images asia 2015 second quarter edition
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IMAGESASIA the expressions of art, life and style Volume 2 Number 2
2015 Second Quarter Edition
Php 300.00 | US$13.50
Jennifer Helen Weigel Philanthropist Extraordinaire
Editor-at-Large
ERNEST GONZAGA
Editor-in-Chief
MINA GERVACIO
Managing Director/Head of Photography
VOLTAIRE DOMINGO
Advertising/Marketing Director
RANULPH HUERTAS
Graphic/Layout Director
JOHN ERNEST GREGORY
JAMES BENEDICT SACRAMENTO (Southern/Northern California)
Chief Photographer
HENRY FERRER
Photographers
SEAN PEREZ | MARLO CUETO |RONIN URBINA
Contributing Photographers
BRYAN VENANCIO | JERI BARRIOS
U.S.A. /Europe Photo Correspondents
JAQUELINE ANDREA Las Vegas, NV | HARVEY MCKENZIE Sacramento, CA
IRVIN RIVERA Los Angeles, CA | MJ CACHERO Geneva, Switzerland
Publisher
ERNEST GONZAGA
Associate Publisher
KARR MARIN
Transportation/Security/Delivery
EFREN CHINIDO | FERDINAND MELARPIS
Production Assistant
ANTONIO EVARISTO
IMAGESASIA the expressions of art, life and style
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Inside IMAGESASIA
JENNIFER HELEN
WEIGEL
Photographed by HENRY FERRER
Philanthropist Extraordinaire
“I believe that it is important to have a good and kind soul. Always be kind to others
and share what you have with those who have less in life,” these are words of Jennifer
Helen Weigel, one of the loveliest ladies of the Queen City of the South. She is Cebu’s pride for her grace and charm but is best known and celebrated for her
philanthropy.
In her youth, she helped her late father, the Honourable Mayor of Lapu-lapu City
Ernest Jun Weigel in his campaign sorties and throughout his term. She made sure that in his father’s nine years as Mayor, she also reached out to the less privileged.
She is filled with energy and passion to serve others. Right after earning a Bachelors of
Science in Business Administration at the University of San Carlos, Cebu at the age of 18,
she had a head start in helping indigent yet deserving children go to school. She was able
to send less fortunate kids to school by setting aside 20% of her income from modelling and real estate business. She also volunteered for the Poor Clares nuns and Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity.
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During his father’s term in office he was able to create the
Mactan Export Procession Zone (MEPZ). This made an impact in
turning a once small city into a highly urbanized and developed
city it is today. Her father exposed her to private sector-
government linkages for creating and sustaining the growth of
communities.
With a rich experience in business, politics and social work,
Jennifer had the right acumen and wisdom for a success formula.
When she got married, she started a construction business with her
husband. Through good working relationship with the staff,
emphasis for high quality output and exceeding clients
expectations, they were able to achieve Triple “A” category for
their construction business. This enabled their firm to acquire big
projects for both the government and private sector.
Eventually, her desire to help out more people spurred her to
establish her own recruitment company that provides job
placements abroad for Filipinos. She gives opportunities for
Filipinos to have better paying jobs that will help create better
lives for their families and themselves as well.
Given all her accomplishments, she considers her children as
her greatest riches and prime source of joy. Her children have
taken after her and turned out to become well-grounded
individuals who have the heart to help others in any way they
can.
Her children have also followed her steps in gaining success in
business.
Her eldest child 30-year old Andrew owns a popular and
chic bar in Cebu. He also helped secure a major deal in Negros
Occidental for their construction firm.
Her twin daughters Jennifer and Jasmin, 25 years of age,
respectively manages the recruitment agency and construction
firm. They both jointly own a facial and slimming centre.
With her busy schedule, Jennifer finds renewal and rejuvenation in
travelling with her family. She and her family thoroughly enjoyed
trips to Europe to see all the beautiful sights and absorb all the
cultural experiences. While her children were growing up, the
favourite vacation spots were Boracay and different amusement
parks in the US.
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Wardrobes : CARY SANTIAGO
JUN ESCARIO
PHILIP TAMPUS
Locations:
CRIMSONS RESORT & SPA
Cebu City
PLANTATION BAY RESORT & SPA
Cebu City
As part of her hobbies, she also has an extensive collection of
Lladro porcelain figures including limited edition pieces and a variety
of paintings.
Her heart’s passion still goes to helping others in need and she
finds great fulfilment in actively participating in charity events and
focusing on her enterprise with social responsibility.
She envisions expanding her business so that she could in turn
provide jobs and opportunities for more people. With her faith in God,
inspiring intentions and gracious spirit, it’s not difficult for Jennifer to
make a difference in the lives of others.
