PFW S/S 2012: L'Oreal Paris presents Michael Cinco

Michael Cinco is a Filipino fashion designer who is based in Dubai and known for his fabulous couture gowns and his attention to details. Fresh from the success of his first solo show in the Philippines at the annual Red Cross Charity Ball, he joined Philippine Fashion Week's Spring-Summer 2012 through another solo show last October 24 at the SMX Convention Center, this time presented by L'Oreal Paris.

The invite

The collection was inspired by beautiful goddesses, bringing to life fabulous couture gowns of white, orange, brown, gold and red left the audience gasping in awe -- classic silhouettes done with a modern twist with delicate fringes, lace, and intricate beadings.

Also noteworthy are the "Greek gods" who paraded in nothing but underwear with metallic crotch accents.

Just when I thought that the usual runway walks were done, a group of muscled male models and one female model clad in skimpy but classy beaded body suit posed in the middle of the catwalk and bam! a simulated rain-shower drizzled and drenched their perfect bodies. My first time to actual see such a theatrical fashion show.

It's raining men!

As if this stunt was not enough as a show finale, out came Anne Curtis in a fire red body hugging gown said to cost P500,000.

Anne Curtis

Over-all, Michael Cinco's Spring/Summer masterpiece collection strongly underscores his fierce fashion prowess and extensive working knowledge of the female wearer.

Filed under SHOWS and FASHION

ETCETERA: Fresh and Fab

There are lots of television shows today to watch but less than a handful are geared towards women and what we really want to know. ETC's new show ETCETERA is an fresh and fabulous addition to my Sunday evening viewing habit. The 15-minute capsule show for all things hip and happening, ETCETERA premiers this October 23, Sunday at 7:45PM right before an episode of Glee Season 3 on ETC.

New faces to watch (l-r): Patti Grandidge and Kim Jones

ETCETERA aims to fill us in on the latest trends for the stylish youth so we'll never be behind the trend or out of the loop on what’s in and what’s out in style, beauty, TV, web and youth. Tune in to get the hottest entertainment news filled with spoilers, reviews and polls on your favorite ETC shows, and lookbooks on your much loved ETC stars. Stay in style as it offers practical tips on beauty, like “How to’s” on skin, hair and make-up, and the lo-down on cool fashion trends, chic do’s and don’ts and stores you want to raid. Online and on the streets, ETCETERA will help you discover where the hippest local hangouts are, and the most click-worthy websites can be found.

Hosted by Patti Grandidge and on-the-scene reporter Kim Jones, ETCETERA is your newest authority for all things young and stylin!

Patti Grandidge

Host Patti Grandidge is the newest face to brighten up primetime. With a degree in International Business from University in Malibu, California, this positive and easy-going beauty lists her hobbies as baking, traveling, blogging and taking photos. As host of ETCETERA, Patti looks forward to getting connected with viewers as she is very interactive on Facebook and Twitter, and keeping up to date on all things fashion, beauty, TV and web. Patti splits her time between her business Sweet Patti Cakes, a home-based business that sells delicious homemade cupcakes, and her blog, pattispalette.blogspot.com which she updates regularly with her latest foodie finds.

Kim Jones

Kim Jones has a love affair with the outdoors and all things spontaneous and that makes Kim the perfect on-the-scene reporter for ETCETERA. Having lived in the Philippines for the past 9 months, she has been blessed to have spent the majority of that time traveling and exploring the country. Kim enjoys spending her free time reading and playing the guitar. Because of her Australian upbringing she describes her style as very relaxed and laid-back. Watch out for Kim as she takes over Metro Manila, she can’t wait to meet new people, enjoy more laughs and share all her experiences with you the viewer.

ETCETERA premieres every Sunday at 7:45PM starting October 23, with replays every Monday at 8:45AM & 2:45PM; Tuesday at 7:45PM; Wednesday at 7:45AM & 11:45AM; Thursday at 11:30PM; Saturday at 2:45PM; Sunday at 11:00AM & 3:45PM.

ETC mark at the presscon venue, Chateau 1771, Greenbelt 5

ETC is seen on free TV RPN-9, Sky Cable Ch. 14, Destiny Cable Ch. 14, Cable Link Ch. 12 and Cignal Ch. 14.

