Project Runway Philippines

infobox television
show_name = Project Runway Philippines


caption = "Project Runway Philippines" logo
format = Reality-based competition
runtime = approximately 45 minutes
creator = Eli Holzman
presenter = Teresa Herrera
starring = Jojie Lloren
Apples Aberin-Sahdwani
Rajo Laurel
director = Marie Jamora
executive_producer = Wilson Tieng
Peter Chan Liong
"(for Solar Entertainment)"
Maricel Royo
Marivic San Juan
"(for Unitel)"
co_exec = Edel Pepito
producer = Gretchen Montelibano-Torno
supervising_producer = Data Tolentino-Canlas
Anna Villanueva
writer = Mihk Vergara
Ramon de Veyra
editor = Galileo Te
Kim Pascual
Javi Abola
Winston Chua
Marie Jamora
theme_music_composer = Diego Mapa
composer = Diego Mapa
Eggboy vs Spazzkid
country = PHI
network = ETC, SBN 21
first_aired = July 30, 2008
last_aired = Present
num_episodes = 11 (as of October 8, 2008)
language = Mainly English, with Filipino
company = Solar Entertainment Corporation
Unitel Productions
distributor = FremantleMedia
website =
imdb_id =
tv_com_id =

"Project Runway Philippines" is a Philippine adaptation of "Project Runway". This reality television series, which aims to find "the next big Filipino fashion designer," is produced by Solar Entertainment Corporation and Unitel Productions. It premiered on July 30, 2008 on cable through ETC Entertainment Central and on free TV through SBN 21.cite news| first=Paolo R.| last=Reyes| title=SoFA, so good...| date=January 11, 2008| publisher=Inquirer.net| url=http://services.inquirer.net/express/08/01/14/html_output/xmlhtml/20080111-111771-xml.html| accessdate=2008-01-16] cite news| pages=C-7| title=Solar channels bring new level of excitement on free TV| date=December 31, 2007| publisher=The Philippine Star| accessdate=2008-01-02] The show is hosted by model and actress Teresa Herrera, with fashion designer and faculty member of School of Fashion and the Arts Jojie Lloren serving as mentor. Filipino top model and lifestyle feature writer Apples Aberin-Sahdwani and fashion designer Rajo Laurel complete the judging panel. The winner will receive P500,000 (roughly US$11,000) in cash, a start-up business package, an editorial spread in Mega magazine, and an opportunity to show their collection in Philippine Fashion Week.

Auditions

"Project Runway Philippines" held its auditions from January 14 through January 16, 2008 in School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA) in Makati City, Metro Manila. Casting call was also held on March 10, 2008 in Crown Regency Hotel and Towers in Cebu City for fashion designers in Visayas and Mindanao, particularly in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Dumaguete, and General Santos cities.cite web| author=ETC: Entertainment Central| title="Project Runway Philippines" Goes to Cebu| url=http://www.etc.com.ph/news2.php]

Contestants

The 14 finalists of Project Runway Philippines, which consists of a mix of established and new designers, were introduced in a press conference held in Greenbelt 5 Gallery in Makati City.cite news| first=September Grace| last=Mahino| title=A runaway hit| url=http://philstar.com/index.php?Young%20Star&p=49&type=2&sec=45&aid=2008072419| publisher=The Philippine Star| date=July 25, 2008| accessdate=2008-07-26] cite news| first=Cheche| last=Moral| title=Is the Philippines ready for fashion reality TV?| publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer| date=July 10, 2008| url=http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20080710-147674/Is-the-Philippines-ready-for-fashion-reality-TV| accessdate=2008-07-26] cite news| title="Project Runway Philippines" to premiere on ETC today| publisher=Manila Bulletin| date=July 23, 2008| url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2008/07/23/ENTR20080723130471.html| accessdate=2008-07-26] Note that the ages listed are the designers' ages at the time the show was taped in early 2008.