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Make-up Artist: RAMIL SOLIS
Hair Stylist: HYATT LAUREL
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Stylist: BIANCA GAUTHIER
Assistant Stylist: MAURICE
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Production Assistants: SALOME ALAGO
ESTER ESTALONIO
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ANTHONY
DE LEON Photographed by VOLTAIRE DOMINGO/NPPA IMAGES
and SEAN PEREZ
Hallmark of Hospitality
In the country’s summer capital, the hospitality industry considers the name Anthony de Leon as
synonymous to leadership. As the General Manager of the Baguio Country Club, he motivates his team to
deliver the highest standard of service excellence possible and ensures that guests at the Club immerse in a
home away from home experience at the Pine City.
At the helm of running the prestigious and historic club for almost three decades, Anthony makes
it a point to lead by example. He impresses upon his team the importance of providing unparalleled service to
all its guests. Each guest’s unique preferences are noted and anticipative yet unobtrusive service is rendered.
“No success comes without hard work and focus. The best way to find your self is to lose yourself in the service of
others,” Anthony stated.
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Anthony initiated the creation of the operations manuals and procedures and the
documentation of job titles and descriptions at the Baguio Country Club. Through his standardization of
processes and hands-on leadership style, he has gained the trust and respect of the Club’s board of directors,
employees, the community at large, and the hospitality industry.
At the prime of his career, Anthony reminisces on his ardent focus and vision to be part of the
hospitality industry. While other teenagers were having fun, Anthony took it upon himself to acquire exposure in
the food and beverage business as a food server in a popular fast food chain.
After high school, he took up Tourism at the University of Sto. Thomas.
He established his own piano bar and restaurant called “The Other Office” in Mabini which
became a favorite watering hole of some of the board directors of Baguio Country Club. The board directors
noticed his management skills, took a chance at him and offered him a job posting at Baguio Country Club.
At the Club, he started out as a Maitre D’ Hotel. Eventually, he rose from the ranks from Food and Beverage
Director to Resident Manager to Deputy General Manager until his current role as General Manager in a span
of a few years.
As the General Manager of Baguio Country Club, Anthony pursued further education in Hotel
Restaurant and Institutional Management at De La Salle University - College of St. Benilde and completed a
Professional Development Program and General Management Program at Cornell University, New York. He also
obtained his certification as a Food and Beverage Executive from the American Hotel and Motel Association
Education Institute.
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Balancing his demanding work, Anthony is
happy to have a good family life. He is proud of his three
children. The eldest is working as a trade manager for an
investment house in Makati, his second son is working in
Boston, and his daughter is taking up Mass Communications.
He has high hopes that she will be able to work for one of the
country’s prominent media outlets.
In his spare time, Anthony travels with his wife
and children to tourist destinations here and abroad. He and
his family have visited top local tourist spots such as Vigan,
Tagaytay, Cebu, Batangas. Across the globe, Anthony and
his family have explored the natural wonders and urban vibe
of New York City, Washington DC, Las Vegas, California, Hong
Kong, Guam, and parts of China.
With the future in mind, Anthony believes that
being a leader is not a capability but a responsibility. He
mentors future leaders in hospitality sector and promotes the
country’s tourism wherever he goes. Under his tutelage, he
further aims to maintain the prestige of one of the oldest golf
resorts in the Philippines and Asia and continue to cater to the
upscale club members.
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Photographed by SEAN PEREZ
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Locations:
Baguio Country Club
Panagbenga Park
Burnham Park
TESS
SCHOEFER Photographed by HENRY FERRER
If there’s any notable figure who she can compare her life to, Tess Schoefer alludes herself to
being once a poor little rich girl who made it through life successfully like Cinderella. It is fiction but she believes in
the beauty of being a dreamer with determination to make her wishes come true.
Tess is living her dreams. She is busy building and renovating her newly-acquired holiday home.
For over 27 years, she has been purchasing homes from all over the world for her personal and family use which
turns out to become a lucrative business every time each property is sold. She has always combined business &
personal pleasure as a savvy business woman.
A seasoned traveller, she is fascinated with the social scene and cosmopolitan flair of each place
she has visited. New York, Paris and Istanbul are three of her favourite destinations. Italy is one of her most
favoured place to live once upon a time. While an African safari and a trip to Bali, Indonesia are some of the
most unforgettable experiences she shared with her family.
She’s happily married to a husband who recently retired in business but carries on as the guiding support of the
family. Her daughter Raika is working for an event planning company and her son Nikolas is eyeing a profession in
media, web creations and photography.
Beauty of Dreams
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With her beautiful life, she traces her
humble beginnings from Nueva Ecija where she grew up
and took her primary and secondary education.
