Sunday, February 24, 2008

Fashion just got greener


By Dinah S. Ventura
02/05/2008 c/o The Tribune

After 60 years in the business, fashion retail giant Cinderella knows just how important it is to do one’s part for the environment.

“The issue of global warming has been a major concern in the past five years. In general, concern for the environment has grown all over the world, involving not only the fashion industry,” explains Malou de Venecia, Cinderella’s director of marketing and communications.

The company, which began as the very lucrative hobby of its founder Florencia Guanzon, may well have pioneered environmental campaigns here in the philippines, starting with its “work with nature, not against it” campaign in 1991.

Such was the campaign’s success that Cinderella undertook another environmental pitch in 2005, dubbed “be true to your nature.”

Both campaigns aimed to “spread awareness to make fashion greener,” adds Mariel Santos, third generation Guanzon who is now actively involved in the family corporation as merchandising department head.

“Environmental awareness is a lifestyle,” asserts De Venecia. “people are more and more conscious about preserving the environment, keeping themselves in shape the natural way and being selective about the materials or fabrics they use.”

For its part, Cinderella believes “that it is possible to raise both fashion and environmental consciousness at the same time.” To do this, it has reincarnated its environmental campaign, this time as “work with nature,” in partnership with Bantay Kalikasan’s Save the La Mesa Watershed project.

An eco-friendly canvas bag is the initial result of this project, which “makes a clear statement of what we need to do right now.”

Needless to say, toting Cinderella’s limited edition “work with nature” shopping bag brings the customer a step closer to making fashion greener. The bag is being sold at all Cinderella stores for only P299 with any purchase – definitely an affordable way to contribute to the cause of fashion and environment! “from the beginning, we’ve always been about affordable fashion,” adds mariel.

Fashionistas need not worry – the functional bag is also quite stylishly designed. You can use it for any activity, from weekend picnics and traveling to shopping at the mall or even buying groceries from the supermarket. Of course, you can always tell your friendly Cinderella salesperson to use the bag for your purchases at the store rather than the usual non-biodegradable plastic bag. “this simple act can save our environment and can do save our future,” the Cinderella owners reiterate.

Part of the proceeds of the bag’s sales will be donated to Bantay Kalikasan.

Cinderella’s “work with nature” campaign in partnership with Bantay Kalikasan will be launched on Feb. 7 at Cinderella SM Megamall (second floor, building a) featuring a “Fashion + Nature” photo exhibit by Sara Black and Luis Espiritu.



Styling by Luis Espiritu

Photography by Sara Black

Make-up by Mickey See

Hair style by Janet de Rama of Propaganda

Special thanks to the La Mesa Eco Park (location)


Cinderella stores are located at SM Megamall, Glorietta 3, Alabang Town Center, SM North Edsa, Midtown (Robinson’s Ermita), Trinoma, SM Mall of Asia, SM Manila, SM South, Virramall, SM Fairview, Sta. Lucia East, Filinvest Mall, SM San Lazaro, SM Clark and SM Lipa.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Isabel Oli willing to go daring in TV and print, but not in movies


Dinno Erece
Thursday, February 21, 2008
08:29 AM
source: pep.ph
Isabel Oli can almost do anything in television and in print, but not in the movies.

Reluctant star pa ring maituturing si Isabel kahit kaliwa't kanan ang tinatanggap niya ngayong papuri sa kanyang first kontrabida role sa Sine Novela ng GMA-7 na Maging Akin Ka Lamang bilang si Rosita, ang award-winning role ni Lorna Tolentino noon sa big-screen adaptation.

Kahit ang kanyang boyfriend na si Paolo Contis, nagugulat sa acting range na ipinamamalas ni Isabel sa nasabing afternoon soap, especially her daringness. In one earlier scene, kahit isang seduction scene ang ginawa ni Isabel kay Polo Ravales, napuri pa siya ni Paolo.

"Sabi niya sa akin, ang galing ko raw palang mang-rape!" natatawang kuwento ni Isabel sa isang mini-presscon tendered by GMA Artist Center for her earlier today, February 20, sa Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

Very supportive daw si Paolo kay Isabel at naiintindihan ng kanyang boyfriend na trabaho lang lahat ito. Biggest fan niya raw si Paolo and also her worst critic.

"Siya rin ang nagsasabi sa akin kung hindi kagalingan ang arte ko sa isang scene. Sasabihin niya sa akin, ‘Ang pangit ng acting mo dito.' Hindi naman ako makasagot dahil alam ko namang may K siyang mag-comment dahil magaling na actor si Paolo," sabi ng model turned actress.

NEW FACE OF CINDERELLA. Natutuwa rin si Isabel na bukod sa kanyang Myra E endorsement, na nasa ika-apat na taon na ngayon, siya rin ang bagong face of Cinderella. She is the first local celebrity na mag-e-endorse ng giant clothing store. In one campaign, she gets to be photographed in her two-piece, something she doesn't normally do or even approve of.

Ngunit kahit nagpapaka-daring si Isabel sa television and prints at kahit gustung-gusto niya ulit magkaroon ng pelikula, hindi agad siya makatanggap ng offers dahil sa mga personal restrictions niya. In fact, napakarami na palang movie offers si Isabel na tinatanggihan for one reason or another.

"Ang dami na, ang iba talagang big break. Kaso ano, e..." bitin na pahayag ni Isabel.

Hindi agad ma-explain ni Isabel ang ipinupunto niya, so we asked her kung ano ba ang mga offers na tinatanggihan niya. Bawal ba sa kanya ang kissing scenes with other men dahil kay Paolo?

"Hindi, ‘no!" mabilis niyang sagot. "Hindi siya nakikiaalam sa ganoon. Nahalikan ko nga si Polo sa show namin, e... Yung mga sexy roles. Pinapag-sexy nila ako, wala naman akong ipapakita."

Kung nakapag-daring si Isabel sa Maging Akin Ka Lamang at nakapag-two-piece siya sa billboard for Cinderella, why not in the big screen, lalo na't big break ito sa kanya?

"Iba kasi ‘pag movie na, parang... Saka hindi na rin naman uso ang sexy movies, bakit ko gagawin?" ani Isabel.

SEX SCANDAL. Bigla niyang naungkat ang isang old news about her na may sex scandal daw siya.

"Ang cheap nun!" bulalas niya. "Nagalit talaga ang father ko. He was insulted. May sakit pa naman siya.' Tapos nakita ko ibinibenta compilation ng mga sex scandals daw ng mga artista, kasama sina Angel [Locsin], Katrina [Halili], ‘tapos ako ang cover at ang title ‘Isabel Oli Sex Scandal'!" tawa nang tawa si Isabel.

"Hindi ko mapanood ng buo ang video, nahihiya ako. Pero sa start pa lang, alam mo namang hindi ako, ang laki ng boobs nung girl! Wala ako nun!" sabay tawa ulit.

"Naku, kung gusto kong sumikat, ang dali namang sabihin na ‘Yes, ako po yung girl.' ‘Tapos sabay launch ng isang sexy movie. Pero that's not me and that's not my style," pagtatapos ni Isabel.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

MOD Jan-Feb 2008 Issue


Grab a copy from your fave news-stands and bookstores!

Friday, February 08, 2008

Chalk Magazine Featured Icon



Photography by: Miguel Miranda
Source: Chalk Magazine February 2008 issue (cover is Mariel R.)