* Aries Lagat - 25 years old from Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. He won the 2006 Mega Young Designers Competition (Mega YDC), an annual competition for Filipino novice fashion designers sponsored by Mega magazine. He is also a former scholar of top designer Ben Ferrales, [http://images.boparcon.multiply.com/image/2/photos/19/1200x1200/7/pr-aries.jpg?et=SQO8FYtvG9kIKSsPZQ6GtQ&nmid=105491032 Scanned image of Lagat's profile on "Project Runway Philippines" press kit] ] and teaches in Fashion Institute of the Philippines.cite web| title=The Institute| publisher=Fashion Institute of the Philippines| url=http://www.fashioninstitutephil.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=30| accessdate=2008-07-26]
* Philipp Tampus - 36 years old from Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. A bridal and evening gown designer based in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates with 14 years of experience. Competed in 1994 Mega YDC, where it was revealed in Episode 10 that he competed with Laurel. [http://images.boparcon.multiply.com/image/2/photos/19/1200x1200/20/pr-philipp.jpg?et=k3H7F%2CvQyqhpt32AlA9SYQ&nmid=105491032 Scanned image of Tampus' profile on "Project Runway Philippines" press kit] ]
* Veejay Floresca - 23 years old from Makati City, Metro Manila. He studied fashion design and merchandising in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. He competed in the International Competition of Young Fashion Designers (ICYFD) in Paris, and was described by a fashion magazine as "The Next Face of Avant Garde." [http://images.boparcon.multiply.com/image/2/photos/19/1200x1200/22/pr-veejay.jpg?et=oVQKiAulWIuI4BRJrwwROg&nmid=105491032 Scanned image of Floresca's profile on "Project Runway Philippines" press kit] ]
* Mara Reyes - 21 years old from Pasig City, Metro Manila. A Fine Arts student and visual artist, she works as a costume designer. [http://images.boparcon.multiply.com/image/2/photos/19/1200x1200/19/pr-mara.jpg?et=HJl4lsk8f2elExU9kqteuQ&nmid=105491032 Scanned image of Reyes' profile on "Project Runway Philippines" press kit] ] - "Eliminated, October 8, 2008"
* Jaz Cerezo - 25 years old from Dagupan City, Pangasinan. An Advertising graduate of Far Eastern University, she studied in Slim's Fashion and Arts School to pursue a career in fashion. She designs wedding dresses and evening gowns. [http://images.boparcon.multiply.com/image/2/photos/19/1200x1200/15/pr-jaz.jpg?et=wYyFvGU4%2Cej5%2BpE1eDuDbg&nmid=105491032 Scanned image of Cerezo's profile on "Project Runway Philippines" press kit] ] It was subtly revealed that she is a transgender female. - "Eliminated, October 1, 2008"
* Eli Gonzales - 26 years old from San Pedro, Laguna. A graduate of Industrial Design, he was a fashion design professor at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Manila. [http://images.boparcon.multiply.com/image/2/photos/19/1200x1200/13/pr-eli.jpg?et=EE69h8sqxfSyboAGMFLf1A&nmid=105491032 Scanned image of Gonzales' profile on "Project Runway Philippines" press kit] ] - "Eliminated, September 24, 2008"
* Ava Paguyo - 27 years old from San Carlos City, Pangasinan. A textile designer who graduated with Biology and Clothing Technology majors. [http://images.boparcon.multiply.com/image/2/photos/19/1200x1200/8/pr-ava.jpg?et=E01SfK9h%2CEec2ZCciiVnfg&nmid=105491032 Scanned image of Paguyo's profile on "Project Runway Philippines" press kit] ] - "Eliminated, September 17, 2008"
* Ivan Raborar - 23 years old from Koronadal City, South Cotabato. He is a two-time winner of the T'nalak Haute Couture Grand Prize. [http://images.boparcon.multiply.com/image/2/photos/19/1200x1200/14/pr-ivan.jpg?et=jyZBiTyJ0XyDdy%2CR3NXSCQ&nmid=105491032 Scanned image of Raborar's profile on "Project Runway Philippines" press kit] ] - "Eliminated, September 17, 2008"
* Bo Parcon - 37 years old from Iloilo City. Dubbed as "Iloilo's Bad Boy of Fashion," he is one of the winners in a terno design competition sponsored by Metropolitan Museum.cite news| first=Kathy M| last=Villalon| title=Jover is Iloilo's young designer for 2007| publisher=The News Today| date=July 12, 2007| url=http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/07/12/jover.is.iloilos.young.designer.for.2007.html| accessdate=2008-07-26] - "Eliminated, September 3, 2008"
* Winnie Chua - 24 years old from Malate District, Manila. She is a fashion merchandiser and ready-to-wear designer. She took up Fashion Design and Merchandising at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. [http://images.boparcon.multiply.com/image/2/photos/19/1200x1200/23/pr-winnie.jpg?et=86eTbkg2buhTz23796Tw6w&nmid=105491032 Scanned image of Chua's profile on "Project Runway Philippines" press kit] ] - "Eliminated, August 27, 2008"
* Charette Regala - 36 years old from Quezon City, Metro Manila. A former clothing technology instructor at the University of the Philippines Diliman and former product manager and head of sourcing for a sporting apparel brand. [http://images.boparcon.multiply.com/image/2/photos/19/1200x1200/11/pr-charette.jpg?et=xjThS2RcyGU4EFuS96T%2CjQ&nmid=105491032 Scanned image of Regala's profile on "Project Runway Philippines" press kit] ] - "Eliminated, August 20, 2008"
* Lord Maturan - 24 years old from Talisay City, Cebu. Winner of 2007 Cebu Young Designers' Council.cite news| first=Ricky T| last=Gallardo| title=Cebu's most promising young designers take the spotlight| publisher=The Manila Times| date=November 15, 2007| url=http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/nov/15/yehey/life/20071115lif1.html| accessdate=2008-07-26] - "Eliminated, August 13, 2008"
* Lorymer Villareal - 21 years old from Cebu City. An aeronautical student and a self-taught designer. He joined the 2005 Philippine Fashion Competition and became one of the country's representatives in ICYFD in Paris that same year. [http://images.boparcon.multiply.com/image/2/photos/19/1200x1200/18/pr-lorymer.jpg?et=oJ2rSe7XOdjdKisR5nfJgw&nmid=105491032 Scanned image of Villareal's profile on "Project Runway Philippines" press kit] ] - "Eliminated, August 6, 2008"
* Loida Hunter - 51 years old from San Pedro, Laguna. A dressmaker who specializes in corporate uniforms. [http://images.boparcon.multiply.com/image/2/photos/19/1200x1200/16/pr-loida.jpg?et=0JGC4J%2ClS6gSMsC4YsKHLA&nmid=105491032 Scanned image of Hunter's profile on "Project Runway Philippines" press kit] ] - "Eliminated, July 30, 2008"