She then went to Manila to fulfil her
mother’s dream for her to pursue a course in Education
at the University of the East. She realized later on that
teaching is not her calling and she shifted to Fine Arts
major in Interior Design at the University of Sto. Thomas.
She financed her own education without
the interference of her mother, through the money that
she earned from commercial and fashion modelling. She
was part of the prestigious Karilagan International models
and was exposed to travelling during her modelling days.
Even in her youth, she proved to be a self-
made and independent woman. She supported herself
to live life without the financial help of her poor and
incapacitated but very loving mother.
To achieve her dreams, she does not stop
until she gets what she wants. She has the tenacity to
finish what's been started and get it done. She is very
caring to others, but imparts the wisdom that it is also
important to love yourself. She believes that one will not
be capable to care for others if one doesn't know how to
care for his own welfare.
At this juncture of her life when all her
personal dreams have come true, she wants to see her
two grown up children get settled and fulfil their own
destinies. She would continue her business in order to
sustain a comfortable life that she has made for herself
and her family.
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Location: PENINSULA DE PUNTA FUEGO
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Baguio Country Club’s
Raisin Bread Shop
Yummy Sweet Delights
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Photographed by SEAN PEREZ
In 1993, the Pastry Shop was built with a sitting capacity of 20 people and was renovated in July
2006. It was inaugurated last November 16, 2006 and was named the “Raisin Bread Shop”.
The Raisin Bread Shop now offers a wide variety of homemade cakes and pastries. Going back,
the Raisin Bread is an old home recipe of the late Mrs. Kate Reed Crosby, formerly the general manager of the
Baguio Country Club year 1955-1968. She presented the Raisin Bread during “merienda” time to some members at
the Verandah who were having coffee and often wishing that there was something to eat with their coffee. It made
everyone’s day and went on to become a staple for the coffee drinker. From a “merienda” which is staple of old, it
evolved through the decades into a trademark loaf. Anyone who visits the Club or City of Baguio has to have as
“pasalubong”. This is one of the reason why people visit Baguio.
RAISIN BREAD SHOP
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Carrot cake
Banana cake
Raisin bread
BREADS
Sovital Roll
Sausage Roll
Cinnamon Roll
Ensaymada
BREADS
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Strawberry Short Cake
Baked Cheese Cake
CAKES
Tiramisu Cake
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Chocolate Mouse Brilliant
Blueberrry Cheesecake
Michael Angelo
Sacher Slice
CAKES
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Red Velvet
Chocolate Cake
Chocolate Brilliant
and Green Tea Cheese Cake
BABY CAKES
BECKY
GARCIA Photographed by SEAN PEREZ
A standout from the beautiful faces among the crowd whether it’s a private dinner with Prince
Harry in London, luncheon with socialites in a Michelin-star restaurant in Amsterdam, a charity ball at Manila’s
posh hotel, there’s no doubt that Becky Garcia is the name to remember.
A stunning presence, she never fails to make everyone at ease around her. She spreads her joie
de vivre and celebrates the good life with the who’s who of the cosmopolitan world. She chronicles her
experiences with the glitterati on her society column regularly published in the Manila Times.
While being a prominent figure in the glitzy and glamorous high society scene, Becky is also the
proponent of ballroom dancing and dance sports in the Philippines.
High Society’s Sweetheart
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She founded the Dance Sports Council of the Philippines. Starting out with 20 couples as
members, the group thrived to have more than a thousand dancers from all over the country. As the dance
craze caught on, Becky related that allied industries flourished such as dance clothes, shoes and accessories.
Under Becky’s helm, Philippine dance sports attracted international champions to visit the country for a
demonstration and coaching of local dancers. It was not only a sport but an interconnection of cultures.
With energy and gracefulness, Becky leads the dance sports council with three annual national competitions
held in March, July and October. Adding another feather in her cap, she organizes the annual Asian Single
Latin and Standard championships in Cebu.
As a business woman, Becky is the president of two multinational companies with on-going
projects here and abroad.
In her personal life, Becky is a true romantic and shared that her husband Greek-German Dr.
George Sarakinis has made life more colorful. One of her most memorable experiences is her Greek-themed
wedding at Shangri-La Hotel Makati. Becky took it upon herself to make her dream wedding a reality by
transforming the venue into a microcosm of Acropolis. The music, dancing and belly dancing were all inspired
by Grecian culture.
Becky and her husband George have jettisoned in almost all cities around Europe where the
crème dela crème of society opens their doors for them, but both have a soft spot for the pristine and serene
beaches of Cebu, Boracay, Palawan, Bohol and Puerto Galera.
In every aspect of her life, the Greek Goddess of good fortune seems to have cast a broad smile on Becky as
she lives it up with priceless friendships, joy and contentment.