Filed under SHOWS

September Concert Scene

The merry "ber" months usher in, not only the Christmas season, but also the "concert season." Proof of this is the long line-up of shows for September alone. If you are in the mood to watch with your family or friends, My Happy Realm is glad to share the following:

All-4-One and Color Me Badd

Two American R&B groups who became popular in the 90s, All-4-One and Color Me Badd, are in Manila for a series of back-to-back shows. They will perform their greatest hits and will do a special tribute to the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson (now this I have to see. All-4-One is best known for the songs "I Swear," "I Can Love You Like That" and "So Much in Love" while Color Me Badd is known for hits "I Adore Mi Amore" and "All 4 Love."

Show will be held on September 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum; September 9 at Waterfront Hotel in Cebu; September 10 at Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro; and September 12 at the La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod.

China Crisis xSimple Minds

xSimple Minds Live!

Next stop is another back-to-back concert, this time with 80s (to early 90s) rock bands China Crisis and xSimple Minds, billed as "the superstars of the new romantics movement." China Crisis was just here in Manila last January for shows at Eastwood City and Venice Piazza and I must say that I enjoyed that, despite the traffic caused by heavy rains that day in Eastwood. See my previous blog post about it here: China Crisis...Live in Manila. As for xSimple Minds, they are most memorable, for me that us, with their song "Don't You (Forget About Me)" from John Hughes movie The Breakfast Club.

China Crisis xSimple Minds concert will be held on September 9 at the SMX Convention Center. Furthermore, Simple Minds will also do shows on September 10 at Eastwood City and September 11 at Venice Piazza.

The Company of Side A

On the local music scene, I am most excited about the joint show of The Company and Side A band because I grew up with their songs and I don't think there can be any other singing group or band that can match what they have achieved in their generation, that even today's young ones can still relate to their music. The Company is most memorable with "Everlasting Love," "You Changed My Life," and "Araw Gabi," among others. On the other hand, Side A made their mark with "So Many Questions," "Tell Me," "Forevermore" -- the list could go on and on.

The Company of Side A will be held on September 16 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila.

American Idol Live! Tour 2011

Past American Idol winners and runners-up have done shows in Manila, mostly solo shows and if I'm not mistaken, it was back in 2009 that a back-to-back concert of David Cook and David Archuleta happened. This September show is a first featuring a whole batch of finalists from American Idol, the latest season led by grand winner Scotty McCreery.

Expect a variety of musical styles and production numbers from the 10 performers on September 20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

All Time Low

For the younger generation, there is All Time Low, an American pop punk group that was formed while the members were still in high school back in 2003. The close-to-zero knowledge on this band pretty much reveals my age because I am clueless when it comes to their popular songs (I may have heard their songs on the radio but I won't be able to tell if those songs were theirs).

Anyway, for those interested, All Time Low's concert will happen on September 22 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Westlife, The Gravity Tour 2011

Fans of the good looking Irish boy band, Westlife, can rejoice as they perform in Manila for The Gravity Tour 2011, minus member Brian McFadden, who left the group in 2004. The group may seem to have lied low in the past years but they have been busy doing concerts and music albums, the latest of which is their Gravity CD.

The concert on September 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum is for the promotion of their new CD, but I hope that there'll be room for some of their greatest hits like "Swear it Again," "If I Let You Go," "Unbreakable," and others.

Broadway Showstoppers

Here's another show featuring homegrown yet world class talents -- Broadway Showstoppers -- headlined by Leo Valdez, with special guests Joanna Ampil and Ima Castro. As the title suggests, look forward to a night of musical brilliance of broadway songs from Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Sound of Music, and many more.

Grab the chance to watch this one night only show at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila on September 27.

Toni G. @ 10

Ending the September line-up is the 10th anniversary celebration concert of local showbiz' "Multimedia Star" Toni Gonzaga. The show will tell the story of Toni's decade-long journey in showbusiness, featuring songs of her life and from her recordings.

Toni G. @ 10 will be held on September 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

There you go, a busy month for the concert scene...wait until its October as more great shows come our way.

Click titles to see related posts:

My Romance with AI - A.I. David Cook, David Archuleta, Adam Lambert and Lee Dewyze

China Crisis...Live in Manila - China Crisis press con/concert in 2011

My Few Seconds with A.I. 2009 Winner Kris Allen - Video Q&A

Music Fest 2010 - American Idol Kris Allen's press con/concert

My Public Life in 2009, Part 1 - Concerts in Manila in 2009