Episode summaries

Individuality as a Designer

"Original Airdate: July 30, 2008"

The 14 designers gathered in Manila's Liwasang Bonifacio and were greeted by host Teresa Herrera and their mentor Jojie Lloren. After an introductory round of coconut water straight out of coconuts, the designers were tasked to collect as much fabrics and accessories, which were draped on parked jeepneys, as possible. They were then told that they are required to use all of the materials they have gathered in creating a dress that shows their personality as a designer. The winner was granted immunity for the next challenge.

*Guest Judge: Frederick Peralta, top Filipino fashion designer
*Winner: Aries Lagat
*Eliminated: Loida Hunter

13 Legends

"Original Airdate: August 6, 2008"

The remaining designers were tasked to create a dress inspired from their assigned legendary Filipino fashion designers. To have an idea on the styles of these "13 Legends," the designers had consultations with students from the School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA). They were given P2,000 (roughly US$46) for materials from Metro Gaisano Mall in Taguig City, Metro Manila, and two days to sew their creations. The winner was granted immunity for the next challenge.

*Guest Judge: Dennis Castillo, creative consultant, Cinderella
*Winner: Veejay Floresca
*Eliminated: Eli Gonzales

Push Tradition Forward

"Original Airdate: October 1, 2008"

The designers were brought to Laurel's fashion house, where he introduced them to his mother as well as to the commercial side of fashion. Once they got back to SoFA, they were then introduced to Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap who told them about their next challenge. They were tasked to create an avant-garde outfit made from Philippine indigenous fabrics made from pineapple and abacá fibers as well as silk, which are usually made for traditional costumes such as barong Tagalog and baro't saya. Each designer chose a bundle of assorted natural fabrics as their materials, with Floresca choosing first being the previous winner. They were given 28 hours to finish their designs.

