to say that just like flippimg through Preview’s pages, everyone was transported to the time when Cher was queen (Vice Ganda in Rajo Laurel) and Studio 54 was the palace hall. Speaking of Studio 54, Belle Daza wore her mom Gloria Diaz’ dress which the former Miss Universe wore when she was in the infamous club owned by Steve Rubbell! Talk about fashion history! Meanwhile, Georgina Wilson, who pulsated sin, and Anne Curtis both wore red. Can you spell H-O-T?
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That’s it for this week. For more YAPDATES, follow me on twitter.com/iamtimyap
