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Project Runway Philippines Episode 1 Recap

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Since this is a franchise of a very famous and international reality TV series, we cannot help but compare the show to the original Project Runway series.  I am a fan of the US series and have watched all the seasons (1 to 4 and currently watching 5) of Project Runway (US) hosted by Heidi Klum and Mentored by Tim Gunn.  I have also watched the first seasons of both Project Catwalk (UK) — hosted by Elizabeth hurley and Mentored by Ben de Lisi — and Project Runway Canada, hosted by Iman and mentored by Brian Bailey.

Please bear in mind though that this will not be a review, but more of a recap of the whole first episode of Project Runway Philippines.  This blog is not in any way affiliated with the producers of the show, the contestants, or the airing networks (ETC and SBN21).

Let’s begin the show!

The show opened with a typical Project Runway OBB where the designers, host Teresa Herrera and mentor Jojie Lloren talk about the show and themselves. The designers then started arriving at Amorsolo Mansions, the official residences of the contestants.

Project Runway Philippines (Image via ETC)

Introductions were made, roommates were known, old friends were reunited.

Designers Contestants of Project Runway Philippines:
Bo Parcon
Eli Gonzales
Veejay Floresca
Aries Lagat
Lorymer Villareal
Lord Maturan
Loida Hunter
Jaz Cerezo
Mara Reyes
Philipp Tampus
Ava Paguyo
Ivan Raborar
Charette Regala
Winnie Chua

After the designers have settled in their official residences, they received the Project Runway welcome letter which asked them to leave all their belongings and head to their welcome celebration.  The designers then headed to the Liwasang Bonifacio (close to the Philippine Post Office and Intramuros) where Teresa and Jojie welcomed them. In similar fashion to other Project Runway shows, Project Runway Philippines welcomed the designers to the show with celebratory drinks. As if showing the world an identity for Project Runway Philippines, the drinks were… drumroll please… BUKO JUICE! While all the other seasons and shows I’ve seen had champagne, PR Philippines had Buko Juice! Toast, the tropical way!  There’s nothing wrong with fresh coconut juice (straight from the shell).  It can actually reflect the tropical climate of the country as well as the freshness and uniqueness of our designs. See? May relate!

After the welcome party, Teresa Herrera announced the details of the first challenge (who they are as a designer).  There were three jeepneys (see, there’s consistency in the theme, and we’re not saying that it’s bad) filled with different kinds of fabrics.  The challenge was for the contestants to gather as much fabric as they wanted (using the provided-for baskets for each contestant – see, consistent!) in five minutes.  Within the five minutes, the designers were allowed to get as much materials as they could.  They were even allowed to trade fabrics with other designers as long as it was within the time limit. The challenge was for the designers to create an outfit that best describes their identity as a designer.

And in typical Project Runway fashion, the designers scurried off to the lovely fabric-filled jeepneys after the go-signal was given.  Loida Hunter, the oldest (51) among the bunch, had a little difficulty keeping up with the youngsters as she was phsically slower than everyone else.  Loida ended up with very few materials. There were also some instances of bitching during the challenge.  Aries Lagat got the ire of some of the designers as he collected the most fabrics and being bitchy in the process.

If you watch Project Runway, you would know that this kind of challenge always has a twist.  And for this one, the twist was that the contestants must use ALL of the materials they have gathered (it was not mentioned though that leftovers were allowed or not). In the pocket interview of Eli Gonzales, he talked about Aries getting too much saying: “Big karma!” (more quotable quotes from Project Runway Philippines after the cut). Some designers were not satisfied with what they got, and others were quite happy with their loot.

They all then headed to the Project Runway Philippines workroom at the School of Fashion and th Arts (SoFA) in Makati. The accessory wall was filled with items from Happy David (Get Happy) and shoes were provided by VNC.

Jojie Lloren, their mentor, gave them a set of measurement cards containing different models’ information and that they will meet their models later on. There were no photos of the models, so some designers did their own tug-of-war selecting cards with “ideal” measurements.

Jojie Lloren, gave them the brief and told them that they had until 12 o’clock (midnight, but one contestant, Lord Maturan, later mentioned that they had until 1AM) that night to work on their designs.

The designers were faced with various issues — some personal, some technical, some creative:
Mara Reyes with her sewing machine
Eli Gonzales with Veejay and Aries
Loida Hunter, Ivan Raborar, and Ava Paguyo with the annoyingly loud singing and purported shouting of Aries Lagat.
Aries Lagat with Loida having problems with his singing.
Veejay Floresca with not having sewn anything yet, while everyone else already had finished a lot of things.

