News spread like wildfire last year that there's going to be a fourth season of Project Runway Philippines. True enough, we were invited to the launch just a few days ago by ETC, their host channel. I wanted to see the competitors just to get a glimpse first hand on their backgrounds but Project Runway Philippines Season 4 had other plans. They showed us the first episode and it happened right before our very eyes. Thanks to the Solar Entertainment Group for having this produced and shown in ETC!
Guest judge that evening was Josie Natori (whom I didn't get to have a selfie with), she's an iconic Filipina designer based in Tokyo and has impressed the world with her designs. Aside from that, host of the show Tweetie De Leon and the designers mentor the magnanimous Jojie Lloren entered the stage and told us about some changes. Jojie Lloren now has a Mentor's save, which will enable him to topple the judges decision about who to remove in the show. He only has one chance to do that and he's gonna have to make sure the person will be worthy to save in the show.
As for the runway show, the premise was to actually use the other competitors creations so they could make their own outfits. It would simply tell the judges who they were based on the designs. For me, there were some hits and misses but overall, it was a good show. I have my personal favorites.
The Contestants
This is AJ Bernabe's creation. he's 32 from Quezon City. I think I know what he wanted to do but there's some minor construction issues on the bottom part of this dress. It looked messy on the back and when the model was walking to the end of the runway.
This one's Celine Borromeo. She's 22 from Cebu City. She's got clean lines, very chic but I think the fit was too big for the model. I don't know if that was her intention but this ain't a maxi dress. If it were a little tighter on the body I'd say she would be the one winning this runway show, but again that size has to be worked out. (We just learned they used different models in fitting and on this show. That explains it.)
This one is by Enzo Habulan, 21 from Antipolo City. I must say, this is my favorite thing in the whole show. It's clean, it's got embellishments, it's chic, it's sexy and it looks expensive. A lady's dream made into a little white dress. I hope he gets to the top on this episode so my hunch would be confirmed. I'm rooting for you just so you know, because this has impressed me the most.
This is Jared Servano, 44 from Koronadal City, South Cotabato. They say he's fearless, and looks like he's street inspired but he does impress us with this dress with a small coat on top. I couldn't consider it a cape because of the material. It was also his coat that had some issues in the front, or perhaps that was his design aesthetic that made that part a little messy. It made the dress a mystery before the runway show though, it was pretty good.
This one is by Jinggay Serag, 35 from Quezon City. She's got solid construction on this piece, I don't see any flaws other than making this dress hopefully a little more feminine. I'm not a fan of the oversized bow too you know. Anyway, it was just okay, but it wasn't a wow piece.
This is by Jose Joy Chicano, 21 from Eastern Samar. I must say, this would be pretty controversial. It reminded me of the Japanese Doll game that I play on iOS. It had all the Japanese horror flick reference but the white Jacket was good. The unfinished hem lines was bothering me though, but overall this is something that some people I know would wear. It's like Japenese street fashion inspired so it is in my alley. Though I don't know if everyone would appreciate it, it was heavily talked about in my row while the show was ongoing. For me, it was good. It's a gamble though because the judges may find it messy. But again, if this is the designer's aesthetic, this is what he is, and if that is the case he has achieved the purpose of the challenge.
This one is done by Shieltiel Calamba, 31 from Cavite. I like the simple top and bottom. Although I have seen the skirt in some fashion shows already I am thinking this might be because of the limitations of materials they had to use for the challenge. So it's good enough for me. The accessories were also nice, it popped because the dress wasn't too busy. Good one.
This one is by Justin Oropesa, 24, from Antipolo City. I like the overcoat, don't get me wrong but I find it too harsh and heavy if it's red on red, maybe he doesn't have any material left but this would be so good on black. I super like the dress too if this wasn't made as a whole ensemble. He worked it.
This one is by Orville Bioncog, 24 from Cebu City. I like what he did to this dress. A little more polishing on the right side of it would have made this very feminine and not heavy looking. With the limitations, it really must have challenged them to create a new one. It shows. This was just okay though, I like it but it just had to have something on it to impress the judges. Indeed, the Cebu designers are giving the Metro Manila ones a run for their money.
Rauj Pange from Tacloban City did this, he's 27. Amongst all the designs that evening, I didn't like this the most. The construction of the top was flawed, it wasn't feminine and gave the model's body a weird shape. It wasn't flattering at all. The construction of the skirt was not good too, so in my books this would probably fall in the bottom 2. My apologies, but it wasn't good in my books.
I love this dress by Romel Tumulak, he's 46 from Cebu City. Although you can say it reminds me of Austin Scarlett who made the usual gowns in Project Runway Season 2 in the US, it just makes the fact that we are at par with them too. Construction wise, this is very good too. It hugs the body, very feminine too. Good job on this one.
This one is by 27 year old Vin Orias who hails from Manila. I loved what he's done with the print and the whole outfit looks fresh and neat. It's not so cumbersome to see, just clean fine lines and white fabric. The construction and sewing looks cleam too, if he personally did that print, I'd say he's second on my list. You're really good.
This one is by Melai Annang from Tugegarao City. She's 33. It's modern and chic, I could imagine this being worn by Anne Curtis no? It's something for show. The material is heavy though and the bottom part was a little messy when seen on the sides and back. She's not going to the bottom of the pack though, this one has good styling so she really did get away with it I hope.
This one is by Windell Madis from Ilocos Norte, he's 34. He's got no formal training, but he looks good on the runway don't you think? The simple dress with prints worked for me although the length is something we could debate on. I guess it was too short. Judges may find it nice, some might not, but really fashion is relative. He must have been challenged by the limitations on the garments hence the dress. Good attempt though.
Ladies and Gentlemen, these are your final 15 contestants for Project Runway Philippines Season 4. They will be the ones vying for the title of the NEXT FILIPINO RUNWAY PRIDE. Make sure you don't miss the show on ETC as they make Fashion history on this 4th season. You'll also have Apples Aberin and Rajo Laurel as part of the judging panel so you're sure you're only going to get the best. Now how's that runway show in one post! Ha! To the designers AJ Bernabe, Celine Borromeo, Enzo Habulan, Jared Servano, Jinggay Serag, Jose Joy Chicano, Joyce Maw, Shieltiel Calamba, Justin Oropesa, Orville Bioncog, Rauj Pange, Romel Tumulak, Vin Orias, Melai Annang and Windell Madis, good luck and may the gods and goddesses of fashion be with you!
For more information about the designers:
Project Runway Philippines Season 4
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