By Nickie Wang/ Manila Standard Today
What is the measure of a great fashion designer?
Solar Entertainment chief operating officer Peter Chanliong can’t answer this question but he assures that ETC Entertainment Central viewers will find out the answer if they tune in every Wednesda y night.
“Let’s just leave this question to the fashion experts,” Chanliong piped out in response to the question indicated in the Project Runway Philippines Season 2 program launch invite.
Joined by other Solar Entertainment top executives like Wilson Tieng, Chanliong graced the exclusive preview of PRP Season 2 held at the Embassy Superclub on Aug. 7.
Everybody in Solar was tight lipped in giving further details about the show’s second season, and that what made the media and guests all excited while waiting for the exclusive preview of the reality series that premiered last night on ETC.
“The Project Runway Philippines season 1 was very successful, and that’s the very reason why we felt that season 2 will be much bigger than the previous one,” Chanliong, who is also the executive producer of Project Runway Philippines, told Standard Today. “We incorporated the experiences we had with the season 1 to make the new season much bigger, and the only thing I can assure is that the drama will definitely make it more fun to watch.”
Chanliong added that Solar is not particular with television ratings stating that they have a captive audience who religiously follow their programs, “We measure the success of our programs with events like this,” pointing to the numerous preppy men and high-heeled women who crowded the venue, “And every time we launch a program, we are overwhelmed by the tremendous response and support we get from our audience,” he furthered.
From the much talked-about season finale held at the SMX Convention Center last November, Project Runway Philippines returns on its second season on ETC with international model and actress Teresa Herrera as host, fashion designer Jojie Lloren as mentor to the contestants, and fashion columnist Apples Aberin and fashion designer Rajo Laurel as judges.
Behind the seams
When asked to give a description of the show, fashion designer Rajo Laurel blurted out just one word—salacious (or scandalous in a more familiar term).
We had to agree with Laurel’s description of the program as it matches the unraveling glimpses of the PRP second season special preview. The first episode centers on the introduction of the competing designers, the first task that challenge their creativity and presence of mind, and the sneak peak of an appalling workroom confrontation between two of the contestants.
There is no tear-stained elimination yet but the show’s first episode promises to give televiewers the first glance of another edition of delicious episodes filled with more innovative challenges, more exciting guests and a more talented group of new designers.
But what sets PRP apart from other editions around the world? It’s the Filipino culture that uniquely adds color to the show. Each contestant manages to flaunt his or her skill while still considering the challenges as friendly competition.
The designers
Thirteen new breed of designers will compete for a chance to showcase their creations at the Philippine Fashion Week to be held in November, they are Cherry Veric, Hanz Conquilla, Hazel Sta. Ana, Manny Marquez, Meann Santos, Patrick Galang, Pau Geronimo, Randy Leano, Richie Bondoc, Russel Villafuerte, Santi Obcena and Tracy Dizon.
According to Jojie Lloren, also a professor at the School of Fashion and the Arts, these young designers are from different walks of life and some of them are not fashion designers by profession but they are taking this bold step to follow their heart to introduce their skills and fashion philosophies.
“What makes Project Runway Philippines 2 more exciting is that we have gathered 13 different personalities with completely different backgrounds. We have a call center agent, an accountant, and a single mother,” Lloren said.
Each week, one designer will be eliminated until it’s down to three contestants. The Final 3 will each be given a chance to showcase a collection at the Philippine Fashion Week, where the judges will declare who has the best collection and is the winner of Project Runway Philippines Season 2.
The best among the 13 designers will take home P500,000 in cash, an editorial spread in Preview magazine, sewing machines from Brother International, a designer package from Mannequin Inc., and a summer scholarship package from School of Fashion and the Arts’ European partner school, Instituto Marangoni.
Watch Prject Runway Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ETC available on SBN 21, SkyCable channel 16, Global Destiny channel 30, Cable Link channel 48 and Smart myTV.
Nickie Wang (left) and Solar Entertainment chief operating officer and Project Runway Philippines executive producer Peter Chanliong (Venue: Embassy Superclub, Image by: Pranz Kaeno)
VERY WANG 