My SHOWBIZ SOSYAL column

FASHION PLUS
By: Rowel Canlas

ANGEL LOCSIN, Folded &
Hung image model

Her detractors might not like it but she’s still one of the most sought-after product endorsers in the country today.

ANGEL LOCSIN’s list of endorsements could be an envy of most celebrities in the local tinseltown. To think that she’s not that visible on TV lately, but still, she has accumulated a number of modeling projects to her name. And one of them is Folded&Hung.

For the past several months, Angel’s face and gorgeous body has been gracing the pages of glossy magazines and huge billboards all over the metropolis. In fact, they just wrapped-up a fashion pictorial for Folded & Hung’s summer campaign when I requested for Angel's photos.

Let’s face it, Angel has developed a cult following due to her immense popularity and innate charm. Whether she transfers from one station to another, her fans have remained loyal since day one. Indeed, Angel Locsin is one lucky individual.

According to my writer-friend from ABS-CBN, she started taping her new teleserye opposite Sam Milby and a host of other Kapamilya stars. Aptly entitled “Only You,” it's actually a remake of the popular koreanovela with the same title. To be directed by Rory Quintos, “Only You” will also have Diether Ocampo as another love interest of the in-demand actress.

Angel Locsin was chosen as Folded& Hung product endorser because she perfectly personifies the brand’s image of being hip and trendy. She has the aura of sexiness, confidence and style that the company look for. Aside from the fact that she’s young, fresh and successful, her astonishing fashion sense is simply hard to ignore.

F&H came to life in 1998 when former dentist named Ronald Pineda ventured into men’s and ladies’ apparel business. Since going into retail business was very lucrative, he decided to close his dental clinic and started selling clothes. Several years later, F&H captured a niche market and has become a byword among Manila’s elite fashionistas.

Aside from ready-to-wear items, F&H likewise carry colorful accessories that are very stylish yet easy on the pocket. F&H products reflect the lifestyle of its consumers with stylish, impeccable and fabulous clothes & accessories.

They also have undergarments, men's and ladies bags, perfumes and eyewear for the younger set. All the materials are sourced locally because the company aims to patronize Filipino products.

What sets F&H apart from other retailers is that it boasts of merchandise and marketing efforts that are in line with the company’s ideals and visions. Its foremost objective is to become the leading retail chain of stores that provide current and fashionable clothing at competitive prices.

The brand has received the “2005 Most Promising Franchise Of the Year” from the Philippine Franchise Association, a member of the World Franchise Council and the “Hall of Fame Award for Outstanding Filipino Retailer in 2005” from The Philippine Retailers Association and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Part of the company’s expansion program is to open more stores and provide employment to many Filipinos. More product lines will come out and collaboration with other industries, celebrities & personalities that will add excitement to the brand.

My SHOWBIZ SOSYAL column

FASHION PLUS
By: Rowel Canlas

2009 OSCARS Best Dressed Stars

Its awards’ season once again in Hollywood. After the much-ballyhooed Golden Globe comes the Oscars.

Around the world, people have been anticipating the Academy for the simple reason of finding out who made it in the elite list. To be frank, I am not really a “dyed-in-the-wool” foreign films enthusiast. I just watch them on DVD whenever I have the urge.

What I incessantly look forward to is the Oscars’ Red Carpet ceremony. I want to find out who wears who.

Hollywood stars usually wear expensive gowns by equally-famous designers. In fact, our very own Monique Lhuillier has been a regular fixture in this mega-upscale event.

In the recently-concluded Oscar Awards night, Hollywood A-listers arrived in flashy limousines wearing elegant gowns matched with expensive jewelries. Powerhouse couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie led the pack of celebrities who sashayed on the famous carpet.

Fashion critics once again had a field day scrutinizing the gowns that these stars wore. As usual, Angelina Jolie topped the list of “Best Dressed” women looking radiant in a black gown by Elie Saab. Tomb-raider’s jewelry was provided by Lorraine Schwartz and her shoes by Ferragamo.

Best Supporting Actress winner Penelope Cruz looked very regal in Pierre Balmain’s off-the-shoulder white gown emphasizing her svelte figure.

But the night’s big winner was Kate Winslet who clinched the Best Actress plum for her poignant role in “The Reader.” The ever-beautiful Titanic star showed up in half-steel gray, half-transparent Yves Saint Laurent by Stefano Pilati dress matched with expensive bracelet and earrings by Chopard.

Meanwhile, fashion critics singled-out teen icon Miley Cyrus as worst dress actress of the night. Cyrus wore a floor-length silver gown that fashion authorities compared to a blinking Christmas tree. Others described it as an iceberg with a superhero belt. One vicious fashion editor even said she looks like a puppet. Whew. People can be so harsh, at times.

Incidentally, a competition for budding fashion designers was held prior to the main event entitled “Oscar Designers Challenge”. A Filipino named Alan del Rosario was included in the top 10 besting hundreds of young hopefuls wanting to penetrate the glitzy world of Hollywood. His black off-shoulder printed gown earned rave reviews from board of jurors.

Although del Rosario didn’t win any award, placing number seven was enough reason for us to be proud of our kababayan.

My SHOWBIZ SOSYAL column

My SHOWBIZ SOSYAL column

FASHION PLUS
By: Rowel Canlas

Jolina's trendy summer outfits

In the latest issue of SUNDANCE catalog, Jolina Magdangal once again showed her unique fashion sense donning colorful outfits perfect for the summer season.

Jolina looked every inch a style icon on the cover wearing a sexy blouse that bears her shoulders yet still looks very wholesome. Every page of the glossy brochure is worth staring at because of the countless items from casual shirts and blouses, leather shoes, bags, jewelries, children’s apparel down to cool accessories. In short, everything you need with regards to your clothing needs can be found in the catalog.

Magdangal, who is currently mending a broken heart, has been an image model of the popular brand for several years. The management believes that she’s been a big help in elevating the direct-selling industry to a higher level. Aside from her morning show “Unang Hirit” where she promotes Sundance religiously, Jolina has two other top-rating shows on GMA 7 namely “Dear Friend” and “SOP.”

With her effervescent and down-to-earth demeanor, she can easily blend with people from all walks of life. Indeed, after several decades in the local entertainment circuit, Jolina Magdangal’s luster hasn’t waned a bit.

Most of her contemporaries have either succumbed to motherhood or gone matronly but she maintains her slim figure and beautiful face. Perhaps it has something to do with her vibrant personality and positive outlook in life.

Sundance’ colorful catalog features an array of summer outfits that can be worn anytime of the day. For women on-the-go, a set of casual clothes are made especially for your discriminating taste. Sundance’ blouses and slacks can be a better alternative to lousy office uniforms that have seen better days.

For active young men, a set of denim jeans and comfy shirts are in-store for all of you. It can be matched with comfortable rubber shoes or leather sandals that are made of imported materials. Sundance’ foot wear has soft rubber sole that does not wreck your feet and protects them from swelling.

Even fat women can heave a sigh of relief because Sundance has come up with “Plus-Size Collection” fit for their liking. Definitely, these clothes can lift the spirit and self-esteem of every plump woman in our midst. In short, you don’t have to be ultra-fit to be a certified fashionista. Even if you possess a 35-inch waistline, you have all the right to be fabulously sexy.