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Gowns by OSKAR PERALTA
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Location: MAKATI SHANGRI-LA HOTEL
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Images Asia Grand Relaunch and Photo Show Kick-off dinner at the Shang Palace of the Makati Shangrila Hotel.
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Lanelle’s works seem to defy boundaries
and befit contemporary establishments in any
cosmopolitan city. This is a reflection of the artist herself
who grew up hopping from one country to another due to
her father’s postings in different universities across the
country and the globe.
Her father is the notable educator Jose
Abueva. Lanelle together with her father and the rest of
the family travelled from Manila to Hawaii to Brooklyn to
New Haven, Connecticut to Siliman, Dumaguete to
Katmandu and back to Manila in the span of her
childhood to teenage years. The extensive travel has
opened her eyes to different cultures.
Lanelle took up Fine Arts at the University of
the Philippines. It’s the same alma matter where her father
was the President in the late 80s and early 90s and where
her uncle National Artist Napoleon Abueva first honed his
craft.
She got bitten by the artistic bug when as a
little girl she remembers interacting with her uncle at the
art studio and playing around with available materials to
develop her talent for the arts.
After graduation, for three years she
apprenticed for a master potter in Hachijo-jima, Southeast
of Tokyo. The ancient Japanese art form is steeped in
traditional techniques and discipline. To cultivate her own
creative style, she further studied at Sun Valley Center for
the Arts, Idaho.
Upon returning to the country, she finally
found her roots in her hometown Antipolo. It’s also the
place where she raised her own family in a home
decorated with her collection of elephant figurines, textiles
from different countries and paintings of local artists. She is
fond of spending her free time bonding with her daughters
Majalyha and Celine.
Since 1981, Lanelle has established her own
creative studio in Antipolo. Her studio produces the sought
after collection of stoneware shipped to various hotels,
restaurants and spas around the world.
She also set up Crescent Moon Café, a
casual dining spot with a menu that includes her late
husband’s recipes and favorites. On the artistic side, the
restaurant showcases some of her beautiful stoneware
dinner sets, serving bowls, coffee servers, tea cups, lamps,
chimes, bathroom amenities and oil burners on retail. On
select weekends and summer, the restaurant offers pottery
classes for enthusiasts.
Nowadays, she still widely travels to Europe,
India, Southeast Asia and South Korea for solo and group
exhibits as well as arts and cultural exchanges. She is most
delighted to travel around the country where she finds
inspiration from its rich, diverse and indigenous culture and
materials which she proudly incorporate in her pottery
masterpieces.
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LANELLE
ABUEVA FERNANDO Photographed by SEAN PEREZ
Molded to Perfection
If striking and modern vase sculptures adorning the lobby of a 5-star hotel in Manila,
glazed pottery accent pieces in premier hotels, spas and resorts here and abroad, elegant stoneware
for plates and tea sets in plush restaurants have caught one’s fancy, chances are it’s a serendipitous
encounter with the works of Lanelle Abueva-Fernando.
The workmanship of her stoneware unravels the harmony of textures, lines and colors.
Molded to perfection, each handcrafted object de art evokes opulence either as an adornment or
with functionality.
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A photographer and multi-media artist, she
combines her creative skills to produce art nouveau of
graphic design. She magnifies the still life photos mainly
composed of a myriad of flowers and plants with intricate
symmetry, textures and shadows. She then edits the photo
with altered tints, unique angle and shades of contrast,
prints it on canvas and combines it with wood and glass
works. The results are exceptional art works that interpret
beauty, harmony, serenity and infinity.
Suzette has already done one-woman and
group exhibits of her fine arts photography as well as multi-
media works.
When not busy pursuing her creative passion,
she co-manages a graphics and advertising agency which
she co-owns with her husband Robert.
She honed her artistic skills at the University of Santo Thomas
where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts major
in Advertising. Dabbling into arts is like second nature to
Suzette. When she was younger, she taught herself how to
play the guitar and paint with oil on canvas.
Her hobby involves collecting oriental
teapots of interesting shapes and characters. Each tea set
comes from a different dynasty that has a colourful and rich
story associated with the use of the tea cups.
She is fond of travelling to see nature’s ever changing
palettes and formations. Together with her husband and
two sons, she marvels at the corals and ocean life of Cebu
and Marinduque. Abroad, she enjoys the arts and cultural
oasis of Paris and Rome.
In the future, she plans to transform not only
her subject matters but herself as an artist. She aims to take
her master’s degree in photography and pass on the torch
of creativity to the younger generation.
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SUZETTE
BERNARDO
Photographed by SEAN PEREZ
MONTELIBANO
Art Nouveau through the Lenses
A true artist constantly reinvents her subject. Suzette Bernardo-Montelibano creates still life
out of bold graphic floral photos turned into installations on wood, canvas and glass. Her unique
perspective behind the camera lens and her sublime use of fabric printing unravels extraordinary and vivid
floral architecture that draws the viewer to its enigma and elegance.
