I was in my best element. I thought I was in Manila, 18 yrs young again and rushing to get an interview with an icon. We were advised to be ready between 12 and 2 pm becoz the man/woman of the hour had 4 appointments that day. But at 10:45 just as I was checking my Iphone notifications, we were told to please be at Cafe Landwer by 11:30.
What would I wear? Actually I was going to put on a summer linen top, an understated RL without the screaming initials to match a lazy pair of semi-wrinkled cotton pants by Roots without the branded R. Aba! Facing the mirror, I let out a good laugh. Was I trying to impress this fashion guru? Bakeeet? Di ba friends kami from way back. (In the 70s we often hung out at the home of Direk Temyong Marquez in New Manila, Sunrise st. ba yon near Gilmore and Broadway? My being there was because I was chummy with Direk’s superstar La Aunor and Renee because of Melanie Marquez, Direk’s daughter.)
So there I was almost racing to get into my SUV, now garbed in glaring fuschia RL (could not find my planned special top to look more pleasing sana to my famous pal). Running late!
And so I recalled while driving – Melanie was usually in a green and white uniform from a less known school during those times. A gawky kid at that young age, she was so unaffected then – so oblivious of grooming and yet there was Renee telling me, “She will look good on the ramp – sisikat yan!”
It was truly Renee who discovered Melanie. Remember, she’s the youngest winner of Miss International in history at the age of 15 when she competed in 1979.
And so while munching my pasta with truffles against Renee’s Mediterranean dish, I decided to journey back, I asked:
What did you see in Melanie?
R: I saw THE FUTURE. I saw a plus factor. Basta, feel ko siya. Actually I saw her first in a public bus. Di ba my shop was at E. Rodriguez. Close to Direk Temyong’s home. I told her, HALIKA NA. Join ka na. Be my model. I acted like her Mother. I introduced her to the fashion industry. No one seemed to believe me at first. The depth of her face showed character, may pinagdaanan. May hinuhugutan. Her eyes expressed it all – grief, joy, or basta okay lang. I read more meaning kasi I knew her story. Sabi ko, she would be a success!
I saw Melanie again after a few months after Renee took her under her wings. There was this attractive tall lady alighting from a cab at Direk Temyong’s house again. I was out smoking and so I asked, “Hellow, Miss. Direk is inside,” I knew she must be looking for Direk who was then busy shooting a scene with Jay Ilagan at the living room.
“Ate Baby, ako ito,” she had announced. Ooops, shucks!!! MELANIE?” I asked.
She nodded. Ang ganda!!! What a transformation. Direk looked at her from head to foot. He smiled.
Renee, What did you do to make her so pretty?
R: Syempre, I knew na what to enhance…It was like drawing on a blackboard. I analyzed her face, and added this and that. It was similar to painting. When I wanted what I saw, alam ko na perfect na sya. Plus her 5′ 11′ height. Aba. Kayang kaya. Melanie is a dream model. Regardless of what she wears, she will always call attention. You can just put a simple wrap around her. She is so good at the way she carries her clothes and her body movements alone spell glamour.
Were you sure she would win Ms International?
R: I became certain when she won the best national costume, sabi ko may chance.
The contest was held in Mielparque in Tokyo, Japan on November 12, 1979. Renee did not accompany Melanie. “It was not like that before, di pa uso ang entourage. I helped her pack syempre.” In an article published on a daily paper in Pinas then, Melanie wore a red terno decked fully with sequins with a tulle skirt and stole.
R: My head started to ache when I heard Melanie say “I would like to thank the poor people of the Philippines and my gown Renee Salud.”
Actually what Renee did was to get a tutor for Melanie to be familiar with the Japanese language.
And now, the famous quote of quotes.
When the pageant host, the late Eddie Mercado, asked Melanie if she was willing to insure her legs for 2 million dollars, just like Hollywood actress Angie Dickinson, Melanie answered: “No, of course, no. Because I am proud and contented with my long legged.”
R: It was a blunder! But I thought to myself, this is it. Panalo na ito. This would make her win. And why not – it always happened, some candidates from other countries who had won as Ms Universe or Ms International were not good in English…Sabi ko, panalo na, kasi andun naman ang message!!!! And MELANIE WON! Di ba, she said NO firmly with conviction.
Is it true you quarrelled with Melanie after this?
R: Meron. Alam mo na, intriga. She hired a manager and the gap widened. She even said in an interview that I did not pay her modelling fees. That’s a lie and I was so hurt. So, when it was my turn to be interviewed, I said clearly that my new alaga CHAT SILAYAN who was third runner-up as Ms Universe was so “pretty and intelligent.” Melanie was so hurt by this.
And when did they make up?
R: When she got involved with Lito Lapid. She was on the family way, I had to be with her and helped her. That made us closer and we have remained the very best of friends.
You just did 5 successful shows here in Canada (Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver and two in Toronto) – is this your favorite place?
R: Yes, CANADA is my second home. I started my fashion show here in the 80s. I was easily embraced by everyone, I cannot forget that.
And why did he choose to be a fashion designer?