Four hours until end of day, Jojie introduced the models to the designers.  His and hellos were exchanged. Fitting.

Three hours until end of day, Jojie came back and introduced Jigs Mayuga, Chief Make-up Artist of L’Oreal Paris (Philippines).  Jigs discussed with the designers the make-up looks of the models based on the designs and styles of their creations.

Two hours until end of day, Jojie went inside the workroom and went to every designer to give them his two cents’ worth on their creations.

The designers headed back to the Amorsolo Mansions to get some much needed rest while contemplating on what happened during their first day.

Back at SoFa, on the day of the runway show, Jojie informed the designers that he wasn’t that impressed with the outcome of most of the garments, particularly the sewing department .  They had about five hours left to finish their garments, do their last minute alterations, and give final instructions to their models for hair and make-up.

The runway show then started with Teresa Herrera welcoming the contestants the runway and telling them that the winner will be granted immunity and the loser will be sent home.

The winner of Project Runway Philippines will receive:
P 500,000.00  (about US$ 11,000.00) from Beverly Hills 6750
A fashion editorial in Mega Magazine
A designer showcase by Mannequin Inc.
Sewing Machines from Brother International
The chance to show their collection in Philippine Fashion Week

Teresa then introduced the judges:
Fabulous fashion designer Rajo Laurel
Model and fashion editor Apples Aberin-Sadhwani
International award-winning fashion designer Frederick Peralta (guest judge).

Ivan Raborar – T’boli woman going to Manila
Lord Maturan – Edgy Streetwear Look, Harajuku cum Japanese Punk
Jaz Cerezo – Asian-inspired dress
Veejay Floresca – Innovative, Wearable, Modern, Young, Filipino dress
Mara Reyes – Totem Icelandic style streetwear
Philipp Tampus – Timeless Short dress
Charette Regala – Sculpture-type and shapes-inspired dress
Bo Parcon – Sexy with a classic twist
Lorymer Villareal – Lace and Jersey Green dress
Loida Hunter – Couturish and Classical dress
Ava Paguyo – Colorful but not Tacky dress
Aries Lagat – Tailored and Powerful, Exciting, Inventive and Sellable dress
Eli Gonzales – Bad Girl Gone Good
Winnie Chua – Woman-friendly, wearable, simple with details Baby Doll Dress

[Spoiler alert:  If you haven't seen the show yet, and are not interested in spoliers, stop reading here]

Seven designers who were safe were called on to the stage:
Ivan Raborar
Eli Gonzales
Jaz Cerezo
Ava Paguyo
Lord Maturan
Bo Parcon
Winnie Chua

The remaining seven designers who represent the highest and the lowest scores:
Veejay Floresca
Charette Regala
Mara Reyes
Loida Hunter
Lorymer Villareal
Aries Lagat
Philipp Tampus

Their models were brought out to show the judges the garments up close and for the judges to ask the designers further questions.  After the pretty relaxed and laid-back “interrogation,” the designers and their models were sent backstage for the judges to discuss amongst themselves.

Veejay and Aries were very-well liked by all of the judges. Mara’s good, but there were problems with her construction process. Charette had to “keep the necklace on.” The judges found Loida’s garment to be blah, and they feel bad for her. Lorymer’s design was not flattering to a woman’s design. And Philipp just had way too much personality.

The designers were called back onstage and Philipp was called first to step forward.  He’s safe.  Charette’s up next, and she’s safe too.

Aries Lagat was called next and with a unanimous vote, was declared the winner of the first challenge of Project Runway Philippines Season 1.

Veejay was called next and he’s safe too.  So was Mara.

Two were left:  Loida, whose design was not interesting; and Lorymer, whose design was not flattering and looked cheap.

By the skin of his teeth, Lorymer was safe.

Loida Hunter will go down in history as the first ever person eliminated from Project Runway Philippines.

I don’t know if it’s going to be consistent, but Teresa Herrera did not have her version of Heidi Klum’s “auf wiedersehen”.  She only said “Take care, Ingat!”

Project Runway Philippines Episode 1

Based on the trailer for the next episode, 13 legends will be introduced to the designers.  It seems like the next episode will be harder, more stressful, and more tiring for the designers.

Project Runwya Philippines airs on ETC (Cable TV) and on SBN 21 (UHF Free TV) every Wednesday night at 10PM with replays every Thursday at 9AM and 3PM.

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