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Her parents noticed the creative spark in
her and sent her to art lessons in between school breaks
from her primary and high school education at
Assumption Convent Herran to her college years at
Assumption San Lorenzo. Some of her most notable art
mentors were Lino Severino and Onib Olmeda.
However, her artistic interest temporarily
took a back seat as she focused on raising a family and
creating a happy home life. She is fulfilled to have four
children who have carved careers of their own now.
It was only in 2011 that Lisa decided to pursue her
passion. From Manila she flew to Bacolod to attend her
friend’s mosaic art workshop. At the end of the course,
she was disheartened that most of the attendees were
done with their creative output but she was still starting
out her piece of work. Upon returning to Manila, she
challenged herself to do better and in a light bulb
moment she drew a figure of a geisha and began
creating mosaic art. Feminine, fluid and conveying a
resilient character, Lisa dubbed her first unique modern
mosaic art creation as Sayuri.
From the moment she mastered the
mosaic art technique, inspiration has never left her side.
Lisa continued to produce mosaic art with her unique
expression of life as festive and cheerful vignettes, nature
in bloom and portrayal of women in graceful motion.
Lisa makes her women in mosaic come alive with
sparkling eyes and chutzpah to overcome any
challenges in life.
With each modern mosaic art, Lisa
presents the delicate process of creating shards, picking
up each tessera, putting the pieces together in context
of the theme and emotive values of joy, hope and
solidarity in a seemingly complex yet organic
composition. Her powerful work is a delight to the senses
for its textures, visual enigma and emotional appeal.
Her unique style is partly influenced by
Gaudi and other European modern masters of mosaic.
With her indefatigable dedication for her craft, she has
already mounted one-woman and group exhibits. Like
Neruda’s description of poetry as a fever or forgotten
wings, Lisa has returned back to her passion for the arts.
She showed her own strength of character to piece by
piece and step by step surmount the odds and make
her mark in the art world.
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LISA
Photographed by SEAN PEREZ
DE LEON-ZAYCO
Resilience Piece by Piece
Her artworks are made of cold and hard irregularly-shaped and varied-colored ceramic
fragments but certainly as a whole convey the softness of flowing movements and vibrancy of life. It’s the
signature style of the Philippine’s celebrated contemporary mosaic artist Lisa de Leon-Zayco.
As a young girl, Lisa remembers that she had a fascination playing with tiles. When her uncle
made a mosaic table, she couldn’t help but run her fingers on it and told herself that someday she will be
making one herself.
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Confluence Artists Photographed by SEAN PEREZ
Hair & Make-up Artist: CARMELA JIMENEZ
Location: CRESCENT MOON POTTERY & CAFÉ
Antipolo City
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Locations:
COSTA PACIFICA RESORT HOTEL
Baler, Aurora
SABANG BEACH
Baler, Aurora
OLD BALETE TREE
Maria Cristina, Aurora
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She is focused on passing on the legacy of
entrepreneurship balanced with the pursuit of the arts to her
kids. Her children collectively manage a call center business.
On the creative side, her eldest daughter Vina is also a
fashion designer, her son Vyhr is a budding film maker and
the youngest daughter Vianka is a visual artist.
Babylyn herself has a flair for things of beauty.
She used to nurture a variety of orchids when business
wasn’t as hectic as it is today. She channels her artistic
sensibilities through make-up. In the long run, she plans to
create her own make-up line.
With a loving family by her side, her next big
dream is to have a farm of her own. She would love to go
back to basics at the farm while spending the weekends
and holidays with her children as well as parents who are still
strong and healthy.
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BABYLYN
NEWFIELD Photographed by BRYAN VENANCIO
Her strength of character seem to be born out of Eleanor Roosevelt’s musings, “I could not,
at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived.
Curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.”
For Babylyn Newfield, the untimely loss of her spouse did not quell her fortitude to continue
the business that she started out with her late husband. Nowadays, she is known in her industry as the iron
woman of business. Surmounting the trials and challenges along the way, as the President and CEO of
Cartridge World Philippines, she led the company to become Asia’s top seller for the business-to-business
category.
She owes her success to her entrepreneurial drive, supportive team and faith in God.
Full of zest for life, Babylyn enjoys travelling both for business and pleasure. She likes discovering new places
with her children, but does not shun exploring interesting sights and cultures on her own and out of her
comfort zone.
Iron Woman of Business
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When asked about his dream project, Edgar is quick
to point to the different rooms of his house. He hopes that the
empty rooms will be occupied by his brothers and sisters who are
currently overseas. “I designed my home to have enough
bedrooms to allow my brothers and sisters to all come back and
spend precious time together. I want us to catch up with each
other as often as possible.” Family reunions are always eventful for
him.
