Raunchy photo drags Mark Herras’ name

by Nickie Wang

In many parts of the world, social networking and micro blogging sites have become important tools in marketing because of their huge potential in reaching a great number of people. You see, they use these social media to become productive but the snag is that these sites are also exploited by some in their malicious attempt to tarnish someone else’s reputation without any clear motive. And most of the time, the culprits are difficult to locate or identify.

The latest victim of an online scandal is actor and dancer Mark Herras. The 23-year-old Kapuso talent recently became talk of the town after the search engine term “Mark Herras scandal” hit the web. The photos, which was first posted in a forum, were reposted in many blog sites and caused a lot of curious minds (especially those with filthy intentions) to probe more.

People 10.3.09

…are talking about

Ondoy telethons

The country’s two major TV stations immediately initiated telethons dedicated to raise funds and collect relief goods for the victims of typhoon Ondoy. We saw how people can make great efforts to help, and we saw how ABSCBN’s Sagip Kapamilya proved how powerful it is in convincing even big companies to extend some assistance. The station has generated more than 100 million pesos in cash and in kind. Does this mean that ABS-CBN is the more trusted media organization?

Christine Reyes

Christine Reyes: Real-life damsel in distress

New York Times called her a real-life damsel in distress after being stranded on top of the roof for twelve hours and saved by Patient X co-star Richard Gutierrez. Among the celebrity victims, Christine’s story is the closest to a fairy tale or a scene in a movie where a knight in shining armor emerged from nowhere and swept her off to safety.  Only one thing that we noticed though, while other celebrities tried to help as many people as they could, Christine’s rescuer didn’t save anybody else apart from her and her family.

Gerald Anderson

Gerald Anderson swimming murky floodwaters

Tiagong Akyat literally  swam the murky floodwaters and climbed walls to check on his neighbors who might have needed help during the calamity considering that his own house was also flooded. And there were no video cameras, although neighbors caught his near heroic deed in still and amateur video cameras. In times like the recent disaster that wreaked havoc in Metro Manila, we can really see celebrities who genuinely help people and those who are just eager to have photo opportunities in the middle of rescue and relief operations. We don’t have to name names. They parade themselves on TV anyway.

…are not talking about

GMA Drama Series

Kapuso network profiles leading characters in its television series as people who are martyrs, and thus promote and tolerate culture of cruelty. In this time and age, no person who is in his or her sound mind, would desire to be occasionally slapped or dragged on the floor. If the big wigs in the station thought viewers enjoy this kind of drama, then they have to check their calendars because they seem stuck in the old ways. Aren’t they wondering why they can’t even score any higher than the Kapamilya shows in the provinces? And why theirs are slowly losing audiences in Mega Manila? Time to change ways, Kapuso! You’ve been lingering long in your old and rotten formula.

Lovers In Paris

Lovers in Paris stars Piolo Pascual and KC Concepcion

Primetime’s latest localized series debuted modestly in the ratings race amid massive publicity and promotion. The viewers seem not too excited to follow the love affair of Carlo and Vivian. Is it because the lead stars are an aging matinee idol and a commercial model turned actress who is obviously not fit for the role?

Mark Herras

The Bad Boy of the dance floor is enticed going to the gym because of an aim to be part of Cosmo Bachelor Bash next year. Did he suddenly feel inferior by the attention Gerald Anderson and Aljur Abrenica got when they flaunted their well sculpted torsos? The truth is, Mark needs more than just doing crunches and barbell curls; he needs to work double time because most of his contemporaries’ careers are moving faster than his.

When less is really more

By Nickie Wang/Manila Standard Today

How can “less is more” be possible?

A lot of people asked when a couple of billboards along Edsa were seen with the catchy tagline “Less is More.”

Because the huge ads didn’t indicate the product or service being advertised, the white and pink balloons gave us the idea that something wonderful will soon be unveiled.

And we were right. Flawless, the country’s leading aesthetic beauty clinic chain, was re-launched with a much better promise to its customers.

Celebrities, party people, entertainment press, and invited guests all came in white and pink at the grandiose Blue Leaf Pavilion located at McKinley Hill Village, Taguig City on May 24 to witness the grand re-launch of Flawless.

The white and pink-themed event was hosted by Phoemela Baranda and featured celebrity endorsers like Lorna Tolentino, Allysa Milano, Yasmien Kurdi, and Butch Francisco. Other Flawless endorsers like Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, Mark Herras, Richard Gutierrez, and the very controversial Katrina Halili were not there to unveil the new Flawless tagline “Less is More.”

All endorsers who were present at the momentous event appeared before the guests in their simple attires that still made them elegant-looking like Lorna Tolentino who had a brief appearance wearing a simple white gown. The short but sweet program was so simple that it furthered the adage “simplicity is beauty.”

“Less in more, right? So let’s focus less on other issues and more on Flawless. I’m so proud of how this brand has evolved. This is such a pioneering approach to beauty. It’s an honor for me to be associated with this brand,” was the short but very evocative statement of Vicki Belo, part-owner of Flawless.

The new look

Flawless was established in 2001 to provide top beauty services to people who put premium on their looks and appearance. Eight years and 30 branches later, the aesthetic beauty clinic chain has consistently raised industry standard by providing high-quality services at reasonable price.

Part of the new image, each Flawless branch has been renovated to complement the new slogan.

“Less Is More is more than just a tag-line; it’s a mindset, a way of life. Our endorsers have embraced that, and I know our customers will do, too,” said Ruby Sy, chief executive officer and managing director of Flawless.

She added that having an aesthetic clinic chain debunks the myth surrounding the beauty industry. Sy explained that beauty is not about narcissism or just capitalism anymore. “Flawless slogan affirms that beauty is just as much as social as it is physical,” she continued.

The services Flawless provides are drafted to replenish and rejuvenate each costumer’s physical and mental being. Services are customized depending on the customers’ budget and privacy requirements. It provides options of economy (Ruby) class, business (Emerald) class, or first (Diamond) class.

Emerald and Diamond classes are serviced by more serious aestheticians and priced 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively, higher than Ruby. Emerald wards have fewer beds compared to Ruby and provides ample space for those who absolutely need it, while Diamond wards hold only one or two customers at a time guaranteeing privacy and discretion at all times.

Flawless TVC

One of the featured segments of the Flawless grand re-launch was the unveiling of the new television commercial that features its hottest endorsers.

Seen on the 50-second TVC are Yasmien Kurdi, Mark Herras, Katrina Halili, Richard Gutierrez, Lorna Tolentino, and Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo in their simplest moments that make new slogan more understood. It captures the essence of the “Less Is More” mindset by showing the glamorous endorsers at their most unguarded and natural moments.

The TVC was directed by world-renowned GJ Bleechmore who is best known for working on feature films such as Truth or Dare starring Madonna. He also directed music videos for The Rolling Stones, Elton John, and Janet Jackson.