I am not going to do a recap because they are available at Wikipedia and BaklaAko.com. Instead here are my observations from the pilot episode. I felt bored the first time I watched it so I had to watch it again (they have reruns).
- Teresa Herrera did a good job hosting the show.
- Cute si Eli. (sorry girls, I don’t think he is rooting for our team.)
- Editing and shots were not bad. They’re pretty good to be honest.
- No contest for models unlike in the original PR version
- The designers were given only portable machines. Ang 3rd world naman. I know Brother is the sponsor but Brother produces industrial sewing machines too, right? There is a big difference between using industrial and portable sewing machines. There are fabrics that is very difficult to sew in portable machines. Speed is also compromised and portable machines have to be oiled everyday. Industrial sewing machines are more professional.
- We’d like to hear more from Joji Lloren. His advice is more technical than those of Tim Gunn. I think Joji is great.
- More design oriented shots/comments and less drama please.
- Teresa Herrera’s version of “auf wiedersehen” was “Ingat”? Lol. She din’t say “paalam” but I heard her say “ingat”.
Now for the controversies, a reality TV show is no good without the controversies.
- Aries & Veejay - both have showed in Philippine Fashion Week, have done various spreads for various magazines, either won/finalist in design competition and both are recent members of the Young Designers Guild of the Philippines. Eli mentioned that the slot should have been given to other undiscovered designers. In the US version of PR, contestants have already worked for several fashion houses like Viviene Westwood, Ralph Lauren, Alexander McQueen etc. But the industry there is different from the industry here. I think I would agree with Eli on this one, don’t get me wrong I love Veejay (lol, si Veejay lang) but they have already the access to some of the prizes – fashion spread in a magazine and showing your work at Phil. Fashion Week. Although I think the main reason they joined is the prize, the money could perhaps help to expand the business.
Everyone also seems to hate Aries. He is really like that in person. Hehe. He was my teacher in FIP and know him pretty well. I don’t hate him tho’. He is like fungus, just grows on you. Undeniably he is also very talented specially in construction techniques which also he undeniably learned from Sir Shanon. But I will keep my mouth shut now. Haha. I bumped into him Aries last Saturday and told him he was the cattiest person in the show and he denies that he is the bad guy. Well, to borrow a quote from a friend “good for the network ratings, too bad for him.”
It was so insensitive of Aries to make that comment –”that T’iboli girl may ibubuga pala” although the comment was good in a way there was malicious intent in the way he said it. For the record too, the T’iboli ethnic group has a very rich cultural heritage. Hindi pa dumadating ang mga Kastila, “pashion” na sila. He might also be alienating prospective clients with his bitchy attitude in the show. Sometimes he is also bordering on rude specially the way he treated Loida. If Loida was my mom, I’d probably smite Aries. Hahahah. But Aries is Aries. I’ve pretty much accepted that part.
I’m rooting for Veejay and Ivan. I like that Ivan incorporates our cultural background in his works.
And HI to contestants, I know you’ve been leaving comments here. I think you guys are brave to join a show that will be grilled by the public. It really is never as easy as it looks on TV.
Filed under: Chiz, Fashion, Quote of the Day , aries lagat, ivan, ivan abrogar, jojie lloren, loida hunter, lorymer, mara reyes, philippines, pilot episode review, project runway, teresa herrera, veejacy floresca, winnie chua