Of particular importance to him is the recent
decision of his brother, a leading cardiologist in the United States to
spend more time in the Philippines. He is excited by the opportunity
to assist him in a venture that would help more Filipino patients with
arrhythmia or heart rhythm problem.
Though it is an enigma on how the venerated
architect will partner with the heart specialist, his proven success in
the architectural world will leave one wondering on the immense
possibilities that lay ahead.
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It is not surprising to hear his former clients
raving about their one-of-a-kind homes – each featuring
distinctive qualities that suit their needs. Despite his
celebrated works and numerous clients, he maintains
client confidentiality and leaves it a mystery as to which
homes are his masterpieces.
In claiming his own place in a highly
competitive industry, Edgar’s works reflect his artistic
values. He is influenced by the seminal works of the iconic
architect Zaha Hadid who is best known for her buildings,
museum and landmarks reflecting the modern
interpretations of nature’s forms, synchronicity of pattern
and construction to its environment, a flair for unique
ideas and historical references.
In his own works, Edgar infuses the
marriage of the indoor and outdoor components of each
project as his focal design point in creating his upscale
abodes.
He considers all the houses he has built as
priceless, timeless and worth keeping. Making his mark in
the luxury home design, he relates that he is fortunate to
acquire new projects through word-of-mouth by previous
clients.
For Edgar, the most challenging part in
creating modern homes is bringing the imagination into
reality and putting it in long-term perspective. He has to
think about how the house will last for decades while
maintaining a balance of design and functionality of the
present.
Despite his demanding schedule, Edgar
values time with his family. His collection of his family’s
timeline photographs is a graphic reminder and
testament of his love for them.
When asked about his dream project,
Edgar is quick to point to the different rooms of his house.
He hopes that the empty rooms will be occupied by his
brothers and sisters who are currently overseas. “I
designed my home to have enough bedrooms to allow
my brothers and sisters to all come back and spend
precious time together. I want us to catch up with each
other as often as possible.” Family reunions are always
eventful for him.
Of particular importance to him is the
recent decision of his brother, a leading cardiologist in
the United States to spend more time in the Philippines.
He is excited by the opportunity to assist him in a venture
that would help more Filipino patients with arrhythmia or
heart rhythm problem.
Though it is an enigma on how the
venerated architect will partner with the heart specialist,
his proven success in the architectural world will leave
one wondering on the immense possibilities that lay
ahead.
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EDGAR
CHAN Photographed by JERI BARRIOS
Iconic Architect Of Modern Luxury Homes
Whether expressing utopian ideals or fluid and curving structure or staccato layers that makes
contemporary luxurious homes, Edgar Chan is known as one of the most sought after architects in the Philippines.
His foundation in creating remarkable and statement designs is collaboration. Armed with his artistic
sensibilities, he works closely with clients to understand their lifestyle, personality and design inspirations. He takes
time to know each client when planning for a dream house and takes careful measures to incorporate the client’s
design ideas.
With all the careful pre-planning, Edgar considers the openness to change is another important
attributes for success. “That is why we call it a plan. There can be plan A and a plan B. Changes should be
welcomed. No matter how passionately you believe in the original plan, one should not lose sight of the possibilities
-- of the what-ifs.” He shared.
He earned his architecture degree from the University of Sto. Tomas in 1995. Since then, he has
been designing and building homes that provide opportunities for greater affinity and bonding of families, friends
and loved ones.
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Wardrobe by RYE BAILE
Hair & Make-up by MHEL CANDIDO
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Shirley devotes quality time with her family. She is
happy that they are able to travel together as far as Alaska
and Australia for their annual vacation.
To support her children’s education and enjoy
the good life, she and Lawrence started out their family
business from humble and modest beginnings. Shirley relates
that when they were starting out the business, there were
numerous challenges that she faced. However, her sheer hard
work, optimism, perseverance and determination have paid off
the long-term profitability of her trade. Her Bachelor of Science
in Math degree also came in handy. She is currently the
managing director of two trading firms.
As a socio-civic leader, Shirley was recognized
as one of the most outstanding first class presidents of Rotary
Club Manila in 2014. One of her key projects is the continuous
engagement program for public elementary schools. She led
her Rotary Club team in the distribution of school supplies, food
provision and education campaign on proper hygiene
practices for pupils.
Despite her busy schedule, she stays fit by being
active in sports such as swimming, playing badminton and
tennis.
For living it up with grace and class, Shirley was
selected as one of the 2013 Empowered Women awardees
and 2014 Best Dressed for 2014.