R: Since early childhood pa, it was my dream na. I was inspired by Pitoy Moreno, Christian, Aureo Alonzo and Ben Farrales. Their fame and their lifestyle motivated me. More so when they became internationally known – I remember when they did the fashion show in Seattle. Ang galing! Fashion for me is like medicine. it is a therapy. My turn came in the late 90s when I did a show in Seville, Spain. Cry ako talaga. Parang hindi tutoo. That’s one of my cherished moments.
Who in Hollywood would you like to dress up?
R: I wish both Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly were still around. I was captivated by the sabrina cuts that Audrey popularized. I will always remember Grace Kelly, the Princes of Monaco. (The Hollywood star’s 1956 wedding to Prince Rainier launched her into the realm of royal wedding legend.) Her lace and silk taffeta wedding dress has since inspired countless bridal gowns. With its high neckline, long sleeves, fitted bodice and voluminous skirt, Grace Kelly’s wedding dress offered up a silhouette that was both timeless and trendsetting…And I love Ann Hathaway – she’s so perfect. I love her in Prada.
And who in Pinas would he like to dress up?
R: Si VILMA!!!! Pareho kaming taga Batangas! Close friends kami ni Mama niya. Type ko rin si Gretchen Barretto – she is pretty but fierce! Of course si Charo Santos. Charo would always look so elegant in ternos, maganda sa kanya ang traditional attires.
When is RENEE going to retire?
R: Oh no! I will die if I retire!
Renee has reached the apogee of a long glorious climb, what else would he like to do?
Renee has been referred to as the Philippines’ Fashion Ambassador because of the decades-long of service he has devoted to the industry.
R: My goal has always been to bring Philippine fashion to the world stage – to a level that that there’s a global demand for our work, and this will create more jobs for the people. And it will prove to the whole world that Filipino designers are at par with anyone, even better than the very best.
His Philippine Tapestry has raised the bar for Filipino cultural fashion shows abroad. He promotes Philippine indigenous fabrics: like piña, abaca, and handwoven fabrics, inaul. The collection is inspired by the native weaves of the different regions of the Philippines.
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Bravo AEGIS – Take a Bow
AEGIS made Pinoy concert history here in Toronto! Due to overwhelming demand, a matinee at 1 pm was added to the originally scheduled show at 7 pm.on Sept 24 at Toronto Pavilion. The back to back shows were sold out! The parking lot was jammed, people had to walk 2 to 3 blocks to the venue because the few remaining empty spaces were near some residential spots. I went to the 1:00 pm show, had a hard time getting in as the queue thickened. I finally gained access only because I am a familiar face of concerts and the usual security guards know me.
It was my first time to watch Aegis. I am so impressed. The Sunot sisters who do the vocals are – Juliet, Mercy and Ken. Backed up by keyboardist Stella Pabico, guitarist Rey Abenoja, bass player Rowena Adriano and drummer Vilma Goloviogo.
Why are they such a hit? Because we can easily identify with them, they choose songs that are typically soundtracks of our personal lives. Pinoys are incurable romantics. The Aegis though doesn’t sing just slow tunes, we rock with them, they scream the lines out to the highest note possible and put our emotions on a roller-coaster ride. Bravo!!!! Will want to watch you again and again.
As I went back to my car after the concert, I still hear the songs clearly as they replay in my thoughts. Halik, Luha, Sinta, Basang Basa Sa Ulan, – they express intense sentiments , deep-seated raw emotions…Are they Queens of broken hearts? Not really but they get to us in a healing process of tones.
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Tidbits
The Philippine Consulate General of Toronto will present the first event of b2Bpreneur after a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic to reintroduce its vision, mission, and objectives to the Filipino community. Expect this in late October.
b2Bpreneur will present some of the old and new batapreneurs from the different categories – Junior/Senior/Youth – and showcase their businesses to demonstrate the significance of early youth entrepreneurial training and emphasize the need to build the next generation of empowered entrepreneurs
with a heart.
The purpose of the program is to raise awareness among the Filipino community that youth entrepreneurship can be a viable career option to show the value of their children’s skills in personal and career endeavours.
Glad to hear that Ms Chiqui Pineda (yes, she wowed us in the recent Renee Salud’s show) will host.
Let us also congratulate Republika RestoBar and Grill on its 3rd anniversary. Special mention to the 3 owners: Jannie (Luz-Benico), Elaine and Belen. You can really make it happen! Flashback: I remember that Thai dinner we had downtown 3 yrs ago with Jannie and her cousins (Lizette and Margot). Jannie said she wanted to do food and bar. We did not give a hundred percent approval – but look, we were wrong! Go go go Jannie, you outdid yourself.
One more name we can’t miss this issue is EDGAR SULIT. As my publisher Tess Cusipag said, “Edgar has a good eye, he discovers the beauties – look at the winners before, kay Edgar galing yan. Like Ms International 2013 Bea Santiago.”
After successfully celebrating the 35th Year Anniversary of the Evolution of IPEN, EDGAR’s IPEN is going to organize the most elegant and grandest debutantes’ celebration in Canada. This time, it is to celebrate the most important birthday celebration for any young woman between the ages of 17 to 21 and and between the ages of 21 to 24 for men.
Abangan in March of next year – fittingly called the Debutantes’ Ball. Renee Salud, who is Edgar’s BFF, will create the special gowns!
Meanwhile, let’s enjoy Fall. See you later in 2 weeks.
You can reach me at FB (Bk Jimenez).