*Guest Judge: Michael Salientes, top stylist
*Winner: Mara Reyes
*Eliminated: Jaz Cerezo

Terno Challenge

"Original Airdate: October 8, 2008"

The four remaining designers were brought on a "Livin' La Vida Imelda" architectural tour with Carlos Celdran, a celebrity tour guide. Before the beginning of the tour, Celdran told the designers about their next challenge: To create a "terno," a variation of the baro't saya with butterfly sleeves popularized by Former First Lady Imelda Marcos, with a design that takes the dress to the 21st Century. He then reintroduced the designers to the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, which houses the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Philippine International Convention Center, Folk Arts Theater, and Manila Film Center. All of these establishments were built during the 1970s, a decade ruled under Martial law by Former President Ferdinand Marcos but was also a period of renaissance for Philippine arts and culture headed by its Former First Lady Marcos. The designers were then given P5,000 (roughly US$105) and 30 minutes to shop for materials in Metro Gaisano.

After sketching their designs and shopping for materials, the designers were then brought to the residence of Imelda Marcos, who narrated about the evolution of the terno from a heavy four-piece ensemble inspired during the country's Spanish colonization period to a simple one-piece dress highlighted with a pair of butterfly sleeves, adapting to the aesthetics of Filipinos during the Post-War period. The designers pitched their sketches to Marcos, who was pleased by their designs.

The designers were given a total of three days to complete their outfit, with Reyes getting an extra hour of work as the winner of the previous episode's challenge.

*Guest Judge: Aimee Marcos, entrepreneur, musician, and adopted daughter of Imelda Marcos
*Winner: Philipp Tampus
*Eliminated: Mara Reyes

Elimination charts

Designer competition

:colorbox|green Green background and WIN means the designer won "Project Runway Philippines".:colorbox|cornflowerblue Blue background and WIN means the designer won that challenge.:colorbox|lightblue Light blue background and HIGH means the designer had one of the highest scores for that challenge, but did not win.:colorbox|pink Pink background and LOW means the designer had one of the lowest scores for that challenge, but was not eliminated.:colorbox|orange Orange background and LOW means the designer was in the bottom two, but was not eliminated.:colorbox|tomato Red background and OUT means the designer lost and was out of the competition.

Fashion model competition

:colorbox|limegreen Green background and WIN means the model was paired with the winning designer, and won the competition.:colorbox|cornflowerblue Blue background and WIN means the model wore the winning design.:colorbox|teal Teal background and WIN means the model was paired with the winning designer, but did not participate in the runway show.:colorbox|lightblue Light blue background and IN means the model did not participate in the runway show.:colorbox|pink Pink background and IN means the model wore the losing design.:colorbox|violet Violet background and IN means the model was paired with the losing designer, but did not participate in the runway show.:colorbox|orange Orange background and OUT means the model quit the competition.:colorbox|tomato Red background and OUT means the model was eliminated.

Controversies

In Episode 4, Eli Gonzales raised the issue of the team of Veejay Floresca and Bo Parcon in Episode 3 using a tank top (which Floresca and Parcon considered as an accessory) to complete their outfit for that particular episode's challenge (Hip Hop Meets Couture), but which they did not purchase or make. Jojie Lloren talked to both Gonzales and Floresca individually, and said that even without the tank top, the design of Lord Maturan (who was Gonzales's partner at this challenge) would still have lost, based on the evaluation of the judging panel. Consequently, Lloren said that in the succeeding challenges, the models are only supposed to wear what the designers made or purchased.

Gonzales also ranted in Episode 6 about his perceived bias that the judges are grooming Aries Lagat to win the competition, especially when one of the judges (whom he did not specify) is already familiar with Lagat and Veejay Floresca prior to taping. Meanwhile, the judges decided not to eliminate Ivan Raborar nor Mara Reyes, who were the bottom two designers in Episode 7, because they believed Gonzales created the worst design but he had immunity from his win in the previous episode.

External links

* [http://etc.com.ph/projectRunwayphPromo.php Project Runway Philippines Vote for Your Fan Favorite]
* [http://www.sofamanila.com/ SoFA website]
* [http://www.reelaccess.com/talent/teresaherrera/ Profile of Teresa Herrera on ReelAccess.com]
* [http://www.pmap.net.ph/models/female/assignment/apples/index.html Profile of Apples Aberin on PMAP.net.ph]
* [http://www.sofamanila.com/faculty_view.aspx?newsID=23 Profile of Jojie Lloren on SoFA website]
* [http://www.rajolaurel.com/home2.htm Rajo Laurel official website]
* [http://WWW.swatheclothing.com/ SWATHE, clothing line of Mara Reyes]
* [http://www.veejayfloresca.com/ Veejay Floresca official website]

Reference