Shirley noted that she has a contented heart
and gratitude for all her triumphs in life. She expounded that it is
not the awards and recognition but the opportunity to give
back to others that she considers most fulfilling.
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SHIRLEY
YOUNG
SOBREMONTE Modern Woman
Photographed by HENRY FERRER
While being a stay at home mom is a life choice, a new breed of women have proven time and
again that it is possible to have the best of plenty of worlds. A modern woman can enjoy success in family, business
and community sphere as Shirley Young-Sobremonte demonstrated in her life.
She and her husband Lawrence raised three children. The eldest daughter is already a physician in
the United States. Her second daughter has completed her Masters degree in Spain and now works as a
marketing officer in one of the leading banks in the country. The youngest is still a freshman in high school.
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Through the years he has acquired several
artworks of some Philippine maestros who have walked
through the halls of history and changed the way our
generation views art.
Amongst his art collection are works by
Joya, Malang, H.R. Ocampo, Ang Kiukok, Olazo and
Orlina. His collection is made of diverse types of media
and works in both painting and sculpture.
Ultimately, Seb’s philosophy in life is for a
man to be happy he has to find his passion and pour
every bit of action he has into it. Then the world simply
feels like a warmer home and an encouraging place. The
next logical step would be for the artist in Seb to share and
teach everything he knows to the next generation.
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Seb looks up to Henry Moore as a
creative icon and sculpting genius. Seb finds it a
pleasure to see Moore’s works in person, because
they have a robust charm to the abstraction that
governs them.
Travelling is another source of
inspiration for Seb. It’s an opportune time for him to
spend unforgettable moments with loved ones and
stir him to discover new ideas for his craft.
Locally, Seb picks the natural wonders
of the Philippine seascape. Having been to the
marine-rich shores of Palawan, enthuses on the vivid
colors of marine life and the breathtaking diversity of
the islands and ocean biome.
While abroad, he goes for the tranquil
forests of Japan and the pristine glaciers of the
Alaskan wilderness for its intriguing pockets of nature.
He likes European cruises, as he and his family sail
through Europe’s limelight cities and historic marvels.
Seb thinks it’s amazing how the evolving human
ingenuity can create new forms of art in every part of
the world.
With his family as the foremost
motivating force behind his pursuit of the arts, Seb
guides his children to also seek their hearts’ passion
and combine it with practical business logic. His kids
seem to have heard him loud and clear. One is a
gemologist who is top of his batch from the
Gemological Institute of America, and another is a
pioneer in the field of 3D printing in the Philippines. On
the other hand, the youngest is an avid learner and
cultural enthusiast of Japanese society and heritage.
Given his passion for modern sculpting, Seb is also a
serious collector of Philippine arts. He surrounds
himself with brilliant art as a key to understanding the
truest expressions of life.
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SEB
CHUA Photographed by JERI BARRIOS
Like most who hails from a Chinese clan, Seb Chua’s path is laid before him to delve in
the family business. His kinfolks have been grooming him to manage their automobile manufacturing arm
and the export portion of furniture trade.
However, as Robert Frost has expressed in his timeless poem of the proverbial two roads
diverging in the woods, Seb has taken the one less travelled and made a difference as he heeded his
calling for the arts.
As part of his education, Seb took his formal studies in fine arts at the University of Santo Tomas, and took
further art studies in British Columbia.
It was the pivotal year of 2014 when a friend encouraged Seb to try to put together his first
exhibition of glass sculptures. Seb finally took a leap of faith and ventured into arts on a professional level.
His glassworks evoke an ultra-basic theme, combining contemporary elements and minimalism style to
create a clean and sharp fit. The interplay of visual asymmetry and the changing reflections of light on
glass make his magnum opus standout from the rest.
Sculptor at Heart
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Wardrobe and Styling:
DOBIE ARANDA
Hair & Make-up :
JETT TORREVILLAS
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Location:
THEODORE BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Tagaytay City
SKY RANCH
Tagaytay City
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As a parting shot, she advises men and
women in their prime to embrace aging gracefully,
maintain beauty within and outside, and open their
mind in enhancing their looks through the use of
science and technology. Prescy further emphasizes
that having good skin is not only vanity but a healthy
protection.
To paraphrase Yves Saint Laurent , the
most beautiful cosmetic for a woman is passion for a
life well lived but for what’s pleasing to the eye,
modern and hassle-free aesthetic treatment is
available through Prescy’s innovative beauty solutions
at her medical spa.
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A well-rounded woman, Prescy
believes that family always come first.
A dutiful daughter to her parents, she is
glad to have good relationship with them and still
takes care of them in their twilight years.
As a parent herself, she is proud of her
eldest who has finished her Bachelor of Science in
Chemistry at La Salle and is currently in the United
States taking up Post Baccalaureate degree in
Aesthetics. The eldest seems to follow her footsteps in
business. Prescy also takes pride in her second child
who is currently in college and her two other kids who
are still in elementary school at Ateneo de Manila
and Miriam College respectively.
Prescy finds joy in her travels to Japan,
South Korea, USA and Europe, a combination of
business and pleasure trip. Most recently, Prescy and
her entire family spent Christmas in the United States
to spend precious time together and create a special
and priceless bond.
In the future, Prescy aims to forge
ahead, expand her business and serve as an
inspiration to other entrepreneurs. She plans to work
even in her golden years, as long as she’s still able in
mind and body.
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Prescy oversees the skin care, slimming, laser
hair removal and dermatological services of Skin Rejuve.
On skin care, she enthuses that hydra facial is
a non-invasive and non-surgical procedure that provides
instant glowing skin result and oxygen facial is a soothing
facial that utilizes anti-oxidants to fight against free radicals.
For slimming, she added that clients have a
myriad of non-invasive and non-surgical options such as
cryolipolysis, lipo cavitation, radio frequency for body
contouring, wrap it blanket, electro muscular stimulator,
venus sculpt, powerslim and lipo laser.
To modify imperfections, Prescy relates that
CO2 Fraxel is a non-surgical procedure for improvement of
scar, melasma, freckles, fine lines, wrinkles and stretch marks.
For the latest techniques in the permanent removal of
unwanted hair, IPL, e-Light and diode laser hair removal
services are available at Skin Rejuve.
For an age defying appeal, Prescy mentions
that Skin Rejuve also offers mesotherapy, sclerotherapy,
body peel and thread lift.
Precy noted that Skin Rejuve’s innumerable
quality services for non-invasive body and face makeover
are keys to the medical spa’s triumph in the beauty business.
On her business acumen, Prescy is partly
influenced by her former boss of 16 years. She learned
invaluable business lessons on how to manage and grow a
company from him. She also admires American scientist and
businessman Steve Daffer who started his business from his
backyard to large warehouses for aesthetic machine
distribution in the USA and the Philippines.
The zest for entrepreneurship also comes
naturally as breathing air for Prescy. In her adult life, it is
evident that she seizes opportunity as it knocks and she is not
afraid to take calculated risks in business.
She traces her entrepreneurial spirit during her
childhood and growing up years. She remembers that she
sold knick knacks to her classmates and turned it to a profit.
A budding powerbroker, she was outgoing and sociable
with her stints at the student council, stage plays and dance
presentations.
As she bloomed into the role of a business
woman, Prescy finds fulfilment in establishing her own
companies and helping create more jobs.
At the moment, Prescy is balancing her time
between her role as President of her three companies and
as incoming President of Rotary Club of Makati Gems.
With a keen sense of style and unmistakable Mida’s touch in
business, Prescy was awarded as one of the best dressed
and empowered women of 2014.
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PRESCY
YULO Photographed by HENRY FERRER
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Timeless Allure
“Elegance is the only beauty that never fades,” according to classic Hollywood actress Audrey
Hepburn. While it rings true, one can still complement one’s grace and sophistication with a renewal of youthful
glow and health through accessible and non-invasive aesthetics treatment, thanks to beauty advocate Prescy
Yulo.
Prescy is an embodiment of timeless allure herself. Guessing her real age would be a difficulty. To
stay young-looking, she follows the golden rule in the proper skin care regimen of cleansing, toning, moisturizing,
sun block protection and hydration. For a shapely figure, Prescy selects a balanced meal and does not shy
away from the modern beauty machines at Skin Rejuve.
Though she wasn’t born with the proverbial silver spoon in her mouth, through hard work and
determination, she now enjoys the success of thriving business ventures. She is one of the driving forces behind
establishing six branches of Skin Rejuve in as short span of three years, and simultaneously running two other
companies.
She and her husband work in tandem. She leads the sales and operations while her husband
spearheads the financial management of the three companies.
Her more than a decade of experience in aesthetic machine sales, training and distribution, proved to be an
asset in setting up Skin Rejuve, a medical spa facility focused on non-invasive and minimally-invasive aesthetic
procedures.
For Skin Rejuve, she formed a team of doctors who are experts in the field of aesthetic
intervention and board certified nurses. Her medical spa business attracted plenty of loyal clients due to its
quality yet affordable service treatment.
To gain pivotal knowledge of the trade, Prescy took up Post Baccalaureate degree in Aesthetics
and Management in Japan, South Korea and USA. This is aside from her dual degree in Nursing and Medical
Technology.
IMAGESASIA the expressions of art, life and style Volume 2 Number 2
2015 Second Quarter Edition
Php 300.00 | US$13.50
Prescy Yulo Timeless Allure